Hey Norton Massachusetts - Social Distancing is helping the Earth!

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

Schools are closed, people are working from home, restaurants and stores are closed, concerts and events are cancelled, and people aren't flying.  

While you might not be having as much fun right now, our Earth is healing!  By less people traveling around in cars, busses, and on planes, emissions are being reduced, therefore, carbon footprints are getting smaller! 

According to the New York Times canals in Venice are clear enough to see fish! 

Other reports have shown that holes in the ozone layer have begun healing! 

While coronavirus is not something to celebrate, the effects of people staying home are something to think about. Less people traveling and sitting in traffic during rush hours, less industrial activity is going on.

These changes are only temporary unless we continue to reduce our carbon footprints after these dark times are behind us. 

First thing is first, what is a carbon footprint??

Carbon footprints are the amount of carbon dioxide and other carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels (per person or group of people) 

How can I reduce my carbon footprint?

If we all come together and reduce our footprints, we can continue to help heal the Earth!

- If you smoke, quit smoking! We all know this is a huge contributor of pollutants in the air. Chemicals from the cigarettes and cigarette butts physically and invisibly litter the environment. 

- Stop littering! Not only is it against the law in most places, it makes you and the area look bad! Litter can not only harm the environment, bit it can harm people or animals. Littering allows chemicals to be blown or washed into our rivers, oceans, and forests. 

- Try to thrift shop or go to a second hand store instead of buying brand new clothes each season. You'll save yourself some $$ and the environment. Clothes that are mass produced in factories are just that, made quick, cheap, and unsustainably. 

- Recycle! I think everyone knows by now: reduce, reuse, recycle! 

- Turn off your lights and appliances at home when you're not using them.

- Switch to LED lights. While they might be a bit more expensive to purchase, they'll save you money in the long run, and help the environment! 

These are just a few suggestions and changes you can make to help lessen your carbon footprint now, and after this pandemic is behind us! 

For more information on climate change, visit: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ 

Click here for a long list of suggestions and changes you can make to lessen your carbon footprint! 

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for weekly tips, motivation, fun Fridays and more about SERVPRO! 

Let us try to make your day better in Norton or Wrentham.

As always, we're here to help you. Don't hesitate to call us at (508) 223-0505 

Tip of the Week #6 - Cleaning and Issues with Skylights

2/13/2020 (Permalink)

Skylights 

Having one or a few skylights in your home are great for letting in more natural light, and can provide another source of ventilation. 

One of the main concerns with skylights is condensation. Since they are on the roof, warmer air will travel to it and if the glass is cold, it'll form condensation. Once there is condensation and humidity, it's a breeding ground for mold. 

To prevent excess condensation from forming on your skylight:

• Run your bathroom and/ or kitchen exhaust fans
• Keep blinds, curtains, and shades open to let warm air circulate throughout the home. 

Be sure your skylights are insulated properly, no gaps or cracks in the caulking and no damage to the flashing. 

Remove any dirt and debris away from the flashing, this can create a dam and cause much worse damage than a bit of condensation. 

Cleaning your Skylights 

Skylights are usually made of plastic or glass, and this will determine how to clean yours. 

If you're unsure about what material your skylight is made from

You can use:

• Dry mop 
• Liquid dish soap
• Cellulose sponge 
• Power washer (for the outside) 

Along with making sure your windows will be safe, you need to make sure YOU are safe while cleaning. 

If you can't reach the skylight even with a ladder or stool, you can use a long handled mop! 

After your skylight is clean and dry, apply a thin layer of auto wax with a dry cloth, this will add an extra layer of protection. 

Cleaning the outside

With enough rain, your skylight could be "kind of" clean on the outside. But once you clean the inside, you will be able to see those water streaks and dirt on the outside. 

To get the best results, you'll have to get on the roof. You can use the same products and methods you used on the inside, but if you have a power washer, this'll make your job easier and a lot faster! 

Fill your power washer with a mixture of dish soap and water. Spray the windows until dirt and any other debris are gone.

Then switch the washer to non soapy water and spray til the soap suds are gone! Once they are dry, go ahead with the auto wax on the outside too! 

