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. 

Residential Water Loss Caused by Dishwasher in Lexington, MA

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO responded to a residential water loss in Lexington, MA caused by a faulty dishwasher

Last Tuesday afternoon I got a call from one of my insurance agent contacts at Ironside Insurance. He let me know that one of his insured experienced a water loss in Lexington, MA and he wanted me to handle it. I called his insured right away to gather information and set up a time for us to come out to his home. He let me know that his dishwasher somehow cycled all night long with the door open flooding his entire kitchen. I asked if he had filed an insurance claim yet and he told me was waiting to hear back from his carrier with the claim number. The client hesitated and said his insurance company was going to send out a restoration vendor once the claim was filed so he was unsure if he should schedule an appointment with us. I asked who his carrier was and he let me know it was Hanover. I told him that if he has Hanover and lives in Lexington, MA then we are the company they will call as we have a national partnership with Hanover. The client hesitated once again but kept the appointment with us and said he would call back if his insurance company said differently. Sure enough, 3 hours later Hanover sent us the claim. Luckily for the client, we were already on site at his home to assess the damage and schedule a crew to begin mitigation. This story highlights a few key points, the first being, how important it is to have a good insurance agent who will respond to a claim immediately and not just send it to the claims department to handle. The second point is how important it is that your agent has a relationship with a restoration vendor so they can get on top of claims before more damage occurs. Finally, that SERVPRO is the go-to restoration company for most insurance companies on a national level. That is because we are the best at what we do and ultimately make them look good to their customers. If you experience a water loss don’t hesitate to call the pros (781)-861-0500.

Hot Water Heater Bursts in Framingham, MA

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

This is the cause of loss, a hot water heater tank that burst to cause the basement to flood.

It was Monday evening around 7pm and I was just about to sit down to eat dinner with my wife when my phone rang. Working for a company that has 24/7 emergency response services means I should answer my phone whenever possible. Sure enough, it was a gentleman who was having a bad night. His tenant in Framingham, MA just called to let him know that the hot water heater tank burst. Water flooded the basement covering the floor and its contents. I asked if this was something he wanted us to look at tonight or tomorrow and he responded, “this is something that shouldn’t wait”. I would have to agree since water moves quickly and causes damage wherever it flows. I had our on-call project manager reach out to set up a time to come out and take a look at the situation. Our project manager got there around 10pm and we had a crew at the property until midnight extracting water and setting up drying equipment. Our office worked directly with the property owner’s insurance company for billing so he did not have to. We left air movers and dehumidifiers in the basement for 3 days until everything was dried out. I think this particular job highlights exactly what SERVPRO brings to the table. We are available 24/7 with advanced technology and techniques. We are preferred vendors with most insurance carriers and can work with them directly for billing. We take the stress out of a highly stressful situation and make it "Like it never even happened." When you experience a water loss at your home or business, call the PROs at 781-861-0500.

Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

Do not let your pipes freeze causing them to burst and flood your property!

Last weekend’s weather brought frigid temperatures well below freezing for 40+ hours straight, causing pipes to freeze. We have been providing emergency response to homes in the Waltham, Lexington, and Somerville areas. As we enter another weekend of severe cold I thought it would be helpful to publish some tips about keeping your pipes from freezing. 

• Drain water from your swimming pool and sprinkler supply lines.
• Drain water hoses and store them inside. Close valves inside supplying water to your spigot and drain the remaining water. 
• Add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces.
• Survey your property for any water lines that are not insulated like in the garage or under kitchen cabinets and insulate pipes as needed. 
• Consider relocating uninsulated pipes altogether. 
• Keep your garage door closed if there are water supply lines in it.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm air to circulate in them.
• During severe cold - let water taps drip to keep water flowing. 
• Do not lower your thermostat at night.
• Do not turn off your heat if you are going to be away from your property.

If you experience a frozen pipe that bursts at your residential or commercial property, call us immediately. We have crews standing by 24/7 to respond to emergencies and we will work directly with your insurance company. 

