Commercial Liability

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Maintain your commercial building and minimizing your legal liabilities during the winter months by taking action to avoid hazards in your workplace environment.  You can protect yourself, your employees and your customers by taking just a few simple precautions:

Use ice melt on sidewalks and  walkways to ensuring the safety of passers buy, customers and employees.  

Clean up dirt.  A surprisingly large amount of dirt gets dragged into commercial building, especially . Dirt can cause significant damage to your flooring over time. To significantly reduce the amount of dirt and debris that gets dragged in, place utility mats inside and outside all entranced to the building.

Prevent slippery floors.  Put utility mats down to minimize slippery surfaces created by snow and rain that gets dragged in when people enter your building. Place wet floor signs out whenever floors need to dry as well.

As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of Frankfort provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.  Your property’s appearance speaks volumes to your clients. When it’s impacted by fire or water damage, you need professional help. Every hour spent restoring your business is lost revenue and productivity. When you need professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, we have the training and resources to get your property back to business quickly.

Reduce your Commercial Liability

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Maintain your commercial building and minimizing your legal liabilities during the winter months by taking action to avoid hazards in your workplace environment.  You can protect yourself, your employees and your customers by taking just a few simple precautions:

Use ice melt on sidewalks and  walkways to ensuring the safety of passers buy, customers and employees.  

Clean up dirt.  A surprisingly large amount of dirt gets dragged into commercial building, especially . Dirt can cause significant damage to your flooring over time. To significantly reduce the amount of dirt and debris that gets dragged in, place utility mats inside and outside all entranced to the building.

Prevent slippery floors.  Put utility mats down to minimize slippery surfaces created by snow and rain that gets dragged in when people enter your building. Place wet floor signs out whenever floors need to dry as well.

As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of Frankfort provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.  Your property’s appearance speaks volumes to your clients. When it’s impacted by fire or water damage, you need professional help. Every hour spent restoring your business is lost revenue and productivity. When you need professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, we have the training and resources to get your property back to business quickly.

Is Your Business Ready For Spring?

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Spring is the time to get your building clean and ready for the warmer weather. Dusting, cleaning floors which may have salt and residue from the harsh winter months, as well as washing windows. Landscape also comes to mind as the snow and ice can be particularly harsh on those areas. 

Doing a full inspection of your property is very important to reduce the risks of water or mold damage after the harsh winter. Inspection of concrete and all outer walls of the property is necessary to prevent damage to the building. Freezing and settling of the building can cause cracks in walls or concrete. Those cracks will allow moisture to enter your building and can cause water damage or mold growth. 

Also make sure to check gutters and drainage pipes to ensure water is properly being directed away from the building. Irrigation lines and exterior hose shit offs should be carefully inspected as they can easily be damaged by harsh winter weather. 

Doing these inspections can help reduce the risk of water or mold damage in your business. If you cannot find the source of water in your building SERVPRO of Frankfort can help. We use thermal imaging cameras to detect moisture that is inside the wall. Give us a call today for more information. (815)485-6901

Tips for Fire Prevention In your Commercial Property

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

As a business owner, you are probably aware of many threats to your business. Some of these are preventable and others may not be. Here are some simple steps that you and your staff can take to help reduce the risks of a fire breaking out in your workplace. 

-Electrical fires contribute to a large percentage of reported fires each year, and in terms of damage loss, are often very costly. Electrical fires can easily be prevented . First never overload an outlet or power strip. Electrical outlets are only designed to handle a certain amount of electricity, so the more devices you plug into one increases the risk of an overload. Large appliances should never share an outlet. 

- Keep flammable materials and chemicals away from electrical outlets and power strips as well as areas that experience higher than normal levels of heat. 

- Keep clutter to a minimum. If a fire does break out having less clutter will keep the fire from traveling quicker. 

- Make sure all emergency exits are are clutter and mess free. 

These simple steps will help prevent fires. However be prepared for an emergency with a free assessment of your building. For more information give SERVPRO of Frankfort a call today (815)485-6901. 

Maintain Fire Sprinkler Systems

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Frankfort had several calls during the extreme cold from businesses suffering from a water loss due to a malfunction or pipe break in their sprinkler systems. Below are a few helpful tips to help ensure your sprinkler systems continue to work correctly. 

