Commercial Fire Restoration for Your West Somerset County Business

10/13/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage can wreak havoc on a business, causing not only physical and structural damage and destruction but also significant destruction to daily operations. The aftermath of a fire can be a daunting and overwhelming situation for business owners, as it can lead to financial losses, loss of valuable assets, and the potential for a tarnished reputation.

However, commercial fire restoration plays a vital role in helping businesses recover from such disasters. It is a comprehensive and specialized process that not only restores the physical structure but also helps businesses get back on their feet by minimizing downtime, salvaging assets, and ensuring a safe and healthy work environment.

Let's talk about how SERVPRO of West Somerset County can deal with fire damage restoration services.

SERVPRO and 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 immediately to get you back to business.

We are:

• A 24 Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• A trust leader in the Fire and Water Restoration Industry with over 2170 Franchises
• Highly Trained Fire and Water Damage Restoration Specialists

Commercial Restoration Presents Unique Challenges

Commercial fire restoration presents a set of unique challenges that distinguish it from residential fire restoration. These challenges stem from the larger scale and complexity of commercial properties, as well as the critical need to minimize downtime and expedite the recovery process. Some of the notable challenges include:

• Size and Complexity: Commercial properties are often larger and more intricate than residential homes, with multiple floors, extensive electrical systems, and specialized equipment. Restoring such complex structures requires a higher level of expertise and resources.
• Business Continuity: Unlike residential properties, businesses must continue their operations to maintain revenue streams and customer relationships. Minimizing downtime during the restoration process is a top priority, and this can be a significant logistical challenge.
• Asset Recovery: Commercial properties often house valuable assets like machinery, inventory, and sensitive documents. Restoration efforts must prioritize salvaging and protecting these assets to minimize financial losses.
• Insurance Company & Claims: Navigating the insurance claims process for commercial properties can be complex, with larger policy limits and more extensive documentation required. Effective communication between restoration professionals, business owners, and insurers is crucial.

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 house fire, a restaurant, motel, or office building, we will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion. We will come fully prepared and ready with:

• Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians
• Odor Control Technicians
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technicians
• Water Damage Restoration Technicians

How Our Fire Damage Restoration Process Works

After the fire trucks leave, your home or business likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage. SERVPRO has the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your business to pre-fire condition. Here's how our fire damage restoration process works:

• Emergency Contact: The fire damage restoration process begins when you call us. Our rep will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources.
• Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment: We carefully inspect and test the building to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.
• Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service: Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.
• Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present): The water removal process begins almost right away and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.
• Removal of Smoke Damage and Soot Damage from All Surfaces: We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.
• Cleaning and Sanitizing: We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We're also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.
• Restoration: Restoration is the final step. Getting your business to its pre loss condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a business.

Areas We Provide Restoration Services in West Somerset County

We're locally owned and managed, as well as a part of a national network of over 2170 franchises with special disaster recovery teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large scale events and disasters.

We're proud to serve these local communities:

Hillsborough, Bedminster, Branchburg, Raritan, Belle Mead, Somerville, Far Hills, Manville, Neshanic Station, and Skillman.

SERVPRO of West Somerset County Certifications

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration services. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's Corporate Training Facility to regular IICRC industry certifications, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes:

• IICRC Training: The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Our professionals study these standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration services.
• Employee Certification Training: The Employee Certification Training is a voluntary, self-paced program designed for SERVPRO Franchise employees. Certification is awarded after a successful completion of course materials and an examination.
• Initial Franchise Training: A 15-day hands-on course at the SERVPRO Corporate Training Facility is the foundation of the SERVPRO training program.
• e-Learnings: All of our staff have access to web-based training. This program is designed to be an ongoing, self-paced coaching series for franchise employees. Video presentations and support materials are followed by a knowledge test at the end of each module. This keeps our techs and office staff up to speed on industry standards and the professional quality you expect.
• Continuing Education Classes: SERVPRO of West Somerset County offers both credit and noncredit courses for insurance agents, insurance adjusters, real estate professionals, and franchise staff. These programs are designed to improve knowledge of emergency mitigation.

Why SERVPRO?

SERVPRO is faster to any size disaster. We're here day or night, at any time of the day because storms and other disasters don't wait for a convenient time to come, and we understand that.

Not only do we have the right professionals to do the job, but we will walk you through the entire process, discuss anything with your insurance company, and make sure that your home or business is back up and running as fast as possible.

We will help you with cleaning services, storm damage, specialty restoration services, commercial restoration, mold removal, smoke odors, smoke damage, fire cleanup, soot removal, duct cleaning, and all of the fire damage restoration services that you need.

