Recent Posts
Venice Area Hurricane Preparedness Updated for 2024
9/9/2024 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is there after the storm to help!
As the height of the 2024 Hurricane season draws near (running from June 1st to November 30th), we aim to equip our clients, residents of the Venice and Port Charlotte area communities, and business partners with essential information to stay prepared.
It's crucial to recognize that even if your home or business is fortified against the direct impact of a storm, critical infrastructure systems such as electricity, water, sewer, roads, and public transportation may suffer severe disruption. Damage to these systems can impede your ability to restock supplies or receive assistance, with delays lasting from hours to days in areas affected by major storms and hurricanes. To safeguard yourself and your loved ones, please ensure you have the fundamental items outlined in the following checklist and #BePrepared.
Continue reading to see more information on:
- Important Local (Charlotte and Sarasota County) Links for Shelters, Evacuation Zones, Emergency News, and More
- Emergency Checklist Download
- Connect with us on Social Media
Following are important local links for Charlotte and Sarasota County, including links for Shelters, Evacuation Zones, Emergency News and Updates, and More: Shelter and Evacuation Information:Charlotte County Emergency Management Info:Sarasota County Emergency Management InfoSocial Media, News, and Weather Information links:(You may need to verify the accuracy of the information provided in the above links or that the links themselves are still active. We are supplying this information as a service to our community but cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information as some links and information may change or be removed at the organization's discretion. SERVPRO of Venice and Port Charlotte assumes no liability on the accuracy of the links and/or the information provided by the various government and media organizations)
Happy Football Bowl Season: The 2022 SERVPRO First Responder Bowl to Feature Memphis and Utah State
12/15/2022 (Permalink)
Watch the game live on December 27th, 2022 at 3:15 PM ET on ESPN.
The 13th edition of the bowl game will be played Tuesday, Dec. 27, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. Kickoff is set for 2:15 p.m. (CT) on ESPN. It will be the eighth meeting between the two schools and the first since 1977. Memphis leads the all-time series 4-3.Memphis finished the regular season with a 6-6 overall record, including a 3-5 mark in the American Athletic Conference. The Tigers averaged 35.1 points per game under third-year head coach Ryan Silverfield. This is the Tigers’ ninth consecutive year qualifying for a bowl game, which is tied for the ninth-best active streak in the nation and the best among all non-Power 5 programs.First played following the 2010 season, the annual bowl game in Dallas began honoring first responders for the 2014 game. First responders include police officers, firefighters, EMS workers, correctional officers, search and rescue, dispatchers, security guards, federal agents, border patrol agents and military personnel who have specialized training and are the first to arrive and provide assistance at the scene of an emergency. In 2018, the game was officially renamed the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl to reflect the efforts to show appreciation to first responders. Tickets for first responders are underwritten by corporate partners.The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is one of 17 bowl games owned and operated by ESPN Events. For additional information about the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, please visit FirstResponderBowl.com and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
5 Signs of Leaking Pipes in a Commercial Building
12/8/2022 (Permalink)
Call on SERVPRO of Venice 24/7 for fast emergency response to water damage at your commercial property.
Commercial property maintenance is vital to avoid costly repairs and avert systems failures before they happen. One of the crucial parts of commercial maintenance is to spot the first signs of leaking pipes.
Unfortunately, plumbing leaks in a commercial building can go undetected for a long time before you notice them. By that time, a seemingly minor issue with a leaking pipe could have caused costly damage requiring expensive repairs.
If you are an owner of a commercial building or a property manager, what are the tell-tale signs that there are issues with the plumbing system?
5 Signs of Leaking Pipes in a Commercial Building
Apparent signs of damaged plumbing pipes are water puddles or unsightly brown water stains on ceilings, walls, or floors. However, most leaks in a plumbing system occur where you cannot see them. In addition, water and excess moisture can accumulate without causing any visible signs.
1. A sudden spike in water bills
One of the first signs of a leaking pipe is a sudden increase in water usage. The plumbing system is complex in many commercial buildings, and leaks are challenging to notice. So, pay attention to any increase in utility bills. If there is no explanation for the jump in bills, it’s worth investigating if there is damage to pipes.
2. A noticeable drop in water pressure
Have tenants complained that there is less pressure when turning on the faucets? If so, that could indicate a broken pipe in the building or damaged water supply lines. Low water pressure can also be the result of a blockage. If a blocked line is left, it could build up pressure, resulting in a burst pipe and catastrophic damage from a major leak.
