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How Much Do You Know About Floods? | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

4/24/2023 (Permalink)

Person working on computer with SERVPRO Drybrook on screen. When you have a water damage disasters call the Professionals at SERVPRO to help make any disaster "Like it never even happened."

Did You Know? 

Floods are one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Whether you home or business is near a coastline, along a city street, in the mountains, near a river or even in a desert--there is always a potential for flood  damage. 

Floodsmart.gov reports, in the last 5 years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods. 

The 4 Most Common Causes of Natural Flooding

Heavy rainfall. Storms with excessive rainfall, or storms that sit and rest over an area for an extended period can cause flash floods or river flooding. Urban areas are more at risk for rain floods, because the higher percentage of concrete and asphalt means there’s a lack of soil to soak up all that water.

Oceanic activity. Storm surges, hurricanes and rising tides can cause water levels to rise in waves, which can invade coastal communities and wreak havoc. In September 2021, remnants of Hurricane Ida tore through New York and New Jersey. In Rockland, 85 people were rescued from submerged cars during the storm. Several roads had to be closed, and Orange and Rockland Utilities Inc. reported nearly 1,500 power outages during that time.

Dams and levees failing. The most notable example of this in recent history would be the disastrous levee breaks during 2005’s Hurricane Katrina. Levees and dams fail when cracks occur or excess pressure overtakes the dam’s ability to contain the surge of water behind it.

Snow-melts and ice dams. In areas of the country where heavy snow and prolonged freezing temperatures are common, snow and ice can build up over a winter’s time, and when they start to melt, they cause rivers of water to flow through area communities. Ice dams or ice dams happen when rivers become blocked by built-up ice being carried downstream, causing the banks to overflow.

If a flood does strike your home or business, contact the Professionals at SERVPRO, even minor floods can lead to major damage when not treated quickly and properly. Cleaning up after a disaster yourself is often an overwhelming task.

SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County Technicians have the training and specialized equipment to dry hard to reach places such as between walls and hardwood floors.  It's not only the equipment but the technology too. SERVPRO has developed DryBook, a proprietary tool that provides real-time documentation and updates on the drying process and helps ensure industry drying standards are being met.

Regardless of the cause of the flooding, SERVPRO has the tools and teams to help your home or business recover from its disastrous effects. Contact us anytime when flooding or water damage makes a mess in your life.

Commercial Services to Make Your Business Shine | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

3/28/2023 (Permalink)

a SERVPRO employee in PPE prepping an area for cleaning Are you ready to have the cleanest business in town? Contact SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County for all your cleaning needs

SERVPRO is the industry leader when it comes to home restoration and recovery. We make sure homeowners struck by flooding, water damage or physical disasters of any type receive the attention and recovery they need, and that their restoration process is total.

But did you know we also offer the same services and more for businesses? You better believe we do.

We offer everything for business owners we provide for homeowners, and then some! What’s the “then some,” you ask? How about ultra-grade commercial cleaning, so you can present your best look to employees, customers and potential clients.

Commercial Services for Businesses of Any Size

Your business service is what you do best, and we make it our mission to help you keep your focus there, while we focus on cleaning and sanitizing your facilities. We do this everywhere, including:

Stores, supermarkets and retail spots. Give your customers the clean feeling that makes them feel good about coming in and spending some time.

Scholastic facilities and athletic venues. Regular cleaning by teachers and students, though certainly well-intended, is only getting rid of half the bacteria that resides on desks and chairs, and the numbers are even worse when we start talking about things like printers and computers. We can make it safer at schools by providing the kind of cleaning you only get from SERVPRO.

Healthcare facilities. Hospitals, nursing facilities and outpatient treatment centers require a high level of sanitation care, and we can provide it.

Resorts, hotels and casinos. When people are mingling and hospitality is key, we can help you make sure everything is clean and safe.

Restaurants and foodservice facilities. Whether you’re serving, preparing or manufacturing food products, you need a spotless, germ-free space, and we can make it happen.

Commercial complexes and managed properties. Anywhere people live, play or do business, we can improve the experience by providing a next-level cleaning.

When you’re ready to have the cleanest business in town, we’re ready to help. Contact your local SERVPRO to get the pros working on the cleaning so you can work on the work.

Choose SERVPRO for Odor Removal | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO crew setting up machines to clean a kitchen If you experience an odor or any other damage inside your home, call SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County day or night.

