Archived Blog Posts

No Kitchen Fires!

Name: SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield
Address: 100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT, 06002
Telephone: (860) 216-2785

7/8/2024 (Permalink)

Most home fires start in the kitchen, and most of those are related to cooking. Since the kitchen has sources of ready fuel, such as cooking oils, gas appliances, towels and more, a kitchen fire can rage out of control quickly and spread to the rest of your home. But if you follow just a few basic guidelines, you can really reduce the odds of a kitchen fire happening to you. Whether you’re cooking or not, follow our tips to prevent a fire from starting in your kitchen.

No Fires When You’re Cooking

Stay put.

The most important thing to do when you are cooking is to never leave your cooktop or range unattended. If cooking in the oven, be sure to be within earshot (to hear a timer go off, for instance) and no further than the next room. If cooking on the stovetop, do not leave the kitchen, period.

Keep it clean.

A fire needs fuel to burn, so keep your stovetop and cooking area free of combustibles. This means towels, oven mitts, paper towels, food wrappers and other items should not be near the stove. It also means that spattered grease should be cleaned up promptly, both on the stovetop and in the oven.

Dress for success.

When cooking, your clothes should be close-fitting to prevent them from touching a flame and catching fire. In particular, if your sleeves are long or loose, roll them up.

Cool it down.

Don’t toss hot grease into your kitchen trash. Let it cool down first, perhaps in an empty can, before disposing of it.

Keep it empty.

Don’t store food inside your oven—if you forget about it and preheat, you may start a fire.

No Fires When You’re Not Cooking

Don’t be plug ugly.

The key to a safe kitchen when you’re not cooking is to use electricity safely. That means all appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet, never an extension cord. And that outlet must be properly grounded and must match the appliance’s rating plate. Further, it’s a smart idea to unplug small appliances, like your toaster, when you’re not using them. Finally, check your cords to be sure they are all undamaged and replace any that are frayed or cracked.

Ovens are for eating, not heating.

Never use a gas oven to heat your home. You risk both a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

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

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration and cleanup, as well as natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage and mold remediation, water and mold damage, and chemical and biohazard cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO® publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

You've Had A House Fire - Now What?

7/1/2024 (Permalink)

Fire damage is insidious and trying to handle your own fire damage repair in Connecticut will be overwhelming. Call us at 860-216-2785!

If you have had a fire in your home, you may be feeling overwhelmed and more stressed than you’ve experienced before. After the fire department has gone, you may find yourself asking “What’s next?” The fire damage may be obvious, as well as the immediate water damage from the firemen’s hoses but the chemical agents and remnants can cause secondary damage well after the fire trucks have driven away.

At SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield we understand the instinct to want to start doing things, to rent a steam cleaner or buy a bottle of cleaning spray and start trying to handle the mess yourself. What you don’t realize is that you may be exacerbating the problem. Cleaners and chemical agents can react with residue and create toxic fumes that could permanently ruin your home, make you very sick, or worse.

So what do you do when you’ve had fire damage? Call us at 860-216-2785 & call your insurance company. Because of our dedication and commitment to making your home look and feel “like it never even happened” SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield is listed as a preferred vendor to most insurance companies in the Connecticut area. Your insurance company will assign you an adjuster and reach out to us, or you can call us directly at 860-216-2785. Our emergency responders can be on site within an hour of your call. They will talk you through the process of what needs to be done, the general scope of work and give you a verbal estimate, all for no cost.

From there we can step in while you catch your breath. Our 24/7 crews are extensively trained in safe and efficient ways to return your home to as normal as possible. Our office staff is well versed in working with insurance companies and adjusters. Our project managers are there to answer your questions and make sure you are on the same page and comfortable with the process.

SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield completely understands that a house fire was not a situation that you expected, wanted, or likely prepared for. From the initial demo until the last little piece of decoration is cleaned of soot, we will be with you every step of the way. We have the equipment like air scrubbers which can remove the lingering smoke odors from rugs and couches. Our fire cleanup crews will blow your mind with how quick and thorough they are. Just read one of the reviews left by a recent customer:

“SERVPRO never let me down. They did an amazing job with my garage, it was caught up with some fire and the smell from it was horrible. And also everything was drenched from the firefighter’s efforts to put out the fire. SERVPRO crews really took the time to eliminate the odor and dry everything up. Incredible crews. I will definitely recommend your services to everyone I know.”

We are a locally owned company with national resources and we take great pride in all of the services we provide. We are proud to offer

Water damage restoration services
Fire damage restoration services
Mold remediation
Storm damage restoration
Commercial Cleaning Services

SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield will be faster to your disaster and can take your fire emergency from “disaster” to “did that even happen?”

Preparing for a Natural Disaster

5/8/2024 (Permalink)

If you get a hurricane warning, seek shelter immediately.

Planning and preparation are key to best handle a blizzard, flood, hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster. From the Connecticut Guide to Emergency Prepardeness, here are some quick tips to help keep you safe.

Blizzards
Weather forecasters are usually good about letting you know ahead of time if a blizzard is coming. You should avoid driving and make sure to have enough food and supplies with you to last a few days. Plan on not having electricity or phone service. If there is 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 starting the car.

To Restore Your Property After A Natural Disaster Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785

Flash Flooding
Move quickly to higher ground. Water rushing at you in a flood can easily knock you off your feet. It does not have to be very deep to do so 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.

Hurricanes
Strong winds with thunder and lightning usually indicate a hurricane. The winds may be 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.

Tornadoes
A tornado warning means you need to take shelter immediately. If you are in your car, stop. Do not try to outrun the tornado. Get out 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. If you are in a tall building go to the middle of the building to a stairwell or hallway.

After any storm, we’re here to help. We help people recover from natural disasters and other catastrophic events. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7. We are here to help®!!!

Fire Damage? Lower Your Fire Clean Up Costs!

5/8/2024 (Permalink)

SERVOPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has the specialized fire and water damage cleanup and restoration training and experience to quickly restore your home.

The more time between the fire and restoration the more costs you incur and the fewer items you can restore. Depending on the extent of the fire damage, you may be able to save clothing, leather, books, photographs, kitchen items, furniture, and more.

Restored To Pre-Loss Condition
SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield cleans and deodorizes restorable items, sometimes to preloss condition. So don’t throw anything out until you’re certain it must be replaced. Save your property and save money. Now that’s a win/win!

Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield to discuss. We’re the fire restoration and clean up company that has saved property and saved money for the owners of fire damaged homes. Whether you're in East Hartford or Tolland; Bloomfield or Manchester; or anywhere in between, we can help.

SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Flooding at Hartford Public Library

1/3/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO at Hartford Public Library

Hartford Public Library experienced some flooding last week and needed a team to assist in restoring the library back to top shape! They called in the team at SERVPRO! When water damage strikes your business or property you can trust our locally trained technicians to handle it immediately and effectively!

Efficient Solutions for Enfield Water Damage Restoration

9/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians utilize advanced equipment like drying mats to mitigate water damage in Enfield homes, "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage Cleanup Involves Many Steps

Enfield continues to grow as one of the larger communities in Hartford County, with more than 42,000 residents from its humble start in 1679. Even more than in the past, homes are susceptible to damages and emergencies related to water in their properties. As a leading restoration outfit serving the county, SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield can work quickly to help with needed restoration solutions like:

Structural drying
Content restoration
Repairs
Water removal services
Surface cleaning

With Enfield water damage, our professionals need to respond quickly to help. We recognize the urgency of these disasters and have trained technicians available 24/7 to respond. Our Green Fleet of service vehicles stays stocked with needed equipment to help with mitigation and emergency services, such as extractors, demolition tools, and packing materials.

How Does Water Damage Happen?

The modern home has many ways that water and moisture damage occur, and property owners should be aware of these potential issues. Understanding the scope of the damage water can cause is a focus of the inspection SERVPRO professionals conduct to focus on restoration efforts yet to begin. Common causes of water emergencies in the home are:

Plumbing Issues – From breaks in the lines to damaged fixtures that steadily leak through wall systems and cabinets, plumbing is a common culprit for needed water restoration services.
Appliances – Water-fed appliances are more common than ever in homes, ranging from washing machines to dishwashers and refrigerators. Leaks from these units can spread fast and cover a wide area, making a fast response vital.
Flooding – Flood damage is common in Connecticut homes, especially those knowingly living at lower elevations. Flash floods or rising creeks and streams could infiltrate basements and cellars to affect the house.
Spills/Accidents – Human error accounts for a substantial volume of water damage restoration callout requests SERVPRO manages, from overflowing sinks and tubs to dozens of other possible scenarios.

Clearing Pooling Water from Flooring

When standing water is a concern for your residence, many exposed materials can be at risk. Our restoration team's most glaring mitigation obstacle is removing pooling from floors, which requires multiple extractors. We rely on trash pumps and submersibles for deep water removal to reach a shallow depth where wet vacuums are more suitable choices.

Removing Water Trapped in Materials

However, surface pooling is only part of the water damage obstacles for SERVPRO professionals. Specialty extractors and drying equipment is needed to pull moisture caught in flooring materials and structural cavities. Weighted extractors and carpet wands are essential for certain flooring types, while drying mats are effective with semi-porous installations like planks.

How Do You Achieve Thorough Drying?

Every restoration project involving water requires drying measures. The more widespread and involved the disaster, the more drying required. Centrifugal and axial air movers are at the heart of this mission, evaporating surface water into humidity for collection by placed dehumidifiers. We also account for the successes of drying measures by tracking moisture with tools like:

Detection devices
Thermal imagery
Moisture sensors

Are Damage Repairs Necessary?

Our general contractor license (0646584) allows many of the build-back services and repairs your home might need after water exposure. Often, homeowners are at a loss for securing additional contractors while restoration work is underway, and with SERVPRO, you do not have to. We seamlessly transition from cleanup to reconstruction to make water disasters in your residence "Like it never even happened."

Enfield water damage threats can rapidly impact homes and businesses in the area, making the quick response of SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield critical. We introduce containment measures and mitigation solutions to protect what matters most. Call us now at (860) 216-2785.

Cleaning Up and Repairing Enfield Fire Damage

9/3/2022 (Permalink)

Surprised by fire damage in your Enfield property? Call SERVPRO, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

We Seek Pre-Loss Condition After Fire Damage

With dozens of historical landmarks on the national registry and larger commercial properties in the area like Asnuntuck Community College, when disasters like fires occur, SERVPRO must act fast. A structure fire can leave your property contending with several layers of needed cleanup and recovery, with the largest hazard contributors being:

Ruined Materials
Debris
Smoke
Water Damage
Odors

The city’s emergency responders first address Enfield fire damage. When extinguishing is completed, we can be ready to enter the building and work on the required mitigation and restoration services. Preparedness during the earliest stages and mobilization after the first notice of loss ensure that this cleanup starts as it should when the property is deemed safe to enter.

Working with Your Insurance Provider

Fire damage can be widespread and destructive, whether your home or business. In most cases, restoring these disasters is a process moved through your insurance provider to secure needed funding for the project. As a preferred local vendor for insurance work with national and regional brands, we understand the required documentation and evidence to secure a damage claim approval and work fast to get the process green-lit so mitigation and restoration can start.

Reaching Homes Fast for Fire Mitigation

Extinguishing a fire does not stop the damage it can do to your home. Experienced restoration professionals must move fast from our warehouse with products, tools, and equipment to mitigate loss and protect what matters most to our customers. Some of the focal points of mitigative effort include:

Extraction – While you can appreciate the high volumes of water used to put out the fire in your home, this becomes another threat during the restoration process with standing water and pooling in several areas of the property. We have multiple extractors to manage these surface water threats to get other cleaning processes underway.
Removing Fire Debris – Shoveling out ash, soot, and building remnants can benefit the property in several ways. Not only does this expose structural defects from the fire damage covered by the debris, but it can noticeably reduce soot and smoke odor concentrations.
Managing Contents – Contents in your home can be the biggest priority for protection and preservation, as you cannot replace some items with a monetary value. We relocate some items, clean some on-site, and have technicians ready to transport harmed contents to our SERVPRO facility for more advanced cleaning.

How Damaging is Soot?

Soot is one of the more problematic byproducts of fire damage, and with the way it can spread to many exposed surfaces in the house, it creates a sizable concern for responding technicians. We must evaluate several factors to determine the needed cleaning products to help, including solvents and detergents. Dry smoke requires special products like chemical sponges to remove.

The Lingering Smoke Odors

Odors are another product of combustion that can overwhelm areas of your house. While surface cleaning and efforts like debris removal can help to reduce the severity of smells and malodors, the full deodorization and neutralization of these threats come with equipment from our inventory like HEPA products, hydroxyl machines, and oxidation units.

Who Does Post-Fire Repair?

Repairs and reconstruction are common after structure fires. Unlike other restoration companies, because we have a general contractor license (#0646584), we can complete the needed build-back services like demolition, patches, temporary construction, and full rebuilding of damaged areas in your house.

Enfield fire damage requires a fast and focused response from trained, certified professionals like our SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield team. We can help when disaster strikes at (860) 216-2785.

Why Enfield Mold Damage Should Be Resolved Quickly

9/3/2022 (Permalink)

barrier plastic, sign mold remediation servpro

Mold damage remediation by SERVPRO can ensure positive results. We restore your Enfield property "Like it never even happened."

We Help Customers Through Mold Damage Threats

Mold is misunderstood and often not taken as seriously as it should be. Usually, homeowners see these microbial growths as more of a nuisance than a pressing concern for the property. As surfaces and building materials become hosts for colonies, the cost and time to remediate these conditions increases.

What Is the Truth about Mold?

To begin overcoming Enfield mold damage, homeowners must understand common misconceptions about microbial growth and how to handle these situations. Some of these include:

Is Complete Mold Removal Possible?

Mold spores occur naturally in almost every environment. Remediation is designed to remove any active colonization threatening the household but does not attempt complete spore removal. The operation cost would be high, and the success would be limited.

Can Mold Get Better without Intervention?

Part of remediation is eliminating the causes of mold damage. The situation will likely worsen if these are not addressed along with the removal of active colonies.

Can You Clean Up Mold Yourself?

DIY approaches might make sense for smaller projects, but when removing mold from residences, much can be missed or inadequately performed, which makes remediation better suited for professionals.

Quickly Overcoming Mold Damage Threats

With the fast response of SERVPRO professionals, mold concerns can be rapidly addressed. Often, it is pressing to overcome the spread of these threatening situations and their acute effects that could make comfortable living impossible. We work in many capacities, including

Preventing Spread – Early mitigation helps prevent spores from spreading to other areas of the property. Containment often involves physical barriers.
Protecting Contents – Removing mold can be challenging when working around a house full of contents, even when these items are not at risk of mold exposure. We can relocate or clean personal belongings from your home as needed.
Structural Assessment – Mold can destroy hosting materials, so the earliest stages of mitigation must serve to inspect these affected surfaces for permanent structural damages.
Overcoming Water Threats – Mold development is possible with water intrusion into your home's living space. SERVPRO professionals assess this infiltration and how to repair it.

How Does SERVPRO Remove Mold?

Removing mold is the primary function of the IICRC-certified remediation team arriving at the house to help. Without removing the surface mold found throughout the house, the situation worsens, and microbial colonization spreads to sensitive hosting materials of the property. There are multiple remediation options based on factors like the severity of the infestation and the location of damaged construction materials. Approaches include:

Surface Treatment
Abrasive Cleaning
Sanding
Controlled Demolition

Musty Smells Are Expected During Cleanup

Both signs that mold damage might exist, and one of the more challenging obstacles of remediation is the harsh, musty smell generated by active colonization. Spore activity can create a discernible odor that is strongest closer to the infestation. For this reason, homeowners can often use this sign to indicate hidden mold growth. Remediation professionals utilize deodorizing equipment, oxidation, and masking products to help.

Repairs Needed After Mold Threats

Microbial growth overwhelms and destroys organic matter used as a host. Over time, these structural elements degrade and deteriorate, requiring replacement to restore integrity. Moreover, controlled demolition is often a more direct and proven method for removing set-in mold colonies from porous materials. Our general contractor license can help with these needed repairs and build-back services.

Enfield mold damage can be a threatening and stressful situation for homeowners. We work fast to provide the most comprehensive remediation solutions, including containment and mitigation. Give our SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield specialists a call today at (860) 216-2785.

SERVPRO Provides Water Restoration Services in Enfield

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

From small spills to large flood causing water damage--Enfield homeowners rely on SERVPRO for extraction and drying.

Why Should Water Restoration be Completed Quickly by SERVPRO in Enfield?

Many consumers assume that they can open the windows and let the wet carpet or hardwood floor dry on its own after a plumbing water leak in Enfield. Small water leaks may dry completely after a few days. Larger amounts of water may be absorbed by porous materials causing swelling, warping, buckling, and loss of structural integrity if not dried properly.

SERVPRO provides water restoration and drying services to Enfield consumers and homeowners. We recommend contacting us immediately. SERVPRO can be onsite within four hours of your call, assess the situation, and provide appropriate guidance regarding how to proceed based on your specific situation.

Porous materials such as carpets and fabrics absorb water quickly and can also be dried promptly. The carpet under padding may take longer to dry. This is due to being covered by the carpet. It may need to be exposed for the under pad to completely dry.

Various Flooring Compositions

Semi-porous materials such as plywood subfloors, hardwood floors, and cabinets take longer to absorb moisture and also take longer to dry. Removing all traces of water before these surfaces have an opportunity to absorb moisture and begin swelling can avoid significant secondary damage. Subfloors can lose structural integrity. Hardwood floors swell and buckle, often requiring replacement. The same applies to cupboards, especially those made from compressed wood products.

Immediate action by SERVPRO utilizing a combination of weighted water extractors, suction pads, air movers, and dehumidifiers can prevent this type of secondary damage. Our clients appreciate the quick service, especially when they know the importance of preventing secondary water damage.

SERVPRO provides water restoration services, including:

Water clean-up in basements, ceilings, and main floor areas
Water removal services
Water damage repairs and restoration

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield for water restoration services. We provide service to Enfield and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (860) 216-2785.

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Fire Damage Repair and Restoration in Bloomfield

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

drawing fire truck at commercial site, flames

SERVPRO strives to swiftly restore your fire damaged shop or building "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Verifies Commercial Fire Damage to Structures in Bloomfield

A fire in a commercial building in Bloomfield can be devastating for the business, employees, customers, and suppliers. They are all folks that depend on your business to reopen quickly after a fire. However, dealing with the fire's damage and the firefighters' efforts to quash the fire can be overwhelming. Often structural elements are damaged in the fire.

SERVPRO provides Bloomfield commercial fire damage assessment, controlled demolition, repair, and restoration services for our Bloomfield commercial clients. SERVPRO works closely with our clients to ensure that your return to full operations is accomplished as rapidly as possible.

Whenever a fire damages a building, one of the initial activities is to assess the structure's integrity to verify that it is safe to enter the building and does not pose a risk to our clients and our technicians. If a building is severely damaged, we may need to arrange for an engineer to inspect the building and verify the integrity and soundness of the structure. Since this is a demolition/construction site, everyone is expected to wear hard hats and work safety boots for personal protection.

SERVPRO removes all damaged material for disposal and cleans and dries all surfaces to remove smoke odors. Our building services team provides all the reconstruction activities required to rebuild and restore your building for a fast return to full functionality. We can save you time and reconstruction costs by coordinating all the trades during restoration.

SERVPRO services cover the full suite of restoration activities to keep your business in business:

Fire damage restoration and repair
Smoke remediation
Water and chemical retardant cleanup

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield for commercial fire damage services. We provide service to Bloomfield and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (860) 216-2785.

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Mold Remediation Services in Enfield

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

Leave the mold remediation to our SERVPRO technicians, ensuring a clean and sanitary commercial structure in Enfield.

SERVPRO Eliminates Moisture Sources During Enfield Commercial Mold Remediation

The strong odor of mold comes as a surprise to many business owners in their Enfield commercial buildings. Our clients may not realize they have a high moisture or water leak problem until they notice the smell or observe a mold colony in an area seldom visited. Mold spores need moisture, warmth, and organic material to form a colony, all available in our buildings and offices. A mold colony can materialize in as little as 24 hours once the right conditions are in place.

SERVPRO provides commercial mold remediation services to Enfield business customers. Our mold remediation services include an assessment of the infestation, its size, the source of moisture, and a plan to remove the infestation while protecting other areas of your facility. Clients are advised if specific inspection and documentation protocols are required based on local and state laws and the size of the infestation. We can provide advice and guidance based on your situation.

Barriers are installed to prevent mold spores from migrating to other areas of the premises during the removal and remediation process. This approach allows businesses to continue operations in other areas of the building. SERVPRO also locates the source of moisture. Our building services team can assist with necessary repairs to eliminate the water source and prevent future mold infestations.

Our technicians are skilled in all aspects of mold remediation, including odor control, fabric leaning, drying techniques, and water damage restoration. We work closely with our commercial clients and their employees to complete remediation quickly to minimize the impact on your business. Our services include:

Mold inspection, remediation, and removal
Black mold damage repairs
Water and mold damage restoration

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield for mold remediation services. We provide service to Enfield and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (860) 216-2785.

SERVPRO Saves Bloomfield Businesses from Effects of Mold Damage

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO commercial damage restoration services are second to none. Call now for fast and immediate service.

The Role of Isolation in Restoration of Mold Damage in Bloomfield

An effective isolation protocol is one of the most important aspects of controlling mold damage in commercial properties in Bloomfield. It is critical to establish robust containment systems that allow the restorers to remediate the contamination without spreading it to the unaffected areas of the building.

SERVPRO techs use various types of containment systems during the restoration of mold damage in Bloomfield commercial properties. A typical system consists of a barrier made using-

6-mil polyethylene sheeting.
PVC pipes.
wood framing.
spring-loaded expansion poles.

The barrier prevents the airborne spores and the contaminated debris from leaving the affected area.

The Mold Remediation Process

SERVPRO techs negatively pressurize the contaminated areas relative to the clean rooms after erecting the isolation barrier to prevent cross-contamination due to airborne spores. We use air filtration devices fitted with HEPA filters to establish the negative pressure zones. The HEPA filters are 99.97% effective in preventing particles of 0.3 microns or larger, including most fungal spores, from leaving the containment zone.

In most mold-affected commercial properties in Bloomfield, a pressure differential of about 5 Pascals between the contaminated and clean areas is enough to prevent the movement of spores.

Once the techs set up the containment with the negative pressure, they begin mold remediation. The type of service required for each content item may be categorized in one of the following three ways-

Restoration: Items that SERVPRO techs clean to remove contamination
Disposal: Techs dispose of items with heavy contamination or when replacing them does not outweigh the cost of remediation
Preserve with risk assignment: Techs can restore irreplaceable items can with a risk assignment

We work hard to restore your establishment “Like it never even happened.” Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield at (860) 216-2785; to talk to one of our mold specialists.

Enfield Residents Trust SERVPRO for Storm Damage Restoration!

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians have the training and experience for every phase of storm damage restoration.

Using Heat To Accelerate Drying After Storm Damage

Successful restoration of storm damage to your Enfield home is contingent on restorers being able to remove moisture as fast as possible. The longer the moisture stays in contact with the various surfaces, the more damage it can cause.

SERVPRO techs use several techniques to accelerate drying during the restoration of storm damage to your Enfield home. From altering the moisture content of the air to increasing the airflow across the wet surfaces, SERVPRO techs manipulate the drying conditions to draw the moisture out. Temperature is one of the most efficient ways to accelerate drying after water damage.

Heating and Cooling Equipment for Water Damage Restoration

Increasing the temperature enables the drying air to hold more moisture, speeding up the drying process. SERVPRO techs use the following pieces of equipment to change the temperature of the drying air in your water-damaged Enfield home-

Portable electric heaters: Techs use these to direct heat toward a particular area within the building rather than heating the entire airspace. As these heaters require electricity, they might not be useful during a storm damage cleanup if there is a power outage.
Indirect-fired furnaces: These use kerosene or diesel and produce significantly more heat than portable units. Techs use indirect-fired furnaces to heat a large area of the affected structure.
Direct expansion units: These commercial heat exchange units can provide heating and cooling. The DX units can also provide humidity control in the water-damaged area of the building.

While SERVPRO techs use portable heaters and indirect furnaces in residential buildings, the direct expansion units are used in commercial properties. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield at (860) 216-2785; our techs are available 24/7 to assist you.

Water Damage Restoration in Enfield is Fast with SERVPRO

8/10/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration is no DIY project. Cal SERVPRO for a team of experts for your home.

Drying Structural Cavities During Water Damage Restoration

Structural cavities behind walls, ceilings, or cabinets can be challenging to dry after water damage to your Enfield home. SERVPRO techs use various drying and ventilating systems to replace the cool, moist air from these cavities with warmer and drier air.

The most common ventilating system that SERVPRO techs use to dry cavities after water damage to your Enfield homes consists of vents or hoses attached to air movers. Restorers direct air into the cavities by drilling small holes in walls or ceilings. After drilling the holes, techs can either push air into the cavity or draw air out.

Using Negative or Positive Pressure to Dry Cavities During Water Cleanup

Once the SERVPRO techs identify trapped or hidden moisture inside a structural cavity in your Enfield home, they have the following two options to dry the structure-

Applying positive air pressure
Applying negative air pressure

Whether the restorers apply negative or positive pressure depends on the individual situation and the extent of moisture present. Positive pressure is achieved when the drying air is pushed into the cavity. The forced air can improve the circulation and increase the temperature of the surfaces helping them to dry quicker.

Another method of drying the cavities involves drawing out the cool, moist air from recesses after water damage. SERVPRO techs use this method only if there is no visible contamination exists.

When drilling holes into the structure is not feasible or practical, the techs use drying mats to draw out the moisture. Restorers often use drying mats to remove water below tiles or under hardwood floors.

We are committed to helping you when you need it the most, so call SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield at (860) 216-2785 for fast and efficient service. Remember, We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

The Need for Elaborate Fire Damage Restoration in Enfield Homes

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

smoke coming in from under a door during a fire

The smoke from an Enfield house fire can significantly affect the home's indoor air quality. Call SERVPRO for fire and smoke damage restoration.l

SERVPRO Has Resources Suitable for Fire Repairs in Enfield

Fires cause significant damage within a short period. House fires can be life-threatening within two minutes and can engulf an entire property in five minutes. On average, the response from the Enfield fire department takes slightly over 5 minutes, so any incident can significantly damage your structure and valuables. Once the fire department hands over the property to you, there is still significant work to do, collectively known as fire damage restoration.

Although the damage may be significant, it is still possible to save some things. Appropriate Enfield fire damage restoration procedures help salvage more items and complete other necessary procedures such as replacement and refinishing. SERVPRO provides the required tools and Fire Restoration Technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration to facilitate your recovery efforts.

Necessary restoration actions

Capturing all fire residues
Removing compromised materials
Removing bad odors

Fire leaves properties dirty due to the accumulation of soot, ash, and discoloration of materials. Completing restoration without cleaning is impossible. In most cases, it is among the first steps you must take. Fire cleanup is not the same as regular house cleaning because smoke residues spread vastly, reaching every corner of a property. The soot particle sizes vary and can be very small, thus penetrating cracks and crevices. Effectively capturing residues is essential during cleaning. Our SERVPRO crews use physical removal methods such as HEPA vacuuming to collect residues or dissolve them in cleaning solutions.

Fire effects on materials

Most materials exhibit changes once exposed to high temperatures. Partially burnt structural materials show visible signs such as charring. Changes may also be less visual but have dire implications. Structural materials may lose their core strength, while utilities such as electric cables can be compromised when heat melts their insulating covers or residues clogging air ducts. Our SERVPRO technicians strip down affected areas removing all the compromised materials, paving the way for cleanup, deodorization, and rebuilding.

Steps necessary for removing odors

Identifying odor sources
Physical removal of odorous materials
Neutralizing odor molecules

SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield is ready to go the extra mile to facilitate fire damage restoration. Call us at (860) 216-2785. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How You Can Respond to Flood Damage at Your Bloomfield Home

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

Need help in restoring your flood damaged Bloomfield home? SERVPRO is Here to Help.

With SERVPRO, Flood Restoration in Bloomfield Is Easier

Several creeks and other waterways run through the Bloomfield area, so flooding is likely, especially after torrential rainfall or when a storm passes through the area. As the water volumes in the waterways swell, any property close to the bank is exposed, resulting in flood damage.

Apart from overflowing rivers, the road and pavement networks can cause flood damage at your Bloomfield home since the area is flat. Knowing what to do once the water breaches your property is essential because it determines the costs and inconveniences you incur. Involving SERVPRO lightens your workload and minimizes the risks you would face from such an incident.

Problems to address after flooding

Water extraction challenges
Contamination--Black Water
Material deterioration

Flooding leaves pools of water stagnating inside homes which is both inconvenient and promotes the proliferation of microbes. Floodwaters also spread dangerous chemicals and biohazards. Timely water removal is one of the crucial steps for controlling flood damage. However, your attempts to remove the water might not be successful if you do not have the appropriate extraction resources. SERVPRO makes a difference since we use advanced technologies such as self-priming pumps to facilitate the extraction of the floodwaters.

Managing contamination

Contaminants are particularly challenging to address for several reasons. For instance, extracting dirty water does not remove harmful materials from surfaces and contents. Also, exposure to such substances can be a health risk. Taking elaborate steps to rid the property of any trace of toxic materials is another crucial flood restoration process. Precautions are also necessary to limit contact with dangerous materials. Our SERVPRO crews have sufficient PPE, including rubber boots, heavy-duty gloves, and bodysuits, allowing us to clean and finish any section of your house comfortably. Besides cleaning, we also do controlled demolition to remove compromised structural materials for disposal.

Unsalvageable materials removed during flood restoration

Carpets and pads
Drywall, insulation, and wall fillings
Composite wood

SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield quickly responds when notified about flood damage facilitating management of any problem, “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (860) 216-2785.

The Role of Humidity in Water Damage Cleanup of Enfield Shops

7/8/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO sets up LGR low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers to tackle RH and water damage in your Enfield shop.

Humidity Can Slow Water Damage Recovery

The moisture in the air of the impacted regions of your business can be a substantial restoration obstacle to overcome. Improperly managing humidity can lead to greater difficulties in drying the shop, preventing moisture, and a higher likelihood of structural deterioration.

Understanding Relative Humidity

The relative humidity is an important measurement to help overcome water damage in your Enfield boutique or shop. This term essentially describes the capacity of the environment to hold water. Higher relative humidity RH amounts allow a greater volume of grains of water, permitting surface drying to continue unabated. The management of humidity and its limitations directly impact restoration processes like:

Content recovery.
Structure drying.
Mold prevention.

Setting Up Dehumidifiers in Your Shop

As the shop's humidity increases from evaporation or additional moisture damages, it can ultimately plateau and stop water restoration processes altogether. Dehumidifiers are a credible line of defense against this rising threat in the structure, managing this growing moisture content through processes like condensation and absorption. The placement of dehumidifiers should be relative to the number of air movers in the shop.

Overcoming Persistent Moisture Concerns

One of the main obstacles to knowing how your shop became damaged by water or flooding is preventing this situation from reoccurring. This solution might be the repair or replacement of compromised plumbing, or it could mean sealing up structural vulnerabilities allowing intrusion by external precipitation and runoff. When your business requires reconstruction or repairs, we can help with our Commercial Contractor License #: 0646584.

From water management to removing ruined contents or building materials, SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield can help when your shop suffers a disaster. We are ready to help get your doors back open and make these conditions "Like it never even happened." Call now at (860) 216-2785.

How Fire and Soot Damage Affects Bloomfield Homes

7/8/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damaged home in Bloomfield? No worries, call SERVPRO to make it "Like it never even happened."

Cleaning Fire and Soot Damage

There are many focal points for fire mitigation and cleanup. When addressing the threats of fire byproducts like soot, SERVPRO professionals prioritize specific objectives when we first arrive:

Surface damage
Structural damage
Harsh odors
Water and moisture effects
Airborne contaminants

Post-Fire Debris

Debris is a combination of ash, soot, charred materials, destroyed contents, and other fire and soot damage in Bloomfield homes. These deposits increase the presence of soot and odors in the environment, making them one of the first obstacles for our responding SERVPRO team to overcome when starting fire mitigation.

Surface Soiling

Soot is most directly associated with physical soil deposits on the surface of materials. Because these solids can stain underlying surfaces or corrosive soot deposits can be, SERVPRO must use solvents and detergents as soon as possible. We can use alkaline wet cleaning products to balance harsh pH for less structural damage.

Soot Particles in the Air

Airborne contaminants are another concern for the property and one of the forms of soot damage that SERVPRO must overcome. Smoke and aerosolized solids are a common byproduct of combustion, and these particulates continually circulate in the air until coming to rest on damaged surfaces. HEPA air scrubbers and environmental cleaning equipment are needed to reduce these airborne threats' presence.

Widespread Malodors

Soot is also connected to malodors spread throughout the structure. As surfaces get cleaned and debris removed from the property floors, the severity of post-fire odors lessens. Soot cleanup can help make deodorization faster and more efficient by counteracting strong smells early in the restoration process.

Soot is one of the more challenging developments of a fire and should be dealt with as soon as possible. Because these corrosive byproducts are interconnected with many post-fire loss effects, our SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield professionals work fast to mitigate them. Give us a call now at (860) 216-2785.

Surviving A Natural Disaster

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

If you get a hurricane warning, seek shelter immediately.

Planning and preparation are key if you are to best handle a blizzard, flood, hurricane, tornado, or other natural disaster. From the Connecticut Guide to Emergency Prepardeness, here are some quick tips to help keep you safe.

Cutting Costs After Fire Damage

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

A bathroom is severely burned after a Connecticut house fire

Fire damage is terrible as it is. Let’s not make things worse by spending more money than necessary to restore your fire damaged home. Many times you can save money and keep property damage to a minimum through what’s called emergency mitigation services.

Saving Fire Damaged Possessions
Fire damaged property that may look like it needs to be replaced may actually be recoverable. A fire restoration company can save many a heirloom. But act quickly. Prompt fire cleanup and restoration is important because the items found in your home—furniture, carpet, walls, drapes, and even ceilings—can absorb smoke. If too much time elapses between when the fire damage occurs and when fire cleanup occurs, the effects of smoke damage can last for months.

Time Can Cost You Many Possessions
The more time between the fire and restoration the more costs you incur and the fewer items you can restore. Depending on the extent of the fire damage, you may be able to save clothing, leather, books, photographs, kitchen items, furniture, and more.

Restored To Pre-Loss Condition
SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield cleans and deodorizes restorable items, sometimes to preloss condition. So don’t throw anything out until you’re certain it must be replaced. Save your property and save money. Now that’s a win/win!

Keys to Rebuilding After A Commercial Loss

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Bloomfield Storms affect local businesses

When your business or commercial property is damaged by fire, water, or storm, your immediate concern should be temporary protective measures. For example, a damaged roof should be covered with roof tarps to prevent additional damage. And boarding up windows and doors can secure your business or commercial property until you can remove any water and debris.

After any storm use caution before entering your commercial property. Check for power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. If any of your electrical equipment is wet, contact an electrician. Prepare loss information for insurance claims and get independent estimates of the damages.

Once you protect and secure your business or commercial property, professionals at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can begin the restoration process. You may need reconstruction work to get your property back to its preloss condition.

Need Building and Reconstruction Services? Call (860) 216-2785

Three other critical steps business and commercial property owners should take are:
1. Protect Yourself From Contactor Fraud
Only hire licensed contractors to do repairs on your commercial property. Check with your local building department to ensure the contractor is licensed. If you hire a contractor, don’t pull the permits for them. If the contractor makes this request, it may be an indication that the contractor is not properly licensed.

2. Take Photographs Of All Damage
Photographs of the after-storm condition of your commercial property can provide proof of damage for insurance and other purposes. Take the photos immediately after the damage and before repair work begins. Keep all your receipts for insurance purposes.

Don’t wait for a storm to begin preparing. Take a complete set of photographs of your commercial property in its current condition to serve as “before” pictures. If and when a storm strikes your business you can take “after” pictures to show the full extent of the damage.

3. Assess The Damage And Contact Your Local Building Department
After assessing the damage to your business or commercial property restoration, contact your local building department for information on the required building permits. Permits are always required for any demolition or permanent repairs, reconstruction, roofing, filling, and other types of site development.

The professionals at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can simplify the commercial property restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save you time and keep your costs low. We offer a full range of restoration services that will get you back in business and bring your building and property back to full use.

We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Hartford, Newington, Bloomfield, East Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield

Basement Water Damage? Follow These Steps

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Emergency Safety Tips

Whether you have burst pipe water damage, a water damaged floor, storm damage, water damage in your basement, or any other major water cleanup issue, your primary focus should be safety. After any major water damage consider:
• 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.
• Are there electrical or "slip and fall" hazards? After major storms, these are some of the most prevalent dangers we see.
• Are you only doing things you know are safe? Don’t take risks.
• 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 very heavy.

Contact A Water Removal Service
You’re wise to contact a professional water removal service like SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield. You want the job done right and right away. That’s what we do. Never hesitate to call for help.

Responding Fast To Flood And Water Damage
A SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield highly trained technician can respond immediately to water damaged basements and other flood or water damage at your home or business. We have the experience, expertise, and training 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 Bloomfield/Enfield to discuss. Call 860.216.2785. 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've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Bloomfield, and beyond.

Where There's Fire There's Smoke...Odor

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Bloomfield Enfield Smoke Fire Damage Services

Smoke damage can be insidious and difficult to treat alone.

Removing Smoke Odor From Clothing, Furniture, and Carpets

After a fire you’re eager to clean your home, but be careful. You may waste effort or even make things worse if you don’t use proper methods. Begin by contacting your insurance agent immediately after a fire. Then consult with a fire restoration expert like SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield. For dealing with the smell of smoke in clothing, upholstered furniture, carpets, and drapes, here are some tips.

Need Smoke Or Soot Removal Services? Call (860) 216-2785

After a home fire, several factors can influence the severity of the odor:
• Size of the fire: The larger the fire, the more materials have been burned, and the more smoke you’ll have.
• Length of exposure: The longer an area is exposed to smoke, the more deeply embedded the smoke odor can be in all porous materials.
• Size of the room affected: The smaller the room, the more intense and concentrated the smoke odor can become.
• The material burned: Different materials leave behind different odors. A wood fire smells differently than a fire that burns mostly plastic materials, for example. The type of materials affected may influence the type of products you need to remove the smoke odor.

Deodorize Before You Clean
Before you have anything cleaned, properly deodorize the affected items. We recommend you use professionals. A dry cleaner or professional fire restorer will tell you about counteractants. Counteractants are chemicals or additives that break up smoke molecules and 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. Fire restorers also may provide them for laundering clothes.

Some professional fire restorers and dry cleaners use an ozone treatment to remove smoke odors. If they do the work in your home, they’ll put your smoke odor affected items under a tent while an ozone generator runs.

Household Remedies Only Provide Temporary Relief
Yes, you may think about using a household deodorizing spray or disinfectant but they provide only temporary relief from smoke odor. And, deodorizing sprays may interact with smoke odor and create an additional odor.

If it’s impossible for you to have your smoke odor infested items restored by a professional fire restorer, you might try one of these methods:

1. Dissolve one cup of dishwashing detergent—the type used in an
automatic dishwasher—in one gallon of warm water. Completely submerge the items and let them soak all night in your washing machine or bathtub. Drain and launder as usual the next day.

2. For items that can be bleached, mix 4 to 6 tablespoons trisodium phosphate (available from your hardware store) with 1 cup Lysol or household chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water. Add clothes, rinse with clear water, and dry.

We’re here to help. The team at SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. We can remove virtually any pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet.

We use a thorough fire damage restoration process:
Step1: Emergency Contact
Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)
Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)
Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
Step 6: Cleaning and Repair
Step 7: Restoration

So call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Hartford, Newington, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Enfield, Simsbury, Coventry, South Windsor, Agawam, and beyond.

Connecticut Hurricanes 2024 - Are You Ready?

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is ready for any disaster

It’s easy to become complacent when storms and hurricanes haven’t been a recent threat. We tend to focus our weather prep on ice storms, blizzards, bomb cyclones. Still, it’s important that residents of Connecticut remember storms like Irene and Sandy and keep in mind that we are definitely not immune from catastrophic storms or hurricanes. At SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield we want to keep you safe and your home protected. If there is a catastrophic event and your home or commercial property in Connecticut sustains storm damage, we are here to help. Remember, we mitigate damage after the storm has passed.

Here are some tips to help mitigate damage of your residential property before the clouds roll in.

Do a full inventory of homes and contents – Go room by room with a video camera and taking photos with a digital camera or your cell phone to provide a quick inventory of collectibles, works of art, antiques and other irreplaceable items. Upload your photos to the cloud or email them to yourself so you maintain a virtual copy.
Collect insurance policies pertaining to the home. Familiarize yourself with what they do and do not cover. Call your insurance agent for a quick review of your policy.
Prepare supplies in case of a power outage or evacuation – stock up on essentials like batteries, bottled water, canned goods, flashlights, etc. Buy a wireless battery pack for your mobile
Clear all drains around the house and identify low-lying areas vulnerable to water and ensure that they drain away from basements and foundations.
Prepare to move all boats, RVs, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles or anything else that may be parked outside or in a non protected area.
Make sure that gutters and downspouts are clear of debris and drain away from the structure.
Landscaping should not allow water to collect next to the foundation of the building. Remove any damaged or low-hanging branches.
Inspect the seals of windows and doors along the frames to check for cracks and ensure they are not compromised in any way.
Look for items that can become projectiles during heavy winds and move them to a protected area or secure them in some manner. Disassemble playscapes or move outdoor toys to a place where they will not be susceptible to being picked up and hurled through the air by the wind.

Commercial properties can also take steps to mitigate the damage before the rain even starts.

Back-up all records and store the back-ups off site. Move hard drives to a higher ground where they will not be as susceptible to water damage. If possible, send vital documents to the cloud or another virtual storage service.
Have mops, buckets, tarps and a wet/dry vacuum on hand in case of leaks or flooding. Placing tarps over computers and other electronics can minimize damage later.
Move paper records into filing cabinets and leave the bottom drawers empty so that if water does flood the office, hopefully paper will be high enough to be protected.
Walk through the basement or any offices on a lower level to see what furniture, records or electronics could be compromised or damaged during any flooding, and move them to a higher location or place them in protective containers.
Take a video inventory of each office and its contents for insurance purposes.

At SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we are ready to help you recover your normal after storm damage. Weather events are getting more hazardous by the season and storm damage has become more of a “when” than an “if”
Our phones are open 24/7 to talk to a live agent. Call us at 860-216-2785 and one of our priority responders will be to your home to get a scope of the damage.

Are You Ready for 2024 Connecticut Storms?

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

Storm Damage and Flooding in Connecticut

Hurricane Irene's storm surge caused major damage. By Cyclonebiskit https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16253690

Spring and summer bring many things—blooming flowers, green grass, fun vacations, and thunderstorms. None of us look forward to the last item on that list. Thunderstorms often come with other threats like tornadoes, high winds, and flooding. Lightning alone kills about 50 people each year in the United States. The Red Cross says that thunderstorms kill more people each year than either tornadoes or hurricanes. You can better weather any thunderstorm with a few preparations like these.

1. Remove any dead or rotting trees near your house. In a thunderstorm or other type of storm a weakened tree could fall and cause extensive damage.

2. Check your homeowner’s insurance. Make sure you are covered for thunderstorm damage. Does your insurance coverage meet your needs? If not, make adjustments.

3. Use surge protectors. Electronics (your TV, appliances, computers, etc.) that are plugged in are susceptible to damage from the electrical surges a storm can cause. Plug your electronics into a surge protector and the surge protector into the wall. That gives you an extra layer of thunderstorm protection.

4. Stay tuned to weather reports. Keep a weather radio or internet service on to listen for forecasts, watches, and warnings. Know the terminology. A thunderstorm watch means the weather is conducive to severe thunderstorms. A thunderstorm warning means a storm is occurring or will start soon and it poses a threat to life and property.

5. Get trained in first aid and learn how to respond to emergencies. In Connecticut check out the available classes at Red Cross Training.

If You Have Thunderstorm Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

6. Educate your children about thunderstorms and other natural disasters. Be certain they know to come inside and stay inside whenever threatening weather (gray skies, thunder, heavy rains, lightning, etc.) approach.

7. Be prepared to lose power. Have plenty of flashlights and batteries available. Avoid using candles because an open flame during stormy weather can be dangerous. Keep the flashlights where you can quickly find them even in the dark.

8. Have a safe place and be sure everyone in your house knows where that place is. A safe place in a thunderstorm is an area in your home that’s away from windows and not in danger from falling trees. Often a windowless interior bathroom is a safe place.

9. Have supplies ready. A damaging thunderstorm may keep you from shopping for several days or longer. You may not have electricity. Have an emergency kit stocked with items like a weather radio, water, snacks, a flashlight, extra batteries, important phone numbers, and other essentials.

10. Read what the Red Cross has to say about thunderstorm safety.

If You Have Thunderstorm Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Fire Damage - Let the Experts Handle Your Home

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Bloomfield Enfield Fire Damage Restoration

It's hard to see the damage that fire can cause to your home. Let SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield step in while you catch your breath.

Fire damage in your home can be traumatic and scary. After the smoke has cleared and the fire engines have left, you may feel tempted to just brush some soot away and try to go on with normal life. If you are lucky enough to clean up the soot that seems to sneak into every crack and crevice, you may be unaware that the lingering smoke damage and compromised air quality can affect your belongings, your pets, your family for long after the flames have been extinguished.

When there is an immense amount of smoke in your home, as there is after a fire, the effects may linger in unexpected places – clothes, furniture, carpet, even your walls. Along with the smoke, you risk inhaling absorbed soot or other particles left from burnt debris, extinguishing chemicals, and more. Your eyes, skin, sinuses, and even your lungs may feel the effects of smoke and fire damage.

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785 immediately. We can have our priority responders to your property in under an hour, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Our responders will assess the damage, go over the scope of work and develop a game plan.

From there our crews get to work. First we will work with you to go through the contents of the damaged areas. We will assess and salvage any items in which the cost to restore them is less than the cost to replace them. The contents are removed from the property and taken to the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield warehouse, locally owned and operated in Bloomfield, Connecticut. At our warehouse we clean, sanitize, and restore the items and then store them in our secure vaults.

Back at the house, our crews will extract any water that may have been a result of the fire fighters’ hoses, bust pipes, or other things that may have happened during the course of the blaze. It is vital to remove the water as soon as possible because sitting water can weaken the home’s structure and foster mold growth. After the excess water has been extracted we will use our state of the art equipment to continue drying the home.

Next comes our cleaning crews. The reviews speak for themselves as customer after customer has expressed their amazement at how quickly and thoroughly they work to remove soot from every affected area. We have the best equipment in the business to effectively eliminate odor contamination caused by the fire and the water.

“The team of women who spent hours cleaning everything in the house were thorough and so very polite and patient with this harried home-owner. A+ to everyone at SERVPRO and many thanks for returning our home to normal once again.” – Lisa B, Google Reviews

Then we begin the demolition stage. Our crews will remove portions of the home too badly damaged to salvage. We understand that it can be hard to see even more of your home demo’ed but your project manager will work hand in hand with you to explain the entire process. It is VITAL to proceed with the demolition because dangerous bacteria and acidic soot can increase the extent of the damage exponentially.

Dealing with a house fire is hard, traumatic, and draining. Allow SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to help you through the process of bringing your normal back, to make it "Like it never even happened." Our highly trained staff will work with your insurance company and with you to make this process as painless as possible.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is Leading The Ranks!

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Ranking Badge

Entrepreneur.com has released its 2022 franchise ranking and SERVPRO is #1 for cleaning and restoration - again!

According to Entrepreneur.com, one of the biggest business publications and websites in existence, SERVPRO has been ranked #8 in the 2022 Franchise 500 Rank and the #1 franchise in the cleaning and restoration industry for the 19^th consecutive year. This means that one of the spaces most familiar with business practices, projected growth, and franchises chose SERVPRO to be listed in the top ten of all franchises in the world. This decision is based on factors like growth, financial strength, stability, and brand power. We are proud to announce that as of 2021, SERVPRO has grown 14.4% over the past 3 years. This growth is absolutely astronomical when you consider the economic and global conditions of the past three years. While SERVPRO as a whole is clearly thriving, we at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield are beyond delighted to announce that we have been named in the top 12 of all SERVPRO franchises nationwide. We are committed to providing the highest level of customer service, to being faster to your disaster, and to have our clients tell us when we are done that their home is "Like it never even happened!" Call the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield offices at 860-216-2785 today to help you handle any water damage, mold remediation, commercial cleanings, and more. We are waiting for your call!

You've Had A House Fire - Now What?

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage is insidious and trying to handle your own fire damage repair in Connecticut will be overwhelming. Call us at 860-216-2785 and let us help

So what do you do when you’ve had fire damage? Call us at 860-216-2785 and call your insurance company. Because of our dedication and commitment to making your home look and feel “like it never happened” SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield is listed as a preferred vendor to most insurance companies in the Connecticut area. Your insurance company will assign you an adjuster and reach out to us, or you can call us directly at 860-216-2785. Our emergency responders can be on site within an hour of your call. They will talk you through the process of what needs to be done, the general scope of work and give you a verbal estimate, all for no cost.

We are a locally owned company with national resources and we take great pride in all of the services we provide. We are proud to offer

Water damage restoration services
Fire damage restoration services
Mold remediation
Storm damage restoration
Commercial Cleaning Services

SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield will be faster to your disaster and can take your fire emergency from “disaster” to “did that even happen?”

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 Bloomfield/Enfield. 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 Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in water damage remediation, fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.206.6141) any time.

If your home or business suffers a flood, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield today at 860.206.6141 for immediate water damage cleanup and restoration of your structure and property

Other Helpful Blog Posts

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

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002

IICRC Certified

Noemi Garcia

Certified SERVPRO technicians

Call 860.206.6141

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 Bloomfield/Enfield 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 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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002

IICRC Certified

Noemi Garcia

Certified SERVPRO technicians

Call 860.216.2785

24-hour emergency service

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

24/7 Emergency Water Damage Restoration Services in Northern CT

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

The flooded basement was caused by leaky pipes.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield, CT'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 of Bloomfield/Enfield’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.

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002

IICRC Certified

Noemi Garcia

Certified SERVPRO technicians

Call 860.216.2785

24-hour emergency service

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

Why You Should Hire SERVPRO For Your Commercial Cleaning Needs

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

Water cleanup 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 Bloomfield/Enfield 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 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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002

IICRC Certified

Noemi Garcia

Certified SERVPRO technicians

Call 860.216.2785

24-hour emergency service

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

Frozen Bursting Water Pipes? Here's the scoop

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

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

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002

IICRC Certified

Noemi Garcia

Certified SERVPRO technicians

Call 860.216.2785

24-hour emergency service

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

Roof Damage? We’ll Take Care of It Fast

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

Whether the damage is a slow leak or a completely destroyed roof, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will repair it all, quickly and safely.

When a rain, wind, ice or snow storm damages your roof, you need to have it fixed quickly. Ranging anywhere from a slow leak to a gaping hole, roof damage leaves your home and your possessions open to damage from the elements. And because the damaged areas can be difficult to access, it can put your own safety at risk if you attempt repairs on your own.

We Have the Right Equipment and Skills

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has the right equipment and the right skills to take care of your roof damage fast, so you avoid more damage and you and your family stay safe, too.

In fact, we have our own construction services crews, which can take rapid steps to protect your home by tarping over damage, before they do the necessary rebuilding to fully restore your roof to pre-damage condition.

And because roof damage can happen at any time of the day or night, SERVPRO is available around the clock. We’ll get to your home quickly and assess the damage. Once we protect your roof with tarps or by boarding it up, we’ll present a plan to completely repair the damage to the roof and any other affected parts of your structure.

And because we’re SERVPRO, we can clean and restore whatever was damaged inside your home, too: furnishings, furniture and personal items.

While You’re Waiting for Help, Stay Safe

It can be tempting to get up on your roof to prevent further damage, especially if a storm is ongoing, but it’s more important for you to be safe. The most common cause of home repair injuries is using a ladder! Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield and we will get to your home as soon as possible. While you’re waiting, follow this advice to prevent serious injury.

If the roof damage is extensive, get everyone out of the house
Stay out of the areas directly below the damage
Don’t try to climb onto the roof, which could collapse if there is hidden damage
Don’t try to remove debris from the roof
Once outside, assess the damage from the ground
Be careful around any fallen power lines—stay away and call the power company

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

SERVPRO’s Training Sets Us Apart

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO employees are highly trained in all aspects of damage remediation, including water, storm, fire, mold and biohazard cleanup!

When you call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield for fire, water, storm or other damage to your home or business, you can be sure that you’ll receive a quick response from one of our crews that brings industry-best equipment and procedures to your emergency. What you’ll also get is one of the nation’s best-trained crews of damage remediation experts.

Even though we are a locally owned and staffed franchise, we benefit from the training provided by the SERVPRO corporation. In operation for more than fifty years and based in Tennessee, the corporation has operated a National Training Center for almost thirty years, where they teach restoration and mitigation skills to franchise owners and employees.

A Range of Industry-Leading Training

To give you an idea of the depth and breadth of the training provided by SERVPRO, take a look at the offerings that our employees have access to.

New Franchise Training

New franchise owners start with a fifteen-day hands-on training program at the training facility at SERVPRO headquarters. This is also a valuable course for franchise employees. The program covers all aspects of the basic skills required to do damage remediation the SERVPRO way:

Fire restoration
Water restoration
Carpet and upholstery cleaning
Mold mitigation

Employee Certification Training

Our employees earn certifications after taking this self-paced program and successfully passing the examination. Modules include:

General crew training
Fire restoration
Water restoration
Carpet and upholstery cleaning

IICRC Training Program

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is proud to be a member of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), the damage restoration industry’s premier organization. In fact, the SERVPRO corporation is an approved IICRC Training School. We offer year-around classes in:

Fire restoration
Water restoration
Carpet cleaning
Upholstery cleaning
Applied structural drying

E-Learning

Our employees have ongoing access to the corporation’s web-based training program. At their own pace, employees review videos and support materials, then complete each module by testing.

Continuing Education

SERVPRO offers employees both credit and noncredit courses in emergency damage mitigation. These courses are also available to community-based insurance agents, insurance adjusters and real estate professionals. Courses include:

Water damage restoration
Fire damage restoration
Understanding mold in the restoration industry
Restorative drying for loss control
Mitigation awareness response seminar (non-credit course)

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

SERVPRO Halts Damage Fast

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield starts work on your water, fire, storm or other disaster FAST, because that saves you time and money.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield understands how important it is to stop and quickly clean up water, storm, wind, fire, biohazard or other damage in your home or business. That’s why we are available for emergencies 24/7, and that’s why we get to your emergency FAST.

Our Cleanup Process Starts with Speed

SERVPRO has a time-tested process of cleaning up residential and commercial damage. It begins with a swift response to your call, with one of our experienced crews arriving ASAP to assess the damage and create a plan for the cleanup. If called for, we take immediate steps to protect your home or business from being damaged—this may mean we board over your roof, for instance.

Next, we examine your home or business and its contents, put together a digital inventory, then pack up and remove all salvageable items to our warehouse for cleaning and storage. Back at your building, our crew is busy cleaning and reconstructing. Meanwhile, we also coordinate your claim processing with your insurance company. Finally, we replace your cleaned possessions back to your restored home or business.

Why So Fast? Because It Saves You Time and Money

The truth is that beginning damage remediation quickly halts the damage in its tracks, and that means that the necessary cleanup and reconstruction work is minimized. The end result? Your remediation job is completed sooner and at less cost.

A good example of how that works is water damage. Not only is it important to stop the spread of water in your property, it’s also essential to remove the moisture by thoroughly drying out the structure and your possessions. This will help prevent a mold infestation and increase the odds of being able to fully restore everything.

What happens if you don’t remove water quickly and completely? Here’s the tick-tock.

One hour later

Water, flowing wherever it can, is soaked up by your walls, floors, furniture, upholstery, etc.
Your documents, books and photos are quickly damaged
Furniture finishes bleed into your carpeting

One day later

Drywall swells up and warps
Metal tarnishes
Wood swells and cracks
A musty odor is noticeable

One week later

Mold colonies have a chance to become established (after just 48 hours)
Floors, doors, windows and studs swell and warp; paint blisters
Metal corrodes and rusts

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Keep Water Out of Your Suffield Basement

11/11/2021 (Permalink)

Following these tips from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can help prevent water from entering your Suffield basement.

When your basement floods, it can cost you time and money—and may ruin appliances, furnishings and personal belongings that you have stored there. Sometimes the flood is from a sudden intense storm, a burst pipe or an appliance leak, but often the water enters more slowly and frequently, leaving you with ongoing damage to your Suffield home.

Prevent Water from Entering Your Basement

A common cause of water in basements in north central Connecticut is from foundation leaks. If you have a perimeter drainage system that isn’t keeping the water out, you’ll want to hire a professional waterproofing firm to correct or upgrade your system.

But often, the fix is much easier and faster—and something you can do yourself. Typically, you want to home in on the features of your house and yard that direct water away from your foundation.

Check your gutters. Your house’s drainage system includes your gutters and downspouts. Gutters can get clogged with leaves and debris, so make sure they are cleaned out; some homeowners have to do this a couple of times a year if trees surround the home.

Next, check your cleaned-out gutters after a heavy rainfall. If water overflows along the run of a gutter, it may need to be adjusted to the appropriate angle to direct water to the downspout.

Your downspouts should extend far enough to prevent water from pooling near your foundation. If not, purchase extenders to carry the water ten feet or more away from your home.

Check your slope. The ground surrounding your home should slope away from the foundation on all sides to carry water away from your foundation. You can fill in small depressions or swales with clay-based soil, but if there are large soggy areas or your home is surrounded by hills that drain water toward it, you’ll need to hire a civil engineer to regrade your property.

SERVPRO to the Water Damage Rescue

When you do get water in your basement, you can call on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to clean up the damage. We are the north central Connecticut experts in water damage restoration and we will arrive at your home quickly, gauge the damage and outline a plan to get you back to normal. And we don’t just repair structural damage; we can clean, sanitize and restore your possessions affected by the water damage, including furniture, personal items—even clothing. We’ll even coordinate with your insurance company to expedite your homeowners claim!

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

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has the people, skills and equipment to help homeowners recover from water damage and eradicate mold. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785 any time.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

We Employ Great People!

11/5/2021 (Permalink)

If you ever wonder how you will be treated as a SERVPRO customer, please read on! Our crew members are polite, helpful and respectful.

In addition to the high-level training and top-notch products and equipment that SERVPRO is famous for, we at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield are especially proud of the way our people do their jobs and treat our customers.

We understand that every one of our customers is in a situation they don’t want to be in: facing home damage from a water, fire, storm or biohazard disaster. At the very least, they’re inconvenienced, and at the worst, they’re shell-shocked by their sudden change in fortune. Because of that, our SERVPRO crew takes care to respect and empathize with every customer.

So, no matter the nature of your emergency, you can be sure that while SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is taking care of your home and possessions, our people are taking care of you! This is what our customers have to say:

“We can't say enough about the project managers … . They were always responsive and answered all of our questions, and were extremely professional. It was a difficult time for us; the water caused a lot of damage but we felt good about our decision to go with SERVPRO. We hope nobody has to go through what we went through, but if you do, we highly suggest SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.”

“We had a flood in our basement and SERVPRO came out and did a great job. Everyone from the office to the crews were polite and professional. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a professional company.”

“I cannot say enough about how wonderful the SERVPRO team was in handling our flooded basement. From drying out, caring for our belongings and an abatement, they were caring and professional the entire way. Someone was always available to answer my calls and email, even late at night. They helped us navigate through insurance red tape and kept us informed throughout the whole process. They will be the first I call if anything like this should ever happen again and I HIGHLY recommend them.”

“After two huge trees crashed into my house, I was told I had to move. This is where SERVPRO comes in. They came in the middle of the night, cleaned and created some order from chaos. They were beyond helpful throughout a long and tedious process for many days. When it was time to move, they again exhibited a courtesy and professionalism that is rare in this day and age. Their movers treated my possessions as carefully as they would their own. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and get this … no matter what we asked of then, they did it with a smile. This is one of the best experiences I've had in my 86 years!”

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Northern Connecticut Businesses Can Purchase SERVPRO’s Proprietary Disinfectant

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

Your customers strongly prefer businesses that are visibly clean. Be sure yours is by using SERVPROXIDE, our proprietary disinfectant.

As a corporation, SERVPRO was well-prepared to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Building on our expertise in deep cleaning and disinfecting, SERVPRO developed and began offering a new professional corporate pathogen cleaning service called Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

One key element of this cleaning program is SERVPROXIDE™, our in-house hospital-grade disinfectant. When used as directed, SERVPROXIDE kills 99.999% of bacteria and viruses. We feel that this product is so effective and easy to use that, for the first time in more than five decades, SERVPRO has decided to sell SERVPROXIDE directly to corporate customers (through Amazon Business) in northern Connecticut and beyond.

Customers Strongly Prefer a Clean Facility

A “Cleaned with SERVPRO Disinfectants” window sticker is available with certain SERVPROXIDE purchases. Why is that important? Well, one thing that COVID-19 has shown business owners is that customers really care about cleanliness. In fact, in a 2020 Harris Poll, 71% of consumers expect businesses to be cleaner than their own homes. Now, as our nation continues to fight the pandemic, business owners need to take steps to show customers that they are maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness in their facilities.

When used as directed, SERVPROXIDE kills a wide range of pathogens, disinfects hard surfaces, sanitizes soft surfaces and neutralizes odors on fabrics and carpets—yet it carries the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating and is NSF-rated for use on food contact surfaces with no rinse required. (Note that if you experience COVID-19 contamination at your facility, SERVPRO advises hiring a professional pathogen cleaning service to completely sanitize your facility.)

“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.”

This Is One Happy SERVPROXIDE Customer!

“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.

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster—or needs routine cleaning or deep cleaning and decontamination services—call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building and property after a natural disaster. We also offer year-round commercial cleaning services and HVAC maintenance. 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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

SERVPRO Cleans Up Biohazard Contamination in North Central Connecticut

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

Whether it's a sewage backup, bloodborne pathogen, chemical spill or other biohazard mess, call SERVPRO for fast, complete and respectful cleanup.

If you own or manage a business, you know what a balancing act it can be. There are predictable challenges to be met and then there are situations that occur without warning. Having a sudden biohazard contamination at your north central Connecticut facility is one of those situations, and being able to deal with it quickly can make a huge difference to your operations and your profitability.

Maybe your sewage backed up. Maybe there’s a chemical spill. Perhaps there was an accident or crime, and now you have bloodborne contamination in your building. Whatever happened, it’s essential that you get the biohazardous substances cleaned up fast and completely, all while following safety and cleanliness regulations. And, you have to prevent ongoing contamination while you protect the health of your employees and customers.

That’s where SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield comes in. We have the specific training, experience, equipment and products to safely, swiftly and thoroughly clean up even the worst biohazard messes in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.

SERVPRO Understands Biohazards

Obviously, with the health risks involved, biohazard cleanup is a challenging task. But everyone at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield understands that it can also be an emotional situation. So, when we show up to help you, all our crew members treat you, your employees and your property with respect and empathy.

We also know that a biohazard crisis can occur at any time of day or night. That’s why, 24/7, our crews are ready to come out promptly to evaluate the situation. Because every minute counts in a biohazard emergency, we recommend you follow our Biohazard Emergency Tips to help protect your building and your people.

We Handle Sewage, Bloodborne Messes and More

Biohazard situations come in many types, and we can handle them all:

Sewage backup
Crime scenes
Accidental deaths, suicides and homicides
Bloody accidents
Hoarding situations
Animal waste and/or remains
Chemical spills
Drug labs

Beyond the obvious mess, sewage backups sweep dangerous bacteria and viruses into your building. SERVPRO restores your facility by cleaning out the sewage and completely drying, disinfecting and deodorizing your building and furnishings.

A bloody accident or crime scene is extremely disturbing and the blood, body fluids and other contaminants may pose a serious health risk. Let us handle the mess, the danger and the disturbing nature of the scene quickly and completely.

Help Is Here

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

What’s It Like to Hire SERVPRO for Water Damage Remediation Services?

9/10/2021 (Permalink)

Your home's water damage may be small or large, but SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will respond promptly, clean up thoroughly and work respectfully.

Water damage in your home can be a seemingly endless problem that can drain your time, energy, emotions and—let’s face it—your money. Sometimes the damage is sudden and overwhelming, such as after a hurricane or other strong storm, when parts of your home are overrun by water. Other times, the damage is less overwhelming but still quite serious, such as when a water appliance fails or a pipe bursts. And other times, the damage is more subtle, for instance when a small, unnoticed leak creates a colony of mold.

All these situations need to be treated as a true water emergency and dealt with promptly and professionally. That’s why you should call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to restore your home and property back to before-damage condition. SERVPRO has the people, tools and experience to do your water damage cleanup and restoration job the right way. See what our customers have to say about working with us.

“The team was amazing! They did an excellent job and worked every moment they were here. Extremely efficient and everything looks great!!!”—Deb in Manchester

“The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield met and went above my expectations of a restoration company when a water pipe burst. Everyone I came in contact with was professional and had a great vibe about them. I felt at ease working with SERVPRO and will be recommending them in the future.”—Gerard in Enfield

“The water damage disaster I recently experienced must’ve been my lowest point but the SERVPRO team was the very definition of what professionalism is supposed to be, if not more. 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. They treated me as more than just a client and inspired me to keep pushing forward.”—Harry in Bloomfield

“The SERVPRO team did a great job cleaning up the mess in our home from some flooding that was caused by a broken pipe. They called within an hour of us notifying our insurance company and arrived an hour later. They stayed late into the night removing carpet, ceiling tiles, hardwoods, etc. It was extremely hot and humid and hard work. Dustin Jones was our project manager. He did a great job explaining everything to us and staying in touch throughout the cleanup process. We felt very confident and comfortable that the job was being done right. Thanks very much.”—Dave M. in Bloomfield

“I had a major water loss at my house in Farmington. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield was very professional, understanding and helpful. At first, the event seemed overwhelming but with the help of SERVPRO, everything went smoothly.”—Lori in Farmington

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

We're Here For You

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Count on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield for Storm Damage Cleanup

8/31/2021 (Permalink)

Get ready for the next big storm by deciding to call on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to clean up any storm damage at your home.

As we enter hurricane season, it’s good to know in advance where to turn if your house suffers damage from a wind, rain or other storm. In that kind of situation—after a hurricane, tornado, blizzard or maybe just a bad thunderstorm or protracted rain storm—you and a lot of other homeowners will all need help to protect and restore your homes. But how to decide on a reliable, experienced, well-equipped storm damage restoration company that can respond quickly to your emergency?

At SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we have a long record of providing just that kind of storm damage restoration. Take it from our customers, and read what they think about their experiences with us.

“I love how professional this company is. They are experienced in mold removal, as I had some in my basement due to a previous flood. I haven’t had any problems with flooding after any storms since then. Great customer service and very responsive. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield was the right choice.”—Traci in East Granby

“I cannot say enough about how wonderful the SERVPRO team was in handling our flooded basement. From drying out, caring for our belongings and an abatement, they were caring and professional the entire way. Someone was always available to answer my calls and email (thanks, Jorge!), even late at night. They helped us navigate through insurance red tape and kept us informed throughout the whole process. They will be the first I call if anything like this should ever happen again and I HIGHLY recommend them.”—Elizabeth in Granby

“The SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield staff was very polite and nice. I'm happy they came so quickly!”—Jennifer in Simsbury

“The crew from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield was very polite, professional and efficient. The gentlemen were extremely neat with the cleanup.”—James L. in Durham

“My water damage came from the massive storms that rolled through Connecticut. My roof had a leak, but I was unaware of it until there was standing water in my home. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield was able to come out immediately and help assess the damage. I was thrilled with the process AND the end result.”—Samantha in East Granby

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other flooding disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other flooding disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

A Word from Our Commercial Customers

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

You can't afford down time when your commercial facility has a water, fire or other emergency. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield pronto!

Every business owner or manager gets hit with unpleasant surprises from time to time. That’s when you must respond quickly to deal with the situation and get your business back on track. When that unpleasant surprise is a water, fire, storm, mold or biohazard emergency, your business should call our business!

We’re SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, and we can clean up your leaks and floods, your after-fire damage, your lingering mold issue, your sewage mess—just about any disaster and damage your facility endures, we can clean up. And we do it quickly, completely and respectfully. Read on for what some of our customers say about our work and our people.

“Having never dealt with water damage before, I was more than pleasantly surprised at how quick their response was and how thorough SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield was with my business. In fact, they even did a couple of things that I wasn't expecting that helped with the cost of the whole restoration (over $30K). Staff were experts in each area and very customer oriented. I would highly recommend them to anyone who has a need for their services! A+++”—Victor E. in Bloomfield

“Your project manager, Brandy, handled this loss from beginning to end and was courteous, professional, and truly went the extra mile for us. Brandy not only knows the “ins and outs” of mitigation and restoration but she also knows the business aspects … [she] helped shift things around as needed to keep us going. We were elated with the work that was completed ….”—Robert in Suffield

“I am Head of Technology and Operations for a large broadcast network in Hartford. I want to thank your team for coming to our building yesterday and disinfecting our area on such short notice. Going forward, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will be our emergency contact in case this happens again. Thanks so much!”—Mike N. in Hartford

“SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield was very impressive, both in the field and in the office. They came out fast and removed tons of water from a pipe break at my property in Springfield. I would recommend the SERVPRO team to anyone I know if they have a pipe break, ice dam, water damage or something similar.”—Kathy in Springfield

“Excellent, trustworthy cleaning service! The team is super efficient. They work quickly, quietly and most importantly, they do a fantastic job. Nothing was left out and everything was done right. I highly recommend SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield!”—Camille in Bloomfield

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building and property after a natural disaster. We also offer year-round commercial cleaning services and HVAC maintenance. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

Clean Up Water Damage in Your Bloomfield Home the Right Way

8/11/2021 (Permalink)

Even if you have just a little water damage in your Bloomfield home, you need to get everything completely dried and dehumidified—and it's not easy.

Small or large, water damage in your Bloomfield house needs to be taken seriously. Puddles or flood, it’s a genuine emergency that can end up costing you thousands of dollars. The problem is, the job is not as simple as mopping up the water and hoping it dries.

It’s not just the water you see on the floor that’s the problem; it’s also the moisture. Your floors, floor coverings, walls, furnishings and possessions all need to be 100% dried out. That’s not something you can necessarily do by yourself. And if you try, will you be sure all the moisture is removed? If not, you can suffer more structural damage, lingering odors and the very real potential for a serious mold infestation.

A professional water damage remediation company like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will bring your home and property back to before-damage condition. SERVPRO has the people, tools and experience to do the job the right way.

Removing the Water

SERVPRO brings in our powerful pumps and truck-mounted vacuum units to quickly remove the majority of water from your property—sometimes, hundreds or thousands of gallons! Depending on how much water needs to be removed, we may use powerful submersible pumps in addition to industrial wet/dry vacuums.

Among the other tools and equipment we use to remove the water from your Bloomfield home are:

Moisture detectors, hygrometers and other meters to measure the degree of saturation
Infrared cameras that can detect water lurking behind walls and ceilings

It’s important that water removal be done thoroughly, which will speed up the next step, drying and dehumidifying.

