Recent Commercial Posts

Rebuilding Commercial Spaces After Damage

3/8/2024 (Permalink)

Green box with text and orange SERVPRO® logo Rebuilding a commercial space in Walpole, MA, after damage is challenging but achievable with careful planning and the right team.

Natural disasters, accidents, and unforeseen events can cause significant damage to commercial properties in Walpole, MA, requiring a meticulous approach to rebuild and restore these spaces.

Here are the key steps involved in rebuilding commercial spaces after damage:

  1. Assessment and Documentation: Thoroughly assess the damage and document it with photographs and detailed notes for insurance claims and contractor work.
  2. Safety and Security: Prioritize safety by securing the site and installing temporary fencing or barriers to prevent unauthorized access.
  3. Insurance Claims: Promptly file a claim with your insurance provider and provide the necessary documentation for a smooth claims process.
  4. Selecting Contractors: Choose experienced and reputable contractors, obtain multiple quotes, and ask for references to ensure you hire the right team.
  5. Permits and Regulations: Check local regulations, secure any required permits, and comply with building codes to avoid delays and fines.
  6. Demolition and Cleanup: Hire professional teams to safely remove debris and clean up the site after extensive damage.
  7. Structural Repairs: Repair structural damage by rebuilding walls, replacing roofs, and reinforcing foundations under the guidance of structural engineers.
  8. Interior Restoration: Restore the interior by replacing flooring, walls, ceilings, and fixtures.
  9. Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems: Have all systems inspected and repaired by qualified professionals to ensure safety and functionality.
  10. Final Inspections and Certification: Schedule final inspections with local authorities to obtain a certificate of occupancy before reopening for business.
  11. Reopening and Marketing: Reopen your commercial space and consider a marketing campaign to inform customers and attract new business.

Rebuilding a commercial space in Walpole, MA, after damage is challenging but achievable with careful planning and the right team. By following these steps, you can navigate the rebuilding process efficiently, ensuring a successful outcome.


SERVPRO of Norwood / West Roxbury is The #1 Choice in Cleanup and Restoration for commercial buildings’ fire, mold, water, and storm damage. We are ready to assist businesses in Westwood, MA | Dedham, MA | West Roxbury, MA | Norwood, MA | East Dedham, MA | Norwood Centre, MA | Endicott, MA | Walpole, MA

Does Your Business Have a Fire Evacuation Plan In Norwood West Roxbury, MA?

1/10/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO working with green text box and orange SERVPRO logo Safety should always be at the forefront of your business priorities in Norwood West Roxbury.

In the fast-paced realm of business, amidst the daily hustle, one crucial aspect that often takes a backseat is a comprehensive fire evacuation plan.

While the hope is to never face disasters, preparedness for the worst can significantly impact safeguarding employees, clients, and assets. Understanding the importance of a fire evacuation plan for your business and taking proactive steps can make a substantial difference in ensuring the safety of everyone involved.

The Importance of a Fire Evacuation Plan:

  • Protecting Lives and Assets: The primary purpose is to ensure swift and safe evacuation during a fire, minimizing the risk of injuries or fatalities. Safeguards valuable assets and sensitive information crucial for business continuity.
  • Legal Compliance: Many jurisdictions mandate businesses to have a fire evacuation plan, not just as a legal requirement but as a moral obligation to prioritize well-being. Non-compliance may lead to severe consequences, including fines and legal actions
  • Maintaining Business Continuity: Contributes to the quick resumption of essential operations after a fire incident, minimizing disruptions and potential financial losses.

Steps to Develop an Effective Fire Evacuation Plan:

  • Conduct a Risk Assessment: Identify potential fire hazards within the premises, such as electrical equipment or flammable materials. Understanding risks is crucial for developing a targeted evacuation plan.
  • Establish Clear Evacuation Routes:Designate primary and alternative evacuation routes that are well-lit, unobstructed, and easily accessible. Consider the needs of individuals with disabilities and make provisions for their assistance.
  • Implement an Emergency Communication System: Establish a robust communication system, including fire alarms, intercoms, or other notification methods. Regularly test and maintain these systems to ensure proper functionality.
  • Assign Responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of designated personnel during a fire evacuation. Responsibilities may include sounding alarms, guiding occupants to safety, and conducting headcounts at assembly points.
  • Conduct Regular Drills and Training: Practice fire evacuation drills regularly to familiarize employees with procedures and exit routes. Provide training on fire safety, including the proper use of firefighting equipment, to empower individuals to respond effectively in an emergency.

A fire evacuation plan is not just a document; it's a dynamic and living strategy that can make a significant difference during a crisis. Prioritizing the safety of employees and visitors through a well-executed plan fulfills legal obligations and reflects a commitment to their well-being.

Regularly review and update your fire evacuation plan, ensuring everyone in the organization is prepared to respond swiftly and decisively in case of a fire emergency. Remember, safety should always be at the forefront of your business priorities in Norwood West Roxbury.

