Skilled Fire Damage Restoration for Queens Property Owners

2/23/2023 (Permalink)

When your Queens home has fire damage, you need to bring in an experienced company with effective equipment. Contact SERVPRO right away!

24/7 Fire Damage Assistance from SERVPRO Gets Results in Queens

Kitchen fires, electrical fires, a blaze started by an unattended candle or cigarette – all fire emergencies result in damage on some level. How you act and proceed determines what the outcome will be as far as fire restoration. SERVPRO is there 24/7 for all fire restoration needs, including removing charred debris, drying any water or moisture, and handling smoke remediation. We get the job done so that you can get back to your home and life as usual quickly – We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Why hire professionals to handle fire damage in Queens? One reason is that smoke is inescapable with any fire. Once you have smoke and fire-charred debris on your property, significant damage may be present. No matter how the fire started, how far it reached, or how it got extinguished, some of the damage you may be up against includes:

• Structural damage
• Broken stairs
• Charred contents and furnishings
• Discoloration on various surfaces
• Damage to appliances and electronics
• Scorched building materials, fixtures, and cabinetry
• Saturated materials from chemicals or water used to douse the flames
• Etching or pitting on materials like glass, metals, and stainless steel

We Have IICRC-Certified Fire and Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT)

When it comes to property restorations, you want nobody but the best. Fire restoration is no different except that specialized training is necessary to handle the hazards that come with all fire-related projects. Our IICRC training helps us know and understand the risks involved and how to address the safety of your building throughout the job. 

Fire-Related Restoration Risks:

Contrary to what many people may think, fire risks do not end once the flames are out. Soot and smoke remaining and soiling your interior leave a pungent and unsightly reminder of what took place. Because remaining residues and fire-damaged materials can be harmful, our crew wears personal protection equipment (PPE) for our safety during the house fire cleanup and restoration.

Several household items do not burn clean, including:

• Food items (proteins)
• Foam
• Plastics
• Wood
• Textiles
• Chemicals/cleaners

Other elements that may get caught up in invisible soot particles during a fire include asbestos fibers, tar, formaldehyde, and ammonia. This is why our crew chief does a thorough inspection and testing during the assessment phase, so we know how to proceed with the cleaning and restoration throughout each affected area of your property. 

Why Detailed Assessment Matters for All Restoration Projects

Anyone with an untrained eye may sift through charred possessions and declare many items worthless. Not only that, but there are a lot of hazards that homeowners or business owners may not know about. A professional assessment helps minimize risk and loss so that the team can move through recovery procedures. Cautious disposal cuts back on possible risks and allows many more items to get salvaged. 

How Does SERVPRO Handle the Pungent Odors from Soot And Smoke Residue?

We have odor control technicians (OCT) on our team who understand best practices for eliminating even the toughest odors. With the top equipment in our industry, we can move through each room to break down odorous particulates and leave everything smelling fresh and clean. Some of the equipment you may see us using includes ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers, thermal foggers, air scrubbers, and products like deodorizing granules and pellets.

Let us assist with your fire damage needs, including working with your insurance provider to facilitate your fire restoration claim. SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood can be reached by dialing (718) 381-3702, or you can request help online.

Water Damage to Any Queens Property Calls for Skilled Restoration

2/23/2023 (Permalink)

Water can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time. Contact SERVPRO for water damage mitigation in your Queens home.

SERVPRO Helps Queens Home and Business Owners with Water Damage

Hiring a water restoration professional generates the best result when you experience damage brought on by flash flooding or burst pipes from an upstairs bathroom. A significant amount of damage can come from water infiltration, especially if it seeps into your building materials, behind walls, and saturates your belongings. SERVPRO features franchises nationwide, including Disaster Ready crews available for dispatch as needed during emergencies. You can always look to us to help at your commercial and residential property for all your water restoration needs!

It would help if you took action promptly to reduce water damage in Queens. While some people wish to try the do-it-yourself way by cleaning up water with a mop and bucket or shop vac, skilled technicians know how to limit the loss, locate hidden moisture, and perform specialized cleaning to get the results you deserve.

SERVPRO Wants Area Customers to Know the Benefits of Hiring Our Skilled Team

Advanced Equipment

Our Green Fleet arrives filled with the best tools and equipment that allow our technicians to handle water removal services and water damage repair with ease. Some of the pieces we have readily available include:

• Wet/dry vacuums
• Submersible pumps
• Truck-mounted extractors
• Moisture detection tools; sensors, meters, and thermal imaging
• Air scrubbers with HEPA filters
• Injecti-dry system
• Centrifugal air movers
• Desiccant dehumidifiers

Highly-Trained Staff

We take pride in keeping our team staffed by trained and IICRC-certified technicians ready to handle the whole gamut of restorations – water, fire, mold, and biohazard cleanup. Our team takes the necessary time to ensure everything gets done correctly, informing you through each step. We also work as a liaison with your insurance provider to assist with your water damage claim. 

