If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (732) 257-3739

To have the optimal experience while using this site, you will need to update your browser. You may want to try one of the following alternatives:

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Blog Posts

Focus on fire safety to avoid backyard summer accidents and property damage from grills, fire pits, and candles

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is a fun time, family and friends gather for pool parties, and people take vacations, but Summer is also a prime time for home fires. This year as our community continues to endure the global pandemic and people are encouraged to entertain in small groups outdoors and with social distance, outside spaces will likely see more use. Much like every other type of property disaster, BBQ’s, fire pits, portable heaters, and other cooking or recreational flames can cause accidental damage. 

Spring and Summer Fire Hazards can cause property damage in your backyard

Open flames are hazardous whatever time of year, the changing of the season to warmer weather brings outside spring and summer fire hazards to your backyard. Every year, there are between 350,000 and 400,000 home fires in the U.S. (according to the National Fire Protection Association). Your home is at risk of catching fire for a variety of reasons no matter what the season, knowing some common reasons for residential fire damage can be important to fire prevention. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has been providing property disaster cleanup and restoration service to fire damage victims for nearly 30 years, our IICRC certified fire damage restoration specialists arrive ready to rescue and recover your home and property following a fire, "Like it never even happened."

Common causes of residential fire property damage disasters:

Grilling: Nothing announces the arrival of summer like firing up the grill. In the summer months, many people grill outdoors for various holidays and barbecue dinners. In fact, 5,700 home grill-related fires occur each year

Prevention tips: To prevent barbecue fires, check for gas leaks before use, regularly clean your barbeque, and try to create a dedicated safe barbecuing space that is free of clutter and away from children.

Fire pits/Heaters: On cool summer nights, kids and adults alike will enjoy a cozy place to gather and stay warm. Fire pits are known to be a great source of warmth and ambience. Unfortunately, due to the increase in popularity, the number of fire-related injuries and accidents is on the rise as well. The good news is that with the proper safety precautions, a fire pit can be safely enjoyed by the whole family.

Prevention tips: Before striking the match, never place a pit closer than 10 feet from anything flammable, including your house and overhead tree branches. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the fire. 

Electrical fires: About 2,300 residential air conditioners start fires each year. These fires are usually the result of inadequate wiring while having to deal with heavy electric loads, short circuits, or other electrical malfunctions. It’s not just the AC that catches on fire, if your AC heats up, flammable materials near your unit can catch on fire. Fires are most likely to occur when it’s hottest outside—between 2 and 8 p.m. 

Prevention tips: Using fans may allow you to set your thermostat a degree or two warmer than you may have been able to stand otherwise—especially if you rotate the blades clockwise, which directs airflow downward and prevents hotter air from rising up and signaling the A/C unit to kick on.

Candles/Torches: A flickering flame is both comforting and exciting, they are guaranteed to elevate your backyard living space. Adding candles and torches can provide ambient lighting and fend off mosquitoes and other nighttime insects when used with citronella. Yet, like anything that involves a fire or open flame, it’s important to exercise caution when installing, handling, and storing these creative outdoor lighting options.

Prevention tips: It’s important to exercise caution with these lighting options, consider placement carefully, do not place torches under trees, overhangs or near other flammable materials. Position torches at least 6 feet away from the house or other structures. Never leave an open flame unattended, keep an eye on any flames and ensure they are entirely out before you go inside for the night.

Be aware of the risk of fires and prepare by checking the batteries in your smoke detectors and having functioning fire extinguishers. If you find yourself faced with a fire emergency this summer, we are here to help!

The Damage Caused by a Property Fire 

To repair your New Jersey property after experiencing a damaging fire, you should seek the help of a professional team like SERVPRO. Fire damage is multi-faceted and to recover as much of your property as possible contacting professionals right away with experience, equipment and training will help avoid additional repairs and costs. Our New Jersey SERVPRO technicians know what steps to take to assess your property and possessions, they can look for hidden damages and quickly start to mitigate concerns to avoid further damage from smoke and soot, documenting damages and removing items for restoration.

Our SERVPRO team has the knowledge and experience to mitigate unique commercial property damage

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Property Disasters require a unique cleanup, restoration, and repair services, SERVPRO takes pride in delivering exceptional recovery solutions. 

Northern New Jersey is crammed with commercial properties, ranging from busy airports, local shopping centers, medical facilities, and small businesses, we have successfully completed cleanup and restoration services for residential and commercial clients near you. Our restoration specialists work cohesively to mitigate property damages and restore the working areas for customers and employees as soon as possible. The multiple certifications in specialties like Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) held by our crew members allows us to move from task to task without delay. 

Professional Middlesex County Disaster Restoration Services for commercial facilities during any size property damage event

SERVPRO offers Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique commercial property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have vast experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

  • Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances and equipment, furnishings, and inventory as possible.
  • They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.
  • Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.
  • Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together any structural, interior, and exterior damages sustained during the initial disaster or because of mitigation and cleanup. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

The full-service approach is why SERVPRO delivers on our promise for fast and professional cleanup and restoration. After a local warehouse experienced ongoing high-humidity, mold became a major problem for the facility, affecting structural components and inventory. Our SERVPRO mold remediation specialists fixed the issue, providing microbial remediation, water damage mitigation and investigation, applied structural drying, commercial cleaning, and deodorizing services to get the job done right.

Choosing a disaster restoration and recovery company after your Middlesex County property suffers a property damage is an important step. Choosing an experienced and professionally trained and accountable team as your property restoration partner is the key to a successful outcome. We recommend you choose us because we deliver: 

  • Swift response times and round the clock availability – we are available 24 hours a day.
  • Well-trained staff – we put all our technicians through rigorous training.
  • Advanced technology – we use state of the art equipment to mitigate damages.
  • Focus on results – our main aim is to leave your home "Like it never even happened."

The SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team has decades of experience and training to overcome the unique challenges that can come with commercial property disasters including keeping your business running while cleaning and restoration is being performed. Our IICRC certified restoration specialists work quickly and efficiently to minimize or eliminate downtime with fast mitigation, content management and professional containment services for a fast recovery.

Mold Remediation Solutions for ALL Types of New Jersey Commercial Facilities

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

Mold colonization in commercial facilities and warehouses can quickly get out of control without appropriate mitigation, SERVPRO is here to help with mold remediation for all types of local New Jersey businesses.

Flooding and water damage most often have sweeping consequences on a commercial property, requiring many different types of property damage restoration services including water removal, demolition, deodorization, and decontamination, drying and dehumidifying and rebuilding. Whether your property just experienced a heavy rain intrusion, a common appliance malfunction or hazardous plumbing leak. Commercial water damage cleanup and restoration can be complicated, it most often requires a set of detailed steps to make sure the water is properly extracted, cleaned up, dried, and mitigated, when these steps aren’t taken, and moisture continues to plaque your building mold growth will often occur. Mold grows quickly and can spread throughout a property in as little as 24-48 hours. Any commercial property can quickly become infested with mold if a source of water is present, the key to preventing excessive mold growth is to control moisture. That’s why it’s important to act quickly if your commercial property experiences a water damage or you see any signs of hidden water damage or visible mold. SERVPRO is a leading provider of mold remediation services across the country, our mold certified technicians can assess your commercial warehouse or building to evaluate the extent of the damage and advise owners and managers of the proper steps to remediate and restore your facility, “Like it never even happened.”

Mold Damage to Your Commercial Warehouse or Building?

Mold is a microscopic, airborne fungus that exists all around us, it occurs naturally in our surroundings and usually reproduces by releasing spores into the environment. In nature, mold plays an important role in the decomposition of organic material. Mold requires both organic material and a consistent source of moisture to grow. Many materials in homes and business contain the organic materials and under the right circumstances can be conducive to mold growth. When excessive moisture accumulates indoors, drywall, wood, paneling, ceiling tiles, carpeting, insulation, paper, cardboard, fabric, upholstery and even paint will encourage mold growth. If there is a consistent water source, mold will continue to colonize and break down organic material into dusty, dirt-like matter. Neglecting mold damage for an extended period can cause unnecessary damage to your home and risk possible health effects to occupants. It’s never too early nor too late to address commercial property mold damage.

When excessive moisture accumulates inside buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends these tips to prevent commercial property mold damage

  • Ensure all leaky plumbing is fixed; Correct all noticed wet spots.
  • Completely eliminate condensation through insulating or increasing air circulation.
  • Reduce the moisture level in the air and add ventilation to reduce humidity.
  • Maintain indoor humidity level below 60% with a goal of 30-50%.
  • Conduct routine building and HVAC inspections.
  • Provide proper drainage and sloping to eliminate wet foundations.

SERVPRO is an experienced and professional local resource for mold remediation services

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

What is Mold Remediation

Mold remediation is the process of finding, containing, and removing mold and damaged materials from an affected area and the air around it. It’s crucial to contain the damaged areas, because spores are microscopic and can easily spread to other areas through the air or by attaching themselves to clothes or objects throughout the remediation process. SERVPRO mold removal specialists are specially trained using techniques to contain the damaged areas and mitigate the spread of mold, using air pressure and physical barriers to seal off the infected area, including ductwork during the remediation process.

Moldy items such as furniture, carpeting and inventory are cleaned if the infestation is minor or removed if it’s extensive. In this commercial warehouse our mold remediation team setup on-site clean rooms to remediate damaged materials and contents more efficiently. Damaged parts of drywall are removed, replaced, and repainted. Large storage racks can be hand cleaned with antimicrobial agents, all items in the area must be cleaned and sanitized, even if they don’t have visible mold. Mold can be very illusive and can grow behind wallpaper, inside books or files and other hidden areas. Our SERVPRO professionals have advanced equipment and top tier training to remediate mold and return any commercial property mold damage back to a healthy, safe and operation work environment.

How Does SERVPRO Stop the Spread of Mold During the Remediation Process

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury mold remediation crew members are train to use the highest restoration industry standards, mastering Applied Microbial Remediation through IICRC courses. We employ the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed protocols to contain and remove active mold colonies. Our crews also use EPA registered antimicrobial products to treat surfaces after removal to inhibit additional growth. During remediation, we protect our employees and your occupants from the hazards of mold remediation by creating zones where we remove and bag the mold and contaminated debris. Physical barriers provide one kind of protection, and we also install HEPA filtered exhaust ductwork and use negative air pressure to prevent airborne mold and residues from infiltrating unaffected areas of the building.

Containment of the Affected Area

One of the main concerns, when indoor mold is present, is the dissemination of airborne mold spores. When a remediation project is initiated the first step is to set up containment or isolation of the affected area. Containment will help our SERVPRO professionals control the spread of these spores while assisting the remediation process in returning the affected area to normal conditions. The act of removing or disturbing a mold source tends to distribute large quantities of mold spores into the air. If proper containment is not utilized, this can affect adjacent spaces to the work area and cause cross contamination.

When setting up containment of the work area, the first step is to install a HEPA Filtered Negative Air machine. This is a fan which pulls air from the affected area and exhausts the contaminated air outside of the structure via flexible tubing or ducting. Doing this will begin to draw the airborne mold spores away from the airspace, eventually creating a negative pressure environment.

The second step is to install physical barriers in the work area, creating zones. This is most typically done with the use of heavy plastic. The main goal when creating this physical barrier is to completely isolate the work area from any adjacent, non-affected areas. All HVAC systems or shared airways between other rooms would be taped or covered in plastic, and all electrical outlets and light fixtures would be covered. Basically, any area that could allow air flow between the mold infested area and another non-affected area should be properly sealed.

If you discover mold or are experiencing a musty odor in your commercial warehouse or building, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury to help. Our highly trained and IICRC certified New Jersey mold remediation specialists are here to help, to explain and assess your property’s commercial mold cleanup and mitigation needs. Our priority is to keep you informed of your specific remediation solution and get your commercial property’s mold damage concerns under control. Our teams will cleanup, remove damage and remediate your commercial mold problem, restoring your facility, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is always available to help with restoration services during ANY property damage emergency

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

Property Disasters don’t have regular hours and neither does our dedicated team of technicians and project managers.

SERVPRO provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

When property damage from fire, smoke, water strike, time is of the essence. Contacting a Disaster Restoration company within the first 24 hours after the initial damage can better prevent permanent destruction and reduce repair costs to homeowners. That’s why, SERVPRO provides 24-HOUR Emergency Support EVERYDAY! We always have a trained Disaster restoration professional here to help you with your fire or water property damage.

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team is here to answer the phone ready to help with your New Jersey property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

Know what to expect:

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your property damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO professionals may be needed. Emergency Contact: After you have a property disaster or emergency, your call will connect you to one of our trained professionals to take some basic information to provide to our project managers and technicians.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

  •  Your name and contact information
        •    Your insurance information (if applicable)
        •    The street address of the water-damaged home or business
        •    When did the flooding or water damage occur?
        •    What caused the water damage (if known)?
        •    Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Inspection and Damage Assessment including Estimate: One of our trained professionals will come and assess your property damage. What type of fire is it? What type of water loss was it? These answers are critical to addressing the unique solution for your restoration needs.

Restoration, Cleanup and Repair: With your approval, our team of skilled technicians starts working on your restoration and cleanup. We can provide board-up, packing and itemizing your property, water, smoke, or soot removal, drying and dehumidification, cleanup and repair services depending on your specific situation and restoration needs.

Your best defense against long lasting commercial fire, smoke and water property damage is a quick and rigorous response by our trained technicians. Each SERVPRO team member has been thoroughly trained in fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation before stepping foot onto your home or business. Our restoration technicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment and technology to restore and repair your entire structure and belongings as efficiently as possible.

Property Emergencies happen every day and acting fast after property damage could mean the difference between restoring your home quickly to pre loss condition or needing extensive and expensive reconstruction. Our SERVPRO team never stops being READY to handle your fire, water, or mold property disaster, we have the best staff, with the best resources standing ready to answer your call quickly and restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Lower your storm property damage recovery costs with fast and effective property mitigation and restoration services

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

Rain on window pane, and other severe weather property restoration Many New Jersey properties have experienced flooding and other property water damage from the severe weather in our area, we are here to help.

Spring storms brings strong winds, extreme temperature swings and many other hazards and potential damage to your local New Jersey property, including severe storms that bring coastal flooding, torrential rains, strong winds and lightning. Other elements that can cause property damage during the spring and summer are high-humidity or brush fire concerns. Severe Spring weather isn’t the only thing that could cause your home or business property damage concerns. Your property could also face, several other property damage events, including mold damage, fire damage, sewage backup damage, or an appliance or plumbing water leak.

Storm and Coastal Flooding Damage Risks

Flooding presents a serious risk to your commercial or residential property. Northeast Thunderstorms and Hurricanes can bring a ton of moisture and tidal surges causing above average amounts of water to affect the local and surrounding areas. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, floods kill more people every year than lightning, hurricanes and tornadoes combined.

When it comes to your home or business flooding can lead to dangerous contamination and structural damage including damage to the drywall, contents, and support structure. After only 24 hours your property is in jeopardy of additional damages including mold growth and other harmful bacteria. Proper cleanup and restoration services from a professional team are vital to avoiding even further damage.

When you find yourself in need of professional fire or water disaster restoration services or emergency flood cleanup and property repairs for your commercial or residential property, our SERVPRO restoration specialists are here to assist. Fall brings a ton of exciting, fun things to do in New Jersey, our area offers farms, beaches, and parks to explore, and additionally there are great events and community functions happening throughout the seasons. It’s important to remember safety while enjoying all that spring and summer have to offer. Keeping your family, friends, and employees safe during these months is important to us, as is taking steps to avoid property damage to your home or business. Follow us for great tips on how to protect your property and what to do in the aftermath of a property disaster. Our crews are available 24-hours a day, always here to help with property repairs and recovery services.

What Should I Do When I Notice a Water Loss?  

Your water damage event might not be entirely avoidable, so you need to know what to do when you notice that a problem has occurred and continues to threaten the building. This immediate action can help better to protect some of the building's potentially compromised areas and can reduce irreparable damage to essential contents and equipment. Some of the initial steps that you can take in the earliest stages of water loss include: 

  • Move Important Documentation – One of the most critical steps that your staff can take when water loss first begins is to gather sensitive documentation and records and move them to a safe location. Migrating water can be a destructive force for these hard copies. 
  • Notify Our Restoration Professionals – Getting restoration professionals like our SERVPRO team moving on your disaster is also an essential initial step to take. We have staffed emergency lines running 24/7, so you can talk to a real person about the situation and pass helpful information along to our mobilizing technicians.  
  • Stay Out of the Damaged Space – Once water losses have spread into the main areas of the building, it is wise to keep yourself and your staff out of these areas altogether. Not only does excessive foot traffic make restoration more challenging, with worsening water damage, these individuals could face potential health hazards like shock or slips.  


Many local buildings and businesses have experienced flooding and other property water damage from the severe weather in our area, do you need restoration and cleanup help?

OUR NEW JERSEY STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

  • Roof & Structure Tarps and Board Up Services
  • Category 1, 2 and 3 Water Extraction & Cleanup
  • Drying of Damaged Areas including walls, carpets, and furniture
  • Cleaning and Restoration of Affected Possessions
  • Remediating Mold and Mildew
  • Reconstruction and Repairs

SAFETY TIPS BEFORE A STORM ARRIVES:

Stock up: Gather and check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed. The American Red Cross suggests you pick up at least three days' worth of water and non-perishable food, a flashlight and extra batteries for it, at least seven days’ worth of prescription medication, a cell phone with a charger, and that you have extra cash and spare clothes at the ready. Have an emergency kit with these items you probably already have in your home: flashlight(s), battery powered weather radio, extra batteries to fit each electronic (including cell phone), non-perishable foods (canned goods and dry foods), lots of bottled water, can opener, first aid kit (with a disinfectant), fire extinguisher, blankets, extra clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, clock or watch, whistle to signal for help, important personal items (eyeglasses, prescriptions, etc.), and paper documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, and other significant legal papers.

Stay Indoors: Stay inside and away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. Find a safe area in the interior or your property on the lower level or basement. If flooding threatens your home, turn off the electricity at the main breaker. If your property loses power, turn off major appliances such as the AC unit and water heater to reduce damage.

Property Concerns: Inspect your roof and foundation for damage and make necessary repairs. Exterior doors should have 3 hinges and a deadbolt lock that is an inch-long minimum. Cut dead or weak limbs before a storm hits. Remove any limbs hanging over your home that could cause substantial damage if they fall. Likewise, take the time to have trees that could fall on the home removed. Clean rain gutters ensure runoff has a place to go; water that pools and gathers can cause damage especially if a downpour is ongoing.

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team has been helping our local communities for nearly 30 years, we are prepared with expert training and quality equipment to mitigate and restore your commercial or residential property. Our technicians are available 24-7 with our Emergency Service Team to help cleanup and repair your property damage from water, sewage, smoke or fire. Our priority is providing quick and effective service and solutions to restore your property and belongings, “Like it never even happened.”

Don’t neglect a property water damage occurrence, it can lead to excessive structural damage and microbial growth

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help local New Jersy communities with ALL TYPES of water damages, our team responds quickly with emergency response cleanup and mitigation to minimize secondary damages to your property, including structural damages and mold growth. Neglecting to properly cleanup and remediate a water damage can lead to even greater property damage concerns. Often, when cleaning up a water damage issue or flood, mopping up a puddle or fixing a clogged sink can seem like the end to your trouble, but there can be hidden damage. During warm spring and summer months keeping an ideal relative humidity can be difficult, especially if your property is hiding a moisture source. If you are having trouble with high humidity in your residence or commercial building “hidden moisture” could be a cause. Our crews are trained and experienced in looking for unseen water damage concerns, using advanced technology our team can locate hidden moisture and other property damage you may have missed.

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury crews use many tools and techniques to locate and address high humidity and other hidden water damage concerns successfully and thoroughly. Calling a local SERVPRO restoration professional can help investigate the source behind high humidity or hidden water damage concerns and inspect for any sign of visible mold or other secondary property damages.

SERVPRO USES SPECIAL DETECTION EQUIPMENT TO FIND HIDDEN WATER DAMAGE

  • Moisture Sensors - Are used to detect moisture in carpets and carpet paddling.
  • Moisture Meters - Are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate moisture readings that enable our SERVPRO Technician to monitor the drying process.
  • Thermo-hygrometers - Measure both temperature and relative humidity. Capturing these two readings, our SERVPRO technician using a psychrometric chart can calculate specific humidity, dew point and vapor pressure.
  • Infrared Cameras - Can identify the location and extent of moisture in walls very effectively.
  • Manometers - Allow our SERVPRO Technician to measure the difference in air pressure when creating a negative air pressure environment.

Is Hidden Moisture Causing High Humidity Concerns for Your Home or Business?

Hidden moisture or water leaks are dangerous because they can cause serious issues like structural damage and mold growth before they are discovered. Excess water and moisture get absorbed in wood, drywall, insulation, and furniture and can lead to warping, stains, bubbling, and structural deterioration.

One possible concern with hidden moisture problems or sustained water damage is an increase in the overall humidity of your property. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You may be able to detect high humidity by simply paying attention to potential problem areas in your home, damp basements, high traffic areas, bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens with high humidity activities and poor circulation. Telltale signs of excessive humidity include condensation on windows, pipes, and walls. Over time hidden moisture can contribute to high indoor humidity levels and during ideal conditions can cause mold growth and other property concerns to emerge. The possible causes of water damage lurking in your home can originate from many different sources, with varying intensities, contamination levels, and scope of damage. Some of our largest property restoration projects start as small water leaks that cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time.

The key to mold prevention is simple: moisture control and enough airflow. If you suspect your home is suffering from excessive high humidity, get in touch with our SERVPRO staff right away. Our Mold Remediation team can inspect your property for mold and water damage, locate the source of hidden moisture and plan a mold removal and remediation process to get your home healthy and safe, “Like it never even happened.”

Signs of mold in your New Jersey home are unpleasant odor, health effects or visual signs of mold growth.

Ask About SERVPRO’s Visible Mold Inspection

Our certified specialist will begin a mold inspection with a few questions for the property owner or manager, to give insight into previous leaks or flood damage and other valuable information to help during the process. They will thoroughly inspect the property looking for signs of damage and in places prone for mold growth. Moisture meters and cameras may be necessary to locate problems in areas that are hidden or less accessible.

If our SERVPRO technicians do discover mold during the inspection and mitigation process, they will evaluate the mold growth and contain any damage to the smallest area possible. They will then physically remove the mold and thoroughly dry any contaminated areas to ensure that the mold does not return. Finally, the technicians will follow established procedures to return the property to a preloss condition. To inhibit the return of mold, SERVPRO uses antifungal and antibacterial cleaners to clean both your home structure and possessions affected by mold. During the remediation process, we can utilize HEPA filtration systems with negative air chambers to stop the spread of spores and contain the mold. Our technicians always attempt to restore rather than have you replace building materials and possessions affected by mold.

When your home or business experiences a water disaster issue, or you suspect that high humidity maybe a problem, call our trusted local SERVPRO property restoration service specialists. Our sophisticated tools can make it easy to determine the presence of hidden moisture and dampness in your property, waiting too long to choose a professional cleanup and recovery service can be a costly and hazardous mistake. Our SERVPRO specialists closely monitor and document all our cleanup, mitigation and remediation steps and make sure your moisture problem is taken care of correctly.

Emergency Water Removal – Assessing your damage and quick action

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business. Our New Jersey on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly trained and experienced with all types of property disaster losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood, and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local communities every day.

Emergency Response Property Disaster Restoration Services

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process for our customers organized, efficient and successful, after a frustrating and confusing property disaster event. Whether your home or building sustained damages from a storm, flood, fire, or water disaster, you’ll have trusted and compassionate professionals by your side. We will work with you to survey the extent of the property damage, develop a plan for cleanup, restoration, and reconstruction. Disaster restoration and repair for your commercial or residential property is best left to professionals. Our SERVPRO professionals are skilled with the complexities of removing water and the water extraction, drying, dehumidifying, disinfecting and removal equipment required to complete the job properly. Our expert team has the experience, certifications, and equipment to complete any size restoration and repair project quickly, correctly, and affordably.

Some of our property Restoration services include:

  • Water Removal and Extraction: This important and often first step in the process involves us removing and extracting standing water from all areas of your property. Our SERVPRO technicians utilize industrial grade equipment to move large volumes quickly and efficiently to minimize long term hazards and damage
  • Property Drying: After the bulk of the water is removed, hazardous levels of moisture can still exist in fibrous structural and aesthetic components in your home or business building. We utilize specialized equipment to pull moisture from the air to create an environment suitable for drying of these important pieces and may also attempt to speed the drying process with heat.
  • Cleanup: After water and moisture have been removed and dried it’s important to conduct thorough cleaning of the affected area to prevent future health hazards. Flooding from rivers and sewers can pose exceptional risks to health and welfare due to the silt and bacteria they carry. Our team will remove damaged items that are beyond repair
  • Odor and Microbial Mitigation: SERVPRO’s full-spectrum restoration capabilities have many benefits when it comes to flooding, biohazard, and other water damage restoration. We often use air scrubbers that create negative air pressure to force contaminants through HEPA filters before exhausting to the outdoors. Air quality is improved, including the clearing of any odors or microbes.

Our team provides professional and prompt emergency restoration services for all local New Jersey commercial businesses and homeowners 24-hours a day 7 days a week.

SERVPRO professionals will cleanup and restore your property after any water damage

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury professionals specialize in the cleanup and restoration of New Jersey residential or commercial property after a seasonal water property damage emergency. Spring rain or Winter temperatures can be incredibly damaging to your home or business, as frozen water, torrential rain, wind, coastal flooding and ice can all lead to significant property damage disasters. A flood can result in gallons of water spilling over your floors, leaking or pouring through ceilings and walls, and ruining furniture and other valuable possessions.

Fast Response to Water Removal Minimizes Damages

Our New Jersey SERVPRO restoration crews are available 24/7 to aid our local community with both commercial and residential water damage emergencies. A fast response and action to a water damage situation can significantly reduce the overall damage to your home or business. SERVPRO can deploy submersible pumps, water extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers. The capacities of these units are tailored to your situation. Our objective is to return your home to its original condition as quickly as possible.

If the water level is over two inches, each team of WRTs starts removal with a commercial grade, submersible pump. All water we remove goes directly in a drain, and not across the backyard to cause a problem for neighbors or the residents one street over. If possible, technicians direct it into sewer access if one is available. For water levels under two inches, SERVPRO WRTs utilize extraction wands and other, smaller devices. Each one has three components, but technicians start by using only the pump option to remove water from the floors. Once they begin drawing water out of carpets, upholstery, and other items, they use the other two, a heater and vacuum to carefully draw water out of carpets and from between floorboards.

Water extraction is the heart of this water restoration process, and depending on the severity of your issue, can get accomplished in several ways. For smaller volumes needing removal, a combination of portable pumps and wet-vacs get used to pull the water from the floors. For larger projects, especially those that stand to risk the structural integrity of your home considerably, our SERVPRO technicians might opt to use a pump truck.

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s staff is highly trained and experienced in the cleanup and restoration of your water property damage from Northeastern weather and temperatures. Our team can respond quickly and help you assess your damage and find a restoration solution that you can trust.

THE 4 PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS OF WATER DAMAGE
    •    Class 1 is the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture.  Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present.
    •    Class 2 involves a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects at least an entire room of carpet and cushion (pad). Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches.  There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil.
    •    Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation. Water may have come from overhead.  Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushions and subfloor in virtually all the entire area is saturated.
    •    Class 4 relates to specialty drying situations. Wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (eg. hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light-weight concrete and stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity. These types of losses may require longer drying times and special methods.

We have the knowledge, experience and proper equipment to locate any hidden moisture lurking out of sight and clean up water damage of any size and get it done right the first time. Moisture sensors, which are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls. We have moisture meters that we use to test the actual moisture content of materials. The meters allow our technicians to accurately monitor the drying process. Our team also has equipment on hand to measure temperature and relative humidity, which ensures techs can calculate and create an environment that is most conducive for drying.

New Jersey Commercial Property Fire Damage Cleanup and Repair Service

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

commercial building contents with severe fire damage SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can be restored and rebuild your property completely

Fire damage can have a devastating effect on local businesses, so SERVPRO is here to help providing emergency and rebuild services to local property owners and managers

Fires cause massive amounts of damage, destroying structural materials and business items, also bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution and unhealthy smoke levels. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move even more rapidly. The moment authorities permit you to reenter your dwelling the clock starts on a successful restoration. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury understands the need for speed and assigns skilled technicians to your job within hours of your first call.
COMMON TYPES OF COMMERCIAL FIRE DAMAGE
    •    Burnt Structure; framing, roofing, doors, drywall, flooring and cabinets
    •    Office Property and Equipment; furniture, supplies and appliances
    •    Soot and Smoke Damage; HVAC unit, surfaces, air quality
    •    Odor; smoke and toxic chemicals from damaged structure and contents
    •    Water Damage; results of fire suppression system and local Fire Department efforts
    •    Mold Damage; water damage left untreated can quickly cause mold growth

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels with the air coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.
CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.
SERVPRO CAN HELP WITH YOUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY REPAIRS FOLLOWING A FIRE DISASTER
    1.    Secure your business site including board up and tarping services
    2.    Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary
    3.    Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages
    4.    Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials
    5.    Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials
    6.    Determine the best cleaning, repair and restoration solutions for your property
    7.    Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically SERVPRO progresses through your business room by room to assure all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke permanently eliminated.
We answer the phone ready to help with your property damage.

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

SERVPRO offers a Custom “EMERGENCY READY PROFILE” Preparation Service; one of our professionals will come to your commercial property and assess your proper emergency service solution should you have a disaster in the future. The preparation process is quick and easy and makes the aftermath of a disaster simple, because all the details can be assessed by our staff and technicians should you need us.

Heating Hazards: Winter House Fire Property Restoration Services

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

Winter months are high risk for fire blazing fire in background Rapid fire damage restoration can hold the key to limiting the emotional and financial struggles caused by a fire.

Keeping warm in the winter months can be challenging, homeowners often use secondary heating sources to supplement furnaces and radiators to help keep warm. Fireplaces, wood burning stoves, space heaters, or electric blankets can produce comfortable heat for smaller, more targeted areas of your home at a fraction of the cost of turning up the thermostat for the entire home. These heat sources also pose their own unique risks, and it's important to take safety precautions when using them.

The Damage Caused by a Property Fire 

When you experience a property fire, you may reflect on the mess left behind in the charred ruins of the property. However, the damage you need to contend with will go far beyond the ashes. To repair the property entirely after experiencing a damaging fire, you will need to seek the help of a professional team like SERVPRO. Water may have to be extracted after the firefighters' efforts. While a fire may be contained in one area of the building, smoke can fill most or all the areas, and it can cause significant damage and odors. Our trained Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians (FSRT) can resolve these issues.

Commons Source of Winter House Fires

Fireplace

Fireplaces and chimneys require regular maintenance, so conducting an annual chimney inspection and cleaning is crucial. A careful inspection can catch cracks that might leak dangerous gases into your home, and a thorough cleaning removes the buildup of creosote, a residue that can catch fire if ignited by a spark.

