Common causes of commercial fires

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Most commercial buildings and their managers go through all kinds of mandated fire protection, prevention and preparation every single year in order to keep their tenants safe.

Despite that, fires happen in commercial buildings on a regular basis. There’s simply no way to ensure that a fire will never break out, no matter what you do.

What causes fires in commercial buildings? Usually, the same sorts of things that cause residential fires. We’ll run down the most common.

Cooking

Unsurprisingly, cooking fires are the most common cause of fires in commercial settings as well as residential settings. This isn’t just the case for restaurants – apartments, senior living environments and anywhere else with a kitchen is at risk.

Smoking

It’s 2022, and most buildings do not allow smoking inside or within 25 feet of the structure itself. That said, people do still break the rules. A cigarette that isn’t fully put out might not seem like a big deal, but if that flame finds some fuel, the results can be devastating.

Electrical Equipment

The electrical systems in commercial buildings are under major stress year-round, sometimes 24/7. If there are underlying issues with the wiring, or even improper usage by tenants, electrical fires can be the result.

The graffiti and vandalism cleanup experts

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

While graffiti and street art have now become recognized forms of expression in popular culture, vandalism is still a major problem for home and business owners alike.

Most vandals are not breaking out their spray paint cans to create world-renowned works of art. They’re using your property to make a statement, cause a stir or just to make trouble.

Luckily, SERVPRO has invested in specialized tools, techniques and products to clean up and eliminate graffiti and vandalism so that you don’t have to invest in costly removal and repair.

Our team is capable of cleaning most of the most popular surfaces that might attract graffiti. Exterior walls? Check. Driveways and walkways? No problem. Asphalt? Sure. Masonry? Absolutely.

And if you’ve been the victim of more serious vandalism, such as broken windows, a busted-down storefront or even a vehicle strike, don’t panic – we can help. Call 716-646-6684 24/7/365 for emergency service.

Why get a Master Service Agreement for restoration?

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

We’re not stupid. We know that most people never want to have to think about disaster restoration, and we’ll be the first to admit that the world would be a better place is bad things simply didn’t happen.

But here’s the rub: bad things do happen. If you own or manage a commercial business, then you know that every day is already full of ups and downs and unexpected twists and turns.

Throw in a serious property damage event, like a water intrusion, fire or the discovery of mold, and you’ve got a big problem on your hands.

That’s one of the major reasons that we encourage all commercial businesses to draft up a formal Master Service Agreement with SERVPRO before disaster strikes.

In its simplest form, the MSA is basically a standardization of service. It outlines pricing, timelines and gives you the most direct access possible to get priority response if and when you need it.

There’s no cost for drafting up an MSA except for the time it would take you to describe to us what you’d need from it.

If you’re interested in an MSA for your business, give us a call at 716-646-6684 – we’re here to help.

Why does my commercial HVAC system smell?

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Does the HVAC system in your building put out a strange odor that you can’t quite put your finger on?

It happens more often than you think, and even if its minor, it can lead to a constant string of complaints from your tenants.

Why does this happen to commercial HVAC systems? There are a handful of reasons.

If your HVAC system has started circulating a rotting smell, then you might have a biological issue on your hands. Animals can easily find themselves trapped inside your ductwork, and if they pass away, that odor will be circulated throughout your entire building.

An odor closer to rotting eggs, however, might be indicative of a gas leak, which is deadly serious. In either case, you should call a professional immediately.

A musty, “mildew” smell, meanwhile, might indicate the presence of moisture or microbial growth. If that’s what you’re getting, then we’d suggest a thorough cleaning of your HVAC system (which our technicians would be more than happy to provide).

Burning rubber or plastic, on the other hand, indicate an electrical issue. You may have an issue with wiring, with the motors inside the system itself, or some other component of your system. You’ll want to contact a qualified HVAC technician immediately if that’s what you’re smelling.

Commercial Benefits of Priority Response

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

One of the greatest benefits of emergency planning with SERVPRO of The Southtowns is that it enables effective priority response when disaster strikes.

Why is priority response important? There are two major reasons: secondary damage, and business disruption.

Secondary damage is the damage that occurs after the initial disastrous event takes place. For instance, the water that comes out of the burst pipe initially is part of the primary damage. The additional damage that occurs because that water sits for an extended period of time and starts to wick up into building materials is secondary damage.

By responding to the damage event as soon as possible and starting the mitigation process, we limit the amount of secondary damage that occurs, and stop further damage from occurring at all.

Business disruption, on the other hand, is more difficult to measure or define. In general, there’s a cost associated with a business suddenly having to close and not service its customers as planned. For the most part, that cost manifests as lost business, but it can also take the form of lost trust and disappointed customers.

You may never be able to measure the exact cost of business disruption, but with effective priority response, you can limit or even eliminate significant disruption so that you can get back to normal faster.

We Won the Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Award!

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

We're proud to announce that we've won the Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Association's Crystal Award for ethical practices in business!

Earlier this year, our attorneys over at Rupp, Baase, Pfalzgraf and Cunningham nominated us, and we spent months working on our application with lots of help from our mentor, Dave Knauss at Lehigh Construction. 

Just to be nominated was an honor. To be chosen as finalists was unreal. And to win... that's something else entirely, especially when you consider the company.

This year's other winners were Niagara Metals, LLC and the Erie County Medical Center Corporation. These two incredible organizations have done so much to make Western New York what is is, and we're honored to stand beside them. 

Thank you so much to the Buffalo Niagara Business Ethics Association for everything that you do!

What is the Disaster Recovery Team?

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of The Southtowns, we’re more than just our full-time team. With one phone call, we can bring an army of green to a large commercial disaster.

