Recent Commercial Posts

Immediate Water Cleanup in Bellingham Avoids Risk of Damage to Contents

5/16/2023 (Permalink)

closeup of carpet and floor of office Water damage risks structural damage to porous wood products such as cabinets, flooring, and walls.

Delaying Water Cleanup in Bellingham Commercial Offices Increases the Risk of Mold

Many of our clients decide to delay water cleanup in their Bellingham commercial businesses, assuming the water will dry up on its own after a few days. Minor plumbing leaks caught quickly; if the water is rapidly removed, the humidity may increase for a few days before returning to normal. Many clients risk structural damage to porous wood products such as cabinets, flooring, and walls when water is left to dry. They also risk exposure to mold spores, which can begin building colonies in as little as twenty-four hours.

SERVPRO provides rapid response and water cleanup to commercial customers in the Bellingham area. Our team can be onsite within four hours of your initial call to our office. We assess the situation, deploy the equipment and staff to remove excess water and moisture from crevices and dry the space before structures are damaged, or mold can begin growing.

Every water leak is different, as are the buildings serviced by our teams. A few examples of our attention to detail help our clients appreciate why completing water removal and drying the space is so important.

  • Hardwood floor drying mats remove water and moisture between hardwood floor planks to avoid cupping and warping.
  • Moisture meters help identify high moisture levels inside walls, nooks, and crevices to avoid mold infestations and compromised wall or cabinet structures.
  • Suction wands can reach small areas to remove water and moisture without demolishing walls.
  • Specialized ducts blow dry air into spaces to absorb moisture and dry the area.
  • Air movers and dehumidifiers continue to remove moisture, lowering humidity to normal levels.

SERVPRO understands how important keeping your commercial business in full operation is. We concentrate and pay attention to the details. We focus on quickly returning your business processes to normal operations.

Call SERVPRO of Whatcom County for water cleanup services. We provide service to Bellingham and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (360) 733-1800.

Bellingham Office Carpeting Requires Fast Water Mitigation

12/20/2022 (Permalink)

Water raining on laptop SERVPRO commercial water damage restoration services are top-notch. Call for the help your business needs.

Direct Water Mitigation Can Save Carpeting

The mitigation process begins as soon as our SERVPRO professionals arrive at damaged office buildings and commercial properties. Our Large Loss team works to regulate unsafe conditions and do whatever possible to contain the damage and reduce needed tear-out and reconstruction.

Evaluating the Extent of the Damage

A thorough inspection of the property can help to determine needed water mitigation for Bellingham office buildings. The first step will always be to work to eliminate any standing water and do what could be required to prevent unsafe conditions for the staff. We look at the following:

  • Sagging materials
  • Structural deterioration
  • The severity of standing water
  • Mold development

Clearing Contents and Obstructions 

Contents and furniture like desks often are a hindrance to the cleaning and drying of carpeting. We must assess where these items can go and what attention they might need from water exposure simultaneously. Often, SERVPRO professionals will establish a staging area to catalog the condition of contents and safely keep them from harm while mitigation continues. 

Potentially Cleaning Carpeting

Assessing the condition of the carpet could show that cleaning is possible. Hot water extraction is one of the proven methods for short pile carpeting, as this blasts hot water to the base of the fibers and rapidly extracts it back into the machine, dislodging debris and dirt in the process. 

Drying the Carpets

If SERVPRO can successfully clean carpets, you will need to take steps to ensure the installation is dry. Prolonged moisture not addressed within 48 hours can lead to mold and mildew development. The easiest option is to partially pull up the carpeting at two of its ends and position low-profile, centrifugal air movers between the carpet and concrete subflooring to infuse warm air into the wet materials.

It does not take much for short pile carpeting common to office buildings to become overwhelmed by standing water. Our SERVPRO of Whatcom County professionals work fast to mitigate loss and protect installed elements however possible. When disasters strike, call us at (360) 733-1800. 

