Equipment Needed to Fix Bellmore Homes after Fire Damage

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless of the extent of the fire damage, our team in Bellmore can make it "Like it never even happened." Call us right away!

SERVPRO Has Sufficient Equipment to Ease Fire Restoration in Bellmore Homes

Although it is considered one issue, fire damage is a combination of different problems that affect a property in the immediate aftermath of a fire or long after the incident. One of the critical issues that determine what happens to a Bellmore property after the incident is the type of equipment used for restoration. Necessary resources range from cleaning to demolition to deodorization tools.

Choosing what equipment to use in your Bellmore home after fire damage is a combination of personal preferences and the dictates of the type of restoration needed. For example, an approach like immersion cleaning can only be helpful if the soiled items can withstand significant moisture exposure during cleaning. Things like books or electronics cannot be subjected to such cleaning. When our SERVPRO technicians inspect your property, we can determine what resources are needed.

Choice of restoration equipment depends on reasons like:

• Speed
• Thoroughness
• Safety

Fire damage can be both instantaneous and gradual. Speed is necessary, especially in preventing the gradually-developing issues since it can reduce the overall damage you must fix. For example, soot stains on granite countertops or metallic trim only develop if soot is left on the surfaces for a long time. Timely cleaning eliminates the need to replace such materials. Various tools can complete the same task, so identifying the speedier option is beneficial. For example, when our SERVPRO technicians clean dry fire residues from surfaces, vacuuming can be faster than wiping with a sponge. 

Thorough Fire Restoration Equipment

Combustion causes effects such as odor, stains, or physical changes in materials. If not adequately addressed, these issues can linger, causing long-term problems. The equipment used to manage the issues determines whether the solution applied is lasting. A good illustration for this is when doing restorative cleaning on materials with unfinished surfaces like trusses. 

Typical cleaners used in unfinished fire damaged surfaces:

• Sanding equipment
• Soda blasting equipment
• Pressure washers

Some equipment can do the job thoroughly without causing problems when cleaning the unfinished surface, while others might cause physical damage to the material or leave residues. Our SERVPRO technicians opt for a thorough option like blast cleaning with bicarbonate of soda or dry ice pellets. The two cleaning mediums are driven against a surface by a great air force, disintegrating on impact. They effectively remove fire residues and do not cause physical damage to the underlying materials.

Sanding and pressure washing are effective in removing soils from surfaces. However, they can have detrimental effects on the material you want to clean. For example, driving water at high pressure against wooden surfaces leads to significant moisture absorption. Without elaborate drying procedures, the wood would end up rotting. On the other hand, sanding removes a layer of the material being cleaned and can damage surrounding materials. 

Safety is also essential when choosing restoration equipment. You might wonder what risks restoration equipment might pose, yet they are made by professionals. However, risks can arise from how or where the equipment is used. One likely risk is exposure to harmful residues when doing cleaning tasks or demolishing sections of the structure to remove heavily deteriorated materials. Our SERVPRO technicians prioritize safety. For example, when we use vacuum agitation, we can retain soot and other fine residues rather than spreading them through the air. Other considerations include the risk of electric shock or the impact operating the equipment in a confined area might have.

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh has sufficient resources to handle any challenges of fire damage "Like it never even happened." Call us at (516) 809-9600.

Challenges Contents Pose in Bellmore Houses after Water Damage

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

We have the equipment and training to restore your Bellmore home to pre-damage condition after water damage.

SERVPRO Uses Advanced Resources in Bellmore Homes Simplifying Water Restoration

Water leaks are usually indiscriminate. A supply pipe in your Bellmore home can burst in the ceiling, wall, or any other section of the house. In most cases, leaks affect structural areas. However, contents are also vulnerable to direct water exposure and high humidity. The challenges of dealing with such water damage range from the need to move items and unique components requiring specialized restoration.

In your Bellmore home, water damage can involve contents because they stand in the way or if they are wet. Whatever the case, you need sufficient resources to deal with the situation. SERVPRO can intervene in such situations helping you access human resources, tools, and technical advice.

The main challenges with contents include:

• Heavy items requiring multiple people to move
• Secondary deterioration after initial water exposure
• Unique materials requiring specialized restoration

Once water spills, gravitational pull spreads it across floor surfaces. Such water easily finds a way in the spaces beneath bulky or heavy furniture and appliances. Leaving the water traces beneath items is not ideal since it can cause bad odor or deterioration of the floor material. Therefore, even if the moisture has not affected furniture or appliance items, you have to move them to pave the way for cleaning and drying floor surfaces. 

