Basic but Important Safety Tips

Name: SERVPRO of Lawrence
Address: 8 Blakelin St, Lawrence, MA, 01842
Telephone: (978) 688-2242

12/17/2021 (Permalink)

Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.

Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

“Fire prevention and fire safety planning are two very different things,” said Gregg. “Fire prevention planning helps control or eliminate the causes of a fire. Fire safety planning helps prevent injury and loss of life when a fire does break out. To protect your family and your property, you need both.”

For more fire prevention and fire safety tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, please visit our website. For more information on SERVPRO® of Lawrence, please contact Nicole Shepley at 978-688-2242 office@SERVPROoflawrence.com.

About SERVPRO® Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO® Franchise System is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 1,700 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO® System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.

Simple Fire Tips

12/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Lawrence is a restoration specialist that highlights the difference between fire prevention planning with fire safety planning. We have proudly served Lawrence, Methuen, and Dracut, MA for the last 40 years recover from fire damages to their home.

The holidays are approaching and many families are finalizing plans for elaborate meals, get-togethers with friends, and decorating with festive lights. Amidst all this planning, SERVPRO® of Lawrence reminds homeowners that they may be overlooking the most crucial plan they can make—a fire safety plan.

“Each year, statistics show the incidence of home cooking and candle fires peaks during the holiday season. This tends to focus homeowners on fire prevention precautions—and that’s a good thing,” said Gregg White, owner of SERVPRO® of Lawrence. “But to truly protect your family from the dangers of a home fire, at the holidays and throughout the year, you need to start with a fire safety plan. Developing a fire safety plan and practicing it regularly with your family is the most important step you can take to help prevent a house fire from turning into a devastating tragedy.”

SERVPRO is a national leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services, and their disaster response professionals know from experience how devastating a home fire can be. They also know that when fire causes a loss of life, there is no “remediation” possible. This is why SERVPRO has teamed up with the American Red Cross by supporting the ARC Disaster Responder program, and in particular the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign. As a Disaster Responder, SERVPRO pledges dollars and support in advance to help the ARC develop and distribute educational materials and respond immediately when they are needed. encourages all -area homeowners to follow these fire safety guidelines, developed by the ARC through their Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, to help minimize injury or loss of life due to a residential fire.

Install the right number of smoke alarms . Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.

Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.

Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.

Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire” to alert everyone they must get out.

SERVPRO of Lawrence's Goal...

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

Our goal at SERVPRO of Lawrence is to save as much of your impacted property as possible, on every disaster. When assessing damage to your home or business after a fire, flood, storm, etc., our team will determine what can be cleaned and saved, such as furniture, contents, and structural materials. This allows you as the business or home owner to get your life back faster and with much less interruption.

Why restoration?

Restoration is much more cost-efficient than replacement. Sanding and refinishing our original hardwood floors will have a lot less impact on your wallet versus having to replace that floor and lose the original charm.

Offers you peace of mind. Many items cannot be replaced, such as important documents, antique furniture, and family heirlooms. SERVPRO of Lawrence always walks through the property right from the start to ensure that old worn out teddy bear gets the treatment it needs to bring to back to preloss condition!
Saves time. No one enjoys having their kitchen or bathroom torn apart. Let SERVPRO restore!
It’s the preferred method of insurance companies. Insurance policies often have limits that cap the amount of a claim.
Better for the environment. Everything that is ripped up and taken away needs to go somewhere.

If you find yourself in the middle of disaster, our trained, certified professionals are just a phone call away. We are available 24/7/365 and we work with your insurance company to manage the process and paperwork. SERVPRO of Lawrence would love the opportunity to work with you to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Staying Thankful...

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

The holiday season is upon us! Although this Thanksgiving felt very different for many of us, we should not lose hope for better days ahead and count our blessing. Everyone at SERVPRO has continued to work around the clock to keep our community feeling thankful and jolly this season, while practicing social distance celebrations!! COVID-19 has changed the way we do business but hasn’t changed our values. We are so proud to be able to donate cleaning and remediation services to many wonderful charities and businesses, and organizations this holiday season. So many of these local business have been hit hard by COVID, and once again SERVPRO is here to help make their Covid problem, "Like it never even happened."

We are proud to have partnered with the following organization to help keep everyone safe and healthy!

