Team Hughes Has Grown!

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cecil County is proud to share our big news!!  Team Hughes has acquired two new franchises to add to our portfolio and areas of service, SERVPRO of Lancaster East and SERVPRO of Southern Lancaster County.  We are excited to welcome Lancaster into our territories, which also includes our SERVPRO of Kennett Square/Oxford franchise.

Should you need our expertise in Cecil County, Chester County or our newly obtained Lancaster area, please give us a call!  Our teams are prepared to respond to any cleaning or restoration need for local residential and commercial clients.  We are also excited to meet our local business partners and organizations in this new territory as we expand our coverage!

Are You Prepared for Spring?

3/7/2023 (Permalink)

Spring is almost here, which means that a lot of us will begin our spring cleaning routines.  SERVPRO of Cecil County would like to remind you that we are here for those needs as well!

If you are thinking about getting your carpets, tile floors, upholstery or even area rugs cleaned, we can help with that!

When’s the last time you took a look at your ducts?  Duct cleaning is recommended every 5-7 years, depending on certain factors in your home or business such as pet dander.

Looking for more of a deep cleaning?  Our cleaning professionals can clean and disinfect all walls, ceilings and surfaces from top to bottom, even light switches and door knobs.

No matter the level of cleaning you are considering this spring, SERVPRO of Cecil County can assist you.  We offer free estimates for all of our services, and we can help you to determine what level of cleaning you may need to help keep your property in great shape!

Electrical Fire Safety

2/24/2023 (Permalink)

Electrical issues are not something you should put off, one of the reasons being that it can lead to fire damage.  The National Fire Protection Association states that electrical problems are the second leading cause of home fires.  SERVPRO of Cecil County recommends that you have a certified electrician install, inspect and repair any electrical components in your home to help prevent this often unforeseen disaster.

Some issues that can lead to an electrical fire include:

Power outages

Flickering lights

Significant heat coming from your appliances

A burning smell

Sparks from your outlets or devices

• Old wiring also has a hard time keeping up with powering your home.  Be sure to update your electrical system as needed.
• Do not plug extension cords into each other or overuse outlets.
• Do not use frayed or damaged cords.
• Light bulbs should not exceed the wattage needed, as this can lead to overheating.
• Make sure your dryers, microwaves and other appliances are working properly, since faulty appliances can lead to an electrical failure.
• When using a portable heater, keep it away from flammable materials such as rugs and curtains.  Always unplug them before leaving the home.
• Make sure your HVAC system, dryer and ducts are clear of dirt, dust and debris that can build up and cause a fire.  Our team provides duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning services to help prevent this!

In the event of an electrical fire, disconnect the power source immediately if possible.  If the power is off, you can use water or baking soda to help eliminate the flames before help arrives.  Once the danger is over, do not re-enter the structure until you are told it is safe to do so.

Electrical fires can cause significant fire damage to your property, but SERVPRO of Cecil County is ready to respond immediately, should you suffer such a disaster!

Preventing Winter Weather Woes

2/8/2023 (Permalink)

Winter has its challenges, and snow has been the last of our worries this season.  Like the quick cold snap Cecil County suffered over the holidays, storm, water and fire damage can often occur quickly and without warning.  To help prevent some of the most common forms of fire and water damage in your property during this time of year, follow these precautionary measures!

Water Damage Prevention

• A steep drop in temperature means a higher risk of pipes freezing and bursting.  To prevent this, insulate all exposed pipes.
• Close your indoor valves, but keep your outdoor valves open so water can escape, rather than freeze.
• Faucets can be opened enough to let the water drip during severe cold conditions.
• Remember to use a heating pad or hot towel to thaw a frozen pipe before it bursts.
• Before and after a winter storm, inspect your property for signs of damage.
• Remove snow from your roof carefully and before it has a chance to weigh down your roof or form an ice dam.  This is when an ice formation blocks the melting snow from traveling to your gutters and drains and the water instead leaks into your property.