Once they're clean you'll be able to enjoy that beautiful blue sky and sunshine clear as day!

If unfortunately you suffer from a water loss due to a failure with a skylight, call us (508) 223-0505, we'll make it "Like it never even happened."

Tip of the Week #5 - February Checklist

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO (508) 223-0505 if you come across any water or mold damage in your monthly check of the house

It's a new month!! Time to go through your house, give it some extra TLC, get rid of some things...in your commercial office building or home

In the beginning of the month, you should

- Check the caulking and grout around sinks, showers, and tubs. 

- Check the roof and gutters, clean out any debris and check for ice dams and icicles

- Vacuum and dust HVAC system 

- Clean your garbage disposal

         Run baking soda and citrus peels through 

- Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, replace batteries as needed

- Test and reset all GFCI receptacles

- Check cords, power strips and outlets for wear and tear or evidence of a fire

- Check for any plumbing leaks under sinks and toilets

The start of a new month is an opportunity to de-clutter paperwork, mail, closets, and kitchen cabinets. 

Take some time at the beginning of each month to give your home a little extra TLC, set aside a few days to really deep clean the floors and walls. 

Make it a habit to organize your paperwork and mail as soon as you get them or bring it home, that way, the next month you'll have less or none to go through. 

You should also go through clothing each month or every other month. If you haven't worn it in a year or 6 months, and don't see yourself wearing it again, donate it!

Tip of the Week #4 - Know When to Call a Pro

1/30/2020 (Permalink)

DIY or Call a Pro in Plainville Massachusetts ? 

Being a homeowner, sometimes it's just easier to DIY some projects and repairs, and usually you can! But sometimes, its best to call a pro!

Here are some things to consider when you're deciding whether to DIY or dial a pro:

Time: 

Hiring a pro usually means you're at the liberty of their schedule. If they're in the busy season, what you need done, etc... 

If you DIY, you can work around your schedule. Meaning you will have to work around work and any extracurricular activities etc...

Cost:

If you are hiring a pro, you are paying for their skill, knowledge, and time. A pro of hiring a pro is that they can probably reduce the cost of any materials if they have a bulk or professional rate at the hardware stores. 

DIY means you save on labor costs, but you will have to purchase the materials on your own without any professional rates. But you can take advantage of other sales. 

Skill:

As stated above, the cost of a pro is also a cost of their skill and many years of experience doing what they do. 

DIY-ing means you can search on Pinterest and Youtube to figure out how to fix a tile, replace door knobs, fix a faucet, etc. On the plus side of DIY research, as you do more, you'll learn more. 

Tools: 

A professional will have their own, proper tools to get the job done. 

If you DIY, you may already have the right tool or you might be able to borrow one from a neighbor or friend. But if you are purchasing tools, it's best to consider if they will be a good investment for the future. 

Take these and other things into consideration when you're thinking about DIY-ing or calling a professional to finish your project, remodel, or addition. 

If you run into any problems with water, fire, smoke, or soot damage throughout the process, call SERVPRO of the Attleboros, we'll do our best to clean up fast and make your day!

(508) 223-0505

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Be sure to come back to our blog every Tuesday and Thursday for new content!

Tip of the Week #3 - Caring for your Laminate Floors

1/23/2020 (Permalink)

Norton Mass - Caring for your Laminate floors 

Did you try the Risky Business classic sock slide and it didn’t work??

This could be due to improper care of your floors, they're not at their shiniest or cleanest. 

• If something spills, you should wipe it up immediately.
• Place mats under your pets water bowls
• Make a no stiletto rule! As well as a general “no-shoe” policy. It will prevent your floors from any dirt, mud, scrapes and bacteria

When mopping laminate floors, you can’t use traditional mopping methods.

            Use a solution of 1 gallon water and 1 cup vinegar. Then wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Cleaning laminate floors can be different than cleaning and caring for hardwood floors. Laminate is made from layers of composite wood pressed and sealed with laminate.  Laminate can be more durable, scratch and moisture resistant.

Cleaning your laminate floor shouldn’t be difficult if you know what to do. You should start by sweeping or vacuuming daily to remove any debris. You can use a dry microfiber mop, or a typical broom. If you opt for vacuuming, be sure you use it on the bare floor setting.