Wood-Burning Stove

Though not as popular in the modern era as fireplaces, wood-burning stoves have their own aesthetic appeal and are still used as efficient heat sources in many homes and cabins. Like fireplaces, these stoves must be connected to chimneys, which require annual inspection and cleaning.

Space Heaters

When it comes to safety, space heaters have come a long way in recent years. Some older models increased the risk of house fires, particularly models operated with liquid fuel. Today's space heaters are mostly electric and often have built-in safety features that turn the heaters off if they tip over, overheat, or have been left turned on for too long.

Electric Blankets

As economical as they are cozy, electric blankets can provide comfort at night even with the heat down low. Operating electric blankets in multiple bedrooms can often be much cheaper than turning up the thermostat.

We are Always Here to Help

Many homeowners have little or no experience when it comes to addressing the fallout of a fire loss event.

Comprehensive Reports Assist in Filing Insurance Claims

SERVPRO technicians create detailed reports that include photos and a full description of whether the item was a loss or underwent restorative efforts for reuse. Having these reports helps expedite the filing of insurance claims. The technicians also give recommendations for any needed repairs or reconstruction that the home needs to attain pre-fire damage loss status.

Get Cleanup, Restoration, and Rebuilding in One Place

Our SERVPRO location is uniquely qualified to offer property owners the services of both restoration and reconstruction. Instead of having one company do the cleanup and another company repair or rebuild fire loss areas in the home, you can use a single company for both needs. 

SERVPRO technicians have advanced techniques that allow us to address all the secondary effects of smoke and soot residue. Quick cleanup and proper restoration techniques can make a big difference limiting the emotional and financial struggles caused by a fire. If you do experience a fire, professional fire restoration services like SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can handle the entire fire cleanup process—from assessing the smoke and fire damage to rebuilding your home, “Like it never even happened.” 

Cold temperatures are making an impact on many New Jersey property owners, SERVPRO has property damage mitigation and restoration services to help

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Icicles hanging from residential roof during freezing storms Freezing temperatures can be incredibly dangerous to your home or business, frozen water, snow, and ice can cause significant property damage

Severe winter weather property damage including pipe bursts and frozen water leaks: a winter water damage emergency

Frigid winter temperatures are common here in the Northeast, over the next several weeks Middlesex County and the surrounding areas will likely have variable freezing temperatures. Frozen water damage events and pipe breaks are one of the most common causes of property damage in our area. These lower temperatures cause a new set of seasonal property disasters including frozen pipes, ice dams and other frozen water damage concerns that can cost property owners thousands. Every winter our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury disaster property restoration professionals help countless home and business owners in Middlesex County, with the restoration, mitigation, cleaning and repair of their residential and commercial property following a frozen water property disaster.

A Professional Inspection can determine the many factors that specify the exact process for your property damage recovery: level of water, type of contamination, and amount of exposure all play a vital role in the balance between restore and replace.

Our SERVPRO staff is highly trained and experienced in the cleanup and restoration of your frozen water property damage from frigid Northeast temperatures. Our team can respond quickly and help you assess your damage and find a restoration solution that you can trust.

WINTER WATER PROPERTY DAMAGE

  • ICE DAMS
    Ice dams occur after a snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures, common weather conditions in the Northeast during winter. Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and warms the underside of the roof causing snow and ice to melt. The melted water refreezes on the cold overhang and can form icicles and an ice dam on the roof and gutters. This process can cause damage to the roof which can cause water to leak into the home causing water damage to the ceiling, walls, insulation, and other areas.

  • LEAKING BASEMENTS AND FOUNDATIONS
    Basement and ground floor apartment flooding are a common occurrence for many homeowners throughout New Jersey, the impact of heavy snow, ice and rain can overflow sewer drains and pavement often leading to water leaks, flooding, and other types of lower lever water damage. Ground level flooding can lead to significant structural damage, destroy furnishings and other belongings, and commonly lead to elevated mold and humidity issues.

  • FROZEN WATER PIPES
    When Northeast temperatures drop to at or below freezing, the water flowing in your plumbing has the potential to freeze. Water expands when it freezes, the expansion of the frozen water can cause a rupture, causing catastrophic flood damage. It’s important to note that the break often occurs between the frozen point and the faucet, as the ice blocks the pipe and the water pressure increases leading to stress on the pipe. Pipes that run through the exterior walls are particularly at risk, but those that run through low- or uninsulated attics and crawl spaces can also freeze.

Although these frozen water damage situations are very common, sometimes the damage could have largely been prevented by taking a few preventative steps ahead of time. These are a few tips you can take to try and avoid turning the coming frigid days and nights into inconvenient and expensive property disasters.

HELP PREVENT WINTER WEATHER & FREEZING WATER ISSUES WITH THESE TIPS

  • Exposed pipes are the most susceptible to freezing, so insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic.
  • Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes and prevent ice dams.
  • Seal air leaks in your attic, basement,­­­ and exterior walls, look for air leaks around electrical wiring, vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
  • To avoid ice dam concerns, add roof and soffit vents to regulate the air temperature close to the underside of the roof.
  • Sump pumps and sub-floor drainage systems are typically used to avoid the continued damage associated with basements and other foundation issues.
  • A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing.
  • Let warm water drip overnight, from a faucet on an outside wall.
  • Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

New Jersey weather can be unpredictable even when winter temperatures aren’t extremely cold; property water damages happen to home and business owners often. When water begins spilling across the floor or filling the basement, it is usually from a failed water heater shut-off valve or a split line on a washing machine. Many factors contribute to the length and cost of your property damage cleanup and restoration project, including the amount and type of water involved, length of time before service and the total area impacted. Our qualified and experienced staff can help answer your disaster restoration questions and provide a step-by-step plan for a full recovery of your flooded commercial or residential property.

SERVPRO wants to focus on gratitude and customer feedback

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

This Fall, SERVPRO wants to focus on gratitude

Fall in the Northeast is a season full of change, from the changing colors of the trees and the brisk weather. November is a perfect time to appreciate and reflect on both the achievements and misses of this past year. Our team is grateful for each other-our amazing staff, partners and customers that help us support our community with needed property restoration and construction services. Taking the time to appreciate the things you have, both tangible and intangible, makes you feel more positive emotions, improves your health and can even build stronger relationships. We are grateful for our successes and have renewed enthusiasm as we roll into the Holiday season and the New Year.

November begins a holiday season that celebrates friends and family. SERVPRO is thankful for our team, our work family. Our staff is the backbone of our company, the reason we can provide high-quality and effective restoration services to support our neighbors and friends. Our gratitude for their efforts and ability to persevere during any challenge, shows why our team is the only choice when dealing with a property damage disaster. Our customer service team is helpful and friendly, always making every effort to clarify our process and expedite your recovery. Our management and production staff works hard to mitigate further damages and provide timely and knowledgeable solutions. Our construction team is resourceful and efficient at putting everything back together after any size disaster. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury provides services that help others during a time of crisis, property disasters are difficult to overcome. Our team is proud to support each owner, family and community member dealing with property damage with an effective restoration solution.

SERVPRO is here to help your property recover after a disaster

  • Cleanup: After a disaster occurs, licensed technicians focus on restoring your residence to a clean and safe condition.
  • Restoration: This process can include installing new tile, cleaning your HVAC system, repainting walls, and repairing nearby carpet that may have been affected by the fire.
  • Rebuilding: If the structural damage in your home from the fire requires more work to restore, SERVPRO contractors can repair flooring, install new wall joists, hang the drywall and much, much more.

Our team is available 24/7 to offer our comprehensive solutions including emergency mitigation, restoration, and reconstruction for customers affected by fires. You can depend on our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team to arrive quickly and provide effective property restoration.

We are thankful for our great customers, who are dealing with property disasters and trust our team to turn things around. We understand the stress that property damages can bring and we are always here to help support your recovery in whatever helpful way we can. The feedback we get from our customers helps us evolve and makes us a better, more supportive and efficient team. 

If you have a positive experience to share we would love to hear from you!

SERVPRO Responds to Flood or Storm Water Property Damage Immediately

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

It’s critical to take quick action following a flood or storm water intrusion to your local New Jersey home or business.

If it’s a roof leak, exterior damage, a cracked foundation or basement flooding, causing your water property damage, call our Water Disaster Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury to begin taking steps to stop the water damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the flooded or other water damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide step-by-step solutions to restore and repair your local property and contents to help minimize additional damages, we provide services to New Jersey.

OUR NEW JERSEY SHORE STORM & COASTAL FLOOD WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

  •   Water Extraction
  •   Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
  •   Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
  •   Remediating mold and mildew
  •   Reconstruction and Repairs

Our crews are IICRC certified, with training in the most effective protocol and equipment to mitigate and restore all types of property water damages. Many factors can contribute to the cost, length and outcome of your property disaster including: the severity of the water damage, the presence of debris or solids in the standing water, the availability of sufficient power and the location of the damaged areas.

THE 4 PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS OF WATER DAMAGE

Class 1 is the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture.  Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present.

Class 2 involves a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects at least an entire room of carpet and cushion (pad). Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches.  There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil.

Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation. Water may have come from overhead.  Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushions and subfloor in virtually all the entire area is saturated.

Class 4 relates to specialty drying situations. Wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (including; hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light-weight concrete and stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity. These types of losses may require longer drying times and special methods.

Our SERVPRO Storm Damage Property Restoration Team has the experience and resources to handle your weather-related water property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after your property suffers a disaster storm water damage and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help to repair your home or business when you need us! Call our Storm Damage Cleanup, Restoration and Repair team.

SERVPRO provides scalable cleaning and sanitizing services for local Middlesex County homes and businesses

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

Sanitizing and Deep Cleaning graphics SERVPRO is here to help develop a professional disinfecting plan for your property to promote confidence in the safety of your local business.

SERVPRO professionals have specialized equipment and training to provide the highest level of commercial cleaning and sanitizing to maintain your commercial property.

While the pandemic continues to evolve, it’s as important as ever to take precautions with your commercial property to promote safety. Our team is available to provide commercial cleaning and bioremediation services a SERVPRO near you. As businesses continue to accelerate their cleaning and sanitizing procedures, it’s an excellent time to take advantage of the experience and tools our professionals can provide. When your commercial or residential property needs a deep cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing, calling SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury to provide a fast and professional response is the only solution. Cleanliness is how to best be proactive, and we are here to help. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your school or university, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform daily.

Reminding People of Best Practices in Hygiene:

  • Inform customers/visitors on how to protect themselves.
  • Promote best practices with hygiene like handwashing.
  • Cleaning & disinfecting regularly.
  • Increasing airflow and ventilation.

When it comes to preventing the spread of this virus, it is up to us as a community to do the best we can to remain informed and act with thoughtful consideration. Our crews are up to the recent challenges impacting our community using specialized training and equipment, our cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for our cleanup process, and disposal of waste. Carpets and fabric and upholstery can be sanitized using our hospital-grade disinfectant.

Timely Response with Minimal Disruption 

Our crews can schedule work around your business hours to reduce the impact to your daily operations. Trust the SERVPRO team to be aware of and capable of meeting the sanitation standards required during this challenging atmosphere. We are trained in the appropriate use of EPA-registered disinfectants and committed to a close working relationship with your facility housekeeping staff. Our staff is capable of cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms, kitchens and other common areas with the discretion and effectiveness your commercial facility requires.

SERVPRO is here to help develop a professional disinfecting plan for your property to promote confidence in the safety of your local business.

SERVPRO has quick and effective commercial property damage restoration services to minimize business interruption and get you back to business quickly

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

flood damage to commercial warehouse facility Decades of hands-on cleanup, restoration and repair experience and our dedication to helping local New Jersey businesses disrupted by disasters.

Getting your business open and operational quickly is the SERVPRO way, we rely on decades of hands-on experience and proven results to helping local New Jersey business owners dealing with property damage in communities near you; cleanup, repair and restore their commercial property. Our commitment to quick and effective property restoration and recovery after a property disaster makes selecting our New Jersey SERVPRO restoration experts the right choice.

Big or small, property damage to commercial property can have a multi-faceted impact on your business. The effects of a property disaster can range from loss of revenue, inventory, customers and/or employees to irreversible structural and financial damages. After a property disaster strikes, we recommend calling an expert in property restoration, here at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury we can get to work fixing your commercial property. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is here to help with fast and effective disaster restoration and cleanup services, we provide a full-range of disaster restoration services including: emergency response, water damage repair, water removal, flood restoration, fire damage restoration, soot and smoke damage services, storm damage repairs, wind damage restoration, industrial dehumidification, structural cleaning and decontamination, mold remediation, environmental services such as hazardous waste removal, lead removal and asbestos removal, duct cleaning services, vital document and paper recovery, machinery and equipment restoration, semiconductor services, reconstruction, consulting and more. Restoring your commercial property is our business, and we are always ready to help get local businesses back up and running, “Like it never even happened.”

Has your business already suffered from a disaster? Was your office flooded during a rainstorm, or your restaurant suffered a grease fire, maybe your commercial property had a sewage backup? Whatever the extent of damage, SERVPRO is among the leading providers of property damage cleanup, restoration, and repair services for Middlesex County and around the country. Thousands of business owners trust and rely on us every year for a range of services and trust us to handle their property with care. Individuals, corporate clients, and major insurance companies alike deal with us for our speed, reliability, and effectiveness in mitigating property damage and lowering overall claims and recovery costs. Calling our local SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team gives you the confidence of a disaster restoration professional who is trained and equipped to handle any “once in a lifetime disaster” with a professional recovery plan.

Middlesex County is crammed with commercial properties, ranging from higher-education facilities, local shopping centers, medical facilities, and small businesses, we have successfully completed cleanup and restoration services for residential and commercial clients near you. Many communities in Middlesex County have become local hot spots for dining out, after one of the many popular restaurants experienced a kitchen fire, our fire and smoke restoration technicians were called in to cleanup and restore the damages quickly. Our restoration specialists worked cohesively to mitigate the water and fire damages and restore the kitchen and dining areas for customers and employees as soon as possible. New Jersey has also seen a boom in multi-family housing, when a local residential apartment complex had an extensive water damage event that destroyed several units, our emergency restoration crews were able to get tenants back in their homes quickly and efficiently. The multiple certifications in specialties like Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) held by our crew members allows us to move from task to task without delay. The full-service approach is why SERVPRO delivers on our promise for fast and professionally cleanup and restoration. After a local warehouse experienced ongoing high-humidity, mold became a major problem for the facility, affecting structural components and inventory. Our SERVPRO mold remediation specialists fixed the issue, providing microbial remediation, water damage mitigation and investigation, applied structural drying, commercial cleaning, and deodorizing services to get the job done right.

The success of your property disaster recovery hinges on a quick and effective response, SERVPRO teams are prepared to assist during a property emergency with powerful and efficient tools and IICRC certified restoration specialists around-the-clock.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is the right choice for commercial property damage restoration, because of decades of hands-on cleanup, restoration and repair experience and our dedication to helping local New Jersey businesses disrupted by disasters. We have worked diligently over these decades building a reliable team of IICRC certified technicians and a collection of commercial grade equipment ready to assist with water, fire, mold, or storm disaster restoration services. Wherever you need help, our SERVPRO crews are here to help!

New Jersey flood water removal and Middlesex County basement property damage restoration service

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

New Jersey basements are prone to flooding and water damage concerns during intense storms and heavy rainfall, their location at the lowest level of a building and usually underground makes them a target – water always runs from high to low ground. Whether the excess water comes from a burst pipe, backed-up sewer line, failed sump pump, malfunctioning water-using appliance, or heavy rainfall, basement water damage is common and causes plenty of concerns to an unfortunate property owner. The first 48 hours are considered the most important time to react, as it is crucial to preventing further damage, in addition to contributing to structural and foundation problems, basement water damage can destroy your personal belongings and interior finishes and it also has the power to create the perfect environment for toxic mold growth.

When a finished/unfinished basement experiences significant water damage, timing is everything. Water damage is a serious threat to your property. Quick action from certified professionals can avoid additional secondary damages such as structural damage and mold concerns. Water damage mitigation is a specialized field that utilizes special protective measures, advanced- training, testing and equipment to minimize the effects of water intrusion and protect your property from further damage. Left untreated water damage can continue to compromise the integrity and health of your property. 

Dry everything out as quickly as possible.

The sooner you begin the disaster recovery process, the more likely you will be able to restore the condition of your possessions and minimize building materials from becoming destroyed. A professional restoration company can help expedite this process. 

Actions Restoration Professionals take to mitigate and minimize water damage to your basement:

  1. Extraction: The first step toward restoring your building to its pre-flood condition is removing the standing water from the affected area. Our teams use wet vacuums and pumps to move large quantities of water to a specific location. Starting the process with this kind of removal is more efficient, and it allows us to get more liquid out of your carpets and the cushioning below.
  2. Evaporation: Next, we will set up high-velocity airflow equipment to evaporate any remaining moisture. Units designed for structural drying are more energy-efficient and move a larger volume of air in less time.
  3. Dehumidification: As water evaporates from furniture, carpet and building materials, that vapor turns into humidity. Left in the air, water vapor seeps back into absorbent furniture, clothing, and other materials. Water damage dehumidifiers remove moisture, which protects your property from future damage and prevents mold growth.
  4. Temperature control: Cool air hinders the evaporation process. Warm air — 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit — is ideal for completely drying your building’s structure. A thorough drying process is essential for preventing mold growth and other complications that come from residual moisture.

At SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury, we take pride in our ability to erase the damage done by water, including damages caused by hidden problems. After 48 hours of exposure to water, there is a risk of mold growth in wet materials. Our Middlesex County SERVPRO team of technicians puts years of training, experience, and specialized equipment to work for you, ensuring the removal of all remaining moisture and a fast, effective drying process that you can count on. Our New Jersey restoration specialists utilize infrared technology and thermal imagery to assess the full extent of the damage that your property has suffered. The technology can show our technicians areas where water might still exist based on a temperature difference. This process can ensure that the damage has not reached other areas of the building and confirm the completion of the restoration process.

Flood Prevention Tips for Common Causes of New Jersey Property Water Damage

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

What you can expect from our SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Professionals in Middlesex County

Even small leaks can bring big trouble for your home or business causing extensive structural and other damage if water removal services are not scheduled quickly. A leaky skylight, clogged drain pipe, or tub overflow can soak your floors, walls, and cabinets. Our technicians have experience in water removal and cleanup for homes and businesses, they can quickly get to work to make your property feel “Like it never even happened.” We use advanced technology to locate the source of the damage and map the extent of damages. Our crews will attack your water damage and flooding, first by extracting water from your home with the assistance of vacuums and pumps. Dehumidifiers and air movers can then be deployed to suck excess moisture from your kitchen cabinets, bathroom flooring, or basement ceiling.

Calling SERVPRO Provides Fast Comprehensive Water Removal

Often during water restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and controlled demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated water or excess moisture. Moisture and mold particles can penetrate deep inside building materials, furniture and other porous items. HEPA filters help our industrial strength air scrubbers and dehumidifiers purify the air and neutralize odors and contaminants. Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury location is fortunate to offer restoration and rebuilding services following a property disaster from all types of water or mold property concerns. Using our highly qualified construction team will help keep your recovery process moving steady and hassle free, often it can also minimize costs and completion time.

Common causes of home or business water damage and what you can do now:

Plumbing Problems: freezing pipes is a common problem that can lead to water damage. But it is not just a burst pipe that can create a leak in your plumbing. Pipes can corrode or connections to fixtures can become worn, causing major plumbing problems and water leaks.

Prevention tips: When it comes to avoiding costly damage from plumbing problems keeping your pipes warm and avoiding clogs are the best things you can do. Even small leaks can cause plenty of harm to your home or business, any unexplained changes in your water bill can also be a sign you could have a hidden water damage problem.

Appliance Malfunctions: Supply hoses, water heaters and drainage systems are notorious for springing leaks. In a matter of minutes, hundreds of gallons of water can flood your home or commercial property if any of these connections or holding tanks becomes corroded or damaged.

Prevention tips: Check and maintain your appliances and hoses regularly, looking for leaks or signs of wear. Damaged hoses are among the most frequent causes of water loss for homeowners. Replace yours regularly to avoid a big mess and expensive property damage.

Basement Flooding: Keeping water out of your basement requires effective waterproofing and excess water removal systems in place. If your waterproofing is insufficient, or your sump pump fails, your basement can become flooded.

Prevention tips: When water doesn’t properly drain it can cause water to backup or seep into your foundation and basement. Keep your gutters and downspouts working properly, extend them at least 10 ft. to divert water away from your foundation, drain subsurface water with a sump pump – run it every few months and perform annual maintenance.

Roof Damage: A leaking roof can quickly cause extensive water damage in your home, dripping down through the ceilings and walls of your structure.

Prevention tips: Doing regular inspections for roof damage is a great way to avoid the costly after effects that storms, and weathering can bring. Looking for missing shingles or ponding that could lead to water intrusion. Any place where there are openings or joints in your roof, there’s the potential for leaks down the line.

Many of these common water damage issues can be prevented by keeping up with property maintenance. However, not all water infiltration can be stopped. When a pipe bursts or a storm creates a hole in your roof, you not only need to worry about fixing the leak problem, you need SERVPRO’s expert water removal and restoration service to protect your home or business. At SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury we take pride in our ability to erase the damage done by water, including damages caused by hidden problems. After 48 hours of exposure to water, there is a risk of mold growth in wet materials. Our New Jersey team of technicians put years of training, experience, and specialized equipment to work for you, ensuring the removal of all remaining moisture and a fast, effective drying process that you can count on. Our restoration specialists utilize infrared technology and thermal imagery to assess the full extent of the damage that your property has suffered. Using advanced technology can show our technicians areas where water might still exist based on a temperature difference. This process can ensure that the damage has not reached other areas of the building and confirm the completion of the restoration process.

An active 2021 Atlantic Hurricane season expected - SERVPRO is READY to Help after any size disaster!

5/11/2021 (Permalink)

After the record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season last year, it appears likely that 2021 is in for the sixth consecutive above-average year. First predictions have been released, and the message is straightforward: Yet another very active hurricane season is expected in 2021. With a quite concerning notice that also an above-average probability of hurricane landfalls along the US coastline and in the Caribbean is likely.

The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th. The Atlantic basin covers the area which includes the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The long-term average (taken over the last 70 years – between 1951 and 2019) of named storms is 11. The short-term average (taken over the last 15 years – between 1995 and 2019) is 14 named storms.

When a hurricane makes landfall, the force of hurricane strength winds can destroy buildings, topple trees, bring down power lines, and blow vehicles off roads. When flying debris, such as signs, roofing material, building siding, and small items left outside, is added to the mix, the potential for building damage is even greater. When a storm hits your Middlesex County home or business, you need help immediately, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is here to help with property restoration and repairs. Our team of storm and water damage specialists get started promptly to maximize recovery and reverse storm damage. 

Hurricane winds and rain can bring a massive amount of damage to a community. Hurricane winds impact homes and other buildings in two different ways: 1) differential pressures act on the building envelope, which includes roofs and walls (and their associated components), and 2) wind-borne debris may strike a building, with windows and doors the most susceptible to impact. Additionally, downed trees and power lines, being blown-down onto a building, is another way hurricanes can cause damage to structures. Rainwater damage to a building’s interior will normally result after damage to the building envelope has occurred.

Call in local professionals to make Emergency Storm or Hurricane property repairs

Our team is available for emergency help, during high volume events many people in the community can be negatively impacted by a big storm, our team will work with you to make any emergency repairs needed and explain the rest of your recovery process and timeline. Emergency repairs are necessary to address any damage that has caused a safety issue or could potentially lead to further damage to the property if left untouched. The effects of a storm to a homeowner can oftentimes be devastating, sustained winds and flooding can damage your home and belongings. When storm and water damage gets serious in Old Bridge, Cranbury New Jersey, there is really only one team to call—SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury! 

Our team is highly qualified and trained in disaster restoration, damage mitigation, and construction. Our experts will come in, assess your damage, and take the proper steps to limit damage. We work hand in hand with your insurance company to restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

  • We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster
  • We provide 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • We are a Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
  • We are Locally Owned and Operated

Every New Jersey water restoration situation is unique and our team will treat them that way. We are local to the Middlesex County community to help during your water or storm property damage, in these very stressful times, we are Always Here to Help!

SERVPRO is ready to help local businesses recover from any crisis big or small, our team has the answers to restore your property after a disaster

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Small businesses provide character and individuality to our New Jersey communities. It is neighbors helping neighbors - friends helping friends. Businesses help create a community, shaping the character of the locals and directly influence tourism. Businesses large and small are working extra hard to keep things business as usual, serving customers to the best of their ability. That is why when disaster strikes, it is critical for companies to know where to turn for disaster recovery services. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has a tradition of helping local home and commercial property owners and managers recover from property disasters big and small.
SERVPRO provides valuable knowledge to help plan for the recovery of your business following a fire, water, storm or mold property disaster. This past year our services expanded with the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program, helping countless businesses with disinfecting services during the COVID-19 crisis. Our remediation specialists have been working with customers to develop both preventative and response-ready plans to keep safety for staff and patrons a top priority.

Our Commercial Fire and Water Damage Restoration Process
Fire and water damage can leave your New Jersey restaurant or commercial property unsafe for potential customers. Our experienced SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury restoration specialists are trained to clean and restore your property with as little disruption as possible.

  • Emergency Contact
  • Inspection and Fire & Water Damage Assessment
  • Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)
  • Water Removal and Drying
  • Smoke and Soot Remediation
  • Cleaning and Repairs
  • Restoration & Rebuild

Fire or water damage to your Middlesex County business is frustrating and needs to be dealt with by trained professionals to ensure further damage does not continue to impact your commercial property down the road. We understand the level of importance that surrounds maintaining a safe, healthy environment in your New Jersey restaurant.

Our SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan, combines our knowledge and experience dealing with disaster restoration and the valuable details your team can contribute about your facility.
According to the latest industry research, as many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Planning ahead is key to helping you act quickly, minimize damage and maximize recovery.
The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage
    •    A no-cost assessment of your facility.
    •    A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
    •    A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
    •    Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
    •    Identification of the proper contacts for authorizing work to begin.
    •    Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it's a small water leak, a large fire, or a hazardous flood. The best time to plan for any event is not when the water or flames are interrupting your routine, but well before it happens. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Plan and Profile (ERP) for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

Residential and commercial construction services for Middlesex County after a property disaster

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Once the emergency mitigation services have been performed, our Restoration Project Manager will coordinate with our construction team, your insurance company and adjuster to plan the next steps. Our complete disaster restoration services provide all the necessary steps in the cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild process from start to finish. Our crews and managers work closely with you to restore your property to preloss condition. Our goal is to leave you with the home and/or business you had before any damages occurred, as well as minimize any stress or strain associated with handling a restoration and construction project on your own. We have rebuilt and reconstructed countless walls, floors, kitchens, bathrooms, structures and more. Whether your property suffers a small flood or fire and requires minor remediation services, or is large and requires complete reconstruction of walls, support beams, floors and subfloors, our experienced restoration professionals are here to help. Not only can we remove ceilings, walls and floors affected by property disasters, we can also replace them. We provide all necessary reconstruction services and work seamlessly with highly vetted vendors for plumbing, roofing, electrical or other related services.

Types of Construction Services available by SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury

From simple repairs and remodeling to total reconstruction or improvement projects, our construction and remediation crews have the resources and knowledge to offer these services:

  •   Site Containment / Temporary Shoring
  •   Selective Demolition
  •   Full-Scale Carpentry
  •   Reconstruction
  •   Complete Exterior/Envelope
  •   Interior Build-Out and Finishes
  •   Complex Installation and Interior Finishes
  •   Historic Restoration

Our SERVPRO Disaster Restoration and Reconstruction crews are committed to helping home and business owners and managers navigate the aftermath of any property disaster. You are not alone – SERVPRO will guide you step-by-step through the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction process and make your experience as quick and efficient as possible. We have helped countless local property owners in your situation, and are here to help you, too.

When your Middlesex County home or commercial building faces damages from a property disaster, working with a full-service disaster restoration and cleanup company can give you the advantage you need to save money and time during the property recovery process. Our SERVPRO location offers a unique opportunity to work with a local trusted restoration and recovery team, that includes IICRC certified property damage technicians and licensed contractors with disaster restoration rebuilding experience. Giving you a complete property disaster restoration and rebuild option for cleanup and repairs. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury professional restoration and construction managers and crews work together to give your water damage, fire damage or mold remediation project a seamless time-saving and often cost effective transition, making your property truly, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO has experience restoring unique property damage concerns

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Emergency property damage can strike your home or business at any hour of the day or night. When you are dealing with fire, smoke, storm, flood or another type of property disaster, immediate action is crucial.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly trained and experienced with all types of property disasters losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood, and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have decades of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local Middlesex County communities every day.

Emergency Response Property Disaster Restoration Services

SERVPRO is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process for our customers organized, efficient and successful, after a frustrating and confusing property disaster event. Whether your home or commercial building sustained damages from a storm, flood, fire, or water disaster, you will have trusted and compassionate professionals by your side. We will work with you to survey the extent of the property damage, develop a plan for cleanup, restoration, and reconstruction.

What Makes SERVPRO a Wise Choice for Recovery?

Property owners should consider the advantages that SERVPRO can provide when choosing a disaster restoration service provider near them. As a leader in the restoration industry, we offer many advantages to choosing our team when disaster strikes. Some of the distinct advantages and benefits to choosing our New Jersey property restoration professionals include:

  • Fast Response
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Experienced Technicians
  • Communication
  • Extensive Training
  • Cutting-Edge Equipment
  • IICRC Certification
  • Reconstruction Services

How Do SERVPRO Tools and Training Expedite the Restoration Process?

SERVPRO uses proper mitigation and restoration techniques to reduce the total damage after a property disaster. Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-accredited technicians at SERVPRO are not only trained to adhere to restoration industry guidelines. They also receive extensive training and education in using both sophisticated technologies and tried-and-true techniques for home disaster mitigation. These tools include the following:

  • Sophisticated moisture measurement technologies, such as calibrated sensors and meters, and thermal imaging, help establish structural drying goals and determine water damage locations behind walls, above ceilings, and under floors.
  • Industrial-grade air movement equipment, including centrifugal air movers and ventilation box fans.
  • OSHA approved cleaning solutions that aid in the remediation of microbes and unpleasant odors from water damage.
  • Odor control modalities that address a variety of sources, including pet odors, water damage, and mold.
  • Moisture extraction tools, like extraction wands and truck-mounted units, make the structural drying process hundreds of times more efficient.

Since saving time is critical, our technicians respond within a short time and identify areas with high moisture levels. Our technicians can help you avoid incurring costly damages in your property.

SERVPRO Responds to Flood or Storm Water Property Damage Immediately

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

Continual increases in storm intensity and tidal flooding is making flood and storm water damage a regular concern for many New Jersey neighborhoods. Flooding can have a devastating impact on your coastal building or residence, it can be difficult to predict the full extent of water and storm related damages. Additionally, saltwater can be extremely dangerous and destructive to building materials and has added safety concerns for cleanup and restoration providers. Extracting the water is just the first step that SERVPRO professionals take to thoroughly dry and restore water and storm damaged areas inside and outside of your property. Floodwater is dangerous, it’s advised to contact a reliable property damage restoration company such as SERVPRO that specializes in natural disaster and flood cleanup and remediation.

