Debris Caught In Scupper Causes Water Loss

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

When thunder and lightening recently passed over the High Desert, the owners of this dance studio discovered water flowing down an internal wall. The water rushed in extremely quickly and began flooding the hallway and a utility room. The owners quickly called quickly called SERVPRO of Bend to assist with situation.

Upon arriving, SERVPRO of Bend water technicians began extracting water in the hallway that had suffered most of the damage. When the storm passed, the technicians when on the roof to see if there had been an obvious cause of loss.

Upon following the path of the water, it was discovered that a "scupper" (a drainage system for flat roofs) had been obstructed by debris that had settled on the drain. Since the flow of water was blocked, the water quickly filled the area and overflowed into the internal hall below.

SERVPRO of Bend was able to extract the water and dry the affected area without having to remove any damaged material. 

If you have any questions about water losses or suspected damage caused by a water loss, feel free to call SERVPRO of Bend at 541-385-7044.

SERVPRO of Bend Offers Free Emergency Ready Plans to Area Businesses

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

Nobody expects an emergency to happen, especially to them. However, the reality is that disasters can happen to anyone, anytime and anywhere. Being prepared is critical to keeping yourself, your employees, and customers safe while minimizing property damage. 

Disasters can come in many forms. After one, the cost to rebuild and reopen is high enough to prevent 50% of all businesses from ever opening their doors again. Of the companies that survived, the majority had a preparedness plan. This plan placed them in a better position to recover and continue operations.

And that’s where SERVPRO of Bend and SERVPRO of North Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook County come in. 

In reality, you can be ruined, or you can be ready. And being prepared is akin to survival - knowing that you’re prepared for whatever happens can bring much peace of mind. Plus, having a plan tells your customers and employees that they don’t necessarily have to be impacted if a disaster affects your business.

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile is a FREE service provided for any commercial business within Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties. The plan includes vital information on what to do and expect in an emergency. Timely action is crucial for mitigating costly damage and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect a business. 

What You Get with the FREE SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile

• A no-cost comprehensive assessment of your facility, which is completed within about three hours
• A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster
• Confidence that in the event of a disaster, SERVPRO of Bend is close by and ready to help mitigate the damage
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin - specifically, who will make decisions on the work needed to be completed
• Facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. This quick reference guide clearly shows what to do, how to do it, and who to call in the event of an emergency. 

Time is money. Having a quick reference guide will help you move faster and more safely, so you can fix problems and get back to serving your customers and making money.

There’s An Emergency Preparedness App for That

In today’s high-tech age, it’s wonderful to know that your emergency-ready plan can be at your fingertips. The SERVPRO’s Ready Plan Mobile App is a critical tool in an emergency. Within the app, your Emergency Ready Profile™ resides, ready with essential facility information to help you speed up response time. 

If your business doesn’t have an emergency-ready plan, we encourage you to take the time to schedule one with SERVPRO of Bend or SERVPRO of North Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties. This free service can be the lifeline of your business. Call 541-385-7044 to schedule your free emergency-ready profile with SERVPRO today. 

Some Intricacies of a Commercial Property

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

The intricacies of a commercial property can be intimidating if you’re not sure what you’re looking at. When a commercial property suffers property damage, it is extremely important that whoever responds, not only understand the mechanics of what they’re looking at but also what may not be so obvious.

Commercial properties often have interstitial spaces. An interstitial space is an intermediate space located between regular-use floors, commonly located in hospitals and laboratory-type buildings to allow space for the mechanical systems of the building. Some of those systems, such as a fire suppression system can be extremely sensitive and if not handled correctly, can cause more damage than the original loss.

SERVPRO of Bend understands the processes needed to assess and plan for when a commercial building has property damage. We are certified in drying of commercial buildings through the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.)

If you have any questions regarding drying a commercial building or would like a technician from SERVPRO to come out and perform an onsite, Emergency Ready Profile at no cost to you, give us a call at 541-385-7044.

Water Intrusion Detection Can Be Tricky

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

Water intrusion can be tricky, especially when there is no obvious cause at the time of discovery. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Bend has a multitude of tools and resources for our Fire and Water Technician’s that assist them when the source of the water intrusion might not be so obvious.