Fire Damage Prevention

• Have your fireplaces, chimneys, furnaces, boilers and other heating systems checked for issues and repaired as needed.
• Do not overdo it when it comes to your outlets and extension cords.  Do not use broken or damaged wires or plugs.
• Portable heaters should be shut off when you are not in the room or at home.  Flammable materials should also be kept away from these and other heating systems.
• Place candles on a sturdy surface and extinguish them before leaving the home.

Should your residential or commercial property experience a water or fire loss this winter, SERVPRO of Cecil County can assist you with every step of the process.  Our restoration professionals are available to respond 24/7 to emergencies in our area.  We also work quickly and efficiently to restore the affected areas while taking your concerns and belongings into consideration.  SERVPRO of Cecil County is here to help when it comes to water, fire, storm or mold damage services in our local communities!

Cold Snap Causes Water Damage over the Holidays!

1/25/2023 (Permalink)

This past Christmas was a bit less festive for many of our local homeowners and businesses who suffered substantial water damage over the holiday and the entire holiday weekend.  Due to the sudden freeze that the Cecil County area experienced over this timeframe, many properties suffered frozen pipes that eventually burst and flooded water into each structure.  Septic backups were another large problem for the area, as were several other water damage-related problems.

The calls kept coming in for our team over the holiday break, but we responded immediately to each loss, even on Christmas Day.  Our water and storm damage restoration crews handle each loss with care and in consideration of your concerns down to every little detail, including the contents inside your home that we understand mean more to you than the structure itself.

SERVPRO of Cecil County is proud to be have the resources and capabilities to respond 24/7 to emergency water and fire losses in our area, and we hope that these services helped to make each one of our customer’s holidays a lot brighter!

Fire Damage at a Senior Living Community

12/27/2022 (Permalink)

We recently produced a fire loss for a home in a senior citizen community in Conowingo.  The fire was caused by a lit cigarette that led to smoke damage throughout the home.  After having issues with another company, the homeowner decided to give us a call.  We were asked to help with the fire damage cleanup right away, so we visited the site immediately to begin restoring the home.

Besides one delay due to the crew discovering insects in the residence while onsite, we completed the fire cleanup on time!  We worked with the customer to get the insect problem taken care of, and the fire damage process continued soon after.  Like many other restoration projects, SERVPRO of Cecil County works with you throughout the project as well as with your insurance company, plumbers, or other contractors that may be needed due to unforeseen circumstances.

This fire restoration cleanup involved removing all signs of smoke and soot from the property using our techniques that do so on a professional level.  Our air scrubbers and odor deodorization equipment eliminated any smoke and odor in the space, while our soot cleaning sponges thoroughly removed any further fire damage that was difficult to see.

This fire damage project was completed on schedule, and we’re happy to say that we left the home as good as new!  Our restoration team is proud to assist Cecil County with their smoke, soot and fire damage needs!

The Cecil County Christmas Parade!

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cecil County supports our community throughout the year with many events, and Christmas time is no exception!  We were excited to be a part of the Cecil County Christmas Parade held in the Town of North East!  We decked out one of our Production vehicles for the event with some holiday décor and enjoyed seeing the creativity of the many other parade participants as well!

Once the parade began, we had a blast!  Hundreds of local residents crowded the streets of the town and joined in on the fun.  There were also performers throughout the parade showcasing their talent and Christmas joy!

SERVPRO of Cecil County is proud to be a dedicated supporter of our community through local events and organizations.  We are members of the Cecil County Board of Realtors CARE Committee as well as several Chambers of Commerce in the county.  We are grateful to have the opportunity to support Cecil County in many ways!

A Mix of Water and Mold Damage

11/29/2022 (Permalink)

Discovering water damage and mold growth in your home or business is nothing to delay, especially when they go hand in hand.  Mold can grow quickly and in as little as 48 hours. When hidden water damage is added to the mix, the issue becomes much more serious, since this means your structure has not been fully dried like you had thought.