Don’t get us wrong – our on-site team of technicians is the largest in Western New York and more than capable of handling everything from a massive sewage backup to a 100-unit high-rise fire.

But when serious catastrophes strike, we call in the Disaster Recovery Team.

What is the Disaster Recovery Team?

Our Disaster Recovery Team, also known as our Commercial Large Loss Division, is made of the absolute best restoration professionals, sourced from all over the United States.

These DRT operations managers have been mobilized for nearly every headline-grabbing major disaster that has occurred in the last two decades. They were integral in the response to Hurricane Katrina. They helped businesses to recover after the California wildfires. And if a significant natural disaster were to strike Western New York, they’d be here, too.

When would a property manager need a Commercial Large Loss team?

While it’s extremely unlikely to happen, imagine a catastrophic hurricane hit Buffalo. Nearly every single building within the city limits would suffer some form of property damage, water intrusion and a host of other problems that come from a natural disaster.

Every single restoration company in the area would be totally slammed with calls. They’d be running wait lists a mile long. They wouldn’t have the capacity to service even 10% of the need.

With our Commercial Large Loss Division, we’ve solved that problem. We’re able to draw on enough personnel, enough equipment and enough expertise to service our community as fast as humanly possible, mitigating damage and helping Western New York to get back to normal faster.

That’s why we suggest saving our number in your cell phone – 716-646-6684. You might not need us today, and you might not need us tomorrow, but when you do, we’ll be there.

We're Proud Members of BOMA!

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of The Southtowns is a proud member of the Greater Buffalo Chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association. If you’re a commercial property manager, or someone who services commercial property managers, and you’re not a member of BOMA, we’ll tell you exactly why you need to stop by a meeting.

What is BOMA?

BOMA is a non-profit organization dedicated to representing commercial real estate owners, professionals and service providers across the globe. As an international organization, BOMA has unprecedented reach and access that it uses for advocacy, influence and education.

What does BOMA do for its members?

BOMA describes its mission with the acronym “NEAR.”

The “N” stands for “networking.” One of BOMA’s primary roles is to help members to develop mutually beneficial relationships with each other. There are tons of opportunities to network, including monthly meetings that often pair lunches with exclusive building tours.

The “E” stands for “education.” BOMA offers tons of professional development opportunities for both property professionals and their vendors.

The “A” stands for “advocacy.” Our local BOMA chapter advocates for the commercial property industry on the local, regional, state and even national level, helping to educate elected officials about issues that have huge impacts on the future of Buffalo.

The “R” stands for Research. BOMA gathers data on the local and regional level and provides it to the membership, along with analysis that makes it easy to understand and act on.

If you’re interested in joining BOMA of Greater Buffalo, you can learn more here: https://bomabuffalo.com

Limiting Tenant Complaints for Property Managers

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

As a commercial property manager, you probably have days where you love your building, love your tenants, and love your job.

You probably also have days where it seems like every single tenant has a complaint they want to lodge with you, where you just want to hide in your office and never come out.

We get it – property management is a hard job. No two days are the same, and you’re put in a position where you have to balance the needs and wants of your tenants against the needs of the building owner and your boss. It can be very stressful!

At SERVPRO of The Southtowns, we’re your partner in limiting tenant disruption and complaints when disaster strikes. One of the keys to that effort: our 1-4-8 Response Guarantee.

What is the 1-4-8 Response Guarantee?

Our 1-4-8 Response Guarantee is our promise to our customers that we’ll be there fast to give them the service they need and stop their disaster in its tracks.

Within 1 hour, even if it’s 3am on Christmas, we’ll return any emergency phone call to discuss your needs and come up with a plan of action.

Within 4 hours, we’ll have a full crew of technicians on-site to provide emergency mitigation.

Within 8 hours, you’ll have a verbal scope of work from a manager telling you what needs to happen to get your space back to preloss condition.

Why is this guarantee so valuable for property managers? Because it provides you with a quick, effective and very visible means of addressing your tenants’ needs and limiting disruption to their businesses. If a disaster happens in the middle of the night, it might even be totally addressed by the time that your commercial tenants arrive in the morning to open up.

If you need service at your commercial property, give us a ring – 716-646-6684.

What is a KnoxBox?

6/23/2021 (Permalink)

With a KnoxBox, you can save the fire department crucial minutes in their response.

If you’re a commercial property manager, then you’ve probably heard the term “KnoxBox” before. You may even already have one on your property. But do you know exactly what a KnoxBox is, what one is used for, and what should be inside?

What is a KnoxBox?

A KnoxBox is basically a small safe that you keep on your property, in an obvious location near major access points, that contains keys, keycards, fobs and anything else that the fire department may need in order to access your building in case of emergency.

Why use a KnoxBox?

When a fire breaks out on your property, a quick response from the fire department can be the difference between a controllable incident and a total disaster.

By placing a KnoxBox on your property, you enable the fire department to get into your building quickly, no matter if you’re on-site or not. Without this means of entry, they would otherwise have to force their way in by breaking down doors, windows or other access points. This forcible entry causes additional property damage and wastes crucial minutes as the fire is spreading.

What should be inside a KnoxBox?

We’ve already mentioned that the KnoxBox should contain whatever means the fire department requires to access all areas of your building. This might include a master key, as well as clearly marked access cards, fobs, gate keys and more.

Some property managers go the extra mile and include helpful resources for the fire department, like USB drives containing floor plans. As the property manager, you know your building best, and you should be able to easily generate a list of resources that might be helpful based on your structure and your tenants.

We should note that Knox is a brand and that similar types of safes do exist. Usually, the local fire district will designate a type of box that properties within the district can use, enabling them to use the same master key on every call.

