Recent Why SERVPRO Posts

Places in Commercial Buildings Where Mold Is Likely To Grow

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth on a wall Mold growth in commercial property

Areas Where You Can Find Mold

Mold is in every building, a presence in the air people breathe even if its growth cannot be perceived by the naked eye. Once it becomes visible, it poses a risk overtime to the structural integrity of commercial property because it degrades construction materials like wood, glue and fabrics. This can be financially costly to business owners, so the discovery of mold growth usually prompts them to contact a professional cleanup service in Troup, TX, for mold remediation. The fungus is not always in an easy to spot location, but there are certain areas where it is more likely to be found.


Locations With Moisture
Besides causing water damage, leaks and large inundations of water also cause harm by promoting mold growth. The invasive mold loves dark, wet and cold spaces. Any place with a lot of moisture and/or high humidity carries a high likelihood of having it, including public or employee bathrooms or around pipes.
Locations Associated With HVAC Systems
HVAC systems themselves and places connected to them are mold breeding grounds because of condensation. This includes:

  • Ducts attached to HVAC systems
  • HVAC terminal units
  • HVAC drain pans
  • Ceiling tiles around HVAC systems


Locations That Trap and Hold Water
Building materials often trap and hold water, creating environments conducive for the development of the ubiquitous fungus. Carpets and the lightless spaces behind walls, for example, often hold mold that goes unnoticed for long periods of time. It is also not uncommon to find it in insulation or wallboard.
Mold growth is bad news for a building. It eats away at materials, creating a need for repairs and, in some cases, replacement. It is also impossible to fully remove, though qualified professionals can remove the parts that can be seen. It is important to know where mold may grow, especially the less accessible areas that may not be looked at as often. This way such areas can be checked, and mold discovered and dealt with before spreading further.

What Are the Standards for Preferred Vendors?

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Drying equipment on a living room Water damage cleanup in Tyler, TX.

What Criteria Are Used to Select Preferred Vendors?

An insurance agent and commercial property owner can both benefit from using a trustworthy restoration company. The SERVPRO National Accounts Division maintains stringent qualification compliance and professional standards. Rigorous requirements for participation such as training, background checks and high quality of service can make a nearby franchise the right choice for restoration work in Tyler, TX.

Background Checks and Internal Audits
Employee background checks and internal audits are among the main requirements for restoration franchises to participate in the National Accounts Division. These checks, along with other Participation Agreement requirements, have several purposes:

  • Ensure the highest quality of service
  • Guarantee insurers can rely on restoration service providers
  • Increase claim coverage where possible

Franchise owners have the option to participate in the vendor program and to take jobs covered by insurance. Continued compliance with these requirements is necessary for ongoing program participation.

Fully Trained Technicians
Professional cleaning and restoration skills are another factors that is taken into consideration for determining preferred vendors. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification is available in a variety of divisions, such as cleaning, inspection and restoration, and specialized fields. 
Longstanding Insurance Agent Partnerships
The high quality of service provided by individual franchise locations can make large insurance companies more likely to rely on franchises affiliated with the National Accounts Division in other locations. By consistently demonstrating a high quality of service across North America, this company has become a leading provider of restoration services associated with insurance claims.

An insurance agent can trust that preferred vendors will deliver the expected quality of service. From the reciprocal perspective, franchises must meet high internal standards to be eligible for working insurance jobs. The standards for vendor qualification compliance and professionalism that a corporation maintains can guarantee high-quality service at a franchise located in Tyler, TX.

3 Ways To Help Your Insurance Agent

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Tablet and cel phone. Whenever you file an insurance claim, it is a business transaction.

Three Things You Can Do To Assist Your Insurance Agent

Whenever you file an insurance claim, it is a business transaction. Instead of dealing with a partner, you're working with a company looking to make money. While you should always give your insurance company a chance to do the right thing, don't mistake your adjuster for a teammate. They are trained to control the payout you get. They are happy to take advantage of business owners who are overwhelmed by losses and the claim process. However, there are some steps you can take to help your adjuster give you a fair payout.

