Is Your Bristol Home Ready for Spring Flooding?

8/18/2022 (Permalink)

Spring rains can bring flood damage. You can trust the SERVPRO brand to restore your home.

What to Expect During Bristol Flood Damage Mitigation

At first glance, flood damage can look overwhelming. If there is one positive, the faster you start the cleanup efforts, the more potential for saving building materials and items affected by the excess moisture.

When SERVPRO handles flood damage in Bristol homes, the priority is to identify where the water has affected the home and remove it. Even though our emergency response teams arrive hours after the initial phone call, there is often little to no standing water, which can also be an issue. Drywall is notorious for wicking water, and it can pool behind baseboards and cause secondary damages such as mold and foul odors.

We use different types of moisture detection devices to determine the areas that need to be dried. We certify our SERVPRO technicians in the science of psychrometrics or the study of air and water vapor. The preparation for the drying phase is a detailed process to ensure no extra residual moisture remains. We make flood cuts in the drywall that is retaining water. Generally, our technicians use probes or thermal imaging to determine where the moisture has penetrated and cut several inches above that area to ensure adequate airflow during drying. We set up specific configurations to direct airflow into small spaces, such as behind baseboards, when necessary.

Air movers are more potent than fans and perform a function no regular fan could do. They force air at high speeds across surfaces, and this causes the water vapor to rise where one of our dehumidifying methods captures and expels the moisture. Then, thorough cleaning with our antifungal and disinfectant solutions drastically reduces the potential for mold after the fact.

SERVPRO of Bristol is ready to help you with flood damage cleanup in your home. Call us at (860) 582-3330, and our technicians can be on-site quickly because we are “We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.”

SERVPRO is Fast and Efficient in Managing Flood Damage in Bristol

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let flood damage take over your property, Call SERVPRO of Bristol at (860) 582-3330.

Mitigating Effects of Flood Damage in Bristol Homes

Flood damage can wreak havoc on your Bristol home, affecting the structural components and contents. Hiring a professional restoration company like SERVPRO can help limit the extent of the loss and prevent any secondary damages. 

SERVPRO techs use a multi-step approach to mitigate the flood damage to your Bristol homes. Removing the standing flood water is the first step of the restoration process. SERVPRO techs use several types of extracting equipment and pumps to get the water out of your flooded home as soon as possible. However, controlling microbial growth is a significant challenge as floodwater after a storm is always contaminated. 

Steps in Controlling Microbial Growth During Flood Restoration

SERVPRO techs stick to the guidelines set forth by the IICRC during the restoration of flood damage to your Bristol home. Since the presence of water promotes and sustains microbial growth, the primary steps in mitigation of the damage are:

• Removing any contaminated material
• Removing the residual moisture by reducing the humidity 

SERVPRO techs focus on drying the structure as soon as possible rather than relying on chemical agents to control microbial growth. Although the antimicrobials can be a good defense against the proliferation of microbes, they are helpful only if considered as an additional step after the primary mitigation steps mentioned above. 

SERVPRO techs only use EPA-registered broad-spectrum biocides when water damage presents a potential for contamination, such as in a flooded home. Techs also ensure that the customers are briefed regarding the professional biocides being used on their property, and we never apply any product without your prior consent. 

We are committed to helping you in these trying times and restoring your home “Like it never even happened.” Call SERVPRO of Bristol with questions or queries at (860) 582-3330.  

SERVPRO Provides a Comprehensive Flood Damage Restoration for Our Bristol Neighbors

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Salvage Your Bristol Home from a Storm Damaged Roof

Bristol Homes Suffer Flooding from Stormy Weather

Severe weather systems are anything but an uncommon occurrence facing Bristol homes and businesses. Yet, these same situations continue to damage properties throughout the region with every passing high-powered storm. Strong winds can pose threats by picking up objects and hurling them around, which can break windows, damage siding, or puncture already vulnerable roofs. These instances could be flooding if this wind has gotten accompanied by torrential rainfall.

While you cannot predict when a strong wind can damage portions of your Bristol home, the resulting flood damage that could result can get reduced with fast response by trained professionals. Our SERVPRO team prides itself on being available to our customers 24/7, ensuring that no matter what time disaster strikes, we can arrive with the equipment and expertise to help immediately.

As a team that offers both quality restoration services and reconstruction through licensed contractors on our crew, we can provide comprehensive service to our customers in their time of need. This ability to keep our team constantly moving toward the finished product can get the job done more quickly and with fewer out-of-pocket expenses. We can transition quickly between mitigation, reconstruction, and restoration, preventing delays that you might otherwise endure to locate reputable contractors on your own.

Our SERVPRO licensed contractors on the team arrive with the rapid responders to offer services like emergency board-ups and tarping. Minor repairs for other pressing concerns before the situation worsens by allowing more water to flow through unabated. We can do complete reconstruction projects to repair roofs, structural elements, plumbing, windows, and siding. We can also offer tree removal for felled trees or branches that affect your property after the storm has passed.

Storms can damage your home in many different ways, most of which are beyond your capabilities to repair or restore on your own. You can always call our SERVPRO of Bristol rapid response team for the full measure of our expertise and equipment at (860) 582-3330.

SERVPRO Offers Premier Flood Water Removal Services in Burlington

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

If flood waters wreak havoc on your property, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Bristol.

Why is SERVPRO so Efficient in Flood Water Removal in Burlington Homes? 

Flood water removal from your Burlington home is the primary focus of SERVPRO techs during the flood restoration process. The extent and severity of the damage are directly affected by how quickly the restorers can remove the floodwater from your property.  

SERVPRO techs use several pieces of equipment to speed up the flood water removal from your Burlington home. Pumps are some of the most efficient tools to remove standing water from properties after a flooding incident. SERVPRO techs use centrifugal pumps that convert the rotational energy to move floodwater out of the property. The three most commonly used pumps include:

• Self-priming trash pumps
• High-pressure pumps
• Submersible pumps

When do SERVPRO Techs use Submersible Pumps During Flood Restoration in Burlington? 

