Water Damage Repair of Glastonbury Shops Can Save Your Inventory

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

For any type of water damage to your property, you can count on SERVPRO to help.

Additional Losses Prevented by Water Damage Repair

Glastonbury shop owners understand that inventory is what keeps a business thriving. You have nothing to attract customers without an extensive and diverse assortment of products. The larger your loss becomes after an event involving a water pipe’s burst seam, the more profit you lose. Water damage repair places control of your business back in your hands.

When your business in Glastonbury needs water damage repair, SERVPRO® is available every day of the year. Each hour that passes with your business remaining too damaged to house your inventory results in significant profit losses. Our restoration experts can rebuild damaged areas, so this becomes just a memory.

Any commercial building needs water damage repair services when: 

• Doors and windows stick from swelling, 
• The drywall becomes saturated and disintegrates, or 
• Water-related odor becomes overwhelming. 

Moisture can lead to swelling of wooden frames, causing them to stick and trapping additional humidity inside. Metal frames can also do the same if they rust or paint bubbles and blisters from damp conditions. We fix the initial problem of intrusive water and then dry out your store rooms, clean them to eliminate any soiling caused by the previous moisture, and check for any deficits in wiring and structure.

Wet drywall can harbor moisture that can affect your inventory. Dampness can assist microbes in attacking not only your drywall and other building materials but also causing damage to your existing products. Our reconstruction technicians remove damaged drywall and replace it with new materials as soon as we establish dry conditions.

Foul odors can continue to irritate you, your employees, and your customers after we finish the needed restoration work. Our certified Odor Control Technician knows which methods to utilize and combine to provide you with the desired results. 

Local businesses can reach SERVPRO of Glastonbury / Wethersfield at (860) 633-8791. We are always ready to help protect your business with this and other services, and all scaled to match your business’s specific needs.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When You Need a Fire Damage Restoration Team in East Glastonbury

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

Let your local SERVPRO of Glastonbury / Wethersfield professionals resolve your fire damage problems.

How Fire Damage Restoration Protects Your Family

Disasters like house fires happen continually, but preparing for them is difficult. Protecting your family from the long-lasting effects means having a qualified fire damage restoration team near your East Glastonbury house. SERVPRO® fits that description, and we have the skilled individuals to carry out the tasks.

When smoke and soot residues, a charred interior, and possibly unsafe flooring exist in your East Glastonbury home, our fire damage restoration experts work together to undo the damage. We want your family to feel safe again. Our training and experience ensure we know how to use our equipment to its maximum potential, providing your family with the most cost-effective response possible.

Fire damage restoration resolves several problems, including:

• Soiling of surfaces with soot and other by-products from the fire,
• Highly bothersome odors, and
• Compromised structural components within your home.

Our employees work in various teams and crews. While our reconstruction crew removes damaged and unsalvageable materials so they can rebuild specific areas, another group is stripping otherwise undamaged surfaces of layers of soot. Others are ensuring that our air scrubbers pull smoke particles out of the air while replacing the dirty air with fresh air from outside. 

Many of the smelly odors that come with fire get removed as we remove those layers of soot. Hidden soot remains hidden in enclosed areas that we cannot physically reach. Our thermal foggers force heated vapors into the same places that hot smoke traveled, allowing our chemical treatments to block odors even further. We often need to do other treatments after a fire, especially one caused by grease or other food.

Any home rebuilding should happen with certified professionals, as this keeps your home in compliance with building codes. SERVPRO can perform this for you, making the entire restoration process more streamlined and at a lower cost.

Contact SERVPRO of Glastonbury / Wethersfield at (860) 633-8791 for all your restoration and rebuilding needs after any disaster. We know how to make your residence safe again.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Wethersfield Businesses Rely on SERVPRO After Mold Damage

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial mold remediation services by SERVPRO are second to none. Call now for the help you need.

Containment Setup After Mold Damage 

Containing the mold damage in commercial Wethersfield properties is crucial to prevent an aggressive spread of the contamination. Restorers put a lot of effort and resources into establishing strong containment systems to prevent the airborne spores and mold fragments from leaving the affected area. 

SERVPRO® follows the IICRC S520 guidelines while restoring mold damage in Wethersfield commercial properties. Once the techs identify the mold-affected areas in your establishments, they seal off the HVAC system and erect isolation barriers using heavy-duty 6-mil polyethylene sheeting. The containment areas can be large or small, depending on the extent of the infestation.           

Is Full-Scale Containment Always Needed During Commercial Mold Remediation? 

Containments for mold damage remediation in your Wethersfield property can be of three types-

• Source containment
• Local containment
• Full-scale containment

The extent of the fungal contamination and the presence of other factors such as moisture problems determine whether the techs use a full-scale containment or not. While a full-scale containment can be intrusive and affect your ability to serve your customers, it might be necessary for some situations. 

SERVPRO techs establish full-scale containments by erecting critical barriers to separate the affected areas from unaffected areas of the building. In most situations, techs also construct decontamination chambers with PVC piping or wood studs if a full-scale containment is required. In some commercial buildings, techs also use prefabricated enclosures to save time. 

The decontamination chambers provide a transition space between the contaminated and surrounding clean areas. ‘Z’ or ‘T’ shaped plastic flaps on the decon chambers allow the techs to enter and exit.  

Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury / Wethersfield at (860) 633-8791 to talk to one of our mold specialists. Remember, We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster™.   

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

The Effects of Water Damage in the Glastonbury Office Building

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage restoration in Glastonbury is no DIY project. We provide the best quality work around.

Efficient Repairs for Glastonbury Businesses Following Water Leaks

Water damage at your Glastonbury office is a nuisance. Sometimes the damage could be brought about by weather-related issues, such as a leaky roof. Other times it could be due to an operational problem, such as toilet overflows, ruptured pipes, or equipment condensation. Some of these events cannot be avoided. However, a clear assessment of the risks at your facility and the right company can significantly prevent the damages incurred.

The effect of water damage at a Glastonbury workplace can add up to some hefty bills, especially if the issue is not addressed quickly. The cost includes repair or replacement of damaged items important to the office operations and the costs of water extraction, cleanup, and restoration of the building. SERVPRO® has the right tools to tackle the problems, which significantly improves our response in both quality and efficiency. We understand that a leak in the wrong place can shut down production or displace office workers; hence respond rapidly to minimize downtime.

Office losses can arise from

• Damage to office equipment and furniture
• Destruction of computer files and paper records
• Loss of income in case of a shutdown

When an office is afflicted by water, there could be damage to equipment and other office items. SERVPRO teams help move furniture and equipment to a dry area, where we can disinfect and dry safely. If computers have been exposed to water, we recommend a qualified electrician evaluate the equipment before operating them.

The dangers

Unaddressed damage in your place of work may destroy its appearance or make you look unprofessional. Discoloration, cracks in the foundation, warping, swollen floors, and peeling or bubbling paint does not only challenge the structural integrity of your business. You could accidentally be relaying a message of laziness, inefficiency, and inability to solve problems.

Secondary water damage in offices

• Poor indoor air quality
• Mold growth
• Structural support warping

SERVPRO of Glastonbury / Wethersfield has experience in commercial water recovery and is ready to act quickly to serve you. Call us at (860) 633-8791. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster™.

SERVPRO Offers Premier Fire Damage Restoration in Glastonbury

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Glastonbury provides the highest quality fire damage restoration services in your area. Call now!

Cleaning Smoke and Soot After Fire Damage in Glastonbury Homes 

Smoke and soot residues deposited on various surfaces after fire damage to your Glastonbury home can cause aesthetic and structural damage. SERVPRO® techs prioritize removing the deposited soils during the restoration process. 

SERVPRO techs use several cleaning strategies and methods after fire damage to your Glastonbury homes, depending on the type of soot and the surface involved. Techs predominantly use two types of cleaning methods-

• Dry cleaning methods, and 
• Wet cleaning methods

While the dry cleaning methods are effective in cleaning light to moderate non-greasy soot, restorers use wet cleaning methods for sticky and grimy soot.  

Surface Techniques to Clean Soot in Fire Damaged Homes

Surface techniques that SERVPRO techs to clean soot after fire damage in your Glastonbury home prevent the material from being saturated with the cleaning product. The goal is to avoid over-wetting and allow the surface to dry quickly. The following two surface techniques are quite popular-

• Spray and wipe: As the name suggests, the techs spray the cleaning solution directly on the soiled surfaces and wipe off the residue. The technique works best on hard non-porous surfaces like wood and metal. 
• Foam cleaning: The method is suitable for surfaces that could be damaged by excessive moisture. The restorers use foam generated by a cleaning agent rather than the cleaning liquid. It allows the techs to control the amount of water. SERVPRO techs sometimes use a pump-up sprayer to generate a drier foam for cleaning moisture-sensitive surfaces. 

Both these surface cleaning methods prevent the material from getting saturated with liquid and avoid any secondary damage due to excess moisture. 

Our expert restorers are here to help you whenever you need us; just call SERVPRO of Glastonbury / Wethersfield at (860) 633-8791.  

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Flood Damage at Your Wethersfield Home-What to Expect

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Flood damage restoration is no easy task. Call SERVPRO for fast and immediate service for your home.

SERVPRO® Mitigates Water Intrusion in Wethersfield Properties

Homes that take the brunt of a storm are likely to be damaged beyond repair. Some flooding involves relatively calm water, which only rises until a home is inundated. A high water depth does not necessarily mean the house is destroyed. But if a house was structurally compromised by decay or poor construction, the floodwaters could be the last straw. If you have a flood damage situation that requires rapid water restoration services, SERVPRO is here to help.

This list of potential flood damage in a Wethersfield home may seem endless and daunting. However, do not worry, as SERVPRO professionals focus on restoring flooded homes to their former glory. Squeegees and mops can handle small amounts of water, but bigger and better solutions are necessary for serious issues during flooding. The equipment required to achieve a well-rounded water response plan depends on several variables. These variables help determine our actions and the ideal tools to fix the issue.

Considerations when responding to flood damage

• The source of water
• The volume of water
• The duration of inundation

The effects

Water can leave its mark in various ways. If the foundation of your house shifts, doors and windows may be affected. The glass in your windows may break, and frames may be distorted. Also, water is an enemy of drywall, as it is made of porous materials which absorb water, thus weakening the walls and can feed mold. SERVPRO can help replace your drywall before it causes secondary damage.

Other ways flooding damages your home

• Damage to flooring
• Damaging appliances
• Swells framing
• Degrading sheathing

The insulation also suffers damage since the insulating fibers and foams absorb and hold water. These, too, need replacement unless you have closed-cell foam or other types of insulation that do not absorb moisture. Carpets and padding, however, are not worth saving after a flood. Laminate flooring usually peels apart and thus needs replacing.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury / Wethersfield is available 24/7 for urgent flood damage incidents. Reach us at (860) 633-8791 for your home to get through this crisis efficiently. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster™.

Glastonbury Trusts SERVPRO with Storm Damage Restoration

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

When your home experiences storm damage, you need the help of SERVPRO. We are here to help!

Factors Affecting Severity of Storm Damage in Your Glastonbury Home 

Several factors determine the extent of weather damage to your Glastonbury home, including the permeability and porosity of the affected material. The more porous and permeable to moisture the material is, the more the stormwater can damage it. 

SERVPRO's priority during the restoration of storm damage to your Glastonbury home is to remove the water as quickly as possible. Once the standing water is pumped out, the techs go on to remove the water permeated into different surfaces using dehumidifiers and air movers. The success and time required for restoration depend on the amount of water retained and the characteristics of the material.       

How does the Nature of Material Affect Water Damage Restoration?

Water affects various surfaces differently. While porous surfaces allow water to enter and exit quickly, non-porous surfaces do not absorb moisture. Besides porosity and permeability, other factors affecting the extent of damage include-

• Presence of vapor barriers: Vapor barriers are materials that are practically impervious to water. Such barriers' presence significantly decreases water's permeation into the surfaces. Gloss or semi-gloss paint and vinyl wallpaper are practical vapor barriers that can protect structures from storm damage.  
• Hygroscopicity: It is the characteristic of a material to absorb and hold onto moisture from the air. Although hygroscopic materials like drywall absorb much moisture, they also tend to dry quickly. Material like hardwood might take longer to absorb the water, but it also takes a significantly longer time to dry.
• Temperature: The temperature of the material and the air determines whether the moisture will enter or leave the material. Heating the surface and the drying air speeds up the drying. 

Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury / Wethersfield at (860) 633-8791 with any questions.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Summer Fire Safety

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

We wish you a safe and fun summer!

We love summer for its vacations, parties and celebrations, but summertime also carries the risk of fires and injuries from fireworks and outdoor cooking.

Know how to prevent a burn while you enjoy cooking and other outdoor activities this summer:

• Wear short sleeves or roll them up when cooking on the grill
• Use long-handled barbecue tools
• Keep a 3-foot safety zone around grills, fire pits and campfires
• Keep a bucket of water near your grill, fire pit or campfire

Firework Safety

The best way to protect your family is to not use fireworks at home. A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that more than 200 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July Fourth holiday. Leave the lighting of fireworks to the professionals and attend public displays.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791

We’re Here to Help !!

If you suffer a fire disaster, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

How To Dry Out Your Basement

6/15/2022 (Permalink)

A flooded basement can feel like a total loss

If your carpeted basement is flooded, follow these rules:

• If the floodwater was clean (broken pipe, burst washing machine supply hose or a foundation leak), you can probably dry out and save your carpet.
• But if you had a sewer backup, washing machine drain water spill or river flood, you need professional help. Pros are the only ones with the right equipment to get your basement dry and disinfected in the shortest possible time.

Either way, act fast! If the carpet isn’t dry within 72 hours, it’ll start to grow mold. Assuming your basement was flooded with clean water, here’s how you can do the cleanup yourself.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791 to provide immediate expert water damage cleanup

Be Safe Above All

First, turn off the power to the basement. If you’re not sure which breakers power the basement, flip the main circuit breaker. If your electrical panel is in the basement, call an electrician to turn off the power.

Next, remove any extension cords and power strips from the floor and unplug or switch off all electrical appliances (washer, dryer, HVAC)—and if your appliances or furnace was under water, call appliance and HVAC specialists before plugging any of them back in. Ask the electrician (if you hired one) to repower the upstairs and inspect the basement receptacles to determine whether it’s safe to repower them. If not, you’ll have to buy several GFCI-equipped extension cords and run power from upstairs receptacles.

Next, remove all your valuable items from the basement. The longer they sit there, the more moisture they’ll soak up, and that means mold.

Time to Extract the Water

Don’t bother trying to dry out the carpet with a wet/dry shop vacuum—it simply doesn’t have enough power. Instead, rent an extractor (if available) or carpet cleaner, an air mover fan or two, and a large commercial dehumidifier. Rent the largest dehumidifier available (the big ones can remove up to 30 gallons per day, compared with 4 gallons for the largest home units).

Move the extractor slowly across the carpet to suck up as much water as possible. Don’t rush this step! Once the water is out, peel back the carpeting (watch out for the sharp nails) and remove the wet pad. (New carpet pad is inexpensive, so don’t waste time trying to dry the old pad.)

Lay the carpet back on the floor and fire up the air movers and dehumidifier. Keep the basement temperature at or below 75 degrees—a higher temp will accelerate bacterial growth and turn your basement into a petri dish.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791 to provide immediate expert water damage cleanup

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the people, skills and equipment to help homeowners recover from water damage resulting from a flood. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860-633-8791 any time, day or night.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791 to provide immediate expert water damage cleanup

Preparing for Natural Disasters

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Tropical Storm Alex has already caused massive damage across Miami, FL. Hurricane season affects the entire east coast.

How do you reduce your risk and minimize the damage from a flood, hurricane, tornado, blizzard, or other natural disaster? Being prepared is one key according to the Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness. Based on this publication from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, here are some tips.

What To Do Before Any Natural Disaster
We recommend you always have an emergency supply kit ready. The Red Cross explains what your emergency kit should contain. And know what the major weather terms mean. A severe storm watch means dangerous weather may happen. A severe weather warning means a storm is on the way and you should seek shelter right away. Stay tuned to a reliable local weather forecast so you’ll know the latest about conditions. Most important may be that if emergency officials tell you to evacuate you should do so. Make arrangements in advance for a place you can stay for a few days. That place should be out of the weather pattern your home town is experiencing.

Flash Flooding
If there’s the threat of a flash flood, move quickly to higher ground. Water rushing at you in a flood can easily knock you off your feet. The water doesn’t have to be very deep to knock you down if the current is strong. If you’re in a car and water comes around you, get out and move to higher ground right away. Cars can be swept away in just two feet of moving water.   

Blizzards
Weather forecasters are usually good about letting you know ahead of time if a blizzard is coming. Avoid driving during or before a blizzard.  Be sure you have enough food and supplies  to last a few days. Plan on not having electricity or phone service.

If there’s snow, make sure inlets and outlets for your furnace and other appliances are not blocked. You want to avoid ventilation problems and carbon monoxide build-up. Also be sure your car’s tail pipe (exhaust) is clear of snow or ice before you start the car.

To Restore Your Property After A Natural Disaster Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at (860) 633-8791

Tornadoes
A tornado warning means you need to take shelter immediately. If you’re in your car, stop. Never try to outrun a tornado. Get out of the car and lie flat, face down in a low area. Cover your head and wait for the tornado to pass by. If you are home, go to your basement, storm shelter, or a room near the middle of the home. In a tall building go to the middle of the building to a stairwell or hallway. The middle of the building is less likely to experience damage.

Hurricanes
When Glastonbury or Weathersfield (your immediate area) experiences strong winds, thunder, and lightning that may indicate a hurricane is coming. Hurricanes may have winds of 75 miles per hour or more. Hurricane season in Connecticut is June 1 through November 30. If you receive a hurricane-warning, take shelter right away or evacuate if you’re told to do so. You can learn more about what to do before and after a hurricane at ct.gov/hurricane.  

After any natural disaster, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is here to help. We’re also available to consult with you about natural disaster preparation. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860-633-8791) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

The One Tricky Thing About Smoke Detectors

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke Detectors alert you to danger in your home - when properly maintained.

As essential as they are, smoke detectors aren’t foolproof. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dead batteries are responsible for one-quarter of all the U.S. home fires in America in which smoke detectors fail—and missing or unplugged batteries account for half. It is so important that you properly choose, install and maintain the smoke alarms in your house.

Choose and Buy

To give your family the best chance of escaping a fire, start by purchasing the right kind of smoke detector.

• Smoke detectors are powered either by a battery or are hardwired into your house’s electrical system (typically with battery backup). According to the NFPA, all of the smoke alarms throughout your house should be interconnected through hardwiring or a wireless signal, so that when one alarm sounds, they all sound. (New homes are required to include hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms with backup batteries.) If your home is not already hardwired, you can buy detectors that interconnect wirelessly.
• If your smoke alarm isn’t a dual model with a built-in CO detector (which alerts you to dangerous levels of this deadly gas), you’ll also need to purchase a separate CO alarm. Install CO alarms outside all sleeping areas and on every level of the home.
• Smoke detectors use two kinds of sensors: ionization and photoelectric. Ionization sensors are better at detecting flaming fires, while photoelectric sensors are better at detecting smoldering fires. Ideally, you should purchase a dual-sensor model, which uses both technologies. Otherwise, purchase and install both ionization and photoelectric alarms in your home.

Hang ’Em High

• The NFPA recommends placing a smoke detector inside every bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Place the alarms high on the wall, leaving no more than 12 inches from the top of the alarm to the ceiling.
• To avoid false alarms, position units at least 10 feet from cooking appliances and 3 feet from bathrooms that have a shower or tub (because steam can trigger alarms).

Don’t Let Them Die

• Replace your smoke detector’s batteries every year.
• If you hear chirps from your battery-powered or battery-backup smoke detector, replace the batteries right away. Never unplug it to mute the sound.
• Test your smoke alarms each month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm sounds, and if it doesn’t, replace the battery. If the detector still doesn’t work, replace the whole unit.
• Smoke detectors have a lifespan of ten years, while those with built-in CO detectors last five to seven years. Replace them at least that often.

Face it: smoke detectors are the ultimate low-investment/high-impact device: buy them, install them and tend to them once in a while—and, if a fire breaks out in your home, they may very well save your life and a fire damaged property!

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791

We’re Here to Help

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Basement Water Damage - Skedaddle!

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Connecticut summer storms cause flooding on roads and houses

If you have a soggy basement, you're among the majority. The American Society of Home Inspectors estimates 60 percent of U.S. homes have wet basements, and 38 percent run the risk of basement mold.

1,000 Gallons for Every Inch of Rain

The water usually comes from rainfall and melting snow. Think about this: A house with a 1,500-square-foot roof sheds 1,000 gallons of water for every inch of falling rain. You may also have rising groundwater, which may even be fed by an underground spring. Once the water accumulates around your foundation, it works its way inside through cracks, joints, and porous material.

Before you call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield you may want to try tackling the problem on your own. Here are some tips on drying out your basement and keeping it free from water damage. If you feel like you’re in over your head or want some expert backup on your team, call our office at 860-633-8971.

Safety First
Is it safe for you to tackle the water damage? If you’re not sure, don’t take a chance. Find somewhere else to stay and call in the professionals until you’re certain your house is safe again.

One way to judge the safety issue is finding out whether you have electrical or "slip and fall" hazards. Don’t walk through your water damaged basement if you can’t see what you’re walking on. Stay out of areas that lack sufficient lighting. And if you try lifting wet materials be careful. When items are soaked with water they become very heavy.

If You Have Water Damage Call SERVPRO Of Glastonbury/Wethersfield At 860-633-8971

Water Damage from Runoff
If you know the water damage is from runoff the probable cause is rainwater or melted snow that isn't routed away from your house. A damp crawl space or wet basement walls and floors just after a storm or as snow melts are telltale signs the problem is runoff. Runoff percolates through porous topsoil and then stops at the compact soil near the base of the foundation. Hydrostatic pressure forces the water through gaps or cracks in walls and footings. Water also moves through porous walls by capillary action.

Carefully inspect your basement, looking for where runoff can enter. Check that the ground outside your basement foundation slopes away from your house at least one inch vertically for every foot of horizontal travel. Be sure downspout runoff isn't pooling or percolating into the soil near your home’s foundation during a storm, and that downspout seams aren't leaking.

Fix Cracks

Patch and seal any cracks you find in your basement walls or foundation. Use a polyurethane masonry caulk for small cracks. For 1/4-inch or larger cracks, use hydraulic cement, which expands as it dries.

Your driveway curbs should channel rain and other runoff to the street, not onto your property. You can also check for unsealed cracks in your driveway. Driveway cracks can allow water to collect below grade.

If You Have Water Damage Call SERVPRO Of Glastonbury/Wethersfield At 860-633-8971

We know of one homeowner who had basement water damage because the property needed a swale. Houses on hilly sites can use a shallow trench with gently sloping sides, a swale to catch and divert runoff away from the house. Once this homeowner created a swale the basement water damage stopped.

More Water Damage Information On Our Blog
You can learn more by reading other posts about water damage on our blog and the blog of our sister franchise, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield:

Safety After A Water Damaged Basement

Saving Water Damaged Electronics

Clean Up Your Glastonbury Water Damage FAST!

Water Damage Dangers

Check Your Home's Vulnerable Plumbing To Prevent Leaks and Floods

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, biohazard cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860-633-8971 any time. We have someone standing by to take your call and be faster to your disaster.

How To Replace Washing Machine Hoses - Help Prevent a Flood

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Washing Machine floods cause massive water damage in the basement

The most vulnerable parts of your washing machine are the hoses. Washers are typically sold with rubber hoses—but these hoses can burst with no warning, spewing hundreds of gallons of water in only one hour! Luckily, there’s a quick, easy and affordable way to prevent a flooding disaster from happening in your home.

Avoid a laundry room water disaster by replacing your washer's old rubber hoses with steel-jacketed ones that won’t split open. Buy hoses that are at least 60" long—that length will make it easier to move and service your washer.

• Remove the old hoses: Turn off your hot and cold water valves, unplug the washer’s electric cord, and remove the drain hose from the drain. Lay a towel down and use a stillson (pipe) wrench to remove the hot and cold hoses from the back of the washer and from the water supply.
• Clean the filter screens on the back of the washer with a brush.
• Install the new steel braided hoses: screw them on to the back of the washer with your fingers and then tighten with the wrench.
• Connect the new hoses to the water supply, matching hot and cold. Open the valves, check for leaks, reconnect the drain hose and plug the washer back in.

Tag the new hoses with the date you installed them. Then, check your hoses every six months and replace them once they are five years old.

Add Another Layer of Protection

Installing a plastic drip pan is another fairly simple way to avoid costly damage from a laundry room flood—in fact it’s required in second-floor laundry rooms. The pan sits under your washer and catches small leaks. Select a pan with a drain so that any water that collects can be diverted to a floor drain. You'll need a helper and perhaps a dolly to set the washer gently onto the pan so you don’t crack it.

Once the pan is in place, check it for accumulated water after each load of laundry.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791 for immediate water damage cleanup and restoration of your structure and property

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860-33-8791 any time. Someone is available 24/7 for your emergencies.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Flooded Basements In Portland

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

A flooded basement caused by a broken pipe

Forget the flowers: spring showers bring flooded basements! All it takes is one heavy rainstorm—or maybe an average rain that goes on for multiple days, or perhaps a series of storms. Whatever way it happens, too much water to be absorbed into the ground means it may find its way into your basement. And when it gets there, the property and structural damage can be overwhelming. You may even end up with a persistent mold infestation.

Minimize Basement Flooding and Water Damage Cleanup

Luckily, there are ways to prevent or minimize basement flooding, and ways to reduce basement water damage. Preventing a flood starts with making it difficult for water to get inside, and that starts with proper drainage.

Route Water Away from Your Home’s Foundation

Grading your property is key to preventing springtime basement flooding. Your yard should slope away from your home’s foundation on all four sides so that water doesn’t pool near your house. Take a look at your property after a rainstorm. Is water ponding next to your foundation? If yes, have your yard graded or do it yourself.

Next, focus on your home’s drainage system: your gutters and downspouts. If water spills over the edges of your gutters instead of flowing into the downspout, you’ll need to have the slope of the gutters adjusted. Clear your gutters of debris such as leaves to allow rainwater to flow freely. Once you have water flowing to your downspouts, make sure they direct the water away from your foundation. Place concrete or plastic splash blocks beneath the end of your downspouts to move water away from your foundation and out into the yard. Consider using flexible or rigid downspout extenders to move water even further away from your foundation.

If your home has any basement windows that are partially below grade, install window well covers to protect them from rainwater.

Keep Flooding Damage to a Minimum

If water does enter your basement, the best way to prevent a lot of damage is to quickly discover about the water and pump it back out.

You can detect water entering your basement by placing one or more water sensors at different locations on the floor. Depending on capabilities, the sensors will sound an alarm and/or send an alert to your cell phone—giving you a head start on addressing the problem.

A sump pump installed in your basement will help keep water damage to a minimum, although you’ll still need to dry and clean up your basement. As water reaches the sump, or pit, in which the pump sits, it will trigger the pump to eject the water outside. Be sure to check, clean and maintain your pump so that it’s ready to go when you need it. A battery back-up will keep the pump running in case of power loss.

Also, if you have a floor drain, make sure it is not covered and is clear of debris.

What to Do if Your Portland Basement Floods

If you do get water in your basement, you may be able to minimize the damage and handle the cleanup yourself. If you have several inches or more of water in your basement, however, cleanup and water damage restoration may be better handled by an experienced professional, like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We know how to restore water-damaged possessions, appliances, furniture, flooring and more.

Be Safe When Evaluating Your Flooded Basement

Because a flooded basement can be dangerous, take some precautions before venturing to check and clean up the damage.

• Start by turning off the electricity and gas to your basement, if you can do so safely. Or call a plumber and electrician—or SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield—to do the job.
• A flooded basement presents slip-and-fall hazards as well as puncture risks, so protect your feet with sturdy rubber boots and your hands with thick rubber gloves.
• Water-soaked furniture, boxes, etc. will be surprisingly heavy to lift, so avoid injuring yourself by lifting lighter loads and using your legs rather than your back to lift.
• Another danger is that of a water-soaked ceiling. A wet ceiling may pose the risk of electrocution, so don’t turn on ceiling fans or light fixtures if you see water damage. Worse, if you notice your basement ceiling is sagging, stay out of the basement, since it could collapse on top of you.

Removing the Water

Once you can safely enter your basement, first try to find out where the water is coming from. Typically, it’s going to be a crack in the floor or foundation or around a window frame. If water is still entering your basement, use towels or rags to plug the leaks.

Check your floor drain if you have one and unclog it if necessary to allow the water to drain. Also keep an eye on your sump pump and clear out anything that may be blocking the float.

Now, begin removing the standing water. A wet vac is ideal to pull up water quickly, but towels, buckets and mops are also an option.

Drying Out Your Basement

Once you have removed the standing water, your next task is to remove all the water-affected or -damaged objects from the basement. Remember, anything that’s water-logged will be much heavier than you would expect, so be careful when lifting.

Your goal at this point is to completely dry out your basement within 48 hours. After that, mold colonies can start to grow. Unfortunately, you may not even see mold, because it can be behind walls and under floors, creating a stubborn mold problem.

Chances are high that if you have carpeting or other flooring installed in your basement, you’ll have to pull it up and trash it.

The best way to dry out all the moisture in your basement by yourself is to get the air moving. Throw open all the windows and doors. Run lots of fans to suck in fresh air and push out stale basement air. Run dehumidifiers to reduce humidity and speed up drying. You can even run air conditioners to drive down humidity, too.

Drying Your Possessions

All those objects that you removed from your basement must be dried out within that same 48 hours to prevent mold and mildew growth. This can be challenging, especially if the storm that brought the rain is still ongoing. If the storm has passed, you’ll be able to remove your wet items from the basement and dry them outside in the sunshine. If that’s not possible, take out as much as you can and, as in the basement, set up fans and dehumidifiers to move air and remove moisture.

Here are some tips to help you tackle the drying of your furniture and possessions:

• Take objects out of cardboard boxes, discard the boxes and dry the items separately
• Pick up wet books and magazines off the floor to dry
• Hang up fabric, fur and leather
• Remove and prop up cushions and upholstery
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture and carpeting to prevent stains

If you have any electrical appliances—such as TVs, tablets or computers—in the basement, they, too, may have been affected by the floodwater. It’s important that you do not turn them on—if there’s any moisture inside, they can shock you. Have all electronics checked and tested by an electrician before you use them.

Complete Basement Flood Cleanup by SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

The do-it-yourself water-removal and drying-out processes described above are labor- and time-intensive—and offer no guarantee that all the water will be removed, all your possessions will be dried and cleaned, and no mold colonies will take over your basement.

On the other hand, with one call to SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, you’ll reach the Portland-area experts in flooded basement water damage cleanup. Our proven water damage cleanup procedures have made flood recovery easier for so many homeowners in central Connecticut.

Our crew has the skill, procedures, products and tools to return your basement to before-flood condition. We’ll remove all the water and moisture quickly and thoroughly, which will speed your recovery from the flood. Quicker drying means less chance of a mold infestation.

We even make the insurance claims process easier and faster by coordinating with your insurer. Our digital inventory of your water-damaged furnishings and items (including photos) means your insurer has the most accurate information.

Once you call us with your flooded basement water emergency, we send our experienced crew to your Portland home ASAP, where they evaluate and begin containing the damage. The tested SERVPRO® water damage remediation process means your home and property are restored quickly and completely.

• Inspection/assessment: We evaluate the water damage in your basement and measure the moisture. With that information, we create a plan to dry and restore your home and property.
• Temporary protection: If there is a risk of further damage, we cover or board up vulnerable parts of your home.
• Water removal/extraction: Our powerful pumps and vacuum units quickly remove hundreds of gallons of water.
• Drying/dehumidifying: With most of the water removed, it’s time to bring in air movers and dehumidifiers to finish the drying process.
• Cleaning/sanitizing: We bring your water-damaged furnishings and possessions to our central Connecticut warehouse, where they are cleaned, sanitized and deodorized. On-site, your basement receives the same treatment.
• Restoration: If areas of your home require repairs or reconstruction, we take care of that before returning your cleaned furnishings and possessions.

If Your Possessions and Furnishings are Water Damaged

SERVPRO tries its best to restore damage rather than calling items a loss, which means you’ll have to replace them. Our expertise and advanced methods can help you save money while preserving irreplaceable possessions.

We use our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) to provide you with a digitized and bar-coded inventory of your damaged items. In addition to speeding your insurance claim, CCIS allows us to track your possessions while they are being restored in our warehouse.

Once we determine which of your possessions can be restored, we use the appropriate techniques:

• Dry cleaning: for light residues; can also be used to pre-clean before wet cleaning
• Wet cleaning: best for moderate to heavy residues
• Spray and wipe: for items too delicate to be wet cleaned
• Foam cleaning: for fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned
• Abrasive cleaning: for more stubborn residues
• Immersion cleaning: for items that can be submersed in the cleaning product

Electronics: Our electronics techs evaluate and clean electronic items—such as TVs, DVD players, tablets and computers—then open up, clean and inspect the devices.

Documents: If you stored important documents—such as legal or medical records, books, letters and photos—in your basement, they may have been damaged in the flood. SERVPRO knows how to restore many of these items and can digitize them, too, so that they will not be at risk in the future. 

If You Have Mold Damage

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can inspect your Portland home and property to determine if mold damage has occurred. We use advanced methods and sophisticated products and equipment to combat mold:

• Containment: We use negative air chambers with negative air pressure to halt the spread of mold spores
• Air filtration: Using air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums, we remove mold spores from the air
• Removal: Mold-infested materials, such as drywall and carpeting, are removed and disposed
• Cleaning: We clean and disinfect your damaged but restorable possessions, then deodorize them with foggers for deep penetration. We also treat your undamaged possessions with antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to prevent new mold colonies from forming

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860-633-8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

SERVPRO First Responder's Bowl - Honoring Our Heroes

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO First Responder's Bowl

SERVPRO® First Responder Bowl
The SERVPRO Honor a Responder Program is another opportunity where SERVPRO is able to treat a first responder and their family to a college bowl game and recognize their hard work and sacrifice during an on-field presentation. The SERVPRO First Responder Bowl is a post-season college football bowl game played annually in the Dallas, Texas area. First held in January 2018, SERVPRO has sponsored this event and used it as an opportunity to honor some of our country’s greatest heroes – the first responders. Fire fighters, police officers, and EMTs are nominated through the SERVPRO website. Fourteen other bowl games from Hawaii to North Carolina have signed on and agreed to support the SERVPRO Honor a Responder Program during their games.

In 2021, sergeant Steven Austin was selected to attend the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl with family and friends as a way to say thank you for his years of dedicated service to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department in Rockville, Maryland.

At SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, we eagerly anticipate the announcement of the 2022 first responder to be announced. We also put our personal football preferences aside in order to root for all of the NCAA teams who have worked their entire athletic careers to make it to a bowl game (but we’ll always hold a spot in our heart for the UCONN Huskies in the Big East!)

Ten Reasons SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield Is Your Best Choice

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

People and businesses rely on SERVPRO® to restore damaged property for many reasons. Here are just 10.

1. 
   We Get It
   SERVPRO Glastonbury/Wethersfield understands your situation. You want to keep costs down, repair the damage, and get back to normal. Those are our goals, too.
   
   2. SERVPRO Is Qualified
   Our repair and restoration team members have the best training in the industry. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is among the top 10% of SERVPROs in the nation. Our results will create a measurable difference for you.
   
   3. We Respond To You Immediately
   You can reach us 24/7. When a disaster strikes we respond as quickly as possible. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can draw on more than 1,650 U.S. and Canadian locations to get the right equipment and right professionals to you faster than other companies. We understand that emergencies don’t just happen during business hours. You can call us 24/7 860-633-8971 and speak to a live person who will address your needs and can send a priority responder to the scene within an hour.
   
   4. You’re Part Of Our Team
   We work with you and for you. You are in charge. You receive a complete explanation of the work we will do and why it needs to be done a certain way. Like you, we don’t appreciate surprises. Our project managers and office staff are friendly, knowledgeable and experienced and we enjoy answering your questions and having conversations with you.
   
   5. We Use The Latest Technology
   The past few years have seen a rapid advancement in the technology and techniques used in the restoration industry. These advancements allow SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to restore your property to preloss condition quickly, reliably, and more effectively.
   
   6. We Practice The Golden Rule Of Restoration
   Restoring property is less expensive than replacing property. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield professionals practice the golden rule, "Restore whenever possible, replace only when necessary." We make sure pretesting is completed on every loss to determine restorability.
   
   7. For Claim And Other Purposes, Your Loss Is Itemized
   SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can give you an itemized loss inventory. You can receive an formatted report and pictures of important items.
   
   8. We’ll Help You Prevent Losses, Not Just Deal With Them
   Our services start with prevention. We’ll come out to your business or home and do a review of how you can protect yourself, your family, your business, and your property from potential losses. That’s another old rule (from Ben Franklin) we like: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Check out our SERVPRO Ready Plan and our regularly updated blog articles to learn more about preventing disasters.
   
   9. We Handle Any Loss From A Natural Disaster—Big Or Small
   Have multiple locations? No problem. Suffer a small loss from water or fire or wind? We can handle it. Have a massive, complex disaster to recover from? That’s within our scope of services, too. Commercial losses where time is of the essence? Yup, that’s us too.
   
   10. We’re Approved, Certified, And Experienced
   we’re trained to IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) standards in fire and water cleanup and restoration. Our professionals attend SERVPRO continuing education classes. SERVPRO has been in business for more than 45 years.  Hard-earned results have made SERVPRO a leader in the fire and water cleanup and restoration industry.
   
   Connecticut, Help Is Here
   The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup.

Call Connecticut's SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860-633-8791) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Glastonbury, East Glastonbury, Wethersfield, South Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, and Glastonbury Center. We know the area because we live in the area.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Safety After Water Damaged Basement

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

A broken pipe causes floods that can destroy your basement.

Any home or business can suffer water damage in the basement. It might be caused by a burst pipe, a storm, a leaking appliance, a flood, or one of many other common causes of water damage. Remember this first of all: If your basement has water damage SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield recommends you keep safety as your number one priority. Here are a few quick tips.

Is your house safe?
If you’re not sure, don’t take a chance. Find somewhere else to stay until you’re certain your house is safe again.

Do you have electrical or "slip and fall" hazards?
After major storms in the Glastonbury/Wethersfield area, we see a lot of these hazards. Often, electrical power to even severely flooded homes is still live. A saturated environment with standing water that is close to energized electrical outlets, submerged wiring, and wet appliances is dangerous to you both during and after a flood. Slip and fall hazards include items submerged in the water that you can’t easily see and flooring area that may appear relatively dry and even but is actually uneven or wet enough to not safely support your footfall.
 
Are you only doing things you know are safe?
Some homeowners want to dig right in and start making repairs before they know the extent of the water damage and how best to fix the damage. Don’t take risks. Make a full assessment of the damage and tackle only those repairs you know how to do well.

Can you see?
If you have water damage in the basement can you see what and where you are walking on? Don't walk on or near an area that doesn't have sufficient lighting.

Are you trying to lift wet materials?
If so, be careful. When items are soaked with water they become dangerously heavy. You might also do further damage to an item that is water soaked by trying to lift or move it.

Contact A Water Removal Service
With any major basement water damage you’re wise to contact a professional water removal service like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. You want the job done right and right away. That’s what we do. Never hesitate to call 860-633-8791 for help.

