The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Download the ReadyPlan app today!

Rough weather is no surprise when living or owning a business in northern Connecticut. As many as 50% of Connecticut businesses close down following a disaster such as heavy rain, snow and winds, according to the latest research.  Of the businesses that are still standing, the majority of these businesses had an emergency ready plan in place. Pre-planning ensures business owners an insurance policy to protect their property from harm's way. Not only does pre-planning help your business but it ensures reliability in your employees and customers knowing their employer is prepared for the worst.

Download the SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Plan application on your iPhone or smartphone today. By establishing an Emergency Ready Profile for your business you decrease the disturbance of having an immediate plan in action when a storm hits. Knowing how to prepare and what to expect is essential in minimizing how much water, mold, and fire affects your business.

• A no cost assessment of your facility or business.
• A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
• Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
• Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.

We Save You Minutes While Time Counts

Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help you minimize the effects that water, fire and mold have on your home or property. Whether you are a homeowner or a multi-site property or risk manager the SERVPRO Ready Plan app has been designed to help you be ready for whatever happens. 

We're Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860)461-7194any time.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860)461-7194
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194

Wrapping Your Mind Around A Natural Disaster

7/3/2017 (Permalink)

You can greatly lessen the stress of a disaster by being mentally prepared

When you’re mentally prepared for something—anything—dealing with it is easier. That’s even true for dealing with a major fire, flood, or other natural disaster restoration. Storm damage or an earthquake can wreak havoc on land and property but they don’t have to cause such severe stress and fear that you sink into a debilitating state of mind. You can stay calm and effective after even the worst natural disaster.  Here are some pointers.  

1. Prepare physically
Preparing yourself physically helps prepare your mind. Have your home (or business) well protected from natural disaster threats. Know your emergency evacuation route. Have essentials and valuables in an emergency kit you can quickly grab on your way to safety. Preparing physically will give you and your family some peace of mind should a natural disaster strike. You’ll have a plan to follow and that can keep you calm and keep your stress level down. The same principle applies to your business and your employees.

In "How to Mentally Prepare for Disasters and Emergencies" Ramani Durvasula, a licensed clinical psychologist, says preparation is key. “[Preparation] can largely help because it can address real anxieties about clean water, food, etc.,” Ramani says. “With those real issues addressed, it makes it easier to simply focus on the psychological symptoms of anxiety and manage those without worrying about being hungry.”

2. Acknowledge the disaster’s severity without letting it overwhelm you
We all have much less understanding of how we would react in an emergency than we think we do. Things like five foot high flames, cars floating down flooded streets,  and 90 mile-an-hour winds have a way of causing extreme emotion and stress. Our logic and reason can be severely taxed.  Allow yourself to take in what’s happened but don’t become immobile. Accept reality but do respond. You can always do something to make things better, safer, or start the recovery process. 

Think about and realize what you may have to do during and after a natural disaster. Yes, your role could be physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging. By accepting and understanding that reality now, you’ll be better able to manage your actions and decisions if an emergency occurs. By acknowledging the damage after a disaster you’ll begin to assess the best course of action and generate the ideas you need to start moving on a positive path.

Get Smarter About Dealing With Natural Disasters. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860-649-0836.

3. Try the power of visualization
First responders, fire fighters, and other people who often have to deal with major natural disasters sometimes use the strategy of envisioning worst-case scenarios. They think about the sights, sounds, smells, and emotions that occur during a major natural disaster. By envisioning in detail, they create in their brains a bookmark similar to an actual experience. Later, the brain can “refer back to” what the person envisioned. The brain searches for how the person reacted to the earlier experience and the decisions made then, even if the experience and decisions were only in the mind. Fabricated memories can help direct behavior toward logic and reason in critical, stressful situations.

4. Redefine courage
Think of courage not as the state of lacking any fear but as the ability to be afraid but act effectively in spite of your fear. Survivors and heroes feel fear just like you and I. What’s the difference between them and us? They have learned to manage their fear. They acknowledge the crisis and look ahead and think about what they need to do next to be safe, protect others, and recover. Know that in an emergency you will be fearful but the best thing you can do is to act in ways that get you out of the fearful situation.