Plan, Prevent, Protect: Fire Safety Basics with SERVPRO of The Southtowns & ABJ Fire Protection

4/2/2021 (Permalink)

Let's build a better tomorrow together!

At SERVPRO of The Southtowns, we help people on the worst days of their lives - immediately after catastrophic fires.

However, most fires don't need to be as bad, or as damaging, as they end up being. Believe or not, we'd much rather see someone prevent a fire, or prevent a fire from causing serious damage, than see another unnecessary disaster take place.

Our local chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association, BOMA Buffalo, recently approached us about spreading this message of safety and prevention to commercial property managers, and we jumped at the chance. 

We partnered with ABJ Fire Protection and TM Montante to put together a video that's entertaining, informative and covers everything from cooking fires to commercial sprinkler systems to emergency planning. 

Check it out here.

Julia Spitz, Savarino Properties: SERVPRO of The Southtowns is "Easy to Deal With" for Property Managers

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Thanks Julia! We do our best!

Julia Spitz, the executive vice president over at Savarino Properties in downtown Buffalo, NY, did us a huge favor – she sat down with us and told us the truth.

We let the camera roll and we asked her to be honest. Why does she continue to use SERVPRO of The Southtowns? How do we contribute to what she does as a commercial property professional?

Among other things, she told us that she appreciates just how “easy to deal with” we are.

Check out her testimonial here. Would you rather read it? Here’s the transcript:

I like working with SERVPRO because everyone I've ever come in contact with within the company is easy to deal with and makes my life easier, not harder. When you're really busy and you're running around all the time, the last thing you need is someone who's going to make your life harder. Nice, friendly people who are going to take your call and respond quickly and make your life better are exactly what I need in my day, which is part of the reason why we just keep going back to SERVPRO.

COVID-19 Disinfecting for Manufacturers in WNY

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

We're here to help.

At SERVPRO of The Southtowns, we provide the gold standard of COVID-19/coronavirus disinfecting for a wide variety of customers, from homeowners to private businesses to government facilities. 

Manufacturers, warehouses and industrial businesses in particular have called on our services often, for a few reasons.

1. They want to be sure that they’re getting the absolute best for their employees;
2. They need emergency service overnight, because they know exactly how much it costs to shut down their facility for a day;
3. They value a partner who can explain the disinfection process to them in detail.

More than once over the course of this lockdown, we’ve had manufacturers call us in the late afternoon, asking if we can come in that night to clean spaces that are over 15,000 square feet. Every single time, we’ve mobilized our technicians, got on the scene and disinfected these facilities so that our customers and their employees could get back to work without any disruption to their business.

We’re proud of our ability to act this quickly and disinfect at such a high standard. Why? Because when the coronavirus lockdowns first started here in Western New York, so many businesses had to shut down seemingly overnight without knowing when they would be able to reopen and get back to work. Now that things have reopened, we know how vital it is for businesses to stay open, stay profitable, and take care of their employees.

If you need COVID-19 disinfecting, or you just want to discuss your options, call 716-646-6684 - we’re here to help.

The Unexpected Consequences of COVID-19

9/23/2020 (Permalink)

Aren't you sick of seeing this molecule everywhere?

It’s become a cliché to say that COVID-19 changed everything, but that doesn’t make it any less true.

We’ve seen major changes, like businesses closing, schools shutting down, hospitals struggling to keep up with demand and many people more or less locked down in their homes for the past six months.

With these changes come all kinds of unexpected consequences. With businesses closing or cutting back staff, we saw gas prices plummet. With the rise of virtual learning, we saw the death of the snow day. With hospitals struggling to keep up with patient care, we saw the American manufacturing community pull together to produce ventilators, PPE and other necessities that were previously made overseas.

As a business owner, it’s vital that you do everything you can to prepare for the unexpected. Otherwise, the consequences could be brutal.

Imagine, for example, that you’re the manager of a large building. Another company leases space in your building and operates a food court. According to the state’s mandates, most of your tenants have sent their employees to work from home or else furloughed them until they could come back to work.

Seeing that, you make the wise decision to ask the food court to shut down for the time being. You just don’t need the added risk of their employees congregating in your building when there’s really no demand for what they’re serving.

Great decision! Except – if you’ve evacuated the food court, who is checking on their space? And we don’t mean just walking through every once in a while. Is someone really going in on a regular basis and ensuring there aren’t any issues?

If the answer is no, you could be in trouble. Imagine that the condenser on the food court’s enormous walk-in freezer breaks. Unless someone is performing routine checks on everything in the space, you aren’t going to find out until you have a huge, pungent biohazard on your hands from all the spoiled food.

And that huge biohazard? Really, it’s the result of COVID-19. Workers had to quickly evacuate their workplaces without knowing how long they’d be gone. It’s only natural that some things fell through the cracks.

How can you prepare for the unexpected like this? While there’s no way to ensure that nothing ever goes wrong, you can still make a plan. At SERVPRO of West Seneca/Lancaster, we call it the Emergency Ready Profile, or ERP.

ERPs are totally free, no-cost assessments of your facility designed to collect the information you need to prepare for the unexpected. Want more information? Click here – we’ll be in touch.

Disaster Planning for Businesses in Western New York

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

Don't be a statistic. Get an ERP.

We’re going to ask you some questions that might give you anxiety. If you’re looking for an easy read, we once did an interview about grapefruit with our office administrator that might scratch that itch.

Imagine you’re the facilities manager for a line of 50 doctor’s offices in Western New York. You are responsible for dealing with disasters.

Then, imagine you are on vacation for the first time in three years. You are in Hawaii. You are drinking a lemonade. You are about to take a nap. Then, you get a frantic after-hours phone call from the office manager at your biggest location:

“The sprinklers are going off, but there’s no fire. If our million-dollar radiology machine gets any wetter, it’ll break. What do we do?”

