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SERVPRO Residential and Commercial Cleaning Services
9/19/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Residential and Commercial Cleaning Services
Cleaning services are crucial following a disaster or an incident that causes water damage, fire damage, mold, or storm damage. If your home and belongings are not properly cleaned, it can lead to further damage, causing you to spend more money, time, and creating more stress. That's why we're here.
SERVPRO technicians can effectively clean your home "like it never even happened." Follow along as our team is here to let you know about our residential cleaning and commercial cleaning support services that'll help you get your home or business back to preloss condition, quickly.
Our Residential Cleaning Services Include:
Commercial Cleaning Services
You don't have time to worry about the common wear and tear that gradually soils your office. When grime, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your company's regular janitorial staff, you should call SERVPRO of West Somerset County for prompt service.
Whether it's removing an odor problem or deep cleaning flooring or carpets, you can rely on us to make your workspace look its very best.
We offer services ranging from cleaning restaurant hoods to removing biohazard contaminants. We have the specialized training and products to get your property back to business.
Every cleaning and restoration service we mention above under residential cleaning and restoration, we can do for commercial as well.
When It Comes to Commercial Carpets
First impressions are everything and cleanliness is extremely important. Customers and clients want to enter into a building or environment that looks spotless and pristine, and clean carpets in the entryway, lobby, etc., are a crucial element to instilling customer confidence.
But, how often do you have to get your commercial cleaning done? Let's take a look at some examples.
For churches, it's important to get this job done at least once a year - and we mean a thorough, professional cleaning. Depending on the size of the facility, multiple cleanings can be done on entrances during the year.
School and retail carpets should be cleaned professionally every 3-6 months, as there is heavy traffic for most of the year with kids and customers.
Office buildings should expect to be cleaned every 6 months annually.
For nursing homes and medical facilities, there are numerous regulations involved. It has never been more important, considering the increased awareness of airborne contaminants today, for healthcare facilities to increase their deep carpet cleaning schedules.
SERVPRO of West Somerset County can clean your commercial surfaces, carpeting and more. We'll also help with upholstery cleaning, which is a large part of the deep clean process.
If You Need Restoration Services
SERVPRO has your back with all of your restoration services needs. We can help if your home or business falls victim to water damage, fire damage, mold damage, storm damage, and more. We will take you through the entire restoration process and ensure that your home or business is back to preloss condition fast and efficiently.
We'll talk to your insurance company, take care of various issues, and utilize our professional equipment to bring your home or business back to life. Our professionals care about you and want to help as quickly as we can, so things can go back to normal, quickly.
Our professionals are highly trained in every aspect of restoration and have access to many different resources to ensure that the job is done right. If you have an emergency and you need us, just give us a call and we'll be there to restore what you need.
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
Learn about TEAM HARVEY: VIDEO
Fire, Smoke, and Soot Restoration Services
9/7/2023 (Permalink)
Fire, Smoke, and Soot Restoration Services
Fire damage is one of the most devastating events your home can endure. Not only can it wipe out an entire property, but it can damage your belongings. Whether you're dealing with a large fire or a small one that causes smoke damage and soot damage, we're here to help.
Our ability to mobilize quickly in a crisis has helped multiple schools, businesses, and homes throughout Somerset County over recent decades. We strive to provide our customers with a unique approach, tailored to their specific needs.
Our team has multiple accreditations through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, including Fire and Smoke Restoration and Odor Control. We also do air duct cleaning which can reduce smoke odor in a structure. Here's how we can help with smoke damage cleanup, soot damage removal, and we'll break down our fire damage restoration process.
Structural Cleaning
After smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Your experienced local SERVPRO Franchise Professional will pretest to determine the extent of damage and then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces found in your structure.
Depending on the amount of soot, SERVPRO of West Somerset County may even be able to reduce the cost of recovery by cleaning lighter soot deposits found on some surfaces, eliminating the expense incurred with repainting or refinishing. In other cases, we will clean to "prepare for painting." This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface.
Contents Cleaning
All of the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies, and upholstery. We begin by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics in the structure to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate. We can provide wet or dry cleaning services, additionally, all the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition.
This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, and much more. Finally, we can provide an inventory list of all "to be claimed" personal items, if requested.
Deodorization
We provide specialized services that rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. We do not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance, we seek out the sources of the odor and remove them. You can ask one of our SERVPRO professionals to explain the various deodorization methods available and which will work best for you.
