If you own or operate a business, then you know how important it is to keep your workspace clean and organized. The condition of your workspace leaves an impression on the people who visit your business, which can have a direct effect on your bottom line. Few people will want to do business with a company that cannot keep its own space in good condition.
While some companies keep their workspace clean by hiring an in-house cleaning crew, others either do not have the resources to hire an in-house crew or would rather hire a third party. This means that they must hire a professional to provide janitorial or commercial cleaning services. The phrases “janitorial services” and “commercial cleaning services” are often used interchangeably, but these terms actually describe two somewhat different types of cleaning services. If you are looking to hire a cleaning professional for your office or commercial building, it helps to understand the difference between the two types of services. This can help to ensure you are hiring a professional that can take care of the cleaning you want to be done.
Janitorial Services and Commercial Cleaning: What is the Difference?
The difference between janitorial services and commercial cleaning is that janitorial services include small, everyday cleaning tasks while commercial cleaning involves bigger jobs that are done a few times per year. For example, janitorial services include regular vacuuming of the carpeting while commercial cleaning services include deep carpet cleaning. Hiring a janitorial service is beneficial for everyday cleaning and maintenance. Companies can look into hiring commercial cleaning services for deep cleanings.
Janitorial Services
As stated above, a janitorial service provider will take care of everyday cleaning duties and keep your workspace clean and well maintained on a regular basis. With consistent janitorial services, your office or facility will always look good and be ready for visitors, customers, and business associates. Companies tend to schedule janitorial services based on their needs, typically on a daily, weekly, or bi-weekly basis.
Professionals that provide janitorial services are trained to use cleaning products and equipment to reduce the risk of cross-contamination and maintain clean and sanitary conditions. These services typically include the following:
Restroom cleaning
Cleaning of employee breakrooms or kitchens
Sweeping and mopping of hard surface floors
Vacuuming of the carpet
Dusting
Emptying trash
Commercial Cleaning Services
Commercial cleaning services cover bigger cleaning jobs that do not need to be done on a regular basis. You can hire a commercial cleaning service provider on a one-time, quarterly, or semi-annual basis. The cleaning services provided by a commercial cleaning company typically include:
Carpet Cleaning
Tile and grout cleaning
Hard surface floor cleaning
Furniture and upholstery cleaning
Window washing
Power washing
Deciding Between Janitorial Services and Commercial Cleaning
If you are interested in consistent cleaning services that keep your office or facility looking clean and presentable, then you need janitorial services. If there are a couple of big cleaning projects you need to be done such as upholstery cleaning, power washing, or carpet cleaning then you need to talk to a company that provides commercial cleaning services.
SERVPRO can help with all of your commercial cleaning needs. We have many different proprietary products that help to deep clean any size commercial cleaning job.
How SERVPRO Cleans and Disinfects Your Home or Business
It is estimated that up to 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster, such as fire and flood never reopen! Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.
Are you “Ready for whatever happens?”
Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood. The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens.
The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile serves as a quick reference of important building and contact information or can be an ideal supplement to any well-designed emergency preparedness or existing contingency program. Rather than simply reacting to disaster situations, most prefer proactive measures to establish a relationship with a restoration services company.
By working with SERVPRO® of Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd to develop your personalized Emergency READY Profile your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.
Call SERVPRO at (610) 667-9080 to schedule your free Emergency Ready Profile
Remove all furniture, bedding, and carpeting outdoors to be cleaned and dried (or discarded).
Flooded carpets and rugs are best replaced since floodwater may contain contaminants. Flooded carpet pads should always be discarded and replaced.
Remove water-logged rugs, carpets, and pads within 48 hours after flooding subsides.
If salvage is attempted, spread out rugs and carpets outdoors. Hose off. If soiled, professionally clean, or work in carpet shampoo with a broom. Rinse well with a solution of 1-gallon water and 2 tablespoons liquid household chlorine bleach to sanitize (if colorfast). If the carpet is wool, do not add bleach.
Dry the carpet and subfloor thoroughly as quickly as possible. If the carpet is installed damp, it can mildew.
The carpet might shrink, but a professional may be able to stretch it.
All upholstered furniture and mattresses contaminated by floodwater should be discarded. If an upholstered furniture piece is valuable, the stuffing and upholstering will need to be replaced. Solid wood, metal, and plastic furniture may be cleaned and restored. Hose off any mud, clean, sanitize and let dry completely out of direct sunlight.
Natural disasters that cause the power to go out in the middle of winter pose many potential problems for home and business owners alike.
1) Power outages have the potential to cause pipes to freeze which is a leading cause of water damage in the winter.
Right now Texans are struggling with this all-too-common problem. When homes or businesses are left without power for extended periods of time, it allows temperatures to dip below freezing allowing the pipes to freeze. This can cause cracks or bursts which lead to water damage.
One measure that can be taken to try and avoid this is to insulate the pipes. This can be done by visiting any local hardware store. Most hardware stores carry special tape, polyester coverings, and a host of other products that are capable of protecting against extreme dips in temperature.
If you have community, town, or city water and have not lost your water supply it may be a good idea to run the water source furthest from the water main. This can allow a steady flow of water to avoid pressure building up from the water in the pipes becoming frozen.
2) Power outages have the potential to cause a septic backup.
When there is a power outage, effluent is not pumped into the drain field. The septic and pump tank collects the wastewater throughout the power outage and will release it all at once when the power is restored and the pump starts. Too much water pumped at one time can flood the drain field, causing surfacing or backups.
3) Power outages can cause a loss of drinking water if you have a well.
Power outages can cause well pumps to stop working which can lead to loss of water supply. This includes water for drinking, showering, and toilets. Not having access to clean, drinkable water can lead to many other issues. It is important to store additional bottled water in order to avoid dehydration.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Texans who will likely be recovering from this storm over the next several weeks. If there is anything to be learned from this terrible situation, it's that it is important to prepare for these types of disasters.
If disaster strikes and causes water damage, SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd can help.
Some Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd businesses survive water damage with only minor issues. Other damages risk the ruining of specialized machinery and extensive stores of raw materials and finished products. Finding a restoration company that is willing to learn about the challenges your industry faces from water damage is the key to recovery.
Your family business boasts several generations of satisfied customers, and you now need help to keep water damage from destroying this history and disappointing clients. A water main burst and gallons of water threaten to ruin your machines and your extensive inventory. Our fast-acting team of water damage experts commits to walking you through every step of the process from waterlogged to dry and restored for both the structure and contents of your shop.
SERVPRO crews arrive to assess the situation and plan for the recovery of your property as soon as possible. We outfit our vehicles with truck-mounted pumps and water extractors, allowing our technicians to begin water removal immediately, even if the power is off. Your equipment poses a risk of electric shock until the area dries, so our ability to evacuate the water without using your power sources is crucial.
Advanced training in material management supports the ability of our crews to pack out your inventory quickly and with an accurate listing that identifies what we moved. We store supplies, and your paperwork either in a dry area of your building or offsite if water damage is pervasive. Throughout the process, we maintain an evidence chain so you can reconstruct customer orders and provide documentation for your insurance company. Our training in drying technologies helps us advise which materials respond to drying and what items may need to be discarded.
Electronic and other equipment needs expert evaluation before it can be cleared for future operation. SERVPRO works with professionals who are trained to determine whether and how water-damaged equipment specific to your industry can be dried successfully. We then take all steps necessary to reach that result.
While decisions are reached on your inventory and equipment, other members of the SERVPRO teamwork to dry out the structure of your business. Air movers and dehumidifiers achieve the drying goals after the standing water is removed, with constant moisture monitoring guiding the duration.
The technicians from SERVPRO of Eastern Main line / Bala Cynwyd work persistently to restore your business after unexpected water damage. Call us at (610) 667-9080 to get our team in place and on task.
Cold temperatures can cause water pipes to freeze. Freezing in a pipe creates a lot of pressure inside the pipe and can cause the pipe to burst and likely lead to serious flooding, especially when there's no one around to turn off the water. The best prevention against frozen pipes is to keep them warm enough to stay above the freezing point. You can do this with any one of six simple steps or, better still, a combination of measures.
Not Just for Cold Climates
It is a common misconception that frozen pipes are an issue only for homes in typically cold climates. However, the homes that are actually more vulnerable to frozen pipes are those in typically warmer climates because the pipes may not be properly insulated against frigid temperatures, or they may be located in unprotected areas (or even outdoors). Abnormally cold weather puts these pipes at risk.
Wherever you live, you need to worry only about the water supply pipes, not the drain pipes. Water pipes are small, only about 1 inch in diameter or smaller. Drain pipes are 1 1/2 inches and larger and are usually made of plastic. Drain pipes carry wastewater, but they do not hold water and are not pressurized like water pipes, so freezing inside drains is not a concern.
Tip #1: Keep the Heat On
If you or your tenants are leaving for a long period of time, make sure that the heat is kept on in your property. It may be difficult to convince your tenants to leave their heat on when they are away, especially if they are responsible for paying their own utility bills. You should inform them that the heat can help prevent pipes from freezing, and if pipes freeze and burst, it can cause a lot of water damage to the property and to their possessions.
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The heat does not have to be kept as high as you normally would keep it if you were actually in the property, but keeping it set above 50 F is a good idea. This should provide enough heat to keep the pipes warm and to prevent any water inside from freezing.
Tip #2: Allow the Faucet to Drip
If you are afraid a pipe will freeze, you can open the faucet fed by that pipe just a bit so the faucet drips slightly. Allowing the faucet to be open like this relieves pressure in the system. If a pipe freezes, it is actually the pressure that is created between the blockage and the faucet that will cause the pipe to burst. Allowing the faucet to be open will prevent this pressure from building up and thus keep the pipe from bursting. If the faucet is served by both hot and cold water pipes, open both faucet taps slightly, or set a single-handle faucet (such as a kitchen faucet) to warm.
Tip #3: Keep Interior Doors Open
Pipes are often located in cabinets. When the temperature drops, it is a good idea to keep these cabinet doors open so that the heat from the rest of the house can keep the pipes warm as well. You should also keep all interior doors open so that the heat can flow throughout the home.
Tip #4: Seal Up Cracks and Holes
Seal gaps around holes where pipes run through walls or floors, especially where the hole is letting in cold air. Use caulk or spray foam insulation (such as Great Stuff) to fill the gaps. If possible, seal holes on both the interior and exterior sides of the wall or floor. Cold outdoor air that gets in through holes and gaps can make a cabinet compartment, which is usually pretty cold, even colder.
Tip #5: Apply Heating Tape
Heating tape works like an electric blanket for pipes, supplying heat directly to the pipe to keep it warm during cold spells. This can be a good solution for short sections of pipe that are at high risk for freezing and are easily accessible so you can install the tape and can monitor it for problems.
There are two types of heating tape. One type turns on and off by itself when it senses heat is needed. The other type must be plugged in when heat is needed and unplugged when not in use; it does not have an automatic or manual on/off switch. Much like a space heater, these products can be dangerous, so you must follow the product’s direction and safety procedures exactly.
Tip #6: Add Extra Insulation
Pipes that are located in areas that do not have proper insulation, such as basements or attics, may need extra insulation to keep from freezing. Pipes in basements or attics are not the only ones that may not be properly insulated from the cold. If you have had a problem with pipes freezing anywhere in your home, extra insulation could be the cure.
Pipes can be fitted with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves to help decrease the chances of freezing. This can be an easy solution for pipes that are exposed but can get expensive if walls, floors, or ceilings have to be opened in order to properly insulate the pipe. Additional insulation can also be added to walls and ceilings to keep the pipes warm.
Insulation can help keep a pipe closer to the temperature of the water inside the pipe, but it does not add heat to the pipe and will not prevent freezing if the pipe is exposed to prolonged freezing temperatures.
Fire can cause more damage than meets the eye. Of course, the fire itself causes much of the damage to a home or business. Did you know that smoke can cause just as much damage too? Smoke and soot can permeate through walls, ceilings, upholstery, and air conditioning vents. Many of these spots are very hard to clean when not properly educated on the issues associated with fire damage.
Not only is there visible damage to the structure, but also damage that can be unnoticed. Structural damage can occur to support beams, weight-bearing walls, studs, etc. and these are places that you would not check unless you know how to properly restore a structure after this type of loss.
SERVPRO uses our advanced cleanup methods and detection tools to check from closet to closet, room to room, and floor to ceiling, to detect all fire and post-fire damages. We know where to check to make sure your HVAC system will not spread smoke and toxins after a fire. We will make sure that your insulation is intact and that the structure of your home is safe. If we detect any need for replacement and restoration, we provide a range of services, including building services, that can take care of any fire and water damage and debris.
Because secondary fire damage, such as water use from firefighting efforts can also be an issue, our specialists pay much attention to a full, detailed analysis of your home’s damage before making a plan of action and beginning cleanup and restoration.
Contamination is not always seen by the untrained eye. It can be hidden in places such as your HVAC (air conditioning and heating) systems. SERVPRO inspects the home from attic to basement, to ensure that all vents and air circulating systems are completely clean. If you were to neglect this part of fire damage cleanup, there is always the possibility of blowing toxic dust, ash, and soot, even on the microscopic level, into your cleaned home, effectively re-contaminating it and exposing residents to its dangers.
Our 24/7 Emergency Service line is at your disposal. Contact SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd (610)-667-9080 for a quick response to your fire emergency, or to ask questions.
Whether you need cleaning for a commercial office or require industrial cleaning services, your SERVPRO Professionals can help. You don’t have time to worry about the common wear and tear that gradually soils your office or warehouse. When grime, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, call in your SERVPRO Professionals. Whether it’s removing an odor problem or deep cleaning flooring or carpets, you can rely on SERVPRO Professionals to make your workspace or warehouse look its very best.
Your SERVPRO professionals will get the job done right and get it done quickly because the SERVPRO Advantage includes these benefits:
Award-winning training
Over 40 years experience in the industry
More than 100 exclusive cleaning products
Have Questions? Call Today (610) 667 -9080
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned
Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward to provide your employees and customers ongoing safety as you operate after the COVID-19 pandemic. As America’s #1 cleanup and restoration brand, we have developed a program that is grounded in our 3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify. Visit our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned page and let us show you how we can make your building safer and ready to get back to business.
Specialty Cleaning Services
SERVPRO Professionals offer cleaning services ranging from cleaning restaurant hoods to removing biohazard contaminants. They have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business. Their cleaning services include the following:
At one of the local neighborhood homes, a family’s young son went downstairs to their finished basement to play only to notice water gushing from their ceiling. When his parents came down to see what was wrong, they discovered a saturated carpet and steady water drip. The source of the water flow was the kitchen sink, which was leaking water down through the floor into the basement each time the faucet was turned on.
The dripping, dirty water from the kitchen drain drenched and damaged the cabinets, sink, and hardwood floors upstairs. In the basement, all of the walls, the ceiling, and carpets had to be removed and replaced.
Once they determined the source of the water damage, the homeowners knew the experts at SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd were the ones to help! SERVPRO professionals visited their home the same day we received the call, promptly uncovered a cracked pipe as the culprit, and cleaned up the damage. We also eased the headache of dealing with the insurance company by helping to ensure all of the paperwork was properly completed.
Water issues vary for each scenario based on the type and extent of damage, but our aligned approach is consistent. For every water damage restoration project, SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd goes through a standard remediation process:
Emergency Contact
Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
Water Removal/Water Extraction
Drying and Dehumidification
Cleaning and Sanitizing
Restoration
If you have mold or water damage, call SERVPRO at 610-667-9080to schedule a cleanup. Your SERVPRO professionals of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd have the training, certifications, and equipment to remediate mold.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, 1,210 warehouse structure fires were reported each year during 2009-2013. These fires caused $155 million in direct property damage, 19 civilian injuries, and 3 civilian deaths on average per year.
If you have a warehouse, you probably want to protect it from a fire. If your warehouse is destroyed by a fire, it can cause costly damage to your business or even put you out of business entirely. Installing fire sprinkler systems in your warehouse can help prevent property loss due to fire. There are several sprinkler systems that can be used in warehouses.
In-Rack Sprinkler System
When a fire starts inside of a warehouse it can spread very quickly unless contained. In-rack sprinkler systems help to stop the spread of a fire within a specific rack storage area. This prevents the fire from spreading to other parts of the building. In-rack sprinklers have a network of pipes that surround the racked structure and target a specific area.
ESFR Sprinklers
ESFR (Early Suppression, Fast Response) sprinklers are ceiling-mounted systems that are used in warehouses. These systems are designed to suppress a fire by releasing a large volume of water directly on the fire. Early Suppression Fast Response systems react faster than traditional sprinkler systems and use larger water droplets.
ESFR systems often can be used in place of in-rack sprinkler systems. Typically, the ESFR system will provide better protection than an in-rack system. However, there are some limitations to the use of ESFR systems. ESFR systems cannot be used with certain storage configurations or building types.
Quell Sprinkler System
The Quell fire sprinkler system can be used in cold storage spaces or unheated warehouses. It can be used to protect high piled storage areas. This system surrounds the protected area and douses it with large volumes of water. The Quell system eliminates the need for in-rack sprinkler components which gives you more flexibility with storage configurations.
Your house is made up of a wide variety of different materials. A single type of material is usually very weather-resistant by itself, which is why most leaks are formed where two different types of material meet. That’s where sealant comes in. It fills in the small gaps to create a waterproof barrier.
Windows
Windows should have the sealant applied around their entire perimeter, inside and out. This will keep water from coming through the outside, and stop any that does get through before it gets all the way inside. If your window has trim, then the bottom of the trim shouldn’t be caulked. This gives moisture a way to travel down and out of your home.
Door Frames
Door frames are a common weak spot for moisture. Sealant should be applied everywhere the frame and the threshold of the door is flush. You should also apply sealant where the frame and the trim or siding meet. There are several different layers to door frames, and you want to hit all of them.
Soffits and Fascia Boards
Soffits are the underside of a roof’s overhang, and fascia is the front boards where a gutter is usually fastened. These spend a lot of time around moisture and need to be protected. Applying sealant behind the boards will help the fascias and soffits last longer.
Where Decks Meet the House
Do you have a deck that’s attached to your house? Whether it’s a roof deck or a self-supporting deck, all of the places where two materials meet can be prone to leaks. That includes where the railings are attached to the house.
Cracks and Gaps Along with Concrete or Masonry
Any cracks or gaps in masonry should be sealed with transparent caulk, while concrete can be filled with gray caulking that is specifically made for use on concrete. Pay special attention to places where the concrete or masonry hits other materials.
Wherever There’s Flashing
Flashing is there for a reason. It bridges any larger gaps where two materials meet, such as where the roof hits the chimney or the deck hits the house. That being said, the flashing has seams of its own where it hits different materials. Sealant should be applied to every single place where there’s flashing. It should also be checked regularly to see if it needs to be replaced.
A flooded basement is no small hazard. Even a single inch of a flooded basement in a 1,000 square foot home can cause $10,000 worth of damage. Six inches of water can easily double that cost.
If you come down the stairs to find water in your basement, here’s what you should do.
The Dangers of a Flooded Basement
Be careful before you charge into a wet basement. There are a few hazards you should check for:
Electrical Shock: Loose wires can conduct electricity through the water. Before going into the water, turn off your home’s breaker switches.
Gas Leaks: Issues with your basement can lead to gas leaks. If you smell gas at all, then leave the home and contact your gas utility company.
Pollutants: If your flood is a sewer leak, then be careful before entering the water. Sewer water can contain bacteria that transmit the disease. Wear protective items like suits, gloves, safety glasses, and face masks. And be ready to call in the professionals
If the Flooding is Caused by Plumbing
When the flood in your basement is caused by plumbing, it falls into two different types. Leaks will fill your basement with cleaner, mostly clear water. If you see this, then try to get to the water main to turn it off.
The other kind of plumbing flood is when the sewer backs up into your basement. One smell and you’ll know if it’s from a sewer. If this is the case, then you don’t want to use anything that uses the drain. Don’t flush the toilet, the washing machine, the dishwasher, or anything else. It will only add to the sewage backing up in your basement.
If you do have sewage backing up into your basement, then be sure to call your local utility company as soon as possible to report it.
If the Leak Is from Outside of Your House
Runoff, rain, snow, or heavy weather can easily lead to flooding in a basement if it's not waterproofed correctly. If this is the case, then try to find the source of the leak as soon as possible. This could be something simple, like a leaking vent window, or something complicated like a leak through the foundation.
If you can’t easily find the leak, then call in the professionals.
Call Your Insurance Company
Different insurance companies handle flooding claims differently. When you call to file a claim, your insurance company will go over any clean-up procedures, specific contractors to use, and other information.
If your home or business needs water restoration services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd
Natural disasters that cause the power to go out in the middle of winter pose many potential problems for home and business owners alike.
1) Power outages have the potential to cause pipes to freeze which is a leading cause of water damage in the winter.
