The Importance of Reviewing Commercial Storm Insurance Coverage

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damage in Beverly Hills, CA.

Commercial Storm Insurance Coverage

The right commercial storm insurance for your company in Beverly Hills, CA, can offer peace of mind and protect your business from a disaster. It's a good idea to meet with your insurance agent at least once a year to go over your policy. This allows you to update features if your business has expanded or changed in any significant way. It also enables you to see if rates have changed and if a better package fits your needs. When reviewing your policy, consider looking at the following items:

• The total you are paying for premiums
• The level of deductibles you have
• Any changes in the insurance industry that affects your policy
• Any gaps in insurance coverage that leave you unprotected
  
  

Your agent may also have ideas to improve your coverage. A good decision on insurance could save your company thousands of dollars.

Deductibles

You should be able to customize your deductibles on your storm insurance. In general, the higher the deductible you choose, the lower your overall premium. It pays to understand some of the terminology related to this area of your policy. A dollar deductible refers to a dollar amount that the business owner must pay before the insurance company pays for damages. A percentage deductible replaces a fixed dollar amount with a percentage of the total loss, such as 2 percent; this type of deductible has become more common due to a trend of large storms in the U.S. The rules governing deductibles vary from state to state.

Recovery

If your company is hit by a large storm, you will be glad you spent some time getting your storm insurance coverage in order. It can be a big help in the recovery process. Working with a professional storm mitigation franchise can also give you additional peace of mind. A trained company allows you to get back on your feet as quickly as possible.

Looking Out for the Helpers: First Responder Safety

6/27/2022 (Permalink)

Drive carefully and follow the rules of the road.

Safety Tips For First Responders

When disaster strikes Century City, CA, there is probably going to be an opportunity for the community to help. Those who take care of people during an emergency must also be mindful to take care of themselves. Here are some safety tips for every first responder.

Protection Against Disease

The potential for contact with harmful bacteria or viruses after a storm increases. If you are going to come into contact with floodwaters or people who are hurt, the CDC recommends that you get the following immunizations:

• Tetanus (if you haven't had a booster in the last 10 years)
  
• Hepatitis B
  
• Recommended shots for particular region where you are working
  
  

If you are going to be helping in and around floodwaters, flood mitigation experts suggest wearing the proper protective gear. Gloves, waterproof coveralls, rubber boots and a face mask with a respirator can help keep the microbes in the water from getting to you.

Protection Against Electrical Hazards

Fierce storms tend to bring down power lines. As a first responder, you need to be on the lookout for lines that have come into contact with standing water so that you can avoid it. If you are entering a home to rescue someone, it is a good idea to turn off the power at the main circuit breaker so that you can enter safely.

Protection Against Auto Accidents

During flood response, it is important to remember to keep doing the things you always do to stay safe. Drive carefully and follow the rules of the road. Do not drive through water that is too deep for you to see the bottom. Adjust your speed to accommodate for potential hazards, and remember to wear your seat belt.

When you are a first responder, you are not just taking care of other people. You must also take care of yourself. By adhering to safety tips and getting immunized against potential diseases, you can be more helpful to others.

How To Get Tax Relief for Storm Damage

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damage to a commercial building in Westwood Village, CA.

How to Get Storm Damage Tax Relief

Storm damage to your commercial building in Westwood Village, CA, can end up costing a lot of money to repair. While a good insurance policy and timely response from storm restoration experts can significantly lower the hit to your budget, you probably will end up paying some out-of-pocket expenses that you weren't planning to spend. The good news is that you may be able to get tax relief.

Deductions

It is likely that a portion of the financial loss you endure due to an unexpected storm is tax-deductible. There are several things that factor into how much you can deduct:

• Your property's fair market value
  
• Timeliness of your insurance claim
  
• Amount of reimbursement you receive from your provider
  
  

Typically, you can claim these deductions in the year in which the storm occurs. If the storm damage is due to a federally declared disaster, however, you may have a little more choice in which year's tax rules will yield you a higher deduction.