What are the steps for a commercial rebuild in Norwood West Roxbury MA?

3/5/2023 (Permalink)

Orange background with text and SERVPRO logo We service Dedham, East Dedham, Endicott, Medfield, Norwood Centre, Norwood, Walpole, MA, and Westwood, MA

Commercial rebuilds can be an exciting and daunting undertaking for any business owner. It can be a chance to revamp your business and take it to the next level, but it requires careful planning and execution. Here are the essential steps you need to follow to ensure a successful commercial rebuild.

Step 1: Define your goals and budget: Determine what changes you want to make and why. This will help you determine the scope of the project and the budget you'll need to allocate. Be realistic with your budget and plan for unexpected expenses.

Step 2: Hire a contractor: You will need to hire an experienced contractor to help you plan and execute the rebuild. Look for professionals with experience in commercial construction, and make sure to check their references and past projects. 

Step 3: Obtain permits and approvals: Before you can start construction, you'll need to obtain the necessary permits and approvals from the local building department. This can be a time-consuming process, so it's important to start early and plan accordingly.

Step 4: Demolition and site preparation: Once you have all the necessary permits and approvals, you can start the demolition and site preparation process. This will involve removing any existing structures and preparing the site for construction.

Step 5: Construction: The construction phase involves building the new structure according to the plans created by your architect. This will include everything from framing and roofing to electrical and plumbing systems. Your contractor will oversee this process and ensure that everything is built to code and on schedule.

Step 6: Inspections and final touches: After construction is complete, your building will need to be inspected to ensure that it meets all safety and building codes. Once the inspections are complete, you can begin adding the final touches, such as flooring, paint, and fixtures.

Step 7: Move-in and reopening

Once the final touches are complete, you can move back into the building and reopen your business. 

Commercial rebuilds require careful planning, budgeting, and execution.

We service Dedham, East Dedham, Endicott, Medfield, Norwood Centre, Norwood, Walpole, MA, and Westwood, MA

SERVPRO Of Norwood West Roxbury is The #1 Choice in Cleanup and Restoration for residential and commercial buildings’ fire, mold, water, and storm damage. 

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury Explains Commercial Rebuilding Services

7/3/2022 (Permalink)

Orange background with text and SERVPRO logo SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is your one-stop shop for commercial construction.

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is your one-stop shop for commercial construction. The last thing you want to worry about when you have a need for reconstruction is contacting and managing multiple repair crews.

We will work with your insurance company to restore your commercial property to help make it “Like it never even happened.” Our goal is to complete your commercial restoration project on time and within the budget with as little downtime to your business as possible.

We have a competent and experienced team that believes in delivering quality workmanship. Our full-service process includes: inspection and estimating, mitigation, restoration, and reconstruction. 

Why choose us:

  1. Single Contact
  2. Expedited Restoration Process
  3. Quality Workmanship
  4. SERVPRO’s Clean Build Technology
  5. On-Time & On-Budget
  6. Easier Insurance Claims Process

We are proud to serve our local communities:

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is available 24/7 including holidays and weekends to assist you with your disaster needs to get it back to “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury Helps Commercial Buildings With Restoration

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Black background with orange text and SERVPRO logo Commercial cleaning and restoration present unique challenges. You need a company that provides excellent results while minimizing disruption.

Commercial cleaning and restoration present unique challenges. You need a company that provides excellent results while minimizing the disruption to your clients. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury has the training and expertise to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

We can help: 

  • Small Office Buildings
  • Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
  • Apartment Buildings
  • Restaurants
  • Hotel/Motels
  • Small Retail Stores
  • Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
  • High-Rise Residential
  • Manufacturing & Industrial
  • Government/Military

We serve commercial damages in the following areas:

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is available 24/7 including holidays and weekends to assist you with your disaster needs to get it back to “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury Explains The Importance of Building an Emergency Plan

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

Orange background with text and SERVPRO logo It is important to be proactive and have a plan in place so that if a fire strikes your building you can act quickly.

A fire is not always preventable and sometimes can happen in the workplace. It is important to be proactive and have a plan in place so that if a fire strikes your building you can act quickly. 

Here are tips to create an effective emergency plan: 

  1. Assemble the Team: Seek out the participation of everyone in the office in the early stages. 
  2. Conduct Risk Assessment: Conduct a risk assessment to identify potential hazards and vulnerabilities. 
  3. Establish Objectives: Set quantifiable and tangible milestones that you’ll achieve as you develop your emergency preparedness program. Some ideas are reaching out to public emergency services, conducting a business impact analysis, and identifying opportunities for hazard prevention and risk mitigation.
  4. Create Written Policy: Here are some suggestions that your plan should include reporting fires and other emergencies, evacuation procedures, and emergency escape route assignments.
  5. Develop an on-site Emergency Response Team: Designate emergency response leaders within your organization to lead evacuation, coordinate communication, conduct a headcount, and communicate detailed information to 911 dispatch and emergency responders. 
  6. Practice and Review: Your Emergency Response Plan works great when the people carrying it out are well prepared. Every six months, conduct emergency drills.