SERVPRO of Bend Water Technicians were called to a commercial property in Redmond, Oregon when the maintenance department discovered a small bubble forming on the ceiling of the pool room. SERVPRO of Bend Water Technicians began metering the area with a non-intrusive, moisture meter. Due to the thickness of the materials in the area, the surface meter was not picking up the expected readings for the material.

SERVPRO of Bend Water Technicians then used their infrared guided measurement tool to quickly target the area where the bubble was forming. The infrared images showed that there was bound water in the top layer of the affected drywall material, but it had not saturated the second level enough to register on a non-intrusive, surface meter.

SERVPRO of Bend were able to focus their efforts on the affected area, which enabled them to only remove the necessary materials and get the commercial property dry and back to its preloss condition.

If you have questions about a possible water loss or the use of infrared technology, feel free to contact SERVPRO of Bend at 541-385-7044.

Water Supply Break In Downtown Bend Oregon Commercial Building

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

At approximately 2:30 AM, SERVPRO of Bend's Emergency Services were dispatched to a commercial building that had suffered a water loss. Upon arriving, SERVPRO of Bend Technicians found pieces of ceiling tiles that had fallen due to the amount of water that had been leaking from above.

SERVPRO of Bend examined the area and found that a water supply line to a sink in the upstairs suite had sprung a leak. Thankfully the loss was discovered by the evening maintenance crew. Luckily, the person surveying the area discovered the damage early so damage was not as extensive as it could've been. Fortunately, the maintenance crew does routine routes, checking on all the suites within the building. The maintenance crew saw that some of the ceiling tiles had fallen and water was still dripping from the light fixtures.

SERVPRO of Bend Technicians were able to stabilize the leak until a plumber had arrived. The SERVPRO of Bend ER team then cleaned the ceiling tiles from the floor and began extracting water from the carpet. After extraction, axial fans and dehumidifiers were set up in the affected area and started the drying process. 

Having a concrete slab beneath the carpet benefited the company leasing the area because drying the affected areas took only two days, so business interruptions were kept to a minimum.

Commercial Business Tips for Structure Winterization

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

Winter is coming. And with it, the risk of damage to your commercial structure due to the freezing temperatures. When most people think of cold weather damage, burst pipes and collapsing roofs come to mind, especially here in Central Oregon. But costly damage can occur in other ways as well. Cold weather can cause fire prevention systems to malfunction, resulting in an inability to protect your structure in the event of a fire.

Instead of waiting for the damage to happen to your roof, pipes, or waterline, use the fall months to prepare your business for the inevitable cold temperatures that are to come.

Here are 13 tips that you can implement now to help your business survive the winter without damage and costly repairs. 

1. Insulate water supply pipes that run through unheated spaces, such as mechanical rooms, exterior walls, and even attics. 
2. Inspect water pipes quarterly for small leaks and corrosion. Taking the time to do this every three months will allow you to identify and correct any areas that need attention. 
3. Ensure water shutoff valves are working correctly to protect your structure from a flood. 
4. Keep thermostats set to 55ºF when the structure is unoccupied to prevent frozen pipes and subsequent water damage. Consider installing a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust temperatures when the building is not in use.
5. Water temperature should be no less than 42ºF. 
6. Keep utilities on in any vacant units. 
7. Set faucets to have a slow drip to relieve any pressure in pipes that can result in them bursting.
8. Install a leak detection system so you can be made aware of any leaks before they become a significant and costly problem. 
9. Clear your roof of debris, leaves, and dirt, which can prevent gutters and downspouts from draining, resulting in ice dams and heavy snow buildup. 
10. Inspect gutters and downspouts to ensure they are properly fastened to your building. 
11. Have your boiler, furnace, and heaters serviced regularly.
12. Ensure your fire pump room does not drop below 70ºF. 
13. Mark sprinkler control valves so they are easily located in the event of a heavy snowfall. 

In the event of an emergency, we are here to help 24/7 at 541-385-7044. For more commercial safety and damage prevention tips, check out our blog here.

SERVPRO of Bend Emergency Ready Profile

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that 50% of businesses close down following a disaster?

Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at your peace of mind.

SERVPRO offers a no cost Emergency Ready Profile assessment of your facility?

SERVPRO's Emergency Ready Profile is a tool used to minimize business interruption and allow a facility to have an immediate plan of action. Our Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) is a concise profile document that contains critical information that is needed in case your facility has an emergency.

The Emergency Ready Profile can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action

The profile provides a facility with details such as shut-off valves locations, priority areas and priority contact information.