It can be difficult for the average property owner or management team to determine if the contaminated areas and contents of your property have been properly remediated, to avoid continued damage from salt corrosion and mold growth. Our restoration technicians are IICRC trained and certified with countless hours of experience responding to local coastal property damage cleanups and repairs. Starting the restoration process begins with a visit from a highly trained staff member to assess the full extent of your flooding or water damage intrusion and present a comprehensive plan for a complete property damage restoration and construction solution. While assessing your property damage our managers will help determine what parts of your loss our team can clean, sanitize and restore. Unfortunately, some items are unsafe for restoration and some controlled demolition and replacement may be necessary. Our restoration teams work closely with our construction crews and management to provide a seamless transition from destruction to reconstruction. Throughout the process our philosophy is to restore over replacing materials and contents whenever possible, helping to lower overall cost and time needed for property disaster recovery.

Contaminated Water Categories

One of the first things to do when faced with water damage is determine what kind of contamination you’re dealing with. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), water can be contaminated by agricultural pollution, oil pollution, sewage and wastewater, radioactive substances, harmful chemicals, and various other materials. It can sometimes be difficult to determine the type and extent of water damage affecting your home or business. That's why it's best to call a local property disaster restoration company like SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury to fill in the blanks. Our Professional staff will come and inspect your damage and customize a removal, cleanup and restoration solution to get your property damage reversed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Three types of water damage – our SERVPRO restoration professionals can decide what to do next

Category 1: Clean water originates from a sanitary source such as a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean and poses no substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. However, it may not always remain clean after it meets other surfaces or materials.

Category 2: Gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. It may contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological).

Category 3: Black water is highly contaminated and filled with pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Such water sources may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster; black water should always be handled by trained professionals.

Different types of contaminated water pose different risks, but the longer the water stays in a home, the more severe the property damage it will cause and the greater the threat to your health. Also called black water, Category 3 water is water from sewage backups and overflowing rivers that contains various hazardous contaminants, sewage, and/or toxic debris. According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IIRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all water originating from sea water, ground or surface water, rising rivers and streams, and wind-driven rain from hurricanes and tropical storms is considered Category 3.

When Spring and Summer storms are coming to New Jersey it’s important to be prepared, our SERVPRO teams are ready and always prepared to handle any size property disaster. Calling SERVPRO after you experience flood or water damage from coastal flooding, severe thunderstorms or basement flooding, can be the difference from a quick cleanup and mitigation or costly restoration, construction and mold remediation services.

SERVPRO professionals work hard to minimize the disruption property damage causes your life, home and business

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO For Comprehensive Water Property Damage Repairs in Middlesex County!

SERVPRO has the right training, equipment, and experience to assess your situation and develop a plan of action to restore your property completely.

Often during water restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and controlled demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated water or excess moisture. Moisture and mold particles can penetrate deep inside building materials, furniture, and other porous items. HEPA filters help our industrial strength air scrubbers and dehumidifiers purify the air and neutralize odors and contaminants. Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury location is fortunate to offer restoration and rebuilding services following a property disaster from all types of water or mold property concerns. Using our highly qualified construction team will help keep your recovery process moving steady and hassle free, often it can also minimize costs and completion time.

EQUIPMENT IS KEY TO WATER RESTORATION:

Isolate Water Damaged Areas

Depending on the severity of your water or flood damage, our SERVPRO professionals may start with containment to help restrict secondary damages such as excessive humidity and mold from contaminating the air throughout your house and keep the damage contained at the source of the water or flood loss areas.

Water Extraction and Removal Equipment

Extractors are at the center of the water removal services. These machines are used to remove water from carpet, upholstery, and floors following a flood damage incidence. Our crews use either truck mounted or portable extractors depending on the extent and severity of water damage. 

Dehumidification Equipment

Excessive humidity from water damage in your home can have devastating consequences leaving significant structural damage, mold growth and other latent concerns. Dehumidifiers extract water vapor from the air and lower the relative humidity and speed up the evaporation process for faster drying. These machines draw in the moist air and replace it with warmer and drier air.

Air Moving Equipment

Used to accelerate air flow and evaporation of moisture from materials for restorative drying. An air mover—at its core—is a fan. But what separates it from your traditional fan is that it’s high velocity, it’s versatile, and it has precision. This degree of functionality allows us to work quickly and more efficiently as opposed to a generic fan. As the air flows across the surface of moisture, it speeds up the process from which it evaporates and enters the air. It also pushes the newly created water vapor away from the area so more water molecules can dissipate into the air. We then remove the moisture from the air by running a dehumidifier.

When water damage occurs in your New Jersey home or business, knowing what to do will save precious time and ultimately minimize losses to your property and building contents. SERVPRO professionals have extensive experience repairing and restoring catastrophic water damage to countless local New Jersey communities. Our technicians understand that unattended water damage continues to cause harm to your property over time. Making it necessary to make quick, informed decisions, to perform quality restoration services today, that save you from further damaging problems, tomorrow.

SERVPRO is here to help restore your property after Winter Weather or Storm Damages

2/21/2021 (Permalink)

Winter weather and freezing temperatures can be incredibly dangerous to your home or business, as frozen water, snow, and ice can all lead to significant property damage disasters. On average each year a quarter of a million homeowners will experience the destructive power of frozen water problems including, frozen pipe bursts, ice dams and other leaking water damage occurrences. A frozen pipe alone can result in gallons of water spilling over your floors, leaking, or pouring through ceilings and walls, and ruining furniture and other valuable possessions.

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury staff is highly trained and experienced in the cleanup and restoration of your frozen water property damage from frigid Northeast temperatures. Our team can respond quickly and help you assess your damage and find a restoration solution that you can trust.

  • Roof Tarp and Board Up Services
  • Category 1, 2 and 3 Water Extraction & Cleanup
  • Expert drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
  • High-Quality Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
  • Mold Remediation
  • Building, Reconstruction and Repairs

The winter season creates the most common and costly claims for home and business owners, and winter-related claims are on the rise, likely due to the severity of storms and increase in the number of people with insurance protection. Over 50% of ALL homeowner claims come from winter wind, hail, and weather-related water damage.

Structural Damage: Severe storms can bring major flood risks to most New Jersey properties causing significant structural damage to building materials, contents, foundations and basements. Our immediate flood water removal services are essential to avoiding additional costly damages, our SERVPRO specialists can also provide temporary structural support, tarp and board up services to help stabilize and secure the property.

Mold Growth: following a flood or water damage to your home or business, mold has the potential to start growing right away. SERVPRO technicians are trained and experienced to handle the mold remediation process and avoid the spread of mold colonies throughout your property.

Spreading Moisture: Our rapid drying techniques reduce the risk of continued moisture exposure, preventing further water damage to your home or business. Our technicians monitor the spread of moisture to nearby areas and can address any hidden water damage early helping avoid additional costly secondary damage.

SERVPRO provides 24-hour Emergency Services to local New Jersey communities for fire, smoke, sewage and water and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. Our service pros respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

Neglecting a property water damage occurrence can lead to excessive structural damage and microbial growth

2/21/2021 (Permalink)

water damage and mold growth on walls Don't wait too long to choose a professional cleanup and recovery service following property damage, it can be a costly and hazardous mistake.

SERVPRO is here to help local Middlesex County communities with ALL TYPES of water damages, our team responds quickly with emergency response cleanup and mitigation to minimize secondary damages to your property, including structural damages and mold growth. Neglecting to properly cleanup and remediate water damage can lead to even greater property damage concerns. Often, when cleaning up a water damage issue or flood, mopping up a puddle or fixing a clogged sink can seem like the end to your trouble, but there can be hidden damage. During warm spring and summer months keeping an ideal relative humidity can be difficult, especially if your property is hiding a moisture source. If you are having trouble with high humidity in your New Jersey residence or commercial building “hidden moisture” could be a cause. Our crews are trained and experienced in looking for unseen water damage concerns, using advanced technology our team can locate hidden moisture and other property damage you may have missed.

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury crews use many tools and techniques to successfully and thoroughly locate and address high humidity and other hidden water damage concerns. Calling local New Jersey SERVPRO professionals can help investigate the source behind high humidity or hidden water damage concerns and inspect for any sign of visible mold or other secondary property damages.

SERVPRO USES SPECIAL DETECTION EQUIPMENT TO FIND HIDDEN WATER DAMAGE

  • Moisture Sensors - Are used to detect moisture in carpets and carpet paddling.
  • Moisture Meters - Are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate moisture readings that enable our SERVPRO Technician to monitor the drying process.
  • Thermo-hygrometers - Measure both temperature and relative humidity. Capturing these two readings, our SERVPRO Technician using a psychrometric chart can calculate specific humidity, dew point and vapor pressure.
  • Infrared Cameras - Can identify the location and extent of moisture in walls very effectively.
  • Manometers - Allow our SERVPRO Technician to measure the difference in air pressure when creating a negative air pressure environment.

Is Hidden Moisture Causing High Humidity Concerns for Your Local Home or Business

Hidden moisture or water leaks are dangerous because they can cause serious issues like structural damage and mold growth before they are discovered. Excess water and moisture get absorbed in wood, drywall, insulation, and furniture and can lead to warping, stains, bubbling, and structural deterioration.

One possible concern with hidden moisture problems or sustained water damage is an increase in the overall humidity of your property. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. You may be able to detect high humidity by simply paying attention to potential problem areas in your home, damp basements, high traffic areas, bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens with high humidity activities and poor circulation. Telltale signs of excessive humidity include condensation on windows, pipes, and walls. Over time hidden moisture can contribute to high indoor humidity levels and during ideal conditions can cause mold growth and other property concerns to emerge. The possible causes of water damage lurking in your home can originate from many different sources, with varying intensities, contamination levels, and scope of damage. Some of our largest property restoration projects start as small water leaks that cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time.

The key to mold prevention is simple: moisture control and enough airflow. If you suspect your home is suffering from excessive high humidity, get in touch with our SERVPRO staff right away. Our Mold Remediation team can inspect your property for mold and water damage, locate the source of hidden moisture and plan a mold removal and remediation process to get your home healthy and safe, “Like it never even happened.”

Signs of mold in your home are unpleasant odor, health effects or visual signs of mold growth.

Fast fire disaster property damage cleanup and restoration services for Middlesex County

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your home or business it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

STEPS FOR PROPER FIRE PROPERTY RESTORATION in New Jersey:

STEP 1: THE INSPECTION

The first step in the fire mitigation process is determining the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of the smoke damage, and then documenting it through photos to provide to the homeowner’s insurance company. How the fire was started and what materials were damaged gives insight to our professionals on how best to cleanup and restore the loss areas. SERVPRO professionals will explain the cleaning process, go over what you can expect from the demolition and repair/rebuild phases, explain the types of equipment used during the process and begin to decide what items are salvageable after a thorough inventory has been completed.

STEP 2: PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE WITH CLEANUP & INTERVENTION

SERVPRO cleanup teams will remove any contents from your home as quickly as possible to minimize further damage, our technicians will focus on improving air quality and removing soot and debris to avoid continued damage to your home and contents. HERE TO HELP TIP: If you can turn off your homes HVAC system until a professional arrives for the inspection to avoid spreading contamination to unaffected areas. Our restoration professionals may recommend having vents, ducts and furnaces cleaned/serviced to prevent soot from circulating throughout the home.

STEP 3: REMOVAL OF ITEMS DAMAGED BY FIRE AND SMOKE

SERVPRO professionals know how important your home and possessions are, we take extra care in removing items, and involve homeowners during the inventory process. Make sure to notify our SERVPRO technicians of important/sentimental items, or things your family may need returned to them quickly. Contents are photographed, inventoried and packaged, and then taken offsite to our cleaning facility where they’re stored during the repairs. Since the fire cleanup process can vary, it’s common for fire- or smoke-damaged items to be inventoried and later determined as salvageable or non-salvageable.

STEP 4: CONTAINMENT, MITIGATION, REPAIRS AND RESTORATION

SERVPRO professionals will start with containment to help restrict odors and debris from contaminating the air throughout the house and keep the damage contained at the source of the fire and affected areas of the home.

Mitigation – water restoration equipment including air movers and dehumidifiers will remove moisture from walls, flooring and subflooring. Our SERVPRO team will give advice when deciding what items and materials to clean and restored, or what should be replaced. Carpets, fabrics and other porous materials usually need special attention because they are easily ruined. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s licensed construction team is an asset to our organization, with them our professionals can provide an additional estimate to continue your complete home restoration solutions with scheduling your repairs and reconstruction phase getting homeowners back into their property as quickly as possible.

Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration Solutions for local Northern New Jersey homes and businesses

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration Professionals Can Handle Any Size Property Disaster

Having a fire in your Old Bridge property can seem devastating, even if you know what to look for after the smoke settles. Many of your cherished possessions can sustain fire and smoke damage and often leave you wondering what comes next. No one should ever face events such as these alone, which is why we train diligently to provide you with the SERVPRO quality restoration services you need to turn things around.

Knowing the proper steps to take and which company to turn to after experiencing fire damage to your Brooklyn property can play a significant role in your restoration effort. While many property owners can feel relief from prior research, SERVPRO is an industry leader in property disaster restoration. Choosing SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury provides an experienced project manager and crew with extensive training and advanced technology to implement a cleanup, mitigation and recovery plan unique to your fire damage concerns.

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your home it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Services

When you experience fire or smoke damage to your local Middlesex County home or business you might not be sure what steps to take next. Once the fire department has left and you have called SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury, wait for the professionals to arrive, our fire damage remediation specialists will guide you through the fire damage restoration process.

  1. Initial Inspection- One of our trained managers will come inspect your property for damages and see how intensely the fire/smoke affected your home and determine with you and/or your adjuster what steps need to be taken next.
  2. Structure/Content Clean- Depending on what has been determined in step one, SERVPRO will start the process of cleaning and restoring your home and/or contents, including cleaning walls and ceilings, personal belongings, ducts, etc.

SERVPRO Restoration & Reconstruction Services

Residential or Commercial Fires often causes significant structural damage and often require repairing and rebuilding your property. SERVPRO offers comprehensive reconstruction services for both residential and commercial properties our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to meet your reconstruction needs. Our construction team works quickly and effectively, working with you to survey the extent of the damage, develop a plan for reconstruction, and assess whether your property is safe to occupy. Our SERVPRO crews are ready to undertake reconstruction projects of any size, structural repairs and rebuilding may only involve a portion of your property, or in some cases a complete rebuild may be necessary.

When your property has been damaged and it’s in need of repairs or reconstruction services, SERVPRO professionals are available to help.

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

SERVPRO is here to help develop a professional disinfecting plan for your property to promote confidence in the safety of your local business

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

technician creating plan for commercial deep cleaning SERVPRO teams are helping local New Jersey businesses plan for business as usual with disinfecting solutions.

SERVPRO is here to help during the COVID-19 National crisis providing a variety of comprehensive and flexible disinfection and decontamination solutions to local commercial buildings and businesses. 

Our team has been busy working with local businesses and commercial facilities to help develop a multi-level disinfection plan for routine and emergency responses to the COVID-19 crisis impacting our community. Our new Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program proves your commitment to a clean and safe environment that your staff and patrons can rely on. 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – Program 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program that SERVPRO offers to commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 global pandemic. This is a level of clean that goes far beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. This is proactive viral pathogen cleaning. When you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. 

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. Expertise borne out of cleaning up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects the unique experiences and capabilities of America’s #1 clean-up and restoration brand. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

Consult

Not all businesses are the same, which is why we will assign you with a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a bespoke cleaning program to meet your specific needs. SERVPRO has worked in a wide variety of industries with businesses ranging from start-ups to global, multinational organizations. That’s why we know to begin such a critical cleaning process with a consultation. 

Your specific program will be developed based on a range of factors including business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touch points, foot traffic and congestion points. As a result, you’ll know that Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is not just an industry leading standard in clean, you’ll know that the clean you receive is customized to your need. 

Clean

Based on the specific needs of your business, your location will undergo a thorough, expert deep clean rooted in the pillars of People, Process, and Product. Combining our proprietary training, cleaning solutions and processes creates an industry leading solution that will help provide your business, employees, and customers the peace of mind that you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Certify

We’re going to extend our credibility as a premier biohazard cleaning company in the country to your business – to give assurance to your employees and customers that only SERVPRO can deliver. Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to on propriety signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

The demand for disinfecting services continues to increase across the country as America reopens and organizations put the health and safety of people first. SERVPRO teams are in a unique position to provide the highest level of clean and confidence during this crisis. SERVPRO teams have advanced training and superior technology to handle the planning and implementation of both proactive and reactive services to minimize the spread of pathogens.

Is concealed property damage risking the safety of your facility?

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

ceiling damage from building water intrusion Our crews are here to help during any property disaster crisis, we have solutions to commercial disinfecting or damage concerns.

SERVPRO is here to help commercial facilities with unwanted property damage concerns, our crews provide immediate cleanup, restoration, and repairs to both big and small property disasters.

Offices, retail spaces and other commercial properties should be a safe environment for those who live and work there, during this challenging time many buildings have gone empty or with minimal occupancy, that can be a breeding ground for concealed property damage concerns.  There is no doubt that this year has brought new challenges to every property across the country, SERVPRO is here to help with a vast array of services to provide property cleanup, mitigation, disinfecting and restoration solutions for whatever crisis your property maybe facing.

While SERVPRO has answers to help local property owners and managers deal with COVID-19 planning, using our proactive deep-cleaning and disinfectant services to provide the highest-standard of pathogen disinfecting with scalable options to meet every need both big and small. Our fast and professional property restoration team has been providing commercial damage cleanup and restoration services to local businesses and municipalities for decades. Our expert crews and managers are quickly able to assess the damage and create a unique plan for the most effective mitigation and restoration of your commercial property to get back on track.

Our priority is the safety of our staff and customers during the current pandemic crisis. Our team takes every precaution, always wearing proper PPE, performing regular health checks and screenings, and taking every opportunity to promote safe distances during all customer interactions. SERVPRO professionals have specialized equipment and training to provide the highest level of commercial cleaning and sanitizing to maintain your safety.

Commercial properties are unique, SERVPRO has solutions for whatever big or small property disasters from fire, water, or storm damage your facility maybe facing. We are also helping local businesses with COVID-19 contingency planning, including both routine and on-demand disinfecting services for both preventative and active COVID-19 cases. Our staff is ready to help your team with whatever issues they may be facing, and our professionals are available to answer questions and provide a no obligation estimate for your consideration. Commercial building contains a vast array of intricate systems; ventilation, plumbing, electric, communication and other working parts including equipment, supplies, furniture, and personal property. Unexpected water damage can go undetected or poor ventilation and high humidity can cause secondary damages including mold growth or structural damage.

SERVPRO Provides Emergency Mitigation and Restoration Services

  • Mitigation efforts are meant to prevent further damage and loss from occurring due to the existing threat, thus increasing the overall amount of work that needs to be done during the restoration itself.
  • Restoration is performed on items that could not be saved by mitigation efforts, and items that were damaged before the restoration company arrived. This step is often a longer process and may involve the complete replacement of floors, roofs, walls, and other portions of your business that have been too damaged to save.

  • Both are necessary to get your business back in order after a flood, fire or other disaster, and should be performed by a professional disaster restoration company.

SERVPRO Training and Tools Makes the Difference

The success of any property disaster recovery hinges on a quick and effective response, SERVPRO teams are prepared to assist during a property emergency with powerful and efficient tools and IICRC certified restoration specialists around-the-clock. The SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team has decades of experience and training to overcome the unique challenges that can come with large property disasters including keeping your operations running while cleaning and restoration is being performed.

SERVPRO is here to help with mold remediation for all types of New Jersey businesses

11/4/2020 (Permalink)

containment structure onsite during mold remediation When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains.

Mold colonization in commercial facilities and warehouses can quickly get out of control without the appropriate intervention, SERVPRO is here to help with mold remediation for all types of Middlesex County commercial facilities.

Commercial flooding and other water damage most often have far reaching consequences on commercial property, leaving the need for many different types of property damage restoration services including water removal, demolition, deodorization and decontamination, drying and dehumidifying and rebuilding. Whether your property just weathered a season of heavy rain, experienced a common appliance malfunction or plumbing leak, commercial water damage cleanup and restoration can be complicated. It most often requires a detailed set of steps to make sure the water is properly extracted, cleaned up, dried and mitigated, when these steps aren’t taken, and moisture continues to plaque your business you could end up with a mold infestation and the need for professional mold remediation. Any commercial property can quickly become infested with mold if a source of water is present, the key to preventing excessive mold growth is to control moisture. Mold grows quickly and can spread throughout a property in as little as 24-48 hours. That’s why it’s important to act quickly if your commercial property experiences a water damage or you see any signs of hidden water or visible mold within your commercial facility. SERVPRO is a leading provider of mold remediation services across the country, our mold certified technicians can assess your commercial warehouse or building to evaluate the extent of your damage and advise owners and managers of the proper steps to remediate and restore your facility, “Like it never even happened.”

How Does Mold Damage Your Commercial Warehouse or Building?

Mold is a microscopic, airborne fungus that exists all around us, it occurs naturally in our surroundings and mostly reproduces by releasing spores into the environment. In nature, mold plays an important role in the decomposition of organic material. Mold requires both organic material and a consistent source of moisture to grow. Many materials in homes and business contain the organic materials conducive to mold growth. When excessive moisture accumulates indoors, drywall, wood, paneling, ceiling tiles, carpeting, insulation, paper, cardboard, fabric, upholstery and even paint will encourage mold growth. If there is a consistent water source, mold will continue to colonize and break down organic material into a dusty, dirt-like material. Leaving mold damage unattended to for an extended period can cause unnecessary damage to your home and possible health effects to the occupants. It’s never too early nor too late to address commercial property mold damage.

When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends these tips to prevent commercial property mold damage

Ensure all leaky plumbing is fixed; Correct all noticed wet spots;

Completely eliminate condensation through insulating or increasing air circulation;

  • Reduce the moisture level in the air and add ventilation to reduce humidity;
  • Maintain indoor humidity level below 60% with a goal of 30-50%;
  • Conduct routine building and HVAC inspections;
  • Provide proper drainage and sloping to eliminate wet foundations.

What is Mold Remediation

Mold remediation is the process of finding, containing, and removing mold and damaged materials from an affected area and the air around it. It’s crucial to contain the damaged areas, because spores are microscopic and can easily spread to other areas through the air or by attaching themselves to clothes or objects throughout the remediation process. SERVPRO mold removal specialists are specially trained using techniques to contain the damaged areas and mitigate the spread of mold, using air pressure and physical barriers to seal off the infected area, including ductwork during the remediation process.

Moldy items such as furniture, carpeting and inventory are cleaned if the infestation is minor or removed if it’s extensive. In this commercial warehouse our mold remediation team setup on-site clean rooms to more efficiently remediate damaged materials and contents. Damaged parts of drywall are removed, replaced, and repainted. Large storage racks can be hand cleaned with antimicrobial agents, all items in the area must be cleaned and sanitized, even if they don’t have visible mold. Mold can be very illusive and can grow behind wallpaper, inside books or files and other hidden areas. Our SERVPRO professionals have advanced equipment and top tier training to remediate mold and return any commercial property mold damage back to a healthy, safe and operation work environment.

SERVPRO provides start to finish professional property disaster cleanup, restoration, rebuild and post-construction cleaning services to New Jersey

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Property disaster recovery services SERVPRO is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process for our customers organized, efficient and successful.

SERVPRO PROFESSIONALS WORK HARD TO RECOVER YOUR WHOLE NEW JERSEY PROPERTY DURING ANY DISASTER

When your New Jersey property faces damages from a property disaster, working with a full-service property disaster restoration and cleanup company can give you the advantage you need to save money and time during the property recovery process. Our SERVPRO location offers a unique opportunity to work with a local trusted restoration and recovery team, that includes IICRC certified property damage technicians and licensed contractors with disaster restoration rebuilding experience. Giving you a complete property disaster restoration and rebuild option for cleanup and repairs. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury professional restoration and construction managers and crews work together to give your water damage, fire damage or mold remediation project a seamless time-saving and often cost effective transition, making your property truly, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly-trained and experienced with all types of property disasters losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local Brooklyn and Queens communities every day.

Our Superior Property Disaster Restoration Process

Step1: Emergency Contact
Step 2: Inspection and Fire & Water Damage Assessment
Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)
Step 4: Water Removal and Drying
Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
Step 6: Cleaning and Repair
Step 7: Restoration & Rebuild

Property disasters including property damage from storms, fire, flood and water can leave your property unsafe for family and friends, contacting a one-stop shop for all disaster restoration services is an important step to property recovery and a faster return to normal. Our experienced SERVPRO restoration specialists are trained to clean and restore your property with as little disruption as possible. Fire or water damage to your property is frustrating and needs to be dealt with by trained professionals to ensure further damage does not continue to impact your commercial property down the road. We understand the level of importance that surrounds maintaining a safe, healthy environment in your Cranbury business or home. 

SERVPRO Responds to Flood or Storm Water Property Damage Immediately

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

image of storm flooding that causes local property damage Our SERVPRO Storm Damage Property Restoration Team has the experience and resources to recover your New Jersey water property damage disaster.

It’s critical to take quick action following a flood or storm water intrusion to your local New Jersey Shore home or business.

If it’s a roof leak, exterior damage, a cracked foundation or basement flooding, causing your water property damage, call our Water Disaster Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury to begin taking steps to stop the water damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the flooded or other water damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solutions to restore and repair your local property and contents to help minimize additional damages, we provide services to New Jersey.

OUR NEW JERSEY SHORE STORM & COASTAL FLOOD WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

    •    Water Extraction
    •    Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
    •    Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
    •    Remediating mold and mildew
    •    Reconstruction and Repairs

Our crews are IICRC certified, with training in the most effective protocol and equipment to mitigate and restore all types of property water damages. Many factors can contribute to the cost, length and outcome of your property disaster including: the severity of the water damage, the presence of debris or solids in the standing water, the availability of sufficient power and the location of the damaged areas.

THE 4 PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS OF WATER DAMAGE

    •    Class 1 is the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture.  Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present.

    •    Class 2 involves a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects at least an entire room of carpet and cushion (pad). Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches.  There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil.

    •    Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation. Water may have come from overhead.  Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushions and subfloor in virtually all the entire area is saturated.

    •    Class 4 relates to specialty drying situations. Wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (including; hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light-weight concrete and stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity. These types of losses may require longer drying times and special methods.

Our SERVPRO Storm Damage Property Restoration Team has the experience and resources to handle your weather-related water property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after your property suffers a disaster storm water damage and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help to repair your home or business when you need us! Call our Storm Damage Cleanup, Restoration and Repair team.

Fighting the COVID-19 Pandemic with SERVPRO Professional Cleaning and Disinfecting Solutions

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

commercial disinfecting helping to lower the risk of pathogens SERVPRO’s crews stand ready to provide advanced cleaning and disinfecting options for your commercial or residential property.

SERVPRO professionals have been helping local communities across the country flatten the curve performing residential and commercial deep cleaning and disinfecting services. In response to the coronavirus crisis, SERVPRO offers proactive and reactive cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection options for commercial and residential properties with the goal of minimizing the transmission of emergent viral pathogens, including the coronavirus.

SERVPRO is Here to Help You in a Time of Crisis

As our communities get back to business, we all have a new sense of what it means to be clean. In fact, 89% of consumers are uneasy about going back to brick-and-mortar locations*. At SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury, we’re dedicated to inspiring confidence in communities across the country as we find our way to a new normal. And we’re doing just that with Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

As a corporation, SERVPRO is in a unique position to perform these essential services at a time of urgent need. In just about any disaster situation, the team at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is prepared to offer—the expertise, training, equipment and personnel to quickly clean up and restore your home or business.

About the Coronavirus and Covid-19

The coronavirus is believed to spread primarily through personal contact, between people who are within about six feet of one another, through airborne respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also be possible to catch the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes. “Social distancing” has become the new watchword and the key to slowing the pandemic. In this rapidly changing situation, Americans are experiencing unprecedented canceling of events and widespread closings of schools, restaurants and workplaces. Along with avoiding large crowds and keeping a six-foot distance from others, the most common advice from experts is to wash hands frequently and avoid touching faces.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website for the latest and most accurate information on the coronavirus and Covid-19. Because this outbreak is unfolding rapidly and unpredictably, we at SERVPRO encourage you to check back with the CDC frequently for updates.

The Importance of Proactive Cleaning During COVID-19 Pandemic

According to the CDC, “Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.” Today, when the need is most urgent, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is prepared—right now—to clean, sanitize and disinfect your home or business to eradicate traces of coronavirus or other pathogens.

Whether you have no indication of existing contamination, or you are aware that your structure may have been contaminated with coronavirus, SERVPRO’s crews stand ready to provide increased assurance that you, your family, your customers and your employees will not be exposed to coronavirus within your building.

Many types of businesses can benefit from SERVPRO’s proactive cleaning, which targets the coronavirus and other pathogens:
    •    Restaurants and bars
    •    Retail stores
    •    Offices, especially medical offices
    •    Schools
    •    Nursing homes, senior centers and rehabilitation facilities
    •    Gyms
    •    Hotels, B&Bs and other hospitality sites
    •    Libraries
    •    Theaters and entertainment venues
    •    Apartment buildings
    •    Factories and warehouses

Please be aware, however, that while SERVPRO’s cleaning process can remove existing viral pathogens, including the coronavirus, structures we clean proactively will not be protected from future coronavirus contamination if an infected person subsequently enters the building.

Quick actions with SERVPRO cleanup and mitigation service – addressing your damage with professional help immediately

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

soaked and flooded basement after storm damage Property disaster events might be unpredictable, but our SERVPRO response and rapid cleanup and restoration service is reliable.

Emergency property damage can strike your home or business at any hour of the day or night. When you are dealing with fire, smoke, storm, flood or another type of property disaster, immediate action is crucial.

That’s why SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is here to help our crews are ready to respond to your property emergency 24/7, 365 days a year. YES… at 2AM our highly trained staff and state-of-the-art equipment will respond to your building fire or facility flood. When you make the call, our staff is READY to take immediate action to help preserve as much of your property as possible and help to avoid additional damage and cleanup costs.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly trained and experienced with all types of property disasters losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local Monmouth and Middlesex Counties every day.

Emergency Response Property Disaster Restoration Services

SERVPRO is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process for our customers organized, efficient and successful, after a frustrating and confusing property disaster event. Whether your home or building sustained damages from a storm, flood, fire or water disaster, you’ll have trusted and compassionate professionals by your side. We will work with you to survey the extent of the property damage, develop a plan for cleanup, restoration and reconstruction.

Disaster restoration and repair for your Edison, New Jersey commercial or residential property is best left to professionals. Our SERVPRO professionals are skills with the complexities of removing water and the water extraction, drying, dehumidifying, disinfecting and removal equipment required to complete your home or commercial building cleanup and repair properly. Our expert team has the experience, certifications, and equipment to complete any size restoration and rebuild project quickly, correctly, and affordably.

