Avoid Commercial Property Winter Water Damage Risks

11/26/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's ERP System prevents or mitigates water damage to Granby businesses. Here to Help®

Simple Steps to Protect Your Granby Business

As winter sets in, businesses in Granby need to be on high alert for water damage. Don't let a frozen pipe turn your office into an unintentional water park! Here's how to prepare and protect your commercial property this winter season.

Regular Property Inspections: Check your property for leaks. Think of it as a treasure hunt, minus the actual treasure. Inspecting for leaks regularly can help you catch minor problems before they become major water disasters in Grandby.

Develop an Emergency Response Plan: Have a plan that includes SERVPRO®'s number, just in case your business needs a little TLC. This preparation ensures you can act quickly and minimize damage, reducing downtime and repair costs. Our team is available when you need us, 24/7, including holidays. Ask us about our ERP Emergency Ready Profile Plan for your business.

Train Your Employees: Educate your staff on spotting water damage. Tell them to look for dark spots on walls and ceilings and notice wet areas around doors and windows. You might discover the next office superhero! Empowering employees with this knowledge can make all the difference in preventing costly damage.

Invest in Water Detection Systems: These nifty gadgets can alert you to leaks early. It's like having a personal assistant for your plumbing! Water detection systems can save your business from significant damage and costs by notifying you when a problem arises.

By taking these preventive steps, you can help ensure that your Granby company stays safe, dry, and open for business throughout the winter season. We'll keep your business running smoother than a freshly waxed floor! If water damage does strike, SERVPRO of Hampshire County is Here to Help®. Call us for professional restoration services. 

See What Really Happens During a Northampton Commercial Water Damage Restoration

11/25/2024 (Permalink)

For commercial water damage restoration in the Northhampton area--contact SERVPRO. We are Faster to any size disaster™.

Large Loss Water Damage and the SERVPRO® Remedy

SERVPRO of Hampshire County was recently called upon to address a significant commercial loss of considerable scale. We’re Faster to any size disaster™; our restoration team tackled extensive water damage across several floors, focusing on drying, material removal, and equipment management to restore the property to its original state. Over several days, we addressed issues from damp drywall to soaked floors and ceilings. Here's an overview of the work completed and the transformation achieved.

Initial Assessment & Extraction

Upon arrival, we witnessed extensive water damage to this Northampton apartment building. We began by assessing the damage caused by water in the affected areas. The fourth floor, which had significant water exposure, was the first area to be tackled. With water affecting both the hallways and 13 apartments, we immediately stationed dehumidifiers and air movers in place. Areas were clearly marked, and equipment was set up to begin the drying process. The third and second floors were also addressed, with extraction taking place in apartments #315 and #215, as well as the fitness room on the ground floor.

Moisture Monitoring & Equipment Setup

By the second day, our team had placed even more drying equipment in critical areas. We removed carpet tiles from hallways for disposal, checked moisture levels in various units, and adjusted equipment placement as necessary. We met with the property manager to review drying strategies, ensuring the right equipment was in place for continued progress.

Material Removal & Drying

Several units required complete material removal due to extensive water damage. Units #306, #415 and #450 had walls, ceilings, and floors that were beyond repair and thus required complete extraction. The work included:

• Basement & Common Areas Unit #306: Floors were removed, and the bathroom wall was also damaged, requiring equipment placement to facilitate drying.
• Unit #415: All affected walls were removed, and contents were manipulated to the kitchen side. Plastic was used to cover walls, baseboards were detached, and all affected flooring was removed.
• Unit #450: Debris was cleared, screws and nails removed, and wall cavities were cleaned with a HEPA vacuum.
• Hallways: Drywall was cut 24 1⁄2 inches up from the floor in affected hallways, and the carpet in these areas was set for replacement. We placed Ram board over carpets in hallways 1 and 2 to protect them during the remediation process.

In the basement, we installed additional air movers and dehumidifiers to help with drying, especially in cooler areas where moisture readings were higher. We also created containment areas to help control airflow and aid the drying process. The gym on the ground floor received its final moisture checks, and we removed all drying equipment there.

Daily Progress Updates & Equipment Adjustments

Throughout the restoration process, our team consistently checked and adjusted equipment. Dehumidifiers (DH) and air scrubbers were monitored regularly to ensure that moisture levels were on track. We made daily adjustments to the placement of these units and removed any unnecessary equipment from dry rooms. For example, in Unit #306, equipment was removed as the materials dried, while in Units #403–#416 and #450, we continued monitoring moisture levels and removed affected floors, ensuring all spaces were addressed. Subfloors in several rooms, particularly bathrooms, showed moisture readings at 40%, which led to additional floor removals.

Challenges Faced

While the project proceeded smoothly, we encountered a few challenges, including:

• Missing Dehumidifiers: A few rooms lacked dehumidifiers at the beginning, which we quickly addressed by bringing in additional units.
• Temperature Variance in the Basement: Cooler temperatures made it harder for equipment to work efficiently in certain areas, necessitating more air movers and dehumidifiers.
• Battery Issues with Documentation: In Unit 405, our camera battery died during documentation, but we made sure to capture all required images in the remaining units.
• Unforeseen challenges illustrate the value of having a well-trained and nimble SERVPRO team; we surmount all obstacles to secure the desired results.

Final Cleanup & Equipment Removal

As we neared the end of the restoration, we conducted final cleanups and adjustments to equipment. Rooms marked as dry were cleared of air scrubbers and dehumidifiers. All equipment was packed up and removed from the building. We also completed the DocuSketch documentation to visually track the entire restoration process, ensuring that all areas were thoroughly photographed before, during and after the completed restoration. The documentation provides our client with evidence of the damage and restoration to the insurance carrier.

Flooring and Final Adjustments

Flooring removal was one of the last steps, particularly in areas with severe damage. We removed incorrect floor planks and returned excess materials, including buckets of glue and boxes of planks. The last of the equipment was packed up, and the property was ready for the next phase of repairs.

What's Next?

The restoration team began wrapping up the drying and material removal process. The property is now in a much better condition, and final repairs are being scheduled. In the coming days, more detailed work will be done on drywall and flooring to complete the restoration and bring the property back to full use.

Conclusion

Through a combination of strategic drying, careful removal of damaged materials, and diligent equipment management, we've transformed this commercial establishment from a water-damaged property into a much more stable and drier environment. With the hard work of our SERVPRO team, we've ensured that the property is now ready for the next steps in its recovery process. Keep an eye out for the next update as we finalize repairs and bring the property back to life! "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Hampshire County

Hire Commercial Water Restoration Companies for Best Results

7/1/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides industrial-grade drying equipment to mitigate water damage in Northhampton. We have the experts to keep your business in business.

Pro Solutions for Commercial Water Damage in Northampton

There are several reasons why a business owner might seek the help of commercial water restoration companies in Northampton. The area's proximity to the Connecticut River makes it particularly susceptible to flooding, especially during heavy rainfalls and snowmelt seasons. Seasonal storms and occasional hurricanes also contribute to water damage risks in commercial buildings.

Why Professional Water Restoration Matters

Restoring commercial spaces after a water incident is a complex, demanding task requiring specialized knowledge and equipment. The best commercial water restoration companies in Northampton should possess the expertise to address these challenges effectively. Here are a few reasons why calling SERVPRO® is crucial:

• Thorough Assessment: We can accurately assess the extent of the damage, identifying areas that might not be visible to the untrained eye.
• Advanced Equipment: Our team uses state-of-the-art equipment, such as industrial-grade dehumidifiers, water extractors, and air movers, to ensure comprehensive drying and restoration.
• Certified Specialists: Our restoration specialists undergo thorough training and certification to stay current with the latest industry standards and techniques.

Common Water Damage Issues in Northampton

1. Flooding: Due to its location, Northampton is prone to river and surface water flooding.
2. Snowmelt: Heavy snow accumulation in winter, followed by rapid melting in spring, can lead to significant water-related issues.
3. Storm Damage: Seasonal storms can cause roof leaks, broken windows, and other structural damages that lead to water intrusion.

Key Services Provided

• Water Extraction: Quick removal of standing water to prevent further damage.
• Structural Drying: Ensuring the building's structural elements are thoroughly dried to prevent mold growth.
• Mold Remediation: Identifying and removing mold to ensure a safe, healthy environment.
• Document and Content Restoration: Salvaging and restoring business documents and materials.

Benefits of Hiring Professionals

• Rapid Response: Professionals provide a quick response to mitigate further damage.
• Minimized Downtime: Efficient restoration helps businesses resume operations faster.
• Insurance Coordination: Experts assist with insurance claims, making the process smoother for business owners.

SERVPRO: Your Trusted Partner

When it comes to commercial water restoration companies in Northampton, SERVPRO of Hampshire County stands out for its efficiency and expertise. Contact us at (413) 324-1300 to deploy a skilled crew for an assessment and restoration plan.

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.

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.

Repairing Damage to Wall Systems of Northampton Offices

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

“We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.”

SERVPRO helps Northampton businesses with water damage repair

Commercial properties look to our professionals' fast and reliable response to help mitigate and restore their structures after leaks and burst pipes. With how rapidly elements like drywall can become ruined by water saturation, we respond fast with solutions like:

• Extraction
• Cleaning
• Drying
• Content Protection
• Mold Prevention

What Materials Need to be Removed? 

The first determination of our team during water damage repair for Northampton businesses is what physical damage is apparent. We can often target the problem areas based on surface damage visible on elements like drywall near the leak.

What Framework Was Installed? 

In commercial structures, it is common to see metal tract frameworks. Older buildings might still have wood framing between walls, and each of these materials is handled differently when restoring water damage, as wood is absorbent.

What Is Needed to Dry Up Damage? 