So, if your home or business falls victim to water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold damage, or anything else, we're the fire damage restoration company you should call. We're trained and skilled in taking on fire damage repairs, smoke damage restoration, and much more.

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 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

How Fire Damage Can Affect Office Buildings

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Fire can cause devastation in any environment where it gets out of control, especially commercial establishments since office building fire damage can impact both the company as a whole as well as its employees. Below are some ways in which office building fire damage can adversely affect businesses and how it can be avoided.

Downtime and Financial Losses

Most businesses are small to medium in size and contained within a single building. If a fire breaks out in that location, their operations will be severely disrupted and for startups without significant funds or insurance the damage could be irreversible. Without steady revenues employees will have to be laid off while the owner attempts to find a new location if possible.

Large corporations often have multiple branches or headquarters around the country or world which makes them largely impervious to fire damage. For example, a retail store or restaurant chain with dozens or hundreds of locations will only be minimally impacted by the outbreak of fire and neither their revenue nor stock price will fall by much. Smaller operations by comparison don’t have this luxury.

Data Loss

Even the smallest businesses in most developed countries today depend on computers and the internet. Computers contain hard drives, operating systems and data bases which allow critical company data to be stored, and it isn’t unusual for medium to large companies to use server farms.

Certain industries such as the manufacturing sector are dependent on software to perform essential automated tasks, and most retail stores and supermarkets use software to manage their large inventory. Finally, there are self-employed entrepreneurs who depend heavily on their computers to run software that allows them to create animations, simulations or renderings that can be used in a variety of different projects. Fire is therefore a serious threat because it can cause the loss of critical or sensitive data that may never be recovered, which can permanently damage an organizations ability to function.

Particle Ionization

When it comes to fire, people have a tendency to focus on the flames rather than the smoke, which is just as dangerous. Not only does inhalation pose a hazard to any company personnel who are onsite during the fire outbreak, but the smoke particles will become ionized and develop electric charges that will adhere to some surfaces, such as nails, plastics and any office furnishings which are manmade like vinyl, which will cause permanent staining.

How To Prevent Fire Damage in Office Buildings

The first step in protecting your business from fire damage is to have great insurance coverage. Insurance carriers differ widely when it comes to their dependability and some are frustrating to deal with. You’ll need to show evidence of the damage and the goods that were destroyed.

The second step is to operate in buildings which have natural resistance to fire and have at least one working fire extinguisher on site at all times. Annually inspect wiring or other sources that could cause a fire and store critical company documents and files in a safe that is fire proof. Using laptops rather than desktop computers allows staff on site to rapidly unplug and carry them outdoors during an emergency.

Take Great Care Of Your Hotel Furniture

11/24/2021 (Permalink)

When hotel furniture is both beautiful and comfortable, it is far more inviting to guests and makes a great first impression. Your guests will be sure to notice attractive, clean furniture. Not only that, they’ll be far more inclined to come back again because they were so impressed by your stylish amenities and your hotel’s decor.

To maximize the value of your pieces and fixtures, make sure to establish a relationship with a company or service that provides upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, and other commercial cleaning services. You may also want to establish a relationship with a furniture and fixture restorer.

Let's take a look at some of the ways in which you can better care for your hotel furniture.

Hotel Furniture Transformation

To complement most any hotel setting, attractive furniture can be created from old, dull pieces. With reliable techniques, industry experience, and excellent customer service, the right company or individual is priceless for any hotel owner. For years to come, your guests will be able to enjoy your most cherished pieces thanks to cleaning or restoration services bringing them back to life.

Keep Your Furniture's Original Charm

To preserve the original character of your furnishing pieces, restoration goes a long way. It is, in fact, one of the main advantages of restoration. Hotels with quaint fixtures and antique furniture frequently depend on restoration services to maintain their historic, charming aesthetic. Whichever style and look you want to preserve, the right company or service can help keep those pieces which are near and dear to your heart well-maintained.

The following are methods of restoration, refinishing, and maintaining a hotel’s beloved decor:

• Custom finishing, millwork painting, and molding – To your exact taste, design specifications, and the existing finish, precise pieces can be met and matched. Your millwork can be molded, sanded, and finished expertly and beautifully.
• Reception lobby area retouching of wooden fixtures, furniture, etc. – Give your guests the first impression they crave. Keep them coming back time after time with a memorable experience.
• Make a modern masterpiece from a classic elevator – With wood pane restoration services, you'd be surprised what can be accomplished.
• Furniture restoration and refinishing – Using methods of a specialized nature, new life can be breathed back into old pieces.

Furniture Repair

It might be tempting, sometimes, to start from scratch and buy new furniture. STOP! Before you spend that kind of money, think about this: There may be more life left in that furniture than you may have thought. In the long run, you may benefit more from furniture restoration. Give it some serious consideration.

