How to Prevent Kitchen Fires | SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea & Revere

6/16/2023 (Permalink)

Fire disasters can happen at anytime. Call SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere to get your home back in order once the smoke clears.

The kitchen is often considered the heart of a home, which means it requires special care! As disaster recovery professionals, we know how common and quick it can be for a small lapse in attention while cooking to spiral into a kitchen fire that requires professional fire damage repair and restoration services.

Here are a few top tips to stay safe in the kitchen:

Preserving History: Historical Building Contractors at SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea & Revere

4/27/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea & Revere is Available for Reconstruction & New Construction Services. Call Today to Learn More

Historical buildings require special care and expertise when it comes to renovations and reconstructions. At SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea & Revere, we understand the unique challenges that come with working on these structures. We have years of experience as historical building contractors, and we have provided all services required to renovate and reconstruct most structures.

We know that historical buildings have unique features that need to be preserved, while also accommodating modern needs and building codes. We have a team of highly skilled contractors who can handle all aspects of the project, from initial planning and design to final construction.

Our services include architectural design, structural engineering, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, masonry, and more. We work with local authorities to ensure that all necessary permits are obtained and that the project meets all building codes and regulations.

We take great pride in our work, and we are committed to preserving the history and character of every building we work on. Whether you need to restore a historical building to its former glory or you want to update it to meet modern needs, we are the team to trust.

If you are in need of historical building contractors, look no further than SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea & Revere. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you with your next project.

Mold Removal in Commercial Properties: Trusting SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere

4/26/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere is an area leader in mold remediation services, call us today to learn more.

Mold is a common problem in commercial properties in the Boston, MA area. It can grow quickly in moist and humid environments, and if left untreated, can cause significant damage to the structure of the building and impact the health of the occupants.

That's why it's important to work with a trusted and experienced mold removal company like SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere. As part of the SERVPRO Team Luzzi network, they have the expertise, equipment, and training to effectively mitigate mold in commercial properties.

Their mold removal process starts with a thorough inspection of the property to determine the extent of the mold growth and the source of moisture. They then use specialized equipment and techniques to contain the mold and prevent it from spreading to other areas of the building. They also use air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to remove mold spores from the air.

Once the mold has been removed, SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere will clean and sanitize the affected areas to ensure that all traces of mold have been eliminated. They will also work with the property owner to identify and address any underlying moisture issues to prevent future mold growth.

Overall, if you're dealing with mold in a commercial property in the Boston, MA area, SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere is an excellent choice for mold mitigation services. Their experience, expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction make them a leader in the industry.

Restoring Homes After Fire Damage: SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere Is Here to Help

4/26/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea & Revere is available 24/7 when fire damage restoration services are needed immediately. Call us now.

Fires can strike at any time and cause extensive damage to residential properties. The aftermath can be overwhelming and emotionally devastating for homeowners. That's why it's important to work with a trusted and experienced fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere in the Boston, MA area.

As part of the SERVPRO Team Luzzi network, they have the knowledge, expertise, and equipment to restore homes after fire damage. They start by assessing the extent of the damage and creating a customized plan for restoration. This may include cleaning and deodorizing, removing soot and debris, and repairing or replacing damaged materials.

SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere also offers 24/7 emergency services to help homeowners deal with the immediate aftermath of a fire. They can board up and secure the property, and begin the restoration process as quickly as possible to prevent further damage.

In addition, they work with homeowners and their insurance companies to navigate the claims process, making the experience less stressful and more efficient.

Overall, if you're dealing with fire damage in a residential property in the Boston, MA area, SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere is an excellent choice for restoration services. Their experience, expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction make them a leader in the industry.

Expert Water Damage Restoration for Commercial Properties in Boston: SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere

4/26/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea & Revere is available 24/7 when water damages your commercial property. Call us now.

Water damage is a common issue in commercial properties in the Boston, MA area, and can result from a variety of causes, such as floods, storms, plumbing issues, and leaks. It's important to address water damage as quickly as possible to prevent further damage to the property and minimize business interruption. That's why it's crucial to work with a trusted and experienced water damage restoration company like SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere.

As part of the SERVPRO Team Luzzi network, they have the expertise and equipment to handle any size water damage restoration project. They start by identifying the source of the water damage and taking steps to stop the water from flowing into the property. Then, they use specialized equipment like pumps, air movers, and dehumidifiers to remove standing water and dry the affected areas.

SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere also offers mold remediation services, as mold can quickly grow in damp environments and pose a health hazard to occupants. They use industry-leading techniques to ensure that all traces of mold are eliminated from the property.

In addition, they work with property owners and their insurance companies to navigate the claims process, making the experience as stress-free as possible.

Overall, if you're dealing with water damage in a commercial property in the Boston, MA area, SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere is an excellent choice for restoration services. Their experience, expertise, and commitment to customer satisfaction make them a leader in the industry.

Learning and schools

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO helps schools stay up to code with clean healthy environments for your children. We will even respond to emergency clean up situations.  Having seen in recent news the fly infestation that occurred at a local Chelsea School we were compelled to spread the word.

We can give schools a once over deep cleaning after summer breaks or vacation weeks to make sure that students come back to a fresh clean environment ideal for learning. If your school has recently updated its equipment or has a lot of broken desks and older books to get rid of let us know we can haul it away to free up more space for learning. Did one of the kids in protest vandalize the school in some way in protest of an event that occurred at the school let us know and we will respond to quickly get you cleaned up and back to normal learning . Prolonged distractions can be detrimental to the education process and even emotionally upset students if it was derogatory.      

Smell something funny, see something on a wall that does not look just right, or some new visitors that you know should not be there. Well we are here to tell you if you can see it, smell it or even hear it the problems is far worse than what is within the range of our senses.  It is very critical that you call in professionals to detect not only the immediate problem but also have the knowledge to detect the root reason that the problem exists in the first place. 

Let me explain, with the case of the Chelsea school the problem was a fly infestation. They did not just appear for no reason. They had to have a ripe environment with an adequate food and water source, and an over abundance of sewer water was just the thing. The flies were not really the problem a broken sewer pipe was. Having gone undetected for an undetermined amount of time allowed for the flies to blossom and become the major issue that it was forcing a school closure.

 We see this all too often within businesses and a lot of damage can occur from not having an assigned person trained to look for the subtle signs that prevent a much larger issue.  Dedicating one person to do a once over the entire building daily and making notations of any odors, visual changes, as well as any animal or insect changes is pivotal to building health.

Along with several incidents of that same person not having the authority or not knowing what to do if there are changes to the environment. Emergency Ready Plans for businesses guide the individuals on the front lines through policy, procedures and protocols to make sure that issues are addressed quickly and correctly. They can be customized to the needs of your facility and can include evacuation routes and meeting points. Main points of contact in case of an emergency and closest emergency service locations can also be included. As a preparedness plan I ask you, if you asked your primary team where the water and electrical shut valves were for the building will they be able to tell you? Most will not our preparedness plan will put all that information at your fingertips from where ever you are.

It is a mobile app that will keep each locations information separated as well right at your fingertips. The best part is it can be shared with whomever you would like to share it with so long as they download the app to their phone. A version that can be edited is available to the key players while a non-editable version can be sent out to local managers.

No one plans for an emergency but having a plan in place and having people that know what to do should an emergency arise can be the difference between a slight issue and a major emergency. Working with a company whose network spans the country ensures 24 hours 7 days a week availability and response time mitigates the damages and provides solid clear cut direction for your staff.

Our staff is trained to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces and contents following the restoration industry standards along with using FDA registered cleaners and disinfectants. Bleach does not get it done on pesky situations. Call the professionals at SERVPRO of East Boston to ensure your next problem does not become a major problem.

Boston ready!

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Is Boston Ready for the next major storm and what is it doing to prepare for the rising tides. A town almost entirely built through human design in the middle of a bay is subjected to the ebb and flow of the tide more than most and its lack of elevation adds to the problem. To better understand this problem let us take a quick look at the history of Boston and how it came to be.

Tidal flats were filled in to create shipping ports. They were filled in with rocks, dirt and yes trash. A lot of the quaint neighborhoods such as the Back Bay, East Boston, Charlestown and the South End were built on landfills. I know shocking right. Needless to say, they are low-lying areas susceptible to the rising seas. Even the airport used to be a collection of 5 islands filled in to serve a purpose.

Ok so that is a very quick back story so what dangers does this possess. To understand this, you need to know how high everything is. At best Boston is considered 14 meters above sea level, with many spots being directly at sea level. In recent years and by recent we mean the last century sea levels have risen 28 centimeters. There is talk about as much as a 3 meter rise due to greenhouse gases by 2100. This puts Boston in line to be one of the top 10 most vulnerable cities in the world.

