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.

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.

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.

How Clogged Drains Can Cause Your Seaford Home to Flood

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO understands how serious water can damage the carpeting as well as other surfaces on your property, Call us for assistance with water removal.

Salt and Other Deicers Can Leave Your Home with Flood Damage in Seaford

Keeping the roads in Seaford clear of ice means salt trucks traveling through your neighborhood. Other deicers, such as sand, merely provide traction for vehicles without melting anything. Sand accumulates near drains and mingles with any debris already present.  

When drains along the streets become clogged, homes in lower areas of Seaford can sustain flood damage from rapidly melting ice. This flooding contains high amounts of road salt, motor oils, and other contaminants. SERVPRO Franchise professionals know highly effective methods at removing the pollutants from your home, making everything "Like it never even happened." for you, quickly and efficiently.  

Flood Damage Restoration

Small amounts of flooding can make your home unlivable for different reasons. The heavy soiling caused by flooding means carpets and padding almost immediately become ruined. Lower portions of walls that absorb water can swell and develop cracks along corners, letting water seep inside the interior space. Increased humidity means microbes can begin flourishing all over your home's interior.  

Destroyed materials can retain both moisture that prolongs the drying time required, causing equipment to work harder, and pathogens that put anyone present at risk of various health effects. SERVPRO franchise professionals work in teams to mitigate the damage caused by flooding. Getting your house's interior free of waterlogged items like flooring and soggy drywall decreases the amount of moisture left after pumping out any standing water.  

Drying your home's interior to reach normal moisture content levels includes removing trapped pockets of water which can happen behind cabinetry and built-in drawers. We drill holes to drain trapped water and allow the tubing to circulate air inside the area. We use air movers for this and dry out the rest of your home.  

Our flood damage mitigation specialists ensure that all hard surfaces get a thorough wipe-down with antimicrobial cleansers. We want to make the interior space clean again for your family, so you do not need to worry about contamination.  

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh understands that winter also means melting snow and ice, which can cause flood damage in certain areas. If you experience this, call our 24-hour services number, (516) 809-9600, so we can help restore your home to preloss condition.

How to Reduce Cleanup Costs From Flood Water Damage in Your Seaford Home

12/17/2021 (Permalink)

If you are faced with flood damage, call on our experts for help. We are available to assist you 24/7.

Recent Weather Can Cause Flood Damage to Your Seaford Residence

Seaford's severe weather can happen any time of the year, but the Fall brings periods of early snow, heavy rain, and days filled with temperatures that wildly fluctuate. We know homeowners want to protect their homes from the worst, so we look at our customers as our partners with the same goal. Early mitigation of damage caused by weather events beyond anyone's control can get things back to normal. The sooner work begins in this direction, the better.

Reducing overall costs in repairing your Seaford home after flood damage can save you a lot of frustration and excess financial hardship. SERVPRO works with your insurance company to help make the process as easy and straightforward as possible. Flooding already causes enough stress, so we do our best to help you afterward in making everything "Like it never even happened."

How Does SERVPRO Work with Water Damage for Seaford Properties?

When flood damage happens in your home, we check to see how things are when we arrive. 

Electrical problems require a certified electrician, and we work with different qualified partners. Plumbing can also face contamination, so we also partner with licensed plumbers. These other professionals work with us on a regular basis and understand how to work with us as part of our team. Also, we can save you additional money this way instead of hiring outside professionals.

Other aspects we consider when inspecting your home after a flooding incident involve the flooring types. Tiles might require removal if too much sustained damage. Carpeting requires the replacement of the rug and padding. Wooden floors require unique drying methods to save them whenever possible. SERVPRO technicians also must use specialized cleaning techniques to ensure we restore sanitary conditions.

As we inspect, we also take readings of non-affected materials in your house. These readings and those listed on industry-standard sheets regarding moisture content of various materials help us restore normal dry conditions in your home. Mitigation of flood damage is more than tearing out sopping wet walls and carpeting and bringing in dry replacements. We treat your home as an entire unit that must receive the attention required.

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh can get your home back to normal after flood damage threatens to make your life unrecognizable. We understand that one event can cause uncountable changes, damages, and hardships. Contact us at (516) 809-9600, 24/7, any day of the year, so we can help you and your family get things straightened out. 

How Can I Clean Up the Flood Damage in My Bellmore Home?

10/24/2021 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage restoration services by SERVPRO are second to none. We are here to help.

SERVPRO is Here to Help You When Your Home Suffers Flood Damage!

Living on Long Island puts you adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and opens your home up to the possibility of flood damage. In particular, harsh storms can wrack your home with significant damage and leave you confused about the best course of action.

What Should I Do if a Storm Causes Water Damage in My House?

Imagine going to sleep and then waking up to find your bathroom floor covered in water. You did not think much of the rain pouring throughout the night because you forgot that you left the small ventilation window open in your bathroom. Unfortunately, the open window allowed for water to soak the windowsill and floor. You must get help for your home as soon as possible because flood damage in Bellmore should never be left to sit.

What Are Some Signs of Flood Damage?

Water has a way of getting under every nook and cranny. Wood has a habit of absorbing water and swelling, causing splitting, cracking, and bubbling. Furthermore, should flood damage sit too long, it can begin to create other problems, such as mold damage. Always strive to address damage as soon as it happens, to avoid problems such as:

•   Swelling wooden floors, vanities, and cabinets
•   Swelling wooden framing
•   Soaked insulation between walls
•   Soaked baseboard underneath the flooring

How Can SERVPRO Remediate the Damage in My Bathroom?

