Skilled Fire Damage Restoration for Queens Property Owners

3/30/2023 (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

3/30/2023 (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

3/30/2023 (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.”

Experienced Fire Damage Remediators Help Queens Residents

3/29/2023 (Permalink)

No matter the size and destruction to your building, SERVPRO handles all damage restoration projects. Call now!

Queens Company Makes Fire Damage Cleanup Easier

Overcoming residential fire damage is often a daunting challenge for homeowners in Queens. Doing so generally requires hiring remediation professionals skilled in all steps of the restoration process, equipped to complete them, and able to effectively work with both subcontractors and insurance adjusters. One trusted, local service that checks all of these boxes is SERVPRO.

Widely recognized as a leader in the Queens fire damage recovery industry, SERVPRO has consistently proven that it has what it takes to deal successfully with blaze-related devastation. Our fire restoration technicians are house fire cleanup experts knowledgeable in the latest residue removal and smoke remediation techniques. SERVPRO managers skillfully direct the various workers, and efforts are taken to restore fire-damaged homes. At your residence, we:

• Thoroughly inspect your home’s interiors for fire and smoke-related issues, identify levels of structural and content damage, locate and classify residues, assess smoke impacts, and ultimately determine what can be saved and what must be replaced.
• Attempt to prevent further particle contamination by sealing affected rooms with plastic sheeting, using reverse air machines, and employing HEPA-filtered vacuums, a general-purpose detergent, a ULV fogger, and a sealing agent to sanitize the entire HVAC system.
• Diligently work to remove fire residues from surfaces throughout your home with dry, abrasive, wet, or cutting-edge methods designed to clean uniquely soiled materials.
• Screen, enlist, and manage subcontractors that are skilled at performing specialized jobs like document or painting restoration, cleaning and repairing electronic equipment, and major reconstruction projects.
• Communicate with insurance adjusters, ensuring that they are comfortable with and more likely to approve the remediation work being done. 

In the long run, these actions make the overall recovery process much easier for homeowners.

So, if a fire ever ravages your home, remember SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood can help you overcome your fire damage. Call us anytime at (718) 381-3702 for assistance.

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.

How Can Mold Removal Companies Help Your Forest Hills Business?

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Mold is dangerous and can hide from you and cause damage to your business. Call SERVPRO for mold damage remediation services.

Forest Hill Businesses Need Mold Removal Companies They Can Trust

Forest Hill business owners put a lot of time and effort into looking after their commercial properties. Many businesses plan for significant events such as fires or floods, but they do not always think about the risk of mold growth.

Commercial mold removal companies help Forest Hill businesses deal with mold issues on their premises. SERVPRO trains our technicians to respond to inquiries quickly and professionally. We know that your business matters; you can focus on running your business by calling in a professional mold removal company and leaving the remediation to the experts.

Why Do I Need a Professional Mold Removal Company?

Mold can grow in hidden spaces and spread throughout your business rapidly. All mold needs to grow is a moist environment and material such as drywall, wood, or carpet to feed it.

A professional mold removal company is the best choice for your business because:

• We have the tools to test for hidden moisture and assess under carpets and behind paint and wallpaper
• We have powerful negative air machines to help us contain mold outbreaks and prevent further spread
• We train our technicians to deep clean affected areas and ensure your property is as dry as possible 

What Is The SERVPRO Mold Remediation Process?

SERVPRO’s mold remediation process is comprehensive:

We start with an assessment of the situation, including testing for moisture using meters, thermal hygrometers, and thermal imaging.

• We draw up the best plan for your business.
• We set up containment to prevent mold spores from spreading.
• We thoroughly clean affected rooms and furniture, including HVAC systems, if necessary.
• We deodorize your property to leave it smelling “Like it never even happened.”

Our technicians are fully equipped with meters, negative air machines, air scrubbers, and cleaning solutions, so you can rest assured we have the tools to deal with any mold situation. We can also help with pack-out services if the situation warrants it. We can also liaise with insurance agents on your behalf.

If you are concerned about mold in your business, give SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood a call at (718) 381-3702.

Evaluating Contents Before Fire Restoration in Queens

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood today if you need help with professional fire damage restoration.

Fire Restoration Can Focus on Contents

Among the greatest measures of the fast fire recovery services we provide is the attention to contents and personal belongings. When quick action occurs, impacted objects can be relocated to a safer part of the house, be cleaned in the structure, or transported for deeper restoration.

Scoping the Full Job Site

The objectives of fire restoration in Queens homes and apartments rely on information gathered during a pre-job inspection. Evaluating the condition of contents and structural elements can show where physical damages exist, such as: 

• Soot damage
• Water damage
• Blistering/charring
• Smoke solids
• Offensive odors

Are Materials Salvageable?

One of the first questions SERVPRO must answer about the contents in your fire-damaged home is whether they are salvageable. Not all contents and personal belongings from your residence will be washable, making the best approach in some cases to remove and discard these items. Non-preservable articles get cataloged as losses in the initial full inspection of the property.

What Contents Can Be Cleaned?

When personal belongings and items from the house have been deemed restorable, the question becomes whether this can be completed on-site. With a clean, nearby staging area during the restoration, we can often prevent cross-contamination of items and keep them from getting worse in an environment that needs air quality cleaning and surface restoration.

Needed Relocation of Personal Belongings

On-site cleaning is not always possible. However, with our entire roster's advanced equipment and industry knowledge, we can provide complex off-site recovery solutions at our SERVPRO warehouse. Pack-out procedures carefully secure your personal belongings and transport them to our facility for focused surface cleaning, drying, and deodorization.

After fire disasters, it is often necessary to evaluate the condition of affected contents and begin restoration as soon as possible. With on-site and off-site cleaning approaches, we can make these damages "Like it never even happened." Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood today to help at (718) 381-3702.

Flood Damage In Your Forest Hills Home

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is here to help if you need flood damage restoration.

Flood Damage in Your Forest Hills Home is No Match for SERVPRO

Weather changes from snow to heavy rains when you move from winter to spring, so your home could suffer storm damage. If flooding is present, then you need to act quickly to cut down on both the costs of restoration and potential health hazards for all humans and pets living within the home. We have a highly-skilled team of technicians at SERVPRO who have the experience to handle the fallout of spring storms and floodwaters.

Once a storm leaves your home with wind and flood damage in Forest Hills, professional assistance helps you get it back to normal quickly. We are the local leaders in the restoration field, and we know the best way to address all challenges with black water left behind from a flood situation.

On-Site Assessment

Immediately after arriving on your property, SERVPRO tarps and boards up any holes left behind by falling branches or wind. Our project managers take a look at all flood damage inside the home, making a note of any potential safety concerns. Any slip and fall issues, electrical hazards, and contaminated water all become a priority to keep everyone on the project safe.

Contamination Control

It is not uncommon to be out of power after a storm or flood. SERVPRO vehicles arrive with onboard generators and industrial extraction equipment to start the cleanup process. We utilize truck-mounted extractors and submersible pumps that run on gasoline to remove copious amounts of black water from your home into holding tanks. Our skilled technicians understand all of the local regulations on the disposal of hazardous waste, which is what we follow for all floodwater removal.

Cleanup and Disinfection

Once most of the floodwater is extracted from your interior, SERVPRO technicians clean all surfaces with specialized products to eliminate bacteria and inhibit mold and mildew growth. We also take the time to ensure all hidden moisture is removed, using thermal imaging technology to check all surfaces and tight spaces. If moisture is located, dehumidifiers and air movers work to finish up the drying process. EPA-registered antimicrobial products are then applied to prevent biohazards from lingering throughout your home.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is here to help if you need flood damage restoration. Give us a call at (718) 381-3702, and we can deploy a team promptly to address your cleanup needs.

What to do with Water Damage in Your Forest Hills Walls

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Looking for a restoration company? Look no further, SERVPRO is just a call away at (718) 381-3702.

The First Step To Any Water Damage Incident Is To Call SERVPRO

Moving furniture and noticing that your paint is warped due to a slow leak behind your bedroom wall can be a cause for concern. You may not know how long it has been there and if the moisture resulted in dangerous mold growth.

Dealing with water damage in your Forest Hills home can be dealt with quickly and effectively, using the correct measures to take care of the leak and the damage. After you stop the source of the leak, you can go about the business of removing moisture and restoring the area. After the water is gone and the area dried to pre-damaged moisture levels, you may choose to paint the area or even the entire room to create a more substantial vapor barrier should something similar happen again. 

When dealing with a slow leak, as previously mentioned, it is crucial to obtain a complete picture of how much moisture is present. SERVPRO technicians have tools to both detect moisture and determine the moisture levels within a surface. Infrared cameras can measure temperature within the drywall, finding temperature discrepancies within the material to indicate the presence of water. Technicians also use moisture sensors to detect water with and without probes, depending on the surface. Moisture sensors show how far water migrates through a character, allowing technicians to have a clear picture of restoration needs.

Moisture meters pick up the amount of moisture within a surface. Technicians use them to test the walls containing moisture and unaffected walls to determine the typical moisture content levels since materials typically contain small amounts of moisture. Over-drying, an area can lead to more problems such as warped walls. When using a moisture meter, SERVPRO restoration technicians choose the correct setting since wood and non-wood surfaces such as drywall have different readings.

After identifying the impacted area and measuring the moisture content, SERVPRO technicians move on to drying the area using air movers and dehumidifiers before making the finishing touches, such as painting the walls.

For 24/7 assistance, contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Emergency Services Before Fire Restoration in Queens Shops

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

When fire happens in your shop, you need to call the technicians at SERVPRO.

Fire Restoration Begins with Mitigative Steps

Emergency services are critical in protecting your business from greater restoration expenses and structural damage. The fast movement of our SERVPRO team is meant to:

• Prevent fire and smoke damage from impacting more of the property
• Make the work site safer for responding professionals or traffic
• Set the stage for mitigation and restoration work to get started

Evaluating Structural Damage

The first and most important emergency service for fire restoration in Queens shops and stores is determining the safety of those exposed. Structure fires weaken building materials and create volatile conditions, so we must conduct any demolition or repairs to protect those in the building or our incoming restorers.

Establishing Temporary Power

Commercial restoration requires a good amount of electricity, especially with the most powerful tools requiring a stable power source. We can provide temporary power for Large Loss recovery like our trailered generators. 

Initial Cleaning of the Structure

Sometimes early cleaning efforts can be of benefit to the property. Wares being cleaned right away can help reduce the investment loss the business owner might experience, for example. Acidic residues can also get removed to prevent corrosion of underlying host elements.

Water Removal Services

Another emergency service that SERVPRO must implement is removing water to extinguish the fire. Whether that was the sprinkler system in the store or additional water introduced by first responders to overcome the blaze quickly, any extra moisture and standing water amplified the difficulty of cleaning soot and smoke damage effects in the structure.

Emergency services are one of the many elements to successful fire restoration for your store. Our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team can help businesses ahead of disasters by establishing a free tool called the Emergency Ready Profile that designates our talented team as your restoration choice. Give us a call today at (718) 381-3702.

Avoid The Top Storm Damage Remediation Mistakes In Rego Park

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and subsequent flood damage can seem insurmountable. Contact SERVPRO when your home has suffered from an event.

How to Remediate Minor Flood Damage in Your Rego Park Apartment

Imagine a scenario where you leave for work one morning and come home to find your Rego Park studio apartment suffering from minor flood damage. Before work, you left the large window in your living room cracked open to combat stale air. However, while you were at work, a storm rolled over your city, and the window allowed rainwater into your home. What should you do in this scenario?

Because the flood damage in your Rego Park apartment is not significant, you may be tempted to remediate it yourself. No matter the situation, here at SERVPRO, we understand that accessing professional services is not always a practical option. For the betterment of your home and your finances, we have some advice for successfully remediating the flood damage in your home.

The first principle is to remember that any leftover excess water could cause further damage inside of your home, such as mold damage. The key to successfully remediating the damage is to imagine where all the water could be, even the water you cannot see. Here at SERVPRO, we use thermal imaging cameras for this reason.

As water sits on hardwood floors, the wood can begin to absorb the excess moisture. Some vital signs that your hardwood floor has become water damaged are bubbling, cracking, and swelling. If you notice any of these signs in this scenario, you should immediately reach out for professional help.

You can use towels, or a mop, to soak up the excess water on the top of your floor. However, removing the water is insufficient to ensure that water or mold damage cannot form. SERVPRO recommends using devices like space heaters and dehumidifiers to help draw any leftover moisture away from your floor.

After you finish, you should keep a close eye on the area for a couple of weeks. If you notice signs that the hardwood floor panels are beginning to warp or you catch a musty scent, reach out for help immediately. SERVPRO can rush to your home and make it "Like it never even happened."

If your home needs flood damage remediation, get that help you need right away. Speak with SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood by calling (718) 381-3702. We're always here to help you.

We Are The Right Choice For Your Water Removal Services In Rego Park

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

The team responded quickly to begin assessing and cleaning up of this house after the drywall in the kitchen suffered water damage.

Unexpected Water Removal Emergency in Rego Park

Life in a highrise in Rego Park, on occasion, means your neighbor’s troubles become your own. Shared walls and your ceiling underlying another’s floor can mean a water loss suffered by one of the other owners or tenants becomes an emergency for you as well. Sorting the matter out happens eventually, but at the time water showers from a ceiling or seeps in through the baseboard, you must take action fast.

Water removal in your Rego Park residence proceeds much more smoothly when you partner with our professional water disaster recovery team. Getting the water out of a multi-unit residential building is tricky and particularly frustrating when the leak or overflow that caused the problem is ultimately out of your control. We can help extract the water from your living area quickly and use water and moisture detecting devices to make sure no further influx is probable from this event.

Water measuring two inches deep or more is a candidate for pumping. Immersible pumps, powered by gas motors, remove the water rapidly even if the electricity in the space is temporarily out of order. Our truck-mounted water extractors can also operate using power generated on board our service vehicles. SERVPRO records data concerning moisture levels in the structural components in your residence so we can move towards drying out your home after the bulk of the water exits.

It is critical to reduce moisture levels in the walls, floors, ceilings, and other building materials and fixtures. SERVPRO technicians know that if excessive moisture remains soaked into these materials, progressive deterioration leads to weakening, crumbling, and collapse. Mold growth is also a risk if moisture levels remain elevated for more than 24 to 48 hours.

SERVPRO works with your insurance company during the water removal project, keeping you informed and helping with documentation. Assistance with the claims process is crucial when your damage is secondary to a water loss in a neighbor’s residence in a multi-unit building.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood has the experience, equipment, and training to manage water removal from any residence. Call us at (718) 381-3702 when water intrudes from adjacent apartments or condominium units.

Commercial Water Damage In Your Forest Hills Property

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

With advanced equipment, SERVPRO restores property to pre-damaged conditions, "Like it never even happened."

Commercial Water Damage in Forest Hills Includes Sewage

When commercial water damage happens in a business, it is vital to restore the property to a sanitary level for both employees and the public. If the water includes sewage, it gets rated as a biohazard-level cleaning event due to the probability of contaminants and possible pathogens.

In short, DIY cleaning of commercial water damage in Forest Hills properties should never happen when the possibility of sewage is a factor. Consumer-grade cleaners and even the equipment and cleaning products of the regular janitorial crew cannot match the power of the equipment and professional-grade solutions SERVPRO brings to the site.

Safety During Extraction

When dealing with this type of water event, the techs wear personal protective gear, including respirators, as breathing airborne water molecules can result in illness. As techs scope the bathroom area to determine the scale of the loss, other techs use trash pumps to extract the water and solid waste rapidly. Before extraction, it is not unusual for technicians to treat the water with antimicrobial solutions to lessen the potential for hazards in any standing water. Containment over the doorways and vents assists with keeping cross-contamination with other areas of the business space to a minimum.

Removal of Contaminated Materials

No seepage under the tile floor meant the floor did not require removal for drying. The water wicked into the sheetrock, and SERVPRO techs cut it away several inches above the waterline. This action also opened up the wall for drying.

Rapid Drying

Because the water extraction phase is so thorough, the use of multiple air movers and dehumidification equipment makes the drying phase of the mitigation process go even faster. Air scrubbers commonly run during cleanup to capture airborne particulate and improve air quality.

Sanitizing and Prepping for Repairs

Anytime sewage is involved in a water loss situation, the use of antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning agents is crucial to ensure that the bathroom and anywhere affected by the sewage-contaminated water get thoroughly disinfected.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 makes it a priority to clean and restore local properties with commercial water damage “Like it never even happened.”

Why Protective Equipment Is Crucial During The Fire Damage Restoration Process In Your Forest Hills Home

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

If a job becomes too big, or you need a second opinion, you can count on our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team to arrive quickly to help.

Protective Equipment To Use In Fire-Damaged Forest Hills Homes

It is a common trend for DIY enthusiasts to take on whatever restoration their Forest Hills home needs after emergencies, taking on whatever symptoms they can before consulting with professional recovery crews. As much as some elbow grease and quick learning can save you some money in the early stages of mitigation and cleanup, some considerations can make the process safer and more comfortable to accomplish.

Keeping yourself safe should always be the top priority when addressing fire damage in Forest Hills properties. After a fire gets extinguished, the earliest stages of inspection and damage assessment must happen slowly and thoroughly to ensure that all areas get cataloged and adequately evaluated. Maintaining safe conditions begins with the proper personal protective equipment like our SERVPRO team uses to navigate a damaged property safely after a fire.

Closed Shoes

You do not know the condition of certain materials you could be stepping on or what might lurk in piles of debris and buildup. Work boots are even more ideal for these situations, but they may not be something every property owner has.

Respirator

This gear is a purchase you can make at any chain hardware store. Paper masks are not as effective and allow more penetration than half or full-face respirators with cartridges.

Gloves

Much like closed-toe shoes, debris removal and damage assessment often require moving damaged components around physically. Be prepared for nails, broken glass, and other threats with durable, thick gloves.

Tyvek Full Suit

This attire is a classic look for our SERVPRO professionals entering your home for debris removal and cleanup after a fire. It offers a lighter weight and complete body protection for our technicians.

Protecting yourself during any stage of fire loss recovery is critical. It is something that should get taken seriously to keep you and your family safe. If a job becomes too big, or you need a second opinion, you can count on our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team to arrive quickly to help. Give our experts a call anytime at (718) 381-3702.

SERVPRO Is Your Go-To Place for Mold Damage Remediation in Queens

5/23/2022 (Permalink)

Call your local professionals at SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood to ensure your home is dry and sanitary.

We Are Mold Damage Cleanup Experts in Queens

There are many reasons for choosing SERVPRO to remediate your mold-impacted home in Queens, but the most important one is our professional knowledge. We know what needs to be done to clean up, repair, and return your home to its original state. Therefore, we often finish your job quickly and get it done right the first time, saving you time and money.

SERVPRO is well-versed in the cleanup and restoration industry’s standard procedures for handling mold damage in Queens. Our dedicated mold specialists follow these whenever they do mold inspection, mold removal, or other mold remediation work. The steps SERVPRO takes to deal with residential mold involve containment, removal, and drying efforts. Specifically, they include:

• Establishing “clean” and decontamination rooms, setting up containment barriers with plastic sheets, sealing HVAC vents to prevent contamination of the ventilation system, and creating negative air pressure in impacted spaces
• Vacuuming loose mold fragments into HEPA filters and removing extensively mold-contaminated, porous things like drywall, insulation, and carpeting from the home
• Cleaning dry, non-porous materials like metal, glass, and plastics with HEPA vacuuming
• Damp wiping soil-covered, non-porous surfaces with mold using a detergent solution 
• Employing damp wiping or abrasive methods to clean semi-porous surfaces/materials like concrete and wood 
• Drying interiors and their contents to average moisture levels with air movers and dehumidifiers (once mold has been cleaned up) to prevent future mold growth

Once these measures have been completed, mold-damaged residences are usually returned to their original conditions.

Now, you can see why SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood has gained the reputation of being one of the best mold damage remediators in the Queens area. With this in mind, consider contacting us whenever your home has mold-related issues that need to be addressed. Our mold experts are ready for your call whenever you need them at (718) 381-3702.

We Get You Back To Business In Rego Park

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Our state-of-the-art equipment and advanced cleaning techniques will restore your building after you have a water damage disaster.

Our Commercial Water Removal Services Right Everything after Accidents in Rego Park Retail Shops

Minor plumbing mishaps and terrible weather events can create emergencies within your shop in Rego Park that affects your business. People coming to your store do not expect conditions that compromise their safety, and government regulations require employers continuously maintain safe environments. The liability that results from unsafe situations requires your immediate concern and attention.

When retail shops in Rego Park need commercial water removal services that restore dry, safe conditions, we know that we must act quickly from the initial call. We want our customers to know, We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster and understand your concerns regarding interruptions, expenses, and possible changes to your shop’s interior.

Our specialists and technicians receive certificates from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), ensuring their ability to professionally mitigate and restore your retail setting back to how you remember. Working with our building services staff, we remove damaged materials and building components, repair places where minor damage may worsen, clean areas at risk of sustaining damage and dry the entire setting. We can handle severe disasters, including fallen trees that tore through your roof, also.

Your store’s merchandise, the units used for displaying these items to your shoppers, and any other furnishings also require the attention of SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT). The glass, metal, and wood of these structures require the elimination of dampness to protect from loss caused by rust, grime, and other problems that can visit your business. We extract moisture from these after we gather them together and place them inside a drying chamber. 

We help retail businesses recover inventory and reduce loss by helping gather undamaged items and setting those needing replacements. We can list these for you on inventory sheets that help you with the task of replenishing your stock. Many stores include damaged items in particular areas marked appropriately to help customers obtain a bargain while decreasing their losses related to inventory. We can help you eliminate 

Carpets and rugs need protective measures against moisture trapped in their fibers, and thorough cleaning can provide precisely what these floor coverings need. Many times, we also find shops with tile and other types of flooring. We can dry all of these and prevent any warping, bubbling, or other signs of a past water-related emergency. Although many smaller-sized shops can mop up or use a wet-dry vac to remove small spills, relying on our building services team to repair plumbing and other leaks, including those coming from the roof or appliances, can free up additional resources that you need.  

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood takes pride in helping businesses with water removal and extraction services in Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, and Rego Park. We also provide mitigation and other services to those areas, as well as to the Ridgewood area. Contact our 24-hour emergency services team by calling (718) 381-3702 any day. We can help you by making everything “Like it never even happened.”

The Multi-Step Cleaning Process Necessary after Flood Damage in Your Forest Hills Home

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO knows the necessary steps to take with flood damage in Forest Hills.

Let us Walk You Through Your Flood Damaged Forest Hills Residence.

Flooding incidents can lead to severe damages in your Forest Hills home. However, the most obvious concern is the soiling left in the wake of the incident. It is usually widespread and requires several cleaning steps before the home can regain its normal sanitary state. Seeking professional help can ensure the cleaning process runs smoothly because of the expertise and resources the service provider has.

Removing the murk left after flood damage in your Forest Hills home is an integral part of the restoration process. The floodwaters drive different soils, including mud and silt, into the house, especially when groundwater is involved. Unlike plain water, which you can scoop with buckets and wipe with mops, removing silt and mud is more complicated. There is also the issue of disposal since such materials are considered hazardous. Our SERVPRO technicians bring shovels and disposal bins, among other tools, to the loss site allowing easier scooping and transportation to the disposal site.

Floodwaters leave debris at the loss site. While some of the debris might be from outside the structure, the rest forms from materials and contents ruined within the structure. Cleaning up, therefore, involves the demolition of parts of the structure to remove materials such as wet drywall, insulation, carpets, and pad. Demolition can cause additional damage if not done correctly. In most cases, lack of proper tools leads to those other problems. Our SERVPRO crews have access to a variety of tools that ease the task, including:

• Molding Lifters
• Rubber Hammers
• Pry bars or crowbars
• Air Sleds

Some aspects of flooding can continue causing problems in the future if not appropriately addressed during the cleaning phase. Failure to disinfect all affected areas can pose serious health risks. Our SERVPRO team sprays EPA registered disinfectants directly into all flooded areas before starting the restoration process. We also use professional cleaning products which act as sanitizers, disinfectants, or anti-microbial agents. We also remove excess moisture from contents, building materials, and the air using dehumidifiers and air movers.

For thorough cleaning during the restoration of flood damage, call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood to assist. You can reach us at (718) 381-3702 any time. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

You Can Call Our Technicians 24/7 After A Fire In Your Forest Hills Home

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood can help you take measures to limit additional deterioration.

Reducing The Level Of Secondary Fire damage In Forest Hills

A little fire can turn into a big blaze in a matter of seconds, causing widespread damage. Even after the flames and embers die down, secondary damages can still happen and, in most cases, lead to severe outcomes such as huge restoration costs that can drive your insurance premiums up. Our professional restoration services can help prevent such secondary damages because we arrive early at your loss site and take preventive measures.

Fire damage in Forest Hills is likely to open up the property and its contents to external elements by shattering windows or puncturing holes on the roof or exterior walls. Such openings create access points for weather elements, wild animals, and even vandals to cause further damage. Our SERVPRO technicians board up the affected properties and install roof tarps immediately after arriving at your loss site.

In the aftermath of a fire, several residues, including soot and ash, spread all over the property. Some of these residues are acidic and therefore cause surfaces to deteriorate through staining and corrosion. Such deterioration mainly affects metallic items or finishes which rust and stone materials such as marble which stain. Our SERVPRO technicians prevent this by pre-cleaning any materials we establish to be at risk. We also apply a thin oil film to protect the material from other residues that may accumulate later. Taking such measures helps prevent subsequent deterioration.

Apart from the damages caused by the fire, the measures taken to put it out can also lead to other damages. Water is the primary fire suppression medium. It is sprayed in considerable volumes to kill the fire leaving the property wet. Wetness can lead to mold and other forms of deterioration, such as rot. Our SERVPRO technicians extract such water fast using water extractors. We also use drying equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture.

Homeowners in Kew Gardens, Rego Park, and Ridgewood end up footing the bill, whether the damage is from the actual fire or secondary issues. SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood can help you take measures to limit additional deterioration. Call us at (718) 381-3702 any time.

The Water Restoration Process for Carpets in Queens Homes

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood (718) 381-3702 to help with water restoration to your property.

Special Tools Are Needed for Water Removal and Cleanup for Carpets in Queens Residences

There are multiple pieces of equipment in our inventory specifically designed for removing standing water and trapped moisture from flooring materials. Carpets can require some of these designed tools. 

Eliminating Surface Pooling

First, when addressing water restoration in Queen's residences is eliminating surface water with extractors. There are several types for this like: 

• Vacuums
• Pumps
• Drying Tools

We must also pull moisture from the carpet and pad with special carpet wands. These high-strength extensions extract the majority of trapped water. 

Weighted Extractors

We have many effective tools to overcome standing water and trapped moisture within the carpet materials. Weighted extractors use the physical weight of the restorer to push plates against the surface layer and padding. The process will squeeze water out as it presses firmly into the solid subflooring to an onboard vacuum. 

Floating the Carpet

Another effective solution for drying and restoring carpet and floors in the home is to place low-profile centrifugal air movers between the carpet and padding layers. The objective of this process is to dry both of these materials simultaneously. When effective, floating the carpet can make the difference in preventing the tear out and replacement of these flooring elements.

Is the Subflooring Damaged?

A question that must be asked when we get water restoration underway for homes and apartments in the city is whether the subflooring has become damaged or not. Many multi-story structures feature concrete subflooring, making the restoration process less complicated by removing standing water and preventing moisture migration to other areas. When an OSB board or plywood is the subflooring, these are more susceptible to absorption and saturation. These considerations must be made when drying the structure to prevent damp pockets from going unnoticed.

Carpets are a standard installation for homes and apartments, so it is a material that can become damaged when pipes leak or appliances malfunction. Give our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood roster a call to help you mitigate loss and dry up the damage at (718) 381-3702.

What Does Fire and Smoke Restoration of Queens Properties Involve?

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot can touch every surface. SERVPRO has the cleaners and techniques to handle your fire damage restoration needs.

SERVPRO Provides the Best Solutions for Fire and Smoke Restoration at Queens Premises

Any fire and smoke damage to your Queens commercial premise can be disheartening. You can see the effects of smoke damage on ceilings, floors, and walls through the carbon particles and residual chemicals deposited on those surfaces. But what you may not see are traces of these residues that infiltrate porous structural materials. To protect your premises and possessions, you need to clean up as quickly as possible.  

The advantage of involving professionals in fire and smoke restoration at a Queen's premises is their understanding of the characteristics of smoke, the different types of soot residues, and how it affects other surfaces and materials. We can effectively clean soot from your premise because we have a deeper understanding of how fire burns on different materials and the kind of soot emitted. Determining the type of soot enables us to use the proper techniques and products to clean up the area.

Factors That can Determine the Appropriate Cleaning Method

• The type of surface
• The type of soils
• Whether a surface requires wet or dry cleaning

We may start by cleaning all the visible parts like the walls and floors during restoration because smoke residues in such places are usually dry and carry few aerosols depositing small and dry particles on surfaces. Such dry particles are loosely attached and require minimal agitation; hence can be removed by vacuuming or using sponges. After that, we can deal with soot in hard-to-reach areas like crevices. We also use chemical agents to clean wet smoke residues that can deeply stain surfaces and be more challenging to clean.