 If your floors need a deeper clean than just a sweeping or vacuuming, use a microfiber mop instead of a sponge mop, if you use a sponge mop it can just push the dirty water and dirt into the grout lines.

Making your laminate floors shine

It is best to avoid using any excess soap-based products, it will create a build-up and leave a film on the floors.

Removing scuffs and build up from your laminate floors

To clean your floors without leaving a film, and to reduce any scuff marks, it’s best to go easy. A DIY hack you can use is a tennis ball! Just rub it on the scratch and it will disappear!

If the tennis ball trick doesn’t work, just use a microfiber cloth with water, and gently wipe.

To clean your laminate floors naturally

Instead of using soap-based cleaners, you can go a natural way with baking soda and water. You can apply this mixture to a microfiber cloth and clean as you usually would!

            1 tbsp baking soda per 1 cup warm water

To keep your laminate floors looking their best, you should clean them at least every 2 weeks.

if you suffer a commercial or home residential water loss call SERVPRO of The Attleboros  24/7 508-223-0505

Tip of the Week #2 - Cleaning Re-usable Bottles - Mansfield

1/9/2020 (Permalink)

Photo: https://iwaterpurification.com/best-reusable-water-bottle/

If you've switched over to re-usable water bottles from single use plastic, you'll know the smell or taste of water from a not-so-clean bottle is not pleasant. To keep your water bottles and tumblers clean, it's best to wash them every day (or after each use)

• If your bottle has a screw-on top, you can just run it through the dishwasher, if it's dishwasher safe. Be sure your dishwasher runs through a drying cycle, if the bottle isn't completely dry, it can become a breeding ground for mold. 
• If you don't have a dishwasher or it can't go through, you can just wash the bottle with warm water and soap after each use. Use a towel or bottle brush to clean the inside. Be sure to dry thoroughly.
• If your bottle has a push-up top, to clean the hard to reach crevices, use a small bottle brush and clean with warm water and soap. 

Sanitizing and freshening bottles:

If your bottle still doesn't smell fresh after a wash, fill it with either 

• 1 tsp bleach & 1 gallon of water. Let soak for 5-15 minutes. Rinse until bleach smell is gone. 
• White distilled vinegar. Soak for 10 minutes. Rinse
• Hydrogen peroxide. Soak for 10 minutes. Rinse

SERVPRO of the Attleboros is always here to help! Come back to our blog next Thursday for our third tip of the week! 

If you require water or fire damage restoration, give us a call at (508) 223-0505. Check out last week's tip!

Seekonk Tip of the Week #1 - Caulking

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

Photo from https://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/How-Caulk-Around-Bathtub-34193969

Caulking a Bathtub 

Is your bathtub in need of some new caulking? Want to do it yourself easy-peasy? Here are some tips:

Step 1: Remove the old caulk using a razor or scraper

• Fiberglass and plastic rubs can easily be scratched, be sure to use a plastic scraper for these kinds of tubs.
• Place the blade flush against the bathtub surface, use small quick strokes to scrape the caulk. 
• Wipe or vacuum any leftover pieces. 

Step 2: Clean the tub with alcohol

• If there are any pieces of caulk left, you can soak a rag in alcohol and let it sit for at least 24 hours, then it will be easier to scrape off.

Step 3: Use a mixture of bleach and water to remove any mildew

• 1/3 cup bleach + 1 gallon water
• Make sure the room is properly ventilated 
• Use a scrub brush
• Make sure it is completely dry before applying the new caulk.
  • Leaving overnight is best 

Step 4: Caulking 

• Be sure you purchased caulk specific for bathrooms, and is specific for your type of tub 
  • Fiberglass tubs: silicone caulk
  • Ceramic tubs: acrylic latex 
• Use painters tape above/below the edges where you will apply the caulk
  • this will ensure perfect edges
  • Remove tape while the caulk is still wet
• Hold the tube with application gun at a 45-degree angle so the caulk will spread evenly
• Apply steady pressure and speed
• Shape the caulk into a smooth, concave shape using a paper towel and your finger. 