Drying Out a Toyota Tacoma

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

We used a desiccant drying process to dry out this pick-up truck

We got an interesting call last week from a customer who “accidentally” went mudding in his Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck which caused it to flood. While the exact chain of events remains unknown - the outcome was a vehicle flooded with muddy river water. The client went to Google for answers and our franchise popped up as a potential solution to his problem. I remember when we got the call our admin asked, “Do we dry out and clean cars?” to which I answered, “Sure! We will dry out and clean almost anything”. While this job was different than most we handle in our office, the work was essentially the same as any other water damage call. We first had to extract all the standing water that remained and then dry it out. We used a desiccant dehumidifier to remove moisture from the interior cabin and recirculated the warm air back into the vehicle to expedite the drying process. This process took a couple of days like any other water loss in a home or business. Once the seats and upholstery were completely dry we detailed the entire vehicle and treated it with antimicrobial to prevent any mold from forming. Whether it is a home, business, car, boat, plane, or anything else that can get wet - we can dry it out. We use advanced methods, technology, and highly trained professionals to remediate water damage. Next time you experience a flood of any kind, call the pros to clean it up. 

D850 Portable Desiccant Dehumidifier

1/8/2022 (Permalink)

We have the best equipment available - like this D850 Portable Desiccant Dehumidifier

Last week we ordered a new piece of equipment to expand our capabilities and continue to serve our customers with the best technology available. The D850 Portable Desiccant Dehumidifier can be utilized for midsize to large residential or small to midsize commercial jobs. It is also ideal for drying dense materials such as brick, concrete, hardwoods, and plaster. The machine can move roughly 850 cubic feet of air per minute through it - removing about 370 pints of moisture per day. Desiccants work by passing air through a rotating wheel of silica gel that absorbs moisture. Since there is no actual water produced during the process it can perform well when used in cooler temperatures, unlike our refrigerant dehumidifiers. The 850 cubic feet per minute (CFM) is over double the amount of air that our current desiccants can provide, so this is a great addition to our inventory. We will always be looking out for the latest and greatest drying equipment on the market so we can provide you with the best service possible. When you experience water damage of any kind, we are equipped to handle it, and faster to any size disaster.   

Residential Water Loss in Wayland, MA

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has crews standing by 24/7 to respond to water emergencies at your home

It was first thing Thursday morning when my phone rang with a call from Moses Ortiz, the owner of Top Notch Contracting out of Lexington, MA. We have been getting a lot of rain recently and he let me know that one of the houses he is doing work on in Wayland, MA got flooded. Moses showed up on-site to get to work on the home when he noticed the basement flooded overnight. With the basement flooded, his crew could not do any work on the home that they needed to that day. His first thought was to call SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford and Waltham/Weston/Watertown/Wayland to dry it out, as Moses has worked with our franchises for many years. I was able to get a project manager on-site within the hour to assess the situation. The project manager dispatched a crew to the property later that day. Our crew extracted the standing water from the basement and left drying equipment overnight. Top Notch Contracting was able to resume work on the home the next day. When you experience water damage at your home, don’t call just anyone, call the PROs to make it "Like it never even happened." 

Primary Water Damage vs. Secondary Water Damage

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians working with customers in their kitchen after a sink leaked everywhere

Primary vs. Secondary Water Damage

Water is a powerful force and when it is unleashed, containing it can be quite the feat. Liquids have a way of moving around, and even through, some barriers. Once a large amount of water has been released into your home, there is no way of knowing exactly where it will end up and which materials it will wick into. Water damage occurs in two phases, primary water damage and secondary water damage. Mitigation is crucial and must happen as soon as possible to reduce the amount of damage that will occur. 

Primary Water Damage

Primary damage occurs immediately after a flood or severe leak. The leak could be from an overflowing sink or tub, a washing machine drainage tube, a burst pipe, a blown boiler, or a malfunctioning dishwasher. All of these incidents will release a large amount of water suddenly into your property and allow it to travel into places it should not. Examples of primary damage include soaked furniture, saturated flooring, bubbling wallpaper, and wet drywall. If not taken care of quickly and professionally, primary damage will lead to secondary damage.