Submersible pumps are the most common pump used in water restoration in Burlington homes. The submersible pumps offer several advantages over other types of pumps, including:

• Eliminate the suction lift limitation
• Provide a continuous operation 
• Don’t make a lot of noise 
• Operate on electricity 

Some of the portable submersible pumps that SERVPRO techs use can move up to 18,000 gallons of water per hour and provide almost 70 feet of discharge head. As these pumps operate on electricity, they are ideal for occupied spaces. 

Limitations of Submersible Pumps

While submersible pumps offer many advantages, they are not immune to drawbacks. One of the biggest limitations of a submersible pump is that it can’t be used if there is a lot of suspended solid material in the accumulated water. 

If you need assistance with water damage to your residential or commercial property, call SERVPRO of Bristol at (860) 582-3330.

Many Flood Damage Situations After Bristol Area Storms Call for Pack Out Services

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

Allow our experts to assist you when dealing with storm related issues. We are Here to Help!

SERVPRO Offers Pack Out/Move Out Services in Bristol to Facilitate Rapid Storm Flood Damage Cleanup

Heavy rainstorms that bring flooding may introduce a wide variety of contaminants to your Bristol home. This includes dirt, grime, debris, chemicals, and other potentially harmful elements. Unfortunately, vermin and fecal matter can sometimes be present in a blackwater flooding situation. This means the need for skilled restoration to ensure safety and proper protocols for cleanup, which is where SERVPRO comes in. We are available to handle:

• Blackwater (Category 3) treatment and removal
• Debris removal and proper disposal
• Flood damage repair

Handling storm flood damage in Bristol is something that SERVPRO does best. We can organize a team to be at your door to begin water removal services within hours of your call. In many flooding events, packing up and moving out your belongings is crucial. This is helpful to allow for off-site cleaning at our facilities or store possessions as our team works safely. 

• A detailed digital inventory of all items getting packed up and moved for storage is kept.
• SERVPRO facilities are climate-controlled and carefully organized to keep your belongings safe during storage.
• With our process for packing and moving out, our team can return all of your belongings to zones within the home where they belong after we complete restoration.

Storms bring devastation and the potential for immense damage, but having a team of water restoration technicians (WRT) like SERVPRO ensures you get the best results possible. We have emergency response teams standing by when storms are on the forecast so that we can get your property back to pre-event condition.

Do you need help with storm cleanup and flood damage? Call us at SERVPRO of Bristol at (860) 582-3330, and we can get there and get to work as soon as possible. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, offering 24/7 emergency service.

How Much Damage Can One Expect in a Bristol Home After a Flood Damage Incident?

11/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO techs have the training and experience in all phases of storm damage mitigation that your house needs.

SERVPRO Deals With All Levels of Flood Restoration So Homeowners Have Less to Worry About 

The uncertainty that follows a flood damage incident can be worse than even the financial implications of the loss. Coping is much easier when you know what you have to pay and what items of sentimental value you have to lose. Although there is no magic solution to identify all the damage at once, useful pointers can give you a general idea of what you are facing.

Calling professionals to assist you in resolving flood damage in your Bristol home has many benefits, including helping you understand the scope of the loss faster. Working with an experienced restoration team like SERVPRO that has handled flooding incidents for several years means they can rely on their experiences to identify the different sets of problems you face in your property faster, thus giving an overall verdict in good time.

The main factors that determine the outcome of a flooding incident include:

• Percentage of porous materials affected
• Contamination levels involved
• The quantity and type of appliances in the affected areas

A variety of materials in your home, including carpets, pads, upholstery, insulation, and drywall, are porous. Such materials readily absorb the water that accumulates in your house during a flooding incident. They also collect residues of toxic chemicals and biohazards dissolved in the water. In most cases, the only solution when porous materials are involved is to replace them.

Appliances such as electronics are often destroyed by water exposure. Even when not exposed directly to water, the humidity in the air can cause rusting of electronic components. Such appliances require evaluation and restoration by a specialist. We can suggest a third party that specializes in this type of restoration.

In general, the cost of restoring a flooded home is determined by:

• Time
• Service
• Materials

SERVPRO of Bristol can help you estimate faster the time and materials needed to fix flood damage at your property. Call us at (860) 582-3330. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

Can Flood Damage Cause Permanent Harm to a Burlington Property?

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO storm damage restoration technicians are trained and experienced in all phases of storm damage. Call now!

Long-term Exposure to Flood Damage in your Burlington Home Can Lead to Severe Losses.

While the primary concern for most homeowners dealing with flooding is reducing the water level, it is equally important to return the property and its materials to their natural dry state. Organic materials that are commonly found in a building assembly take on water. This water absorption can cause problems for the home's structure. These problems may manifest through the warping of materials like floorboards which can also cup or buckle as they take on increasing amounts of moisture. Drywall materials can disintegrate once the moisture content level gets too high. It is essential to respond to water intrusion quickly to reduce the chances of water absorption for materials. We can help with:

• Flood damage
• Water remediation
• Water cleanup

One of the most dangerous aspects of flood damage in your Burlington home is water absorption. Unlike other forms of damage, absorption can lead to structural insecurity. Materials typically found in a home environment, such as hardwood or lumber, have a natural moisture content of around 12%. Once the moisture content rises above this natural level, the material must expand to contain the additional moisture. Expansion can put further pressure on the joints of the home and make the building unsafe for inhabitants. SERVPRO has a tried and tested formula for dealing with hardwoods or lumber and has demonstrable experience returning these materials to a preloss condition. 

• Measuring the moisture content of a material is possible by either probing the material or using a moisture sensor directly on the surface. 
• Reducing moisture content is possible by applying hot air at high pressure directly onto the material's surface.
• Silica-based dehumidifiers can reduce the indoor climate to below 40 GPP which draws moisture from hardwood materials. 

To return your home to its preloss condition, contact SERVPRO of Bristol for flood damage restoration at (860) 582-3330.

Can Bristol Homeowners Dry Flood Damage Successfully?