Drying Your Property

Even the best water extraction equipment cannot remove all the moisture in floors and walls that have been soaked. Because nearly all building materials (such as wood, drywall and flooring materials) are porous, they absorb water, and that can cause them to swell, warp, degrade or become infested with mold.

The SERVPRO crew measures square footage, temperature and humidity levels to calculate how many air movers and dehumidifiers are needed to dry your home. Then we bring our best equipment to bear on restoring your home:

Industrial-grade dehumidifiers to help prevent secondary water damage (swelling and warping)
High-speed air movers to create airflow that accelerates the evaporation of moisture

We’ll carefully monitor the progress using moisture meters until everything is sufficiently dried and dehumidified.

Meanwhile, SERVPRO dries, cleans and deodorizes your furnishings and personal possessions. When everything is fully restored, we return your property to your home, leaving you with no traces of the water disaster!

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

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has the people, skills and equipment to help homeowners recover from water damage and eradicate mold. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785 any time.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

What Our Customers Say About SERVPRO’s Fire Cleanup Services

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

F I R E in white letters on a red background

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will do its best to make your fire damage restoration experience as easy and quick as it can be.

There are very few silver linings when it comes to experiencing a house fire, but many SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield customers in north central Connecticut have managed to find the positive in a difficult experience. We are so grateful to be able to make a real difference in the lives of our customers on some of their most difficult days!

“Their response time is uncanny! They arrived before I could finish cleaning up the house to show them around. Our back office had caught fire from a power strip but luckily it was extinguished within minutes. The team that came was very kind and informative—even my kids learned a few things!”—Nikita in Enfield

“Just want to give a great big shout out to the SERVPRO crew. They came in to help us with the water and smoke damage after the fire. Everyone was so helpful, kind, hardworking and compassionate. All those qualities were so appreciated as we navigated through this stressful time. Thank you all so much for a job very well done.”—Josh in Bloomfield

“Recently we had a fire in our kitchen from a towel catching fire by the stove. Just a few days later, SERVPRO removed all the damaged material and furniture from our home. The builders were able to start the reconstruction process very soon, thanks to their speediness. I’m very happy with the hard work put in by the SERVPRO team.”—Saul in East Granby

“On an extremely windy and very cold night two weeks ago, our woodstove experienced a sudden and profound back-draft, which filled the main floor of our house with thick, dark smoke, and also caused a small fire in the room. Through our insurance company we engaged SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield shortly after the event. This was an entirely new experience for us and after our first interaction with SERVPRO staff we knew we were in good hands. They really know their stuff. The project was handled with professional efficiency from start to finish and the results were absolutely amazing. The team of women who spent hours cleaning everything in the house was thorough and so very polite and patient with this harried home-owner. A+ to everyone at SERVPRO and many thanks for returning our home to normal once again.”—Liz in Hartland

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

We're Here for You

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

SERVPRO Will Remediate Fire Damage in Your Granby Home

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to thoroughly clean and deodorize your Granby home and possessions after the flames have been put out.

Your Granby home caught fire! Fortunately, everyone is safe and unhurt. But your house? There could be a lot of damage ... and maybe you can’t even stay there until it’s cleaned up and repaired. Beyond the practical challenges of getting your life and home back in shape, you’re facing strong emotions and the uncertainty of exactly how to restore the damage to your home and your possessions—and fire, smoke and soot are extremely challenging to fully clean up.

You need to find a local fire damage cleanup expert who is trustworthy and knowledgeable—and who can get the job done quickly and completely. In Granby and north central Connecticut, turn to SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. We have the resources, experience and equipment to fully restore your home. We’ll respond ASAP, evaluate your home and property and clean, restore and deodorize your possessions and structure.

This is our three-part approach to remediating damage from fire, smoke and soot after a house fire in Granby.

We Clean and Restore Your Building

A house fire leaves soot and other damage on your walls, ceilings, floors and trim. Upon arrival, we assess the damage, then use the appropriate equipment and products to clean each surface. We remove all traces of soot and prepare the surfaces to be repainted if necessary.

We Clean and Restore Your Personal Possessions

SERVPRO will evaluate your furnishings—including area rugs, furniture and window treatments—and your personal possessions—such as electronics, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, artwork, books and documents—to determine what is restorable. We test each item to determine which of our many cleaning techniques will be safest and most effective.

Because fire damage remediation can be complicated, SERVPRO creates a digital inventory of all your damaged items. This makes it easy to track every possession as it moves through the restoration process, while creating clear documentation for your insurance claim.

We Deodorize Everything in Your Home

In addition to cleaning your Granby home and everything in it, SERVPRO deodorizes your structure and possessions of lingering smoke odor. Rather than masking odors, we use advanced equipment, such as foggers that penetrate all the crevices in your home and furnishings, to remove smoke odors at the source.

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

We're Here for You

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

How to Prepare for Hurricane Season

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

With hurricane season starting in north central Connecticut, be prepared for the storms with these tips from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

Summer and fall are known as hurricane season in many parts of the U.S. Each year, it seems like there are more storms, the storms are more powerful and damaging—and the season starts earlier and goes on longer. That means that you need to be prepared for hurricanes that might park over your home or business and drop lots of rain while the winds whirl—and that means increased property damage!

This summer and fall, make sure you prepare your home or business to withstand more wind and more water from more hurricanes. Here are several important steps to take when a hurricane is forecasted for your area.

Reinforce Your Structure

Few weather events can cause the kind of damage that a hurricane can, with its high wind speeds and wind-driven rain. If a hurricane is on its way, check these parts of your house or business.

Roof: The winds of a hurricane can peel some or all of your roof right off. Even just a few missing shingles will allow water to penetrate your home or business. Before the storm, check for missing or damaged shingles, and consider hiring a roofing pro to repair or replace them.
Gutters: A well-working gutter will route water from your roof and away from your home. Look at your gutters before the storm: are they securely attached? are they unclogged? Again, a roofer can do this and perform any needed repairs.
Windows: Windows are particularly vulnerable to hurricane damage, so you may want to cover them, either with plywood or hurricane shutters.
Lawn and Driveway: If large objects aren’t secured in place, they can be thrown around by the strong winds, potentially smashing into your home or business or other property. If you can store objects inside (garbage cans and outdoor furniture, for example), do so. Otherwise lash everything down.

Keep Your Family Safe and Healthy

The strong winds of a hurricane can cause power outages that can last for a week or more. It’s wise to set your refrigerator and freezer to the lowest possible temperature before the storm arrives. Food will keep for 4 hours in an unopened refrigerator and will remain frozen for 48 hours in a full freezer.

Protect the health and safety of your family by putting together a cache of food, water and other supplies. This should include:

Nonperishable food to last three days or more
A gallon of water for each person per day
An emergency kit that contains:
—First aid supplies
—Flashlights and batteries
—Charged cell phones
—Pain relievers and essential medications
—Important paperwork (for identification and insurance claims)
—Cash

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other flooding disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other flooding disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Commercial Mold Cleanup in Enfield

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

Mold is growing on the walls of a hotel room

If your Enfield commercial facility has a mold problem, call the pros at SERVPRO of Enfield/Bloomfield to clean it up for good.

Your Enfield commercial building can become infested with mold in a number of ways. All it takes is moisture plus some time, and the mold spores that are naturally floating around in the air can find a place to grow!

How can you prevent a mold problem? And if your building already has mold, how can you get rid of it?

Preventing Mold in Your Enfield Commercial Building

The primary way to prevent mold from growing in your office, factory, restaurant, hotel, retail shop or warehouse is to keep water out. No water = no mold.

Routinely check your facility for leaks (especially from the roof, around windows, near pipes and vents, and close to water fixtures). Clean up and repair any leaks ASAP.
Periodically check the humidity in your building. Even a too-high level of humidity can cause mold to grow.
If employees or customers report a mildewy odor, look into it.
If you have a flood in your building, get the water cleaned up and building materials, furnishings and items completely dried out within 48 hours—or call a professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO.

Getting Rid of Mold

If you discover a mold infestation in your place of business, the most important thing is not to ignore it. You can try to tackle the problem yourself, but mold issues have a way of persisting. You think you can dry out the area yourself and simply wipe away the mold, but mold is a stubborn foe.

Here at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we are highly skilled at mold removal. We have the sophisticated training, the proven procedures, the equipment (like air movers, commercial dehumidifiers and moisture meters) and the experience to eradicate your mold infestation the first time.

These are the steps we recommend you take (and not take!) once you discover a mold problem at your Enfield commercial facility:

What not to do:

Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
Don’t blow air across any surfaces that has visible or suspected mold.
Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

What to do:

Stay out of the affected areas.
Turn off your HVAC system and fans.
Contact SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield for mold remediation services.

Help Is Here

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Summer Storm Damage Cleanup in Suffield

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

Summer storms in Suffield can gravely damage your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield for start-to-finish storm damage cleanup.

In Suffield, Connecticut, summer storms—thunderstorms, heavy rainstorms and even tornadoes and hurricanes—can occur with little to no warning, causing a lot of damage to your home or business. While winter storm damage gets a lot of attention, the flooding and structural damage from summer storms in northern Connecticut can be just as costly and difficult to clean up.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is ready to work with you on recovering from summer storm damage.

We offer around-the-clock emergency service, so we get to you fast
We are highly trained in the science of water damage restoration
We are locally owned and operated, with our headquarters just down the road in Bloomfield

Stormwaters Are Dangerous and Dirty

When stormwater surges into your home or business in Suffield, it carries with it a number of problems.

First, your building, furniture and possessions get soaked and stained, leaving you with a tough cleanup job.
Next, stormwater is dirty and often contaminated with chemicals, oil, and bacteria and other pathogens, putting you at risk of disease or injury.
Finally, the heavy soaking that your property takes in a storm means that thoroughly drying everything out will be a challenge. If just a bit of moisture remains—maybe behind a wall panel—you may have to contend with a stubborn mold or mildew problem.

Why Call SERVPRO for Storm Flooding Cleanup

The foundation of our business is flooding cleanup and storm damage restoration. With our technical expertise, latest technology, and range and quantity of equipment, our crews can tackle the biggest cleanups to return your salvageable building materials and items to their pre-flood state.

That’s why we hire, train and support both specialized water damage restoration techs and applied structural drying techs. These skilled crewmembers know how to evaluate your damage, measure moisture in the air and bring the latest drying technology to bear to get your home or business back in pre-storm condition.
Additionally, while big storms can overwhelm many restoration companies, that won’t happen with us. We are one of more than 1,700 SERVPRO franchises across the country, and have access to equipment and staffing that smaller companies simply can’t touch. (SERVPRO even musters Disaster Recovery Teams for major storms and disasters.)

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other flooding disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other flooding disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Psssst: Time to Clean Your Cellphone!

4/29/2021 (Permalink)

A cellphone can carry a shocking number of disease-causing germs! Our tips will help you keep it cleaner.

One of the things we’ve learned over the past few years while coping with a viral pandemic is that keeping our environment and possessions cleaner pays off in better health. So, we at SERVPRO® recommend that you continue basic hygiene measures such as washing your hands frequently. And we strongly recommend that—pandemic or no pandemic—you regularly clean your cellphone. Because that essential little device goes with you just about everywhere. You touch it, then touch something else, then touch it, then... you get the idea.

To be blunt, your cellphone is loaded with germs. And to be specific, a recent study done by the University of Arizona revealed that cellphones are covered with ten times more bacteria than a toilet seat!

Think Before You Touch Your Phone

Pay attention to what you touch before and after you use your phone. A gas pump? Your lunch? What else? Anyway, try to wash your hands with soap and water before you pick up your cell phone, or at least clean up with hand sanitizer.

When eating: try not to use your phone while eating. Wash with soap and water when done
On the road: when running errands, use wipes or hand sanitizer before using your phone
In the bathroom: your “go zone” should be a cell phone “no-go zone”

Develop a Phone-Cleaning Routine

Because you touch your cellphone throughout the day, you should follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is to clean all high-touch surfaces in your home and at work regularly.

Start by wiping your cellphone with a soft, dry cloth when you return home. Then, two to three times a week, thoroughly disinfect the phone.

Avoid bleach, bathroom cleaners or other abrasive cleansers. Instead, use disinfecting wipes and soft dry cloths
Remove the phone from its case, then wipe the phone and case with the dry cloth
Using disinfecting wipes, clean the case and phone, including ports and buttons, being careful not to drench the surface
Air-dry for five minutes, then finish by wiping the phone and case dry with a new soft cloth

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned Offers the Highest Level of Cleaning and Disinfecting

Think of all the frequently-touched surfaces in your home or business: faucets, phones, computers, light switches and more. To provide the most thorough cleaning and disinfecting, SERVPRO created a new service called Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. Designed to exceed CDC standards, this proactive deep cleaning program is built around hospital-grade cleansers, proven procedures and SERVPRO’s highly-trained staff. Want to better protect the health of family members, employees and customers? Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned will do it!

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.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Ready to Reopen? Cleanliness Matters to Your Customers

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO shield on the door of a business

As you welcome back customers, show that you value their health and safety—have SERVPRO of West Hartford clean and disinfect your business.

After an extremely challenging year of coping with a worldwide pandemic, business owners are eager to get back to resuming normal operations and welcoming back consumers for shopping and dining. But a year like 2020, filled with anxiety and uncertainty, has left its mark on people in many ways. Bottom line: it may take some effort to reassure consumers that your business is a safe place to be.

Last year, SERVPRO commissioned a survey* to determine consumer attitudes about cleanliness in places of business and how that affects their willingness to frequent stores and restaurants. The results were pretty striking.

More than 80% said businesses need to be more aggressive and thorough about cleaning than they were before the pandemic hit
71% want the businesses they visit to be cleaner than their own homes
70% say they think about ways to reduce exposure to the coronavirus when away from their homes
76% believe that the way a business handles cleanliness reflects their overall approach to running their business

How SERVPRO Can Help Your Business Reopen and Welcome Back Customers

In response to the pandemic, SERVPRO launched a new service called Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, which provides businesses and homeowners with deep cleaning, disinfecting and COVID-19 cleanup. This new defensive cleaning program goes far beyond standard janitorial cleaning practices to incorporate proactive viral pathogen cleaning. Our more than 50 years of experience in biohazard cleanup and decontamination means you can trust SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to bring a higher standard of clean to your facility.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is based on our 3Cs:

Consult: We meet with you to create a unique cleaning service based on your facility’s individual needs.
Clean: Our crews do an expert deep clean using our proprietary EPA-approved hospital-grade cleaning solutions, while adhering to CDC cleaning and decontamination standards.
Certify: The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned shield in your front window, along with digital emblems and other collateral, shows your customers your commitment to having the cleanest facility possible for their safety.

One more thing our survey showed: 64% of the respondents are more likely to shop or dine at a business that displays a decal testifying to professional cleaning than one that doesn’t. As you reopen or expand services, know that your customers are looking for proof that they will be as safe as possible in your business. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned can give you that edge.

Help Is Here

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Commercial Basement Water Flood Damage Cleanup in Bloomfield CT

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial Basement Water Flood Damage Cleanup in Bloomfield CT

Commercial Basement Water Flood Damage Cleanup in Bloomfield CT

Your business can’t afford downtime. When floods cause commercial water damage, every minute you spend dealing with your flooded business costs you money. At SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield, we understand that when you need water mitigation, flood cleanup, or water damage restoration, you can’t afford to wait. When our team performs commercial basement water flood damage cleanup in Bloomfield CT, we respond quickly and we work fast.

At SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, our team answers your call 24/7 because we know what’s at stake. When we do commercial basement water flood damage cleanup in Bloomfield CT, we arrive quickly. We bring the manpower, the solutions, and the equipment we need, and we get the job done fast.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield Water Flood Damage Cleanup

You know what happens if you put emergency water cleanup on hold. As the hours pass, stagnant pools of floodwater settle into your basement. The water eventually goes away, but before it leaves, it seeps into your basement and storage areas. Water and debris damage your stored property, appliances, equipment, and stock. If your water damage cleaning crew doesn’t do the work fast, bacteria and odors settle in. The cleanup process becomes even more challenging.

At SERVPRO, when we perform commercial basement water flood damage cleanup in Bloomfield CT, we work fast. We have seen how our water damage recovery process prevents commercial property from further damage and minimizes financial losses. We get the job done with our specialized equipment. We remove water, dry out surfaces, dehumidify, deodorize and restore your basement.

Basement Flood Cleanup Walkthrough

We begin commercial basement water flood damage cleanup in Bloomfield CT with a walkthrough and assessment. We determine your immediate needs, identify areas of concern, and quickly organize a water remediation, cleanup, and restoration plan that meets your approval.

Separating Damaged and Undamaged Property

When we can rescue salvageable property, it helps minimize your financial losses. We begin by separating salvageable property from property that’s wet, soiled, or damaged. This preventative action stops floodwater-saturated property and equipment from contaminating dry, undamaged items. We remove salvageable property and place it in a safe, dry area away from your wet basement.

Water Removal

Water extraction is a critical step in our process of commercial basement water flood damage cleanup in Bloomfield businesses. When dirty floodwaters saturate wood, carpeting, upholstery, drywall, and other porous surfaces, these areas gradually deteriorate. If they remain even slightly wet, they also provide a perfect environment for mold, mildew, and bacteria. We prevent ongoing basement water damage by removing the water with our powerful extraction equipment.

Dry-Out

When we perform commercial basement water flood damage cleanup in Bloomfield CT, we do a thorough dry-out. Left behind moisture provides a perfect place for bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow. They do more than leave annoying scents in the air. Mold, mildew, and other contaminants sometimes cause health effects for young children and adults. We use our specialized drying equipment to completely dry out wet surfaces and minimize the potential health effects.

Dehumidification

Commercial basement water flood damage cleanup in Bloomfield CT requires a multi-faceted process. Dehumidification is the final step for thoroughly removing the moisture that floodwaters leave behind. During this final water removal step, we use industrial dehumidifiers to remove the moisture from the air before it creates new problems.

Odor Removal

When floodwaters drain away from your basement, sewage, dirt, bacteria, and organic materials leave behind an unpleasant odor. Mold and mildew often add to the noxious scent. Our team eliminates the floodwater odors by thoroughly deodorizing your basement. We use industrial solutions and specialized equipment to eliminate lingering odors before they drift into your building’s upper levels.

Restoration Completion

Our team provides professional restoration services to finish each commercial basement water flood damage cleanup in Bloomfield CT. We clean, repair, and return your salvageable property, and we haul away unsalvageable items. We perform structural water damage repair, drywall replacement, and wall repainting. We also replace damaged carpeting and decor. We perform all the tasks you require to get your flooded business back to its pre-flood condition.

Contact SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield

We’re your local SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield team and we’re dedicated to providing commercial basement water flood damage cleanup in Bloomfield CT. For more information about water damage recovery, cleanup for flooded businesses and flooded houses, water damage reconstruction, water damage recovery, and restoration services.

Great Reviews from Satisfied Customers

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

We at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield strive to provide outstanding customer service ... and we have the receipts to prove it.

When it comes to fire and water damage restoration in the north central Connecticut area, we at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield think we’re the best choice. We hold certification by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and have an A– rating by the Better Business Bureau.

But it’s our numerous positive reviews from Yelp and Google that we’re most proud of. Read on to see what other homeowners have to say about our staff and services.

A Pleasure from Start to Finish

“I had an awful sewer leak in my house and after the plumbers did their work, SERVPRO came and did cleanup. It was a pleasure dealing with them from start to finish. … They arrived on time (crew of 3), got to work and did a great job. Quick, thorough, and clean!!! … Came in UNDER what initial estimator suggested. I am VERY happy I contracted with SERVPRO and the work they did!”

Best Ever

“I highly extend my appreciation to the crews of SERVPRO; they are the best ever. Great crews to deal with, no hassle, very polite, fast and reliable when it comes to working. They really made an extra effort to clean up everything inside my flooded house; everything was spotless.”

Amazing Customer Service

“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 smooth as possible. I’m very happy with the outcome; everything was perfect. Thank you very much for your amazing customer service.”

Caring and Professional

“I cannot say enough about how wonderful the SERVPRO team was in handling our flooded basement. From drying out, caring for our belongings, and an abatement, they were caring and professional the entire way. Someone was always available to answer my calls and email, even late at night. They helped us navigate through insurance red tape and kept us informed throughout the whole process. They will be the first I call if anything like this should ever happen again and I HIGHLY recommend them.”

A+ to Everyone at SERVPRO

“Our woodstove experienced a sudden and profound back-draft, which filled the main floor of our house with thick, dark smoke. Through our insurance company we engaged SERVPRO shortly after the event. This was an entirely new experience for us and after our first interaction with SERVPRO staff we knew we were in good hands. They really know their stuff. The project was handled with professional efficiency from start to finish and the results were absolutely amazing. The team of women who spent hours cleaning everything in the house were thorough and so very polite and patient with this harried homeowner. A+ to everyone at SERVPRO and many thanks for returning our home to normal once again.”

Response Time is Uncanny

“Their response time is uncanny! They arrived before I could finish cleaning up the house to show them around. Our back office had caught fire from a power strip, but luckily it was extinguished within minutes. The team that came was very kind and informative—even my kids learned a few things!”

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Your Hartland Basement Flooded After a Storm? Do This

2/26/2021 (Permalink)

If you have a flooded basement, here's how to handle it—or call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, the experts in flooded basements in Hartland, CT.

Basements can flood and cause water damage any time of the year, but late winter/early spring poses its own risks. Maybe there’s a late-season snow or ice storm. Maybe there’s a protracted deep freeze—winter’s last blast of cold air. Maybe everything warms up fast and there’s an early and intense thaw with flooding. Or maybe there’s rain that falls upon snow and the whole mess seems like it’s trying to get into your Hartland basement!

Unfortunately, February and March are prime time for flooded basements here in Connecticut, thanks to unpredictable weather and sudden storms. Read on for tips on how to cope with water damage in your basement.

(Note that while you can attempt all the repair yourself, if you don’t thoroughly dry out your basement, furniture and other possessions, you stand a strong chance of creating a mold infestation. If you have any doubts about tackling this job, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will handle everything, start to finish, no worries.)

What To Do When Your Basement Floods

Act fast: The sooner you respond to the water in your basement, the sooner you can stop the flow, start cleaning it up and, if needed, get professional help.
Be safe: First, shut off the electricity to the basement. This may require getting an electrician to your home if you can’t reach your electric panel. Wear protective gear, especially boots and gloves. Consider a mask or goggles, too. And be careful walking around, since the wet floor may be slippery.
Stop the water flow: If it’s a burst pipe that’s flooding your basement, shut off water to the house at the main valve. And if your basement has a floor drain, make sure it’s not clogged.
Get rid of the water: If you have a sump pump, use that. Otherwise, a wet/dry vac or a mop and a bucket will do.

What To Do After the Water’s Gone

Dry your stuff: Remove your wet furniture and possessions from the basement to dry. Ideally, you can drag things outside to dry in the sunshine. Everything will need to sit for at least 48 hours to prevent mold from growing, and even then, your items may not be completely dry.
Get rid of carpet: Generally, carpeting is a lost cause after a basement flood. You’ll need to rip it up and toss it out and let the flooring dry.
Let the basement dry out: Open windows and doors, and run fans and dehumidifiers. This will take several days. Also remove wet or damaged drywall and insulation—that’ll have to be replaced.
Wash and sanitize: Once everything’s dry, wash it all, including walls and floor, and use a disinfecting spray or cleaner to discourage mold growth.

If You Need Flooded Basement Cleanup

When you call the flooded basement cleanup experts at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we’ll respond ASAP, stop the water damage in its tracks, evaluate the situation, remove all the moisture from your home, and restore your possessions and structure to before-damage condition.

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other flooding disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other flooding disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Prevent Home Heating Fires in Your Suffield House

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

Winter is prime time for home heating fires. Avoid one in your Suffield home by following our basic tips.

We all love the comfort of a cozy, warm home when the temperature drops in north central Connecticut. Most of the time, you turn up the thermostat, set a fire in your fireplace, turn on the hot water … and comfort is literally at your fingertips. But don’t get complacent, because fire danger lurks in our home heating systems.

Follow these basic tips to reduce the chance of a home heating fire in your Suffield home.

Prevent Home Heating Fires with Regular Maintenance and Cleaning

Have your furnace inspected by an HVAC professional each year. Change your furnace filter each month and clear away anything flammable, like cardboard boxes and old paint, from the area around your furnace.

Have the HVAC expert check your water heater to be sure it is operating safely, as well.

Likewise, have your chimney cleaned every year, ideally before the heating season starts. A chimney sweep will remove soot and highly flammable creosote, and will inspect your chimney and fireplace for structural damage, like cracks, that could lead to a chimney fire.

Bonus: While you don’t use your clothes dryer to heat your home, it does contain a heating element. And if enough lint builds up in the dryer cabinet, it can ignite and cause devastating fire damage. Remove lint from the dryer’s trap after every use, and have a pro in once a year to clean the dryer duct and cabinet.

Use Your Fireplace Safely to Avoid a Home Heating Fire

Learn how to set a clean-burning fire using the top-down method, and always use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from igniting nearby carpet or other flooring or objects.

Use Other Sources of Heat Safely to Prevent a Home Heating Fire

Space heaters are convenient, but beware: they are involved in almost three-quarters of fire-related deaths in the home. It’s important to purchase a space heater that has an emergency cut-off that will kick in if the heater is knocked over. Always plug the heater into a GFI outlet, which will cut electricity in case of a malfunction. Next, never run a space heater unattended and don’t fall asleep with one running. Finally, keep a three-foot margin around the heater when it is operating—and keep objects, furnishings, bedding, clothing, pets and especially children away.

Important: Under no circumstances should you use a gas oven to heat your home—it’s both a source of a house fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

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

We're Here for You

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Ask These Questions to Avoid Fire Damage in Your East Granby Home

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

Walk around your home and ask yourself these questions to help prevent fire damage in your East Granby, CT home.

If you need fire damage restoration in your East Granby, CT home, call on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. We are ready to help you with complete professional fire damage restoration services that will get you back in your home ASAP.

Look, nobody wants to have their home damaged or destroyed by a house fire, and we certainly hope it doesn’t happen to you and your family! That’s why we’ve created a list to help you avoid fire damage in your East Granby house.

Go through your house area-by-area asking yourself these questions. If any answers are “no,” you can make easy changes to reduce your chances of needing fire damage restoration.

Throughout the House

Do your lighting fixtures have bulbs with the recommend wattage? Are the bulbs at least 12 inches from shades and combustibles?
Are your electric cords in good condition? Are they running freely, not squished under carpets or crushed beneath furniture? Are your outlets feeding only the specified power load?

Basement

Are the areas around your furnace or boiler, wood stove and water heater clear of flammable debris and combustible items?
Are the access doors on your water heater closed?
Are the wires and insulators on your electric breaker panel in good condition?
Are any oily rags stored in air-tight containers away from heat sources?

First Floor

Do you have at least one smoke detector installed and in working condition?
Does your kitchen have a working fire extinguisher?
Have you stored your towels, pot holders and other flammable items away from the stovetop?
Is your stovetop free of built-up grease and food?
Is your furniture made of fire-resistant upholstery?
Has your chimney been cleaned and inspected in the last year? Does your fireplace have a screen to block sparks and is the area in front of the fireplace clear of flammable objects?

Second Floor

Does each bedroom have a working smoke detector? Is there a working detector in the hall outside each sleeping area?
Do all family members know how to escape a fire at night?
Are space heaters at least three feet away from beds and other flammable materials?
Are electric blankets UL-approved? Are the cords undamaged?

Laundry Room

Is your dryer cabinet, duct and surrounding area free of built-up lint?
Is your duct made of metal instead of plastic?

Garage

Is the door between the house and garage solid and weather-stripped to prevent flames and gases from traveling?
Is your garage free of junk, trash and flammable materials, such as old newspapers and used oil?
Are gasoline (in approved containers) and oily rags (in air-tight containers) stored away from sources of ignition?

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

We're Here for You

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

SERVPRO Basement Flood Cleanup in Enfield CT

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Basement Flood Cleanup in Enfield CT

Sometimes floodwaters enter your home when you least expect them. When the water recedes, it usually leaves a dirty mess behind. In winter, sometimes the snow melts so quickly it rises fast and flows right into your basement. Springtime rains often cause water surges that require emergency flood cleanup.

We know that rising water can damage your home day or night, so we’re ready to work whenever you make the call. When we perform SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT homes, we bring the manpower and equipment to take on any mess a flood leaves behind.

At SERVPRO, we’re experts at getting your home back to normal. Whether you need basement flood cleaning services or a top-to-bottom flooded house cleanup, we have the expertise to get the job done right. We respond 24/7 and we work fast.

SERVPRO Basement Flood Cleanup

When you need SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT, we send professional cleaning and restoration experts to your home. Each member of our team is a SERVPRO-trained professional. We arrive with specialized industrial equipment to remove water, dry out surfaces, dehumidify, deodorize and restore your home to its pre-flood condition.

Basement Flood Cleanup Walkthrough

Before we get started with SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT homes, we inspect your basement and evaluate the damage. We do a walkthrough to search for visible and hidden damage. We inspect unfinished and finished areas for signs of floodwater damage. We look for areas that require black water clean up and examine porous surfaces for water saturation. We see what needs to be done and we plan our work accordingly.

Separating Damaged and Undamaged Property

Protecting and salvaging property is essential to SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT homes. When dry property and floodwater-soaked property remain in the same storage areas, the wet items often contaminate the dry items. We separate damaged and undamaged personal property to minimize the risk of additional loss.

Water Removal

We begin SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT homes by using industrial-grade extraction equipment extraction to quickly remove the water. Wet fabrics, carpets, and other porous items provide a fertile environment for mold, mildew, and bacteria. Our equipment gives us the power to extract the water and dry out your most vulnerable surfaces.

Dry-Out

SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT promises a thorough dry-out and cleanup process. We understand that bacteria, mold, and mildew often remain a concern after floodwaters leave your home. They thrive on porous surfaces that retain moisture. Even if you can’t see bacteria, mold, and mildew, you can smell and sometimes feel the contaminants in the air. They sometimes cause health effects for young children and adults with sensitive lungs. We minimize this risk by drying out any remaining moisture with specialized drying equipment.

Dehumidification

When your home has flood damage, humidity often lingers in the air. When fabrics and other surfaces absorb the moisture, it often causes mold, mildew, and gradual deterioration. We use industrial dehumidifiers to remove the moisture from the air before it causes problems.

Dehumidification is critical to SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT homes. To do it right, we calculate room sizes, relative humidity, and temperature. We use these measurements to determine how many dehumidifiers we need and where to place them for the best results.

Odor Removal

Floodwaters often contain bacteria, sewage, dirt, and organic materials. The waters recede, but they leave odor-producing debris behind. If left untreated, the odor often moves beyond your basement into the rest of your home. During our SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT homes, odor removal is one of our most important steps. We use specialized equipment and solutions to eliminate odors before they drift into the rest of your home.

Restoration Completion

We complete your restoration by repairing and salvaging items we identified during our walkthrough. Our tasks often include drywall replacement, painting, and carpet cleaning. We clean and repair salvaged items and arrange to replace furniture and decor as needed.

Commercial Flood Cleanup

We also provide commercial SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Mansfield CT. Our team performs expert flood cleanup services for any type of business in any size commercial or industrial building. We bring the manpower and the equipment to perform each task professionally. We work quickly to minimize your business downtime.

Contact SERVPRO

We’re a local business but we’re proud to be part of the national SERVPRO team. We are IICRC Certified. We provide SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT homes and businesses, and we’re just a phone call away.

For more information about SERVPRO basement flood cleanup in Enfield CT, give us a call at (860) 216-2785.

Don’t Let Snow and Ice Damage Your Enfield Home

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

A structure collapsed under the weight of snow

A storm with lots of snow and ice can can cause water and structural damage to your house. Follow our tips to protect your Enfield home.

Winter storms can damage your Enfield home in many different ways: water damage from flooding, wind damage and structural damage from the weight of snow and ice. (And of course, with prolonged cold temperatures can come severe water damage from frozen and burst pipes, too!) Read on to learn ways to keep your home safe when a big winter storm is on the way.

Keep the Water Out

One of the primary ways to keep water from entering your home is to make sure it has somewhere else to go. That’s why it’s a good idea to have proper grading that slants away from your foundation, and downspouts that direct water several feet away from your home. Follow the same principles when you’re shoveling or snowblowing: pile the snow at least several feet away from your foundation rather than at the base, so that when the snow starts melting, it doesn’t overwhelm your home’s defenses.

If an ice dam forms at the edge of your roof, follow our advice on ways to safely clear the ice dam and avoid water damage.

Protect Your Structure

Too much snow on your roof can cause it to leak or collapse. And heavy snow mounding up in your gutters can tear them from your home. Prevent this by preparing before the storm: clean your gutters and check your roof for any missing or damaged shingles or damaged flashing around vents and chimney. Repair damage, replace missing shingles and reseal any gaps. During or after the storm, use a roof rake to remove heavy snow from your roof and gutters.

You may find after the storm that your garage door has frozen shut. Don’t attack it with a shovel and don’t try to force it open with the automatic door opener. Instead, disengage the opener, clean away the snow and ice, then lift the door by hand.

Finally, if you have any tree branches that are close to your house or a power line, trim them back before the storm hits to prevent them from drooping or breaking off entirely.

If You Need Snow and Ice Damage Cleanup in Enfield

When you call the storm damage cleanup experts at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we’ll respond ASAP, make any quick repairs to stop the storm damage in its tracks, thoroughly evaluate the situation, remove all the moisture from your home, and restore your possessions and structure to before-damage condition. We can even remove ice dams!

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Ice Dam? Here’s How to Remove it Now

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Snow and ice can be pretty—but the damage they cause to your home can be pretty costly. Here's how to remove an ice dam before it results in a leak.

Winter’s snow can be beautiful, but it can also bring the risk of severe water damage to your home from ice dams forming on your roof. Essentially, an ice dam is a block of ice that forms at the edge of your roof and blocks melted water from running off the edge and to the ground. Instead, meltwater gets forced under the ice and can penetrate your roof and invade the walls and ceilings of your home. Hello, costly water damage!

How does that block of ice form in the first place? It has to do with the freeze-thaw cycle that can occur as snow on your roof melts, trickles down the slope of your roof and freezes again before it can drip to the ground. This process repeats until a frozen wall is formed, which builds its way back up the roof until you have an icy mound blocking any meltwater from escaping the roof.

Once the ice dam forms, your goal is to remove it before water starts leaking through your roof into your house. Here are three ways.

Clear the Snow

You can remove the snow from your roof by using a roof rake or roof shovel. These tools are designed to let you clear the portion of your roof near the gutter while you stand on the ground. (Do not climb onto the roof to rake or shovel the snow—you’ll put yourself at risk of a serious injury!) Your goal is to clear enough snow to allow the ice dam itself to melt naturally in the sunshine or warmer daytime temperatures.

Warm the Eaves

Another option is to encourage melting of ice dams (or prevent their formation entirely) by warming up the edges of the roof itself. The best way to do this is to purchase electric cables designed to be laid along the roof edge. The cables warm the roof enough to melt an ice dam or stop one from forming.

Cool it Down

It may seem counterintuitive, but another way to stop a leak caused by an ice dam is to freeze the leak from the inside! Bring a box fan to your attic and aim it at the spot that’s leaking. The cold air will refreeze the meltwater, giving the ice dam time to melt naturally—or with a little help from you.

How to Deal with Water Damage Cleanup

Any water damage from the ice dam will have to be cleaned up promptly to prevent further problems. When you call the experts at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we’ll respond ASAP, make any quick repairs to stop the damage in its tracks, thoroughly evaluate the situation, remove all the moisture from your home, and restore your possessions and structure to before-damage condition. We can even remove the ice dam!

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

No Kitchen Fires!

2/4/2021 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires happen suddenly and can cause lots of damage to your house. Follow our tips to prevent a kitchen fire in your home.

No Fires When You’re Cooking

Stay put.

Keep it clean.

Dress for success.

When cooking, your clothes should be close-fitting to prevent them from touching a flame and catching fire. In particular, if your sleeves are long or loose, roll them up.

Cool it down.

Don’t toss hot grease into your kitchen trash. Let it cool down first, perhaps in an empty can, before disposing of it.

Keep it empty.

Don’t store food inside your oven—if you forget about it and preheat, you may start a fire.

No Fires When You’re Not Cooking

Don’t be plug ugly.

Ovens are for eating, not heating.

Never use a gas oven to heat your home. You risk both a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.

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

We're Here for You

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

How to Avoid Water Damage From Frozen Pipes

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

Frozen and burst pipes can cause expensive water damage to your Bloomfield home. This is how to prevent or stop the damage.

One of a homeowner’s most dreaded events is a frozen and burst pipe. The water damage that can occur can be tremendous, ruining both furnishings and structural elements of your home—and even create a serious mold problem.

In just the first 24 hours, 250 gallons of water can flow from a burst pipe, and cleanup costs can reach well over $50,000. Insurers know that the average residential water damage claim ranges from $10,000 to $15,000.

Unfortunately, here in central Connecticut, we are at the mercy of New England winters and their frigid temperatures. Pipes can freeze from being uninsulated and exposed to extremely cold temperatures or even merely freezing weather that lasts for days and days. Even a strong, constant wind can drive the temperature around your pipes down enough to allow them to freeze.

Here’s what happens when a pipe freezes:

Ice blocks the interior of the pipe and expands.
The ice creates pressure inside of the pipe that can reach up to 1,000 times the normal pressure.
The pipe bursts, not always at the blockage, but wherever the water pressure finds a weak spot.
Sometimes the leak starts when the pipe bursts, but not always. Sometimes nothing much happens until the frozen pipe starts to thaw and leak.

Unfortunately, when the leaking occurs out of sight—behind a wall or ceiling or in a basement, for instance—that burst pipe has a chance to create lots of water damage before you even know it.

Do You Have a Frozen Pipe?

While the frozen pipe may be hidden, certain clues may give it away. Your may notice a difference in your water flow:

Reduced water pressure in the sink or shower
Discolored water
No water flowing at all from a faucet
A toilet that doesn’t refill

Or you may notice some other signs:

Sounds: dripping, bubbling or whistling noises in pipes or behind walls
Smells: odd or unpleasant odors from drains or sinks
Stains: discoloration or water stains on walls or ceiling

And of course, any dripping, puddles or gushing water can be a clear sign of a burst pipe, too!

Any of these clues should spur you to hunt for a frozen or burst pipe. The culprit is likely to be near an exterior wall, at the foundation near where the water service enters your home, in the basement, attic, garage or crawlspace, or under sinks—all places that may not be particularly well insulated.

Start the hunt by turning on all the faucets one by one:

If none of the faucets work, your freeze is probably close to where the main water pipe enters your house.
Once you find a non-working faucet, work your way back toward the main water line to determine the general area of the blockage or leak.

With the location of the freeze narrowed down, now you can investigate further:

Look for an area of pipe that has a layer of condensation on it. There may even be a spot where the condensation has frozen.
Feel for temperature differences along a pipe. The coldest spot should be the ice blockage.

Prevent the Pipe from Bursting if You Can

Depending on whether there’s an active leak, you may have found the freeze in time to prevent most of the water damage. If the pipe is still frozen, take these steps:

Shut off the water to the whole house at the main valve and open up all the faucets in your home (this will relieve pressure).
Thaw the blockage by gently warming the pipe. You can use a hair dryer to start warming the pipe at the faucet or fixture and work your way back to the frozen spot. Or you can wrap an electric heating pad or towels soaked in hot water around the pipe.
If pipes inside an exterior wall are freezing, cut an opening in the wall to expose the pipes to the home's warm air. Wrap insulation around the pipe and up against the exterior wall. (Cover the hole later with a hinged door or panel, which will allow access during future freezes.)

Finding a Burst or Leaking Pipe

Your job’s not over when you’ve managed to thaw out a frozen pipe. Now you have to determine if that pipe has burst anywhere along its length or developed a pinhole leak.

Turn the water on at the main valve and listen for leaks or dripping. A sound of water rushing in your walls is an indication that you have a burst. In that case, shut the water off immediately. Likewise, if you see a flood or puddle of water, turn the main valve off pronto.
If there’s no obvious sounds or sights to indicate a burst pipe, investigate further to see if you have a smaller leak. Check seams and joints visually for small leaks. At the same time, run your fingers over these areas to detect the slightest moisture.
If you still haven’t found any leaks, go around your home and turn on each faucet in turn. You’re looking for low water pressure, which can indicate that you have a slow leak in that particular line.

You Have a Leak: Now What?

Small or large, that leak you have found needs to be dealt with promptly. Water damage leads to a complicated and costly cleanup, so you’re much better off preventing as much of the damage as possible.

Act quickly by taking some or all of these steps:

Consider cutting the electricity to your house if the leak is substantial or if water on the floor poses a risk of electrocution.
For a large leak, use a circular sleeve clamp lined with rubber to form a waterproof seal. Because you’ll need to have the correct size on hand, consider keeping different sized sleeve clamps on hand.
Make your own temporary patch out of a length of flexible rubber from an old radiator or heater hose. Slide it over the leak, place a small block of wood over the leaky area and clamp it with a C-clamp.
For a small pinhole leak, wrap good-quality duct tape tightly around the pipe to hold back the water until you can get a plumber to your home.
If your burst pipe is overhead, drill weep holes in the ceiling to drain out the water.
Clean up all standing water. This will keep you safer while helping to reduce the chances of water damage and mold growth.

SERVPRO Will Clean Up the Water Damage—Completely

The problem with water damage is that it’s challenging to clean up completely and if not done right, can lead to further problems down the road. You can attempt your own cleanup for minor leaks if the damage to your structure isn’t too severe and the items affected—furniture and property—aren’t too heavily damaged.

The key to effective water damage cleanup from a burst or leaking pipe, though, is to know if all the moisture is removed—and a homeowner can only guess at that. (Oh, and you need to get your home and property dried out within 48 hours of the leak, because that’s when mold can start to grow.)

With all that, your best bet is to call a professional water damage remediation company like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. When it comes to water damage, we have seen it all! Our skilled damage restoration experts have the know-how, equipment and products to thoroughly clean and restore your home and property to its before-water-damage condition. Here’s our process:

Inspect and assess: We arrive promptly at your home and inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled. With this information we can devise a plan to ensure proper and complete restoration of your water damage.

Remove and extract water: We start the water removal process ASAP. Using powerful pumps and vacuum units, we quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, helping to prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.

Dry and dehumidify: Next, we use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our professionals use room measurements, temperature and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.

Clean and sanitize: We clean all the restorable items and structures damaged by the water using a number of techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors and deodorize your property.

Restore: Finally, we restore your home or business to its pre-water-damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If you’ve suffered water damage from a burst or frozen pipe, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will work closely with you to be sure that all the damage is 100% cleaned up and repaired, that your possessions are completely restored and that the whole process is as smooth as can be—from pack-out through final move-in—even including coordinating your insurance claim.

Prevent Water Damage from a Frozen or Burst Pipe: Before a Freeze

Reduce the chances of a burst or leaking pipe after a freeze and avoid the resulting water damage to your home and possessions by taking some steps before and during a freeze. Here’s how to keep your pipes too warm to freeze in the first place.

Protect your pipes

Start with an evaluation of your vulnerable pipes in the areas of your house, such as your basement, attic, garage and crawl space, that are more exposed to cold. Also check under bathroom and kitchen sinks. Determine which ones are most at risk of freezing. Check for wear and damage, too.

Insulate those at-risk pipes in the attic, crawl space or other out-of-the-way place with un-faced fiberglass insulation (wear protective gear) or foam pipe sleeves. Or wrap the pipes with heat trace cables.

Keep the cold out and the heat in

These steps will help prevent heat from escaping your home, potentially saving you on your heating bills, too.

Seal up gaps around doors, windows and outlets with caulk.
Insulate larger areas in the attic or basement by screwing foam board to wood framing. Use rigid foam insulation to insulate foundation walls in the basement.
Install storm windows and replace broken or old windows with energy-efficient ones.

Use a smart leak/flood detector

Smart leak/flood detectors and water-shutoff valves let you immediately stop a flood of water, practically eliminating water damage. Connected to your home’s Wi-Fi, the smart leak detector can send an alert to your smartphone if it detects a drop in water pressure. Some devices shut the water off automatically, while others let you do it remotely through the app.

Prevent Water Damage from a Frozen or Burst Pipe: During a Freeze

During a cold snap, check up on your vulnerable pipes and take these steps to minimize the chances of water damage.

Keep a slow drip of water trickling through the pipes.
Open doors to cabinets, vanities, closets and pantries to allow warm air to surround the pipes.
Use space heaters to warm up areas near vulnerable pipes.
Gently warm the most vulnerable pipes with a hair dryer, heating pad or cloths soaked in hot water.

If you know you’ll be away from your home during a freeze, take these steps to avoid returning to a burst pipe and a water disaster.

Keep your thermostat at 55° F or higher.
Shut off the house's main water valve.
Use a freeze-sensing system that will monitor your home's internal temperature, and set up a smart leak detector that will shut your water off at the first sign of a leak.
Ask a trusted neighbor to check inside your home once a week.

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

We're Here For You

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Is Smart Fire Detection Technology Right for Your Home?

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

Adding smart technology to your home's system of smoke detectors can give you even more protection from housefires.

Many of us are incorporating smart technology and devices into our homes: smart speakers, appliances, doorbells, lightbulbs and more. In addition to making your everyday life easier, smart home tech might actually be a lifesaver.

New devices and technologies are being developed all the time, but right now, you can install several fire prevention and detection devices that can stop a fire or minimize fire damage in your home. (Many homeowners can confidently install these devices themselves; if that’s not you, hire an electrician to do the installation and testing for you.)

Smart Smoke Detectors

Connected to an app on your smartphone, these devices can send a notification that smoke has been detected at your home, allowing you to alert authorities immediately from anywhere. Some smart detectors can be wired into a home security system, which can automatically contact your fire department. Other capabilities may include:

Turning on lights and offering verbal directions to help your family escape a fire
Turning off your HVAC system to reduce spread of smoke
Allowing a camera to be set up to record a fire event, providing evidence for your insurance claim

And, while this feature is not in the “lifesaving” category, many smart smoke detectors can send an alert to a smartphone if its battery level is getting low. That’s right: no more 3:00 a.m. chirping, no more hunting for the guilty detector and a chair to climb on, no more ripping the device off the wall and yanking the battery out, no more stumbling back to bed cursing.

Smart Batteries

Instead of buying a smart smoke detector, you can install smart batteries in your existing detectors. These will also send alarm and low-battery notifications to your smartphone.

Smart Heat/Fire Detectors

A smart heat detector does not replace a smoke detector, but because it uses a different way to detect a fire, it can be a good complement to your existing detectors, especially if you get a lot of false alarms.

Smart Kitchen Fire Prevention

The number one cause of home fires is cooking fires, and most of those start when someone leaves the kitchen while the stovetop is in use. A smart sensor uses motion sensing technology to shut off the stovetop if no one is in the kitchen for a specified period of time. It then detects when you return to the kitchen and restarts cooking.

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

We're Here for You

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Burst Frozen Pipe Cleanup in Suffield, CT

1/16/2021 (Permalink)

Burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT causing basement flooding.

At SERVPRO, we understand that most burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT homes can be challenging. Our team of professionals provides the assistance you need to handle your emergency. We respond fast with the workforce and the equipment to get the job done.

When a pipe freezes and bursts, it requires immediate attention. Water flows throughout your home, leaving a trail of damage behind. When it pools in your coldest rooms, it sometimes freezes. The result is often a combination of water damage and ice damage.

SERVPRO professionals give burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT homes our traditional commitment. Our highly-trained staff remains on-call 24/7. We respond when you need us, and we arrive ready to do the work. Whether your problem begins with an appliance leak, a broken pipe, or a frozen pipe leak repair, we do the job quickly and professionally.

SERVPRO Burst Frozen Water Pipe Damage Cleanup

Timing is crucial when managing burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT homes. If you plan to submit an insurance claim, the coverage issues are often complicated, but your duty to protect your property is clear. When we enter your home, we keep that in mind. We help protect your property by extracting flooding quickly, separating your contents, and drying wet areas before they freeze.

To accomplish this, SERVPRO uses specially designed extraction, deodorizing, cleaning, dehumidifying, and drying equipment. We do what's necessary to protect your property and minimize the chances of further damage.

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

Before we begin on SERVPRO's burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT homes, we conduct a thorough inspection. We walk through your home to document visible damage. We also search for areas where water might accumulate or freeze and cause hidden harm. Once we've inspected the areas involved, we establish a strategy to do the work quickly.

Water Extraction

We quickly sort and separate damaged and undamaged property. This is an essential aspect of burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT homes. When dry property remains in saturated areas, the water often damages items that could have been salvaged.

After separating your property, we bring in our specialized extraction equipment. Our team then removes the water before it has a chance to cause damage or freeze. The faster we complete the process, the more property we save.

Drying

When a porous surface becomes saturated, it requires extraction and drying to remove all the moisture. Moist surfaces provide an ideal environment for mold and mildew to grow. Within days, you can smell it on porous surfaces and in the air.

To achieve optimum drying, we use drying equipment in every affected room. Our industrial equipment dries your property, stops ice from forming, and prevents mold and mildew from causing permanent damage.

Dehumidification

After extraction and drying, moisture often lingers in the air. Excess water settles into your furniture, flooring, carpets, and other porous surfaces. Then gradually damages your property and provides an ideal environment for mold and mildew. To minimize the risk of this additional damage, the SERVPRO team dehumidifies the air.

We calculate room-size, relative humidity, and temperature in each affected area. The data helps us determine the number of industrial dehumidifiers we need and where to place them. The process removes the humidity from your home and helps to prevent ongoing damage.

Odor Removal

Each frozen pipe burst homes' recovery process doesn't end when the moisture is dry. Next, we complete the SERVPRO deodorizing process to remove the odors that soaked properties leave in the air. Our team uses industrial scrubbers, foggers, and odor-neutralizing products.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Effective burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT homes, requires cleaning and sanitizing all affected surfaces. The SERVPRO team performs these tasks using specialized equipment and professional-grade solutions.

Repair and Restoration

Burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT homes, inevitably require restoration and repair. We do wall reconstruction, drywall replacement, painting, and other repair and restoration tasks. We also salvage, repair, or replace home decor and furnishings. We work professionally to restore your home to its previous condition.

Commercial Building Restoration

SERVPRO professionals also perform commercial burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT. We have the workforce, expertise, technology, and equipment to manage any size job in any facility. We work quickly to minimize business downtime.

Contact SERVPRO

We are a locally owned and operated SERVPRO franchise, and we're committed to recovering homes. When you call us, we respond immediately, and we get the job done fast.

For more information about burst frozen pipe cleanup in Suffield, CT, give us a call at (860) 649-0836.

Water Damage Cleanup in Granby CT

12/28/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage Cleanup in a Basement in Granby CT

Basement Water Damage Cleanup in Granby CT

Water Damage Cleanup in Granby CT

When you call SERVPRO for water damage cleanup in Granby CT, we arrive ready to get the job done. We’re on call 24/7 because when water damages your home, it’s an emergency.

A broken pipe or a leaking roof can release a damaging stream into your home. Water settles into porous furnishings, floors, and decor and begins causing damage immediately. Without prompt cleanup, water deteriorates fabric, wood, and other surfaces. It stains upholstery, carpeting, and draperies, and leaves behind damp areas where mold and mildew thrive.

At SERVPRO, we are cleanup and restoration professionals. We understand that water from a broken pipe or a leaky roof can cause significant damage in a very short period of time. When you call our team for water damage cleanup in Granbury CT, we take steps to save your home from further damage.

Our team brings in specialized equipment and solutions to maximize our efforts. We are highly trained professionals who get the work done right every time.

SERVPRO Water Damage Cleanup

When water flows into your living areas, you don’t care how it got there. You just want it gone. Whether your problem started because of pipes freezing or a hot water heater leaking, you just want your home livable again. Until your flooring, walls, furniture, and home furnishings are dry, clean, and odor-free, it doesn’t feel like home at all.

When you need water damage cleanup in Granby, CT, our team arrives fully prepared to do the job. We implement a multi-step process to restore your home as quickly as possible.

Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

Before we begin residential water damage cleanup in Granby CT homes, we conduct a thorough inspection. We do a walkthrough, looking for obvious and not-so-obvious damage. This is an important step as water not only saturates surfaces in the open, it also finds its way into hidden spaces. Once we determine what we need to accomplish, we establish a strategy for completing your water damage cleanup and discuss our recommendations with you.

Water Extraction

We separate your wet and dry property before we begin water extraction. This allows us to minimize the damage that occurs when wet and dry property come into contact because they share the same space. We use specialized industrial equipment to extract as much water as possible.

Drying

We use industrial driers to remove the remaining moisture. When surfaces finish drying naturally, they often stay damp, allowing mildew and mold spores to settle in and grow. Damp surfaces provide the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth. Within days of a water release, you will notice the scent throughout your home. Industrial driers remove moisture completely. This eliminates disrupts mold and mildew growth before it damages fabric and surfaces in your home.

Dehumidification

When you have water-saturated areas in your home, moisture lingers in the air. It increases when water evaporates as we dry your property. Eventually, moisture settles on porous surfaces allowing problems to continue.

To effectively dehumidify your home, the SERVPRO team measures each room’s size, relative humidity, and temperature. We use these factors to calculate the correct number of industrial humidifiers and air circulators to place in each room.

Odor Removal

Odor removal is our next step in completing water damage cleanup in Granby CT homes. We remove offensive odors with industrial scrubbers, foggers, and other specialized equipment. We use odor-neutralizing solutions to finish the deodorization process.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

To complete our water damage cleanup in Granby CT homes, we clean and sanitize each room. We perform this task using specialized equipment and professional-grade solutions.

Repair and Restoration

When the SERVPRO team completes your water damage cleanup, we perform the repairs necessary to restore your home. This sometimes includes drywall replacement, painting, structural repairs, furnishing replacements, and other tasks.

Commercial Building Restoration

The SERVPRO team also performs commercial water damage cleanup in Granby CT. We handle all clean-up and restoration jobs regardless of building size or facility type. Our staff works fast and efficiently to minimize business interruptions.

Contact SERVPRO

We are a locally owned and operated SERVPRO franchise, and we’re committed to professional performance. When you call us, we respond quickly to your emergency. For more information about water damage cleanup in Granby CT, give us a call at (860) 649-0836.

SERVPRO + Veterans = A Winning Combination

12/18/2020 (Permalink)

U.S. Labor Department's HIRE Vets gold and silver medals

SERVPRO recently earned a HIRE Vets Medallion Gold Award in recognition of our commitment to employing military veterans.

SERVPRO Industries, LLC was honored to receive a 2020 HIRE Vets Medallion Gold Award at a recent ceremony held at the U.S. Department of Labor. Selected in recognition of its longstanding commitment to hiring and working with veterans to build durable careers, SERVPRO has long recognized the value of the diverse skills veterans often gain through their military service.

SERVPRO Veterans Programs Specialist Jamie Peters acknowledged the honor: “We are proud to receive this award as a symbol of our commitment to hiring the brave men and women who served our country. 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 Bloomfield/Enfield is proud to be a part of a corporation that recognizes and values the work of military vets. Locally, we are committed to creating an environment where vets can build enduring careers that are productive and satisfying.

About the HIRE Vets Medallion Award

Overseen by U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia in November 2020, the federal HIRE Vets (Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing American Military Veterans) Act Medallion Program honored 675 companies and organizations that consistently recruit, hire and retain veterans.

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is awarded 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 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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Frozen or Burst Pipes Leading to Water Damage? Why SERVPRO is Your Best Option

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

Rubber boots in a pool of water inside a home

A frozen or burst pipe can mean big water damage trouble. Here's why calling SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will get you back to normal ASAP.

It may have started with a sudden gush or a slow seeping, but if you discover a frozen or burst pipe in your home, you need to act quickly to minimize the water damage to your structure and possessions. A few things you’ll want to do immediately are:

If your pipe is frozen:

Shut off the water at the main house valve and open all the faucets in your home to relieve pressure.
Warm the connecting pipe (with a hair dryer or electric heating pad) to slowly thaw the ice blockage.
Check for leaks.

If your pipe has burst:

Shut off the water at the main shutoff valve and consider shutting off the electricity, too, for safety.
Clean up standing water to stay safe and prevent more water damage.
For a pinhole leak, try patching it quickly with duct tape or by clamping a flexible rubber patch over the hole. For a larger leak, try a sleeve clamp sized to your pipe.

The Damage is Done … Now What?

As you stand looking at the water spewed by your burst pipe, one of your most important decisions is to hire a reputable water damage mediation company. Here’s why SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is your best option to clean up after your frozen or burst pipe.

We are fast

When it comes to water damage from a burst pipe, the faster the cleanup starts, the better the results. Within one hour of your call, we will schedule our service, and we’ll be at your home within four hours to begin mitigating your water damage.

We are experts

When you hire SERVPRO to handle your water damage, you’re hiring people with the industry’s best training, experience, technology and equipment. Our crew members undergo extensive and rigorous water restoration training and certification. As a Top 50 SERVPRO franchise (out of more than 1,800 nationwide), SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has a solid record of exceeding customer expectations. And our warehouse in Bloomfield is filled with equipment that extracts water and thoroughly dries your building, furnishings and possessions. We use moisture sensors and meters, water extractors, air movers, dehumidifiers and deodorizers.

We do it all

When it comes to water damage, SERVPRO handles the whole job of restoring your home and possessions to their pre-damage condition—from evaluating the water damage, to repairing your house, to cleaning your personal items. We guarantee an unbroken chain of custody for all your possessions, and we even work with your insurance company to ensure a smooth and rapid claims process. So when a pipe has burst, you can count on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to get you back to normal ASAP.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Clean and Sanitize Your For-Sale House

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

A clean living room with a shiny wood floor

Before you list, cleaning and sanitizing by SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can help your house sell faster and for more money.

Did you know that SERVPRO offers a unique way to help you sell your house faster—and potentially for a higher amount? Our professional cleaning and sanitizing service will set your home apart from the competition—especially in the midst of a pandemic.

Give your potential buyers the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your house is as clean as it can be. That tells them something about the way you have cared for your home over the years. You want home buyers to leave your house after a showing eager to put in a bid!

Another way our deep cleaning may make your sale easier and faster is our mold check-up. If we find any traces of a mold infestation, we can quickly begin to treat the problem. Nobody wants mold, but if it isn’t discovered until your home inspection, a mold problem will hold up the selling cycle and cut into your selling price.

A Thorough Cleaning and Sanitizing

SERVPRO is prepared to clean and sanitize your home because we are ready to do that level of cleaning at a moment’s notice. After all, we are the experts at all kinds of disaster cleanup, including the toughest biohazard and pathogen cleanup. Our crews are thoroughly trained and equipped to handle the most challenging jobs.

Our workers prepare for your job by gearing up in one-piece personal protective suits with hood and boots, and wearing individually fit-tested N-95 respirators. They quickly and safely destroy pathogens with our proprietary hospital-grade cleansers and disinfectors. They first seal your house and fog it with disinfectants that penetrate into crevices. Once that stage of the work is done, the crew does the hands-on work of cleaning and sanitizing the high-touch surfaces and objects in your home, including:

Throughout

Carpets
Tile, laminate and hard-wood floors
Drapery and blinds
Handrails
Doorknobs and window hardware
Light switches

In the Kitchen

Countertops and tabletops
Appliance handles
Cabinets and pulls
Sink and faucet

In the Bathroom

Vanity, sink and faucet
Shower and tub
Toilet
Cabinets and pulls

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

What to Do If You Have Emergency Water Damage in Bloomfield CT

11/12/2020 (Permalink)

Emergency Water Damage in Bloomfield CT

Did you know that hurricanes cause an estimated $4.6 billion in emergency water damage per event? And that’s just the damage caused by storms! It’s not even counting things like overflow, burst pipes, and sewage backup. Emergency water damage is scary because it can ruin properties and affect the inhabitant’s health.

As such, it’s important to take care of it as soon as possible. But exactly what should you do when you discover water damage? And is all water damage serious? If you have these types of questions, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about dealing with this home problem. Let’s get started!

What Are the Different Types of Emergency Water Damage?

Before we begin, it’s important to first go over the different types of emergency water damage. Keep in mind that the extent of the damage is often determined by the type of water in the house.

There are three types of water: white, grey, and black. Blackwater, which contains fecal matter, is the greatest cause for concern. You can learn more about them by checking out this guide here. However, it’s vital to remember that even the smallest leak is capable of developing into a dangerous mold. So, all water damage should be handled with abundant caution.

Sewer Backup

Sewer backup occurs when raw sewage is forced into your home through pipes and drains. Generally, this is one of the more costly types of damage since it almost always involves black water. There are a variety of things that can cause this type of water damage. More often than not it’s caused by a large block in the city sanitary main or aging pipes.

However, it can also be caused by natural events like storms. This happens when leaves or other debris block the gutter system. The result is a backup entering the home.

Overflow Damage

Overflow occurs when water escapes from appliances. This can be caused by clogs, like when a toilet overflows from a clog. However, it can also be caused by machines that are beginning to break down. For example, when a water heater breaks down it can discharge water and flood an entire area.

Most of the time the water that comes out of this type of situation is greywater. However, in some cases, it can also be black water. Often people associate overflow with appliances like dishwashers and toilets. However, you’d be surprised by the number of household appliances that can cause flood-like conditions.

Flooding

While sewer backup and overflow can cause flooding, the term refers to a specific type of water damage. Officially, flooding involves water that enters your home from a source that overflowed. Generally speaking, a flood isn’t localized to one house. It affects acres and acres of land. As such, the term is reserved for the type of flooding that accompanies hurricanes and other rough storms.

Flooding can contain a mixture of grey and black water, depending on the area where it hit. These are generally the most serious types of water damage because they can cover rooms, floors, and even the entire property, in water.

Construction Damage

Construction water damage occurs when buildings undergo major construction. For example, if a roof is damaged, then there may be a large hole in it for an extended period.

During this time a rainstorm can cause water to enter the home. Generally, this type of damage is the least serious. However, it can still cause serious damage in the form of mold if left unattended. Temporary solutions like tarps and buckets are a good way of protecting against this construction water damage until you can get it fixed.

What to Do When You Discover Emergency Water Damage

When you discover emergency water damage there are typically a million things running through your head. What should you do first? Call someone? Deal with the water?

It can be easy to panic and make a potentially dangerous mistake. Luckily, in this section, we’ve broken down what you should do into six easy steps you can follow. Just make sure to follow these tips, and you should be fine.

1) Make Sure Everyone is Safe and Stop the Water

The most important thing is safety. Emergency damage caused by flooding presents a potentially dangerous situation, especially if it comes in contact with electrical devices. Contact with charged water can cause serious injury or even death. As such, if the situation is serious, then you should evacuate yourself and your family from the area.

If you can, then you should try to get any valuable objects you don’t want to lose — things like family jewelry, cash, or heirlooms. However, remember that no material possessions are worth your life. It’s not worth it to try and risk your safety for these objects. You can make the situation safer by turning off the main power and all the individual fuses.

You should do this even if your power isn’t working. However, don’t try it if you can’t safely access the power controls. Next, you should try to stop the flow of water. More water means more damage, so the quicker you can stop it.

If you can’t access your home, or you can’t identify the source of water, then you immediately contact a professional. Once you do, they’ll immediately walk you through the water damage restoration process.

2) Remove the Standing Water (If Possible)

The longer that standing water is left sitting, the more damage it will do. As such, if you have the means, then you should try removing it yourself. You will require a sump pump to deal with standing water. If there isn’t much water, then you may be able to get away with a wet vac.

However, before you begin, make sure that you first put on protective gear. This includes things like a respirator, rain boots, and rubber gloves to protect you from the contaminants in the water. When using a sump pump you should find the lowest spot possible in the flooded area. In some instances, you’ll need to lower the pump down with a rope.

Never dive down into flood water to place the sump pump. Once you get most of the water out of the area, open all the windows and doors in your house to let air start circulating. If you want more tips on what to do immediately after flooding, then check out our guide on dealing with water damage.

3) Document the Damage and Contact Insurance Company (If Applicable)

After you deal with the standing water, it’s important to document the extent of the damage with detailed pictures. This step is important even if you don’t have insurance. You can send them to repair and restoration professionals to quickly give them an idea of what they’re dealing with.

If you have water damage insurance, then you should contact your agent as soon as possible. The quicker you get in touch with them, the faster you can get access to your claim. Once you have them on the phone allow the agent to walk you through the process. Most of the time you will need to make a detailed list of the damages caused by the water.

Also, ask about samples. Some insurance companies require samples of water damage, like a moldy piece of rug. You should also keep receipts of all your expenses during the cleaning process.

Some insurance providers will even cover things like motel bills during the nights when you can’t stay at the house. Unfortunately, many insurance companies don’t cover flooding that occurs during storms or other natural events. Usually, this requires a separate policy.

4) Clean Up to Protect Your Health

Now it’s time to start cleaning up your home. The first thing you should do is get rid of any debris that may have entered. Make sure you are careful of any potentially dangerous debris like sharp objects, fecal matter, and mud. If the damage is extensive, then it may not be safe to live in your home.

During this time you should also move your furniture and electronics to a safe place where they can dry out. Once you remove as much physical debris as you can, spray down the area with clean water. Now it's time to prevent mold growth. Mold typically develops within a day or two of contact with water.

As such, time is of the essence. Remove any carpets from the area. Mold is next to impossible to remove from carpet fibers. Then, disinfect all hard surfaces with a bleach solution. However, typically families can set up a clean room, that’s untouched from damage. You can live in this room until all the serious restoration and cleaning has been finished.

However, organizations like the AFHH recommend not having children in your home during this process. Unfortunately, even the most thorough DIY cleaning isn’t enough to stop the water from absorbing into your drywall, floor, and ceiling. As such, you will need to consider hiring restoration services.

5) Begin the Restoration Process

Even the most thorough DIY cleaning process likely won’t be enough to entirely rid your home of water damage. As such, we highly recommend hiring a professional to check the extent of the damage. The individuals are knowledgeable enough to spot hidden damage that will get worse if left unchecked.

You can find these types of companies through your insurance provider or on your own. Typically, if you go through your insurance company, then they’ll give you references you can use. However, if you aren’t insured, or you don’t want the insurance company’s reference, then you will need to find a company on your own.

So how do you find a company you can trust? One way is by making sure that they’re certified with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, or the IICRC. IICRC’s standards ensure that only respectable companies can become certified.

How to Prevent Water Damage in the Future

If you suffered expensive repairs because of water damage, then you probably want to know how you can prevent it in the future. While there is no 100% effective solution, there are practical measures you can take to reduce the extent of damages. For example, consider replacing the floors in flood-prone rooms with waterproof material like concrete, tile, or stone.

You should also check for leaks and cracks around your property. Water can easily enter through these areas so make sure you seal them. If your water damage was caused by faulty pipes or appliances, then you should replace or repair them.

You can also stop potential seepage by rearranging your storm drains and gutters. Make sure these things are facing away from the house so that water doesn’t get in the basement or into the foundation. If your basement is prone to flooding, then you should consider putting appliances on risers. This will protect things like your washing machine and dryer from small floods.

Do You Need Help With Emergency Water Damage? Contact SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

We hope this article helped teach you what to do when you discover emergency water damage. When it comes to this type of property damage, preparation is key. Unfortunately, even the most prepared individuals can be taken by surprise. When you feel overwhelmed by home damage, then get in touch with a professional like the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

When it comes to protecting our Connecticut communities from water damage, you won’t find a more trained team of specialists. We offer 24/7 emergency services that will get to you faster than any other company. Don’t let minor water damage turn into a massive problem by ignoring it. Contact us today and let us help you get your life back to normal.

Leak in Basement? Get the Water Out Fast with a Sump Pump

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

You can stop a basement water disaster in its tracks with a high-quality, reliable sump pump. Here's why and how to buy one.

Never had a water leak in your basement? Good for you, but don’t relax just yet. Many homeowners know they have a slow, minor leak and they deal with it as needed. But so many others have a perfectly dry basement … until they suddenly don’t. This kind of water disaster often happens after a heavy rainstorm or a severe snowmelt overwhelms your outside drains, sending water into your basement. A basement flood can also occur if an appliance in your basement, such as a water heater or washing machine, leaks.

Even without an indication that you may have a water problem in your basement, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield recommends installing a sump pump to prevent a sudden flood from damaging your property and structure.

A water-activated sump pump sits either in a pit (or sump) in your basement floor or just above the floor. Water collects in the sump pit (slowly or rapidly, depending on the leak), and when it reaches a certain level, the pump turns on and pumps the water outside your home.

What Kind of Pump Should I Buy?

A reliable, well-working sump pump can keep your basement dry and prevent severe water damage. You should only purchase and install a sump pump that is well reviewed. If you’re not handy, have it installed by a professional.

SERVPRO also advises that you consider purchasing a second pump for backup in case the first one fails or is overwhelmed by water. You can either store the backup pump nearby or have it installed next to the first one. Consider, also, choosing a second pump that has a battery backup. That way, if the power goes out, as it often does during a big storm, this second pump will still work.

We recommend choosing a sump with these features:

A submersible pump (which sits in the sump pit) can be covered with a lid to keep debris out and block operating noise
A pump with a cast iron core will last longer than one with a plastic core
A pump with a mechanical switch will be more reliable than one with a pressure switch
A pump designed with no-screen intake and an impellor will experience fewer clogs
A solid float is preferred because it won’t get filled with water and burn out your pump’s motor
A pump with an alarm offers more protection from a flood by alerting you that water has exceeded a set level

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

We're Here For You

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

SERVPRO Restores Documents After a Disaster

11/5/2020 (Permalink)

Among the possessions damaged in a fire, water or other disaster are documents, photos and other paper items. Let SERVPRO help restore them.

A water, fire, biohazard or mold disaster has hit your Bloomfield home or business, and not only is your structure damaged, but so are your possessions—including important documents, photographs, books and other papers. You may think these fragile items are a total loss, but with our rigorous training, experienced staff, quality equipment and supplies, and the latest advanced techniques, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can recover and restore many damaged paper items.

SERVPRO knows that time is of the essence when it comes to mitigating damage to your possessions. That’s why we arrive quickly to evaluate your disaster and create a plan to begin remediation ASAP.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield offers document restoration services to individuals with small residential damage, all the way up to large commercial losses. Our range of services includes drying, cleaning, disinfecting, deodorization, re-jacketing and digitizing. We perform our restoration services in our secure warehouse facility, under 24/7 surveillance (and adhering to HIPAA standards) to provide extra security for your sensitive information.

How We Restore Your Documents

Among the documents we can restore are:

Paper documents, including letters
Personal and business records
Books and magazines
Photographs, including film and negatives
Business files
Blueprints and maps
X-rays

SERVPRO uses the latest technologies to restore your documents. Depending on the type and extent of damage, we use:

Vacuum freeze-drying, the same method used by the Library of Congress to repair its historical books and records. It’s also the only document restoration technique approved by the National Archives and Records Administration and the General Services Administration.
Gamma irradiation to sterilize documents that have been damaged by floodwater or sewage, and may have been exposed to bacteria, viruses, pesticides or other harmful chemicals.