With the structural cavity exposed, we can focus on the needed tools and pieces of equipment to dry up damaged elements still installed. Even with a metal framework, it is vital to fully dry the opening between wall surfaces to reduce the likelihood of secondary effects like mold and microbial growth. We utilize air movers and dehumidifiers to have the most significant impact on removing moisture from structural cavities.

What Materials Get Replaced?

After much of the drying is complete, we can focus on the materials that must get replaced. Wall systems consist of several pieces and parts. With the framework exposed and necessary damaged elements removed, it is possible to quickly replace full panels of drywall and similar materials where needed.

Wall systems often contain the bulk of the plumbing network for commercial properties. When these materials become damaged, it is up to our experienced restoration and reconstruction professionals of our SERVPRO of Hampshire County team to help. We are a full-service contractor for restoration and recovery - give us a call today at (413) 324-1300.

Cleaning Northampton Office Walls During Fire Restoration

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

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

Walls and Ceilings Require Prompt Fire Restoration

Active fire and combustion in commercial properties create a turbulent environment where aerosolized solids and smoke debris are churning in the affected offices. Many situations place these particulates under pressure, blowing them out towards vertical surfaces and the ceiling. When it comes to restoring affected materials impacted by soot, there are several types of surfaces impacted: 

• Painted
• Finished
• Textured
• Wallpapered

Identifying the Type of Smoke Damage

The type of smoke damage plays a role in fire restoration for Northampton office buildings. The thickness of the soiling is also a contributing factor in determining the best cleaning and restoration approach. With an assessment and skilled professionals starting mitigative action quickly, we can protect many of the contents and building materials impacted. 

• Wet smoke
• Dry smoke
• Grease fire residues
• Puffback

Dry Cleaning Solutions 

Sponges for dry cleaning help remove debris and residual buildup on affected materials like drywall panels. Dry cleaning will not work with grease-based soils, but many fires impacting office buildings do not fall under this heading. The actions of the dry cleaning sponge can effectively prepare a surface for wet cleaning strategies. 

Wet Cleaning Where Possible 

With much loose debris and manageable soot particulates removed with chemical sponges, we can implement wet cleaning solutions to protect underlying substrates where possible. Wet cleaning is only effective with surfaces capable of handling moisture and can be the only suitable cleanup strategy when grease-based residues and soil deposits exist. With many office surfaces being painted, wet cleaning is often the preferred option. 

Restoration and recovery rely on the fast response of our experienced technicians. We prioritize the removal of harmful soot and smoke residues on surfaces using several effective strategies. Give our SERVPRO of Hampshire County team a call to help when you need it at (413) 324-1300.

Flood Damage Estimates and Insurance Work for Northampton Offices

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damage? SERVPRO is prepared with restoration equipment and experienced technicians.

Acquiring Claim Approval for Flood Damage in Northampton Offices 

Working with insurance companies is a way to help commercial customers during a challenging and traumatic time of a building’s life. Post-flood recovery is often handled through directly interfacing with insurance adjusters to get the green light to start mitigation and restoration.

Detailed Damage Documentation

Provide the needed information to get a claim approved for flood damage in Northampton offices after natural disasters; careful inspections and documentation are required. This begins with cataloging where floodwater is in the building, what materials have already been destroyed, and what mitigative actions are needed to help.

Loss Reporting

Losses are a large contributing factor to the documentation our SERVPRO team is asked to provide insurance companies after a flood incident. Several areas of your office building can be destroyed by migrating floodwater, including:

• Contents
• Furniture
• Wares
• Documents
• Electronics

Determining Needed Restoration

Part of working to meet the expectations and demands of an insurance provider is being detailed about the work to be done in the structure. Companies want to know what our restoration crew intends to do with the damage assessment we conducted and the necessary actions to restore the property and its contents after these emergencies.

Creating the Estimate

While ultimately, you are most concerned with the timeline to get your doors back open and resume serving customers, it is important to learn about the anticipated costs of restoration as well. Whether you have the appropriate coverages to manage these scenarios without out-of-pocket expenses or not, SERVPRO works fast to provide a detailed and accurate estimate to get the information to the necessary party as soon as possible.

There are dozens of direct challenges for meeting the needs of insurance providers to get claim work started after flooding in your office. Our SERVPRO of Hampshire County team works directly with area providers to be a preferred vendor for flood restoration, storm relief, and cleanup after loss events. Call today at (413) 324-1300.

Why Speed Matters After Water Damage To An Amherst Hotel

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

Keep the Water Out of Your Hotel in Amherst

Swift Water Removal and Drying Mitigates Problems for Commercial Buildings

Hoteliers everywhere know that water damage is a genuine risk for their business. Harm can happen in the blink of an eye. Sometimes water enters due to extreme weather or a flood. Still, other times it is due to a leak, a broken pipe, or even a careless guest who left the faucet on or the bath running.

The most important thing in dealing with water damage to an Amherst hotel is speed. It would be best if you acted quickly to reduce the risk of damage spreading further and causing more harm to the building. Swift action often means the damage can be contained in a small area and dealt with there, which lessens the disruption of most of the guests.

The consequences of water damage to a hotel can be severe, especially if the problem is left unchecked. The obvious problem, of course, is damage to floors, rendering corridors unpassable. Moisture damages all kinds of floors, including carpet, wood, vinyl, and the wooden subfloor in the case of carpeted areas.

However, the problem does not end with damage to flooring. If the problem is severe enough, the ceiling of the area below might be damaged. Water also wicks into walls and is soaked by drywall and sometimes insulation. There is also a real risk of harm to hotel items such as chairs, beds, towels, and bedding. Depending on your insurance policy, you could find yourself liable for damage to guests’ belongings.

As well as widespread damage, if left unchecked, a water problem could result in mold, which no hotel owner wants. It is evident that time is of the essence when dealing with water damage to a hotel: The consequences of leaving it are quite dire.

SERVPRO is quick to respond to any call for help. Our IICRC-certified teams are trained to assess, extract water, and dry every affected area quickly. Our technicians have a range of moisture meters and probes at our disposal for a thorough assessment of the situation.

Carpets, furniture, and soft furnishings are of particular concern to hotel owners. SERVPRO experts are trained in a range of water extraction and drying techniques that are suitable for even expensive carpets and fine soft furnishings. Our SERVPRO IICRC industry-certified technicians have a range of specialty upholstery drying techniques at hand to rescue water-logged chairs, sofas, and beds.

If necessary, we can also remove baseboards and cabinets to dry inside walls and behind carpentry. Our drying goal is to restore your hotel “Like it never even happened.”

Do not let water ruin your hotel or your business. Call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300 for help.

What Should a Northampton Business Expect During Commercial Fire Restoration Services?

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has a general contractor license for all build back issues. Commercial damage restoration is a job for us.

SERVPRO Techs Work Hard to Restore Northampton Properties with Fire Damage

When a commercial property in Northampton needs commercial fire cleanup, it can be daunting to see the soot covering walls and contents. This is a situation where do-it-yourself methods have the potential to cause greater damage as specific applications need to be used on different types of soot removal and surface cleaning.

SERVPRO handles any size commercial fire damage restoration services needed in a Northampton property. The technicians know that every minute the business stays closed for the cleanup, revenue and productivity are lost. With that in mind, SERVPRO techs work to get the job completed as quickly with as little replacement of contents and building materials as possible through their expert techniques for:

• Removal of soot from surfaces
• Controlled demolition as needed for charred building materials
• Addressing water damage through extraction and drying

Another beneficial aspect of a professional fire cleanup is the ability for the technicians to estimate the amount of time the restoration service will take. This time frame allows business owners to plan for employees to work from home and outsource other business tasks to keep their workflow moving until the building can reopen for regular hours.

Controlled demolition sounds destructive, but it is the precise removal of only damaged building materials beyond restoration. If sheetrock is wicked water or has heat damage, the technicians remove the damaged portions and leave the rest intact. This makes the repairs needed a breeze. This SERVPRO location has a contractor license #MA CS-107843 and can perform the required replacement and reconstruction necessary to get the company reopened.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300 brings professional commercial fire restoration to local Northampton properties. The trained, certified techs are available 24/7 for any size or type of cleanup needed.

Do Mold Removal Companies Use Chemicals to Improve Remediation in Amherst Properties?

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial mold remediation is a job for SERVPRO. We use the latest technology and equipment for every service. Call now!

SERVPRO Manages Microbial Growth and Odors Using Different Compounds for Faster Resumption of Operations

Mold is a complex problem that requires a comprehensive remediation process to guarantee satisfactory outcomes. Otherwise, traces of the contamination might remain, or growth might keep recurring. Using the right chemicals can help in killing spores or odor elimination at your Amherst business premises.

Appropriate skills are necessary, whether using chemicals or other remediation approaches. Hiring mold removal companies for your Amherst facility can help eliminate any guesswork in the process. SERVPRO sends IICRC certified microbial remediation technicians to manage the loss at your premises. One of the uniqueness of this is the superior understanding of various chemicals necessary in mold management.

The chemicals useful in mold management fall into different categories, including: 

• Antimicrobials which help stop or at least limit microorganism development
• Disinfectants that destroy microorganisms on contact
• Sporicides which control fungal and bacterial spores, specifically

Knowing the product categories may not be sufficient in ensuring you use the best chemical agents since commercial cleaning products mostly combine several agents because they are designed for general use. SERVPRO has years of experience working on damaged properties, so our crew chiefs can pick products with the right concentration levels.

Having the right products is good, but you can only get excellent results if the appropriate application procedures are followed. For instance, our SERVPRO technicians start with the physical removal of mold colonies using methods such as vacuuming or wire brushing before applying products to control or limit growth.

