Restoring the Flow: Commercial Water Damage Restoration for Business Continuity

Name: SERVPRO of Tigard / Tualatin / Lake Oswego / West Linn and Beaverton
Telephone: (503) 684-5829

6/27/2023 (Permalink)

Introduction: Water damage can wreak havoc on commercial properties, disrupting operations, and causing financial setbacks. Fortunately, professional water damage restoration services offer a lifeline to businesses in need. In this blog post, we explore the importance of commercial water damage restoration and how it can help restore the flow of business operations.

Effective Commercial Water Damage Restoration: Commercial water damage restoration involves a comprehensive approach to mitigate the effects of water-related incidents in business settings. From burst pipes and plumbing leaks to floods and storms, professional restoration teams specialize in assessing the extent of damage, extracting water, drying affected areas, and implementing necessary repairs. Their expertise ensures a swift and efficient restoration process, minimizing downtime and reducing potential revenue loss.

The Benefits of Prompt Restoration: Time is of the essence when dealing with commercial water damage. Swift action in engaging professional restoration services can prevent further damage, mold growth, and structural issues. By addressing the problem promptly, businesses can expedite the recovery process, protect valuable assets, and resume operations in a safe and functional environment.

Partnering with Reliable Restoration Experts: Choosing the right commercial water damage restoration provider is essential. Look for experienced teams equipped with advanced tools and technologies, who understand the unique needs of commercial properties. Reliable professionals offer 24/7 emergency services, transparent communication, and comprehensive assessments to devise tailored restoration plans that meet business requirements.

Conclusion: Commercial water damage restoration is a critical service that ensures business continuity and minimizes financial losses for affected enterprises. By promptly addressing water-related incidents with the help of professional restoration teams, businesses can swiftly recover from damage, protect their assets, and resume operations seamlessly. Remember, in the face of water damage, entrusting the restoration process to experts is crucial for a swift and successful recovery. Restore the flow of your business with reliable commercial water damage restoration services and regain control over your operations.

Dripping Disaster

6/26/2023 (Permalink)

standing water in a living room

Appliances have become an indispensable part of modern living, simplifying our daily tasks and enhancing our comfort. However, when these beloved appliances malfunction or experience leaks, they can quickly turn our homes into a watery nightmare. In this blog post, we shed light on the causes, consequences, and preventive measures to safeguard your home against water damage stemming from faulty appliances.

Causes of Appliance-Related Water Damage: Appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines, refrigerators, and water heaters can be potential sources of water damage if not properly maintained. Issues like worn-out hoses, damaged seals, clogged drains, and faulty connections can lead to leaks and floods. Over time, the constant wear and tear on these appliances can exacerbate the risk of water damage.

Consequences of Water Damage: The consequences of appliance-related water damage can be devastating. Beyond the visible damage to floors, walls, and furniture, the hidden effects of water seepage can lead to mold growth, weakened structural integrity, and compromised electrical systems. Additionally, the loss of personal belongings and costly repairs can result in significant financial strain for homeowners.

Preventive Measures: Taking proactive steps can help minimize the risk of appliance-related water damage. Regularly inspecting and maintaining appliances, including hoses, seals, and connections, can help identify and address potential issues early on. It is crucial to replace old or damaged parts promptly. Installing water leak detection devices and shut-off valves adds an extra layer of protection against potential disasters.

Conclusion: Appliances are meant to make our lives easier, but when they go awry, the consequences can be disastrous. By understanding the causes of water damage stemming from appliances and implementing preventive measures, we can safeguard our homes and prevent costly repairs. Stay vigilant, be proactive, and ensure the longevity of your appliances while enjoying the convenience they offer. Remember, a little maintenance and care can go a long way in protecting your home from the dripping disaster of water damage.

Downspout Flooding

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Roofing Materials Saturated with Water

A downspout is an essential part of your gutter system and many problems can occur if it’s not functioning properly. Leaves and yard debris can end up causing plugs and clogs in downspouts leading them to back up and not drain as intended. As you start to plant your spring flowers, be sure to check around the foundation of your home for pooling water caused by downspouts. If you see signs of pooling and puddles make sure to clean out and clear out your downspouts to eliminate the blockage and lessen your chances of flooding from rainwater.

