Recent Posts

The Importance of Fire Safety

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is one of the most devastating events for a home or business. The restoration process afterward is daunting enough without the added stress of filling out insurance paperwork during the claims process. To save yourself from this added stress, it is always best to practice fire safety procedures, so you don’t have to deal with the heartache of fire damage cleanup. Additionally, you save yourself thousands of dollars in damage when you take actionable steps to prevent fires as much as possible. Remember that prevention doesn’t always guarantee that fires will stay at bay! However, if you educate yourself on fire safety and its importance, you are taking care of your West End home or business before anything can happen, should it occur. 

How Can You Prevent Fires To Your Home Or Business?

  • Knowing what can start a fire is critical to figuring out how to stop them or prevent them from happening altogether. One way to prevent fires from happening to your West End property is a simple housekeeping tip: keep your surroundings clean! Avoid misplacing flammable items and store all chemicals in a safe, clean area. 
  • Are your heating sources working properly? If not, it may be time to get them checked! Air conditioning filters and other HVAC units need to be cleaned and maintained at least once a year to prevent fires from happening. It is recommended that you consult a professional restoration company when you have questions about your HVAC units. 
  • Faulty wiring is yet another cause of house and business fires. If you feel heat in your wires when you touch them, we recommend getting those checked out by an expert and making any necessary repairs. 

How Can SERVPRO Help If The Unthinkable Happens?

  • SERVPRO has over five decades of experience in fire and water damage restoration. With fire damage comes water damage due to firefighting efforts, so we have trained technicians capable of handling both scenarios in any form. 
  • Aside from the cleanup and restoration aspect of fire damage, our team is trained to eliminate the distinctive odors that smoke produces. It isn’t enough to just spray air freshener over the smells- our team gets to the root cause of the scent to neutralize the unpleasant odor before it can spread throughout your home or business. 
  • Our restore vs. replace mentality allows us to restore the precious items you thought you lost forever to fire damage. While some things may be too far gone to bring back, you may be surprised to hear that many of your belongings can actually be restored post-disaster. Learn more about some of our content restoration methods here. 

When fire or water damage takes over your life, SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is here to help you take it back! With state-of-the-art technology and faster-than-average emergency response times, our team is always nearby and ready to help when disaster strikes. Our projects range from residential to commercial, and we can also handle mold and storm damage restoration. We’re only one call away- all you have to do is contact us at (615) 242-9391. We’ll handle the rest. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Tips on How To Storm-proof Your Business

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

It’s that time of year again: tornado season and the effects of that on your Nashville business. If you’ve lived in Nashville for a while now, you would know that we get a significant amount of rainfall during this time of year, which leads to flooding and mold damage. When you live and work in such a region, knowing the best storm-proofing methods is essential to prevent storms from hitting your property too hard during this time of year. As a business owner, you may wonder, “what is storm-proofing, and how can it help my business?” We’re happy to inform you that those questions can be easily answered! When you take preventative measures to safeguard your business from storms, you can rest easy knowing you are doing everything possible to protect your business from storms this spring. 

What Should You Know About Storm Proofing?

  • Storm proofing is the method by which you protect your home or business against the most extreme weather. This can range from clearing the clutter from your business’s property to boarding up and securing your doors and windows. 
  • When pre-cutting boards, make sure you support your commercial property from the inside out. Warning: don’t place the board against the window frames, as that can cause damage to your windows! A safer bet would be to put the board on the window’s exteriors. 
  • Moisture is a huge issue when it comes to post-storm damage. As we all know, this can lead to significant mold damage if not taken care of immediately. One way to combat this would be to paint or stain areas of your property so you can maintain that moisture barrier. 

How Can Storm Proofing Your Business Help Your Commercial Property?

  • Significant financial loss can be avoided when you take the time to storm-proof your commercial property. As a business owner, you might be overwhelmed with work to even think about storm-proofing your commercial property, but you know what they say: a stitch in time saves nine!
  • While many items and documents are salvageable post-storm damage, you don’t want to test that out for yourself by not investing in storm-proof techniques for your business. You save yourself more work by backing up all files and documents before storm season. 
  • And finally, it is always better to be prepared for the unpredictable, so you are less overwhelmed if and when disaster strikes- your commercial property would thank you for it!