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO techs have all the training and experience needed for any size storm damage restoration needed for your home.

Bristol Properties Can Be Restored After Flood Damage by SERVPRO Technicians

Even small amounts of flood damage can create costly damages. An inch of water alone can cause as much as $21,000 in structural damage, even after standing water has receded. Bristol property owners may not have the equipment necessary to remove the damage themselves, but they can contact a firm that does.

SERVPRO renders flood damage cleanup for Bristol properties that covers everything from debris removal and sanitation to drying and rebuilding services. This firm is available 24/7 to eliminate the effects of flooding with EPA-registered antimicrobial solutions and commercial-grade personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep property occupants safe.

SERVPRO Flood Damage Drying Salvages Walls and Floors

Whether flooding comes in from a back door in the kitchen or a ground flood in the basement, Bristol SERVPRO techs rely on two categories of drying equipment after extraction: air movers and dehumidifiers.

• Axial and centrifugal air movers push moisture off of surfaces and into the air as water vapor, which allows low-grain refrigerant (LGR) and desiccant dehumidifiers to replace this humidity with warm, dry air
• Air movers have snout attachments that facilitate pushing air into wall cavities, cabinetry, and other typically hard-to-reach areas
• Technicians carefully calibrate air movers to target flood damage and avoid overwhelming dehumidification units
• LGR dehumidifiers lower relative humidity in a structure to approximately 40 grains per pound and can be deployed even when access to electrical power is limited

SERVPRO of Bristol can be reached by phone at (860) 582-3330 to render mitigation services that keep homes feeling and looking “Like it never even happened.”

Clearing Water from Flooded Bristol Basements

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

Floodwaters in your basement can be very dangerous. Call SERVPRO for fast and immediate storm damage repairs.

With multiple extraction tools, we can mitigate flood loss in Bristol residences. 

After floodwater enters a home, there is a finite timeline to mitigate before irreparable damage occurs. As trusted flood restoration professionals, we have a fast response when every minute counts.

Fast Extraction Solutions for Natural Flooding

In finished or unfinished spaces alike, flood damage to Bristol basements requires immediate extraction assistance. Our skilled SERVPRO professionals cannot identify the extent of the damage and the presence of secondary effects like mold without first removing pooled water. Because this lower level of the property sits under the grade of the ground outside, when penetration points exist, it could result in several inches or feet of standing water.

Clearing Surface Water Threats from Concrete Floors

As one of the low-porosity materials commonly used for flooring in unfinished basements, water can pool along the surface without considerable concerns about endangering saturation. This concrete material encountered in flooded Bristol properties makes for faster extraction and water removal, even when the size and magnitude of the flood damage do not constitute larger removal units like truck-mounted extractors. Some of the tools for the remaining surface water include:

• Squeegee wands
• Mops
• Towels
• Evaporative drying tools

Flooding is an unexpected and destructive force against area homes and businesses. Our SERVPRO of Bristol storm response team can help clean up the mess and return you to the property as soon as possible. Give us a call today at (860) 582-3330.

Flood Damage in Bristol Homes Needs Fast Action

4/30/2021 (Permalink)

Are you dealing with a flood situation in your home? Team SERVPRO is available 24/7 to take your emergency call. Call right away.

SERVPRO is Ready to Handle Flood Restoration in Bristol Properties

Storms in the area can cause a host of issues in terms of damage to a structure. Ceiling leaks can come from damaged roofing; groundwater can enter the home around door frames or affect basements. These scenarios need the cleanup to begin as rapidly as possible to limit the damage to the house and contents.

SERVPRO brings different types of equipment for flood damage mitigation in Bristol homes.

Using the combination of the latest technology and decades of experience, the techs produce the best outcome to the situation.

• Moisture detection equipment
• Extraction equipment 
• Drying equipment

It is vital to check under cabinets and within basements if there is the slightest possibility that water could be present. SERVPRO techs use their equipment to locate the migration path of the water within the property. Unaffected areas adjacent to the worksite get covered with plastic, including the flooring, to avoid cross-contamination during the water damage mitigation process. When groundwater has entered the property, the techs test the water and apply biocides and antimicrobials as needed. Additionally, air scrubbers assist with improving air quality by capturing airborne water vapor.

SERVPRO of Bristol at (860) 582-3330 has decades of experience handling flood damage restoration services in local Bristol properties.

Flood Damage Protection in Burlington is a Button Press Away

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says--get our ERP Emergency READY Profile App Before You Experience Water Damage to Your Burlington Property

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile saves time and money when flood damage strikes

As part of our effort to do everything possible to decrease response times and deliver high-quality service, SERVPRO now offers the Emergency READY Profile mobile app to help prepare your home for a future disaster.

The app allows you to contact us about flood damage in Burlington faster than ever before. With the touch of a single button, you can provide our technicians with all the information they need about where the disaster is, how they should approach the situation, and other crucial considerations such as your insurance policy and emergency contacts. We encourage you to upload onto the app, along with any other documents that you may deem useful:

• Blueprints for your home
• Contact lists
• Insurance information
• Item inventories

The faster we can get a crew out to your home, the better. With the Emergency READY Profile app, you gain an edge over everyone else and can be among the first to get help during a major storm.

Call SERVPRO of Bristol the moment your home starts to flood at (860) 582-3330.

Start the New Year Peacefully with Sound Healing in Bristol

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

Don't stress about storm damage! Call SERVPRO!

Relax After the Bristol Seasonal Festivities 

Winter can be a fun time with loved ones, but it can also be hectic. If you feel a little stressed this year, you can look forward to starting the New Year on a peaceful footing with some sound healing in nearby Farmington.  

• Unwind and listen to the relaxing sounds of singing bowls.
• Enjoy a gentle, guided meditation.
• Group is led by Kelvin Young, a certified Sound Healer, and Daria Davies, a Reiki Master and Spiritual Counselor. 

Sound healing sessions occur at the Bridge Healing Arts Center in Farmington on Thursday nights at 7 PM. There is a suggested donation of $5 - $10 per session, and slots must be booked. 

