Recent Posts

Avoiding Water Damage When Snow and Ice Thaw

12/28/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO van in front of building in the snow SERVPRO is available 24/7! We will even come out in the snow!

As winter is just around the corner, snow and ice are, too! The thawing of snow and ice can pose a risk to your home or business. The melting water can lead to water damage that is both costly and disruptive. At SERVPRO of Bristol, we’re Here to Help® you prepare for and prevent water damage during the thawing season. Read more below for these important tips!

1. Keep Gutters Clear

Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow, seeping into your roof or foundation. Clear debris and ensure all downspouts are at least 10 feet from your property.

2. Inspect Your Roof Regularly to Avoid Ice Dams

Ice dams form when attic heat melts roof snow, refreezing at edges and trapping water. Prevent leaks by insulating your attic, sealing air leaks, and fixing damaged shingles.

3. Check Your Foundation

Melting snow and ice can pool around your foundation, increasing the risk of basement flooding. Install a sump pump or ensure your existing one is working to handle excess water.

4. Seal Windows and Doors

Water can seep through gaps in windows and doors. Be sure to inspect and reseal these areas with weatherstripping or caulk to prevent waterfrom entering your home. 

5. Snow Removal

Remove snow from around your home’s foundation, roof, and walkways to reduce the amount of melting water near your property.

6. Maintain Your Pipes

Frozen pipes can burst and cause damage. Insulate pipes in unheated areas, and thaw frozen ones slowly with a hairdryer or call a professional.

What to Do If Water Damage Occurs

Despite your best efforts, water damage can still happen. If you experience water in your hoe or business, it’s essential to act quickly to minimize damage. SERVPRO of Bristol is available 24/7 to provide expert water damage restoration services. Our team has the training and equipment to handle water removal, drying, and repairs efficiently.

The Importance of Fire Extinguishers: Types and When to Use Them

12/28/2024 (Permalink)

a damaged home after a fire took place. The whole room is destroyed and covered with soot, making it dark Always make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your hoe to prevent further property damage.

Fire extinguishers are safety tools that can prevent small fires from escalating into major disasters. Whether in your home or at work, knowing the types of fire extinguishers and how to use them is vital for protecting not only people but your property as well.

Why Fire Extinguishers Matter
Fires can spread quickly, but using a fire extinguisher, and/or the correct type, can stop a fire from continuing to spread. Many people know how important it is to have a fire extinguisher but many do not know there are different types of extinguishers for various fire types. Read more below to learn about the different categories of fire extinguishers, what their appropriate use is, and how to use them. 

Types of Fire Extinguishers

  1. Class A: For ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth. Ideal for homes and offices.
  2. Class B: Designed for flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, or grease. Commonly found in garages and kitchens.
  3. Class C: Used for electrical fires, including wiring and appliances. Essential for homes and businesses with significant electrical equipment.
  4. Class D: For flammable metals, typically found in industrial settings.
  5. Class K: Specifically for cooking fires involving oils and fats. Perfect for commercial kitchens.

When and How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Use the acronym PASS to remember how to operate a fire extinguisher:

  • Pull the pin to unlock the extinguisher.
  • Aim at the base of the fire.
  • Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
  • Sweep from side to side until the fire is out.

Always ensure the fire is small and manageable before attempting to extinguish it. If the fire spreads rapidly, evacuate immediately and call 911.

Fire Safety is a Priority
At SERVPRO of Bristol, we’re committed to helping our community stay safe. Regularly check your fire extinguishers to ensure they are fully charged and within their expiration date. Proper maintenance and training can make all the difference in an emergency.

For professional fire damage restoration call SERVPRO of Bristol. We're Here to Help® 24/7.

What Sets SERVPRO of Bristol Apart from Other Restoration Companies

12/28/2024 (Permalink)

Crew member waving at the camera while getting into the van. Our crews are always ready to work with a smile on their faces!

When disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Bristol stands out as the trusted choice for fast, reliable restoration services. Here’s what makes us different from other companies:

  1. Local Expertise, National Support
    As a locally owned business backed by the SERVPRO network, we combine deep community knowledge with the resources and technology of a nationwide leader in restoration.
  2. 24/7 Emergency Response
    Disasters don’t wait, and neither do we. SERVPRO of Bristol is available around the clock, ensuring a fast response to minimize damage and start the restoration process immediately.
  3. IICRC Certified Technicians
    Our team is trained and certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), ensuring top-quality service and expertise for any restoration project.
  4. Comprehensive Services
    From fire and water damage to mold remediation and storm recovery, SERVPRO of Bristol offers a wide range of services to restore your property to its pre-damage condition.
  5. Customer-Focused Approach
    We prioritize customer satisfaction and provide clear communication and compassionate support throughout the restoration process.
  6. Insurance Assistance
    We work directly with your insurance company to ensure a smooth claims process, helping you navigate the complexities of your policy.

SERVPRO of Bristol is here to help when you need it most. Contact us today for fast, professional restoration services.

24/7 Flooded Basement Cleanup Services From SERVPRO of Bristol

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

flooded basement with carpet When your basement floods, we're Here to Help 24/7.

Get 24/7 Service For Your Flooded Basement - Call Now!

When heavy rains, storms, burst pipes, or leaking appliances cause water in your basement - SERVPRO of Bristol is Here to Help.

Whatever the cause of your basement flooding, fast action for cleanup is essential to prevent the growth of mold, unwanted odors, save water damaged items, and stop further damage.

If you need flooded basement cleanup, our team is ready to respond to your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For Immediate Assistance, Call Now - 203-987-4112

Flooded Basement Cleanup Services

With over 17 years of experience helping local home and business owners with their flooded basements, you can count on SERVPRO of Bristol to make the water in your basement “Like it never even happened.” 

Our team has all the training, resources, and experience needed to quickly remove water, begin the drying process, and guide you through the next steps to restore your flooded basement.

Basement Flooding Cleanup Process

Your Project Manager will inspect and create a restoration plan for your loss, but the general process remains the same.

1: Inspection

A Project Manager will inspect to determine the scope of your basement water damage and create a cleanup and restoration plan for your property. Here, they’ll review the next steps for your property.

2: Emergency Response (As Needed)

We’re ready to respond to your emergency flooded basement cleanup 24/7. Our team provides emergency services to prevent mold, further water damage, or structural issues to your property.

3: Basement Water Removal

Using commercial grade water extractors, and powerful pumps, our team works quickly to remove excess standing water in your property.

4: Drying and Dehumidification

Specialized drying equipment is set up to ensure your entire structure dries out after flooding and no moisture remains. Using specialized moisture detection and drying equipment, our team locates and addresses all areas of "hidden moisture" which may be behind walls or underneath flooring.

5: Cleaning and Sanitizing

SERVPRO of Bristol cleans and sanitizes the affected areas of your basement to remove dirt, bacteria, or possible mold spores. Our team can also restore water-damaged personal items.

6: Restoration

Once the water mitigation process is completed, our team can seamlessly begin the restoration process with our in-house construction division. This may include anything from minor repairs to major renovations and repairs.

Frequently Asked Questions: Flooded Basements

Does insurance cover cleaning up my flooded basement after a rainstorm?

Unfortunately, unless you have additional coverages in your insurance policy, flooding in your basement from rain is not covered by insurance. Times where you might be covered is when your sump pumps fails and you have sump pump coverage on your policy, but there are usually limits to how much they will cover. You need to review your policy to determine if you have aby coverage. 

How do you prevent water in basements? 

If your basement frequently floods, you need to take steps for waterproofing. This may include installing a sump pump, french drain system, or waterproofing walls. You should also take steps to make sure water is not accumulating directly outside your home when it rains.

How do you get rid of the musty smell after my basement floods? 

If you have an odor in your basement, there is likely lingering moisture that is causing mold and mildew to grow. This moisture may not be obvious without professional training or moisture detection equipment. 