Having quick access via your cellular phone, or computer of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens."

Top Commercial Plumbing Problems

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

Businesses and other commercial facilities experience leaks and clogs just like the rest of the world does. Though the pipes may be larger and the number of gallons flowing through the system greater, commercial facilities do experience water losses which in many cases can be much more extensive and costly. It can also sometimes be more difficult for business owners to diagnose problems with their plumbing as there are many more faucets, drains, pipes and other plumbing features compared to the average household. If you own a business or manage a commercial facility, here are the most common plumbing problems to keep an eye on:

1) Running Toilets

Everyone has came across a toilet that seems to always be running or even draining and filling at random intervals. Even when not visible to the eye, sometimes the quiet sound of water trickling can be heard coming from behind the toilet or inside the tank. One toilet doing this at your home is bad enough, but imagine a large business with 50 of them! If even a handful are running around the clock, you could be looking at increased water bills and a greater likelihood that something may fail with the toilet or plumbing in the future. Make sure to check the toilet components and call a commercial plumbing service if unsure. 

2) Silent Leaks

The scourge of large commercial facilities, silent leaks can be very hard to isolate or even notice in the first place. These are usually small to mid-sized leaks tucked somewhere below your building or inside you walls, and can go on for months before physical signs are seen. Make sure to keep a close eye on your water bill; unusual spikes or a gradual increase over time with no clear cause could be a sign that you have a leak somewhere in the system. Check those hard-to-see places yourself or call a plumber for a consultation!

3)Water Temperature Issues 

No one likes to have scalding-hot water blasted  onto their hands. Not many people like drinking warm water from a fountain, either. Water temperature problems can not only be an inconvenience to your workers or customers, but could even be dangerous in the case of water being too hot or far too cold. If you're experiencing fluctuating temperatures or insufficient heating, you may try flushing and cleaning your water heater to see if the issue resolves, and if not, plan to call a plumber to diagnose the problem. Scheduling routine maintenance is also a great idea. 

 4) Unpleasant Smells

Plumbing-related smells could be a large number of things. You may encounter a "musty" odor that could be indicative of mold or mildew (and most likely a leak), a similar smell related to standing stagnate water, or even a sewer smell coming from the bathroom or even other parts of the building. The sewer smell would rank as most concerning as it may be a sign there is a clog somewhere in the main line which could lead to a backup. If you're walking though your building and notice any new or strange odor, make sure to pay attention and call a plumber for an inspection. 

5) Low or High Water Pressure

Another problem that seems more prevalent than it needs to be, water pressure issues can affect a number of things and leave you more likely to experience a water loss. Also, if your business relies on water heavily for day-to-day operations, a drop in water pressure could even lead to a halt of production until the problem is addressed. Keep an eye on any changes and don't wait until the issue has become worse.

As always, if your business or commercial facility has experienced a water loss, please do not wait to call SERVPRO of Bend today for a consultation. From the smallest home to largest business, we are here to assist anytime, day or night, with any size disaster.

Commercial Reconstruction in Central Oregon

8/31/2020 (Permalink)

When thinking about the difference between commercial and residential reconstruction, the first and most obvious thing to notice would have to be the size. Though the end result of making it "Like it never even happened," is the same, reconstructing a movie theater, or a hospital, or basketball gym, could not be more different than the small residential home or mid-sized apartment. In one you may only need a couple technicians and a handful of equipment-- the work may be able to be completed in a number of days, and everything from start to finish is straightforward and typical. The other, though, could require a number of full teams, dozens of pieces of larger-scale industrial equipment, take weeks or even months, and be totally unique each and every time. Commercial restoration in Central Oregon is no different.

Taking the size aside, the next largest difference between commercial and residential restoration are the materials that need to be treated and "put back". Instead of your common drywall and wood related to residential reconstruction, with commercial you may see steel, glass, concrete and stone. What's more, the amount of these materials could quickly dwarf those used in a private residence or even a multi-family home. The spaces themselves may also hold very different pieces of machinery or electronics: with commercial you could see elevators or escalators, commercial HVAC equipment, and a number of other things that both require specialized maintenance and a much more forethought when it comes to having them restored and put back in place.