Some Cleaning Products Which We use in Smoke Cleaning

• Dry cleaning solvents
• Volatile dry solvents
• Furniture polishes

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood provides immediate soot and smoke damage cleanup to your property. Call us at (718) 381-3702. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Storm Damage Remediation Shouldn’t Be A Daunting Task in Your Forest Hills Home

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

Flood damage can accumulate quickly. Contact SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Harsh Winds Can Lead to Flooding in Forest Hills Homes

With the level of severe weather systems that can strike Forest Hills homes and businesses throughout our area, it is no surprise how many residents depend on the fast response and expertise of our disaster relief team. Many systems offer more dangerous conditions than torrential rainfall, bringing gale-force winds that can pull off siding, remove shingles from a roof, and break windows. Within moments of structural compromises, your home can become at risk for widespread flooding and other damaging conditions.

Once flood damage has started in your Forest Hills home, it can often be challenging to slow down, let alone stop entirely. Property owners depend on the fast response of our SERVPRO professionals, and we can work quickly to mobilize our certified technicians and contracting specialists to address both the structural weaknesses of your house and the spreading water effects as well. The faster our team can arrive, the less flooding from runoff and direct precipitation exposure occurs.         

Part of our mitigation efforts when we first arrive at a flood-damaged home starts with the structural damage that has already occurred. With breaches in the defense of your residence, water flow can continually penetrate the structure until the appropriate measures get taken to address these concerns with temporary construction solutions. We have an experienced crew of SERVPRO general contractors that can provide board-up, tarping, and temporary power restoration solutions for your damaged property.

Knowing what you are up against is critical to successfully navigating the often complex restoration path. We begin a thorough inspection of your property as soon as we arrive to determine where water damage exists and the best approaches, equipment, and personnel to handle these concerns.

We have spent years building our reputation and credibility throughout the region as a team you can trust when every second counts. Whenever flooding occurs, you can expect our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood professionals to arrive quickly with the equipment to help. You can contact us anytime at (718) 381-3702.

When Water Damage Issues Appear In Your Kew Gardens Home Our Experts Can Help

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

For professional water cleanup services, contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702.

Professional Water Cleanup For Kew Gardens Residents

Discovering large quantities of water in your residence is the last thing a homeowner wants. By using a professional service, you can get your home back to its pre-damage condition. We have an outstanding reputation in the restoration industry and specialize in repairing water-related issues. Using a combination of know-how and industry-leading training and equipment, we can make the damage "Like it never even happened."

One of the core services we provide is water cleanup in Kew Gardens and the surrounding area. These services incorporate cleaning, drying, and deodorizing a property after excess water has entered the home. By acting quickly, we can reduce the damage caused by a water spill. Our local technicians can arrive on-site in as little as four hours from loss notification.

The most reliable of dealing with a water issue is by establishing a closed system. Closed systems involve quarantining an affected area through physical barriers. The benefit of utilizing a closed system is that we do not risk humid air traveling throughout the house. The closed system enables us to focus on a smaller surface area, resulting in faster drying times. SERVPRO also gauges water migration using thermal imaging cameras to determine the drying zone's size.

One of the rules in water cleanup is to remove stained furniture while the item is wet. SERVPRO has various chemical agents to assist our techs during the cleaning process. These agents range from potent disinfectants to light sanitizers. Depending on the sensitivity of the materials we are cleaning, we can opt for non-harmful or corrosive cleaners to help remove stainings or reduce potential damages.

Once a property is thoroughly dried, most of the odor dissipates naturally. Sometimes water may disturb pre-existing issues. In this case, SERVPRO may need to place pellets or even look at fumigating the affected zone using thermal fogging equipment. However, in most cases, finishing surfaces with a light, non-toxic air freshener can mask an odor until it dissipates naturally.

Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood for professional water cleanup services at (718) 381-3702.

How Does Soot Cleanup Happen in Forest Hills Homes?

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire affects your home, you need to bring in an experienced company with effective equipment. Contact SERVPRO right away for remediation.

Fire Damage Cleanup Often Follows Specific Steps in Threatened Forest Hills Residences

Fires can prove to be among the more challenging and threatening situations for area homes. Even with the fast and dedicated response of our SERVPRO team to show We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, substantial and irreparable harm can result to the property without immediate mitigation efforts. Removing soot and smoke soils from the residence often follows a specific pattern. 

How Does Cleanup Get Underway? 

Our SERVPRO professionals introduce multiple products, tools, and techniques to overcome fire damage in Forest Hills homes and businesses. As leading FSRT-Certified specialists accredited through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), we are qualified and competent professionals to manage post-fire effects. Cleaning the structure after soot and smoke exposure often means following specific steps:

• Find Smoke Damage – A thorough inspection can show fire damage like soot soils. 

• Determine the Type of Soiling – The type of soot damage changes based on the combusted material and the kind of fire.

• Note the Underlying Material – The hosting material could require specific cleaning practices to prevent staining or marring.

• Capture Residues – Capturing and reducing the severity of present residues has much to do with the mechanical actions chosen by our SERVPRO team. 

• Remove Residues – Wet and dry cleaning approaches dissolve or emulsify present soils to wipe them away. 

• Dispose of Debris and Soil – Properly removing and discarding the debris and the residues from affected materials is one of the final steps in effective cleanup. We carefully handle these materials and residues to prevent cross-contamination.

The process of removing damaging soot soils and smoke residues is consistent despite the innumerable products and approaches required to achieve the desired results. Our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team can provide efficient and effective cleanup after fire damage emergencies. Give our experienced restorers a call today at (718) 381-3702.

What in Forest Hills Homes Needs Repairs After Burst Pipes?

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

When pipes burst, a large amount of water can quickly enter your home. Call our certified SERVPRO team for water damage repair services.

Several areas become directly impacted by severe water damage in Forest Hills houses.

There are many causes of plumbing damage and burst pipes, from frozen pipes to air hammers after pressure fluctuations. When homes contend with these emergencies, it is important to trust our SERVPRO team's fast response to help. 

Prolonged Moisture and Dampness Threats

Water damage repair in Forest Hills often focuses on water's effect on materials like drywall and wood trim. Because the water can overwhelm all related materials so quickly, elements like drywall become oversaturated and require removal. Controlled demolition helps to prevent:

• Mold
• Mildew
• Structural deterioration
• Collapse

Saturated Insulation 

Insulation exists within the wall assemblies and systems, especially those wall cavities between the living area and the outside. Burst pipes within these assemblies can spread fast to threaten materials like insulation. In most cases, drying is not worth the time. We have a special insulation vacuum to remove the material and ultimately replace it.

Broken Plumbing

Another needed repair that our SERVPRO team must address after burst pipes is fixing the damaged lines themselves. Broken pipes must be resolved right away because the service to the house cannot be recharged and re-pressurized until the line can withstand more than 20 psi, and in most residences, even more than this minimum.

Wet Carpeting

Carpeting can quickly absorb water and become oversaturated. It is not difficult for carpeted floors to be heavily damaged quickly when saturation moves beyond the upper layer of material and extends to the padding and subflooring underneath. Burst pipes introduce hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water that can rapidly migrate to challenging positions.

Burst pipes can be especially hard on a house. With a general contractor license and experience in repairs and build-back, there are many ways that our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team can help after substantial water damage. Give our professionals a call today at (718) 381-3702.

Content Inventory and Fire Cleaning of Queens Warehouse

1/30/2022 (Permalink)

Warehouse fires can damage the building plus large amounts of goods that they hold. Call SERVPRO right away for fire restoration services.

Post-fire cleanup involves direct actions taken to protect the contents of Queens warehouses.

Before much of the cleaning and restoration can begin for your business, a full-scale evaluation and damage assessment must be conducted for the building. Fire effects often spread far beyond the initial ignition point, so our experienced FSRT-Certified team stays prepared to help with large loss threats like:

• Smoke damage
• Odors
• Fire loss effects
• Water damage

Content Cleaning and Relocation 

Fire restoration for Queens warehouses and production facilities showcases the immediate need for content management. As one of the initial emergency services, it is vital to learn what items require relocation and where on-site cleaning is possible. It is always more desirable to keep contents in the building rather than at a SERVPRO facility.

Inventory and Damage Cataloging

During the initial evaluation of the grounds, our professionals can determine the extent of damage to individual items within the warehouse. Competent technicians provide a case-by-case analysis of what wares require relocation and which need more intricate cleaning. Batches of items are categorized with numbers, allowing our team to know where inventory is at any point of the restoration process.

Pack-Out and Off-Site Recovery 

Warehouses do not always have the available area for relocating damaged belongings, so the solution is packing up these contents and moving them to our nearby SERVPRO facility. Advanced cleaning options range from ultrasonic submersion tank cleaning and large batch ozone chamber deodorization to aid multiple items simultaneously with threatening malodors.

Protecting the contents of homes and businesses after fire damages is a priority of our responding SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood technicians. Warehouses storing countless items and a massive inventory can lose money by not implementing relocation and restoration strategies as soon as possible. Give us a call today at (718) 381-3702.

Why Are Mold Remediation Companies Your Best Bet in Queens?

1/16/2022 (Permalink)

Mold damage remediation is no easy task. SERVPRO uses the latest technology and equipment for every size of disaster.

Mold Remediation and Cleanup Call for Skilled Technicians – Call SERVPRO to Your Queens Property!

Black mold is never anything that a Queens property owner wants to spot in their building. Whether you are a homeowner or property manager, working fast to have the mold safely and efficiently cleaned up is crucial. Even the smallest amount of mold infestation brings potential health effects for people and pets within the home. This means having mold specialists on the job to perform rapid remediation is best. SERVPRO can help, making your property Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Why look to mold remediation companies in Queens? Because SERVPRO knows how fast mold spores colonize, given the ideal moisture levels and temperatures. After it begins to spread, it can lead to irreparable damage to your building materials, contents or even bring structural damage. Even worse, there are some cases where mold spores may spread without detection.

Bathroom, kitchen, and basement mold cleanup is a pain for anyone to attempt with DIY methods. Trying it yourself means running the risk of inhaling it or disturbing the spores, so they become airborne. These are some of the top reasons why you need SERVPRO’s IICRC-certified technicians to handle your project:

• Mold cleanup is laborious – You should never spray and wipe areas of visible mold. You should also never have your HVAC system running because it can catapult spores throughout the building. SERVPRO has proven methods for carefully vacuuming spores and cleaning surfaces in the safest manner possible.
• Personal protection equipment is required – All of our team works while wearing PPE and puts containment barriers in place to limit tracking and displacement of mold spores.
• Prevention of future issues – Once cleaned, mold can colonize again when given the right environment. Our SERVPRO team will go over the best way to keep mold from developing in moisture-prone areas of your building. 

Mold cleanup and remediation are better when an experienced team is handling them for you. Call (718) 381-3702 to talk with us at SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood when you need mold-related assistance.

Forest Hills Building and Facilities Water Damage Cleanup When You Need It

1/8/2022 (Permalink)

When your commercial building has water damage, you need the help of SERVPRO. We have the manpower and equipment for every size disaster.

Commercial Property Owners in Forest Hills Can Trust SERVPRO to Handle Their Water Damage Cleanup Needs

Any industrial water-related emergency calls for precision and experience to handle cleanup and restoration. Facilities managers know that calling in a team like SERVPRO brings the latest equipment and proven processes to offer water removal services and ensure the business has little or no downtime. Whether you had a pipe burst during an overnight shift at your production facility or you are experiencing ceiling leaks at your motel, we are on the scene within hours to get to work. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

It used to be that water damage cleanup in Forest Hills may have closed your commercial property down for a week or longer. Today, the available technology and equipment help speed up the process. Waiting to address standing water or hidden moisture in your building could result in a loss of business, unsalvageable inventory, and potential health effects from black mold development.

SERVPRO Can Help!

No matter if you had a sewage backup, storm flooding, or a pipe leak, SERVPRO has IICRC-certified water restoration technicians (WRT) to help bring your business back to tip-top shape as soon as possible. Depending on the severity of water intrusion, you may need controlled demolition to get everything back to normal.

• Controlled demolition involves the removal of all saturated or contaminated building materials deemed unsalvageable. We take care of the removal, disposal, and reconstruction with new materials to make it “Like it never even happened.”
• It may be likely that your business will take on some structural damage. Failing to address this problem promptly means that it could intensify. This translates into irreparable secondary damage that takes more time and money to get fixed.

Commercial water damage cleanup with SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood ensures your business never misses a beat. Regardless of the scope of the project, our Green Fleet is there to get the job done. Call us at (718) 381-3702 or request help online.

Can Winter Weather Cause Water Damage for Queens Residences?

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

Winter months may cause frozen pipes issues. SERVPRO techs have the training and experience for all storm damage restoration.

Take preventative steps to avoid costly damages to Queens homes during the winter months. 

The winter can be a hectic time for area homes and businesses, which might leave you less attentive to the needs of your property. Insufficiencies during harsh winter conditions can result in water damage.

The Costly Damage of Winter on Local Homes

There are many ways harsh winter conditions could impact properties, such as frozen pipes and ice damming Queens residences experience during this season. These situations could have costly and destructive effects on a property, making it vital to take any preventative measures possible to avoid these emergencies. Some of the ways that you can do this include:

• Better Insulation - Insulation is key to preventing roof damage and frozen pipes. Sufficient protection from the cold on lines and keeping warmth in the house by not letting it escape through the roof both help these causes. 
• Expose Pipes to Warm Air – Pipes need to be exposed to warmer air you have to regulate the temperature for the rest of the property. You might need to open cabinets or doors to allow better circulation. 
• Avoid Ice Formations - Preventing ice dams can keep areas like the attic from becoming flooded. Heated cables are the trusted method of avoiding ice formations, but ice belts also work to deter this buildup. 

Can SERVPRO Help After Water Damage?

If preventative measures never happen or prove insufficient, our SERVPRO team can help with the mess that results. We have fast mitigation solutions to handle standing water and begin intricate drying, surface cleaning, and structural/plumbing repairs.

The winter months might be a hazard to many homes, especially those unattended or underinsulated against the threats of lower temperatures. Our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team can help throughout the borough and surrounding areas to make water damage threats like burst pipes "Like it never even happened." Call today at (718) 381-3702. 

What Tasks Are Commonly Left Unfinished After Restoring Flood Damage in Queens?

12/18/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO techs are here to help 24/7 365 days a year, no matter the size of storm damage restoration needed for your home.

SERVPRO Handles Simple as Well as Advanced Restoration Tasks for Total Peace of Mind

Flooding is known to cause significant damages to properties in Queens. Therefore, most focus is on major tasks such as tearing down structural materials or cleaning heavily soiled areas. However, those tasks only address part of the damages.

Many seemingly minor issues are overlooked during the restoration of flood damage in Queens properties. Apart from being minor, the other reason is the tedious processes involved in resolving them. However, these issues might impact the structure and the general comfort at the residence later on. SERVPRO can help guarantee conclusive restoration after a flooding incident by addressing such issues.

Among the tasks that should not be ignored include:

• Repairing subfloors
• Inspecting, cleaning, and replacing electrical components
• Cleaning or repairing HVAC systems

Since floods leave inches of water covering floors, moisture can find a way into the subfloor causing significant damages. Even on hard floors such as tiles, water can seep through the grout lines, so it is essential to confirm water intrusion in the subfloor. After extracting standing water, our SERVPRO technicians can use thermal cameras to find water below the surface. When confirmed, we can choose to dry the subfloor using drying mats, thus avoiding costly demolition.

Flood water can affect various electrical components, including switches, sockets, and light fixtures, depending on the entry point or height of standing water. Leaving such components unaddressed increases the chances of electrical shorts and even fires. Our SERVPRO technicians inspect them to determine what requires cleaning or replacement.

Ducts and other HVAC components might also need attention after flooding to address:

• Moisture 
• Aerosolized materials
• Mold contamination

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood takes full initiative to manage all aspects of flood damage, leaving properties comfortable and safe. Call us at (718) 381-3702 for assistance in making any flooding situation, “Like it never even happened.”

Why Does It Take Significant Effort To Manage Odors After Fire Damage in Forest Hills Homes?

12/11/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and smoke removal is no DIY project. Fire damage restoration technicians from SERVPRO have the knowledge and experience for every size disaster.

SERVPRO Helps Identify and Remove All Residues Which Is One of the Reasons for Lingering Odors

One challenging issue Forest Hills property owners like you might experience after a fire incident is removing the foul odor left in the property. Cleaning and airing the house only lessens the problem, so further action is necessary to restore preloss conditions.

Clearly understanding the combustion process can help you better address odors after fire damage at your Forest Hills home. Since SERVPRO fire restoration technicians undergo rigorous training and IICRC certification, you can expect a better understanding of the odor problem and thus better resolution of the issue in your home.

Knowledge can be evaluated based on the understanding of:

• What combustion involves
• Physical properties of the residues fires produce
• Spread patterns

Although it might not seem so, combustion is a process that turns solids into gas through heat. Since there are different types of materials in a house, combustion produces a wide array of gases. Some materials are fully consumed, while others are only partially consumed during the process, thus leaving different residues strewn all over the property. Dealing with the residues is essential in managing odors.

The essential aspects of addressing fire residues to control odors include:

• Locating all smoke residue deposits
• Identifying the different types of residues
• Identifying various surfaces where residues collect

Powdery residues like soot can travel far from the seat of the fire. In rooms unaffected by the fire, you can find soot inside wall cavities, closets, and light fixtures. Our SERVPRO technicians help inspect your property thoroughly, thus locating all residues. Differentiating residue types and surfaces also helps ensure we remove all residues, thus eliminating all odor sources.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood can remove all residues left by fire damage at your property, eliminating any traces of odor, “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (718) 381-3702 when you need assistance.

What Are the Main Activities During Mold Removal From Properties in Queens?

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

Mold remediation is no easy task. SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians have the training and experience for every phase needed for your home.

SERVPRO Handles the Background Work Before Embarking on the Main Mold Removal From Properties

You can easily notice mold contamination in your house, especially when dark spots appear on surfaces or the air has a musty smell. However, you may not be aware of how much work the remediation process might involve. Without the right information, restoring your Queens home to its preloss state is challenging.

Completing mold removal in your Queens property is a comprehensive process that takes more than just addressing mold colonies. Taking care of the property and protecting the people living in the premises are equally essential steps. SERVPRO has IICRC-certified microbial remediation technicians who can break down the processes into manageable stages.

Some of the crucial activities that help with mold remediation include:

• Identifying work areas
• Identifying unsalvageable materials
• Choosing cleaning methods
• Servicing the work site

Being organized is one of the crucial aspects of successful mold remediation. Otherwise, it is possible to spread debris and soils all over the property, thus worsening the problem.

Establishing which areas need cleaning and which sections can serve as storage areas for contents and equipment helps ensure orderly remediation. Our SERVPRO technicians can use various rooms in your home for different purposes or set up containment barriers with plastic sheets. We also set up dumpsters for better management of the loss site during the remediation processes.

If the mold heavily contaminates porous materials, the only solution is to tear them down and dispose of them. Mold hyphae penetrate deep into such materials making removal difficult using other methods. Proper planning is essential when doing such demolition since it affects the other remediation processes such as cleaning. 

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is dedicated to ensuring satisfactory mold removal from any property. Call us at (718) 381-3702.  We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Clearing Runoff Floodwater in Queens Basement Businesses

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has advanced equipment like sump pumps, trash pumps, truck-mounted pumps to extract floodwaters from Queens area retail basement shops

Effective extraction measures and cleaning can be vital after flooding in Queens

It can be tempting to try and save everything you possibly can when flooding occurs in your lower-level business, but this is neither safe nor feasible. Most things can be replaced. When torrential rains or situations like the remnants of a powerful hurricane system impact New York City, culverts and drainage systems might not be able to keep up. Designed spaces below the street level can be victims of rapidly developing flood scenarios. In these situations, here is what you need to do:

• Get to safety
• Turn off utilities if possible
• Stay away until contaminated standing water gets removed

Water Removal with Pumps and Vacuums

Storm damage in Queens businesses on this lower level, often below sidewalk height, can involve several feet of standing water. Using a range of pumps and vacuums, our professionals can begin to discharge the pooling to assess the extent of tear-out and reconstruction that will ultimately be necessary to make these threats “Like it never even happened.”

Muck-Out Cleaning and Content Recovery

Once our truck-mount extractors and trash pumps have managed the water and some of the debris/solids present, muck-out cleaning and post-flood cleanup are next. Being runoff from the street, many residues can coat wall and content surfaces, including oil, grease, cinders, and more. Additionally, this is the time to inventory and evaluate any contents for what is unsalvageable and what might still be saved.

Flood Restoration After the Disaster

Even if you do not contact our professionals immediately, we are here to help with whatever phase of flood recovery and restoration you might be in. At times of crisis, many property owners are preyed on by unprofessional cleaners and con artists who do not do the work promised to get your business up and running again. We can help however you need.

Flooding does not have to be the end for your business. Give our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team a call to help at (718) 381-3702.

Using Humidity Data to Make Drying Efficient in Forest Hills Homes

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO techs maneuver air moving equipment to facilitate the drying process in Forest Hills area homes. Monitoring humidity plays a key role.

Using several tools and practices, we can make drying and cleanup efficient in Forest Hills properties.

Multiple measurements and calculations go into thoroughly drying and restoring a home after water damage. Removing trapped moisture and water from building materials and the environment involves direct management of humidity. Drying principles, when manipulated appropriately, can make for highly efficient and thorough evaporation practices.

The Role of Humidity

Humidity is the measure of moisture in the environment and can indicate the damage requiring water removal in Forest Hills homes. Calculating and tracking the presence and level of humidity in the atmosphere can determine the type of drying and water removal tactics necessary to restore the house. Each of the primary drying principles must be in balance for the most efficient solutions, so humidity must be measured against:

• Airflow
• Temperature
• Affected Materials in Workspace

The Humidity Capacity

The capacity of moisture in the environment is a necessary piece of knowledge to regulate how much work must be done to return a building to favorable conditions. Temperature greatly dictates the humidity ratio, or the capacity for air to hold moisture. As the temperature increases, the capacity for water in the environment increases as well.

Measuring Relative Humidity and Seeking Balance

Just because a specific environment can hold a certain amount of moisture does not indicate that the workspace is fully saturated. As drying and dehumidification begin, this relative humidity RH will start to lower. The relative humidity is a percentage of actual moisture in each environment against the capacity for moisture determined by the humidity ratio. This knowledge helps to track the progress of drying as we continue to restore your property.

With experienced restoration professionals ready 24/7, trust our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team to efficiently mitigate loss and restore your home to preloss condition after water damages. Call us today at (718) 381-3702.

How Does Cleaning Dry Smoke Differ from Wet Smoke Residues in Queens Homes?

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

When your precious home or apartment needs excellent fire damage and smoke cleanup--call SERVPRO to make it "Like it never even happened."

Fire restoration focuses on effective cleaning of soot and smoke damage in Queens area residences.

Fire damage takes many forms, so our professionals responding to these emergencies must evaluate the situation carefully to determine the best restoration approach. As challenging and overwhelming as these conditions can often be, homeowners look to professionals and certified technicians like ours to implement the proper cleaning and recovery strategies, beginning with removing soot and smoke residues from the structure. Count on IICRC certified professionals (FRST) to get it done right.

What Determines Wet or Dry Smoke Damage

The composition of these residues and soils can change how fire mitigation in Queens apartments and homes changes as well. Understanding the damage we must overcome narrows the products and approaches possible to ensure the most efficient response. Some of the factors that can determine the type of soot deposit on surfaces include:

• Oxygen present during the fire
• Material/substance burning
• How fast the combustion occurs

How Does Dry Smoke Get Cleaned?

Dry smoke is often produced by high heat situations but can be among the most simple substances to remove after the fact. In this situation, dry particles are deposited on surfaces that do not typically stain or adhere to the underlying substrate. Odors are often more manageable as well. Clearing dry smoke residues often falls to rubber sponges and non-aggressive cleaning tactics. A filtered, portable vacuum is often the first step in residue removal.

How Does Wet Smoke Get Cleaned?

Wet smoke is far more challenging to remove. In contrast, this type of damage features many liquid components aerosolized in the environment. These damages result from slow, smoldering fires rather than high heat and complete combustion situations. Cleaning these damages involves carefully considered wet cleaning strategies to dissolve and emulsify bonds with the material hosting the soot damage.

We are experienced restorers and cleaners that can help your home after a fire. Our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team knows what your Queens home needs, and we can help when you call (718) 381-3702. 

How Can Professional Remediators Contain Mold in Queens Apartments?

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Mold remediation is no DIY project. SERVPRO uses EPA-registered biocides for all mold mitigation services. Call now!

With a variety of physical barriers and equipment, SERVPRO can prevent spore movement in Queens homes. 

Mold can be an underappreciated threat to apartments and residences throughout the borough, so our professionals work quickly to establish a set work area that does not expand or create worsening conditions for the house occupants.

Mold Inspections Identify the Damage Zone

Our leading professionals understand that mold damage in Queens apartments changes from one address to the next. The best custom solution for your property comes when our professionals investigate the damage with a mold inspection.

Physical Containment Solutions for Queens Residences

A solution for stopping the spread of mold spores is placing polypropylene sheeting over structural openings and pathways that organisms might use to reach new areas. HVAC systems can also be an avenue to mold migration, so returns and vents get covered up as well to create a secure work zone.

Equipment to Slow the Spread of Mold Spores

While physical barriers are often the most popular form of containment to slow the spread of mold spores and harmful organisms, some of the equipment in our inventory can also play a role in this containment. Establishing a perimeter with tools that feature HEPA membrane filters can trap migrating spores as small as 0.3 microns. Some of the tools helpful to containment include:

• HEPA Air Scrubbers
• Negative Pressure Units
• Hydroxyl Generators

Containment is a considerable aspect of nearly every remediation need. Because mold can be so damaging, our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team acts fast to remove the active infestation and prevent the further development of colonies in other areas of the house. Our experienced remediators are available 24/7 at (718) 381-3702.

What Are the Main Concerns Overcoming Flood Damage in Forest Hills?

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO flood damage restoration team has the knowledge and experience in all phases of storm damage mitigation.

Flooding can damage Forest Hills homes and require direct action to restore completely. 

There are multiple immediate efforts that our professionals must undertake to manage harmful flood loss scenarios. These mitigative solutions serve as a direct path to more efficient restoration and recovery options. Some of the mitigative actions our team can take when we first help flood-damaged homes are:

• Water removal services
• Debris removal
• Muck-out cleaning
• Bulk material discarding

Complete Surface and Content Cleaning 

After initial mitigation and even restoration, flood damage in Forest Hills homes is still not fully resolved without lasting cleaning and recovery solutions like surface cleaning. Contaminants and bacterial pathogens are a common element of natural flooding, so general disinfection and biocide cleaning can be beneficial when materials and contents are not discarded.

Structural Damages and Vulnerabilities 

With a general contractor license, our experienced team can help with permanent repairs necessary to seal structural vulnerabilities that allowed flood penetration. From broken foundation blocks to missing portions of the roof, we have experienced personnel to meet the demands of your building's envelope and prevent further flood damage moving forward. 

Mold Prevention Strategies

Preventing mold can be as important for area homes as eliminating the floodwater. Persistent moisture penetrating areas like a basement or attic could lead to rapidly developing mold. We provide effective drying solutions and apply inhibitors to make host materials inhospitable to spores looking to colonize.

With how threatening flooding can be to local homes and businesses, professionals need to work fast to restore and repair the damage these disasters can cause completely. Flooding is more than just standing water, so specific health and safety guidelines must get met to make these emergencies "Like it never even happened." Our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team is standing by now at (718) 381-3702.

What Are The Most Common Mitigation Needs for Water-Damaged Queens Homes?

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO IICRC certified technicians have the experience and technology for any size water damage restoration project.

Emergency services vary from one Queens home to another, but some mitigative needs are common. 

Mitigation is a term used to describe several specific actions our professionals take when reaching a water-damaged address after a disaster. Because these situations can get out of control quickly with water migrating and absorbing into sensitive surfaces, common mitigation goes beyond basic principles like:

• Removing standing water
• Protecting damaged contents
• Overcoming safety and health hazards

Water Removal Services Protect Exposed Contents

Almost every example of water mitigation in Queens homes or businesses involves some level of water removal services. While not all situations are akin to substantial flood damage with several inches or feet of standing water, even small pooling threats can negatively impact your home. We have multiple extraction tools and devices in our inventory to handle water removal services of all sizes. 

Content Relocation and Surface Cleaning 

Your personal belongings and furniture are often as highly regarded as the rest of the house when water damage occurs. Our mitigation strategies focus on protecting these items however possible, usually through relocating personal belongings to another area of the house or through cleaning and restoration off-site at our nearby SERVPRO facility. 

Controlled Demolition and Bulk Material Removal

While not every water damage situation will require controlled demolition and debris removal, this is one of the initial emergency services that our team must provide when these actions are necessary. Our general contractor license can help provide these needs without customers pursuing subcontractors. 