Save Time and Money

You might be surprised to know how long DIY efforts can take to adequately address water damage, whether commercial or residential, regardless of the size and scope of the project. Opting to hire skilled technicians with proven processes in place allows for:

• Rapidly remove the water before it has the chance to migrate and cause secondary damage
• Ensure drying gets done in tandem with water removal services to help us achieve our overall goals
• Restore versus replace – meaning we do whatever we can to salvage contents and building materials to save money on your project

Mold Mitigation and Cleaning

Where there is any water-related incident within your property, there stands a chance that moisture creates the perfect environment for mold to thrive. Depending on how long water was left standing in your Queens property, our team may have to begin mold remediation to ensure safety with proper cleaning. We have EPA-registered cleaning solutions and antimicrobials that help us clean, disinfect, and sanitize all surfaces.

When is Controlled Demolition Necessary?

Controlled demolition gets performed by trusted area contractors so that we can ensure your property gets left “Like it never even happened.” If you have saturated drywall that is swelling, warped, or crumbling, we will need to remove it to replace it with all-new drywall. When floodwater only impacts some drywall, we may perform flood cuts a few inches above the saturated and unsalvageable portion. New drywall gets installed and finished with paint or wallpaper for a seamless look. 

We also consider any saturated carpeting, tile, hardwood, and subfloor that may call for replacement or repair. It all boils down to water damage being no match for a trained team of restoration technicians, which you will find when you put SERVPRO in your corner. 

Do you have water damage that requires attention? Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood at (718) 381- 3702. We can have a team there within hours to begin the inspection, water removal, and drying!

Safe, Effective Mold Damage Cleanup for Queens Property Owners

2/23/2023 (Permalink)

Mold damage should be addressed with rapid haste to prevent further spread. Call SERVPRO in Queens, and our technicians can investigate the situation.

Contact SERVPRO in Queens for Commercial or Residential Mold Damage

Why not handle black mold and mildew on your own? Many people think they can buy mold removers or wipe away visible mold they find within their Queens property. However, there are hidden dangers with mold infestations that call for the help of trained restoration technicians. There is the potential for structural damage that can occur if mold colonization gets worse. SERVPRO is there for mold remediation to feel confident that you can breathe easily again!

But why choose SERVPRO for mold damage in Queens? You might be amazed at how people are unaware of best practices for handling mold. Not only that, but property owners also have to consider how the mold growth began. After the mold has the chance to start colonizing, it may spread rapidly in as little as 48 hours. 

A Few Things Everyone Should Know About Mold

When you hear about a product or company that says mold removal is possible. It is not. Because mold is all around us - on our clothing, outside in our environment, and in the air, a complete removal is impossible. However, SERVPRO’s skilled team understands all the properties of mold, including proven methods for cleanup, to help you get back on track and your property free of the issue in very little time. Things to remember:

• Countless types of mold are present all around us
• Microscopic mold spores are not visible to the naked eye
• Mold is located both outdoors and inside all buildings
• Itty bitty mold spores can make their way into your living space on your clothing, attached to your pets, and through the windows or HVAC system

You may want to have a professional mold inspection and testing done in some instances. This gets followed up by our SERVPRO team handling cleanup and remediation so that you can get the spore count back to baseline levels within your home or commercial property. Our team also addresses the source that brought on the mold problem during any mold project so that it does not come right back. This means our technicians determine where the moisture came from – it could be excessive moisture because of poor ventilation, a hidden plumbing leak, or a water spill that was not thoroughly dried. The problem gets fixed so our technicians can move forward to handle mold cleanup with precision and care.

How Do I Know Mold is There?

Because you may not see the mold does not mean your property is free of it. Should you notice musty odors, the chances are high that mold has begun to colonize somewhere. You may also have an issue should you have 45% or higher humidity levels, which means there could be mold just about anywhere – under bathroom cabinets, within your carpeting, and in various tight spaces. 

After our Green Fleet arrives at your door, inspection and containment begin. We put up containment barriers and use negative pressure in the area where mold is suspected so we can keep the spores from traveling. Our equipment consists of specialized air scrubbers with onboard HEPA filtration to pull tiny spores out of the air.