Extensions

Another possible type of relief from both federal and state taxes is an extension on the due dates for filing and making payments. Your building does not necessarily have to be in the federally declared disaster area to qualify for these extensions. This reprieve can give you a little more time to get your business up and running again and recover some of the losses before having to make your tax payments.

Waivers

No matter how good your record-keeping is, a storm can destroy your tax files along with your building. The IRS often waives the fees to get copies of tax transcripts when a disaster is involved. This is particularly helpful when you are claiming your deduction on a previous year you have already filed.
While storm damage can be devastating to a business, help is available. Talk to your accountant about the potential tax relief that you can receive after disaster strikes.

4 Ways To Prevent Damage and Prepare for a Winter Storm

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Make sure your building is properly insulated.

Prepare Your Business for Winter Weather

A winter storm can be beautiful, but it can also be a nightmare for your business if you are unprepared for it in Century City, CA. The heavy snow, wind and ice that accompanies the storm can cause severe damage and costly repairs. When these disasters happen, call your insurance company and a storm damage restoration service immediately to file a claim and begin repairs. While you cannot prevent a storm from coming your way, there are several steps you can take to prevent some of the damage from happening and mitigate loss. Here are a few ways to prepare your business for winter weather.

1. Insulate Your Building

Make sure your building is properly insulated. If temperatures drop below freezing, your pipes could freeze and burst, causing flood and water damage. Routinely inspect your building’s heating system to ensure it is working properly and keep the temperature above 55°F to avoid a pipe break.

2. Perform Regular Maintenance

Keep a regular maintenance schedule to make sure windows, doorways and the outside of your building are in good condition. Over time, building materials can wear down, allowing cracks and gaps to form which can reduce the structural integrity and insulation of your building and make it more susceptible to storm damage and flooding. In addition, you should routinely inspect your roof. Replace any broken shingles and make sure shingles are intact and firmly nailed down to prevent roof leaks and wind damage.

3. Stock Emergency Supplies

Create an emergency winter weather kit that includes snow shovels, ice-melting salt and a first aid kit in case a winter storm comes through unexpectedly. Keep non-perishable food items available in case you are stuck in your building overnight and cannot go home.

4. Watch Local Weather

During the winter months, stay on top of the local weather forecast. Start preparing early if a snowstorm is heading your way, and make sure your staff is adequately prepared.
A winter storm can cause severe damage if you do not take it seriously. Performing routine maintenance on your building and keeping an eye on the weather can greatly reduce damage and keep your business safe.

3 Ways to Prepare Your Home for a Flood

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Create a plan for how you will leave the house and where you will go.

Keep Your Family and Property Safe During Severe Weather

If your Westwood, CA, home is located in an area that experiences a lot of flooding, then you likely need to take extra precautions to keep your family and property safe during severe weather. Here are a few ways that you can do that.

1. Maintain Your Home to Prevent Water Build-Up

In order to minimize storm damage to your home, you should be sure to perform proper maintenance, even when you are not expecting bad weather. To prevent moisture from building inside the walls, perform regular inspections of your home’s exterior to check for gaps or cracks. You should also make sure that all of your windows’ seals are working properly. Don’t forget to clean out your storm drains and gutters as well, since clogged ones can cause water to back up and leak into your home.

2. Protect Your Property and Belongings

If you know that you may have flood damage, you can prepare by protecting your belongings. A waterproof safe is a great option for any important documents. You can store smaller items in waterproof and air-tight containers while moving whatever you can to a higher location, like a shelf or a second floor. If you can move your furniture, you may want to do that as well. Covering it with plastic can reduce damage.

3. Have an Evacuation Plan

While your home is important, your family is more so. If the flooding becomes an emergency, you should be ready to move to a safer area. Create a plan for how you will leave the house and where you will go. To make sure that everyone is prepared, it might be a good idea to practice beforehand.