Why Us?
A SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield highly trained technician can respond immediately to your water damaged basement issue. Our service crews have the experience, expertise, training, and equipment to restore your home or business quickly and safely. The sooner the water is removed and the drying process begun, the better condition your home or business will be in. And the cost to repair water damage will be lower.

Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to discuss. Call 860-633-8791. We’re the water removal service professionals who have saved property and saved money for the owners of flooded basements and water damaged properties. We serve homeowners and business owners in Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield.

What Makes SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield work?

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Glastonbury/Wethersfield Owner Noemi DiCristofaro has dedicated herself to creating a caring, focused team to help our customers

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is owned and operated by Noemi DiCristofaro, M.D., who also owns SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, SERVPRO of West Hartford, and SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield. For the last several years, this dedicated management team has been ranked in the top 12 of SERVPRO’s 1,800 franchises overall and in the top 25 for sales performance. Our unique DNA is what sets up apart.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is a hands-on, locally owned business, and Noemi oversees every facet of her four SERVPRO® franchises. She and her dedicated team focus like lasers on employee accountability and attention to detail—and it shows!

Our Employees Are Held Accountable

Our customers are people who have suffered a sudden disaster—from fire, wind, water, storm or mold—and they are often stunned and feeling vulnerable. That’s why we empower each SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield employee—in the office or the field—to do what it takes to achieve customer satisfaction in a professional and respectful way. Here’s a sample of what our customers say about our employees:

• “She has gone above and beyond and has repeatedly exemplified every value that your company's mission statement has put out there.”
• “I like to give praise when people do a good job, and he has been so much more than we expected.”
• “SERVPRO not only did their job so well, they provided peace of mind. All SERVPRO staff members were kind and courteous and understood what we were going through.”
• “I know that you will always be ready at a moment’s notice and will be able to help me and my business stay on track. Everyone that I have dealt with has been super helpful & friendly over the years.”

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860-633-8791

The Details Matter

Once we receive the call, our team arrives promptly and quickly evaluates your damage. Throughout the entire damage remediation process, our employees take every detail seriously and treat your home or office and your damaged possessions with care and professionalism:

• “SERVPRO walked me through the whole process. It was seamless. They cleaned and dried the basement, then helped me through the insurance process. ... They were fast friendly and reliable.”
• “The whole team is quick to respond and knows what they're doing. And they work with the insurance company to get the job done right. They are friendly and thorough.”
• “... they came out instantly. The SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield emergency service team was very responsive, professional and discreet."
• “They were meticulous and did not leave a single stone unturned. They were knowledgeable and did their jobs while respecting me, my time and space, and the property itself.”

That’s the one-of-a-kind DNA of SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield! When you have a water, fire, smoke, mold or storm damage disaster, trust our leadership, accountability and attention to detail to make it “Like it never even happened.”

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860-633-8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in storm damage restoration, water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, commercial services and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860-633-8791.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

Commercial Restoration Services in Northern Connecticut

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

No Job Is Too Large

When water strikes your business it is never a convenient time. And every hour you spend cleaning up your business is money and productivity lost. So, if you have an emergency at your Connecticut business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury. One of our highly experienced personnel will be at your location quickly to provide the assistance you require. "Like it never even happened," we'll restore your commercial property to pristine condition. 

No Job Is Too Large

At SERVPRO® we are equipped with best of the best in restoring large losses. Our state of the art large-loss specialists are pre-qualified and placed throughout the United States to handle any disaster small or large. All large losses are supervised by our commercial operations manager to ensure timely communication and large loss mitigation.

Overview of Commercial Services

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
• Commercial Mold Remediation
• Commercial Storm and Major Events
• Disaster Recovery Team

SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team

The SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team is here to help no matter the conditions. Whether you are experiencing damage from a tornado, hurricane, blizzard or flood the SERVPRO team is there when you need us most. We have teams on standby and are available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year.

Catastrophic Storm Response Teams include:

• 2017 California wildfires
• 2017 Hurricane Irma
• 2017 Hurricane Harvey
• 2016 Hurricane Matthew
• 2015 Carolina floods
• 2014 Polar Vortex
• 2012 Sandy
• 2010 Nashville floods
• 2008 Ike
• 2007 Chicago floods
• 2007 Ohio floods
• 2007 California wildfires
• 2005 Katrina/Wilma/Rita

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

1408 Neipsic Road, Glastonbury, CT 06033

IICRC Certified

Noemi Garcia

Certified SERVPRO technicians

Call 860.633.8791 

24-hour emergency service

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Download the ReadyPlan app today!

Rough weather is no surprise when living or owning a business in northern Connecticut. As many as 50% of Connecticut businesses close down following a disaster such as heavy rain, snow and winds, according to the latest research.  Of the businesses that are still standing, the majority of these businesses had an emergency ready plan in place. Pre-planning ensures business owners an insurance policy to protect their property from harm's way. Not only does pre-planning help your business but it ensures reliability in your employees and customers knowing their employer is prepared for the worst.

Download the SERVPRO® Emergency ReadyPlan application on your iPhone or smartphone today. By establishing an Emergency Ready Profile for your business you decrease the disturbance of having an immediate plan in action when a storm hits. Knowing how to prepare and what to expect is essential in minimizing how much water, mold, and fire affects your business.

• A no cost assessment of your facility or business.
• 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.
• Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
• Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.

We Save You Minutes While Time Counts

Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help you minimize the effects that water, fire and mold have on your home or property. Whether you are a homeowner or a multi-site property or risk manager the SERVPRO Ready Plan app has been designed to help you be ready for whatever happens. 

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

24/7 Emergency Water Damage Restoration Services in Northern CT

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

Leaky pipes cause the basement flooding.

Are you suffering from water damage in north central Connecticut? Don’t worry SERVPRO® is here to help. From small puddles to big floods we’ve got you covered. SERVPRO's water damage restoration service cleans and restores your belongings and building materials to their original state. When it comes to flooding or water damage, speed is crucial. The sooner the damage is reduced, the more likely it is to rescue building materials, personal belongings, and avoid mold growth.

When a water damage disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Glastonbury is ready to provide 24/7 emergency water damage restoration in Connecticut!

Water Damage's Unseen Hazards

Whatever has caused your water problems - leaking pipes, a flooded basement, an overflowing dishwasher — it isn't good. Water damage is not only ugly, but it also poses a threat to your health. Mold and mildew can take root in your Bloomfield or Enfield house or company if all of the components are not fully dried. This can lead to structural damage and damage to any personal belongings.

It is critical to use SERVPRO of Glastonbury’s experienced water damage restoration services to avoid this. You'll have a hard time cleaning and drying regions such under the floors or in the walls, but we will ensure they are 100% dried and cleaned.

What to do after flooding?

You’ve been hit by water damage. Now what? Be sure to follow SERVPRO’s tips to ensure you follow the proper steps to avoid further damage.

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Services

Give us a call at SERVPRO of Glastonbury, CT. Our water damage restoration strategies have been proved time and time again. We can bring your items back to their original state. You won't even be able to tell they've been harmed by water!

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860-633-8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Why You Should Hire SERVPRO For Your Commercial Cleaning Needs

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

Water clean up at local Five Guys Restaurant.

If you own or run a business, you understand how difficult it can be to strike the right balance. There are obstacles that can be anticipated, and then there are situations that arise unexpectedly.

 When your office or building in north central Connecticut floods, the consequences can be devastating. Flood water can damage building materials, office supplies, and even inventory, resulting in lost time and income.

Let us help you get back to business.

At SERVPRO®, we understand how important your business is to not only your livelihood but also your family. We have more than 50 years of knowledge and skill to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned as the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*. Aside from fire and water, SERVPRO employees are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills, always according to the cleaning and decontamination requirements set by the CDC and local authorities.

A Message from the Community

“100 stars go to SERVPRO for the outstanding service. They really are the guys to call for any disaster in your home. The most reliable crews, very professional, and stress-free to deal with. They made the whole process in restoring my home as smoothly as possible. I’m very happy with the outcome, everything was perfect. Thank you very much for your amazing customer service.” - Courtney L. 

SERVPRO’s Residential and Commercial Cleaning Services Include:

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield offers cleaning services ranging from cleaning restaurant hoods to removing biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business. Our cleaning services include the following:

• Air Ducts and HVAC

• Biohazard and Sewage

• Trauma and Crime Scene

• Carpet and Upholstery

• Drapes and Blinds

• Ceilings, Walls, and Hard Floors

• Odor Removal and Deodorization

• Vandalism

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Frozen Bursting Water Pipes? Here's the scoop

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO helping customers in need.

When you hear of the potentially disastrous effects bursting water pipes can have, you may wonder what causes a pipe to burst. The short answer is the expansion of hydrogen and oxygen molecules, but let’s be realistic - what you’re probably wondering is how to prevent bursting pipes and what to do in the unfortunate case that pipes do freeze and can’t hold the pressure.

Let’s start by talking about what steps can be taken on the preventive side:

Tip #1: Insulate your pipes

This is the A-#1 tip to reduce the risk of pipes freezing and bursting. When your pipes are properly insulated, you decrease the risk of bursting pipes significantly. Here are a couple of things to consider when choosing the right insulation for your pipes:

Location matters. Are you insulating indoor or outdoor pipes? The colder the area the pipes are in, the more necessary it is to insulate. Not only does this help with the bursting risk factor but there are a few bonus benefits, as well!!

R-value rating. Why does this matter? In short, the R-value refers to the amount of thermal insulation provided by the insulation product and is rated on a scale between 1 - 5. The higher the R-value rating, the more protection your pipes will have. NOTE: All pipe insulation products should have the R-value rating clearly marked on the packaging or in the product description.

Tip #2: Let your faucets drip slightly

Letting your faucets drip ever so slightly will help release pressure in pipes helping to avoid the chance of burst pipes. Keeping water moving a little makes it harder to freeze. This isn’t the most eco-friendly solution, but it has been known to help. (You can also keep a bucket under the slow dripping faucet to capture the water and use it to water plants or wash dishes!)

Tip #3: Keep your thermostat temperature consistent

Keeping the temperature at a steady level inside your home helps combat fluctuation in pipe temperature, which could factor in freezing pipes. 

In closing, remember that things happen and these tips are not 100% guaranteed, but will definitely help. In the event that you do have an emergency situation, remember that SERVPRO® is certified and ready to help.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your residence or commercial building and your property after suffering damage from a fire, storm, water, mold, or biohazard disaster. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm, and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

You Can Rely on Our Highly Trained Employees

12/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield employees use their top-level training to respond to and resolve your water, fire, storm or other emergency.

You have a lot of details to worry about when your home or business is hit with fire, storm, water, biohazard or other damage. You need to stop the damage from getting worse, protect your property and possessions and get started on the cleanup ASAP. What you need is a reputable damage repair company that will handle all aspects of your job while treating you with respect.

And that’s what you find when you call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We will arrive at your emergency with the people, equipment, products and know-how to get the job done—because SERVPRO crews are among the nation’s most highly-trained damage remediation experts.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is locally owned and staffed, but as one of more than 1,900 franchises across the country, we have access to the training provided by our parent corporation. Located in Tennessee and operating for more than fifty years, the SERVPRO corporation created its National Training Center thirty years ago. Here, franchise owners and employees get hands-on training and practice in restoration and damage mitigation skills.

Among the types of training that our employees have access to are:

New Franchise Training

While this fifteen-day hands-on training program is designed for new franchise owners, it is also an important course for employees. Here, they learn the fundamentals of damage remediation:

• Fire restoration
• Water restoration
• Carpet and upholstery cleaning
• Mold mitigation

Employee Certification Training

We encourage our employees to earn certifications through this self-paced program, which covers:

• General crew training
• Fire restoration
• Water restoration
• Carpet and upholstery cleaning

IICRC Training Program

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is a long-time member of the damage restoration industry’s premier organization, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The SERVPRO corporation, an approved IICRC Training School, provides classes in:

• Fire restoration
• Water restoration
• Carpet cleaning
• Upholstery cleaning
• Applied structural drying

E-Learning

SERVPRO corporate offers self-paced web-based training, with videos, support materials and periodic testing.

Continuing Education

Not only does SERVPRO encourage our crew members to grow their skills by completing credit and noncredit courses in emergency damage mitigation, we also make the same courses available to insurance agents, insurance adjusters and real estate professionals in our communities. Courses include:

• Water damage restoration
• Fire damage restoration
• Understanding and remediating mold
• Restorative drying for loss control
• Mitigation awareness response seminar (non-credit course)

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
1408 Neipsic Road, Glastonbury, CT 06033

IICRC Certified
Noemi Garica 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Is Your Business Ready for Winter—and Winter Storms?

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let a snow or ice storm put your business at risk!!! SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has advice to help you weather the storm successfully.

Here in central Connecticut, business owners know that winter brings the unpredictability of winter storms. If a big snow and ice storm hits, or a long cold snap, your commercial facility is vulnerable to damage. Are you ready to handle it?

Here are some important steps you can take now that will help you get through a storm or freezing temperatures while protecting your building, your equipment and inventory, your employees’ safety and your ability to continue running your business without interruption.

Before a Storm Hits

Before the snow or temperature starts dropping is the time to start your preparation. Start by taking a look at your building and property, and then make decisions and implement plans that will protect your business.

When a big winter storm hits, you won’t be the only business owner who needs the services of a good local disaster remediation company. Do your research ahead of time, and identify a reliable company that will respond quickly to your winter storm emergency, like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. With the right people and equipment, we are ready to start repairing and restoring your building and its contents.

Make Important Decisions

• Be sure your property/casualty insurance coverage is sufficient
• Inventory your business’s assets, including records, supplies and equipment, and store a copy of this critical information offsite
• Create a plan for communicating with your employees, suppliers and clients in an emergency, including up-to-date contact information
• If you’re responsible for snow removal, hire a contractor or assign an employee to clear snow and ice from your driveway, parking area, walkways and roof

Prepare Your Equipment and Facility

• Check and maintain your snow removal equipment
• If you don’t already own them, buy portable heaters, generators and snow removal equipment, as well as rock salt and sand
• Evaluate your facility to locate the areas at the greatest risk for damage from frozen pipes, a roof collapse or loss of heat or electricity
• Check and maintain your heating equipment
• Determine which equipment to protect from cold and how you will restore electricity to your equipment
• Seal drafty areas (around windows, doors or attics) and repair any damaged or leaky roofs

During a Storm

• As often as necessary, clear snow and ice from driveways, parking areas, walkways and your roof.
• To keep your pipes from freezing, turn on faucets to allow a slow, continuous drip
• Periodically check your facility’s temperature and keep warm air moving around vulnerable equipment.
• Communicate regularly with employees.

Here To Help®

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you need deep or routine cleaning of commercial facilities, or if your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Why SERVPRO? We Clean Up Your Glastonbury Water Damage FAST!

11/18/2021 (Permalink)

Time is of the essence after a water disaster at your Glastonbury home or business. SERVPRO responds ASAP to minimize restoration cost and time.

Disasters—water, storm, fire, wind or other—happen with no notice at any time of the day or night. That’s why SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield responds 24/7. Around the clock, our crews are ready to get out to your home or business in Glastonbury, Wethersfield, Marlborough, Portland or Rocky Hill.

We’re Faster to Your Emergency

Trust SERVPRO® to take care of the entire process, from phone call to final sign-off, with the skills, training, equipment and products to return your home and property to before-disaster condition.

We show up swiftly to evaluate the damage, then create a plan of action and, if necessary, take immediate steps to stop the disaster from getting worse, like boarding up your roof, etc. Then we inventory and pack out your furniture and belongings before we tackle the cleaning and restoration of your structure and personal items, including rebuilding your structure, if necessary. Finally, once all is fully restored, we return your possessions. We even coordinate your insurance claim!

Why Our Speed Matters for Water Damage

SERVPRO is ready to respond to your emergency because we know a quick response is the first step in getting you back to normal. Arriving quickly and halting the damage can minimize the extent of the repairs necessary, which in turn can reduce both the cost and the duration of the necessary cleaning and restoration.

With water disasters, it’s especially important to stop the damage ASAP and begin removing water quickly. The longer the water sits, the more it will soak into your floors, walls, furniture and possessions. Take a look at the damage that can occur when water isn’t removed from your home or business.

During the first hour

• Water spreads throughout your home or business, soaking everything it encounters
• Walls, floors, upholstery and belongings quickly absorb the water
• Papers, photos and books begin to swell and warp
• Carpet can begin to stain from furniture finishes bleeding into it

During the first day

• Drywall begins to swell and break down
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish
• Furniture begins to swell and crack
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain
• A musty odor is noticeable, indicating the beginnings of a mold infestation

During the first week

• Mold and mildew growth can begin (after 48 hours)
• Doors, flooring, windows, studs and furniture swell, warp and show indications of mold growth
• Metal begins to rust and corrode
• Paint starts to blister

If you let one week go by after the water disaster in your home or business, you face dramatic increases in the time and cost of restoration. Many of your possessions and furnishings may not be salvageable, and your structure will require more extensive rebuilding. Further, you’re likely looking at a serious mold infestation, which poses a health risk and will require intensive remediation to clear up.

All this is why SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield springs into action to tackle your water emergency and begin extracting water almost immediately. Call us 24/7—you’ll be glad you did!

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Gather These Things Before the Next Storm Hits Marlborough

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

Recover faster from storm damage! Long before a storm hits your Marlborough home, take time to gather and protect important information.

Year-round, storms and natural disasters upend people’s lives and destroy their homes and property. Nobody’s figured out how to stop these major events from happening, but there are some tried and true things you can do to prepare your home and family to get through the next storm safely and with as little damage as possible.

Storm prep does not just mean taking concrete steps when a storm is on its way, either. It starts much sooner and, ideally, you’ll have much of the work done way before the forecast turns stormy. Gathering important information ahead of time is one way you can put yourself in a better position to smile when you tell stories about the big storm that you survived.

You’ll want to give yourself some time to gather your information, so think about dedicating part of a weekend to the task. Trust us: you’ll be glad you did.

Safeguard the Information You’ll Need After a Storm

If your home or property is damaged in a storm or natural disaster, or if you and your family must evacuate your home, you’ll need quick access to important information.

• Insurance: As your personal and financial circumstances change, it’s a good idea to confer with your insurance agent to determine if you need more or different coverage.
• Inventory: Get your phone out and walk through your home, room by room, taking photos and videos of any possessions of value. Make a list as you go, jotting down model and serial numbers, purchase dates and amounts, and appraisal values (for jewelry and art). Ideally, you can assemble a digital document, complete with photos and videos, that includes all this information. Store that digital file both in the cloud and on a thumb drive, and print out at least one copy. After a storm, you can re-photo anything that was damaged to document the before-and-after condition to your insurance company.
• Important documents: Keep copies of your family’s important papers in a fireproof, waterproof, lockable and portable box. These may include IDs, birth certificates, passports, marriage certificates, insurance policies, auto titles, bank and mortgage records, proof of vaccination and your home inventory. If there’s extra room in the box, you can add important digital records on thumb drives, photos and other meaningful items.
• Damage remediation: Before the storm hits is the best time to decide who you will call for storm damage cleanup and repair. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is the reliable local option with the training, equipment and staff to thoroughly and quickly restore your home and possessions to before-damage condition.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Don’t Get Trapped by a Fire

11/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield recommends that you create a plan to escape a house fire and practice it to keep your family safe!

When it comes to emergencies in your home, there’s not much more terrifying than a house fire. The danger is great and the time you have to escape may be short. That’s why the fire experts at the National Fire Prevention Association and SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield strongly recommend that you have a plan in place for you and your family to escape your home in less than two minutes.

Create a Plan

Your priority is getting out fast and the key to that is communication and practice. So, start by gathering your family and drawing a diagram of your house, marking windows and doors. Decide on two ways to escape from each room.

Choose a meeting place outside your home, where you will call 911 and wait for help. Emphasize that no one goes back into the house.

Practice Your Plan

Two times a year, run a fire drill to practice escaping. Can everyone can get out in less than two minutes? Repeat the drill until you reach that goal.

Run one of the drills at night, since that’s when most fires break out—and it’s essential that everyone be able to escape in the dark.

Remind everyone that the safest air to breathe in a fire will be less than two feet above the floor. Everyone should practice crawling during the drills. And, make sure your children understand that they should never hide in a closet or under the bed in a fire, no matter how scared they are.

Smoke Alarms

Being able to escape a home fire depends on knowing there’s a fire in the first place, and that’s why it’s essential that you have working smoke alarms.

Your alarms should be mounted high on the wall, with at least one on each floor of the home and one outside each sleeping area. Test them every month and don’t forget to put in fresh batteries every year. Replace your smoke alarms every five years.

Ladders

Consider purchasing escape ladders if people sleep on the second floor of your home. Children age five and over can learn to use them; you’ll have to carry younger children down the ladder.

Practice using escape ladders in your fire drills.

Windows

Make sure the windows included in your escape plan open easily and can be quickly unlocked.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Prevent a Dryer Fire in Your Portland Home

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Follow our safety tips for using and maintaining clothes dryers and other home appliances to prevent a house fire in your Portland home.

One out of every ten fatal fires in America each year is caused by an electrical malfunction. And most of these 35,000 electrical fires starts in an appliance that is dirty or not working correctly. Drill down a little further, and you’ll learn that one of the most common sources of home appliance fires is clothes dryers—and most of these fires are preventable, with just a few good habits and a little maintenance.

Typically, a dryer fire is kindled by an accumulation of lint, which is quite flammable. Lint builds up in the lint trap, obviously, but it can also accumulate inside the dryer cabinet and the exhaust hose, as well. The trouble begins if the dryer’s heating element or burner comes into contact with that dry ready-to-burn lint.

How to Reduce the Risk of a Fire in Your Clothes Dryer

Follow these everyday practices that can prevent a dryer fire:

• Clean out the lint trap after every single load of laundry
• Air-dry clothing that has combustible stains, such as gasoline or furniture polish
• If your dryer is near your furnace, keep the area clear of clothing and dryer lint
• Replace vinyl hoses with metal ones

At least annually, clean out your dryer, hose and exhaust, ideally using a dryer vent cleaning kit:

• Take out the lint screen and clean out the trap with a snorkel brush (or use a shop vac with a crevice tool)
• Pull the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the hose from both the dryer and the outside vent. Clean lint from the hose with a round brush
• Clean the exterior vent with the round brush, first from the inside, then from the outside of the house
• Clean lint and debris from the outside vent hood, then reattach the hose

Reduce Fire Risk in Your Other Appliances, Too

By following some additional common-sense practices having to do with regular maintenance and cleaning, you can help prevent a fire in your home’s other gas, heat or electric appliances.

• Don’t run appliances when you’re away from home or asleep
• Purchase and use only appliances certified by Underwriters Laboratory or another reputable testing lab
• On at least an annual basis, clean, inspect and do any necessary maintenance on your appliances—especially if the appliance is 15 years or older

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

How SERVPRO Handles Storm Damage in Central Connecticut

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

A strong storm came through and your home was damaged! Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield for prompt, respectful and thorough cleanup.

With storm season upon us in central Connecticut, it’s good to know who you can turn to if you suffer storm-related damage to your home. When a powerful storm—like a hurricane, tornado, thunderstorm or prolonged rainstorm—hits your area, you will be far from the only resident looking for experienced storm damaged repair experts. That’s why it’s important to be able to quickly call on reliable, skillful pros like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to return your home to before-storm condition.

SERVPRO® has the training, equipment and people to handle your storm-related damage: whether it’s a damaged roof, a flooded basement or more comprehensive flooding and structural damage. Plenty of folks in Glastonbury, Wethersfield and the surrounding area have shared their satisfaction with SERVPRO—here are just some of their thoughts.

“A huge storm rolled through my part of Connecticut, revealing a leak in my roof and causing water damage. SERVPRO came out to my house very quickly to do an assessment on the damage. I was impressed by how they handled the situation and delivered quality results.”—Gwen in Glastonbury

“SERVRPRO came to help fix my home after it was damaged by a storm and did an excellent job! Communicating with the team was a breeze, and the project manager was very knowledgeable. Going forward we will be calling SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield whenever I have an issue with my home, and will be sure to recommend them to others.”—Dawson in Glastonbury

“When our home flooded, our neighbors told us about your company. We are so thankful for the work you did and the rapid response time. The entire crew did excellent work for us on the drying out and the construction crews were also outstanding. With people like this in your organization, you have got to be the best in the business!”—Ross C. in Wethersfield

“I just wanted to let you know how well you exceeded our expectations. Our basement was in terrible shape and we would never have dreamed you could get it dried out and cleaned up so quickly. Your team worked fast and made it look easy. Thank you again.”—Chris and Rose in Glastonbury

“Next time we leave for a weekend we'll make sure the windows are closed tightly, but if we ever need flood cleanup again, we know who to call. So few people you deal with actually do what they say they will do. You did just that, and that exceeded my expectations. Thank you.”—Tony in Glastonbury

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

SERVPRO’s Hospital-Grade Disinfectant Now Available to Glastonbury-Area Businesses

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's safe and highly effective disinfectant, SERVPROXIDE, can help you show your customers how seriously you take their safety.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. in 2020, SERVPRO® responded by creating a new service called Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. We set the bar for professional corporate pathogen cleaning standards by bringing our professional skill, our highly-trained crew members and our unique products to the task.

One key to this targeted corporate cleaning program has been our in-house hospital-grade disinfectant, SERVPROXIDE™, which kills 99.999% of bacteria and viruses when used as directed. Now, SERVPRO is excited to announce that SERVPROXIDE disinfectant—the first product we have sold directly to customers in our 50+-year history—is now available for customers on Amazon Business.

A Sanitized Facility Inspires Customer Confidence

Once again, as colder weather approaches and COVID-19 cases rise, business owners know that demonstrating the highest standards of clean in their facilities is important in sustaining customer confidence. In fact, a recent Harris Poll showed that 71% of consumers expect businesses to have higher cleanliness standards than they do in their own homes. (A “Cleaned with SERVPRO Disinfectants” window sticker is available with some purchases.)

“Since launching our professional pathogen cleaning service, our customers have been asking for support with their daily follow-up cleaning. We listened,” said Mike Stahl, SERVPRO’s Chief Marketing Officer. “SERVPROXIDE can elevate everyday cleaning for business owners as they proactively clean registers, door handles, restrooms, counters, tabletops, or any other surface.”

SERVPROXIDE disinfectant has earned the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating and is NSF-rated for use on food contact surfaces with no rinse required. Yet, when used as directed, it kills a wide variety of harmful pathogens, disinfects hard surfaces, sanitizes soft surfaces and neutralizes odors on fabrics and carpets. Nonetheless, if you experience a COVID-19 event at your business, SERVPRO recommends having a professional pathogen cleaning service sanitize your facility. 

What Does SERVPROXIDE Have to Do With Pineapple?

We just couldn’t help sharing this review!

“Being 100% sure that our cleaning practices are effective gives us the opportunity to focus on what we do. We make pizza!!! Anyone that works in a high-volume pizzeria knows what a whirlwind of chaos it can be. The fact that SERVPROXIDE is ready to use and requires no dilution, gives me peace of mind about what we’re using on our food surfaces, as well as NSF and EPA registrations. I want our customers to know that we take their health seriously, and that’s why we choose to use SERVPROXIDE in our food truck. You trust us to make pizza, we trust SERVPRO to make our disinfectant. It’s as simple as that. Also, pineapple DOES belong on pizza,” stated Danny Bruckert, owner/pizza maker for Groundlings Pizza Co., Brooklyn, NY.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you need deep or routine cleaning of commercial facilities, or if your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

SERVPRO Earns Trust with Fire Damage Restoration Services

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

A house fire is a traumatic experience. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield restores homes and property with respect—and the highest standards.

Having a fire break out in your home can be life-changing. Even if the damage is relatively minor, many homeowners are shaken to their cores by the experience. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can’t stop the flames from breaking out, but we can help you put your home and your life back together.

In addition to possessing technical expertise, extensive training and top-notch equipment, SERVPRO® prides itself on employing people who are sensitive to the trauma a family may have experienced as a result of a house fire. That’s why every crew member works to make sure your damage restoration job is completed thoroughly and respectfully.

“SERVPRO helped me through a difficult time with their hard work and compassion, and I wanted to thank them. When I called them to help me when my home had water and smoke damage after a fire, they were reassuring and knowledgeable, and did a high-quality restoration job. The kind way in which they treated me and reassured me made such a big difference to my mental health during that nightmare of a situation. Thank you so, so much.”—Lillian in Glastonbury

“Best service crew and admin ever! I’m extremely pleased with how they resolved the fire damage emergency in my home. SERVPRO made communication easy with us, the fire department and the insurance company. Their work exceeded our expectations. Hopefully this never happens to us again, but if it did, we’d absolutely call them again. We’d also definitely recommend them to anyone else in need.”—Natasha in Portland

“SERVPRO serviced my house in Newington, Connecticut. They were very responsive, professional and courteous. I will refer them to anyone I know for fire damage or water damage."—Tony in Newington

“My wife and I are grateful for all you did for us when restoring our home after it caught fire. The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield provided the highest quality service in our time of need, through their hard work, positive attitudes, great manners and reliability. We put our trust in them, and they did not disappoint. The team and project manager deserve credit for their outstanding work.”—Erik S. in Wethersfield

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Count on SERVPRO for Commercial Water and Fire Damage Cleanup

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

When you have a water, fire or other emergency at your commercial facility, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield will get you back to work fast!

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield provides a gamut of essential services for commercial facilities. You may know us as the company to call when you have been hit by a fire or water damage emergency. Well, we also provide routine commercial cleaning services, cleanup after strong wind storms, mold eradication services and even tricky biohazard cleanup. Our crews are widely trained to handle any of these situations at your commercial building.

Beyond that, we are sensitive to the specialized needs of business owners and managers, and strive to return your building and property to pre-damage condition as quickly as possible, without sacrificing quality. In addition to being efficient and effective, our crew members are respectful of your needs throughout the duration of the restoration. Read on for some of our customers’ stories.

“SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is my go-to company when it comes to emergencies. You guys are always prepared to come to the rescue, and have helped my business stay up and running. All the workers have been very knowledgeable, polite and great to work with, every time they’ve come to assist me. You always make sure the place is nice and neat after providing your services, too. Your great service really stands out, and I will never hesitate to recommend you to my friends.”—Calvin in Rocky Hill

“I own a large industrial building in Marlborough. We had a small fire in the kitchen and SERVPRO came to do the cleanup. They were fast and courteous. Highly recommended!”—David in Marlborough

“When my business suffered ice dam damages, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield came to the rescue and provided their services. The crew walked us through the whole process, and were very professional and understanding the whole way through.”—Sam in Glastonbury

“We had an excellent experience with SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield when we had a massive commercial water loss. Water spilled everywhere due to a pipe burst, and they took care of it. SERVPRO is an excellent emergency service company.”—Jenn C. in Glastonbury

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you need deep or routine cleaning of commercial facilities, or if your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Don’t Let a Hurricane Shut Down Your Wethersfield Business

7/28/2021 (Permalink)

There's a lot you can do to protect your Wethersfield business from hurricane damage. Follow these tips from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield.

A hurricane or strong wind storm hitting your commercial building can be a true disaster, one that might threaten the continued survival of your business. You can’t stop Mother Nature, but you can be ready to prevent damage and recover quickly if you get hit by a storm. So, during hurricane season, Wethersfield business owners and managers should take these precautions to avert the worst effects of a hurricane.

Long Before the Storm Hits

If your business is located within 50 miles of the coast—and all of Wethersfield is!—then you are at increased risk of suffering both property damage and a business interruption from a hurricane.

• Stay informed about potential hurricanes and other storms. You can sign up the National Hurricane Center to receive updates of threatening weather.
• Long before a hurricane is in the forecast, you should create a business continuity plan that details how your business will recover from storm-related and other damage.
• Keep a well-stocked emergency kit on hand, including first aid equipment, battery-powered radio, flashlights and a supply of nonperishable food and water.
• Maintain an updated emergency contact list of all your employees.
• Decide which storm damage remediation company—we suggest SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield!—will handle your cleanup and restoration.

When the Storm Is on its Way

A storm is coming, and Wethersfield is forecasted to feel the effects. Now is the time to get to work protecting your physical plant from wind and rain. Take as many of these precautions as you can before the hurricane hits.

• Cover your windows and doors with plywood or hurricane shutters.
• Make sure that exhaust fans, solar panels and HVAC equipment are firmly attached to your roof.
• Move vehicles inside to a garage or warehouse. Lash down signs, dumpsters and other heavy objects outside your building.
• Inside, move documents to a secure area, above ground level. Cover computers, copiers and other electronic equipment with plastic sheets.

After the Storm Passes

• Use your contact list to check in with your employees.
• Contact your insurance company ASAP to get a start on processing any property damage claims.
• Take photos and video of damage, and keep receipts for storm-related expenses.
• Contact SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield for the quickest, most thorough storm damage remediation at a time when lots of Wethersfield businesses will be competing for storm cleanup services.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you need deep or routine cleaning of commercial facilities, or if your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Use Your Generator Safely After a Storm

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

Survive the storm and its aftermath by following our tips on safe use of generators.

Every storm season ends in tragedy for some folks. If it’s not the natural disaster itself—hurricane, tornado, blizzard, flood or other big storm—it’s the cleanup or aftermath that causes unnecessary injuries and deaths.

As an example, Hurricane Laura slammed into the state of Louisiana in August 2020. The category 4 winds reached 150 miles per hour, the storm surge reached 15 feet, and hundreds of thousands of people lost power. Although they survived the storm and flooding, many Louisianans died in the aftermath from carbon monoxide poisoning from incorrectly used generators.

The Deadly Toll of Unsafe Generators

According to The New York Times, “The electrical outages have been deadly, as several people who turned to generators to power refrigerators, lights and air conditioners have been overcome with fumes.

“At least seven people have been killed by carbon monoxide from generators, including four members of a family found dead in a home in Lake Charles. A fifth member of that family was taken to a hospital. Their generator was in a garage and the deadly gas was able to seep into the house through a garage door that was left cracked open, [Lake Charles mayor Nic] Hunter said.

“Another man in Calcasieu Parish, which includes Lake Charles, died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator, as did an 84-year-old man and an 80-year-old woman in the same home in Allen Parish, to the northeast, said health officials, who warned people never to place generators in homes or in closed garages.”

Guidelines for Safe Generator Use

Colorless, odorless and tasteless carbon monoxide gas (CO) is produced by portable generators. In just five minutes, carbon monoxide can build up inside a garage or home to levels high enough to sicken or even kill, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Prevent a post-storm tragedy by following these safe generator use guidelines.

• Don’t operate your generator in an enclosed area, such as a garage, or inside a house. Deadly carbon monoxide can build up even in a partially enclosed space.
• Set up your generator at least 20 feet from your house and aim the engine exhaust away from windows and doors.
• Allow for 3 to 4 feet of clear space on all sides and above your generator for ventilation.
• Set up a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector when you are running your generator to let you know if CO is building up.
• If it’s raining, set up a tent or canopy to keep your generator dry while allowing for ventilation.
• Watch for symptoms of CO poisoning: dizziness, fatigue, headaches and nausea. If anyone is affected, everyone should quickly go outside to fresh air and call 911. Remain outside until your house has been declared free from carbon monoxide.
• If you’re purchasing a new generator, choose one that has a sensor that will automatically detect dangerous levels of CO and shut itself off.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

SERVPRO® Offers Fire, Smoke and Soot Restoration Services in Rocky Hill

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

If your Rocky Hill home suffers fire, smoke and soot damage, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield for start-to-finish cleanup.

A fire in your Rocky Hill home has caused a lot of damage and maybe even made your house inhabitable. You’re grateful that everyone got out safely, but you’re also really shook up and feeling overwhelmed by the challenge of getting all that fire damage cleaned up.

Who can you turn to? Who can you trust to restore your home and possessions quickly and completely? In Rocky Hill and central Connecticut, the answer is SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, the local fire damage remediation company with the resources, experience and equipment to fully restore your home. We’ll get there fast, assess the damage, clean your possessions and structure, and remove the lingering smoke smell.

Here are three ways we provide complete fire, smoke and soot restoration services after you’ve had a house fire.

Cleaning Your Structure

After a house fire, your walls, ceilings, trim and floors will need to be completely cleaned. When you call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, our crew will evaluate the damage, then determine the appropriate equipment and products to clean and protect the different surfaces in your structure. We may be able to reduce your costs by cleaning lighter soot deposits so that you don’t have to repaint. Otherwise, we will clean to prepare for painting, which removes the soot, deodorizes and ensures that paint will adhere properly to the surface.

Cleaning Your Possessions

SERVPRO® will examine the contents of your home to determine what is restorable, including area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. We test fabrics and surfaces to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate for each item; it may be a wet or dry cleaning method. Other items may include electronics, art, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, books and documents. SERVPRO uses the appropriate unique cleaning methods and products for every type of object.

SERVPRO also makes fire damage restoration easier by providing a digital inventory of all your damaged items, making it simple to track everything through the cleaning process and to document your insurance claim.

Deodorizing Everything

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield completes the fire damage restoration job by clearing your home of odors left by fire or smoke damage. We do not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; we seek out the sources of the odor and remove them with advanced equipment, such as foggers that penetrate all the crevices in your home and furnishings.  

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Hurricane on the Way? Get Ready!

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

As hurricane season approaches, prepare your home or business to withstand the damage—and be ready to ride out a power outage, too.

Summer brings with it the risk of powerful windstorms in the form of hurricanes, and each year, it seems like the storms hit earlier and drop more rain—and there are more of them, too! So take the risk of windstorms seriously and if a hurricane is in the forecast, take these steps to protect your home and family.

Protect Your Home or Business

The high winds and wind-driven rain of a hurricane can severely damage your home or business. Prepare for a hurricane by paying attention to these areas of your structure.

• Roof: You don’t have to lose your roof to hurricane winds to suffer damage to your structure; if shingles are ripped off, you could end up with water in your home or business. Start by checking your roof for missing or damaged shingles. Consider hiring a roofer before the storm to replace or repair any vulnerable areas.
• Gutters: So that they can route all the expected water, check your gutters to be sure they are secured to the structure and are unclogged. (A roofer can do this work, too.)
• Windows: Your windows are a weak point in a hurricane. If you have hurricane shutters, attach them, or nail plywood over the window openings.
• Exterior: Objects outside your home or business should be secured. Otherwise, they can become dangerous projectiles tossed about by the winds that can crash into your structure or other property. Large objects such as garbage cans and outdoor furniture should be stored inside, if possible, or tied down securely.

Protect Your Family

Hurricanes often knock out power for several days or more, so keep your family safe and healthy by setting aside at least several days’ worth of food and water.

• Store enough nutritious nonperishable food to last three days to two weeks.
• Store one gallon of water for each person per day.
• Turn your refrigerator and freezer down to the lowest possible temperature before the storm arrives. An unopened refrigerator will keep food safe for 4 hours, while a full freezer will keep food frozen for 48 hours.

A hurricane carries the risk of injuries or illness. Keep a fully-stocked emergency kit in your home that includes:

• First aid supplies
• Flashlights with batteries
• Fully charged cell phones
• Pain relievers and regular medications
• Important paperwork (for identification and insurance claims)
• Cash

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Biohazard Contamination at Your Glastonbury Business? Quick, Call SERVPRO!

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

A biohazard contamination at your Glastonbury commercial facility needs to be cleaned up quickly, safely and completely. Call SERVPRO ASAP!

Without notice, your Glastonbury commercial facility may be contaminated with biohazardous substance, such as sewage, blood or other body fluids, or hazardous chemicals. These substances put the health of you, your workers and your customers at risk, and may require that your business shut down until the cleanup is complete.