Hiring a certified restoration professional can help with this issue.  SERVPRO of Cecil County uses advanced drying equipment and mold remediation techniques that can help to remove all further signs of water or mold, even from those hard to reach or concealed areas.

Recently, our water restoration professionals stopped out to a local home that had suffered water damage from a faulty kitchen faucet.  The cabinet was removed, and we discovered this mold along the drywall.  Water had also traveled into the basement of the home.  We began mold and water damage services immediately for this contractor who we have assisted on many occasions for the properties they work on.  All damages were handled properly, and the affected areas were restored to preloss conditions.

SERVPRO of Cecil County provides 24/7 services to those who have suffered a water or fire damage event, but we also take as much care in the common issues that arise in our homes and businesses.  Mold remediation, general cleaning, biohazard cleanup and post construction cleaning are just a few of the services we provide to the Elkton area.  Our team strives to help restore any disaster you may suffer as quickly and efficiently as possible!

Seasonal Fire Safety

11/16/2022 (Permalink)

With the fall air beginning to plummet into those brisk nights, we all are beginning to use our heating systems to keep warm.  In order to prevent fire damage during this time, SERVPRO of Cecil County recommends checking your systems regularly and before your first use for the season.  We also would like to remind you to stay safe while in the kitchen this Thanksgiving.  We outlined a few measures you can follow to help prevent fire damage during the fall and winter months.

• Inspect and clean your chimneys and fireplaces.  Install and replace chimney caps to prevent a blockage of dirt and debris.  This will also continue to allow smoke to exit the chimney properly, rather than throughout your home.
• Fireplaces should be checked for issues and clogs.  Logs must be positioned properly to help prevent the spread of a fire.
• Check your heaters and HVAC systems for damages or failure.  Portable heaters should be kept away from curtains, clothing and other flammable materials and turned off when no one is home.
• Your boiler or furnace will leak oil when not functioning properly.  Check those for any leaks, noises or odors that are out of the ordinary and have any repairs needed completed immediately to prevent a buildup of oil that can lead to soot bursting out of the system.

• This Thanksgiving, do not leave your cooking unattended, and keep children away from the cooking area.
• Clean your stove and oven of any grease or cooking oil that could ignite if spills were to occur on the stove.  Towels, oven mitts and other flammable materials should not be placed on or near the stove.
• Keep the floor clear of items to prevent the risk of tripping.
• Maintain and test your smoke alarms.

• During the fall and holiday season, please also remember to be cautious when decorating.  Decorations should be kept at least three feet away from heaters.  Only use holiday lights that are in good condition; no damaged cords.  Do not plug too many appliances into one outlet.
• If you are enjoying the bonfire season, be sure to never leave the fire unattended or start one in heavy winds.  Bonfires should be kept away from structures.

Should you suffer fire damage this season, SERVPRO of Cecil County can help to restore any extent of smoke or soot damage to your property.  We provide complete fire damage restoration services including structural repairs and odor deodorization services in order to help make your disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Hurricane Ian Storm Damage Recovery

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cecil County recently traveled to the areas of Fort Myers and Cape Coral in Florida after the catastrophic destruction left behind by Hurricane Ian.  Our franchise along with many others traveled south to immediately assist those who were left in unfortunate circumstances due to the storm damage. 

The hurricane was one of the most profound storms for our nation this year with Category 4 winds and floodwater.  Wind gusts were up to 150 miles per hour, while flooding was measured as high as 15 feet in some areas.  Florida and the Carolinas were affected substantially from the hurricane, but the most impacted area was found in Fort Myers where our team was placed.

The storm damage was immense, but we were proud to have the resources and ability to travel to assist those most in need.  SERVPRO of Cecil County provides storm damage services for when there is a critical need, no matter the extent of the aftermath.  Our storm and disaster recovery team often travels along the east coast for natural disasters, including the drastic flooding in Virginia this year and the recent emergency services needed in Texas.