Other useful actions include:

• Allowing enough dwell time
• Using the right concentration levels
• Avoiding over wetting items

SERVPRO of Hampshire County is one of the best mold removal companies to hire when remediating contamination at your business premises. Call us at (413) 324-1300. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Water Damage in Northampton Fitness Centers Requires Professional Removal

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage restoration is no easy task. SERVPRO has the manpower and equipment for any size disaster.

Large Capacity Water Removal Equipment Critical to Remediate Northampton Fitness Center

Workout spaces and fitness centers might seem able to shrug off water damages. With cinderblock walls and tile or terrazzo floors, even a significant plumbing break would seem to need only time to drain away. On the contrary, the construction of a commercial building in Northampton intended to provide areas to exercise, play sports, run, lift weights, or swimming has countless nooks and crannies where water can collect. Failing to remove the water promptly can lead to deterioration of structural components and mold growth. 

Consider the Construction

Many commercial buildings use cinder blocks for construction, and fitness centers are no exception. The hollow cells of the blocks trap fluid, ensuring that water removal in a Northampton rec center must occur. Although concrete and cinder blocks seem impervious to water, they are porous and prone to eventual deterioration if waterlogged for long periods. Our crews use thermal imaging or moisture detectors to locate hidden water or higher than normal moisture levels. Ceramic tile is often used as a building material, too, and can permit water to seep through cracked or unsealed grout lines. Building construction uses drywall and ceiling tiles in some areas.

Water Removal

Determining an efficient method to extract water sunk deep inside a maze of cinder blocks is daunting. SERVPRO technicians use several ways to release or remove the water. Holes drilled into mortar lines or the blocks directly can release the water. Extensions on wanded extractors permit technicians to reach down from the top of a block run to suction out water. 

Floor mats using negative air pressure can suction up water from damaged grout lines. Flood cuts in drywall open up large spaces to provide access. Our general contractor license makes rebuilding or repair needed when using these techniques part of the project.

Drying Strategies

Although SERVPRO technicians learn that extraction is the most efficient way to return moisture levels to normal, once we remove the liquid water, effective drying techniques complete the job. We create a perimeter of air movers to accelerate the evaporation of water absorbed into concrete, blocks, subfloors, drywall, and ceilings. Increasing the temperature in the space helps with evaporation, as warm air can hold more moisture. Humidifiers capture the water vapor in the space, and the condensed fluid is stored for appropriate disposal.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County is well-prepared to assist when a commercial building needs water removal and rebuilding. Call us at (413) 324-1300 for an assessment.

Our Team Is Available 24/7 To Restore Your Amherst Business After Flood Damage

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage restoration by SERVPRO is top-notch. Our technicians are ready at a moment's notice.

Restoring Structures with Exterior Block Walls with Flood Damage in Amherst

Many of Amherst's building structures designed as schools for long-term storage are often based on a concrete slab with block walls. Often these walls form the exterior and interior floor plan. The highly durable paint is frequently chosen to protect these walls and give them a more finished, aesthetically pleasing appearance. Although this paint works well to keep rain running off the exterior walls, submersion during a flood can lead to damage.

Block walls covered by typically protective paint on buildings in Amherst can exacerbate commercial flood damage by retaining moisture and prolonging the conditions that harm the contents of such structures. When SERVPRO responds to a customer with a building constructed like this, we explain that we need to bypass the moisture barrier created by the paint. 

A Building's Structure Should Be Taken Into Consideration

The pressure of the water during a flood can affect the stability of walls, including concrete blocks and other mortared bricks. Flood damage can also cause water to permeate the interior of those blocks, especially if paint or other protective coverings become damaged from cracks due to movement or areas where debris scrapes off any paint. 

Once water enters, it continues to spread. Regular drying methods work much more slowly to dry solid blocks. Air passing over the surface does pull moisture out but at a slower rate. We use a technique similar to the one used to drain hollow walls – drilling small holes, called weep holes, in the lowest portion possible of the affected wall. This happens along a grout line, where the mortar is softer and allows gravity to help dry the wall. 

Because brick and concrete blocks can take weeks or months to dry out completely, we might also need to install additional entries into the wall to provide better ventilation. These allow moisture to escape as water vapor, which our desiccant machines can then remove. The spaces these vents create can be filled later and repainted. Our building crew, General Contractor License # MA CS-107843, performs this service so our mitigation teams can concentrate on cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and handling the contents of the building. 

SERVPRO of Hampshire County understands that flooding affects your building and your business in a multitude of ways. We work with companies in and near Northampton, Granby, Easthampton, and Ware to mitigate flood damage in all types of buildings. Contact us through our 24-hour services line, (413) 324-1300, year-round for this and other disasters.

Why Is Swift Mold Remediation Crucial to the Survival of Your Amherst Business?

6/16/2021 (Permalink)

If your business is overtaken by mold you need to call the professionals. Call SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Fast Mold Remediation Allows You to Resume Business Operations as Soon as Possible.

As an Amherst business owner, you know that time is money and that the longer your business is unable to operate normally, the more money it loses. This is why fast and effective mold remediation services are so crucial to the survival of your enterprise.

SERVPRO’s mold specialists are dedicated to providing your business with the highest quality mold remediation services in Amherst. Their extensive training and experience help them perform a wide variety of mold-related work.

Some Services SERVPRO Offers Are:

• Mold Inspection
• Basement Mold Remediation
• Bathroom Mold Removal
• Attic Mold Removal
• Black Mold Damage Repairs

These efforts not only protect your business structures from the long-term effects of mold, like dry rot and structural collapse, but also ensure that all parts of your facility are safe and pleasant for your customers and employees.

Operating a business in Amherst is not always easy. It requires you to remain forever vigilant against potential threats to its survival. Over time, even seemingly simple little things like a small water leak could cause catastrophic damage prompting its closure. It is your responsibility as an owner to avert this potential negative outcome for the sake of your customers, employees, and bottom line. 

With all this in mind, your neighbors at SERVPRO of Hampshire County are always available to assist you with all of your mold remediation needs. Call us anytime at (413) 324-1300 for help.

Water Damage in the Local Amherst Laundromat

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial water damage can be quite critical. Contact SERVPRO immediately to get the help you need with water damage remediation.

SERVPRO Technicians are Proficient at Remediating Your Water Damage

Everyone needs a laundromat from time to time. You lined up plenty of washers and even offered a drop-off wash and fold option for busy college students and hardworking community members. All goes very wrong when a defective machine overflows, flooding your dry cleaning and laundry location with several inches of water. A speedy resolution to the problem is to call SERVPRO for efficient water removal services.

With so many different people operating the washers round the clock, an overflow of water needing immediate removal could be expected at your Amherst laundry center. The overworked machines do not cycle out of the filling stage because a valve is corroded and sticks in the open position. Customers fail to oversee the machines and do not notice the flow of water. Within minutes the floor of your shop is inches deep in sudsy water.

Managing this mess on your own is difficult. You have your hands full running the dry cleaning desk and the snack counter that keeps bored customers happy. You and your clientele count on the laundry being open 24/7, so the chance you close to deal with the damage is not one you want to take. The technicians from SERVPRO are a perfect fit for this scenario, trained in fast water removal and proven drying techniques.

A professional restoration company like SERVPRO is also well positioned to determine how to get rid of the water properly and take all necessary steps even when your electricity is shut off. Truck-mounted pumps and extractors do not rely on your electricity for power. The water pulled out of your business is considered contaminated, and SERVPRO contains this “gray water” for appropriate disposal. Submersible pumps and heavy-duty extractors suck up standing water fast.

SERVPRO staff inspects and evaluates your flooring, trim, and walls, looking for areas where the water undermined the integrity of the building materials. If the crew arrives soon after the flood and begins restoration work, chances are good the tile floor and painted walls need air movers and dehumidifiers to reduce the moisture remaining. Our trained technicians scout out any concerning patches where water has been absorbed and then check for possible microbial growth risks.

When you need to get your customer’s laundry back on line SERVPRO of Hampshire County is the answer to washer overflow. Contact us at (413) 324-1300 for immediate assistance in removing wash water and drying out your laundry business.

Enjoy a Pint at Open Mic Night Near Northampton Center

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

There's nothing amateur about SERVPRO. We practice our craft so we can restore your home effectively.

Brew Practitioners Stages Weekly Open Mic Night Close to Northampton Center

A mile from Northampton Center, Brew Practitioners runs an open mic night for its patrons and local artists. The Open Mic event runs from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Wednesday nights. The pub is a favorite haunt of local artists who wish to show their talent and enjoy a pint before they grab the mic or after. Sign up begins at 6:30 PM. Open Mic participants can entertain the audience through music, poetry reading, comedy acts, or humorous stories.

Brew Practitioners offers eleven different beers on tap.

• Blonde Ale,
• IPA’s,
• Red Amber,
• Brown Ale,
• Stout and
• Pale Ale

Are among the favorites of our customers. A variety of flavors and new beers are introduced throughout the year. For example, an Ebony Maple Oatmeal Stout or Copper Double IPA are brewed during the year. New brews tend to sell out quickly. Artists and patrons should check with the pub for current schedules and hours following current health guidelines in our community.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County provides fire damage restoration services to Northampton commercial business customers and the surrounding area. Call (413) 324-1300. We respond 24/7 to help with all your fire damage restoration needs.

Northampton Thrives as a Cultural Attraction and Tourist Destination

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Enjoy Northampton's history. And know that SERVPRO, like our town, has stood the test of time. Call us for your storm damage remediation.

Enjoy Modern Arts, Historical Venues, and Outdoor Activities in Northampton

The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County. Initially, the first explorers came to the area in the spring of 1654, and John A. King, one of the initial colonists, gave Northampton its name, naming it after his birthplace in England. The area survived various conflicts, a revolution, and religious revivals from the 1650s until the 1770s. Members of the community were present in Philadelphia for the constitutional convention in 1787.