There is no right way to be prepared for a fire or damage to business property. However, when you have a plan in effect before it happens, things can go much smoother. We are able to help you create an Emergency Readiness Plan so that if damage hits your building you can act quickly. 

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is available 24/7 including holidays and weekends to assist you with your commercial disaster needs to get it back to “Like it never even happened.”

What Are The Common Causes of Commercial Building Fires?

3/5/2022 (Permalink)

Green background with orange SERVPRO logo and title. It is important to take care of employees whenever there is a fire.

It is important to take care of employees whenever there is a fire. Commercial fires can be the result of human error. Therefore, it is important to educate yourself to help prevent a fire. 

Arson: This is the leading cause of fire damage in a workplace setting. This is instigated by the owner for the hope of collecting insurance on a failing business. 

Human Errors: There is poor judgment in the workplace sometimes and this can cause a fire, such as leaving a cigarette unattended.

Apparatus: There are strict codes regulating the installation and maintenance of water heaters, boilers, and furnaces. Mishandling of installation can ignite a fire. 

Electrical Fires: Building fires are usually the result of the misuse of an appliance. An appliance is used for a purpose other than what it was designed for. 

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is available 24/7 including holidays and weekends to assist you with your commercial disaster needs to get it back to “Like it never even happened.” 

Choose SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury for Your Next Commercial Construction Project

3/5/2022 (Permalink)

building with green overlay and text with SERVPRO orange logo SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury works with your insurance company to restore your commercial property.

The last thing you should have to worry about when you need restoration or reconstruction is contacting multiple repair crews; it can cause stress and anxiety. This can also take away precious working hours. 

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury works with your insurance company to restore your commercial property. Our goal is to complete your commercial restoration project on time and within the budget. We make sure to have an as little downtime as possible.

Here are just a few reasons to choose us for your next project: 

Single Contact: Communication is the key to any successful business restoration project. We will be there from start to finish with effective communication. 

Expedited Restoration Process: We are a one-stop-shop. Construction will go much quicker since we coordinate construction work at the same time we’re mitigating. 

Quality Workmanship: You will be proud of the results we deliver because we take pride in our experience and have the proper tools. 

Clean Build Technology: We offer premium services using EPA-registered products for dust control, viral pathogen protection (including COVID-19), and other contaminants.

On-Time & On-Budget: Our professional construction service providers work with your insurance company, so you do not have to worry.

Easier Insurance Claims Process: We will help you navigate the insurance claims process and coordinate the necessary paperwork for a quicker, easier experience.

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is available 24/7 including holidays and weekends to assist you with your commercial disaster needs to get it back to “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury Helps Restore Your Commercial Property After a Fire

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Black background with orange text and SERVPRO logo Businesses may be impacted by a disaster such as a tornado or flooding, at some point or another.

Fire can do a lot of damage to businesses by far. In fact, most businesses that suffer a large fire simply never reopen their doors again.

Businesses may be impacted by a disaster such as a tornado or flooding, at some point or another. 

With proper clean-up and repairs, a business can open the doors and start connecting with customers again. 

Heat and smoke damage from a fire can destroy structures, and make the building dangerous and unsafe. It is vital to call experts as soon as possible, so you can restore your building in a timely and efficient manner. 

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury has a 24-hour response team. We are able to begin work immediately, so your business time doesn’t need to be down for long periods of time. 

Our experts will assess the damage then begin work and start planning for the clean-up. This involves the smoke and fire damage; we also remove the water and foam that will have been used by the fire service to extinguish the blaze.

We will work with you to restore your commercial premises back to a fully functioning business environment as quickly and efficiently as possible. 

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is available 24/7 including holidays and weekends to assist you with your commercial disaster needs to get it back to “Like it never even happened.” 

Top Five Things To Prepare For In A Business Disaster in Norwood West Roxbury

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial Building in background with orange box and text overlay If you are in need of creating an Emergency Readiness Plan, contact us directly for NO CHARGE. We would be honored to help you set up your plan.

No matter what disaster your business may face, here are five simple ways you can prepare for a natural disaster.

  1. Create an emergency operations plan: If a natural disaster struck your business, what would happen in the hours that follow?  Would employees be allowed to work remotely? There are so many critical questions to ask. 

You should create an Emergency Readiness Plan for your business. As you draft your plan, make sure it addresses the following areas:

  • Outline a way to communicate and make sure the contact information you have with each employee is updated.
  • If a natural disaster occurs while at work, does everyone know how to safely evacuate the building? 

If you are in need of creating an Emergency Readiness Plan, contact us directly for NO CHARGE. We would like to help you set up your plan so you can be prepared. 