Water damage can occur in many different ways and ranges in the damage caused to the property. The initial mitigation solutions that our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team provides can be instrumental in protecting your property and the belongings that matter most. Our experienced team is ready to help anytime at (718) 381-3702.

Burst Pipes in Forest Hills Means Calling Trained Technicians for Water Cleanup

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the experienced technicians with the equipment and expertise your home needs after a water catastrophe. Give us a call right away.

SERVPRO Offers 24/7 Water Cleanup to Ensure Your Forest Hills Property Gets the Attention it Needs!

Plumbing accidents like burst pipes can leave behind a terrible mess. Not only will there be standing water that fills your basement, bathroom, or any other location it took place, but you also need to act fast to prevent secondary damage and black mold growth. Many Forest Hills homeowners may not realize that tremendous damage can occur within 48 hours of the initial water incident. To get the results you need and deal with the flooding fast, you need SERVPRO to make it “Like it never even happened.”

At SERVPRO, our skilled technicians work using advanced equipment to help mitigate water issues so that your interior is like-new once again. After you have a significant water issue on your hands, we can arrive within hours of your call to begin the water cleanup project in Forest Hills. Until we get to your home, the best steps to take include:

• Turn off the water using the supply valve or main water shut off.
• Go to a nearby faucet and turn it on to open it up, even if just a slow trickle that releases pipe pressure.
• Call in our expert team at SERVPRO so that we can get our Green Fleet ready to head to your property.
• In some cases, you can work to pull up water with old towels or a mop and bucket until our team arrives. However, if the water includes contaminants, it is best to leave it alone until we arrive.
• If possible, turn on ceiling fans or open up a window to facilitate better airflow and wait for our arrival.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood offers prompt water cleanup and proven methods for drying that far exceed anything that DIY efforts could achieve. Contact us 24/7 by calling (718) 381-3702.

Minimizing Flood Damage Before Storms Arise in Forest Hills

9/10/2021 (Permalink)

Our storm damage technicians have the equipment and experience to restore your home to pre-damage condition.

After Storms Roll Through, SERVPRO Helps Forest Hills Homeowners to Handle All Flood Damage Needs

Severe storms in Forest Hills can come about any time of year. While the thought of a thunderstorm wreaking havoc on your neighborhood may not seem major, the right set of circumstances can lead to immense property damage. If you want to avoid water damage and basement flooding in your home, you can be proactive with various preventive measures. However, despite all of your preparations, you may still need assistance with the clean up. This is where the team at SERVPRO can help with all of your basement flooding cleanup and flood restoration needs. 

Minimizing Flood Damage from Forest Hill Storms

Rainfall is a significant concern with storm damage in Forest Hill, as the excess stormwater can overwhelm your system and bring property damage. Take the time to ensure these areas of your home are in order:

• Gutter System – Gutters shuttle excess rainwater away from your home, so if they get clogged, you could see extensive water damage or ceiling leaks on your upper floors. 
• Ventilation – Water damage from storms can also come about if you do not have proper ventilation in your home, especially your attic. Ensure that you do not have clogged or inadequate ventilation that may allow water or excess moisture under the roofing.
• Seals – Always inspect the seals on windows, skylights, siding, and chimneys to ensure everything is sound. This step can prevent storm damage from entering your home.

Of course, basement flooding and first-floor water intrusion often happen when flash floods come during a storm. SERVPRO is here to ensure all contaminated water gets carefully treated and extracted so that drying can begin. When we get done with drying and any necessary water damage repairs, your relative humidity and indoor air quality get restored so that your interior is back to normal. 

Call (781) 381-3702 when you need our storm crew from SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood to come to your home for flood damage assistance.

Full-Scale Fire Damage Restoration In Queens

8/24/2021 (Permalink)

Property owners breathe a sigh of relief when the SERVPRO green fleet swiftly arrives for fire damage remediation.

The SERVPRO in Queens Offers Total Fire Damage Restoration to Ensure Your Queens Property is Back to Normal

Many companies today will specialize in only house fire clean up and mitigation but struggle with rebuilding and restoration. This leaves clients searching for a company that can finish up the job to bring their fire damaged homes back to normal once again. SERVPRO is a locally owned and operated full-service restoration company that brings you the best in advanced technology, certified technicians, and methods to handle your entire project from start to finish. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster and guarantee your Queens property will be back to pre-fire condition in no time.

From initial contact to set up your fire damage restoration in Queens to the time we sign off, our team is with you each step of the way. We work under the motto that we will repair and restore versus replace whenever possible. What this does is help save you time and money. Just a sampling of the services you may receive when contacting us for your fire and smoke restoration and cleanup include:

• Complete or partial pack-out
• 24-hour emergency tarping and board up
• Total contents cleaning and restoration
• Charred debris removal and safe disposal
• On or off-site storage for contents during the restoration
• Controlled demolition, as needed 
• Ozoning and deodorization
• Fire and smoke remediation and odor control
• Coordination with your home insurance provider

Our technicians have received detailed training with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We have gone through training to handle water damage restoration (WRT) to handle leftover moisture from first responders extinguishing the blaze. We also have odor control technicians (OCT) on our team to ensure no lingering smoke odors get left behind once we are gone.

There is nothing like the quality work we provide at SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood when it comes to fire damage restoration. Call us whenever you might need us, day or night, at (718) 381-3702.

How Can Delaying Mold Remediation Impact My Queens Business?

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

Business and mold do not share a common interest. Call SERVPRO for fast and immediate mold remediation service for your property.

Avoiding Mold Remediation Can Harm Your Business in Numerous Ways. 

Mold is a rather insidious microorganism that often seems rather benign when first encountered in your Queens business. It produces seemingly innocuous growths that discolor impacted materials and emit musty odors. However, as time progresses, these growths could potentially threaten your business’ survival.

Queens mold remediation experts at SERVPRO know the hazards of not routinely having mold inspection conducted on your business and failing to have mold removal, basement mold remediation, and black mold damage repairs performed promptly. These simple oversights could harm your business in the following ways:

• The aesthetics of structural elements could be permanently altered.
• Foul mold-related odors could get progressively worse, driving off customers and creating an unpleasant work environment for employees.
• The structural integrity of floors, walls, and ceilings might become compromised as mold eats through building materials.
• Portions of your business structure could collapse, potentially causing injuries and requiring expensive, time-consuming reconstructions.
• Mold-filled air could potentially cause health effects in all those who enter your business. 
• Structural and other mold-related effects could force your commercial site to close for extended periods of time, costing you precious revenue.

With this in mind, remember that your neighbors at SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood are always here and ready to help you with all your mold remediation needs. Call us whenever you need us at (718) 381-3702.

Tides and Storms Cause Flood Damage in Queens, NY Properties

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

Stormy weather and heavy rains may cause damage. SERVPRO uses the latest technology and equipment for every size of disaster.

Queens Residents Routinely Suffer All Kinds of Flood-Related Damage. 

Stormy weather, heavy rains, and the flood damage that often results are nothing new to residents of Queens. Several times a year, stormwaters overwhelm area storm sewers and low-lying parts of the city. When this happens, local homes experience various types of flood-related damage.

Flood damage in Queens comes in all forms, and SERVPRO has successfully dealt with them all. Floodwaters are particularly dangerous and damaging because they pick up and carry various wastes, like feces from overflowing sewers. Also, they are always a concern because it does not take much excess stormwater to produce serious results. In fact, floodwaters can permeate the foundation of your home and cause basement flooding long before rising to the level of your first floor.

Some types of flood damage our biohazard remediation teams have most often encountered in Queens are:

• Sewage-contaminated rooms and contents
• Severe basement flooding, involving several feet of standing water
• Inches or feet of deposited silt and waste inside impacted homes
• Moldy, degraded, or otherwise compromised structural elements
• Persistent, foul, flood-related odors that permeate all parts of affected residences

In order to address all of these common issues, SERVPRO offers expert sewage cleanup, residential disinfection, water removal services, and water damage repairs. 

So, if you ever need flood damage remediation services, know that your friends at SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood can help. Contact us anytime at (718) 381-3702 for assistance.

What Can SERVPRO Do to Remediate My Water Damage in Forest Hills?

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses EPA-approved chemical agents for the water damage restoration process. Call now for the help you need.

Our Experts Can Resolve Your Water Damage Issues with Cutting Edge Techniques. 

When you experience a water-related event at your Forest Hills residence, you must resolve the resulting issues as soon as possible. This is when the right equipment and techniques come into play. Fortunately, SERVPRO has the requisite resources to quickly address the situation and limit water damage.

SERVPRO regularly handles water damage in Forest Hills. We provide impacted residents with emergency water damage services to successfully remediate, among other things, burst pipes, ceiling leaks, and basement flooding. When doing so, our highly experienced technicians employ all the latest cutting-edge equipment and methods to get the job done right and in less time than other water damage remediation services. 

Some of the advanced techniques we use to resolve your water damage are:

• Arriving on-site within four hours to rapidly remove any standing water with powerful wet vacs and extractors
• Strategically setting up a network of state-of-the-art air movers, dehumidifiers, and Injectidry systems to swiftly dry out your home’s interiors
• Employing advanced foggers and injection devices to treat impacted areas and household contents
• Disinfecting and deodorizing water-damaged structural elements and contents with EPA-approved chemical agents

With all that said, if you ever need help overcoming the effects of water damage, rest assured that there is a service that can assist you. Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 whenever you need us.

Can Professional Queens Water Mitigation Minimize Office Downtime?

7/12/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage at your business location can certainly stop any productivity. Contact Team SERVPRO immediately after any event for remediation services.

SERVPRO Techs Remove Queens Office Carpet Damage with Water Mitigation Tools

After flood claims, water damage is the most common insurance claim filing in the United States. While, in many cases, water damage can be prevented, disasters can still occur at any time of the day or night that impact Queens facilities.

SERVPRO responds quickly to commercial water mitigation calls for Queens businesses with various sophisticated tools and tried-and-true methods for cleanup. The firm’s constant availability keeps business downtime–and the impact of water damage–to a minimum.

Water Extraction Processes for Carpeting

Carpeting requires specialized care from certified technicians to remove moisture and minimize the need for replacement.

• Thorough moisture extraction with tools like carpet wands and rovers are essential to preparing carpet for drying with air movers and dehumidifiers. SERVPRO techs ensure that this process is performed without risking delamination of the pad from the carpeting
• Carpet with significant moisture saturation can be pulled up and tented for drying both above and below the surface. Technicians can also examine the subfloor for potential cleanup and drying needs
• Drying chambers made with polyethylene sheets can make the drying process more efficient through containment
• Inspection is performed multiple times throughout the extraction process to ensure that drying goals remain consistent with the normal moisture levels of structural materials in a given Queens business

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is a phone call away from performing commercial mitigation services at (718) 381-3702.

What Works for Forest Hills Kitchen Fire Damage Removal?

7/5/2021 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires are very common. Tackle the fire damage in your home with a quick call to SERVPRO for certified technicians and the equipment to help.

SERVPRO Cleaning Materials Eliminate Fire Damage Residues from Forest Hills Properties

In any given Forest Hills home, the kitchen is by far the most vulnerable to fire damage. Almost half of the reported home fires in the US start in the kitchen, and many more go unreported. However, even a small fire can impact structures and contents.

SERVPRO cleanup specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to remove fire damage from Forest Hills properties. Professional fire damage mitigation and restoration ensures that cleanup is done per a homeowner’s insurance policy while helping them save their belongings from further damage.

Cleaning Residential Structures After Fire Damage

Fire damage cleanup is a multi-step process that focuses on lighter residue cleanup before tackling heavier soils:

• Light, dry soot deposits on walls and ceilings can be removed with dry cleaning sponges, SERVPRO Crumbly Cleaner, or specialized detergent solutions
• Moderate soils may require more rigorous wet cleaning or the use of alkaline solutions to combat soot stains
• Heavy charring on cabinetry, wall studs, or other fixtures can often be addressed with abrasion cleaning. Blast media like soda ash can also have a deodorizing effect
• Protein residues from a cooking fire require mitigation with SERVPRO enzyme digesters, which break down these proteins into water-soluble byproducts for cleanup

Homeowners in need of emergency-response restoration can contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702.

Why Do Queens Homeowners Need Professional Mold Removal Companies?

6/27/2021 (Permalink)

Mold infestations need to be addressed with rapid haste to prevent further spread. Call SERVPRO and our technicians will investigate the situation.

SERVPRO Mold Removal Companies Specialize in Mitigation and Restoration

Queens property owners might be surprised to know that 70% of homes contain mold. While homeowners can minimize this by keeping moisture levels below 50%, disasters like pipe leaks can occur that allow these microbes to spread.

Emergency-response Queens mold removal companies like SERVPRO implement fast-acting mold cleanup strategies to return residences to a clean, safe condition for occupants once more. Comprehensive training, sophisticated tools, and constant availability help this firm maintain a consistently high standard for mitigation response.

SERVPRO Tools Effectively Combat Mold Proliferation

SERVPRO’s repertoire of sophisticated tools operated by Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-certified techs includes:

• Negative air pressure machinery with HEPA filters designed to catch particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter
• Dozens of proprietary EPA-registered biocides that can combat mold proliferation and related odors
• Moisture extraction wands that aid in making a Queens property inhospitable for mold and other microbes
• Air movement and dehumidification units that work in tandem to remove remaining surface and air moisture so technicians can focus on removal of mold spores, even in HVAC systems
• Odor control solutions like scented granules, commercial-grade deodorizing solvents, and time-release pellets for effective odor removal at the particle level

Property owners can reach SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for 24/7 restoration services.

Get Rid of Water Damage in Queens For Good With SERVPRO

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO teams have the tools and experience you need to handle water damages on your property.

Water Clean Up in Your Queens Apartments

With any disaster that could affect a Queen's apartment complex, cleaning from our IICRC-Certified technicians is vital to restoration and recovery. With water damage situations, effects can spread quickly from the source throughout the apartment to become a costly and challenging situation to overcome. With cleaning being a general heading for much of the restoration work that we perform to return a property to preloss condition, these professionals are among the most skilled, trained, and experienced members of our team.

There are many phases to water cleanup in your Queens apartments. The tenants directly affected by this disaster look to you to respond quickly to the situation and get experienced restoration technicians en route to help. Our SERVPRO professionals have years of experience in the restoration industry. Our growing inventory of advanced recovery equipment makes us a wise choice to handle even spreading water damage affecting multiple units of your apartment complex.

With multiple units connected through shared flooring or walls, networks of plumbing within these cavities can almost always affect more than one apartment when leaks and breaks occur. The mitigation of water damage can begin immediately when our SERVPRO team arrives at your building. Our cleaning team has many steps to recover the affected areas of the properties to prevent secondary effects and get the tenants back into their units quickly following the efficient drying of the damages.

One of the biggest challenges for our cleaning team when responding to widespread water effects is preventing secondary concerns like mold and microbial growth. We have advanced products that are OSHA-approved and better for the environment than others. These antimicrobial solutions can penetrate surfaces, contents, and structural elements to make these materials uninhabitable to potential mold colonies or remove the earliest colonization stages preemptively.

Owning multiple apartments can leave you with a critical timetable when disasters like water damages strike. To protect your investment and keep from displacing your tenants, you can count on the fast and experienced response of our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team. We can get reached 24/7 by calling (718) 381-3702.

If Your Forest Hills Home Is Damaged After A Flood, Our Crew Is Here To Help!

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

Storm floods can cause a wide variety of damages in your home. Call in the professionals at SERVPRO for help.

Rescuing Hardwood Floors And Sheetrock After Flood Damage In Forest Hills

One of the emergency services we run is for residents suffering from flooding. Unlike other water-related issues, flooding can be particularly hard on flooring, sheetrock, and, if the damage results from an internal plumbing issue, ceilings. Due to the excessive quantities of moisture we usually find in a flooded property, some items must be replaced; others require a concerted effort to restore correctly.

Our services for flood damage in Forest Hills range from full-scale property damages that require temporary relocation to a minor flood contained to a single room. Either type takes a heavy toll on flooring, particularly for residents with hardwood floors. Without a tested drying strategy, these materials can warp, cup, or buckle from prolonged exposure making time a critical factor in the remediation process.

Water Damage Repairs

SERVPRO has technicians on-call throughout the night for emergencies. We do this because of the risk that prolonged exposure to moisture can cause to your home's structural contents and components. Standing water, in particular, can wear varnish on wooden flooring and become absorbed into it. When the moisture content reaches above 20%, mold growth can occur.

We can help to restore the moisture content of your flooring to an equilibrium of 12%. We achieve this by placing drying mats on the floor and using suction to draw water from the flooring. Sometimes, careful placing of dehumidifiers can dry the surrounding air causing water absorbed into woods to be drawn out. Once equilibrium is established, your SERVPRO technician can begin sanding out cupping and warping if the damage is not too severe.

Ceiling Leaks in Forest Hills

Sheetrock is also very susceptible to water since it is a highly porous material. The drying period for large amounts of sheetrock is around 5 to 7 days for a single layer. The time it takes to dry correctly may make sheetrock not worth salvaging, especially if it is double layered. A SERVPRO technician may choose to demolish and replace the sheetrock to be more time-efficient.

Exposure to moisture can result in natural materials sustaining permanent damage; contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills at (718) 381-3702.

What Do Queens Area Fire Restoration Pros Offer That DIY Methods Cannot?

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage is not a DIY project you want. Leave it to our skilled professionals at SERVPRO. We will make it look "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Provides Industry-Proven Fire Restoration to Bring Your Queens Property Back to Pre-Fire Condition

Fire remediation must include more than wiping away residue and tossing charred debris. Due to the corrosive nature of smoke and soot residue, skilled technicians trained to handle water & fire damage restorations are the best way to get the results you need. SERVPRO is the team to call for house fire clean up that is stress-free, efficient, and cost-effective.

When contacting our team for fire restoration in Queens, we show up within hours to begin the assessment. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, and once first responders give us the green light to enter, we begin house fire clean up as soon as possible.

Some Steps Our Technicians May Take During the Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration and Cleanup Include:

• The application of chemicals to help safely clean your surfaces
• The use of agitation and other techniques that allow us to accelerate soiling removal
• The total deodorization of your home with the help of:

• Thermal foggers
• Air scrubbers
• Ozone generators

• The sanitization and cleaning of surface areas with antimicrobials to leave your home Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned
• The proper disposal of all unsalvageable belongings and charred debris
• The implementation of controlled demolition services, as needed, to fully restore damage

SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood features the IICRC-certified technicians you want on the job when you require fire restoration. We are available 24/7, just call (718) 381-3702, and our Green Fleet will be at your door as soon as possible.

Get Professional Water Cleanup Services in Queens from SERVPRO

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration is a specialty of SERVPRO. We have the equipment and manpower for any size disaster.

Queens Residents look to SERVPRO for Water Damage Restoration of their homes 

The aftermath of water damage can leave any Queens homeowner in a state of despair and confusion. Seeking the help of professional restorers is the best thing you can do in such a situation. A team of SERVPRO restoration experts can begin the restoration process as soon as we hear from you. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

Drying is a major step during the water damage remediation process at your Queens home. As a surface dries, moisture evaporates, and the surface cools down, causing the rate of evaporation to fall over time. SERVPRO technicians use heated air to increase the humidity ratio of the air, thereby speeding up the drying process. 

What Heating Equipment do SERVPRO Techs Use During Water Damage Repair of Your Queens Home? 

SERVPRO restorers use heat and air exchange drying systems to reduce the drying time during the water damage remediation process. Some of the equipment we use to achieve this include:

• Portable electric heaters: Used to direct heated air toward a particular area. Most of these units use heat exchangers to transfer heat from electrically heated coils to air streams produced by air moving equipment
• Indirect fired furnaces: Takes dry outside air, heats it, and introduces it into the drying zone. These systems can heat the entire structure and speed up the drying process. Such systems are usually set up outside your Queens home.

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for fast and efficient service. 

Queens Business Owners Trust SERVPRO for Fire Damage Restoration

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial building damaged by fire is no lost cause. Call the pros at SERVPRO for the fire remediation service needed.

24/7 Unparalleled Response Anywhere in Queens

Fire damage to your Queens commercial property can be a distressing experience. Taking prompt control of the situation and calling in the experts is the quickest way to get your business up and running. SERVPRO restoration experts are available 24/7 to assist you in your hour of need. Our technicians have years of experience and expertise to handle any size fire damage disaster in Queens. 

Deodorizing unpleasant odors is a significant challenge in a Queens fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup of commercial space. SERVPRO technicians use a systematic approach to tackle these odors and restore your businesses "Like it never even happened." 

Equipment SERVPRO uses to Deodorize your Queens commercial property During Fire and Smoke Remediation.

SERVPRO technicians in Queens use a variety of equipment in the deodorization process after smoke damage. Some of these include:

• Air Scrubbers- Contain charcoal filters that capture odor-causing particles and recirculate the air back into the indoor environment.
• Ventilation fans- Exchange indoor and outdoor air. The indoor air is exhausted out, and fresh air is drawn indoors from outside.
• Ozone generators- Produce ozone (O3) which is an unstable molecule. When ozone combines with odor-causing particles, it permanently destroys them by oxidation, causing an effective deodorization.

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for 24/7 fire damage restoration service. 

Flood Damage to your Queens home? Call SERVPRO

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

Storm damage is really creative. SERVPRO has just the trick to end the misery and get your home back to preloss condition.

How can SERVPRO Help Queens Residents After Flood Damage Due to a Storm? 

Queens is the largest borough of New York City, with a population exceeding 2.2 million. Established in 1683, it was one of the original 12 counties of the Province of New York. It is also touted to have one of the most diversified economies of all the boroughs of New York. Queens is home to both the airports (JFK International airport and LaGuardia airport) serving New York City. You can see high-rise buildings coexisting with some traditional low-rise houses in the borough. 

Diversity and a unique amalgamation of various cultures from around the world is the hallmark of Queens. From world-class sporting venues to some of the most entertaining museums, Queens has something for every visitor. Some of the must-visit places in Queens are-

• The Queens Night Market- The Queens Night Market in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park is the epitome of the cultural diversity of the Queens borough. Paying an homage to Asia's night markets, this open-air food extravaganza is organized every Saturday night from April to October. An average of 10,000 visitors gathers at the event every Saturday to partake in this weekly food celebration. 

There are hundreds of independent vendors selling delicious food, art, and other merchandise in the market. The event features food from as many as 80 countries around the globe. There is also a $6 price cap on all food available for sale in the market.

• Museum of the Moving Image- It is a one-of-a-kind multimedia museum dedicated to the craft of cinema, television, and digital art. The museum has the nation's largest collection of props and artifacts from movies and TV. The 'Behind the Screen' exhibit of the museum allows the visitor to immerse into the art of movie-making through a combination of interactive experiences and demonstrations. 
• Queens Botanical Garden- Created for the 1939 New York World's Fair, it is a majestic 39-acre site. Many small gardens within the area feature plants of particular significance to various cultures around the world. The Fragrance walk and the Busy Bee Garden are two of the best areas of the garden. 

SERVPRO Offers Quick and Efficient Water Cleanup Service After a Storm to Queens Residents

Unexpected flooding after a storm in your Queens home can leave any homeowner devastated and clueless. The SERVPRO team of expert restorers can help you get things under control and protect the property and its content from any significant damage. 

SERVPRO restorers are experienced and equipped to tackle any flooding situation occurring after a storm due to-

• Burst pipes
• Ceiling leaks
• Leaking roofs from a storm
• Basement flooding 

Removing the standing water is the technicians' priority as soon as they arrive at your flooded Queens home and requires multiple tools and equipment. Some of this equipment includes:

• Truck-mounted extractors
• Wet Vacuums
• Submersible pumps

We offer efficient water removal and cleanup strategies to Queens's residents no matter the size of the damage. Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 today. 

Should Queens’s Homeowners Do Their Own Water Damage Cleanup?

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

A water intrusion is no easy clean-up. SERVPRO has the means and equipment for any size water restoration service needed.

Letting SERVPRO provide water damage restoration is a better option.

Homeowners often think cleaning up a simple water intrusion from something like burst pipes is the best option. That is not always the case. There are excellent reasons for hiring a professional water removal service company like SERVPRO.

Benefits of Professional Water Damage Remediation

When your ceiling leaks or your basement floods and you need water cleanup in your Queen’s home, using a qualified water restoration company is wise. The benefits of employing SERVPRO include:

•    Insurance Company – Your insurance company may cover the cost of things like basement flooding clean-up if you use a professional company.

•    Safety – Safety should always be a top consideration. Certified specialists know what safety concerns to look for when dealing with water.

•    Efficiency – Fast mitigation is vital to prevent secondary damage. We do a scope on arrival and then hit the ground running.

•    Commercial-Equipment – Most homeowners do not have the industrial-strength equipment needed for water damage remediation

Do-it-yourself water cleanup takes time. Time that allows the water to begin to do more damage and cause problems like mold. Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for expert water removal services. 

Faulty Appliances Can Lead to Water Damage Repair in Forest Hills

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Kitchen appliances tend to spring a leak. Call SERVPRO for the water remediation service no matter the size.

SERVPRO provides water clean up when appliances cause in-home flooding

HVAC systems, water heaters, and overflowing bathtubs all some of the common causes of household flooding. Appliances can also be a major cause of water intrusions. 

Professional Water Removal Services

The three appliances that cause the most water damage problems to Forest Hills homes, and call for water damage repair services, are:

• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators with ice makers
• Washing machines

When these appliances are faulty, thousands of gallons of water can pour into your home rapidly. When this happens, you need water damage remediation fast! Here are some tips to prevent flooding from happening:

• Refrigerators with Ice Makers – The copper water line that supplies water to the ice maker can become unattached or develop leaks. Check it occasionally to ensure there are no problems.
• Washing Machines – Burst supply lines are typically the problem here. Check them often for pinholes, wetness, or cracks.
• Dishwashers – Supply lines can leak, causing moisture intrusion. Dishwashers can back up, which can lead to requiring water cleanup.

If you need water removal services after a faulty appliance sends water all over the place, contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702. We can assist with all types of water restoration needs, including basement flooding cleanup.

Professional Fire Damage Restoration in Queens

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Odor residue from a fire in your home is not easy to handle. SERVPRO techs are trained and experienced in the remediation process.

Queens’s residents count on SERVPRO to provide fire and smoke damage restoration.

Queens is a very diversified and busy borough of New York. It began in 1683 as one of the first twelve counties of the Province of New York. Over 2,239,722 people live in Queens, and they make up an incredible array of cultures. Almost half of the people living there are foreign-born. There are many fascinating things to do, places to visit, and foods to enjoy. It is rich in history but decidedly modern in many aspects.

Home to the World’s Fair Twice

One of Queen’s claims to fame is it hosted the World’s Fair in 1939 and 1964. The first one held there was the second costliest American world’s fair. Only St Louis surpassed it in 1904. Some of the key features were:

• Franklin D Roosevelt’s speech was televised

• Albert Einstein gave a speech on cosmic rays

• Westinghouse time capsule, not to be open until the year 6939

• July 3, 1940, was Superman Day 

• 1st World Science Fiction Convention

• Frank Buck’s Jungleland

The 1964 World’s Fair was held in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park too. The theme was “Peace Through Understanding.” Key features of this fair included:

• Showcasing American culture, technology, and the Space Age

• Many people’s 1st interaction with computers

• Vatican Pavilion, featuring Michelangelo’s Pieta

• Medieval Belgian Village

• Various state pavilions

• Displays dedicated to American industry

• Venue used by Walt Disney to design his Audio-Animatronics.

Queens Public Library

The Queens Public Library is one of the busiest libraries in the United States. They have over 80,000 free classes, cultural events, workshops, and activities. There is everything from workshops for moms to virtual science clubs. It is simply phenomenal what they have to offer—no need to be bored with all the activities happening at this library. And yes, they have lots of books!

Great Places to Eat

With all the cultures present in Queens, there is no lack of great places to eat. Many are currently only doing take-out or delivery, but that is no reason not to enjoy some delicious eats. Check out these eateries:

• Chinelos Birria Tacos - Mexican

• Yumpling – Taiwanese

• Nneji – African

• Niko’s Souvlaki – Greek

• Caleta 111 – Peruvian

• Followsoshi – Japanese

Astoria Park

If you enjoy swimming, Astoria Park is the perfect place to be. It has the largest and oldest swimming pool in the city. Not only that, but there is no charge to enjoy this lovely aquatic feature. You can relax while taking in the beautiful view, go walking on the trails or let the kids play on the playgrounds. 

SERVPRO Proudly Offers Expert Water & Fire Damage Restoration

Something as simple as small trash can fire extinguished quickly can leave smoke residue on the walls of your home. The tendency is to wipe them down and then repaint. That can actually do more damage to your walls. Calling a professional fire damage restoration company is the best thing to do. When we are called out to fire damaged homes, our technicians:

• Carefully inspect ceilings and walls

• Determine the type of smoke residue present

• Use the precise cleaning agent needed to remove soot

• Encapsulate odors with sealants if needed

• Prime and repaint 

SERVPRO teams are experts at smoke remediation. House fire cleanup is much easier when you use the pros. Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for all your fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup needs.

