Hazards in Berkeley Heights Flood Damage

7/21/2024 (Permalink)

Flood damage is difficult to deal with when you don't know what you're doing. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for certified technicians who can get the job done.

Understanding the Impacts of Floodwater Contamination

After a storm hits Berkeley Heights, floodwater can become a significant concern for homeowners. The water entering a home isn't just rainwater; it often carries harmful substances that pose considerable health risks. Understanding the dangers of water contamination and how to handle it safely is crucial.

The Reality of Floodwater Contamination

When flood damage invades your home in Berkeley Heights, various contaminants, including sewage overflow, industrial runoff, and household chemicals, can be brought along. These substances can introduce harmful bacteria like E. coli, toxic chemicals, and debris that pose physical hazards.

Dangers in Contaminated Floodwater

Exposure to contaminated floodwater can lead to serious health issues, such as:

• Infections: Skin infections and gastrointestinal illnesses from bacteria.
• Chemical Burns: Irritation or burns from toxic chemicals.
• Physical Injuries: Cuts and bruises from debris.

Steps SERVPRO® Takes to Handle Floodwater Contamination Safely

Safety during water damage mitigation is paramount for our team. We always wear protective gear like gloves, boots, and masks when dealing with floodwater. Contaminated materials and debris are disposed of safely according to local regulations. After remediation, we ensure surfaces in the home are tested and verified to be free of contaminants.

How Professional Assistance Can Help Flooded Properties

SERVPRO of Western Union County is equipped to help Berkeley Heights residents manage flood damage effectively:

• Assessment and Inspection: We identify the extent and type of contamination present.
• Safe Cleanup: Using advanced equipment like industrial-grade pumps and vacuums, we safely remove contaminants.
• Disinfection: Our team thoroughly disinfects affected areas, ensuring a safe living environment.
• Advice and Support: We guide you in preventing future contamination and protecting your home.

Handling flood damage in Berkeley Heights requires swift and effective action to mitigate health risks and property damage. Call SERVPRO of Western Union County at (908) 791-9177 if you need assistance; we are Here to Help®.

Help with Commercial Water Mitigation in New Providence

5/24/2024 (Permalink)

Controlled demolition after water damage in a commercial building by SERVPRO. We restore and repair New Providence area commercial properties.

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Water Cleanup and Mitigation

New Providence was purchased from the Lenape Indians in 1664 by the brother of King Charles II. Settlers established a colony in 1720. Initially named Turkey due to the many turkeys in the area, the colony was renamed New Providence in 1759 after a church balcony collapsed without causing severe injuries. The town remained semi-dry until 2011, when two local bars were granted a liquor license. Today, the city of 12,000 people has several schools, a library, and various athletic fields and is home to many commercial industries.

Water damage occurs quite often in New Providence commercial warehouses and manufacturing plants. A water leak in the roof, fire suppression systems, or plumbing can shut the plant down and damage raw materials and finished goods. Electrical circuits exposed to water may also cause electrical hazards.

SERVPRO® is on-site within four hours of your call at any time of the day. We understand how important it is to protect your investment and return your plant to complete service as soon as possible. Water mitigation involves safeguarding your equipment and materials from permanent damage.

• High-capacity vacuums, air movers, and dehumidifiers are deployed 

• Covering equipment with waterproof tarps 

• Covering finished goods and raw materials to prevent further water damage 

• Applying board-up protection to broken windows and doors 

• Providing roof protection to prevent additional water damage 

• Arranging for tradespersons to make repairs as needed 

• Working closely with your personnel to ensure all of your needs are met 

SERVPRO can coordinate all of your repairs to damaged structures and contents with skilled contractors and your equipment specialists. 

Call for help with commercial water mitigation, cleanup, restoration, and repairs at SERVPRO of Western Union County and nearby areas. Call (908-791-9177

Ceiling and Wall Assemblies Water Restoration in New Providence Homes

3/24/2024 (Permalink)

Remediating water damage is a tricky task. Our certified technicians know how to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Contact SERVPRO 24/7.

SERVPRO® Tackles Water Damage in New Providence Homes

New Providence, situated in the northwestern corner of Union County, New Jersey, is a borough along the Passaic River. The Passaic River County Park offers scenic trails for hiking and biking, while New Providence Veterans Memorial Park provides a tranquil setting for picnics and outdoor recreation. One notable landmark is The SaltBox Museum, an 18th-century farmhouse situated on Springfield Avenue. The movie Win Win, released in 2011, took place at New Providence High School and was written by Tom McCarthy and Joe Tiboni, alums of the school.