  1. Back up important data: You will want to safely store important business paperwork. You might want to put paperwork in an off-site location and make copies as needed. Don’t forget about the benefits of being in the cloud either. 
  2. Meet with an insurance advisor:  It’s wise to meet with your insurance advisor and review your company’s existing coverage. You may find you need to invest in additional coverage.
  3. Maintain communication: It is important to communicate with employees, vendors, and customers. Your plan should detail how communication will be maintained during the disaster and its aftermath.
  4. 5. Regroup in your community: Small businesses impacted by a natural disaster generally do not come out of it as though nothing has happened. For some small businesses, a natural disaster is enough to close a business entirely; if your business is back up and running, now is the time to offer a helping hand to other businesses.

If you are in need of creating an Emergency Readiness Plan, contact us directly for NO CHARGE. We would be honored to help you set up your plan should a disaster strike. 


SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is available 24/7 including holidays and weekends to assist you to get your business back to “Like it never even happened.”  

June is National Safety Month in Norwood West Roxbury

6/6/2021 (Permalink)

Business Office background with orange box and SERVPRO logo National Safety Month is celebrated in June. This is when people focus on how to keep their environment safe and danger-free in the workplace.

National Safety Month is celebrated in June. This is when people focus on how to keep their environment safe and danger-free in the workplace. It is a time to reflect on how to create a safer environment for business owners and employees. Learning about safety methods can help increase pressure on employers to offer a safer working environment.

HOW TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH

Conduct a fire drill: Taking precautionary measures can prevent severe damage if a fire were to happen. It is a great time to conduct a fire drill. Select a safety point that's close to your business and test your fire alarms to perform the drill.

Update your first-aid kit: Keep an updated first aid kit and stock it with dressings, bandages, tape, ointments, wipes, aspirin, gloves, scissors, and gauze pads. 

WHY NATIONAL SAFETY MONTH IS IMPORTANT

It focuses on all aspects of employee health and safety, instead of focusing on a single workplace hazard, the National Safety Council selects four different types of health and safety issues each year.

This helps offer safety tips for everyday life and it teaches us to be proactive when it comes to anticipating potential disasters. This is something that you can implement at your workplace to make it safer. 

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury  is available 24/7 including holidays and weekends to assist you and get your home back to “Like it never even happened.” 

Is your business emergency ready?

5/19/2021 (Permalink)

Cell phone with SERVPRO and ERP on screen The Ready Plan is an emergency preparedness tool for business owners, property managers, risk managers, and facility management.

As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind.

By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile Advantage is a no-cost assessment of your facility. There are many benefits to it: 

  • This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
  • A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
  • It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
  • A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
  • This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.
  • Establishes your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
  • You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.
  • Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
  • Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it, and who to call.

The Ready Plan is an emergency preparedness tool for business owners, property managers, risk managers, and facility management. It allows for the creation of an Emergency Ready Profile® containing critical facility information to help speed up response time.

SERVPRO of Norwood West Roxbury is available 24/7 including holidays and weekends to assist you and get your business back to “Like it never even happened.” If you are ready to get started call  (781) 769-9125

Specialty Commercial Cleaning Services

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury professionals offer cleaning services ranging from cleaning restaurant hoods to removing biohazard contaminants. They have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business. Their cleaning services include the following:

  1. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned:   Our new defensive pathogen cleaning program, goes way beyond standard janitorial cleaning practices. This is proactive viral pathogen cleaning. With over 50 years of experience in biochemical spill remediation and decontamination, you can trust us to bring a higher standard of clean to the places we gather.
  2. Biohazard: Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences. A failure to properly remove such substances can contribute to unhealthy and dangerous environments. We are trained to safely clean and remove biohazardous substances and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.
  3. Ceilings, Floors, and Walls: Ceiling and wall cleaning should be part of the cleaning maintenance of your business. You should also clean walls before painting so that the primer and paint can adhere properly. Whether you are preparing to paint or just looking for professional cleaning, we can help.
  4. Document Restoration: In the aftermath of a disaster, some of your most valued contents could be lost forever. As a leader in the restoration industry, we know that timely mitigation is the key to recovering damaged possessions. With years of experience and state-of-the-art technology, our restoration professionals will help you recover your paper goods before it’s too late.
  5. Odor Removal:  As experts in deodorization, our professionals are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. These odors can come from a number of sources both inside and outside a structure.
  6. Sewage:  Sewer backups should be considered an emergency since the water may contain viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that cause serious illnesses. Our team has specialized training and equipment to quickly and safely clean contaminants like sewage.
  7. Vandalism:  Graffiti and vandalism can be very upsetting. It can range from relatively minor pranks to malicious destruction of property. Often simple acts of vandalism, like breaking a window, can cause significant water and mold damage if not addressed in a timely manner.

