We are Not Just a Water Removal Company

9/26/2022 (Permalink)

If you home has experienced water or fire damage that has affected your roof, windows or exterior walls, protecting your home is our immediate concern. After receiving your call, our crew will come out to your home and tarp and board up damaged windows and roofs. This prevents additional damage from rain or debris as well as secures your structure and its contents. 

Once we've made certain that no further damage can occur, we begin the restoration process. We remove any remaining water and dry out the structure. Our office staff, Theny and Alexis, will order a dumpster for you and the crew will discard any materials such as flooring, insulation and wet sheetrock that are unsalvageable.  Our team sorts through and inventories your belongings, working with your insurance adjustor to determine which items are salvageable. Contents that can be saved are restored professionally, typically off site at our production facility. Your home will be sanitized and ready for reconstruction.  

The professionals at SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and keeps costs low. Our Connecticut certified construction team can provide this continuity by supervising a full range of restoration services that will bring a building back to full functionality. 

The services that we provide includes:  

• Carpet Repair and Installation 
• Board Up 
• Document Drying 
• Dry Cleaning 
• Drywall Installation 
• Drywall Removal 
• Electrical Services 
• Furniture Restoration 
• General Contracting 
• Hardwood Floor Repair 
• HVAC Services 
• Linoleum Floor Repair 
• Marble Floor Repair 
• Move Out 
• Painting 
• Plumbing 
• Portable Power 
• Roof Tarp 
• Roofing Services 
• Scalable Resources 
• Temporary Fencing 
• Temporary Warehouse Space 
• Tile Floor Repair 
• Tree Removal 

Whether your home just needs a laminate flooring replaced or a full rebuild after fire damage, the SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington team is qualified to do the job.

When you call our offices after fire or water damage in the Bantam area, you can count on us to be there from the beginning to the end.  

Floodwater vs Sewage Water

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

Our approach to treating water damage in Connecticut homes depends on which category it falls into.

CAT 1 or Clean Water

Clean water is just that- water that has come from a source that is not contaminated. Examples of this would be a pipe bursting or a refrigerator leak. Also, if you have a leak that allows rainwater in through your roof, it is considered clean. Although clean water can cause significant damage, it is not considered hazardous to human health as there are no microbes in the water.  The biggest hazard clean water presents is if the area that has been damaged is not properly cleaned and dried. This can result in mold and fungus growth. 

CAT 2 or Gray Water

Gray water is water that is slightly contaminated, either because of the nature of the source or because of neglect. For example, clean water can become “gray” water if it is left untreated for an extended period time. When a toilet or washing machine overflows, the resulting water would be considered gray because of its source. Toilet overflows containing urine only are considered gray.

CAT 3 or Black Water

CAT 3 water is highly dangerous to human health. Black water can include toxic materials such as bacterial diseases, chemicals, pesticides, microbes and more. Sewage based components such as bacteria, fungi, feces, viruses and parasites. Black 3 water situations are usually caused by sewage backups or overflows and flooding. 

Since the human eye cannot see bacteria, it is not always obvious whether the water in your home is a CAT 2 or CAT 3.  If you experience a flood from a heavy rain, the water may look “clean,” but if there is any ground water that has backed up into your home as a result, there may be invisible microbes lurking in the water. 

Any water damage that is not treated correctly will eventually elevate to the next category. Even a simple pipe burst can turn into a biohazard and mold issue if not treated.

If you have any water damage in your home, call Southbury/Torrington at (203) 743-5362 for service that you can count on. 

Apartment Building Fires - Why Renter's Insurance is Important/

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

There are many residents of Southbury who rent their home or apartment and are unsure of whether they should purchase renter’s insurance.

While it’s true that your landlord has an insurance policy on the building, your belongings are not covered under their policy in the case of theft, or a a disaster such as a fire or flooding.  

Having renter’s insurance is an inexpensive way of protecting your furniture, electronics and other belongings. In our years of commercial water and fire damage restoration in New Haven County, we have spoken to many apartment renters who were not insured. It’s devastating enough to wake up to a fire in your apartment and have to leave all of your belongings inside in order to get to safety. But finding out that you will not be reimbursed for your losses doubles the catastrophe.  

In an apartment complex, you are vulnerable to damage from other units. If there is a fire, the smoke will travel easily and cause damage to your belongings even if the fire is several floors away. An upstairs neighbors broken washing machine becomes your problem when the water from flooding crashes through your ceiling.  

We recommend that all renter's purchase insurance. Believe it or not, the average cost of renters insurance is $15 per month. That’s a small price to pay for the protection of your belongings. Most insurance companies offer renter’s insurance. If you are happy with your automobile insurance company, getting a quote on renter’s insurance from them would be a good start.  