That’s why it’s essential to start the clean up quickly and complete the job according to OSHA and local health regulations. This is the time to call on an experienced professional biohazard cleanup company like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We will arrive promptly, with all the know-how and equipment to safely remove and dispose of your biohazard contamination.

SERVPRO® Has the Experience to Handle Tough Biohazard Cleanup Jobs

At SERVPRO, we can handle just about any cleanup job there is in Glastonbury, from water to storm to fire to mold damage. Biohazard cleanup is in a category by itself, though, and that’s why SERVPRO has prepared our crews with training, equipment—and empathy. Many biohazard jobs are dangerous and even emotional situations, so our people treat you and your property with the utmost respect.

SERVPRO is available to respond to your biohazard situation at any time of the day or night. We will show up quickly to evaluate the problem and begin the cleanup ASAP. You can rely on our qualified professionals to return your contaminated facility back into a clean and safe place for you, your customers and your employees.

When you first discover the biohazard contamination, we recommend that you follow our Biohazard Emergency Tips to protect your property and anyone in the building.

SERVPRO Cleans Up All Kinds of Biohazards in Glastonbury

We at SERVPRO deal with just about any type of biohazard situation, including:

• Sewage backup
• Crime scenes
• Accidental deaths, suicides and homicides
• Bloody accidents
• Animal waste and remains
• Chemical spills
• Drug labs

Sewage Backups

Unfortunately, when your sewage system backs up, it carries harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Once we remove the sewage, we finish the job by completely drying, disinfecting and deodorizing your structure, furnishings and possessions.

Accidents and Crime Scenes

Accidents and crime scenes can be very upsetting for you, your employees and your customers—and they also pose real health risks. SERVPRO crews clean up and properly dispose of blood, body fluids and other contaminants quickly, safely and respectfully.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you need deep or routine cleaning of commercial facilities, or if your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Call SERVPRO® When DIY Doesn’t Get the Job Done

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

DIY after a water or fire disaster in your home may cost you more time and money … call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield for a job done right!

Especially after the pandemic and quarantine, Do It Yourself (DIY)—doing your own home repair and improvement projects—has really taken off. This multibillion dollar industry means that more and more of us are taking on our own fix-it jobs.

One of the primary reasons to DIY is to save money. But for many homeowners, DIY projects end up going bad and creating more expense and mess than using a professional contractor.

How often does this happen? Well, in a recent survey of 2,000 homeowners done by Improvenet, an online referral service for remodelers, almost two-thirds of the respondents regretted doing one or more DIY projects! And in one out of three of those regrettable projects, the homeowner hired a professional to complete the job. That translates into more than twenty percent of the surveyed DIYers needed to have a contractor come in and fix their mistakes or finish the job.

It gets worse: more than eight percent of the DIYers caused damage to their home, and more than six percent had injured themselves or a helper while doing a DIY project.

DIY After Water or Fire Damage Is a Challenge

If you’ve suffered a water or fire disaster at your home, you may be considering doing the repairs yourself, especially if the damage doesn’t appear to be too extensive. We at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield have seen it all, and know that what seems like an easy repair can end up costing you time and money if you don’t get the damage cleaned up the right way.

If you’ve had a flooded basement or perhaps a leak from a roof or water appliance, you can attempt to clean up the damage by yourself. Unfortunately, you probably don’t have equipment such as strong wet vacs, air movers and moisture measuring devices, so you may not get all the water out quickly enough. In just 48 hours, lingering moisture can lead to an ongoing mold problem. SERVPRO® will do your water damage cleanup quickly and completely, leaving nothing to chance.

Likewise, if you’ve had a small fire at your home, you may be tempted to do the repair yourself. But a fire can be deceptive: is your home’s structure damaged? Is there lingering smoke and soot? What about the water used to put out the fire? Even a seemingly-simple fire cleanup job may require specialized cleaning methods and products. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield will make sure that your structure is sound, while cleaning and deodorizing your home and everything in it.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Use the Right Smoke Detectors in the Right Locations

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Buy the right kind of smoke and CO detectors and install them in the right locations to protect your home and family from fires.

You already know that you need to have working smoke detectors in your home. These little devices buy you precious time if a fire breaks out in your house, allowing anyone inside to escape before injury occurs. But protecting your home and family is not as simple as slapping some detectors up here and there. You need to first choose the right kind of detectors, then you need to place them appropriately in your home. Here’s how.

What Kind of Detectors?

Smoke Detectors

Some fires burn intensely with lots of flames, while some smolder. There are three types of smoke detectors, but only one is effective in detecting both types of fires.

Ionization detectors are best at detecting fast-burning flaming fires, while photoelectric detectors are good for detecting smoky, smoldering fires. You can use a mixture of both types to cover all the fire hazards in your home.

Dual-sensor smoke detectors are the best of both worlds. They use both ionization and photoelectric technology to detect flaming and smoldering fires.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide detectors work by using sensors to detect CO in the air.

Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Combination detectors protect against both fire and carbon monoxide, typically using ionization or photoelectric technologies plus carbon monoxide detection.

Bonus: Smart Detectors

Smart detectors are connected to the internet and usually have additional features that you can access through a smartphone app, such as a low battery alert, alerts for smoke or CO detection and the ability to silence an alarm when you’re not home.

Where to Place Your Detectors?

Every home should be equipped with smoke detectors, and if your home has fuel-burning appliances (furnace, water heater, range, cooktop or a grill), carbon monoxide detectors, too. Here’s where to install those life-saving devices.

Place smoke detectors (we recommend dual-sensor models) high on the wall in these locations:

• Inside each bedroom
• Outside each sleeping area
• At least one on each floor (including finished attics and basements)

You should install carbon monoxide detectors in these locations:

• Outside each sleeping area
• In the basement
• At least one on each floor
• Near but not inside attached garages

If you do have a fire in your home, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield for complete fire damage cleanup services. We’ll get there fast, assess the damage, restore your possessions and structure, even remove the lingering smoke smell.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Check Your Glastonbury Home’s Vulnerable Plumbing to Prevent Leaks and Floods

6/16/2021 (Permalink)

Prevent water damage in your Glastonbury home by regularly checking on your plumbing and water appliances. (Free Stock photos by Vecteezy)

If you’ve been lucky enough to have your Glastonbury home’s plumbing systems working trouble-free for years, congratulations! But, as with anything mechanical, past success is no guarantee of future success. Things fall apart, and a sudden leak or flood from one of your water fixtures will quickly cause a lot of costly water damage.

Stay ahead of potential problems by following good practices and checking your home’s plumbing throughout the year. This way, you can head off major disasters and more easily repair or replace whatever is starting to fail now, before you must deal with major water damage restoration.

And if you do suffer a leak or flood, call the Glastonbury-area water damage remediation experts, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. Our experts will arrive promptly, evaluate your situation and get to work on a plan to thoroughly dry and restore your home and possessions, treat any mold, and leave your home in before-water damage condition.

Pipes, Sewers, Drains

• Pay attention to signs of a hidden plumbing problem. These include a higher monthly water bill, pipes that make banging noises, rust stains on your water fixtures, or wetness on walls or the floor.
• If you are connected to your city’s sewer system, which many older homes are, or if your home is below street level, a backflow prevention valve can prevent sewage from flowing into your home’s sewer system.
• Keep grease out of your kitchen sink drain.

Toilets

• Twice a year, inspect your toilets. Check the fill, supply and flush valves and the supply line for leaks and other signs of wear. Turn the supply valve off and on to keep it from freezing up. If you have screw-type valves, replace them with simpler ball valves, which are easy to shut off quickly and completely.

Water Heater

• Flush sediment from your water heater tank every six months. Turn off the power, run hot water in a sink until it is cool, then attach a garden hose to the valve at the base of the heater to drain the tank. This is also a good time to check for broken valves, rust or loose or wet joints on the pipes.
• Once a year, have your water heater inspected, including the shut-off valve and all piping.
• Every other year, inspect your anode rod (or every year once the warranty expires). Replace it if needed.

Washing Machine

• Each month, take a look at the hot and cold supply lines for blisters, cracks and other signs of wear. Tighten loose connections, which usually occur at the connection where the hose bends.
• If you spot signs of wear, replace the supply hose with a reinforced steel braided hose.
• Every five years, install new reinforced steel braided hoses (and mark the date on them).

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Why SERVPRO Can Handle the Biggest Storm Cleanup Jobs

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is prepared for the largest storm damage cleanup job—and the most important one: the one that affects your home or business.

Americans have seen over the last several years that big, damaging storms, like hurricanes and tornadoes, are getting bigger, more frequent and more damaging! Sometimes the wind speeds involved are higher than usual. Sometimes the numbers of storms are greater. And sometimes, with hurricanes, the storm parks itself over an area and dumps an unbelievable amount of rain while the winds blow and blow. The result is greater damage than Americans routinely dealt with even just a few years ago.

When a major storm hits an area of our country, often the preferred storm damage restoration company is SERVPRO®. That’s not by accident. SERVPRO has taken the task of major storm cleanup very seriously and as a corporation, has created a unique division that responds to large-scale storm and natural disaster emergencies quickly and with enough resources to make a real difference to those homeowners and business owners who have had their worlds turned upside down.

Floods of 2010 Were a Turning Point

SERVPRO has been providing large-scale storm damage remediation services for decades. But the corporation, headquartered in Gallatin, Tennessee, used its experiences during the 2010 Nashville floods as a catalyst to redesign its major storm and disaster recovery program. One of the keys to the program is that we strategically position a network of experienced storm teams to stand by when a major storm or other natural disaster is predicted. Available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team is drawn from the best of the best of SERVPRO’s storm damage remediation professionals.

Because we mobilize local command centers and pair them with the resources of more than 1,700 SERVPRO franchises located across the U.S., no disaster is too big for us to handle! 

We’re Here for Your Storm Damage

Here in central Connecticut, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is the storm damage remediation expert. When you are hit by a storm damage emergency, our seasoned crews head out ASAP to evaluate the resulting water, fire or structural damage at your home or business. We evaluate the damage, take immediate steps to protect your structure from further damage, and put our experts to work remediating the damage to your building, furnishings and possessions. To expedite the insurance claims process, we also work closely with your insurance company.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Connecticut Storm Damage? SERVPRO to the Rescue!

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

From tornadoes to snow storms, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is your central Connecticut expert in storm damage cleanup.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is the central Connecticut expert in commercial and residential storm damage remediation. We are part of more than 1,700-plus SERVPRO® franchises that have helped countless people get their lives back together after getting hit by storm damage.

We offer 24-Hour Emergency Service, so once you call, we send our seasoned pros out ASAP to evaluate water, fire or structural damage at your home or business. Once we have made an assessment and a plan, we get going fast to keep the damage from getting worse. Our experienced crew begins remediating the damage to your building, furnishings and possessions. Making the whole process easier, SERVPRO routinely coordinates with insurance companies on storm damage-related claims to speed up processing and payment.

When Three Tornadoes Hit Hamden and Surrounding Towns, SERVPRO Was There

Sometimes, storm damage can be widespread, and lots of homeowners and business owners need help all at the same time. That’s when people need to rely on true professionals, who know how to assess damage, stop further damage and restore the damage quickly and completely.

Several years back, a group of three tornadoes slammed into Hamden, Connecticut and several surrounding towns. The damage was sudden and extensive: trees down, powerlines severed, windows shattered, roofs damaged or destroyed, and houses left open to the elements. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield was called upon to respond to many of the cases of storm damage.

Whether it was a tree crashing through a Hamden garage or multiple trees landing on a house, SERVPRO arrived quickly on the scene and assisted with both tree removal and storm damage cleanup. We dedicated multiple crews to helping shocked storm victims get their lives back on track by making the storm damage “Like it never even happened.”

We Clean Up After All Kinds of Storms

It doesn’t necessarily take a hugely destructive storm like a tornado to cause a great deal of damage to your home or business. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield remediates all kinds of storm damage, including that caused by rainstorms, snow storms, ice storms and hurricanes. If you have suffered storm damage, you can count on SERVPRO to get there fast, make the process as easy as possible and return your house or commercial facility—and your possessions—to before-storm condition.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Enjoy Your Fire Pit Safely

5/21/2021 (Permalink)

Fire pits are great fun! Keep it that way and avoid fire damage by following these fire safety tips from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield.

Who doesn’t love sitting with family and friends around a crackling fire in a backyard fire pit as the evening grows dark and a happy gathering goes on? There’s something magical about the good company, the dancing flames, the smoke that gets in your eyes … oh, wait, where were we?

We at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield love a good time around the fire pit as much as anyone, but because we’re in the fire damage remediation business, we also know how easily a seemingly harmless fire pit can cause a dangerous fire—resulting in damage to your house and property.

We recommend following these simple but important tips to protect your home—and more importantly, your family, pets, friends and yourself—from a sudden fire.

Give It Room

Do you know how far a fire pit should be from any structures or flammable objects, such as trees and bushes? The answer is 10 feet. Make sure you don’t put the pit on grass or a wood deck. And obviously, the fire pit must be located outside, not in a porch.

Use the Right Fuel

For a wood-burning fire pit, always burn dry, seasoned (at least six months old) wood. Choose logs that are no longer than three-quarters of the pit’s diameter—that will keep sparks from flying. Don’t overload the fire pit, either—you don’t want burning wood to fall out!

If you have a gas fire pit, keep the vents clear to prevent smoky flare-ups.

Use matches or an automatic lighter to get the fire started. Lighter fluid, gasoline and kerosene have no place near a fire pit.

Extinguish a Fire Quickly

If the flames get out of control, you can use water, sand or a fire extinguisher to quickly put out the fire. (If you have a gas or propane fire pit, shut off the fuel supply before trying to extinguish the flames.)

One of the easiest ways of putting the fire out is to use a garden hose to send a gentle spray of water onto the fire pit. (Make sure your metal or ceramic fire pit can withstand getting wet without cracking.)

Another safe way to extinguish the fire is to spread dry sand on the flames to smother them.

If you’re using a fire extinguisher, make sure it’s a Class B, C or multipurpose dry-chemical device. (Note that most portable fire extinguishers only reach 6 to 10 feet and last for 8 to 10 seconds.)

Use the PASS procedure:

1. Pull the pin
2. Aim at the base of the fire
3. Squeeze the trigger slowly
4. Sweep the nozzle from side to side

When to Call for Help

If fire spreads escapes the fire pit or the flames surge higher than your head (or six feet), or you can’t reach the propane tank or natural-gas valve, it’s time to evacuate the area and call 911.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Prevent Basement Flooding in your Rocky Hill Home with a Sump Pump

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

Your Rocky Hill basement is vulnerable to floods, appliance leaks and burst pipes. A well-maintained sump pump can get the water out fast!

Even if you’ve never had any water in your Rocky Hill basement from spring flooding, or a leaking clothes washer, or a failed water heater, or a frozen and burst pipe, you may want to consider installing a sump pump. Why? Two reasons: a previously dry basement doesn’t guarantee you’ll never get water down there, and if you do get water in your basement, the damage can be substantial and costly—but pumping the water out fast helps you minimize that damage.

What is a sump pump? It’s a simple pump that sits in your basement, typically in a pit (or sump) in the floor or above the floor. When the sump pump detects water, it kicks on and pumps the water outside your home.

Choosing a Sump Pump

You’ll have a few decisions to make when purchasing a sump pump.

• Choose a submersible pump if there’s enough room in your sump pit. You can cover a submersible pump with a lid, so it’s quieter and less debris gets into the pit
• Buy a pump with a core made of cast iron, not plastic—it will last longer
• Look for a no-screen intake design with an impellor that can handle solids up to ½-inch to reduce clogging
• Opt for a mechanical switch instead of a pressure switch, and a solid float
• Bonus: choose a pump with an alarm that will tell you when the water reaches a certain level

It’s a good idea to purchase a backup pump, especially if your basement is finished. Have it installed next to the primary pump, and if pump #1 fails, the back-up pump will kick in. Another option is to install a battery-powered backup pump, so that even if you lose power, you can keep pumping water from your basement for up to 48 hours.

Maintaining Your Sump Pump

Two to four times a year, head to the basement to check and clean your sump pump.

• Start by removing the lid on the pit and cleaning out any debris
• Check the electrical connections, outlet, circuit breaker and GFCI (if you have one)
• Make sure the pump is seated upright and isn’t tilted
• Check your manual and if the pump’s bearings require lubricating, do that
• Test the pump by pouring about 5 gallons of water into the pit. The sump pump should be triggered once the water level reaches 8 to 10 inches
• Finally, check for obstructions in the outlet pipe and filter screen, if your pump has that feature

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Old or Damaged Washer Hoses Can Flood Your Home

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Avoid a leaking or burst washing machine hose—and the water damage that follows—by purchasing good quality hoses and checking them regularly.

A surprisingly simple component of your plumbing for your washing machine—the washer hose—is among the greatest culprits when it comes to leaks, floods and the resulting water damage. You probably don’t think about your washer hoses very often, especially when they are functioning smoothly without any problems. But you really should, because when they go bad, you have real problems on your hands—a messy and expensive cleanup of sudden water damage—and it’s so easy to prevent those problems.

Why Does a Washer Hose Leak or Burst?

The three main causes of a leaking or burst hose are:

• Poor installation: the hose was not attached properly
• Defective hose: as with any manufactured product, some hoses are sold with flaws
• Old age: if a washer hose is more than 5 years old, replace it, because eventually the hose will grow brittle and weaken

How to Prevent Water Damage from a Leaking or Burst Washer Hose

Washer hose safety starts with the quality of the hose itself. When you are buying new hoses or replacing old ones, choose the best hoses. And when you buy a new hose, write the date you installed it on a tag or on the hose itself, so you can replace it after 5 years.

• Rubber or stainless steel: hands down, buy hoses that are flexible plastic sheathed with stainless steel mesh. While no hose is burst-proof, these hoses are more durable than rubber ones and can better withstand twisting, cutting or compressing. Spend a little more upfront and you’ll have a superior hose that will last longer
• Length of hose: because you’ll need to move your washer out to install and check your hoses, don’t buy anything shorter than 5 feet (60 inches)

Once you have quality hoses installed on your washer, remember to check them a couple of times a year. This should only take you a few minutes, but it will pay off in avoiding a burst or leaking hose. Here’s what to look for:

• Signs of moisture: this is an indication of impending trouble. You may need to tighten the connections or you may need to replace the hoses
• Signs of wear: if you see cracks, bulges or kinks in a hose, don’t delay—it’s time to replace it
• Loose connections: check the connections at both ends of the hoses and tighten if necessary

Adopt This One Good Habit

Finally, a simple way to prevent most leaks from your washing machine hoses is to turn off the water supply when the machine is not in use—and especially when you’re leaving your home for a vacation.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Flooded Basement Cleanup in Portland

4/30/2021 (Permalink)

So many basements flood in the spring! If it happens to your Portland home, call SERVPRO for complete water and mold damage remediation services.

Forget the flowers: spring showers bring flooded basements! All it takes is one heavy rainstorm—or maybe an average rain that goes on for multiple days, or perhaps a series of storms. Whatever way it happens, too much water to be absorbed into the ground means it may find its way into your basement. And when it gets there, the property and structural damage can be overwhelming. You may even end up with a persistent mold infestation.

Minimize Basement Flooding and Water Damage Cleanup

Luckily, there are ways to prevent or minimize basement flooding, and ways to reduce basement water damage. Preventing a flood starts with making it difficult for water to get inside, and that starts with proper drainage.

Route Water Away from Your Home’s Foundation

Grading your property is key to preventing springtime basement flooding. Your yard should slope away from your home’s foundation on all four sides so that water doesn’t pool near your house. Take a look at your property after a rainstorm. Is water ponding next to your foundation? If yes, have your yard graded or do it yourself.

Next, focus on your home’s drainage system: your gutters and downspouts. If water spills over the edges of your gutters instead of flowing into the downspout, you’ll need to have the slope of the gutters adjusted. Clear your gutters of debris such as leaves to allow rainwater to flow freely. Once you have water flowing to your downspouts, make sure they direct the water away from your foundation. Place concrete or plastic splash blocks beneath the end of your downspouts to move water away from your foundation and out into the yard. Consider using flexible or rigid downspout extenders to move water even further away from your foundation.

If your home has any basement windows that are partially below grade, install window well covers to protect them from rainwater.

Keep Flooding Damage to a Minimum

If water does enter your basement, the best way to prevent a lot of damage is to quickly discover about the water and pump it back out.

You can detect water entering your basement by placing one or more water sensors at different locations on the floor. Depending on capabilities, the sensors will sound an alarm and/or send an alert to your cell phone—giving you a head start on addressing the problem.

A sump pump installed in your basement will help keep water damage to a minimum, although you’ll still need to dry and clean up your basement. As water reaches the sump, or pit, in which the pump sits, it will trigger the pump to eject the water outside. Be sure to check, clean and maintain your pump so that it’s ready to go when you need it. A battery back-up will keep the pump running in case of power loss.

Also, if you have a floor drain, make sure it is not covered and is clear of debris.

What to Do if Your Portland Basement Floods

If you do get water in your basement, you may be able to minimize the damage and handle the cleanup yourself. If you have several inches or more of water in your basement, however, cleanup and water damage restoration may be better handled by an experienced professional, like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We know how to restore water-damaged possessions, appliances, furniture, flooring and more.

Be Safe When Evaluating Your Flooded Basement

Because a flooded basement can be dangerous, take some precautions before venturing to check and clean up the damage.

• Start by turning off the electricity and gas to your basement, if you can do so safely. Or call a plumber and electrician—or SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield—to do the job.
• A flooded basement presents slip-and-fall hazards as well as puncture risks, so protect your feet with sturdy rubber boots and your hands with thick rubber gloves.
• Water-soaked furniture, boxes, etc. will be surprisingly heavy to lift, so avoid injuring yourself by lifting lighter loads and using your legs rather than your back to lift.
• Another danger is that of a water-soaked ceiling. A wet ceiling may pose the risk of electrocution, so don’t turn on ceiling fans or light fixtures if you see water damage. Worse, if you notice your basement ceiling is sagging, stay out of the basement, since it could collapse on top of you.

Removing the Water

Once you can safely enter your basement, first try to find out where the water is coming from. Typically, it’s going to be a crack in the floor or foundation or around a window frame. If water is still entering your basement, use towels or rags to plug the leaks.

Check your floor drain if you have one and unclog it if necessary to allow the water to drain. Also keep an eye on your sump pump and clear out anything that may be blocking the float.

Now, begin removing the standing water. A wet vac is ideal to pull up water quickly, but towels, buckets and mops are also an option.

Drying Out Your Basement

Once you have removed the standing water, your next task is to remove all the water-affected or -damaged objects from the basement. Remember, anything that’s water-logged will be much heavier than you would expect, so be careful when lifting.

Your goal at this point is to completely dry out your basement within 48 hours. After that, mold colonies can start to grow. Unfortunately, you may not even see mold, because it can be behind walls and under floors, creating a stubborn mold problem that can affect your health.

Chances are high that if you have carpeting or other flooring installed in your basement, you’ll have to pull it up and trash it.

The best way to dry out all the moisture in your basement by yourself is to get the air moving. Throw open all the windows and doors. Run lots of fans to suck in fresh air and push out stale basement air. Run dehumidifiers to reduce humidity and speed up drying. You can even run air conditioners to drive down humidity, too.

Drying Your Possessions

All those objects that you removed from your basement must be dried out within that same 48 hours to prevent mold and mildew growth. This can be challenging, especially if the storm that brought the rain is still ongoing. If the storm has passed, you’ll be able to remove your wet items from the basement and dry them outside in the sunshine. If that’s not possible, take out as much as you can and, as in the basement, set up fans and dehumidifiers to move air and remove moisture.

Here are some tips to help you tackle the drying of your furniture and possessions:

• Take objects out of cardboard boxes, discard the boxes and dry the items separately
• Pick up wet books and magazines off the floor to dry
• Hang up fabric, fur and leather
• Remove and prop up cushions and upholstery
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture and carpeting to prevent stains

If you have any electrical appliances—such as TVs, tablets or computers—in the basement, they, too, may have been affected by the floodwater. It’s important that you do not turn them on—if there’s any moisture inside, they can shock you. Have all electronics checked and tested by an electrician before you use them.

Complete Basement Flood Cleanup by SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

The do-it-yourself water-removal and drying-out processes described above are labor- and time-intensive—and offer no guarantee that all the water will be removed, all your possessions will be dried and cleaned, and no mold colonies will take over your basement.

On the other hand, with one call to SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, you’ll reach the Portland-area experts in flooded basement water damage cleanup. Our proven water damage cleanup procedures have made flood recovery easier for so many homeowners in central Connecticut.

Our crew has the skill, procedures, products and tools to return your basement to before-flood condition. We’ll remove all the water and moisture quickly and thoroughly, which will speed your recovery from the flood. Quicker drying means less chance of a mold infestation.

We even make the insurance claims process easier and faster by coordinating with your insurer. Our digital inventory of your water-damaged furnishings and items (including photos) means your insurer has the most accurate information.

Once you call us with your flooded basement water emergency, we send our experienced crew to your Portland home ASAP, where they evaluate and begin containing the damage. The tested SERVPRO® water damage remediation process means your home and property are restored quickly and completely.

• Inspection/assessment: We evaluate the water damage in your basement and measure the moisture. With that information, we create a plan to dry and restore your home and property.
• Temporary protection: If there is a risk of further damage, we cover or board up vulnerable parts of your home.
• Water removal/extraction: Our powerful pumps and vacuum units quickly remove hundreds of gallons of water.
• Drying/dehumidifying: With most of the water removed, it’s time to bring in air movers and dehumidifiers to finish the drying process.
• Cleaning/sanitizing: We bring your water-damaged furnishings and possessions to our central Connecticut warehouse, where they are cleaned, sanitized and deodorized. On-site, your basement receives the same treatment.
• Restoration: If areas of your home require repairs or reconstruction, we take care of that before returning your cleaned furnishings and possessions.

If Your Possessions and Furnishings are Water Damaged

SERVPRO tries its best to restore damage rather than calling items a loss, which means you’ll have to replace them. Our expertise and advanced methods can help you save money while preserving irreplaceable possessions.

We use our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) to provide you with a digitized and bar-coded inventory of your damaged items. In addition to speeding your insurance claim, CCIS allows us to track your possessions while they are being restored in our warehouse.

Once we determine which of your possessions can be restored, we use the appropriate techniques:

• Dry cleaning: for light residues; can also be used to pre-clean before wet cleaning
• Wet cleaning: best for moderate to heavy residues
• Spray and wipe: for items too delicate to be wet cleaned
• Foam cleaning: for fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned
• Abrasive cleaning: for more stubborn residues
• Immersion cleaning: for items that can be submersed in the cleaning product

Electronics: Our electronics techs evaluate and clean electronic items—such as TVs, DVD players, tablets and computers—then open up, clean and inspect the devices.

Documents: If you stored important documents—such as legal or medical records, books, letters and photos—in your basement, they may have been damaged in the flood. SERVPRO knows how to restore many of these items and can digitize them, too, so that they will not be at risk in the future. 

If You Have Mold Damage

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can inspect your Portland home and property to determine if mold damage has occurred. We use advanced methods and sophisticated products and equipment to combat mold:

• Containment: We use negative air chambers with negative air pressure to halt the spread of mold spores
• Air filtration: Using air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums, we remove mold spores from the air
• Removal: Mold-infested materials, such as drywall and carpeting, are removed and disposed
• Cleaning: We clean and disinfect your damaged but restorable possessions, then deodorize them with foggers for deep penetration. We also treat your undamaged possessions with antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to prevent new mold colonies from forming

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Cell Phones: Cleaner is Good for your Health

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

The cleaner your cellphone is, the healthier you'll be. SERVPRO knows all about clean, so follow our tips to keep your phone germ-free.

Pandemic or no pandemic, it’s always a good idea to wash your hands frequently. In fact, one of the positives to emerge from the disruption of the past years is a greater emphasis on cleanliness for overall better health. Well, do we at SERVPRO® have a public health message for you: your cellphone is a germ incubator.

In fact, a recent University of Arizona study showed that cellphones harbor ten times more bacteria than a toilet seat! (We’re sorry, but it had to be said.)

Think about it: you use your phone throughout the day, rarely thinking about how frequently you touch it, or what you touch before or after. How often do you use your phone, then pick up food? Or how often do you shop or pump gas or … you get the picture, and it’s not a clean one.

Avoid Cross-Contamination

A basic way to keep germs off your phone is to be more aware of what you touch before and after you use your phone. After you touch another object, if possible, wash your hands with soap and water. If that’s not possible, use hand sanitizer.

• When eating: put your phone down while eating and wash your hands afterwards
• Shopping and running errands: Keep wipes or hand sanitizer in your car and use them before picking up your phone
• In the bathroom: does this have to be spelled out? N.O.

Disinfect Your Cellphone

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should regularly clean all high-touch surfaces in your home and at work. Obviously, your phone is a high-touch item.

SERVPRO is all about the clean. Therefore, we advise that you give your phone a wipe with a soft, dry cloth every time you return home. We also recommend that you disinfect your phone two to three times a week.

• Use disinfecting wipes and soft dry cloths. Stay away from bleach, bathroom cleaners or other abrasive cleansers
• Remove the phone’s case. Wipe the phone and its case with the dry cloth
• Clean the phone and the case with wipes. Don’t oversaturate the surface, but make sure you wipe the ports and buttons
• Allow the phone to air-dry for five minutes, then wipe it dry with a new dry cloth

Your Home or Business Could Use Disinfecting, Too

As the CDC says, all the high-touch surfaces in your home or business should be regularly cleaned: faucets, light switches, railings, and more. Last year, in response to the pandemic, SERVPRO created a new cleaning program called Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. This proactive deep cleaning service uses hospital-grade cleansers, proven procedures and SERVPRO’s highly-trained staff to exceed CDC standards, assuring you that you have done all you can to protect the health of your family or employees and customers.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860-216-2785) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Get Ready to Welcome Back Your Customers!

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Your customers want reassurance that your store or restaurant is clean and healthy. A Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned shield says it all.

We are thrilled at the clear signs that the national and local economies are bouncing back from the effects of the pandemic! Central Connecticut business owners are eager to welcome back those customers who haven’t been comfortable shopping and dining in person since the pandemic hit in 2020. Still, living through such an anxious time has left many people feeling cautious about going out to retail businesses and restaurants. The steps you take now to reassure people can make a big difference in how comfortable they will be to walk through your doors again.

SERVPRO wanted to know if keeping business facilities notably cleaner would make people more likely to patronize a business, so we commissioned a survey* last year. The answer was a definite “yes.”

• More than 80% of respondents want businesses to clean more thoroughly than they did prior to the pandemic
• 71% want the stores and restaurants they visit to be cleaner than their own homes
• 76% feel that the cleanliness of a business is a direct reflection of the overall management of that business
• 70% of respondents seek to minimize exposure to the coronavirus when shopping or dining out
• 64% are more likely to patronize a business that displays a “professionally cleaned” decal than one that doesn’t

Let Your Customers Know How Clean Your Business Is … Right on Your Front Door

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield possesses deep experience in providing emergency services for biohazard cleanup and decontamination of commercial facilities. We are also your reliable source for routine commercial cleaning. With our experience, equipment, products, procedures and skilled staff, we bring a higher standard to clean to your business facility—especially now, when it matters so much to your customers.

As a complement to our established corporate cleaning services, SERVPRO launched Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned in 2020 in response to the pandemic. This new service for business and homeowners includes both preventative and post-pathogen exposure deep cleaning and disinfecting. Built on defensive pathogen cleaning methods, the new program far exceeds standard janitorial cleaning practices.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is based on our 3Cs:

• Consult: We interview you and examine your facility to determine your specific needs and create a tailored cleaning strategy
• Clean: Using proprietary EPA-approved hospital-grade cleaning solutions, SERVPRO meets or exceeds CDC standards for cleaning and disinfecting
• Certify: Tell your customers at a glance that your facility is the cleanest and safest possible with our Certified shield for your window or door and our digital emblems and other collateral for marketing

Welcome your customers back by showing them that you’ve done all you can to keep them safe and healthy by becoming Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned!

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you need deep or routine cleaning of commercial facilities, or if your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
1408 Neipsic Road, Glastonbury, CT 06033
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

When you need deep or routine cleaning of commercial facilities, or if your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

*Proprietary study prepared by Message Factors, Inc. Results are based on experiences and perceptions of 1,000 consumers surveyed May 2020.

Fire Damage Remediation in Wethersfield, Connecticut

4/16/2021 (Permalink)

If you, like these Wethersfield homeowners, experience a house fire, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield for start-to-finish fire damage cleanup.

When residents of Wethersfield, Connecticut experienced a major house fire, they reached out to SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield for fire damage remediation. The situation was urgent.

The fire had destroyed a large section of the roof and the finished attic room below it. Large portions of the home were now open to the elements after the fire and subsequent firefighting efforts. Roof debris and charred materials were all over the house's top floor, damaging items that hadn't been initially destroyed in the fire itself.

When faced with a fire emergency in your home, it can be difficult to know what to do first to protect your home and family. If your house has burned, your home and its contents may have suffered extensive fire damage, including smoke, heat and water damage. Fire may have traveled inside walls and floors, spreading hidden damage throughout the home. And anything that was sprayed by a fire hose can grow mold within 48 hours. Your house could even be at risk of collapse.

SERVPRO® To the Rescue

The Wethersfield homeowners were facing fire, smoke and soot damage and weren’t sure where to turn next. They did a search for "quick fire damage renovation in Wethersfield" and contacted SERVPRO. 

The team from SERVPRO arrived onsite quickly and did a structural assessment of the interior and exterior. We removed the damaged portions of the roof, ceiling, walls and floors, then sealed the roof to protect the house against exposure. Next, we dried the water-damaged areas using drying fans, then did an extensive cleaning and deodorizing of the home, its furnishings and the homeowners’ possessions to remove smoke and soot. We finished by rebuilding and renovating the damaged attic room area so that it looks "Like it never even happened."

After SERVPRO finished the work, the homeowner could not believe the results. "When you see your home in such a bad state, it's hard to think about life ever getting back to normal again. The team at SERVPRO took charge in my time of need and made sure every last detail of their fire remediation services were to my satisfaction. I give them a 5-star rating for not only their professionalism but their thoughtfulness and kindness during a tough time."

SERVPRO Can Help After a House Fire

Recovering from a house fire in central Connecticut is a big job. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can fully restore your home and all its contents. SERVPRO’s experienced crew will arrive promptly to handle the restoration job from start to finish:

• We start by evaluating the damage.
• We clear out property that’s destroyed beyond repair.
• We remove, inventory and store your property in our secure warehouse.
• We use a range of techniques to clean your possessions of smoke, soot and water damage.
• We perform construction to rebuild your home.
• We coordinate with your insurer to move your claim along promptly.
• Finally, we return your possessions, leaving your home in pre-fire condition.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860-633-8791) any time.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

And Now a Word from Our Satisfied Customers

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

We love making people happy! Read what our satisfied customers in central Connecticut say about our water and fire damage restoration services.

We work hard to be the best, most reliable choice for fire and water damage restoration services in the Glastonbury/Wethersfield area of Connecticut—as shown by our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certification and our Better Business Bureau A+ rating.

We are proud to earn many positive reviews on Google and other sites. Don’t take our word for it—here’s why our customers are happy with our service.

Like Inviting Family Over

“Thank you for all that you have done. … A small leak that we had for a while with our water heater turned into a large pipe break. The humidity trapped in the basement over the few years from ignoring the small leak had started a small mold problem, also. Working with SERVPRO® really felt like inviting family over; they were there for us through the whole process.”

Love These Guys

“I love these guys! They have the right protection and responded so fast when my basement flooded. There was no way I was going down there after I saw that my animals’ excretions were floating around. These guys can handle getting down and dirty!”

Couldn’t Be More Grateful

“Our pool broke open, facing the basement door that was open. An unthinkable tidal wave hit our basement and we were in both shock and a little laughter. SERVPRO came that very afternoon and got to work faster than I have seen anyone! We couldn't be more grateful. Thank you, SERVPRO.”

Such a Good Job

“This last wind storm blew a huge tree down on my garage. The rain was ruining all my tools and stored furniture. SERVPRO came right out and cut the tree, in the rain! Boarded up the holes and added tarps to be double sure. They did such a good job! Thanks so much!”

Came Out Right Away

“I had a small kitchen fire and SERVPRO came out right away. They helped with the insurance and did a great job with the cleanup. Thanks, guys!”

First Company I Call

“SERVPRO is a very professional and reliable clean-up service, especially when it comes to water damage. Our first-floor toilet broke and leaked a tremendous amount of water into the basement. The ceiling was so bloated with water that part of it actually collapsed before I found it. It was a total mess, and had the potential to ruin my basement with mold. … Thanks to their thorough cleaning and report of all damages, I was able to relax, knowing that my basement wouldn’t become moldy. … I was very happy with SERVPRO’s service, and they will be the first company I call in the future.”

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

SERVPRO Earns a Top 10 Franchise Ranking

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO emerged from a challenging year in a strong position. Call us when you need the best water or fire damage remediation.

In 2020, Americans endured the challenges of a worldwide pandemic and the subsequent economic upheaval; big changes to the way many people get work done; and new levels of isolation. Meanwhile, many parts of the U.S. experienced severe, record-setting storms and wildfires. And, we rediscovered disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer!

SERVPRO®, too, faced the challenges of a disrupted business environment. But, by responding to the new landscape with a proactive deep cleaning service, the SERVPRO parent corporation came out of 2020 in a healthy position.

“In 2020, SERVPRO franchises across the U.S. and Canada responded to numerous natural disasters, such as hurricanes along the Gulf Coast and East Coast and wildfires in the West. But it was the launch of SERVPRO’s new disinfecting and COVID-19 cleanup service that tested and proved the company’s resolve,” SERVPRO CEO Rick Isaacson said.

SERVPRO’s investment in this new service, called Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, helped the company and its 1,900-plus franchises thrive in a difficult year. That performance was reflected in SERVPRO earning a spot in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 10 overall franchise opportunities for the first time since 2016. And, for nearly the twentieth years in a row, SERVPRO was named the #1 cleaning and restoration industry franchise.

“SERVPRO’s #10 overall ranking is a result of the hard work our franchises, their crews, and our dedicated headquarters team put in while many businesses were not so lucky,” Isaacson said. “So many businesses were negatively impacted, slowed or closed due to the pandemic. When COVID forced much of the world to slow down or step back, our team stepped up and did what it took, whether that was cleaning businesses so they could reopen safely or disinfecting first responders’ vehicles—many of those at no cost—to give back to those working every day to keep us safe. We’re basically a first-response company, so we go in when everyone else is running out.”

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is one of four central Connecticut SERVPRO franchises owned and managed by Noemi Garcia. Thanks to her commitment to providing quality cleaning and restoration services and outstanding customer service, the Garcia team has consistently ranked among the top SERVPRO franchises. No matter the challenges, the cleanup and restoration experts at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield are ready to respond to your fire, water, storm, mold or biohazard cleanup needs.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Business Water Flood Damage Cleanup SERVPRO of Glastonbury / Wethersfield

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Business Water Flood Damage Cleanup SERVPRO of Glastonbury

Business Water Flood Damage Cleanup SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

When you need business water flood damage cleanup in Glastonbury CT, you want professional SERVPRO® service. When floodwaters enter your building, they damage your property and disrupt your business. Without immediate flood remediation and emergency water cleanup, the destruction and financial losses continue adding up.

Floodwater does more than saturate porous surfaces. Before water enters your building, it picks up dirt, sewage, and other contaminants along the way. Once inside your building, dirty water seeps beneath your flooring and soaks into your drywall. It contaminates everything it touches. 

At SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, we’re water damage restoration experts and we work fast. We remove the water, clean contaminated surfaces, and dry everything. Our industrial-grade equipment helps us work quickly to minimize the damage and decrease your business downtime.

SERVPRO Water Damage Cleanup Near Me

Floodwaters aren’t the only type of water that can shut down your business. Malfunctioning appliances and broken pipes send water flowing through your property. Extreme weather causes flooding when and where you least expect it. Water damages your walls and furnishings. It seeps into storage areas, offices, and retail spaces. It causes basement water damage, and it quickly destroys stock, equipment, and products for sale. 

Our local SERVPRO-certified professionals remain on-call to help you 24/7, seven days a week, all year long. We're here when there’s a major flood. We’re still here after CAT-response teams, and out-of-state water damage companies leave town. We’re close to you and your business. We respond rapidly to your flood damage and other emergency water cleanup needs.

Walkthrough and Inspection

During our business water flood damage cleanup in Glastonbury CT, we follow a step-by-step plan. Our process begins with a walkthrough. We inspect the flood-affected areas and determine your needs. We quickly establish a flood restoration plan in compliance with your specifications.  

Remove Undamaged Property

Our team does more than business water flood damage cleanup in Glastonbury CT. We also do our part to help you minimize your financial losses. We understand that commercial insurance policies exclude some water damage claims. Whether they provide coverage or not, we take steps to help you protect your property and minimize your financial losses.

That’s one of our primary goals when we separate damaged and undamaged property. We prevent contaminated property from damaging uncontaminated property by removing it to a safe, dry place. This helps you comply with your insurance policy requirements and it helps save you money. 

Water Extraction

Water extraction is a critical step of business water flood damage cleanup in Glastonbury CT. Walls, floors, carpets, upholstery, and other porous surfaces absorb water and remain saturated. They begin decaying, and they allow mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow. We use our extraction equipment to quickly remove the water and stop the deterioration. 

Dry Out 

When SERVPRO does business water flood damage cleanup in Glastonbury CT, we focus on removing all the water. Even a small amount of moisture allows bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow and cause potential health effects. We use industrial dryers to dry out residual moisture from wooden, carpeted, upholstered, and other porous surfaces. 

Dehumidification 

Dehumidification is our next step in business water flood damage cleanup in Glastonbury CT. Our dehumidification process removes the moisture that often remains in the air. Our precision calculations take into account the area, relative humidity, and temperature. These factors help us identify the correct number of industrial dehumidifiers, and they guide our placement for maximum effectiveness. 

Odor Removal 

Regardless of the source, floodwaters often contain contaminants that leave behind an unpleasant smell. The SERVPRO deodorizing operation removes these lingering odors. Our team uses industrial equipment and quality deodorizing solutions to scrub the air.  

Restoration Completion

When we complete our business water flood damage cleanup in Glastonbury CT, most locations require some degree of water damage reconstruction and restoration. We perform tasks such as drywall replacement, flooring replacement, and wall painting. We clean or replace carpeting, upholstery, draperies, and decor based on your designations.

Our salvage team removes unsalvageable property from your location. We retrieve salvaged items for required cleaning, repair, and refurbishment. We take care of the details and perform the tasks necessary to get you back in business.  

Contact SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

We’re your local SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield team, and we respond to your emergency 24/7. Contact us for an emergency response to your business water flood damage cleanup in Glastonbury CT.

Frozen and Burst Pipe Cleanup in Glastonbury, CT

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

If you have a frozen and burst pipe in your Glastonbury home, act fast to stop the water damage and call SERVPRO for complete water damage cleanup.

The harsh weather of February 2021 proved that even deep in the heart of Texas, almost any home in America can suffer frozen and burst pipes. We in Glastonbury, CT, are more than familiar with the vast water damage that a frozen and burst pipe can cause.

In fact, because our typical winter includes many below-freezing days and nights, we in central Connecticut live in homes that are constructed to withstand that kind of cold. That includes pipes that are relatively well insulated, which means they are less likely to freeze and burst. In the southern states, however, homes and pipes are not usually well insulated. That’s one of the reasons why the recent rare freeze caused so many cases of frozen and burst pipe water damage in Texas and throughout the south. So, Glastonbury homeowners, you may complain about the cold, but you, your home and your pipes are better equipped to handle it!

Still, pipes do freeze in Connecticut, even in March—and the damage can be even worse if you’re not at home to deal with it promptly. We’ve all heard horror stories of homeowners who return from a vacation to discover destroyed walls, floors, ceilings, furniture and possessions from a frozen and burst pipe that thawed out and spewed water. That kind of uncontrolled damage can require repairs, reconstruction and cleaning that costs tens of thousands of dollars.

The experts at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield are prepared to respond to your frozen and burst pipe with the know-how, equipment and experience to help you recover quickly and completely from mild or severe water damage. We will handle every aspect of the cleanup from halting the water damage to restoring your structure, furnishings and possessions—to before-event condition.

The Science of Frozen and Burst Pipes

Because we understand why pipes freeze, SERVPRO® can help you prevent burst pipe water damage. Read on for the story of how and why pipes freeze—and steps you can take to prevent that from happening and ways to avoid damage if you do experience a frozen and burst pipe.

It’s not rocket science that pipes—carrying water as they do—can freeze. And when the outside temperature drops to below-freezing for several days or even a single day, pipes in the home become vulnerable to freezing up, especially if they are located in unheated parts of your house, and are uninsulated or not well insulated. Particularly vulnerable are pipes located in:

• exterior walls at the foundation of your home
• cracked or damaged foundation areas
• foundation entry points for cables and plumbing
• basements or crawlspaces
• attics
• garages
• sinks that sit against exterior walls
• outside hose spigots

Most pipes that freeze and burst are traditional copper pipes. PEX piping, on the other hand, may freeze, but is much less likely to burst (unless you have a PEX-aluminum-PEX combination piping).

While the ice blockage is the root cause of a burst pipe, surprisingly, it’s not the ice itself that does the bursting. Pressure is to blame. The water begins freezing and forming ice inside the pipe, slowing then stopping the flow of water until the pipe is plugged. Intra-pipe water pressure can grow to be greater than 1,000 times the usual amount, or up to 2,000 psi.

That’s why the actual spot of the burst is not usually where the frozen blockage is, but somewhere downstream between the blockage and a faucet or fixture—that’s the water has nowhere to go. And what happens when the ice blockage starts to thaw out? As water starts to flow again, out it comes at the new hole in the pipe, at the rate of up to many hundred gallons of water per hour.

So, when the temperature has dropped and your pipes are at risk of freezing and bursting, what can you do to prevent a water damage disaster in your home? Plenty—and it starts with determining if you have a frozen pipe. Start by doing some detective work.

How Do You Know You Have a Frozen Pipe?

Naturally, finding pools of water on the floor tells you that a frozen pipe has already burst. If there are no puddles, some other clues can tell you that you may have a frozen pipe behind a wall or ceiling.

• How is water flowing to and from your sinks and fixtures? Is the water pressure in the sink or shower suddenly reduced? Is the water from your faucet discolored—or is no water coming out at all? After you flush the toilet, does it fail to refill?
• Do you hear dripping, bubbling or whistling sounds behind walls or within pipes? Can you smell different or unpleasant smells from drains? Do you see water stains or discoloration on a wall or ceiling?

If it’s a “yes” to any of these questions, start hunting for the frozen pipe. Focus your search on unheated areas of your home.

Turn on all your faucets one by one. If no water flows from any of them, you’ll know that the freeze is probably close to where the water supply enters your house. If one or more faucet doesn’t work, check for a frozen pipe between the main water line and the non-working fixtures.

Take a look at the pipe—you’re checking for condensation or frost, and if you see that, there’s your freeze. Don’t see any frost? Then run your fingers along the pipe to feel for a spot that’s noticeably colder than the rest.

Prevent a Leak

If the pipe is still frozen, you have a chance at preventing water damage from occurring. Start by shutting off the water at the main valve. (For metered (or “city”) water, look on one side of your water meter for the valve, typically on a basement wall. For well water, check the pressure tank for the shutoff valve.) Then, open up all the faucets to relieve pressure in the pipes.

If the freeze is in an exposed pipe, you can get to work thawing it, starting at the non-working faucet and moving back toward the blockage. Apply gentle heat with a hair dryer, heat lamp, portable heater, electric heat tape, electric heating pad—even towels soaked in hot water.

On the other hand, if the freeze is behind a wall, you can turn up the thermostat or aim an infrared lamp at the wall. Or, knowing you can patch it later, go ahead and cut an opening in the wall to let warm air circulate directly around the blockage.

When you’ve thawed the frozen pipe, you’ll have to check for leaks. Naturally, if you see or hear water running or dripping, you’ll know there’s a leak!

First, turn on the water at the main valve. Look and listen for running, dripping or pooling water, in which case, you should turn the valve back off. If there are no obvious signs of a big leak, check carefully for a smaller or pinhole leak by examining the previously frozen pipe. Check the pipe’s seams and joints both visually and by using your fingers to check for wetness. If you still don’t have a sign of a leak, try one more test. Turn on each of your faucets and observe the water pressure. Low pressure might mean you have a small leak in that pipe.

Deal With a Leak A.S.A.P.

You’ve determined that you have a leak, so here’s where you spring into action to prevent or at least minimize water damage. The idea is to seal the leak temporarily until a plumber or water damage restoration specialist can replace the damaged section entirely.

(Note: if you have standing water on the floor, you may want to quickly take two actions for safety. Turning off the electricity to your home will prevent a possible electrocution, and quickly mopping up the standing water will reduce the chances of falling—and can help avoid additional water damage.)

For large or medium leaks, the best option requires that you own a correctly sized circular sleeve clamp lined with rubber. If you don’t have that on hand, try rigging one by slitting a length of an old heater or radiator hose and sliding that over the leaky area. Hold it in place with a C-clamp, protecting the pipe with small blocks of wood to prevent further damage to the pipe.

For a small or pinhole leak, you can make a temporary patch by wrapping sturdy duct tape around the pipe.

Next up: get a professional water damage remediation company to your Glastonbury-area home to replace the pipe and clean up the damage to your home, furnishings and possessions.

How SERVPRO Cleans Up Water Damage from Frozen and Burst Pipes in Glastonbury, CT

It’s essential to get your frozen and burst pipe water damage cleanup started A.S.A.P. The longer water sits, the more it damages your house and possessions. It can soak into your home’s floors, walls and ceilings, increasing the chances that they’ll have to be replaced. Water and moisture can—in just 48 hours—allow mold colonies to begin growing, which leads to the need for even more cleanup. And, after the cold temperatures that caused your pipe to freeze and burst, it’s highly likely that many other homeowners in the Glastonbury area are picking up their phones to call water damage cleanup professionals, too!

Don’t wait: this is the time to call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We have years of experience, high-level training and the most up-to-date equipment and products. Our goal is to restore your home to its pre-damage condition as soon as possible.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield recommends that you file your insurance claim for the frozen and burst pipe damage as soon as possible. We will work closely with your insurer to accelerate the claims process. We even provide you with an inventory of water-damaged furnishings and items, including photos. Additionally, we may recommend that you temporarily leave your home while the loud and messy cleanup process is underway.

Our skilled crew will get to your home fast, evaluate the situation, and get right to work restoring your home, furnishings and property following the proven SERVPRO water damage remediation process.

Inspection/assessment: We inspect the damaged areas of your home and test to determine how much moisture is there. Then we outline a plan to complete dry out and restore your home and property.

Temporary protection: If needed, we use tarps and boards to prevent further water damage.

Water removal/extraction: With the damage halted, we use our powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly pull out hundreds of gallons of water, helping to prevent more water damage and mold growth.

Drying/dehumidifying: With the bulk of the water removed, we measure temperature and relative humidity to direct how we place the air movers and dehumidifiers that will finish the drying process.

Cleaning/sanitizing: Next, we sanitize and remove odors from your dried and dehumidified home. Any furnishings and personal items that were damaged are cleaned, sanitized and deodorized in our central Connecticut warehouse.

Restoration: Finally, we make repairs or even reconstruct areas of your home, then return your cleaned possessions and furniture.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Emergency Basement Flood Cleanup in Wethersfield CT

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

Emergency basement flood cleanup in Wethersfield CT

Emergency basement flood cleanup in Wethersfield CT homes is usually an overwhelming task. When floodwater enters your home, it saturates everything. The water recedes eventually, but it leaves mud, debris, and odors behind. Floodwaters often contain sewage, bacteria, and harmful contaminants that make your family sick. If you wait too long to perform emergency flood cleanup, mold and mildew begin growing as well. 

At SERVPRO®, we provide the basement flood cleanup services you need. We bring the equipment and the professionals to do the job right. We respond 24/7 to get rid of the mud and the mess so you can get back to your normal routine.

SERVPRO Emergency Basement Flood Cleanup 

When SERVPRO professionals perform emergency basement flood cleanup, we understand that timing is critical. Drying your home and property is the key to minimizing your financial loss, so we take each task seriously. Highly trained professionals respond when you call. We arrive with industrial-grade extraction, deodorizing, cleaning, dehumidifying, and drying equipment so we can do the job right.  We begin by assessing the damage and determining your needs.

Flooded House Clean Up Assessment

When water floods a neighborhood, each home’s clean up needs are unique. That’s why we begin each emergency basement flood cleanup in Wethersfield CT with a walkthrough and inspection. We sometimes identify areas that require black water cleanup and other specialty processes. We look for signs that indicate floodwaters soaked into your flooring or seeped behind your walls. Once we locate all of the affected areas, we work to return your home to its pre-flood condition. 

Separating Undamaged Property

We begin emergency basement flood cleanup in Wethersfield CT homes by separating damaged and undamaged property. Water doesn’t usually destroy everything. If you allow floodwater-soaked items to share the same space with undamaged property, you end up losing everything. We prevent this from happening by quickly removing salvageable property and restoring it as necessary. 

Water Extraction

After floodwaters recede, there’s always water left behind. We begin the dry-out process by removing the water with industrial-grade extractors. This often involves wet carpet clean up and water removal from wet fabrics, upholstery, and other porous surfaces. Because floodwaters often contain damaging soil and sewage, we realize that we can’t always save everything. 

Drying 

We use our drying equipment to remove any moisture that remains after we complete water extraction. When porous surfaces remain moist, mold and mildew growth. They release a distinct odor that drifts beyond your flooded basement to other parts of your home. Airborne mold, mildew, and other post-flood contaminants often irritate sensitive lungs and cause medical difficulties. We reduce the potential for harm by thoroughly drying all surfaces. 

Dehumidification 

Dehumidification is a key element of emergency basement flood cleanup in Wethersfield CT homes. When floodwaters take over your basement, moisture lingers in the air. It eventually settles into porous surfaces and encourages mold, mildew, and fabric rot. We remove the moisture with our comprehensive dehumidification process. 

To perform this final water removal step, we figure out room dimensions, relative humidity, and temperature. Our calculations help us determine the number of industrial dehumidifiers we need. It also helps us place the dehumidifiers in the best locations for optimum performance.  

Odor Removal 

When floodwater recedes, your home often retains a mix of odors. When dirty water, mold, mildew, sewage, and other scents combine, the smell is often unbearable. Until we remove the odor, it lingers in the air and settles into your upholstery and other porous surfaces. We remove these residual odors with industrial scrubbers, foggers, and odor-neutralizing solutions. 

Repair and Restoration

Restoration and repair are the final steps of emergency basement flood cleanup in Wethersfield CT. The SERVPRO team completes the projects we identified during our walkthrough. We may replace drywall, restore flooring, replace furniture, repaint your walls, or perform other tasks. We also salvage, repair, or replace your furniture and decor. 

Commercial Building Restoration

At SERVPRO, we also do emergency basement flood cleanup in Wethersfield CT commercial properties. We have the manpower, equipment, expertise, and technology. We can complete any flood cleanup, repair, and restoration job no matter the size. Our team responds to your emergency call 24/7. We work fast to minimize the disruption to your business.  

Contact SERVPRO

We are a locally owned and operated SERVPRO franchise. We have an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau. We’re committed to emergency basement flood cleanup in Wethersfield CT homes and businesses. When you call us, we respond immediately. We provide professional services for a low water cleanup cost. 

For more information about emergency basement flood cleanup in Wethersfield CT, give us a call at (860) 633-8791.

Leaking Waterline Cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT

1/16/2021 (Permalink)

Leaking Waterline Cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT

When you need professionals to handle your Leaking Waterline Cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT, SERVPRO® is available 24/7. A pipe leak usually happens suddenly, causing water to leak throughout your home. A water emergency can occur because of an appliance leak, frozen pipe repair, or a busted copper pipe. No matter what causes your water overflow problem, it would be best if you had immediate cleanup and restoration to keep the damage from taking over your home. 

SERVPRO responds quickly to your leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT. When we knock on your door, we come prepared to get the job done. Our team uses industrial-grade extraction, dehumidifying, deodorizing, and drying equipment to do it right. We remove the water and do everything possible to prevent further damage. 

SERVPRO Busted Pipe Damage Cleanup 

SERVPRO responds immediately to leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT homes. We know that it’s essential to remove the water quickly to minimize the damage. Without proper cleanup, water soaks deeply into your upholstery, draperies, furniture, flooring, and other porous surfaces. Timely cleanup is the only way to minimize continuous water damage and deterioration. 

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

Before we begin leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT homes, we do a quick walkthrough to assess your needs. We document visible damage and also look for hidden damage. 

Hidden damage sometimes occurs when water from a broken water pipe seeps into narrow openings, closets, storage areas, and wall interiors. Once we locate areas of damage, we establish a game plan for extraction, drying, dehumidification, odor removal, cleaning, and sanitizing. We also determine areas that will require restoration and repair. 

Water Extraction

We sort and separate your property to perform a more efficient leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT homes. We quickly sort and separate damaged and undamaged items. This process prevents water-soaked and water-damaged items from contaminating other dry property. 

When wet and dry property remains in the same area, wet items often damage salvageable items. After we remove undamaged property from the water-soaked site, we use an industrial extractor to remove the water from saturated surfaces.

Drying 

When water soaks into porous items, it takes a multi-faceted effort to perform efficient leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT homes. Surfaces usually remain damp after extraction. That can be a problem because moist, porous surfaces provide an ideal growth medium for mold and mildew growth. 

After our SERVPRO team extracts the water, we continue our drying equipment efforts. This step eliminates residual moisture from furniture, rugs, drapes, wall and closet interiors, and other damp areas and surfaces. 

Dehumidification 

When we’ve completed the extraction and drying processes of our leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT homes, we dehumidify the affected areas. This step removes the moisture that often lingers in the air. Unless we thoroughly dehumidify water-soaked spaces, airborne humidity finds its way back into fabrics, flooring, carpets, and other porous surfaces. It’s enough moisture to damage materials and allow mold and mildew to grow. 

SERVPRO specialists calculate the area, the relative humidity, and temperature in each room. The information helps us determine the number of industrial dehumidifiers we need and where we should place them. 

Odor Removal 

Deodorization is another essential service we perform during leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT homes. This process removes odors that form in water-soaked areas. Without treatment, the odor settles into porous surfaces in your home. Our team eliminates them using industrial scrubbers, foggers, and odor-neutralizing products.

Cleaning and Sanitizing 

As we conclude our leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT homes, we thoroughly clean and sanitize the affected areas. We use specialized equipment and safe, professional solutions. 

Repair and Restoration

Restoration and repair are the final steps for leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT homes. The SERVPRO team repairs and restores structural and cosmetic areas that sustained water damage. We complete wall reconstruction, drywall replacement, painting, and other repair and restoration tasks. We salvage, repair, or replace personal property and decor. 

Commercial Building Restoration

SERVPRO also conducts leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT commercial properties. Experienced SERVPRO professionals do the work. Also, we enhance our performance and efficiency with the latest technology and industrial equipment. Our team can perform any size cleaning and restoration job in any commercial facility. 

Contact SERVPRO

We are a locally owned and operated SERVPRO franchise, and we’re committed to leaking waterline cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT homes and businesses. When you call us, we respond immediately to perform water line leak cleanup, ice damage repair, water damage cleanup due to leaking pipes, and other water problems. 

For more information about Leaking Waterline Cleanup in Rocky Hill, CT, give us a call at (860) 649-0836.

Water Damage Cleanup in Portland CT

12/28/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage Cleanup Professionals in Portland CT

Water Damage Cleanup in Portland CT

The professionals at SERVPRO® respond immediately when you need water damage cleanup in Portland CT. We know from experience that water can cause extensive damage throughout your home. Whether the problem begins with a leaking roof, a water main break, or a hot water heater repair gone wrong, a trickle of water can ultimately become a damaging stream.  

When water runs out of control in your home, it's an emergency that requires immediate attention. Even when you stop the flow, the emergency doesn’t end. Without professional cleanup, water and moisture continue damaging your home. 

When you need water damage cleanup in Portland CT, our SERVPRO professionals respond 24/7. We arrive quickly and we begin working immediately. We do our best to save your property and prevent further damage. 

SERVPRO Water Damage Cleanup 

Every member of our SERVPRO team is a trained professional. When we perform water damage cleanup in Portland CT homes, we arrive fully-equipped with specialized extraction equipment, industrial dryers, dehumidifiers, and cleaning solutions. We arrive with our primary goals in mind: Stop the damage, minimize further deterioration, and restore your home to its pre-water damage condition. 

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

When we perform damage cleanup in Portland CT homes, we begin with an inspection, then create a plan of action. We do a home walkthrough to document visible damage. We search under your carpet, inside your walls, and we examine other areas where water damage often hides. When we understand the extent of your problem, we develop a strategy to complete your clean up as quickly as possible. 

Water Extraction

Water damage cleanup in Portland CT homes usually begins with sorting and separating damaged and undamaged property. This is important because, even in a highly-saturated area, some property remains dry and undamaged if you remove it in time. Instead of pitching all waterlogged fabrics, furniture, flooring, and home furnishings, we determine what can be salvaged and restored. 

Water extraction plays a major role in water damage cleanup in Portland CT homes. We use efficient extraction equipment to remove the water as quickly and as thoroughly as possible. Timing is crucial. The faster we begin water removal, the more property we can save.  

Drying 

Water-saturated surfaces usually remain moist even after we remove most of the water. We complete the water removal process by thoroughly drying the affected rooms and property. When property remains moist, it’s an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow. They begin as airborne spores and begin growing when they land on damp surfaces.

When furniture, flooring, drywall, fabric, and other porous surfaces remain moist, you often begin smelling the odor within days. Depending on your heat and humidity, mold and mildew easily grow out of control. 

As part of our water damage cleanup in Portland CT homes, we use industrial dryers to remove all of the water. We disrupt the mold and mildew growth process before they cause irreparable damages.  

Dehumidification 

When moisture lingers in the air, it eventually gives the water in your home a second chance to cause damage. It settles onto your furniture, flooring, carpets, and other porous surfaces. It works in a slow, steady process to cause more damage. 

The SERVPRO team takes the appropriate steps to remove the humidity from your home. We calculate each affected room’s size, relative humidity, and temperature. This helps us determine the number and placement of our industrial dehumidifiers, so we can fully dehumidify your air.  

Odor Removal 

During our water damage cleanup in Portland CT homes, we also perform a professional deodorizing process. We use industrial scrubbers, foggers, and odor-neutralizing products. We remove odors that might linger long after the water is gone. 

Cleaning and Sanitizing 

We finish our water damage cleanup operation by using specialized equipment and professional-grade solutions to sanitize air and surfaces. 

Repair and Restoration

When the SERVPRO team completes your water damage cleanup in Portland CT, we restore damaged areas of your home. This sometimes includes drywall replacement, wall painting, structural repairs, and home furnishings replacements.  

Commercial Building Restoration

SERVPRO professionals also perform commercial water damage cleanup in Portland CT. We handle any size clean-up and restoration job in any type of commercial facility. We get the work done fast to minimize business interruptions. 

Contact SERVPRO

We are a locally owned and operated SERVPRO franchise, and we’re committed to water damage cleanup in Portland CT. When you call us, we respond immediately. We're there when you need us and we get the job done fast.  

For more information about water damage cleanup in Portland CT, give us a call at (860) 649-0836.

SERVPRO Dedicated to Employing Veterans

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO values the skills that many veterans gain during their military services.

At a ceremony at the U.S. Department of Labor in November 2020, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia presented SERVPRO® Industries, LLC with a 2020 HIRE Vets Medallion Gold Award.

SERVPRO earned this recognition for its commitment to hiring veterans and working with them to develop and execute long-term career and growth plans. SERVPRO has long been committed to employing vets and putting to good use the diverse skills often gained in military service.

“We are proud to receive this award as symbol of our commitment to hiring the brave men and women who served our country,” said SERVPRO Veterans Programs Specialist Jamie Peters. “SERVPRO Industries, LLC prioritizes hiring veterans because we share like-minded values, dedication and selfless mentality to serving others. Veterans are a good fit for us, and we are committed to developing these veterans within the company. They make us a better organization, and we are thankful for their service."

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield shares this commitment to hiring veterans of military service. And we are proud to be affiliated with a corporation that values the work of military vets while creating an environment where they can build careers that are productive, satisfying and enduring.

About the HIRE Vets Medallion Award

Created to recognize employers who consistently recruit, hire and retain veterans, the federal HIRE Vets (Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans) Act Medallion Program honored 675 companies and organizations in 2020.

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is presented to businesses that demonstrate unparalleled commitment to attracting and retaining veterans. The Silver and Gold Awards are based on a number of criteria, ranging from veteran hiring and retention to providing veteran-specific resources, leadership programming, dedicated human resources, and compensation and tuition assistance programs.

About SERVPRO

Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO Franchise System is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services, and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 1,800 individually owned and operated franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield  (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Avoid Commercial Water Damage by Preventing Ice Dams

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

Icicles hanging off your commercial building can be a sign that water damage is occurring. Follow our tips to avoid trouble!

Icicles hanging from your business’s gutters may look lovely this time of year, but what’s not lovely is the water damage that can result! Those icicles may be a sign that water is backing up under your roof. From there, it can seep through ceilings, walls and insulation, and create a real water disaster, putting your furnishings and structure at risk of costly water damage. Take steps now to prevent ice dams from forming on your building.

But how do icicles and snow cause water to penetrate your building’s roof? They’re frozen, right? Not always.

When snow piles up on your roof and is melted by the warmer air below the roof inside your building, here’s how ice dams can form: the water begins to run down toward the eave, but then refreezes as it’s exposed to air and snow. The process repeats itself until a solid hump of ice has formed just above your gutter, often with those shimmering icicles dangling below the gutter. But that ice blocks the path of any further meltwater—which, with nowhere to go, gets forced back up under the roofing. Here comes water damage!

Ice Dams? Not on Your Commercial Building!

The best way to prevent ice dams is to make sure that the space beneath your commercial building’s roof never gets warm enough to melt snow. And the best way to do that is to focus on properly insulating and venting that part of your building.

• Learn and follow the guidelines and codes on how to insulate your building. The goal is to avoid losing heat through the ceiling of your workspace.
• Use foam sealant and foam-backed boards to seal off any areas where warm air is leaking out of your workspace. Likely culprits are channels where pipes and electrical cables travel through walls or ceilings; walls adjacent to masonry; and the space around HVAC ducts. These can all be sealed with spray foam. Boards can be used to seal off scuttles and other larger openings.
• Improve your building’s roof and attic ventilation; this may include soffit vents, a ridge vent (if your roof is peaked) and baffles at the eaves.

Here are other ways to prevent ice dams:

• Lay heated cables along the edges of your building’s roof to melt snow before it can form a curb.
• Every autumn after the last leaf has fallen, have your gutters cleaned Clogged gutters can stop meltwater in its tracks, making it more likely to refreeze.

If you do spot an ice dam on your building, don’t wait for water damage to start! Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield and we’ll get right to work removing the dam. And if there’s any water damage to your structure, SERVPRO® will take care of the restoration, from beginning to end.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

If your business suffers a storm, fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

If your business suffers a storm, fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO Restores Your Damaged Documents, Too

11/19/2020 (Permalink)

Not every damage remediation company can restore your important documents, but the experts at SERVPRO can!

It’s bad enough when a water, fire, storm or biohazard disaster hits your home or building and you are left to pick up the pieces. You’re often faced with the need to clean out the damage to your structure, repair or reconstruct your building, remove and restore many of your furnishings and belongings, and then get everything put back together. This can be overwhelming, and that’s why calling SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is the best way to have the job done professionally, from start to finish.

But there’s another task you’ll be facing, too: restoring all your important documents. Don’t get overwhelmed, though, because SERVPRO’s technicians are experts in the delicate process of document restoration, thanks to our years of experience, sophisticated training and access to the latest technology, equipment and supplies.

What We Restore

Businesses often need these documents restored after a fire or water disaster:

• Financial records
• Legal documents
• Project documentation
• Personnel files
• Maps and blueprints

Homeowners look to SERVPRO® to restore these documents and more:

• Financial and legal records
• Medical records
• Letters and personal papers
• Photographs
• Books

How We Restore Your Documents

When it comes to restoring documents—and all of your possessions—we work fast to halt the damage in its tracks. We start with an inventory of your documents, then take these and your other possessions to our secure central Connecticut warehouse facility for cleaning and storage. With your confidentiality in mind, we perform all work on your sensitive documents according to HIPAA standards and under 24/7 video surveillance.

The technologies we use to restore documents are the most advanced in the industry:

• Vacuum freeze-drying, which is also used to restore historical documents owned by the National Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Congress and the General Service Administration
• Gamma irradiation to sterilize and destroy any traces of pathogens from documents damaged by sewage, toxins or floods

After we have restored the paper versions, we also offer the option of digitizing your documents. With a digital backup, your important documents will be protected from water and fire damage, they’ll be accessible any time from any device, you’ll be able to share them quickly and easily, and you’ll save storage space.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield  (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Are You Ready for a Power Outage?

11/13/2020 (Permalink)

Be ready for the next winter storm-related power outage by laying in supplies for your family's safety and comfort.

Before you know it, ­winter will be upon us—and winter brings snow and ice storms, which can often bring power outages. To avoid being miserable in the cold darkness of a protracted power outage, you should take some easy steps now to prepare with planning and supplies.

Here are a few categories of preparation that you can tackle one at a time. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to ride out the storm in safety and relative comfort.

Heat and Light

There’s nothing like that sinking feeling when the power flickers and goes off. To be ready for the cold and dark, make these preparations:

• Have a supply of flashlights, head lamps and lanterns
• Have plenty of fresh batteries
• Gather extra blankets
• Lay in a supply of wood for your fireplace or wood stove and coal for a coal-burning stove
• If you have a generator, be ready with at least 24 hours worth of gasoline—and remember to only run the generator outside

Food and Water

Because you may need to feed your family for several days, prepare with a supply of shelf-stable food:

• Have a three-day supply of water (or more)—that’s one gallon per person per day
• Set aside a three-day supply of nutritious, non-perishable foods that are high in energy and easy to prepare
• If you have an infant or toddler, have three days worth of baby food and formula on hand
• Keep at least three days of food for any pets

Electronic Devices

Your electronics will help you communicate—and keep you occupied, too. Prepare with these items:

• Fully charge your cell phones, tablets, laptops and more before the storm hits
• Have a fully-charged power bank on hand, too
• Keep phone chargers in your car in case you need to charge up
• Have a battery-powered or hand-cranked radio

Medical and Personal Care

Your time will be safer and more pleasant if you prepare with these items:

• Set aside a seven-day supply of required medications (prescription and OTC)
• Have a fully-stocked first aid kit
• Have a supply of personal hygiene items
• Keep other personal items—such as hearing aids and extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses and fluid—on hand
• If you have an infant or toddler, keep a week’s worth of diapers and wipes

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

9 Factors to Consider Before Choosing a Fire Restoration Contractor in Glastonbury

11/7/2020 (Permalink)

Do you have Fire Damage? How to Hire a Fire Restoration Contractor in Glastonbury.

Fire disasters at home or business premises can cause both property and emotional damage. It causes panic, messes up your life, and leaves your home severely destroyed. But it’s not only fire that will damage your property, the water used to put it off causes destruction as well.

Even after such a disaster, you need a good fire restoration contractor to cover your back at these trying times. A restoration company should offer services like cleaning, refurbishment, construction, and coordination. It’s not time to dwell on the damages anymore but work on restoration.

Selecting any contractor out there isn’t going to help you. You need someone to give you the best restoration services and handle your situation with compassion. 

Choosing a good contractor isn’t a walk in the park as there are many considerations to put in mind. This article outlines some of the factors you should consider to make your search easier. 

1. Work With Fire Restoration Contractor Within Your Local Area

There is no better way to find a fire restoration company than to consider those within your locality. In the spirit of supporting local businesses, you’ll also find reliable contractors. A local contractor knows how to deal with issues affecting the locals.

Besides, those within your locality are easier to access in case of an urgent problem. If you live in Glastonbury, you need to work with a contractor in the surrounding area. In case you need emergency services, they should be able to reach your home as soon as possible.

Local contractors are established and known in your area. They have worked in that specific place for long enough and built a reputation. They have all the valuable knowledge regarding the city hence will do a better job than a contractor from a different area.

Make sure you sample several fire restoration companies from your city. Go through their websites and learn about their services. Don’t hesitate to ask around from people who’ve worked with the company before. Their former clients will never lie about the kind of services they received from the company.

If you don’t get any recommendations from your friends and family, you can find connections online. You can search for companies via the International Cleaning and Restoration Association’s website. They connect homeowners to the best local restoration contractors that offer reliable services. 

2. Check the Company Credentials

Working with licensed and certified fire damage restoration contractors will give you peace of mind. For a restoration company to get licensed, they need to meet requirements that certify them to perform specific tasks. Licensing also means that the company is reputable with no client complaints against it. 

A certified company works with a fully trained and experienced team. They care about their customers and always want to deliver the best services. 

Check if the company takes its team through regular training. Continuous training is necessary to improve their skills and knowledge about the latest industry standards.

Working with a company that it’s not certified puts your property at risk. This means that the company is not licensed to do the restoration work. 

You won’t manage to file a complaint if the fire damage restoration isn’t satisfactory. You’re never guaranteed quality restoration work if you work with an uncertified company.

Another credential to check is fire and water restoration contractors’ insurance. The insurance works as a shield between the contractor and the property owner. In case of accidents or property destruction, you won’t be held liable for anything.

The general liability insurance covers the technicians and the homeowner against any injuries and damages during the restoration process. You will not undergo any further losses due to damages or injuries because the insurance has got your back.

3. Check the Referrals of Your Fire Restoration Contractor

Friends and family are the first people you should go for when looking for referrals about a restoration company. Think of a friend who experienced fire damage before. It could be a neighbor to your friend or a colleague. 

They probably worked with a restoration company before. Ask them about the company they worked with. What was their experience with the company and the cost of restoration? 

Were they pleased with the results? Were they responsive to your queries? Can the friend comfortably recommend the company? 

The secondhand reference comes from online reviews. There are several places to get references online, including social media, websites, and forums. These places have plenty of information from past customers, including those satisfied and those disappointed with the services.

If you check sites such as Facebook, you will find reliable leads to good restoration service providers. They’ll tell you what you should expect from their services and the amount to pay. They can also provide ratings and reviews from previous customers so that you know what you’re getting into.

4. Your Fire Restoration Contractor Should Use Modern Equipment

A good restoration company should employ state-of-the-art equipment and the best techniques. There is a lot involved in fire damage restoration, including cleaning, clearing debris, construction, smoke odor removal, among other services. They shouldn’t hesitate to invest in the best equipment that will offer value.

Good equipment speeds up the process and provides quality work. They ensure everything within your premises, including documents and artwork, are taken good care of. The equipment used should make the work easy for both of you. 

Professional companies are equipped with the right type of equipment to handle specific tasks. They go out of their way to specialized kinds of inventories specialized in home fire safety and restoration. They’ll come fully equipped to deal with the damage in the best way possible and ensure nothing but satisfactory results.

5. Works With Experienced and Well-Trained Team

It doesn’t matter how many years the company has been in operation. What is it that keeps changing employees all the years it’s been in operation? The team that the company works with, their expertise, and experience are what matters most. 

The company is not going to do the restoration work but its employees. Everyone in the company should be up to the task starting from the customer care personnel to restoration technicians.

Consider the team’s expertise and their level of training. Check the qualifications of their restoration specialists. Make sure the people contracted to work on your premises have completed their training and certification.

The company should work with a wide range of professionals who have expertise in different areas. They should be in a position to handle even the most complicated tasks with ease. They should stay updated with the latest fire damage restoration standards and unique techniques.

6. Consider the Kind of Services the Contractor Offers

The kind of services your fire damage restoration company provides is very crucial when hiring. Check the services they’re willing to offer at a specific price and make sure they’re all that you need. They should give you a complete list of all services they offer, their requirements, and costs.

Some of the fire damage restoration services include emergency contact smoke, shoot removal, cleaning, restoration, repairs, etc. It’s advisable to work with a company that offers full-service for convenience.

7. The Company Availability and Response Time

Disasters such as appliance fire can happen unexpectedly, causing a lot of destruction. No one is ever prepared for this, but your company should be ready all the time. The faster they take to respond to the problem, the sooner you’ll restore your home.

It’s essential to reach your company whenever you need their help. They should take the shortest time to reach your home in case of an emergency. Your company should respond to calls 24/7. They should start cleaning immediately and prevent your home from getting exposed to additional damages.

This means your restoration company should also serve as emergency response teams. You should have your contractor’s contacts on your fingertips so you can call them any time and get them to help you with your emergency.

They should be available for the services and respond to your promptly whenever you have questions or concerns. A responsive company is easy to work with and keep its customers’ desires first. Make sure their customer service team is available 24/7 and willing to attend to all your needs.

8. They Should Offer a Quote

While most of the time, quality of service matters more than price, it’s still important to consider the price. You should not go for cheap companies because this will mean getting poor quality services. Also, be careful not to get overcharged because you can still get the best services at affordable rates.

An experienced company should have years of experience in their work; hence can easily work out the cost involved in your work. They can comfortably approximate the cost of your fire damage restoration. They’ll then provide you a complete quotation that gives you a clear picture of everything involved, so you prepare.

Your restoration company should also tell you if there are other additional costs to expect after the initial. There are some hidden damages in your property that need additional expenses, and you should never get surprised when unexpected costs show up.

If the prices seem out of your budget, you should consider negotiating for better charges. Who knows, your restoration company could be more than willing to give you a discount. They should also recommend alternative restoration techniques that can reduce fire damage costs.

Don’t be afraid to ask for quotes from different companies and compare them before settling with one. The restoration company bids should breakdown all the expenses, including labor costs, material, and other miscellaneous expenses. 

Understand what every contractor includes in their bids and make sure the fees are reasonable. Once you find a good deal with all the services you need, don’t hesitate to hire. 

9. A Good Restoration Company Should Inspect the Property First

No reputable company can start working on your premises without inspecting the magnitude of the damage. In fact, they should do the initial inspection before even providing you with a quotation. Accessing the situation and knowing everything the work will entail helps make the entire process easier.

While the first inspection might be accurate, they are not final numbers for the complete restoration service. They’ll comfortably say what they need for the restoration, the complete quotation, and the duration after the final inspection.

You should never trust a company that starts working right away after you contact them. When they don’t do a thorough inspection, they might send the wrong team or work with the wrong equipment for the restoration. An initial assessment will minimize damages and ensure quality work.

After doing the inspection, your company should come up with a detailed plan for the entire project. The plan will help the company restore your property to its normal shape after massive destruction.