Various Issues Can Cause Water Damage at Your Bellingham Business

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO experts in equipment sign SERVPRO commercial damage restoration is second to none. Call now!

We Are Bellingham Commercial Water Damage Experts

At any time, one of a number of water-related problems could cause serious damage to your Bellingham business. These issues could involve everything from defective or weathered roofing and clogged gutters/faulty drainage systems to significant pipe network failures or appliance malfunctions. Whatever their cause, SERVPRO can likely help you overcome it.

Potential water damage always concerns Bellingham business owners, and water leaks are what motivate most of them to call SERVPRO for assistance. Regardless of whether their problems result from ceiling leaks, burst pipes, malfunctioning appliances, or poorly constructed/deteriorated containers, our emergency water damage services teams can usually help them. The specific water damage remediation situations we handle are:

  • Ceiling leaks of all severities that arise from bad roofing, poorly maintained roof drainage systems, and storm-related damage
  • Slow leaks or major pipe ruptures resulting from extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures, old/corroded/brittle pipes, faulty pipework with poor connections, mineral deposit clogs and other blockages, excessive water pressure, or earthquakes
  • Standing water or puddling in basements produced by groundwater-infiltrated walls 
  • Defective, damaged, or old appliances like water heater tanks, washing machines, and dishwashers that improperly drain water or drip it
  • Corroded water containers that leak significant amounts of water that impact surrounding areas
  • Water damage arising from firefighting efforts or poorly engineered/malfunctioning fire extinguishing systems

In order to substantially reduce your chances of needing water damage cleanup services, we suggest that you regularly have your roof inspected and repaired, home professionally inspected for water damage, appliances serviced, storage containers evaluated for corrosion, and fire extinguishing systems checked.

So, with all of this in mind, rest assured that we can assist you. Call the skilled experts at SERVPRO of Whatcom County whenever you need help dealing with commercial water damage. We are always ready to answer your call at (360) 733-1800.

Ferndale Office Carpeting Suffers After Water Damage

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

tech posing by van servpro poster The advanced water extraction and drying equipment used by SERVPRO can keep Ferndale offices functioning during restoration.

Cleaning Carpets After Water Damage

Water and flood damage can both be substantial concerns for a business. One of these instances can be enough to close your doors for a time, so people rely on the fast response of SERVPRO professionals to help with aspects of mitigation that protect the structure, such as:

  • Pooling
  • Wet Carpeting
  • Mold/Microbial Growth

Absorbent Carpet Material

Carpeting is one of the more challenging materials to consider after water damage to Ferndale offices. The inexpensive flooring selected is meant to get several years of foot traffic and then be replaced, making it unsuitable to survive more direct water exposure from burst pipes, broken sprinkler fixtures, or plumbing connections. Because of its thin and lightweight composition, short pile carpeting is often easier to dry and clean when contamination is not a concern.

Non-Permeable Subflooring Materials

While one advantage of short pile carpeting common to offices is the solid and non-porous subflooring materials underneath, this adds issues in other areas when restoration first begins. Concrete subflooring does not absorb the standing water on the surface, so this condition can stay a challenge to overcome until extraction devices get implemented.

Our Advanced Tools to Help with Cleanup

We must manage the water caught in the flooring as rapidly as possible. Often the best means of doing this is using various inventory extraction tools. High-efficiency carpet wands can be suitable for short pile carpeting common to office buildings. These can be run on stationary pumps or portable wet vacuums, depending on the power needed.

Cleaning up after water damage or flooding in your office building can often mean drying and restoring impacted building materials. Carpets and other flooring types require fast and deliberate action to prevent needed repairs or reconstruction. Give our SERVPRO of Whatcom County East team a call when you need us at (360) 788-4158.

Water Damaged Apartments

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

A plumbing system that recently failed.

Behind the wall of every building you walk into lies the systems that make you comfortable and at ease. The HVAC system keeps you warm or cool, the roofing system keep you dry, the structural keeps the building upright and the electrical system keeps the lights on and your internet connected.