1. Understand Your Coverage

As soon as possible, get and read your business' policy for your site in Troup, TX. Look for the declarations page that lists your business information, policy number, and coverage amounts. This will be hard to read, but it can help you understand what is covered by your insurance. For instance, it will tell you how much you can spend on hiring a restoration company, such as SERVPRO, how the claims inventory system works, and what inventory is covered.

2. Network

If this is your first insurance claim, seek out other business owners who have made them. Learn from these people. Try to glean as much information as possible. Find out what their adjuster told them when they were in similar situations. By networking, you can be on your way to a faster and fairer claim because you will be able to provide this information to your adjuster. Also, networking can help you in other ways. For example, it can help you decide which disaster remediation company is best for you.

3. Get Help When You Need It

Filing an insurance claim is not easy, and sometimes, it may be best to leave it to the professionals. Fortunately, your attorney will be able to help you with the process if you need help negotiating with your adjuster for a fair settlement.
An insurance agent is a trained professional working for a company looking to make money. This means you will need to take certain steps to help them give you a fair payout.

Why Insurance Companies Like Working with SERVPRO

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

green truck box. SERVPRO vehicle SERVPRO of Tyler is here to help.

Why Do Insurance Companies Prefer SERVPRO?

As an insurance adjuster, you work in a constant state of balance between the needs of your clients and the needs of your company. When your client’s home in Whitehouse, TX, is damaged by a storm or fire, you are likely the first call the homeowner will make. You also have an obligation to your company to get as good a deal as possible. A vendor such as SERVPRO can help you satisfy both parties.

Keeping You Informed

The Claims Information Center is designed to keep you updated on every detail of the work being done on your client’s home. The job file includes:

  • Initial damage assessment
  • Response time
  • Itemized list of losses
  • Digital photos of damage
  • Detailed cost estimate

While you want to complete your own walkthrough of the property as part of your responsibility as the insurance adjuster, the records from the CIC can be a valuable resource when your client files the claim. Electronic records make it easy to keep you informed throughout the process.

Keeping Communication Open

The 24-hour emergency call center makes it possible for you and your client to get the service and answers you need no matter what time of day it is. As soon as the service request comes into the call center, dispatchers notify local franchises to meet your client and start the restoration process.

Keeping Costs Low

Certified restoration specialists are trained to assess every situation thoroughly and restore whatever they can. By pretesting each item that is affected by the disaster, they can determine what can be salvaged. The fewer items that end up on the replacement list on the insurance claim, the lower your costs will be. The goal is to save as many items as possible.

SERVPRO is committed to working with the insurance adjuster to get the job done right. Choosing specialists who see the big picture is good for both your client and your company.

Two Biggest Mold Removal Costs (& Why They’re Worth It)

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

Mold growth on a wall Mold found in a Whitehouse, TX home.

Mold is a word homeowners, renters and anyone with a property will dread. It’s associated with potential allergies and health implications, not to mention unsightly stains and smells. It also can be a big expense to remove. But why? Here are the top reasons mold removal in Whitehouse, TX  can come with a big price tag.

Why Remove Mold?

Media has told us black mold removal is critical, but just why does mold need to go? There’s some controversy surrounding all the potential impacts, but a few general problems linked to mold include:

  • Bad odors
  • Property damage

It’s worthwhile to remove it, though it is rarely cheap.

Hiring a Mold Inspector
If you think you have mold growing in your property, hiring a mold investigator is the first step to getting a handle on the problem. They will spend hours taking air samples and even opening walls to pinpoint your mold problem. Expect to spend up to $600 for a visit that will be pricey but far more accurate than any home kits you might try.

Mold Remediation
Once you’ve confirmed your mold problem, a remediation company can help remove mold and return your property to normal. In general, they’ll work to:

  • Remove water-damaged materials including drywall and carpet that has been damaged beyond repair
  • Dry out, disinfect and deodorize walls, carpets and furniture
  • Vacuum with HEPA filters to remove lingering spores

The price for such services varies widely depending on the size of the property. Expect to spend from $500 to tens of thousands of dollars for a process that will leave your property smell and spore-free.
Mold removal can be pricey, but it is worth it in the long run. Find a reputed mold specialist to get the job done right and ensure that your mold problem is quickly a thing of the past.