SERVPRO sends a team of IICRC-certified technicians to your property to facilitate any necessary content manipulation. We also have handy accessories such as shoulder dollies and hand carts to facilitate moving heavy items. The shoulder dolly or lifting strap is a harness fitted over the shoulders, thus evenly distributing the weight when lifting bulky items. The harness makes it possible to lift weights of up to 600 pounds and decreases the strain on hands, biceps, and lower back, thus allowing our technicians to work faster and safer.

Primary and Secondary Water Damage

Restoring items after water exposure takes different steps, including cleaning, drying, and deodorization. When planning the restoration process, it is crucial to think of the primary damage caused by direct water exposure and secondary deterioration that may follow afterward. 

Many contents have unique external and internal components. Appliances have resilient metal or plastic exteriors, but the circuit boards in their interiors are vulnerable to moisture or soiling. For upholstery, the fabrics on the surfaces are easy to clean and dry, unlike the fibers used to stuff the items. Finding a way to deal with the unique combination of problems helps resolve direct water damage and prevent secondary issues. 

Useful actions that counter water damage:

• Expedited water extraction
• Sufficient moisture control
• Supplying heating

After water intrusion, moisture is constantly on the move. Such movement can be within materials or the air, such as when evaporation and condensation occur. Wicking through materials is a significant problem for fabric or wood items. Staining and rotting are some expected outcomes of such moisture movements. When water evaporates into the air, it can still cause problems since some contents are made from hygroscopic materials. The humidity in the air also easily penetrates the interiors of electronics interfering with the internal components. Our SERVPRO technicians use powerful water extractors to expedite the removal of any standing water in your home. We also set up dehumidifiers around the property to extract the evaporating moisture maintaining relative humidity levels below 60%, ensuring it is not detrimental.

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh can combat any restoration challenges you might face after water damage. Call us at (516) 809-9600. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Combating the Challenges in Bellmore Homes Affected by Mold Damage

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Moisture, including humidity, can lead to mold growth. SERVPRO can locate hidden moisture sources and remediate mold damage in your Bellmore home.

SERVPRO Finds Easier Ways to Execute Bellmore Mold Remediation Procedures

If a property has mold, it is wise to take remedial action quickly. Otherwise, the problem keeps worsening, leading to unnecessary costs. Unresolved mold contamination can even affect the future price of the home if you decide to sell it. Mold remediation may seem daunting, especially when you realize you have to teardown structural materials or spend days doing intense cleaning. Unique approaches and specialized equipment help simplify mold remediation.

When Bellmore homes have mold damage, how the restoration is planned influences both the outcome and the ease of handling the repair - planning is easier when you understand how mold develops. That is why SERVPRO offers certified Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians to oversee the restoration of your premises. 

Mold Growth Stages

• Sporulation
• Germination
• Vegetative growth
• Reproduction

To the average person, mold is either present or not. The most common signs of mold are dark patches or discoloration of surfaces. The problem with the layman outlook is the likelihood of taking the wrong action or failing to take action, thus worsening the situation. Therefore, a professional understands the problem and acts with a restorative or preventive outlook. For example, our SERVPRO technicians avoid introducing moisture unnecessarily, even on mold-free surfaces. We understand that settled mold spores would immediately enter the germination stage if supplied with water, thus increasing the restoration work needed.

Apart from controlling moisture, containing the spread of moldy residues is also essential in limiting the restoration work. Directional cleaning of mold residues is a straightforward way to restrict residue spread. Our SERVPRO technicians start cleaning surfaces from the top moving towards the bottom when removing mold residues because spores settle downwards. We also clean towards the direction of airflow in the house. When selecting a cleaning method, we mostly choose one based on the levels of aggressiveness regarding residue spread. For example, using air to agitate moldy surfaces is ideal. However, vacuuming is better than blowing surfaces with compressed air. Damp-wiping the surfaces after vacuuming helps remove any stubborn residues. 

Controlling the Advancement of Mold Damage

During the vegetative growth phase, mold produces hyphae that spread across surfaces and penetrate organic materials. At this phase, the mold irreversibly damages porous and semi-porous materials as its root-like hyphae penetrate deep into materials extracting nutrients. Removing heavily infested porous materials helps contain the problem. Our SERVPRO technicians can also use aggressive cleaning techniques like sanding and wire brushing on semi-porous surfaces to remove the embedded mold colonies. 

