The Lobby: Defining Your Company

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Keurig Lobby

When you enter a business Lobby, what is it that you see? If someone were to blindfold you and walk you into this Lobby, would you immediately recognize the Company it represents?

As a Commercial Sales Manager, I have been in a fair number of lobbies over the years. Some are pretty forgettable, others are quite memorable and clearly define the brand. Keurig in Burlington MA is one of those that is not only memorable, but defines its brand in unmistakable ways.

When you walk in, as you look diagonally to your right, you will see a huge coffee bar with a Barista, ready to make your favorite Keurig drink, free of charge. They are delivering an experience and defining their brand.

Dollar General in Goodlettsville, TN is another brand that created their Lobby as an extension of their Brand. As you walk in, off to the side, is a small but very cool museum of sorts that tells the history of Dollar General and showcases a number of their sponsorships and growth through the years.

Then there are the practical, unfriendly lobbies that have a counter and a couple of chairs for waiting with not much else other than maybe some trade magazines.

Lobbies define the company and the brand, they are the first image, the first impression for those visitors, vendors, customer's and prospective customer's that walk through their doors.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry keeps those Lobbies looking great and smelling fresh and clean, putting the finishing touch on your brand, helping to meet and exceed the expectations of those who walk through those doors.

We offer a number of professional services to help keep your Lobby looking its best: Window Cleaning, Carpet Cleaning, VCT Floor Strip, Seal and Wax, Odor Control, Detailed Deep Cleaning and more...

Contact SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry for your complimentary assessment. Your Brand defines you, your Lobby should follow suit, let us help you look your best.

VCT Floors

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

Finished VCT Floor

VCT is an acronym for Vinyl Composite Tile. This type of flooring tile is generally found in schools, supermarkets and healthcare settings. It's low cost, durability and ease of maintenance make it an ideal product for these types of institutions, especially in areas where foot traffic is high.

Tile sizes are typically cut at 12' x 12' or 12' x 24'. The surfaces VCT is installed on need to be level, smooth and free of dust, dirt and debris. Installation is with an adhesive that is pliable, allowing the floor material to respond to foot traffic, carts, rollers, etc..., without breaking.

Annual maintenance is recommended for areas with high traffic counts, providing years of service. Maintenance involves stripping of the existing coating, then waxing, using products specific to VCT flooring tiles. The number of coats of wax can vary, but typically between 3 and 4 coats are applied. 

When waxing, care must be taken to put on evenly, thin coats one at a time, allowing for a drying period in between coats, and no walking on floor until product has completely dried.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry has the knowledge, experience and equipment to handle your commercial flooring needs. For a complimentary assessment, contact Chuck Nuskey at chuck@SERVPROderrylondonderry.com.  

Commercial Services: Bio-Hazard

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

Bio-Hazard Symbol

Bio-Hazard can be defined as any biological or chemical substance that is dangerous to human's, animals and the environment. This can include body fluids, human tissue and blood, and recombinant DNA.

The term "Hazard" means that the substances noted can be harmful to you and others, so the cleaning or removing of these substances is best performed by a professional.

An assessment is the first step as we need to know what bio-hazard it is we are dealing with. This determines the types of PPE gear needed/required for clean-up, product choices, disposal requirements, but most importantly, what the customer needs to know to keep their staff and customer's/client's safe.

If you believe your facility has a bio-hazard event, email or Chuck Nuskey at chuck@SERVPROderrylondonderry.com or 603.432.3221 for emergency service. 

ERP Contact List

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

ERP Image

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry offers our Commercial clients our proprietary Emergency Ready Plan (ERP). The ERP is a free tool that is accessible on any device (ie: computer or mobile device). 

The ERP includes your business and facility information as well as a list of your utilities and shut-off's should you need to shut something down in the event of a loss. Whether it be your water main or your oil burner, we locate them all for you. These shut-off's are then identified by location and picture, and are easily accessible on your device.

 One of the most important and functional attributes of the ERP is the Contact List. Besides the local PD, FD and Hospital(s), you can include your complete Contractor list (ie: plumber, electrician, fire safety, HVAC, Roofer, Snow Removal, Landscaper, Irrigation Specialist, and most importantly, your Emergency Service Provider: SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry.

For a demonstration on how the ERP can benefit you, contact Chuck Nuskey at chuck@SERVPROderrylondonderry.com. The assessment and ERP are at no cost, so reach out today and be prepared.

Commercial Services: Graffiti

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

Graffiti

Graffiti defined as writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view.

The look of graffiti, while some consider to be artistic, in reality, if not performed in the right context or the right location just looks like vandalism, and can bring the value of the building and community down. 

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry has the expertise, products and equipment to clean up your building and bring it back to its glory.

For a No-Cost assessment, contact Chuck Nuskey at chuck@SERVPROderrylondonderry.com. 

Basket of Services

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO

When I first started working with SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry as the Sales/Marketing Manager, I wanted to see how SERVPRO was recognized in our territory. I was surprised to learn that we were thought of as a cleaning company. While the services we perform could technically be considered cleaning, they don't fit the generic perception of cleaning. We are so much more than that.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry offers over 20+ services. Noted below is a list of the most common services we offer:

Emergency Services

Water Mitigation & Clean-Up

Fire/Smoke/Soot Clean-Up

Storm Damage Clean-Up

Board-Up Services

Disinfectant Services

Bio-Hazard & Crime Scene Clean-Up

Sewage & Septic Back-Up Clean-Up

Maintenance Services

VCT Flooring Strip, Seal & Wax

Carpet Cleaning

Deodorization

Floor to Ceiling Detail Cleaning

HVAC & Duct Cleaning

Exterior Pressure Washing

Commercial Kitchen Deep Clean

Misc Services

Mold Testing & Remediation

Wildlife/Pest/Rodent Clean-Up & Sanitization

Graffiti & Vandalism Clean-Up & Removal

Post Construction & General Construction Clean-Up

Emergency Ready Plan

and more...

For more details on any of the services noted above, contact Chuck Nuskey at chuck@SERVPROderrylondonderry.com. 

Fire Safety: Older Adults & Caregivers

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke Alarm Inspection

Did you know that older adults have a 2.6 times greater risk of dying in a fire than the U.S. population as a whole? The reasons for this staggering statistic are numerous, but can be attributed to age, health issues and environmental (ie: living alone). 

Noted below are some tips for older residents, property managers, landlords and those of us with older family members:

• Discuss your fire escape plan with family and neighbors. Contact your building manager or fire department to discuss your plan if you need extra help escaping.
• If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure that you can go through the doorways.
• If you can’t hear your smoke alarm, consider getting one that has a different sound or one that comes with a bed shaker or strobe light.
• Caregivers should check the smoke alarms of those who are unable to it themselves.
• Never smoke around medical oxygen.
• Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

Your risk of dying in a home fire is greater as you get older. Don't take unnecessary risks, follow the tips above to improve your chances of escape or extinguishing a fire before a dangerous situation occurs. Always be well prepared.

For more helpful information... https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/media/social_toolkits/toolkit_caregivers.html 

Leak Detection

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

Flo by Moen Smart Water Shut-Off

Headed out for vacation, the weekend, or maybe just for the night? Consider this, a 3/4" pipe with average water pressure in the home at 60-80 psi will disperse approximately 23 gals per minute. There are a number of variables (ie: toilet supply line, water heater, sink supply line, main supply line, etc...). Regardless, if you are out of the house for an extended period of time and experience a pipe burst, you will have some clean up to do when you get home.

One way to help stop the flow of water is by installing a smart water shut-off system. There are several on the market, one of them being the Flo by Moen.

The smart water shut-off's monitor the flow and pressure of the water in your home, detecting irregularities, and if configured, can perform an automatic shut-off of your system.

If you have ever experienced a water loss, then you can definitely see the advantages to a smart water shut-off system. If you haven't, contact me for more details. The costs are surprisingly modest, especially compared to the cost of water mitigation, clean-up and drying when a water loss event occurs.

chuck@SERVPROderrylondonderry.com 

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry Veterans: Our Everyday Heroes (Pt III)

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

US Naval Station Great Lakes

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is fortunate to have three (3) staff members who have served in various branches of the US Armed Forces. Today's blog is going to feature one of our Technicians, Dan Estabrook.

Dan joined the US Navy on Sept 1, 1966 and attended Hospital Corps School at Naval Station Great Lakes, Lake County IL. Upon graduation, Dan was a Hospital Corpsman whereby he attended Field Medical School at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejune, Jacksonville, NC. He was then assigned to the Hospital at Naval Station Great Lakes until Aug 1968.

His Orders came in to deploy to Okinawa until late Sept 1968, then off to Vietnam with a Marine Unit until July 1969.

He rejoined the US Army Reserves and National Guard in 1976 and served until retirement from service after 30 years of service in the Military.    

Dan is a wealth of knowledge on MLB Baseball and loves sports in general. He resides in Concord, NH, is happily married and spends the harshest part of the New England Winters in sunny Florida.