We Can Digitize Your Documents, Too

Once the restoration is completed, we offer the option to digitize your documents, photos, records, etc. When we convert your important papers to digital format, you get the benefit of:

Instant access to your records on a variety of devices
The ability to quickly and easily share your records, documents and photographs
Less space needed for storage
A digital backup that is protected from future water or fire damage

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Protect Your Business from a Flood

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

An industrial building is surrounded by flood water

A serious—or even minor—flood can put you out of business. Make plans and take steps now to minimize flood damage.

Even if your building is located in a flood zone, there are ways to reduce the chances that a flood will damage your commercial property. Thinking ahead and taking some steps to prepare are the keys to minimizing commercial water damage.

What You Should Know

Flood zone: Check your local flood map on FEMA.gov to see if your property is in a flood zone. (Remember, floods can and do happen outside of flood zones.)

Learn your BFE: Check the FEMA flood map or local government authorities to see if your building’s lowest floor is above the base flood elevation (BFE). If not, consider raising your structure to at least three feet above the BFE.

Flood insurance: If you are in or close to a high-risk flood zone (Special Flood Hazard Area), consider purchasing flood insurance.

What You Should Do Outside Your Building

Landscaping and drainage: Choose plants native to your area to help prevent soil erosion and improve drainage. Evaluate the slope of your property and your downspouts to be sure they direct water away from your foundation.

Fuel tanks: If you have fuel tanks on your property, anchor them to prevent damage to your building or other properties.

Barriers: Keep a supply of water-absorbent barriers, sandbags or tarps on hand to help divert water away from the building. If your building is below the BFE, consider adding watertight shields over doors and windows. If you repeatedly experience serious flooding, think about creating permanent flood walls around your property.

What You Should Do Inside Your Building

Electrical components: Help avoid system damage and electrical fires by raising electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) above your BFE by at least one foot. Have a backup electrical power system that can take over in a flood-induced power outage.

HVAC: Protect your HVAC components by moving them to an upper floor or constructing a floodwall around the equipment.

Shut-off valves: Know where your cut-off valves are for gas, water and electricity.

Cracks and leaks: Seal cracks and utility pipe penetrations with urethane-based caulk, and apply a waterproof coating to exterior and basement walls, especially if you have had leaks.

Flood-resistant materials: Choose materials that resist water damage for carpeting, wall coverings and insulation.

Sewer backflow valve: Prevent sewage from backing up into your building by installing an interior or exterior sewer backflow valve.

Sump pump: Install a portable sump pump and connect it to a generator or battery for backup.

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Protect Your Business from a Fire

9/23/2020 (Permalink)

Take action before a fire to prevent or minimize damage to your commercial facility from flames, smoke and water.

A fire can in your place of business can damage or destroy your equipment and structure, potentially putting you out of business, at least temporarily. Worse, a workplace fire can injure or kill you or your employees and customers.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is ready to respond to your commercial fire disaster. We’ll arrive A.S.A.P. to evaluate your restoration needs, quickly put our expert crews to work remediating smoke, fire and water damage to your facility and property, then restore everything to pre-fire condition—all while coordinating with your insurer for a swift, smooth process.

There are several things you as a business owner or manager can do to either prevent a fire disaster from starting or minimize the damage if one does start.

Understand Your Risk

Learn about fire codes and standards by reading handbooks created by the National Fire Protection Association.

Ask your local fire department to help you develop a fire prevention plan and/or have a fire marshal assess your building for fire safety. Another option is to request fire risk assessment guidance from your building's property manager.

Be Equipped to Prevent Fires

Your building’s facilities and equipment should be the first line of defense in preventing a fire disaster.

An automatic sprinkler system will provide primary fire protection for your business. In fact, a sprinkler system is the best way to fight the spread of a fire, with a properly installed and maintained system proving to be 95% effective. If your facility doesn’t have one, consider installing one.
You should also have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on every floor of your building, and all employees should know where they are and how to use them.
Pay attention to your power cords. Check them regularly and replace any damaged cords, connectors or insulation. Avoid using extensions cords or power strips.
Many appliances used in businesses, such as coffee machines and computers, can heat up and pose a fire hazard. Leave space around them so that they can cool down, and keep all appliances away from combustible materials, like paper or cloth. At day’s end, consider unplugging appliances, since many business fires occur after work hours in an empty and unmonitored building.

Get Your Employees on the Fire-Safe Team

Enlist your employees to be a key part of preventing and escaping fires at your workplace.

Choose an employee to be your fire prevention officer. This person will keep track of your safety plans and will supervise the response to a fire.
Create and communicate a fire emergency and evacuation plan, and post it in several locations in your facility. Include guidelines to assist disabled persons. Hold a fire drill at least once each year.
Provide each employee with an easily-grabbed emergency kit containing bottled water, a flashlight and a mask or cloth to protect against smoke inhalation.
Build a first aid kit, store it in a central location and make sure your employees know where it is.

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building and property after a natural disaster. We also offer year-round commercial cleaning services and HVAC maintenance. 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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Keep Water Out of Your Basement

9/16/2020 (Permalink)

Water flows from a home's gutter to its foundation

Regular maintenance, repairs and smart planting can help prevent water from entering and damaging your basement.

You can live in your home for a decade or more, and never experience water damage in your basement, but that is no guarantee that it will never happen. Sometimes water enters a basement through condensation or seepage, but sometimes it enters in a gush after a heavy rainstorm or snow melt. The fact is, 98% of basements in the U.S. will be damaged by water.

The most obvious sign of water in your basement is a pool of water on the floor. Water can enter your basement from a leaking roof or through poor drainage outside your home. If you notice water accumulating after a storm, that’s a good indication that water is entering from outside the home.

Regardless of how it gets in, water in your basement can result in ruined carpeting, drywall and framing. It can even buckle flooring above the basement and lead to a stubborn mold infestation. Stains, discoloration, warping, sagging, peeling or bubbling of your walls, floors or ceiling are signs that you have water damage.

What to Do Outside Your Home

For every inch of rain that falls, a 1,500-SF roof sheds 1,000 gallons of water. Your goal is to keep that water outside of your home and basement.

It starts with the grading of your yard. Soil should slope away from your foundation for at least 4 feet, at the rate of 1 inch per foot. If your grading does not meet this standard, add soil to the perimeter of the house and rake it smooth.

If you suspect your property has a high water table, call a professional in to evaluate the situation and determine solutions.

Evaluate your lawn and plantings. Any type of flowers or shrubs close to your foundation can attract water, increasing the chances that water seeps into your basement. Keep small plants at least 12 to 18 inches from your foundation. Planting grass next to your foundation, on the other hand, is beneficial.

Trees should not be too close to your home, as the roots can damage the foundation, leaving cracks that provide a path for water to enter. Plant trees at least 10 or even 20 feet from your house.

Clogged roof gutters are a guaranteed way to encourage water to leak into your home’s foundation, so clean them out regularly. Add 4-foot or longer extensions to your downspouts and have them empty onto splash blocks to guide water away from your foundation.

What to Do Inside Your Home

There are a few tasks you can do to prevent greater damage if you do get some water in your basement:

Regularly test and maintain your sump pump, if you have one.
Patch cracks in walls and waterproof the walls to seal them.
Prevent condensation by running a dehumidifier.

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

We're Here For You

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Generator Safety After the Storm

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

It's convenient to run a generator if you lose power after a storm, but you must follow safety guidelines to avoid a CO poisoning tragedy.

Enduring a natural disaster, like a hurricane, tornado, blizzard, flood or other big storm, is bad enough. Even worse is when that disaster leads to tragedy. In August 2020, Laura, a category 4 hurricane, hit the state of Louisiana with winds of 150 miles per hour and a storm surge of up to 15 feet. Hundreds of thousands of people lost power, and subsequently, numerous individuals lost their lives due to carbon monoxide poisoning created by unsafe use of generators.

As reported in 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.”

The Basics of Generator Safety

Produced by portable generators, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that can quickly turn deadly. It can take as few as 5 minutes for carbon monoxide to build up to levels high enough to kill, according to the National Institutes of Health.

SERVPRO recommends that you follow these guidelines to safe generator use to prevent CO poisoning.

Never run a generator in an enclosed space or inside a house. That includes your home’s basement and garage. Most generator-related CO poisoning is caused by generators that are run indoors or in partially enclosed spaces in which deadly levels of carbon monoxide builds up.
Set up your generator so that it has 3 to 4 feet of clear space on all sides and above. This will allow for enough ventilation to prevent a buildup of CO.
Locate the generator at least 20 feet from your house. Direct the engine exhaust away from windows and doors.
Also use a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector when you are running your generator to alert you quickly if CO is accumulating.
Never run your generator in the rain. Instead, set up a tent or canopy to shield it from the downpour while maintaining good ventilation.
Immediately leave your house, get to fresh air and seek medical attention if you or others show symptoms of CO poisoning, such as dizziness, headaches, nausea and tiredness. Stay outside until first responders determine your home is free from dangerous CO.
Consider purchasing a new generator that has a sensor that will detect dangerous levels of CO and automatically shut itself off.

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We Clean Up the Toughest Commercial Biohazard Messes

8/31/2020 (Permalink)

Two workers wear hazmat suits in a warehouse

SERVPRO knows how to quickly completely remediate the nastiest biohazard messes at your place of business.

Even the most careful business owner or facility manager can suffer a nasty biohazard situation, such as a sewage backup, chemical spill or bloody accident scene. Biohazard cleanup jobs are among the most challenging tasks for damage remediation companies to handle, but SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has deep expertise in cleaning out the worst biohazard situations.

We are ready to safely remove and dispose of biohazards from your commercial facility in accordance with OSHA and health regulations. Commercial biohazard messes that SERVPRO tackles include:

Sewage backups
Crime scenes
Deaths by suicide, accident or homicide
Blood and bloodborne pathogens
Chemical spills
Meth labs

A biohazard mess can hit your facility suddenly and unexpectedly, putting the safety and health of your customers and employees at immediate risk. And biological and chemical contamination can present serious long-term health hazards. SERVPRO has the right training, procedures, tools and products to transform these unhealthy environments back into clean, safe workplaces.

As soon as you discover a biohazard situation, SERVPRO recommends that you follow the steps in our Biohazard Emergency Tips—Until Help Arrives guide to protect your employees and your property.

SERVPRO Now Provides Specialized Biohazard Cleanup for Viral Pathogens

In response to the increased risk of contamination by viral pathogens, SERVPRO has created a new defensive pathogen cleaning program, called Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. This program should not be confused with typical janitorial cleaning services. Based on our more than 50 years of experience in biochemical spill remediation and decontamination, it includes these unique components:

Consult: We evaluate the unique cleaning needs of your facility and create an appropriate program.
Clean: We use our own EPA-approved hospital-grade solutions to thoroughly clean all areas of your building. Our highly-trained crews meet or exceed the CDC-recommended cleaning and decontamination standards.
Certify: Once your facility has been cleaned, you receive a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned shield to display at your business, as well as digital icons for your website and marketing. This tells your employees, customers and the entire community that you have done everything you can to protect them from viral pathogens.

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Survive a Business Disaster with a Business Ready Plan

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

A business office has been damaged by a tornado

A disaster can put you out of operation—and even close your doors forever. Prevent that with an emergency preparedness plan.

Would you know—step by step—what to do to save your business and quickly resume operations after a flood, fire, biohazard contamination, hurricane, tornado or other natural disaster? (And it’s not just natural disasters: human-caused hazards include accidents, acts of violence and acts of terrorism, while technology-related hazards include the failure or malfunction of systems, equipment or software.)

After a disaster, close to half of all businesses shut down. Help your business be one of the survivors in case of disaster by having an emergency preparedness plan—a Business Ready Plan—in place.

The Business Ready Plan provides an immediate plan of action that will help managers and owners of commercial property minimize business interruption after a disaster. You’ll know what to do, how to do it, what resources to call on and how to communicate and make decisions in case of emergency, when quick action counts.

How It Works

As you develop a Business Ready Plan for your business, you create a clearly defined plan of action to take in case of emergency, with the goal of minimizing business interruption and maximizing your odds for survival.

Your no-cost Business Ready Plan includes:

An assessment of your facility and normal business operations.
Creation of a concise Profile Document with the most critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
A step-by-step plan to help you restore operations following a disaster.
Identification of your preferred disaster mitigation and restoration provider, so that you don’t waste valuable time researching contractors and getting quotes after a disaster.
Development of the chain of command for making decisions and authorizing work.
Identification of key facility details, such as shut-off valve locations, mechanical system details and priority areas of the building for rapid restoration.

We Partner with the Pros

Business Ready Plan partners with SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, specialists in property damage cleanup. SERVPRO’s expertise includes cleanup of fire and water damage, including electronics restoration and document drying, as well as mold mitigation and removal. Our Large Loss Division handles the cost and operations of large commercial disaster recovery projects.

Business Ready Plan also partners with SANTE Property Damage Restoration, which specializes in restoring property after a disaster. Our skilled professionals will be at your site quickly to evaluate the damage, secure your building to protect it from further damage or intrusions, and then get to work restoring your building to its preloss state—even while you continue to operate your business.

Ask yourself: are you ready for the unexpected? Can your business survive a sudden disaster? Call (800) 345-4552 for your FREE Business Ready Plan.

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

6 Signs You Need Water Damage Restoration Services

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

Water damaged wall with mold.

In 2017, the total amount of insurance payouts for water damage was $13 billion, with the average claim costing around $10,000. The commonality of water damage means you need to know the signs of water damage so you don't end up paying a ridiculous amount of money.

Read on for six signs you may need water damage restoration services.

1. Stained Walls

The most common sign that you need water damage restoration services is discovering discolored walls or ceilings. This is not a sign of paint aging. You have water damage.

Water will dry between leaks leaving minerals and salt to leave a discolored look on the walls. If you have dark paint, stains can be less noticeable. Look for brown, yellow, green, or orange discoloration in this case.

You may find that your ceilings are the most common place you see discoloration. This does not mean stains cannot occur on the walls or floors too. Anywhere that has pipes, can cause discoloration from a leak.

2. Smelling Mold

If you sense a strong odor throughout the house and it reeks of mold, you have water damage. A water service restoration service should be called right away if you have a moldy smell.

If the smell comes from the walls, the room may feel damp too. Through water damage restoration, the smell can be eliminated by removing all of the excess water.

3. Warped Flooring

One of the most noticeable water damage signs is having warped flooring. When water gets into the subflooring, you will see and even feel it.

Depending on the material of your floor, it could rise or become uneven. Sometimes the floor will break away from the foundation and sink.

Water Damage Cleanup is needed to get under the flooring and remove all of the water.

4. Wall Damage

Wall damage is not the same as discoloration. A leaky pipe could lead to your wall peeling or bubbling up. Soft walls are a sign that there was recent water damage.

If you can visibly see damage on a wall from a leak, it is likely the leak has gone unnoticed for a long time. This means you will need immediate water damage restoration services.

5. Moldy Baseboards

Moisture building up in the home usually comes with mold. Baseboards on a wall could have subtle mold growth that means you have water damage.

Mold is uncommon in a room with windows unless there is water damage. If you spot a moldy baseboard, you can peel it back to see how much damage there is.

6. High Water Bill

If there is an unusual spike in your water bill, something could be wrong. If you are unsure why your bill has all of the sudden gone up, it may be worth it to get your pipes checked out.

Leaks can come from a lot of different places which makes them hard to find. Check the toilets, sinks, and the main water supply. These areas will affect the amount on your bill the most.

Get Water Damage Restoration Services Now

If you are experiencing any of these six issues within your home, you need to get water damage restoration services now. Getting a leak taken care of as soon as possible can save you from further damage on your walls, floors, and even furniture. Don't wait, call the professionals right away.

For more information on water damage restoration services, contact us today.

Enjoy Your Fire Pit and Campfire … Safely!

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

Enjoy your fire pit or campfire with friends and family—but follow our basic safety guidelines to prevent a fire disaster.

It’s summer and that means friends and family gather around campfires and fire pits to share the dancing flames, conversation, laughter and maybe even s’mores. But while you’re enjoying the fun, you must heed some basic safety rules to make sure the flames don’t spread and turn pleasure into tragedy.

Whether it’s a fire pit or a campfire you’re enjoying, you’ll want to take these important precautions to prevent a fire disaster.

Starting the Fire

Don’t use flammable fluids—lighter fluid, gasoline, alcohol, diesel fuel or kerosene—to light or relight fires.
Don’t start a fire on a windy day.
Seasoned hardwood is the best fuel. Soft woods, such as pine or cedar, can pop and throw sparks, so don’t use them. Don’t burn trash, leaves, paper, cardboard or plywood.

When setting up and using a fire pit:

Don’t overload the fire pit. Make sure you can close the lid to extinguish the fire in an emergency.
Your fire pit should be at least ten feet away from buildings, trees, shrubs and other flammable objects.

When setting up your campfire:

Don’t build a fire in dry conditions or if a fire is prohibited. Use an existing fire ring if there is one.
Your fire should be fifteen feet or more away from tents, shrubs, trees or other flammable objects. Look up to make sure there are no low-hanging branches overhead.

Enjoying the Fire

Have a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water nearby.
Establish a three-foot safety zone around the fire and make sure children and pets stay out of the zone.
Keep flammable material and fluids far away from the fire.
Don’t wear loose-fitting or flammable clothing, such as nylon.

Extinguishing the Fire

The risk doesn’t end until the flames and embers are 100% out.

If time allows, let the fire burn completely to ashes.
Pour water on the fire until you no longer hear hissing sounds. Make sure all the embers are doused, not just the red ones.
With a shovel, stir the embers to make sure all are wet and cold to the touch.
If you don’t have water, cover the embers with dirt or sand and stir until everything is cool. Don’t just bury the fire and walk away, as the fire can smolder and reignite.

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO® of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration and cleanup, as well as natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage and mold remediation, water and mold damage, and chemical and biohazard cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Where Are Your Home’s Shutoff Valves?

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

If you have a sudden water emergency in your home, you can minimize the damage if you know where your shutoff valves are.

Often without warning, you can experience the bane of homeowners everywhere: a burst or leaky pipe, or even a flooding appliance. Maybe it’s a toilet that seeps or a washing machine hose that splits. Maybe it’s a water stain on a wall, indicating a leaking pipe, or maybe that pipe bursts clear open! Whichever way it happens, you’re in for potentially costly water damage. At that point, your best line of defense is to quickly stop the flood by shutting off the flow of water at its source.

Even if you turn off the shutoff valves at the first sign of trouble, you may still suffer water damage to your home. For everything from a small leak to a water disaster that spans several floors of your home, call on an experienced disaster recovery company like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, which has specialized training, expert staff and the latest equipment to help you restore your home and possessions.

You’ll be ready to respond to a water disaster in your home if you know where all of the shutoff valves are located and how to operate them.

Locate Your Whole House Shutoffs

Main Shutoff Valve

The location of this valve will vary depending on if you have metered water or a well.

Metered water: the shutoff valve will be on one side of the water meter. The meter itself may be in your basement, on an exterior wall or close to the street in a concrete "meter pit."
Well: the valve will be on the side of the pressure tank nearest the house. (When you shut off the main valve, also cut power to the tank to prevent the motor from burning out trying to compensate for the loss of pressure—then remember to turn the power back on when you restore water flow.)

Hot Water Shutoff Valve

The hot-water outlet on your water heater should have a valve that controls your home’s hot water. If your water heater lacks a valve, have one installed.

Locate Your Appliance and Fixture Shutoffs

Toilet: Look on the toilet under the tank for this shutoff valve, which usually has a ribbed oval handle.
Sink: Look under the sink, inside the vanity or sink cabinet. Typically, the hot water shutoff valve is on the left and the cold water valve on the right.
Dishwasher: You may need to check in a couple of spots for this shutoff valve. First, look on the 1/2-inch hot-water sink-supply line that leads to the dishwasher under the kitchen sink. Not there? Go to your basement, stand below the dishwasher and look up. Find the supply line that runs along the ceiling joists and check for a shutoff valve.
Washing machine: You’ll find these valves (one for hot and one for cold) at the spot where the house-supply lines meet the washer hoses. Tip: Close off these valves when you leave your home for more than a few days.

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

We're Here For You

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

What Not To Do in a Thunderstorm

7/23/2020 (Permalink)

A lightning bolt in the sky above houses

Whether you're outside or in your home, here is a list of essential things NOT to do when lightning is in the area.

Each year, about 400 people are struck by lightning in the United States. Now, about 90% of those people survive, but many have lingering injuries and burns. Getting hit by lightning is not something you want to do!

Check this list of what not to do if lightning is present and you’ll greatly reduce your chance of being struck by lightning.

What Not To Do If You’re Outside

Stand Out in the Open

When the thunder roars, go indoors! Try to get inside an enclosed building, which is the safest place to be. But if you are caught outdoors with no shelter available, crouch down low, with as little of your body as possible touching the ground.

Stand Under a Tree

Due to their height, trees attract lightning as it travels to the ground. The human body, unfortunately, conducts electricity even better than a tree does, so if you're near a tree, the lightning can jump from the tree to you. Avoid this very dangerous situation!

Lie Down on the Ground

You never want to be the tallest target if you’re caught out in a thunderstorm. But don’t lie down on the ground in an attempt to make yourself shorter. By stretching out on the ground, you actually make yourself a bigger target.

Sit on Concrete

Concrete, really? Yes, stay away from concrete, because buried within most concrete to strengthen it is metal rebar or wire mesh, both effective conductors of electricity.

What Not To Do If You’re at Home

Stand Near a Window

Stay away from windows during a thunderstorm because many windows contain metal parts that can attract lightning.

Use a Landline

While it is safe to use a cellphone (if it’s not plugged into a charger) during a thunderstorm, do not use your landline. Lightning can travel through the phone lines and electrocute you.

Keep Your Computer Plugged In

Even a top-rated surge protector can’t withstand a direct lightning strike, so unplug your computer and other devices, and consider unplugging appliances, too. If it’s plugged into an outlet, it’s at risk of being damaged by an electrical surge.

Use Small Appliances

Any appliance—iron, blowdryer, etc.—that’s plugged into an outlet can carry a current from a lightning strike, so don’t use or even be near a small electrical appliance.

Take a Bath or Shower

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!

Wash the Dishes

For the same reason, don’t wash dishes during a thunderstorm. The dishes can wait.

Do Laundry

You definitely do not want to be near your washer and dryer during a thunderstorm! These appliances are connected to your home’s electrical system and they are metal, so lightning can run right through them and electrocute you.

Source: Bob Vila

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Your Home Appliances Pose a Fire Hazard

7/22/2020 (Permalink)

One way to prevent a devastating house fire is to follow these guidelines for the safe use of your home appliances.

Every year, approximately 370,000 homes catch fire in America, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and those household fires cause billions of dollars in property damages.

Of these house fires, about 9%—approximately 34,000—involve electrical equipment. Each year, these electrical home fires account for approximately one in ten fire deaths.

While home electrical appliances—used for cooking, heating, cleaning and more—make our lives easier, they are also potential fire hazards, causing 7% of home fires and 4% of deaths. By following safety guidelines and doing regular maintenance and cleaning, homeowners can operate their appliances safely.

In general, when using any electric, gas or heat appliances:

Clean, inspect and maintain appliances regularly, especially those 15 years or older.
Run appliances only when you're at home.
Purchase appliances with a UL mark, which proves the item meets Underwriters Laboratories safety standards.

The Two Most Common Appliance Fire Risks

The worst culprits in appliance fires are clothes dryers and gas water heaters. Read on for tips that will help you prevent an appliance-caused fire disaster in your home.

Clothes Dryers

Even if you empty your lint tray every time you dry clothes, lint can still build up inside the dryer cabinet, causing a blaze at the heating element or burners. Especially dangerous are dryers that are vented with flexible vinyl hoses, which can easily catch on fire.

Remove lint after each use by keeping vents and filters clean.
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.

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. Replace vinyl vent lines with smooth-walled metal ducts. Follow these steps to clean lint build-up from your clothes dryer.

Lint trap: Pull out the lint screen, push a snorkel brush straight down into the trap and twirl the brush to clean out any lint at the bottom of the trap. (Using a shop vac with a long crevice tool will also work.) Shine a flashlight down the trap to make sure it's clean.
Ductwork: Disconnect the duct from the dryer exhaust and the exterior vent. Take the duct outside and clean all the parts with a round dryer-vent brush. If the duct is plastic or ribbed metal, replace it with a smooth metal one. Reassemble the metal ductwork and seal the joints with aluminum tape. Don't use screws, which snag lint.
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 and clean the vent hood if necessary.

Water Heater

Because water heaters are frequently located near the washer and dryer, clothes can get piled up against the water heater near the flame, posing a direct fire hazard.

Store paint and other flammable liquids in their original, labeled and sealed containers away from heat sources.
Don’t keep anything flammable near a furnace or water heater, such as debris, combustible materials and rags. Use masking tape to mark off a “combustible-free” zone three feet away from your water heater.
Keep burner/element access doors closed and combustion chamber covers in place.

Be Safe in the Kitchen

While most kitchen fires are cooking-related, not all are. Non-cooking related fires typically originate in refrigerators, freezers or dishwashers. Follow these tips 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 into an extension cord.
For larger appliances, such as ovens and refrigerators, use only properly grounded outlets with circuits that match the rating plate on the appliance.
If you have older two-prong outlets in your kitchen, don’t use an adapter. Hire a qualified electrician to replace the old outlets with properly grounded three-prong outlets.
When moving kitchen appliances, be careful not to roll over or pinch power cords.
Unplug small appliances when they’re not in use.
Regularly clean stove hoods, filters and vents.
Never use a gas or propane oven to heat your home.

Oven/Stovetop

Every year, an average of one out of every eight homes suffers a kitchen cooking fire. Cooking fires cause 23% of home fires and 9% of home-fire deaths.

Cooking fires mostly occur on the cooktop, usually in the first 15 minutes of cooking. If a fire starts on your stovetop:

Turn off the burner and slide a lid over the pot or pan.
Don’t throw water on a grease fire—it may cause it to spread and intensify.
Don’t try to carry the pot or pan outside—you could spread flames throughout your house.
If the lid does not stop the fire, use a fire extinguisher.

Follow these guidelines for safe cooking:

Keep flammable material, such as oven mitts, dishcloths, paper towels and napkins, three feet away from the stove.
Clean your oven and range thoroughly at least once a month to remove built-up food splatter and grease.
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 loose clothing and keep sleeves rolled up.
Keep an operating fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
For a gas stove, periodically check that its pilot lights haven’t gone out.

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 out accumulated crumbs that can build up and catch fire on the bottom of the toaster.
Never use these appliances unsupervised, because the heating elements can become faulty over time and may not turn off.

Be Safe Using Your Other Appliances

Bathroom Appliances

Use GFCI outlets and don’t overload them.
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.

A Note on Vintage Appliances

While they may still work, old-fashioned plug-in appliances—a decades-old fan or vintage coffeemaker—were designed to meet outdated safety codes and may have wiring that’s frayed or damaged. If you are determined to use an antiquated electronic appliance, have it rewired by an electrician.

Make Sure Your Home’s Electrical System Is Safe, Too

Since electrical appliances are connected to the home’s electrical infrastructure, preventing an appliance-related fire disaster includes making sure your home’s wiring and electrical equipment 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 causing a house fire.

Pay Attention to These Signs of Danger

It’s important to recognize the signs of impending danger in your electrical system. 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.
Charred or plastic burning odors, which may indicate oversized bulbs and light fixtures.
Warm-to-the-touch switches or receptacle plate covers, which may mean a poor electrical connection.
Fuses that regularly blow or circuits that often trip, which may be caused by a defective circuit breaker or a short in the cables buried in walls or ceilings.
Lights that dim, flicker, are unusually bright or have bulbs that regularly burn out prematurely.
Appliances that give off a rubbery or burning smell when you run them.
Appliances that spark.

When you see any of these signs of electrical trouble, hire a licensed electrician A.S.A.P. to make the necessary upgrades or repairs to prevent a fire.

Lamp Safety

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.

Outlet Safety

If you plug in an appliance and the cord slips out of the electrical outlet, the blades inside the outlet may have loosened—and can generate intense heat that can lead to fires. You should 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 start a fire.
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 time.

Hire an electrician to make sure your outlets are as safe as they can be:

Install tamper-resistant (TR) receptacles in outlets near where children will be present.
Help prevent shocks by installing ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, basement, garages, outdoor areas and other places where water is nearby or electrical equipment 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 Cord and Extension Cord Safety

Damaged power cords pose a serious fire risk, so evaluate 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.

Intended for temporary use only, extension cords 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. Exceeding the recommended power rating—for heavy, medium or light duty use—can be dangerous. Replace undersized cords with larger-gauged ones.
Plug major appliances directly into outlets, never into an extension cord.
Don’t run extension cords under carpets or furniture.
Inspect your extension cords and replace those that are undersized or frayed.

Sources: This Old House, Nationwide, Family Handyman, The Travelers

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

We're Here for You

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Keep Your HVAC Systems Humming with Routine Maintenance

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

A clean, well-maintained HVAC system will be more efficient, more reliable and last longer, saving you money over the years.

As a business owner, you know that your facility costs account for a large percentage of your spending each year. Besides rent or mortgage expenses, energy costs are considerable—U.S. businesses spend $400 billion on energy alone each year!

HVAC systems, along with lighting, are the biggest energy consumers in the average commercial building. Regularly maintaining these systems will mean they’re more efficient, less likely to break down and will last longer—and that will save you money in the long run.

Follow this advice to keep your building’s HVAC equipment in top shape, consuming less energy and serving you longer.

Preventive HVAC Maintenance in the Spring and Fall

Preventive maintenance should be performed in the spring for cooling systems and in the fall for heating systems. Preventative maintenance serves as a tune-up for your building’s HVAC systems, helping them run more efficiently throughout the season.

Hire a commercial HVAC professional such as SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to inspect and clean your system. If maintenance is needed, it can be done right away without inconveniencing you or your employees.

These outdoor components should be inspected, cleaned, lubricated, adjusted or replaced if necessary:

Coil and cabinet
Drain pans and condensate lines
Compressor
Fan motor and blades
Control box, switches, wiring and safety controls
Refrigerant

These indoor components should be inspected, cleaned, lubricated, adjusted or replaced if necessary:

Blower assembly and housing
Belts
Evaporator coil, drip pan and condensate lines
Burner assembly
Ignition system
Safety controls
Heat exchanger
Flue system
Control box, wiring and connections
Air filter
Duct system

Other Routine Maintenance

Air Filters

Restricted airflow through the HVAC systems limits performance and increases energy consumption, while using clean air filters can lower energy consumption by up to 15%.

Inspect air filters every three to four weeks to be sure the filter has not become clogged.
Change air filters every three to six months (or more often if usage is heavy). Use a high-efficiency, pleated air filter.

Programmable Thermostats

Check your programmed thermostats at the beginning of the heating and cooling seasons to make sure that the settings still fit your needs.
Check thermostat operation monthly, and repair or replace if necessary.

With proper HVAC maintenance, your building’s heating and cooling systems can operate more efficiently year-round and generate energy savings for your business.

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

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.

Commercial Cleaning Services by the Pros at SERVPRO

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If your business is hit by a water, fire, smoke, chemical, mold or other disaster, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Prescription: Pack Your Medical Go-Bag

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

If you have to evacuate during or after a storm, having a medical go-bag will make your time away from home easier and safer.

If a big storm or other emergency hits your home, you may have to pack up your family and evacuate your home in a matter of minutes. Prepare for this by having a well-stocked medical go-bag—it could save your life. But don’t wait: get started now, before a storm threatens!

Since you may have to leave your home quickly, pack the items in an easy-to-carry, water-resistant kit. Store it in a designated place and make sure all family members know where it is kept. Check the go-bag periodically and replace any out-of-date or damaged supplies.

Basic Items to Include

Whether you buy a kit from a drugstore or put it together yourself, your medication go-bag should include:

Antiseptic wipes and an antibiotic ointment
Bandages, gauze and tape 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

Other Items to Include

Also include at least seven days’ worth of over-the-counter and prescription medications you and family members take on a regular basis. Consider asking your doctor for 60- or 90-day refills of your prescriptions. That way, you’re more likely to 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, add additional items to your kit: hearing aids with extra batteries, an epinephrine auto-injector, glasses, contact lenses or syringes, for example.

Public Safety Items

In 2020, the CDC currently recommends that people include additional items in their go-bags to help prevent the spread of viruses and the flu. Consider adding these items to your go-bag:

Cloth face coverings (for ages 2 and above)
Soap and hand sanitizer
Disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces

Sources: Ready.gov, Consumer Reports

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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.

Storm Damage Restoration

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Cleaning and Disinfecting for Virus Eradication

4/29/2020 (Permalink)

Protect your family, customers and employees with SERVPRO's professional virus cleaning service.

Most of the time, we humans can afford not to give much thought to viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. We know they’re out there, but we have long been able to feel confident that science and medicine will protect us from the worst effects. Unfortunately, when a previously unknown pathogen sweeps the globe, we are all vulnerable to infection and illness, without any reliable vaccine or treatment. In that scenario, we must fall back on time-tested ways to prevent transmission and infection from occurring.

Typically, viral pathogens spread primarily through person-to-person contact. Transmission occurs when an infected person produces airborne respiratory droplets by coughing, sneezing—or even by speaking or breathing. These drops travel through the air and can be inhaled by others, especially those who are within about six feet of one another. This is the most direct way of transmission.

Another, less direct way to catch a virus is by touching a surface or object that has had virus cells deposited on it, then bringing the viral cells into your body by touching your mouth, nose or eyes. Research indicates that viral pathogens can live on surfaces from a few hours to a few days. This is why medical experts recommend washing your hands frequently and avoiding touching your face—easy ways to break the path of transmission.

Another way to disrupt the path of transmission is to disinfect the surfaces of objects, furniture and fixtures that may carry viral or bacterial contamination.

The Importance of Proactive Cleaning

SERVPRO offers homeowners and business owners an extra level of assurance that their homes and facilities are thoroughly clean and disinfected to minimize the transmission of emergent viral pathogens. Do all you can to keep your family and friends, customers and employees safe from threat and prevent disease: call on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield for proactive cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection of commercial properties.

As a corporation, SERVPRO is in a unique position to perform these essential services at a time of urgent need. Americans can rely on the preparedness—the expertise, training, equipment and personnel—of SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

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.” (SERVPRO advises that you visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website for the latest and most accurate information on viral pathogens.)

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is prepared—right now—to clean, sanitize and disinfect your home or business to eradicate traces of viral and bacterial pathogens. Whether you have no indication of existing contamination, or are aware that your structure may have been contaminated, SERVPRO’s crews stand ready to minimize risk within your building.

Please be aware, however, that while SERVPRO’s cleaning process can remove existing viral pathogens, structures we clean proactively will not be protected from future contamination if an infected person subsequently enters the building.

Who Seeks Proactive Cleaning?

Both homeowners and business owners hire SERVPRO for proactive cleaning. Whether you want reassurance that your building is free from contamination or you are coping with a suspected contamination situation, rely on SERVPRO to restore your peace of mind, your health and your safety.

Especially when a family member has been diagnosed with a virus, our cleaning services for homeowners let you be confident that the other residents of the home will have a lower risk of exposure.

Business owners, too, can protect their employees and customers with our proactive cleaning service. You will know that you are doing everything you can to keep Americans—ones you know and ones you’ve never met—healthy.

Another benefit of proactive cleaning is to reassure your customers that your place of business is a safe place to be. In the midst of this viral threat, with so many unknowns, people seek reassurance. As many states have already temporarily closed down table service at restaurants and bars and curtailed the hours of nonessential businesses, hiring SERVPRO to thoroughly clean and sanitize your facility says, loudly and clearly, that your business has taken all the precautions it can to protect the health of your customers and the public.

Many types of businesses can benefit from SERVPRO’s proactive cleaning, which targets viral and bacterial pathogens:

Restaurants and bars
Retail stores
Offices, especially medical offices
Schools and universities
Nursing homes, senior centers and rehabilitation facilities
Banks and other financial institutions
Gyms
Hotels, B&Bs and other hospitality sites
Libraries
Theaters and entertainment venues
Apartment buildings
Factories and warehouses

SERVPRO: Uniquely Ready to Provide Proactive Cleaning

We were ready for this. As a corporation, our baseline level of expertise and preparation on a day-to-day basis makes us uniquely ready to provide proactive cleaning of viral pathogens for several reasons.

Our People

A key part of the SERVPRO business model is being fully staffed and prepared for your most difficult job. Our employees are thoroughly trained in the use of all our equipment and cleaning products. We support them with rigorous safety training and procedures.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is always prepared because we can call on the resources of three other top-performing local SERVPRO franchises—SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield and SERVPRO of West Hartford—that are owned and operated by Noemi Garcia. This means we’re ready for just about anything! We can get to your job faster, and we allocate staff and equipment as needed to tackle the really big, urgent jobs. Among these four franchises, we have at our disposal thousands of different pieces of equipment and dozens of trucks and other vehicles.

Our Protective Gear

We have the right personal protective gear for the job. If there is no indication that your facility or home has been contaminated by a viral pathogen, our crew will wear a mid-grade protective suit, but if contamination is suspected or confirmed, all workers will wear a top-grade suit, which is thicker and features integrated boots and hoods. Our employees wear N-95 masks that are individually fit-tested to ensure complete coverage and protection.

Our Products

We use hospital-grade cleaning and disinfecting products that are safe to use and effective at killing germs. In high demand, these products are difficult, if not impossible, for other vendors to locate. But SERVPRO, with its foresight and purchasing network, is prepared with a substantial supply of pathogen-fighting cleaners and disinfectants.

Our Methods

We use two different modes of cleaning to attack contamination. First, we seal off your home or place of business and fog it using sprayers and misters. This allows our cleaning and disinfecting agents to penetrate deep into crevices that would otherwise remain untouched.

Then our crews get to work, doing hands-on cleaning and disinfecting of every flat surface in your structure, including furniture, fixtures and objects. Our crews let the disinfectant remain in place for the CDC-recommended amount of time necessary to kill disease-causing germs.

Our Coverage

If you are concerned about potential or suspected viral or bacterial contamination in your home or business, you need not be worried about any additional liability. As a professional damage restoration and cleaning company, part of a network of more than 1,800 franchises across the United States, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is fully insured against any hazards we may encounter in our work.

What We Clean and Disinfect

Cleaning removes the soil and dirt that harbors infectious agents, while disinfecting kills the remaining environmental pathogens. SERVPRO meets or exceeds the CDC’s guidelines to clean high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables.

Areas of the home or business we clean include:

Kitchen/food areas

tables and chairs
countertops
cabinets and pulls
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
mats
food contact surfaces
light switches
paper towel/napkin dispensers
push doors
salt and pepper shakers
sinks and sink hardware
soap dispensers
tabletops

Bathrooms

bathroom stalls
countertops
cabinets/vanities and pulls
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
handrails
light switches
paper towel/napkin dispenser
sinks and sink hardware
soap dispensers
toilets
diaper-changing station

Classrooms

book covers and binders
carpets
chairs
computer equipment
countertops
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
small hard-surface items
light switches
mats
paper towel/napkin dispensers
rugs
sinks and sink hardware
soap dispensers
tabletops/desktops

Offices

carpets
chairs
telephones
computer equipment
countertops
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
light switches
rugs
shared office equipment
tabletops/desktops
water fountains

Retail space

shelving and racking
displays
mannequins
packaged inventory
carpets
fitting room stalls
chairs
telephones
computer equipment and registers
sales counters
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
light switches
rugs
tables
water fountains

Hallways

carpets
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
handrails
light switches
rugs
water fountains

Other

fitness equipment
lamps
storage bins
shelves and racking
lockers
playground equipment
stair handrails
elevator cars

How We Clean Porous and Non-Porous Surfaces

Cleaning—using a detergent and water to physically remove germs, dirt and impurities from surfaces and objects—does not necessarily kill all germs on porous and non-porous surfaces, but by reducing their numbers, you can greatly reduce the risk of spreading infection.

Some materials cannot be cleaned with detergent and water without being damaged. For this reason, paper and paper products cannot be cleaned or disinfected.

Porous materials that are not water-sensitive, like carpet, area rugs, upholstered items and draperies, are wet-cleaned using a hot water extraction or preconditioner and rinse method. Cleaning methods typically used on water-sensitive materials, such as vacuuming or dry sponging, do not remove enough soil and residue to be effective.

We effectively wet-clean non-porous materials, like hard-surface floors, cabinets, countertops, doorknobs and plumbing fixtures, using a variety of SERVPRO hard-surface cleaners (general purpose) and cleaning methods.

How We Disinfect Non-Porous Surfaces

It is important to understand that not all porous surfaces can be disinfected, such as carpet, area rugs, upholstered items and draperies.

We use hospital-grade chemicals to kill germs and disinfect non-porous surfaces or objects, like hard-surface floors, cabinets, countertops, doorknobs and plumbing fixtures. SERVPRO follows CDC recommendations that advise using a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant.

We apply these disinfectants using a spray bottle, pump-up sprayer, electric sprayer or mister. Once thoroughly sprayed, we allow the disinfectant to remain on the surface for ten minutes, sufficient to kill germs.

We follow the CDC’s recommendations to use disinfecting wipes on electronic items that are touched often, such as phones and computers. If necessary, we use more than one wipe to keep the surface wet for the recommended length of contact time.

Safety is Our Priority

SERVPRO puts a premium on the health and safety of our people. Our workers are thoroughly trained and equipped to handle potentially contaminated areas and materials. While working, our employees wear personal protective equipment, including appropriate protective suit with integrated hood and boots, N-95 respirators, nitrile gloves and goggles.

We clean and disinfect our own tools and equipment as we work to avoid spreading any contamination in your home or place of business.

Once we have successfully cleaned your building, our crew bags, removes and disposes of all waste, including used gloves and disposable respirators, and bags and removes cleaning towels to the SERVPRO facility for laundering.

We’re Here for You in a Time of Crisis

In just about any disaster situation, the team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home or business. In this 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) any time.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Commercial Cleaning Services by the Pros at SERVPRO

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's commercial cleaning service ensures that your workplace is always tidy and safe for employees and customers.

The coronavirus crisis of 2020 has made Americans acutely aware that an important aspect of staying healthy includes cleaning and disinfecting our homes and businesses. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield offers specialized coronavirus cleaning services that can help ensure that your home or business is as safe as it can be. You can trust SERVPRO because we offer:

highly skilled and trained staff
hospital-grade cleaning and disinfecting products
top-line personal protective equipment, including N95 masks and hazmat suits
established and proven procedures

Coronavirus cleaning by SERVPRO gives your customers and employees the assurance that you’ve done all you can to keep them healthy. But SERVPRO can also keep your workplace clean and safe on a year-round basis, not just in an emergency.

Your Business Will Shine with our Year-Round Cleaning Services

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield’s commercial cleaning services bring our well-earned reputation for reliability and attention to detail to the job of keeping your office, restaurant, retail store or manufacturing facility clean, safe and always looking its best.

Among the workplaces, large and small, that we clean are:

office buildings
high- and low-rise residential buildings
retail stores, including big box stores
medical buildings, including hospitals and rehabilitation facilities
restaurants
hotels and motels
manufacturing and industrial facilities
government and military workplaces

Contracting with SERVPRO for commercial cleaning services guarantees:

a safer environment for your workers and customers
a consistently high level of cleanliness
quality work by skilled personnel using industry-best equipment, products and procedures

SERVPRO also provides specialized commercial cleaning services, such as biohazard/sewage, air duct/HVAC and odor removal. And of course, we are always available—24 hours a day—to respond to a sudden business emergency that requires expert cleanup and restoration.

You know you can rely on SERVPRO for disaster recovery services resulting from flood, fire and smoke, storm, mold, biohazard contamination and more. And on a day-to-day basis, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will also help you keep your workplace clean and safe for your employees and customers.

If your business is hit by a natural disaster, like a flood, wind storm or wildfire, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building and property after a natural disaster. 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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If your business is hit by a natural disaster, like a flood, wind storm or wildfire, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Fighting a Pandemic with Proactive Cleaning

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

A graphic illustration of the coronavirus

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield joins the fight against a worldwide pathogen by offering proactive cleaning and disinfecting of homes and businesses.

When the novel coronavirus, which causes Covid-19 disease, took root at a senior care center in Kirkland, Washington, among the workers who went in to clean and disinfect the facility—saving lives and helping to fight this new and deadly threat to us all—were SERVPRO professionals.

As the coronavirus circulates the globe, SERVPRO offers homeowners and business owners the extra reassurance that their homes and facilities are thoroughly clean and disinfected. In response to the coronavirus crisis, SERVPRO offers proactive cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection of commercial and residential properties with the goal of minimizing the transmission of emergent viral pathogens, including the coronavirus.

Do all you can to keep your family and friends, customers and employees safe from this new and uncertain threat: call on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield for proactive cleaning of your home or business.

About the Coronavirus and Covid-19

Declared a pandemic on March 11, 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO), the coronavirus outbreak has focused the attention of nations, individuals, businesses and organizations on ways to fight the spread of the virus and minimize the impact of the disease.

The coronavirus is believed to spread primarily through personal contact, between people who are within about six feet of one another, through airborne respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also be possible to catch the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

“Social distancing” has become the new watchword and the key to slowing the pandemic. In this rapidly changing situation, Americans are experiencing unprecedented canceling of events and widespread closings of schools, restaurants and workplaces. Along with avoiding large crowds and keeping a six-foot distance from others, the most common advice from experts is to wash hands frequently and avoid touching faces.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website for the latest and most accurate information on the coronavirus and Covid-19. Because this outbreak is unfolding rapidly and unpredictably, we at SERVPRO encourage you to check back with the CDC frequently for updates.

The Importance of Proactive Cleaning

According to the CDC, “Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.”

Today, when the need is most urgent, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is prepared—right now—to clean, sanitize and disinfect your home or business to eradicate traces of coronavirus or other pathogens.

Whether you have no indication of existing contamination, or you are aware that your structure may have been contaminated with coronavirus, SERVPRO’s crews stand ready to provide increased assurance that you, your family, your customers and your employees will not be exposed to coronavirus within your building.

Please be aware, however, that while SERVPRO’s cleaning process can remove existing viral pathogens, including the coronavirus, structures we clean proactively will not be protected from future coronavirus contamination if an infected person subsequently enters the building.

SERVPRO: Uniquely Ready to Provide Proactive Cleaning

Our People

Our Protective Gear

We have the right personal protective gear for the job. If there is no indication that your facility or home has been contaminated by coronavirus, our crew will wear a mid-grade protective suit, but if contamination is suspected or confirmed, all workers will wear a top-grade suit, which is thicker and features integrated boots and hoods. Our employees wear N-95 masks that are individually fit-tested to ensure complete coverage and protection.

Our Products

To fight the coronavirus, we use hospital-grade cleaning and disinfecting products that are safe to use and effective at killing germs. In the midst of a pandemic, these products are difficult, if not impossible, for other vendors to locate. But SERVPRO, with its foresight and purchasing network, is prepared with a substantial supply of coronavirus-fighting cleaners and disinfectants.

Our Methods

We use two different modes of cleaning to attack coronavirus contamination. First, we seal off your home or place of business and fog it using sprayers and misters. This allows our cleaning and disinfecting agents to penetrate deep into crevices that would otherwise remain untouched.

Our Coverage

If you are concerned about potential or suspected coronavirus contamination in your home or business, you need not be worried about any additional liability. As a professional damage restoration and cleaning company, part of a network of more than 1,800 franchises across the United States, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is fully insured against any hazards we may encounter in our work.

Who Seeks Proactive Cleaning?

Both homeowners and business owners hire SERVPRO for coronavirus proactive cleaning. Whether you want reassurance that your building is free from contamination or you are coping with a suspected contamination situation, rely on SERVPRO to restore your peace of mind, your health and your safety.

Especially when a family member has been diagnosed with Covid-19, our cleaning services for homeowners let you be confident that the other residents of the home will have a lower risk of exposure.

Many types of businesses can benefit from SERVPRO’s proactive cleaning, which targets the coronavirus and other 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

What We Clean and Disinfect

Areas of the home or business we clean include:

Kitchen/food areas

tables and chairs
countertops
cabinets and pulls
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
mats
food contact surfaces
light switches
paper towel/napkin dispensers
push doors
salt and pepper shakers
sinks and sink hardware
soap dispensers
tabletops

Bathrooms

bathroom stalls
countertops
cabinets/vanities and pulls
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
handrails
light switches
paper towel/napkin dispenser
sinks and sink hardware
soap dispensers
toilets
diaper-changing station

Classrooms

book covers and binders
carpets
chairs
computer equipment
countertops
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
small hard-surface items
light switches
mats
paper towel/napkin dispensers
rugs
sinks and sink hardware
soap dispensers
tabletops/desktops

Offices

carpets
chairs
telephones
computer equipment
countertops
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
light switches
rugs
shared office equipment
tabletops/desktops
water fountains

Retail space

shelving and racking
displays
mannequins
packaged inventory
carpets
fitting room stalls
chairs
telephones
computer equipment and registers
sales counters
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
light switches
rugs
tables
water fountains

Hallways

carpets
doorknobs
floors: hard surfaces/wood
handrails
light switches
rugs
water fountains

Other

fitness equipment
lamps
storage bins
shelves and racking
lockers
playground equipment
stair handrails
elevator cars

How We Clean Porous and Non-Porous Surfaces

Some materials cannot be cleaned with detergent and water without being damaged. For this reason, paper and paper products cannot be cleaned or disinfected.

How We Disinfect Non-Porous Surfaces

It is important to understand that not all porous surfaces can be disinfected, such as carpet, area rugs, upholstered items and draperies.

We use hospital-grade chemicals to kill germs and deep cleaning the non-porous surfaces or objects, like hard-surface floors, cabinets, countertops, doorknobs and plumbing fixtures. While no disinfectants have yet been tested specifically for the coronavirus, SERVPRO follows CDC recommendations that advise using a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against viruses similar to SARS (CoV-2).

Safety is Our Priority

We clean and disinfect our own tools and equipment as we work to avoid spreading any contamination in your home or place of business.

We’re Here for You in a Time of Crisis

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

5 Ways to Prepare for a Storm

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

You'll ride out the storm and a subsequent power outage more easily and safely if you are prepared with essential supplies.

A bad storm—wind, rain, snow or ice—can at worst endanger your life and at least make for some challenging hours and days, especially if you lose power. You and your family will weather the storm much more easily and safely if you prepare by having some key supplies on hand well before you need them.

1. Food & Water

Stock up with a two-week supply of food and water. Choose 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 other staples. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends storing at least one gallon of water per day per person. Keep your food and water in a cool, dry and ideally dark place. Periodically, check expiration dates and replace items as necessary. And if you have a pet, keep a two-week supply of that food on hand, too.

2. Lights & Electronics

If your power fails, you’ll want lighting and a way to power your phone or other electronic device. Before the storm, stash away several flashlights and a compact lantern that offers abundant light. Don’t forget to include an ample supply of batteries for the lantern and flashlights and portable radios, too. When a storm is predicted, be sure to fully charge your phone and devices—and if you have one or more power banks, charge them, too.

3. First Aid Kit

Be ready to handle minor injuries on your own, because emergency facilities and personnel may be in great demand during a major storm. Have a first-aid kit on hand that includes bandages, gauze, a cold compress, scissors, tweezers, a seven-day supply of necessary medications and more. Store these essentials in a portable carrying case so you can grab and go if you need to.

4. Documents & Records

After a storm disaster you may need ID to prove who you are. Gather and store (in a portable waterproof, fire-safe security chest) 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. Include important DVDs, portable disks and flash drives, too, if there’s room.

5. Cash & Gas

Make it a habit to keep some spare cash tucked away at home for a real emergency. (If you have the means, you’d be wise to build up a separate supply of easily-accessible funds that you can tap after a storm disaster to cover sudden expenses.) And when a storm is in the forecast, gas up your vehicles so that you can charge up your electronics and run errands—or evacuate if necessary.

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Is Your Fire Extinguisher Ready to Work?

2/21/2020 (Permalink)

A fire extinguisher—one that's maintained and one you know how to use—can make all the difference if a fire starts in your home.

Many homeowners wisely own one or more fire extinguishers, small metal canisters that propel a directed spray of flame-retardant chemicals. With an extinguisher at the ready, you can douse a small fire before it gets out of control, or contain a larger blaze long enough for firefighters to arrive. But the extinguisher needs to be the right type and must be maintained in order to do its job in an emergency fire damage to your home or business.

Note: Don’t use your fire extinguisher if you aren’t sure you have the proper type of extinguisher, if you don’t know how to use it or if you are in imminent danger from the fire.

What Type of Extinguisher Do You Have?

No fire extinguisher can be safely and effectively used for every type of fire. Generally, fire extinguishers are categorized based on the type of chemical agents they contain and the types of fires they combat. This information appears on the extinguisher’s label, along with instructions for use.

The types of fires are:

A class: ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper.
B class: combustible liquids, such as kerosene, gasoline, oil, and grease.
C class: electrical fires that involve circuit breakers, wires, outlets and other electrical devices and equipment.
D class: combustible metals, such as sodium, potassium, titanium and magnesium.
K class: vegetable oils and animal fats; these fires generally happen in kitchens.

These are few of the most common extinguisher types:

Dry chemical: suited for A-B-C or B-C class fires, these common types of extinguishers are found in schools, homes, hospitals, offices, garages, kitchens and laboratories.
Carbon dioxide: suited for B-C class fires, these extinguishers are often used in laboratories, computer rooms and other areas with sensitive equipment.
Water: most suited for A class fires; cannot be used in B-C-D class fires. These extinguishers are inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
Wet chemical: suited for A-K class fires, these devices are often employed in commercial kitchens and restaurants.

Check Your Extinguisher

At least once a year:

Make sure your extinguisher is in a conspicuous and readily accessible place.
Make sure the pressure dial reads in the green or “charged” area.
Check that the pull pin is securely fastened within the handle and held in place by the tamper seal.
Make sure the nozzle is unblocked.
Check for visible dents or cracks in the extinguisher body.
Review how to use the extinguisher with everyone in your house.

How Long Will a Fire Extinguisher Last?

Fire extinguishers eventually expire for a few different reasons.

Over time, the seal on the neck weakens and allows compressed gas to escape. Extinguishers that have lost much of their pressure will not operate. You can check the extinguisher’s pressure with a pressure gauge.
A-B-C class extinguishers can fail when the chemical in the canister base solidifies. You can delay this process by periodically shaking the extinguisher.

Unfortunately, you can’t trust an extinguisher’s expiration date and there is no surefire way to know if your extinguisher will still work. Because fires can be extremely destructive and fire extinguishers are relatively low-cost, go ahead and replace or recharge any extinguishers you aren’t sure of.

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

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100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
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Call 860.216.2785
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When you have suffered a fire or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Home Heating Fires Can Be Deadly—Prevent One in Your Home

2/21/2020 (Permalink)

A fire burns inside a wood-burning stove.

Home heating fires can be deadly! Stay comfortable and safe by following our home heating safety advice.

Each year across our country, there are more than 50,000 home fires caused by heating equipment, accounting for roughly 15% of all reported home fires. Worse, these heating fires cause $1 billion of annual property damage. Worst yet, almost 500 people die from home heating fires each year.

Clearly, a home heating fire can destroy your home and property, and put the lives of your family at grave risk. Stay safe by following our basic heating safety tips to help prevent heating fires while you and your family stay warm.

General Heating Safety

Keep flammable items at least three feet from space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators and candles. (By far, the most common cause of heating fires is combustible material being too close to the heat source.)
Never use your oven to heat your home.
Hire professionals to inspect, clean and maintain your fireplace, wood stove, chimney and furnace every year.

Space Heater Safety

Space heaters are the most common source of home heating fires. They cause 85% of deaths and almost 80% of injuries. Space heaters may be convenient, but please take extra caution when you use them!

Keep a three-foot clear area around the space heater at all times. Be vigilant about keeping children and pets away from the heater.
Turn the heater off when you leave the room, go to sleep or leave your home.
Buy a space heater that senses overheating or tipping and shuts off automatically.
Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet rather than an extension cord or power strip.
Never run the cord under a carpet.
Never operate the heater if the cord, plug or the heater itself is damaged.
Place the heater on a stable, level surface and not in a highly-trafficked area, such as a doorway.
If you have a fuel-burning space heater, always use the correct kind of fuel.

Fireplace Safety

Keep sparks from flying into the room by placing a sturdy metal screen or glass partition in front of your fireplace.
Keep a bucket of sand near the fireplace to smother a fire.
Put the fire out completely before you go to sleep or leave your home.
Let the ashes cool completely (for three or more hours), then shovel them into a metal container with a lid and cover the ashes with water. Bring the container outside and place it at least three feet away from your home or garage.

Wood Stove Safety

Place your stove on a level noncombustible, fire-resistant base.
Burn dry wood, not paper.
Never use flammable fluids to start the fire.
Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.

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

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration and fire damage cleanup, as well as natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage and mold remediation, water and mold damage, and chemical and biohazard cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) any time.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Make a Food Plan for the Next Winter Storm Outage

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

With a supply of non-perishable food on hand and some planning, you will be ready to safely outlast a winter storm power outage.

Snow or ice storms can knock out power quickly, and the outage can last for days or even a week or more. An urgent concern then will be how you will feed your family. You’ll weather the storm more easily and healthfully if you prepare by having a supply of water and nutritious food set aside.

Keep the Staples on Hand

It’s become a joke: those pre-storm shoppers emptying the grocery store of bread and milk. Avoid that last-minute trip by shopping for staples well before the storm hits. Throughout the year, pick up extra non-perishables, and periodically check for freshness, replacing older items as needed. Then, when a storm is in the forecast, check your stocks of food and plan what to eat first.

Healthy shelf-stable options include:

canned fish or meat
canned beans
canned vegetables
fruit (packed in fruit juice)
pouches of fully cooked whole grains
peanut butter
nuts
whole-wheat crackers
snack bars
breakfast cereal
shelf-stable milk or plant milk (sold in aseptic boxes)
bottled water

Will Your Refrigerated Foods Be Safe?

Keep your refrigerator closed and it will maintain a safe temperature—below 40° F—for about 4 hours, according to the Department of Agriculture . A full freezer will stay cold for 48 hours, and a half-full one for 24 hours. (Pro tip: fill your freezer and gain another 24 hours by filling containers with water and freezing them.)

Some foods often stored in the refrigerator will keep for days at room temperature: bread, butter, fresh fruit and vegetables, jelly and hard cheeses (such as cheddar).

Putting it All Together

Sandwiches will be a go-to during your power outage. For fresh salads, combine canned fish or meats, pouches of precooked grains, vegetables, beans and/or fruits.

Do your best to keep meals balanced and healthy, and make sure everyone is drinking enough fluids. Another pro tip: Include fresh or dried fruits and fresh or canned vegetables in sufficient quantities so that all family members get enough fiber.

If you have school-age children, a power outage can be a great opportunity for them to take over the planning and preparation of meals. Give them guidelines (fruit/vegetable + grain + protein, for example) and let them make the choices.

Who knows: with preparation, that power outage you dreaded could even be the source of some important family memories.

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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, and storm recovery services.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Prepare for a Winter Storm Power Outage

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

A man clears a sidewalk with a snowblower

A little time spent planning and preparing will help you be comfortable and safe if you lose power during a winter storm.

A severe snow or ice storm can be a life-altering event—especially if you lose power to your home for several days or even longer. You can’t stop Old Man Winter, but you can prepare for a power outage by laying in supplies and planning ahead.

Beyond the important tips listed in this article, it’s a good idea to have a fully-fueled vehicle and extra cash on hand when a storm is imminent.

Food and Water

You may need to feed your family for several days or more. Stay energized and healthy with some preparation.

Water for three days or more (one gallon per person, per day)
Food for three days or more (fresh fruits and vegetables, high-energy non-perishable foods)
Baby formula and food (if needed)
Pet food (if needed)

Heating and Lighting

Plan ahead to avoid the darkness and cold while you wait for your power to return.

Flashlights, lanterns, head lamps and extra batteries
If you have a generator: 24-hour or more supply of gasoline (run the generator outside only)
Wood fireplaces or wood- burning stoves, coal for coal-burning stoves
Extra blankets
Candles
Fire extinguisher

Electronics

Stretch out the life of your electronics by charging up before a potential outage.

Fully charged cell phones, tablets, etc.
Fully charged power bank
Phone chargers to use in your car
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
Extra batteries

Medical and Personal Hygiene

Having a family medical kit and extra prescription meds on hand can make a big difference in a protracted outage.

Necessary medications (at least a seven-day supply)
First aid kit
Other necessary medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, etc.)
Sanitation and personal hygiene items
Baby diapers and wipes, if needed

Important Information

Take a few minutes ahead of time to locate and set aside essential papers in a safe place.

Family and emergency contact information
Copies of personal documents, such as passports and Social Security cards
Medical information and medical insurance card
Phone numbers of your insurance company and agent

Tools for Snow and Ice Removal

While you’re waiting for the power to return, you’ll also need to dig out of the storm.

Shovels, ice choppers, roof rake and other tools
Sand, rock salt or non-clumping kitty litter for icy walkways and steps
Fully fueled snow blower

Source: The Hanover Insurance Group

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in storm damage restoration, water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, commercial services and storm cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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.

Ways to Avoid Winter Water Damage to Your Home

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Space Heater Safety Basics

2/7/2020 (Permalink)

Flames shoot from a space heater in a bedroom

Follow our basic safety guidelines to prevent a space heater fire that could destroy your home.

Electric space heaters are handy for taking the chill out of a room and keeping you and your loved ones comfortable in your home. Unfortunately, they also cause about one in three winter house fires and four out of five winter heating fire deaths. Why? Space heaters can easily overload home electrical circuits, they have components that can become very hot and some models are prone to tipping over.

As with many consumer products, today’s space heaters are safer and more efficient than older models. Particularly in the last decade, renters and homeowners benefit from better technology and more built-in safety features, like a tip-over shutoff switch.

When Purchasing a Space Heater

Always buy a new space heater, never a used one. When you are researching and making a purchasing decision on a space heater, always look for these features:

A safety certification label from an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), ETL/Intertek or CSA International.
Automatic shutoff features, like a sensor that shuts off when it detects that the heater has overheated or tipped over.
A sturdy electrical cord that’s at least 6 feet long.
A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) plug to prevent electric shock is a plus, but if you buy a model that doesn’t have one, don’t use the heater near water.

When Using a Space Heater

When using your electric space heater, follow these guidelines:

Plug your heater directly into an outlet, never an extension cord or power strip, which can overheat and start a fire.
Keep people, furnishings and objects at least three feet away from the space heater.
Be especially vigilant in keeping children and pets away from the space heater.
Never use a space heater for cooking, drying clothing or warming linens.
Don’t store clothing on or around the heater, and keep it away from curtains and bedding.
Don’t use the space heater in high traffic areas, such as doorways—it could become a tripping hazard.
Keep the heater away from sources of water, such as the kitchen or bathroom.
Never leave the heater running all night or when you are sleeping.
Turn off the space heater when you leave the room.
Unplug the heater when you’re not using it.

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

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services and cleanup, as well as natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage and mold remediation, water and mold damage, and chemical and biohazard cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) any time.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Do You Have a Burst Pipe in Your Home?

1/29/2020 (Permalink)

You don't always know right away that you have a burst pipe. These are the signs that you may have a damaging leak in your home.

Many burst pipes in the winter are due to freezing, but pipes can leak from other causes, too, such as poor installation or aging. Just a trickle of water from a small hole can, over time, destroy drywall, ruin flooring and cause other damage that costs you hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair.

Stop the leak before it becomes a big, expensive problem by paying attention to these signs of a burst or leaking pipe.

Less Water Pressure

A sudden unexplained drop in pressure when you wash your hands, fill your sink or take a shower—or more clogs in your toilet or sinks—may mean you have a leak. If no water comes out of a faucet at all, you may have a frozen pipe.

Water Marks

A leaking pipe behind one of your walls can leave dampness on the drywall. Pipes that serve upstairs bathrooms or laundry rooms can leak down into the ceiling, leaving clear marks. These spots may tell you exactly where the leak is.

Standing Water

If a leak is big enough or goes on for some time, you may notice puddles, drips or gushing water coming out of the area. Follow the source of the water to determine where the leak is in the pipe. Outside, a break in the water main can cause a sinkhole or puddles in your yard near the source of the leak.

Water Discoloration and Odors

Brownish water may indicate your pipes have rust in them, which can create or result in leaks. Pay attention to a sudden water odor, too—a leak in your plumbing system can prevent sewage from being pushed out of your home, causing a stink.

Odd Sounds

If you notice bubbling and whistling sounds when you turn on a faucet, you might have or may be developing a leak. If you hear a dripping sound within your walls when you run the water, a leak may already have started.

Higher Water Bills

If your water usage hasn't changed, a sudden high bill could indicate a leak. If you notice your water meter seems to be running constantly even when you're not using water, suspect a leak, as well.

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

We're Here For You

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Burst Pipe in Your Home? How To Seek the Leak

1/29/2020 (Permalink)

Water stains on a wall or ceiling may show you exactly where a leak is, but it's not always that easy. Follow our steps to seek the leak.

Often, if you experience a burst water pipe, you’ll know it almost immediately. There may be a puddle or drip, or water stains on the drywall or ceiling. If the pipe freezes before it bursts, you may not have any water flowing through the pipe at all. If the damage happens on an exposed pipe in your basement or elsewhere, you can often spot the hole in addition to the leaking water. But other leaks are hidden behind walls and are not so obvious.

Signs of a Burst Pipe

These are the clues of a burst or leaking pipe in your home:

Sudden drop in water pressure
Water marks on ceilings or walls
Puddles of water
Discolored or smelly water
Unusual sounds when running water
Sudden jump in water bills

Seek the Leak

If you suspect a leak, you’ll need to do some sleuthing. This step-by-step procedure will help you locate the source of your mysterious leak.

Turn off all appliances that use water, and don't use any faucets, toilets or other sources of water during the test. Look at the water meter. After 30 minutes, check it again to see if it moved at all during that time. If it did, you have a leak.

To determine if the leak is inside or outside, shut off the main water valve coming into the home. Watch your water meter; if it stops moving, your leak is likely inside the house. If the meter continues moving, the source is likely a water main leak outside the home.

Once you know you have a leak, look for the visible signs of leaks to figure out where the problem lies. Start with obvious places like toilets, sinks and showers. If you can't find the leak yourself, call a plumber to help you find and fix the problem.

After You Find the Leak

Cleanup from even minor water damage in your home or business should be done by experienced professionals like SERVPRO® of Bloomfield / Enfield to remove all the water, ensure that your structure is sound and reduce the risk of developing a stubborn mold problem.

We're Here For You

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 Bloomfield / Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Most Chimney Fires Are Preventable

1/22/2020 (Permalink)

Follow our tips step-by-step to prevent a destructive chimney fire from happening in your home.

Chimney fires strike more than 25,000 times each year in the U.S., and they cause more than $125 million in property damage. The most common cause of chimney fires is not having your chimney regularly cleaned and inspected. With chimneys, an ounce of prevention is truly worth a pound of cure! Protect your home and your family by keeping your chimney clean and in good working condition, always looking out for signs of trouble. This article tells you what a chimney fire is, how it starts and how to stop one from occurring in your home.

Two Types of Chimney Fires

Chimney fires come in two varieties—fast and loud or slow and quiet—but they’re both extremely destructive and can cause your home to go up in flames.

If you suddenly hear cracks and pops as loud as gunshots, followed by a deep, rumbling sound, you’ll know you have a chimney fire. Black, flaming creosote will fall into the firebox, and then, like an explosion, flames will shoot from the top of the chimney and back down into the firebox, pushing smoke into your living space. Finally, the flue may crack and flames can shoot into your walls.

?Slow-burning chimney fires never get enough air or fuel to burst into plain sight, but they can still cause similar damage to the chimney and nearby combustible parts of your home as their louder siblings do. With a slow fire, though, you may not even know a fire occurred until your next chimney inspection.

Either way, you can’t control a chimney fire by yourself, so call 911 ASAP! Because firefighters have to fight the flames from the top of the chimney, water will flood into your house, causing water damage on top of the fire damage. You’ll need to hire a professional disaster recovery company, like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, to completely restore both the fire and water damage to your home.

If You Have a Chimney Fire, Act Fast

If you discover a chimney fire, immediately:

get everyone out of the house, including yourself
call 911

Take these additional steps to help save your home only if you can do so safely:

Place a chimney fire extinguisher or fire suppressant into the fireplace or wood stove to consume oxygen and starve the fire
Pour sand or baking soda onto the fire in the firebox (keep a bucket of sand nearby for this purpose)
Close the glass doors on a fireplace or the air inlets on a wood stove

While you wait for the fire department outside, try to keep the fire from spreading by hosing down your roof (not the chimney).

Once the chimney fire is completely extinguished, call a fire damage restoration expert like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, who will remove damaged material, treat your possessions for smoke and soot contamination and restore your structure and property to pre-fire condition.

What Causes a Chimney Fire?

Fireplace and wood stove chimneys expel the substances produced when wood burns, including smoke, gases, water vapor and unburned wood particles. These by-products of combustion exit the fireplace or wood stove at high temperatures and flow up into the relatively cooler chimney, where they condense onto the chimney walls as a black or brown residue called creosote. Whatever form it takes—crusty and flaky, or sticky and drippy, or shiny and hardened—creosote is extremely combustible. When your chimney’s flue temperature gets high enough, built-up creosote can start a chimney fire, which burns at up to 2,000°F.

The longer the smoke stays in the flue, the more creosote will form. Creosote is more likely to build up in your chimney if your fireplace or stove:

is burning unseasoned wood
isn’t pulling in enough air
has cooler than normal chimney temperatures

Therefore, the key to preventing a chimney fire is to burn the right kind of fuel, set your wood-burning stove or fireplace up correctly to burn a fast, clean fire—and have your chimney and fireplace or stove cleaned and inspected regularly.

Prevent a Chimney Fire: Clean and Inspect

Every time you use your wood stove or fireplace, more oily, black, sticky creosote condenses onto the inside of your chimney. There it waits, growing thicker and putting your home and family at risk of a fire, until it is removed.

The best way to ensure that you never have a chimney fire is by cleaning and inspecting it regularly. Hire a certified chimney sweep each year before fire burning season starts, in late summer or fall. (If you haven’t done it yet this season, call today before you light another fire!)

The chimney sweep will remove both creosote and any debris carried into your chimney by animals or wind. In addition, he or she will inspect your chimney to look for:

creosote that’s puffy or looks like honeycomb
metal in the damper, smoke chamber or chimney that’s been warped by heat
cracked, damaged or collapsed flue tiles
discolored and/or distorted chimney cap
creosote flakes and pieces on the roof or near the house
roofing material damaged by hot creosote
cracks in exterior masonry
soot deposits around mortar joints of masonry or tile liners

In addition to scheduling an annual chimney cleaning, you should make it a habit to regularly check the condition of your chimney and fireplace. Schedule another cleaning when you notice creosote that:

falls into the firebox during a fire
resembles a honeycomb on the inside of the chimney
is more than 1/4-inch thick

Schedule more frequent cleanings if you burn fires more than a couple of times a week, use lots of artificial logs or burn green or unseasoned firewood.

Prevent a Chimney Fire: Look for Signs of Trouble

Check for these indications that your chimney has been damaged. If you spot any of them, don’t light another fire until you have your fireplace and chimney inspected.

