Understanding Roxbury Fire Damage and Its Restoration

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage in your Roxbury home? Call SERVPRO to make you feel "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Helps Restore Homes After Fire Damage

From Harvard Medical School to Northeastern University, many large properties exist in the Greater Boston area of Roxbury. With the thousands residing in the neighborhood, fires happen more often than many think. Even after a fire gets extinguished, effects continue to threaten the impacted structure like:

• Ruined contents
• Airborne contaminants
• Destroyed structure
• Lingering water damage
• Smoke residues and soils

Roxbury fire damage is a highly destructive event in many cases, even with minor kitchen flare-ups. Experienced professionals are needed to document loss and get restoration started. With insurance companies involved when damage claims are made, we work directly with adjusters to meet the requirements to obtain claim approval.

What Kind of Restoration Can Homeowners Expect?

Fire restoration services vary considerably between residences and commercial properties, making each situation unique. We evaluate the condition of your home and determine the needed mitigative and restorative actions to begin returning this structure to its original condition.

Mitigating Fire Damage

Mitigation describes any early actions our professionals take to protect the structure and its occupants from worsening conditions. While the process can involve dozens of acts, standard emergency services can include:

• Personal Belongings/Contents – We can relocate and protect personal belongings caught in the damage path of migrating fire loss effects. We also have on-site cleaning solutions when relocation is not enough. 
• Structural Elements – Inspecting damaged structures can be a wise start to mitigation as well, as several repairs and areas requiring controlled demolition exist with the arrival of our technicians.
• Containing the Damage – It is essential to stop the movement of post-fire loss effects like soot and odors. Covering vents and returns keep these negative elements from entering the HVAC system.

How is Soot Resolved After Fire Damage?

Cleaning up surfaces impacted by soot and smoke residues is a priority of our fire restoration professionals. Partial combustion, prevalent in all affected areas of a structure fire, produces smoke solids that can come to rest on surfaces. We utilize several cleaning approaches, but there are specific factors that can influence the preservation of impacted materials and contents:

• Smoke Damage Type – Environmental conditions and the combustion of specific materials will create varying types of smoke damage. Wet smoke, for example, is a more challenging residue to clean with its thick deposit and tendency to smear.
• Underlying Material – The material impacted by the soot and smoke soils should also be considered when determining salvageability. Older materials are often harder to clean, and highly porous surfaces can also create a substantial obstacle for the technicians. 
• Cost of Preservation – A final consideration that must be made into the salvageability of exposed materials and contents is the difficulty of fire damage restoration against the cost of replacement. Some materials, such as drywall, can be replaced more easily and cheaply than through lengthy restoration and cleaning processes. 

Repairs and Build-Back After a Fire

Structure fires often leave buildings with a pressing need for repairs and reconstruction. Build-back services by our SERVPRO team are possible with our general contractor license. Our qualifications in this field prevent customers from needing to secure secondary contractors to complete rebuilds after the restoration phases.

Roxbury fire damage events happen more often than many homeowners and business managers believe. With the swiftness that these disasters can impact a structure, there is little time to waste in securing restoration professionals approved by your insurance provider to help.

Our SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain / Roxbury team is a preferred post-fire recovery specialist available 24/7 when you call (617) 466-6909.

Restoration Solutions for Roxbury Water Damage

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Water removal and drying--call in SERVPRO--to preserve your Roxbury home--we have the training and the advanced equipment.

Eliminating Water Damage in Multiple Ways

Water emergencies happen in our region daily, making it the most common service request for our SERVPRO professionals. We are a full-service solution for restoration and recovery from these disasters, providing:

• Water Removal Services
• Drying and Evaporation
• Surface and Content Cleaning
• Post-Damage Repairs

Rapidly Responding to Water Emergencies

With Roxbury water damage, it is important to have experienced professionals responding quickly. SERVPRO prides itself that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and we show this through our pre-stocked vehicles in the Green Fleet, ready to mobilize at the first notice of loss.

Removing Pooling Water in the House

Extraction is an integral part of the mitigation process to get the restoration going. Without removing standing water, materials continue to be at risk for absorption and degradation. We have several water removal tools to help:

• Wet Vacuums – These extraction units provide the most versatile solutions for water removal, including portability and access to multi-story structures without the need for deploying high-pressure pump units. 
• Submersible Pumps – Ranging from engine-driven units providing the highest power for extraction and water removal to portable electric submersible units, pumps offer a higher volume of water removal when vacuums are overwhelmed. 
• Specialized Equipment – While vacuums and pumps can care for the largest portions of standing water. SERVPRO professionals must also account for absorbed water at this stage. Materials like carpeting can relieve most of their absorbed water with high-pressure vacuums and weighted extraction units. 