Dan is a tireless worker and a huge asset to SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry. We are grateful for his years of service and dedication to our Country. Unfortunately, as Dan is in FL right now, he wasn't able to send us a picture of him in his uniform as they are all at home in Concord.

Heater Fire Safety

2/25/2021 (Permalink)

Electrical Heater Fire

The unexpected and unseasonal cold weather that hit the midwest and Texas last week has caused massive power outages, which in turn means loss of heat for millions of homeowners and businesses. With no clear end in site, many were turning to alternative heat sources which is a great time for a reminder about safe practice and use of alternative heat sources.

The information noted below is from the U.S. Fire Administration:

Heater Fire Safety

• Make sure your heater has been tested by a recognized testing laboratory.
• Make sure your heater has an automatic shutoff, so if it tips over, it shuts off.
• Keep anything that can burn, like bedding, clothing and curtains, at least 3 feet away from your heater.
• Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface.
• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.

For more information, go to https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/heating.html. 

Fireplace & Wood Stove Safety

2/25/2021 (Permalink)

Wood Stove

Part 2 of our alternative heating safety blog has to do with Fireplace & Wood Stove Safety.

The winters in New England can get pretty cold, and along with power outages due to heavy snowfall, many residents utilize fireplaces, wood burning stoves and pellet stoves as a primary source of heat. Other heavy users tend to be tourists that are headed north for skiing and other winter activities. Resting and relaxing with a nice hot cocoa next to a cozy fire is the ideal way to end a fun-filled winter day.

Understanding recommended safety protocols is of the utmost importance in the prevention of fires.

The information noted below is from the U.S. Fire Administration:

Fireplace & Wood Stove Safety

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from your fireplace or wood stove.
• Do not burn paper in your fireplace or wood stove.
• Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
• As the homeowner, you should have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.
• Put ashes in a metal container with a lid. Place the container outside at least 10 feet from the home.

For more information, go to https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/heating.html. 

Four Types of Storm Damage: 1. Hail

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

Hail Damage to Roof

Storm Damage takes on different forms and is a threat to the homeowner and their abode. Where you live and the type of climate in your region of the country will determine the types of storms you are most likely to see. Blizzards are more prevalent in the Northeast, while tornadoes are more prevalent in the Mid-West. That being said, southeast Texas is in the midst of a severe winter storm with cold temperatures to match. This rare weather event has been described as a once in 100 year event. As of the date of this blog (2/17/21), over 4 million Texans in the southeastern part of the state are without power due to this winter weather event. 

Growing up in the Phila region and residing in that area for most of my life, tornadoes were a threat, but only on a rare occasion. When I moved to Nashville, TN in 2009, tornado warnings and watches were a frequent occurrence during tornado season. Recorded data since 1995 shows that the Greater Nashville area averages 30 tornadoes a year. Scary to say the least.

Should your home be in the direct path of a tornado, there is a good likelihood that your home will not survive the event. However, damage could occur even if you are not in the direct path, or should a warning or watch be in your immediate area. Lightning storms typically precede a tornado event, and in many cases, these storms produce hail. Hail can cause severe damage due to the size, force and volume of hail stones coming down on the home. 

The most notable forms of damage from hail are roof, siding and window damage. Hail can penetrate roofing materials and sheathing and can also break window glass and dent or crack siding materials.

Noted below are the four (4) major types of storm damage and are categorized as follows: 

1) Hail

Hail is a form of solid precipitation & consists of balls or irregular lumps of ice. Hailstones usually measure between 0.2 in. & 6 in. in diameter.

Hailstones generally fall at higher speeds as they grow in size, though complicating factors such as melting, friction with air, wind, & interaction with rain & other hailstones can slow their descent through the Earth's atmosphere. 

Severe damage to homes can occur to the roof, siding and windows. 

2) Wind

3) Impact

4) Water

The other three will be discussed in future blogs, so stay tuned...

Four Types of Storm Damage: 2. Wind

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

Thunderstorm

Noted below are the four (4) major types of storm damage and are categorized as follows: 

1) Hail

2) Wind

Part 1 of our Storm Damage blog focused on Hail. Today's blog is going to focus on wind, one of the most destructive types of storm damage.

Wind force is defined in eight (8) different types by The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL).

1) Straight-line wind: Thunderstorm wind not associated by rotation.

2) Downdraft: Small-scale column of air that rapidly sinks toward the ground.

3) Macroburst: An outward burst of strong winds at or near the surface with horizontal dimensions larger than 2.5 miles and occurs when a strong downdraft reaches the surface.

4) Microburst: Small concentrated downburst that produces an outward burst of strong winds at or near the surface.

5) Downburst: General term for all localized strong wind events that are caused by a strong downdraft within a thunderstorm.

6) Gust Front: Leading edge of rain-cooled air that clashes with warmer thunderstorm inflow.

7) Derecho: Widespread, long-lived wind storm that is associated with a band of rapidly moving showers or thunderstorms.

8) Haboob: Wall of dust that is pushed out along the ground from a thunderstorm downdraft at high speeds.

As can be seen, wind storms can come in a variety of ways, all with the ability to cause damage to person and property. 

The most notable forms of damage from wind are roofing and siding blowing off the home, leaving the home defenseless against water or snow penetration.

3) Impact

4) Water

Impact and Water damage will be discussed in future blogs, so stay tuned...

Four Types of Storm Damage: 3. Impact

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

Tree Damage

Noted below are the four (4) major types of storm damage and are categorized as follows: 

1) Hail

2) Wind

3) Impact

Part 1 of our Storm Damage blog focused on Hail, Part 2 on Wind, today's blog is going to focus on Impact and the damages impact can have on the home.

Impact damage is the result of damage to the home or property as a result of an object landing, falling or being thrust into your home. 

One example of this would be a tree being uprooted by heavy winds and landing on your roof, potentially ripping a hole into your home and even the ability to damage the stability of the structure itself.

Another example would be strong winds blowing over a picnic table/chair on your patio or deck and striking your window or door.

When we think of tornadoes, we think of ultimate destruction. As true as that is, many homes are damaged through impalement whereby building materials, tree limbs and other materials are blown into a home.

4) Water

Water damage is the final type of storm damage to be discussed in this series, so stay tuned...

Four Types of Storm Damage: 4. Water

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

Flood Damage

Noted below are the four (4) major types of storm damage and are categorized as follows: 

1) Hail

2) Wind

3) Impact

4) Water

Water Damage is the last blog in our series of types of storm damage.

Water damage from storms comes in many forms. Blizzards can produce large amounts of snow along with snow drifts from heavy winds. Snow then can get piled into a corner of a roof or home, and as it melts, runs into the home, through the attic or walls and even around windows and doors.

Tornadoes are usually preceded by thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. With fierce winds, rain can be pushed into the home from unusual angles, sometimes penetrating areas of the home not protected by flashing.

Hurricanes produce heavy rainfall and large volumes of water of which cause flooding, especially in low lying areas and areas close by to rivers and seas.

Besides the physical damage to home and property, the after effects of water damage are mold. In the booklet "Mold & Mildew In Your Flood Damaged Home," produced by FEMA, "Mold growths, or colonies, can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours." This is a whole other problem you now have to deal with and in many instances, is hidden behind the sheetrock in walls and ceilings, or even flooring material.

Storm damage takes on different forms, but one thing they all have in common is that they can and will cause damage to your home and property. Preparing for a catastrophic event like a storm is difficult. Storm shutters, hurricane windows, metal roofing and fiber cement siding are some ways to help protect your home against storm damage. But when a 100 year flood or snow storm hit, expect damage. 

Should the need arise for help after an event like this, SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is there to mitigate the damage and make it "Like it never even happened."®

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry Veterans: Our Everyday Heroes

2/16/2021 (Permalink)

Jimmy Lyndes, USAF

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is fortunate to have three (3) staff members who have served in various branches of the US Armed Forces. Today's feature staff member is our Operations Manager / Co-Owner, Jimmy Lyndes. 1) Branch of Service: USAF2) Enlistment Date: 19893) Specialty: PERSCO (Personnel for Contingency Operations)4) Years of Service: 3 Active and 3 Reserve5) Favorite Station: San Antonio, TX6) Rank upon Discharge: E4 (Senior Airman) Jimmy joined the Air Force right out of high school (1989) for the GI Bill ($ to pay for college). He served in Desert Storm and traveled to all of the locations in theater and processed replacement specialties (men/women who’s service time was up, injured or died). Jimmy resides in Dover, NH and has two beautiful daughters.  SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is an independently owned franchise and managed/operated by Jimmy, his twin brother Jamie and his older brother, Jum.

CSC - Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

2/16/2021 (Permalink)

CSC Logo

The Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned (CSC) program is designed to provide our customer(s) with a way to know that a structure has been cleaned, sanitized, & disinfected to minimize harmful pathogens. Once a structure has been sanitized & disinfected as part of the CSC program, a window decal shield is left at the structure & dated by the SERVPRO franchise to let everyone know when it was last sanitized & disinfected. 

