Decorate Your Yarmouth Home Safely This Holiday Season

12/12/2024 (Permalink)

All it takes is a dry tree and an electrical spark to turn your Holidays from magic to tragic. Avoid fire damage this season with these simple tips.

Did you know that more than 1 out of every 5 Christmas tree fires are caused by the tree being placed too close to a heat source?

Something about Christmas Trees and Holiday lights brings a warm and magical feeling to the Holiday Season.  That magic can quickly turn tragic if a fire breaks out and sets your home and belongings ablaze.

To avoid a fire emergency, follow these Christmas Tree safety tips and enjoy the magic of this Holiday Season safely.

• Make sure your Christmas tree is at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents.
• A dry tree can burn very hot and very fast! Be sure to keep your tree adequately watered.
• Trim the stump at least 2” on freshly cut trees to allow it to absorb the water.
• DO NOT overload light strands or electrical wall sockets.
• Check all light strands for missing bulbs, broken or frayed wires.
• Always turn off tree lights when leaving home or going to bed.

If smoke or fire damage happens in your home, call our Team of professional, highly trained technicians to the rescue.  We are available 24/7/365 to help you!  Call us today.

Removing Smoke Odor From Your Dennis Home

12/8/2024 (Permalink)

Smoke damage in your home may require a professional team to remediate.

Even after the flames of a house fire have long been put out, smoke damage and odors will continue to linger for quite some time. If not properly treated, smoke odor could persist in your home for years, acting as a constant reminder of an incident you’d rather forget. Everything in your home, from floor to ceiling, absorbs an enormous amount of smoke damage after a fire. Follow these helpful tips for removing smoke damage odors from every surface in your home.

Carpeting

• Baking Soda: Heavily pour baking soda on all carpeting with smoke odors and let it sit for around 12 hours. After the baking soda has had time to settle in, vacuum it up with a hepa filter-equipped vacuum cleaner.
• Steam Cleaning: If baking soda doesn’t do the trick, steam cleaning just might remove the odors. If all else fails, hire a professional mitigation company

Ceiling

• Use a Chemical Sponge: Use a dry-cleaning sponge to wipe away ceiling soot damage. This is an essential step before applying any sort of wet cleaning agent. Use a wiping motion to remove stains rather than using scrubbing motions as this may cause the damage to further set in.

General

• Air Out the House: Open all windows in the building. Be sure to place fans in all windows to circulate fresh air throughout the home.
• Appliance Cleaning: When it comes to cleaning appliances after they suffer smoke damage, its highly recommended that you seek a professional service to restore them. If they are self-restored improperly, the damage will likely set in permanently. Many restoration companies, such as SERVPRO®,
   offer contents restoration.
• Documents and Photographs: While not all documents can be saved from smoke damage, there are a few professional options to attempt to restore them. These options include air drying, dehumidification, freezer drying, vacuum freeze drying, and vacuum thermal drying. Again, documents and photographs should not be restored through amateur attempts out of risk of destroying them.

If your home suffers from severe smoke damage and needs professional restoration, trust SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod to get the job done right. From Mashpee to Provincetown, SERVPRO® is on alert 24/7 for your call. Call us today for your smoke and fire damage emergency.

The SERVPRO® Difference

12/7/2024 (Permalink)

When water, fire, smoke or mold disasters hit your home or business, WE ARE HERE TO HELP®!

Why SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod Stands Out From The Rest?

When trying to explain why SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod stands out from the rest, we think our customers say it best!

"A flooded basement in the middle of the night brought a professional crew to my door at 2 a.m. to pump the water and start the drying process! The crews are professional and fast! You won't be disappointed!" - Kathleen Frances.

Read other customer testimonials here

We understand that when a water pipe breaks and floods your basement or when a fire breaks out and all of your valued possessions are covered in soot, is a very stressful and emotional time for a family or business. We value and treat our customers homes and belongings as if they were our own. We know that a fast response to disaster situations can save homes and treasured contents that may otherwise be lost.

Why Mitigation Over Reconstruction?

Our Team knows that mitigating a disaster is more cost-effective than reconstructing after a disaster strikes.  Mitigation, whether it be in response to water, fire, smoke or mold damage, saves weeks or even months of repair work and countless amounts of money that would have been wasted on replacing items and structures that could have easily been saved.  Our crew of professional technicians have the training, the skills, the state-of-the art equipment and the products to restore the damage in your home that at the time may seem destroyed and beyond repair. 

Our goal is to be the FASTEST and be the BEST at saving your home or business from water, fire, smoke or mold damage.  We strive to be the Team that you can count on when disaster strikes from Mashpee to Provincetown, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  Call us today. We will be there to help!

Be On The Lookout For Soot and Smoke Damage As Your Furnace Comes Back To Life

11/17/2024 (Permalink)

Let our professional team clean soot damage in your home the right way!

Where did the summer go?

Believe it or not, it’s time to kick our furnaces back on.

Turning on the heat again for the first time after the glorious summer months can kick up a lot of things, such as dust and dirt that’s been building up in and on the heating vents over the course of the warmer months. Another thing that can be kicked up through your ventilation system could be soot and smoke if a furnace is not well maintained.