Emergency Fire Damage Restoration Process
We provide a unique process per each situation, but generally the process is the same. Here's what our emergency fire damage removal and restoration process looks like:
- ONE HOUR: Within one hour from notice of loss, we will contact you to arrange for service. You'll know help is on the way.
- FOUR HOURS: Within four hours of loss notification, a professional will be on-site to start mitigation services. The key to reducing damage and saving money is responding quickly to your damage.
- DETAILED EXPLANATION: A trained, uniformed, and equipped SERVPRO professional will walk you through the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome.
- PRETESTING: We will begin pretesting for restorability, working from the source of the damage outward.
- EIGHT HOURS: Within eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster or property manager.
- CLEANING, RESTORATION, & DEODORIZATION: We will work neatly and efficiently to help you regain control of your property when a damaging event has taken over. We will use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your property is taken care of right the first time.
- FINAL WALKTHROUGH: After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.
Understanding Smoke
We understand that using professional equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. We will answer your calls with fast action, exceptional equipment, and trained, uniformed personnel. Knowing the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns are vital to proper fire restoration.
- Wet Smoke - Plastics and synthetics; Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
- Dry Smoke - Paper and wood; fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.
- Protein - Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
- Fuel Oil Soot - Furnace puff backs.
- Other Types - Tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher residue.
Deodorization Equipment
We use specific equipment for specific fire damage situations. These include:
- Ultra Low Volume (ULV) Foggers: these will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that easily penetrates sites where odor-causing residues accumulate. The device can also be used to apply fungicides and disinfectants.
- Thermal Foggers: these will dispense solvent-based products in large volume, dense fogs suitable for confined areas. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that pair with and neutralize odor-causing particles.
Additional Services For Fire Damage Restoration
We offer additional services if needed for a fire damage situation. This includes:
- Board-ups: In some cases, it may be important to secure openings to your home or structure using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect it from both weather intrusion and by outsiders. We will perform the board-up ourselves, or outside subcontractors may be utilized if necessary.
- Inventory - Utilizing Contents Claims Inventory Service (CCIS) technology, we can generate comprehensive room-by-room inventories. Contents are categorized as salvageable, non-salvageable, and questionable - allowing for easier content settlement.
- Move-Outs: If prolonged exposure to the loss event could cause additional damage to your contents, your contractor requests relocation of the contents, or the safety of your contents is a concern, a move-out may be recommended. In these situations, we are trained to properly take inventory, move out, and control the contents from the structure during the cleaning, restoration, and deodorization process.
- Electronics Cleaning: Smoke residues can contain acids that corrode metal surfaces when moisture is also present. If the residues are not removed, corrosion can eat away at the metal casing and can ultimately cause electronic failure in the device. We can clean the outside casing correctly, as well as refer your equipment to a qualified electronics vendor.
- Artwork: Artwork ranges from inexpensive framed pictures to extremely valuable fine art. Restoration of valuable art requires the use of a trained art restorer, while less expensive art may not warrant these costly specialized services. We will usually subcontract fine art restoration to a conservator. If desired, we may attempt to remove smoke residues and odors, after qualifying with the customer that such cleaning procedures may affect the visible appearance of the items.
Important Information About Fire Damage That You Should Know
In order to start an emergency and restoration service, you must sign the "Service Authorization Form." This allows us to take action immediately. We do not know your insurance coverage, therefore, it is impossible for us to know exactly what your insurance will cover.
It is important to understand you are financially responsible for our services. Your deductible is payable before we start work. If for any reason insurance coverage cannot be verified at the time of our emergency service, an additional deposit may be required.
With that said, the steps we complete in the emergency service includes:
- Surveying and Pretesting: We'll walk you through the job to determine the areas that have been affected. We will then pretest the clean-ability of surfaces as needed. Pretesting is a process designed to identify those items that will be restorable. Third, we'll make a detailed scope and inventory of each affected area. Finally, we will give you a summary of our findings and explain the best steps for restoration.
- Extent of Cleaning: We will review the full extent of smoke damage. However, you and your insurance company have the final say as to the extent of cleaning to be performed. Please consult with your adjuster if you have any questions.
- Window Cleaning: For normal smoke damage, windows will be cleaned on the inside.
- Metal Polishing: Unless conditions warrant chemical restoration, metals such as silver and brass will be cleaned and buffed only. Polishing will only be done if we are authorized by both you and the adjuster.
- Floor Finishing: Hard surface floors will be mop cleaned. Stripping, sealing, and refinishing will only be done if conditions warrant them if we are authorized.
