The sun is out the temperatures are climbing above the melting point (freezing point if it's coming down). With roughly 50 days left to winter, we have, in some cases literally, a ton of snow on roofs and around buildings.
I know everyone is tired, but to avoid further issues in the next 2/3 of Winter, we need to get outside on days where temps creep over 32 degrees and clean up our roofs, and now the next culprit, the snow around foundations. If you have piles of snow against the foundation of your building or against the outside walls, you should begin to shovel it away or snow blow it or just simply remove it. The same holds true for your roof. The less snow around or on the building, the less apt you are to have water intrusion from the ground into your basements. Breaking up the ice dams by getting some grooves into them and removing snow from the roof as high up as you can will avoid water penetration from the roof structure.
Should you encounter issues with water intrusion into your building, call us to dry it. Failure to dry this out quickly will raise your chances of mold and microbial growth thus subjecting your indoor environment to some poor air quality. Keep working little by little on the nice days, and the bigger problems of severe Winter weather will not be an issue for YOU.
Feel free to check in with our office should you have issues with your building with regard to water, soot, odors, etc.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
After The Storm
Well, we finally hit "the jackpot" with regard to a "real snowstorm". Most people in the area have and continue to dig out from yesterday's Nor'easter that dumped nearly, and in some cases, more than two feet of snow on the area.
We are all physically and maybe mentally tired after digging out, but let's not think that we are done with our work. I point this article in the direction of our Real Estate, Property Manager and Insurance Colleagues who are responsible in one way, shape or form for houses in particular. Many of us have experienced ICE DAMMING on a roof in the past. It has been a while since we have experienced big snow, so let's run down ICE DAMS just a little.
ICE DAMS occur when snow at the higher portion of the roof begins to melt (many times because of poor insulation) from the conduction of heat from the house. The melted snow then passes under the snow on the roof and when it hits the colder portion of the roof (the soffit) at the bottom, it refreezes forming ice that was once snow. As water continues to travel down the roof, the layer of ice gets thicker and thicker until eventually the entire soffit end of the roof is a two foot thick block of ice (in the case of this weeks snow). The water continues to build behind the ice dam, however, and backs up the roof eventually backing up under the shingles and seeping into the roof, attic and eventually down the insides of the walls and ceilings within the structure. This will not picked up upon until eventually a puddle appears or dripping takes place. Now there are some serious issues.
As a result of this intrusion of water, wall, ceiling and floor cavities will need to be dried in a quick fashion, (hidden water is even worse), otherwise the structural integrity will be jeopardized and there will be an opportunity to support mold and other microbial growth. At this point you or your clients will need to call a roofer and a remediation company that specializes in water damage assessment and mitigation. The cost has now increased in order to protect the home or restore it to it's pre-loss condition.
We can help prevent a major loss by simply calling our office. We can provide you with information on ICE DAMS as well as assist in drying structure and restoring once the damage has occurred. ICE DAMS should also be dealt with by a roofer or contractor once they have formed. You can easily do more harm than good or be seriously injured or worse by "DOING IT YOURSELF" to save some money.
A ROOF RAKE is a great investment to make to prevent ICE DAMMING on a roof in the first place. By cleaning the roof above the soffits or approximately THREE FEET up the roof with a roof rake, you will vastly improve your chances of avoiding water intrusion through your roof as a result of ICE DAMS. These can be purchased at most home improvement centers for less than $50.00 and allow you to clear your roof from ground level. A major note of caution is to watch overhead power lines when using your roof rake.
I typically rake my roof after any depth of snow over four inches or so, just to ensure that there is no build up over time of ice and snow on the edges of my roof.
In closing - raking your roof as soon as you can after a snowfall is vital. In the event that ice dams form, there are a couple of things you can do to rectify the problem. First it is recommended that you get an experienced roofer on board to take care of it. Secondly, you can chop grooves in the ice to relieve the water above the dam, you can also install some heater cables onto your roof and melt some grooves into the ice. This will take some time, but it does work. Caution must be exercised when on a ladder in snow and ice situations (like I had to say THAT, huh?), also do NOT use rock salt, ice melt, an axe or blow torch, as you could SERIOUSLY damage your roof or your entire house.
