Why Professional Move-outs Matter During Storm Water Removal in Hicksville

5/24/2023 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO fix it, Don’t stress it.

SERVPRO Performs Safe Move-outs During Storm Water Cleanup in Hicksville

Professional stormwater removal services are there to help property owners return their lives to normal after the disaster. You only want to know whether restoring your property and avoiding unnecessary additional damage is possible.

Before any stormwater damage cleanup activities can begin on your Hicksville property, our SERVPRO technicians must do a site inspection. The inspection helps us understand the damage clearly and establish appropriate restoration protocols. We know how destructive a storm can be, so we have to establish whether it is possible to restore the property while your items are in position or recommend a move-out.

Move-outs help our SERVPRO technicians to perform the following tasks:

• Creates enough space for cleaning and drying procedures
• Enhances safety by reducing chances of safety risks and hazards such as falls and slip
• Creates room for necessary repairs and renovations after a stormwater damage incident.

There are several time and cost-saving strategies that our SERVPRO team employs during move-outs. For instance, if it is possible to clean your items at the site, we can do it to prevent the need to unpack at the warehouse - thus lowering the labor cost. But, if on-site cleaning is likely to delay storm water damage mitigation and lead to further damage, we must get our priorities right.

There are situations where partial move-outs might be the best solution. In such instances, we only move small items to a safe and unaffected location within your property, while some large items are left within the loss site for cleaning and restoration. We always ensure our clients are informed about all the water damage remediation procedures we conduct.

SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview is a premier water damage restoration and cleaning company dedicated to providing commercial and residential solutions. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, and you can call (516) 733-1800) to get the help you need.

Principles of Initial Fire Damage Restoration in Hicksville Homes

4/25/2023 (Permalink)

We aim to restore your property as quickly as possible, “Like It Never Even Happened.”

First Cleaning Actions of Fire Damage Restoration

From the time SERVPRO professionals arrive, we aim to return your home back to preloss condition. We carefully assess the damage and the necessary actions to achieve this goal, working with you to learn pre-existing conditions before proceeding with the earliest soot and smoke damage removal components.

Locating Smoke Residues 

Fire damage restoration for Hicksville homes starts with determining where this damage exists. Any missed smoke damage can destroy the residence and threaten its returning occupants. Next, we thoroughly assess conditions and choose the best cleaning methods. 

Different Types of Smoke Damage 

Choosing the approaches between chemical sponges, solvents, and other products involves the type of smoke damage present. Environmental factors or the conditions surrounding the fire impact the residues that remain:

• Wet smoke
• Dry smoke
• Furnace puff back
• Grease/protein residues

Capturing and Removing Residues 

Effective post-fire clean-up follows four main restoration principles balanced for the most efficient results:

• Temperature - Temperature is a factor in effective cleaning because all chemical processes occur faster under heat. Warming areas where cleaning is happening helps the desired results appear more quickly. 

• Agitation - Mechanical action also helps increase chemical reactions and the reach of cleaning agents. Sponges, brushes, steel wool, and other products can be practical tools in removing soot and helping clean-up happen faster. 

• Chemical Action - The appropriate chemical reaction is vital to achieving how the soil is meant to behave to get removed most easily. Emulsification and dissolving are standard chemical actions for soot removal.

• Time - Time refers to how long chemicals are in contact with the soil on the surface. Our team must carefully consider exposure times for soot removal success.

Cleaning up surfaces and contents after fire damage happens quickly after first responders clear the structure. Our fast response and experience as leading FSRT-Certified technicians make us a strong choice for post-fire recovery. Call SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview at (516) 733-1800.

Can I Clean Smoke Stained Walls after Fire Damage in my Town of Oyster Bay Home?

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

After fire damage in your Nassau County home, our experts are able to help. Call SERVPRO; we are always available.

Professional Help is Preferable for the Town of Oyster Bay Fire Restoration

One of the most distressing parts about fire damage in your home is how unsightly your house might look after the blaze. It is hard to settle back into your home if you have soot-blackened walls and ceilings.

As well as blackening walls, fire damage in Nassau County homes also affects the air. The Environmental Protection Agency points out that burning materials release microscopic particles into the air. It is easy to see why it is better to clean up the sooty residue as soon as possible. But is it a wise idea to do the cleaning yourself? No. It is better to call SERVPRO first.