5. Use relaxation techniques
Some experts recommend getting your fear and emotions under control through breathing, relaxation, and meditation exercises. If you practice and trust your relaxation techniques you can adapt those techniques to almost any situation or emergency. You might also consider cognitive restructuring. It’s a useful technique for transforming negative thinking into more positive thinking. Cognitive restructuring can change attitudes, values, or beliefs in ways that alter self-expression. 

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

10 Steps To A Safer Home

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

Your home is your castle. Let’s keep it that way. Here are some ways you can prevent unexpected home disasters from happening. Preparation is always better than dealing with a disaster in your home. 
 

1. Know some fire hazards aren’t obvious.
You may be unaware of many of the items in your home that can cause a fire risk.  For example, lint build-up in your clothes dryer is a fire risk. Clean out the lint filter every time you use the dryer and check the exhaust pipe and vent weekly. Another surprising fire hazard is battery-charged appliances. They can overheat and produce flames. We know a family who keeps a large stock of paper goods in an open closet where a family member smokes. Go through your house looking for hazards like these. Check for anything that might be a fire hazard and take precautions.

2. Test for radon.
This colorless, odorless gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Test every three years. A tightly sealed home increases your risk.

3. Replace old electric blankets.
After 10 years heating pads and electric blankets can cause a fire hazard. Replace any heating pad or electric blanket that has a charred spot or a frayed or cracked electrical cord.

4. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor.
If your home is like most you probably have carbon monoxide alarms on the main floor and near the bedrooms. Fire prevention experts recommend also placing carbon monoxide detectors on other floors, including your basement.

5. Get rid of old space heaters.
Space heaters are a prime cause of home fires. Replace old space heaters with the newer models that turn off automatically if they tip over or get overly hot.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Manchester/Mansfield At (860) 649-0836

6. Check for mold every 3-5 years.
Mold damages your respiratory and immune systems. Buy a do-it-yourself kit or hire SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield to detect mold every 3-5 years.

7. Smoke only outside the house.
More fire deaths are caused by smoking inside the home than are caused by any other factor. If someone must smoke on your property have them smoke outside. Always dampen butts and ashes before throwing them away.

8. Place critical papers in a fireproof box.
You may want to include your identification papers (like your Social Security card, passport, and birth certificate) in a fireproof box. Consider adding financial records, family photographs, and emergency cash in small bills.

9. Keep trees and shrubs away from your roof and foundation.
Dead branches hanging over your roof can fall and create damage. Shrubs that brush against your house can bring an outdoor fire right into your home. Roots from trees planted too close to your foundation can interfere with your basement floor or foundation walls.

10. Keep gutters, fireplaces, chimneys in good repair and clean.
Water builds up in clogged gutters, drains, and downspouts. It can then find its way into your house. That’s a disaster.  Also, have a professional inspect your chimney and fireplace once a year. During the year you can use binoculars to examine the outside of your chimney for any cracks or signs of damage. Your chimney flue should be cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.    

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Manchester/Mansfield At (860) 649-0836

More Steps To A Safer Home  
Every month on the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog we publish educational articles on how you can help protect your home or business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, smoke, chemical, or other damage.

Call On Us
We’re here to help you. The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in virtually all aspects of cleaning up after water, sewer, fire, smoke, wind, chemical, or other similar natural disasters.  Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7.

Call On Us
We’re here to help you. The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in virtually all aspects of cleaning up after water, sewer, fire, smoke, wind, chemical, or other similar natural disasters. 

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

Home Disasters You Can Avoid

5/18/2017 (Permalink)

Fix a small problem before it becomes a big problem

You cannot stop a hurricane, flood, fire, or other disasters but you can avoid many types of mini-disasters. When you proactively deal with these minor headaches you can prevent or lessen the impact of many major headaches later. Don’t let these little issues fester and grow and become sparks for huge problems. 

1. Overgrown trees and shrubs

Signs: Do tree branches extend over your roof? Are large bushes growing close to your foundation? Do you have tall within feet of your foundation? These are some signs that your house may be unnecessarily endangered.

Act now because: In a storm large tree branches can fall on and damage your roof, siding, and windows. Trees that grown too large too close to your home or business can grow roots underneath the foundation and cause the foundation to uplift. Roots from bushes and trees can sometimes penetrate existing cracks in your foundation. Even healthy trees can fall on your home if they’re tall enough and are struck by lightning or hit by high winds.

