Preventing Mold with the Summer Heat!

9/8/2023 (Permalink)

With the heat of the summer comes a greater chance of humidity and moisture.  This makes areas of our home or business more prone to grow mold.  A property with poor ventilation also restricts the amount of air flow that helps to keep the areas cool.  In these situations, condensation becomes a concern for mold.  Preventative actions you can take to prevent mold include the following:

Keep Humidity In Tact: Keep your home or facility cool.  Make sure there are no openings between your doors and windows to allow warm air to escape into the property.

Circulate Air: Vents should be consistently carrying the air throughout your home to maintain comfortable temperatures and lessen the risk of moisture.  Ensure that your HVAC system is clean and running properly.

Clean Up: Regularly cleaning areas such as your window sills and shower will prevent bacteria and other elements from building up to form mold.  Walls and ceilings with moisture should also be cleaned often to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Clean Appliances: Clean your dishwasher and laundry machine to reduce the risk of moldy bacteria.

Inspect: Look for signs of leaks or water damage.  Areas such as your roof, attic and basement are good places to start!  Should you have an odd or unfavorable smell in those areas, it could mean mold is present.

When you suspect mold, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can visit your property to assess the areas, determine the best plan of action and perform mold removal services.  Before getting overwhelmed with what to do next, give us a call to lift the burden off of your shoulders!

Fire Damage Restoration in Coatesville

8/23/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is continuing the fire damage restoration process for one of our local homeowners in Coatesville.  After a fire erupted on this property late one night, we rushed out to help!  Our local boardup partner was called out immediately to secure the scene until further notice.

Our fire damage restoration team then began the process of restoring the home to preloss conditions.  This includes removing any valuables that could be saved, demolishing the damaged structural components of the home without risking the integrity of the structure itself, cleaning and restoring content, and the reconstruction of the property.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford handles each fire loss with care and with our client’s needs and concerns in mind.  Our goal is to make each traumatic disaster “Like it never even happened” while striving to make the entire process as less overwhelming as possible for those involved!

Demolition Begins After Fire Damage in Avondale

7/21/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is continuing the fire damage restoration process for an Avondale property after a single electrical outlet caused a fire that completely destroyed the home.  Many fire departments in our area arrived on scene immediately to help extinguish the fire and sustain the stability of the structure as best as possible.  The initial restoration process has been completed, but due to the aftermath of the damage, the homeowners are left with no alternative but to demolish the property and rebuild.

The foundation of the home will be left intact so that the home can be reconstructed for the family.  Our fire restoration and reconstruction divisions are proud to handle this extensive project from beginning to end for the homeowners.

Our fire damage restoration professionals are also continuing the process of cleaning and restoring the smoke and soot damaged content that was affected.  This includes bringing in specialized vendors for electronics, textiles and other items.  These items will go through a particular method of cleaning in order to allow the recovery of these specialty items without damage.

These unfortunate situations are never easy for those involved, but this family will soon be able to put this devastating disaster behind them “Like it never even happened.”  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is here to help when it matters the most, and we take pride in assisting local homes and businesses when the unthinkable happens!

Click here to view our demolition video of the current phase of this project!

Avondale Water Leak

7/7/2023 (Permalink)

After a water leak in an Avondale home, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford went out immediately to perform mitigation services for this bathroom among other areas.  Our water damage restoration procedures involve so much more than the water removal process.  We remove damaged structural elements such as the drywall, trim and floors.  After the initial water damage has been removed, we then place drying equipment, or air movers, onsite for a minimum of three days in order to help ensure that even the smallest water droplets have vanished from the affected areas and the interior walls and floors in those areas.

Our team’s cleaning and disinfecting process ensures that any form of bacteria or contamination is removed while our reconstruction division restores what needed to be removed in order to restore a home or facility to preloss conditions.  Our IICRC-certified water damage restoration process provides peace of mind to our customers while adhering to the strict but necessary guidelines of our industry.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is proud to aid the Chester County area with their water and fire damage needs!

Content Removal and Restoration after Fire Damage

6/7/2023 (Permalink)

After a fire occurs, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford understands that what makes the disaster so overwhelming isn’t the structure itself but the contents inside that have meaning. When we are called on scene to assist with fire damage, we salvage what we can and look for your sentimental and priceless items, such as antique jewelry and pieces of artwork.

You may not know that many items affected by fire damage can still be restored to their original state, thanks to our advanced cleaning and restoration procedures.  Even electronics can often be saved. In addition, our team provides document restoration services for files affected after a fire or water loss.  Several items that we can assist you with in the event of a fire damage event include textiles, glassware and electronics such as computers and phones.

If you are given permission to re-enter your home after a fire, other items will need to be disposed of:

Plastic: This material captures the smoke or soot in the air, making these items nearly impossible to restore.

Food and Medicine: Smoke and soot can also enter into these items.  It is best to throw away anything that you may consume to be safe.

Furniture: Damaged upholstery can eventually break apart and cause a safety issue.

Appliances: These can cause more damage as well as electrical problems if affected by a fire.

Insulation: If insulation has been burnt, it needs to be replaced.  There is also a risk of embers igniting inside the insulation.

Wood: Affected wood loses its structural stability.

