National Preparedness Month!

9/4/2024 (Permalink)

During the month of September, we emphasize even more the importance of disaster preparedness!  With the ongoing hurricane season and the potential for severe storm threats throughout the year, it is essential to be ready!

• Develop an evacuation plan to ensure your safety.
• Create a communication plan so that your family or employees know what to do during an emergency.
• Build an emergency kit with supplies including non-perishable food, water, flashlights, a radio, extra batteries, and a first aid kit.
• Follow your local news sources for updates on any potential storms.  After a storm subsides, continue to follow the guidelines of local authorities regarding issues such as damaged electrical wires or flooding on roadways.

Another proactive measure to stay ahead of a disaster is through our Emergency READY Profile (ERP), a digital file that contains pertinent information for your business in the event of a fire, flood or other disaster.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides this free program in order to assist commercial facilities with preparing for the unexpected!  Water and gas shut-offs, the property manager, and local fire and police departments are a few of the details you can include in the ERP for your building.

By being prepared for the worst, you can help to prevent destruction or minimize any resulting damages due to a fire, water or storm event.  Should you suffer a disaster of any size, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can respond immediately to help recover your home or business!

What To Do Before Help Arrives After A Biohazard Event

8/16/2024 (Permalink)

Exposure to biological or chemical substances can lead to severe health issues.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford stresses the importance of prompt and expert handling by a professional in order to help prevent these health risks.  Before help arrives, there are several steps you can take to help eliminate the threat.

Ensure Safety: Avoid contact with the affected areas as they may contain harmful bacteria and pathogens.  Wear protective gear such as gloves, boots, and a mask before entering the affected area.  Seal off the contaminated areas from the rest of the property to help prevent exposure.

Take Precautions: Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.  Refrain from leaving items on wet or contaminated surfaces.

Prevent Further Risks: After sewage damage, turn off the HVAC system to help prevent further spread.  If the ceiling is wet from sewage or floodwater, do not operate ceiling fans.  Avoid entering rooms where the ceiling is showing signs of sagging.

Turn off utilities: After sewage damage, shut off electricity and gas to prevent any potential hazards.  Avoid using electrical appliances in the affected area.

Contact professionals: In the event of a life-threatening situation, contact local authorities immediately.

By following these steps and seeking help when needed, you can effectively address a biohazard event and restore your property to a safe and healthy condition.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford’s team of professionals are extensively trained in biohazard cleanup procedures in accordance with IICRC, OSHA and EPA guidelines.  We handle biohazard incidents including trauma and crime scene cleanup, hoarding cleaning and packout, sewage cleanup, vandalism/graffiti removal and the cleanup of blood-borne pathogens.  Our hospital-grade cleaning and disinfecting solutions in addition to our strict policy guidelines for cleanup and disposal allow us to assist our local community with these hazardous situations!

Severe Weather Causes Extreme Storm Damage!

8/14/2024 (Permalink)

Chester County suffered severe storm damage following a two-day storm event.  Intense lightning and thunderstorms resulted in water damage, fallen trees, and power outages.  Approximately 71,000 properties were left without electricity, with winds gusts reaching speeds of up to 46 mph.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford dedicated several days to diligently restoring each property affected by storm damage.  Numerous calls were received from home and business owners who faced situations such as trees penetrating their properties or roof damage due to the strong winds.  Our storm damage restoration team promptly responded to these calls to assist in the recovery process.

Additionally, we are thankful for the quick action of our local tarping and board-up partners, who worked tirelessly alongside us to secure each property and mitigate additional storm damage.  As the rain persisted, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is pleased that we could assist in preventing further rainfall from entering the premises of these properties while we recovered the current damages!

Firefighter Challenge!

8/2/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO^® served as the title sponsor for the Firefighter Challenge Championship Series! During this three-day event, first responders competed in vigorous tasks that showcased the immense strength, effort and dedication that goes into their duties on a daily basis.  Participants from fire departments nationwide demonstrated their heroic qualities by completing obstacles such as climbing a staircase with a heavy load and carrying a 175-pound dummy across the course in under two minutes.

Our marketing team at SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford enthusiastically participated in the event through volunteer work, providing us with the opportunity to connect with representatives from various SERVPRO franchises. Witnessing the impressive feats accomplished by the fire department members left a lasting impression on our team, particularly those individuals we are honored to know personally.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford remains committed to supporting our first responders through various efforts!

Coatesville City Apartment Fire

7/5/2024 (Permalink)

Photo provided by IrishEyez Chesco and Keystone Valley Fire Department

Our fire damage restoration team is currently in the process of restoring six units affected by a residential apartment fire in Coatesville City.  Local fire departments promptly responded to the scene in the early morning.  Once the fire was extinguished and everyone was removed from the property safely, we immediately boarded up the property to help secure the area.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is committed to continuing our fire damage cleanup and restoration efforts to return the property to its preloss state and assist the affected families in returning to a sense of normalcy.  We extend our gratitude to all the fire departments that responded to both of these incidents!  Our goal is to make the disaster that these families faced “Like it never even happened”.

Commercial Complex Fire in Kennett Square!

6/12/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is currently aiding a local business complex in Kennett Square that has been severely impacted by fire damage, resulting in four businesses being in a state of disarray.  Following a fire that caused damage to multiple businesses within the complex, all affected locations were forced to close.  Although our team promptly conducted smoke damage restoration services for one of the restaurants, enabling it to reopen in a matter of days, the other three establishments face more challenges in their restoration process.  We are currently awaiting approval from the other parties involved so that we can continue the cleanup of the site.