Action to consider: Trim back branches so they don’t come within five feet of your roof. Consider replacing overgrown bushes with smaller ones and plant them at least six feet from your foundation. Ask a tree expert to consult with you on the health of large trees on your property and whether they pose a threat to your home or business.  Read this for more about tree dangers.

2. An Aging Roof

Signs: Cracked, curled, or missing shingles mean your roof is near its life’s end. Leaking may soon start or even be in progress in areas where you can’t notice it. Other signs include cracks in the flashing around chimneys, skylights, roof valleys, and the rubber boots around vents.

Act now because: If your roof doesn't provide a proper barrier to rain and snow, water can find its way to your home's drywall and insulation, leading to rot and interior water damage.

Action to consider: You might be able to replace a shingle here and there, or patch leaky flashing. But if your roof is more than 20 years old, it's probably time for a new one. If it's an asphalt shingle roof with only one layer, you might be able to add a second layer over it, lowering the project costs significantly.

3. Rainwater Runs Or Pools Where It Shouldn’t

Signs: When it rains the water pours over your gutters and/or puddles along your foundation walls.

Act now because: Water can quickly damage or ruin siding and foundation walls. If it pools around your foundation it will eventually find its way inside your home and damage floors, walls, and more.

Action to consider: Inspect all your gutters. Remove all clogs and patch any holes You can clear clogs yourself, but if your metal gutters are corroded, talk to a pro about replacing them.

Want Help? Call SERVPRO Of Manchester/Mansfield At 860.649.0836.

4. Ants, Termites, Or Other Pests

Signs: If you see rotted wood in the sill plate that sits on top of the foundation and cast-off wings along window sills and walls you’re seeing evidence of termites. Piles of sawdust along baseboards are a sign of carpenter ants.  

Act now because: Tiny as they are, termites, ants, and other insects can cause major structural problems if left to nosh on your home's wooden framework.

Action to consider: Call an exterminator. Check for accreditation on the database of the National Pest Management Association (pestworld.org). If you’re thinking of hiring an exterminator get quotes from two or three so you can compare prices, customer service,  and professionalism.

5. Cracks in your home’s foundation

Signs: Do you have cracks in the concrete, especially cracks that are wider than 3/16 inch? Do you have a wall that’s bulging and buckling?

Act now because: An unstable foundation can compromise the entire structure of your business or house.

Action to consider: You can probably fill hairline cracks with an epoxy injection system. But if the cracks seem to be getting bigger consult a structural engineer.

Want Help? Call SERVPRO Of Manchester/Mansfield At 860.649.0836.

6. Mold and mildew

Signs: Musty odors, dank air, and black mold spores growing on surfaces such as your bathroom ceilings.

Act now because: Any surfaces that harbor extensive mold (including drywall, carpet, and ceiling tiles) need to be removed. If you don’t remove moldy surfaces eventually mold spores will be released into the air, causing allergic reactions and asthma attacks.

Actions to consider: If you catch them early, patches of mold less than 10 square feet can be treated with a homemade solution of one cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water. Wear an N-95 disposable respirator, goggles, and heavy-duty gloves. For larger outbreaks, or if the ventilation system is contaminated, call in a mold-remediation pro like SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield.

More Home And Business Disaster Prevention Information  
Every month on the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog we publish educational articles about how you can help protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, or other damage.

Your Natural Disaster Cleanup and Restoration Service
SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has expertise in natural disaster preparation, cleanup, and restoration.  If you suffer fire, water, mold, chemical, or storm damage, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime. We've served commercial businesses and homeowners in Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Hebron, Manchester, and Mansfield. 

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

Your Insurer Will Help After A Disaster

2/20/2017 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes one of your first calls should be to your insurance company representative.

We hope you have good insurance. If you do, you will greatly appreciate your home or business insurance carrier after a natural disaster. But work smart with your insurance company and its claim adjuster. Helping them do their job right can speed the approval of your insurance claim and assure you are fully and properly reimbursed for the damage based on your policy and coverage. Check out these tips from the Insurance Information Institute.