Right now Texans are struggling with this all-too-common problem. When homes or businesses are left without power for extended periods of time, it allows temperatures to dip below freezing allowing the pipes to freeze. This can cause cracks or bursts which lead to water damage.
One measure that can be taken to try and avoid this is to insulate the pipes. This can be done by visiting any local hardware store. Most hardware stores carry special tape, polyester coverings, and a host of other products that are capable of protecting against extreme dips in temperature.
If you have community, town, or city water and have not lost your water supply it may be a good idea to run the water source furthest from the water main. This can allow a steady flow of water to avoid pressure building up from the water in the pipes becoming frozen.
2) Power outages have the potential to cause a septic backup.
When there is a power outage, effluent is not pumped into the drain field. The septic and pump tank collects the wastewater throughout the power outage and will release it all at once when the power is restored and the pump starts. Too much water pumped at one time can flood the drain field, causing surfacing or backups.
3) Power outages can cause a loss of drinking water if you have a well.
Power outages can cause well pumps to stop working which can lead to loss of water supply. This includes water for drinking, showering, and toilets. Not having access to clean, drinkable water can lead to many other issues. It is important to store additional bottled water in order to avoid dehydration.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Texans who will likely be recovering from this storm over the next several weeks. If there is anything to be learned from this terrible situation, it's that it is important to prepare for these types of disasters.
If disaster strikes and causes water damage, SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line can help.
Keep Your Office Safe By Knowing The Sounds of Fire Safety
Every year, Fire Prevention Week is given a theme it focuses on. This year’s theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.” And it’s no surprise that the sounds of fire safety were chosen as this year’s theme. It is well documented that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can profoundly affect fire safety if we know what to listen for.
For example, the NFPA reports that working smoke alarms reduce the risk of death during a fire by over 50 percent. They also found that 41 percent of household fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarm and that 16 percent happened in homes with alarms that failed to activate.
And though smoke alarms have been instrumental in saving countless lives, there are still steps we can take to make them even more effective and keep our workplaces even safer. Though mainly our company works closely with other businesses to meet their fire and life safety needs; we all have our own personal dwellings and families to protect as well.
Below we’ll discuss what you need to know about smoke alarms and CO alarms and some tips for keeping yourself and your coworkers safe.
Smoke Alarms
If you hear a set of three loud beeps (BEEP BEEP BEEP), the alarm has detected smoke or fire in the building. Your next steps should be to get out of the building, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
If you hear just one chirp from your smoke alarm every 30 or 60 seconds, this means its battery is low and needs to be replaced.
If you replace the battery and your smoke alarm continues to chirp, this means the alarm itself is due for replacement. No matter what, all smoke alarms must be changed after 10 years.
CO Alarms
If you hear four loud beeps (BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP), your CO alarm has detected carbon monoxide in your building. After you hear these beeps, leave your building, call 9-1-1, and stay outside.
If your CO alarm chirps once every 30 or 60 seconds, the battery must be replaced.
If your CO alarm continues chirping with a fresh battery in place, this means the alarm must be replaced.
Fire Safety Tips
Because you don’t know who may be visiting your business or residence, it is best to make sure all of your smoke and CO alarms throughout the property work for those with physical and sensory disabilities.
Install a low-frequency alarm for those with mild to severe hearing loss.
Encourage everyone in your building to keep their glasses and phone on them at all times.
Make sure all stairways and hallways are adequately lit and have a clear walking path so everyone can evacuate safely.
Make sure your coworkers know all of the above sounds and tips for fire safety, so everyone remains safe at your place of business.
Business owners everywhere should start thinking about how to prevent commercial water damage. Everything from maintenance checks to grading systems should be checked. So how do you plan on protecting your business from water damage? Read on to find out what you should be considering.
Building and Street Maintenance
When was the last time your storm drains were cleared? Annual inspections of your floor, storm, and roof drains can help you avoid drainage problems. If your floor drains haven’t been cleaned lately, take a vacuum hose and clear it or call a professional.
Sump Pumps
There are at least two sump pumps in each sump under your building. Sump pumps are used to keep floodwaters from building up and causing water damage. But are yours both working? When was the last time they were tested? Do they have battery backups in case of a power outage? Power outages were the cause of 18 percent of water damage incidents involving a sump pump. Because sump pumps run on electricity, power outages shut down the pumps allowing water to flood your facility. If these pumps are your main source of protection, you should consider a generator to keep them going.
Generator Fuel Tanks
In areas subject to flooding, it is important to relocate your generator fuel tanks out of the basement. Generator fuel can be contaminated in the event of a basement flood, prohibiting generator functions, and preventing power from reaching the pumps.
Runoff
Does grading lead away from your building? Grading helps to move water away from your building instead of moving towards it. Checking your grading system can help keep water from flowing into your building.
Clear the Floor
One of the leading causes of water damage is the items on the floor. You can avoid this by removing porous materials, boxes, and paper from the floor of your basement. Keep all of your electronics off the floor and make sure to turn off your electronics when you are expecting heavy rains.
Fire can cause more damage than meets the eye. Of course, the fire itself causes much of the damage to a home or business. Did you know that smoke can cause just as much damage too? Smoke and soot can permeate through walls, ceilings, upholstery, and air conditioning vents. Many of these spots are very hard to clean when not properly educated on the issues associated with fire damage.
Not only is there visible damage to the structure, but also damage that can be unnoticed. Structural damage can occur to support beams, weight-bearing walls, and studs, etc. and these are places that you would not check unless you know how to properly restore a structure after this type of loss.
SERVPRO uses our advanced cleanup methods and detection tools to check from closet to closet, room to room, and floor to ceiling, to detect all fire and post-fire damages. We know where to check to make sure your HVAC system will not spread smoke and toxins after a fire. We will make sure that your insulation is intact and that the structure of your home is safe. If we detect any need for replacement and restoration, we provide a range of services, including building services, that can take care of any fire and water damage and debris.
Because secondary fire damage, such as water use from firefighting efforts can also be an issue, our specialists pay much attention to a full, detailed analysis of your home’s damage before making a plan of action and beginning cleanup and restoration.
Contamination is not always seen by the untrained eye. It can be hidden in places such as your HVAC (air conditioning and heating) systems. SERVPRO inspects the home from attic to basement, to ensure that all vents and air circulating systems are completely clean. If you were to neglect this part of fire damage cleanup, there is always the possibility of blowing toxic dust, ash, and soot, even on the microscopic level, into your cleaned home, effectively re-contaminating it and exposing residents to its dangers.
Our 24/7 Emergency Service line is at your disposal. Contact SERVPRO of Eastern Man Line Bala Cynwyd anytime at 610-667-9080 for a quick response to your fire emergency, or to ask questions.
The SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is composed of our best of the best in restoration. Our elite large-loss specialists are prequalified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster.
Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.
When attending many conferences we found that many people only associate us with residential services but we handle many large loss jobs as well. Our crew is trained both on how to handle small apartment losses up to huge commercial business losses.
At SERVPRO, the difference is our ability to dispatch trained production professionals and cut costs through the strategic placement and oversight of temporary labor. Get the professionals, call SERVPRO.
Clients for the Commercial Large Loss program include the following:
Hurricane season is already among us. Businesses and homeowners everywhere should consider many things during hurricane season to prevent damage to their property. Many of them seem obvious, but others, not so much. What are some of these preparation tasks you might ask? Let's try to answer this question.
Building and Street Maintenance
Consider the last time you cleaned your storm drains. If they have not been cleared out in recent years, this could cause a blockage of water from draining away from your property. When water gets clogged in drains, this can lead to a backup. This means water will be coming back into your home or business and can cause very serious damage. If you have a shop vac (dry/wet vacuum), try to get some of the dirt and build up out of the drain. If you can’t clean it properly, call a professional.
Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are basically pumps used to get rid of water that has entered a building. When turned on, these pumps run water through a hose and outside of the property. If you own these pumps when was the last time they were tested? Do they have a battery backup in case of a power outage? Power outages cause almost 20 percent of water damage due to sump pumps not being able to run during these outages. If you do not own a sump pump, consider buying one especially if you commonly see water damage on site.
Generator Fuel Tanks
Many people like to store backup generators in their basements. This can be dangerous because if water seeps into your basement and gets into the fuel tanks, this will contaminate the gas and lead to failure to start the generator. In turn, this means no power and could lead to more damage.
Runoff
Does grading lead away from your building? Grading helps to move water away from your building instead of moving towards it. Checking your grading system can help keep water from flowing into your building.
Clear the Floor
One of the leading causes of water damage is the items on the floor. You can avoid this by removing porous materials, boxes, and paper from the floor of your basement. Keep all of your electronics off the floor and make sure to turn off your electronics when you are expecting heavy rains.
The dangers of fire damage can last much longer than the initial fire blaze. Two of the most toxic types of damage are the fire itself and the resulting smoke damage. Smoke and soot can damage a home by permeating through the walls, upholstery, ceiling, insulation, air conditioning vents, and other hard-to-clean places.
This is why it is important to understand that fire damage in Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd homes can present itself in many ways. Depending on the type of fire that attacks your home, not only are the apparent soot, ash, and fire damage unsightly but possible structure damage and future contamination are possible.
Never Have Your Fire Damage Overlooked Again For example, depending on where a fire burns in a structure, it can affect support beams, load-bearing walls, and it can wreak havoc on wiring and insulation. Even if your fire emergency seemed localized to a particular area in the house, remember, the attic must be checked for damage as well.
SERVPRO uses our advanced cleanup methods and detection tools to check from closet to closet, room to room, and floor to ceiling, to detect all fire and post-fire damages. We know where to check to make sure your HVAC system will not spread smoke and toxins after a fire. We will make sure that your insulation is intact and that the structure of your home is safe. If we detect any need for replacement and restoration, we provide a range of services, including building services, that can take care of any fire and water damage and debris.
Because secondary fire damage, such as water use from firefighting efforts can also be an issue, our specialists pay much attention to a full, detailed analysis of your home’s damage before making a plan of action and beginning cleanup and restoration.
Contamination is not always seen by the untrained eye. It can be hidden in places such as your HVAC (air conditioning and heating) systems. SERVPRO inspects the home from attic to basement, to ensure that all vents and air circulating systems are completely clean. If you were to neglect this part of fire damage cleanup, there is always the possibility of blowing toxic dust, ash, and soot, even on the microscopic level, into your cleaned home, effectively re-contaminating it and exposing residents to its dangers.
Our 24/7 Emergency Service line is at your disposal. Contact SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd anytime at (610) 667-9080 for a quick response to your fire emergency, or to ask questions.
One of the most important components of fighting a fire is ensuring that the fire is detected early on. Early detection of fire allows building occupants to safely exit the building sooner and allows for a faster response from fire suppression systems. When it comes to fire detection, there are several detection methods that are available to choose from. The main three forms of fire detection include heat detection, smoke detection, and flame detection.
Heat Detection
Heat detectors are activated when a fire occurs and causes the temperature in the area to rise. Once the area reaches a certain temperature, the heat detectors are activated. Heat detectors usually have fewer false alarms, but they can take longer to identify a fire than other forms of detection. Heat detectors are best suited for areas that are not frequently occupied and in areas that are not well suited for smoke detection such as steamy, humid, or dusty environments.
Smoke Detection
Smoke detectors are activated when smoke is created by a fire. There are several types of smoke detectors that use different methods to detect smoke.
Ionization
Ionization detectors use radioactive material to create an electric current between two electrodes. When a fire creates smoke, the smoke disrupts the ionization and causes the alarm to go off. This type of smoke detection may result in false alarms as it can be triggered by things like humidity. These types of smoke detectors do a good job of detecting fast-burning fires.
Photoelectric
These alarms use a light beam to detect smoke. When smoke particles from fire cross through the beam, the detectors are activated. This type of detector is reliable and has few false alarms. Photoelectric detectors work well on small smoldering fires.
Combination
Combination detectors use the technology from both ionization and photoelectric detectors to identify both fast-burning and smoldering fires.
Aspirating Smoke Detectors
Aspirating smoke detection is a method of detecting a fire very early on. This type of detector samples and tests the particle levels in the air and is activated when the level of smoke particles rises above normal levels. This type of smoke detection is resistant to false alarms and works well around sensitive equipment as the fire can be detected before it can cause damage.
Flame Detection
Flame detectors are used to detect a fire when flames are present. This type of fire detection includes UV detectors and/or infrared detectors to identify a flame and trigger an alarm.
Have An Emergency Plan Before An Emergency Happens
Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year, making the drill as realistic as possible.
Make arrangements in your plan for anyone in your home who has a disability.
Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. The objective is to practice, not to frighten, so telling children there will be a drill before they go to bed can be as effective as a surprise drill.
It's important to determine during the drill whether children and others can readily wake to the sound of the smoke alarm. If they fail to awaken, make sure that someone is assigned to wake them up as part of the drill and in a real emergency situation.
If your home has two floors, every family member (including children) must be able to escape from the second-floor rooms. Escape ladders can be placed in or near windows to provide an additional escape route. Review the manufacturer's instructions carefully so you'll be able to use a safety ladder in an emergency. Practice setting up the ladder from a first-floor window to make sure you can do it correctly and quickly. Children should only practice with a grown-up, and only from a first-story window. Store the ladder near the window, in an easily accessible location. You don't want to have to search for it during a fire.
Always choose the escape route that is safest – the one with the least amount of smoke and heat – but be prepared to escape under toxic smoke if necessary. When you do your fire drill, everyone in the family should practice getting low and going under the smoke to your exit.
Closing doors on your way out slows the spread of fire, giving you more time to safely escape.
In some cases, smoke or fire may prevent you from exiting your home or apartment building. To prepare for an emergency like this, practice "sealing yourself in for safety" as part of your home fire escape plan. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to seal the door cracks and cover air vents to keep smoke from coming in. If possible, open your windows at the top and bottom so fresh air can get in. Call the fire department to report your exact location. Wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth at the window to let the fire department know where you are located.
Flooding and water damage events in Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd
commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.
Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
The Best Way To Minimize a Disaster at Your Home or Business is to Plan For it NOW!
As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
Are You Ready? Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?” The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a startup approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference for important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.
A no-cost assessment of your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. Having a quick reference for what to do, how to do it, and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens."
Storm damage can occur at any time and can cause an immense amount of harm to your home. Heavy rains can cause flooding and powerful winds can cause roof damage and downed trees on your property. Some post-storm damage can create safety and health hazards as well, so having a strategy to deal with damage will help you to be ready to take steps immediately after the storm.
Take Safety Precautions
Heavy winds and rain can create physical hazards such as collapsed roofing materials, window damage, collapsed walls, or standing water in the basement or home interior. In addition, moisture can soak into furniture, carpeting, and building materials making the perfect environment for mold growth that can cause health effects. Shut off the main gas line if you smell gas. Beware of broken glass, exposed nails, and other sharp objects on the property. Contact a reputable property restoration company to help do basic tasks to secure your property and make it safe to use. If necessary, arrange for an alternative place for you and your family to live while your property is being restored to safe living conditions.
Photograph the Damage
If it is safe to move around your property, use your cellphone or a camera to photograph the damage so that you will have a record for your insurance company. This action will ensure that you are fully compensated.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Contact your insurance agent to notify them about the damage to your home immediately. The company will send out an adjuster to determine the extent of the damage so that payment for repairs can be made.
Leading cause of houses fires! Electrical Heaters!
Electrical heating-related fires most often occur in December, January, and February. Purchasing a cozy electrical space heater is a cost-efficient solution when temperatures drop, however, can be a devastating disaster when used improperly. According to the NFPA (National Fire and Protection Agency), electrical space heaters are the leading cause of most house fires. Here are a few tips on how to properly use your electric space heater and avoid fire hazards:
Electrical Fires: Electrical fires occur when the heating unit is not properly plugged into the wall outlet, most often plugged into an extension cord or power strip. To avoid fires:
Give your space heater space; at least 3 feet away from combustible materials
Do not plug other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
Plug the heater directly into the outlet
Avoid leaving the unit running overnight
Fire Starters: Electrical units placed too close to other combustible materials contribute to 79% of fatal home heating fires. Combustible materials include:
Household furniture
Clothes
Bed Mattress
Bedding materials
Before running your electrical heater, it’s important to understand the risks of fire and smoke damage. Fire damage can leave a lasting impact on your house and may cause additional smoke damage
Call SERVPRO at 610-546-2484to schedule a cleanup. Your SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd professionals have the training, certifications, and equipment to Make it
Hurricane season has taken a toll on places like North Carolina and Florida. Businesses and homeowners everywhere should consider many things during hurricane season to prevent damage to their property. Many of them seem obvious, but others, not so much. What are some of these preparation tasks you might ask? Let us try to answer this question.
Building and Street Maintenance
Consider the last time you cleaned your storm drains. If they have not been cleared out in recent years, this could cause a blockage of water from draining away from your property. When water gets clogged in drains, this can lead to a back-up. This means water will be coming back into your home or business and can cause very serious damage. If you have a shop vac (dry/wet vacuum), try to get some of the dirt and build up out of the drain. If you can’t clean it properly, call a professional.
Sump Pumps
Sump pumps are basically pumps used to get rid of water that has entered a building. When turned on, these pumps run water through a hose and outside of the property. If you own these pumps when was the last time they were tested? Do they have a battery backup in case of a power outage? Power outages cause almost 20 percent of water damage due to sump pumps not being able to run during these outages. If you do not own a sump pump, consider buying one especially if you commonly see water damage on site.
Generator Fuel Tanks
Many people like to store back up generators in their basements. This can be dangerous because if water seeps into your basement and gets into the fuel tanks, this will contaminate the gas and lead to failure to start the generator. In turn, this means no power and could lead to more damage.
Runoff
Does grading lead away from your building? Grading helps to move water away from your building instead of moving towards it. Checking your grading system can help keep water from flowing into your building.
Clear the Floor
One of the leading causes of water damage is the items on the floor. You can avoid this by removing porous materials, boxes, and paper from the floor of your basement. Keep all of your electronics off the floor and make sure to turn off your electronics when you are expecting heavy rains.
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd is looking to schedule a free Continuing Education class in the upcoming months. For example, below is a sample of some of the classes that could be taught. There are plenty of other classes that credits could be handed out for but here are a few.
Understanding The Restoration Industry: Property Fire
(4 Credit Hours)
This course has been designed to teach and explain the special procedures used by professionals in mitigating and restoring fire damage claims for the insured. The purpose of the course is to provide attendees with a better understanding of the work performed by the mitigation vendor at fire damage work sites.
Concepts of Legal Liability
(3 Credit Hours)
This concept is the basis of most liability insurance. This program will present the basics of legal liability by building a foundation of various legal theories. The theory and elements of negligence are presented. Various types of law are discussed. Included is a discussion on damages resultant from legal liability.
The dangers of fire damage can last much longer than the initial fire blaze. Two of the most toxic types of damage are the fire itself and the resulting smoke damage. Smoke and soot can damage a home by permeating through the walls, upholstery, ceiling, insulation, air conditioning vents, and other hard to clean places.
This is why it is important to understand that fire damage in homes can present itself in many ways. Depending on the type of fire that attacks your home, not only are the apparent soot, ash, and fire damage unsightly, but possible structure damage and future contamination are possible.
Never Have Your Fire Damage Overlooked Again
For example, depending on where a fire burns in a structure, it can affect support beams, load-bearing walls, and it can wreak havoc on wiring and insulation. Even if your fire emergency seemed localized to a particular area in the house, remember, the attic must be checked for damage as well.
SERVPRO uses our advanced cleanup methods and detection tools to check from closet to closet, room to room, and floor to ceiling, to detect all fire and post-fire damages. We know where to check to make sure your HVAC system will not spread smoke and toxins after a fire. We will make sure that your insulation is intact and that the structure of your home is safe. If we detect any need for replacement and restoration, we provide a range of services, including building services, that can take care of any fire and water damage and debris.
Because secondary fire damage, such as water use from firefighting efforts can also be an issue, our specialists pay much attention to a full, detailed analysis of your home’s damage before making a plan of action and beginning cleanup and restoration.
Contamination is not always seen by the untrained eye. It can be hidden in places such as your HVAC (air conditioning and heating) systems. SERVPRO inspects the home from attic to basement, to ensure that all vents and air circulating systems are completely clean. If you were to neglect this part of fire damage cleanup, there is always the possibility of blowing toxic dust, ash, and soot, even on the microscopic level, into your cleaned home, effectively re-contaminating it and exposing residents to its dangers.
Our 24/7 Emergency Service line is at your disposal. Contact SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd anytime at 610-667-9080 for a quick response to your fire emergency, or to ask questions.
Let’s start by defining commercial property insurance. Often included as part of a packaged business owner's policy, but also as a stand-alone policy, commercial property insurance covers damage to a company’s building and its contents due to covered perils, such as fire, theft, or natural disasters. If your company has a building with land, computers, equipment, or inventory, you probably need property insurance.