You can attend one session or come every week. You will always be very welcome.  

Do not let worries about floods and potential damage due to lousy weather disturb your peace. If you need help with floodwater removal, SERVPRO of Bristol is here for you. Call us today at (860) 582-3330.

Bristol, Connecticut Disaster Cleanup is One Phone Call Away

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

We have our equipment loaded and ready to go help with your flood damage.

Call SERVPRO of Bristol at (860) 582-3330 for Rapid Response Cleanup & Restoration

Bristol, Connecticut, is a city 60,000 strong and backed by centuries of rich New England culture and tradition. Also known as Mum Town due to its chrysanthemum production, Bristol was known initially as New Cambridge before its incorporation in 1785. The city’s seal features clock hands because of its long history and contributions to the clock-making industry.

The art of clock-making became so crucial to the town’s economy that by the late 19th century, most citizens were involved in Bristol clock production in some fashion. Visitors can find out more about this crucial part of the area’s history firsthand at the acclaimed American Clock & Watch Museum on Maple Street.

Today, prominent businesses in Bristol include ESPN, Amazon, Stop & Shop, and Faneuil, Inc. The tallest elevator test tower in the country is also located in Bristol, courtesy of the Otis Elevator Company.

An Overview of Clock-Making in Bristol

According to English traveler G.W. Feathersborough in 1840, “…[In] Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri… in every dell of Arkansas and in every cabin where there was not a chair to sit on there was sure to be a Connecticut clock.” Not only were timepieces an essential part of the Bristol economy, but they were also a staple in homes across America.

The invention of the Connecticut-style mechanical clock started first with Galileo’s discovery of the pendulum in the 1600s, followed by Dutch clockmaker Christian Huygens incorporating pendulums into his clocks to enhance their accuracy. In Connecticut specifically, clock production boomed under Thomas Harland and, subsequently, Daniel Burnap in the 18th century and was further innovated by one of Burnap’s apprentices, Eli Terry.

Terry fine-tuned the process needed to create clocks with wooden gears instead of brass and standardizing sizes so that parts were more easily interchangeable. This process not only expedited the clock-making process but also made production much more cost-effective. In the early 19th century, Edward and Levi Porter partnered with Terry to craft 4,000 tall wooden-gear clocks in just three years, which was well beyond their competitors’ production capacity at the time.

Within decades of the wooden-movement production increase, sheet brass manufacture and punching would allow traditionally more expensive clocks to catch up with their competitors. In 1850 alone, Connecticut clockmakers produced a combined half-million clocks, with Bristol leading the industry. To this day, central Connecticut is home to a plethora of small spring factories.

Today’s clock and watch-making industries are dominated by digital timepieces, highly accurate atomic clocks, and quartz crystal movements instead of brass or wood.

The Country’s Oldest Amusement Park is Bristol’s Own Lake Compounce

Lake Compounce on Enterprise Drive is the longest-running amusement park in the United States today. The park, founded in 1846, spans across an astounding 332 acres and includes a water park and beach with the admission price. The name itself comes from the name of the Tunxis chieftain John Compound. Under Compound’s leadership, a deed to the land was given to Massachusetts settlers in Connecticut in 1684.

Over 160 years later, in 1846, the Lake Compounce park was opened by Gad Norton for picnics and other community events. The catalyst was a proposal by scientist Samuel Botsford to conduct electricity experiments, which attracted attention as a novelty for Bristol locals. While the final experiment conducted on the property failed, Norton ultimately decided to turn the property into a picnic park for the public to enjoy.

New attractions were quickly added to the scenic park in its first five years of operation, including a bowling alley, billiard tables, and a manually-operated revolving swing ride. Southern-style summer barbecues started at Lake Compounce and quickly became a local tradition for families in the area.

Among Lake Compounce’s current attractions, visitors can find:

• Roller coasters and thrill rides like the award-winning Boulder Dash and the Phobia Phear Coaster
• Water rides like Venus Vortex and Mammoth Falls in the state’s largest water park, Crocodile Cove
• Theme park classic rides like bumper cars, carousels, open-air trolleys, and Ferris wheels

How Can SERVPRO Teams Extract Floodwaters from Bristol Homes?

Emergency-response crews from SERVPRO are ready to begin flood damage mitigation for Bristol homes to prevent further damage to the property and return it to a safe and preloss state once more. Flood damage is of particular concern because Bristol sees an average of 55 inches of rain per year, much more significant than the US average of 38 inches.

Flooding necessitates additional precautions during the extraction and sanitation process. Technicians wear personal protection equipment (PPE) while removing sewage, pests, chemical runoff, mold, and debris from your property. This cleanup is performed before structural drying occurs to prevent the spread of contaminants through your vents.

SERVPRO technicians deploy an array of extraction tools to thoroughly remove water from various surfaces and structures, such as:

• Portable and truck-mounted extraction units 
• Extraction wands, designed to pull up water from hard-to-reach nooks and crannies
• Draining water from inside wall or ceiling cavities with small holes

While carpet and pad are salvageable in many water damage cases, carpeting is considered a loss in a flood damage situation because of the risk of sewage and contaminants. The exposure to large volumes of water also makes delamination of adhesives much more likely during a flood. Other porous materials, such as sheetrock and cellulose insulation, are more cost-effective to repair than replace.

Your local SERVPRO renders a multitude of rebuilding services after mitigation, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Hardwood flooring repair
• HVAC cleanup and repair services
• Electrical and plumbing repairs

SERVPRO of Bristol can ensure that your disaster-affected property looks “Like it never even happened.” Call (860) 582-3330 for fast-acting disaster cleanup and restoration.

How Does A Professional Determine the Products to Use When Cleaning Flooded Houses?

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

After your home suffers flood damage, you need a team of professionals to assist you with cleanup. Call SERVPRO right away! We are always available.

The Chemical Composition and Types of Materials Affected by Flood Damage in Bristol Homes are the Main Guidelines SERVPRO Considers.

