Did you know that your Sump Pump should be checked yearly?

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Do you have a sump pump in your home? Did you know you should be doing quarterly maintenance to your sump pump? Here is a checklist of items you should check for in order for your sump pump to work properly. 

Basin: Remove all debris from the basin. Be sure to unplug and remove the sump pump while you are performing this task. Once complete, return the sump pump into the basin and plug it back in. 

Discharge pipe: Locate the discharge pipe outside of the home. Check the pipe to be sure there are no blockages or debris in the pipe. Again be sure to unplug the sump pump while you are maintaining the pipe. 

Bearings: The owner’s manual should inform you if the bearings need lubrication. Be sure to lubricate with what they recommend, either an oil a grease.  If your pump has sealed bearings, they will not require lubrication. 

Sump pumps that are poorly maintained could be a cause of basement flooding. When that happens SERVPRO is here to help you get your basement cleaned up. 

Time to check your hot water heater!!!

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Maintaining your hot water heater may increase the efficiency and possibly the life span. Here are a few things you can do to help. 

There is a valve located near the top of the water heater called a TPR valve. This valve will have a pipe leading away from it. Be sure to place a bucket under the pipe and shut of the power and the cold water supply, Then lift the valve to let a little of the water out and let go. If the water does not stop flowing then the valve will need to be replaced. 

Wrap the tank with and pipes. Don't forget to wrap the cold water pipes as well as this will prevent the pipes from condensation in the summer. 

Draining the tank and washing out the sediment until clear water comes out will increase the lifespan of the heater. This should be done yearly. 

Check to see if the anode rod needs to be replaced every year. 

SERVPRO is a professional restoration company that will always be here in your time of need. 

Know the difference between salvageable from non-salvageable items.

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

There are many things to consider when determining what can be saved and what must be discarded. First thing to consider is the cleanliness of the water. For example if the water came from a sewage back up then all items that were damaged would need to be discarded. If the source of the water was from a sink, those items may be able to be cleaned.

The next step to consider would be the amount of the water as well as how long the water issue has gone unaddressed. Water that has been in the home and not addressed can cause health effects. Certain types of material, plastic, glass and metal can easily be salvaged. While other items such as gypsum board, carpet and drywall are easily permeated and tend to suffer the most damage and are usually replaced.

If an item is irreplaceable, then the decision would be left to the homeowner. We at SERVPRO® of South Springfield/Agawam would do our best to improve the condition of the piece to the best of our ability.

Beware of Sewage

5/5/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that sewage water contains viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi?  These contaminants may lead to lung, intestinal or a number of other infections. Symptoms of a bacterial infection could include, fever, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness and headaches.

Due to contaminates in sewage water items that cannot be properly cleaned to eliminate the waste that has touched them are generally discarded. 

These items can include but are not limited to, carpet and padding, clothing, cardboard boxes and possibly the contents along with drywall and insulation.

SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam has the know how to deal with your sewage issues the right way to ensure that you and your family remain safe. 

If you encounter a sewage issue at your home, DO NOT TOUCH THE SEWAGE. Please keep your family and pets as far away from it as possible. And call SERVPRO at 413-372-4115.

Did you know that sewage water contains viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi?  These contaminants may lead to lung, intestinal or a number of other infections. Symptoms of a bacterial infection could include, fever, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weakness and headaches.

Due to contaminates in sewage water items that cannot be properly cleaned to eliminate the waste that has touched them are generally discarded. 

These items can include but are not limited to, carpet and padding, clothing, cardboard boxes and possibly the contents along with drywall and insulation.

SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam has the know how to deal with your sewage issues the right way to ensure that you and your family remain safe. 

If you encounter a sewage issue at your home, DO NOT TOUCH THE SEWAGE. Please keep your family and pets as far away from it as possible. And call SERVPRO at 413-372-4115.

Does your Basement Flood?

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding basements can cause a lot of damage.

With winter and freezing temperatures around the corner SERVPRO is here to remind you that we are here to assist you. Providing the Greater Springfield area with amazing customer service and ready to help with water removal and dry out. 

In the winter season there are a few common ways that your basement can flood. This includes pipe bursts, water heater burst, furnace break down, outside water spout burst and others. Most of these occurrences are unforeseeable and the potential damage can be great.

SERVPRO is highly equipped to deal with the damages and able to prevent further damage with our technology, highly skilled, and experienced staff. They are there to make sure that all concerns and damages are taken care of.

Call SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam we are "here to help"

My pipes burst!!! What do I do?

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

Pipe bursts are one of the main causes of water damage in your Greater Springfield home during the winter months.

Unfortunately most are not prepared for this kind of event in one's home. Here are some tips we at SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam can give you to reduce damages.

Common pipes that burst are ones that reside in your basement. Due to this is where pipes are most exposed in your home. One of the first things that should be done is shut the source of water off to prevent more water from flooding and doing more damage.

Second, remove as many contents from the affected area as soon as possible to prevent damage to them. Especially irreplaceable items such as photos, paperwork, and collectables. The best practice for this situation is to keep these items raised off the ground in case of a water event.