- Clean/Preparation for Paint: Wall and ceiling surfaces, which are heavily smoked and cannot be cleaned completely, will be cleaned so that sealer and paint will adhere. These surfaces may clean up better with additional work.
- Deodorizing: We guarantee our deodorizing to be complete provided that all sources of odor have been removed, cleaned, or sealed.
- Clothing: Your insurance company may encourage you to clean any affected clothing in your home. If the damage is too heavy or if facilities are not available, we will recommend a local professional laundry and dry cleaner we use to do the work. You may use any laundry or dry cleaner you wish. However, they must be familiar with smoke damage to do the job properly.
- Ductwork: If you have forced air or heat, we will inspect your system to determine if smoke has entered the ductwork. If so, we will recommend measures to remedy the situation.
Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
Fire damage is especially devastating for a business or commercial property. In addition to the fire and smoke damage, significant water damage from firefighting efforts and fire suppression systems may occur. Every hour spent restoring your business back to pre-fire condition is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. If your business experiences a fire loss, call the fire and water damage restoration experts and we'll respond right away.
SERVPRO of West Somerset County has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, or office building, we will respond to quickly mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion. We will come with a fire and smoke restoration technician, odor control technician, upholstery and fabric cleaning technician, and a water damage restoration technician.
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
Learn about TEAM HARVEY: VIDEO
What to Do if Your Commercial Business Floods
8/24/2023 (Permalink)
Water damage is always a headache whether it affects your home or your business. However, when it hits your business, you lose precious time and money if you don't act quick enough. Not to mention, not acting fast enough will also cause further damage, mold growth, and more headaches down the road. SERVPRO is experienced in restoring both home water damage and commercial water damage, so we're here to give you some tips as to what to do if your commercial business falls victim to flood water.
Get Everyone Out of The Building
If the water event is happening while there are people present in the building, evacuate immediately. It's very unsafe for everyone to be lingering inside while the water is present. Not only can there be contaminated water, but there's the chance of structural damage, ceilings falling, fires, and much more.
Some water damage emergency tips include considering:
- Is it safe to stay in the building?
- Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
- Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
- Wet materials can be extremely heavy.
What to do AFTER flooding:
- If it's safe, remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal or lamps and tabletop items.
- Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
- Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
- Turn air conditioning on (if it's safe to do so) for maximum drying in the summer.
- Removed colored rugs from wet carpeting.
- Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
- Gather loose items from floors.
What NOT to do:
- Don't leave wet fabrics in place.
- Don't leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpet or floods.
- Don't use a vacuum to remove water.
- Don't use any kind of electrical equipment.
- Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.
Don't take the risk!
Turn Off Utilities
When your business experiences this, it's important to shut off your utilities immediately. Leaving the gas and electricity on his a hazard to your building and those around you, as this will cause fires and much more damage than what you started with. If your business suffers from water damage due to a leaky pipe or a plumbing issue, it's important to shut off the water main as well to stop the water in its tracks.
Call Your Insurance Company
After you've turned everything off in your building, you need to call your insurance company ASAP. The faster you get your claim in, outlining the extent of damages, the quicker the adjuster will set up an inspection and have things ready for you.
Contact a Restoration Company
Right after you hang up the phone with your insurance company, you should contact a water damage restoration company. SERVPRO is an experienced and skilled restoration company that handles water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, storm damage restoration, and a plethora of cleaning services. Not only are our technicians skilled in everything that they do, but they come with the best equipment to have your business restored and dried out quickly and efficiently.
SERVPRO of West Somerset County has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial flooding or water damage emergencies. Whether your water emergency occurs in a small office building or a big box store, we will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion. After you contact us, we come with:
- Water Damage Restoration Technicians
- Applied Structural Drying Technicians
- Odor Control Technicians
- Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technicians
We are a part of a network of over 1,600 franchises with special disaster recovery teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large scale events and disasters. We are proud to serve our communities that include Hillsborough, Bedminster, Branchburg, Raritan, Belle Mead, Somerville, Far Hills, Manville, Neshanic Station, and Skillman, NJ.
Construction Services, Building, and Remodeling Services
We understand the importance of quickly helping those facing structural issues in their homes and businesses after a disaster. A seamless transition between phases and keeping all of the work under the same roof saves our customers money, and it helps with more rapid job completion. From controlled demolition in fire and mold recovery efforts to renovations and remodeling built to your precise specifications, we have a team of contractors able to help.