Secondary Water Damage

Secondary water damage is the additional damage caused by primary water damage that has not been mitigated. Bubbling wallpaper will begin to peel, wet drywall will sag, saturated flooring will warp, and mold will start to grow. In a water emergency time is of the utmost importance. The sooner you dry your property the less severe the damage will be. Be sure to address the source of the water first by turning off your malfunctioning appliance, calling a plumber, or shutting off water to the property entirely. Once the source of water has been stopped, call the restoration professionals. SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford and SERVPRO of Waltham / Weston / Watertown / Wayland has crews standing by 24/7 to respond to any size or type of water emergency. Our highly trained technicians will get to work immediately to restore your property to preloss conditions. 

Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Water Damage?

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technician uses a water extractor to remove standing water from a kitchen floor

When Does Homeowner's Insurance Cover Water Damage?

If water damage occurs at your home your homeowner's insurance may or may not cover it. As a general rule of thumb; sudden internal damage is covered, while damage caused by lack of proper maintenance or negligence, or external flood damage, is not. Here are some common examples of situations when a loss is covered or not.

When Water Damage is Covered:

• As the result of rain or snowstorm
• Plumbing: accidental overflow, faulty plumbing, frozen or burst pipes
• Fire suppression systems
• A leak in your roof (insurance would not cover the roof itself - just interior of the home)
• Accidental overflow of an appliance or fixture (washing machine, dishwasher, toilet, bathtub)
• Vandalism
• Mold when it is a result of a covered water loss

When Water Damage is Not Covered:

• Ground seepage
• Water or sewer pipe backups
• Flooding 
• Poorly maintained or neglected pipes that break

What Next?

Call your insurance company as soon as possible after noticing water damage in your home. Document affected areas and contents with photos that can clearly describe what happened to your adjuster. Call SERVPRO once your insurance is notified to begin mitigation immediately. Water damage spreads quickly and causes exponential amounts of damage if not remediated quickly. SERVPRO production managers will work with your insurance company directly so you don’t have to. Using advanced technologies and techniques we will make it "Like it never even happened."

Choose SERVPRO when you notice Water Damage

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

Unfortunately, no home or commercial building is immune to water damage. 

Fortunately, there are many ways to tackle water damage and mitigate it when it occurs. What makes SERVPRO superior in the water restoration industry is our up to date advanced technology and services. We are open 365 days a year 24/7 for emergency services such as water damage incidents. When water damage occurs, our team moves swiftly and promptly to help homeowners or businesses get back on their feet in no time. 

Our SERVPRO warehouse is stocked with countless Air movers, Dehumidifers, and Air Scrubbers. Want a dry surface as soon as possible after flood? Our air movers can help with it. Want to prevent mold growth after a flood? That is what our dehumiders are here for. You know that awful after smell a water leak or flood? Let our air movers take care of that for you. All top-notch portable equipment that help us get jobs done with relative ease. 

Water damage on property comes in many forms: Storms, Sewage backup, Clogs, Leaks etc. Vigilance when you notice interior water damage, can mitigate the damage and make the restoration process less stressful. Contact a professional water restoration company like us here at SERVPRO to help you with the process.

We have been serving our communities for over 50 years and there is no one we don't want to help when they deal with water loss. 

Water Restoration

1/22/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, one of our specialties is water damage restoration. Our professional team knows water damage can occur anytime during the day or night, so our team is always prepared. The water mess won't clean itself up so we offer 24/7 water restoration services to ensure the water damage on your property is kept to a minimum.

Obviously no one wants to see further water damage on their property so being proactive is essential. Water leaks inside a home or building are common this time of year. Do not treat water leaks nonchalantly when you notice it. 

SERVPRO can always provide a solution to your water damage needs.

Our uniformed crew will arrive on-site usually within four hours of notification to begin providing a resolution to the water damage situation. From there, our Technicians communicate their assessment with the business manager or home owner in detail before beginning the cleanup and restoration process. Our crew is experienced and well trained. They will use their training and industrial equipment to examine the extent of the damage. Our Restoration services  include moisture detection, water extraction, dehumidification and much more. 