Getting Mold Remediation for a Forest Hills Home?

3/8/2021 (Permalink)

Mold remediation is no DIY project. SERVPRO technicians are trained and experienced in mold remediation.

SERVPRO Technicians Specialize in Mold Remediation Services

On top of being unpleasant to smell and affecting indoor air quality, mold destroys more wood each year than fires and termites combined. While microbial growth is slow-moving, the damage to structures and contents can be costly.

SERVPRO technicians are certified to render mold remediation for Forest Hills properties with the help of licensed technicians and EPA-approved biocides designed to curb mold growth to normal levels.

SERVPRO Training for Technicians and Franchise Owners

SERVPRO’s dedication to education, licensure, and training for both technicians and franchise owners is a crucial part of ensuring a consistently high standard of service that is consistent with Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards.

• Franchise owners undergo a hands-on 15-day Initial Franchise Training course at the SERVPRO Corporate Training Facility
• SERVPRO technicians and staff alike are encouraged to earn further certification and education through self-paced e-Learning modules and credit and non-credit courses
• Courses are also available for insurance and real estate professionals who wish to learn more about disaster mitigation and restoration

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood for emergency-response mold remediation at (718) 381-3702.

Does Your Queens Business Need Water Cleanup?

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage buildings can be a hassle. Let SERVPRO techs handle the dirty work for you. Water restoration is one of our specialities.

SERVPRO Restores Water-Damaged Queens Establishments

Commercial entities require a consistently high standard of care to keep their employees and customers alike safe. Water damage affects the integrity of structural materials, damages assets, and facilitates mold growth.

SERVPRO renders rapid-response water cleanup for Queen's facilities regardless of when it occurs. This 24/7 availability ensures that businesses can reopen more quickly and safely.

Drying Wet Ceiling Cavities

When technicians arrive on your commercial property and find water stains and odors on ceiling tiles or drywall, they can remove irreparable materials with the assent of property owners and insurance adjusters. They can then focus on moisture extraction with portable extractors and drying with air movers and dehumidifiers.

Other tasks crucial to drying ceiling cavities include:

• Inspecting ceiling joists for microbial contamination for subsequent cleaning with OSHA-approved antimicrobials
• Measuring dryness of materials with moisture sensors, meters, and thermal imaging cameras
• Controlling odors with scented granules and ultra-low volume fogging depending on the extent and duration of the water damage

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood provides water cleanup for commercial property owners who call (718) 381-3702.

Cleaning Up After Home Fire Damage?

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage done to your home should be handled by the professionals. SERVPRO techs are IICRC certified for any size fire damaged home.

SERVPRO Techs Remediate Damage to Queens Properties

Queens holds the honor of being New York City’s largest borough and the second-most populated. The borough is located in Queens County and is also the second-largest New York state county by population.

Queens is also distinguished among the other boroughs of New York for being one of the most culturally diverse places in America and the most linguistically varied in the world. New York State Comptroller data indicates that 138 languages are spoken in Queens, including:

• Spanish
• Chinese
• Polish
• Urdu
• Tagalog

Over half of residents surveyed aged five and older in Queens–over 1.1 million people–spoke a language other than English at home.

Queens’ Economy and Employment

Queens is second only to Manhattan when it comes to the size of its economy. Nearly one-fifth of all private-sector jobs in New York City are in Queens. Overall, employment is diverse yet evenly balanced between retail, healthcare, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and TV and film production.

In 2004, transportation, trade, and utilities were the most crucial portion of the borough’s job economy.l This sector is incredibly vital, considering that two of New York City’s three major airports are located in Queens. Airlines alone employed approximately 25% of residents and accounted for almost a third of the area’s reported wages. In 2012, healthcare, education, and social services-related jobs dominated the local economy.

Large businesses headquartered in Queens include:

• Bulova in East Elmhurst
• Glacéau in Whitestone
• Steinway & Sons in Astoria
• JetBlue Airways in Long Island City

Various job sectors dominate specific areas in Queens. Flushing, for example, is a hub for Chinese- and Korean-American businesses. Jamaica’s local economy emphasizes civic and transportation jobs, while Long Island City is a renowned manufacturing hub.

In the mid-2010s, New York City became a flourishing hub for tech companies in “Silicon Alley.” The majority of New York City tech startups are in Manhattan, but the remaining boroughs, including Queens, house promising technology firms. This development has turned New York City as a whole into North America’s leading Internet and telecommunications hub, bolstered by its proximity to transatlantic fiber-optic infrastructure.

How Does SERVPRO Availability Help Queens Property Owners?

When fire damage occurs in Queen's residences, SERVPRO professionals prioritize swift arrival to minimize property damage and return structures to a pre-fire condition.

SERVPRO availability means:

• Property owners can contact the team 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including all holidays
• Mitigation from a locally-owned and operated restoration firm that is Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified
• Restoration services include fire and water damage mitigation, odor control, and upholstery and fabric cleaning
• Professional-grade tools include personal protective equipment (PPE), HEPA-filter vacuums, and EPA-registered antimicrobials
• A restoration-oriented mentality emphasizes property cleanup and repair over replacement when possible to minimize interruptions to your day-to-day schedule after a fire

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood renders fire damage mitigation services for homeowners who call (718) 381-3702.

Can Plumbing Emergencies Force Business Closure?

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage close your business down. Call SERVPRO, they will work around your hours to get you back up and running in no time.

SERVPRO Commercial Water Cleanup Teams in Queens Can Minimize the Impact of Plumbing Malfunctions at your Business

Plumbing systems at business premises are generally under more consistent usage than those found in residential properties. High levels of use can pressure the plumbing system, resulting in a leak, backup, or pipe burst. In some situations, these malfunctions can impact a business by forcing temporary closure and lost revenue.

Contacting a commercial water cleanup service in Queens can reduce the business costs of a plumbing malfunction by reducing closure times. SERVPRO uses local, qualified technicians that can reach your business within four hours of notification of loss. Using advanced equipment, we can shut off the source of damage, extract water, and return the premises to a sanitary state. 

• Using portable and truck-mounted water extractors, our team can remove large volumes of water, up to 100 gallons, quickly from the premises.
• Advanced dehumidification equipment can control microbial growth and prevent potential vapor damage.
• We can disinfect and decontaminate the area of damage using a full range of industrial cleaning products. 

Professional restoration services can reduce the impact of business interruption. Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood for expert water cleanup at (718) 571-8072

Can Water Intrusion Make a Building Unsafe?

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the latest technology in equipment and techniques to get your home back to preloss condition from any size storm damage.

Flood Damage Can Cause Catastrophic Harm to a Structure. SERVPRO Helps Queens Residents Protect their Homes

Materials in the building assembly may suffer adversely from exposure to water. Porous materials and hybrid woods like drywall can break apart after consistent water exposure. More solid materials may deteriorate steadily and eventually threaten the structural integrity of a property.

A leading cause of structural flood damage for Queens residents is long-term water exposure to the framework, floors, and wall cavities. Floodwaters migrate quickly through a building assembly and can affect the inner recesses within a few hours. SERVPRO advanced structural drying technicians can investigate and restore these cavities to protect your home against long-term damage. 

• Moisture sensors and thermal imaging cameras can detect moisture without needing to deconstruct parts of the home. 
• Moisture meters use a penetrating probe to assess the extent of water absorption in solid materials commonly used in building structures.
• Cavity drying equipment such as injectidry systems can access and restore wet cavities reducing secondary damages.

Water migration can result in permanent harm to your home. Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood for flood damage cavity restoration at (718) 571-8072.

Are Fire Repairs Expensive in Queens?

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration is no quick or easy fix. Call SERVPRO for the fire restoration services to get your property back to preloss condition.

SERVPRO's Professional Fire Mitigation and Restoration Services Can Reduce the Expenses of Fire Restoration

The borough of Queens is one of New York City's largest, with 2,230,722 people. The district lies on the Western side of Long Island sharing borders with the Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. The formation of Queens dates back to the seventeenth-century when settlers from Europe took place on the Eastern Coast of the United States. The original settlers were a mixture of Dutch and English, with residents of the settlement being subject to Dutch law until 1664, when the area was officially named New York. Queens was one of the original twelve counties that were incorporated into New York State in 1683. While modern-day Queens formally is a borough, it ranks on the same scale population-wise as some of America's largest cities. There are numerous neighborhoods in the area that cover both affluent and social housing regions. Key areas include Ozone Park, Flushing, and Jackson Heights.

Queens is one of the most ethnically diverse regions in the United States with African-American, Asian, Peruvian, Italian, and Latin-American communities. There are estimated to be 138 different languages spoken throughout the borough of Queens. The rich diversity in the borough has led to it being the center of important cultural events throughout the twentieth century. These include the Jazz explosion in the 1920s. Jazz masters such as Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald lived in Queens during the early twentieth century to avoid segregation and other civil injustices. The borough is also notable for producing the East Coast hip-hop sound, including Nas, Run DMC, and a Tribe Called Quest. The Queens Night Market is a celebration of food diversity and attracts thousands of residents and visitors each day.

• Citi Field is the home of Major League Baseball team the New York Mets. Situated in Queens, the 41,922 seater stadium was estimated to cost $850 million.
• Each year, the US Open takes place in the neighborhood of Flushing Meadows at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
• Queens, Harlem, and Brooklyn cultural tours allow visitors to experience the area's unique heritage and cultural history, from CBGB punks like the Ramones to Jazz masters like Louis Armstrong.

SERVPRO Assists Queens Residents with Contents and Structural Restoration after Fire

Fires can cause extensive damage to a home. Cosmetic damages may include smoke residues, low indoor air quality, and foul odors. A high-temperature fire can cause structural damage or char to materials in the building assembly. SERVPRO can help restore your home after a fire.

Using professional fire damage restoration in Queens can remove the stress from a recent fire. Our technicians are capable of identifying non-salvageable materials and removing them quickly. By operating with a restore over replace mentality, we can help keep the cost and time-frame of restoration low.

• Air Filtration Devices can remove foul odors and restore indoor air quality in your home.
• Using a combination of fogging equipment and odor, counteractants can deal with most odors caused by fire.
• Our team is local to the area, which can reduce call-out times significantly.

Get a quick resolution to property damages, contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood for fire damage restoration at (718) 571-8072.

Compost Community Volunteer Days in Queens

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

Fire restoration is no easy task. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the restoration services you need.

Learn How Composted Food Scraps from Queens Homes Can Nourish the Soil

As a large city resident, issues such as soil fertility may not be at the top of your mind since you might not be involved directly in food production processes. However, do you know that you can contribute to the maintenance of rich soils? One way to achieve this is to help with composting efforts. Most of the food wastes that you throw away can help improve the soil structure and nutrients. In case you feel your efforts are insignificant, you can join other people through an initiative such as the Compost Community Volunteer Days organized by the Queens Botanical Garden. 

The Botanical garden organizes regular events where individuals can pitch in what they can to achieve the greater goal of preserving soils through composting at least 4,000 lbs food scraps from Queens. You can participate by:

• Emptying bins of scrap food
• Removing up contaminants
• Chopping up whole foods
• Bringing food scraps

You can register free to participate on January 18th, 2021, or any other date that you find convenient.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood helps with fire restoration if Queen's properties are affected. Call (718) 381-3702 for immediate assistance after an incident at your property.

Local Service Helps with Water Cleanup in Queens Properties

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

After a water leak, don't make it a DIY project. Call the professionals of SERVPRO to save you time and money plus receive knowledgeable experience.

SERVPRO Uses Various Approaches to Resolve Water Spills Affecting Properties in Queens

Queens is famous as the home of the New York Mets, but there are several other interesting aspects of this borough, which has the second-largest population density among the five New York City boroughs. It was instituted in the late 17th century as one of 12 counties in the province of New York. The name Queens was chosen in honor of English Queen Catherine Braganza. At the time, the neighboring county of Nassau was part of Queens County. 1898 marked the consolidation of New York City, and Queens became one of its boroughs. Politicians from the local, city, and state spheres of influence spearheaded the consolidation after it had failed when proposed as a government vote. If the consolidation had not sailed through, Queens would currently be the fourth most populous city in the United States with its 2.23 million people.

The borough itself has polyglot origins since it was a collection of villages and small towns initially, including Maspeth, Vlissingen, Newtown, and Jamaica. Even today, Queens stands out since the Endangered Language Alliance estimates over 800 languages are spoken by residents, making it the top multilingual location in the world. It is no surprise since 47% of the population is foreign-born.

Unique Structures and Landmarks that Define the Borough 

The skyscraper is a ubiquitous structure in New York. In Queens alone, at least 37 buildings are taller than 300 feet. However, other unique structures stand out for various reasons, including historical significance and architectural beauty. 

• The Unisphere is a stainless steel structure set up in Flushing Meadows – Corona Park, created as a celebration of the beginning of the space age. It was also the theme symbol of the New York World fair held in 1964. It is made of a spherical steel skeleton with over 500 chunks of metal formed to represent the continents. Three rings surround the sphere representing the satellites in orbit at the time. It is set atop a 20-foot base with a reflecting pool at the foot of the structure. Completing the unique look are 48 fountain heads that shoot water at the sphere make it appear to be floating.
• The Church of the Transfiguration, constructed in 1962, is a unique A-frame structure that incorporates aspects of traditional Lithuanian symbols in a modern structure. The front façade is a wall of colored glass, while white bricks surround the doors.
• Fort Totten officers club, or "the castle," as it is commonly known, was designed by the military engineer Robert E Lee before the civil war and then constructed in 1870. It features the neo-Gothic style, which was popular during the era and was approved as a generic style for military installations. The Castle is part of the fort built in 1857 to keep the New York waters safe. 

Museums and Historical Institutions

For an area as culturally diverse as Queens, it is possible to lose track of the changes happening over time. Luckily the borough has dozens of museums and galleries that have helped preserve the history over the years. 

• The Queens Museum, or the Queens Museum of Arts, as it was formerly known, was set up in 1972. It has over 10,000 artifacts on display. Of these, 60% relate to the two world fairs held in 1939 and 1964 in the city. The most notable exhibit at the museum is the Panorama of the City of New York, which allows people to explore the miniature version of the city. It features all the buildings in the five boroughs constructed before 1992. The work of art has been featured in movies such as New Year's Eve and a book titled Wonderstruck. 
• Louis Armstrong's house keeps the memory of one of the most talented jazz musicians alive. In 1943 Louis Armstrong chose the modest address on 107th street to spend the rest of his life with Lucile. After he died in 1971, his wife decided to hand over the house to the city to set up a museum focusing on her husband's legacy. Currently, it features souvenirs and paintings given to Armstrong from different places, including Asia and Africa.
• Museum of the Moving Image or "Momi" is located in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens. It documents the history, art, technique, and technologies in film, digital media, and television. Visitors who patronize the facility can follow the various stages the industry has gone through as it evolves over the years. 
• The Queens County Farm Museum is a forty-seven-acre piece of undisturbed farmland, which gives people a rare insight into how the area was before it was all built up. It is still a functional farm and has several restored farmhouses, greenhouses, and various vintage farm equipment. 

How Does SERVPRO handle Water Cleanup in Queens Properties?

Water leaks or other forms of water intrusion cause significant damage to properties because of the excess moisture they introduce or promoting microbial growth. The Leaks affecting Queens' properties may develop mostly because of old infrastructures such as pipes and accessories or accidental discharge. Whatever the cause, having a plan on what to do to restore the property to its preloss state is essential. SERVPRO helps homeowners or property managers perform thorough water cleanup in affected properties.

Water cleanup may involve several processes, including removal of any stagnant water in the property and cleaning of any soiling, staining, or other issues. The challenge in completing these tasks varies on a case-by-case basis, primarily if the leak originates from a hidden section such as a wall cavity or if moisture migration spreads the loss to hidden areas. SERVPRO technicians rely on various resources to address the challenges.

• Use of sophisticated water extraction equipment with sufficient lift capacity to cut down the time take to remove standing water. Cutting down the time materials remain exposed to moisture minimizes deterioration from microbial growth or staining, thus easing cleanup.
• Cleaning affected areas using potent cleaning products to deal with soiling
• Drying the property thoroughly to remove all traces of moisture

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood helps with water cleanup after leaks in Queens properties. Call us at (718) 381-3702 for immediate assistance.

Bachata Beginner for Queens Couples

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage is no laughing matter. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the water mitigation services needed for your property.

Learn Everything about Salsa from a Passionate Queens Dancer, Choreographer, and Performer

Dancing is an exciting and fulfilling experience, but when you do not know the moves, it can be awkward. Instead of disappointing people or feeling embarrassed that you cannot dance, you can take action to learn a few styles. For instance, the bachata beginner class scheduled every Tuesday at 4700 Northern Boulevard, Queens, can teach you all you need to know about salsa. The event is organized for couples. 

When planning to attend, you should note that:

• Each participant is charged $20. However, there are special packages that can save you some money. Call the organizer to get full details.
• You need to bring a partner.
• The organizers comply fully with health safety procedures imposed because of COVID-19, including temperature checks and the use of masks. However, participants must sign liability waivers to participate.

You can participate in the class on January 26th, 2021, or any other time you find convenient since the event is organized every Tuesday.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood helps organize a proper cleanup of properties after water intrusion incidents in Queens. Call us at (718) 381-3702 if your property is affected.

Visit Vander Ende-Onderdonk Home In Queens

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

Visit Vander Ende Onderdonks Home in New York City, while our experienced technicians bring your home back from fire damage.

Take a Candlelit Tour in a Historical Home in Queens

Vander Ende Onderdonk Home is the earliest Dutch Colonial home in NY City. It is located on the border of Queens and Brooklyn in Ridgewood. A small house was constructed in 1660; however, the current house was constructed in 1709. There were various changes and additions made to the home over the years. After many years of disrepair, it was saved from demolition in 1975 and reconstructed. The house and estate have been open to the public since 1982 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The house has become a permanent exhibit and museum covering the history of the area and settlement. There are various tours available. Visitors can visit and admire the house and grounds exploring the history of the site. A favorite tour is the Onderdonk after dark evening tours by candlelight scheduled on December 12th and again on January 9th. Reservations for the tour and tickets should be purchased in advance.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood provides fire cleanup services to Queens residential and commercial business customers and the surrounding area. Call (718) 381-3702. We are available 24/7to help with all your fire cleanup needs.

Women’s Club of Forest Hills Contributes to the Community

12/6/2020 (Permalink)

Attend one of the general meetings at Forest Hills Women’s Club and leave your homes water removal and clean up to the experts at SERVPRO.

One-Hundred-Year-Old Forest Hills Tradition

The Women’s Club of Forest Hills began in 1923 and has formed an integral part of the community ever since. Over 300 women participate from the area and focus on:

Social activities

Artistic

Intellectual and

Philanthropic endeavors.

General club meetings are scheduled on the first Monday of every month from October through to May, while chapter meetings are held weekly or monthly as business requires in each chapter. New members are welcome and can attend chapter meetings or general meetings to learn about our activities and enjoy luncheons, lectures, and trips. Many chapters appeal to a wide variety of interests. Some of the areas many find interesting are:

Community affairs

Gardening

Musical performances

Bridge

Creative writing

Parenting, and many more.

Attend one of the general meetings to learn more about the Forest Hills Women’s Club.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood provides water removal services from flooding to Forest Hills residential and commercial business customers and the surrounding area. Call (718) 381-3702. We are available 24/7to help with all your water removal needs.

Queens, A diverse Population and Business Economy

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the skilled technicians your property needs for thorough and effective mold removal. Call the experts today at (718) 381-3702.

First Settled in 1635, Queens is Named After the Queen of England

Queens is one of five boroughs in New York City, with over 2.2 million people from diverse backgrounds. This rich diversity offers everyone something, whether dining, nightclubs, sports activities, beaches, or museums. Connected to the other metropolitan boroughs by subway, visitors and residents can enjoy the area's rich culture, all connected by underground transit.

Major landmarks located in the borough include:

JFK International Airport

LaGuardia Airport

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park

Citi Field

USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Kaufman Astoria Studios

Silvercup Studios

Aqueduct Racepark and

The Queens Night Market

Each of these landmarks has its history and background, which many people find attractive. For example:

Kaufman Astoria Studios

The studio was originally built in the 1920s near the Broadway theater district. Over the years, it has been expanded to include backlots, residential units, shops, and dining areas. Some of the exciting pictures filmed on this lot include Sesame St, The Money Pit, Goodfellas, Angels in America, and many more made for TV and movie theater projects.

Silvercup Studios

The largest film and TV production facility in the city began operating in 1983 in what was known as the Silvercup Bakery. Initially used to produce music videos, there has been a gradual shift to television shows and series production. While it is impossible to name all of the shows produced at this facility, a few include Gangs of New York, Quantico, The Deuce, The Devil Wears Prada, Sex and the City, and many more.

Queens Night Market

Reflected by the diversity of the borough, the market features up to 100 vendors representing over 80 countries marketing everything from food, artistic creations, and merchandise. Enjoy various food items from many different countries, cooked fresh and tasty. There are also small scale performances that demonstrate the diversity of the city's neighborhood and the borough. The market operates on Saturday night from April to October, with an average of over 10,000 visitors. There is a price cap of $6 on all food items. Enjoy the entertainment, the exotic food, a beer, or a glass of wine on Saturday nights.

Top Attractions in the Borough and Nearby

In addition to those already mentioned, visitors and residents can enjoy many attractions. For example –

Long Island Railroad

Gantry Plaza State Park

Cunningham Park

Noguchi Museum

Rockaway Beach

Museum of the Moving Image

Queens Zoo and

Many other popular and interesting museums and sites.

 Long Island Railroad

The Long Island Railroad began service in 1834, providing daily services between New York and Boston via a rail-ferry connection. Today it carries over 384,000 passengers daily, over 700 miles of track with 124 stations.

Gantry Plaza State Park

The park consists of 12 acres on the East River in the borough of Queens. There are playgrounds, a waterfront promenade, and playing fields. Many locals spend their days fishing and crabbing on Pier #4

Cunningham Park

Cunningham Park is 358 acres lying between the Grand Central Parkway and the Long Island Expressway. This park is popular with hikers, cycling, and mountain biking. Trails range from beginner level to expert.

Noguchi Museum

The Noguchi Museum has been open since 1985, showcasing Japanese American artist and sculptor Isamu Noguchi. His architectural models, sculptures, and artistic furniture design are well recognized and an excellent example of the community outreach program.

Rockaway Beach

The beach is the longest urban beach in the US. It was once known as the Irish Riveria due to the large Irish population living in the region. The area has become known for day trips, surfers, and scuba divers. The beach is being rebuilt after the devastation from Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

Museum of the Moving Image

The museum is focused on digital media, television, film, and the technology associated with these industries. View artifacts in a multimedia format aimed at increasing the understanding of the sector. There are regular movie series about the art of cinema.

Queens Zoo

The zoo covering 18 acres in Queens, New York, opened in 1968 and is part of the association of four area zoos' managed by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation. Visitors can view more than 75 species from the Americas. There are domestic animals and wild animals from all over the continent—bald eagles, elk, vultures, pumas, coyotes, to name just a few.

The multicultural nature of the Borough of Queens has a great deal to offer residents and visitors. The examples highlighted in this post are just a few of the more popular activities and sites to visit in the borough.

Remove Mold Contamination Before It Causes Structural Damage

Mold spores exist almost everywhere around us, indoors as well as outdoors. They can never be removed 100%, however mold contamination and infestations can be removed, especially before severe structural damage occurs from untreated areas.

Mold spores love high humidity, areas where there is food, and locations where there is little light. Places inside walls, under sinks, and around windows are areas where mold colonies can become established, especially if there is a continuous humidity supply. A mold colony left in place long enough can weaken organic structural elements such as wood and drywall. If you notice a strong, musty odor, there is probably mold nearby.

SERVPRO has the experience and knowledge to deal with mold situations. We follow a systematic process to remove mold infestations:

Inspect and assess the damage

Check for humidity sources and correct as needed

Contain the mold to the area

Apply air filtration or exhaustion of air externally

Remove all mold and materials infested with mold

Clean all contents where possible

Reconstruct as needed if structural elements were contaminated

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood provides mold removal services to Queens commercial business customers and companies and the surrounding area. Call (718) 381-3702. We are available 24/7to help with all your mold removal needs.

Burn Off Thanksgiving Dinner in Queens

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

While you burn off the extra calories you gobbled up, SERVPRO is ready to race over to restore your home after a fire has left it burnt.

Participate in Queens’ Inaugural Flushing Meadows Turkey Trot 5K 

Burn off some of those excess Thanksgiving calories and recharge your batteries after stressful Black Friday bargain hunting at the first annual Flushing Meadows Turkey Trot 5K. The event is being sponsored by the Never Stop Running Foundation and takes place on Saturday, November 28th, at the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens. The following are some useful things to remember when planning for the activity:

It has five different start times: 8:00 AM; 8:30 AM; 9:00 AM; 9:30 AM; and 10:00 AM.

Each of the five waves is capped at only fifty trotters, for a total of 250 in-person participants.

Virtual participation is possible and can take place between November 28th and December 6th

No spectators are allowed, and there is no official bag check.

Online registration is $45/person.  

Your neighbors at SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood know that, just like it takes time and effort to recover from Thanksgiving, it also requires similar perseverance to overcome a house fire’s effects. With that said, our fire damage restoration experts likely have all the right knowledge and equipment necessary to handle your fire-related issues successfully. Call us anytime at (718) 381-3702 for help.

Join The Great American Smoke Out from Your Kew Gardens Living Room

11/9/2020 (Permalink)

Take some time for self care while SERVPRO cares for your homes water damage.

Becoming a Non-Smoker in Kew Gardens

The Great American Smoke Out is held on the third Thursday of November. This year, Kew Gardens residents can participate on November 19th. Although there are no Fun Runs or other big events, people can still join local and national communities for support. 

Where to Find Assistance:

Exercise classes are still available through many area hospitals and community centers. The difference this year is that you will need to access them through Zoom or another online source through your phone or home computer. For those of you willing to mask up and maintain social distance, you can always watch online and still enjoy getting outdoors. 

If exercise isn’t an issue, there are still online support groups. There are thousands of people here and across the nation trying to make positive changes in these circumstances. Join them.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is thrilled to be part of this and other online events serving our community. If you need assistance with water mitigation in your Kew Gardens residence, call us today at (718) 381-3702. 

Can Restoration Services Dry a Home Faster After Flooding?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Flood damage mitigation means discovering moisture points in a Kew Gardens hardwood floor. SERVPRO has the newest technology like this moisture meter

SERVPRO Technicians Utilize Comprehensive Drying Strategies to Rescue your Kew Gardens Home from Flood Damage.

Is restoring a water intrusion complex?

The process of drying a structure is science. When floods intrude in your Kew Gardens home, there is likely to be visible and invisible damages occurring at the property. Standing water is an obvious example of visible signs of harm. However, less apparent injuries could include material saturation, water migration, humidity levels, and microbial infestation. Managing a loss site requires a solid knowledge of how water spreads as well as how it evaporates. While most flood loss site recoveries begin by pumping or extracting massive amounts of liquid water, the later stages are essential to avoid further damage. We find that many properties with odor or mold issues are the result of incomplete drying. Our technicians work hard to measure and monitor your home throughout restoration to secure it against further harm.

How do professional water restoration technicians measure water intrusion levels?

There are numerous technologies at our disposal when dealing with flood damage in your Kew Gardens home. A good restoration technician combines knowledge of psychrometry using in-depth measuring equipment before deciding on the best course of action to recover your home. Sometimes using knowledge means searching the property for signs of migration, including temporarily removing parts of the building's assembly. At other times, measuring equipment is utilized to test the saturation of these materials. It is not uncommon for a home and its contents to be exposed to moisture for several hours or days when dealing with a flood loss site. We actively pursue effective measures to mitigate losses and confirm our drying strategy using data.

What are the areas of a home at risk of water damage after flooding?

• Fittings such as cabinets, baseboards, floor finishes, carpets, and upholstery can often suffer from prolonged exposure to moisture.
• Parts of the homes building assemblies, such as the subfloor or drywall, may become soft or disintegrate if over-saturated.
• Semi-porous building materials like lumber can expand, warp, crown, cup, or buckle once moisture content levels go over 5% of the regular equilibrium moisture content.

What detection and monitoring devices are used for fixing flooded properties?

Homes are built from many different types of materials. Additionally, contents can use complex or sensitive fabrics in material construction. Technicians must understand how to measure metals, woods, hard surfaces, and textiles accurately to understand the extent of a water emergency. To do that, we use a variety of detection devices. Some of these devices measure temperatures, which allows a crew chief to assess whether moisture exists beneath or behind materials. Other devices use penetrating probes. These probes enable a restoration technician to monitor the extent of moisture saturation accurately. A wood construct, for example, could have many layers. Using a penetrating moisture meter, our technicians can keep tabs on how far the water has penetrated these materials and how effective dehumidification or other drying strategies are in the home.

What are the categories of moisture detection equipment?

• Sensors are non-invasive measuring tools that could include thermal imaging cameras and allow technicians to assess whether water migrates into structural cavities.
• Probes are used to take moisture content readings from inside materials. Sometimes, boroscopes may be used to check behind walls or flooring for evidence of moisture.
• Thermal hygrometers detect the level of humidity in a property, which often raises after water intrusion. Humidity control is vital to limiting microbial growth.

