Recent Posts

Flood Damage and Property Restoration in Norwich

1/28/2024 (Permalink)

a flooded living room with furniture floating everywhere After flood damage, it's important to make sure all of the water is removed from your property. Contact SERVPRO for thorough water removal services.

SERVPRO® Addresses Homeowners’ Flood Damage Concerns Fast

Flood damage, regardless of the extent, has the potential to prove costly without fast-acting mitigation. Norwich homeowners need restoration services that they can count on to perform tasks like water removal, safe debris disposal, and sanitation with EPA-registered biocides.

Certified SERVPRO technicians provide flood damage support to Norwich properties when needed, 24/7. Around-the-clock availability allows restoration professionals to remediate damage and reduce the effects of the disaster before they have a chance to create more costly repair and replacement needs for homeowners.

Flood Damage’s Effects on Homes and Belongings

Flooding has a multi-pronged effect on Norwich homeowners’ property:

  • Water damage caused by flooding can impact a home’s structural integrity, compromise electrical systems, and invite in unsanitary, hard-to-clean debris.
  • Flood moisture can damage books, upholstery, and electronics, which may need specialized care. 
  • Other items, like carpet, padding, and insulation, may require removal and replacement to prevent potential microbial contamination in the home.

Fortunately, SERVPRO professionals can tackle all these issues and more with specialized tools compliant with Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) protocols for flood mitigation.

SERVPRO’s Pack-Out and Move-Back Processes for Flooding

SERVPRO uses a highly organized pack-out process to pack up and move belongings out of the home for restoration offsite at a local SERVPRO facility. This process provides several benefits:

  • On-site crews can focus on cleaning and restoring the structure without risking secondary damages to clients’ personal property.
  • Documentation via photos, paper and digital inventory systems, and videos all support homeowners’ proof of loss claims. 
  • Technicians can preserve unsalvageable flood-damaged documents with digital copies where possible.

After homeowners’ belongings are inspected, cleaned, and restored, SERVPRO’s detailed inventory system ensures they return to their rightful place in the home.

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County renders Faster to any size disaster™ mitigation services for fire, water damage, and more. Contact the team at (860) 887-0447 for rapid-response service.

Effective Fire Damage Control in Norwich Homes

11/25/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO truck in front of water suction tools with cation: "WE'RE FASTER TO ANY SIZE DISASTER" If your Norwich home has fire damage, call SERVPRO. We'll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Effective Fire Damage Control in Norwich Homes

SERVPRO® Masters Puffback Cleanup and Restoration

In Norwich, unexpected incidents like puffbacks create distress for homeowners. Not only do they tarnish the aesthetic of a residence, but they can also be a sign of deeper issues with the HVAC system. 

Fire damage in a Norwich abode isn't always due to a roaring blaze. In fact, something as seemingly minor as kicking on the furnace when the outside temps begin to drop can trigger a big problem. A puffback happens when an oil burner misfires, sending soot throughout a home through every vent. This soot can cover walls, ceilings, carpets, and other household items.

Puffbacks are Challenging to Clean

Specific challenges presented by puffbacks include:

Soot particles adhere to various surfaces, making cleaning challenging.

A pungent, lingering odor that's tough to neutralize.

Potential health risks from soot.

Outsourcing Professional Fire Cleanup Benefits

SERVPRO is equipped to tackle these fire damage and puffback challenges in Norwich homes head-on:

  • Assessment: Before any cleanup begins, professionals will assess the extent of the damage. This inspection includes identifying areas with the most soot and potential hazards like electrical issues.
  • Safety Precautions: Ensuring the area is safe for cleaning is crucial. 
  • Soot Removal: Using specialized dry cleaning sponges, professionals will begin removing the soot from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. These sponges are designed to lift and remove soot without smearing.
  • Cleaning Soft Furnishings: Items like curtains, upholstered furniture, and floor coverings will be cleaned using specific methods suitable for each material. Hot water extraction, for example, might be used for carpets, while upholstery may require foam or dry cleaning methods.
  • Deodorization: Puffbacks can leave an unpleasant odor. Professionals will use industrial air scrubbers, fogging equipment, and high-quality deodorization agents to neutralize these odors.
  • Air Filtration: Using HEPA filters and air scrubbers, professionals will clean and purify the air, removing microscopic soot particles that can pose respiratory threats.