Third, be sure that your heat is set to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the cold months to prevent frozen pipes. Your furnace and water heaters should be serviced to ensure that they are working properly during the winter/fall seasons. 

If you do have water damage from frozen pipes, Call SERVPRO. We here at SERVPRO can help identify any hidden damages that cannot be seen with a visual inspection alone. With our technology we can ensure that all issues will be addressed and make it "Like it never even happened."

Keep your pipes from bursting!

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

Pipe bursts are one of the main causes of water damage in your Greater Springfield home during the winter months.

Unfortunately most are not prepared for this kind of event in one's home. Here are some tips we at SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam can give you to reduce damages.

Common pipes that burst are ones that reside in your basement. Due to this is where pipes are most exposed in your home. One of the first things that should be done is shut the source of water off to prevent more water from flooding and doing more damage.

Second, remove as many contents from the affected area as soon as possible to prevent damage to them. Especially irreplaceable items such as photos, paperwork, and collectables. The best practice for this situation is to keep these items raised off the ground in case of a water event.

Third, be sure that your heat is set to at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the cold months to prevent frozen pipes. Your furnace and water heaters should be serviced to ensure that they are working properly during the winter/fall seasons. 

If you do have water damage from frozen pipes, Call SERVPRO. We here at SERVPRO can help identify any hidden damages that cannot be seen with a visual inspection alone. With our technology we can ensure that all issues will be addressed and make it "Like it never even happened."

Have you experienced flooded basements?

10/28/2020 (Permalink)

With winter and freezing temperatures around the corner SERVPRO is here to remind you that we are here to assist you. Providing the Greater Springfield area with amazing customer service and ready to help with water removal and dry out. 

In the winter season there are a few common ways that your basement can flood. This includes pipe bursts, water heater burst, furnace break down, outside water spout burst and others. Most of these occurrences are unforeseeable and the potential damage can be great.

SERVPRO is highly equipped to deal with the damages and able to prevent further damage with our technology, highly skilled, and experienced staff. They are there to make sure that all concerns and damages are taken care of.

Call SERVPRO we are "here to help"

Got Water Damage? Here's how to avoid a denial.

9/18/2019 (Permalink)

Do you have water damage at your Western Mass home? Did you know that you will almost certainly have insurance for the water damage, decontamination of materials and drying equipment necessary to dry your house. You should also have coverage for any mold damage, mold testing, mold clearance testing or mold removal necessary to decontaminate any affected materials. Finally, your policy should pay for the water damage restoration or water damage reconstruction that will return your house to its original condition.

All of this is true, unless, you make one simple mistake. You call your water damage a FLOOD! In the real world, when have water in your house, you call it flood damage. In insurance land, a flood is water that comes in from the outside or your structure not the inside (pipe leak, washing machine overflow, sewer backup, septic tank backup, air condition overflow, tub overflow or roof leak). For example, the creek overflows its banks or a hurricane dumps 20" of rain and water rushes in from the outside of your house. No homeowners insurance policies cover flood damage. Flood damage  coverage in the United States is run by the National Flood Insurance Program. Claims are often reported directly to them although they will sometimes use local insurance companies to receive the calls and inspect the claims for them for a fee.

The important thing to remember is that if you report you water damage as a flood your loss will get denied and you will receive no coverage 

Water leaks can be small but expensive

8/15/2019 (Permalink)

When your faucet suddenly breaks and water gushes all over the bathroom, you call the plumber to get the damage fixed. But, when you’re dealing with small drips under your sink, you wait another day or even weeks to repair the leak.

While it might not seem so bad in the beginning, these small problems can become too big for you to handle. When you realize it, you’re dealing with a major headache from all the damage and expenses that one simple leak has caused.

Monthly Water Expenses Increase

That dripping sink will affect your water bill. Drips from a leaky faucet or sink unchecked can add up to a lot of money on your monthly water bill.

A Huge Amount of Water Goes to Waste

Instead of saving resources for extremely dry seasons, you’re letting all the water go to waste with a small leak in your bathroom or kitchen fixtures. For every drop of water from a leaky faucet or sink, you’re wasting gallons of water per day and when you multiply that by 30 days in a month, the number can get staggering.

Extensive Damage in Your Home

If you think that small leak will stay small, think again. The damage from the leak can extend to other parts of your home. Drips under your sink may cause the thin metal drains to rust over time or weaken the cabinet or floor. This will leave you with unnecessary and expenses repairs later on.

Don’t let a simple leak turn into a big problem that affects the rest of your house. If you start seeing signs of leaks in your home, contact our experts for immediate water damage repair in the Greater Springfield area. Our experts will take care of the problems and ensure your carpet, drywall, and floors remain in good condition.

Understanding the Characteristics of Water Damage

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause, we can rapidly recognize and act upon the signs of water damage to your property and its contents. After addressing the cause of the problem, we will promptly remove any salvageable materials before carrying out emergency services and working closely with insurance companies to help ensure a seamless transition back to normalcy.