While there are multiple approaches for mitigation and emergency services, there are a few that are common to most water loss incidents. These include:
    •    Extraction - Removing surface water is one of the key ingredients to managing a water loss incident from the time our professionals first arrive. There are multiple tools and pieces of equipment that can efficiently remove standing water, though the most standard choices include wet vacuums and submersible pumps.
    •    Drying - Drying is not something that can happen immediately. This process is one of the lengthiest elements of water restoration. Ensuring that all areas of your home are free of moisture pockets and dampness can help you to avoid costlier microbial threats.
    •    Content Management - Caring for your belongings begins as soon as our technicians arrive. Water exposure can have a disastrous effect on items in your home, making it essential to address these potential concerns with both on-site and off-site recovery options.
    •    Controlled Demolition - Reconstruction and repairs might not always be necessary after smaller water loss incidents, but we can prepare for this build back with controlled demolition efforts. Removing damaged portions of structural elements streamlines the repairs and reconstruction that the property needs to save both time and money.

Our team provides professional and prompt emergency restoration services for all local Brooklyn and Queens commercial businesses and homeowners. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s building services gives our location a unique opportunity to streamline the entire property restoration and recovery process, while mitigating challenges and providing quick and seamless professional service from start to finish.

Mold is a growing issue for home and business owners during winter and spring

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

mold damage in local New Jersey home The proper mold remediation solution for your home or business depends on the amount of mold growth and types of surfaces on which the fungus appears.

Mold needs moisture, warmth and food to grow, so why is it becoming such a problem for property owners during cold winters?

Proper insulation is important to save on energy costs and keep you warm and cozy during winter temperatures, but without proper airflow and ventilation you could be creating a WINTER MOLD DISASTER.

Proper air circulation is crucial to avoid water and mold damage to your Old Bridge, New Jersey residential or commercial property, especially during winter. Airflow and ventilation regulate temperature, removes impurities, prevents mold and creates a more healthy and safe breathing environment.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has your home and business mold disaster answers; our team can protect your property from additional water and mold damage we offer remediation services throughout New Jersey. Our professionals are certified in mold remediation and removal, we are a trusted leader in the mold remediation industry and have been helping local home and business owners in this community for nearly 30 years. Our technicians are near you, and available to help access your property damage and provide quick and efficient mold remediation and removal services with highly qualified technicians and state-of-the-art tools and equipment. You can trust SERVPRO to work hard to restore your property, “Like it never even happened.”
While mold is generally thought to thrive during the warmer months, mold growth in the winter is now becoming a more common problem for home and business owners. Mold needs moisture, warmth and food to grow, during winter turning up the heat in your well-insulated and tightly sealed home or business may feel like the best way to shield yourself from the cold, but without proper ventilation that warm moist air can’t escape, especially in high-humidity areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, basement or attic it forms condensation on your windows, walls and other areas of your property that can cause water damage and mold.

Trouble Spots for Mold and Moisture
Most homes and businesses have numerous trouble spots for mold and moisture, in residential properties the places that get most easily affected by mold are bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, garages, and laundry rooms. In commercial or municipal buildings; bathrooms and kitchens, cafeterias, gyms with showering or pool areas, HVAC systems, and any area that has high moisture content will be an ideal breeding ground for mold.

Several factors lead to increased concerns about mold during the winter months.
    •    For one thing, moisture conditions indoors can lead to the growth of mold and mildew; certain areas of the home may experience intensified levels of humidity because of a lack of ventilation.
    •    Bathrooms and kitchens are particularly susceptible to this problem; the accumulation of steam from showers, washing dishes and cooking in the kitchen all add moisture mixing with heated air.
    •    Moisture that travels through the air from your basement, bathrooms, or kitchen may condense when it meets a cold wall. Because of cold weather, windows aren't usually open, and condensation collects on indoor surfaces such as cold walls or windows and their frames, often creating ideal conditions for mold growth.
    •    Less than optimal insulation, mold can also grow during the winter on the inside walls, especially on the surfaces closest to the outside of your home or business.

SERVPRO IS ALWAYS HERE TO HELP WITH MOLD PROPERTY DAMAGE
Mold can be a major problem for residential and commercial property owners, using the prevention tips outlined above can help keep your property mold-free. If you do discover mold in your home or business, the best thing to do is call our professional mold remediation team at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury.
We use various containment procedures to prevent mold spore from spreading and we have specialized filtration equipment that allows our professionals to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. The proper mold remediation solution for your home or business depends on the amount of mold growth and types of surfaces on which the fungus appears. Our mold remediation team at SERVPRO has the tools and equipment to inspect and assess the damage and determine the best methods to contain and remove the mold, clean and restore your contents and property and, help identify the cause of the water or moisture problem so that it doesn’t cause additional damage in the future.

Fire, smoke and soot property damage cleanup and restoration questions for our community.

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

outdoor fire pit with soot and smoke SERVPRO restoration specialists know a lot about the secondary damages from soot and smoke we are here to help.

SERVPRO technicians can answer all your fire, smoke and soot property damage cleanup and restoration questions for our local New Jersey community.

SMOKE AND SOOT CONCERNS FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Even a minor property fire or a season of outdoor fires and BBQs can cause or contribute to significant smoke or soot damage to your Old Bridge or Cranbury home’s interiors and exteriors, including your HVAC unit. Our SERVPRO restoration specialists know a lot about the secondary damages from soot and smoke that happen as the result of a blaze. Whether the fire was from a recreational source like a fireplace, outdoor fire pit or grill, or the fire was the result of a fire mishap and a property disaster. Fire creates smoke and soot, and the tiny particles float in the air and will become trapped in drapes, carpets and furniture, or collect on surfaces and inside your HVAC system. When these issues arise and you see soot residue or smell smoke odors, the solution is the same. Calling your local SERVPRO Fire Cleanup and Restoration Professionals will provide top quality services, experience, knowledge and trust that our New Jersey restoration crews will quickly restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

When the wind changes while your outdoor fire or BBQ is going it can bring secondary fire damages like smoke and soot concerns to the interiors and exteriors of your home. That’s why it’s always recommended that you avoid outdoor fires during windy evenings and you should pay special attention while cooking. Smoke and soot can permeate your walls, surfaces and air ducts leaving unseen odors throughout your property. Consulting a full-service cleanup, restoration and repairs company is your top-priority to keeping restoration costs lower and salvaging as much of your property and possessions as possible. SERVPRO has a long history in the restoration industry and we focus on salvaging and restoring your contents and structure. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury provides exceptional fire, smoke and soot damage restoration services and experience, balanced with efficiency and cost-effective techniques in response to your property damage disaster.

Want to know more about how SERVPRO can help with smoke odors and soot damage in your home following seasonal outdoor fire property damage?

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has been providing disaster restoration services including, fire, smoke, flood and water damage for nearly 30 years, we have learned that property damage happens even to the most cautious of homeowners. A fast response is critical as fire residue can immediately damage structural components and contents, the contamination grows progressively worse and more expensive to remediate as time passes. SERVPRO is Faster to any size disaster, arriving at your home as soon as possible with a full complement of Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) and the products, tools, and equipment needed in our well-stocked service vehicles.

The training our crews complete from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) prepares them to use effective strategies that clean up the charring, soiling, and odors post-fire. SERVPRO’s professional fire restoration specialists and high-tech commercial equipment ensure quick and effective cleanup, removal and repairs of your property and contents following smoke, soot and ash surface buildup and damage before it continues to spread. SERVPRO uses industrial grade foggers to deodorize a property. Using water-based or chemical solvents that find and neutralize smoke odor particles, making the damage “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO starts with a Deep-Cleaning of all surfaces to remove soot and mitigate smoke damages fast

Clean the soot residue that builds up on surfaces before it continues to spread.
Remove soot residue from at-risk items including brass, aluminum, chrome, marble, tile, fabrics, carpets and upholstery.
Deodorize carpets, curtains and clothing and other porous materials
Neutralize the odor to keep them from returning


Deodorization is a multi-step process

Our SERVPRO technicians use a variety of processes and equipment to reverse odor concerns caused by fire and smoke damages, including;

•    EPA registered antimicrobials
•    Thermal and ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers
•    HEPA filter air scrubbers


Property owners can suffer from fire and smoke damage in a multitude of ways, Monmouth County can rely on SERVPRO’s trusted, educated approach to fire restoration service to get the job done completely. Our technicians are IICRC certified and are trained to detect different types of smoke and teach them the most effective methods of restoration of each kind. Removing odors relies on having access to the right equipment and the training to understand how smoke travels. When you have lingering smoke or fire damage problems in your home or business give our professional SERVPRO restoration staff a call to find out what our services can do for your property.


SERVPRO restoration specialists know a lot about the secondary damages from soot and smoke we are here to help.

SERVPRO is faster to any size disaster because we know what an impact quick action has during a property disaster recovery.

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

changing weather clouds before or after a storm When the changes in weather cause storm property damage our crews are always here to help. With fast and effective action to minimize damages.

A quick response and cleanup is key to a successful storm damage restoration
When Spring brings rain and wind to Coastal New Jersey communities causing fallen trees, damages to roofs and flooding to basements, our local SERVPRO team of property restoration specialists is ready to help. We have years of experience handling disaster cleanup and mitigation, we know how important it is to be prepared, our SERVPRO teams are ready and always prepared to handle any size property disaster. Contacting SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury for immediate service after you experience a flood or water damage can be the difference between a quick cleanup and mitigation or more costly and intrusive restoration, construction and mold remediation services. Our Emergency Service Team technicians are available 24-7 with to help cleanup and repair your storm and flood property damage. Our priority is providing quick and effective service and solutions to restore your property and belongings, “Like it never even happened.”
It’s critical to take quick action and call our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team to begin taking steps to stop the damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solution to restore and repair your property and contents to help minimize additional damages.
OUR NEW JERSEY STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE
    •    Water Extraction
    •    Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
    •    Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
    •    Remediating mold and mildew
    •    Reconstruction and Repairs

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Storm Team has the experience and resources to handle your storm property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after the storm and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help when you need us! Call our cleanup, restoration and repair teams today!

SERVPRO is here to help keep your commercial property operating during any crisis

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

commercial business water damage with drying equipment setup Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale flood disaster, trust our SERVPRO restoration professionals.

With over 30 years of experience helping local businesses our goal is to work with managers and owners to develop the right recovery plan to minimize cost, avoid business interruption and mitigate property damages.

Coastal New Jersey is crammed with commercial properties, ranging from busy airports, local shopping centers, medical facilities and small businesses, we have successfully completed cleanup and restoration services for residential and commercial clients near you. Our restoration specialists worked cohesively to mitigate the water and fire damages and restore the kitchen and dining areas for customers and employees as soon as possible. New Jersey has also seen a boom in multi-family housing, when a local residential apartment complex had an extensive water damage event that destroyed several units, our emergency restoration crews were able to get tenants back in their homes quickly and efficiently. The multiple certifications in specialties like Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) held by our crew members allows us to move from task to task without delay. The full-service approach is why SERVPRO delivers on our promise for fast and professionally cleanup and restoration. After a local warehouse experienced ongoing high-humidity, mold became a major problem for the facility, affecting structural components and inventory. Our SERVPRO mold remediation specialists fixed the issue, providing microbial remediation, water damage mitigation and investigation, applied structural drying, commercial cleaning and deodorizing services to get the job done right.
SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is the right choice for commercial property damage restoration, because of decades of hands-on cleanup, restoration and repair experience and our dedication to helping local businesses disrupted by disasters. We have worked diligently over these decades building a reliable team of IICRC certified technicians and a collection of commercial grade equipment ready to assist with water, fire, mold, or storm disaster restoration services. Wherever you need help, our SERVPRO crews are here to help!
What Retail Business Disaster Restoration Services Does SERVPRO Provide?
Our SERVPRO Restoration professionals can assist with:
    •    Board-up, Emergency Power and Building Stabilization
    •    Emergency Mitigation Services including Content Management
    •    Drying, Dehumidification and Water Extraction
    •    Electronics Restoration
    •    Fine Art, Data and Document Recovery
    •    Reconstruction Services
    •    Soot, Smoke and Odor Removal

SERVPRO Training and Tools Makes the Difference
The SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team has decades of experience and training to overcome the unique challenges that can come with commercial property disasters including keeping your business running while cleaning and restoration is being performed. Our IICRC certified restoration specialists work quickly and efficiently to minimize or eliminate downtime with fast mitigation, content management and professional containment services for a fast recovery.

Helping New Jersey Fight this Pandemic with Proactive Cleaning

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

Personal protective gear while cleaning SERVPRO’s crews stand ready to provide advanced cleaning and disinfecting options for your commercial or residential property

SERVPRO professionals have been helping local communities across the country flatten the curve performing residential and commercial deep cleaning and disinfecting services. In response to the coronavirus crisis, SERVPRO offers proactive and reactive cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection options for commercial and residential properties with the goal of minimizing the transmission of emergent viral pathogens, including the coronavirus.

We’re Here for You in a Time of Crisis

As a corporation, SERVPRO is in a unique position to perform these essential services at a time of urgent need. In just about any disaster situation, the team at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is prepared to offer—the expertise, training, equipment and personnel to quickly clean up and restore your home or business.

About the Coronavirus and Covid-19

The coronavirus is believed to spread primarily through personal contact, between people who are within about six feet of one another, through airborne respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also be possible to catch the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

“Social distancing” has become the new watchword and the key to slowing the pandemic. In this rapidly changing situation, Americans are experiencing unprecedented canceling of events and widespread closings of schools, restaurants and workplaces. Along with avoiding large crowds and keeping a six-foot distance from others, the most common advice from experts is to wash hands frequently and avoid touching faces.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website for the latest and most accurate information on the coronavirus and Covid-19. Because this outbreak is unfolding rapidly and unpredictably, we at SERVPRO encourage you to check back with the CDC frequently for updates.

The Importance of Proactive Cleaning

According to the CDC, “Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.”

Today, when the need is most urgent, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is prepared—right now—to clean, sanitize and disinfect your home or business to eradicate traces of coronavirus or other pathogens.

Whether you have no indication of existing contamination, or you are aware that your structure may have been contaminated with coronavirus, SERVPRO’s crews stand ready to provide increased assurance that you, your family, your customers and your employees will not be exposed to coronavirus within your building.

Many types of businesses can benefit from SERVPRO’s proactive cleaning, which targets the coronavirus and other pathogens:

  • Restaurants and bars
  • Retail stores
  • Offices, especially medical offices
  • Schools
  • Nursing homes, senior centers and rehabilitation facilities
  • Gyms
  • Hotels, B&Bs and other hospitality sites
  • Libraries
  • Theaters and entertainment venues
  • Apartment buildings
  • Factories and warehouses

Please be aware, however, that while SERVPRO’s cleaning process can remove existing viral pathogens, including the coronavirus, structures we clean proactively will not be protected from future coronavirus contamination if an infected person subsequently enters the building.

SERVPRO offers effective storm and flood water removal and repairs across New Jersey

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

ceiling damages from storm damaged roof water leak Water intrusion is one of the main contributors to storm property damage, SERVPRO is always here to help with quick and effective disaster cleanup

Severe thunderstorms and flooding can lead to severe damage to your property, water intrusion is one of the main contributors to building damage. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury responds quickly to storm and water emergencies, we are dedicated to respond Faster to Any Size Disaster to make sure that all of our customers receive the most high quality and cost-effective damage mitigation and restoration service possible. Our restoration specialists have the training and the tools get your property back to pre-damage condition, “Like it never even happened.”

HOW SPRING STORMS CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE

• Coastal flooding due to the storm surge.
• Widespread wind damage.
• Widespread inland small stream and river flooding due to heavy rains.

Structural Damage
Without immediate flood water removal, properties can see significant structural damage occur to the foundations and building materials of their home. Water naturally degrades most construction materials with long-term exposure, but in the colder months of the year, a much stronger threat may damage your home. As temperatures drop overnight and water starts to freeze, any moisture soaked into the microscopic cracks and crevices of your home can begin to expand, potentially causing significant permanent damage.

Mold Growth
Mold can start to proliferate after a flood or other water damage intrusion. Removing flood waters and any excess moisture from your property quickly cuts off any potential infestations before it can even begin to grow and spread. SERVPRO technicians are also trained to identify and take care of fungal growth early in a colony's life cycle, thereby preventing additional damages.

Spreading Moisture
The longer flood water remains inside your building without professional removal, the more likely it is that moisture spreads to nearby rooms and areas. We can help to combat these effects by implementing rapid and thorough drying processes and monitoring nearby areas with digital moisture detection tools that help us determine when a problem may be likely to form.


Call in the Professionals
Every storm and water restoration situation is unique and we treat them that way, Our team is here for you in these very stressful times and we are Always Here to Help! SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is highly qualified and trained in water restoration, our experts will come in, assess your damage, take the proper remediation steps to limit damage. We work hand in hand with your insurance company to restore your home to what it was before. "Like it never even happened."

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster?
We provide 24-Hour Emergency Service?
We are a Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry?
We are Locally Owned and Operated

The SERVPRO Advantage: Knowledge and Advanced Technology

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO employees with service van ready for whatever happens we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is an extremely important component to the service advantage

How the SERVPRO Advantage makes a difference in your New Jersey property damage cleanup and restoration

Property Emergencies happen every day, acting fast after your New Jersey property damage from fire, smoke or water could mean the difference between restoring your home quickly to preloss condition or needing extensive and expensive reconstruction. We put the best people, in the best locations, and give them the best resources to give your property the BEST results.

The Brand You Know and Trust

You can recognize and trust the SERVPRO name... as a leader and innovator in the restoration industry, our team and equipment stand out above the rest.

Serving America Since 1967

Since 1967, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have been assisting client's fire and water damage cleanup and restoration needs across the United States, locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has been helping New Jersey residents and business owners with property losses in this community for nearly 30 years, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is an extremely important component to the service advantage that the SERVPRO near you can provide.

OUR Experience - Following a fire and smoke or water property damage to your home or business a courteous SERVPRO professional will lead the way. Our skilled technicians perform an inspection; checking for hazards and making a detailed list of professional services that can help restore your New Jersey home and contents. After explaining everything in detail, our technicians get to work restoring your home. You’ll see the SERVPRO advantage with a team on site, each performing different tasks designed to reach a specific goal. At the end of our restoration process, our technicians make sure you are satisfied with the work we have done, we have corrected any existing problems and remove our supplies and equipment making sure we have achieved the desired goal of restoring your home or business.

OUR Training - SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s team of highly trained employees never stop preparing. Each team member has been thoroughly trained for fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation before stepping foot inside your home or business. Our skilled SERVPRO technicians have ongoing training extending far beyond their initial IICRC training, with continued education programs and e-learning seminars and courses our technicians cultivate skills to make them more efficient with mitigation, remediation and ALL other advanced restoration techniques. We pride ourselves on providing industry-leading equipment and training to our teams to make your property damage cleanup and restoration process quick and effective.

OUR Equipment - Our teams use high-quality products and advanced technology equipment to provide you with the most effective cleanup and restoration results. SERVPRO equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the amount of damage sustained to your property and possessions following a fire, smoke or water loss.  Our state-of-the-art equipment including, portable water extraction units, air scrubbers, high powered air movers, industrial-strength dehumidification equipment, and thermal imaging cameras all have crucial roles in the mitigation, cleanup and restoration process. Our technicians are specially trained to use these tools and equipment to diagnose what areas of your property sustained damage and give them a distinct advantage to determine the most effective and efficient way to cleanup and restore your property damage.

Are you looking for a reliable restoration company, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can quickly and effectively reverse your property’s fire, smoke, water or mold damage, and restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.” Give SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury a call @ (732) 588-8664 we can promptly send one of our professionals to access your local New Jersey damage and get started on your repairs.

A Plumbing Failure Can Leave Your Commercial Property in Urgent Need of Hazardous Water and Sewage Removal & Cleanup

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

Sewage backup in commercial bathroom, Here to Help Emergency Commercial Cleanup Our New Jersey SERVPRO technicians can arrive quickly and are experienced in dealing with messy and hazardous water damage cleanup and restoration.

SERVPRO is here to help with ALL types of commercial property restoration services to keep your organization looking and running at its best. Sewage backups are a common and messy commercial property disaster, big or small “category 3” water damages are dangerous and should be repaired by TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. A sewage backup can occur for many reasons, but the most common is when a blockage prevents wastewater from flowing through the sewer line that connects your restroom to the municipal sewers or other type of septic system managing your waste removal. The obstruction will cause your sewer lines and drainpipes to fill up until it eventually overflows. Looking for a reliable commercial sewage removal company near you, can be challenging, however calling a local SERVPRO franchise, will get you the quick and effective cleanup and repair services you need. Water damage in your commercial property is an inconvenience, damages can spread quickly throughout your building, threatening not only the structural components of your school, store, restaurant, office building or warehouse but also potentially allowing secondary effects such as mold growth to occur. Our local New Jersey SERVPRO technicians can arrive quickly and are experienced in dealing with messy and hazardous “black water” situations and can effectively decontaminate, sanitize and deodorize the area. Our IICRC certified sewage and biohazard cleanup professionals are trained and equipped with all necessary resources needed to mitigate and protect your commercial property and contents from further harm.

What risks are associated with a commercial sewage backup?

Health Risks, Contamination, and Mold
Cosmetic & Structural Damage
Damages to Appliances, Inventory and other Contents

Depending on the category of water involved in the water intrusion, sewage backups can pose serious health risk and often contain bacterial and viral contaminants including; parasites, and mold. Hazardous sewage cleanup should be performed by highly trained, certified professional in order to ensure the safety of the affected area as well as the inhabitants of the property. Most porous items that meet raw sewage must be handled properly by certified professionals and disposed of safely.

SERVPRO PROFESSIONAL WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP CREWS ARE EXPERIENCED WITH MESSY PROPERTY DISASTERS

Category 3 water damage from a sewage backup can leave your commercial property messy, like other water damages they can cause serious cosmetic and structural damage to your home or business. Contents such as inventory, equipment, documents, furnishings can be ruined if saturated with contaminated water and losing vital hours of operation can have serious consequences to your short- and long-term profitability. Toilet overflows, sewage backups and other category 3 “black water” intrusions are more than nasty, smelly messes; these biohazard situations can bring with them harmful parasites, viruses, and bacteria that pose a significant health risk to occupants as well as moisture that can ultimately lead to mold growth.

When contacting a local professional sewage cleanup service is necessary our SERVPRO expert IICRC certified specialists will respond to your situation in the quickest, safest, and most appropriate manner possible. When it comes to biohazard cleanup, our team knows that there are multiple steps to ensure a building is properly restored after a sewage mess. After extracting the dirty water from your commercial property, our team will sanitize, deodorize and dry out the damaged areas. Our SERVPRO category 3 water damage, sewage and biohazard removal professionals are fully equipped with all the necessary tools to ensure an effective cleanup and restoration happens, including air filters, devices to detect moisture, vacuums, pumps, anti-microbial chemicals, and protective suits. Our team will isolate, clean and sanitize your commercial restroom and other damaged areas, neutralizing the odors and remove all contaminated materials to restore your office or facility to a safe and healthy condition, quickly and properly.

Our Restoration specialists follow proven steps to cleanup and repair sewage backups and other hazardous flood damage, including:

  • Properly removing sewage water and solid waste;
  • Removing contaminated contents; including carpet, flooring and other surfaces that have been exposed to potential contamination
  • Cleaning and sanitizing the area;
  • Using air movers and dehumidifiers to rapidly dry the area;
  • Finally making any necessary repairs and restoration

The most important solution for your commercial sewage backup is a quick response, by calling our team immediately following a property disaster, our crews can start the mitigation process, our trucks are stocked with extraction and drying equipment to quickly reverse the signs of damage. That, combined with our experience in controlled demolition, can quickly protect your home from contamination and bacterial threats that can often exist after contaminated “black water” circumstances. We know business interruption for cleanup and restoration, can prove to be stressful and compromising. Our team takes all necessary steps to minimize downtime and avoid disruption during your recovery, we strive to restore rather than replace whenever possible, helping mitigate the damage quickly and save on recovery costs.

Sewage Backup, Plumbing Failure or Toilet Overflow? Call Us Today

Emergency ready cleanup and mitigation service – addressing your damage with quick action

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

flooded basement in need of water extraction Property disaster events might be unpredictable, but our SERVPRO response and rapid cleanup and restoration service is reliable.

Emergency property damage can strike your home or business at any hour of the day or night. When you are dealing with fire, smoke, storm, flood or another type of property disaster, immediate action is crucial.

That’s why SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is here to help our crews are ready to respond to your property emergency 24/7, 365 days a year. YES… at 2AM our highly trained staff and state-of-the-art equipment will respond to your building fire or facility flood. When you make the call, our staff is READY to take immediate action to help preserve as much of your property as possible and help to avoid additional damage and cleanup costs.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly trained and experienced with all types of property disasters losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local communities every day.

Emergency Response Property Disaster Restoration Services

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process for our customers organized, efficient and successful, after a frustrating and confusing property disaster event. Whether your home or building sustained damages from a storm, flood, fire or water disaster, you’ll have trusted and compassionate professionals by your side. We will work with you to survey the extent of the property damage, develop a plan for cleanup, restoration and reconstruction.

Disaster restoration and repair for your commercial or residential property is best left to professionals. Our SERVPRO professionals are skills with the complexities of removing water and the water extraction, drying, dehumidifying, disinfecting and removal equipment required to complete your home or commercial building cleanup and repair properly. Our expert team has the experience, certifications, and equipment to complete any size restoration and rebuild project quickly, correctly, and affordably.

Some of our property Restoration services include:

  • Water Removal and Extraction: This important and often first step in the process involves us removing and extracting standing water from all areas of your property. Our SERVPRO technicians utilize industrial grade equipment to move large volumes quickly and efficiently to minimize long term hazards and damage.

  • Property Drying: After the bulk of the water is removed hazardous levels of moisture can still exist fibrous structural and aesthetic components in your home or business building. We utilize specialized equipment to pull moisture from the air to create an environment suitable for drying of these important pieces and may also attempt to speed the drying process with heat.

  • Cleanup and Debris Removal: After water and moisture have been removed and dried it’s important to conduct thorough cleaning of the affected area to prevent future health hazards. Flooding from rivers and sewers can pose exceptional risks to health and welfare due to the silt and bacteria they carry. Our team will remove damaged items that are beyond repair.

  • Soot and Smoke Mitigation: SERVPRO’s full-spectrum cleanup and restoration capabilities have many benefits when it comes to fire and smoke damage restoration. We often use air scrubbers to create negative air pressure to force contaminants through HEPA filters before exhausting to the outdoors. Air quality is improved, including the clearing of any fumes from cleaners or solvents used to remove protein-based soot from kitchen fires.

Our team provides professional and prompt emergency restoration services for all local New Jersey commercial businesses and homeowners. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s building services gives our location a unique opportunity to streamline the entire property restoration and recovery process, while mitigating challenges and providing quick and seamless professional service from start to finish.

Our team responds around-the-clock to help cleanup and restore municipal facilities

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

fire damage to the exterior of a school Our team works hard and quickly to recover your inconvenient property disaster, into a safe, healthy and restored community center again.

Why many municipal buildings including town and city offices, libraries and other public facilities choose SERVPRO professional cleanup and restoration services after a property disaster strikes.

Local restoration companies are many but choosing a full-service company with trusted leadership in the restoration industry, exceptional training and experience and a long history of satisfied customers and successful property recoveries in this community is easy. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury offers all of these advantages and more, our highly-trained technicians use advanced equipment and technology to avoid the complex challenges that come with the cleanup, repair and mitigation of fire, flood, water or mold concerns to make your municipal property damage, “Like it never even happened.”

Does Your Municipal Property Have a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan?

Developing a personalized SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan and Profile (ERP) is a proactive step you can take in collaboration with our team to minimize the impact of property damage and get you back to business faster. One of our managers visits your site, performs a walk-through evaluation of your commercial property’s strengths and weaknesses. Once familiar with your layout and operations, we provide a personalized plan of action, and recommendations that could help mitigate severe damage to your building’s structure, equipment, and contents if a disaster happens. It can also give our SERVPRO staff an advantage in mitigating and restoring your property quickly and efficiently, providing us with critical details necessary to respond to your commercial property disaster.

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) will help ensure you are “Ready for whatever happens.” In the event of an emergency, the ERP can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your facility. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your business, including emergency contacts, shut-off valve locations and priority areas.

WHY SERVPRO?

The reasons why local municipal facilities would choose SERVPRO to cleanup and mitigate their property after a fire, water or mold damage event are many. Our establishment has nearly 30 years of experience providing restoration services to our local community. Our staff has the knowledge and experience to handle any size property disaster, faster and with professional courtesy. We are certified and trained to use advanced technologies, equipment and techniques to mitigate and restore all types of property damage concerns. Specifically, we are aware that these properties including; schools, healthcare facilities, local government offices all service the public and are a needed and important part of our community, creating operational challenges and restrictions. Our team works hard and quickly with the goal of turning your chaotic, inconvenient and unfortunate property mishap, into a safe, healthy and restored community center again.

SERVPRO offers professional fire, smoke and soot cleanup and restoration assistance for New Jersey property damage disasters.

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

do not cross fire line after property disaster The more time that passes after the fire event and before restoration services begin gives soot the opportunity to spread and cause additional damage.

After your commercial property suffers from a fire, water or other disaster, contacting our local New Jersey SERVPRO Property Restoration Professionals is an important step to avoid costly secondary damages. Our SERVPRO team has over 30 years of experience helping communities during property disasters, trust that your commercial property will be restored quickly and correctly by IICRC licensed professionals and advanced equipment.

Getting your local commercial property operational quickly following a property disaster is the SERVPRO way. Our local Old Bridge/Cranbury restoration professionals rely on decades of hands-on property restoration experience and proven results to help local Middlesex County business owners and managers dealing with fire, smoke and soot damage cleanup, repair and restore their commercial property quickly. Our commitment to quick and effective property restoration and recovery after a property disaster makes selecting SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury restoration experts the right choice.

SERVPRO commercial property restoration services include special help to minimize damages including:

Eliminating Fire Damage Residue
Our SERVPRO technicians will assess and pre-test many damages areas and property to decide the precise type of clean and fire damage remediation services needed for your commercial disaster. Our crews use various wet and dry methods to clean different materials most effectively. We can also use specialized cleaning methods such as soda blasting which offers deodorization qualities and also helps restore charred surfaces without causing further damages.

Remove Smoke Odors
Odor control after a fire is a crucial part of the restoration process, odor-causing particles are microscopic SERVPRO has advanced equipment to eliminate the microscopic odor-causing particles and reverse your commercial property damage concerns.

Guarding Against Mold
Water is a big help when putting out fires, however it can have a lasting negative impact on the structural elements and contents of your building. Our SERVPRO IICRC certified water or mold remediation specialists work to extract the remaining water quickly, and can take proactive actions against mold growth if necessary.

Big or small, fire, smoke and soot damage to your New Jersey commercial property will have a multi-faceted impact on your business. The effects of a property disaster can range from loss of revenue, inventory, customers and/or employees to irreversible structural and financial damages. After a property disaster strikes, we recommend calling an expert in property restoration. Here at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury we can get to work fixing your commercial fire property damage immediately. Our SERVPRO team is here to help with fast and effective disaster restoration and cleanup services, we provide a full-range of disaster restoration services including: emergency response, water damage extraction and repair, water removal, flood restoration, fire damage restoration, soot and smoke damage services, storm damage repairs, wind damage restoration, industrial dehumidification, structural cleaning and decontamination, mold remediation, environmental services such as hazardous waste removal, lead removal and asbestos removal, duct cleaning services, vital document and paper recovery, machinery and equipment restoration, semiconductor services, reconstruction, consulting and more. Restoring your commercial property is our business, and we are always ready to help get local businesses back up and running, “Like it never even happened.”