Let SERVPRO of West Somerset County Help You Care for Your Hotel Furniture

Our carpet and upholstery cleaning are second to none. At SERVPRO, however, we don't stop there. We can be of assistance with all sorts of building services, commercial cleaning services, and more. If you've had a problem with sewage and toilet overflow, need odor removal, want drapes and blinds cleaned, and more, trust us for the best service available.

We handle far more than hotels, as well. We service industrial and manufacturing locations, high-rise residential buildings, big box/large retail stores, small retail stores, restaurants, apartment buildings, and much more.

Feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries!

How Often Should Commercial Carpets Be Cleaned?

10/7/2021 (Permalink)

To project a positive image, every business needs to concentrate on one of the biggest contributors – cleanliness. People assume you're running a business that's productive when your carpet, entryway, and lobby is welcoming and clean. Particularly in areas of high traffic, commercial carpets withstand constant debris, dirt, etc.

In your facility or office, how often do you suppose you should have the carpets cleaned?

Truth be told, there is not a singular correct answer to this question. A unique setting exists in every building. To determine cleaning frequency, however, there are a few guidelines by which to operate. The foot traffic experienced every day has a lot to do with your cleaning schedule. The type of business you run and the type of carpet you have also weigh in. Also possibly related to the operation of your precise business is the type of dirt that is tracked in.

When making a cleaning schedule, keep the following factors in mind.

Questions to Ask

To help determine a cleaning schedule, you want to have the answers to the following questions:

What type of commercial space do you have? Some facilities simply need more frequent carpet cleaning than others.

What kind of foot traffic is experienced throughout the week? Don't just count customer foot traffic. Remember to count staff members as well. More traffic means more frequent cleaning.

What is the style and color of your carpet? The lighter the color and the higher the nap, the more frequently your carpet will probably need cleaning.

Facilities and Carpet Cleaning Scheduling

Here are some various businesses and a suggestion as to how often to schedule carpet cleaning. Keep in mind that many variants figure into this equation, thereby changing the demand for cleaning:

• Churches – At least once a year, have a thorough cleaning and protecting done. Depending on their size, multiple cleanings can be done on entrances during the year.
• Schools – Every 3 to 6 months, schools should have carpets cleaned.
• Office buildings – Every six months to annually, office buildings should clean their carpets. You must also consider what kind of dirt is being tracked in by employees and customers, and the number of employees and customers coming through.
• Retail stores – Every 3 to 6 months, you should have your carpet cleaned and protected if you experience a high level of foot traffic.
• Nursing homes/medical facilities – Regarding the sanitation and cleaning of healthcare facilities, there are numerous regulations. It has never been more important, considering the increased awareness of airborne contaminants today, for healthcare facilities to increase their deep carpet cleaning schedules.
• Bars/restaurants – At least quarterly, carpets should be cleaned and protected in bars and restaurants. Among other things, kitchen grease that gets tracked through and spills make this an essential duty.

Let SERVPRO of West Somerset County Clean Your Commercial Carpeting and More

Do you need commercial carpet cleaning? At SERVPRO, we can be of assistance. We can also help with upholstery cleaning, should you feel you can benefit from that. When it comes to commercial cleaning, in fact, we cover all the bases. We service military and government buildings, industrial and manufacturing locations, high-rise residential buildings, big box/large retail stores, hotels/motels, restaurants, and much more.

We don't stop at carpet cleaning, either. We remove graffiti and clean up vandalism, clean up crime scenes, we can handle toilet and sewage overflow, do only removal, clean your drapes and blinds, and more. There's almost no limit to the services we can provide for your business.

Feel free to contact us if you have any enquiries!

An Introduction To Manufacturing Plant Cleanliness

9/15/2021 (Permalink)

When you think of manufacturing plant cleanliness, what comes to mind? A or B?

1. A plant that offers its employees a healthy, safe, clean, and workable environment?
2. A plant littered with discarded debris and tools, covered in oil and grease stains, where grime, dust, and soot layer the walls and windows? To top it all off, every now and then a clogged HVAC system sputters to life.

What should come to mind is a manufacturing plant with sparkling windows, clean walls, stain- and debris-free floors, air ducts that flow effortlessly, and machinery that performs admirably.

Considering the above stated scenarios, which location would you rather work at every day? Which type of environment is going to produce the best products and inspire customer confidence? For its proper function, a manufacturing plant’s cleanliness is essential.

Here are some tips to keeping your manufacturing facility as clean as possible.

What's the Importance of Manufacturing Plant Cleanliness?

Why is it important to keep your manufacturing plant clean? Well, health and hygiene come to mind! Why are those so important?

