Restorative Cleaning Can Save Northampton Homes from Fire Damage

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Don't despair after fire damage in Northampton. Call SERVPRO for cleanup, "Like it never even happened."

How Do SERVPRO Technicians Clean and Restore Fire Damage in Northampton Homes?   

After fire damage to your Northampton home, professional cleaning and restoration is a much cheaper option than replacing or resurfacing the lost property. Services like SERVPRO, with a team of trained professionals, the right equipment, and experience, can help you get your home restored “Like it never even happened.”  

However, restoring fire damage to your Northampton home is complex, and technicians use a multi-faceted approach to get the job done. The first and most crucial step is to get rid of the smoke and soot residue from various surfaces. Different types of fires can generate other residues, and there is no one method to clean them all. SERVPRO uses multiple techniques and tools depending on the residue and surface involved. The process involves dislodging the soot particles and suspending them in a solution to remove them.  

Applying Cleaning Products 

Most cleaning products that technicians use in your fire damaged Northampton home are water or solvent-based. These products either dissolve, emulsify or suspend the smoke particles. However, these cleaning products can cause damage to the surfaces if the restorers are not careful while applying them. 

SERVPRO technicians use different techniques to control the amount of product applied to limit their effect on the surfaces. The methods can fall into the following three categories:

• Surface techniques: These techniques prevent the surface of the material from being saturated with the cleaning product, avoid over-wetting and allow the surface to dry quickly. Spray and wipe and foam cleaning are two examples of surface techniques. 
• Saturation techniques: The surface is saturated with the cleaning agent, which allows for more dissolving action and better extraction of residues and odors. Our restorers use saturation to clean residues from surfaces that can withstand being saturated with products. 
• Immersion techniques: allow for the greatest application of cleaning products since the material being cleaned is immersed into the cleaning solution. SERVPRO restorers control the temperature, quantity of the agent, and dwell time to get the best results. Ultrasonic cleaners that use sound waves to form and instantaneously implode millions of tiny vapor bubbles are an excellent example of immersion cleaning. 

Removing Water and Rust Stains

Water stains on fabrics or carpets can be a problem during restorative cleaning of fire damage. Our technicians use a special peroxide stain remover to remove the ‘browning’ caused by over-wetting or slow drying. The agent slowly decomposes when mixed with a detergent solution to liberate hydrogen peroxide, which oxidizes the residue removing the stain. 

SERVPRO technicians use an oxalic-phosphorus acid solution to remove rust stains. This strong acidic solution can dissolve rust stains on cotton, silk, synthetic fibers, and carpeting. 

Whatever cleaning technique technicians use, they always ensure the following:

• The product is safe to use on the material
• The product is used according to the label instructions
• Proper safety precautions are followed during the application of the product
• The product is approved by the EPA and other regulatory agencies

Successful fire damage restoration requires the restorers to thoroughly understand the scientific principles of restorative cleaning. SERVPRO’s trained and experienced professionals understand this and are equipped to handle fire incidents of any size. 

For further assistance, call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300; We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Northampton Homes Need Professionals for Water Damage Remediation

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians strive to preserve and restore water damaged homes and buildings in Northampton.

What Makes SERVPRO so Efficient at Water Damage Restoration in Northampton Homes?   

Apart from harming the property, water damage in your Northampton home can severely disrupt your everyday lifestyle and create stress and uncertainty. Professional restoration experts like SERVPRO can help you get your home to the preloss condition quickly. 

Restoration of water damage to your Northampton home is a multi-step process that requires SERVPRO technicians to use several state-of-the-art pieces of equipment. From inspection devices and extraction pumps to dehumidifiers, we use some of the most advanced equipment in the business. However, we believe that simply having access to the right equipment is not enough to execute an effective restoration. Hence, SERVPRO spends a lot of time and resources training the technicians to use the equipment to get the desired results in the least possible time. We work hard to restore your home “Like it never even happened.”

The Role of Inspection Devices 

One of the most critical steps in water damage restoration of your Northampton home is locating the extent and severity of the damage. The last thing you want is an undiagnosed water issue that continues to damage your property. SERVPRO technicians use various devices to track moisture within the structure before devising an action plan. Some of the devices that we use include: 

• Moisture sensors
• Thermal imaging cameras
• Moisture meters
• Thermo-hygrometers

While all these pieces of equipment work on different scientific principles, they reveal similar information. The utility of specific equipment depends on several factors, from the type of moisture to the kind of surface involved. 

