A testimonial courtesy of Kim from Haverhill, MA!

9/3/2024 (Permalink)

We recently received the following testimonial from our friend Kim from Haverhill, MA and wanted to share it here on our blog!

I am writing to extend my deepest gratitude to SERVPRO for their incredibly generous and impactful contribution. Their recent volunteer work in cleaning my classroom carpet has made a significant difference in my learning environment.

The transformation was truly remarkable. The carpet now looks and feels fresh, creating a much more inviting and comfortable space for my students. This kind of support goes beyond just a clean floor—it shows a deep commitment to our community and to enhancing the educational experience for our children.

I am truly thankful for SERVPRO’s dedication and generosity. Your efforts have not only improved my classroom but have also inspired me with your willingness to give back. Thank you for making a positive impact in my classroom!

With sincere appreciation,

Kim

Thank you so much for the testimonial Kim! We are so glad that we were able to help you make your classroom a happier environment for students to learn!

Michael from Haverhill, MA's 5-Star Review

7/1/2024 (Permalink)

Before and after photos of the affected bathroom.

Earlier this year, we received an extremely kind Google review from Michael, who wanted to take the time to acknowledge some of the little things that our team did while helping him with the water remediation in his Haverhill, MA home. Thank you again Michael and we are so glad we were able to help!

"I can’t thank SERVPRO enough for everything have done for us in regards to our recent toilet back up. They came that day and cleaned everything for us perfectly. They were very clear on what was going on, what we needed to do, [and] guided us the whole way.

Alex, our estimator, was constantly in contact with me letting me know the status of where everything was. He went above and beyond with communication. When he found out we had a 1yr old, he was sure to tape off rough edges and baby proof the current state of our house.

The demo team of Bobby, Yeimi, and Jheremy were top notch. They were in our house for 4 days and were the utmost professionals. The work they did was perfect and their friendliness on top of it made it that much better. Yeimi witnessed my wife trying to bring groceries in with a toddler in tow and helped her carry them in.

Chris, our project manager, has been there from start to finish and has guided us the whole way. He cares and it shows.

I can’t recommend SERVPRO of Haverhill any more. A+ work & communication from them. When you have something unfortunate happen at home it’s good to know there is a company close by goes above and beyond to get your house back together."

Jan from Ipswich, MA's 5-Star Review

9/12/2023 (Permalink)

Jan was kind enough to share these before and after photos with us when he left his review. Thank you Jan! We're so glad we could help!

Earlier this year we received a very kind and detailed review from our friend Jan in Ipswich after we helped him with the remediation and reconstruction after a tree crashed through his roof. We wanted to once again thank him for the incredible testimonial and share his review here on our blog!

"A large bough from a tree crashed onto the roof of our house during a severe rain and wind weather event 2 days before Xmas last year. It damaged two bedrooms at one end, and necessitated a huge clean-up and an extensive exterior and interior rebuild. The master bedroom sustained major exterior and interior damage, and the interior of the 2nd bedroom considerable above-ceiling and roof damage as well as leakage. The damage included a roof, supporting strapping, insulation, 2 ceilings, 3 walls, carpet-cleaning and removal, wall and trim painting, many supportive tasks and a multitude of materials.
SERVPRO of Haverhill responded within a day of the damage to assess and begin designing a project plan. Josh, the project estimator and manager of the mitigation team, and Noel, the project manager of the reconstruction team, designed and supervised both components with a customized plan of intervention that could be executed with high efficacy. An estimate was performed, a proposal submitted, and a work authorization was signed. I judged the cost cited in the proposal as very acceptable and the project affordable, as did my insurer, Concord Group. The project was completed in a very timely and professional manner, and below the estimated cost. Josh and Noel stayed in touch with me while coordinating all phases of each component of the project. They returned calls, explained what had to be done, gave encouragement and reassurance, and answered questions.
Office and administrative staff at SERVPRO of Haverhill, such as Lori, Stephanie, and Jessalyn, were equally responsive to questions about procedures, billing, and other support needs, and handled contacts from me with affable, respectful diligence.
The crews who performed the work were highly skilled, prompt, respectful and thoughtful, hard-working, quiet, clean, and beyond conscientious.
The mitigation team tackled the first part of the project. Rob spent two days cleaning up the master bedroom, which had sustained extensive water damage as well as debris from the ceiling and insulation everywhere. He removed all debris, (from slabs of sheetrock to specks of plaster), vacuumed and cleaned the carpet, cleaned furniture and furnishings, dehumidified the entire room, and disposed of debris.
Branden and Justin of the mitigation team then demoed the interior (ceilings, strapping, walls) with no damage to intact structural elements or to furniture) and eradicated mold that had formed. Bob, Christian, Patrick, Jake, and Dylan of the reconstruction team worked together in phases to replace a hip girder truss, strapping, insulation, perforated sheathing, and all of the shingles at the gable end of the roof, 2 ceilings, and 3 walls. The interior was repainted in the master bedroom and the ceiling of the 2nd bedroom was painted after installation. By the end of the project, there were no traces of the catastrophe that had occurred prior to it.
SERVPRO contracted KC Carpets of Haverhill to replace the carpet in the master bedroom, and 2 techs installed it within a few hours one morning. They were efficient, polite, and tidy.
My daughter and I could not be more pleased with both the processes and the products delivered by SERVPRO of Haverhill, all of its staff, and cooperating entities. The project was a series of jobs each very well done. A hint of the before and after of our experience can be gathered from the attached photos. What had begun as a disaster has ended as a delight. If, God forbid, another disaster strikes our house, I would not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Haverhill again for the services it has provided us. Thank you, genuinely, SERVPRO." 