Tools for Efficient Water Damage Drying

Drying is the most critical portion of the restoration process and is needed in every water restoration project. While each structure requires a different amount of equipment and unique placement, some of the common tools deployed include:

• Air Movers - Placing high-velocity blowers at 45-degree angles on surfaces allows us to steer drying and evaporation processes with direct infusion of dry air on wet structural elements.
• Dehumidifiers - Desiccant and low-grain refrigerant dehumidification equipment use different approaches to trap and remove moisture grains from the atmosphere. Dehumidification is vital to allow evaporation to continue and not oversaturate the environment.
• Portable Electric Heating - Manipulating the warmth of the drying zone can often help to increase the evaporation reactions and reduce contact time for cleaning products on surfaces.
• Drying Mats - For flooring types like wood and vinyl plank, drying mats can be an integral part of the restoration process. Capillary suction draws moisture to the surface where these mats are placed so that evaporation and other techniques can remove it from the structure.

Prepared for Large Loss Scenarios

In the Greater Boston area and through communities we serve like Roxbury and Jamaica Plain, commercial properties are just as susceptible to water damage as the thousands of homes in the region. As such, our SERVPRO team must stay ready with Large Loss equipment and training to manage loss effects on a greater scale than typically seen in residential disasters.

Water Damage Repairs

One advantage of SERVPRO for water recovery work is the general contractor license we provide. After burst pipes and flooding, repairs and reconstruction are inevitable. Having this capability with the restoration team means that the work gets done right after the cleanup, and you are back to normal life faster.

With Roxbury water damage incidents, professionals like ours must respond quickly. There is a finite timeline where materials exposed to water and moisture are salvageable. As trusted restoration technicians in the Greater Boston area, SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain / Roxbury can help mitigate loss and make water emergencies “Like it never even happened.” Call now at (617) 466-6909.

The Impact of Roxbury Mold Damage on Homes

3/22/2023 (Permalink)

Trust SERVPRO for professional mold damage cleanup and remediation for your Roxbury property.

Remediators Can Manage Mold Damage in Roxbury

Whether the lingering water in your home after a water damage emergency or a damp basement that continually contends with penetrating groundwater, conditions for mold development are common concerns for area homeowners. When you suspect microbial damage in your property, our SERVPRO team responds with a crew of experienced professionals representing multiple industry niches like:

• AMRT – Applied Microbial Remediation
• WRT – Water Restoration
• ASD – Applied Structural Drying
• CDS – Commercial Drying 
• OCT – Odor Control

How Does Mold Form?

Roxbury mold damage can exist without homeowners knowing, especially in less-trafficked areas of a residence like a basement or an attic. Any moist environment that persists for several days can facilitate mold colonies. Common examples include:

• Unresolved Water Damage – A small leak at a connection of your plumbing or a dripping fixture could create a wet zone sufficient for welcoming mold. 
• Humidity Concerns – Humid conditions are not foreign to our communities, and residences dealing with high moisture content can also contend with developing mold.
• Post-Flooding – Flooding can leave many areas of the structure damp, a suitable environment for mold development.

What Materials Does Mold Target?

Organic matter becomes a food source for mold colonies. Those building materials and contents in the house are most at risk for supporting organisms and facing disastrous results. Some include:

• Drywall
• Wood elements
• Baseboard
• Carpets
• Soft materials 

Removing Mold Damage Professionally

 The removal of mold and microbial threats involves several trusted strategies. Because of factors like the impacted materials, irregular or challenging surfaces, and the severity of the infestation, multiple remediation tactics are needed:

• Surface Products – The least intrusive remediation method is applying sporicidal agents to the surface. Contact time with these colonies can often eradicate surface mold without further action.
• Power Sanding – Wood framing and structural elements impacted by mold colonies can allow colonies to penetrate beyond the outermost surface layer. Power sanding removes a thin exterior segment to eliminate intruding mold colonies.
• Dry Ice Blasting – Dry ice is not the only blasting material we can use for these pieces of equipment. We place various media under pressurized air and blast at hosting materials supporting surface colonies. 
• Removing Damaged Materials – When surface and more abrasive cleaning methods are not possible, controlled demolition is an effective alternative. 

Will Mold Damage Repairs Be Needed?

 A contractor license for our team allows us to be there for the repairs and reconstruction that your home might require after mold cleanup. There are many instances where the infestation of colonies compromises hosting materials to the point of needing partial or complete replacement. Understanding that repairs are likely, our SERVPRO team prepares for this by dispatching experienced professionals to help with mold damage remediation.

