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Understanding HVAC Puffbacks and Restoration Cleaning

10/17/2024 (Permalink)

Understanding HVAC Puffbacks and Restoration Cleaning

An HVAC puffback occurs when your heating system misfires, sending soot and smoke through the vents and leaving behind a messy, damaging residue. This can happen with oil-burning furnaces or boilers, but it may occur in other heating systems as well.

Signs of an HVAC Puffback

  1. Soot on Surfaces: Black or gray soot around vents and on walls.
  2. Unusual Noises: Loud bangs or “puffing” sounds when the heating system starts.
  3. Lingering Odors: Smells of smoke or oil.
  4. Uneven Heating: Your system may struggle to heat evenly.

Why You Need Professional Restoration

Puffback residue is sticky and acidic, meaning it can corrode surfaces over time. Cleaning this up yourself may smear the soot, causing permanent damage. Restoration professionals, like the team we have at SERVPRO Team Paparone, use specialized equipment and techniques to properly clean and restore the space, ensuring no long-term damage.

What to Do After a Puffback

  1. Turn Off the Heating System: Prevent further circulation of soot.
  2. Call a Restoration Professional: Experts like SERVPRO can assess the damage and perform safe, effective cleaning.
  3. Avoid DIY Cleaning: Incorrect methods can spread soot or cause stains.
  4. Fix the HVAC System: Have a professional inspect and repair the malfunctioning system to prevent future puffbacks.

The Restoration Process

  1. Soot and smoke damage is assessed.
  2. Surfaces are thoroughly cleaned.
  3. Ductwork is inspected and cleaned.
  4. Deodorization is performed to remove odors.

Conclusion

An HVAC puffback can cause extensive damage, but professional restoration services can restore your home or business to pre-damage condition. If you experience a puffback, act quickly and trust experts to handle the cleanup properly.

Fire Damage Insurance Coverage

7/3/2024 (Permalink)

Fire damage is typically covered under standard homeowners insurance policies. Homeowners insurance generally includes coverage for damage caused by fire, smoke, and the efforts to extinguish the fire, such as water damage from firefighting efforts.

Steps to Take After a Fire

  1. Ensure Safety: Make sure everyone is safe and that the fire is fully extinguished.
  2. Notify Your Insurance Company: Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to report the fire and start the claims process.
  3. Document the Damage: Take photos and make a list of the damage to your home and belongings.
  4. Make Temporary Repairs: If it is safe to do so, make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Keep receipts for any expenses incurred.
  5. Work with the Adjuster: An insurance adjuster will inspect the damage and help determine the amount of your claim. Be sure to provide them with all necessary documentation.
  6. CALL your local SERVPRO® for all cleanup restoration services following fire and water damage.

Fire damage is generally covered under standard homeowners insurance policies, which include dwelling, personal property, other structures, loss of use, and liability coverage. Understanding your policy’s limits, deductibles, and exclusions is essential to ensure you are adequately protected.

SERVPRO Team Paparone is here to help with the coordination of insurance companies and adjusters to make sure everything goes according to plan. We are faster to any disaster! 

Mold Growth!

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

There are many misconceptions out there about mold, so we here at SERVPRO® would like to help with some facts.  

Fungi and mold occur naturally in our environment.  In fact, over 100,000 kinds of fungi have been identified.  Some molds can actually produce useful things.  The unique flavor of blue cheese is a result of mold.  The lifesaving drug, penicillin, is a product of mold!

That said, some forms of mold can be harmful.  Excessive amounts of mold, different types of mold, and/or exposure to molds may present health concerns for some people.

Intrusion of water into your home of place of business can result in mold growth.  Water intrusions can be caused by storm damage, plumbing, equipment failures, and poor humidity control.  When water intrusions are not addressed right away, the resulting damage can present increased risk of harmful mold growth.  Some amount of mold spores are normally present in most environments.  If the humidity and moisture levels in a water-damaged environment are not promptly returned to normal, mold spores may grow and multiply. 

To avoid this and the possibility for further property damage, call SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale today!

The First 48 Hours are Crucial

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

The first 48 hours after a fire damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings.  SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale can help prevent fire damage from creating long-term problems. Our franchise provides timely response with mitigation services ranging from fire, smoke, and soot removal to contents claims inventory and document restoration.  These services help ensure your property, belongings and memories are restored to preloss condition when possible.

What You Can Do Until Help Arrives

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from spreading and additional damage from occurring.
  • Place clean towels or old linens on rugs and high traffic areas and upholstery.
  • Coat chrome faucets, trim and appliances with petroleum jelly or oil.
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.
  • Do not wash any walls or painted surfaces.
  • Do not shampoo carpet or upholstery.
  • Do not clean any electrical equipment.
  • Do not send clothing to a dry cleaner since improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

Freezing Pipe Season!

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

With the cold weather bearing down our necks, it raises concern about pipes freezing in homes and businesses. When pipes freeze it leaves a huge mess of water damage to your homes and businesses. That is when you call SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale to help you clean up the mess and fix the areas that were damaged from the water damage. Here at SERVPRO®, we make it our job to make sure that the customer is happy with the outcome of the job.

Here are a couple things that will help to prevent this disaster from happening:

  • Keep your home or apartment thermostat temperature set to at least 55 degrees.

  • Do not block heat to areas of your residence that contain plumbing or water fixtures. Keep doors open to bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and cabinets that contain pipes, especially those located on the north side of the dwelling, to expose the plumbing to warmer air inside the house.

  • Prevent drafts of cold winter air by keeping windows and storm windows closed. Repair cracks or holes around doors and windows to keep cold air from blowing in.