Our commercial fire damage services encompass a range of specialized solutions aimed at restoring businesses affected by fire damage.  These services typically include assessment of the damage, smoke and odor removal, structural repairs, content cleaning and restoration, and overall restoration of the property to preloss conditions.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford utilizes advanced fire damage restoration techniques and equipment to efficiently and effectively address the unique challenges posed by commercial fire damage, helping businesses resume operations as quickly as possible.  Additionally, these services often involve working closely with insurance companies to streamline the claims process and ensure a smooth and successful restoration process for the business owners. Our team is here to help make any size disaster “Like it never even happened."

Deep Cleaning Services For Your Business

5/28/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford offers comprehensive cleaning services for facilities and warehouses.  We specialize in maintaining the cleanliness of your property through a range of general cleaning services, including window cleaning and strip & wax floor cleaning.

Additionally, we offer post construction cleanup services for newly constructed buildings or sections of your facility.  Throughout the construction process, dust and debris can be a significant concern.  Our team can thoroughly clean all affected areas of your facility from top to bottom, ensuring everything looks fresh and new.

This recent project for a commercial warehouse utilized our deep cleaning methods.  Dust was meticulously eliminated from every corner of the building, from the ceiling to the floor.  Contents were cleaned, stored and relocated as necessary.  In addition, HVAC duct cleaning was conducted to ensure that the air vents were free of any potential contaminants, allowing only safe and healthy air to circulate through.  Should your property require a fresh start, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can help!

Property and Safety Tips For the Summer

5/15/2024 (Permalink)

The summer heat brings its own risks.  To help limit the risk of property damage and stay safe next season, there are several preventative measures that you can take.

Moisture

Mold grows where moisture lies.  Clean moisture-prone areas often to help eliminate bacteria, such as around the windows and shower.  To help prevent moisture or a water leak after a storm, seal any cracks in your windows and doors.

Grilling

Before grilling, first check for any leaks.  Maintain at least ten feet between the cooking area and any trees or bushes.  Clean the grilling surface often, removing any grease, fat or cooking oils that can potentially cause a fire.

Air Conditioning Systems

Have your system inspected before starting it up for the season.  If a duct cleaning hasn’t been performed in over seven years, we recommend this service to clear your air vents of any dirt and particles that would otherwise circulate through your home with the cool air.

For window units, dirt and debris should be removed to help prevent the risk of fire damage.  Clean them of any condensation, and ensure that rain will not drip onto any electrical wires.  Change the filters once per month.  Turn the units off when they are not needed; overuse can cause the system to overheat. 

Hurricane Season

Hurricane season continues!  Have an evacuation plan prepared for your family or business.  An emergency kit should be readily available and stocked with items such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, blankets, and a portable radio.  Always listen for updates on a storm and for when it is safe to venture out.

Prepare your business for the worst!  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford offers the Emergency READY Profile for property and business owners.  This is a free building assessment complete with all critical property and emergency contact details in the event of a disaster.  We provide these free of charge to our local businesses!

Holiday Safety

When setting off fireworks, keep them away from any structures or trees.  Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby in case of a fire.  Do not relight or touch fireworks that haven’t ignited.

Should you suffer a fire, water or storm damage event this summer, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides immediate restoration services to the local area.  Our team of professionals will assess the damage, determine the best course of action and work with you every step of the way while we restore your property to preloss conditions.

Preventing Fire Damage Before It Happens!

4/30/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides preventative measures to help stop fire damage in the first place.  One of the ways we do so is through hood cleaning services.  As food is prepared, the excess oil and grease evaporates into the hood system.  Without proper maintenance, this can build up and potentially cause a kitchen fire.  Our team will remove all signs of cooking residue and thoroughly clean your system to help prevent fire damage.

For commercial facilities, hood cleaning is required based on the volume of cooking use.  Small establishments may only need a cleaning annually, while a highly trafficked restaurant may need a cleaning as often as once a month.

To help ensure a safe cooking environment, filters should be replaced every two-three months for the utmost efficiency.  Cooking surfaces should be cleaned every day.  Keep any flammable materials away from the cooking area.

Another way that we can help to prevent fire damage involves the laundry area.  Dryer fires are very common.  We offer dryer vent cleanings, which are needed based on use.  As dirt and lint builds up, a clog can form in your dryer vent that can eventually cause a fire.  The more you use your dryer or the more pets you have, the more often you may need to have this cleaning performed.  Our cleaning professionals will remove all potential buildup in your dryer vent to help ensure a safer and more efficient system.

Should you suffer a fire, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides 24/7 emergency fire damage services to the local area.  When an unexpected disaster occurs, our restoration team can handle any extent of smoke or soot damage.

Mold Can Be Harmful!

4/2/2024 (Permalink)

Mold can take on many appearances and cause various health effects, particularly for those with respiratory conditions.  With the spring weather comes a greater risk of mold growth due to higher levels of moisture and humidity, not to mention the increased likelihood of rainfall.

It is critical to combat mold immediately after it is discovered!  When mold growth is uncertain, we work with several partners for mold testing in order to determine exactly what you’re dealing with and the risks involved.  Stachybotrys or black mold is one of the most hazardous when it comes to your health. 

During the mold remediation process, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford will conduct various procedures including the containment of the mold-infested areas while the work is completed in addition to utilizing our air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to collect and prevent the spread of mold spores in a given space. 

Each mold situation is unique and poses its own risks.  To help prevent mold, do your best to keep your property dry, and look for signs of water damage or offensive odors that could mean mold is present.  Investing in an air purifier is an effective way to help stop mold in its tracks and ensure a clean and healthy environment.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides mold remediation services for any extent of damage, no matter the risk.  We take the steps necessary to help eliminate all potential harm from your property.