Why Choosing a Professional Disaster Restoration Company, like SERVPRO is Important?

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury offers Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique commercial property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have vast experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

  • Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances and equipment, furnishings and inventory as possible.

  • They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation, and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.

  • Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.

  • Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together any structural, interior and exterior damages sustained during the initial disaster or as a result of restoration and cleanup. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

Fire damage restoration solutions for a full recovery

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

fire damage to interior residential property with heavy soot, ash and smoke debris Our primary goal is to mitigate damages with containment procedures and recover sustained damages using expert skill, experience and equipment.

Our SERVPRO location responded quickly to this private home fire. Our restoration specialists contained the damaged areas to stop the spread of hazardous soot, smoke and toxins. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry; our team is ready to respond to your emergency fire property damage, quickly and effectively with unparalleled training and equipment. Giving you peace of mind that your property is being cleaned and restored by caring and competent restoration professionals.

Often during a fire restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated areas. Smoke and soot particles are small and can get deep inside building materials, furniture and other porous items. HEPA filters help our industrial strength air scrubbers and vacuums capture soot, purify the air and neutralize odors. Our SERVPRO location is fortunate to offer restoration and rebuilding services following a property disaster from fire, water or mold. Using our highly qualified construction team will help keep your recovery process moving steady and hassle free, often times it can also minimize costs and completion time.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. We can help you with providing estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning and repairing your home.

OPTIONS FOR COMPLETE FIRE RESTORATION REPAIR:

  • Isolate Fire Damaged Areas
    SERVPRO professionals will start with containment to help restrict odors and debris from contaminating the air throughout the house and keep the damage contained at the source of the fire and affected areas of the home.
  • Water Damage Remediation
    Fire suppression and rescue uses a lot of water and it can be just as destructive to structural components and contents as the fire. Our SERVPRO professionals will take the steps needed to minimize the damage by prioritizing water extraction.
  • Pack-Out for Contents
    Fire damage mitigation and restoration is more effective when furnishings and personal possessions are relocated to avoid continued exposure to contaminated air and debris. Our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) creates a digital listing of the affected property, very helpful when corresponding with your insurance company. Specialized contents technicians evaluate the pack-out items’ conditions and recommend and implement efficient strategies to clean, dry, deodorize, and disinfect them.
  • Customized Soot Removal
    Smoke and soot damages are especially invasive attacking every space of your residential property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels with the air coating surfaces SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Quick action is crucial to minimize damages; soot must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage to a residential property; the flames, soot and smoke can destroy structural materials, interior and exterior items and personal processions. The aftermath of a fire can bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution and unhealthy smoke levels. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move even more rapidly, spreading damage throughout the entire property. Even a minor fire can bring significant smoke and soot damage throughout your home. We can provide property damage restoration service near you, SERVPRO is here to help with highly-trained IICRC certified fire damage restoration experts and advanced technology and equipment to restore your home and possessions, and provide knowledge and experience when you need it most.

SERVPRO responds quickly to your fire damage emergency with skilled technicians to your home, our team’s primary goal is to mitigate additional damages with preventative procedures and neutralize and recover sustained damages using expert skill, experience, and equipment.

SERVPRO has remedies and neutralizing equipment to remove unwanted fire odors after a home or business disaster

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

fire damage to interior of private home Professional fire restoration specialists and high-tech commercial equipment ensure quick and effective cleanup

Want to know more about how SERVPRO can help reverse smoke odors and soot damage in your home following an accidental fire.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has been providing disaster restoration services including, fire, smoke, flood and water damage for nearly 30 years, we have learned that property damage happens even to the most cautious of homeowners. A fast response is critical as fire residue can immediately damage structural components and contents, the contamination grows progressively worse and more expensive to remediate as time passes. SERVPRO is Faster to any size disaster, arriving at your home as soon as possible with a full complement of Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) and the products, tools, and equipment needed in our well-stocked service vehicles.

The training our crews complete from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) prepares them to use effective strategies that clean up the charring, soiling, and odors post-fire. SERVPRO’s professional fire restoration specialists and high-tech commercial equipment ensure quick and effective cleanup, removal and repairs of your property and contents following smoke, soot and ash surface buildup and damage before it continues to spread.

SERVPRO’s Proven Soot and Smoke Damage Cleaning and Deodorizing Process:

  • Clean the soot residue that builds up on surfaces before it continues to spread.
  • Neutralize the odor to keep them from returning
  • Remove soot residue from at-risk items including brass, aluminum, chrome, marble, tile, fabrics, carpets and upholstery.
  • Deodorize carpets, curtains and clothing and other porous materials

Advanced Deodorization Techniques

If a thorough cleaning does not do the trick and sealing is impractical, SERVPRO utilizes equipment like thermal foggers, ozone machines, or hydroxyl generators. These resources emit particles that seek out and pair with the odiferous smoke solids, neutralizing the smell through chemical changes at the molecular level. This approach can be successful with airborne smells and malodorous particles that settled and even worked their way into fabrics, cracks, or crevices.

Even when your belongings are in good shape, and the cleanup is minor, the lingering odor can be overwhelming. Our SERVPRO crew has a variety of approaches to use, including deodorizing pellets, charcoal-activated filters, and even ozone air purifiers. Here are just a few examples of materials and possible restoration solutions; Porous materials like drywall, wood and furniture often require ozone treatments to remove the smoke smell. Upholstery, carpeting, drapes and other fabrics are often dry cleaned with special chemical deodorizers to neutralize the smell, then either steam or dry cleaned. The exact deodorization process will vary depending on the extent of the fire smell and the type of materials involved.

Contact us today if your home or business has experienced smoke or soot damage from an accidental fire disaster. Our crews are always here to help with solutions and services tailored to your damages and needs.

Fireplace and Chimney Fire Damage Restoration Services for Old Bridge, NJ

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

fire place with burning fire Even a minor property fire can cause significant smoke and soot damage to your Old Bridge, NJ home, our staff is here to help.

When artic temperatures move to the Northeast New Jersey homeowners get warm and cozy by their fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. It is important to remember proper maintenance and fire safety when starting that fire this season, for the first time and each time after. Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves pose a considerable fire threat to your home and family, a fire can result in the loss of personal items, property and even life. Taking proper precautions when using your fireplace or wood-burning stove can help you avoid a property fire disaster negatively impacting your life this winter.

Chimney fires and puffbacks can cause major destruction to your home and possessions; smoke and soot can continue to cause damage long after the flames have gone out.

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage to your home it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

SMOKE AND SOOT CONCERNS FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Our SERVPRO restoration specialists know a lot about the secondary damages from soot and smoke that happen as the result of a blaze. Fire creates smoke and soot, and the tiny particles float in the air and will become trapped in drapes, carpets and furniture, or collect on surfaces and inside your HVAC system. When these issues arise and you see soot residue or smell smoke odors, the solution is the same.

SERVPRO restoration professionals will address widespread effects of fire damage including soot and smoke residue that can stain surfaces with appropriate equipment and cleaning products to minimize damage. For structural concerns, we have a team of licensed contractors within our SERVPRO crew that can help to address both temporary construction solutions to prevent worsening damage while mitigation is underway and full-scale reconstruction and build back after that. Calling your local SERVPRO will provide top quality services, experience, knowledge and trust that our fire damage restoration crews will quickly restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

WINTER FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

Before making a fire in the fireplace, open the damper and crack open a window, keep the screen closed to encourage airflow up into the chimney. Light a match, blow it out and watch the smoke to see if it is properly going up the chimney. To increase the draft in your chimney, burn your fires hot and for short periods of time instead of all day. Improper airflow can cause smoke and soot damage to your home’s contents. Poor airflow can result from excessive creosote deposits, closed or plugged dampers, malfunctioning flues, and chimney blockages or a dirty cap, always remember never leave a fire unattended.

Avoid using wood from recently cut trees, they contain high levels of moisture which contributes to additional smoke and deposits inside your chimney. Seasoned and dry wood appears dark, has cracks on the end and will sound hollow when hitting another piece of wood. Look for signs of creosote and soot buildup, creosote is a dark substance that accumulates if wood isn’t burning completely, it’s a major factor in chimney fires and a good reason to have an annual inspection to avoid costly fire property damage and repairs.

SERVPRO professionals have all the tools, equipment, and experience necessary to manage your entire property restoration from beginning to end. Our team work tirelessly to produce quality results from quick and effective mitigation, to putting the finishing touches on any repairs and reconstruction needed to complete the job.  

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

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury provides full-service property restoration solutions for all your fire, smoke, sewage and water emergency situations 24/7, 365, day or night. Call us today for access to fully IICRC certified cleaning and restoration professionals you can trust.

Why choosing a professional disaster restoration company, like SERVPRO is important?

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

fire and water graphic on black background Our expert team has the experience, certifications, and equipment to complete any size restoration and repair project quickly and affordably.

Contacting SERVPRO Restoration Professionals near you is important to avoid costly secondary damages after any property disaster, and trust that your commercial or residential property will be restored quickly and correctly.

When a property disaster strikes your home or business it can be difficult to know what the next step is… there are so many options for what you “should” do next. It makes sense to call local New Jersey restoration professionals, our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury staff has the experience, training and equipment to handle your cleanup, repairs and restoration needs from start to finish.  Our crews and managers have been helping local home and business owners with property damage emergency services for nearly 30 years. Our staff is well trained in dealing with the aftermath of both commercial and residential property damages following fire and smoke damage, flood and water damage, sewage and biohazard cleanup and mold remediation. Working with trusted SERVPRO restoration professionals following a fire, water, flood, sewage or mold property damage event will give you peace of mind, and a friendly, highly-qualified restoration specialist by your side.

Emergency Response Property Disaster Restoration Services

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process for our customers organized, efficient and successful, after a frustrating and confusing property disaster event. Whether your home or building sustained damages from a storm, flood, fire or water disaster, you’ll have trusted and compassionate professionals by your side. We will work with you to survey the extent of the property damage, develop a plan for cleanup, restoration and reconstruction.

Disaster restoration and repair for your commercial or residential property is best left to professionals. Our SERVPRO professionals are skills with the complexities of removing water and the water extraction, drying, dehumidifying, disinfecting and removal equipment required to complete the job properly. Our expert team has the experience, certifications, and equipment to complete any size restoration and repair project quickly, correctly, and affordably.

Big and Small Steps you can take now to prepare for a property disaster

Preparing in advance to handle a property disaster can seem a little ominous, but after helping countless local home and business owners during property damage recoveries in our community we know it can make a huge difference during and following a property emergency. Here are some key steps to take in advance that can be important to the recovery process and the overall restoration of your property.

  • Know the hazards that are present in your area.
  • Review your insurance policies and confirm you have adequate cover against each type of disaster you are vulnerable to. Also check your sum insured to avoid being underinsured.
  • Take a household inventory and store copies in a safe location or online. Cataloging your belongings with a home inventory might sound tedious, but how easy would it be for you to recall all the contents of your home if you lost everything? Taking a home inventory can help you determine if you have enough insurance and can save you time and headaches when filing a claim following a disaster
  • Prepare a disaster plan. Your plan should start with having somewhere safe to go. Think of someone who could house you and your family and talk to them about what might happen in the event of a disaster. Then talk to everyone who lives in your home about what to do if there’s an emergency and you are unable to return
  • Have an evacuation plan. In some cases when you need to evacuate, there may not be a lot of time. Plan how to evacuate your home quickly and make sure everyone knows the evacuation plan. Make sure everyone has a list of emergency contact numbers they can phone
  • Make sure to regularly check safety devices in your home, such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers

SERVPRO is ready to help avoid disruption to your catering schedule with effective property damage restoration services for New Jersey restaurants.

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

commercial dinning room Each New Jersey property loss situation requires unique steps to ensure the safety of your patrons, employees and the workers performing repairs.

Quick action is key to mitigating damages and keeping your New Jersey special occasions venue running on schedule.

Our SERVPRO team works quickly after a fire, smoke, biohazard or water disaster, helping avoid business interruption to your restaurant or other commercial facility during the holidays. Our goal is to keep you operational so you can keep your holiday event schedule moving smoothly.

Running a restaurant or other commercial property in New Jersey is a challenge time is of the essence when a disaster strikes your restaurant or other commercial property. Business interruption affects not only your relationships with customers but also impacts the lives of your employees and can lead to a significant loss of profit. Our technicians make your property restoration process from smoke, fire and water damage as simple as possible, from performing an initial inspection and assessment of existing damages to finalizing all repairs and performing a final walk through. 

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s fire and water damage restoration process begins with locating and the source of the problem, working with our team will connect you with a network of resources to handle your worst property problems. Each New Jersey property loss situation requires unique steps to ensure the safety of your patrons, employees and the workers performing repairs. If any hazards exist that affect the operations of your company, we notify you immediately. To properly remove standing water and other moisture that exists on your property, we use quality water extraction equipment such as; wet-dry vacuums, hand-held and truck mounted extractors, or submersible pumps, depending on the amount of water that exists and the size of the affected area. 

Even a localized kitchen fire can quickly spread to cabinetry and counters, requiring the need for both cleanup and even possibly demolition and reconstruction. Still, one of the most significant threats to a customer experience is the odor wafting through the dining area from a recent kitchen blaze. Our teams work tirelessly to clean, deodorize, and repair every damaged item found in your Old Bridge, Cranbury neighborhood property. Our experience gives us a unique perspective when it comes to cleaning delicate cooking utensils or high-dollar appliances. Removing odors relies on having access to the right equipment and the training to understand how smoke travels. The first step is finding the sources of odor that can reside in air ducts, porous materials or floor spaces. SERVPRO uses industrial grade foggers to deodorize a property, thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing these areas ensures odors are removed. Getting your banquet room or holiday party space ready for the next set of patrons. SERVPRO is here to help keep your commercial property celebrating, “The most wonderful time of the year!”

Our Commercial Fire and Water Damage Restoration Process

Fire and water damage can leave your restaurant or commercial property unsafe for potential customers. Our experienced SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury restoration specialists are trained to clean and restore your property with as little disruption as possible.

Step1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Fire & Water Damage Assessment

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

Step 6: Cleaning and Repair

Step 7: Restoration & Rebuild

Fire or water damage to your New Jersey business is frustrating and needs to be dealt with by trained professionals to ensure further damage does not continue to impact your commercial property down the road. We understand the level of importance that surrounds maintaining a safe, healthy environment in your local restaurant. When you need access to top quality New Jersey property restoration SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s team of qualified professionals are ready to provide you with the expert cleanup and repair services you deserve, with a company that puts every effort into making damages at your property disappear, “Like it never even happened.” 

Solving the mystery of hidden water damage lurking in your home or business.

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

removing wood floor planks after water damage to subflooring Water damage is among the most common causes of property claims across the country, quick action is the key to minimizing overall damages.

Water damage is among the most common causes of property damage claims. One in every 50 insured homes will have a water-related property claim. The possible causes of water damage lurking in your home can originate from many different sources, with varying intensities, danger levels, and reach of damage. Even a well-maintained residence can have unexpected water damage including, a leaky dishwasher or sink, broken pipe(s), an overflowing washing machine, an old leaky roof, flood or storm damage and foundation cracks. If you see signs that water damage is lurking in your home, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is always here to help!

Water spots under sink cabinets
If you see water under the bathroom or kitchen sink it’s a warning sign that you have water damage and potential mold growth around the sink area. If the leak is bad enough, it could cause additional damage to the building structure, including the floor and walls, even if there’s no water present, water spots clearly indicate that pipes under the sink have a slow leak.

Ceiling and wall stains
Ceiling and wall stains are obvious signs of a roof, appliance, or plumbing leak, water saturates insulation and drywall, it can also lead to major water damage, that can compromise the structural integrity of the property. Check your roof for damage, broken tiles or pooling, also investigate appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher, and toilets for leaky spigots that could be dripping water and causing damage.

Mold growth
Mold needs water to grow, so it’s common to find mold in consistently damp locations—and finding mold is never a good thing, since it means your air quality is suffering.

Squishy kitchen/bathroom tiles
Water damage is not always visible. In fact, it’s more common for damage to occur behind the floor, ceiling, and walls where you can’t see it. Since the bathroom is the most humid room in your home, it’s a common place for water damage and mold growth.

Standing water
Many things can cause water to pool in unlikely places, including a broken pipe or flooding. If you find standing water, it’s important to seek water damage remediation as quickly as possible. Ignoring the problem could lead to greater damage to your home’s structural integrity and air quality.

When you are dealing with water damage, call in the experts to help! SERVPRO of Bridge/Cranbury can respond immediately and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. We closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly.

SERVPRO has professional cleanup and repair services for all types of property flood damage

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

coastal damages from flooding and storm damage Don’t let storm damage and flooding turn your dream seaside property into a potential property disaster.

Many New Jersey properties are near the ocean and other natural seawater sources, saltwater flooding and the resulting damage can be a common occurrence.

Similarly, to flood damage from ground water and other category 3 losses, ocean water can cause severe property water damage and can create unique restoration concerns and complications for local home and business owners.

Continual increases in storm intensity and tidal flooding is making flood and storm water damage a regular concern for many New Jersey neighborhoods. Flooding can have a devastating impact on your coastal building or residence, it can be difficult to predict the full extent of water and storm related damages. Additionally, saltwater can be extremely dangerous and destructive to building materials and has added safety concerns for cleanup and restoration providers. Extracting the water is just the first step that SERVPRO professionals take to thoroughly dry and restore water and storm damaged areas inside and outside of your property. Floodwater is dangerous, it’s advised to contact a reliable property damage restoration company such as SERVPRO that specializes in natural disaster and flood cleanup and remediation.

It can be difficult for the average property owner or management team to determine if the contaminated areas and contents of your property have been properly remediated, to avoid continued damage from salt corrosion and mold growth. Our restoration technicians are IICRC trained and certified with countless hours of experience responding to local coastal property damage cleanups and repairs. Starting the restoration process begins with a visit from a highly-trained staff member to assess the full extent of your flooding or water damage intrusion and present a comprehensive plan for a complete property damage restoration and construction solution. While assessing your property damage our managers will help determine what parts of your loss our team can clean, sanitize and restore. Unfortunately, some items are unsafe for restoration and some controlled demolition and replacement maybe necessary. Our restoration teams work closely with our construction crews and management to provide a seamless transition from destruction to reconstruction. Throughout the process our philosophy is to restore over replacing materials and contents whenever possible, helping to lower overall cost and time needed for property disaster recovery.

Is Seawater from Storm Flooding Contaminated?

Yes!  The water from oceans, lakes, rivers or streams is considered Category 3 Water.

Category 3 Water: is known as "black water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. This category includes water sources from sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water or standing water.

Ready to Respond with Disaster Flood and Storm Property Damage Restoration Services to Coastal New Jersey Neighborhoods everyday

OUR STORM & FLOOD WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

Restoring your home or business quickly after a storm damage or salt-water contaminated water loss, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC certified professionals

  • Temporary Shoring, board-up and roof tarping
  • Water Extraction
  • Neutralizing of affected areas, including sanitizing and controlled demolition
  • Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
  • Cleaning and Restoring of affected possessions
  • Remediating mold and mildew
  • Reconstruction and Repairs

Our SERVPRO staff is available to help with your property restoration concerns. When SERVPRO’s signature green service vehicles show up they are stocked with a full array of advanced water damage restoration equipment and IICRC certified technicians who can respond quickly to your concerns and get you started on the road to restoration and recovery, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO has Quality Professional Residential Air Duct/HVAC Cleaning Services

11/4/2019 (Permalink)

Residential air vent with dirt buildup, cleaning services required Air duct and HVAC cleaning services can reduce the pollutants circulating throughout your system, improve air flow, energy concerns and air concerns.

Heating Season has started; as the heat begins circulation through your home so does whatever else is in your air ducts and HVAC system. Here are several reasons to schedule a professional residential air duct/HVAC cleaning service this season with SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury. Maintaining clean and healthy air quality in your home or business is essential to lower energy bills and a cleaner environment this fall and winter.

Fall brings longer nights and lower temperatures, for most households that means turning on the heating and ventilation system in your home. The HVAC and air duct system in your home is responsible for circulating heated air and providing proper ventilation keeping your family comfortable throughout the fall and winter. According to the EPA, Americans’ spend about 90% of their time indoors, and the quality of your air is directly related to the amount of debris and contamination in your ducts and ventilation system. As we begin spending more time indoors and closing the doors and windows, it’s most important to focus on the quality of the air your family is breathing. Here are some great reasons why fall is an ideal time to schedule an HVAC/air duct cleaning and inspection, to keep your home, family and system healthy and running efficiently. 

  • Fall Is Allergy Season
    For many, seasonal allergies in the fall are terrible the mixture of dry air and allergens can have a negative impact on many in your family. Air ducts can accumulate allergens such as mold spores, bacteria, pollen, mildew pet dander and other harmful contaminants spreading them throughout your indoor environment and compromising your air quality. Making an appointment for SERVPRO professionals to clean your air ducts and HVAC system can remove these pollutants that have accumulated over the seasons, to keep your family healthy and breathing easier this fall and winter.

  • Summer Is Over
    Summer storms, pests and vegetation can bring debris inside your HVAC system and high-humidity can cause mold growth inside or around your air ducts, vents and fans. Fall is a great time to inspect and clean your air entrances and exists for airflow problems or dust and debris buildup. Having a SERVPRO professional clean your air ducts, vents and pathways can bring improved air circulation and a pathway for cleaner air. Setting up an appointment for a residential air duct inspection with a highly trained SERVPRO professional is easy, give us a call to schedule an appointment today.

  • Lower Energy Costs
    Turning on your system in the fall and winter to heat your home, circulates heated air throughout your duct system. When dust, mold, contaminants and other debris accumulates in air ducts, it blocks the incoming/outgoing airflow. A reduction in airflow caused by particle and debris buildup can be directly responsible for increases in energy usage when your system needs more power to continue to force air through a dirty duct system. ENERGY STAR estimates that about 20% of the air that moves through your HVAC system is lost due to leaks and duct issues. When your HVAC unit works harder to move air through dirty ducts, you use more energy and your monthly bill increases. Cleaning your air ducts in the fall will allow larger volumes of clean air to circulate throughout your home, along with several other steps air duct cleaning can help reduce the rising cost of heating your home.

SERVPRO residential air duct and HVAC cleaning services have an additional benefit, of providing a cleaner home for you and your family to enjoy. Home heating and ventilation systems can accumulate dust, mold, pollen and any number of contaminants that can cause air quality problems to develop inside your residence. As the air cycles through your duct work, vents and other parts of your HVAC unit the dust and debris will also, sometimes adding to the weekly buildup of dust and pollutants in your living areas. SERVPRO professionals use advanced equipment and techniques to thoroughly clean your air ducts, removing dust, mold and other contaminants trapped within your air ventilation system and stop them from re-circulating through your living areas. Our New Jersey residential air duct cleaning crews use heavy-duty vacuums, to eliminate harmful odors, particles and allergens to improve the overall air quality of your home.

SERVPRO professionals are here to help with residential air duct and HVAC cleaning services. Our technicians have a wide-variety of services to clean and sanitize any dirty or contaminated indoor air duct systems. SERVPRO residential air duct and HVAC cleaning services can reduce the pollutants circulating throughout your system, improve air flow, energy concerns and create a healthier and cleaner indoor environment overall.

Source: www.energystar.gov

Broken Plumbing Can Leave Your Commercial Property in Urgent Need of Water and Sewage Removal & Restoration Services

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

sewage backup and property damage SERVPRO technicians can arrive quickly and are experienced in cleaning and restoring messy and hazardous “black water” situations.

SERVPRO is here to help with ALL types of commercial property restoration services to keep your organization looking and running at its best. One of the worst disasters, although very common a commercial property can experience is a sewage backup. A sewage backup can occur for many reasons, when your plumbing systems fails it will cause your sewer lines and drain pipes to fill up until it eventually overflows. When this happens, you’ll need to find a dependable commercial sewage removal company near you. Water damage in your New Jersey commercial property is an inconvenience, damages can spread quickly throughout your building, threatening not only the structural components of your retail space, restaurant, office building or warehouse but also potentially allowing secondary effects such as mold growth to occur. Our local New Jersey SERVPRO technicians can arrive quickly and are experienced in dealing with messy and hazardous “black water” situations and can effectively decontaminate, sanitize and deodorize the area. Our teams are IICRC certified in sewage and biohazard cleanup with special training and equipment necessary to mitigate and protect your commercial property and contents from further harm.

Common Concerns associated with Commercial Sewage Backup Damages

Sewage poses the same risk of cosmetic and structural damage as a typical water damage, with an added potential for significant health risks. Depending on the category of water involved in the sewage backup, it poses a risk of containing bacterial and viral contaminants, parasites, and mold. The longer you wait to have sewage cleaned up, the greater the risk of these contaminants. Biohazard sewage cleanup should be performed by a highly-trained, certified professional in order to ensure the safety of the affected area as well as the inhabitants of the property. Many life-threatening biohazards exist due to raw sewage exposure. Most porous items that meet raw sewage must be handled properly by certified professionals and disposed of in a safe manner.

Occupants should exercise caution during times of "black water" invasions including:

  • They should avoid all contact with sewage and all items contaminated by sewage.
  • They should wash their hands thoroughly after encountering anything that might be contaminated.

Health Risks, Contamination, and Mold

Due to the nature of sewage, it is likely to contaminate porous materials with dangerous bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

Cosmetic Damage

Sewage can stain and discolor ceilings, walls, carpeting, and floors, damage furniture and fabrics, weaken drywall and plaster.

Structural Damage

Depending on the amount of contaminated water, it can severely weaken or permanently damage structural elements to your property. Drywall and plaster may disintegrate, and crumble and wooden studs and subfloor can warp or split.

Damage to Inventory and Contents

Sewage can contaminate or even destroy inventory and possessions like furniture, copiers, electronics, books, supplies, records and many other items.

SERVPRO PROFESSIONALS ARE EXPERIENCED WITH MESSY WATER DAMAGE PROPERTY DISASTER CLEANUP & REPAIRS

Sewage backups are considered a category 3 water damage loss, contaminated water will bring a ton of damage to your New Jersey home or business. Water damage will cause both cosmetic and structural concerns, destroy inventory, equipment, documents, furnishings, and. Your business could lose a substantial number of vital hours of operation having serious consequences to your short- and long-term profitability. Toilet overflows, sewage backups and other category 3 “black water” intrusions are more than nasty, smelly messes; these biohazardous damages can bring with them harmful parasites, viruses, and bacteria that pose a significant health risk to humans as well as moisture that can ultimately lead to mold growth. The longer the contaminated waters remain in your business or on your contents, the greater the chance of spreading disease, you need to take quick and efficient measures in order to prevent more serious problems.

Using professional sewage cleanup services is the wisest decision our expert IICRC certified specialists will respond to your water damage situation in the quickest, safest, and most appropriate manner possible. When it comes to biohazard cleanup, our team knows that there are many steps to ensure a building is properly restored after a sewage disaster. After extracting the dirty water from your commercial property, our team will sanitize, deodorize, and dry out the entire area to avoid additional damage including mitigating mold growth. Our SERVPRO category 3 water damage, sewage and biohazard removal professionals are fully equipped with all the necessary tools to ensure an effective cleanup and restoration happens, including air filters, devices to detect moisture, powerful vacuums, anti-microbial chemicals, and protective suits. Our technicians isolate, clean and sanitize your commercial restroom and other damaged areas. Take proper steps to neutralize foul odors and seal and remove all contaminated materials for disposal at a licensed waste facility, to restore your office or facility to a safe and healthy condition, quickly and properly.

Our experts follow proven steps to repair sewer backups and flood damage, including:

  • Removing sewage water and solid waste in a safe and appropriate manner;
  • Removing contaminated content; including carpet, flooring and other surfaces
  • Cleaning and sanitizing the area;
  • Using professional grade equipment including dehumidifiers to ventilate and dry the area;
  • Making necessary property and content repairs and restoration;
  • Performing mold mitigation services

OUR SERVPRO PROFESSIONALS CAN HELP COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES DEALING WITH A SEWAGE BACKUP / PLUMBING FAILURE

While rapid water removal and drying might only be part of a complete recovery for a water damage, sewage backup or other hazardous water incident in your New Jersey commercial property, it is a critical component to a successful property disaster restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians know getting these steps completed quickly and correctly is imperative to protecting the rest of your business from the risk of spreading damage. Our SERVPRO professionals have containment strategies for the water damage that begin with effective extraction and time-saving drying efforts. When most of the water has been removed, technicians need to draw out excess moisture from the surrounding air. For a large structure, commercial air movers must be put in place throughout the area to maintain a steady airflow with fans set up to blow the moist air out of the facility. In large commercial loss situations, we also use desiccant and refrigerated dehumidifiers.

Conquering the damages that exist during a commercial property sewage or biohazard incident requires an immediate response from our trained SERVPRO restoration professionals. We have trucks stocked with industrial extraction and drying equipment to fix the damage quickly and correctly. That, combined with our experience in controlled demolition and proper mitigation training, can quickly protect your home from health risks that can often exist after contaminated “black water” circumstances. We know business interruption for cleaning and restoration, can prove to be stressful and compromising. Our team takes all necessary steps to minimize downtime and avoid disruption during your recovery, we strive to restore rather than replace whenever possible, helping mitigate the damage quickly and save on recovery costs.

When you discover a sewage backup or biohazard situation at your property, avoid the worst-case scenario for your commercial property damage with our fast and effective professional restoration services. SERVPRO is here to help with Emergency Response Commercial Property Restoration and Recovery Services; offering sewage cleanup and remediation around the clock, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. We know that property disasters don’t wait for normal business hours, and neither do we. Our team works quickly to start cleaning up your damage and getting your property and business recovered, “Like it never even happened.”

Sewage Backup, Plumbing Failure or Toilet Overflow? Call Us Today

SOURCE: www.epa.gov

Fast and Effective Local Summer Storm Home or Business Restoration Services

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

lightning and storm We are prepared with expert training and quality equipment to mitigate and restore your commercial or residential property.

SERVPRO can answer your storm property damage cleanup and repair questions

Summer brings many hazards and potential risks to your local property, including severe storms that bring coastal flooding, torrential rains, strong winds and lightning. Other risks that can cause property damage during spring and summer are high-humidity or BBQ and other fire concerns. Your home or business could face any number of potential Spring and Summer property damage events, including mold damage, fire damage, storm flooding, sewage backup damage or plumbing leaks and appliance water damage. When you find yourself in need of professional fire or water disaster restoration services or emergency flood cleanup and property repairs, our SERVPRO restoration specialists are here to help.