They should not only offer you an accurate assessment of the property damage but also a plan they need to have in place for the restoration. They must make the right decisions regarding the project and how they intend to proceed with the restoration work. 

You’re Responsible for Choosing a Good Contractor

Getting your home damaged by disasters such as fire can expose you to a stressful situation. But having a good fire restoration contractor should reduce this stress and give you peace of mind. It also ensures your property will be safe and comfortable to live in even after the disaster.

If you’re in Glastonbury, you don’t have to look any further than SERVPRO of Glastonbury and Wethersfield. Contact us today and let us help get your property back to its initial state or even better than before the fire damage.

Make Your Glastonbury House Fire-Safe

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

Follow these three steps to help make your home fire-safe ... or make it easier to survive a house fire if one occurs.

Did you know that during your house’s lifetime, it has a one in four chance of catching on fire? That in the United States, a home fire is reported at least every 90 seconds? That 30% of all fires in the U.S. occur in residences? That fires kill more people in America than all natural disasters put together? And, are you aware that the single most likely day for a fire to start in your home is Thanksgiving, with 1,600 fires starting on that day each year?

These are sobering statistics, but there is so much you can do to reduce the chances of having a house fire and increase the odds of your family surviving a fire if you do have one.

It’s a fact that today’s house fires are more deadly and destructive than those of a few decades ago. That’s because your home today is filled with furnishings, like couches, chairs and carpets, that are made of synthetic materials. These synthetics are faster to ignite, burn hotter and create more poisonous chemicals when burned. Twenty or thirty years ago, a homeowner had around 15 minutes to escape a house fire, but now that timeframe is down to only 3 to 4 minutes.

Fire Risks in Your House

With these hotter, faster and more dangerous fires, you can no longer assume that you’ll be able to get out of a burning house. You have to make sure, and that means prevention and preparation. Let’s start with a look at some of the major fire hazards in your home.

The Kitchen

Forty-four percent of all home fires start in the kitchen, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). A fire in a kitchen can easily result in more than $50,000 in property damage.

Here are some guidelines for safe cooking:

• Remain alert, sober and focused when cooking.
• Keep your stovetop, vents, oven interior and countertops clean of grease and clutter.
• Clear the stovetop and nearby area of flammable items like potholders, oven mitts and dish towels.
• Keep a pan lid nearby in case you have to quickly cover a stovetop fire to extinguish it.
• Remain in the kitchen if you’re frying, boiling, grilling or broiling. If you have to leave briefly, turn the stove off.
• Stay close to the kitchen and check your food frequently if you’re simmering, baking or roasting.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove to prevent both burns and fires.
• Turn pot handles to the back of the stove to avoid bumping them and spilling contents.
• Never store items in the oven.
• Have a fire extinguisher within easy reach of your cooking area.

The Garage

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year in our country there are approximately 6,600 home garage fires that cause more than $457 million in property losses. Garage fires grow larger and spread further than fires that originate in other areas of the home, typically because many people keep electrical equipment and fuel in their garages. If that’s you, consider installing a smoke alarm in your garage—even better, one that is interconnected to a hardwired alarm system.

Fireplace and Heating

One in five residential fire deaths stem from fires that start in the fireplace or heating equipment.

• For fireplaces, the greatest cause of fires is an uncleaned chimney. Hire a professional chimney cleaner every year to remove built-up creosote and to inspect the masonry.
• Use a fire screen to keep hot ashes and cinders inside the fireplace.
• Thoroughly extinguish your fire and properly dispose of the ashes in a tightly-closed metal container that you place outside your house away from any structures.
• If using a wood-burning or other stove to heat, be sure the stove itself is in good working order, with no cracks or other damage.
• Keep all items, children and pets three feet away from the stove or heater.
• For space heaters, only use ones that are approved by UL or another national testing laboratory. Ideally, it should have an automatic shut-off switch.
• Turn space heaters off when you leave the room or go to sleep.

Wiring

Faulty or worn wiring causes 2,600 electrical fires each year in America, leading to $1.1 billion in damage. The next section lists best practices to follow to make sure your wiring is less likely to cause a fire.

Step 1: Make Your House Fire-Safe

Obviously, the easiest way to survive a fire in your Glastonbury home is not to have one in the first place. Read on for the many things you can and should do to eliminate common fire hazards.

You can start with an inspection by your local fire department. They’ll review potential fire hazards, such as your electrical system, and show you ways to be safer. They’ll also check your smoke detectors to make sure they’re in good working order.

• Look for fraying or other indications of wear on your lamps’ and appliances’ electrical cords. Repair or replace the appliance or the cord. Never run cords under a rug.
• Evaluate your extension cords, too. You should never have multiple extension cords plugged into the same outlet or strung together in a chain.
• Make sure your outlets are all covered by switch plates and have no exposed wiring.
• If any light switches make a buzzing sound, spark or throw heat, have the switch replaced by an electrician.
• If any of your lights flicker, call an electrician to check your wiring.
• Check your lamps’ wattage to make sure your bulbs are the correct wattage.
• Clean out the lint after every use of your clothes dryer and clean the dryer duct periodically, too. Hire a technician each year to inspect and clean the dryer.
• Make sure that your windows open easily and your doors open from the inside without a key.
• Install a visible house number on your home, so that your fire department can find your home quickly, even at night.
• Purge your home of clutter that can easily ignite, such as papers, magazines and piles of clothing. Each sleeping area and its path to escape should be clear of debris.

Step 2: Invest in Fire Safety Equipment

Fire safety equipment alerts your family to a fire and gives you time to escape. Get the right equipment, keep it in good working order and know how to use it—and it could save your life.

Having working smoke alarms in your home cuts your risk of dying in a house fire in half. You should have at least one alarm for every 1200 SF in your home.

• Install at least one alarm on each floor of your house and one near each bedroom or sleeping area.
• Test your alarms each month, replace the batteries each year, and replace your alarms every five years.
• Only use alarms that are approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or another independent testing laboratory.
• Don’t paint your smoke alarms.
• You can gently clean your alarm of dust or dirt with a vacuum cleaner attachment.

There are several different types of smoke alarms:

• Battery-powered alarms that you can easily install. Don’t place them too close to doors, windows, vents or ceiling fans.
• Interconnected hard-wired smoke alarms with battery backup; you’ll need an electrician to install these.
• Consider combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to place outside every sleeping area and near the fireplace, garage, furnace, water heater and clothes dryer.

With a fire extinguisher you’ll have a chance to put out a fire before it grows out of control. Studies show that a home fire can be extinguished in less than two minutes 94% of the time.

• Multi-purpose Class ABC extinguishers are light enough to handle and large enough to put out a small house fire.
• Learn how to operate the fire extinguishers so that you can use them in an emergency.
• Every year, get your extinguishers serviced and, if needed, recharged.
• When using an extinguisher, think P-A-S-S: 
  —Pull the pin to unlock. 
  —Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. 
  —Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. 
  —Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
• Install fire extinguishers near doors. When using the extinguisher, stand with your back to the door so you can escape if the fire goes out of control. If the room fills with smoke, you and your family must evacuate.

For even more protection, you could install a home fire sprinkler system, which can automatically douse a small house fire before it spreads. These systems are most cost-effective to install when you are building or remodeling your home.

Step 3: Have and Practice a Plan to Escape a Fire

Seventy-one percent of American homeowners have a plan to escape their home in the event of a fire, but only 47% of those practice the plan.

First, create an escape plan:

• Draw a diagram of your house with windows and doors marked.
• Choose two ways to escape from each room, generally through a door and window.
• Identify a place to meet a safe distance from your house. That’s where you’ll call 911 from a cell phone or neighbor’s house.

If you have children, review these safety facts regularly:

• No matter how scared they are, they should never hide in a closet or under a bed during a fire.
• Don’t try to take any items or possessions.
• Don’t re-enter the house for any reason.
• Don’t try to search for and rescue pets.
• Before opening a door, touch the knob with the back of your hand. If hot, leave the door shut and exit the room a different way.

Because you’ll only have a few short minutes, you and your family must be familiar with the escape plan:

• Practice the plan at least twice a year. One of the drills should be at night, when most house fires start.
• You may need to stay low and below the smoke in an actual fire, so practice crawling out of bedrooms and the house.
• Time the drill and rerun it if your family doesn’t get out fast enough.
• If you have bedrooms on the second floor, you may want to invest in escape ladders. Practice installing and using them.

SERVPRO® Can Help After a House Fire

If your house has burned, your home and its contents may have suffered extensive fire damage, including smoke, heat and water damage. Expect furniture, curtains and other furnishings—including your clothes—to be soot-covered and smell like smoke. Appliances that don’t look damaged may have components melted by heat. Anything that was sprayed by a fire hose can grow mold within 48 hours. Your house may even be at risk of collapse.

Recovering from a house fire is a big job. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can fully restore your home and all its contents. SERVPRO’s experienced crew will arrive promptly to handle the restoration job from start to finish:

• We start by evaluating the damage.
• We clear out property that’s destroyed beyond repair.
• We remove, inventory and store your property in our secure warehouse.
• We use a range of techniques to clean your possessions of smoke, soot and water damage.
• We perform construction to rebuild your home.
• We coordinate with your insurer to move your claim along promptly.
• Finally, we return your possessions, leaving you a home in pre-fire condition.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Prepare Your Yard and Pool for a Storm

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

You can minimize wind storm damage to your yard and pool with some before-storm preparation.

A strong wind storm can cause a great deal of damage to anything outside your home that isn’t bolted down. That may include furniture, plants, grill and more, all of which should be secured or brought inside. Your swimming pool, too, will require some pre-storm prep to successfully weather the winds.

Prepare Your Yard

The best way to prevent trees and shrubs from being damaged in a hurricane, tornado or other powerful wind storm is to keep them pruned back. Trim any dying and weak branches at regular intervals throughout the year. Before a forecasted storm, do an inventory and lop off any at-risk branches you spot.

Take a look around your yard. Bring inside anything that’s small enough to fit inside your home, garage or shed: patio furniture, outdoor toys, container plants, pool cleaning and gardening equipment.  Heavier outdoor objects should be anchored to a heavy object or structure using rope, bungee cord or chains.

Bring your grill—gas or charcoal—inside your garage, shed or basement. If you have a gas grill, remove the propane tank before bringing the grill inside. To prevent the tank from being blown around, lash it tightly in an upright position to a secure object or structure away from your home.

Prepare Your Pool

If you own an in-ground or above-ground swimming pool, your greatest concern should be protecting the pool’s pump and motor.

• Shut off the circuit breaker to the pool equipment (pump, motor, lighting, chlorinators, etc.).
• If you can, remove the motor and store it inside. If you can’t remove the motor, wrap it up tightly in plastic and seal it with duct tape or ropes.
• Remove and store the filter housetops and lid.
• Don’t bother draining the pool. Your pool’s water will actually protect the lining from being struck by debris and its overflows will drain excess water delivered by the storm.

After the storm, you’ll need to give your pool some attention before using it.

• Remove any debris from the pool—but don’t drain it.
• Let the motor dry for at least 24 hours, then inspect the pump and motor for damage. If your motor or pump got soaked, call a pool repair company to inspect your pool and equipment.
• Restore the chemical balance to your pool and run the filter until the water becomes clear.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Does Your Commercial Property Have a Mold Problem?

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

Mold loves water, so remove moisture problems to prevent mold from growing in your commercial facility.

A mold problem at your commercial building can happen quickly and with little warning. All it takes is a water leak plus 48 hours—and you may be looking at a stubborn mold infestation. And don't forget, mold remediation can be costly and time consuming.

Microscopic mold spores are found almost everywhere, both inside buildings and outdoors. They float in the air, and can find their way into your building through several avenues: open windows and doors, your HVAC system, on your clothing or even on a pet!

The good news is that mold won’t grow exponentially where there is no moisture issue. Focus on eliminating moisture to prevent a mold problem in your commercial facility.

Mold + Moisture = BFFs

When exposed to water, mold spores can quickly grow into colonies. It’s these large groups of mold spores that may produce allergens and irritants. Even humidity that’s higher than normal (more than 45%) can encourage mold growth.

While a sudden flood of water at your building (caused by a burst pipe, storm-driven water penetration or a community-wide flood) is a problem you can’t ignore, many commercial mold issues begin with minor water damage, such as a dripping pipe or water fixture, a small leak in the roof or even just an overly-humid environment. If you don’t know you have a water problem, the resulting mold infestation will have lots of time to establish itself. 

Before you begin mold remediation, you need to address all sources of water or moisture in your commercial building—or the mold may just start growing again.

How Do You Know if You Have a Mold Problem?

One big clue that you have mold in your commercial facility is detecting a strong, musty odor. If your employees or customers notice musty or moldy smells, or report problems with health effects, you should investigate a potential mold problem.

If you notice condensation in any area of your facility, it could mean that your humidity is too high, which could cause moisture buildup and mold growth.

If your building has a history of moisture problems, you’ll need to check regularly for leaks and water buildup—and address the problem promptly. You should also regularly inspect your commercial building’s ductwork and HVAC systems.

Finally, if you discover that building materials or furnishings are visibly wet or moldy, act quickly to stop the leak and remediate the mold. Remember, if more than 48 hours have elapsed since the leak started, your facility may already have become a mold factory. 

Call on SERVPRO® for Complete Mold Remediation

You may be able to remedy small moisture problems on your own, but if you discover a large amount of mold growth, don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced mold remediation company like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. Our expert staff includes:

• microbial remediation specialists
• water damage restoration technicians
• structural, upholstery and fabric drying techs
• odor control technicians

SERVPRO will arrive at your location promptly and put our training, experience and equipment to work to contain the mold infestation, halt damage, remediate all traces of mold and restore your property and facility to its pre-damage condition.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

If your business suffers a storm, fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

If your business suffers a storm, fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Getting Back to Business After a Big Storm

8/14/2020 (Permalink)

Get back to business faster by knowing what to do after a hurricane, tornado or other powerful storm damages your small business.

You own or manage a small business and have worked hard to make it successful. But when the unexpected happens, you may be left scrambling to recover. A hurricane, tornado or other storm can be such an event: coming in with little notice and leaving your business damaged, your power out and your business at risk.

Your goal after a storm is to make—and be able to pay for—the repairs you need to get your business up and running quickly. Knowing ahead of time what you need to do can make a big difference. SERVPRO® recommends taking these six steps after a hurricane or other storm to make a fast recovery.

1. Contact Your Insurance Agent

When the storm is on its way, make sure you have contact information for your insurer, as well as your policy number and coverage details. Once the storm has passed by, call your agent and file a claim, if necessary. You’ll review the timeframe for processing your claim and the information you’ll need to provide, such as commercial water repair estimates.

2. Hire Trustworthy Contractors

After a hurricane, tornado or other storm disaster, contractors are busy! Not only can it be challenging to find a reputable and qualified vendor, you also have to guard against scammers, who may try to take your money up-front and perform shoddy work—or disappear. Your insurance company may provide the names of approved contractors. Before signing a contract, interview several contractors, compare bids and check credentials with your state and the Better Business Bureau.

It’s a good idea to line up preferred contractors before a storm hits. Know that you can rely on the experienced disaster recovery experts at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to handle your storm, water, fire or biohazard cleanup quickly and completely.

3. Apply for Federal Aid

Your small business may qualify for federal aid to fund your recovery from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Call FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov to apply online. You and your employees may also qualify for disaster aid for unemployment if you have to shut down operations temporarily.

4. Apply for a Disaster Loan

If you need funds to pay for property repairs that are not covered by your insurance, you can apply for an affordable disaster loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA). 

5. Get Advice

Reach out to your local government, your local Chamber of Commerce and/or the SBA for post-disaster business counseling.

6. Keep in Touch with Employees and Customers

Keeping your employees and customers aware of your situation is crucial. Start by checking in on your employees (who may have suffered damage to their homes). Once you develop your timeframe and plan for reopening, make sure your employees are fully informed.

Posting updates on your social media pages, updating your website and sending out emails—all dependent on power and internet availability, of course—are all good ways to keep your customers regularly informed of your progress, which will pay off when you open your doors again.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

If your business suffers a storm, fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

If your business suffers a storm, fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Your Gas Grill: Keeping It Safe

8/13/2020 (Permalink)

Don't let a gas grill fire ruin your cookout … or destroy your home! Our three easy tips will help prevent a fire disaster.

There’s nothing like a meal cooked outside on a convenient gas grill! Many people use their gas grill year-round, but summer, of course, is prime grilling time. That also means that summer is the season to be especially careful about gas grill safety and maintenance.

Each year, about 9,000 fires are caused by grilling, and more than 80% of these originate with gas grills. Take these three basic steps when grilling to help prevent a fire tragedy from happening to you.

Keep It Clean

Much of the food cooked on a grill is greasy, such as burgers or steaks. As the food cooks, the grease drips into the grease trap beneath the grill top and builds up. Soon enough, this trap gets filled up and becomes a source of fuel. Because the temperature inside a closed gas grill can reach more than 500°F, that accumulated grease can easily and unexpectedly ignite. The resulting flames can spread to your deck, nearby furniture and even your home.

Insects, such as spiders, often build nests inside the burner tubes of grills, which can block the flow of gas and cause the fuel to back up. When you try to ignite the grill, it may light but that backed-up gas may also ignite, resulting in flames shooting out around the control panel. That’s called a flashback fire.

To prevent either of these situations, you need to regularly clean your grill. Focus on the areas where grease typically builds up, such as the grease trap beneath the grill, and under and around the burners. Also clean the flame tamers, which are flat pieces of steel that distribute heat as you’re cooking (usually found above the burners). As a part of your regular cleaning, check the burner tubes and clean them out with a narrow bottle brush or pipe cleaner.

Some other tips for safe cooking:

• Trim fat off your meat
• Use a lower heat setting
• Pay attention to the flames on your burners—uneven or yellow flames may indicate a blockage

Keep Your Distance

The heat thrown off by a gas grill is hot enough to set nearby objects on fire, melt your siding or even catch your house on fire. And remember that a flare-up or grease fire can send flames shooting out three or more feet from the grill.

So no matter the weather—and it’s tempting to move the grill to a porch or closer to your home if it’s raining—keep your grill away from structures (such as deck railings) and objects (such as branches). Check your grill manufacturer for the guidelines for your model. Place your gas grill on a level, sturdy and non-combustible surface that has been cleared of leaves and other debris.

Keep Watch

In spite of the social role that cooking out plays in gatherings of family and friends, you need to maintain vigilance when you are operating a gas grill. The heat of the grill can easily burn a child, adult or animal that contacts the side of it. And a flare-up or grease fire, if not stopped quickly, can turn into a major fire disaster.

Stay at or near your gas grill whenever it is turned on so that you can quickly react to a fire emergency—or stop one from happening.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Call SERVPRO for Professional Deep Cleaning of Your Business

7/27/2020 (Permalink)

Not every cleaning service can do the deep cleaning that removes viral pathogens. Call the pros at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield.

The meaning of “clean” has changed drastically in recent months. Many business owners need to have their facilities deep-cleaned and sanitized to remove viral pathogens, meet state regulations and alleviate customer concerns, but they don’t know where to turn.

Fortunately, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is prepared—with people, procedures, equipment and products—to bring the highest level of cleaning and reassurance to its clients. Read on to learn how SERVPRO® has helped many local businesses with its professional deep cleaning service.

Highest Cleaning and Sanitation Standards

With new workplace procedures recently put in place, we want to start fresh with a professional deep cleaning of our entire office. We needed a company adhering to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards during this crisis. When it came down to it, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield was our top choice; they had all the necessary certifications we were looking for. We couldn’t be any more gracious for all the cleaning they did to help keep our business going after a swift but firm inspection we had to go through. Thanks again!

— Joey in Wethersfield, CT

Having a nearby case … was scary. The state came in and a lot of businesses, including where my sister works, were shut down after inspection. We spoke to one of the businesses that got back up and running the next week, wondering how they did it. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield was their answer, and soon it was what saved my sister’s job and company. … We’ll be spreading the word to everyone we can to help keep other businesses open as well. Thank you, SERVPRO!

— Peter in Glastonbury, CT

Our small business was disinfected, cleaned and sanitized for the virus inspections, right down to the last button on each computers’ keyboard. Thank you, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield!

— Howard in Wethersfield, CT

After the announcement that schools were opening back up, we were delighted but also nervous about how to handle cleaning our entire daycare, or how to ensure parents that our facilities were going to stay clean. We did not want to go through our own stock of cleaning supplies, and we didn’t know where to turn. So we called SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We now have a freshly sanitized and deeply cleaned facility and can confidently move forward ensuring parents that their children will be safe.

— Amanda in Wethersfield, CT

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you need deep or routine cleaning of commercial facilities, or if your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you need deep or routine cleaning of commercial facilities, or if your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Stay Safe When Lightning’s in the Air

7/24/2020 (Permalink)

Protect yourself from a direct lightning strike, whether you're inside or outside.

Getting hit by lightning is something you want to avoid! Each year, about 400 people are struck by lightning in the United States. One out of ten are killed, and many of the survivors have lingering injuries and burns.

Whether you’re inside or outside, this article will tell you how to greatly reduce your chance of being struck by lightning.

What To Do If You’re Outside

Get Sheltered or Get Small

When the thunder roars, go indoors! An enclosed building is the safest place to be. But if you are caught outdoors and can find no shelter, crouch down low, with as little of your body as possible touching the ground.

Don’t Stand Under a Tree

Like many tall structures and objects, trees attract lightning. Because your body conducts electricity even better than a tree does, the lightning can jump from the tree to you if you're close enough. Keep your distance!

Stay on Your Feet

While you don’t want to be the tallest target if you’re caught out in a thunderstorm, don’t lie down on the ground as a way to make yourself shorter. By stretching out, you actually make yourself a bigger target.

Stay Away from Concrete

Don’t stand on steps, patios or other concrete surfaces, because buried within most concrete is strengthening metal rebar or wire mesh, both of which conduct electricity very effectively.

What To Do If You’re at Home

Stay Away from Windows

Don’t get too close to your windows during a thunderstorm because many of them contain metal parts that can attract lightning.

Hang Up the Landline

Lightning can travel through the phone wires and electrocute you. It’s safe to use a cellphone (if it’s not plugged into a charger).

Unplug Your Computer and Other Devices

Anything that’s plugged into an outlet is at risk of being damaged by an electrical surge. Even a top-rated surge protector is no defense against a close lightning strike, so unplug your computer and other devices. Consider unplugging your household appliances, too.

Don’t Use Small Appliances

Plugged into an outlet, any appliance, such as a hairdryer or iron, can transmit a powerful jolt from a lightning strike, so don’t use or even be near one of your small electrical appliances.

Stay Away from the Tub, Shower and Sink

If lightning strikes near your house, powerful currents can travel through the pipes in your home and electrocute you in your bath or shower. Get cleaned up after the storm! For the same reason, don’t wash dishes during a thunderstorm.

Let the Laundry Wait

Stay away from your washer and dryer during a thunderstorm! These appliances are connected to your home’s electrical system and they are metal, so lightning will travel right through them and into you.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Many Ways to Avoid an Appliance Fire in Your Home

7/17/2020 (Permalink)

Read these tips for the many things you can do to prevent an electrical appliance fire from starting in your home.

Every year in America, firefighters respond to around 370,000 home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and those household fires are responsible for billions of dollars in property damages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 85% of fire deaths happen in the home.

Of these house fires, approximately 34,000 or about 9% involve electrical equipment—and electrical fires in the home account for approximately 10% of annual fire deaths.

Taking a closer look, it’s our electrical appliances, such as clothes dryers and water heaters, that cause 7% of home fires and 4% of deaths. The biggest culprits in appliance fires are lint in dryers and combustible materials near gas water heaters.

Home appliances make all of our lives easier, but the fact is they are also potential fire hazards. By following safety tips and staying on top of regular maintenance and cleaning, homeowners can operate their appliances safely.

Your Home’s Electrical Infrastructure

Since electrical appliances are connected to the home’s electrical system, preventing an appliance-related fire disaster begins with making sure the home’s wiring and electrical infrastructure is operating safely. Overloaded extension cords, hidden electrical shorts, bad connections and oversized bulbs and fixtures can melt wire insulation and ignite nearby flammable items and materials, potentially burning down your house.

Let’s look first at signs of impending danger, then at the parts of the home’s electrical system that can malfunction and cause a fire—and what to do to keep your home safe.

Beware These Signs

Shorts, overloaded circuits and bad connections generate heat that can ignite combustibles such as wood framing, rugs or the insulation around a cord or wire. These are some of the signs of dangerous concealed wiring hazards:

• Electrical cords that are warm to the touch can signal overloading.
• Charred or plastic burning odors may indicate oversized bulbs and light fixtures.
• Warm switches or receptacle plate covers may mean a poor electrical connection.
• Frequently tripping circuit breakers may be caused by a defective breaker or a short in the cables buried in walls or ceilings.

When to Call a Qualified Electrician

When you see these signs of electrical trouble, hire an expert to make the necessary changes that will prevent a fire.

• Warm-to-the-touch wall outlets or switches.
• Fuses that regularly blow or circuits that often trip.
• Appliances that smell rubbery or as if they are burning.
• Lights that dim, flicker, are unusually bright or have bulbs that regularly burn out prematurely.
• Appliances that spark.

Other Safety Tips

• Never place anything that can burn—such as towels or scarves—over a lamp or heat-producing appliance.
• Make sure bulb wattages don’t exceed the fixture’s recommended maximum. Prevent overheating by checking all the light bulbs in your home and changing them if necessary.

Outlets

If you plug in an appliance and the cord slips out of the electrical outlet, it may mean that the blades inside the outlet have loosened. Unfortunately, loose blades can generate intense heat that can lead to fires. You’ll need to replace electrical outlets as soon as you notice that plugs don't fit snugly in them.

Homes built before 1965 typically have ungrounded two-pronged outlets, while newer houses usually have three-pronged outlets. If your home is older, consider upgrading wiring to accept three-pronged outlets, particularly if you are replacing older outlets that may be cracked, damaged or covered in paint.

Follow these good practices when plugging in appliances to minimize fire risk:

• Turn off appliances before unplugging them to avoid creating an arc inside that could create a fire hazard.
• Plug only one high-wattage appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time.
• Plug only one heat-producing appliance, such as a toaster or coffee maker, into a receptacle outlet at a single time.

Call an electrician to make your outlets as safe as they can be:

• Install tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles in outlets near where children will be present. These outlets contain an internal spring-loaded shield that requires even pressure on both sides of the outlet to access the electrical contacts.
• Help prevent shocks by installing ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, basement, garages, outdoor areas and other places where electrical equipment is near water or can get wet. (A GFCI can either be installed in your electrical system or built into a power cord.)
• To help prevent fires, have a qualified electrician install arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), which can help protect against arcing and sparking.

Power Cords and Extension Cords

Damaged power cords pose a great fire risk, so check the cords in your home:

• Make sure electrical cords are not trapped against walls or under carpets where heat can build.
• Never use electronics with frayed or exposed wires. A short circuit can result in a spark, which can cause a house fire.

Extension cords are intended for temporary use but are often used more permanently. Consider having a qualified electrician add more circuits or outlets so you do not have to use extension cords.

• Stay within the electrical limits of extension cords and power strips. Each are rated for heavy, medium or light duty use, and exceeding the recommended power rating can be dangerous. Replace undersized cords with larger-gauged ones.
• Don’t use an extension cord with major appliances. Plug them directly into outlets.
• Don’t run extension cords under carpets.
• Replace extension cords that are undersized or frayed.

Use Electrical Appliances Safely

In general, when using any electric, gas or heat appliances:

• Regularly clean, inspect and maintain appliances, especially those 15 years or older.
• Only run appliances when you're at home.
• Look for appliances with a UL mark, proving that Underwriters Laboratories has vouched for the item's safety.

A Note on Vintage Appliances

Old-fashioned plug-in appliances—a decades-old fan or vintage coffeemaker—may still run, but they were made according to outdated safety codes and may have frayed or damaged wires. If you are determined to use an antiquated electronic appliance, have it rewired by an electrician.

Bathroom Appliances

• Don’t overload outlets. Use GFCI outlets in the bathroom.
• Don’t use hairdryers or other electrical appliances near the sink, bathtub or shower.
• Keep curling irons, hairdryers, straighteners and other hot equipment away from combustible materials.
• Unplug electrical appliances, such as curling irons and hairdryers, when not in use.

Kitchen Appliances

Cooking fires cause 23% of home fires and 9% of home-fire deaths. Every year, an average of one out of every eight homes will have a kitchen cooking fire. Cooking fires mostly occur on the cooktop, usually in the first 15 minutes of cooking.

But not all kitchen fires start because of cooking hazards. Non-cooking related fires commonly involve refrigerators, freezers or dishwashers. Follow these guidelines to help prevent non-cooking related fires from starting in your kitchen.

• Plug all kitchen appliances, including microwaves, toasters and coffee makers, directly into a wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
• Use the appropriate outlet for each appliance. For larger appliances, such as ovens and refrigerators, be sure to only use properly grounded outlets with circuits that match the rating plate on the appliance.
• If you have older two-prong outlets in your kitchen, have a qualified electrician replace them with properly grounded three-prong outlets. Do not use an adapter.
• When moving kitchen appliances, be careful not to roll over or pinch power cords.
• Unplug small appliances when not in use.
• Check and clean stove hoods, filters and vents.
• Never use a gas or propane oven to heat your home. 

Oven/Stovetop

One common way a kitchen cooking fire starts is when a pot or pan is left unattended on a hot burner. Oil, grease and butter are highly flammable, so if a fire does start on your stovetop, turn off the burner and place a lid over the flame (throwing water on a grease fire may cause it to spread and intensify). If the lid does not stop the fire, use a fire extinguisher.

Follow these guidelines for safe cooking:

• Keep a three-foot zone between flammable material, such as oven mitts, paper towels and napkins, and the stove. Keep fabric (such as dishcloths) away from heat and flame.
• Clean your oven and range thoroughly at least once a month. Built-up food splatter or grease can ignite when the stove or oven is turned on for cooking.
• Never leave food cooking on a stovetop unattended.
• Don’t hang dishtowels on the oven door.
• Keep aerosols far away from flames.
• Cook on back burners and turn pot handles inward to prevent spills and burns.
• Turn gas stovetop flames off before reaching above the stove.
• Dress appropriately when cooking; avoid blousy clothing and keep sleeves rolled up.
• Keep an operating fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• If you own a gas stove, periodically check its pilot lights. A pilot light that is unlit for an extended amount of time can leak gas into your home, eventually causing a fire disaster.

Microwave

• Use only microwave-safe containers.
• Don’t heat food or materials that are flammable, such as aluminum foil, Styrofoam or some plastic containers.

Toaster/Toaster Oven

• Clean the appliance regularly. Accumulated crumbs can build up on the bottom of the toaster and catch fire.
• Never use these appliances unsupervised, because the heating elements can become faulty over time and may not turn off.

Water Heater

Since water heaters are often in the same room as the laundry, clothes can get piled up against the water heater near the flame.

• Keep paint and other flammable liquids in their original, labeled containers with lids and store them away from heat sources.
• Don’t keep anything flammable near a furnace or water heater, such as debris, combustible materials and rags. Mark a “combustible-free” zone three feet away from your water heater with masking tape.
• Keep burner/element access doors on the water heater closed.
• Keep protective water heater combustion chamber covers are in place.

Clothes Dryer

Even if you empty your lint tray every time you dry clothes, the lint still builds up inside the dryer cabinet, which holds its heating element. A blaze can start if the burner or heating element comes into contact with this accumulated lint. Especially dangerous are dryers that are vented with flexible vinyl hoses, which can easily catch on fire.

• Keep vents and filters clean by removing lint after each use.
• At least once a year, clean the lint from the exhaust hose at the back of the dryer, from the dryer cabinet, from around the drum and from the vent line.
• Don’t place items stained with combustible fluids like gasoline or furniture polish in the dryer.
• If your furnace is close to the laundry room, don’t hang clothing or drop dryer lint near it.
• Replace vinyl vent lines with smooth-walled metal ducts.

To minimize the risk, hire a professional to clean the cabinet every two years. Or follow these steps to avoid lint build-up in your clothes dryer.

• Lint trap: Pull out the lint screen and push a snorkel brush straight down into the trap. Twirl the brush to clean out any lint at the bottom of the trap. (A long crevice tool on a shop vac also works.) Shine a flashlight down the trap to make sure it's clean.
• Ductwork: Disconnect the duct from the dryer exhaust and the exterior vent. If the duct is plastic or ribbed metal, replace it with a smooth metal one. Take the duct outside and clean all the parts with a round dryer-vent brush.
• Outside vent: Working from inside, spin the vent brush a few inches into the duct, then pull it back and clean off the bristles. Repeat until the bristles reach as far as the exhaust hood on the outside wall. Then go outside, check the vent hood and clean it if necessary.
• Reassemble the metal ductwork and seal the joints with aluminum tape. (Don't connect the sections with screws, which snag lint.)

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help®

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Have a Medical Go-Bag Ready Before a Storm Hits

7/17/2020 (Permalink)

Keep your family safe! Create a medical go-bag that you can grab quickly if you need to evacuate from a storm disaster.

The time to prepare for wind, rain or thunderstorm damage is before the storm hits. In addition to taking steps to prevent property damage, you’ll want to take action early to protect the health and safety of your family. And one step you can take right now is to build a well-stocked customized medical go-bag that contains first-aid items, needed medications and more to keep everyone healthy in case your family needs to evacuate in a matter of minutes. In fact, it could save your life!

You can assemble the go-bag yourself or you can purchase a kit online or from a drugstore. Once completed, the items should be stored in a portable, water-resistant kit, such as a backpack or duffle bag. Keep the go-bag in an accessible place in your home and be sure all family members know where it is. Check the go-bag periodically and replace any damaged or out-of-date supplies. 

Necessary Items

The basic items in your medical go-bag should include: 

• Antiseptic wipes
• Bandages, gauze, tape and antibiotic ointment for treating burns, cuts and wounds
• An antihistamine for allergic reactions
• Pain relievers
• Stomach, antacid and anti-diarrheal remedies
• Mosquito repellent and aloe gel, hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion
• Eyewash solution
• Water-purification tablets
• Scissors and tweezers
• Thermometer
• A copy of your health insurance card

Optional Items

If you or family members take over-the-counter or prescription medications on a regular basis, you should include enough meds to last at least a week. Ask your doctor for 60- or 90-day refills of your prescriptions so that you’ll have extras on hand for your medication go-bag. As refills arrive, rotate your go-bag supply so that it remains up to date. And remember to check your medications periodically to ensure that they have not expired.

If you and your family have special medical needs, additional items you might add to your kit include: 

• Hearing aids with extra batteries
• Epinephrine auto-injector
• Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Syringes

Items for a Public Health Crisis

In 2020, the CDC recommends that people include additional items in their go-bags to help prevent the spread of viruses and the flu:

• Cloth face coverings (for ages 2 and above)
• Soap and hand sanitizer
• Disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Protect Your Small Business from Fires

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

Even a small fire at your commercial property can cause lots of damage and put your continued operation at risk. Here are ways to prevent that.

The last decade has seen a 5% growth in fires in nonresidential buildings, according to a 2018 report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This increase in commercial fires has been costly, as they have been accompanied by a 36% growth in insurance claims.

So, while large, sudden disasters like wildfires are a real reason for concern, a fire of any size or origin—if not caught and extinguished quickly—can at a minimum interrupt your business, and at worst, destroy your commercial property and potentially put you out of business entirely.

Know How Small Business Fires Start

If you know how, where and why a commercial fire is most likely to start, you’re better prepared to prevent one. These are the most common sources of commercial property fires, followed by steps you can take to help prevent them.

Cooking Equipment (29%)

• Clean office kitchen areas daily.
• Ban hot plates.
• Have stoves, ovens and other cooking equipment serviced at least annually by a qualified technician.      

Electrical Equipment (12%)

• Make it a regular practice to inspect appliance cords and check light fixtures, bulbs and displays for visible signs for damage.
• Unless absolutely necessary, don’t use extension cords.
• Keep trash cans, paper, cardboard boxes and other combustible materials away from outlets, panel boxes or other heat-producing electrical equipment.

Heating Equipment (11%)

• Don’t use portable space heaters.
• Keep combustible materials at least three feet from boilers, furnaces and other heating units.
• Have your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment serviced by a qualified technician at least annually and before each seasonal startup.

Arson (10%)

• Light all areas of the property, including parking lots and garages.
• Establish a security program that controls access to your building. If appropriate, arrange for a security guard to make rounds of your facility.

Smoking (5%)

• Prohibit smoking in the building.
• Place non-combustible containers outside exterior doors for disposal of smoking materials.
• Install smoke detection equipment in bathrooms, closets and other areas that may be used for unauthorized smoking.

The Fundamentals of Fire Prevention

Follow these essential fire prevention steps, just as you would at your home, to be prepared in case a fire does break out at your commercial building.

• Equip your building with smoke detectors and fire extinguishers that meet local and state regulations.
• Test detectors and extinguishers regularly, change batteries annually and replace equipment if it is defective or approaching its end of life.
• Document evacuation procedures, communicate them and hold regular emergency drills.

If a fire strikes your small business, call a professional disaster recovery company like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to help you recover quickly and completely. SERVPRO is also an expert in remediating the water and smoke damage that often accompanies a fire.

If your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

If your business suffers a fire, water, wind, mold or biohazard disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Why and How We Focus on Safety

7/10/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield protects the well-being of our employees through comprehensive safety training and procedures.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield believes in protecting the health and safety of its workers—our field crews, warehouse workers and home office staff—so that they can help our customers recover from a fire, water, storm or biohazard disaster. SERVPRO® trains our employees to handle any situation that may arise on the job. With an increased awareness of how even small actions or lapses can become a real hazard to health, our employees are trained and equipped to adhere to a higher standard of safety.

In 2019, our franchise owner hired a new safety coordinator who comes to us with more than twenty years of experience in construction and warehouse management. Rhonda explains that she “likes to learn new things and do different things.” SERVPRO is benefitting from that attitude—these are just some of the new safety initiatives that she has put into place within the last year:

Overall Safety

• We provide our training programs and videos in both English and Spanish.
• Each month, the safety coordinator meets with crew chiefs for a general review of safety measures and results, and plans for new policies and training.

Vehicle Safety

• We instruct workers in the correct operation of forklifts.
• We inspect our trucks and forklifts every day.
• We consistently assign each truck to a specific crew to increase familiarity and safety.

Equipment and Product Safety

• We provide new training in fitting and wearing N-95 respirator masks, so that each worker has a mask that is the right size, is fitted correctly and sealed tightly to the face, while allowing adequate breathing.
• We equip each crew and crew chief with duffel bags that contain hard hats, goggles, safety vests, shoulder dolly straps for heavy loads and our chemical information binder.
• We check every truck daily to be sure it has a first aid kit, eyewash station and fire extinguisher.
• We document our cleaning service products in a binder that explains appropriate uses, required protective equipment and procedures for use. Not only are our workers up to date on our products, they can easily answer customer questions.
• We train our workers to properly lift heavy loads and use shoulder dolly straps.

Fire Safety

• We train our crews to correctly use fire extinguishers, generators and third plug adapters.
• We equip each piece of equipment and every truck with a third plug adapter, which allows our grounded equipment to be used safely in older homes that lack grounding outlets.
• Every month, we inspect and date all fire extinguishers so that we know they are always ready to use.