A flooded home in Bristol, requires various resources to restore the areas damaged by the intruding water to their preloss state. The use of chemical agents is one crucial process because it helps remove soiling, contaminants, and other unwanted materials. You might experience difficulty choosing the right cleaning products that do what you intend to achieve because of the variety of such products in the market. When SERVPRO cleans Bristol properties after flooding, the choice of cleaning product is based on the prevailing conditions and the effectiveness of the product.

Which factors determine the effectiveness of a cleaning agent against soiling from flooding?

• Cleaning strength
• Disinfectant properties 
• Deodorizing properties 
• Safety when used with other products

Flooding leads to various levels of soiling in many parts of the structure, including the floors and walls. It is common to find water lines on vertical surfaces separating the parts of a cat by floodwaters from the unaffected ones with a layer of soiling. The cleaning product used should be strong enough to strip away these soils from the affected materials. 

Since floodwaters are a cocktail of organic and inorganic soils, our SERVPRO technicians consider cleaning products that can work against a broad spectrum of substances. Another indicator of product strength is whether its effectiveness changes during the cleaning process. In this case, strong products refer to those that work even when conditions such as pH change rather than working within a narrow pH range. The products should not be too strong to cause physical damage to the materials they are meant to clean.

How does flooding soil properties?

• Causing bleeding of fabric dyes
• Dislodging finishes from structural materials
• Leaving residues such as mud and silt

Floodwater can soil your property by depositing materials collected outside the structure, such as mud or silt. Soiling can also originate within the structure when some materials deteriorate after exposure to water. For instance, fabrics such as upholstery, draperies, carpets, and even clothes can shed dyes when exposed to water over extended periods. Such dyes spread to other areas causing stains and other kinds of soiling. Other forms of deterioration, such as drywall crumbling or glues in composite materials liquefying, create soils that need removal from the property.

How strong should the ingredients in cleaning agents be?

Floodwaters contain all sorts of dangerous substances, including:

• Disease pathogens such as bacteria and viruses
• Harmful chemicals such as herbicides
• Biohazards such as raw sewage

Removing all traces of the harmful substances requires vigorous action. The correct cleaning products that can kill, neutralize, or remove the harmful substances make it easier to restore the property to its usual sanitary conditions. It also simplifies the specific decontamination processes that you might need to carry out at the property. Our SERVPRO technicians use different categories of products with decontamination capabilities like:

• Phenolics which work against bacteria, fungi, and blood-borne pathogens
• Quaternary compounds that help against fungi and bacteria
• Bleaches for germicidal action against viruses and bacteria 

Do cleaning agents help control odors?

Odor management is a significant part of the equation when making plans to clean a flooded property. The floodwater might smell bad since it contains various kinds of wastes. Odor can also develop when water sits in a property over an extended period because of microbial growth or other chemical changes. Some cleaning products also emit strong smells, which might make people uncomfortable. Therefore, when planning the cleanup exercise, you must find products that can counter the awful odors caused by flooding while ensuring that the products do not introduce other strong smells. 

Our SERVPRO technicians combine various approaches to address the issue of odor. In most cases, we use specially formulated cleaning products created without using ammonia, solvents, or fragrances. The ingredients used to formulate the products meet or exceed the EPA and Green Seal design for the environmental guidelines. The products are also rapidly biodegradable and free of VOCs, so they do not leave strong odors in the areas we clean.

Since cleaning products are not meant to work as fully-fledged deodorizers, we might add water-based deodorizers into the cleaning solutions to neutralize malodors and leave a sweet scent in the areas we clean. Incorporating deodorization in the cleaning process simplifies the finishing processes that your property needs to regain its preloss state.

Cleaning products play a crucial role in the restoration of flood-damaged materials. SERVPRO of Bristol uses the best products for a positive outcome. Call us at (860) 582-3330 to help clean up any soiling from your house, "Like it never even happened."  

Can I Reinstall Old Carpets After Property Flooding in Bristol?

9/3/2020 (Permalink)

Fixtures and fittings are often restorable after exposure to clean water supplies.

SERVPRO Aims to Restore Over Replace for Properties with Flood Damage in Bristol.

What Makes a Carpet Restorable?
Restoration of carpeted properties in Bristol can be complicated by the varying nature and causes of flooding. Generally speaking, carpets are recoverable, providing the source of flooding is a clean water supply. We consider clean water sources to be from internal or main water pipes and heavy rainfall. Property flooding that occurs as a result of flash flooding contains water contamination, which may make carpet replacement a necessity. SERVPRO technicians can perform an accurate assessment of water contamination during the initial scoping phase of flood and make necessary decisions about whether to restore or replace your carpets.

How Can I Reinstall Carpets after Flooding
Properties that sustain flood damage in Bristol are often restorable without wholesale replacement of fittings and fixtures. Wet carpets can be up to fifty percent weaker, so it is crucial that you enlist professionals to remove the mats and transport them for drying. Beneath the rug is a pad that can absorb moisture and break apart. These pads are inexpensive to replace. SERVPRO technicians can assess and dry the subfloor of your home using extractors and air movers. Once dry, we can replace the carpet pad as well as the dry carpet on top. During reinstallation, our technicians can assess the carpet for delamination or other signs of damage to ensure you do not suffer issues further down the line. These professional assessments are crucial to returning your home to its preloss condition.

What is the process of reinstalling carpets?
- Prepare the floor by cleaning and drying as well as removing the wet carpet pad
- If necessary replace the tackless carpet strip
- Install the carpet pad before overlaying with the clean, dry carpet

Fixtures and fittings are often restorable after exposure to clean water supplies. Contact SERVPRO of Bristol at (860) 582-3330 for restore over replace technicians.

Are All of My Belongings Ruined When Flood Water Soaks Them?

6/17/2020 (Permalink)

The service vehicles of SERVPRO in Bristol are on the move again for a flood restoration project. Don't worry, Call SERVPRO.