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County at (860) 887-0447 serves the Norwich community with any size fire damage restoration. 

Norwich Homeowners Get Extra Benefits from Mold Removal Services

10/1/2023 (Permalink)

mold growing on the white wall of a room Mold damage can cause homeowners a lot of stress. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional remediation services.

What Else Do Mold Removal Services Accomplish?

Eliminating microbial overgrowth with SERVPRO's mold removal services prepares Norwich homes for restorative rebuilding and construction. In addition to finding mold because of the odor it produces, some homeowners find that they knew of a mold situation because of increased humidity in a confined location.

For homeowners in Norwich, having mold removal services can result in a cleaner feel to their home. Several things happen in the absence of excess microbes. Remediation is a restorative, protective process that can take time but is well worth the effort.

Once we eliminate microbial over-populations, your family will notice the following changes:

  • A disappearance of a musty odor,
  • Normalized humidity, and
  • Strengthened structures within the home.

Musty smells originating from mildew can become very bothersome. It changes how food tastes to your family and clings to towels and other linens. Airborne microbes or spores can cause these odors. Removing the mold-infested particle board under a sink can eliminate the odor's source.

Removing mold also requires the elimination of any source of moisture within your residence. If it leaks or drips, we can find it and seal it off so water no longer escapes from its proper place. Afterward, your family no longer needs to worry about why it feels so muggy and hot during summer or damp and chilly during the winter.

Cabinets are not the only structures rebuilt after ridding a house of excess mold. Flooring around a bathroom sink, toilet, tub, or shower stall can also become weak from mold growth. Drywall in certain rooms can become inundated with microbes when a window leaks rain inside, or a roofing shingle does the same. We repair the opening that has let rain and snow in and cut away and restore the materials, making everything "Like it never even happened."

Calling SERVPRO® of Norwich and Windham County at (860) 887-0447 is often the first step for many homeowners toward protecting their property. We're always nearby and ready when you need us.

Norwich Homes Saved by Experienced Fire Restoration Service

5/23/2023 (Permalink)

Soot on drywall and molding on a door way to a kitchen from a fire. If your home has fire or smoke damage, call SERVPRO of Norwich. We'll make it “Like it never even happened”

Fire Restoration Firm Restores Norwich Residences

Norwich’s rural setting, bursting with beautiful greenery as far as the, is refreshing for those lucky enough to visit or live here. At the same time, this same gorgeous vegetation can pose a significant hazard during our state’s spring wildfire season. This fact is especially true now, given that the lack of snow this past winter has left our area dry as a bone.

As a leading Norwich fire restoration firm, SERVPRO understands the threat posed by wildfires and household accidents. More importantly, we know how to effectively complete house fire clean-up, smoke remediation, and fire restoration work on fire-damaged homes. Most forest fires are caused by environmental conditions or human carelessness. In particular, the following times and situations most commonly foster wildfires:

  • Extended hot, dry periods that spark rainless thunderstorms with several heat lightning strikes
  • Years when large amounts of undergrowth and debris have accumulated in forests and there have been more days of high temperatures and brilliant sunshine than average
  • Periods when hot weather combines with strong coastal winds
  • Warmer seasons encourage people to do more outdoorsy activities like building campfires and having cookouts

Preparing for fire season is always a good idea. You must keep up with weather reports, watch out for the signs of forest fires, have supplies like fire extinguishers close at all times, and properly maintain the vegetation in your yards.

If you ever need assistance recovering from a fire, rest assured that SERVPRO can:

  • Restore/replace all damaged or destroyed structural elements
  • Remove harmful airborne smoke particles from interiors
  • Clean acidic residues off of all household surfaces
  • Eliminate persistent, foul odors

So, whenever you need quality fire restoration services, contact SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County. We are ready for your call at (860) 887-0447.