Do you think that you could direct your office manager to find the shutoff valve for the sprinkler system over the phone?

Could you do it in under five minutes, before that radiology machine breaks?

Could you get your manager a list of emergency contacts before the ice in your lemonade melted?

95% of people will say no. 4% are either lying, or they’re the people who installed the sprinkler system.

The remaining 1% worked with SERVPRO of The Southtowns to create an Emergency Ready Profile, or ERP. ERPs are concise documents that collect vital details about your facilities so that you can act fast in case of disaster, wherever you are. These details include shut-off valve locations, priority areas and contact information for all vendors and stakeholders so that no matter who is on site, you can have peace of mind that the correct steps are being taken in case of disaster.

We won’t lie to you: ERPs are a bit of an investment. But less than you think – we do most of the heavy lifting on our end. We just need you to take an hour or so to walk through the facility with us.

As far as the financial investment: it’s free. No cost at all except for a little bit of your time. We’re just happy that you’re prepared. Considering the fact that 50% of businesses that suffer disasters never reopen, and that the ones that do reopen tend to have preparedness plans in place, we’d actually say that an ERP is a pretty hefty cost savings for you.

How do you start the ERP process? Simple. Fill out this form and we’ll get started.

More of a phone person? Give us a call at 716-646-6684 and ask for Dan. He’ll take care of you.

Happy National Preparedness Month!

How to Request a Disinfecting Estimate for Your Business

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

We're here to help.

We help business owners every single day, and we know that eventually, everything comes down to the bottom line. People get into business to make money, after all, and their primary objective when making decisions is usually to maximize profit.

How do you maximize profit? You make good decisions. And how do you make good decisions? With good information and sound judgment.

At SERVPRO of The Southtowns, we can at least provide you with good information. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve become very adept at quickly assessing business owners’ needs and providing accurate, detailed estimates for disinfecting. No matter whether a business needs routine, proactive disinfecting or emergency service after exposure, these estimates help owners to make decisions quickly and correctly.

To make this process even easier, we’ve introduced a way for owners to request estimates online. All they need to do is provide us with a few details and their contact information to signal their interest. After that, our team gives them a call to ask any follow up questions, schedule a site visit if necessary, and provide a free, no-pressure estimate.

Why is this so helpful for businesses? Because once they have an estimate in hand, they’ll be able to call us whenever they need us and know exactly what they’ll pay for service. An estimate isn’t just a piece of paper – it’s the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what you’ll get.

Need a disinfecting estimate for your business from SERVPRO of The Southtowns? Click here to get started, or call 716-646-6684 today.

Your Business Flooded. Now What?

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

Floods happen fast - will you be ready?

Imagine this: last night, a freak thunderstorm rolled through Western New York. The thunder woke you up, you made sure your windows were closed, and then you went to bed without a second thought.

Twelve hours later, you show up to work to open your business up for the morning. But something doesn’t seem quite right. You open the door to the basement, turn on the light, and your heart sinks – there’s a foot of standing water down there, and everything you were storing appears to be totally soaked.

What should your next move be? We’ll tell you.

1. Shut off gas and electricity.

If it’s safe to do so, and you can access the shutoffs, shut off your gas and electricity. If you aren’t sure how to do this, contact your utility companies for more info.

2. Start to move your contents.

Assuming you can get at the contents of your basement safely, start to move things out of the water and to a place where they can begin to dry. Make a note of the damage as you go.

3. Call your insurance agent.

Talk to your insurance company about what might be covered. If possible, start the process of filing a claim.

4. Take pictures of everything.

Take photos and videos of everything you can, keeping an eye out for potential structural and property damage in particular.

5. Clean up – safely.

Even if you plan to use a professional restoration company like SERVPRO of The Southtowns, you may save yourself time and money if you start the cleanup process on your own. Shovel out mud and debris, disinfect all surfaces, and open doors and windows to promote circulation.

Make sure that you wear gloves and clothing you can dispose of when you clean. Flood water, especially when drains back up, may not be especially sanitary.

6. Communicate with employees and customers.

If you need to close due to the flooding, let employees and customers know ASAP. Social media and email are great platforms for getting the message out to customers quickly.

7. Call SERVPRO of The Southtowns.

If your flooding is serious, then it pays to call in the professionals. If your business has flooded, call 716-646-6684 – we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."

3 Simple Fire Prevention Tips for Businesses

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

Do you know where your business keeps its fire extinguishers?

If you’re a fan of the TV show “The Office,” then you probably remember the episode where a small kitchen fire totally derails an entire day of work. The entire staff spends the day goofing off outside, even devising song parodies to tease the temp whose inability to use a toaster oven led to the fire in the first place.

While it makes for funny TV, a scene like this in real life would be enough to make any business owner’s blood turn cold. An entire day of work gone just because someone couldn’t figure out how to heat their cheese pita? That’s a lot of money down the drain.

From that perspective, then, investing in fire prevention isn’t just a smart way to keep your employees safe. It’s a business investment that pays off by preventing property damage and wasted time.

Here are three tips for preventing fires at your business.

1. Minimize potential fire hazards.

Many commercial fires are totally preventable. They’re the product of responsible business owners not having the time or the knowledge to find and fix fire hazards. Take some time today to walk through your business and look for potential issues, including:

• Dirty or improperly maintained equipment;
• Combustible objects stored near heaters or furnaces;
• Flammable items not put away in cabinets;
• Broken or fraying appliance cords;
• Lack of proper circulation around appliances;
• Overtaxed power outlets.

