Top tips for avoiding a fire in your home

3/6/2024 (Permalink)

Fire damage is not seasonal, fires can occur in your home or business anytime throughout the year.

Review these tips so you are aware of these potential fire hazards, they can help you avoid a disaster!

1. Grill Fires: In the spring and summer months, many people grill outdoors as the weather heats up, especially over the holidays. Grilling is the number one cause of fires in the home during the summer months.  Be prepared by making sure to keep the grill a safe distance from homes, buildings etc. Take extra time to inspect gas lines for damage that may have occurred over the winter.  

2. Air Conditioning fires:  Did you know that air conditioners are the 2nd leading cause of fires in the summer?  Make sure your unit is service and well maintained. 

3. Arson is the 3rd leading cause of fire in the summer months causing not only property damage but injury or fatality.

4.  Other things to be aware of in the summer months are smokers, smoking outdoors, fire pits and fireworks. 

Protect you home and family while enjoying this beautiful spring and summer!

Fire damage can be devastating, but it doesn’t have to mean a total loss. And as always, at SERVPRO, we are "Here to Help". Our experienced technicians will arrive quickly to remove water quickly, avoiding any additional damage. They have the tools and resources to remove odors from smoke and soot. If you experience fire damage in your Warren County home or business call us at 270-796-8080.

Cleaning or replacing your property after a flood?

3/6/2024 (Permalink)

If you experience storm damage such as a flooded basement, you need help fast.

SERVPRO of Warren County works with business and homeowners when disaster strikes, responding quickly to remove the water and prevent further damage. We strive to restore your property instead of replace.  

SERVPRO IICRC technicians are trained in restoring contents damaged by storms. Our expertise and our “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. Our process includes an thorough evaluation of the contents of your home to determine what items can be restored back to their original condition, prior to the event. We utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including the following: 

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues  
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues. 
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand cleaning. 
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.  
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product. 

If you experience water damage in your home or business it is critical that you get help quickly to limit any additional damage. Our team is highly trained in water damage, and storm damage restoration. We will respond quickly and get to work restoring your home properly and immediately.

Storm damage can be devastating and can hit at any time. Trust SERVPRO of Warren County, we are open 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Call us today at 270-796-8080.

Springtime Water Damage

3/5/2024 (Permalink)

Springtime is great as winter moves aside and the warmer weather approaches.

However, spring is also the peak time for water damage. Freezing and thawing of outdoor pipes puts strain on your home’s plumbing. In fact, 30% of all homeowner insurance claims are because of water damage. So that begs the question, what are the most common causes of water damage during the spring? We got you covered: 

Spring Rainstorms  

Living in Pennsylvania, we are accustomed to thunderstorms throughout the year, starting in the spring. These thunderstorms can cause power outages and debris to fall on or around your home. This, along with heavy rain, can spell problems for your basement or roof.  

Mold  

Water works fast once it is in homes. Mold can grow in as little as 24 hours so being alert to water damage in your home. Poor air quality along with humidity can help create a breeding ground for mold as well. If you spot mold in your home, act quickly and call us! 

Flooding  

One of the most common forms of water damage in residential homes is flooding. With houses close to the water, some being below sea level, and massive thunderstorms, Warren County homes are extremely susceptible to flooding damage. Ensuring your sump pump is running and having a backup battery is crucial to avoid flood damage. 

Leaking/Broken Pipes  

Your plumbing is under more stress than usual during the spring. Heavier water use equals more wear and tear on your plumbing systems. Whether leaks are obvious or hidden in your foundation or crawlspace, water damage is always a threat.  

If your home has experienced water damage, act fast and call the PROs at SERVPRO of Warren County at 270-796-8080. 

More than just spring cleaning for your commercial property

3/5/2024 (Permalink)

Thoughts on Deeper Cleaning

Businesses all around the Warren County area should be thinking deeper about cleanings to help keep their employees and customers safe and healthy.  Most companies have nightly cleaning service or even day porters, but with the increase of infectious diseases, everyone should be thinking about providing a deeper level of clean for their homes and businesses.  

Some interesting facts to back up this notion:

Fact: According to the CDC. For this flu season, 48 states had high levels of flu activity with over 26 million infections and 12 million medical visits.

Fact: 300,000 flu hospitalizations

Fact: C. Diff has killed more people than Ebola and can live outside the body for 70-90 days.