Not all businesses are the same, which is why a SERVPRO professional who understands the business will create a custom cleaning program to meet their specific needs. The business’s specific program will be developed based on a range of factors including business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touch points, foot traffic, & congestion points. 

Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous & non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning & disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup, & disposal of hazardous materials. 

SERVPRO has more than 100 exclusive professional cleaning products to meet any need, including our proprietary cleaning agent, SERVPROXIDE, which is a hospital-grade disinfectant that carries the EPA’s lowest toxicity category & is NSF certified for sanitizing surfaces in & around food processing surfaces.

Contact us today for your complimentary assessment.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry Veterans: Our Everyday Heroes

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Tyler McWalter: US Army

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is fortunate to have three (3) staff members who have served in various branches of the US Armed Forces. Today's blog is going to feature one of our Senior Technicians and Project Supervisor, Tyler McWalter.

1) Branch of Service: US Army

2) Enlistment Date: 2012

3) Specialty: Diesel Mechanic

4) Years of Service: 3

5) Favorite Station & Why: Fort Bliss, TX. "It's always warm." (As a NH resident during the winter months, I can appreciate that.)

6) Rank upon Discharge: E3

Tyler resides in Hudson, is married and the father of three beautiful children.

So, if you see Tyler out and about, working hard to service our customer's, give him a shout out and a thank you for his service to our Country. 

Category 2: Gray Water

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

Washing Machine Overflow: Category 2 Water

The categories of water refer to the range of contamination in water, considering both its originating source and quality after it contacts materials present on the job site. Time and temperature can affect or retard the amplification of contaminants, thereby affecting its category.

Defined as the presence of undesired substances; the identity, location and quantity of which are not reflective of a normal indoor environment; and can produce adverse health effects, cause damage to structure and contents or adversely affect the operation or function of building systems.

Category 2 water contains significant contamination and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed. Category 2 water can contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological). Examples of category 2 water can include discharge from dishwashers or washing machines; overflows from washing machines; overflows from toilet bowls on the room side of the trap with some urine but no feces; seepage due to hydrostatic pressure; broken aquariums and punctured water beds.

Category 2 water can deteriorate to Category 3. Once microorganisms become wet from the water intrusion, depending upon the length of time that they remain wet and the temperature, they can begin to grow in numbers and can change the category of the water.

The information noted above comes directly from the IICRC S500 Standards for Professional Water Damage Restoration.

Spontaneous Combustion

1/22/2021 (Permalink)

Proper Disposal of Oily Rags

Winter weather outdoors provides for opportunities to perform indoor DIY projects. Renovation of kitchens and baths, change in flooring material, maybe even the addition of cove moldings. Most of these projects require the use of paints, varnishes and stains, of which this blog post is about.

So, what do you do with those used rags covered in oily residue? Place them in the trash? Store them in a bag for disposal? Leave them in a pile? If not disposed of properly, you may be doing more than renovations, you may be rebuilding after setting your house on fire from not storing or disposing of your used stain rags properly.

Oil-based stains are very common with woodworking projects. As oily rags begin to dry, heat is produced. If they're thrown into a pile, oxygen is trapped underneath. The combination of heat, oxygen and the cloth can lead to spontaneous combustion, which results in a fire that could destroy your home.

Don’t think this can happen to you? In Feb of 2020, a GC that was performing construction services for a local school, had a fire in the schools Receiving Area. They were using this area as a shop/storage area while performing their renovation services. The sub-contractor performing the painting/staining services was improperly storing his used stain rags. Fortunately for the GC, the sub-contractor was on site when the fire broke out. They were able to get the local fire department there quickly to extinguish the fire before much damage could be done.

However, the soot from the items that did get burnt penetrated a large area, including the kitchen, causing a substantial loss of food products as well as food prep and food service items. The clean-up needed to remove the soot and odor from the parts of the facility affected was substantial.

Noted below are some tips to help prevent this from happening to you:

• Keep your workspace clean and neat to prevent a fire from spreading and getting bigger.
• The preferred method of storage of oily soaked rags is within a metal container, with a lid, kept away from other potential fuel sources.
• Filling the storage container with water prevents oxidation from the oils.
• Contact your Municipality for proper disposal instructions of your oily rags.

Safety always comes first. Take a few minutes to read the labels of the products you’re using. Understand the safety instructions so that you are prepared to act in the event of an emergency. Read and follow the instructions on proper storage and disposal.  

Is All Water The Same?

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

Category 3 Water

In the mitigation industry, water is classified in three different ways: Category 1: Clean Water; Category 2: Gray Water; & Category 3: Black Water.

Category 1 Water refers to a source of water that does not pose a substantial threat to humans and is classified as "Clean Water." Examples would be water from a burst water supply line, malfunctioning dishwasher, etc...

Category 2 Water is known as Gray Water and contains some type of contaminant. Examples would be discharge from dishwashers, broken aquarium or overflow from a toilet with urine, but no feces.

Category 3 Water is known as Black Water and contains contaminants and considered unsanitary. Examples would be sewage back-up, toilet overflow with feces, etc...

The categories are important as they determine the level of clean-up and mitigation. A carpet that got wet from Category 1 Water can be dried, cleaned up and reinstalled. That same carpet that is wet from Category 3 Water must be disposed of due to the contaminants and the health hazards Category 3 water presents.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry are experts in the water mitigation industry and are open 24/7/365 to serve you. We'll make it "Like it never even happened."

Category 1: Clean Water

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

Category 1 Water

In our Oct 2020 Blog, "Is All Water The Same," we describe the 3 Categories of water that define a water loss and dictate how we mitigate and clean-up this water. This blog article focuses on Category 1 Water.

Water Classes are determined by how much water is present and the type of material that is absorbing the water. In simplified terms, water classes are arranged by the difficulty and time needed to dry out an area. 

Category 1 Water, aka Clean Water, is from a source that poses no substantial harm to people. Likely sources of Category 1 Water would be overflow of bath water, a leaky supply line from an Ice Maker, Washer or Dishwasher, and does not migrate into a contaminated area.

Clean-up typically consists of extraction of the water, evaporation with the use of air-movers and dehumidifier's to remove the moisture from the air.

Carpets and other wet items can usually be saved through the drying process.  

If the water loss occurred 48 hours prior and has not yet been mitigated, cleaned-up and dried out, this water loss can now become a Category 2 Water Loss. 

Stay tuned for the next Blog Post "Category 2: Gray Water."

Protecting Against Vandalism

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

Graffiti & Vandalism

Vandalism is more than an unsightly inconvenience – it’s a threat to your company’s image, leasability, and neighborhood. 

Graffiti, broken windows, damaged doors, pulled fire alarms, equipment theft, arson, squatters, property defacement, landscape sabotage – no matter its form or intention, vandalism is an unsightly mess and an unnecessary expense. 

A single instance of vandalism acts like a ripple in a pond, having greater implications than the initial event. Vandalism can increase your area’s crime rate, contribute to neighborhood blight, decrease your property value, result in repeated maintenance, incur repair costs, cause delays to construction projects, and inhibit leasing agreements. 

“You can put a dollar figure on what it will take to repair or renovate an act of vandalism, but how do you put a price on missing tenant rent, delays to construction schedules, or lost revenue traction?” asks Jim O’Brien, general manager for Vacant Property Specialists (VPS), a security management firm. “These opportunity costs are hard to measure but are a real cost nonetheless.” 

Whether deliberate or unintentional, vandalism can undermine your company’s image and business message. You also don’t want it to shake your employees’ confidence in the building’s safety, says Randy Montelius, vice president of engineering for Communications Engineering Company (CEC). 

While no building is immune to willful destruction, you can effectively reduce your risk by taking preventive measures. 

In the event of vandalism, swift action is one of your greatest allies. A primary goal of vandals is to have their destruction put on display. Remove this satisfaction by immediately wiping out evidence of their acts, says O’Brien.

“Make sure you also communicate with building occupants,” recommends Montelius. ”Let them know what happened and what’s being done to resolve it.”

Lastly, have procedures in place that allow you to reroute maintenance crew for cleanup, retain a restoration company to repair damaged items, and ensure that your security force can be temporarily increased. You should also completely inspect the building for overlooked damage, O’Brien stresses.

Accounting for criminal acts should be part of your emergency response plan. While it may not endanger life safety, you need to have a plan of action in place so vandalism doesn’t impact your business continuity.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry provides services for removal and clean-up of Vandalism and Graffiti. Stop in, call or email for more details.

Why LEED?

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

LEED Certification

Why LEED?

Our buildings can create a healthier, more sustainable future.

Value of LEED

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

Economic Benefits

• Gain a competitive edge.
• Attract tenants.
• Manage performance.
• Meet ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) Goals.
• Cost effective.