 Unlike dust, you can’t deal with the ill effects of soot through vacuuming alone. The soot produced by a puffback has the potential to permanently damage and stain walls, appliances, kitchenware, and virtually everything else it touches. Trying to clean soot with common household cleaning products will only further seal the soot in your home, causing permanent damage and staining.

If your home has suffered from fire or soot related damage, trust the professionals at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod. Call us anytime, 24/7, at 508-778-7378. We’ll work to make it "Like it never even happened."

Prevent A Fire This Thanksgiving In Your Provincetown Home!

11/14/2024 (Permalink)

To prevent fire damage, take every precaution to keep your home & your family safe.

Deep-frying the Holiday turkey is very popular across the country.  Thousands of fires as well as many deaths and injuries happen each year due to turkey fryer related incidents.  Exercise extreme caution when frying up the family bird this Thanksgiving by following these simple safety tips:

• KEEP AWAY FROM THE HOUSE - Set up the fryer at least 10 feet from your home.  Keep children & pets away and NEVER leave it unattended.
• FIND FLAT GROUND – The oil must be even and steady at all times to ensure safety. Place the fryer on a flat, level surface and carefully gauge the amount of oil needed.
• USE A FULLY THAWED AND DRY TURKEY – Make sure your Thanksgiving bird is completely thawed and dry. Extra water will cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over which could cause a fire.
• MONITOR THE TEMPERATURE – Use caution when touching the turkey fryer. The lid and handle can become very hot and could cause burns.  Also, be sure to keep an eye on the oil temperature.
• BE PREPARED – Have a fire extinguisher ready at all times.

If you experience a fire related incident this Thanksgiving, call in the PROS at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod!  Our team of highly trained technicians are available 24/7/365! We will clean up the mess and get your home and your life back in order.  508-778-7378

Puffbacks: When Furnaces Attack Your Eastham Home

11/7/2024 (Permalink)

Furnace puffbacks can cause more soot damage than you think. Professional cleaning is required to reduce permanent staining & odor. Call us!

As temperatures begin to drop, we are turning our furnaces back on again. When your furnace ignites, the risk of a puffback is high.

What is A Puffback?

 A puffback is when a boiler or furnace misfires, causing your home to fill with soot and smoke. These misfires are caused by unburned oils at the bottom of furnaces and boilers suddenly igniting. There are many telltale signs of an impending puffback to look out for. Also, you may have already been the victim of a puffback and don’t even know it. Be on the lookout for signs of a puffback and avoid its many hazards on both your house and your health.

The Warning Signs: 

One of the main signs of an impending puffback is soot-like residues around heating vents and fans. Also, finding dark residues around oil burning heaters may signal that your heater is on the verge of experiencing a puffback. Typically, someone’s first instinct when seeing these residues may be to scrub it away with soap and water, but this will only cause the damage to set in even further. The only effective way to clean up after a puffback is through professional smoke damage restoration. Through chemical treatment and use of the proper tools, a restoration company will be able to return your walls to their original appearance.

Signs a Puffback Already Occurred: 

Many people experience puffbacks and aren’t even aware of it. Ever notice black cobwebs around your furnace? If so, those aren’t cobwebs. Puffbacks create cobweb-like soot strings, making your home a dirty and hazardous mess. When left untreated, the “cobwebs” will continue to form, making any cleanup efforts more and more of a headache. Even though pure soot stains can be treated with the use of chemical sponges, puffback webs are far more labor intensive to clean up and will require professional remediation.

Soot damage will deteriorate objects and structure in your home, sometimes past the point of restoration. Plates and fine China will discolor, paint can be left permanently stained and electronic appliances can be irreversibly damaged. If you see the signs of an impending or prior puffback, get your furnace and oil-burning appliances serviced as soon as possible. In terms of cleaning up the destruction left by a puffback, trust SERVPRO® to get the job done right. Our IICRC certified crew specializes in smoke and fire damage restoration and will make your home look and feel as if a puffback never even happened.

Call SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod anytime at 508-778-7378 to set up your free estimate. From Mashpee to Provincetown, we’re on alert 24/7 for your emergency restoration needs.

Daylight Savings Time Ends!

11/4/2024 (Permalink)

Let Daylight Savings Time be a reminder to check your smoke detectors to keep your home & family safe this winter.

The official end of Daylight Savings Time is on Saturday, November 3rd at 2 a.m.  Since this is an annual event, it is a good practice to include checking your smoke detectors as you prepare for the colder, darker months ahead.  According to the National Fire Protection Agency, 3 out of 5 home fires resulting in a death did not have working smoke detectors.  The following should be included in your annual check list:

• Change the batteries:
  • Note: Hardwired detectors also have a backup battery that should be changed. If you lose power, the alarm will not work without the battery.
• Smoke detectors have an expiration date:
  • Check the manufacturer’s date on your smoke detector. Smoke alarms can begin to lose their sensitivity after about 10 years.
• Test the smoke sensors:
  • Pressing the test button will confirm if the battery and audible alarm is working. However, it will not confirm that the smoke sensor is working.
  • To test the sensors, use smoke alarm test spray which simulates smoke.  However, after 10 years, it is still a good idea to upgrade to the newer models.
• Do you have enough?
  • Smoke detectors should be on every level of the home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

Rodent Season is Here in Your Brewster Home!