Press Release - SERVPRO Franchisees Sign Sponsorship Deal with New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium

3/29/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Franchisees Sign Sponsorship Deal with New England Patriots, Gillette Stadium  

SERVPRO also named the “Official Cleanup and Restoration Company” of Patriots, Stadium 

Boston, Massachusetts, March 29, 2023—New England SERVPRO franchisees are proud to announce SERVPRO has partnered with the New England Patriots to be named the “Official Cleanup and Restoration Sponsor of Gillette Stadium.” A total of 40 individually owned and operated SERVPRO franchises in New England joined to participate in this sponsorship.  

SERVPRO branding will be featured on Gillette Stadium’s new digital videoboard, which is being constructed in the north end of the stadium. The video board, scheduled for completion prior to the 2023 NFL regular season, will be the largest outdoor digital video board in the country and will feature the famous SERVPRO orange logo during events held at Gillette Stadium each year. 

SERVPRO will also present two article series on Patriots.com: Offseason PROfiles introducing new Patriots players, and PRO Predictions which will provide expert predictions for each game during the season.  “Much like it is our honor to bring you the restoration industry’s finest and best, we are eager to help keep Patriots fans up-to-date on their favorite team all year long.” said Jesse Mathewson, director of marketing & business development with SERVPRO. 

“As a national brand and forty locally owned franchises, SERVPRO strives to support our communities and neighbors,” Mathewson said. “We can’t think of any better way to show our New England pride than by joining forces with the Patriots and Gillette Stadium. Our SERVPRO teams can’t wait to see the brand’s colors on this ground-breaking videoboard! Go Patriots!” 

About SERVPRO® 

For more than 50 years, SERVPRO has been a trusted leader in fire and water cleanup and restoration services, construction, mold mitigation, biohazard and pathogen remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 2,000 individually owned and operated franchises spans the United States and Canada, responding to property damage emergencies large and small – from million-square-foot commercial facilities to individual homes. When disaster strikes, homeowners, business owners and major insurance companies alike rely on SERVPRO to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Teeing Off for the Cause(s)

9/23/2022 (Permalink)

Some of our favorite moments from this year's golf tournaments.

Summer has always been one of our busiest seasons here at SERVPRO. Between the increase of seasonal losses, like fire damage and community events we regularly volunteer with, there is never a dull day!

The most common of these community events are charity golf tournaments. This year alone we have sponsored and/or participated in over six tournaments. The Haverhill Firefighters Relief Association tournament kicked off the season at the Bradford Country Club, followed closely by the YMCA of the North Shore’s tournament at Turner Hill Golf Club in Ipswich.

Next up our Key Account Manager Nury Cardoza hit the green to play in the North Shore Chamber of Commerce’s annual tournament at the Ipswich Country Club. A little rain didn’t stop her and other fellow chamber members from having a great day on the course!