Why DIY Mold Remediation Might Be Inadequate in Norwich Homes

4/25/2023 (Permalink)

Mold on floor and wall Let SERVPRO fix it, Don’t stress it.

Proven, Efficient Professional Mold Remediation

Norwich residences can experience mold in many forms across several rooms of the structure. Addressing these concerns involves more than scrubbing affected surfaces with chlorine-based cleaners in most cases. 

Fully Removing Mold Damage 

Starting mold remediation in Norwich homes can be challenging when you are limited to surface cleaning strategies. DIY cleaning does not sufficiently address the extent of mold likely to exist when you see spotting in areas like the bathroom and kitchen. Possible locations for mold growth that might be challenging to track include:

  • Structural cavities
  • Attics and crawl spaces
  • Ceiling systems 
  • Flooring

Professional remediation services can fully assess the presence of mold and where removal should occur. We have sensors that can track moisture and damp pockets in the structural cavities of your house to find where mold is likely growing out of sight. With an understanding of the perimeter of mold damage, we can fully address growth in crucial areas that DIY remediators overlook.

Eliminating the Moisture Threats 

There is little sense in resolving the surface mold threats you can see without addressing the conditions supplying the danger. We have a general contractor license to complete needed repairs and sealing services to keep moisture from the impacted area and mold from returning. 

Addressing the Lingering Musty Smells 

Professional remediation services also have an answer for the musty smells that accompany the development of mold colonies in your home. The more widespread these organisms become, the more intense and widespread these malodors become. We utilize several deodorization practices, such as fogging and HEPA air filtration, to resolve these concerns. 

Mold can be an underappreciated and destructive force on your property. While cleaning up mold on your own might seem simple, only professional services ensure the problem is resolved entirely. Call SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County at (860) 887-0447.

Proven Results in Norwich with Skilled Fire Damage Restoration

4/6/2023 (Permalink)

Before and after of fire damage in a home When you have fire and smoke damage in your Norwich home, SERVPRO is the team to call. We use the latest technology and equipment for any size fire.

SERVPRO Responds Rapidly in Norwich for Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration

Norwich homes and businesses deserve excellent results when calling for fire damage cleanup and restoration. Whether it is a significant blaze that started in the kitchen of your office building or a fire in the in-law apartment above your garage, you want results quickly. Rather than going the DIY route for house fire cleanup that could take longer and generate lesser results, skilled remediation is best. SERVPRO is available around the clock, every day of the year, so our area residents and business owners have a trusted partner to make it "Like it never even happened." With our industry knowledge and years of experience, we have the processes you need to bring your property back to preloss condition. 

When handling fire damage in Norwich and surrounding towns, our SERVPRO team understands our customers' range of emotions. Due to this, we remain diligent and customer-focused so that we can be there in your time of need. Not only do we have efficient processes and industrial-grade equipment at our disposal, but we also take some of the burdens from you by assisting with your fire insurance claim process. Your smoke remediation and fire cleanup project details get carefully documented, so your insurance provider has everything they need to facilitate your claim.

Detailed Cleaning and Content Assessment by Our Trained Team

Fire damaged properties can encounter everything from charring and soot to water damage and pungent smoke odors. We pay close attention to all building materials and structural elements to ensure safety and integrity. We have also perfected processes for inspecting and addressing contents and cherished keepsakes impacted by the fire. 

Our mindset is that it is better to restore versus replace whenever we can. We inspect all items to determine salvageability and then select the best cleaning methods. Some of the cleaning methods that our IICRC-certified fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) take may include:

  • Pre-cleaning using dry cleaning methods to remove soot residue and light soiling.
  • Wet cleaning measures to address moderate to heavy soot residue and soiling.
  • Spray and wipe techniques to clean any items unable to withstand wet cleaning or immersion.
  • Foam cleaning on upholstery and fabrics that may stain, bleed or shrink using wet methods.
  • Immersion cleaning is where our technicians dip items into our immersion tank that uses cleaning solutions.
  • Abrasion cleaning with agitation to help loosen soiling from surfaces.