Northampton has always been a progressive community. In the 1800s, Clark Schools for Hearing and Speech and Smith College for women were established. Barbara Bush, Nancy Reagan, Gloria Steinem, and Julia Child are among notable women who attended Smith College in more recent years. Many Irish, Polish and French Canadians settled in the area.

The city declined during the 20th century due to declines brought on by the rust belt phenomenon. However, Northampton has revived, becoming an active cultural center, which is also popular with tourists. There are many eclectic restaurants, a thriving music scene, and an active filmmaking community. Several major films have been produced in the area, such as Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf, The Edge of Darkness, and several others.

Community Support Organizations

The Northampton Chamber of Commerce is very active within the city and the region, providing support to residents and many non-profit groups in the area. There are over 80 groups listed on the chamber's website, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire, the Salvation Army, and the Northampton Saturday Farmer's Market, to name a few. The Northampton Lions Club, the Rotary Club of Northampton are also active in the area, providing support to residents and business people in the city.

Main Attractions and Things to do in Northampton

There are many activities for both visitors and residents to enjoy while experiencing Northampton.

• Smith College Botanic Gardens
• Norwottuck Rail Trail
• Thornes Marketplace,
• Smith College Museum of Art
• Historic Northampton
• Academy of Music Theatre
• Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum
• Michaelson Galleries

Visitors to Northampton can enjoy outdoor activities, cultural interest in art and music as well as botany. History buffs may be interested in experiencing what life was like for settlers and residents of Northampton in the early years. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, also has his library in Northampton.

Smith College Founded in 1871

Among the best women's colleges in the United States, Smith College enrolls students from 48 states and over 68 countries. Alumnae represent 55,000 students from all 50 states and more than 120 countries. While it only admits women at the undergraduate levels, men are welcomed as graduate students. Smith College offers a rich curriculum, one of the highlights is the Botanic Garden. Self-guided and group tours are available. There are multiple gardens and collections of plants. Visitors often book various times to view this massive collection of plants and flowers.

The Smith College of Art contains over 27,000 objects covering art and culture from various periods and geographies. Over 35,000 visitors enjoy visiting the college every year. The college began collecting art in 1879, which continues to this day.

Norwottuck Rail Trail

The trail is 10 miles or 16.1 kilometers long. The rail-trail is very popular with all types of users, including walking, hiking, running, and road biking. Enjoy views of the Connecticut River while traversing this paved asphalt surface. Grades are gentle, under 5%, and suitable for wheelchair access and strollers. Since the trail is so popular, cyclists and joggers are asked to be respectful of all users.

Presidential Library and Museum – Calvin Coolidge

Calvin Coolidge was the 30th president, serving from 1923 to 1929. The library began when Coolidge began donating items to the Forbes Library. He practiced law and served as mayor before becoming state governor in 1916. He acted as Vice President from 1921-1923 and was elected in 1924 in his own right after assuming his predecessor's presidency. The library holds many of his memoirs and collections from his time in government and as President of the United States.

Northampton Farmers Markets

There are several farmer's markets operating in the area. During the spring, summer, and fall seasons, three farmer's markets are held every week and are very popular with residents. The Tuesday market is held from May to November at the Pedestrian Plaza. The Wednesday market runs from April – October and is held at the Florence Civic Center, behind the Lilly Library. The Saturday market operates from April until November on Gothic Street in downtown Northampton.

The Northampton Winter Farmers market operates all winter, offering fresh produce, specialty products, and locally prepared food. There is usually live entertainment. This market is closed temporarily due to health concerns and guidelines from local health groups.

Minimize Down Time from Flood Damage in Your Commercial Property

Commercial business owners in Northampton dealing with flooding damage always want to minimize their business spending on cleaning up the floodwaters, damage restoration, and repairs. SERVPRO offers services that focus on returning the business to full operations as soon as possible. We offer:

• 24/7 response time
• Highly trained technicians
• State of the art equipment
• Supervision of all repairs and reconstruction (General Contractor Lic: MA CS-107843)

We coordinate any repair and construction services needed, remove the water and debris after a flood, dry your building and contents, and return humidity to normal levels. Our team can begin repairs immediately, reducing the time your business takes to return to full operation.

We make sure subcontractors are scheduled as needed. Every step is coordinated with you to ensure that your commercial managers can plan to reopen in an optimum manner to minimize expenses and maximize revenue flows.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County provides flood damage services to Northampton commercial business customers and the surrounding area. Call (413) 324-1300. We respond 24/7 to help with all your flood damage restoration needs.

Come Out and See Blues at Its Finest in the Amherst Area

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

Don't let storm damage give you the blues. SERVPRO is on call to keep you playing your tune.

Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters to Perform at the Iron Horse Music Hall 

Rhythm and Blues fans recognize the name Ronnie Earl as one of the greats. Along with his band of musicians, Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters will be coming to you live from the Iron Horse Music Hall this November 27th, 2020, beginning at 7 PM. The doors open at 5:30 PM, allowing you to find your seats and enjoy dinner well before the show starts. Ronnie will be sharing the stage with the ever-talented Diane Blue Friday.  

Tickets are available online or by contacting the Iron Horse Music Hall directly. Don't miss your opportunity to see what the great B.B. King has called "one of the most serious blues guitarists around."  

Just because you like the blues does not mean that you need to live them. Our SERVPRO of Hampshire County team can help area businesses to get their doors back open quickly with water extraction for Amherst structures. Contact us today at (413) 324-1300.

What are Best Practices for Handling Oily Soot After a Fire in Northampton?

10/24/2020 (Permalink)

While it might be challenging to handle some damaged surfaces, SERVPRO has the training and skill to complete your fire damage project.

Once Your Northampton Shop Has Fire Damage, Skilled SERVPRO Technicians Quickly Remove Soot and Soiling with Innovative Techniques

Fire moves quickly, especially if the contents of your Northampton business create the perfect environment. Materials combust and leave sediment and residue behind, some of which can be too stubborn and difficult to remove. To ensure you have the best practices in play for cleanup, SERVPRO is available to address all smoke particles and oily soot on all surfaces. Give us a phone call, and a crew will be there within hours because We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

What Types of Soiling Am I Up Against?
Once you call us to your commercial property to help with fire damage in Northampton, we start by assessing the interior. Not only is structural integrity and overall loss taken into account, but our skilled IICRC-certified crew also takes note of the types of soiling throughout. Depending on the soil's heavy nature or depth, specific products, techniques, and approaches get selected carefully.

• Lighter Soiling – If you happen to have oil-based soiling throughout your business space, we can use a water-based detergent to help us emulsify and remove. The detergent and soil attach, making it easier to clean the surface and rinse the residue away.
• Heavier Soiling – The more massive the soil, the more significant the obstacle for our crew. However, we look into methods that help us dissolve the soils where water-based detergents will not work. In these cases, we have access to powerful solvents made for various materials that enable us to loosen and remove stubborn residues.

If the damage is beyond repair, we may perform controlled demolition to make your business space like-new again. General Contractor License #: MA CS-107843.

While it might be challenging to handle some damaged surfaces, SERVPRO of Hampshire County has the training and skill to complete your fire damage project. To have a team dispatched to your business, give us a call at (413) 324-1300.

How Can SERVPRO Respond to a Flooded Record Room in an Amherst Hospital?

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

Patient records are vital to a hospital’s operations. Should flooding occur, call SERVPRO.

Records and Documentation for Patients and Clients in Your Medical Facility can be Sensitive and Irreplaceable, but our Professionals can Help with Effective Drying Strategies 

It is critical to protect hard copies of patient information and the respective documentation necessary for your Amherst hospital's daily functions. Flooding presents a direct risk to your facility's storage areas, especially those where this paperwork might have believed to have stored safely. The penetration of water into this room requires immediate action, especially several emergency services that our SERVPRO professionals can start upon arrival., including our cleaning technicians, but also involves our in-house commercial contractors.  

Addressing flood damage in Amherst hospitals and other medical facilities revolves around understanding how severe the disaster has become. From the initial onset of spreading floodwater concerns, the situation continually worsens until the appropriate actions reduce the spread and severity of these emergencies. Content management is a considerable aspect of this initial mitigation service that we can provide commercial customers. Especially with items and stored records, the multiple layers of content management can prove invaluable. The cleaning and restoration of documents, paperwork, files, and other contents include several tasks:  

• Cleaning
• Drying
• Relocation
• Deodorization
• Antibacterial Treatment
• Antimicrobial Treatment

How Does Document Drying Work?  

Freeze drying is among the most common actions taken to recover water damaged paperwork stored in your hospital's lower levels. Penetration of floodwater into these areas can make these documents vulnerable to irreparable damage, so mobile freeze-drying units get help to provide on-site recovery without compromising the sensitive information contained in the files. Freeze-drying works by placing paper products under in vacuum and flash freezing them.   

Often you do not need to remove documents and files from your facility after a flood when it is possible to restore them. Our SERVPRO of Hampshire County team can help protect these files and folders to make cleaning and recovery more efficient after a flood. Contact us today at (413) 324-1300. 

More about Amherst.

Where Can I Get a Sewage Backup Cleaned After Hours?

8/27/2020 (Permalink)

What do you do when your business experiences a sewage backup? Call SERVPRO. We can restore your business!

