Recent Posts

Signs of an HVAC Puffback

10/22/2024 (Permalink)

An HVAC puffback happens when an oil-burning furnace, boiler, or heating system misfires, causing a small explosion within the heating unit. This misfire sends soot, smoke, and potentially oily residue through the ductwork and out of the vents, spreading into the living spaces.

You may not notice a puffback right away, but there are several telltale signs to look for:

  1. Soot Residue: Black or gray soot accumulating around your vents, baseboards, or on surfaces is a clear sign of a puffback.
  2. Strange Noises: If you hear loud bangs or sudden “puffing” noises when your heating system starts up, this could indicate a misfire.
  3. Odor: A lingering smell of smoke or oil in your home or business is a common sign of an HVAC puffback.
  4. Uneven Heating: Puffbacks can disrupt the normal functioning of your HVAC system, leading to inconsistent heating.

SERVPRO Team Paparone offers expert puffback cleaning services to tackle the toughest soot and smoke damage, ensuring your property is fully restored.

The Importance of Mold Remediation After Water Damage

10/21/2024 (Permalink)

Water damage is a stressful experience for any homeowner or business, but what many don’t realize is that the aftermath of water damage can lead to even bigger problems—mold growth.

Mold thrives in damp environments, and when water damage is left untreated, it can create the perfect breeding ground for mold to develop, beginning within 24 to 48 hours. 

When a property experiences water damage—whether from a flood, a leaky roof, or burst pipes—it’s not just the visible water that poses a threat. Water can seep into walls, flooring, and other materials, creating damp, hidden spaces. 

SERVPRO Team Paparone’s professional mold remediation services are designed to quickly and effectively address mold issues following water damage. Our highly trained technicians follow a thorough process to:

  1. Inspect and Assess the Property
  2. Contain the Mold
  3. Air Filtration
  4. Remove Mold-Infested Materials
  5. Clean and Sanitize
  6. Restoration

Mold remediation is not a DIY job. It requires specialized equipment, training, and expertise to ensure that mold is thoroughly removed and that your property is safe. At SERVPRO Team Paparone, we have the tools and experience needed to handle mold remediation after water damage—no matter the size of the job.

Check out the before and after of a huge mold job.

Fire Contingency Plan for Commercial Multi-Home Buildings

10/17/2024 (Permalink)

A fire emergency in a commercial multi-home building can be catastrophic, but with a well-structured contingency plan in place, property managers can significantly reduce the risks and ensure residents’ safety. Here's a guide on how to design a robust fire contingency plan that covers preparation, communication, evacuation, and recovery steps to keep both residents and property safe.

1. Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment

Every fire contingency plan begins with identifying and mitigating fire hazards throughout the building. Common high-risk areas include kitchens, mechanical rooms, and electrical closets. Addressing these risks with fire prevention measures is crucial.

  1. Establish a Reliable Emergency Communication System

In the event of a fire, fast and effective communication can save lives. Fire alarms should be loud enough to alert all residents, and backup communication systems like text alerts or phone trees can ensure everyone is notified. 

  1. Develop a Clear Evacuation Plan

A solid evacuation plan is essential for guiding residents safely out of the building. Start by ensuring all exits are well-marked and evacuation routes are clearly posted on every floor. It's important that all residents, particularly those who are elderly or disabled, know where to go in case of an emergency. 

  1. Conduct Regular Fire Drills

To ensure everyone is prepared, schedule quarterly fire drills. You can alternate between drills with prior notice and spontaneous ones to keep residents ready for real-life situations. Much like fire drills in schools, regular practice helps adults respond quickly, safely, and with less panic during an actual emergency.

5. Maintain Updated Emergency Contacts

Having quick access to key emergency contacts is vital during and after a fire. Ensure that contact details for local fire departments, emergency services, and building management are up-to-date and accessible to both staff and residents. 

  1. Implement a Post-Fire Recovery Plan

Recovering from a fire involves several critical steps, from assessing the damage to supporting displaced residents. Working with a fire restoration company, like SERVPRO, can help you quickly assess the extent of the damage, clean up, and restore the building. Additionally, be prepared to offer temporary housing solutions for residents who are displaced by the fire. Transparent communication about recovery efforts and timelines will help reassure residents during this difficult time.

Conclusion

A well-prepared fire contingency plan is essential for protecting both lives and property in commercial multi-home buildings. By regularly assessing risks, communicating clearly, conducting quarterly fire drills, and partnering with experts for recovery, you can ensure your building is ready to respond to fire emergencies.

By implementing these steps, property managers can foster a culture of safety and preparedness, ensuring that when disaster strikes, everyone knows exactly what to do.

5 Steps to Preventing Residential Fires

7/3/2024 (Permalink)

Home is where the heart is, and keeping it safe from fires is essential. Fire prevention not only protects your property but also ensures the safety of your loved ones. Here are five crucial steps you can take to prevent residential home fires:

1. Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms: Smoke alarms are your first line of defense against home fires. They provide early warnings, giving you and your family time to escape.

