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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.