Recent Posts

Mold in Lincoln University

3/14/2024 (Permalink)

Mold can take many forms and can often be a hidden enemy, hiding behind walls or in the corners of your property.  When it comes to mold, the key is to act quickly to prevent further damage.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford recently responded to a home in Lincoln University where mold damage was discovered.  The homeowner had returned from vacation to find mold had formed in the corner of the fireplace.  Upon arrival, our team will discuss any pertinent info with you regarding the mold growth.  Each mold situation has its own traits, and we work to understand the most effective approach for each project.    

Our mold remediation process will then provide the necessary steps to eliminate the mold spores on all affected surfaces.  We utilized our HEPA vacuums to treat the compromised areas.  This equipment captures and removes harmful particles that can pose a health risk to those who are exposed to the mold.

Our professionals also utilize our advanced air scrubbers to help remove even more particles from the air in the space.  Through the use of containment barriers, we prevent mold exposure in unaffected areas of the property.

Once our remediation process is complete and all surfaces and affected content have been properly cleaned and restored, we leave a property much healthier than when we first stepped foot inside.  Often during this process, mold-infested structural elements such as the drywall and baseboards must be removed, but our reconstruction department is always just a call away to put everything back together!

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides mold damage services in order to make any extent of damage “Like it never even happened.”   Our team is equipped to act quickly and immediately when it counts!

Are You Prepared For Spring?

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

Life can get messy.  When it comes to stains, dusty HVAC ducts or otherwise worn down surfaces in need of a refresh, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can handle that mess for you!  Spring also brings its own risks of property damage.  Below, we list some of the ways that you can help to prevent property damage this spring!

  • Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Spring is the perfect time to make sure that everything is running smoothly and that your systems are intact in the event of an emergency.
  • Have your air conditioning system inspected and cleaned.  Replace the filter in your air conditioning unit to eliminate the particles flowing through your system and into the air.  A new filter will also prolong the length of your system’s efficiency.
  • Clean your ducts and dryer vent.  The dirt and dust in your ducts can build up over time while it circulates throughout your home in the air you breathe.  Lint and other debris will eventually build up in your dryer vent, potentially leading to fire damage if not properly removed.
  • Clean your gutters.  A clogged drainage system means that the water could end up in your property, rather than flowing away from it.  Clear the areas of leaves and other debris, and make sure that water isn’t collecting around your foundation.
  • Inspect the structure for any issues after the long winter.  Do you have missing roof tiles or damaged siding?  These issues should be repaired before they become a bigger concern, especially with the rainy season ahead.
  • Make the necessary repairs to all windows and doors.  By sealing any cracks, this will prevent moisture from entering the property that can cause mold as the temperature rises.

Our certified professionals are ready for spring!  We are specifically trained in a variety of cleaning methods in addition to water and mold damage procedures that are often needed due to the rain and moisture that arises.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can handle each form of damage from day one to help resolve your particular matter!

Preparing For The Storm!

2/1/2024 (Permalink)

Although flooding disasters like we have experienced recently can often be unexpected to our customers, one way to stay ahead and remain prepared is to follow your local news stations frequently for updates.  These also come in handy during and after a storm for following the proper safety guidelines when leaving your home.

Other ways you can help to prevent storm damage after a major weather event include the following:

  • Inspect your property.  Damaged structural components should be repaired immediately.  Missing roof tiles, broken gutters and foundation issues can all lead to a much larger issue after rain or flooding.
  • Seal your doors and windows.  This will help to prevent moisture as well as water damage.
  • Check your sump pump.  Ensure that the system is working properly and have a battery backup installed. This can save you the stress when a power outage occurs.
  • Make sure that your water is draining away from your property, rather than pooling around it where it will potentially find its way in.
  • Clear your gutters and downspouts of debris.
  • Trim any loose tree branches or limbs that could break in strong winds.
  • Speak with your insurance provider on your flood coverage. Some policies do not cover this.
  • In the event of a power outage, have an emergency kit ready with supplies including blankets, flashlights, batteries, and non-perishables.
  • Stay alert to your local news source, and never attempt to drive through high water. Stay inside and wait out the storm until your local authorities say that it is safe.