SERVPRO Technicians are Available Around the Clock, Including Weekends and Holidays to Handle Water Damage in Your Granby Commercial Property 

It can be frustrating to have a toilet backup in your Granby place of business, and more so when it occurs after hours or during a holiday when the company is not open. Anything that absorbs this type of water, known as black water for the contaminants it contains, requires disposal as a biohazard. It is crucial not to have any contact, including aspirating, with this type of water, as it is unhealthy and can contain bacteria and pathogenic elements. SERVPRO techs are available 24/7 to come to your property and return your business to a sanitary standard for reopening. 

What Types of Commercial Water Damage Repair Can a Toilet Overflow Cause?

Once there is a sewage backup in your Granby business, the water damage repair actions need to start quickly. The interior humidity levels rise rapidly. Being in a closed environment can be detrimental to electronic equipment, including printers, computers, servers, and data centers. The techs work quickly to determine the scale that the water has affected and device perimeters to ensure everything gets addressed. Standard beginning actions include SERVPRO technicians: 

• Contain the area to cut down on the spread of odor and water vapor
• Remove any electronics in danger of damage 
• Move out of furnishings and items from the job site area to a cleaning station for inspection and restoration

Are Toilet Backups Preventable?

There are many reasons that a sewage backup can happen within your property. While some can get prevented, it is impossible to 100% insulate your property from this type of disaster. Environmental monitoring equipment can help catch a water damage situation more quickly by alerting you when interior humidity levels rise, indicating the possible presence of water. Some of the most frequently seen reasons backups occur in commercial facilities are: 

• Too much toilet paper causing a clog
• Inappropriate or harmful objects getting flushed
• Cracked sewage pipe
• Toilet malfunctions such as the flush valves or sensors on smart toilets 

What is Controlled Demolition During Restoration Services? 

When sewage-tainted water gets absorbed into the sheetrock on walls, drips through a ceiling to a lower level or seeps under a floor, most of those building materials will be lost. However, whenever possible, the techs try only to remove the deteriorated portion and leave undamaged sheetrock and other articles intact to lessen the amount of rebuilding and replacing needed. If parts of the sheetrock require removal, the interior insulation usually needs disposal too.  

Identifying the areas where the water migrates in a Granby sewage backup event is crucial, along with careful monitoring of the extraction and drying process. The techs can peer under flooring and behind walls using their specialized equipment to determine where the water went and determine the best way to remove it and dry it. They have different types of detection devices, depending on the surfaces they are scoping. 

Prepping for Repairs is Necessary 

Because of the contaminated nature of sewage water, the property needs thorough disinfection before rebuilding efforts can begin so the business can reopen. SERVPRO technicians have a broad array of antibacterial, antimicrobial, and deodorizing cleaners to tackle any size mess or odor. Particularly in companies that serve food or health services to the public, the technicians can test the surfaces after cleaning to determine if any bacteria remain present and reclean if needed.  

Odor control may be needed as this type of water damage has a strong, pungent scent that can get embedded in porous objects such as cushions on chairs. While equipment such as hydroxyl generators neutralize any airborne odorous particulate that floats within the scope of the UV rays emitted, the manual application of a fogging solution also works to eradicate embedded odors. Since this removes foul smells at the molecular level, there is no worry about the odors returning.  

When it comes time for repairs to get made, SERVPRO holds a contractor license (#MA CS-107843) and can handle all aspects of the rebuilding of your property. This construction includes installing insulation and sheetrock on walls and ceilings, replacing carpet or flooring, and painting to name some of the services. Once the techs complete the full restoration process, there are no signs of the previous water issues. 

Do not let the need for commercial water damage repair keep your business closed a minute longer than you must. Contact SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300. the trained and certified technicians can turn around the situation to make it, "Like it never even happened."

How SERVPRO Keeps Northampton Schools Open After Water a Water Loss Event

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can close schools. SERVPRO can remove the water and keep your school open.

Extractors Used by Large Loss Teams Restoring Northampton Schools

When standing water is a concern in Northampton schools because of a pipe bursting above ceiling tiles or some form of vandalism, it is vital to get the right qualified personnel involved as quickly as possible. While the county and districts both offer qualified maintenance and custodial workers, widespread water removal needs might be more than these trained individuals have the equipment or expertise to handle.

Because of the finite amount of time that you have to work with before students and their families are substantially inconvenienced by a loss incident, water removal for Northampton schools should happen as promptly as possible. Because of the 24/7 response of our SERVPRO professionals, we can not only respond to your initial request for assistance quickly but also have boots on the ground and en route to your damaged school within hours of the contact.

Our team can combine our personnel and inventory of equipment with other area branches of our company to provide limitless restoration potential for massive structures like your high school. Though much of the flooring might be tiling that can resist water damages, this feature also helps the water to migrate more quickly throughout the entire level, and even into lower levels of the school through open stairwells.

The right extractor can make a substantial difference throughout the facility, and when used in multiple locations at once, can quickly work to manage standing water concerns. Several extractors can get used to remove several inches or feet of migrating water from flooring surfaces before more focused drying begins, and these include:

• Electric Submersible Pumps
• Gas-Powered Trash Pumps
• Engine-Driven Truck Mounted Pumps
• Wet Vacuums

When substantial water loss incidents take place in your school, fast response with efficient extractors can reduce the migration and severity of the situation. No matter when you discover a water emergency on your campus, let our SERVPRO of Hampshire County team help with our prompt and experienced response. Give us a call anytime at (413) 324-1300.

More about Northampton.

Fire Damage and Odor Removal for Your Northampton Business

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

We want to help get you back to work. Call us anytime at (413) 324-1300.

Fire Damage and Odor Removal for Your Northampton Business

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SERVPRO Understands the Importance of Removing Odors and Residues After a Fire In your Northampton business

The last thing you need after the disruption caused by responding to a fire in your Northampton commercial building is the challenge of lingering malodors. When we take on a fire residue removal project, we pay particular attention to the risk factors present for persistent unpleasant smells. Your customers might already be wary about your ability to deliver the same products and services as before the fire. We are sure to banish all sensory reminders using effective means to eliminate odors.

Focus on Residues

Concentration on addressing odors and fire removal in your Northampton commercial building. Efficient cleanup goes a long way toward reducing the pungency of smoke and soot-related smells. Charred and smelly debris must be collected, bagged, and discarded. Odors also reside in the incompletely combusted particles (soot) deposited on surfaces or floating on air currents. Our technicians then use the principles of cleaning to find, identify, and capture fire residues adhered to or settled on surfaces for disposal. 

Deep Cleaning

To accomplish the capture, we choose from among various proprietary cleaning products. SERVPRO technicians match the characteristics of the residues with cleaners, keeping in mind that “like dissolves like.” We adjust temperature and dwell time to make the cleaning process more efficient and might use agitation or abrasion to loosen the odor-bearing soot particles.

Recreate Odor Producing Conditions

One option for persistent odors is to use thermal fogging. SERVPRO technicians load a heated chamber with deodorants and increase the temperature until the substance combusts, creating tiny particles that pair with the malodorous soot bits, neutralizing them. 

Use Hydroxyl Generators or Ozone Machines

Innovative equipment SERVPRO employs for odor elimination includes hydroxyl generators. Hydroxyl generators produce hydroxyl radicals that seek out and break apart odor molecules. They are safe to use around humans and pets. Ozone machines destroy odors by the process of oxidation but require the evacuation of the affected space for some time.

Seal the Structures that Absorbed Odors

Another possibility for odor mitigation when cleaning was not wholly effective is to seal the smell inside the building material or HVAC systems. The choice of a sealant by SERVPRO usually occurs when the surfaces are hard to clean or reach, such as attics, crawl spaces, and ductwork. 

Rely on SERVPRO of Hampshire County to find a solution to rid your commercial property of fire residues and persistent odors. Call us 24/7 at (413) 324-1300 for a professional evaluation of challenging fire damage concerns.

Learn more about Hampshire County.

Don't Let Commercial Flood Damage Ruin the Holidays for Your Customers in Northampton

12/18/2019 (Permalink)

If melting snow causes flood damage in your store, Call SERVPRO

Contact SERVPRO after Flood Damage in your Store

Although the winter months bring anticipated snow and sleet to the area around Northampton, flooded roads can make driving even more hazardous. Melted snow flowing under snow and ice can run under the doors of your retail store. Responding without any delay to this kind of emergency can prevent your profits from taking a hit at a crucial time of the year.

Families and friends exchange gifts at festive parties and delicious dinners in Northampton, but when commercial flood damage affects their favorite stores, shopping errands get done elsewhere. SERVPRO wants to assuage the situation so your customers can carry out their shopping and do business with you.

Our building crew (General Contractor License # MA CS-107843) helps with flooring, including tile, electrical repairs, and other essential aspects of commercial buildings commonly affected by disasters. Their assistance means the entire project, from start to finish, proceeds smoothly and gets completed more quickly.

We have warehouse facilities to store your inventory, giving us more space to clean and dry out your store and avoid possible damage to any products. Before transporting these items, we do a complete and thorough inventory. Such information also includes departments or sections of your store, which help with unpacking once we return these items.

Our facilities also include areas where we can restore any damaged goods or furnishings. Instead of replacing items damaged during flooding, either by direct contact or through sheer dampness, we can reduce your costs in recovering after a disaster by cleaning many items. Ultrasonic technology lets us use water baths to remove foreign substances from nonporous items. This also deodorizes such items, as well.

Other ways we restore items, either at our facility or on-site at your store, include placing them inside of a special chamber. Work on these items can range from touching up and repackaging to drying, cleaning, and detailing. We collaborate with you to provide the most cost-effective results that boost your store's recovery after flood damage threatens your business.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County also provides mitigation, restoration, and rebuilding services to property owners throughout Amherst, Granby, and Ware, helping stabilize our economy despite natural disasters like flooding. Call us at (413) 324-1300 to make it "Like it never even happened."

