Fire Damage in Truro; Don't Do It Alone

7/15/2024 (Permalink)

Fire damage and smoke damage can impact a home beyond what is visible to the naked eye. Call in the Pros for help with the clean-up.

A common mindset people have when their home suffers from smoke or fire damage is to immediately and hastily resolve the situation themselves. It’s completely understandable why an affected homeowner would want to do this, but trying to fix the situation without the proper knowledge and expertise could set the damage and make it harder to get rid of. Here are some things to avoid when attempting smoke removal:

• Limit movement within your house to lessen the spread of soot
• Don’t wash any painted surfaces
• Don’t shampoo any carpets or upholstery
• Don’t clean any electronics
• Don’t bring clothing effected by smoke to the dry cleaners: this will likely make your clothes permanently smell like smoke

For any of your smoke removal needs, call a fire restoration expert. More often than not, the scope of damage a fire or puffback incident causes is larger than it is to the untrained eye. If you have any questions about smoke removal or fire restoration, give SERVPRO® of Mid-Outer Cape Cod a call at 508-778-7378. From Mashpee to Provincetown, we’re available 24/7 to help with your emergency fire damage cleanup needs. If your Cape Cod home suffers from excessive soot damage, trust SERVPRO® to make it "Like it never even happened."

Give Your Clients the Right First Impression of Your Provincetown Business

7/10/2024 (Permalink)

First impressions can make or break your business. Maintaining your building and property will make long term upkeep manageable and prevent damage.

With a properly maintained business, you can create lasting impressions that will bring new customers through word of mouth. Always keep your business looking clean, organized, and inviting. Here are some things to consider when maintaining your commercial property:

• The Exterior of your Building: Speaking of first impressions, the maintenance of your building’s exterior will speak volumes to new customers. Consider their first impression when they drive into your parking area: Is the building in need of repair? Is the landscaping neat and appealing or a little neglected?

• The Interior of your Building: Once you’ve attracted the customer to your business, having a clean interior will help keep them in the doors. Look for things that might need repairs or touch ups and fix them. Always keep the interior of your business clean. Regularly dust, vacuum, and maintain any appliances. Keep bathrooms looking spotless and hygienic.

• The Details: Don’t forget about the little things, like making sure the light fixtures are dusted or the bathroom soap is refilled. Customers will notice and appreciate the attention to detail.

• Utilities: Regularly check and maintain your utilities. This includes air conditioning units, water heaters, and other utilities your business depends on. There is nothing worse than having a utility breakdown during business hours. Maintain a comfortable atmosphere for both customers and employees.

Not only does maintaining your property attract customers, but it also preserves its value. If you feel like you may have fallen behind on the maintenance of your business, or you just want a deep cleaning to bring back its appeal, call SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod at 508-778-7378.

Don't Ignore Signs of Water Damage in Your Orleans Business

7/10/2024 (Permalink)

Untreated water damage can cause a number of issues including the need for mold remediation. Watch for the signs and call on our Team for help!

Businesses often ignore that telltale signs of water damage that can lead to disaster. Whether it’s caused by the signs not being recognized, denial, or by just flat-out ignoring the evidence, overlooked water damage can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your Orleans property. These signs, more often than not, are easy to detect. If treated quickly and properly, the problem can be mitigated thoroughly and inexpensively. Pay attention to these five water damage indicators to keep your commercial property in Orleans clean and safe from water damage:

1. Constant Water Pooling: Have you ever noticed a particular place in your property that constantly has a puddle? A place where no matter how much you dry it up, it always seems to become a watery mess? It turns out this might be an indicator of a possible leak. If you find yourself in this situation, try to find the source of the leak. If the source isn’t easy to locate, you may have to call a professional who specializes in repairing whatever appliance or fixture is leaking.
2. Wall and Ceiling Discoloration: Typically, brown or black in appearance, wall and ceiling discolorations can point towards a potential leakage problem. Wet drywall and ceilings are highly prone to mold and mildew growth. Have you seen a spot like this? Don’t ignore it! Call a professional water mitigation company to treat or remove these stains.
3. Unusually High Water Bill: If your water usage habits stay the same but your water bill somehow spikes way up, you may have an undiscovered leak in your building. Another typical sign of an undiscovered leak would be an unexplained sound of running water. If any of these signs appear, call a plumber to seek out and stop the leak before substantial damage occurs.
4. Musty Odors: If your commercial property is perfectly clean and still emits a musty odor, the culprit is more than likely water damage. If you’re presented with a musty odor, check for unusually wet surfaces or any of the water damage signs previously mentioned.