How do moisture readings influence drying strategies?

No two homes are the same, so technicians need to assess the quality of restoration regularly. Different materials, as well as different severities of water intrusion, strongly influence the drying procedure. Using a penetrating moisture meter, a technician may find that hard surface material's moisture content is above the average equilibrium level. Those readings could influence the drying strategy by enacting a switch from refrigerant dehumidifiers to desiccant dehumidifiers. Desiccant equipment can reduce indoor humidity to a level where indoor air begins to draw moisture from a semi-porous surface. This humidity managing is a vital strategy for tackling concrete, hardwoods, and other hard-surface floorings that may become adversely affected by exposure to moisture.

How do technicians maximize monitoring equipment to increase drying times?

• A technician may use multiple devices on the same surface to assess humidity, water penetration, and interior cavities.
• Restoration technicians are assigned specific areas of the home to monitor and measure, providing reliable numbers.
• When measuring humidity, we use both relative humidity and temperature to calculate the actual grains per pound of moisture within the indoor environment (preferably keeping it below 60GPP to prevent mold growth)

Tailoring a drying strategy to your home's unique build and contents can significantly reduce the restoration time-frame. Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 568-6530 now.

What Should Forest Hills Homeowners Do Once Their Properties Sustain Fire Damage?

10/18/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage can easily destroy many of your belongings. Team SERVPRO can help. Contact us 24/7 for remediation and mitigation services.

Homeowners Can Seek Fire Restoration Services from SERVPRO Technicians in Forest Hills.

If fire damage takes place in your Forest Hills residence, it can affect your life and daily routine, especially if you do not handle it promptly and appropriately. If your Forest Hills home has sustained any form of the said damage, it is paramount that you find professionals well versed in handling it. SERVPRO can help you to restore your home. 

What should I do immediately after a fire?

To prevent further damage and make sure that fire restoration in your Forest Hills home takes a shorter period, you can do a few things. They include:

• Shut off the electricity to reduce the risk of further electrical damage. 
• Keep the movement inside the building at a minimum. This can reduce the spread of soot to areas that haven't been already affected. Additionally, you may not directly identify which part of the building's structure has been damaged. By reducing movement, you minimize the chance of injuring yourself.
• If it is possible, you should totally avoid the area that has been damaged by the fire.

What should I not do after a fire has damaged my property?

Your house needs to be restored as soon as possible. That is understandable. However, if you choose to do some things yourself, you can inadvertently increase the level of damage. Consequently, you should avoid doing the following things:

• Refrain from cleaning electrical appliances that have any sort of damage
• Refrain from trying or actually washing off soot from upholstery, painted walls, and the carpet.

What happens to ruined belongings. Do I need to remove them from my house?

Our trained and experienced technicians can identify which items we can clean and restore, and which ones need replacement. Our SERVPRO team can salvage a majority of fire-damaged items. We can list the salvageable and non-salvageable items and present it to you.

When possible, we restore ruined items on-site. Cleaning content on site reduces the number of times the items are handled. This can reduce the chance of the contents getting damaged while in the possession of restorers.

If it is not possible to restore contents on-site such as when a home is not structurally sound enough for our crew to work there or items have sustained severe damage, we can move the items to our secure facilities. Our team can carefully inventory, pack out and transport them to our facilities for thorough cleaning and restoration. If you have high value items that require restoration by a specialist like electronics and artwork, we can take them to a competent restorer.

The experts at SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood are qualified to restore homes after fire loss incidents of any size or scope. Contact us through our hotline (718) 381-3702 for effective restoration.

Click here for more information about Forest Hills.

How Does SERVPRO Remove Hazardous Conditions?

10/9/2020 (Permalink)

Kew Gardens let SERVPRO assist you through your water damage.

A Professional Team of SERVPRO Technicians Can Assess and Mitigate the Damage at Your Kew Gardens Property

When our team first arrives at your Kew Gardens home, they make sure that there is no immediate danger. Safety is the top priority during home restoration. Non-contaminated water by itself does not necessarily cause danger but left unattended can cause multiple safety issues ranging from severe structural damage to increased slip and fall risk. Before SERVPRO workers begin the cleanup and restoration process, they must identify hazards. Residents and workers alike should always strive for safe working conditions.

What Could Happen if Hazards Remain?

SERVPRO Technicians Address Safety Hazards

While undergoing water mitigation in Kew Gardens, various safety concerns can arise. Sitting water can cause structural damage, leading to severe dangers such as ceilings and walls caving in. Sitting water can also lead to mold growth that can cause health effects. It is critical to take action quickly when water damage occurs in your home.

What Do Technicians Look for When They Perform the Safety Check?

• Sagging Ceilings: This indicates the possibility of the ceiling caving in. Technicians may choose to punch weep holes to let out some of the standing water.
• Electrical Hazards: Water in light sockets or near outlets can pose a serious risk.
• Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards: Technicians make sure floors do not pose any slip or trip hazards. Extracting excess moisture and removing cords from the ground can help ensure there are no accidents.
• Mold Growth: Identifying mold growth allows technicians to spray the appropriate antimicrobial, they are limiting further growth.

Once immediate hazards are identified and addressed, technicians can go about the task of removing excess water and restoring your home to preloss condition.  For 24/7 assistance, contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Are There Any Good Commercial Water Damage Restoration Services in Forest Hills?

9/27/2020 (Permalink)

When dealing with water damage, immediate action needs to be taken. Contact our SERVPRO technicians for fast service.

Yes, One Local Service In Forest Hills, SERVPRO, Has Helped Numerous Area Businesses Successfully Remediate Their Water Damage.

Although it is mostly a residential community, Forest Hills does have a wide variety of restaurants, markets, and retail shops.  These seemingly insignificant commercial establishments mostly service area residents and are actually an important part of the local economy.  So, when one or more are impacted by a water issue, it can be a real inconvenience for both the owners and neighborhood residents.  Every day an establishment is shuttered, is a day it is losing precious income and moving closer to insolvency.  This is an especially important consideration in our area because commercial rents and taxes are exceedingly high and they can quickly bury a closed business in debt.  At the same time, locals could lose access to jobs and their favorite nearby eatery, market, or store.

Do Water Damage Cleanup and Repair Services Like SERVPRO Understand the Unique Concerns of Businesses?

As fellow business operators in this area, your neighborhood SERVPRO truly understands the concerns of firm owners who need water damage restoration in Forest Hills.  This means that, unlike other water damage remediators, we are much more likely to deliver the service they need, in the manner that they need it.  So, as our technicians work to restore your water-damaged commercial site, they are always:

• Trying to work as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimize your enterprise’s downtime and return it to operational condition as soon as they can   
• Concerned about preserving and restoring your invaluable and, often, irreplaceable business records
• Focused on restoring, rather than merely replacing, your expensive equipment and furnishings
• Mindful of and dedicated to eliminating potential customer and employee safety issues
• Aware of local building ordinances and codes so that your restored business complies with them
• Dedicated to keeping you informed of job progress and only completing work authorized by you

In all of these various ways, our trained professionals attempt to minimize your overall losses and swiftly return you to profitability.

What Specific Services Does SERVPRO Offer Local Business Owners Impacted by a Water Issue?

We offer area restaurateurs and shop owners in Forest Hills suffering water issues numerous beneficial remediation services.  These involve everything from basic water removals to complex reconstructive efforts and include:

• Water extractions of various magnitudes to limit potential damage and facilitate restoration efforts
• Site security services like tarping openings, boarding up windows and doors, and fencing in the perimeter of your commercial site to prevent trespassing and looting
• Repairing compromised roofing and impaired drainage systems to eliminate leaks
• Fixing or replacing defective or deteriorated piping to combat water issues
• Repairing leaking appliances that could cause further damage
• Skilled drying of business documents, furnishings, other important contents, and the overall interiors of your commercial structure
• Expert reconstructions of destroyed portions of your building by trained contractors 

As you can see, whatever level of water damage you have experienced, we likely offer a service that can effectively resolve your particular issues.  Moreover, we are often able to handle these problems more swiftly than other cleaning and restoration companies.

What Remediation Training and Credentials Do SERVPRO Professionals Have?

SERVPRO technicians receive extensive in-house training and take certification courses from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  Some of the industry-related certifications they hold are in:

• Water damage restoration
• Applied microbial remediation
• Applied structural drying
• Health and safety
• Lead-based paint activities and renovation
• Construction safety

Rest assured that, armed with all of this restoration knowledge, our skilled experts are more than capable of successfully resolving whatever water-related problem you may have.  Using their specialized equipment, they can perform all the necessary steps to quickly and efficiently return your business to its preloss condition.  

Operating a business in the quaint town of Forest Hills is usually a wonderful experience. Although it is less than ten miles from Manhattan, it often feels like you are far from the hustle and bustle of the big city when you are in this peaceful community.  The town’s tree-lined streets and architectural styles mimicking old English and Dutch construction only add to its suburban charm.  With all that said, ruptured water pipes, a severe roof leak, malfunctioning appliances, or leaking water storage containers could quickly turn your idyllic small-town commercial experience into a money-sucking nightmare.  However, remember that if any of these problems ever affect you, there is help available nearby.     

Whenever you need your commercial property inspected for water damage or are dealing with the troublesome aftereffects of a water event, call your helpful neighbors at SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for assistance.

Can Storm-Related Flood Damage in Forest Hills Cause Structural Problems in Spaces Other Than the Lowest Levels?

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

The observant experts at SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood know where to look for all aspects of storm-based flooding in your home.

Flood Damage in Forest Hills Is Not Confined to the Basement -- Consult with the Professionals at SERVPRO to Make Sure You Account for All Structural Hazards

Flooding conjures up cellars, garden level apartments, and basements knee-high in contaminated water in Forest Hills. These circumstances certainly can challenge after torrential rains and overland flooding. If your home escapes a sodden lower level after heavy rains and winds, do not assume the chance for harm passed over you. Checking other spaces in your home is critical, and if you notice anything amiss, get a professional consultation.

What Signs of Upper-Level Flood Damage Should I Look For?
If your house or apartment sustained any exterior damage, you are probably already alert for flood damage in Forest Hills. Homes may suffer:

    •    Broken windows and doors
    •    Damaged brickwork or siding
    •    Ripped off shingles, flashing, and other roof materials

Can I Be Certain There Is No Flood Damage if I Do Not Observe Any Water Inside?
Just because you see little or no water on surfaces is no assurance that the rain did not intrude. Water can flood into your home and collect unseen in building cavities. Indications of trapped storm flood water include:

    •    New staining on walls or ceilings
    •    Bulging on walls or sagging on ceilings
    •    A sheen on surfaces that looks like ‘sweating”
    •    Unpleasant musty odors or “wet wood” smells
    •    Warping of floors near walls

What Can Be Done if I Have “Flooding” Inside My Building Structures?
Our SERVPRO project manager does a visual inspection and assigns a trained technician to complete moisture detection and metering using infrared imaging and sensitive probes and devices. If we locate trapped water, we consider controlled demolition strategies to release water for removal. Tactics include punching “weep holes,” particularly in ceilings. We also cut or drill holes near the base off walls, and sometimes make “flood cuts” several inches above floor level from stud to stud. These openings also make drying technology more efficient.

The observant experts at SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood know where to look for all aspects of storm-based flooding in your home. Call us at (718) 381-3702 for an assessment and peace of mind, even if you hope you weathered the storm.

Is Mold Affecting the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System in your Business?

9/4/2020 (Permalink)

Forest Hill Commercial Buildings Rely on SERVPRO for Cleaning HVAC Ductwork to Remediate Mold Damage

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Mold Remediation in the  Forest Hills Area

Why are commercial HVAC systems at risk of mold infestation?

Businesses in the Forest Hills area rely on the HVAC system to provide staff and customers' ideal conditions throughout the year. Unlike residential systems, a commercial HVAC can be in use all year round. Higher usage dramatically increases the likelihood of malfunction. By failing to replace filters regularly or perform maintenance on a high usage system, you increase the chances of a mold infestation. Since HVAC systems transport recycled air through business premises, an outbreak can spread rapidly, affecting acoustical ceiling tiles, carpets as well as the inner ducts of the system itself. SERVPRO has experience working with commercial properties to overcome potential mold growth issues.

How are HVAC systems inspected for mold damage?

When an HVAC requires mold remediation in your Forest Hills business, it may extend beyond the regular access and maintenance points. To access ducting, we may need to employ circular drilling equipment to open the ducts and inspect the interior walls. These temporary access points can often be resealed using thin metal panels attached to the cavity to return the HVAC to a working condition. If there is a significant amount of mold within ducts, SERVPRO technicians can use ultra-low volume (ULV) fogging equipment to disperse anti-microbial chemicals in the conduits. These chemicals break down microbes and help prevent new colonies from building up through the stages of growth.

What is the benefit of having a clean HVAC system?

• Removal of potential mold colonies from inside ducts
• Cost-efficient remediation of the inner HVAC system
• Inspection and point of contact should a third-party repair be required for the restoration of a faulty appliance
• Improved IAQ Indoor Air Quality

Dealing with microbial growth promptly can save time and expense in the long run. Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 306-6536.

How Does Fire Damage Get Cleaned from Contents?

8/28/2020 (Permalink)

We have the training, expertise, and state-of-the-art equipment to restore your home to pre-damage condition after a fire. Call us right away.

Structure fires in Forest Hills homes can be challenging to clean and restore without the products and equipment available to our SERVPRO team. 

Cleaning up your Forest Hills home after a fire loss incident can be a considerable challenge, especially when considering the various types of residues and soiling that could be present. Depending on the combustion rate and the affected materials, each fire disaster's cleanup plan and strategies could look different. Choosing the most efficient paths involves a carefully crafted approach from information obtained in the job scoping and evaluation phases. 

Fire restoration for Forest Hills hinges significantly on the cleaning result that our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team can provide. Removing smoke and soot residues from structural elements often combine several tactics happening at once. In some situations, chemical agents can remove stubborn soiling from surfaces while abrasive cleaning techniques like soda and media blasting are ideal for thicker coatings that could result in staining or marring of the underlying substrate. 

When Does Cleaning Occur Over Replacement? 

Our restoration mentality relies on cleaning and recovering damaged items and structural elements rather than immediately choosing controlled demolition and later reconstruction. While some fire restoration companies might believe that rebuilding is inevitable, our SERVPRO restorers and contractors understand that the choice in material discarding over cleaning relies on several individual factors. These include: 

• Cost-Efficiency - The replacement costs must become a factor in whether removal and rebuilding is a better option for the customer. With cheaper building materials like drywall, replacement might be more cost-efficient than cleaning and restoration. 
• Accessibility - How challenging restoration efforts are can also play a role in the likelihood of tear-out and reconstruction options getting chosen. 
• High-Valued Contents or Structural Elements - With properties that have been constructed with higher quality materials, restoration might be worth the added time cleaning can take. For example, replacement materials for our historic properties can be nearly impossible to match with modern offerings. 

What Types of Content Cleaning Approaches Are Effective with Fire Losses? 

The contents of your home must require the same attention and consideration that structural elements receive. On-site restoration and cleaning all can reduce the costs of recovery for these damaged items and furniture. Depending on the affected materials and the severity of the damage, a few specific cleaning techniques and products are used to help. 

• Spray & Wipe – Cleaning products get designed primarily to address surface aesthetics after a fire impacts the contents and furniture in your home. Using rags, dry sponges, and other equipment, residues and soiling can get sufficiently addressed. 
• Foam Cleaning – Using a pump sprayer with a shampooing product or an upholstery brush, we can use a cleaner that heavily foams to lift light soils from upholstered, fabric furniture. 
• Abrasive Cleaning – These solutions use products as much as physical actions to achieve the desired result. While we have abrasive chemical agents, often applying chemicals with agitative cleaning utensils, such as steel wool or pads, can also have the desired effect. 
• Immersion Cleaning – While it is feasible to establish immersive cleaning approaches on-site, off-site restoration at our SERVPRO facility can utilize our Ultrasonic Immersion Tank for more efficient results. 

Is Off-Site Recovery Worth It? 

After a fire, many homes and their contents are worse for the wear. Even with the fast response of experienced technicians like our SERVPRO team, off-site recovery and restoration of your valuables and belongings can be inevitable. There are a few advantages to allowing pack out to occur:

• Advanced Cleaning – Unlike the limitations of cleaning and restoring your belongings in the recently damaged property, we have the full measure of cleaning and restoration capabilities in our warehouse. 
• Deodorizing Item Lots – With areas like the ozone chamber, entire lots of smoke-damaged materials and contents can get deodorized simultaneously. 
• Safe Storage & Inventory – Effective inventory solutions mean that our technicians know where your belongings are and can safely store them until they are ready for return. 
• Staging – Before returning to your home after fire recovery, staging restored belongings in our warehouse allows our technicians to look over everything one last time to ensure we have addressed all smoke and fire damages.

Fire losses can be traumatic for homeowners, especially when contents and structural elements become damaged by smoke and soot residues. Give our SERVPRO of Forest Hill / Ridgewood team a call to help you however you need at (718) 381-3702.

What’s the Hurry? Why Do I Need to Move Fast When I Find a Little Water Leak in My Forest Hills Home?

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

Our focus on and success with water mitigation is why SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is an industry leader in our region.

While You Wait, Damage Worsens and Spreads, Why SERVPRO Arrives Promptly to Design a Water Mitigation Plan for Forest Hills Residents

Research and experience bear this out -- a “little” leak in your Forest Hills abode can mean thousands of dollars worth of damage behind the scenes. Slow leaks and seeping connections or cracked caulking allows water to invade over days, weeks, and months. When the entire situation is evaluated eventually, here is why we worry about what could be hiding behind those walls and ceilings:

    •    Wet, moldy insulation with a greatly diminished R-factor
    •    Swelling, weakened framing, with rusted fasteners threatening to collapse
    •    Crumbling drywall or cracked lath and plaster
    •    Ceilings holding gallons of stagnant, contaminated water ready to breakthrough

Why Rely on Water Mitigation Professionals for a Minor Leak?

Drops add up, resulting in gallons of water needing mitigation in your Forest Hills home. Definitely contact a plumber to fix the leak, but be sure that a reputable water damage assessor reviews the surrounding building materials for damage. Water is not a benign substance. It is incredibly corrosive to conventional structural components, why a thorough analysis of previous damage, and any residual caches of water and lingering moisture is critical.

What Is Water Mitigation?

Water mitigation is one or more interventions intended to halt progressive damage by removing the liquid and absorbed water from the structure and its contents. These interventions are at the heart of the services we provide, why SERVPRO is highly regarded and so efficient and effective at stopping water damage in its tracks.

Our focus on and success with water mitigation is why SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is an industry leader in our region. Call us at (718) 381-3702 to schedule an assessment complete with a mitigation planning session.

What Flooding Conditions Can Result from Structural Breaches in Forest Hills Homes?

7/27/2020 (Permalink)

Storms Damage Roofs in Forest Hills Resulting in Extensive Damage--Call SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration

Storm damages can leave your property vulnerable to threatening conditions like flooding and microbial growth.

It can be traumatic to see your Forest Hills home contending with widespread floodwater, especially when you are among several properties in the community facing these same circumstances. The faster that you can address the present concerns, the less of a lasting impact they ultimately have on the house. Long exposures of materials to floodwater, even clean water conditions, can deteriorate and degrade the building material the point of requiring replacement and repairs. The effects of substantial weather events can impact how susceptible your property remains to continued damages from flooding or other concerns.

Storm damage in Forest Hills homes and businesses can vary from one structure to the next, meaning that the same preparation for recovery is not recommended. We investigate each of the restoration and repair tasks that we undertake beforehand, making sure that we understand the specific actions that must get taken and the desired results. With storm losses, we can contend with both substantial structural concerns for the property as well as the connected damages with situations like subsequent flooding in the house. In most instances, some of the primary structural concerns can get temporarily addressed when technicians arrive following the first notice of flood damage.

What are Emergency Services?

The purpose of emergency services is to prevent conditions present after a flood from getting out of control before mitigation begins. While there are ultimately many stages of set up that must occur to allocate resources, personnel, and equipment to where it is necessary, emergency services are efforts to tide a property over until more direct mitigation and recovery steps can follow. Some of these actions by our in-house contractors and our qualified water restoration technicians include:

• Debris Removal – There are direct concerns with solids, debris, and mud that could impact the entire structure. Muck-out cleaning is a service provided to reduce the present contaminant levels and reveal structural concerns.
• Extraction – Water removal can be a vital element to the overall recovery of flood loss incidents, especially in situations where standing water remains isolated to a specific place in the house like the attic or basement.
• Repairs – Structural damages are not uncommon, especially in situations where severe weather events test the limitations of shingles, siding, underlayment materials, and other exterior defenses.
• Temporary Construction Solutions – When repairs are not possible immediately, sealing the breaches in the house can have the same initial effect. Our contractors can seal up roof damages with tarps or provide board-up services for openings or missing windows.

How Can Your Roof Become Damaged?

Severe weather events can often target the roof of your home above the other structural exterior elements. The roof is one of the first lines of defense to protect your home, divert water away from the structure, and absorb the impact of brutal weather conditions. High winds, hail, torrential rainfall, and other conditions can all have immediate and destructive impacts on the entire roof system. Because many homes in the area are comprised of roof systems that feature plywood, wooden joists, a thin weatherproofing membrane, and shingles, a failure in any of these individual elements can allow water penetration to reach the inside of your property. Between torrential rains and heavy snowfalls at different points of the year, general damages to your roof include:

• Missing Shingles
• Saturated Underlayment
• Partial/Total Collapse

What Threats Exist with Openings in the Exterior of Your Home?

Damage to the sides of your home can also have an immediate and severe impact on the property overall. It is not a considerable challenge for conditions to exist that both break out windows and force rain into the structure. Wind-driven rain and other precipitation events can quickly damage the immediately affected areas, allowing for situations like pooling that threatens flooring systems, wall systems, and other porous construction materials. Often the entry points for this type of flooding include:

• Windows
• Doors
• Skylights

How Likely is Flooding from the Foundation?

With enough pressure built on the outside of blockwork used in constructing a foundation for the home, it is not challenging for water to penetrate vulnerabilities. Once breaches exist, they continually worsen and grow until resolved by our responding contractors. We have multiple repair tactics for these conditions, including sealing up cracks and penetration points from inside with fast-setting patch material.

Flooding is often one of the most destructive disasters to impact residences throughout our area, so it is a situation that we stay prepared to respond to fast. Storms can strike with little warning, so you can count on our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood to get there quickly with the equipment and personnel to help. Give us a call at (718) 381-3702.

How Do I Get Soot Off My Furniture In My Forest Hills Home?

7/21/2020 (Permalink)

As soon as the first responders give the all-clear for entry to your home, call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for fire damage.

SERVPRO technicians have the comprehensive training to remove the soot without damaging your furnishings in your Forest Hills home

Even a small fire in Forest Hills that got extinguished quickly and did little charring can leave behind copious amounts of soot on walls, ceilings, and furnishings. Soot is caustic, and when mixed with water or fire, extinguishing fluids can cause more severe damage to surfaces, particularly the finishes on wood and chrome fixtures. Your best bet for a good outcome is to bring in a professional restoration services company. They have the equipment, tools, and cleaning agents to lift away soot without marring surfaces.

Can Carpets Get Cleaned Through Fire Damage Restoration Methods?

Upon arrival at your Forest Hills home for fire damage restoration services, the SERVPRO techs will scope the area to determine the scale of the fire loss area. Many factors draw the line between reuse and disposal when it comes to carpet, such as:
    •    If the fibers have any heat damage or charring  
    •    The construction materials used for the carpet and backing
    •    If water damage is present

In cases where the carpet has the potential for cleaning, the technicians use vacuums with HEPA filtration to remove as much loose soot as possible and then use professional steam cleaners that wash the fibers and leave no residues behind. This method of cleaning works to neutralize embedded odors within the threads at the same time. If the loss area requires any additional odor control, the techs have access to an array of choices depending on the level of the application needed.

As soon as the first responders give the all-clear for entry to your home, call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for fire damage restoration. The trained technicians can handle any size fire loss to save as much of your home and contents as possible through their advanced cleaning methods.

What Are Some Water Restoration Companies Near Me in Forest Hills?

7/12/2020 (Permalink)

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

SERVPRO of Forest Hills Can Provide You with Water Damage Restoration Services!

You may find yourself wondering what local Forest Hills water damage restoration companies are near you once an accident occurs. Statistically, many homes find themselves facing water damage at some point. It could be something as small as a leaking dishwasher, or as grand as a broken pipe. However, no matter how the water damage comes to your home, it is essential to get help quickly.

Calling for a professional Forest Hills water damage restoration company as fast as possible can make a significant difference in the remediation process. For example, the longer water damage sits, the more potential it has to cause further damage to your home.

What Are Some Examples of the Damage That Can Happen? 

As standing water or excess moisture lingers, it can cause many problems throughout your home. For example:

• In a bathroom, tile could split and crack due to swelling baseboards
• In a kitchen, cabinetry could swell as it absorbs excess moisture and become misshapen 
• In a bedroom, a leaking pipe could lead to mold damage growing behind your walls 

Water damage has the power to cause many issues throughout your home. For this reason, getting help fast could save your home many expenses.

What Can SERVPRO Do to Remediate Water Damage in My Bathroom? 

Imagine a leaking toilet tank caused water damage to the wall behind it. Our SERVPRO technicians could do the following during the remediation process: 

• Remove the toilet from the wall, so we have access to the damage
• Make cuts to remove the damaged drywall and minimize chances of microbial growth
• Use drying equipment, such as dehumidifiers and heaters, to reduce excess moisture

Our technicians use advanced equipment to get the job done. Additionally, our SERVPRO techs can also use axial fans and air movers to ensure the damage has constant access to dry airflow.

If your home requires the help of a water damage restoration company, don't hesitate. Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood by dialing (718) 381-3702. We're open 24/7.

Click here for more information about Forest Hills.

What is the Difference Between DIY Damage Cleanup and Using a Professional Service in Queens?

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

Regardless of the inconvenient situation at hand, team SERVPRO is ready to help. Contact our certified technicians right away.

SERVPRO technicians are ready to come to your Queens property and perform any needed actions to approach  preloss condition

There are many ways that loss can hit a commercial property in Queens such as fire, water, mold, or biohazard situations; however, the one thing all these scenarios have in common is the quicker the cleanup starts has the potential to lessen the loss experienced by the property owner. When a property disaster happens, it is vital to bring in a professional mitigation company to oversee the cleanup and restoration of the property for the best outcome. DIY efforts can lead to: 

• Accidentally spreading mold spores or soot in the case of fire loss
• Ruining items that had restoration potential through improper cleaning methods
• Water extraction or drying takes too long and cause deterioration of building materials or mold

What Can Commercial Restoration Companies Do for a Business That Needs Cleanup? 

It is hard to close your Queens business when you need help from commercial restoration companies to get the loss turned around. SERVPRO techs do a lot more than show up with wet/dry vacs and fans. The techs have access to a diverse array of both extraction and drying equipment. The goal is to save as much as possible from needing replacement in terms of both structure and contents and get the property reopened quickly. Disasters can hit properties in a lot of different ways.

Water Damage 

Whether it happened due to a pipe leak or toilet overflow, SERVPRO techs have the expertise to remove the water and dry the property. When the water loss contains sewage or other contaminants, it is vital to not come in contact with the water unless wearing protective clothing. The techs practice safety for all during mitigation and work to lessen the loss by moving out items off-site for storage or cleaning as needed to save the property or shop owner the cost of replacement.

Storm and Flood Damage

When flood damage ruins your Queens commercial property, the techs are ready to clean up the water and dry the structure. Controlled demolition is a normal part of mitigation, mainly when dealing with flood water within a structure.

Fire Damage  

It is vital to test the smoke residues to ensure the proper cleaning methods get used for the best outcome. With their specialized cleaning agents and manual cleaning tools, the techs can clean up any size fire damage within a structure. Soot within the ductwork can also be a problem, and the techs have the equipment to perform any needed deep cleaning, including ductwork.

Mold Damage 

Once mold takes residence within your commercial property, it will not want to leave. The techs have extensive training in the remediation of mold. They can carefully perform abatement to remove the dry colony matter and also address the reasons for the favorable conditions for sustaining the infestation.

Certified SERVPRO Cleaned

As COVID-19 has become a concern for many commercial properties, assuring your employees and clients that your property has high sanitary standards can help build trust that your company puts a priority on safety. SERVPRO has antibacterial cleaning agents, and after cleaning, they test surfaces to ensure there are no bacteria or pathogens present.

Professional Equipment and Solutions are Crucial

When SERVPRO arrives on-site to assist local businesses with the cleanup, the techs bring everything they need to complete the job in their green service vans. Typically it includes:

• Extraction and drying equipment
• Plastic for containment
• Professional-grade cleaning agents
• Generators when the power is out

Odor Control is Another Reason to Choose a Professional Restoration Service  

Water can leave behind unpleasant musty odors, and fire damage has a distinctive smell that must be eradicated before any repairs or rebuilding can occur. Foul scents such as these need elimination rather than covering up with sprays or stand-alone air fresheners. The technicians have access to a large number of devices that work to neutralize both airborne and embedded odors within a structure.