 After a disaster one of the first things to do is to contact your insurance representative. Ask:

• Is this damage covered under the terms of my policy?
• How soon do I have to submit a claim?
• Will my claim exceed my insurance deductible (the amount of loss you agree to pay before your insurance policy coverage kicks in)
• How long will take to process my claim?
• Do I need to submit estimates for repairs?

Your insurance representative isn’t the one who’ll come to your home or business to inspect the damage. An insurance claim adjuster will. Your rep will put you in touch with a claim adjuster from your insurance company. You’ll need to prepare for the adjuster’s visit.

Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7.

Preparing For The Adjuster's Visit

Your insurance company may send you a proof of loss form to complete or the claim adjuster may visit your home first. (An adjuster is a person professionally trained to assess property damage.) In either case, the more information you have about your damaged possessions -- a description of the items, approximate date of purchase, and what it would cost to replace or repair -- the faster your claim generally can be settled by the insurance company.

• To substantiate your loss, prepare an inventory of damaged or destroyed items. Give a copy to the insurance adjuster along with copies of any receipts. Don’t throw out damaged items until the adjuster visits you. You should also consider photographing or videotaping the damage. If your property was destroyed or you no longer have any records, work from memory.
• Identify structural damage to your business or home and other structures such as your garage, tool shed, patio, or in-ground swimming pool. Make a list of everything you want to show the adjuster. Are there cracks in walls? Is your roof missing shingles? Are windows broken or cracked? Have your electrical system checked. Most insurance companies pay for these inspections.
• Get several written bids from licensed contractors. The bids should include details of the materials to be used and prices on a line-by-line basis. This makes adjusting the claim faster and simpler.
• Keep copies of the lists and other documents you submit to your insurance company. Also keep copies of whatever paperwork your insurance company gives you and record the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak to.

Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7.

Flood Damage Often Excluded

Flood damage is excluded under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Flood coverage, however, is available as a separate policy from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from a few private insurers. The NFIP provides coverage up to $250,000 for the structure of the home and $100,000 for personal possessions. Flood insurance claims should be filed with your homeowners insurance company.

We’re Here To Help

Here at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield we often work with business owners and homeowners and their insurance company representatives.  Some customers use us to be certain they’re fully prepared for what the insurance company will require before they will consider a claim.  Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

Can You Answer These Cleanup, Restoration, & Safety Questions?

2/6/2017 (Permalink)

Get smarter on preventing damage to your home or business. Take the quiz.

What don’t you know about cleanup, restoration and safety that you should know? Try answering these questions. If you get some wrong you might want to learn more about that question’s topic. Here’s hoping you get an A+ on these questions.

Check your answers at the end. For more information explore the links we’ve provided. Some of them lead you to blog posts at our sister franchise, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield. You can also read our other SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog posts to get more details.   Good luck with the questions.

Answers to your safety, cleanup and restoration questions: Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860.649.0836

1. According to the latest research what percentage of businesses may never recover if they experience a natural disaster?
2. If you have a toilet, washing machine, or other appliance overflow and the experts say you have gray water on your floor, what does that mean?
3. Are there smokers in your house? To help prevent home fires, what type of ashtrays should you use and when should you put cigarette and cigar butts in the trash?
4. Be sure any wood-burning stove you buy is made of sturdy, suitable material, such as cast iron or steel.  And look for what label?
5. Emergency preparation experts recommend you keep a set of pictures of your commercial building in safe and easy to access place. Why?
6. To protect your home or business’s foundation from cracking due to water damage, the downspouts from your roof should lead water how far away from the foundation? 

Answers to your safety, cleanup and restoration questions: Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860.649.0836 

7. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, how often should your home’s roof be inspected?
8. What’s the most common danger from a home heating oil furnace?
9.  Which of these descriptions does NOT mean your commercial property may be at higher risk for water damage: 20+ years old, High-rise with multiple tenants or units, or uses older construction materials?
10. Which is likely to be more dangerous – a solid chemical spill or a liquid chemical spill?