The other silent system is the plumbing. This is a system we all take for granted. We make our coffee, use the restroom and wash our hands, but if this system fails what will you do? 

Some buildings are ticking time bombs when it comes to plumbing. Our crews are called out all of the time to help people that make mistakes, but it's an enormous job when the entire system fails. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham is here for you when you need us most. 

Busy Bathroom at Bellis Fair Mall.

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham knows how to clean and sanitize.

When the toilet has been unclogged and the public needs access it's time to call SERVPRO of Bellingham for professional cleaning.

Hiring a professional, certified restoration company to safely clean and sanitize the bathroom is important for the safety of your customers, your employees, and fellow building tenants. Black water contains pathogens that can carry parasites, bacteria, and viruses that can make people sick and close down businesses. Much of what the black water touches may not be salvageable, as it becomes contaminated. SERVPRO of Bellingham will not only clean up the sewage water, but we will clean and sanitize the area after the repairs made.

Our technicians are highly trained and totally dedicated to safety and well being of the public and themselves. When disaster strikes, you know who to call. 360-733-1800.

No job too large for SERVPRO of Bellingham

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Water extraction in the snow.

The freezing winds and driving snow caused multiple sprinklers to fail in a parking garage in downtown Bellingham. The water flooded the staircase, elevator shaft, numerous condominiums, the mail room and the shared lobby space. Our crews were called out to extract the water in the earlier morning and we quickly found out that more than extraction needed to happen.

The technicians were able to utilize FLIR technology to find hidden pockets of water in the ceilings throughout the structure and assist the building facility manager in addressing the complex water damage.

We set up a plan to utilize injection drying techniques and dehumidification to expedite the process. The professionals at SERVPRO of Bellingham got right to work when called and worked quickly to keep life a close to normal as possible to the condo owners. 

Commercial Water Damage in Whatcom County

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Large hotel water damage caused by frozen sprinkler system.

SERVPRO of Bellingham understands how disastrous commercial water damage can be can be, and how it can impact your business. Acting quickly to mitigate water damage is crucial, which is why it’s important for all businesses to know the common causes of commercial water damage, how to spot them, and what to do if you find signs of water damage in your office building or commercial property. 

Similar to damaged pipes, if there is a problem with your building’s sprinkler system, it could lead to leaks and water damage. Look out for wet walls and carpets, mold or a musty smell, or any standing water in your building. These clues could indicate an issue with your sprinkler system that should be addressed right away. 

Roof damage can be caused by extreme weather like heavy winds, rain or snowfall. A damaged roof will result in leaking water that may cause secondary damages to the ceiling such as mold damage. Be sure to regularly check your roof and sprinkler systems for signs of damage and provide maintenance as needed. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham at the mall

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Our crew working with Bellis Fair.

One of the largest buildings, if not the largest, in all of our territory is Bellis Fair Mall. The recent economic pivot has seen great changes to our local mall and to the shops that call it home, but one thing that hasn't changed is need for our services when things go wrong and are beyond the expertise of the maintenance department. The variety of reasons we have been called ranges from a simple toilet issue to a mysterious water damage hidden in an exterior wall to an enormous sprinkler system release that required 24 hour monitoring. When water or fire damage strikes at the mall they know who to call. Through it all we have remained grateful for the opportunity and always ready to help. 

Planning for Emergencies.

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellingham will help you create a cost-free Emergency Ready Plan.

Do you have an Emergency Ready Plan? Have you discussed what to do if an event happens at your place of business. Do your employees know where the plan is located or if it even exists? Who to call? How to shut off the water? Where the back ups are stored? 

SERVPRO of Bellingham knows that statistically 50% of businesses will not reopen after a water or fire loss.  A major reason for this being the case is that they do not have an emergency plan in place.  If no plan is in place, there are extended amounts of time where revenue is not made.  This kills business and they forced close.  We understand the need to be prepared and we have a completely FREE service that helps you put a plan in place.  We gather emergency contacts, locations for vital shut offs, pictures and descriptions in one easy to access location. Our Emergency Ready Plan app can be accessed from a phone, tablet, or computer.