With their collective decades of experience, the techs have the knowledge and expertise to handle a small clogged restroom sink overflow or a massive scale fire that gutted a property. They approach each job site with both professionalism and compassion to make one of the most stressful situations a property investor can face a little easier to deal with.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 when you need the help of a commercial restoration services company. The technicians have the skills and equipment to turn around any amount of loss to your property and bring it to its former condition.

How Can I Tell If Items in My House Got Wet After a Water Leak?

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

Our experienced teams at SERVPRO can help you figure out the level of water damage in your home. Give us a call today.

For Water Removal in Forest Hills Call SERVPRO

Even a small crack developing in one of your pipes in your Forest Hills home can cause hundreds of gallons of water to spill into your structure. Moisture first follows gravity, and then it can spread to different stories or follow the floor and go to other sections of your building.

How can you find all of the moisture present in my house?

When performing water removal in your Forest Hills home, our SERVPRO technicians can utilize a variety of specialized sensors and meters. Based on our knowledge of how moisture works and moves through your structure, we have a good idea of where to check. The type of instrument we use to detect the presence of moisture varies depending upon the types of materials being tested.

How do you determine which sections of my carpets got wet?

We can use a moisture sensor that consists of metal probes on the bottom and a handle on top. If the device senses moisture when the probes get stuck into your carpets, then it will make a noise, and a light will turn on.

How can you tell if my drywall got wet?

Penetrating Moisture Meter: When using a penetrating meter to test for moisture in your drywall, our technicians hammer the instrument's metal probes into your wall. The device then gives a moisture content number in a percentage. To figure out how wet an item got, we can test the walls in the affected area and test the walls in an area that we know did not get affected. We then use the unaffected moisture content numbers as our drying goal.

Non-Penetrating Meters: Non-penetrating meters use electrical signals to tell if an item is wet or not. Non-penetrating meters can be useful when detecting moisture in your wooden studs and wall cavities. We can also take a reading with the non-penetrating meter in unaffected areas to calculate the difference and obtain a drying goal.

After you suffer from a water leak in your house in Fresh Pond or Kew Gardens, call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702.

Find out more Forest Hills

Can I Have Water Damage and Not Know It?

6/3/2020 (Permalink)

Do You Think You Have Hidden Water Damage? Don't hesitate. Call SERVPRO today!

SERVPRO technicians have the Advanced Equipment and Training to Restore your Richmond Hill Home  

There are small signs your home may be trying to alert you to a slow leak either from a plumbing issue or a structural issue that needs attention. Ignoring the subtle clues can result in greater losses and additional problems such as structural deterioration and mold infestations. The most frequently seen signs include:

• Musty odors in a room that never fully go away
• Water spots on walls or ceilings
• Puddles of water that appear on the floor 
• Paint "bubbles" on walls 

What Should I Do First When I Find Water Damage in My Home?

When you notice any of the signs of water damage in your Richmond Hills home, one of the first actions you should take is to bring in a professional restoration services company. SERVPRO techs arrive quickly and determine both the cause of the water loss and form an individualized plan to clean up and restore the property and affected contents. 

The techs use their advanced detection equipment to map out the scale of the water loss within the home. Fortunately, through the use of various types of detection equipment, they can "see" behind walls, under the floors, and determine if how much of an area has water loss without the need to check under flooring or remove sheetrock manually.  

Once the scale of the water loss gets ascertained, the techs perform any controlled demolition such as removal of flooring to dry a subfloor or the cutting away of deteriorating sheetrock to halt any further wicking of moisture. These actions perform the dual purpose of both stopping additional problems from developing and also opening up the wet area for drying. 

Extraction Techniques That Work Against Water Loss

Self-cleanup of water in a home can be a huge error for a homeowner to make. Commonly-used consumer-grade equipment such as wet/dry vacuums does not have the pulling power to match the intense pull of the portable pumps utilized by the SERVPRO techs. When water gets left behind in carpet padding or under tile, for example, delamination and other issues such as mold can occur. The techs use their moisture removal equipment and perform "dry" passes to extract the maximum amount of moisture from a surface. This part of the restoration service helps lessen the time needed to dry. 

How Does Professional Drying Equipment Compare to DIY Methods?

Using household fans to dry a water loss area can take days or sometimes weeks to show a result, and in that time, further deterioration of the building materials can occur. In particular, a wet carpet and pad that had restoration potential can get ruined and require placement if the extraction and drying process wait too long.  

The drying equipment brought on-site by SERVPRO techs has a design basis in the science of psychrometry. The air movers blast warm, dry air at such high velocity that it causes a reaction to force embedded moisture to rise. The techs set up dehumidification equipment to capture the water vapor as it rises and ports it offsite. Specialized equipment also helps, such as: 

• Injecti-Dry systems to push air into small spaces 
• Drying mats for hardwood flooring
• Floating or tenting to dry carpet and padding in place

Odor Control Methods After a Water Loss

While extraction and drying go a long way towards the reduction of the musty odor that water loss can leave behind, sometimes there is a need for stronger applications. The techs have numerous choices, such as hydroxyl generators, thermal fogging, or time-release gel pellets. 

What Does the Scope of Coverage Have to Do With Restoration Services?

SERVPRO technicians are meticulous to only dispose of ruined items with the approval of the adjuster or property owner, and they are also very cautious to only perform actions during the restoration services that are within the scope of the insurance coverage on the property. This assists in helping homeowners never to experience surprise fees that are outside the coverage on their property. 

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood brings the advanced equipment, knowledge, and professionalism to every water damage restoration project. Call, 24/7 to address any size water loss in your property at (347) 379-1720.

Learn more about Richmond Hills.

Is Thermal Fogging Good for Fire Odor Removal in My Forest Hills Home?

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides cutting edge equipment for odor control after house fires in the Forest Hills area.

We have multiple tools that can help to deodorize a fire-damaged home to suit individual circumstances.

Removing odors is only part of the often-formidable task of restoring Forest Hills homes and businesses after fire losses. With multiple potential tools and machines that can neutralize harsh smoke and burning odors after a structure fire, choosing the right approach can save a customers' time and money with the restoration work their home needs.

While fire damage in Forest Hills homes and businesses can embody many obstacles and necessary actions, odor removal can be a challenge because of how widespread this condition can become. From embedded odors in structural elements like drywall and wood framing to environmental scents that can make comfortable living difficult, we have several strategies that can work to neutralize these effects to make fire losses “Like it never even happened.”

What is Thermal Fogging?                                       

Among the potential deodorization approaches that our SERVPRO team can utilize, thermal fogging is one of the most versatile and effective available. The process allows for a wider dispersal area that can also penetrate porous materials. Part of the concern with structure fires is the rising temperature opening up pores in sensitive structural components more than usual, allowing for smoke and other harsh odors to become trapped inside the material during extinguishment when the surfaces cool again. While some of these surfaces must be removed and discarded by our in-house contractors, thermal fogging can often help reach these embedded odors. Foggers work by:

• Superheating deodorizing chemicals
• Creating a mist/vapor
• Dispersal with pressurized blasts controlled by technicians

What Makes it a Recommended Choice? 

While there are multiple odor removal implements that our team could use, thermal foggers and ULV foggers are common choices for several reasons. An assessment to determine the ideal deodorizing equipment gets conducted before mitigation begins. Our project manager and crew chief can catalog damage and choose the ideal personnel and equipment to manage present loss effects and get the property back to preloss condition. Some of the advantages of thermal fogging include:

• Fast dispersal – By creating vapor and mist of deodorizing compounds, the neutralizing effect can be more widespread and easily dispersed throughout affected properties. 
• Lightweight and mobile – One of the advantages of choosing to fog over other deodorization options is the mobility of the equipment. With handheld tools, our SERVPRO professionals can quickly move from one room to the next without tearing down and setting up more equipment from one area to another. 
• Versatile – Not every odor removal tactic is universally effective for all potentially affected materials, contents, and areas of the property. For soft materials, porous surfaces, and open-air environments, fogging can be more readily used than many other strategies at our disposal. 

What Are Other Deodorizing Tools Common to Fire Restoration?

Thermal fogging is a versatile approach to remove and neutralize odors affecting a home after a fire, but it is not the only option available. In many situations, there are reasons to consider some of the larger stationary units. From in-house restoration solutions to restoring your contents at our SERVPRO facility, some of the available odor removal tactics include:

• ULV Fogging – This machine is comparable in many ways to thermal foggers, as it offers the same type of versatility and mobility. Instead of superheating a chemical compound, low-pressure air transforms liquid into vaporous droplets that can get dispersed from the handheld unit. 
• Hydroxyl Machines – Utilizing both ultraviolet cleaning and the production of hydroxyl radicals into the environment, this unit can help to not only neutralize smoke and burning odors but also help to clear out particulates in the environment as well with an onboard HEPA filtering system.
• Ozone Generators/Chambers – the production of ozone is a process that splits oxygen compounds into isolated molecules that can bond with odor compounds and eliminate them. The process itself is unsafe for use around people and pets, which is why it gets used most often as an effective deodorization technique in a chamber at our warehouse for removed contents from your home. 

When Does Deodorization Happen?

Despite the importance of deodorization, it is one of the final steps of mitigation because various cleaning and recovery actions can agitate these conditions. Also, discarding materials can reduce the severity of odors, making it most efficient to wait to neutralize only the odors left behind after mitigation has otherwise completed.

After fire losses in your home, odors can be an overwhelming obstacle. Our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team can help. Give us a call anytime at (718) 381-3702.

Why does SERVPRO Continually Test Homes in Queens During Flood Damage Mitigation?

5/22/2020 (Permalink)

We are always available to resolve your water loss event. Call us today!

SERVPRO Relies on Test Results to Mitigate Flood Damage 

SERVPRO’s technicians rely on internationally accepted methods to provide our customers with uniform, reliable results. People in the restoration industry test new methods, steadily improving them and sharing information with others, allowing for continuously improved techniques that benefit those facing disasters. Industry standards call for ongoing, regular testing of the interior structure and contents of a customer’s property to keep track of the mitigation work’s progress. 

What can SERVPRO test for in my flood-damaged home?

Once our Green Fleet arrives at your home in Queens, testing of flood-damaged levels, other non-damaged areas, and if desired, the contents can obtain readings of saturation levels. This testing includes images taken with infrared cameras and percentages detected through hygrometers. These measurements provide baseline information that determines what changes (if any) are needed to ensure steady desiccation of wet items. 

What can happen without these results?

Drying that occurs too slowly can permit microbes to gain a foothold inside your property, destroying the structure and your family’s personal belongings. Drying that happens too fast might lead to over-drying of wood floors, which can lead to cracked boards. Controlled drying gives the best outcomes, resulting in shorter restoration times, fewer preventable floodwater damages, and lowered costs. 

Does SERVPRO test for pathogens in a house with flooding?

No, because the only new information we would gain would consist of the exact type of pathogens present. We use disinfectant sprays that eliminate pathogens to an acceptable concentration, allowing us to work safely. We do not need to verify that pathogens are present before applying a disinfectant. Before we consider our work complete and your house ready for your family’s return, we perform a second application of disinfectant to the surfaces throughout your property. 

Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood after flooding to protect your property from worsening damage. We can work with you to alleviate the current situation and reduce overall costs. Our 24/7 emergency line, (718) 381-3702, gets you started in the right direction. 

More about Queens.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open in Queens, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood today at (718) 381-3702 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

What Should I Do About Flooding in My Forest Hills Retail Store?

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is here to put your mind at ease when you have commercial flood damage to handle.

SERVPRO is Available to Address Commercial Flood Damage So Your Forest Hills Business Gets Back Up and Running

Even when you have as little as an inch of flooding in your store, it can leave behind significant destruction. The longer that it sits, the more secondary damage develops, and there is the potential for mold and mildew infestation. Calling trained technicians to your business ensures you get up and running faster without the worry that you left moisture behind with DIY efforts.

What Does Professional Restoration Do?
Commercial flood damage in Forest Hills is something that we excel in at SERVPRO. We arrive on the scene, and our skilled team springs into action to deploy a plan for restoration. With a combination of intensive training and the best equipment in the business, we can make your retail sore “Like it never even happened,” after the flood loss. We do this using a variety of tools, including:

    •    Positive and negative pressure systems
    •    Axial and centrifugal air movers
    •    Drying mats
    •    Dehumidifiers
    •    EPA-approved disinfectants and cleaning agents

What if Water Got Behind the Walls?
We use moisture detection sensors and tools that allow us to find the path of water migration. Should there be water found within the wall cavities, we ventilate them by drilling holes under the baseboard. We then air hoses or our Injectidry system to ramp up the drying process. If the amount of water saturation is too high, we may have to make flood cuts to remove the unsalvageable drywall so that it can get replaced and repainted, restoring it to pre-flood loss condition.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is here to put your mind at ease when you have commercial flood damage to handle. Call us at (718) 381-3702 to have a restoration crew deployed to your place of business.

For more about Forest Hills click here.

Should I let my staff Handle Water Removal at my Forest Hills Office?

4/29/2020 (Permalink)

Each vehicle in our Green Fleet is stocked with equipment to dry your office quickly. Call us today!

It Might Take More Steps than Mopping Standing Water So You Should Call SERVPRO

In the case of a water spill at your Forest Hills office, you may consider handling it in-house with the help of janitorial staff, especially after managing to stop the source. For minor leaks, this may be a viable solution, but not when a significant amount of water is released or when the water spreads to concealed areas, you need assistance from a professional water removal team. Some issues can crop up during the restoration processes that prove too difficult for your staff to handle. Although you can still call professionals at the latter stages, you might end up with unnecessary secondary damage.

Why would water removal be tricky for janitors?

Several factors can complicate commercial water removal from your Forest Hills office, preventing the janitorial staff from handling it effectively. Although each incident is unique, the common factors that complicate removal include:

• Content manipulation
• Removal and reinstallation of some fixtures
• Advanced moisture management

How does SERVPRO manage to handle content better?

Depending on the operations your office handles, you are likely to have different types of contents, which are vulnerable to water exposure or stand in the way when performing some restoration processes. Moving such contents out of the way is one simple way to deal with the challenges they pose. However, performing the actual move can be difficult, especially for bulky or heavy items. For example, moving a multi-drawer file cabinet full of documents to create room for wet vacuuming can be daunting to your staff. Our crews have various specialized equipment to handle such tasks conveniently, including:

• Air sleds
• Heavy lifting straps
• Handcarts 

What fixtures need removal after water spills? 

The circumstances in each water loss incident are unique, and so the outcomes differ. However, each property is likely to have a couple of materials that are highly vulnerable to water exposure, thus necessitating removal. Common materials likely to pose challenges to your staff once exposed to water include:

• Carpets
• Insulation
• Drywall
• Wallpaper           

Carpets absorb significant amounts of water, necessitating extensive drying efforts if dried in-place. Removal is the other alternative, which simplifies drying, although there is a risk of damaging the carpet when removing or reinstalling it. Our SERVPRO technicians can handle both options conveniently. If we decide to dry the carpet in place, we use weighted extraction tools, which utilize weight to squeeze water from the carpet fibers before using suction power to extract it. The availability of such specialized equipment helps our crews overcome challenges that your staff might face. Carpets are also prone to other problems such as stretching and staining, so the expertise our crews have is crucial for safe removal and reinstallation of the carpet once dry.   

Removal of other materials such as drywall and insulation is necessary after significant exposure to water since they lose some of their physical properties, thus reducing their usefulness. Drywall may crumble while insulation loses R-value. Removal of such materials is usually necessary when water flows through the wall, ceiling, floor assembly, or when water remains standing in a room over extended periods. It is rare for a water spill to affect entire walls, so indiscriminate removal of materials from an affected area is wasteful. Our SERVPRO technicians use moisture sensors to trace the edge of the moisture migration determining which materials to remove. Thermal cameras can also help investigate moisture migration in hidden areas.

Is it possible to expedite moisture removal?

Unlike liquid water, which is readily visible and directed by gravitation forces towards the lower edges of your property, moisture behaves differently. Porous materials can concentrate moisture in any section of the office. Significant amounts of moisture also remain in the air. Moisture removal is likely to take the longest chunk of time in the restoration of your office after a water spill. However, it is possible to cut down the time by using state of the art drying equipment and unique drying techniques. 

Our SERVPRO technicians pair up air movers and dehumidifiers to quicken the drying process. We make calculations to determine the units needed depending on the size of your office. We balance the ratio of dehumidifiers to air movers for balanced drying. In addition to relying on the efficiency of the equipment, we also apply several tactics to quicken the process. The common ones include:

• Taking specific humidity measurements instead of relative humidity
• Increasing temperature in the building to boost evaporation
• The unique placement of air movers  
• Using drying chambers to isolate wet areas

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood can help minimize the inconveniences water spills present. Call us at (718) 381-3702 to help. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

We Put The Flames Of Worry Out In Forest Hills After A Fire

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

The grease fire on this stovetop was very hot and created a considerable amount of soot and smoke damage. We acted fast and started restoration.

What Type of Cleaning is Necessary after Fire Damage Incidents in Forest Hills?

Several Cleanup Steps May be Necessary, but SERVPRO Can Help Complete the Process Conveniently 

Since fire damage consumes some materials and produces different residues as part of the combustion processes, there is a need to take appropriate steps to remove all the wastes left at the loss site. The process can present some challenges since there is a need for proper removal and disposal. Some essential steps for clean up include:

• Trash removal
• Food disposal
• Residue cleanup
• Water removal

Are there cleaning steps that have a higher priority?

The different cleaning processes after fire damage incidents in Forest Hills help achieve different goals, including halting any further deterioration of the property, removing or minimizing hazards, and dealing with soiling. Therefore, some steps have priority over others. Our SERVPRO technicians take steps such as extraction of any water leftover from firefighting efforts first to stop microbial development or other decay processes. We also remove trash or partially burnt materials, which might present risks to anyone venturing into the property. We can also ventilate the affected area to push out particulate-filled air from the room.

Can it be challenging to clean up after minor fire incidents?

When minor fire incidents such as stove flare-ups are controlled on time, they might only damage a few items such as cabinets and ceiling at the source point. The cleaning process is expected to be straightforward. However, several factors can complicate the process, including:

• Impinged smoke residues
• Presence of unique residue deposits 
• Residues in concealed areas such as cabinets

The heat from the flames can open up pores in materials or surfaces in areas affected by the fire allowing smoke residue penetration. Regular cleaning procedures such as wiping the surfaces cannot eliminate such residues effectively. Our SERVPRO technicians improve the level of agitation by using specialized equipment. We also leverage chemical action by applying professional cleaning agents to simplify the removal of impinged or unusual residues such as fuel oil residues.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood responds quickly after a fire incident in your property. You can reach us at (718) 381-3702. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

See more about Forrest Hills.

Flood Damage In Your Forest Hills Home

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for 24/7 service.

Flooded Basements In Forest Hills

Homeowners experience flooded basements from time to time. The water pours in from the street from a water main break, or the storm sewers cannot handle the excess water after a massive rainstorm. The water may contain many different chemicals picked up from rushing along roads and through yards. There are often animal feces, and sometimes sewage is accumulated in the runoff, leaving an unsanitary mess in your basement.

SERVPRO has been responding to flood damage events like these for many years in Forest Hills and surrounding areas. We are ready to mobilize equipment and highly trained team members. We are usually on-site within four hours and are available on a 24 / 7 basis to respond to all emergencies involving water damage, flooding, fire, mold, storm, and other significant emergencies. We also provide cleaning services that re needed beyond the scope of the regular janitorial staff.

Cleaning Flooded Basements after a Flood
Flooding in basements can vary from several inches to several feet of contaminated water after a storm. The amount of water and contamination dictates the procedures SERVPRO takes to remove the water, recover your contents, and dry the structure. We can deploy submersible pumps to remove water, use water extractors to remove water from carpeting and hard surface floors. We may need to replace severely damaged carpets and underpads. Porous items may also need to e replaced, while hard-surface contents can usually be cleaned and dried.

SERVPRO may also need to remove baseboards, as well as make flood cuts in the walls above the waterline, to expose the concrete and studs to ensure that all moisture s removed. We use moisture meters to check cavities and structural elements to ensure there are no pockets of moisture remaining that can be a future source of mold.

Our trained technicians identify and remove all moisture from your home or commercial building. We use the latest equipment to dry your building and return humidity levels to normal ranges.

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Middle Village, Richmond Hills, and surrounding areas. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

For more about Forest Hills click here.

Fire Damage Restoration In Forest Hills

2/19/2020 (Permalink)

We can help you return your home to the way it was before the blaze, “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Damage Restoration In Forest Hills Often Requires Utilizing Deodorization Products

If even a small fire ever starts inside your house in Forest Hills, many problems can take place. Fire damage can often come in the form of soot residues and unpleasant aromas. If the blaze was minor, you might not have suffered from a large amount of burnt or charred contents and building materials, but soot residues can still cause you issues on their own. For example, some soots can stain or ruin certain surfaces.

As a part of fire damage restoration in Forest Hills, our SERVPRO technicians can offer cleaning and deodorization techniques. When the surfaces of your building materials and contents get coated with soils and soot residues as a result of the smoke coming from the blaze, the first step we take is to figure out the best cleaning method. When conducting the first inspection, we can test clean your negatively affected surfaces to see if they can be saved and what chemicals and techniques will work the best. Once we figure out the best methods to use, we can clean all of the surfaces in your home that got coated with soot residues.

In some cases, all foul odors can be neutralized during the cleaning process. In other situations, our SERVPRO team has to conduct further deodorization procedures. When removing unpleasant aromas, we can utilize a variety of deodorization products. For example, odor counteracting beads are made of a porous material that is treated with counteractants. When the bag of beads gets opened, the counteractants are released into the air.

We can also utilize specialized deodorant granules or pellets to help deodorize your structure. These pellets work like a sponge that attracts and holds malodor particles. Water-based counteractants can also be used to neutralize bad smells that exist on surfaces.

Other tools we have at our disposal include wet mist or thermal foggers. These machines get filled with chemicals that get dispensed into the air in tiny particulates that can mimic the way smoke traveled throughout your building. We can also use sealers which can seal in odors that exist from burnt or charred materials.

If you ever notice the presence of soot residues after a small fire burns in your house, call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 any day of the week. We can help you return your home to the way it was before the blaze, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Forest Hills click here.

Flood Cleanup In Your Forest Hills Home

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

Our restoration specialists can provide you with timely flood cleanup services.

Get Help With Flood Cleanup in Your Forest Hills Home

Flash flooding can occur quickly after a torrential downpour in Forest Hills, and the water can end up in your home. After such an incident, you need to call experts in flood damage cleanup to prevent additional destruction and like mold infestation, which is not visible immediately.

At SERVPRO, we consider flooding as a critical emergency and respond quickly with our 24 hours, 7-day emergency relief services. Our competent technicians can help you perform flood cleanup in your Forest Hills home quickly. We are experts at cleaning up and drying flood-damaged properties. We have certifications from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and we follow its standards in all restoration jobs.

Our team can manage all aspects of flood damage clean up, including rebuilding the affected areas. Our crew can examine your home to determine the severity of the damage. We can then carefully map out the water extraction, drying, cleaning, and restoration processes that your home needs. We can also provide your insurance firm with restoration outlines to support your claim. Through our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS), we can provide a precise list of your ruined belongings.

The presence of floodwater in a home usually promotes and sustains microbial growth. The main steps our team takes in remediation include:

    •    Drying the environment to remove moisture and reduce humidity levels
    •    Removing contaminated materials

Our team can remove as much of the floodwater as possible quickly using advanced extractors. Removing the water reduces secondary damage and the drying time required to bring a building and its contents to an equilibrium moisture content. Drying your home thoroughly after a flooding incident is also vital. We can use advanced drying systems to dry beams, walls, joists, and other structures that require industrial-strength drying.

Floodwater often contains microbial contaminants that can affect your health. Our SERVPRO team can use environmentally-friendly antimicrobial treatments to kill microbes or stop their growth.  The floodwater can also leave unpleasant odors in your residence. Our team can use odor counteracting beads to eliminate the smells. These products are made of a specially treated porous material that is permeated with solvent-based counteractants. After restorers open the package of beads, the volatile odor counteractants are released and migrate on air currents.  They give off pleasant scents that freshen up the areas we are treating.

After floodwaters enter your property, call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for help. Our restoration specialists can provide you with timely flood cleanup services. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

For more about Forest Hills click here.

What Everyone Must Know About Forest Hills Fire Damage Remediation Services

1/30/2020 (Permalink)

All is not lost! Contact SERVPRO immediately after a fire for effective fire damage remediation efforts. We are available 24/7 365 days a year.

The OSHA Program and Fire Damage in your Forest Hills home

Working through the restoration of a property after a fire can quickly become overwhelming. We build emotional attachments to both structure and possessions of many years as homeowners who can make destructive fires particularly devastating. Several factors can affect your home during and after a fire. Some of these may be soiled, smoke residues, or odor. Others may be structural charring or weakening of critical components within your home. Water used in firefighting procedures serves to further complications in restoration and can set soots or soiling into fabrics and upholstery. 

Overcoming fire damage in your Forest Hills home efficiently and effectively requires a solid strategy from start to finish. While certain aspects may seem simplistic and manageable issues can escalate without professional know-how. Take, for example, soiling on ceilings and walls. These soot deposits can vary in their composition and respond negatively to specific cleaning solutions and chemicals. Equally, agitative cleaning may damage the decor or drywall of the wall itself. Without professional assistance, you may run the risk of causing further harm to your already damaged home.

We know that there is no uniform approach to restoring property at SERVPRO. Fires that burn for a significant amount of time, and at high temperatures, can begin to destroy vital structural elements. You may find doors, window frames, or ceiling subfloors suffer significant charring. Unfortunately, it can be impossible to restore these components because charred materials consistently release unpleasant odors and soot into the indoor environment. To simplify the restoration process, you may decide to choose a single restoration firm to work from start to finish. 

Here at SERVPRO, our roster of technicians include in-house general constructors. You can trust our construction technicians to carry out work safely and professionally because each of them completes a 10 hour General and Construction Industry Training Program (OSHA) with an independent body. We can carefully remove elements of structure for disposal and professionally replace them without you running the risk of poor craft, causing lasting damage to your home. 

For a company that can bring your home back to its best after an emergency, contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702.

Click here to learn more about Forest Hills.

SERVPRO is the Trusted Choice to Restore Your Water Damaged Home

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

Because we are always on call, we restored this water damaged home quickly.

Why Choose SERVPRO to Restore Your Water Damaged Home in Forest Hills? 

Once a water emergency sprouts up in your Forest Hills home, you need to be sure that you spring into action as soon as possible. Instead of taking on the cleanup process on your own, the best results come from hiring trained professionals. Our technicians at SERVPRO get to work quickly to ensure adequate drying takes place so that the entire restoration process goes as smoothly as possible. 

To better learn how we can serve you when you have water damage in Forest Hills, it is essential to know our process and the equipment that we use. We get in quickly to assess the water loss and formulate a plan of action to start the cleanup and restoration steps. No matter the size or severity of the project, drying is a crucial element to ensure mitigation goes smoothly and results in success. We have a SERVPRO response team with the latest tools and machines to implement extraction and drying to protect your property throughout the disaster. 

Once you call us, our Green Fleet arrives at your property with a variety of specialized tools. Using gas-powered pumps, truck-mounted pumps, portable electric pumps, wet-vacuums with extraction wands, and rolling weighted extractors help us tackle any pooled water within the home. We start with a comprehensive assessment to determine the right course of action so that no moisture is left behind. 

Efficiency and expediency go hand in hand for the drying efforts. SERVPRO technicians set up air movers, or high-powered fans, that help blow air throughout the space to displace moisture found in carpeting, materials, and any other saturated surfaces. The air movers are used together with desiccant and LGR dehumidifiers that work to pull out moisture from the surrounding environment. 

While you may think that you can extract water on your own, the best thing to do is call the professionals whenever you have a water-related disaster. Our technicians employ the use of moisture meters and thermal imaging technology to locate even the slightest bit of moisture left unseen by the naked eye. Once thoroughly dried, we clean and disinfect all surfaces to keep mold, mildew, and foul odors from spreading. 

Give us a phone call today at SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood if you have questions about water damage and to learn how we can help. You can reach a team member any time of day or night by calling (718) 381-3702. 

More about Forest Hills.

Our Water Damage Specialists Can Save Your Forest Hills Property

1/26/2020 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

How do I Know How Much Water Damage Has Spread In Your Forest Hills Home?

You may not notice damage in your home immediately.  Sometimes it happens in an area of your home you do not frequent, or even within wall cavities or under your floor.  As a homeowner, you should not let the presence of water derail your day.  Professional water restoration technicians exist to help you in these situations.  A reputable company can assess your home and determine the source and extent of the damage, giving you a clear picture of the necessary steps to achieve a full restoration.

When your home in Forest Hills is the one suffering from water damage, SERVPRO is the professional group you need to contact.  Our water restoration technicians hold certifications by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) as evidence of our know-how as it pertains to protecting your home after water has made its way through it.  All you need to do is contact our 24/7 hotline and allow us to take care of the rest.