1. Keep your system in service. Limit the amount of time your systems are shut down. Always know why they are being shut down and how long they will be out of service. 

2. Consider your Fire Safety System while making changes or upgrades to your facility.  Remember that adding extra office space or rearranging appliances can have a significant impact on your systems ability to control a fire event. 

3. Don’t Alter the System. Sometimes during remodels the system can get overlooked. Do not paint the system or any part of it. Some functions of the system will not properly work if altered. 

4. Maintain adequate heat. Make sure to maintain adequate heat for wet sprinkler systems. It is important to make sure all auxiliary drains are drained and continue to drain during freezing weather for all types of sprinkler systems. 

5. Conduct all required inspections and testing. Make sure the system is routinely tested and maintained. 

Faster to Any Size Disaster

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

Are you  a Pastor of a Church, Superintendent of a School District or Director of a Senior Care Facility?  Are you prepared to handle the clean-up of a major water/fire loss that could affect your property?   When it comes to your commercial property, SERVPRO of Frankfort means business. You need a company that can minimize the disruption to your clients while delivering superior results.  

Whether you need professional cleaning to make your business shine, or emergency water/fire restoration services, SERVPRO of Frankfort has the training and expertise to help make it "Like it never even happened."

• Small Office Condominiums
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military

Our trained professionals will work direct with the Property Manager to make sure the cleaning process goes smoothly and that we address all your concerns and questions in a timely manner.  Staying open during these challenging times is key to keeping the revenue flowing with no discontinuance of service.   We are available 24 hours a day to get your business back up and running.  Call us at SERVPRO of Frankfort at (815) 485-6901 for immediate service!  

Reduce Business Interruptions after a water damage

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Frankfort understands the frustrations that come with suffering a water damage in your commercial building. 

Our highly trained water technicians are available 24 hours a day to assist with your water damage emergency. 

To reduce your business interruptions SERVPRO of Frankfort will

-Answer your call anytime day or night. Our production manager will call back within one hour to let you know what time we will arrive. 

-Utilize advanced technology and state of the art equipment to properly dry your commercial property. Starting the drying process immediately reduces the risk of secondary damage and reduces the damage costs. 

-Your assigned production manager will monitor the progress of the drying process each day as well as communicate daily on the progress. They will even be available to you by phone anytime you may have questions regarding your facility. 

There is no such thing as a small disaster and that is why SERVPRO of Frankfort is here to help. If you need assistance or have questions regarding water damage in your commercial facility give us a call (815)485-6901

Costly Water Damage Due to Sprinkler Systems

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

If a sprinkler system breaks or malfunctions it can cause costly water damage to your business. When a sprinkler head breaks, it can spray anywhere from 8-24 gallons of water per minute. Within a 20 minute period one sprinkler head can dump hundreds of gallons of water inside your commercial building. 

The NFPA reported in 2014 that fire departments responded to over 33,600 calls related to unintentional sprinkler activation's. 

Below are the most common reasons a sprinkler system will go off unintentionally. 

1. Overheating- A sprinkler system is designed to detect heat. It does not know what type of heat it is looking for so keep sprinkler heads away from heat sources, this includes light bulbs. 

 2. Freezing temperatures- When a pipe freezes it can cause the water inside to expand more than 10% which can cause damage to the pipe. Adding extra insulation around the pipes can help keep them from freezing. 

3. Defects, mechanical failure, corrosion- All of these things can cause a sprinkler head to malfunction. Receiving regular inspections and maintenance on your system can help detect these issues before they become costly water damage. 

4. Sabotage- Insurance fraud, a not so funny prank or vandalism. Keeping your system in hard to reach areas and areas that are in a more public view can help deter these things from happening. 

If your sprinkler head should break and cause water damage to your business give SERVPRO of Frankfort a call right away at (815)485-6901. We can start the drying process immediately and minimize your business interruptions. 

Is Your Business Prepared for a Disaster?

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

As a business owner, proper disaster preparedness is very important. You not only need to worry about yourself during a disaster, you must also worry about any employees, customers, or anyone else who may be inside your building when a disaster occurs. 