 August brought us back to the Bradford Country Club for the Haverhill Police Relief Association tournament to support our brave men and women in blue. We then found ourselves at the Merrimack Valley Golf Club, where the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center held their first annual tournament to raise funds to assist in their mission to give back and support the Veterans within our community.

Finally, we rounded out the year at the Rowley Country Club for the Ascension Memorial Church’s Remembrance Cup. The tournament also benefitted The Open Door in their mission to help fight food insecurity within our community.

It's always great to give back and support so many local organizations that help make our community a better place. We can’t wait to tee off again next year for more worthy causes!

Earth Day 2022

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Top: Haverhill, MA Cleanup Volunteers Bottom: Danvers, MA Cleanup Volunteers

When people think of SERVPRO, odds are they think of green. At SERVPRO of Stoneham/Wakefield, we like it that way. But many people don’t know how deep our loyalty to green truly goes. Look beyond our trucks and branding, and you’ll find a series of eco-friendly cleaning products and a deep commitment to the environment. 

With our love of the environment, celebrating Earth Day is a no brainer! That’s why, on Saturday, April 23rd, our two sister franchises, SERVPRO of Haverhill/Newburyport and SERVPRO of Danvers/Ipswich, each held Earth Day cleanups in their service areas. 

Our first cleanup took place at Riverside Park and Athletic Fields in Haverhill. Team Haverhill was made up of SERVPRO Haverhill employees and their families, members of the Haverhill High School Varsity Wrestling team, members of the Consentino Middle School National Junior Honor Society, as well as kind-hearted members of the community.

Meanwhile, our SERVPRO Danvers team was cleaning Tapley Park and Fields. This team consisted of more of our employees and their families and friends, Danvers Little League team members, and some pretty awesome members of the community who heard about the event and wanted to take part as well.

Overall, Earth Day 2022 was a massive success, and we cannot wait to do it all again next year! A big thank you once again to all of our amazing volunteers. If you missed it, make sure you like and follow us on Facebook! We post about any upcoming events we’re going to be a part of, and expert tips on what to do if you ever experience a loss, like water damage.

Your new favorite home improvement gadget

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

The MM-2000 Goggles also feature 3 thermal imaging modes, and a 4k Ultra-HD camera.

Have you ever wondered if the walls of your home were hiding a world of water damage? We see cases of it regularly. But sometimes, calling in the pros to answer, “what if?” just isn’t worth it. Well, just in time for the start of Home Health Month, we’re here to announce our first ever direct to consumer at home moisture damage detection solution. Introducing the MM-2000 Goggles, a stylish solution to the question “is now the right time to call SERVPRO?”

Our MM-2000 Goggles are the first and only product like this on the market. A moisture meter, infrared thermometer, thermal imaging sensor, and camera, all wrapped into one unassuming pair of glasses. The glasses will even let you know when they detect levels that warrant calling in the experts. There is a micro-SD card slot on the left temple (or arm) for expandable and removable storage and can be charged via USB-C cable.

If you have the companion app installed on your phone, you can review the levels and live footage recorded form each scan, check mold growth in real time, call to schedule an estimate, and even share your scan results with our team for expert feedback.

No more costly tests, no more “honey, don’t worry, if there was a problem, I’d know about it.” Now you too can know if there is something lurking behind the walls of your home, all for $99.95.

To learn more or order your very own pair of SERVPRO MM-2000 Goggles, give us a call at 1-800-401-FOOLS

My First SERVPRO Thanksgiving

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Here I am nearing my second month with SERVPRO, and I can truly say it’s different from any company I’ve worked with before. The charity work our franchise does is nothing short of amazing. With seemingly no hesitation, the employees - from our owners to the newest hire rise to the occasion with a donation of time or money to help others. Thanksgiving is no exception, with donations to local food pantries, Veteran Assistance Programs, and the homeless. 

One such example of SERVPRO giving back is when my manager and I connected with a local Veterans Affairs Office Director to donate gift cards for Thanksgiving meals. They were so overwhelmed by the gesture that they asked us to go before the Board of Selectmen to accept a gracious thank you in person. We were happy to oblige.

The holidays can be a very stressful and lonely time for some, so why not take the time to help your fellow neighbors, co-workers, friends, and just about anyone you can. I can now say that I am a part of all of this, and it makes me very proud and honored to be able to help so many people with our time and charity.