With a plan in place you know contacts, systems and locations of important items that can help you reduce down time and property damage in the event of a fire or water loss. We are firm believers in don't wait until disaster strikes. Contact us today to help you be "Ready for whatever happens" 360-733-1800.

Helping Hotels in Trying Times

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

A frozen sprinkler during normal times. It's our time to help the hospitality industry.

We are ten plus months into a pandemic and our industry has been steady if not down right busy the entire time. 

We are the lucky ones. The gifted essential workers deemed with rescuing homeowners and business owners during their most difficult times. Well kinda.

The most difficult times aren't always when water or fire disaster strikes. Our business brothers and sisters in the hospitality industry are among those hit the hardest. In normal times, the hotels and the people that make them breath with life have the profound pleasure of hosting people from around the globe and welcoming them to our slice of heaven. 

These are not normal times. They have been forced to operate with skeleton crews, General Managers are working the front desks and your Concierge is waiting patiently to be asked back to work. Waiting patiently for you to come back and enjoy the Pacific Northwest. Waiting patiently to get back to normal.

SERVPRO of Bellingham has had the opportunity to help our local hotels many times when a dryer overheated, the sprinklers popped or the sinks overflowed, so as a business professional and a caring member of the community I want to say Thank you for all that the hospitality industry has done for SERVPRO of Bellingham and our region. 

Time to plan a staycation at your favorite local hotel, order in from a local restaurant and love where you live by supporting those that do the same. 

A series of small leaks create disaster

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Spaces have different Challenges than Residential work.

A series of small minor roof leaks soon proved to be a major problem when microbial growth and wet insulation was found during a remodel in Bellingham, Wa. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was called out to clean and disinfection the structure as well as the actual roof materials. We utilized scissor lifts, full face respirators, gloves, tyvex suits and the proper safety harness or fall arrest gear. 

Our job was to get into the is structure clean and get out as quickly as possible, so we worked diligently throughout the weekend and after hours to make it "Like it never even happened."

The clients could not have been more pleased with the results of the project or with the tight schedule we were able to keep.

Commercial Water Issues

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Our Crew Set up containment in Bellingham, Wa.

A small water intrusion quickly became a larger issue when hard rains and high winds rolled into Bellingham, WA. 

The owners of the building knew something was certainly wrong but did not know how large the problem truly had become. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was called out to help address the water issue and also to help develop a plan for drying out the building. 

The first step is always to stop the leak and once the roofer had fixed the leak we began to delve farther into the problems the water had created.

Our well trained skilled technicians were able to find hidden pockets of water throughout the structure and limit the amount of drywall removal by injecting dry hot air into the walls.

The team at SERVPRO proved once again that with the right knowledge and tools we are able to help businesses and building owners limit downtime and repair costs.

Crawl Space in Bellingham Washington

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

Hotel Crawlspace in Bellingham Washington

The hospitality industry in Belligham Washington is under constant pressure for rooms and availability, so when a water damage happens it is imperative that a speedy recovery occurs.

SERVPRO of Bellingham helped this hotel with a wet crawlspace caused by a failed sump pump. The lower level of the laundry room and East wing rooms had been inundated with ground water from torrential downpours. 

The sump pump had always kept the rising ground water at bay but when the pump failed it was trouble for the lowest part of the building. 

We installed several pumps, extracted water from rooms and began the restoration process.  

Commercial Water Damage in Ferndale, WA

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Large Water Pipe Disconnected in Ferndale Washington

A commercial water damage can put business in a tail spin. Our goal at SERVPRO of Bellingham is to get that business up and going as quickly as possible. The owner rely on being available and the employees need the business to be open in order to provide services and products.

The call came in after hours and our on call technicians were able to address the initial call within 30 minutes. They extracted almost 300 gallons of water and set equipment to stabilize the environment. 