Here are a few guidelines to help maintain a business preparedness kit to help protect yourself and your employees in an emergency situation. 

Bottled Water- Make sure to have a 3 day supply of bottled water available for each employee. 

First aid kits- Having a fully stocked first aid kit is essential. Also recommending that each employee keep a 3 day supply of prescription medications with them at work is also a good idea. 

Non Perishable Food- Keep foods that do not need to be cooked and have a long shelf live available. Also keep a manual can opener along with the foods. 

Hygiene Supplies- Keep soaps, paper towels, garbage bags, sanitized wipes, disinfectants and anything else needed to maintain sanitary conditions and avoid sickness during the disaster. 

Emergency Supplies- Hand radio, whistle, batteries, flashlight, matches in a sealed waterproof container, and anything else that could help a search and rescue team locate you during a disaster. 

SERVPRO of Frankfort professionals are available 24/7 to assist with any emergency fire or water needs. Ask us about our Emergency Ready Profile. The ERP can help prepare yourself and your business before a disaster strikes. 

Commercial Cleaning

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know SERVPRO of Frankfort offers commercial office and industrial cleaning services?

When grease, grime, dirt or odor go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial services, we can help. Our highly trained professional can help with deep commercial kitchen cleanings, carpet and duct cleanings, odor removal, grout cleanings and so much more. 

SERVPRO of Frankfort professionals are trained in adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards while performing all cleanup and bioremediation in accordance with the guidelines provided by the CDC and local authorities. Our trained professionals use SERVPROXIDE, which is an EPA-certified, hospital-grade disinfectant that has demonstrated effectiveness against viruses. Getting your building looking its very best will be our top priority. We will start working quickly and do it right. 

If you would like a free estimate on any of our restoration, mediation, or cleaning services give our office a call. (815)485-6901.

Commercial Fire Prevention

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

A fire can cause severe damage to your business. As a business owner assessing the risk of fire, focusing on fire prevention and educating your staff are the best ways to help reduce the risk of a fire in. Your business. 

Here are a few tips to help

Have fire protection equipment

- Having a sprinkler system in place. This will provide your primary fire protection for your business. 

- Have smoke alarms on each level as well as fire extinguishers. Make sure all employees are aware of the location of the fire extinguishers. 

Have a fire plan and make sure all employees know what to do if there is a fire. Conduct a fire drill at least once per year. 

Designate a safety officer. Their duties will include composing escape routes and meeting  points as well as keeping all information up to date. 

Leave space for appliances to be able to properly cool down. Also if possible unplug any appliances at the end of each day as most fires happen after business hours. 

Check all power cords often to ensure they are in good working order and also ensure there is not too much plugged into each outlet. 

Call SERVPRO of Frankfort to ask about our free Emergency Ready Profile. It will help reduce interruption time should you have a fire loss at your business. 

Is Your Business Winter Ready?

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

Are you prepared for the coming cold weather? Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home or business if you are not ready for it. From heavy rain and freezing temperatures to damaging winds, sleet, or snow, all can cause serious and costly property damage. While you cannot control the weather, you can take steps to be prepared and help take the sting out of winter weather. To help prevent costly damages due to weather, consider taking the following precautions to protect your property before colder weather hits. 

Check your business property for downed tree limbs and branches. Wind, heavy rain, ice, and snow can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries. 

Roofs, water pipes, and gutters should all be inspected to ensure they are in proper order. Gutter downspouts should be directed away from your building. Clear gutters of debris that may have gathered during the fall. Leaves and other obstructions can cause a damming effect, which can lead to roof damage and interior water problems. 

Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential. 

Inspect all handrails, stairwells, and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present.

Protect water pipes from freezing by simply allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below freezing. If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open, allowing warm inside air to circulate around the pipes. If the building has outdoor faucets, consider shutting water off at the main valve in the basement or crawl space. Once the valve is off, open the outdoor faucet to ensure it drains, preventing any remaining water from freezing in the pipe. 

 Ask your SERVPRO of Frankfort Professionals about completing an Emergency READY Profile for your business. The ERP is a no-cost assessment to your facility, and provides you with a plan to get back in business fast following a disaster.