Will I Have Lingering Odors After Fire Restoration?

Our SERVPRO team knows that no two fire projects are alike, nor is a project complete without paying close attention to pungent smoke odors. We have Odor Control Technicians (OCT) on our team who know how to handle adverse smells with all restoration projects. For fire incidents, anything burned poses an issue regarding odors, including protein soot in kitchen fires, charred debris, or musty odors where water got used to douse the flames. 

We select the correct methods to eliminate rather than mask odors, and we have a wide range of equipment and products to help us do just that. Some of the cleaners, equipment, and tools that we have readily available on our Green Fleet of vehicles include:

  • Odor counteractants pellets, beads, or granules
  • Air scrubbers with onboard HEPA filters
  • Thermal foggers
  • Ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers
  • Ozone generators
  • Hydroxyl generators

We Use All the Suitable Measures to Protect Your Property During Restoration

There may be broken windows, damaged or missing doors, and holes in your walls or roofing with any fire. We have board-up and tarping services that help protect your interior from the elements, animals, or trespassers while restoration and fire damage cleanup occurs.

You can trust our skilled team at SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County when you require fire damage restoration. Call us at (860) 887-0447 or request help online at your earliest convenience.

Professional Water Damage Restoration Service for Norwich Properties

4/6/2023 (Permalink)

Before and after of water damage on a ceiling You can rely upon the professionals at SERVPRO for fast and effective water damage restoration in Norwich.

SERVPRO Features Highly Skilled Water Damage Technicians in Norwich

Once a household appliance malfunctions or you have burst pipes at your place of business, you could be in for water damage. Even the most minor incident could lead to adverse effects like costly secondary damage, the loss of contents, and musty odors from the onset of black mold and mildew. DIY is never recommended, as water mitigation is time-consuming and calls for specialized methods in many instances. SERVPRO wants all Norwich property owners to know that our locally-owned franchise has all restoration methods, industrial-grade equipment, and IICRC-certified technicians to handle whatever project you have. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, getting there within four hours or less once you make initial contact with our friendly customer care team.

One of the most critical aspects of water damage in Norwich is water mitigation. The mitigation process helps limit the amount of moisture that comes into contact with materials. Our skilled technicians also use rapid water removal services to keep standing water from migrating into unaffected areas of your home or business. SERVPRO focuses on proven strategies that include removing water, manipulating airflow, and repositioning materials to help us reach our goals. 

During water-related projects, some actions we may take include:

  • Removal of all wet fabrics and upholstery
  • Disposal of all saturated and unsalvageable materials
  • Blotting and mopping, as needed
  • Tenting certain accessories, such as cushions
  • Implementation of cleaning using EPA-registered antimicrobials and cleaning solutions

We Take Special Care with All Furnishings and Fabrics

While many fabrics will be resilient to water damage if they dry fast, there could be long-term problems if special care is not taken during restoration. For example, light permanent staining could be an issue due to rust or running dyes. We have technicians on our team that know how to separate fabrics and remove furniture that rests on carpeted flooring. All measures get taken to keep dyes from bleeding onto other materials to thwart stains and further damage. If you have wet carpeting, carpet pads, or area rugs, our team may also remove and relocate for further drying before reinstalling.

How Does SERVPRO Handle Water Removal Services?

Standing water removal is imperative to keep it from becoming stagnant within your Norwich property. This helps lessen deterioration due to exposure to your contents and building materials. Rapid reductions also minimize moisture migration that could create an issue with hidden damage. During water removal, we often:

  • Utilize free-standing pumps, truck-mounted extractors, carpet wands, and weighted rovers to pull up varying water and moisture levels.
  • Wipe down all interior surfaces that came into contact with water
  • Blowing dry air over any wet areas with the help of centrifugal air movers and other industrial-grade equipment

Dehumidification is Vital for All Water-Related Incidents

SERVPRO utilizes drying equipment and dehumidification in tandem to get the best results. We must restore relative humidity within your property to keep moisture at bay and limit the possibility of mold and mildew growth. We do so with powerful desiccant or refrigerant dehumidifiers to ensure relative humidity (RH) returns to normal levels.