Learn more about Northampton

Effective Water Cleanup for Your Granby Convenience Store

10/21/2019 (Permalink)

Don't take on your commercial water damage in Granby alone.

Let SERVPRO show you the right way in Granby

Convenience stores offer fast grab and go food options for travelers, workers, and residents throughout Granby. The more comfortable you can make these transactions and diversify your offerings, the better potential profits your business can make. With the inclusion of hot foods and specialty culinary selections, your kitchen area becomes a vital component to success. The more this area gets used, however, the more likely it is for elements to get broken or worn down, like water pipes expelling gray water from the sinks.

Gray water is not as potentially harmful or even dangerous as black water has gotten considered to be, but it still requires a fast and deliberate water cleanup in your Granby store. The SERVPRO professionals of our team have accreditations through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA) in areas such as:

-      WRT – Water Restoration Technicians

-      ASD – Applied Structural Drying

-      AMRT – Applied Microbial Remediation Technician

-      CCT – Carpet Cleaning Technician

-      Biohazard Recovery and Cleaning

From the time that your doors first open in the morning to when you lock them up well into the night, you have a steady flow of foot traffic. Containment for this water damage prevents the water from spreading throughout the shop floor and potentially injuring or affecting paying customers. The last thing that a bustling business needs is a legal dispute over someone slipping on the hard linoleum flooring, so you can trust our SERVPRO team to cordon off the affected area to get mitigation and drying efforts started as promptly as possible.

As a licensed general contractor (# MA CS-107843) with decades of experience, we can offer multiple layers of recovery options for your store as well after plumbing failures on the drainage of your kitchen sinks. Not only can our professionals work to replace and repair the damaged joints of plumbing and pipes but can also work on linoleum flooring repair if these tiles become damaged. Our reconstruction team helps us to offer our commercial customers a comprehensive approach that gets their business back to normal as quickly as possible.

We strive to provide every customer with a fast and confident response, especially with situations that could potentially involve contaminated or compromised water like the drainage from the kitchen sinks. With our sophisticated extraction and drying tools, you can count on our SERVPRO of Hampshire County professionals to make it “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call at (413) 324-1300.

To learn more about Granby, click here.

Your Coffee Shop In Amherst Can Be Restored To Pre-Damage Condition By Our Water Damage Specialists

5/14/2019 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Hampshire County, and we can handle all phases of the restoration needed to make your water loss “Like it never even happened.”

Commercial Water Cleanup Does Not Hold Up Grand Opening Of Coffee Shop In Amherst

When planning to open a new business, water damage before your grand opening was probably not part of the plan. Fast action is on your side, the more quickly the mitigation of water loss begins, the more potential for full restoration of your property and contents.

A not-yet-opened coffee shop and bakery found themselves in need of commercial water cleanup in Amherst. The culprit was the incorrect installation of a water supply line into an espresso machine, and it came loose and released water. The incident happened overnight, and the counters, floor mats, and boxes of supplies were affected. After turning off the water, the owner called us.

Wet tile flooring is excellent for keeping sanitary conditions in a business, but is dangerous when wet. During the initial call to SERVPRO, we advised the property owner not to move water-logged items such as the floor mats and await our arrival due to the danger of slip and fall accidents. We arrived a short time later to the property, and while one technician handled the water removal using a portable pump, another team cleared the counters, moved supplies and removed the floor mats for drying in another area. The shop supplies were wisely stored in plastic bins under the counter so most of the stock unaffected by the water.

Our technicians scoped the shop with moisture detection equipment to determine if the migration of water had occurred under flooring or within the wall behind the counter. Fortunately using both probes and thermal imaging, we found no additional issues requiring remediation efforts. We set up multiple air movers and dehumidifiers to bring the moisture levels in the room below 45% and dry all surfaces quickly. We followed up with complete cleaning and disinfection of the areas affected by water to ensure they were sanitary and ready to serve customers.

Our SERVPRO location has a general contractor’s license, and we suggested the necessary repairs for the water supply line to complete the restoration of the shop. The property owner asked us to complete the repairs so the cleanup would be a seamless operation from start to finish.

The longer commercial water cleanup waits, the more damage it is doing. Call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300, and we can handle all phases of the restoration needed to make your water loss “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more about Amherst.

Commercial Water Damage in Northampton? It's Easy If You Do It Smart With Team SERVPRO

4/14/2019 (Permalink)

When your real estate office has water damage, many things can be compromised including potential sales. Contact SERVPRO to remediate the damage.

SERVPRO Beats Commercial Water Damage in Northampton Real Estate Office in Time for Open House

The adage "You never get a second chance to make a good first impression" is very true, especially for a new real estate company just starting. A short time before the open house to announce their opening, a water supply line in the company breakroom broke under a sink and spilled water for hours before it was caught the following day.

SERVPRO received the urgent call to clean up commercial water damage in a Northampton realtor office. They had already advertised their grand opening to the public and did not want to delay their open house launch party.

Extraction of water is the foundation of drying. Our technicians got to work immediately using wands and weighted extractors to push the water out of the low pile carpeting just outside the breakroom which was only mildly affected. Inside the breakroom, water was still standing and was quickly eliminated by SERVPRO technicians.

The drywall behind the water supply line was not significantly affected, and removal was not necessary. As a precaution to ensure air flow could occur during drying, our technicians drilled weep holes in the wall under the sink areas around the line break. After extraction, air movement and controlled warmer temperatures in the affected area initially around 70F to 80F are crucial for proper drying.

To ensure faster drying, SERVPRO chose to use desiccant dehumidifiers along with our traditional dehumidifiers to capture maximum humidity the air movers bring to the surface. The desiccant method works by absorbing moisture into a solid substance on a rotating wheel such as zeolites, activated alumina or silica gel (the same material you might find packed in with electronics). The wheel delivers the humid air to a collection port and repeats the process.

Through these drying methods and a complete wipe down with our professionally formulated cleaners to make the premises smell fresh and clean, there were no signs of the water loss and the opening was not delayed.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County knows commercial water damage can happen any time day or night. Our emergency response teams are available 24/7 and arrive at your location within hours after your call to (413) 324-1300.

Click here for more information about the city of Northampton.

Did You Know That Your HVAC System Can Cause Water Damage to Your Granby Office?

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

Have your HVAC system checked regularly to ensure that the drain is not plugged.

Commercial Water Damage Restoration in Your Granby Business Building

Water which comes from your HVAC system in your Granby doctor’s office can cause severe damage to your system. The water can get into your ductwork, pipes, air conditioner or furnace. Unchecked water can create severe corrosion or short your electrical components. Leaks in your HVAC system cause damage if they are not caught in time, which is why regularly checking it can help you to detect early signs of an issue before there is a more significant problem.  

Water damage of any kind in your Granby business can disrupt your daily operations, so you want to get it taken care of as soon as possible. At SERVPRO, we understand that time is of the essence, and we have the training and tools to help you restore your building as quickly as possible.  

Check the drain lines of your HVAC system regularly. Water is a natural component of your air conditioning system. As humid, hot air cools, it creates condensation on the evaporator coil. The condensation drips into the condensate pain, which empties outside through the drain line. The drain line can sometimes become damaged or clogged, causing leaks.  

When your HVAC system is leaking, SERVPRO techs can find the issue and restore your building. Our primary goal is to preserve and protect your structure and the contents such as equipment. One of the first things we check is carpeting and padding that got soaked from the water. Delamination is possible and something we check for right away. If delamination has occurred, the carpeting is not repairable.  

If the pad is too damaged, it can be discarded and replaced. Padding can break apart when it becomes wet. However, most padding is not very expensive, and the cost of removing and replacing it is many times less than the added costs of drying it in place.  

Some HVAC systems utilize a condensate pump to help drain off any condensation that may be created by the system. The collected water collects into a reservoir, and after filling to a particular point, the pump switches on and pushes the water through a drain line. If there is a clog, again, you may be dealing with a leak.  

SERVPRO of Hampshire County can help you restore your business building in Amherst, Ware, or Hadley anytime you need us. Reach us by dialing (413) 324-1300, so please do not hesitate to reach out to us as soon as you notice an issue.

Granby was incorporated in 1768.  Read more here.

Our Flood Damage Specialists Explain The Damage Wind Can Do To Your Amherst Property

3/11/2019 (Permalink)

If you ever suffer from ruined building materials after severe weather, call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300 24 hours a day.

Commercial Flood Damage Experts In Amherst Talk About Issues With Wind

During a violent storm in Amherst wind is a condition that can cause a disaster to take place. If the winds get to a high enough speed, problems could occur that force you to call in a certified commercial flood damage restoration company such as SERVPRO. Many storms that blow into town can bring with them swirling winds that have gusts or maximum speeds that can be dangerous and cause issues on your property. We have all seen on TV what winds that get close to 100 miles per hour can do, and the results are usually not pleasurable. Any time the area starts to get windy, there is a good chance that the breeze will cause your restaurant extensive commercial flood damage.

The presence of wind can be dangerous to humans, animals, and buildings. Any damage caused by severe weather is usually best treated by professional commercial flood damage technicians in Amherst like our team SERVPRO. Any time wind speeds get high, things attached to your restaurant building can blow off from being attached and cause other damage. Things like signs or outdoor decor items outside your restaurant can get blown away from where they were attached and damage your building. Even if these items don't damage your building, losing things on your property or attached to your building can cost your business and your insurance company money.

We know that whenever a storm ruins materials at your place of business that it is important to get things repaired quickly so that your business can continue operating as normal as soon as possible. One thing property damage to your restaurant's building can cause your company is a loss of revenue if your diner cannot keep operating as usual. Losing customers due to loss of functionality can get costly.