2. Maintain fire safety equipment.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• When’s the last time that you checked your smoke detectors?
• Do you know where your fire extinguishers are stored?
• Are there enough extinguishers throughout your building?
• Are any of the extinguishers expired?
• Do your extinguishers show any signs of damage or loss of pressure?
• Have you invested in a sprinkler system?
• Has it been properly maintained?

It can be easy to forget about maintaining your fire safety equipment, but it’s vital that you’re ready if and when disaster strikes.

3. Make a fire prevention and safety plan.

Devising a detailed fire prevention and safety plan and communicating it with your staff is just as important as investing in equipment. The most sophisticated fire prevention system in the world is worth nothing if no one knows that to do when a fire actually breaks out.

Your plan should include the following:

• Evacuation plans, including meetup sites;
• Explanations of how staff will be alerted in case of fire;
• Explanations of accommodations needed for disabled employees, like those in wheelchairs or who have difficulty hearing;
• Locations of fire prevention equipment, including fire extinguishers;
• Plans for routine fire drills;
• Warnings about common fire hazards around the office.

While you can’t prevent accidents from happening, if you follow these tips, you’ll stay as safe as possible from fires in your business.

5 Reasons Why a Business Needs Professional Mold Removal

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

Mold can grow almost anywhere when the conditions are right... just hopefully not your business.

Most business owners don’t know much about mold. They don’t know that there are thousands of different types of molds, that mold is a type of fungus or that mold mainly travels through the air.

What they do know is that mold growth is a bad thing, and they certainly don’t want it in their business. So when they discover any visible mold growth, the first thing that they do is run to their supply closet, grab a bottle of bleach and start scrubbing so that they can get rid of their mold as soon as possible.

While DIY removal of mold can be effective, usually in areas smaller than ten square feet, it’s not always the best option. If you’re a business owner with a larger mold problem, you should think twice before trying to handle it in house.

Here are five reasons why it pays to call in a professional mold removal company.

1. You get rid of mold once and for all.

The major reason you should consider hiring a mold professional is also the most obvious – they’ll be able to get the job done right. No matter how hard you try on your own, if you lack the proper training and equipment, you may only touch the mold on the surface. Hidden and dormant spores may remain, which can lead to recurring problems in the long run.

2. You clean every affected surface, not just the most obvious ones.

When struck with mold, different types of surfaces and materials require different approaches. A professional will have the tools and the knowledge to adjust their approach to clean anything that need to be cleaned, from walls to wood to clothing to upholstery.

3. You find and fix the source of your mold.

Professionals don’t just understand how to clean mold – they understand how it forms in the first place. They’ll be able to assess the origin of the leak or moisture that has promoted the growth of mold so that you can fix your problem at the source.

4. You inhibit future mold growth where necessary.

On top of cleaning mold and addressing its causes, professionals can also provide more peace of mind for business owners by applying commercial-grade products designed to restrain the development of mold.

5. You save yourself a ton of time and effort.

Business owners tend to be self-driven and entrepreneurial, so it’s no wonder they often try to take on mold removal themselves. They assume they’ll be able to figure the process out and that they’ll save money by not hiring a professional.

The risk, though, is that the opposite will happen. They may end up wasting too much of their own valuable time just trying to figure out how to fix their mold problem on their own. What’s worse, they may not even fix it completely, opening them up to much costlier problems down the road.

In the end, that’s the real reason you should consider hiring a professional mold remediation company to clean up your commercial facility: because it makes good business sense.

Life Happens, Recover Faster From Commercial Fire and Water Damage

12/17/2019 (Permalink)

Life happens, but don't let fire and/or water damage keep your business or commercial property down! Get the fastest, and best service in the WNY area

We all know life happens, but when disaster strikes on your business it can feel like the world it’s self is ending. You work so hard in and on your business every day, so when fire and/or water damage happens to your business let the professionals at SERVPRO of The Southtowns make it, “Like it never even happened”.

We understand that every minute closed is lost revenue for your WNY area business. That is why we have the fastest disaster response team in the area! We promise to have a full crew onsite within two hours, but usually we are there within one hour to begin assessing the damage and start emergency mitigation work. Our expert technicians can work and operate around your customers if areas of your business can or need to remain open to the public. They can also be discrete so your customers do not know we are even there. Our office can work directly with your insurance company, and give you daily updates on what is happening, they know communication is key. So, if your commercial property or business suffers fire and/or water damage this winter season, be sure to call the professionals at SERVPRO of The Southtowns. A real person is always available to answer the phone at (716) 646-6684.

Working Around Our Commercial Customer's Time Lines

9/26/2019 (Permalink)

When this local Amherst, NY high school experienced water damage days before the first day of school, SERVPRO of The Southtowns was there!

When a local school in Amherst, NY flooded just days before the first day of school, the Super Intendent of Buildings and Grounds had a brief moment of panic. But then, he remembered to keep calm and call in the experts at SERVPRO of The Southtowns to begin the cleanup.

Within an hour, our crew was on site, ready to assess the 12 rooms that flooded, and begin the mitigation work. Our crews worked quickly and efficiently to get the cleanup done, the school dried out and make the school’s water damage, “Like it never even happened”. In fact, here is what the Super Indendent of Buildings and Grounds had to say about SERVPRO of The Southtowns:

“The SERVPRO staff on site were very professional, had the right equipment and tools, and went      right to work helping us take care of the 12 flooded classrooms at our High School. Dan and his staff listened to our scheduling needs and had all 12 classrooms opened for the first day of school. I was very impressed, thank you.”

At SERVPRO of The Southtowns we take great pride in being able to work around our commercial client’s needs. We know and understand how important a deadline can be. Also, we know that your business or commercial property may need to remain open while the mitigation work is being performed. Our crews know how to work around the general public, and how to set up appropriate safety zones in order to protect them and the public.

