Always be mindful of how to handle flammable liquids!
At SERVPRO® Team Spinner, we're committed to not only restoring properties but also promoting safety and well-being within our communities. With National Burn Awareness Week here, it's crucial to shed light on the importance of burn prevention and safety measures. Burns are not only painful injuries but can also lead to long-term physical and emotional trauma.
In this blog post, we'll explore the significance of National Burn Awareness Week and how SERVPRO Team Spinner is dedicated to spreading awareness and fostering a safer environment for all.
National Burn Awareness Week is hosted by the American Burn Association. This year's ABA theme is flammable liquids.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Flammable and/or combustible liquids cause more than 51,000 home fire each year, resulting in 168 deaths, 1,029 injuries, and $644 million in property damage.
How do you handle flammable liquids? Handle with Care, Flammable Liquids Beware.
Gasoline is an extremely flammable liquid and vapor with fumes capable of ignition up to 12 ft from a pooled source.
All flammable liquid containers should be kept in cool, dry locations, and stored away from the home.
Cooking oil is a highly flammable liquid. Keep your eyes on what you fry!
Grills and gas ranges produce a lot of heat; keep your cooking area clear when around an open flame.
Fuel lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and weed eaters when the engines are cool and in open area outdoors.
Fuel snow blowers when the engines are cool and in an open area outdoors.
Never use an accelerant such as gasoline, kerosene, or aerosol sprays to start a camp fire.
When purchasing a gas can, be sure it has a fuel arrestor on the can to prevent flashback.
Stay tuned for additional valuable information and actionable steps to help ensure safety in your homes, workplaces, and communities.
Together, we can make a difference.
Lunar New Year Firework Caution: Ensuring a Safe Celebration
Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, is a time of vibrant festivities marked by colorful parades, delicious feasts, and joyous celebrations. Fireworks are an integral part of many Lunar New Year traditions, symbolizing the ushering in of good luck and prosperity. While fireworks add to the excitement of the occasion, it's essential to prioritize safety to prevent accidents and ensure a memorable celebration. In this blog post, we'll explore important Lunar New Year firework precautions with insights from SERVPRO® Team Spinner, a trusted leader in restoration and cleanup services.
Check Local Regulations: Before purchasing or using fireworks, familiarize yourself with local regulations and restrictions. Laws regarding fireworks vary from one area to another, and it's crucial to adhere to them to avoid fines or legal consequences. SERVPRO Team Spinner advises checking with your local authorities to ensure compliance with safety guidelines.
Choose a Safe Location: Select a suitable location for setting off fireworks, away from buildings, dry vegetation, and other flammable materials. We recommend using open, spacious areas such as parks or designated firework zones. Avoid firing fireworks in crowded or confined spaces to prevent accidents and injuries.
Keep Water Sources Handy: Have water sources such as buckets, hoses, or fire extinguishers readily available in case of emergencies. SERVPRO Team Spinner emphasizes the importance of being prepared to extinguish small fires or accidents quickly to prevent them from escalating.
Designate a Responsible Operator: Assign a responsible adult to handle and ignite the fireworks. This individual should be sober, knowledgeable about firework safety procedures, and capable of managing potential risks. We suggest ensuring that children and bystanders maintain a safe distance from the fireworks at all times.
Follow Instructions Carefully: Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions and safety guidelines provided with the fireworks. Use fireworks only as intended and avoid modifying or tampering with them in any way. We advise against attempting to relight malfunctioning fireworks and recommends disposing of them safely.
Protective Gear: Wear appropriate protective gear such as safety glasses and gloves when handling fireworks. We emphasize the importance of protecting your eyes, hands, and skin from potential sparks or debris during the firework display.
Dispose of Debris Properly: After the fireworks have been used, carefully collect and dispose of any debris or spent fireworks. We recommends soaking them in water before placing them in a designated trash container to prevent accidental fires.
As you celebrate Lunar New Year with fireworks and festivities, remember to prioritize safety for yourself, your loved ones, and your community. By following these firework precautions from SERVPRO Team Spinner, you can ensure a joyful and accident-free celebration. May the Year of the Dragon be filled with prosperity, happiness, and peace. Happy Lunar New Year!
Safeguarding Your Home: Tips to Prevent or Minimize Water-Related Losses
It doesn't have to rain for days for your home to have water damage
Water-related losses can have a significant impact on your home, but with proactive measures, you can prevent or minimize potential damages. At SERVPRO® Team Spinner, we're committed to helping you safeguard your property. In this guide, we'll share practical tips to protect your home from water-related losses.
1. Regular Inspections:
Stay vigilant with routine inspections of your home's plumbing, roof, and foundation. Identify and address any issues promptly to prevent potential water leaks or damage.
2. Proper Maintenance of Appliances:
Regularly inspect and maintain household appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters. Address any leaks, worn hoses, or malfunctions to prevent water damage.
3. Adequate Ventilation:
Ensure proper ventilation in areas prone to moisture, such as bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. Good airflow helps reduce humidity levels, minimizing the risk of mold and water damage.
4. Roof Maintenance:
Regularly inspect your roof for damaged shingles, flashing, or any potential leaks. Promptly address any issues to prevent water infiltration during heavy rainfall or storms.
5. Proper Grading and Drainage:
Maintain proper grading around your home to direct water away from the foundation. Clean and clear gutters and downspouts regularly to ensure efficient water drainage.
6. Foundation Sealing:
Seal any cracks or gaps in your home's foundation to prevent water from entering. Proper sealing helps protect against basement leaks and potential structural damage.
7. Smart Landscaping:
Position plants and landscaping features to encourage proper water runoff. Avoid planting too close to the foundation, as this can contribute to excess moisture and water-related issues.
8. Monitoring Humidity Levels:
Use dehumidifiers in damp areas to control indoor humidity levels. Keeping the air dry helps prevent mold growth and reduces the risk of water damage.
9. Emergency Preparedness:
Have an emergency plan in place for water-related incidents. Know the location of shut-off valves, keep emergency contacts handy, and be prepared to act swiftly in case of a water emergency.
By implementing these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of water-related losses to your home. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we understand the importance of proactive protection. If you do encounter water damage, our experts are here to assist in restoring your home to its pre-damage condition. Let's work together to keep your home safe and secure.
Breathe Easy: The Art of Cleaning Your Kitchen Range Exhaust System
The Hidden Marvel: Your Kitchen Range Exhaust System
Today, let's journey into the heart of the home—the kitchen—and shine a spotlight on an unsung hero: the Range Exhaust System. Often overlooked but oh-so-important, this system plays a crucial role in keeping our kitchens clean and our air fresh. Join us as we unravel the secrets of maintaining a pristine and efficient kitchen range exhaust.
Picture this: sizzling pans, aromatic spices, and the rhythmic hum of your range hood. It's a culinary symphony! But, behind the scenes, your exhaust system is silently working to keep things clean. Over time, however, it can accumulate grease, dirt, and dust, becoming less effective and potentially posing a fire hazard.
Why Clean? The Benefits of a Sparkling Exhaust System
Improved Air Quality: A clean exhaust system ensures that smoke, odors, and airborne particles are efficiently filtered out, leaving your kitchen air fresh and clean.
Fire Prevention: Grease buildup in the exhaust system can pose a fire risk. Regular cleaning is a proactive measure to reduce this danger and keep your home safe.
Enhanced Appliance Efficiency: A clean exhaust system allows your range hood and fan to operate at peak efficiency, helping them last longer and perform better.
DIY vs. Professional Cleaning: Finding the Right Fit
While some routine maintenance tasks can be handled by the DIY enthusiast, a professional cleaning service, like the one offered by SERVPRO® Team Spinner, can ensure a thorough and comprehensive cleaning. We have the tools and expertise to tackle even the most stubborn buildup, providing peace of mind and a sparkling clean kitchen.
A Step-by-Step Guide: DIY Cleaning Tips
For those feeling adventurous, here's a quick guide to DIY kitchen range exhaust system cleaning:
Safety First: Turn off the power to the range hood to ensure safety during the cleaning process.
Remove Filters: Take out any removable filters and wash them with warm, soapy water. Let them air dry completely before reinserting.
Wipe Down Surfaces: Using a mixture of warm water and mild detergent, wipe down the interior and exterior surfaces of the range hood.
Inspect and Replace: Check for any damaged or worn-out parts, and replace them as needed.
Clean the Fan Blades: Gently clean the fan blades with a soft brush or cloth to remove dust and debris.
SERVPRO Team Spinner's Expert Touch: Bringing Professional Excellence to Your Kitchen
At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we understand the importance of a clean and safe home. Our skilled technicians go beyond surface cleaning, ensuring that every nook and cranny of your kitchen range exhaust system is thoroughly inspected and cleaned. Let us take the hassle out of maintenance, leaving you with a kitchen that's not just beautiful but also healthy.
Here's to a kitchen that breathes easy and a home that sparkles!
In the journey of life, unexpected events can sometimes throw us off course. When faced with biohazard situations, it's essential to have a trusted partner by your side. Today, we're diving into the realm of biohazards, shedding light on what they are, their potential risks, and how SERVPRO® Team Spinner can be your beacon of support during these challenging times.
Understanding Biohazards: More Than Meets the Eye
Biohazards encompass a broad range of materials that pose a threat to human health or the environment due to their biological nature. This can include blood, bodily fluids, medical waste, and more. When mishandled, these materials can lead to serious health risks, making proper cleanup crucial.
Common Biohazard Scenarios: From Cleanup to Compassion
Crime Scene Cleanup: In the aftermath of a crime, SERVPRO Team Spinner is here to provide compassionate and discreet cleanup services, ensuring that affected areas are restored with the utmost care and professionalism.
Trauma and Accident Cleanup: Accidents can happen anywhere. When they do, our experienced team is equipped to handle the cleanup, allowing you to focus on healing and recovery.
