Protecting Your Property

12/7/2023 (Permalink)

Winter Safety Tips

With the colder weather upon us, it is important to be prepared to avoid damages to your home and/or business. Cold weather can wreak havoc and cause costly damages. Regardless of if it is heavy rain, sleet or snow, freezing temperatures, or damaging winds, all can cause major property destruction. Although the weather is out of anyone's control, you can take the steps to be prepared and risk bigger damage with the winter weather.

To help prevent damages related to the weather, there are a few safety precautions one can take such as:

• Check your home or business property for downed tree limbs and branches. Winter weather conditions can cause branches to fall, which can cause damage to the property and even potentially cause personal injuries.
• Roofs, water pipes, and gutters should all be regularly inspected to make certain that they are in proper condition. The gutter downspouts should be directed away from your building. Be sure to have your gutters cleared of debris. Have leaves regularly raked and blown.
• Make sure any chimney and exhaust system are free of debris.
• Test gas lines if they have been out of use to make sure they are in good working condition with no leaks.
• Examine your property. Check walkways and parking lots for proper drainage or pooling after a rainstorm.    
• Take precautions to prevent pipes from freezing. Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage. When temperatures start to take a drop, let cold water drip from the faucet. Never set your heat below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure all exterior pipes are properly insulated.
• Ask your local SERVPRO Franchise about completing an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) for your business. This no-cost assessment provides you with a plan to get your business back up and running faster after an emergency disaster.

Although we are not in control of the winter weather nor can we predict the future, it is always better to be prepared! Being prepared for a disaster will ensure that you are back up on your feet in a shorter period than if you did not have a plan. If you run a commercial business, get an Emergency Ready Profile set up as soon as possible and avoid the headache of not knowing what to do after a disaster strikes. Disaster stops for no one, so get ahead of it and have a plan set!

Being Prepared Before A Disaster Strikes

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

Being Prepared before a Disaster Strikes

Why SERVPRO?

SERVPRO franchises have been in business since 1967, meaning 50+ years of disaster recovery experience. In 50 years, over 2,000 franchises have been opened and run all over the United States and Canada. Each franchise is independently owned and operated, but still able to work as a team for large events. We are in your community, Here to Help!

SERVPRO can handle any size job from a small residential disaster to a large commercial facility. We have unlimited staff and resources to take care of the job quickly and efficiently. For commercial properties, we understand the need to limit business interruption after a disaster. Our staff can act quickly to ensure your business is back up and running. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergencies.

The restoration industry is governed by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) which identifies our standards we must on all cleaning & restoration projects. Our SERVPRO employees are certified as Water Restoration Technicians, Applied Structural Drying, Commercial Structural Drying, Fire Smoke Restoration Technicians, Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians, and several others through the IICRC. Our highly trained staff is Here to Help with any of your disaster recoveries needs to make it “Like it never even happened.” All onsite employees, as well as any subcontractors brought to a job, are all background checked prior to working with our SERVPRO Team.

SERVPRO’s Emergency Ready Profile (ERP)

SERVPRO offers an Emergency Ready Profile (ERPs) to commercial building owners. These profiles are a start-up approach that provides critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. The program was developed to help commercial building owners be prepared before a disaster happens.  

Are you ready for whatever happens? Emergency disasters that interrupt businesses cause devastation. Did you know that about 50% of businesses close and never reopen due to a disaster? Of those businesses that did reopen, most of them had some type of response plan in place. Preparedness is key!

It is not always top of mind to plan for a disaster, but we can help you with that. Emergencies that damage your business will happen when you least expect them, so it is always better to be prepared. Having a plan in place expresses trust in your team members and employees. It provides reassurance to your customers & clients that you are prepared to minimize business interruption. Timing is everything!

Call your local SERVPRO to get an Emergency Ready Profile started. The profile can be completed at your pace with the assistance of one of our SERVPRO team members. It is completely up to you, the business owner, facilities manager, or property engineer to decide what important information you want or need on your profile. There is no cost for the profile, and it is a great value to your business. The profile is easily accessible through a mobile app (password protected) and can even be emailed over as a PDF!

Information that can be included in your ERP to make it helpful in case of a disaster strike includes, but is not limited to, building access information, employee and emergency contacts, utility contacts and shut-off locations, primary contact information, insurance contact information, property owner information, etc. You can decide how much information you would like to include within the app.  Pictures are also available to attach on tabs in the profile to have a visual of shut-off locations, PDFs of emergency action plans, or floor plans.  