3. Changes in the ground around the building
Leaking pipes in the ground can affect the land around your property. For example, you may notice that sunken areas develop, or the ground feels marshy despite no rainfall. Or there could be patches of lawn with better grass growth. If this appears where the supply line is located, you may have an underground water leak or broken sewer drain.
4. Strange sounds in the plumbing system
Another sign there could be leaky pipes in the commercial building is unusual noises. Breaks in supply lines or sewer lines can result in whistling or bubbling noises. A common sign of a hidden water leak is a constant dripping sound.
5. Mold or mildew odors
Pipes that have been leaking for an extended period will typically cause severe moisture issues. In time, this will result in black mold growth and a noticeable musty, damp smell. Not only do fungal spores have a health risk, standing water or excessive moisture can affect the structure and result in property damage.
Damaged Commercial Property? SERVPRO of Venice is Here to Help 24/7
A regular inspection of a commercial building is vital to avoid repair issues. For example, if you discover leaking pipes, the first step is to call a qualified plumber to resolve the problem. The second step is to call a local company with expertise in mitigating the effects of water damage in commercial buildings.
To ensure that leaking pipes have not caused lasting damage, call SERVPRO of Venice today to learn about our Venice commercial water damage restoration and mold remediation services.
We’re available 24/7 at (941) 484-7777.
Prepare Your Business to be Disaster Ready
9/6/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO's Disaster Recovery Team and your local SERVPRO of Venice are ready to assist you in times of natural or manmade disasters.
Did you know that the best way to reduce a business interruption following a disaster is to prepare for it now? Around 40% of businesses may never recover after suffering a disaster. Of the businesses that do survive, the majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. Here are a few quick steps you can take to prepare:
- Identify your risks and notate them: are you in a flood zone? Do you have a lot of trees near your business that could pose a threat? How quickly can you evacuate if needed?
- Create a disaster plan that includes at a minimum the following information: utility shut-off locations; emergency contacts; building and business insurance, vendor, and other important personnel contacts; have all electronic and/or paper records and files backed up offsite (cloud storage); evacuation routes; backup generator location and operation; known hazardous materials; etc.
- Share your plan with key personnel and make sure your employees know how to react and be communicated with during a disaster.
- Test and practice your preparedness plans. Make sure you have all employees correct contact information and that they understand your disaster protocol.
- During times of natural disasters, listen to your local government officials and media to know if, when, and where to evacuate and for other critical news and information.
For more information contact us at SERVPRO, follow your local and county Emergency Management Office on social media, and use public resources available from FEMA, such as this PDF document: Preparedness Planning for Your Business
You can also contact SERVPRO of Venice for a no-cost Emergency Ready Profile. We will develop an initial readiness profile for your business and help you be prepared. Give us a call at 941-484-7777 or email at marketing@SERVPROofvenice.com to schedule your Emergency Ready Profile today.
Thank you!
3 Reasons to NOT use Bleach for Mold Remediation in Your Home or Office
8/23/2022 (Permalink)
From mold to biohazard contaminants, SERVPRO of Venice is here to help your home or office get back to "Like it Never Even Happened®".
When you think about cleaning, we often immediately think of bleach? You are not alone as we have been taught, and sold on, that this is a product that can effectively remove most dirt and contaminants when used appropriately.
However, the mold remediation cleanup operation in your Venice Florida area business or home is not one of those times. Read on to learn why bleaching can be counterintuitive towards your anti-mold efforts.
Not effective in Porous Surfaces
Bleaching products are meant to use on non-porous places. They are not effective if the mold's roots grow and develop on various porous surfaces, such as the following:
- Wood
- Carpet
- Drywall
- Ceiling tiles
Unlike the main active ingredient of chlorine, the bleaching agent's water component can seep into the pores. This specific reaction actually feeds the roots and encourages further growth. So, using bleach on porous surfaces not only fails to cleanup mold, but it also increases the damage to your commercial location.
Toxic to the Business's Environment
The use of bleach in your fungus cleanup can also leave behind a toxic aftermath due to chemical odors and gasses it puts off. This substance releases dangerous fumes that can potentially harm your employees, your clients and the overall environment. Misuse of this agent can also discolor and damage certain parts of the building. In contrast, mold remediation technicians use approved safety equipment and tools to keep more effective cleaning measures from harming clients, employees, and the property itself.