Our Institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration-certified (IICRC) technicians can rush to your home after your initial phone call equipped with advanced equipment designed to remediate the damage inside of your home. We can begin as soon as possible and use devices and tools such as:

•   Flood drying mats
•   Extractors
•   Dehumidifiers
•   Antimicrobial agents

If you suspect your home needs flood damage restoration services, don't wait. Speak with SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh by calling (516) 809-9600. We're here to help.

The Urgency of Basement Flood Removal for Bellmore Properties

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians are ready at a moment's notice. Call now!

Clearing basement flooding in Bellmore homes gets vital restoration, and construction efforts started. 

The basement is a common location for flood damage to target, and our SERVPRO team has powerful extraction and drying tools ready to mobilize fast when storm damage strikes. Our Green Fleet can arrive shortly after you call to begin vital mitigation work. 

Removing Floodwater from the Basement Floors 

One of the initial steps and stages of restoring flood damage in Bellmore homes is to remove standing water and pooling from the house. Water collects quickly in this lower level, even when the penetration point is the main floor of the property. We must use more powerful extraction tools to overcome the longer discharge and intake lines necessary to reach this underground level. 

Identifying Damaged Structural Elements 

The presence of floodwater often indicates a vulnerability already exists in structural elements of this lower level, but further investigation is necessary to determine where other build-back and repairs might be needed. With a general contractor license, we will help perform needed building services in areas like:

• Masonry
• Finished Carpentry
• Concrete
• Electrical
• Plumbing

Protecting Contents and Preventing Mold Growth

While it seems like restoration professionals would prioritize removing surface water and protecting exposed elements, there are other critical mitigation services necessary to preserve what matters most with content relocation. Reducing the possibility of mold damage keeps the house's occupants safe and prevents irreparable harm, so treating a surface with mold inhibitors can help. 

The basement can be a welcoming target for migrating floodwater. From vulnerabilities that might exist in the foundation elements of the property to invading surface water concerns that settle in this lowest level, our SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh team prioritizes a fast response to mitigate loss. Give us a call today at (516) 809-9600.

How Difficult Is It to Remove Flood Water from My Wantagh Home?

9/17/2021 (Permalink)

Storms can bring flooding and water damage. The professionals at SERVPRO are always on call to handle your water damage restoration needs.

For Professional, Thorough Water Removal in Your Wantagh Home, Call SERVPRO

Flooding can affect every home in our community. A clear sky today can turn into a major storm by tomorrow, sending water through Wantagh's entire neighborhoods, affecting everything from basements to attics. 

What Extent of Damage Can I Expect from the Flood?

Flood damage to Wantagh homes can include cracked and split floorboards, ruined carpets, crumbling drywall, and even mold when the floodwater is not removed quickly, and structural property is not cleaned professionally. SERVPRO technicians train extensively with the latest equipment to restore these and other items to their pre-flood condition. 

What are the First Steps Technicians Take in My Home for Flood Damage?

Since this is floodwater, it contains soil and other contaminants. Technicians spray the water and all affected surfaces in your home with an antibacterial agent to reduce the risk to everyone who has to step inside. After that, team members take the following steps:

Inspect every room and space that took on the water; this includes the attic if there was damage to the roof. If the water soaked the insulation, we remove and replace it after cleaning the floor and drying the crawlspace completely.

Bring in commercial-grade pumps and extractors to draw the floodwater off the floors, out of carpets, and from between floorboards. Since we cannot guarantee a clean carpet after a flood, technicians immediately remove them for disposal. 

With the Floodwater Removed, What is Next?

SERVPRO technicians bring in fans to begin forcing the damp air out of the home. Once set up, they use air movers and dehumidifiers to draw moisture out of wood floors and drywall. This preserves the structural property and reduces the amount that team members have to replace. 

If a recent storm has sent any water into your home, call SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh at (516) 809-9600 today. We are here to help out and restore your property to its pre-flood condition.

Roof Damages Can Lead To Flooding In Your Seaford Attic

8/14/2021 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage restoration is no easy task. SERVPRO has the trained professionals needed for your home.

Flood Damage Restoration for you Attic

Homeowners throughout the Seaford area are very familiar at this point with the unexpected severe weather. From the harsh winter months and their heavy snowfalls to the several inches of rain expected month to month during the warmer climate, severe weather can begin to take a significant toll on the integrity of your house.

Roof materials are particularly susceptible to this kind of degradation and wear over prolonged periods of hard weather. Once there is even a single breach in this exterior defense, it now stands a significant risk for flood damages to your Seaford residence. Flooding in your attic space can cause a great deal of trouble and requires an immediate response on your end to preserve construction materials and the contents within your home from irreparable damages.

Runoff and direct torrential downpours through a breach in your roofing material can allow high volumes of water into your attic space. With the natural progression of water damage and its inevitable spread, much of the materials leading to the ceiling and walls of the floor beneath your attic can quickly begin to saturate and adversely react to the damage. Reacting quickly can ensure that SERVPRO professionals can respond to the distress and work to reduce the overall spread of the effects of this disaster.

Storm Flood Damage Restoration

Many homeowners might think that attempting to seal off this breach in their roof is a suitable first step, but this is rarely something that you should do on your own. It does not take long for saturated materials to weaken and warp, which can result in collapse for those attempting to repair the damage without a working knowledge of potential risks and hazards, like our SERVPRO technicians, get trained to assess.

SERVPRO's commitment to our clients is to respond quickly. It has become such a staple in the work that we do that we have taken to asserting that We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. You can count on our SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh restoration technicians to arrive promptly and help to mitigate your loss and restore the damage the flooding has caused as efficiently as possible. Give us a call anytime at (516) 809-9600.

Sewage Cleanup After a Storm in Bellmore

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses EPA-registered disinfectants and their technicians are IICRC certified for any size storm remediation project.