The amount of coverage your business needs and the cost of this coverage, however, will vary depending on the nature of your business and the value of its assets. Coverage can either cover all risks except those specifically included or only those risks which are specifically named in the policy. The cost of this coverage will depend on how you value your company’s assets and whether you opt to include coverage for things like a business interruption or risks specific to your business’s location and industry.
While there’s a lot to consider when choosing the right commercial property insurance plan or business owner's policy, it doesn’t need to be complicated!
Source: IRMI Glossary
Does your Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd Home Have Lead?
Older homes, older child care facilities, schools, and other buildings are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes may be private, government-assisted, or public housing. Schools are preschools and kindergarten classrooms. They may be urban, suburban, or rural.
Percentage of homes likely to contain lead:
Built between 1960-1978 = 24%
Built between 1940-1960 = 69%
Built before 1940 = 87%
What can you do to protect your family from lead in pre-1978 homes?
If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
Clean up paint chips immediately.
Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces. Use a mop, sponge, or paper towel with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.
Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers, and toys often.
Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd follows the EPA's strict guidelines for lead paint
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities, and schools to be certified by the EPA. These firms also must use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices.
According to EPA requirements (40 CFR Part 745) contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures:
Contain the work area.
Minimize dust.
Clean up thoroughly.
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd technicians always takes the necessary precautions according to current laws. Our technicians have been trained and certified to follow lead-safe work practices while performing renovation and repair projects in your area.
Faster to Your Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd Water Emergency!
Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.
Faster To Any Size Disaster
Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more. SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs. Once the standing water is gone, the porous materials must be removed as drying equipment is being added. This makes the drying process go much faster because extra materials cause full room drying to slow down.
When dealing with water damage in your home or place of business, there are different types or classifications of water that we can use. Using this classification system, we can determine what health risks are associated with the water, and properly prepare to bring with us all necessary safety equipment and uniforms. In this blog article, we are going to focus on three types: Clean, Gray, and Blackwater.
Clean Water: This is water that does not contain contaminants. It includes broken water lines, malfunctioning appliances, toilets holding tanks, snowmelt, and rainwater. Over time, however, clean water can progress and become gray water within 48 hours, if left untreated.
Gray Water: Gray water does contain a slight chemical or biological contaminants, and may pose a health risk. Gray water can discharge from dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, showers, aquariums, and waterbeds, or come from a clean water source that leaked through a ceiling. It can also be clean water that was left untreated (and became gray water). Gray water can also progress to the next stage (Black Water) if left untreated within 48 hours.
BlackWater: This water is a health risk as it is highly contaminated. Blackwater is presumed to contain multiple potentially harmful contaminants including fungi, bacteria, chemicals, viruses, and more. Black Water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding, or any type of natural disaster. Blackwater should always be treated by a trained and certified professional.
For any type of water damage, it is always best to treat it quickly so as to avoid further contamination and risk mold growth. There can be many dangers associated with attempting to clean water damage on your own. If ever you spot any type of water in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd. We are faster to any size disaster and will have our highly trained team over to your house or place of business within the hour! Remember, it's best to not wade into any unknown water source without the proper protection. Give us a call at
(610)-667-9080 We areopen& Here to Help 24/7
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line / Bala Cynwyd is an IICRC certified firm.
When Storms hit Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd, SERVPRO is ready!
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
Faster Response
Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
Resources to Handle Floods and Storms
When storms hit, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.
Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 610-667-9080
The Best Way To Minimize a Disaster at Your Home or Business is to Plan For it NOW!
As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
Are You Ready? Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?” The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a startup approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference for important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.
A no-cost assessment of your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it, and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens.
Getting around the Philadelphia region on Saturday afternoon may be slow thanks to a winter storm that will bring snow.
We've issued a First Alert from noon until 6 p.m. Saturday for Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania suburbs and the Lehigh Valley.
The storm will move in midday bringing light snow. The precipitation should pick up as the afternoon continues.
When the storm begins, the ground will be cold enough for the snow to stick. That could create trouble on the roads so drivers will want to take extra caution.
The storm center will sit well to the north so warm air will be dragged across the area by the late afternoon melting snow and turning the precipitation to rain.
Snow totals will likely be 1 inch or less for most of the affected area. Towns in the Lehigh Valley may see slightly higher accumulations.
By Sunday morning the area should dry out and stay cold in the mid-30s. Highs only hit the upper 20s next week.
When the weather gets too cold in the winter up here in the north east pipes tend to freeze up which can be an irritable situation that no one likes to deal with. Temperatures getting into the low twenties and teens can cause pipes to freeze up and halt utilities from traveling through the pipeline to where they need to go, especially water pipes. Frozen pipes can be bad, but the thawing of the pipe can be the most horrific part of cold weather affecting pipes. Heat and cold will cause the expanding and contracting which will then lead to a rupture in a pipe. Depending how big the pipe is and what type of utility passing through it, you may have a major mess on your hands (and feet). If you experience anything similar to this you should call SERVPRO. We have the know how, man power, and amount of equipment to get the job done right. We want our customers properties to be "Like it never even happened."®
This Shows a kitchen before we start our restoration process!
Cleaning and restoration services will normally reduce the costs of a fire damage claim. The most expensive option for the insurance adjuster is replacement since the damaged item is disposed of and replaced with a new item. Another costly option is resurfacing. Structural surfaces can be repainted; upholstered contents can be recovered; wood contents can be refinished. Cleaning and restoration services are usually only a fraction of the cost of replacement or resurfacing. The restorer often can apply the principles and elements of cleaning to restore materials to preloss condition and lessen the loss expense of the fire claim.
Principles of Cleaning
When restoring smoke-damaged materials, the goal is to restore materials to preloss condition. Restorers apply the following basic principles of cleaning to accomplish this task.
Locate smoke residues by carefully inspecting the affected area. The inspection will start near the source of the fire and trace how far smoke moved through the structure.
Identify the type of residues. Different types of smoke residues can exist in the same loss environment. The restorer will select a cleaning method that will effectively remove the type of smoke residues present.
Identify the type of surface. The type of surface determines which cleaning methods and products are safe to use on that surface. Restorers must be careful to preserve the material or surface being cleaned, some materials may be unrestorable because they cannot withstand the cleaning process.
Capture and remove residues. Smoke residues bond with surfaces they contact. The restorer uses dry and wet cleaning processes to release and carry residue particles away from the affected surface.
Dispose of residues. The restorer properly disposes of debris and cleaning waste.
Major Causes of Water Damage Did you know that a leaking faucet can cost you more or less 250 gallons of water each month? There are 12 months in a year; do the math and you will get an idea of the amount of money you get to waste each year for a single unfixed leaking faucet. Below are the 6 most common causes of commercial water damage.
Damaged sprinkler system The law requires all commercial entities to have a sprinkler system, along with a fire alarm, installed in the building for safety purposes in case of fire. The sprinkler system should only get activated when there is too much heat from the fire. However, over time, the sprinkler can get broken and malfunction. When this happens, the sprinkler can get activated even without fire leading to serious flooding within the building.
Roof leaks The roof should protect the occupants and everything within the building from external elements such as the heat from the sun and rain. But a leaky roof does otherwise. As the roof gets older, it also becomes more vulnerable to heavy rains and snow, resulting in water damage to your building’s roof.
Broken HVAC system Your business’ HVAC system is an essential part of maintaining the temperature of your building and to make its occupants comfortable. Studies have also shown that your HVAC system can also impact the productivity level of your employees. However, like any other part of your commercial building, your HVAC system can also experience issues such as clogging and leaking. An HVAC system that is not cleaned and maintained regularly can cause water damage from the excess water in the compression tanks.
Broken equipment and appliances Sometimes, your building may have appliances such as a water heater, AC, washing machine, and others. Apart from that, there are also pipes within the building that can get damage anytime and cause water damage in the commercial space. Major problems happen if these equipment and appliances get broken and no one notices it or during off-hours as it can leak a significant amount of water.
Damaged windows Another common cause of water damage in commercial buildings is damaged windows. Rainwater and moisture can seep through especially if the windows are not properly maintained and need re-caulking. While it may not cause immediate flooding, it can do great damage to the drywall and can encourage mold growth.
Natural disaster Apart from the damage to your building’s foundation and roof, water damage in commercial buildings can also be caused by natural disasters like hurricanes, thunderstorms, and heavy rain resulting in flash floods. Clogged gutters can lead rainwater to flow towards the foundation of your building, making it more vulnerable to water damage. Commercial water damage is a devastating problem that any business owner can experience. While there is no way to totally get rid of the threats of water damage on your building, knowing its most common causes will help you minimize the risk.
Montgomery County is still facing months of cold weather, which means months of potential dangers to your home. Winter’s heavy precipitation, freezing temperatures, and high winds can cause a great deal of damage, but the most costly and time-consuming winter home damage often comes from burst pipes. Luckily, taking a few small steps to ‘winterize’ your property can prevent future problems. Until spring, follow these simple tips:
Keep cabinet doors open during the coldest days of the month to circulate warm air around the pipes. Of course, be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals to a secure spot out of the reach of children.
Leave the water on at a very slow trickle through faucets, especially from pipes lacking heat or insulation. The slow flow can often prevent water from freezing in place in the pipe.
If you have outdoor faucets, consider turning them off. Shutting off the valve in the basement, or crawl space will prevent water from freezing in outdoor exposed pipes. Make sure to completely drain outdoor faucets, as well.
If you leave for vacation, set the temperature in your home no lower than 55° F. Leaving the heat on ensures that all pipes will remain warm during your time away.
If there are water lines in the garage, keep the garage door shut! Open garage doors allow drafts to potentially freeze exposed pipes.
In the coldest days of winter, be sure to regularly check your water pipes and faucets. The earlier water damage is discovered, the easier it is to clean and contain—water leaks left unchecked for as little as 48 hours can easily result in mold growth.
If you have mold or water damage, call SERVPRO at 610-546-2484to schedule a cleanup. Your SERVPRO professionals have the training, certifications, and equipment to remediate mold.
Soaking up the sun in spring is ideal, however, April showers can leave you soaking up floodwaters instead. If you live in a high flood area, overwhelmed sewer drains can cause waters to rise around your property leading to potential water damage. Water damage is destructive and can leave lasting damage on your property. If you don’t act quickly, mold growth, rust build-up, and rotting wood may permanently damage your home. Here are a few tips on how to dry your home fast after it floods.
Electrical Safety First
Take precaution before entering areas of your home with significant amounts of water. Nearby electrical units, especially furnaces, can be dangerous and must be turned off immediately to avoid personal injury. Call the power company to disconnect electricity if needed.
Drying Up the Water
Once the floodwaters clear, dry your home as quickly as possible. Start by soaking up the water with towels, buckets, or a Shop-vac. Following this, use floor fans and open all doors and fans to improve air circulation in the house.
If needed, dehumidifiers are available to remove embedded moisture in wood floors and walls. In this case, it is important to close windows so that outdoor moisture does not enter the room.
Remove House Decor
Start by placing all furniture and rugs outside to be dried by the sun. After the furniture has been removed, it is important to check the drywall around flooded areas. Drywall may need to be cut and tossed to prevent mildew and other bacteria from growing within the walls.
The source of the floodwaters, like river water, may contain sewage or other bacterial contents. Once damaged items have been removed, make sure to disinfect all surfaces with an anti-bacterial solution or with a bleach and water mix.
Sometimes the water damage to your home is overwhelming. Insulation damage behind the walls can lead to mildew and mold. Electrical wires connected to furnaces, water heaters, or gas valves may need to be replaced if not inspected properly. Call your local SERVPRO if you are in need of professional Inspection.
If you have mold or water damage, call SERVPRO at 610-546-2484to schedule a cleanup. Your SERVPRO professionals have the training, certifications, and equipment to remediate mold.
Water damage is one of the most common and costliest disasters your home can experience, costing billions of dollars annually. Safeguard your most important asset against water damage with the right insurance coverage and the following practical advice.
Water damage and insurance
Different types of water damage are insured by different types of policies.
Homeowners and renters insurance provides coverage for burst pipes, wind-driven rain, and damage resulting from ice dams on your roof. Generally speaking, water that comes from the top down—such as rainfall and burst sprinklers—is covered by a standard homeowner's policy.
Some policies cover sewer and drain backups, but many do not; however, you can purchase a sewer backup rider for your homeowners or renters coverage.
Typically, water that comes from the bottom up—such as an overflowing river—is covered by a separate flood insurance policy, which can be purchased from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and from some private insurers. If you live in a flood-prone area, learn more about appropriate coverage.
Properly maintaining a home is one of the best ways to prevent water damage from water disasters.
Prevent basement water seepage
Reseal your basement. Water in the basement is often caused by cracks in building foundations or floor slabs. If you notice water seepage after heavy rain when you've never had a problem, it may mean that your once-waterproof cement floors and basement walls have deteriorated. Painting vulnerable areas with water sealant can prevent seepage.
Make sure water drains away from the building. Seepage is exacerbated by soil that has settled in a way to make water flow toward the building. After a storm, and especially if the ground is already saturated, rainwater that flows towards the building goes down the outside of the foundation wall potentially through any cracks.
Install a backwater valve. Though less common than other causes of basement water, sewer backups are messy. Learn more about your sewer responsibilities and install and maintain a backwater valve, which allows sewage to go out, but not come back in.
Maintain and understand your indoor plumbing systems
Inspect appliance hoses and faucets. Make it a practice every year to check hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerator ice makers. You may also want to invest in a water leak monitoring and shut-off system that can alert you to any leakage issues. Immediately replace any hoses that have cracks or leaks, and replace them all every five to seven years.
Inspect showers and tubs. Check the seal and caulking around showers and tubs to make sure they are watertight and reseal if necessary.
When away on vacation, shut off the water supply to the washing machine and never leave the house while the washer or dishwasher is running.
Know the location of the main water shut-off valve in your home. A damaged hose or a burst pipe can send water racing into your home. Being able to locate and shut off the main water supply quickly will save stress, money, and time.
Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system. This will protect against the increased pressure caused by freezing pipes and can help prevent your pipes from bursting.
Check plumbing and heating pipes. Look closely for cracks and leaks and have any necessary repairs made immediately.
Repair and protect your home's exterior
Caulk and seal windows to guard against water seepage.
Inspect your roof for missing, damaged, and aging shingles and make necessary repairs.
Check your downspouts. Remove debris that may have accumulated in downspouts and rain gutters. Position downspouts so that they direct water away from the house.
Check sprinklers and irrigation systems to be sure they are not creating water damage to the walls and foundations of the house. Turn off and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes.
Install gutter guards to prevent gutter clogs and keep water flowing away from the house instead of accumulating on the roof.
Protect your possessions
Store off-season and other bulk belongings in waterproof bins, especially in areas where there are plumbing pipes or that are prone to dampness, such as basements and attics.
Never store valuables or memorabilia where there is a risk of destruction from water. Water and dampness also bring with it the threat of mold damage.
Keep belongings stored on shelving off the floor in basements. In case of water seepage or sewer backup, they're less likely to get damaged.
Keep an up-to-date home inventory. Having a comprehensive list of your possessions will save time, trouble, and stress in case of loss from water damage.
Tips for Staying Warm in a Warehouse During the Winter
Unfortunately, it’s the nature of a warehouse to be cold during the winter. With large loading doors opening and closing frequently during the day and night, it can seem nearly impossible to keep your warehouse warm during winter. Not only is this problematic from a facility management standpoint, but it can also create a less than comfortable workspace that is challenging for your workers. There are ways, however, to combat the cold in your warehouse during the winter, lower your utility bills, improve productivity, and provide a comfortable environment for your employees.
KEEPING THE WAREHOUSE WARM
During the winter, especially in colder climates, it isn’t going to be possible to keep your warehouse at a comfortable 72 degrees. Your loading bay doors will need to be open regularly, which allows cold air to come into the warehouse, keeping the temperatures low. However, there are ways that you can increase warmth in your warehouse, creating a more comfortable place to work.
Check the Doors. If the loading doors don’t need to be open all the time, make sure that they are closed. This is the easiest way to keep your warehouse at a more comfortable winter temperature. Doors that need to be open on a more constant basis can be fitted with plastic sheeting that will allow easy movement through the door, but provide some barrier from the elements outside. Before it gets too cold, it’s also a good idea to make sure that your loading area doors are well sealed. This will reduce drafts, making a better barrier for your warehouse when the doors are closed. Finally, make sure that your doors are maintained and the motors to lift the doors are functioning properly. This will reduce the likelihood that a door will get stuck open when the weather is poor.
Improve Warehouse Airflow. Airflow patterns in warehouses can be challenging. There are a lot of barriers that disrupt smooth airflow through your warehouse, and high ceilings tend to hold on to the warm air. Improving the way air moves through your warehouse can make a substantial difference in the overall climate in your facility. There are few ways that this can be accomplished.
Fans – this is a relatively inexpensive way to improve airflow in your warehouse. Using high volume low speed (HVLS) fans can help move warm air through your warehouse, and pull warm air away from the ceiling. Fans are low energy, so installing fans in your warehouse will not make a significant impact to your utility bills.
Warehouse Layout – Look at the configuration of your space. How are the shelves arranged? Do your aisles create wind tunnels? If your warehouse layout allows cold air to move easily from the doors to the rest of the building, it may be time to consider moving things around.
A Shelving Upgrade – This is probably the costliest way to improve airflow. If you have solid shelving, but could convert to low-profile wire shelving, you can greatly increase the airflow in your warehouse. These shelves aren’t practical for all warehouses, but they may be a good solution in the right facility.
More Heaters. If you find that you have spots that are constantly cold, despite making other changes, the best solution may just be adding more heaters. New radiant heaters are highly efficient and create a good amount of heat for large spaces.
Service Your HVAC System. Finally, make sure that your HVAC system is ready for the winter. Have a HVAC professional visit your facility and give your system a good tune-up and service to ensure that it is functioning as efficiently as possible.
Winter is here! With the change in seasons, people will be active both outside and indoors. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency), cooking inside is the #1 cause of house fires. Consider the following tips to ensure your family is safe!
Test Smoke Detector batteries every month
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Position barbecue grills at least 10 feet away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Never use a stove range or oven to heat your home.
Smoke Damage Cleanup
Smoke damage can leave a lasting impact on your house and make rooms unbearable to breathe in.
Before you begin cooking inside, it is important to understand the risks of smoke damage.
SERVPRO can help you eliminate smoke and fire damage professionally.
Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms and blizzards can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds. A winter storm can:
Last a few hours or several days;
Knock out heat, power, and communication services; and
Place older adults, young children, and sick individuals at greater risk.
IF YOU ARE UNDER A WINTER STORM WARNING, FIND SHELTER RIGHT AWAY
Stay off roads.
Stay indoors and dress warmly.
Prepare for power outages.
Use generators outside only and away from windows.
Listen for emergency information and alerts.
Look for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
Check on neighbors.
HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN A WINTER STORM THREATENS:
Prepare NOW
Know your area’s risk for winter storms. Extreme winter weather can leave communities without utilities or other services for long periods of time.
Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.
Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.
Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Keep the gas tank full.
Learn the signs of, and basic treatments for, frostbite and hypothermia.
Survive DURING
Stay off roads if at all possible. If trapped in your car, then stay inside.
Limit your time outside. If you need to go outside, then wear layers of warm clothing. Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use generators and grills outdoors and away from windows. Never heat your home with a gas stovetop or oven.
Reduce the risk of a heart attack. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia and begin treatment right away.
Check on neighbors. Older adults and young children are more at risk in extreme cold.
RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND
Frostbite causes loss of feeling and color around the face, fingers, and toes.
Signs: Numbness, white or grayish-yellow skin, firm or waxy skin
Actions: Go to a warm room. Soak in warm water. Use body heat to warm. Do not massage or use a heating pad.
Hypothermia is an unusually low body temperature. A temperature below 95 degrees is an emergency.
Actions: Go to a warm room. Warm the center of the body first—chest, neck, head, and groin. Keep dry and wrapped up in warm blankets, including the head and neck.
It comes as no surprise that when the temperatures drop, your home or business can experience problems that come with the cold. In this blog we want to outline 6 tips you can do to help lower your chances of coming home to a disaster!
Tip 1: Keep the Heat On!
This can be a make or break to coming home to a burst frozen pipe. Many people look to escape the winter months and go on vacations to a warmer destination. Be sure to keep your heat on when you're away! It doesn't need to be as high as it usually is, as you don't want to waste a lot of electricity when you're not at your home, so around 50º-55º F should keep those pipes warm enough.
Tip 2: Allow Faucet(s) to Drip.
If you're worried a pipe might freeze, allow your faucets to slightly drip. Allowing the faucet to be open like this will relieve pressure in the system. If a pipe freezes, it is actually the pressure that is created between the blockage and the faucet that will cause the pipe to burst. Allowing the faucet to be open will prevent this pressure from building up and thus, keep the pipe from bursting.