-Boys and Girls Club of Greater Salem, NH

- Exchange Club of Salem, NH

- Salem Animal Rescue League

- Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce

- City of Lawrence

- Windham Academy, Windham, NH

- Greater Lawrence Community Action Council

Please keep us in mind for all your cleaning and remediation needs! SERVPRO of Lawrence 978.688.2242

We Love our Customers!!

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

Here is some unbelievable feedback we received from a homeowner we we luckily enough to help. Thanks to all our staff who make SERVPRO proud!

"Not sure where to start about how great these guys are. Our water line on our refrigerator leaked causing a great deal of damage to our home. Everything from our kitchen, bathroom and dining room floors had to go. The basement was completely ruined. Drop down ceiling and carpets both had to go along with some sheet rock. My insurance company dispatched SERVPRO and Kevin who is one of the field managers showed up. We went over the damages and he gave me his course of action. I signed some things giving them the approval to work and he was on his way. I called him the next day with a great deal of concern of the smell coming from the basement and spreading through the house. He was able to find time in their crazy schedule to get guys out here with a dehumidifier and an air filter machine. Every time I have called Kevin he has either answered his phone, called me right back, or shot me a quick text if he was tied up. Never did a call go out where I didn’t hear back from him within a few minutes. I even texted once around 6 to see if he was still working because I had a small issue and he took care of it no questions asked.

D Day aka demo day. Izzy shows up with another individual to start the demo. He goes through the entire plan that Kevin put together and their course of action. Where do you want me to start he asked? What is less inconvenient for you? Every time something came up or he moved onto another project, he would come get me and show me what they did such as spraying anti microbial, and removing this and that, etc. These guys get two 15 min breaks. They didn’t take them. They hustled through. Kevin stopped by and couldn’t believe how much they got done. He would inform me when he’s going to lunch and when he would be back. He always kept me up to date on what the next plan would be and how he was going to do it. My contractor stopped by and had some questions which the answers were unknown to me. Izzy came upstairs and answered every one of them spelling out the plan he had. Izzy and his partner were phenomenal. After they left for the day I noticed that there was an opening downstairs that I was afraid of getting critters coming in. I texted Kevin, he said no problem he would take care of it…. He did. The next day the guys showed up with stuff to block it off.

Every time I had a question, needed something, or simply wanted reassurance…. Kevin was there. I literally cannot express how much gratitude I have towards him and the serv pro staff. I will recommend you guys for anyone that may be needing assistance."

Call us at 978.688.2242 if SERVPRO can help you!

Protecting your Dracut, MA business with these Dos & Don'ts!

11/16/2021 (Permalink)

Water is a vital element to our survival. We drink it, need it to shower and, to water our plants. We use it to wash clothes, clean bathtubs, and flush waste down the toilet. Just like when the power goes out, if we don’t have access to water, we are lost.

There as so many ways water can damage your home or business. A washing machine might overflow, a water heater might break, or a leaky pipe from the bathtub that has been slowly dripping for years has finally sent water gushing through two floors in your home. Now what?

Below are a few clean water do’s and don’ts to help put you at ease and limit the amount of damage. Do:

Shut off water at the source if possible. If not, contact a qualified party as soon as possible.
Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas only when access to the power source is safe from electrical shock.
Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
Remove to a safe, dry place, any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.

Don’t:

Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards my exist.
Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water.
Leave books, newspapers, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets to cause staining.
Leave oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

If your Dracut business suffers a water damage, we at SERVPRO^® of Lawrence are available 24/7 for emergency services. Call us at 978-688-2242 to schedule

Important and Easy Test

11/16/2021 (Permalink)

Fire alarms when properly installed and maintained are a proven method to saving lives in the case of a fire, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Carbon monoxide and fire can make for a deadly duo, installing dual detectors makes it easier to protect yourself against both. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have sensing technologies that work together to detect fires and the odorless, colorless, tasteless gas known as CO – the silent killer.

Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Follow this link for a complete 14 step outline for safely and effectively testing your fire/ smoke detectors. How do test a smoke detector.

In larger commercial buildings, hard wired or wireless smoke alarms offer benefits some time saving and ease of use. These alarms do not need to be tested as often and are interconnected throughout the entire building if smoke is detected in just one area (NFPA).

If you need assistance installing, testing or changing batteries in your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross.

Be sure your home or workplace has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills. For more information on emergency preparedness, contact SERVPRO^® of Lawrence at 978-688-2242. Happily serving Methuen, Dracut, and Lawrence MA.