SERVPRO understands how to deal with contaminated water and surfaces

During bad weather, you can end up with a leaking roof from storms, basement flooding, and contaminated water invading your home. Special water damage restoration is needed because of the biohazard conditions present in floodwaters. 

Emergency Services - Water Damage Services When You Need It

We knew the extent of the damage and put a plan in place, we began flood cleanup and decontamination in Bellmore. Homeowners should avoid entering floodwaters without the right PPE. Our goal is to salvage, instead of replacing, what we can. When it comes to cleaning and decontaminating salvageable material, we can:

• Remove dry particles or debris with a HEPA vacuum
• Use wet cleaning methods for other types of soil
• Pressure wash structural components
• Apply antimicrobial and antifungal agents to impacted surfaces
• Spray EPA-registered disinfectants on previously cleaned non-porous surfaces

Porous materials such as carpets are typically not salvageable when a flood has occurred. We dispose of wastewater and any unsalvageable items according to all local guidelines and regulations. We do everything possible to restore your home to preloss condition. Basement flooding cleanup is when you call SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh at (516) 853-7946.

Protecting Hardwood Floors After Flood Damage to a Wantagh Home

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

Have storms caused your hardwood floors to become damaged? Call SERVPRO for fast and effective remediation.

SERVPRO has the Expertise Needed to Dry and Restore Floors in Wantagh

Flood damage is overwhelming at face value, and when homeowners take inventory of each item affected by floodwaters, it gets even worse. Although some things are relatively simple to replace (bookcase, couch, etc.), others require a little bit more work. For instance, Hardwood floors benefit from a professional water restoration team's expertise.

Flood Damage to a Wantagh Home is Manageable With the Right Crew at Your Side

SERVPRO has the training and equipment necessary to address each facet of the Wantagh storm damage while striving to minimize your loss. Flooring material can absorb water and leave moisture trapped beneath it, which is why industrial-grade equipment is crucial to a successful restoration job. When you call our technicians, you can expect a professional approach to achieve the following-

• Removal of standing water 
• Drying of floors and subfloors and elimination of pieces beyond repair
• Humidity control throughout the home
• Application of disinfecting solutions
  

SERVPRO of Bellmore/Wantagh is vested in making the impact of the flood a distant memory. Call us at (516) 809-9600 and let our certified team bring the best of the industry into your home.

Take Wantagh Gingerbread House Building to a New Level

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Did ground water get into your basement or home? Call the professionals in SERVPRO for all of your water damage mitigation.

Adventureland Offers a Fun Getaway for Wantagh Families

Adventureland on Broadhollow Road in Farmingdale is holding a Ginger Bells event that lets Wantagh families built veritable gingerbread mansions. December 19 time slots run from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Guest capacity is limited to 35% (or up to 150 guests at a time) per house building session.

Individual tickets cost $49.95 per person and include:

• Time to build and decorate your very own gingerbread house
• A complimentary meal of chicken tenders, French fries, and a soft drink of your choice
• Meeting Santa Claus and taking a family photo with him
• Four ride tickets per person for the Holiday Train, Christmas Carousel, Helicopters, and NYC Race
• VIP and group packages are also available

Adventureland staff adhere to CDC guidelines to preserve public health and safety while allowing families an outlet for holiday fun. Photos taken with Santa Claus can be delivered digitally via Facebook.

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh provides emergency-response groundwater removal for Wantagh homeowners 24 hours a day, seven days a week when they call (516) 809-9600.

SERVPRO Technicians Sanitize Bellmore Homes to IICRC Standards

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

If you have storm damage to your home. Give the professionals at SERVPRO a call to get your home back to preloss condition in no time.

Call (516) 809-9600 for Fast-Acting Disaster Cleanup and Restoration in Bellmore

The Nassau County hamlet of Bellmore is a coastal getaway just east of Manhattan. It is home to approximately 20,000 residents as of 2010. This New York City suburb is situated along the southern coast of Long Island and, when grouped with North Bellmore and Merrick, is referred to as “The Bellmores.”

Bellmore got its start as two small fishing and agricultural settlements: Little Neck and New Bridge. Much of the Bellmores were occupied by English settlers. Development increased dramatically in the nineteenth century after a railroad was built in the region. The railroad station had been named Bellmore, but the town was not officially incorporated under that name until a local post office was established.

Prominent people who have hailed from or lived in Bellmore include:

• Former CIA director William Casey
• Taking Back Sunday frontman Adam Lazzara
• New York Rangers player Matt Gilroy
• Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress Tatyana Marisol Ali
• Yemeni-American YouTube sensation Adam Mohsin Yahya Saleh

Bellmore is also home to an important Supreme Court ruling on Ginsberg v. New York. This case cemented the state’s right to intervene in the interest of regulating adult materials to prevent distribution to minors.

The Indigenous Peoples of the Bellmores

Long Island, including Bellmore, was occupied by thirteen tribes at the dawn of seventeenth-century European colonization of the Americas. Many of these names may be recognizable as namesakes of modern-day New York locales. The indigenous peoples occupying this land originally were:

• Canarsie, Nissequoge, and Merrick
• Montauk, Manhasset, and Rockaway
• Matinecock, Secatoag, and Massapequa
• Corchaug, Setauket, Shinnecock, and Patchoag

In the relatively-recent Renneiu language, Long Island was referred to as Paumanok, or “The Land That Pays Tribute.” The tribes in this region thrived primarily on hunting, fishing, and foraging. However, some crops, such as corn and beans, were also cultivated. Game and fish in the early days of Paumanok was plentiful and included:

• Venison, raccoon, and bear
• Turkey, quail, duck, partridge, and goose
• Freshwater and saltwater fish, as well as crustaceans

The widely-accepted currency among many Long Island tribes was wampum, or shells strung on sinew or adhered to elm bark. European settlers fomented a peaceful dialogue with the indigenous peoples of Long Island and eventually purchased land from them. Many tribes also helped colonists learn to hunt, gather, farm, and fish in the New World.