Let SERVPRO Show You How Our Contents Recovery Technicians Can Transform Your Soggy Stuff Back to the Pride of Your Bristol Home

Bristol might be in for another rainy summer, and that can mean only one thing for some homeowners--flood waters that attack both structures and contents alike. Disaster recovery companies aplenty vie for the chance to help with knee-deep water in basements and soaked attics, floors, and walls. But who can help with the heart of your home--the furniture, household goods, and personal treasures and belongings?

Do Any Flood Restoration Businesses Take Care of What Is Inside My House, Too?

We have one overriding goal--to make it “Like it never even happened.” When flood damage overwhelms in Bristol, we understand that your concerns extend beyond a wet cellar and broken drywall. Often, the structural components of a flood-ravaged home can look even better than preloss after mitigation, remediation, and restoration. Unfortunately, it is hard to rebuild a photo album, recreate the afghan grandma crocheted, or find the exact Teddy that lulled your child to sleep after sustaining damage in dirty flood water.

Why Not Just Toss Things to Which You Have No Attachment?

When your insurance carrier reviews claims they are cognizant always that restoration is less costly overall. You certainly can decide to buy new, but you might not receive reimbursement for that choice in all cases. SERVPRO works as your liaison with your insurance company, and it is not uncommon for your agent to suggest reaching out to us initially because of the positive experience their other insured clients had with our team. We develop a system that keeps you, our skilled content technicians, and the insurer in the same loop. Sometimes all agree to discard and replace, but our approach trends toward employing continually evolving equipment and techniques in the restoration industry that bring back your damaged belongings to the look, feel, and function they enjoyed before the flood.

How Do We Record and Track Items Removed for Processing Elsewhere?

We use a Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) to develop a hybrid written and digital record of the belongings we pack out. Checklists, digital photos, and barcodes combine as a comprehensive way to keep tabs on your property, and document the efforts made to clean, dry, disinfect, and deodorize items.

What Are Some Surprising Things We Can Save?

• Papers, Documents, Pictures

When water invades the storage area in your attic or basement after storm-related flooding, many items that you cannot replace are at risk. Boxes filled with awards, wedding albums and other pictures, documents from the historic (grandparents’ naturalization papers) to the necessary (handwritten wills) can look like pulp when you gingerly open the container.

How Do We Dry Papers and Photos?

Freeze-drying is an effective method for these fragile belongings. If there is a delay before our crew can arrive, stashing precious papers and photos in a deep freezer is a good strategy. Expect our technicians to ask you for a list of the items most essential to dry. We arrange for the wet papers or photos to undergo sublimation, whereby the frozen water is extracted to a vaporous state in a pressurized chamber, bypassing the liquid state.

• Electronics

Many things run off of electronic circuitry these days, including obvious things like phones and computers, and also “smart” appliances.

How Do We Make Sure Electronics Dry Out for Use Again?

We work with electronics experts who assess whether your property is safe to operate. In our production facility or a dry area of your home, we build contained small drying chambers within which we can manipulate temperature, airflow, and humidity to ensure the workings and connections are at normal moisture levels.  

• Toys and Other Beloved Soft Items

Although you can try to replace a much-loved blanket or an heirloom tablecloth, the reality is your family knows and feels the loss. Our content processing technicians have many strategies and plenty of patience and experience to get these items back to pre-damage condition.

How Do We Turn the Clock Back on Textile and Soft Item Flood Damage?

Our content cleaning specialists have a “can do” attitude, and valuable experience in the trade. We work hard to return treasured possessions to our valued customers using our on-site commercial wash systems, small drying chambers, immersion tanks, proprietary detergents, and other tools and products.

The entire team at SERVPRO of Bristol is on board with both sides of flood damage cleanup--at your home for structures and our facility or another staging area for contents. Call us at (860) 582-3330 to start the flood damage remediation process fast.

We Act Fast In Bristol After A Flood

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

Our crew can remove and discard the ruined sheetrock in your home after a flood. We are available day or night, so don't hesitate to call us.

What Should I Prioritize In Case of Flood Damage in My Bristol Home? 

An Experienced Restoration Team Like SERVPRO Evaluates Loss Sites Quickly Establishing the Best Response

Although a flooding incident might leave your home resembling a scene from a warzone, it is possible to restore preloss conditions fast by responding correctly. For most people, the biggest challenge is not knowing which actions to prioritize during the restoration. Through the training and experiences our technicians have, we can help you structure the restoration process in a way that minimizes secondary damages, addresses hazards, and improves the turnaround time.

What actions typically have top priority?

Although each flood damage incident in Bristol is unique, some issues recur in many incidents and thus require immediate attention. Some of the steps that help deal with such issues include:

• Identifying structural hazards or other risks at the loss site
• Boarding up the property for protection
• Water extraction
• Partial or complete content move-outs

The damage caused by flooding to a structure happens in stages, so prioritizing actions that can prevent or minimize the damages that occur in later stages is helpful. For example, problems such as mold growth take at least 24-48 hours to start developing. The growth is also gradual, and therefore quick action limits the damage likely to occur. Our SERVPRO technicians help by extraction water fast or performing other steps such as removing carpets, drywall, insulation, and other structural materials that favor mold development.

Are there high-priority actions unrelated to property damage?

A flood-damaged property poses many risks to anyone who ventures in to perform restoration activities or otherwise. Injuries from electrical faults or slipping on slick surfaces are highly likely. Our SERVPRO technicians try to prevent such outcomes by taking actions such as:

• Checking for electrical faults
• Marking hazardous areas such as slippery floors
• Checking for structural weakness

SERVPRO of Bristol can help you streamline flood damage restoration. Call us any time at (860) 582-3330. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Winter Flooding in Bristol, SERVPRO Explains Frozen Factors

2/22/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Helps Mitigate the Damage from Storms and Ice Damage in Bristol

SnowMelt and RainWater: A Combination Leading to Flood Damage in Bristol

Central Connecticut residents tell many stories of severe flooding during all times of the year. Bristol experiences significant damage as the tail-end of hurricanes or summer trains of thunderstorms roar through the community, often filling basements and crawl spaces with contaminated overland floodwaters. The transition between winter and spring adds the potential for a substantial “bump” in flood water quantity, including in the Pequabuck River, because of snowmelt. Winter’s freezing and thawing cycles, forming roof-edge ice dams, can also quietly allow severe water damage rivaling flooding to compromise your home from the top down.