SERVPRO of Bend has a long history of working on commercial structures in Central Oregon and beyond. Just a number of months ago SERVPRO of Bend was called to a commercial water loss at a casino that had affected a number of floors and hundreds of square feet, needing to be dried out and then restored back to its prior condition. Along with dozens of laborers and technicians, the job required commercial generators, a very large number of air movers and dehumidifiers, and numerous material tests and specialty abatements to get the job done. Preparing the area was different from residential too, in that a large amount of containment tenting was required so that any dust or contaminates would not migrate to other parts of the unaffected building. As mentioned above, this also took weeks, and a and robust materials and personnel schedule was put in place so that the scope of work was followed exactly and progress was efficiently mapped and estimated. As was mentioned, in the end the result was the same: the damage was made to seem "Like it never even happened," and the property was returned to its preloss state on time and on budget.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a water or fire loss, contamination, or mold issue at your commercial facility, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Bend today to schedule your inspection and begin the process of getting things back to normal. There is no job too large or complex-- with SERVPRO of Bend on site you can rest easy knowing that they can handle the work at hand because they have seen it all before.   

4 Tips for Disinfecting Your Office

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

Keeping a clean office environment should be a priority for your company. This will prevent the spread of germs and keep people healthier year-round.

Here are four tips for disinfecting your office:

1.) Wipe surfaces in one direction.

If you wipe a surface one direction and then go back the opposite direction, you are going to spread the germs right back on the surface. A swift wipe in one direction will be most effective in removing germs from a surface.

2.) Make sure you're using the right chemicals.

Make sure you are using the right chemicals for disinfecting. Each cleaning product should be labeled with its intended purpose. 

3.) Make sure you get to all of the high-tough areas.

High-touch areas should be at the top of your list for disinfecting. This includes things such as chairs, stair railings, telephones, restroom surfaces and coffee pot handles/dispensers.

4.) Make handwashing a priority in your business.

Stressing the importance of handwashing in your office will go a long ways in preventing the unnecessary spread of germs.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions about commercial disinfecting, please do not hesitate to call the SERVPRO of Bend office at 541-385-7044.

5 Tips for Preventing Freezing Pipes in Your Commercial Business

10/14/2019 (Permalink)

The pipes in a building may be an afterthought for many business owners, however they can be essential to a successful business operation. Frozen pipes can lead to pipes bursting and causing water damage to commercial property. In extreme cases, this can be expensive and disrupt  business. 

Here are five tips for preventing freezing pipes in your commercial business:

1.) Make sure that your building is properly insulated.

Even if pipes are located inside your building, they can still freeze if there isn't proper insulation. This includes areas that aren't accessed on a regular basis, such as crawl spaces, basements, attics, closets and warehouses. In addition to insulating your building, you should install weatherstripping around all the doors and windows to aid in keeping warm air inside. 

2.) Use pipe insulation sleeves on more exposed pipes.

You should use pipe insulation sleeves on any pipes that are more exposed to cold temperatures. This offers extra protection from freezing when the temperatures get low.

3.) Drip water through your faucets during periods of intense coldness.

When water is moving, it is much less likely to freeze. Letting your faucets drip during periods of extreme cold can be a great solution to prevent freezing pipes.

4.) Use a backup power source. 

Freezing temperatures can often lead to power outages. If this happens, it's good to have a backup power source to prevent the building from dropping to too cold of a temperature. 

5.) Use a building automation system when people are away from the building. 

It's to have some sort of building automation system to monitor the temperature of your building when nobody is there. This can notify you if the building temperature drops drastically unexpectedly. 

Contact Information:

If you have any questions about water or mold damage, please do not hesitate to call the SERVPRO of Bend office at 541-385-7044.

Sources:
Commercial Trade Services

Make Sure That Your Business Is Prepared

6/4/2019 (Permalink)

This commercial kitchen fire happened to a local business.

50% of businesses never reopen after suffering a disaster. This may seem like an alarming percentage to many people, but it is a reality. The main reason that this is the case is because business owners do not have a plan in the event that their property experiences a disaster. 

Disasters can strike at the most unexpected times, so it's good to always be prepared. SERVPRO of Bend offers a document called an Emergency Ready Profile to local businesses in Central Oregon. This document highlights all of the places in the building that are important in the event of a disaster (i.e water, gas, electricity, etc.). If your building experiences a disaster, you can quickly go to the document and figure out where you need to go to resolve the problem. In addition, you have our phone number on hand to call us to the scene. Since we are available 24/7, we will be there as soon as we can no matter what time of the day. 