Summer in Eastern New Jersey brings a ton of exciting things to do, our area offers great beaches and parks to explore, additionally there are great events and community functions happening throughout the season. It’s important to remember safety while enjoying all that spring and summer have to offer. June is National Safety Month – keeping your family, friends and employees safe during these months is important to us, as is taking steps to avoid property damage to your home or business. Follow us for great tips on how to protect your property and what to do in the aftermath of a property disaster. Our crews are available 24-hours a day, always here to help with property repairs and recovery services

Many New Jersey homes and businesses have experienced flooding and other property water damage from the severe weather in our area, do you need restoration and cleanup help?

OUR NEW JERSEY STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE:

  • Roof Tarp and Board Up Services
  • Category 1, 2 and 3 Water Extraction & Cleanup
  • Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
  • Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
  • Remediating mold and mildew
  • Reconstruction and Repairs

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team has been helping our neighbors for nearly 30 years, we are prepared with expert training and quality equipment to mitigate and restore your commercial or residential property. Our technicians are available 24-7 with our Emergency Response Team to help cleanup and rebuild your property damage from water, sewage, smoke or fire. Our priority is providing fast and effective service and solutions to restore your property and belongings, “Like it never even happened.”

Storm and Coastal Flooding Damage Risks

Flooding presents a serious risk to your commercial or residential property. Northeast Thunderstorms and Hurricanes can bring a ton of moisture and tidal surges causing above average amounts of water to affect the local and surrounding areas. According to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, floods kill more people every year than lightning, hurricanes and tornadoes combined.

When it comes to your home or business flooding can lead to dangerous contamination and structural damage including damage to the drywall, contents and support structure. After only 24 hours your property is in jeopardy of additional damages including mold growth and other harmful bacteria. Proper cleanup and restoration services from a professional team is vital to avoiding even further damage.

Potential Storm Damage Concerns:

Structural Damage: Severe storms can bring major flood risks to most New Jersey properties causing significant structural damage to building materials, contents, foundations and basements. Our immediate flood water removal services are essential to avoiding additional costly damages, our SERVPRO specialists can also provide temporary structural support, tarp and board up services to help stabilize and secure the property.

Mold Growth: following a flood or water damage to your home or business, mold has the potential to start growing right away. SERVPRO technicians are trained and experienced to handle the mold remediation process and avoid the spread of mold colonies throughout your property.

Spreading Moisture: Our rapid drying techniques reduce the risk of continued moisture exposure, preventing further water damage to your home or business. Our technicians monitor the spread of moisture to nearby areas and can address any hidden water damage early helping avoid additional costly secondary damage.

Contaminated Water Intrusion can cause additional health and safety concerns

One of the first things to do when faced with water damage is determine what kind of contamination you’re dealing with. Flood water can be contaminated by agricultural pollution, oil pollution, sewage and wastewater, radioactive substances, harmful chemicals, and various other materials. It can sometimes be difficult to determine the type and extent of water damage affecting your home or business. That's why it's best to call a local property disaster restoration company like SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury to fill in the blanks. Our Professional staff will come and inspect your damage and customize a removal, cleanup and restoration solution to get your property damage reversed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Different types of contaminated water pose different risks, but the longer the water stays in a property, the more severe the property damage it will cause and the greater the threat to your health. Also called black water, Category 3 water is water from sewage backups and overflowing rivers that contains various hazardous contaminants, sewage, and/or toxic debris. According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all water originating from sea water, ground or surface water, rising rivers and streams, and wind-driven rain from hurricanes and tropical storms is Category 3.

When Summer storms are coming it’s important to be prepared, our SERVPRO teams are ready and always prepared to handle any size property disaster. Calling SERVPRO after you experience flood or water damage from coastal flooding, severe thunderstorms or basement flooding, can be the difference from a quick cleanup and mitigation or costly restoration, construction and mold remediation services.

KNOW YOUR ZONE & WEATHER TERMINOLOGY

When living in a coastal community such as New Jersey, it is incredibly important to know where the flood zones are located, and to prepare for severe weather-related hazards. Weather terminology and warnings are important tools to knowing when to prepare for a storm and how to keep your family healthy and your property safe from disaster.

THUNDERSTORM TERMINOLOGY

  • Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Be Prepared! Watches are typically issued 12-48 hours before a storm is set to hit. This is to advise the public of the possibility of a thunderstorm including; heavy rain, flooding, strong winds and possible hail.

  • Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Take Action! Warnings alert the public 2-24 hours before a storm occurs. Issued for hazardous weather that can cause “significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.”

HURRICANE TERMINOLOGY

  • Hurricane Watch: Be Prepared! Watches are typically issued 12-48 hours before a storm is set to hit. This is to advise the public of the possibility of a Hurricane (sustained winds of 74mph or greater) including; heavy rain, flooding, strong winds and possible hail.
  • Hurricane Warning: Take Action! Warnings alert the public 36 hours in advance of tropical storm-force winds. Issued for hazardous weather that can cause “significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.”

SAFETY TIPS BEFORE A STORM ARRIVES:

Stock up:

Gather and check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed. The American Red Cross suggests you pick up at least three days' worth of water and non-perishable food, a flashlight and extra batteries for it, at least seven days’ worth of prescription medication, a cell phone with a charger, and that you have extra cash and spare clothes at the ready.

Have an emergency kit with these items you probably already have in your home: flashlight(s), battery powered weather radio, extra batteries to fit each electronic (including cell phone), non-perishable foods (canned goods and dry foods), lots of bottled water, can opener, first aid kit (with a disinfectant), fire extinguisher, blankets, extra clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, clock or watch, whistle to signal for help, important personal items (eyeglasses, prescriptions, etc.), and paper documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, and other significant legal papers.

Stay Indoors:

Stay inside and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a safe area in the interior or your property on the lower level or basement. If flooding threatens your home, turn off the electricity at the main breaker. If your property loses power, turn off major appliances such as the AC unit and water heater to reduce damage.

Property Concerns:

Inspect your roof and foundation for damage and make necessary repairs. Exterior doors should have 3 hinges and a deadbolt lock that is an inch long minimum. Cut dead or weak limbs before a storm hits. Remove any limbs hanging over your home that could cause substantial damage if they fall. Likewise, take the time to have trees that could fall on the home removed. Clean rain gutters ensure runoff has a place to go; water that pools and gathers can cause damage especially if a downpour is ongoing.

SOURCE: www.epa.gov  |  www.nhc.noaa.gov

Commercial Cleaning Services can help with relief from indoor allergens this spring

4/29/2019 (Permalink)

woman with allergies at an office desk Having your ducts cleaned can save you money in the long run, and create a better environment for your family, friends, employees and your customers.

Spring is a welcome reprieve from the long winter — unless you suffer from spring allergies. Improve indoor air quality with SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Professional Services.

Your local SERVPRO has cleaning and restoration service solutions that may help alleviate allergy symptoms by promoting healthy indoor air quality, our New Jersey residential and commercial property services include:

  • HVAC unit Cleaning
  • Air Duct and Register Cleaning
  • Intensive Carpet & Floor Cleaning
  • Odor Removal

You can't control the increase of allergens in the spring air, but you can improve the air quality in your New Jersey commercial or residential property, bolstering your fight against allergy symptoms? HVAC units, air ducts, registers, upholstery, carpets and flooring can hold much more dust, dirt and pollen than you would think. Scheduling periodic professional cleaning and odor removal services with our SERVPRO cleaning crews during spring can reduce allergens in your home or business and assure healthy air quality throughout your property. SERVPRO professional cleaning services can help minimize indoor allergens and alleviate your seasonal allergy symptoms and improve the overall indoor air quality of your home or business.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury offers many cleaning and maintenance services to benefit your home or business:

  • Creating a Clean & Healthy Living/Working Environment
  • Reducing Allergens and Irritants to alleviate allergy symptoms
  • Removing Unpleasant Smells and Odors
  • Improving Air Flow Efficiency

HVAC Unit Cleaning, Air Duct and Vent Cleaning

HVAC systems are often the biggest culprit when it comes to poor indoor air quality and a leading cause in increased allergy symptoms. The air inside your New Jersey home/business is full of tiny particles like dust, pollen and debris, when you run your furnace or air conditioner it pulls in airborne particles. Over time, these contaminants can build up inside the ducts, reducing airflow and re-circulating allergens throughout your living/working space. Keeping dust, pollen, pet dander, and other irritants out of the air you breathe involves more than changing the air filter, proper HVAC unit and air duct maintenance is essential to reducing allergens inside your commercial or residential property and improve air quality. Our trained professionals at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury use commercial-grade, duct-cleaning equipment including brushes and air whips, that remove dust and debris trapped inside your duct system and leave your property with optimal indoor air quality.

Intensive Upholstery, Carpet and Floor Cleaning

Seasonal weather and normal wear-and-tear can leave dirt, moisture and debris deep inside the soft-surfaces of your home or business. Scheduling a deep cleaning every 12-18 months by an IICRC trained SERVPRO professional will renew the look of your upholstery, carpet and flooring by removing the collected dirt and debris. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury utilizes the best technology and highest-quality equipment that effectively removes dust, pollen and other allergens to keep your home or business allergen free and your carpets and flooring looking like new. Our professional cleaning will address moderate and heavy soil conditions in your carpets, dirt builds up in layers, and when a carpet looks dirty you are only seeing the dirt at the tips of the fibers. More dirt is hiding below the surface down near the base of the pile, causing damage to the carpet.

Odor Removal

Rely on SERVPRO technicians to have the expertise to effectively deodorize your home/business. Take advantage of our residential and commercial cleaning services to remove unwanted odors. Our New Jersey restoration service professionals have the training and equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. Our experienced technicians have access to specialized odor removal products and equipment capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize odors and help restore your home or business to a safe, healthy and fresh environment.

DIY CLEANING TIPS to Help You Control Indoor Allergens and Improve Indoor Air Quality
The best way to improve your air quality is to get rid of the sources of allergens and irritants from your home or business. Take measures to avoid and reduce your contact with allergens. Also increase the flow of outdoor air into your home and reduce humidity as much as possible. Our crews are always ready to tackle the dirt and dust you can’t handle, our commercial cleaning crews can remove seasonal or annual dirt and dust buildup. Our restoration professionals can also recognize property damage from an unseen event such as a slow water leak, or mold growth from excessive moisture and improper ventilation.  

Here are cleaning tips you may want to add to your regular routine to reduce indoor allergens

  • Reducing dust-collecting clutter
  • Regularly vacuuming carpeted floors with a double-bag or HEPA filter vacuum
  • Dusting blinds and window treatments bi-weekly
  • Regularly washing blankets and throw rugs
  • Washing all bed linens in hot water every week
  • Keeping counters and other hard surfaces clean and dry
  • Getting all water damage restored quickly

Benefits of Air Duct & HVAC Cleaning
Like furnaces and air conditioners, air ducts require proper cleaning and maintenance to perform at their best. Keeping ducts free of dust and debris can also help reduce your energy bill and improve air quality in your home/business. More frequent duct cleaning is recommended if you have indoor pets or are sensitive to indoor air quality issues for example you suffer from asthma. You should also have your ducts cleaned if you have recently renovated your home or business, as this will increase the amount of dust in your forced air system. It’s also recommended to have your HVAC system and air ducts cleaned and services following a property damage event.

Having your ducts cleaned can save you money in the long run, and create a better environment for your family, friends, employees and your customers. Restore energy efficiency over time and reduce the possibility of microbial growth with ventilation cleaning services from SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury.

The benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:

  • Helps to restore peak energy efficiency.
  • May help to eliminate offensive odors.
  • Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.


However, duct cleaning is not always necessary. Our technicians will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your commercial or residential HVAC system.

If indoor allergens are causing your seasonal allergies to flare up, reach for the phone. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury professionals are trained technicians, with state-of-the-art equipment and unique knowledge and experience to pay careful attention to the details that matter most when cleaning and restoring your property to a healthy work or living environment.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Responds to Flood or Storm Water Property Damage Immediately

4/12/2019 (Permalink)

flooding and storm water on floor Our SERVPRO Storm Property Restoration Team has the experience and resources to handle your New Jersey weather related water property damage.

It’s critical to take quick action following a flood or storm water intrusion to your local New Jersey home or business.

Call our New Jersey Storm Damage Cleanup, Restoration and Repair team.

If it’s a roof leak, exterior damage, a cracked foundation or basement flooding, causing your water property damage, call our Disaster Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury to begin taking steps to stop the water damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the flooded or other water damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solutions to restore and repair your local New Jersey property and contents to help minimize additional damages.

OUR NEW JERSEY STORM & FLOOD WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

  • Water Extraction
  • Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
  • Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
  • Remediating mold and mildew
  • Reconstruction and Repairs

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Storm Property Restoration Team has the experience and resources to handle your weather related water property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after your property suffers a disaster storm water damage and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help to repair your home or business when you need us! Call our New Jersey Storm Damage Cleanup, Restoration and Repair team.

Spring is here, now is the best time to check for water property damage caused by Winter.

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

Here are some tips for where to inspect your home or business for potential winter property damage disasters.

Even after a very milder winter, it is critical to assess your property’s exterior to make sure the cold weather hasn’t left you with property damage. It’s also important to react quickly and take the necessary steps to prevent property damage from compounding, spring showers are on the horizon.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury responded to a local New Jersey property that suffered a water damage disaster indoors due to winter weather and water intrusion. A roof leak went undetected for some time, causing significant water intrusion and secondary damages from the top down.  Our professional SERVPRO service technicians were onsite quickly to treat the water and mold damage to the roof, walls and floors. The drying process was started by placing large commercial drying equipment in the area. Once the area is dry, the restoration and rebuilding process could begin.

Winter weather can be hard on your New Jersey residential and commercial property be sure to look for problems that frigid temperatures, snow and ice may have caused.

Winter weather can cause upwards of three and a half billion dollars of property damage in the U.S.

Winter storms are accompanied by lots of moisture – snow, freezing rain, ice, hail and wind – come together to create common issues like ice dams, frozen pipes and frost heave that may cause damage to your home or business. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is always ready to respond to your property damage restoration needs quickly, and we can begin the restoration process immediately. Our local disaster restoration services include an inspection and assessment of the damaged areas, water removal/water extraction, drying and dehumidification, cleaning and repairs, restoration and building as necessary. There are several common problem areas to inspect during spring for potential damage, including your roof and gutter system, foundation and yard, plumbing system and your property’s exterior. From the top down these areas could see potential damage from the worst that the winter elements can bring. 

A TOP DOWN APPROACH TO SEASONAL NEW JERSEY SPRING PROPERTY DAMAGE INSPECTION AREAS:

  • Roof and Gutter System Damage:
    The function of your roof and gutter system is to remove excess water from your property to prevent damage. High winds, hail and winter storms can tear off or destroy shingles and ice can obstruct the flow of water in gutters and downspouts, allowing water to breach the structure. Winter forces can cause obvious holes in your roof from wind or branches, but additionally less noticeable damage from hail or other debris can cause indentations and divots that overtime can lead to ice and moisture damage. Heavy buildup of ice on your roof can cause your gutters and downspouts to separate from your roofline, disrupting the flow of water and cause water intrusion and damage to the inside of your home or business. It’s a good idea each spring to inspect your roof, gutters and downspouts for visible damage, debris and that they are functioning properly.

  • Window, Door and Exterior Damage:
    Cold temperatures, snow and hail can take a toll on the structure of your property including the windows, doors and exterior of your home or business. Without proper repair, peeling paint, cracks in sealant and other damage could lead to moisture infiltration and a water damage disaster. After winter passes, damaged paint should be removed, primed, sealed and repainted. Cracks and air leaks should be sealed and repaired to prevent more devastating damage later, and missing siding should be replaced before springtime showers arrive to prevent additional water and structural damages.

  • Foundation and Other Drainage Problems:
    Another potential casualty of winter weather is your foundation and yard. Hairline cracks in the concrete of a foundation that develop naturally over time can expand, causing major structural damage over time if not properly taken care of quickly. Water can find its way into cracks, freeze and make them larger during the frigid cold months of winter. Getting your foundation repaired in the spring can help prevent more problems from developing as time goes by. The best way to avoid foundation damage is to keep moisture moving away from your foundation. Each spring check your gutters and downspouts for debris or clogs, make sure they are functioning properly, and that they drain at least 10 feet away from your home. Make sure the ground around your home is graded away from your foundation and consider adding a rain garden to your property to combat a bigger problem.

  • Plumbing Damage:
    Another vulnerable system in your New Jersey home or business that could be damaged from cold winter temperatures is your plumbing. To adequately deliver water to and from your sinks, boiler, and spickets your plumbing system keeps the water forever flowing. However, during cold winter days and nights cracks and stresses can occur and eventually lead to leaks and pipe breaks that can have a damaging effect on your local commercial or residential property. Remember to survey your pipes regularly for cracks and leaks, paying closest attention to the pipes that are closest to the elements or in poorly insulated areas such as the basement or crawlspace, or outside walls and attics. Take this opportunity to add some additional insulation as a precautionary measure for the future winter weather to come.

Take a Proactive Approach:

Taking a proactive approach to property damage starts with making these inspections during your springtime routine. First and Secondary water damage is multi-faceted and can affect almost every area of your home or business which had water or flood intrusion. If you see any signs of suspected water damage or other types of property damage including mold, smoke, biohazard. Your best course of action is to contact your local Disaster Restoration Professionals our SERVPRO crews are trained and certified to handle your water restoration, mold remediation, and other cleanup and property restoration needs. We can arrive quickly perform an inspection, and get you started on the road to recovery and restoration, “Like it never even happened.”

Effective Winter Storm Restoration: Our SERVPRO team has the answers to your property damage repair concerns.

2/25/2019 (Permalink)

winter weather and snow Frigid winter weather and Blizzard conditions can cause BIG problems for Long Island home and business owners.

Frigid winter weather and Blizzard conditions can cause BIG problems for Northeast New Jersey home and business owners; restore your property damage with our SERVPRO of cleanup and restoration team.

As we settle in for what may or may not be an arctic cold and blizzard filled winter, it makes sense to review some basic steps to help shield your home and family or your business and employees from the worst that Northeast Winters can offer. Cold temperatures, snow, ice, blizzard conditions with high winds and dangerous wind chills all contribute to the possible threat of a New Jersey residential or commercial property disaster. Whether it’s a burst plumbing pipe or your water heater, an electrical fire or your furnace or fireplace has a puff back, winter poses a serious threat to your home or business from a fire, smoke, water or sewage property damage event.

Did your New Jersey home or business experience a pipe break over the last several weeks during the arctic blast that hit the Northeast?

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team has been helping our local communities for nearly 30 years, we are prepared with expert training and quality equipment to mitigate and restore your commercial or residential property. Our technicians are available 24-7 with our Emergency Service Team to help cleanup and repair your property damage from water, sewage, smoke or fire. Our priority is providing quick and effective service and solutions to restore your property and belongings, “Like it never even happened.”

When New Jersey winter storms are coming it’s important to be prepared, our SERVPRO teams are ready and always prepared to handle any size property disaster. Calling SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury after you experience water damage from ice dams or basement flooding from ice buildup or excessive snow melt, can be the difference from a quick cleanup and mitigation or costly restoration, construction and mold remediation services.

UNDERSTAND WINTER WEATHER TERMINOLOGY

  • Winter Weather Outlook: Meteorologists issue this typically 3-5 days prior to a winter storm when they believe wintery conditions are possible.
  • Winter Weather Advisory: Issued typically 2-3 days prior to a possible hazardous winter weather storm that could cause “significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.”
  • Winter Weather Watch: Watches are typically issued 12-48 hours before a winter storm is set to hit. This is to advise the public of the possibility of a winter storm, blizzard, or other hazardous wintery conditions such as freezing rain.
  • Winter Weather Warning: Warnings alert the public 2-24 hours before a winter storm occurs. Issued for hazardous winter weather that can cause “significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.”

………………………………………………………………………………….

Blizzard Warning: Sustained wind or frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 miles per hour accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, frequently visibilities less than 1/4 of a mile for at least 3 hours.

Winter Storm Warning: Heavy Snow (snow accumulation of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or 8 inches or more in 24 hours), Sleet (accumulation of ice pellets 1/2 of an inch and greater), Ice (accumulation of 1/4 of an inch or more) and/or heavy Snow and Blowing Snow (wind is below blizzard criteria).

SERVPRO CAN HELP WITH WATER PROPERTY EMERGENCIES FOLLOWING STORM FLOODING OR FREEZING WINTER WEATHER

Northeast Winter Storms can bring any number of potential hazards to your New Jersey commercial or residential property, including fallen tree limbs, hail, blizzard winds and heavy rain and snow. Your home or business is at risk from a collapsed roof, or frozen pipe burst, once a significant amount of water from flooding or moisture affects your home or business, problems from water damage can start to occur.

It’s critical to take quick action and call our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team to begin taking steps to stop the damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solution to restore and repair your property and contents to help minimize additional damages.

OUR NEW JERSEY STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

  • Water Extraction
  • Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
  • Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
  • Remediating mold and mildew
  • Reconstruction and Repairs 

Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Storm Team has the experience and resources to handle your winter weather property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after the storm and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help when you need us! Call our Cleanup, Restoration and Repair teams @(732) 257-3739.

Types of Water Damages and How SERVPRO Restoration Professionals Can Help

2/21/2019 (Permalink)

flooding and storm water on floor SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is a trusted leader in emergency property restoration and cleanup situations of any type or magnitude.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has helped countless local New Jersey business owners with emergency commercial water removal services following invasive, problematic water damage issues that have threatened to halt normal business operations. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in emergency property restoration and cleanup situations of any type or magnitude. Our water mitigation and restoration professionals care about your employees' health and business operations, they work efficiently and quickly to restore your property, “Like it never even happened.” We know how important your time is, our goal is to help you stay open, operational, and in business.

RECOGNIZED AND TRUSTED WATER DAMAGE EXPERTS

If you find that your office, warehouse, restaurant or other commercial property has experienced water or sewage damage, from broken plumbing, flooding, roof leaks or other types of water damage the most effective solution is to hire a restoration company like SERVPRO to begin the cleanup, repair, and restoration process. When your New Jersey home or business suffers a water damage, understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensuring proper cleanup. We offer 24-hour services, excellent customer service, and expedient remediation work that return your home to a safe, sanitary condition.

THERE ARE 3 BASIC CATEGORIES OF WATER

Category 1:
Clean water originates from a sanitary source such as a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean and poses no substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. However, it may not always remain clean after it meets other surfaces or materials.

Category 2:
Gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. It may contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological).

Category 3:
Black water is highly contaminated and filled with pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Such water sources may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster; Black water should always be handled by trained professionals.

THE 4 PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS OF WATER DAMAGE

  • Class 1 is the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture. Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present.

  • Class 2 involves a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects at least an entire room of carpet and cushion (pad). Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches. There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil.

  • Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation. Water may have come from overhead.  Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushions and subfloor in virtually all the entire area is saturated.

  • Class 4 relates to specialty drying situations. Wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (eg. hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light-weight concrete and stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity. These types of losses may require longer drying times and special methods.

We have the knowledge, experience and proper equipment to locate any hidden moisture lurking out of sight and clean up water damage of any size and get it done right the first time.

Moisture sensors, which are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls. We have moisture meters that we use to test the actual moisture content of materials. The meters allow our technicians to accurately monitor the drying process. Our team also has thermohygrometers on hand to measure temperature and relative humidity, which ensures techs can calculate and create an environment that is most conducive to drying.

Locally Owned and Operated
When you have a commercial or residential water damage, don’t leave your property to chance.

Call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury (732) 257-3739

As a locally owned and operated business, Our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury teams are close by and ready to respond to your water and flood damage emergency. As leaders in the water damage industry, we have advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands-on experience.

Getting your commercial property back in order doesn’t have to be a total loss. If you are experiencing a flooded commercial property in the Northern and Eastern New Jersey area, make sure to consult a local SERVPRO professional clean-up and restoration crew as soon as possible to help ensure proper and thorough cleanup.

WHEN WINTER STORMS ATTACK YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS OUR NEW JERSEY SERVPRO TEAM CAN HELP

2/15/2019 (Permalink)

freezing temperatures during winter Our team takes every step possible to minimize the intrusion while working on the cleanup and restoration of your winter storm property damage.

Winter weather can cause damage from top to bottom in your home or business. Our weather patterns have become increasingly unpredictable, resulting in heavy snow and freezing temperatures one day and warmer temperatures and rain the next. Ice, freezing rain, wind and snow all play a role in New Jersey winter property damage losses.

The good news SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is always here to help, our specialized equipment and highly trained professional staff has the scope of services to handle your New Jersey property restoration needs from start to finish. We understand you may not have all the answers, this maybe the first traumatic experience with your residential or commercial property, calling our team connects you to a professional staff that can provide the answers to your restoration concerns and tailor a solution to restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

The winter season creates the most common and costly claims for home and business owners, and winter-related claims are on the rise, likely due to the severity of storms and increase in the number of people with insurance protection. Over 50% of ALL homeowner claims come from wintery wind, hail, and weather-related water damage.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is prepared with highly trained professionals and top-notch equipment to be your number one resource during these times of distress. No property disaster is too large for us to handle, our professionals can find solutions to restore your property, “Like it never even happened.”

ROOF DAMAGE: We often take for granted the work our roofs do for us during tough New Jersey winters, they keep us safe, dry and warm from the worst winter snow and ice storms. They bear the brunt of the elements, over time the cycle of snow and ice accumulation can have devastating effects and cause major damage to roofing materials and weaken the structural components. Excessive snow loads and weakened roofing materials from ice dams, pooling or leakage are all possible problems that can cause water to infiltrate your home or business and cause water damage.

PIPE BURSTS: We also take for granted the plumbing system in our home or business we just know the water is running or in the case of a pipe freeze (not running). During the winter it gets cold and your pipes feel that too, if your pipes get too cold, the water inside will freeze. The ice can expand causing tiny stresses and breaks or a burst, when the ice melts water begins to leak and causes water property damage to your New Jersey home or business. Freezing pipes are a major concern, and a priority for our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury team; learn more about how we can help. Freezing pipes account for 18% of all water damage claims, damage from pipe bursts can include flooding, ceiling collapse, floor and wall damage, contents and electronic damage and mold.

WET BASEMENTS: A Basement is a wonderful asset to your home or business, it can provide additional storage or living space to a crowded property. During winter months melting snow can cause water damage in your basement from faulty gutters, cracks in foundations and improper drainage. Water damage is one of the most common and worst side effects of water leakage or flooding in a basement. In addition to contributing to structural and foundation problems, basement water damage can destroy your personal belongings and interior decorative finishes and it also has the power to create the perfect environment for toxic mold growth.

Our SERVPRO technicians are IICRC certified and have experience working with a variety of water damage situations both big and small. We have seen flooding and carpet issues, to broken or frozen pipe and plumbing issues, and basement and roof leaks. Our technicians understand that a property damage event can be traumatic and unexpected; they realize time and efficiency are important and they take every step possible to minimize the intrusion while executing the cleanup and restoration of your home or business.

24 Hour Emergency Service Call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury servicing New Jersey

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury provides 24-hour emergency services to New Jersey communities, for fire, smoke, sewage and water and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. Our service pros respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

  • 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
  • Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
  • A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

What you should expect while contacting one of our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury professionals

FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION AND REPAIR SOLUTIONS FOR MIDDLESEX COUNTY

1/29/2019 (Permalink)

chimney fire damage to residential interior If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your residence it is important to contact SERVPRO for quick and effective mitigation and restoration.

FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION SOLUTIONS AND HOME FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

Artic temperatures across the Northeast have New Jersey homeowners getting warm and cozy by their fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. It is important to remember proper maintenance and fire safety actions when starting that fire this season, for the first time and each time after. Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves pose a considerable fire threat to your home and family, a fire can result in the loss of personal items, property and even life. Taking proper precautions when using your fireplace or wood-burning stove can help you avoid a property fire disaster negatively impacting your life this winter.

Chimney fires and puffbacks can cause major destruction to your home and possessions; smoke and soot can continue to cause damage long after the flames have gone out.

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your home it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

STEPS FOR PROPER FIRE PROPERTY RESTORATION:

STEP 1: THE INSPECTION

The first step in the fire mitigation process is determining the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of the smoke damage, and then documenting it through photos to provide to the homeowner’s insurance company. How the fire was started and what materials were damaged gives insight to our professionals on how best to cleanup and restore the loss areas. SERVPRO professionals will explain the cleaning process, go over what you can expect from the demolition and repair/rebuild phases, explain the types of equipment used during the process and begin to decide what items are salvageable after a thorough inventory has been completed.

STEP 2: PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE WITH CLEANUP & INTERVENTION

SERVPRO cleanup teams will remove any contents from your home as quickly as possible to minimize further damage, our technicians will focus on improving air quality and removing soot and debris to avoid continued damage to your home and contents. HERE TO HELP TIP: If you can turn off your homes HVAC system until a professional arrives for the inspection to avoid spreading contamination to unaffected areas. Our restoration professionals may recommend having vents, ducts and furnaces cleaned/serviced to prevent soot from circulating throughout the home.

STEP 3: REMOVAL OF ITEMS DAMAGED BY FIRE AND SMOKE

SERVPRO professionals know how important your home and possessions are, we take extra care in removing items, and involve homeowners during the inventory process. Make sure to notify our SERVPRO technicians of important/sentimental items, or things your family may need returned to them quickly. Contents are photographed, inventoried and packaged, and then taken offsite to our cleaning facility where they’re stored during the repairs. Since the fire cleanup process can vary, it’s common for fire- or smoke-damaged items to be inventoried and later determined as salvageable or non-salvageable.

STEP 4: CONTAINMENT, MITIGATION, REPAIRS AND RESTORATION

SERVPRO professionals will start with containment to help restrict odors and debris from contaminating the air throughout the house and keep the damage contained at the source of the fire and affected areas of the home.

Mitigation – water restoration equipment including air movers and dehumidifiers will remove moisture from walls, flooring and subflooring. Our SERVPRO team will give advice when deciding what items and materials to clean and restored, or what should be replaced. Carpets, fabrics and other porous materials usually need special attention because they are easily ruined. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s licensed construction team is an asset to our organization, with them our professionals can provide an additional estimate to continue your complete home restoration solutions with scheduling your repairs and reconstruction phase getting homeowners back into their property as quickly as possible.

SERVPRO Is Always Open for Your New Jersey Property Emergency

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

Green truck restoration services Our SERVPRO team never stops being READY to handle your New Jersey fire, water or mold property disaster.

Property Disasters don’t have regular hours and neither does SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury New Jersey’s dedicated team of technicians and project managers.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury provides emergency cleaning and restoration services to New Jersey 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.
 
When property damage from fire, smoke, water strike, time is of the essence. Contacting a Disaster Restoration company within the first 24 hours after the initial damage can better prevent permanent destruction and reduce repair costs to homeowners. That’s why, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury provides 24-HOUR Emergency Support EVERYDAY! We always have a trained Disaster restoration professional here to help you with your fire or water property damage, call us (732) 257-3739.
 
We answer the phone ready to help with your property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your property damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Emergency Contact: After a property disaster or emergency at your New Jersey home or business, your call to us will connect you to one of our trained SERVPRO restoration professionals to take some basic information to provide to our project managers and technicians. 

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Your insurance information (if applicable)
  • The street address of the water-damaged home or business
  • When did the flooding or water damage occur?
  • What caused the water damage (if known)?
  • Is there electricity available (on-site)?