Tip 3: Keep Inside Doors and Cabinets Open
Pipes are often located in cabinets, like under your sink. When the temperatures drop, it is a good idea to keep these cabinet doors open so that the heat from the rest of the house can keep the pipes warm as well. You should also keep all interior doors open so that the heat can flow throughout the home.
Tip 4: Seal Cracks and Holes
You should caulk any holes or cracks that exist near pipes. This should be done on both interior and exterior walls. Doing so can help keep the cold air out and the warm air in. If you don't consider yourself a caulking extraordinaire, give SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd a call as we also have a construction side of the business and will happily walk you through the process :)
Tip 5: Apply Heating Tape
For pipes that are easily accessible, the electrical heating tape may be an option to keep them from freezing. This tape can be applied directly to the pipe. There are two types of heating tape. One type of heating tape turns on and off by itself when it senses heat is needed. The other type of heating tape needs to be plugged in when heat is needed and unplugged when not in use. Much like a space heater, these products can be dangerous, so you must follow the product’s direction and safety procedures exactly.
Tip 6: Add Extra Insulation
Pipes that are located in areas that do not have proper insulation, such as basements or attics, may need extra insulation to keep from freezing. Pipes in basements or attics are not the only ones that may not be properly insulated from the cold. If you have had a problem with pipes freezing anywhere in your home, extra insulation could be the cure.
Pipes can be fitted with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves to help decrease the chances of freezing. This can be an easy solution for pipes that are exposed but can get expensive if walls, floors or ceilings have to be opened in order to properly insulate the pipe. Additional insulation can also be added to walls and ceilings to keep the pipes warm.
There is no full proof way to prevent all pipes from getting damaged during these cold winter months, but anything you can do in advance to help prevent a disaster will always be a good bet. If you do experience any disasters this winter give us a call at (610) 667-9080, we're available 24/7!
Why you need Emergency Fire Protection Service Provider
When choosing a long-term fire protection company, it can be difficult to know what the right choice is for your facility. One thing to consider is whether the company offers emergency fire protection services. Partnering with a fire protection provider that offers 24-hour emergency service has many benefits.
Protect Your Assets, No Matter the Time of Day
If something goes wrong with your fire protection system, you will be able to call up your fire protection company to solve the problem, no matter the time of day! Emergencies can happen at any time, even in the middle of the night. If you have a pipe burst, you are not going to want to wait until morning to get it fixed and risk having water flood your building.
Unexpected Problems Happen
You can’t count on everything going smoothly all the time. Even if you are getting your fire protection systems inspected and tested on a regular basis, emergencies can still occur. If you have a pipe burst, alarm set off, leaking sprinklers, or a sprinkler freeze-up, you’ll want a fire protection service provider that can help address these issues.
Familiarity with System and Facility
In an emergency, you’ll want the situation addressed as quickly and efficiently as possible. When your long-term fire protection provider is also the company you call for emergency service, they will already be familiar with your system and facility.
Service Even on Holidays
Your fire protection system does not wait until it’s a convenient time to start causing problems. If your system needs attention on a holiday, an emergency fire protection provider can address the issue. The holiday season often brings cold and snowy weather. It is during the winter when your fire sprinkler systems can freeze up. If your system freezes up, you’ll want it to get attention right away, even if it’s during the holidays!
Peace of Mind with 24 Hour Support
When you choose to work with a fire protection contractor that offers 24-hour emergency service, you will have peace of mind knowing who you should call if something goes wrong with your fire protection system.
When it comes to fire safety, high rise buildings have additional challenges that are not found in low rise buildings. In high rises, the time it takes to exit a building is longer, the number of people in the building is higher, and fire department accessibility may be more difficult.
Keeping Building Occupants Safe
If you live or work in a high-rise building, there are some safety measures you should take in order to stay safe during a fire. When choosing somewhere to live, be sure that you select a building that is fully sprinkler. Ask your landlord about the fire protection systems the building has including sprinklers, fire alarms, and voice communication.
You should make sure that you know the locations of all available stairs and exit routes that you can take to evacuate the building. During a fire in a high-rise, the time to evacuate is limited so being prepared and knowing the exit routes is very important.
High Rise Fire Sprinklers
High-rise sprinkler systems are often required to have fire sprinkler systems installed. Fire sprinklers can be installed in newly constructed buildings or retrofitted into an existing building. Having a fire sprinkler in your building save lives in the event of a fire. Sprinklers can limit the amount of damage that the fire can cause, and they prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building which is very crucial in a high-rise.
Fire sprinklers in high-rise buildings must be well maintained and inspected regularly. If a fire sprinkler system is not working properly, it can have devastating consequences for the property and the people inside. Inspections and testing of high-rise sprinklers can help make sure the sprinklers are ready to protect the building from a fire.
High Rise Alarm Systems
Fire alarm systems, with the addition of voice communication, are an important addition to any high rise fire protection system. Fire alarm systems will alert occupants of a fire so they have time to evacuate. Time is invaluable in high-rise fires, especially for people who are on higher floors, where it takes extra time to exit the building. Make sure that alarm systems are up to code and inspected regularly. An alarm system that is not working can lead to a loss of lives.
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM: PREPARING YOUR ROOF AGAINST HAILSTORMS
While the Spring season in Texas equals great temperature and fun outdoorsy activities, consider yourself warned. March begins the yearly hail season—ice as big as golf balls wreak havoc by causing leaky roofs, dented siding, and accidents if you’re caught outside during a storm.
NOAA’s Severe Storms database records over 5,396 major hail storms by last year, 2019. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Storm Prediction Center, National Weather Service, Texas ranks first at the Top Five States By Number Of Major Hail Events. For hail-prone areas, it’s best to be ready for any circumstances that could happen.
Once the storm starts, there is pretty much nothing you can do except to stay inside. It’s safer to double-check everything beforehand, including the things that you can minimize damage to. Safe-proof your home before hail season starts and take precautions that could help lessen the damages.
For everyone’s safety, stay indoors. Pay attention to weather reports to be prepared and shop for groceries, flashlights, and batteries. Close your doors and windows and stay away because of the risks of flying glass.
GUTTER CHECK!
Drains and gutters could easily be filled by fallen leaves, debris from trees, and hailstones. They stop water flow due to clogging and cause damage due to the lack of proper drainage. As a solution, drain these areas. Keep your gutters free from debris that could cause water to back up and potentially cause leaks in the future. This is to ensure that water could drain normally.
MAINTAIN YOUR LAWN.
Amid a really bad hail storm, branches and plants can pose a threat to your home. Tree branches could hit your windows and shutter glass. For safety reasons, trim tree and shrub branches that could potentially cause extensive damage to your property. Maintaining your lawn helps eliminate risks of the upcoming storm.
TAKE YOUR STUFF INDOORS.
Branches and shrubs aren’t the only things that pose a threat against your windows. If possible, take your outdoor furniture and decoration indoors to avoid them becoming hailstone targets and projectiles.
A HAND IN REPAIRS: YOUR INSURANCE POLICY.
After the storm and the damage has been done, check in with your insurance company before authorizing repair work needed. Document the damages and call the company as soon as possible.
INSPECT YOUR ROOF (DO IT PERSONALLY, OR GET A SECOND OPINION).
Before anything else, contacting a professional roofing company to inspect your roof and prepare you against the future dangers of the storm might be better.
Your roof protects you against heavy rain and the scorching sun. It also protects you against hailstones. As it is everyone’s first line of defense against the hail season, repairs are a must. Make sure to inspect your roof regularly. Check for loose or missing shingles and have them repaired as soon as possible to prevent future problems. Loose shingles could cause possible leaking due to the upcoming hail season. If there are small dents in the area, have them inspected. Or consider improving your current option to a material that’s much more resistant.
Why You Should Hire a Professional to Find Your Leaks
Whenever you have a problem with your home, the first impulse is usually to tackle the problem yourself. Sometimes this can be the right choice, and the problem’s easy enough to solve on your own. Other times it’s much safer and smarter to call in the pros from the beginning.
Tracking down tricky leaks is one of those times. Sure, some leaks are easy to track down, but water has a way of traveling odd paths. So once finding a leak gets tough, then it’s time to call in some help. And here’s why:
They Know Where to Look
Water can travel strange paths before it finally comes out into your home, and you might be surprised how far it can come. That discolored spot on your basement ceiling could actually be caused by a leak in your roof or your wall on the opposite side of the house.
Professionals have tracked down hundreds, even thousands of leaks over the years. That experience gives them a wide variety of usual suspects to check, and a good number of unusual ones, too.
They Know What to Look For
That slight, turquoise line along your copper pipe? That’s where water has run along the outside and caused the copper to oxidize. It’s a sure sign that a leak is sending water traveling on the wrong side of the pipes.
Pros know these and dozens of other signs. What looks like a bit of dirt to you might indicate a serious leak in your roof, foundation, or wall. Or it might just be some dirt. A professional will be able to know the difference for certain.
They’ve Got the Right Equipment
Most of us can only use our eyes or sense of touch to lead us to water, but not the professionals. They have a wide variety of specialized equipment that can sense moisture and humidity through walls or probe underground for water deposits using ground-penetrating radar.
This equipment can be expensive to buy and tricky to use. They have years of experience using the equipment, and know-how to put it to good use.
They Know How to Fix It
Once a professional has found the leak, they’ll know the best way to fix the leak, and will usually be able to take care of the work themselves. The truth is, any professional who comes to repair the leak will have to track it down anyway, even if you have a good idea where the leak is.
By using a professional in the first place, you remove that step from the process, saving you money and getting the leak repaired sooner.
Man working on Blueprints in a goverment building.
Government buildings need fire protection to protect lives and property. Whether it is a library, military grounds, courthouse, or postal center, the government building should have systems installed and in proper condition. Having a properly functioning fire protection system can help avoid disruptions and protect important property.
What fire protection systems are used in government buildings?
The type of government facility will dictate what fire protection systems may be required. Some fire protection systems for government buildings include:
Fire sprinkler systems – Sprinkler systems are one of the best ways to protect your facility from a fire. They are highly effective at controlling fires.
Clean agent fire suppression – Government buildings with historical archives, computer rooms, or valuable assets may need clean agent fire suppression systems to protect against fires without the risk of fire damage.
Foam fire suppression – Government aircraft hangers need foam fire suppression systems to protect against hazardous fuel.
Fire alarm systems – Alarm systems are necessary in government buildings to alert building occupants of a fire so they can safely evacuate.
Exit signs and emergency lighting – Emergency lighting and exit signs allow people to safely exit a building when there is a fire.
Fire extinguishers – Government buildings should have fire extinguishers placed throughout the building so that small fires can be controlled before they grow too large.
Water damage can be a significant problem for a business owner. Unfortunately, many business owners don't know how to handle this type of property damage. However, learning more about the issue can empower you to take the steps necessary to get your commercial property back in pristine condition
Water Damage Basics
Some of the possible causes of water damage:
Poor Ventilation
Leaking Pipes
Excessive Condensation
High Humidity
Damp Utility Closets
Roof Leaks
Damp Carpets
Flooding
Fire Sprinklers
Once a water damage has transpired on your property, you'll need to determine the following three things: Where the water came from? What is the extent of the damage? How long has the devastation been in place?
Now it's time to get the right team.
When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. SERVPRO® of Overbrook/Wynnefield professionals respond immediately and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. They closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly.
Your commercial property’s appearance speaks volumes to your clients. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, SERVPRO® professionals have the training and expertise to help make it “Like it never even happened.” With over 1,700 Franchises nationwide, there’s a SERVPRO® expert nearby and ready to serve you.
Locally Owned Company with National Resources As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO® of Overbrook/Wynnefield is strategically located to respond quickly to your water emergency event. We have been serving the Bradenton community for over 25 years! Call us SERVPRO® of Overbrook/Wynnefield at 215-877-6653.
Rain can be unpredictable enough, but when storm damage is involved it can make matters even more complicated. In fact, a local office building experienced just that. Through the holiday season, they were closed for business and did not discover the damage from the rain until the office manager returned two days later.
When she and the rest of the staff saw that every inch of the carpet was soaked and files in cardboard boxes have been saturated, they began to panic. When we arrived on the scene, we let them know everything was going to be okay. Our production team began to extract water immediately from the wet carpet while the production manager measured what areas were wet and which were dry in the corners. After thoroughly checking for moisture, extracting all water and drying for a few days, we were able to save the carpet, saving the office and property manager hundreds of dollars.
If you have water damage due to a recent storm, let our office help! Give us a call at 215-877-6653 to schedule an inspection today. Our team is standing by and would be happy to help.
During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
Specialized Training
We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:
Kitchen/Food Areas
Bathrooms
Schools/Classrooms
Offices
Retail Spaces
Water Fountains
Shelving/Racks
Sales Counters
Carpets and Rugs
Stair Handrails
Elevator Cars
Playground Equipment
Fitness Equipment
Specialized Products
The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.
Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning
If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd at 610-667-9080
The IICRC explains why Fire Restoration is important after experiencing a fire in your home or business. When a home or business owner prolong the restoration of their home or business after a fire, they extend the effects brought on by the smoke and soot exposure. Professional restoration technicians know that damage increases and restoration costs escalate the longer neutralization, corrosion control and cleaning are delayed. The following is a timeline provided by the IICRC of the effects of fire and smoke on a home.
Within Minutes: Acid soot residues cause plastics to yellow and can cause small appliances located close to the source to discolor in addition highly porous materials like marble may discolor permanently.
Within Hours: Acid residues stain grout in bathrooms while fiberglass bath fixtures may yellow and uncoated metals tarnish, counter tops may yellow and finishes on appliances, particularly refrigerators, may yellow in addition furniture finishes may discolor.
Within Days: acid residues may cause painted walls to yellow permanently and metal can corrode, pit and rust; wood furniture may require refinishing while vinyl flooring may require replacement; clothing can become soot stained and upholstery stains may be stained permanently.
Within Weeks: Restoration costs escalate quickly. Synthetic carpet fibers may yellow or discolor permanently while silver plate can be corroded permanently in addition glass, crystal and china may require replacement due to severe etching caused by prolonged exposure to acid soot residues.
Cleaning up soot residue must be done as quickly as possible. The IICRC explains that during combustion, soot residue and volatile vapors are carried by rising and expanding air to surfaces throughout a structure, and are then deposited onto structural surfaces in the home or business. This process occurs repeatedly until combustion ends, during which soot residue continues building up on surfaces layer by layer. This can make the soot very difficult to remove once restoration technicians arrive on site.
When a fire or water damage emergency happens will you be READY? None of us like to consider that we will become victims of a water or fire damage disaster. Unfortunately, it could and inevitably will happen to each of us either at our home or at our place of business. It’s extremely important to know what to do in the event of an emergency. As leaders in the Fire and Water Damage Restoration Industry, SERVPRO is here to help you prepare for an emergency before it happens by offering to assist you with creating an ERP.
What is an ERP?
An ERP stands for an Emergency Ready Program. It is a no-cost readiness plan designed to help home and business owners recover from a disaster faster, which leads to lower recovery costs. Make sure you’re ready and not ruined with our Emergency Ready Program.
Contact our office today for more details on how to get started creating your own ERP.
Chances are you don't clean your coffee maker as often as you should. In fact, 50 percent of these household machines contain yeast and mold, according to one survey. That makes it more germ-infested than your average bathroom faucet handle.
To make sure you don't drink up any of the germs or coliform bacteria this appliance has been known to grow, we asked Caolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute of Home Appliances & Cleaning Lab, how to keep your machine clean and your coffee tasting great. It's essential to follow these three rules:
1. Wash removable parts with dish soap after every use.
"This is important because it helps remove coffee, grinds and oil that are left behind," said Forte. "You can hand-wash at the sink with warm and soapy water, but usually, the pieces are dishwasher-safe. And don't forget to wipe down the outside and the warming plate where spills can burn on." She also recommends leaving the reservoir's lid open so it can dry out completely after each use — germs love moisture!
2. De-calcify your machine every month with vinegar.
Over time, hard water minerals can build up in your machine's inner workings, and you may notice that your coffee takes longer to drip. To get things back in tip-top shape, you need to cleanse and de-calcify the machine. Forte's trick: good ole reliable white vinegar.
Fill the reservoir with equal parts vinegar and water and place a paper filter into the machine's empty basket. Position the pot in place and "brew" the solution halfway. Turn off the machine and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, turn the coffee maker back on, finish the brewing and dump the full pot of vinegar and water. Rinse everything out by putting in a new paper filter and brewing a full pot of clean water. Repeat once.
3. Make your carafe sparkle again with rice.
You should always wash your carafe after each use, but if it's looking dingy over time, fill it with warm, sudsy water and a little rice. Swirl the mixture to loosen any gunk. Use a scrub sponge to remove debris and rinse well.
Preparing For The Last of Winter Weather This Season
Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms and blizzards can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds. A winter storm can:
Last a few hours or several days;
Knock out heat, power, and communication services; and
Place older adults, young children, and sick individuals at greater risk.
IF YOU ARE UNDER A WINTER STORM WARNING, FIND SHELTER RIGHT AWAY
Stay off roads.
Stay indoors and dress warmly.
Prepare for power outages.
Use generators outside only and away from windows.
Listen for emergency information and alerts.
Look for signs of hypothermia and frostbite.
Check on neighbors.
HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN A WINTER STORM THREATENS:
Prepare NOW
Know your area’s risk for winter storms. Extreme winter weather can leave communities without utilities or other services for long periods of time.
Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups.
Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights.
Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Keep the gas tank full.
Learn the signs of, and basic treatments for, frostbite and hypothermia.
Heavy thunderstorms are known to cause flooding both inside and outside of the house. Here are a few tips of what to do if your house has flooded during this storm season.
What To Do After Flooding
Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
Turn on the air conditioning for maximum drying during the summer months.
Remove art objects to a safe, dry place and remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
Gather loose items from the floor.
What NOT To Do After Flooding
Do not leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
Don’t leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
Don’t use your household vacuum to remove the water.
Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet and avoid being in rooms where the ceilings are sagging.
Do not use the your television or other household appliances.
According to the US Fire Administration, nearly 2,900 residential fires are caused by dryers, and 34% of those fires are likely caused by a lint fire, meaning a failure to maintain or clean the appliance. Therefore, dryer fires can be prevented, and the best way to ensure your safety from these appliance disasters is to follow the three keys of ownership.
Proper installation Routine cleaning Inspection and maintenance
A dryer fire can occur because of poor installation. A professional installer will ensure that all electrical components are correctly connected and that all plugs and outlets are compatible. Also, while using a third party installer is wise, you should also make sure you read all the manufacturer's warnings and instructions before use.
If you fail to clean your dryer regularly, then you are putting yourself and your family at risk of a lint fire. To prevent such an issue, you need to not only clear the lint filter but ensure that lint is removed from any other likely areas. For example, you can develop a lint buildup in the back of the dryer at the exhaust connection. Also, lint can buildup in the vent pipe. For any difficult cleaning call on a professional.
Inspection and Maintenance
Most remediation companies and other appliance repair professionals in St Michael, MN recommend performing routine checks on dryers, typically every three to six months. These inspections should cover the cleaning, testing and possibly replacing of integral components.
If you are in the market for a new dryer or are concerned about the possibility of a dryer or lint fire, then follow the advice above. Dryer fires are often preventable fires. Therefore, ensure that they are correctly installed, cleaned regularly and inspected every three to six months. Your home does not have to become a part of the statistics. Be an educated appliance owner.
Fire Restoration Often Includes Water Damage Cleanup
Being prepared in case of a fire in your Eastern Main Line, PA business is key for the safety of everyone onsite as well as keeping damage to a minimum. After following proper fire protocols, the next step is fire cleanup. Along with that, water cleanup will likely be part of the process.
Extinguishing the Flames Leaves Water Behind
Although smoke cleanup and rummaging through burnt items is to be expected after a fire, many may forget the massive amounts of water required to extinguish the flames. Depending on the extent of the fire, it could result in more water cleanup than expected. The main water damage concerns include:
Wood Damage – Floors, furniture and other items made from wood quickly soak up water. As it retains the water, buckling and other damage can take root. Items severely damaged will likely need to be replaced.
Ceilings – Along with inspecting for any fire damage to the structure of the building, ceilings with water damage will need to be repaired immediately.
Drywall – The walls of a building often take the brunt of both fire and water issues. If they made it unscathed from the flames, there could still be hidden water issues. Any areas affected will need to be replaced to avoid further deterioration and mold growth.
Electrical – Water can find its way into electrical equipment and outlets without being detected. A close inspection of all electrical components should be conducted.