Preventing Mold Recurrences in Your Home

 Another objective of our restoration team and the reconstruction specialists we provide is preventing recurrences. We adhere to IICRC standards for mold services. It is possible to address the entry point for moisture penetration and avoid continued infiltration. In many cases, rebuilding compromised structural elements allows moisture migration to the damaged area. Roof repairs, sealing penetration points in your home's foundation, and several other structural improvements can help.

When contending with Roxbury mold damage, homes and businesses can be impacted by these growths over a long period. The development and spread of mold and microbial organisms threaten the hosting materials and could lead to a need for extensive reconstruction. Our SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain / Roxbury team has a fast response through our Boston neighborhoods and communities to help. Call now at (617) 466-6909.

Best Practices for Storm Water Removal in Raleigh

3/21/2023 (Permalink)

All you need is SERVPRO for all your storm damage needs. Call (617) 466-6909.

SERVPRO Offers Stress-Free Storm Water Cleanup Services in Raleigh

Professional stormwater removal services can prevent further damage when your property experiences a disastrous event. No matter how big the mess may appear, all is not lost since there are chances of finding restorable items on your property. Immediate action is the best thing you can ever do to avoid potential long-term problems like mold growth.

During stormwater mitigation in Raleigh, our SERVPRO technicians do a thorough inspection of the site and come up with appropriate restoration techniques. We begin by performing a safety assessment and implementing the necessary precautions to ensure the place is safe for occupants and our team. The following are some of the safety risks we watch out for:

• Structural instability
• Electrical hazards
• Biohazard contamination
• Slip and fall hazards

The other step that our SERVPRO team performs during water damage remediation is removing debris and standing water from the site. We may use shovels and rakes to remove the dirt - the situation determines the approach. In most incidents, stormwater carries along regulated hazardous materials, so we carefully dispose of the extracted water and debris. The disposal is per local or state regulations.

At this point, we evaluate the entire structure to determine which areas and contents need decontamination. A material's porosity determines whether decontamination can take place. Since we may be dealing with black water, we dispose of the insulation, carpet, and pad during water damage cleanup.

We have the job of documenting all the items that need to be disposed of and ensuring your insurance adjuster is informed. We can then pressure wash non-porous structural components such as walls and floors and later disinfect them using EPA-registered disinfectants.

SERVPRO of North Raleigh & Wake Forest is always ready to mitigate all water, mold, fire, and storm damage emergencies. You can call (617) 466-6909 to learn more about our restoration services and work with highly trained technicians.

Mitigating Fire Damage in West Roxbury Homes Needs Pros Like SERVPRO

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

Call your local professionals at SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain / Roxbury to ensure your home is dry and sanitary.

SERVPRO Offers 24/7 Fire Damage Restoration to West Roxbury Homes

After fire damage to your west Roxbury home, smoke and soot residues can cause extensive damage if not removed promptly. SERVPRO techs inspect and test smoke residues to evaluate the extent of damages and determine what cleaning services are needed for restoration. 

Once the SERVPRO techs determine the type of smoke and soot residue present, they create a strategy for restoring fire damage to your West Roxbury home. Techs use air and fluids to release the soils from the surfaces and carry them away. Using the right cleaning agent is essential to ensure that the soils are removed without causing additional surface damage.

Capturing and Removing Smoke Residue from Fire Damaged Homes 

Various types of smoke and soot residues exist in a fire-damaged home. While some residues are light and dry, others can be oily and sticky. SERVPRO techs use different cleaning agents depending on the nature of the soot particles.  

The two ways SERVPRO techs capture and remove smoke residue are:

• Vacuuming is a technique restorers use when the smoke particles are dry and attached loosely to the surface. If wet cleaning agents are used, these particles can absorb into the surfaces, making them more challenging to remove. 
• Dissolving: If the residues are not loose particles that can be vacuumed, they must be dissolved into appropriate solvents. Dissolving the residues can loosen the bonds between the particles and the surfaces, making them easy to remove. The three steps of dissolving the residues are:

• Washing- Techs apply a cleaning agent to the surface and agitate it to penetrate and loosen the soil.
• Rinsing- Once the soils are dissolved or suspended in the cleaning agent, rinsing removes them from surfaces.  
• Drying- The remaining moisture from the cleaning agent is removed. 

Call SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain / Roxbury at (617) 466-6909.

Equipment Needed For Successful Water Restoration in Roxbury

1/17/2023 (Permalink)

We aim to restore your property as quickly as possible, “Like It Never Even Happened.”