We hope you learned something new today! Knowledge is power, and storm-proofing your business can greatly reduce your chances of storm damage. While we wish we knew an infallible way to diminish storms altogether, we know that they can still happen no matter how many preventative steps you take. If you need storm damage cleanup and restoration, contact SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville at (615) 242-9391. We have the tools of the trade, an incredible team, and experience in disaster restoration to help out our Nashville neighbors during the storm damage restoration process. We even help you take care of the paperwork during the claims process! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

How to Save Your Furniture After Water Damage

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

Floods and storms can do a lot of damage to the furniture at your West End home or office space. With spring being peak storm season, it's always best to prepare for one in advance, but sometimes, every preventative measure can't keep a flood at bay. Water damage causes many problems, including mold, if you don't call for help immediately. At SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, we are big believers in the restore vs. replace mentality, so you can save money while keeping the items that matter most to you. Below, we will discuss what happens to furniture after water damage and how you can salvage it once our team arrives on the scene. 

What Should You Know About Water Damage To Your Furniture?

  • Permanent stains on carpeting can occur because furniture finishes may bleed from excess water. 
  • Within the first day, you may notice that furniture will begin to swell and eventually crack. 
  • If you wait 48 hours or longer to call us, you will begin to notice furniture warping and showing signs of mold- it only takes about two days for mold to start showing itself!
  • That is why time is of the essence when it comes to any water damage scenario to avoid further damage, which could lead to having your furniture replaced. 

How Can You Care For Your Furniture After Water Damage?

  • Foam cleaning is one of our methods to care for upholstery fabrics that might bleed if wet cleaned. 
  • We also spray and wipe for parts of your furniture that can't withstand wet cleaning. 
  • SERVPRO's Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) provides a detailed list of all your belongings and furniture, including its preloss value, for an effective claims process. 

SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is committed to conducting the highest quality water damage cleanup and restoration. We have over five decades of experience in the disaster restoration industry, so you know we mean business. And that's not all; just because we have loads of experience doesn't mean our team stops learning. Far from it! Our continuous education and training courses ensure that our team stays on top of all the trends in this industry. If you need us to perform water damage restoration and cleanup in West End this spring, feel free to give us a call at (615) 242-9391. We endeavor to make your water damage incident "Like it never even happened!"

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Preparing Your Business for Any Disaster

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

Natural disasters can happen any day of the week at any time, whether you’re at work or home. It’s always better to be prepared for the unpredictable instead of being blindsided by a natural disaster if/when it occurs. While disaster preparation differs from business to business depending on the type of disaster (water or fire), one thing always remains the same: having a streamlined process to prepare all staff for when the worst happens. This can include having everyone’s contact information on file and practicing emergency evacuation drills. Whatever the case, we hope today’s tips will help you prepare your Green Hills commercial property for any disaster!

What Should You Keep In Mind When Preparing For A Disaster?

  • Create an operations plan during uncertain times! This plan should include the following to ensure business operations don’t get too disrupted amidst uncertainty:
    • What should happen right after?
    • Are employees able to work remotely? Would you prefer a temporary warehouse space?
    • Where are emergency kits stored in the building?
    • What would you want to be stored in that kit?
    • How can you and your team safely evacuate the building?
    • How can you keep in touch with your team if the power goes out?
  • Keep up with client and vendor communication even during times like these- especially during times like these! How will you keep in touch with them? Email? Social media? Press releases? Do what you can to inform everyone who works with you about your business’s situation!
  • Have you backed up company data? This also includes paperwork that should already be stored in a safe space. Storing tangible materials in an off-site location is a good call. Keeping all critical information backed up in a hard drive is vital for digital files. 

How Can SERVPRO Help You If Water Or Fire Damage Has Taken Over Your Life?

  • Our Commercial Large Loss Unit (CLLU) comprises the finest personnel in the restoration world. Did you hear SERVPRO has over 2,100 franchises across the US and Canada? That’s not by accident! Our elite group of specialists is strategically placed, so you can always count on a SERVPRO to be near you when disaster strikes. 
  • Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program is tailor-made for your business, not the other way around! With foundations grounded in the three C’s, this is viral pathogen cleaning that goes beyond regular janitorial capabilities. If your business has experienced contamination from biochemical spills, this cleaning program provides the solutions your business needs to move forward after the accident. You even get a certification at the end!
  • We work with your insurance provider for a stress-free claims process. Yes, that’s right! We’ll even help you complete the paperwork because we are committed to restoring your life to its new normal after a disaster. 

SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville are the pros in disaster cleanup and restoration. Whether you need fire, water, storm, or mold damage restoration for your commercial building, you can rest assured that SERVPRO has advanced technology, round-the-clock emergency response timing, and a highly-trained team to get the job done well. We offer several building services for your Green Hills commercial property, which serve as temporary measures during the actual restoration process. If you need us this spring, call (615) 242-9391 or use this contact form to reach us. We are on-call and ready to serve this storm season!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

In Need of Fire Damage Restoration? Here's What to Expect

3/8/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is one of the most devastating events to happen to your home or business. Not only do you have to focus on restoration and cleanup, but having experienced a fire is a highly emotional ordeal. You may not know what to expect: that's why SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville cares about helping you through such trying times. As specialists in fire damage restoration and cleanup, we believe in the value of continuing education so that we can always stay on top of the latest how-tos in fire damage restoration. Read more below on what to expect when the unexpected happens!

What Should You Know About Fire Damage Restoration In Belle Meade?

  • Fire damage isn't just limited to the fire- you also have to consider the subsequent water damage that follows because of firefighting efforts! With fire and water damage restoration being our bread and butter, we can take care of every aspect of these processes, from the initial assessment of your Belle Meade property to the full-scale restoration of your home or business. 
  • Immediately after a fire, it is best to tape cheesecloth over air vents to catch loose soot in the air. 
  • Wet materials are deceptively heavy, so be careful after a fire!

How Does SERVPRO Handle Carpet And Upholstery Cleaning After Fire Damage?

  • Our specialized carpet and upholstery cleaning methods include the following:
    • Bonnet cleaning for short pile carpets. This is a less aggressive method compared to other cleaning methods. 
    • Dry cleaning is saved for coloring issues after fire or water damage. 
    • Hot water extraction is a deeper cleaning method reserved for deeply soiled areas for all carpet types. 
    • And more!
  • If you want professional carpet cleaning post-fire damage for maintenance purposes, SERVPRO can get the job done right with over 50 years of experience under our belt!

Our team at SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is dedicated to responding quickly when disaster strikes. A quick response is critical to saving time and money as well as reducing further damage. Our technicians are trained in fire/smoke restoration, odor control, water damage, and upholstery/fabric cleaning. With our restore vs. replace mentality, you can continue saving money while keeping the items most precious to you. If you need fire or water damage restoration and cleanup services this spring, contact us at (615) 242-9391. We are happy to serve Belle Meade, Nashville, and other surrounding neighborhoods, including downtown!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

What SERVPRO Can Do for Your Bellevue Home

3/8/2023 (Permalink)

You may know us from our commercial restoration services, but did you know that SERVPRO offers various residential services? And this is aside from water and fire damage cleanup and restoration! We offer carpet cleaning and HVAC services because we know that life happens, which requires your home to undergo some changes. And that’s okay! Just know that you don’t have to handle a washing machine overflow or a soiled carpet alone. With SERVPRO’s residential restoration and cleanup services, we can help you get your house back to feeling like a home again. 

What Kinds Of Residential Cleaning Services Do We Offer?

What Else Should You Know About SERVPRO’s Residential Restoration Services?

  • SERVPRO can handle all residential restoration and cleanup services with the right tools and team. Our 24/7 emergency response ensures that we arrive on the scene almost as soon as you call us. 
  • SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville was named a Top 100 SERVPRO Franchises Member- with over 2,100 franchises that fall under the SERVPRO umbrella, this is a tremendous honor, and we aim to bring that level of excellence to every project, residential or commercial!
  • You may know us as SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville, but did you know that we also serve downtown Nashville? Learn more here! 

SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville has efficiency technology and franchise resources of over 2,100 franchises to utilize when disaster strikes. We also provide content restoration services for items damaged from fire, water, storm, or mold damage. Need a weight lifted off your shoulders during the insurance process? No problem! We can help you manage the paperwork that comes with filing a claim. As recipients of the Angie’s List Super Service Award, we are committed to serving Bellevue residents with top-quality disaster restoration and cleanup services you won’t find anywhere else. All you have to do is contact us at (615) 242-9391. We’ll handle the rest!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

How to Create an Emergency Readiness Plan For Your Business

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

You never know when disaster can strike, and in the name of preparedness, it’s always best to have a plan ready. Natural disasters can come in water, fire, or mold damage, and it’s emotionally and financially draining to rebuild your life after such events. Emergency preparedness shouldn’t just be recognized during one month of the year- creating an emergency readiness plan for your Nashville business is the best way to protect your property from disaster. Of course, no building is immune to water or fire damage, but having a plan in place can instill confidence in you and your employees to act quickly when disaster strikes. 