Health Benefits

• Happy employees, happy occupants.
• Bring in the good, keep out the bad.
• Indoor environmental quality.
• Reduced pollution.

Environmental Benefits

Reduced energy use and carbon emissions.

• Conserve water.
• Reduce waste.
• Green materials.
• Implement sustainable strategies.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry has a variety of eco-friendly cleaning products that are certified green. Using these approved products helps the efficiency and eco-friendly score of a LEED certified building. Call SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry and ask about our eco-friendly products and services. 

*Information obtained through the USGBC website.

Preparation Tool

3/5/2020 (Permalink)

Emergency Ready Plan

As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster, according to the latest 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. And knowing you are "Ready for whatever happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don’t necessarily have to be.

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.

• 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."

Ready to sign up? Call or email to schedule.

Developing a Contingency Plan

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

ERP App

Developing a Contingency Plan begins with an understanding of what can happen. Review your risk assessment. Consider the performance objectives that you established for your program and decide how much you want to invest in planning beyond what is required by regulations. 

Assess what resources are available for incident stabilization. Consider internal resources and external resources including public emergency services and contractors. Public emergency services include fire departments that may also provide rescue, hazardous materials and emergency medical services. If not provided by your local fire department, these services may be provided by another department, agency or even a private contractor. Reach out to local law enforcement to coordinate planning for security related threats. 

Document available resources. Determine whether external resources have the information they would need to handle an emergency. If not, determine what information is required and be sure to document that information in your plan. 

Prepare emergency procedures for foreseeable hazards and threats. Develop hazard and threat specific procedures.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry offers an Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) that plays a key role in your overall Contingency Plan. The ERP is a profile of your buildings utilities and their shut-off's and offers the ability to provide a complete list of all your emergency contacts as well as a complete list of contractors, all in one place, and all on the SERVPRO Ready Plan App, free of charge.

Contact SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry today to schedule your no-cost demo.

The Best Choice

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Service Professionals

Why choose SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry to handle your emergency?

24 Hour Emergency Service

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry provide emergency restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night.

Highly Trained Specialists

SERVPRO professionals specialize in water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, storm damage restoration, and a number of cleaning services including bio-hazard, vandalism and graffiti, smoke and soot, carpet and detail house and office cleaning.

Advanced Technology

The past few decades has seen a rapid advancement in the technology and techniques used in the restoration industry. These advancements allow SERVPRO to restore a property back to preloss condition quickly, reliably, and more effectively.

National Footprint

With more than 1,700 franchises nationwide, SERVPRO is a leader in the restoration industry, and its professionals are faster to any size disaster. SERVPRO franchise professionals are available 24 hours a day/7 days a week and are ready to restore or clean your property.

Striving for Excellence

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Entrepreneur Magazine Ranking 2018

As a national leader in cleanup and restoration, it’s only natural for SERVPRO to receive regular recognition for excellence in a variety of fields. View our list of awards below for a sampling of SERVPRO’s awarded achievements.

2018

Entrepreneur Magazine
Ranked #12 Franchise Opportunity overall
SERVPRO ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category

2017

Entrepreneur Magazine
SERVPRO ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category

2016

Entrepreneur Magazine
Ranked #4 Franchise Opportunity overall
SERVPRO ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category

2015

Entrepreneur Magazine
Ranked #7 Franchise Opportunity overall
SERVPRO ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category

2014

Entrepreneur Magazine
Ranked #7 Franchise Opportunity overall
SERVPRO ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category

2013

Entrepreneur Magazine
Ranked #7 Franchise Opportunity overall
SERVPRO ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category

2012

Entrepreneur Magazine
Ranked #4 Franchise Opportunity overall
SERVPRO ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category

Forbes Magazine
Ranked #5 "Top 20 Franchises For The Buck"

2011

Entrepreneur Magazine
Ranked #8 Franchise Opportunity overall
SERVPRO ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category

CNN Money.com
Ranked #7 Franchise Opportunity overall

Dunn Bradstreet
2011 All Business AllStar Franchise
Ranked #9 Franchise Opportunity overall

2010

Dunn and Bradstreet
Ranked #9 Franchise Opportunity overall

Entrepreneur Magazine
Ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category
Ranked #9 Franchise Opportunity overall in 2010

2009

Entrepreneur Magazine
Ranked #1 in the Restoration Services category
Ranked #28 Franchise Opportunity overall in 2009

The Category SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is most proud of is where we are ranked #1 in Restoration Services. We strive to make a positive difference in the communities and customers we serve.

The SERVPRO Story

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Ted and Doris Isaacson

Ted and Doris Isaacson created SERVPRO in 1967 as a painting business in Sacramento, California. With a background in cleaning and restoration, Ted and Doris soon transformed the company into a franchisor of cleanup and restoration specialists.

After selling the first franchise in 1969, SERVPRO continued to grow, acquiring the Bristol-Myers Domesticare Division and its 175 franchises in 1979.

SERVPRO relocated its corporate headquarters from Sacramento to Gallatin, Tennessee, in 1988 to place itself within 600 miles of 50% of the U.S. population.

At the time of the relocation, the SERVPRO System consisted of 647 franchises.

The company's headquarters quickly became a key contributor in its community, and in 1991 the Nashville Business Journal named SERVPRO Industries, LLC, the Small Business of the Year. The company continued its impressive growth, selling the 1,000th Franchise in 2000. Learn more about our Awards and Recognition.

In 2005, SERVPRO Industries, LLC,  moved to a new 140,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Gallatin to provide more room for expansion.

On March 26, 2019, SERVPRO and Blackstone (NYSE:BX) announced that private equity funds managed by Blackstone (“Blackstone”) have recapitalized SERVPRO. Blackstone is acquiring a majority stake in SERVPRO as part of Blackstone’s Core Private Equity strategy, which is designed to hold investments for much longer periods of time than traditional private equity. The Isaacson family will be re-investing alongside Blackstone and will continue to be significant shareholders in the business going forward. 

Blackstone is one of the world's leading investment firms. They seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for their investors, the companies they invest in, and the communities in which they work. 

More than 1,700 franchises are operating nationwide, and SERVPRO continues to grow. The need for experienced, trained, and professional cleanup and restoration experts is recession resistant, and the growth potential inside of a proven system presents an opportunity for prospective franchisees.

With a proud history, a positive current growth, and a bright future, SERVPRO will press on toward becoming the premier cleaning and restoration company in the world.

What It Means to be IICRC Certified

2/27/2020 (Permalink)

IICRC

What is the IICRC Organization?

The IICRC is the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, a non-profit organization for the cleaning and restoration industry. Since starting in 1972, the IICRC has evolved into a global organization with more than 60,000 active Certified Technicians and more than 6,000 Certified Firms around the world.

The IICRC is managed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of 15 industry leaders elected by the IICRC’s Shareholders. The Board of Directors’ function is to represent the various interests of the Registrants while leading the direction of the organization. The Board of Directors is tasked with the responsibility of helping shape future policies of the organization and uphold the standards that help shape the industry. 

The mission of the IICRC is to establish and advance globally recognized standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, restoration and installation industries.

Respect – We will treat everyone we encounter in our interactions through the IICRC in the same manner we would wish to be treated.

Responsible – We will work to assure that the obligations and stated goals of the IICRC are met in a timely fashion.

Integrity - We will establish and maintain a culture characterized by honesty, high values and exceptional standards of conduct.

Excellence – We will accept nothing less than the best in leadership, quality and service.

Expert – We will continue to build the IICRC’s reputation as the leading authority and source of professional knowledge in the industry.

The IICRC Standards are the most comprehensive and advanced technical information in the industry.

Where professionals find training and consumers find peace of mind.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is a proud, IICRC Certified member. 

Resource: IICRC

Who's Knocking At Your Door

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Storm Response Team

After a flood disaster, expect multiple visitors who will want to help you recover. No matter who’s knocking, always ask for identification and the purpose of the visit. Never give out personal information such as your Social Security or bank account number. Government officials will never ask for money and you should never pay for their service.

GOVERNMENT

• FEMA

If you apply for federal disaster assistance, a FEMA inspector may call and visit to assess your property damage. They will have a FEMA ID badge.

• Local Building, Permitting, & Government Official

Officials inspect damaged buildings to determine if they can be occupied. If they have damage, officials (state/county/local) may visit to gather damage data in the weeks and months after an event to inspect and collect information. They should have an ID badge from their agency.

INSURANCE

• Homeowners Insurance Adjuster

If you file a claim with your homeowners insurance, a homeowners insurance adjuster will call and visit to assess non-flood damage. They should have a state-issued agency license or ID.

• Flood Insurance Adjuster

If you have filed an NFIP policy claim, you will receive a call and a visit from a flood insurance adjuster. They will collect information, take photos, and help fill out claims paperwork. They will have a Flood Adjuster Certification Card and picture ID.

OTHER

• Public Adjusters

Third-party certified public adjusters may offer help to inspect damaged homes and help you file claims for insurance, grants, and loans, but be cautious. There is usually a fee of 10% to 30% of your total settlement. Be sure to ask for credentials.