Blood-Borne Pathogen Safety

• We created enhanced training in the safe processing and disposal of blood-borne pathogens.
• We equip each crew with a blood-borne pathogen duffel bag that includes hazmat suits, thick gloves, tweezers, needle containers and sealable bags for waste disposal.
• We have located secure metal storage containers in our parking lot, where bagged blood-borne waste is stored before being picked up by a vendor for final disposal.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield  (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Make Your Garage Fire-Safe

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

A garage is a common place for a fire to start. Take these precautions to prevent one at your home.

The second most common location of house fires (after the kitchen) is the garage. Why do these structures pose such a fire hazard? Mostly it’s because of what people store in garages, such as gas, oil and oily rags—as well as cars, trucks, mowers and other gas- and oil-powered vehicles. And there’s more:

• Water heaters, boilers and car batteries, which can create sparks that may ignite fumes or fluids.
• Oil and gasoline that has dripped from cars, which may eventually ignite or spread a fire.
• Flammable liquids, such as gasoline, motor oil, brake fluid, paint, varnish, paint thinner and lighter fluid.
• Flammable clutter, such as newspapers, cardboard boxes and paper waste.

You can reduce the risk of garage fire damage by taking these steps:

• Store flammable liquids in small amounts and far away from sources of heat, like a space heater.
• Store flammable materials, such as fuels, fluids or cleaners, away from other flammables and in clearly labeled, self-closing containers.
• Clear out clutter, including loose papers, matches, oily rags and other potentially flammable items.
• Store propane tanks outside, not in your garage.
• Don’t overload the circuit box when using drills and other electrical devices in your garage. Unplug every electrical device after use. Tape down all cords and wires so they are not twisted or accidentally yanked.
• Use light bulbs with the proper wattage, and do not overload electrical outlets.
• Keep a working fire extinguisher in the garage.

Because the garage is usually a small, enclosed space, if a fire does start it can engulf the entire area quickly—and then jump to the rest of your home. Help stop the spread of a garage fire by following this advice:

• The garage’s walls and ceiling should be fire-rated (call a home inspector to be sure). 
• The door between the garage and living space should be self-closing. If it has a window, it should be fire-rated. Do not install a pet door in the door.
• Seal the joints and open spaces around the door to prevent fumes from entering the living area.
• If the garage allows access to the attic, make sure a hatch covers this access.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help®

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Prevent Appliance Water Damage with Automatic Water Shutoff Valves

6/15/2020 (Permalink)

Avoid costly water damage by automatically detecting and stopping leaks from your washing machine, water heater, toilet and other appliances.

Every water appliance, fixture supply tube and pipe in your home has the potential to leak. And because it is fed by water pressure from city supply line or well pump, once a leak starts, there's nothing to stop it. If you're home and catch the leak early, you can stop the water flow by using fixture shutoff valves or the house's main shutoff valve. But if you're away from home, sleeping or you don’t notice the leak, you’ll probably suffer costly water damage.

If only there was a device that could detect a leak and shut the water off for you!

Good news: an automatic water shutoff valve is a simple electric device that does exactly that. One of these devices can cost as little as $200—and can save your house from a flood that can easily cause upwards of $10,000 of damage in just a few hours.

Two Types of Water Shutoff Valves

The sole job of an automatic water shutoff valve is to sense a water leak and stop the water flow by closing an internal ball valve. That simple action is triggered by a water sensor that you place on the floor where a leak is likely to occur, usually adjacent to a water appliance, such as your refrigerator, washing machine, toilet, dishwasher or water heater. If the sensor detects water up on the floor, it sends a signal to the valve, which then shuts off the water flow—which stays off until you turn it back on or reset the system.

A typical automatic water shutoff device includes several sensors that connect wirelessly to the valve unit, which can shut off your home's main water supply or just one appliance or fixture water supply line.

Single-location shutoff valves are used to protect the pipes or hoses serving the appliances most likely to leak:

• Washing machine
• Water heater
• Toilet

Other appliance supply lines that commonly leak include those for refrigerator/freezer water dispensers and ice makers, water filtration systems and humidifiers, as well as any sink faucet or other plumbing fixture.

To protect more than one appliance or fixture, install a whole-house shutoff valve. These devices are typically located near the existing main shutoff valve where the water supply pipe enters the house. The sensors can then be placed throughout the house to provide protection to all areas prone to leaks.

We’re all at the mercy of a sudden water leak in our homes. One way to minimize the water damage and costs of a home flood damage cleanup is to install automatic water shutoff valves near your water appliances or fixtures.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Do You Have a Home Fire Extinguisher? Does It Work?

5/28/2020 (Permalink)

Regularly checking the condition of your home fire extinguisher can mean the difference between a manageable fire and a total fire disaster.

We at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield hope the answer to both questions is yes!

Owning and using a home fire extinguisher can be the difference between a minor fire that you put out quickly—and a devastating fire disaster that destroys your home and property and puts your family’s safety at risk. Even if you own a home fire extinguisher, if it’s not in good operating condition, it won’t help you out. 

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) recommends that home fire extinguishers be checked regularly to make sure they are in working condition. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) advises reading the extinguisher’s instructions so that you are familiar with its parts and how to operate it. According to the USFA, some extinguishers may need to be shaken monthly or pressure-tested every few years.

The lifespan of a fire extinguisher is from 5 to 15 years. Check the extinguisher’s label or inspection tag for the expiration or last maintenance date. If it’s 10 or more years old, consider buying a new fire extinguisher.

Several times a year, you should inspect your fire extinguisher using these four steps. Document each check on the extinguisher’s inspection tag so that you can track its maintenance history.

1. Check the Access

• Make sure the extinguisher is in clear sight and easy to retrieve—and that all members of your household know where it is.

2. Check the Pressure

• If your fire extinguisher has a pressure gauge, make sure that the gauge’s needle indicates proper pressure.
• If your extinguisher has a test indicator, press it to make sure the pressure reading is within the correct range.

3. Check for Damage

• Inspect the can, hoses and nozzles for visible signs of damage, such as dents or rust. If you see any damage, consider replacing the extinguisher.

4. Check for Dirt

• Check the outside of your extinguisher for dust, oil or grease, and clean it as necessary.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help®

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Floodwaters are Dangerous! Stay Safe by Knowing the Risks

5/28/2020 (Permalink)

Beyond surviving the flood and managing the cleanup, you also need to avoid the hidden and sometimes deadly dangers of floodwaters.

Floods are among the most devastating natural disasters. They can destroy homes and property, leaving you with a challenging cleanup and an uncertain recovery. In addition to all that, floodwaters also pose less-obvious safety hazards to you and your family. You’ll be safer if you know what the often-hidden risks are after a flood.

Electrical Hazards

Because storms that cause flooding can bring strong winds, power lines often get knocked down, putting you at risk for electrocution if you walk or drive through flooded areas. If you see downed power lines near your home, don’t go near them. Instead, stay away from the water, get to a safe place and alert local authorities.

Your home’s electrical system may have been damaged in the flood, so don’t turn on light switches or use electrical appliances until you have your system checked for safety.

Chemicals and Waste

Floodwaters are often filthy and contaminated with chemicals and sewage. Stay out of the water as much as you can to avoid gastrointestinal issues, infections and rashes. Have your home’s water supply tested for safety before drinking, cooking or bathing.

Debris

Floodwater can hide sharp objects or other dangerous debris. If you must walk or drive through floodwater, protect yourself by wearing rubber boots, gloves and eye protection.

Insects and Animals

Keep a lookout for wild animals, such as snakes and rodents, in floodwaters. Mosquitos can also increase in flooded areas, so get rid of standing water in buckets, gutters, pools or other containers as soon as possible.

Be Safe During After-Flood Cleanup

When you return home to start water restoration cleanup, avoid illness or injury by following some additional safety tips.

Keep Clean

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and clean water, especially before you eat or drink.
• Each day, wash any clothing that has come in contact with floodwater separately from other clothing in hot water and laundry detergent.

Keep Healthy

• If you have an existing wound, avoid exposing it to floodwater. Wear gloves and clean the wound frequently with clean water and soap, and change the wound dressing often.
• If an existing wound develops redness or swelling, or you notice other signs of infection (such as a high fever or pain), seek medical attention as soon as possible.
• If you sustain a wound during cleanup, especially from a dirty object, seek medical attention ASAP.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Keep Your Basement Dry!

5/19/2020 (Permalink)

Avoid a flooded basement by directing outside water away from your home and keeping your foundation in good condition.

Located below grade and surrounded by soil, your basement is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home, prone to flooding from seasonal storms, melt water, burst washing machine hoses, failed sump pumps and leaking water heaters. Among the problems caused by wet basements are mold contamination, building rot, peeling paint, foundation collapse and termite damage.  In fact, 98% of Americans’ basements will experience water damage at some point! That seems bleak, but there are many ways you can protect your basement from water damage.

First, see our comprehensive article on ways to prevent water damage from household appliance malfunctions. And read on for methods you can use to stop outside water from getting inside your basement and wreaking havoc.

The key to keeping water out is to keep it away from your home’s foundation and close up any potential cracks or leaks. The most common causes of wet basements are poor roof drainage and improper site grading. Soil releases water it has absorbed when it rains or when snow melts, and the water can end up in the basement through leaks or cracks.

Protecting, repairing and waterproofing your basement will greatly reduce the risk of damage caused by moisture or water. 

Direct Water Away from Your Foundation

Your goal is to have water flow freely away from the foundation instead of toward it, and never have it pool near your home.

• Gutters and downspouts should be properly installed and maintained so that they move rainwater and snow melt at least 10 feet from your home.
• Your yard should be sloped away from your home for a distance of 10 to 15 feet, and low spots should be evened out to prevent water from pooling.
• If any side of your home faces an unavoidable upward slope, direct water around to the downhill side by creating shallow ditches called swales.

Repair Your Foundation

Water and moisture will find a way into your basement through small cracks or holes in the foundation, due to poor workmanship during construction, water pressure from the outside or settling of your house. 

Check your entire basement for moisture, leaking or discoloration, which are signs that water may be entering through cracks or holes. Then, get to work repairing your foundation.

• Fill small hairline cracks and holes with a mixture of epoxy and latex cement.
• Fill cracks larger than 1/8-inch with a fairly stiff mortar made from one part cement, two parts fine sand and a little water. Press the mortar firmly into all parts of the cracks and holes to eliminate air bubbles. 

Seal Your Walls and Floor

Once you’ve diverted runoff away from the foundation and repaired any cracks and holes, a final step is to apply a waterproof sealant to your walls and floor. Experts recommend using sodium silicate, a water-based mixture that will penetrate the substrate by up to 4 inches. 

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Prevent Household Appliance Water Damage

5/15/2020 (Permalink)

Prevent an appliance flood or stop one in its tracks with some regular maintenance in your kitchen, bathroom, basement and laundry area.

We rely on our household appliances to do so many tasks: washing our clothes and our dishes, providing hot water, keeping our food cold, flushing away waste. But a sudden plumbing problem can be a disaster, with water leaking (sometimes undetected) and causing severe damage to your home and possessions: basement water damage, a washing machine leak or a flood from your toilet or sink.

That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly check up on your appliances and plumbing fixtures, to identify and repair problems before they become costly water emergencies. You’ll want to focus your attention on the three major types of appliances and fixtures: the bathroom, the kitchen and the basement/laundry area.  

Start by understanding how long an average household appliance lasts:

    Washing machine            5–7 years
    Dishwasher                         7 years
    Refrigerator                         7 years
    Water heater                     15 years

First: In Case of a Leak

A sudden leak from a toilet, washing machine or other appliance can announce itself with a flood of water. But you may notice a more subtle sign of a looming water disaster: puddles around the bases of tubs, toilets and showers or beneath the water heater, dishwasher and washing machine.

Either way, your first step is to stop the water from leaking by shutting off the water supply to either the appliance, or if necessary, the whole house. Depending on where the leak is and how big it is, shut off the electricity to your home to prevent shocks.

Whole House Valves

• If you have a well, look for the shutoff valve on the house side of the pressure tank (you should also cut power to the tank).
• If you have metered water, look for the shutoff valve on either side of the water meter (located in the basement, on an exterior wall or even out by the street). This valve will normally be a gate-type valve, with a round knurled handle, requiring several full clockwise rotations to turn off. In newer homes, it could be a ball valve.
• Whole house hot water shutoff: There should be a valve on the hot-water outlet of your water heater, which controls all the hot water to your house. (If there isn't a valve on your hot water heater, you or your plumber should install one.)

Appliance Valves

These supply stops usually have a small round or oval handle that you turn clockwise two to four full turns to shut off the flow of water.

• Toilet: The shutoff valve, which typically has a ribbed oval handle, should be under the toilet tank.
• Sink: These shutoffs usually sit just beneath the sink, within the cabinet or vanity if you have one. The hot water valve is usually on the left and the cold water valve on the right.
• Dishwasher: Look first under the kitchen sink to locate a reducer coupling and shutoff valve on the 1/2-inch hot-water sink-supply line. If it’s not there, check your basement for it between the ceiling joists just below the dishwasher.
• Washing machine: You’ll find the hot and cold shutoff valves where the house-supply lines meet the washer hoses. Make it a practice to always close the valves when leaving home for an extended period.

Repair Water Damage … For Good

Once you’ve stopped the flow of water, clean up any standing water in your kitchen, bathroom, basement or laundry room. This will help prevent slips and falls, reduce the chances of water damage to home and furnishings, and minimize the odds of mold growth.

After you’ve done basic cleanup, you need to dry your home and repair any damage. It’s essential that your home be dried out within about 48 hours, because after that mold may grow on damp wood, paper and particle board.

An experienced disaster remediation company like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the resources and expertise to get to your home fast, stop the leak and completely clean up the damage, restoring your home to its before-disaster condition.

Preventing Leaks with Monitoring

The best way to deal with a leak or flood is to prevent one in the first place. And one way you can do that is to use a detector or alarm to monitor for and catch leaks as they start. Some devices even shut off water to your appliance if they detect a leak.

Electronic leak detectors use wireless water sensors to detect water leaking from an appliance onto your floor. They either sound an alarm (battery-operated models) or can be wired to an automatic shutoff valve (on your main water line or at individual shutoffs). Some versions can be wired into a centrally monitored alarm system or automatically call you by phone when the alarm sounds.

With a battery-powered water leak alarm, you place the sensor on the floor next to plumbing fixtures and appliances, like washing machines and water heaters. You can also set a sensor on your basement floor to detect and warn you if water is seeping in from outside or if your sump pump has stopped working. Water leak detectors are effective only if you hear the alarm and turn off the water.

Another option is a single-point leak detection and automatic shutoff system. Plug this type of water leak detector into an electrical outlet and place its sensor on the floor. An electric shutoff valve turns off the water to your appliance or entire home when leaks are detected.

Finally, a water flow sensor can be installed on a home's main water line and programmed to allow normal water flow. If water flow exceeds a specified amount, a valve will close to stop the flow of water.

Preventing Leaks in the Kitchen

Garbage Disposal

Check the drain connections where the dishwasher discharge connects to the disposal, or where the disposal discharge runs to the sink drain. Inspect and tighten the connections or replace the gaskets if they show signs of leaking. A garbage disposer that has a foul smell should be cleaned.

Dishwasher

Watch and listen to the dishwasher in action. A dishwasher that fills slowly may have a problem with the water supply hose or the shutoff valve that controls it. If the dishwasher is slow to drain, or if water remains in the bottom of the dishwasher after the cycle is over, inspect the water discharge hose for clogs or pinching.

If the drain hose cracks or tears or connections become loose, the dishwasher may lose water onto the floor before it exits through the end of the line. Remove the kickplate below the dishwasher door, run the dishwasher and look under the machine for water leaks at the hose clamps or along the hose. Tighten any loose fittings or install a replacement hose.

Refrigerator

Check the water supply hose for signs of wear and replace it if you see any damage.

Replace the filter on a refrigerator that has a water dispenser and ice maker twice each year. A clogged filter can block water flow and lead to a leak.

Sink Drains

A kitchen sink strainer is a common place for leaks to start. Observe the strainer area and the P-trap as water in the sink drains out. You may see that you need to tighten the P-trap fittings, or replace the strainer basket if it begins to leak or is corroded. A sink that drains too slowly may have a clog building in the P-trap or branch drain, in which case you should disassemble and clean these fittings.

Periodically, you should clean the kitchen sink drain by running a mild homemade drain cleaner through it to break up the usual buildup in the drain and keep the water flowing.

Faucets

A leaky kitchen faucet is the single most common plumbing repair. It may seem minor and just an annoyance, but a dripping faucet can quietly cost you hundreds of gallons of water each year. Watch your faucet carefully as you operate the lever, and repair the faucet if it requires it.

Preventing Leaks in the Bathroom

Bathroom Faucets

Check your sink, tub and shower faucets regularly for leaks, and if you spot any drips, replace worn washers or cartridges.

If you turn on the faucet and spot a drop in water pressure or an uneven pattern of spray, that may be a sign that calcium is building up on the aerator. Remove the aerator and soak it in vinegar or clean it manually.

Act fast and call a plumbing expert if you notice signs of water damage in the room below the tub and shower supply lines. Hidden behind walls, a leak here can cause major damage without you knowing it.

Bathroom Drains

Periodically, you should disassemble traps in the tub, shower and sink drains and remove hair and debris clogs rather than waiting for these to become full blockages. At the same time, you can also snake out the branch drains to remove clogs.

Toilets

Start by removing the tank lid on the toilet and watch what happens as you flush it. A toilet that continues to run rather than shutting off at the end of the flush cycle is wasting a lot of water. Fixing a running toilet is often easy—it may be as simple as replacing an old, brittle flapper.

If your toilet rocks slightly when you sit on it, or if you notice water seeping around its base, the wax ring that seals the toilet base to the drain opening may need to be replaced before it leaks.

Caulking Around Bathroom Fixtures

The caulk around tubs and showers can allow water to get behind walls and under floors when it dries and cracks. Check the caulk beads along floors and walls and seal any gaps with fresh caulk. It’s a good idea to remove the old caulk every few years and apply a new bead of high-quality silicone tub-and-shower caulk.

Preventing Leaks in the Basement and Laundry Area

Water Heater

Look for leaks around the base of the water heater, which may be caused by a faulty temperature and pressure (T and P) relief valve, or a bad drain valve. Check for signs of water leaking in the cold water inlet pipe and hot water exit pipe above the water heater.

Every few years, the water heater tank should be flushed to remove sediment from the bottom of the tank, which can lead to clogs and potential leaking. You can do this yourself or hire a professional.

Washing Machine

Periodically, turn off the water supply and pull the washing machine away from the wall to do an inspection.

Check the fill hoses for signs of wear. If you see any rubber hoses that are beginning to bulge, replace them immediately—a burst hose (especially if you are away from home) can cause an expensive washing machine flood. Replace worn or even slightly damaged hoses as soon as possible.

Check for loose connections between the hoses and the valves that control them. If loose, tighten the connection of the drain hose, the water hose to the washer valves and the connections of the water hoses to the inlets. Also, test the valves themselves and replace them if they do not completely stop the flow of water when shut off.

An unbalanced machine can make the entire appliance shake while it spins and agitates, causing water to spill out onto your laundry room floor. Adjust your washing machine pedestal, level the floor or re-level the machine itself to restore balance.

If you see water escaping during the spin cycle, but the machine is level, inspect the hoses for other signs of clogs, loose connectors or other damage. A clogged drain hose will send water overflowing onto your laundry room floor. Clear the clog by softening it with hot water and fishing it out with a straightened wire hanger.

Sump Pump

If your home has a basement with a sump pit and pump, check periodically to make sure it is operating properly. Do this by filling the sump pit with water manually and making sure the pump activates and pumps out the water.

Consider investing in an emergency backup battery system for your sump pump so that it will still operate during power failures, and will sound an alarm when maintenance is needed or a battery problem is detected.

We’re Here to Help®

If you do suffer damage from a toilet leak, sink overflow, washing machine flood or water heater leak, you’ll need to act fast. Step one is to call an experienced water damage remediation company, such as SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We’re here to help® when you have property and structure damage from a water disaster—and we’ll get the job done quickly and completely!

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Guard Against Virus Contamination at Your Home and Business

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is the experienced, reliable resource for virus disinfection at your home or business.

The threat posed by viruses, bacteria and other pathogens can range from mild to deadly. While effective treatments and vaccines are available for many familiar diseases, a previously unknown pathogen has the capability to rapidly sweep the globe, leaving us all vulnerable to infection and lacking any reliable treatment.

Many viral pathogens spread mainly through personal contact, especially between people who are within about six feet of one another. Transmission occurs when an infected person coughs or sneezes and produces airborne respiratory droplets. These drops travel through the air and can be inhaled by others, infecting them. To prevent transmission, medical experts advise not gathering in large groups and keeping at least a six-foot distance from others.

It may also be possible to catch a virus by touching a surface or object that has virus cells on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Research indicates that viral pathogens can live on surfaces from a few hours to a few days. For this reason, experts strongly recommend washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face. Obviously, disinfecting the surfaces of objects, furniture and fixtures can play a key role in reducing viral or bacterial contamination.

The CDC Recommends Proactive Cleaning

According to the CDC, “Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of … viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.” Visit the CDC’s website for the latest and most accurate information on the current crisis and viral pathogens.

To protect your family—or if you own a business, your customers and employees—call on SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to provide professional proactive cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection of commercial and residential properties to minimize the transmission of emergent viral pathogens. At a time of peril, SERVPRO can offer homeowners and business owners extra reassurance that their homes and facilities are clean, disinfected—and safe.

The SERVPRO corporation has always emphasized having the expertise, training, equipment and personnel to respond to just about any disaster, even the most unexpected. Do what you can to keep your family and friends, customers and employees safer now with proactive cleaning of your home or business—just call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield will clean, sanitize and disinfect your home or business to eradicate traces of viral and bacterial pathogens. Whether you think your structure may have been contaminated or not, SERVPRO is ready to help prevent future exposure within your building.

Reminder: Although SERVPRO’s cleaning process can remove existing viral pathogens, understand that structures we clean proactively are not protected from future contamination if an infected person subsequently enters the building.

Virus Protection for Your Home and Business

Whether you want to make sure that your home or commercial building is free from contamination or you have a suspected contamination, rely on SERVPRO to restore your peace of mind, health and safety.

When a family member has been infected by a virus, proactive cleaning by SERVPRO can reduce the risk of exposure for other residents of the home and relieve their worries over becoming infected.

Business owners, likewise, can protect the health of their employees and customers with our proactive cleaning service. With a call to SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, you will make it clear that your business is doing all it can to protect the health of your customers and the public. Not only that, but you will be helping to keep Americans—those you know and those you’ll never meet—safer.

For businesses that have had to curtail operations: once you prepare to open your doors again, hiring SERVPRO to thoroughly clean and sanitize your facility before you allow workers, customers and the public inside will demonstrate that your business is a safe place to be.

Many types of businesses will benefit from SERVPRO’s proactive cleaning, which targets contamination from viral and bacterial pathogens:

• Restaurants and bars
• Retail stores
• Offices, especially medical offices
• Schools
• Nursing homes, senior centers and rehabilitation facilities
• Gyms
• Hotels, B&Bs and other hospitality sites
• Libraries
• Theaters and entertainment venues
• Apartment buildings
• Factories and warehouses

Five Ways We Were Ready for a Crisis

SERVPRO has built its business on being prepared for disasters with the right know-how, equipment and staffing. We are uniquely ready to provide proactive cleaning of viral pathogens for several reasons.

Our Crews

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is one of four top-performing local SERVPRO franchises—the others are SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield, SERVPRO of West Hartford and SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield—that are owned and operated by Ralph and Noemi DiCristofaro. With the resources of four franchises, we can get to your job faster, and we allocate staff and equipment—thousands of pieces of equipment and dozens of trucks and other vehicles—as needed to tackle the really big, urgent jobs.

At all times, we are fully staffed and prepared for your most challenging job. Our employees are trained in the use of all our equipment and cleaning products, and we adhere to rigorous safety training and procedures for their protection. Further, commercial and residential customers have counted on SERVPRO for specialized cleanup of biohazards. We know how to handle dangerous chemical and blood-borne pathogen contamination safely, and we know how to clean up after ourselves and dispose of all waste properly.

Our Protective Gear

We are well-supplied with the appropriate personal protective gear for the job. If there is no indication that your facility or home has been contaminated by viral or other pathogens, our crew will wear mid-grade protective suits, but if contamination is suspected or confirmed, they will wear thicker top-grade suits with integrated boots and hoods. Every crewmember wears an individually fit-tested N-95 mask to ensure total protection.

Our Cleaning Products

We use hospital-grade cleaning and disinfecting products, which are safe to use and effective at killing germs, to eradicate viral and bacterial pathogens. At times of crisis, these products can be difficult, if not impossible, for other vendors to locate, but SERVPRO, thanks to its early planning and strong purchasing network, possesses a substantial supply of pathogen-fighting cleaners and disinfectants.

Our Cleaning Process

We attack viral and bacterial contamination with a two-stage approach. First, we seal off your home or business and fog it with cleaning and disinfecting agents. Using electrostatic sprayers and misters, this delivery method allows the agents to penetrate deeply into hard-to-clean crevices.

Our staff then performs hands-on cleaning and disinfecting of every flat surface, including furniture, fixtures and objects, leaving the disinfectant in place for the CDC-recommended amount of time necessary to kill disease-causing germs.

Our Coverage

Don’t worry about additional liability when you hire SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We are one of more than 1,800 SERVPRO damage restoration and cleaning franchises across the United States, and we are fully insured against contamination or any other hazards we may encounter.

We Clean and Disinfect Thoroughly, Throughout Your Home or Business

Meeting or exceeding the CDC’s guidelines, SERVPRO cleans and disinfects high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards and tablets. (Cleaning removes the soil and dirt that harbors infectious agents, while disinfecting kills the remaining environmental pathogens.)

We treat these and other areas of the home or business:

Throughout

• light switches
• doorknobs
• floors: hard surfaces/wood
• carpets, rugs and mats
• hallway and stairwell handrails
• water fountains

Kitchen/food areas

• tables and chairs
• countertops and tabletops
• cabinets and pulls
• food contact surfaces
• paper towel/napkin dispensers
• push doors
• salt and pepper shakers
• sinks and sink hardware
• soap dispensers

Bathrooms

• bathroom stalls
• countertops
• cabinets/vanities and pulls
• grab bars
• paper towel/napkin dispenser
• sinks and sink hardware
• soap dispensers
• toilets
• diaper-changing station

Classrooms

• book covers and binders
• chairs
• computer equipment
• countertops, tabletops and desktops
• small hard-surface items
• paper towel/napkin dispensers
• sinks and sink hardware
• soap dispensers

Offices

• chairs
• telephones
• computer equipment
• countertops, tabletops and desktops
• lamps
• shared office equipment

Retail space

• shelving and racking
• displays
• mannequins
• packaged inventory
• fitting room stalls
• tables and chairs
• telephones
• computer equipment and registers
• sales counters

Other

• fitness equipment
• storage bins
• lockers
• playground equipment
• elevator cars

Cleaning (Porous and Non-Porous Surfaces)

Cleaning—using a detergent and water to physically remove germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces and objects—can remove but doesn’t necessarily destroy viruses on porous and non-porous surfaces. Because many viruses are encased in fatty envelopes, however, it is likely that the same soaps that break down grease can pierce that outer envelope and inactivate a viral pathogen, too. It’s easier to remove contamination from smooth, non-porous surfaces than from porous surfaces, such as upholstery or carpeting.

We wet-clean non-porous materials, such as hard-surface floors, cabinets, countertops, doorknobs and plumbing fixtures, with a variety of SERVPRO hard-surface cleaners (general purpose) and cleaning methods.

We wet-clean porous, nonwater-sensitive materials, such as carpet, area rugs, upholstered items and draperies, using a hot water extraction or preconditioner-and-rinse method.

Note: Cleaning methods typically used on water-sensitive materials, such as vacuuming or dry sponging, are generally not effective because they do not remove enough soil and residue. Some materials, such as paper and paper products, cannot be cleaned with detergent and water without being damaged.

Disinfection (Non-Porous Surfaces)

SERVPRO follows CDC guidelines to disinfect with a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant, which are known to kill germs and disinfect non-porous surfaces or objects. We spray or mist these chemicals and let the disinfectant remain on the surface for ten minutes, sufficient to kill germs.

According to the CDC’s recommendations, we use disinfecting wipes on electronic items that are frequently touched, such as phones and computers, repeating with additional wipes to keep the surface wet for the recommended length of contact time.

Note: Many porous surfaces, such as carpets, area rugs, upholstered items and draperies, cannot be disinfected.

Safety is First

SERVPRO cleaned prioritizes the health and safety of our professionals. We thoroughly train and equip our crews to handle potentially contaminated areas and materials.

On the job, our employees don personal protective equipment, including individually-fitted N-95 masks, appropriate protective suit with integrated hood and boots, nitrile gloves and goggles. As we work to rid your home or place of business of viral or bacterial contamination, we routinely clean and disinfect our own tools and equipment to avoid spreading any germs.

Once we have finished cleaning your home or business, our crew bags and returns towels to the SERVPRO facility for laundering, and bags, removes and disposes of its waste products (such as used gloves, wipes and disposable masks)—leaving nothing behind but a clean and disinfected building.

We’re Here for You in a Time of Crisis

In just about any disaster situation, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. In a time of uncertainty and peril, we have the expertise and preparation to reassure you, your family, customers and employees that your safety and health will be protected. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
1408 Neipsic Road, Glastonbury, CT 06033

IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water, mold, storm, fire or biohazard disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Keep Rainwater Out of Your Building

4/23/2020 (Permalink)

Keeping your gutters clear of debris is just one way to stop rainwater from entering your commercial property and causing a water or mold disaster.

Whether it’s a small seepage that you may not notice until you have a stubborn mold problem, or a gusher that runs down your walls and across your floors, you want to prevent a flooded commercial property.

Preventing a rainwater disaster starts at the top: your roof. Its drainage system is designed to route water off your roof and direct it safely to the ground and away from your structure. Stay dry by knowing the condition of your roof and drainage system, and making any necessary repairs without delay.

Care for Your Roof Drainage System

Inspect and clean the roof and its drainage system, including gutters, interior drains and scuppers, at least twice a year, ideally during the spring and fall, and after any severe weather.

• Remove loose objects and debris that could end up in the drainage system. Check under and around roof-mounted equipment, satellite dishes, antennas and solar panels.
• Check slope of roof cover system. Standing water can indicate that your roof is not sloped properly.
• Clear the gutters of roofing granules and gravel. If these materials accumulate, they can alter the slope of the gutter and obstruct the flow of water.
• Check gutters for standing water and clear any blockages. If you find standing water but no blockage, make sure that the gutter is properly sloped to the downspout.
• Check downspouts to be sure they funnel water away from the building.
• Inspect for cracks around roof drains and repair if necessary.
• After severe weather, check the roof and drainage systems for leaks and damage, and repair if necessary.

When you repair or replace the roof and/or gutters:

• When re-roofing, be sure that all drains, scuppers and gutters are returned to their original operating conditions.
• When replacing gutters, consider installing larger gutters to carry more water from your roof.

Check Air Conditioners and Drains

If you have a roof-mounted air conditioning system:

• Check the drain lines to make sure they direct rainwater off the roof and away from the building.

If you have wall or window air conditioners:

• Make sure the internal drain pipe is big enough and water flows freely.
• Be sure the unit sleeve is tilted slightly toward the exterior wall.
• Check caulking and weather stripping for gaps, cracks and other damage, and repair if necessary.

Keep Trees Trimmed

• Trim back trees near your building to keep leaves out of the drainage system.

If your business suffers a water disaster, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We’ll handle everything: water removal, mold eradication, pack-out and restoration of your furniture and items, and structure repair and reconstruction.

If your business suffers a water disaster from a rainstorm, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

If your business suffers a water disaster from a rainstorm, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

3 Key Things About Smoke Detectors

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

Make sure that your smoke detectors are ready to do the job of protecting your family and home!

As essential as they are, smoke detectors aren’t foolproof. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), dead batteries are responsible for one-quarter of all the U.S. home fires in America in which smoke detectors fail—and missing or unplugged batteries account for half. It is so important that you properly choose, install and maintain the smoke alarms in your house.

Choose and Buy

To give your family the best chance of escaping a fire, start by purchasing the right kind of smoke detector.

• Smoke detectors are powered either by a battery or are hardwired into your house’s electrical system (typically with battery backup). According to the NFPA, all of the smoke alarms throughout your house should be interconnected through hardwiring or a wireless signal, so that when one alarm sounds, they all sound. (New homes are required to include hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms with backup batteries.) If your home is not already hardwired, you can buy detectors that interconnect wirelessly.
• If your smoke alarm isn’t a dual model with a built-in CO detector (which alerts you to dangerous levels of this deadly gas), you’ll also need to purchase a separate CO alarm. Install CO alarms outside all sleeping areas and on every level of the home.
• Smoke detectors use two kinds of sensors: ionization and photoelectric. Ionization sensors are better at detecting flaming fires, while photoelectric sensors are better at detecting smoldering fires. Ideally, you should purchase a dual-sensor model, which uses both technologies. Otherwise, purchase and install both ionization and photoelectric alarms in your home.

Hang ’Em High

• The NFPA recommends placing a smoke detector inside every bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Place the alarms high on the wall, leaving no more than 12 inches from the top of the alarm to the ceiling.
• To avoid false alarms, position units at least 10 feet from cooking appliances and 3 feet from bathrooms that have a shower or tub (because steam can trigger alarms).

Don’t Let Them Die

• Replace your smoke detector’s batteries every year.
• If you hear chirps from your battery-powered or battery-backup smoke detector, replace the batteries right away. Never unplug it to mute the sound.
• Test your smoke alarms each month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm sounds, and if it doesn’t, replace the battery. If the detector still doesn’t work, replace the whole unit.
• Smoke detectors have a lifespan of ten years, while those with built-in CO detectors last five to seven years. Replace them at least that often.

Face it: smoke detectors are the ultimate low-investment/high-impact device: buy them, install them and tend to them once in a while—and, if a fire breaks out in your home, they may very well save your life and a fire damaged property!

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help®

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO: The Roots of Success

3/27/2020 (Permalink)

Backed by a strong corporate culture and history, the people of SERVPRO stand ready to respond to your water, fire or storm disaster.

If a disaster strikes your home or business and you suddenly need water, fire or storm cleanup and restoration, you really want a top-quality job in a short timeframe. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is the reliable cleanup and restoration company that has the experience, personnel and equipment to meet your needs.

Many of our satisfied customers choose SERVPRO® because of our history of successful disaster restorations and outstanding service. Entrepreneur Magazine has ranked SERVPRO the #1 franchise opportunity in the restoration services category for the past ten years! Over the last several years, SERVPRO has also been ranked by Entrepreneur as the #12 (or higher) franchise overall.

It started out simply enough: Ted and Doris Isaacson opened a painting business in Sacramento, California in 1967, which became SERVPRO. The company grew over the years, eventually becoming a franchisor of cleanup and restoration specialists. By the mid-1980s, the Isaacsons had grown their business to almost 650 franchises, and by 2000, they oversaw 1,000 franchises.

SERVPRO Today

Now there are more than 1,800 SERVPRO franchises across the U.S. and the firm is working diligently to achieve its goal of being the premier cleaning and restoration company in the world. We train our employees rigorously on a local, regional and national basis. We are proud to be the preferred vendor for many national and local insurance companies.

In 2019, Rick Isaacson became our CEO, carrying oversight of SERVPRO into the second generation of the Isaacson family. Rick has worked for SERVPRO for thirty years and oversaw the implementation of our national training program and our nationwide advertising program. In total, SERVPRO’s top corporate management team has an average of twenty years with the firm.

The roots of SERVPRO’s success lie in our One Team culture:

• We develop quality teammates: SERVPRO trains and equips employees to handle any disaster and makes sure they have mastered the latest techniques and technologies.
• We strive to be the best: This means we empower employees to put the customer first and get the job done right.
• We serve others: We make our clients’ lives better fast by working closely with insurance companies, property managers and local fire/police.

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Water Damage from a Frozen Pipe? Here’s What To Do

2/20/2020 (Permalink)

Cold temperatures and exposed pipes can wreak havoc on your home and furnishings. Follow our tips to prevent frozen pipe damage.

When temperatures drop below freezing, unprotected pipes can freeze from a combination of exposure, wind chill and subfreezing weather. And a frozen pipe can quickly become a burst pipe, which can do incredible amounts of damage in a short period of time. Read on for ways to avoid a frozen pipe water disaster—and ways to minimize the damage if you do suffer a frozen and burst pipe.

As water freezes in a pipe, the ice first blocks it completely and then expands. This causes the water pressure in the pipe to increase, sometimes up to 1,000-fold! Too much pressure will rupture the pipe. The rupture usually occurs where water pressure finds a weak spot in the pipe, often not at the point where a pipe froze, but between the freeze and a faucet. Then, either during the freezing weather or after the frozen pipe thaws, water seeps or even gushes into your home or office. Sometimes this happens out in the open, but often it occurs in an attic or basement or behind walls or ceilings.

Severe damage can occur before you are even aware that a pipe has burst. That’s no surprise, considering that up to 250 gallons of water can flow from a ruptured pipe in just 24 hours. And that kind of damage is expensive: the average insurance claim for residential water damage is $10,000–15,000 and total cleanup costs can reach $70,000.

Keep Those Pipes from Freezing

Avoid that kind of water damage by preventing your pipes from freezing—and that means making sure your pipes are too warm to freeze. Steps taken at the beginning of winter or before a freeze can save you a lot of expense later on.

Warm your pipes

The first step is to evaluate your pipes. Check unheated and un-insulated areas of your house, such as your basement, attic, garage and crawl space. Look under bathroom and kitchen sinks. Examine your exposed pipes to determine which ones are at risk of freezing. Note any pipes that show wear or damage.

• Don protective gear and wrap un-faced fiberglass insulation around at-risk pipes in the attic, crawl space or other out-of-the-way place. Don’t worry about being neat, just protect those pipes—and don’t leave any gaps.
• An alternative is to use pipe sleeves. Butt the pieces tightly against each other and seal the slits and joints with duct tape.
• Install a heat trace cable, either wrapped around the pipe or running its length. Ready-to-use cable, with one end terminated and insulated and the other end equipped with an electrical plug, is easiest and safest to apply.

Pay attention to the exterior of your home, too.

• Disconnect garden hoses from outside faucets to prevent water from freezing in the hose and rupturing the faucet. Drain the hoses and store them inside.
• If your exterior faucets have cut-off valves, close them and drain the faucets. If they don't, insulate them with foam faucet covers.

Keep your home warm

• Use caulk to seal around doors, windows, exterior faucets and outside outlets.
• To insulate a large area, perhaps in the attic or basement, install faced or un-faced foam board by scoring, snapping and screwing it to wood framing.
• Using rigid foam insulation, close and seal foundation vents near water pipes, and insulate foundation walls and the ends of the floor joists.
• Install storm windows over basement windows or replace broken or old windows with energy-efficient alternatives.
• If you have an un-insulated crawlspace, turn up your thermostat to warm it up.

If you travel during the cold season

If you will be away from your home at all during a freeze, take these steps to avoid returning to a burst pipe and a water disaster.

• Set your thermostat to 55° F or higher.
• Close the valve to the house's main water supply.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to check inside your home once a week.
• If you heat with propane or fuel oil, give your fuel supplier contact information for you and your neighbor.
• Install or subscribe to a freeze-sensing system to monitor your home's internal temperature using a phone or the internet; some even have automatic shut-off valves.

Consider a smart leak/flood detector

Smart leak/flood detectors and water-shutoff valves let you remotely and immediately stop a flood of water, preventing or minimizing water damage. These detectors connect directly to your home’s WiFi and offer a smartphone app, so you can control them and receive alerts wherever you are. The app will alert you if there’s a drop in pressure, indicating a leak has occurred. Depending on the product’s design, you can use the app to quickly shut off the water or it can do so automatically.