Contents Handling and Cleaning Following Our Protocols

Mold infestation impacts more than your structural components and building materials. There could also be spores multiplying on your personal belongings and furniture. Our team knows how to handle mold on surfaces such as:

• Artwork
• Furniture
• Keepsakes
• Toys
• Clothing
• Books and more

Whether you have questions about mold damage or need to schedule a crew to help at your house or commercial property, you can count on SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood to get the job done right the first time. Reach us by dialing (718) 381-3702, and we will make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO has the Utilities Necessary for Storm Water Damage Repair in Queens

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

Don't let storm damage take control of your Queens property. Call SERVPRO today!

Fixing Storm Water Damage in Queens Requires Expertise

Nature can make unexpected turns unannounced, part of which are storms. The damage that storms cause may include destroying a home's roof, siding, and foundation. Often, the damage is larger than a homeowner may have prepared for and so significant for an untrained hand to handle it successfully and efficiently. 

Stormwater damage can leave homeowners devastated by turning their lives upside-down. You can escape the devastation and uncertainty of handling stormwater damage in your Queens property by relying on SERVPRO. We have a local station available to you 24/7, full of trained restoration personnel, and a wide variety of state-of-the-art technology to help us navigate and handle any situation without a hitch. We recommend the following sequence of steps if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation:

• Ensuring you stay safe.
• Contacting water damage restoration professionals.
• Photographing visible damage while noting everything down.
• Contact your insurance provider to determine the extent of repairs we can do according to your budget and policy.

Stormwater certainly falls under the black water category. SERVPRO is determined to eliminate microorganisms by investing in industrial-grade cleaning products. We can use antimicrobial products to clean and disinfect the affected areas to guarantee your home's safety. 

After completing the restoration process, our SERVPRO team confirms that our work is satisfactory and acceptable. To confirm this, we have moisture monitoring and detection devices like moisture sensors, moisture meters, and thermo-hygrometers. Using thermo-hygrometers, our technicians confirm that the structures and materials we have worked on have regained their room temperatures and humidity. Our SERVPRO technicians perform a walkthrough and have the customers sign a Certificate of Satisfaction. 

To get premier restoration services following storm damage, don't hesitate to contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702. We have the equipment and expertise required to make the stormwater damage seem "Like it never even happened."

Protecting Family and Friends During Mold Remediation in Queens – SERVPRO

1/23/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO to the rescue of another mold-infested property in Queens. We leave when the mold leaves.

SERVPRO Acts Quickly to Minimize Mold Remediation Requirements in Queens

Damage from mold infestations can be minimized by quickly enacting mold remediation activities in your Queens home as soon as it is noticed. Mold spores are everywhere, waiting for the right conditions to form colonies and grow. Within 24 to 48 hours of a water leak, you may notice a musty odor, a sure sign of a mold infestation somewhere in your home or office building. Occasionally an unobserved water leak under a sink or inside walls leads to a major mold infestation.

SERVPRO can be onsite within four hours of your call to initiate mold remediation in your Queens home, including:

• Porous materials damaged by mold removal
• Cleaning and disinfecting non-porous materials using EPA-approved antimicrobial products
• Identification and elimination of the moisture source
• Controlled demolition of structural components sustaining significant damage from mold

SERVPRO also appreciates how concerned many consumers are when they find mold in their homes. No one wants to be exposed to mold, and SERVPRO takes special precautions during mold remediation activities to protect your family. These include:

• Careful removal of mold from surfaces avoiding agitation
• Bag in place of all contents and materials before removal from your home
• Installation of plastic barriers to prevent mold spore distribution to other areas of the home
• Blocking and sealing all HVAC vents and intakes in the affected area
• Installation of negative pressure rooms to contain mold particles and spores in the impacted area

Once our team has completed all mold remediation activities, we can also help with restoration and reconstruction as needed:

• Utility repairs – plumbing, electrical, and heating
• Structure repairs – flooring, drywall, ceiling, etc.
• Content restoration – furniture, dry cleaning, etc.

We coordinate with your insurance, providing all required paperwork to support the claims process. Note that many carriers do not offer policies with mold damage remediation. Often, the coverage will be minor in terms of dollars.

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood for mold remediation services. We provide service to Queens and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (718) 381-3702.

Water Restoration Experts Help Keep Businesses Open in Queens

12/27/2022 (Permalink)

“We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.”

Water Restoration - Clean, Dry, Open for Business

Different businesses in Queens make our area vibrant and economically healthy. SERVPRO understands that your ability to stay profitable depends on your business's open doors. When water causes damage, our water restoration experts can help you continue "Like it never even happened." 