Why it is a Wise Idea to Call in the Professionals 

We understand that you want your home back to normal as quickly as possible. It is tempting to grab a bucket and sponge or some cleaning spray and start wiping down your walls immediately.

However, there are many benefits to calling our professional fire restoration technicians.

• We train our technicians to Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards.
• Our team can assess the marks on your walls and decide the best way to clean them.
• We have access to industry-standard tools and products designed to deal with fire restoration.

If you use the wrong fire damage cleaning method, such as wet cleaning a wallpaper that is not suitable for this method, you could worsen the problem. There is a risk of stubborn stains that won’t come off or unsightly streaks.

SERVPRO teams know how to tackle soot-stained walls during fire restoration. We are available 24/7, and we aim to leave your home “Like it never even happened.” When you call, we will take details of your situation and call you back within the hour to let you know when to expect our team.

Why Does the Type of Wall Cover Matter?

Walls can have many types of covering: 

• Wallpaper, both smooth and textured.
• Wood paneling can be either finished or unfinished.
• Metal or ceramic tiles.
• Stippling or textured plaster or drywall. 

Some walls even have fabric, flocking, or carpet on them. 

The wall covering makes a difference in how easy it is to clean the surface and which cleaning method is most suitable. For example, it would not be good to use wet cleaning on a paper or fabric covering that would soak up the moisture. Abrasive techniques are fine for walls that are going to be repainted. However, because scrubbing can damage the surface, abrasive cleaning is not suitable for walls that will not be repainted.

SERVPRO technicians assess the cleanability of the wall and choose the most appropriate cleaning method. Dry sponge cleaning is often enough for light soiling on painted surfaces. More heavily soiled wood paneling might require wet cleaning. We can also use scrubbing and powerful HEPA vacuums to remove dry soot residue. Vacuum cleaning is usually the first choice to remove surface soot.

Whatever method we choose, we always test an inconspicuous corner to ensure the results are of the high standard you expect.

We also pay attention to the most effective order of cleaning. When dry cleaning, it is better to clean the ceiling first, if necessary, to avoid soot from the ceiling falling on freshly cleaned walls. However, when wet cleaning, it is better to clean the walls first. If we cleaned the ceiling first, cleaning fluid could drip onto the blackened walls and cause streaks. 

If your walls have smoke damage from a fire, trying to clean them yourself might make them look worse. It is better to call for help. Call SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview at (516) 733-1800, and we can assist you.

Can SERVPRO Save My Water Damaged Wooden Floors in Nassau County?

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

No matter the size of water damage restoration needed in your Nassau County home, SERVPRO IICRC-certified techs are ready at a moment's notice.

SERVPRO Technicians Tackle Water Restoration on Nassau County Floors

Wooden floors lend a touch of elegance to homes. However, water from a leaking pipe, a broken appliance, or bad weather can damage floors. Thankfully, SERVPRO technicians know how to tackle moisture damage on floors.

If your wooden floors in Hicksville have water damage, call SERVPRO as quickly as possible. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and we can dry out your floorboards and help prevent further damage.

How Does Water Affect Wooden Floors?

When boards get wet, they absorb moisture, which can cause:

• Cupping: when the edges rise and form a cup.
• Crowning: when the middle of the board rises to form a bump.
• Buckling: when warped boards push against each other and buckle at the joints.

What is a Drying Goal, and Why Does it Matter?

If your floor gets wet, of course, you want it to be dry. But what exactly is dry? It might surprise you to know that dry is not a straightforward concept. What we consider dry here in the Town of Oyster Bay might be different than if we were in a more humid state.

Our technicians set a drying goal to know when the floor is as dry as it should be. We start by establishing a drying standard. The drying standard is the moisture reading we expect from a floor without moisture damage. We aim to dry the wet floor to that standard, typically about 8-11% of total moisture content.

Establishing a goal first makes for more effective water damage restoration because:

• We are working with exact figures, and there is no guesswork.
• We can see how well we are progressing toward our goal.
• We know when we reach our goal and complete the job.

We measure dryness by the amount of moisture in a material. For wood, we measure dryness as a percentage.  

Why Do We Measure Humidity? 

We train our technicians to Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. That includes the S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration. The S500 covers many aspects of restoration, including psychrometry and drying technology. Psychrometry sounds complicated, but it is just the science of how air, humidity, and temperature affect materials. A critical measurement for any drying process is humidity. 

Humidity means the amount of water vapor in the air. When drying water-damaged floors, humidity is a key indicator of how close we are to our drying goal. Our teams measure two kinds of humidity: Relative and specific. 