Being prepared for flooding can help you protect what’s important, but you will likely not be able to save everything. If your home or belongings are damaged, a water damage remediation service can help restore your house and any items that are not beyond repair.

4 Alternatives to Sand Bags You Should Know About

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Find the perfect sandbag alternative for your commercial building.

Sandbags Alternatives

If you have to rely on sandbagging to protect your commercial building in Beverly Hills, CA, you may be ready for a quicker solution. A sand bag, after all, is only effective when you have enough warning to put it in place. The sheer number of sand bags needed to protect a space is part of what makes it impractical at times. What happens when a surprise storm strikes your area? Often, you end up with damage that can only be repaired by a commercial water damage remediation expert. If you use one of the following alternatives, you may be ready for a storm no matter when it shows up.

1. QuickDam

Not all flood dams have to be high tech or filled with sand. The QuickDam is a fabric product that can be placed around your property to absorb storm water. The 5-foot long barrier only stands a little over 3 inches high, so you may want to stack the product for even more protection. When water hits the barrier, it gets absorbed into the swelling barrier.

2. HydraBarrier

HydraBarrier helps protect against flood damage by using water. A 6-foot long tube is filled with water to create a dam-like barrier around a property. While it may seem like this could be a time consuming option, it reportedly only takes two minutes to fill up.

3. AquaDam

The AquaDam is a larger scale version of the HydraBarrier. It can be filled with sand or water. Many users found that it could be put in place 10 times faster than your typical sand bag.

4. Earth Shelters

If you want a permanent flood protection solution, you could consider building an earth shelter around your property. This dike-like design could direct water away from your foundation. It may even help shelter your building from standing water.

Finding the perfect sand bag alternative for your commercial building may take time. However, the time you put into it is worth it when you find a solution that protects your space from flooding.

Storm Damage Remediation

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Keeping water where it belongs and a balanced perspective is central to the experience of homeownership.

As homeowners in Westwood, CA, and other locations around the country are likely to attest, the clean-up, repair, and restoration chores that emerge after a damaging storm are at a minimum, a nuisance, and in many cases, a much more serious undertaking. Storm damage remediation can range from a clean-up to a tear-out to a rebuild, depending on the type and extent of the destruction.

The Usual Suspect: Water

One of the most frequent and frustrating problems property owners face is the damaging effects of water infiltration. To further complicate the challenge of inundation, floodwater from rivers and streams brings the specter of biological contamination, commonly known as black water. Once a destructive storm has passed, assessment of its damage may begin and progress to the following procedures:

1. The extraction of water through pumping, mopping, and dehumidification.
2. Tear out of wet materials to prevent mold growth.
3. Drying of the structure.
4. Decontamination of salvageable materials.
5. Repair and replacement of compromised building material and furnishings.

While it is true that many materials that have been subjected to black water contamination will have to be discarded, other types of water damage can be mitigated. A professional assessment can be very helpful in making the correct determination, especially with regard to the safety of the home and its furnishings.

Documentation is Vital

Document the damage before initiating storm restoration. It is likely to be necessary for filing flood insurance claims, and there may be a delay in the arrival of an adjuster if flooding is widespread. Digital pictures and/or videos that can be easily emailed are the preferred media.

Humanity’s relationship to the planet’s most abundant natural resource can seem paradoxical, particularly in the midst of a tear out of the cherished furnishings of a home. Keeping water where it belongs and a balanced perspective is central to the experience of homeownership.

Stay Safe During the Next Flood and Avoid Getting Behind the Wheel

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

It is risky to drive on flooded roadways.

Avoid Getting Behind The Wheel During The Next Flood To Stay Safe

If you've never been in a flood yourself but have watched the news footage of such an event, then you likely assume that driving along a flooded street is no big deal. After all, thousands of people seem to do it every year and make it out alive. The news may show hordes of people trying to wade through floods in their vehicles, but what they don't show is what happens to those vehicles once the cameras stop rolling.