You just did the math the city is still not underwater. Well let us take a look at high tides, storm surges and damage than can result from it. Storm surge tides are on the rise just ask an adjacent town like Winthrop or Dorchester about high tides during storms. These homes have been damaged in recent years resulting catastrophic damage.

Homes built at sea level, condos below grade even by as little as a half an inch are being denied coverage or being subjected to very limited coverage. So limited in fact it is only the drywall being covered for demolition and replacement. Often we are seeing that none of the contents, electrical systems, plumbing,  insulation, flooring is being covered. This is very stressful for all involved. Especially since the corrosive nature of salt water is that more damaging than traditional water damage.

Understanding your policies and exclusionary clauses as flood plains are redrawn is essential FEMA has a flood map page where you can input your address and get a quick assessment of your homes risk. This will allow you to prepare for upcoming storms and possibly reassess your coverage for insurance.

NOAA estimates from May of 2019 to April of this year 2020 there will be 12-19 flooding events. How many have you already seen? Boston is working hard to prepare for these events. They have developed a Climate preparedness plan. There is a website you can follow and stay up to date on the latest meetings, proposals and individual neighborhoods plans for their specific needs. This website is full of reports, strategies, design and technology initiatives.

The city needs your help be it actively attending meetings to keep pulse with the changes and provide input on the impact these plans could have on your daily living. There are surveys for various community projects that will provide developers with real world feedback on things like commuting challenges projects may pose. We all know you want to be heard about the increased commuting problems.

 We at SERVPRO of East Boston, Chelsea, & Revere see firsthand effects from these flooding events. We see the devastation that they cause, and we are seeing increasing restrictions on insurance coverage from these events. We have also seen Facebook pages dedicated to community discussions as well as grassroots efforts to find solutions to pollution. Keeping pollution out of the streets and in the trash barrels where they belong will ensure sewer drains maintain the flow of water. Less clogging means less flooding. We can all make a difference in how climate change affects our communities.

Steps in the Emergency restoration process

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Everyone company wants to get back to normal as soon as possible, with as little cost and intrusion into their life as possible. Guess what??? That expectation is the worst way to approach this kind of water loss. While it sounds great what is the big deal. Let us explore the things that can happen when you actually move too quickly.

Having anything submerged in water means it was able to saturate. Saturated clothing can be wrung out but is still wet at the fiber level. Guess what wood does the same thing. Unlike clothing wood structures cannot be thrown into a dryer. That is right inside those beams are still wet. Behind that wall is soaked, oh your home is insulated yeah that’s wet too. That beautiful wood floor is sitting on a subfloor that space is wet too. However will you get it dry. Well if you do not have high powered fans and commercial grade dehumidifiers it can take months yes months to air dry.

Aside from the fact that everything is wet, said you were flooded right? Guess what dispite what you think flood water is not clean. At all!!!! It is flooded because the water did not have a normal place to drain. Where does most city water drain into??? That is right the sewer system.. Sooo if you are flooded because the sewer system is not working that is right folks you have been flooded with sewer water.

CHECK FIRST

• Is mold already growing
• Is electricity on & active ( Never walk through water to power off electricity)
• Check for gas leaks
• Is the structure safe
• Wear protective eye glasses, Shoes and gloves and respirator if you suspect mold.
• Do not mix chemicals the vapors can be deadly ( Especially Bleach and Vinegar)

Step by Step guide:

• Get to safety: If the rain has stopped flooding is still possible as the water drains from some areas and into others. Makes sure you stay safe. Once it is safe to do so start assessing the personal damage you have incurred.
• Insurance: Most people have home owners insurance. Guess what they do not cover flood insurance so start there. If you were flooded and do not have flood insurance you are on your own. Even if you do it is your responsibility to keep the home safe and reduce damages as much as you can. Which means you cannot wait to hear from the insurance company. Should you get mold or rot from waiting most likely it will not be covered due to the fact that it is considered secondary damage. Meaning it would not occur if you had started to clean up immediately.

The clean up: What can you do before the adjuster arrived from the insurance company.