Relative humidity (RH) means the amount of moisture in the air at a given temperature. We are looking for a relative humidity of less than 50% for drying purposes. Our technicians use thermo-hygrometers to measure relative humidity. 

However, temperature significantly affects relative humidity. Warm air can hold more moisture than cold before it becomes saturated. Our team also measures specific humidity (SH), which tells us the amount of water vapor in the air as a ratio to total air, regardless of temperature. We plot the relative humidity readings and plot them on a psychrometric chart to determine the specific moisture levels. This process enables us to strategically position air movers and dehumidifiers to optimize water evaporation from wet surfaces.

How Can SERVPRO Dry my Floors?

We start by removing carpets or rugs on top of the floor. We also use extractors to remove surface water.

Our team uses their calculations to set up air movers, fans, and dehumidifiers. These tools help reduce the amount of humidity and encourage water evaporation from the surface of boards. We aim to restore your floors “Like it never even happened.”

As well as drying the floor, we can also sand it after it is dry to remove minor irregularities and refinish it if necessary.

If you have water damaged wooden floors, assemblies, or contents, do not delay. Call SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview at (516) 733-1800 for assistance.

Is There a Risk of Mold Damage after Rain in a Nassau County Home?

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO for mold damage mitigation in Nassau County? We have a dynamic team, equipment, and products to clean it all, "Like it never even happened

SERVPRO Stays on Top of Mold During Nassau County Remediation

Residents of Nassau County know that New York is a rainy place all year round. Even in summer, it can be a wet place to live. Unfortunately, rain can seep into your home through leaky windows, doors, or roofs and cause damage to your house. 

There are many considerations after water damage in the Town of Oyster Bay, including mold. You might also worry about the wooden door or window frames soaking up moisture and becoming warped. There is also the risk of water soaking into carpets or wallpaper.

How Does SERVPRO Restore your Home After Bad Weather?

Our team arrives ready to assess the damage to your home and advise you about the best course for restoration. Our approach includes:

• Deciding which water damaged articles are salvageable and which are not.
• Setting up safe and sanitary working areas for our technicians.
• Measuring moisture levels in wet materials and humidity in the air.
• Setting up air movers and dehumidifiers.
• Cleaning furniture, linen, drapery, and carpets.

After our SERVPRO applied microbial remediation technicians (AMRT) have completed scoping, they follow professional protocols for restoring your property to its preloss state. 

What Does SERVPRO Do to Tackle Mold?

Part of offering a comprehensive service is being aware of the risks of a mold infestation. We take steps to remediate the fungi when we find them. Dormant spores grow whenever there is moisture and an organic food source such as cotton, cellulose, or even wood. 

Because fungus occurs naturally everywhere, it is not possible to completely eradicate it. However, we can take steps to contain these microorganisms where we find them. We can: 

• Remove mold-infested materials that are not salvageable.
• Use plastic sheeting and tape to set up containment.
• Cover vents and seal doors and windows to prevent spores from circulating in the treatment area.
• Set up negative air pressure and port to the exterior using air scrubbers.
• Reduce humidity, so the environment is not as welcoming to fungus. 

We can also remove visible growth. We train our technicians in the best ways to use antimicrobial and antifungal treatments to remove mold. In some cases, the best option is to use soda blasting or dry ice pellet pressurized force to remove the colonies from the surfaces. HEPA filtered vacuums can help prevent the spreading of dust, debris, and spores to unaffected areas of the structure. 

Why is Air Filtration Important?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that air quality can be a concern when a home gets flooded or water damaged. The damp environment can encourage fungal growth, which quickly proliferates as time passes. Because spores are so tiny, they can easily escape into the air. Air filtration helps capture these loose spores. 

SERVPRO uses air scrubbers to help remove microbes from the air. Air scrubbers draw in air and use true HEPA filters capable of catching particles as small as 0.3 microns to trap mold. The machine then pumps pure, clean air back into the room.

Air filtration also helps remove musty and moldy odors from your home, thereby improving indoor air quality. We can improve IAQ through filtration and mechanical devices like air scrubbers and foggers. The placement of counteractant gels and beads can also help achieve a more rapid pleasant scent.  

If you are concerned about water or mold damage in your home, SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainville is here to help. Call us today at (516) 733-1800 to learn more.

What to Do When Mold Damage Affects Your Hicksville Property

3/29/2023 (Permalink)

Our techs are ready 24/7, 365 days a year.