Did the rain cause your basement to flood

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

When it rains, it pours. In the water damage restoration industry, this is true both literally and figuratively!

When it rains, as we have experienced over the past month in Torrington, it pours. And then...it floods. With the ground saturated, we are getting calls from homeowners with flooded basements on a daily basis. Whether due to a sump pump failure, a clogged drain or a leak in your foundation, you need to get your basement dry as soon as possible.

We know that you can’t wait to have the damage in your flooded basement restored. And often when your basement is flooding, so is your neighbor's! That’s why we do not operate on a skeleton crew or shoestring budget here at SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington. Our professional and highly trained crew is large enough to meet the needs of our community even during the busiest of times. We keep a fleet of well maintained vehicles that are stocked with everything that is required to meet your water damage restoration needs.

We know that our carefully chosen project managers are capable of making sure that the job is done right and are available to our customers on a daily basis. And if you ever have a question, our admins are available to help you through the process. Yes, our jobs are busy - especially in the rainy season -  but we have a system in place to make sure that we can do good work on each and every job.

If you have flooding due to heavy rains this week, give us a call at (203) 267-6262 for professional restoration services.

Commercial Property Fire Damage Restoration

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

Southbury businesses can not afford to have their doors closed for a lengthy period of time due to fire damage. As a business owner, examining your risk and taking preventative measures as well as educating your employees on procedures can help reduce the damage to your facility.

Assess the risk that fire hazards may pose to your business.

The National Fire Protection Association offers handbooks and other publications on the fire safety code in place for businesses. You can also call your local Connecticut fire department and ask the fire marshal if they are available to make a visit and identify any risks.

Maintain your sprinkler system.

An automatic sprinkler system will dramatically reduce the spread of a fire in your business as well as keep your employees and customers safe. Have your system properly maintained and inspected so that it works when you need it!

Check your smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.

Standard fire safety practices call for smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on every floor. Your best bet is multipurpose extinguishers, which will douse most small fires with ease, without shorting out your electronics.

Educate your employees.

Make sure all employees are aware of your fire safety plan by conducting a yearly fire drill and educating new employees. Training in how to use fire extinguishers should also be conducted.

A fire at your Torrington, CT business can be devastating and even force the closure of your business. SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington has your back - give us a call at (203) 267-6262 if you have a fire at your commercial property.

Water and Fire Damage Restoration at Area Restaurants

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Restaurant owners know that it is an unpredictable business.

Anything can be thrown your way and an experienced owner is an expert at handling emergencies quickly and adeptly as they arise.  Restaurants are particularly susceptible to water, fire and mold problems and our franchise receives calls on a regular basis from restaurant owners who require our restoration services.  

With several cooks in the kitchen and hot stoves going all day long, kitchen fires occur frequently. Even a small fire in your commercial kitchen might necessitate a temporary shut down of your restaurant.  The smoke odor quickly spreads throughout the restaurant, is absorbed into upholstered chairs, carpeting, walls and drapery. SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington uses specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.  

Often in conjunction with fire damage in restaurants is water damage from rescue efforts. The water damage can originate from a sprinkler system setting off in response to detected smoke or from the fire department’s rescue efforts. Some of our clients have also had water damage in their restaurants due to a burst pipe, appliance malfunction or human error. Regardless of the cause, it is important to call us to restore your building immediately. A failure to properly address water damage in your restaurant can lead to additional problems such as mold growth. 

Mold in restaurants can be particularly troubling as the environment (water and steam) has high humidity levels, creating prime real estate for mold growth. Any mold discovered in your restaurant requires professional remediation. Mold might grow behind walls or ceiling tiles, flooring or even under your restaurant carpeting (think of how many drinks are spilled every day). 

If you own a restaurant in the Torrington area, give us a call at  (203) 267-6262. We will schedule an appointment to come out and discuss any current concerns that you have for your building as well as set up an Emergency Ready Profile, which will enable you to quickly act if your restaurant does have fire, water or mold damage in the future. 

Why SERVPRO for Water Damage Restoration?

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Most people know that SERVPRO is the nation's leader in water damage restoration.

You've seen the commercials, our trucks out on the road and perhaps a friend has used our service. However, many of our restoration customers are surprised to learn that our franchise, SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington, offers construction services as well.  

After the fire is put out, the water is extracted, the structure dried, the odor removed, the mold remediated, and the contents cleaned, there is often still the issue of returning the physical structure back to preloss condition. When our restoration crew has completed the restoration of water and fire damage in a structure, our building services team will take over for the rebuilding phase. 

Our professional and licensed contractors will meet with you to assess the damage and formulate a plan to rebuild your home or business.