Buckled masonry: Look for cracking or settling inside the firebox or on the fireplace’s surround or hearth, because just a tiny opening will allow sparks and high heat to reach the flammable parts of your home.
Soot in your firebox: Crumbly black soot falling into your firebox is a sign that creosote is building up. Call for a chimney cleaning.
Debris in your firebox: If you notice what looks like broken tiles or pot shards in your firebox, be very concerned. Especially in older homes with terra-cotta chimney liners, these pieces are a sign that the liner has already been damaged by a chimney fire. Don’t use your fireplace until it’s been inspected by a certified chimney sweep.
More smell of smoke: If you smell more smoke than usual when you use your fireplace—or smell it outside the room where the fireplace is—extinguish the fire and call 911. Your local fire department will use heat-sensing guns or thermal imaging to check for danger and damage to your chimney.
Changes in your walls: If heat has been escaping from cracked masonry, a damaged liner or an improperly installed prefab metal firebox, your home’s wood framing can dry, char and may ignite at a much lower temperature. If you notice pictures falling off the wall or areas of bubbling or peeling paint, call for a chimney inspection.

Prevent a Chimney Fire: Follow Best Burning Practices

Prepare your chimney and fireplace or stove so that it burns efficiently and safely, every time.

Install a chimney cap on the crown of the flue to keep debris and critters out of your chimney. A cap will also prevent acidic rainwater from entering and corroding the chimney.
Insulate your chimney’s flue liner (the layer between the flue and chimney walls) to prevent flue temperatures from getting too cool. Wrap a heat-resistant insulation blanket around the liner or pour an insulation mix (such as vermiculite) into the space between the liner and flue.

When you start a fire, you want it to burn hot, fast and clean to create far less smoke, vapor and unburned wood particles, allowing little to no creosote to form in the chimney. This starts with using the right fuel.

Always burn seasoned hardwood that has dried for at least six months and has a moisture content of 20 percent or less (you can test this with a wood moisture meter). When you burn green or unseasoned wood, energy is used initially just to evaporate the water trapped in the wood cells. This, in turn, keeps the resulting smoke cooler and more likely to condense in the chimney and form creosote.
Use dried twigs or branches for kindling and torn or crumpled newspaper or pine cones for tinder. Avoid cardboard or glossy magazine pages that contain chemicals that can emit toxins when burned.
Use the best fire starters for fuel, kindling and tinder, such as well-seasoned hardwood or CSIA-approved logs. Never use gasoline and kerosene to start a fire—these flammable liquids can quickly create a conflagration. And burn coal only in a coal-burning wood stove, because it can significantly raise the temperature in the flue, increasing the risk of a chimney fire.

Once you have selected the right fuel to burn cleanly, you need to build a fire that will burn hot and fast.

Build a clean fire by using the top-down burn method, in which the largest logs are at the bottom of the fire and the smallest pieces at the top, which allows the air to mix well with the fuel. Start by placing the largest pieces of wood in the bottom of the fireplace or wood stove, with the ends at the front and back. Next, stack four to five increasingly smaller levels of wood on top of the first level, placing each layer perpendicular to the one below. Once the stack is about half the height of the firebox, add kindling (the smallest pieces of wood) in smaller and smaller pieces, then top off with wood shavings or crumpled newspaper. Light the material on the top and the fire will gradually burn its way down to the largest logs.
Keep the damper open to allow enough air to quickly move heated smoke up the chimney. When using a wood stove, don’t close the stove damper or air inlets too much or too soon.
Don’t overload the firebox of a wood stove in an attempt to get a longer burn time—that’ll produce more smoke and creosote.

Lastly, extinguish your fire safely and thoroughly before retiring for the night or leaving your home.

Spread out the wood and embers, then shovel ash from the bottom of the fireplace to cover them.
Next, completely cover the cooled wood and embers with baking soda to extinguish any remaining embers.
After the firebox cools (for a minimum of three hours, but preferably eight), shovel the ashes into a metal container.
Fill the metal container with water and store it outside your home and away from other flammable materials until you’re ready to discard them.

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

We're Here for You

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from fire, water, mold, sewage, storm, natural disaster and other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

We Focus on Safety

12/20/2019 (Permalink)

These latest safety initiatives at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield help keep our workers ready to respond to your disaster.

Here at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we place a premium on the safety of our workers. Earlier this year, we hired a new safety coordinator, Rhonda, who came to us with more than twenty years of experience in construction and warehouse management.

Rhonda says she “likes to learn new things and do different things”—and she’s certainly accomplishing that at SERVPRO! Here are just some of the initiatives she and SERVPRO have been working on in recent months.

Enhanced Training

Training programs and training videos are now available in both English and Spanish. We’ve reinforced our employees’ safety awareness by implemented new training in:

How to wear a respirator mask. Workers learn to test if the mask is the right size, fits correctly to the face, is tightly sealed and allows adequate breathing.
Safe processing and disposal of blood-borne pathogens.
Correct use of fire extinguishers and generators.
Using a third plug adapter to prevent fires. Each piece of equipment and all trucks are equipped with a third plug adapter, so that our grounded equipment can be used safely even in older homes that lack the third grounding prong.
Cleaning service products. All our chemical products are documented in a binder that explains appropriate uses, how to use and what protective equipment is required. This not only keeps our workers up to date on products, it allows them to share this information on the spot with our customers.
Proper operation of forklifts.
How to properly lift heavy loads and how to use shoulder dolly straps.

Consistent Procedures

Once a month, the safety coordinator meets with crew chiefs to determine what additional safety measures are needed. Among the new procedures making every day at SERVPRO even safer are:

Every truck that leaves the SERVPRO lot is fully equipped and inspected. Each crew and crew chief are provided with duffel bags containing hard hats, goggles, safety vest, shoulder dolly straps for heavy loads and the chemical information binder. Trucks are inspected each day and are consistently assigned to a specific crew to increase safe and responsible operation. Each truck is equipped with a first aid kit, an eyewash station and a fire extinguisher.
Each crew is provided with a blood-borne pathogen duffel bag containing hazmat suits, thick gloves, tweezers, needle containers and sealable bags for safe waste disposal. We have contracted with a respected vendor to locate metal storage containers in our parking lot, in which bagged blood-borne waste is stored and picked up for final disposal.
Fire extinguishers are inspected and dated each month to assure they are in peak condition.
Forklifts are inspected each day.

These new initiatives build on our already substantial safety program to make sure our crews are safe, healthy and ready to respond to your disaster!

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

Help Is Here

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

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

We Have the Capacity for Your Disaster

12/10/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO trucks are lined up in a parking lot

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has the resources and capacity to respond to the biggest, most urgent disaster.

By its very nature, a disaster—whether from a fire, storm, wind, leak or flood—is unpredictable. In some disasters, the damage is contained, but others require an all-hands-on-deck approach. Other local disaster restoration services may say they can handle it all, but SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield truly can—thanks to our resources and capacity.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is one of four SERVPRO franchises in central Connecticut owned and operated by Noemi Garcia—the others are SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield and SERVPRO of West Hartford. This makes a couple of crucial differences to our clients.

First, Noemi is a driven, hands-on manager who ranks among the top owner/operators of the 1,800+ SERVPRO franchises in America. In fact, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is rated among the top 25! Our owner place a daily focus on providing excellent work and improving every customer’s experience.

Second, each of the four franchises can immediately call on the resources of three other local SERVPRO franchises, coordinating quickly and effectively to respond to the most urgent disasters. We can get to you faster, and we allocate staff and equipment as needed to tackle the really big jobs. Among the four locations, we have access to thousands of different pieces of equipment and scores of trucks and other vehicles—not to mention our highly skilled team members.

We saw this in action during the first cold snap of 2019. We handled so many emergency calls for cracked and burst frozen pipes that we had 1,000 air handlers drying out customers’ homes and businesses in Connecticut and Massachusetts—at one time!

With the resources of four top-rated SERVPRO franchises at our disposal, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is ready for just about any fire, storm, smoke, mold or water disaster!

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

Help Is Here

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

SERVPRO Handles Large-Scale Disasters, Too

11/21/2019 (Permalink)

Our expertise in responding to large-scale disasters means we can handle your water, fire, storm, mold, sewage or other disaster in your home.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is part of a network of more than 1,800 franchises that can combine resources to respond to storm disaster—like a tornado, hurricane, blizzard or flood—no matter how large. In fact, SERVPRO strategically positions elite prequalified large-loss specialists throughout the United States to handle any disaster, whenever and wherever it happens.

Our crews have handled all sorts of major natural disasters like Hurricane Harvey in 2017, when we had more than 7,000 professional restoration experts working in the Houston area alone.

Catastrophic Event Response

A SERVPRO operations manager supervises every large-loss project for seamless communication, expert coordination of resources and—most important to those whose lives have been disrupted by a large disaster—timely damage mitigation. At SERVPRO, the difference is our ability to:

dispatch trained production professionals through our network of strategically placed teams
coordinate with local SERVPRO franchises
muster and oversee the temporary labor force needed to get the job done

Recent mobilizations of SERVPRO’s large-loss disaster recovery teams include:

2018: California wildfires, including Camp, Woolsey and Hill fires
2017: Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
2017: California wildfires
2016: Hurricane Matthew
2015: Carolina floods
2014: Polar vortex
2012: Sandy
2010: Nashville floods

Like all SERVPRO teams, our large-loss disaster recovery teams are available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. We are prepared for any size disaster, whether it’s a burst pipe in your basement, a fire in your kitchen—or a major hurricane!

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

Help Is Here

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

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Ways to Avoid Winter Water Damage to Your Home

11/21/2019 (Permalink)

Prevent costly damage to your home in winter with some pre-season maintenance and cold-snap tasks.

Burst pipes, storms, rooftop ice dams and other cold-weather hazards can unleash winter water damage at your house. Prepare your home to withstand the challenges of a New England winter and remain water-tight.

Prepare for Winter Storms

Do these tasks before winter hits and you’ll have a better chance of preventing storm-related damage to your home.

Clean out the gutters.
Disconnect and drain all outside hoses. Shut off the inside valves that supply water to outdoor faucets and hookups if you can. Open outdoor faucets to allow residual water to drain, and keep them open during the cold weather months.
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 overhang your (and your neighbor's) house.

Prevent Burst Pipes

A frozen pipe that bursts can cause an immense amount of damage in a short time, unleashing up to 250 gallons of water in 24 hours. These tips can help prevent a big leak from a pipe that bursts (and you may even save on your heating costs, too).

Insulate walls and attics, and caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
Wrap water pipes in your basement or crawl spaces with foam insulation sleeves.
Keep your home’s temperature set to at least 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.

During a deep freeze, keep your pipes from freezing by:

Opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate around pipes.
Keeping a slight trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through unheated or unprotected spaces.
Draining the water system if your house will be unattended during cold periods.

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 leaves and debris from your gutters and downspouts.

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

We're Here For You

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 Bloomfield / Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Winterize Your Plumbing Now

11/11/2019 (Permalink)

Take simple steps to winterize your home's plumbing, and you could save yourself many thousands of dollars worth of water damage.

Whether you stay home or travel south for the winter, one thing you must do to prevent costly water damage repair in your home is to prepare your pipes for the winter. When water in a pipe freezes, it expands, which can burst that pipe open. You could suffer tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home and belongings in mere hours. Avoid that kind of trouble by winterizing your pipes.

If You’re Staying Home

Even if you will be in your home all winter, using your plumbing as usual, certain pipes and fixtures can still freeze in cold weather. When the temperature drops, take these steps to prevent a flood in your home.

Locate all the plumbing that runs along the inside of your exterior walls. Protect these pipes from the cold by insulating them with foam-like wrap and using duct or electrical tape to keep it in place. Then, wrap your pipes that run through unheated spaces, like attics, crawlspaces and basements.
Shut off your hose bibs (the outside faucets where you connect your hoses) by locating the inside shut-off valves for these fixtures (commonly found under the kitchen sink) and turn them off. Then, go outside and disconnect the hoses if they are in place. Now, turn on the hose bibs to allow any water inside the pipe to drain. Turn off the outside shut-off valves, too. (No water will flow to the hose bib while the shut-offs are engaged, so write yourself a note to open them back up in the spring.)

If You’re Going to Be Away

If you travel for any length of time during the winter, or you own a property that you don’t live in full-time, winterizing is a must. Unattended plumbing systems are much, much more likely to fall prey to winter weather.

Begin by turning off your main water valve. The valve may be in the basement or near the crawl space, when either is present. You may also find main valves in the same room with the water heater.
Go outside and turn on your hose bib (the outside faucet) to allow water to drain out of all the pipes. If you have a basement, turn on any faucets there to drain the water.
In winter, ordinary water may freeze in your fixture’s traps and rupture your pipes. Buy a large bottle of windshield wiper fluid, which won’t freeze, and pour about 2 cups of this fluid into each drain, including sinks, showers and bathtubs. The liquid will drain down to the trap and stay there. Finally, pour about 4 cups of the fluid into each toilet (but don’t flush).

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

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has the people, skills and equipment to help homeowners recover from flooding damage and eradicate mold. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785 any time.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

How SERVPRO Cares for Your Possessions

10/25/2019 (Permalink)

A rug and its identifying tag lie on a concrete floor

To ensure that all your possessions are tracked every moment they are in our care, SERVPRO tags and QR-codes every item.

If you’ve experienced disrupting damage from a fire, smoke, water, sewage or storm disaster, nothing is more important than restoring your home and possessions “Like it never even happened.”

That’s why SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield upgraded its inventory system earlier this year to ensure that your furniture and personal possessions are securely tracked while we clean and store them and repair your home. The heart of our process is a computer-based tracking system that shows at a glance exactly where your items are and what work has been performed.

Caring for 100% of Your Items

SERVPRO will take care of 100% of the items in your home, either cleaning or storing them. The process starts at your home, where our project manager determines what work needs to be done to restore each item. Everything is individually labeled with your name, QR-coded and photographed. Next, the objects are securely wrapped: furniture in blankets then plastic wrap, glass in bubble wrap then plastic wrap, etc. Smaller personal items are boxed, photographed and then packed and labeled.

You witness the entire process and at the end, sign off on a form that lists all the items with the before-wrap photos. (This list also provides essential information for your insurance claim.)

Once wrapped, your possessions are loaded into storage containers or vaults; the container, too, is labeled and QR-coded. With a scan, SERVPRO staff can immediately tell where an item is in its facility, and if the item needs cleaning, is being or has been cleaned (and when) or is waiting in a secure storage container. Certain items, like smoke-damaged clothing, or unique possessions, like pianos or pool tables, are entrusted to specialty cleaners that SERVPRO contracts with.

An Unbroken Chain of Custody

At our facility in Bloomfield Connecticut (built in 2015 and one of the largest SERVPRO warehouses in the U.S.), we have multiple rooms dedicated to storage. When a homeowner needs to retrieve items early—documents required for insurance claims or the contents of a room that’s ready to be set up, for example—we quickly locate the items in our system and determine exactly where they are stored.

The entire time your possessions are in our care, we ensure an unbroken chain of custody. Finally, 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.

When your home and possessions have been damaged by a wind, water or fire event, and you just want your daily life to return to the way it was, rely on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to care for your possessions professionally, securely and respectfully!

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

Help Is Here

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Survive & Thrive: Prepare Your Small Business for a Natural Disaster (Part 1)

9/24/2019 (Permalink)

Having an emergency response plan in place before a natural disaster hits can help your business survive the damage & thrive afterward.

You have worked hard to build and maintain your business. But it could all be jeopardized if a natural disaster—flood, hurricane, fire, blizzard—damages your property, puts your employees at risk and knocks your company out of action for days or weeks.

You can’t stop the disaster from heading your way, but you can do specific preparation that will help your business carry on. Start your emergency response planning by evaluating the potential for damage.

1. What Are the Risks?

Which natural disasters are most likely to hit your area: tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, floods? Which risk is the greatest? Identify the most imminent weather threat and start planning for that, then work your way down the list.

2. What Do the Experts Say?

Do your research by visiting reputable sources such as Ready.gov, FEMA and the American Red Cross. The Red Cross’s Ready Rating program offers free online disaster preparedness planning, and some of their chapters also provide free CPR and first-aid training for small businesses.

3. How Might Your Business Be Impacted?

Begin your planning with a business impact analysis (BIA). The BIA will help you create and refine plans for emergency response, crisis communications and business continuity. Explore the potential effect a disaster could have on your business, including lost or delayed sales and income or increased expenses from repairs. You’ll want to take into account your existing customer communication, inventory management and record-keeping practices.

Next: Developing the Disaster Recovery Plan

Now that you have finished this research and analysis process, you are ready to dig in and develop a thorough set of plans to put into place if a natural disaster hits your business. Your plans will cover these areas:

Emergency response
Communications
Data management
Business continuity

Read Part 2 of this series for tips on creating and implementing these essential plans in the event of a fire, flood or storm disaster.

If your business is hit by a natural disaster, like a flood, wind storm or wildfire, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building and property after a natural disaster. 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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If your business is hit by a natural disaster, like a flood, wind storm or wildfire, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Survive & Thrive: Prepare Your Small Business for a Natural Disaster (Part 2)

9/24/2019 (Permalink)

Having an emergency response plan in place for your business gives you a head start on surviving a natural disaster and recovering afterward.

Natural disasters, like storms, floods or wildfires, happen fast and they can be fierce! If you’re not prepared, they can cripple your business.

If you follow steps 1–3 in Part 1 of this series, you’ll be ready to create a series of plans to follow when disaster strikes. Answering these questions will help you and your employees survive the disaster, communicate to your customers, retain your data and minimize costly downtime.

4. How Will You Respond to the Disaster?

If a natural disaster strikes, you’ll need to put your emergency response plan into action fast. Decide how you will protect employees and customers, what you will take with you if evacuating, where you will meet up and how you will manage business operations and communicate during and after the disaster. Once you have a plan developed, practice it.

Before a disaster strikes is a good time to select an experienced disaster remediation company like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to quickly and thoroughly repair damage to your building and property.

5. How Will You Communicate After a Disaster?

The crisis communications plan details how you will keep in contact with employees and customers. Determine who will be the spokesperson for employees and customers (which may be different persons). You may want to draft key boilerplate messages ahead of time.

6. What About Your Data?

If your office or store is destroyed, what would happen to your business’s financial and other essential data, such as customer records? It’s wise to back up your data regularly, both internally on a physical drive and externally in the cloud.

You also may want to consider adding data compromise coverage to your business insurance policy. This can help you with the financial or legal burden if information is lost, stolen or accidentally released.

7. How Will Your Business Move on from a Disaster?

How will? A continuity plan describes how your business will continue to operate after a natural disaster, including recovering lost data, communicating with customers and suppliers and fulfilling orders and service contracts.

Business property insurance may help protect your company from substantial losses in the event of a covered claim, and business interruption coverage may help reimburse you if you’re temporarily unable to do business after a covered loss.

If your business is hit by a natural disaster, like a flood, wind storm or wildfire, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building and property after a natural disaster. 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.

Natural Disaster Statistics and Facts

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If your business is hit by a natural disaster, like a flood, wind storm or wildfire, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Sump Pumps: Your Last Line of Defense Against Basement Water Damage

9/17/2019 (Permalink)

Sump pump with a green check mark in front of a shield.

Having a sump pump in good working order is an important way to prevent basement flooding and the resulting costly damage.

If you’ve ever had a flooded basement after a storm or burst pipe or washing machine leak, you know how devastating the damage can be. Even a few inches of flood water can ruin your household items, cause rust and rot in your basement and cripple your essential mechanical systems, including your hot water heater and furnace/boiler. By collecting and removing water to a home’s exterior, a sump pump can prevent some serious and costly damage.

Any home that regularly experiences even a little water penetration into the basement or crawlspace should be equipped with a sump pump—but all homeowners should consider installing one to help prevent sudden water damage from a flood or storm.

How a Sump Pump Helps Prevent Basement Flooding

A sump pump is an electric pump that sits in a hole, called the sump pit. The pit is located at the lowest corner of the basement or crawlspace so that when flooding occurs, water drains directly into the pit. When water in the pit reaches a predetermined level, the pump automatically kicks on and pumps the water outside the house through a PVC pipe.

Most basement water problems stem from exterior drainage problems. As you consider installing a sump pump, evaluate (in the rain, if you must) the drainage around your home. Are gutters clogged? Do downspout extensions move roof runoff at least 4 feet beyond the foundation? Does the soil within 3 feet of the foundation slope away from the house?

Even if these conditions have been met, water may still find its way into your basement. Perhaps a utility trench invisibly channels runoff back to the house or you have a seasonally high ground water table. These situations call for a sump pump.

And just because you’ve never had water in your basement, don’t think it can’t happen! Even if you don’t have a chronic water problem in your basement, a powerful storm, such as a hurricane, or a long-lasting or heavy rain storm can inundate your home. The driest basement can, under the wrong circumstances, become a flooded mess.

Installing a sump pump, even in the absence of an ongoing basement water problem, is still a wise and relatively low-cost investment.

How to Choose a Sump Pump

Consider these factors when selecting a pump:

There are generally two types of sump pump: pedestal and submersible. Choose a submersible pump over a pedestal pump if your sump basin has the space. Submersible pumps allow the sump pit to be covered with a lid, reducing pump noise and keeping debris out of the pit.
Choose a pump with at least 1/3 horsepower, which is sufficient for most homes.
Buy a pump with a cast iron core, not a plastic one. Cast iron helps to dissipate heat to the surrounding water, lengthening the life of the pump.
To minimize clogging, the pump should have a no-screen intake design and an impellor that can handle solids up to ½-inch in diameter.
Choose a mechanical switch over a pressure switch. The float should be solid.
Look for a pump with an alarm that tells you when the water reaches a preset level, detecting a water leak before it causes costly damage. Sump pumps can burn out, lose power, become clogged or misaligned, or malfunction in a variety of other ways, so an alarm can help you resolve flooding before damage occurs.
Seriously consider installing a battery backup to keep the sump pump working in the event of a power outage, which is most likely to happen during heavy rains and floods—just when the pump is most needed. The backup power comes from a car battery—or even better, a deep cycle boat battery. Most of the systems charge the batteries while the power is on, so that the battery is fully charged in the event of a power outage.

Some Notes on Installation

Many homeowners will have a sump pump professionally installed, while those comfortable with plumbing and electricity should be able to install a sump pump system themselves in 2 to 4 hours (this does not include creating a sump pit). Here are a few installation tips to consider:

The sump pit should be large enough for the pump to operate properly. For most homes, the pit should not be less than 24 inches deep and 18 inches wide. A float jammed between the pump and the pit is a common reason why sump pumps fail.
Install a check valve to prevent water in the discharge pipe from flowing back into the sump pit after the pump turns off.
Place the battery (if including backup) in a protective plastic case and set it on a wall-mounted shelf—not on the floor.
The water discharge pipe should be 1 1/2-inch-diameter PVC pipe.
An electrical outlet for plugging in the electric pump and the charger for the battery-backup pump should be near the sump pit. If necessary, hire a licensed electrician to install a new outlet. Don't use extension cords to power the system. Per code, a sump pump must be plugged in to a functioning ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet.
When pumping the water outdoors, the water must be released onto a downhill slope and at least 20 feet away from the house so that it can't drain back into the basement or crawlspace. Another option is to pump the water into a drainpipe that leads away from the house. And while you don’t want your discharge pipe too close to your house, shed, garage or other structure, make sure it stays on your property, not your neighbor’s, and does not drain into a public sewer or residential septic system.

Keep Your Sump Pump Humming

A sump pump does you no good if it’s not working when a storm hits and water gushes into your basement. Ensure your peace of mind by performing routine maintenance.

Do a visual (and slightly hands-on) inspection of your sump pump at least three to four times a year. Some homeowners even hang a sign in their basements reminding them to check the sump pump frequently. Grab a flashlight and give your pump the once over:

Is the pump plugged in? Is the power cord in good condition?
Test the GFCI outlet that the pump is plugged into and reset if necessary.
Is the drain hose connected properly? Is it unblocked and unfrozen?
Is the pump totally upright and on a solid, even surface with no leaning?
Is there any debris in the pit that could clog the pump and prevent it from working properly? Clean it out.
Does the float move freely? Adjust it if necessary.
Pour a bucket (about 5 gallons) of water into the sump pit. Does the pump start automatically and quickly clear the water?

In addition, do these tasks at least once a year (or hire a professional to do an inspection):

Clean and lubricate the pump. The sucking action of the pump can pull small stones into the grate, blocking the inlet or damaging the pump over time. 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 (check your owner’s manual).
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. Make sure its arrow points up when reconnecting it to the discharge pipe.
Test the float switch. A failed sump pump is usually the result of a switching problem. Sometimes the pump can shift inside the basin, causing the float that operates the switch to lodge against its side. Debris can also interfere with the action of the pump 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.
Press the GFCI outlet’s test and reset buttons.
If you have a backup battery, unplug the pump to see if it functions properly on battery power alone. Then, top up the battery’s cells with distilled water.
Ensure the outlet pipes are tightly joined together and draining out at least 20 feet away from your foundation. Make sure the vent hole in the discharge pipe is clear.

Signs of a Failing Sump Pump

Eventually, machines fail and even a well-maintained sump pump has an end date. Contact a professional if you encounter any of these signs:

Aging. Experts recommend that you replace an average-use unit every 7–10 years or 5–7 years if your pump runs frequently.
Odors. If you detect rotten, moldy smells in your basement, your sump pump may be malfunctioning.
Rust. An older pump may not have been made with rust-resistant materials. A pump with rust that can't be scrubbed away needs to be replaced or the rusted part needs to be repaired.
Noises. Sump pumps shouldn't generate loud noises. If your pump is making unusual noises, like humming, clanging or banging, it could be time for a replacement.
Water. The most noticeable sign your sump pump needs repair or replacement is the presence of water in your basement.

To avoid the stress of trying to buy and install a new sump pump while flood water seeps closer and closer to your basement, have a backup sump pump handy—and be sure to test it regularly, too.

When All Else Fails

If a storm is pouring water into your basement and has knocked out the electricity and you don’t have battery backup, your sump pump won't do a thing, unfortunately. Instead of watching your basement fill with flood water, you can attempt this old-school, low-tech trick.

If you live on a slope, make a siphon. Fill a garden hose with water from the outside spigot, seal one end with your thumb and have a friend seal the other. Place one end through the cellar window and into the standing water. Then, have your friend carry the other end as far downhill as possible (the outlet has to be below the intake). Release your thumbs and gravity should begin pulling water out of your basement and away from your home.

Other options to pursue when the water is rising and your sump pump won’t kick in include using a manual bilge pump and setting up a bucket brigade. CAUTION: DO NOT ENTER a flooded basement until you CUT ALL POWER to your residence.

If Your Basement Floods

In spite of your best efforts, the water poured in and you’re looking at inches or even feet of water in your basement! That’s a disaster and you have to act fast to restore the water damage and prevent further damage, like mold growth.

For complete cleanup, you want to call on a reputable damage restoration company that will:

Get there fast to inspect and assess the damage.
Have a team of highly trained water damage specialists ready to go.
Pack out, clean and store your possessions.
Use the latest equipment and expert techniques for water removal and extraction, drying and dehumidification, followed by cleaning and sanitizing.
Complete necessary repairs of your structure and restore your possessions.

There’s a Coverage for That

Many property casualty insurers offer coverage for water backup and sump pump discharge or overflow damage. This would include water damage from a sewer or drain within your home, but not from a flood or surface water backup. Contact your home insurer for details.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Be Prepared for a Big Storm

8/30/2019 (Permalink)

When a big storm is heading your way, use the time to prepare your property and plan to evacuate, if you need to.

Here comes hurricane season! A hurricane or other major storm can threaten your life and destroy or severely damage your home and property. You can’t stop the storm, but you can be prepared.

Tune into your local TV or radio station and community alert system for emergency information.
Check your emergency survival kit, which should be stocked with essential items.
Fully charge your car chargers for your cell phone, smart phone and other portable devices.
Secure all outdoor furniture and other objects or move them inside.
Collect tools and emergency building materials, such as plywood, sandbags and waterproof tarps.
Fuel up your vehicles and equipment. If you have an emergency generator, store fresh fuel in an approved container in a safe location.
Know how to shut off the gas, electricity and water in your home or place of business. If you need to evacuate, turn off utilities before leaving.
Tell someone outside the affected area where you are and, if evacuating, where you will be.

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Does Your Commercial Building Harbor Mold?

8/27/2019 (Permalink)

A technician cleans a large mold infestation from a wall.

If you catch and treat mold early, you can avoid a big mold remediation job.

If found too late (and 48 hours after a leak can be too late!) a mold infestation in your commercial building can be costly and time-consuming to eradicate. Catch and treat a potential mold problem early!

Ask these questions:

Does your building have a history of moisture problems? Fix them now!
Have building occupants reported musty or moldy odors or health problems?
Do you regularly check your commercial building’s air ducts and air handling units?
Is the humidity in your building high enough (above 45%) to cause condensation?
Are building materials or furnishings visibly damaged? If they have been wet more than 48 hours, act fast and call for help immediately.

Clean up small mold problems and fix moisture problems before they become large problems. If you discover a larger mold infestation, select an experienced remediation manager such as SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized mold remediation training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building or property. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

If you discover a mold infestation 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.

Commercial Water Damage Experts

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you discover a mold infestation at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Commercial Fire Cleanup When You Need It

8/21/2019 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO crew cleans a fire-damaged workshop.

The owners of this workshop called on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield for cleanup after a fire. They were back in business A.S.A.P.

Recently, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield helped two local businesses recover from fire damage. Read more to learn how we can help your fire-damaged workplace recover “Like it never even happened.”

Workshop Fire

When combustible dust in this workshop caught a spark from a machine, a fire was ignited. Fortunately, the fire didn’t spread to the rest of the building because the employees were trained to suppress the flames until emergency help came.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield arrived soon after the fire was put out by local firefighters. We assessed, mitigated and restored this disaster in no time, minimizing damage and downtime.

Commercial Warehouse Fire

A fire struck this warehouse when airborne dust caught fire. But unlike the workshop fire, considerable damage occurred. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield arrived on the scene as soon as possible to mitigate the damage and restore the customer’s warehouse back to working order within a few days.

Warehouse and workshop fires are a real hazard to both your business and your employees. That’s why SERVPRO urges employers to thoroughly train workers to respond to a fire and to provide them with the equipment needed. And if a fire should strike your place of business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield as soon as possible to begin the cleanup and restoration process.

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

When you have suffered a fire or other 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 you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

Fire Damage Restoration for Businesses

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Prevent Air Conditioner Water Damage

7/26/2019 (Permalink)

Check on your air conditioning system regularly, and you'll prevent or catch a problem before it becomes a water disaster!

A home air conditioning system working at peak efficiency can collect 10 to 20 gallons of water daily, which should drain into a collection pan and then into the sewer system. However, if the drain becomes clogged and the unit produces more water than it can handle, the overflow of water can damage floors and carpeting—and cause stubborn deposits of mold.

Because most of the unit is typically hidden from view, water damage can cause hundreds of dollars worth of damage before you know it. Follow these steps to avoid costly water damage repair—and get more efficiency from your AC system.

once a month, change the air filter and check the condensation line and the drains
have a professional air conditioning repair service clean the condensation line once or twice a year
consider installing a safety float switch, which will automatically shut down the power to an AC unit whenever condensation builds up, or a condensation pump to help ensure the free flow of excess water

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO has the people, skills and equipment to help homeowners recover from water damage and eradicate mold.

Other Blog Posts You Might Find Helpful

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

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

7 Ways to Reduce Fire Risk in Your Garage

7/26/2019 (Permalink)

Take these smart steps to reduce your risk of experiencing a fire disaster in your garage.

The second most common location of house fires (after the kitchen) is the garage. Many people keep gas, oil, oily rags and other flammable materials in their garages—not to mention cars, trucks, mowers and other gas- and oil-powered vehicles.

Your garage may also contain flammable clutter, such as newspapers, cardboard boxes and paper waste. Finally, the garage tends to be a small, enclosed space, so that if a fire does start it can engulf the entire space faster.

You can reduce the risk of cleaning up fire damage by following these tips:

Seal any fuels, fluids or cleaners you keep in your garage.
Store flammable liquids in small amounts and far away from sources of heat, like a space heater.
Store flammable materials away from other flammables.
Clear out clutter.
Keep 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.
Keep a fire extinguisher in the garage.

We're Here for You

If a fire does damage your garage, call SERVPRO. We’re professionally trained to handle fire damage cleanup and restoration. We have the tools, experience and knowledge to get your garage and home back to its pre-fire condition.

Other Blog Posts You Might Find Helpful

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

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Get Rid of that Lingering Smoke Odor

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke odor after a house fire is tough to get rid of. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to have it professionally eradicated.

After a home fire, you may experience a lingering odor of smoke, which may be severe, depending on the fire’s size, intensity, duration and source of fuel. You could try a household deodorizing spray or disinfectant, but you’ll get only temporary relief, and the spray may interact with the smoke odor to create an additional odor.

Instead, you’re better off hiring a professional fire damage restorer like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. We have the training and equipment to completely remove lingering smoke odor.

SERVPRO uses chemical or additive counteractants to break up smoke molecules and eliminate the odor. We’ll select the appropriate counteractants depending on the material burned in the fire and will professionally apply them to furniture, carpets and drapes—even clothing.

Another method SERVPRO uses to remove smoke odors is an ozone treatment, in which we place your smoke odor-affected items inside a tent while an ozone generator runs.

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

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up 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 Blog Posts You Might Find Helpful

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

Source: Liberty Mutual

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

We serve Bloomfield, Enfield, Suffield, West Suffield, East Granby, Granby, North Granby, West Granby, Hartland, West Hartland, Hartford, West Hartford, East Hartford, Somers, Ellington, Tolland and Vernon, Connecticut.

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Do These Five Things After a Flood

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

Do these five things fast to minimize damage, hazard and expense after you suffer a flood.

Disaster has struck, your home is flooded and you need to figure out what to do—quickly! These five essential tasks to start with that will make your recovery from a water disaster safer, easier and faster.

1. Halt the Damage

Cut power to your home at the circuit panel. Inspect the exterior of your property for signs of potential danger, like a collapsed roof. If you are not sure that the home is safe to enter, stay outside.

2. Gather Your Documents

Be prepared by gathering your important papers ahead of time, including:

homeowners’ policy records
documentation of flood insurance, if applicable
personal identification
proof of ownership

3. Create a Record

Document the condition of your home through words, pictures and videos. If the property deteriorates after the initial damage, update your information. Keep receipts for all your flood water repair - associated purchases and expenses.

4. File Your Claim ASAP

The sooner you start the insurance claims process, the sooner you’ll get your expenses covered.

5. Begin Repairs

As soon as possible (ideally within 48 hours), remove the water from your home and completely dry the structure and your possessions. A specialized professional disaster remediation company like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will do this job quickly and thoroughly.

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

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has the people, skills and equipment to help homeowners recover from water damage caused by a flood. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785 any time.

Other Blog Posts You Might Find Helpful

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

How to Choose a Sump Pump

7/19/2019 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to purchase a sump pump that will serve you well for years, preventing storm damage that can flood your basement.

If you get water in your basement when it storms, a sump pump can prevent some serious storm flooding cleanup. Take these factors into consideration when selecting a pump:

Choose a submersible pump over a pedestal pump if your sump basin has the space. Submersible pumps allow the sump pit to be covered with a lid, reducing pump noise and keeping debris out of the pit.
Buy a pump with a cast iron core, not one made of plastic. Cast iron helps to dissipate heat to the surrounding water, lengthening the life of the pump.
To minimize the chance of clogs, the pump should have a no-screen intake design coupled with an impellor that can handle solids up to ½-inch in diameter.
The switch should be mechanical, not a pressure switch, and the float should be solid.
Look for a pump with an alarm that tells you when the water reaches a certain level.

Once your pump is installed, ensure your peace of mind by performing sump pump routine maintenance each spring.

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Source: BobVila.com

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Ride Out a Thunderstorm Safely—At Home

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

When thunder rumbles, get inside fast! Once inside, follow these tips to be even safer in a storm.

Summer is peak season for thunderstorms and lightning. If you’re outside and hear thunder, immediately stop all outdoor activities and go inside a building or hard-topped vehicle.

You're safest inside during a thunderstorm, but there are ways to be even safer in your home:

Unplug televisions, computers and any other high-value electronics before the storm hits.
Don’t touch electrical equipment or cords, including corded phones (using cell or cordless phones is safe).
Stay away from windows, doors and porches.
Don’t take baths or showers—water conducts electricity.

If you think your home has been struck by lightning:

Call 911 immediately. If you see fire or smoke, leave the house. Ask your fire department to check for hot spots in your walls.
If you use gas for heating and cooking, contact your gas company or a licensed contractor to test for leaks before re-entering your home to be sure no gas system components were punctured by direct or nearby lightning strikes.

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If you have suffered damage from a storm or other disaster at your home or business, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Don’t Ignore Your Commercial Roof Drainage System

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

Regular maintenance of your roof drainage system, like cleaning out gutters, will help you avoid water damage to your commercial property.

You hardly notice a well-operating rooftop drainage system—gutters, downspouts, interior drains and scuppers—until it malfunctions, damaging your building and property. Paying a little attention on a regular basis can keep your drainage system removing water efficiently—and prevent expensive water damage.

At least twice a year, in the spring and fall, do an inspection, cleanup and, if needed, repair of your business’s roof.

Clear away loose debris or objects, such as leaves or twigs
Trim trees away from the roof
Ensure that downspouts channel water away from your building’s foundation
Check all parts of the drainage system for leaks, and repair or replace if necessary

During your inspection, pay close attention to your gutters.

Clear gutters of washed-down roofing granules
Check for standing water. If caused by a blockage, clear out the debris. But if there is no blockage, your gutter may not be properly sloped to the downspouts
Make sure your gutters are made of non-combustible metal, securely anchored by gutter straps

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

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

SERVPRO's One-of-a-Kind DNA

5/15/2019 (Permalink)

Outstanding customer service and attention to detail are built into SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield's DNA.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is owned and operated by Noemi Garcia, who also owns SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield and SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield. For the last several years, this dedicated management team has been ranked in the top 50 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 Bloomfield/Enfield is a hands-on family-run business, and Noemi oversees every facet of her four SERVPRO franchises. They 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 Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

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 Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield! 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

SERVPRO to the Rescue

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Your Business Flooded. What Now?

4/11/2019 (Permalink)

A flood can be devastating. You need to act fast to minimize the damage, cost and downtime to your business.

If your business has been hit by a flood, it’s important to act quickly to minimize damage and reduce disaster recovery costs. First things first: call your insurance provider, and then attend to the 3 B’s.

Be Safe

Don’t enter your building until you know it’s safe.

Check for electrical hazards; turn off power if possible
Check for structural damage
Wear protective gear: boots, gloves and respirators
Check for biohazards that may contaminate the flood water, such as lead paint and asbestos

Be Quick

Mold starts growing in as little as 48 hours, so begin water removal ASAP. Open windows and use air movers to remove moisture from the air
Once standing water is removed, check for concealed pockets of water: under carpets and padding, between layers of building materials, behind trim and walls, under cabinets and furniture, and in mechanical spaces
Address contaminants. If the flood water is laden with bacteria or chemicals, you’ll need to bring in an expert on biohazards, like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, to evaluate, treat and inspect your building and property

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

Be Thorough

To help with your insurance claims, document everything with photos or video—structural damage, water-damaged property and discarded items—both before and after cleanup. (SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will document your entire job and work with your insurer for the smoothest, fastest claim process.)
Clean all salvageable material and apply disinfectants on biohazard-affected property. Use a HEPA filter when vacuuming
Confirm that all building material is 100% dry before beginning reconstruction

Or ... Call SERVPRO

Recovering from a commercial flood is stressful, time-consuming and can be disastrous when you factor in your business’s downtime. But you can be sure that all the details are handled quickly and professionally when you call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield after a commercial water disaster.

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Commercial Building Mold Remediation

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

More Helpful Information from SERVPRO

You may be interested in these articles from SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield and SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield.

Commercial Restoration Is So Different

When Your Belongings Are Damaged by Mold

Water Disaster? Use the Pros

After Water Damage, Removing the Water Isn’t Enough

Source: Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

Rooted in Community

4/8/2019 (Permalink)

Ralph DiCristofaro, owner of SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, is proud to support business, community and youth sports organizations.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, which has been recognized as a top 25 SERVPRO franchise (out of 1,800 nationwide), is owned and operated by Noemi Garcia (Noemi also owns and operates three other local SERVPRO franchises, SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield, SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield, and SERVPRO of West Hartford).

Beyond managing these successful businesses, employing more than a hundred workers and restoring the homes and businesses of countless customers, Noemi believes in the value of community involvement and service—and put that belief into action.

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

Professional Affiliations

Noemi strives to be the best SERVPRO operator she can be, which includes keeping up with industry and regional business trends and building solid relationships. To that end, Noemi maintains active memberships in:

Risk Management Society (RIMS)
Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) Connecticut and Western Massachusetts chapter
Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Greater Hartford chapter

In addition, Noemi is a member of these local business organizations that support and strengthen the Bloomfield community:

Noemi believes in maintaining professional ties and supporting the communities where she works and lives, because she understands that operating successful businesses, like her four SERVPRO franchises, is only part of what it means to contribute to the health and welfare of her region.

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

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

Other Helpful Blog Posts from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

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

How Businesses Can Prevent Frozen Pipes

2/28/2019 (Permalink)

Check pipes throughout your business facility to protect them from extreme cold weather.

You can avoid or reduce potential business interruptions and related losses resulting from cold temperatures with proper preparation. Cold temperatures can reach areas of your facility that you seldom visit or can’t see, such as:

Crawl spaces
Closets
Enclosed spaces (e.g., attics, lofts, roof spaces)
Warehouses
Isolated storage areas

If Your Home or Business has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Strategies to Help Prevent Frozen Pipes

In severe cold, water pipes may freeze and break. If possible, make sure pipes that are located in isolated or poorly heated spaces are shut off and drained or protected with a supplemental heating source.

Properly insulate and/or provide approved heat tracing for pipes located in exterior walls or unheated spaces
Drain any piping that is not needed during winter
Maintain a minimum interior temperature of 40° F

Protect Your Fire Protection System

Fire protection sprinkler systems only work if water can flow freely when needed. Ensure that wet piping systems, which may be subject to cold temperatures, are sufficiently heated to prevent freezing. In severe cold weather, the response time of the local fire department may be delayed, making a working sprinkler system even more essential.

If Your Home or Business has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

If you lose heating in a building protected by wet sprinklers, try to restore it immediately. If that’s not possible, as a last resort shut off your sprinkler systems and completely drain them, then notify local fire officials and contact your insurance carrier.

Ensure that anti-freeze sprinkler systems have sufficient concentration of antifreeze to withstand freezing weather
Inspect dry systems to help ensure air settings are correct, air maintenance systems are in good operating condition and any pipe closets are well insulated. If any heat tape or heating systems are being used, ensure that they are UL-listed for this specific purpose and are in good operating condition. Dry-pipe sprinkler systems low points and auxiliary drains should be opened and drained of water or condensation
Insulate and heat-trace branch lines on wet sprinkler systems exposed to extreme cold weather
Check fire pump test headers to ensure they have been properly drained
Routinely check fire pump and dry-pipe sprinkler system equipment rooms to ensure the heaters are in good operating condition

If Your Home or Business has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Remember, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is ready to help with your frozen pipes and severe weather damage. We know the safest, most advanced and quickest ways to help you recover from burst pipes and other damage to your home or business. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) any time, 24/7.

More Information on Our Blog

Visit the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog to find many informative articles on how to prevent and recover from winter storm damage.

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

We serve SERVPRO Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartland, Enfield, Granby, North Granby, Riverton, Suffield, West Granby, West Hartland and West Suffield, Connecticut.

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If Your Home or Business has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Make a Plan to Escape a House Fire

2/22/2019 (Permalink)

Make a plan and practice it BEFORE you need to escape a house fire!

If a fire breaks out in your home, you have to get out fast—even though you may be plunged into darkness, have trouble breathing and are trying to keep family members calm while fighting your own panic. That’s why it’s important to create and practice an escape plan before a fire starts.

Make a Plan to Get Out

Have a plan for young children who cannot get outside by themselves. Decide who will help each child get out safely.
Teach everyone to use the back of a hand to check doors for heat before opening and, if the door is hot, to use a different way out. If you need to use an escape ladder, show everyone where you keep it and practice how to use it.
Teach children to never hide from firefighters and never go back inside a burning building.
Learn two ways out of every room in your home, in case one exit is blocked or dangerous to use.
Remember, if there is smoke, you need to get low and stay below the smoke.
Choose a meeting place a safe distance from your home. Once you’re out, stay out!

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Practice Your Plan

Fires can start anywhere and at any time, so run through the plan at different times of the day or night, and practice different ways out. Do this at least twice a year.

Check your smoke alarms: Test your smoke alarms each month with your kids so they know the sound. Make sure there’s a smoke alarm on every level of your home, and one in each bedroom.
Know where to go: When the smoke alarm beeps, everyone needs to get out of the house quickly and meet at the safe meeting spot.
Perform a Fire Drill: Have kids head to their bedrooms and wait for the drill to begin. Assign adults to help children under 6. Put one adult in charge of sounding the smoke alarm and running the drill. Next, sound the smoke alarm, start the timer and have everyone hurry to the meeting spot. Once everyone gets to the safe meeting place, stop the timer. Try to have everyone there in less than two minutes. If not, keep practicing.

In a real fire, get to the safe meeting place, then call 911 and keep everyone close until firefighters arrive!

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here For You

If you do experience a fire, professional fire restoration services like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can handle the entire fire cleanup process—from assessing the smoke and fire damage to rebuilding your home—like it never even happened. Whether you're in Bloomfield, Enfield or any of our served towns, we can help.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally
We serve Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartland, Enfield, Granby, North Granby, Riverton, Suffield, West Granby, West Hartland and West Suffield, Connecticut.

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Own an Older Home? These Fire Risks May Be Lurking

2/22/2019 (Permalink)

An inspection of your older home could be a lifesaver if it uncovers unseen fire hazards.

If your house is more than 40 years old, it can harbor some unseen fire risks. If you learn about them ahead of time, you can take action to prevent a fire from starting—and keep your home sweet home safe for many more years to come.

Outdated Wiring

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), there are about 46,000 fires involving home electrical systems each year, and the majority of those could be prevented with a routine inspection. The CPSC says that in many cases, homes that were built between 40 and 100 years ago hadn't been inspected since they were built.

Be alert to obvious warning signs of a failing electrical system:

flickering or dim lights
a shrinking of your television picture
frequent power outages
sparks
unusual sounds like sizzles or burning smells
smoke
any kind of electrical shock
damaged insulation
warm or hot outlets or switches
reliance on extension cords for everyday use

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

If you can't remember the last time your electrical system was inspected, hire a certified electrician or electrical inspector to prevent a potential disaster. Even if you've had an inspection less than a decade ago, you should contact a professional immediately if you start to notice the warning signs of a bad electrical system. Hire only a licensed and insured electrician to do electrical work.

Balloon Framing

In newer homes, each floor is individually constructed to ensure that fire stops between them, but in balloon-frame homes, there's nothing to stop a fire from spreading. Commonly used from the late 1800s through about 1940, balloon framing was a construction method in which a continuous wood stud wall stretched all the way from the foundation of a home to the attic. If your home has balloon framing, flames can spread from the floor to the roof in just seconds.

If you aren’t sure what kind of framing your house has, hire a skilled professional to inspect it. If your home was constructed with balloon framing, a major remodel—to open up the walls and ceilings and install solid blocking to act as fire stops—may be your only option. Alternatively, you may be able to install insulation in empty cavities that would slow or prevent the spread of fire.

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Source: Liberty Mutual

We're Here For You

We’re the fire restoration and clean up company that saves property and saves money for the owners of fire damaged homes and businesses. Whether you're in Bloomfield, Enfield or any of our served towns, we can help.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

We serve Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartland, Enfield, Granby, North Granby, Riverton, Suffield, West Granby, West Hartland and West Suffield, Connecticut.

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Be Prepared for Winter Storms

2/15/2019 (Permalink)

Preparing BEFORE the storm is the best way to weather the storm!

A big snow storm or deep freeze is coming. How do you prepare so that your home suffers little or no damage? Can your roof support the weight of a few feet of snow? How do you keep your pipes freezing? Will ice dams present a problem?

Don’t wait! Heed early weather warnings and prepare before a snow storm or cold snap hits. Starting 48 hours early means you’ll get a lot more done than if you wait until the snow starts falling.

Can Your Roof Hold All That Snow?

Fluffy snow can weigh as little as 3 pounds per square foot compared with 21 pounds for wet, heavy snow, according to FEMA. Most roofs can support 20 pounds per square foot of snow, according to USA Today. If a portion of your home’s roof is flat, such as over a porch, take extra care to prevent snow and ice buildup there.

If Your Home or Business Has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

And don’t forget about ice, which weighs 57 pounds per square foot. An inch of ice equals about a foot of fresh snow, so 4 inches of ice on your roof could put your roof at risk of collapse.

Don’t Let Water Pipes Freeze

Planning ahead is the key to protecting your water pipes. If you lose power, if your furnace malfunctions or if pipes located next to exterior walls get too cold, your pipes can freeze and burst, resulting in lots of water damage.

Keep your house warm by using a generator or other alternative source of heat, like a wood or coal stove. Seal your home’s doors and windows, insulate openings in your attic and wrap insulation around your pipes.

Prevent Ice Dams

When ice builds up at the edge of your roof, it forms a dam that keeps melting snow from draining properly. Then the water backs up into your walls, ceilings and insulation.

If Your Home or Business Has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Stop ice dam removal by adding insulation above the ceiling and increasing roof ventilation to keep the roof area warmer and prevent ice buildup. Inspect your roof's drainage, keep gutters and downspouts clean, and trim trees to keep leaves to a minimum. You can even install self-regulating heat cables on gutters, downspouts and roof drains.

More Information on Our Blog

Visit the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog to find many informative articles on how to prevent and recover from winter storm damage.

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally
We serve Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartland, Enfield, Granby, North Granby, Riverton, Suffield, West Granby, West Hartland and West Suffield, Connecticut.

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If Your Home or Business Has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Your Pipes Are Frozen. Now What?

2/15/2019 (Permalink)

If a frozen pipe bursts in your home or business, you need to act fast to prevent further damage. Preparation is the key.

When the weather outside is frightful, your home or business is at risk of damage from burst pipes. Deep, biting cold weather can freeze pipes that run on exterior walls, while a powerful storm may cut power, causing your inside temperature to plummet and your pipes to freeze.

Frozen pipes are no joke. When a frozen pipe bursts, you often must repair the flooring, drywall and any furniture, fixtures or possessions left on the floor. The average insurance claim for damage from a burst pipe is about $18,000.

If Your Pipes Freeze

First, turn off the flow of water to prevent further damage. (If you haven’t already, find your main water shut-off valve and clearly mark it with a bright sticker—you may have to find it in the dark.) Take care to avoid an electrical shock if you must be in or near standing water.
Next, call a plumber or contractor skilled in rapidly resolving water damage emergencies, like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.
Take photographs to document the damage for your insurance company. Keep the broken pipe because your insurance company may want to inspect it.

If Your Home or Business has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Preventing Frozen Pipes is Best

Make sure your heating system works properly and that vulnerable pipes, like those that run close to your exterior walls, are insulated.

If you go away for several days in the winter, leave the heat set to at least 65 F. Have someone check your home and property, if possible. If you will be away for extended periods—say, for the winter—have your water turned off.

Others things you can do to help prevent your pipes from freezing are:

Seal air leaks surrounding or near your pipes
Keep your garage doors closed if you have water supply lines in the garage
Disconnect outdoor hoses, store them inside and turn off water to exterior faucets and sprinkler systems
Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing
Keep your heat at a minimum of 55 F at all times, and 65 F when you’re out of town
During severe cold, turn on both hot and cold faucets near outside walls to allow a trickle of water to run overnight

If Your Home or Business Has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

More Information on Our Blog

Visit the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog to find many informative articles on how to prevent and recover from winter storm damage.

Water Damage and Repair

Water Shut Off

Source: The Spruce

We're Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally
We serve Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartland, Enfield, Granby, North Granby, Riverton, Suffield, West Granby, West Hartland and West Suffield, Connecticut.

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

If Your Home or Business Has Suffered Storm-Related Damage, Including Frozen or Cracked Pipes, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Keeping Your Fire Damage Restoration Costs Down

2/7/2019 (Permalink)

Beginning fire damage restoration as soon as possible can make a big difference in cost and results. Don't hesitate!

A fire at your home or business is a real crisis. Once the fire is out, you need to deal with damage from the flames, the smoke and soot, and the water or chemicals used to extinguish the fire. This process can be time-consuming and costly.

The most important thing you can do to reduce fire damage restoration costs is to begin the process without delay by contacting a licensed, insured professional fire damage restoration services company. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can restore your property, clean it up, and work with you to keep costs down while keeping the quality of the work high.

Act Quickly

The more time between your fire and the fire damage restoration, the more costs tend to increase. If you act quickly, some fire-damaged possessions can be saved, so you can avoid replacement costs. The longer you wait, however, the more likely it is that you won’t be able to restore valuable possessions. And certain kinds of damage—from water and soot, for instance—grow worse over time, so delaying can make the restoration more difficult and more expensive. Save your property and you save money!

What can be saved? It depends on the extent of the fire damage, but at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield we can often save clothing, books, photographs, kitchen items, furniture, leather goods, heirlooms and more. We begin every fire restoration job with a complete evaluation of the scope of the fire cleanup and a plan for restoring what is salvageable. Our documentation will also make filing your insurance claim quicker and simpler.

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Address Water Damage ... Quickly

In addition to damage from the actual flames, many homes and businesses suffer additional damage from smoke, soot and the water and chemicals firefighters must use to put out the fire. Water, especially, can cause widespread damage—damage that can become much worse if you delay.

After the fire is out, make sure that your home or business is completely dried out. If you don’t, mold, mildew and other consequences will lead to further damage and loss—mold colonies can begin to grow just 48 hours after water damage occurs. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield Wethersfield uses industrial dehumidifiers and air movers to rapidly dry saturated carpets, padding, furniture and any other wet items. Quick and thorough drying will save you money by preventing further damage to your building and possessions.

Address Damage from Smoke and Soot ... Quickly

Again, you’ll minimize your fire damage restoration costs with prompt action. If too much time elapses between when the fire damage and the cleanup occur, the effects of smoke and soot damage can last for months.

While you’ll easily recognize water damage, you may not immediately see the extent and seriousness of smoke and soot damage. Soot is created when wood-, coal- or oil-based substances are burned. These carbon particles float into the air and can settle anywhere, staining and discoloring objects, and can even endanger your health.

Household items, including clothing, dishes and utensils, furniture, carpet and drapes, as well as walls, floors and ceilings, are especially affected by smoke and soot. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield cleans and deodorizes restorable items to preloss condition, if at all possible. After our restoration you may not be able to tell which items were affected by the fire and smoke and which were not.

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Other Blog Posts You Might Find Helpful

Fire Damage Repairs

We're Here For You

We’re the fire restoration and clean-up company that saves property and saves money for the owners of fire-damaged homes and businesses. Whether you're in Bloomfield, Enfield or any of our served towns, we can help.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
We serve Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartland, Enfield, Granby, North Granby, Riverton, Suffield, West Granby, West Hartland and West Suffield, Connecticut.

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

The 5 Most Common Places a House Fire Starts

2/7/2019 (Permalink)

Taking basic precautions can help prevent fires at these five most common locations in your home.

A fire can start almost anywhere in your home, but some areas are more likely to catch fire than others. America’s 350,000 annual house fires happen for many reasons—faulty electrical wiring, overheated appliances, unattended candles and fireplaces—but taking simple precautions at these five locations may prevent a fire at your home.

Kitchen

Half of all residential fires start in the kitchen due to appliances that use heat/electricity, cooking-related incidents (such as an unattended oven or stovetop), or fabric and material (a dishcloth, for example) that's too close to heat or a flame. An oven/stovetop with baked-on grease and residue can easily cause grease fires. Never leave food cooking on a stovetop unattended.

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Appliances

Appliances that operate with electricity, gas or heat are potential fire hazards requiring fire restoration. Appliances 15 years or older are particularly prone to fire damage, especially if they aren't regularly cleaned, inspected and maintained. It's a good idea to only run appliances when you're at home.

Dryers: lint, fiber and dust buildup is a primary cause of a laundry room fire. Keep vents and filters clean by removing lint after each use, and at least once a year, clean the lint from the exhaust hose at the back of the dryer.
Dishwashers: heating elements in the dishwasher can overheat and catch fire, especially in older models.
Microwaves: although convenient, microwaves can be dangerous if you heat food or materials that are flammable, such as aluminum foil, Styrofoam or certain plastic containers.
Toasters/Toaster Ovens: the electrical elements inside a toaster can become faulty over time and may not turn off, which could start a fire. Crumbs can accumulate and become stuck at the bottom of the toaster, so clean it regularly. Never leave these appliances unsupervised when in use.

Bedroom

There are many potential fire hazards in bedrooms: bedding, curtains, plush items, mattresses. Mattresses made after 2007 are flame-retardant and comply with higher safety standards, so if yours is older, consider purchasing a new one. Install smoke alarms in each bedroom and make a fire escape plan that includes two ways to exit the room (usually through the door and a window).

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Chimneys and Fireplaces

Chimneys and fireplaces can develop structural problems over time, which can cause temperatures to burn too high or chimney liners to loosen or detach, which can allow burning embers and ash to escape to combustible areas in walls, attics and roofs. Keep chimneys and fireplaces cleaned and maintained, and have them inspected and professionally cleaned at least once a year or when there is a quarter-inch buildup of creosote or soot. Keep rugs, tapestries and other fabrics away from the fireplace, and always keep a spark screen in front of the fireplace.

Living Room

Like bedrooms, living rooms contain many potentially flammable items: electronics, drapes/curtains, furniture. Candles are among the leading fire hazards in living rooms. Never leave a burning candle unattended and place it away from flammable/combustible objects.

Fire Cleanup

If you do experience a fire, professional fire damage restoration services like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can handle the entire fire cleanup process—from assessing the smoke and fire damage to rebuilding your home—"Like it never even happened."

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here For You

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally
We serve Bloomfield, East Granby, East Hartland, Enfield, Granby, North Granby, Riverton, Suffield, West Granby, West Hartland and West Suffield, Connecticut.

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

For Fire Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Ice on Your Roof? It Could Become a Dam Problem (Part 1)

1/29/2019 (Permalink)

Icicles hanging from your roof's eaves can mean an ice dam has formed, putting your home at risk of water damage.

Icicles glistening at the edge of your roof can be lovely in appearance, but the ugly truth is that they are a sign that your roof is at risk of water damage. Call SERVPRO to remove ice dams from your roof.

Those icicles are formed when snow forms a layer on your roof, is warmed by the air in your attic and begins to melt and trickle down over the shingles. Once the melted water hits the eave and is exposed to colder air, it cools and refreezes. Some of it drips off the gutter, freezes and forms icicles, but the water can also form into a thick ridge of ice--an ice dam--at the edge of the roof and gutter. Another way ice dams form is when snow and ice get trapped in a gutter already filled with leaves.

For Water Damage Restoration, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Once that hump of ice forms and grows on your eaves, any water that melts and trickles down the slope of your roof is blocked. The water will back up and seek a way out. Unfortunately, that escape route is often through the roof shingles, through the layer of insulation and into your house’s ceilings and exterior walls. The result can be stained and sagging ceilings, ruined Sheetrock, soggy insulation that can turn moldy, warped floors and peeling paint.

How to Prevent Ice Dams

The root cause of ice dams is having a warm attic roof, and that comes from having insufficient insulation and venting in the attic. Taking four simple steps should prevent most ice dams from forming. (Additional benefit: you’ll save money on fuel bills because you’ll keep more of your heated air inside!)

Seal the spots where warm air leaks from your living space to your attic! This may include areas around the chimney and house frame that can be sealed with flashing; the attic hatch or opening for whole-house fan, which can be covered with foil-lined foam board; HVAC and exhaust ducts that can be covered with foil-faced fiberglass; and gaps around electrical cables and vent pipes that can be plugged with sealant.
Insulate your living space to prevent heat loss through the ceiling! Check with your local building department to determine how much insulation your attic needs.
Vent the space between the insulation and the roof sheathing, so that any heat that does leak is carried to the outside! A proper attic ventilation system should include soffit vents, a ridge vent and baffles at the eaves, and should provide at least 1 SF of opening for every 300 SF of attic floor. Any ducts from the kitchen, bath or dryer should lead directly outdoors through the roof or walls, not the soffit.
Clear your gutters and downspouts of leaves and other debris! Because this work is done on a ladder, consider hiring a professional.

Another way to prevent ice from forming dams on your roof is to install heated cables along the roof’s edge in a zigzag pattern.

For Water Damage Restoration, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785How to Know If You Have an Ice Dam

Icicles are your first and most obvious clue. Get a good look at them and if they are confined to the gutters and you see no ice or water backed up behind them, you probably aren’t at risk of an ice dam--yet. (Icicles also pose a hazard if they fall off, so if you can, remove them before trouble starts--just don’t stand directly below them!)
Inside your home, check for water stains or moisture in your attic and along the ceiling of your exterior walls.

Part 2 of this blog post will tell you how to quickly and safely get rid of an ice dam.

We're Here For You

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

For Water Damage Restoration, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Ice on Your Roof? It Could Become a Dam Problem (Part 2)

1/29/2019 (Permalink)

An ice dam on your roof can cause stained and sagging ceilings, ruined Sheetrock, soggy insulation, warped floors and peeling paint.

Dealing With an Ice Dam

Once you’ve determined that you have a dam problem on your roof, you need to act fast to prevent or minimize water damage. A quick way to halt the damage is to freeze the water that is seeping into your home. Do this by taking a box fan into the attic and aiming it at the underside of the roof where there is an active leak. The stream of cold air should freeze the water in a matter of minutes.

This is, however, a temporary fix only—that water still needs a way off your roof. You can make this happen by physically removing ice and snow from the roof or melting a path for the water to safely drip off the edge of the roof.

For Water Damage Restoration, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

Removing the Ice Dam

With a great deal of caution and care, you can climb a ladder and, using a mallet, gently break pieces of the ice dam off. Do not use a sharp tool, such as an axe—you might cut through your shingles. This is dangerous and risky work and is not recommended.

The preferred method to physically remove ice and snow is to use a snow rake. Standing on the ground, remove snow 3–4 feet back from the gutter. Take care not to damage the roof itself or to pull chunks of snow directly onto yourself!

Another recommended way to treat an ice dam is to create a vertical channel or channels to the gutter to allow the melted water to escape. You’ll need a calcium chloride ice melt product (never rock salt or sodium chloride, which can damage your roof). Fill an old pantyhose leg with the product, tie it off and lay it on the roof with one end near the gutter and the other pointing toward the peak. (You’ll want to cover any shrubbery or plants below to prevent damage from the dripwater.)

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield's Professionals Can Resolve Ice Dams and Repair Resulting Water Damage

Dealing with ice dams on your roof can be risky, both to your personal safety and to your home. A call to SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is the first step to a rapid and professional solution to your problem.

We will quickly and safely remove the ice dam and then thoroughly repair any water damage to your home. We use advanced equipment and scientific drying techniques to restore both your home and your damaged property.

Once the water has been removed, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield’s professionals reconstruct damaged areas of your home to their pre-water damaged condition—drywall; carpet, tile and flooring; and painting—"Like it never even happened."

For Water Damage Restoration, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

We're Here For You

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

For Water Damage Restoration, Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785

After A Fire And A Sewage Backup SERVPRO Saves The Day

12/21/2018 (Permalink)

"This whole neighborhood was hurting after a sewage backup but we got it cleaned up fast."

“I love working at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. I’m on a cleanup and restoration crew that’s dedicated, well-trained, multi-skilled, and fun to be around. And we get to do such interesting work that helps people get their homes back in good order and helps businesses get back in business. Here are two true stories about recent projects SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield worked."

West Hartford, Connecticut Sewage Backup

“This isn’t my favorite project to talk about. The smell was awful. The scene felt overwhelming when we arrived to find about ten houses surrounded by raw sewage from a pipe that clogged up and then backed up. Many neighbors had sewage several inches deep in their basements. The SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield crew was on the scene pumping out the basements, removing damaged property, and cleaning up what we could restore. It was a big job, but with our contacts we can call in as much equipment and manpower as needed. We got it all done and the homeowners were so appreciative."

Dozens Homeless After Hartford Fire
“This job was amazing. It happened a few months ago when dozens of people lost their homes in a fire. The fire blazed through two separate multi-family buildings in Hartford, Connecticut. After we got clearance from the fire departments, we were quickly on the scene."

“The SERVPRO crew I was on spent the whole night and into the next day securing the property and personal belongings from the fire and water wreckage. That was like 36 straight hours of work. We did everything from turning off the electricity and water, boarding up the windows and doors, and removing hanging debris from the outside of the building."

“About 20 of the people were out of luck. They lost just about everything in the fire. They looked to us salvage what we could from their homes and personal belongings. Sifting through the ash and rubble we did find some items we could clean up and restore for those poor people."

For Cleanup Or Disaster Recovery Needs Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

See Other Blog Posts
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how Connecticut residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm, or other damage.

We're Here For You

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Enjoy Your Holidays

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

Especially at this time of year, we believe in giving thanks and spreading joy. Our office Christmas decorations help with that.

At SERVPRO we work hard and we celebrate hard. We believe the best companies do their work well but also know how to appreciate life and the holidays with the most important asset in any company-- employees.

This year at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield our employees challenged each other to see who could create the best Christmas wonderland in their office space. Most of us went wild with holiday decoration fun.

One employee's office features a snow pathway to his desk, Christmas presents, stuffed animals, and a colorful "JOY" sign.

Another employee wears her Santa hat, hung Christmas stockings, put down a glittering snow path way to her desk, and placed some of the most popular children's movie characters around her space. The Minions and Winnie the Pooh are bringing smiles to the office staff.

A third employee has made his brown desk look like the edges are dripping with frosting. At first glance some of us thought that desk was a gingerbread or cupcake desk, but we did not bite. A huge red bow dominates his main office wall. A row of bright poinsettia plants gives the office an outdoor feel.

Then there's the employee with many gold and silver stars twirling from her office ceiling. Over her desk is a snowy archway crowned with a bow. She's got Santa figurines and a snow globe. But in this office the favorite decoration by far is a huge box of candy canes. I wonder why.

A team of employees has taken a different approach. Their space is long and narrow with limited light (they need to limit the light for the screen work they do). Walk into their space and you're greeted with a ceiling and walls aglow with a few hundred colored Christmas lights. All the lights lead your eye to end of the space where you see a good-size fully decorated and lit Christmas tree.

Another well decorated area appears at the top of this post.

We think of this season as a time of thanksgiving and joy. In Bloomfield we have a lot to be thankful for and joyful about. Our staff consists of talented, dedicated, fun-to-work with people. Our clients are terrific. And business is growing strong.

Here in Bloomfield we hope you and your family, like us, will enjoy and every holiday. May you have fun family times, wonderful gatherings with friends, and a great end to your year. And don't forget to try to top our Christmas decorations. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Reduce Fire Risk: Keep Your Dryer Lint-Free

12/4/2018 (Permalink)

A little lint in the wrong place can cause a fire hazard

Don’t you love the convenience of washing and drying your own clothes at home? The time, money, and energy you save is great. But SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield knows the handy convenience of a home dryer can turn into a fire risk.

Dryers Cause 14,000+ Fires
According to Consumer Reports, every year, firefighters across the country respond to about 14,630 home fires caused by clothes dryers. One-third of these fires is caused by an accumulation of lint, which means that not cleaning out your dryer vent can set you up for a dangerous situation. This is far more serious than the decrease in drying efficiency caused by partially blocking your dryer's duct work.

To avoid this risk and stop the build-up of lint fire, properly maintain your dryer. Regular maintenance means frequent cleaning and may require professional help when necessary.

Check For Lint Every Time
Every time you use your clothes dryer check for lint. Most dryers have a lint filter or screen that’s easy to access and clean by hand. It may take 10 seconds to clean it. Remember, lint is very dry and combustible. A fire can happen easily if the lint hiding inside your dryer ignites.

Do go beyond just cleaning the lint screen. Clean every part of the dryer where lint can accumulate. This means:
•   Removing lint from filter after every load.
•   Cleaning the pipe that vents your dryer to the outside once every three months.
•   Scrubbing the lint filter twice a year to remove buildup.
•   Replacing accordion-style ducts (these are risky because they can sag and allow lint to build up at low points and trap lint in their ridges. Use a rigid metal duct instead.)
•   Using duct connectors and metal clamps (or foil tape) to join sections of duct. Avoid sheet metal screws because they can catch lint and cause buildup.
•   Calling for professional cleaning if your dry times become longer.

Fire remediation experts advise cleaning the whole machine to reduce the chance of fire.

Check Your Dryer’s Ventilation System, Too

Your dryer’s indoor vent should be inspected before the dryer is installed to make sure that it’s not damaged. Protect the outdoor vent from weather and small creatures that enjoy making a home inside of it. That usually means covering the outdoor vent so that the vent stays open when the dryer is on (so that lint can escape) but closes when the dryer isn’t being used. By taking the entire ventilation system into account, you are less likely to experience a fire due to excess lint.

Fire Risk Assessment

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can do a full house fire risk assessment for you. We can examine your dryer, the ventilation system, and other typical home situations that increase a fire risk. If you’d like, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can cleanup and/or reconstruct and repair any potential risks.

Call Noemi and SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Hundreds of people have called us for help with their fire, storm, and water damage issues. They tell us that three main reasons they choose SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield are because we:
1. Respond immediately and work quickly
2. Have experience and solutions for virtually any water or fire damage problem
3. Answer all questions and will help with insurance claims

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

SERVPRO To The Rescue

11/30/2018 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO it can feel like we're in the Cavalry coming to the rescue

One of the great things about working for SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is that we often get to do amazing work. Nothing feels better than helping a homeowner overcome damage from a roof collapse or major fire or mold infestation or water damage. At times it feels like we’re the Cavalry coming to the rescue.

Here are two recent examples.

Burst Pipe Floods A Nonprofit’s 75,000 Square Foot Headquarters
Water flooded a 75,000 square foot Connecticut nonprofit agency in 2018 when a sprinkler pipe burst. The agency’s ability to serve their many clients and keep their employees safe were greatly compromised. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield performed emergency water extraction of several inches of water. Then we completely dried the 75,000 square foot area with industrial dryers. We tested for mold and mildew. Our crew removed and replaced all damaged building materials.

During the work we discovered and removed hazardous asbestos and applied an anti-microbial spray. Because of our work the nonprofit was back serving clients within days. The building was safer and in better shape after we left than before the pipe break occurred.

Saving $30,000 For Bloomfield Homeowner
Also, in 2018, a Bloomfield, Connecticut homeowner suffered a major water loss behind expensive kitchen cabinets. Most cleanup and restoration crews would have done the easy, standard fix. They would just cut through the cabinets to fix the plumbing. But we don’t do just standard work without investigating to see if there’s a better solution.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield chose to save the cabinets by cutting through the pipes below the cabinets. Making this creative decision made the pipe repair work a tad more expensive ($800) but it saved the kitchen cabinets that the homeowner had paid $30,000 for. You should have seen the smile of relief on that homeowner’s face.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

See Other Blog Posts
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how Connecticut residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm, or other damage.

Here For You
SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Basement Water Damage From Condensation

11/26/2018 (Permalink)

You can stop water damage from condensation. Learn how.