Whenever we arrive at your cafe after the storm takes its toll on your company's structure, we figure out how we can fix the problems without forcing you to close down or lose any customers what so ever. If you ever suffer from ruined building materials after severe weather, call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300 24 hours a day.

Click here for more about Amherst.

Curious About Our SERVPRO Commercial Fire Restoration Process? Read About It Below!

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

We are dedicated to restoring your bakery from fire damage "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Fire Odor Restoration Process for Your Northampton Business

A fire in your Northampton bakery can prove to be quite costly. Plus, the longer you wait to repair the damage, the costs rise even higher. The settled smoke and soot are acidic and continue to create additional damage until they are cleaned up. Another aspect is the odors left behind after a fire.

Commercial fire odor restoration for your Northampton business is essential. You need to use an expert in fire damage restoration to ensure that the odors are properly handled. At SERVPRO, our technicians are specially trained and know what to do, and most importantly, what not to do.

The first step in deodorization of your residence after a fire is to remove the source of the odor. Charred structural materials and debris which is contaminated with smoke residues continue to give off odors of smoke if they are not removed.

SERVPRO staff can then clean surfaces which have odor-causing residues on them. These small particles keep generating odors until we clean them. We check adjacent rooms from where the fire started as well, as the odors can penetrate through walls and travel to other spaces. The whole structure at times plus the contents might need to be cleaned to remove the smoke odors entirely.

Next, we distribute a deodorizer to the affected surfaces in a manner that is similar to how the smoke penetrated the surface. A deodorizing fog or smoke is most effective in this case. Using deodorization methods which replicate the nature of smoke are very useful in smoke and fire damage deodorization.

Lastly, we may need to seal surfaces that were exposed to malodors. It might not be required in all circumstances, but it can be needed for situations that have severe damage. If odor removal would be too costly or impractical, sealing could eliminate the problem. Two common sealing situations are sealing duct surfaces in air handling systems that are inaccessible or painting walls. The building is then ventilated to ensure the odors are gone.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

At SERVPRO of Hampshire County, we understand what it takes to remove smoke odors from your business in Belchertown, Hadley, or Granby after a fire. Give us a call at (413) 324-1300 as soon as the fire is out so we can clean up your property and prevent further damages.

For more on Northampton, click here. 

Our Commercial Mold Damage Tactics Will Help You Restore Your Amherst Business

10/8/2018 (Permalink)

Prevention is the best way of battling commercial mold damage and reduce chances of making unnecessary losses.

Strategies if your office experienced mold damage

Prevention is the best way of battling commercial mold damage and reduce chances of making unnecessary losses. We can learn from this year's National Preparedness Month (NPM) theme which states that: Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How. The secret to preventing mold growth is controlling dampness and inadequate ventilation within the indoor environment. If you do not take the right action, the wetness can biologically degrade the items in your Amherst office suite.

To protect your employees from possible health effects when your Amherst office experiences commercial mold damage, our SERVPRO technicians perform appropriate cleanup activities. To begin with, we have to determine whether the remediation process can proceed while your office is still operational - which is possible when a small section of the building has the contamination. We also have to identify the wet or condensation spots in the building and correct the source of the moisture as soon as possible.

If our SERVPRO technicians discover the window sills of your office have mold growth, we have to come up with a tactic for stopping the problem. Such a problem develops typically when the room is poorly ventilated, and that means we may advise you to install an additional room fan once we complete the cleanup procedures. The use of a programmable dehumidifier which keeps the humidity of the room between 30 - 40 percent can also be a good solution. Using disinfectants when cleaning the sills can also do away with favorable conditions for mold growth.

The remediation activities can disturb the mold colonies and make the mold spores airborne. We have to put in place containment measures to prevent occupant exposure to mold. Keeping the site under negative pressure and using duct tape to affix a polyethylene sheeting to ceilings and floors. We also have to switch off the HVAC systems and replace their filters.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County can offer emergency restoration services to your commercial property at any time of the day. Call our highly experienced technicians at (413) 324-1300 to find out more about our solutions.

Click here for more about Amherst.

Professional Mitigation After Commercial Fire Damage Keeps Your Granby Business Going

7/3/2018 (Permalink)

Granby business owners need commercial fire damage mitigation after a blaze takes place in their company offices, warehouses, or factories.

Professional Mitigation After A Fire

The situational changes that occur after a natural disaster could easily put many companies out of business, so government agencies use disaster relief funds to prevent this from affecting the area's economy. Individual businesses in the Granby area do not receive such assistance when they sustain damage, however, but a fast response can help them remain a part of our city's economic framework.

Granby business owners need commercial fire damage mitigation after a blaze takes place in their company offices, warehouses, or factories. SERVPRO experts know how to get everything back to normal again with safe conditions for employees, customers, and the public in general. Eliminating the damage to your property also involves the re-creation of a safe environment.

Our local technicians can get your business, regardless of its size, complexity, or industry, back into operational condition again. We're a part of a nationwide network of over 1,700 SERVPRO companies across America, each of which also always stands ready to help business owners near them. We assist property owners in every industry, including government agencies.

Our ability comes from our dedication to serve our customers. This dedication starts before your business becomes damaged and needs our services. We know we cannot protect all businesses from every possible disaster, but we can help business owners become more prepared in the event one does happen. We do this through our Emergency READY Profile Plan, which we offer without charge to businesses located in our area. Contact SERVPRO to find out more about how this program can make restoration and recovery faster and with reduced losses.

When fire damage affects a business, we take all the damage into consideration. Safety remains a priority, from start to finish. We take care of removing damaged and charred materials, including glass and other sharp objects. We remove the water and foam used by firefighters. Cleaning up reveals how much of your business survived, and can provide a starting point for rebuilding. Often, clearing the area brings relief to business owners, as well. Discussing the future and how things can look again often helps develop new ideas that can help your business thrive once it reopens.

SERVPRO of Hampshire County can restore your business after fire damage so you can get things back to normal. Call us so we can help you through this devastating event. Our local number, (413) 324-1300, is always available so you can receive answers when you need them the most.

Click here for more about Granby.

Smoke And Soot Damage Removal For Your Easthampton Restaurant

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

Easthampton Pizzerias Count on SERVPRO If the Wood Fire Gets Out of Control

Keeping Businesses Open in Easthampton After Fire & Smoke Damaging Events Is Our Business--Call SERVPRO

There are multiple perils to your Easthampton restaurant every day. As the owner of this establishment, part of your responsibility is making sure that you take the necessary precautions and preventative measures to ensure that most of these potential threats never actually affect your building or business. One of the most considerable risks with cooking elements in a building is the possibility of kitchen fires breaking out from unattended dishes or unexpected flare-ups.

Regardless of how the kitchen fire started in your Easthampton restaurant, contending with the fire damages can seem a little overwhelming. As the owner, your focus is providing excellent food to the customers, and for those customers to have a quality experience when they come in. To overcome the effects of this fire in your facility, you need professional restoration services from certified technicians like ours at SERVPRO.

While the effects of the fire might present themselves in several different ways, commonly the most significant threats to preparing food and retaining customers is the soot and smoke damages. Soot damage can often get wiped and scrubbed from surfaces it has seated on, but other areas might require the use of spot specific vacuuming and other specialized equipment.

Smoke damages often present themselves in your building as lingering sediment in the circulating air and a persistent noxious odor. Fire suppressant systems can reduce these losses. This smell is anything but inviting to the customers hoping to get a meal in your restaurant, so it is a critical component of the restoration process. Air scrubbers with HEPA filters can catch any dirt and debris in the air as the activated carbon filter helps to eliminate odors. Our SERVPRO technicians can employ thermal foggers to neutralize the foul odor in cases of extensive fire and damaging smoke events. This fogging can get used in the dining area as well on fabrics, carpets, and upholstery. There are limitations, and often hydroxyl generators are also an excellent choice to purify the air of malodorous scents.

Overcoming a kitchen fire in your restaurant does not have to shut down your business for good, or possibly even for a short time. You can always count on the experienced hands at SERVPRO of Hampshire County to restore the damage and get your business back on track. Give us a call 24/7 at (413) 324-1300.

Here is the local fire department, click

When Your Granby Chain Restaurant Needs Professional Restoration Following a Kitchen Fire

5/4/2018 (Permalink)

A fire in your restaurant can leave behind severe damage and smoke odor leaving you in need of professional fire damage restoration services.

SERVPRO Works Quickly to Restore Your Business after Fire Damage

Your Granby franchise restaurant might not have slowed down much since you first opened your doors, but that does not discredit the possibility that even a minor disaster could derail this successful run for a short time. As much food as is cooked in the kitchens of your establishment, you ask a lot of the focus of your employees and the continued performance of the ranges and ovens that prepare the food for hungry customers in the dining area.

Even a small kitchen fire in your eatery can have widespread effects for both the employees you have hired and the customers that come to your restaurant. Fighting any of these fire damages in your Granby franchise can prove challenging on your own, not to mention incredibly time-consuming compared to the efficiency of professional restoration.

Our SERVPRO team can quickly identify the full extent of the damage that your restaurant faces and addresses these concerns in order of importance based on what keeps your establishment closed to the public and what concerns are most pressing to you the owner. In even small kitchen blazes, lingering smoke damage and a noxious odor can prove nauseating and unnerving to patrons, so this is a step that must get completed in the fire damage restoration process.

To deodorize the building, our SERVPRO professionals utilize thermal fogging. This process breaks apart smoke odor molecules and neutralizes them on contact. The chemical solution that comprises the fog is odorless, so no scent is left behind from the deodorization efforts.

Your restaurant is never going to get prepared for the possibility of a kitchen fire that requires professional restoration. Fortunately, our helpful SERVPRO of Hampshire County technicians can walk you through the entire process and work to ensure that your doors do not stay closed a moment longer than they need to. We can appreciate your need to serve your community, as we share this same obligation to you. You can reach our emergency response team 24/7 by calling (413) 324-1300.