If you do find that there is water in your basement or crawlspace weather that be from a backed up downspout or a pipe break, SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin & SERVPRO® of Beaverton are “Here To Help” 24/7, 365. We have been helping customers like you when disasters occur since 1991 and are ready to help you make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at 503-684-5829

Addressing Water Damage

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

Standing Water in an office building

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a standards developing organization for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. For water damage restoration work, they have published a manual, S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (S500) - SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton follows the principles outlined in this manual, alongside our fellow Tigard/Tualatin area restoration vendors.

To learn more about the IICRC, read our previous blog on them by clicking here.

Here at SERVPRO, we believe it’s important for our community to understand the principles that outline the work we do. Over the next month, we will be summarizing each principle from the S500 and sharing that knowledge with you.

S500 Principle 1: Provide for the Safety and Health of Workers and Occupants.

Safety is everyone’s responsibility on a water damage worksite. A primary concern in water damage safety is protecting restoration employees performing the work, as we often work in unsafe and unhealthy environments due to the nature of the services we provide.

As premier restoration professionals, SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton takes all the steps necessary to ensure the safety of all occupants or visitors to the worksite, as well. We will post important signage to prevent visitors and occupants from exposing themselves to hazardous areas in the worksite, or alert them to the safety precautions necessary to be in that area. If we have a scheduled site walk, we will provide all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), which can include hardhats, respirators or face masks, safety vests, and/or protective eyewear.

Before we begin work on a water damage loss, we will assess the property for existing and potential hazards. We call this process H.A.R.M. (Hazard Assessment and Risk Management). The goal of H.A.R.M. is to assess the hazards and implement controls to prevent further hazards from developing.

Part of H.A.R.M. is testing for hazardous materials, such as asbestos and lead. We do not disturb anything in the affected area until after we have received results from our testing. Residential buildings built before 2004 must be tested for asbestos before work can be performed, while all commercial buildings must be tested before work can be performed. All buildings built before 1978 must be tested for lead before work can be performed.

Ensuring a safe work environment is critical for the work that we do. This is just a snapshot of the steps we take at SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton to keep a water damage worksite safe for all parties involved.

If you experience a water damage at your property, call SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton at 503-684-5829 if you find water damage in your home or business. Don’t hesitate to mitigate the damage the minute you see it!

Flooding 101

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Van and Equipment

Flooding can occur any time of the year. We here in the PNW have a close relationship with that liquid sunshine we call rain. Even though it is a common sight for us it is important that we know common weather terms and what we need to do when we hear them.

For instance, do you know the difference between a “Flood Warning” and a “Flood Watch”? Although the two terms sound very similar they are different and need to elicit a different response. A

Flood Warning means that flooding will occur soon if it has not already. You need to move to higher ground or evacuate the area immediately.
Flood Watch means that flooding is possible. You need to listen to local radio or TV news stations and weather centers for more information. A Flood Watch can become a Flood Warning.

If flooding or other water damage affects your property make sure to call the team with 27+ years of experience in the community.

Snow is falling

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Warehouse

We are really good in the PNW at dealing with rain, lots of rain but we struggle with snow. It’s rare and beautiful but when it starts to linger on your roof and cause an ice damn it’s not so great. Even worse still when snow starts to make its way into your home and your house is packed with friends and family. SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin & SERVPRO® of Beaverton are ready 24/7 365 including Christmas and News Years to help you when disaster strikes at 503-684-5829.

SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin has been serving the community since 1991. We are dedicated to helping our customers when disaster strikes and helping to make it “Like it never even happened,” We are ready 24/7, 365 at 503-684-5829 to help you. We are a certified Women owned and Women run firm who are committed to serving our community when disasters such as pipe breaks and fires occur.

Alittle is a lot

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Standing Water

Any amount of unexpected water can cause a lot of damage, fast. We get calls from customers who have had water damage in their home or office all the time, often we are told the water has only affected a small area. But more often than not, that is not the case it is just the only water damage that is easily visible. Water runs across and down easily, it does not stay put in one area where a water loss has occurred.

We’re ready to deal with your water damage emergency day or night. When water causes damages in your home or office we are ready 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you. Not only are we ready to help, but we are also ready to answer your call. When you call, no matter the time or day, you will speak with our owner, Kathy Linderman or one of our many trained managers ready to help you make it “Like it never even happened.” If water damage strikes you, make sure to call the team with 27+ years serving our community.

Avoid flooding

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment

A downspout is an essential part of your gutter system and many problems can occur if it’s not functioning properly. Leaves and yard debris can end up causing plugs and clogs in downspouts leading them to back up and not drain as intended. As you start to plant your spring flowers, be sure to check around the foundation of your home for pooling water caused by downspouts. If you see signs of pooling and puddles make sure to clean out and clear out your downspouts to eliminate the blockage and lessen your chances of flooding from rainwater.