If your commercial property is suffering from water damage, trust the professionals at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod to get the job done right. We are trained and experienced in all things water, fire, smoke, cleaning and mold restoration. Call us at 508-778-7378 to set up your free estimate. From Mashpee to Provincetown, we’re on alert 24/7 for your restoration emergency.

Preventing Kitchen Fires in Hyannis, MA

7/1/2024 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires are a common hazard that can be avoided by taking the proper precautions. Fire Damage and smoke damage require professional remediation.

Very few things are quite as devastating as a kitchen fire. However, if the proper precautions are taken, kitchen fires shouldn’t be a worry. In both home and commercial kitchens, eliminating fire hazards should be a top priority. There are some fire prevention methods unique to each kind of kitchen and methods that can be practiced both at home or in a restaurant. SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod have a few tips to keep your kitchen safe during this scorching hot Cape Cod summer.

Home Fire Prevention

• Update the Fire Extinguisher: Most homeowners likely have a fire extinguisher handy somewhere in the kitchen. Fortunately, they are seldom used in most kitchens. However, this likely means the extinguisher has been sitting for a while and is years past its last useful date.
  Updating your extinguisher will keep you prepared for most emergency home fire scenarios.
• Properly Put Out Grease Fires: Many people know that putting water on a grease fire will only make the situation worse, but don’t actually know how to properly extinguish one. First, cover the flames with a pot/pan cover or baking sheet. For smaller fires, suffocate the flames by pouring baking soda on them. If all else fails, use a chemical fire extinguisher (class B). This will likely ruin your appliances but may just prevent the fire from spreading.
• Clean Stovetop Burners: Whether or not your burners are metal or glass, use benign, non-toxic cleaners to clean them. One old but undeniably good stovetop-cleaning agent is simply white vinegar, baking soda and water in a spray bottle. Using this as a cleaner prevents toxic and flammable chemicals from building up on burners and possibly causing a fire.
• Don’t Leave an Unattended Stovetop: According to the National Fire Protection Association, the leading cause of household kitchen fires are caused by unattended cooking appliances[1]. Always keep an eye on your stove and be sure to check in on your oven and microwave regularly when they are in use.

Commercial Kitchen Fire Prevention

• Mise En Place: There’s a phrase common in the cooking world, “Mise en place”. The phrase means that every ingredient, cooking tool and item a cook uses must be organized and clean. Not only does this get meals out fast and efficiently, but it also greatly lowers the risk of a kitchen fire. If everything is in its place, injuries, slips, contamination and the misplacement of scolding hot cookware can all be prevented.
• Clean Grease Traps and Hood Vents Regularly: There’s nothing a dishwasher hates more than being handed hood vents to clean that are caked in a year’s worth of grease and grime. Even worse than that is the high probability of a grease fire if those vents remain uncleaned. Aim to clean the vents at a bi-weekly pace and dry them completely before reinstalling.
• Be Cautious of What Gets Thrown Away: If you’ve made a mistake cooking, don’t throw it out right away. Any hot items that need to be discarded should be put aside to cool down. Trash cans could possibly melt or catch fire if hot items are carelessly disposed in them.
• Never Leave a Functioning Kitchen Unattended: Just like you would at home, making sure the kitchen is always supervised is the single most important fire prevention method. Also, make sure to set timers for everything that enters your oven. Often times prep cooking, items can get left in restaurant ovens without a timer, causing them to char and catch fire. Also, be sure to make sure all out of use burners are off.