SERVPRO is open 24/7 & 365 days a year for   Emergency restoration services. 

Water Damage? No Problem

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage doesn't stand a chance against our advanced technology and drying equipment. With the game-plans our experienced production mangers put out, along with our driven professional team, we can make water damage on your property look "Like it never even happened." On top of that, our dehumidfiers, air movers, and water extraction devices will teach water not to make a mess on your property again. 

It's a popular time of year for sewage and drain back ups, house floods and pipes bursting. When water damage occurs in your home or business, do not be nonchalant. Taking proactive measures and being vigilant can prevent the situation from getting worse. We understand water damage can be very stressful which is why we are here to help. 

Here are some important facts you need to know about water damage. 

1. After water damage occurs, mold can begin to grow in just under 24 hours. Lucky for you, our team also specializes in mold remediation.  With that being said however, it is imperative to contact our team right away so the extent of the mold can be mitigated and treated. 

2. There are different forms of water damage. Identify the type of water as soon as you can. It can either be Black, gray or clear water and the quicker you identify it, the less chance it turns into a biohazard. Limiting contamination is obviously important. 

3. Attics are known to be at a high risk for water damage so if your house has an attic, always inspect your attic often, even the hidden areas of your attic. 

Please keep in mind, once water damage occurs, each minute accrued can further affect the area. With that said, do not panic and contact us asap!

We always offer 24/7 Emergency Services and are always ready to help! 

Mitigate the Water Damage

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage to a property is obviously stressful and unpleasant, but dealing with residential or commercial water damage is our specialty. We understand water damage comes in many forms, but before our professional team arrives to the scene, it is important to do everything you can to mitigate the water damage.

Once you notice water damage, in a safe and timely matter, try to identify what caused the problem to begin with. Finding out what caused the water damage will play a huge part in preventing further damage and loss. 

After doing that follow these steps:

1. Unplug outlets in the vicinity of the affected area to prevent hazardous situations

2. Remove personal or valuable items away from the affected area as long as you can do so safely.

3. Assess the water damage. Is it something you can handle by yourself? 

It most cases that is not the case and that is okay because our trained team of professionals is always on stand-by. While our office hours are 8-5, water damage can happen at any time which is why we always have team members on call. 

Our team can help you restore your property to back to normal. Our mission is to make water damage look like it "Never even happened". We always want what is best for our communities and love helping out. 

Thermal Imaging Cameras

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

At our SERVPRO, we have access to a handful of advanced technology that helps us stay on top of things. In certain situations, our team members may use a device known as Thermal Imaging cameras to detect changes in temperature which can indicate water. 

When you have a water damage, the water you see is only part of the problem. The water you do not see, behind walls or beneath floors, poses a risk as well.

If you do not dry all the water, then you will likely have secondary damage from mold or other microbes.

Thermal Imaging Cameras

Our productions managers may use thermal imaging cameras to help determine where water may be hiding out of sight. These cameras draw attention to changes in temperature.

If we see a spot that registers much cooler than the area surrounding it without a good reason for the temperature difference, we know to check that spot with a moisture meter to see whether excess water is hiding there.

You might wonder why we do not simply use the moisture meter on every surface.

The moisture meter must touch the surface in the spot with the moisture to measure it. We could spend all day sticking the meter on every spot in the building, or we can use the thermal imaging camera to quickly scan and see the spots that merit further investigation.

Get It Right the First Time

After a water damage, you need a restoration crew that can dry your building completely the first time.

At SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford and of Waltham/Weston/Watertown/Wayland, our production managers are equipped with the latest technology, including moisture meters, thermal imaging cameras, and a very useful app known as DryBook. 

Call us at the first sign of a water damage. We are available 24 hours a day to take your call and determine the best strategy for restoring your building. We always want to be available to whoever may need our help which is why we offer 24/7 Emergency Services. 

We pride ourselves on making fire and water accidents "Like it never even happened."

Our Water Extraction Machines

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, we stay one step ahead of our competitors by using advanced technology such as these Water Extraction machines. 