When damage strikes Dedham, MA commercial property SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury is here to help our community. No matter what your needs may be, we have a commercial cleaning solution for you.  Call us today - (781) 769-9125.  We will make it, "Like it never even happened."

Has Cleaning Exceeded Your Business' Internal Resources

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

Running a successful business in Massachusetts is hard enough, let alone during a pandemic. You have enough to do to keep your business running, so be sure that you have the best vendors possible to take care of your commercial property. Your time is better spent that having to figure out what to do about the inevitable wear and tear that gradually builds in your office over time. When grime, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, call SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury to help with your commercial cleaning projects.

Whether it’s disinfecting your offices, removing an odor problem or a deep cleaning, you can rely on us to make your workspace look and feel its very best. When you call SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury you will be bringing in a quality contractor who carries these benefits:

  1. Certified training
  2. Over 50 years’ experience in the industry
  3. More than 100 exclusive cleaning products

When damage strikes West Roxbury, MA commercial property SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury is here to help our community. No matter what your needs may be, we have a commercial cleaning solution for you.  Call us today for more information or to set up an appointment - (781) 769-9125.  We will make it, "Like it never even happened."

Protect Your Commercial Property Against Sprinkler System Failure

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

As a commercial property owner in West Roxbury, MA when did you last think about it your sprinkler systems? Unfortunately, sprinkler systems often get left off of the yearly maintenance to-do list because they do not malfunction often, but they can. When they do the damage can be significant! The following are steps to be taken regularly to prevent against a sprinkler system disaster;

Maintenance

Plan to periodically check your sprinkler system for obvious issues. It is relatively easy to accidently damage a sprinkler head. A damaged head, bent pipe, rust and even dust build up might not cause immediate system failure, however, over time it may. If you notice anything like that, call your fire suppression system contractor to come and replace the parts. 

Inspect


The National Fire Protection Association sets standards for regular maintenance, inspection, and testing of fire sprinkler systems. Following these regulations keeps your business up-to-code and ensures that your system is ready if it's needed. Completing the main drain test will likely fall under the scope of a whole system inspection, but if for any reason you're concerned that your sprinkler system may not be working properly, you can test it yourself.

SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury is here to help our community when damage strikes their commercial property. Regular maintenance, inspection, and testing of your sprinkler system will keep your business and employees safe. If they do fail call (781) 769-9125 will make it, "Like it never even happened."

3 Things to Know About Sandbags

7/15/2020 (Permalink)

When faced with a storm resulting in heavy rain and flood waters in Dedham, MA some business owners may consider the use of sandbags to prevent water damage to their commercial property. The certified flood damage restoration experts at SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury understand the importance of proactively taking steps to mitigate damage before it occurs as a way to protect the property and reduce clean up times and costs and a flood dam is one way to do this. Here is what you may want to know:


How They Work

In most cases flood dams work by directing water flow away from the threatened area. Many people choose sandbags as they are easy to build in a variety of protective formations. Dry sand is loaded into the bag, the bag is then folded and placed to create a wall. When the water reaches the wall it is absorbed by the sand which then becomes heavier, harder to move, and creates a tighter seal.

Where to Place Them

When creating a sandbag barrier to protect your commercial property it’s recommended to construct it in a way that directs the flow of water rather than trying to block it. This will put less force on the wall. Also, it will keep the water moving to a safe drainage location. Consider setting the barrier up so that the water flows down hill and away from the property or into a drainage ditch or open field where it can disperse safely.

When to Use Them

One of the best ways to reduce flood damage is to know when to use a flood dam. In most cases you may want to consider the use of sandbags any time you believe flooding may pose a high risk to the property.

When making a sandbag wall or using another flood dam type to protect your commercial property it’s important to understand how they work and where to place them to direct water flow. Even the best laid plans often go awry. Despite your efforts your property may still suffer damage. That is when you need to call the remediation experts at SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury(781) 769-9125. We will make it, "Like it never even happened." 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s:

Consult, Clean, and Certify

  • Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
  • Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
  • Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help 24 hours a day, every day of the year including holidays! Call SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury today at (781) 796-9125 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!

OSHA COVID-19 Guidance

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

We at SERVPRO of Norwood / West Roxbury understand the severity of our current situation and the impact it has had to our lives. Our daily reality has been turned upside down and sideways. Parents and school administrations have united to ensure that our children remain safe and continue to learn outside of the classroom. The need for social distancing has forced communities, governments and businesses to make difficult, but necessary decisions.  For businesses those decisions range from temporarily closing their doors to working virtually. However, there are essential businesses, like supermarkets, pharmacies, gas stations, where temporarily closing and working virtually are not options. It is paramount that employers in such businesses take the necessary steps to ensure both customer and employee safety. To help create safe environments OSHA has created guidelines for preparing workplaces for COVID-19. Along with information on COVID-19 itself and how an outbreak could affect the workplace OSHA has classified the levels of risk inherent to various jobs and the steps to take to protect your constituents. Click, here, to download a copy.