If you do find that there is water in your basement or crawlspace weather that be from a backed up downspout or a pipe break, SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin & SERVPRO® of Beaverton are “Here To Help” 24/7, 365. We have been helping customers like you when disasters occur since 1991 and are ready to help you make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at 503-684-5829

Trees on roofs

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Team

Trees are beautiful and so fun to decorate and have in your home during this season, on your home however, not good. If a tree or branch fall on your home due to wind or snow it can be scary and cause water damage you can’t see. If your home should end up with more than just Santa and his sleigh on your roof give us a call. SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin is ready 24/7 365 including Christmas and News Years to help you when disaster strikes

How to Handle Black Water

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

Water Leak

Black water is defined as any floodwater containing contaminants or viruses the can potentially cause illness or infection. Sewage would qualify as Black water. Any event of sewage back up needs to be addressed immediately. Arming yourself with the knowledge of what causes a sewage back up may help you prevent this occurrence at you home.

Causes of Sewage Back Up

Clogging – When your home’s main sewer line or drain pipe’s become clogged, there is potential for a sewage back up. An example of this would be if one toilet creates a sewage back up, the drain connected to that particular toilet has become clogged. If all of the toilets in your home begin to back flow, this is a signal that your main sewage line has become clogged. Clogs are caused by solid materials, such as hair or grease.
Plant Roots – A tree’s root system has the potential to intertwine with sewage lines. Roots can grow into pipes and make holes in it and can also grow around the pipes and potentially crush them. Roots from nearby trees can also travel to your sewage line and cause damage.
Aging Sewer Lines – Pipes used to be made of easily deteriorating materials such as cast iron and clay. Older systems made with these materials have the potential to break down and split, causing backups and flooding. Fortunately, durable plastic materials have become the plumbing standard.
Heavy Rains – Sudden heavy rainfall can overwhelm Portland’s sewage system. If a public sewage system can’t withstand a sudden influx of rainwater, the excess water may travel into adjacent sewer lines. This can put your home at risk for backflow.

Preventing Backup at Your Home

NEVER pour cooking grease down your drain. Oil can harden inside of your pipes as it cools and clog your pipes. The proper way to dispose of cooking grease is to pour it into a heat resistant container and place the container in the trash when it cools off.
Do not flush paper products. Paper towels, diapers and feminine hygiene products have no business being flushed down the toilet and can very easily clog your drainage system. Dispose of these items properly of risk potential backups later.
Update the pipes in your drainage system or remove tree roots. A good preventative measure to avoid costly repairs later is to replace your lead or clay sewer lateral pipe (the line in your yard) with an updated plastic pipe. It is also good to cut the tree roots back as they grow near your drainage system.
Consider installing a backwater prevention valve. This fixture can prevent sewage from backing up into your home. Typically, backwater prevention valves are installed into a sewer line and sometimes into the basement drain line.

If you experience a sewage backup in your home, call SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin immediately to begin the remediation process. Handling black water yourself puts you at risk for disease and infection.

Our highly trained technicians are ready to respond immediately to flood or water damage at your Portland property. We have the experience, expertise, and training to restore your home or business quickly and properly. We use advanced inspection and extraction equipment to remove the black water quickly. Our technicians will monitor and document the drying process to ensure your property is back to normal.

Dealing with Snow

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

We are really good in the Pacific Northwest at dealing with rain, lots of rain, but we struggle dealing with snow. It’s rare and beautiful, but when it starts to linger on your roof and cause an ice dam it’s not so great. Even worse still when snow starts to make its way into your home and your house is packed with friends and family.

SERVPRO® of Tigard/Tualatin is dedicated to serving the community. We are dedicated to helping our customers when disaster strikes and helping to make it “Like it never even happened.” We are ready 24/7, 365 at (503) 684-5829 to help you. We are a certified franchise who are committed to serving our community when disasters strikes.

Determine the category of your water loss

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

There are three categories that restorers use to determine the type of water present in a building. We use these categories to determine risk and safety hazard conditions.

Category 1, or Cat 1, is what could be referred to as clean water, or ‘white water.’ This is typically still or sitting water that is from a clean water source - such as sinks, bathtubs, or even a burst/cracked pipe. Depending on the area where the water intrusion occurs, Cat 1 water can develop into a more hazardous water category. This is dependent on the contaminants in the area - such as dirt, organic matter, or solvent chemicals.