Driving through flooded roads is dangerous. Here are just a few reasons that you should refrain from traveling during a flood:

• Vehicles begin to float in just 30 centimeters of water, which means that if you're out on the streets during a flood, you risk losing control of your vehicle.
  
• If the roads are only partly flooded, meaning your tires still touch the pavement, you risk hydroplaning.
  
• Oftentimes, flooding hides sinkholes, debris and other hazards.
  
• If you drive at regular speed into just 15 centimeters of water, you will experience the same impact as a mild car accident.
  
• Water is bad for your car's electrical system.
  
  

It is never a good idea to drive through a flooded street, not even in an emergency. If there is an emergency and you cannot leave your home, call 911 and a trained professional will come to your aid (in a durable vehicle, of course).

There are dozens of articles out there that offer "travel tips" for driving through flooded roads. Do not heed their advice. The only safe way to deal with flooding is to stay on high ground and off the roads. If you need help, phone it in. A Century City, CA, flood damage remediation team can come to your rescue as soon as it is safely able.

If you have thought about driving along a flooded street, don't. Doing so could put you and your loved ones in unnecessary danger. If you need help, call for it and someone will come to you.

Plumbing Tips To Make You a Better Landlord

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

Flooded room.

Tips Focusing On Plumbing

Being a good landlord is a great way to guarantee your property in Century City, CA, has as few vacancies as possible. Tenants who can rely on you for regular repairs will usually stay longer and provide you with a steady rental income. While there are many components to being a good property owner, here are some landlord tips focused on plumbing.

1. Have Clear Expectations
Even if you only rent one commercial property, you cannot be there all the time. You need to rely on your employees and tenants to let you know when problems arise. Make clear your desire to handle plumbing issues in short order since these can get worse over time.

2. Always Follow Up
As soon as you know about a problem, make a plan to deal with it. You could handle the repair yourself or hire commercial plumbing specialists. Depending on your experience, maybe you can handle a clogged toilet or leaky faucet. It is likely you need outside help for cracked pipes in your foundation.

3. Schedule Regular Maintenance
Prevention can go a long way with your property's plumbing. A water pressure check can catch small leaks before they become big problems. Maintenance checks can also spot weaknesses in your roof that could develop into leaks.

4. Create a Safe Environment
Everyone needs water for cleaning, cooking and consumption. Clean water is key to the health and safety of your tenants and their customers. One overlooked way to stay on top of water contamination issues on your property is to pay attention to local news. Water safety issues near you can spread, so get ahead of them by staying informed.
These landlord tips can help you have a safe and trusting environment with your tenant. Regular checks and staying informed are great ways to head off issues before they get worse. Similarly, an open relationship with your tenants creates mutual good feelings that translate to fewer vacancies.

How To Prepare Your Home For Strong Winds

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Shingles can peel off during a heavy wind storm in Century City, CA.

How To Prepare Your Roof For Strong Winds

Shingles can peel off during a heavy wind storm, especially if the edges haven’t been secured or the tabs no longer work properly. Call a roofing expert to inspect your roof to determine if you need roof cement added underneath the tabs. This will help to keep the shingles in place during high winds.
For even more wind resistance, consider having your roofing professional apply construction adhesive where the roof decking and rafters meet.

• How To Ensure Doors, Windows, and Garage
• Doors Are Wind-Ready
• Roof damage isn’t the only consideration when preparing your home for strong winds.
  
  

Permanent impact-resistant shutters will protect your windows against heavy winds.
Entry doors should have dead bolt locks and three hinges for wind protection.
Impact-resistant glass is a must for all patio doors.
Check with the manufacturer of your garage door to see if bracing kits are available for more protection.