Count On Professional Help
Lingering water left unattended can cause big problems long after the fire has taken place. A water damage specialist has the expertise to properly dry, clean and restore your business back to new. Along with repairing physical issues, they can also help with the restoration of items such as documents, furniture, paintings and more. While you might not be expecting water cleanup after a fire, it’s important to make sure water damage doesn’t go unchecked. Getting the right help can help get your business back to normal.
When dealing with water damage in your home or place of business, there are different types, or classifications of water that we can use. Using this classification system, we can determine what health risks are associated with the water, and properly prepare bringing with us all necessary safety equipment and uniforms. In this blog article we are going to focus on three types: Clean, Gray, and Black water.
Clean Water: This is water that does not contain contaminants. It includes broken water lines, malfunctioning appliances, toilets holding tanks, snow melt and rainwater. Overtime however, clean water can progress and become gray water within 48 hours, if left untreated.
Gray Water: Gray water does contain slight chemical or biological contaminants, and may pose a health risk. Gray water can discharge from dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, showers, aquariums and waterbeds, or come from a clean water source that leaked through a ceiling. It can also be clean water that was left untreated (and became gray water). Gray water can also progress to the next stage (Black Water) if left untreated within 48 hours.
Black Water: This water is a health risk as it is highly contaminated. Black water is presumed to contain multiple potentially harmful contaminants including fungi, bacteria, chemicals, viruses, and more. Black Water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding, or any type of natural disaster. Black water should always be treated by a trained and certified professional.
For any type of water damage, it is always best to treat it quickly so as to avoid further contamination and risk mold growth. There can be many dangers associated with attempting to clean water damage on your own. If ever you spot any type of water in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Overbrook/Wynnefield. We are faster to any size disaster and will have our highly trained team over to your house or place of business within the hour! Remember, its best to not wade into any unknown water source without the proper protection. Give us a call 24/7 at (215) 877-6653
SERVPRO of Overbrook/Wynnefield is an IICRC certified firm.
Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:
Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.
If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.
A water damage can be devastatingly stressful to a homeowner. You can feel helpless and overwhelmed. Although calling a professional is the first step we always recommend, there are some things you can do to help reduce the damage while you wait for professionals to arrive.
DO:
Shut off the water source if possible
Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the home or building
Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping or blotting with towels
Remove lamps and other tabletop items and wipe wood furniture with a towel
Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying
Place foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet flooring
Remove any paintings, electronics or anything else that is sensitive to moisture and put in a dry area of the house
Taking the above steps can really help decrease the amount of damage to your home after a water leak. There are also a few practices that you should avoid after a water damage, because they can cause more damage or harm to yourself or your family.
DON’T:
Enter rooms with standing water where electric shock hazard may exist, such as when electric outlets, switches or circuit breakers are exposed to water
Leave books, newspapers or other colored items on wet carpet or furniture
Leave wet oriental rugs or other colored rugs on carpeting
Use household vacuum cleaner to remove water because risk of electric shock
Use TV’s or other electrical appliances while standing on wet floor
Turn on ceiling fan in rooms where the ceiling is wet
Enter a room where ceiling is wet and sagging
Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily throughout the house
Use personal fans if the water in the home is contaminated
The most important “do” is to call a professional, trained water mitigation specialist such as SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd at (610) 667-9080.
Some Eastern Main Line/ Bala Cynwyd businesses survive water damage with only minor issues. Other damages risk the ruining of specialized machinery and extensive stores of raw materials and finished products. Finding a restoration company that is willing to learn about the challenges your industry faces from water damage is the key to recovery.
Your family business boasts several generations of satisfied customers, and you now need help to keep water damage from destroying this history and disappointing clients. A water main burst and gallons of water threaten to ruin your machines and your extensive inventory. Our fast-acting team of water damage experts commits to walking you through every step of the process from waterlogged to dry and restored for both the structure and contents of your shop.
SERVPRO crews arrive to assess the situation and plan for the recovery as soon as possible. We outfit our vehicles with truck-mounted pumps and water extractors, allowing our technicians to begin water removal immediately, even if the power is off. Your equipment poses a risk of electric shock until the area dries, so our ability to evacuate the water without using your power sources is crucial.
Advanced training in material management supports the ability of our crews to pack out your inventory quickly and with an accurate listing that identifies what we moved. We store supplies, and your paperwork either in a dry area of your building or offsite if water damage is pervasive. Throughout the process, we maintain an evidence chain so you can reconstruct customer orders and provide documentation for your insurance company. Our training in drying technologies helps us advise which materials respond to drying and what items may need to be discarded.
Electronic and other equipment needs expert evaluation before it can be cleared for future operation. SERVPRO works with professionals who are trained to determine whether and how water damaged equipment specific to your industry can be dried successfully. We then take all steps necessary to reach that result.
While decisions are reached on your inventory and equipment, other members of the SERVPRO team work to dry out the structure of your business. Air movers and dehumidifiers achieve the drying goals after the standing water is removed, with constant moisture monitoring guiding the duration.
The technicians from SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/ Bala Cynwyd work persistently to restore your business after unexpected water damage. Call us at (610) 667-9080 to get our team in place and on task.
It comes as no surprise that when the temperatures drop, your home or business can experience problems that come with the cold. In this blog we want to outline 6 tips you can do to help lower your chances of coming home to a disaster!
Tip 1: Keep the Heat On!
This can be a make or break to coming home to a burst frozen pipe. Many people look to escape the winter months and go on vacations to a warmer destination. Be sure to keep your heat on when you're away! It doesn't need to be as high as it usually is, as you don't want to waste a lot of electricity when you're not at your home, so around 50º-55º F should keep those pipes warm enough.
Tip 2: Allow Faucet('s) to Drip.
If you're worried a pipe might freeze, allow your faucets to slightly drip. Allowing the faucet to be open like this will relieve pressure in the system. If a pipe freezes, it is actually the pressure that is created between the blockage and the faucet that will cause the pipe to burst. Allowing the faucet to be open will prevent this pressure from building up and thus, keep the pipe from bursting.
Tip 3: Keep Inside Doors and Cabinets Open
Pipes are often located in cabinets, like under your sink. When the temperatures drop, it is a good idea to keep these cabinet doors open so that the heat from the rest of the house can keep the pipes warm as well. You should also keep all interior doors open so that the heat can flow throughout the home.
Tip 4: Seal Cracks and Holes
You should caulk any holes or cracks that exist near pipes. This should be done on both interior and exterior walls. Doing so can help keep the cold air out and the warm air in. If you don't consider yourself a caulking extraordinaire, give SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd a call as we also have a construction side of the business and will happily walk you through the process :)
Tip 5: Apply Heating Tape
For pipes that are easily accessible, the electrical heating tape may be an option to keep them from freezing. This tape can be applied directly to the pipe. There are two types of heating tape. One type of heating tape turns on and off by itself when it senses heat is needed. The other type of heating tape needs to be plugged in when heat is needed and unplugged when not in use. Much like a space heater, these products can be dangerous, so you must follow the product’s direction and safety procedures exactly.
Tip 6: Add Extra Insulation
Pipes that are located in areas that do not have proper insulation, such as basements or attics, may need extra insulation to keep from freezing. Pipes in basements or attics are not the only ones that may not be properly insulated from the cold. If you have had a problem with pipes freezing anywhere in your home, extra insulation could be the cure.
Pipes can be fitted with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves to help decrease the chances of freezing. This can be an easy solution for pipes that are exposed but can get expensive if walls, floors or ceilings have to be opened in order to properly insulate the pipe. Additional insulation can also be added to walls and ceilings to keep the pipes warm.
There is no full proof way to prevent all pipes from getting damaged during these cold winter months, but anything you can do in advance to help prevent a disaster will always be a good bet. If you do experience any disasters this winter give us a call at (610) 667-9080, we're available 24/7!
In 2019, we have been experiencing a pretty mild winter so far. There have been a few frigid days but there have also been a couple days where we almost hit 60 degrees! This doesn't seem quite normal but we are not complaining. One thing a mild winter means is more rain. After a summer that was noted for its high rain falls, many of our yards are very saturated with water. When the soil is already saturated it makes it more likely that your basement will flood after another rain storm. The rain can travel more fluidly through this saturated soil so this is what causes the flooding. At SERVPRO, we make it "Like it never even happened." Call SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd at 610-667-9080 when you have a flood!
Tips for Dealing With the Aftermath of a Business Fire
A hot fire that gains momentum can leave a building in ruins with virtually nothing left to save. In many cases a fire is stopped before it leaps out of control; this often results in many items that can be saved and restored. A partial fire loss leaves the business owner with a lot of decisions about what steps to take to save money, to speed up recovery and to cleanup the mess. Contacting a professional fire remediation service is Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd is a good first step.
An Inspection Is Critical
A thorough inspection by experienced technicians is the quickest way to know where you stand and to gauge the level of fire loss. The inspection should cover the following areas of your business:
The structural integrity of your roof
The extent of smoke damage in the building
The condition of the walls and flooring
The state of electrical and computer systems
The functionality of the heating and plumbing systems
For insurance purposes all of the damage should be documented. It's also important to file a timely claim and to understand your policy and your rights. Don't settle for work that is shoddy, that does not match the original and that does not address hidden damages such as soot, water and smoke damage.
A Good Cleanup Is Essential
A stellar fire restoration process will proceed quickly and restore items that can be cleaned of odors and grime. A reputable remediation team will have advanced equipment and a variety of cleaning techniques to get your building back in shape. The company will take the guess work out of what can be saved and what should be thrown away and bought new. In many cases, clothes and upholstery can be restored to excellent condition again. The fire loss might not be as extensive as originally thought.
If you run or own a business, getting an ERP from SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd would be a highly intelligent choice to make. An ERP is an emergency response plan and lets our franchise know what you want us to do when you suffer a fire or water loss. This could be crucial in saving your property from more damage. Information included in this emergency plan is contact names like plumbers and emergency contacts, where we should park, plan of action, etc. The best part about our ERP's is the fact that they are a free service we provide for all of our customers! Please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd at 610-667-9080 today to get your ERP!
In the event of a rain storm, flooding could occur anywhere at any time. We never really know exactly when the next weather event could happen. This means it is important to prepare for this before it happens. ERP's (emergency ready plan) are one way businesses can prepare for water or fire losses. Regardless, if a water loss occurs at your business give SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd a call at 610-667-9080 to receive fast and professional work. We understand the importance of getting businesses back up and running ASAP because that is money and time that can not be made up. You never know if you are going to experience an emergency loss, so ask yourself, is it better to be ready or not?
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd is IICRC Certified
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.
IICRC Certified Firms must
• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry
The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.
Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.
About SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
For Immediate Service Call SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.
24-Hour Emergency Service
Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
Locally Owned and Operated
Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment
Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 610-667-9080
Residential Services
Whether your Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:
Water Damage Restoration
Fire Damage Restoration
Mold Remediation
Storm Damage Restoration
Cleaning Services
Building/Reconstruction Services
Commercial Services
There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.
The official high in Philadelphia on Monday, 60, fell short of the daily record, but the weather did quite a decent impersonation of April, and forecasters say February won’t act much like itself until the weekend — at the earliest.
Daytime readings will be well above averages through the workweek, and it’s at least possible that the thermometer makes a run at 60 again Thursday night or early Friday. Overnight lows Tuesday and Wednesday will be above the average daytime highs. And rain, maybe lots of it, is in the forecast for Tuesday through Friday.
Punxsutawney Phil, the prognosticating rodent, might be on to something. In case you missed it, he failed to see his shadow on Sunday, the folklore harbinger of an early spring.
Computer models are saying not so fast, suggesting hints of at least a modest transition to winter during the second half of the weekend and perhaps later in the month. Temperatures on Saturday will be close to where they should be, with highs in the lower 40s.
The blitz began on a Friday evening, and it didn’t waste any time accumulating in the yards and on the roads. But perhaps even more astonishing than the 28.5 inches measured officially was the fact that a piggyback mega-snowstorm was right in its wake.
By the time all the snow stopped, 44.3 inches had fallen on Philadelphia — more in some places nearby — in 5½ days, from Feb. 5 to 11, 2010. The other 34.4 inches that fell that season would by itself have finished among the top 20 snowiest winters in Philadelphia, which for one season mutated into Syracuse, N.Y.
This winter? It might be a therapy dog situation for snow-lovers.
“They’re hurting puppies,” said Louis W. Uccellini, head of the National Weather Service, an acknowledged snow-lover, and one of the nation’s leading authorities on winter storms.
If nothing else, the 0.3 inches that have fallen this season underscore the folly of trying to predict precisely how much snow will fall in a given winter. Snowfall along the I-95 corridor is about as predictable as the average boss’ behavior.
Seasonal snow forecasting would be so much easier if the big ones, which can make all the difference in winter totals, were periodic, said Uccellini, but they are “inherently episodic.”
And if not rare, at the very least they have been more than unusual. In their Northeast Snowstorms, Uccellini and meteorologist Paul Kocin identified just 35 major storms along the Washington-Boston corridor over a 40-year period.
Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast notwithstanding, the winter of 2019-20 indisputably has been a shadow of itself. And the higher-order mammals who forecast the weather say it is unlikely to change for the foreseeable future.
In fact, it might be time to issue an “Amber Alert” for winter, Judah Cohen, a scientist with Atmospheric and Environmental Research in Massachusetts, suggested Thursday.
All winter, models have consistently been cold, behaving something like the SEPTA app on a snowy day: When you get to the station its says the train is three minutes late, then five, then 20. Then the train is canceled.
Recently, weather has been very mild. Almost like we only had a miniature winter somewhere in the January month. Now that it's March, we don't expect the warmth to disappear. We suppose Punxsutawney Phil’s forecast was indeed correct!
Commercial Properties Seeing Steady Growth in 2020
ARLINGTON, VA -- Property values in Arlington, both commercial and residential, continued a steady climb into 2020, according to an a county press release. The total assessed value of all commercial and residential property grew by 4.6 percent, compared to 3.5 percent last year.
The value of commercial properties had the greater increase at 4.9 percent overall, compared to a 4.3 percent increase for residential properties.
Arlington splits its real estate tax base almost equally between commercial (49 percent) and residential (51 percent) property assessments. In 2019, 57 percent of all county revenues came from real estate taxes.
About 85 percent of Arlington residential property owners saw an increase to the assessed value of their homes, while the rest saw a drop in value or no change. The average home value, including townhouse, condominiums and detached homes, is $686,300.
The county credits the increase in commercial property values to the decline in office vacancies, new construction, growing rental property demand and leasing-activity related to Amazon's new headquarters.
Arlington County mailed assessments to property owners on Friday, Jan. 17, and posted assessment information online at 11 a.m. The 2020 assessments are based on an estimate of fair market value as of Jan. 1, 2020.
WESTPORT - A TV at a commercial property on Bluff Point started a fire that extended inside the wall of the building.
The call came in around 7:30 p.m. Monday.
The initial dispatch was for Engine 4, Engine 2, Truck 1 and the Shift Commander.
Assistant Chief Brian Meadow said in a release when Engine 4 arrived, firefighters were met by a property representative who stated seeing flames through a window on the second floor and using a fire extinguisher.
“Crews made entry and found evidence that the TV fire had extended to the wall of the structure. Members from E4 and E2 worked together to stretch a 300-foot attack line while the Truck Company opened the wall to check for extension and shut off power to the building.”
Engine 5 and Engine 6 were added to the assignment as well as mutual aid from Fairfield and Norwalk.
“The fire was confined to the wall in the area of the TV with no other extension,” Meadows said.
The Westport Fire Marshal’s office was on scene to investigate the cause of the fire.
Additionally Westport EMS and Eversource responded to the scene.
The scene was turned over to the property manager. The last Fire Department unit cleared at 9:01 p.m.
To sprinkle or not to sprinkle, that is the question.
The Payson Town Council on Jan. 9 pondered whether to require firefighting sprinklers in new buildings larger than 4,800 square feet at its second hearing on changes in the building code.
The first update of the town codes since 2014 provoked little debate until the subject turned to sprinklers.
The Payson Fire Department has argued that adding sprinklers to structures over 4,800 square feet will help save lives and property.
“To make an aggressive attack and hold the fire damage ... without fire sprinklers it is much less than we could save in those occupancies,” said Battalion Chief Dan Bramble.
Research supports his claim.
But council member Steve Smith reminded everyone of the cost to install and then maintain the sprinklers outweighs their value.
“It is an economic issue as well,” he said.
Questions quickly drenched the council.
Smith said he had received a call from a contractor who had worried the sprinklers would do more damage than a fire.
“Over the last decade in his construction business, more work has been done to repair sprinkler systems with a failed fire suppression system ... than has been to address fire damage,” said Smith.
Realtor Wendy Larchick agreed. In January 2011, 22 homes in Chaparral Pines and The Rim Club had leaks from failed sprinkler systems because of a hard freeze.
“I can’t even imagine the millions of dollars in claims that resulted from that,” she said.
In all her years working in Rim Country real estate, fires have done less damage than sprinkler leaks, she said.
“If it was my choice, I would choose not to put a fire sprinkler system in my home,” she said.
Chandler Insurance owner Bill Maze agrees with Larchick after 28 years in the insurance business.
He said you can add chemicals to the water to keep the pipes from freezing, but if the system fails the chemicals are “messy and costly to clean up,” said Maze.
It would be a “nice feature” if they properly maintained the sprinkler systems as part of a network residential fire sprinkler system. Otherwise, Maze estimated maintaining an individual sprinkler system costs thousands of dollars.
“Unfortunately, the cost outweighs the benefit,” he said.
However, the research tells a different story — especially if you factor in the lives saved.
The economists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology crunched numbers on the value of sprinklers, based on 30 years of data.
The 2005 study estimated a 3,300-square-foot house would only pay a few thousand dollars to install the system. Current dollars put installation at $2 per square foot.
Installing sprinklers reduced property damage by 32 percent. That included actual property and indirect costs such as lost wages or temporary housing and food costs, in addition to child care costs, emotional counseling, legal expenses and travel.
NIST did not factor in the loss of lives.
In case of a fire, a home with a sprinkler system and a fire alarm reduced civilian fatalities by 100%.
Injuries dropped by 57%.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates the nation’s 350,000 home fires each year kill an average of 2,620 civilians.
Payson Fire Chief David Staub said the top priority should be saving the lives of both homeowners and firefighters.
Staub spoke about the need for sprinklers during the December council meeting, but sent Bramble in his stead for the Jan. 9 meeting.
The Rim Country doesn’t have enough on-duty firefighters at any one moment to fight a large structure fire, said Bramble.
“We are worried about controlling the fire,” he said.
Not only would an out-of-control structure fire threaten occupants, but their neighbors.
The discussion left the council with much to consider before they vote on the building codes at an upcoming meeting.
From frigid temperatures and piles of snow to burst pipes and icy sidewalks, danger can lurk around every corner of a Chicago apartment property during winter. But, with some advance planning and a focus on prevention, property managers can get through the winter season without incident.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, based on claims data from 2014 through 2018, three of the top five causes of insurance claims for commercial properties were water and freezing damage, fire and slips and falls. Clearly, here in Chicago and in other metros with severe winter weather, lack of due care on the part of a property manager could lead to injury from any one of these causes. But preparation gives managers the greatest chances of succeeding when things go wrong.
Here’s what property managers need to avoid doing in order to keep both apartment residents and the asset itself safe during the winter.
1. Don’t get caught unprepared
Managers must be proactive and have a plan in place well before bad weather hits. That plan should cover, at a minimum, snow and ice removal, roof safety, what to do in case of a power outage, smoke detector maintenance and the use of space heaters by residents who want temperatures toastier than usual. Even Christmas trees could become a fire hazard if they are allowed to dry inside a unit, so policies should be in place to handle those as well.
But a plan is worthless unless team members receive training on implementation, so staff should be educated on all aspects of maintaining the property—even basics such as the location of utility shut-offs. And, of course, all preventive maintenance on the building—the boiler, plumbing systems, roofs, gutters, etc. —should be completed by August or September each year.
One last tip: Make sure you have enough ice melt on hand at the beginning of the season and that all snowplow contracts are in place by the end of September each year.
2. Don’t keep residents in the dark
Communication with residents is essential and a two-way street. Management must be able to reach residents, even if there is a power outage, and residents need to be able to contact management in case of emergency or even if they just have questions. Typically, several different communication channels are used, depending on the situation. We use Rent Café to blast out info to all residents and also display that same notice in the elevators, however alternate means of communication need to be in place, whether it’s by hand-delivering notices to apartments, texting residents, contacting them by cell phone or posting to social media.
Managers should provide residents with emergency numbers for police and fire departments, utility providers and on-call maintenance staff. It might also be wise to send reminders to residents with cold weather tips on the safe use of candles and space heaters, which could help prevent damage to the building.
Remember that while managers don’t go in apartments every day, residents do, so consider using them as your eyes and ears, to provide early warnings of systems that might need attention before they turn into a problem.
3. Don’t ignore common sense
Property managers should do their best to encourage residents to use common sense when taking care of themselves and their apartments.
