Recent General Posts
Give Your Home a Seasonal Tune-up!
4/24/2023 (Permalink)
Routine maintenance can help prevent the common sources of fire and water damage in homes and businesses.
Local SERVPRO® franchise professional says routine maintenance can help prevent the common sources of fire and water damage in homes and businesses
Shrewsbury, MA (Grassroots Newswire) April 2023 - Spring is the perfect time to assess the maintenance of your home after the long, cold, brutal winter months. A checklist from the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHS) outlines what it takes to help ensure your home is healthy – such as keeping it dry, clean, well-ventilated, free from contaminants, pest-free, safe, and well-maintained.
As the disaster remediation specialists at SERVPRO know, unexpected issues can quickly turn your dream home into a nightmare. “While we specialize in cleanup, restoration, and construction after a fire or water loss, we think it’s even more important to do what you can to help prevent these losses in the first place,” says Donny McKendall of SERVPRO of Shrewsbury/Westborough. “Routine and effective maintenance will help you meet all these healthy home criteria and serves as one of your best defenses against the curveballs that can be thrown at your home.”
While catastrophic events like storm-related wind, water, and hail damage are usually covered by most standard homeowner’s insurance policies, many maintenance-related claims are not – such as leaks over time or mold from lack of ventilation.1 So, on top of suffering a loss to property, there is a good chance the property owner will be on the hook for the entire cost of remediation and repairs.
To help pinpoint common areas of concern for routine home maintenance, the NCHH developed a Healthy Homes Maintenance Checklist.
“We deal with the consequences of unfortunate disasters that negatively impact the lives of property owners every day,” says McKendall. “The routine and simple spring maintenance tasks on this checklist can help minimize the types of hazards we specialize in remediating, and they can preempt many of the bigger problems that can cause significant damage to your property.”
Fire
- Clean dryer vents and screens.
- Check electrical equipment for damaged cords.
- Test all ground fault circuit interrupters.
Water and Mold
- Clean downspouts and gutters and ensure they direct water away from your home.
- Look for damaged or failing waterproofing, often caused by storms, such as lifting shingles, loose siding, or leaks around doors and windows.
- Test your sump pump, including the check valve. Clear out floor drains.
- Check hoses for leaks under sinks and on your water heater, washer, and refrigerator water dispenser.
“As a leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, SERVPRO understands that there are some things we simply can’t control,” says Rick Isaacson, CEO of SERVPRO Industries, LLC. “The weather is certainly one of those things. In spring, storms may bring flooding rain, lightning-sparked fires, and high winds, all of which can wreak havoc on homes and businesses. That’s why it’s important to take control where we can. Performing timely spring maintenance could be one small step to helping prevent a larger disaster that could permanently impact your family or property.”
SERVPRO specializes in disaster cleaning, restoration, and construction services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened” for both commercial and residential customers.
About SERVPRO
For more than 50 years, SERVPRO has been a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, construction, mold mitigation, biohazard, and pathogen remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 2,000 individually owned and operated franchises spans the United States and Canada, responding to property damage emergencies large and small – from million-square-foot commercial facilities to individual homes. When disaster strikes, homeowners, business owners, and major insurance companies alike rely on SERVPRO to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
1 https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2020-03/ready_document-and-insure-your-property.pdf
SERVPRO Urges Southborough Property Owners to Focus on Disaster Readiness as Spring Approaches
2/23/2023 (Permalink)
Focus on Disaster Readiness as Spring Approaches
Property damage remediation specialist says the importance of advance planning grows as severe weather and climate events become more frequent
Southborough, MA (Grassroots Newswire) February 9, 2023 - Since Fall 2022, the United States has experienced extreme weather from coast to coast ranging from major rain and flood events to hurricanes and tornadoes to extreme freezing conditions including a “once in a generation blizzard.” As catastrophic weather events impact property owners more frequently, it magnifies the need for disaster readiness ahead of this spring’s storm season.
The National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), reports that from 1980-2022, there were, on average, 7.9 “billion-dollar” events each year. In 2021, there were 20 “billion-dollar” weather or climate disaster events, and 2022 delivered another 18 – each year more than doubling the previous multi-year average.1
“These statistics are revealing,” says Donny McKendall of SERVPRO® of Shrewsbury/Westborough, “but not surprising to businesses like SERVPRO who specialize in disaster response and remediation. SERVPRO franchise owners experience the real-life impact of events like these as home and business owners reach out for help after flooding, fire, wind, and other natural disasters wreak havoc on their properties. That’s why we continue to emphasize the importance of preparing in advance before disaster strikes.”