I want to say Happy Thanksgiving to you all, and always feel free to reach out to me if you or anyone you know are in need of help.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Written by Roy Moulton

Autumn Safety Tips

11/16/2021 (Permalink)

As the air turns cooler and leaves drop from trees, keep in mind a few important fall safety tips and proper precautions, and safety awareness so your family can enjoy that crisp Autumn weather while avoiding some of the dangers that comes with the season. When the weather turns cold, most people spend more time inside their homes using fireplaces, furnaces, and heaters to keep warm. There’s nothing quite as cozy as a fire, but it presents some safety hazards. So, keep these tips in mind: 

Service your furnace before the cold Autumn and Winter weather. Call a Heating and Cooling specialist and make sure everything is in order and there are no leaks. If you own a Fireplace, keep the fire in place by using a fireplace screen, and make sure the fire is completely out before going to bed or leave the house. Another way to warm up and get the chills out of the room is using Space Heaters. There are small and convenient but dangerous. Read and follow instructions. 

It is essential to check and replace the batteries in your Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide detectors when you turn back your clocks for Daylight Saving Time. Also, check and replace any home fire extinguishers that have expired. 

Written by Nury Cardoza

So, I gotta write a blog? 

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

Hi, I’m Roy and my boss has asked me to start writing a blog for our company SERVPRO. Of course, I immediately explained to her I have not one clue how to do that, so she said I should start by putting words that are in my head on paper and then getting a sense of ideas from there. Her exact words jokingly were “it’s kinda like vomiting on the paper and then molding them together” So, to me, in a weird way made perfect sense. Now with that being said, my blog postings will consist of a mix from the life of Roy, a Key Account Manager for SERVPRO, and Roy, the husband, father, friend, coach, mentor, handyman, and whatever else I can fit in my briefcase of life. I am married to a beautiful woman named Tracy and three stepchildren James, Thomas, and Jillian who keep me very, very, very busy. We also have a lovable rescue cat named Tamworth. I enjoy sports, music, and cooking just to mention a few things. I enjoy spending time with family and friends and I consider myself a funny, good-hearted man with lots of life experiences to share and talk about. I am thriving while fighting prostate cancer and have overcome other health issues and try to live every day always trying to add some fun to the mix. I’m looking forward to meeting new people and helping solve issues you may have and making new friends along the way. My career span has taken me from soda jerk in my teens to a retail store detective and stops along the way in storage, automotive, dental insurance, and others. I’m very happy to have landed here at SERVPRO where I can share all my knowledge with my clients and soon-to-be clients. I plan on writing about all of this and many other things in my future blogs. I look forward to answering questions and welcoming your feedback as we travel through my blogging future. So, get ready as there will be laughs, tears, and plenty of fun and excitement as we take the ride with the life of Roy, SERVPRO Account Manager. 

Written by Roy Moulton

National Preparedness Month Tips

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

Are you prepared in case of an emergency?

September is National Preparedness Month. This year is critical, taking into consideration everyone’s battle with Covid -19 and the Delta variant. Yet, according to FEMA, only 75 % of Americans have disaster supplies in their home, and less than 50% created a household emergency plan. In addition, 2021 has encountered enormous and numerous challenges, like tropical storms, flash floods, earthquakes, and heatwaves. Learning to protect yourself is the wisest step to safeguard the community and recover faster from a disaster. Here are some recommendations: 

A- Talk to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. B- Collect and create a paper copy of the contacts information for your family, including doctors and make sure everyone has it with them all the time. You may post on different locations at home.              C- Chose a safe and familiar place for emergency meetings, not just in the house, in the neighborhood shelter, even outside of the city in case of a significant situation. 

D- Gather supplies that will last for several days for everyone at home, including your pets, water, food, medication, flashlights, First Aid Kit, whistle (to signal got help), and mask. Take into consideration the unique needs each person may have in case of an emergency evacuation. Plan the evacuation route. 

E- Be aware of the risks of disasters in your area, and make your house safe accordingly. 

F- Talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies. And practice what to do if you get separated during any disaster events, selecting a clear meeting place.  

And last, but very important, check your insurance coverage. 

Written by Nury Cardoza

L’Arche Boston North’s The Longest Table

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

A collection of photos taken before, during, and after the event.