  • Cover pipes in unheated areas with heat tape or pipe insulation. Make sure heat tapes are properly installed and working safely.

  • If you plan to be away from your residence for an extended period of time, ask someone to check your house or apartment periodically. Show them what to do if water pipes freeze and where to locate your water shut-off valve in case of an emergency.

Puffbacks Can Be Messy!

10/2/2023 (Permalink)

Often times a ventilation system can be the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality.  We have found that our customers, whether residential or commercial, have a high regard for the health and safety of their families and employees.

They know that breathing dirty air can lead to many types of illnesses, or aggravates respiratory issues such as asthma or emphysema. 

Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold, and irritating dust throughout your home.  

If you're concerned with the purity of your air, give SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale a call today. Through the use of HEPA vacuums, roto-scrapers, air whipping, duct sealant, and filter replacement, SERVPRO Team Paparone is equipped to properly & professionally perform a clean sweep of your air ducts, removing years of dust and grime.  

Facts About Mold

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

There are many misconceptions out there about mold and our team is here to help you out! 

Fungi and mold occur naturally in our environment.  In fact, over 100,000 kinds of fungi have been identified.  Some molds can actually produce useful things.  The unique flavor of blue cheese is a result of mold.  The lifesaving drug, penicillin, is a product of mold!

That said, some forms of mold can be harmful.  Excessive amounts of mold, different types of mold, and/or exposure to molds may present health concerns for some people.

Intrusion of water into your home of place of business can result in mold growth.  Water intrusions can be caused by storm damage, plumbing, equipment failures, and poor humidity control.  When water intrusions are not addressed right away, the resulting damage can present increased risk of harmful mold growth.  Some amount of mold spores are normally present in most environments.  If the humidity and moisture levels in a water-damaged environment are not promptly returned to normal, mold spores may grow and multiply. 

To avoid this and the possibility of adverse health affects, call SERVPRO of Fox Chase/Torresdale today!

6 Tips to Protect Your Philly Home While on Vacation

7/20/2023 (Permalink)

Many people go on vacations during the summer months, leaving their properties unattended. SERVPRO is the #1 choice in restoration services to property owners, property managers, and vacation rental agencies. The need for routine inspections, maintenance, and restoration is very important to prevent any potential damage while the properties are vacant.

Here are some tips to make sure your property is taken care of while you’re relaxing! 

  • Secure doors and windows: Before leaving, double-check that all doors, windows, and entry points are securely locked. You don’t want water to make its way uninvited.
  • Inform trustworthy neighbors or friends about your vacation plans. Provide them with your contact information and ask them to keep an eye on your property. 
  • Maintain your property's exterior: Before leaving, ensure that your property's exterior is well-maintained. Trim trees and bushes, mow the lawn, and remove any potential hazards or debris that could cause damage during your absence.
  • Unplug non-essential appliances: To prevent electrical fires or power surges, unplug non-essential appliances, such as computers, TVs, and kitchen appliances. This also helps conserve energy while you're away.
  • Check water sources: Turn off the main water supply or shut off individual water valves to prevent leaks or flooding. Consider installing leak detection devices that can alert you to any water leaks or pipe bursts.
  • IF EMERGENCY OCCURS: Inform your security company and emergency contacts, such as SERVPRO of Langhorne/Bensalem. We are available 24/7.

Vacation is supposed to be a relaxing getaway from reality. Performing these tips and tricks will help your family have a stress-free trip!

Philadelphia Giant Calls SERVPRO for Flood Damage

7/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO vans infront of Giant Supermarket Philadelphia Giant floods from huge storm

All hands were on deck for this project.

The Greater Philadelphia area was hit with a huge storm that created a ton of damage throughout the tri-state. A local Giant Supermarket needed immediate emergency response from our team when the entire store flooded from the storm. Throughout the aisles and underneath the shelves, water found its way everywhere!

The most important thing to Giant management was getting the store operational, so they made a call to SERVPRO Team Paparone, and we coordinated all personnel, equipment, and drying documentation across multiple SERVPROs.

The store was able to open the next morning, pending a health inspection from the city!

REMEMBER: Response time to any size water damage is crucial!

9 Tips on Pet Fire Safety!

7/6/2023 (Permalink)

Saturday, July 15th is National Pet Fire Safety Day! It is important to include your furry family members into your emergency plan should a fire ever occur. You want to make sure they know their way out of the house during an emergency.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in the United States, an estimated 500,000 pets are affected by house fires annually, with a significant number suffering injuries or losing their lives. Here are some tips to keeping your pets safe during a fire emergency:

  1. Develop a clear and well-rehearsed evacuation plan that includes your pets. designate a meeting point outside where everyone, including your pets, can gather safely.
  2. Display pet alert window stickers: 
  3. Ensure that your pets wear collars with identification tags at all times.
  4. Pets can accidentally knock over candles, lamps, or space heaters, causing fires.
  5. Consider installing pet-specific fire alarms or detectors that can detect the unique frequencies of a pet's distress call.
  6. Take steps to minimize the risk of fires in your home. Don't leave pets unattended near open flames or hot appliances.
  7. Include essential supplies for your pets in an emergency kit, such as food, water, medications, and copies of vaccination records. Keep this kit easily accessible in case of an evacuation.
  8. Inform neighbors or nearby friends: 
  9. During a fire emergency, pets may become frightened and seek hiding spots. Be aware of their favorite hiding places and inform firefighters or rescue personnel about their likely locations. 

Show some love to your pets and make sure they are ready to escape during or following an emergency. Call SERVPRO Team Paparone immediately following any fire damage restoration services. We are HERE TO HELP® 24/7.