Thermal imaging cameras, for instance, can quickly reveal the amount of moisture in building materials. SERVPRO technicians use these cameras to promptly estimate the extent of moisture in places that can be difficult to explore using any other equipment. These cameras also provide an easy way to monitor the progress during the restoration process. 

These cameras don't detect the moisture but the temperature differences on the surfaces of the materials. As evaporation causes a cooling effect, the wet areas are usually at a lower temperature than the drier areas. The thermal camera detects this difference and displays it as a picture on the screen.  

Handling Contamination 

When water is present in an environment due to a water damage incident, microbes are bound to grow given enough time and proper conditions. Even if the water is sanitary, to begin with, microbes start amplifying within two to three days. Due to flooding and damaged plumbing issues, water incidents almost always lead to contamination. 

SERVPRO technicians apply a three-step process recommended by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in the S500 standard:

• Technicians remove the moisture from the structure by drying the environment and reducing the humidity levels.
• If any material is contaminated, the restorers remove and dispose of it safely according to the regulations.
• Apply biocides to help slow down or control the growth of microbes

SERVPRO only uses EPA-registered broad-spectrum disinfectants if contamination is suspected. We ensure that the technicians use the products according to the label instructions. 

Microbes are present everywhere; therefore, any amount of restorative cleaning won't make an environment sterile. SERVPRO technicians aim to get the microbial load down to the pre-incident levels during the restorative cleaning. 

If you need assistance with water restoration in your residential or commercial property, call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300. Remember, We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Mold Damage in Northampton Homes Needs Expert Management

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Mold damage in your Northampton home can be overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO at first sight of mold for an investigation and remediation efforts.

How SERVPRO Technicians Prevent Mold Damage from Spreading in Your Northampton Home

One of the most significant objectives of professional restorers during the restoration of mold damage in your Northampton home is to prevent it from spreading throughout the building. The mold spores can easily aerosolize during the cleaning process, and spread to unaffected areas.

SERVPRO technicians take steps to prevent this while mitigating the mold damage to your Northampton home. The biggest tool to avoid this cross-contamination is establishing a containment zone containing air-borne spores from migrating from the affected areas. However, containment is only a part of the solution. SERVPRO technicians use various engineering controls in combination with containment to increase the efficiency of the remediation process. 

The Role of Engineering Controls

The goal of these establishing controls is to locate the contamination and take steps to prevent the spores, fragments, and dust from leaving the area. The engineering controls may include-

• Source control systems like vacuums to remove visible mold
• Building containment systems and decontamination chambers
• Monitoring the humidity throughout the process 
• Controlling air movement within the structure
• Bagging contaminated material in thick heavy-gauge poly 

If required to address a mold situation, controlled demolition risks spreading the contamination. Hence, SERVPRO technicians take additional steps to prevent it from happening. We use various tools like sanders or saws attached to HEPA vacuum systems. Technicians also ensure that the contaminated building materials are removed carefully.  

SERVPRO technicians also construct a decontamination chamber to provide a transition space between the containment and surrounding clean areas. These chambers enter or exit the contaminated regions and prevent cross-contamination. 

SERVPRO technicians usually construct decontamination chambers using PVC pipes or wood studs covered with one or two layers of 6-mil polyethylene sheeting. "Z" or "T" Plastic flaps are installed on the entry and exit sides. 

Depending on the extent, degree, and type of mold damage, the decontamination chambers can be single, double, or three-staged. 

Airflow and Exchange Rates

SERVPRO technicians use pressure differentials to manage the airflow in your mold damaged Northampton home. While, in theory, both positive and negative air pressure can be used to control airflow, employing negative air pressure is more prevalent in the industry. 

Once the contaminated areas are isolated by erecting polyethylene barriers, they are negatively pressurized relative to the unaffected areas. SERVPRO technicians use an air filtration device (AFDs) equipped with HEPA filters to create negative pressure areas. Once a pressure differential is completed, digital manometers monitor the pressure. 

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) recommends the following regarding negative pressure areas-

• A pressure differential of ≥5 Pascals should be maintained to prevent dust and asbestos from leaving the contaminated area. 
• It is essential to have air exchanges between the areas at regular intervals. 
• Air exchanges from clean to contaminated areas dilute the mold concentrations and help to reduce worker exposure and facilitate the cleanup process. 
• The IICRC guidelines recommend four air changes per hour for proper containment, ventilation, and dilution. 