Explore Appropriate Mold Restoration in Hicksville with SERVPRO

You may realize there is mold in your Hicksville residence when you notice physical changes such as dark spots and discoloration or if people exhibit signs of reacting to underlying mold growth. Whatever alerts you of the problem, you need to take action to contain mold damage and save your property.

One thing that can make mold damage in your Hicksville property challenging to address is the high likelihood of a recurrence. Therefore, your actions must address the existing problems and prevent future issues. Since your skills and resources may be limited, seeking help from a professional team like SERVPRO helps improve the outcomes.

General tips for better mold control:

• Do not delay or postpone your response
• Manage and prevent mold simultaneously
• Use physical and chemical means to fight mold

Most early signs of a mold infestation are mild, so you might not give it much thought. For example, a few dark spots and surface discoloration may not prompt you to respond. SERVPRO crew chiefs investigate whether the problem is limited at the surface or extends deeper. We do so non-invasively using thermal cameras that identify pockets of hidden moisture and bore scopes that allow wall or ceiling cavity exploration from a small drill hole.

Mold Management vs. Prevention

Mold can thrive anywhere, provided the conditions are favorable. Moisture and organic food sources are the main factors driving such contamination. Therefore, management refers to steps, such as cleaning and physical material removal in contaminated areas, while prevention denotes actions, such as drying wet areas and applying chemical agents that inhibit microbial growth. 

Chemical and physical mold control methods:

• Vacuuming surfaces to remove colony fragments and spores
• Dry ice or soda blasting surfaces to dislodge colonies
• Damp wiping surfaces with antimicrobial detergents

SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview can help you determine the appropriate response to any mold contamination. We also have essential remediation resources. Call us at (516) 733-1800.

Carpet Patching and Stretching as Part of Commercial Water Restoration in Hicksville

2/27/2023 (Permalink)

A water damaged carpet is a big deal that requires professional attention. Contact SERVPRO for certified technicians and professional equipment.

SERVPRO can Restore Water Damaged Carpets in Your Hicksville Business

Carpet stretching and patching are part of the services offered during commercial water restoration. If the carpet of a local gym or any business suffers water damage during its hours of closure and gets soaked for a long period, it may deteriorate due to mold growth. When that happens, removal and replacement may be the only option.

Our SERVPRO technicians assess the water damage extent in your Hicksville business and develop a restoration plan. If the carpet is salvageable, we use specialized tools and techniques to dry it. In some of the projects we have handled, we have offered patching and stretching services as a cost-effective solution to return your business to normalcy.

We cut a piece from the carpet's hidden area or spare during carpet patching and affix it over the damaged region. The following are the IICRC-certified techniques that we commonly use during carpet patching:

• Identifying the damaged section.
• Cutting the patch: We use a carpet knife to cut the piece.
• Seaming the patch: We position the patch and ensure it matches the carpet. We then heat the seam tape using a carpet seam iron to activate the glue to fix the piece and the damaged section.
• Trimming the patch: We trim the patch's edges using a carpet trimmer to make it blend with the surrounding areas.

Our SERVPRO team next does carpet stretching – we ensure the carpet is pulled tightly and secured to the tack strip to fit across the room. During this process, we correct the carpet's ripples, wrinkles, and other flaws. Carpet stretching can also tighten stretched-out carpets due to furniture movement or heavy traffic.

Contact SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview when your business experiences a water damage incident. Our experienced technicians are IICRC certified and use the latest technology and equipment to offer water mitigation services. Call (516) 733-1800 to get your business back on track.

Water Restoration Erases Water-Based Disasters in Hicksville

1/24/2023 (Permalink)

Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview to help with water restoration to your property.

Families Rely on Our Water Damage Restoration Experts

Winter can be a time of fun winter activities for people bundled up against the cold air. When the fun ends in Hicksville, your family wants to return to a warm, cozy house. A broken water line or slipped fitting on an appliance can ruin your return home. Our water restoration services can make everything habitable once more.

Because nobody ever knows when such emergencies will happen, SERVPRO's experts in water restoration remain near Hicksville. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. Crises like this are more likely to occur during the worst of winter because of ice dams and frozen pipes that can wreak havoc on area homes.