However, not all relations were equally amicable. While Amerindian tribes peacefully traded with most English settlements, Dutch fur trading outposts often proved more combative. A smallpox epidemic in the 1650s wiped out almost two-thirds of the Long Island tribes. The expansion of European lands and farming had driven most of the remaining inhabitants of Paumanok toward the mainland by the mid-1700s.

Climate and Flooding in Bellmore

Bellmore sees more precipitation than the annual US average of 38 inches but slightly less snow than the national average. The totals clock in at 46 inches of rain and 23 inches of snow. Bellmore also averages 169 rainy days and 125 days of precipitation per year. Flooding and flash floods are relatively common in this part of Long Island due to Bellmore’s proximity to the coast and the above-average rain levels.

Low-elevation neighborhoods like those south of Merrick Road are more vulnerable to the effects of potential flooding. One prominent example is the record-breaking 2012 Hurricane Sandy; a superstorm flooded south Bellmore and Merrick with three to six feet of water. 85-mile per hour gusts caused considerable property damage to home siding, decks, and fences, not to mention damage from felled trees.

Bellmore saw the effects of Hurricane Sandy before it even made landfall in New Jersey. The downpour quickly flooded storm drains and roads in the early morning hours on October 29, 2012. The flooding subsided somewhat until the evening that day before resurging and flooding residential areas in Bellmore-Merrick, including most of Merrick Road’s business district. Superstorm Sandy also caused massive traffic jams and power outages that saturated and submerged cars and single-story buildings at the peak of the flooding, aggravated by an 11-foot storm surge.

How Do SERVPRO Technicians Restore the Contents of a Flood-Damaged Home in Bellmore?

SERVPRO provides rapid-response flood damage mitigation for Bellmore properties and their contents to minimize loss and maximize savings whenever it is safe and feasible. This restoration-focused approach minimizes replacement while ensuring that your home is cleaned to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards.

SERVPRO professionals can perform a multitude of tasks aimed at restoring salvageable belongings in your home after a flood, including:

• Pack-outs allow technicians to carefully document and move your property offsite to a designated SERVPRO warehouse for cleaning and restoration. This process also helps homeowners bolster their proof of loss claim. Inventory can be taken on paper or electronically
• Document and electronics restoration services are also feasible. Documents are frozen while deciding the best method for drying to prevent further water damage or staining, while electronics can be sanitized and serviced by licensed professionals
• Wood furniture and antiques can be carefully sanitized and restored. If additional care outside of the scope of SERVPRO services is needed, SERVPRO can help homeowners get in touch with licensed professionals that can assist them

Some items are automatically considered losses in a flood situation, including mattresses, insulation made of cellulose or cotton, and carpeting. These items cannot safely be returned to a preloss state and are much more cost-effective to replace instead of repair.

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh provides Faster To Any Size Disaster service for homeowners 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including all holidays. Call (516) 809-9600 to begin the restoration process within hours of your initial contact.

The Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh Brings the Magic of the Holidays to Your Car

11/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to the Holiday Season event!

Welcome the Holiday Season by Joining the Magic of Lights in Wantagh, Presented by New York Community Bank

Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh is a marvelous place to visit throughout the year.  Its hikes, boardwalk and beautiful waters make it a very popular destination for Long Islanders, particularly in the summer.  In any given year, visitors can experience a variety of concerts and performances in the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater as well as explore offerings in other concert venues throughout the park.

Although many performances have been cancelled or postponed due to the health crisis, you can still enjoy the joy of the holidays by driving through the Magic of Lights holiday experience.  This event is a safe and enjoyable option for families, teens and adults looking to do something different and maintain social distance.  Here are some facts about the Magic of Lights:

• Runs from November 13th, 2020 through January 2nd, 2021
• Hours are 5:00-10:00 p.m. on weekdays and through 11:00 p.m. on weekends
• The admission price is per car is $25 and no additional fee is required per person

With the holidays upon us, it is also time to look at your home and protect it from fire or flooding.  When disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Bellmore/Wantagh is here to help.  Call us at (516) 809-9600 if you need us to come fast and leave your home “Like it never even happened.”

Should Wantagh Homeowners Take Photographs of the Damage to Their Home?

10/25/2020 (Permalink)

Assessing the damage in your home after a flood is a dangerous job. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for professional remediation and mitigation services.

How to Find a Flood Damage Remediation Company in Wantagh

Many homeowners are incredibly concerned when their home is damaged after a storm in Wantagh. There is a tendency to rush back into their homes. They want to take stock of how much water has entered the house and if anything can be saved. Taking pictures of the damage is a great idea. However, there are other concerns they should be aware of before entering.

SERVPRO has a great deal of experience helping homeowners in Wantagh recover from flood damage after a storm has passed through the area. Our team has seen many situations where it is unsafe to enter a home that has been flooded. For example, check the following before entering:

• Is the building structurally safe to enter?
• Are there live electrical wires that could pose a hazard?
• Mud and debris can cause floors to be very slippery.
• Floodwaters often contain toxic chemicals as well as bio-hazards.

Once your home has been inspected for these potential hazards and is safe to enter, homeowners should take photographs to record everything in the house and possibly damage it.

Is Throwing Out Damage Items a Good Idea Before the Adjuster Arrives?

SERVPRO has found that insurance adjusters are usually onsite very quickly, however in situations where there is widespread damage, it may be a few days before they arrive due to the number of homes damaged by the storm.

Once the home is safe to enter, our team can provide advice regarding:

• Items can be cleaned and restored vs. those that should be thrown out.
• Recording everything that has been destroyed is always a good idea.