Water restoration for New Providence homeowners entails addressing the primary consequence of water infiltration, for example, ceiling and wall assemblies, where structural deterioration may ensue. These assemblies typically have insulation and electrical elements. Identifying the extent of water damage is crucial for effective restoration. Finished ceiling and wall materials, as they can conceal underlying issues that may exacerbate the situation if left unaddressed. SERVPRO crews conduct thorough inspections to identify materials within the ceiling and wall assembly that may be affected.

Materials that can make up a ceiling or wall assembly

• Wooden framing
• Drywall
• Wallpaper
• Plaster

Exposure to water can result in these materials weakening, warping, or collapsing, thereby jeopardizing the structure's overall integrity. Continued water intrusion can ultimately lead to wood decay, metal parts corroding, and insulation degradation. 

Restoration Solutions for Ceiling and Wall Assemblies

Drywall comprises gypsum material covered with paper on its front face, back, and long edges. It comes in various thicknesses, including ¼", ½," and ?," with ½" being the standard for residential purposes. Drywall may also possess specific qualities like water-resistant or mold-resistant variants, designed for use in areas prone to moisture, such as showers or tub surrounds.

SERVPRO crews utilize a non-invasive moisture meter to identify the wet areas within the drywall. However, since multiple layers of materials like insulation and framing could also be affected, a penetrating moisture meter becomes essential for accurately measuring the moisture content within the drywall. These penetrating meters prove especially valuable when our restorers suspect the non-invasive meter may provide inaccurate readings due to the presence of metal components concealed behind the drywall.

Procedure for drying the assemblies

• Removing the baseboard
• Drilling holes between the wall studs
• Setting up the cavity drying equipment

SERVPRO of Western Union County ensures thorough water restoration of ceiling and wall assemblies. Call us at (908) 791-9177. Faster to any size disaster™.

Effective Kitchen Fire Damage Restoration in New Providence

1/23/2024 (Permalink)

If your New Providence home has fire damage, call SERVPRO. We're Faster to any size disaster™.

Hire Professionals for Kitchen Fire Residue Cleanup 

Kitchen fires pose significant challenges during soot and smoke cleanup. Fortunately, SERVPRO® technicians master interventions that meet the challenge during training from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The coursework and hands-on lessons support them when delivering the highest-quality fire damage mitigation and remediation under various circumstances.

Characteristics of Kitchen Fire Residues

Successful kitchen fire damage restoration in New Providence is complex because of the nature of the residues left after food and oils overheat. During a kitchen fire, exposure of food ingredients to intense temperatures causes: 

• Dehydration of dairy, vegetables, herbs, meats, sugars, seasonings, and fruits
• Superheating of oils and grease
• Mixing the dried-out food with oils or grease heated past their smoking point, both types of particles are now airborne in the hot and disturbed atmosphere, swirling to form a fine protein-based mist 
• Tenacious malodors as affected oils become rancid

The oily, protein-laden mist attaches to surfaces, drying rapidly like a varnish or lacquer. Transparent residues discolor coated materials. Hot air currents move the mist throughout your home, damaging surfaces far from the ignition site in the kitchen. 

Protein-Based Residue Clean Up

Our IICRC-certified crews assess all surfaces in your residence and devise a targeted plan to loosen and emulsify the oily soot wherever we find it. Failure to locate and remove all protein-based soot risks progressive deterioration of building materials. Source removal is also the key to eradicating the incredibly nasty smell; masking strategies only distract briefly from the stench. The protocols our crews learned and now apply to clear away the tough grime of a kitchen fire include:

• Matching the residues with effective EPA-registered cleaning products, usually oil-based (solvents)
• Testing selected cleansers to ensure they “break the bond” between the protein-based residues and surfaces
• Choosing cleaning techniques that work to clear residues  but also protect underlying surfaces from excessive damage
• Moderating agitation to dislodge soot without scratching--for example, adding only moderate amounts of grit to a cleaning paste and selecting a soft brush or flexible scraper and scrubbing longer
• Adjusting temperatures of cleaning products or dwell times to permit chemical actions to loosen protein-based residues passively
• Coordinating water damage response with residue removal

SERVPRO of Western Union County earns your confidence with trained technicians, cutting-edge products, and equipment for the restoration of fire damage. Call us at (908) 460-5454 around the clock as needed for a prompt disaster response.