Not all basement water damage is caused by runoff from rain, storms, and melting snow. Sometimes your basement water damage is from condensation. Here’s how to diagnose the problem and deal with it.

Water Droplets A Sign of Condensation
Also called sweating, condensation shows up in your basement as water droplets, wet spots, or puddles on your basement floor or basement (foundation) walls. Condensation happens when moist, warm air hits cool basement foundation walls or uninsulated cold-water pipes. The result is often damp carpets, rusting appliances, and an unpleasant clammy climate in your basement. In crawl spaces, condensation encourages wood rot and insect attack, and can buckle and delaminate plywood.

Nonprofessionals can easily confuse a condensation problem with runoff or subsurface water damage. Before you treat your basement for condensation, make sure you have correctly diagnosed the problem. To identify condensation, tape foil over damp spots and check those spots after a day. If moisture forms on the outer foil face, water is condensing from the air and you have a condensation problem. If moisture forms on the foil underside, water is seeping in from outside and you have either a runoff or a subsurface seepage problem.

If You Have Water Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Another way to diagnose a condensation problem is to observe if you have obvious flows of water after each rain. If the problem isn’t worse after a rain but you have a persistent dampness in your basement, your problem may be basement condensation rather than water leaking through the walls. And if the dampness seems to be a hot-weather problem, basement condensation is the likely cause.

Easy Solutions First
Try solving your condensation problem with the simple, inexpensive solutions first. If you have a full basement, air it out by opening windows and running fans. Then consider installing a dehumidifier. You can buy a good heavy-duty one for $250-300. The dehumidifier can process 50 pints in 24 hours. If possible, place the dehumidifier near easy drainage. If there is a basement shower that gets a lot of use, install a basement exhaust fan that draws the damp air out of the house.

During colder months, turn up the heat in the basement. Be sure your clothes dryer vents to the outside with no duct leaks. And don't dry clothes on a line in the basement or store wet firewood in the basement.

When Air Circulation May Be The Problem
If the condensation in your basement is modest, and you have no obvious sources of excess moisture, increasing air circulation may resolve the problem. Some basements don’t have air-conditioning vents. It’s often a simple matter to create a couple of vents. If you already have vents, make sure they are open.

A more expensive and complex solution to a basement condensation problem is to reduce the extent to which moist air contacts cool surfaces where that air can condense. This means insulating exposed duct work, pipes, and walls – anywhere that water tends to condense. If the moist air can’t reach the cool surfaces, it won’t release water as condensation.

Another effective but costlier solution drying out basement to damp-proof your basement walls with a waterproof coating. Or apply a crystalline penetrant that clogs concrete pores.

Solutions like these solve the majority of basement condensation problems. If you continue to see moisture after trying these solutions, then you're probably not dealing with condensation.

If You Have Water Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield knows 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 and water damage cleanup on our blog.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime. We are proud to serve our local communities including Glastonbury, Marlborough, Portland, Rocky Hill, and Wethersfield.

Basement Water Damage Begone!

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

Basement water damage can often be prevented so you don't face a costly cleanup

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 Bloomfield/Enfield you may want to tackle the problem on your own. Here are some tips on drying out your basement and keeping it free from water damage.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

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 Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

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 this blog:

FEMA’s Take On Restoring Flood Damage In Bloomfield/Enfield

Saving Water Damaged Electronics

The Surprising Danger In A Flood Or Sewage Backup

Water Damage Dangers

Water Shut Off

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime. We are proud to serve our local communities including Bloomfield, Enfield, Granby, Hartland, North Granby, Salmon Brook, Suffield, Thompsonville, and West Granby.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Why Many Insurance Agents And Adjusters Use SERVPRO

10/26/2018 (Permalink)

We aim to make the insurance agent's and the claim adjuster's jobs easier

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has worked with many insurance agents and claim adjusters. We understand your situation. As an agent or adjuster, you have a responsibility to keep claim costs down while providing the best services possible for your clients. Here are a few reasons we’re trusted by so many insurance agents and adjusters:

Fast Emergency Response
Restoring commercial or residential property is the first priority at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. Your insurance client will appreciate our immediate response and you will know we’re doing everything we can to limit the damage and the costs.

Pretesting Reduces Claims Expense
Like insurance agents and claim adjusters, we know restoring property is less expensive than replacing property. Our goal is always to restore whenever possible and replace only when necessary. That’s why SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield performs pretesting on every loss so we can determine restorability.

Claims Inventory Service
SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can provide insurance agents and claim adjusters with an itemized loss inventory. We give you an Excel formatted report and pictures of important items. Your work is made simpler and clearer because we provide you with a complete and accurate picture of the incident.

Electronic Claims Information
Our corporate Claims Information Center provides the fast, accurate information you need to make sound decisions, including:
•   A complete electronic job file (by email or on paper)
o   First notice of loss
o   Detailed estimate
o   Digital loss photos
o   Scanned forms and paperwork
•   Informative reports (including job cost data) to improve results
•   Performance comparison to industry standard

Superior, Time-Tested Training
Effective training is the best way to help ensure your clients receive the service they deserve. All SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield crews are trained to IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) standards in fire and water cleanup and restoration. We also conduct continuing education classes.

Vendor Qualification Compliance and Professionalism
If you call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we will use only qualified vendors to service your clients. Our commitment means you receive:
•   Access to the SERVPRO National Call Center to achieve prompt handling of your claims
•   Assurance that our crew uses industry best practices
•   Efficiencies through our insurance and file documentation requirements
•   The benefits of our quality assurance program

Serving Adjusters and Your Clients
A SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield professional's job is to reassure your clients, perform quality service, and report to you quickly. We know your job is to interpret the policy and adjust the claim. We don’t want you to have to deal with problems from vendors. Working with you, we strive to save you time so you can focus on priority files, while having complete control of every loss you’re assigned. We offer you 24-hour emergency response, damage mitigation, loss assessment, and an electronic file within hours. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield’s documented, measured performance increases value for you, your agency, your managers, and your clients.

Hard-earned results have made SERVPRO leaders in the fire and water cleanup and restoration industry. The SERVPRO System is geared to achieve customer satisfaction and mitigation results, adding to your competitive advantage.

Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, natural disaster cleanup, and natural disaster restoration. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We serve homeowners, businesses, and organizations in Bloomfield, Granby, East Granby, Enfield, Hartland, and Suffield.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Bloomfield Hardware Store Fire Cleanup

10/15/2018 (Permalink)

Here's a true store of a hardware store that suffered major fire damage and yet was back functioning at 100% within 10 days.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield wants you to be able to reopen your business as soon as possible after a fire or any natural disaster. Here’s an example of how we helped one Bloomfield, Connecticut business do just that.

When a car crashed into a Bloomfield, Connecticut hardware store in August 2018 the car burst into flames. The car fire quickly became a commercial building fire. The hardware store was an independent shop with a business owner who could ill afford to be out of business for very long.

On Site within an Hour

After the fire was out, the business owner called SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield around 5 p.m. We arrived on the scene within an hour. Our crew talked to the business owner, surveyed the damage, and created a plan to restore the building. Before nightfall we covered four holes in the hardware store roof with temporary tarps to prevent further damage. We secured six broken store windows so the store would be protected from the elements, vandalism, and from any potential burglary for the night. We also filled several barrels with broken glass.

First, Keep the Business Open

Early the next morning a full SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield crew arrived. A first priority was to section off the damaged portion of the hardware store so the remainder of the store could be safely opened for business. Another top priority was to remove the smoke smell and the soot damage. Members of the SERVPRO crew loaded hardware store furniture and equipment onto a truck for delivery to our Bloomfield warehouse. Tables, chairs, electronic equipment, and more were professionally cleaned and restored at the warehouse.

Test for All Major Issues, Don’t Just Deal with the Obvious

Our commercial building restoration process always includes testing the site for potential issues that may not be a part of the damage but are still important to eliminate. As part of that process we tested the hardware store for asbestos.

It’s ironic that in most cases of commercial fire damage restoration a huge issue is water—the water used to put out the fire. At the Bloomfield hardware store, we used negative air machines and large commercial dehumidifiers to dry the site. It’s critical that the drying process go beyond removing visible water and moisture. After commercial fires, water and moisture are often hidden inside walls or other hard to reach places. We do a thorough exam to make sure no moisture is left behind. Doing so eliminated potential mold and mildew problems later. Our commercial-grade negative air machines and industrial dehumidifiers dry materials more thoroughly and much faster than lesser equipment.

As other SERVPRO crew members became available, we added them to the hardware store crew to sped the restoration process. The list of required actions was long. It included scrubbing soot from floors, walls, and fixtures; cleaning duct work; and removing and replacing ceiling tiles.

Clean, Repair and Reconstruct Inside and Out

While some crew members worked on these interior issues, others repaired the four holes in the hardware store roof and replaced the six storefront windows. Within about 10 days SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield had the store’s furniture and equipment cleaned, restored, and back in place. All the damage had been repaired and, in some cases, the “new” store was of even higher quality than the existing store before the fire. The hardware store never had to close its door completely and was up and running as if the car accident and fire had never happened within those 10 days. Fast action by the business owner and by SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield kept the business’s lost revenues to a minimum and kept insurance costs down.

When you have a fire, any downtime threatens the life of your business. Employees who cannot work may find new jobs. Customers who depend on your goods and services may seek alternative suppliers. Lost revenue may affect capital investments, shareholder confidence, and the bottom line. Don’t let any of this happen to you. Start restoration as soon as possible with a professional crew that has the training, equipment, and experience to do the job right.

Help Is Here

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Your Commercial HVAC System

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

A little attention and maintenance can get you years of more use out of your commercial HVAC system

Never take your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for granted. Try working without air conditioning in 90-degree weather or without heat in freezing temperatures. No one wants to do that. Too many businesses don’t think about their HVAC until it breaks down and a major inconvenience can’t be avoided. That inconvenience often comes with a major bill to pay.

Once a year or so, hire a professional to inspect your HVAC system. If maintenance is needed, that same company can take care of it right away without any inconvenience to you or your employees.

Some businesses have an HVAC inspection done every fall and again in spring. Those are times when the HVAC had just gone through a major season and the strain is more likely to have caused small potential issues to start rising. An HVAC professional will inspect and clean all of your unit’s wiring and mechanisms. That’s a major challenge for anyone without the training or expertise.

For HVAC, Cleanup, Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

How to Prolong the Life of Your HVAC System
As a business owner, you can perform several simple maintenance chores that can prolong your system’s life, increase its efficiency, and potentially save you from the cost of a major commercial disaster at just the wrong time:
• Get a high-efficiency, pleated air filter for your system
• Keep your heating units and AC free 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
• Replace air filters every 90 days
• 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

3 Annual HVAC Tasks

On a yearly basis you can perform these three important tasks:
1.   Replace the carbon monoxide detector battery
2.   Make sure your outdoor AC unit is on firm and level ground
3.   Clean AC condensation with a bleach and water mixture

For HVAC, Cleanup, Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Caring for your HVAC properly throughout the year will keep your work environment air quality and atmosphere pleasant. That will keep your employees and others who visit your building happy. Routine HVAC maintenance will also save you money by improving and maintaining the energy efficiency throughout your building.

Research Before You Buy

If you do have to buy a new HVAC system do your research. Start with some articles like 4 Top Tips To Finding The Right Commercial HVAC System by Sierra Air Inc.

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is always ready to inspect and maintain your HVAC system. And we’re here to answer any questions. We’re also trained and experienced in large cleanup jobs like fire damage, water damage, mold remediation, and more. Call us today at 662-690-6502.

Check Out Other Blog Posts
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how Bloomfield and Enfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm, or other damage. We also talk about the communities we serve, like we did in this post.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Our staff is highly trained in building services and property damage restoration. We study IICRC standards and best practices in cleaning and restoration. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Types of Storm Damage

9/10/2018 (Permalink)

Storm damage can often be prevented or lessened if we just plan ahead

Here in the Bloomfield/Enfield region of Connecticut we can suffer from many types of storm damage. Some of those are wind damage, flood damage, and hail damage. Here are a few quick tips to consider should storm damage hit your home or commercial property.

Wind Damage Restoration
Hurricanes often cause severe wind damage. Your roof is particularly susceptible. Roof damage from strong winds may lift roof shingles, cause cracks, or remove part or all of the roof. Harsh winds and rains can shear away asphalt tiles. Flying debris can also cause cracks and holes in your roof and siding. Roof damage repair may challenge homeowners and business owners after a disaster, especially because a roof leak may not be obvious.

Roof Leaks

Why are many roof leaks and roof damage hard to detect? The storm may loosen flashing without creating a problem that’s easily visible to the eye. Loose flashing can cause another roof leak even weeks after the initial storm damage. A small roof leak can produce damp, moldy conditions inside your home or business. You best bet is to secure roof repair immediately after the wind damage. Doing so can prevent long term interior damage. A wind damage restoration expert, like the professionals at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, will help assure the homeowner or business owner receives a comprehensive roof assessment and roof repair services when hurricane or wind damage hits the Bloomfield-Enfield area.

Flood Damage & Recovery
If your home or business is near water or in a low-lying area, flood water damage is a risk. Heavy rains and flooding may cause water damage many miles from the coast or from any large body of water. If the land around your home or business cannot absorb the additional water flooding may happen. Even homes and businesses at higher elevations can sustain flood damage if frozen pipes break. Flood pump failures contribute to basement flooding and contaminated ground water in some Connecticut locations, too.

Flooding may also disrupt your municipal water system. Experts need to assess ground water and evaluate the condition of pipes following flood damage. Hiring a storm restoration firm, like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield may allow you to begin your cleanup process even before water restoration occurs. And don’t forget-- cleaning before water restoration often proves essential yet challenging.

By relying upon a trained water damage restoration specialist, you'll usually obtain faster storm remediation. These experts may suggest ways to help mitigate flood water damage in the future, for instance, by requesting backup flood pump installation.

Hail Damage & Recovery
Hail may be the most overlooked cause of major storm damage. Hail can damage not just your roof but also your siding, exterior walls, and any detached sheds or outbuildings. You may think you’ve survived a hail storm but do know that hail damage is difficult to identify. Again, you’re wise to hire a storm damage restoration professional to inspect your roof, exterior walls, and outbuildings for damage. Dark spots on your roof are areas where the roofing granules have been knocked away. These weakened spots can lead to other more extensive problems such as leaks and cracks. Cracked and chipped siding is also a sign of hail damage.

Impact Damage & Recovery
In a major storm practically anything can become a creator of damage to your home or business. Think about trees. Your home may survive storm damage only to have a tree on your property succumb to the wind, hail, or rain and fall onto your house. A neighbor’s outdoor lawn furniture can become wind-blown projectiles. Extreme wind pressure turns regular outdoor items into tools of destruction. After storm damage, the professionals at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield do a walk around to look for the signs of these types of unusual damage.

Help Is Here

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Businesses: September Is Emergency Preparedness Month

8/31/2018 (Permalink)

Is your business prepared for a natural disaster? We can help you get there.

Each September, through National Preparedness Month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reminds Americans to be prepared for disasters or emergencies in their homes, businesses, commercial properties, and communities.

Businesses can use this opportunity to find ways or help employees, vendors, and other businesses to understand more about preparing for disasters and reducing risks to health and the environment.

The EPA says there are many ways to reduce risks from contamination, leaks, spills, hazardous materials, and other dangers. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield suggests you visit the EPA’s page devoted to National Preparedness Month.

While not all-encompassing, this EPA page gives businesses and others many ideas and links to more information. Among the major sections are sections on general emergency information, how to report emergencies, communities, and a section for schools, businesses, and other facilities.

The business section covers topics like emergency planning, hazard resilience, decontamination, and risk communication. Among the helpful information SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Glastonbury found there was the Wastewater Response Protocol Toolbox (WWRPTB). It’s a useful tool for planning for and responding to wastewater contamination threats and incidents. The main audience for the toolbox is government agencies, emergency responders, and utilities.

The WWRPTB is designed to be a planning tool. It's not intended to be a reference document for use during an actual emergency when decisions need to be made rapidly. Cover are: who to notify, what actions to take, how to conduct a threat evaluation, how to safely collect and ship samples, steps to recover from a contamination event and more.

The WWRPTB addresses the preparedness and response needs for threats and contamination events in wastewater systems. These events can include contamination with toxicants as well as infectious, flammable, explosive, or radioactive substances. As an “all hazards” document, the WWRPTB discusses the response to accidental and negligent contamination events in addition to its primary focus on intentional contamination. The content and format are based on an earlier EPA guide on planning for and responding to threats and incidents of intentional contamination of public drinking water supplies.

Another useful tool we found on the EPA site is the Containment and Disposal of Large Amounts of Contaminated Water: A Support Guide for Water Utilities. The guide is intended for events involving emergency response activities at water utilities. In these types of events, an Incident Command System (ICS) may be established to manage the response, including decontamination activities. The guide provides a summary of key information that may be useful in addressing containment, treatment, and disposal of water contaminated with a CBR agent within any part of a drinking water, wastewater, and/or storm water system resulting from an “all hazards” contamination event. The information and recommendations were developed primarily for drinking water, wastewater, and storm water utility personnel involved in response activities. But others can benefit including decision makers involved with emergency response planning, such as emergency management agencies, environmental agencies, public health agencies, law enforcement, as well as other federal, state, local, and tribal agencies.

What To Do This Month

For your business, National Preparedness Month is a good time to:
    -- Review and update your business's emergency response plan
    -- Train any new employees on emergency and preparedness procedures
    -- Remind employees of the importance of safety
    -- Conduct emergency preparedness drills

If you don’t have an emergency response plan or aren’t certain whether your plan is as good as it needs to be, contact SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. We can help.

The Restoration Leader

SERVPRO is the leader in the restoration industry. Our Bloomfield/Enfield franchise is locally owned and operated. We have over 30 years of experience in residential and commercial restoration and building services. We serve businesses and homeowners in Bloomfield, Enfield, Granby, Hartland, North Granby, Salmon Brook, Suffield, Thompsonville, West Granby

With SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield you have one point of contact. We save businesses save time and stress, and we keep costs low.

More Information On This Blog

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Our staff is highly trained in building services and property damage restoration. We study IICRC standards and best practices in cleaning and restoration. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Commercial Water Damage Experts

8/22/2018 (Permalink)

Has your business or commercial property recently become a victim of commercial water damage? Then you need to know you can take steps to mitigate the damage to your commercial property.
First, know you must act fairly quickly to preserve as much of your property as possible. Acting quickly is also important in decreasing any health risks to your employees or others after commercial water damage has happened.

One of the first considerations if your commercial property has major water damage is to prepare an adequate space for water damage restoration. You may need a clean and dry staging area where you can bring water damaged furnishings and equipment to be dried out, cleaned up, and worked on. Many commercial business owners don’t realize that some equipment that may look completely ruined can be restored if treated quickly and properly.

Be Sure The Power’s Off
Always remember that before you enter your commercial space (or any flooded building) you must make sure the electrical power to the business is shut off. And consult with the local fire department or other first responders to make certain they agree that you can safely reenter the commercial building.

During flooding events small animals and reptiles tend to seek shelter inside of buildings. Depending on where your business is located you may want to be prepared to deal with the discovery of wild animals in your space.

Questions about commercial water damage? We are experts. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860.216.2785

Wear Proper Protection
Put on proper protection before you enter any flooded building. This includes an organic vapor respirator that you can purchase at any paint and building supply store. Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing, and eye protection.

Once inside, the first thing is to ventilate the water-damaged areas. Open windows. Place fans where they can best move the air to dry out the area.

In any major commercial water damage situation there’s likely to be items you need to throw away. For example, any items that are porous and have absorbed contaminated floodwater cannot be restored. If your commercial space has drywall, mattresses, pillows, box springs, particle board, carpets, or carpet pads, they must be discarded if they have become water-saturated.

Some Good News
But here’s the good news: If your water damaged commercial space includes clothing or household fabrics that can be machine-washed, you may be able to save them. Use your washing machine to clean these items with a 10-minute soak at minimum in hot water with detergent. The soap and normal wash should remove most of the contamination and any staining that is present.

Know that your commercial space will need a thorough professional inspection. You’ll need professional cleaning services, and possibly building renovation. Many water damaged commercial spaces have water damaged walls and installation that must be removed and replaced. Professionals also know how to uncover pockets of saturation and exposed them so they can dry and be sanitizing.

Questions about commercial water damage? We are experts. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860.216.2785

Stop Mold Growth
After major commercial water damage, mold is a threat. Mold growth can take a few days to appear. It thrives in a moist environment with organic-type materials such as paper or particle board and in temperatures that range between 60 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

During your restoration process keep good airflow throughout the interior environment. Maintain moderate temperatures to decrease the risk of mold growth. And let your commercial space dry out completely before you begin any rebuilding.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in commercial water damage restoration services, natural disaster prevention, fire damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Building Services We Provide

8/14/2018 (Permalink)

Local businesses and commercial property owners use us for many business services

When your home or business has a fire, wind, water, or other emergency, you need to prevent additional damage. The best solution is to quickly take emergency protective measures. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield provides many of these measures under what we call building services:
•   Roof tarping
•   Boarding up of damaged windows, doors, and walls
•   Removing debris and junk
•   Preventing theft with 24-hour live security

At SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield we simplify the commercial building restoration process by handling both the damage restoration and reconstruction after fire, wind, water, or other damage. After securing your commercial or business property, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield technicians begin the cleanup and restoration process. If your business needs reconstruction, we will rebuild your property and bring your commercial building back to full use.

Among the restoration services and building services we provide are:
•   Carpet repair and installation
•   Document drying
•   Dry cleaning
•   Drywall installation
•   Drywall removal
•   Electrical
•   Electronics restoration
•   Fine art restoration
•   Furniture restoration
•   General contracting
•   Hardwood floor repair
•   HVAC services
•   Linoleum floor repair
•   Marble floor repair
•   Mildew and mold remediation
•   Move out
•   Painting
•   Plumbing
•   Portable power
•   Roofing services
•   Scalable resources
•   Temporary fencing
•   Temporary warehouse space
•   Tile floor repair
•   Tree removal

Opportunity After Disaster
Of course, we hope that your home or facility never suffers the type of damage that would require our building services. But if damage should occur to your commercial property, there’s often opportunity hidden for you in the destruction. Many of our building services can play a role in improving your commercial building or property so it can withstand future storms and disasters.

You may choose to not only rebuild “Like it never even happened,” but improve on what you had before the damage happened. Doing so can improve your business’s ability to attract customers and revenue. Or, quality restoration services can help enable you to stay in business or get back in business faster after the next natural disaster.

That carpeting that was old and starting to show its age could be replaced with flooring that’s more long-lasting, attractive, and easier to maintain. That roof that was marginal at best could be improved to protect against future leaks and bills. Outdated electrical could be upgraded to provide better service and reduce the risk of future electrical issues. These are just a few examples of the opportunities that restoration can provide.

The Restoration Leader
SERVPRO is the leader in the restoration industry. Our Bloomfield/Enfield franchise is locally owned and operated. We have over 30 years of experience in residential and commercial restoration and building services.

We serve businesses and homeowners in Bloomfield, Enfield, Granby, Hartland, North Granby, Salmon Brook, Suffield, Thompsonville, West Granby
With us, you’ll have one point of contact, and we’ll save you time, stress, and keep costs low.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Our staff is highly trained in building services and property damage restoration. We study IICRC standards and best practices in cleaning and restoration. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Mold: Common Types Found In Homes

8/10/2018 (Permalink)

Mold is a health issue but you need to know what type of mold you're dealing with

Mold comes in many types and forms. In fact, there are more than 100,000 types of mold including about 150 types of mold found in homes--each of which can have several subtypes. The good news is that most people tolerate exposure to moderate levels of many different molds without any apparent adverse health effects. The bad news? Some molds may cause health effects.

In this post you’ll learn about identifying some common types of mold in your home.

The most common types of mold you may find in your home include aspergillus, cladosporium, and stachybotrys atra (black mold).
Aspergillus is a fairly allergenic mold that is commonly found on foods and in home air conditioning systems. Cladosporium is typically a black or green "pepper like" substance that grows on the back of toilets, painted surfaces and fiberglass air ducts.

Black Mold (Stachybotrys Atra)
Black mold is most likely to appear in your home in places that are particularly warm, humid, and damp—like basements or crawlspaces that may have leaks or other sources of moisture. You can identify black mold by its black color. Most other molds are green or gray in color.

Removing black mold is a step-by-step process that requires patience, an investment in protective gear, black mold removal products, and the courage to brave dark, cramped spaces inhabited by fungus. These are among the reasons why many homeowners hire SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to remove black mold.

We know mold. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785

Mold or Mildew: What’s the Difference?
Mold and mildew are types of fungi. Typically, mold is black or green, and mildew is gray or white. Mold tends to grows on food, while mildew grows on damp surfaces, like bathroom walls, basement walls, or fabrics. Mold grows in the form of multicellular filaments or hyphae, while mildew has flat growth. Mildew is often referred to as a kind of mold.

Orange or Red Mold
Mold that appears to be orange or red in color is usually found outdoors. It thrives on decaying plants and moist wood. This type of mold, which can appear slimy, is harmless. The main reason to remove it (should you decide to) is for appearances.

Aureobasidium
Often referred to as “bathroom mold,” aureobasidium is found on caulk, windows, bathtubs, and showers. It’s a black mildew.

We know mold. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785

Wallemia
This type of mildew is relatively harmless and grows in dust in homes. Wallemia does not need moisture to grow.

Fusarium
This toxic mildew is very common after a flood. Exposure to fusarium may cause some negative health symptoms.

The Importance of Testing
Unfortunately, you can’t identify most types of mold in your home with a photograph or with your naked eye. Most molds look similar. What you can do is send a sample for black mold testing to a qualified mold laboratory.

Remember that it’s critical to know the types of mold and the amounts you inhale. If you’re concerned, consider testing the air in your home or call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technician
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

The 8th Good Thing About Enfield

7/31/2018 (Permalink)

We're proud to provide services to great towns like Enfield, Connecticut. Here are a few things that make the town great.

The first good thing about Enfield, Connecticut is that it’s part of our home base.

Bloomfield/Enfield SERVPRO is honored to serve the Enfield community. We’ve helped a lot of people and made a lot of friends in Enfield. But there are so many other things that are good about Enfield.

2nd Good Thing: A Lovely Town

Enfield is a lovely town in North Central Connecticut just minutes from the Connecticut River and Suffield. Enfield is a community in Hartford County with a population of slightly more than 44,000 people (2010 census). Among the major employers in town are Lego and Hallmark Cards.

3rd Good Thing: Beautiful Parks

On Enfield’s Brainard Road, you’ll find Brainard Park. It’s full of amenities like an immaculate playground equipment, two lighted softball fields, and several shaded picnic areas.

Another nice Enfield park is Powder Hollow Park on Dust House Road. This park features a Little League baseball field, a regulation-sized baseball field, winter ice skating, and shaded picnic areas. Also in Enfield are White Acres Park, Mark Twain Park, Hazardville Park, and a dog park.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

4th Good Thing: Golf And Other Interesting Things To Do

Enfield is home to the Grassmere Country Club, a public nine hole golf course that many people list as a favorite. It’s also a popular venue for small weddings, banquets, and corporate outings. You’ll also find a brewery, good schools, fine restaurants, and other interesting places in Enfield.

5th Good Thing: The July 4th Town Celebration

Every year Enfield hosts a three-day celebration of our country’s birthday that attracts 10-20,000 visitors a day. Among the highlights at the 2018 celebration were 6 bands, the Taste of Enfield (foods from local restaurants), kids’ rides and games, a firehouse tour, a teen zone with music, sports, games, and a teen battle of the bands, and, of course, a large fireworks show. The best part is that it’s all free.

6th Good Thing: Museums & Tours With Access To Enfield’s Rich History

The Enfield Shaker Community, the town’s contributions to the gunpowder and carper industry and much more of Enfield’s rich history is preserved and promoted courteous of the Enfield Historical Society. The Enfield Historical Society operates three museums--all free of charge.

The Old Town Hall Museum was built as the third meeting house of the First Ecclesiastical Society of Enfield in 1774. More than two centuries later it continues to serve the town. The Martha A. Parsons House Museum was built in 1782 and houses two centuries of Parsons family possessions. The Wallop School Museum was built in 1800 and remained in service until 1949. The Enfield Historical Society also provides free tours and other services to schools.

7th Good Thing: Town Services

The town website contains lots of useful information including a large town services section that has pages of services for adults, building inspections, neighborhoods, seniors, tax information, and veterans.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

8th Good Thing: People Like Enfield

And the eighth good thing about Enfield is that so many people seem to enjoy living and/or working in Enfield. On one review site, Niche, we found these comments:

“I love our town of Enfield. It’s a small town feel with one of the largest land areas in Connecticut. Close to Hartford and Springfield, we have a safe town and enough amenities to keep the town happy.”

“I have lived in Enfield for a year now and I love the town. It has a rural/suburban feel. You have many different shopping options available. I enjoy driving through the different sections of Enfield. The people here are friendly, you always see people out walking and bettering the town.”

“Enfield is close to neighboring cities with many options for entertainment and food. It's a quick drive to MA, or over to Hartford if you work or go out there.”

“Enfield is great because it has a lot of things to do, a good public education system, and also offers scenic and quiet areas as well. Lots to do and close to cities like Springfield and Hartford!”

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Here For You

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Choose Your Biohazard Cleanup Service Carefully

7/12/2018 (Permalink)

Cleaning up blood or other bodily fluids is dangerous and requires a professional

Hazardous chemical spills and biohazards are more common than most people think. Choosing the right company to clean up a spill is critical. Here are some general guidelines that will help you choose a company that will do the job right. You’ll also find answers to many of the most frequently asked questions SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield receives about biohazard cleanup.

Choose a Trained Professional

Many biohazard cleanups are required after someone has died in an accident or in a violent way. No one should have to deal with the personal impact of cleaning up after the traumatic loss of a loved one. The professionals at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can get a traumatic event scene cleaned up quickly, compassionately, and discreetly.

Another reason to choose a trained professional is safety. United States government regulations classify all human and animal remains (including blood, urine, feces, vomit, and bodily fluids) as biohazards because they have the potential of carrying life-threatening pathogens.

Those pathogens can include Hepatitis B and C, AIDS, HIV, MRSA, tuberculosis and many more. The safe cleanup and removal of biohazardous materials involves extensive analysis and detailed work, and the use of state-of-the-art cleaning and odor removal technologies. We have the training, experience, and equipment to do the job.

Need help with chemical exposure risk or biohazard cleanup? Call us at (860) 216-2785.

Check the Biohazard Cleanup Service’s License

If you use a licensed professional firm you can be more certain the firm will conduct safe cleanup, removal, and disposal of any and all biohazardous waste. Be certain that the biohazard cleanup service is registered and compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Department of Homeland Security (FEMA) regulations. These two federal agencies oversee disasters and workplace safety.

You also want certainty that the cleanup crew coming into your home or business is bonded and insured.

Pick a Service that Will Help with Your Insurance Company

In most cases, your insurance should cover much or all of the cost of traumatic event or crime scene cleanup. You can minimize or eliminate your out-of-pocket expenses by working with licensed and bonded professionals like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. We will deal directly with your insurance companies. That will save you time and headaches.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use my regular cleaning or janitorial service for biohazard cleanup of blood or bodily fluids?

A: Not unless your regular cleaning or janitorial service has been properly trained and equipped to handle biohazard cleanup and waste such as blood or bodily fluids, and also has a legal place to dispose of the recovered biohazardous waste.

Need help with chemical exposure risk or biohazard cleanup? Call us at (860) 216-2785.

Q: Who pays for biohazard services?

A: In many cases home, business, or auto insurance will pay. Ultimately the property owner may be responsible for cost of the service.

Q: Can I have an employee of my business clean the scene?

A: Federal Regulation 29cfr1910.1030 states that no employee can be placed in a position to be exposed to biohazard cleanup of blood spills without first:

Receiving Blood Borne Pathogen (bbp) training
Having a written BBP exposure control plan
Having been provided personal protective equipment
Having been offered Hepatitis B vaccine and exposure evaluation and follow-up
Being provided with a method to remove and properly store the bio-hazardous waste in properly marked containers for disposal at an approved site

More Information On Our Blog
You can learn more about hazardous waste, chemical exposure, and biohazards by reading other posts on this blog:

Biohazard Cleanup

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technician
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Mold: Before You Begin Mold Removal

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians are highly trained in mold remediatiion

When you work with mildew, mold, or the water-damaged materials that mold thrives in, you must practice good principles of water damage restoration. Dealing with mold and water-damaged materials opens you up to a range of health and safety concerns.

Some of those concerns are: exposure to microbial contaminants, chemicals, lead, asbestos, electrical shock, and slip-and-fall hazards.

Here are some general guidelines and items to consider.

1. Use professional moisture detection equipment so you can accurately measure and document the conditions.

2. Wear proper protective equipment.

We know mold. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785

3. Be sure to inform any building occupants of the water-damage issue and protect them from any health and safety issues.

4. Evaluate and document the source and time of the water event. This should include examining visible material deterioration, pre-existing damage, and microbial growth.

5. Professional water-damage restorers set moisture content or drying goals. You may need separate goals for water-damaged building materials, furniture, and other contents based on the extent of the damage and the material damaged.

6. Be sure to include any other interested people in your goal-setting. All interested parties should agree on the plan of attack, the drying standard, and more. Agreement and communication before you begin eliminates the risk of disagreement or disappointment after the water-damage restoration and mold removal is complete.

We know mold. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785

7. Removing mold and water damage is a process. You want to record, calculate, and document moisture measurements throughout the process. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield recommends daily documentation. With frequent progress checks you can make adjustments any time you think the drying process is not proceeding as planned.

8. Remember to identify and correct or control any issues that contributed to the mold or water damage in the first place. You do not want to clean out mold and restore water-damage without doing all you can to prevent the same problem from reoccurring. Leaking pipes must be fixed. Poor drainage has to be addressed.

9. One variable to track during mold removal and water-damage restoration is room temperature. Controlling the room temperature will enhance the evaporation rate and the effectiveness of dehumidification. And, microbial growth is sometimes related to the temperature.

10. Removing mold and restoring water-damage materials should be followed by cleaning. The type and extent of cleaning depends on the scope of the damage and the type of damage. But cleaning is always important in helping to prevent future issues and restoring your property to its best possible condition.

Volunteer in Your Community

6/18/2018 (Permalink)

Volunteering strengthens your community and makes you feel good

At SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield we believe in giving back to the community. We encourage all our employees to do the same.

In the United States more than 62 million people volunteer every year. Many choose to give their time to volunteer work because they find it deeply rewarding. It feels good to put energy into a cause that improves your community. Volunteering can also enable you to awaken dormant skills or practice a hobby in a more meaningful way. You could make new friends, professional contacts, and probably have some fun. You may even explore a new potential career path. So, how do you start?

Identify your interests and the skills you want to use. Do you enjoy working with children? Do you like working with numbers and financial data? Do you have a soft spot in your heart for someone who has a certain type of disability? Are you skilled at conversation, cooking, fundraising, mentoring, or in another area?

Once you've identified your area of interest and the skills you’d like to use, get tactical. Find organizations who need your skills and check out their mission statement. Make sure the group’s goals align with your values. Look at financials to see how funds are allocated and make sure their affiliations line up with your intentions. Find statistics about whom they serve and how they make an impact.

Don’t overcommit. Start volunteering a little and increase your volunteer time if it’s working for you.

Here are just a few of the ways that a little volunteering from you can make a big difference in Bloomfield, Enfield, Granby, Suffield, or your community.

Tutor a Student

Today students include people of all ages--not just children. Teaching literacy to adults can change lives. Helping someone learn English can expand his or her horizons. You could tutor in an academic subject or teach others about computers and the Internet. Don’t forget life skills like cooking, sewing, budgeting, and home repairs.

Visit a Nursing Home

Many Bloomfield area nursing homes have plenty of residents whose families and friends are gone or not available. These residents are often lonely, desperate for conversation, and eager to connect with another person. By spending an hour or two a week you can make a huge difference in someone’s attitude and outlook on life. And you may learn something about life from those who have already traveled the journey before you.

For cleanup and restoration after a natural disaster call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785.

Organize a Yard Sale for Charity

Do you enjoy tag sales? Then think about putting one together and donating the funds you raise to a local charity or nonprofit group. We bet most of the people in your town have electronics, furniture, clothes, or equipment that they’d be willing to donate to help the right cause. These items have value and can be recycled to those who will use them again.

Serve on a Community Board

Charities and community service organizations around Bloomfield and Enfield often compete with other bigger, for-profit businesses for the community’s attention and support. In many cases, nonprofits are at a distinct disadvantage. They may lack the resources to attract, compensate, and retain the best executive staff and administrators. If your talents are administrative, or if you have executive or board experience, your knowledge and insights could make a huge impact at a not-for-profit, community-based organization or charity.

For cleanup and restoration after a natural disaster call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785.

Volunteer at a Hospital

Hospital volunteers provide crucial support to the hospital staff. Volunteers also offer comfort and convenience to patients, families, and visitors. Volunteer opportunities include everything from manning information booths, to sitting with patients, to providing a roaming book and magazine cart, or working with children. Your volunteering might also involve helping with food service or pushing wheelchairs.

The opportunities to volunteer in the Bloomfield/Enfield area are endless. You might build a house with Habitat for Humanity. You could donate your old clothes or volunteer at a soup kitchen. Think about giving your old eyeglasses to an organization that collects them and distributes them to people in need. Or consider volunteering at a food bank or homeless shelter. Volunteering is a great way to make your community a better place.

20 Fireworks Safety Tips

5/24/2018 (Permalink)

Keep fireworks fun by using them safely

On Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve, and at other times many of us enjoy gathering with family, relaxing, and celebrating. When you’re celebrating, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield would like you and your family to have fun but to also be careful.

When dealing with fireworks, sparklers, or anything else that has the potential to cause harm if mishandled, follow safety guidelines from the American Red Cross or other similar groups. Here are some fireworks safety tips we support. Have a safe and fun holiday!

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks display put on by professionals. Stay 500 feet or more away. If, however, you choose to put on a display of fireworks from your home the American Red Cross and others recommend:

1. Never give fireworks to small children.
2. Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks and similar materials.
3. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
4. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
5. Light only one firework at a time.
6. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
7. Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials.
8. Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
9. Know your fireworks. Read all the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
10. Always have a responsible adult supervise firework activities.
11. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix. Save your alcohol for after the show.
12. Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from buildings and vehicles.
13. Never relight a “dud” firework. Wait 20 minutes and then soak the dud in a bucket of water.
14. Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them into metal or glass containers.
15. Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
16. Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
17. Don’t attempt to travel on a plane with fireworks. FAA regulations prohibit the possession and transportation of fireworks in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage.
18. Report any illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to your local fire or police department.
19. Keep all pets far away from fireworks and the noise.
20. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2015 U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,900 people for fireworks related injuries. Fifty one percent of those injuries were to the extremities and 41% were to the head. Fireworks are serious fun. Please treat them as such.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Bloomfield Annual Celebration May 31-June 3

5/15/2018 (Permalink)

Come celebrate Beautiful Bloomfield May 31-June 3

Each June, our home town—Bloomfield, Connecticut—comes together for a week-long celebration. The celebration includes many community events designed to bring both town and area residents together in fellowship and fun. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield wants to help spread the word and celebrate with our great town.

This year’s events showcase the diversity of Bloomfield, a beautiful town, that was voted an all-American City in 1970. The Bloomfield events also offer an opportunity for people to get to know our town better. We hope you will participate and learn more about Bloomfield attractions, features, businesses, and history.

Thank You, Joel Neuwirth

Bloomfield Town Councilman Joel Neuwirth came up with the celebration idea. Joel and his hard-working committee bring the festival to life each year. They have lots of information and updates available on a dedicated website appropriately named Celebrate Bloomfield.

As of May 16, 2018 here are some of the exciting events planned for this year’s May 31-June 3 festival. Be sure to visit the Celebrate Bloomfield site for updates. Some events require registration. Others require a fee.

Thursday, May 31

Paint night, 5:30 p.m. on the Bloomfield Town Hall lawn. $15 materials charge. The Bloomfield High School Band will entertain.

Friday, June 1

-Author Luncheon, at 1p.m, at the Wintonbury Hills Golf Course. Meet writer Martha Hall Kelly, author of Lilac Girls. Open seating buffet. Details on the website.
-Kick-off concert by the Bloomfield High School Band on the Town Hall lawn at 7 p.m.
-Family Movie Night at 8 p.m. on the Bloomfield Town Hall lawn
-Community Awareness Task Force table for Diaper Bank donations
-Food and drink from Pasticerria's, Waypoint Spirits, and more

Saturday, June 2, The Main Event

-Entertainment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. including radio personality Brad Davis, Les Julian (children’s performer), steel drums, and much more. See the list on the Celebrate Bloomfield site.
-Face painting for children with Juliet Woods DeBeatham
-Poetry reading at Prosser Public Library from 1-4 p.m. More than 15 local poets will share their work.
-Food vendors including Ben's Fried Dough & Lemonade, RePublic, Pasticerria’s, Back East and Thomas Hooker Breweries, Waypoint Spirits, Sweet Water Deli & Juice Bar, Chik-Fil-A, Fair Food/Laurie Gruendle (fried mozzarella, funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos, soft pretzels), Angella’s Hot Spot Jamaican Food Truck, and Jeff's Kettle Corn
-Bloomfield Fire Department smokehouse and fire engine. Ride to the top of the fire engine’s ladder.
-Community Awareness Task Force - table for Diaper bank donations
-Mayor's Fund-raising Dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Gillette Ridge Golf Club. Tickets are $50 per person/$90 per couple. All funds will benefit the Bloomfield Social & Youth Services Department. Tickets available in the Town Manager’s office, Leisure Services (330 Park Avenue), and Prosser Library.
Craft Fair under the tent, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 60 vendors.

Sunday, June 3

Wintonbury Land Trust hikes. Explore parts of town you never knew existed. See the beauty that is Bloomfield.

Please go to Celebrate Bloomfield for more complete information, to register, and for updates.

Celebrate That Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Removing Mold From Walls Part II

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

You can control mildew and mold if you use proper procedures and equipment

In the first of these posts we talked about the need for a thorough assessment of the mold problem (step 1) and about properly preparing the area and yourself (step 2). Once you’ve prepared you’re ready to remove the mold and apply a stain-blocking paint.

Step 3: Remove the Mold

Here’s some good news. The best way to remove mildew and mold from walls is also an easy and cheap way. Use a bleach/water solution. (Reminder: Mildew is a surface type of mold that won’t damage your home’s structure but still needs to be removed.) Mix one part bleach to three parts water. Apply that solution with a sponge or rag. There are also a number of commercial solutions you can find at your local hardware store.

Remember to always use waterproof rubber gloves and goggles when you’re working with bleach. If your kitchen or bathroom has tile grout you may find patches of mildew in the grout. You can scrub it away with an old toothbrush. Be sure to wash down the walls after you’ve scrubbed.

More Details on What to Wear, How to Prepare & Clean Up

We provided this information in part one of this blog, but we know some of our blog readers don’t always see every post, so here’s the info again. This is important. Wear old clothes and shoes. Either launder or throw the clothes and shoes away when you’re done. Wear a N-95 or P-100 respirator along with goggles and long rubber gloves. Set an old box fan or a cheap new one in a window to ventilate the room while you work. Throw the fan out when you’re done cleaning, because the spores are almost impossible to clean off.

Tape plywood or cardboard around the window openings so the spores can’t blow back into your house. Wrap and tape any moldy carpeting in plastic, and double-bag mold-infested debris in garbage bags for disposal. To control airborne spores, you can moisten moldy areas with a garden sprayer while you work. Turn off your furnace and air conditioner and cover ducts and doors to contain spores. Keep your wet/dry vacuum outside when you vacuum.

We know mold. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Step 4: Apply a Stain-Blocking Paint

Once you’ve removed the mold, you may have stains left on the wall surfaces. Prime the wall with a good interior primer/sealer and paint over the stains.

Step 5: Prevent More Mold

It’s best to not consider yourself done when all the mold is gone. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield recommends you also take steps to reduce the risk of any mildew or mold growing in the future. The key to stopping most mold is to control dampness. The worst mold infestations usually occur in damp crawlspaces, in attics and walls where water has leaked in from the outside, and in basements with poor foundation drainage. Be sure to stop leaks, ensure good ventilation in attics, keep crawlspaces dry, and route water away from your home’s foundation.

Congratulations, you’re done! Stay vigilant and look for potential signs of mold by keeping in mind where and how it can grow.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, mold remediation, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Removing Mold from Walls Part 1

4/30/2018 (Permalink)

We know mold and mold remediation

A major mold infestation can ruin your home and your health. Don’t let that happen. Mold releases microscopic spores that cause health effects, as well as irritating, even injurious, odors. Try to avoid mildew and mold and deal with a small amount of mold as soon as you see it.

You may find mold on drywall or painted interior walls. Mold’s more likely to grow in kitchens and bathrooms where you have moisture and humidity. Your interior walls can also become mold breeding grounds if your roof or exterior walls let water in. In severe cases, when drywall remains wet, mold can begin to grow and penetrate throughout the drywall and you must remove and replace the entire sheet of drywall.

Step 1: Closely Examine the Area

If you spot mold on any interior wall, first assess the damage. How large an area is affected? What is the condition of the wall? Has the integrity or strength of the drywall been compromised? If your drywall is compromised, crumbling, bowed out, or covered with black or bluish splotches, remove and replace it. If the wall is structurally sound but covered with mold, you should be able to remove the spots with a cleaner and a lot of scrubbing.

Use caution, especially if the mold is extensive. Disturbing big infestations of mold can be bad for your health, particularly if you are an allergy sufferer or have a weakened immune system. At times, you’re better off calling the mold professionals SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to remediate your walls. This is always true after extensive water damage from flooding or another major natural catastrophe. In those cases and others, you probably have "black mold." As a general rule, if the mold covers more than 10 square feet call in the professionals. Or call your local public health department and ask for mold-testing advice.

We know mold. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Step 2: Prepare the Surrounding Areas & Yourself

To fight mold you have to use some pretty strong and potentially harmful substances like bleach or commercial mold-killing chemicals. That means you want to protect surrounding surfaces like flooring, window frames, and nearby walls from any spills. Cover your floor with plastic drop cloths. Tape them in place so they don't move. Cover nearby window frames, walls, etc. with plastic sheets securely taped into place. Have some old towels handy to catch any spills. It’s also important that you wear protective equipment. Wear waterproof rubber gloves and goggles.

More on What to Wear, How to Prepare & Clean Up

Wear old clothes and shoes. Either launder or throw them away when you’re done. Wear a special N-95 or P-100 respirator along with goggles and long rubber gloves. Set an old box fan or a cheap new one in a window to ventilate the room while you work. Throw the fan out when you’re done cleaning, because the spores are almost impossible to clean off. Tape plywood or cardboard around the window openings so the spores can’t blow back in. Wrap and tape moldy carpeting in plastic, and double-bag mold-infested debris in garbage bags for disposal. To control airborne spores, moisten moldy areas with a garden sprayer while you work. Turn off your furnace and air conditioner and cover ducts and doors to contain spores. Keep your wet/dry vacuum outside when you vacuum.

For Steps 3 and 4 Read Removing Mold from Walls Part II.

Mold Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, mold remediation, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Forgotten Causes of Commercial Water Damage

4/16/2018 (Permalink)

The best commercial water damage is the damage you avoid. Here are some ideas on doing just that.

Business owners usually think commercial water cleanup is caused by floods, massive rains, and storms. That’s often true. Weather events, storms, and flooding do shut down businesses and create major water damage in commercial buildings. Unfortunately, many business owners, commercial space renters, and entrepreneurs don’t think about and try to prevent other typical causes of water damage.

1. Sprinkler systems
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 system to make sure that it’s not faulty or in need of repair or replacement.

2. Appliances and equipment
Restaurants and catering businesses sometimes suffer water damage from their appliances or equipment. But any business that has appliances or equipment that use water could suffer water damage. If an appliance fails and spews water across your commercial building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water damage emergency.

3. Pipes and plumbing
Just like in a residential home, the plumbing system in a commercial business can fail. A broken pipe or faulty plumbing can result in major water damage in just a few hours.

4. 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.

5. Water Heaters
Water heaters in commercial buildings can crack or lose their seal because of high pressure. You want to make sure and follow the manufacturers guidelines and flush your water heater regularly to make sure it is working properly.

6. Roofing
One of the more obvious ways commercial buildings suffer water damage is through an old or leaky roof. Inspect the roof frequently (at least every six months) to make sure it does not need to be reseal and to be sure it drains properly. Even small leaks should be fixed immediately.

Commercial water damage? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. Call anytime 24/7 at 860.216.2785.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Some Favorite Community Voices

4/10/2018 (Permalink)

Doing our job well is a great perk in and of itself, but one thing that makes it so much more rewarding is receiving notes and cards from our customers. You can see many of those notes on the Testimonial page of this website. To save you some time, here are some of our favorite community voices from among the many we’ve heard from.

“...a big thank you. We are so pleased with the outcome. The house sparkles. Everyone was so professional and friendly. It made us feel relieved that the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield crew took such pride and care.” — John and Slury in Thomaston, Connecticut

"SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield is a great company to work with, especially Ralph DiCristofaro, the owner. Ralph was very helpful and understanding." — Donna in Bloomfield, Connecticut

"SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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, Connecticut

"Justin and Jose were 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." — Patricia C. in Plainville, Connecticut

"A tree fell and hit my house in West Hartford, Connecticut. I called SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield and they came out immediately to tarp my roof. They extracted water in my house to prevent water damage. Thank you SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield." — Jeff in West Hartford, Connecticut

"I just wanted to thank Nate for moving so quickly. He connected me with Alex who sent down Phil, a carpenter and Eric, a prep man. They removed the upper cabinets and started the drying and cleaning process. Both Phil and Eric were very professional. Thanks for the great service."— Keith in Bloomfield, Connecticut

If you’ve been a SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield customer, thank you. Whether we’ve received a note from you, done multiple jobs for you, or haven’t heard from you in years, we appreciate doing business with you. Customers make our business go and grow. It’s always our aim to do all we can to earn more and more of the notes you’ve read here.

Help Is Here

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

6 Top Fire Damage Restoration Tips

3/14/2018 (Permalink)

To restore your home after fire damage takes time and expertise.

We’re not going to kid you. Fire damage restoration is tough work. People call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield frequently to ask for advice on how to clean up after a fire. Here are seven of the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration.

Most people can put these tips into practice. But remember that fire damage restoration takes time, work, and skill. Realistically consider whether you want to try these ideas on your own or whether you’d be better off hiring highly trained restoration specialists who will guarantee their work.

Remove Smoke Damage

With any fire you’ll have a degree of smoke damage to your walls, wall paper, and paint. If the smoke damage is not too serious, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach. Soot from smoke damage is greasy stuff, so always try to dust as much of it off from a surface before trying to scrub the surface clean. Often, you’ll want to repaint, but make sure all surfaces are clean and dry before you paint.

Limit Activity & Other Simple Fire Damage Restoration Steps

Until your house is restored, limit your activity and movement in the house. This helps prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. Keep people’s hands clean so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork. Protect your things by placing clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas. Before you clean know the best cleaning method for that particular cleaning job (one example: Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.) Wash both sides of the leaves on your houseplants. Change your HVAC filter and tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

Firefighters are great. They save many a live and many a home. But they do introduce mold and mildew into houses when they must use water to extinguish the fire. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield highly recommends you hire fire restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can cause serious health problems. It’s difficult for a nonprofessional to know for certain if he’s clean up all the areas affected by the mold and mildew. And mold and mildew can contaminate your furniture, carpets, clothing, mattresses, walls, and vents. The best thing you can do immediately is to air out every room and clean out all vents and filters.

Replace Carpets. Clean And Dry Your Floors

Your floors and carpets end up absorbing the worst of the damage from all the water used to put out a fire. In almost every case, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield recommends that you pull up any carpets that have water damage and replace them. Water can also seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood. You must address this. If you have experience with flooring, you can lift it up and clean under it. But you may want to call a professional fire damage restoration company to assist you.

Avoid Smearing Soot Into Clothing

Cleaning smoke damage from clothing is one of the biggest jobs you’ll have after a fire. Make sure you don’t smear the greasy soot into the clothing or just throw the smoky clothes into the wash. Often times dry cleaning is the best bet, and you should ask around local dry cleaners to see if any have experience with post-fire laundry. Removing smoke odor is another issue and we’ve covered it in another blog post.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Scrub, Soak, And Cleaning Dishes

Dishes are also important items to clean thoroughly after a fire because they will be in contact with your food. Scrub all dishes well, let them soak in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and scrub some more for safety. When in doubt, if a dish, pot, or pan won’t come clean, cut your losses and throw it out – especially rubber or wooden dishes that absorb smoke.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Ultrasonic Cleaning To Restore Your Smoke, Soot, Water, Or Mold Damaged Items

2/28/2018 (Permalink)

Don't give up on fire or water damaged valuables until you check out SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield's ultrasonic cleaning

Your valuable possessions may look ruined after a fire or water event but that’s not necessarily true. An ultrasonic cleaning system from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield may restore your possessions. It’s a most efficient and effective way to restore your smoke, water, soot, and mold damaged property.

Ultrasonic systems use a process known as cavitation. Our ultrasonic systems can perform intense cleaning. They create millions of microscopic bubbles to help remove dirt, mold, and soot even from hard-to-reach crevices. The bubbles are repeatedly formed and immediately collapse. This action causes the bubbles to penetrate into every niche and crevice. There’s no scrubbing or abrasive chemicals. The process involves submerging your items into a pre-wash station, then a wash station, then a rinse station.

The ultrasonic process at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield uses ultrasound (usually from 20–400 kHz) and an appropriate cleaning solvent (sometimes ordinary tap water) to clean items. While the ultrasound works with just water, using a solvent appropriate for the item to be cleaned and the type of soiling present enhances the cleaning.

Some Restored As Good As New

Fire is terribly destructive. Items that are physically burned or melted cannot be restored. But SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can restore property that has been engulfed in smoke, covered in soot, stained or discolored by water or contaminated by chemicals or molds. With ultrasonic cleaning we can restore some items to be functional or even to good-as-new condition: "Like it never even happened."

Among the items ultrasonic cleaning might save without removing them from your home or property are:

Children’s toys
Dishes
Golf clubs
Knick-knacks
And more

A different cleaning process at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can save some:

Computer monitors
Electrical appliances
Industrial parts
Televisions
And more

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Celebrating Our Town: Bloomfield, Connecticut

2/12/2018 (Permalink)

We appreciate the town we are located in: Bloomfield, Connecticut. Here are some of the reasons why.

If you’re like most of us you may not stop often to appreciate where you live and work. Here at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we consider ourselves fortunate to be located in the great town of Bloomfield, Connecticut. Today we’re pausing to express a little gratitude for a few of the things that make Bloomfield so appealing.

Bloomfield is a picturesque Connecticut town of about 20,000 people. Our town’s graced with rural beauty, abundant land, quality schools, dynamic commercial building projects, and a highly educated work force.

Homeowners value Bloomfield as a quiet, friendly haven from the big cities. Bloomfield also offers an unmatched opportunity for businesses seeking a strategic location in New England. It has the largest tract of undeveloped industrial land in Connecticut’s Capitol Region, making Bloomfield, Connecticut the perfect place to build a dream home or an international headquarters.

Call SERVPRO® Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Bloomfield is located in Central Connecticut, 10 minutes west of the state capital, Hartford. Our town is easily accessible to Bradley International Airport and Interstates 84 and 91. The town encompasses 26.4 square miles.

Bloomfield Gives

We’re a town that provides for the community. The Bloomfield town government has many departments that provide a wide range of services including veterans’ services, energy assistance, youth service programs, senior citizen and disabled resources, a food bank, and more.

We also protect our environment. For 35+ years the Wintonbury Land Trust has led the charge to protect and preserve land and natural resources.

Bloomfield has many interesting sites to see, places to visit, and assets to appreciate. They include: the 787 acre Penwood State Park, Marion Wilcox Park, Gillette Ridge Golf Club, Bloomfield Fire Department, and Thomas Hooker Brewery.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Great Public Schools

The public school system in Bloomfield is another asset. Bloomfield High School ranked in the top 10% of Connecticut high schools (#36) in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report’s “Best High Schools in CT”. And Lead CT, a Connecticut-wide education consortium that promotes best practices in education, recognized Bloomfield Public Schools in 2016 as a model in “coherence and capacity”.

Strong Chamber of Commerce

The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce has represented businesses of all sizes for almost 50 years. The Chamber promotes business success in Bloomfield through a variety of events, programs and initiatives. Businesses use the chamber to learn how to better manage costs, including healthcare benefit costs. Chamber educational programs help businesses improve productivity and performance.

The many assets of Bloomfield, the well educated population, and the town’s giving natural help make it an ideal place for SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to have our headquarters.

We're Here To Help®
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield serves Bloomfield, Enfield, and surrounding towns by providing fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage restoration, chemical cleanups, natural disaster cleanups, and more. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Space Heater Safety

1/19/2018 (Permalink)

Space heaters, when used properly, are safe and can cut your utility bill.

On January 17, 2018 a space heater caused a fire to break out at 4:30 a.m. at a home on Brooksdale Drive in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. While one of the two residents had to be hospitalized, the residents of that home were lucky. The local fire rescue department had installed smoke detectors in the home and those detectors alerted the residents and helped get them to safety.

Space heaters cause about one-third of all winter house fires and 80 percent of all winter heating fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Having combustible materials too close to a space heater (or heating unit) accounts for more than half of all home heating fire deaths across the country. But for us here in the Bloomfield/Enfield Connecticut region, here are three pieces of good news about space heaters and fire safety.

1. Your local Connecticut fire department may offer free smoke alarms.
You may be able to call your local fire department and have them inspect your home and provide free smoke alarms. Programs like this one in Bridgeport, Connecticut happen frequently. In Meriden, Connecticut in 2018 a foundation bought hundreds of smoke detectors for the local fire department to give away.

2. Today’s space heaters are safer.
Consumer Reports says that space heaters get a bad rap. Many of today’s space heaters are not just better-looking but also safer. In the past 10 years manufacturers have improved built-in safety features like a tip-over shut-off switch says Jill Notini, vice president of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

Space heater or other fire safety concerns? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785 anytime

3. Follow simple safety rules and you greatly reduce or eliminate any space heater concerns.
Here are some basic rules for using space heaters:

A. Use newer space heaters, not older models.
B. Never buy a used space heater.
C. Only buy a space heater that has a safety certification from the Underwriters Laboratories or Intertek’s ETL Mark.
D. Don’t leave your space heater on when you’re not in the room.

Space heater or other fire safety concerns? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785 anytime

E. Plug your heater directly into an outlet.
Avoid using an extension cord or power strip because they could overheat.
F. Keep a three-foot perimeter around the space heater clear.
Never store clothing around or on the heater or place it too close to curtains or a bed.
G. Beware of children and pets around a space heater.
Either could knock over a space heater. And unplug the heater when you’re not using it.

Adding a portable space heater to your cold-weather arsenal can make bitter cold winter days much more bearable. When used with care, space heaters can provide safe supplemental heat in a small, targeted area.

More Safety Information
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how to protect your home and business from fire disasters repair.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Prevent Ice Damage To Your Home

1/8/2018 (Permalink)

Snow turns to ice turns to damage to your home. Here's how to avoid it.

Ice storms are hard to predict and even harder to deal with. But you can take steps to prevent your home or your office from suffering ice damage. Even after a damaging ice storm you can take actions that can mitigate future damage. The following steps will help you keep your repair costs down and allow you to keep your home or business as safe as from ice damage as possible.

Please don’t think of ice as just a minor annoyance. Ice can wreak major havoc. But even little steps can make a difference. If a storm is coming make sure you keep your windows shut, your water taps dripping, and your cabinets open. These steps can help prevent freezing and allow you to avoid burst pipes.

Prevent ice dams
When water freezes, melts, and then refreezes on the edge of your roof it can create an ice dam 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.

What you can do now

Add insulation to your attic. Also, make sure you insulate recessed lighting fixtures so they don’t heat up your attic. For more, see Bob Villa’s How To Avoid Ice Dams And Water Damage.

What to do after a storm

Remove the snow from your roof with a roof rake, especially if 6 inches or more accumulates. Do not use a regular rake, because you can damage the shingles and gutters.

Assess your roof’s risk of collapse
Your roof can support a lot of weight. Most roofs in good condition can support about 20 pounds per square foot of snow. Homes in the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield region and other extreme weather areas are often built to withstand much 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 roof – assuming your roof is not old or damaged – you are unlikely to have a cave-in.

What you can do now

Determine that your roof is in good condition. Check your attic and look for daylight through the boards, dark streaks or stains, sagging or leaks or water damage. See problems? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

What to do after a storm

If you have 6 inches or more of snow on your roof remove it with a snow rake. If ice has caused structural damage ask a restoration service like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to look at it.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Keep your gutters clear
Clogged gutters can back up and flood your home or business or saturate the ground and damage the foundation.

What you can do now

Clear your gutter of debris (if you do this yourself, make sure you properly brace the ladder, and that you wear gloves for the chore). Be sure water drains at least 10 feet away from your home’s foundation.

What to do after a storm

Clearing your gutters is still the first step. Make sure you remove any tree limbs that could fall.

Prepare your home’s pipes
No one wants to return home and find a pipe has frozen, burst, and flooded the home. But it happens all the time. Pipes in bathrooms and laundry rooms located near garages or exterior facing walls are especially vulnerable to freezing.

What you can do now

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.

What to do if after a storm

Besides using a space heater in rooms where pipes are vulnerable, open the vanity doors so that air circulates and keeps pipes warm.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Don’t let ice damage grow into water damage
Left untreated, ice can lead to major water damage. Water quickly ruins carpet and personal items, and can cause mold and make structural damage worse. As soon as you notice water on the ground or on your walls, make sure to call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. Get to water damage quickly enough and you can get the area dried out and prevent or lessen further damage. Waiting too long gives the water chance to cause more problems, and you might even deal with more damage if the water freezes again. More information about preventing ice damage is at The Hartford’s Extra Mile in Nancy Dunham’s article, “12 Tips to Ice Out Ice This Winter.”

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

More Information On Our Blog
You can learn more by reading other posts on this blog:
Frozen Pipes!
Roof Leaks

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Asbestos Removal Questions Answered

12/20/2017 (Permalink)

Don't try to remove asbestos on your own. Call in a professional.

Asbestos Removal Questions Answered

Q: What is asbestos?

A: Asbestos is a carcinogen used extensively in building materials prior to the 1970s. It’s commonly found as duct and pipe insulation, vermiculite attic insulation*, ceiling and wall acoustical tiles, cement asbestos siding, floor tiles, floor tile adhesives, and automobile clutches and brakes.

*Vermiculite insulation is distinct from other common blown in insulation and easily spotted. Vermiculite insulation appears as gray-silvery chips about the size of a pinky nail.

Q: If I have asbestos in my home do I have to have it removed?

No. If the asbestos-containing materials in your home are undamaged, leave them alone. It’s more dangerous to disturb them, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But in most states, you must disclose the presence of asbestos to buyers of your home.

If you do remodeling and asbestos-containing materials are disrupted, the best thing to do is to have them removed professionally. Or if a storm or other natural disaster exposes asbestos you should have it removed. Removal is complex. Hire a trained and accredited asbestos professional. Improper removal may actually increase your and your family’s exposure to asbestos fibers.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Q: What are the greatest health risks if I’m exposed to asbestos?

A: Exposure to asbestos increases your risk of developing lung disease. That risk is greater if you smoke. Disease symptoms may take many years to develop following exposure and asbestos-related conditions can be difficult to identify. Three of the major health effects associated with asbestos exposure are lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis (a serious progressive, long-term, non-cancer disease of the lungs).

Q: Can asbestos be removed while people continue to work or live on the property?

A: Yes, but those workers will probably have to be relocated to another part of the building temporarily. And the part of the building where asbestos is being removed must be sealed off. This prevents contamination of the other areas.

Q: How do you seal off an area during asbestos removal?

A: Methods of sealing off an area include using polyethylene film, duct tape, and negative air pressure machines fitted with HEPA filters. When properly applied, the film and duct tape don’t allow air-borne asbestos fibers to travel to other parts of the home or building. The negative air pressure machine pulls fresh air into the asbestos area while not allowing any asbestos fibers out into the surrounding environment.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Q: Can a regular vacuum cleaner be used to remove asbestos?

A: No. Only a special vacuum cleaner designed for asbestos containment (class H) can be safely used when cleaning up during and after asbestos removal. Even an ordinary vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter is not safe. That ordinary vacuum cleaner will expel the asbestos fibers into the room air.

Q: What does it cost to remove asbestos from a house?

Asbestos removal costs vary depending on how much work must be done. Some contractors have a minimum fee of $1,500 to $3,000. Complete removal in a 1,500-square-foot home with asbestos everywhere—walls, floors, ceilings, attic, roof, pipes—could be as high as $20,000 to $30,000. But that’s unusual.

Q: Where can I go for more information?

The federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency has lots of information on asbestos and how to protect your family.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner

Call 860.216.2785 24 hour emergency service

Cut Your Tax Bill After A Natural Disaster

12/6/2017 (Permalink)

No one wants a natural disaster to hit but it could cut your tax bill

Most people don’t realize they can cut their tax bills after a natural disaster damages their home according to a December 2017 article by Lew Sichelman. In the article, Patrick O’Connor, president of one of the country’s largest tax consulting firms, says to call your local tax appraiser’s office after major damage. If you do call, the value of your property could go down significantly and that would reduce your tax bill.

Examples include homes damaged by natural disasters like the recent Northern California fires, and the hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Here’s how it might work. Imagine your Bloomfield, Connecticut house was worth $500,000 before a natural disaster. But the natural disaster that hits Connecticut decreases your home’s value to $230,000. If your local appraiser or tax assessment office knows that, he or she can reduce the valuation on your Bloomfield home or business appropriately.

If you don’t let the tax authority know your house could be assessed as if it were in normal condition despite its diminished market value. Most local tax officials don’t visit every house in their district every year so they may not be aware of the need to charge you less.

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

Across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the country each town, city, and county has its own system for valuing property. When disaster strikes some authorities proactively assess the local damage. Others do not have the resources to do so. Regardless, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield recommends you call the Bloomfield, Enfield or your other local tax appraiser office just to make sure they know your property has lost some value.

In some states, like Texas, you’re required to tell would-be buyers if your home suffered flood damage.

Maximizing Your Tax Relief

To receive the most tax relief, you usually need to document the condition of your house when it suffered the damage and after SERVPRO cleanup restoration at the end of the year. Also report any repairs done on your property and what still needs repair.

Federal Income Tax Refund Possible
Also, whether you were insured or not when the snow storm, hurricane, flood, or other natural disaster struck, you may be eligible for a federal income tax refund because of the damage. The IRS has a provision called Section 165 that allows for a deduction as a result of casualty losses. Of course, tax law is subject to change so always check with a professional tax advisor.

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

Cash From The SBA
Another way to get cash is a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan. The SBA usually makes loans to businesses, but after a named disaster, the SBA makes low-interest loans to individuals. In December 2017 interest on these SBA loans was 1.75 percent amortized over 30 years. The loans are capped at $200,000 for rebuilding and $40,000 for personal property like autos, clothing, and tools.

If a natural disaster does major damage to your home or business, call your insurance company first. But remember to call your local appraiser’s office later.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Roof Inspection And Repair

11/22/2017 (Permalink)

Roof valleys can collect debris, stop the flow of water, and start a roof leak

One of the biggest problems homeowners face is roof maintenance and roof leaks. Against all types of weather your roof is your first line of defense. Because roofs can last 25 or 30 years we sometimes tend to not think about a 10 year-old or 15 year-old roof needing attention. But it doesn’t matter if you live in an older home or a brand new home--you need to inspect your roof (regardless of the roof’s age) at least a few times a year and make any necessary repairs. One advantage of inspecting your roof frequently is that you may spot small repairs you can make yourself at little cost. Finding and fixing the small issues prevents them from growing into bigger and much more costly issues.

Be Careful

Most roofs are not safe for you to climb on. We don’t encourage it. But you can do a pretty good job inspecting your roof from the ground using a pair of binoculars. Or if you’re careful, you can climb a ladder to get a closer look at the roof. Look for:

• Cracked caulk or rust spots on flashing
• Shingles that are buckling, curling, or blistering
• Missing or broken shingles
• Cracked and worn rubber boots around vent pipes
• Missing or damaged chimney cap
• Cracks in the mortar in your chimney
• Masses of moss and lichen, which could signal the roof is decaying underneath (black algae stains are just cosmetic)
• Wet spots

Flashing

If flashing seems damaged or missing get a professional roofer to inspect and see if it needs replacing. Flashing is more complicated than the rest of the roof so we advise you to not handle it yourself.

Roof problems? Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785.

Replacing Asphalt Shingles
As they age, asphalt shingles can become more brittle and less flexible. That means that if they’re blown upwards by strong wind, they may break instead of snapping back. If you must replace one or more shingles, replace entire shingles-- not just one tab of a shingle. To replace shingles, lift up the tabs of the damaged shingle, and the tabs of the shingles above it. This gives you access to the nails. Remove the nails (usually 3-4 near the top of each shingle) and pull out the damaged shingle. Replace it with a new one of a similar color and style. Don’t forget to replace the nails from the course above when you nail in the new shingle and cover any nails or nail holes with a glob of roofing cement. You may want to stick the tabs down with a little of the cement. That will give the shingle more strength against a wind.

Vent Pipe Flashing Jacks
Roof jacks around plumbing vents can wear out over time. Replacing the roof jack is the best solution. That begins with removing the shingles that lap over the vent base so that you can take off the damaged vent and replace it with a new one. Make sure the replacement is the same size. Nail down the upper side of the vent base and replace the shingle above it. If the shingle is damaged you’ll have to notch a new one to take its place.

Roof problems? Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785.

Roof Valleys
The valleys where two planes of your roof meet often catch leaves, branches, and debris. When that happens water can stop flowing down the roof. It’s like having a dam on your roof. That can force water back up under your shingles. So keep any valleys in your roof free of debris. Some builders cover roof valleys with metal. If the metal loses its coating it can begin to rust. That means a leak won’t be far behind. Use a scraper or a wire brush to remove the rust and clean the metal so that you can recoat it with a rust inhibiting paint.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Crime Scene And Chemical Cleanups

11/10/2017 (Permalink)

We clean up hazardous chemical scenes and crime scenes.

If your home or business is vandalized, broken into, or damaged by intruders, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can help. We can clean up your property and remove any potential hazards left behind. We can perform an emergency board-up after vandals break in through a window or gain entry through destroying a door. Or, perhaps you had a fire and used a fire extinguisher to put it out. You might be left with the extinguisher’s residue sprayed over many surfaces. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield professionals can clean your home or business with dry cleaning methods that can leave your property as good as new. We also can use our air purifying equipment to remove any dangerous particulates in the air.

Acid Damage
A sister SERVPRO franchise in California responded when home intruders had one thing in mind--to damage an entire apartment with acid. The criminals poured acid all over the carpets, vinyl floors, and appliances. SERVPRO crews worked for three days to remove all the flooring, remove all the appliances, and clean and sanitize the property. The SERVPRO work made the apartment safe for repair.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Crime Scene and Vandalism Cleanup (860) 216-2785.