Mold Found Behind Baseboard in Bend, Oregon Commercial Building

12/6/2018 (Permalink)

After a coffee machine line sprung a leak, the commercial building tenant cleaned up the puddles of water that had settled on the floor.

A week later, one of the employees began smelling a musty odor in the same room that the coffee machine had the leak. SERVPRO of Bend's water team was called out to investigate.

Upon further investigation, the technician found that, though the water had been cleaned from the coffee machine incident, the water had just enough time to "wick" or be absorbed by some of the floor and wall material.

After metering the area with a surface moisture meter, the technician found it necessary to pull away the baseboard. They found microbial growth behind the baseboard. Most likely pre-existing from another loss, but since the most recent loss introduced moisture, the team took action and removed the damaged materials, along with the existing microbial growth.

Things to Look at for a Commercial HVAC System

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

During the winter months, commercial HVAC systems tend to get used more often than during the summer here in Central Oregon. SERVPRO of Bend receives calls from concerned tenants of commercial properties because of unfamiliar sounds coming from the heating unit and/or the smell of something burning.

Though we are not experts with commercial heating units, there are a few things that everyone can check to ensure that their commercial unit is functioning properly. As always, if you have questions about your HVAC system, they first person to call is your local HVAC company.

5 common commercial HVAC functions to check:

• Odors or poor indoor air quality (IAQ)
• Strange, unfamiliar sounds
• Inconsistent airflow / uneven heating and cooling throughout your building
• Loss of system efficiency
• Unexpected rise in heating and cooling costs

These issues arise from some common problems. Below are some of the most prevalent reasons for HVAC system issues:

1. Lack of maintenance

When you aren’t having regular, routine maintenance performed, minor HVAC problems become major repair expenses.

2. Dirty or clogged filters

Dirty and worn filters can force your air conditioning unit to work harder, which increases energy costs and reduces the life of your system.

3. Leaking refrigerant

Refrigerants are liquid agents that make air conditioning possible.

4. Thermostat malfunctions

Your thermostat regulates the timing and amount of hot or cold air your unit should produce. So when your thermostat is malfunctioning, your building can suffer from intermittent temperature fluctuations, impacting comfort.

5. Improper air balance

The heated or cooled air that comes out of your vents travels through a series of ducts before it reaches each room. Dampers help control this by reducing airflow in one line and allowing more conditioned air to flow to other areas.

Fast Food Restaurant Damage Bend, Oregon

8/22/2018 (Permalink)

A vehicle, too large for the height of the drive through at this fast-food restaurant in Bend, Oregon suffered major damage.

SERVPRO of Bend was called out to assess the damage at the restaurant after it suffered major damage by having their awning ripped off. The event happened early in the morning when an oversized truck pulled up to the fast-food window at a rapid speed.

SERVPRO of Bend was called to first, board up the damaged window temporarily so the restaurant could continue serving food from the main eating area during business hours.

SERVPRO of Bend's structural department arrived later that morning to begin repair services. SERVPRO of Bend's structural team was able to repair the damage to the awning and get the restaurant back up and running within a few days.

Water Loss, Redmond Oregon

8/20/2018 (Permalink)

This church in Redmond, Oregon suffered a water loss when a bathroom pipe, adjacent to the music room had a leak over the weekend.

SERVPRO of Bend was called out to assess the damage. Water Technicians found that an angle-stop on one of the toilets had broken and water flooded the bathroom and music room, creating an issue with the church since services were going to be happening the coming weekend. 

SERVPRO of Bend was able to build a containment around the affected area, creating a drying chamber to accelerate the drying process. Since the carpet was on a concrete slab, it was easy for our Water Technicians to dry the affected area in 2 days, with minimal removal of any affected material. The church was able to resume their services with limited interruption.

Odor in Commercial Building Basement in Bend,OR

8/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bend were called out to this commercial building after tenants smelled a foul odor coming from the basement after rather high temperatures in Central Oregon.

SERVPRO of Bend technicians put on their personal protective equipment and went into the basement. They found that an animal had been in the crawlspace area and had urinated on the sheetrock walls and concrete floors of the basement area.

By using SERVPRO's "114   Urine Odor and Stain Remover," our technicians were able to clean and neutralize the odor immediately. Due to the active agents in the 114, the smell was neutralized and the staining from the urine was no longer present. The tenants were very happy not to have the fould odor in their office anymore.