1. Take pictures of everything, before you or anyone do any work what so ever.
2. Clean up areas of the house so that wall, and floor damage can be easily seen.
3. There can be hidden damage, such as behind the walls so it will be reassessed as work begins.
4. Reach out to government agencies for potential assistance for aid. ( Please note that a federal disaster must be declared for you to apply for this type of assistance.
5. Hire an electrician to come in and assess the safety of electrical system of the home. This will tell you what is safe and not safe to turn on ( Never turn on equipment that was submerged any salvageable items could spark and become a total loss)
6. Check with the local town to see if the water is safe to use or if it was adversely affected by the flood waters.
7. Go through your food and make sure you throw out anything not in a metal can. Make sure you get rid of the labels and get new ones. To identify the food later. The cans must be washed if you are going to keep them . o.
8. All your silverware and utensils have to be cleaned and sorted. Wood, plastic or anything no metal or ceramic needs to go
9. Cut and remove walls ( Even if they do not look damaged)
   1. If you see a water line ..Cut the wall at a minimum of 2 feet above that line.
   2. Remove insulation and yes throw it away.
   3. Take off the base boards , they may be able to be dried and saved but at least removing them assured they are not holding in moisture.
10. It is recommended anything that cannot be dry cleaned should be thrown away. This includes but is not limited to furniture, clothing, and blankets.
    1. Carpets must be pulled up and while the carpet may be able to be cleaned and dried the pad cannot so throw that way.. Do not re-attach the carpet before the floor it sits on is fully dry ( Yes we have to say that again) To avoid any issues make sure that you do this within 48hrs after the water goes down so that it does not have a chance to grow anything it should not be growing ( which is anything)
11. Flooring: Be it if you have wood, vinyl, laminate or tile if it was submerged in flood water it really has to go.
    1. If you are not sure if the tile or its adhesive is asbestos get it tested.
    2. If it is a painted surface and you are not sure about the presence of Lead that too should be tested.
    3.             This step while will be a bit of a delay keeps you, your family and the workers safe.
12. Subfloors: Guess what your floors sit on a floor and regardless of what sort of main floor you have most of the time the subfloor is plywood and will be affected by the water. The top floor must be removed so that this level of floor can dry fully. Make sure you do not have any buckling before you put a new floor on top once it is dry. If so you may need to replace that.
13. Set up fans and Dehumidifiers to created a vortex to encourage drying. Proper fan positioning and temperature regulation will speed up the drying process.
14. ****BLEACH**** DOES NOT KILL MOLD… PERIOD….
15. If you see mold… There is a very specific process that must be followed. The most important step is to NOT spread the spores all over the house. So DO NOT VACCUM them unless you have a hepa-vaccum.

Contact a professional and keep in mind this is not a two or three day process. Have the right expectations going in to this. It will ease your mind and reduce the amount of stress that you have. Expecting something to be done to fast can result in long term damage that will cost more. It will also put undue stress on all involved. Take a step back and know that it could be a month or even more depending on how extensive the damage is.

Water Power Unite!!

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Water is not always bad. 

Modular hydropower

While existing hydropower is among the least expensive sources of electricity, building a new plant can be expensive. Modern technologies are needed to reduce installation and civil works costs. One potential answer is modular hydropower, which uses separate, similar components that can be constructed off-site then easily integrated into new or existing sites and scaled to greater capacities.

Modular hydropower systems for non-powered dams and other untapped sites can lower construction costs and reduce environmental impacts. For example, a 24-foot long and 16-foot high prototype dam, composed of six precast blocks, was built in Massachusetts as part of the HydroNext Initative in order to lower cost, improve performance, and promote environmental stewardship of hydropower development.

Powering non-powered dams

Today hydropower is the largest renewable energy source in the U.S. Still, tens of thousands of dams across the country don’t produce power. Adding generation equipment to these sites could add up to 12 GW of new hydropower capacity to the grid, and using existing dam infrastructure can lower construction costs and reduce permitting time—meaning hydropower is added to the grid faster. Because 49% of hydropower capacity is owned by the U.S. Government, federal dams represent a big opportunity to develop non-powered dams. 

Pumped-storage hydropower

Pumped storage house (PSH) works like a big battery. It pumps water to a higher elevation, which can then be released at any time to turn turbines and meet energy demand. As the largest form of utility-scale energy storage, PSH helps stabilize America’s power grid. It can respond quickly to grid instability or power outages and balance variable generation, such as from wind and solar. The country’s 42 PSH plants help make the electric grid reliable and resilient, but Energy Department-funded research shows we can add even larger amounts of new, flexible, low-cost PSH.