Successful mold remediation requires a lot of experience and proper tools. The IICRC certified SERVPRO technicians are always there to help and guide you. Just give us a call; We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

You can reach SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300.

For Furniture in Need of Fire Restoration Services in Northampton

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

If you find yourself in need of assistance with fire damage remediation, call SERVPRO at (413) 324-1300.

Our Fire Restoration Methods Save Time & Money

SERVPRO provides several types of post-disaster assistance to those living in Northampton. Our fire restoration team works with homeowners to restore their houses and as much of the contents to pre-damaged condition.

When your Northampton property needs fire restoration, you can trust SERVPRO's experience. One of the more significant investments involved in running a household is furniture. Some items carry a much higher price tag than other items, but your family members soon see each new piece as part of their home. We want to help your family by making everything "Like it never happened."

When furniture survives a house fire, pieces rarely do so without some significant and dramatic evidence that reminds everyone of the fire. Putting this traumatic event in the past is much more difficult when reminders surface regularly. Because of this, we do our best to remove such reminders from your good furniture by addressing the following:

• Soot and ash deposits
• Absorption of any water from firefighting
• Persistent odors after cleaning and drying

We launder removable covers in a special detergent. We use handheld cleaning devices that launder attached fabric and extract soils. Some slight abrasive scrubbing with a wood soap removes anything adhered to wood finishes. We provide additional protection with conditioners that enhance the luster of the wooden piece once dried.

Due to their absorbent nature, upholstered furniture often requires extensive time to dry. We use air movers and desiccant machines to make this stage occur as rapidly as possible.

Thermal fogging of the home often greatly diminishes odors. For heavier scents, we use our hydroxyl generators. These produce a harmless gas that breakdown odor-producing molecules and leaves your home with a neutral scent.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County can help your family put a terrible incident in the past where it belongs. Call us at (413) 324-1300 for the attention your family deserves.

Commercial Water Damage Restoration Services for Businesses in Northampton

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Hampshire County understands how important your property is. Let us help you out.

SERVPRO Offers Water Mitigation Services to Learning Institutions in Northampton

Commercial water damage restoration is an important service that can ensure learning is not interrupted for long periods. If they are not given the attention they need, and in good time, staff and students may be exposed to an uncomfortable learning environment. With the help of specialized equipment and processes, it is possible to remove the water, dry the buildings, and disinfect and restore all surfaces.

When restoring water-damaged schools in Northampton, SERVPRO technicians perform a site assessment to determine the extent of the damage. Sports facilities, furniture and fixtures, and learning materials are the most affected. There is no single fix-it-all moisture control technique, so we must use several techniques and tools in different areas within the institution. Some of them include the following:

• Furniture and fixtures: We remove porous materials and upholstered furniture and replace them when it is impossible to get them dry and clean. We can sand chairs and desks with hard surfaces and perform appropriate water damage cleanup and disinfection.
• Sports facilities: Our SERVPRO technicians drain, clean, and disinfect fields, swimming pools, and gyms. We can then dry the affected areas using commercial air scrubbers, dehumidifiers, and air movers.
• Learning materials: If it is possible to restore papers and books, we can sub-contract a professional paper conservator to do lyophilization – a freeze-drying process used to preserve them.
• Specialty Drying: We can use specialized drying procedures such as injection drying to remove moisture from ceilings, walls, and other hard-to-reach areas.
• Mold remediation: If mold is present, our team performs mold remediation and the necessary disinfection to prevent re-growth.
• Reconstruction: We recommend this whenever the damage is extensive and impossible to repair.

It is recommended to work with commercial water mitigation technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The training our team undergoes helps us to minimize disruption and expenses that result from water damage and restore a functional and safe learning environment.

Don't let unexpected mold, fire, and water damage interrupt your business operations. Call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300 and let our certified technicians make it "Like it never even happened." Trust us to handle all your commercial water cleanup needs and return your business to its glory days.

Northampton Flooding Necessitates Expert Water Damage Restoration

1/31/2023 (Permalink)

With advanced equipment, SERVPRO restores property to pre-damaged conditions, "Like it never even happened."

Professional Northampton Water Damage Restoration

Northampton homeowners often have to deal with the effects of powerful storms and the flooding they sometimes cause along the area’s rivers. These residents must act fast to limit their losses and find effective professional remediation when powerful winds, torrential rains, and rising storm waters damage their homes. Luckily, SERVPRO can help them recover.

