Preparing Your Commercial Building for Winter in Rogers County, OK

10/16/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rogers County is here to help!

Winter in Rogers County, OK, can bring freezing temperatures, heavy rain, and even snow. For business owners, it’s important to ensure your commercial building is prepared for these conditions to avoid costly damage and ensure smooth operations during the colder months. Here are a few key steps from SERVPRO of Rogers County to help you get your property winter-ready.

1. Inspect Your Roof and Gutters

A strong, leak-free roof is essential for winter. Check your roof for any damaged or missing shingles, which could lead to leaks during heavy rain or snow. Also, clean out gutters and downspouts to prevent blockages. Clogged gutters can lead to water buildup, which can freeze, causing ice dams and water damage to the interior and exterior of your building.

2. Check Pipes and Insulate

Frozen pipes are one of the biggest risks during winter. Inspect all exposed pipes and ensure they’re properly insulated. Pay extra attention to pipes in unheated areas, such as basements, attics, or exterior walls. Consider installing pipe insulation or heat tape, especially for pipes prone to freezing. Regularly running water through pipes during extremely cold weather can also prevent freezing.

3. Seal Windows and Doors

Drafty windows and doors can lead to higher heating costs and discomfort for occupants. Check for any gaps, cracks, or worn seals and caulk them properly to keep cold air out and warm air in. This will help maintain energy efficiency and protect your HVAC system from overworking.

4. Prepare Your HVAC System

Winter is the time when your heating system will be working hardest. Before the cold hits, have your HVAC system inspected and serviced by a professional. Change air filters and ensure the system is functioning optimally to avoid breakdowns.

Stay Prepared with SERVPRO

If your commercial building in Rogers County faces any winter-related damage, SERVPRO of Rogers County is here to help. Whether it's water damage from frozen pipes or roof leaks, our expert team is ready to respond 24/7 to restore your property quickly and professionally. Stay prepared and stay safe this winter!

Protecting Your Commercial Building from Fire Hazards

10/18/2023 (Permalink)

Always exercise caution regarding the potential causes of a fire.

Fire safety is a critical aspect of this responsibility.

Fires can be devastating, causing not only damage to your property but also putting lives at risk. Here are some essential ways to prevent your commercial building from becoming a fire hazard:

1. Install and Maintain Fire Detection Systems: Investing in a reliable fire detection system is a fundamental step in fire prevention. Smoke detectors, heat detectors, and fire alarms are your first line of defense. Regularly test and maintain these systems to ensure they are in working order. Consider upgrading to advanced systems that can alert emergency services automatically.

2. Fire Extinguishers and Suppression Systems: Place fire extinguishers at strategic locations within your building. The type of extinguisher should be suitable for the potential fire hazards in that area. Additionally, consider installing fire suppression systems, such as sprinklers, to automatically extinguish or control fires.

3. Maintain Electrical Systems: Electrical issues are a common cause of fires in commercial buildings. Regularly inspect and maintain your electrical systems to prevent shorts, overloads, and other fire risks. Replace damaged wiring and keep an eye on potential hazards like frayed cords.

4. Manage Flammable Materials: Be mindful of flammable materials in your building. Store them properly and away from potential ignition sources. Implement strict guidelines for handling, storing, and disposing of flammable substances to reduce fire risks.

5. Maintain Heating and Cooling Systems: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can also pose a fire hazard if not properly maintained. Regularly service and clean HVAC systems to prevent overheating or malfunction that could lead to fires.

Preventing fires in your commercial building requires a combination of vigilance, education, and proper maintenance. By taking these proactive measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of a fire and, in turn, protect your property, employees, and visitors from potential harm and damage. Fire safety should always be a top priority for any responsible commercial building owner or manager.

Commercial Property Insurance: All You Need to Know

10/13/2022 (Permalink)

Business interruption insurance is another part of commercial property insurance coverage that can be valuable to your business.

Commercial Property Insurance: All You Need to Know

A commercial property insurance policy is designed to help protect your business from the risk of damage and destruction. There are many factors to consider when it comes to protecting your investment, but there is one aspect that can be especially tricky: determining how much coverage you need. The best way to determine what type of coverage is right for you is by learning more about what each type covers. 

Let's take a look at the basics of commercial property insurance policies so that you can make an informed decision about what's best for your company's needs.

Property Coverage

The property coverage section of your policy will cover the cost of rebuilding or repairing your property if it is damaged in a covered loss. In addition to covering the physical damage, it also covers some types of losses that occur from theft and vandalism. For example, if someone breaks into your home and steals your jewelry collection, this coverage would reimburse you for those items' value.

Business Interruption Insurance

Business interruption insurance is another part of commercial property insurance coverage that can be valuable to your business. If, for instance, a covered loss causes you to lose income due to the inability to operate, business interruption insurance will pay you that lost income. This type of coverage is usually limited in length, however; it's often provided in weekly installments with a maximum duration of 30 days or less.

The amount paid per week varies depending on how much you have insured and what kind of policy limits are chosen (the higher these limits are set, the more expensive your premiums will be). Some policies also include the option to extend this period up until one year after the date when normal operations were resumed (or when repairs are complete if they took longer than expected).

Liability Insurance

Liability insurance covers you if you are sued for something that happened on your property. This can include slips and falls, property damage, or injuries. Liability insurance will also cover the cost of any legal fees incurred in defending you.

Workers' Compensation

Workers' compensation insurance is designed to protect you from any employee injury or death. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages if an employee becomes disabled, as well as death benefits for the family of a deceased worker.

Directors & Officers Liability Insurance

Directors and officers (D&O) insurance covers legal expenses and damages that you may be held liable for as a director or officer of your company. D&O insurance applies to directors, officers, officeholders, and managers who are responsible for the management of an organization. It also covers their spouses if they’re directly involved in running the business. If you’re a director or manager of a company, no matter how large or small it is, then D&O insurance may be beneficial to you. It can protect against any losses arising from disputes over breaches of duty by directors/officers through mismanagement or negligence (for example, breach of fiduciary duties).

When you have a disaster in your business, SERVPRO of Rogers County is here to help get you covered in any way we can. We work closely with your insurance to make sure your Claremore, OK business is back to normal quickly.