Recent Posts

The Ultimate Guide to Water Damage Restoration: Insights from SERVPRO of The Andovers

5/15/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage can strike unexpectedly, wreaking havoc on your property and disrupting your daily life. Whether it's due to burst pipes, flooding, or a leaky roof, the consequences can be overwhelming. At SERVPRO of The Andovers, we understand the urgency of restoring your home or business to its pre-damaged condition efficiently and effectively. Here's everything you need to know about water damage restoration:

  1. Immediate Response: Water damage requires immediate action to prevent further destruction and mold growth. Our team at SERVPRO of The Andovers is available 24/7 to respond swiftly to your emergency. We arrive promptly, assess the extent of the damage, and develop a customized restoration plan tailored to your specific needs.

  2. Thorough Inspection and Assessment: Our certified technicians conduct a thorough inspection of your property to assess the extent of the water damage. We utilize advanced moisture detection tools to identify hidden moisture pockets and ensure comprehensive restoration.

  3. Water Extraction: Using powerful extraction equipment, we remove standing water from your property quickly and efficiently. Our goal is to minimize the drying time and prevent secondary damage, such as structural weakening and mold growth.

  4. Drying and Dehumidification: Once the excess water is extracted, we initiate the drying and dehumidification process. Our team strategically places air movers and dehumidifiers to accelerate drying and restore optimal humidity levels, looking to prevent mold growth and structural damage.

  5. Cleaning and Sanitization: We thoroughly clean and sanitize affected areas to eliminate bacteria, mold, and odors associated with water damage. Our specialized cleaning techniques ensure a safe and healthy environment for you and your family or employees.

  6. Restoration and Repairs: Our skilled craftsmen can handle all necessary repairs and restoration work to return your property to its pre-damaged condition. Whether it's repairing damaged drywall, replacing flooring, or restoring structural elements, we strive for excellence in every aspect of the restoration process.

  7. Direct Insurance Billing: At SERVPRO of The Andovers, we understand the complexities of insurance claims. We work directly with your insurance company to streamline the claims process and alleviate the burden on you during this challenging time.

Don't let water damage disrupt your life. Trust the experts at SERVPRO of The Andovers for prompt, professional, and reliable water damage restoration services. Contact us today at 978-475-1199 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our comprehensive restoration solutions. With SERVPRO of The Andovers by your side, you can rest assured that your property is in good hands.

Embracing Advanced Technology

5/15/2024 (Permalink)

In today's fast-paced world, technology plays a pivotal role in every aspect of our lives, including disaster restoration services. At SERVPRO of The Andovers, we are committed to leveraging the latest advancements in technology to deliver unparalleled restoration solutions to our clients. From state-of-the-art equipment to innovative techniques, here's how we harness the power of advanced technology to restore your property quickly and efficiently:

  1. Cutting-Edge Equipment: Our arsenal of advanced equipment sets us apart in the restoration industry. We utilize cutting-edge tools such as thermal imaging cameras, moisture meters, and infrared sensors to accurately assess the extent of damage and identify hidden moisture pockets. This allows us to develop a precise restoration plan tailored to your property's unique needs.

  2. High-Powered Extraction and Drying Systems: When it comes to water damage restoration, time is of the essence. That's why we rely on high-powered extraction and drying systems to remove standing water and moisture from your property swiftly and efficiently. Our advanced equipment accelerates the drying process, minimizing downtime and preventing secondary damage.

  3. Air Scrubbers and Deodorization Technology: Odors lingering after a fire or water damage event can be persistent and unpleasant. With our state-of-the-art air scrubbers and deodorization technology, we effectively eliminate odors at the molecular level, leaving your property smelling fresh and clean.

  4. Advanced Cleaning Solutions: We understand the importance of thorough cleaning and sanitization in the restoration process. That's why we utilize advanced cleaning solutions and techniques to remove contaminants, bacteria, and mold from affected surfaces. Our environmentally friendly products ensure a safe and healthy environment for you and your family or employees.

  5. Digital Documentation and Communication: In today's digital age, communication and documentation are key components of effective restoration services. We leverage advanced software and mobile applications to streamline communication with our clients and document every step of the restoration process. This ensures transparency, accountability, and peace of mind throughout the restoration journey.