It’s important to remember that no matter how clean sitting water is, it is subject to microbial growth as soon as 48 hours after intrusion. This is why a restorer’s ability to respond and remove the source of water intrusion in a building is one of the most critical factors of our work - and why we recommend immediate service.

Category 2, or Cat 2, is what we would refer to as Grey Water. Grey water is clearly contaminated with solvents, solid materials, or debris. Examples of grey water are sitting water with solvent detergent like from an overflowed washing machine, it can also be sitting water resulting from a roof leak.

Category 3, or Cat 3, is what we call Black Water. This is considered an extremely hazardous category of water intrusion and if you have it present in your building, it is recommended that you avoid contact and request professional service immediately. Black Water is usually a highly contaminated water intrusion, often sourced from sewage lines or flood waters. It contains a high degree of waste and contaminants.

Determining the category of water intrusion is one of the first steps in the restoration process. It helps restorers determine the proper PPE, procedure, and hazard controls necessary for the job.

No matter the category of water intrusion in your property, SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton can handle it all. Call us as soon as you are aware of the damage at 503-684-5829.

The last step to water damage restoration

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

blue and green dots in diamond shape. Text reads: "IICRC Principles: restore & repair"

Call SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin at 503-684-5829.

Here at SERVPRO, we believe it’s important for our community to understand the principles that outline the work we do. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a standards developing organization for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton and all other restoration companies follow the standards and guidelines put forth by the IICRC. The standards manual for water damage restoration is the S500.

To learn more about the IICRC, visit our previous blogs on the S500 series The certification firm every restoration professional uses, The importance of safety and health on a restoration worksite, The importance of documentation on water damage worksite, The steps to mitigating water damage, and The fourth principle of water damage restoration.

In this series, we are outlining the principles of water damage restoration work, the first three being Safety, Documentation, and Mitigation. This blog is regarding the third principle outlined in the S500.

S500 Principle 5: Complete the restoration and repairs.

When the restorer’s inspection confirms that moisture content or level of the structure and contents has reached the drying goals, the drying services are done.

The restorer is now ready to begin restoration services - this includes any repairs needed to return the property to its preloss condition. Some restoration companies will do the reconstruction themselves, while others will only go so far before recommending a building owner contact a general contractor.

Many restoration companies will perform demolition before a contractor steps in. This serves a few purposes - it enables the restorer to confirm all structure materials are properly clean, dry and absent of odor from the damage event; it also can be a necessary process of removing the wet material, as materials such as drywall become unsalvageable once waterlogged or contaminated.

As for us at SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin, we work closely with a construction team that operates under our roof, separate from our water team but well versed in working with our team. This provides a seamless restoration process and gives our customers the option to choose a restoration that feels like a One-Stop-Shop.

If you experience water intrusion in your home or business, trust SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton to handle your needs. Call us any time or day at 503-684-5829.

The fourth principle of water damage restoration

11/18/2020 (Permalink)

Green and blue dots in a diamond. Text reads: "IICRC Principles: Clean and Dry"

Call SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin at 503-684-5829.

Here at SERVPRO, we believe it’s important for our community to understand the principles that outline the work we do. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a standards developing organization for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton and all other restoration companies follow the standards and guidelines put forth by the IICRC. The standards manual for water damage restoration is the S500.

To learn more about the IICRC, visit our previous blogs on the S500 series The certification firm every restoration professional uses, The importance of safety and health on a restoration worksite, The importance of documentation on water damage worksite, and The steps to mitigating water damage.

In this series, we are outlining the principles of water damage restoration work, the first three being Safety, Documentation, and Mitigation. This blog is regarding the third principle outlined in the S500.

S500 Principle 4: Clean and dry affected areas.

A restorer’s task is to reduce the time that building materials and contents are excessively wet. The more quickly items are returned to a dry condition, the less damage they will suffer while wet.

Thus, the first step is to remove excess or bulk water where we can. Extraction is the most effective way to remove bulk water. Once any extraction is performed, restorer’s can focus on drying the materials through specialized equipment.

Once materials start returning to a dry state, restorer’s can begin the cleaning process. Contents are moved from the premises and restored in our warehouse, while the structure and attached materials are cleaned depending on material.

Wood, paper, and fabrics can be damaged within hours of water intrusion; furniture stains can start within the first few hours; carpet deterioration can start within 24 to 48 hours; and mold growth can start within 48 hours.