Our SERVPRO team can assist in recording everything that is removed for insurance claim purposes. A photograph of each item helps substantiate the damage as well.

Call SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh (516) 809-9600 to assist with flood damage removal and restoration of your home.

Click here for more information about Wantagh.

Winning Strategies to Restore Your Flood Damaged Wantagh Home

2/19/2020 (Permalink)

When floodwaters invaded this home, SERVPRO answered the call. We quickly dried and restored the home.

How Flood Damage Can Affect your Wantagh Residence and How to Handle it

Flood damage can happen in your home because of a host of reasons, including hurricanes, storms, or a leaking roof during a torrential downpour. Flooding can affect many areas of your home, and it is challenging to clean up the debris and remove the water and moisture. Therefore, it is vital to call a restoration company to deal with the disaster.

Where there is flood damage in your Wantagh home, you and your family can face many hazards. For instance, water from heavy rain can cause the ceiling to sag. Contaminated water in your home can expose your family to health risks. The other ways that flooding can affect your home and life include:

• Structural damage
• Electrical system damage
• Blocked sewage and drainage systems
• Emotional hardship

When disaster strikes, it is vital to be safe. Significant flooding can even force you to relocate temporarily. If you need to enter your house, wear protective clothing like gumboots and gloves to avoid getting electrocuted or coming into contact with harmful chemicals, sharp glass or metal, and sewage.

Taking fast action can prevent floodwater from seeping further into your home. An experienced restoration company such as SERVPRO can offer speedy remediation to restore your home to its preloss condition. We can remove all furniture and other valuable belongings from the vicinity of floodwater to reduce water absorption and to pave the way for efficient water extraction. We have advanced equipment like self-priming trash pumps that remove floodwater effectively.

High moisture content in the air can cause the paint to peel and encourage mold growth in areas that did not flood. We offer quick drying services using air movers and dehumidifiers. This equipment expedites the drying process by eliminating moisture from structural materials and contents. We can also evaluate the effects of flood damage on contents and organize for the restoration of salvageable items.

Our SERVPRO crew can also use antimicrobial products to treat your property after cleaning the contaminated surfaces. Antimicrobial products work better as disinfectants when they contact microorganisms on clean surfaces. Our skilled staff ensures the efficient and smooth remediation and restoration process. We can make the flood damage look “Like it never even happened.”

When you experience flood damage, you need to hire a certified restoration company. SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh can help you in removing the floodwater, drying, and sanitizing your home. Contact us any time any day at (516) 809-9600 for quick remediation services.

More about Wantagh.

Excessive Flood Damage In Your Bellmore Home

2/7/2020 (Permalink)

If you ever notice that water has leaked into your house after an ice dam forms, call SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh.

Ice Dams Can Cause Excessive Flood Damage In Bellmore

During the wintertime, it is possible that the Bellmore region could see a significant amount of snowfall. Once more than one snowstorm hits, sleet and ice can build up on your roof and eventually cause you extensive flood damage. When a large amount of frozen rain falls onto your roof, it can cause a section of snow to freeze up.

In some cases, the flood damage inside your Bellmore home could have been caused by an ice dam. An ice dam can occur when the snow on the edge of your roof freezes and turns into a solid block of ice. When this occurs, the phenomena is considered an "ice dam" because of how it blocks liquid H2O and keeps it from flowing off of your roof. Once the natural flow of water gets blocked, moisture can then soak into your roof and find its way into your structure.

Ice dams get caused by the surface temperatures of your roof not being uniform. When ice dams form a loss of heat from the house, the amount of snow cover and the outdoor temperatures all play a role. In order for the water to get blocked by ice, there must be a section of the roof that remains below freezing for some time and an area of the roof that is above freezing.

If an ice dam stays on the edges of your roof for too long, it could eventually saturate your structural components, such as your roofing materials or trusses. Once exterior materials get saturated, water can find its way into your attic and then possibly flow into your structure from the ceiling. Whenever dealing with problems caused by ice dams, our SERVPRO technicians know that the moisture will be coming from the top of the building and heading down.

If moisture stays inside your wooden structural components for too long, it is possible that mold could form. However, if the moisture inside your home gets removed by a professional company such as SERVPRO promptly, secondary problems can be prevented.

If you ever notice that water has leaked into your house after an ice dam forms, call SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh at (516) 809-9600 24/7. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

For more about Bellmore click here.

Winter Storm Damage can Lead to Additional Problems Affecting Your Seaford Home

1/29/2020 (Permalink)

After a storm, you will need the professionals to assist with storm damage on your property. Call us any time.

Thorough Water Damage Restoration in Your Seaford Home Can Prevent Further Damage

As the last storm blows cold, damp air around your Seaford residence, and your family stays warm and dry inside, the shell or envelope of your home works hard to maintain this interior environment. Modern building techniques allow for the exchange of air to aid proper ventilation while still keeping moisture from entering your property. Harsh weather can cause physical changes to the exterior that affect the interior, and your family’s comfort, later.

When winds gust through narrowed spaces between homes and buildings in your Seaford neighborhood, storm damage can happen when trees fall on your house, siding or gutters loosen or twist, or when flooding because of backed-up drains or streets clogged with debris occurs. A single storm is capable of creating different problems at a single time. SERVPRO can help with scalable services and get your home restored. “Like it never even happened.”     

A fallen tree can rip either wide gashes in your roof or make what seems minimal damage to shingles. Rainwater that enters attics or upper floors, either in large rivulets or tiny trickles, travels downward, dampening building materials and personal belongings. Immediate damage can happen, especially to books, wall hangings, and art. 

Even without seeing such destruction, undetected problems might develop. Damp conditions lead to dry rotting of wood frames, mold infestations, and overworked HVAC systems. SERVPRO technicians use infrared technology to pinpoint these dampened places and then follow-up with moisture meters that reveal how high the moisture content is elevated.