SERVPRO Delivers Mold Remediation in New Providence

11/30/2023 (Permalink)

If you suspect mold damage in your New Providence home, call SERVPRO. We'll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Need Help with Mold Remediation in New Providence – Call SERVPRO®

Mold spores are virtually everywhere in our homes and outdoors in New Providence. In damp conditions with organic material available, mold colonies can begin growing within twenty-four hours, producing a strong, musty odor. Our homes experience high humidity during humid weather or when there is a small leak or condensation from AC systems.

SERVPRO has helped many customers in New Providence with mold remediation after a colony has been established in their homes. Mold can often be found in dark, warm, humid areas of the house with a moisture source. One of the first activities our team completes identifying the source of moisture and working with the homeowner to eliminate this source. Failing to remove the source of moisture or water usually will enable the mold to return.

SERVPRO's mold remediation process follows industry standards and includes the following steps (Note: We work closely with the homeowner at all times):

• Perform an inspection and assess the mold damage
• Contain the mold colony
• Set up air filtration to avoid mold spores contaminating the rest of the house
• Remove all mold-infested contents and structure
• Thoroughly cleaning all surfaces and contents
• Completing repairs and restoration as required

Homeowner's first indication they have a mold problem is a strong, musty odor permeating the air in their home. The smell may be noticed in an unused area or throughout the entire house if a significant mold colony exists. Any delay in dealing with the infestation allows the infestation to continue growing and potentially cause additional damage to contents and structures. Immediately eliminate the moisture source and call our team to assist. We can be on-site in less than four hours from your call.

Contact the experts in mold remediation services at SERVPRO of Western Union County and nearby areas for assistance. Let them help you solve your mold-related issues. We are Here to Help® 24/7. Call (908) 791-9177.

We Protect Businesses in New Providence From Storm & Flood Damage

10/25/2023 (Permalink)

Getting your business running after flood damage requires professional help. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for certified technicians.

Our Flood Damage Response is Your Business' Answer

When it storms, merchants across New Providence depend on their roof's integrity to keep everything inside their business dry and protected. Precipitation that collects near the foundation of a building can cause flood damage to the ground floor and lower levels. If this happens to your business, SERVPRO® is nearby to assist you every step of the way.

Depending on the type of industry or commercial enterprise your business falls under, your equipment, inventory, furnishings, or supplies might sustain flood damage. New Providence needs stable corporations. Flooding and other disasters can threaten the infrastructures that create and maintain that stability. SERVPRO can resolve such issues so they don't weaken your operations.

Explained here are three aspects that SERVPRO can assist with when a local business faces flooding:

• Lower portions of walls,
• Cleaning up, and
• elevations in humidity.

The lower portions of your walls might sustain more damage than your floors because of their more durable and resilient material. Drywall is highly porous and absorbent. Its paper covering allows for a tremendous amount of destructive swelling. We can proceed with flood cuts after we extract the water. We can replace cut-away wall material with new, repaint, and leave it "Like it never even happened."

Often flooding destroys low-lying articles that were already present inside the building. We remove this and move non-damaged items to higher levels. When insurance requires you to submit an inventory of destroyed things, we can help. We have software that allows for accurate accounting of our customer's losses.

We can manage the excess humidity common after a flood. We might run a desiccant machine to reduce the moisture levels to within the normal range as a qualified company restores the foundation. We can take additional readings and help you decide what actions are best for your company. These include the installation of a highly efficient dehumidifier and a sump pump.

Regardless of how flooding starts, SERVPRO of Western Union County can ensure everything finishes in your favor. Call us at (908) 791-9177 for 24-hour emergency assistance.

A Mold Inspection in New Providence Homes Can Reveal Hidden Mold

5/22/2023 (Permalink)

Our IICRC trained team is ready and able to remediate your mold damage.

SERVPRO Helps Repair Mold Damage in New Providence

Every building has the potential for microbial growth when there are favorable conditions. Molds flourish in damp and warm areas of your New Providence home, including kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Mold often propagates in hidden places, like inside walls. For instance, if a pipe inside your wall has a small leak, you may not be aware of it for a while. Moisture can lead to significant damage, including mold.

The best way to determine the levels of microbial growth is with a mold inspection of your New Providence home. Even if no mold grows in your home, you may have areas at risk. Sure signs indicating the presence of mold in your home include discoloration on surfaces and a musty smell. When mold is active, it off-gasses, which causes an odor. However, the mold is likely dormant if there is visible growth but no musty odors. SERVPRO helps you rule out mold presence; if it’s there, our teams have experience dealing with the microbes. We carefully contain the area, clean moldy surfaces, and treat the area to inhibit further growth.