SERVPRO Can Rapidly Clean Up Water Damage in Roxbury

Residential water damage is quite common. While major storms and floods may appear to cause massive water damage in homes, broken dishwashers, leaks from laundry machines, and problems with pipes. They can also lead to significant moisture problems in your Roxbury property.

Roxbury water restoration professionals have years of experience, expertise, and access to equipment to be able to fix the many unexpected issues water damage causes. Using the right equipment means these problems are repaired cost-effectively, safely, and timely. SERVPRO crews not only use proper equipment to accomplish tasks but also know how to effectively and efficiently operate them. We aim to minimize the time our customers spend out of their homes.

Some effective water damage restoration equipment include:

• Inspection devices
• Extraction equipment
• Air moving equipment
• Dehumidification equipment

To effectively restore a water-damaged structure, scoping is necessary. This involves pinpointing the areas where moisture has encroached and to what extent. SERVPRO crews use various devices to track water within a structure, including moisture sensors, thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, and thermo-hygrometers. A moisture sensor, for example, helps detect moisture in carpets and padding. The sharp probes penetrate through rugs and pads, thus determining if water has migrated through the subfloor.

Air Moving Equipment

Air-moving devices are great at combating excessive water damage. They blow large amounts of air onto the affected areas making moisture evaporate quickly. The affected area and the air mover used are the two main factors determining their effectiveness. For example, if the room is humid, the device may be counterproductive in moving moisture to unaffected areas. When drying an ample space, you need the right-sized air mover. SERVPRO restoration technicians utilize specific air movers to dry specific areas most efficiently.

Types of air-moving devices:

• Axial air movers
• Centrifugal air movers
• Thrust air movers

SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain / Roxbury provides a variety of water restoration solutions for the home. Call us at (617) 466-6909. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Do You Need Mold Remediation and Cleanup in Roxbury – Call SERVPRO

12/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO gives you access to expertly trained mold remediation specialists that put vast resources and years of experience to work for you.

SERVPRO Provides Mold Remediation Services to Residents and Businesses of Roxbury

Residents of Roxbury experiencing a mold infestation should arrange for mold remediation and cleanup before mold spores can spread throughout the home. Mold spores need moisture, warmth, and an organic food source, which is abundant in our homes. Once a leak or moisture source goes unnoticed, mold colonies can grow within twenty-four hours, producing a strong, musty odor.

SERVPRO provides mold remediation services to Roxbury and the surrounding areas. Our experience shows that mold damage can be minimized. Homeowners must quickly take action to repair the moisture source and carefully remove mold-infested contents, and the remaining surfaces are cleaned and disinfected. In more serious infestations, SERVPRO recommends that negative air pressure solutions are implemented to contain mold spores in the affected area and not distribute them throughout the building.

Our experts at SERVPRO recommend homeowners avoid affected areas, turn off heating and cooling systems and seek help as soon as the mold is discovered. Avoid disturbing the mold and drying the site, and do not use bleach or disinfectant on the mold. There is a high risk of causing mold spores to be distributed across a larger area, and any chemicals used may damage the material's surface.

Our team follows an industry-standard process to remove mold from your premises:

• Inspect the area and develop a remediation plan
• Contain the mold – bag in place and use negative pressure solutions for containment
• Utilize high-capacity air filtration and air scrubbers
• Remove mold-infested materials – bag in place
• Clean contents and utilize antifungal and antimicrobial treatments
• Restore and repair damaged structures

Our SERVPRO team provides the following services:

• Mold inspections, remediation, and removal
• Bathroom mold removal
• Attic mold removal

Call SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain / Roxbury for mold remediation services and restoration. We provide service to Roxbury and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (617) 466-6909.

Roxbury Residents Often Need Storm Water Damage Restoration

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless the magnitude of water damage our technicians provide complete water removal services, including extraction, cleaning, drying, & repairs.

We Do Storm Water Damage Restoration in Roxbury

Roxbury residents are no strangers to the extensive damage this region’s “perfect” storms can do to homes. Throughout the year, powerful coastal systems batter our area with strong winds and torrential rains. Half the year, these come in the form of hurricanes and tropical storms. While during the remainder, nor’easters provide most of the weather-related action.