Controlled Demolition for a Finishing Touch

If you had immense water damage that wreaked havoc on your building materials, SERVPRO has the manpower to ensure everything is removed and replaced with all-new materials. – General Contractor License #: HIC 0620481 

Some of the controlled demolition steps we may take include:

  • Carpet and carpet padding removal
  • Drywall replacement
  • Flood cuts
  • Subfloor repair
  • Painting and refinishing

You can look to our crew at SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County when you want trusted results to handle your water damage. Request help online or call us 24/7 for emergency service at (860) 887-0447.

Handling Mold Damage Safely and Effectively in Norwich

4/6/2023 (Permalink)

mold damage under a window on a white wall Don't let mold damage go unchecked in your Norwich home. Call SERVPRO for help to avoid further damage.

SERVPRO’s Proven Mold Damage Restoration Helps Norwich Property Owners

Did you know that mold is a common cause of property damage, both commercial and residential? How any Norwich property owner addresses mold remediation is vital, so using skilled technicians is the best route. Often, someone will attempt using DIY mold clean-up only to find they make matters worse. Hiring a team like our IICRC-certified professionals at SERVPRO gets you the detailed cleaning and results you need to bring your property back to pre-mold condition. Once we complete our remediation and thorough cleaning, your interior will receive the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned seal of approval!

How are the moisture levels within your home or business? Many people may not realize that elevated moisture and relative humidity (RH) creates a perfect climate for mold damage in Norwich. As long as your interior harbors humid spaces, the correct temperatures, and organic materials for mold to feed on, you could be in for colonization that brings material damage and foul, musty odors. 

SERVPRO Offers the Mold Remediation You Need

We have 24-hour availability and scalability to help residential and commercial clients. With our efficient mitigation tools and extensive IICRC training, we know how to get in quickly to pinpoint the cause of mold growth. Once we determine the reason, we address it to help keep the mold from coming back after restoration wraps up. It is all about making it “Like it never even happened.”

Why Call SERVPRO to Handle Mold Cleanup?

One of the key factors to handling mold within any home or business, mainly when located in ceiling cavities or behind walls, is having all the right tools and processes. When you call SERVPRO to handle your mold issue, you can expect the following:

  • Remove dry spore clusters and unsalvageable materials for safe local disposal.
  • Implementation of doorway, window, and duct sealing with the help of poly sheeting and negative air pressure to keep tiny mold spores from spreading into unaffected rooms of your building.
  • HEPA filtration air scrubbers help remove airborne particulates and reduce internal air pressure, making it difficult for spores to migrate into other areas.
  • Relative humidity and moisture control using water removal services and drying with the help of dehumidifiers and air movers after extraction.

Personal Protection Equipment Makes All the Difference

SERVPRO technicians arrive ready for all mold remediation projects, including the right PPE to keep us protected each step of the way. Our PPE includes:

  • Coveralls
  • Respirators
  • Boots
  • Gloves
  • Goggles
  • Foot coverings to limit cross-contamination

Odor Control is Paramount in Any Mold-Related Projects

SERVPRO technicians have access to countless products and equipment at our warehouse that help us handle all restorations. For example, our Odor Control Technicians (OCT) have access to a whole arsenal of tools and products to eliminate rather than mask foul, musty odors associated with black mold growth and mildew. 

We perform odor control in each area after mold spores are cleanup up to bring your home or business back to pre-contamination levels. We do this with the help of:

  • Odor counteractant granules, pellets, or beads that work to pull out and absorb malodors while leaving a pleasant scent behind.
  • Ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers use solvent and water-based solutions to handle mold smells at the particle level.

Let Us Handle Mold Restoration with Controlled Demolition

Once we determine which materials are no longer salvageable, our team uses controlled demolition to remove and replace them with all-new materials. This deconstruction may include new drywall, trim, carpeting, ceiling tiles, flooring, subfloor, etc. 