Treatment Center Water Loss - Bend Oregon

6/15/2018 (Permalink)

Flooded Office

SERVPRO of Bend was called to a treatment center in downtown Bend after it was reported that they had flooding on the main level and some of the offices had been affected.

The cause of the flooding was due to a drain on the exterior of the building being clogged. When a sudden rain storm hit the Central Oregon area, the water was unable to drain properly and found its way into some of the offices.

Fortunately, SERVPRO of Bend was able to mobilize its drying team and set up equipment to dry the affected areas and get the treatment center back up in running in 2 days.

Commercial / Industrial Building Maintenance

6/1/2018 (Permalink)

We in Central Oregon experience a variety of weather events from the flash wind storm to hail and rain, sometimes snow in July. Many of our commercial property clients ask SERVPRO of Bend what they can do as a preventative maintenance measure on their properties. Though these are not an official list of things to do, we've put together some areas that a commercial property maintenance department can look at during the year.

ROOFING

• Inspect at least twice a year, and after any severe storm.
• Create a roofing file for each building; review warranty information.
• Clear roof drains of debris (roof warranties don't cover this).
• Walk the perimeter to examine sheet metal, copings, and previously repaired sections.
• Check roof-to-wall connections, and examine flashings for wrinkles and tearing.
• Plan a moisture survey every 2-4 years to detect wet insulation or leaks. More frequent if a large storm has hit the area. 

HVAC

• Inspect at least twice a year, with seasonal start-up and run inspections.
• Pumps usually require bearing lubrication at least annually. Inspect couplings and check for leaks. Investigate unusual noises.
• Air-handling unit maintenance should include cleaning or replacing air filters at least quarterly, based on condition.

PLUMBING

• Inspect at least annually; investigate any leaks or unusual noises, especially if the temperatures are or were in the low 30's.
• Domestic water heaters and boilers should be fire-tested periodically, using flue-gas analysis to adjust the flue draft and combustion air input to optimize efficiency.  
• Sump and sewage ejection pumps are replaced on an as-needed basis, but should be checked for function. Exposed pumps should be lubricated annually.

SERVPRO of Bend can help commercial property managers or maintenance crews by providing a free, Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) that assists in identifying areas that might need to be addressed.

If you would like to schedule an ERP with one of our Technicians, feel free to contact SERVPRO of Bend at 541-385-7044.

CCB#203503

Dumpster Sizes In Cubic Yards?

8/7/2017 (Permalink)

Dumpster Sizes: How SERVPRO of Bend Decides On Which Size Dumpster To Use

SERVPRO of Bend uses many tools so we can provide our customers with excellent services. At most jobs where we are required to remove a large amount of debris, we use a dumpster to safely dispose of waste material. Many customers ask how we decide on which size of dumpster to use. Here are some instructions on how we determine what size of dumpster we use on a job.

A cubic yard is the volume of a cube with a length, width and height of one yard (3 feet or 36 inches). You can easily calculate cubic yardage by converting all three dimensions of an item into yards and multiplying them. For example, if you have debris that is 9 feet long, 3 feet wide and 12 inches tall, you have one cubic yard of material. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Given that 3 feet is equivalent to 1 yard, 9 feet equals 3 total yards in length.
• The width is easily measured as 3 feet equals 1 yard in width.
• Given that 12 inches is equivalent to 1 foot, 1 foot equals 1/3 of a yard in height.

Multiplying the three dimensions, once converted to yards, will give you the total cubic yardage of your debris. In this case, 3 yards x 1 yard x 1/3 yard equals a single cubic yard.

While calculating cubic yardage will not always be that simplistic, especially for materials like concrete, gravel and dirt, having some understanding of how to do so can go a long way in filling up a dumpster.

An easy way to answer “How much is a cubic yard?” is to compare it to common items you’ve seen and used. The most popular example of this is equating cubic yards to pickup trucks. In this case, the typical full-size truck bed can hold between 2-3 cubic yards of material. That means a 10 cubic yard dumpster can hold at least three pickup truck loads (depending on the weight of your debris).

Here’s what our other common dumpster sizes can hold in terms of truck loads:

• 20 cubic yard dumpster – Equivalent to about six pickup truck loads.
• 30 cubic yard dumpster – Roughly equivalent to nine pickup trucks of debris.
• 40 cubic yard dumpster – Can hold about 12 pickup trucks of materials.