So, if your commercial property or business experiences water damage, give the professionals at SERVPRO of The Southtowns a call at (716) 646-6684 today.

Levels of Loss for Your Buffalo Commercial Property or Business

6/25/2019 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of The Southtowns, our commercial property jobs are broken down into three levels. Do you know what level your commercial property or business is? Review the levels below and learn where your commercial property or business sits.

 Level 1- A Level 1 is a small commercial loss, usually involving 15,000 square feet or less of an affected floor space. Some examples of a Level 1 loss include, but are not limited to, a small church, daycare facility, a small shopping center, a small warehouse or manufacturing facility, or a stand-alone administrative facility. A Level 1 loss could also be a small portion of a much larger structure.

 Level 2- A Level 2 is a midsize commercially loss typically involved 15,000 to 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The buildings, or buildings involved are usually multi-level or greatly divided spaces. Some examples of a Level 2 loss are, but not limited to, a small mulita-family property, a midsized church or school, a small shopping center, a multi-tenant administration facility, a midsized warehouse or manufacturing facility. A Level 2 loss can just be a portion of a much larger structure.

 Level 3- A Level 3 is a large commercial loss typically involving more than 60,000 square feet of affected floor space. The building or buildings involved will likely be large, multi-level structures. Some examples of a Level 3 loss are, but are not limited to, a large church, hospital, school and/or university, a large multi-family property, a large industrial manufacturing facility or warehouse, or a large strip-style shopping center or shopping mall. This type of loss would be considered a “large loss”.

 So now that you have determined what level your commercial property would be, know that SERVPRO of The Southtowns can properly handle them ALL. We have the right equipment, staff and training to handle any commercial property or business. So when you experience fire and/or water damage, give the experts at SERVPRO of The Southtowns a call at (716) 646-6684.

Does Your Business Have A Disaster Plan?

6/24/2019 (Permalink)

Will your business be one of the 50% that DOES NOT recover after a disaster?

Does your business have plan for what happens after a disaster? Did you know that 50% of businesses WILL NOT recover after a disaster? Don’t a one of these statistics, let SERVPRO of The Southtowns help. Yes, we do Emergency Fire & Water Restoration 24 hours of the day to help after a disaster has occurred, but we also offer a COMPLIMENTARY service that puts together an action plan before a disaster happens.

We call it the Emergency Ready Profile, and it can be all the difference in a time of emergency. This guide will help get you back into your building following a disaster and minimize the amount of time your business is inactive. It provides a list of chain of command for authorizing work to be done, which saves time so mitigation of the damage can begin as quickly as possible (which saves you money as well).

 Also, the ERP provides important facility details such as, shut off valve location, priority areas and priority contacts. This gives your staff an important reference of what to do, how to do it, and who to call even when you’re not on location.

Did we mention this can be transferred to an app on your smart phone so you can access it at anytime, anywhere in the world? So you can now rest easy knowing your WNY business has a plan in place any time there is an emergency. To your own ERP started, give SERVPRO of The Southtowns a call at (716) 646-6684 today!

Commercial Restoration Vs. Residential Restoration

6/20/2019 (Permalink)

The average restoration company might attempt to treat a commercial project like, “a really big house”. But here at SERVPRO of The Southtowns we know that this is just NOT the case. We know that planning, communication and execution all need to be adjusted in order to provide excellent customer service and do the job right. Here, we know and understand that commercial restoration jobs differ from residential restoration jobs in three main ways: function, size and complexity.

Function- A residential home has one main purpose, to accommodate a personal living space. However, a commercial structure can serve a variety of functions all in the same building. A few examples of a commercial structure are:

• Government Buildings
• Restaurants
• Retail Stores
• Warehouses
• Hotels
• Libraries
• And More

The wide range of uses requires additional considerations about the occupants of the structure, the processes that go on inside the structure and if there are individuals visiting the structure. All of these considerations affect the restoration process and need to be considered when putting a drying plan together. SERVPRO of The Southtowns knows what to consider and how to put together a proper drying plan for your water and/or fire damaged commercial property and its occupants.

Size- Commercial properties can vary in size from anywhere to 1,000 sq. feet to 1,000,000 sq. feet. This requires additional time for scoping out the damage, putting together an estimate and a plan for the damages occurred. Also, it requires additional equipment, labor and supplies. All things that SERVPRO of The Southtowns has access to immediately.

Complexity- Commercial restoration projects can contain a large variety of complexities. These complexities can pertain to any commercial project and affect the process from start to finish. Some examples of these complexities are:

• Multiple stakeholders- Authorizations and decisions can involve input and review by multiple individuals (ex. Property manager, Property owner, tenant etc.).
• Time Constraints- We know you need to get back to business as soon as possible. We are aware of and work with any time constraints you may have.
• Public Access and Security- Both public and occupant access may need to be limited or restricted. We know how to advise you, and work with both.
• And More…

These complexities can be managed, and must be considered when restoration work is being performed on a commercial property. Thankfully, SERVPRO of The Southtowns is prepared for it all! There isn’t anything we’re not ready for, and will help you get your commercial property or business back up and running as soon as possible. Remember, we make it, “Like it never even happened."

So if your commercial property or business experiences fire and/or water damage, give our office a call immediately at (716) 646-6684. Choose the number one restoration company that knows how to handle a commercial loss.

Did You Just Find Mold In Your Commercial Property or Business? Read This:

5/20/2019 (Permalink)

When your business or commercial property has mold, call the experts at SERVPRO of The Southtowns to make it, "Like it never even happened".