Let the caulk dry for 48 hours before using the tub (There are specific instructions on each tube for drying times)

Come back to our blog every Thursday for our homeowner tips of the week. From gardening, cleaning, DIY tricks and more! 

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EEE: What You Need to Know - Milford

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

EEE (Eastern Equine Encephalitis)

Triple E, known as Eastern Equine Encephalitis,  is a rare disease carried by mosquitoes and has made headlines recently due to another person contracting the disease and dying. Boston.com reported a person in Connecticut died. 

The positive news is that it is getting colder so mosquitoes should not be as much of a problem. Specialists say to stay indoors. There have been 8 total deaths nationwide from EEE.

Symptoms of EEE

This illness causes swelling of the brain with flu-like symptoms. Information is retrieved from the CDC https://www.cdc.gov/easternequineencephalitis/tech/symptoms.html

• irritability/ restlessness
• chills/fever
• vomiting
• coma 
• headache 
• diarrhea 

About 1/3 of people who contract the disease die from it, so it's CRUCIAL to always where mosquito repellent and to stay indoors when its' dark out. If you have EEE, it's important to report it so officials can test mosquitoes in that area for the virus and spraying may begin.

Source: https://www.boston.com/news/health/2019/09/24/second-eee-death-connecticut

50th Anniversary of the Moon Landings - 1969

7/5/2019 (Permalink)

The Moon Landings happened 50 years ago this month!

July 20th will mark the 50th Anniversary of the United States moon landings. When Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, people were glued to the television. Americans couldn't believe what they were seeing or if it was real. It was astounding for everybody watching. The Apollo Space Program by NASA conducted missions to the moon from 1969-1972, with a space shuttle first landing on the moon in 1968 (but no one walked on it until 6 months later). Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became household names. They reached the ultimate milestone.

SERVPRO of The Attleboros celebrated this amazing time in history. A time where we did what many thought was impossible. We may not have landed on the moon, but every day we do things for our customers that others won't do. We go above and beyond and are always striving to reach new and exciting milestones in our company. We care about your home and business. Read more about our commercial services.

Source: https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-was-apollo-program-58.html

SERVPRO Recognizes National Preparedness

9/7/2017 (Permalink)

Local disaster restoration specialist offers no-cost tools to help property owners prepare a comprehensive emergency readiness plan

Attleboro, MA (Grassroots Newswire) August 23, 2017 - September is National Preparedness Month (http://www.ready.gov/September), an annual event sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to raise awareness about the importance of preparing—in advance—for the unexpected. In support of this initiative, Donald McKendall, owner of SERVPRO^® of The Attleboros, encourages Attleboro property owners to take the following two steps now to protect their family, home, and business in the aftermath of a disaster.

1. Review and update your emergency preparedness plan, including business and life continuity plans. If you don’t yet have a plan, use the tools provided by FEMA to get started. (https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan)
2. Collect and store time-critical information, like the location of shutoff valves, fire suppression system controls, and emergency contact numbers electronically, where it is immediately available to assist first responders.

“Evacuation plans and emergency supply kits help you survive a disaster, but a comprehensive emergency preparedness plan helps you recover from a disaster,” said McKendall. “The most effective response to any emergency is a fast response. That’s why having critical system and contact information at your fingertips is so important. A quick and effective response helps minimize repairs and downtime, helping both businesses and families get back on track in less time, with less stress.”

SERVPRO offers tools for both commercial and residential property owners to help them minimize damage and recover quickly from emergencies. The SERVPRO READY app stores essential contact and property information electronically where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes. Both home and business owners can download the free app at https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/mobileapp. Local business owners can take an additional preparedness step by designating SERVPRO of The Attleboros as their disaster mitigation and restoration provider. SERVPRO professionals will conduct a no-cost assessment of the facility and assist the owner in completing a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile^® (ERP) and storing that profile in the READY app.

“Rapid response from a disaster cleanup and restoration specialist can help the property owner evaluate options, start the insurance process, and take the right steps from the beginning to bring their property back to normal,” said McKendall. “Even in the confusion and panic that often surround a disaster, a property owner or manager using the SERVPRO READY app can reach out for expert help right from the scene, using a cell phone.”

