Call 24/7 For Emergency Service

What To Do If You Find A Leak In Your Commercial Building

Summer is rainy season in Florida, and it only takes a small leak in a commercial building to cause extensive water damage. The longer the leak goes unnoticed, the more damage you can expect.
Find out what you can do if you find a leak in your building with help from South and Central Florida’s water damage experts at ServiceMaster By Glenn’s.

COMMON LEAKS DETECTED IN COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

Any building can spring a leak. But commercial buildings are put under quite a bit more stress than residential buildings, with heavy use of bathrooms, kitchens and other water-intensive processes.

FAUCET LEAKS
Every faucet has components that can wear out over time, especially with frequent use. When a seal or other faucet component begins to leak, it leads to ongoing water loss. When the drip becomes a trickle or a flow, water loss can be extensive and your water bill can substantially increase.

TOILET LEAKS
Toilets have a number of parts that can wear and lead to issues, especially water loss. For example, a flapper that fails to create a solid seal will allow water to leak from the toilet tank drain. If leaks like these aren’t repaired as soon as possible, you may experience additional damage to other toilet components, your water bill may increase significantly, and you may eventually have to replace the entire toilet to remedy the problem.

UNDERGROUND LEAKS
Underground leaks often go unnoticed. Signs that you may be experiencing an underground leak include:

  • Areas of wet soil
  • Areas where grass, plants, or other items are growing faster than their surroundings
  • Unexpected rises in water bills

Items like sewer drains, water supply pipes, or other buried piping systems require water leak detection equipment to help locate any leaks. If found, pipes can be dug up and repaired. If not, exploratory digging may be necessary to find the source of the leakage.

HIDDEN LEAKS
A leak can hide anywhere in a commercial building. If the leak is not discovered early, the amount of water loss and damage caused may be extensive.

Signs of hidden leaks include:

  • Increases in the water bill
  • Wet surfaces
  • Water marks and swelling of the walls, ceiling, and floors

Once the leak is identified, it may require pulling out walls, ceilings, and other major pieces of the building to fix the leak and repair the damage.

HOW TO DETECT PLUMBING LEAKS IN YOUR COMMERCIAL BUILDING

Installing a leak detection system can make it much easier to identify potential leaks and address them as quickly as possible. These systems can be extremely beneficial in commercial buildings, as they allow for the creation of a building-wide detection system.

Technology offers some exciting innovations in leak detection. Wireless water leak detectors can communicate by phone, text, and email when a leak is detected. Cloud-based sensors are also available that integrate with a portal where you can monitor all sensors in a system. There are even automated sensors which can shut off water in certain applications. If you are unsure which type of water leak detection equipment is best for your building, consult a contractor before installation. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A LEAK

If you suspect a leak in your business, contact professionals immediately. At ServiceMaster By Glenn’s, we’re available 24/7/365 to help you through crisis to resolution. Our commercial water damage restoration services include taking quick action to prevent additional damage and costly repairs. The faster the experts can remedy the issue, the faster you can get your business back to normal.

About ServiceMaster By Glenn’s

ServiceMaster By Glenn’s provides water damage restoration, flood damage, fire damage repair, smoke damage, mold remediation and disaster planning and recovery services to the Treasure Coast.  Located in Vero Beach, they service the surrounding cities of Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City and Hobe Sound. Learn more about ServiceMaster By Glenn’s restoration services at waterdamagespecialists.com or call 772-567-4435.  

FIRE

WATER

MOLD

DISASTER

Technology To Weather Out The Storm

Living in Florida, we know storm safety is about more than just stocking up on snacks. While it can be fun to hunker down with candles and board games, it’s still important to stay safe inside while keeping an eye on what’s going on outside. When the power’s out and the WiFi is down, the experts at ServiceMaster by Glenn’s recommend having the right equipment on hand as part of your storm supplies kit and power outage plan. Read on to learn what gadgets you need to keep safe the next time a big one hits.