Sewage Backup: Dealing with sewage backups is not only unpleasant but also poses significant health risks. SERVPRO Team Spinner is ready to tackle the mess, ensuring thorough sanitation and restoration.
Hoarding Cleanup: Hoarding situations often involve biohazards. Our team approaches these delicate situations with empathy and expertise, creating a safe and clean living environment.
SERVPRO Team Spinner's Biohazard Cleanup: Beyond the Surface
Why choose SERVPRO Team Spinner for biohazard cleanup? It's more than just cleaning; it's about restoring lives and spaces. Our trained technicians follow strict protocols to ensure the safe and thorough removal of biohazards. We use specialized cleaning agents, personal protective equipment (PPE), and advanced techniques to bring affected areas back to a safe, habitable condition.
Compassion in Action: Your Trusted Partner in Restoration
At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we understand the emotional toll that biohazard incidents can take. Our team approaches each situation with compassion and professionalism, working tirelessly to restore your space and provide peace of mind during difficult times.
When Life Throws Curveballs, SERVPRO Team Spinner Catches Them:
Emergency Response: Available 24/7, our team responds swiftly to biohazard situations, minimizing further damage and ensuring a rapid return to normalcy.
Thorough Cleanup: Our technicians are trained to handle biohazards with precision, leaving no trace behind and restoring your property to a safe, healthy condition.
Discretion and Compassion: We understand the sensitive nature of biohazard cleanup and approach each situation with the utmost respect and empathy.
Life can be unpredictable, but with SERVPRO Team Spinner by your side, you're never alone. Here's to restoration, resilience, and a brighter tomorrow.
The Silent Threat: Understanding How Snow Can Damage Your Home
Who knew something beautiful also could be dangerous?
While snow-covered landscapes can be picturesque, the accumulation of snow on and around your home can pose significant risks. At SERVPRO® Team Spinner, we understand the potential damage that snow can inflict, and in this guide, we'll explore the various ways snow can compromise the integrity of your home and the importance of proactive measures to mitigate these risks.
Roof Overload:
Weight Stress: Accumulated snow can exert immense weight on your roof. This stress, especially when combined with ice and freezing rain, can lead to structural damage and even roof collapse.
Ice Dams: The melting and refreezing of snow on the roof can form ice dams. These dams prevent proper drainage, leading to water infiltration under shingles and potentially causing interior damage.
Water Damage:
Foundation Infiltration: Melting snow can seep into the soil around your foundation. As it refreezes, it expands, creating pressure that can crack the foundation and compromise its integrity.
Basement Flooding: Excessive snowmelt can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to basement flooding. This can result in extensive damage to belongings and the structural elements of your home.
Exterior Hazards:
Siding and Paint Damage: Prolonged exposure to moisture from melting snow can damage siding and paint, reducing their protective capabilities and aesthetic appeal.
Gutters and Downspouts: Snow and ice accumulation can lead to clogged gutters and downspouts, causing water to overflow and potentially damage the roof, siding, and foundation.
Preventive Measures:
Roof Inspection: Conduct regular roof inspections, especially after heavy snowfall, to identify any signs of stress or potential damage.
Proper Insulation: Ensure your attic is well-insulated to prevent heat loss, which can contribute to snowmelt and the formation of ice dams.
Gutter Maintenance: Keep gutters and downspouts clear of snow and ice to facilitate proper drainage.
Foundation Sealing: Seal any cracks in the foundation to prevent water infiltration during the melting and freezing cycles.
Landscaping Considerations: Proper landscaping can help direct water away from the foundation. Ensure the grading around your home promotes water runoff.
Snow, though beautiful, can pose a silent threat to your home's structural integrity. Vigilance, timely inspections, and preventive measures are crucial to protecting your property from potential damage. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we're committed to helping you safeguard your home. If you find yourself facing snow-related challenges, our experts are here to assist. Let's ensure your home remains a safe and secure haven throughout the winter months.
Unmasking the Sneaky Intruder: The Harmful Effects of Mold in Your Home
One day mold can start out small and spread to something like this
We're diving into a topic that often lurks in the shadows—MOLD. It's not just an unsightly inconvenience; it can be a silent intruder with potentially serious consequences for your home and health. Buckle up as we unravel the mystery of mold and its unwelcome effects.
Understanding Mold: The Sneaky Culprit
Mold is a stealthy organism that thrives in damp and dark environments, making our homes the perfect playground. From that seemingly innocent damp patch in the corner to the musty odor in your basement, mold can be much more than an eyesore.
Health Impact: Breathing Easy or Breathing in Trouble?
While some people may not be sensitive to mold, others can experience a range of health issues. Respiratory problems, allergies, skin irritation—mold can trigger or exacerbate these conditions. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
Property Damage: Mold's Silent Mischief
Beyond health concerns, mold can wreak havoc on your home. It can compromise the structural integrity of your property, causing wood rot, weakening foundations, and damaging drywall. As if that's not enough, it's an open invitation to unwanted guests like termites.
Identifying the Culprit: Mold Detection 101
Spotting mold isn't always straightforward. It can hide in plain sight or grow in hidden corners. Musty smells, discolored walls, and water stains are potential red flags. If you suspect mold, it's time for a closer investigation.
SERVPRO® Team Spinner to the Rescue: Mold Remediation Solutions
Fear not! SERVPRO Team Spinner is your trusted ally in the battle against mold. Our expert technicians are equipped with the knowledge and tools to identify, contain, and remediate mold infestations. We don't just clean up; we restore and protect.
Prevention: A Mold-Free Future
The best defense is a good offense. Keep your home dry, fix leaks promptly, and maintain proper ventilation. Regular inspections and swift action can prevent mold from becoming a permanent resident in your space.
In the battle against mold, knowledge is power. Stay informed, be vigilant, and remember that SERVPRO Team Spinner is here to ensure your home remains a safe and healthy haven.
Cheers to a mold-free and thriving home!
Winter Storm Preparedness: A SERVPRO® Team Spinner Guide to Weathering the Snow
Stay warm, stay safe, and let's make this winter a season of comfort and security
As winter descends upon us, it brings with it the potential for snowstorms that can impact daily life. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we prioritize your safety and well-being. In this guide, we'll walk you through essential steps to prepare for an upcoming snowstorm, ensuring that you and your property are ready to face the challenges that winter weather may bring.
Winter Storm Preparation:
Stay Informed: Regularly check weather forecasts and updates. Stay informed about the severity and duration of the upcoming storm to make informed decisions.
Emergency Kit: Prepare an emergency kit that includes essential supplies such as non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, blankets, and a first aid kit.
Heating System Inspection: Schedule a professional inspection of your heating system to ensure it's operating efficiently. Replace filters and address any issues promptly.
Pipe Insulation: Insulate exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting. Use pipe insulation or heat tape for added protection.
Propane and Gas Appliances: Ensure that propane and gas appliances are in good working condition. Have an ample supply of fuel if you rely on these systems for heating.
Home Protection During a Winter Storm:
Roof Inspection: Regularly inspect your roof for signs of stress or damage. Heavy snow accumulation can lead to roof collapse, especially if there are existing issues.
Snow Removal: Safely remove snow from walkways, driveways, and the roof. Use a snow blower or shovel to prevent ice buildup and ensure safe passage.
Gutter Maintenance: Keep gutters and downspouts clear of snow and ice to prevent water backups that can lead to roof and foundation damage.
Window and Door Seals: Check and reinforce seals around windows and doors. This helps prevent drafts and keeps your home well-insulated.
Emergency Power: Consider having a backup power source, such as a generator, in case of power outages. Ensure it's in good working condition and that you have an ample supply of fuel.
Emergency Exits: Keep emergency exits clear of snow and debris. In case of an evacuation, you want unobstructed pathways.
Communication Plan: Establish a communication plan with family members, neighbors, and emergency contacts. Ensure everyone knows where to meet or how to reach each other in case of separation.
Water Damage:
Foundation Infiltration: Melting snow can seep into the soil around your foundation. As it refreezes, it expands, creating pressure that can crack the foundation and compromise its integrity.
Basement Flooding: Excessive snowmelt can overwhelm drainage systems, leading to basement flooding. This can result in extensive damage to belongings and the structural elements of your home.
After the Storm:
Inspection and Repairs: After the storm, inspect your home for any damage. Address issues promptly to prevent further deterioration.
Insurance Review: Review your home's insurance policy to ensure it covers winter-related damage. Report any damages promptly to your insurance provider.
Professional Assistance: If you encounter significant damage, seek professional assistance. Companies like SERVPRO Team Spinner specialize in storm damage restoration and can help restore your home to its pre-storm condition.
Winter storms demand careful preparation and vigilant protection measures. By following these tips from SERVPRO Team Spinner, you can fortify your home against the challenges of winter weather.
Celebrate Safely: Firework Safety Tips for a Happy New Year
As we usher in the New Year with joy and excitement, it's essential to prioritize safety, especially when it comes to celebrating with fireworks at home. While fireworks add a dazzling touch to the festivities, mishandling them can lead to accidents and property damage. At SERVPRO® Team Spinner, we want you to have a memorable and safe New Year's celebration. In this blog post, we'll share essential firework safety tips to ensure your festivities are filled with joy and not unexpected emergencies.
Understanding the Risks:
Fireworks can pose significant risks when not handled with care. Common dangers include burns, injuries, and the potential for fires. Understanding these risks is the first step toward a safer celebration.
Legal and Safety Compliance:
Before planning a fireworks display, familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations regarding the use of fireworks. Ensure that the fireworks you choose comply with safety standards and are legally permissible in your area.
Selecting a Safe Location:
Open Space: Opt for a spacious, open area away from buildings, dry grass, and other flammable materials.
Avoid Crowded Areas: Steer clear of crowded places, and maintain a safe distance from spectators to prevent injuries.
