Regional Sales and Marketing Meeting

9/20/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO employees from across the northeast

On Wednesday, September 18th SERVPRO® representatives from around the northeast came together to collaborate. We talked about how to best serve our customers and improve how we operate. It was inspiring to see so many professionals at different stages in their careers share ideas. There were over 50+ years of experience in the room and that industry knowledge is unmatched. At SERVPRO we work as a team so we can respond faster to any size disaster. As a single franchise, there is only so much we can do to help our customers but, with the support of over 2,200 franchises across the country, there is no job too big. This group takes disaster restoration seriously so when emergencies happen, you are in good hands. our competitors do not bring this level of service, capacity, or expertise so when you face property damage call SERVPRO to make it, "Like it never even happened."

Mold Testing

9/17/2024 (Permalink)

Do you have mold at your property?

Our franchises do not perform mold tests. We only provide a visual inspection. Mold is a part of our lives and is in our environment all of the time. That means a mold test will always pick up mold. We often get calls from property owners that they did a mold test that they bought from Home Depot and it came back positive. Well of course it will! Mold is everywhere all of the time. You need to do a control outside of the property to get a sense of what kind of mold levels are already in that environment. As a rule of thumb, never hire a company that does both testing and remediation, it is a conflict of interest. Mold test results can be presented in a way to make a homeowner feel like they have a serious problem on their hands. I have seen estimates from companies that test for mold and do remediation, and they are often a lot higher than companies that just do remediation and do not test. Hire a reputable testing company that does not do remediation to get an unbiased protocol. 

First Responder Appreciation Golf Tournament

9/17/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO First Responder Golf Tournament

On Thursday, September 5th four SERVPRO franchise groups representing Massachusetts and New Hampshire hosted a golf tournament at Windham Country Club. The tournament was for first responders and trusted vendors. There are over 130+ golfers in attendance. Our franchise group had a 4-some from the Lowell Fire Department. One of the firefighters won the 50/50 raffle and donated his winnings to charity. Our Sales and Marketing Representative for Lowell, Bruce Dickey, won the closest to the pin contest on hole 16 missing a hole-in-one by only inches. It was a beautiful day on the golf course and a wonderful event.

Why is my Air Conditioner Leaking Water?

7/29/2024 (Permalink)

Please be sure to check the drip pan under your air conditioning unit to prevent a water loss.

With the recent stints of extremely high temperatures and humidity in the Waltham, MA area, air conditioning units have been working overtime. We have received numerous calls for drip pans overflowing and causing water damage to properties. Commonly, air handlers are placed inside attics. Most homeowners do not go into their attics regularly, especially in the summer months. Air conditioning units have drip pans underneath them to collect condensation that occurs from normal use. Most of the time the water that accumulates in the drip pan evaporates before it overflows. Sometimes the drain hose can get clogged if not cleaned which can lead to a leak. Other times, the unit is working so hard produces a lot more condensation causing the drip pan to overflow. The problem with a leaking or overflowing drip pan in an attic is that you do not know it is leaking until water is coming through the ceiling below. Please be sure to service your HVAC system regularly and check your drip pan periodically throughout the summer to prevent a water loss from occurring at your property. 

Institute of Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC)

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

We are an IICRC firm

SERVPRO of Lexington, Waltham, Watertown, Arlington, Somerville, and Charlestown 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 Lexington, Waltham, Watertown, Arlington, Somerville, and Charlestown

SERVPRO of Lexington, Waltham, Watertown, Arlington, Somerville, and Charlestown 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.

Grill Safety Tips

8/21/2023 (Permalink)

Follow these grill safety tips to prevent a fire

My wife and I bought our first home back in October of this year and have been counting down the days until we could grill on our back deck. We came from living in a triple-decker in Boston with no outdoor space except our back deck on the third floor, which meant no grilling for safety purposes. Grilling on the third-floor back deck of an older building poses a serious fire risk. Now that I have a large back deck with nothing underneath it except the patio and lawn, I figured I was in the clear to grill as much as my heart desired. Just 2 days after purchasing my first-ever grill, SERVPRO responded to a large house fire in Weston, MA. I was speaking to the neighbor who called it in and she let me know it was caused by their grill on the back deck. I immediately thought to myself, “How could this happen?” It was a devastating fire and it made me consider what needs to happen to safely operate a grill at your home.  