When you have standing water or saturated carpet following a water damage, we need to remove as much of the water as we can before setting up fans and dehumidifiers.

The more water we are able to extract, the faster your building will dry. Our Water extraction machines are efficient and always get the job done. 

Truck-Mounted Extractors

At SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford and of Waltham/Weston/Watertown/Wayland, we prefer to use a truck-mounted water extraction machine like the one in this photo.

This is the same machine we use to clean carpets and extract the dirty water after cleaning. Truck-mounted extractors work very quickly and do not need to be emptied as often.

Portable Extraction Machines

If your loss is located too far from the truck or above the third  floor, we will use a portable water extraction machine instead.

These machines are far more powerful than your standard workshop vacuum and shorten the drying process.

Our franchise professionals are trained and certified Water Damage Technicians using professional drying equipment. You can count on us to dry your building using the latest science and technology to shorten the restoration time and minimize costs.

Call us as soon as you notice flooding, so we can extract the water and begin drying as soon as possible!

We continue to offer 24/7 Emergency Services and always look forward to helping whoever we can. 

Laundry Pipe Burst in Lexington, Mass.

11/28/2018 (Permalink)

Small leaks become large losses when no one is home.

Do you run your washing machine or dishwasher when you are not home? You might get away with this 999 times out of 1000. However, if a hose fails or a pipe bursts, the problem will likely get much worse in the time it takes you to return to your home.

Lexington, MA Pipe Burst

We were recently called to a colonial in Lexington, Mass. with a laundry closet on the second floor. The homeowners had started the washer before heading out for the day. Upon their return in the evening, they found a pipe leading to the washer had burst and three floors had water damage. Water had leaked from the laundry closet into the master bedroom and flowed down through the first floor into the basement.

This loss was much more expensive than it would have been had someone been home to hear the water flowing and shut off the water main until a plumber arrived to fix the pipe. Not only was the loss more expensive, but also more intrusive.

In order to dry the house quickly and avert microbial growth, we had to remove several floorboards in the master bedroom and drill holes in the living room wall. Which means these rooms also needed repairs once the house was dry.

Be Prepared

Here at SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford, we recommend every adult and responsible young adult knows where to shut off the water to the home in the event of a water emergency. Inspecting your washer hoses and replacing aging ones will also help prevent a problem. And running your dishwasher or washing machine only when someone is home is key to keeping a small leak from becoming a major flood.

Get It Dry

Of course, once the damage is done, you need to get your home dry as soon as possible to avoid mold growth. Call SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford at the first sign of water intrusion. We will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Can I Dry My Own Water Damage in Lexington, Mass.?

9/20/2018 (Permalink)

Call at the first sign of water damage in Lexington, Mass.

Can I Dry My Own Water Damage in Lexington, Mass.?

Lexington residents and business owners often wonder if they really need a restoration company to dry their water damage. They call and ask us if they can just set up a fan for a few days and everything will be fine.

Without seeing the water damage and assessing the extent of saturation, we cannot answer that question. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford offers free estimates that can set your mind at ease.

Here are the things we will consider:

What Kind of Water?

One big concern when cleaning and drying a water damage is whether the water is contaminated. If the water came from a sewer pipe or through the ground, it contains microbes and pollutants that pose a risk for building occupants.

Porous materials that have soaked up this contaminated water must be removed and discarded. No one can safely decontaminate carpets, drywall, insulation, and other porous building materials. 

How Much Water?

Your restoration needs will also depend on the amount of water and the saturation of the building materials. Even clean water will provide an excellent environment for microbial growth if it sits for over 48 hours.

Your goal following a water damage should be to get the building dry within three days. Our franchise professionals have a warehouse of fans and dehumidifiers available to meet your needs.

Can You See All the Water?

Many times, the water you see is only part of the problem. Water can seep down into the subfloor or behind the walls. This water you cannot see will lead to microbial growth and greater restoration costs.

Call SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford for a free estimate when you have a water damage. We will bring moisture meters that can detect hidden water and advise you on the proper response to get your building dry as soon as possible.

Hot Water Tank Failure in Natick, Mass.