Ensure professionals for trusted results handle your mold damage project. Contact us at SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County by calling (860) 887-0447, and we can dispatch a crew as soon as possible.

The Importance of Water Mitigation for Norwich Properties

4/5/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Vacuum Don't let water damage go unchecked in your home. Call SERVPRO for help to avoid further damage.

SERVPRO Helps Manage Water Damage in Your Norwich Home

Water is all around us, so accidental or negligent spills can happen. A straightforward case of water intrusion can become a nightmare involving mold contamination and significant structural damage like rotting or warping frames. Appropriate and timely water mitigation can help minimize the impact on your Norwich property.  

The critical determinant of the effectiveness of water mitigation at your Norwich property is how fast you start it. Most damages triggered by moisture exposure take time to develop significantly. For example, mold takes 24 to 48 hours to appear and several days or weeks to cause material decay. Since SERVPRO sends assistance within the first four hours after notification, our intervention has a positive impact.

Typical mitigation processes:

  • Stopping any flowing water
  • Extracting pooling water
  • Moving vulnerable materials
  • Addressing any hazards

Water may flow into your structure from damaged plumbing, structural areas such as the roof, or a malfunctioning appliance such as a washer. Whatever the problem, finding a way to stop such intrusion instantaneously limits the resulting damages. Our SERVPRO crews can install roof tarps, find and clamp leaking pipes or take other steps for instant reprieve. Once the flow stops, it is easier to focus on the other mitigation processes. 

Accelerating Water Extraction

Water removal may seem like a standard procedure whereby you scoop or mop out water from the property. However, extraction speed is critical in determining the outcome when you want to mitigate damages. SERVPRO crews better manage extraction speed by choosing vacuum extractors. A tool like a truck-mounted extractor can remove thousands of gallons within a few hours. Its higher vacuum lift capacity makes it ideal for removing water absorbed by porous materials such as carpets. 

Faster water removal and stopping further inflows are also helpful in minimizing that develop from moisture accumulation. For example, removing stagnant water eliminates slick surfaces, while releasing water trapped in ceilings eliminates the chances of collapse. 

Other ways to address water hazards:

  • Setting up safety signs such as wet floor markers
  • Establishing a staging area for holding all equipment when not in use
  • Unplugging electrical equipment and switching off power sources

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County ensures water mitigation is effective, saving you unnecessary costs and inconveniences. You can reach us at (860) 887-0447.

Commercial Water Damage Restoration Tactics in Norwich

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

Water Soaked Carpet Call SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County for fast and efficient service.

SERVPRO Can Provide Commercial Water Mitigation Services in Norwich

Water pipes can freeze and break when the weather gets cold during the winter. Office complexes are at risk when temperatures drop because many are closed and unoccupied at night. When it gets cold after hours, the water supply lines inside your office complex could freeze and break. And since nobody is around at this time, your office could get flooded for several hours until someone notices the issue. 

When handling commercial water damage in Norwich, our SERVPRO technicians know that prompt service is essential to reduce and eliminate secondary issues. Secondary problems arise when building materials and contents inside your office are damaged when they do not come in contact with moisture. For example, elevated relative humidity levels can cause drywall or ceiling to bubble. If wet organic items inside your office stay wet for more than two days, mold can develop. 

Ways we can reduce secondary damage:

Water extraction procedures:

  • Applied structural drying (ASD)
  • Setting up desiccant dehumidifiers to dry out wet concrete
  • Applying antimicrobial chemicals to places where mold has developed
  • Setting up an air scrubber in the contaminated areas

Whenever your place of business gets affected by a disaster like a pipe burst, we know that loss of business can become a huge issue. Sometimes, we can conduct our restoration procedures when your office is closed. In other cases, we can restore your damaged office in sections so your employees can keep your business running as usual. If the issues are severe, we can dry out your contents separately from your building materials to speed up the process.

Before we complete the project, we can use moisture sensors and meters to ensure that the moisture levels of your structural components and contents have dropped back to normal levels.

If the pipes inside your office complex ever freeze and break in the middle of the night, call SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County at (860) 887-0447.