Other alternatives include soda or dry ice blasting. The two methods are similar since they rely on compressed air for cleaning. However, they use distinct cleaning mediums. With soda blasting, aerosolized sodium bicarbonate particles are driven against a surface. When the soda particles shatter on impacting the surfaces, they strip away moldy residues. Dry ice blasting works almost similarly. However, when its pellets strike the surface, they cause the moldy masses to shrink, detaching from the surface. The two methods have the unique advantages of leaving the underlying material intact, thus requiring minimal refinishing and shortening the cleaning time by up to 80%.

A Sound Mold Remediation Plan Requires

• Scoping
• Estimating
• Cleaning
• Refinishing

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh goes the extra mile when called to deal with mold damage in any property, managing it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (516) 809-9600.

Cleaning Various Types of Flood Damage in Bellmore Homes

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let flood damage take over your property, Call SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh at (516) 809-9600.

Flood Damage Occurs in Several Ways

Disasters do not impact your home in just one way. With flooding, SERVPRO professionals must account for structural damage, pooling water, migrating moisture, contamination, and the effect on your personal belongings. We respond fast to help with needed mitigation. 

Intruding Water Concerns

The chief concern with flood damage in Bellmore homes is how this water made it inside the property. From vulnerabilities in the construction of your property to direct damage like a falling tree, the flood path into the house must be severed and repaired for later restoration and cleanup to be productive.

The Likelihood of Standing Water

Flooding is best known for the pooling water it can leave in areas like the basement, main floor of the house, or crawlspaces. Standing water is a significant concern to structural integrity, as this continually exposes sensitive building materials to potential deterioration. Clearing standing water occurs with a combination of tools like:

• Electric pumps
• Trash pumps
• Light wands
• Wet vacuums

Absorbing Water into Building Materials

SERVPRO must also manage moisture migration during the flood recovery and restoration processes. This movement overcomes porous building materials and might require controlled demolition if contaminants are believed to exist. 

Removing Flood-Damaged Contents

Protecting personal belongings is an essential part of flood restoration. The more extended contents remain exposed to the water and potential contaminants, the less likely they can be saved. Relocating is the most efficient method of protecting the contents of the house, and SERVPRO can often do this with any dry, safe space in the home, like an upper-floor bedroom. 

Flooding is one of the more complicated and complex restoration needs for homes. Not only must immediate threats be resolved, but our SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh team must also resolve structural vulnerabilities to prevent flood recurrences in the future. Call us now at (516) 809-9600.

Advanced Fire Restoration Procedures to Save Your Bellmore Business

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh to help with fire restoration to your property.

Fire Repair SERVPRO Helps Bellmore Businesses Recover

You may be well versed with the destructiveness of fires after witnessing other Bellmore businesses devastated by such incidents. You may also know the hard work necessary to clean and rebuild the affected areas. However, you may not know the fire restoration procedures and technologies needed to address all the problems.

When embarking on fire restoration, Bellmore proprietors must set definite goals. Restoring preloss conditions is an appropriate goal to set. Time-related goals are also essential since closing operations over extended times can compromise your business. It is easier to attain your goals when using the appropriate tools. SERVPRO invests in state-of-the-art equipment creating easy access for businesses.

Advanced fire cleanup technologies 

• Blast cleaning 
• Dry fogging 
• Ultrasonic cleaning 

Once you inspect your premises, you might discover widespread soiling as one of the issues you must address. Fires soil materials in many ways, including depositing fine smoke residues on the surface, causing yellowing of walls and appliances, or caking surfaces with wet smeary residues. Each of these soils presents a unique cleaning challenge. For instance, wet cleaning meant to remove dry soot might end up setting it further into the affected material. Our SERVPRO crews resolve these challenges with advanced technologies, including HEPA vacuuming to remove loose residues and blast cleaning with various mediums to manage severe soiling.

Restoration Can Limit Replacements

One of the disadvantages of fire damage is the costs you incur in fixing your facility. The highest expenses come from replacing items or materials. Therefore any steps that can help you avoid or minimize replacements are vital. Wet smoke, fuel oil, or protein residues are particularly challenging to clean and might force you to dispose of structurally sound materials. When our SERVPRO crews use specialized cleaning methods like soda or dry ice blasting, it is easier to manage stubborn soiling, saving your valuables.

Other advantages of advanced cleaning methods

• Better control chemical agents
• Superior agitation without damaging underlying materials 
• No over-wetting of the materials being cleaned

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh has sufficient resources to ensure fire restoration resolves any problem "Like it never even happened." Call us at (516) 809-9600. 

We Have The Equipment And Training To Handle Your Levittown Flood Damage

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

When this basement flooded we arrived right away and pumped the water out and dried the area out with our advanced equipment.