Servpro of Hampshire County and Shrewsbury/Grafton can supply you with more information on ICE DAMS. You can reach us at 413-589-8975 or 508-393-7898. Until next time, be safe, stay dry and warm.
We are all physically and maybe mentally tired after digging out, but let's not think that we are done with our work. I point this article in the direction of our Real Estate, Property Manager and Insurance Colleagues who are responsible in one way, shape or form for houses in particular. Many of us have experienced ICE DAMMING on a roof in the past. It has been a while since we have experienced big snow, so let's run down ICE DAMS just a little.
ICE DAMS occur when snow at the higher portion of the roof begins to melt (many times because of poor insulation) from the conduction of heat from the house. The melted snow then passes under the snow on the roof and when it hits the colder portion of the roof (the soffit) at the bottom, it refreezes forming ice that was once snow. As water continues to travel down the roof, the layer of ice gets thicker and thicker until eventually the entire soffit end of the roof is a two foot thick block of ice (in the case of this weeks snow). The water continues to build behind the ice dam, however, and backs up the roof eventually backing up under the shingles and seeping into the roof, attic and eventually down the insides of the walls and ceilings within the structure. This will not picked up upon until eventually a puddle appears or dripping takes place. Now there are some serious issues.
As a result of this intrusion of water, wall, ceiling and floor cavities will need to be dried in a quick fashion, (hidden water is even worse), otherwise the structural integrity will be jeopardized and there will be an opportunity to support mold and other microbial growth. At this point you or your clients will need to call a roofer and a remediation company that specializes in water damage assessment and mitigation. The cost has now increased in order to protect the home or restore it to it's pre-loss condition.
We can help prevent a major loss by simply calling our office. We can provide you with information on ICE DAMS as well as assist in drying structure and restoring once the damage has occurred. ICE DAMS should also be dealt with by a roofer or contractor once they have formed. You can easily do more harm than good or be seriously injured or worse by "DOING IT YOURSELF" to save some money.
A ROOF RAKE is a great investment to make to prevent ICE DAMMING on a roof in the first place. By cleaning the roof above the soffits or approximately THREE FEET up the roof with a roof rake, you will vastly improve your chances of avoiding water intrusion through your roof as a result of ICE DAMS. These can be purchased at most home improvement centers for less than $50.00 and allow you to clear your roof from ground level. A major note of caution is to watch overhead power lines when using your roof rake.
I typically rake my roof after any depth of snow over four inches or so, just to ensure that there is no build up over time of ice and snow on the edges of my roof.
In closing - raking your roof as soon as you can after a snowfall is vital. In the event that ice dams form, there are a couple of things you can do to rectify the problem. First it is recommended that you get an experienced roofer on board to take care of it. Secondly, you can chop grooves in the ice to relieve the water above the dam, you can also install some heater cables onto your roof and melt some grooves into the ice. This will take some time, but it does work. Caution must be exercised when on a ladder in snow and ice situations (like I had to say THAT, huh?), also do NOT use rock salt, ice melt, an axe or blow torch, as you could SERIOUSLY damage your roof or your entire house.
Servpro of Hampshire County and Shrewsbury/Grafton can supply you with more information on ICE DAMS. You can reach us at 413-589-8975 or 508-393-7898. Until next time, be safe, stay dry and warm.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Disaster Recovery
It has been documented and the statistics are scary, that any business sustaining an interrupting event or "disaster" has got the deck stacked against them for survival moving forward. It is something that none of us really want to think about but, how many of us share a building with another business or with tenants that we are counting on being "smart" or careful all of the time. Something as simple as an unattended candle or a mechanical failure such as a toilet line leak could incapacitate your business and put you in jeopardy if you are not prepared.