It may also be beneficial to think of a cubic yard in terms of wheelbarrow loads, as it’s a great tool to bring materials into your container. Typically, 9-12 wheelbarrow trips are equivalent to one cubic yard of material. Keeping this in mind can help you estimate cubic yards as your project progresses.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Bend at 541-385-7044.

Disaster Recovery Profile for Your Commercial Property

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

If you are a business owner that operates out of a commercial building or an owner of a commercial property, keeping up-to-date on maintenance can sometimes seem overwhelming. At SERVPRO of Bend we provide a free service to commercial properties that minimize interruption if a disaster, such as a water or fire event happens one of your properties.

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile provides critical information, such as shut-off valve locations, important areas within the facility, and priority contact information needed to begin a quick and successful recovery from whatever could happen.

As a free service to you, we will catalog all this important information into a Disaster Recovery Profile for all of your properties. Once all the information is captured, SERVPRO of Bend will provide you with a digital copy of your facilities information via our Mobile App/Web Portal.

When the worst happens, you will be better prepared. If you would like more information, feel free to call me at (541) 385-7044

SERVPRO Emergency Readiness Profile Helps Identify Key Areas for Building Maintenance

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

Building Maintenance on a commercial property can be made easier by identifying possible issues with the property before they become hazardous. This isn’t a detailed list, but Here are some helpful tips from SERVPRO of Bend on how to consistently maintain your commercial property:

Daily

Check for hazards that might have occurred over night, especially after a severe storm.

Weekly

Monitor relative humidity in all areas of the building as an indicator of possible moisture issues. The most obvious is an accumulation of moisture on the inside of the windows.

Check HVAC thermostats, humidistats and other control systems.

Monthly

Inspect HVAC air filters as recommended in the operations and maintenance manual.

Check all HVAC vents, hoses and especially filters for debris or obstructions.

Check drain pans and condensate drains, especially if your building provides cooling systems.

Check rooftop drains to ensure there is no debris hindering the drainage

These are some, but not all of the maintenance that is required on commercial properties. If you have questions, SERVPRO of Bend is here to help.

Call us today and ask about our free, Emergency Readiness Profile that provides an electronic copy of all your critical systems. Call Us Today to schedule and appointment, 541-385-7044. 

1,500 new apartments on the way in Bend, Oregon

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

The housing crisis in Bend may soon have some relief.

Applications to build apartment complexes rose from nearly nothing between 2004 and 2013 to about 1,000 units proposed in the past 1½ years in June. Applications for more than 500 more have been filed in the last few months.

The surge in applications is still lagging behind the demand for new rental housing. The Central Oregon Rental Owners Association annual spring survey of rental vacancies and average rents in Central Oregon found an overall vacancy rate of 1.6 percent for large apartment complexes in Bend and 1.4 percent for those with five units or fewer.

Crook County jail construction hits snag

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

Engineers must redesign the foundation of the new Crook County jail before construction can begin because of softer-than-expected soil found at the construction site in downtown Prineville.

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office is shifting construction designs from a two-story facility to a one-story facility. However, the jail will be finished in time for its scheduled opening in December 2018.

Contractors became aware of the issue at the beginning of the year, after conducting a geological study to see if the ground could withstand the weight of the building. Typically, large rock and sediment mixtures harden the ground so it can withstand the weight of a large building, but the ground underneath the new jail location is a mixture of sand and sediment.

The ground needs to be reinforced with geopiers to firm up the foundation, a project costing between $400,000-$500,000. Geopiers are drilled holes in the ground filled with concrete, used to reinforce a shallow foundation. The Crook County Sheriff’s Office plans to remain under the $17 million budget and sought out other cost-saving adjustments to pay for the fix

Million-dollar deal for Historic Redmond hotel

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

A $1 million deal between the city of Redmond and a California investment firm could revive the New Redmond Hotel, a historic downtown landmark vacant since 2005.

The Redmond City Council, acting in its role as the Redmond Urban Renewal Agency, agreed Tuesday to spend $1 million toward renovating the 89-year-old hotel. Alpha Wave, an Orange County, California, based hotel investment group, will then come up with the remaining funds for the purchase and renovation work involved in the $5.25 million project.

The 43,500-square-foot hotel, located at 521 SW Sixth St., is one of the largest buildings in downtown Redmond.

The second and third floors have 48 rooms that have been empty for more than a decade.