  6. Remote Monitoring and Reporting: With remote monitoring technology, we can keep a close eye on the progress of your property's restoration from anywhere, at any time. This allows us to adjust our strategies and respond promptly to any emerging issues, ensuring efficient and effective restoration outcomes.

At SERVPRO of The Andovers, we are committed to staying at the forefront of technological innovation to provide our clients with the highest quality restoration services. When disaster strikes, trust the experts who harness the power of advanced technology to restore your property to its pre-damaged condition quickly and effectively. Contact us today to learn more about our advanced restoration solutions and how we can help you recover from disaster with confidence.

Enjoy a Worry Free Vacation!

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

Keep Watch When on Vacation

Vacation time is the best time! In order to ensure we stay relaxed and are able to revitalize ourselves, we need to know our homes are safe and protected while we are away. Add some extra piece of mind before you and your family hit the road so that the only stress you truly to worry free!

  • Security System. Nothing provides better reassurance that all is safe and sound than a monitored home security system. With 24/7 professional monitoring, a team of pros keep an eye on your house every minute you’re relaxing on the beach or toasting marshmallows around the campfire.
  • Doorbell Camera. See and talk to visitors from anywhere with a video doorbell camera. You can instruct delivery people about where to leave packages, remind your closet-raiding sister that you’re in paradise, or scare away a suspicious stranger.
  • Smart Door Lock. If you’ve got a dog that needs to be walked or plants that need care while you’re away, a smart door lock makes it easy to let caretakers in without having to hand out a bunch of spare keys.
  • Water Detection System. Water Detection systems will let you know when something in your house has sprung a leak. Some even come with a  water shutoff valve, it will prevent further damage by turning off your water supply.

Like anything in life, nothing is ever 100% safe, so if something does happen while you are away, we hope knowing SERVPRO is able to respond 24/7 – 365 days a year in a matter of hours – give you some additional protection and security!!

Source: https://www.safewise.com/blog/summer-safety-tips/

Winter hasn't left just yet!

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Winter Terms to Know to keep you and your family safe this winter season!

  • Watch: Dangerous weather conditions may develop. Keep up with the forecast.
  • Warning: Dangerous weather conditions are expected or occurring, and could become life-threatening. Put your safety plan in motion!
  • Advisory: Weather conditions may cause an inconvenience, but if care is taken, should not become life-threatening.
  • Blizzard: Blowing and/or falling snow with winds of at least 35 mph, reducing visibility to a quarter of a mile or less for at least three hours. Winds lofting the current snow pack and reducing visibility without any falling snow is called a ground blizzard.
  • Freezing Rain: Caused by rain falling on surfaces with a temperature below freezing. The rain freezes upon contact with the ground. Large build-ups of ice can down trees and power lines and coat roads.
  • Sleet: Rain/melted snow that has begun refreezing when it reaches the ground. Sleet tends to be softer than hail and is easily compacted. Sleet can make roads slippery very quickly.
  • Wind Chill: The apparent temperature the body feels when wind is factored into the equation.

For more information visit: https://www.weather.gov/grb/winter0

Winter is still here - Dress to stay well and warm!

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Winter time in and around Andover and North Andover can be very beautiful! It can also bring lots of weather hazards. Dressing in layers and taking steps to each your body properly fuel should ensure you can enjoy all that winter has to offer!

1. Wear layers - Many layers trap more heat in than just a big jacket alone

2. Hat and Gloves - Most of the body's heat loss occurs in these extremities so keep them covered. 

3. Stay Dry - Water compounds any cold weather situation and dramatically speeds up heat loss.  For example, wet feet loss heat 25 times faster than dry feet. 

4. Take a break - take frequent, short breaks in a warm dry shelter to let your body heat up.

5. Feed! - Eating warm, high calorie foods will give your body the energy it needs to create body heat. Pasta, warm sugar water/sports drinks, etc. 

Stay Safe and Warm!

Fire Safety Tips from SERVPRO

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Heating Safety
There is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions you can prevent most heating fires from happening.
be warm and safe this winter!
• Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet (one metre) away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot (one metre) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
nfpa.org/education ©NFPA 2017

Storm Safety at SERVPRO of The Andovers

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

At this point most of us living in the Andover area know how to handle the big winter storms. We rush to the grocery store to get milk and bread because we are all convinced we will be in our house for days on end! The storms that bring feet of snow to our area, no school for days, and state of emergency to keep nonessential personal off the roads. You could lose power, which could cause food spoilage or frozen pipes… and let’s not forget if there is a quick warm up right behind it, you could experience flooding. The nice thing about these larger storms is that they give us time to prepare.