Cold Weather coming to Dracut, MA

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home or business in Dracut, MA, if you are not properly prepared. Whether it is heavy rain, freezing temperatures, damaging winds, sleet or snow, all can cause serious property damage. While you can't control the weather, you can take steps to be prepared, and help take the sting out of winter weather. Cold weather brings out cold, flu and other COVID-19 symptoms. SERVPRO of Lawrence can help with all your cleaning and disinfecting needs as well as water damage restoration!

To help prevent costly damages due to weather, consider taking the following precautions before winter weather hits.

Check your home for downed tree limbs. Weather, such as wind, heavy rain, ice and snow, can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries.
Roofs, water pipes and gutters should all be inspected to ensure they are in proper order. Gutter downspouts should be directed away from your Clear gutters of debris that may have gathered during the fall. Leaves and other obstructions can lead to a damming effect, causing roof damage and interior water problems.
Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard.
Inspect all hand rails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present.
Protect water pipes from freezing by simply allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open allowing warm inside air to circulate around the pipes. If the building has outdoor faucets, consider shutting water off at the main valve in the basement or crawl space. Once the valve is off, open the outdoor faucet to ensure it drains, preventing any remaining water from freezing in the pipe

SERVPRO^® of Lawrence is here to help you when disaster strikes. We are only a all away, 978-688-2242.

Important Fall Tips

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Here are the final tips to helping you and your home in Methuen, MA safe this fall!

15 Simple Fall Preparation Tips

Prepare your entryway for mud and snow
Having a place to store wet jackets and boots is a way to ensure it won’t make it into the house, causing more cleanup work for you.
Inspect your rook for leaks
There is nothing worse for a homeowner than a leaking roof. To help keep small issues from turning into bigger disasters, inspect your roof using binoculars, to check for damaged or missing shingles. Also make sure your gutters are flowing freely of sticks and leaves.
Check your walkways and foundation
Damaged walkways, driveways, and steps are a hazard year-round, but their dangers are compounded when the weather turns cold and icy. Fixing problems in the fall is also critical to preventing bigger. More expensive headaches come springtime.
Check windows and doors for drafts
Remove screens and replace with storm windows/doors if you use them. Check seals around all doors and windows and caulk/insulate if necessary.
Organize the shed
Move summer items to the back and winter stuff up front for better access. Doing this early will be helpful if snow or ice show up sooner than expected.
Leaf removal
Rake and remove leaves from the yard in the fall to help save you a step in the spring. Check with your local city or town for requirements and pick up schedules.
Turn off outdoor faucets and store hoses
Disconnect and drain any outside hoses you have used over the spring/summer to water gardens and lawns. Shut off exterior faucets to help prevent frozen pipes if a deep freeze were to occur in your area.

We at SERVPRO^® of Lawrence hope you find these tips helpful. 978-688-2242

Fall Tips part 2

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

5 Simple Fall Preparation Tips

The cooler mornings and nights mixed with warmer days makes for wonderful color changes in Lawrence, Methuen, and Dracut, MA. While you are out leaf peeping, enjoy cider donuts, and picking pumpkins your home will also need some attention to ensure its ready for the cold on the horizon. The weather can change quickly, and a bit of preparation now could save you from aggregation and costly repairs later.

Below are 15 items for you to consider when preparing your home for fall.

Reprogram the thermostat
Keep the house warm when people are active, but don’t be afraid to lower the temperature when the family is sleeping or at work/school for the day.
Remove air conditioner(s)
If you do not have the luxury of central air conditioning, be sure to remove any window units you placed in the windows over the hot summer. This will eliminate the cooler air from entering your home causing your heating source to work harder.
Close the pool
If you have a pool and close it when the temperature drops, schedule a service or if you are handy, buy the supplies and do it yourself.
Clean your furnace and replace the filters
Check your furnace for soot, and pilot light health. This is also a great time to switch out your filters; clean air is important when the house is closed for winter.
Inspect your fireplace and have it cleaned
If you have a fireplace and plan on using it as the weather turns colder, have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional.
Insulate your pipes for the winter
As temperatures drop below freezing, standing water in your pipes can start to freeze. By adding foam covers you can help insulate and protect your pipes.
Clean and prepare your outdoor furniture
Clean and store seasonal outdoor furniture in a safe place. Cover with a tarp to protect it from snow, ice, and cold. If you have removable cushions, consider storing them indoors to help them last longer.
Check your water heater
Your water heater has a lot of work to doin fall and winter. If you haven’t inspected your water heater lately, it may be time to clean it out or have it serviced. Overtime, it can get loaded with sediment, or other problems may arise that reduce its efficiency.