For a list of the services we offer like board up, document drying, drywall installation, and more, follow this link!
Types of Water Damage
Water damage can come from plumbing issues like a leaking pipe, burst pipe, sewer backup, or toilet overflow, to natural disasters like heavy rain storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. It's important to understand the severity behind the type of water that has entered into your building.
These guidelines are established by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification board (IICRC) and are defined by industry's standards and regulations to identify the type of water involved in the specific incident.
- Category 1 - Ranking the lowest on the IICRC scale, this is usually referred to as "clean water" that usually originates from sanitary sources such as ruptured water supply lines, broken pipes, bath appliances like sinks and tubs, that may have overflowed. As this type of water is sewage and toxin-free, it does not pose as health effects and does not require decontamination procedures.
- Category 2 - This is referred to as "gray water" coming from sources such as overflowing appliances. These usually include washing machines, toilets, sump pump backups. While consuming or being in contact with it may not prove to be immediately harmful to humans, this water is considered contaminated and could pose a health threat later down the line.
- Category 3 - Also known as "black water," it is described as the most toxic type of water and the most extreme case of damage that will require immediate actions to mitigate its harmful effects. This category includes raw sewage water, flood waters and groundwater. In this scenario, your items and materials need to be removed immediately to prevent more damage and remediation requires the use of protective gear and extensive disinfection.
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
Learn about TEAM HARVEY: VIDEO
Causes of Water Damage in The Summer
8/14/2023 (Permalink)
The summer season brings much joy, vacations, sunshine, but sometimes a lot of water. Water damage is never fun, especially when the damage hits your home or business. There are a decent amount of causes when it comes to water damage in the summer, and we're here to help you find those out so you're either prepared or, so you can prevent these issues in the future.
Summer Storms
Summer storms are a large reason for water damage during this season. They're unpredictable, sometimes dangerous, and can cause a lot of water damage to your home. A few things you can do to prevent flooding around the foundation of your home is to ensure that your draining systems are working properly and to clean out your gutters. Clogged gutters will cause water to flood and instead of drain, drop down near or on the foundation of your home, putting your home and basement at risk of flooding.
We know that our part of the country can experience storm systems, and we have seen that occur in the past with Hurricane Sandy and Irene, damaging large portions of our state. Our water restoration teams traveled to the coastline to help townships still working to dry and repair their homes for months after Sandy slammed the shoreline.
We have prepared for the likelihood of flooding in several severe storm events and have acquired the leading tools and equipment to address standing water and saturation throughout an entire property. With hundreds of air movers and dehumidifiers, we can address thousands of square feet of saturated material to work to remove or preserve it as installed.
Air Conditioning Overflows
The summer heat will cause you to want to run your air conditioning units as much as possible. Although it may seem like an easy task to just turn it on and let it do its thing, you also have to remember the amount of condensation that can build up. This excessive moisture not only will create water damage in the room your unit is working, but it can also cause mold growth. It's important to give your units a good look multiple times throughout the season to make sure everything looks ok.
Home Sprinkler Systems
Home irrigation systems are fairly common, especially if your home is in an area that gets a lot of sun. Everyone wants their grass to stay green all season and not develop crabgrass, which is understandable, however - it's important to pay attention to your system.
Don't point the sprinkler anywhere towards your home, as it can cause puddles of water that will slowly seep into your foundation and cause water damage to your home. It's also important to have your system serviced or looked at prior to using it to ensure there are no leaking or broken pipes.
Clogged Drains and Pipes
Summer is normally when people entertain the most. Whether it's summer parties, BBQs, or small get-togethers, there are usually more people than just those who live in your home in these months. When more people are using your plumbing and drains, it's important to check your toilet, sinks, showers, etc. after a party to ensure there are no clogs. If a clog is ignored, you can be dealing with a bigger issue down the road, causing not only water damage, but a large bill.
Excessive Humidity
Excessive humidity not only can cause water damage, but cause mold to grow as well. If you start to see droplets in your home, you need to make sure it is dried out properly and make sure to keep the humidity level low in your home. Turn on air circulation like fans, air conditioning, etc. to prevent this. The more humidity, the bigger chance for water damage and mold.
Fire Damage
If your home suffers from a house fire, chances are it will also suffer from water damage. We see many homes needing water removal due to the fire fighting efforts. If this happens, not only can we complete fire damage restoration, but we can also clean up the soot, odor, and of course, the water damage.
When it Comes to Water Damage...