Finding these areas assists us in keeping costs low for you. When we dry only what needs our attention, we also can finish much faster than if we had dried your entire house and its contents. Our goal is to provide you with service tailored to your specific situation and restore as much as possible, reducing the need to replace as many items as we can.

Call SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh at (516) 809-9600 when storms and flooding damage your North Bellmore, North Wantagh, or South Bellmore house and its contents. We can work with you to make things safe and habitable again, quickly, and affordably.

See more about Seaford.

When Floodwaters Enter Your Bellmore Home

12/9/2019 (Permalink)

Storms can bring floodwater and storm damage. The professionals at SERVPRO are always on call to handle your water damage restoration needs.

Call SERVPRO when You Need Swift Removal of Flood Water from Your Bellmore Home 

When water from the East Bay gets pushed into Bellmore, neighborhoods in the area can find themselves underwater. Basements can trap water, especially if electrical outages happen. Sump pumps might tip over during the initial incident from the force of the water, leaving them unable to perform typically.  

Once this happens to your house in Bellmore, the faster flood water removal happens, the less impact your family experiences overall. SERVPRO's specialists can help your family recover from any amount of flooding because our services are scalable to fit your needs, no matter where floodwater sits inside your house.  

Getting the water removed from your house happens quickly with our extraction equipment. We use the power of our truck-mounted pump to boost our InjectiDry mats, submersible pumps, and mid-size units. Depending on the type of extractor we use, the water removed from your property range from a few gallons to over a hundred gallons per minute. 

When we remove floodwater from a property, we  use highly efficient water extraction equipment sized to the specific area we are working on at that time. We also use high tech devices to help us find trapped pockets of water. These areas, if left alone, might become the starting point of microbial infestations, seep into areas otherwise assumed dry and cause water damage, and continue to create odors or cause problems with your electrical system. 

Our infrared imaging devices reveal hidden floodwater and our moisture meters and other moisture monitoring equipment show when your property achieves appropriately dry conditions. Because moisture content readings are essential in providing you with industry-standard service, our moisture readers play a role from start to finish.  

To get there, we do more than extract the water and rinse your floors, remove damaged, waterlogged drywall sections for the future reinstallation of new materials, and deodorize your home. We also bring in highly efficient air movers to keep evaporated water in the air so our desiccant machines can trap it and force wet air outside on warmer days. During the winter, however, this is often counter-productive. Our team is highly trained and utilizes the most effective approaches to get your house restored "Like it never even happened."  

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh also coves neighborhoods in and near Seaford, Levittown, and Merrick when residents need flood water removed from their property. Call (516) 809-9600 for fast service from skilled mitigators. 

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We Have The State Of The Art Equipment To Restore Your Seaford Home After A Flood

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

A "flood-cut" by our technicians minimized the demolition as our equipment worked hard to dry out the affected areas of the house.

What to Expect With Storm and Flood Damage Cleanup in Seaford

From the look of a home after it has a large amount of storm and flood damage, you might not feel that the house could return to its preloss condition. With the right equipment and restoration knowledge, it absolutely can. 

When SERVPRO handles storm and flood damage to homes in Seaford, we arrive quickly after the initial call. A statistic from FEMA states a mere inch of floodwater in your home can result in an average of $27,000 in loss to the property. To further compound the issue, groundwater carries a rating as a category three biohazard. It ruins most porous things it comes into contact with and is unsafe for humans and pets. Our technicians test the water to determine the nature of any toxins or sewage and wear protective gear during mitigation to avoid any kind of contamination.

Common actions include: 

• Removal of debris brought in by flood damage.
• Controlled demolition techniques to remove damaged sheetrock
• It is common for delamination of tile to occur as most adhesives are unable to hold through prolonged exposure to excessive moisture.
• Removal of all the damaged room items such as carpet, padding, trim, and baseboards as needed. 

If the material that makes up the baseboards is hardwood, they may have the potential for cleaning and reuse on a case by case basis. As we remove items from the house, they are photographed and cataloged for use by the homeowner to expedite their loss claim. We also document and photograph possessions that have restoration potential. Our exclusive Contents Claim Inventory System (CCIS) report is designed to lessen the stress on property owners during the insurance claim process.

SERVPRO has several different types of moisture detection equipment, and one of the most beneficial for scoping damaged sheetrock is our thermal imaging so we can easily find waterlines and leave undamaged building materials intact. Water extraction and drying happen as fast as possible to minimize damage. Afterward, our technicians clean and disinfect all water-affected surfaces remaining in the property. 

Floodwater has its own distinctive scent that often needs help to go away. If there are any residual water odors, we address those from among many different applications ranging from gel pellets for light scents to ultra-low-volume fogging to neutralize more intense odors.

SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh at (516) 809-9600 is ready to assist residents with cleanup and restoration services from storm and flood damage and make it, "Like it never even happened."

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Let Our Certified Technicians Restore You Seaford Home After Flood Damage

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

Stormwater can quickly wick up into sheetrock rendering it non-salvageable. Our technicians can do a "flood cut" that limits the demolition.

Black Water Emergencies caused by Flood Damage in Seaford

Heavy rainfall during the year can result in nearby road overflow. In some cases, these flood waters can enter your property causing significant damages. Older sewer systems can often become backed up by the increased level of rainfall. We provide emergency services to residents who need assistance with flooding or standing water in the home and can be contacted twenty-four hours a day by phone.

The likelihood of water containing harmful pathogens like animal carcasses or raw sewage is high. It is therefore vital that you seek professional assistance for flood damage in Seaford. Our technicians have access to the correct PPE for dealing with these type of damages including Hazmat suits. SERVPRO employees are also trained to recognize different levels of water contamination and respond appropriately.