Stay tuned for the other tips to follow!! In the meantime - call SERVPRO of Lawrence with any further questions 978.688.2242

Certified Makes a Difference

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lawrence is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Lawrence

SERVPRO of Lawrence 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 and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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.

Meet Our Crew

Certifications

Continued Importance of Cleaning and Disinfecting

9/24/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we at SERVPRO of Lawrence are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

Kitchen/Food Areas
Bathrooms
Schools/Classrooms
Offices
Retail Spaces
Water Fountains
Shelving/Racks
Sales Counters
Carpets and Rugs
Stair Handrails
Elevator Cars
Playground Equipment
Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Lawrence 978.688.2242

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/

Why you Should leave your Dracut Home to the Pros!

9/22/2021 (Permalink)

In today’s competitive environment, it is vital to be seen as a great service provider. SERVPRO^® of Lawrence can help ensure complete customer satisfaction and treat the customers and their contents with the utmost respect. We work hard to help you be the hero to your customers.

SERVPRO^® of Lawrence understands the importance of maintaining property value and will work hard to minimize the damage and restore the property to its preloss condition, which may ultimately mean a higher resale value and higher commission on the sale.

An independent study conducted by C&R Research, a third party research company, concludes, “We have seen that the appearance of SERVPRO^® is reassuring to the homeowners. Its professional appearance and detailed explanations

tend to put the homeowners at ease and give them the feeling that their homes will be restored.

SERVPRO’s commitment, training and successful system has helped the Franchise System win Entrepreneur Magazine’s number one ranking in the restoration services category for the eight consecutive years.

SERVPRO^® understands that a customer’s home is often their most valuable asset and will work hard to help them protect their investment.

SERVPRO can be reached at 978.688.2242

Summer Safety Fun

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

Fires are still a concern even after all this constant rain!!

SERVPRO of Lawrence always puts safety as our #1 priority, whether it's on the job site or in our backyards. Every year Americans look forward to summer vacations, camping, family reunions, picnics, and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings fires and injuries due to fireworks and outdoor grills. Annually more than 8,000 Americans are injured by fireworks and grill fires. More than half these injuries occur during the first week of July. USFA's National Fire Data Center estimates that yearly outside cooking grills cause more than 6,000 fires, over 5 fatalities, more than 170 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.

Here are some Safety Fire Tips from SERVPRO of Lawrence:

Campfire Safety

• Build campfires where they will not spread, away from dry grass and leaves.

• Keep campfires small, and don't let them get out of hand.

• Keep plenty of water and a shovel around to douse the fire when you're done. Stir it and douse it again with water.

• Never leave campfires unattended.

Barbecue Safety

• Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the tubes - where the air and gas mix - are not blocked.

• Do not overfill the propane tank.

• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.

Remember to call SERVPRO of Lawrence at 978.688.2242 if you ever experience fire or smoke damage to your home or office building.

Your Business can Trust SERVPRO of Lawrence

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

In today’s competitive environment, it is vital to be seen as a great service provider. SERVPRO^® of Lawrence can help ensure complete customer satisfaction and treat the customers and their contents with the utmost respect. We work hard to help you be the hero to your customers.

SERVPRO^® of Lawrence understands the importance of maintaining property value and will work hard to minimize the damage and restore the property to its preloss condition, which may ultimately mean a higher resale value and higher commission on the sale.

An independent study conducted by C&R Research, a third party research company, concludes, “We have seen that the appearance of SERVPRO^® is reassuring to the homeowners. Its professional appearance and detailed explanations tend to put the homeowners at ease and give them the feeling that their homes will be restored.

SERVPRO’s commitment, training and successful system has helped the Franchise System win Entrepreneur Magazine’s number one ranking in the restoration services category for the eight consecutive years.

SERVPRO^® understands that a customer’s home is often their most valuable asset and will work hard to help them protect their investment.

Painting the town GREEN!