Your Local Franchise

SERVPRO of Orange, Sullivan & S. Ulster Counties has been in business for 37 years. We are locally owned and operated as a small business in the community. We want to ensure we take care of our customers with the utmost respect during the difficult times they may be facing with a disaster in their home or office.

Contact us today to learn more about our services. If you are interested in an Emergency Ready Profile for your business, contact our office, and a SERVPRO team member will call to set up a meeting to start the process.

SERVPRO of Orange, Sullivan, & S. Ulster

845-342-3333

Fire Damage Restoration for Newburgh Residents

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO supports the local fire departments and the Newburgh community after fire damage disasters.

SERVPRO in Newburgh Offers Expert Fire Cleanup

Property fires can be an emotionally draining situation for homeowners. Over 450,000 structural fires occur in the US every year, primarily from cooking, smoking, electronics, and appliance malfunctions. Restoration services are usually enacted as part of an insurance program between insurers and policyholders. Our role as restoration technicians is to salvage or repair the structure and contents of your home. 

Our role as a fire damage restoration service in Newburgh is manifold encompassing assessment, estimate, and repair. On arrival, our technicians can communicate directly with you to inform you of what can be repaired, what needs replacing, and whether any mitigation activities can help to reduce loss. One example of mitigation is expediently drying parts of the property that may have become wet during the firefighting procedure. Moisture can cause soot or ash to bond with surfaces and fabrics. It increases our perception of malodors and leads to secondary damages such as microbial growth. Using fast-drying procedures in the home can help to limit potential losses in the immediate aftermath of a home emergency. 

Smoke residues, ash, and debris can make parts of the home unsafe or uninhabitable. SERVPRO can help reduce the timeframe of restoration service to minimize the impact on your everyday life. We record the testing, loss detailing, and the extent of the damages process on behalf of your insurer. We can help your insurer return an accurate estimate quickly by conducting these tasks. Once a breakdown of damages and repair is in your hands, we can begin restoration immediately. But before any work is complete, we provide you with an authorization to begin services form. Our crew chiefs are happy to answer any queries you may have before work starts. Once you provide your signature, we can set to work in an organized and efficient manner. 

Repairing a Burnt Structure

• Removing smoke residues and odor from the structure is essential for restoration.
• Sorting materials into salvageable and non-salvageable can assist with the speed of recovery by avoiding wasting time on heavily damaged or inexpensive materials.
• Repair of salvageable items can include repainting, refinishing, or resurfacing high-value items like hardwood furniture.

There can be many variations when it comes to restoring a fire damaged structure. Our technicians have to think on their feet and make informed choices regarding performing services. They rely on industry-leading training to formulate a game plan and advanced equipment to help with the execution. A burnt property is full of material remnants destroyed beyond repair during the combustion process. Additionally, the heat and smoke produced can damage surfaces extending several meters beyond the ignition source. Restoration involves replacing materials damaged beyond repair and restoring those surfaces, furnishings, and belongings that may have been impacted by smoke.  

Severity of Damages

• Smoke residues in the ignition area usually characterize minor property damage. That damage does not extend beyond the initial flames. Usually resolvable with wet and dry cleaning.
• Medium damages feature significant charring of materials at the ignition point, with smoke residues spreading to adjacent rooms. Replacement and refinishing of surfaces are often necessary.
• Significant damages require extensive structural repair and emergency services such as boarding up or sealing the property. Restoration may take several months to complete.

Contact SERVPRO of North Orange County for urgent property restoration and SERVPRO of South Orange County for fire damage restoration at (845) 342-3333.

Correcting Water Damage for Newburgh Homeowners

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO always uses advanced equipment and technology for water damage cleanup and restoration in Newburgh properties.

SERVPRO Offers Effective Water Cleanup 

Property water damage can be disruptive to the everyday lives of homeowners. These emergencies are inconvenient, but they can also be dangerous to occupants and destructive to structures or contents. While most homeowners have insurance to deal with unexpected emergencies, restoration services are responsible for returning their home to a preloss condition as efficiently as possible.

Reducing losses relating to water damage in your Newburgh home is essential to reducing stress, expense, and time scales. SERVPRO works with a restore-over-replace mentality that focuses on mitigating losses rather than wide-scale replacements. In a wet property, the most urgent task to complete is drying. The length of time a property is exposed to moisture is critical in the amount of damage caused. Part of this process is because of how materials in the building assembly respond to moisture. The other part is because the water itself begins to stagnate. The amount of materials in need of replacement is significantly influenced by the contamination levels of the water they are exposed to. For these reasons, reducing losses through mitigation and drying is a time-sensitive issue that should be enacted as soon as possible.

