Support the Lipson Cancer Center Institute Employee Support Fund, in loving memory of Donna Necci.

8/29/2023 (Permalink)

Donna Necci was an energetic, charismatic person who had the ability to become the center of attention at any gathering and make a lasting impression on everyone who met her. One of these people was her doctor, Farhan Imran, MD, who shared just how much Donna meant to him in this blog post: Donna Necci (1955 - 2022): Love - The more you put in, the more you get back (didiask.blog)

Donna lived a big life — full of meaningful work, community connections, family, and friends, surrounded by love. Sadly, after a valiant fight, Donna lost her battle to cancer in 2022.

To honor her legacy, Donna’s beloved husband, Mike, and her children, Michael and Andrea, have established a fund at the Lipson Cancer Institute to support the employees who dedicate their daily work to treating, healing, and supporting cancer patients in her honor.

If you would like to make a gift to this effort in Donna’s memory, please click here

Smoke and Soot Damage

5/31/2023 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Home.

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of South-East Monroe County will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? 

Call our office today!  (585) 641-0040 or email us at office@SERVPRO1371.com 

Prevent Basement Flooding

5/30/2023 (Permalink)

April showers bring May flowers! The spring time can be a very moist season. This week for example, has a large amount of rain predicted in the forecast. Forecasters have even issued a flash flooding storm watch lasting several days.

All of this rain may have you thinking about ways you can prevent basement flooding this spring. Whether you have a finished or unfinished basement area, a flooded basement can be very stressful.

Take the following steps to prevent a flooded basement:

• Keep gutters and downspouts free from any debris. Clear out any leaves, gravel or anything else that may have formed a blockade in your gutters and downspouts.
• Make sure downspouts face away from your home. If the ground around your downspout has a slant, make sure that when the downspout empties the water is not going to flow back towards your home.
• Fill cracks in the foundation with an epoxy.
• Check your sump pump. Make sure the area is cleared from debris and that your pump is in good working order. You may want to have a back up sump pump or an alternative electrical source for the sump pump incase the power goes out.
• Examine sewer systems and septic tanks.
• Install window wells on any windows that lead to a lower level. Check the window to make sure it is water tight.
• Check over your homeowner’s insurance policy to make sure you have the correct coverage. We often find that homeowners do not have a sump pump rider on their policy; therefore there is no coverage when a sump pump fails.

It is important to take the right precautions. Completing these steps will not be full proof to preventing water damage. However, it will minimize the risks.

Spring Cleaning Tips!

4/6/2023 (Permalink)

Spring has arrived and we want you to keep your home or business in good condition all year long! We want you to prevent mold, water leaks, and even fires! 

In the meantime, here are some helpful tips about Spring-Cleaning for your OFFICE:

-Divide your workspace into zones: Determine how you want and need to use the space and set up zones for your daily functions. You may require a workspace for your computer, a library area for your research, a storage area for supplies and a filing area for your archives. This will provide a foundation for a more efficient use of space.

-Keep only what you need at arm's length: Boxes of pens, stacks of papers and old coffee cups need to go. Rid your desk of visual clutter by paring down the items on top to the essentials only. Supplies, paperwork and personal items should be kept in the zones you've establishes for them.

-Create a daily paper system: Consider creating hanging files or baskets labeled "to read," "to do," and "to file." Establish set days for each, so that you don't get behind or feel the overwhelming need to do everything at once.

-Sort your catch-all drawer: Use drawer dividers to give everything a place, like compartments for paperclips and rubber bands. Go through the drawer every six weeks and clear out anything that is out of place or isn't being used.

-Eliminate digital clutter: Digital clutter can be just as stressful as physical clutter. Organize digital files and your email inbox just as you would paper files- with a system of logical and clearly labeled folders. Also, keep the icons on your desktop to a bare minimum, and trade in sticky notes on your monitor for calendar reminders.

-Disinfect regularly: Prevent the buildup of dust, dirt, food stains and fingerprints. Wipe down your desk, phone, keyboard and monitor once a week with disinfecting wipes. 

'Tis the Season for Gratitude

12/21/2022 (Permalink)

Owner, Mike Necci, accepting an appreciation award from Brian with Penfield Fire Department.

Our team at SERVPRO of East Monroe County in East Rochester, New York recently received an unexpected expression of gratitude from a group of local first responders. Owner Mike Necci explains, “The Penfield Fire Department wanted to provide our team with breakfast. Little did I know that it would include an award! We were not expecting a plaque, but they awarded it to us to thank us for services we provided early on in the pandemic.” He continues, “We were simply following the lead of a number of other franchises around the country who were providing free disinfecting services to all first responder organizations and all military/veteran organizations. I was elated for our team to be recognized for their tireless efforts.”

We greatly appreciate the recognition from the Penfield Fire Department in Penfield New York.  We can't thank First Responders enough for all they do for their communities!  

We still, and always will, offer free disinfecting services to all First Responders.  Please contact our office to schedule, (585) 641-0040

The Science of Drying

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

What is the Science of Drying? 