For example, residents often travel during the winter holidays. They should be reminded to close windows and avoid turning the temperature down too low in their apartments—commonly done by residents eager to save on utility costs. A friendly reminder to leave thermostats on a specific temperature (which may vary by management company, but 62 to 68 degrees is common) and to leave a faucet dripping to help reduce the possibility of pipes freezing and subsequently bursting, will help reduce the likelihood of property damage.
Managers should also use common sense as well. Routine maintenance, such as covering exposed pipes with insulted foam covers, turning off water mains and sealing windows and doors, should be part of the ongoing maintenance program but definitely should be reviewed annually during the early part of fall.
4. Don’t forget to look up
Property managers need to ensure that ground-level hazards, such as snow and ice, are eliminated. But the roof needs attention too.
To avoid a roof collapse or injury to residents, managers need to ensure that snow doesn’t build up on the roof. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the weight of one foot of fresh snow ranges between three pounds per square foot for light, dry snow and 21 pounds per square foot for wet, heavy snow.
How much snow a roof can bear depends on a host of factors, such as the roof slope, shape, the thermal condition of the building and the roof’s wind exposure. It’s essential that managers know the roof’s weight limit so they can take action to prevent snow accumulation reaching an unsafe level.
Managers also need to inspect roofs for the presence of icicles. According to the Snow & Ice Management Association, at least 15 people in the United States die each year from falling icicles. This is particularly common in garden apartment-style properties. Property managers can consider installing heat-trace wires in areas prone to ice buildup and warning residents with signs saying “Caution: Falling Ice.”
5. Don’t overlook the proper paperwork
Proof of renter’s insurance should already be on file, but make sure the policy is current. A renter’s policy covers not only the personal possessions of the resident but also provides liability coverage in the event the resident is negligent and causes damage to the property or injury to another person.
Why is this important? What happens if a resident of a high-rise escapes the brutal winter weather by going on vacation and accidentally leaves a sliding glass door open? If the unit gets cold enough and a pipe bursts, the damage could affect not only that resident’s unit but scores of units on floors below him or her, leading to massive losses. Since the resident was negligent, the building owner could make a claim against his renter’s policy, thus avoiding the expense.
With timely and proactive planning, multifamily property managers can ensure that not only will apartment residents remain safe during the winter season but that the asset itself will also be preserved through winter weather and into the spring thaw.
Alarm.com released its Smart Water Valve+Meter at the Consumer Electronic Show to help people avoid billions of dollars in annual property damage loss from water leaks and use water more efficiently.
A part of the Alarm.com water management solution, the device is said to identify low and high-volume water leaks and constantly monitor overall water use and current usage rates in homes and businesses.
Deep integration with the Alarm.com platform leverages intelligence and insights to help reduce the risk of losses from water emergencies, while also improving water conservation efforts, according to the company.
According to an estimate from Parks Associates, only 6% of homes currently have a smart leak detection system.
“People want to feel confident that their entire home or business is protected at all times, not just individual aspects of it,” says Jeff Bedell, chief strategy and innovation officer for Alarm.com.
“The smart home market is largely composed of standalone devices or single-purpose apps that make device integration difficult. Our intelligent, proactive platform encompasses the critical elements of whole home protection — security and awareness, video monitoring, access, energy and automation, and water management. We’re committed to helping our partners scale their business and expand their network so they can provide customers with comprehensive and fully integrated smart property solutions that are unrivaled in the market.”
Getting around the Philadelphia region on Saturday afternoon may be slow thanks to a winter storm that will bring snow.
We've issued a First Alert from noon until 6 p.m. Saturday for Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania suburbs and the Lehigh Valley.
The storm will move in midday bringing light snow. The precipitation should pick up as the afternoon continues.
When the storm begins, the ground will be cold enough for the snow to stick. That could create trouble on the roads so drivers will want to take extra caution.
The storm center will sit well to the north so warm air will be dragged across the area by the late afternoon melting snow and turning the precipitation to rain.
Snow totals will likely be 1 inch or less for most of the affected area. Towns in the Lehigh Valley may see slightly higher accumulations.
By Sunday morning the area should dry out and stay cold in the mid-30s. Highs only hit the upper 20s next week.
The department had initially projected a month long closure of the intersection, but utility engineers from PECO, Verizon and the water department gathered earlier in the week to inspect the damage and found it was far greater than originally believed.
“When this water main broke it sort of revealed there was a lot of undermining under the street, and there was also some ducts that were damaged to PECO and Verizon, and they’re out here to make those repairs as well," said water department spokesman John DiGiulio. "So, once the street is broken out, we’ll be able to repair the water main. PECO and the other utilities are going to make the repairs necessary for us to be able to get in there.”
DiGiulio says a section of an 8-inch main installed in the 1820s broke, and crews anticipate they’ll have to install a 20-foot replacement pipe.
In the meantime, DiGiulio says access to the neighborhood from Second to Fourth streets on Arch Street, and Third Street from Market to Race streets will be restricted to through traffic.
"We're going to try and keep everything open to local traffic but not to through traffic. So if you're not residing on this street or have a delivery to make on this street, obviously we're asking motorists to stay away. Yes, even though the intersection is closed, business is still open. Certainly no reason to avoid walking down the streets, pedestrian access is fully here," he said.
The news of a possible two-month closure wasn’t going down well for Kimberly, who runs the BoneJour pet store on Third Street, just barely half a block away from the closed intersection.
"We have dog food. People have to come for their dog food. But are we suffering financially, I would say absolutely. This week’s been very tough. We personally deliver citywide so it shouldn’t affect our customers hopefully here at BoneJour pet supply. We’re always going to remain positive, but the numbers are the numbers and we are being affected," she said.
Jay, who runs Philly Souvenir on Third Street, says the two-month timetable is devastating.
"People come, but when they see this thing, nobody wants to come. Can't park the car or nothing, that's very difficult," he said.
Jay says he'll stay open for the duration, but he's suffered a losses, which he expects will continue until the intersection is reopened.
One of the greatest ways to increase the value of commercial real estate is through good property management. While buying a property at the right price is critical, what you do with it after the purchase is often more important. Here are some key tips for good property management.
Keep tenants happy Unlike residential properties, it is very difficult and expensive to find new tenants for commercial properties. It can take two to nine months. A leasing commission isn’t due until you sign the lease, and often you have to spend money on the space to make it leasable. Therefore the best way to maintain your income is to keep existing tenants from leaving.
Maintaining a positive tenant relationship involves regular communication, anticipating their needs, and being proactive.
Maintain the property The appearance of a building is important for a business’s success and tenants pay more for better maintained properties.
In the commercial real estate business we designate properties as Class A, B, or C based on the state of the property. Class A properties have higher rent and lower turnover than Class B or C. While a tenant may settle for a Class C property, as the business grows (or rents decline), the tenant will often move to a Class A property.
As with all properties, deferring maintenance can lead to costly fixes later. For example, resealing a parking lot every three years can seem expensive and unnecessary, but it pushes out the need for asphalt replacement (at 10 times the cost of sealing) by decades.
For a large commercial property, the list of things that need to be regularly maintained is extensive. If you don’t have experience managing commercial properties, you should rely on a seasoned property manager to do the necessary inspections.
Improve the property Perhaps the best way to increase the value of a property is by making targeted improvements. Since the value of a commercial building is derived solely from the income it generates, it is easy to quantify the value of an improvement based on the potential increase in rent.
For example, if a landscape upgrade costs $20,000 and it’s expected to increase the rent by $750 per month (due to increased rental rates or filled vacancies), not only will you get your money back in two years, but that minor upgrade increased the value of the property by $150,000 (at an 8 percent cap rate)!
Know your product Owning and managing commercial real estate requires specific knowledge about that product type. Retail, office, and industrial properties each require different skill sets, understanding of your customer, and maintenance expertise. Know what amenities your tenants require, what services you’re expected to provide, and the aesthetic standards typical of that product type.
In addition, each product type has different equipment (signage, boilers, roll up doors, bathrooms) and different preventative maintenance requirements. Because of this, it’s important you have a team that is experienced with the type of property in which you are investing.
Know the leases inside and out Leases are complex, cumbersome, and hard to read. Yet one of the greatest ways to increase property value is through diligent analysis and follow through of the lease provisions in place.
There are many provisions in leases that either allow the owner to collect more money or the owner to bill back expenses. Often rental rate increase and late payment provisions are not followed. In large properties, there are typically multiple variations of leases for different tenants. Having a clear understanding of each lease and the diligence to follow through during the entire period you own the property will significantly increase its value.
Have an asset management plan Like any investment, commercial real estate should involve a plan. Each property should have its own strategy. Why are you investing in that property? What is the upside potential? How do you achieve it? What is your holding period? Five years? Ten years? Until death? How does your holding period affect the investments you make in the property? How do you achieve optimal value (cash flow or sale value depending on strategy) during your holding period?
These are the types of questions you should ask when evaluating a property. After purchasing, you should put the game plan in place for achieving your strategy. An experienced asset manager knows how best to achieve objectives based on the stated strategy.
Owning commercial real estate can be a tremendously rewarding investment. But unlike investment in stocks or bonds, it requires active management and participation. Following the steps above will help ensure you achieve the highest income and sale price for your commercial real estate.
Despite its dour demeanor, an “angry-looking" tortoise in England actually had a “very lucky Christmas Day” after firefighters rescued the reptile from a house it had set on fire, officials said.
The unnamed 45-year-old reptile was alone in its Essex home when it knocked a heat lamp onto its bedding, which caught on fire, Essex Fire and Rescue said Wednesday in a news release.
Neighbors heard the smoke alarm and called an emergency number around 5 p.m., officials said. Firefighters scrambled to the scene and found smoke filling the home and a fire in one of the rooms.
Firefighters extinguished the fire and cleared the house of smoke within 25 minutes, the BBC reported.
"This incident shows just how important it is to have smoke alarms on every level of your home - even if you're not home they will alert anyone close by to the first sign of fire,” said Watch Manager Gary Wain of the Great Dunmow Fire Station.
A major winter storm is moving out of California, but not before dumping as much 3 feet of snow in northern Ventura and Kern counties, and up to 3.46” of rain in Los Angeles County and 3.19" in San Bernardino County.
There were numerous reports of flooding from Los Angeles down to San Diego, where people had to be rescued from the water. Roads and highways were shut down due to snow in the higher elevations in Southern California.
An EF-0 tornado was also confirmed in Ventura County Wednesday into Thursday, with some damage reported.
Ahead of the storm this morning, 14 states are under snow alerts from California to Minnesota.
This morning the storm system is still in the Southwest, bringing heavy rain to Arizona and New Mexico with heavy snow in the mountains.
By Saturday, the storm system is expected to move into the center of the country, bringing heavy snow for the Plains and heavy rain in the Great Lakes and Midwest, with severe storms possible further south from Texas to Tennessee.
Fire losses and the damage they leave behind can be an incredibly complex job to deal with. This is caused largely by the behavior of smoke. When our SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd professionals respond to a call for a fire job, their initial goal is to determine the extent of damage from fire itself, smoke, heat, and moisture. Not only do we deal with damage to building structures, but we work to clean a building's contents and your belongings as well.
Our SERVPRO trained professionals are trained to understand how smoke penetrates various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor. Our teams' knowledge of building systems helps them investigate how far smoke damage may have spread. We know it can be stressful when you don't understand the issues facing your home, so take a moment to read up on the different kinds of smoke and soot that could potentially effect your property.
While there are technically only two different types of smoke - wet and dry, there are varying types of soot residue after a fire. Here's a handy glossary of smoke and soot types that might come in handy if you're ever faced with the misfortune of dealing with a property fire:
Wet smoke (plastic & rubber): Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. These smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry smoke (paper & wood): Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises and thus so does the smoke
Protein fire residue (caused by evaporation of material instead of fire): Virtually invisible discolors paints and varnishes, extremely pungent odor
Fuel oil soot (furnace puff backs): While "puff backs" can create havoc for homeowners, SERVPRO can, in most cases, restore your contents and your Baltimore structure quickly (thanks to their training)
Additionally, we do deal with tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher resides. These special situations require special care and evaluation.
Understanding and having the ability to differentiate between these different types of smoke and soot is part of SERVPRO's specific training which makes us a cut above any other Baltimore local restoration team. Trusting a company to care about your home like you do can seem daunting and feel impossible, but when it comes to SERVPRO, trust that you're always in good hands. We make it, "Like it never even happened."
Older homes, older child care facilities, schools and other buildings are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes may be private, government-assisted or public housing. Schools are preschools and kindergarten classrooms. They may be urban, suburban or rural.
Percentage of homes likely to contain lead:
Built between 1960-1978 = 24%
Built between 1940-1960 = 69%
Built before 1940 = 87%
What can you do to protect your family from lead in pre-1978 homes?
If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
Clean up paint chips immediately.
Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces. Use a mop, sponge, or paper towel with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.
Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/ Bala Cynwyd follows the EPA's strict guidelines for lead paint
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by the EPA. These firms also must use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices.
According to EPA requirements (40 CFR Part 745) contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures:
Contain the work area.
Minimize dust.
Clean up thoroughly.
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/ Bala Cynwyd technicians always take the necessary precautions according to current laws. Our technicians have been trained and certified to follow lead-safe work practices while performing renovation and repair projects in your area.
As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
Are You Ready? Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?” The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a start up approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.
A no cost assessment of your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information. Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens."
Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Smoke and soot facts:
Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Eastern Mainline/Bala Cynwood will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Our Fire Damage Restoration Services
Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.
Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (610) 667-9080
(WTNH)– October is Car Care month and AAA Northeast has a few tips to keep your car running safe and smooth.
AAA Northeast spokeswoman, Fran Mayko says, “Learning how to handle common maintenance issues benefits anyone who gets behind the wheel since proper maintenance can also extend the life of your vehicle and prevent costly repairs.”
AAA recommends four easy car care practices that everyone can perform:
Ensure your car battery is properly charged
Check your tire wear and tire pressure regularly
Inspect those windshield wipers and replace if they’re worn, cracked or rigid.
Work with a local repair shop you trust for routine maintenance and repair.
Other easy tricks to prepare your car for the upcoming winter season include:
Testing your battery and charging system if the car battery is more than three years old.
Making sure your coolant contains a 50/50 solution of coolant and water that protects your engine at temperatures of -34 degrees or colder.
Double checking the hoses in your car aren’t cracked or brittle and check that the clamps aren’t loose.
Making sure your washer fluid has components of antifreeze, which protects against below freezing temperatures. And on especially icy mornings make sure the washer fluid reservoir is filled. (If you don’t wish to purchase winter tires for your car, remember that all season tires only work best in light-to-moderate snow conditions.)
Checking tires for uneven wear or cupping on tires, which can lead to alignment, balance and suspensions problems further down the line.
Replacing windshield wiper blades that leave streaks or miss spots on your windshield. (A winter alternative for your wipers are winter blades, which protect the blades against snow an ice buildup.)
Making sure to change your oil according to your manufacturers recommendations. Remember to also double check your transmission fluid while you’re at it.
AAA wants all motorists to be safe during the winter season and practicing the above tips can help keep the cold out and your car cruising.
Southern California Experiences Odd Lightning Storm
(CNN) - Residents in Southern California may have thought they were elsewhere in the United States as they witnessed a powerful display of lightning in the night sky Tuesday.
Approximately 2,200 lightning strikes hit the area stretching from Santa Barbara County to LA County, according to Curt Kaplan, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.A strong batch of thunderstorms created "lightning storms," the NWS Los Angeles said -- prompting the agency to alert residents to take precautions as they peeked at the power of mother nature. Mike Eliason, Santa Barbara Fire's public information officer, captured dramatic bolts of lightning over Santa Barbara. The pictures resembled a scene one would see in Florida, which has been dubbed the lightning capital of the US.
What's driving this strange weather pattern?
Meteorologists called this phenomenon the Atmospheric River, where the jet stream is coming further south and pushing an abundant amount of moisture into the area, Kaplan said. But this strange event, is just another weird weather occurrence this winter -- the area last month had a dusting of snow along the coastline in areas including Malibu. "For Southern California, its unusual," Kaplan told CNN. Lightning typically hits the area in the deserts during the summer monsoonal season.
ABC 15 News is digging deeper into the mold issues across the school district. Through a Freedom of Information Act Request, we found five other schools have had some form of mold spores found within the past six months.
That brings the number to six: St James Middle and High Schools, Conway Middle and High Schools, The Academy for the Arts Science and Technology and Aynor High School.
The HCSD is comprised of 52 schools, with about 7.8 million square footage of facilities.
ABC 15's Sydney Glenn sat down with the spokesperson for the district, Lisa Bourcier, to find out how air quality testing is mandated in the district.
“There is no mandates for the testing, and some school districts don’t do indoor air quality testing, but we kind of take it on a case-by-case basis," she said.
It begins with a work order, Bourcier said, and those usually come from staff members.
“Usually when a work order is put in, it’s information to the best of their ability of what they are witnessing or seeing or what the complaint is," she said.
The complaints can range from a bad smell, to a water leak or a stained ceiling tile.
Next, it is determined what needs to be done. In some cases, an air quality test is ordered.
The testing has been preformed since at least 2012, Bourcier said.
The complaints and issues at each school vary, but a common issue in the reports obtained by ABC 15 News were staining around HVAC units.
“Roofs can be an issue, as well as HVAC systems. A lot of times if you see a stained ceiling tile, sometimes the pipes are sweating. It’s not a leak but it’s sweating. We do live in South Carolina, and the humidity plays a big component when you have to deal with indoor air quality and you have to make sure your systems are set," Bourcier said.
Each challenge was met with recommendations from the air quality tester, Palmetto EHS. Cleaning was a solution offered in each report, among other things. Bourcier said all tasks recommended were done.
“Cleaning is an issue. So, we need to make sure everything is cleaned well and the filters are changed out appropriately, which we do have a company when we change out air filters. And again, just making sure those maintenance issues aren’t going out too far," she said.
In terms of follow up, air quality testing being done, and like has been done at St. James Elementary, Bourcier said it is on a case-by-case basis.
The school district is looking to hire a company to help determine best practices when it comes to preventing and dealing with air quality issues and possibly help set district wide standards. The company would also be able to do air quality testing and basically serve as a consultant, Bourcier said. This idea will be discussed and decided on in the upcoming months.
Advocates, including champions on the City Council, say they will reduce car traffic, but the mayor's transportation safety office is recommending a cautious approach to allowing dockless electric scooters on Philadelphia streets.
At a city hearing on Wednesday, Chris Puchalsky, director of policy and strategic initiatives at the Mayor’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS), said scooter crash deaths, while small in number, vastly outnumber those from bike-sharing programs, according to WHYY. Four have died in scooter crashes in the U.S. in the past year, compared to two in bike shares since nine years ago, when such programs began operating.
WHYY cited data from Consumer Reports, showing about 1,500 people injured in e-scooter crashes in the US since 2017.
Other officials believe there is a need for urgency. “This is a type of transportation that we should be moving forward with … especially based on the fact that it will reduce people’s use of cars as a mode of transportation,” Councilman Derek Green said at the council hearing, HYY reported.
Automobiles have their own dangers: the number of pedestrian traffic fatalities is on the increase nationally, the Governors Highway Safety Association states in its most recent report. The report has Philadelphia among the top states for increases in pedestrian traffic deaths.
E-scooter makers Lime, Bird and Spin, all privately held companies, were present at the hearing to make their case for e-scooters' safety and transportation benefits.
STAMFORD — After outcry from parents and poor air quality test results, the district has resorted to closing Westover Magnet Elementary School for at least a week to remediate mold and other facility problems that are allowing its growth.
While the school is closed, parents have the option of sending their children to the Boys and Girls Club on Stillwater Avenue for the day if they need child care, deputy superintendent Tamu Lucero announced at a Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.
The closing comes after news that Northeast and Newfield elementary schools are shutting their portable classrooms for the time being due to mold infestations.
The decision to close Westover was made following the end of the school day Tuesday, after the district received preliminary air quality test results from a Saturday inspection of the building. The early results showed 21 elevated mold counts out of 90 tests performed.
“If we’d gotten these results back at 10 o’clock this morning, we would’ve recommended you close school today based on the counts that we saw,” Mike Handler, the city’s Director of Administration, told school officials at the Tuesday night board meeting.
The school’s gym, not affected by the mold, will remain open for voting on Election Day, Nov. 6, said city Republican Registrar of Voters Lucy F. Corelli.
The mayor’s office on Tuesday announced the formation of a Stamford Public School Mold Task Force consisting of Handler, interim Director of Operations Cindy Grafstein, Lucero, Chief Financial and Operations Officer Clarence Zachery and City Engineer Lou Casolo. The task force will investigate, develop and implement ongoing remediation efforts and monitoring programs while planning short-term and long-term solutions to the problem.