When you discover mold in your commercial property or business, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and concerned. Who do you call to get rid of the mold? Is this something you can do yourself? How long will your business have to be closed, after all you have a bottom line and employees to worry about. This list of questions will continue to grow as the day goes on.

Let SERVPRO of The Southtowns put your fears at ease. We are properly trained and certified to remove and clean up the mold, and equally important, make sure the mold does not come back. Recently, we received a call from a local business who had found mold and needed it taken care of, but had a very strict timeline in which the work needed to be done. Strict deadlines are no problem for SERVPRO of The Southtowns. We understand that you a short window to get your business back up and running again. Also, we understand that this window of time may not be during traditional business hours, this is no problem for the largest Fire, Water and Mold remediation company around!

We were able to complete the mold remediation process within the deadline, and the business never had to close. So if you find mold or water damage in your Buffalo, NY commercial property or business please don’t hesitate to call the mold experts at (716) 646-6684. A trained professional can be onsite in as little as one hour to put together a plan to get your business up and running again.

Why You Should Never Wait For Emergency Service For Your Commercial Property

12/3/2018 (Permalink)

We're always available for your commercial property. Even when the sprinklers go off at 2 am.

Did you know that after a commercial property suffers a loss from fire and/or water damage, only 50% of those companies re-open for business?

That is why we believe that when businesses are disrupted by fire, water, or bio hazard there is no time to waste.  

At our office, we will always provide prompt (usually same day) service to any commercial properties regardless of our current production schedule, even during storm time.  

Additionally, SERVPRO of The Southtowns carries liability insurance well above the industry standards based on feedback from our commercial clients 

What qualifies as "commercial"?:

Schools, Manufacturing, Industrial, Apartment Buildings, Health Care, Offices, Financial Institutions, Hospitality, Retail, Food Services, Government / Municipal, and more.

What does "Storm Time" mean?:

Storm Time is after a major local weather event, such as a cold snap, a flash of heavy rains, or a major snow storm. During these times our office can easily be fielding over 60 new calls for losses per day. During storm time we are "all hands on deck" and the entire company works around the clock. 

So if your commercial property suffers from any fire/water damage, call SERVPRO of The Southtowns at (716) 646-6684.

You Should Never Need An Umbrella Inside

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

It's not a good sign when an umbrella is needed inside.

It’s never a good day when you need to use the umbrella inside! This local, Buffalo warehouse suffered water damage after a leak in the roof dumped water onto stacked and boxed inventory. The Property Manager knew to call SERVPRO of The Southtowns immediately, and within an hour our crew was onsite, ready to assess the situation and begin mitigation.  

When our trucks arrived on scene there was already between 1 and 2 inches of water in some areas. Our crew began extracting the standing water, while our Production Manager worked with the Property Manager on the best way to remove the boxed inventory to a dry area. From there our crew would use fans and dehumidifiers to dry out the inventory.

Due to quick action, we were able to save the inventory, and production never had to stop. If your commercial space experiences water damage, give the experts at SERVPRO of The Southtowns a call at (716) 646-6684 to get you back on track and make it “Like It Never Even Happened”.  

Get The FASTEST Service For Your Commercial Property

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

Never wait for emergency restoration service at your commercial property again.

When a fire, biohazard or water damage happens to your WNY property there is ZERO time to waste. It is important to begin the restoration immediately not only to save your property, but to make sure your business is up and running as soon as possible.

Our office will ALWAYS provide prompt (usually same day) service to any commercial properties regardless of our current production schedule, even during storm time. In fact, in most cases we have someone onsite within an hour to begin assessing the situation. Additionally, SERVPRO of The Southtowns carries liability insurance well above the industry standards based on feedback from our commercial clients.

So what exactly qualifies as commercial properties? A few examples would be: Schools, Manufacturing, Industrial, Apartment Buildings, Health Care, Offices, Financial Institutions, Hospitality, Retail, Food Services, Government/Municipal and more!

So if disaster strikes at your commercial property, give the experts at SERVPRO of The Southtowns a call at (716)646-6684.

Will Your Business Recover?

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

According to latest industry research, as many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster.

According to latest industry research, as many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster.

SERVPRO of The Southtowns wants your business to be one of the businesses that DOES recover. The Emergency Ready Profile is a concise Profile Document that contains critical information needed in the event of an emergency and allows you to get back into your building faster following a disaster. The Emergency Ready Profile Advantage

A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster - Help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action

Identification of line of command for authorizing work to begin - Saving time so      mitigation of damage can begin quickly which can save you money

Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contacts - Giving a quick reference of what to do, how to do it, and who to call providing a proactive solution so that during an emergency you are “Ready for whatever happens”

A No Cost assessment of your facility - Giving you peace of mind as well as a great  value at no cost by not having to allocate funds.

You can be ruined or you can be ready. The best way to reduce business interruption following a disaster is to plan for it NOW.  Be ready for any size disaster. Give yourself the peace of mind knowing you have a solution in place.

Restoring Your Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage Events Present Unique Challenges.

Flooding and water damage events in Buffalo, NY 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 The Southtowns

SERVPRO of The Southowns 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.

Lunch & Learn Seminar 2018

5/25/2018 (Permalink)

This month SERVPRO of The Southtowns hosted a Lunch & Learn Seminar covering the topics of “Property Water Damage Restoration & Emergency Planning for the Commercial Market”. This event was held at the Black Iron Bystro in Blasdell, NY. Guest enjoyed a specialty prepared lunch curtsey of Chef Bryan, and learned about topics such as:

• The material costs of water damage losses.
• The effect of water on structure surfaces and contents.
• Psychometrics, the science of drying.
• The factors and testing processes that determine restoration and salvage.
• The testing processes necessary to determine restorations vs. replacement.
• When ancillary services, including duct cleaning and specialty restoration processes, are required.
• How commercial Disaster Recovery and Emergency Response plans can reduce fire and water loss costs for both the insurance company and the property owner/manager.