As winter continues and more storms arise, please stay diligent.  In the event that you suffer any extent of storm damage, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is on standby 24/7!

Heavy Winds and Rain Bring Severe Storm Damage!

1/17/2024 (Permalink)

Our area has suffered a few large storms recently, leading to severe flooding in Chester County and the surrounding areas.  During each of these weather events, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford received an influx of calls for help with water and structural damage due to the heavy rain and downed trees.

During the most recent storm, the wind gusts had reached up to 50 mph, causing trees to collapse onto homes.  Hundreds of power lines were damaged, resulting in fire damage to several properties.  As the heavy downpour gained momentum, properties located closer to creeks and rivers experienced even more storm damage.  In Downingtown, the Brandywine Creek almost reached the peak of a major flood disaster.

In addition, over 60,000 power outages were reported in Chester County alone, while over 221,000 were reported overall from PECO.  During the extreme weather, emergency personnel were called out to sixteen water rescues.  Many vehicles were left trapped in the flooding as the storm continued.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford has worked day and night during each of the recent storms to help assist those with extreme storm damage.  Our franchise assists our local customers with the entire storm damage restoration process, including with tarping a damaged roof and the tree removal process.  We provide reconstruction services to the water-damaged areas once mitigation is complete.  In addition, our team will help you to discover the source of any leaks and provide content cleaning for the salvageable items affected.  Often, we can even save some of the water-damaged documents that are not too severely affected.

Should you have suffered any form of storm damage during our region’s storms, feel free to give us a call!  We can help guide you towards the next steps to take in order to get the issue handled immediately!

Preventing Fire Damage with Dryer Vent Cleaning!

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford provides more than fire and water damage cleanup!  We also provide a variety of cleaning services such as dryer vent cleaning!

When dirt and lint significantly builds up in your dryer, this can potentially lead to a fire.  Our team strives to help homes and businesses prevent fire damage from occurring in the first place by providing this cleaning necessity to the community!  We often offer this service when we perform duct cleaning for a property.

Dryer vents should be cleaned annually, but this can also depend on how much you use the system or if you have pets in your home since that pet hair will build up much faster.  Commercial laundromats may need this service more frequently as well.  Should you become frustrated by how long it takes to fully dry your clothes, this could be a sign that a dryer vent cleaning is needed.  Another sign of a dryer issue is when clothes are hot to the touch once the cycle is complete.

Should you need a dryer vent cleaning, our cleaning professionals at SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can remove the buildup to help unclog your system.  Once the excess lint, pet hair or dirt is removed, please remember to continue to remove the lint after each cycle and look for any additional signs of dryer failure.

Should fire damage occur due to a buildup, our restoration team can help with that as well!  Our IICRC cleaning and restoration procedures allow us to help restore a property to preloss conditions with little to no downtime for those involved!  Give us a call to learn more about how we can assist you with your particular cleaning or fire damage needs!

Water Leak Causes Ceiling and Mold Damage

12/11/2023 (Permalink)

After a slow water leak in this Coatesville home’s basement, the buildup of water eventually caused the ceiling to start falling in addition to causing mold damage.  One of our local insurance offices asked for our assistance with the damages.  Once the leak was fixed, our team visited the home to perform the proper water damage restoration services.

After containing the basement from the rest of the home, the process began with demolition of the affected areas where we tore out the wet insulation and drywall.  Water mitigation was performed, followed by our HEPA treatment.  Our HEPA vacuums are highly resourceful in removing particles such as mold spores from a contained area.

Our air scrubbers were also set for several days.  These negative air machines are used to clean the air in areas affected by mold and other contaminants.  During this process, air pressure is lower in one area of a structure than another, and the air is removed from the space.  The air pressure paired with our containment of the mold-infested areas helps to prevent any harmful spores from entering the safe areas of a home or business.

Additional techniques for keeping everyone involved safe include our anti-microbial cleaning solution for all affected surfaces, including the content involved.  SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford’s team is provided with full PPE to help protect them from any dangerous contaminants.  Our full-face respirator and Tyvek suits help prevent any particles from making contact with the skin.