Other things that a mold inspection can reveal:

• Mold spread patterns
• Sources of moisture
• Condition of the structural materials

The Mold Evaluation Process

With visible growth, inspection is not necessary. However, a mold inspection is crucial to determine how much mold is in your property and how far it has spread. Through assessment, we identify the source of moisture fueling microbial growth and stop the infiltration. The source of water helps us determine where to look for mold. If the cause of dampness is not identified and eliminated, the problem might return, and remediation efforts become futile. Our IICRC trained team also examines the internal surfaces, walk-through of sections like;

• Attics
• Basements
• Crawl spaces
• Storage spaces

For professional mold inspection services in your home, call SERVPRO of Western Union County at (908) 791-9177. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Dealing with Stubborn Odors During Water Mitigation in New Providence

5/15/2023 (Permalink)

Looking for a restoration company? Look no further, SERVPRO is just a call away at (908) 791-9177.

Water Restoration by SERVPRO Deodorizes New Providence Homes

When your house is in good condition, it is hard to imagine things going wrong. However, a single incident can lead to severe problems that prove difficult to resolve. For example, moisture accumulation from a leaking roof or flash flood can create a stubborn odor issue or diminish air quality in your house. Engaging a professional like SERVPRO for water remediation is advantageous in eliminating awkward issues.

Resolving bad smells and air quality issues during water remediation in New Providence homes requires a clear understanding of how they develop. That way, remedial action can focus on neutralizing or reversing the causes. SERVPRO technicians are well-trained to understand how moisture triggers unpleasant odors.  

Common ways moisture causes odors:

• When it sparks microbial growth processes that release odors
• Diluting or reacting with chemical agents in materials 
• Depositing chemicals or biological agents dissolved in groundwater

Sometimes the odors may seem stubborn because of the approaches used in the control attempts. Many strong chemicals that help strip away soils from materials have strong odors that may take time to dissipate. Our SERVPRO crews can investigate all these issues and find viable solutions to control them. For instance, using rapidly biodegradable cleaning agents with non-volatile organic compounds eliminates the chances of creating new odors during cleaning. 

Dealing With Changes in Materials

Significant water exposure changes materials by triggering chemical changes or biological processes that degrade the materials, especially when they rot. Limiting deterioration from developing further and removing decayed materials from the property is essential to managing odors. When SERVPRO crews extract water fast from your property, we can limit the reaction time with materials, thus minimizing the effects. We also perform controlled demolition to remove materials soaked by stormwater. 

Materials that require removal:

• Insulation
• Carpets and pads
• Drywall panels

SERVPRO of Western Union County understands the full scope of water mitigation, so we arrive at your property fully kitted to handle all issues apart from removing water. You can reach us at (908) 791-9177. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Repairing and Restoring Fire Damage in New Providence

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

We can quickly get fire and odor damage under control in your New Providence home.

SERVPRO Fire and Smoke Damage Technicians Can Help Rescue your New Providence Home

Fires can spread quickly through a home, latching onto combustible materials like woods and fabrics. Leaving candles, stoves, or electronics unattended can all contribute to a property disaster that often requires professional help to restore. SERVPRO is a local organization that can help return your home to a preloss condition after an emergency.

The impact of fire damage in your New Providence home can vary depending on where it began, the type of belongings that ignited, and whether doors or windows were open. One of the most significant impacts is smoke which can travel quickly through a home and leave behind unpleasant odors or residues. Combustion increases the temperature in an indoor space which in turn causes air to rise rapidly and push cooler air toward the floor. This pressure often results in the heaviest smoke deposits directly above the flames, while lower portions of the room, such as carpets or floors, only sustain moderate damage. Placing old sheets or towels over belongings, surfaces, and floors immediately after extinguishing flames can help reduce damage by covering items from falling soot or ash. 

At SERVPRO, our goal is to restore your home to a preloss condition. But there are many steps in that process because a disaster like this can affect your home in many ways. First, our technicians must clear the property of all non-salvageable materials. Common materials damaged beyond repair are flammable ones such as draperies, wallpaper, and textiles. Sometimes parts of a building assembly, such as gypsum board, maybe deemed non-salvageable due to intense penetration from smoke. Our approach is to divide these tasks among our team members to ensure that the work is completed as quickly as possible. A production technician works on disposing of debris and storing or packing away items to clean later. Simultaneously, our crew chiefs set to work pre-testing smoke damages and with your adjuster to provide a verbal estimate. 