With experts all around the nation, SERVPRO is the well-known restoration and cleaning provider that can handle your mold-, water- or fire-damaged home or business. What you may not know, though, is that we also handle odor removal services.

We all hope to never deal with the stress that comes along with a disaster on our property. In the midst of recovering, worrying about how things smell is probably the last thing on your mind.

Every kind of disaster, whether it is from a storm, flood or fire, can create odors that may linger long-term when remediation doesn’t happen quickly. Even when your home looks sparkly and new, smells might be hiding out in places you never thought possible.

The good news is: Our professionals can kick odors out of your house completely and quickly.

Odor Removal Techniques

Odors are a result of airborne particles and can come from a number of things, including chemicals and gasses. Once the source of the odor is taken away, our experts will use a scientific mixture of deodorization techniques and a variety of products to get smells taken care of thoroughly.

Some of the products we use include:

Masking agents. Masking agents do not remove smells, but they do cover them up to make the air more breathable in order to continue with the restoration process.

Filtration agents. These highly absorbent compounds are used on surfaces like furniture and building materials in order to suck the smells out of them. They also filter particles in the air by trapping them in the absorption agents.

Disinfectants and sanitizers. These substances kill bacteria and fungi on surfaces that are responsible for releasing odor particles.

These are not the only techniques our pros have in their toolbox, but they are some of the most common that are employed in the restoration process.

The Signature 4-Step Process

When tackling odor removal, we break the process down into four main parts:

1. Remove the source. Smells won’t fully go away until the source of the odor has been identified and removed, along with any other debris that could have been affected. This step will always be the first to start odor restoration correctly.

2. Clean residue from surfaces. Once the source of the odor has been removed, surfaces will need to be cleaned and deodorized thoroughly. If proper cleaning is not employed, odor particles will continue to be released and create smells.

3. Recreate the odor-causing conditions. In order to saturate all the same surfaces that were affected in the disaster, our experts employ deodorizers in a similar method to the way the situation was created. This means if the smell was created by smoke, deodorizing smoke will be used to mitigate the damages.

4. Seal exposed surfaces. If the situation is really severe, sealing surfaces to block odors rather than remove them may be necessary. This step will be used if odor removal will be too costly or impractical to finish.

Effective odor removal comes down to acting fast. If you have experienced an emergency that has left your home stinky, we are prepared to respond day or night and mitigate. SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County is owned by your neighbors, which means we are waiting to help just around the corner.

If you experience an odor or other damage inside your home or business, call us at any time, 24⁄7. We have the training and equipment to quickly get your property back in operation.

Winter Storms Are on Their Way Again: Here’s How to Prepare | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

3/2/2023 (Permalink)

A close-up image of a car and tire moving through snow If winter weather should bring damage to your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County for fast, restorative solutions.

Not to steal a phrase or anything, but winter is coming. Whether you love it or dread it, cold weather is on its way back to New York again, alongside holiday parties, religious festivals, family gatherings and the prospect of a new year.

Living in Rockland County means dealing with winter’s potentially harsh and dangerous weather, so let’s run down the list of things you need to prepare as it heads your way.

Protect Your Family

Does your family know what to do in the event of an emergency? You need an emergency action plan to help everyone know what to do, where to meet and how to stay in contact during a crisis.

Take time to winterize your vehicle, whether by yourself or with the help of a mechanic. Check all major systems, as well as your battery, fluids and tires. Replace or repair anything that needs attention before you find yourself on the side of the road during a freeze, or on a slick road with bald tires.

And finally, keep your family’s emergency kits stocked up, both at home and in the car, including fresh clothes and sturdy shoes.

Protect Your Home

Frozen pipes are a serious issue in the cold clutches of winter. Avoid this source of intense water damage by letting your faucets leak during deep freezes, and insulating pipes where needed.

Check your home’s heat systems and perform any necessary repairs to avoid being left in the cold. It’s better to do a little maintenance while weather is still relatively mild than to be suddenly left without heat during an intense cold snap.

If you use any wood-burning appliances for heat or recreation, make sure furnaces and flumes are clean, and that you have proper ventilation to avoid smoke damage or inhalation.

If you notice cold air leaking indoors, check to see whether you may need to reseal your windows or add some insulation in the attic.

Protect Your Pets

Your dogs and cats aren’t made to handle cold weather, so bring them in where they can be comfortable.

Any outdoor livestock should have adequate shelter and access to non-frozen water.