How To Keep Landscaping From Contributing To Wind Damages
You may not realize it, but the landscaping on your property can contribute to the problem. Rocks and gravel can cause a lot of damage if they become airborne. Consider wood chips or shredded bark instead.
Trees can also wreak havoc during a storm. Make sure all bushes and trees are trimmed regularly so that branches don’t touch the house. Also, inspect your trees periodically to make sure they are healthy and strong since a weak tree is more apt to fall over during heavy winds.
While you can’t totally avoid house and roof damage during a storm, preparing your home for strong winds can make all the difference.

Don't Risk Losing Data When the Power Goes Out

4/10/2021 (Permalink)

Storm damage to a Beverly Hills, CA building.

Having A Plan Can Save Your Business

Out of all the variables that can pose risks to the health of your business, experiencing a power outage needn't be one of them. Loss of power can happen to anyone and at any time due to reasons such as:

• Storms
  
• Accidents
  
• Planned brownouts
  
• Unexpected grid failures
  
  

Even if outages are unavoidable, you can take control of their impact on your business by having a plan in place when they occur.

Make Sure You Back Up Your Data
All businesses need to utilize reliable software to back up their databases. Since access to data is imperative for maintaining a stable, secure operation, this is not an area you should neglect. Make sure your company's IT department is up on all the latest tools for network security and data backups and will help you implement a disaster recovery plan if the worst should happen.

Have the Proper Equipment in Place
At a minimum, all your computers and other necessary equipment should be outfitted with a battery backup that will kick in when the power goes out. Even better, make sure you have a portable generator on hand that will keep the most essential equipment running throughout the power outage.
One step better is to install a standby generator that will kick on as soon as it detects a loss of power, so there is no interruption of service. Finally, if your business is large or complex, the best option is to get an industrial generator to eliminate risk and keep you running without a hitch.

Know Who To Call
In an emergency, every business should have a Continuity of Business Plan, which includes a chain of command and a list of who to call. Besides the power company and your IT service, make sure you have the number of a commercial storm specialist in Beverly Hills, CA, who can take care of cleanup, damage repair and remediation if needed.
Though accidents and natural disasters often happen without warning, you can take measures to mitigate the impact a power outage has on the viability and success of your business. Having a robust plan and the proper tools will save you time, money — and possibly your business.

5 Types of Hurricane Shutters to Consider

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

Rolling hurricane shutters are especially helpful in areas prone to storms

Here Are Five Types of Screens To Consider

If you experience a storm with high winds in your Century City, CA, home, you'll need to be prepared. One area to focus on is the safety of your windows. A broken window during a storm can wreak havoc on your house. In order to prevent this, you can use hurricane screens. If you're wondering what kind to get, here are five types of screens to consider.

1. Rolling
Rolling hurricane shutters are especially helpful in areas prone to storms. This is because the coverings are installed above the windows, making storm preparation easy to undergo. These are a few other areas the screens can assist in:

• Insulation
• Privacy
• Security

The average price for this option is twenty five to sixty dollars per square foot.

2. Accordion
Accordion hurricane storm shutters are a highly popular method of protection, mainly due to the cost and method of use. These coverings are stored next to a window and then unfolded (like an accordion) to be attached to your home. Most are around fifteen to thirty dollars per square foot.

3. Fabric
If you want protection from high winds without a large investment, you may want to consider fabric storm panels. These cost only around five to fifteen dollars per square foot. The panels also require little to no professional help with installment.

4. Clear Polycarbonate
These screens are an excellent option if you need quick protection. This is mainly because the polycarbonate material makes these panels lighter and therefore easier to handle. The blinds generally cost ten to fifteen dollars per square foot.

5. Colonial
This option is perfect for a homeowner that wants a stylish window panel. The screens are installed next to a window in two pieces, making the set-up easy to use before a storm. These screens cost about twenty five to thirty five dollars per square foot.
Hurricane panels may seem unnecessary at the moment, but getting some can be a lifesaver if you experience high winds. These blinds may greatly decrease the amount of storm damage restoration you'll need to undergo.