This one’s a must if you live anywhere that’s subjected to regular or catastrophic storm activity. These radios receive weather emergency information and instructions, tailored to your specific location, from authorities like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Since these radios can run on batteries (or even a hand crank) and receive their signals from nearby transmitters, you can stay informed even when your power and Internet go down.

Everyone knows you need a flashlight as part of your essential storm supplies, and today’s technology means flashlights are brighter and more reliable than ever before. For starters, always go with an LED flashlight. These varieties tend to have the strongest beams and longest battery life. Water-resistant models are also a good idea, as they won’t go haywire in the rain. (For everyone’s safety, however, ServiceMaster by Glenn’s recommends staying indoors during weather emergencies.)

Some LED specialty lights for camping are also great for storm safety. Look for ones that are compact, store easily and can float in water. Many heavy-duty LED flashlights run on a rechargeable lithium battery, so keep yours powered up for when the power is down.

If clean water runs low, you’ll be glad you have a purifier on hand. There are filter-based purifiers, but you can also get ones that use UV light. Yours should be able to remove pathogens such as bacteria as well as physical sediment.

While an ordinary thunderstorm can knock out your electricity for a couple hours, hurricanes can leave you in the dark for days. If it looks like the power could be out for a while and you still want to be able to use lights, appliances and other essentials, get a generator. Small versions can keep just the basics up and running, while larger generators can power your entire house. Be sure to keep plenty of fuel on hand, safely stored and accessible when you need it.

About ServiceMaster By Glenn’s

ServiceMaster By Glenn’s provides water damage restoration, flood damage, fire damage repair, smoke damage, mold remediation and disaster planning and recovery services to the Treasure Coast.  Located in Vero Beach, they service the surrounding cities of Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City and Hobe Sound. Learn more about ServiceMaster By Glenn’s restoration services at waterdamagespecialists.com or call 772-567-4435.  

FIRE

WATER

MOLD

DISASTER

Matterport 3D Technology

In support of individuals and businesses, as well as insurance companies and adjusters, ServiceMaster by Glenn’s has adopted the wide-spread use of Matterport Artificial Intelligence 3D documentation technology for disaster restoration services.

The Matterport restoration documentation technology utilized by ServiceMaster by Glenn’s expedites the insurance claims process and reduces the likelihood of claims disputes.

3D Technology

The Matterport technology utilizes True3D Reality Capture to offer comprehensive and detailed visual and dimensional loss documentation for data collection and communication. By utilizing this technology, ServiceMaster by Glenn’s, a Vero Beach based restoration company, removes any human factors which might serve as points of dispute throughout the insurance claims process.

“The 3D scans, walkthroughs and digital measurements that Matterport provides not only helps us do our job faster and more efficiently, but also gives the insurance company access to the field data they need to make the best decisions regarding each job,” said Keith Grella, owner of ServiceMaster by Glenn’s. “We’ve already seen the benefits of this technology on multiple fire and water damage restoration claims.”

ServiceMaster by Glenn’s works with insurance companies to process claims for restoration clients easing the burden for those policyholders who are already taxed with the stress of a disaster. The Matterport technology makes this process easier for everyone involved.

With every scan point time-stamped, no ability to alter photos, and dimensions within 1% accuracy margin, the entire disaster restoration process can be expedited. Estimators avoid the tedious process of tape measuring and sketching and insurance adjusters are more efficiently utilized – sometimes being able to avoid field visits altogether. This serves as a win for policyholders who benefit from accelerated work, getting their lives back together faster and with fewer hurdles.

“The Matterport documentation system allows us to not only help our clients, but those in the industry who deal with claims on a daily basis.”
– Keith Grella

CASE STUDY: FLOOD REMEDIATION USING MATTERPORT

On February 24th, 2020 ServiceMaster by Glenn’s was called into a two-story residential home on the coast of Vero Beach, Florida. The ice maker line on the bottom story of the home had burst, and with the owners being snowbirds, the leak was undetected until after weeks’ worth of water damage had affected every single room on the bottom floor, seeping into walls, cabinets, and wood floors.