• Contractors and Other Repairers

Be cautious if a contractor or other repair professional approaches you directly and unsolicited. Ask for IDs, licenses, proof of insurance, and references. Do not pay for all repairs up front, though legitimate contractors may request a percentage of their fees to begin work. Obtain a contract with both labor and cost estimates.

• Scammers

No fees should be charged for the inspections performed by government or NFIP representatives. Social Security and bank account numbers are never required by inspectors or adjusters. Always safeguard your personal information, and when in doubt, don’t give out information.

The OTHER category is where you need to be cautious and to make sure that you are dealing with a reputable company/business. Perform your due diligence and do not provide personal information unless you are absolutely certain that it will be safe and secure.

SERVPRO has been in business since 1967 and has a stellar reputation for serving their customers with honesty and integrity. SERVPRO will make it "Like it never even happened."

Resource: IICRC.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is an IICRC certified water and fire damage restoration company.

Unlikely Suspects: Fire & Ice

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

Wildfire & Snow Covered Roof

When discussing the risk of floods in the U.S., many assume coastal states face the greatest risk. However, according to Ray Farmer, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) President and Director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance (SCDOI), states affected by other natural disasters, such as wildfires and winter storms, are often just as vulnerable.

“Awareness is a critical step in prevention,” said Director Farmer. “Homeowners should carefully evaluate environmental conditions and invest the time and money necessary to reduce their risk, preventing catastrophic damage before it happens.”

In the wake of raging forest fires, western areas of the U.S. are left vulnerable to mudflows and flood conditions. Additionally, areas prone to harsh winter storms also face an elevated and often unexpected risk of flood conditions. Ice dams and snowmelt can cause flash floods, which are generally not covered by regular homeowners insurance policies, and hailstorms can cause roof damage, leaving homes susceptible in the event of heavy rain.

Mitigating risk of flooding, fires, storms and other weather events can be accomplished by keeping your roof in good repair; trimming trees away and removing any weakened sections that might break off and fall onto buildings; and maintaining defensible space around your home. To protect property from ice dams:

• Keep drains, gutters and downspouts free of debris to promote proper flow.
• Relocate heat sources that are installed in open attic areas that are directly under the roof.
• Insulate and seal attic penetrations such as vents.
• Install heating cables on eaves, gutters and downspouts or around flat roofs. This will create effective channels to allow water to drain safely.

Take these steps to help protect the life you have worked hard to build.

When and How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Extinguisher

Always put your safety first; if you are not confident in your ability to use a fire extinguisher, get out and call 9-1-1. The American Red Cross cautions you to evaluate the situation and ensure:

• Everyone has left or is leaving the home
• The fire department has been called
• The fire is small, not spreading, and there is not much smoke
• Your back is to an exit you can use quickly

Learn about the different types of fire extinguishers; not all will work on every fire. For home use, the National Fire Protection Association recommends a multi-purpose device large enough to put out a small fire but not so heavy that it will be difficult to handle. 

Review the instructions once a year. If you need to use a fire extinguisher, there won’t be time to learn how to do it.

To use a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS:

• Pull the pin.
• Aim low at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the handle slowly.
• Sweep the nozzle side to side.

Resource: National Safety Council

Home Heating Safety

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Fire Restoration

There is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions you can prevent most heating fires from happening.

Be warm and safe this winter!

• Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.

• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

• Never use your oven to heat your home.

• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.

• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.

• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

FACT

Half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February.

Resource: National Fire Protection Assc.

Winter Snowstorms

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Winter Storm Damage Service

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.
  • Signs: Shivering, exhaustion, confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, or drowsiness
  • 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.

Resource: Dept of Homeland Security

Healthy Habits to Help Prevent Flu

2/21/2020 (Permalink)

Flu Virus Cells

Every where I go these days, it seems as if someone is sick, getting sick, or just got over being sick. Knock on wood, I haven't gotten sick, yet... There are a number of preventative measures that the CDC recommends:

1) Vaccinations.

2) Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

3) Covering your mouth and nose while sneezing or coughing.

4) Washing your hands often, especially after shaking hands or touching areas of frequent use (ie: door knobs, pens, etc...).

5) Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands.

6) Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

That's where SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry can help. We offer a disinfectant/sanitize service for your office, health club, lunch room, or wherever your staff and visitors work together and/or congregate.

Message me for more details.

Snow Loads

12/13/2019 (Permalink)

Snow Load on Roof

FEMA has a great source (Snow Load Safety Guide 2013) for determining what would be considered a safe snow load on your roof. It was designed for pretty much anyone responsible for safety and maintenance of a home or building.

A snow load is the amount of snow on your roof top. The load is not necessarily determined by one event, but by as many events as occur whereby the snow load accumulates.

The weight of snow is not measurable by the number of inches, but by the moisture content within the snow itself. If you have 1" of dry snow, the weight of that 1" would be approximately 3 lbs per sq ft, where as 1" of a wet snow may weigh approximately 21 lbs per sq ft. On the other hand, an ice storm event may raise that 1" accumulation to 57 lbs per sq ft. Considerable differences.

One major concern of a snow load is the weight exceeding the structural capacity. Drifting or the sliding of snow to specific areas of your roof could increase the risk of damage through accumulated weight.

How do you prevent this from becoming an issue? Snow removal. If you don't have one, get yourself a roof shovel or roof rake. Takes some effort, but is an effective, preventive tool and measure worth taking.

Kerosene Heater Safety

12/3/2019 (Permalink)

Kerosene Heater on Fire

Kerosene Heater Safety

Kerosene heaters are often used as a supplemental heat source. They are reasonable priced, kerosene is easily accessible, and kerosene is a clean burning fuel. However, like any fuel source, there are safety rules that should be followed to minimize risk of fire. 

1. Use only water-clear 1-K grade kerosene.

2. Always store kerosene in a container intended for kerosene.

3. Purchase from a dealer who can certify that what is being sold is 1-K grade kerosene.

4. Never refuel the heater inside the home.

5. Do not refuel the heater when it is hot or in operation.

6. In case of flare-up or if uncontrolled flaming occurs, do not attempt to move or carry the heater.

7. Reduce your exposure to indoor air pollutants by properly operating and maintaining your portable kerosene heater.

8. Always operate your heater according to the manufacturer:s instructions.

9. Keep the wick in your heater clean and in good operating condition.

10. Keep an outside window opened approximately an inch to ensure adequate fresh air infiltration.

For more safety information, check out the NASD Kerosene Heater Safety recommendations at http://nasdonline.org/1295/d001100/kerosene-heater-safety.html.

Turkey Deep Fry Safety Tips

11/27/2019 (Permalink)

Fire Safety When Deep Frying

Turkey Deep Fry Safety Tips

Deep frying a turkey for Thanksgiving? Know the rules of safety so that you and your family can enjoy the feast.

1. Set up your deep fryer outside and at least 10' away from any object (ie: vehicles, house, garage, overhanging limbs, etc...) and out of the wind.

2. Test your connections on your deep fryer and propane tank for leaks by using a simple solution of soapy water.

3. Make sure your turkey is completely thawed and patted dry.

4. Keep a working fire extinguisher on hand and nearby in the event of an emergency.

5. Fill deep fryer with water, then insert turkey to determine fill line. Remove turkey, drain water, then fill fryer to water line with oil. Remember to dry your turkey off again.

6. Be sure to wear your PPE gear before placing turkey in oil. An apron, goggles and gloves (neoprene works best) are recommended.

7. Insert turkey slowly and gently into hot oil.

8. Use a thermometer to ensure correct temps when cooking.

9. Never leave fryer unattended.

10. When turkey is done, shut off burner and remove slowly, using a drip pan to capture any dripping oil.

11. Allow oil to cool and dispose of accordingly.

From all of us at SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry, have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! 

Baby It's Cold Outside...

11/14/2019 (Permalink)

Frozen Cracked Pipe

"A November Arctic Blast" is how the National Weather Service is describing the record low temps the Northeast will be experiencing these next couple of days.

When the New England region is subjected to this level of cold weather, SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry knows what is coming next - frozen pipes. Frozen pipes that burst can cause serious water damage to a home or business.

Have you prepared your home or business for the winter weather? Water damage is the cause of many problems, the least of which is the mitigation and clean-up that SERVPRO provides. It's the disruption to your life or business, the time off from work to manage this crisis or the realignment of personnel, the damage done to personal possessions, furnishings, and business records, the shutting down of a line in a manufacturer or distributor, the relocation and costs associated with relocation, to name a few.

Preventing disasters such as these is not always possible, but being prepared to tackle them quickly in order to mitigate your loss is. Message me for details to find out how SERVPRO can help you be prepared.

Wildlife Intrusion

10/28/2019 (Permalink)

Squirrel In Attic

As the Fall season begins, it's time to make our way up into our attic to pull out our fall and winter clothes along with our holiday decorations. While up there, we notice signs of an intrusion... mice, squirrels, even birds and bats.