As the official Clean-Up Sponsor of L’Arche Boston North’s The Longest Table, we were lucky enough to be part of this incredible event as it brightened a stormy and steamy August night, delivering everything it promised – good food, a common purpose, and community.

The best efforts of a pandemic unwilling to release its grip and a tropical storm with its sights on New England couldn’t derail the single-minded determination of Jennifer Matthews and the team at L’Arche Boston North. The Longest Table was a huge success with a last-minute location change to Bradford Country Club and the unfailing support of Kristen Murphy.

We were there from beginning to end. Literally. Ensuring safety and confidence was an important part of the event being a success and our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program contributed to that by disinfecting all the hard surfaces before guests arrived, and again during the breakdown and clean-up of the event.

Going the extra mile is what we do at SERVPRO and we take pride in doing so. We genuinely care about the communities we service and do everything we can to support the people that live and work in them.

#HERETOHELP #STRONGERTOGETHER

Four-for-Fore

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

A collection of photos taken at the various golf outings.

After a long year full of cancelled plans, the first half of 2021 was a buzz with golf tournament fundraisers. In June alone, SERVPRO sponsored and participated in a total of four tournaments for different and worthy causes.

First up was the Haverhill Firefighters Relief Association golf outing at the Bradford Country Club, followed by the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce tournament at Indian Ridge Golf Course. The third outing was held at the Renaissance Golf Club for the YMCA of the North Shore. Last but not least was the AHEPA Chapter 39 20^th Annual Greek American Golf Tournament at Apple Hill Golf Course.

 Several staff members played in the tournaments, while members of our sales and marketing team helped fundraise further by selling mulligans, lengths of string, and raffle tickets at registration and on the course.

While it was definitely a busy month, it was well worth it to be able to get back out and interact with people outside of Zoom calls, all while supporting some truly wonderful causes.

The Power of Business-to-Business Referrals

5/28/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know, having a partnership with reputable service companies to refer is a win-win for everyone involved! 

Research shows that 84% of Business-to-Business decision makers start the buying process with a referral. To put it differently, 8 out of 10 businesses start out thinking about who a different business professional told them was good when they begin thinking about who they will hire for a job. 

For instance, if a business has a problem and needs mold removal or remediation, has basement flooding or water damage and needs restoration, has fire damage or needs biohazard cleanup, or has the need for emergency cleaning in general, they are most likely to think about who their plumber, electrician, contractor, or regular cleaner has recommended (SERVPRO). 

On the other hand, when an unfortunate event has occurred at a business and they have called SERVPRO to handle it, they are extremely likely to be asking us who we think will be the right plumber, electrician, contractor, cleaner or other service professional to hire once we are finished with our work. 

Because referral?leads have a 30% higher conversion than leads from any other channel, they turn out to be just about the hottest type of lead you can get in any business. When SERVPRO mentions your business on a jobsite, that referral carries a lot of weight and helps bring you real business. When you mention SERVPRO on a job, your referral helps bring us business too. 

If you take an average of all the different types of industries put together, referrals account for?65% of companies’ new deals. Just think of how important it is for SERVPRO and our partners in the service industry to be referring each other. When you look at the facts, referring each other is always a win-win situation!

Written by Lorne Keplar.

Earth Day 2021

4/29/2021 (Permalink)

Earth Day 2021 Clean-up Crew!

Only in New England could Earth Day events be conducted in winter coats, hats & mittens! But even the cold temps and wind couldn’t keep us away from helping to clean a small corner of our planet. This year, we had the opportunity to work with Bill Connelly from Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, to clean Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield MA. The marketing department crew, Lorne Keplar, Nury Cardoza, Stephanie Maglio, and Jodi Feil, donned winter gear and headed out to collect trash along the banks of the lake and grounds of the adjoining parks and playgrounds.  

SERVPRO is a cleaning company at its core, so getting involved in Earth Day only makes sense to us. In years past we’ve cleaned parks, refurbed homes while working with Rebuilding Together, and handed out trees and flowers to help rebuild our ecosystems. It may not be a basement water damage, or soot damage after a fire, but it’s still at the heart of what we do. And don’t we all want to make the ravages to our environment “Like it never even happened.” 