This was a unique scenario as ServiceMaster by Glenn’s was the second company called after the first mitigation company did an unsatisfactory job. This is where documentation can get tricky and where the Matterport technology became a huge asset for everyone involved. Before beginning any work, ServiceMaster by Glenn’s took a 3D scan of the whole house, even the unaffected areas, which was provided to the owners, insurance company, and insurance adjuster so that everyone was on the same page.

ServiceMaster by Glenn’s then began remediation – salvaging cabinets, ripping up floors, removing ruined drywall and drying out all of the water damaged structure within the residence. Then came another scan with the Matterport camera to document that remediation was finished and successful.

The owners were happy, the adjuster could see all of the work done from his own desk in his office, and ServiceMaster by Glenn’s was only liable for the work completed after being substituted in.

Building Type: Residential two-story home
Type of Damage: Water loss caused by broken ice maker line
Remediation Required: Dryout, Shelf Replacement, Floor Replacement, and Drywall Demolition
Scans: Were able to capture the work done by the other mitigation team and what ServiceMaster by Glenn’s did to turn the disaster into a happy ending

About ServiceMaster By Glenn’s

ServiceMaster By Glenn’s provides water damage restoration, flood damage, fire damage repair, smoke damage, mold remediation and disaster planning and recovery services to the Treasure Coast.  Located in Vero Beach, they service the surrounding cities of Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City and Hobe Sound. Learn more about ServiceMaster By Glenn’s restoration services at waterdamagespecialists.com or call 772-567-4435.  

FIRE

WATER

MOLD

DISASTER

Pet Planning

When a disaster strikes, your furry family members are going to need your help to stay safe. Use these tips from the experts at ServiceMaster by Glenn’s to protect your pets during and after fire, floods, or other disasters.

PET DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: WHAT YOU CAN DO TO KEEP THEM SAFE

In the event of a fire, flood, hurricane, or another natural disaster, we know just how important it is to keep our families safe. Luckily, many disasters are suspected before they strike, and warnings and evacuation measures are issued by authorities in advance of terrible storms. If you have enough time to bring your beloved pets with you while you seek shelter, it could mean all the difference between life and death. Use these steps to keep your animals safe
from danger in the event that a disaster hits your community.

1. MICROCHIP YOUR PET.

A microchip is an easy, affordable way to keep your pet’s identification on him or her at all times. Even if an ID tag is lost or forgotten, it only takes a quick swipe with a microchip reader to determine your pet’s name and your contact information. After your pet is microchipped, make sure to keep your phone number, address, and other chip information updated.

2. KEEP A COLLAR AND ID TAGS ON YOUR PETS AT ALL TIMES.

If you get separated from your animals, a collar or harness with appropriate ID tags can help reunite you after the worst happens. As with microchips, keep your pet’s ID tags updated with the correct information.

3. IDENTIFY PET-FRIENDLY SHELTERS.

If you get separated from your animals, a collar or harness with appropriate ID tags can help reunite you after the worst happens. As with microchips, keep your pet’s ID tags updated with the correct information.

4. CREATE AN EMERGENCY KIT SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR PET.

When prepping for disaster, it’s essential that you have the proper supplies to stay safe if you have to leave home. After you assemble your own emergency preparedness kit, make one for each furry member of the family. A pet emergency preparedness kit should include at least the following items:

  • Food and water to last a minimum of three days
  • Food and water bowls
  • Disposable garbage bags for clean-up
  • Pet first aid kit
  • Extra collars or harnesses, leashes, and ID tags
  • Pet carriers
  • Photos of your pet for identification
  • Copies of vaccination records stored in a waterproof container
  • Any medications needed
  • Toys and other pet favorites for stress relief
  • Litter supplies for cats

5. HAVE AN EVACUATION PLAN.

An evacuation plan will help the whole family feel confident about what they should do if disaster strikes. In your plan, include details about who should be responsible for transporting the pets and grabbing the preparedness kits.