SERVPRO has a fast and confident response when water loss incidents threaten homes and businesses from Hillsborough to Manville. These situations can quickly get out of control, moving into new areas and allowing the continuous degradation and deterioration of construction materials and the contents of your property. We encourage every technician on our team to acquire their water restoration technician certification through IICRC, ensuring that no customer has to wait when loss incidents have already begun.
We specialize in structural drying and content management in these situations, such as our recovery of Balogh company facility in Somerset. In this new building purchase, we could clean and dry the entire affected region, protecting much of their carpeted areas and preventing unnecessary tear-out and reconstruction.
It's crucial to act fast when it comes to water damage. Any kind of standing water is not only terrible for your home's health, but it's a health hazard to you and your family as well. Also, not acting fast creates further damage that will give you a headache and cause the bill to go up. Avoid further damage, mold, hazards, and more by acting quick. That's why we are a 24/7 restoration company that gets to you immediately.
Water Damage Emergency Tips
After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first:
- Is it safe to stay in the house?
- Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
- Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
- Wet materials can be VERY heavy.
What to do after flooding:
- Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture and after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
- Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
- Place aluminum foil or wooden blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
- Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in the summer.
- Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
- Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
- Gather loose items from floors.
What NOT to do after flooding:
- Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
- Don't leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
- Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
- Don't use television or other household appliances.
- Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.
SERVPRO's Water Damage Restoration Process
When your home or commercial property has water damage from flooding or leaks, we have the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property. Our experience and scientific approach to water removal and water cleanup enable us to properly dry and restore your property.
Every water damage event is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same.
- Step 1: Emergency Contact
- The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will guide you through the crisis and may ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources.
- Step 2: Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
- We determine the scope of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.
- Step 3: Water Removal (Water Extraction)
- The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We use powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.
- Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
- When it comes to the drying process, we use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.
- Step 5: Cleaning and Sanitizing
- We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by the water. We are adept at cleaning content using a number of techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors and deodorize your property.
- Step 6: Restoration
- Restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to its ore-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
Why You Shouldn’t DIY Mold Cleanup
7/28/2023 (Permalink)
Mold can be extremely dangerous and hazardous to your health. Depending on the type of mold spores you have in your home, determines whether or not it's dangerous to be near or touch. However, if you're not familiar with the types of mold, it's best that you don't go near it and try any of those Pinterest DIY mold removal hacks.
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is here to explain the mold types, talk about why you should not DIY the remediation, and let you in on how we can help.
Why You Shouldn't Remediate on Your Own
If you find mold in your home, don't just put on gloves, grab a bottle of chlorine bleach, and start scrubbing. By attempting to remove the mold on your own, there's a large chance that you can release thousands of mold spores into the air. After this happens, they'll likely land on surfaces where there wasn't mold growth, contaminating the new areas.
Not only does this spread mold spores throughout the walls of your home, but you're now putting yourself as well as your family at risk by ingesting it. DIY mold removal is never a good idea and can cause many health problems for you and everyone living in your home or business down the road.
Also, if you're choosing a more potent chemical to attempt to remove mold, you're now dealing with breathing in toxic fumes along with the mold. We suggest, as soon as you see or smell any kind of sign of mold in your home, call a professional ASAP.
You Should Understand Mold
Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere including indoors and outdoors. So, it makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Many restoration professionals and businesses will advertise "mold removal," and will guarantee to remove all mold, which is false advertising.
We think it's important for all homeowners and business owners to understand as much as possible about mold:
- Mold is present almost everywhere.
- Mold can float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, AC/heating systems, and can even hitch a ride on your clothing or pets.
- Mold thrives on moisture and can grow quickly into colonies when exposed to water.
- Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed.
- Mold often produces a strong, musty odor.
- Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support the growth of mold.
Our Mold Remediation Process
We understand that all mold damage scenarios are different and require a unique, non-cookie-cutter solution. However, the general mold remediation process stays the same:
- Once you get any type of sign of mold, call us (732) 201-8872.
- We'll complete an inspection and mold damage assessment.
- Next, we'll contain the mold.
- We'll filter the air with our equipment.
- We'll remove the mold and mold-infested materials.
- We can also clean contents and belongings that have been exposed.
- Lastly, we'll complete the restoration.
We provide professional proper cleaning to kill mold, as well as restore water damaged areas. If you have a moisture problem, we can help with that as well - as this is probably the main source of your mold problems.
What is Black Mold?