If you did not detect the water leak as soon as it happened, or are unsure of just how long water has been seeping into the structure of your home, it is best to let our SERVPRO team take a look at the situation.  With the help of infrared technology and state-of-the-art equipment, we can monitor humidity levels and identify anomalies.  Subsequently, our crew can bring in water extraction equipment, ranging from small wands to truck-mounted pumps, to extract the water and normalize moisture readings throughout your home.  This process sounds simple, but restoring the natural balance of your home environment, including furniture and fixings, is a systematic process guided by our expertise and access to appropriate technology. Overly drying an area can cause problems in items like hardwood floors, and leaving behind water traces can later become a breeding ground for mold and bacteria.

At SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood, we are quick to disasters of all sizes. Calling our trusted crew at (718) 381-3702 is a decision in the right direction. Like you, we want to make your water damage a thing of the past.  Together, we can leave your home, “Like it never even happened.”

For more about Forest Hills click here.

Flood Damage Rego Park – Building Structure Compromised

12/30/2019 (Permalink)

Flood damage can damage your Rego Park building. Let us help make sure your Building structure is not compromised.

If you have water damage to your Rego Park building, we can be there to assist on every level.

Often flood waters quickly overflow the banks of a river or stream, flood adjacent buildings, and then recede just as quickly. But sometimes it may take a few days for the floodwaters to recede. Buildings saturated in water for even a few days can experience structural damage requiring removal of ceilings, wallboard and flooring before restoration can begin.

Once SERVPRO can gain access to homes with flood damage in Rego Park, we can pump the water out of the building with high capacity truck-mounted pumps and begin the restoration process. We need to carefully assess the structure to make sure that it is safe to enter from a structure perspective as well as potential fuel leaks and contamination from various biohazards.

Check for Fuel Leaks

Fuel oil lines may have been severed, allowing fuel oil to leak into or around the home. Propane tanks can be toppled off their mounts, potentially causing fuel leaks. Many homes are heated with natural gas, and supply lines may have ruptured. SERVPRO checks for all of these sources of fuel, along with electrical circuits that may have short-circuited. Fuel leaks represent a significant safety risk. SERVPRO can contact the appropriate experts to resolve the situation. 

Compromised Ceilings and Floors

There can be water in a variety of ceiling cavities which can come crashing down as the supporting drywall structure weakens. SERVPRO can drill one or two weep holes to drain water and reduce the risk of the ceiling collapsing before removing the ceiling.

Construction of subfloors is often from particleboard. When dry, the subfloor is strong and can support the weight of people and machines. Once immersed in water, the glue holding the particles together may weaken, and the wood can also swell. Subfloors can become unstable and not support the weight it is designed for.

SERVPRO examines a flooded building for all of these potential structural hazards before beginning restoration. Until this examination is complete, homeowners should remain outside of the home and avoid risking harm to themselves or their families.

Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Fresh Pond, Kew Gardens, and surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

To learn more about Rego Park, click here.

When Smoke and Soot From Nearby Fires Enter Your Queens Home

12/17/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot from nearby fires can travel into your home. and leave residues and odors behind.

Fire Damage Includes Smoke Wafting in from Nearby Burning Structures in Your Queens Neighborhood 

Even with closed windows throughout your house, a wildly burning business nearby your Queens residence can make things inside smell smoky. Technicians from SERVPRO can remove this odor from your home or condo. Wiping away any dark soot we find is routine when assisting many of our customers. In this situation, however, we find that soot sediments enter the house differently.  

The interior of nearby homes after a large fire in Queens smell like smoke and fire damage because the particles that cause such odors are so small and able to pass through tiny openings. Cracks in your foundation and around windows and doorways can let in substantial amounts of hot smoke particles. Your house's fresh air intake can let in smoke, too, which is one reason our building services team stays available 24/7, just like we do. 

They can clean out your HVAC system's ducts and remove any traces of smoke, ash, and soot that continually produce offensive odors. Stripping the interior of air ducts, cleaning the vents, and wiping the areas outside each one leaves your home with a fresh scent. 

While the fire occurred, likely, your heating system ran at least once or twice, meaning air from the outside was pulled into your house, bringing in soot particles. Related pressure variations in your home can also cause additional soot to enter through those cracks.  

To further reduce the amount of soot your house contains, we can use thermal fogging techniques. While the fire was not inside of your home, our Odor Control Technician (OCT) can assess each area of your residence, allowing the fog to mimic the intrusive smoke adequately enough to achieve the desired results. Bonding with soot helps eliminate odors via molecular bonds that keep odor-causing particles out of the air.  

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood understands fire can be a traumatic experience, even when it happens to someone else. We are near Kew Gardens, Rego Park, and Glendale, and always available to help reduce the impact your family experiences from any source of smoke or fire damage. Call us at (718) 381-3702. 

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The Real Truth Behind Water Removal Issues in Queens

12/15/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding in any part of your home can quickly cause extensive problems. Contact SERVPRO for effective water removal services.

The Appropriate Disposal of Extracted Water in Queens Homes 

As essential as removing standing water from Queens homes might be after a water loss incident, knowing where this excess must go is essential as well. Improper drainage of standing water can sometimes create new problems for you or fail to solve the current damaging situation. Our SERVPRO team follows very explicit guidelines and regulations about the proper disposal of excess water from a house and can choose among these options based on the circumstances and the most efficient available solution. 

Part of the scoping of a loss incident that our project manager oversees determines not only the severity of the damage and need for water removal in Queens homes but also the appropriate draining method that our field technicians should employ. In some situations, extraction discharge can get moved directly into available drainage networks in your property, such as a bathtub or sink. There are situations where this might not always be possible or recommended, however. 

Potential Contaminations 

While most of the water loss incidents that homeowners experience are clean water threats, any potential contamination that could exist might encourage our SERVPRO technicians to choose to discharge into sewer cleanouts. This puts any potentially contaminated water into the sanitary sewer system for your municipality. 

Debris and Solids 

Even without a threat of contamination, many water loss situations have our SERVPRO team battling debris and solids from degrading materials, dirt, and other crumbling contents. While our trash pumps can handle this debris in the water, heavy saturation might require removal from the area with our extractor trucks. We can take these tanks to our warehouse for proper disposal, or in some situations, take them directly to a water treatment facility. 

With extraction being a vital element to managing loss scenarios in your home, drainage decisions must happen immediately. We can quickly identify what method is most efficient and cost-effective for our customers. No matter how our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team can help, give us a call anytime at (718) 381-3702. 

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We Get You Back To Business In Kew Gardens

12/2/2019 (Permalink)

Using our advanced equipment, our team will restore your commercial property to pre-damage condition. Call us right away we respond 24/7.

Steps to Commercial Mold Damage Remediation in Kew Gardens Properties

One fact about commercial mold damage is that it will continue to get worse. There are many "treatments" on the market, but generally, they remove visible signs of the mold only. 

When SERVPRO technicians handle commercial mold damage in Kew Gardens businesses, they know going in that mold is a symptom of another often more significant issue. 

Common Reasons Causing Mold Damage

It is a good idea to inspect commercial properties regularly for things that need repair or addressing to inhibit mold growth. Some frequently seen issues resulting in mold include:

• Slow plumbing leaks within walls or ceilings 
• Water damage from flash flooding improperly cleaned up
• Poor ventilation in attic storage or above kitchen areas
• Roof and gutter damage allowing water inside the building
• Poor sealing around windows or doors allowing moisture to build-up

Drying and Remediation Actions

Property owners often remark they previously treated mold, but it came back. Actually, it never left. Treatments such as spraying visible colonies with bleach work to remove the evidence of mold on the surface; however, it does nothing to remove the issue from the property. SERVPRO technicians determine all areas of mold infestation, including underfloors and behind walls. 

They contain the area to stop any further spread of mold damage and dry the colonies. Once the humidity in the area is below 50%, the mold cannot exist. They remove the dried colonies using hand tools or in cases of large areas that require removal, soda blasting is a way to abate the infestation gently from surfaces.  Hand vacuums fitted with HEPA filtration to catch the minute particulate thoroughly pick up the dried matter. 

Post-Remediation Actions

SERVPRO technicians have extensive training in handling any size mold infestation. After remediation, they apply antimicrobial agents as well as sealants to inhibit the return of mold before necessary repairs happen to end the condition making the structure favorable for spore germination and colony growth.

Contact SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 for assistance with commercial mold damage. Our emergency response team is local, and We're Faster to Any Size Disaster. 

See more about Kew Gardens.

Our Experts Are Available 24/7 In Forrest Hills To Handle Your Flood Damage Restoration

11/19/2019 (Permalink)

Our crew can handle any size water disaster in your home. We have the training and equipment necessary 24/7 to restore your home.

Flood Damage can Involve Ocean Water and Damage Wood Floors in Your Forest Hills Residence

After a heavy storm that sweeps ocean water into the Forest Hills area, the type of water might seem unimportant at first. However, SERVPRO wants homeowners to understand that wood can suffer damage in its interior. Such wood includes flooring that might seem to dry out beautifully. However, the salt content can cause a process called delignification to occur.

Delignification of wooden structures happens in homes in Forest Hills when flood damage comes from saline-rich sources. Lignin helps hold the basic structures in wood together and without it, the wood deteriorates and falls apart. SERVPRO responds to this by flushing wood floors with fresh water. At first, this only dilutes the salt content. However, just like it worked to remove the salt from our subway system after Hurricane Sandy, flushing with fresh water can protect a wooden floor, and other wooden items, from unnecessary damage. We check with diagnostic materials to ensure that as soon as the saline content reaches normal amounts, we begin the drying process.

We can use the same technique to save the framework of your house, as well. While flood damage saturates softer materials like plaster and drywall, destroying it beyond repair, the wood within those walls can often be saved. We need to begin this as soon as possible. Delignification is irreversible. Once it takes place, there is no means to restore the wood's composition to normal again. 

We can remove and box up wooden items like furniture legs and other objects, packing them up as we inventory them. Once taken to our facility, they can soak in a water bath where the salt washes away. We carefully monitor this to avoid warping and discoloration, although re-staining is always an option. Our building department is skilled in furniture restoration, as well as other aspects involved in reconstruction.  

These items, and everything else in your flooded home in Rego Park, Kew Gardens, or Glendale, require disinfecting and removal of debris, as well. We can help with all stages of flood damage recovery. Call us, SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood, at our 24-hour services line, (718) 381-3702, year-round. We're Always Faster To Any Size Disaster.

See more about Forest Hills.

Steady Appliance Leaks Can Cause Mold in Rego Park Laundromats

11/16/2019 (Permalink)

Mold won't stand a chance in your Rego Park Laundromat with SERVPRO on the job.

Has mold taken over your Rego Park laundromat ? SERVPRO will kick it right out the door.

Your Rego Park laundromat makes money when people can readily use the washing and drying machines as they need. With water-fed appliances like the line of washing machines you have positioned along one side of the building, a small leak can be hard to pinpoint exclusively, but can also lead to worsening conditions from the prolonged moisture like microbial threats. 

Because many of these situations are unique and can feature any of thousands of microorganisms, mold damage in a Rego Park laundromat is best left to professionals like our SERVPRO team. With exposed materials like linoleum flooring, baseboards, and drywall, any of these areas can host spreading colonies and allow the organism to spread beyond the initial water damage spot. 

Successful remediation begins with an assessment of the property to determine the scope of the damage. This inspection includes determining the migration of the active colonization, as well as the source of the water damage that fed the problem initially. With many machines positioned closely together, we might have to pull units away from the walls to identify which machine or hose connection has the leak which lead to mold growth. 

Addressing mold concerns starts with determining how severe colonization has become in affected surfaces. Baseboards are not complicated to replace, making it often more cost-effective to detach this trim rather than dry it out and use remediation tactics like soda blasting to remove the colonization. We have a team of certified and licensed general contractors that can oversee the controlled demolition of materials like the baseboards to allow access to the wallboard behind. 

Because units get moved around and pushed more often than they should, it can cause cracks and missing portions of your linoleum tile floor. Water penetration beneath these microbe-resistant tiles can not only spell trouble for the flooring itself but leave a door open for mold growth beneath them. The application of sporicides can kill growing colonies forming at these vulnerable positions while our SERVPRO team works to continue addressing active colonization in other areas. 

We understand how damaging the presence of mold can be for your customers and your business, so our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood team aims to prove We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. We can help when you call (718) 381-3702. 

 To learn more about Rego Park, click here.

Our Professionals Can Save Your Home In Forest Hills After A Water Damage Incident

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Effective Water Removal in Affected Forest Hills Homes Takes More than Having Extraction Equipment

Water intrusion is a significant concern because it damages property, including the contents. Whether the origin of the water is internal, such as when a supply pipe bursts or from an external source, there is a need to take the right steps to remove the water immediately. Although using sophisticated extraction equipment helps ease water removal, sometimes it takes more to get the job done.

Reaching the Water that Finds Way into Cavities
When water spills, it finds a way into hidden areas within the property, and therefore the water removal exercise in Forest Hills must find a way to reach those areas. Merely having high-speed water extractors and pumps is not sufficient to deal with the hidden water. Our WRT, Water Restoration Technicians at SERVPRO, learn various techniques to reach all hidden cavities. We punch vent or weep holes to release the water trapped in wall cavities or ceilings. In major water spills, we make flood cuts to remove water and wet materials from wall cavities.

Removing Water from Materials
Once the water spills on surfaces, porous and semi-porous materials such as wood, carpets, and upholstery absorb a significant percentage of it. Equipment with sufficient lift capacity can help remove water from fabrics, but for semi-porous materials such as wood, elaborate procedures are necessary to ensure sufficient removal and to save the material from permanent destruction. Our SERVPRO technicians use different procedures to help with such removal. We can set up a drying chamber to help improve and control the rate of drying for wood. We can also heat the area to improve the evaporation rates.

Drying the Property
Even after a thorough extraction, some traces of moisture remain, requiring specific drying steps. Increasing airflow and extracting moisture from the air helps with removal. Our SERVPRO technicians use air movers to improve airflow and dehumidifiers to extract the moisture that evaporates into the air. Dehumidifiers also exhaust warm air back into the room, improving the drying process further.

Removal of water from wet properties requires a combination of resources. At SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood, we have a variety of equipment and sufficient skills to handle any issue. Call us at (718) 381-3702. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

For more about Forest Hills click here.

We Discuss Deodorization Using Foggers In Queens

10/10/2019 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

Fire Damage Crews From Queens Discuss Deodorization Using Foggers

Any time something burns on or near your property in Queens, the smoke created by it can penetrate deeply into porous contents and building materials inside your home. A significant portion of any fire damage restoration project is the deodorization process. After something ignites inside your structure, pungent aromas can exist. If you call in a professional company such as SERVPRO, we can help you eliminate these burnt smells.

During some fire damage projects in Queens, smoke odors can still be prevalent after all burnt materials and soot residues have been removed. When this occurs, our SERVPRO crew can take other steps to deodorize your structure. The best way to rid your property of unpleasant aromas is to dispense masking and pairing agents that both cover up and chemically neutralizes malodor particles. When the smoke has penetrated your building materials and contents deeply, we can dispense chemical agents in a way that mimics how smoke behaves.

To dispense deodorant agents into the air, so it behaves like smoke, we must use a fogging machine to break down the chemicals into microscopic particles. Once the chemical molecules are around the same size as the smoke particles, they can then penetrate items in the same way the smoke did. When fogging a structure, we can implement either an ultra-low volume (ULV) fogging machine or a thermal fogger.

ULV foggers get used for wet fogging and they work by turning water-based chemicals into a mist. These units can break down chemicals to 20 to 60 microns in size. The only risks prevalent when wet fogging are the possibilities of moisture damage on horizontal surfaces.

Thermal foggers use petroleum-based or solvent-based chemicals in their fogging process. The machine vaporizes the deodorants into a smoke or fog that consists of extremely small particles. These foggers can break chemicals down to as small as a half a micron in size.

Deodorization procedures can be vital when attempting to return your house back to the way it was before the inferno ignited, “Like it never even happened.” To seek out aid from the industry's experts, call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702 any time of the day.

For more about Queens click here.

We Get You Back To Business In Rego Park

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

Our state-of-the-art equipment and advanced cleaning techniques will restore your building after you have a water damage disaster.

Our Commercial Water Removal Services Right Everything after Accidents in Rego Park Retail Shops

Minor plumbing mishaps and terrible weather events can create emergencies within your shop in Rego Park that affect your business. People coming to your store do not expect conditions that compromise their safety, and government regulations require employers continuously maintain safe environments. The liability that results from unsafe situations requires your immediate concern and attention.

When retail shops in Rego Park need commercial water removal services that restore dry, safe conditions, we know that we must act quickly from the initial call. We want our customers to know We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and understand your concerns regarding interruptions, expenses, and possible changes to your shop's interior.

Our specialists and technicians receive certificates from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), ensuring their ability to professionally mitigate and restore your retail setting back to how you remember. Working with our building services staff, we remove damaged materials and building components, repair places where minor damage may worsen, clean areas that are at risk of sustaining damage and dry the entire setting. We can handle severe disasters, including fallen trees that tore through your roof, also.

Your store's merchandise, the units used for displaying these items to your shoppers, and any other furnishings also require the attention SERVPRO's IICRC-certified Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT). The glass, metal, and wood of these structures require the elimination of dampness to protect from loss caused by rust, grime, and other problems that leaks can visit upon your business. We extract moisture from these after we gather them together and place inside a drying chamber. 

We help retail businesses recover inventory and reduce loss through helping gather undamaged items, and setting those needing replacements. We can list these for you on inventory sheets that help you with the task of replenishing your stock. Many stores include damaged items in particular areas marked appropriately to help customers obtain a bargain while decreasing their losses related to inventory. We can help you eliminate 

Carpets and rugs need protective measures against moisture that gets trapped in their fibers, and thorough cleaning can provide precisely what these floor coverings need. Many times, we also find shops with tile and other types of flooring. We can dry all of these and prevent any warping, bubbling, or other signs of the past water-related emergency. Although many smaller-sized shops can mop up or use a wet-dry vac to remove small spills, relying on our building services team to repair plumbing and other leaks, including those coming from the roof or appliances, can free up other resources that you need.  

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood takes pride in helping businesses with water removal and extraction services in Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, and Rego Park. We also provide mitigation and other services to those areas, as well as to the Ridgewood area. Contact our 24-hour emergency services team by calling (718) 381-3702, any day of the year. We can help you by making everything “Like it never even happened.”

See more about Rego Park.

Quick Water Removal Prevents Secondary Damage in Ridgewood

8/28/2019 (Permalink)

We dried these hardwood floors by creating a barrier and directing air through that barrier.

How Professional Water Removal Services in Ridgewood Help Prevent Extensive Damage

Most homes in the Ridgewood area sustain water damage occasionally. After a water intrusion incident in your home, you need to take immediate action. Appliance leaks or burst pipes can cause primary water damage, and not taking care of the problem can cause secondary damage to your possessions and home. 

In the unfortunate event of water loss in your house, you need to hire professionals who offer water removal services in Ridgewood. A restoration company like SERVPRO comes in handy because we have the workforce, experience, and equipment to handle the incident. You can start removing the water as you wait for our technicians to arrive, but take the following precautions to stay safe:

• Avoid using your ordinary vacuum cleaner to remove the water because it may get damaged or expose you to the risk of electrocution. Use a wet/dry vacuum instead.
• Do not use electrical appliances that are on wet floors or wet carpets.
• Do not enter rooms with stagnant water if the electricity is on.
• Avoid lifting tacked down carpeting because improper lifting could promote shrinkage.

Within minutes, water spreads quickly from room to room. The walls and furniture absorb the water and may become saturated. Within 24 hours, the drywall swells. Metal surfaces tarnish, and the paint on walls forms blisters. After 48 hours to one week, mold forms in a home and spreads. Metal can corrode and develop rust. Professional water removal helps prevent such issues.

Our Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRTs) have expertise in cleaning up a home and restoring water-damaged possessions. Our team carefully inspects all aspects of the ruined areas and starts mitigating the loss. We pump out standing water using the right extractors. We also check the walls and floors below the destroyed areas and crawl spaces for standing water and pump it out. Our SERVPRO crew also takes a detailed inventory of salvageable items. We take the things we can save to a safe area and restore them. We may also take some contents to our facilities for thorough cleaning and restoration.

We also ensure that no danger exists after a water loss incident. Water can soak through several layers of drywall or seep through crevices to cause a hidden mold infestation. Our WRTs use moisture meters to determine the extent of water penetration in floors, carpets, ceilings, and walls. If your carpet is damp, we can detach it and extract water from the floor and pad. We also perform proper drying and dehumidification that goes beyond the surface level. We use industrial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to dry the affected structural elements and furnishings thoroughly to ensure that no troublesome mold outbreaks occur.

If you need immediate water removal services in Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, or Rego Park, SERVPRO of Forest Hills/ Ridgewood can help you.  Call us at (718)381-3702 for quick restoration. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Call Us If A Mold Infestation Plagues Your Forest Hills Home

8/24/2019 (Permalink)

Give our specialists a call anytime that you need us at (718) 381-3702.

Thorough Mold Inspections For Forest Hills Homes

For as detrimental and damaging as mold growth can be in Forest Hills homes and businesses, many homeowners still lack a functional knowledge of the best ways to identify this threat. With many periods of the year featuring elevated relative humidity throughout our area and the potential for flooding in crawlspaces and basements, your property might already meet the necessary conditions to facilitate the growth of mold. The best solution is to routinely inspect the house, the basement, or crawlspace regularly.

With as quickly as mold damage in Forest Hills homes can spread and thrive, it is critical to work immediately to identify threats and reduce the present colonization. While some property owners can identify the presence of mold through visible spotting on surfaces like drywall or through a foreign musty odor that is uncommon to their home, these signs are not always so blatant and easy to distinguish. Often, homeowners who suspect that mold damage could exist are responding to an increase in mild respiratory conditions for the household or irritations to the eyes, nose, and throat. These can also be indicative of a thriving colony somewhere out of your immediate sightline.

Our SERVPRO professionals arrive at your property with the full measure of our moisture detection tools, including infrared and thermal imagery cameras. These devices can help to identify moisture pockets in areas out of sight. These moisture pockets can often facilitate mold growth, especially in areas without much natural sunlight and poor ventilation. Your HVAC system can be another common point to experience mold colonization, which can become especially problematic for your family because these conditions can spread volatile organic compounds throughout the entire structure.

Testing is another sound strategy when even our experienced professionals have not become convinced that a problem exists. We can utilize lab testing for environmental analysis. Often these tests study the concentration of mold spores in a particular sample. Higher readings than you can expect often indicate colonization occurring in wall cavities, the HVAC system, or some other inaccessible location.

Our professionals strive to provide our clients with a knowledgeable and confident response, especially when mold could be a factor. We have tests and strategies to know for sure, and our SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood can begin remediation approaches right away if colonies get discovered. Give our specialists a call anytime that you need us at (718) 381-3702.

For more about Forest Hills click here.

Warehouse Owners in Forest Hills with Commercial Fire Damage need one Company

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

We understand how serious a fire damage can be for our Forest Hills community.

Let SERVPRO blaze through your commercial fire damage in Forest Hills.

Exposed spaces with poor insulation are increasingly likely to sustain fire as loose, or aging wearing becomes exposed to temperature changes, condensation, and humidity. A warehouse manager needs to be aware of the potential for fire in their property by making regular maintenance assessments of their electrics and fusebox to keep the likelihood of an electrical fire to a minimum. 

Warehouses tend to be situated away from residential, or business centers, so the potential for moderate or major fire damage in your Forest Hills business is higher. Slow combustion materials, like synthetics, can result in thick, stubborn smoke residues that are not cleanable with regular, non-oil based cleaning agents. If an electric fire breaks out during working hours, you should never use water to control the blaze since it conducts electricity and could hurt you. You should keep a dry powder fire extinguisher on-site at all times. 

Once a blaze has been contained, your commercial property is likely to have a thick, unpleasant smoke odor, charred debris, and wide scale soiling. SERVPRO operates a large loss recovery team for commercial business owners that can arrive on-site quickly to carry out the tasks needed for restoration. We can remove, and dispose of charred items as well as remove structural components like damaged windows or doors. Any stock or materials in the affected area can be removed during the cleaning procedure to avoid further losses.

Commercial buildings tend to be much larger than residential projects, which is why SERVPRO makes sure we have the human resources and the equipment to handle larger job sites. A larger Jobsite requires more work. However, a vacated space has many advantages in restoration. Easier access to walls, ceilings, or floors as well as a more extensive array of equipment can be used in a vacated space. 

SERVPRO can deploy Ozone generators to alter the indoor atmosphere and eliminate odors and gases permanently. These machines can be lethal during use, which is why they can only be deployed in vacated spaces. However, they can be noticeably more efficient and provide better results than regular fogging equipment or Hydroxyl generators. Give your business the very best treatment after a disaster to ensure it gets back to its preloss condition.

Large projects require restoration services with resources. Contact the SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood commercial response unit at (718) 381-3702.

To learn more about Forest Hills, click here.

Warehouse Owners in Forest Hills with Commercial Fire Damage need one Company

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO blaze through your commercial fire damage in Forest Hills.

Exposed spaces with poor insulation are increasingly likely to sustain fire as loose, or aging wearing becomes exposed to temperature changes, condensation, and humidity. A warehouse manager needs to be aware of the potential for fire in their property by making regular maintenance assessments of their electrics and fusebox to keep the likelihood of an electrical fire to a minimum. 

Warehouses tend to be situated away from residential, or business centers, so the potential for moderate or major fire damage in your Forest Hills business is higher. Slow combustion materials, like synthetics, can result in thick, stubborn smoke residues that are not cleanable with regular, non-oil based cleaning agents. If an electric fire breaks out during working hours, you should never use water to control the blaze since it conducts electricity and could hurt you. You should keep a dry powder fire extinguisher on-site at all times. 

Once a blaze has been contained, your commercial property is likely to have a thick, unpleasant smoke odor, charred debris, and wide scale soiling. SERVPRO operates a large loss recovery team for commercial business owners that can arrive on-site quickly to carry out the tasks needed for restoration. We can remove, and dispose of charred items as well as remove structural components like damaged windows or doors. Any stock or materials in the affected area can be removed during the cleaning procedure to avoid further losses.

Commercial buildings tend to be much larger than residential projects, which is why SERVPRO makes sure we have the human resources and the equipment to handle larger job sites. A larger Jobsite requires more work. However, a vacated space has many advantages in restoration. Easier access to walls, ceilings, or floors as well as a more extensive array of equipment can be used in a vacated space. 

SERVPRO can deploy Ozone generators to alter the indoor atmosphere and eliminate odors and gases permanently. These machines can be lethal during use, which is why they can only be deployed in vacated spaces. However, they can be noticeably more efficient and provide better results than regular fogging equipment or Hydroxyl generators. Give your business the very best treatment after a disaster to ensure it gets back to its preloss condition.

Large projects require restoration services with resources. Contact the SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood commercial response unit at (718) 381-3702.

To learn more about Forest Hills, click here.

For Awesome Restoration after a Water, Mold, Fire or Storms Problem---In Forest Hills--Call SERVPRO

6/24/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Techs Have the Experience, Skills, and Equipment to Restore Your Forest Hills Home after a Mishap--"Like it never even happened."

Why Using Professional Restoration Services for Forest Hills Properties is a Smart Move

There are various types of home improvements that work out great as DIY weekend projects. However, when your Forest Hills property requires cleanup and restoration services from damage done by storm, fire, water or needs mold remediation, it is a smart move to outsource the task to a professional company. 

Water damage arrives in Forest Hills homes in many forms. Supply line breaks often happen suddenly, and the water loss can be a few gallons or many depending on how quickly the water is shut off in the home. Another common culprit is the hot water tank when it fails it can dump anywhere from thirty to fifty gallons of water in a house on average. The number one enemy in a water cleanup situation is time. The longer the time frame between the water spill and water removal, the more damage done to both the property and its contents. Also, water that stands longer than 48 hours gets a rating as a category three biohazard that requires protective gear during extraction.

SERVPRO has many kinds of water extraction equipment to ensure even hard-to-reach moisture gets removed. During the initial call, we inspect for the general scope and scale of water cleanup needs; this preparation ensures our green service vans arrive stocked with everything needed from portable pumps to stand-on Rover units and weighted extraction wands for pushing water out of carpet and padding for on-site drying, saving it from loss.  

When Forest Hills require fire damage cleanup, it is usually a multilayered process. The type of fire damage determines the way we handle the mitigation, and we test the residue before the start of cleanup, so we apply the correct methods and solutions for the type of smoke damage that requires removal. 

Fire cleanup entails removing charred items that have zero restoration potential along with identifying things that our proprietary cleaning techniques can save. Water damage is also a common issue after a fire, and we perform extractions as fast as possible. 