For more information on COVID-19 and how best to protect yourself and others around you visit the Centers for Disease Control website. 

If your residential or commercial property needs preventative deep cleaning services, call the experts at SERVPRO of Norwood / West Roxbury today – (781) 769 - 9125

All of us here at SERVPRO of Norwood / West Roxbury want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! 

Viral Cleaning

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

All of us here at SERVPRO of Norwood / West Roxbury want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! The easiest step we can all take at home and in the workplace is to properly sanitize the area. Did you know that while everything can be cleaned, the same does not hold true for disinfecting?

Cleaning/Sanitizing/Disinfecting

It is important to understand the different levels of cleaning that may or may not be possible for each surface. All surfaces can be cleaned, many surfaces can be sanitized, and some surfaces can be disinfected.

The three main levels of microbe control are:

  • General surface cleaning – physically removes visible dirt, organic matter, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. General surface cleaning is accomplished with water, detergent, and physical scrubbing of the surface. The guiding principle is to remove microbes if possible, rather than kill them (with a sanitizer or disinfectant). In addition, thoroughly cleaning a surface can reduce the need to disinfect because without the nutrients and moisture needed to survive and multiply, most microbes cannot live on a clean and dry surface for very long. 
  • Sanitizing – reduces but does not necessarily eliminate all the bacteria on a treated surface. Sanitizers do not have claims for viruses or fungi. To be a registered sanitizer, the test results for a product must show a reduction of at least a. 99.9% in the number of each type of bacteria tested on non-food-contact surfaces. Examples of non-food-contact sanitizers include carpet sanitizers, air sanitizers, laundry additives, and in-tank toilet bowl sanitizers.
  • Disinfecting – works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs.v Disinfecting destroys or irreversibly inactivates infectious or other undesirable microbes, but not necessarily the spores of bacteria and fungi. The number of microbes killed during a disinfecting process will vary, depending on the specific chemical and how it is used.

For more information on COVID-19 and how best to protect yourself and others around you visit the Centers for Disease Control website. 

Please be safe and vigilant in your cleaning efforts. Should you have any doubts regarding the safety of your residential or commercial property needs expert preventative deep cleaning services, call the experts at SERVPRO of Norwood / West Roxbury today – (781) 769 - 9125

#1. Opt for Flood Insurance

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

Hurricane Season has sprung!  And it is also time for you to spring for Flood Insurance.  You’ll be happy to make this wise investment, as we know that Flood Insurance is just a drop in the bucket compared to the money spent on Flood Damage.

Despite the size of your business or property and more so of where it is located, you could still be vulnerable to major water damage.  Here are three quick tips for business and property owners to mitigate their risk.

Say Yes to Flood Insurance.  More than 20% of flood claims occur outside the high-risk flood zones, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

Understand the policy and your risks

Once you decide to obtain flood insurance, it’s important to understand what exactly you’re signing up for. As a first step, taking a look at the policy and understand what is covered and what is not.

Call SERVPRO of Norwood / West Roxbury. The longer you wait, the more likely there will be damage. 
And certainly, don’t wait for insurance adjusters to arrive.  Call SERVPRO of Norwood/West Roxbury, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  We’ll take the proper and immediate action to restore your property “Like it never even happened.”

Blackstone Acquires Majority Stake in SERVPRO

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

Blackstone Group (BX +1.8%) emerges as the winner in an auction for SERVPRO Industries, and is close to acquiring the company for more than $1B including debt, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing people familiar with the matter.

SERVPRO, of Gallatin, Tenn., operates a network of more than 1,700 franchisees that specialize in fire, water, mold and other cleanup services for residential and commercial customers. The closely held company was founded in 1967 by Doris Isaacson and her late husband, Ted Isaacson, as a painting business and is currently run by their eldest child, Susan Steen.

Blackstone's long-dated private-equity fund, which can hold companies for up to 20 years, will execute the acquisition of the closely held company, which operates more than 1,700 franchisees specializing in fire, water, mold, and other cleaning services for residential and commercial companies.

Part of the rationale behind the deal is that Blackstone, which owns 232m square feet of office space and 300,000 residential units and homes, can become a major SERVPRO customer.

Commercial Fire Alarm Systems

3/22/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial properties are held to a high level of maintenance to ensure safety of all occupants.  These buildings include:

  •  Office Buildings – including serviced offices.
  •  Industrial Buildings – warehouses, distribution centers and garages.
  •  Retail/Restaurants –  includes shopping centers, leisure facilities and pubs.
  •  Other non-residential properties such as entertainment venues, hotels, nursing homes, medical and self-storage complexes, as well as many more

Legal requirements for commercial fire alarm systems

As you can imagine, there is a lot more legislation concerning the installation, placement, testing and maintenance to regulate fire alarms in commercial premises than in residential buildings. British Standards provide guidelines that should be complied with and failure to do so is seen as a breach of a responsibility towards safety and can be punishable by law.