2. Practice Safe Cooking: Cooking is a leading cause of home fires. Unattended cooking can quickly escalate into a dangerous situation. Never leave cooking food unattended. If you must leave, turn off the stove.

3. Use Electrical Appliances Safely: Electrical malfunctions can lead to fires. Overloaded circuits and faulty wiring are common culprits. Regularly check cords for fraying or damage and replace any damaged cords immediately!

4. Store and Use Flammable Materials Safely: Keep flammable materials like gasoline, paint thinners, and cleaning supplies in their original containers and away from heat sources.

5. Create and Practice an Escape Plan: In the event of a fire, having a well-practiced escape plan can save lives.

Fire prevention is all about being proactive and prepared. By following the steps above, you can significantly reduce the risk of a fire in your home.

If you need immediate water and fire damage clean up services, SERVPRO Team Paparone is Here to Help®, 24/7!

Fire, Smoke & Soot - OH MY!

10/2/2023 (Permalink)

The first 48 hours after a fire damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings.  SERVPRO Team Paparone can help prevent fire damage from creating long-term problems.  SERVPRO of Langhorne/Bensalem provide 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.

Call SERVPRO of Langhorne/Bensalem at 215-245-4855 as soon as damage is caused. The quicker our team can get to the damage, the quicker we can get your home restored "Like it never even happened." We are available 24 hours, 7 days a week, including holidays! 

5 Steps to Limit Mold Growth

9/29/2023 (Permalink)

Shower mold is a common household problem in any household but especially in Bucks County with the strange weather we get.

It is important to clean mold as soon as you find it. Luckily, there are many creative ways to get rid of it. By following a few simple steps, you may be able to remove the mold on your own:

1. Make a Cleaning Solution Bleach is not the only way to clean mold. There are less toxic methods you can try. White vinegar is known to remove mold, including black mold. Alternatively, Borax creates a natural insecticide and fungicide.

2. Coat the Area Once you have your cleaning solution in hand, use a spray bottle to apply it to the area you are cleaning. Spray it liberally and continue until there is a visible coating. Choosing an option that does not create toxic fumes will make this step more pleasant.

3. Let it Sit Give the cleaning agents a few minutes to work their magic. If you let it sit for a bit, you may have less scrubbing to do when you wipe the shower mold clean.

4. Wipe it Off While wearing gloves, use a cloth or sponge to remove the mold. It should wipe off fairly easily. Rinse the sponge or change cloths as needed.

5. Scrub it Clean If you find that you still have mold in your shower, you may need to create some extra friction to scrub it off. A scrubbing brush should do the trick. In order to avoid this step in the future, clean moldy areas when you first find them. The longer mold sits, the harder it can be to remove.

If your shower mold is hard to remove on your own, you can hire the help of a professional mold remediation company to fix the problem. They will work to return your home to normal and can identify any hidden sources of mold that may be lurking about.

6 Tips to Protect Your 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!

Tips to Keeping Your Pets Safe From House Fires

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.

Eight Elite Women of Bucks County

9/23/2022 (Permalink)

In honor of American Business Women's Day on September 22nd 2022, Buck Happening held an exclusive event to recognize eight elite women in the Bucks County community. These women have demonstrated grit and determination in all aspects of their career, families & especially their communities. 

SERVPRO of Langhorne/Bensalem was there to give a helping hand when they needed to hang their banner prior to the event. We also provided them with giveaway items for their swag bags for their attendees.

Some of the achievements of these women include: 

  • A life coach business for kids 
  • CEO of the Family Service Association
  • President & CEO of United Way
  • Author and content creator
  • President of Bucks County Community College
  • An art gallery owner
  • Real Estate agent 
  • President and CEO of Rita’s Water Ice! 

WOAH! A ton of accomplishments from these hardworking individuals! To read more about these amazing people, check out their features here! 

SERVPRO of Langhorne/Bensalem had a great time at the event filled with inspiring women and businesses! Thank you to La Chele in Newtown and to Bucks Happening for hosting this incredible event. 

Homeowners and Renters Insurance Coverage

9/22/2022 (Permalink)

Do you live in Langhorne with renter’s insurance or homeowners insurance? Do you know what your insurance covers if you are hit with water damage?

No worries, SERVPRO of Langhorne/Bensalem has your back. Our partnership with State Farm has allowed our professionals to understand the ins and outs of insurance. Here is what renter’s insurance covers - in short, it covers all the things you own. 

Accidents - this includes objects damaging your property

Weather impacts - any damage resulting from a natural 

Malicious mischief - this includes vandalism, theft, riots, & vehicle damage

Loss of use - if your home or property is damaged and uninhabitable after a covered loss, living accommodations and expenses that accrue will be covered by this type of insurance.

According to Forbes and the Insurance Information Institution, every year about one in 50 homeowners file water damage claims, accounting for 29% of all homeowners insurance claims. It is important to be aware of what your insurance covers and the steps to take in the event of water damage.

SERVPRO of Langhorne/Bensalem takes pride in relieving stress from our customers and clients. Our professionals are equipped with the knowledge and resources to be the middle person between our business and their insurance claims.