Our crew arrived early the next morning to begin taking the steps of drying and content manipulation. A large part of what we do is moving office furniture, file cabinets etc. in an effort to open up the wet affected areas to dry air, dehumidification, and air movement.

Our team was able to address the issue early, minimize the time materials were wet and quickly get production back to full capacity. 

After Hours Extraction in Bellingham Washington

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Belligham Ready to Extract Water

The after hours call line lit up one evening due to a plumbed in coffee maker. The water line failed on the third story of a historic downtown building. Three full levels were inundated with water eventually filling a portion of the basement.

We set pumps in the basement and began extraction on the other floors. Our efforts showed immediate progress and we were on the way to another successful commercial water remediation.

The manipulation of contents was next. The moving of desks, chairs, tables, workspaces and filing cabinets took a better part of a day, but the hard working crew got the job dine in time to start the actual mechanical drying process.

Fans were set along with dehumidifiers, air scrubbers and containment. The following days were spent monitoring the dry down of 100 year old building. We had accomplished our goal and the business was able to stay open returning to normal within the week. 

Commercial Water Damage in Bellingham Washington

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

A Forward Looking Infrared camera shines light on a commercial drying project in Bellingham, WA.

SERVPRO of Bellingham get calls 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Our on call crew is always prepared for any sized water damage or fire. The major piece to being prepared is having people willing and eager to work outside of normal business hours.

We know this is especially important to our business and commercial customers because any down time can mean lost revenue and lost wages for employees. 

Our goal is to be onsite within an hour and to begin the drying process and environmental stabilization as soon as possible. One of our favorite tools to help us diagnose water issues is a Forward Looking Infrared camera. This amazing tools lets us know where water is and allows us to get right to work with focused drying techniques.

This rainbow of information is extremely helpful in letting us know where to dry.

Communication is Key

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

We like to over communicate with our Commercial Customers and utilize their preferred form to update them often

The key to keeping customers happy and informed is communication. SERVPRO of Bellingham works with many business professionals dealing water damages, fires, mold and sewer issues throughout the year. We have found great success asking what people what form of communication points of contact prefer to use while also utilizing many forms of communication when necessary.  

Email and texting are popular options and very good for getting information that needs to be exact and is unwavering in tone, but can sometimes be misconstrued depending on how the intended party reads it and the style with which the author writes.  

Phone calls are great if everyone has time and is ready to devote effort when ready, but we all know that time is money and very precious.

We have found that a combination of communication forms works best especially with our commercial customers. We also know that a hand written card thanking them for their business and trust is truly the communication "cherry" on top.

Water Damaged Stairwell in Bellingham, WA.

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Water bubbles are commonplace in the water restoration business.

Water has the innate ability to find the path of least resistance. Sometimes that means simply flowing down hill or pooling up in a low lying area and other times it means going under doors and through walls to find a man made riverbed.

A staircase is often the path of least resistance for water and these areas can look like waterfalls if enough water finds it's way to them. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham can help in these times of need and our crews have seen numerous situations that would make a Maintenance Manager lose sleep and gain wrinkles. 

The water damage occurred on the second floor and the stairwell became the path of least resistance as the water flowed downhill cascading down stairs and into building cavities. 

I think you can see where the water helped separate the paint from the drywall.

Commercial Water Damage in Bellingham, WA.

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

The water fountain supply line sprung a leak, so we contained the area to create the optimal drying environment.

SERVPRO of Bellingham is proud of the many relationships we have fostered over the 40 plus years we have been in business. We take great pride in being the "GO TO" restoration company for those clients and they know we are available twenty four hours a day seven days a week. Call us anytime and we will be on the case.

We were recently called out over the weekend to help extract water and begin the drying process for a large multi story, multi tenant commercial building. We were quickly on site with the knowledge, dedication and hard work that is our trademark. 

We took care of the immediate issues and set the plate for the coming days dry down by communicating with all parties involved, creating realistic expectations and going above and beyond for our clients in an emergency situation outside of normal business hours. 