Preparation and Planning:
Fire Extinguishers: Have a fire extinguisher and a bucket of water nearby as a precautionary measure.
Professional Displays: If possible, consider attending professional firework displays instead of setting off fireworks at home. These displays are conducted by trained experts in controlled environments.
Safe Handling Practices:
Adult Supervision: Never allow children to handle fireworks. Ensure that responsible adults are supervising the entire process.
Read Instructions: Carefully read and follow the instructions on each firework. Different fireworks have varying safety guidelines.
One at a Time: Ignite one firework at a time, and move away quickly after lighting.
No Alcohol: Avoid consuming alcohol while handling fireworks. Clear judgment is crucial for safety.
Post-Display Safety:
Dispose of Properly: Dispose of used fireworks by soaking them in water before placing them in a trash bin.
Check for Strays: After the display, check for any unexploded fireworks and properly dispose of them to prevent accidental ignition.
A safe and happy New Year's celebration is within reach with responsible firework practices. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we wish you a joyous start to the New Year. By prioritizing safety, you can create lasting memories without compromising the well-being of yourself, your loved ones, or your property. Here's to a wonderful and safe New Year!
Kwanzaa Candle Lighting Caution: A SERVPRO® Guide to Safety
Kwanzaa, a celebration of African heritage and culture, is marked by various rituals, one of which is the lighting of the Kinara. This symbolic candle holder represents the seven principles of Kwanzaa, known as the Nguzo Saba. While the lighting of the candles is a beautiful and significant part of the festivities, safety should always be a top priority. In this blog post, we'll explore essential Kwanzaa candle lighting precautions with insights from SERVPRO Team Spinner, a leading restoration and cleanup service.
Secure Placement: When placing the Kinara, ensure it is on a stable, non-flammable surface. SERVPRO Team Spinner recommends placing it away from curtains, tablecloths, or any other combustible materials. A secure placement minimizes the risk of accidental fires and enhances the safety of your Kwanzaa celebration.
Supervision and Responsibility: Never leave a lit Kinara unattended. Whether using traditional candles or modern electric lights, maintaining supervision ensures a swift response to any unforeseen incidents. SERVPRO Team Spinner emphasizes the importance of responsible candle management to prevent potential fire damage during the Kwanzaa celebration.
Keep a Clear Radius: Create a clear radius around the Kinara to prevent any accidental knockovers. Especially in households with children or pets, a little extra caution can go a long way in avoiding accidents. SERVPRO Team Spinner recommends securing the Kinara in place to minimize the risk of it being accidentally bumped or tipped.
Candle Selection: Choose candles that fit securely in the Kinara's candle holders. Loose or improperly sized candles can tilt, increasing the risk of fire. SERVPRO Team Spinner suggests using high-quality, dripless candles to reduce mess and minimize the likelihood of a fire spreading.
Keep Flammable Items Away: During the candle lighting ceremony, remove any flammable materials from the immediate vicinity of the Kinara. SERVPRO Team Spinner advises against placing paper, napkins, or any easily combustible items near the candles to avoid accidental ignition.
Emergency Preparedness: Accidents can happen even with the utmost caution. SERVPRO Team Spinner suggests having a fire extinguisher nearby and ensuring that everyone in the household is familiar with its operation. Knowing emergency exit routes and having a plan in place to evacuate the premises safely is also crucial.
Regular Maintenance: Before each use, inspect the Kinara for any signs of wear or damage. SERVPRO Team Spinner recommends cleaning the candle holders regularly to remove any wax buildup, reducing the risk of flare-ups during candle lighting.
As you celebrate Kwanzaa with family and friends, remember that safety should always be a top priority. By following these Kwanzaa candle lighting precautions from SERVPRO Team Spinner, you can ensure a festive and secure holiday season. May your Kwanzaa be filled with unity, creativity, and the glow of safely lit candles.
Defending Your Home: Identifying and Dealing with Ice Dams
Let SERVPRO Team Spinner help you deal with your ice dams
Winter brings a picturesque blanket of snow, but it also brings the potential for ice dams—a homeowner's wintertime nemesis. As the temperatures drop, these icy formations can wreak havoc on your roof, leading to water damage and potential structural issues. At SERVPRO® Team Spinner, we understand the importance of proactive measures to safeguard your home. In this blog, we'll delve into the identification and effective management of ice dams.
What are Ice Dams?
Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of your roof, preventing melting snow from draining properly. The combination of snow accumulation and fluctuating temperatures causes the melted water to refreeze at the roof's edge, creating a dam-like structure. As this process repeats, the dam grows, causing water to pool behind it and potentially infiltrate your home.
Identifying the Signs:
Icicles: While icicles may seem charming, they can signal potential ice dam issues. Large icicles hanging from the roof edge are indicative of melting and refreezing.
Water Stains on Walls and Ceilings: Water stains on interior walls or ceilings may suggest that melting snow is finding its way into your home. This is a clear sign that an ice dam is impeding proper drainage.
Ice Buildup in Gutters: Observe your gutters for the presence of ice. If you notice substantial ice buildup, it can contribute to the formation of dams on the roof.
Preventing Ice Dams:
Proper Insulation: Ensure your attic is well-insulated to prevent warm air from escaping and melting snow on the roof.
Ventilation: Maintain proper attic ventilation to keep the roof temperature uniform, discouraging ice dam formation.
Snow Removal: Safely remove excess snow from your roof using a roof rake. This helps eliminate the material that contributes to ice dam formation.
Dealing with Existing Ice Dams:
Professional Removal: Engage professionals, like SERVPRO Team Spinner, for safe and effective removal of existing ice dams to prevent further damage.
Avoid Chipping: Refrain from chipping away at ice dams using tools, as this can cause additional harm to your roof.
Identifying and dealing with ice dams requires a combination of preventive measures and timely action. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we're committed to helping you protect your home. If you find yourself facing the challenges posed by ice dams, don't hesitate to reach out for professional assistance. Let's ensure your home stays warm, dry, and resilient throughout the winter months.
Call us at 908-233-7070 for all your water damage needs
With the heavy rain that happened over the weekend, some homes and buildings were struck with floods.
Water damage can strike unexpectedly, turning your home or office into a stressful situation. But fear not – at SERVPRO® Team Spinner, we're here to guide you on the immediate steps to take when facing water damage. Quick and informed action can make a significant difference in minimizing the impact. Read on for our expert advice on what to do if you find yourself dealing with water damage in your house or workspace.
Safety First: Your safety is the top priority. If there's standing water and you can do so safely, turn off the electricity and gas supply to the affected area. Avoid entering rooms with sagging ceilings or wet electrical outlets.
Identify and Stop the Source: Determine the source of the water and take steps to stop it, if possible. Whether it's a burst pipe, a leaking roof, or a malfunctioning appliance, addressing the root cause is crucial to preventing further damage.
Document the Damage: Before beginning any cleanup, document the extent of the water damage. Take photos and videos of the affected areas. This documentation will be valuable when filing insurance claims.
Remove Standing Water: Use a wet/dry vacuum, mop, or towels to remove as much standing water as possible. The sooner you extract water, the less time it has to seep into structures and belongings.
Ventilate and Dehumidify: Increase ventilation in the affected area by opening windows and doors. Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels, helping to prevent mold growth.
Separate and Salvage: Move belongings to a dry area to prevent further damage. Items like furniture and rugs can often be salvaged if treated promptly. Remove any wet cushions and prop them up to dry.
Contact SERVPRO Team Spinner for Professional Assistance: As water damage restoration experts, SERVPRO Team Spinner is here to help. Our professionals are equipped with the knowledge and tools to assess the damage, mitigate further issues, and restore your home to its preloss condition.
File an Insurance Claim: Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the water damage. Provide them with the documentation you gathered, including photos and a list of damaged items.
Prevent Mold Growth: Mold can start growing within 24-48 hours of water damage. Promptly address damp areas and use antimicrobial cleaning agents to discourage mold growth.
Stay Informed and Prepared: Educate yourself about potential water damage risks in your home. Regularly inspect appliances, plumbing, and the roof to catch potential issues before they escalate.
Facing water damage can be overwhelming, but with swift and informed action, you can minimize the impact on your home. Remember, SERVPRO Team Spinner is just a call away, ready to assist you with professional water damage restoration services. Don't let water damage dampen your spirits – take control, and let us help you get back to a dry, comfortable environment.
Sips and Smiles: A Recap of SERVPRO Team Spinner's Hamilton Happy Hour Extravaganza
In the heart of Hamilton, New Jersey, SERVPRO® Team Spinner recently hosted an unforgettable Happy Hour event that brought together partners, friends, and community members for an evening of laughter, camaraderie, and celebration. As the sun set and the venue came alive, SERVPRO Team Spinner opened its doors to an event that would be etched in the memories of everyone present.
Hamilton Tap & Grille set the stage for an ambiance that perfectly blended sophistication with a relaxed vibe. Nestled in the heart of Hamilton, it provided the ideal backdrop for an evening of connection and good cheer.
Beyond the laughter and libations, SERVPRO Team Spinner's Hamilton Happy Hour was a networking haven. Partners had the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and explore new avenues for collaboration. It was a testament to SERVPRO Team Spinner's belief that strong partnerships are built not only in the boardroom but also in the shared joy of celebratory moments.
The success of the Hamilton Happy Hour was, without a doubt, attributed to the incredible partners who graced the occasion. SERVPRO Team Spinner extends its heartfelt gratitude to each attendee for their presence, their shared enthusiasm, and their continued support. Our team would also like to congratulate Mark Jirole, who was representing RE/MAX, for winning our raffle of the night! We hope you enjoy your little solo stove!
As the night concluded, SERVPRO Team Spinner expressed gratitude for the community that surrounds and supports them. The Hamilton Happy Hour was not just an event; it was a celebration of partnerships, friendships, and shared successes. Looking forward, SERVPRO Team Spinner is excited about the continued journey with its partners, building on the foundation laid during this joyous evening.