The scale of water contamination ranges from clean water emergencies to black water emergencies- where water is heavily contaminated and poses a risk to health. In a black water scenario, the affected area may need to be quarantined. If damages are widespread, it may be necessary to relocate you temporarily while work is undertaken.

The types of services that SERVPRO use to remedy a black water emergency may seem extreme. Unfortunately, given the potential health risks, it is entirely necessary to exercise caution. Drywall must be removed and demolished. Carpets and subfloor also must be disposed of in line with federal and state guidelines. We have the necessary licenses and training required to dispose of Biohazardous substances correctly.

Once flood water has been removed, SERVPRO can replace carpets, subfloor pads as well as any sections of drywall that were treated. Using biocides in combination with disinfectant bleaches we can make your home safe from contamination. However, these chemical agents create a thick odor. Using thermal foggers, we can thoroughly deodorize your home removing both the smell of contaminated flood water and disinfectant cleaning products.

Exposure to black water is a severe health risk, contact SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh at (516) 809-9600 for professional assistance.

Click here for more information about how you can get involved in Clean Up Week.

After A Heavy Snowfall, Our Crew Can Restore Your Bellmore Home

4/6/2019 (Permalink)

Give our crew a call anytime disaster strikes at (516) 809-9600.

Heavy Snowfall Can Lead To Flooding In Your Bellmore Home

With winter setting in for Bellmore residents, homeowners in the area are awaiting the consistently heavier snowfall to come. With these storm systems passing through the area, several inches of snow can fall throughout a day, putting a great strain on external elements of your house like its roof. While this occurrence alone can often allow water penetration from vulnerable points in the roof, ice damming and another phenomenon like it can compound this likelihood and cause significant structural damages on top of the water penetrating the attic of your house.

Every homeowner does not actively inspect their roof and its structural integrity before the winter sets in, but once flood damages have affected your Bellmore home, you need immediate action to preserve the threatened elements of your home and its contents. Our SERVPRO professionals can arrive quickly at the initial signs of flood damage in your house and have effective mitigation techniques to help protect saturated materials and prevent the spread of the penetrating water throughout new areas of the property.

Even for circumstances where the water damage does not spread beyond the attic space, many steps must get taken to prevent irreparable damage to stored items in this portion of the property. Many areas homes also have their HVAC systems and heaters in their attic space, and excessive water can cause these elements to short out and fail, which can be a dangerous situation in the middle of the winter.

Our SERVPRO professionals have fast extraction equipment that can pull excess water from the affected area quickly, and we also have many portable options to fully remove the floodwaters in an area of your home that is not always easily accessible.

Our franchise offers emergency board up and tarping for damaged roofs, and have the expertise for full reconstruction efforts once restoration work begins. Give our SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh rapid response team the opportunity to show you how our advanced equipment and experienced personnel can overcome water damages throughout your property. Give our crew a call anytime disaster strikes at (516) 809-9600.

Click here for more about Bellmore.

Are You Prepared for Severe Weather?

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Severe weather can happen anytime, anywhere. Being prepared to act quickly can be critical to staying safe during a weather event.  In 2013, there were more than 440 weather related fatalities and nearly 2,800 injuries. Deadly weather caused more than $8 billion in property damage and many businesses affected by major disasters never reopen–especially if they do not have an emergency plan in place. Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.

KNOW YOUR RISK. The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business and your family or employees. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

TAKE ACTION. Take the next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place. 

BE AN EXAMPLE. Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story with co-workers and family and friends on Facebook or Twitter. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same. 

Preparation is the key to making it through any size disaster and having a plan in place may help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive and get you back in the building faster following a disaster. Don’t wait until disaster strikes. Call SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh t 516 809-9600 to establish an Emergency READY Profile® for your property and be “Ready for whatever happens.” [1]

Build an Emergency Supply Kit

Suggested items to include in basic emergency kit

• Water (one gallon per person per day)
• Food (non-perishable 3-day supply)
• Manual can opener
• Battery operated radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Clothing
• Dust masks or bandanas
• Plastic sheeting, garbage bags and duct tape
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Hygiene items
• Important documents; copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account information
• Cash
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container

Slight Flood Damage Can Cause Secondary Water Damage

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Water Damage from Flooding Can Expand Without Treatment

There are many different projects that homeowners and landlords can do to save substantial amounts of money. There are a few that should be left in the care of expert professionals. One of these is flood damage. Flood damage, once it has begun to occur, escalates and spreads in extremely expensive ways. The longer you wait to clean up flood damage, or any water damage, the more expensive it becomes.

Flood damage creates risks such as secondary water damage that do-it-yourselfers accept, even if they don't want to, or realize they are doing so. Secondary water damage is multi-faceted and can affect almost every area of a home or business which has had water or flood intrusion. Secondary water damage includes mold growth, bacterial colonies, fungi, and other infectious pathogens developing, and also structural problems with decay and other changes to the materials used in the structural components of the home or building. Flood damage is much more hazardous that clean water from a leak within your home, to begin with, but both can create substantial amounts of secondary water damage.

In addition to the health risks posed by living pathogens such as mold and fungi growing and eventually releasing spores into the air you and your family breathe, structurally, your home or business can suffer, as well sewage backup is often a result of flooding.

Warping of hardwood flooring is a common occurrence, but the buckling and curving of stairwell treads can also happen. This deterioration can create a dangerous climb up the stairs, and can make coming downstairs especially perilous. Door frames can also crack, or swell causing the closing of doors, both interior and exterior, impossible, creating security risks for your family and your possessions. Cabinets can also become warped and panels can buckle and crack. Doors and drawers can swell, sealing them shut, or keeping them from closing correctly. Other flooring types commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens, such as tile and linoleum, can lose their adhesive and mold can begin to grow on their undersides.