Even small fires can leave significant odors in a property and until dealt with, may spread throughout the premises. SERVPRO Odor Control Technicians (OCT) use different types of equipment depending on the scope and scale of the fire odor removal needed. Some methods include:

Gel pellets-work on time-release to create a pleasant scent 

Hydroxyl generators- these machines take airborne particles and molecules and use UV rays (just like the Sun) to neutralize them

Thermal fogging-our technician applies a solvent heated to a fog-state to penetrate porous objects and eradicate smoke odors.

Mold damage in Forest Hills properties often goes quietly unnoticed until the homeowner notices a musty smell or finds tell-tale mold colonies growing on walls, wood or other parts of the home. 

Mold restoration is not an accurate description because mold occurs naturally both inside and outside the home. What matters is if conditions in the house become favorable for mold growth. Situations such as slow leaks that continue over time or poor ventilation from an exhaust fan are common reasons that lead to the need for mold remediation in both commercial and residential properties.

SERVPRO technicians hold certifications in mold remediation AMRT and know how to remove mold colonies safely from structures and stop the spread of spores through containment. We dry the structure, and when the mold dries, we can use different methods of abatement such as soda blasting which does not mar surfaces and cleans away colonies. Small hand-held HEPA filtered vacuums assist when scraping mold colonies from surfaces. As part of our restoration services, we also determine the cause of the mold and give the homeowner the steps necessary to inhibit the return of the issue.

When a Forest Hills property has storm damage, you need to act quickly, especially if groundwater has entered the property as it is a category three biohazard and requires special handling for safety and health reasons. 

Upon arrival, SERVPRO technicians tarp over damaged roofs or seal off broken windows. Whenever possible we dry furnishings in place to avoid as much disruption when it is water from snowmelt or rainwater.  Non-groundwater flooding through a broken window provides a much more potential for saving items through our cleaning methods. In the case of water in an attic, we use specialized insulation vacs to collect wet fiberglass insulation for restoration and reuse after drying. There is always the option of discarding and installing new insulation.

Flash floods resulting in groundwater coming into a home is the most severe level of water damage for a home. The water has the potential to contain debris, contaminants, and even sewage. Our technicians wear protective gear during mitigation and use EPA-registered solutions to kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

Water extraction is vital to saving as much of the home and contents as possible. Because the more water we remove with our portable pumps and other equipment designed to expedite the process, the faster the drying phase goes. Thorough lowering of moisture levels under 45% inhibits the growth of mold and lowers odors significantly. 

Why SERVPRO? Our technicians reside locally in the Brooklyn and Queens Boroughs and hold certifications in various restoration sciences. We follow the best practices as taught by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Our team possesses the skills necessary to restore items using our proprietary techniques that result in less loss and savings since there is often no need to replace damaged items. 

We know when local property owners contact us, they are already dealing with the stress of damage in their homes and have the added issue of providing proof to the insurance carrier for filing a claim, so there is a fast turnaround for the homeowner. To assist homeowners in feeling less overwhelmed, we provide detailed reports complete with before and after photographs of each phase of our restoration services. To ensure the property returns to its preloss condition, we also give both the adjuster and homeowner a list of repairs or required reconstruction necessary. 

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood is available 24/7 at (718) 381-3702 to provide restoration services needed after damage from water, fire, storm or mold. Our trained, certified technicians can make any home disaster "Like it never even happened." 

Forest Hills Stadium

Get Your SERVPRO ERP Now to Protect Your Forest Hills Business

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Download your SERVPRO ERP today!

Preparing for Commercial Flood Damage in Forest Hills Helps Prevent Huge Losses in Retail Settings

For businesses in the Forest Hills area, a disaster can force them to close unexpectedly. Overall, companies that put together a recovery plan before a disaster happens succeed at much higher rates in reopening and resuming normal activities than businesses that did not take the opportunity to prepare for the worst.

SERVPRO offers a free plan, the Emergency READY Profile (ERP), that can make disasters like commercial flood damage less destructive in Forest Hills businesses. When the owner or manager of a retail business takes the time to complete an ERP, the benefits might not appear immediately, but the protection can prove invaluable when needing help the most.

We have found that an ERP helps local Forest Hills businesses recover after a commercial flood disaster more quickly, with less loss, and also with less expense. Recovering more quickly also puts less strain on agencies because employees can return to work sooner. There are vast economic differences between cities with healthy businesses and those that falter.

As soon as we receive a call from a business, we begin taking their information so we can arrive completely ready to start the mitigation process. When that company has a SERVPRO ERP, we already have the necessary information. Not needing to ask more than the most basic questions saves us considerable time.

Already Faster To Any Size Disaster because every minute that ticks by when a flood soaks your building, an ERP means we also have a layout of your building. Such layouts include utility shut off locations, entrances, staircases, and other structural components that can help us in mitigating the damage. Flooding affects your business differently than what fire or other problems do, and we want to provide you with the most effective services possible.

When your retail business sustains flood damage, call SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood at (718) 381-3702. We can help you before such disasters happen with an ERP of your own. Serving nearby communities, including Maspeth, Glendale, and Middle Village, year-round, including holidays, weekends, and the middle of the night, we are ready when you need us.

See more about Forest Hills.

Consider Our Pack-Out Service During Kew Gardens Fire Damage Remediation

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO save your most precious possessions.

Don't take on that smoke damage alone.

When a fire roars through your Kew Gardens home, it uses anything in its path as fuel. Structural components and fixtures often suffer substantial damage from the heat and flames, and water damage is usually a major problem because firefighters do what it takes to knock the blaze down. Sorting out these significant issues can shift concerns about contents to a back burner. Utilizing our pack-out option streamlines remediation inside your home and allows thoughtful consideration of the fate of the transported items.

Fire damage remediation for Kew Gardens homeowners is an overwhelming proposition. In addition to the long list of tasks, the timeline for completion is daunting. The water removal phase needs to sunset in fewer than 24 to 48 hours to avoid mold growth. Meanwhile, fire residues begin discoloring plastics and appliances within hours, wood and grout darken, metals tarnish after a day. Furnishings and fabrics yellow, metal pits, hardwood needs refinishing, within a week. As more days go by, glass etches, and silver tarnishes.

If SERVPRO does a pack-out right after an assessment, we can slow the progressive damage to contents as well as turning back the corrosive process. Your belongings are secure, documented by our Claims Content Inventory System (CCIS) with lists, digital photos, and barcodes. We move them to our production facility where they are cleaned, dried, restored, and deodorized using specialized procedures and technologically advanced equipment.

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training mastered by our employees make each technician multi-talented in fire damage mitigation and restoration. As the production facility staff move through the boxes of possessions, rugs, furniture, clothing, window treatments, and more many items you feared destroyed return to the function and appearance you treasure.

At your home, the structures and fixtures receive professional cleanup after water mitigation and removal. Charred items are evaluated for strength once the burn is scraped or sanded away, the structures restored or discarded with integrity and safety in mind. Soot types match with the products, tools, and techniques research shows are most effective. Odor is cleared, starting with a thorough cleaning and moving to advanced technologies like thermal foggers and hydroxyl generators until the stench neutralizes.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills / Ridgewood balances the dual needs for fire damage restoration within your dwelling and packed-out items for one compelling reason -- it takes both to make a house a home. Once the firefighters depart, call us at (718) 381-3702 to plan for your home’s rise from the ashes.

If you would like to learn more about Kew Gardens a little town in NY click here.

Trauma and Crime Scene Cleanup

4/9/2019 (Permalink)

What happens after police have processed a crime scene? SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood is here to help.

When the worst case scenario happens, SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood is here to help.

Once police have processed a crime scene or the scene of a traumatic event, the restoration process can begin to transform an unsafe environment into a clean, safe, and habitable space again.

Our primary concern is your safety. Crime or accident scenes can expose you to serious health risks from bloodborne pathogens and other biohazard contaminants. Our SERVPRO team will respond immediately to your needs, backed with the experience, specialized training, and protective equipment necessary to safely clean the scene. We will treat both your property and the people involved with the utmost care and empathy to help you move on with your lives.

SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood provides the following services in the event of an accident, crime, trauma, or death:

• Fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals cleanup
• Tear gas/pepper spray residue cleanup
• Fire extinguisher residue cleanup
• Removal and disposal of blood, bodily fluids, and other potentially pathogenic substances.

In addition to these services, we also provide cleanup for

• Arson and vandalism
• Methamphetamine/illegal drug labs.

Prepared with the proper safety equipment and cleaning products, our crew can help your home or business heal from a traumatic event.

Do you need trauma or crime scene cleanup? Call SERVPRO of Forest Hills/Ridgewood today at (718) 522-4400.

3 Tips for When You Need a Sewer Cleanup

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

If you have sewage backup call SERVPRO of Forrest Hill-Ridgewood.

Sewer Damage

In the event a sewer backup occurs in your Forest Hills, NY, home, you may be wondering what to do about the sewer damage that results. Here are three steps that could help with the cleanup and restoration process.

1. Contact a Professional

One of the first steps to dealing with sewage damage is to contact your local water damage restoration service. This team of professionals should have the tools necessary to find and solve the source of the problem, conduct any repairs necessary, and clean and sanitize the affected area.

2. Wear Proper Safety Gear

When dealing with sewer damage in your home, it's important to wear the proper safety gear. Many sewage company professionals wear coveralls as well as protective boots and gloves. Some may also choose to wear masks. Not only does this help prevent any sewage material from touching the skin, but it can also help to ensure that undesirable matter does not get tracked through the rest of the home. When performing a cleanup of this type, it's also important to properly wash after doing any work.

3. Sanitize Affected items

If you have sewer water in your home, whether from a backup situation or a flooded toilet, it's important to properly clean and sanitize any affected items. This could include bath mats and shower curtains, or even cabinetry and tile. Different types of items may require different cleaning procedures, so it's best to follow manufacturer instructions, and when in doubt talk to a professional.

When facing sewer damage in your Forest Hills, NY, home, it's important to remember to wear proper safety gear. You will also want to clean and sanitize any affected items. Calling a professional maybe the best route to go as they have the gear and knowledge necessary to get your home back in order. If you have any questions, your local professional may be able to help.

What Makes SERVPRO a Successful Franchise Model?

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

Entrepreneurs who are considering owning and operating a franchise may want to partner with SERVPRO. The demand for mitigation and restoration services is universal, and new franchise owners will join a network of over 1,700 franchises. Find out more about the features that can set a SERVPRO franchise up for success.

National Coverage

SERVPRO is so successful because it has locations across many regions. Each franchise location benefits from the backing of a national corporation and the extensive location network. This model can be helpful in several ways:

• Faster response times
  
• A network of equipment and certified experts
  
• Support from nearby locations

All of these factors mean that a locally owned franchise may arrive on the scene faster than an independent service. This business model also enables every franchise to provide services sought out by clients and insurers.

All-In-One Services

Property owners and insurance companies may prefer to obtain mitigation and restoration services from a single company. There are several advantages to providing both of these services:

• Offering a single estimate
  
• Managing the complete schedule
  
• Improving communication on the job

These features combine to make clients and insurance representatives prefer that work be done by a SERVPRO franchise rather than independent mitigation and restoration providers. It is also easier for a one-stop shop to guarantee the quality of work.

A Solid Track Record

SERVPRO has been around for more than 50 years and maintains a high ranking on the Entrepreneur Franchise 500. Entrepreneurs who want to own and operate a location for the top restoration company in the nation should pursue the opportunity to start a new franchise.

Opening a SERVPRO franchise can be an excellent venture for an entrepreneur in Middle Village, NY. Consider all of these features, factor in nearby locations and contact the corporation to determine the best approach to opening a locally owned mitigation and restoration service.

The Steps to Recover Mold Damaged Belongings

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO responded immediately to this home in Forest Hills, NY and began clean up.

Mold Cleaning Methods

When mold takes hold, it moves rapidly through the home, especially when it begins in an out-of-the-way place where you can't see it. For many homeowners, the damage goes beyond the walls and flooring; personal belongings, such as family pictures, baby blankets, and cherished mementos, can't be replaced. Fortunately, there are many mold cleaning methods that could save many of your possessions.

Step One: Identify What You Can Save

The first step is identifying what can be saved. How can you tell if you have to throw something away?

• Is it porous? You'll probably have to throw it out. This includes books, carpets, stuffed animals, and pictures.
  
• Did the item get waterlogged? Damages increase as more water affects belongings and the longer the water is allowed to remain on (and in) the items, the worse that damage becomes.
  
• Can you afford specialized treatments? Freeze-drying is an effective mold remediation tool, but this preservation technique requires a financial investment.

The Next Step: Separate Belongings From Water

Whether photographs and memory books are stored in damp basements and attics or were affected by high humidity because of flooding, they can be preserved. As soon as you notice the mold damage, move photographs to a cool, dry space. Oil paintings and expensive rugs may also have a chance for complete repair. Move your belongings into the bright sunlight if it's available. Keep them dry and protected from other natural elements. Your favorite novels should be thrown out and replaced, but a cherished family Bible should be handled as little as possible. Remove as much water as possible from the area and use only minimal handling to move the Bible to a dry spot while it waits for mold cleaning.

The Final Result: Professional Help

Once you've taken the first steps for protecting your belongings, contact mold cleaning and repair technicians in Forest Hills, NY, as soon as possible. The services of these pros are more likely to prove successful the sooner they get started.

Claims Information Center: The Tool That Works for You

2/18/2019 (Permalink)

The Claims Information Center is available to any insurance agent in the Glendale, NY area

Claims Information Center: The Tool That Works For You

The Claims Information Center is available to any insurance agent in the Glendale, NY area through the SERVPRO Management Dashboard. This system makes the insurance claim process more accessible by allowing agents to perform initial research and all follow up tracking in one convenient platform.

1. Research

The CIC is a compilation of claims data collected through the years in the corporate ReportER database. From the Managed Dashboard, agents can research claims by type of loss and location. The location can be sorted by region, county and state. Beyond the kind of claim and the location, agents can search by cause of loss. Additionally, they can research response times and even compare the restoration service to national performance statistics.

2. Tracking

As a leading name in the disaster restoration industry, SERVPRO understands the insurance claim process as well as the importance of tracking a claim from project start to completion. Therefore, the Managed Dashboard was designed to help agents follow every step of their claim’s life by providing an easy to read dashboard and tracking software with routine updates.

3. Troubleshooting

The dashboard allows agents to make changes to a claim and resolve any issues without having to revisit sites or call contractors. There is no need to grow frustrated trying to troubleshoot communication issues because it can all be handled from inside the CIC system, saving you time and hassle.

The insurance claim process is difficult enough with trying to communicate with devastated clients and making sure that every document is completed accurately. There is no need for the process to be inundated with unsubstantiated research or constant deliberations with contractors. As an agent, you should streamline your work process and find a tool that works for you. The Claims Information Center can be that tool, providing thorough research and tracking tools at your fingertips. Don’t let one more hour be wasted in the claims process. Find the process that works for you.

Commercial Property Insurance 101: What Is Covered After a Storm and What Isn't?

2/11/2019 (Permalink)

Asked your insurance agent if you are covered

As a business owner in Kew Gardens, NY, it is essential you understand your commercial property insurance and what emergencies it covers. While there are a lot of situations you are often covered for, there are specific types of disasters and circumstances that will probably not be included. It is important you consider your specific location, needs, and current insurance coverage when considering adding on new policies to your existing plan. While your storm insurance will vary slightly depending on your policy, here is an overview on what most commercial property insurance policies cover after a storm.

Is Storm Damage Covered?

In short, the answer is yes that insurance is typically included in your commercial property insurance policy. Since storm damage can cover a wide variety of emergency types, here are specific situations you can expect to be covered for: 

• Blizzards
  
• Tornadoes
  
• Hurricanes 
  
• Lightening 

In the situations your business qualifies for coverage, your storm insurance often covers damage that occurs to your building, including the cost of storm damage restoration. Your policy may also cover the contents of the building, including equipment, furniture, and inventory, up to the predetermined dollar limit listed on your policy. 

What Damage Isn’t Covered?

Under a standard policy, there are several situations where you will often not be covered. For instance, flood damage isn’t covered, and you will need to check if your policy covers windstorm and hail damage. While some policies automatically include this type of coverage, others require an additional plan. It is also important to note you will not be compensated from insurance for the time you are out of business unless you purchase business interruption coverage. Additionally, your plan will generally only cover damage caused by the storm and will not cover anything thought to be a cause of wear and tear. 

An important step in preparing your business for an emergency is to find out what your specific commercial property insurance policy covers. While your storm insurance coverage includes many types of emergencies, not everything is automatically included.

A Guide to Buying Home Fire Extinguishers

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

Have a fire extinguisher for each floor of your home

A fire extinguisher in your Kew Gardens, NY, home could mean the difference between a cautionary tale you tell for years and a tragedy. Your fire preparedness plan should include placing an extinguisher in an easy-to-reach spot, especially in the kitchen where many home fires start.

A:B:C on the Label

All extinguishers are classified, and home devices have an A, B, or C designation. Many have a combination of the designations. The labels indicate the types of fires you can put out.

• Class A: appropriate for paper, trash, and wood
• Class B: grease and flammable liquids
• fClass C: Electrical appliances and equipment, including live electricity

Other designations are appropriate for warehouses and commercial kitchens.

Strength in the Numbers

Each letter on the label is paired with a number. For example, on a multipurpose extinguisher, you may see: 3-A:40-B:C. The numbers are assigned by the Underwriters Laboratories and describe how effective the fire extinguisher is against specific fires. A 4-A rating indicates a stronger impact against ordinary combustibles than a 3-A. It's normal for the C designation to appear without a number. The designation means that the chemicals within the canister won't conduct electricity. Keep in mind that as these numbers increase, so will the prices.

Weight and Size Matters

After choosing appropriate class designations and strengths, turn your focus to the size of the devices. A portable 2-pound extinguisher is perfect for your car and often comes with hardware to secure it in place. For a home fire, you may want to consider a 5-pound canister for the kitchen or laundry room. A larger model may be best for your garage or workshop. You may even want to consider a stove-top version that pops open to shower baking soda over fires that happen while you're cooking. Before jumping directly to the biggest device, don't forget to factor in your ability to maneuver it during an emergency.

The National Fire Protection Association experts recommend a fire extinguisher for each floor of your home. Turn to home fire remediation professionals to identify each area of the home where fires could happen, and which appropriate device will protect against a fire in your home.

Mold Assessments: What You Should Know

1/22/2019 (Permalink)

Have a mold remediation specialist perform your test.

If you think you have mold in your Forest Hills, NY, home then it may be time to have a mold assessment done. An assessment can let you know not only if mold is present, but where and in some cases what type. Here are some things you may want to know.

There Are Various Types of Mold Tests

There are three types of mold tests available depending on the type of mold and location you wish to test. They include

• Air tests for when you believe there may be a mold problem but spores are not visible
  
• Surface testing for places where mold growth is possible but unconfirmed
•  Bulk testing where a piece of a surface is taken to determine mold type and growth depth

These test samples can then be grown into a culture so that a mold type can be determined if necessary.

Mold Tests Can Provide Important Information

A mold assessment can be used to provide useful information to a homeowner. It can tell them if there’s a mold problem, or if it’s mildew or something else. If there is mold present the sample can be used to grow a culture to identify the mold type. Knowing what type of mold is being dealt with can help when it comes to determining the best remediation technique, and future mold prevention.

Professional Testing May Be Needed

In some cases, you may want to have a mold remediation specialist perform your tests. These professionals should have the tools and knowledge necessary to look for specific types of mold, including black mold, and be able to tell if there’s a chance the fungus has spread to any other area in your home.

Depending on your needs, a mold assessment can provide you with answers as to if you have mold, what types it is, and where it may be located. If you’re not sure how to conduct a test or how to read the results, a professional may be able to help. If you do find mold, then it’s best to begin mold removal as quickly as possible.

What To Do When Your Flooring has Water Damage

1/16/2019 (Permalink)

Damaged wooden floor in a Kew Gardens, NY residence

When dealing with a pipe break in Kew Gardens, NY, you may find that your carpet and other flooring retains water damage. When this happens it’s not uncommon to wonder if the material is salvageable. Here is some information you may want to know.

Know What Problems Water Damage Causes

Water damage can lead to a number of problems with flooring if not dealt with quickly. They include

• Swelling of wood in wooden floors or sub-floor leading to warping
  
• Carpeting can hold onto moisture long term which can damage to sub-floor
  
• Cracks in wood or tile if the water freezes
  
• Possible mold growth
  
• Porous flooring can soak in contaminants
  

Clean up Quickly

When dealing with a pipe break it’s important to clean up any remaining water as quickly as possible. Doing so can help you prevent further damage. It’s also a good idea to locate and remedy the source of the water damage. Doing so can help prevent future problems. Depending on the type of break, you may want to call in a plumbing professional or a water damage restoration service.

Call in a Professional

In many cases contacting a professional service may be your best bet for having your home restored quickly and preventing further problems. They can not only clean up the damage and make repairs, but many repair services can also check for mold and help restore any personal items that may have been damaged as well.

Salvaging your flooring after a pipe break is possible if the flooding occurred from a clean water source. If the water was tainted with sewage you will want to replace it. In both cases any flooding should be cleaned up as quickly as possible, and the source of the damage found and fixed. A local Kew Gardens, NY, restoration service may be able to help you get your home back in order.

Fire Restoration: Understanding the Costs

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

Ozone generator is used to remove odor after a fire in Forest Hills, NY

Fire Restoration: Understanding the Costs

A commercial fire can leave a property owner confused and feeling desperate and afraid. Fear of losing their business due to a lengthy restoration can leave some wondering if it is worth it. Thankfully, insurers do offer some salvation, but understanding the costs of a renovation and how a company comes up with an estimate will help owners understand the full picture.

1. Security and Surveillance

Fire damage can leave your property vulnerable to all sorts of criminal activity, which is why security and surveillance are so vital to the rebuilding process. Any restoration company worth their salt will provide fencing and board-up services. Some companies will even offer 24-hour surveillance to ensure the safety of your property.

2. Debris Removal

An estimate will include a ballpark figure for the removal of all debris. This price is not set in stone because not all damage is immediately visible. Additionally, it is possible that while some items may look beyond repair, closer inspection reveals a different story altogether.

3. Odor Removal

Smoke and fire leave a distinct odor and residue that is not easily removed. You will likely need a company with specialized equipment and cleaning supplies to remove the odors completely, and it may take them several passes before the smell is completely gone.

4. Cleaning, Restoration and Reconstruction

A disaster restoration specialist in the Forest Hills, NY, area is likely equipped to handle any size cleanup and remediation. They will also act as an intermediary between you and other contractors as you move through the cleaning, restoration and reconstruction process, ensuring your interests are the priority.

A fire is frightening and disastrous, and for businesses, it can mean significant loss if not handled appropriately. Understanding the remediation process, along with the costs associated with the initial estimate, will provide you with a clearer picture of how your business is being rebuilt.

How Much Can a Leak Cost You?

12/31/2018 (Permalink)

A dripping faucet can be annoying, but even a steady drip isn’t going to make that much difference in your water bill. A water leak due to a damaged pipe, however, can send your monthly utility cost skyrocketing, especially if it goes undetected for a while. The spike in the water bill for your commercial property in Rego Park, NY, while potentially significant, may be the least of your financial worries, though.

1. Wasted Water

No business owner likes waste, particularly when it is expensive. Depending on how much water gushes out after a pipe break, you can spend $200 or more a day in added water costs. This relatively small amount adds up quickly the longer it takes you to find and repair the leak. Always be on the lookout for damage, such as ceiling tiles with water spots, particularly if they start dripping onto the floor below.

2. Structural Repairs

If a water leak intensifies or gets larger, your building is likely to sustain some water damage. This is where the problem starts getting more expensive. In addition to the extra utility costs, you may also have to cover repairs. Even if the water is clean, once the water saturates parts of the structure such as the drywall or floorboards, water restoration specialists will likely need to be called to tear out and replace the ruined materials.

3. Secondary Damage

When you have a leak, time is not on your side. You are on a race against the clock to turn off the source of the water, call the experts and get repairs underway before mold starts to grow. Fungus can infest the surfaces where it finds adequate food and water in as little as 24 hours. Because mold growth is preventable with quick action, your insurance company may not cover mold remediation under your standard property policy, which means you could have to pay for the cleanup yourself.

A water leak is not something you want to ignore. It can end up costing you thousands of dollars in utilities and repairs.

Is the Exterior of Your Commercial Property Ready for a Storm?

12/31/2018 (Permalink)

Storms can cause extensive damage to the exterior of a commercial property. Depending on the level of commercial insurance coverage held by the building owner, there may be limits on the external portions of the property that are protected. Review your coverage, schedule a building inspection, and perform exterior maintenance on a regular basis. These five steps will help owners prepare the exterior of a commercial property for a storm.

1. Choose exterior doors rated for high wind speeds. Exterior damage quickly becomes interior damage if a door fails. Exterior doors should be tested to stand up to wind loads and the frames should be anchored. Check to make sure these doors have appropriate drainage, flashing, sealant, and tracks. Door failure rapidly raises internal pressure and can cause structural damage.

2. Clear drainage systems. Functional drainage systems prevent water from pooling on the roof or around the foundation of a structure. Clear roof drains, downspouts, and gutters several times a year as part of an exterior maintenance routine.

3. Trim trees. Removing dead or loose branches from nearby trees can limit the extent of storm damage.

4. Secure loose items that may blow away or cause damage. Don't forget about antennas on the roof or potted plants and trash cans on the ground.

5. Anchor outside HVAC equipment. These components should be securely installed on a concrete pad. Depending on the severity of a storm, you may want to use hurricane straps or shut off these systems and cover equipment with a secured tarp.

These five exterior maintenance and storm preparation steps can help owners limit the extent of damage to the exterior of a commercial structure. Keeping your building maintained can pay off during adverse weather events. If the exterior or interior of a commercial property becomes damaged during a storm, contact a restoration company located in Ridgewood,NY.

Ice Dams Are Simple To Understand

12/17/2018 (Permalink)

You may not have a problem with ice dams in Forest Hills,NY but water damage happens in many ways

The key to comprehending the formation of an ice dam lies in basic roof construction. For this discussion, the roof consists of four layers.

1) Rafters support the roof.
2) The roof deck is nailed to the rafters.
3) The Underlayment covers the roof deck.
4) The shingles are nailed through the underlayment to the roof deck.

When snow covers the roof, problems may occur. If the roof deck is warmer than the outside air temperature, ice dams often form as described below.

1) The warmth from the roof deck causes the snow touching the roof to melt.
2) The water runs over the shingles, under the snow, and refreezes at the bottom of the roof.
3) This process continues, causing a large ice dam to build up.
4) The water behind the dam backs up under the shingles and causes a roof leak.

Ice Dams Are Preventable

In new construction, they should be virtually nonexistent. In existing homes, properly installed ridge and soffit vents should solve the problem. Roof rakes to remove snow and heating cables can also help eliminate them.

Ice Dams Can Cause Extensive Damage

You may not have a problem with ice dams in Forest Hills, NY, but water damage happens in many ways. Sometimes it happens quickly and is obvious. Other times it is slow and subtle. Ice dams usually form gradually. By the time you see a stained ceiling or crumbling plaster, the destruction may be significant. Affected areas may show up in many locations.

• Roof deck
• Rafters
  
• Insulation
  
• Ceilings
  
• Walls
  
• Lights and other fixtures
  

Ice Dams Are Manageable

Mitigating damage caused by them is usually not for the do-it-yourselfer. These problems need to be addressed quickly before mold establishes a foothold. The best solution is to bring in water damage repair specialists to do the job quickly and completely.

What Does Fire Damage Restoration Involve?

12/17/2018 (Permalink)

Boarding up broken window in a Kew Gardens,NY home

The days immediately after a home fire are critical. Homeowners should contact a fire restoration company in Kew Gardens, NY, and notify their insurance provider. The following stages of damage cleaning are necessary to restore a residence.

Assessment

A service that specializes in fire damage mitigation and restoration will start by assessing the extent of damage. This inspection should include:

• Fire or smoke damage
  
• Water damage due to fire suppression
  
• Building materials and contents that can be repaired or restored
  
• Materials and contents that must be torn out and replaced

This service may help homeowners provide an insurer with proof of loss. Experts can also lay out a timeline for restoration.

Mitigation

A full-service restoration company will provide mitigation services. These include measures such as:

• Boarding-up broken windows
  
• Tarping over holes in a roof
  
• Security fencing
  

These measures can limit additional damage prior to fire restoration. Sealing off a damaged structure may also prevent trespassing.

Cleanup

Damage cleaning is critical to the restoration process. During this phase, experts will:

• Remove ash, soot, damaged materials, and contents
  
• Clean stained surfaces and items with smoke damage
  

Filter air and perform odor mitigation
Some of these measures will be done on-site. The service may clean and store smoke-damaged items offsite until restoration is complete.

Restoration

Once ash, soot, and damaged contents and materials have been removed from the site of a fire, restoration can begin. This may include:

• Rebuilding damaged structures
  
• Re-installing torn out materials and contents
  
• Returning cleaned contents
  

This is the final phase of the fire damage cleanup process. Each stage is critical to restoring the condition of a residence that has suffered a fire.

After a fire at a residence in Kew Gardens, NY, a homeowner should schedule a consultation with a fire restoration company. Insurers prefer to work with certified services that have extensive experience cleaning up smoke and fire damage.