• Put your grill in a safe location - never grill indoors and place your grill at least 10 feet away from your home. Be sure there is nothing above or around your grill at any time.
• Clean your grill regularly - clean it before each use to remove any grease buildup that could fuel potential fires.
• Check your grill for problems - pay special attention to your propane or gas line for leaks.
• Wear the right gear - wear gloves and long sleeves to protect yourself from heat but be sure clothing is not too loose.
• Be ready to put out a fire - have baking soda and a fire extinguisher close by just in case.
• Use caution when using lighter fluid - only use lighter fluid to start a charcoal grill and use it sparingly.
• Don’t turn on the gas while the grill is closed - do not let propane build up inside of a closed grill causing a fireball to occur when you ignite it.
• Never leave a grill unattended - not ever!
• Don’t overload your grill - more meat = more grease which can cause a flare-up.
• Use a meat thermometer - flame-licked meats can look done on the outside but are not cooked all the way through which can lead to food poisoning.
• Don’t cross-contaminate foods - don’t place your corn on the cob where raw meat was sitting to prevent possible cross-contamination.
• Always turn off your grill - create a routine when you are done cooking to be sure you have turned off the grill, fuel, or let the charcoal cool safely.

SERVPRO Inducted into Entrepreneur Hall of Fame

7/27/2023 (Permalink)

Fortune 500 Entrepreneur Inducts SERVPRO into Hall of Fame

SERVPRO was recently inducted into the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 Hall of Fame. This special designation was awarded for 37 consecutive years of being number one in our category of restoration. Yes, you read that correctly, we have been the best restoration franchise to own for over 35 years in a row. Year after year we continue to grow and operate at the highest level, which is no easy feat. A lot has changed in this industry over the past three decades, and we have been at the forefront of it all. From carpets to catastrophes, top-tier technology integrations, innovative equipment, and products, to now offering construction services. SERVPRO has proven again and again that we are committed to being the premier restoration company in the world. Thank you for all of your support these past 35+ years and we look forward to the next!

SERVPRO Partners with The New England Patriots

7/25/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is now the official cleanup and restoration sponsor of the New England Patriots

We are honored to announce that we have partnered with the New England Patriots as the official cleanup and restoration sponsor at Gillette Stadium! This is a substantial partnership, more than just a sponsorship opportunity. Robert Craft does not just allow any sponsor with enough funding to brand themselves at Gillette. He wants the best of the best in each industry and actively works with them to grow each other's brands. To be acknowledged by a titan of the industry as the best cleanup and restoration company says a lot. We are no longer a mom-and-pop shop that cleans carpets. We are the premier restoration company in the country and can stand with brands like The New England Patriots with our heads high.  

Somerville, MA Smoke and Soot Cleanup

8/12/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Somerville Home.

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow 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 Arlington, Somerville, Charlestown 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 – (781)-861-0500

The Correct Spelling of SERVPRO

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

When you experience fire, flood, or mold damage call the #1 brand in restoration, SERVPRO.

In my time at SERVPRO I have seen numerous variations of the spelling which prompted me to write this blog and set the record straight. Service + Professionals = SERVPRO. Not SERVPRO or SERVPRO, or even Serve Pro. ServicePro is also incorrect along with ProServ. We are definitely not Service Master or any alternative spelling to it. RestorePro is also not us, neither is All Pro Restoration nor Pro Plus Services. You see, there are many imitators to us and our brand because we have built such a successful company. Others see our success and try to copy it. When you experience fire, flood, or mold damage call the #1 brand in restoration, SERVPRO.