Inspection and Damage Assessment including Estimate: One of our trained professionals will come and assess your property damage. What type of fire is it? What type of water loss was it? These answers are critical to addressing the unique solution for your restoration needs.

Restoration, Cleanup and Repair: With your approval, our team of skilled technicians starts working on your restoration and cleanup. We can provide board-up, packing and itemizing your property, water, smoke or soot removal, drying and dehumidification, cleanup and repair services depending on your specific situation and restoration needs.

Your best defense against long lasting commercial fire, smoke and water property damage is a quick and rigorous response by our trained technicians. Each SERVPRO of East Windsor team member has been thoroughly trained in fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation before stepping foot onto your home or business. Our restoration technicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment and technology to restore and repair your entire structure and belongings as efficiently as possible.

Property Emergencies happen every day and acting fast after property damage could mean the difference between restoring your home quickly to preloss condition or needing extensive and expensive reconstruction. Our SERVPRO team never stops being READY to handle your New Jersey fire, water or mold property disaster, we have the best staff, with the best resources standing ready to answer your call quickly and restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Your New Jersey property can survive winter with these tips for a safe season.

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

winter weather and snow Preparing your New Jersey property for winter can help prevent ice dams, frozen pipes, and other types of water damage to your home or business.

Winter is Here! SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury wants you to protect your home from fire and water damage emergencies this winter. Before the chilly weather sets in for good, it’s time for some repairs and maintenance to keep your home or business safe and warm this winter.

  • Keep the Cold Outside
    Check around the windows and doors for any gaps in the insulation or caulking, your home can lose a lot of warmth in the winter months if not properly sealed. Remember to change your HVAC system filters and have your unit inspected for debris or mold. At entry ways have a non-skid mat or rug to protect floors and prevent falls. Inspect your roof and siding for gaps or damage from storms, make any necessary repairs.

  • Protect the Pipes
    Pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and near outer walls can be susceptible to freezing in extreme temperatures, avoid a costly pipe break or other water related disaster. Wrap exposed pipes in your attic, basement, or crawlspaces, with extra insulation around them to prevent them from freezing and causing damage. Don’t forget your water heater, add additional insulation if it’s located in an exposed or cold location.

  • Prepare the Car for Cold Weather
    There are several things you can do to keep your car in good shape during cold conditions. Make sure you have a new set of windshield wipers and switch to a winter washer fluid. Check the tire pressure levels regularly with temperature changes, and make sure the coolant and antifreeze levels are plentiful. It’s a good idea to get an oil change to keep the car working at optimal efficiency. Have an emergency kit for your car including: flashlights, warm blankets, water and a first aid kit. It’s also a good idea to keep a shovel, ice scraper and a bag of sand.

  • Don't Forget Yard Care
    Even with the cold weather conditions, your yard still needs to be maintained. Make sure tree and shrub branches are well away from the house and windows. Icy conditions can cause branches to break and damage your home. Autumn is the time for falling leaves, so make sure to clean out the gutters, to avoid possible ice dams and other costly water damage, and rake them off the lawn, clean the flower beds and prepare them for next year with fertilizer.

  • Snow and Ice Preparedness
    Switch out Spring and Summer tools for Winter ones, keep the snow removal tools close at hand; including roof rakes, snow shovels and blowers, and pet-safe ice melt. Stock up on emergency supplies like batteries, ready-to-eat foods and maybe a generator.


Winter temperatures and storms can come on quick, often before you’re even prepared for it, don’t put off getting your home ready for the winter season. Taking some time to prepare your home for winter can help prevent ice dams, frozen pipes, and other types of water or fire damage to your home. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is prepared to help home owners in the case of a water or fire property damage Emergency. Our highly-trained technicians are ready to get your home back to normal after a disaster, “Like it never even happened.”

Contact us for 24-7 Emergency Service for your home or business, Fire and Water Damage Emergencies.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is Always Here to Help! (732) 257-3739

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has some helpful tips to keep your New Jersey kitchen safe from fire damage.

11/16/2018 (Permalink)

fire from stove Cooking fires are the most common cause of home fires, follow these tips to help prevent potential cooking hazards in your Edison or Cranbury home.

Don’t let a cooking fire ruin your holiday season, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has some helpful tips for preventing fire property disasters.

While most of us are thankful for spending time with loved ones and eating too much delicious food on Thanksgiving. There are more potential hazards in your Old Bridge or Cranbury kitchen than over stuffing your turkey or yourself.

Year after year cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking accounts for about 47% of home fires and 45% of the fire-related injuries reported across the country each year. The NFPA says Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and then Christmas Eve. Make sure you keep yourself and your family safe this year with these safety tips.

REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE KITCHEN

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says 6 out of 7 cooking fires occurred while the cook was out of the kitchen, and 2/3rds of these fires happened in the first 15 minutes of cooking. So the BEST THING you can do to keep you and your family and property safe this year, ALWAYS watch what you’re cooking. If you’re using the stovetop, stay in the kitchen and watch closely. Also, experts recommend setting a timer periodically to remind you to check the oven.

OTHER FIRE PREVENTION TIPS INCLUDE:

  • Roll up sleeves and don’t wear loose fitting clothing that could catch and open flame or heating element
  • Ban children and pets from a 3-foot “safe zone” around the stove
  • Keep the stove and oven clean, turn pot handles in to avoid spills and cleanup any messes when appropriate
  • Keep potholders, dishtowels, oven mitts, food packaging and other clutter off and away from the stove.
  • Clean cooking equipment thoroughly because built-up grease can catch fire.
  • Don’t over heat your oils, and wait for grease to cool before disposing, tossing hot grease in a trashcan could turn into a disaster

Smoke detectors are your first line for defense against a fire disaster situation so make sure you have one installed in or near the kitchen and make sure it’s working properly.

IF A FIRE DOES HAPPEN, CONSIDER THESE SAFETY TIPS

  • Just get out, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
  • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
  • Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

People often try to put out cooking fires themselves with a fire extinguisher or even water. NEVER use water on any grease fire. Store fire safety equipment in a cabinet or under the sink – It’s important to have a fire extinguisher close by as well as a box of baking soda or salt for grease fires. The first step you can take is turning the stove off and having a lid handy to put over the pan you can also smother the fire with baking soda or salt. If the fire is in your oven just close the door and turn off the heat. Done improperly your cooking fire can spread to other parts of your New Jersey kitchen, any time you are unsure of how to combat a fire your best option is to leave and call your local fire department.

CREATE AND PRACTICE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.

Practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year, more often if you have small children. 

Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

  • Find two ways out. Visit each room of your house and find two ways out, including windows and
    doors. Make sure all escape routes open easily so you can get outside, and install emergency release
    devices on any security bars on doors or windows. Practice feeling your war out in the dark and with
    your eyes closed.
  • Involve children in planning. Consider having your children help create a fire evacuation plan. Draw a
    map of the home and have children mark two exit routes and the locations of smoke detectors. Make
    sure your children know NOT to hide from firefighters or other first responders.
  • Choose a meeting spot. Decide on a meeting place outside, such as a neighbor’s house, mailbox or stop
    sign. It should be in the front of the house so emergency responders can see you when they arrive.
  • Agree not to go back into the house after you leave.
    Have a backup plan. If the planned exit routes are blocked and it’s not possible to leave the house, close
    all doors between you and the fire. Place a towel under the door and go to an exterior-facing window.
  • Call the local fire department to report your location.


Whether you’re trying a new cooking technique or cooking your signature dish the way you have countless times before; practicing these important holiday safety tips can help you to avoid major mishaps that could lead to smoke or fire damage.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury wishes you a safe and happy holiday season. If your home does experience fire or smoke damage, give us call at (732) 257-3739. We can restore your home “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury works quickly after a fire or water disaster, helping avoiding interruption to your restaurant or commercial property

11/2/2018 (Permalink)

disaster recovery services Business interruption affects many parts of a business and can lead to a significant loss of profit, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can help!

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury works quickly and efficiently to restore your fire and water damage, with little to no interruption to your Old Bridge New Jersey restaurant or other commercial property.


Running a New Jersey restaurant or other commercial property is a challenge, time is of the essence when a disaster strikes your restaurant or other commercial property. Business interruption affects not only your relationships with customers but also impacts the lives of your employees and can lead to a significant loss of profit. Our technicians make your recovery process from smoke, fire and water damage as simple as possible, from performing an initial inspection and assessment of existing damages to finalizing all repairs and performing a final walk through.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s fire and water damage restoration process begins with locating and repairing the source, making sure that it is no longer a problem. Each New Jersey property loss situation requires unique steps to ensure the safety of your patrons, employees and the workers performing repairs. If any hazards exist that affect the operations of your company, we notify you immediately. To properly remove standing water and other moisture that exists on your property, we use quality water extraction equipment such as; wet-dry vacuums, hand-held and truck mounted extractors, or submersible pumps, depending on the amount of water that exists and the size of the affected area.

Even a localized kitchen fire can quickly spread to cabinetry and counters, requiring the need for both cleanup and even possibly demolition and reconstruction. Still, one of the most significant threats to a customer experience is the odor wafting through the dining area from a recent kitchen blaze. Our teams work tirelessly to clean, deodorize, and repair every damaged item found on your Old Bridge, New Jersey property. Our experience gives us a unique perspective when it comes to cleaning delicate cooking utensils or high-dollar appliances. We also use an appropriate antimicrobial, antibacterial, or disinfectant to treat potential health risks, returning your property to a safe, healthy condition.  

Our Commercial Fire and Water Damage Restoration Process

Fire and water damage can leave your New Jersey restaurant or commercial property unsafe for potential customers. Our experienced SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury restoration specialists are trained to clean and restore your property with as little disruption as possible.

Step1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Fire & Water Damage Assessment

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

Step 6: Cleaning and Repair

Step 7: Restoration & Rebuild

Fire or water damage to your New Jersey business is frustrating and needs to be dealt with by trained professionals to ensure further damage does not continue to impact your commercial property down the road. We understand the level of importance that surrounds maintaining a safe, healthy environment in your New Jersey restaurant. 

You need access to SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s team of qualified professionals who are ready to provide you with the expert restoration services you deserve, a company that puts every effort into making damages on your property disappear, “Like it never even happened.”

Have our SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury professionals perform HEALTH AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY Services with our HVAC & AIR DUCT CLEANING Team.

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

air duct equipment HVAC and Air Duct System will start to slowly collect dirt and debris, the cumulative effect of this over time can lead to considerable energy loss.

Health and energy efficiency is a major concern for many New Jersey property owners and managers. It is becoming increasingly important to clean and maintain your HVAC and Air Duct systems to avoid any negative impact it could have on the health and efficiency of your property and occupants.
 
As much as half of the energy used in your home or business goes to heating and cooling. Making smart decisions about your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort.

BENEFITS OF OUR HEALTH & ENERGY EFFICIENCY SERVICES

  • Restore peak energy efficiency & lower energy costs
  • Eliminate allergens and odors
  • Reduce the potential for mold growth


Through normal HVAC use dirt and debris will start to slowly collect on the surfaces of your HVAC components, these contaminants if not properly maintained can cause a degradation of the efficiency of the entire system. The cumulative effect of this over time can lead to considerable energy loss and can be a contributor to higher energy bills for your New Jersey home or business. In addition, allergy and asthma sufferers, young children, and other occupants with breathing difficulties are more susceptible to poor indoor air quality.

COMMON PROBLEM AREAS

These are common problem areas that contribute to restricted airflow, increased energy consumption and reduced equipment longevity:

  • Duct and System Leakage
  • Closed, Clogged or Stuck Dampers
  • Filtration Issues
  • Excess or Damaged Ductwork
  • Failed Duct Liner
  • Clogged/Nonfunctioning Exhaust Systems


SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury professionals can perform an inspection to access your system and determine the depth of your problem and if your system could benefit from our cleaning and maintenance services. If moisture is present, the potential for mold growth is increased, sending spores into your working or living spaces, creating a much larger problem. 
 

HVAC AND AIR DUCT CLEANING

Generally, refers to the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers, heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pains, fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.
 
PARTS OF AN HVAC UNIT THAT CAN BENEFIT FROM ROUTINE MAINTENANCE:

  • EVAPORATOR COIL: particle buildup can have an insulating effect on the surface of the coil, leading to longer cooling times and greater energy consumption.
  • HEATING COIL: dust and dirt will accumulate and clog air passages this restricts air flow and the furnace must run longer to reach desired temperatures. If a coil is severely impacted by debris, it can cause the unit to malfunction.
  • DAMPERS AND TURNING VANES: these elements ensure proper air flow throughout your system, particles or larger debris like insulation can obstruct or diminish airflow, leading to an overall degradation of the entire system.
  • AIR REGISTERS: dust and debris can accumulate on the blades and seriously reduce air flow, negatively impacting overall energy performance and comfort levels in the space.
  • FRESH AIR INTAKE SCREEN: these openings are integral to the quality of air inside your building, they quickly become clogged from environmental debris and buildup inhibits proper fresh air from entering the system.
  • FAN AND BLOWERS: particle buildup can reduce the capacity of the blades to move adequate air causing the blower motor to run longer while pushing less air per rotation. 

When HVAC systems are cleaned of dirt and debris, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the desired temperatures, air can flow more freely. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness, longer operating life, as well as health benefits and energy savings.

Our team of professionals can inspect your local New Jersey HVAC or air duct system and access your specific situation and work with you to provide a solution to keep your business air quality healthy and energy efficient. The exact solution for your New Jersey property will depend on a few factors, including the size of your overall duct and vent system, how accessible your HVAC system is to our technicians, and the level of maintenance required.

Give SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury a call for a Free Assessment, we are Always Here to Help! SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury (732) 257-3739

The SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Construction Team can help Repair and Restore these 5 Common Property Damage Areas.

10/24/2018 (Permalink)

home during water damage reconstruction Our building team can help restore and rebuild your Old Bridge, Monroe or other local New Jersey home/business to a safe and welcoming place, again.

Putting your local New Jersey area property back together after a disaster can be challenging, our construction team takes pride in helping restore and repair residential or commercial property after a fire, water or mold disaster! Restoring your residential or commercial property, “Like it never even happened,” is important to us, making improvements after a disaster is common. Our professionals are skilled at working with home and business owners to help navigate a rebuild or remodel, our team is here to help from disaster restoration to the final walk through after reconstruction.

5 COMMON PROPERTY DAMAGE AREAS

  • Bathrooms suffer common water damage mainly because they are exposed to several water and plumbing sources including sinks and bathtubs/showers in a localized area.

  • Kitchens can suffer damage from both water and fire hazards and can see major damage to floors, appliances, cabinets and counter tops.

  • Basements are prone to water and mold damage from poor drainage and ventilation, both finished and unfinished basements can see major damage from storm and environmental leakage and flooding.

  • Exterior Elements such as a roof, doors, windows and siding are all common locations to see property damage from weather, water, fire and mold. Whether damage is small or extensive, taking care of these problems immediately can minimize continued damage to your home.

  • Floors commonly suffer water damage and can significantly affect your home’s overall safety and structure, leading to costly repairs.

These common areas are ideal places to look for upgrades or remodel options when your property suffers from storm, water, fire or mold damage. The SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury construction team can help you reimagine your space and restore and rebuild your Northern New Jersey home to a comfortable, safe and welcoming home or business, again. 

  • Open-Concept Living: Consider knocking down a wall, creating distinct groupings for the space, and make sure to leave plenty of negative space to help separate the areas and provide space for walking around and entertaining.

  • Upgrading Windows, Lighting and Fixtures: Adding a new window, skylight or new light fixtures can brighten up your space and create more flow for enhanced natural light.

  • Aesthetics: Color can unify and update a dated space, research color trends and find a style that fits your property. Adding wall art, throw pillows, and other accessories can make the space more welcoming.

  • Finishing a Basement: A moisture-free and properly ventilated basement can provide additional living space that is an ideal location for an extra bedroom, home office or entertainment area, and don’t forget some additional storage

  • Upgrading your kitchen or bathroom: Updated cabinets, replacing a tub or shower, and new fixtures will make a huge difference, also updating your flooring, backsplash or adding an island for additional counter space are a few options.

A fire, water or mold disaster can ruin your possessions and significantly affect the structure of your home or business, which can result in costly repairs.


Our team at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is here to help, we are trusted leaders in the restoration industry and we have the expertise and manpower to address the damage and make repairs. We take pride in every detail of restoring your New Jersey area property and getting your life back to normal as quickly as possible.

Moisture & Mold Solutions for Your Cranbury Home or Business

9/26/2018 (Permalink)

mold types If your New Jersey property mold damage is larger than 10 sq. ft, you should contact a mold remediation service like SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury

Indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% are ideal.

Moisture problems in your home have a variety of causes and can lead to major property damage and encourage harmful mold and mildew growth.

Common causes of Moisture and Mold in your home can be:

  • Water from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub, also weather related flooding in your home. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health effects.

  • Excessive moisture from condensation and high humidity can have negative effects on your property and may indicate poor ventilation or that repairs are needed.

  • Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in your roof, foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors.

  • Normal activities such as cooking, bathing, clothes drying and dish washing also add moisture to the air.

All of these common problems contribute to overall high indoor humidity levels leading to mold and mildew growth. Mold can grow quickly and spread fast if moisture is left untreated, under ideal conditions (optimal temperature and level of humidity) it takes 24-48 hours for mold growth to occur. Typically you will start to see visible mold in 12-20 days, the more time passes the greater chance for mold to develop and spread through your home.

When you find mold damage in your Old Bridge, Cranbury or other local New Jersey property it is essential to call for remediation services as quickly as possible, as mold can cause health effects. Additionally, mold also leaves behind a musty smell and has the power to rot organic materials. For health and safety reasons, when you find mold, you should contact SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury professionals and have them remediate it for you.

When SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury arrives at your New Jersey home, we can swiftly inspect the mold damage and then identify a remediation strategy. The first step to containing the problem is to set up plastic sheeting, block vents and doorways, so the spores cannot spread while the colony is being removed.

Certified professionals have the training and experience to:

  • Identify moisture sources
  • Evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected)
  • Contain damage to the smallest area possible
  • Physically remove contamination
  • Dry materials to ensure that mold will not return
  • Perform or recommend procedures for returning property to a preloss condition

It is a good idea to inspect your New Jersey home or business regularly for any damage caused by moisture, if you notice any problems, take immediate action to fix them before they cause further damage or balloon into larger, more complicated issues. Here are some way you can reduce moisture and prevent damage in your home from water and mold.

  • Install vent fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
  • Run a dehumidifier.
  • Cover dirt floors in crawl spaces with a plastic vapor barrier.
  • Seal air and duct leaks.
  • Houseplants can absorb moisture from the air
  • Never let wet clothing or other fabrics lie around
  • Avoid activities that add moisture to the air on humid days, such as taking hot showers and boiling water on the stove.

Indoor plants that help absorb moisture:

These are perfect plants to have in your home or business to help decrease moisture in the air, with the added bonus of purifying your air of certain contaminants at the same time.

Reed Palms, English Ivy, and Boston Ferns

These plants will reduce humidity levels by absorbing moisture from the air through their leaves.

Some moisture property problems require more complex solutions, and sources of moisture may be hidden.

Consult SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury for a complete inspection if you have serious water damage or mold problems due to humidity, condensation or a water leak or flood. Luckily, our team at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is highly qualified and trained in water and mold remediation and restoration services. Every New Jersey water and mold restoration situation is unique and we treat them that way.

We are here for you in these very stressful times, our team is Always Here to Help! Contact SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury @ 732-257-3739!


Our experts will come in and assess your South East New Jersey water or mold problem, take the proper steps to limit additional damage. Our teams works quickly to eliminate the water, prepare the area for our advanced drying techniques, inspect for additional damage or mold and work with you to restore your property back to a stable, safe and healthy condition.

Big Concerns: Hurricane Season 2018 Preparing for Intense Storms

9/12/2018 (Permalink)

Knowing the category of a hurricane can help you understand how threatening it may be. It is never too early to start preparing for an emergency.

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season produced 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes and six major hurricanes, including three Category 4 hurricanes that made landfall in the United States: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. It was the most active season since 1936. 

When it comes to hurricanes, most of the overwhelming damage, is from the "very few strongest storms," Mann said. "What matters is how many Category 3, 4, and 5 storms we get, and we're likely to see more of those storms, and more damage… as a result." —Penn State climate scientist Michael Mann

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over warm ocean waters and move toward land. Potential threats from hurricanes include powerful winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and landslides. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, Although, they are most common to New Jersey areas during September and early October.

Southern New England is subject to all three hurricane threats:

  • Coastal flooding due to the storm surge.
  • Widespread wind damage.
  • Widespread inland small stream and river flooding due to heavy rains.

Typhoons and hurricanes are both tropical cyclones with winds of at least 74 miles per hour. The only difference is where they are located. Typhoons form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, while hurricanes occur in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, central and northeast Pacific.

Knowing the category of a hurricane can help you understand how threatening it may be.

Category 1: Winds range from 74 to 95 mph and can be expected to produce some minor damage to property. Injuries to people and animals are generally isolated and limited to flying or falling debris. During a Category 1 storm, protected glass windows generally remain intact. Some roof damage to frame homes, apartments, and shopping centers can also occur, as well as short-term power outages due to snapped power lines and downed trees.

Category 2: Winds range from 96 to 110 mph and can be expected to produce extensive property damage. Greater wind velocities mean that debris poses a greater threat to humans and animals, while the roofing, siding, and glass windows (protected and unprotected) of frame homes are more vulnerable to damage. In a Category 2 storm, significant structural damage to apartment buildings, mobile homes, and shopping centers is also expected, as well as flooding in low-lying areas. Extensive power outages ranging from a few days to a few weeks are common, and residents are encouraged to stock up on potable water as filtration systems also fail during this time.

Category 3: Winds ranging from 111 to 130 mph cause significant damage to property, humans, and animals. Mobile and poorly constructed frame homes are often destroyed, and even well-built frame homes commonly sustain major damage. Significant damage to apartments and shopping centers (even those made of wood or steel) can be expected. Category 3 storms can also cause extensive inland flooding. Electricity and water are commonly unavailable for several days to several weeks after the storm, therefore it’s important for residents to have their own stores of canned food and water.

Category 4: Winds range from 131 to 155 mph and can cause catastrophic damage to property, humans, and animals. Severe structural damage to frame homes, apartments, and shopping centers should be expected. Category 4 hurricanes often include long-term power outages and water shortages lasting from a few weeks to a few months, so again, it’s important for any remaining residents to have a significant nonperishable food and water supply at hand.

Category 5: Winds at or greater than 155 mph cause catastrophic damage to property, humans, and animals (read: you should be nowhere near this storm!). Complete or almost-complete destruction of mobile homes, frame homes, apartments, and shopping centers should be expected, and nearly all trees in the area will be snapped or uprooted. Power outages can last for weeks and possibly months. Long-term water shortages should be expected as well, and most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

The strongest hurricanes, have brought severe water and storm damage to coastal locations, including Old Bridge, Cranbury and other local New Jersey areas, while totally disrupting utility power for days across the interior from downed trees and high winds. Both the stronger hurricanes and many of the weaker tropical storms have caused inland river flooding in parts of the New England. History shows that everyone living in southern New England must take tropical storms and hurricanes seriously. Whether you live along the coast, by a river or stream, or far inland, a tropical storm or hurricane striking Southern New England will affect our local area, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is ready to help you repair your home/business water damage.

The Difference Between a Hurricane Watch and a Hurricane Warning

The difference is 12 HOURS. A watch is issued when a hurricane or tropical storm is possible within 36 hours. A warning is issued when those same conditions are expected within 24 hours.

It’s important to take steps while you have time before a storm arrives to protect the well-being of your family/employees and home/business.

Step 1: Have an Emergency Communication and Evacuation Plan; have a predetermined location both on your property, like the large tree in the front yard, or the family station wagon; and in your local town to meet incase an emergency causes your family to separate. It’s also a good idea to discuss a relative out of town that will be a check-in since it could be difficult to reach others in the same emergency area.

Step 2: Supplies; you should have enough supplies in your home for 72 hours for each member of your family, this includes having specialty items for babies and children or the elderly. You should also have an emergency and first aid kit for your home, your car and each person should have a personal kit for themselves. Another good thing to think about is flashlights, batteries and multiple copies of area maps.

Step 3: Insurance Coverage; consider your coverage for flooding, it’s important to have contact information incase of an emergency and make sure you know what to do if a storm causes damage to your property. If flooding is predicted try and move your vehicles to a safer location. Taking a home inventory can be as simple as snapping cell phone photos of the contents in each of your home’s rooms, and recording the item number or serial number of more important items.

Step 4: Important Documents; you should keep copies of important documents including; proof of ownership for homes, cars and other property. Make sure to keep copies of you and your family’s personal identification and banking information. It’s also a good idea to have some cash available, after a storm getting to an ATM or bank maybe difficult depending on the severity of the damage.

Step 5: Secure Your Property; Experts recommend piling up sandbags at least 2 feet high as an effective barricade against floodwaters. Unplug unused household electronics and appliances, if you are evacuating consider shutting off electricity. Think about trimming trees to reduce any falling limbs and cleaning up things around your home and yard like potted plants, lawn furniture and children’s toys.

Step 6: Electronic Concerns; Aside from keeping extra batteries and chargers around during a hurricane, people are also encouraged to backup any electronic devices. It’s a good idea to store your data at an off-site location.

Call in the Professionals

The effects of a storm to a homeowner can oftentimes be devastating, sustained winds and flooding can damage your home and belongings. When storm and water damage gets serious in Old Bridge, Cranbury New Jersey, there is really only one team to call—SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury! Our team is highly qualified and trained in water restoration, our experts will come in, assess your damage, take the proper remediation steps to limit damage. We work hand in hand with your insurance company to restore your home to what it was before. Like it never even happened!

  • We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster
  • We provide 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • We are a Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
  • We are Locally Owned and Operated

Every New Jersey water restoration situation is unique and our team will treat them that way. We are here in your Old Bridge, Cranbury New Jersey local community to help during your water or storm property damage, in these very stressful times and we are Always Here to Help!

When You Need Help, Call Us SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury at (732) 257-3739

SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury went Back to School Early, Helping a New Jersey School with Restoration After Water Damage.

8/29/2018 (Permalink)

school hallway during water damage cleanup Contacting our SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury team following any New Jersey water damage, will save precious time and minimize losses to your proper

When flooding caused extensive water damage in a New Jersey school, SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury was there to help with restoration and reconstruction.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury was there to help, our certified professionals knew that water damage recovery starts with damage assessment, temporary protection, supervised implementation of emergency plans and ongoing monitoring. Our team completed the water extraction and dehumidification processes, thoroughly treated the affected surfaces to inhibit bacteria, mold and mildew growth, and began any necessary reconstruction of the school facility in record time, assuring that classes could resume as quickly as possible.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury’s goal is to protect not only your belongings but also your health. We provide 24-hour emergency services that are essential to stabilizing and protecting your health and property from further damage.

When water damage occurs in a school or other commercial building, knowing what to do will save precious time and ultimately minimize losses to your property and building contents. Our professionals have extensive experience repairing and restoring catastrophic water damage. Our technicians understand that unattended water damage continues to cause harm to your commercial property over time. Making it necessary to make quick, informed decisions, performing quality restoration services today, that save you from further damaging problems, tomorrow.

At SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury we take pride in our ability to erase the damage done by water, including damages caused by hidden problems. After 48 hours of exposure to water, there is a risk of mold growth in wet materials. Our water damage team of technicians put years of training, experience, and specialized equipment to work for you, ensuring the removal of all remaining moisture and a fast, effective drying process that you can count on. Our restoration specialists utilize infrared technology and thermal imagery to assess the full extent of the damage that your property has suffered. The technology can show our technicians areas where water might still exist based on a temperature difference. This process can ensure that the damage has not reached other areas of the building and confirm the completion of the restoration process.

SERVPRO STEPS FOR A WATER DAMAGE EMERGENCY

Step 1 - Emergency Contact
When you call, our representative will guide you through several questions that will help the SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury team first respond to your water emergency more quickly and efficiently. This initial contact is an important part of a fast, effective restoration.

Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
They carefully inspect your properties water damage, determining the type of water damage and the areas affected. This is a crucial step to creating an effective plan of action that will result in a successful restoration.

Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction
Typically, hundreds or thousands of gallons of water are removed using our powerful pumps and vacuums during the water removal process. Our professionals start this process as soon as possible to minimize further damage and to help prevent mold growth.

Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification
After the bulk of the water has been removed, SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury skilled technicians use specialized equipment to target the water that is harder to access. They use less intrusive, scientific drying methods to draw the remaining water and moisture from your property with air movers and dehumidifiers.

Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing
Water damage also affects your belongings, like furniture, clothing, and personal items. Our team of professionals can clean and restore items using a number of specialized cleaning techniques. They also sanitize with antimicrobial treatments and remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 6 - Restoration
The last step is restoring your home or business back to its before water damage condition. The restoration step can be relatively minor, such as replacing a few drywall panels, or could include major reconstruction, such as rebuilding entire rooms of a home or business.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. When our disaster team arrives on the scene, they know how to handle it with expertise no matter the size or scope of the situation.

We take pride in providing our employees with the best tools, equipment, and vehicles to effectively and efficiently get the problem solved with minimal stress and impact on our customers. We know it is never anticipated when a water emergency occurs, but when you call in our SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury team, you can count on us to get things refreshed and restored, "Like it never even happened."

If you need help to cleanup, restore and repair your property after a water damage event, give us a call (732) 257-3739 we are always here to help!

Protect Your Business with SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury

7/29/2018 (Permalink)

Be prepared for anything with SERVPRO's Emergency READY Profile

As many as 50% of businesses may never recover after a disaster, according to research. Without any context as to why some are able to survive, it might seem like the future of your business after fire, water, storm, or mold comes down to a coin flip. Luckily, you won’t need your lucky rabbit’s foot; you just need a recovery plan! SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury knows that preparation is the secret to success in many fields, and restoration is no different. SERVPRO has created a checklist to ensure that your company is prepared for the worst.

SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile is a startup approach that provides the information needed to begin restoring and recovering your business. It is designed to serve as a reference of vital building and contact information. Working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile means you will have access to over 40 years of experience with cleaning and restoring property after a natural or man-made disaster.

SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile Advantage

  • A free assessment of your facility

-With a free assessment your money can be put to rebuilding your business!

  • A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency

-It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects

  • A guide to help you get back into your building following disaster

-This will minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action

  • Establishes SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider

-We will be ready to help rebuild your business whenever needed!

  • Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin

-This will save you time and get us to work even sooner!

  • Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, etc…

-A quick reference of what to do, how to do it, and who to call provides solutions in advance

How to get a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile:

  • Visit SERVPRO.com/ready to register an account using your email address as your username (and choose a password)
  • Choose SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury as your preferred franchise representative
  • Begin creating ERPs for all your properties
  • Download the SERVPRO Ready Plan app onto your phone or computer
  • Launch the Ready Plan app and sign in using the information you provided earlier

After completing the needed forms a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile will be created and you are on the path to recovery already, but hopefully you will never need it! With a plan in place, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can get your business back in action and running “Like it never even happened”. Call us at (732) 257-3739

Common Signs that Water Damage is Lurking in Your Home.