We use specialized equipment to address the issues that make a water-related disaster inside your home so monumental. We've invested in the following types of machinery, among others:

• Heaters
• Extraction devices
• Drying equipment

We use heaters to resolve broken pipes after we've shut off the nearest valves and then sealed off the line with the proper repairs. These repairs can include something as minor as a new elbow joint or a replacement pipe extension. Heaters also help accelerate evaporation, a vital part of the drying process. We also use air movers and box fans for accelerated drying.

Extracting the water covering your floors before it can seep into any more carpet or more profound into your subfloor saves you money in the long run. If the emergency takes place on an upper floor, this can help protect lower levels from any water damage.

Drying the house afterward can make all the difference in developing secondary water damage. Keeping this dry means a reduced risk of corrosion to your electrical system, as well as less microbial activity, less uncomfortable high humidity, and less odor from moisture.

Call SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview at (516) 733-1800 for your restoration needs after your home experience a disaster.

Common Water Damage Repair in Hicksville After Flooding

12/27/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO rapid response team is available 24/7!

Post-Storm Water Damage Repair Focuses

The house's exterior is often one of the first places heavily damaged by storms and flooding. Several of your home's outermost features can be caught in a damage path when robust weather systems pass through the area. Common repairs to a home after snow, ice, and wind storms include:

• Roof
• Walls
• Dormers
• Soffit
• Windows

Collapsed and Sagging Materials

One of the immediate needs for water damage repair in Hicksville homes is the sagging or collapsed materials weighted down by migrating flood water. Clearing out this debris falls along with the needed muck-out cleaning after natural flooding invades a residence. The moist materials installed on the ceiling or walls can be removed and discarded along with the material remnant heaps on the flooring. Access to these structural cavities permits thorough drying before SERVPRO professionals reinstall new materials to return the property to pre-flood condition.

Flood-Damaged Wall Systems 

Walls are constructed of multiple materials susceptible to flood damage. Drywall, insulation, framing, and even certain utilities can get ruined by intruding water. SERVPRO professionals must remove exterior materials of wall assemblies to assess the exposure of inside elements. As surface flooding moves through a building, several wall systems could be damaged simultaneously. A careful evaluation of the home's condition can determine how controlled demolition and subsequent reconstruction services can help a flooded home.

Water-Damaged Basement Materials

A basement is a common place for flooding to occur, and with the severity of this situation, finished lower levels can often require substantial tear-out and reconstruction. Any exposed porous materials must get removed down to the studs and sub-flooring to eliminate bacterial and viral pathogenic threats or moisture that could lead to mold development.

Water damage repairs following storms can be crucial to recovery and restoration. Flooding can be challenging to resolve, but SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview professionals work through needed demolition and build-back services to help. Call us at (516) 733-1800.

Mitigation Before Hicksville Fire Restoration Services

11/22/2022 (Permalink)

With advanced equipment, SERVPRO restores property to pre-damaged conditions, "Like it never even happened."

Improving Fire Restoration with Emergency Services

When disasters strike, there is no mistaking the need for fast action and mitigation for your home. Our FSRT-Certified technicians are ready 24/7 to mobilize and offer effective emergency services that can shorten restoration times. 

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Fire restoration for Hicksville homes hinges on the indoor air quality our SERVPRO team first encounters. Removing airborne contaminants and carcinogenic particles is one of the first steps of successful recovery, using equipment from our inventory like HEPA 500 air scrubbers. 

Removing Fire Debris

It is essential to consider what is needed to remove debris and material buildup on the house's floors. This debris can help create a volatile environment that our professionals enter into, making the cleanup and safe removal of these remnants critical to mitigating fire loss effects. Removing debris helps to:

• Identify structural issues
• Reduce odors
• Lessen soot concentration

Clearing Water from Suppression

Putting out the fire is vital to protecting your home and its contents from irreparable harm, but this adds another layer of restoration work for our professionals. Standing water from the extinguishment process can pool in several areas of the property, requiring extraction and drying measures to coincide with other emergency services. Cleanup after a fire cannot be successful with pooling water in areas of the house.

Overcoming Structural Concerns

Another one of the focuses of our responding professionals is assessing the structural integrity of the building materials affected. A destroyed structure can be a hazard during restoration, providing false floor security or the potential for collapse. We assess the condition of these elements to determine if controlled demolition is necessary or if temporary repairs should happen not to slow down the recovery progress.

Fire restoration for Hicksville homes requires a focus on several emergency services when our team arrives. When disasters strike, you can count on the experience of SERVPRO of Hicksville / Plainview. Call us at (516) 733-1800.