SERVPRO is skilled at performing the water damage restoration work Northampton residences usually require following severe weather. Company water damage remediation teams are highly experienced in providing water removal services, completing basement flooding cleanup projects, and performing water damage repairs. After your initial call, SERVPRO’s cleanup and restoration crews:

• Generally, arrive at your home within four hours, ready to professionally inspect it for black water-related problems.
• Employ state-of-the-art extraction equipment to remove any remaining destructive waters from your residence rapidly.
• Shovel out and safely dispose of dangerous biohazards like chemical wastes, farming refuse, and sewage discovered after standing waters are extracted.
• Locate and discard irreparably-fouled structural materials, furnishings, and other household contents
• Inject salvageable structural materials with industrial-strength disinfectants and fog all impacted spaces with the same heavy-duty antimicrobials
• Scientifically dry, monitor the progress of such efforts, and thoroughly deodorize odorous rooms utilizing the latest technology.

Following these actions, residents are often shocked to find their homes perfectly restored to their pre-storm state. This is why our company is known for making water-impacted homes previously seem like they never even suffered stormwater damage in the first place.

So, when the natural elements get the better of your residence, remember that your highly-trained and experienced friends at SERVPRO of Hampshire County are just a short phone call away. Contact us any time of the day or night at (413) 324-1300 for fast and effective water damage restoration assistance. Once all is said and done, you are going to be glad you did.

Why Northampton Families want SERVPRO's Mold Remediation Services

12/19/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let mold take control of your Northampton property. Call SERVPRO today!

We Can Protect Your Property with Mold Remediation

Finding a musty-smelling area in your Northampton home covered in dense dust is one way many homeowners discover that mold has overgrown and started a colony. Our mold remediation experience means we can eradicate excess mold and also assist you in preventing future issues with this ever-present microbe.

If this happens to your Northampton property, our mold remediation services can help you regain control over your house’s interior environment. ‘Remediation’ is more accurate than ‘eradication’ because microbes are everywhere. Instead, SERVPRO addresses the situation by creating a less favorable environment for microbes to flourish. While many remain, their population should remain low in numbers. 

SERVPRO uses the latest technology and scientific developments to help our customers fight against mold. Our specialists combine different components within the scope of their mold remediation services, including:

• Assessment of moisture that allows excessive microbial activity,
• Physical removal of visible mold, and
• Antimicrobial applications.

Whenever we find mold has become a nuisance, we also locate the water source providing sustenance to those microbes. We use moisture detection devices to locate the source of such moisture, be it from your residence’s exterior or somewhere inside. At times, we find more than one source, including condensation on metal surfaces that form droplets.

Removing excess mold helps lower the population and greatly reduces the number of spores. Dry ice blasting on unfinished surfaces that can handle debriding is very effective. For other surfaces, we apply Concrobium, allow it to dry completely, and then physically remove the now-dead mold with stiff brushes. After this, we can finish up with stain removal or repainting. During these activities, we use custom-built plastic sheet compartments and negative air pressure powered by our air scrubbers.

As we finish our mold remediation activities, we apply an additional protective layer of Concrobium to prevent future mold colonization. 

SERVPRO of Hampshire County knows mold remediation. Call us at (413) 324-1300 whenever you find mold or mildew taking over your home.

SERVPRO Provides Fast Response Water Damage Repair in Northampton

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

The first step to resolving water damage is calling your local trained professionals at SERVPRO of Hampshire County.

Need Water Damage Repair and Restoration in Northampton – Call SERVPRO

Water leaks in homes and businesses in Northampton can cause a great deal of damage immediately, as well as secondary damage if the water and moisture are not immediately removed. Water from broken pipes, overflowing laundry tubs, and sinks can deliver hundreds of gallons onto the floor, into adjacent rooms, and rooms below. Ceilings can collapse, structural materials swell, warp or lose integrity, and mold can begin growing in less than twenty-four hours.

That’s why SERVPRO in Northampton provides water damage repair and responds in less than four hours after your initial call. We know how important it is to remove excess water and begin moisture removal and drying in all areas of the home impacted by the water incident. Our technicians utilize various equipment to quickly remove the water and moisture from multiple materials and situations.

For example, we use hardwood floor vacuum mats to remove water from hardwood floors, between the planks, and from the subfloor. We use moisture detectors to check for water and moisture inside walls and under cupboards to avoid moisture pockets that can lead to structural loss in drywall and pressed wood products. Mold can also grow in these spaces, leading to a strong, musty odor permeating the home. Lingering moisture can lead to added secondary damage that many owners become aware of after it is too late.