SERVPRO Team Spinner's Hamilton Happy Hour was more than a gathering; it was a symphony of laughter, clinking glasses, and the celebration of strong partnerships. As the echoes of the event linger, SERVPRO Team Spinner extends its gratitude to everyone who contributed to the night's success. Here's to more shared moments, collaborative ventures, and the flourishing relationships that make events like these truly special. Cheers to our Hamilton community!
The holiday season is upon us, and as we bid farewell to the current year and welcome the new one, there's no better time to refresh and rejuvenate your living spaces. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we understand the importance of a clean and inviting environment, especially during this festive time. Let's explore the myriad benefits of professional cleaning and deodorizing services to make your holidays and the upcoming year truly shine.
Create a Welcoming Atmosphere: The holidays are all about spending quality time with loved ones. Ensure your home is a warm and welcoming haven by eliminating odors and maintaining a fresh, clean ambiance. SERVPRO Team Spinner's expert cleaning and deodorizing services can transform your space, setting the stage for memorable gatherings and celebrations.
Health and Safety: A clean home is a healthy home. The holiday season often brings a surge of guests, and maintaining a hygienic environment becomes crucial. Professional cleaning not only removes dirt and bacteria but also helps mitigate allergens, creating a safer space for everyone.
Extend the Life of Your Belongings: Regular cleaning not only enhances the appearance of your home but also helps extend the life of your furniture, carpets, and other belongings. Our specialized cleaning methods at SERVPRO Team Spinner ensure that your valuables are treated with care, contributing to their longevity.
Eliminate Lingering Odors: Lingering odors can dampen the festive spirit. Whether it's the aftermath of holiday cooking or other sources, SERVPRO Team Spinner's deodorizing services target and eliminate unpleasant smells, leaving your home smelling fresh and inviting.
Prepare for the New Year: As you bid adieu to the current year, why not step into the new one with a clean slate? A professionally cleaned and deodorized space can inspire a positive mindset and set the tone for a fresh start in the coming year.
Convenience and Peace of Mind: Planning and hosting holiday events can be overwhelming. Let SERVPRO Team Spinner take the stress out of cleaning and deodorizing, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – creating lasting memories with friends and family.
This holiday season, embrace the benefits of a clean and deodorized home with SERVPRO Team Spinner. Our dedicated team is committed to making your space sparkle, ensuring you step into the new year with freshness and vitality. Schedule your service today and let the transformation begin. Cheers to a happy and healthy holiday season!
Clearing the Air: The Importance of Professional Cigarette Smoke Removal
Consider contacting SERVPRO Team Spinner for cigarette smoke removal
Cigarette smoke isn't just an unpleasant odor – it's a pervasive issue that can have long-lasting effects on indoor air quality. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we understand the significance of maintaining a clean and healthy environment. In this blog post, we'll delve into the reasons why professional cigarette smoke removal is crucial for both residential and commercial spaces.
Health and Well-being: Cigarette smoke contains numerous harmful chemicals and toxins, many of which are known carcinogens. Prolonged exposure to residual smoke in indoor spaces can contribute to respiratory issues, allergies, and other health concerns. Professional smoke removal helps mitigate these risks, creating a healthier living or working environment for everyone.
Odor Elimination: Cigarette smoke has a notorious reputation for its stubborn and pervasive odor. Traditional cleaning methods often fall short in completely removing this smell. Professional smoke removal services, however, are equipped with advanced techniques and equipment designed to neutralize and eliminate lingering odors, providing a breath of fresh air.
Property Value Preservation: The smell of cigarette smoke can be a significant turn-off for potential buyers or tenants. Whether you're selling, renting, or leasing a property, investing in professional smoke removal can enhance the property's appeal, thereby preserving or even increasing its value.
Cleaner Indoor Environment: Cigarette smoke particles can settle on surfaces, creating a layer of residue commonly referred to as "third-hand smoke." This residue can be challenging to remove without professional intervention. Smoke removal services not only address the visible effects but also ensure a thorough cleaning of surfaces, contributing to an overall cleaner indoor environment.
Compliance with Regulations: In some jurisdictions, there are regulations and guidelines regarding indoor air quality and smoking in public or shared spaces. Ensuring your property meets these standards is not only responsible but can also save you from potential legal issues. Professional smoke removal services help you stay compliant and create a safe environment for everyone.
Improved Aesthetic Appeal: Smoke stains can discolor walls, ceilings, and other surfaces, giving spaces a dingy and unappealing look. Professional smoke removal restores the aesthetic appeal of your property by addressing not only the odor but also the visual impact of cigarette smoke damage.
Investing in professional cigarette smoke removal goes beyond just eliminating a smell; it's about creating a healthier, more inviting space. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we prioritize the well-being of our community and their environments. Contact us today to experience the transformative power of our smoke removal services – because everyone deserves to breathe in a clean and fresh atmosphere.
Guardians of the Pipes: Protecting School Plumbing Systems During the Holidays
As schools prepare to close their doors for the holiday season, it's crucial to turn attention to one of the often overlooked aspects of facility management – the plumbing system. A dormant school building can pose challenges for plumbing if not properly prepared. SERVPRO Team Spinner, with its expertise in restoration and cleanup, offers valuable insights on how to safeguard school plumbing systems during the holidays.
1. Conduct a Thorough Inspection: Before the school doors are locked for the holidays, conduct a comprehensive inspection of the plumbing system. Look for leaks, drips, or any signs of wear and tear. Addressing issues preemptively can prevent small problems from turning into major disruptions.
2. Ensure Proper Insulation: As temperatures drop, it's essential to ensure that exposed pipes are adequately insulated. This safeguards against freezing, which can lead to pipe bursts and water damage. Pay special attention to areas that might not receive sufficient heating, such as basements and attics.
3. Run a Full Flush: Encourage the maintenance staff to perform a full flush of all toilets and run water through all faucets. This helps prevent sediment build-up, ensures water circulation, and keeps the traps filled to prevent sewer gases from entering the building.
4. Set Thermostats Appropriately: Maintain a minimal level of heating in the building to prevent freezing. While it might be tempting to save on energy costs, allowing the temperature to drop significantly can result in frozen pipes and subsequent water damage.
5. Shut Off Unnecessary Water Sources: Identify and shut off water sources that aren't essential during the holidays. This includes irrigation systems, outdoor faucets, and any other non-essential water supply. By reducing the overall pressure on the plumbing system, the risk of leaks or bursts is minimized.
6. Establish Emergency Protocols: In the event of an unexpected plumbing issue, having clear emergency protocols in place is crucial. Ensure that staff members know how to locate shut-off valves and are aware of the steps to take in case of a water-related emergency.
7. Partner with Professionals: Consider consulting with plumbing professionals or restoration experts like SERVPRO Team Spinner. Their experience in dealing with water damage can provide valuable guidance and proactive solutions to fortify the plumbing system against potential risks.
Protecting a school's plumbing system during the holidays requires a combination of proactive measures, thorough inspections, and a keen awareness of potential vulnerabilities. By implementing these steps, schools can ensure that they return to a fully operational and undamaged plumbing system when the doors reopen. SERVPRO Team Spinner stands ready to assist with any unforeseen water-related challenges, emphasizing the importance of a collaborative effort to keep school facilities safe and secure during the holiday break.
After all, we aim to make it "Like it never even happened."
SERVPRO Team Spinner Spins into Action for Hamilton NJ Police Athletic League
SERVPRO Team Spinner cleaning up for our Hamilton community
On Thursday, November 16, 2023, in the spirit of community and giving back, SERVPRO Team Spinner recently embarked on a special mission with a heartwarming twist. Recognizing the importance of supporting local organizations, the team decided to lend a helping hand to the Hamilton Police Athletic League (PAL) by offering their expertise in a unique and generous way.
The focus of this community initiative was none other than the mats at the Hamilton PAL facility. Understanding the wear and tear these mats endure from the active and spirited activities of the young athletes, the SERVPRO Team Spinner saw an opportunity to contribute their cleaning prowess.
What makes this initiative truly special is that SERVPRO Team Spinner decided to provide their cleaning services free of charge. This gesture exemplifies their commitment to supporting the community that has been an integral part of their journey. By stepping in to assist the Hamilton PAL, SERVPRO Team Spinner not only demonstrated their dedication to maintaining a clean and healthy community but also highlighted the power of collaboration and support among local businesses and organizations.
The freshly cleaned mats not only contribute to the overall well-being of the young athletes but also showcase the positive ripple effect that acts of kindness and generosity can have within a community. SERVPRO Team Spinner's commitment to service goes beyond their professional duties, reflecting a genuine desire to invest in the welfare of their neighbors.
As the freshly cleaned mats at the Hamilton PAL stand as a testament to SERVPRO Team Spinner's commitment to community service, it's a reminder that small acts of kindness can make a significant impact. The collaboration between SERVPRO Team Spinner and the Hamilton PAL showcases the positive outcomes that arise when businesses and organizations join forces for the greater good. Here's to more partnerships that build strong, resilient communities!
Giving Thanks Safely: SERVPRO Team Spinner's Thanksgiving Safety Guide
Wishing you a safe and joyful Thanksgiving,
SERVPRO Team Spinner
(908) 233-7070
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, the aroma of delicious meals and the warmth of family gatherings fill the air. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we want to ensure that your Thanksgiving is not only filled with gratitude and joy but also with safety and preparedness. Here are some essential tips to keep your celebrations accident-free:
1. Fire Safety Precautions: Thanksgiving often involves a lot of cooking, and safety in the kitchen is paramount. Double-check your smoke detectors to ensure they are working correctly. Avoid kitchen distractions, and never leave the stove or oven unattended. If deep-frying a turkey, do it outdoors, away from structures, and keep a fire extinguisher handy.