This type of mold is also known as "stachybotrys chartarum." It produces allergens and irritants, however, most types of mold can produce this. Since many types of mold can cause reactions, you should contact us regardless of the color or type of mold. In many instances, multiple types of mold may exist in the same house or structure, so if you suspect any type of mold, contact us right away.
DIY mold removal is never the way.
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
How We Handle Sewage Cleanup & Restoration
7/12/2023 (Permalink)
Sewage backups and dark water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits - these damages can also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. We remove the sewage, contaminants, and moisture, and help ensure the structure is properly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized.
If you’re experiencing flooding from a sewage backup, you need to call in professionals ASAP. Not only is the water from a sewer system very dangerous, but it’s unsanitary and may contain bacteria and viruses that could cause serious illness. To clean a mess like this up and restore your home, you need special training and equipment to safely clean this type of contamination. That’s where SERVPRO comes in!
There are three major types of contaminated water. SERVPRO of West Somerset County will inspect that contaminated water to determine the type of water and then plan the appropriate response to safely restore your home or business.
What Are the Three Types of Contaminated Water?
The three types of contaminated water include “clean water,” “gray water,” and “black water.”
Category 1: Clean Water - This is water from a clean source, such as a broken clean water supply line or faucet. If left untreated, category 1 can quickly degrade into category 2 or 3 water, depending upon such factors as time, temperature, and contact with contaminants.
Category 2: Gray Water - This water has a significant level of contamination that could cause discomfort or illness if ingested. Sources for category 2 water may include washing machine overflow, toilet overflow with some urine & no feces, or dishwasher overflow. This may contain bacteria and viruses and can quickly degrade to category 3 if left untreated.
Category 3: Black Water - This water is grossly unsanitary and can cause severe illness or death if ingested. Any contact should be avoided. Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth. This may contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes.
Other Cleaning Services We Offer
SERVPRO of West Somerset County doesn’t only take care of cleaning up sewage, we also offer cleaning services for:
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
What Smoke Damage Can Do to Your Home
6/20/2023 (Permalink)
Smoke damage prior to a house fire can cause a lot of cleanup, restoration needs, and replacements of furniture, clothing, and more. When most people think of a house fire, they think about the fire - however, the smoke and soot damage can be just as damaging. So, how does smoke damage affect your home’s contents?
Can You Salvage Belongings?
If you don’t have experience with smoke damage, it can be challenging to decide which items require the most attention. However, with the help of expert professionals, you will be able to determine which of your belongings can be salvaged. More importantly, you should note that these items should be salvaged as soon as possible, which might be impossible if you do not possess the necessary equipment knowledge.
Damage to Household Items
As far as furniture is concerned, if you happen to own wood furniture, it is best that you do not try to clean it on your own. This is because they can strain your flooring or carpets with its dyes. If your furniture is largely made of metal, smoke damage can cause rust to happen and stain your rug or carpet as well. This is why professionals like SERVPRO use various protective barriers to separate the different surfaces in your home until they are completely dry.
Some porous surfaces such as paint and plaster can be irreversibly stained by smoke. As such, it is essential to use dry chemical sponges to avoid causing permanent stains on your walls.
In the case of a fire, wooden flooring might need to be replaced entirely because of the water damage from fighting the fire. However, if there are still areas of your floor that are undamaged by water, it might even be possible to resurface them.
Items You Should Discard
Almost anything in your home can be damaged by one of the most dangerous things that can occur - fires. Any items damaged by flames and heat, melted, or burned, should be thrown away after a house fire. Additionally, the following should be discarded after a fire:
- Fire damaged mattresses and furniture - Because they can fall apart, any mattresses or furniture burned in a fire should be thrown away. If minor to moderate soot stains and smoke occur on hardwood furniture, that would be an exception. By cleaning with oil soap, hardwood furniture might be salvaged. Sanding and refinishing could be a possibility if staining is severe.
- Burned bedding, towels, and clothing - any bedding, towels, or clothing that was burned or charred should be thrown away. You can try washing items with dish soap for minor soot stains. Before washing, soak fabrics in vinegar to remove odors.
- Fire impacted hygiene products, cosmetics, and medicines - any of these were damaged by the fire should be discarded. Contact your doctor immediately if prescription medication has to be discarded.
- Fire exposed boxed or canned foods - any box or canned foods that were exposed to smoke or flames should be thrown away. This is particularly applicable if they have burn marks, sweat stains, or were opened.