Fire alarms systems play such a key safety role in commercial buildings and there are a lot of lives potentially at steak. If the fire alarm systems are not sufficient then harsh penalties can be given, including hefty fines and in the case of extreme negligence, this can even result in imprisonment if lives are lost as a result of an ineffective approach to fire safety.

In addition if a fire does occur on a commercial property,  insurance policies may be voided if it can be proved that the fire alarm and smoke detectors were ineffective.  Be sure to test your alarms!!

Larg Loss

6/21/2018 (Permalink)

Most commercial property owners have a facilities management team in-house. Some larger organizations may even have disaster remediation equipment, pumps, air movers, dehumidifiers to name a few, on site as well. When disaster strikes they are equipped to respond in a timely fashion. What happens when the disaster exceeds the capabilities of those internal resources? That is when you call us, SERVPRO Norwood West Roxbury. We have access to both the certified technicians and state-of-the-art equipment to handle any size disaster. Our Emergency Team is on call 24 hours a day which makes us faster to any size disaster. Any building, any disaster – we have everything needed to make it "Like it never even happened." all under one roof! Call our Emergency Response Team today.

Norwood – 781-769-9125

West Roxbury – 617-323-3677

Are You Ready For Disaster To Strike

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

How many of you here have insurance? How many of you have insurance for your business in the form of a disaster recovery plan?  The Emergency Ready Profile, or the ERP, is a FREE, no-strings-attached centralized repository for critical facilities information. A well rounded business contingency plan is comprised of three components: incident response, disaster recovery and business continuity. The ERP encompasses two of those components, incident response and disaster recovery and grants us insight to the potential size and scope of a project prior to arriving on sight. The benefits of an ERP are a decrease in both response and recovery time – saving our customers money! Moreover, SERVPRO has partnered with the Red Cross and their Read Rating Program; a comprehensive assessment will help you to put all of your preparedness 'ducks' in a row. The information contained in our ERP can be used to create your baseline assessment. You never know when disaster will strike. Call us for you FREE consultation today!

Water Main Runoff

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

What would you do if a water main burst and covered over 30,000 square feet of your warehouse with almost an inch of water? You would want someone to arrive onsite fast and remediate the entire problem, not just the visible water, but also the excess moisture that could ruin a product line with mold and mildew. That is exactly what happened to a local sporting apparel manufacturer. From Air Movers to Dehumidifiers, Generators to Power Distribution Boxes we have access to a wide array of water remediation equipment and the certified technicians to get the COMPLETE job done right! We began the drying process in the middle of the week and completed it by the very next weekend. All of our equipment was removed over that weekend and the warehouse space was ready to receive deliveries that very next Monday morning. How are we able to accomplish this, we offer our commercial clients flat rate pricing which allows our technicians to take whatever steps necessary to expedite the drying process with minimal disruption to business operations. Does your commercial property need remediation services? Call our disaster recovery team today!

Are You Ready For Disaster To Strike

6/5/2018 (Permalink)

How many of you here have insurance? How many of you have insurance for your business in the form of a disaster recovery plan?  The Emergency Ready Profile, or the ERP, is a FREE, no-strings-attached centralized repository for critical facilities information. A well rounded business contingency plan is comprised of three components: incident response, disaster recovery and business continuity. The ERP encompasses two of those components, incident response and disaster recovery and grants us insight to the potential size and scope of a project prior to arriving on sight. The benefits of an ERP are a decrease in both response and recovery time – saving our customers money! Moreover, SERVPRO has partnered with the Red Cross and their Read Rating Program; a comprehensive assessment will help you to put all of your preparedness 'ducks' in a row. The information contained in our ERP can be used to create your baseline assessment. You never know when disaster will strike. Call us for you FREE consultation today!

5 Guiding Principles Of Drying

12/6/2017 (Permalink)

The IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) is an independent, certification body that sets and promotes high standards and ethics within the inspection, cleaning, restoration and installation industry. It is regarded as the international industry standard to be used by restoration companies. One of the standards they have set, which has been accredited by ANSI (American National Standards Institute), is the S500 Water Damage Restoration Standard. This standard identifies five guiding principles for remediation companies to follow when drying and restoring wet building materials and its contents. These principles are:

  1. Safety of workers and occupants
  2. Documentation of conditions and work procedures
  3. Mitigation
  4. Drying
  5. Cleaning and repair

I will go into more detail and provide some examples later, but for now let me briefly describe the five principles. 

Principle 1—Safety First

Safety is everyone’s responsibility on a water damage work site. A primary concern in water damage safety is protecting our technicians. In addition, our technicians make sure they inform and protect occupants from whatever safety issues may arise during a project. Observing appropriate safety procedures ensures that both our technicians and clients remain healthy and safe while in unhealthy or unsafe environments. 