Because spring weather can be particularly unpredictable, McKendall urges property owners in the Southborough area to take advantage of state, federal and other online resources now to prepare for a possible severe weather event. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers tips here2 for preparing an emergency kit to have on hand. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers an emergency preparedness checklist here3, and more ideas and tools are available from sources like the Red Cross, the AARP, and others.
According to Rick Isaacson, CEO of SERVPRO Industries, LLC, the number of calls for help and web traffic to SERVPRO.com increased more than 300% after the most recent winter storm event in late December 2022 over the same period last year (12/22/22 – 12/28/22).
“Advance preparation might have helped some of these property owners literally weather the storm with less damage,” said Isaacson. “And for those whose homes or businesses were severely damaged or destroyed in spite of efforts to avoid damage, advance preparation would mean that critical papers, contact numbers, insurance information, and recovery plans would be close at hand. Time spent improving your disaster readiness is time well spent.”
SERVPRO specializes in disaster cleaning, restoration, and construction services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers.
1 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/billions/
2 https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/springweather/index.html
3 https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/FEMA_Red-Cross_Emergency_Preparedness_Checklist.pdf
About SERVPRO
For more than 50 years, SERVPRO has been a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, construction, mold mitigation, biohazard and pathogen remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 2,000 individually owned and operated franchises spans the United States and Canada, responding to property damage emergencies large and small – from million-square-foot commercial facilities to individual homes. When disaster strikes, homeowners, business owners and major insurance companies alike rely on SERVPRO to make it “Like it never even happened.”
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Extreme Temperatures Have Led to a Record Number of Burst Pipes and Water Damage Calls
2/9/2023 (Permalink)
The SERVPRO Storm Team is Here to Help During the Current Water Damage Surge.
SERVPRO would like to remind residents and business owners that we are “Here to Help.” Serving the people of this community is our number one priority. Due to the recent frigid cold snap and wave of burst pipes/ water damage it has caused, our current call volume is at a record high. Our goal is to complete each job safely and quickly and get to the next family or business owner in need as soon as we can. To do this, the SERVPRO Storm Team has been activated, it consists of several SERVPRO franchises from different areas of the country who have stepped in to help meet demand. The SERVPRO Storm Team has deployed additional crews and equipment to the most heavily impacted areas.
Please know we are experiencing higher than normal call volumes. Calls will be addressed in the order they were received and we are working to connect you with a local storm team crew as soon as possible.
SERVPRO® Pro: Holiday Safety Travel Tips
11/19/2021 (Permalink)
Many of us have spent a significantly larger amount of time than normal at home over the last year and a half. With the holidays fast approaching, perhaps you are going to visit family or friends. When you intend to travel, taking a little extra time to prepare your house for your absence can keep your home safe, increase your peace of mind while you’re away, and help reduce the chances of unexpected problems.
For example, emptying the fridge and pantry of foods that will perish in your absence is a good practice; consider freezing items that could be saved for later. Throw your items away before your weekly trash pick-up, to avoid critters feasting on your refuse. To ensure that you are aware of any thawing of the freezer, place a cup of ice in there. When you return, if the ice is still separate, the food should be fine. If, however, the ice has melted, that indicates that the contents in your freezer thawed and re-froze, which means you should throw away what was in there.
Set your thermostat for your absence. Consider turning off the water at the main line. If you do turn off the water, remember to run the faucets until they are dry, and flush all the toilets and turn off their incoming water at the base of the tank. If you will be gone awhile, it might be a good idea to turn off your hot water heater as well, or set it to vacation mode, to save energy.
Make sure that all exterior windows and doors are locked, including the garage. If you have a hide-a-key, think about moving it inside, or giving it to a trusted neighbor in case of an emergency. If you have a fireplace, close the flue to prevent animals and birds from coming inside from that route.
Aside from ensuring that your home avoids accidental damage in your absence, you want it to appear that you are not gone. Set lights on a timer, ask your neighbors to check on your property, and do not post about being out of town on social media. By following these suggestions, you will be in a good position to enjoy your holiday season!