Commercial Water Damage on San Juan Island

1/16/2019 (Permalink)

Friday Harbor is a beautiful place to visit and our crew was happy to help this business owner get back to life as usual after a water supply line had burst causing extensive water damage to the main floor of the bed and breakfast.

The maritime heritage of the community and it's relationship with the Puget Sound is part of what brings people from all over the world to enjoy the San Juan Islands.

SERVPRO regularly works in the San Juan Islands. We are called out to dry up after water leaks, clean up after severe fires and remediate mold after the moisture issue has been resolved. We know the ferry schedule, how to get things done and how to work with insurance companies on the island.

Office Water Damage in Bellingham, WA.

1/15/2019 (Permalink)

Injection drying in an office damaged by water.

We recently received a frantic call early on a Monday morning regarding a flooded office.

Our crew was immediately dispatched to start the drying process and get the business up and going as quickly as possible.

The water came from an office above and the drop down ceilings were soaked. The ceiling tiles were removed, so that the rest of the ceiling could be addressed. Our crew made the right decision to start drying with injection technology. Hot dry air in blown in to wall and ceiling cavities. This allows the business to operate as close to usual as possible while we do our job of drying the water damaged structure.

Time is money and SERVPRO of Bellingham will always go the extra mile to ensure the fastest turn around time in order to get back to business.

Commercial Cleaning in Bellingham, WA

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

A thorough commercial cleaning in Bellingham, WA.

SERVPRO of Bellingham can do many things. We dry out homes and businesses after floods, clean structures and contents after fires, disinfect, deodorize and just plain old scrub.

The key to cleaning is in the details. Sometimes the plan is to prep for paint and sometimes a simple old fashion scrubbing with SERVPRO branded cleaning agents is what the plan calls for. 

In a local project we were called to clean the ducting system that works hard for the client and needed some TLC. We set up our crew and got to work. We systematically cleaned from one end of the space to the other with our ever persistent eye for detail. The focus and planning paid off in the end. Satisfied clients and proud employees.

Cleaning a Pole Building Ceiling

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Massive Ceiling Clean

A series of small minor roof leaks soon proved to be a major problem when microbial growth and wet insulation was found during a remodel in Bellingham, Wa. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was called out to clean and disinfection the structure as well as the actual roof materials. We utilized scissor lifts, full face respirators, gloves, tyvex suits and the proper safety harness or fall arrest gear. 

Our job was to get into the is structure clean and get out as quickly as possible, so we worked diligently throughout the weekend and after hours to make it "like it never even happened."

The clients could not have been more pleased with the results of the project or with the tight schedule we were able to keep.

Unseen Moisture

1/19/2018 (Permalink)

Tools of the Trade

A small water intrusion quickly became a larger issue when hard rains and high winds rolled into Bellingham, WA. 

The owners of the building knew something was certainly wrong but did not know how large the problem truly had become. 

SERVPRO of Bellingham was called out to help address the water issue and also to help develop a plan for drying out the building. 

The first step is always to stop the leak and once the roofer had fixed the leak we began to delve farther into the problems the water had created.

Our well trained skilled technicians were able to find hidden pockets of water throughout the structure and limit the amount of drywall removal by injecting dry hot air into the walls.

The team at SERVPRO proved once again that with the right knowledge and tools we are able to help businesses and building owners limit downtime and repair costs.

Emergency Ready Plan

11/6/2017 (Permalink)

Make a Plan.

Does your office or employer have a plan in place should an emergency occur?

Where do you shut off the water if a supply line fails?

Who should I call if the heat isn't on?

These are just a couple of simply questions that could be easily answered if SERVPRO of Bellingham were to give your office or building an Emergency Ready Plan or ERP. 

We will come out and walk the property, photo document vital shutoffs, and help develop a plan of action should an emergency occur.

The most important part of the ERP is the fact that it starts the planning conversation before the emergency happens. It also helps to get a a business back up and going after an emergency.

This is no cost service we provide to local businesses and building owners.