Fact: Tuberculosis is one of the fastest growing communicable diseases in the world.

Your customers and employees are concerned about staying healthy and thinking about all the places that germs might be lurking. Where do you go on a daily basis? The grocery store, work, restaurants, the gym, movie theater, schools or the mall might be a part of your travels.  These busy populated places can be breading grounds for infectious diseases. 

If you work or own a business in the area you can call SERVPRO of Warren County for a deep clean/sanitization estimate. Our trained team of experts have experience with facilities of all industries and sizes. We will work to ensure that you get to that deeper level than surface clean. SERVPRO of Warren County offers cleaning services ranging from carpet cleaning to removing biohazard contaminants. Call today to schedule your estimate, 270-796-8080.

Fire Damage in Warren County

2/19/2023 (Permalink)

Fire Can Cause More Damage  to Your Property Than Meets the Eye.

Of course, fire itself causes much of the damage. Did you know that smoke can cause just as much damage too? Smoke and soot can permeate through walls, ceilings, upholstery, and air conditioning vents. Many of these spots are very hard to clean when not properly educated on the issues associated to fire damage.

Not only is there visible damage to the structure, but also damage that can be unnoticed. Structural damage can occur to support beams, weight bearing walls, and studs etc. and these are places that you would not check unless you know how to properly restore a structure after this type of loss.

SERVPRO® uses advanced cleanup methods and detection tools to check from closet to closet, room to room, and floor to ceiling, to detect all fire and post-fire damages.

We know where to check to make sure your HVAC system will not spread smoke and toxins after a fire. We will make sure that your insulation is intact and that the structure of your home is safe.

If we detect any need for replacement and restoration, we provide a range of services, including building services that can take care of any fire and water damage and debris.

Because secondary fire damage, such as water use from firefighting efforts can also be an issue, our specialists pay much attention to a full, detailed analysis of your home’s damage before making a plan of action and beginning cleanup and restoration.
 
Contamination is not always seen by the untrained eye. It can be hidden in places such as your HVAC (air conditioning and heating) systems. SERVPRO inspects the property from attic to basement, to ensure that all vents and air circulating systems are completely clean. If you were to neglect this part of fire damage cleanup, there is always the possibility of blowing toxic dust, ash, and soot, even on the microscopic level, into your cleaned environment, effectively re-contaminating it and exposing people to its dangers.

Our 24/7 Emergency Service line is at your disposal. Contact SERVPRO of Warren County anytime at 908-835-7824 for a quick response to your fire emergency, or to ask questions about fire damage.

We proudly serve all of Warren County, New Jersey.

Commercial Water Damage in Warren County

2/19/2023 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage in Warren County, New Jersey.

Business owners everywhere should know how they can prevent commercial water damage. Everything from maintenance checks to grading systems should be checked.

So how do you plan on protecting your business from water damage? Read on to find out what you should be considering.

Building and Street Maintenance

When was the last time your storm drains were cleared? Annual inspections of your floor, storm and roof drains can help you avoid drainage problems. If your floor drains haven’t been cleaned lately, take a vacuum hose to clear them or call a professional.

Sump Pumps

There are at least two sump pumps in each sump under your building. Sump pumps are used to keep floodwaters from building up and causing water damage. But are yours both working? When was the last time they were tested? Do they have battery backups in case of a power outage?

Power outages were the cause of 18% of water damage incidents involving a sump pump. Because sump pumps run on electricity, power outages shut down the pumps allowing water to flood your facility. If these pumps are your main source of protection, you should consider a generator to keep them going.

Generator Fuel Tanks

In areas subject to flooding, it is important to relocate your generator fuel tanks out of the basement. Generator fuel can be contaminated in the event of a basement flood, prohibiting generator functions, and prevent power from reaching the pumps.

Runoff

Does grading lead away from your building? Grading helps to move water away from your building instead of moving towards it. Checking your grading system can help keep water from flowing into your building.

Clear the Floor

One of the leading causes of water damage is the items on the floor. You can avoid this by removing porous materials, boxes, and paper from the floor of your basement. Keep all of your electronics off the floor and make sure to turn off your electronics when you are expecting heavy rains.

Should you experience flooding or water damage at your property, call 908-835-7824 and speak to a Franchise Professional. We're Here to Help 24/7365.