Professionally drying and restoring a residential property requires advanced drying equipment, experience, and expertise. A solid understanding of how indoor structures contain moisture and the science behind removing that moisture are essential components of a water damage restoration technician's skill set. When mold infests a property, it is usually because of a previous water intrusion that was not professionally restored. To prevent this from occurring at your home, our technicians use a range of measuring and monitoring equipment. These include intrusive and non-intrusive moisture meters, borescopes, and thermal hygrometers. The combination of this equipment allows our technicians to avoid missing potential problem areas such as cavity damage, vapor damage, and moisture migration. 

Work Process for Restoring Properties

• Ensuring the safety of both technicians and occupants on-site and documenting the damages.
• Mitigation of water damage through emergency drying systems or pumping of liquid out of the property.
• Cleaning or repairing salvageable items and replacing non-salvageable ones.

Contamination can pose significant challenges to restoration. We measure contamination levels through a tiered system, with class one referring to clean water and class three being highly contaminated. Class one contamination is generally benign and requires little replacement of materials. Technicians can dry the property as well as most materials that were exposed to moisture. In these circumstances, light cleaning methods on carpets or walls can remove all signs of damage. Class three contamination is the highest grade and can involve liquid with biohazardous substances, which require technicians to utilize extensive personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hazmat suits. In class three damages, all porous materials that come into contact with the liquid must be removed and replaced. 

How Contamination Affects Restoration

• If there are signs of significant contamination, you may need to be relocated during the restoration of your property.
• Technicians can pack out salvageable belongings for safe storage during the restoration of your home. 
• Often carpets, drywall, and textiles must be replaced to reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination. 

For emergencies at your property, contact SERVPRO of North Orange County and SERVPRO of South Orange County for water damage restoration at (845) 342-3333.

Using Containment to Reduce Mold Damage in Newburgh

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians can remediate mold damage with advanced equipment and IICRC-Certified training in Newburgh and the surrounding area.

SERVPRO Mold Remediation Teams Can Cleanup Infestation

A mold is a form of fungi that grows in humid environments and indoor spaces. Sometimes, this microbial organism may develop in the rooms or structure of your home. Getting rid of infestation usually requires the assistance of professional remediators that have the know-how and expertise to strike at the source of the issue. 

SERVPRO has mold damage remediation technicians in Newburgh. We have decades of experience helping residents and local business owners overcome potential microbial growth issues in their properties. Microbes rely on spores to reproduce, found in almost all environments on earth, including your home. Spores are a relatively benign feature that only becomes a problem when combined with moisture which allows them to grow and reproduce. Correcting a microbial infestation relies on discovering the source of the problem, which is usually a moisture issue. Our technicians are well-versed in the problems that cause moisture issues in a home environment. These are commonly due to structural exposure, for example, faulty roofing, insufficient insulation that leads to condensation issues, or leaking pipes. Using our training, we can rectify the source of the problem to prevent further infestation. 

Once the source of the problem is under control, our technicians can begin to reverse the damage. Depending on the scope of damages, the removal of infestation may involve chemical action, controlled demolition, or abrasive cleaning. A prime candidate for chemical action is when a microbial infestation visibly affects a surface, but the surface remains dry. A dry, moldy surface usually indicates that there was a one-time spillage or leak that allowed fungi to grow but has since dried. Technicians can apply a biocide or antimicrobial chemical directly onto the surface. After a few days, the chemical destroys the infestation, and any residual elements can be cleaned easily using detergents or other rinsing agents. 

Practices for Removing Microbial Growth

• Chemical agents that destroy microbes include biocides like anti-microbial sprays like sanitizer. 
• Controlled demolition involves removing an infested material such as drywall which is then replaced once an infestation is removed.
• Abrasive action can involve corrosive chemical agents or abrasion tools such as sand and soda blasting machines. These remove the surface layers of the material itself along with the infestation. 

Our IICRC MRS-Certified remediation technicians can help identify and destroy mold damaged infested materials in your home. By carefully establishing containment protocols, we can not only remove the existing infestation but decrease the likelihood of it spreading to unaffected areas. A containment protocol is a system of checks and balances that prevents spores from spreading during remediation or removal of moldy materials. Spores are microscopic, which makes them easy to inadvertently spread on items of clothing, airways, or air conditioning systems. 