Health and hygiene are crucial to keep your business running smoothly, among other things. Bacteria can easily spread in a large commercial facility that is often utilized especially in common areas such as the kitchens, break rooms, and other staff food preparation/eating areas.. These types of facilities require proper cleaning and disinfecting periodically.

Poorly ventilated plants and improperly cleaned surfaces can encourage health effects.

Additional Reasons for Facility Cleanliness

The following are other reasons to keep your facility as clean as possible. But they are by no means secondary to the above-stated health effects.

• Positive first impressions
• Less frequent maintenance
• Better organization
• Product quality
• Efficiency and productivity
• Reduced allergens
• General safety

Regular Cleaning Is Needed

Regular cleaning is needed in various areas of manufacturing facilities and warehouses. Always try to keep a close eye on the cleanliness of the following:

• Production surfaces
• Machinery
• HVAC system
• Production floors
• Windows
• Storage spaces
• Carpets
• Tile and grout
• Recycling bins and trash cans
• Restrooms and food prep/eating areas

The best way to stay on top of the cleanliness of your manufacturing plant, warehouse, etc., is to rely on a professional team that can handle the job.

Let SERVPRO of West Somerset County Help Guarantee the Cleanliness of Your Manufacturing Plant

SERVPRO of West Somerset County is capable of odor removal, cleaning drapes and blinds, taking care of walls, floors, and ceilings, cleaning upholstery and carpet, biohazard cleanup, and HVAC/air duct cleaning. Does your place of business need any of these types of services? If so, we've got you covered.

Has a fire, flood, or excess water of some sort created an unsafe work environment at your manufacturing plant? If you aren't able to bring employees in because of unsafe conditions, that's money literally down the drain. Don't let that happen!

At SERVPRO of West Somerset County, we send out highly trained specialists capable of handling inspection and damage assessment, water removal and extraction, drying and dehumidification, cleaning and repair, and restoration. The last thing you need is hidden moisture causing health effects after the apparent water damage has been dealt with. Thanks to our technicians and inspectors, we can make sure your plant is fully dried, cleaned, and restored – leaving you, once again, open for business.

We offer 24-hour emergency service when needed. If you've experienced water damage or fire damage, and need cleanup and restoration, don't wait another moment. Contact us today.

Top Tips To Maintain Restaurant Cleanliness

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

You know how demanding it is if you have work in a restaurant before. The prepping of meals, cooking and serving, it is an essential part of any restaurant management. Another crucial part is the cleanliness of the restaurant. The dining area and kitchen have to be cleaned regularly, not only for the customers but also for the health department. Restaurants can have odor, grime and moisture build-up as heavy foot traffic and food are always in play. There are several tips to keep in mind when serving and dealing your food and customers while still maintaining the restaurant cleanliness.

Preventing Your Restaurant from Getting too Dirty

Having a good cleaning practices or schedule is an excellent way to prevent any dirt build-up in your restaurant. Every waiter, chef and cleaning crew working in a restaurant have a part to play when it comes to the cleanliness.

• Using effective cleaning supplier is the first step you can take in possibly killing germs and bacteria that lingers in the restaurant. Keep a checklist of all your cleaning supplies and note down the cleaning products that are at half capacity. The dining area’s front door, bathrooms and front of house areas and kitchen have to be regularly clean and disinfect multiple times during the day. When closing, heaving cleaning is needed.
• The one area that is a target for heavy cleaning is the kitchen area. This is where most food items are prepared and with that, comes all sorts of contaminants. It is the duty of all kitchen crews to maintain personal hygiene by wearing chef’s hat and gloves when preparing any food items. Kitchenware such as pots and pans, oven handles and refrigerator doors have to wipe clean every few hours to prevent germs from contaminating another colleague.
• Hiring a commercial cleaning crew will definitely help your restaurant cleanliness. They have the proper tools and equipment to handle all types of cleaning challenges.
• Linens such as tablecloths, napkins, and curtains should always be cleaned and washed daily. Having clean linens are not only for hygienic purposes but also looks good and customers will feel great when entering your restaurant.
• Perhaps the most basic of task to ensure the prevention of germs contamination but regularly ignored, is your personal hygiene. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water should occur before, after and during your shift. Personal hygiene plays a big part in your restaurant cleanliness. Ensure that hand sanitizers are readily available in every corner of your restaurant so staffs will never again forget to sanitize their hands.
• Communication is key when it comes to restaurant cleanliness. In any good business, it is crucial to communicate with everyone to establish that they are all in the same page when it comes to personal hygiene and restaurant cleanliness.