Watch for Melts and Flooding

When heavy snow and thick ice melt, they can cause dangerous floods. From ice dams on your roof exploiting leaks in your roof to creeks and ponds flooding, always be careful during a seasonal thaw.

As always, stay tuned into local news outlets, and let weather apps and national agencies send you alert notifications by phone or text.

If winter weather should bring damage or flooding to your home or business, contact SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County for fast, restorative solutions.

How will I know if my Basement Has Water Damage | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

3/2/2023 (Permalink)

a grey basement showing signs of water damage SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County is a full restoration company. Our restoration experts are on call and ready to help you determine the best course

The basement of your Rockland County home can be a great utility area in a home. It can serve as bonus living space if it’s fully furnished, but it can also serve as a storm shelter for the family if needed or just some extra storage.

But because true basements are mostly or fully underground, they are prone to taking on some of the water and moisture from the surrounding area, creating potential for some unwanted situations.

It’s almost a statistical certainty that at some point a homeowner with a basement will have to deal with some degree of water intake. Below, we will look at some of the signs that water damage is present in your basement. If you need mitigation or if you just need someone to take a closer look, our well-trained teams are always here to take your call.

Signs of Basement Water Damage

Unpleasant, musky odors. The groundwater that enters basement spaces may not be dirty like water that comes up from a sewer backup, but over time, it stagnates and evaporates, creating that signature basement aroma. Many people believe basements inherently smell a little musty, but that’s not the case. The odor arises when mold and mildew are present in the environment, and while they may be hard to see initially, they are easy to smell.

Flaking paint on masonry or walls. Even seasoned homeowners sometimes believe that a layer of waterproof paint will do the job when it comes to preventing water leakage from the outside. Unfortunately, even the best paint will only hold back groundwater leakage for so long. Water that seeps in will inevitably bubble under and flake the paint, creating cracks and gaps and laying the groundwork for mold and mildew.

Foundational cracks. Cracks in the foundation should be taken very seriously, even though many houses do shift over time. Cracks can show up in the floor, the ceiling or in your walls and often signify that dangerous pressure is being applied to your structure due to water leaks. If hairline cracks appear, don’t panic, but keep an eye on them. If they begin to expand, call us right away.

If you notice any of these signs in your basement, let us take a look. Our expert water restoration technicians can help you determine what is causing these issues and how to treat it properly. Contact us today to learn more

The Science of Drying: Commercial Property in Rockland County

3/2/2023 (Permalink)

Image of person working on a laptop with SERVPRO Drybook on the screen Call SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County for any commercial water damage loss.

Did you know? There is actually a science behind the process of drying? Having the knowledge of psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water-damaged structure to its preloss condition. Our SERVPRO technicians are trained in the science of drying and follow strict industry approved standards. This helps lower the chances of any secondary damages like mold growth. 

Here are the steps we will take to ensure your water damage restoration is handled correctly and efficiently to get your company back up and running.

  • Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet to help prevent secondary damage from happening.
  • Measure how much moisture is in wet materials is in wet materials and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.
  • Speed up Mother Nature by using professional drying equipment.

What exactly does it mean to help "speed up mother nature"? A wet building can often dry naturally because the environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material-but only if the air-is drier.  The only issue is that nature often takes too long and secondary damage such as mold may occur.

SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County has special equipment and tools to help dry hard wood floors, and hard to reach spaces inside walls. We use modern moisture monitoring equipment and a proven scientific process called DryBook to help speed the drying of your business. DryBook is a proprietary tool that provides real-time documentation and updates on the drying process. It helps ensure industry drying requirements are met. With DryBook Mobile, you have the ability to know exactly where your property is in the drying process. SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County has the training, equipment and technology to help make your water damage disaster "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO When the Smoke of a Fire Disaster Has Cleared | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

people watching a small house completely engulfed in flames For quick repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County.

Disasters are one of those things that we all hope never happens, but when they do, they can leave a wide variety of damages behind. While there are lots of ways we can be affected by disasters, a fire is one that will almost always leave a path of destruction.

Cleaning up after a fire emergency can feel daunting and scary, but when you have neighbors like SERVPRO in your community, you can rest assured that you are far from alone. We will walk with you through the entire process and get you back on your feet in no time.

Our Initial Move

When you are affected by a fire, your first priority has to be securing the safety of yourself and your family. After that, call our experts to start down the road of recovery.

We can take your call at any time of night or day, and we will start creating a plan immediately by gathering as much information from you over the phone. Our team will be headed your direction in no time with the proper equipment and resources to get things started.