Why are they there? They're looking for a warm place to harbor. Besides the physical damage they do, these pests carry other pests with them such as bird mites, bat bugs, fleas and ticks. They also defecate and urinate throughout.

Closing off access to these pests prevents entry. Cleaning up and removing the nests and feces gets rid of the parasites. Disinfecting and sanitizing the area removes the toxins.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry can help. Message me today for your No-Cost assessment.

Know the Signs of Mold

10/21/2019 (Permalink)

Mold Spores

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry offers testing, remediation and clean-up of mold for both commercial and residential properties. The Fall season provides dampness and lots of organic matter, both great sources for mold growth, especially in areas that aren't temperature controlled.

Know the signs:

1. Musty smell/odor.

2. Spots of varying colors on any surface.

What mold needs:

1. Moisture.

2. Food.

3. Warmth.

4. Oxygen.

Growth period:

1. Within 24-48 hours after a flood or water intrusion.

Prevention/Tips:

1. Control humidity levels.

2. Fix leaky roofs, windows and pipes.

3. Ventilate shower, laundry and cooking areas.

4. Thoroughly clean and dry after flooding.

The Center for Disease Control is a great resource for mold related topics. https://lnkd.in/ePNZ9QB

Legacies

9/12/2019 (Permalink)

#destinationderrynh, the Town of Derry's fb site for Derry visitors.

As a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, one of the services I provide on behalf of the Chamber is to help our members get their Chamber Directory Listing up and fully functional, fully visible. Prior to development with the Member, I perform some basic research on the Company, the Principles and the History of the company.

What I found most interesting was the level of community involvement the founders had, especially when researching businesses that were in their 2nd and 3rd generation of family ownership. They were a fixture in their community and understood the value of organizations that worked to help strengthen the community they resided and conducted business in. In other words, they believed that they not only had a vested interest in their community, but a responsibility as well.

Some of these organizations included The Rotary Club, The Kiwanis Club. their local Church, their local Masonic Lodge, and many were on the Board of these non-profit businesses within their community.

Interestingly enough, many of these companies are thriving into their 3rd Generation. The building blocks were their dedication and commitment to Community, and their legacy is a result of that work.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry also believes in the commitment to Community. We are involved with a number of non-profit organizations and work on Committee's within the Town's we service. We donate time, money and service and are always available to help or advise where and when needed. Commitment, dedication, service for others, all good business traits, but also good for the soul.

Where Did That Smell Come From???

5/24/2019 (Permalink)

Dog Urine Stain

Let's say you recently purchased a home with carpets installed. Prior to move in, you decide to have the carpets cleaned, hoping to refresh the carpets, maybe remove a few stains. Upon cleaning of the carpets, you notice a urine smell coming out of the carpet.

Unbeknownst to you, the prior homeowner(s) had several pets over the years, and their pets had "accidents" on the carpet. Even worse, the urine seeped into the carpet pad underneath the carpet. What is now happening is that the steam from the extractor is drawing the urine odor out.

Prior to cleaning, use of a black light is helpful to determine if urine stains are present, enabling your service provider to treat these areas appropriately.

If the urine has seeped into the carpet pad underneath the carpet, you may need to pull up the carpet and have the pad replaced.

A thorough inspection by your service provider prior to cleaning makes all the difference in what you see and what you smell.     

Call 811 Before You Dig

5/16/2019 (Permalink)

Call 811 Before You Dig

We've all seen or heard the commercials for 811, "Call Before You Dig," especially pre-spring and early spring when homeowners and landscapers are preparing to rip out plants, cut trees, pull out stumps, plant new foliage, till up your garden, dig footers for the new deck or gazebo, etc... 

Why call 811? To prevent damage to underground utility lines and cables. If you damage them, you pay the expense to repair them. Besides the cost of repairs, you risk causing damage to your home should you crack a water, sewer or gas line.

Each Utility comes with its own color scheme (ie: water lines are blue, electric is red, pressurized gas is yellow, cable TV is orange, and so on.

New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission, Safety Division, has a great handbook readily available for download called "New Hampshire Excavator Manual." Contact chuck@SERVPROderrylondonderry.com and I will send you the pdf version.

Serving Our Community

5/15/2019 (Permalink)

The Salvation Army

Serving the community that we live and work in makes us a partner with that community. As a partner, we want the best for our community and we want to help it grow and prosper. One of the ways SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry does this is by offering help and assistance to a number of organizations, one of them being The Salvation Army of Greater Derry.

The Salvation Army of Greater Derry provides a number of services for the Greater Derry area: Worship Services, Emergency/Disaster Service, Christmas Kettle Program, Food Pantry, Nursing Home Visitation & Church Services and After School Programs, just to name a few.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry, in tandem with The Salvation Army of Greater Derry, is distributing shopping bags to businesses and organizations within the Greater Derry community, with a request to collect non-perishable food items and toiletries. These items are then distributed to those in need throughout our community. Certainly a worthy cause.

If you would like to contribute to this program, please contact our office directly for details. Every portion of your donation goes directly to those in need. Your help is greatly appreciated.

Time Management

5/13/2019 (Permalink)

Emergency Time Management

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry makes it a point to stay in touch with their commercial customer base on a regularly scheduled basis, ensuring that should an emergent situation ever occur, SERVPRO will be one of the first calls they make. 

What we do after the call is really what matters most. Our response time is always within an hour of your initial call, and most times within minutes if you call our office number directly.

We will be onsite within four hours, ready and prepared to mitigate the damage, every day of the week, 24 hours per day.

If your loss is being managed by your insurer, per requirements from most insurance providers, we will provide a verbal briefing, or a description of the loss, the mitigation performed, and what it is going to take to get your home or business back to where it was.

Time management of this process is crucial in preventing further damage, limiting the cost of restoration or reconstruction, but also working to keep you in your home or to keep your business operating. 

For more information on our process, please check out our website, or better yet, contact me to discuss in person. There is never a commitment required to have a conversation.

Cleaning: How Clean is Clean?

5/8/2019 (Permalink)

Clean Space

When I am approached to provide a bid for cleaning, I have to ask a very basic question first: "Do you want a general cleaning or a detailed cleaning?" This invariably brings up a question - what is the difference?

The best description I can offer is through an analogy - do you want to run your car through a car wash and get the dirt off, or do you want a detailer to clean every part of your car? The typical response to this question is almost always "detail."

Then comes the price, and this is usually followed by sticker shock. Further explanation is then required.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry provides cleaning services, but usually after some type of disaster (ie: water damage, fire damage, storm damage, etc...), we then need to perform a detail cleaning of the affected areas of your home or business to ensure that when we're done, we live up to our motto - "Like it never even happened."

So, if you want your home or office space cleaned, and you want a detailed cleaning that leaves your space looking and smelling amazing, call SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry. You will be satisfied, we guarantee it.

Mud Season in New England

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

Mud Season

Mud Season is the season in New England between Winter & Spring. For those of you that are not native to New England, mud season is the result of snow melt + rain = mud!

You track it in your car, you track it in your home, you track it in your business, and you track it just about everywhere you go.

Floors take a beating when mud gets embedded into the fibers of your carpet, and can scratch up your tile and wood floors when hard granules get caught up in your shoe treds, all of which decreases the life and beauty of your floors.

The best remedies are to ensure you have a shoe scraper outside your door, wiping off debris each time you go to enter your home or business. If at home, take your shoes off at the door. Insert a shoe tray at the entrance so that dirty shoes sit in the tray, not on the floor. Sweep the floor at the entry ways daily to prevent hard debris and dirt from being tracked through the your home. 

For your business, vacuum or sweep daily and make sure paths and walkways leading to your office are clear and free of mud and debris.

Want to keep those floors looking fresh and smelling clean? Call SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry for a detailed floor cleaning. Assessments offered at No-Cost.   

Wildlife Invasion

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

Raccoon in Attic

Wildlife invasion is prominent during the spring and fall seasons. In the spring, most wildlife and birds mate and look for safe, protective nesting sites. Many times these sites are within overhangs and attics in homes. Some pests, such as mice, live their lives within the home in your walls, under your floor boards and in your attics.

A number of issues come about from having animals, birds and mice in your home such as mites, parasites, or the death of one of these creatures. If you have ever had a dead animal in your walls, you can attest to the smell. Dead animals and birds also attract bottle flies that then lay their eggs and produce larvae (ie: maggots). These flies are living off the carcass of the dead animal or bird, possibly landing on numerous food products and surfaces within your home, depositing germs and bacteria. 

It sounds gross, because it is gross. But that is nature taking its natural course.

That's where SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry can be of help. While we are not licensed to trap and remove wildlife, pests or birds, we can help in the clean-up, sanitizing and disinfectant of the areas affected.

Call SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry for more details.

April Showers...