Late Winter Storms Increase Flooding Risk
After months of winter storms and snowmelt, flood damage in Bristol is not unusual. The ground is still frozen in late winter, unable to absorb water. As the ice and snow melts, subsequent sleet and rainstorms add to the moisture load, which then flows into homes rather than soaking into yards and other green spaces.

Cold Weather Flood Remediation Challenges
Even if daytime temperatures rise, overnight temperatures remain at or below freezing. Crawl spaces, in particular, require flood water removal adaptations as much of the moisture forced inside presents as ice, slush, or snow. SERVPRO technicians need to shovel out the partly and completely frozen water to halt further damage when it begins to melt.

Ice Dams--A Unique Type of SnowMelt Flood Damage
SERVPRO technicians responding to mysterious flooding of lower levels look upwards during investigation and evaluation, especially if icicles dangle. When warm air rises through inadequately insulated and sealed joints between the roofline and the cold outdoors, any build-up of icy snow or an ice dam melts a bit, leaking back into your home. Over an extended period, the water flowing silently down between interior and exterior walls can collect in substantial quantities, eventually breaking through ceilings or bubbling wallpaper or paint. It also can accumulate behind baseboards, seeping through to damage floors and soak carpeting on many levels.

Storms, snow, and water can all result in flood damage that SERVPRO of Bristol can help you conquer. Call us at (860) 582-3330 to see what our talented and trained crews can do.

Flood Damage Incidents In Your Burlington Home

1/19/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Bristol at (860) 582-3330 to help respond to any incident, “Like it never even happened.”

Crucial Services SERVPRO Offers After Flood Damage Incidents in Burlington

Flooding incidents in Burlington might hit when you least expect them. The great news is that you can rely on professional restoration companies such as SERVPRO to manage any challenge that the incident causes.

Although all flood damage incidents in Burlington involve water intrusion into a property, they also vary in many ways, so there is a need for the team mitigating the loss to have the resources to respond to a wide range of issues. Our SERVPRO technicians can help with issues such as:

    •    Securing the property
    •    Removing standing water
    •    Removing and disposing of biohazards
    •    Handling hazardous materials
    •    Drying materials or contents
    •    Deodorizing bad odors

The need to secure a property after flooding arises if there are shattered windows, torn roofs, or other unexpected openings left by flying debris, strong winds, or other factors prevalent during the flooding incident. Our SERVPRO technicians secure the property in different ways, including boarding up, installing roof tarps, or even setting up containment zones using 6-mil plastic sheets inside the property.

Many flooding situations involve hazardous materials or even biohazards. Removal and disposal of such materials need special attention because they pose health risks. Our SERVPRO technicians have access to personal protective equipment such as rubber gloves, boots, and respirators, among others allowing us to handle the process safely. We also have resources that help with the storage of materials before disposal, including plastic bags and trashcans.

Since the principal issue with flooding is water, having sufficient capacity for extraction and drying is crucial. Our SERVPRO technicians use a variety of water extraction equipment, including specialized ones such as self-priming trash pumps, submersible pumps, and high-speed pumps, depending on the conditions at your loss site. We also have the necessary drying equipment to manage moisture intrusion in different parts of the building. For example, air movers and dehumidifiers help reduce humidity in the air and materials. We also have cavity-drying equipment in case there is moisture in the hidden parts of a property.

Flood damage requires different resources to resolve. Call SERVPRO of Bristol at (860) 582-3330 to help respond to any incident, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Burlington click here.

Flooding In Burlington Home

12/15/2019 (Permalink)

Give our SERVPRO of Bristol team a call for more information about encapsulation and how it can help.

Crawlspace Encapsulation for Repeat Flooding in Burlington Homes

You might not realize the negative effect that your crawlspace can have on your Burlington home. Many property owners live in lower-lying areas, making flooding an unfortunate certainty for many of these houses, especially in the space beneath the structure. Crawlspaces promote the circulation of air throughout your home and provide access to utility hubs beneath the residence. In situations where flooding occurs, this exposure of your house could be damaging or even hazardous.

With the direct available access to the supports and subflooring of your house from the crawlspace, flood damage in Burlington properties can have a destructive effect. Some of your neighbors have undoubtedly insulated this underlying area of their structure to prevent circulating cold air from penetrating aging flooring materials. Without this circulation of air, the house is easier to heat and cool over the year. Encapsulating your crawlspace is another crucial step homeowners should consider when flooding can be a threat.

Excessive moisture and direct water exposure can lead to the rotting and deterioration of wood supports and framework. This same elevated moisture content can promote the growth of microbial threats on joists and flooring supports running the entire length of the crawlspace. Active mold colonization can spread quickly, which can even infiltrate the upper living space. Our SERVPRO team can work to remove the immediate flooding effects and design an encapsulation plan that can keep this space dry and free of fungal threats for the future.

Encapsulation is the application of thick 20mil plastic sheeting on all exposed surfaces, even the bare ground. Before this gets installed, the area is thoroughly dried with air movers and dehumidifiers, followed by a treatment of antimicrobial sporicides on all organic materials. This step inhibits any mold growth that might have developed in the immediate future. Every structural face gets covered, and in situations where flooding can still be a concern for structures, we install diversion equipment like permanent sump pumps with floats for as-needed water removal.

Flooding can be a destructive force, and it can also be a nuisance to those with crawlspaces in flood-prone areas. Give our SERVPRO of Bristol team a call for more information about encapsulation and how it can help. You can reach us 24/7 at (860) 582-3330.

For more about Burlington click here.

How Fallen Trees Can Damage a Granby Home’s Roof

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

Whether a tree has damaged your roof during a storm or other storm related damage has occurred, contact our team at SERVPRO.