Is Your Business Emergency Ready?

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

Is Your Business Emergency Ready?

It is important to prepare your business before a disaster strikes. Having plans, as well as tools, in place to be prepared is of the absolute importance. Below are some ways to more effectively prepare for an emergency.

+Search and sign up for local alerts and warnings.

+To reduce property damage and potential injury, make some property improvements.

+Conduct a drill to practice emergency response actions.

+Require participation in a preparedness training.

+Collect and plan for protection of important documents.

+Obtain and make sure that your business has proper insurance.

+Gather and/or update emergency supplies.

Another great way to make your business “Ready for whatever happens”, would be to complete a no-cost SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile (ERP). The ERP can help to minimize business interruption by having an Emergency Plan in place. Please give SERVPRO of Frankfort a call to begin establishing your Emergency READY Plan. (815)485-6901.

Be Ready in the New Year

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

This year, make a resolution to be READY. No one ever plans on a disaster or a water or fire damage to strike, but you can prepare for it. The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) will help ensure your business is “Ready for whatever happens” in 2020.
In the event of an emergency, the ERP can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your facility. The ERP is a comphrehensive document containing critical information about your business, including emergency contacts, shut-off valve locations, and priority areas. The ERP also establishes SERVPRO of Frankfort as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.

The ERP is a no-cost assessment; all it requires is a little time, making it a great value that could save you time and money in the future. By downloading the free SERVPRO READY mobile app, this important information is stored electronically and can be accessed using your mobile device putting immediate help right at your fingertips.
Preparation is key to making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood. Having a plan in place may help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive and get you back in your building faster following a disaster. Don’t wait until disaster strikes—resolve to
be READY by contacting SERVPRO of Frankfort today to set up your ERP today. If you have had an ERP in the past, now is the perfect time to update it. 

Holiday Safety Tips

12/4/2019 (Permalink)

During this holiday season keep your  commercial property and occupants safe. Stay festive and safe with there tips. 

1. Do NOT hang decorations from the fire sprinklers. 

2. Avoid using any decorations that have open flames. 

3. Inspect all cords and lights for frayed or loose connections. 

4. The best location for decorations is the reception area, lobbies, foyers and break rooms. 

5. Avoid overloading outlets. Do not use more than 3 stands of lights per expansion cord, and make sure extension cords are UL rated. 

6. Ensure cords are not a tripping hazard. 

7. Turn off all lights when the business is closed. 

8. Keep high traffic areas free of any decoration. 

9. Keep Christmas trees away from any heat source. 

10. Keep live Christmas trees watered frequently. 

Ask SERVPRO of Frankfort about a free assessment of your building so you are ready for whatever happens. 

Give us a call today to set up your free assessment. (815)485-6901. 

Portable Fire Extinguishers

2/18/2019 (Permalink)

Equipping your business with portable fire extinguishers can help put a fire out quickly in the event of an emergency. It can also help minimize damage caused by the fire. Below are tips on how to properly use a portable fire extinguisher.  

Portable fire extinguishers can be life and property saving tools when used correctly. In order to operate an extinguisher, the National Fire Production Association suggests remembering the word pass 

Pull the pin.  Hold the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.

Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire. 

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. 

 Sweep the nozzle from side to side. 

Should you have a fire in your business SERVPRO of Frankfort is available to assist 24 hours a day. Please give us a call at (815)485-6901.

Is it Necessary to Clean a Commercial Building’s Air Ducts?

1/23/2019 (Permalink)

Poor indoor air quality, inefficient air filteration, and duct leaks can all result in dust entering your duct systems. The dust can accumulate to the point that it starts breaking off and reentering the air. When this happens, you will notice your workspace becomes dusty faster. 

High humidity in a commercial building can cause mold to develope in the duct systems. If this happens the mold spores will circulate through the whole building and can aggravate your employees allergies, asthma, and increase risk of upper respiratory infection. 

Cleaning your duct systems can improve indoor air quality, improve the efficiency of your HVAC system, and extend your HVAC lifespan.

SERVPRO of Frankfort can inspect and clean your commercial ducts. Please give us a call so we can schedule your free estimate today. Call our friendly office staff at (815)485-6901. 