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

When speaking to SERVPRO clients, prospects and customers we get this question a lot; "What makes SERVPRO different than the competition?" SERVPRO's Storm Response is one of the biggest ways we separate ourselves.

Under the direction of SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division, our elite large-loss specialists are prequalified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster.

Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.

At SERVPRO, the difference is our ability to dispatch trained production professionals and cut costs through the strategic placement and oversight of temporary labor. Get the professionals, call SERVPRO of Lawrence 978.688.2242.

For more information on how SERVPRO's Storm response can benefit your home or business, visit our website. SERVPROLawrence.com

Happy to Serve Our Dracut, MA customers!

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

Working for SERVPRO, a leader in the water restoration and recovery industry, can be demanding. Having to deal with real life emergencies on a daily basis takes a toll on people. Its customers like the one featured below, that make all the challenges worth it and reminds us why we keep doing what we do; SERVPRO is HERE TO HELP!

A women called in to report a pipe break in her new home in Dracut, MA. She had just moved from Methuen, MA and was so upset that her new beautiful home has suffered a water damage. SERVPRO of Lawrence started the remediation process immediately and was able to dry everything in place without any extended demolition. This homeowner was so grateful for our timely response and expertise she sent a huge bouquet of flowers to our office as a personal thank you for our services.

Everyone at SERVPRO is so grateful to play even a small role in help home and business owners recover from damages caused by burst pipes or floods. No job is too big or small for SERVPRO of Lawrence. Please call us today at 978.688.2242 and ask about how we can help you!

Attention Pelham, NH home and business owners!

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

Business in and around Lawrence, Methuen and Dracut, MA and Pelham, NH know how traumatic a fire could be to their continued success. Damage to personal belongings, contents of the building, and structure are just one concern. Timely mitigation is the key to controlling damage, while reducing downtime and recovery costs. Here at SERVPRO® of Lawrence, we understand how disruptive fires can be for business owners, their tenants and even their customers. That is why we offer 24-hour emergency response. Our service response guidelines can help prevent fire and smoke damage from creating long-term problems.

Smoke alarm facts:

Install smoke alarms on every level of the business, including the basement if your building has one.
If your business has a kitchen, smoke alarms should be installed generally 10 feet from any cooking appliance
Test the smoke alarms once a month
When you change your clocks twice a year, change the batteries in the alarms also
Replace the device when it is ten years old

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Us Today – 978-688-2242

Full Service SERVPRO

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lawrence is so happy to be able to offer our commercial clients in Lawrence, Methuen, and Dracut, MA full service with the new addition of a reconstruction division! Many, if not all, of our clients are thrilled to learn we can now handle their claim from start, all the way to the finish line! This allows our customer to continue to great the same great service they are used to see on the mitigation side transition directly over to the repairs portion of the claim. Our recon team writes in the same estimating program as the insurance companies, making the process of getting your business reopened as painless and smooth as possible. SERVPRO is also continuing to offer excellent response times for our clients, setting our reconstruction division apart from many other general contractors that are booked solid months in advance!

Call SERVPRO of Lawrence today for any further information! 978.688.2242

SERVPRO of Lawrence, Celebrating Generations of Clean!

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

Always your first call when disaster strikes!

SERVPRO of Lawrence has been a family run business since it opened its doors in Windham, NH back in 1975. Our franchise moved to Lawrence, MA in 1985 and has been here ever since!

With over 100 combined years of knowledge and expertise, SERVPRO of Lawrence continues to lead our industry in cleaning and restoration services throughout the Merrimack Valley region. Our second generation ownership team was born and raised this community. Because of this, we are full aware of its strengths, challenges and its local people and businesses. It brings us some much joy to be able to help the schools that taught us, to serve the agents and adjusters who grow with us, and the homes we made memories in.

If working with a trained and certified firm is important to you, as well as supporting a local company - SERVPRO of Lawrence at 978.688.2242 is your only call!

Fire, Water, Mold, Reconstruction Services

A Clean Home Sells Faster

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

In today's real estate marketplace, you can have an edge with a reputation for having quality listings. You also want the ability to move a sale through quickly to get your commission. Presentation is everything.

SERVPRO of Lawrence professionals will inspect a property - including crawl spaces - to help determine the extent of water or mold damage and remove potentially harmful bacteria and odors.