On site, we will first assess the damage as we continue to create a plan that will meet the unique needs of your situation. No two disasters are the same, and we want to ensure that every part of your restoration is covered.

Time to Get to Work

Removing smoke and soot damage from everything it has penetrated will start once the area is secured. Smoke and soot can reach rooms that never even saw flames, so we will clean walls, floors and ceilings anywhere there is sign of damage. Surfaces will also be sanitized to remove and stop additional odors.

The Most Crucial Step

Once the cleaning process has been completed, our team can get down to the real restoration of your home. This means we will start to put everything back together, including hanging drywall, laying floors or painting a room.

If part of your property could not be salvaged and demolition took place, our team is experienced in construction. We can rebuild an entire room if necessary. It is our goal to put your home back together exactly as you want it. At SERVPRO, we have years of experience, and we are always ready to help.

For rapid repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County! We will work as quickly as possible to return you to a safe and fully restored property.

Warm Up and Stay Fire-Safe | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

1/26/2023 (Permalink)

"a small electric heater in a living room” Call SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County if you experience any smoke, soot or fire damage.

It might seem like winter has already been here forever, but it didn’t officially start until Dec. 21. While you may have flipped the heating on in your home long ago, without the proper preparations, you could have a fire hazard.

Love them or hate them, the cold months are here and you should be able to stay warm all season. Take steps now to stay fire-safe.

<h3basics">Furnace Basics

Homes in our area likely have one of three kinds of heating systems: a boiler, a furnace or baseboard heaters. Boilers run on water or gas and use radiant heat to warm your home, while baseboard heaters warm a single room at a time. Furnace systems are highly efficient and cost-effective systems that can outlast a lot of heating equipment.

No matter what kind of system you have, regular maintenance is the best way to keep them running long-term. Clean your furnace and baseboard heaters for dust, and have your boiler inspected regularly to ensure the heating elements are in working order.

Replace any filters in your systems often. For a furnace system, 90 days is the recommended timeframe, although you may want to do it more often if you have pets or someone in the home has allergies. Use the changing season as a good reminder to change your filter.

The air filter not only helps to lengthen the lifespan of your system, but much like a boiler heats without increasing the dust in your home, furnace filters can also eliminate dust and allergens.

<h3safety">Fireplace Safety

Fireplaces make for a cozy centerpiece in your home and can provide additional heating during one of the many snowstorms we experience. Without proper inspections and maintenance, though, a chimney or fireplace can pose quite the fire hazard for your home. Both artificial and wood-burning fireplaces should be inspected and cleaned regularly.

To care for a wood-burning fireplace, clean out ash and soot and ensure that nothing has blocked the chimney. Artificial fireplaces should be dusted regularly, including any removable logs and the cover you use on the front of the fireplace.

<h3heaters">Portable Heaters

Another source of heat commonly used in home is space heaters These portable heaters are great for warming a room quickly, much like the baseboard heaters commonly found in a lot of homes in this county. Running a space heater does require safety measures in order to prevent fires though.

Don’t run your space heater overnight, and always keep it three feet away from any combustible materials. Make sure your space heater is on a flat surface where it won’t get knocked over, and if your heater doesn’t have an automatic shut-off feature when it is tipped, consider upgrading to a new one. Always plug space heaters directly into the wall to avoid electrical surges.

Keep a close eye on the little ones and the furry ones in your home when you are running your heating equipment. Make sure they understand how to stay safe, since it only takes a single accident to cause complete chaos and destruction in your home. Stay cozy this season without the fear of fire.

If you experience fire damage this season, give us a call at SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County for immediate assistance. We’re here 24⁄7 when you need us!

Stop Water Damage in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

water failing from a sink do to a clogged drain Have water damage in your home? Contact SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County for quick and professional restoration.

A new year means new opportunities to tackle some projects that can make life a little easier. This year, make one of those projects protecting your home from water damage.

By adding a few simple steps into your regular routines, you could lower your risks and save your family money by avoiding the need for costly repairs.

Water is one of the top causes of damage to private property, and a hole the size of a pin can cause complete chaos in your home. Make a resolution you can keep this year and make changes that will protect your home.

<h3causes-water-damage">What Causes Water Damage?

To prevent damage, you need to first know where it comes from. Water leaks can start on the inside or the outside of your home.

Outside, gutters and heavy downpours are common sources, while inside bathroom fixtures and large appliances often cause issues.