Call 24/7 For Flooded Basement Cleanup - 203-987-4112

Furnace Puffback Cleanup Services 

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot from furnace puffback When you're dealing with the smoke, soot, and odor from a furnace puffback, we're Here to Help.

When your furnace malfunctions and sends soot and smoke throughout your home, the damages can be severe.

Smoke and soot damage can cover walls, floors, furniture and more. While you might want to start cleaning yourself right away, this isn’t recommended without the proper cleaning techniques and solutions. Instead, soot and smoke damage should be professionally cleaned to ensure it is properly handled an all smoke odors are completely removed.

Call Us 24/7 For Immediate Assistance - 203-987-4112

Professional Furnace Puffback Cleanup Services

With over 17 years of experience in fire & smoke damage restoration services in Connecticut, you can trust SERVPRO of Bristol to expertly handle your furnace puffback cleanup. Our team has all the training, resources, and experience needed to fully clean your property of smoke and soot damage and ensure no odors are left behind.

Our goal is to rapidly restore your home or business back to pre-damage conditions after a furnace puffback affects your property. We’ll work tirelessly to make the loss “Like it never even happened.” 

What To Do After A Furnace Puffback

You may not realize there are steps you should and shouldn’t take to ensure your damages don’t get worse after a puffback:

  • Do not use your heating system until it has been fixed by an HVAC company, or you may continue to spread smoke and soot throughout your property.
  • If you have a forced air heating system, you need duct cleaning before using it to ensure lingering smoke and soot is not sent through your property.
  • Do not try to clean smoke and soot yourself - This can embed smoke particles further into building materials and make it harder to clean.
  • Do not use household cleaning solutions on affected areas, as it can make the smoke damage worse.

Puffback Cleanup Process

We will clean your property from top to bottom after a furnace puffback, and can even clean your affected contents. A Project Manager will create a unique plan of action for your home, but the general process is as follows:

  1. Isolate the affected areas to prevent the further spread of soot particles.
  2. Install of air scrubbers to remove all soot and smoke particles from the air and aid in deodorization.
  3. Soot cleaning of walls, ceilings, and floors using dry chemical sponges and SERVPRO’s specialized cleaning solutions.
  4. Odor removal.
  5. Duct cleaning to remove all smoke and soot residues from the heating system.
  6. Content cleaning and restoration services.
  7. Painting & restoration by our construction division (As needed).

Call Today For Puffback Cleanup Services - 203-987-4112

24/7 Burst Pipe Cleanup From SERVPRO of Bristol

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

burst pipe cleanup When you need help after a frozen burst pipe - We're Here to Help 24/7.

Get Immediate Emergency Cleanup After Burst Pipes in Connecticut

When you’re dealing with flooding or water damage from frozen or burst pipes, we’re here to provide an immediate emergency response. It’s essential to begin the cleanup process as quickly as possible to stop further damage and prevent the growth of mold.

Call 24/7 For Immediate Service - 203-987-4112

Burst Pipe Cleanup Services

With over 17 years of experience in water damage restoration, you can trust that SERVPRO of Bristol’s team has the training, resources, and expertise needed to restore your home to pre-damage conditions. 

We understand how stressful a burst pipe can be and how severe the damages can be, and we’ll guide you through every step of the cleanup & restoration process. Our team even directly bills your insurance company for you and submits the documentation needed for your claim.

When you need professional burst pipe cleanup, our team is prepared to make your disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Frozen Burst Pipe Cleanup Process

A Project Manager will create a unique plan for cleanup and restoration in your property, but the general process is the following:

1. Inspection and Damage Assessment

A Project Manager carefully inspects your property to prepare a plan for your burst pipe cleanup.  During this step, they take moisture readings to ensure all affected areas are properly addressed.

2. Water Removal / Water Extraction

If there’s standing water or saturated carpets and rugs on your property, we will immediately clean up all the water to prevent further damage.