The knowledge  of  psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water damaged structure to its preloss condition. While your initial reaction may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a fan or East Monroe County are trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry-approved standards to help lower the chances  of any secondary damages.

The collage photo attached, shows our floor drying system which aids in drying hardwood floors instead of removing them.  We also have two photo's showing our "tent" drying system.  This way we create a drying chamber over the floor to keep that warm air in, and pull out as much moisture as possible.

If it wasn't for our knowledge and expertise, this ceiling and floor would've been lost from the damage above. 

Soda Blasting, What's that??

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

I don't know about you, but the first thing I think about when someone says 'soda blasting' is a bunch of kids running around shaking up cans of soda and spraying them at each other. If you were thinking along the same lines as me, you will be surprised to find out that soda blasting is a very helpful way to clean a fire damaged house. 

Soda blasting is a process in which sodium bicarbonate is applied against a surface using compressed air. Soda blasting is a non-destructive method for many applications in cleaning, paint & varnish stripping, automotive restoration, industrial equipment maintenance, rust removal, graffiti removal, oil removal, soot remediation and much more.

Fun Fact: An early use of soda blasting was to restore the Statue of Liberty in the 1980s!

We have used this method of cleaning in many homes in the Rochester area. So whether your Rochester business is vandalized by graffiti or if your home has experienced soot damage from a fire, call your restoration professionals at SERVPRO of East Monroe County located in Rochester NY to come soda blast your problems away!

Call Us Today!! (585) 641-0040

3 Tips to Prevent Winter Storm Damage

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

Properly insulating pipes before temperatures drop can save you a lot of hassle

Three Tips That Can Help You

If you live somewhere with subzero temperatures during winter, you have probably heard about the importance of winterization. In a nutshell, this is the process of preparing your home for the blizzard conditions you can expect to experience between December and February. For these months, homeowners take the time to winterize homes because it can prevent significant damage. You, too, can protect your home in Henrietta, NY before the next winter storm. Here are three tips to help:

1. Look Up
One of the first places to check when winterizing is the roof. How are the tiles or metal? Make sure to keep an eye out for holes or dents, and make repairs as necessary. Gutters are also important. Clear any debris you see to prevent ice dams and water build-up. When it comes to winter problems, roof damage is often a major concern.

2. Look Around
Next, take a look at the siding around the house. Are there any spots you need to repair? Also, do not forget the shutters or windows. If air can somehow get in, seal any leaks and repair or replace any broken or missing parts. In addition to looking around the house itself, look around the yard as well. Do you see any trees that could cause damage if they break? If so, considering trimming them.

3. Look Inside
The roof and surroundings of a home are important considerations, but one of the most important things to think about is inside. Indeed, frozen pipes are a leading cause of homeowners needing the assistance of winter storm damage remediation experts. Properly insulating pipes before temperatures drop can save you a lot of hassle down the road.
Owning a home in a snowy place comes with unique challenges. In order to prevent unnecessary damages the next time you experience a winter storm, take some time to familiarize yourself with the many ways you can winterize your home.

Roof Damage from Storms

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

Severe or even mild thunderstorms can easily cause roof damage, especially if your roof is older than 15-20 years old. These damages can cause water intrusion in your home and if left untreated can cause more serious issues such as mold or wood rot. Some common types of roof damage from storms are:

• Split seams
• Broken or cracked tiles
• Dented or missing shingles
• Dents on gutters or vents
• Holes

All of these issues can cause water to leak into your home and you may not even notice! Unless you physically see the water damage, you may not realize that you have any. If you have an attic that you don't always go into, it is possible to have water leaking before seeing it. It is always a good idea to check for roof damage after a severe thunderstorm. A professional roofing contractor can help you with this.

In addition to these common types of damage, there are some rare occurrences of damage that can happen. Rare types of roof damage are:

• Caving in on itself
• Tree blowing over onto roof

Unfortunately for these types of rare but extreme damage, there is no way to prevent them from happening. The best thing you can do, is to get your roof replaced if older than 15 years, and to make sure to trim your trees prior to a thunderstorm.

Even if water does enter your home from roof damage, know that SERVPRO of East Monroe County is here to help 24/7! (585) 641-0040

Avoid a Dryer Fire in your Pittsford NY home

12/9/2021 (Permalink)

Do you have a dryer? Of course you do. One of the most needed appliances in our homes can also cause the most damage if not taken care of properly. The fear of a dryer fire is one that is not commonly heard of, however, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated annual 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries due to clothes dryer fires. Several hundred people a year are also subjected to carbon monoxide poisoning from improper dryer vent setups. The financial costs come to nearly $100,000,000 per year. In some cases faulty appliances are to blame, but many fires can be prevented with proper dryer venting.

Here are some small steps to take to Avoid a Dryer Fire:

1. Dryer's produce large amounts of lint. Be sure to clean the lint trap after EVERY use of the dryer.

2. Dryer Vents should ONLY be made of metal and be short and straight. Bends and curves result in lint buildup increasing the risk of a fire. 

3. Do not run the dryer when you are away from home or sleeping. 

SERVPRO of East Monroe County is faster to any size disaster

(585) 641-0040