Cleanup and Restoration for Your Flooded Levittown Basement

Whether a place for storage or a finished livable space, many Levittown homes have basements used for something. While these spaces can have their functions and uses, they are also the first affected space when disasters like flooding occur. When an area of your foundation blockwork allows water penetration or floodwater pours in through some other vulnerable point, a high volume of potentially contaminated water can pool quickly along the floors of this lowest level.

While many things must occur immediately to alleviate the pressing flood damage in your Levittown home, this begins with reaching out to competent professionals. It might be tempting to try and clean up the mess and extract floodwater on your own. Still, there are many risks associated with natural flooding that could prove hazardous to unprotected homeowners or unlicensed cleaners. Our SERVPRO team has the full measure of personal protective equipment along with industry-leading tools to quickly remove excess water, clean up the affected materials, and restore the damage entirely.

Our team assesses the full scope of the flood damage from when we first arrived, identifying the affected materials and areas of the basement that require focused attention. Extraction can help reveal other exposed elements and materials and allow our advanced equipment like moisture detectors and thermal imagery to be more effective in locating lingering moisture pockets in concrete and blockwork.

If the concrete flooring in your unfinished basement has already begun to absorb the floodwater, we must first dry out the saturation with our drying mats before we can disinfect and clean this material. Exposed drywall must get removed as this porous material can retain bacteria and contaminants from the flood, persistently promoting mold growth and health effects. We utilize controlled demolition techniques only to remove materials necessary to keep your family safe and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our restoration work.

Flooding can be alarming, but with our SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh professionals, we can make these effects “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime disaster strikes at (516) 809-9600.

How to Dry Your Flooded Wantagh Basement

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

When storm water enters your basement, call SERVPRO. We have the equipment and training to dry your house fast.

Mitigating Flood Damage in Basement Areas of Wantagh Residence 

After a flood, families in Wantagh who once enjoyed the extra space their basement provided begin to worry about the damages flooding can cause in their home's lowest living or storage space and how their belongings might suffer. Our job includes helping you get through the confusion with less stress while we restore your property through mitigation and restoration. Pointing you in the right direction for extra help from the community makes an enormous difference in how your family recovers after a disaster involving significant loss and change.

We have extensive experience working with the community in Wantagh in resolving disastrous situations like flood damage to all types of properties. Some properties contain residential and commercial elements, and we work with all our customers. When we complete the job, everything looks "Like it never even happened."

Arriving shortly after your initial call, we come prepared with our Green Fleet loaded with a wide assortment of hoses, extraction equipment, drying machines, foggers, and other tools needed to mitigate the damaged areas in your home. Our mitigation professionals hold certificates from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), ensuring that your walls, floors, and even the air inside your property all receive proper attention, according to industry standards.

When flooded basements do not drain because of clogged drains, coupled with damaged sump pumps, we handle the extraction required. Removing sediment covering your basement floor as a team means we clear the area quickly. Furniture, boxes, and crates of stored belongings and affected appliances require inspection, as well as some cleaning, before deciding on each item's prognosis.

Some things become irreparably damaged from flooding, but we always do our best to restore as much as possible. We always discuss with you the reasons why any of your belongings require disposal. We list these as requiring replacement to help you with your insurance claim, as well as the task of finding suitable replacements. Cleaning of damaged but restorable items happened at your home, if possible, or at our facility.

Airing the basement out with air movers and flexible tubing removes spores and other airborne microbes. As our equipment pushes air toward air scrubbers and into desiccant machines, the air loses both water vapor and contaminants, steadily becoming cleaner and drier. We also perform this within other levels of your home, where necessary.

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh can perform cost-effective flood damage mitigation for residents in Merrick and Seaford. Call our service line at (516) 809-9600, 24/7, any day of the year.

Our Fire Damage Experts In Bellmore Discuss The Most Common Types Of Soot

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh is a leading service provider in fire damage restoration.

Types Of Soot To Expect After A Fire Damage Experience In Bellmore

Effectively dealing with smoke residues after a fire damage experience is undoubtedly one of the most challenging aspects of property restoration. For that reason, our technicians are always ready to offer a helping hand. We encounter different types of smoke residues while restoring properties in Bellmore.

After responding to a fire damage incident in Bellmore, our technicians assess the situation to determine the type of smoke residues. The most common types of soot include dry soot, wet soot, protein soot, and fuel oil soot. Dry smoke is easy to clean since it does not heavily stain surfaces compared to damp smoke residues. However, the dry smoke residues come from hotter fires; hence the heat causes extensive damage to the surface.