Early Stages of Restoration 

• The service team receives your notification of loss and arranges equipment, trucks, and personnel for arrival at your home within four hours.
• Technicians pre-test smoke deposits and charred materials to produce a verbal estimate with your adjuster.
• Technicians arrange dumpsters for debris removal and work to pack away salvageable items for restoration later.

A critical part of restoration is odor control. Odor particles are volatile particles that are released when materials combust. Synthetic materials remove the most pungent odors, but the burning of organic materials can also fill a property with a burning smell. Odor particles gradually dissipate by themselves, but we understand that the several weeks this dissipation takes can be unacceptable to homeowners and affect your quality of life at the property. We have specialized odor control technicians (OCT) that have an arsenal of equipment to counteract malodors. Despite this technology, it can often be the case that odors are dealt with through thorough cleaning and smoke removal. Our team can use various methods to control odor when that is not the case.

Equipment for Removing Smoke Odors from Home

• Air Filtration Devices (AFDs) can be set up in your home to extract microscopic particles from the air and pass them through filters. AFDs can often indirectly reduce odor.
• Hydroxyl generators use UV-C rays to neutralize odors or compounds from indoor air and are safe to use in properties with occupants or pets.
• oZone generators release an unstable gas into the area that eliminates odor. However, O3 gas is harmful, meaning these machines require temporarily vacating the property.

If an accidental fire damages your home, contact SERVPRO of Western Union County for fire damage restoration at (908) 791-9177.

Mitigating Water Damage for Residents of New Providence

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the training and equipment to restore your water damaged home in New Providence.

SERVPRO Technicians Have Extensive Experience in Water Mitigation and Restoration

When properties become wet, they begin to suffer damage. Water intrusion can occur from multiple sources but are most commonly the result of a malfunction in the home's infrastructure. Water can permanently harm your property's structure and contents without professional intervention.

When consulting about water damage in New Providence, it is essential to recognize that restoration is a highly-skilled job. Technicians train, grow experience under supervision, and gain qualifications before being put in charge of restoring a homeowner's property. One of the core roles we perform for this community is mitigating loss following unexpected property damages. The fastest way to reduce loss, and protect your belongings or home from moisture, is through drying. Once moisture is out of the property, we can confidently say that no more damage is likely to occur, so the mitigation phase of our work is complete. Our job then becomes returning damaged belongings or structures to a preloss condition which is part of the restoration phase. 

Many methods when mitigating damage relies on psychrometry: the drying science. Psychrometry allows a restorer to understand and calculate the interaction between temperature, moisture, material, and air. You may find that certain items, such as clothing, dry quickly. That occurs because textiles are generally porous, allowing air and temperature to circulate rapidly through the fibers. Other parts of your home, such as the subfloor, may absorb moisture slowly, which can take longer to dry depending on the density or porosity of those materials. Some materials may lose their shape, color, or strength following exposure to moisture. Our team can calculate and apply the correct solution to any size disaster using drying science.

Basic Principles of Psychrometry and Drying Method

• Drying a wet property relies on speeding up natural evaporation by using air circulation, heat, and knowledge of material porosity.
• The moisture on wet materials evaporates into surrounding air until it reaches cooler surfaces, where it recondenses into liquid. 
• When the surrounding air becomes saturated (high humidity), it is no longer capable of absorbing additional moisture. Humid environments slow the evaporation of wet materials.

Moisture can harm your property in two ways. The first is the impact of liquid which can absorb into materials causing them to warp, discolor, bleed, shrink or buckle. The second impact comes from evaporated liquids which can deposit moisture onto upper surfaces, windows, or inside walls. Drying a property correctly needs to focus on controlling humidity to increase evaporation of liquid while preventing vapor damage or high humidity. In a nutshell, drying the air is essential to dry the floor. To achieve both of these goals, our technicians must combine two pieces of equipment. Air movers circulate heated air to evaporate moisture, and dehumidifiers extract the evaporated water from the air. SERVPRO technicians calculate their approach first and then monitor the conditions using equipment readings to ensure they are balanced efficiently.

Methods for Drying Wet Materials

• The solid wood used in floorboards or frameworks of a home can take longer to dry and often requires advanced equipment such as desiccant dehumidifiers to dry appropriately.
• Drywall generally dries quickly, but if it imbibes too much liquid, it may weaken or break apart, requiring replacement.
• Wall, floor, or ceiling cavities often require special attention to prevent water from pooling inside and stagnating. We can either remove wall portions to allow circulation or adapt equipment to direct air into the cavities. 

Drying a wet property can be complex without professional knowledge. Contact SERVPRO of Western Union County for water damage restoration at (908) 791-9177.