2. Deep-Frying Safety: For those opting for the crispy delight of a deep-fried turkey, take extra precautions. Thaw the turkey completely, pat it dry, and ensure the fryer is on a flat surface. Keep the fryer a safe distance away from your home, and never leave it unattended. Also, be cautious of the oil temperature to prevent spills and flare-ups.
3. Mindful Disposal of Cooking Byproducts: Avoid clogged drains by being mindful of what goes down the sink. Dispose of cooking grease in a designated container rather than pouring it down the drain, as it can solidify and cause blockages. Use strainers in sinks to catch food scraps and prevent plumbing issues.
4. Emergency Preparedness Kit: In the spirit of preparedness, have an emergency kit ready. Include essential contacts, insurance information, and any necessary medications. Having these items readily available ensures a swift response in case of unforeseen circumstances.
5. Home Security Measures: If you plan on traveling for the holiday, take steps to secure your home. Lock all doors and windows, set alarms if available, and consider asking a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your property. A secure home allows you to enjoy your Thanksgiving without worry.
Thanksgiving is a time for joy, reflection, and connection. By incorporating these safety tips into your holiday preparations, you can ensure a celebration that is not only memorable but also safe for everyone involved. From all of us at SERVPRO Team Spinner, have a happy and secure Thanksgiving!
Safety First: Why Frying Turkey Can Pose Thanksgiving Hazards
Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and of course, delicious food. While many embrace the tradition of roasting a turkey in the oven, the trend of deep-frying turkeys has gained popularity in recent years. At SERVPRO Team Spinner, our commitment to community safety prompts us to shed light on the potential hazards associated with deep-frying turkeys and to encourage a Thanksgiving celebration that prioritizes safety.
Risks of Deep-Frying Turkey:
Fire Hazard: Deep-frying a turkey involves immersing it in hot oil, creating a potential fire hazard. The oil can overheat, leading to a dangerous situation. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), turkey fryers are responsible for numerous fires each year, causing significant damage to homes and properties.
Hot Oil Burns: Handling hot oil poses a serious risk of burns and injuries. The process of lowering a turkey into boiling oil requires caution and precision. Accidents can happen when individuals are not familiar with the proper safety measures or when equipment is not used correctly.
Lack of Experience: Deep-frying a turkey requires a certain level of expertise and experience. Individuals attempting it for the first time may underestimate the potential dangers involved, leading to accidents that could have been avoided with proper knowledge and preparation.
SERVPRO Team Spinner's Safety Tips:
Choose Safety Over Speed: While deep-frying may offer a quicker cooking time, it's essential to prioritize safety. Consider alternative cooking methods that eliminate the risk of hot oil and open flames.
Maintain a Safe Distance: If you choose to fry your turkey, ensure the fryer is set up a safe distance from structures, including your home. An outdoor, flat, and stable surface is crucial to prevent accidents.
Thaw the Turkey Completely: Thoroughly thaw the turkey before frying to prevent oil splatters and reduce the risk of fire. Ice or water on an unfrozen turkey can cause the hot oil to bubble and splatter.
Never Leave Unattended: Supervise the turkey fryer at all times. Leaving it unattended increases the risk of accidents and potential disasters.
At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we prioritize the safety and well-being of our community. As you prepare for Thanksgiving, consider the potential risks associated with deep-frying a turkey. Opt for safer cooking methods to ensure a joyous and incident-free holiday celebration. Let's make this Thanksgiving a time of gratitude and happiness, without compromising the safety of our loved ones and homes.
Shine Bright, Stay Safe: Diwali Fire Caution from SERVPRO Team Spinner
Diwali, a joyous festival of lights, was on Monday, November 13. Unfortunately, during this festive holiday, a fire is not an uncommon occurrence.
The team at SERVPRO wants to share some important fire safety precautions to ensure your celebrations remain bright and safe for next year or for anyone celebrating later this week.
Diwali is a time for family, friends, and beautiful decorations, but it's crucial to be mindful of potential fire hazards. Here are some tips to keep your Diwali festivities safe and enjoyable:
Inspect Electrical Decorations: Before decking out your home with colorful lights and electronic decorations, carefully inspect each item for frayed wires, damaged sockets, or any signs of wear. Replace any damaged items to prevent electrical fires.
Avoid Overloading Outlets: Distribute your electrical load evenly and avoid overloading outlets. Plugging too many devices into a single outlet can lead to overheating and increase the risk of a fire.
Use LED Lights: Opt for LED lights over traditional incandescent ones. LED lights produce less heat, reducing the risk of fire. Additionally, they are more energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan.
Keep Flames in Check: If you include traditional diyas or candles in your celebrations, ensure they are placed in stable holders and are kept away from flammable materials. Never leave lit candles unattended.
Maintain Safe Distances: Keep decorations, including curtains, drapes, and other combustible items, away from heat sources and open flames. Maintain a safe distance to prevent accidental fires.
Supervise Fireworks Displays: If fireworks are a part of your Diwali tradition, exercise caution and follow local safety guidelines. Ensure that fireworks are lit in open areas, away from buildings and dry vegetation.
Keep Fire Safety Equipment Handy: Have fire extinguishers and smoke detectors in strategic locations within your home. Regularly check and maintain these devices to ensure they are in good working condition.
Create an Emergency Plan: In the event of a fire, have a well-thought-out emergency plan in place. Ensure that all family members are aware of the evacuation routes and meeting points.
Dispose of Ashes Safely: If you use fire pits or burn incense during Diwali, ensure that ashes are fully extinguished before disposal. Dispose of ashes in a metal container, away from combustible materials.
Stay Informed: Keep yourself informed about local fire safety regulations and guidelines. Understanding and following these regulations is crucial to ensuring a safe and enjoyable Diwali.
At SERVPRO Team Spinner, your safety is our priority. We wish you a Happy and Safe Diwali filled with light, laughter, and moments of joy. Shine on, and let's celebrate responsibly!
A Night to Remember: SERVPRO Team Spinner Happy Hour Event Recap
Happy Hour event for our partners at Galloping Hills
When it comes to celebrating our strong partnerships, there's no better way to do it than with good company, great food, and delicious drinks. At our recent SERVPRO Team Spinner Happy Hour event on October 26, 2023, we had the pleasure of hosting our valued partners, and it was a night filled with laughter, camaraderie, and memories we will cherish for years to come. Continue reading as we take you through the highlights of this unforgettable evening.
Since this was our first time hosting an event like this at SERVPRO Team Spinner, we wanted to be able to have a cozy setting with enough space to have our sales and marketing team interact with the partners they invited. We hosted the event at the Galloping Hill Golf Course indoor venue. The weather was perfect to step outside and enjoy the views of the golf course.
Waves of our partners came and went and there was endless chatter at every corner you looked. Our event was from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – why do we call it happy “hour?” – and all our guests were entertained every minute of the hours, whether it be with food, drinks, or the people.
The heart of any happy hour is, of course, the beverages, and our guests were treated by SERVPRO Team Spinner to a variety of signature cocktails, craft beers, and exquisite wines the Galloping Hill had to offer. From classic martinis to unique mixes created just for the occasion, everyone had a chance to raise a toast to the bonds we have formed. Some interesting drinks to try the next time someone goes there would be the Spicy Pineapple Marg or their B Side-Tini. Tasty food is a universal language, and our SERVPRO Team Spinner Happy Hour did not disappoint. An array of mouthwatering appetizers kept everyone fueled and satisfied throughout the evening.
One of the primary objectives of the evening was to thank our partners for connecting with us. Our guests engaged in lively discussions, shared experiences, and explored opportunities for future collaborations. It was a perfect setting to discuss business in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Thank You to Our Partners. The SERVPRO Team Spinner Happy Hour event would not have been the same without the presence of our dedicated partners. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your ongoing support, trust, and commitment. Together, we have achieved so much, and we look forward to even greater successes in the future.
Our SERVPRO Team Spinner Happy Hour event was not just an evening of entertainment; it was a celebration of partnership, collaboration, and shared goals. As we look back on the memories created during this special night, we are reminded of the strength and vitality of our relationships with our partners. Here is to many more joyful gatherings, successful endeavors, and cherished moments in the future.
Thank you to all who attended our SERVPRO Team Spinner Happy Hour event. We're excited to host our next SERVPRO Team Spinner Happy Hour event again, this time in Hamilton, NJ!
SERVPRO Team Spinner ready to give treats to our community
Halloween is a time for ghoulish delights and spooky surprises, and at SERVPRO Team Spinner, we continue to care for our local community. We had the privilege of seeing the kids from Kohler Academy for a morning filled with laughter, costumes, and a whole lot of treats. It was a day to remember, not just for the children but for our entire team, as we experienced the true essence of community engagement.
At SERVPRO Team Spinner, we believe in giving back to the communities we serve. It is not just about cleaning and restoration; it's about building relationships and fostering a sense of togetherness. Our commitment to community engagement has been a core value for us, and events like this one exemplify that commitment.
We set the scene by bringing a table out to the street and transformed it with spooky decorations. The excitement was palpable as the children from Kohler Academy arrived, their faces painted with glee and anticipation. Of course, what's Halloween without costumes? Both our team and the kids from Kohler Academy donned some incredible costumes. From iconic barbies to adorable superheroes, the diversity of costumes added to the festive spirit of the day. There were smiles all around, as everyone embraced the opportunity to express themselves in their chosen characters.
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the smiles on the children's faces. Their laughter and joy filled our office, serving as a reminder of the importance of these moments in building a strong and connected community. It was an incredible feeling to provide a safe and fun environment for these kids to enjoy their Halloween.