Whether you need a few walls in your home sheet-rocked, a total replacement of your kitchen or a new roof, our team is trained and experienced to do the job. We work with your homeowner's insurance company estimator to ensure that the repair costs are in line with your policy's coverage.  

Using our building services team for your construction needs streamlines the process for you, enabling you to get back into your home as soon as possible. If you've had a fire in your Milford home, we know that you have been through a traumatic experience.

Our goal is to leave our customers a home that is even better than before their disaster happened.

OUR WORK

A kitchen that we rebuilt after it experienced extensive water damage from a pipe burst in Middlebury.

Flooring, walls and molding replaced after water damage in a Waterbury home. 

Kitchen rebuild in a Torrington home. 

New walls and ceilings after an ice dam caused mold in this New Haven County home.

The Green Machines and What They Do

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Your Southbury area business has had water damage. Perhaps a pipe has broken, a toilet overflowed or your coffee maker line sprung a leak.

You’ve called SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington and have been assured that the crew is on their way to clean up the mess. After our property manager has inspected your property, work will begin based on their assessment. The crew will start to unload the trucks and begin work. While the bright green equipment is getting set up throughout your facility, you will likely wonder what all of it does.

When water damage occurs, we typically use the following equipment.

Air Mover and/or Axial Fans: Professional grade air movers and axial fans produce more air movement than a standard household fan. The higher volume of air being moved increases the rate of evaporation, helping to dry the structure as quickly as possible.

Dehumidifiers: A dehumidifier removes water vapor from the air by condensing it out against refrigerated fins. The water is stored and then periodically purged from the machine by use of plastic tubing. The tubing will generally be run so that it dumps water down a drain, such as a bath tub or sink, or sometimes out a window or door. Professional dehumidifiers pull much more vapor from the air than a household dehumidifier. In this way they are generally more efficient.

Air Scrubbers: An air scrubber might be used if your loss is a result of water classified as grey or black, which means that it came from a contaminated source or through building materials. These machines remove airborne particulates by trapping them in HEPA filters. Air Scrubbers are also used in cases where a customer has a health condition that requires the air quality be monitored.

Specialty Drying Equipment: There are a variety of different tools available to our technicians for use in specialty circumstances. For instance, a floor drying mat system allows the technician to create a vacuum system for removing moisture from hardwood floors, in order to try to dry them in place. This helps the floor dry faster, and generally gives us a better chance of saving the hardwood flooring.

If you have any questions about the equipment being used during the restoration of your commercial property, our crew chiefs and technicians are always available to explain the process and what the function of each of those machines in your building is.

We understand that our customers are not experts in water damage restoration. When you have water damage, we are here to help restore your property quickly and efficiently.

What Burned?

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

One of the most important things we need to know in order to properly treat fire damage is what materials burned. 

This information will help us determine what kind of smoke damage you have and establish the proper restoration plan. Not all smoke is equal  and each different type requires a different method of cleaning.  A quick breakdown of the types of smoke residue is:

• Wet Smoke Residue -Wet smoke residue occurs from smoldering fires with low heat.  During these fires, synthetic materials such as plastics and rubbers, carpeting, furniture and electronics will have slowly smoldered. They tend to have a pungent odor and leave a sticky residue.  During cleaning, wet smoke residue can smear, making cleanup more difficult. 

• Dry Smoke Residue – Dry smoke residue occurs during fast burning fires that burn at a high temperature. Natural materials such as paper, leather, natural rubber and wood are present in dry smoke fires.  Dry smoke residue is generally dry, powdery, gray in color and does not smear much. Homes that have experienced these fires are easier for our crew to restore. 

• Protein Residue – Protein fires are most commonly caused when food burns in a kitchen. Protein residue is essentially invisible and a homeowner may be under a false impression that the damage is minor. However, there is actually soot covering the surfaces. If not properly removed, protein smoke will discolor paints, varnishes, and other finishes on your walls and cabinetry. One major indicator that there is an invisible residue after a kitchen fire is a very strong, obnoxious odor. 

The SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington team treats each fire damage job individually and will determine which course of action to take after arriving at your home.  Call us at (203) 267-6262 for a quick response, an evaluation of your home's fire damage and a professional restoration plan. 

24-7

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

Many of our clients are commercial property owners. When you own a business in Connecticut, you cant afford to shut your doors for any length of time. If your building suffers from water, mold or fire damage, a quick response and timely restoration is necessary. 

We know that you can't afford to wait around for a water restoration company to call you back and "try to get there by the end of the week". If your business has been damaged, you need help and you need it now. That's why at SERVPRO of Southbury/Torrington, we have a crew on call 24-7. If you have an emergency, we will be there asap - even if it's at night or on the weekend. We are part of the community and here to help. If you are reading this because your business is flooded, call us now for immediate service.