What made this event so special was the intimate setting, allowing guests to participate in an engaging conversation. If you have any questions about any of these topics concerning your commercial space, please give our office a call at (716) 646-6684

How to Never Wait for Emergency Service

11/30/2017 (Permalink)

Fastest service for all commercial losses

We believe that when businesses are disrupted by fire, water, or bio hazard there is no time to waste.  

At our office, we will always provide prompt (usually same day) service to any commercial properties regardless of our current production schedule, even during storm time.  

Additionally, SERVPRO of The Southtowns carries liability insurance well above the industry standards based on feedback from our commercial clients 

What qualifies as "commercial"?:

Schools, Manufacturing, Industrial, Apartment Buildings, Health Care, Offices, Financial Institutions, Hospitality, Retail, Food Services, Government / Municipal, and more.

What does "Storm Time" mean?:

Storm Time is after a major local weather event, such as a cold snap, a flash of heavy rains, or a major snow storm. During these times our office can easily be fielding over 60 new calls for losses per day. During storm time we are "all hands on deck" and the entire company works around the clock. 

Injectidry Saves Gym Floor

9/15/2017 (Permalink)

Injectidry Mat-Panel Drying System

When Frontier Middle School discovered a pool of water on their gym floor they called SERVPRO of The Southtowns to come in and assess the situation. 

Upon arrival, our highly trained technicians were able to dry and preserve the affected area with the use of injectidry panels.  Injectidry panels are a mat-panel drying system which allows SERVPRO to extract water from the subfloor level by creating a vacuum effect between the panels and the flooring.  The technicians were then able to control and speed up the drying process by sealing off the affected area and using a dehumidifier to pull out more moisture. 

Within a matter of a few days Frontier Middle School’s gym was restored and ready to go. Just another example of how SERVPRO of The Southtowns makes it “Like it never even happened.”

Hydraulic Oil Spill

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

When a forklift sprung a hydraulic oil leak it created a 20,000 square foot safety hazard in a local Buffalo production warehouse. The parking lot and warehouse floor had a coat of oil that needed to be cleaned for the safety of the employees and the environment.

SERVPRO® of The Southtowns was able to react quickly to get the spill cleaned up and the warehouse back on schedule. We take commercial losses very seriously, we know that every hour of down time has a cost of loss production and loss of revenue.

The facility manager, John, was thrilled, he said “Thank you for getting here quickly!”

There is no job too large or too small for SERVPRO® of The Southtowns, we are on call 24/7 to make it “Like it never even happened."

Restoring your Western New York Commercial Property after a Water Damage Event

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage Events Present Unique Challenges

Flooding and water damage events in Buffalo, NY 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 The Southtowns

SERVPRO® of The Southowns 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.

Meet Our Crew

When the sprinklers burst...

5/30/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of The Southtowns on site at 1am!

Our definition of 24/7 means that when the sprinklers burst at 1am, we are there. 

When this commercial facility called us at 1am because the sprinklers stated going off, by 2am we had a crew on site to begin extracting the standing water and setting up drying equipment. 

There is no job too large or too small for SERVPRO of The Southtowns. We respond to all emergence night and day because our customers need to get back to normal as quickly as possible. Having SERVPRO of The Soutthowns in your corner is having a hero you can count on. Every loss is catastrophic for the people who have to live through it, we want to take the stress away and make it "Like it never even happened." 

BOMA Buffalo Vendor of the Year

10/24/2016 (Permalink)

Marketing Manager, Emily McNulty, and Owner, Lyn Braun, received the BOMA Buffalo 2016 Vendor of the Year.

SERVPRO of The Southtowns is so honored to have been named the BOMA Buffalo 2016 Vendor of The Year at the October 18 BOMA awards luncheon held at Aqua Restaurant.

We were nominated for this award by the members of BOMA and voted on by the Awards committee.

Our Marketing Manager, Emily McNulty has been an active member of BOMA for three years, sits on the board of directors, and participates on the Member Communications committee as well as sponsors the annual golf outing. 

Thank you to all of our customers who have trusted us over the years for fire restoration, water mitigation, mold remediation, bio hazard cleanup, and more. We are honored to be the name that you call on when the sprinklers go off in the middle of the night. 

Erie County Board of Elections Fire Damage Restoration

9/6/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team in Buffalo, NY

SERVPRO of The Southtowns is proud to be on site with our Large Loss Disaster Recovery Team at the Erie County Board of Elections. 

After a fire occurred on the third floor last Thursday evening we dispatched an after hours crew to begin the fire restoration process. We set up air scrubbers to begin the deodorization process at 11pm.

The following morning we met with the director of facilities to create a comprehensive plan to get employees back in their offices as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

SERVPRO® of The Southtowns prides ourselves on responding to all emergency losses, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We believe that the top priority of our business is to mitigate losses and get business back to work and homeowners back home. 

Flood Clean Up in North Boston, NY

1/20/2016 (Permalink)

Flooded business after heavy rain fall

After a significant rain fall, this business experienced flooding in their warehouse. We arrived on the scene within 30 minutes of their call. This picture shows our crew performing extraction, drying, and cleaning of their file storage room.  

Water damage in a business can cause a unique challenge. Confidential documents may need to be preserved, whether these include tax documents or customer files we have the experience to handle sensitive documents and restore them to a usable condition and prevent further damage.  

Returning a business to operation as quickly as possible is our top priority. Time that businesses have to be closed result in lost revenues which can be difficult to recover from. We work with the business to determine priority areas, such as the office or warehouse.