Who will be the first person you call in such an instance? Your Insurance Agent, more than likely. What is their phone number? What if this happens during "non-business" hours? How will your event be handled and by whom? Who is your representative there? Are you covered? Furthermore, how will you run your business? What backup plan do you have should your facility be partially or totally affected and deemed inoperable? Who can you count on to get you back up and running either partially or entirely? It would be ideal to have a business partner that can understand what is important to you PRIOR to the event.
Servpro of Hampshire County and Shrewsbury/Grafton understands that being incapacitated for any amount of time can affect your money making ability and can work with you to get you back up and running as quickly as possible. Whether it's providing a temporary facility and moving you to it or getting an area of the existing space safe, secured and operable, Servpro can get the job done. We have provided emergency services to many large businesses over our 15 years of business in Western Massachusetts, paying special attention to working with decision makers to make it "Like it never even happened" as quickly as possible. From area schools, day cares and medical facilities to, just recently, a large national retail store. Fires, broken pipes, backed up sewer drains and blocked grease traps are among the causes of disaster for some of our larger losses.
Please take a moment to think these questions over. How prepared are you should something of this nature happen to you? Are you going to search the phone book or sign up with someone waiting at the curb to "sell" you their service and make promises. How much do THEY know about your business?
Contact me at kevin@servprohcsg.com or at our office for a complimentary consultation and discussion on Disaster Recovery. We can become familiar with you and your facility and business as well as provide you with a "Playbook" for a quick recovery. With Winter coming soon, there are more mechanical and natural opportunities that can cause a disaster to occur in your life. Take time NOW to plan for something that you will hopefully never have to deal with. The time invested now could save your business in the future.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Fire Safety Month - Are You Prepared?
As stated in a previous post, disasters can range in size and in importance. A spilled glass of wine on a carpet on the day you are hosting a dinner party will be a "disaster". Is it as large as the house getting flooded or having a fire? Probably not, but to you AT THAT MOMENT, it may very well be. How will you handle that? How will you respond? Who can fix that for you in a timely manner?
It is important to have a plan of action in the event of a "disaster". What is your plan of action to recover as quickly as possible and have that "dinner party" go off without a hitch or "like it never even happened"?
For more information on Disasters and Recovery Profiles, email me at kevin@servprohcsg.com or call our office at (800) 947-0975 to schedule a consultation.
I will post more information as time goes on here as well, so stay tuned.
One final note: Can you exit your house from your bedroom with you eyes closed while holding your breath? Have a predetermined exit strategy for evacuating your house during a fire. Quickest way out with a meeting place for you and your family members. In a fire you will not be able to see or breathe. A little scary food for thought. Practice makes perfect.
It is important to have a plan of action in the event of a "disaster". What is your plan of action to recover as quickly as possible and have that "dinner party" go off without a hitch or "like it never even happened"?
For more information on Disasters and Recovery Profiles, email me at kevin@servprohcsg.com or call our office at (800) 947-0975 to schedule a consultation.
I will post more information as time goes on here as well, so stay tuned.
One final note: Can you exit your house from your bedroom with you eyes closed while holding your breath? Have a predetermined exit strategy for evacuating your house during a fire. Quickest way out with a meeting place for you and your family members. In a fire you will not be able to see or breathe. A little scary food for thought. Practice makes perfect.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Here We Go Again!
OK, so it's been a while! I am sorry for not paying better attention to my postings and getting all of you something you can sink your teeth into in a little more timely fashion. It has been a busy year, and it is winding up quicker than I am sure most of us would like it to. If you look back to my very first post on here, you will find a bunch of "stuff" that I could once again post as we roll forward.
We had a pretty tame Summer and Autumn for all intents and purposes. Yes, it rained weekend after weekend after weekend, but it was really never anything too major, that would cause any big problems for the home or business owner. Ida just wreaked havoc on the Carolina's and Virginia but didn't pack much of a wallop when it got to us. Nuisance stuff in general, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be thinking that it couldn't happen to us.