Weakens Over Time
Another drawback with bleaching solutions involves their temporary effects. Chlorine tends to evaporate fast, even when the product has not left its plastic container. The decrease in chlorine from the cleaner can lead to the chemical's potential failure to eradicate mold incidents. In addition, the leftover water can create greater problems, feeding the fungus you are trying to eliminate.
While bleaching your properties affected location may seem like a good idea for a mold removal, it just should not be used. Contact SERVPRO of Venice or any other local, vetted, and licensed mold remediation company that provides you with an estimate and project plan to remediate the mold.
Build Your Own Emergency Survival Kit
8/10/2022 (Permalink)
Create your emergency ready kit so you can Be Prepared for when disaster strikes your home and community.
Have you ever wondered how to make your own 'Emergency Survival Kit"? Check out the following YouTube video from the American Red Cross featuring actress and volunteer Jaimie Lee Curtis:
American Red Cross: Let's Make a Survival Kit with Jamie Lee Curtis
Along with the above video, featured below is information on the basics you should have to be prepared.
For more information, please visit: https://www.ready.gov/plan
BASIC DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
Thank you for visiting and call SERVPRO of Venice at 941-484-7777 for more tips or information on how to prepare you home or business with an Emergency Ready Plan.
Commercial Biohazard Trauma Scene Cleanup Service
6/6/2022 (Permalink)
Call on SERVPRO of Venice for any trauma or biohazard cleanup service need at your business.
Accidents and trauma scenes rank among the most stressful events that a business can have happen on their property. OSHA regulations demand adherence to specific research-based protocols to ensure safety during cleanup and to provide a thoroughly disinfected environment for your business operations.
Biohazard & Trauma Scene Cleanup Best Practices
Containment of the affected area and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during the cleanup process are required. We observe local rules concerning biohazard disposal for safety. SERVPRO of Venice technicians complete comprehensive training and our products, protocols, and equipment exceed expectations.
Transferability of Skills
Often the areas contaminated in a commercial building has porous building materials. To be sure we remove all blood and fluids, intensive flushing and/or removal of building materials is critical. SERVPRO’s proven proficiency in containment processes and removal of contamination permits us to eradicate biohazards safely and completely. Our crews are experts in disinfection and structural drying, as well.
Care and Compassion
SERVPRO employees are acutely aware of the need to balance speedy and biohazard & trauma scenes with sensitivity for the ordeal experienced by those touched by the tragedy. We work hard to respond with respect and compassion in the aftermath of a devastating event. Taking care of the details helps streamline the process.
After a sever trauma event at your business, when you call SERVPRO of Venice, we will provide proper cleaning techniques, application of EPA-registered disinfectants, and the lawful disposal of biohazard and contaminated material. Your business can rely on fast, professional, and discreet response when you call SERVPRO of Venice, 941-484-7777.
Water Damage in my Venice Florida Condo
6/2/2022 (Permalink)
Call the professionals to best restore your Venice Florida Condo!
As a property owner in Venice, you might live in one of the hundreds of condos in our beach community. With so many of these units getting built with premium construction materials, it becomes vital for professional restoration technicians like ours to respond quickly when water loss incidents occur. While water removal and drying are the foundation of water restoration, a nearly equally essential service that our professionals provide is premier cleaning.
Cleaning is often one of the common threads of restoration regardless of the disaster that has taken place, so water cleanup in Venice Florida condos is equally critical. Cleaning embodies many specific tasks, from residue removal from surfaces through deodorization or content recovery. Protecting the structural elements of your unit and your personal belongings are two fundamental aspects of the restoration services that our professionals provide upon arrival. Several of the commonly affected areas and items include:
- Flooring
- Ceiling Materials
- Exposed Furniture
- Contents
Can Carpets Ever Look the Same Again?
Flooring can be one of the points most readily damaged by migrating water effects after a disaster. As much as surface water gets resolved as quickly as possible once professionals arrive, materials like carpeting can absorb high volumes. After the flooring gets dried, residues, debris, and even mild staining could exist. We have thorough carpet cleaning equipment to perform preconditioning and hot water extraction to remove soiling from the base of carpet fibers and eliminate damage from the most recent water loss incident.