While the initial focus is on Westover due to conditions there, the goal is to ensure the safety of and create an ongoing maintenance plan for all 20-plus Stamford Public School buildings, Handler said.
Mold problems have been found throughout the district. The most recent mold status report from Stamford Public Schools shows mold was also found in the OT/PT room at Northeast. Remediation dates are to be determined.
According to that report, dated Oct. 25, there is also mold in Cloonan Middle School, Hart Magnet Elementary School, KT Murphy Elementary School and Turn of River Middle School. Initial remediation has already cost the district more than $427,260, not counting custodial overtime.
“Right now at Westover, it’s not acceptable,” Handler said. “That’s why we closed the school.”
Handler said officials are prepared to keep Westover closed an additional week if needed, as well as work on it during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks. Maintenance projects, including drain clearing, gutter repair and window caulking, will be done during this time, to prevent further mold incidents.
He added that there will be an increased number of people on site during future inspections, including hygienists to identify mold and additional custodians to move ceiling tiles and speed along the process. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will be present as well.
Data will also be collected from teachers and students about symptoms of any mold-related health problems to form a better understanding of what’s happening in the building.
“Our hope is that with the comprehensive peer review and visual inspection, coupled with the test results we get back tomorrow ... we can get a plan for remediation for each of the rooms,” Handler said. “The reason why school was closed was not just out of an abundance of caution, but because it’s the right thing to do. ... There is no physical place to put kids anymore that’s safe in the school.”
In the meantime, the district’s paraprofessional union will send staff to supervise children the Boys and Girls Club, Lucero said, and Chartwells food service will provide breakfast and lunch. Busing will remain the same, given the club’s close location to the school.
Sharon Beadle, spokesperson for Stamford Public Schools, said the displaced students would be housed at the Boys and Girls Club on Wednesday apart from the students in the district’s Alternative Routes to Success program, who are normally in the building during the day. After Wednesday, ARTS students will be temporarily moved to the Ferguson Library.
Beadle said less than 100 students showed up to the club on Wednesday and the district will continue to re-assess the situation.
“We’re really grateful to the Boys and Girls Club for their generosity,” she said. “This is sort of a whirlwind, trying to accommodate students on such short notice.”
While the mold is being remediated, facilities upgrades will also be made to Westover, Handler said, which will hopefully prevent future spread of mold. The ventilators in each classroom are being upgraded, drain valve systems are being replaced, gutters are being repaired, window caulking will be improved and the auditorium HVAC system will be fixed.
“We’re not going to get this all done at once,” Handler said. “We’re going for the low hanging fruit first. Our hope is we’ll get the building safe for kids to occupy, we’ll maintain it safe and we’ll fix its underlying issues. If we don’t fix underlying water intrusion issues, this is going to be a perpetual problem we’re dealing with for the rest of our lives.”
Lucero said families were notified of the closing Tuesday afternoon.
According to Superintendent Earl Kim, there is no plan in place yet to make up the missing days. Suggestions have included making them up at the end of the year (pending any inclement weather days) and sending students to school during spring break.
Last week, parents and staff from Westover and Newfield elementary schools spent two hours at a board meeting demanding action be taken to remedy a growing mold problem at both schools.
Following the outcry, a decision was made to close the portables at Newfield.
According to a letter sent to parents Monday by Northeast Principal Shawn Marinello, the portable classrooms are being closed temporarily out an “abundance of caution” per the recommendation of industrial hygienist company Hygenix.
The letter said Hygenix conducted a further investigation of the portables and advised the school to close the portable classrooms until further testing results come later this week. Music classes, previously conducted in the portables, will now be held in homerooms.
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd has the capacity and capability to take on large tasks such as this mold problem. Call us at 610-667-9080 for more information.
Bala Cynwyd Residents: Follow These Tips if You Suspect Mold
If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.
What to Do:
Stay out of affected areas.
Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
Contact SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd for mold remediation services.
What Not to Do:
Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.
About Our Mold Remediation Services
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.
When dealing with water damage in your home or place of business, there are different types, or classifications of water that we can use. Using this classification system, we can determine what health risks are associated with the water, and properly prepare bringing with us all necessary safety equipment and uniforms. In this blog article we are going to focus on three types: Clean, Gray, and Black water.
Clean Water: This is water that does not contain contaminants. It includes broken water lines, malfunctioning appliances, toilets holding tanks, snow melt and rainwater. Overtime however, clean water can progress and become gray water within 48 hours, if left untreated.
Gray Water: Gray water does contain slight chemical or biological contaminants, and may pose a health risk. Gray water can discharge from dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, showers, aquariums and waterbeds, or come from a clean water source that leaked through a ceiling. It can also be clean water that was left untreated (and became gray water). Gray water can also progress to the next stage (Black Water) if left untreated within 48 hours.
Black Water: This water is a health risk as it is highly contaminated. Black water is presumed to contain multiple potentially harmful contaminants including fungi, bacteria, chemicals, viruses, and more. Black Water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding, or any type of natural disaster. Black water should always be treated by a trained and certified professional.
For any type of water damage, it is always best to treat it quickly so as to avoid further contamination and risk mold growth. There can be many dangers associated with attempting to clean water damage on your own. If ever you spot any type of water in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd. We are faster to any size disaster and will have our highly trained team over to your house or place of business within the hour! Remember, its best to not wade into any unknown water source without the proper protection. Give us a call 24/7 at 610-667-9080
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd is an IICRC certified firm.
Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Smoke and soot facts:
Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Eastern Mainline/Bala Cynwood will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Our Fire Damage Restoration Services
Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.
Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (610) 667-9080
During an emergency, the last thing you should worry about is what to do next. Every second matters during an unexpected, emergency situation which is why this year’s National Preparedness Month theme is, “Don’t Wait, Communicate!”
SERVPRO of Main Line/Bala Cynwood would like to encourage everyone in our community to develop a game plan! Residential or commercial? It doesn’t matter! Everyone should master a set of steps to perform during an emergency and answer important questions ahead of time such as; Who will be in charge of contacting 911? Who will gather everyone to a safe location? What is the best escape method in an emergency? Etc. These questions are imperative to the safety and well being of our co-workers or families.
Everyone’s focus this month should be towards developing a disaster plan or what we at SERVPRO like to call an ERP (Emergency Communication Plan). In line with the “Don’t Wait, Communicate!” theme of this year’s National Preparedness Month, SERVPRO of Main Line/Bala Cynwood would like to suggest developing an Emergency Communication Plan for your home or business. Several steps, listed below, can help get you started on this plan:
Collect all of your important contact information such as; family doctor, medical facilities, local family members, schools and service providers. Compile all of this information into one, hard-copy, easily accessible sheet. *Waterproof the sheet if possible!*
Share copies of this sheet with everyone within the household/business.
Develop a fire/emergency escape plan that includes the safest escape routes, layout of home or business, safe meeting place and what to do if contact is lost.
On a monthly basis review/practice all of the important contact information and emergency escape plan.
As always, SERVPRO is #heretohelp in any emergency or disaster situation. Although September is coming to an end it is never too late to be prepared! We encourage everyone to call us today to learn more about National Preparedness Month or about our free Emergency Ready Profiles!
As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
Are You Ready? Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?” The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a start up approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.
A no cost assessment of your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information. Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens."
Fire losses and the damage they leave behind can be an incredibly complex job to deal with. This is caused largely by the behavior of smoke. When our SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd professionals respond to a call for a fire job, their initial goal is to determine the extent of damage from fire itself, smoke, heat, and moisture. Not only do we deal with damage to building structures, but we work to clean a building's contents and your belongings as well.
Our SERVPRO trained professionals are trained to understand how smoke penetrates various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor. Our teams' knowledge of building systems helps them investigate how far smoke damage may have spread. We know it can be stressful when you don't understand the issues facing your home, so take a moment to read up on the different kinds of smoke and soot that could potentially effect your property.
While there are technically only two different types of smoke - wet and dry, there are varying types of soot residue after a fire. Here's a handy glossary of smoke and soot types that might come in handy if you're ever faced with the misfortune of dealing with a property fire:
Wet smoke (plastic & rubber): Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. These smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry smoke (paper & wood): Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises and thus so does the smoke
Protein fire residue (caused by evaporation of material instead of fire): Virtually invisible discolors paints and varnishes, extremely pungent odor
Fuel oil soot (furnace puff backs): While "puff backs" can create havoc for homeowners, SERVPRO can, in most cases, restore your contents and your Baltimore structure quickly (thanks to their training)
Additionally, we do deal with tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher resides. These special situations require special care and evaluation.
Understanding and having the ability to differentiate between these different types of smoke and soot is part of SERVPRO's specific training which makes us a cut above any other Baltimore local restoration team. Trusting a company to care about your home like you do can seem daunting and feel impossible, but when it comes to SERVPRO, trust that you're always in good hands. We make it, "Like it never even happened."
Although hurricanes cause more power outages in the U.S. than any other weather event, winter storms are a close second. That's according to a University of Vermont study that analyzed 22 years' worth of power outage data across the U.S.
Worse, because winter storms often include a brutal trio of snow, ice, and freezing temperatures, the outages can last longer—and leave you more vulnerable, with impassable roads and, potentially, without power to keep the heat on.
In the aftermath of a storm, a generator is an invaluable piece of equipment that can, at the very least, help your life begin to feel normal again.
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But because you probably rarely rely on a generator, it’s easy to overlook the basic safety measures that should be routine with such equipment. It’s also easy to get preoccupied by the cleanup work that lies ahead, so you may even be tempted to run a generator in a living space if most of your house is severely water damaged and cannot be saved.
That is never an option.
Generator misuse leads to carbon monoxide deaths, injuries from close calls, and burns—all of which happen too often during power outages and storms.
“Portable generators canproduce high levels of carbon monoxide, a deadly, odorless, and colorless gas,” says Ann Marie Buerkle, acting chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Running a generator improperly can kill you in as little as 5 minutes if the concentration of carbon monoxide is high enough. On average, 66 people a year die from carbon monoxide poisoning related to using a generator improperly, according to CPSC data.
Here are CR’s essential generator safety tips to get you through a storm and the days afterward.
How to Operate a Generator Safely
Never run a generator in an enclosed space or indoors. Most generator-related injuries and deaths involve CO poisoning from generators used indoors or in partially enclosed spaces. That includes the basement or garage, spaces that can capture deadly levels of carbon monoxide. Always place the generator at least 20 feet from the house with the engine exhaust directed away from windows and doors.
And if you’re using a generator to keep the lights on during a cleanup effort, “use a working, battery-operated carbon monoxide detector at the same time,” says Ken Boyce, principal designated engineer manager at UL. A carbon monoxide alarm provides one more layer of defense against making an innocent but potentially deadly mistake.
Don’t run a portable generator in the rain. But what about a hurricane? You can buy tents for generators that keep them shielded but well-ventilated online and at home centers and hardware stores.
Before refueling, turn off a gas-powered generator and let it cool. Gasoline spilled on hot engine parts can ignite. Allowing the engine to cool also reduces the risks of burns while refueling.
Stock up on extra gasoline and store it properly. When you think you’ll need to use the generator for an extended time, you’ll want extra fuel on hand. Just be sure to store gas only in an ANSI-approved container in a cool, well-ventilated place.
Adding stabilizer to the gas in the can will help it last longer, but don’t store gasoline near any potential sources of heat or fire, or inside the house.
Avoid electrical hazards. If you don’t yet have a transfer switch, you can use the outlets on the generator—providing you follow certain precautions. It’s best to plug in appliances directly to the generator. If you must use an extension cord, it should be a heavy-duty one for outdoor use, rated (in watts or amps) at least equal to the sum of the connected appliance loads. First check that the entire cord is free of cuts and that the plug has all three prongs, critical to protect against a shock if water has collected inside the equipment.
Install a transfer switch before the next storm. This critical connection will cost from $500 to $900 with labor for a 5,000-rated-watt or larger generator. A transfer switch connects the generator to your circuit panel and lets you power hardwired appliances while avoiding the glaring safety risk of using extension cords. Most transfer switches also help you avoid overload by displaying wattage usage levels.
Don’t attempt to backfeed your house. Backfeeding means trying to power your home’s wiring by plugging the generator into a wall outlet. This reckless and dangerous practice presents an electrocution risk to utility workers and neighbors served by the same utility transformer. It also bypasses some of the built-in household circuit protection devices, so you could end up frying some of your electronics or starting an electrical fire.
Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year, making the drill as realistic as possible.
Make arrangements in your plan for anyone in your home who has a disability.
Allow children to master fire escape planning and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping. The objective is to practice, not to frighten, so telling children there will be a drill before they go to bed can be as effective as a surprise drill.
It's important to determine during the drill whether children and others can readily waken to the sound of the smoke alarm. If they fail to awaken, make sure that someone is assigned to wake them up as part of the drill and in a real emergency situation.
If your home has two floors, every family member (including children) must be able to escape from the second floor rooms. Escape ladders can be placed in or near windows to provide an additional escape route. Review the manufacturer's instructions carefully so you'll be able to use a safety ladder in an emergency. Practice setting up the ladder from a first floor window to make sure you can do it correctly and quickly. Children should only practice with a grown-up, and only from a first-story window. Store the ladder near the window, in an easily accessible location. You don't want to have to search for it during a fire.
Always choose the escape route that is safest – the one with the least amount of smoke and heat – but be prepared to escape under toxic smoke if necessary. When you do your fire drill, everyone in the family should practice getting low and going under the smoke to your exit.
Closing doors on your way out slows the spread of fire, giving you more time to safely escape.
In some cases, smoke or fire may prevent you from exiting your home or apartment building. To prepare for an emergency like this, practice "sealing yourself in for safety" as part of your home fire escape plan. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to seal the door cracks and cover air vents to keep smoke from coming in. If possible, open your windows at the top and bottom so fresh air can get in. Call the fire department to report your exact location. Wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth at the window to let the fire department know where you are located.
1. Remove clutter like papers, trash, unused equipment etc. from the office the reduce the chances of falling employees.
2. DO NOT use rolling office chairs as step ups or ladders.
3. Carpet may be a safer choice as it doesn't get slippery when wet like tile or hardwood floors.
4. Employees should understand how to operate all equipment that they are expected to use by completing a training beforehand.
5. Try to not repeatedly look up and down from a computer screen to paper as it could strain employees necks.
6. OSHA recommends workers take a 10 minute break for each hour spent looking at a computer screen.
7. Position your computer screen so that you can work comfortably. More work does not get done when an employee is uncomfortable.
8. Make sure you have the right prescription glasses for computer time and reading. This can be detrimental to your eyesight if you don't.
9. Make sure cords and outlets are in good condition. Older cords are much more likely to break and create fire hazards.
10. DO NOT block fire escapes, exits, or sprinkler systems. You never know when an emergency will happen and if these things aren't accessible that is not good.
11. Establish employee reporting systems so that you can get feedback/concerns with things around the office. Obvious issues may be pointed out that management never noticed before.
A water damage can be devastatingly stressful to a homeowner. You can feel helpless and overwhelmed. Although calling a professional is the first step we always recommend, there are some things you can do to help reduce the damage while you wait for professionals to arrive.
DO:
Shut off the water source if possible
Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the home or building
Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping or blotting with towels
Remove lamps and other tabletop items and wipe wood furniture with a towel
Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying
Place foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet flooring
Remove any paintings, electronics or anything else that is sensitive to moisture and put in a dry area of the house
Taking the above steps can really help decrease the amount of damage to your home after a water leak. There are also a few practices that you should avoid after a water damage, because they can cause more damage or harm to yourself or your family.
DON’T:
Enter rooms with standing water where electric shock hazard may exist, such as when electric outlets, switches or circuit breakers are exposed to water
Leave books, newspapers or other colored items on wet carpet or furniture
Leave wet oriental rugs or other colored rugs on carpeting
Use household vacuum cleaner to remove water because risk of electric shock
Use TV’s or other electrical appliances while standing on wet floor
Turn on ceiling fan in rooms where the ceiling is wet
Enter a room where ceiling is wet and sagging
Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily throughout the house
Use personal fans if the water in the home is contaminated
The most important “do” is to call a professional, trained water mitigation specialist such as SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd at (610) 667-9080.
Some Eastern Main Line/ Bala Cynwyd businesses survive water damage with only minor issues. Other damages risk the ruining of specialized machinery and extensive stores of raw materials and finished products. Finding a restoration company that is willing to learn about the challenges your industry faces from water damage is the key to recovery.
Your family business boasts several generations of satisfied customers, and you now need help to keep water damage from destroying this history and disappointing clients. A water main burst and gallons of water threaten to ruin your machines and your extensive inventory. Our fast-acting team of water damage experts commits to walking you through every step of the process from waterlogged to dry and restored for both the structure and contents of your shop.
SERVPRO crews arrive to assess the situation and plan for the recovery as soon as possible. We outfit our vehicles with truck-mounted pumps and water extractors, allowing our technicians to begin water removal immediately, even if the power is off. Your equipment poses a risk of electric shock until the area dries, so our ability to evacuate the water without using your power sources is crucial.
Advanced training in material management supports the ability of our crews to pack out your inventory quickly and with an accurate listing that identifies what we moved. We store supplies, and your paperwork either in a dry area of your building or offsite if water damage is pervasive. Throughout the process, we maintain an evidence chain so you can reconstruct customer orders and provide documentation for your insurance company. Our training in drying technologies helps us advise which materials respond to drying and what items may need to be discarded.
Electronic and other equipment needs expert evaluation before it can be cleared for future operation. SERVPRO works with professionals who are trained to determine whether and how water damaged equipment specific to your industry can be dried successfully. We then take all steps necessary to reach that result.
While decisions are reached on your inventory and equipment, other members of the SERVPRO team work to dry out the structure of your business. Air movers and dehumidifiers achieve the drying goals after the standing water is removed, with constant moisture monitoring guiding the duration.
The technicians from SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/ Bala Cynwyd work persistently to restore your business after unexpected water damage. Call us at (610) 667-9080 to get our team in place and on task.
It comes as no surprise that when the temperatures drop, your home or business can experience problems that come with the cold. In this blog we want to outline 6 tips you can do to help lower your chances of coming home to a disaster!
Tip 1: Keep the Heat On!
This can be a make or break to coming home to a burst frozen pipe. Many people look to escape the winter months and go on vacations to a warmer destination. Be sure to keep your heat on when you're away! It doesn't need to be as high as it usually is, as you don't want to waste a lot of electricity when you're not at your home, so around 50º-55º F should keep those pipes warm enough.
Tip 2: Allow Faucet('s) to Drip.
If you're worried a pipe might freeze, allow your faucets to slightly drip. Allowing the faucet to be open like this will relieve pressure in the system. If a pipe freezes, it is actually the pressure that is created between the blockage and the faucet that will cause the pipe to burst. Allowing the faucet to be open will prevent this pressure from building up and thus, keep the pipe from bursting.
Tip 3: Keep Inside Doors and Cabinets Open
Pipes are often located in cabinets, like under your sink. When the temperatures drop, it is a good idea to keep these cabinet doors open so that the heat from the rest of the house can keep the pipes warm as well. You should also keep all interior doors open so that the heat can flow throughout the home.
Tip 4: Seal Cracks and Holes
You should caulk any holes or cracks that exist near pipes. This should be done on both interior and exterior walls. Doing so can help keep the cold air out and the warm air in. If you don't consider yourself a caulking extraordinaire, give SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd a call as we also have a construction side of the business and will happily walk you through the process :)
Tip 5: Apply Heating Tape
For pipes that are easily accessible, the electrical heating tape may be an option to keep them from freezing. This tape can be applied directly to the pipe. There are two types of heating tape. One type of heating tape turns on and off by itself when it senses heat is needed. The other type of heating tape needs to be plugged in when heat is needed and unplugged when not in use. Much like a space heater, these products can be dangerous, so you must follow the product’s direction and safety procedures exactly.
Tip 6: Add Extra Insulation
Pipes that are located in areas that do not have proper insulation, such as basements or attics, may need extra insulation to keep from freezing. Pipes in basements or attics are not the only ones that may not be properly insulated from the cold. If you have had a problem with pipes freezing anywhere in your home, extra insulation could be the cure.
Pipes can be fitted with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves to help decrease the chances of freezing. This can be an easy solution for pipes that are exposed but can get expensive if walls, floors or ceilings have to be opened in order to properly insulate the pipe. Additional insulation can also be added to walls and ceilings to keep the pipes warm.
There is no full proof way to prevent all pipes from getting damaged during these cold winter months, but anything you can do in advance to help prevent a disaster will always be a good bet. If you do experience any disasters this winter give us a call at (610) 667-9080, we're available 24/7!