Let SERVPRO of West Somerset County be Your Choice for Your Commercial Cleaning Needs

Our highly-trained specialists are well-versed in your commercial cleaning needs. We are IICRC-certified and specialized in the cleanup for all types of properties. We dedicate ourselves in providing our clients with the best solutions and have the best cleaning practices and standard. Feel free to contact us if you have any inquiries!

SERVPRO Of West Somerset County Is The Expert For Commercial Restoration Services

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

If you have experienced some type of damage in your business facility, you need the commercial restoration services of a fast, reliable, certified company to assist you with restoration and repairs. Whether you need a team to cover disaster recovery, assistance after a storm, mold remediation, fire damage restoration, water damage restoration, or something else, the experts at SERVPRO can help. No job is too small or too large.

Before you know it, our dependable team will make your building look like the damage never occurred. We do our best to minimize downtime and lessen interruption to your business as much as possible. The restoration, clean-up, dry out, etc. services we perform are not only done by highly trained staff, they are performed with care and empathy.

Commercial Restoration Services

Whether you've had a fire in your facility or you've experienced a flood, we at SERVPRO invite you to employ our expert staff. We’re here to help you whether you need mold remediated, soot cleaned up, water damage restoration, or some other service related to storms, disasters, etc. Before you know it, we will make your surroundings look like the damage never happened. To lessen the interruption to your business, we make it our goal to minimize time spent on drying out, cleaning up, repairing, restoring, and more.

For West Somerset County and surrounding  areas, we are the go-to service. For more than 10 years, we've been servicing the area, so we know just what to look for.

Services and Staff

If you have experienced water, smoke, storm, or fire damage, and need clean-up services, board up services, restoration, etc., we can help. We also mitigate mildew and mold from businesses.

When it comes to commercial property damage restoration, we employ a highly trained staff. With all the knowledge required to restore your property to its former beauty and functionality, our experts are well-equipped. This can be attributed to not only initial training but that of an ongoing nature. Our staff is trained at our corporate training facility and attends regular IICRC-industry certification.

What's more, we employ a nationwide system of franchises that are qualified to take care of your post-disaster needs.

Turn to Highly Trained Individuals for Reliable Service

Included in our training program is the following:

• Continuing education classes
• E-learning
• Initial franchise training
• Employee certification training

IICRC training introduces and instructs employees regarding best practices where fire restoration, water restoration, upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, mold remediation, and other restoration/cleaning services are concerned.

Modules of certification training include the following:

• Water restoration
• Fire restoration
• Carpet and upholstery cleaning
• Crew training

What's Involved in Continuing Education?

Included in continuing education courses are the following:

• Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry
• Fire Damage Restoration
• A non-credit course: Mitigation Awareness Response Seminar
• Restorative Drying for Loss Control
• Water Damage Restoration

Why SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration and Repair?

When water or flood damage occurs at your West Somerset County commercial property, we respond immediately with specialized, trained technicians. But why should you choose SERVPRO over others? Here are just a handful of our attributes.

Is Demolition Cheaper than Remediation for Somerville Restaurants?

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

A look inside our storage facility where we keep the equipment.

When water losses or mold damages occur to your Somerville restaurant, you get fixated on whatever steps are necessary to get your doors back open and to limit the spread of the damage in your building. More to this point, you are looking for whatever puts the public relations fire out if the word begins to circulate about the discovery of mold in your eatery. You need the most efficient path to clearing out the hazards, and it might not always be the option you think. 

Mold damage in your Somerville restaurant threatens your ability to serve customers and patrons, and when left unchallenged, it can become a costly situation to remediate and restore as well. Remediation tactics can help to address colonization using proven techniques and methods, many of which can successfully restore and recover damaged materials without demolition. Abrasive cleaning techniques and potent antimicrobial products are prime examples of these alternative strategies. 

There are many instances in which demolition, especially controlled removal tactics our in-house general contractors utilize, can be a more cost-effective and streamlined approach to remediating mold. Construction material removal is not an uncommon need after loss incidents like mold growth. It is a direct path to removing colonies spreading along with organic materials in the water-damaged areas of your restaurant. With a team of qualified contractors to immediately begin build-back after preliminary remediation tactics, reconstruction can often be less time-consuming and costly than recovering installed materials with abrasive blasting techniques or sanding. 

This same practice can more directly deal with mold growth on wooden booths, tables, chairs, carpets, and sensitive materials. Though actions like our pack-out procedures can remove susceptible contents before migrating mold colonization can damage the materials, this same practice can also remove at-risk furniture and fixtures to a safer location within the building or to our SERVPRO facility for safekeeping. 