Setting up effective containment begins with the application of common-sense practices. Communicating areas of infestation and reducing foot traffic in those areas are an example of common sense containment practices. More advanced containment procedures can involve using physical barriers and sealing areas with non-porous sheeting. Furthermore, our technicians can take extra care to avoid spreading spores by removing hazmat suits when entering or exiting the affected spaces. 

Containment and Removal of Microbial Infestation

• When demolishing mold damaged materials, it is vital to pack debris into double-sealed bags for disposal at the appropriate waste disposal facility. 
• Negative air pressure machines can be used during demolition to capture airborne spores from the surrounding air. 
• Replacing older filters on venting ducts and fans or temporarily sealing them can prevent the spread of spores through air conditioning systems.

Remediation can help you get rid of the infestation for good. Contact SERVPRO of North Orange County and SERVPRO of South Orange County for mold damage remediation at (845) 342-3333.

How Do I Know What Can Be Restored After A House Fire In Montgomery?

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage? SERVPRO is prepared with restoration equipment and experienced technicians.

SERVPRO’s Green Team Uses Many Different Restoration Techniques to Give You Back Your Montgomery Home

House fires leave families at a loss as to what to do and where to go for help. SERVPRO has the right technicians to help you deal with cleanup and restoration. Getting you back to normal is what we do in Montgomery.

How Do You Know What You Can Restore?

If a home has suffered fire damage in Montgomery, damage to the contents will occur. The level of harm is determined, but the extensiveness of the fire. Our fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) have the experience and equipment needed to ascertain what gets restored. Several factors affect cleanability. These are:

•   Types of Surface
•   Amount of Heat
•   Age of Surface
•   Amount of Moisture
•   Type of Material Burned
•   Air Pressure
•   Impingement
•   Temperature Change

Giving You Back Your Home

You want your life to return to normal as soon as possible, and we want that too. As our technicians start to clean, repair, and restore your home after fire damage, they apply certain basic cleaning principles. These include:

•   Inspecting the affected area to locate smoke residues
•   Identifying the types of residues
•   Identifying the type of surface
•   Capture and remove smoke residues
•   Dispose of residues

Although these basic methods apply to every job, SERVPRO handles rest assured we look at your unique situation. Every home, and every fire, is different. We apply the cleaning and fire restoration methods to restore your residence to pre-damaged condition. Our goal is always to leave it “Like it never even happened.”

For fire damage service call SERVPRO of North Orange County and SERVPRO of South Orange County at (845) 342-3333. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

When Leaking Dishwashers Cause Water Loss Events in Newburgh

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Any type of leak in the kitchen needs to be dealt with immediately. Call SERVPRO to assess and start the drying process.

Speed Saves the Day When Newburgh Home Needs Water Removal

Most homeowners never think about their dishwashers, until it is spewing gallons of water on the kitchen floor. Then, it may seem overwhelming as to what to do first.  

After turning off the water, one of the smartest actions a homeowner can do is to contact SERVPRO for water removal in their Newburgh home. The emergency response teams are on standby 24-hours daily, so there is never a wait to begin recovery from loss. 

Why SERVPRO?

Acting swiftly after a water loss in the home is crucial. That is why SERVPRO team members are available 24/7 - even on holidays - and arrive within an hour of the initial call. The techs bring all the tools and equipment required in their green service vans to restore the home to its pre-damage condition.  

Careful Scoping of the Property

SERVPRO techs use their moisture detection equipment to carefully map the path of where the water from the dishwasher migrated. Because they arrived quickly, in this case, no seepage occurred into the subfloor, as confirmed through the equipment.  

Water Removal Tools and Techniques

In a water loss from a supply line in a kitchen, it is common to find water under cabinets and have an area of the wall that requires drying behind the dishwasher. The techs remove the toe kicks under the cabinet and pull out the dishwasher to ensure that they extract as much water as possible before drying.  

Fast Drying Limits Loss

Since the cleanup efforts began quickly, loss to the property was minimal. The techs used air movers to dry both the flooring as well as specially directed airflow at the wall where the supply line broke. Once the technicians completed the drying phase, they wiped down the surfaces and got the space ready for repairs by the plumber.   

SERVPRO of North Orange County at (845) 342-3333 arrives fast for water removal needs. Our certified technicians have both the experience and equipment to make any size water loss, "Like it never even happened."

How Do I Detect Mold?

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Spotted mold in your basement? Call SERVPRO. Our technicians are certified in mold damage remediation services. Contact us to learn more.

Mold Detection in Your Newburgh Home is a Job for a Professional Mold Remediation Company

Homeowners can spot mold in their Newburgh homes either by sight or because they perceive an odd smell. As valuable as this alert is, a professional team can make a reliable assessment of how widespread mold is in your home. Calling a reputable team and taking quick action is essential in protecting your health.