Our SERVPRO experts understand the daunting task ahead when it comes to wet residues. Cleaning surfaces that have been stained by wet smoke residue require a thorough cleaning process that is backed by the necessary cleaning equipment. Fortunately, the areas are not damaged by excessive heat, making the surfaces viable for restoration.

Protein residues are not an issue to our experts either. Such smoke particles are a result of burning organic products. However, these stains are mainly characterized by a strong odor. Therefore, the cleaning process is pegged on eliminating the smell rather than cleaning the surface since the protein soot is not easily visible on the surface.

Our technicians can attest that fuel oil soot is the easiest fire residue to clean. This type of residue is a result of the ignition of old soot. The fresh soot can easily be removed from the surface without damaging the paint job on the surface.

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh is a leading service provider in fire damage restoration. You can rest assured that our top-notch services will yield satisfactory results. Contact us at (516) 809-9600 to enlist our top-quality services.

How Storm Flood Damage Impacts Bellmore Properties

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

When SERVPRO arrives, we begin containment and water removal services with powerful extractors and pumps.

Call SERVPRO For Emergency Flood Damage Assistance in Bellmore

Storm flood damage can become costly for Bellmore homes and businesses. While you may think that flooding is not expected or you are not in a flood zone, anything can happen in the event of a significant storm. Where an interior emergency like burst pipes or an overflowing tub are category 1 or 2 events with little to no contamination, SERVPRO wants you to know that storm flooding brings category 3 contamination with black water. We have the experience and equipment to ensure that all goes well with your flood cleanup and restoration, making it “Like it never even happened.”

Did you know that water and flood damage in Bellmore may be more common than you think? If you are unsure if your property is at risk for flooding, there are flood zone maps that you can consult that tell you whether or not you should take precautions.

What impact does flood damage have?

You could have water that infiltrates your basement or rises upward through a crawlspace. If the surge is severe, you may also have floodwater that comes into your first floor. This contaminated water is hazardous, so reduce the risks by keeping family and pets away from it.

• Safety risks and contamination –Flooding poses many hazards, including contaminants like fecal matter, chemicals, and gasoline.
• Structural issues –There could be damage to structural elements like support beams, flooring, and your foundation due to the pressure of the water.
• Emotional distress –If you are a flooding victim, the stress and worry about your property and the potential loss of belongings can significantly affect your emotions.

SERVPRO arrives within four hours or less once you contact our customer care team. When we reach your home, we begin containment and water removal services with powerful extractors and pumps. Drying begins, and we take care of the disposal of unsalvageable materials while we work on replacing things like drywall, flooring, carpets, and anything else impacted by floodwater.

Call us when you need help at SERVPRO of Bellmore/Wantagh at (516) 809-9600.

What Happens When Pipe Bursts in Your Seaford Home

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

This pipe break may look small, but it can push out a lot of water in a short time- especially if it not discovered until later.

Fast Reaction Helps Keep Water Damage In Seaford Manageable

You must react fast when a pipe bursts and fills your Seaford home with water. Even though such water may be clean and contains no debris or contamination, it can still cause considerable damage if left standing over an extended period. Common problems include rotting, swelling, or buckling if the wood is in the affected area. Mold can also develop on different materials, including fabrics, within 24 to 48 hours after the initial exposure. 

When you realize you are facing water damage in Seaford, it is essential to determine to what extent the water affects your property. A casual observation only reveals the damage on the surface, so it is possible to ignore some issues that would lead to significant problems in the future. Our SERVPRO crews can handle such advanced inspection correctly using tools such as thermal cameras and moisture meters which reveal how far the moisture penetrates below the surface. 

The amount of water in the affected spaces determines the effort needed for removal. Remember, the longer water remains in the structure, the higher the chances of secondary damage. Depending on the results from the inspection, our SERVPRO technicians can respond accordingly. For instance, we can know the number of water extractors to remove the water fast enough. Depending on the level of moisture penetration into porous materials, the inspection also helps determine the number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry the structure before mold develops. 

Sometimes standing water might lead to delaminating of carpets or seeping under laminate floors. Little can be done to save the affected materials at such a point. However, the underlying baseboards, adjacent walls, and furniture need salvaging. Our SERVPRO technicians help by removing such materials and starting the drying procedures necessary to restore the other materials. Apart from disposing of the damaged materials, we also support the homeowner file a proper claim with the insurer. 

Water can spill and damage your property at any time. To mount a proper response, call SERVPRO of Bellmore /Wantagh at (516) 809-9600. We are available 24/7.