Employee Spotlight - Patrick Lavigne

3/29/2021 (Permalink)

Patrick Lavigne Owner and General Manager

As owner, Pat has held almost every position within the company since coming on board in 2010. As a son-in-law to the Harts, Pat joined the family-run business as a trial and has never looked back. Starting on the trucks, Pat learned the nuances and inherent challenges of almost all production positions before settling into his current role as General Manager.

His daily focus of keeping the train on the tracks still allow him to do what he loves most—guiding the growth of his team, both personally and professionally, and helping customers during stressful moments in their lives. “It’s very rewarding when you run into customers years later who still remember the team members that worked in their home or business and want to know how they’re doing. They become like family to each other and it’s incredibly satisfying to be a part of that.”

Pat takes great pride in the franchises’ work ethic and standard of excellence – from customer service to production. He ensures all staff are highly trained and certified for all services provided. “We are a dedicated team that strive for excellence and to show compassion daily. We often meet people after a horrible thing happens in their life or business and hopefully, we are able to put them at ease.”

When Pat isn’t on the job, you can find him spending time with family and friends where he resides in Haverhill with his wife and 2 children. Unless it’s golf season…then you’ll find him on a course anywhere he can play 18!

Certifications:

• IICRC Certified –
  • Water Damage Restoration
  • Applied Microbial Remediation
  • Fire & Smoke Restoration
  • Applied Structural Drying
  • Commercial Drying
  • Odor Control
• Lead Safe Certification
• Unrestricted Construction Supervisors License

Spring Cleaning Tips

3/8/2021 (Permalink)

National Cleaning Week is March 28th - April 3rd, 2021. Are you up to the challenge?

Do you know that there is a NATIONAL CLEANING WEEK??? According to Wikipedia, it starts on the fourth week of March, at the beginning of the Spring Season. It is a tradition to clean the house thoroughly before or during the Great Lent. 

Here are some tips to make it easier and less stressful: 

1. Remember it is a week of cleaning, so start with dividing the work by day.  

1. Tackle the seasonal chores first, like putting away all the Christmas and Valentines’ decorations. Decluttering is the first step. 

In each room, start cleaning from top to bottom, including light fixtures, fans, pics on the walls, and those annoying cobwebs that collect in the corners. Move down the walls by cleaning the windowsills and wiping down baseboards. Vacuum the carpets and clean the floors. 

Last but not least, CHECK SMOKE DETECTOR BATTERIES! 

Additional areas to focus on: 

• The Kitchen - clean in and out of the cabinets, fridge, stove, oven, dishwasher, and leave as little item as possible on your countertop. 
• Bathroom - scrub the toilet, the tub, and the sink. 
• Bedrooms - clean the closet (consider donating some items), clean under the bed, polish the furniture. 
• Living Room - vacuum and polish the furniture and decorate for the season. 

Remember, if all these tasks become challenging and overwhelming, you can always consider hiring a professional crew. Here at SERVPRO, with more than 30 yrs in business and experienced technicians, we can provide the best Spring-cleaning service experience.  

WE ARE HERE TO HELP. 

Written by Nury Cardoza

A Day at Sweet Paws Rescue | Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

Thank you again to the team over at Sweet Paws Rescue for letting us come in and film!

Way back in July of 2020, SERVPRO had the pleasure of working with Sweet Paws Rescue to clean their facilities. Our crew spent the day completing our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program, which was launched just prior to our visit. The incredible people over at Sweet Paws were kind enough to let our marketing team in to photograph and film the process, and we even got to meet and play with a few of the dogs they had rescued. At the time of our visit, one of the dogs, Molly, had recently had a litter of ten puppies, all of whom already had forever homes lined up and waiting for them when the time came that they could safely leave mom. If you would like to hear more about our day at Sweet Paws Rescue (or just want to see cute clips of puppies), you can click here to watch the video we put together documenting the day. If you are interested in learning more about our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program, give us a call anytime at 781-245-0011!

Employee Spotlight - Stephanie Maglio

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

Meet Stephanie Maglio, our Marketing Support Coordinator. While she didn’t officially join the team until the end of April last year, she has been with us since January, starting as our intern. Prior to working at SERVPRO, she attended North Shore Community College, graduating in June with a degree in Graphic Design. Her daily responsibilities include overseeing our social media accounts, moderating the blog, working on any design projects that may arise, and supporting the marketing department in any way she can.