So before you risk your buyer's health or the opportunity to close the sale of a property, call the local cleanup and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Lawrence at 978.688.2242 for a free personal walk through and quote.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, SERVPRO staff arrives on any and all inspects in personal protective equipment for the safety of all parties.

Call SERVPRO for all your Winter Needs!

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

WATER… that amazing property that can be a liquid, solid or a gas. We need water to wash dishes, do laundry, shower, cook… the list could go on and on. But in the winter when temperatures drop, that liquid can quickly turn to solid ice and cause havoc in our plumbing. Outlined below are the 3 main causes of frozen pipes as well as ways to prevent pipes from freezing when the bitter cold strikes.

The 3 main causes of frozen pipes are:

Quick drops in temperature
Poor insulation
Thermostat too low

Quick drops in temperature

We can’t control Jack Frost but we can take actions to prevent pipes from bursting when he puts us under a cold spell. Did you know a frozen garden hose can actually burst an indoor pipe? When the water in the hose freezes, it expands, increasing pressure throughout the whole plumbing system. Garden hoses should be disconnected, drained, and stored before the first freeze.

Close the interior shut-off valve leading to outside faucets, open and drain the spigot, and install a faucet insulator. Don’t forget, outdoor kitchens need winterizing, too, to prevent damage.

Poor Insulation

Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing so be sure to insulate pipes in your attic or crawl space even if you live where freezing is uncommon. Consider installing products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve," "heat tape," or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes.

Thermostat too low

Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By momentarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.

If you are planning to head south for the winter, make sure the furnace is set to no lower than 55 degrees. Shut off the main water supply and drain the system by opening all faucets and flushing the toilets. In extreme situations (a vacation home in a bitterly cold climate), you may want to have a plumber come to inspect the system.

If you find yourself in the middle of disaster, our trained, certified professionals are just a phone call away. We are available 24/7/365 and we work with your insurance company to manage the process and paperwork. SERVPRO of Lawrence would love the opportunity to work with you to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Winter has just Arrived!

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

Although this cold season has felt mild for many of us in the northeast, winter isn't over yet! February has brought some big storms our way in the past so please stay prepared! When the snow flies, please follow these helpful tips to stay safe:

If you have to travel, please be careful when out and about as the roads may be slippery.
Leave the plows extra room to help take care of our roads.
Keep a few extra car lengths between you and other travelers just in case anyone needs to stop quickly
Keep your gas tank at least 1/2 full to avoid freezing lines
Accelerate slowly to maintain traction on the roads
Take your time slowing down as sudden braking can cause slipping on ice.
AAA shares this tip: Don’t stop going up a hill. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

And as always, thank you to all of our emergency responders and utility workers who have to respond.

Please stay safe if you have to travel and as always, if you can, stay home.

For more on the local weather in and around Lawrence and Methuen.

Storm Health and Safety Tips

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Winter time in and around Lawrence, Methuen and Dracut can be very beautiful! It can also bring lots of weather hazards. Dressing in layers and taking steps to each your body properly fuel should ensure you can enjoy all that winter has to offer!

1. Wear layers - Many layers trap more heat in than just a big jacket alone

2. Hat and Gloves - Most of the body's heat loss occurs in these extremities so keep them covered.

3. Stay Dry - Water compounds any cold weather situation and dramatically speeds up heat loss. For example, wet feet loss heat 25 times faster than dry feet.

4. Take a break = take frequent, short breaks in a warm dry shelter to let your body heat up.

5. Feed! - Eating warm, high calorie foods will give your body the energy it needs to create body heat. Pasta, warm sugar water/sports drinks, etc.

Stay Safe and Warm! Keep COVID common sense in mind as well by always washing your hands with soap for 20 seconds!!

Want more helpful tips. Call us at 978.688.2242

Be Prepped before the Storm

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

At this point most New Englanders know how to handle the big winter storms. We rush to the grocery store to get milk and bread because we are all convinced we will be in our house for days on end! The storms that bring feet of snow to our area, no school for days, and state of emergency to keep nonessential personal off the roads. You could lose power, which could cause food spoilage or frozen pipes… and let’s not forget if there is a quick warm up right behind it, you could experience flooding. The nice thing about these larger storms is that they give us time to prepare.

BUT what about the smaller storms? The ones that only bring a coating, inch or two of sleet, snow or ice? The ones that they always say won’t cause much of an impact?