Mold damage in Newburgh is not uncommon, and SERPVRO is at your service to detect and remediate it. For further protection, you should reach out to us as soon as standing water becomes an issue, as mold spores proliferate in a high humidity environment. Even if you are unsure of the presence of mold, give yourself some peace of mind by having our professional crew take a look.

I have mold, now what?

Detection is an important step, but removal is not enough. Our SERVPRO technicians know that a complete job entails removing and killing fungi and disinfecting to prevent a recurrence. As we approach the mold removal part of the process, you may see our technicians perform some of the following-

• Establish containment barriers by using plastic sheeting
• Seal your air vents to avoid further dissemination of mold
• Remove mold from nonporous surfaces with a HEPA vacuum

SERVPRO of North Orange County protects you in your time of need. Call us at (845) 342-3333 and let us leave your home, "Like it never even happened."

Where Do I Start the Cleanup After a Kitchen Fire in Newburgh?

8/21/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with a kitchen fire will certainly cause some frustration. Handle the situation with a call to SERVPRO. We are standing by 24/7 for you.

Calling Experts for Fire Restoration in Your Home Puts a Solid Plan into Action for Quality Results

With any kitchen fire, the stovetop is the usual culprit. Whether you had a grease fire or another fire loss, the soot and smoke can be tough to deal with on your own. Instead of going the DIY route, the trained professionals at SERVPRO get to work fast using all of the latest techniques and technology to restore your interior to pre-damage condition.

How Do You Address a Fire Restoration Call?

Once you call us for emergency service, our skilled technicians arrive on the scene to begin the assessment and restoration. After removing all of the fire-damaged materials and debris in your Newburgh kitchen, such as cabinets, lighting, drywall, and appliances, we then begin cleaning soot and smoke particles. 

•   Wet smoke is generated with lower heat, often coming from burning rubber or plastics. Such smoke residue is often stubborn because it webs and becomes sticky or smears to the touch.
•   Dry smoke develops at a higher temperature and is fast-burning, often coming from burned materials like wood and paper. This type of smoke is often easier to clean.

We know that air-quality and foul odors are an issue with any kitchen fire, so we have a range of deodorization techniques that allow us to make your interior, “Like it never even happened.”

•   Thermal foggers, also known as dry fogging, helps to vaporize deodorizers that react on a chemical level with odor-causing residues.
•   Air scrubbers are excellent for removing airborne particles and odorous elements from the air.

SERVPRO of North Orange County understands how important it is for you to get your home back to normal quickly after suffering from fire damage in your kitchen. Call us 24/7 at (845) 342-3333 to deploy a team that gets to work fast with specialized restoration services.

How Can Owners and Managers Get Rid of a Water Spill in Their Businesses?

7/20/2022 (Permalink)

When the SERVPRO vehicle arrives, commercial clients in Middletown breathe a sigh of relief--soon, no more water damage!

Middleton Business Owners Should Call SERVPRO for Thorough Restoration After a Water Spill

It’s Clean Water, Do Owners of a Delicatessen Still Need Professional Help?

Absolutely! Commercial facilities, especially food-service operations in Middletown, need SERVPRO to ensure their businesses can reopen safely for customers. If left standing for too long, even clean water becomes a home for bacteria and mold, not to mention small bits of food particles that go unnoticed.

Can Removal Happen Quickly?

Commercial water removal in Middletown depends on the size of the building and how much water is spilled before someone shuts off the source. These are our primary tools:

• Water Pumps – These large machines are excellent for water about ankle-deep or higher. Technicians have the option of truck-mounted pumps for big facilities and eventually move to small, backpack-wearable pumps designed for finishing off small offices and storage rooms.
• Extraction Wands – These smaller devices are preferred for lower levels of water spread out over a large floor area. The design is very effective for any surface.

Is There Anything Else That Needs to be Accomplished?

Yes, if there are any carpets or rugs in the customer areas. Water is unique in how much dirt and food particles it can lift out of what looks like a clean, commercial carpet. With the owner’s approval, our technicians shampoo them with a cleaning agent that leaves a pleasant odor for customers and employees. To avoid affecting the glue that holds carpets in place, team members follow up with a water extraction wand designed for commercial use.

To schedule a service visit or if you have more questions about what SERVPRO of North Orange County and SERVPRO of South Orange County can do for your business here or in Newburgh, call us today at (845) 342-3333. We are here for you.