Smoke Can Cause a Bad Odor
If you have ever experienced smoke or fire damage, you would know that eradicating the stubborn smoke smell can be a challenging problem. When your home becomes filled with smoke, the microscopic smoke particles can penetrate porous surfaces and stain any furniture and household items. Effectively removing the smoke smell in your home typically requires the use of proper cleaning agent, equipment, and lots of effort.
If you have fire damage to your home and you need fire damage restoration, SERVPRO can help. We can not only restore your property, but clean soot, smoke, and restore any water damage from the fire fighting as well.
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
SERVPRO Water Damage Equipment for Restoration
6/7/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO understands that using the proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. When time matters technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. Our professionals will answer your call with fast action, exceptional equipment, and trained/uniformed personnel. Certainly, the right tool for the job is vital to timely mitigation, but perhaps more important, these water damage professionals thoroughly understand how to dry a structure and personal property effectively.
Psychrometrics
Psychrometry is the study of the air and its properties. The properties of temperature, humidity, vapor pressure, and dew point are measured to evaluate air conditions in the structure, enabling a SERVPRO franchise professional to create the proper atmosphere for more efficient drying.
Water can damage materials in two ways: first, by absorption through direct contact with water; the second, absorption of moisture from the air. Measuring the moisture content of the air is critical to the drying process. Restoration professionals must establish an environment favorable for drying.
Detection Equipment
Scoping involves locating the areas of the structure affected by water and defining the extent to which the structure and contents have absorbed moisture. Moisture detection devices are also used to verify that an environment has been dried thoroughly.
- Moisture Sensors - are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards, and walls.
- Moisture Meters - are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate moisture readings that enable us to monitor the drying process.
- Thermohygrometers - measure both temperature and relative humidity. Capturing these two readings, we can calculate specific humidity, dew point, and vapor pressure.
Extraction Equipment
The most effective method of removing moisture from a structure is extraction. This is why it is critical to respond quickly to water damage and provide emergency mitigation services. When the water is extracted quickly, the environment can usually be dried much faster.
- Extractors - are used in cleaning carpets and upholstery and in removing water from floors following water damage. Extractors can either be truck-mounted or portable, allowing for greater access inside structures.
Air Moving Equipment
Air movers are used in water damage restoration to enhance evaporation at the surface level, thereby reducing drying time. As airflow at the surface level increases, the moisture in the air increases. This moisture is then eliminated via the use of dehumidification equipment.
Dehumidification Equipment
By extracting water vapor from the air, dehumidifiers lower the relative humidity, which in turn, increases the rate of evaporation. In a water damaged structure, dehumidifiers pull in the moist, humid air, and then discharge dry, warm air. The dry air acts like a sponge, absorbing moisture from wet materials. We use two types of dehumidifiers:
- Refrigerant Dehumidifiers - work similarly to air conditioners
- Desiccant Dehumidifiers - use chemicals, called desiccants, that readily absorb moisture from the air.
Water Damage Process Overview
- Within one hour from notice of loss, we will contact you to arrange for service. You’ll know help is on the way.
- Within four hours of loss notification, we will be on-site to start mitigation services. The key to reducing damage and saving money is responding quickly to your damage.
- A trained, uniformed and equipped SERVPRO professional will walk you through the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome.
- We will then begin pretesting for restorability, working from the source of the damage outward.
- Within eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to the appropriate person, normally your adjuster or property manager.
- We will work neatly and efficiently to help you regain control of your property when a damaging event has taken over. They will use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your property is taken care of right the first time.
- After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
Why SERVPRO? We use Infrared Technology to Detect Water Leaks
5/23/2023 (Permalink)
While you’re researching restoration companies, you’re always looking for the “why?” Why is company A better than company B? You’ll start to answer the why on your own as you do your research and read through reviews, but we can tell you that one of the reasons why you should choose SERVPRO of West Somerset County is because we used infrared technology to detect water leaks - which is something many companies don’t use.
Every year, water leaks cause serious problems for residential and commercial property owners alike, especially those who live or work in buildings that were constructed before the 1950s. The hardest part has always been finding the source of a leak, but infrared technology is now being used to solve this costly and irritating problem.
What Causes Water Leaks?
Modern plumbing is a necessity for most buildings, but they are subject to laws of entropy just like everything else. As a consequence, even the most well-designed plumbing systems will break down over time, which usually comes in the form of cracks within the piping, allowing water to leak.