Did you know these smaller, less significant storms can actually cause a greater impact to your home and business? Why? Because we don’t prepare as much. We are told they won’t be as big so we tend not to stress as much and let our guard down. Four wheel drive can plow through anything right… wrong!

So... what can you do?

Have a list of your vendors and an emergency ready profile (ERP) completed on your business as an additional add to your continuity plan. It saves you time, in the event this “insignificant storms” turns out to be a really big deal.
Just because there is a storm coming, your business operations cannot come to a halt. Set clear expectations for those in authority as well as non-critical employees in the event an emergency does occur. Is your emergency plan communicated by text, email, or phone call? Is everyone aware of this? It may also be beneficial to subscribe to and send out public transportation updates so no employees are left stranded at your office. Likewise is it acceptable for your employees to arrive late or leave early to ensure their safety?
With smaller storms we tend to not walk the perimeter of our business to inspect for damage or ice accumulation. By not doing this, it can lead to larger issues down the road or worse, a customer becoming injured. It is always a good practice no matter how large or small the storm might be to inspect your property and document everything. You never know when your insurance may need that information.

In the end, the size of the storm shouldn’t matter. As business owners preparation is key no matter what Mother Nature has up her sleeve. Contact your sales and marketing representative to learn more about the emergency ready profile (ERP) and how it could benefit your business. Call us with more information 978.688.2242

Commercial Need - Call us First!

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

When fire or water damage puts the things that matter most on the line, you need the very best help on the line as well. That’s why knowing the easiest ways to contact SERVPRO^® of Lawrence is so vital. Just go to our website on your mobile phone or call 978-688-2242 to get the team that’s faster to any size disaster. We’re a leader in giving control back to homeowners, property managers, and even entire communities after the devastating effects of water or fire. So whether you’re responsible for 1,000 square feet or 100,000 – be ready for the worst with the very best.

Here are 8 reasons why your company should get an Emergency Ready Profile^®today on every one of your buildings.

A no-cost assessment of your facility.
A concise Profile document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
Establishes your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.

SERVPRO^® of Lawrence is part of a Franchise System that has more than 50 years of leadership in cleanup and restoration. Our track record of results has earned us the trust of the insurance industry, countless homeowners, and in one unforgettable instance, even the Pentagon. We are quietly taking to the streets, every hour of every day, proving that whenever there is a house full of water or an office full of smoke, there is also a van full of clean.

Flooded Basement, Make SERVPRO of Lawrence your first call!

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Lawrence, Methuen, or Dracut basement could flood, including:

A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
Storm sewer backup

Sanitary sewer backup

Foundation drainage failure
Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 978-688-2242

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Lawrence and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
Our Technicians are Highly-Trained in Water Restoration Techniques
We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Call us for assistance in cleaning your flooded basement at 978-688-2242

Severe Storm - What you need to know.

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Severe weather can happen at anytime, anywhere. Each year, people in the US deal with many different types of intense storms. Here are the averages:

10,000 severe thunderstorms

5,000 floods or flash floods

1,300 tornadoes

2 landfalling deadly hurricanes

About 98% of all government declared disasters as weather related, leading to around 650 deaths per years and nearly $15 billion in damages according to noaa.gov. Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.

What is the difference between WATCH vs. WARNING?

Watch: Conditions are favorable for severe weather. Remain alert for further warnings.

Warning: Severe weather has been spotted or indicted by radar. Take cover immediately.

Practice Fire Safety this Holiday Season

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Stay Safe this Holiday season!!

The Holiday’s are upon us! With that comes family, fun and unfortunately some fire hazards. Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires each year. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.

Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires each year. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.

Be sure to keep your tree watered so it doesn’t dry out, and if it does get rid of it ASAP.
Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet from any type of heat source (fireplace, space heater, radiator, or candles).
Read the instructions on your Christmas tree lights so you are not over the recommended amount to connect for safety.

And, let’s not forget our furry friends. They are part of the family too! Before you leave your Salem, NH home remember these items.

Securely anchor your tree so it doesn’t tip over and fall causing harm to your pet
Mistletoe and Holly are beautiful to decorate with but they are actually toxic to your four legged friend. You could always opt for artificial plants keeping the season bright and your pet safe
Keep lights and ornaments out of your pets reach.

We want to wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season filled with joy, love and peace.

Sincerely,

SERVPRO® of Lawrence

Simple Tips to Protect Yourself from the Dangers of Fire