The term cleaning can have many meanings after a loss incident, and our SERVPRO of Venice professionals can deliver qualified technicians to help. Contact us anytime at (941) 488-7777.
Learn more about SERVPRO of Venice here.
Business Water Damage? Here's what to do...and not to do!
4/18/2022 (Permalink)
When flooding strikes, SERVPRO of Venice is here to help!
What To Do When Floods Hit Your Business?
What should you do when water rises in your building and threatens to cause water damage? How do you tackle the problems that broken pipes bring, including the tremendous job of water cleanup? The better question may be “what should I never do?” Here are a few things you should always keep in mind when floods hit your business:
- Don’t panic. Have a plan instead.
- Don’t use electricity in the area.
- Don’t wait to act.
- Don’t go it alone.
These are some actions that you should avoid, but what should you do instead? Follow these steps to prevent further water damage:
1. Secure the Area
Your safety and the safety of those in your building should be your primary concern. If the flood is from a broken pipe, first shut off electricity to that area of your building to keep people from receiving an electric shock. Then, finish securing the area by stopping the water. You can do this either at the faucet itself or by turning off the main water to the business.
If the flood is from a rainstorm, get to higher ground and call for help. Always be prepared and put your safety above the things in your building. The belongings can be replaced or restored; you are irreplaceable.
2. Call for Help
Once it is safe to do so, call a professional restoration crew. These experts can restore the damage that water caused and get your life back to normal. Some local business, like SERVPRO of Venice, are open 24/7 and 365 days a year to help, so there’s no reason to wait.
3. Begin Cleanup
If the water came from broken pipes, you might not have to wait for the restoration crew to arrive to begin cleaning up. You can start removing porous materials and cleaning damaged belongings. The longer you wait, the more water damage can occur. If you’re not sure how to get started with water cleanup, call the restoration company in Venice that is faster to any size disaster.
Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Home, Office, or Rental Property
3/15/2022 (Permalink)
If you need assistance with any spring-cleaning project, give us a call today!
If you live in the Venice Florida area, you know that springtime comes and goes fast! With upcoming hotter and wetter weather, we transition from the Florida "Dry Season" to the "Wet Season" which occurs from May through October. With the more pleasant weather we enjoy during March and April, this makes for a great time to clean your home and make sure your property is ready for hurricane season, a new renter or homeowner taking residence, Airbnb or VRBO guests, or 'off-season' if you manage a seasonal rental property.
To help you be prepared, here are some cleaning and maintenance tips for your property:
- Create separate checklists for cleaning and maintenance. Keep these as a record for your knowledge and in case any questions from tenants, guests or future buyers may have. This also allows you to check off work done and make notes of any items needed to complete a task.
- Start with a visual inspection of both the interior or exterior of the property.
- For the exterior make sure to check the following:
- Check the gutters for clogs and signs of any damage on downspouts, screening, rodent use, or leaks.
- Check for water damage. Make sure to check door and window frames, sliding door frames, siding, decking, and if safe to do so and with a buddy nearby, check the roof for any damaged or missing shingles, vents flanges, chimney, etc.
- Manage your landscaping to ensure drainage leading away from the home, sprinkler system, and use approved products to take care of any weed, rodent and insect control.
- For the interior, it is also good to look for any damage, especially those that can be caused by moisture.
- Inspect all plumbing to the best of your ability. If you see any sign of a leak, what appears to be mold, or high moisture reading, do not wait to call a licensed professional.
- Check any security system, your HVAC system (make sure to change your filters as recommended, and we highly recommend having your system inspected/maintained at the minimum on a yearly basis), window and door frames from the inside, any caulking, grout, or tile that may need to be cleaned and sealed.
- Test the fire alarm system, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and any hurricane protection items (shutters, fasteners, tie downs, etc.) you may have within the home for use during an emergency.
- Lastly, look up!! If you see any discoloration on your ceiling or anywhere around your windows, it is a good idea to call a roofing company to inspect the roof just to be sure. There is nothing worse than waiting and finding out it was indeed a roof leak during one of our famous mid-summer torrential downpours.
The most important thing is that if you see something that needs to be repaired, replaced, or inspected further, do not hesitate to call someone for assistance if it is beyond your abilities. By waiting to fix it, you may find yourself in the middle of the rainy season and too late to prevent further damage, costing your even more time and money than if you would have taking care of it immediately.
Happy springtime and enjoy the weather!
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