All the Right Equipment
In every situation that involves hazardous chemicals, our crews dress in full PPE (personal protective equipment). The SERVPRO PPE includes tyvek suits, respirators, and heavy rubber gloves. Additionally, we installed a large negative air fan or air scrubber to clean any contamination caused by the chemicals. Our crews removed all the contents and disposed of them according to safety guidelines and regulations.

We Handle Nearly Every Hazard
You’d have to struggle to come up with a hazardous chemical or criminal scene that SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield commercial cleaning professionals cannot safely and thoroughly clean up. We are trained in and have all the equipment to perform cleanups in so many situations:
• Accidents
• Animal waste/remains
• Blood, bodily fluids, and tissue remnant
• Chemical spills
• Crime scenes
• Fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals
• Fire extinguisher residue
• Graffiti cleanups
• Hoarding scenes
• Homicide cleanups
• Meth lab cleanups
• Suicide/death accidents
• Tear gas and pepper spray cleanups
• Vandalism cleanups

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Crime Scene and Vandalism Cleanup (860) 216-2785.

We’re Local But We Have National Resources!
SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is locally owned and managed. We can respond immediately to your crime scene or chemical hazard emergency regardless of the scope or size of the damage. We’re part of a national network of over 1,800 franchises with special Disaster Recovery Teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large-scale events and disasters.
Whether your cleanup emergency occurs in a big-box store, a small office building, your home, or practically any other site, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Saving Water-Damaged Electronics

10/30/2017 (Permalink)

Professionals may be able to restore your water-damaged electronics

Water-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! SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including TVs, DVD players, computers, tablets, cell phones, and more.

The Key To Electronic Cleanup
The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield starts by cleaning the exterior of your electronic devices to help stop further corrosion and damage. With us, your electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.

Cleaning Up Corrosion
When it comes to cleaning up corrosion after water damage, be careful. If you don’t use proper tools and techniques you can further damage your water-damaged electronic devices. You could also potentially injure yourself. Remember: electronic devices and liquids generally don’t mix. Any time you apply a liquid cleaning solutions to an electronic device, you need to be cautious. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield recommends that the average consumer never attempt to repair a water-damaged electronic device without professional assistance. When in doubt, take your device to a professional. If you are confident about cleaning up corrosion on your water-damaged electronic device by yourself, please keep these tips in mind:

1. Keep safety first
If you’re standing in water or your clothes are wet please remove yourself from any potential shock hazard before even thinking about retrieving a submerged or soaked electronic device. If the device is still on, turn it off. If possible, rotate and shake the electronic device to try to drain out any fluid.

2. Always remove any batteries or power connectors.
This not only prevents harm to you, but also prevents any short-circuiting of your electronic device. By doing this, you will also be exposing extra connectors that may already have corroded, so exercise caution. A shorted battery may be a fire and/or chemical hazard. If you see or feel any heat, smoke, steam, bubbling, bulging, or melting avoid handling the electronic device.

3. Look for white or green “crusty” areas on the device.
You may find them on the battery connectors, charging ports, SIM card connectors, or any other major metal connectors on the device.

4. Use cotton swabs and a cleaning solution such as isopropyl alcohol.
You can also use baking soda and water or vinegar to clean corrosion. Gently apply the solution to the affected area and wipe back and forth until you’ve removed the corrosion. If necessary, leave some solution on the corroded area and wipe it off later.

5. Dry your electronic device with a soft cloth or a hair dryer on a cool setting.
Do not use heat to dry out your device. Make sure your device is dried extremely well before attempting to replace the battery and turn the device on. Any water left in the device could cause additional water damage.

6. Take special care with electronic circuit boards.
If you think water or any liquid has reached an electronic circuit board take the device apart carefully. Follow the instructions and remember the order of the disassembly so you can put the device back together later. Soak up any remaining liquid on the circuit board with a lint-free cloth. Don’t use paper products (they could leave lint or scratch the board). Avoid rubbing any cloth on the circuit board because that might scratch or dislodge parts. Place the cloth over the board and press gently. This will soak up the liquid. Remove the worst of any remaining particles by brushing with a toothbrush. This includes any globs of dried liquid. You don’t need perfection at this stage. Then remove any dust or loose pieces of dried liquid by spraying the board with compressed air. Spray in one direction in quick bursts, since the canister can become extremely cold if used for longer sprays. Rinse the circuit board with clean or distilled water to remove any sticky materials. If your circuit board was wet by clean water and you didn’t have to remove dried materials, you may be able to skip this. Pat the board gently with a cloth to remove the majority of the moisture and allow it to dry completely. Clean any residue off the circuit board using a cotton swab. Moisten the cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol. Do not use a dripping wet swab. Swab gently in stubborn areas and be careful not to upset the components. The alcohol should take care of most of the work without rubbing.

7. Cross your fingers
When you try to repair a water-damaged electronic device there are no guarantees. The water-damage or corrosion may be permanent. These steps improve your chances of repairing it, but in the end you just have to cross your fingers and hope for the best.

More Information

You might also want to explore the educational information on our sister franchise’s blog, SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Water Damage Dangers

10/13/2017 (Permalink)

Our crews are experts on water damage repair and restoration

When water from a flood, storm, or sewage break damages your property you need to know the dangers and avoid them. Water damage comes with lots of potential health and safety hazards. Here are a few of things you need to know.

Stay Out Of The Water

First, stay out of the water completely until a professional has done an assessment of the dangers that lurk in the water in your home or business.

Don’t Risk Electrocution

Stagnate flood water could be carrying electrical currents from electrical appliances that are running in the basement or from the source of the flood. People who do mitigation for water in the home regularly have the attire and equipment to avoid electrocution, and to remain safe while extracting the water out of the home. Water in business properties that contains electrical currents is a serious liability concern, so stay out of the water and keep others out.

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785.

Start Mitigation and Drying Quickly

Mold can grow around a water damaged space in just 24 hours. The mitigation and drying process need to be started as quickly as possible with water in business properties, or with any water in home basements and other areas. You can minimize water damage cleanup if the water damage and restoration company removes the water and starts drying out the structural materials quickly.

Avoid Legal Concerns
Water damage in business properties and mold can cause legal concerns, because if there’s mold after the water has been cleaned up, the toxic air could be considered an unsuitable working environment. After the water’s removed the area has to be sealed and sanitized to contain and kill the mold. The mold can get into the ducts and spread throughout your ventilation system if it isn't taken care of as needed.

Check For Structural Damage
If water in business spaces or water in home residences sits for too long, it can start to deteriorate the materials and compromise the building. This can make the business or house unsafe to live or work in. Soggy beams or crumbling concrete could cause the house or building to cave in. You may want to have a structural consultant look at your business or home if you don't know how long there’s been water damage. Other materials around the house will also be damaged, so be sure to remove and replace any materials that you feel aren't stable or safe.

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785.

Check For Sewage Contamination
At first you may not know where the water is coming from. Even if the source is heavy rains or melting snow, there could be sewage in the water. Inhalation of raw sewage is toxic and dangerous, and the mitigation and sewage cleanup company will be capable of dealing with the contaminated water, without jeopardizing their own health.

Water cleanup, mitigation, and restoration services are complex. They must be handled in a detailed, professional way. Drying your home or business property on your own may not be successful. We recommend letting the water cleanup company pump out everything that they can, then use commercial drying fans and dehumidification systems. As soon as you see flooding water, or you find out that you have had a flood, call the water cleanup services in your area to get help.

Help Is Here

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

What Recent Massive Storms Taught Us

10/5/2017 (Permalink)

We can help you be prepared for major storms

According to the Wall Street Journal, when homeowners in Florida began taking stock of the damage from the Category Five level Storm Irma in September 2017, one pattern began to emerge: homes that were built to the stricter building codes seem to have fared better.

Bill Wheat, executive vice president and chief financial officer at home-building giant D.R. Horton Inc., said his company’s early assessments “indicate that the more recent building standards post-Andrew over the last 20 years have held up relatively well.”

The Journal reported in late September that Julie Rochman, chief executive of the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, a research organization backed by insurers, said it is too early to say definitively what role the building code played in minimizing destruction during Irma. But she said early feedback from a research team that put in place instrumentation throughout southern Florida during the storm is encouraging.

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

Make Quality Renovations

What that means to you and me is that anytime we are thinking about renovating or building we need to consider using materials and methods that make any new construction as storm-worthy as possible. Cutting corners on building costs is not the way to go whether you live in Florida, Connecticut, or anywhere else.

Reduce Windstorm Losses 72%

Kevin Simmons, a professor at Austin College, conducted research about insured-loss data from 2001 to 2010. His conclusion is that building codes can reduce windstorm losses by up to 72% and that there were $6 in losses saved for every $1 of additional construction costs. Professor Simmons’s paper is expected to be published shortly in the Land Economics Journal.

Use Different Building Materials

Another lesson from both Harvey and Irma is the need to consider different building materials. The Washington Post quoted Robert Gilbert, a professor and the chair of the civil, architectural and environmental engineering department at the University of Texas at Austin saying that communities should build with the reality of floods in mind. That would include ideas like avoiding materials like sheetrock that water easily destroys and replacing them with materials like concrete that hold up better in water. Gilbert also thinks flood insurance should be available in every part of the country.

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

Northeast Could Face Extreme Weather

Superstorm Sandy, hit the coasts of New Jersey and New York on October 29, 2012. Sandy was a huge reminder that storms can strike anywhere and that they are expensive. People tend to think of hurricanes as only hitting in Florida but that’s not true. The entire East Coast including Connecticut is vulnerable. Sandy was an extremely catastrophic damaging storm in terms of property damage. It showed that the Northeast is at risk for extreme weather events much like other parts of the country says Jeanne Salvatore, Senior Vice President of the Insurance Information Institute.

Despite the fact that it wasn’t labeled as a hurricane when it hit the Northeast, Sandy caused unprecedented destruction of property in the Northeast says Jeanne Salvatore, a senior vice president at the Insurance Information Institute. The Insurance Information Institute on hurricanes says more than a dozen states were impacted by Hurricane Sandy resulting in $18.75 billion in insured property losses, excluding flood insurance claims which are covered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Check Your Insurance

What can you as a homeowner do to prepare before disaster strikes? Jeanne Salvatore advises all homeowners to make sure that they are properly insured.

“People need to know how to protect their property against wind and flood. They have to have the right type of insurance and they need a backup plan,” says Salvatore.

“Make sure that your insurance is up to date,” she adds. “Also, consider getting flood insurance or at least looking into it at floodsmart.gov. We’ve seen time and time again that places that have not flooded before are flooding now. You may be in a low risk area but that doesn’t mean it’s a no-risk area.”

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in storm restoration fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

More Information On Our Blog

You can learn more by reading other posts on this blog:

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Fire Damage Restoration For Businesses And Homes

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

After the fire in your business or home is put out, take precautionary measures to prevent injury and further losses.

A fire at your business or in your home can mean major losses. If a fire starts, remember to stay calm and act rationally. Having quick access to a written plan of the steps you need to take after fire damage can save precious time and keep your fire damage losses down.

After the fire in your business or home is put out, take precautionary measures to prevent injury and further losses. Your best bet is often to call a fire damage restoration company. Or you may want to handle the fire damage restoration yourself. If so, here are some steps to consider:

1. Think long and hard before deciding not to use an emergency fire damage restoration service

Nearly every corner in the country now has 24/7 access to an experienced, professional fire damage service like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. Companies like ours help reduce the fire, smoke, and soot damage at businesses and in private residences. Involving the fire damage restoration professionals also reduces the risk of injury. The professionals have the right equipment and training to safely deal with the aftermath of a fire. Commercial fire damage usually results in a lot of smoke smell. Smoke smell can be a health hazard to anyone working in or near the premises. Commercial fire damage services can help to quickly get rid of the smoke damage.

2. Evaluate the extent of the fire damage

You’ll want a complete and accurate assessment of all damage so you can determine how much it will cost you to restore your business or home. An accurate fire damage assessment will quicken the process of restoration. Speeding the process allows you to get back to your daily activities in the shortest time possible. For businesses this means less business interruption, less revenue loss, and a greater chance of recovering the full extent of your business.

Understanding the level of fire damage will also help you determine what items you need to get rid of. This will help to reduce the smoke smell in your business or home. Your insurance company will also want a full and accurate assessment of fire damage so they can pay your claim efficiently.

For professional fire, smoke, and soot restoration call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785.

Prevent further damage

Evaluate beyond the area that seems to be fire damaged. Take a good look at your entire property. Sometimes business owners or homeowners miss a burned window or a damaged roof. If you don’t find all the fire damage you risk leaving conditions that could lead to further fire damage. One example is holes in the roof. They are particularly dangerous and must be addressed before people move back into the business or home. Another example is missing a water pipe or water tap that’s suffered damage. Check all your utilities, including your water. If you notice any leaking taps or pipes, seal them to prevent further damage.

4. Start fire damage restoration

Sometimes a fire’s flames and heat do less damage than the smoke and soot the fire creates. Breathing in smoke can be hazardous. Soot can invade porous surfaces and damage furniture, carpets, drapes, and other valuable items. Commercial fire damage companies know how to clean up soot and smoke damage. The longer you wait to deal with soot and smoke the more damage they can do.

The smell caused by smoke damage is not very easy to get rid of, especially if you decide to handle the restoration process yourself. To do this, you might have to dispose of badly burned items. Soot damage will usually coat items such as curtains, and these might need to be washed thoroughly. Also, soot damage affects the solid surfaces of your home. These will need to be cleaned using a solution made up of vinegar, dish soap, and water. If the carpets and furniture are not badly burned, you should clean them using a HEPA vacuum. This is more effective in getting rid of the smoke damage since the particles are not blown back into your home environment. Finally, you should use an exhaust fan to remove the smoke smell in your building. For more see our post Removing Smoke Odor.

For professional fire, smoke, and soot restoration call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785.

And what about water? The fire cleanup process often involves getting rid of standing water. If any pipes or tanks were affected by the soot damage, you will need to purify the water before you use it. Don’t risk getting poisoned.

In the process of fire cleanup, you should be careful not to touch any wires that may have been affected by the fire, or water.

5. See if professionals can save valuable items that appear destroyed

After a fire some items will probably have to be thrown away. But sometimes what looks like an item that is not salvageable can be restored by professionals. Books, leather items, and other valuables might fit into this category.

Help Is Here

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Preparing Your Pets For Emergencies

8/28/2017 (Permalink)

Make sure your emergency plan includes saving your pets

You may have a good disaster emergency plan for your family but what about your pets? Will you be able to safely move and protect your pets should a fire, flood, hurricane, or other natural disaster strike? FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has some important guidelines for you.

Create A Pet Emergency Supply Kit
To keep your pets safe in a natural disaster think first about food and water. Prepare a pet emergency supply kit similar to the emergency supply kit you have for your family. FEMA suggests having two pet kits—one with everything your pets will need to stay where you are; another lightweight, smaller version to use if you have to get away. Your pet’s kit might include:
•   3 days of food in an airtight, waterproof container
•   3 days worth of water for your pets
•   Medicines and medical records
•   First aid kit with a pet first aid reference book
•   Collar with ID tag, harness or leash
•   Crate or pet carrier
•   Sanitation supplies (pet litter, litter box, paper towels, plastic trash bags, etc.)
•   Copies of a picture of you and your pet together (in case you get separated)
•   Familiar items like your pet’s favorite toys, treats, or bedding

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

Have A Plan
Before a natural disaster occurs you should have a plan on how you and your pets will get away, should you need to leave. How will you assemble your pets? Where will you go? Consider whether family or friends are willing to take you and your pets in during an emergency. Find facilities like hotels and shelters in your area that might be viable options for you and your pets.

Plan with neighbors, friends, or relatives to make sure someone will be available to care for or evacuate your pets if you cannot. Talk with them about your evacuation plans and show them where your pet’s emergency supply kit is. Have at least two locations, one in your neighborhood and another father away, where you will meet in an emergency.

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

Consult Your Vet
You can also seek advice from your veterinarian. He or she might have good thoughts on what to put into your pet’s emergency supply kit. Your vet may also have names of vets or veterinary hospitals in other cities where you might have to seek temporary shelter. Discuss the need for permanent identification (like micro chipping) and whether to enroll your pet in a recovery database.

Your pet is an important member of your household. Any pet is much more likely to survive an emergency like a fire, flood, tornado, or terrorist attack if you do some good emergency planning. Preparing your pets for an emergency makes sense. Get ready now.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Natural Disaster Statistics and Facts

8/11/2017 (Permalink)

A natural disaster is characterized by a great deal of damage.

The sheer size and geographic diversity of the United States means that our country experiences a variety of different natural disasters on a frequent basis. Rather than just an extreme natural event such as a hurricane, a flood or an earthquake, a natural disaster is characterized by a great deal of damage and/or loss of life.

Flooding: The Most Deadly Weather Hazard
According to the National Weather Service weather-related deaths in the United States rose in 2015 from 388 in 2014 to 522. That number is still slightly below the 10-year average (2005-2014) of 552 deaths. Thunderstorm winds and high winds were the next most deadly weather events, claiming 65 lives, up from 55 in 2014.

Twice As Many Male Deaths
Of the 2015 weather-related deaths, males, as usual, accounted for more deaths, 347 (66%), than females, 165 (32%). The National Weather Service says this gender breakdown is typical. In most years, there are almost twice as many male victims of extreme weather as female, a pattern likely reflecting 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 disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

Tornadoes Cause The Most Injuries
In 2015, weather related injuries and illnesses numbered 2,143. That’s down slightly from the 2014 total of 2,203 and more significantly from the 2013 total of 2,767. Tornadoes caused by the far the most injuries with 924, heat caused 640, and thunderstorm and high winds caused 221 injuries.

Texas: The Most Dangerous State
Which state had the most dangerous weather in 2015? Texas, with 86 casualties, took that dubious honor from Washington, which numbered 50 weather-related fatalities in 2014. A large number of the Texas deaths were due to flooding, which claimed 48 victims. Illinois and Florida were the next hardest hit with 32 and 28 deaths each.

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

What To Do In A Major Disaster
The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association says you should evacuate from your home and contact your insurance agent or 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.

Many Adjusters Will Starting Writing Checks Immediately
Insurance company claims adjusters--many equipped with laptop computers and portable 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 Your Insurance Agent A Description Of The Damage You Suffered
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.

Write A Detailed Inventory Of Damaged Property
Be sure to make two copies of the inventory--one for yourself and one for the 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 Whatever Temporary Repairs You Can
Cover broken windows, damaged roofs, and walls to prevent further damage. Save 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 Bloomfield/Enfield or another reputable contractor 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
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Technology Advantage to SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

8/1/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's modern technology makes clean up and restoration faster, easier, and more affordable

Every year, every month, sometimes every day you can hear about another technology advancement or other advancement in the restoration industry. The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield keeps up with the latest in clean up and restoration advancements. When you must deal with property damage you can expect the newest and most advanced technology and techniques from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

That means we can get your home or business back to preloss condition quickly, reliably, and effectively at a reasonable cost.

Especially if your business or home suffers water damage, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) cautions you to act within 48 hours: "If your home has water damage, mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure. Even worse, it will continue to grow until steps are taken to eliminate the source of moisture, and effectively deal with the mold problem."

Among some modern technology and technical advancements at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield are:

Moisture Detection and Measurement Equipment
Too often people think they’ve removed all the water from a flood or water event and repaired the damage when they have actually missed critical steps in restoring their property. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield follows the high and strict standards for restoration and cleaning of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We follow the IICRC S500 Water Damage Guide, a specific set of practical standards and techniques that incorporate the advanced field of psychometry. Psychometry is the manipulation of temperature and relative humidity to remove moisture and dry a property quickly and effectively. What looks dry to the eye and feels dry to the hand is often still holding enough moisture to create mold and to further damage property.

We employ advanced scientific drying principles and specialized equipment. A SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield crew can detect, measure, and monitor your property’s moisture levels. Recent advances, like infrared cameras, help us detect water through a wall, ceiling, or floor. We also use sensitive moisture detectors, hygrometers, and other meters to precisely measure the extent of moisture saturation.

Water Extraction Technology
Our advanced and powerful water extraction equipment speeds the drying process. It quickly removes the bulk of the water from your home or business to help prevent further damage. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also uses submersible and gas-powered pumps for continuous pumping of high-level water. You want water to be removed as quickly as possible to keep the damage level down. And a SERVPRO truck-mounted or a portable extraction unit performs efficient water removal.

Modern Drying Equipment
But water extraction isn’t enough. You need to dry anything that’s been partially saturated by water. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield uses industrial strength air movers and dehumidifiers. The typical drying technology available to consumers isn’t powerful enough for big jobs. Our advanced drying equipment is needed to remove the remaining (and often undetected) moisture from ceiling, walls, and floors of your home or business. Proper drying helps to prevent swelling and warping of floors, walls, and furniture.

Why use our high-speed air movers? Because the technology behind them means more moisture evaporates at a faster pace. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield’s industrial grade dehumidifiers pull the water vapor from the air.

Advanced Technology That Removes Odors And Deodorization
Water, chemical, fire, or other natural disasters often cause powerful odors. These odors are not healthy or safe. We use special techniques and technology (like air scrubbers, thermal foggers, and deodorizing agents) that removes airborne contaminants and restores air quality during the restoration and cleanup process.

Not Just Cleaned—Sanitized
When your home or business needs a thorough cleaning SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield does more than just clean. We clean, disinfect, and sanitize. We use OSHA-approved cleaning agents to clean and remove odors and contaminants from your property. Our deodorization products control odors from excessive moisture. Our disinfection products stop the growth of bacteria, fungi, mildew, and other harmful microorganisms.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Shutting Off Your Electricity

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

When a natural disaster exposes electrical components electricity becomes dangerous and even life-threatening.

One of the greatest inventions and conveniences is electricity. Electricity lets us read at night, run major appliances, cook food, heat water, watch television, stay cool on hot days, and much more. It’s safely embedded in nearly every wall of every room of our houses. But when a storm or natural disaster exposes electrical components or compromises them, electricity becomes dangerous and even life-threatening.

A live electrical wire can cause electrical shock or even death. A slight electrical spark can ignite leaking natural gas. When your electrical system suffers storm damage or becomes a danger you should immediately shut off the electrical power.

If your electrical panel is damaged or if you have standing water near your breaker box you should leave the house immediately, keep everyone out, and call for help.

1. Find The Electrical Service Panel
In homes the main electrical service panel (sometimes called a main breaker panel box) contains either circuit breakers or fuses and is usually located in a utility area. It should be easily accessible but away from the main traffic flow in your house.

It’s usually a large metal box with a door that swings open to reveal the electrical circuit breakers. Often it’s in the basement. There are many possibilities for electrical panels and shut-offs so look carefully. Nearly all homes have a single electrical feed but multi-family buildings could have several.

2. Make sure everyone in your home knows where the electrical service panel box is.
You may not be home when electricity needs to be turned off so others need to know how to shut off power without you. If the breakers or fuses are not marked you should label them so everyone will know what each individual breaker or fuse controls (Examples: Kitchen, Master Bedroom, Air Conditioning, etc.).

If You Have Electrical Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

3. Find the “main” circuit breaker.

You’ll see many individual circuit breakers that cut the power to individual rooms or appliances. In an emergency and when you don’t know the extent or source of the electrical damage, the easiest and safest thing to do is to shut off the main breaker. It will cut the electrical power throughout your entire house. The main shut-off is often found at the top of the breaker panel and should be labeled.

4. Breaker switches are usually marked “off” and “on”.
Just flip the main switch to the off position. If you have trouble finding the main circuit breaker just turn off every individual circuit breaker. The main breaker is usually a double-width switch located at the top of the service panel. You may need a flashlight handy when you turn on your electrical power.

If You Have Electrical Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

5. Caution: The electrical line into your house still is live
After the main breaker is off you will still have power in the wire from the road to your house.
Keep everyone away from that outside power line.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Water Shut Off

7/10/2017 (Permalink)

Reduce water damage by knowing how to shut off your water during a water emergency

In an emergency you may have to shut off the water to your home. For example, freezing or thawing may cause a water pipe to break. Water pipe breaks are also common with most types of natural disasters (winter storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and more). Broken water pipes can lead to electrical hazards, long-term wood rot, long-term mold, or even drowning.

Where’s The Water Shut-Off Valve?
1. Look for the water shut-off valve where the water line enters your house. In warmer climates the shut-off valve may be outside your home where the water line meets your home’s exterior. But in most climates the water shut-off valve is just inside the house where the water line enters through your home’s foundation or exterior wall. Scott Finazzo, author of The Neighborhood Emergency Response Handbook, says that if your water comes in through a ground well the valves on either side of the pressure tank should both be shut off.

2. Often the water shut-off valve is a quarter-turn ball valve. If that’s what you have, turn the valve a quarter of a turn until it’s perpendicular to the water pipe. Or your home may have a round handle that you turn clockwise until you can’t turn it anymore. Don’t have a master shut-off value in your home? Have one installed.

If You Have Water Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

3. Another water shut-off option is closing the municipal water meter shut-off valve. This valve, if you have municipal water, typically is in your front or side yard. Look for a round metal lid or box close to your property line. It’s often 24 to 48 inches from the curb or fence line.

If your water meter has a round metal lid use a wrench or pliers to rotate the lone nut on the lid counterclockwise. This will release the latch and you can open the lid. Another type of metal lid requires a screwdriver. Turn the lid until the tabs line up with the gaps and you can lift the lid off. A third type of water meter lid is square or rectangular. You can pry it open with a screwdriver or pry bar.

Don’t reach into the meter box until you inspect the area for debris and rodents. If the box is old and covered with a lot of growth you may want to wear gloves. Once inside the municipal water meter box you’ll need pliers or a specialty tool to turn the valve. Turn it until it’s perpendicular to the water pipe.

If You Have Water Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Shut-Off Valves For Single Rooms
Sometimes you only need to shut off the water to one room. Most newer houses have shut-off valves at every sink and toilet. Your water heater may have several shut-off valves. If your issue is one leaking sink just shut off water to that sink. If you know the water heater is leaking just shut the valves to it off.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, flood damage repair, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Clean Air In Commercial Buildings

7/3/2017 (Permalink)

Indoor air quality in commercial buildings is a factor in good health

Indoor air quality is a major concern for businesses, building managers, tenants, and employees. Clean air impacts the health, comfort, well being, and productivity of building occupants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says most Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors and many spend most of their working hours in an office environment.

More Pollution Inside Than Outside
Studies conducted by the EPA and others show that indoor environments sometimes can have levels of pollutants that are higher than levels found outside. Pollutants in commercial buildings and other indoor environments can increase the risk of illness. The EPA, states, and independent scientific panels have consistently ranked indoor air pollution as an important environmental health problem. While most buildings do not have severe indoor air quality problems, even well-run buildings can sometimes experience episodes of poor indoor air quality.

Commercial Building Cleaning? Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

How To Improve The Air Inside Your Commercial Building
Some pretty simple steps can have a big impact on the quality of the air inside your commercial building:

• Don’t block air vents or grills
• Comply with the office and building smoking policy
• Water and maintain office plants properly
• Dispose of garbage promptly and properly
• Store food properly
• Avoid bringing products into the building that could release harmful or bothersome odors or contaminants
• Notify your building or facility manager immediately if you suspect an indoor air quality problem

Commercial Building Cleanliness Problems? Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

If You Manage The Office
Building managers and office managers have a long list of responsibilities. Assuring the air quality is healthy should be on that list. Here are some ideas on how to fulfill that responsibility:

• Ask tenants and employees to alert you to any air quality issues they may notice
• Maintain a good working relationship with building management on indoor environmental issues
• Place office furniture and equipment with air circulation, temperature control, and pollutant removal functions of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in mind
• Work with building management whenever responsibility for design, operation, and maintenance of the ventilation system is shared
• Establish an effective smoking policy that protects nonsmokers from involuntary exposure to secondhand smoke
• Avoid procedures and products that can cause indoor air quality problems
• Integrate indoor air quality concerns into your purchasing decisions
• Make sure the building manager uses only necessary and appropriate pest
control practices. Non-chemical methods are usually preferable.
• Work with building management and the contractor before you remodel or renovate to identify ways of keeping building occupants’ exposure to pollutants to a minimum and to ensure that the air distribution system is not disrupted
• Encourage building management to develop a preventive indoor air quality management program following guidance issued by EPA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
These tips are from a free EPA booklet on the EPA website, "An Office Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality."

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Thunderstorm Preparation

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms often come with other threats like tornadoes, high winds, and flooding.

1. Remove any dead or rotting trees near your house. In a thunderstorm or other type of storm a weakened tree could fall and cause extensive damage.

2. Check your homeowner’s insurance. Make sure you are covered for thunderstorm damage. Does your insurance coverage meet your needs? If not, make adjustments.

5. Get trained in first aid and learn how to respond to emergencies. In Connecticut check out the available classes at Red Cross Training.

If You Have Thunderstorm Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

10. Read what the Red Cross has to say about thunderstorm safety.

If You Have Thunderstorm Damage, Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Flooded Basement? Simple Steps To A Dry Carpet.

6/6/2017 (Permalink)

After your basement floods quick action can save your carpet and other possessions.

A pipe breaks. Your hot water tank leaks. Rain pours into your basement. A snow melt floods your floor. If your basement floods you have to act fast. Mold and mildew can start to set in within hours, and the damage to your carpet can be permanent. But getting your carpet dry again is difficult. And it can be dangerous. If you don’t want to take on this task yourself, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785. If you want to do as much as you can on your own here are some tips.

1. Turn Off Your Electricity

It sounds simple and it is. But people who forget this step are at great risk. The combination of water and electricity can be deadly. Don’t set foot on your squishy carpet until you’ve turned off all power to your basement. If your circuit breakers aren’t marked turn them all off, then turn them on one at a time to confirm which one controls the basement electricity. If your circuit breakers are in the basement, call a professional to make sure your power is turned off before you head downstairs. Next, remove any extension cords and power strips from the floor and unplug or switch off all electrical appliances (washer, dryer, HVAC).

Find The Cause

This can be obvious, but not always. The cause for your flooded basement could be six inches of rain in the last 24 hours or a fast snow melt. If your problem isn’t obvious, look for broken or leaky pipes. If clean water is leaking (say from a kitchen sink or bathroom shower) you can start drying out your basement. If the leak is from a sewer pipe or water is spilling out of your washing machine, you need to disinfect. To do that job right you should call a professional. You’ll also need the pros if your flood comes from an overflowing river. River overflows can contain all sorts of dangerous chemicals and debris like manufacturing plant chemicals or decaying animals.

Remove Everything

Think of a going out of business sale—everything must go. Furniture, exercise equipment, storage units—those items may have suffered water damage, so they could be heavy and hard to move. Get someone to help you.

Move any electronics upstairs so their components don’t corrode. Get artwork or photos off your basement walls to spare them damage from humidity. If you can’t move furniture, wrap the furniture legs in aluminum foil.

You can sometimes save books by freezing them (the freezing process pulls water out of the pages). Remember that just because something isn’t actually underwater doesn’t mean the flooded basement won’t affect it. Lots of damage comes from the high humidity that exists in any flooded basement.

Remove Flood Water

Now you can get at and treat the carpet. The tools you need depend in part on how much water you’re dealing with. Start with a wet/dry vacuum to remove as much water as quickly as possible. If you don’t have one, you can rent one at your local home improvement store.

If the amount of standing water is beyond the capacity of a wet/dry vacuum, rent an extractor instead to pull water out of the carpet. Extraction is 1,200 times more effective than dehumidification. Use the extractor very slowly so it slurps up as much water as it possibly can.

For A Flooded Basement Or Other Water Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Bring In The Fans And A Dehumidifier

You may think vacuuming and extracting rides your carpet of all water but it doesn’t. At this point your basement carpet isn’t soaking wet but it will still be damp. Don’t stop. Keep drying. If you don’t, mold and mildew will grow and work their damage.

Turn on every fan you’ve got, but home fans usually aren’t super powerful. Consider renting high-powered fans from your home improvement store. Keep those fans running while you’re working, since they also circulate fresh air, which mold and mildew hate.

Plug in your dehumidifier but do know that your home dehumidifier isn’t built for a job like this. Large home dehumidifiers pull only four gallons of water out of the air every 24 hours. Rent the largest dehumidifier you can find so you can pull 30 gallons of water a day. Do keep checking on the dehumidifier and emptying it.

Think Before You Heat

If your furnace is in your basement, don’t turn on the heat until you make sure it hasn’t been damaged by the flooding and that it’s safe to use. Even if your furnace isn’t affected by the flooding keep the basement heat in the mid 70s. Heat the basement more than that and you’re not doing that much to dry out your carpet while you are encouraging mold and mildew to grow. They both love high temperatures.

Dry The Carpet Pad

The pad under your carpet (most carpets have one) is probably just as soaked as your carpet.

After you’ve removed the water from your carpet, peel the carpet back. Watch out for carpet tacks. Remove the wet pad, even if you have to cut it into strips. Take it outside to dry if the weather is warm and sunny. Or keep it inside and use the fans and dehumidifier to dry it out. If it’s too badly damaged, you may want to replace it.

Clean Up & Sanitize

Often you will have to deal with some odors from the water damage. They’re likely to get worse if you don’t deal with them right away. Once your carpet is dry you should steam clean it to deodorize the basement.

If your flooding was caused by storm water, river water, or a leaky sewer pipe, slip on your rubber gloves and sanitize the room. Use detergent to clean everything that the water touched, including hard floors and walls. Sanitize and disinfect everything with a chlorine bleach solution.

For A Flooded Basement Or Other Water Damage Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Take Preventive Measures.

Basements that flood once tend to flood again. Think about how to prevent future repetitions so you can avoid doing all this work again.

Can you do something to prevent outside water from coming toward your foundation? That might mean building a swale or extending your downspouts so rain is deposited on the ground at least 10 feet away from your foundation. Keep your gutters cleaned out so they don’t overflow. Make sure water drains away from your home rather than pooling up right next to it.

Look for any depressions in the ground next to your home’s foundation walls. If you find any, fill them in with dirt so the water drains away from the house. Use a clay-type soil that sheds water instead of sandy soil that allows water to soak into the ground. Make sure to keep at least eight inches between the top of the earth and any wood or stucco on your house.

If water entered your home through cracks in your foundation or basement walls, patch them and seal them. Use polyethylene masonry caulk for small cracks, and upgrade to hydraulic cement for cracks that are 1/4” wide or larger. If you suffered a leaky or broken pipe, you’ll need to replace the pipe and repair any drywall or plaster that was damaged in the leak.

Help Is Here

We serve businesses and residents in Bloomfield, East Granby, Enfield, Granby, Hartland, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785 24 hour emergency service

History & Services Of SERVPRO In 400 Words Or Less

5/25/2017 (Permalink)

Since 1969 SERVPRO has been providing cleaning and restoration services

• Ted and Doris Isaacson launched SERVPRO in 1967 as a painting business in Sacramento, California
• With a cleaning and restoration background, Ted and Doris transformed the company into a franchisor of cleanup and restoration specialists
• Ted and Doris sold the first SERVPRO franchise in 1969
• SERVPRO acquired the Bristol-Myers Domesticare Division with its 175 Franchises in 1979
• In 1988 SERVPRO relocated to Gallatin, Tennessee to be within 600 miles of 50% of the U.S. population
• By 1988 SERVPRO had 647 franchises
• The Nashville Business Journal named SERVPRO the Small Business of the Year in 1991
• In 2000 SERVPRO sold its 1,000th franchise
• To meet growing needs SERVPRO moved to a 140,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in Gallatin in 2005
• Entrepreneur Magazine ranked SERVPRO the #4 franchise opportunity overall
and the #1 franchise opportunity in the restoration services category in 2016
• In 2017 SERVPRO had 1,700+ franchises across the nation and continues to grow

For Disaster Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Services Of SERVPRO
• SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield works closely with insurance agents, property managers, and local fire/police departments to assist in community disasters.

• SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield offers many restoration and remediation services.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785 any time, any day

Support Your Local Fire Department

5/15/2017 (Permalink)

Your local fire department needs your support

The Bloomfield (Connecticut) firefighters are a vital community resource. So are the Enfield and other local fire departments in Connecticut. These men and women save lives and property by preventing and putting out fires, educating our communities on safety, and handling many types of emergencies. We all should support our local fire fighters and fire departments. A lack of visible support in other communities has made firefighters feel cut off from local residents and businesses.

Here are some facts about firefighters and some ways that your business or you and your family can help strengthen and show appreciation for the Bloomfield, Enfield, or other local firefighters in your community.

1. Think about it: Bloomfield’s firefighters have been extensively trained. They have life-saving skills. They’ve learned the science and art of fire prevention and suppression. Bloomfield firefighters help our local communities in lots of other ways, especially in life-threatening situations like house fires, car accidents and other disasters. Thank them with a letter to the editor in your local newspaper.

2. If your local fire department hosts a fundraising event be sure to participate.

3. Sometimes Bloomfield and other fire departments sponsor fire safety events. It’s worth the time to go and learn how you, too, can help prevent fires.

4. Many fire departments have a member or officer who will visit schools. She or he will help educate young children on the importance of fire safety. The firefighters also tell school children how to react in case of a fire. In Bloomfield or elsewhere, encourage your local schools to participate in these types of fire safety programs. Children love to learn about firefighters and how important they are as members of a community.

5. Volunteer fire departments often have limited financial resources. Local businesses, families, and individuals often find ways to support their department by performing important tasks like:
• Hosting a fire safety event at your local community organization
• Teaching fire safety to children
• Encouraging people to install smoke alarms in their homes
• (If this is in your skill set) Offering to maintain the department’s website and social media efforts
• Distributing the fire department’s disaster preparedness materials
• Providing refreshments to first responders during long incidents (e.g. a wild fire or large commercial building fire)
• Cooking for the fire department’s on-duty staff
• Helping maintain the fire station and grounds (painting, carpentry, etc.)
• Donating services (like bookkeeping) so the department can devote more financial resources to fire prevention
• Spreading the word about the fire department’s resources (the Bloomfield Fire Department has a website with eight pages full of material on fire prevention and even a Kids’ Corner.)

6. The famous stop, drop, and roll skill is taught to children at various ages so that they have the skills to put out a fire on their bodies if needed. Make sure children in your community learn that skill.

7. You can make a huge impact by becoming a volunteer firefighter. Ask if you can meet with the local fire department chief and discuss what’s involved in volunteering.

8. Fire Prevention Week is the Sunday through Saturday period that includes October 9. For example, in 2018 Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13. Check with your local fire department to see how you can help celebrate that week.

9. Investigate resources like the Firefighters Support Foundation. This foundation produces and distributes advanced, life-saving training programs free of charge to firefighters, rescue crews, and EMS personnel.

10. Whether you live or work in Bloomfield, Enfield, or another town, the best advice is to contact your local fire department to find out what specific needs they have.

19,915 Out Of 29,980 Fire Departments Are All Volunteer
In the United States, 69 percent of firefighters are volunteers. Rural towns in particular could not survive without these dedicated men and women. Out of 29,980 fire departments in the United States, 19,915 are totally volunteer. Volunteer firemen and women have to attend hours of rigorous training. Many times they purchase their own gear. To fund the departments the firefighters have to put on fundraising activities. In addition to hours spent fighting fires and training, they are expected to raise money to buy the equipment necessary to fight fires. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield strongly urges you to support your local department in any way and every way you can. And remember this quotation:
“Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.” -- Sherry Anderson

Fire and Fire Protection Information For You
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent and deal with fires.

Fire Damage Restoration

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We serve clients in Bloomfield, East Granby, Enfield, Suffield, and Hartland.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Workplace Safety & OSHA

4/28/2017 (Permalink)

OSHA helps keep employers and their employees safe

Are you a business owner? Keeping your business site as safe as possible is important. Or maybe you’re a business employee? You have rights and resources to make sure that where you work is a safe place for you and other employees. Both business owners and employees have lots of information and resources available through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

OSHA helps assure that employers provide their workers with a healthful and safe workplace. And workers cannot be punished by employers for raising a health or safety concern or for reporting an injury. If you want to learn more go to http://www.whistleblower.gov/ or Workers’ Rights under the OSH Act.

For Natural Disaster Preparedness, Repair, and Restoration Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Employers and workers can raise workplace health and safety questions or concerns with their regional OSHA office. Just go to OSHA Offices by State or call 1.800.321.OSHA (6742). If you’re in the Hartford, Connecticut area the contact information for the Hartford Area Office is:

William R. Cotter Federal Building 135 High Street, Suite 361 Hartford, Connecticut 06103 (860) 240-3152 (860) 240-3155 FAX

Free On-site Consultation for Employers

Small business owners can have OSHA conduct a free and confidential On-site Consultation Program. The program identifies hazards and OSHA will work with the business to correct any that are found. OSHA consultants provide advice on how to comply with OSHA standards and they’ll assist in helping you set up injury and illness prevention programs. None of this work results in penalties or citations.

Handling A Safety Or Health Complaint

If you’re a worker and you see a healthy or safety risk it’s best to talk first to your immediate supervisor. Use all the available resources at your place of business. The fastest and best resolutions usually come from working directly with management. But if you need to go further you can file a complaint with OSHA by calling 1.800.321.OSHA (6742). There’s also an OSHA complaint form online.

Call On SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield

Another option is to be proactive and call on us to perform an on-site emergency readiness evaluation. It’s not the same as an OSHA consultation. We don’t look for health issues or OSHA compliance. What SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield does is perform an Emergency Ready Profile so your business can be as prepared as possible for a natural disaster or other emergency. SERVPRO has performed many of these evaluations for companies and businesses in the Hartford and Bloomfield area. The standard profile includes an emergency action checklist, a property overview, building access information, and many lists of critical information you need to have quick access to in an emergency and after the emergency.

For Natural Disaster Preparedness, Repair and Restoration Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Here For You

In Bloomfield the team at SERVPRO has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation, building services, and natural disaster cleanup.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner

Call 860-216-2785 anytime

FEMA's Take on Restoring Flood Damage in Bloomfield/Enfield

4/18/2017 (Permalink)

Many water damaged items can be restored

In Bloomfield, Enfield, and surrounding Connecticut towns, flood damage technicians are the ones who deal directly with residential flood repairs. However, they must adhere to a set of rules and guidelines provided by government authorities. Some of these authorities are national and oversee flooding in all parts of the country, and others are regional. The biggest and most important may be FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The important thing is that SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield always follows the right restoration directives. FEMA is the source for many of the most crucial restoration directives. So, when it comes to repairing flood damage in Bloomfield and Enfield homes, we use FEMA policies on removal, drying, clean-up, and remediation. Keep reading to find out what FEMA says about flood damage restoration and how it should be carried out.

For Flood Damage Restoration Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Water Extraction And Drying
FEMA and other agencies stress the importance of speed. At SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we waste no time getting repairs started. It may be necessary to complete an inspection of the property first, but we can address your most vulnerable items immediately. For instance, we cover large, delicate items with protective plastic to prevent further water intrusion.

Removing Wet Materials
FEMA leaves it up to the discretion of the flood damage repair team to decide what can and cannot be salvaged (unless you’re dealing with black water). If porous materials have absorbed lots of water, we need to determine whether drying is the best option. Not all items removed from the flood site are destroyed. Some (artwork and electronics are examples) get sent to cleaning facilities and are returned.

Cleaning HVAC Systems
Cleaning damaged ductwork is tricky. FEMA recommends the use of a spray washer to hose down accessible surfaces. Pine oil or phenolic disinfectants are a safe choice because they are efficient but won’t circulate harsh chemicals. If your home or building’s internal insulation is saturated, the technicians need to remove it. However, fiberglass is placed in a temperature controlled room for drying.

For Flood Damage Restoration Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Drying Hard Surfaces
Non-porous surfaces are the easiest items to dry. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield usually applies a wet vacuum first, if there is a sufficient amount of water to remove. Then, as FEMA recommends, we wash the materials with detergents to prevent mold growth. Mold can develop within 24 to 48 hours of a flood, says Ashley Small of FEMA, so remove wet contents, including carpeting and bedding, as soon as possible.

Plastic and metal are slow to react to water, but wood can be permanently damaged rather quickly. Water particles can move inside the material and dehumidifiers are the best way to draw them out.

If You Must Leave Home

If the flood was serious enough for you to leave your home, be sure you stay safe upon your return. FEMA warns that you should check for any visible structural damage, such as warping, loosened or cracked foundation elements, cracks, and holes before entering the home and contact utility companies if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, and sewer lines.

In addition, it’s important to have a working flashlight and turn off all water and electrical sources within the home, says Dr. Maurice A. Ramirez, author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Disaster Preparedness.” Even if the power isn’t operational, it’s a good idea to go to your fuse box and turn off the main, plus all of the individual fuse connections. That way, if the power is reactivated, you’re not at risk for mixing standing water and electricity.

Check Out Our Other Blog Posts
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how Bloomfield, Enfield, and other Connecticut residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, restoring water damage, sewage, storm, or other damage.

Here For You
In Bloomfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield in Bloomfield at 860-216-2785 anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Bloomfield Storm Damage: Is It Ever Minor?

4/5/2017 (Permalink)

Left alone, minor damage often becomes major damage.

In the Bloomfield region, some storms may not seem very powerful, but weaker storms can be deceiving. Hearing about a predicted minor snow, rain, wind, or other storm may cause you to think that there’s little possibility your Bloomfield home or business will suffer storm damage. However, storm damage doesn’t always mean three feet of water in your basement or a 100 foot spruce tree sitting in your bedroom.

Storm damage as minor as losing a few roof shingles or having a screen door blown off its hinges can hurt. Both of these situations and many others require repairs. Left alone, minor damage (like a slow leak or a little crack) can worsen over time. Preventing minor storm damage from becoming a major issue can stop higher repair bills from sneaking up on you.

It’s like having a pebble in your shoe. That’s a small problem. But try walking a few miles with that pebble. The longer you walk, the more damage that pebble can do, right?

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Minor Leads To Major
Bloomfield homeowners and business owners who don’t repair minor damage often are forced to face much greater damage in time. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can help you make minor repairs before they become major headaches. Fix those cracked windows before they break. Repair that minor crack in your foundation before it deepens and spreads. Clean up that small section of mold before grows. By avoiding procrastinating you avoid the risk of major repairs and major inconveniences in the future.

Welcome Mat For Rodents
Any opening (missing shingles, peeling siding, etc.) sends a welcome mat for water and insects, and rodents to enter. Larger openings in your roof can permit rodents and birds to come in and make their homes in your attic space. Some rodents are more damaging than others and won't stay in the attic but will find their way into other areas of your home. If your windows are damaged, your home is at increased risk for burglaries.

Extensive Restoration Training
Because we are SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we have extensive training in all aspects of repairs and restorations. That’s true for both residential and commercial properties. We have completed jobs of all sizes over the years, and we can successfully handle any size disaster, including the one you’re facing. Our certifications cover the many different cleaning and restorative types of work that storm damage can cause.

Having the training required to professionally repair your home's siding, shingles, and other components of your roof, gutters, windows and frames, screen doors, and more is important. We are ready to restore your home to its previous beautiful condition. Minor repairs now can provide major protection for your home or business later.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Here For You
In Bloomfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield for Bloomfield Storm Cleanup at 860-216-2785 anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Visit Our Facebook Page

3/27/2017 (Permalink)

You'll find more useful information on our Facebook page. Skim these examples.

Thanks for visiting us on our website. You can find out more about us on our Facebook page. In fact, here are posts you’ll find there.

Drainer Saver
November 28, 2016 Post: A picture and some advice on to prevent cooking grease from stopping up your kitchen drain.

Grand Opening in New Building
October 17, 2016 Post: Check out the pictures of our Grand Opening celebration for our bigger and better facility at 100 Peters Road in Bloomfield. We had great food, a live band, a bounce house, and much more to thank our customers and employees.

Ceiling Fans
July 13, 2016 Post: A quick and helpful hint on saving money if you use ceiling fans.

Tornado Safety
May 13, 2016 Post: We bust another myths about staying safe in a tornado.

Fire Department Thank You
August 13, 2015 Post: Pictures and a huge thank you to the many great local fire departments for saving a family’s home. Includes Blue Hills Fire Department, Bloomfield, Manchester, Suffield, Windsor, Wilson, and others.

Satisfied Customers
February 9, 2015 Post: Here are pictures of a couple who had to abandon their home for six months because of pipe break. In the pictures they’re happily moving back into a completely restored and safe home with SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield professionals bring in the furniture.

Helping In Buffalo
November 25, 2014 Post: Two of our Bloomfield, Connecticut trucks hit the road to help people in need in Buffalo, New York.

Fun Halloween Events
October 10, 2014 Post: We provide a link to fun events in Connecticut to make Halloween even more special for children.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Here For You
In Bloomfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield in Bloomfield at 860-216-2785 anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Preventing Home Disasters

3/24/2017 (Permalink)

Look for signs of insects before major damage is done.

Around your house it makes great sense to tackle minor headaches before they become major migraines. Consumer Reports suggests doing the following high priority projects early.

1. Runaway Rainwater

Telltale signs: Rain pouring over your gutters and puddling along foundation walls. Why you need to act: Water can deteriorate siding and foundation walls, eventually finding its way to interior spaces and damaging them.

What to do: Inspect your entire gutter system for clogs and corrosion; you can clear clogs yourself, but if your gutters are corroded, you'll want to talk to a pro about having them replaced.

2. Leaky Roofs

Telltale signs: Cracked, curled or missing shingles, which signal that the roof is near the end of its life; also cracks in the flashing around chimneys, skylights, roof valleys, and the rubber boots around vents.

Why you need to act: If your roof doesn't provide a proper barrier to rain and snow, water can find its way to your home's drywall and insulation, leading to rot and interior water damage. What to do: You might be able to replace a shingle here and there, or patch leaky flashing. But if your roof is more than 20 years old, it's probably time for a new one. If it's an asphalt shingle roof with only one layer, you might be able to add a second layer over it, lowering the project cost significantly.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

3. Insect Infestations

Telltale signs: Rotted wood in the sill plate that sits on top of the foundation and cast-off wings along windowsills and walls are evidence of termites. Piles of sawdust along baseboards are a sign of carpenter ants.

Why you need to act: Tiny as they are, these insects can cause major structural problems if left to nosh on your home's wooden framework. What to do: Call an exterminator. Check for accreditation on the database of the National Pest Management Association (pestworld.org).

4. Foundation Cracks

Telltale signs: Cracks in the concrete, especially those that are wider than 3/16 inch, as well as signs of the walls bulging and buckling. Why you need to act: An unstable foundation can compromise the entire structure of your house.

What to do: Hairline cracks can usually be filled with an epoxy injection system. If the cracks seem to be getting bigger, Consumer Reports suggests consulting a structural engineer.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

5. Mold and Mildew

Telltale signs: Musty odors, dank air, and black mold spores growing on surfaces such as bathroom ceilings. Why you need to act: Any surfaces that harbor extensive mold, including drywall, carpet, and ceiling tiles, will need to be removed. Otherwise mold spores will be released into the air, causing allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

What to do: If you catch it early, patches of mold less than 10 square feet can be treated with a homemade solution of 1 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Wear an N-95 disposable respirator, goggles, and heavy-duty gloves. For larger outbreaks, or if the ventilation system is contaminated, call in a mold-remediation pro like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

In addition, The Family Handyman offers these home disaster prevention tips:

• Turn off your home’s water supply before going on vacation

• Use metal tubing rather than plastic for ice maker supply lines

• Test your sump pump before rainy season starts

• Monitor foundation or wall cracks

• Trim trees around your house so dead branches won't crash down on your roof

• Put splash pans under washers and water heaters to catch leaks

• Install no-burst hoses on your clothes washer

• Inspect your foundation once a year for termite tunnels

• Strap your water heater if you live in an earthquake-prone region

• Add six foot long downspout extensions

• Install surge protectors to protect your microprocessors and prevent data loss

More Home Disaster Prevention Information

Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how Enfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, or other damage.

Here For You

The Enfield team at SERVPRO has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation and commercial services from the disaster cleanup company.

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield in Bloomfield at 860-216-2785 anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner

Call 860-216-2785 anytime

The Surprising Danger In A Flood Or Sewage Back-up

3/14/2017 (Permalink)

Don’t allow children into the flooded area during dean-up.

When your Bloomfield property experiences a flood or a sewage back-up the greatest danger is not the risk of disease. The greatest danger is the risk of electrocution or explosion. Do not enter a flooded basement or light matches until the utility companies have shut off the gas and electric service.

If flood waters or sewage enters your basement, you must clean properly to prevent you and your family from becoming sick or injured. Don’t allow children into the flooded area during cleanup.
If you experience a sewer backup in Bloomfield we recommend you call in a professionally trained restoration firm. If it is a small event and you prefer to do the work yourself, the following are suggestions on Bloomfield flood cleanup or sewage problem.

Cleaning and Sanitizing
1. Drain all flood waters and/or sewage by natural draining or pumping.
2. Remove dirt, soil, and debris from surfaces that came in contact with flood waters.
3. Wash down all walls, floors, and surfaces that the flood water or sewage touched with clean, warm or hot water and a low suds detergent.
4. Rinse again with warm or hot water.
5. Sanitize by rinsing walls, floors, and surfaces using one of the following mixtures:
o 2½ tablespoons (tbs) of Lysol/Pine Sol per gallon of water used, or
o 8 tablespoons (tbs) of laundry bleach (i.e., Clorox, Roman Cleanser) in each gallon of water used.
6. Air the area by opening windows or using fans.
7. Prevent tracking flood debris and sewage into clean areas.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Utilities
Follow these guidelines when you enter a flooded area with gas and/or electricity present:
1. Have the utility companies shut off the gas and electricity.
2. Don't touch the fuse box or any plugged in cords or appliances until the electricity is shut off.
3. If an electrical appliance motor or its controls are submerged under water, don't start it until consulting with the dealer or service company.
4. Do not relight your gas appliances until the gas company has checked them. Make sure all pilot lights are on before relighting burners.
5. Don't light matches until the gas is turned off. If there is a gas leak, it could cause an explosion.

Clothing, Bedding, Furniture Often Must Be Thrown Out
What do you do with clothing, carpets, furniture, toys and/or bedding that have been affected by a flood or sewage back up? You may have to throw them out unless they are professionally and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Movable objects can be put outdoors for cleaning and drying in the sun. Put all discarded clothing in a tightly closed container until pick-up or disposal.

After clean up, make sure that all clothing and parts of the body that came in contact with the flood waters and/or sewage are thoroughly washed. Be sure to wash your hands immediately afterwards.

Anyone who helps clean up should be particularly mindful of their personal hygiene. Keep your fingers away from your eyes, nose, and mouth. Don’t smoke because even slightly soiled fingers can carry disease germs to the cigarette and then to the mouth. After the flood or sewage damage is cleaned up, thoroughly wash your hands using a nail brush and a lot of soap.

Check All Foods Carefully
Contaminated foods can make you and your family sick. Here’s how to handle your foods after a flood or sewage event:
1. Destroy and discard all contaminated bottled and boxed foods.
2. Canned goods (including home canned jars) may be kept if cleaned thoroughly. To clean containers:
   o Scrub with soap and water. (Use a brush around the rim of home canned jars.)
   o Submerge in chlorinated water for 15 minutes (1 ounce of bleach per gallon of water).
   o Air dry to prevent rusting.
3. Food stored in a freezer will keep for 2 days after losing power, if the freezer is full (1 day for a half-full freezer) and not opened.
4. If your freezer cannot be started in a day or two, store food in someone else's freezer.
5. You may safely re-freeze meat that has ice crystals on it. If the meat is only "cool-feeling" you’re better off to cook it, and then re-freeze it.
6. Food stored in a refrigerator will keep for 4-6 hours after losing power, depending on how warm the room temperature is. Do not open the refrigerator unless absolutely necessary. You may add ice to the refrigerator if you know it will be turned on soon.
7. Throw out anything with an unusual color, order, or if a perishable food is above 45° F internally.
8. Place discarded food in a tightly closed container until pick up or disposal.

You might also want to explore the educational information on our sister franchise’s blog, SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Here For You
In Bloomfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield in Bloomfield at 860-216-2785 anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Fire Damage Repairs

3/6/2017 (Permalink)

Most people who suffer fire damage want their lives and their homes to return to normal as soon as possible. Here's how.

Has your home recently been damaged by fire? If so, we bet you’re eager to get started improving your property. Most people who suffer fire damage want their lives and their homes to return to normal as soon as possible. But many don’t know the costs. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost to repair smoke and fire damage is $5,844.

Fire damage can make areas of your home unusable until the fire damage has been repaired. More extensive fire damage may make your entire home unsafe. You may have to live elsewhere until cleanup and repair work gets done. No matter how minor or significant the fire damage restoration work is, you want to know how long it will take. The timeline depends on the restorative process and whether you take the opportunity to do remodeling at the same time.

Starting Fire Damage Repair Work
It can be difficult to determine how and where to get started with fire damage repair work. The first step in the repair process is to remove water from the home if firefighters used water during the extinguishing process. Perhaps, a kitchen fire left chemical residue for cleanup. Water extraction can be completed by the professionals from SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield quickly and affordably. We arrive in our green vehicles stocked with equipment and supplies to surmount any cleaning and restoration need you have. Then, you can begin the repair process and decide which items you want to replace and which ones need repair.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can also suggest to you and your adjuster what items and materials are salvageable. Keep in mind that smoke damage can also be a problem, and some items, such as carpeting and your HVAC system may need to be professionally cleaned to remove the smoke odor from your home.

Get Professional Help
Repairing your home after you have suffered fire damage is not something that you want to attempt on your own. A fire damage restoration project requires a considerable amount of time and energy to complete. But SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can help you restore your property in minimal time with minimal costs. Our IICRC cleanup and restoration certified technicians have the skills and assets to do a quality job. We are a locally owned and operated fire damage repair franchise. We can also help with mold, storm, chemical, or water damaging events to your property.

More Fire Damage Information
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how to protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, or other damage.

You might also want to explore the educational information on our sister franchise’s blog, SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Here For You
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire restoration services, mold remediation, commercial services, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

21 Tips on Preventing Electrical, Home Heating, And Candle Fires

2/20/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Technicians at Commercial Building

According to Portland Fire and Rescue, roughly half of home electrical fires involve electrical wiring or lighting equipment; and roughly half of those involved equipment such as washers and dryers, fans, and space heaters. One big factor is overloading electrical outlets. Tip number one is to plug only one high-wattage appliance into each outlet at a time. Some other safety guidelines are:

2. Never use an extension cord with a major appliance or space heater – it can be easily over loaded. Plug appliances directly into a wall outlet.
3. If a fuse blows or a circuit breaker trips often, lights flicker or dim, or outlets or switches feel warm, have a qualified electrician inspect and fix the problem. These are often warning signs before a major disaster.
4. Use lamp bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage (there is usually a sticker on the lamp). Don’t put a 100 watt bulb into a fixture approved for only 75 watts.
5. Power strips with circuit breakers can be useful tools to temporarily plug several items into an electrical outlet, but if used incorrectly they can cause a fire. The use of power strips and multi-plug outlets increases the draw of electricity through your home's wiring. Before creating additional electrical demand, ensure that your wiring is in good repair and capable of carrying the additional load.
6. Make sure your home has ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen, bathroom(s), laundry, basement, and outdoor areas, to reduce the risk of electric shock.
7. Install arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) in your home to protect electrical outlets and prevent fires due to arcing.
8. Run extension cords around carpets, not under them. A cord under a carpet can heat up and cause a fire.
9. Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.

Fire Damage Restoration Questions? Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Home Heating Equipment
Home heating equipment cause a good percentage of winter fires and is a leading cause of home fire deaths. In a recent U.S. study, space heaters accounted for four out of five (80%) home heating fire deaths. Yet, some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires:

10. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment (e.g. fireplace, wood stove, baseboard or portable space heater).
11. Do not use extension cords with portable space heaters – plug them directly into outlets.
12. Use space heaters that have a switch that will shut off if the unit tips over.
13. Have your heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
14. Use a sturdy fireplace screen in front of your fireplace to stop sparks from flying into the room.
15. Throw out fire ashes in a covered, non-combustible container and douse the ashes with water.
16. Make sure all fuel-burning equipment (e.g. gas furnaces and ranges, wood stoves and fireplaces) are vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (C.O.) poisoning.

Home Heating Safety Questions? Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Candle Safety
Portland Fire and Rescue points out that candles, although appealing for the ambiance they can create, are a significant cause of home fires. In fact, candles are one of the leading causes of home fire deaths. More than one-third of home candle fires start in the bedroom, and more than half of all candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle. Remember that today you can use battery powered artificial candles so you avoid having any open flame. But if you do burn old-fashioned candles please observe these safety tips:

17. Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily.
18. Keep candles at least 12” away from anything that can burn.
19. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed; avoid the use of candles in rooms where people may fall asleep.
20. Never burn a candle if medical oxygen is used in the home.

Candle Safety Questions? Call 860-216-2785 anytime

21. Anytime you have any concerns about how to make your home safer from fire, please contact
SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860.216.2785. In an emergency you can call us 24/7.
We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

More Safety Information
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how to protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water or other damage.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Mold Threatens Priceless Collections

2/8/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property.

Mold may seem like a small problem. It’s not as dramatic as a flooded basement or a fire-burned kitchen or a hurricane damaged roof. But make no mistake—mold can be extremely destructive, especially if it strikes a prized collection of yours.

Mold often threatens major artworks. In fact, the National Park Service has published a piece entitled, Mold: Prevention of Growth in Museum Collections. In 2007, the University of Illinois and Urbana-Champaign’s Rare Book and Manuscript Library suffered from a mold outbreak after a spike in humidity — one that took eight months to address. The Boston Public Library faced a mold threat to 500,000 rare books in 2015.

Mold In 14-Year-Old Museum
In February of 2017 the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford, Connecticut had thousands of items at risk from mold. And the building housing the threatened items was only 14 years old. It seemed to have started with a leak in the roof.

Mold was found in the storage facilities of the historic home's museum center, tainting at least 5,000 of the museum's 16,000 artifacts. The vulnerable pieces are varied: 19th-century furniture, upholstery, metal, glass and leather items, as well as books, including some Twain first editions and translations, whose fabric and leather bindings are conducive to mold growth. The spread of mold was halted by fixing the roof and repairing the HVAC system. A key, as with all mold situations, is closely monitoring the archive's relative humidity. But monitoring does nothing to combat the existing mold.

Probably like your most treasured possessions, the Twain artifacts are valuable and delicate. They must be handled very carefully and with special skill. Because mold is damaging to artifacts, the mold spores from each affected artifact must be removed as soon as possible. The total cost at the Twain museum? Would you believe a little more than $1 million.
Of course, smaller collections in private homes or businesses face the same threat. But there are proven ways to fight and remove mold.

Your best defense against mold is controlling the internal environment. Typically, mold won't grow below 45 percent relative humidity. So many private and public collections use large dehumidifiers to keep the humidity down.

Most Susceptible To Mold
Artifacts made of organic materials are most susceptible to mold growth. Photographs, letters, documents and other works on paper are safer if you store them in multiple layers of envelopes.

Another key fact to know about mold is how fast it spreads. Very. In as little as 48 hours, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business when there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem.

You can’t remove all mold. Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors. Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home or business through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants. And before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

More Mold Information
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how to protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water or other damage.

Here For You
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Red Cross. Real Heroes.

1/31/2017 (Permalink)

Today, every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to an emergency.

In life you can’t rely on too many things. But you can rely on the Red Cross. The American Red Cross does an amazing amount of good. Here are just a few facts and examples:
•   Clara Barton and a circle of her acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881.
•   Today, every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to an emergency.
•   90% of the Red Cross workforce are volunteers.
•   During the Second World War the American Red Cross provided extensive services to the U.S. military, allies, and civilian war victims. The Red Cross enrolled more than 104,000 nurses for military service, prepared 27 million packages for American and Allied prisoners of war, and shipped over 300,000 tons of supplies overseas. At the military’s request, the Red Cross also initiated a national blood program that collected 13.3 million pints of blood for use by the armed forces.

Questions? Call 860.216.2785 Anytime

•   The American Red Cross has a presence in nearly every community in the United States and around the world.
•   In 2015 the American Red Cross provided 32,000 shelter stays, 980,000 meals and snacks, 500,000 relief items, and 35,000 health and mental health contacts.
•   The last weekend of January 2017 at least 60 tornadoes hit the southern states over one weekend. The American Red Cross was there with food, shelter, and recovery help with at least seven Red Cross shelters. Red Cross workers supported those affected for as long as help is needed. During the first four days in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, Red Cross and community partners served over 30,000 meals and snacks, distributed over 8,000 relief items, and provided 900 Health Services and Disaster Mental Health contacts. The Red Cross mobilized over 500 workers to help.

Questions? Call 860.216.2785 Anytime

• The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters. It supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood supply.
• The Red Cross gave hope to our men and women in uniform by providing more
than 367,000 emergency assistance services to members of the military and their families in fiscal year 2015—while also processing nearly 7 million blood products to meet the needs of patients across the country, and teaching millions of people critical health and safety skills.

Natural Disaster Information For You
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO® of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur.

Here For You
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation, commercial services, and disaster repair. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

10 States Most At Risk For Natural Disasters

1/30/2017 (Permalink)

The size of a disaster isn't as important as your quick and appropriate response to it.

Depending on where you live or where you are, your risk of suffering a natural disaster vary greatly. Based on records from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Bankrate published this list on its website.

10. Missouri

The Show-Me State has been shown disastrous weather in every month on the calendar: severe snow and ice storms in winter, tornadoes during the spring, summer and fall, and flooding at virtually any time. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 55

9. Kentucky

Kentucky's had more than its share of landslides, mudslides, and rock slides, as well as flooding and tornadoes. Hurricane Ike ripped up the state in 2008; it had a record snowfall in late 2004; and chemical explosions in the Louisville sewers hit in 1981. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 56

8. Arkansas

Arkansas has been thrashed by heavy rain, snow, ice, tornadoes, and flooding over the years and has even taken poundings from tropical storm systems. In 2008, storms and tornadoes associated with Hurricane Gustav littered streets with debris, and damaged buildings, roads, and bridges. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 58

7. Alabama

This Gulf Coast state has been battered by hurricanes, including Isaac in 2012, Gustav in 2008, and Katrina and Dennis in 2005. Tornadoes in April 2011 rivaled the hurricanes for destructive power, lashing the state with winds that exceeded 210 mph and leaving about 250 people dead and an estimated $1.5 billion in damage. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 58

6. Louisiana

Louisiana won't soon forget Hurricane Katrina, the now-legendary 2005 storm that government officials say killed nearly 1,000 residents and caused an estimated $80 billion in damage. Numerous hurricanes have ravaged the Gulf state. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 60

5. Florida

Florida has been roughed up by dozens of tropical storm systems since the 1950s, none worse than Hurricane Andrew in 1992. It held the title as the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history until Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Severe freezes have been disastrous for Florida farmers on multiple occasions. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 67

4. New York

Across its wide span from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic, New York has been punished by everything from blizzards to tropical storms. In 2012, Superstorm Sandy killed nearly 50 people in New York and caused more than $40 billion in damage. New York also received disaster declarations for the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 68

3. Oklahoma

This state has recorded an average of more than 55 twisters per year since 1950. One of the worst in recent history struck near Oklahoma City in May 1999 with winds over 300 mph. It killed 36 people. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 75

2. California

California has it all—wildfires, landslides, flooding, winter storms, severe freezes, tsunami waves, and more. But earthquakes are the disaster perhaps most closely associated with the nation's most populous state. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 79

1. Texas

At least one major disaster is declared during nearly every calendar year in Texas, the second-largest U.S. state by area (after Alaska). The Lone Star State has dealt with tornadoes, floods, wildfires and fairly frequent coastal hurricanes. Major disaster declarations since 1953: 88

This list is based on the number of major disaster declarations within each state since 1953. That means that larger states have a greater chance of appearing here. The list appears quite different when FEMA factors in both population and land area. In that case the ten states most prone to natural disaster are (listed from the greatest risk to the 10^th greatest) : Vermont, Delaware, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Hawaii, West Virginia, Maine, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Oklahoma.

Disaster Preparation Information

Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur.

Here For You

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

Natural Disasters Becoming The Norm

1/25/2017 (Permalink)

Scientists say the number of natural disasters is increasing

Natural disasters of apocalyptic scale have become the norm in recent years. Every few months, it seems, another nation is victimized by an unstoppable natural force. So reports Statista, the statistic portal with statistics and studies from more than 18,000 sources.

Scientists have pointed out that natural disaster occurrences have increased and intensified significantly in the last 30 years. Some claim this is an effect of global climate change. Recent disaster records do not refute this claim. Since 1980, eight of the world’s ten most deadly natural disasters have occurred post-2000, the deadliest of which was the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, with 222,570 fatalities.

You’ve probably noticed a growing amount of TV, internet, radio, and other media devoting more and more time to reporting about floods and droughts and storms and earthquakes. In the United States in 2015 there were total 114 severe thunderstorms and 317 natural disasters.

Disasters Impact Greater Than Terrorism
Financial guru Warren Buffett has said that natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina and Japan's 2011 earthquake, have a greater economic impact than terrorism. These disasters, as well as tornadoes, floods, and tsunamis, cost the insurance industry billions. If large enough, they can slow economic growth for decades.

One Storm, $50 Billion Damage
Hurricane Sandy (October, 2012) was called a Frankenstorm by the National Weather Service. It combined a 990-foot wide hurricane with a cold front and another storm, as well as high tides from a full moon. It damaged or destroyed more than 650,000 homes, 8 million customers lost power, and it cost $50 billion. Recent years have given us so many examples of the power and costs and death toll that natural disasters can bring. Think Hurricane Katrina, Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and so many more.

Chances are you may never suffer the effects of one of the country’s or world’s greatest natural disasters. But “smaller” catastrophes can be just as devastating to smaller communities, businesses, and individuals.

What To Do In A Disaster
Are you ready if a fire, flood, or tornado strikes your home? It may not be fun to think about, but it never hurts to plan ahead - especially if you live in a disaster-prone area. Know where you should go, who you should notify, and what to bring. A great resource for disaster-planning is FEMA’s Are You Ready? It walks you through steps you and your family can take so that you are better prepared should a disaster strike. Among the many topics covered in detail are technological hazards, natural hazards, water conservation tips, terrorism, recovering from disaster, and family communications planning.

Why Prepare
Being prepared for a natural disaster can reduce your fear, anxiety, and losses. You can reduce the impact of flood water disasters and sometimes avoid danger completely. And FEMA says disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year, leaving lasting effects to both people and property.

One of the most important keys is to be ready to be self-sufficient for at least three days. When a natural disaster occurs it can take local government and disaster-relief organizations awhile to reach you. Be able to provide your own shelter, first aid, food, water, and sanitation for at least three days.

Disaster Preparation Information
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur.

Here For You
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Disaster: What To Do When You Don't Know What To Do

1/17/2017 (Permalink)

If a natural disaster strikes do a size-up

When an emergency happens or a disaster strikes, some people seem to know what to do. Others of us can panic or waste time not knowing what to do first. Emergency responders recommend you do a size-up.

What Is A Size-Up?
Conducting a size-up means getting an overall perspective of the emergency, disaster, or situation explains firefighter and author Scott Finazzo. Don’t be totally consumed by what visually appears to be the worst aspect of the situation. In the medical field the example sometimes used is attending someone screaming from a hand injury and not noticing that someone else has a head injury and is losing consciousness. Take in as much information as you can. And ask yourself three questions:
   1. What has happened?
   2. What is happening now?
   3. What is going to happen?