Your restaurant cannot often work around the presence of mold, as this is a violation of strict guidelines for food and beverage establishments. Our SERVPRO of West Somerset County team can help you to get control of this situation and remove colonies to get your restaurant back to normal quickly. Give us a call anytime at (732) 805-9944.

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Commercial Ceiling Repair

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial ceiling after we performed services, no visible damage afterward.

This particular job was for one of our clients who experienced troubles after a pipe burst in their parking garage. Not pictured here is the damage that took place on the ceiling of the garage. The ceiling had air pockets that were swelling up with water inside them. This type of damage can lead to a number of other issues including mold. Our client was lucky they called us when they did or this could have gotten much worse.  Our crew went in with SERVPRO tools and the damage was fixed hastily. The picture on the right is the ceiling once it’s been patched up and restored to its original condition. Our client was very happy with the results and noted that it was done way sooner than anticipated.

What Exactly Happens During Mold Remediation?

10/2/2020 (Permalink)

No one enjoys unexpected surprises when there is any work done in the home. It is a disruptive situation regardless of the type of project. In the case of mold remediation, you will be having strangers in your home using serious chemicals. If you have a better idea of what exactly happens during the mold remediation process, you will definitely feel less stressed and more relaxed. 

Firstly, you will need to do a few things before the workers arrive:

• Fix the water issue that led to the mold growth. Mold remediation is a costly process and you will not want to do it over again.
• Make a clear path for the workers to move from the outside to the mold area and back with ease. For example, clear the cars from the garage and driveway.
• Keep any pets out of the way, either in the yard or in a room where the doors are closed.

Use Biocide to Kill Mold

• Company starts preparing

The company will be parking a truck near the doorway and place plastic sheeting on the floor. Next , they will run hoses across the house to the affected area. When the mold area is easily accessible, it is much easier to do the necessary work. Engaging a good mold remediation company will ensure that your house is kept clean while the necessary work is being done. Suiting-Up Process

Just like any other potentiall hazardous process, like the removal of asbestos or lead-based paint, mold remediation workers will need to fully suit up for the process: from head to toe with white suits, respirators, booties, and goggles. This does not always mean that the mold remediation company is in charge of getting rid of mold. This is the standard operating procedure for all the work that they do. 

• Spray Down

The initial step of the two-step process is to use a biocide to spray the mold area. Biocide refers to any EPA- approved liquid which is meant to kill mold. Do take note that the EPA does not approve using bleach for getting rid of mold. Usually, this first step should take shorter than the next step.

• Wait

After the workers have left, the biocide will start working, hence killing the mold spores.

Spray Mold Area with Encapsulant

The next day, the mold remediation company will come back and as usual, clear access is required. The workers will be spraying the mold area with a type of whitewash or paint that encapsulates any mold spores remaining. The mold remediation company should make sure that they spray well beyond the area where mold is growing make sure that there will be no more growth of mold. For instance, if only a restricted area of an attic shows signs of mold, the entire attic should probably still be sprayed down. This is more ideal and you should check in with the company if they are doing this.

If you think that you may be experiencing symptoms of mold exposure in your homes, do not hesitate to contact our team of experts here at SERVPRO.

Managing Water Damage in Hillsborough

8/29/2020 (Permalink)

Call us 24/7 with any questions.

Water damage may be the last thing you think of when operating a courier or other delivery service. However, when it does happen, your business can suffer irrecoverable losses because customers may opt to deal with your competitors in the future. The unique thing that worsens such a loss in your courier business is that most of the contents likely to be affected belong to other people, and they might have sentimental or intrinsic value that supersedes any financial reimbursements you might offer.

Failure to respond suitably after commercial water damage in Hillsborough can worsen the situation. Most of the effects water has on items after spilling take time to manifest, so taking immediate countermeasures can help stop them. Our SERVPRO technicians take steps such as placing wet documents in a freezer facility to prevent further deterioration. If electronics are affected, we try to minimize the chances of corrosion by preventing them from drying cooling beyond the dew point.

If the water affects your main item-receiving area or long-term storage section, proper care is necessary to ensure the traceability of the parcels once the emergency is over. In the haste to save the items from damage by water, you might misplace or lose track of some, which can present challenges when it is time to make deliveries. Our SERVPRO teams can help move items and make proper records. We can even use our electronic CCIS, Content Claim Inventory Service, which keeps records of the items moved, and their original location in your facility.

Delivering items to your clients that smell moldy can ruin the reputation of your business. Mold colonies start developing on any organic material within periods as short as 24 hours. One outcome of water damage incidents in the presence of higher than normal levels of humidity in the affected rooms, which can lead to recurrent mold growth. Our SERVPRO crews include AMRT, Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians, who can help take steps to prevent mold growth. We use moisture detection equipment such as thermo-hygrometers to check humidity levels in different sections of your property before dehumidifying it to restore normal levels.