Actions to Take During a Freeze

When the temperature plunges, keep a close watch on all your chilly areas and vulnerable pipes.

• Turn faucets on to allow a trickle of water to flow through the pipes.
• Allow room air to warm pipes by opening doors to cabinets, vanities, closets and pantries.
• Set up fans to blow heat into cold rooms or your crawl space.
• Run space heaters to warm up areas near pipes, but don't overload circuits or use extension cords.
• Keep the garage door closed if it contains water supply lines.
• Warm the most vulnerable pipes with a hair dryer, heating pad or even cloths soaked in hot water. Leave the faucet on while you apply heat.
• If water pipes inside an exterior wall are freezing, don’t hesitate: cut an opening in the wall to expose the pipes to the home's warm air. Place fiberglass insulation around the pipes and against the exterior wall. (Don’t worry about the hole—you can cover it later with a hinged door or panel, which will allow access during future freezes.)

Signs of a Frozen Pipe

If you notice any of these conditions, you may have a frozen or burst pipe:

• Dripping, bubbling, whistling or sounds of water rushing in pipes or behind walls.
• Discolored water coming from your faucets.
• A drop in water pressure when you wash your hands, fill your sink or take a shower.
• No water at all coming out of a faucet or a toilet that doesn’t refill after flushing.
• Odd or unpleasant odors from drains, sinks or other areas of your house.
• Bulging and discoloration or water marks on walls and ceiling.
• Drips, puddles or gushing water.

Your first step is to narrow down the location of the frozen pipe. Remember, frozen pipes tend to be located along exterior walls that are not well insulated, or in basements, attics or crawl spaces. Do this by turning on all the faucets and seeing which ones don’t work.

• If all the faucets in a single room don't work, the frozen pipe is on the room’s side of its split from the main line.
• If all the faucets on the floor don't work, the freeze is between where the first and second floor pipes diverge.
• If no faucets in the home work, the freeze is likely near where the main water pipe enters the house: at the water meter, in the crawl space or at the water softener, if it is in the garage.

Once you have a general idea where the frozen pipe is, take a closer look:

• Visually inspect any exposed plumbing in your attic, basement, garage or crawl space, and under sinks. The frozen pipe may have a layer of condensation on it or even a white area where the condensation froze.
• Touch the pipes to check for a temperature difference. A frozen area will be colder than everywhere else.

How to Thaw a Frozen Pipe and Locate a Leak

If the pipe is still frozen, there’s no water leaking … yet. This gives you time to prevent or minimize water damage.

• Shut off the water at the main valve or the meter in case the pipe does burst. Then, open up all the faucets in your house to relieve pressure.
• Thaw the ice blockage by warming the connecting pipe. Using a hair dryer, start at the faucet or fixture and work your way back. Or use an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe or wrap pipes with towels soaked in hot water.
• Don't use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater or other devices with an open flame. A blowtorch can make the water in the pipe boil and cause it to explode and the others can create poisonous carbon monoxide.

When the pipe is thawed out, you’ll need to find out if it has burst somewhere along its length. The most likely places are pipes that run against exterior walls or where the water service enters the home through the foundation.

• Turn the water on and look and listen for leaks.
• If you notice a rushing sound in the walls or a flood of water, immediately shut off the water to your house.
• If your pipes thawed without bursting, they may have developed pinhole leaks. Run your fingers over seams and joints to check for hard-to-spot leaks.
• If you identify no apparent leaks, check each of your faucets in turn. If you notice low water pressure at a particular fixture, you may have a slow leak in that line.

Halt Water Damage … For Now

You’ve located water leaking from a pipe, so now’s the time to act fast and stop water damage in its tracks. Remember, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the resources and expertise to get to your home fast, stop the leak and completely clean up the damage.

• Depending on where the leak is and how substantial it is, shut off the electricity to your home to prevent shocks.
• For a pinhole leak, wrap duct tape around the pipe; this will often be enough to seal the leak until a plumber or water damage remediation company like SERVPRO® arrives.
• Another option is to fashion a temporary patch out of a piece of flexible rubber (such as an old radiator or heater hose), place it over the leak, lay a small block of wood over the patch and clamp it in place with a C-clamp.
• An even better option, especially for larger leaks, is a sleeve clamp, which is a circular clamp lined with rubbery material that forms a waterproof sleeve for the pipe. (Note: you’ll have to buy a clamp sized to your specific pipe.)
• If the burst pipe is overhead, drain the water out by punching or drilling “weep” holes in the ceiling.

Once the water has stopped flowing, clean up any puddles. This will help prevent slips and falls, reduce the chances of water damage to home and furnishings, and minimize the odds of mold growth.

Repair Water Damage … For Good

Now that you or your plumber has stopped the flow of water and you’ve done basic cleanup, you need to dry out your home and repair any damage. It’s essential that you dry out your home within about 48 hours, because after that, mold may grow on damp wood, paper and particle board.

An experienced water disaster remediation company like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can do all the work and restore your home to its before-disaster condition.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help®

If you do suffer damage from a water disaster, you’ll need to act fast. Step one is to call an experienced water damage remediation company, such as SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We’re here to help when you have property and structure damage from a water disaster—and we’ll get the job done quickly and completely!

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Avoid Winter Water Damage in These 5 Home Areas

1/24/2020 (Permalink)

Cold temperatures make your home especially vulnerable to severe water damage. Follow these tips to keep your home safe.

Water damage can be disastrous to homes and businesses during wintertime, especially during days when temperatures change, causing ice and snow to start to melt. Here at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, we know that many of the worst kinds of winter water damage are preventable.

Here, we identify five areas of the home where leaking water can cause severe and costly damage to your home. Follow our guidelines to keep your property and belongings safe from a winter flood.

Pipes

A sudden or sustained drop in the temperature can cause the water in your pipes to freeze and expand, stressing the pipe and causing it to burst open. Prevent this winter water disaster by doing this before the weather turns cold:

• Identify vulnerable pipes (those in non- or lightly-heated areas such as exterior walls, basements and garages).
• Insulate or heat-wrap these pipes.
• Periodically check your pipes for signs of damage or wear and tear. 
• Turn off the water supply to outside lines, disconnect any hoses and cover the hose bibs.

When the cold snap hits:

• Keep your home heated.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow heat to circulate.
• Run a trickle of water through vulnerable pipes.
• If you leave your home for even a couple of days during cold weather, turn off the water supply at the main shutoff.

Chimneys

Over time the brickwork and mortar of your chimney can develop cracks and gaps, causing leaks inside the chimney itself or in your attic or basement. Your chimney liner and cap can also leak as they age.

Check for loose mortar at least once a year, and look for any signs of water stains. You should have your chimney and fireplace or wood-burning stove cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep every year before the winter heating season begins.

Caulking

Most doors and windows are sealed with caulking to protect your home against wind and water. However, as temperatures rise and fall, caulking naturally expands and shrinks, and eventually wears out and crumbles, allowing water inside your home.

Check your caulking for cracks and damage at least once a year, ideally before the winter weather hits. 

Roofing

If the seams and flashing on your roof are worn out, this could lead to leaks when snow starts to melt, and you will end up with water damage in your attic, ceilings and walls. And if you don’t discover these leaks promptly, you can also end up with a hard-to-eradicate mold problem.

Have your roof inspected periodically, especially if it’s approaching the end of its guaranteed lifespan.

Gutters and Roof

If icicles form on your gutters, it’s much more than a pretty sight. It could also be a sign that you are at risk of developing an ice dam at the edge of your roof, which could cause water and mold damage to your roof, ceilings and interior walls.

Perhaps the most common cause of winter water damage, ice dams form when ice and water repeatedly thaw and refreeze, building up in a mound along the edge of the roof. You need to keep your attic cool enough so that snow and ice don’t have a chance to melt and refreeze on your roof.

To prevent ice dams:

• Seal gaps between the attic and your living area.
• Add extra insulation to your attic floor.
• Vent your attic properly.
• Allow melted snow and ice to run through your gutters and downspouts by clearing them of leaves and other debris.

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help

If you do suffer damage from a water disaster, you’ll need to act fast. Step one is to call an experienced water damage remediation company, such as SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We’re here to help when you have property and structure damage from a water disaster—and we’ll get the job done quickly and completely!

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO: Your Weapon Against MRSA

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

Stay healthy! MRSA is one of the biohazards that SERVPRO cleans and sanitizes at homes and businesses.

SERVPRO® is known for its quick and thorough disaster remediation of fire, water, storm, mold and other damage at homes and businesses throughout the U.S. But you may not know that SERVPRO can protect people from dangerous and sometimes fatal MRSA infections! Because our professionals are trained to safely handle the worst biohazards, they know how to sanitize facilities to remove all traces of MRSA and other germs.

What Is MRSA?

MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus, or staph, is a common strain of bacteria, which can cause infections in the bloodstream, lungs, bones or soft tissues. Staph is typically curable with antibiotics, but some staph strains have become resistant to our most effective antibiotics—including methicillin—and are now much more difficult to eradicate. Usually, these MRSA infections take root in already-ill persons who are in hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Another type of MRSA is often called a “superbug,” because it causes drug-resistant infections in previously healthy people. This type of infection is referred to as CA-MRSA, or community-acquired MRSA, and it usually manifests as a skin infection. You may have heard of CA-MRSA outbreaks affecting healthy adults and children in schools, gyms, locker rooms, prisons and other public buildings.

To prevent a MRSA infection, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises:

• Keep wounds covered
• Practice good basic hygiene
• Do not share personal items, such as towels or razors
• Launder soiled clothing
• Clean surfaces that people may contact

How SERVPRO Fights MRSA and Other Biohazards

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is trained to safely remove biohazards and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations. We have the necessary safety equipment, cleaning products and established procedures to transform unhealthy environments back into clean, safe homes and offices.

In the case of an active MRSA outbreak, our crews arrive ready to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces and all contents to eradicate the bacteria. Because we stand ready around the clock to respond quickly to any disaster, a call to SERVPRO will reduce the time your facility will have to be closed, minimizing your loss of money and reputation.

Help Prevent a MRSA Outbreak at Your Commercial Property

Many commercial facilities at risk of a MRSA outbreak—such as schools, medical facilities, long-term care facilities, gyms, etc.—proactively contract with SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield for regular cleaning services. With SERVPRO’s crews at your facility, thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing all surfaces on a regular basis, you will reduce your chances of experiencing an outbreak of MRSA or other infectious disease—and you’ll safeguard the health of your employees and customers.

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

8 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes at Your Business

12/8/2019 (Permalink)

Help avoid costly water damage by taking steps before a big freeze puts your commercial property at risk from a frozen and burst pipe.

Frozen pipes are a leading source of commercial property damage during severe winter weather. If a pipe freezes and then bursts in your office, restaurant, warehouse or other commercial building, your business can suffer water damage costing tens of thousands of dollars—which can put you out of operation for days or weeks. Reduce your risk of winter water damage by taking these eight steps.

1. Keep the Cold Out

Seal windows, doors and other openings on exterior walls with caulk or insulation to prevent cold air from penetrating the wall cavity.

Seal all wall cracks and penetrations including domestic and fire protection lines, electrical conduit and other utility service lines.

Insulate and seal attic penetrations, such as partition walls, vents, plumbing stacks, and electric and mechanical chases.

Insulate recessed light fixtures in the ceiling to reduce heat entering the attic. Look for visible light inside the attic, and if present, insulate or seal. (If the space above a suspended ceiling is conditioned, there is no need for added insulation or sealing.)

2. Keep Your Pipes Warm

Insulate the pipes most vulnerable to freezing by using foam pipe insulation that wraps around them.

3. Install an Automatic Excess Flow Switch

Install an automatic excess flow switch on the main incoming domestic water line to monitor and provide early detection of a broken pipe or valve. Use wireless sensors near water sources.

4. Monitor Your Sprinkler Systems

Monitor your building’s sprinkler systems using a central station to provide early detection of a pipe failure. Heat your sprinkler control rooms.

5. Provide Backup Power

Install a reliable backup power source, such as a stand-by generator, to ensure continuous power and heat to your building. When a winter storm or cold spell is on the way, stock up on fuel for the generator.

6. Install a Temperature Monitoring System

Install a monitoring system that will notify you if the building’s temperature drops below a certain temperature. Set your thermostat to 55 degrees F or above.

7. Have a Disaster Recovery Expert on Call

Before a water disaster happens is the best time to research local companies, like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, who will respond immediately and handle your building’s damage remediation from start to finish—getting you back to work as soon as possible.

8. Keep Water Running During a Deep Freeze

Set your faucets to drip during extreme cold weather. This will help prevent freezing of the water inside pipes, and if freezing does occur, will relieve pressure in the pipes between the ice blockage and the faucet.

If your business suffers a water disaster from a frozen pipe that bursts, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

If your business suffers a water disaster from a frozen pipe that bursts, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Your Possessions Are Safe with SERVPRO

11/19/2019 (Permalink)

If you've suffered a disaster at your home, SERVPRO will clean and care for your possessions securely and professionally.

Suffering a fire, smoke, water, sewage or storm disaster leaves you feeling so vulnerable, as both your home and your clothing, furniture and other treasured possessions may have been damaged or destroyed. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield not only handles every aspect of restoring your home, we also treat your possessions with the utmost care.

Earlier in 2019, SERVPRO® rolled out a new digital inventory system that tracks your possessions while we clean and store them and repair your home. We know at a glance the location of your items as well as their status: being cleaned or in storage.

A Secure Process, End to End

SERVPRO cares for 100% of your possessions. The process starts at your home, where our project manager evaluates each item to determine the necessary treatment. While you watch, we photograph each item, then secure your furniture in blankets and fragile items in bubble wrap. Then we wrap everything in plastic, label it with your name and unique QR-code. Smaller personal items are boxed, photographed, sealed and labeled.

Once all is packed, you review and sign off on a tracking form that lists all the items with photos. Further on in the process, this list can form the basis of your insurance claim. We then load your wrapped possessions into storage containers or vaults (also labeled and QR-coded) and transport everything to our storage and operations facility in Bloomfield. Constructed in 2015, it is one of the largest SERVPRO warehouses in the nation.

With a scan, SERVPRO staff can immediately tell if a particular item needs cleaning, is being or has been cleaned (and when) or is waiting in a secure storage container. We entrust certain items, like smoke-damaged clothing, or unique possessions, like pianos or pool tables, to our network of reliable specialty cleaners. When a homeowner needs to retrieve items before the restoration is completed—documents for insurance claims or the contents of a kitchen, for example—we can quickly locate the items in our inventory system.

An Unbroken Chain of Custody

Once all items have been returned to your home, you review and sign off on the original tracking form to ensure that all your items are present, clean and in good condition. Thanks to our proven procedures and bolstered by our digital inventory system, we ensure an unbroken chain of custody while your possessions are in our care.

When your home and possessions have been damaged by a wind, water or fire event, nothing is more important than restoring everything “Like it never even happened.” Depend on SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to care for your possessions with the highest security and care!

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Too Much Snow Can Collapse Your Roof

11/15/2019 (Permalink)

If too much snow piles up on your roof, your home could suffer structural damage or even a collapse. Follow these tips to avoid problems.

Winter storms in Connecticut can quickly dump a lot of snow and ice on the roof of your home or commercial property. The state's building code requires that residential roofs withstand snow loads of at least 30 pounds per square foot, which works out to about four feet of fluffy snow, two feet of dense snow or about six inches of water. This kind of snow load can lead to building damage and even collapse.

Buildings with flat roofs are especially at risk. Low-sloping roofs over porches, carports and additions (which can have undersize rafters) can be vulnerable, too. And the threat from the weight of heavy snow remains after the storm ends if cold temperatures prevent melting.

Take these steps to reduce the risk of roof damage and collapse in a winter storm.

Before the Storm

• Inspect roofs for leaks or structural deficiencies.
• Clear gutters, drains and downspouts of ice and debris.

After the Storm

• Estimate the number of inches of snow on the roof, perhaps by looking for an area on the ground where snow buildup resembles what has piled up on the roof. Multiply it by 1.25 (the weight of 1 square foot every inch of snow with 25 percent moisture density). That’s your snow load.
• Clear areas around downspouts so that water from melting snow has a path to flow away from the house or building.
• Remove snow from side walls to prevent high snow mounds from pushing them in.
• Clear snow and ice away from exhaust vents that go through exterior walls.

Important: Never put untrained people on roofs to clear snow. They could easily slip and fall to the ground or make contact with electrical wires while on the roof.

Signs of Damage or Roof Failure

• Look for improper operation of doors or windows, deflection of ceiling finishes or exposed beams, roof leaks or sprinkler heads moved from their normal positions.
• Temporarily shore up and brace dipping or sagging roofs or walls.
• If you are concerned about your building’s condition, contact a structural engineer or your local building official for an assessment.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

4 Tips for Fire Safety

10/22/2019 (Permalink)

Unattended cooking is one of the biggest causes of fires in the home. Prevent a disaster by following these fire safety tips.

While no one expects a fire in their home, the reality is that fire departments in the United States respond to a fire call every 24 seconds, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Follow these four fire safety tips that can help you and your family avoid being surprised by a fire disaster in your home. 

1. Cook safely

Cooking—especially unattended cooking—is the biggest cause of fires and injuries in homes, according to the NFPA.

• Stay in the kitchen if you’re frying, boiling, grilling or broiling If you have to leave—even for a short time—turn off the stove.
• Remain nearby if you are simmering, baking or roasting, and use a timer to remind you to check the food often.
• Keep flammable items (oven mitts, dish towels, wooden utensils or food packaging) away from the cooktop.
• Maintain a “kid-free zone” at least three feet around the stove or where any other hot food is being prepared (such as near a slow cooker).

2. Heat your home safely

As winter approaches, follow these heating safety tips from the NFPA:

• Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heating equipment, such as a furnace, space heater, fireplace or wood stove.
• Turn space heaters off before leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Never leave pets or children unsupervised near a space heater or wooden stove, and keep them at least three feet away.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have your furnace and fireplace cleaned and inspected by a professional before using them this winter.

3. Check your electrical cords

About 2,000 fires each year are due to damaged electrical cords, overloaded plugs or short circuits, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). 

• Purchase and use cords, power strips, etc. that are certified by an independent testing lab (check the label).
• Check all your electrical cords for fraying, cracks or other signs of wear, and replace damaged cords or have them professionally repaired.
• Use extension cords only when necessary and not for an extended period of time. Don’t run extension cords across doorways or under carpeting.
• Avoid overloading outlets and power strips with more plugs than they are intended for.
• Use cords labeled “for outdoor use” when using appliances or tools outside.

4. Test your smoke detectors

• Test your smoke detectors once a month and change the batteries at least once a year (perhaps at the beginning or end of daylight saving time).
• Replace any smoke detectors that are more than 10 years old. 
• Install a smoke detector inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every floor in your house, including the basement.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help®

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

4 Things to Have Before the Storm

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

Setting aside a supply of food, water and essentials means you'll have an easier time surviving a storm and the resulting damage.

The time before a big storm hits is critical! Don’t wait for the governor to declare a state of emergency and don’t get caught scrambling or waiting in long lines to prepare. Stock up now—and have an easier time getting through the storm.

1. Lights & Batteries

When the power fails, you’ll need an alternative light source and the batteries to power it. Consider a lantern that is compact, yet offers abundant light. Lay in an ample supply of batteries for the lantern and for flashlights and portable radios as, well.

2. Food & Water

Aim to keep a two-week supply of food and water for storm-related emergencies. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends storing at least one gallon of water per day for each member of your family. Include foods that are high in calories and nutrition, and that don’t require refrigeration, water or special preparation, such as canned food, dry mixes and cupboard staples. Keep your stores in a cool, dry place—dark, if possible. Monitor the expiration dates and replace as necessary.

3. First Aid Kit

Be ready to handle minor injuries, because emergency workers will be stretched thin during a major storm. Have a first-aid kit on hand in a portable carrying case with bandages, gauze, a cold compress, scissors, tweezers and more.

4. Documents & Records

Recovering from a storm disaster is hard enough—and it’s even harder if you can’t prove who you are. Protect your important identification documents, such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, marriage certificates, adoption papers, passports, naturalization documents, wills, living wills, powers of attorney and property deeds/titles, in a portable waterproof, fire-safe security chest. If there’s room, you can also store important DVDs, portable disks and flash drives.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how to protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Call SERVPRO for Commercial Biohazard Cleanup

8/27/2019 (Permalink)

A biohazard contamination in your commercial space requires remediation by experts like SERVPRO, who follow all OSHA and health regulations.

Trauma, sewage backups, chemical spills or other biohazards at your place of business can happen suddenly and must be dealt with quickly and professionally. Call on SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to safely remove and dispose of biohazards in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants at your commercial building can pose serious health consequences for your workers and customers. SERVPRO® biohazard cleanup has the right training, procedures, tools and products to transform these unhealthy environments back into clean, safe workplaces.

We provide cleanup and recovery services for many biohazard situations, including:

• Sewage backups
• Crime scenes
• Deaths by suicide, accident or homicide
• Blood and bloodborne pathogens
• Hoarding scenes
• Animal waste/remains
• Chemical spills
• Meth labs

If your commercial property encounters a biohazard situation, follow our Biohazard Emergency Tips—Until Help Arrives guide to protect yourself and your building. And remember: we are available 24 hours a day for your emergency.

If your business suffers a biohazard contamination, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

If your business suffers a biohazard contamination, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

With SERVPRO, Your Business Can Handle the Largest Disaster

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

The specialists on the SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team can respond to the largest disasters 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

You prepare your business for just about any challenge, but a large-scale disaster like a tornado, hurricane, blizzard, fire or flood means recovery efforts have to be fast and comprehensive. The Disaster Recovery Team at SERVPRO® will get you back to work as soon as possible.

SERVPRO’s specialized Commercial Large Loss Division stands ready to respond A.S.A.P. to any size or type of disaster. Our elite specialists are prequalified, thoroughly trained and equipped, and located strategically throughout the U.S.

Our disaster experts respond immediately, gather information, travel to the disaster, set up equipment and a command center, use the resources of our more than 1,800 SERVPRO franchises, and hire and supervise temporary labor as needed. Best, we are ready to respond to your emergency, no matter how large, around the clock, 365 days a year.

When the worst happens and you fear that all is lost—when you watch your store burn or your warehouse fill with flood water—know that the Disaster Recovery Team at SERVPRO is standing by to help you rebuild and recover.

For disaster restoration needs, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at (860) 633-8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

For disaster restoration needs, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Older Homes Pose Unique Fire Risks

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

Heed these warning signs of an outdated electrical system to help prevent a fire in your older home.

If your house is more than 40 years old, unseen fire risks may by lurking in outdated wiring. Almost 50,000 electrical house fires occur each year in America. Many of these fire repairs can be prevented with a routine inspection.

These are the warning signs of a failing electrical system:

• flickering or dim lights
• frequent power outages
• sparks
• smoke
• unusual sounds like sizzles or burning smells
• any kind of electrical shock
• damaged insulation
• warm or hot outlets or switches
• a shrinking television picture
• reliance on extension cords for everyday use

If you see any of these warning signs or you can't remember the last time your electrical system was inspected, don’t delay! Hire a licensed and insured electrician or electrical inspector to prevent a fire disaster in your home.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

What To Do Immediately After Storm Damage

7/26/2019 (Permalink)

You'll recover from storm damage faster if you have a strategy in place to stay safe and act fast.

When a big storm threatens, have a strategy to deal with damage and safety hazards immediately after the storm. The upheaval may seem overwhelming, but these steps can help you begin the process of restoring your home, and your life, back to normal.

First, Be Safe

• Be very cautious around physical hazards such as collapsed roof materials, damaged windows, collapsed walls or standing water
• Beware of broken glass, exposed nails and other sharp objects on the property
• Shut off the main gas line if you smell gas
• Contact a reputable property restoration company like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to secure your property and make it safe for your family’s use
• To prevent mold growth, dry out furniture, carpeting and building materials within 48 hours
• If necessary, arrange for an alternative place for you and your family to live while your property is being restored

Speed Up Your Insurance Claim

Immediately notify your insurance agent about the damage to your home. If it is safe to move around your property, photograph or video the damage so that you have a record for your insurance company, helping you receive faster and more complete claims processing.

Seek Federal Disaster Assistance

The federal government may have declared your area a disaster area, meaning you’ll be eligible for low-cost loans to help restore your property. You will be required to file documents to receive these loans.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Cleaning Services

7/26/2019 (Permalink)

Your workplace will shine when you use SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield's commercial cleaning services.

Did you know that SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield offers commercial cleaning services? We are total professionals when it comes to thoroughness, attention to detail, safety and reliability!

When you contract with SERVPRO® for your commercial cleaning, you’ll enjoy:

• an improved business image
• a safer environment for your workers
• options tailored to your needs
• highly trained personnel using top-of-the-line equipment and products
• specialized services if you need them, including biohazard/sewage, air duct/HVAC and odor removal

Among the workplaces we clean are:

• small office buildings
• high-rise and large office buildings
• apartment and high-rise residential buildings
• restaurants
• hotels and motels
• small retail stores
• large retail and big box stores
• manufacturing and industrial facilities
• government and military workplaces

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is here to help you keep your workplace clean, safe and productive for your employees. We’ll make your business shine!

For commercial cleaning and disaster restoration needs, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

In addition to offering commercial cleaning services, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire and smoke damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

For commercial cleaning and disaster restoration needs, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Keep Your Sump Pump Humming

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

Regular maintenance of your sump pump will pay off during a storm … when your basement DOESN'T flood!

If you’ve ever had a flood of water in your basement after a storm, you know the value of a working sump pump. A sump pump sits either beneath or above the floor of your basement and pumps out water that collects in the sump basin, discharging it to the outdoors.

But a sump pump does you no good if it’s not working when a storm hits and water gushes into your basement. Do these tasks at least once a year to stay dry:

1. Clean and lubricate the pump. Unplug the pump, disconnect it from the discharge pipe and pull the pump out of the sump. Hose away any debris on the screen at the pump’s base and rinse off its housing. Lubricate the pump bearings, if required.
2. Inspect the check valve. If the internal flap doesn’t swing freely, flush it out, and if you see mineral deposits, soak it in vinegar.
3. Test the float switch. Pour a few gallons of water into the sump. If it comes on and sucks out the water, the switch (and pump) are good to go. If not, repair or replace the switch.
4. Press the outlet’s test and reset buttons (per code, a sump pump has to be plugged in to a GFCI receptacle).
5. Got a backup battery? Top up its cells with distilled water.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Pay Attention to Your Commercial HVAC System

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

A breakdown of your HVAC system during the cooling or heating season will be costly and disruptive. Avoid trouble with some routine maintenance.

Don’t forget about your HVAC system—if it breaks down at the wrong time, it will be both a major inconvenience and a major expense.

You can prolong your system’s life, increase its efficiency and potentially avoid a breakdown by doing some routine maintenance:

• Install a high-efficiency, pleated air filter and replace it every 90 days
• Clear your heating and AC units of pollen, leaves and grass
• Keep two feet of space clear around your outdoor AC and heating units
• Inspect refrigerant lines for leaks or cracking every month
• In the summer, turn off the water running to the furnace humidifier
• In the fall, replace the humidifier filter and turn the water back on

In addition, once or twice a year in the spring or fall, hire a professional such as SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to inspect and clean your HVAC system. If maintenance is needed, it can be done right away without inconveniencing you or your employees. Another bonus: routine HVAC maintenance will also save you money by improving your building’s energy efficiency.

For HVAC, cleanup or disaster restoration needs, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

For HVAC, cleanup or disaster restoration needs, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Your Appliances Can Be a Fire Hazard

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

Save your family from a fire disaster by following these home appliance safe usage tips.

Home appliances make all of our lives easier, but they are potential fire hazards. Follow these tips for safety when using any electric, gas or heat appliances:

• Regularly clean, inspect and maintain appliances, especially those 15 years or older
• Only run appliances when you're at home

Oven/Stovetop

• Keep it clean—baked-on grease and residue can easily cause grease fires
• Never leave food cooking on a stovetop unattended
• Keep fabric (such as a dishcloth) away from heat and flame

Microwave

• Don’t heat food or materials that are flammable, such as aluminum foil, Styrofoam or some plastic containers

Toaster/Toaster Oven

• Clean it regularly—crumbs can accumulate and stick to the bottom of the toaster
• Never use unsupervised—the heating elements can become faulty over time and may not turn off

Clothes Dryer

• Keep vents and filters clean by removing lint after each use
• At least once a year, clean the lint from the exhaust hose at the back of the dryer

When you have suffered a fire disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help

After a fire, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

A Better Insurance Claims Process with SERVPRO

7/11/2019 (Permalink)

We are experts at filing and expediting insurance claims to improve our clients' disaster recovery experiences.

If you’ve suffered a disaster at your home or business, you simply do not need any more hassles! That’s why our goal is to provide you with a stress-free insurance claims process. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is determined to help get your life back to normal.

To make your insurance claims process as smooth and swift as possible, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield will:

• create thorough visual and written documentation of the damage to your home or business
• document the condition of each item we remove for cleaning or storage on a spreadsheet with photos
• work directly with your insurer, communicating with you at all times
• handle the paperwork to make sure the processing and payment of your claim is as fast as it can be

Behind the scenes, SERVPRO stays current with the latest insurance developments by maintaining affiliations with the New England Claims Executive Association and the Risk & Insurance Management Society.

We are proud that so many insurance companies recommend SERVPRO to their clients because working with us makes their jobs easier.

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.633.8791 
24-hour emergency service

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO’s One-Stop Disaster Cleanup

7/11/2019 (Permalink)

For water, fire or any other type of damage, when you need experts to handle your disaster recovery, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield.

Recovering from a disaster—whether it’s water, fire, storm, mold or other damage—is stressful, but SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield makes it easier! We can take on as many of the details of your disaster remediation as you want, saving you from worry and work. With our experience, capabilities, expert staffing and all the right equipment, we are your all-in-one disaster cleanup experts, from beginning to end.

Rely on SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to:

• arrive at your home or business promptly and evaluate your damage
• act quickly to prevent more damage
• photograph, document and pack out your possessions
• thoroughly clean each item and store it in our clean, organized and secure facility in clearly-labeled QR-coded containers
• remove all the damaged material from your structure
• perform repairs or reconstruction
• bring all your possessions back and restore your home or business to the way it was
• coordinate your insurance claims process

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Summer Fire Safety

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

Enjoy your summer, but be sure to be safe—avoid fires and injuries from cookouts, fireworks and other outdoor activities.

We love summer for its vacations, parties and celebrations, but summertime also carries the risk of fires and injuries from fireworks and outdoor cooking.

Know how to prevent a burn while you enjoy cooking and other outdoor activities this summer:

• Wear short sleeves or roll them up when cooking on the grill
• Use long-handled barbecue tools
• Keep a 3-foot safety zone around grills, fire pits and campfires
• Keep a bucket of water near your grill, fire pit or campfire

Firework Safety

The best way to protect your family is to not use fireworks at home. A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that more than 200 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July Fourth holiday. Leave the lighting of fireworks to the professionals and attend public displays.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help

If you suffer a fire disaster, the team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Don’t Come Home to Water Damage!

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Take a few precautions before you go on vacation, and you may prevent a sudden flood in your home.

You’ve just returned from a relaxing summer vacation. What could be worse than opening your door and finding your home is flooded?

Unfortunately, this happens all too often: the second most common homeowner insurance claim is for water damage. Whether it’s from a ruptured washing machine hose, leaky supply line or burst pipe, the consequences can be devastating. And, if water has been present for more than 48 hours, you may also have mold damage.

To help avoid a water disaster while you’re away this summer:

• Test your sump pump and check for leaky pipes
• Check and replace old or damaged supply lines to your washing machine, dishwasher, water heater and refrigerator
• Turn off the water supply to your washing machine
• Clean your gutters and drain pipes

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

If you returned home only to discover that a water disaster has occurred, don’t delay: call a water damage remediation company like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We’re here to help when you have property and structure damage from a water disaster—and we’ll get the job done quickly and completely!

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Keep Water Out of Your Home

6/14/2019 (Permalink)

Taking some simple steps will help keep water from entering your home and causing water and mold damage.

Water damage is one of the most common and costly disasters affecting American residences, accounting for billions of dollars in losses to homeowners and renters each year. Here are some simple steps you can take right now (okay, this weekend!) that will go a long way toward preventing water damage to your home.

• Caulk and seal windows to guard against water seepage
• Inspect your roof for missing, damaged and aging shingles
• Check downspouts. Remove accumulated debris and position downspouts to direct water away from the house
• Check sprinklers and irrigation systems. Be sure they are not damaging the walls and foundations of the house
• In winter, turn off and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes
• Install gutter guards to prevent clogging so that water flows easily from the roof

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

If you do suffer damage from a water disaster, you’ll need to act fast. Step one is to call an experienced water damage remediation company, such as SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield. We’re here to help when you have property and structure damage from a water disaster—and we’ll get the job done quickly and completely!

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Power Outage Safety (Part 1): Before the Storm

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

The best way to weather the storm and a resulting power outage is to be prepared.

Storms, such as lightning and thunderstorms, often cause power outages that can last for many hours or even days. You can minimize inconvenience and maximize safety at home by being prepared for an outage.

• Inventory the items you need that rely on electricity.
• Talk to your medical provider about a power outage plan for electrical medical devices and refrigerated medicines. Find out how long medication can be stored at higher temperatures.
• Have plenty of extra batteries on hand.
• Sign up for local alerts and warning systems. Monitor weather reports.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup in central locations on every level of your home.
• Determine whether your home phone will work in a power outage and how long battery backup will last.
• Have a supply of nonperishable food and water. Have flashlights with extra batteries for every household member.
• Place a thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so you can check the temperature when the power is restored.
• Keep mobile phones and other electric equipment charged and gas tanks full.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Power Outage Safety (Part 2): During and After the Storm

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

What to do when the lights (and every other electrical device in your home!) go out.

When a storm has caused a power outage, stay safe by following these tips.

During

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. Your refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours; a full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer.
• Use food supplies that don’t require refrigeration.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Use generators, camp stoves or charcoal grills outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
• Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
• Go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme.
• Disconnect appliances, equipment or electronics. When power returns, momentary surges can cause damage.

When you have suffered damage from a storm at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

After

• Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color or texture.
• If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

The Right Equipment for Water Damage Cleanup

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the right equipment, staff and skills to quickly and completely clean up your water damage.

When you’ve suffered water damage to your basement, structure and property, the right water extraction tools are vital for timely, cost-effective drying and restoring.

To minimize water damage you must have accurate measurements of the air conditions—temperature, humidity, vapor pressure, dew point, etc.—so you can create the right atmosphere for efficient drying.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses equipment like moisture sensors, moisture meters and thermohygrometers to define how much moisture has been absorbed. We also use advanced equipment to verify that your basement or other environment has dried thoroughly.

Removing water quickly means the environment dries much faster, and the most effective way to remove moisture is extraction. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses extractors to clean carpets, upholstery and floors after water damage. Our air moving and dehumidification equipment speeds up evaporation. And our deodorization equipment produces a mist that penetrates sites where odor-causing residues accumulate. Our water extraction teams also use ultra-low-volume foggers to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach places. 

We’re here to help when you have property and structure damage from a water disaster—and we’ll get the job done quickly and completely!

When you have suffered a water or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Smoke Odor? Call a Professional

5/28/2019 (Permalink)

A professional fire damage restorer like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield knows how to completely remove lingering smoke odor.

After a home fire, the lingering odor may be severe, depending on the size and intensity of the fire, how long it burned and what burned. Using a household deodorizing spray or disinfectant provides only temporary relief from smoke odor—and deodorizing sprays may interact with smoke odor and create an additional odor.

It’s essential to work with a professional fire restoration company, like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, to get the job done right.

SERVPRO®  uses counteractants—chemicals or additives that break up smoke molecules to eliminate the smoke odor. You need different counteractants depending on the material burned in the fire. Counteractants may be professionally applied to furniture, carpets and drapes and can be used to launder clothes.

SERVPRO may also use an ozone treatment to remove smoke odors. At your home, we’ll put your smoke odor-affected items under a tent while an ozone generator runs.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re here to help. The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up fire damage and restore your home to pre-fire condition. We can remove virtually any pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

How to Dry Out a Basement

5/14/2019 (Permalink)

Professionals like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield have the right equipment and the know-how to clean up your water damage fast.

If your carpeted basement is flooded, follow these rules:

• If the floodwater was clean (broken pipe, burst washing machine supply hose or a foundation leak), you can probably dry out and save your carpet.
• But if you had a sewer backup, washing machine drain water spill or river flood, you need professional help. Pros are the only ones with the right equipment to get your basement dry and disinfected in the shortest possible time.

Either way, act fast! If the carpet isn’t dry within 72 hours, it’ll start to grow mold. Assuming your basement was flooded with clean water, here’s how you can do the cleanup yourself.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791 to provide immediate expert water damage cleanup

Be Safe Above All

First, turn off the power to the basement. If you’re not sure which breakers power the basement, flip the main circuit breaker. If your electrical panel is in the basement, call an electrician to turn off the power.

Next, remove any extension cords and power strips from the floor and unplug or switch off all electrical appliances (washer, dryer, HVAC)—and if your appliances or furnace was under water, call appliance and HVAC specialists before plugging any of them back in. Ask the electrician (if you hired one) to repower the upstairs and inspect the basement receptacles to determine whether it’s safe to repower them. If not, you’ll have to buy several GFCI-equipped extension cords and run power from upstairs receptacles.

Next, remove all your valuable items from the basement. The longer they sit there, the more moisture they’ll soak up, and that means mold.

Time to Extract the Water

Don’t bother trying to dry out the carpet with a wet/dry shop vacuum—it simply doesn’t have enough power. Instead, rent an extractor (if available) or carpet cleaner, an air mover fan or two, and a large commercial dehumidifier. Rent the largest dehumidifier available (the big ones can remove up to 30 gallons per day, compared with 4 gallons for the largest home units).

Move the extractor slowly across the carpet to suck up as much water as possible. Don’t rush this step! Once the water is out, peel back the carpeting (watch out for the sharp nails) and remove the wet pad. (New carpet pad is inexpensive, so don’t waste time trying to dry the old pad.)

Lay the carpet back on the floor and fire up the air movers and dehumidifier. Keep the basement temperature at or below 75 degrees—a higher temp will accelerate bacterial growth and turn your basement into a petri dish.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791 to provide immediate expert water damage cleanup

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the people, skills and equipment to help homeowners recover from water damage resulting from a flood. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860.633.8791 any time, day or night.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Your First Five Things After a Flood

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

A flood in your home is devastating. Here are five things you can do to get started on recovering from a water disaster.

Disaster has struck, your home is flooded and you don't know what to do first. Here’s a list of five essential tasks to start with that will make your recovery from a water disaster safer, easier and faster.

1. Avoid Further Damage

First, you need to cut power to your home. Locate your circuit panel and shut off all the circuits, even if the power feed to the house is currently off.