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

"April showers bring May flowers" is a reminder that an unpleasant weather event can bring about beauty. While this is certainly the case, April showers can also bring about the unpleasant realities of home ownership such as water in your basement.  

 Water seepage can be brought about by a number of factors including improper grading around your home, overgrown plants with extending root systems, improperly pitched gutters, downspouts that are directing the water back to the home, clogged gutters, and the most difficult factor to correct, high water table.

These issues offer you lots of weekend opportunities to get out there and work on your home and yard. Should you need an expert to come in and dry up your basement before you get a chance to make these corrections, we're here to help.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is on the clock 24/7/365 for all of your emergent needs. We will make it "Like it never even happened." 

Your Home in Pictures

2/28/2019 (Permalink)

Our homes are typically filled with treasures from our travels, our children's life events, and relics from our past, all irreplaceable. If lost to a fire or water damage, all we can do is cry and hope our memory can relive these past moments without these memento's to shake our memories.   

But what of our furnishings, what happens if we lose them to a catastrophic event? While they can be replaced, at what cost and at who's expense? If we have adequate insurance coverage, then the burden is on the insurer to replace any items that can't be restored.

Do you have a complete inventory list of furnishings and other items in your home? One way to make this task easier is through pictures and video's. Having a video library of your homes contents helps fill the gaps in your memory and will ensure that lost items are replaced. Be sure to feature identification marks on finer items such as China and bric-a-brac, and model and serial numbers on other items such as your computer, TV or appliances. 

Preparation and pro-active measures help relieve stress and help provide some level of relief when a disastrous event strikes. 

Is your home prepared for the winter???

11/9/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO - always on call.

Winter in New England can be brutal. The cold, snow and ice can cause unforeseen damage to your home. Preparing your house for the winter helps to minimize the risk of a loss. Noted below are some basic, self-help tips.

• Shut the water off to your outside spigots from the inside shut-off valve, keeping the spigot open, allowing as much water as possible to drain from the line. Once the line has drained, shut-off the spigot and cover the spigot with an insulated faucet cover.
• Clean out all organic debris from your gutters and downspouts. Even better, install a gutter protection device after cleaning.
• If you have experienced ground water in your basement from snow melt, a slight regrade of this area may help.    
• If you have ground or below-ground windows, installing a pent over top of the windows will prevent snow build-up at and water infiltration from snow melt at the window jambs. 
• If you have window wells, installing a pent over the window well will help keep snow out of the well, preventing snow melt from seeping through the window jambs.

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is here to help you escape the winter home hazards. Call 603.432.3221 or email chuck@SERVPROderrylondonderry.com for a complimentary home inspection.

SERVPRO Helps Prevent Mold Damage To Carpets

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

Moisture left in Carpets can result in Mold Growth

Mold spores are tenacious and can quickly grow and spread throughout your home. However, if mold has not already set in, it is possible to prevent it taking hold by ensuring it does not have the right environment in which to grow. A wet carpet is an ideal breeding ground for fungi. Flood damage, a burst pipe, or even a leaking appliance in your home are all causes of potential water leakage onto your carpet. The result is a damp environment, which mold spores love. 

Swift action is necessary to prevent mold damage to the carpets in your home.  In fact, it can begin to grow within 24 hours of water damage and become a colony in 48 to 72 hours. The longer water is present, the greater the risk of increased fungal growth. As well as having potential health effects, mold is simply not something you want to grow in your carpet and may even lead to a costly carpet replacement. That is why SERVPRO recommends calling on our experts the moment you notice water damage to any of your floor coverings. 
 
The key to preventing mold growth in water damaged carpets is to get the carpet dried out as quickly as possible. The first step is extracting the water by using truck mounted and freestanding pumps. Our IICRC-certified experts understand that careful handling is vital when removing water from carpets. Carpets can come with a primary and secondary backing. Over zealous extraction techniques or pulling of the carpet during extraction can cause separation of these two layers, leading to bubbling and irreparable carpet damage. 
 
Most carpet comes with padding on its underside. In most cases, our experts recommend the padding is taken away and replaced. Drying with the padding in place takes longer and thus makes the drying slower and more expensive with an increased risk of mold growth. It is often cheaper to replace the padding and focus on drying the carpet. SERVPRO teams carefully remove padding to leave the carpet intact. Of course, the degree of wetness and the amount of the fungal growth dictate if tossing is required.
 
After water extraction and pad removal are complete, our technicians calculate the correct number and position of air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out the carpet. Downdraft air movers pull warm air down and spread it across the carpet in a broad pattern which makes them ideal for larger areas. Meantime, centrifugal air movers direct air over the carpet surface to encourage rapid evaporation of moisture. Our aim is swift and thorough drying to leave your carpet "Like it never even happened." 
 
If you are concerned about potential mold growth in your carpet, call SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry at (603) 432-3221 today for assistance.

Commercial Services

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry is ready to respond immediately and work quickly to clean or restore your business. We understand that your property’s appearance is important and that every hour spent restoring is an hour of lost productivity. When you need a restoration or cleaning professional, SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry has the training and expertise to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

• Small Office Buildings
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military

Have Questions? Call Today  603-432-3221

Commercial Building Restoration Services

We are available 24 hours a day to get your Derry Londonderry business back up and running. Our expertise includes restoration services for fire and water damage, including electronics restoration and document drying. We are also your business’s best resource for mold remediation. 

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

3/3/2018 (Permalink)

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 Derry Londonderry 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 – SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry (603) 432-3221

Restoring Your Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

2/13/2018 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage Events Present Unique Challenges

Flooding and water damage events in Derry, Londonderry, Litchfield and Hudson 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.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

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 Derry Londonderry

SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry 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.

Call us today at 603-432-3221 with your commercial needs!

Space Heater Safety

1/31/2018 (Permalink)

In the colder months of the year, homeowners look for ways to make chilly areas warm and comfortable. While space heaters can be useful to keep small areas warm, it’s very important to use them with caution. In a 2010 study, it was found that space heaters caused 32 percent of all home heating fires but were involved in 79 percent of all home-heating related fire deaths. Fortunately, using a space heater can be safe if you follow these simple recommendations.

NFPA offers the following safety tips.  

Heating

• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Supervise children when a fireplace, fire pit, or other space heater is being used. Use a sturdy, metal screen to prevent contact burns, which are even more common than flame burns.
• All heaters need space. Keep things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Never use your oven for heating.
• Install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment, according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Have a qualified professional install the equipment.
  • Make sure all fuel-burning vented equipment is vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is created when fuels burn incompletely. CO poisoning can cause illness and even death. Make sure the venting for exhaust is kept clear and unobstructed. This includes removal of snow and ice around the outlet to the outside.
• Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms to avoid risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

Portable electric space heaters

• Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Use and purchase portable space heaters with an automatic shut off so if they’re tipped over they will shut off.
• Place space heater on solid, flat surface.
• Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
• Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.

Fuel burning space heaters

• Always use the proper fuel as specified by the manufacturer.
• When refueling, allow the appliance to cool and refuel outside or in a well-ventilated area.
• When using the heater, open a window to ensure proper ventilation.
• In portable kerosene or other liquid-fueled space heaters, always use the proper grade of the proper fuel.
• All new unvented gas-fired space heaters have an oxygen depletion sensor that detects a reduced level of oxygen in the area where the heater is operating and shuts off the heater before a hazardous level of carbon monoxide accumulates. If you have an older heater without this feature, replace it.
• If the pilot light of your gas heater goes out, allow 5 minutes or more for the gas to go away before trying again, do not allow gas to accumulate, and light the match before you turn on the gas to the pilot to avoid risk of flashback.
• If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not attempt to light the appliance. Turn off all the controls and open doors and window. Call a gas service person.

Wood burning stoves

• Install the stove, chimney connectors and chimneys following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.
• Wood stoves should bear the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
• Start the fire with newspaper or kindling, never with a flammable liquid, such as lighter fluid, kerosene or gasoline.
• Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from the home and any other nearby buildings. Douse and saturate with water.
• Chimneys and vents need to be cleaned and inspected at least once a year.

SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry is here to help you recover from any fire.  Our trained technicians will remove the smoke and soot from your home.  Saving your belongings and memories.  Call your neighbors when you need us 603-432-3221.

Do You Know Where Your Water Shutoff Valve Is?

1/29/2018 (Permalink)

Label your Water Shut off Valve(s)

Do you and your family know where the main water shutoff valve is located in your house?  It is always harder to find something when in a panic.  That is why we highly recommend that you be aware of its location before a disaster strikes.  

”Where It Is Not:  It is likely not under a sink.  The shut-off to the water heater may look promising, but that only affects the outflow of hot water from that point.  Do not confuse the gas shut-off to the furnace or water heater with water lines.”

“Check Your Inspection Report:  If you still have your property inspection report from when you purchased the house, it should indicate the location of the shut-off valve.  Inspection reports often follow a standardized format, so you may find this information located in Section 6.1.”

Follow the link for more helpful tips to help you locate the shutoff valve in your home.