If your residential or commercial property has been affected by water damage, it is essential that you call a Water Restoration Company immediately. Moving water caused by a broken water heater or a burst pipe can spread quickly throughout your property, permanently staining things like carpets, upholstery, books and records. Items such as wooden furniture can swell, sometimes even disintegrating, and unprotected metal surfaces can also be tarnished. For this reason among others, water should be removed as soon as possible.

Long-term effects of water damage include a development of bacteria and mold, along with an unpleasant odor and increased risk of allergens. If left unattended, structural damage to the property may also occur. Things like warping and splitting frames, and/or windows and doors. However, our team addressing the problem within the first few hours will help reduce the degree of permanent damage and the consequent increased restoration costs.

Sometimes water damage might not be immediately apparent, and may only be characterized by an unpleasant odor or growth of microbial organisms on surfaces around the affected area. Even a small leak can cause severe damage if it is not dealt with in a timely manner.

Common Causes of Water Damage

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding from rising waters is rare, but other causes can lead to destruction as well.  Even if that damage is hidden and slowly progressing.  Crawl spaces, attics, and basements are especially prone to water damage.  You’ll likely spot an appliance leak fairly quick, but problems such as those inside walls can remain completely hidden for weeks or even months.  So keep an eye out for any signs of discoloration, dampness, mold, and odors.  Old water stains suggest an intermittent problem.  If you find damp areas, act immediately.

Many of the people who call us are quite certain of where the leak is coming from, only to find out later that they were wrong.  That’s because water can travel quite a distance, even upwards, before it makes itself known.  So a professional inspection or leak detection is usually better than just fixing what may or may not be the main cause.

Building Leaks

Have you noticed water stains on the ceiling?  Roof leaks are probably the cause, but not always.  Besides a leaky pipe in the attic, there could be condensation on plumbing (or just about any surface for that matter).  With a clogged gutter or blocked downspout water can make its way into the attic then down to the ceiling.  Roof leakage isn’t always due to bad or missing shingles.  Damaged or poorly installed flashing around chimneys, vent pipes, and joints can also become a problem.  The seals around skylights can get old, and the skylight itself can crack.

Other common building leaks occur at the seals on windows and doors, as well as at caulking where they join the wall.  Siding and stucco can be damaged, and the joints between a deck and the house are also prone to leaks.

Plumbing and Appliances

A bit surprisingly, clothes washers are the #1 cause of home flooding and water damage.  Sure, they sometimes overflow or their drain gets clogged.  But old washer hoses can burst and release several hundred gallons of water before you even know it. Water heaters are another contender.  Valves and fittings can leak, and in extreme conditions, the tank can rupture. That can release 40, 50, or more gallons in a matter of seconds.

Just about any appliance that uses water can leak.  So don’t neglect dishwashers, garbage disposals, and ice makers.  A plumbing leak that seems small may be more serious than you think.  Leaky pipes can easily release a few hundred gallons per month.  Sump pumps can fail, and bathtubs can overflow.  And whether you have central A/C or a window air conditioner, condensation can flow to where it can slowly cause mold and other water damage.

Humidity and Condensation

As you may have gathered, what seems like a leak may, in fact, be condensation.  That’s a common problem with toilets in bathrooms with showers.  It’s important to make sure that all kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans are working properly and that their vents are free of obstructions.  Otherwise, you may find yourself needing mold remediation and repairs.

Agawam 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

7/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 413-372-4115

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam

SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Did You Know there is a science behind drying?

9/21/2016 (Permalink)

Did You Know...?

Did you know there is actually a science behind the process of drying? Having the knowledge of psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water damaged structure to its preloss condition.

While your initial reaction may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a fan or two around the damaged area, the team at SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam is trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry-approved standards to help lower the chances of any secondary damages. If your business or home suffers a water damage, SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam will:

• Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet, to help prevent secondary damage from happening.
• Measure how much moisture is in wet materials and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.
• Speed up Mother Nature by using professional drying equipment.

What Exactly Does It Mean To Help "Speed Up Mother Nature?"

A wet building can often dry naturally because the environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material–but only if the air is, indeed, drier. The only problem is, nature takes too long and secondary damages may occur while the building is drying out.

SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam Has The Tools and Equipment To Help

SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam has the tools and equipment to help Mother Nature along, including equipment to help dry hardwood floors, tough-to-reach spaces like inside walls, and much more. We also use state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, and a proven scientific process to help speed the drying of your home or business.

The Bottom Line?

In Agawam, Springfield, Longmeadow, Hampden County and beyond, our team has the training and equipment to help make water damage “Like it never even happened.” 

Springfield/Agawam 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

9/13/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration services.

SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - (413) 372-4115

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam

SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

SERVPRO of South Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Hampden County, Massachusetts.

4/25/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - (413) 372-4115

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of South Springfield/Agawam has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of SOUTH SPRINGFIELD, AGAWAM, LONGMEADOW

SERVPRO of South Springfield, Agawam, Longmeadow specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.