Storm Damage Remediation is Crucial to Your Granby Home. Learn Why!

Severe weather events that can threaten Granby homes do not always damage your home in ways that you might expect. With harsh winds and torrential rainfall, aging or dying trees can uproot or split, allowing it to fall into your house. The roof of your property was not made to sustain blunt impact and can give way and collapse in these strike zones.

How storm roof damage to Granby homes gets addressed is what sets our professional restoration team apart from the competition we face in the area. We have a comprehensive approach to restoration and recovery, supplying both accredited technicians for water or cleaning restoration inside the house and a team of licensed general contractors on-site with our sister company Nutmeg Restoration. This full team of professionals focuses on addressing three primary areas of focus when contending with tree damage.

Tree Removal

One of the many services offered by our experienced team is removing the tree that has caused structural damage. This initial effort removes continued threats to your property and allows our contractors to get to work on repairing structural concerns.

Roof Tarping

Emergency construction solutions are a vital element to restoration and recovery in its earliest phases. To reduce or entirely prevent flooding or water exposure, our roof tarping service encompasses the entire damaged portion of the roof. The use of 2x4 wood planks prevents tarp removal by the wind and creates a seal so rain and moisture cannot penetrate the barrier.

Mitigation

If water damage exists inside of the house, these situations must get addressed immediately to reduce the threat of secondary effects like mold growth. Even without moisture or flooding concerns, our cleaning technicians can work on debris removal and damage assessment inside to prepare the home for the full-scale reconstruction to follow.

Many unfortunate storm damage scenarios can compromise the roof of your family home. Even though this situation can be stressful and challenging, you can trust in the comprehensive approach of our SERVPRO of Bristol team to help. You can reach us 24/7 by calling (860) 582-3330.

Click here for more information about the town of Granby.

Our Storm Damage Professionals Will Work To Restore Your Burlington Home 

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Flood damage needs a quick and efficient response. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Flood Loss Prevention for Burlington Homes

Flooding can be a devastating and destructive situation for multiple Burlington homes simultaneously, which makes it all the more tempting to remedy these conditions on your own and avoid having to reach out to professional restoration technicians. Unfortunately, many residents and property owners lack any experience or safety training to prevent injury or exposure to potentially contaminated standing water. Flood loss prevention solutions, however, can help you to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and irreparable damage at the earliest onset of flooding.

Understanding your role in limiting Burlington home flood damage starts with appreciating when a situation has gotten out of your control. While you have initial tasks that can limit loss, the full recovery of your property is often a very intricate and involved process. Our SERVPRO professionals have years of experience and accreditations from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to be among the most reputable and knowledgeable for all area customers in their times of crisis.

Multiple initial steps can get taken that can reduce the devastation from invading water and its pooling effect in some regions of the house. By working through some or all of these suggestions, you can help professionals like our SERVPRO team to work even more efficiently in restoring your damaged property fully.

• If you have preventative products like sandbags or barriers that you can still safely install and use, it can reduce the volume of floodwater that penetrates the property.
• Remove all items from rooms that are most likely to suffer flood effects. Even those out of direct exposure can still become damaged by an increase in humidity and moisture content levels.
• Close vents and registers where possible and shut off your air conditioning or heating so that it does not circulate potential contaminants, mold spores, or other particulates.

While it is challenging for homeowners to address the full measure of flood damage to their properties on their own, you can count on the fast and confident response of our SERVPRO of Bristol team. We have the skills and resources to make flood losses “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (860) 582-3330.

Click here to see more about Burlington. 

Plainville Homeowners Know to Call SERVPRO when Storms Affect Their Properties

6/17/2019 (Permalink)

Badly Weathered Roof Shingles Can Cause Flooding Problems in Plainville Properties--SERVPRO Can Dry Out Your Home

Isolated Flood Damage in Your Plainville Home Can Happen after Hail Storms

In the summertime, why worry about the winter? It is wise to be prepared. Hail storms hurtling ice at your home in Plainville can leave vehicles, lawn furniture, and other outside structures dented, showing the power of hail and your roof can also suffer. If a damaged roof only looks unharmed because you do not see any visibly loosened shingles, rain from the next storm can drench your home through an opening in the roof.

Helping homeowners cope with various disasters, including mitigation of flood damage in Plainville, SERVPRO knows how to help when rainwater coming in through the roof causes serious problems. Hail hits more than your roof and the items around your lawn and driveway, however.

Hail can also dent gutters and cause them to drain incorrectly. Once damaged like this, rainwater can splash up against our home's exterior and leak into the wall's interior. Moisture barriers in exterior walls can make it more difficult for trapped water to evaporate during the drying part of the mitigation process. Hail can damage the sides of your home, also letting water into these enclosed spaces.

SERVPRO uses standardized methods designed to get these areas dry, just like the rest of your home. Where we can drill small openings for our Injectidry's tubing so we can force warm, dry air into interior walls, we need to dismantle and separate a wet exterior wall's components. Some of the components found inside exterior walls may be salvaged like insulation, while we need to throw others away and replace them. Many forms of insulation that become wet no longer can protect your home like they did when first installed. Closed-cell insulation is the only one that does not suffer from the presence of water. Saving other kinds of insulation in nearby areas can happen as long as we get the wall dried out quickly before moisture invades that area. There is always the threat of mold development.

We have everything we need to mitigate damage, including equipment to both air-dry your property and to wipe things clean wherever needed. Carpeting and tile, as well as wood floors that got soaked fare better with overhead sources of flood damage than those that sustain flooding coming underneath your doorway. We give floors the attention needed to keep existing damage from becoming permanent. Our advanced mat drying system for hardwoods can save many a floor for our customer, and money and inconvenience, also.

SERVPRO of Bristol can help homeowners by mitigating all forms of flood damage, including that caused by storms, hail, and other forces of nature. Contact us by calling (860) 582-3330, which is our 24-hour service line. We are always here to mitigate the damage affecting homes in Pequabuck, Bakersville, and New Hartford.

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