6. GET A RESCUE ALERT STICKER

Rescue Alert Stickers are available from the ASPCA that you can put on or near your front door. These stickers are meant to alert rescue workers that animals may be stuck inside. You can include information such as the types and number of animals, the name and number of your veterinarian, and your contact information. Once you finish filling it out, place it out front well in advance of an approaching storm. In the fortunate event that you are able to evacuate with your pets later on, you can simply write “EVACUATED” across the sticker so rescue workers know they’re safe.

Remember that if it’s not safe for you to stay home, it’s not safe for your pets, either. If authorities require you to evacuate, you may not know when you can return home and check on your animals. Pets that are left to fare for themselves can easily be injured, lost, or worse. That’s why it’s so crucial to prepare well in advance of a storm to keep yourself, your family, and your beloved pets safe from harm.

About ServiceMaster By Glenn’s

ServiceMaster By Glenn’s provides water damage restoration, flood damage, fire damage repair, smoke damage, mold remediation and disaster planning and recovery services to the Treasure Coast.  Located in Vero Beach, they service the surrounding cities of Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City and Hobe Sound. Learn more about ServiceMaster By Glenn’s restoration services at waterdamagespecialists.com or call 772-567-4435.  

FIRE

WATER

MOLD

DISASTER

Mold Certification

Owner of ServiceMaster By Glenn’s, Keith Grella Renews BOTH Florida State Mold Assessor and Remediator Licenses

Current mold remediator and assessor certifications ensure individuals follow industry best practices.

Vero Beach, FL – Did you know only 14 Mold Remediators and 15 Mold Assessors have current and active licenses in Indian River County? The state of Florida requires remediators and assessors to complete 15 hours of training every two years to keep certifications current and active.  When restoring a home or business after a disaster, choosing a Florida state certified Mold Remediator or Mold Assessor is crucial to the success of a restoration project. This certification ensures the professional is trained in choosing the correct materials, equipment and methodology to ensure that water damage, fire damage or mold damage restoration will be successful and free of future mold related issues.  

Licenses

Keith Grella, owner of ServiceMaster By Glenn’s, completed his Mold Remediator and Mold Assessor licenses in February with a perfect score of 100% well before the July 31, 2020 deadline. This ensures he is up to date with the best practices and follows regulatory guidelines in the restoration of mold, water, fire or smoke damage.

The 14 hours of continuing education to renew both mold assessor and remediator licenses included training and review of the following material:

  • 6-hour review of water moisture intrusion
  • 4-hour review of the importance of mold safety
  • 2-hour review of instruction in writing reports
  • 2-hour review for Florida’s state standards and practices

ServiceMaster By Glenn’s, Keith Grella, recently renewed both his Florida State Mold Assessor and Remediator Licenses.

"Staying certified and current in this industry is a must,” said Grella, an expert remediator with 26 years of experience. “Here at ServiceMaster By Glenn's, we make sure all of our restoration technicians are certified and well-trained to provide the best approach and management of disaster restoration projects for our customers."

Since the state of Florida tightened the requirements on mold treatment and removal in 2010, the number of certified Mold Assessors and Mold Remediators in the county has only decreased. Before a consumer engages a restoration company to perform water, mold, fire or smoke damage restoration, make sure to visit www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr to ensure the company is certified.

Steps to verify certification:

  1. Visit www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr
  2. Click on verify a license
  3. Select search by license type
  4. Choose license category of mold related services and mold category of mold remediator or mold assessor. 

About ServiceMaster By Glenn’s

ServiceMaster By Glenn’s provides water damage restoration, flood damage, fire damage repair, smoke damage, mold remediation and disaster planning and recovery services to the Treasure Coast.  Located in Vero Beach, they service the surrounding cities of Sebastian, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, Stuart, Palm City and Hobe Sound. Learn more about ServiceMaster By Glenn’s restoration services at waterdamagespecialists.com or call 772-567-4435.  

FIRE

WATER

MOLD

DISASTER