Considerations When Protecting a Building From Floods

11/16/2020 (Permalink)

As the global weather system changes, your company in Beverly Hills, CA, is at an increased risk of flood damage. In fact, the consequences of a flood are among the most common perils that a company faces in a changing world. Equally important, floods are devastating events that bring in a wall of water that is often contaminated with unpleasant substances. The costs for cleanup and for a business interruption can be significant. The options for floodproofing your facility are many and they range from the quick and simple to the complex and expensive. There is even the option of relocating your business if the flood risk is too high.

The Best Option
For urban structures, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers states that a series of barriers, seals and pumps is the most cost-effective method to protect against flood damage. This approach can reduce the risk of flood and even lower your flood insurance premiums. It is a significant investment and a company should consider the following factors:

• Economics
  
• Safety
  
• Topography
  
• Flood risk
  
• Engineering
  
  

Part of floodproofing includes the concept of warning time. This involves a system of monitoring for storms and letting employees and customers know as soon as possible that the potential for flooding is imminent.

The Best Plan
Your company should strengthen any measures it takes with a comprehensive flood damage plan. Features of a good plan include assigning specific duties for personnel, establishing evacuation procedures and setting up training exercises such as drills. To address storm damage, a company should establish a relationship with a storm remediation company in the area. A fast response from a restoration company is a good way to minimize damage and to shorten a business interruption. Trained technicians who arrive on your property in the immediate aftermath of a flood or large storm will develop a plan of action to restore your building as quickly as possible.

What Are the Most Common Types of Storm Shutters?

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

Rolling shutters

Protect Your Windows From High Winds

When there’s a storm on the horizon, it’s important to protect your home’s windows from being damaged by high winds and flying debris. There are many ways to safeguard your windows if Westwood, CA, is in a storm’s path.

Temporary Options

Some storm protection methods are temporary; you only put them up for storms. These methods cost less than permanent options, but they require more time and effort to install when a storm is approaching:

Plywood: The most inexpensive method of protection is cutting plywood panels to fit your windows. To be effective, they must be thick enough and installed correctly.
Fabric Screen: These are sheets of strong, storm-rated material that attach to the outside of your windows using clips or grommets. They’re lightweight and easier to install than plywood.
Storm Panels: These panels are made from aluminum, steel, or polycarbonate and bolt over the outside of your windows. They are typically lighter and easier to install than plywood.

Permanent Options
Some types of storm shutters are permanently affixed to the outside of your windows. They are more costly than temporary methods but once installed can be put into place much more quickly:

Bahama: These decorative shutters are permanently attached to the top of a window, like large awnings. They can be quickly bolted closed when high winds are predicted.
Accordion: These window coverings are hinged, like an accordion, and are typically made of aluminum, steel or polycarbonate. They fold up into a box that’s permanently attached to one side of a window, and you pull them across the window and lock them into place.
Colonial: These hinged shutters attach to both sides of a window and can be latched together across the window.
Roll-Down: These coverings are mounted above a window. They roll into place along tracks that are mounted on both sides of the window.

Protecting your home’s windows from high winds involves an investment of time and money. However, when you consider the possibility of extensive storm damage restoration or even the loss of your home, storm shutters are worth the cost.

4 Ways To Know if Your Business Is Prepared for Water Damage

9/5/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage in Westwood,CA

Are You Ready?

Nobody plans to tear out a wall, but storms are unavoidable. How prepared is your commercial property for water damage due to rainfall, overflowing bodies of water, or even just bad leakage? Don't get caught off guard by flooding in Westwood, CA. Follow these steps to make sure you're as ready as possible tear out:

1. Learn your area's risk level for flooding. Use the tools available to you, such as FEMA's flood map service, to assess the chance of storm damage near you. It can also help you anticipate the potential extent of such damage. Once you've assessed whether you're at risk, it's time to start planning.