All of this is preventable when trained, and experienced professionals are employed to carry out IICRC approved measures to clean up flood damage. It only takes a tiny amount of leftover water to allow the problems above to develop, but SERVPRO the professionals at SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh have that training. Along with that, we have the equipment and the experience to deal with any level of contamination from flood water. To prevent secondary water damage, and to clean up current flood damage, call SERVPRO of Bellmore / Wantagh at (516) 809-9600, 24/7.

Information About Flood Damage

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding is important to take care of quickly.

Rivers, streams, and lakes are almost always overflowing their banks, given a couple of rainy days. 

With only a few inches of water, you can have many hundreds to thousands of dollars’ worth of flood damage in your home or commercial building. A flash flood can often bring a wall of water that is 10 to 15 feet high. New construction in your neighborhood can change runoff patterns in the area and can increase our flood risks. Most insurance plans do not include flood damage, and this must be purchased separately, in most cases. 

Prevention Tips:

 The average cost of flood damage is around $5,000 to $10,000 depending on the type of damage and where the water came from, so any tips that can help prevent this has to be worth the time to try them.

• An inspection and flushing your water heater once a year, by a plumber, can contribute to preventing it bursting on you and flooding the area.
• Replacing the rubber hoses on all appliances that use water with metal braided ones can help to avoid the failing of the rubber ones as they can get hard and burst. Check all hoses; even the metal braided ones every year. 
• Leaks from toilets are often indicated by a little leakage from the base. Ask everyone in the family to stand in the bathroom, after flushing and watching for any tell-tale leaks. 
• Do you know where to locate the main water shut-off? If a pipe burst, inside, you need to be able to get it turned off quickly. 
• If you have a sump pump, now is a good time to get it checked and think about a backup unit. 
• Always be looking for signs of plumbing leaks, such as on ceilings and walls; you are looking for stains and moisture on those walls and floors. 
• Leaking or even broken pipes are often gushing water, and it is not noticed because it might be hidden. Check out your water usage when no faucets are turned on; locate the water meter and take a reading, then use no water for an hour or so and read it again. Has it moved? If so, you have a leak someplace, so get a plumber to check it out. 
• Always monitor your monthly water bill. If it goes up a lot one billing cycle, you might have the need for a plumber to come in and check all connections. 
• Since a lot of water comes from inside your home and can damage many walls, floors, furniture and provide the moisture needed for molds to grow, doing whatever can be done to prevent leaks is a good exercise to undertake. 

Most Common Types of Storm Damage?

6/19/2018 (Permalink)

What Are the Most Common Types of Storm Damage?

Storm damage can occur in a variety of ways including flooding, wind damage, and even fire. Flooding rains can cause extensive amounts of damage to your home, lightning strikes can cause fires, and high winds can cause a number of structural issues.

But which is the greatest risk to your home and homes around the country?

The risk for each of these depends on the areas in which you live. If you live in low-lying areas or coastal areas prone to tropical systems, flood damage is going to be the mostly likely cause for concern. Fire damage from lightning strikes can occur anywhere at any time.

The Most Common Type of Storm Damage

Annually, flooding is the most common and extensive form of storm damage that occurs in the United States. Even during high wind events like tropical storms or hurricanes, the majority of the damage comes from the flooding rains from the storms and not the destructive winds.

Every year, insurance companies pay out billions of dollars to repair flood damage in the U.S.–and that number is only rising as property values increase and the number of homes in high risk coastal areas rise.

The amount spent on flood damage could continue to rise significantly in the future–especially if sea levels rise as predicted. If sea level rise occurs, thousands of homes in the United States will be at risk and potentially hundreds of billions of dollars will have to be spent to mitigate that damage.

Damage from flooding rains can penetrate every part of your home of business structure, requiring the gutting and replacement of much of the structural components inside, including walls, floors, ceilings, and more.

How Your Roof Can Lead to Costly Home Repairs

3/10/2017 (Permalink)

The roofs above our heads represent a physical barrier from the elements as well as an important psychological comfort. Yet, even though a roof represents one of the largest investments in our home, most homeowners do not maintain it as diligently as they would their car. This all-too-common problem, can lead to significant damage inside the home.

Roof maintenance needs to be on the annual to-do list for every homeowner and especially for those of us that live in climate with four seasons. During a harsh winter, our roof is exposed to the cold causing its components to contract. Hot summers have the opposite effect making the roof components expand and placing additional strain on its integrity. Dry and alternately rainy spells can all accelerate the degradation of the roof. 

When a roof fails there can be very obvious leaks from the ceiling. Far more insidious is the leak that is not readily apparent, usually as a result of a defect in a seam. Water may drip into the space between the walls and collect under tile, carpet or wood. By the time the defect is found, it may have already caused extensive damage that went largely unseen. Not only can this water intrusion cause physical damage to the home, but it can also create a mold contamination problem that can cause significant ill effects to occupants.

Some practical tips on maintaining your roof include 

1. Get an annual inspection from a licensed, experienced roofer
2. Ensure that all seams, especially those around chimneys and where a flat roof meets the pitched roof or a wall, are watertight
3. Ensure that any structures attached to the roof including trellises, gutters and more are not rotting and are appropriately fastened
4. Ensure that there is sufficient airflow into and out of the attic
5. Ensure that any roof cleaning is performed by a professional with extensive experience. For example, using chlorine bleach to clean a roof can cause the degradation of the nails or screws used to fasten the roofing material to the deck as well as degradation of the roofing material itself
6. Of course, do not wait to repair or replace the roof when needed

In the end, a minimal investment in ensuring that your roof is well maintained can go a long way toward helping avoid a disaster in the future.