SERVPRO^® of The Attleboros specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO^® of The Attleboros, please contact Donald McKendall at (508) 223-0505 or don@SERVPROmckendall.com. For more information on SERVPRO^® and the SERVPRO^® Emergency READY Program, please visit www.ready.SERVPRO.com.

About SERVPRO^®

Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO^® Franchise System is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 1,700 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO^® System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.

The SERVPRO ERP

7/10/2017 (Permalink)

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it's a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens. No one ever plans on a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself, "Are you ready for whatever could happen?"

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile is a start up approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It is designed to serve as a quick reference of important building and contact information. By working with SERVPRO's Emergency READY Profile, your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster.

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage

• A no cost assessment of your facility. 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 provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are "Ready for whatever happens."

Put On Your Noses!

5/15/2017 (Permalink)

All month, SERVPRO of The Attleboros has been sending representatives all across the state of Massachusetts to promote what is called Red Nose Day. Associated with the charity Comic Relief, the foundation has showcased what a little bit of comedy can do to support children that are living below the poverty line for the past thirty years.

If you would like more information, visit https://rednoseday.org/ and if possible, please donate!

We at SERVPRO of The Attleboros support this cause and will continue to back it for years to come.

TPC Boston

4/7/2017 (Permalink)

Then course is now open! As a reminder, TPC Boston is welcoming spring with an early-season membership offer now through April 15th. With a membership at TPC Boston, you can entertain clients, improve your game, spend quality time with your family and friends, or even host business meetings.

Membership Includes:

• Entertaining at the Highest Level
• Family Privileges
• TPC Network Access
• Full Member Event Schedule

There's a lot to look forward to in 2017 at TPC Boston. The TPC Network is growing in size, with over 100 clubs available to TPC Boston Members. TPC will be unveiling two completely redesigned holes by Golf Course Architect, Gil Hanse and welcoming Dell Technologies as the new Title Sponsor of their PGA Tour playoff event. Their highly-rated Clubhouse is continually adding amenities, all without any assessments to members. Make TPC Boston your home away from home in 2017.

If you have any questions about TPC Boston or the benefits of a membership, please contact darrengarrity@pgatourtpc.com.

Source: https://tpc.com/boston/.

Protecting Yourself From the Swine Flu and Norovirus

12/14/2016 (Permalink)

Our three franchises have the protocol and product to clean!

SERVPRO of the Attleboros recommends the following job process for cleaning:

• Wear PPE consisting of full Tyvek, full face respirator, gloves and foot protection.
• Mist the immediate area with the EPA registered disinfectant using the #716 MacroMist II ULV Fogger at a rate of ~8 oz per 2,000 sq. ft or 20,000 cu. ft.
• Allow a 30 minute dwell time.
• Ventilate and wipe down with a clean towel.

Swine Flu is an airborne virus. Airborne viruses are only viable outside of a human body for a limited period of time. This type of disease is transmitted by sneezing and coughing. Airborne viruses are generally not transmitted by secondary contact as is the case with many bacterial infections. Please advise customers this treatment is not meant to be a 100% defense against the Swine Flu, and you are not assuming any liability for future outbreaks in treated structures. A carrier of the Swine Flu could easily enter the structure post cleaning and cough or sneeze on others and transmit the disease. The current Swine Flu is a new strain. The information presented is based on the current information being offered by the CDC.

Commercial Buildings-Schools- Nursing Homes

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2016 PGA Championship

7/27/2016 (Permalink)

Starting tomorrow, July 28^th, the 98^th annual PGA Championship will take place. This year, the Championship takes place at Baltusrol Golf Club’s Lower Course in Springfield, New Jersey.  With 156 players in the field, all eyes will be on defending champion, Jason Day. Last year, Day finished the major with a total score of 268 (-20), the joint lowest score in relation to par ever recorded in a major championship. The only other person to reach this feat, Henrik Stenson at the 2016 Open Championship just a few weeks ago.

We’d like to wish each of the competitor’s luck, and we look forward to following the action!

SERVPRO is an official marketing partner of the PGA Tour and Champion Tour.

If you suffer a disaster and need disaster cleanup and restoration, please call SERVPRO of The Attleboros at 508-223-0505.