Fortunately, SERVPRO offers Roxbury homeowners stormwater damage restoration services they can depend on. Our skilled water clean-up professionals can often remedy even the worst storm damage. These technicians routinely inspect homes, repair their ceiling leaks, and provide water removal services and water damage repairs. In performing these essential tasks, SERVPRO ensures that impacted residences are:

• Effectively assessed for storm damage, so no issues are missed and allowed to develop into more serious and costly problems.
• Expertly repaired so that leaks do not persist and promote foul odors, unsightly microbial growths, dry rot, or structural deterioration.
• Thoroughly dried to help restore interiors, preserve household contents, and prevent further damage to affected materials.
• Completely aerated and deodorized to return them to their pre-event livability. 
• Scientifically monitored throughout the remediation process to ensure that clean-up and restoration efforts have been successfully completed.

In the meantime, these are some ways you can help protect your home from suffering the worst weather-related issues:

• Regularly check your roof and ceilings for any noticeable damage
• Ensure that windows are in good condition, free of cracks, and well-sealed
• Repair any problems found as soon as possible
• Conscientiously inspect and maintain gutters and drainage networks
• Keep trees around your house well-trimmed and your yard free of debris 

So, with all this in mind, if you ever need storm water damage restoration, don’t hesitate to contact your friends at SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain/Roxbury. We are always ready for your call at (617) 466-6909.

It Is Crucial That Roxbury Water Restoration Jobs Are Done Right

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain/Roxbury understands how important your business is. Let us help you out.

We Ensure the Completion of Roxbury Water Restoration     

When you have your Roxbury business’ water damage remediated, you want to be sure that the work has been successfully completed. Such assurance is one of the benefits of using a high-quality cleanup and restoration service like SERVPRO. We meticulously inspect your facilities following a remediation to ensure that all work has been done effectively.

SERVPRO understands that the finishing touches are often just as important as the other parts of water restoration projects in Roxbury. This awareness encourages us to make certain that all water-related issues have been resolved and your commercial establishment has been returned to its pre-damaged condition before we leave. After our highly-trained professionals have finished handling your ceiling leaks, burst pipes, basement flooding, and any related water damage repairs, they:

• Ensure that all water event-related safety hazards have been addressed and that they no longer pose a threat to business owners, employees, or customers
• Ensure all relevant electrical issues have been repaired and the system is in good working order for normal operations.
• Inspect the structure for damage, testing the strength of walls, making sure they aren’t warping or buckling, verifying that there are no loose nails or tape seams, identifying any deteriorated drywall, and checking insulation for any moisture or defects
• Ensure carpets and carpet seams are in good condition and floors aren’t buckled, warped, or cracked.
• Examine contents for any moisture, damage, or compromised paint or finish
• Ensure that all SERVPRO equipment, like air movers, Injectidry systems, dehumidifiers, foggers, and other tools, has been removed from the worksite

Keep in mind, that you can rest assured your neighbors at SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain/Roxbury will finish your water restoration job the right way. If you ever need assistance, don’t wait to call us at (617) 466-6909.

Fire Restoration in Roxbury Often Requires Major Clean-Up Efforts

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO fire damage restoration services are top-notch. Call now!

Roxbury Fire Restoration Cleans Smoke & Residues

Roxbury homes that have suffered fire damage usually require major remediation efforts. The necessary work generally involves indoor air purification, fire residue removal, deodorization, and reconstructions. Fortunately, local companies like SERVPRO have all the training, experience, and tools to do this work right the first time, saving homeowners time and money.

SERVPRO’s technicians are fire restoration experts in Roxbury that are adept at dealing with all the various types of damage fires can cause. They have successfully performed smoke remediation, house fire clean-up work, and fire damage restoration on countless fire-damaged homes in this area. In handling these projects, our workers have employed the following sophisticated tools and techniques:

• Clearing smoke-filled air from residences with high-velocity box fans and air movers, then removing remaining particles with high-tech air scrubbers
• Thoroughly sanitizing air ventilation networks with cutting-edge HVAC cleaning systems to prevent them from further spreading smoke particles around
• Removing fire-related residues using methods appropriate for their type: wiping away dry residues with dry cloths and sponges; employing abrasives to clean off harder, caked-on remnants; and washing off wet or greasy residues with the right detergents
• Treating odor-filled rooms with powerful foggers filled with commercial-grade deodorants and smelly, upholstered furnishings with innovative injection devices
• Restoring damaged structural elements and furnishings by repairing, cleaning, refinishing, and repainting them, if necessary
• Reconstructing destroyed rooms and replacing irreparably impacted household contents 

Once these measures have been completed, homes have generally been returned to their pre-fire state. Furthermore, our methods are often so effective that it is difficult to imagine a fire had even occurred.

So, whenever you need fire restoration done on your residence, don’t hesitate to call your helpful neighbors at SERVPRO of Jamaica Plain/Roxbury. We are always ready for your call at (617) 466-6909.