If Your Kitchen Catches Fire

        If the worst has happened to your home or commercial kitchen, call the restoration experts at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod. We’re on alert 24/7 for your fire damage and smoke damage emergency. We’ll get you back home and back to work faster than any other restoration crew on  Cape Cod. From Mashpee to Provincetown, SERVPRO is your local crew for all things restoration.

[1] https://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/data-research-and-tools/us-fire-problem/home-cooking-fires

24/7 Response Across Cape Cod: The SERVPRO Promise

7/1/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage sets in faster than you would expect. Call in the Pros at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod for help!

If you come home after a long day of work to find your basement is flooded, the last thing you want to do is wait to get the mitigation process started. Luckily, SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod is on alert 24/7 for your emergency restoration needs. We’ll get a crew to your home in less than 24 hours. Why shouldn’t you wait? Here’s a timeline of what water damage does as it sets into your home:

Within Minutes

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall begins to swell and break down.
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.
• Furniture begins to swell and crack.
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.
• A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread.
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.
• Metal begins to rust and corrode.
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.
• Paint begins to blister.
• Wood flooring swells and warps.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

For your emergency water restoration needs, call SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod at 508-778-7378. From Mashpee to Provincetown, we’re ready for your water, mold, fire, or storm emergency.

Hurricane Mitigation in Truro, MA

5/18/2024 (Permalink)

Be prepared for Hurricane Season to avoid water damage to your home or business. Call in the Pros at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod for help!

Be Prepared for Hurricane Season!

The Atlantic hurricane season will officially begin on June 1. Hurricane hazards come in many forms, including storm surge, heavy rainfall, inland flooding, high winds, tornadoes, and rip currents. The National Weather Service is responsible for protecting life and property through issuance of timely watches and warnings, but it is essential that your family be ready before a storm hits. In addition to battening down the hatches on your home, you should have an emergency supply kit to last each family member and pet for at least three days. A basic kit should include the following supplies:

1. Basics: Flashlights, candles, lighters, matches in water-proof container, manual can openers, first-aid kit, towels, and batteries.
2. Electronics: In addition to keeping your cell phone charged before losing power, make sure you have a portable charger to charge your devices during a power outage. Having a prepaid phone and spare battery in the kit can come in handy if something happens to your phone during an evacuation.
3. Radio: An emergency radio that charges by hand-crank, in case cell service is out, will keep you informed of weather alerts.
4. Food: You should store at least 3 days of non-perishable food including canned and dehydrated food.
5. Medical Supplies: Pack a week’s supply of your prescription drugs in a waterproof container or bag. CVS and Walgreens recommend visiting your local pharmacy to stock up ahead of time. If your medications need to be kept cold, have a small cooler with ice on hand. Don’t forget batteries for medical devices.
6. Water: Have multiple cases of water accessible. A rule of thumb is 1 gallon per person (or pet) per day.
7. Clothing: Keep a change of clothing on hand (vacuum-packed saves space!) including shoes.

Experiencing fire, smoke, water, or mold damage? Call SERVPRO of Mid Outer Cape Cod any time at 508-778-7378.

Don't Let Storm Damage Ruin Your Cape Cod Property

5/9/2024 (Permalink)

Summer on Cape Cod can bring some volatile weather. It is best to be prepared for storm damage BEFORE the storm hits.

Don’t let storm damage become another obstacle to getting your business back up and running. On Cape Cod, weather can be unpredictable and unreliable.  It is imperative to have storm damage prevention methods in place to protect your property from a stormy weather event. Here are some tips from our Team at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod to keep your Cape Cod commercial property ready for whatever storm and hurricane season brings.

• Clean the Gutters: For homes and businesses alike, keeping gutters clean is crucial for preventing storm damage. Excessive blockages in gutters lead to ceiling and roof leaks. Any storm, large or small, can be a massive source of damage if gutters are left unchecked.
• Keep the Property Free of Debris:When high winds strike, debris become projectiles. Not only should a business pick up existing debris around the property, potential debris should be identified and removed. Remove any problematic tree branches, flags or signage prior to a high-wind event.
• Know your Insurance Policy:Ask for an official copy of your insurance policy. Know which losses are covered in the policy and which losses are not. This information will help business owners prepare properly for preventing expenses in the instance of storm damage.
• Keep Tabs on Pre-loss Conditions: Document the commercial property with photos before a storm, preferably areas susceptible to wind damage. This includes gutters, windows, roofs, ceilings, etc.