Visually inspect the exterior of your property. Look for signs of potential danger, like a collapsed roof. If you are not sure that the home is safe to enter, don't go inside. Flood water could:

• Carry an electrical current to shock you or spark a fire
• Introduce bacteria and microbes into your home
• Make it harder to walk safely
• Weaken the structure of your home

2. Gather Important Papers

It’s best to be prepared for an emergency by keeping your papers organized and easy to find. The documents you might need include:

• homeowners’ policy records
• documentation of flood insurance, if applicable
• personal identification
• proof of ownership

If you can get through the house safely, locate this information and take it to a secure offsite place.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791 to provide immediate expert water damage cleanup

3. File a Claim

The claims process could take days or weeks, so you should begin as quickly as you can. Here’s what you may need to pay for:

• determining the extent of damage
• flooring removal and replacement
• drying walls and foundation
• replacing damaged electrical and plumbing systems

4. Document Everything

Take pictures and video, and write down any information you have about the condition of your home. If the property deteriorates after the initial damage (due to fire caused by flooding or from growth of mold, for example), update your record to reflect it.

Keep receipts for everything you buy as you recover from the flood, no matter how small the purchase.

5. Begin the Repair Process

As soon as possible, remove the water from your home and completely dry the structure and your possessions. You can try to do this yourself, or hire a specialized professional disaster remediation company like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to do the job quickly and thoroughly.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791 to provide immediate expert water damage cleanup

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the people, skills and equipment to help homeowners recover from water damage resulting from a flood. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860.633.8791 any time, day or night.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Mold Remediation Checklist for Commercial Buildings

4/23/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage or excess humidity in your commercial building can cause mold growth in just 48 hours.

If you suspect your commercial building harbors mold, use these steps as a guideline to determine the nature and scale of the problem, and then, the best way to eradicate it.

Start by Asking Some Questions

• Does your commercial building have a history of moisture problems?  Are there hidden sources of water or is the humidity high enough to cause condensation?
• Are building materials or furnishings visibly damaged? Have building materials been wet more than 48 hours? 
• Has the building been recently remodeled or has building use changed? Has maintenance been delayed or the maintenance plan been altered?
• Have building occupants reported musty or moldy odors or health problems?

First, Investigate

• Investigate any signs or reports of mold. Clean up small mold problems and fix moisture problems before they become large problems.
• Identify any and all sources or causes of water or moisture problems. Note the type of water-damaged materials (wallboard, carpet, etc.) and measure the size of the affected area.
• Check inside your commercial building’s air ducts and air handling units.
• Keep your building occupants informed about your mold remediation process.
• If you have a medium- or large-size mold problem, select an experienced remediation manager such as SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield.

If you suspect mold contamination at your commercial building, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Second, Remediate

• Dry out any wet materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth.
• Use personal protection equipment (N-95 respirator, gloves and goggles) to fully protect workers. Use containment equipment to protect your building and its occupants.
• Use the most appropriate cleanup methods for moldy items. The Environmental Protection Agency suggests:
  Method 1: Wet vacuum. Steam cleaning may be an alternative for carpets and some upholstered furniture.
  Method 2: Damp-wipe surfaces with plain water or with water and detergent solution (use wood floor cleaner on wood); scrub as needed.
  Method 3: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuum after the material has been thoroughly dried. Dispose of the contents of the HEPA vacuum in well-sealed plastic bags.
  Method 4: Remove water-damaged materials and seal in plastic bags while inside of containment, if present. Dispose of as normal waste. HEPA vacuum area after it is dried.

If the job is too big or complicated for you to tackle safely and effectively, hire a professional remediation company, such as SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Wethersfield , who has the experience and training to fully restore your commercial mold damage.

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized mold remediation training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building or property. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860.633.8791 any time, day or night.

If you suspect mold contamination at your commercial building, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

10 Ways to Prevent and Survive House Fires

4/17/2019 (Permalink)

These 10 tips from professional firefighters can help you prevent a fire from damaging your home—and help you escape if one does occur.

Many housefires can be prevented and survived. Keep yourself and your family safe with these best practices provided by professional firefighters.

1. Show Us Your Number

Firefighters and first responders need to find your home quickly in an emergency. House numbers should be at least 4 inches tall, visible from the street, visible at night and unobstructed from all angles.

2. Hold Regular Fire Drills

Make a family fire escape plan and practice it. Start your drill in sleeping areas with the lights out. Practice staying low and crawling through your emergency exits. Meet at a pre-selected meeting place outside.

3. Inspect Extension Cords

Inspect cords and discard any that get hot with use or are visibly damaged. Make sure your cords are properly rated for the job and aren’t pinched behind or beneath furniture.

4. Cool Your Ash

Treat all fireplace ashes as if they’re still burning. Put them in a metal container, close it with a tight-fitting lid and let the ashes cool outside at least 10 feet from your home or other structure.

5. Avoid False Alarms

Make sure your fire alarm system is installed by a licensed professional, test it monthly and keep it clean of dust and debris.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

6. Allow Space for Space Heaters

Give space heaters at least 3 feet of clearance on all sides. Never leave a space heater unattended and keep children and pets a safe distance away.

7. Learn What to Burn

Don’t burn trash or paper in a fireplace. Tiny particles of burning paper can float up your chimney and onto the roof or into the yard, posing a fire risk.

8. Use the Right Extinguisher

A 2.5-pound Class ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher will put out many types of household fires that involve wood, paper, plastics, liquids, electric appliances or electrical outlets.

9. Use That Extinguisher Correctly

Remember a simple acronym: PASS. Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze and hold down the handle, and Sweep from side to side and front to back.

10. Inspect Gas Grills Annually

Check the gas tank hose for leaks by applying a soap-and-water solution to it, then open the valve to the propane tank. If you see bubbles, close the gas valve and have the grill repaired before using it.

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire damage restoration, storm damage restoration, water damage restoration, mold remediation, commercial services and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860.633.8791 any time, day or night.

When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When Others Can’t Do the Job, Call SERVPRO

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

Crews from three SERVPRO franchises responded to this scene in 2018 and handled most of the cleanup. Photo credit: Mikaela Porter / Hartford Courant

Raw sewage floating down the street ... five feet of water in basements ... more than 20 homes flooded. What a disaster! Fast, professional remediation is needed and soon!

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield recently partnered with two other nearby SERVPRO® franchises (owned by the same management team) to successfully tackle a water disaster that numerous other disaster remediation companies couldn’t handle. On October 3, 2018 water and sewer lines in West Hartford, Connecticut were being replaced when a 60-foot-long section of new pipe liner collapsed after a rainstorm. The resulting blockage forced waste water to gush into the street. Before long, the basements of almost two dozen homes in the neighborhood were flooded and four families were displaced.

The first SERVPRO teams to arrive found a nasty scene: the street and many driveways were flooded with dark, foul water and multiple homes were inundated with the reeking biohazard. The crews went into action, pumping out basements, drying out structures and property and removing damaged items.

When you need disaster remediation—big or small—at your home or business, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

All four SERVPRO franchises owned by Noemi Garcia (SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield, SERVPRO of West Hartford, and SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield) sent crews and equipment to tackle this extraordinary and rapidly-worsening disaster. Together, these franchises own thousands of pieces of equipment and scores of vehicles, and employ more than a hundred professionals. Those resources of equipment and manpower allow us to respond rapidly to disasters of just about any size and type.

Biohazard Cleanup Pros to the Rescue

One key to our success on the West Hartford sewage disaster was our expertise in biohazard cleanup. All our crews are up to date in OSHA training and state health regulations. They were ready for even the toughest job!

Although other disaster remediation companies were called to the scene, each one dropped out of the project after initial work—they couldn’t keep up with the amount and difficulty of the remediation efforts needed.

In the end, SERVPRO cleaned the majority of the affected houses, drying and disinfecting structures and property. On this incredibly challenging and urgent disaster, SERVPRO safely and promptly restored homes, property and lives.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.649.0836) any time, night or day.

When you need disaster remediation—big or small—at your home or business, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

We’re Here for You

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Our Unique DNA

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield's attention to detail and accountability make all the difference when you have suffered a disaster.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is one of four franchises owned and operated by Noemi Garcia (the others are SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield, and SERVPRO of West Hartford).

For several years now, this management team has been ranked in the top 25 of SERVPRO’s 1,800 franchises for sales performance. How do we do it? Our unique DNA!

Our different DNA here at SERVPRO® stems from being a hands-on family-run business. Noemi is involved with every aspect of her four SERVPRO franchises, and their focus on accountability and attention to detail makes all the difference!

We Hold Our Employees Accountable

Our employees are responsible for their actions. Each SERVPRO worker—in the office or the field—understands that they are often working for people who are stunned and vulnerable after suffering a fire, water, storm, mold or other disaster. Here’s a sample of what our customers say about our employees:

• “I am grateful to have such a kind, caring and professional person as you to help on our house cleaning project.”
• “It was a pleasure dealing with them from start to finish.”
• “From the time SERVPRO arrived (at night and working through the night) we all felt that everything would be okay.”
• “... very courteous and kind and did a fantastic job. I’m thankful to have had these two courteous, competent and good workers come to my home.”

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791.

We Focus on the Details

From our prompt arrival and rapid evaluation, through the entire damage remediation process, our employees take every detail seriously. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield employees handle your home or office and your damaged possessions with care and professionalism:

• “They arrived on time, got to work and did a great job. Quick, thorough and clean!”
• “They are a very professional organization and make it easy to understand what needs to be done and why, and help to make it all fit into your schedule and just get the job done.”
• “They explained in detail the steps and were very helpful.”
• “We are so pleased with the outcome. The house sparkles.”

That’s the DNA of SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield in action! When you have a water, fire, smoke, mold or storm damage disaster, trust our leadership, accountability and attention to detail to make it "Like it never even happened."

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield brings its unique customer-centric DNA to water damage restoration services, biohazard cleanup, fire and smoke damage restoration services and natural disaster prevention and cleanup.

Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) any time, night or day.

When you have suffered a disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860-633-8791

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield

We're Here for You

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

When Your Belongings Are Damaged by Mold

1/25/2019 (Permalink)

Documents and photos are among the important water- and mold-damaged possessions SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can restore.

Water and mold damage can affect not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield understands that mold damage to your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes and other belongings needs to be restored just as thoroughly as your home’s structure.

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield specializes in restoring contents damaged by fire, water or mold. Our “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes. We first test your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their pre-damaged condition. We use several methods to clean your possessions, including:

• Dry cleaning: used to clean light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Wet cleaning: effective for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and wipe: for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam cleaning: used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Abrasive cleaning: involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion cleaning: contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

For professional mold remediation of your home and its contents, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Electronic Cleanup

Water- and mold-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard–do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by water! Your electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield electronics technician. Among the electronic devices we restore are:

• Television sets
• DVD players
• Computers and tablets
• Phones

Document / Photograph Drying

We take extreme caution to make sure water or mold damage does not destroy your valuable documents, such as photographs. Although some documents may never be restored to pre-water damage condition, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage.
Depending on the type of documents and the level of water and mold damage, we use five methods for the restoration of documents:

• Air drying
• Dehumidification
• Freezer drying
• Vacuum freeze drying
• Vacuum thermal drying

Contents Claim Inventory Service

If you need mold remediation of your possessions, our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) can help ease worry and confusion during the recovery process. We provide a detailed and accurate list of your belongings, beginning with a room-by-room inventory of your contents, including digital photos, and in some instances, bar coding.

For professional mold remediation of your home and its contents, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Our Contents Claim Inventory Service includes:

• Pre-loss list and value of contents
• Detailed and accurate report
• Better information quicker claims settlement
• Assistance with burden of proof for claims

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. A move-out allows for a quicker remodeling process while it protects your possessions from potential damage.

When the restoration is completed, we will coordinate the move-in. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

We’re Here to Help

When your personal belongings are damaged by mold, call a professional with a solid record of providing mold remediation in the Connecticut region: SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860-633-8791, around the clock. At SERVPRO®, we know the safest, quickest and most effective ways to help you remove mold contamination from your commercial or residential property.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

Every month on the SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield blog we publish educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage. 

We’re Here for You

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Preventing Winter Water Damage to Your Home

1/25/2019 (Permalink)

Connecticut's cold, snowy and icy winters pose a real risk of water damage to your home.

Winter is not just coming—it’s here already! And with a New England winter comes the increased risk of damage to your home from water leaks. Whether caused by burst pipes, storm damage, rooftop ice dams or other cold-weather hazards, your winter will be a little easier if you prepare your home to withstand the challenges and remain water-tight.

Brace Your Home for Winter’s Storms

When the wind howls and the snow and ice pile up, damage to your house can happen quickly and unexpectedly. These tasks can prevent storm-related damage to your home.

• Clean out the gutters, and disconnect and drain all outside hoses. If possible, shut off the inside valves that supply water to outdoor faucets.
• Have a contractor check your roof to see if it can sustain the weight of a heavy snowfall. Repair roof leaks.
• Remove tree branches that could get weighed down with ice or snow and fall on your house—or your neighbor's.

For professional water damage restoration services, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

Prevent Burst Pipes

Since water expands when it freezes, it puts unwanted pressure on pipes, which can cause them to burst. You may not know right away that you have a burst pipe, as the water has turned to ice, but once the temperature warms and thawing begins, leaking and flooding can occur.

Not only will these tips help prevent a big leak from a pipe that bursts, you’ll also save some money on your heating costs in the long run.

• Insulate walls and attics, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
• Wrap water pipes in your basement or crawl spaces with insulation sleeves. Consider an insulated blanket for your hot water heater.
• Keep your home’s temperature set at a minimum of 55 degrees, and make sure your furniture isn't blocking your heating vents. If you have a fireplace, keep the flue closed when you're not using it.
• Close inside valves supplying water to outdoor faucets and hookups. Open outdoor faucets to allow residual water to drain, and keep them open during the cold weather months, while the water supply is turned off.

During cold spells, you’ll want to:

• Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces.
• If your house will be unattended during cold periods, consider draining the water system.

Avoid Ice Dams

Ice dams form when water from melted snow refreezes above your eaves or in the gutters and seeps in under the roof, soaking interior walls. Here’s how to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof:

• Adequately ventilate your attic.
• Insulate the attic floor well to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.
• Clear your gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris.
• Consider having a water-repellent membrane installed under your roof covering.

For professional water damage restoration services, call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield today at 860.633.8791

We’re Here to Help

If your home has suffered water damage from a storm, leak or burst pipe, call a professional with a solid record of serving the Connecticut region: SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860.633.8791, around the clock. We will treat your water damage like the emergency it is by responding promptly, evaluating the situation and repairing the damage to your home and possessions.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

Every month on the SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield blog we publish educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, and winter storm damage. 

We’re Here for You

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
We serve East Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, South Glastonbury and Wethersfield, Connecticut.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Why SERVPRO's History Is Important To You

12/19/2018 (Permalink)

Trust. Experience. Expertise. SERVPRO provides them and more.

When you choose a doctor part of your decision depends on the doctor’s experience and track record of success, right? When you’re looking for a car mechanic you probably prefer one with lots of satisfied customers and many years in the business. And we bet you’d probably feel better selecting a financial advisor who has helped several friends you know achieve their financial goals.

All of this relates to why so many people who have water, fire, or storm cleanup and restoration needs choose SERVPRO®. It’s about our history, our satisfied customers, and our track record of success.    

Ted and Doris Isaacson launched SERVPRO in 1967 as a painting business in Sacramento, California. They transformed the company into a franchisor of cleanup and restoration specialists. They were so successful that by 1988 they had 647 franchises. Twelve years later SERVPRO had grown to 1,000 franchises. Today we have 1,800+.

Awards & Recognition
After years of hard work, SERVPRO began gaining recognition and awards for quality service. One of the first was when The Nashville Business Journal named SERVPRO the Small Business of the Year in 1991. Entrepreneur Magazine ranked SERVPRO the #4 franchise opportunity overall and the #1 franchise opportunity in the restoration services category in 2016. And on and on.

For Disaster Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Glastonbury/Wethersfield At 860.633.8791.

This is important to you because when a natural disaster strikes your home or business you want to work with a cleanup and restoration company you can trust and you know has the experience, personnel, and equipment to do a high-quality job. What are the services and the factors that have led to SERVPRO’s success? Here are a few:

• SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield works closely with insurance agents, property managers, and local fire/police departments to assist in community disasters
• We put your needs first. With SERVPRO, you are in charge. We work closely with your clients and always seek to meet or exceed expectations
• Among the many restoration and remediation services we provide are:

Building and Reconstruction Services

Commercial Cleaning Services

Commercial Services

Disaster Recovery Team

Fire Damage Repair and Restoration

Mold Remediation and Restoration

Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration

Water Damage Repair and Restoration

And there’s more. We can restore damaged items that may look like a complete loss. We can provide storage for your household items while your home is under reconstruction or renovation. If it has to do with cleanup or repair or remediation or restoration, chances are that SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can do the work for you.   

For Disaster Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Glastonbury/Wethersfield At 860.633.8791.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Commercial Restoration Is So Different

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

We do large business and commercial property cleanup and restoration projects

After fire, storm, or water damage, it’s one thing to cleanup and restore a residential home. It’s quite another to cleanup and restore a commercial property or business.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire, storm, or water damage emergencies. Regardless of your property type or size, we will respond quickly to clean your property and manage the restoration project through to its completion.

Commercial Properties Require Faster Restoration
Every hour you or your staff spend cleaning up your commercial business site is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield a call. Commercial businesses depend on us because of our
•    24-hour emergency service
•    Immediate response to any size commercial disaster
•    Experience handling water, fire, wind, chemical, and other types of disasters

If your business suffers a major loss, call (860) 633.8791.

Commercial Restoration Varies Tremendously
Another major difference between residential cleanup and restoration and commercial is the wide variety of commercial properties and needs. A commercial restoration may be an apartment complex where multiple units have been affected to various degrees and where each tenant will need to file a claim with their insurance. It takes a large cleanup and restoration company like SERVPRO® to deal with lots of tenants, various insurance companies, the property manager, and the apartment complex owner.

Or the business needing cleanup and restoration may be an office that cannot afford to stop work. In that case, the restoration company has to be mindful of  employees who need clear walkways, workable space at their desks, and minimal noise. We handle these and other types of commercial cleanup and restoration projects quickly, efficiently, and effectively.

Commercial Large Loss Division
The SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is composed of our best of the best in restoration. Our elite large-loss specialists are prequalified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster. Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.

SERVPRO has handled large business loss for many types of commercial clients including:
•    The hospitality industry
•    Property managers
•    Universities
•    Municipalities
•    The Pentagon

Emergency Building Services
When your business or commercial property has been damaged by a storm or water, your immediate concern may include temporary protective measures to prevent additional damages, like placing a tarp over your roof. For many damaged businesses and homes SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can provide services like boarding-up, temporary fencing, pack out and move outs, and temporary warehouse space.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call us at 860.633.8791. We are ready to help 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

11 Reasons Why So Many People Choose SERVPRO

11/20/2018 (Permalink)

Our crews are ready and able to give you the best in cleanup and restoration services

Have you noticed? Drive by many homes or businesses that have suffered water, fire, storm or other damage and you’re likely to see a SERVPRO® green and orange truck. Small businesses, homeowners, corporations – they all know who to call. Here are some of the reasons why.

1. Qualified
Our repair and restoration team members have the best training in the industry. Every team from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield is experienced in cleanup and restoration and in answering all your questions. We come with the best equipment. Our results create a measurable difference. We live up to our motto and leave each cleaned up and restored home looking “Like it never even happened.”

2. Understanding
If you’ve suffered major property damage, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield understands your situation. We’ve helped people and businesses get back to normal after so many sewer breaks, fires, floods, chemical spills, roof collapses, and more. We understand the fear and confusion major property damage causes. We understand how to keep costs down, repair the damage, and get you back to living your life. We understand that we need to listen carefully and make you feel as comfortable about the cleanup and restoration as possible.

3. Immediate
You can reach SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield any time: day or night or holiday. And when you contact us we respond within a few hours. The best way to limit damage is to start the cleanup and restoration process as soon as possible after the damage has occurred. That’s always what we strive to do.

4. Teamwork
We work with you and for you. You are in charge. You receive a complete explanation of the work we will do and why it needs to be done a certain way. Like you, we don’t appreciate surprises.

5. The Golden Rule Of Restoration
Restoring property is less expensive than replacing property. Everyone at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield practices the golden rule, "Restore whenever possible, replace only when necessary." We make sure pretesting is completed on every loss to determine restorability.

6. The Latest Technology
The past few years have seen a rapid advancement in the technology and techniques used in the restoration industry. These advancements allow SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to restore your property to preloss condition quickly, reliably, and more effectively.


Call Connecticut's SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) anytime, 24/7.

7. Insurance Claims Help
We provide an itemized loss inventory to maximize the accuracy and thoroughness of your insurance claim. You receive an Excel formatted report and pictures of important items. We often work with claim adjusters and insurers and can provide just what they’re looking for so you can get what you’re looking for (reimbursement).  

8. An Emphasis On Preventing Future Losses
Our services start with prevention. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield will come to your business or home and do a review of how you can protect yourself, your family, your business, and your property from future losses. See our SERVPRO Ready Plan.

9. Approved, Certified, And Experienced
We’re trained to IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) standards in fire and water cleanup and restoration. Our professionals attend SERVPRO continuing education classes. SERVPRO has been in business for more than 46 years.  Hard-earned results have made SERVPRO a leader in the fire and water cleanup and restoration industry.

10. No Loss Too Small Or Too Big
Have multiple locations? No problem. Suffer a minor loss from water or fire or wind? We want to help. Have a massive, complex disaster to recover from? That’s within our scope of services, too. We have access to the other 1,800+ SERVPRO franchises when we need their help.

11. Neighbors
We live in or near your community. The people at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield know the roads, the neighborhoods, the services, the wonderful attributes, and other things that make this part of Connecticut so special to work and live in. Like you, we want our region to thrive so we’re highly motivated to do all we can to make this an even better place to be.

Call Connecticut's SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860.633.8791) anytime, 24/7.

Questions? Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to discuss. Call 860.633.8791. We’re the mold, mildew, fire, and water removal service professionals who have saved property and saved money for the owners of flooded basements and water damaged properties. We serve homeowners and business owners in Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Storm Statistics & Facts For Your Safety

11/16/2018 (Permalink)

Know the facts about storms. Be prepared. Know what to do if disaster strikes.

The more you know about storms the better you can prepare to avoid the risks of storm damage. Glastonbury, Wethersfield, and our region of Connecticut experience a variety of different storms and natural disasters. The following statistics and facts will help educate you and may help prevent you from suffering the harshest consequences of storms and natural disasters.

The Connecticut State Department of Public Health says a natural disaster could happen in any part of Connecticut. Natural disasters include severe thunderstorms, flash floods, snowstorms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. If a major storm is coming, make sure you have flashlights, a battery-operated radio, extra batteries, and cell phones because you might lose electricity and phone service for a few days or even weeks.

Flooding: The Most Deadly Weather Hazard Across The Nation
According to the National Weather Service, in 2017 some 116 deaths were due to flooding.  In the U.S., other major weather-related causes of death in 2017 were: heat (107), rip currents (70), hurricanes (43), and lightning (16). In 2017 in Connecticut, the National Weather Service attributed 2 deaths, three injuries, and $1.44 million in property damage due to hazardous weather.

Twice As Many Male Deaths
Men die in storms much more often than women. For example, in 2015 men suffered 347 weather-related deaths while women suffered 165. So, percentage-wise 66% of weather-related deaths involved men, only 32% were women. The National Weather Service says this gender breakdown is typical. This may be because of the higher percentage of men who hold outdoor jobs such as construction and who take part in sports and other outside activities such as fishing and boating.

Avoid preventable injuries and preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860) 633-8791 for advice.

The Most Dangerous and the Safest States  
When it comes to property damage and economic cost, the Popular Science website says Florida often takes the greatest hit from natural hazards. A lot of this comes from hurricanes, but flooding and fires contribute as well. California comes in second for dollar losses, thanks to a combination of earthquakes, flooding, storms, and fire. The states ranked as safest from natural disasters are Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois. For total safety from all hazards, Connecticut often ranks among the 10 or so safest states.

Avoid preventable injuries and preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860) 633-8791 for advice.

What If Disaster Strikes?
Still, Connecticut has severe weather including flash floods, thunderstorms, hurricanes, snow storms, tornadoes, and more. What if the worst happens in Glastonbury? If a storm or natural disaster puts you in in the path of impending disaster, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield recommends evacuating from your home and contacting your insurance agent or insurance company immediately. Let them know how to reach you. In the event of a catastrophe situation, many insurance companies set up 24-hour emergency hotlines.

Insurance Adjusters Will Help
Insurance company claims adjusters--many equipped with laptop computers and cell phones--will start writing checks to pay the cost your temporary living expenses if you’re left homeless by a catastrophe. They’ll also quickly begin to provide funds to rebuild damaged homes. Some companies will open special claims centers. Contact your agent or company if you need additional living expenses while you are out of your home. Do keep all your receipts. Your out-of-pocket expenses during a mandatory evacuation are reimbursable under most standard homeowner insurance policies.

Give All The Facts To Your Insurance Agent
Your insurance agent will report the loss immediately to your insurance company or a qualified adjuster who will contact you as soon as possible to inspect the damage. Again, be sure to give your agent a phone number where you can be reached. Take photos of the damage. Photos will help with your claims process and will assist the insurance adjuster in the investigation.

Avoid preventable injuries and preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Glastonbury/Wethersfield (860) 633-8791 for advice.

Write An Inventory Of  Your Damaged Property
Be sure to make two copies of the inventory--one for yourself and one for the insurance adjuster. Your list should be as complete as possible, including a description of the items, dates of purchase or approximate age, cost at time of purchase, and estimated replacement cost.

Make Temporary Repairs
Don’t leave your property vulnerable to more damage. If you leave, cover broken windows, damaged roofs, and walls. Save your receipts for any supplies and materials you purchase. Your insurance company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs.

Get A Detailed Estimate For Permanent Repairs
Use SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to give you a written estimate of the cost of repairs to your damaged personal property. Give a copy to your insurance adjuster. The estimate should contain the proposed repairs, repair costs, and replacement prices.

Help Is Here
Questions? Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to discuss. Call 860.633.8791. We’re the mold, mildew, fire, and water removal service professionals who have saved property and saved money for the owners of many storm damaged homes and businesses. We serve homeowners and business owners in Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

12 Fire, Smoke, & Soot Damage Tips

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

Preparation and knowledge reduce your risk of fire damage

If you’ve never experienced a fire you may think the flames cause most or all of the damage. But smoke, soot, and water sometimes are just as damaging. Smoke kills more people than flames. Soot can ruin prized possessions. And the water fire fighters used to put out the flames can damage your property or create more cleanup concerns. Here are 12 important things to know about fires, smoke, and soot.

1. According to Fire Rescue 1, Every year more than 3,800 people die fire related deaths in the U.S. Approximately 18,300 people are injured every year in fires. Most of these fires could have been prevented by practicing proper fire safety and having fire alarms.

2. More people die from inhaling smoke than from the flames. Never think that if you avoid the flames you are safe. Fire can suck all of the oxygen from a room and replace it with poisonous smoke and gases before flames even reach a room. Many times people die from lack of oxygen before the fire reaches their room.

The Dangers of Soot

3. A coating of fine, black dust, soot, is created when wood, coal, or oil-based substances are burned. These carbon particles float into the air and settle anywhere. Inhaling soot can cause severe lung deficiencies or even death.

4. If soot contaminates items in your home or business, a fire restoration service provider like SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield should assess the damage to see if restoration is possible.

For Fire Restoration Services Call SERVPRO Of Glastonbury/Wethersfield At (860) 633-8791

5. Soot produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are responsible for gene mutation for particular groups of genes. They can cause birth defects and increase the chances of getting cancer.

Fire Alarms Save Lives

6. Approximately two-thirds of all fire deaths happen in homes where there’s no working fire alarms. Your chance of dying in a home fire is cut in half if you have working smoke alarms.

7. Spraying water on a typical home fire is a great way to extinguish the flames but the water itself can cause great damage. Make sure, after the fire is out, that your home or business is completely dried. If you don’t, mold, mildew, and other consequences will lead to further damage and loss. This is one reason why SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield uses industrial dehumidifiers and air movers to dry saturated carpets, padding, furniture, and any other wet items.

8. Mold colonies can begin to grow just 48 hours after water damage occurs. The combination of fire, water, and mold damage to your commercial property or home could result in a complete loss if not handled properly.

9. Be careful if you decide to do some cleanup after a fire by yourself. Wear heavy-duty gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask. Carefully cover your nose and make sure your safety glasses have no place for dust or soot to get into your eyes. Be sure your local fire department authorities say it’s safe for you to go into the house or structure.

Our Heroes: Firefighters

10. Firefighters are heroes. But before to save people and houses they often have to break windows and cut holes in roofs. As a fire burns, the fire moves up and down and across, growing quickly. Firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs to provide ventilation that slows the fire’s growth. Ventilation also helps get rid of dark smoke that makes it hard for firefighters to see where they’re going. The holes and broken windows help firefighters fight the fire more quickly.  

For Fire Restoration Services Call SERVPRO Of Glastonbury/Wethersfield At (860) 633-8791

11. Firefighters sometimes have to cut holes in walls, too. That’s necessary for the fire department to be certain the fire is completely out. Fire departments don’t want to risk leaving a fire that’s not visible but is still active inside the walls or in other hidden places.

12. If you have a fire, get a copy of the fire report. In most areas, a fire report is a public document. Ask for it at the fire department or fire marshal’s office. The fire report will help you with information that your insurance company and other official offices may request.

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? For more, see Home Fire Safety on the American Red Cross website.

Questions?
Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to discuss. Call 860.633.8791. We’re water damage remediation and fire damage remediation professionals serving homeowners and business owners in Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

Why Bleach Isn't The Answer For Fighting Mold

10/16/2018 (Permalink)

There are much better ways to get rid of mold than using bleach

Got mold? It’s a common issue. And most people think the common answer of using bleach to get rid of mold is the best answer. Wrong. We’re about to give you four major reasons why bleach is not the most effective choice to rid your home or business of mildew or mold.

1.    Bleach won’t kill mold on porous surfaces. It may even help mold grow.
Yes, chlorine bleach can kill surface mold. But mold can grow deep roots within porous surfaces including drywall and wood. Those roots will not be affected by bleach. The bleach you apply remains on the surface while the water in the bleach goes deeper and can feed the mold growth.

2.    Bleach loses its effectiveness over time.
Do you know how old the bleach is that you’re using? That’s important because chlorine bleach rapidly loses its effectiveness. Try leaving a glass of chlorinated water out on the counter for a few days. You’ll find the chlorine will evaporate. This happens within bleach containers as well. Evaporation means that it will be hard for you to determine the true potency of your chlorine bleach solution because the chlorine can escape through plastic. Perhaps the chlorine bleach you’re using has been sitting at the store, or in your home for months or longer. That will lessen its power to perform.

For Mold, Fire & Water Cleanup & Restoration Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield At (860) 633-8791

3.    Bleach is toxic.
Chlorine bleach produces fumes that pollute the air and can become harmful to humans and pets. Chlorine bleach also generates a by-product called dioxin, which is linked to cancer. If you use bleach over time you can build up these pollutants in your environment.

4.    OSHA and the EPA recommend not using bleach to kill mold.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), stopped recommending the use of bleach for dealing with mold problems. And, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated their guide as well, removing the suggestion to use bleach to kill mold.

For Mold, Fire & Water Cleanup & Restoration Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield At (860) 633-8791

So, bleach can kill surface mold but it won’t touch the roots. You can use bleach to temporarily kill what’s on the surface but treating mold with bleach alone is not effective in the long run. You won’t know how potent the bleach you use is and using it means exposing yourself to harmful fumes. And major consumer protection organizations do not recommend bleach.

Get Rid of Mold Issues for Good

Specialists in professional remediation can be your best bet when it comes to getting rid of mold for good. Our crews at SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield use special cleaners and equipment to get rid of mold, including spores. We can identify the full extent of your mold infestation and treat mold-infested areas safely and effectively.
 
More Information   
SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield publishes educational articles on how Glastonbury area residents and businesses can protect themselves from mold and natural disasters and restore their property after a flood, sewage spill, fire, or other harmful event. We also try to give you ideas about resources in the greater Glastonbury and Wethersfield community. Here are a few blog posts you might find helpful:  

Contact Us Anytime
In Glastonbury the team at SERVPRO® has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation, commercial services, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield anytime at 860.633.8791.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

No More Ice Storm Damage

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

Ice dams are a sign of potential damage to your gutters and roof

With some planning and preparation, you can prevent a lot of ice storm damage. But even if an ice storm damages your house you can do things that will keep any future damage at bay. So, read how to keep your repair costs down and make your home safer from ice damage.

Start by never considering ice storm damage a minor concern. Ice can do major, costly damage. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield has seen small actions have a big impact. For example, when you know a storm is coming check to be sure your windows are shut. If the weather might be freezing cold, consider keeping your water faucets dripping. Keep cabinets that hide your home’s water pipes open so more heat will reach the pipes.

Ice Dams
When water freezes, melts, and then refreezes on the edge of your roof it can create ice dams in your gutters and on the roof. Ice dams can cause water to leak into your home and damage ceilings, walls, insulation, and other areas.

No More Ice Dams
To fight ice dams, add insulation to your attic. Make sure you insulate recessed lighting fixtures so they don’t heat up your attic. The Family Handyman has some good tips and illustrations about how to prevent ice dams. After a storm, it helps to remove the snow from your roof with a roof rake. That’s especially important if 6 inches or more of snow falls on your roof. Don’t use a regular rake so you won’t damage your home’s shingles and gutters.

Roof Strength

It’s a good assumption that your roof (if it’s in good condition) can support about 20 pounds of snow per square foot. Homes in the SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield region and other extreme weather areas are often built to withstand more. Ten to 12 inches of snow equals about 1 inch of water or about 5 lbs. per square feet of roof. So, unless you have more than 4 feet of snow on your home’s roof – assuming your roof is not old or damaged – you’re probably safe from a roof collapse.

No Roof Collapse
Do check the condition of your home’s roof. From your attic, can you see daylight through the boards? Are there dark streaks or stains that could indicate previous leaks or water damage? Does the roof sag? You may want to ask a professional to check your roof’s condition. SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield can help 860.633.8791.

Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call at 860.633.8791

Gutters

Unblocked, free-flowing gutters are key to keeping water and ice from piling up in your gutters and on your roof and causing damage. Clogged gutters can back up and flood your home or saturate the ground and damage the foundation.

No More Clogged Gutters
Clear your gutter of debris. If you do this yourself, make sure you properly brace the ladder and wear gloves for the chore. Your down spouts should drain water at least 10 feet away from your home’s foundation. Perhaps you need to trim branches that have grown over your roof and deposit lots of leaves in your gutters. And make sure you remove any tree limbs that could fall.

Plumbing
It’s no fun to return home only to find a pipe has frozen, burst, and flooded the house. Yet this happens often to SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield customers. Pipes in bathrooms and laundry rooms located near garages or exterior facing walls are especially vulnerable to freezing.

No Burst Pipes
Close any crawl spaces and add extra insulation near any water pipes. Consider buying space heaters to keep questionable rooms warm if frigid temperatures hit. Never turn the heat off when you leave your home. Open vanity and cabinet doors so that air circulates and keeps pipes warm.

Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield  for Cleanup and Restoration. Call at 860.633.8791

Hoses and Outside Faucets
Don’t believe anyone who tells you it’s fine to leave your garden hose attached and outside faucets on during winter. Cold weather causes water to expand. When that happens in a pipe, hose, or faucet, they break.

No Water in Outside Hoses and Faucets
Before winter, disconnect all your garden hoses and drain your outside faucets. If your home has a separate shut-off valve for external faucets, turn that valve off. Know where the main waterline shut-off is for your house so, if a pipe breaks, you can immediately turn off your home’s water supply.

Pretty to Look At, Pretty Disastrous to Clean Up After
Ice can look beautiful. But left untreated on your roof or in your gutters, ice can lead to major water damage. Water quickly ruins carpet and personal items. Water can cause mold and make structural damage worse. Get to water damage and ice damage quickly. You will get the area dried out faster and prevent or lessen the damage. Waiting too long gives the water chance to cause more problems.

Help Is Here
Questions? Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield to discuss. Call 860.633.8791. We’re the mold, mildew, fire, and water removal service professionals who have saved property and saved money for the owners of flooded basements and water damaged properties. We serve homeowners and business owners in Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield.

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

"I Overlooked These Factors In Commercial Water Damage"

9/6/2018 (Permalink)

Avoid a preventable business shutdown by preparing for potential commercial water damage events

After major water damage at his business, the business owner said, “I messed up. I did not think about all of the major reasons for commercial water damage. My business wasn’t prepared. Don’t make the same mistakes I did.”

Like this business owner, many commercial property owners think all commercial water damage is caused by floods, massive rains, and storms. Weather events, storms, and flooding do shut down businesses and create major water damage in commercial buildings. But there are other major factors of commercial water damage. If you don’t prepare for them your business is more likely to suffer major damage. Here are five frequently overlooked causes of commercial water damage.   
 
1. Faulty kitchen appliances and other equipment
Restaurants and catering businesses sometimes suffer water damage from old or faulty appliances and equipment. Any business with appliances or equipment that use water could suffer water damage. Have staff routine check your appliances for any signs of wear or leaks. If an appliance fails and spews water across your commercial building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may return to your business and face a water damage emergency.

2. Neglected pipes and plumbing
Just like in a home, the plumbing system in a commercial business can fail. A broken pipe, frozen pipe, faulty plumbing, or minor leak can result in major water damage in just a few hours. At least once a month you or a staff member should do a quick visual scan of your business’s plumbing. Are there signs of rust? Is a spot under a pipe wet? Do you hear a drip? The best way to prevent major plumbing issues is to resolve minor issues fast.

Questions about commercial water damage? We’re experts. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860.633.8791

3. Outdated sprinkler systems or water heaters
We know of a church in Connecticut that had a sprinkler system that was well beyond the legally required replacement date.
Some older office and retail buildings have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems.

While sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty, not well maintained, or in need of replacement. Many a time a poor sprinkler system has damaged commercial inventory and business assets and shut down business. Check your sprinkler system to make sure that it’s not faulty or in need of repair or replacement.

Water heaters in commercial buildings can crack or lose their seal because of high pressure. You want to follow the manufacturer guidelines and flush your water heater regularly so it will work properly.

4. Backups from sewer lines
Sewer backups are another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated black water which can cause health issues and ruin products and office furnishings.

Questions about commercial water damage? We’re experts. Call SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield at 860.633.8791.

5. Leaking roofs
One of the more obvious ways commercial buildings suffer water damage is through an old or leaky roof. Inspect your business's roof frequently (at least every six months) to make sure it does not need to be reseal. Be sure the roof drains properly. Even small leaks should be fixed immediately.

More Information On Our Blog
You can learn more about commercial water damage, commercial fire damage, and other issues by reading other posts on this blog.
 

SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.633.8791
Fax 860.216.2762
24-hour emergency service

7 Ways To Prevent Mold

8/22/2018 (Permalink)

You can greatly reduce the chance of mold damage by taking some simple steps

Mold spores love to spread and they do easily. No matter how great you clean you cannot get rid of all mold. Adding to the problem is that mold can grow anywhere--carpet, clothing, food, paper, and in places you can't see like the backside of drywall, areas inside walls around leaking or condensing pipes, and above your home’s ceiling tiles. Here are some ideas:

1. Equip your home with mold-resistant products.

Building a new home or renovating an old one? Use mold-resistant products like mold-resistant drywall or mold-resistant sheetrock, and mold inhibitors for paints. Traditional drywall is composed of a gypsum plaster core pressed between plies of paper. Mold-resistant drywall is paperless — the gypsum core is covered in fiberglass, making the surface highly water-resistant. Moisture-resistant drywall is especially valuable in areas prone to wetness, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and kitchens.