Knowing where the water shut off is critical when you have a burst pipe.  The faster you are able to turn off the water, the less damage your home will suffer.  Call SERVPRO Derry Londonderry at 603-432-3221 as soon as you are able and our technicians can help get your home back to it's original condition.  We are here when you need us !!!

Is There Water in Your Walls ??

1/16/2018 (Permalink)

Moisture Meter

This Winter has been a roller coaster of temperatures, contributing to both ice damns and flooding.  Many of us have had challenges at home and even at work.  Did you have a pipe burst?  Was there an ice damn on your roof?  Most importantly, is your home dry?  Moisture in your attic or even your walls can negatively impact your home and family.

Our technicians at SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry are prepared to handle your concerns.  We use science and technology to determine the best course of action.  Equipment includes moisture meters, dehumidifiers and fans.

The Tramex MEP Moisture Encounter Plus is a non-destructive overall building inspection moisture meter which has applications for numerous industries. It has many unique features that make moisture measurement and evaluation fast, precise and versatile.

Features

• Wide range of readings for wood from 5% to 30%.
• Deep signal penetration to over 1" into the materials being tested without the need to damage the surface. Signal penetration depends on material being tested and meter setting.
• Three ranges of sensitivity: Wood & Timber / Drywall & Roofing / Plaster & Brick – making it ideal for testing moisture conditions in various building materials.
• Detects moisture through paint, wall coatings, drywall, ceramic tiles, floor coverings, wood, roof coverings and ceiling tiles.
• High moisture audio warning tone.

SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry can help you determine if your home is dry.  Call us today 603-432-3221 for help.  We are available 24/7/365 !!

IICRC Certified Firm

1/8/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry 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 Derry Londonderry

SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry 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.

Call our certified technicians today!!

ICE DAMS

1/2/2018 (Permalink)

An Ice Dam is a hump of ice that forms at the edge of a roof under certain wintertime conditions. An ice dam can damage both your roof and the inside of your home. It will put gutters and downspouts at risk too.

Ice Dams are a common sight in Northern New England winters. There are several things you can do to avoid getting an ice dam or to reduce the risk of damage after one has formed, but there’s really only one cure: a combination of better sealing, insulation, and venting in the attic and eaves.

HOW DO ICE DAMS FORM?

An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the underside of the layer of snow on the roof. The water trickles down between the layer of snow and the shingles until it reaches the eave of the roof, which stays cold because it extends beyond the side of the house. There, the water freezes, gradually growing into a mound of ice.

The flatter the pitch of the roof, the easier it is for an ice dam to get a grip. Gutters at the eaves can also trap snow and ice. If snow and ice build up high enough in the gutter, it can provide a foundation for an ice dam.

WHAT DAMAGE DO ICE DAMS CAUSE?

When an ice dam gets big enough, melted water backs up behind it and seeps underneath the shingles. Eventually, it will drip into the insulation and down into the ceilings and exterior walls beneath the eave, ruining sheetrock and paint. If the ice dam breaks free, it can pull shingles and gutters off with it, and it will damage anything it falls on: shrubs, windowsills, cars, pets, and people. If the roof sheathing stays wet, it can form mildew and start to rot

DEALING WITH EXISTING ICE DAMS

1. Remove the ice dam by breaking it free in small chucks. Do NOT use an ax or other sharp tool! You’ll cut through the shingles. Instead, tap lightly with a blunt mallet. This is slow, dangerous work, so hire someone experienced at roofing. Even if you do it safely, the chunks of ice can take pieces of shingle with them.

2. Clear out gutters and downspouts. Again, this is ladder work and an easy way to damage either plastic or metal gutters and spouts.

3. Melt troughs through the ice dam with calcium chloride ice melter. Do NOT use rock salt! It will damage paint, metals, and plants beneath the eave and wherever the salty water drains.

A good trough-maker is a tube of cloth (a leg from an old pair of panty hose works well). Fill it with calcium chloride, tie off the top, and lay it vertically across the ice dam. It will slowly melt its way down through the dam, clearing a path for the underlying water to flow free.

Call SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry at 603-432-3221. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Prepare for Severe Cold Weather

12/27/2017 (Permalink)

Protect Your Pipes !!

Every winter season, the pipes in your business and home are at risk of damage from freezing conditions. Low temperatures can cause your water pipes to freeze, and in some cases burst. The following tips can help you safeguard your home before, during and after a pipe freezes.

PREVENT YOUR PIPES FROM FREEZING

• Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.
• Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you're leaving the house for an extended period of time.
• Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate.
• Identify the location of the main water valve and the valve on your water heater. (Learning the location of these valves may come in handy during an emergency.:
• Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation or with heating tape. This can prevent freezing, especially for interior pipes that run along outside walls.
• Close all windows near water pipes; cover or close open-air vents. Freezing temperatures combined with wind drafts can cause pipes to freeze more frequently.
• Heat your basement and consider weather sealing your windows.
• Insulate outside walls and unheated areas of your home.
• If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, shut off water supply valves to your washing machine.

IF YOUR PIPES STILL FREEZE AND BURST, CALL SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry at 603-432-3221 AND YOUR INSURANCE AGENT FOR IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE!!

Stay Safe this Holiday Season

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

Holiday Fire Safety

Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show the holidays are a high-risk time for home fires. Christmas trees are responsible for 240 home fires each year, and other holiday decorations are the cause of another 1,170 fires.

Here are some tips to keep your home safe this holiday season: 

•Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree.

•Keep trees at least three feet away from major sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, and direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process.

•Use lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, to reduce drying of the tree.

•Always inspect light sets before placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set.

•Do not overload electrical circuits.

•Always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.

•Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry, remove it from the house.

•Install and ensure smoke alarms work inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home, including the basement.

If you have a fire, call SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry.  We are available 24/7 and only one call away 603-432-3221.  We make it like it never even happened!!

Faster to your Water Damage Event

11/30/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service to any size event.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry 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 Derry Londonderry arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 603-432-3221

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry

SERVPRO of Derry Londonderry 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. 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.

Thanksgiving Safety

11/15/2017 (Permalink)

Use Safe Cooking Practices at Thanksgiving

For most, the kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays. From testing family recipes to decorating cakes and cookies, everyone enjoys being part of the preparations.

So keeping fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home. As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.

Thanksgiving by the numbers

• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
• In 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,760 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires.
• Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
• Cooking equipment was involved in almost half (48%) of all reported home fires and civilian and tied with heating equipment for the second leading cause of home fire deaths

Safety tips

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

More NFPA Thanksgiving-related information

• NFPA's "Home Fires Involving Cooking Equipment" report

• Download our “Kids in the Kitchen” guide for ideas on what different age groups can do around the kitchen as you prepare your holiday meal

If you do have a kitchen fire SERVPRO Derry Londonderry is here to get your family back to cooking!!  Our professional and experienced teams will remove the smoke, soot and fire damage from your home.  Even a small kitchen fire can leave a residue and odor.  Call SERVPRO Derry Londonderry at 432-3221 to get your home back in it's best condition for the holidays!!

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

BE READY for any size disaster!

As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster, according to the latest 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. And knowing you are "Ready for whatever happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don’t necessarily have to be.

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.

Does Your Home Have A Mold Problem?

1/5/2017 (Permalink)

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.

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Home

1/5/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry 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 Derry/Londonderry

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry 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.

New Franchise Opening Near You!

12/27/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry is now opening in Derry, NH. We will be servicing the areas of Derry, Londonderry, Litchfield, and Hudson. Providing excellent customer service to each and all of you.

Our opening date is 12/01/2016, and we are excited to provide quality service to anyone who needs assistance.

Brothers Jum and Jamie Lyndes are proud to be the owners and faces of this exciting new opportunity.

Equipped with the proper equipment and a qualified staff, we hope to bring peace of mind to everyone experiencing a fire, water, or in need of a general carpet cleaning!

If there are any questions or concerns feel free to contact our Office by phone 603-432-3221 or email office@SERVPROderrylondonderry.com

You may also stop into our office at

123 Rockingham Rd

Derry, NH 03038

We always willing to help, in any situation!

About SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry

12/9/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry 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.

Each of our staff members come equipped with knowledge and the best customer service to provide you with the help you may need. Our goal is to make you happy and keep the SERVPRO standard no less than fantastic.

Be it, our friendly and prompt office staff, or our hardworking and efficient production team out on the field. Everyone of us are happy and proud to assist under the SERVPRO name.

Derry 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

12/8/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Derry/Londonderry 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.

Our franchise is located in Derry, with close proximity for immediate services to the surrounding areas. Which means we can provide prompt services in case of a water emergency. Any content affected by the water can be damaged, which is one of the many reasons we provide immediate response.

Water loss is severe and can be quite traumatic, which is why we can provide you with great customer service and assure you we will get the job done, giving you peace of mind.

We are here to make it look "Like It Never Even Happened".