The Halloween event with the kids from Kohler Academy at SERVPRO Team Spinner was an incredible experience. It showcased the power of community engagement, the joy of giving back, and the importance of creating memorable moments for the next generation. As a company, we are proud to have this table presented every year, and it serves as a reminder that it is not just about what we do professionally but also about the positive impact we can have on the communities we serve.
We look forward to many more opportunities to connect with our community and make a difference, one smile at a time. Thank you, Kohler Academy, for sharing this wonderful morning with us, and thank you to our team for making it all possible. Halloween at SERVPRO Team Spinner will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Protecting Your Home: Fall Fire Safety & Holiday Season Fire Prevention
As the leaves change colors and the air turns crisp, autumn ushers in a season of warmth, family gatherings, and festive celebrations. However, it's also a time when fire risks can increase, and it's crucial to keep your home and loved ones safe. At SERVPRO of Western Essex County, we are dedicated to promoting fire safety year-round. In this blog post, we'll discuss essential tips for autumn fire safety and how to prevent fire incidents during the holiday season.
Fall Fire Safety:
1. Heating Safety: With temperatures dropping, many homeowners rely on heating systems to keep warm. Ensure your heating equipment, whether it's a furnace, fireplace, or space heater, is in good working condition. Have them inspected and cleaned regularly to prevent potential fire hazards.
2. Chimney Maintenance: If you have a wood-burning fireplace, autumn is an ideal time for chimney maintenance. Clear any debris or nests from your chimney, and check for creosote buildup, a highly flammable substance that can ignite and lead to a chimney fire.
3. Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they're functioning correctly. Replace batteries if needed, and consider installing interconnected alarms to provide early warning in case of a fire.
4. Dryer Vent Cleaning: Dryer vents can accumulate lint over time, increasing the risk of a fire. Regularly clean your dryer vent and check for any blockages.
Holiday Season Fire Prevention:
1. Safe Decorating: During the holiday season, homes are adorned with festive decorations. Be cautious with candles, string lights, and other decorations near flammable materials. Never leave candles unattended, and use flameless candles as a safer alternative.
2. Cooking Safety: Holiday feasts are a tradition for many families. Stay attentive when cooking, and keep flammable items, such as dish towels and oven mitts, away from the stovetop. Use a timer to remind you when dishes are ready to avoid distractions.
3. Christmas Tree Safety: If you have a live Christmas tree, keep it well-watered to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard. Ensure that string lights are in good condition and do not overload electrical outlets.
4. Fire Escape Plan: Discuss and practice a fire escape plan with your family. Make sure everyone knows how to exit the house safely in case of an emergency. Designate a meeting point outside the home.
Conclusion:
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is committed to helping you keep your home safe during the autumn season and throughout the holidays. By following these fire safety tips, you can enjoy the beauty and warmth of the season without worrying about potential fire risks. Remember that prevention is key, but in the event of a fire emergency, our team is here to help restore your home to its pre-fire condition. Stay safe and have a joyful autumn and holiday season!
Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (908) 650-8611
Be Prepared: Simple Storm and Flood Tips That Could Save You in an Emergency
Natural disasters can strike unexpectedly, and when they do, it's essential to be prepared. Storms and floods are among the most common weather-related emergencies that homeowners face. At SERVPRO of Western Essex County, we understand the importance of being proactive in protecting your home and loved ones. In this blog post, we'll share simple yet effective storm and flood preparedness tips that can make a significant difference during an emergency.
1. Create an Emergency Kit:
A well-prepared emergency kit can be a lifesaver during a storm or flood. It should include essential items such as non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, blankets, and important documents (e.g., identification, insurance papers). Make sure your kit is easily accessible and up to date.
2. Stay Informed:
Keep yourself informed about weather forecasts and potential storm warnings. Sign up for weather alerts on your smartphone and have a battery-operated weather radio on hand. Knowing when a storm or flood is expected can give you valuable time to prepare or evacuate if necessary.
3. Secure Your Property:
Before a storm hits, take preventive measures to secure your property. Trim overhanging branches and clear debris from gutters and downspouts to prevent water damage. Consider investing in storm shutters or impact-resistant windows to protect against high winds and flying debris.
4. Elevate Important Items:
If you live in a flood-prone area, elevate valuable items and utilities in your home. Move electrical systems, appliances, and valuable possessions to higher floors or platforms. Elevating your furnace, water heater, and electrical panel can minimize damage.
5. Have an Evacuation Plan:
Develop a family evacuation plan in advance. Identify safe evacuation routes and meeting points. Ensure that everyone in your household knows the plan, including how to turn off utilities if needed. Don't forget to include your pets in your evacuation plan.
6. Protect Your Basement:
Basements are especially vulnerable to flooding. Install a sump pump and consider a battery backup system to prevent water buildup. Waterproof your basement walls and floors to minimize water infiltration during heavy rains.
7. Insurance Check-Up:
Review your homeowner's insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for storm and flood damage. Understand your policy's terms, limitations, and deductible. Consider adding flood insurance if you are in a flood-prone area.
8. Stay Safe During the Storm:
During the storm, stay indoors, away from windows, and avoid using electrical appliances. If the authorities issue an evacuation order, follow it promptly. Never attempt to drive through flooded roads, as it's difficult to gauge the water's depth and strength.
By following these simple storm and flood preparedness tips, you can significantly improve your ability to weather the storm and protect your home and loved ones. Remember that safety should always be the top priority. In the event of storm or flood damage, SERVPRO of Western Essex County is here to help you with water damage restoration and cleanup. Stay informed, stay safe, and be prepared for whatever Mother Nature may bring your way.
When you are a business owner, one of the most important factors to think about is emergency preparedness.
Disaster are going to happen, and while having a plan in place cannot stop all disasters, it can still offer a certain sense of security and at least ensure that your employees are aware of what to do if a disaster or emergency situation should occur.
What’s Your Plan?
Please take the time and make it a priority to sit down and work out an emergency preparedness plan for various disaster situations that could affect your business!
There are numerous emergencies your business should have a preparedness plan in place for, including:
Fire
Severe weather, including thunderstorms and winter storms
Other natural hazards like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes
Human-caused hazards, including accidents or acts of violence
Technology-related issues like power outages and equipment failure
When disaster strikes, it doesn’t matter if it’s a man-made incident or natural, if no emergency plan is in place for your business, things could get even more stressful quickly.
You should make sure that safety training and familiarization of emergency preparedness plans are included in the company onboarding process, team-building activities and continuing education opportunities. By encouraging your employees to familiarize themselves with proper safety protocol and emergency procedures, you’re not only giving them the tools to protect themselves, but you are also setting them up to help protect guests/visitors and the business itself.
Where to Begin
In beginning to set up an emergency plan for your business, start by evaluating which scenarios are most likely to occur—and go as far as considering the longshots that could still happen. After all, it’s better to prepare for all the worst-case scenarios and not be caught off guard.
There are plenty of online resources to help guide you through this process, including Ready.gov, the American Red Cross, FEMA and the CDC.
If you have a business impact analysis (BIA) done, it will help predict potential effects a disaster may have on your business. This would include lost or delayed sales and income, increased expenses from repairs, and delayed implementation of business plans. Don’t forget to make sure a crisis communications plan is in place, too.
Once you have come up with an emergency preparedness plan, be sure to review it and practice it with employees. Reviewing and rehearsing various scenarios can help ensure the process remains fresh in their minds and can help employees feel more empowered.
Disaster can strike when you least expect it, but by being prepared and having a plan in place, your business will be better suited to handle whatever Mother Nature has in store. If the worst should happen and your business is damaged, know that SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
When you are a business owner, one of the most important factors to think about is emergency preparedness.
Disaster are going to happen, and while having a plan in place cannot stop all disasters, it can still offer a certain sense of security and at least ensure that your employees are aware of what to do if a disaster or emergency situation should occur.
What’s Your Plan?
Please take the time and make it a priority to sit down and work out an emergency preparedness plan for various disaster situations that could affect your business!
There are numerous emergencies your business should have a preparedness plan in place for, including:
Fire
Severe weather, including thunderstorms and winter storms
Other natural hazards like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes
Human-caused hazards, including accidents or acts of violence
Technology-related issues like power outages and equipment failure
When disaster strikes, it doesn’t matter if it’s a man-made incident or natural, if no emergency plan is in place for your business, things could get even more stressful quickly.
You should make sure that safety training and familiarization of emergency preparedness plans are included in the company onboarding process, team-building activities and continuing education opportunities. By encouraging your employees to familiarize themselves with proper safety protocol and emergency procedures, you’re not only giving them the tools to protect themselves, but you are also setting them up to help protect guests/visitors and the business itself.
Where to Begin
In beginning to set up an emergency plan for your business, start by evaluating which scenarios are most likely to occur—and go as far as considering the longshots that could still happen. After all, it’s better to prepare for all the worst-case scenarios and not be caught off guard.
There are plenty of online resources to help guide you through this process, including Ready.gov, the American Red Cross, FEMA and the CDC.
If you have a business impact analysis (BIA) done, it will help predict potential effects a disaster may have on your business. This would include lost or delayed sales and income, increased expenses from repairs, and delayed implementation of business plans. Don’t forget to make sure a crisis communications plan is in place, too.
Once you have come up with an emergency preparedness plan, be sure to review it and practice it with employees. Reviewing and rehearsing various scenarios can help ensure the process remains fresh in their minds and can help employees feel more empowered.
Disaster can strike when you least expect it, but by being prepared and having a plan in place, your business will be better suited to handle whatever Mother Nature has in store. If the worst should happen and your business is damaged, know that SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Severe weather is usually one of the first things that comes to mind for many when thinking of water damage. It’s true that storms and flooding can cause catastrophic water damage, but they are often not the main culprits. Various items in your home can be the culprits responsible for many water damage situations.
Understanding Water Damage
Many homeowners will face water damage. Water damage was the third most common reason for homeowners insurance claims between 2011 and 2015, with an average payout per claim of $8,861.