2. Protect valuable items and paperwork. There are a few easy ways for you to protect your business' necessities before a flood actually happens. First, if possible, keep water-vulnerable items or equipment above ground level. This way, only extreme flooding — think the kind that requires you to tear out and repair building materials — will put those items at risk. Second, keep paperwork, small electronics, and other small items in waterproof storage.

3. Get insured! Flood coverage isn't included in most basic insurance packages, but it should be easy to add such coverage to your existing insurance.
Are you looking to switch insurers altogether? One thing you should be on the lookout for is a company that partners with a fast and reliable storm damage cleanup and restoration company. Such a partnership will help ensure that you're getting the best service at the best price if your business ever suffers water damage.

4. Know what restoration will look like. Storm restoration is a process that may entail either very minor or very extensive cleanup. First comes the extraction of water. After that, loose detritus will be cleared and the affected area will be dehumidified and sanitized. Finally, work can begin on the structure itself. You may need to tear out flooring or, in extreme cases, entire walls.
You can't predict the future, but you can prepare for it. By formulating a plan to minimize potential storm damage, you can spare your organization from stressors both emotional and financial.

Call Us 24/7 After A Flood Has Damaged Your Beverly Hills Home

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

Get Effective Flood Damage Cleanup Services Your Beverly Hills Home

Flooding can be one of the most disastrous things homeowners can experience. Household flooding can occur if heavy winds tear the roof, causing rainwater to enter your property. When a roof leak occurs, the attic and the items stored there sustain damage. If a house does not have an attic and the hole is significant, it can damage the interior ceiling. Ceiling plaster can bubble and expand while ceiling paint can darken. The leaking water can also ruin plaster and paint on nearby walls.

In the long term, the most severe consequence of flooding caused by a torn roof is mold growth throughout the home’s structure, including the HVAC system and vents. To prevent costly flood damage to your Beverly Hills home, you can hire a professional restoration company like SERVPRO to clean it up. Our technicians have the expertise and equipment required to clean up, disinfect and dry a property to return it to its preloss condition.

Upon arriving at a water damage job site, SERVPRO technicians pre-inspect the area and then begin the mitigation process. The flood may have already receded when our technicians come to your property. If that is the case, our crew can use industrial strength wet/dry vacuums to remove the remaining water to minimize the drying time and prevent secondary water damage. If structural items like subfloors and walls need cleaning, we choose the appropriate cleaning method to clean them.

Our technicians also evaluate all contents exposed to high humidity or water for cleaning needs. We check clothing, closets and storage areas for materials, which need cleaning and deodorizing. We also check if wall hanging and photos have sustained damage from high humidity and condensation. We use different types of dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the air, including the low-Grain Refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifier. This dehumidifier moves air over a cold coil to transform water vapor into liquid. It features a double cooling system, which lowers the temperature of air containing moisture, once it gets into the machine.

When your home has flooded, SERVPRO of Beverly Hills / Westwood is ready to assist you with the cleanup work. We're a leader in the restoration industry. Contact us now at (310) 390-7540 for flood damage restoration services in Beverly Hills, Westwood and Century City. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Click here for more about Beverly Hills.

How To Prepare Your Building for Storm Damage

5/22/2020 (Permalink)

A tree falls on a home in Beverly Hills, CA

As a property manager in Beverly Hills, CA, you know how important it is to maintain the building and grounds to create a safe, comfortable environment for your tenants. Not only do you want to keep the property looking nice, but you need to think about issues such as storm preparedness. If you are not ready to withstand the effects of Mother Nature, you should act quickly to put the appropriate safeguards in place.

Assess and Inspect

If you're behind in your storm preparedness, don't panic and start assembling a bunch of supplies without doing some planning first. You should start by looking over the property and identifying potential areas of concern. Here are a few ideas on how to do this:

• Inspect the room and make sure there are no weak spots, gaps or issues that might increase the chances of leaks.
• Make sure there are clearly marked exit signs and instructions on how to safely evacuate the building in case of an emergency.
• Evaluate the windows and consider purchasing shatter-proof ones.