You also want to draw from all five of your senses plus your instinct. What do you see? What’s the extent of the damage? Is anyone yelling for help? Can you hear a dangerous sound like gas leaking or water running? Do you smell smoke or anything suspicious? Is something hot to the touch or cold or abnormal? If you have an odd taste in your mouth you might have inhaled an irritant of some kind.

And trust your instinct. Even if there’s not obvious evidence to take a course of action, if it feels like you should do something (leave the area, get on higher ground, etc.) Scott says it may be wise to follow that gut feeling.

Here are some steps for doing a size-up:

1. Gather facts.
What happened? Where are people and are they safe? Does anyone need help?

2. Assess damage.
How extensive is it? Which part of the facility is damaged?

3. Consider probabilities.
What’s likely to happen next? How can your actions positively affect the outcome?

4. Assess your situation.
Are you safe where you are or should you move? What are you trained and equipped to do? Who do you need to call to get the right type of help?

5. Establish priorities.
What’s most important to do first? Second? Next?

6. Take action.
Considering all the information you have, create a plan, make decisions, and take action.

7. Evaluate progress.
At regular intervals stop and think about your progress. Are your goals being met? Should you change your course of action?

Natural Disaster Information For You
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur.

You have lots of resources on the web that can help you be prepared for a natural disaster. On the Red Cross website under “Get Help” you’ll find at least seven essays on emergency preparation. The website for the Department of Labor’s OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has a large emergency preparedness and response section.

Here For You
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Hardwood Floors For Businesses: The Best & Worst

1/9/2017 (Permalink)

Commercial hardwood floors are among the toughest and longest-lasting floors

The Good News: Hardwood Flooring Is Hardy
At SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we love it when a business invests in solid hardwood floors. Hardwood floors are among the toughest and longest-lasting floors on the market, and they rarely succumb to permanent water damage. Remember this if you’re trying to flood proof your business or company or you need to pick out a new floor following severe water damage or a flood. Hardwoods are very dense so they don’t soak up moisture in the same way that a soft wood or other type of commercial flooring might.

Wood Floors Expand & Contract
Commercial and residential wood floors change with the humidity. Usually your business or home will have variations in humidity and your wood floor will respond by expanding or contracting. You may notice the hardwood floor expands during warm, humid weather. During dry weather, wood contracts. This is a normal characteristic of wood flooring, and it never stops, regardless of the age of your hardwood floor. One of the best ways to ensure that hardwood flooring will give the performance you expect is to install humidity controls and ensure that they are functioning before the hardwood floor is installed.

What About Warping, Cupping, & Buckling?
After severe water damage a commercial hardwood floor might warp, cup, or buckle. In most cases, the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield team can use all kinds of clever methods to reverse things like warping, cupping, and buckling. One of our techniques is to use a wood suction mat. This increases the surface area and draws moisture and hidden water from the joints of the planks. The good news? It’s relatively rare for hardwood floors to be deemed non-salvageable. You can find more on cupping and buckling at Today’s Homeowner.

How To Spot Hardwood Floor Damage
Most commercial hardwood floors look great. They open up a space. Hardwood floors are shiny, beautiful, and arguably much cleaner and more hygienic than carpet. But water is the enemy of a hardwood floor. Be mindful the signs of potential water damage to your commercial hardwood floor and take proactive steps to keep your hardwood floors smooth and opulent for years.

Signs of commercial or home hardwood floor damage include discoloration, cupping, heaving, warping, and separation between boards. If you run your hand across the floor slats and can feel every seam between the boards, you likely have a cupping issue. A rise in elevation from the center of the wood slats signifies warping damage.

Information On Our Blog
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur.

Here For You
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Business Emergency Action Checklist

1/4/2017 (Permalink)

Is your business prepared in case a natural disaster strikes?

If a natural disaster, major accident, or other event created an emergency at your business would know what to do? Would you act quickly to do the most important tasks first? One way to become better prepared in case of an emergency at your business is to create your company’s own emergency action checklist.

Designed In Case Of Severe Water Or Fire Damage
SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has a top line action checklist built especially for events involving severe water or fire damage. The SERVPRO list is designed to keep your business employees safe and help reduce business interruption (the time your company is out of business because of the results of a disaster). You may want to review our list here and adapt it to your own situation.

1. Advanced Warning: Be Alert And Stay Informed
When severe weather is approaching or other potential danger is near your business, stay tuned in to those sources that give you the latest information. Usually, that means listening to local weather reports or news reports. Think about precautions you may want to take before the emergency hits. That could include things like moving your business vehicles to higher ground, turning off utilities, disconnecting electrical equipment, and other steps.

2. Always Think Safety First
Make your employees’ safety your first priority. That includes items like having a business evacuation plan, identifying designated meeting places outside your building, appointing team leaders who can keep track of employees, and more.

3. Stop Damage At Its Source
In some cases, you may be able to reduce or stop the water, fire, chemical, or other damage to your business. For example, if a chemical leak starts a fire, shut down the source of that chemical. Certainly, do not risk your safety or the safety of others.

4. Notify Your Emergency Contacts
Have a list of the places you need to call in an emergency and call them immediately. Depending on the situation, your emergency contacts might include the local fire department and the local police department.

5. Call SERVPRO
SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield responds to residential and business emergency situations every week, sometimes every day. We know what to do to keep you, your employees, and your business property safe and minimize damage. Our goal is to make your business fully operational again as quickly as possible.

6. Notify Key Contacts
Key contacts are different than emergency contacts. Emergency contacts are community or governmental resources that will help you deal with the damage or disaster. Key contacts are people like your property manager, insurance agent, maintenance crew, and others you need to inform and who can offer other types of help.

7. Secure Your Business Property
Once it’s safe to do so, secure your building and property. That might mean putting tarps over a damaged roof, covering broken windows, or doing other tasks that will protect your property from further damage.

8. Take Photos Of The Damage
You will improve your ability to collect full damages by taking pictures of everything the water, fire, or other elements damaged. It’s also good to have pictures of how your building and property looked prior to the damage for comparison sake.

9. Write A Summary Of The Event
Details build your case with your insurance company. Write down as many significant facts as you can: time of the damage, extend of the damage, actions you took, and more. Not only does this help advance your insurance claim, it can also help you decide what worked well and what you need to change the next time you have to respond to an emergency.

A Wealth Of Natural Disaster Information For You
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur. Here are a few you might find helpful:

Commercial Restoration Presents Unique Challenges
Home Protection Guide: 29 Tips To Prevent Your Home Or Business From Financial, Structural, & Natural Disasters
Preventing Water, Plumbing, & Other Disasters
When Disaster Strikes Time Is Precious

Here When You Need Us
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Commercial Specialty Cleaning

12/16/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield wants every inch of your facility to sparkle and shine.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield offers specialty cleaning services ranging from cleaning restaurant hoods to removing biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to get your commercial or residential property clean, safe, and healthy again.

A Clean Business Keeps Customers Coming Back
Keeping your business looking its best means surpassing standards with unique specialty services. Your business represents you—a clean and attractive business keeps customers coming and leaves a positive impression. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield wants every inch of your facility to sparkle and shine. From cleaning office upholstery to making storefront windows crystal clear, we provide a range of specialty cleaning services that enhance both your working environment and your image.

Our commercial specialty cleaning services include:
•    Air Ducts and HVAC
If your HVAC has been operating for some time without attention, it could be circulating dust, pollen, odors, dirt, debris, and other contaminants.
•    Biohazard and Sewage
SERVPRO of Bloomfield / Enfield is trained to safely remove biohazards and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.
•    Trauma and Crime Scene
Many times, crime and accident scenes have blood and other biohazard contaminants that pose a serious health risk. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will respond immediately and has the specialized training, protective equipment, and experience to safely clean trauma and crime scenes.
Have questions? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield anytime at 860-216-2785.
•    Carpet and Upholstery
Even the highest-quality carpet and upholstery can show soiling over time. Protect your investment by calling us to clean and maintain your carpet and upholstery.
•    Drapes and Blinds
We carefully inspect and test fabrics to determine which of SERVPRO’s five cleaning methods is best suited to your fabrics.
•    Ceilings, Walls, and Hard Floors
Ceilings and walls are exposed to dirt and dust, pet dander, cooking oils and grease, cigarette smoke, and other contaminants. Your heating and air conditioning system can distribute these contaminants throughout your property.
•    Odor Removal and Deodorization
SERVPRO teaches IICRC technical classes in the proper removal of odors. Masking and other short cuts don't work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.
•    Vandalism
Often simple acts of vandalism, like breaking a window, can cause significant water and mold damage if not addressed in a timely manner.

Faster to any size disaster. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

Following IICRC Standards
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. SERVPRO professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses.

A Wealth Of Cleaning Information For You
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters or deal with them quickly or protect your property through cleaning.

We’re Here Whenever You Need Us
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Granby, Hartford, Hartland, Manchester, Newington, North Granby, Salmon Brook, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, Suffield, Thompsonville, West Granby, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Commercial Hardwood Floors & Water Damage

12/12/2016 (Permalink)

Commercial hardwood floors are beautiful and durable but any water damage must be quickly dealt with

Your business is an investment. If your business is family-owned it’s part of your family’s inheritance, so its well being is essential. Sometimes, the worst does happen, and you find yourself facing a watery disaster. If you have hardwood floors, here are some steps to take before and after water damage occurs.

Keep Your Commercial Floor Dry
Don’t allow even small spills or water leaks to pool on your commercial hardwood floor. When you see any signs of moisture, grab a clean, dry cloth or mop immediately. Taking action quickly will minimize the impact on your expensive hardwood floors.

Be Careful With Your Cleaning Process Don’t soak a mop in cleaning solution or water and saturate your floors. Though you want to get your floors really clean, take care to use liquid solutions conservatively. For some good ideas on how to best maintain your hardwood floors go to the National Wood Flooring Association’s maintenance page.

Watch For Changes And Mold
Watch for moisture or changes to your commercial hardwood floor, especially around the perimeter. Keep an eye out for mold in areas that don’t receive much light. Mold is damaging to your hardwood floors and can affect the air quality of your business or commercial space. Mold is a sign that you should take immediate action.

Repairing Your Water Damaged Floor
All is not lost if your commercial hardwood floor (or a hardwood floor in your home) receives water damage. Genuine hardwood floors can be renewed to their original beauty with just a few steps.

First, do a thorough water damage inspection. Then remove any moisture in your hardwood floor and the sub-floor. No direct repairs to water damaged hardwood floors can be started until you remove all the excess water in the air. Don’t sand the hardwood floor while the atmosphere is thick with moisture because the hardwood floor won’t remain level. Usually, the moisture content in the room must be below 12% before you can begin to restore a hardwood floor. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield achieves this with our high-powered dehumidifiers, negative air movers, and HEPA filters.

Faster to any size disaster. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

You can use large fans and dehumidifiers. Point your fans down to the hardwood floor boards while running your air conditioning. If your water damage is on the main floor, place additional large fans on the level below. Point these units upward toward the moisture to dry the hardwood floors from underneath.

Your flooring may begin to swell somewhat during this process. If you’re able, remove a couple of the damp hardwood boards to allow the wood to “give” and allow additional air to get to your subfloor.

Be Sure To Remove All Moisture
If the underlay or sub-floor is also wet, the entire floor and sub-floor may have to be lifted. You must be certain you remove all sources of moisture. Otherwise, the problem will return. One thing professionals do is erect a polyethylene tent or seal in the affected room to speed up the drying process. This method is common in workplaces like commercial offices, which have a large floor space and lots of flooring materials that may dry at different speeds. Sectioning off the water damaged area also lessens any downtime or inconvenience to your customers or clients.

What If Your Commercial Hardwood Floor Buckles?
If your hardwood floor buckles from water damage drying it fully should restore the boards to a flat position. At that point you can fill gaps or nicks and refinish if necessary. You can rent sanders from any major home supply warehouse, but beware. These machines are powerful. They can take on a life of their own across your commercial hardwood floor or a hardwood floor in your home. Hold the sander tight and show it you’re the boss. After sanding and refinishing, your commercial hardwood floors can be as beautiful as the day they were installed.

Have water damage? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield anytime at 860-216-2785.

When To Call A Professional
If you’ve made every attempt to dry your commercial or home hardwood floors and buckling remains, that’s a sign that water still exists under your floor. In many cases, this means your wood has become detached from the sub-floor underneath. Solving this issue is going to likely require the help of a professional service like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

Depending on the professional opinion you receive, your hardwood floor may be damaged to the point that you need a replacement floor. Repairing may ease your troubles in the short-term, but if you have an unidentified leak or other moisture issue, effects to your commercial hardwood floors will certainly recur.

Don't Enjoy "Do It Yourself"?

If you’re not handy or don’t enjoy construction work, you may want to call in a professional as soon as the water damage occurs. Two advances of using a reputable professional firm is that you can get back in business sooner and know that the job will be done right the first time.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield specializes in commercial water damage repair and restoration throughout Connecticut and the region. We can help restore your commercial hardwood floor and get your business back up and running faster.

A Wealth Of Information For You
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur.

Here When You Need Us
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

12/1/2016 (Permalink)

Have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors installed on each level of your home and business.

Lose power during an emergency and you’ll be grateful if you have a portable generator for electricity. You might also use an outdoor grill for cooking. But the Connecticut Department of Public Health cautions everyone to use generators and grills with care. Here are some guidelines from the department’s Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness.

Avoid CO Build Up
Misuse of portable generators and outdoor grills or other cooking devises can cause carbon monoxide (CO) to build up in your home, garage, camper, or other confined space. CO can poison animals and people. Follow these guidelines:

1. Don’t use a portable generator inside your home, garage, carport, basement, covered porch, or any enclosed space.

2. Use a generator outside at least 20 feet from your own and any neighbors’ homes or businesses. Keep the portable generator away from doors, windows, and air intake vents so the CO it generates will not be able to travel inside.

3. Propane and kerosene heaters can also help in an emergency but keep them outside.

Whatever your natural disaster question is, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has answers. Call at 860-216-2785.

4. You may be tempted to use your gas oven or stove top to heat your house. Never do that.

5. Before an emergency check to make sure you have CO detectors installed on each level of your home and business. Have them right outside sleeping areas, too. Change the batteries every six months and replace your CO detector every five years.

6. Know that opening windows and doors and using fans is not enough to stop a deadly buildup of carbon monoxide in your home or business.

CO Poisoning Can Look Like The Flu
7. The symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to flu symptoms: headache, tiredness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or loss of consciousness. These signs may be your only warning because you cannot see or smell CO.

8. If you have the symptoms of CO poisoning or if someone around you does, go outside to get in the fresh air. Dial 9-1-1 from a mobile phone or from a neighbor’s house. If you’re in Connecticut you should also call the Connecticut Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

CO or natural disaster questions? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

9. After a snow storm, make sure your car's exhaust pipe is clear. A clogged exhaust pipe could lead to carbon monoxide buildup in your vehicle.

10. There’s more information about carbon monoxide on the Connecticut Department of Public Health CO Poisoning page.

A Wealth Of Natural Disaster Information For You
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur.

SERVPRO Excels
Many factors make SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield a great choice for restoration after a natural disaster or for disaster cleanup:
•   More than 40 years of experience as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider
•   A network of 1,500 franchises nationwide so we can call in any resource you might need
•   On site evaluation of your natural disaster recovery needs within four hours of you contacting SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785)
•   Highly trained staff with experience in all types of natural disasters
•   Assistance with dealing with your insurer and filing a claim
•   Local knowledge and resources—we know your community and we have relationships with other local organizations that can help you in times of need

Here To Help You
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation, commercial restoration, commercial cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) any time, any day of the year.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Drinking Water Emergencies

12/1/2016 (Permalink)

Dangerous chemicals or other unhealthy substances can make water unsafe to drink.

Water contamination doesn’t happen frequently in Connecticut and the surrounding region but it’s best to be prepared. Dangerous chemicals or other unhealthy substances can make water unsafe to drink. That can happen with a water system failure, accident, terrorist attack, hurricane damage, or in other ways according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Hazardous chemicals, human waste, or animal waste can get in to a water supply and make the water dangerous to drink.

Don’t Use Water That’s Changed in Smell or Taste
If a Connecticut water emergency occurs your water company or local officials will tell you if your drinking water is not safe to drink. The Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness says that if your water has an unusual change in color, smell, or taste, or has floating pieces in it don’t use it or drink it.

Disinfect Flooded Wells
If you are a homeowner or business owner in a flooded area and have a private well that has flooded, consider that well contaminated. Flooded wells should be disinfected before use. To be safe, treat your water or use bottled water until you disinfect the well. You can find more homeowner information about flooding, wells, and cleanup at the Department of Public Health’s page on this subject.

Faster to any size disaster. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

What if you’re told to treat your drinking water? Use treated or bottled water for all your cooking, washing fruits and vegetables, brushing teeth, making baby formula—all water uses. Use treated water to wash your hands before you cook. There is one exception. Adults and older children do not need to use treated water to shower or bathe. They just need to not swallow or get untreated water in their mouths. Infants, toddlers, the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems should be bathed using treated or bottled water.

How To Treat Potentially Unsafe Water
There are many ways to treat water you think is contaminated so it will be safe for use. Here are three options:
1. Boil your drinking water at a rolling boil for one minute. Make sure it is clear of floating pieces before boiling.
2. Add water purification tablets per the directions on the tablet package.
3. Add eight drops of liquid chlorine bleach to every gallon of clear water or 16 drops to every gallon of cloudy water. Do not use household bleach that has perfumes or ingredients other than sodium hypochlorite. That type of bleach may be toxic. Mix the water and bleach well and let it stand for at least 30 minutes before you use it.

Have questions? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield today 24/7 at 860-216-2785.

For more emergency water safety tips, go to the American Red Cross’s Water Treatment page.

A Wealth Of Natural Disaster Information For You
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur.

Why SERVPRO Excels
Many factors make SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield a great choice for fire and water cleanup and restoration. We offer:
•   More than 40 years of experience
•   A network of 1,500 franchises nationwide so we can call in every resource you need
•   On site evaluation of your natural disaster recovery needs within four hours of you contacting SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
•   Highly trained staff with experience in all types of natural disasters
•   Assistance with dealing with your insurer and filing a claim
•   Local knowledge and resources—we know your community and we have relationships with other local organizations that can help you in times of need

Here When You Need Us
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also 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 Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785 anytime

Preventing Water, Plumbing, & Other Disasters During The Holidays

11/15/2016 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage ruin your holidays

Your holidays are for being with and appreciating those people you love the most. But if you’re a homeowner, an unnecessary water or plumbing disaster could ruin your Christmas, New Year’s, or other holiday.

If you live in a cold climate, the low temperatures combined with higher traffic in your home’s kitchen and bathrooms can lead to unwanted water and plumbing disasters. You don't want to have to call an emergency plumber or water restoration company to your house in the middle of a family gathering. You don't want to have to send everyone home because your plumbing isn’t working or safe. Or worse yet, if you’re traveling for the holidays, the last thing you want to do is return to a mess after a long trip.

If you’re a homeowner, here are some ways you can help prevent broken or frozen pipes, plumbing issues, and sewage backups.

1. Disconnect all outside water hoses from your outside faucet.Once water freezes, there’s a good chance it will break the pipe and cause flooding.

2. Make sure your automatic lawn sprinklers have been turned off and drained properly.

3. When temperatures get below 25 degrees, consider keeping an indoor faucet dripping at night time.This prevents pipes from freezing.

4. Make sure you know where your home’s main water shut off is. Put a tag on it so anybody can easily find it. You never know when you may be out of town and somebody else may need to enter your house to turn the water off.

5. When you go on vacation consider keeping your heat close to the same temperature you keep it at while at home. If you do turn the temperature down don’t go below 60 degrees. Many people who turn their heat down or off end up with frozen pipes. It’s cheaper to heat your home than it is to pay a disaster cleanup company to clean up a water disaster.

Keep your holidays safe. Call 860-216-2785 and ask for ask your Emergency Ready Profile.

6. In severely cold weather consider leaving the doors of bathroom vanities and kitchen sink cabinets open to allow more heat to get to the plumbing,

7. If you leave town, turn your water off. Water can’t keep running and doing damage if it’s shut off. If you can’t shut off the main water supply because you have an automatic sprinkler system or someone watering the plants while you’re gone, shut off the valves to the most common sources of water damage (dishwashers, ice makers and washing machines). This will protect you in case a hose cracks or lets go. Individual shutoff valves or “stops” are installed on the supply lines leading to most appliances as well as to toilets and faucets. Typical supply stops have a small round or oval handle that you turn clockwise to shut off the flow of water.

8. Install braided stainless steel hoses. Stainless steel braided hoses last longer than rubber or plastic hoses and are less likely to leak. They also prevent mice from gnawing through your lines. Rubber or plastic supply lines that lead from shutoff valves to appliances, faucets, and toilets become brittle and can leak or even break as they age. While you’re turning water values off inspect the supply lines too. If you find any leaks, cracks, bulges, or signs of corrosion, replace the lines before you leave town. Your best choice is line encased in a braided stainless steel sheath. Shorter versions for faucets and toilets are also available.

9. Install heat tape on your roof if you know that you have problems with ice dams building up on your gutters. Ice dams sneak up under your shingles. When this happens the ice may start to melt and leak into your home.

10. During the holidays many things get flushed down toilets that aren’t meant to be flushed. Avoid flushing baby wipes, feminine hygiene products, any type of clothing, and plastic products. Check your toilets periodically throughout holiday parties to be sure they are flushing properly so you can avoid backups.

Keep your holidays safe. Call 860-216-2785 and ask for ask your Emergency Ready Profile.

11. Many people think the kitchen sink disposal will grind up and get rid of just about anything. It’s safer to put many of your food remnants in the garbage rather than the disposal. For example, you should avoid potato peels, orange peels, and large pieces of meat because they may cause damage or a water backup.

12. Make sure all of your home’s C02 detectors work. More deaths are caused by C02 poisoning than by fire.

13. Keep your fireplace safe. Use a metal mesh screen. Don’t use flammables to start a fire. Have your chimney inspected each year. And use fire-resistant materials on the walls around wood stoves. Fire safety is especially important during the holidays when fireplaces are burning in our homes.

14. Be careful about the number of Christmas lights you plug into one socket. Overloading your electrical outlets can lead to fire and smoke restoration.

15. For more holiday safety tips see the National Safety Council’s Holiday Season Safety.

A Wealth Of Natural Disaster Information For You
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively if they occur. Here are a few you might find helpful:

Why SERVPRO Excels
Many factors make SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield a great choice. We offer:
•   More than 40 years of experience as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider.
•   A network of 1,500 franchises nationwide so we can call in every resource you need.
•   On site evaluation of your natural disaster recovery needs within four hours of you contacting us.
•   Highly trained staff with experience in all types of natural disasters.
•   Assistance with dealing with your insurer and filing a claim.
•   Local knowledge and resources—we know your community and we have relationships with other local organizations that can help in times of need.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785 anytime

Business & Home Holiday Electrical Safety

11/15/2016 (Permalink)

At work and at home, prevent fires by practicing electrical safety.

It’s the holiday time of year and you probably have parties to give and celebrations to attend. At work and at home you have holiday decorations up. Enjoy your holidays, but please remember to be safe. Here are a few tips to keep your business and your home safer from potential electrical fire cleanup and other hazards that the holidays can bring.

1. Inspect electrical decorations and cords.

Carefully examine electrical decorations and cords for damage before you use them. Have your family or employees check for cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires, and loose connections. Repair any damage before use.

2. Avoid overloading electrical outlets.

When you overburden an outlet you can cause a power outage or create heat that can result in fire. In general, plug in only one high wattage appliance per outlet.

3. If you have a live Christmas tree, water it daily.

A dry tree becomes a fire hazard.

4. String together no more than three strings of incandescent lights.

When you connect more than three strings you can blow a fuse or create conditions for a fire.

Keep your holidays safe. Call 860-216-2785 and ask for ask your Emergency Ready Profile.

5. Use electrical extension cords properly.

They are for temporary use only. Don’t use one that feels hot. Don’t run extension cords through walls or ceilings or nail or staple them to walls or baseboards. Make sure that cords are not pinched in doors, windows, or under heavy furniture, which could damage the cord’s insulation. Keep extension cords out of high-traffic areas like doorways or walkways where they pose a tripping hazard. Ensure that all extension cords are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory such as UL, CSA, or ETL, and read the manufacturer’s instructions. For more, go to Extension Cord Safety.

6. Use battery-operated candles.

The Electrical Safety Foundation International says that candles start about half of all home decoration fires. By using battery-powered candles you greatly reduce this risk at home or at your place of business.

7. If you’re cooking stay in the kitchen.

Whether you’re cooking in the break room, cafeteria, or your home kitchen stay with the stove or oven.

Every year, especially at holidays, people begin to cook then run to another room to quickly do something and forget to go back to the stove in time to prevent a fire. Never leave a stove or oven that’s in use.

8. Keep anything that burns at least three feet any source of heat.

Don’t store newspaper near the fireplace or have paper decorations above a heater, for example.

9. At work check your fire alarms and fire protection equipment.

The holiday season is the perfect time to inspect fire alarms and fire suppression systems or devices. Inspect regularly, perhaps twice year, and make sure everything’s in working order. Are your portable fire extinguishers adequately charged? Are all your smoke alarms working? Do you have enough fire extinguishers, the right types, and are they in the right places?

A Wealth Of Natural Disaster Information For You

Every month on our blog we publish educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur.

Why SERVPRO Excels

Many factors make SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield a great choice. We offer:

More than 40 years of experience as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider.
A network of 1,500 franchises nationwide so we can call in every resource you need.
On site evaluation of your natural disaster recovery needs within four hours of you contacting us.
Highly trained staff with experience in all types of natural disasters.Assistance with dealing with your insurer and filing a claim.

Local knowledge and resources—we know your community and we have relationships with other local organizations that can help in times of need.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner

Call 860.216.2785 anytime

Know Your Fire Types

10/31/2016 (Permalink)

Remember, safety first. Never try to fight a large fire by yourself.

Did you know that if you battle a fire with the wrong type of fire extinguisher you could make the fire worse? For example, use an extinguisher that contains only water on a flammable liquid fire and you’ll spread the fire and put yourself in further danger. But don’t worry. Fires are divided into five classes and fire extinguishers are specifically made to battle one or more of the fire classes. All this is easier than it may sound. Here are the basics.

1. Remember: safety first. Do not try to fight a large fire by yourself. You’re much better off letting professionals handle any fire. One general rule of thumb is that if the fire is bigger than you are it’s too big for you to put out safely.

2. Only use a fire extinguisher when: 1) the fire is confined to a small area, and is not growing; 2) the room is not filled with smoke; 3) everyone else has exited the building; and 4) the fire department has been called.

3. Most portable fire extinguishers are capable of putting out multiple types of fires. Commercial and residential extinguishers primarily suppress Class A, B, and C fires.

Call the fire experts. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860-216-2785.

4. Below is a list of fire classes and the extinguishers that put them out. Always check the extinguisher you’re about to use to make sure it’s designed to fight the type of fire you have. The type of fire or fires that an extinguisher can put out should be clearly visible on the label. If you’re not sure, the safest thing to do is to evacuate the area.

Class of Fire: A (A in a green triangle)
Fires of ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, cardboard, most plastics, and cloth
Extinguishers to Use: Water, Foam Spray, ABC Powder, or Wet Chemical

Class of Fire: B (B in a red square)
Fires of flammable liquids like petroleum, kerosene, grease, and others (but not alcohol or cooking oil)
Extinguishers to Use: Foam Spray, ABC Powder, or Carbon Dioxide

Class of Fire: C (C in a blue circle)
Fires of energized electrical equipment such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets
Extinguisher to Use: ABC Powder

Class of Fire: D (D in a yellow star)
Fires of combustible metals like magnesium, titanium, sodium (often found in chemical laboratories).
Extinguishers to Use: ABC Powder or Carbon Dioxide

Class of Fire: K (K in a black hexagon)
Fires of cooking oils, trans fats (often used in restaurants).
Extinguisher to Use: Wet Chemical

5. The most common type of portable fire extinguishers are multipurpose, dry chemical, ABC extinguishers. They’re small, easy to operate, and can put out the majority of fires you may come across. Most have 10 to 20 seconds of discharge with a range of 8 to 12 feet.

6. Author and 20 year fire-fighting veteran Scott Finazzo says you should not use a fire extinguisher unless you can say yes to all of these questions:
   Are there two or more ways for you to escape from the fire?
   Do you have the correct extinguisher for the type of fire?
   Is the extinguisher capable of putting out the size of fire you are facing?
   Is the area free from other hazards?
   Can you put out the fire in 5 seconds or less?

A Wealth Of Natural Disaster Information For You
Every month on our blog we publish educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them when they occur.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage services, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, CT
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785 anytime

When Disaster Strikes Time Is Precious

10/24/2016 (Permalink)

After a disaster the clock is ticking. Faster repairs can save further damage and lower your cost.

Fire destroys your home. Water ruins your basement. High winds bring a tree crashing through your business’s roof. There are many more disasters that could affect your business or home. And what many people don’t realize is that when a catastrophe occurs time becomes your most important possession.

The initial damage from a disaster is just the beginning of the ordeal. Things get much worse if you cannot or do not act in a timely manner to repair the damage and prevent further damage. At least two factors make time a critical resource after a disaster.

One factor is that without quick repair the damage usually gets worse. Water does more damage the longer it sits in your building or walls or wherever. Many possessions can be restored after a fire but only if you act quickly.

For businesses, a second factor that makes time critical is the business interruption. Every day a natural disaster keeps your doors closed is another day of lost business revenues. In fact, for businesses the natural disaster is usually less costly than the business interruption that disaster causes.

Save your home or business; save worry, time, and expense. Call Ralph at 860-216-2785.

When you need natural disaster recovery done fast, done right, and done economically, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. We are always available—24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We’ve handled just about any emergency restoration need you can imagine. We even do non-emergency tasks like carpet cleaning and mold removal.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield arrives quickly with the main goal of restoring your business or home to full function as soon as possible. We’ve enabled businesses who thought they’d be closed for weeks to reopen in days. We’ve saved homeowners thousands by restoring valuable possessions they thought were lost to fire or other damage.

A Wealth Of Natural Disaster Information For You
Every month on our blog we publish educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively when they occur.

Why SERVPRO Excels
Many factors make SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield a great choice. We offer:
•   More than 40 years of experience as a leading fire and water cleanup company and restoration provider.
•   A network of 1,500 franchises nationwide so we can call in every resource you need.
•   On site evaluation of your natural disaster recovery needs within four hours of you contacting us.
•   Highly trained staff with experience in all types of natural disasters.
•   Assistance with dealing with your insurer and filing a claim.
•   Local knowledge and resources—we know your community and we have relationships with other local organizations that can help in times of need.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, and disaster cleanup services. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785 anytime

50% Are Not Prepared For A Natural Disaster

9/29/2016 (Permalink)

We've got the staff and equipment to handle any natural disaster.

Based on a survey of 1,050 AskTheBuilder.com newsletter subscribers, more than 50 percent of U.S. adults are not prepared to take care of themselves for a few days in the event of a major disaster. When asked why they weren’t prepared, 30 percent said they don’t know how to prepare; 20 percent believed they don’t need to prepare; and 32 percent wrote a specific reason for not being prepared for a natural disaster.

The editor who conducted the survey, Tim Carter, said people who aren’t prepared offered a number of reasons. Among the most frequent were:
    “I’m too busy”
    “My fire department and utility company will save me”
    “I don’t think I will be affected by a natural disaster”

In the September 4, 2016 Hartford Courant article on the survey Tim says, “A big disaster is going to strike where you live.” He recommends not relying on the fire department or utility company to save you. When a natural disaster strikes the fire department and utility company will be overwhelmed with needs. They will probably be busy working to get large community assets like the hospital, government buildings, schools, and retirement homes back up and running.

Get prepared for any natural disaster. Call Ralph at 860-216-2785.

So what should you do? You might think about how you would prepare to go camping where there are no utility hookups. Put together all the equipment and supplies you’d need for that trip. And focus on the basics.

Water And Food
One huge basic is water. You can get by without a shower or bath but you’d be surprised how much water you need to drink, to wash up, and to prepare food. The Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person per day.

Another basic is food. Have a storage of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items ( at least a 3 day supply for an evacuation). You may need a camp stove and fuel to cook with. Tim mentions inflatable solar camp LED lanterns for light at night.

Shelter And Critical Papers
Think about shelter, too. After a natural disaster you may be able to stay in your home or maybe not. Is there a large shed, detached garage, or other shelter on your property that you could use for a few days in an emergency?

Have your critical papers protected and together in one place. Many (like wills, contracts, insurance policies, and irreplaceable pictures) you may store on a thumb drive or on a remote server. And how about your contact list or address book? You probably have them on your computer or smart phone but what happens if the computer or phone gets lost or destroyed or you can’t power them up? Some people keep a spare set of their critical papers and contact lists with a relative or friend who lives in a different community but is still close by.

Your Go-Bag
One more essential is a go-bag or an emergency supply kit. It’s a small day pack with the minimal things you need to survive for a day or two. See SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield’s Your Emergency Supply Kit Checklist or check out others online. The Red Cross has more good information on how to be prepared.

Call Noemi and SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
We’ve helped businesses and families prepare for natural disasters. They tell us that three main reasons they choose SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield are:
1. We respond immediately and work quickly
2. We are experienced and have the solutions for virtually any natural disaster issue
3. We answer all questions and will help with insurance claims

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785 anytime

Water Damage & Repair

9/22/2016 (Permalink)

Water damage emergencies can be costly and traumatic for you

Your home or business can suffer water damage from many causes. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield knows that water damage emergencies can be costly and traumatic for you, your business, and your family. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost for water damage repair across the nation is $2,154. That’s why it’s critical for professionals to immediately assess and fix any water damage problem.

Causes of Water Damage
Sometimes appliances can cause more harm than good. When your washing machine, dishwasher, sink, or toilet flood, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can be there to fix the problem and repair water damage quickly. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has experience with water damage restoration from nearly every cause you can imagine:
•   Backed up sewage and septic tank lines
•   Leaking or frozen water lines or pipes
•   Overflowing sinks, bathtubs, showers, or toilets
•   Washing machine or dishwasher overflow
•   Heavy rain or storms
•   Melting ice or snow
•   Cresting rivers or streams

Experiencing water damage? To get help fast, Call Ralph at 860-216-2785

Highly Trained Staff
The SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield staff is highly trained in water damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your business or home from water damage. Our training program includes:
•   IICRC Training
•   Employee Certification Training
•   Initial Franchise Training
•   e-Learnings
•   Continuing Education Classes

Always Available To You
SERVPRO OF Bloomfield/Enfield is always available to you. We offer 24/7 emergency services 365 days a year. Whatever the cause of the water damage in your home or business, we offer a full menu of service options to restore your property. You’ll also find many educational essays on our blog that can help you tackle water damage issues:
• Dehumidification after Water Damage Cleanup
•   Flood Cleanup
• Flood Preparation and Procedures
•   Frozen Pipes
•   How To Clean Mold With Bleach
•   Protecting Your Home’s Foundation
•   Roof Leaks
•   Sewer Backups Are Emergencies
• Water Damage? 4 Reasons To Hire A Professional
• Water Damage Cleanup Requires The Right Equipment

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will do a water damage assessment for you. We can extract water and dry affected areas and furnishings. We’ll assess and get rid of any mold issues. If water’s leaking somewhere we’ll find the leak and present you with a solution that will stop the leak. We can reconstruct and repair any damage and will even help you with your insurance claim filing.

Call Noemi and SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Hundreds of people have called us for help with their water damage issues. They tell us that three main reasons they choose SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield are because we:
1. Respond immediately and work quickly
2. Have experience and solutions for virtually any water damage problem
3. Answer all questions and will help with insurance claims.

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is also skilled in natural disaster prevention and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785 anytime

Hazardous Chemical Exposure

9/6/2016 (Permalink)

Workers suffer more than 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths annually related to chemical exposures.

According to OSHA, workers suffer more than 190,000 illnesses and 50,000 deaths annually related to chemical exposures. Workplace chemical exposures have been linked to cancers and other lung, kidney, skin, heart, stomach, brain, nerve, and reproductive diseases. There are four major ways you can control exposure to hazardous chemicals:
   1. Eliminate or substitute for the dangerous chemical.
   2. Install physical controls to access to the chemical.
   3. Implement administration and business practice controls.
   4. Use protective equipment.

The easiest and quickest way of controlling exposure to hazardous chemicals may be to stop using the hazardous chemical or start using another safer chemical in place of the dangerous chemical. Transitioning to safer alternatives can be a complex undertaking, but a variety of existing resources make it easier. OSHA has developed a step-by-step toolkit to provide employers and workers with information, methods, tools, and guidance on using informed substitution in the workplace.

Need help assessing your chemical exposure risks? Call us at (860) 216-2785.

A second way to control hazardous chemical exposure is to implement a physical change in the workplace that reduces or eliminates the hazard. Examples are changing a process so it minimized the contact workers have with the hazardous chemicals and isolating or enclosing the process. Other companies have switched to a wet method of using a hazardous chemical to reduce the dust or particulates working with the chemical produces. Fume hoods and improved ventilation can be solutions in other situations.

Changing Practices or Controls
A third alternative is to change the work practice or administrative controls. That could mean rotating job assignments or adjusting work schedules so that your workers are not overexposed to a hazardous chemical.

Using Protective Equipment
A fourth way to control exposure to hazardous chemicals is to use chemical protective clothing like eye protection and gloves. OSHA says an estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays.

OSHA can help answer questions or concerns from employers and workers. To reach your regional or area OSHA office, go to the OSHA Offices by State webpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). Small businesses may contact OSHA's free On-site Consultation services funded by OSHA to help determine whether there are hazards at their worksites. To contact free consultation services, go to OSHA's On-site Consultation webpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) and press number 4.

We Can Help
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, natural disaster cleanup, and controlling exposure to hazardous chemicals. Our expertise also includes electronics restoration and document drying. And we’re your business’s best resource for mold mitigation and removal. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

11 Fire Safety Guidelines

8/24/2016 (Permalink)

Never fight a large fire. Call in the professionals.

No matter how safe we may feel, fire may strike at any time. Knowing these general guidelines can help keep your family, your business employees, and you safe in case a fire does occur.

Remain calm.

Pace yourself. You may be in charge of other people. Listen carefully to what people tell you and deal patiently with urgent situations first.

Check doors for heat.

In a fire before you go through a door feel it with the back of your hand. Feel it from the bottom to the top. Do not open a hot door. Doing so puts you at risk of being burned and adding fuel (oxygen) to the fire.

Stay low.

Smoke and heated gases rise. The lower you are the less likely you are to inhale smoke or dangerous gases.

Keep a safe distance.

If you decide to use a fire extinguisher to fight the fire remember that the extinguisher’s reach is probably 8 to 12 feet. Stay as far away from the fire as you can.

Use a fire extinguisher properly. Follow the PASS method.

P: Pull the pin and hold the fire extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.

A: Aim low. Point the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.

S: Squeeze the level slowly and evenly.

S: Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Only use a fire extinguisher if these four conditions are true.

Many times you’re much better off to let fire cleanup professionals handle any fire. Only use an extinguisher when: 1) the fire is confined to a small area, and is not growing; 2) the room is not filled with smoke; 3) everyone else has exited the building, and 4) the fire department has been called.

Concerned about a fire risk or fire damage? Call (860) 216-2785.

Never fight a large fire.

You’re always best off leaving the fighting of a large fire to professionals. One general rule of thumb is that if the fire is bigger than you are it’s too big for you to put out safely.

Face the fire.

Don’t turn your back on a fire. Conditions can quickly change. You need to be constantly aware of the fire’s size, condition, and position.

Observe the smoke.

More turbulent smoke means more dangerous fire conditions. Is smoke pushing out of the top of a door? Then do not enter. Does the area contain significant amounts of smoke? Then the fire probably exceeds your ability to handle it. Call the professionals.

Have a designated meeting place.

Your family or employees should have a specific place well away from your home or business that you will meet at in case of a fire. Knowing where to meet and having two or more ways to get there reduces the risk of leaving someone behind or not knowing where everyone is if you evacuate your home or building.

If you can’t escape the building stay in a fire-free, smoke-free room with the doors closed.

If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

Check for injuries and have them treated.

Immediately after the fire have any injuries treated by a medical professional. Wash small wounds with soap and water. To help prevent infection of small wounds, use bandages and replace them if they become soiled, damaged, or waterlogged.

Help With Fires Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Home Protection Guide: 29 Tips To Protect Your Home Or Business From Financial, Structural, And Natural Disasters

8/1/2016 (Permalink)

Keep yourself, your family, and your employees safe by following basic home and business safety guidelines.

Your home’s safety and its value are keys to living well, enjoying comfort, and staying financially sound. Yet many homeowners neglect to take easy steps to make their homes safer, avoid structural damage, protect the home from natural disasters, and help maintain property value. What home disasters can you easily avoid? Read these 29 tips and you may prevent a home safety nightmare, save money, and sleep better at night.

1. Test for radon.

This colorless, odorless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Test every three years. A tightly sealed home increases your risk.

2. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor.

Many homes have CO alarms on the main floor and the floor where bedrooms are. But you should have carbon monoxide detectors on all floors, including the basement.

3. Check your smoke detectors.

Do you have enough of them in your home? Are they in good working order? Have you replaced the batteries within the last year?

4. Know about surprising items that can go up in flames.

Battery-charged appliances, paper and cloth towels, and dryer lint are three items people don’t think of when they think of the fundamentals of home fire safety. Any of them could start a fire. Take precautions.

5. Replace 10-year-old electric blankets.

After 10 years, heating pads and electric blankets can become fire hazards. Replace them if they have charred spots, frayed or cracked electrical cords, or are old.

6. Toss out old space heaters.

Space heaters are a prime cause of household fires. Protect your home by replacing old space heaters with the newer models that turn off automatically if they tip over or get too hot.

7. Check your house for mold every 3-5 years.

Mold damages your respiratory and immune systems. It can grow in hidden places like inside your home’s walls. Buy a do-it-yourself kit or hire SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to detect mold every 3-5 years.

8. If you must smoke, do so only outside your house.

More fire deaths are caused by smoking inside the home than are caused by any other factor. Always dampen butts and ashes before throwing them away.

9. Be aware of and check potentially dangerous products like toasters.

Every year common toasters start thousands of household fires. Protect your home by cleaning out the crumbs and unplugging your toaster when it’s not in use.

10. Place critical household papers in a fireproof box.

You may want to include your identification papers (like your Social Security card, passport, and birth certificate). Consider adding financial records, family photographs, and emergency cash in small bills.

11. Trim trees and shrubs around your home or business.

Dead branches hanging over your roof can fall and cause damage to your home. Shrubs that brush against your house can bring an outdoor fire right into your home or business.

12. Keep your gutters clean.

If a gutter, drain, or downspout at your home or business is clogged, water may build up and find its way inside. And you may not know it until major structural damage has been done.

13. Have your chimney and fireplace inspected.

Use binoculars to examine the outside of your chimney for any cracks or signs of damage. Have your flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.

14. Consider how vulnerable your home is to wind damage.

Are your home and business protected from tornadoes, hurricanes, and other damaging winds? Consider how sturdy your doors and windows are. Do you need to fortify them?

15. Know your area’s evacuation routes and shelters.

If you should have to vacate quickly you’ll be better off if you’ve already planned your route and destination.

16. Prepare an evacuation bag.

Include personal hygiene items, water, snacks, spare cash, a flashlight, a phone list of family and key contacts, and anything else that you or your family might need to stay safe for 72 hours or longer. If you have employees on site, prepare an emergency evacuation plan and be sure every employee knows the procedure.

17. Consider having an emergency evacuation kit stored in your car.

Besides what you have in your home evacuation bag, pack other items of use on the road: charged cell phone, first aid kit, tire gauge, jumper cables, road flares, gloves, extra batteries, a fire extinguisher, etc.

18. Protect people and pets with special needs.

Know how you will get them to safety if a natural disaster causes you to evacuate.

19. Read up on emergency preparedness and preventing home disasters.

Your home or business cannot be overly prepared. For protecting your home or business, two good resources are ready.gov and redcross.org. For businesses, download Homeland Security’s 12-page brochure, “Every Business Should Have A Plan.”

20. Have a weather radio, smart phone app, or other means to receive natural disaster warnings and weather updates.

Before a predicted natural disaster or threatening weather turn that weather channel on, leave it on, and keep it close.
Before a predicted natural disaster or threatening weather turn that weather channel on, leave it on, and keep it close.

21. Keep copies of important documents off site.

Have extra copies of birth certificates, passports, financial information, marriage certificates, wills, etc.) stored in a remote location like a bank safe deposit box. Keep essential business papers (bylaws, business plans, leases, tax records, permits, etc.) off site as well.

22. Check your sump pump to make sure it’s working.

Consider installing a battery-operated backup, in case of a power failure.

23. Contact your insurance company if you make certain major structural changes.

For example, if you install a fireplace or add on to your business’s facility you might change your risk of fire or other disaster. Let your insurer know. You may have to update your insurance policy to continue to be protected.

24. Always use the right type of flooring.

Don’t install carpet in front of a fireplace or wood-burning stove. A spark could start a fire. Use linoleum, brick, or another flooring that’s not as combustible as carpeting.

25. Walk through all the areas in your house or business.

Look for dangers like unsafely stored chemicals. Check chemical labels and take the necessary steps to ensure that you are using, storing, and disposing of each chemical according to the manufacturer’s directions.

26. Inspect your foundation.

Look for cracks or damp wood resting on the foundation. Be sure the ground slopes away from the foundation so water will drain away. Be certain that anything planted near your home or business is not causing water to pool around the foundation.

27. At home, store chemicals where children can’t reach them.

Locked cabinets is one good choice. Products such as aerosol cans of hair spray and deodorant, nail polish and nail polish remover, toilet bowl cleaners, and furniture polishes all fall into the category of hazardous materials.

28. At work, store chemicals and hazardous materials where only authorized personnel can reach them.

All types of businesses could face an emergency involving hazardous materials such as flammable, explosive, or toxic substances. Know what chemicals your business has on site and store them safely. Among the hundreds of common workplace hazardous materials are pesticides, mercury, solvents, and lead.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Prevent Fire. Know Its 4 Elements

7/18/2016 (Permalink)

Let us help you reduce the risk of fire at your home or business.

Fire is impossible unless four elements are present. If you eliminate or prevent one of the four elements from being present, you can protect yourself from fires at your home, business, or anywhere. Here are how the four elements work and what causes them to occur.

1. Heat
Heat is necessary for a fire to start. Unfortunately, heat can build up and start a fire in many ways including contact with a flame, too much friction, or mechanical generation (like with your car’s spark plugs). Firefighter and author Scott Finazzo says heat gets transferred in one of three ways.
1. Direct contact: The heat source touches another object.
2. Radiation: Heat travels in an electromagnetic way like when you put your hands near a campfire.
3. Convection: the heat transfers from one location to the next by the movement of fluids. An example is how a hot stove burner transfers heat into a pot of water.

Concerned about a fire risk or fire damage? Call (860) 216-2785.

2. Fuel
All fires require a fuel--something that burns. That can be wood, fabric, gasoline, ethanol, hydrogen, butane, or one of many, many other substances. Surprisingly, Scott Finazzo says most solids and liquids don’t actually burn. They are heated beyond their ignition temperature and start to give off combustible vapors (pyrolysis). It’s the escaping vapors that burn.

3. Oxygen
The third element every fire needs is oxygen. The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. That’s enough to support combustion but oxygen itself does not burn. Air with a greater percentage of oxygen in it will burn more intensely.

Here’s another point many people don’t know. You can have enough heat, fuel, and oxygen without having a fire. There is one more element required.

4. Chemical Reaction
A chemical reaction occurs when the exact mixtures of the other three elements of fire (heat, fuel, and oxygen) blend in the right concentration to promote ignition.

Take away any of these four elements and you can prevent or stop a fire. Spraying water on most fires, for example, removes the heat to stop the fire. Shutting off the value to the burner on your gas stove removes the fuel and the fire stops. Putting a lid on a grease fire in a frying pan takes away the oxygen and stops the flames. For more information about fires, like the five major classes of fires, you could check Scott Finazzo’s book, The Neighborhood Emergency Response Handbook. Or call us.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

10 Reasons To Use SERVPRO

7/6/2016 (Permalink)

We can handle any loss from a natural disaster--big or small

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

1. We Get It
SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield 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.

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.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield 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 Bloomfield/Enfield can give you an itemized loss inventory. You will receive an Excel 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.

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.

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 Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup.

Call Connecticut's SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Commercial Restoration Presents Unique Challenges

6/23/2016 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is composed of our best of the best in restoration.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield /Enfield has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial 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.

Avoid Hours Of Lost Revenue

Every hour spent cleaning up your commercial business site is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. We act fast to minimize your losses. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield 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) 216-2785.

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 home 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 Bloomfield/Enfield has provided services like boarding-up, temporary fencing, pack out and move outs, and temporary warehouse space.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Business Lessons Learned From Natural Disasters

5/26/2016 (Permalink)

Learn business lessons from the impact natural disasters have had on other businesses

Bob Boyd, President and CEO of Agility Recovery delivered a presentation to the Corporate Responsibility Association about lessons learned from business disasters. In reviewing the year 2013, Boyd said the U.S. had 62 Presidentially Declared Disasters affecting 37 states. Eight of those disasters caused more than $1 billion of damages. And 2013 was a relatively quiet year for natural disasters.

One disaster Bob discussed shut down all phone and Internet service to businesses. Among the lessons businesses can learn from disasters like that are:
1. Include the loss of Internet and phone service in your disaster recovery plan and test that plan.
2. Use more than one wireless carrier in case one network becomes compromised or goes down.
3. Have a strategy for processing your business transactions without connectivity.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

What If Smart Phones Go Down?
Mobile phones can also become useless under certain natural disaster conditions. Businesses have learned several key lessons from disasters that knocked out their mobile phone service. The lessons include having a way to communicate with your employees, clients, partners, and others without mobile access and having a strategy for relocating your business operations.

Also, you should have a core team of employees trained in CPR and first aid and have a good working relationship with local law enforcement. Police or other law enforcement may become your best source of storm updates, safety and recovery information, and help during a crisis.

Business Interruption Most Costly Than Storm Damage
SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield knows that for businesses, time equals money. The more time your business cannot conduct operations, the more money you lose. In fact, business interruption costs are much greater than the costs of the damage and clean up after a natural disaster.

Know how quickly you can restore data, re-establish connectivity, obtain temporary power, and start conducting normal business again. Know the most likely natural disaster threats to your business and community. Whether it’s hurricanes or flooding or wildfires or something else, be prepared for the threats you’re most likely to face.

Lessons from Hurricane Katrina
Bill Rau owns an antique business in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina did about $5 million of damages to his business but the business survived and even reopening just six weeks after the disaster. The hurricane taught Bill a lot. Among the most important advice Bill now gives other businesses about preparing for a natural disaster are:

•    Consider your employees—they need guidance, clear vision, and security during and after a disaster.
•    Keep your business customers in the loop. Let them know you're still open for business.
•    Establish cloud-computing—ensure that backup can be accessed outside the affected geographic area.
•    Get an insurance advisor to sit down with you so you can find out what may be missing from your policies.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and commercial disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Preparing Your Mind To Handle A Natural Disaster

5/13/2016 (Permalink)

Survivors and heroes feel fear just like you and I do.

Most of our days on this earth are calm and uneventful. But if a storm or other natural disaster creates an alarming emergency, how can we be mentally prepared?

Scott Finazzo, author of The Neighborhood Emergency Response Handbook, says we have much less understanding of how we would react in an emergency than we think we do. Things like 80 mile-an-hour winds or three foot flames at our home or business can cause emotions and stress to overtake logic and reason. Here are some tips from Scott and others to prepare your mind to function well during a natural disaster.

1. Understand your role

Think about and realize what you’ll need to do during a natural disaster. Your role could be physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. If you accept and understand that reality now, you’ll be better able to manage your actions and decisions during an emergency.

2. Use visualization

A 20-year firefighter, Scott Finazzo recommends envisioning worst-case scenarios—the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions that come with being in the middle of a major natural disaster. By envisioning in detail, your brain creates a bookmark similar to an actual experience. Later, your brain can “refer back to” what you envisioned. Your brain searches for how you reacted to the earlier experience and the decisions you made even if the experience and decisions were only in your mind. Fabricated memories can dictate your behavior toward logic and reason in critical, stressful situations.

3. Be prepared physically

Preparing yourself physically helps prepare your mind. Have your home well protected. Know your emergency evacuation route. Have essentials and valuables in an emergency kit you can quickly grab on your way to safety. Preparing physically will give you and your family some peace of mind should a natural disaster strike. You’ll have a plan to follow and that can keep you calm and keep your stress level down. The same principle applies to your business and your employees.

In How to Mentally Prepare for Disasters and Emergencies, Ramani Durvasula, a licensed clinical psychologist, says preparation is key. “[Preparation] can largely help because it can address real anxieties about clean water, food, etc,” Ramani says. “With those real issues addressed, it makes it easier to simply focus on the psychological symptoms of anxiety and manage those without worrying about being hungry.”

4. Manage your fear

Survivors and heroes feel fear just like you and I do. What’s the difference between them and us? They have learned how to manage their fear. They acknowledge the crisis and look ahead and think about what they need to do next to be safe and protect others. Realize that in an emergency you will be fearful. But also realize that the best thing you can do when you’re fearful is to act and get out of the fearful situation.

5. Build up and use relaxation techniques

At the Parks & Recreation site an essay by Sonia Myrick recommends breathing, relaxation, and meditation exercises. Sonia also says you can adapt relaxation techniques to almost any situation or emergency.She also recommends cognitive restructuring — a useful technique for understanding and reframing the negative thinking that we all experience from time to time. Cognitive restructuring can change attitudes, values, or beliefs in ways that alter self-expression. It occurs as a result of insight or behavioral achievement.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

16 Ways To Make Your Home And Family Safer

5/3/2016 (Permalink)

Evacuation Route Sign to Guide Residents

1. Test for radon.
This colorless, odorless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Test every three years. A tightly sealed home increases your risk.

2. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor.
Many homes have CO alarms on the main floor and the floor where bedrooms are. But you should have carbon monoxide detectors on all other floors, including the basement.

3. Know about the surprising items that can go up in flames.
Battery-charged appliances, paper and cloth towels, and dryer lint are three items people don’t think of when they think of the fundamentals of fire safety. Know they could start a fire. Take precautions.

4. Replace 10-year-old electric blankets.
After 10 years, heating pads and electric blankets tend to cause problems. Replace them if they have charred spots, frayed or cracked electrical cords, or are old.

5. Toss out old space heaters.
Space heaters are a prime cause of fires. Replace old space heaters with the newer models that turn off automatically if they tip over or get too hot.

6. Check for mold every 3-5 years.
Mold can cause health effects. Buy a do-it-yourself kit or hire SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to detect mold every 3-5 years.

7. If you must smoke, do so only outside the house.
More fire deaths are caused by smoking inside the home than are caused by any other factor. Always dampen butts and ashes before throwing them away.

8. Be aware of and check potentially dangerous products like toasters.
Every year common toasters start thousands of fires. Clean out the crumbs and unplug your toaster when it’s not in use. Another common household product that can cause fires is your dryer.

Cleanup And Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

9. Place critical papers in a fireproof box.
You may want to include your identification papers (like your Social Security card, passport, and birth certificate). Consider adding financial records, family photographs, and emergency cash in small bills.

10. Trim trees and shrubs around your home or business.
Dead branches hanging over your roof can fall and cause damage. Shrubs that brush against your house can bring an outdoor fire right into your home.

11. Keep your gutters clean.
If a gutter, drain, or downspout is clogged, water may build up and find its way into your house.

12. Have your chimney and fireplace inspected.
Use binoculars to examine the outside of your chimney for any cracks or signs of damage. Have your flue cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.

13. Consider how vulnerable your home is to wind damage.
Is your home protected from tornadoes, hurricanes, and other damaging winds? Consider how sturdy your doors and windows are. Do you need to fortify them? Research protective products like concrete canvas or cloth.

14. Know your area’s evacuation routes and shelters.
If you should have to vacate your home or business quickly you’ll be better off if you’ve already planned your route and destination. And consider having an emergency evacuation kit stored in your car.

15. Keep in mind people and pets who may have special needs.
How will you get them to safety if a natural disaster causes you to evacuate?

16. Read up on how to best prepare for a disaster.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

What Causes The Most Homeowner Claims? Surprise!

4/25/2016 (Permalink)

Fire and water may cause more damage but more insurance claims are caused by wind and hail damage

You may be surprised to learn that the leading cause of homeowner insurance claims is not fire damage or water damage. It’s wind and hail damage.

The Insurance Information Institute says that national statistics (2010 to 2014) from property and casualty insurance companies show that three out of 100 homeowners filed claims in the wind/hail category. The number of claims caused by wind and hail was nearly double the second most frequent reason for homeowner claims. In that second position? Water damage and freezing.

Fires Cause The Most Damage
Water damage and storm damage restoration claims were made by nearly 19 out of 1,000 homeowners. Though fire claims are much rarer—fewer than four claims per 1,000 homes—fires cause the most property damage. The average fire claim in the U.S. was for $39,791. By contrast, the average wind or hail claim totaled $8,041.

One Company Paid $2.4 Billion in 2014 Homeowner Claims
The losses covered by just one insurance company are large. Damage caused by wind and hail cost State Farm and its policyholders more than $2.4 billion in 2014, according to the insurer. Texas was the state with the most wind/hail losses, followed by Illinois, Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa, South Dakota and Kansas.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

If you’re concerned about making sure your house is well prepared for a wind, hail, fire, water, or other natural disaster, look through the many posts here at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. We cover many specifics. We try to give you information that will protect your family, home, and business from natural disasters.

Visit Your Insurance Company's Website

And go to your homeowner insurance company website. Many insurance companies publish tips on their websites on how you can avoid claims. The Travelers website talks about installing water sensors to keep small leaks from becoming big ones. At Nationwide’s website resource center you can learn how to make sure your home is covered for all it’s full value. The Ace website’s Family Safety Guidelines section has an essay on keeping your family and home safe from a tornado.

Among the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield posts that might most appeal to you are:

Flood Preparation & Procedures
10 Key Fire & Fire Damage Facts
Commercial Businesses: The Best Disasters Are The Ones You Avoid

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Disaster Questions

4/14/2016 (Permalink)

Get your natural disaster questions answered at 860.216.2785

If a water, fire, wind, or other natural disaster hits your home of business it can be difficult to know what to do and in what order. Here are some of the most frequent questions SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield receives from people who’ve just suffered a disaster:

Q: After my home or business suffers storm damage, who do I call first?
A: When you have an emergency make life and safety your first priority. If you’re not certain your home or business is safe, evacuate and call 9-1-1.

Q: Can I turn the power back on if the damage to my home or business isn’t extreme?
A: If your electric, gas, or water supply has been affected or turned off by first responders, do not turn the utilities on. Wait until you have a qualified official check the systems.

Q: If my business has a facility maintenance team do I need to call an outside disaster recovery team like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield?
A:Yes. Building maintenance staffs are not trained or equipped to handle the aftermath of an emergency or disaster. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is your recovery partner. Our teams are trained to safely, thoroughly, and professionally handle the effects of an emergency or storm damage. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized equipment, tools, and techniques that minimize business interruption, long-term damage, and costs. We work with your maintenance team and/or emergency preparedness team.

For Disaster Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Q: How can I help my insurance company quickly assess the damage and so restoration can begin?
A: After a disaster, do contact your insurance company representative right away. Be prepared to give your insurer detailed information about the damage. Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Don’t throw away any damaged goods until after your inventory is complete. Document all telephone calls with the date, time, parties who spoke, and highlights of your conversations. Take pictures of all damages for later reference. Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to the loss. Your insurance company may need those receipts to verify all your losses.

Q: What is a work authorization form and why do I need to sign one?
Before your water damage clean up and restoration process begins, you must legally grant permission to perform the work. The work authorization form gives SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (or whichever clean up and restoration company you choose) permission to work in your building or facility and to communicate with and provide a courtesy copy of the invoice to your insurance company.

Q: What’s the best thing I can do to protect my business or commercial facility from another disaster?
A: One critical step every business should take is to create a disaster preparedness plan. Use an all-hazards approach and include the four phases of disaster recovery: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. You’re also wise to call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at any time to discuss your concerns about handling or preventing future disasters. We’d be glad to come to your home or business, answer your questions, and discuss your needs.

Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, natural disaster cleanup, and natural disaster restoration. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Flood Preparation & Procedures

4/7/2016 (Permalink)

Identify local waterways that could flood your home or business.

Flooding is one of the most common, most costly, and most dangerous weather disasters you can experience. Flooding may occur from a light rain falling day after day. Or flooding may happen when a deluge of water drops from the sky in a short time. Here’s how you can be prepared and what to do if flooding does strike.

Flood Preparation
1. Identify local waterways that threaten your home or business.
2. Preplan several evacuation routes from both your home and your business.
3. Make copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, financial information, marriage certificate, etc.) and store them in a remote location like a bank safe deposit box.
4. Check with your insurance agent about your coverage or need for flood insurance.
5. Prepare an evacuation bag. Include personal hygiene items, water, snacks, spare cash, a flashlight, and anything else that you or your family might need to stay safe for 72 hours or longer. For more items see our post, “Your Emergency Supply Kit Checklist.”

Need Water Restoration Advice Or Services? Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

6. Your evacuation bag should have at least a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and a 3-day supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food.
7. Have a weather radio, smart phone app, or other means to receive flood warnings and weather updates. Keep it close and turned on.
8. Take photographs of every room in your home or business. Be certain to capture the most valuable and hard to replace items (artwork, cars, jewelry, etc.). Store the photos on a portable device like a flash drive or memory card. Keep that device in your evacuation bag.
9. If you have a sump pump make sure it’s working. Consider installing a battery-operated backup, in case of a power failure.
10. Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.

Flood Procedures
1. Follow all appropriate flood warnings by the National Weather Service, local media, or any official authority issuing instructions due to an impending flood.
2. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
3. Move outdoor furniture or decorative items inside. Move important, valuable items upstairs.
4. Turn off water, gas, and electricity at the main shut-offs and unplug electrical equipment.
5. Lock all doors and windows.
6. Evacuate to a safe location.
7. Avoid driving or walking through moving water. Six inches of swiftly moving water can sweep you off of your feet.
8. Avoid flood waters. They’re usually toxic and filled with hazardous materials and bacteria.
Keep children out of the water. They are curious and often lack judgment about running water or contaminated water.
9. Beware of downed power lines that could go unnoticed on the ground, on a chain-link fence, or in water.
10. Stay away from animals. They may be afraid and defend themselves aggressively.
11. Be especially cautious at night when it’s harder to recognize flood danger.

Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in water restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and flood water cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

10 Key Fire & Fire Damage Facts

3/17/2016 (Permalink)

Never think that if you avoid the fire's flames you are safe.

While flames can cause the most visible damage to your property during a fire, smoke and soot are silent and sometimes invisible hazards that could cost lives. Water is also a reason for damage after a fire. Even firefighters themselves may cause some damage before they can completely put out a fire. Here are 10 important things to know about fires.

1. In a fire, more people die from inhaling smoke than from the flames. Never think that if you avoid the flames you are safe. Always keep away from smoke.

2. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when wood, coal, or oil-based substances are burned. These carbon particles float into the air and settle anywhere. Inhaling soot can caused severe lung deficiencies or even death.

3. If soot contaminates items in your home or business, a fire restoration service provider like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield must assess the damage to see if restoration is possible.

Need Fire Restoration Advice Or Services? Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

4. The worst possible effect of soot is its tendency to cause cancer and cause serious defects in newborns. 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.

Water’s Good And Bad
5. Water’s great at putting out most fires but the water itself can cause great damage. You must 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 why SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield provides industrial dehumidifiers and air movers to dry saturated carpets, padding, furniture, and any other wet items.

6. 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. See our posts about mold, mold myths, and how to clean up mold.

7. Use caution if you decide to do some of the fire damage cleanup after a fire. Never start your cleaning process until you’re properly attired. 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.

Why Firefighters Break Windows And Cut Holes In Roofs
8. Firefighters are true heroes. However, they often must break windows and cut holes in the roof of buildings on fire. As a fire burns, the fire moves up and down and across, growing very fast. 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. The bottom line is that breaking windows and cutting holes in roofs help save lives and property.

9. Firefighters will also cut holes in walls at times. That’s not about ventilation. It’s done so the fire department is sure that 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.

10. 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.

For more, see After The Fire: Returning to Normal from FEMA.

Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services and natural disaster cleanup.

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Disgusting Places In Every Home: How To Clean Them

3/8/2016 (Permalink)

Even clean houses can have hidden dirty, moldy places

Even if you’re a neat and clean freak you may have hidden places in your home that are not so neat and clean. You may be surprised by where the most disgusting places in homes tend to be and how to make them shine.

Most Overlooked Disgusting Place
In a 2015 survey conducted by cleaning services startup Handy, of its 500 top-ranked pros, 37 percent of them rated shower curtains as the most overlooked place in clients' homes. In rare cases, mold, mildew and soap scum buildup can cause serious infections. You can eliminate grime and germs on fabric, plastic, or vinyl curtains by "putting them in the washing machine along with a few towels to keep the curtain from wrinkling. Wash in warm water using a 1/2 cup bleach and 1/4 cup of laundry detergent. Then immediately hang dry the curtain.

Need Cleaning Help? Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

The First Place To Clean
Most people know the bathroom is the first place you want to keep clean. But did you know that in the bathroom one of the best things you can quickly do is wipe down the sink? That’s what Becky Rapinchuk, Clean Mama blogger and author of The Organically Clean Home, recommends. Try her inexpensive chemical-free disinfecting spray you can put together yourself:1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/2 cup vodka (for germ-killing properties), 10 drops lavender essential oil, 10 drops lemon essential oil and 1½ cups water (distilled or boiled and cooled). Spritz your sink and other areas. Come back in 10 minutes to rub down surfaces. If you have a pedestal sink wipe down the front and sides, all the way to the floor.

Toilet Parts Most People Miss
If you meticulously scrub the toilet bowl and toilet seat weekly and there's a lingering musty smell, the next order of business is to clean two parts you're likely missing: toilet seat hinges and the base of the bowl.

If you don't have a toilet seat with hinges that lift, you'll need a Phillips-head screwdriver to unscrew the hinges to remove the seat completely. Once that's done, spray the hinges and cover completely with disinfectant. If the hinges are smelly or stained, Becky Rapinchuk suggests sprinkling a bit of baking soda on the hinges and let that sit. That will take that odor away. Then rinse it and wipe it down.

To tackle another possible source of odor, spray the outside of the bowl and behind the toilet, let it sit and wipe up with a microfiber cloth (or paper towels if really grimy).

Toothbrush Holders Can Hold Millions Of Germs
This benign-seeming bathroom cup is one of the germiest spots in your house. Some experts say the average toothbrush holder has more than 2 million bacteria cells. Bamboo and wood may look attractive, but they're difficult to clean, so go with a dishwasher-safe material like brushed stainless steel, or plastic, and clean it once or twice a week.

Sponges Often Contain E. Coli
Sponges can be a breeding ground for bacteria. It's likely that the one near your sink contains E. coli and salmonella bacteria. A two-minute turn in the microwave can kill most of the viruses, parasites and spores that grow on sponges. Still you should change your sponges every two weeks or so.

Bathtub And Shower Bacteria
About one in four bathtubs and showers harbored the bacteria known as staphylococci. That bacteria can cause problems with superficial skin lesions and urinary tract infections. Keep these germs at bay by using a mild shower spray daily. Do avoid abrasive cleaners.

We’re Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in many types of cleaning, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro, Nat Landon, Ron DeFeo
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Chemical Caution: What To Know Before You Enter That Damaged Home Or Business

2/25/2016 (Permalink)

Enter a damaged business or home with caution. Don't take risks.

After a natural disaster the local authorities often ban residents and businesses from re-entering buildings until emergency crews have completed their work and the buildings are considered safe.

But even when the authorities give the okay to return to your home or your business the Environmental Protection Agency advises you to take precautions like:
•    Be on the alert for leaking containers, especially of chemicals like caustic drain cleaners and chloride bleach.
•    Keep people and pets away from leaking or spilled chemicals.
•    Avoid contact with flood water. Often, flood water is contaminated with raw sewage or hazardous chemicals.

For Expert Disaster Advice Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

•    Do not combine chemicals from leaking or damaged containers as this may produce dangerous or violent reactions.
•    Don’t dump chemicals down drains, storm sewers, or toilets.
•    If you have any doubts about your safety, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.
•    Never attempt to burn household or business chemicals.
•    Clearly mark and set aside unbroken containers until they can be properly disposed of.
•    Leave damaged or unlabeled chemical containers undisturbed whenever possible.
•    Don’t turn on drinking water pumps (risk of electric shock) or use the septic system until you have it inspected.
•    Open all the windows.

What If You Smell Gas?

If you smell gas or hear the sound of escaping gas, don't smoke, light matches, or operate electrical switches. Don't use either cell or conventional telephones or create any other source of ignition. Leave the building immediately. Leave the door open and any windows that may already be open. Notify emergency authorities. Don't return to the building until you are told by authorities that it is safe to do so.

Stay Away from Building Materials

Avoid walking over or otherwise disturbing building materials. Building materials may contain hazardous chemicals or components such as asbestos. These materials, when carried by the air, can be breathed in and cause adverse health effects. Staying away can prevent physical injury and other health issues. If you suspect that asbestos containing materials may be present in your building or home, do not enter.

Possible Asbestos Materials

Asbestos-containing materials often include the following:
•    Boiler/pipe insulation
•    Fireproofing
•    Floor tiles
•    Asbestos roofing
•    Transite boards used in laboratory tabletops and in acoustics in auditoriums, music rooms and phone booths

Federal, state, and local personnel are often deployed to affected areas to establish debris-management programs, including household hazardous waste collection and disposal programs. These efforts may take days or weeks to come to all communities. In the meantime, EPA urges the public to exercise caution and report concerns to local environmental, health and waste disposal authorities.

We’re Here To Help

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in virtually all aspects of assessing and cleaning up after a natural disaster. Rely on the professionals. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Commercial Businesses: The Best Disaster Is The One You Avoid

2/18/2016 (Permalink)

Businesses that survive a natural disaster tend to have an emergency plan in place.

In the constant pressure to keep costs low, some businesses fail to invest in steps that can save them tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in the future. Even worse, some commercial businesses think they’ve protected their property and employees when they have not.

In the case of natural disaster protection, most businesses understand the need for a written emergency plan. Having a plan like the SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile can help prevent a disaster or make handling a disaster much less costly. But just having a plan isn’t enough.

For Expert Disaster Preparation Advice Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Having A Written Emergency Plan Isn’t Enough
Putting an emergency preparation plan together often eliminates risks. For some businesses it might mean getting rid of dangerous chemicals that are being stored on site. Creating your Emergency Ready Profile could reveal a serious fault in your building’s sprinkler system so you can correct it before damage occurs. But businesses with an emergency preparation plan sometimes rest too easy.

Many plans are not kept up-to-date. New machinery is bought but the emergency plan isn’t adjusted to take the protection of that expensive machinery into account. Or your business develops a plan for your existing site but then move the business to a different location.