3. Drying and Dehumidification

Using commercial grade, specialized drying equipment, we begin drying out your property to prevent the growth or mold or deterioration of building materials. Using moisture detection equipment, we’re able to find all areas of ‘hidden’ moisture and ensure it is addressed. 

4. Cleaning and Sanitizing

Once the drying process is complete, our team cleans and sanitizes all of the restorable items and structures affected by your burst pipe water damage. We’ll also disinfect with antimicrobial treatments to ensure bacteria or possible mold spores are not present. 

5. Restoration

The last step of your cleanup is getting your home or business back to normal. The restoration step may involve relatively minor repairs, such as replacing drywall or flooring, or could entail major renovations, like rebuilding entire rooms or areas.

Call 24/7 For Burst Pipe Cleanup Services - 203-987-4112

Restoring Fire Damage with a Multi-tiered Approach in Bristol

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians are trained and experienced in all phases of fire damage restoration for your Bristol home. We are Here to Help.

SERVPRO Has Experienced Fire Cleanup Technicians Just a Phone Call Away

Fires can cause extensive property damage. Often, these situations occur due to malfunctioning electronics, naked sources of flame such as candles and stoves, or issues with an indoor furnace. At SERVPRO, we believe in responding quickly to property emergencies and guarantee to arrive on-site within four hours of notification of loss.

When confronting fire damage in your Bristol home, it is vital to take a multilateral approach. Disasters like this can affect your home in many different ways causing physical damage in the form of charred or burnt materials, cosmetic issues in the form of smoke deposits on surfaces, and odor issues. We ensure our technicians have completed certification in various restoration areas to combat this. Our current areas of expertise include odor control technicians (OCT), water restoration technicians (WRT), and fire & smoke damage restoration technicians (FSRT). Since combusting materials can release toxins into the home environment, our roster also includes health & safety technicians (HST) and lead renovations (RRRP) specialists for older properties. 

Using a multilateral approach is often achieved through stages. First, experienced technicians assess the property and pre-test materials to make informed decisions about salvageable belongings. Next, our team disposes of debris, including the organization of dumpsters or transportation of these materials to a separate waste facility. Once the space is clear of both non-salvageable and salvageable materials, we can begin performing the restoration. Drying any residual moisture from firefighting efforts is essential to combating smells and mitigating against further losses that the interaction of soot with moisture could cause. Cleaning is often performed in two stages. The first stage involves dry cleaning using light vacuum wands and dry sponges, followed by more nuanced cleaning products, including water-based detergents or chemical solvents. We can determine which cleaning products to use based on the type of smoke residue, either wet or dry.

Packing Out Belongings VS. Keeping Possessions On-site

  • The pack-out procedure is usually reserved for severe disasters and involves documenting belongings before transporting them to a separate storage facility.
  • All belongings stored in our climate-controlled warehouses are vetted thoroughly for potential vermin or pests and allocated to a specific area where they remain throughout restoration.
  • Technicians may decide it is more efficient to clean and restore items on site by creating a designated clean room and bringing in portable cleaning equipment.

Cleaning and disposing of items subjected to smoke and soot is the most effective method of odor neutralization in most cases. But sometimes, odors can persist after these stages are complete. SERVPRO has various ways to tackle stubborn, persistent burnt odors in your home. Again, we rely on a multilateral approach that includes masking agents to spray directly onto surfaces, fumigation with ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers, or concentrated odor counteractant pellets. Odor particles are volatile, making finding a singular source of odor challenging and time inefficient. By adopting a multi-tiered approach, we can be confident of resolving an odor issue quickly and ensuring that your home is rid of any unpleasant reminders of the recent event.

Helping to Rid Your Home of Smoke or Burnt Odors

  • Since odors are volatile opening windows and doors to allow air circulation can help to reduce their impact. Additionally, industrial venting fans can further encourage circulation.
  • Smoke odors generally disperse within two to four weeks without any equipment or chemical products making masking agents a useful tool in the interim.
  • Odor perception is enhanced when moisture is present. Dehumidification and drying can help reduce the impact of odors in your home. 