If you find your commercial building has fallen victim to storm damage, call the experts at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape to restore your property the right way. We are on call 24/7 for your emergency restoration needs. From Mashpee to Provincetown, we are ready for your call at 508-778-7378. Storm damage? We will work to make it "Like it never even happened."

Praise From Our Customers

5/9/2024 (Permalink)

Every disaster is concerning. Every customer is important. Helping is our goal!

Reviews and testimonials aren't just another form in a file cabinet or a blurb lost on the internet.  To us, all reviews help us at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod learn how to be the best disaster mitigation service we can be for our community. At the end of the day, no matter how we pitch our own services, the word of the customer is the most accurate and important indicator of our performance. Here are some much appreciated testimonials that show why SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod stands out above the rest:

• Janyce from Chatham sings the praises of our crew members, "Phillip was so respectful, courteous & polite! We couldn't be happier with his customer service. Thank you again!"
• Mary from Barnstable admires our mindfulness, "Great crew - they worked great together. Very thoughtful of sick family member."
• Eastham United Methodist applauds our striving for perfection, "They did a great job. Fast, nice and left our pantry spotless."
• Robert from West Dennis simply states, "The best of all workers"

If we recently did a job for you, your feedback means a great deal to us. Leave us a review on Google https://www.SERVPROmidoutercapecod.com/customer-reviews/reviews. SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod will continue to meet and exceed the specific and important needs of all our customers and are proud to be members of the Mid-Cape community.

Emergency Water Restoration Timeline for your Commercial Property

5/9/2024 (Permalink)

Nothing can halt your business faster than water damage. If you fall victim, rely on the Pros at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod to help.

When it comes to restoration after a water disaster, nothing is more crucial than time. Knowing this, SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod has a set timeline for water emergency that ensures the job is done right and you can continue quickly with business as usual.

Within One Hour: You’ll be contacted by our project manager and service will be arranged

Within Four Hours: Our crew will arrive and begin working on your property. We’ll walk you through the situation and the expected outcome of our work. After, we’ll pretest the area to see the best route of restoration, starting from the source of damage outwards.

Within Eight Hours: A detailed briefing of the scope of work will be communicated to the property owner or insurance adjuster. Then, using our state-of-the-art equipment, our crew will work diligently according to the scope until the job is done right. When the work is done, the property owner will have a final walkthrough to make sure everything was done to their satisfaction.

If your commercial property falls victim to water damage, trust SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod to get the job done quickly, efficiently and exceptionally. Call us anytime at 508-778-7378 and together, we’ll work to restore your property to its preloss condition.

Prevent Basement Flooding in Wellfleet MA

5/9/2024 (Permalink)

When Mother Nature opens the flood gates, we need to be prepared to prevent storm damage & water damage from wrecking your summer fun on Cape Cod.

They say “April showers bring May flowers” but rain can happen anytime during the spring and summer months on Cape Cod.  With the rainfall that typically arrives in the coming months, be sure your basement is properly flood-proofed by following these steps:

• Secure basement windows: Installing window well covers will give you a solid first line of defense from basement flooding. Also, make sure all cracks around the window are properly sealed.

• Gutter Maintenance: Keep your gutters clean and free of debris. Also, be sure your downspouts are draining at least three feet away from the foundation of your house.
• Inspect your foundation: Survey the interior basement walls and exterior foundation of your house. Be sure all cracks are properly sealed.

• Clean your septic tank: Your septic tank may need pumping as above-average rainfall that comes along with spring can seep into your system and wreak havoc. Be sure to service your septic tank regularly.

These helpful tips should assist in preventing some storm-related flooding in your basement if followed correctly. However, if disaster strikes and you find your basement flooded, the experts at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod are here 24/7 to help. From Mashpee to Provincetown, call us at 508-778-7378 for your water damage and storm damage needs.