PREPARE NOW: SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH
9/3/2020 (Permalink)
This year for National Preparedness Month, join your community in preparing for emergencies and disasters of all types, and leading efforts to encourage the community as a whole to become more prepared. “Disasters happen” and not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities. Learn how to be prepared.
Make and Practice Your Plan
Do you have an evacuation and shelter-in-place plan? Do you have a plan to communicate with your family before, during and after an incident? Do you have an emergency supply kit? Make sure your family is informed and practiced in your emergency plan. Be sure to sign up for alerts and warnings for your area, and download other necessary apps to stay informed, such as the FEMA app.
Learn Life Saving Skills
Do you or someone in your family know CPR? Could you turn off your natural gas if necessary? Do you know how to take cover in an earthquake? Knowing these lifesaving skills could mean life or death in an emergency situation for you, your family or your neighbors.
Check your Insurance Coverage
Have you reviewed your insurance coverage recently to see if you’re covered in a disaster? Evaluate which hazards are relevant to your area and obtain the appropriate insurance for your home, business, or other property and become familiar with your coverage.
Save for an Emergency
Are you prepared financially in case of a disaster? Does your family have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses after a flood or fire? Check out FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit for an in-depth document to help you identify and compile important documents and account information all in one spot. Just search “EFFAK” on fema.gov for the free PDF.
Whether its flood, wildfire or extreme winter weather, we must work together as a team to help ensure our families, businesses, places of worship and neighborhoods are prepared. Contact your local SERVPRO® franchise professionals to find out how they can help make it “Like it never even happened,” if disaster strikes in your life.
Supporting Locally & Diversely Owned Businesses is Supporting the Community We Call Home
7/10/2020 (Permalink)
Proud to Support Local and Diverse Business!
ocal businesses and business owners- they don’t just work in our community, they live here. They our neighbors and friends. They are what make our community special and are essential to our economy.
Local and diverse business brings growth and innovation to our communities. They are specially vested in our towns and neighborhoods - providing employment, creating opportunities, supporting local economies, and adding strength and stability.
Most are feeling a financial strain right now, and are worried about the future. Now is the time to remind ourselves, supporting locally & diversely owned businesses is supporting the community we call home.
What Can I Do?
You may be saying, “I understand why it’s important to support these businesses, but what can I do?” The answer is a lot easier than you think. Simple tactics and changes of habits can make a huge difference. Get in the proper mind set, we’re all in this together. Start with, if you need to buy something, try your local store first. You’re in need of a service-who are your local providers? Now that you’ve got the ball rolling, check our 4 Tips on Supporting Local & Diversely Owned Business.
Four Tips on Showing Your Support for Locally & Diversely Owned Business
- Get to Know Your Neighbor. Check-in, get to know the local businesses in your community. Ask how you can offer support -are they open or selling online, do they sell gift cards, share their information on social media. Actively participate.
- Recognize the Helpers & Pay it Forward. Many local businesses are great neighbors, doing what they can to contribute the health and wellbeing of the community. We’ve witnessed our friends, coworkers and neighbors offering pro bono services, donations and volunteering with the institutions that help feed and support the most vulnerable members of our community. Support these business- they strengthen us all.
- Order Take-Out. Sure, it sounds simple but with limited (many still closed) dine-in options and reduced capacity local restaurants are dependent on take-out and delivery offerings to survive. In addition, think about treating clients or coworkers, in these times we know they could use the pick-me up, it helps the economy and serves as word of mouth marketing.
- Get on Social Media & Spread the Word. The pandemic crisis has affected everyone, you may not have extra money to spend right now. That’s ok, you can still help support local business by spreading the word. Is there a local business that you care about? Get on social media- share their info, write a review, share their posts. Word of mouth marketing is a huge value to relationship based businesses.
It’s all related- we know if we want to see our communities thrive, the businesses in them need to thrive. Ultimately, it’s going to be up to us, the local consumers and customers, to support local and diverse business. These businesses are made up of our families, neighbors and friends- we’re all in this together. We’re local, Be Local, Support Local.
To Learn More about Supporting Local Business through Social Media, check out our blog post: Doing Your part to Help Local Business | The Benefits of Online Reviews
Resources for this Post and Additional Suggested Reading:
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