A second-generation disaster restoration and remediation specialist, Eric S. Anderson, president of Enviro-Clean Inc. in Smithfield, knows all too well why businesses must be prepared for the worst.
Recounting a particularly troublesome weather-related disaster that occurred last winter, he said a rehabbed commercial office building in downtown Providence was closed for a long weekend and “had a big flood” because pipes burst in the cold weather.
Burst pipes, insufficient insulation and sprinkler-head damage, said the 17-year industry veteran, are the “No. 1 things we see” from commercial clients.
Local restoration and remediation specialists agree that Rhode Island has witnessed an increase in particularly damaging storms over the past few years, and with that increase came additional work.
Anderson said the “pattern of changing weather” started with the 2010 floods, continued with a western Massachusetts tornado in 2011 and Superstorm Sandy in 2012. In fact, he added, in 2014-15 “we had our best year ever” in revenue.
“I don’t hope for disaster,” said Anderson, laughing, “but it’s going to happen … [and] that’s when I get to shine.”
The most recent winter was also “very active” for the industry, as well as Prime Restoration and Remediation in Lincoln, said co-owner Greg Leonard.
There has been “a tremendous increase in calls” given recent weather patterns, he added. Currently, Leonard’s business is 75 percent residential and 25 percent commercial. Anderson’s split is 55 percent residential and 45 percent commercial.
While the businesses led by Leonard and Anderson both have a majority residential clientele, they actively work with the local business community to protect against damage in commercial facilities, as well.
Anderson suggests businesses conduct frequent cleaning of ductwork and air handlers to prevent fire and water damage. If the business is in an older building, he also recommends checking the insulation regularly to make sure heat does not escape.
Leonard, a former insurance industry specialist who said he has built his business from those relationships, said the difference between being prepared and being well-prepared is reading your coverage policy.
“Insurance policies are the least-read best-sellers,” he said chuckling, adding no one reads them until a loss occurs.
Anderson and Leonard both suggested companies take the time to build relationships with restoration and remediation specialists prior to a devastating event in which property is lost or irreparably damaged.
“Make sure you know who you’re going to call,” said Anderson. “In a fire, it’s 911 first, then have a relationship with a company [such as] ours” and reach out to begin assessment of the situation.
Often, said Leonard, if businesses contact them to build a relationship and conduct a facility visit, after a damaging weather event they “get better service because we know who they are, they’re already [a client].”
Mike Pomeranz, owner of Warwick-based Single Source Disaster Recovery Specialist Inc., goes one step further. His company offers clients specialized emergency service plans, or ESPs, and sends updated information and safety recommendations monthly.
A typical ESP, he explained, includes suggestions for before, such as tracking the weather system, planning evacuation routes and emergency communications plans, and backing up data to servers; during, such as removing goods from warehouse floors in case of flooding, readying generators, shutting off natural gas lines and patrolling facilities for damage; and after, such as continue to track the storm system and survey damage once the area is safe for live wires, leaking gas and flammable liquids.
The ESP service, said Pomeranz, has proved a selling point for Single Source since “at least half” of the businesses he comes across lack such resources. And the ones that do have them, he added, “do not educate their staff to use it.”
From the flood wall in Providence to social media awareness campaigns and media reports of storms, Pomeranz, Anderson and Leonard believe the state is as prepared as it can be for potential disasters.
Leonard, however, cautioned about being overprepared. Working in this industry, he said, “it’s hard to prepare” for these types of events because of their spontaneous nature. Businesses, and individuals, can only be so prepared and if a disaster-preparedness effort goes too far, it can be “too much of a cost to carry excess capacity.”
Storms are spontaneous and often seasonal occurrences in New England. After participating in cleanups following hurricanes Harvey and Irma in late 2017, and to maintain a steadier stream of business, Anderson opened an Orland, Fla., branch of Enviro-Clean in November.
The outpost, he said, allows him to build relationships in the region, where he “[anticipates] more hurricanes” in the coming years.
Anderson, who bought the business from his father in late 2016, plans to maintain presences in both regions. Explaining the respective storm seasons are during “opposite” times of year, he said, “I’m anticipating more natural disasters not just in New England but in the South, and I’m preparing my company, so I can handle it when our customers call.”