4/17/2018 (Permalink)

Hot Water Tank Failures Require Professional Drying

Hot water heater tanks hold a lot of water, over forty gallons in most household tanks. When the tank fails, all that water can flood to several inches in your home. Fortunately, your local SERVPRO franchise can help guide you through the process of contacting your insurance adjuster and drying your property in a timely manner.

Natick Hot Water Tank Failure

For example, we recently got a call from a Natick, Mass. resident at 6:00 p.m. He had just learned the hot water heater in his basement had failed. Fortunately, his basement was not finished, but he had several storage boxes on the cement floor that were now saturated with Category 2 water.

Free Estimate

This customer was out of town on the evening he called us, so we could not access the property until morning. Our estimator confirmed that a plumber had been called and the water shut off, and then he scheduled an appointment with the homeowner for the following day to conduct a walkthrough and assess the situation.  

Adjuster Permissions

Upon arrival the following day, our estimator determined that we could use fewer fans than normally recommended for that size area because the walls and floor were concrete and would not take as long to dry. He called the insurance adjuster and received permission to begin the job and place our equipment.

Two Day Drying

This job dried in two days using five fans and one LGR dehumidifier. The fans helped evaporate the moisture out of the concrete while the dehumidifier pulled the water vapor out of the air.

Many of the contents of the storage boxes were determined not to be salvageable after contamination with Category 2 water. However, the customer was satisfied with our efforts and gave us top scores on the customer satisfaction sheet at the end of the job. 

Call Professionals

Check out our hot water heater maintenance tips. We hope you never suffer a tank failure, but please do not hesitate to call us if you do. Anytime day or night, our water restoration professionals are available to help assess your situation, determine the best course of action, and expedite your return to normal.

Avoid Washing Machine Hose Leaks

12/5/2017 (Permalink)

A bad washing machine hose could ruin your day.

Washing machine hoses are notorious in the restoration industry because washers often outlive their hoses. Most washers have a ten-year lifespan, but rubber hoses start failing at around five years.

When a washer’s hose fails, water can start pouring out of the hose at a rate of 650 gallons/hour. If you are not home to turn off the water main, you will quickly have a major water damage. Washers located aboveground will leak into living area. For apartment dwellers the risk is even greater as a loss from a washer in one unit may affect several adjacent or lower units.

Here are some tips to reduce the possibility of a washing machine hose leak and to minimize the damage should one occur.

Inspect Washer Hoses

Look for signs of corrosion and bulging areas in the hose to spot problems before they become floods. Replace the hose if you see signs of stress.

Replace Aging Washer Hoses

Most experts recommend replacing washing machine hoses every five years even if you do not see damage. If you have easy access to your washer and the area behind it, hose replacement is a simple task. 

Consider a Water Shutoff

Your plumber can install a simple water shutoff valve between your water source and the hoses. By shutting off the water when the washer is not in use--recommended by washing machine manufacturers--you will reduce pressure on the hoses and extend their life.

Stay Home While Washing

You may be tempted to dash out for a quick trip to the store while your washing machine runs through its cycle. However, if the hose fails while you are out, you face a much bigger water damage than if you had been home to cut off the water supply at the first sign of flooding.

Identify Water Shutoff

Be sure you and all responsible adults in your home know where to find the water shutoff. Keep the path to the shutoff clear at all times. You want to be able to respond quickly in the event of a washer hose failure.

Finally, remember SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford is available 24/7 in the event of a washing machine leak or other emergency water damage. Call 781-861-0500 to begin mitigating the problem and avoiding secondary damage like mold growth. 

Commercial Water Damage in Dental Office

11/29/2017 (Permalink)

We are committed to getting you back in business ASAP after a flood.

The seasons and elements do not care about your business. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Lexington-Bedford does care. We make it our highest priority to work with business owners to ensure the best outcome for their organization following an adverse weather event.

Flooded Dentist

We were called to a dental office in Lexington, Mass. last month. High winds and driving rains had created a roof leak overnight. Water traveled down through the ceiling, into the walls, and onto the carpeted floor. The business owner called us at noon the next day, and our production manager arrived on scene within an hour.