To save your courier service from the ravages of water damage, call SERVPRO of West Somerset County to assist you. You can reach us at (732) 805-9944. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Click here to learn more about Hillsborough.

Drying Shared Wall Areas in a Hillsborough Shopping Plaza

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

The brown tinted area is where the visible water damage has taken place.

Plumbing is a complex component to all modern construction for businesses in Hillsborough, and the skills of pipefitters and plumbers get put to the test to conceal these components as best as they can within wall cavities, ceilings, and floors of plazas and shopping centers. One significant water loss incident occurring from somewhere in this network of hidden plumbing could prove detrimental to more than one business if they break or leak occurs within a shared wall.

With so many connections, joints, and elbows that make up a plumbing array within the walls of a shopping plaza, it is not difficult to determine how likely potential water damage scenarios can be in Hillsborough. We strive to provide every customer with an immediate response to their water loss incidents, offering each component of our advanced inventory of drying and moisture detection to identify where plumbing repairs must occur and to restore the damage that has happened. Our SERVPRO professionals can work to identify the full spread of this damage from our arrival to determine the best placement for drying equipment and machines that we bring with the Green Fleet.

With leak and moisture detection equipment, our team can identify the problem area within a wall cavity to prevent excessive and unnecessary demolition of affected materials throughout the plaza. Once we have identified the location of the water break in the plumbing exclusively, our professionals can work to remove the portion of drywall in the immediate area so that the break becomes accessible to get fixed.

Flood cuts are a common approach when substantial water loss situations have occurred, primarily when the damage has spread beyond the affected wall cavity. Drywall can quickly absorb pooling water, and allow this moisture to wick upwards towards the ceiling, making an irreparable portion of this wall damaged, even with the fast response of our SERVPRO team. Once these cuts have occurred to remove saturated portions, we can dry out the cavity itself with our high-velocity air movers.

There are many steps to recovering your business after a water loss incident, but quickly addressing the source of the situation is a critical place to begin. Let our SERVPRO of West Somerset County professionals show you how we can make this damage “Like it never even happened,” by calling (732) 805-9944.

Read more about Hillsborough here.

The Hillsborough Fire Dept. Calls on SERVPRO

6/27/2020 (Permalink)

Production Technician Emmanuel extracts water from the carpet in the members’ room of the Hillsborough Fire Department.

When the Hillsborough (Flagtown) Fire Department had a wet firehouse due to a faulty water heater they called on SERVPRO® to come to dry them out.

The Fire Department discovered that their water heater had failed on a Friday morning, damaging their kitchen and other areas. SERVPRO of West Somerset County was on site within an hour of the call and began right away to remove as much water as possible. Unfortunately, not all the wet structure could be saved, so our crew worked over the weekend to remove the damaged materials. We put our drying equipment in place to remove moisture from what could be saved. On Tuesday the firehouse was clean and dry and ready to be rebuilt.

Can You Prevent Mold Growth?

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

Almost 50% of households within the United States experience mold growth of various severity scales. Several types of molds are considered life-threatening as they pose critical risks to human health and that of pets as well. Homeowners need to be aware of the mold situation within their household to minimize their exposure to this harmful growth. Apart from our health, molds may also jeopardize the value of our homes as they cause property damages.

Indoor Humidity

Molds are not able to thrive without moisture. Thus, we need to be sensitive to our surroundings and be vigilant in getting rid of water sources that are not in use. There are other areas of concern apart from water leakage and spills alone. They may be hidden away from sight and the usage of a hygrometer can help detect any humidity levels to monitor any moisture around the house.

Good Ventilation

Always ensure that every room in your house has enough ventilation. This will help to reduce the humidity levels in each region to help stop mold from surviving. Since air holds a certain percentage of water vapor, condensation can occur when the temperature of a room fluctuates. Good ventilation can help control this situation to prevent mold growth.

Exhaust Fans

Exhaust fans are often left unnoticed around the house since they are just a small device located at mainly the kitchen and bathroom. However, their purpose is really important to vent moisture away. This can prevent water vapor from sticking onto walls and promote mold growth when humidity levels increase.

Outdoor Drainage

Pay close attention to paths that contain water flows such as the drains or pools. If your house is not situated on top of a hill, most likely the water will remain stagnant. This can contribute towards the development of mold and becomes the foundation of serious mold buildup. This is also true for rain gutters that can collect rain but may not release it.

Wet Spillage

The simplest but most efficient way to prevent mold is to keep your home dry. Mop up any spills immediately regardless of where it may have taken place. Wet items should also be cleared and not left bundled up on the floor. Houses with carpets need to perform this simple action even more as carpets absorb water easily.