We use industrial-grade machinery to restore your business after a water main break, flooding, or clogged sink. If your diner or boutique is wet, water restoration in Queens is the answer. We can undo the situation step-by-step and help you stay open for business, ensuring your customers remain engaged with your products and services.

When we first arrive at a business, we quickly assess the situation. We want our customers to know that SERVPRO always scales its services to handle the project. Our goals are to:

• Ensure clean conditions are present,
• Drying occurs at an industry-standard pace, and
• Prevent similar situations in the future.

With flooding or other dirty, contaminated water, we rinse and clean the affected surfaces. To further accomplish this, we use disinfectant sprays. Other times, clean water comes into contact with substances that cause it to become dirty. Standing water, if enough time passes, can become dirty by itself.

We pump out standing water, if any, and downsize to smaller handheld units to extract water from around corners and inside enclosed spaces. Using air movers, portable heating units, and desiccant machines, we dry the interior of your business. These machines use air currents to keep porous materials from absorbing any of the evaporated water. 

Depending on how the situation developed that created the need for water restoration services in the first place, we can take steps to prevent the event from recurring. If plumbing had been the culprit, we can repair it and check to ensure there are no loose fittings. If the rain had entered through loose shingles or siding, we can make repairs, keeping future precipitation where it belongs – outside.

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for advanced technology and professional service when you need water restoration.

Things to Focus On During Water Damage Repair in Queens

11/22/2022 (Permalink)

For fast and efficient service call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood.

SERVPRO Simplifies Water Restoration in Queens Properties

It is common knowledge that water intrusion is destructive to property. However, the specific issues to expect and the necessary water damage repair processes may need to be clarified. 

Involving a professional like SERVPRO simplifies the prospects of water damage repair in Queens. We can readily identify the most vulnerable items and devise appropriate mitigation approaches. 

Things Typically Affected by Moisture:

• Carpets
• Thermal insulation
• Electronic appliances 

The effects of water exposure can be temporary or permanent. The main determinants of such outcomes are the amount of water involved and the kind of action you take. For example, water readily soaks into carpets, but when well-dried, there is no long-term effect. 

Long-Term Effects from Moisture Exposure

Other materials may not recover so well once exposed to water. Structural insulation is one such material because of its natural properties. Thermal performance in insulation materials occurs because of tiny air pockets within its structure, which have limited conductivity. When moisture replaces the pockets of air, conductivity increases, diminishing its R-value.

Other Effects of Moisture on Insulation:

• Matting
• Rusting 
• Mold growth

Water intrusion can ruin electronic appliances and entertainment systems in a property irreparably. Even waterproof or resistant items may be vulnerable because the IP ratings may be specific for a certain exposure duration or depth. Even when not directly exposed, electronics are still vulnerable because of the high humidity levels in a property after a leak. When temperatures drop, the humid air inside the items condenses, causing internal components to rust. 

Our SERVPRO crews take different steps to repair the issues caused by the intruding water. For porous materials such as carpets and wall panels, timely extraction and drying are sufficient interventions. For insulation, the action depends on the variety you have in your property - we can save fiberglass through drying but for other options such as Rockwool, removing the wet insulation is the best solution. 

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood responds to any situation involving water damage repair. You can reach us at (718) 381-3702. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Why You Need SERVPRO For Fire Damage Restoration In Forest Hills

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in your Forest Hills home will need SERVPROS assistants, let us help.

Let us show you how important it is to use us for fire damage in your Forest Hills home.

Forest Hills residents enjoy an amazing location. Two parkways, two lakes, and an expressway give easy access to the rest of the city and a place nearby for fun and relaxation. Being an amazing place to live does not eliminate the risk of disasters like fire damage to area homes, however. 

So why choose SERVPRO for fire damage to your Forest Hills home? In a word, training. The technicians on our response teams train extensively to the industry standards established by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). After completing the certification, each team member works to maintain and increase their proficiency in the extensive inventory of devices we maintain on-site. 

To restore a home after a fire means they master the tools and cleaners needed to remove smoke and soot residues and eliminate odors in each residence after even a minor blaze. Our technicians know exactly when they can use water to wipe down smooth surfaces like glass tables and when they need to change to strong cleaners, including sterilants that not only remove the residues but also clean tougher surfaces like tile and porcelain in kitchens and bathrooms. 

SERVPRO team members fully understand how tough it is to remove odors. For especially pungent odors that come from kitchen and garage fires, they have to use multiple steps to accomplish it. Their first step is to clear the air inside by setting fans at doors and windows to increase air circulation. It reduces the odor strength as other team members use sprays to neutralize odor particles on surfaces. 