What Can You Do To Prepare Your Nashville Business Should Emergency Strike?

With March being peak tornado season, there’s no better time than now to prepare for storm damage. Some ways you can prepare include the following:

  • Consider different scenarios that can threaten your business aside from a flood or a fire. What would your team do in case of a break-in or a cybersecurity breach? Emergencies aren’t limited to natural disasters, and your readiness plan shouldn’t be either. As a business owner, you can even take a Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA), which can help you gauge the various risks affecting your day-to-day operations. 
  • Compile checklists and other resources into a plan specific to your business’s daily operations during a disaster. Bullet point ideas should include immediate priorities post-disaster and ways to bring your team together to execute those priorities. 
  • Have all emergency contact information for your employees on file for easy access during an emergency. You’ll know how to manage the situation better when you know where to contact everyone so that you’re not scrambling to find everyone at the last minute. 

What Should You Know About SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile?

  • Our emergency-ready profile provides you with the following:
    • Facility details like priority contact information and shut-off valve locations
    • A succinct profile document that houses critical information necessary during an emergency
    • Local SERVPRO franchise professionals as your disaster restoration providers
    • And more!

SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is uniquely qualified to handle your disaster cleanup and restoration needs! With state-of-the-art technology, faster-than-average emergency response times, and our highly trained team, you can’t go wrong with calling us when disaster strikes. We hope this post on emergency readiness sets you ahead in the wake of a disaster, but sometimes even the most carefully laid-out plan doesn’t guarantee to ward off disasters. If your business needs repair after water or fire damage, don’t hesitate to contact us at (615) 242-9391. We are always nearby and ready to help our Nashville neighbors, even during the claims process!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Ways to Make Your Basement Stormproof

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

It’s that time of year again: storm season. And with Middle Tennessee being known for its spring tornadoes, the best thing you can do for your West End home is stormproof your basement. You may be wondering: what IS storm proofing? Simply put, storm proofing is taking the safety precautions necessary to protect your home from the damage that storms like tornadoes and hurricanes often cause. It’s better to be safe than sorry, so we hope our tips below on stormproofing your basement give you some insight into staying safe during tornado season!

In What Ways Can You Storm Proof Your Basement?

  • Basements are hands down the safest place to take shelter in your West End home. It’s best to avoid all windows, no matter how sturdy they may be, to hail and heavy gusts of wind. 
  • Check around your home before the tornado hits any incoming water flows into a drain or gutters. 
  • Have your shingles inspected! A roof inspection can warn you of any loose shingles and other roof components characteristic of damage. 

How Is SERVPRO Equipped To Handle Storm Damage In West End?

  • The SERVPRO team is highly trained in every aspect of water damage restoration, including the odor removal and deodorization step that shouldn’t be ignored post-storm. If you need experienced restoration professionals you can trust, SERVPRO’s the company to call!
  • Our top-tier gear makes restoration efficient and seamless! From our infrared cameras to industrial-grade dehumidifiers, you can rest assured we’ll always come prepared when you call us onto the scene. 
  • Our 24/7 emergency service ensures that we can beat the clock regarding the water damage timeline. Water damage doesn’t take long to set in and become mold, so it’s critical to act quickly!

SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville has over 50 years of experience handling storm damage cleanup and restoration. We provide anything from the subsequent mold damage post-flood to odor removal and carpet cleaning services after a storm. SERVPRO offers the best of both worlds: the close-knit vibes of a locally-owned and operated company with storm damage resources you can only find within a nationally-renowned franchise. If you need us to mitigate storm damage and conduct the post-flood cleanup process, contact us at (615) 242-9391. SERVPRO is here for West End residents this storm season! 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

How Can SERVPRO Help With Mold Damage?

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

Mold damage is not something to ignore. When your Nashville home or business has been taken over by mold and mildew, time is of the essence, meaning you need to call for help immediately. SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville is THE team to call when you need help dealing with the aftermath of water/mold damage cleanup and restoration. It’s common knowledge that mold feeds off of moisture. When your property has experienced water damage, there are a few things you need to do while waiting for us to arrive on the scene to prevent mold growth. We also have top-of-the-line technology in our arsenal to carry out the mold remediation process seamlessly!

What Can You Do To Prevent Mold From Spreading Throughout Your Nashville Property?