Bolster the Windows and Doors

In a storm with high winds, these two areas of entry could be significant safety hazards. Consider purchasing items such as roll-up shutters or storm panels to place over the doors and windows when storms hit. Every property management emergency plan should have a way to protect tenants from damage that could occur from breaking glass.

Have Sandbags Ready

If you live in an area where heavy rains are common, flooding can always be a risk. The same goes for property owners whose buildings are near waterways. Purchase a set of sandbags that you could fill and place around doors, windows and the foundation when necessary.

Practice Evacuating

Work with your tenants on developing an emergency exit plan. At least once a year, evaluate this plan. Practice evacuations are critical as well. This plan should also include knowing which emergency cleanup company to call when disasters strike.

Storm preparedness can give you peace of mind even during an emergency such as a flood or severe storm. Make sure you're ready at a moment's notice.

Alternative Flood Prevention Devices

5/21/2020 (Permalink)

A flooded street in Beverly Hills, CA

The sand bag is not a high tech device, but it has served the purpose of holding back flood waters for centuries. Its first use can be traced back to at least 1590. It has also been used in military fortifications to turn away gunfire and bomb explosions. It can be used in many different ways in floods, from building dikes, barriers and levees as well as reinforcing existing walls and gates. It is also inexpensive. However, the sand bag does have a few disadvantages. It requires a lot of labor to move around and since it is not watertight it also allows water seepage.

Alternatives for Flood Control

A number of newer products seek to replace the sand bag when it comes to flood control. These devices include the following items:

• Bags filled with water
• Flood dams
• Flood fences
• A comprehensive suite of solutions
• Absorbent cloth

As with the case of water bags, of which there are several variations, the advantage is that the water can be put in the bags almost anywhere. This eliminates the need for hauling heavy bags to and from a site. This is also the case with absorbent cloth products, as they just need to be saturated with water to expand. Flood dams and fences often are quite expensive and involve a bit of engineering to be effective.

Best Practices for Flood Recovery

Unlike the sand bag, new techniques in flood recovery employ a full compliment of the latest training, equipment and procedures to mitigate flood damage in Beverly Hills, CA. A professional storm remediation team arrives on site fast and performs an inspection and assessment of the situation, and then goes to work treating the damage. Water extraction and removal is accomplished with the help of powerful vacuums and fans. Further drying requires the use of even more specialized equipment. The end result is a building that is ready to be back in business.

The Difference Between Storm Damage and Flooding

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Beverly Hills/Westwood will respond quickly and arrive on site Faster to Any Size Disaster.

If your commercial property in Beverly Hills, CA gets walloped by a big storm, it might not matter much to you if it is called a storm or flood damage, but it will probably matter to your insurance company. The two areas of damage are handled differently, and your commercial insurance property is not likely to cover flooding that rises up from the ground. Typical commercial insurance policies cover damage caused by wind, rain, hail and roof leaks. These events result in water and property damage and can eventually lead to mold growth if not addressed quickly.

The Definition of Flooding

The Federal Emergency Management Agency defines flooding for legal purposes and the payout of insurance claims. The characteristics of a qualifying flood event include the following:

The water event was of a temporary nature
An inundation of water or mud occurs on normally dry land
The water coverage is of two acres or more
The water enters the property from the ground up as opposed to the sky

Flood insurance is covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, though you must still go through a regular insurance agent. If you cannot find an agent that deals with this insurance for flood damage, you can call the NFIP for referrals.

The Definition of Storm Damage

Any water damage that is not temporary and does not originate from the ground is likely to be covered by your commercial policy, though always check with your agent for specifics. This broader coverage typically includes damage caused by broken pipes and other plumbing problems. It is important that a company has the appropriate insurance to protect it from unexpected and potentially expensive weather events. Whether it is flood damage or storm damage, it is also crucial to mitigate expenses from either situation.