When she’s not at work, she likes to spend time with her friends and family (as much as she can while staying safe during this pandemic), watch shows and videos on Netflix and YouTube, sing, do art and design projects, and play with animals whenever she has the chance.

Employee Spotlight - Jodi Feil

1/22/2021 (Permalink)

Jodi Feil Marketing Manager

Meet Jodi Feil, Marketing Manager extraordinaire.

If you have worked with us before, there is a high chance you have heard from our incredible Marketing Manager, Jodi Feil. Jodi has been with SERVPRO for 3 years, starting as the Marketing Support Coordinator where she helped build the marketing department from the ground up, and has continued to do so to this day in her current role. As a formally trained graphic designer and photographer, she has been involved in all aspects of the marketing world throughout her professional career. Prior to working with us, she co-owned a photography school, where she developed all the curriculum and taught classes, sharing her wealth of knowledge with her students.

Outside of work, she is constantly busy. In what limited free time she has, you can find her spending time with her family and pets, out in nature, watching Marvel movies, or taking on a new DIY project around her home. Whatever it is she is doing; odds are she has a smile on her face. Her favorite quote is, “What you focus on becomes your reality” and we think she is living proof of that. We’re glad to have her on our team!

Help with Hoarding

9/11/2020 (Permalink)

In his first blog post, our resident hoarding expert, Rich Ciarletta, talks about the beginnings of a disorder that grips many of our elderly population.

LIFE IS MESSY –

I have been to many losses caused by water, fire and natural occurrences. Most of the time the loss occurred due to external circumstances beyond the clients’ control. Hoarding Disorder, on the other hand, is a mental health diagnosis that happens slowly over time and prevents the disposal of items. The severity can be mild or extreme. The client may be somewhat aware that there is a problem according to their definition of what a hoarder is, or in complete denial that a problem exists. My interaction with hoarding clients occurs after an event has uncovered the hoarding.  Their home is now either unsafe or unsanitary and some action is needed.  Each case is different and each has its own unique beginning.

The journey to untangle the causes and aftermath of this disorder, however, is just beginning.  A great resource has been written by Eileen Dacey LCSW, who has vast knowledge on this subject, and works at the North Shore Elder Services in Danvers, Mass.  Her book, Reclaim Your Life from Hoarding, is available on Amazon.com.

We work closely with organizations such North Shore Elder Services, providing the packing and cleaning necessary to make their homes livable, while trained health professionals provide the emotional guidance.  Understanding the emotions behind the disorder can help pave a smoother path to resolution. If you know someone that struggles in this area, getting support is key to a successful transition.

Meet Sue Hamel

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

More than forty years ago, Sue and her husband opened SERVPRO of Haverhill/Newburyport and SERVPRO of Danvers/Ipswich. As the original owners, they began a journey that Sue remains a part of to this day. “It was important to build a reputable company and employ responsible people who do quality work, says Sue, who feels integrity is a key part of the continued success of the franchise.

After many successful years in business, Sue and her husband sold the company to current co-owners, Dave & Maureen Hart to pursue other ventures. A few businesses and several years later, Sue returned to help out and hasn’t looked back. Her current position as Administrative Assistant keeps her busy with scheduling, billing & collections, and inventory. The deep industry knowledge she brings and the ability to wear many hats makes her an invaluable part of the team.   

“The company has changed quite a bit through the years but the core values have not. We still care about the people who live in the towns we service and do everything we can to help them through a difficult time. That’s what I enjoy most about my job.”

When Sue isn’t in the office, you’ll find her traveling, enjoying time with family & friends and taking long walks with her husband and two dogs.

Meet Donna Sutherby

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

#wonderwoman #SERVPROguru

Donna Sutherby, a veteran of the US Army, has been with SERVPRO for 22 years and counting. As the Office Administrator, she will often be the person who answers your questions when you call. During her tenure, she has juggled most front office functions while fielding calls and handling billings. She is certified through the IICRC in Water Damage Restoration which means she can provide knowledgeable answers, valuable insight and guidance through what can sometimes be a confusing and stressful process for homeowners and business owners after suffering a damage loss. Her depth of knowledge, caring personality and willingness to help make her a vital member of our SERVPRO family.