Disasters can happen at anytime, and vary in type. Man-made, mechanical and natural disasters can (and will) put an unexpected crimp in your life at anytime. You have to plan ahead while the waters are calm so that when they become turbulent, you can wade your way through as painlessly as you can. Whether it's spilled juice on a carpet, a broken pipe or the remnants of a tropical storm, you will be ready if you PLAN AHEAD.
SERVPRO of Hampshire County can provide you with assistance in Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP), all YOU have to do is ASK!!! We can provide a detailed worksheet for home and business owners that simply requires filling in the blanks and storing your plan off site so that you have a "play-book" when the time comes.
Call our office today and ask for Kelly, Ed or Me, and we will be more than happy to supply you with the proper worksheet(s). Our number is on the CONTACT US page of this website. In the meantime, feel free to go back now, read what was posted a year ago, and begin to plan for a safe and relaxing Holiday Season.
I will catch up to all of you again very soon. I promise!
We had a pretty tame Summer and Autumn for all intents and purposes. Yes, it rained weekend after weekend after weekend, but it was really never anything too major, that would cause any big problems for the home or business owner. Ida just wreaked havoc on the Carolina's and Virginia but didn't pack much of a wallop when it got to us. Nuisance stuff in general, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be thinking that it couldn't happen to us.
Disasters can happen at anytime, and vary in type. Man-made, mechanical and natural disasters can (and will) put an unexpected crimp in your life at anytime. You have to plan ahead while the waters are calm so that when they become turbulent, you can wade your way through as painlessly as you can. Whether it's spilled juice on a carpet, a broken pipe or the remnants of a tropical storm, you will be ready if you PLAN AHEAD.
SERVPRO of Hampshire County can provide you with assistance in Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP), all YOU have to do is ASK!!! We can provide a detailed worksheet for home and business owners that simply requires filling in the blanks and storing your plan off site so that you have a "play-book" when the time comes.
Call our office today and ask for Kelly, Ed or Me, and we will be more than happy to supply you with the proper worksheet(s). Our number is on the CONTACT US page of this website. In the meantime, feel free to go back now, read what was posted a year ago, and begin to plan for a safe and relaxing Holiday Season.
I will catch up to all of you again very soon. I promise!
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Indoor Air Quality - Spring's Fresh Air
Hello again everyone, it's been a while since I blogged and quite frankly, there hasn't been much to write about. We have finally had some consistently warm outside, not much rain, life has been good on that front.
I hope that everyone has opened the windows and doors in their buildings and PURGED the stale old air out and let new fresh air in. There are a few things that you should be looking to have done at this time as well though and that is where we come into play. Duct cleaning removes the "junk" from your duct work before you switch from HEAT to A/C for the summer. This gets rid of the majority of pollutants before you button up for the summer cooling season.
Secondly, a good thorough carpet cleaning will remove pollutants from your carpets and leave you with a cleaner "air filter" than you had before. As the air moves through your building, impurities get caught up in the fibers of the carpet and linger there until removed. Basic cleaning will take care of this buildup and again, help cut down on indoor pollution levels.
It's really all about comfort and health when it comes to IAQ, the less "crud" in the environment, the better you will feel in the long run AND the better things will look as well.
We are looking for any of you out there that want to make sure that your summer IAQ is at it's best possible.
Call us today to schedule a carpet or duct cleaning. Mention this blog and receive a santizer application to your duct work or carpet protectant application to your carpet cleaning at no additional charge. How can you beat that?
I will catch up to you all again real soon!
I hope that everyone has opened the windows and doors in their buildings and PURGED the stale old air out and let new fresh air in. There are a few things that you should be looking to have done at this time as well though and that is where we come into play. Duct cleaning removes the "junk" from your duct work before you switch from HEAT to A/C for the summer. This gets rid of the majority of pollutants before you button up for the summer cooling season.
Secondly, a good thorough carpet cleaning will remove pollutants from your carpets and leave you with a cleaner "air filter" than you had before. As the air moves through your building, impurities get caught up in the fibers of the carpet and linger there until removed. Basic cleaning will take care of this buildup and again, help cut down on indoor pollution levels.