SERVPRO provides a complete suite of services for water damage events, including repairing and restoring your home or business. Please don’t wait until it is too late. Call us now for help with the following:

• Ceiling repairs from water damages
• Water clean up
• Mold Inspections, remediation, and removal

Call SERVPRO of Hampshire County for water damage repair and restoration services. We provide service to Northampton and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (413) 324-1300.

Cleaning Fire Residues in Your Home

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Residues after a fire can cling to surfaces and require more aggressive cleaning methods. Contact SERVPRO to assess and remediate the damage.

SERVPRO Technicians Respond Quickly and Use the Appropriate Cleaning Methods to Remediate Fire Damage in Your Home

Fires can be devastating and traumatic events for homeowners. In addition to the loss of property and essential documents, they must cope with a massive cleanup. You left candles burning in the living, and somehow your curtains caught fire. Cleaning fire residues such as soot and ash is a big job that requires professional experience. If there is a fire in your Hampshire County home, make a call to the professionals right away. We have the skills to safely and effectively remove smoke and soot residues from your home and furnishings.

In Easthampton, SERVPRO offers fire damage cleaning methods to return walls and ceilings, and other surfaces back to their pre-damaged condition whenever possible. There are various cleaning methods our team can use to clean soot, smoke, and ash from your home. Techs can use dry cleaning for light-to-medium non-grease-based residue. Technicians may also use this method to pre-clean before wet cleaning. Wet cleaning can effectively remove light-to-heavy non-grease-based soiling. Foam cleaning can remove fire residue from upholstery materials that may shrink or bleed if wet. Some items may require immersion cleaning. With this method, items are dipped in a cleaning product bath to remove soot and ash. Peroxide active cleaning is the method for cleaning acoustical ceilings and other porous and nonporous ceiling surfaces. This method is primarily for ceilings with heavy soiling.

Agitation can also be part of the fire damage cleaning process. The crew may use water or air pressure, rotating brushes, wiping, scrubbing, or sand-blasting to remove residues from various surfaces. Once the residues loosen up, the team can clean or remove them from the surface.

Before the cleaning phase begins, SERVPRO technicians perform tests to determine the correct cleaning method. The appropriate technique effectively removes residues from the surface without causing further damage. During structure cleaning, the team may put plastic sheets in place to seal off the areas and prevent fire residues from migrating to other parts of the residence. To remove smoke odors, technicians may use thermal foggers and air movers to neutralize and eliminate smoke odors.

If you need fire damage restoration, give SERVPRO of Hampshire County a call right away at (413) 324-1300. We are available 24/7 to restore your home to its pre-damaged condition whenever possible.

How SERVPRO Has You Covered When Water Damage Hits Your Amherst Pet Store

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage is a real risk for most businesses, and it is also something no company wants.

Water Damage

Water damage is a real risk for most businesses, and it is also something no company wants. Water damage can happen very quickly – all it takes is a broken pipe or seepage from outside to flood part of your pet store and leave you wondering how you will get things back on track.

There is much to consider after water damage hits your Amherst pet store. You need to consider your stock and try to save as much as you can. You also need to talk to your insurance company, close up the shop until the damage is taken care of, and figure out how to open again as soon as possible. After all, a closed business does not make money, so getting open again is of paramount importance.

We recommend you put in a call to SERVPRO as soon as you can. Our water remediation experts are on hand to help you deal with the situation. We have the skills and equipment you need to get your premises dried out and back on track.

The heart of our work is getting your pet store dry. Our teams come equipped with powerful free-standing, submersible, and truck-mounted pumps to extract as much water as possible before drying begins. We test the humidity of your building and the moisture content of materials in the affected area to set a realistic drying goal. SERVPRO technicians have a range of air movers, fans, and dehumidifiers on hand to get your pet store dried out as soon as possible.

However, the help we offer you does not end there. We also liaise with insurance adjusters on your behalf – we have proprietary software that generates labels and assists with listing salvageable and unsalvageable items. We also offer a full pack to move your stock out while the building is dry. Our storage facilities are managed by skilled staff to provide excellent conditions for storage, and we have powerful Esporta washers on hand to clean any soft furnishings from your store. After your store is properly dry, we employ a range of techniques to deodorize it and make it fresh and welcoming for staff and customers once more.

We understand that you need to open your doors again as soon as possible. Call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300 for help.