These safety procedures are followed on our many mold remediation projects.  Once this particular project was complete, our Reconstruction Department completed the restoration process by re-installing the drywall and insulation in addition to painting those interior areas to make it look good as new!

Supporting Our Fire Departments!

11/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is proud to support our local first responders!  We recently were invited to several open houses for our local fire departments, including Po-Mar-Lin Fire Company in Unionville, Union Fire Company in Oxford, and Longwood Fire Company in Kennett Square.

During each of these events, the fire departments educated and informed those who attended on fire safety with some apparatus for the public to view.  These family friendly events are always a great way to welcome the community into what our firefighters do, and we were grateful to be a part of it!

During Longwood Fire Company’s open house, their volunteer firefighters demonstrated how to safely remove an injured driver from a vehicle that has been involved in a major accident.  Several members of the department removed the doors and top of the car onsite to rescue the driver inside.  This was a unique and educational way to show the community how much our first responders go through on a daily basis to help others.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is a proud supporter of our police and fire departments in Chester County.  We are grateful for their dedication to the communities they serve, so we strive to give back whenever possible!

Fire Damage in Historic Oxford

10/17/2023 (Permalink)

Oxford suffered a devastating fire that destroyed several businesses along their historic Main Street.  Approximately 90 people were displaced from their homes as well.  Along with many members of the Oxford community, we are saddened to see so many families and historic buildings affected by the fire.

Our fire damage restoration team was able to get onsite immediately with the fire departments that night to help in any way that we could.  The next day, we put up fencing to secure the street before the cleanup process could begin.  We are currently in the initial process of completing fire cleanup services for several of the businesses affected.  This includes smoke removal to those buildings that were less affected, but still experiencing damage from remnants of the fire.

Our fire damage cleanup professionals will work to restore the Oxford district as best as possible as the families and business owners continue to slowly get their lives back to normal.  We are so grateful to see the astounding generosity of the community as well.  Since the fire occurred, residents and organizations have stepped up to donate to those affected.  At this time, over $90,000 has been collected!!

Preventing Mold with the Summer Heat!

9/8/2023 (Permalink)

With the heat of the summer comes a greater chance of humidity and moisture.  This makes areas of our home or business more prone to grow mold.  A property with poor ventilation also restricts the amount of air flow that helps to keep the areas cool.  In these situations, condensation becomes a concern for mold.  Preventative actions you can take to prevent mold include the following:

Keep Humidity In Tact: Keep your home or facility cool.  Make sure there are no openings between your doors and windows to allow warm air to escape into the property.

Circulate Air: Vents should be consistently carrying the air throughout your home to maintain comfortable temperatures and lessen the risk of moisture.  Ensure that your HVAC system is clean and running properly.

Clean Up: Regularly cleaning areas such as your window sills and shower will prevent bacteria and other elements from building up to form mold.  Walls and ceilings with moisture should also be cleaned often to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Clean Appliances: Clean your dishwasher and laundry machine to reduce the risk of moldy bacteria.

Inspect: Look for signs of leaks or water damage.  Areas such as your roof, attic and basement are good places to start!  Should you have an odd or unfavorable smell in those areas, it could mean mold is present.

When you suspect mold, SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford can visit your property to assess the areas, determine the best plan of action and perform mold removal services.  Before getting overwhelmed with what to do next, give us a call to lift the burden off of your shoulders!

Fire Damage Restoration in Coatesville

8/23/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford is continuing the fire damage restoration process for one of our local homeowners in Coatesville.  After a fire erupted on this property late one night, we rushed out to help!  Our local boardup partner was called out immediately to secure the scene until further notice.

Our fire damage restoration team then began the process of restoring the home to preloss conditions.  This includes removing any valuables that could be saved, demolishing the damaged structural components of the home without risking the integrity of the structure itself, cleaning and restoring content, and the reconstruction of the property.

SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford handles each fire loss with care and with our client’s needs and concerns in mind.  Our goal is to make each traumatic disaster “Like it never even happened” while striving to make the entire process as less overwhelming as possible for those involved!