We can help you return your home to a preloss condition. Contact SERVPRO of Bristol for fire damage restoration at (860) 582-3330.

Helping Residents of Bristol Overcome Water Damage

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

You need IICRC-certified technicians for any level of water damage in your Bristol home. Call SERVPRO today for help.

SERVPRO Can Help with Water Removal Following Pipe Leaks or Bursts

Water intrusion events require immediate attention to avoid excessive property damages. Fixtures that directly connect to supply pipes, such as washing machines, showers, and faucets, can result in large quantities of liquid entering the home if they malfunction. SERVPRO is here to help reverse the damages caused by leaks, pipe bursts, and faulty appliances.

The severity of water damage in your Bristol home is determined by the quantity of liquid entering the property and the length of time it remains wet. Moisture contains microbes that can proliferate in your home's warm, humid conditions. The proliferation of microbes leads to stagnation and forces restoration to encompass decontamination, which can be damaging to your home. Porous materials, for example, are particularly susceptible to moisture contaminants and may require demolition with prolonged exposure to stagnant water. Burst pipes can damage your home through the sheer quantity of liquid they release. A broken pipe can release thousands of gallons of water in twenty-four hours. SERVPRO is a licensed service that has the experience to help with contamination issues, flooding from burst pipes, or smaller contained damages relating to liquid moisture.

Entering a flooded part of a property can be dangerous and requires attention to detail and experience. Our technicians wear thick, chemical-resistant gloves, full-body suits, and n-94 masks as part of our personal protective equipment. Steel-capped boots help protect technicians from debris, broken floorboards, exposed nails, and broken glass. Careful attention to slip and trip or electrical hazards from exposed wiring is equally essential. When working in a wet property, our equipment is run through ground circuit fault interrupters to prevent short-circuiting or other malfunctions during the extraction phase. To tackle potential contamination issues, we cut away sections of drywall from the lower portions of the wall and replace them with clean drywall once the area is appropriately disinfected and sanitized to a safe level.

Home Maintenance and Preventing Water Intrusion

  • Checking that pipes are correctly insulating ahead of the winter months can reduce their propensity to split or crack.
  • Clearing gutters from leaves or debris ensure that blockages do not backup causing harm to your home.
  • Maintenance of appliances and hardware such as sump pumps can help to reduce the likelihood of malfunction.

The most effective mitigation tool in a restoration technician's arsenal is a practical understanding of the science of psychrometry. Psychrometry relates to how moisture, air, and materials act together. In a home environment, the practice of psychrometry could be through dehumidification, air movement, or heating. All of these practical techniques help to encourage fast drying through evaporation. However, drying the property as efficiently as possible is a balancing act. Warm air, for example, can hold more moisture than cool air. But once the air is saturated with moisture, the speed of evaporation is significantly reduced. This process is why dehumidifiers are often essential equipment alongside air movers or heating elements when attempting to dry a property. 

The Mitigative Benefits of Correctly Drying a Property

  • Thorough drying of a property can help to reduce secondary damages, including the growth of bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
  • Ensuring that humidity levels remain below 60 grains per pound reduces the chance of vapor damage that condensates inside walls or ceiling cavities.
  • Many materials in a home environment are significantly weaker and more prone to breakage when wet.

If your home suffers from a burst pipe or malfunctioning appliance, contact SERVPRO of Bristol for water damage restoration at (860) 582-3330.

The Right Response to Mold Damage for Bristol Residents

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

You know who to call if you find mold in your Bristol home. Contact the professionals at SERVPRO today for mold damage remediation help.

SERVPRO in Bristol Has Expert Mold Remediation Technicians

Microorganisms are a natural part of any indoor environment. However, like fungi, some microbes can proliferate rapidly in parts of the home and become a nuisance. Molds are fungi that produce unpleasant odors, damage decor, and spread quickly from one area to another. If you suspect fungal growth on your property, it is wise to contact microbial remediation professionals as soon as possible.