Insurance claims are impacted by the type of water damage. Gradual damage, for example, is often not covered by insurance. Gradual damage is something that has been happening over time, such as plumbing issues in the walls causing damage to the walls, ceilings or floors, or water damage caused by cracks in the foundation. Unfortunately, many aspects of gradual water damage are not covered by homeowners insurance, while storm-related water damage usually is.
Common Water Damage Culprits
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), lists the leading causes of water damage as outlined below:
Plumbing drain system failures. These can occur when a sewer drain backs up and overflows into a home or from material performance issues. In their study, IBHS determined that 52% of drain system failures were caused by sewer backups and 37% were related to material performance issues. It was also discovered that the average costs incurred due to drain system failure were higher in southern states than in other areas of the country.
Plumbing supply system failures. Frozen pipes can burst due to water pressure buildup caused by freezing water or when the supply system material fails and results in a leaking or burst pipe. Per IBHS, plumbing supply system failures are the leading source of residential water losses, costing an average of $5,092 per claim after the deductible. Homes with ages of 16 to 40 years made up a larger group of supply system material failure claims.
Toilet failures. Toilets are the second highest cause of residential water damage loss after plumbing supply system failures and result from faulty fill valves to clogged drain lines. Surprisingly, according to IBHS, toilet failures on the first floor of a home resulted in more extensive claims than those in basements or upper floors.
Water heater failures. If your water heater has reached its life expectancy, expect that the tank will begin to rust and corrode, resulting in leaking or bursting issues. IBHS found that 69% of all water heater failures were a result of a slow leak or sudden burst and, on average, cost $4,444 per incident after the deductible has been paid.
Washing machine failures. Typically washing machine failures are caused by supply hose failures, machine overflows and drain line failures. Washing machines are one of the top 10 sources of residential water damage losses. Per IBHS, supply hose failures accounted for over half of all washing machine-related
You may not know what to do after a fire. Follow these steps to get a little clarity and call us if you need help.
Now that the fire is out, there are a few things you need to know. Here is a check list to follow:
Step 1 - Securing the site
Protect the fire site from any further damage by weather, theft or vandalism. Do not leave the site unsecured.
If you are the owner it is your responsibility to see that openings are covered against rain and entry. Make sure outside doors to the property can be locked and secured. The Fire Department will help secure the premises until responsibility can be handed over to the tenant or insurance company.
If you are the tenant contact your real estate agent or landlord and inform them of the fire. If you cannot contact them and you need professional assistance in boarding the premises, a general contractor for or fire damage restoration firm can help. Check your telephone directory.
If you plan to leave the site, try to remove any valuable remaining in the building.
Contact your own insurance agent to report the loss.
Step 2- Cautions
Household wiring which may have been water damaged should be checked by a licensed electrician before power is turned back on.
Check for structural damage caused by the fire. Roofs and floors may be weakened. The local Council's Building Inspector may be able to help.
Food, drink and medicines exposed to heat, smoke or soot may be discarded in the appropriate manner.
Refrigerators and freezers left unopened will hold their temperature for a short time. However do not attempt to refreeze thawed items.
The Fire Department will call for the services of the local gas, fuel and electricity suppliers to disconnect services before they leave the site.
If a utility (gas, electricity or water) is disconnected, it is your responsibility to have the services checked and reconnected by a licensed trade person. Do not attempt to reconnect the service yourself.
Start collecting receipts for any money you spend. These are important because you can use them to show the insurance company what money you have spent relating to your fire loss and also verifying losses claimed.
Step 3 - Insurance Claims
Make personal contact with the insurance claims manager.
Advise the claims manager of loss or damage and give him, or her, a forwarding address and telephone number if the circumstances have forced you to leave the damaged fire building.
The sooner the insurance company is alerted, the quicker the insurance claim can be processed, as the company has to alert the insurance adjuster to carry out the inspection.
Try to form an inventory, as soon as possible, of household items either inside or outside the buildings which have been damaged by fire. The inventory of damaged items will further speed the claim when the loss adjuster makes contact. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after the inventory is made by the insurance adjuster.
Step 4 - Leaving your home
If you have to leave your home because the fire has left it unsafe, contact the local police. They can keep an eye on the property in your absence.
Check with your insurance company to find out whether you are entitled to stay in hotel as part of a temporary housing clause in your policy, or how soon you might get an advance on your eventual insurance claim settlement.
Provided it is safe to do so, try to locate the following to take with you:
Identification
Vital medicines, such as blood pressure regulating drugs or insulin.
Eyeglasses, hearing aids, prosthetic devices or personal aids.
Valuables such as credit cards, check-books, insurance policies, savings account books, money and jewelry.
Notify these people of your new address
Your employer.
Family and friends.
Your children's schools.
Your Post Office. Have them either hold or forward your mail, depending on the length of time you expect to be relocated.
Delivery services like newspapers and milk.
Telecom and the suppliers of gas, electricity and water.
contact:
SERVPRO of Western Essex County at 973-994-1640
We will help to get your life in order after this catastrophic event.
No matter type of business you conduct at your workplace, fire safety should always be a main concern. Here are a few fire safety tips you can distribute to your staff.
Fire Prevention
Keep your work area free of waste paper, trash and other items that can easily catch fire.
Check on your electrical cords. If a cord is damaged in any way, replace it. Try not to lay cords in places where they can be stepped on, as this will contribute to deterioration of the protective outside coating.
Don't overload your circuits.
Turn off electrical appliances at the end of each day.
Keep heat producing equipment away from anything that might burn. This includes copiers, coffee makers, computers, etc.
In the Event of a Fire
Upon finding a fire, call 911 immediately and don't hand up with the emergency responder until told to do so.
Close doors when exiting to help limit the spread of smoke and fire throughout the building.
Never use elevators during an evacuation.
Follow the escape plan and meet at a per-determined place outside of your building and away from danger. Conduct a headcount to ensure all of your staff has evacuated.
The best way to ensure the safety of your staff is through fire prevention and preparation. Talk with your staff about fire safety in the workplace today.
We have developed a list of the most common causes of fire-related losses as well as some things you can do to help prevent them.
Faulty Wiring and Outlets Are One of the Top Causes of House Fires.
Check the electrical cords throughout your home for signs of fraying, and replace all frayed wires.
Do not pinch or cover electrical cords with items such as rugs.
Be aware of the capacity of your home's electrical system. Do not overload your circuits. If you have questions about your home's electrical system, you may want to consult a licensed electrician.
Understand the difference between surge protectors and power strips—both allow you to plug in multiple electronic devices, but only the surge protector will help protect these devices from a power spike. Use surge protectors to protect valuable electronic devices, such as computers and televisions.
Carelessness in the Kitchen May Also Lead to a House Fire.
Never leave your pots or pans unattended on your stove.
Keep a kitchen fire extinguisher readily available and know how to use it.
Keep your stove and oven clean. Built up food splatter or grease can later ignite when the stove or oven is turned on for cooking.
Clothes Dryers Are Another Common Source of House Fires.
If you are installing your own dryer vent, follow the directions in the manufacturer’s installation instructions, using the recommended duct material. If you are unsure about how to properly install the vent, consider hiring a professional to do the installation.
Clean out the dryer vent regularly.
Clean out the lint filter after each load.
Lint may also collect under and behind your dryer, so do not forget to clean these areas.
Alternative Heating Sources May Also Create a Fire Hazard.
Avoid using an older space heater, as it may not have adequate safety features compared to newer units. When purchasing a new space heater, ensure it is UL Listed and pay attention to the safety features.
Do not place a space heater near furniture, curtains or other objects that could easily catch fire.
If you plan to install an alternative heating system, such as a wood or pellet stove, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are unsure about how to properly install the system, consider hiring a professional to do the installation.
Before installing a wood or pellet stove, check to ensure it complies with the laws of your state and municipality.
Dirty Chimneys Also Pose a Fire Hazard.
Have your chimney inspected annually by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweep. Have a professional clean and repair the chimney as needed, especially before the cold months, when you will be using it frequently.
Use seasoned wood only. Never burn green or damp wood.
Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or trees in your fireplace—these can all spark chimney fires.
Carpet Cleaning is very important. Learn why here!
Carpet cleaning can be a bothersome chore. However, the reward of restoring the freshness and beauty back to our carpets is very often worth the efforts. Carpets without proper cleaning quickly lose its beauty in due time. The soiling of carpets can unfold rather fast, even with regularly vacuuming and spot cleaning. Let’s take a look at the main reasons why carpet cleaning is so important.
It prolongs the life span of the carpet.
Vacuuming does help but there are dirt and grime that sinks deep within the fibers. They become hard to clean. They even make the carpet look old and discolored. Regular carpet cleaning in intervals of 12 to 18 months sustains longer life span. It also maintains the beauty of the carpet as if it is only several months old since purchased.
It removes stains, restoring the carpet back an unblemished state.
Carpet stains often mar the look of a carpet and make our living space less pleasant-looking. Carpet stains appear all the time from the dirt carried inside from the soles of shoes, to spilt coffee, wine and other drinks, to pet accidents and more. Deep carpet cleaning can separate the dirt from the carpets, bringing it back to an unblemished and pleasant-looking state.
It lessens pollutants.
The carpet is an effective trap of various particles. Dirt, dust, pet dander, and insect allergens are regulars of home carpet. Regular carpet cleaning helps lessen or completely eliminate these pollutants. The use of special sanitizers like carpet shampoo kills the bacteria from these particles. Would you believe that the average home toilet seat is cleaner than the average home carpet?
It prevents insect infestation.
There are insects that are hard to notice when they are on the carpet’s surface. Sometimes, adaptive coloration makes cockroaches and mites to stay on it until they release eggs. They also leave body fragments like shed skin. With regular carpet cleaning, you do not clean the carpet alone but also kills insects and prevents possible infestation.