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SERVPRO® of The Attleboros Goes “All In” at SERVPRO Convention

7/5/2016 (Permalink)

47^th annual event sets another record for attendance

(Grassroots Newswire) - SERVPRO®, an industry leader in disaster cleanup, restoration and remediation services, welcomed a record-breaking group of more than 2800 franchise owners, key staff and corporate representatives, including SERVPRO of The Attleboros , to their 47^th Annual SERVPRO® Convention, held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas from June 26 to 30.

The week of workshops, networking and keynote presentations was based on the theme “All In” and was designed to unite franchise owners, team members, distributors and associates.

“For a small business owner, time is money. But the time spent at this annual event is time well spent,” said Don McKendall, owner of SERVPRO of The Attleboros. “The combination of workshops, speakers and networking provides attendees with actionable business insights, an industry overview and practical tips and tricks from others in the same field. In my view, SERVPRO’s convention benefits not only their franchisees but also the communities that their franchisees serve.”

This year’s “All In” convention program featured a keynote address by motivational speaker Connie Podesta (http://conniepodesta.com/), who takes a humorous and dynamic approach to promoting communications, and increasing sales and 28 workshop sessions focused on leadership training and providing resources designed to help each Franchise grow and better serve their community.

“SERVPRO understands running a small business is a challenge,” said Sue Steen, Chief Executive Officer of SERVPRO Industries, Inc. “Our annual convention gives us the opportunity to recognize individual franchisees that have excelled at building their businesses and enhancing SERVPRO’s reputation as an industry leader in disaster cleanup, restoration and remediation services. We offer our sincere congratulations to this year’s award winners and to all of the dedicated professionals who work hard every day to provide world-class service to their customers.”

For more information about SERVPRO of The Attleboros, please contact Don McKendall at 508-223-0505 or Don@SERVPROMcKendall.com or visit http://www.SERVPROtheattleboros.com/.

About SERVPRO®

Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO® Franchise System is a leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of more than 1,700 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar large-loss events. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO® System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.

Sharing the SERVPRO Story - Rick Forster

6/29/2016 (Permalink)

(SERVPRO Newsline)

Share the SERVPRO story is one of our core values. Great companies have great stories. They are rich in tradition, risks, failures, and successes.

Before SERVPRO, Ted Isaacson was a Trainer for ServiceMaster. SERVPRO was born as a result of a difference in opinion between Ted and ServiceMaster over the then current license/ Ted and his assigned franchises broke off to begin SERVPRO/ Ted wanted to build a better mousetrap when designing SERVPRO. ServiceMaster required the purchase of individual licenses for commercial, carpet, restoration, and drapery cleaning. Ted’s idea was to have one license cover everything. ServiceMaster also required royalties be paid when the job was invoiced’ Ted felt it was more fair to pay after the cash was collected.

Convention Allowance was created from the request of Ted’s then small band of Franchises for National Advertising. The money wasn’t available, but Ted said, “I’ll give you back 10 percent of what you pay in royalties if you will attend and participate in Convention.” Ted knew if he could get his Franchisees to come to Convention for training, volumes would increase.

In the late 70s, SERVPRO acquired over 100 Franchises by purchasing the Domesticare cleaning franchise system from a Fortune 500 company. The two systems were treated as separate entities until such time as the Domesticare numbers dwindled and the remaining Domesticare franchises were assimilated into the SERVPRO System.

SERVPRO was a public company at one time.

Ted had a partner when SERVPRO began. The partner started a proxy fight while Ted and Doris were out of country. The matter was settled much like two kids arguing over a cupcake – one cuts and the other selects. The partner was required to offer a price for Ted to buy him out of his company share. If Ted refused the offer, then the partner was to pay Ted that amount. Ted took the offer and the partner was history.

There were discussions early on, on whether to limit the number of Franchises and have a nice small organization to let it rip. Fortunately, the second generation wanted growth. This also is the reason the vision statement prominently features the word “world.”

A balance of work was encouraged – one-third each from insurance, carpet, and commercial. Insurance work greater than one-third was actually discouraged, as it was felt to be addictive and too unstable. A Franchise Owner by the name of Ron Valega from Ohio was the first to say he was going to try and make a living strictly from water. People thought he had lost his mind.