Certified Document Destruction

11/15/2018 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, many businesses and government agencies have to dispose of counterfeit, faulty, expired or contaminated materials. All entries need to be certified that ther products and materials are destroyed. The guarentee of certified destruction is to protect one’s liabilities, brand image, or proprietary information. We guarentee certified deconstruction to give you the peace of mind that your documents are disposed of properly. 

Weather you are responsible for 1,000 square feet or 100,000 be ready for the worst with the best, your trusted SERVPRO franchise in Frankfort,IL. 

SERVPRO of Frankfort’s goal is to make the process as simple as possible for our customers. Contact SERVPRO of Frankfort today for more information on Document Restoration services. 

We are always here to answer any questions you may have. Please give us a call at (815)485-6901. 

Emergency Ready Profile

9/28/2018 (Permalink)

The best way to reduce business interruption following a disaster is to plan for it now. 

Are you ready?

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, weather it is a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, "Are you ready for whatever could happen?" 

The SERVPRO Emergency ready profile is a start up approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information, By working with SERVPRO's Emergency Ready Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO os a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order. 

To find out more about this no cost assessment of your business please call our offices at (814)485-6901

Should I Have my Air Ducts Cleaned?

1/23/2018 (Permalink)

Air duct cleaning has become a somewhat trendy topic as of late.  People are increasingly interested in clean living, and indoor air quality is certainly an important aspect of that.  Because of this, an entire industry has popped-up, practically overnight,  based on air duct cleaning and indoor air quality.  But the truth is, there is no research at present proving that routine duct cleaning improves the air quality or reduces dust in your home.  Contrary to what some may claim, duct cleaning is often not necessary or  recommended. If you replace your  filters at  the proper interval of every three months, then having your air ducts cleaned shouldn't be an issue.  In fact,  if your ducts have mold  or too much dust in them, then there is a bigger problem that needs to be addressed and you most probably should have it checked out by a professional.  It may be necessary to do this if your ducts have:

• Visible mold growth
• Ducts infested with vermin
• Dirt/dust clogged ducts

Even under the above circumstances, be cautious before paying for duct cleaning.  The industry is rife with scams.  Use a reputable service provider that will fix the cause of your problem.  

As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of Frankfort provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

4 Easy Tips to Avoid A Holiday Lighting Mishap

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Follow these 4 simple rules to avoid electrical mishaps this Christmas season 

1. Use UL-Listed lights and light strings.  Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a nationally recognized, independent product safety certification organization. UL Listing means that UL has tested representative samples of a product and determined that it meets UL's requirements.
2. Check for damage. Check for damage to wire insulation, plugs and bulbs. Broken bulbs can be replaced, but damaged cords or plugs should be discarded and replaced.
3. Replace bulbs with the same wattage. Using a higher wattage bulb your product is rated for can cause it to overheat and cause a fire.
4. Use the right extension cord. Extension cords are rated for outdoor, indoor or indoor/outdoor use; use the correct one. Every extension cord has a certain wattage it can handle. Check that your cord is the appropriate gauge to handle the wattage of your Christmas decorations. Finally, get an extension cord that’s only as long as you need; the longer the cord, the less power it can deliver.

Building Safety Month

5/18/2017 (Permalink)

Building Safety Month—in its 37th year—is an initiative of the International Code Council (ICC) and their 57,000 members aross the world, as well as their partners in building construction and design, and the safety community. Building Safety Month is an opportunity SERVPRO of Frankfort to educate on “what it takes to create safe, resilient, affordable, and energyefficient homes and buildings,” according to the ICC website. The theme for 2017 is Code Officials— Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growthand highlights managing disasters, specifically natural disasters, in week three of this year’s campaign.Some of the topics and tips shared throughout the month include Disaster Safety and Mitigation, as well as Fire Safety and Awareness.The general public may not be aware how codes and code officials “improve and protect the places where we live, learn, work, worship, and play,” and this month can certainly improve that awareness!

Restoring Your Frankfort Commercial Property After Flood Damage

3/21/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is on the scene fast to stop commercial flood damage.

Flooding and water damage events at Frankfort 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 Frankfort

SERVPRO of Frankfort 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.