When asked what inspires her to come to work every day, Donna replied that the office atmosphere, comradery of her co-workers, and family values of the business are at the heart of it. “We are a caring group of people and want to help. That makes me feel good at the end of the day!”

When Donna isn’t working, you will often find her with her family of 4 children & 6 grandchildren.

Meet Linda Rousseau

4/2/2020 (Permalink)

Let’s welcome our newest SERVPRO employee, Linda Rousseau! Before Linda joined SERVPRO, she was an office manager at GLX constriction in Somerville Mass. She is continuing her office manager role here at SERVPRO. Her daily duties are to monitor ongoing projects to ensure timeline accuracy relative to execution, follow-up, and billing, work closely with the office team to better understand processes, policies, and procedures, and to educate herself on franchise operating systems and applications.

Her proudest accomplishments in life are a tie between successfully completing 6 years in the USN with an honorable discharge and raising her son Joseph. In her free time, you can find her kayaking, being on or near water or walking her dog Domino. She also loves completing projects around her home and she especially loves gardening.

Noel Employee Spotlight

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

Let's welcome our newest SERVPRO employee spotlight, Noel Torrissi! Before joining SERVPRO, he was self-employed for 30 years. His title now at SERVPRO is the construction manager and estimating and running the rebuild jobs. His nickname is Roman because he used to own a silver Mercedes like the guy in National Lampoon's Vacation. His proudest accomplishment is raising his two daughters Bailey and Alani. In his free time, you can find him tearing it up on the ice rink playing hockey or on the golf course working on his swing. When he enters the office in the morning he always has a smile on his face and is ready to take on the day. 

We're happy to have Noel join our team! 

We are Cleaning Experts

3/30/2020 (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 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 Stoneham/Wakefield, (781) 245-0011. 

How to Prevent Attic Fires

9/15/2019 (Permalink)

Attic Fire

Did you know that more than 40% of attic fires are the result of electrical malfunctions?

So how do we help prevent an attic fire? Here are three things firefighters suggest you hire a professional to do:

1. Have your chimney inspected by a professional who will check the interior and exterior of the chimney, including the part running through the attic
2. Check the wiring in your attic, preferably by an electrician, looking for signs of damage, cracked insulation (wire sheathing), and exposed or disconnected wires
3. Look for signs of burning and charring in the insulation and wood

A common mistake is that everybody typically plugs in their space heaters to help supplement their heat. And then, they'll put them on a long extension cord so that they are able to reach areas with less heat. So, the longer the extension cord is, the more amperage it will draw on the circuit.

Another common fire hazard is when homeowners choose incandescent light bulbs in ceiling fixtures that is a higher voltage than required is also a fire hazard. That heat that is trapped within the light fixture goes straight up into the attic and in the wires and essentially cook the wires, starting a fire.

Fed Up With Foul Smelling Clothes?

9/13/2019 (Permalink)

Fed up with foul smelling clothes?

Do you store your warm weather clothes away during Autumn?  If so, this can help!

Clothes with a musty smell can usually be taken care of by using one of these common household products.

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Borax

Just fill your washing machine with clothes, hot water and your normal detergent. Once full, pour a cup of your selected product in and agitate to ensure it’s mixed properly. You can use a mixture of vinegar and baking soda, a half cup each.

For best results dry the clothes outside. A sunny breezy day is best. A place that gets both wind and sun is ideal.

Keep in mind, if your clothes smell musty, it’s because of mold. Our team at SERVPRO of Stoneham/Wakefield is here to help!

Here to Help

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at Stoneham, Wakefield, Reading and North Reading commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of Stoneham/ Wakefield

SERVPRO of Stoneham/ Wakefield specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a damaging event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. 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.

We are HERE to Help, Call Us Today – 781-245-0011.

If you see mold, Contact us Today

3/30/2019 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your home.

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of Stoneham/ Wakefield for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself.
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of Stoneham/ Wakefield specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business.  Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 781-245-0011

24 Hour Emergency Service

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Stoneham/ Wakefield is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 781-245-0011

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of Stoneham/ Wakefield has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of Stoneham/ Wakefield

SERVPRO of Stoneham/ Wakefield 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. 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.

When Mold Invades Your Home or Business

3/19/2019 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO?

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See or Smell Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (781) 245-0011.