It's really all about comfort and health when it comes to IAQ, the less "crud" in the environment, the better you will feel in the long run AND the better things will look as well.
We are looking for any of you out there that want to make sure that your summer IAQ is at it's best possible.
Call us today to schedule a carpet or duct cleaning. Mention this blog and receive a santizer application to your duct work or carpet protectant application to your carpet cleaning at no additional charge. How can you beat that?
I will catch up to you all again real soon!
Monday, March 9, 2009
What next?
So, here we are, on the brink of Spring, warmer weather, practically no more snow shoveling or snow blowing, what a life! We have all persevered! So the question is posed.....WHAT NEXT?
All winter long I have been going on and going on about ice dams, frozen pipes, furnace malfunctions and fire hazards, now that things seem to be on the upturn what could possibly be next? Well, there is plenty when it comes to your homes. The recent economic downturn and tightening of the wallets certainly doesn't spell good news in general, but as I see it, more people will be spending more time at home or around the home. Home improvements versus selling and upgrading are still big. However, if you are thinking of selling, STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE is very important. You need to get every dollar you can for your house when selling. Having PRE-SALE inspections for problems like mold growth, moisture intrusion, pest issues and structural problems will be very important BEFORE listing your house. "An ounce of prevention" is the line that comes to mind.
Calling SERVPRO of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY for moisture and visual microbial growth inspections. Our contact info is on our webpage.
Secondly, pest inspections are the other major recommendation. Calling BUDGET PEST SOLUTIONS will get you an honest and thorough inspection at a reasonable price. Should there be any issues, JOHN BOUDREAU has the ability to not only treat the problem, but fix the damage done by those pests. Call John at (413) 385-0065 for a preventative inspection, Real Estate Inspection, or solutions to what's "buggin" you.
Finally, if you are thinking of selling, and don't have a realtor yet, you need to contact JOHN PEDRO, PEDRO REAL ESTATE, for a home analysis and to list your property. JOHN has been a realtor for over 20 years I believe (or MORE), and knows his stuff. He is a straight shooter and will get your property moved for the right price. John can be reached at (413)547-8781.
Either of the two JOHN's can help you should the spring thing be to sell or buy or just plain old tune up the home, oh yeah, along with SERVPRO OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, YOUR cleaning solution.
Until next time, this is Kevin signing off.
All winter long I have been going on and going on about ice dams, frozen pipes, furnace malfunctions and fire hazards, now that things seem to be on the upturn what could possibly be next? Well, there is plenty when it comes to your homes. The recent economic downturn and tightening of the wallets certainly doesn't spell good news in general, but as I see it, more people will be spending more time at home or around the home. Home improvements versus selling and upgrading are still big. However, if you are thinking of selling, STAGING YOUR HOME FOR SALE is very important. You need to get every dollar you can for your house when selling. Having PRE-SALE inspections for problems like mold growth, moisture intrusion, pest issues and structural problems will be very important BEFORE listing your house. "An ounce of prevention" is the line that comes to mind.
Calling SERVPRO of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY for moisture and visual microbial growth inspections. Our contact info is on our webpage.
Secondly, pest inspections are the other major recommendation. Calling BUDGET PEST SOLUTIONS will get you an honest and thorough inspection at a reasonable price. Should there be any issues, JOHN BOUDREAU has the ability to not only treat the problem, but fix the damage done by those pests. Call John at (413) 385-0065 for a preventative inspection, Real Estate Inspection, or solutions to what's "buggin" you.
Finally, if you are thinking of selling, and don't have a realtor yet, you need to contact JOHN PEDRO, PEDRO REAL ESTATE, for a home analysis and to list your property. JOHN has been a realtor for over 20 years I believe (or MORE), and knows his stuff. He is a straight shooter and will get your property moved for the right price. John can be reached at (413)547-8781.
Either of the two JOHN's can help you should the spring thing be to sell or buy or just plain old tune up the home, oh yeah, along with SERVPRO OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, YOUR cleaning solution.
Until next time, this is Kevin signing off.
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