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury will closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly.

Water damage is among the most common causes of property damage claims. One in every 50 insured homes will have a water-related property claim. The possible causes of water damage lurking in your home can originate from many different sources, with varying intensities, danger levels, and reach of damage. Even a well-maintained residence can have unexpected water damage including, a leaky dishwasher or sink, broken pipe(s), an overflowing washing machine, an old leaky roof, flood or storm damage and foundation cracks. If you see signs that water damage is lurking in your home, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury always here to help!

Water spots under sink cabinets

If you see water under the bathroom or kitchen sink it’s a warning sign that you have water damage and potential mold growth around the sink area. If the leak is bad enough, it could cause additional damage to the building structure, including the floor and walls, even if there’s no water present, water spots clearly indicate that pipes under the sink have a slow leak.

Ceiling and wall stains

Ceiling and wall stains are obvious signs of a roof, appliance, or plumbing leak, water saturates insulation and drywall, it can also lead to major water damage, that can compromise the structural integrity of the property. Check your roof for damage, broken tiles or puddling, also investigate appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher, and toilets for leaky spigots that could be dripping water and causing damage.

Mold growth

Mold needs water to grow, so it’s common to find mold in consistently damp locations—and finding mold is never a good thing, since it means your air quality is suffering. In fact, sensitive individuals may experience unpleasant symptoms such as aggravated allergy symptoms, cold-like issues, and more.

Squishy kitchen/bathroom tiles

Water damage is not always visible. In fact, it’s more common for damage to occur behind the floor, ceiling, and walls where you can’t see it. Since the bathroom is the most humid room in your home, it’s a common place for water damage and mold growth.

Standing water

Many things can cause water to pool in unlikely places, including a broken pipe or flooding. If you find standing water, it’s important to seek water damage remediation as quickly as possible. Ignoring the problem could lead to greater damage to your home’s structural integrity and air quality.

When you are dealing with water damage, call in the experts to help! SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can respond immediately and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. We closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly.

Contact us for 24-7 emergency service in your home. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Always here to help!

Don't Let Damage To Your Commercial Property Damage Your Bottom Line!

7/17/2018 (Permalink)

Regardless of the size of your commercial property SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can help restore your business!

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury knows that there are litanies of complications that can come as a result of damage being done to your commercial property. Large-scale disasters like flooding or fire can shut down your property and business costing you thousands in lost revenue. After disaster strikes, call an expert here at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury so we can get your business back up and running. With a 24-hour service offered 7 days a week, we are here whenever you could need us. The sooner we get to work repairing your commercial property the sooner your business can get back to making money!

Don’t get burned paying a lesser remediation service if your business has been affected by fire damage. Call the experts here at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury so we can start getting to work! Our fire and smoke restoration technicians will restore your business quickly. After cleaning the damage our technicians will begin removing the odor, so there is no smoky smell. Once the smell is removed, they will restore your fabric and upholstery.

Water damage can be caused by a plethora of causes; flooding, blizzards, even sprinklers that turned on as a result of a recent fire, can all have significant effects on your business (no matter how large or small your company). After all the contaminated water is removed, our experts will begin the structural drying. Once everything has dried, we will contain and remove the odor. Lastly, we will clean all the fabric and upholstery.

Mold remediation is necessary if stagnant water has been allowed to pool. It can be difficult to remove mold, especially from larger commercial properties. Our team of professionals can take care of everything; applied microbial remediation, water damage restoration, applied structural drying, and—of course—odor control and fabric cleaning.

Small or large office buildings, big box warehouses, or even apartment buildings—we will clean it all!

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury specializes in cleaning and restoring your commercial and residential property. Our staff is thoroughly versed in damage restoration. We are constantly training our staff on the newest and most efficient ways to remove mold. We are IICRC-certified and great at what we do. Give us a call at (732) 385-3182 so we can get to work fixing your business!

FIRES HAPPEN! Once the fire is out, the recovery process begins. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is here to help!

6/29/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has been successfully helping Old Bridge/Cranbury, NJ homeowners with fire damage for over 27 years.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury’s local professionals have been successfully helping Old Bridge/Cranbury, NJ homeowners with fire damage for over 27 years. We provide 24-hour emergency service and are dedicated to responding FASTER to any size disaster. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened."

24-Hour Emergency Fire Restoration Service

Call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury, New Jersey at (732) 257-3739 we’re ready 24 hours a day7 days a week to help with all your damage remediation needs. 

First Steps After a Fire:

  • Safety: Ask the firefighters or proper authorities on the scene if it is safe to go inside.
  • Call your Insurance provider: Let them know what happened so they can start a claim and initiate the paperwork for you.
  • Contact loved ones: Call to let everyone know you’re okay or let people who weren’t home know what happened.
  • Secure the residence/business: Prevent theft by locking the doors and covering windows or holes. If, you need help contact SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury, we are here to help!
  • Obtain a copy of the fire report: The report specifies all the necessary information about the fire including the time, casualties, date and the extent of fire damage.
  • Your current location: Notify friends, family, employers, schools, utilities & services of your temporary location. If you need somewhere to stay you can also contact the American Red Cross for assistance.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury, NJ can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. We can help you with providing estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning and repairing your home.

SERVPRO Steps for a Fire Damage Emergency:

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call the SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury, New Jersey, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Our representative will ask a series of questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us dispatch the nearest SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Professional with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

Our Professionals will carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

Step 3: 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, the SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Professional can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. They will then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

The SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury Professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

They will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. They’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire 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 home or business.

If You Have Questions or Need Help, Call Us Today

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury, New Jersey at (732) 257-3739

What To Do If Your Pipes Burst

6/11/2018 (Permalink)

Freezing temperatures are not only a pain for getting around in the winter, but can also damage your home. Plunging temps put your pipes at risk of freezing. Burst pipes cause problematic water damage require remediation, not to mention the risk for mold as well. As water freezes it expands putting pressure on metal and other pipes. The continuous expanding and contracting eventually weakens the integrity of your pipes turning them into ticking time bombs. Expanding water can cause pipes to break leaving you with a big, wet, cold mess.

The continual freezing and expansion that causes water pressure to increase downstream, between the ice blockage and the closed faucet at the end. It’s this increase in water pressure that leads to pipe failure and usually the pipe will burst where little or no ice has formed.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

Keep the water running at a trickle to keep water from settling? Open cabinets and draw heat to pipes against exterior walls and places like your basement.

If you should find yourself faced with a pipe break situation, contact your insurance company then call us. We have 24 hour emergency services available and will do our very best to bring your home back to its preloss condition as soon as possible.

Call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury at (732) 253-4914

What To Do After a Flood

6/8/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage needs to be dealt with immediately.

Floods happen so quickly that many are caught unprepared; and while floods often can’t be prevented, what you do after a flood can save you thousands of dollars on flood remediation and water damage repair costs.  Here are some tips to take after you notice flood damage.

  1. Stay Safe

Floodwaters can be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals; so do not go into the water without protection, even if it is clear. If there is possibility of downed or live wires don’t risk it, wait for a professional. If it is safe to go into the water wear waders: hip or waist-high waterproof boots. In addition, wear rubber gloves to remove water- damaged possessions, and to avoid contaminants. Hiring a professional to do flood cleanup is the best way to ensure your safety and the safety of your possessions. Any food that came into contact with the floodwaters should be thrown away. Boil all of your water until authorities declare the water supply is safe.

  1. Take Pictures

Before you remove any water or make any repairs, fully document the damage to send to your insurance company by taking photos or video. If you start removing water or making repairs before you photograph the damage, you run the risk of decreasing the extent of your coverage.

  1. Call Your Insurance Company

After you have ensured your family is safe, the first person you should contact is your insurance agent. If the floods have affected an entire region note that your agent might be dealing with their own flooding emergency and may not be available. If that is the case, contact your insurance company’s headquarters because they should be able to direct you to the right information.

Let your insurance company know the extent of the damages to your home, and any repairs you intend to do immediately. Be sure to follow the insurance company’s direction about whether or not to wait for an adjuster to inspect the property before you make repairs. Document the damage and conversations at every stage of the process.

  1. Call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury

Our expert flood damage remediation specialists can help you recover from water damage. We use scientific drying principles and provide validation and documentation that your property is dry and the job is complete.

Call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury at (732) 253-4914

Your First Steps After a Disaster

6/8/2018 (Permalink)

You might feel overwhelmed after a disaster, but we are here to help rebuild your home!

Whether victimized by water, mold, or fire we know it can be difficult to catch your breath. There are so many questions running through your mind it can be difficult to know where to start. Oftentimes the toughest question for a person to answer is “What now?”

If your home is deemed safe to enter you might think the first step is to start cleaning. Though it may seem counterintuitive, you should not start cleaning until you are able to document the damage done to your home and belongings. The easiest way to document the damage would be to use a camera or cell phone to take pictures. If you do not have a camera available to you, or you are unable to enter your home again, your first step should be to call us here at SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury and let us take it from there!

An expert at SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury will document the damage done to your home, if needed, so you can receive every penny required from the insurance company. The serviceperson will also be able to advise you if going through insurance is your best course of action. It’s possible that the damage is so small it may actually benefit you to work outside of insurance. Fear of increased deductibles, higher rates, or even the cancellation of your plan might mean not involving your insurer is your best option.

Our goal at SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury is to make the process as painless as possible, and we are here to help you every step of the way. After documenting the destruction we will be able to give you an honest assessment of the damage done to your home, as well as the best way to proceed with the reconstruction. The only thing you will have to do is submit your insurance claim! Your insurance may encourage you to go with one of their “preferred vendors” that they already have an agreement with, but as the consumer, you should know you have the right to pick a vendor you trust!

Disasters can be…disastrous, but we want you to know we are here to help. Try turning a negative into a positive and use the rebuilding opportunity to add a much-needed addition to your home, like a second bathroom or laundry room. Rebuilding after a disaster strikes is never fun, but SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury is ready to make your home better than ever!

Get Your Ducts in a Row

5/25/2018 (Permalink)

Removing a vent cover allows you to look at your air duct system.

Cleaning a duct system can be very labor intensive so we recommend calling a professional, but luckily there are things you can do to see if it is time to call us here at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury.  Removing vent covers will allow you to see the inside of your duct system to check for dirt and dust.  You should also check your air filter for debris.  If either of these tests proves that your AC system needs a thorough cleaning, give us a call. While doing these simple tests, you can also check in on your heater. A dirty heat exchanger surface means your system is not optimized.

With summer approaching, you should also take a look at your air conditioner. AC coils need to be clean to run at peak efficiency. Take a flashlight and point the light onto the coils. You should be able to see the light projected onto the other side if it is clean. The fins of the coil should be evenly spaced and free of any nicks or scrapes. If you do see these pieces are dirtied the AC will be less efficient. No need to sweat it though, we are ready to help get your AC running perfectly!

This is a quick guide to all the steps, and work, that goes into cleaning your ducts:

The first thing we will do is check your AC filters. Dirty filters mean that you are breathing dirty air. Cleaning, or replacing, the filter can make the air you breathe cleaner and make sure your system is allowing the air to flow without restriction.

Once the filter is resolved, we can start work on the condenser coils. A clean condenser coil will help to ensure you AC are maximizing all the power it consumes, which will lower your electricity bill. The professionals here at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury will also make sure you coolant lines are giving you the coolest air possible.

Cleaned and checked, the only step left is to turn it on! Once running, your SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury professional can check one last time for any problems. If there is a need to fix anything else, needless to say, we will be ready to fix it!

What Causes Mold Inside The Home?

4/19/2018 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury to handle any mold removal or mold remediation emergencies.

Mold needs dampness, or water, to flourish. Mold spores will begin multiplying when they reach a wet surface. Some essential spots mold can be hiding include:

  • Bathrooms. Showers, sinks, and toilets are ideal locations for mold. These spots have a tendency to be moist and, without effective ventilation, will give a home to mold.
  • Air conditioning and vents.
  • Fireplaces. When not being used chimneys and fireplaces are cool, moist, and murky—fruitful ground for mold spores.
  • Attics. If your housetop springs a leak, mold can procreate and spread through the ventilation space in the often ignored room. It will thrive in ventilation or soffit vents.
  • Cellars. That conspicuous basement smell is verification of sogginess and—more than likely—mold. As often as possible, mold will be discovered in ducts, surrounding the foundation, sump pump, windows, or vents.

Indoor mold advancement must be stopped by drying the damp conditions inside. If there is mold propagation in your home it is essential to stop it rapidly and take out the origin of the issue. In the right conditions, mold development will spread fast—in as little as 24–48 hours.

If you are unsure if your home or business has mold it is essential that you call a specialist as quickly as time permits. They will start by analyzing and testing the area. The Mold Remediation Specialists at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury are experienced in water and mold expulsion. They're pros in reclaiming your home from mold using the best accessible equipment.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury experts will assess the harm and, if required by law, get a protocol for a Certified Mold Assessor and devise a methodology. They will then spotlight the compromised territory, using obstructions and a negative air pressure chamber—containing the mold so they can get to work cleaning and reestablishing your home.

The experts at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury are thoroughly prepared for remediation, ensuring that the revamping of your home or business is finished quickly and effectively.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury offers rapid response 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If it is not yet an emergency you can call to schedule a thorough exam of your home or business.

Is Black Mold Really Dangerous?

4/2/2018 (Permalink)

Do you have a mold problem in your home or business? Contact SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury today!

We’ve all been there. You go into your basement or your bathroom and there, on the wall, you see it: black mold. You panic, because you’ve heard horror stories for years about the dangers of black mold, but is there really any truth to the hype?

In truth, the term “toxic black mold” is a misnomer with no scientific validation at all. In fact, the term “toxic mold” is also inaccurate. According to the CDC, “the term ‘toxic mold’ is not accurate. While some molds can produce toxins, specifically mycotoxins, the molds themselves are not toxic or poisonous”.

So what kinds of mycotoxins can black mold produce? The trichothecene types below are found in toxic black mold:

  • Cyclosporin
  • Roridin E
  • Satratoxin F, G and H (the most abundant type of trichothecene)
  • Sporidesmin G
  • Stachybotryolactone
  • Trichoverrol
  • Trichoverrin
  • Verrucarin J

Molds come in a rainbow of colors but it is the black mold species Stachybotrys chartarum that has been falsely dubbed “toxic black mold”. In reality, mold is everywhere in our environment, it’s the dosage that makes the poison.

There is no argument that excessive exposure to almost any type of mold can cause adverse health effects, no matter what the color.

In addition, mold growth can also damage buildings—weakening structure and causing unpleasant odors, as well as causing ugly staining. Cleaning mold is often exactly what causes it to spread; the process dislodges mold spores and allows them to travel into new areas of the environment.

To avoid this it’s best to call a professional when you suspect you have a mold issue in your home or business. SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has years of experience in mold removal and remediation and can ensure that any damage caused by mold is repaired properly, and completely. With SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury it’ll be "Like it never even happened."

The Real Truth About Mold Removal And Mold Remediation

3/23/2018 (Permalink)

Contact the experts at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury to remove your mold quickly and professionally.

Many contractors and even mold removal companies will try to confuse you as to the difference between mold removal and mold remediation. Some will try to tell you that for a small mold issue, you can get mold removal, but for a larger more dangerous issue, you’ll need a more complicated, and expensive, mold remediation. Out of fear, many will choose to go with remediation and spend the extra money. That makes sense, mold can be extremely dangerous, causing severe illness and other problems, but the fact is that mold removal and mold remediation are interchangeable terms that mean the same thing!


Mold is endemic in our environment, meaning you can find it almost everywhere that water and oxygen are present. While some mold, such as the mildew in your shower (when in small quantities,) are considered “cosmetic mold” and can be simply sprayed with bleach, other types of mold (and even mildew when it spreads,) can become dangerous and toxic.

Certified Mold Specialists 

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury has certified mold remediation technicians that can not only help to identify and properly remove the mold in your home, but they will also locate the source, and eradicate the cause of your mold issues.


When you find mold in your home, make sure that your mold professional can explain the mold remediation process in simple terms. Many small mold issues should not be expensive to handle. Moldy drywall is one example. If the affected area is small, it should not be a tremendously expensive fix. The most important issue with small drywall fixes happens once the damaged section is removed. It is imperative to ensure that spores are not spread further, so great care must be taken with the disposal of affected areas. If the technicians you hire use extremely technical terms to frighten you into tremendously expensive treatment options, be wary.


When you call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury, we will carefully inspect your property to ensure that not only are all mold issues are addressed, but also that we locate the source of the issue, and eradicate it. If we do find an issue that needs to be addressed, we will use specialized filtration equipment to capture microscopic mold spores that may be in the air and to prevent them from spreading during removal.


In addition to mold removal, we also specialize in cleaning your belongings and ensuring that they are sanitized and safe to use. Should major restoration need to be done, we can also handle reconstruction and finishing to ensure that you are back to normal as quickly, and cleanly, as possible.


Mold doesn’t have to be scary, so don’t let an unqualified contractor or “specialist” make it into a nightmare.

Water Damage & Flooding

3/16/2018 (Permalink)

If you experience water damage in your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury

The rainy season is upon us in Old Bridge Cranbury. Excessive rainfall means the potential for leaky roofs, flooded basements and other types of water damage. These situations are some of the most costly that a homeowner or business owner can face. Water can quickly lead to mold growth, damage furniture and drywall, and compromise the very structure of a house or building.

Common causes of water damage include corroded or damaged pipes, blocked gutters, and leaks from roofs or windows.

To prepare for flooding, elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home or building. Install check-valves to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains. And know how to locate and safely shut off all utilities.

There are also several measures you can take to help prevent water damage. Inspect sinks, showers, toilets, gutters and downspouts to ensure there are no blockages. Have a sump pump installed in the basement of your home or business. Seal basement walls and floors with waterproofing compounds.

If certain areas consistently have standing water or if there are a few spots in your basement where water regularly collects, there might be a problem with the pitch or angle of the grounds outside. If the ground is pitched toward your house or building, water will run back toward it, causing leaks or flooding. So make sure the ground pitch is angled away from your home or facility.

Water and flood damage restoration is not a do-it-yourself project. It is a lengthy and potentially dangerous process that should be tackled only by experienced professionals, like the experts at SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury. If you have an issue, call SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury right away. While you wait for our restoration team to arrive, take the following steps:

1. Turn off all power
2. Move important possessions and documents to safety
3. Raise all furniture or remove it entirely
4. Let in fresh air if weather permits
5. If safely doing so is possible, use buckets to remove water, and clean out the internal and outside water drainage of your home or building

Once they arrive, the SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury team will begin the repair and restoration process:

Assessment

Our technicians determine f the water is from a clean source or an unsanitary place like a sewerage system. SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury locates and measures the damage, from subfloors to inside the wall cavities and elsewhere.

Water removal

We use powerful vacuums capable of removing thousands of gallons every hour.

Drying

Our licensed restoration professionals have the knowledge and heavy-duty
equipment to start the air movement necessary to dry out your home or facility. They will also inspect the affected areas for mold.

Without prompt action, water damage is virtually guaranteed to spread and become permanent. The longer you wait, the greater the chance of mold growth and unrecoverable property. So if you live in Old Bridge Cranbury and have a water issue, call SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury immediately. Our professionals have the expertise to reverse and prevent the devastating effects of flooding and water damage.

When a pipe bursts in your home.

1/5/2018 (Permalink)

A burst pipe can cause serious water damage.

2018 has brought us mostly subfreezing temperatures. When it gets this cold outside homes are at risk of burst pipes and all of the headaches and water damage they bring. Water pipes burst when the water inside them freezes and expands causing an increase in pressure inside the pipe. When the pressure gets too high for the pipe to contain it bursts causing damage to your home.

A burst pipe can happen almost anywhere, but usually occurs with pipes that are close to the exterior of your home. The most critical aspect of dealing with a burst pipe is turning off the water supply and stopping the flow of water. Water in a crawlspace or basement is usually well contained and can be easily dried out. However, when a pipe bursts in the main part of your home, such as a toilet feed or an under-sink supply line, it can create a much bigger mess depending upon how much water has inundated the house.

As with any water damage, time is of the essence as mold can start to develop in as little as 24 hours after flooding occurs. The more time that passes without treatment the more likely those materials will continue to deteriorate and may not be salvageable. This is doubly true in homes with carpeting.

When a pipe in your home bursts—affecting multiple rooms—travels from an upper level to a lower level of the home, or has been left unnoticed for more than 8 hours, professional water mitigation and specialized drying equipment is essential for preventing long-term damage. If you see that water has seeped into the subflooring or the drywall the safest step would be to contact a professional water damage remediation company like SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury  to help remove or restore items that would otherwise be destroyed by mold.

Prevent Smoke Damage From Your Fireplace

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Prevent Smoke Damage From Your Fireplace

The weather outside is frightful and there is nothing better than curling up on a cold night to the warm glow of a fireplace. Unfortunately, fireplaces can also pose a smoke and fire hazard to your home. There is, however, nothing particularly soothing about unwanted fireplace smoke puffs that spill into the home while the fire is burning. Fires can also start when hot embers from the fire catch on residue from unclean chimneys.

If you are someone who likes to use their fireplace during the winter here are a few tips to prevent smoke or fire damage to your home.

Nobody likes a drafty house, but a house that is relatively airtight may not be able to supply enough outside air to the fire, resulting in a negative pressure in the home. Well-insulated homes can benefit from an outside air supply vent installed in the fireplace to satisfy the fire's needs.

Exhaust fans—like in kitchens or in forced air heating systems—can cause negative pressure, which will drag the smoke from your fireplace into your home. Turn off exhaust fans before settling down by the fire.

Only use your fireplace when it is cold out. The difference between the indoor and outdoor air helps the smoke draft properly. If it is too warm the smoke will have nowhere to go.

Make sure that the damper is open all the way. Sometimes there is a rain cap or even another damper on top of the chimney, which may be obstructed and needs attention. This can also be a fire hazard, so be careful.

Wet firewood can create heavy smoke. Make sure you only use seasoned firewood that is dry in your fireplace.

If you experience smoke or fire damage from your fireplace this winter contact the experts at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury. Their smoke damage experts can clean your furniture, curtains, walls, and floors to get rid of not only the black soot, but the foul odor it leaves behind.

Hurricane Harvey Response

11/22/2017 (Permalink)

Harvey Blasts Texas

SERVPRO is known to respond faster to any disaster; after the devastation of Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, we lived up to that claim. Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 storm that hit Texas on August 25, 2017. It caused $180 billion in damage. That’s more than any other natural disaster in U.S history, except the largest estimates of Hurricane Katrina damage.

At its peak on September 1, 2017, one-third of Houston was underwater. Two feet of rain fell in the first 24 hours. The storm claimed the lives of 82 people and damaged 203,000 homes, of which 12,700 were destroyed.

Harvey was just winding down when our team landed in San Antonio, TX, after that it was a harrowing journey navigating across flooded river crossings and damaged bridges to get to Houston. Within the first three days we surveyed thirty properties for water and storm damage and started getting them on the path to recovery.

We were able to coordinate efforts mobilizing the resources we needed to help dry out and rebuild these properties, shipping in tractor-trailers full of equipment, our crew of one hundred ready to work.

Common Places for Mold To Grow

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can grow in many places.

When we think of mold problems we equate it to damp basements and black gross mold growing on drywall; but mold is insidious and can grow in places where you least expect it. Mold is fast growing, can pop up within 24 hours of being exposed to moisture, and spreads quickly.

Here are some common places where mold forms that you might not be aware of:

Under Your Refrigerator

The spaces behind and under your fridge rarely see the light of day, which make them a perfect breeding ground for mold. Clean all water lines and drip pans and ensure they are not leaking; even a small leak can lead to a huge mold problem. Take the extra time to check and clean behind and underneath your refrigerator.

Chimneys

Your chimney can easily become a breeding ground for mold. Brick crevices collect water, dirt, and other organic debris. Rusted chimney caps and faulty flashing let in rain and snow, encouraging mold to grow. Replace rusted caps and fix flashing. Call a licensed mold removal specialist to remove the mold in your chimneys. To prevent mold, get your chimney cleaned by a professional chimney sweep at least once a year.

Front-Loading Washing Machines

Front-loading washing machines are great, but can be a hotspot for mold growth. The gasket around the door on front-loading washing machines often stays wet because the door is usually closed when not in use. Add some lint to the moisture and mold happily munches and multiplies. Wipe the gasket and glass dry before you shut the door. If you spot mold, run a hot water wash with some chlorine bleach (no clothes), which will kill the fungi. Even if you have a top-load washer make sure to regularly check behind and underneath your washer and dryer to make sure there are no leaks or source of moisture. Clean out vents and lint traps to prevent mold havens, as well as fire hazards.

Window Sashes and Seals

Condensation from windows provides the moisture mold loves, and the dirt and dust that collect provide the perfect place for the mold to settle. After heavy rains open windows and wipe moisture from the bottoms of sashes and windowsills. Replace any broken seals and if you notice any water has leaked into the wood and walls call a professional to see if the problem has caused mold.

Air Conditioners

Air conditioning units trap dust and pollen (a good meal for mold) and grab moisture from the air. If you don’t run your AC unit at least every 24 hours in warm weather humidity in your house climbs, giving mold the opportunity to grow in AC ducts, drain pans, and on coils. Drip pans and drainage hoses on window units can leak causing mold to grow into the windowsill and dry wall. If mold grows in your central air conditioning unit you’ll have to hire a mold remediation pro to clean out the system.

If you suspect you may have mold contact the experts at SERVPRO of Old Bridge / Cranbury

Construction Services

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

Rebuilding after a storm.

After a disaster—whether it be a fire, water, or storm—damages your home you will need to rebuild and restore. For decades SERVPRO has been known for their ability to respond to a disaster and fix your home to “make it like it never happened”.

The first thing you must do after a disaster is take temporary protective measures such as placing roof tarps to prevent additional damage, and boarding up to secure the building and remove water and debris. Mold, smoke, fire, and water damage all have their own protocol for restoration and our experts know how to tackle each problem.

Once your home or building is secured and the hazards are removed you can start the rebuilding process; from the structure itself to preserving and restoring the treasured items inside your home—including heirlooms, art, and family photos. The professionals at SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and keeps costs low.

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury can provide this continuity by supervising a full range of restoration services that will bring a building back to full functionality.

  • Board Up
  • Carpet Repair and Installation
  • Document Drying
  • Dry Cleaning
  • Drywall Installation
  • Drywall Removal
  • Electrical
  • Electronics Restoration
  • Fine Art Restoration
  • Furniture Restoration
  • General Contracting
  • Hardwood Floor Repair
  • HVAC Services
  • Move Out
  • Painting
  • Plumbing
  • Roofing Services
  • Tree Removal
  • And more!

If you are in need of construction services contact SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury at (732) 253-4914.

Document Restoration

8/21/2017 (Permalink)

Document restoration with SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury

Aside from people, some of the hardest things to replace after a natural disaster are documents. After a flood or fire photographs and books could be lost forever. As a leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury   knows that timely mitigation is the key to recovering damaged possessions. Our experience and state-of-the-art technology can help save your important documents from the trash.

We employ the latest technology available, utilizing the same freeze-drying methods used by the Library of Congress to dry valuable historic documents and books; this method can clean and dry your documents without sacrificing their integrity or damaging them. As powerful as our document restoration technology is, it is delicate enough to handle old and fragile documents, books, and papers. With water damage like sewage or floodwater, documents will be exposed to bacteria, viruses, pesticides, or other harmful chemicals. Our team uses a gamma irradiation process to safely and effectively sterilize your documents.

Our facility is managed by HIPPA Master-certified technicians, under 24/7 surveillance so you know that your personal information is kept secure and confidential.

To prevent your documents from becoming damaged again, we also offer digitalization for your documents and photos. We use a computerized inventory system for digitizing your documents. In the digital age converting your paper files and photos to digital formats can have an invaluable impact on your business or home. You can have access to your records while saving space.

Types of Documents We Restore/Preserve

  • paper documents
  • books and magazines
  • manuscripts and files
  • photographs, films, negatives, and microfiche
  • x-rays
  • blueprints and maps
  • parchment

If you are in need of document restoration services contact SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury at (732) 253-4914

Sewage Cleanup

7/20/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

  • Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
  • Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
  • Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
  • Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
  • Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field - manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated.  The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury

SERVPRO of Old Bridge/Cranbury specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, water or sewage damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training so you can rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Puff Back

2/8/2017 (Permalink)

Puff Back happens when your ignition fails to light properly, oil fumes accumulate in the chamber of your furnace. After the pilot light ignites again it causes a small explosion shooting the dust and soot in your ducts or baseboard all over the room. The soot manages to get into drapes, blinds, furniture, bedding, clothing, floors, carpets, dishes, appliances, you name it, causing major headaches for homeowners.

Soot is very difficult to clean and can’t be wiped off with a regular sponge, towel, paper towel, etc. in fact that just makes the problem worse! The cleaning of soot requires special sponges and cleaning products that are used by professionals. Almost worse than the mess is the smell that seems to permeate into everything. This odor is difficult to remove and requires the services of a professional to remove as well. A professional certified home restoration company such as SERVPRO of East Windsor is experienced with handling puff back situations. A puff back can occur in large proportion such as the situation just mentioned or in small proportion, over a period of time. If you notice black soot accumulating on carpet around heating vents or baseboard, or on surfaces inside your home, chances are you are experiencing a small scale puff back.

Hiring a professional like SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury right after a puff back can save you time and money.

Call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury at (732) 253-4914

Mold Remediation

1/20/2017 (Permalink)

 


Mold can not only destroy the quality of life in your home it can destroy the value of your home as well.


Mold grows in dark damp areas of your home like behind walls and under floors and by the time you finally see visual signs of mold it is already a much bigger problem.


The most common mold that causes the most problems for homeowners is black mold. Black mold tends to have a strong, musty smell, and of course it displays a trademark black color. It can cause health problems and decrease the value of your home. It is imperative that you contact a mold remediation specialist at the first sign of a mold problem.


If you believe you have black mold growth in an area of your home after these initial inspections, you should contact a professional mold remediation company like SERVPRO of Old Bridge Cranbury


Call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury at (732) 253-4914

What to Do After a Fire

11/30/2016 (Permalink)

For fire damage recovery call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury.

A house fire is a devastating event. Even a small fire can cause serious damage to your home. So how do you rebuild? What do you do after the fire department leaves? Here are some tips to dealing with fire damage.

Contact your insurance company IMMEDIATELY after the fire is out. They can provide advice on how to handle the aftermath of your fire and possibly be able to recommend a professional fire restoration company, such as SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury A fire restoration company can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. They provide estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning and repairing your home.

Things to remember after a fire:

 

  • Do not use electrical appliances that have been near a fire.
  • Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.
  • Do not touch anything during your first inspection to prevent transferring soot from item to item.
  • Do not wash drapes or other materials that may require dry cleaning.

 

Hiring a professional like SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury right after a fire can save you time and money.

Call SERVPRO of Old Bridge/ Cranbury at (732) 253-4914

Categories

Archived Posts