In the event of a fire, we recommend hiring a professional to handle the content restoration process.  Attempting to clean the items yourself can actually lead to more damage since smoke and soot is difficult to remove.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can assist you in salvaging what can be restored, and we provide packout services for both storing your content during the cleanup as well as removing items from the home or facility.  Our emergency services are provided 24/7 for fire and water damage events in the local area to help make your disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Soot Damage Cleanup

5/11/2023 (Permalink)

After a furnace puffback or other unforeseen fire damage situation, soot can spread to every corner of your home in a matter of seconds.  The soot damage on this ceiling was just the beginning of our cleanup process.  Furniture, carpet, clothing and other content was affected and handled with care.

During this process, our fire damage restoration professionals often store unaffected content nearby or in a local facility while cleaning and returning the damaged items that are salvageable.  In situations where electronics and textiles are involved, we bring in our local partners to restore those delicate items.  Some important documents or priceless photos can also often be restored from smoke or water damage; our Corporate office handles those needs with their specialized document restoration chambers.

Soot cleaning requires a thorough assessment and cleaning of your property from top to bottom.  We use soot sponges to find the particles of soot that are difficult to see, and we also perform duct cleaning services to ensure that both the structure and the air you breathe is free of contamination.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides 24/7 emergency services for fire, smoke and soot damage in our local area.  Our team is here to assist you every step of the way, from working with your insurance provider to the reconstruction of what was lost!

Preventing Mold after Water Damage

4/19/2023 (Permalink)

This rainy season has caused a lot of water and storm damage to our neighbors.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford has spent a great deal of the past month restoring properties with water leaks and sump pump failures after heavy downpours, and we have also assisted those with damaged roofs after trees had been knocked down due to the wind or other unfortunate circumstances.

During this season of storms, it is important to dry the affected areas properly in order to prevent further water issues or future mold damage.  Our certified water damage restoration professionals are trained to follow strict industry standards in order to help lower the chances of these further issues.

Our team will inspect your building to discover all signs of water droplets or wet materials that have been affected.  We also measure the moisture in these materials and monitor that everything is drying properly with the help of our air movers.

By allowing a trained professional to fully dry the structure for you, you will suffer a much lower risk of finding mold later in those same areas.  Cleaning up the areas may seem easy enough, but allowing a professional to cover all of the difficult areas where water can hide will save you much more time and money down the road!

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides 24/7 emergency services for water and fire damage, but we also respond quickly to needs involving mold remediation, cleaning services and reconstruction. We are “here to help” restore properties in our local communities as efficiently as possible with minimal downtime for your home or business.

Mold: The Hidden Enemy

4/3/2023 (Permalink)

Mold comes in all shapes, sizes and colors, but it is typically not as scary as it looks.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford discovered this interesting mold formation in an Avondale home while we were performing services for the sewage that had entered the property.  When our crew removed the drywall to find this growth hidden behind the wall, we realized that this restoration project would be much more extreme.

Mold can be difficult to remove, and it can also spread quickly throughout a property.  In as little as 48 hours, you can have a much larger problem on your hands!  Should your home or business have any extent of mold damage, give us a call for a free estimate!  Our air scrubbers and advanced remediation and cleaning techniques will take care of the issue for you in order to ensure that there are no health risks in the structure.   SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford also provides 24/7 services for emergencies in our area!

Fire, Water and Mold Damage Prevention for Spring!

3/23/2023 (Permalink)

Spring is the perfect time to spruce up your home or business and make sure everything is in order.  It is also a season where fire, water and mold damage commonly occur due to a variety of issues.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides cleaning and restoration services for any extent of damage you may encounter.  Below, we list several ways you can prevent property damage this season!

Preventing Fire Damage

• Check your smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarms, and change the batteries if it has been over six months.               
• Check your home for damaged appliances or cords.
• Clear out any debris or overgrown plants and leaves.
• Clean out the lint from your dryer, and hire a professional to perform dryer vent cleaning services if the buildup is more than you can handle.
• Make sure your grill is clear of grease and fat, and that everything works properly.

Preventing Water Damage

• Clear your gutters and drains of the leaves, dirt and debris that have accrued throughout the winter.
• Ensure that your foundation is ready to take on the spring showers, so that any precipitation will properly flow away from your property.
• Make sure that your sump pump is working to avoid basement water damage after a rain storm.
• Repair your roof of any damages, such as missing tiles or shingles that can lead to a leak.

Preventing Mold Damage

• In the event of water damage, be sure to hire a restoration professional to remove all signs of water in the affected areas.  Leaving those little water droplets behind can lead to much greater mold issues.
• Clean areas regularly where moisture is present, such as bathrooms and around windows.  As the temperature climbs, so will the moisture and the risk of mold.
• Clean your air conditioner of any condensation, and ensure that the system is working properly.

Should you have any issues with your property or just need some extra care after last season, feel free to reach out!  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides services in residential and commercial HVAC duct cleaning, carpet cleaning, tile and hardwood floor cleaning, and more!  We can clean your property from top to bottom, no matter the extent of the filth or damage, and we offer free estimates!

Team Hughes Has Grown!

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is proud to share our big news!!  Team Hughes has acquired two new franchises to add to our portfolio and areas of service, SERVPRO of Lancaster East and SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster County.  We are excited to welcome Lancaster into our territories, which also includes our Cecil County franchise.

Should you need our expertise in Chester County, Cecil County, or our newly obtained Lancaster area, please give us a call!  Our teams are prepared to respond to any cleaning or restoration need for local residential and commercial clients.  We are also excited to meet our local business partners and organizations in this new territory as we expand our coverage!