BUT what about the smaller storms? The ones that only bring a coating, inch or two of sleet, snow or ice? The ones that they always say won’t cause much of an impact?

Did you know these smaller, less significant storms can actually cause a greater impact to your home and business? Why? Because we don’t prepare as much. We are told they won’t be as big so we tend not to stress as much and let our guard down. Four wheel drive can plow through anything right… wrong!

So... what can you do?

  1. Have a list of your vendors and an emergency ready profile (ERP) completed on your business as an additional add to your continuity plan. It saves you time, in the event this “insignificant storms” turns out to be a really big deal.
  2. Just because there is a storm coming, your business operations cannot come to a halt. Set clear expectations for those in authority as well as non-critical employees in the event an emergency does occur. Is your emergency plan communicated by text, email, or phone call? Is everyone aware of this? It may also be beneficial to subscribe to and send out public transportation updates so no employees are left stranded at your office. Likewise is it acceptable for your employees to arrive late or leave early to ensure their safety?
  3. With smaller storms we tend to not walk the perimeter of our business to inspect for damage or ice accumulation. By not doing this, it can lead to larger issues down the road or worse, a customer becoming injured. It is always a good practice no matter how large or small the storm might be to inspect your property and document everything. You never know when your insurance may need that information.

In the end, the size of the storm shouldn’t matter. As business owners preparation is key no matter what Mother Nature has up her sleeve. Contact your sales and marketing representative @ 978.475.1199 to learn more about the emergency ready profile (ERP) and how it could benefit your business.

Mold Need? We have the Solution!

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

When there's a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can cause health effects and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, your SERVPRO® of The Andovers has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a "typical" mold removal process.

Call 978-475-1199 for help with your mold remediation needs.

The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call SERVPRO of The Andovers. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view.

Mold Containment

Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.

Air Filtration

Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO® technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.

Eliminate Odors not Mask!

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can cause odors for years to come if the affected areas are not properly cleaned and deodorized. Fire, smoke and soot damage in your home or business can create unpleasant and potentially permanent problems.

As various materials burn, the smoke produced travels throughout the structure, leaving odorous residues and deposits on surfaces and in hard to reach places. Unless fast, professional action is taken, these residues and deposits can cause permanent damage to contents and may result in resurfacing odors.

SERVPRO of The Andovers can provide specialized services that rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. Any restorable item in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized, including: furniture, draperies and upholstery, electronics, art, flooring, walls, ceilings, HVAC air ducts, and more.

SERVPRO of The Andovers does not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance, they seek out and remove the sources of the odor. Ask your SERVPRO representative to explain the various deodorization methods available and which will work best for you.

If you or a customer suffer a fire damage or some other accident and require deodorization services please visit our website or contact SERVPRO of The Andovers at 978-475-1199. Whether it's fire, water or mold damage, or just a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, we'll make it "Like it never even happened."

Remove smoke Odors - not mask!

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

Even a small fire at your home or business in Andover or North Andover, MA can leave odors for years to come if the impacted areas are not properly cleaned and deodorized. Fire, smoke and soot damage in your home or business can create unpleasant and potentially permanent problems if not responded to quickly with the help of a professional like SERVPRO of The Andovers.

As various materials burn, the smoke travels throughout the structure, leaving odorous residues and deposits on surfaces and in hard to reach places. Unless fast, professional action is taken, these residues and deposits can cause permanent damage to contents and may result in resurfacing odors.

SERVPRO of The Andovers can provide specialized services that rid your home or business of odors left by fire or smoke damage. Any restorable item in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized, including: furniture, draperies and upholstery, electronics, art, flooring, walls, ceilings, HVAC air ducts, and more.

SERVPRO of The Andovers does not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance, they seek out and remove the sources of the odor. Ask your SERVPRO representative to explain the various deodorization methods available and which will work best for you.

If you or a customer suffers a fire damage or some other accident and require deodorization services please visit our website or contact SERVPRO of The Andovers at 978-475-1199. Whether it's fire, water or mold damage, or just a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, we'll make it "Like it never even happened."