Have A Dated Plan? Here’s What To Do
Here are a few things to do if your emergency preparation plan may be dated:
1. Review your plan every year. Look for gaps.
    Are all your facilities and buildings covered?
    Have you made recent renovations that are not noted in the plan?
    Have you added or moved hazardous material or valuable equipment?
2. Conduct training for the team charged with implementing your emergency plan.
3. Check to make sure all the key players know how to immediately access your emergency plan.
4. Have SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield do an analysis of your plan.
5. Ask a new facility manager or other key employees to test your business’s emergency plan.
    Does the plan make sense to them?
    Would they add or change anything?
6. Run a disaster drill.
    Conduct a mock exercise around the conference table with all the key players.
    Or conduct a full scale mock disaster at your facility.
7. Re-evaluate who’s in charge of the plan.
    During a natural disaster you want the decision-makers to be people who remain calm
    The disaster team should know the plan and be able to make quick decisions.
    Your team should also know how to actively engage others and give clear direction.

Think Before Disaster Happens
When do you want to think about a natural disaster? By far the best time is well before it happens. Having a complete emergency plan, having a trained disaster team in place, and knowing the steps you will take does more than bring peace of mind. It can protect your commercial business and your employees from some of the huge costs involved in a major disaster.

Prepared Businesses Survive
When a natural disaster strikes, one out of every two businesses never returns to the marketplace. And of those businesses that do recover, half go bankrupt within three years. But businesses that survive a disaster tend to be those that have an emergency preparation plan in place before disaster strikes.

We’re here to help. The team at SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in virtually all aspects of cleaning up after water, sewer, fire, smoke, wind or other similar natural disasters. You can create your own SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile with us in less than a few hours. That time could save you days or weeks of business interruption and help keep the cost of any damage from a disaster down.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

50% Of Businesses Never Reopen After A Natural Disaster

2/9/2016 (Permalink)

An Emergency Ready Profile can save you valuable time and money should your business be damaged in a natural disaster.

According to a major insurance company, one out of two businesses never returns to the marketplace following a major disaster. Of those that do, half go bankrupt within three years. The businesses that survive plan their response to a disaster before it strikes.

And the property losses from hurricanes, floods, fires, and other disasters are staggering. Insured losses due to natural disasters in the United States in the first half of 2015 totaled $12.6 billion. That’s according to according to a July 2015 presentation by Munich Re and the Insurance Information Institute.

Need Expert Disaster Preparation Advice? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Pre-planning can serve as a type of “insurance policy” that provides your commercial business with peace of mind. And knowing you are "ready for whatever happens" builds trust among your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don’t necessarily have to be.

Create a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile
By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for your commercial business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation.

An Emergency Ready Profile can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business. At no charge, here’s what completing the profile provides for you:
• A no cost assessment of your business facility.

You pay nothing to have SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield assess the storm-readiness of your commercial building.

• A concise document with the critical information you need in an emergency.

It takes less than 30 minutes to complete an Emergency Ready Profile. It won’t take you away from current projects. But building your emergency plan will save a lot of time if a disaster strikes.

• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.

You cut costs because the profile can help reduce the time your business will be inactive. Most business owners don’t realize that the biggest cost businesses hit by a natural disaster is not the cost of the cleanup or renovations. By far, the biggest cost is having to close your business down while the repairs are made. Many businesses lose tens of thousands of dollars for every day they are closed. We specialize in getting businesses back in business fast.

• A firm relationship with SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.

You gain the assurance of having a local provider who is recognized as an industry leader, knows your needs, and will respond quickly in an emergency.

• A faster path to mitigation by identifying your line of command for authorizing work to begin.

You save valuable time when SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield immediately knows we can begin the work of mitigating the damage to your business. Your cleanup and restoration can happen in the most efficient and effective manner.

• A detailed listing of critical facility information.

You have in one place a reference for details like as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. You gain a quick reference of what to do, how to do it, and who to call so you’re "ready for whatever happens."

We’re here to help.

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in virtually all aspects of cleaning up after damage caused by water, sewer, fire, smoke, wind, or other natural disasters. Create your own Emergency Ready Profile with us now. Preparation today could save you days of business interruption and help keep the cost of any damage from a disaster down.

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Dehumidification After Water Damage Cleanup

2/2/2016 (Permalink)

Things look dry long before they are safely dry.

Removing water isn’t enough. After the water removal step, your floors and walls may look dry at first glance, but they are still wet to the touch. Most building materials, like drywall and wood, are porous and will retain significant water. The retained water will cause these materials to warp, swell, or break down and can also cause mold damage.

Need To Get Rid Of Moisture? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield will manipulate temperature and relative humidity to remove the remaining moisture. We use specialized equipment, including industrial air movers and dehumidifiers, to remove water and other moisture retained by building materials. Our professionals will carefully monitor the progress using moisture meters until the materials in your home or business return to acceptable drying goals.

Drying Takes Time
SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can dry your carpets in 24 hours. Moderately wet drywall dries in 1-3 days. Other materials like hardwood flooring, plaster, concrete, and wood may require 7-10 days to dry. Contractors and claims professionals that promise to dry buildings in three days are ignoring basic scientific principles.
Structural drying is a scientific process that requires professional water damage training and the use of specialized instruments. Your property’s damage is very site-specific. One solution does not fit all cases. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield water damage technicians are highly trained in psychometrics, the science of drying, and always use IICRC S500 industry standards for professional water damage restoration.

Full Set Of Drying And Restoration Steps
Our water damage restoration techniques include:
•    Removing standing water and recovering assets
•    Measuring moisture and recording damage
•    Detecting any leaks (non-invasively)
•    Drying the building structure by technical means
•    Restoring machinery, electrical appliances, equipment and furniture, files, and documents
•    Cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting to destroy micro-organisms and mold
•    Removing or neutralizing odors

We’re here to help you. The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in virtually all aspects of cleaning up after water, sewer, fire, smoke, or other similar damage. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Water Damage? 4 Reasons To Hire A Professional

1/27/2016 (Permalink)

Be safer, save more of your possessions, and get water damage removed faster. Use SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield.

When your home or commercial property is subjected to water damage you need to act fast to limit that damage and restore your property. Excessive standing water can pose health hazards, ruin valuable property, damage furniture and art, and weaken the structural integrity of your home or business. We recommend you secure professional water removal services. In Connecticut, here are four reasons why you should depend on professionals like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield:

1. Stop Dangerous Bacterial Growth
Standing or slowly dripping water attracts microorganisms. These forms of bacteria can breed very quickly. Moisture is the driving force allowing growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria.

Concerned About Water Damage? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

2. What Looks Dry May Not Be Dry
You may not be safe even after the visible water is removed. Furnishings and buildings can soak in and retain excessive levels of moisture. That promotes microorganism development and fungi growth, even when you don’t see any water. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield uses a professional drying process that includes specialized air movers and dehumidifiers. It’s a surer, more thorough, and faster way to remove water and moisture. We continue the drying process until moisture measurement inspections indicate the ambient air humidity is back to normal.

3. Salvage Your Possessions
Materials and furniture exposed to excessive water must be carefully evaluated. A SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield professional can evaluate and explain to you what’s safe to keep and what must be discarded. We use a proprietary software technology called CCIS to inventory each room. We list categories of not-salvageable, salvageable, and questionable items and materials for you and your insurance adjuster. Then you can decide how to proceed with your water damage restoration process. We strongly believe in a "restore before replace" philosophy to keep your costs down and to salvage as much as possible.

4. Protect Your Safety
Attempting to remedy water damaged possessions and materials on your own can cause physical stress and unwanted, unknown exposure to health hazards such as category 3 water. Safety clothing, gear, equipment, and know-how are essential aspects leading to a safe and effective water damage restoration process.

What Should You Look For In A Water Removal Company?
• Industry experience and leadership
• A reputation for professionalism and customer service
• 24/7 emergency services
• IICRC-certified technicians, with extensive supplemental training
• A free estimate, action plan, and work with your insurance agent

Remember, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is here to help. We provide water removal and restoration, and many other restoration services. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7. We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Your Cleanup, Restoration & Safety Quiz

1/18/2016 (Permalink)

Do you know all you need to know about cleanup, restoration, and safety?

It’s hard to know what you don’t know. This short cleanup and restoration quiz will help you find out about weaknesses you might have in handling a fire, water, or storm restoration or in being safe should a natural disaster strike.

Check your answers at the end. If any answers escape you or to get more information, just click into the blog post link in that answer. You can read our other SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog posts to get more details. Now let’s see how well you do. Good luck.

Need Expert Disaster Recovery Advice? Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

1. Be sure any wood-burning stove you buy is made of sturdy, suitable material, such as cast iron or steel. And look for what label?

2. If you have a washing machine, dishwasher, or toilet overflow and the experts say you have gray water on your floors, what does that mean?

3. To help prevent home fires if you smoke, what type of ashtrays should you use and when should you put cigarette and cigar butts in the trash?

4. To protect your home or business’s foundation from cracking due to water damage, the downspouts from your roof should lead water how far away from the foundation?

5. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, how often should your home’s roof be inspected?

6. What’s the most common danger from a home heating oil furnace?

7. To remove carpet stains caused by a spilled liquid don’t rub or scrub. What should you do instead?

8. Which is likely to be more dangerous – a solid chemical spill or a liquid chemical spill?

9. What should you do if you’re caught in a tornado while in your car?

10. Why should you keep a set of pictures of your commercial building?

Quiz Answers

1) The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label. For more, see this stove and fireplace blog post; 2) Gray water is contaminated water that can cause discomfort or illness and quickly degrade into black water if not treated. For more, see this sewer flood cleanup; 3) Use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Don’t put butts in the trash until they’re cold. For more, see this prevent home fires post; 4) At least 10 feet. For more, see protecting your home’s foundation; 5) Twice a year. For more see roof leaks; 6) carbon monoxide. For more see oil furnace dangers; 7) Blot with an absorbent white or plain cloth. For more see easy carpet cleaning; 8) Liquid. For more, see chemical emergencies; 9) Stop, get out and lie face down in a low area. Cover your head. For more, see surviving a natural disaster; 10) If a storm strikes the pictures can serve as “before” pictures. Take a set after the storm to show the full extent of the storm damage. For more see 3 keys to rebuilding commercial property.

There’s a lot to know. We’re here to help. The team at SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in virtually all aspects of cleaning up after water, sewer, fire, smoke, or other similar damage. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Getting Insurance Company Help After A Disaster

1/11/2016 (Permalink)

Your SERVPRO rep will help your work with your insurance claim adjuster.

Disaster strikes. You’ve got major damage to your home. Fortunately, you have good insurance. But the way you work with your insurance company and its claim adjuster can make a big difference in whether you get your claim approved and receive appropriate reimbursement for the damage. Here are some tips from the Insurance Information Institute.

Start by contacting your homeowner’s insurance representative. Ask your insurance rep:

1. Whether the damage is covered under the terms of your policy
2. How long you have to file you claim
3. Whether your claim exceeds your insurance deductible (the amount of loss you agree to pay before insurance kicks in)
4. How long it will take to process the insurance claim
5. Whether you’ll need estimates for repairs

We work well with insurance companies. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Your insurance agent or representative is not the person who will come to your home to inspect the damage. Damage assessment is done by an insurance claim adjuster. Your rep will put you in touch with a claim adjuster from the insurance company. You’ll need to prepare for the adjuster’s visit.

Preparing For The Adjuster's Visit
Your insurance company may send you a proof of loss form to complete or the claim adjuster may visit your home first. (An adjuster is a person professionally trained to assess damage.) In either case, the more information you have about your damaged possessions -- a description of the item, approximate date of purchase and what it would cost to replace or repair -- the faster your claim generally can be settled by the insurance company.

To substantiate your loss, prepare an inventory of damaged or destroyed items. Give a copy to the insurance adjuster along with copies of any receipts. Don’t throw out damaged items until the adjuster visits you. You should also consider photographing or videotaping the damage. If your property was destroyed or you no longer have any records, work from memory.

Identify structural damage to your home and other structures such as your garage, tool shed, patio, or in-ground swimming pool. Make a list of everything you want to show the adjuster, for example, cracks in the walls and missing roof tiles. You should also get your electrical system checked. Most insurance companies pay for these inspections.

Get written bids from licensed contractors. The bids should include details of the materials to be used and prices on a line-by-line basis. This makes adjusting the claim faster and simpler.

Keep copies of the lists and other documents you submit to your insurance company. Also keep copies of whatever paperwork your insurance company gives you and record the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak to.

Flood Damage Often Excluded
Flood damage is excluded under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Flood coverage, however, is available as a separate policy from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from a few private insurers. The NFIP provides coverage up to $250,000 for the structure of the home and $100,000 for personal possessions. Flood insurance claims should be filed with your homeowners insurance company.

We’re Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield frequently helps customers work well with their insurance claim adjuster. Many customers use us to be certain they’re fully prepared for what the insurance company will require before they will consider a claim. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Wood-Burning Stove and Fireplace Safety

12/28/2015 (Permalink)

If you’re planning to burn wood, make sure your stove (or fireplace) and chimney have been thoroughly checked by a professional chimney sweep.

Ah! The warm pleasure of gathering around your fireplace or wood-burning stove on a cold winter’s night. Enjoy the warmth, but do be safe. Here are a few wood-burning stove and fireplace tips.

1. Have a professional annual inspection

If you’re planning to burn wood, make sure your stove (or fireplace) and chimney have been thoroughly checked by a professional chimney sweep. Stoves, fireplaces, and chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year. Wood-burning stoves should be inspected annually for ash and creosote buildup, cracks, and animal or bird nests.

Concerned About Your Wood Stove or Fireplace? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

2. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Make sure you have enough smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Are they in good working order? Important in all homes, these detectors are especially essential in homes with wood-burning stoves.

3. Check your wood-burning stove’s ventilation

Venting the stove is the most important part of the wood-burning system. According to Nationwide, 90% of all stove-related fires originate within the venting system. A venting system is not a chimney – it consists of lengths of 24-gauge or heavier stovepipe which connects the stove to an approved chimney.

4. Consider a moisture meter

If you stack wood outside in the weather, the Environmental Protection Agency advises you to consider purchasing a moisture meter. You can use one to make sure your timber is dry and safe to burn. Meters can be purchased online for a little as $20. Hardwoods—such as maple, beech, ash, hickory, or oak—are the best fuel for a wood-burning stove. Your wood should be cut, split, and air dried for at least a year before burning.

5. Keep flammables away

Keep furniture, drapes, rugs, and anything flammable away from your fireplace or wood-burning stove. Sometimes people move furniture closer to the fireplace or stove during warmer months. If you do that, move the furniture and any home decorations back a safe distance before lighting up your fireplace or stove.

6. Always have the right flooring

Never have carpet installed directly in front of your fireplace or wood-burning stove. A spark could land on it and start a fire. Good flooring to have near your fireplace or stove is linoleum or brick. You want a floor that’s not as combustible as carpeting.

7. Keep your insurance company informed

Tell your insurer you have installed a fireplace or a wood-burning stove. If a spark from the fireplace or the wood stove pops out and burns your couch and a large portion of a neighboring wall, you could be stuck paying the entire bill if the insurance company doesn’t know about that particular heat source.

8. Inspect the dampers

If your wood-burning stove has an automatic draft regulator controlled by a thermostat, carefully follow the manufacturer's installation instructions. A manually operated damper can be installed on the pipe near the stove. This damper should not obstruct more than 80 percent of the pipe area. A second damper higher up on the vertical section of the stovepipe is advisable to permit shutting down the stove in case of a chimney fire.

9. If you’re buying a wood stove, buy quality.

Be sure any stove you buy is made of sturdy, suitable material, such as cast iron or steel. Look for the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label. If you purchase a used stove, check it carefully for cracks or other defects. The legs, hinges, grates, and draft louvers should also be checked carefully.

10. Never do these six things

Be careful with how you install, monitor, and maintain a fireplace or wood-burning stove. Five things you should never do are:
1.    Connect your wood stove to a fireplace chimney unless the fireplace has been sealed off
2.    Connect your wood stove to a chimney serving another appliance burning other fuels.
3.    Start a wood stove fire with flammable fluids, such as gasoline
4.    Extend the stovepipe through a wall or ceiling (unless there’s no alternative)
5.    Burn trash in a wood-burning stove. That may start a chimney fire.
6.    Let a wood fire burn unattended or overnight

Remember, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is here to help. We work on know about wood-burning stoves and fireplace safety. So call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7. At SERVPRO we’re trained in many restoration services.

We know the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help you recover from damage to your home or business.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Frozen Pipes!

12/15/2015 (Permalink)

If your pipes freeze it could cost you $18,000.

Severe winter weather ranks third as a cause of insured catastrophic losses, after hurricanes and tornadoes, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Losses from snow, ice, and freezing temperatures across the United States average about $1.2 billion a year, according to the New York Times.

Concerned About Your Pipes Freezing? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

Preparing your home for cold weather can help avoid potentially costly problems, like frozen pipes. When water freezes it expands. That’s why a can of soda explodes if you put it into a freezer to chill quickly and forget it. When water freezes in a pipe, it expands the same way. If the water expands enough, the pipe bursts, water escapes, and major damage can begin.

Average Frozen Pipe Damage: $18,000
The average claim for damage from a frozen pipe is about $18,000, although costs can vary widely. Repairing the actual broken pipe is often the least costly part of the damage frozen pipes cause. The damage to fixtures and home finishes from water spurting from a ruptured pipe is what runs up your bill. When a frozen pipe bursts you often must repair the flooring, drywall, and anything left on the floor.

Preventing Frozen Pipes
So what can you do to avoid frozen busted pipes? First, make sure your heating system is working properly and that vulnerable pipes, like those that run close to your exterior walls, are insulated.

If you go away for several days in the winter, make sure you leave the heat on. The Insurance Information Institute recommends setting your thermostat at 65 degrees.

Have someone check your home and property, if you can. If you expect to be away for extended periods — say, you go South for the winter — have your water turned off.

Others actions you can take to help prevent your pipes from freezing are:
•    Seal air leaks surrounding or near your pipes
•    Keep your garage doors closed if you have water supply lines in the garage
•    Disconnect all outdoor hoses and turn off water to exterior faucets and sprinkler systems
•    Open your kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing
•    Keep your heat at a minimum of 55 degrees F at all times. Keep it at 65 when you’re out of town.
•    During severe cold turn on both hot and cold faucets near outside walls to allow a small trickle of water to run during the night
•    Remove your outside hoses and store them inside during the winter
•    If you need to be away from home, consider draining your water system before you go
•    Identify the locations of shut-off valves so that you’re prepared to stop the flow of water as soon as possible when a pipe bursts

What If Your Pipes Do Freeze?
First, turn off the flow of water. That prevents further damage. To do that you need to know ahead of time where your main water shut-off valve is. Clearly mark it with a bright sticker. You may have to find it in the dark.

Next, call a plumber or contractor like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to conduct initial repairs and cleanup. Take precautions to avoid an electrical shock if you must be in or near standing water.

You should also take photographs to document the initial damage for your insurance company. Hold onto the broken pipe because your insurance company may want to inspect it.

Remember, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is here to help. We work on frozen pipes and severe weather damage. So call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7. At SERVPRO we’re trained in many restoration services. We know the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help you recover from frozen pipe and other damage to your home or business.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Roof Leaks

12/2/2015 (Permalink)

Water backs up behind ice dams. It can penetrate your roof shingles, tiles, ceilings, and walls—leading to major water damage.

If you have a severe winter and your roof isn’t insulated well enough to keep the snow from melting, it doesn’t have to rain for your roof to leak.

Have A Roof Leak? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

When a layer of snow on the roof melts, it first runs down and freezes over the eaves, which causes ice dams, and then the water backs up behind the dam and under the roofing shingles. Ultimately, water will seep in through your ceilings and walls. Obviously, you don’t want that to happen.

Is Water Damage Coming From A Roof Leak?
If you have water stains that extend across ceilings or run down walls, the cause is probably a roof leak. Tracking down the leak is the hard part; the fixes are easier. Here in Connecticut and the snowy Northeast if you have leaks only on warm or sunny days, you probably have ice dams. We’ll cover that later.

Minor Leaks Can Cause Major Damage
Don’t wait to fix any roof leak. Fix leaks quickly even if they don’t bother you much or you’re getting a new roof next year. In just a short time, small roof leaks can lead to big problems. You could have mold, rotted framing and sheathing, destroyed insulation, damaged ceilings, and more.

Preventive Measures: Roof Rakes & Insulation
Hardware and home improvement stores sell long-handled roof rakes. You can stand on the ground and reach the roof of many small and mid-size homes. Raking large amounts of snow off your roof prevents that snow from ever causing a roof leak. Do be sure that the snow isn’t so high and so close to your foundation that it might cause leaking in your basement.

A thick layer of insulation in your attic or crawl space provides an effective barrier against roof leaks. Insulation keeps warm air in your house where it belongs. The roof stays cooler so the snow doesn’t melt quite as fast.

Where Roof Leaks Occur
Many roof leaks occur around chimneys and roof vents. Flashing is supposed to go under adjacent roof shingles and then up the chimney or pipe for a few inches. The flashing joints have to be sealed. If they aren’t sealed, the water runs right down through the roof and into your house. What makes this tricky is that the water may travel a little down the roof and enter at a lower point. Roof leaks may make ceiling or wall stains far away from where the leak actually is.

Tracking Down A Roof Leak

When you’re trying to track down a roof leak, start by looking at the roof uphill from the stains. First look for any roof penetrations. Items that penetrate the roof are by far the most common source of leaks. In fact, it’s rare for leaks to develop in open areas of uninterrupted shingles, even on older roofs. Penetrations can include plumbing and roof vents, chimneys, dormers, sky lights, or anything else that projects through the roof. They can be several feet above the leak or to the right or left of it.

Use Your Attic Access
If you have attic access, the easiest way to track down a roof leak is to go up to the attic with a flashlight and look for the evidence. There will be water stains, black marks, or mold. But if access is a problem or you have a vaulted ceiling, you’ll have to go up onto the roof and examine the roof closely.

If the problem still isn’t obvious, enlist a helper and go up on the roof with a garden hose. Start low, soaking the area just above where the leak appears in the house. Isolate areas when you run the hose. For example, soak the downhill side of a chimney first, then each side, then the top on both sides. Have your helper stay inside the house waiting for the drip to appear. Let the hose run for several minutes in one area before moving it up the roof a little farther. Tell your helper to yell or call when a drip becomes visible. You’ll be in the neighborhood of the leak. This process can take well over an hour, so be patient and don’t move the hose too soon. Buy your helper dinner.

Ice Dams
When snow and ice accumulate in gutters and along roof ridges, melting water is unable to drain properly. As water backs up behind these ice dams, it can seep under flashing or penetrate your roof shingles, tiles, ceilings, and walls—leading to major water damage. To prevent ice dams from ruining your home’s exterior and interior, remove snow from the roof using a roof rake (if it’s a safe option). In the long-term, it’s important to seal air leaks between your roof and attic, increase roofing insulation, and ensure that your ceiling is air tight.

Roof Inspections Twice A Year
According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, your home’s roof should be inspected twice a year—once during the fall and again in late spring—to ensure the best performance and maximize the roof’s lifespan.

Since your roof is the most weather-exposed part of your home, a thorough inspection should include an interior and exterior evaluation of the roof’s structure. Regular roof inspections include a look at interior walls, ceilings, and fireplace flues, assessment of leaks or visible damage, evaluation of downspout/gutter systems and examination of roofing materials (shingles, shakes, tiles, etc.). After inspecting your home from the inside and out, a qualified roofer can make recommendations about maintenance or replacement measures.

Remember, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is here to help. We repair roofs. So call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

At SERVPRO we’re trained in many restoration services. We know the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help you recover from damage to your home or business.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

16 Ways To Prevent Cooking and Cigarette Fires

11/13/2015 (Permalink)

Never leave a stove, grill, oven, or other cooking source unattended.

Cooking fires and cigarette fires can be devastating. Just as difficult can be realizing you could have prevented a fire in your home or business. Here are sixteen ways you can prevent accidental fires.

Preventing Cooking Fires
1. Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires in many communities. Usually it’s because someone’s left the cooking unattended. Never leave a stove, grill, oven, or other cooking source unwatched.
2. Many cooking fire injuries happen when people respond to kitchen fires inappropriately. For example, if you pour water on a grease fire you could make the fire worse. Always use an appropriate way to fight a fire.

Need Fire Damage Repair Services? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

3. Keep the handles of all stovetop pots and pans turn in so small children or anything passing by the stove cannot grab or catch on the handles and cause a spill.
4. Examine the area around your stove. Move away anything (potholders, for example) that could catch fire if it fell on the stove.
5. If you have a cooking fire in a pan smother the fire by sliding a lid over the pan. Then turn off the burner.
6. If the fire is in your oven, turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed.
7. If the fire is in a microwave, unplug the microwave or shut off the power and keep the microwave door closed.
8. Never discharge a portable extinguisher into a cooking pan. Doing so will only spread the fire.
9. Don’t carry a hot pot or pan of grease outside because it can lead to burns and scalding. Wait until the grease is no longer hot.

Preventing Cigarette Fires
10. Cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths on a national level. Most cigarette fires are caused by improperly discarded smoking material (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc). These fires often start outside, then move to a structure.
11. Never smoke in bed or anywhere you might fall asleep.
12. Don’t smoke in a home where medical oxygen is present.
13. Smoke outside only.
14. Don’t discard cigarettes in potted plants, landscaping vegetation, or bark dust. All these materials can easily catch fire.
15. Use a deep, sturdy ashtray or a non-combustible container that cannot be tipped over.
16. Before throwing away butts or ashes, douse them in water or sand.

Remember, we’re here to help. We're fire restoration experts. So call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7. At SERVPRO we’re trained in many restoration services. We know the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help you recover from a commercial fire or a home fire.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Oil Furnace Dangers & Solutions

10/26/2015 (Permalink)

Oil furnaces pose few dangers if you have them cleaned and maintained properly.

‘Tis the season your oil furnace is on and hopefully purring. Modern oil furnaces and other heating systems are quite dependable. As a homeowner, you need to pay very little attention to them. Even when a breakdown occurs, a professional can usually solve the problem quickly.

But if your oil furnace isn’t well maintained, is faulty, or is aging you may be at risk for issues including carbon monoxide, soot, smoke, and puff backs. Here are some ways to protect your home and your family from oil furnace dangers.

Home Heating System Problem? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Danger #1: Carbon Monoxide
The most common danger of burning oil is the release of carbon monoxide into your home. A furnace functioning normally will produce by-products in the form of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and carbon monoxide. These gases are forced up your chimney and out of your house. In rare cases, oil furnaces pose a threat when dirty or malfunctioning.

Solution: Make sure your furnace is cleaned every year and is not malfunctioning.

Danger #2: Soot buildup
Oil soot is a by-product of combustion fuel. Its main components are carbon and sulfur. Oil soot can accumulate on the walls of a chimney and eventually fall to the base where it can end up on the furnace itself if the chimney is directly above it.

Soot can build up to a point where it can restrict the flow of flue gases up the chimney. That means some gases may have a hard time leaving your home—gases like nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and carbon monoxide. A build up of carbon monoxide can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Solution: Install a carbon monoxide detector near the sleeping areas in your home. Be sure the alarm is loud enough to wake you. Don’t rely on a detector alone. Keep your oil furnace clean and in excellent working order. Have it inspected annually.

Check furnace connections to flue pipes and venting systems for signs of corrosion, leaks, rust gaps, or holes. Make sure your filters and filtering systems are free from dirt and debris. Inspect fans to ensure they’re venting gases out and not into the house. Keep the combustion chamber and internal heat exchanger clean, up to date and free of debris.

If you notice cracks in the heat exchanger, the furnace must be replaced. Keep your chimney clear of bird and other animal nests that prevent flue gases from traveling up and out.

Danger #3: Smoke
A cold chimney flue causes smoke when the furnace first fires; however, if smoke continues it might mean your furnace is not fully burning the fuel oil or there could be another problem.

Solution: Don’t attempt to troubleshoot or fix this on your own. Call for service.

Danger #4: Puff Backs
Puffbacks are not easy to deal with. A puffback is an explosion inside the burner chamber of your oil furnace. Although such explosions are usually small and confined to the burner chamber, they can do considerable harm to your oil heating system. Sometimes the burner will start easily and need only minor repairs and adjustments.

But puffbacks usually do more damage than that and can send soot and smoke throughout the house.

Solution: A puffback can have many causes but can almost always be traced to a lack of maintenance or a failure to make needed repairs. All heating systems – especially oil-fired systems – should be inspected, cleaned, and adjusted at least once a year by a qualified professional.

One point of inspection in an oil burner, for example, are the two electrodes that create a spark when the burner starts. This ignites oil sprayed into the chamber through a nozzle. If these electrodes become coated with carbon or soot or are not adjusted properly, the oil may fail to ignite. In such cases, a control is supposed to shut off the oil in about 30 seconds, but if the control malfunctions the oil will form a small puddle on the bottom of the burner chamber.

The next time the burner tries to start, the excess fuel in the chamber will cause a small uncontrolled explosion - a puffback - and a sudden dispersion of black smoke and soot throughout the house.

This isn’t a complete list of what can go wrong with an oil furnace. Look for more information in another upcoming blog post.

And remember that SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is here to help. The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized commercial cleaning training and experience. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Flood Cleanup

10/12/2015 (Permalink)

To prevent dry rot and on-going structural damage, don't reconstruct or cover wood materials until its moisture content falls below 16 percent.

When the rain stops and the water subsides, flood victims can follow a few simple steps to reduce property damage and limit health risks. Here are some tips we adapted from the nonprofit Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

When rising water breeches the natural boundaries of rivers, streams, and other bodies of water it flows across the ground picking up all kinds of contamination. The water can be contaminated with soil bacteria, decaying insects, animal droppings, oils and fluids from roadways, and fertilizers and pesticides from fields or gardens. Avoid it as much as possible.

1. Be careful entering buildings
Make sure the electrical power is off and the structure is sound before entering and inspecting a flooded building. Small animals or reptiles may also seek shelter inside a structure, so be cautious if you’re repositioning contents or removing materials.

Need Water Damage Cleanup Services? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

2. Wear protection
Wear an organic vapor respirator, available from paint or building supply stores, along with rubber gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing. Ventilate affected areas by opening windows, and eventually, by placing a fan in a window. Work toward the fan as you clean to minimize cross contamination.

3. Know what to throw away.
Don’t try to restore porous items that contain contaminated flood water. In most cases, throw out any wet drywall, carpeting, carpet pads, mattresses, pillows, box springs, and particle board.

4. Try to save wet clothing and household fabrics.
Clothing and fabrics like drapes may be salvageable. Try washing them and including at least a 10-minute soak in detergent and hot water. That often removes most contamination and stains.

5. Open pockets of saturation.
Look behind areas where water has probably entered. Remove base molding and portions of damaged walls and wet insulation. Locate the water line and measure 15 inches to 20 inches above it. Everything below that line should be removed and discarded. Remove flooring (like hardwood, laminate, or sheet vinyl) so you can expose pockets of saturation underneath. Clean, sanitize, and dry those areas.

6. Clean aggressively.
Clean wall cavities and exposed durable materials (studs, joists) by pressure washing with detergent solutions. After thoroughly cleaning and flushing salvageable materials, apply a disinfectant solution liberally. That will help get rid of any bacteria that might have come up through sewers, toilets, and from other places. Use a non-toxic but powerful disinfectant. Be sure to disinfect all affected areas including walls, wood, and non-upholstered furniture that sat in the flood water. A water and flood restoration professional like SERVPRO® of Bloomfield/Enfield may be needed to perform this service safely and effectively.

7. Prevent mold growth.
You may not see it at first, but mold will appear in a few days. Mold thrives in a moist environment with organic material like paper or particle board and with temperatures between 68°F and 86°F. To keep mold from growing, keep the air moving and maintain moderate temperatures as much as possible.

8. Dry out before you rebuild.
To prevent dry rot and on-going structural damage, don't reconstruct or cover wood materials until its moisture content falls below 16 percent. Moisture meters are available online, but it may be best to hire a water restoration professional like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to confirm proper drying before reconstruction. You want to dry everything out as soon as possible.

9. Consider hiring a professional.
A professional water damage restoration company has trained technicians, specialized cleaners and antimicrobial agents, and extraction, drying, dehumidifying and moisture measuring equipment.

We’re here to help. The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized water damage cleanup training and experience to quickly clean and restore your commercial building, home, or property. So call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Hartford, Newington, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Enfield, Simsbury, Farmington, Coventry, South Windsor, Agawam, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Chemical Emergencies: Preventing and Handling Them

10/5/2015 (Permalink)

If the emergency is a chemical spill inside your commercial building or home, clean it up immediately.

Chemical emergencies can happen when gasses, liquids, or solid materials that can poison people have been released. Some chemicals are very dangerous and can make you sick right away. Others are less dangerous. In general, chemicals in liquid or gas form are more dangerous than solids. Some keys to preventing and being prepared for a chemical emergency are:
1. Have an emergency supply kit ready.
2. Know which room or area is best for you to go to in an emergency and make sure everyone who uses your building knows where that area is. Often, a good choice is a room in the middle of your business, building, or home that lacks windows and is high above ground level.

Need Chemical Emergency Cleanup Services? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

3.    Take a tour of your business or home to see where chemicals are located. Check the label and take the necessary steps to ensure that you are using, storing, and disposing of each chemical according to the manufacturer’s directions. Keep products containing hazardous materials in their original containers. Never remove the labels unless the container is corroding. Repackage corroding containers and clearly labeled them. Don’t store chemicals or other hazardous products in food containers.
4.    At home, store household chemicals in places where children cannot gain access them. Locked cabinets is one good choice. Products such as aerosol cans of hair spray and deodorant, nail polish and nail polish remover, toilet bowl cleaners, and furniture polishes all fall into the category of hazardous materials.
5.    Never mix household hazardous chemicals or waste with other products. Incompatibles (such as chlorine bleach and ammonia) may react, ignite, or explode.

When A Chemical Emergency Happens
•    Close all your doors and windows.
•    If there’s a fireplace, close the damper.
•    Turn off fans, air conditioners, and forced-air heating units that bring in fresh air from the outside.
•    If you’re told to stay where you are, move to an inside room and bring your emergency supply kit. Check local TV and radio stations or the Internet for official news, information, and instructions.
•    Consider whether you should seal the room (see below).
•    If the emergency is a chemical spill inside your commercial building or home, clean it up immediately. Use rags and wear gloves and eye protection. Allow the fumes in the rags to evaporate outdoors, then dispose of the rags by wrapping them in a newspaper and placing them in a sealed plastic bag in your trash can.
•    Learn to recognize the symptoms of toxic poisoning: difficulty breathing; irritation of the eyes, skin, throat, or respiratory tract; changes in skin color; headache or blurred vision; dizziness; clumsiness or lack of coordination; cramps; or diarrhea.
•    Be prepared to seek medical assistance. Post the number of the emergency medical services and the poison control center by all telephones. The national poison control number is (800)-222-1222.

Sealing A Room
During a chemical, nuclear, or radiological emergency, the air outside may be dangerous. For short periods of time sealing the room can help protect you from harmful outside air. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local officials say the air is dangerous, you may want to take this kind of action.

Use duct tape and plastic sheeting to seal any doors, windows, or vents. Within two to three hours you should take down the plastic and duct tape and air out the room. You can suffocate if you keep the room tightly sealed for more than five hours.

The plastic sheeting should be 2-4 millimeters thick. Cut the plastic sheeting at least six inches wider than the openings. You may want to do this in advance to save time. Duct tape plastic at the corners first and then tape down the edges.

Please refer to our Biohazard Emergency Cleanup Tips - Until Help Arrives Guide and follow the tips to protect yourself and your property.

We’re here to help. The team at SERVPRO® of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized in handling chemical emergencies. We have the training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building or property. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Hartford, Newington, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Enfield, Simsbury, Farmington, Coventry, South Windsor, Agawam, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Commercial Cleaning Above And Beyond

9/28/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Technicians Arriving on Job Site

One step many commercial building services often miss is a thorough cleaning of hotspots and touchpoints

Most commercial building cleaning issues can be handled by your everyday janitorial staff. Your staff’s probably great at taking care of common wear and tear. But what happens when a biohazard, sewage backup, moisture, or another dangerous cleaning issue gets far beyond the normal?

Safety First
After any biohazard or sewage contamination in your business or commercial property, your primary focus should be safety. Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences. For example, flood water can contain sewage, pesticides, and other contaminants.

Keep everyone out of affected areas and call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening. Treat all bodily fluids as if they’re contaminated. And turn off your building’s HVAC system if there’s sewage damage.

Need Commercial Cleaning? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Cleaning Isn’t Sanitizing Isn’t Disinfecting
Another big cleaning issue that many commercial property owners miss is the critical nature of beyond clean bathrooms. Your staff or your commercial cleaning company must understand the differences between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. All three should be done. The state of your commercial property’s restrooms can seriously impact your bottom line. Dirty restrooms send the wrong message to employees and customers. And clean restrooms protect the health of everyone who enters your building. Keeping restrooms cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected limits and reduces the spread of disease-causing bacteria, viruses and more.

Clean Hotspots

One step many commercial building services often miss is a thorough cleaning of hotspots and touchpoints with an EPA approved disinfectant. Remember, cleaning removes germs, dirt, and grime but doesn’t kill them. Sanitizing reduces the germ load on an area to a safer level determined by applicable public health standards. Disinfecting kills germs on areas with the use of chemicals targeted specifically for that purpose.

Big Culprit In Poor Air Quality
Another area beyond most janitorial services is ventilation systems. Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality. Have the ductwork in your building inspected regularly. Without frequent inspections your HVAC system could be circulating dust, pollen, odors, dirt, debris, or other contaminants. The government’s Division of Occupational Health and Safety (DOHS) recommends you comply with all manufacturer schedules for changing HVAC filters, cleaning coils, and other components. Duct cleaning may be appropriate when you have:
•    Permanent of persistent water damage in the ducts
•    Slime or microbial growth
•    Debris build-up restricting airflow
•    Dust discharging from supply diffusers
•    Offensive odors coming from the ductwork or its components

We’re here to help. The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized commercial training and experience. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Commercial Building Mold Remediation Checklist

9/21/2015 (Permalink)

Dry out any wet, non-moldy materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth

The lists below highlight key parts of a school or commercial building remediation. While the lists aren't complete, they should help you think through potential commercial mold remediation steps and problems.

Investigate
•    Keep your building occupants aware of your mold remediation process
•    Measure the square feet of the moldy area
•    Consider the possibility of hidden mold
•    Clean up small mold problems and fix moisture problems before they become large problems
•    If you have a medium or large size mold problem, select a remediation manager
•    Investigate any areas your building’s occupant express concern about
•    Identify any and all sources or causes of water or moisture problems
•    Note the type of water-damaged materials (wallboard, carpet, etc.)
•    Check inside your commercial building’s air ducts and air handling units
•    Throughout process you’re wise to consult with a qualified professional

Need Commercial Mold Remediation? Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Remediate
•    Adapt or modify remediation guidelines to fit your commercial building’s situation judgment
•    Dry out any wet, non-moldy materials within 48 hours to prevent mold growth
•    Select the most appropriate cleanup methods for moldy items. The Environment Protection Agency suggests:
o    Method 1: Wet vacuum. Steam cleaning may be an alternative for carpets and some upholstered furniture.
o    Method 2: Damp-wipe surfaces with plain water or with water and detergent solution (except wood —use wood floor cleaner); scrub as needed.
o    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.
o    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.
•    Select personal protection equipment to fully protect the mold remediators (Example: N-95 respirator, gloves, and goggles)
•    Select containment equipment that will protect your building and its occupants
•    Select remediation personnel who have the experience and training needed to implement the remediation plan and use personal protective equipment and containment as appropriate

Questions to Consider Before Commercial Building Mold Remediation
•    Does your commercial building have existing moisture problems?
•    Have building materials been wet more than 48 hours?
•    Are there hidden sources of water or is the humidity too high (high enough to cause condensation)?
•    Are building occupants reporting musty or moldy odors?
•    Are building occupants reporting health problems?
•    Are building materials or furnishings visibly damaged?
•    Has maintenance been delayed or the maintenance plan been altered?
•    Has the building been recently remodeled or has building use changed?
•    Should you consult with medical or health professionals first?

We’re here to help. The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized mold remediation training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your commercial building or property. So call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Fire's Out. Now Prevent Further Damage.

9/11/2015 (Permalink)

The best way to prevent further fire damage to your home is to contact a professional restoration company that specializes in fire damage cleanup.

After a fire in your home you can minimize further damage by following some simple guidelines like these.

1. Be sure you have permission from your fire marshal to re-enter your home.
2. Get the air moving. Open windows to ventilate areas. Install a fan to circulate air. (But see #3)
3. If your home has substantial water damage and the weather is warm, you will probably need to keep the
windows shut and run a dehumidifier. In cold weather, your heating system is operating and the cold air will usually help
remove the moisture. In this case, change your furnace filter daily until it shows no soot.

Need Soot Removal Services? Call (860) 216-2785

4. Dry wet items as soon as you can. Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry carpets and draperies. If not thoroughly dried, carpets and
floors underneath may be quickly damaged beyond repair by mold and mildew.
5. Don't attempt to clean any household textiles (like drapes and carpets) unless you know the proper procedure. You can cause additional damage.
6. Before carpets, draperies, upholstered furniture, and clothing can be deodorized or cleaned, the soot must be removed. Because soot is oily, it easily stains items. This is why these items should not be touched after a fire. We recommend you hire a professional fire restorer. They will remove soot with a heavy duty vacuum.
7. Remove brass and copper items and clean them using brass or copper cleaner. Smoke can etch brass or copper in 24 hours.
8. Place aluminum foil or plastic food wrap under furniture legs.
9. Remove oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting.
10. Cover your dry, clean items with plastic while the fire restoration process is in progress.
11. Remove any fabrics—including carpet, rugs, and draperies—that have sustained fire or water damage. This should clear some of the soot, ash, and moisture out of your home.
12. Remove any clothing from your home. Send clothing to a dry cleaner that specializes in fire and smoke removal. Proper restoration requires certain chemicals, so make sure the dry cleaner has the necessary materials to remove the smoke smell effectively.
13. The best way to prevent further fire damage to your home is to contact a professional restoration company that specializes in fire damage cleanup. They have special licensing, equipment, and expertise to clean your home effectively and safely return it to its former condition.
14. Before your hire a fire restoration company, secure some references from people the company has helped. Usually the professional fire restorer can provide helpful hints to prevent further damage, determine which of your items can be refurbished, and estimate the cost of deodorizing and cleaning your home.
15. When in doubt, check with a professional. We’ve seen too many people take soot removal, deodorizing, and cleaning into their own hands to save money. They end up losing money because they further harm or destroy the items they’re trying to save.

We’re here to help you. The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. We can remove virtually any pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet. We use a thorough fire damage restoration process:
Step1: Emergency Contact
Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)
Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)
Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
Step 6: Cleaning and Repair
Step 7: Restoration

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Hartford, Newington, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Enfield, Simsbury, Coventry, South Windsor, Agawam, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Removing Smoke Odor

9/8/2015 (Permalink)

After a fire, don't try to clean away a smoke odor from textiles until you have deordorized them.

Removing Smoke Odor From Clothing, Furniture, and Carpets

After a fire you’re eager to clean your home, but be careful. You may waste effort or even make things worse if you don’t use proper methods. Begin by contacting your insurance agent immediately after a fire. Then consult with a fire restoration expert like SERVPRO® of Bloomfield/Enfield. For dealing with the smell of smoke in clothing, upholstered furniture, carpets, and drapes, here are some tips.

Need Smoke Or Soot Removal Services? Call (860) 216-2785

After a home fire, several factors can influence the severity of the odor:
• Size of the fire: The larger the fire, the more materials have been burned, and the more smoke you’ll have.
• Length of exposure: The longer an area is exposed to smoke, the more deeply embedded the smoke odor can be in all porous materials.
• Size of the room affected: The smaller the room, the more intense and concentrated the smoke odor can become.
• The material burned: Different materials leave behind different odors. A wood fire smells differently than a fire that burns mostly plastic materials, for example. The type of materials affected may influence the type of products you need to remove the smoke odor.

Deodorize Before You Clean
Before you have anything cleaned, properly deodorize the affected items. We recommend you use professionals. A dry cleaner or professional fire restorer will tell you about counteractants. Counteractants are chemicals or additives that break up smoke molecules and 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. Fire restorers also may provide them for laundering clothes.

Some professional fire restorers and dry cleaners use an ozone treatment to remove smoke odors. If they do the work in your home, they’ll put your smoke odor affected items under a tent while an ozone generator runs.

Household Remedies Only Provide Temporary Relief
Yes, you may think about using a household deodorizing spray or disinfectant but they provide only temporary relief from smoke odor. And, deodorizing sprays may interact with smoke odor and create an additional odor.

If it’s impossible for you to have your smoke odor infested items restored by a professional fire restorer, you might try one of these methods:

1. Dissolve one cup of dishwashing detergent—the type used in an
automatic dishwasher—in one gallon of warm water. Completely submerge the items and let them soak all night in your washing machine or bathtub. Drain and launder as usual the next day.

2. For items that can be bleached, mix 4 to 6 tablespoons trisodium phosphate (available from your hardware store) with 1 cup Lysol or household chlorine bleach and 1 gallon of water. Add clothes, rinse with clear water, and dry.

We’re here to help. The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized fire restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. We can remove virtually any pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet.

Surviving A Natural Disaster

8/31/2015 (Permalink)

If you receive a hurricane warning take shelter right away.

Blizzards
Weather forecasters are usually good about letting you know ahead of time if a blizzard is coming. You should avoid driving and make sure to have enough food and supplies with you to last a few days. Plan on not having electricity or phone service. If there is 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 starting the car.

To Restore Your Property After A Natural Disaster Call SERVPRO® of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785

Flash Flooding
Move quickly to higher ground. Water rushing at you in a flood can easily knock you off your feet. It does not have to be very deep to do so 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.

Hurricanes
Strong winds with thunder and lightning usually indicate a hurricane. The winds may be 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.

Tornadoes
A tornado warning means you need to take shelter immediately. If you are in your car, stop. Do not try to outrun the tornado. Get out 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. If you are in a tall building go to the middle of the building to a stairwell or hallway.

After any storm, we’re here to help®. We help people recover from natural disasters and other catastrophic events. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Protecting Your Home's Foundation

8/24/2015 (Permalink)

Water damage hits at the core strength of your house. It will eventually cause serious structural damage to your home's foundation. In fact, nothing damages and weakens more home foundations than water.

Damp wood invites termites and carpenter ants; plus, water damage causes mold and mildew. And major work on a damaged foundation can easily cost you $15,000 to $40,000. The good news is that there are several simple, inexpensive ways you can protect your home’s foundation from water damage.

For Expert Help Evaluating Potential Water Damage Call (860) 216-2785

Ensure Good Drainage
Creating proper yard drainage around your home is the best way to prevent structural foundation damage. Poor drainage weakens your foundation, causing cracks, uneven settling, and pathways for water to enter your home. You ensure good drainage when you:
    1. Clean your gutters regularly.
        A clogged gutter will send cascades of water down the side of your house.
    2. Make sure downspouts direct water 10 feet away from the house.
During a one inch rain a typical home with four downspouts dumps almost 1,600 gallons of water. Some homes have underground extensions that lead to a dry well, bubbler pot, or discharge on a sloping lawn
3. Check the slope of your yard.
        The yard should slope 6 inches down over a 10-foot span away from your foundation.
    4. Check all plantings around your foundation.
    Be certain that anything planted near your home’s foundation is not causing water to pool around the foundation. Some plantings can form a dam that traps water against your home’s foundation. Don’t plant trees or bushes with extensive or deep root systems near your home’s foundation.

Fix Water Leaks
Small water leaks can lead to big water damage in basement. Repair dripping pipes. Check for dark spots under pipes or on ceilings. Inspect your roof every six months for any missing, damaged or loose shingles. Ensure the flashing around your chimneys is tight. Check caulking and sealants for peeling and leakage and look for cracking on collars around vents. Prevent algae and fungus on wood shakes and asphalt shingles with zinc control strips.
Test Your Sump Pump
Don’t wait until a flood or other major water event to know if your sump pump works properly. Test it every year. During storm season test it more frequently.

Know The Signs of Foundation Water Damage
A quick visual inspection of your foundation and home can reveal water damage issues that you need to deal with sooner than later. Here are eight things to look for.
1.    Fractured brick
Cracks in brick cladding may indicate a sunken footing. Look for “stair stepping” cracks near your windows and doorways, running vertically or diagonally near the ground and foundation corners.
2.    Wet crawl space
Excessive moisture, staining, or standing water in your crawl space is a sign of foundation failure and may cause mold growth and poor indoor air quality.
3.    Damp basement
A damp musty smell often means water is not draining away from your foundation.
4.    Fractured basement walls
Expansive soil pressure or lateral earth movement may cause horizontal cracks and water damage. This may eventually cause the basement wall to bow inward.
5.    Cracks in interior or exterior concrete
Uneven, sunken concrete slab, garage slab, separation of concrete slabs, steps, patio, or sidewalks may be signs of shifting soil or settlement. Any of these may cause water to enter your foundation or lead to rotting thresholds, mold, and poor indoor air quality.
6.    Problem doors or windows
When doors and windows stick you may have warping or distortion of your home’s frame caused by foundation failure and water damage.
7.    Cracked Interior walls
Vertical cracks in interior sheetrock or plaster, as well as displaced molding or wood trim may indicate a sinking foundation.
8.    Exterior mildew or stains
Persistent mildew or staining on exterior walls and siding may indicate insufficient draining of storm water around your home.
Remember, we’re here to help. We are water damage experts. Many people in the Connecticut region have used our professional water damage restoration services. So call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Easy Carpet Cleaning Spot Removal

8/7/2015 (Permalink)

Getting rid of carpet stains and spills requires fast action

The Carpet and Rug Institute and other websites have lots of free information about the best ways to make your carpets and upholstery last, look great, and stay clean. Based on SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield’s experience and the institute, here’s a simple and proven way you can take care of upholstery and carpet spots and stains.

1. Act quickly
Most carpets today come with a built-in, stain-resist treatment. That makes removing many spots and spills easy if you take immediate action. The longer you delay, the higher the probability of a carpet spill becoming a permanent carpet stain. But do remember that the ability to remove spots and stains depends on many factors and no carpet is completely stain proof.

2. Blot spilled liquids
Use a dry, white, absorbent cloth or white (no printing) paper towel. Do not rub or scrub the soiled carpet or upholstery. In carpets, scrubbing can cause pile distortion. Continue to use a dry cloth or paper towels until the area is completely dry. You can gently scrape up semi-solids (a latex paint, household glue, or hand cream, for example) with a rounded spoon. Break up any solids and vacuumed until the carpet or upholstery spots are completely removed.

Need Expert Help With Your Upholstery Or Carpet Cleaning? Call (860) 216-2785

3. Do your research
If you know what spilled or made the upholstery or carpet spot, go online and search spot removal techniques for that particular substance. The Carpet and Rug Institute has a good spot removal listing. Or call a pro. Make sure you use a reliable source (like SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at 860.216.2785). Follow the directions carefully.

4. Pretest any spot removal agent
Whenever possible, test any carpet or upholstery spot removal agent in an inconspicuous area. That might mean testing on a closet floor, behind a door, or under furniture you rarely move. You want to be certain the solution will not damage the carpet or upholstery fiber or dye. After applying several drops to the testing area, hold a white cloth on the wet area for 10 seconds. Examine the carpet and cloth for color transfer, color change, or damage to the carpet. If you see a change, try using another cleaning solution.

5. Apply slowly and gently
Place a small amount of the selected upholstery or carpet cleaning solution on the stain. Let it sit for about 10 minutes. Work the spot remover in gently. Start at the edges of the spot or spill and move toward the center (this prevents the spill from spreading). Do not scrub! Blot, absorbing as much as possible. Repeat as necessary.

6. Continue as long as the spill is transferring to the cloth
Continue to use the first cleaning solution as long as there is a transfer of the spill to the cloth. You need not use all of the cleaning solutions if the first solution removes the spill. Be patient.
Complete removal of a carpet or upholstery stain (or spill) may require repeating the same step several times.

7. Rinse and blot
After the spill has been completely removed, rinse the affected area thoroughly with cold water. Blot with a dry cloth until you’ve removed all of the carpet cleaning solution. Some carpet cleaning solutions will cause rapid soiling if you don’t completely remove the solution. Apply a one-half inch layer of white paper towels to the affected area, and weigh down with a flat, heavy object. Continue to change paper towels as needed.

Remember, we’re here to help. We are carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning contractors. So call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

At SERVPRO we’re trained in many restoration services. We know the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help you remove stains and spots from your upholstery and carpets.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Preventing A Home Fire: A Checklist

7/31/2015 (Permalink)

Home and business owners depend on SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield for fire damage repairs and fire restoration services.

More than 4,000 people die every year in fires according to U.S. government statistics. More than 25,000 are seriously injured. Most of these deaths and injuries could be prevented. Here’s a checklist of some ways you can help prevent a fire in your home and make your home safer:

•    Talk with your kids about the dangers of playing with matches, fire, lighters, and flammable liquids
•    Don’t leave the kitchen when you’re cooking (most home fires start on the kitchen stove)
•    Know and post your local fire department’s emergency phone number
•    Keep gasoline, kerosene, paint thinners, and other flammable liquids in appropriate containers and away from other flammable materials

Need Fire Restoration or Damage Repair? Call (860) 216-2785

•    Keep your garage and basement clear of trash, newspapers, and other combustibles
•    Don’t use flammable liquids like gasoline, kerosene, or benzene indoors
•    Make sure flammable liquids are stored in appropriate containers in a well-ventilated area
•    Safely discard cloths or paper towels used with flammable liquids, preferably outdoors in metal containers
•    Avoid plugging several appliances into one electrical outlet unless you use a UL-approved outlet with circuit breakers
•    Don’t use extension cords with heaters or air conditioners
•    Use smoke alarms throughout your home and test them regularly
•    Use caution with alternative heating sources like kerosene, wood, or pellet stoves
•    Use only the type of fuel that’s meant for these heating sources, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions
•    If you must smoke, do so safely:
•    Never smoke in bed
•    Don’t leave the room with a cigarette burning in an ashtray
•    Keep matches, cigarette lighters, and grill lighters in a locked cabinet
•    Never smoke when you’re drowsy, medicated, or reclining
•    Make sure smokers have deep, sturdy ashtrays, and make sure cigarette and cigar butts are cold before you put them in the trash

If you do experience a fire in the Connecticut region, you can rely on the fire damage repair and restoration services of SERVPRO® of Bloomfield/Enfield. We have restored many fire-damaged homes and businesses. You can also rely on us for smoke damage cleanup.

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
For any commercial or home cleanup and restoration questions you have, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield anytime, 24/7 at 860.216.2785. At SERVPRO our fire damage restoration teams are trained in the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Fire Damage Clean Up Tips

7/20/2015 (Permalink)

Act quickly but intelligently after fire damages your home.

How do you clean up after fire damage?

First, consider your safety. Only stay in your fire damaged home if you know it’s safe. Remember that electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most common ways people get injured after a fire.

If putting the fire out has left lots of water on your property, avoid lifting wet materials. They could be much heavier than you think. When fire has damaged your property, some of the first steps you should take are:

What To Do After Fire Damage
•    Limit movement in your home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
•    Keep everyone’s hands clean so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
•    Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
•    If your electricity is off, empty your freezer and refrigerator and prop the doors open.
•    Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
•    Wash your houseplants on both sides of leaves.
•    Change your HVAC filter.
•    Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After Fire Damage
•    Don't try to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo your carpet or upholstery without contacting a professional. You may do more damage.
•    Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
•    Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat, or water.
•    Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
•    Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

Remember, we’re here to help. We are fire restoration contractors. Many people in the Connecticut region have used our professional fire restoration services. So call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

At SERVPRO we’re trained in many emergency restoration services. We know the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help you recover from fire and smoke damage. We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Hartford, Newington, Bloomfield, East Hartford, Enfield, Simsbury, Coventry, South Windsor, Agawam, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Your Emergency Supply Kit Checklist

7/10/2015 (Permalink)

This off-the-shelf Red Cross emergency kit and others like it are portable. They contain items you would require to survive for 72 hours.

Most storm, fire, and water damage happens unexpectedly. So emergencies catch people in Connecticut unprepared. You’re smart to have an emergency supply bag or container already stocked with the basics you need should an emergency happen. The Connecticut Guide to Emergency Preparedness advises all of us to have an emergency supply kit or evacuation pack that includes the following:

•    Water in jugs or bottles. Your emergency water supply should be at least one gallon for every person for each day.
•    Food in cans or sealed packages. Soup and tuna are good examples.
•    Cooking and eating supplies: a manual can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils, and a small grill.
•    Bleach and an eyedropper to treat water.
•    Paper towels, toilet paper, soap.
•    Battery-powered radio, flashlights, cell phone, and extra batteries.
•    Blankets or sleeping bags and pillows.
•    Extra clothing for everyone in the family.
•    Baby and child items like diapers, games, toys, and books.
•    A first-aid kit. It should include medicines (prescriptions, fever reducers, aspirin), eyeglasses and supplies, list of your doctors with phone numbers, and medical supplies you require (insulin syringes or colostomy supplies for example.)
•    Garbage bags and cleaning supplies.
•    Pet supplies (food, water, pet carrier, medicines, collar, leash, ID tags, immunization records, etc.)
•    Extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash, and important information like your social security numbers and birth certificates.
•    Plastic sheeting and duct tape.
•    Pictures of family members and pets in case you are separated and need help looking for them.
Need Emergency Cleanup? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

In Connecticut or anywhere, flood recovery, hurricane recovery, and recovery from other natural disasters will be much easier if you’re prepared with emergency survival tools and supplies like these.

For property restoration after storm damage, call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785). You can reach us 24/7. At SERVPRO we’re trained in the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help you recover from any emergency -- flood, fire, wind, ice, or other storm damage. We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Hartford, Newington, Bloomfield, East Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

3 Keys To Rebuilding After Commercial Property Damage

7/3/2015 (Permalink)

After storm damage, we get businesses back in business quickly and efficiently

Need Building and Reconstruction Services? Call (860) 216-2785

We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Hartford, Newington, Bloomfield, East Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Biohazard Cleanup

6/25/2015 (Permalink)

Biohazard contaminants are dangerous. They can pose serious health risks. This biohazard symbol was developed by the Dow Chemical Company in 1966.

Many people don’t realize how common biohazards are. It sounds like something that may only happen at old industrial sites or where people are not sensitive to the environment. But this is a misperception. Biohazards include fairly frequent occurrences like sewer backups and flood water damage. Biohazards affect tens of thousands of homes and businesses every year.

Need Biohazard Cleanup? Call Us Today – (860) 216-2785

For your health and safety, consider biohazard contaminants very dangerous. SERVPRO® of Bloomfield/Enfield has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to safely clean and restore biohazard contamination.

Be Safe After A Biohazard Contamination
After a sewer backup, flood water damage, or other biohazard contamination, think about whether it’s safe to return to your house or business. Being exposed to biological or chemical contaminants can pose serious health risks. Flood waters usually contain biohazards like pesticides, sewage, and other contaminants. If you’re not certain your activity is safe to perform do not take the risk.

What To Do After A Biohazard Contamination
• Stay out of affected areas.
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation may be life-threatening.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
• Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

What Not to Do After a Biohazard Contamination
• Don’t leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don’t leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Don’t use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don’t use your television or other household appliances.
• Don’t turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.
• Stay out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield anytime, 24/7 at 860.216.2785. SERVPRO’s carpet cleaners service is among the best cleaning services. We’re trained in the most advanced, thorough, and effective ways to perform biohazard cleanups. We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Hartford, Newington, Bloomfield, East Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Water Damage Cleanup Requires The Right Equipment

6/19/2015 (Permalink)

Water damage from floods can be minimized with proper and swift action

To restore your basement and property from water damage and to keep your water damage losses to a minimum requires the proper water extraction equipment. The right water extraction tools for the job are vital for timely restoration and for drying basements, structures, and property in the way that’s most effective. Here’s a quick review of some of the expertise and equipment necessary.

Using Psychrometrics To Fight Water Damage
Psychrometry is the study of air and its properties (temperature, humidity, vapor pressure, dew point, etc.). To minimize basement water damage and water damage elsewhere you must have accurate measurements of the air conditions so you can create the right atmosphere for efficient drying. Water damage restoration contractors know how to control temperature and humidity levels. Doing so maximizes drying conditions without causing secondary damage through an improper drying process.

Water damage cleanup companies like SERVPRO® use equipment like moisture sensors, moisture meters, and thermohydrometers to define how much moisture has been absorbed. We also use advanced equipment to verify that your basement or other environment has dried thoroughly.

Water Damage Resolved By Extraction, Air Moving, and Deodorizing Equipment
The most effective way to remove moisture from a basement or structure is extraction. By removing the water quickly the environment dries much faster. SERVPRO uses extractors to clean carpets, upholstery, and floors after water damage. Our air moving and dehumidification equipment speed up evaporation. And SERVPRO’s 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.

The right tools are vital for restoring your water damaged basement, property, and possessions to the best possible condition. But more important is the water extraction team. Our teams thoroughly understand how to dry basements, structures, and personal property effectively.

Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
For any water cleanup and restoration questions you have, call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield anytime, 24/7 at 860.216.2785. At SERVPRO our water extraction teams are trained in the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help you. We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Newington, Manchester, Bloomfield, Coventry, Hartford, East Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Keeping Your Carpet Clean And Fresh

6/12/2015 (Permalink)

Clean your carpet before it becomes noticeable dirty.

Your carpet acts as a filter. It traps dust, dirt, gases, animal hair, and other soils. But you can take simple actions that will keep your carpet clean, fresh, and looking new. In fact, all carpet manufacturers agree on actions you can take between carpet cleanings to increase your carpet’s life span.

Of course, vacuuming is a key component to proper care and maintenance of your carpet. Other actions that protect your carpet include:
•    Spot removal
•    Pilating the carpet to prevent matting
•    Moving furniture to change traffic patterns
•    Using walk-off mats to limit the amount of soil tracked onto the carpet
•    Professional cleaning

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield can address moderate and heavy soil conditions in your carpets. How often you’ll need our professional carpet cleaners service depends on soil build-up, traffic, and the type and color of your carpeting. Most people find it wise to professionally clean their carpet every 12 months.

Do clean your carpet before it becomes noticeably saturated with soil. If you wait until the carpet looks really dirty, you may never be able to restore it to its former appearance.

Dirt builds up in layers. When a carpet looks dirty you are only seeing the dirt at the tips of the fibers. More dirt is hiding below the surface down near the base of the pile, causing damage to the carpet. When a carpet is saturated with dirt, the soil has penetrated crevices and has become firmly lodged.

Call on our professional cleaning services. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield anytime, 24/7 at 860.216.2785. SERVPRO’s carpet cleaners service is among the best cleaning services. We’re trained in the most advanced, thorough, and effective ways to clean up your carpet. We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Bloomfield, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Water Damage In Basement? Here's What To Do

6/5/2015 (Permalink)

After your house or business suffers water damage don't take chances. Make safety your first priority.

Emergency Safety Tips

• Are you trying to lift wet materials? If so, be careful. When items are soaked with water they become very heavy.

Contact A Water Removal Service
You’re wise to contact a professional water removal service like SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield. You want the job done right and right away. That’s what we do. Never hesitate to call for help.

Responding Fast To Flood And Water Damage
A SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield highly trained technician can respond immediately to water damaged basements and other flood or water damage at your home or business. We have the experience, expertise, and training 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 Bloomfield/Enfield to discuss. Call 860.216.2785. 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've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Bloomfield, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

How To Clean Mold With Bleach

5/29/2015 (Permalink)

You can clean some mold with bleach but follow the directions carefully.

You can remove mold with bleach, but be careful. Bleach produces harsh fumes. Before you begin ventilate the area well. Open nearby windows and doors and use a fan to provide fresh air. Protect your hands and arms with long sleeve waterproof gloves. Use eye protection.

Dilute Bleach Before You Apply
For maximum effectiveness and safety, dilute the bleach in water (one part bleach to 10 parts water.) When you’re cleaning mold with bleach don’t mix the bleach with ammonia or any other household cleaner. Apply the solution to non-porous surfaces. Non-porous means the surface doesn’t allow water or other fluids to sink in. Metals are nonporous; paper is not.

You don’t need to rinse afterwards (unless you use the surface for food preparation or unless children or pets may touch it.) By not rinsing, the bleach will inhibit mold growing in the future. If you need to clean more than 10 square feet, check with a commercial mold remediation company.

Be Careful Who You Hire
SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield are a commercial mold remediation company. We’re experts in mold spore removal. Be careful whom you hire. Some commercial mold restoration companies advertise, “mold removal” and may even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy. Removing all molds from a house or business is impossible because microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors.

Feel free to call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield anytime, 24/7 at 860.216.2785. We've served clients in Ellington, West Hartford, Avon, Springfield, Manchester, Bloomfield, and beyond. At SERVPRO we’re trained in the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to help you.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Fire Damage? Lower Your Fire Clean Up Costs

5/22/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has the specialized fire and water damage cleanup and restoration training and experience to quickly restore your home.

Fire damage is terrible as it is. Let’s not make things worse by spending more money than necessary to restore your fire damaged home. Many times you can save money and keep property damage to a minimum through what’s called emergency mitigation services.

Saving Fire Damaged Possessions
Fire damaged property that may look like it needs to be replaced may actually be recoverable. A fire restoration company can save many a heirloom. But act quickly. Prompt fire cleanup and restoration is important because the items found in your home—furniture, carpet, walls, drapes, and even ceilings—can absorb smoke. If too much time elapses between when the fire damage occurs and when fire cleanup occurs, the effects of smoke damage can last for months.

Time Can Cost You Many Possessions
The more time between the fire and restoration the more costs you incur and the fewer items you can restore. Depending on the extent of the fire damage, you may be able to save clothing, leather, books, photographs, kitchen items, furniture, and more.

Restored To Pre-Loss Condition
SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield cleans and deodorizes restorable items, sometimes to preloss condition. So don’t throw anything out until you’re certain it must be replaced. Save your property and save money. Now that’s a win/win!

Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield to discuss. We’re the fire restoration and clean up company that has saved property and saved money for the owners of fire damaged homes. Whether you're in East Hartford or Tolland; Bloomfield or Manchester; or anywhere in between, we can help.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

Sewer Backups Are Emergencies

5/15/2015 (Permalink)

What You Need To Know

If your sewer backs up you need to act fast. Sewer backup problems are health hazards and emergencies. Sewer water may contain viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that can cause serious illnesses. Know what type of sewer water backup you have:
1) Clean Water
This is sewer backup from a clean source like a broken water supply line or leaking faucet. But if you don’t treat it quickly this type of sewer water backup can become a more serious problem. It can become gray water (category 2) or black water (category 3).
2) Gray Water
Experts use the term gray water to describe a sewer line backup that’s contaminated and could cause discomfort or illness. You have gray water (category 2) if the water is from a washing machine overflow; a toilet overflow with some urine (no feces); or a dishwasher overflow. This type of sewer water backup can quickly degrade into black water (category 3) if not treated in a timely manner.
3) Black Water
Pros use this term to describe grossly contaminated water. Sewer drain backups like this could cause severe illness or death if ingested. Avoid all contact with black water. You have black water when you have flooding from rivers or streams; water from beyond the toilet trap; water from the toilet bowl with feces; or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

Call us whenever you require sewer backup cleaning. At SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield we’re trained in the safest, most advanced, and quickest ways to eliminate all sewer backups. From Hartford to Middletown; Avon to Ellington, we’ll keep you safe and healthy!

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860) 216-2785
24 hour emergency service

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Archived Blog Posts

No Kitchen Fires!

You've Had A House Fire - Now What?

Preparing for a Natural Disaster

Fire Damage? Lower Your Fire Clean Up Costs!

Flooding at Hartford Public Library

Efficient Solutions for Enfield Water Damage Restoration

Water Damage Cleanup Involves Many Steps

How Does Water Damage Happen?

Clearing Pooling Water from Flooring

How Do You Achieve Thorough Drying?

Cleaning Up and Repairing Enfield Fire Damage

We Seek Pre-Loss Condition After Fire Damage

Working with Your Insurance Provider

Reaching Homes Fast for Fire Mitigation

How Damaging is Soot?

The Lingering Smoke Odors

Who Does Post-Fire Repair?

Why Enfield Mold Damage Should Be Resolved Quickly

We Help Customers Through Mold Damage Threats

What Is the Truth about Mold?

Quickly Overcoming Mold Damage Threats

How Does SERVPRO Remove Mold?

Musty Smells Are Expected During Cleanup

Repairs Needed After Mold Threats

SERVPRO Provides Water Restoration Services in Enfield

Why Should Water Restoration be Completed Quickly by SERVPRO in Enfield?

Various Flooring Compositions

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Fire Damage Repair and Restoration in Bloomfield

SERVPRO Verifies Commercial Fire Damage to Structures in Bloomfield

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Mold Remediation Services in Enfield

SERVPRO Eliminates Moisture Sources During Enfield Commercial Mold Remediation

SERVPRO Saves Bloomfield Businesses from Effects of Mold Damage

The Role of Isolation in Restoration of Mold Damage in Bloomfield

The Mold Remediation Process

Enfield Residents Trust SERVPRO for Storm Damage Restoration!

Using Heat To Accelerate Drying After Storm Damage

Heating and Cooling Equipment for Water Damage Restoration

Water Damage Restoration in Enfield is Fast with SERVPRO

Drying Structural Cavities During Water Damage Restoration

Using Negative or Positive Pressure to Dry Cavities During Water Cleanup

The Need for Elaborate Fire Damage Restoration in Enfield Homes

SERVPRO Has Resources Suitable for Fire Repairs in Enfield

How You Can Respond to Flood Damage at Your Bloomfield Home

With SERVPRO, Flood Restoration in Bloomfield Is Easier

Managing contamination

The Role of Humidity in Water Damage Cleanup of Enfield Shops

Humidity Can Slow Water Damage Recovery

Setting Up Dehumidifiers in Your Shop

Overcoming Persistent Moisture Concerns

How Fire and Soot Damage Affects Bloomfield Homes

Cleaning Fire and Soot Damage

Soot Particles in the Air

Widespread Malodors

Surviving A Natural Disaster

Cutting Costs After Fire Damage

Keys to Rebuilding After A Commercial Loss

Basement Water Damage? Follow These Steps

Where There's Fire There's Smoke...Odor

Connecticut Hurricanes 2024 - Are You Ready?

Are You Ready for 2024 Connecticut Storms?

Fire Damage - Let the Experts Handle Your Home

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield is Leading The Ranks!

You've Had A House Fire - Now What?

Commercial Restoration Services in Northern Connecticut

Overview of Commercial Services

SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Team

We're Here for You

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage

We Save You Minutes While Time Counts

We're Here for You

24/7 Emergency Water Damage Restoration Services in Northern CT

We're Here for You

Why You Should Hire SERVPRO For Your Commercial Cleaning Needs

We're Here for You

Frozen Bursting Water Pipes? Here's the scoop

Tip #1: Insulate your pipes

Tip #2: Let your faucets drip slightly

Roof Damage? We’ll Take Care of It Fast