If you experience water intrusion in your home or business, trust SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton to handle your needs. Call us any time or day at 503-684-5829.

The steps to mitigating Tigard/Tualatin water damage

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

Green and blue dots in a diamond pattern. Text reads: "IICRC Principles: Mitigation"

Call SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin at 503-684-5829.

Here at SERVPRO, we believe it’s important for our community to understand the principles that outline the work we do. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a standards developing organization for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton and all other restoration companies follow the standards and guidelines put forth by the IICRC. The standards manual for water damage restoration is the S500.

To learn more about the IICRC, visit our previous blogs on the S500 series The certification firm every restoration professional uses, The importance of safety and health on a restoration worksite, and The importance of documentation on water damage worksite.

In this series, we are outlining the principles of water damage restoration work, the first two being Safety and Documentation. This blog is regarding the third principle outlined in the S500.

S500 Principle 3: Mitigate further damage.

The goal of mitigation is to control the moisture and contamination of the affected areas.

The first step in mitigation is to check for the source of the moisture problems and correct the issue. A building owner is ultimately responsible for correcting the source of water intrusion, but a restoration company will assist in identifying the source. Before any drying can be done, the source of water must be stopped.

The second step in mitigation is control any microbiological contamination resulting from the moisture. If there are contaminants present, they are to be contained to prevent their spread. When there is no obvious microbiological contamination present, the best way to prevent the development of bacteria is to dry the contents and structures quickly. This is why time is of the essence for water damage restoration.

When a crew chief or project manager arrives on-site, they will assess the situation and determine what work activities need to take place. Determining if the water is contaminated is one of the first things they do, as remediation activities may push back any plans for drying the structure.

Before any drying can happen, restoration professionals must identify the category of the water intrusion, create a work activity plan, and prevent any contaminant spread, hazards, or other issues by using engineering controls. These controls can be building contrainments, establishing negative pressure air filtration systems, sealing HVAC ventilation ports, and more.

Once all these details are accounted for, restorers can set up the drying equipment and begin the drying process.

If you experience water intrusion in your home or business, trust SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton to handle your needs. Call us any time or day at 503-684-5829.

The importance of documentation on a Tigard/Tualatin water damage worksite

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

gradient green and blue dots arranged in a diamond

Trust the company that goes above and beyond - call SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin at 503-SERVPRO.

STOP! If you have water damage in your property right now, call us at 503-SERVPRO RIGHT NOW. Don’t wait to mitigate - the longer damage sits unattended, the more likely it will develop secondary damage. Call us at 503-SERVPRO now.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a standards developing organization for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration industries. For water damage restoration work, they have published a manual, S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration (S500) - SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton follows the principles outlined in this manual, alongside our fellow Portland area restoration vendors.

To learn more about the IICRC, read our previous blogs from the S500 series The certification firm every restoration professional uses and The importance of safety and health on a restoration worksite.

Here at SERVPRO, we believe it’s important for our community to understand the principles that outline the work we do. Over the coming months, we will be summarizing each principle from the S500 and sharing that knowledge with you.

S500 Principle 2: Document and inspect the project.

Project inspections are ongoing on a water restoration worksite. Inspections are first utilized to assess the safety of the affected area of the property, and then they continue to be conducted during the following steps in the restoration process. Restorers will inspect and measure moisture conditions on a regular basis inside the building and for materials affected.

Additionally, everything is documented during a water restoration project. Restorers will not only document the conditions of the building, but also the work procedures that are followed to address those conditions.

Both regular inspections and thorough documentation are vital to the success of water restoration. They keep the job organized, efficient, and they’re valuable in supporting a restoration professionals conclusions with an insurance company.

Because many actions on a water restoration worksite need adjuster approval before being executed, proper documentation is a valuable process for all restoration professionals.

Ensuring that every detail is accounted for and the restoration process is monitored thoroughly during the project is critical for the work that we do. SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin is passionate about having an organized approach when we take on a water restoration project so that we can ensure that the process is smooth for every party involved.

Choose a company that you can trust - call SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin/Lake Oswego/West Linn and Beaverton at 503-684-5829 if you experience water damage in your home or business.

The importance of safety and health on a Tigard/Tualatin restoration worksite

2/20/2020 (Permalink)

green and blue dots in a diamond shape against a dark background.

Call SERVPRO of Tigard/Tualatin NOW at 503-SERVPRO if you have water, fire, or storm damage in your home or business!