Water leaks might also be the result of rainwater entering the building through the roof. This is a common occurrence especially in aging ceilings and walls. The most hazardous water leak is the one you don’t quickly recognize. The circulation of water around the property will cause dampness in the surrounding air, which makes it unhealthy to breathe.
In extreme cases, those living or working on the premises might develop an ailment which is airborne. If enough time passes, the leak will also begin to compromise the structural integrity of the building and the presence of any electrical conductors or equipment, creates an additional danger. It is for these reasons that rapidly identifying a leak and its source are extremely important.
Why We Work With Infrared Technology
Infrared imaging is considered state-of-the-art technology that allows us to identify leaks with ease. It is also used to inspect electric fittings, HVAC, and insulation. It accomplishes this through infrared rays which look for thermal abnormalities in a given space.
Every object, whether it be plants, animals, humans, or inanimate things, gives off specific infrared emissivity. However, the emissivity of an object will change along with the temperature. Therefore, a special camera is used to take infrared radiation images and the various emissivity levels will be displayed as distinct colors within the camera’s display.
Water leaks will raise or reduce the temperature for the surrounding area. This, in turn, will affect infrared emissivity levels which correspond to specific colors. A professional plumber will then be able to identify wet spaces within the camera, and can also identify leaks in places where the liquid is falling within a location because of the air dampness in that particular area.
While infrared imaging is innovative, it still takes a trained eye to read the screen and identify leaks, which is why you should fire a professional. Even if a property owner purchased one of these cameras and tried using it, the images wouldn’t make much sense to them unless they have a deep technical understanding of plumbing systems, roofing, and heat changes.
The best case scenario is to give SERVPRO of West Somerset County a call. We have experienced, knowledgeable, technicians that can take care of finding the source of your building’s leaks and presenting the right advice and assistance to fix it.
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
What You Should Replace After Fire Damage
5/12/2023 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Team Harvey in West Somerset County understands the heartbreak that homeowners go through when they lose belongings, lives, and even the structure of their home in house fires. However, if the fire you experience is mild, there may be some things you can keep and some you must replace.
After a fire accident at home, you should always assess the situation and environment when it is safe to do so. You should also rope in technicians and engineers to ensure that your house is structurally stable and safe. A fire accident damages the property and its contents, hence, you should figure out which items can be salvaged, and which need to be replaced. This is a guide on the important items you should replace after fire damage.
Burned Clothing
Textiles, such as clothes and bedding can be salvaged after a fire if proper disinfection and cleaning is done. However, if any clothes are burnt, they should immediately be thrown away and replaced. If you have any young children at home, then you should set a stricter set of criteria for considering which clothes should be replaced and which can still be worn.
Medicine and Cosmetics
Your medicine and cosmetics contain numerous chemicals and minerals which may be affected by fire and high heat. This can alter the composition of the products such that they become more toxic and contaminating. You should inspect the products for any signs of fire extinguisher dust, soot, heat, or other damage. The potency of medication could also be altered due to the high heat, smoke, water, or the chemicals used by firefighters to fight the fire. It is recommended to throw away all cosmetics and medication and replace them.
Insulation and Electrical Appliances
After a fire, there is a high chance that your house insulation and wires may have been damaged by heat or fire. You should always replace the insulation after a fire as burnt insulation is ineffective due to the presence of air holes. Burnt insulation is also hazardous as a hidden ember can continue to burn for hours and could reignite, thereby triggering another fire. Electrical appliances should also be checked for water or heat damage. Wires and appliances which have been damaged by the fire are hazards that may shock and ignite at any point in time. These wires and appliances could also have hidden faults that are not visible to the naked eye. If you spot any damaged or melted wires or electrical appliances, then that is a red glad and should be replaced. As a rule of precaution, all electrical appliances should be replaced and tossed away if you are unsure about their condition.
Food
Non-perishable food could be compromised by the fire and food safety is a huge concern especially after a fire. Although sealed food that is not damaged or burnt may appear to be healthy for consumption, it may not be edible - especially if they were close to the fire. This is because toxic fumes emitted from the fire and smoke could contaminate the food through the cans and sealed jars. High heat can also cause the food to taste unpleasant and activate bacteria which promotes food spoilage. The water and chemicals used to extinguish the fire could also contaminate both perishable and non-perishable food. You should always be rigorous and detailed when inspecting your kitchen after a fire anc check for any heat, smoke, or chemical damage caused by the fire and fire extinguisher. As a rule of thumb, you should throw out any food items.
About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of West Somerset County is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.
We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”
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