Building Service and Maintenance (BSM) was a janitorial license launched in the 80s. The concept was marketed to existing SERVPRO Franchises to perform restoration during the day and janitorial services during the night. The desire for insurance work was too strong and BSM didn’t get the necessary traction to grow.

At one time, SERVPRO Corporate had locations in Sacramento, California; Florida; Connecticut; Maryland; and Georgia. The decision to consolidate and move the company was made during a meeting in Cancun, Mexico. The runner-ups for the Corporate Headquarters were Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri.

The Rolex award originated after a Franchise unexpectedly earned $1 million in a single year as a result of a large job. On Banquet night, Ted was asked on short notice to present the award. Ted gave the award to the Franchise, but added, “If anyone else can do $1 million in annual volume; the volume was combined due to the work of all the Franchises that worked on the large job, and all of the volume was reported under the one Franchise number. It is a good thing nobody told the four Franchises who received a Rolex the following year, or the hundreds of Franchises to date who have received Rolexes.

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Share the SERVPRO Story - Kevin Brown

6/27/2016 (Permalink)

(SERVPRO Newsline)

Success can be measured in various ways. For some, it is tangible through the accumulation of wealth. For others, it is intangible through the satisfaction that comes from making a difference in the world. We are blessed to live in a time and be part of an organization that allows men and women from all walks of life to do both.

We recently celebrated another milestone in SERVPRO’s storied history. We surpassed 1,700 Franchises in the SERVPRO System. This specific achievement is near and dear to my heart since Franchise Sales is one of my responsibilities and, more importantly, one of my greatest passions. I am proud of the work the Franchise Expansion team does year-in and year-out to “Share the SERVPRO Story.” Their focus to help quality men and women become part of this extraordinary opportunity is a mission taken very seriously. Not only does the team love growing the system, they love watching the System grow people.

One of the biggest blessings of what we do as a team is being able to watch you achieve the goals and dreams that are so important to you. There is no greater “joy” than to watch people soar to heights they once only imagined. How incredible is it to be in a business that helps people create financial security for themselves and their family while at the same providing a vital service to people in a dire time of need? Absolutely incredible!

Right now you can make a difference. You can share your SERVPRO story with someone and give them the opportunity to create their best life. You can make a different in their life and in yours. I promise one of life’s greatest blessings is helping someone else reach their greatest potential. The American Dream is alive and well because of entrepreneurs like you who believe in being a part of something bigger than all of us!

Congratulations! SERVPRO was ranked #4 Overall in the 2016 Franchise 500 list in the January issue of Entrepreneur Magazine. We have known for years how special this opportunity is and other continue to take notice! Congratulations for helping build the SERVPRO Brand!

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2016 U.S. Open Kicks off This Thursday

6/13/2016 (Permalink)

This Thursday, the 116^th U.S. Open will kick off at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. At SERVPRO of The Attleboros, we as an organization cannot wait to see the action unfold.

Regarded as the “oldest top-ranked golf course in the U.S.” this is the first time since 2007 that the event will be played at Oakmont. In that year, Angel Cabrera edged out Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk by one stroke, with a finishing four round score of 285 (+5).

This year, the entire golfing world is looking forward to seeing the potential rise of the “big three.” These names include last year’s champion, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy, and Jason Day. Of course, the pure natural of golf and the competitive spirit that engulfs each and every professional makes it nearly impossible to predict a winner.

We would like to wish all of the competitors luck, and look forward to seeing who will be victorious!

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SERVPRO is a National Sponsor of the PGA Golf Tour

3/6/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO joins the PGA TOUR as an Official Marketing Partner and receives the designation as “Official Cleanup and Restoration Company of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.” Our customers and clients love golf so we are thrilled to be a PGA TOUR Marketing Partner. The PGA TOUR partnership is a perfect way to expand the SERVPRO our brand awareness and thank our customers and clients for allowing SERVPRO to help make it ‘Like it never even happened”.

If you suffer a disaster and need disaster clean up and restoration from fire and water call SERVPRO of The Attleboros @ 508-223-0505!