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.

Mold in Lincoln University

3/14/2024 (Permalink)

Mold can take many forms and can often be a hidden enemy, hiding behind walls or in the corners of your property.  When it comes to mold, the key is to act quickly to prevent further damage.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford recently responded to a home in Lincoln University where mold damage was discovered.  The homeowner had returned from vacation to find mold had formed in the corner of the fireplace.  Upon arrival, our team will discuss any pertinent info with you regarding the mold growth.  Each mold situation has its own traits, and we work to understand the most effective approach for each project.    

Our mold remediation process will then provide the necessary steps to eliminate the mold spores on all affected surfaces.  We utilized our HEPA vacuums to treat the compromised areas.  This equipment captures and removes harmful particles that can pose a health risk to those who are exposed to the mold.

Our professionals also utilize our advanced air scrubbers to help remove even more particles from the air in the space.  Through the use of containment barriers, we prevent mold exposure in unaffected areas of the property.

Once our remediation process is complete and all surfaces and affected content have been properly cleaned and restored, we leave a property much healthier than when we first stepped foot inside.  Often during this process, mold-infested structural elements such as the drywall and baseboards must be removed, but our reconstruction department is always just a call away to put everything back together!

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides mold damage services in order to make any extent of damage “Like it never even happened.”   Our team is equipped to act quickly and immediately when it counts!

Are You Prepared For Spring?

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

Life can get messy.  When it comes to stains, dusty HVAC ducts or otherwise worn down surfaces in need of a refresh, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can handle that mess for you!  Spring also brings its own risks of property damage.  Below, we list some of the ways that you can help to prevent property damage this spring!

• Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Spring is the perfect time to make sure that everything is running smoothly and that your systems are intact in the event of an emergency.
• Have your air conditioning system inspected and cleaned.  Replace the filter in your air conditioning unit to eliminate the particles flowing through your system and into the air.  A new filter will also prolong the length of your system’s efficiency.
• Clean your ducts and dryer vent.  The dirt and dust in your ducts can build up over time while it circulates throughout your home in the air you breathe.  Lint and other debris will eventually build up in your dryer vent, potentially leading to fire damage if not properly removed.
• Clean your gutters.  A clogged drainage system means that the water could end up in your property, rather than flowing away from it.  Clear the areas of leaves and other debris, and make sure that water isn’t collecting around your foundation.
• Inspect the structure for any issues after the long winter.  Do you have missing roof tiles or damaged siding?  These issues should be repaired before they become a bigger concern, especially with the rainy season ahead.
• Make the necessary repairs to all windows and doors.  By sealing any cracks, this will prevent moisture from entering the property that can cause mold as the temperature rises.

Our certified professionals are ready for spring!  We are specifically trained in a variety of cleaning methods in addition to water and mold damage procedures that are often needed due to the rain and moisture that arises.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can handle each form of damage from day one to help resolve your particular matter!

Preparing For The Storm!

2/1/2024 (Permalink)

Although flooding disasters like we have experienced recently can often be unexpected to our customers, one way to stay ahead and remain prepared is to follow your local news stations frequently for updates.  These also come in handy during and after a storm for following the proper safety guidelines when leaving your home.

Other ways you can help to prevent storm damage after a major weather event include the following:

• Inspect your property.  Damaged structural components should be repaired immediately.  Missing roof tiles, broken gutters and foundation issues can all lead to a much larger issue after rain or flooding.
• Seal your doors and windows.  This will help to prevent moisture as well as water damage.
• Check your sump pump.  Ensure that the system is working properly and have a battery backup installed. This can save you the stress when a power outage occurs.
• Make sure that your water is draining away from your property, rather than pooling around it where it will potentially find its way in.
• Clear your gutters and downspouts of debris.
• Trim any loose tree branches or limbs that could break in strong winds.
• Speak with your insurance provider on your flood coverage. Some policies do not cover this.
• In the event of a power outage, have an emergency kit ready with supplies including blankets, flashlights, batteries, and non-perishables.
• Stay alert to your local news source, and never attempt to drive through high water. Stay inside and wait out the storm until your local authorities say that it is safe.

As winter continues and more storms arise, please stay diligent.  In the event that you suffer any extent of storm damage, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is on standby 24/7!

Heavy Winds and Rain Bring Severe Storm Damage!

1/17/2024 (Permalink)

Our area has suffered a few large storms recently, leading to severe flooding in Chester County and the surrounding areas.  During each of these weather events, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford received an influx of calls for help with water and structural damage due to the heavy rain and downed trees.

During the most recent storm, the wind gusts had reached up to 50 mph, causing trees to collapse onto homes.  Hundreds of power lines were damaged, resulting in fire damage to several properties.  As the heavy downpour gained momentum, properties located closer to creeks and rivers experienced even more storm damage.  In Downingtown, the Brandywine Creek almost reached the peak of a major flood disaster.

In addition, over 60,000 power outages were reported in Chester County alone, while over 221,000 were reported overall from PECO.  During the extreme weather, emergency personnel were called out to sixteen water rescues.  Many vehicles were left trapped in the flooding as the storm continued.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford has worked day and night during each of the recent storms to help assist those with extreme storm damage.  Our franchise assists our local customers with the entire storm damage restoration process, including with tarping a damaged roof and the tree removal process.  We provide reconstruction services to the water-damaged areas once mitigation is complete.  In addition, our team will help you to discover the source of any leaks and provide content cleaning for the salvageable items affected.  Often, we can even save some of the water-damaged documents that are not too severely affected.

Should you have suffered any form of storm damage during our region’s storms, feel free to give us a call!  We can help guide you towards the next steps to take in order to get the issue handled immediately!