Mold Prevention: How it is Easier to Avoid than to Rectify

The abovementioned steps can most definitely help prevent mold buildup but not entirely. There will still be certain areas that are simply inevitable in promoting the growth of mold. Certain parts of your home which are out of sight or reach may still experience mold but probably not enough to cause an entire infestation to occur. As a homeowner, always be wary of your surroundings and tackle any situation that can support mold growth before it is able to even develop.

Don’t Just Sit There! Call The Professionals In Commercial Flood Damage Removal For Your Somerville Business

10/13/2019 (Permalink)

Make sure to be prepared if flood damage affects your theater by having SERVPRO on speed dial. Be ready to call right away.

Weather Events Can Cripple a Somerville Movie Theater 

Storm systems that can affect the area present unique threats to Somerville businesses and water penetration to area movie theaters can be financially damaging in multiple ways. Flooding is one of the most damaging of these conditions, as standing water can prevent customer traffic, but it can also put fixtures and the contents of the structure at risk as well. Addressing storm and flood damage falls to the capable hands of our SERVPRO flood restoration specialists as well as our in-house contractors.

While flood damage in Somerville businesses like this movie theater can be detrimental enough, we must address structural concerns first, such as damage to the roof of the building. We have licensed contractors (#13VH05228000) that have experience in the building trades to provide emergency construction solutions like tarping services and board up. Preventing further water exposure can ensure that the mitigation steps to follow are successful.

Standing water affects multiple facets of your business, including the short pile carpeting through the hallways and in the individual screening rooms. Overexposure to this flooring material can require its removal and replacement. With concrete flooring beneath the carpet, it is vital to dry out this material as it can retain moisture for prolonged periods and facilitate mold colonization and mildew production.

One of the most considerable investments that your facility makes is the films shown in the theater from week to week. As these are leased items, they are in your building for limited periods and are meant to be handled with care and precaution after your rental period ends. While most screenings are no longer the large reel of film that used to get shipped to theaters across the country, the digital versions of these productions are just as susceptible to moisture damage. Regulating dampness with the establishment of drying zones and rapid moisture removal practices can protect these films and your overhead.

Flooding can have a damaging effect on many areas and items within your theater, and it is our priority to get your doors back open as quickly as possible. From our mitigation to our reconstruction efforts, you can look to our SERVPRO of West Somerset County team to be your one-stop-shop for recovery. Give us a call anytime at (732) 805-9944.

Click here to learn more about Somerville. 

SERVPRO Strives to Clean and Restore Children's Centers in Hillsborough after Fire and Smoke Losses

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Hillsborough Area, and Saving Summer Camp Activities after a Fire and Smoke Loss--Yeah SERVPRO!

Commercial Smoke Damage May Make Summer Activity Centers Unsafe for Hillsborough Children

Keeping children and younger teens occupied safely in entertaining and educational activities while their parents work or study helps the community of Hillsborough grow increasingly stronger. While such centers play an essential role for many families, each center needs to maintain its building well. Damaged areas quickly become off-limits, reducing the amount of space available. Large areas can affect the number of people allowed to occupy the building, and consequently affect funding.

The specialists at SERVPRO live and work in Hillsborough, so smoke and fire damage at your facility become a priority as soon as you call. We know how important your building's interior environment is to you and the parents of the participants at your center. We use specialized techniques to remove smoke residues from all of the surfaces youngsters might touch.

We do not want any youngsters to ingest any of the soot, as this can cause unwanted health effects. Many children, as well as teens, often put their fingers into their mouths. If their fingers are covered in smoke residue, this can cause problems. It also transfers easily to clothing and faces. As we perform cleaning and mitigation, we wear personal protective equipment, including respirator masks, to protect us from these risks.

We wipe down non-washable surfaces like books with a dry sponge. When this proves insufficient to remove all of the ash, we switch to a slightly damp cloth. We use an ultrasonic water bath to strip soot from washable toys and other pieces of equipment or Esporta industrial-grade washing machines. Fewer detergents are needed for cleansing and sanitizing.

Storytime and other activities that take place on the carpeting can ruin clothing. Movement on the carpet can send loosened ash back up into the air, getting into the lungs of each child. We use cleaning agents that breakdown soot so our extraction units can more easily pull soot out of the pile and leave it safe again. We inspect all treated areas before releasing them back for general use.

SERVPRO of West Somerset County wants to help you continue providing much-needed services to the families in Somerville, Bedminster, and Far Hills. Smoke and fire damage can prevent this, or severely diminish your ability to do so. Call (732) 805-9944 for professional mitigation services from people who care about our community, 24/7, every day of the year.

More about your city here.