Principle 2—Documentation 

Our technicians inspect the areas where water has intruded to identify the extent to which water has migrated through materials and how much damage has occurred. They talk with building occupants about their observations to help further define the nature of the water damage. The information gathered in this initial inspection is documented and used to plan the needed emergency procedures.

During the process of drying a building, our technicians conduct ongoing inspections. They inspect and measure moisture conditions inside the building and in materials affected by the water. Information gathered during these ongoing inspections is documented and used to determine whether wet materials are drying properly. 

When the structure and contents are considered dry again, our technicians conduct a final inspection. This information is documented to show the building materials and contents have been restored to acceptable conditions. Not only do our technicians document the conditions of the building, but also the work procedures they followed to address those conditions. 

Principle 3—Mitigation

The major concern with any wet building is to prevent damages caused by water and moisture from becoming worse. Effective mitigation of a water intrusion will reduce the amount of damage a property suffers and thus also reduce the cost of restoring the property to its condition before the loss. Mitigation is important because it helps our clients recover more quickly from the water loss event. 

The goal of mitigation is to control the moisture and contamination. Our technicians will check for the source of moisture problems in the building. This source of moisture or water must be stopped before any drying of the building can be successful. While the building owner is ultimately responsible for correcting the route cause of the water damage, we offer subcontracting services to help make the remediation process as uncomplicated and trouble free as possible for our clients. 

Mitigation also controls any microbiological contamination resulting from the moisture. Contaminants are contained to prevent their spread from affected areas of a building to the uncontaminated areas. 

Principle 4—Drying Buildings and Contents

Our goal is to reduce the time that building materials and contents are excessively wet. The more quickly items are returned to a dry condition, the less damage they will suffer. The drying process involves some basic procedures:

Remove excess water. Removing the excess or bulk water is an important procedure in drying a building. Water can be removed from a building in two ways—extraction and evaporation. Extraction is the more effective way for removing enough water to speed the process of drying. Every gallon removed by extracting means much less time will be required to remove water with drying equipment.

Enhance evaporation of moisture. Restorers set up drying equipment to remove moisture through evaporation and dehumidification. Air movement speeds the evaporation of moisture from wet materials.

Remove water vapor by dehumidification. Dry air acts like a sponge to absorb moisture from wet surfaces. Wet, humid air is processed through dehumidifiers to remove water vapor and produce dry air. Air movers circulate the dry air from the dehumidifiers across the wet surfaces to speed up evaporation.

Control temperature to enhance moisture removal. Our technicians will control the temperature of air conditions in order to increase the rate of evaporation. They also maintain certain temperature levels to increase the operating efficiency of dehumidifiers. 

Principle 5—Cleaning and Repair


Once our technician's inspection confirms moisture content of the structure and contents has reached the drying goals, the drying services are done. The structure and its contents are now ready for restoration services to begin. We have a full stable of vetted, bonded and insured professionals that can perform the restoration process for our clients. 

The bottom line with any water damage scenario is simple, the key to preventing further water damagerespond quickly and we are faster to any size disaster.


Before I discuss each principle in greater detail I will explain how we "Respond to The Loss".

Water Main Run Off

4/26/2017 (Permalink)

What would you do if a water main burst and covered over 30,000 square feet of your warehouse with almost an inch of water? You would want someone to arrive onsite fast and remediate the entire problem, not just the visible water, but also the excess moisture that could ruin a product line with mold and mildew. That is exactly what happened to a local sporting apparel manufacturer. From Air Movers to Dehumidifiers, Generators to Power Distribution Boxes we have access to a wide array of water remediation equipment and the certified technicians to get the COMPLETE job done right! We began the drying process in the middle of the week and completed it by the very next weekend. All of our equipment was removed over that weekend and the warehouse space was ready to receive deliveries that very next Monday morning. How are we able to accomplish this, we offer our commercial clients flat rate pricing which allows our technicians to take whatever steps necessary to expedite the drying process with minimal disruption to business operations. Does your commercial property need remediation services? Call our disaster recovery team today!

Are You "Ready For Whatever Happens?"

3/23/2017 (Permalink)

How many of you here have insurance? How many of you have insurance for your business in the form of a disaster recovery plan?  The Emergency Ready Profile, or the ERP, is a FREE, no-strings-attached centralized repository for critical facilities information. A well rounded business contingency plan is comprised of three components: incident response, disaster recovery and business continuity. The ERP encompasses two of those components, incident response and disaster recovery and grants us insight to the potential size and scope of a project prior to arriving on sight. The benefits of an ERP are a decrease in both response and recovery time – saving our customers money! Moreover, SERVPRO has partnered with the Red Cross and their Read Rating Program; a comprehensive assessment will help you to put all of your preparedness 'ducks' in a row. The information contained in our ERP can be used to create your baseline assessment. You never know when disaster will strike. Call us for you FREE consultation today!