  • Turn off all HVAC systems and fans- this also goes for blowing air across surfaces suspected to be affected by mold. 
  • Don’t spray bleach on mold because bleach aggravates mold spores, causing any remaining spores to return worse than when you first saw them!
  • Dispose of mold-infested porous materials, including carpeting and drywall, for mold cleanup and remediation. SERVPRO is trained in several cleaning methods to disinfect your Nashville home/business and everything in it. 

What Types Of Technology Do We Use To Combat Musty Mold Odors?

  • Our air scrubbers and thermal foggers remove airborne contaminants and control air quality during mold damage remediation. Since water damage, and consequently mold, is known to cause odors, our odor removal and deodorization techniques are centered around removing odors from the root of the problem. Spraying air freshener only does so much!
  • We use OSHA-approved cleaning and deodorization agents that control odors from feeding off of excess moisture. 
  • We also use antimicrobial treatments and other disinfection products to stop harmful bacteria, mold, and mildew growth. 

SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville are trusted leaders in the disaster restoration and cleanup industry. With over 50 years of experience in water and fire damage restoration, you can’t go wrong with our tried and true methods for disaster cleanup. Mold presents a set of unique challenges that require expert precision and countless hours of training to remediate. That’s why you must call the experts as soon as you notice any sign of mold after water damage. Give us a call at (615) 242-9391 or fill out this contact form to tell us about your mold damage issue. Our 24/7 emergency response ensures we’re on the scene at a moment’s notice!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Long-Term Effects of Leaving Water Damage

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

You need time to recover when your life has taken a hit after water damage. And that's understandable. But you also need to be mindful of the effects water damage can have on your Green Hills property if you don't call for help immediately. SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville provides 24/7 emergency service, so you don't have to worry about calling before or after the typical 9-5. Water damage doesn't wait for anyone, and neither do we! So, when you make that first call, we respond quickly to make water damage "Like it never even happened!"

What Long-Term Effects Will You Notice By Leaving Water Damage Alone For Too Long?

  • Electrical appliances will take a hit after water damage due to the possibility of electrocution. Aside from having water damage professionals look over the damage, it's a good idea to call an electrician, too. 
  • Not every item affected by water damage needs to be thrown away! In fact, you can restore many of your belongings which is better than replacing them. Restoration allows you to save money AND salvage your valuable keepsakes. However, if you let water damage linger too long, restoration may not always be possible, so time is of the essence here!
  • And, of course, mold is something to look out for after water damage because of how fast mold spores can grow. It only takes about 48 hours for spores to grow into colonies, so it's best to take action when you see or smell it. Mold has a signature musty odor, so trust your instincts when you're scrunching your nose after water damage. 

What Does The Water Damage Restoration Process Look Like In Green Hills?

Every water damage scenario is different, and our team guarantees unique solutions depending on the level of damage, but the general, 6-step process stays the same:

  • The water damage restoration process starts when you contact us. Our representative will ask you questions about your specific scenario to help us understand the extent of the damage. We'll also know what to bring to the scene for an effective damage mitigation experience. 
  • Once we arrive at your Green Hills building, our team will conduct a water damage inspection and assessment to determine how far the moisture has traveled through your property. 
  • Our water removal process extracts any standing water that remains at your home or business. With industrial-grade pumps and vacuum units, we are proactive in removing water that can further damage your property and instigate mold growth.
  • The sequence doesn't end after removing water! Our drying and dehumidification process allows us to utilize the equipment necessary to remove water that is harder to access from the previous step. Our air movers and dehumidifiers are brought onto the scene after our professionals figure out the affected areas' relative humidity, room measurements, and temperature. This allows for effective drying after water damage. 
  • After drying, we will clean and sanitize your belongings to restore any salvageable contents. Our technicians are trained to remove even the most persistent odors, which you can read more about here. 
  • The final step is where restoration begins. This can include minor repairs like replacing drywall or major repairs like a complete reconfiguration of your Green Hills home or business. The idea is to get your property back to its preloss condition!

SERVPRO of Belle Meade and West Nashville has over 50 years of experience in the disaster restoration industry. Water and fire damage restoration and cleanup is our bread and butter, so no better team can help you get through these trying times than the folks on our team. If you have recently experienced a flood, a burst pipe, or even a washing machine overflow, give us a call at (615) 242-9391. As the Angie's List Super Service Award recipients, we know our stuff and are happy to serve Green Hills!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.