The challenge for the dentist was that due to the amount of water and saturation we could not possibly dry the office in a day. Usually a water damage takes about three days to fully dry. However, the dentist had appointments to keep and did not want to close the business for several days.

Immediate Mitigation

We agreed to bring an emergency crew out that evening to:

• Extract water
• Remove ceiling tiles and other contaminated building materials
• Drill holes to allow drying inside walls
• Create a drying chamber
• Set up drying equipment including fans and dehumidifiers

These early mitigation steps minimized the damage and allowed the office to reopen the next day.

Patient Comfort vs. Drying Time

We explained to the dentist that our best advice was to run our equipment continuously for three days to complete the dry out in the least amount of time. The dentist insisted on turning off our equipment during office hours for the comfort of patients. This meant the drying would take at least four or five days, but the office could function during those days.

Satisfied Commercial Client

This water mitigation job was another great success for us. The dentist’s office opened the day after we were notified and the drying was completed within four days.

If your business suffers a water damage or other disaster, call the restoration team that works with commercial clients to get them back in business as soon as possible.

Sump Pumps

5/3/2017 (Permalink)

During this past spring, we got to learn a bit about sump pumps!

Sump pumps are usually located in the basement of many properties, both residential and commercial. The purpose of the sump pump is to relocate water from flooding away from the property. What many of our customers experienced was due to the water tables being low and then rapidly rising due to the wet weather (rain and snow).

While there is no size disaster we cannot restore, it is important to know as a property owner what your insurance does and does NOT cover! While many of our customers were covered, some of them had no coverage at all because they never purchased a sump pump rider on top of the insurance policy! 

Make sure when you are purchasing a property and an insurance policy, that you are paying for an insurance that will cover all different attractions in you home. It's a true bummer to have damage to your property and then find out you have no coverage like you assumed!

Ways to prevent water and mold damage!

3/24/2017 (Permalink)

There are different ways that water can affect your property and if the mitigation is prolonged it can cause the building structure to become a food source for mold. Here are some precautions to take to try and avoid these kinds of damages to your property

Water System:

- Inspect water lines every 6 to 12 months for sinks, toilets, and tubs as well as home appliances such as washing and drying machine, dishwashers. Things to check for include cracks, looseness, and corrosion of pipes. If a leak is found, shut off the water to it until it can be fixed!

- During cold weather, allow water to run through the pipes as it minimizes the risks of pipes freezing and bursting.

Appliances:

- Replace the hose on your washing machine supply every five years and keep your machine properly balanced! When the washing machine is not in use – shut off the water!

- As tempting as it maybe, do not run water appliances when no one is home!

Roof & Gutters:

- While you can routinely check your roof and gutters, it is great to have a professional come every three years check your roof out for you. Keeping your gutters clear help water from entering your home and cluttered gutters promote mold!

- If the roof doesn’t have a drip edge or cap, consider installing one because it aids in capturing water into the gutters. Make sure the downspouts are not facing he foundation of the structure – try to buy extenders to get the water at least 6 feet away from your property

Other tips:

- Check your attic’s ventilation and insulation, seal gaps that allow warm air into the attic. We don’t want ice dams forming up there!

- Test your sump pump and the water pressure in the home.

- Always know where your water shut-off valve is in case of emergency!

SERVPRO Water Mitigation Process

12/5/2016 (Permalink)

Water Damage Cleanup & Restoration

SERVPRO can provide a solution to your property's (regardless of whether it's your home or business) water damage needs.

- Uniformed Franchise Professionals will arrive on-site usually within four hours of notification to begin providing a resolution to the water damage situation

- Technicians communicate their assessment with the property manager or owner in detail before beginning the cleanup and restoration process

- Franchise Professionals utilize industry guidelines, knowledge, training and industrial equipment to examine the extent of the damage

- Restoration services include moisture detection, water extraction, dehumidification and contents inventory

- Closing the event work order in a timely manner through electronic claims reporting, consistent communication and professional restoration techniques

- SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, no matter rain, hail or snow