Click here for more on Granby.

What You Should Do When Your Easthampton Pizzeria Has a Small Fire

4/11/2018 (Permalink)

Don't let fire damage in your pizzeria close your doors for long. Contact SERVPRO for effective fire damage remediation services.

SERVPRO Arrives Quickly to Remediate Your Business Fire

Even a blaze of small magnitude can cause fire damage on your property. The nature of making and serving food at your establishment makes it slightly easier to have a fire break out. Food preparation takes place at all points of operation which means that a stove or pizza oven is running more often than it is not during open hours. Fortunately, should a fire have occurred, professional help is nearby to handle the cleanup and damage restoration.
 
An electrical shortage due to faulty wiring can cause a blaze to outbreak in your pizzeria and leave behind commercial fire damage in Easthampton. The fire can scorch the walls, floors, and countertops of your kitchen while also damaging the appliances. That kind of mess is merely too big to try and clean up yourself, but our IICRC-certified technicians can handle the trouble while allowing you to keep your doors open.
 
SERVPRO understands how essential it is to keep your doors open for business. Our technicians can work on cleaning up the soot that had adhered itself to the structures in your kitchen when it is best for you. We can operate during hours that your pizzeria is closed to the public. We can stay out of sight and out of mind while remediating your property.
 
SERVPRO knows that sight and smell are both essential tools to be used in a kitchen while preparing food. We can use advanced tools to dislodge the soot and neutralize the smells in your kitchen. When cleaning scorch marks, we can apply a variety of methods depending on the affected material, including chemical cleaners. We can use thermal foggers to remove stray odors, which penetrate the odorous particles and eliminates them. SERVPRO strives to return your business to its preloss state, including the way it smelled.
 
When a fire breaks out on your property, do not wait. Call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300. Day or night, we can rush to your property and begin the remediation process when it best suits you.

Click here for more on the town of Easthampton.

How Do Professionals Take Care of Odor Problems After Commercial Fire Damage to Your Amherst Store?

2/18/2018 (Permalink)

Customers definitely don't want to purchase clothing items that smell bad or burnt. Contact SERVPRO should your store have a fire incident.

Team SERVPRO Quickly Arrives to Tackle Damage at Your Store

One of the most significant problems after a fire incident to your store is the odor. Whether you own a garment store, a restaurant, a grocery store or any other business, if your establishment smells like smoke, it drives the customers away. Even after the cosmetic and structural restoration after fire damage, it is crucial for your business that your store does not smell of smoke and soot.

Thankfully, SERVPRO technicians can use some of the best equipment to have your store smelling like usual in no time after commercial fire damage in Amherst. We employ different methods to eliminate even the most potent odors after a fire incident. Deodorization is a multistep process involving the following steps.

Removal of the odor source
The best way to deal with the odor problems after a fire is to eliminate the source of the odor itself. SERVPRO Professionals can remove any charred material from the building in an attempt to eliminate the source of the odor. The burnt debris can continue to give off odors if they are not disposed of promptly.

Cleaning surfaces  
The next step in the odor elimination process is to clean the surfaces with odor-causing residue on their surface. Cleaning is especially challenging in case of protein residue and wet smoke residue. Various cleaning techniques need to be employed to eliminate these residues in an attempt to remove the residue.

Recreation of the conditions that cause odor penetration
One of the reasons for deeper penetration of odor after a fire is the fact that the smoke can carry the odor causing particles deep into the pores of surfaces. To neutralize those odors, professionals use thermal foggers that create a vapor of a deodorant. This process takes the deodorant particles to the same place as the odor causing particles. The deeper, hidden odor-causing particles can lead to foul odor in your establishment driving customers out. So, it is necessary to use foggers to combat these.

Sealing the surfaces  
If the odor removal is too expensive or impractical, the odor causing particles can be sealed by painting over them. Inaccessible ducts can also be often sealed to eliminate the odor after a fire incidence in your establishment.

Call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300 today to consult with our odor elimination experts.

Click here for more information regarding Amherst.

Restoring Commercial Water Damage In Northampton

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

In Northampton, commercial water damage to a small, retail store can mean the loss of income for a week.

Commercial Water Damage

Nearly any damage cost to a Northampton business is double to that of a home disaster, if not more. Costs take into account, not just repair and restoration, but also the lost income each day due to the business having to close its doors.

In Northampton, commercial water damage to a small, retail store can mean the loss of income for a week. Unless that store has a good insurance policy behind it, SERVPRO understands that could mean a loss of paychecks for every employee that week and maybe the next one as well. It is our task to get the doors open as soon as possible, to avoid this.

A small, retail operation can still have an extensive inventory of goods. That means our technicians use a variety of tools to preserve the inventory as well as clean and restore the structure itself. To perform both tasks, our primary goals are to remove water and then dry out the interior of the shop.

Standing water is not a safe environment for the business owner, customers, or our SERVPRO technicians. In case of an electrical issue, we turn off the power and then bring in not just pumps and extraction wands, but portable generators as well. We use the pumps when the water is over 2 or 3 inches deep. The extraction wands we use for water under 2 inches or about ankle deep. Technicians also use the wands to draw water from carpets and wood floors.

Once we have the water down to several, isolated puddles, we begin setting up the equipment to dry the interior and help prevent further property loss. That means lowering the inside humidity and drying the actual structure without causing any secondary damage. We start with dehumidifiers which draw moisture from the air and nearby structural and inventory property. Depending on how much moisture is present, each of these machines can remove from 20 to 25 gallons of water each day.

Next, we set up air movers. These devices blow warm, dry air that we direct over floors, walls, and other property to speed up the drying process without causing additional damage. Technicians also set up exhaust fans to draw out the damp air inside. They help improve the function of both the air movers and dehumidifiers.

Restoring a business after water damage is not a quick process, but it is one that SERVPRO of Hampshire County has been doing for over two decades. If you need our help, call us at (413) 324-1300 today. We are here to help.

Click here for more about Northampton.

How Being Prepared Saves Food from Water Damage in Amherst Restaurants

9/11/2017 (Permalink)

It is important to store food away from dishwashers to avoid potential water damage to your inventory.

How to minimize the effects of water damage to your restaurant inventory

Water damaged food is a big problem for restaurant owners. Food that becomes damp is likely to be unusable, and losing edible stock is a costly problem. Restaurant owners in Amherst can easily become victims of a broken pipe, leaking appliance, or even an accidental sprinkler activation. Once foodstuff gets wet, it is often too late to save it. That is why SERVPRO recommends taking precautions to prevent water damage to food.

Amherst restaurants benefit from water damage preparedness. It is beneficial to be prepared and never suffer water damage than to be unprepared and suddenly find yourself at the mercy of a leak.

The first step is to draw up an inventory of all the foods you keep on hand. Include long-life items such as anything in tins or packets, along with the fresh items you regularly buy such as vegetables, fruit, meat, and dairy. Now assess your storage facilities. Items that are vulnerable to water damage should be stored at least two or three feet above floor level, and away from potential sources of water such as dishwashers, leaking windows, or pipes.

Now draw up a backup storage plan in case of emergencies. Should something happen and you need to get food out of your restaurant quickly, where will you take it? You might consider a reciprocal backup storage arrangement with a nearby sister restaurant in the same chain, or with another local business. Be aware of the shelf life of food, especially that which requires refrigerator or freezer storage.

Set out clearly what each staff member is expected to do in the event of water damage. The plan might include protecting food items during their shift or moving things to another location. Provide them with a list of emergency procedures to follow and contacts to call.

Be sure to include SERVPRO on your list of important contacts. Our IICRC-certified technicians have all the skills and equipment necessary to pump out water, secure your premises, and dry and dehumidify the affected area so you can open for business again soon.

For help with water damage in Northampton, Ware, Hadley, Ludlow and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of Hampshire County at (413) 324-1300 today.

For more information on Amherst, visit https://www.amherstma.gov/.

IAQ Series - Part Four - Indoor Air Quality Problems in Western MA Businesses

4/24/2017 (Permalink)

Over time, air ducts can become clogged with dust, dirt, hair and lots of other contaminants.

This is Part Four of an ongoing series exploring Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

We've talked a lot on this blog about Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Western MA homes.  But office buildings can have poor IAQ as well.

Three major reasons for poor IAQ in office buildings are:

• The presence of indoor air pollution sources such as water damaged ceilings and walls
• Poorly designed, maintained, or operated ventilation systems
• Building uses that were unanticipated or poorly planned when the building was designed or renovated

Sources of Office Air Pollution

As with homes, the most important factor influencing IAQ is the presence of pollutant sources. Commonly found office pollutants and their sources include:

• Environmental tobacco smoke
• Asbestos from insulating and fire-retardant building supplies
• Other organics from building materials, carpet, and other office furnishings, cleaning materials and activities, restroom air fresheners, paints, adhesives, copying machines
• biological contaminants from dirty ventilation systems or water-damaged walls, ceilings, and carpets

How SERVPRO of Hampshire County Can Help

If you are concerned about the indoor air quality in your office or business, we are Here To Help.

• Expert Know-How: with certifications from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) including
  • Water Removal Technician
  • Applied Structural Drying
  • Lead Removal
  • Mold Remediation
• Experience:  With over 20 years in business, we've dealt with all kinds of commercial disasters and cleanup
• Equipment:  the right equipment for the right environment
• No Job Too Big:  We have the resources and manpower to draw from other SERVPRO franchises for large losses 

We specialize in water damage cleanup and restoration, mold remediation and air duct cleaning.  Give us a call today at 413-589-8975.

Some content sourced from the Consumer Product Safety Commission