In 2019, we have been experiencing a pretty mild winter so far. There have been a few frigid days but there have also been a couple days where we almost hit 60 degrees! This doesn't seem quite normal but we are not complaining. One thing a mild winter means is more rain. After a summer that was noted for its high rain falls, many of our yards are very saturated with water. When the soil is already saturated it makes it more likely that your basement will flood after another rain storm. The rain can travel more fluidly through this saturated soil so this is what causes the flooding. At SERVPRO, we make it "Like it never even happened." Call SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd at 610-667-9080 when you have a flood!
Disasters happen, notes Sue Steen, and “We can’t control mother nature,” but when it comes to responding to those events, that’s where SERVPRO and its network of cleanup and restoration franchisees shine.
“It’s really their desire to help people in their time of need,” says Steen, CEO of Gallatin, Tennessee-based SERVPRO, as she points out a motivating factor for owners who are trained not just in the technical aspects of dealing with storm, fire and water damage but also in the art of working with people throughout what can be their worst days.
“We’ve been working the past several years to get our franchisees to truly understand the importance of customer service,” says Steen, and it’s paying off with steady growth. “We’re beginning to see the fruits of those labors.”
SERVPRO crossed the $2 billion mark in systemwide sales for 2017 to come in at No. 62 on the Franchise Times Top 200+, our exclusive ranking of the 500 largest franchises. SERVPRO grew sales 13.5 percent for the year to lead the segment and rose four spots.
While SERVPRO made some training adjustments to help foster a strong customer service attitude, the active storm season was also a key factor in boosting sales for the year.
“Hurricanes Harvey and Irma really gave our franchise community an opportunity to respond,” says Steen. “Those storms probably added 5 percentage points of growth last year.”
The brand is also experiencing the benefits of expanded service offerings as SERVPRO adjusted its operating model about five years ago to add commercial cleaning to what had primarily been water restoration and residential disaster cleanup.
Read more Top 200+ coverage here and in the October issue of Franchise Times.
If you run or own a business, getting an ERP from SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd would be a highly intelligent choice to make. An ERP is an emergency response plan and lets our franchise know what you want us to do when you suffer a fire or water loss. This could be crucial in saving your property from more damage. Information included in this emergency plan is contact names like plumbers and emergency contacts, where we should park, plan of action, etc. The best part about our ERP's is the fact that they are a free service we provide for all of our customers! Please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd at 610-667-9080 today to get your ERP!
In the event of a rain storm, flooding could occur anywhere at any time. We never really know exactly when the next weather event could happen. This means it is important to prepare for this before it happens. ERP's (emergency ready plan) are one way businesses can prepare for water or fire losses. Regardless, if a water loss occurs at your business give SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd a call at 610-667-9080 to receive fast and professional work. We understand the importance of getting businesses back up and running ASAP because that is money and time that can not be made up. You never know if you are going to experience an emergency loss, so ask yourself, is it better to be ready or not?
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd is IICRC Certified!
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.
IICRC Certified Firms must
• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry
The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.
Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.
About SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
For Immediate Service in Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd, Call SERVPRO
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.
24-Hour Emergency Service
Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
Locally Owned and Operated
Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment
Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 610-667-9080
Residential Services
Whether your Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:
Water Damage Restoration
Fire Damage Restoration
Mold Remediation
Storm Damage Restoration
Cleaning Services
Building/Reconstruction Services
Commercial Services
There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.
Commercial Water Damage Restoration
Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
Does Your Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd Home Have a Mold Problem?
Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:
Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.
If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.
Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd 24-Hour Emergency Water Damage Service
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.
We Answer the Phone Ready to Help Call Today - 610-667-9080
We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.
What to Expect
When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.
Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:
Your name and contact information
Your insurance information (if applicable)
The street address of the water-damaged home or business
When did the flooding or water damage occur?
What caused the water damage (if known)?
Is there electricity available (on-site)?
Restoring Your Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event
Flooding and water damage events at Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.
Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
A man shared a video from west Wichita. It shows a woman driving by his mom's home, backing up into the driveway then stealing a crockpot and another item. He said it totaled about a couple hundred dollars.
Derby police say they have seen a spike in stolen packages over the span of a week. Officers there recently arrested a woman in connection to several stolen packages in town.
Derby's deputy police chief, Lt. Brandon Russell, says multiple stolen package reports have been made in the last week.
"The amount is not the concern to us, it's the fact that it's happening, that's the concern to us. You should be able to have a package delivered and not have a problem with that," said Russell.
While it seems to be happening more often, there are a few things you can do to keep your items safe.
1. Make sure someone is home 2. Deliver it to your office 3. Have it held at the store 4. Use lockbox
Driving in the colder months can bring its own set of challenges, depending on where you live.
The days are getting shorter and the weather is getting colder, making driving conditions a little trickier.
With all the holiday travel you’re sure to be doing, it’s important to make sure you have the right emergency supplies in your car.
The most important items to have are things that will keep you warm, like gloves, wool socks and hand warmers.
Blankets are great to have on hand. If it’s really cold, you can use them to insulate your car – putting them in the windows helps prevent the cold air from getting in.
And make sure you have a cellphone charger and a flashlight with extra batteries.
Cold weather maintenance is also important.
AAA has a list of tips to ensure your car is in good running order when temperatures drop, including:
Making sure the battery is in good condition and clear of corrosion
Checking tire treads and installing snow tires where needed
Confirming that all lights and signals work
Verifying that brakes are in great working order
Taking care of your car can mean the difference between life and death on the road
WASHINGTON — A rash of dryer fires in Prince George’s County, Maryland has sparked a warning from fire department officials in Maryland and Virginia. Fire departments are offering tips to residents for keeping their dryers working properly and safely.
In Prince George’s County in just the last 11 days, firefighters have responded to 20 residential and commercial dryer fires, fire officials say.
Keeping your dryer lint-free is a crucial step when it comes to preventing a fire. Lt. Mike Buffum, with the Prince George’s County Fire Department, said his department typically sees an increase in dryer fires in the winter.
“A lot of times that’s contributed to people not cleaning out the lint or the vents for the outside (are) blocked and that heat is building up,” he said. That’s when lint and build up can ignite.
Meanwhile, in Fairfax County, Virginia, Battalion Chief Will Bailey says so far this year, fire officials have responded to six dryer fires.
“Numerous times we’ve found the cause of a dryer fire to be there was no lint filter in the dryer,” Bailey said.
You can prevent lint from building up by limiting how many items you place in the dryer at once. If your clothes are taking longer than normal to dry, clean the lint out of the vent pipe behind the dryer.
“One of the biggest safety tips we like to let folks know is turn the dryer off if you leave home or go to bed,” Bailey.
Buffum also suggested pulling your washer and dryer away from the wall and giving the area a good clean. Checking the exhaust vent outside and making sure the pipe connected to your dryer is cleaned out are also crucial steps to preventing a fire.
If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.
What to Do:
Stay out of affected areas.
Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
Contact SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd for mold remediation services.
What Not to Do:
Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.
About Our Mold Remediation Services
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.
1. Make sure you have established someone to shovel your sidewalks and driveway before it snows! Not after!
2. Clear out your gutters and roof of leaves as this can cause melted snow or water to freeze and create a dam. If this occurs, water can build up and start leaks in your roof.
3. Make sure you have enough insulation in your walls. If it seems like it could use a little more, it probably does.
4. Put up your holiday decorations!
5. Prevent icy hazards by turning off outdoor water supplies like spigots and drain them. This helps avoid burst pipes.
6. Make sure there are no access points for small animals to enter your home.
7. Get your home ready for guests by cleaning up and washing sheets and towels if they are staying over.
8. Clean out your chimney! Dirty chimneys are the number one reason for house fires.
During this time of season snow blowers are popular, but it's safety is a big deal if you are not careful.
If you are using a snow blower, you should watch out for items on your property that can jam up the snow blower. Some common items are doormats and pet toys.
When you are running a snow blower be sure you are not wearing any loose clothing. It's important to always wear tight clothing to prevent any accidents.
Most importantly never put your hand in the front end of the snow blower to remove items. That rule still applies when the machine is not moving, because there is tension on the belt. You can remove items by using a stick or a broom.
Owner of Kirkwood Ace Hardware, Jeff Hinz, says it's better to be safe than sorry.
"We see a lot of people with snow blower injuries and it's generally fingers and digits from the front. If you check any type of medical site you will see that snow blowers are a major cause of injury during the winter. Always stay behind the machine, wear shoes with a good grip so you don't slip and fall," Hinz said.
These are just a few tips to make your experience with a snow blower a good one.
As a business you must run as efficiently as possible. This is important to make money and not be wasteful while doing it. To do that your work area must be clean at all times! Here are a few pointers on where to clean at your building.
Dust all areas routinely
Vacuum floors and other upholstery
Clean out vents and change air filters
Spray glass surfaces with glass cleaner and wipe down
Disinfect door knobs and other commonly touched surfaces
Polish hardwood floors
Take out all trash!
If you do this, it will help your business run more smoothly. Organization is very important to any business. If you need any help with cleaning SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd is just a phone call away at 610-667-9080.
When an emergency happens people tend to panic and sometimes do not have the proper tools to calmly deal with the situation. When water affects your house whether it be due to a heavy storm or a broken water heater it is always good to be informed on what to do next.
As in any emergency, safety should be you number one concern, and a water damage situation is no different!
“Is it safe to stay in the house?” This should always be the first question you ask yourself. If the water damage has any potential to put you or your family at risk, then leave the house.
Electrical and “slip and fall” hazards are some of the most common concerns. Be sure to shut off an power source it is safe to do so safely.
Wet materials can be very heavy, so be careful when moving them.
Be sure to only do things to your house that are safe for you to do and leave the rest to the remediation crew.
When most people hear “SERVPRO” they think of water and fire restoration but we actually provide many other services like commercial cleaning and duct cleaning!
While most offices do a pretty good job at keeping their office clean, the everyday wear and tear will gradually build up. When it gets too much for your regular janitor to handle, call in SERVPRO! We do a fantastic job at removing odors, deep cleaning of carpets, flooring and much more. Every member of our crew is trained specifically to be able to handle a commercial cleaning job of any size.
Our cleaning services include:
Air ducts and HVAC - Drapes and Blinds
Biohazard Cleanup - Odor Removal
Carpet and Upholstery -Sewage
Ceilings, Floors, and Walls - Trauma and Crime Scene
Vandalism
Content by: SERVPRO Corporate
Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd Smoke and Soot Clean-up
Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Smoke and soot facts:
Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Eastern MainLine/Bala Cynwyd will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Our Fire Damage Restoration Services
Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.
Mold growth can happen in as little as 48 hours and can quickly become a huge problem in your business or home. Whether it is caused by a leaky pipe, water intrusion, or a roof leak, mold will grow if things like this are not taken care of quickly. Mold not only can cause damage to your property but also can cause health effects. Luckily our SERVPRO crew has the tools, training, and equipment to handle any mold job.
What To Do If You Discover Mold:
Stay out of affected areas.
Turn off the HVAC system.
Contact us for mold remediation services.
What NOT To Do:
Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
Do not blow air across any surface with visible or suspected mold growth.
Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
Do not spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.
Recently, SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd has been getting a lot of calls related to mold within people’s homes. Many times, these occurrences happen in basements and attics of these homes. These jobs may seem easy enough for the typical home owner to do themselves, but many times, if the job isn’t done correctly, that mold will spread again a few weeks later. Here are a few myths vs facts about the dangers of mold in the household. F.Y.I. If you think you have a mold infestation in your house, please contact SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd at 610-667-9080 Myth #1:
Bleach kills mold
Fact #1:
Liquid bleach is a solution of chlorine in water, usually 6 percent sodium hypochlorite, thus 94 percent water. Smearing bleach on mold may appear to kill it, but the effect is superficial and very temporary. Once the chlorine is gone - and it evaporates rapidly - what's left is all that water, feeding the mold.
There are many chemicals that kill mold. They're called biocides. That means they kill life.
(Bio = life + cide = kill.)
Myth #2:
“Toxic” mold is the only dangerous type of mold
Fact #2:
"Toxic" mold or "black" mold is often touted by the hucksters in the mold industry as being the one that makes people sick, the one you must eliminate. This is pure scare tactic.
Yes, there are some strains of mold that seem to be more toxic than others. But there is no such thing as good mold, or even tolerable mold, unless you like stinky cheese. Mold in your home is a problem, because it signifies a moisture problem. Moisture inside your home enables mold growth, and it can also lead to rot, threatening the structure itself.
On top of that, any mold problem that's allowed to continue often will pave the way for the dreaded "black mold." The most infamous "black mold," stachybotrys chartarum, is what's known as a tertiary mold. It's very slow to develop and usually follows earlier mold growths, actually feeding off the previous mold colony.
Myth #3:
Homeowners can properly remediate mold problems themselves
Fact #3:
Homeowners are (usually) not trained or knowledgeable about mold enough to properly remediate damages. Many times homeowners cause more damage themselves when they don’t hire a professional. Most of the errors are in the contamination process. Not using vapor barriers or the proper equipment to clean the air during removal stages can cause further mold spread throughout other areas that were not effected before.
E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!! We did it! Thank you to the Philadelphia Eagles for bringing home a Super Bowl Victory to this great city. With a year of many trials and tribulations, our Eagles showed us that underestimating the "underdog's" is a detrimental mistake.
The Win
On Sunday night, the game clock struck 0 surprising Eagles fans who knew all too well of the Patriots ability to upset the entire world and pull a win together in the final seconds of play. That goose egg took most fans by surprise, not even realizing the game was over and the Eagles had won! The celebrations began instantly, with people flocking from their homes, or the bars and restaurants where they settled to watch the Super Bowl, and parading on the streets. Joy was in the air from the brick alleys in Havertown and Ardmore, to the busy streets of King of Prussia and everywhere in between. The scene in Philadelphia was one to top them all. Center city erupted with splendor and cheering fans were emerging from every nook and cranny. Chants of "E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES" rang out from the subway stations, to city hall, and their crackled voices from screaming continued until the early morning hours on Monday. Droves of triumphant fans marched in masses to Broad Street, where dump trucks blocked traffic from the 100,000+ incoming fans, pouring in from every block.
There were a handful of over celebration incidents, though the night was far from the nationwide expectation that the city of Philadelphia would burn to the ground, win or lose. For the most part, Philadelphians were united in their celebration to the conclusion of what was a fantastic year for our Eagles. And that’s what we love about sports! Our great city was united on this chilly Sunday evening. No matter the race, religion, gender etc. we all came together to celebrate as a one. To celebrate the city of Philadelphia, to celebrate our first Super Bowl victory, to celebrate the "Under Dogs!" To be the best, you must come together and fight as one, and there was no better example of that then how the Eagles came together throughout the 2017 season.
The Parade
Though there was plenty of celebrating on Sunday night, Thursday brought with it the main event: The Victory Parade. On Wednesday, lines at the local Septa stations for the suburbs of Philadelphia wrapped around the building, for eager fans to get their train tickets for the parade. By Thursday morning, train tickets from the suburbs of Philadelphia to center city were completely sold out. On Thursday, an additional 3 million people entered the city to witness this joyous moment. From caravanning to sleeping on camping out on the steps of the art museums, Eagles patrons were not going to miss their chance to shine. And shine they did!
The parade began at the Lincoln Financial Field around 11 a.m. and worked its way North up Broad Street. Cheering fans lined the streets, buildings, and of course, the street signs, exuberantly cheering in anticipation of finally seeing our triumphant Eagles in possession of the Lombardi Trophy. The parade snaked through center city finally arriving at the art museum for a special ceremony. Speeches were given by some of the Eagles staff including Doug Pederson, as well as an appropriately dressed Jason Kelce, who sported a Mummers Parade outfit and gave quite a memorable speech.
Eagles fans traveled from across the country to bear witness to this great event. Some fans even brought the ashes of loved ones who never got to witness an Eagles Super Bowl win and spread them on the Ben Franklin Parkway. It was an emotional day for so many who had been supporting this team for years on end "trusting in the process" that their team would one day grasp a victory in the Super Bowl.
All in all, it has been a memorable week for us and we all are extremely proud to call Philadelphia our home. With talks of the formation of a Philadelphian dynasty, we're all eager for the 2018 Football season and are ecstatic to see what our Eagles will show and prove to the world next season. SING IT LOUD AND PROUD PHILADELPHIANS:
Fire losses and the damage they leave behind can be an incredibly complex job to deal with. This is caused largely by the behavior of smoke. When our SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/Bala Cynwyd professionals respond to a call for a fire job, their initial goal is to determine the extent of damage from fire itself, smoke, heat, and moisture. Not only do we deal with damage to building structures, but we work to clean a building's contents and your belongings as well.
Our SERVPRO trained professionals are trained to understand how smoke penetrates various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor. Our teams' knowledge of building systems helps them investigate how far smoke damage may have spread. We know it can be stressful when you don't understand the issues facing your home, so take a moment to read up on the different kinds of smoke and soot that could potentially effect your property.
While there are technically only two different types of smoke - wet and dry, there are varying types of soot residue after a fire. Here's a handy glossary of smoke and soot types that might come in handy if you're ever faced with the misfortune of dealing with a property fire:
Wet smoke (plastic & rubber): Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. These smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry smoke (paper & wood): Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises and thus so does the smoke
Protein fire residue (caused by evaporation of material instead of fire): Virtually invisible discolors paints and varnishes, extremely pungent odor
Fuel oil soot (furnace puff backs): While "puff backs" can create havoc for homeowners, SERVPRO can, in most cases, restore your contents and your Baltimore structure quickly (thanks to their training)
Additionally, we do deal with tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher resides. These special situations require special care and evaluation.
Understanding and having the ability to differentiate between these different types of smoke and soot is part of SERVPRO's specific training which makes us a cut above any other Baltimore local restoration team. Trusting a company to care about your home like you do can seem daunting and feel impossible, but when it comes to SERVPRO, trust that you're always in good hands. We make it, "Like it never even happened."
Older homes, older child care facilities, schools and other buildings are more likely to contain lead-based paint. Homes may be private, government-assisted or public housing. Schools are preschools and kindergarten classrooms. They may be urban, suburban or rural.
Percentage of homes likely to contain lead:
Built between 1960-1978 = 24%
Built between 1940-1960 = 69%
Built before 1940 = 87%
What can you do to protect your family from lead in pre-1978 homes?
If you rent, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint.
Clean up paint chips immediately.
Regularly clean floors, window sills, and other surfaces. Use a mop, sponge, or paper towel with warm water and a general all-purpose cleaner or a cleaner made specifically for lead.
Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas.
Wash children’s hands, bottles, pacifiers and toys often.
Keep children from chewing window sills or other painted surfaces.
Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from soil.
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/ Bala Cynwyd follows the EPA's strict guidelines for lead paint
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in pre-1978 homes, child care facilities and schools be certified by the EPA. These firms also must use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers to follow lead-safe work practices.
According to EPA requirements (40 CFR Part 745) contractors must use lead-safe work practices and follow these three simple procedures:
Contain the work area.
Minimize dust.
Clean up thoroughly.
SERVPRO of Eastern Main Line/ Bala Cynwyd technicians always take the necessary precautions according to current laws. Our technicians have been trained and certified to follow lead-safe work practices while performing renovation and repair projects in your area.
Plan for a disaster NOW to avoid delays in running your business
As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
Are You Ready? Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, “Are you ready for whatever could happen?” The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile is a start up approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster. SERVPRO® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.
A no cost assessment of your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information. Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens."
During an emergency, the last thing you should worry about is what to do next. Every second matters during an unexpected, emergency situation which is why this year’s National Preparedness Month theme is, “Don’t Wait, Communicate!”
SERVPRO of Main Line/Bala Cynwood would like to encourage everyone in our community to develop a game plan! Residential or commercial? It doesn’t matter! Everyone should master a set of steps to perform during an emergency and answer important questions ahead of time such as; Who will be in charge of contacting 911? Who will gather everyone to a safe location? What is the best escape method in an emergency? Etc. These questions are imperative to the safety and well being of our co-workers or families.
Everyone’s focus this month should be towards developing a disaster plan or what we at SERVPRO like to call an ERP (Emergency Communication Plan). In line with the “Don’t Wait, Communicate!” theme of this year’s National Preparedness Month, SERVPRO of Main Line/Bala Cynwood would like to suggest developing an Emergency Communication Plan for your home or business. Several steps, listed below, can help get you started on this plan:
Collect all of your important contact information such as; family doctor, medical facilities, local family members, schools and service providers. Compile all of this information into one, hard-copy, easily accessible sheet. *Waterproof the sheet if possible!*
Share copies of this sheet with everyone within the household/business.
Develop a fire/emergency escape plan that includes the safest escape routes, layout of home or business, safe meeting place and what to do if contact is lost.
On a monthly basis review/practice all of the important contact information and emergency escape plan.
As always, SERVPRO is #heretohelp in any emergency or disaster situation. Although September is coming to an end it is never too late to be prepared! We encourage everyone to call us today to learn more about National Preparedness Month or about our free Emergency Ready Profiles!
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