Answers:  1) 50% See this post for more information. 2)Gray water is contaminated water that can cause discomfort or illness and quickly degrade into black water if not treated. For more, see this sewer back up post;  3) Use deep, sturdy ashtrays. Don’t put butts in the trash until they’re cold. For more, see this prevent home fires post; 4) The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label. For more, see this stove and fireplace blog post; 5) If a storm strikes the pictures can serve as “before” pictures. Take a set after the storm to show the full extent of the storm damage. For more see 3 keys to rebuilding commercial property. 6) At least 10 feet. For more, see protecting your home’s foundation;  7) Twice a year. For more see roof leaks; 8) carbon monoxide. For more see oil furnace dangers; 9) Uses older construction materials. See this post. 10) Liquid. For more, see the post about chemical emergencies.

We Have More Ways To Help You
The professionals at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield are commercial property water damage restoration experts. We've served clients in
•    Andover
•    Bolton
•    Chestnut Hill
•    Columbia
•    Coventry
•    Ellington
•    Hebron
•    Hop River
•    Lebanon
•    Manchester
•    Mansfield
•    Mansfield Center
•    Somers
•    South Windham
•    Stafford
•    Vernon
•    Willington
•    Windham
•    Willimantic
And beyond

 Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

Tri County Alliance Of Realtors Affiliate Night

7/21/2016 (Permalink)

Steve, Elaine and Lisa at Affiliate Night

On Thursday April 21, 2016, The Tri County Alliance of Realtors held their annual Affiliate Night at A Villa Louisa in Bolton. This has always been a fun event in the past, and this year was not any different! This is a great way to network with busy realtors, home inspectors, and others in the real estate business. Having recently merged with another board of realtors brought a lot of new faces and lots of energy to the event. SERVPRO enjoys supporting the Tri County Alliance of Realtors and we look forward to more years of continued support. While we were at our booth, we discussed our home cleaning and deodorization abilities to help realtors maximize the selling price of their listing. We also discussed mold remediation and our Emergency Ready Profile for those agents that deal with commercial or multi –family units. We can’t wait to see if next years Affiliate Night can top this year's!

CAI-CT Mold Luncheon

5/17/2016 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO booth before the Expo and Tradeshow!

On Saturday March 19, 2016 The CAI-CT held their annual Tradeshow and Expo at the Aquaturf in Plantsville CT. SERVPRO of Manchester-Bolton is honored to be a member and sponsor of this great organization. The CAI-CT is the premier resource for Condominium owners, Homeowners Associations and Property Managers. The Expo and tradeshow is a well attended event with over 400 registered attendees and over 60 vendors participating, marketing their goods and services to the attendees. Each year, the Expo offers something new for all those who attend. This year, The CAI-CT offered a “Lunch with the Pros” breakout luncheon where attendees had the opportunity to sign up for a specific topic for lunch. The Sessions covered a wide range of topics from legal, to health, to construction to social events. SERVPRO of Manchester-Bolton was excited to dispel some myths about mold and offer some do’s and don’ts when it comes to remediating mold. One of the best parts about working for SERVPRO of Manchester-Bolton is taking the time to educate. We love to share our knowledge and we love having a properly informed community!

Emergency Kit

11/17/2015 (Permalink)

It is always important to prepare before a disaster occurs. An emergency kit is great to have on hand during a power outage. The following items are recommend for your kit:

- Water, one gallon per person per day
- Food, non-perishable 3-day supply
- Manual can opener
- Battery powered radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Cash

Carbon Monoxide Dangers

11/17/2015 (Permalink)

Carbon Monoxide is often referred to as "the silent killer", as it is invisible, tasteless and odorless.  When it is created certain types of fuels do not burn properly.  Fuels, which can produce this gas, are kerosene, gasoline, coal, natural gas, propane, methane and even wood.  Normally Carbon Monoxide is caused by faulty, improperly used or vented products like furnaces, ranges, water heaters, room heaters and portable generators.

There are precautions to help protect yourself, your family and your employees from deadly CO fumes:

• Perform regular maintenance on equipment and appliances
• If necessary to use gasoline powered engines or tools in an enclosed space, make sure that space is well ventilated
• Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of your home, including outside of all bedrooms
• Have fuel burning heating equipment and chimneys serviced annually by a professional

For additional carbon monoxide safety information, visit www.usfa.fema.gov or www.osha.gov