Remediating mold damage in your Bristol home can be time-consuming and ineffective without the proper training and equipment. Identifying the root cause of a microbial growth issue can be challenging, but ensuring your home makes a full recovery is essential. If you cannot identify the source of the issue, there is a strong chance that the problem returns a few days after cleaning. Microbes have a short life cycle which can see a single spore grow to a full-size colony within 48 to 72 hours. Full-size colonies can produce between 200 and 500 reproductive spores meaning that a minor microbial problem can lead to exponential damage over just a few weeks. Spores can become airborne or travel on clothing, footwear, and belongings. Practicing diligence by avoiding moldy areas of the home or reducing potential airflow can help slow the spread of an infestation. 

One of the core principles that we work toward for remediation technicians is containment. Containment prevents spores from spreading via airways or clothing from one home area to another. Since many of the strategies used to eliminate infestations involve demolishing materials or utilizing abrasive cleaning methods, there is a strong chance of spores becoming airborne during the remediation process. We use common-sense practices, such as changing out of personal protective equipment (PPE) when moving between affected and unaffected areas of the home. Other methods involve more advanced strategies such as placing negative air pressure machines in close vicinity when demolishing drywall. Negative air pressure machines use a vacuum to pull surrounding air into a storage space. These machines are handy at removing airborne spores from the air into a controlled area where they can be disposed of responsibly. 

How to Prevent the Spread of Mold in Your Home

  • Try to reduce foot traffic into rooms with musty odors or visible signs of microbial growth, and always wash hands or parts of you that come into contact with the infestation.
  • Reducing ventilation in areas with infestation by closing doors and windows to block airflow.
  • Avoid disturbing colonies without first placing vital containment protocols that reduce spreading.

Chemical action is becoming an increasingly helpful tool for remediation professionals fighting against microbial growth. There are several categories of chemical agents that, in theory, can reduce growth or destroy microorganisms themselves. Biocides are poisonous substances that, with controlled usage, can eliminate microbes. Common biocides include the herbicides or pesticides used in agricultural maintenance. Anti-microbial agents are also designed to kill microorganisms. The household product bleach is considered an anti-microbial agent. Using chemical agents should be completed sparingly if possible. For example, technicians may take extra care when selecting a chemical action if pets are on the property. Equally, some chemical agents are less effective on wet materials, which should also be considered when attempting to eliminate mold.

Alternatives to Chemical Remediation

  • Dehumidification can be a valuable tool in remediation.
  • SERVPRO utilizes refrigerant (cooling) and desiccant (gel) technologies in dehumidification.
  • Controlled demolition and disposal of infested materials.

If microbial infestation affects your home, contact SERVPRO of Bristol for mold damage remediation at (860) 582-3330.

Searching for a Home Mold Damage Remediation Service?

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians are IICRC certified for any size job. Mold remediation is one of our specialties.

Bristol Homeowners Contact SERVPRO for 24/7 Remediation

Mold exists on some level in all buildings and even in the atmosphere. However, an excess mold can create structural and property damages that require professional expertise to remediate a pre-growth condition.

One reason mold remediation in Bristol properties succeeds is that SERVPRO technicians receive extensive training and certification per standards set by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification. This firm’s commitment to education means that technicians, as well as franchise owners and staff, know the ins and outs of residential mold damage remediation.

How Does SERVPRO Equipment Address Mold Damage?

SERVPRO’s cleaning solutions and commercial-grade equipment ensure that homes receive comprehensive mold remediation. Tools available to techs include:

  • HEPA-filter air scrubbers to remove fungal spores from contaminated rooms as small as 0.3 microns
  • Industrial-grade personal protection equipment (PPE) that is decontaminated per restoration industry standards to halt the spread of mold
  • EPA-registered biocides that excel at minimizing mold contamination of structures and their contents

Call SERVPRO of Bristol at (860) 582-3330 for mold damage remediation services.