10/27/2024 (Permalink)

Keep a look out in your Brewster home for rodent damage.

They may be cute but they are DESTRUCTIVE!  Tis' the season for mice & other rodents to look for winter shelter and a food source for the cold months ahead.

DID YOU KNOW?

Mice enter homes through cracks and holes found in walls, floors and foundations. Due to their body shape, mice are capable of fitting through areas much smaller than appear likely. Homeowners commonly do not recognize mouse holes until other signs of infestation appear. If you have a rodent infestation in your Brewster home, rest assured you are not alone! Each winter, mice and other rodents invade an estimated 21 million homes in the United States. 

• **CHECK your basement, garage, attics and crawlspaces for rodent droppings, wet insulation or odor.** 

What To Do If You Suspect A Rodent Issue In Your Brewster Home:

1. Find and Eliminate Entry Points. All it takes is a tiny hole for a rodent to enter your home.

 2. Set Mouse Traps. Mouse traps can help you catch and remove mice from your home.

 3. Remove Food Sources. Mice will eat anything, including pet food, that they can access. 

Some more severe rodent issues may require a professional pest control company to come in, evaluate and treat.  

Once the little buggers are gone...CALL SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod at (508) 778-7378 and let our highly trained technicians clean and disinfect your home after these adorable but unwanted visitors. 

"Can I Use Bleach For My Yarmouth Home Mold Problem?"

10/27/2024 (Permalink)

Mold damage can happen to anyone, anywhere and at any time of year. Keep a look out for visible mold or musty odors in your Yarmouth home.

A common remedy for removing household mold is using one cup of bleach mixed with a gallon of water and scrubbing the mixture into visible spots of mold. However, this strategy doesn’t actually remove mold, but in reality, makes the issue worse. Here are a few reasons you should seek professional mold remediation instead of resorting to the bleach and water trick:

• Bleach Only Tackles Surface Mold: You can see right on the label for your household jug of bleach that it should be used on non-porous surfaces only. Mold growth on drywall and wood is deeply rooted into the pores of those surfaces, making bleach a useless mold removal tool.
• Bleach Will Cause More Problems Than It Solves: By adding unnecessary bleach to your home environment, all you’re doing is discoloring fixtures and clothing, building up toxic fumes and creating a damper environment. Needless to say, you’d also be wasting bleach that could be used for actual important purposes, such as whitening clothing and sanitizing solid surfaces (stone countertops, toilets, etc).
• Remediation Makes Sure That Mold STAYS Gone: Removing mold stains will only get rid of its appearance for a brief amount of time. The mold spots will come back larger and more toxic than before. By calling a restoration company, you’ll be saving time and money that could’ve been wasted on a more severe mold problem down the line

If your Yarmouth home or business is suffering from mold damage, call the mold remediation experts at SERVPRO of Mid-Outer Cape Cod. We’re on alert 24/7 for your emergency and non-emergency restoration needs. Call us at 508-778-7378 to set up your free estimate.

Prepare Your Chatham Home For Autumn

10/27/2024 (Permalink)

It is important to be proactive to protect your Chatham home from water damage.

Autumn in Chatham on Cape Cod is one of our best seasons! There is so much beauty around us as the foliage turns bright and colorful - sometimes even brighter than our signature-green SERVPRO® trucks! But it also brings transitional weather: colder temperatures, the peak months of our hurricane season, and sometimes an early freeze.  While the snow and ice of winter are still, hopefully, further down the calendar the shift from summer heat to cooler autumn weather presents certain seasonal conditions that may impact your home.

Here are some tips to prevent potential water damage:

• Take proactive steps to safeguard your home against water damage from severe storms or hurricanes that may occur in fall. Have the roof inspected for loose or deteriorating shingles. Cut back any limbs vulnerable to breakage during high winds that can damage the roof or walls. Use caulking or spray foam insulation to seal openings in exterior walls such as around vents or other points of entry to the house around pipes or conduits.
• Clean the gutters. Autumn leaves clog gutters and downspouts. When substantial rainfall occurs, gutters overflow and spill water down exterior walls, sometimes penetrating siding and infiltrating wall cavities. Indoor water damage and mold growth can result. Gutters should always be cleaned from a sturdy ladder, not by standing on the roof! Hire a professional if you are not comfortable working from a ladder.
• To prevent exterior water pipes from bursting when the weather gets below freezing, turn off the shut-off valves to exterior faucets. Run the water until the pipes are empty. Make sure all the water is drained from the pipe to prevent it from freezing which can cause it to crack or burst.

Whether you are a homeowner or a property manager, it is important to be proactive to prevent potential damage to your property. Damage may happen but if you use preventative measures, you can possibly help minimize the level of damage and lower the cost to repair or replace your property.

If your home or business experiences any type of water damage call SERVPRO® of Mid-Outer Cape Cod at 508-778-7378.  We are here to help!