If the odor-causing residues penetrated deeply into the structure of the home, technicians might switch to an ozone generator. It creates particles that can penetrate as deeply as the residues, effectively eliminating them at the molecular level.

If this is the training and knowledge you want for your home here or in nearby Glendale, Kew Gardens, and Rego Park, contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood today. For more on how we restore your home to its pre-fire condition, call our office at (718) 381-3702. We are here for you.

My Forest Hills Home is Flooded After a Storm. Where Can I Get Assistance to Restore it to Normal?

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Call us today at (718) 381-3702 to restore your property to its pre-damaged state.

Call SERVPRO Technicians to Conduct Storm Flood Damage Restoration in Your Forest Hills Residence

Storm flood damage can be deep-rooted and devastating to property owners. It can cause structural damage and undermine the foundation and structural integrity of your Forest Hills property. Therefore, you should hire professionals from SERVPRO to prevent costly repairs.

Are There Any Mistakes I Should Avoid?

One mistake you can make is handling the flood damage in your Forest Hills property yourself. Without proper skills and equipment, you can cause further damage, leading to costly repairs. A common mistake is beginning repairs before eradicating moisture properly. A cosmetic fix only looks acceptable for a brief time. After a few months, the moisture trapped by the fresh finishing materials can cause problems.

What Are the Secondary Damages Linked to Flooding?

The secondary damages of flooding are adverse, and only certified professionals can minimize them. Pooling floodwater, debris, and chemicals can cause issues such as:

• Mold growth: The trapped floodwater and water ingress create a conducive mold growth environment.
• Wood shrinkage and swelling: If you have wood flooring, it is essential to note that it absorbs water naturally. It releases the absorbed water depending on the fluctuating atmospheric conditions.
• Surface staining: As floodwater flows into your property, it may tag along with minerals in solution form. The water can deposit minerals on surfaces such as wall and floor finishes.
• Persistent odors: A damp smell may linger in all corners of your property for an extended period. Materials such as wood may decay, leading to odors on your property.

How Can Your Restorers Dry Wood Materials and Flooring?

The drying process is vital during flood damage restoration. We can use advanced equipment to speed up the process. After removing the water using pumps, our SERVPRO technicians can use a portable electric heater to direct heat towards the wooden floor. The machine uses heat exchangers to transfer heat from hot coils to the air streams that air movers produce. This process speeds up the rate of evaporation of the wood materials.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood has decades of experience and advanced equipment that we can use to manage the storm flood damage on your property. Call us today at (718) 381-3702 to restore your property to its pre-damaged state.

Our Technicians Discuss The Fire Damage Cleaning Methods In Forest Hills

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Understanding Fire Damage Cleaning Methods In Forest Hills Properties

After the fire damage then comes the need for fast cleanup. The longer the charred mess sits, the more potential for loss happens.

One mistake frequently made by homeowners in Forest Hills is attempting fire damage cleanup on their own. This type of restoration is never a one-cleaning-solution-fits-all type of situation. There are many things to consider before conducting any kind of mitigation to avoid doing additional damage to both the structure and contents.

Pretesting is Crucial

Many factors affect the restorability of home contents, especially upholstery and carpet. Testing of the fibers tells SERVPRO technicians whether the object is colorfast and resistant to shrinkage and assists in narrowing down the best cleaning method.

To Bleach or Not to Bleach

When SERVPRO technicians remove soils after a fire loss, it is a delicate process. Sometimes soils require chemical altering to release their hold on some materials. In some cases, bleaching works to accomplish this but is never used on dyed materials as the bleaching action can remove or fade the color.

Water Spots Often Accompany Fire Damage

Water stains on carpet and upholstered furnishings are a frequent issue SERVPRO technicians deal with when mitigating fire damage. The technicians have specially formulated cleaners to address problems such as overwetting or browning. A side effect of saturated furnishings with nailheads, zippers, or other metal accents is rust. Specific cleaning methods, if applied quickly enough, have the potential to turn around the rust damage.

Fire Loss Cleanup is Never One-Size-Fits-All

Along with the correct chemical agents, the proper tools and equipment are vital for the best outcome of fire loss cleanup. Items such as hand vacuums with HEPA filtration and dry cleaning sponges are a large part of fire damage mitigation. SERVPRO technicians undergo extensive training in simulations, so even unusual cleanup situations do not catch them by surprise.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood stands ready to help local property owners with the cleanup and restoration of fire damage. We are available 24/7 by calling (718) 381-3702, and We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.