Tidal energy

Tides occur worldwide, but making electricity out of them requires a 16 foot difference  between low and high tides. While there are no permanent tidal power plants in the United States yet, conditions are good for tidal power generation in the Pacific Northwest and the Atlantic Northeast regions. The Energy Department has funded research to develop new ways to install, maintain, and decommission tidal power plants. Recently, the Energy Department continued funding for Verdant Power, Inc. to optimize a way to deploy and retrieve three tidal turbines together as a single system with one on-water operation without diver support.

Wave Energy

Ocean waves pack immense energy. The challenge for scientists—and a focus of the Energy Department—is developing technology that can safely, reliably, and cost-effectively convert wave energy into usable electricity. But once that’s done, the potential for wave energy to supply power to major cities and distributed applications—like naval bases, desalination plants, and subsea data centers—is high. To address this challenge, the Energy Department-funded the Wave energy prize, an 18-month public competition, that ended with prize winner AquaHarmonics demonstrating a five-fold increase in the energy capture potential of their MHK device—which the two-person team built in a garage. 

Fire Safety

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

It is that time of the year again, fires lots of fires.

Let us have a real talk about the power cords, extension cords, outlet plugs, and power strips. They are not the same thing and they are not meant to be plugged into each other. The only time a power strip can have an extension cord plugged into it is when it has been hard wired into the system.

Power strips/ surge protectors/ Hard wired power strips: They are different. But we use them for the same purpose added outlets and to extend the reach of our outlets to something further away. There are some precautions that many do not know or tend to ignore for convenience. Two different types of power are drawn from various equipment high power and low power. High power equipment tends to be stuff that turns one and off ovens, toasters, coffee pots, microwaves, space heaters, refrigerators etc. Low powered equipment tends to be more steady with its power use. Computers, cell phones, Radios, TV’s etc. Know what you are trying to plug in and make sure that you stay safe.

Extension cords: We all use them. Are we using them properly? Most likely NO. Did you know they are not meant for long term use. There is also a purpose to that pesky 3^rd prong on the end. The one that many of you cut off. It is a grounding wire. Ok so you didn’t break it off on purpose. It got stepped on by accident and broke off. The fact that it is missing renders the cord no good. The equipment and items that are plugged into it are not grounded. (We will get into that later) If the extension cord is not being used do not leave it plugged in. It too can not handle high powered equipment.

3 prong vs 2 prong: OK this is a simple visual but has lasting consequences. So you have a wall plug that allows only 2 prong devices. You bought one of those 3 prong adapters, and it has that weird metal thing that you have no idea why it is there. So you plug it into the outlet plug in your device and carry on with your day. Guess what that’s wrong. That little metal piece has a purpose. You are supposed to plug the adapter in such a fashion that the metal piece hangs over the screw in the middle. You are supposed to remove the screw and secure this metal hook to the faceplate. That is what converts it to a grounded outlet. ( MIND BLOWN>>>WE KNOW)

Overloading: This is another step that many ignore. They think because they have space left on the power strip they can keep plugging things in. Or if they have something like Christmas lights they can connect an infinite number of strings together to get from one side to the other. You have to take into account the capacity load that the strip can take and how much energy each piece of equipment that is being plugged is going to draw. This will avoid over loading not only the strip or power cord but also the outlet. Many outlets are tied to others and do not run on an independent power source. Understanding how everything is connected can cut down on electrical issues.

Frayed cords ( NO duct tape is not a proper fix) Before you use any electrical cords, power cords, power strips, even the cords to the items you are trying to use. It is important to inspect them. Items that have been stored could have cracked or become frayed from age. They could have been gnawed at by an animal over the course of being stored. Place duct tape over the cord does not make it safe. Will it make the item work? Probably but it is NOT safe.

Grounding: So if you are not sure what grounding is or why it is important. It gives electrical surges a place to go other than into your home or office. Providing pathways for it to travel that are safe and less conductive. Easy enough. OK so your building or home is not properly grounded. What does that mean? It means all metal becomes a conductor. You along with the static in the air also becomes a conductor. In a power surge situation the energy will escape into the building. Your body can become the conductor as electrical currents flow through easily. Fires start more easily, electrical noises increases, as does the risk of electrical shock. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) states that "better than 80% of all electronic system failures that are attributed to power anomalies are actually the result of electrical wiring or grounding errors or are generated by other loads within the customer's facility.

Being electrician is not for everyone. It is also not a part time hobby like a handy-man. Make sure that you are hiring a properly license and certified electrician. For those basics around the house have a light understanding of how all of your various options work. This will keep you and everyone in your home safe.