Pipes that have aged and worn-out or caulking that has broken down around windows can also lead to excess moisture in your home. When a leak is left unattended, it can result in mold growth or even rotted walls and floors.

Appliances that come into contact with water can begin to rust or stop working all together. The faster an issue is identified and the source is addressed, the more damages can be mitigated.

<h3to-prevent-damage">How to Prevent Damage

It only takes a little water to do a lot of damage, but there are a lot of ways to avoid complete destruction. Finding the problem early is the best way to avoid total losses, and when you are active in prevention, catching a leak will be simple.

To find water where it doesn’t belong, make a habit of checking your bathrooms and kitchen for damp spots or mold growth. When it rains, run your hand along the window seal to check for moisture. Give the kids a giggle by sniffing around the house to check for musty odors.

Take a look at your roof once a month and after wind events. Look for missing or loose shingles, and after a snowstorm moves out, feel for soft spots.

Make sure your gutters are cleared year-round, but particularly before winter storms to prevent the possibility of ice dams forming. Clean the area around the downspouts regularly as well so when the snow does melt it can flow away from your home well.

Use your yard as another way to protect your home. Keep a gentle slope away from your home built by adding soil as needed. This is another area you want to check after one of our snowstorms moves out to ensure there hasn’t been too much erosion.

Incorporating simple steps into your pre-existing housekeeping routines can save your home from damages that could lead to extensive and costly repairs later. Plus, you can pat yourself on the back for finally making a resolution you kept!

Have water damage in your home? Contact us for fast, professional restoration back to preloss condition.

How Water Can Enter Your Home | SERVPRO® of Eastern Rockland County

12/12/2022 (Permalink)

Ceiling with water damage and peeling paint. If you experience any water damage inside your home or business, reach out to SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County.

A slow water leak can go unnoticed for a long time, but you can train yourself to check for signs. When there is too much moisture in an area, the air quality can be lowered, creating a musty and unpleasant smell. You may also notice peeling or bubbled paint, stains or even cracks that could be indicative of water somewhere it is not supposed to be.

Your appliances could also begin to rust if there is a leak nearby. While these are all subtle indications that you have a leak, the most obvious sign of water intrusion will always be a puddle on the floor.

Water damage can run very deep and create serious problems in the home. The more you learn about how to detect, prevent and correct them the safer you can keep your house.

Water Fixture Leaks

Water fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom are common causes of slow leaks. Caulk that has deteriorated or a puncture hole in a water line can lead to water spots around sinks, toilets, tubs and showers.

Check these areas regularly, and correct even a minor drip quickly in order to prevent massive damages. Thousands of gallons of water are lost each year to small leaks, so the faster you act when you spot an issue the less likely you are to need costly repairs.

Water From Appliances

Refrigerators with ice makers or other water lines and dishwashers are two large appliances with a high risk of leaks that could go unnoticed long-term. These leaks often happen underneath the appliance and could lead to serious floor damage and a hefty restoration project.

If you suspect there may be an issue with one of your appliances, unplug it and pull it away from any structures or walls. Check for pools of water, mold growth or any wet spots beneath and behind the appliance. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, call us right away to get things handled quickly and correctly.

External Sources

Not all water damage originates from inside the home, though. Slow leaks can come from external sources through windows or doors, or you could experience a destructive flood that happens all at once from a severe weather event.

We have experienced plenty of flooding events in our area over the years. Typically originating from heavy rainfalls that cause our creeks and streams to overflow, these floods have led to streets full of water.

Being in the Hudson Valley means always watching river warnings as well.

Even with all the risks we face, you can manage them to protect your home. You will need to put some steps into action and follow up with them often, but when you do you can rest easy.

Keep a careful eye on your roof, gutters and downspouts. When your gutters are not clear, water can be forced to overflow and create a leak that runs through your roof, walls and into your foundation. Keep them cleaned out, and remove any debris that gathers at the base of your downspouts as well.

Take a look at your windows and doors to ensure they are well-sealed. Loose seals can lead to excess moisture in these entry points that could cause mold growth or other damages to your home.

You can also use your property’s landscaping as a way to keep water out of your living areas. Create slopes away from the base of your house with organic materials. This not only means water rolls away, it can also help absorb heavy rainfalls faster to prevent puddling water that could seep in through your floors. The more action you take to protect your home, the safer you will stay—and the more you can play worry-free.

If you experience water damage inside your home or business, call us, 24⁄7. We have the experience and equipment to get your property back in working order fast