It eliminates bad odor.
The dust, insects, urine and various pollutants on the carpet emit foul odor. They also increase the chances that some organisms like bacteria and fungi will soon thrive on the carpet. The bad odor is itself a sign of an unhealthy environment. Regular carpet cleaning will not only eliminate bad odor. It will also hinder these harmful organisms from being carpet mainstays.
It contributes to overall home appeal.
A well-maintained and regularly cleaned carpet is a sign of a well-maintained home. It leaves an impression that the homeowner is careful and meticulous of how his house looks and appeals to his guests. More often than not, a clean home carpet reflects that other things and other parts within the house also shows equal cleanliness.
It protects your investment
Regular carpet cleaning treats your carpet as a great investment. It doesn’t matter how cheap or how expensive you’ve bought it. This is an effort that maintains beauty, color, and the pattern or designs of your carpet longer than you could imagine. It can even make your carpet a legacy passed to your children.
Summary & Next Steps
Regular home carpet cleaning should not be taken for granted. Summing up, the importance it brings comes down to adding beauty wherever that may be.
Manual (hand wash) carpet cleaning of homes can be a tedious, if not impossible process. Fortunately, there are many models of home carpet cleaning machines that allow the process to be much easier.
On top of your own carpet cleaning routines, you may also consider engaging qualified professional cleaning services for an expert review of your carpets. Here at SERVPRO Western Essex County we have the most up to date equipment to do a job well done. You can always give us a call for professional advice on the matter at hand.
Air duct cleaning is a misnomer. In actuality, the entire HVAC system should be cleaned. Failure to clean all components of the system can result in recontamination of the entire system, thus minimizing the benefits of cleaning.
Just as you wouldn’t clean only half of your living room floor, you also would not want to clean only part of your HVAC system. NADCA recommends cleaning the entire HVAC system, including the following components:
air ducts
coils
drain pan
registers
grills
air plenum
blower motor and assembly
heat exchanger
air filter
air cleaner
There are two key components to HVAC cleaning: breaking contaminants loose, and collection of contaminants.
Breaking Contaminants Loose
Properly cleaning HVAC systems requires removing the sources of contamination. Source removal begins with the use of one or more agitation devices designed to loosen contaminants from the surfaces within the heating and air conditioning system. Examples of agitation devices include: brushes, air whips and compressed air nozzles or “skipper balls.” Agitation can also be achieved through hand-brushing or contact vacuuming.
Collection of Contaminants
During cleaning, the entire HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure (a vacuum) to prevent the spread of contaminants. Continuous negative pressure allows very fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne, ensuring that these particles are not released into the living space when the system is turned on after cleaning. This negative pressure also serves to extract the loosened contaminants, which are collected and removed from your home.
System Access
HVAC system cleaning is not a complex process, but each job is unique. Where possible, access to duct interiors should be made through existing openings such as supply diffusers, return grills, duct end caps and existing service openings. Cleaning technicians may need to cut access holes in the duct work in order to reach inside with various cleaning tools. Creation of these service openings, and their subsequent closure, requires craftsmanship and professional skills.
Equipment Requirements
There is a wide variety of equipment available to HVAC cleaning professionals. Both truck-mounted and portable vacuums can be used to stop the spread of contaminants and get the system cleaned to the NADCA Standard.
Antimicrobial Chemicals
Antimicrobial chemicals include sanitizers, disinfectants and deodorizers that can be applied to nonporous surfaces in HVAC systems to address microbial contamination and help control odors. Only chemicals registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be used. These products should only be considered after mechanical surface cleaning has been performed and if the need for such treatment has been deemed necessary. Review the NADCA White Paper on Chemical Applications in HVAC Systems for more information.
When it comes to your commercial property, we mean business. You need a company that can minimize the disruption to your clients while delivering superior results. Whether you need professional cleaning to make your business shine, or emergency water restoration services, SERVPRO of Western Essex County has the training and expertise to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Small Office Buildings
Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotel/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
High-Rise Residential
Manufacturing & Industrial
Government/Military
Commercial Building Cleaning Services
Whether your need is removing an odor problem or deep-cleaning flooring or carpets, you can depend on SERVPRO of Western Essex County to get the job done right the first time. We’ll respond promptly and make your work space look its very best. Learn more about our commercial cleaning services.
Commercial Building Restoration Services
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is available 24 hours a day to restore your property and get you back to business. We have the expertise, equipment, and highly trained personnel to handle your commercial water, fire, or mold damage. We can also access the resources of our national network of 1,700 Franchises to handle large commercial projects and major storm events. Learn more about our commercial restoration services.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County cares gratefully about the safety of our customers. Thunderstorms can be a scary and overwhelming event. Here are some safety precautions that can be taken to insure your well-being.
Keep yourself updated with news reports by listening to your local weather radios.
When inside, stay off corded phones, computers, and other electronic equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity or plumbing.
Unplug any appliances or electrical items such as TVs, computers, and air conditioners. If you are not able to unplug, turn it off.
Secure any doors and shutters. Make sure that you remove any dead or rotting branches from trees that could potentially fall and cause damage to your home or anyone.
Remember, Storm damage is likely to occur depending on the intensity of the storm. For any services you may need whether an emergency or a quote, please feel free to give us a call at (973) 994-1640
Home and business owners should be taking note: when lint clogs a dryer duct, your building is at risk for fire. Dryer vent cleaning helps to prevent costly fires, reduce dryer downtime—and keep your building’s dryer system functioning properly.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is a cost-effective way to protect the safety of building residents. As part of our service, we remove lint, birds’ nests, small articles of clothing and more from dryer vents in houses, beauty salons, hotels, multi-family living structures and other establishments.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures that the full length of the dryer vent is clean when we leave your property.
This may entail cutting additional access points to the dryer vent from the attic, basement—or where ever the dryer vent routes through your home or business.
Here at SERVPRO of Western Essex County no job is too big for us and we are always here to help. We are open 24/7 seven days a week, just for our customer's needs.
Commercial cleaning and restoration present unique challenges. Our goal is to provide excellent results while minimizing the disruption to your clients. SERVPRO of Central Union County & Roselle are fully equipped to take on your commercial property no matter the size of the job.
Commercial Services:
Air Ducts / HVAC
General & Specialty Cleaning
Post Construction Cleaning
Punch List Services
Dry Ice Blasting
Power Washing
Biohazard & Sewage
Odor Removal / Deodorization
We offer our services to any time of commercial property:
Small/Large Office Buildings
High-Rise Office Buildings
Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotel/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
High-Rise Residential
Manufacturing & Industrial
Government/Military
For any additional information, please feel free to contact our office for all of your commercial property needs.
Hurricanes are very destructive, prepare before they hit.
While in hurricane season, it is the time to think about storm damage, even here in the northeast. Preparing your business or home now can help prevent unnecessary damages to your building when that storm hits.
Wind can come in the form of hurricanes, tornadoes, cyclones, microbursts, or downdrafts. It can be valuable to understand the impact of high winds and how to best protect your business, home, and property from wind damage. There are many ways to reinforce a building against wind damage — some are simple enough to DIY while others may require a pro.
First, inspect your building's roof, siding, windows and doors, and even landscaping to identify vulnerable spots. Replacing many of these items can be very expensive, so this may not be an option. However, being prepared to install temporary protection in the event of a storm that brings high winds and heavy rains may be all you need to do. No solution is perfect; mother nature knows that, but doing nothing to prepare is not the best option either.
Doors
When considering the role doors play in protecting buildings from high winds, it is customary to think about our exterior doors first. They are the doors that provide the first line of defense from high winds and blowing debris.
While wind-resistant doors and break-resistant glass play a significant role in fighting winds, interior doors are also essential. In hurricane winds or when a tornado may be imminent, all doors and windows, including every interior door, should be closed. This can prevent pressure build-up inside a building, leading to losing a room. Closing interior doors will also help compartmentalize damage from wind or rain if there is a breach in the exterior of a building.
Impact-resistant doors are the best possible solution, but if these are not installed, then:
inspect doors for any cracks or missing or damaged hardware.
Ensure no air leaks around the door and replace standard hinge screws with longer, stronger screws that will reach into the wall frame.
Ensure the threshold seals the door bottom and is screwed deeply into the floor.
Add a deadbolt to exterior doors that extend a minimum of one inch.
If you have French-style double doors, make sure they are refitted with bolts that extend at least an inch into the floor.
Finally, reinforce doors (and windows) with sheets of plywood when a hurricane approaches. This can be cost-effective and should be planned.
Windows
Many items in a yard can quickly turn into projectiles during high winds. These items make a building's windows vulnerable during high winds, especially when standard glass is used.
Even a small branch or piece of flying debris can start a landslide of damage once a window is cracked. As winds continue to put force on the broken window, the break can become more extensive and even cause the complete failure of the window. Winds and rain now have even greater access to the building's interior, creating further damage. Once winds enter a space, the entire structure, including the roof, is at risk.
There are only two options when it comes to providing better window protection. One is to cover or reinforce windows, and the other is to upgrade windows to high-impact glass.
Roofing
The roof is one of the most significant parts of a building. It is helpful to think of it as a combination of materials that protect your home from the elements and help keep warmth and cool air inside.
The roof is susceptible to damage in high winds for various reasons. As a roof ages, shingles can become brittle and lose adhesion to the structure. Older roofs aren't reinforced as well as more modern structures and are more easily damaged. While a roof is large and heavy, it can be no match for high winds as elements get peeled away, or the entire roof structure may even be lifted away. Of course, once the roof has been compromised, wind and water can enter the interior of the building, and the entire building will be at risk.
There is no additional protection you can provide for a roof except repairing damaged sections or replacing the roof entirely.
Garage Door
A garage door is typically the most significant moving part of an entire home. Generally speaking, garage doors are designed to move upward and downward. Under the stress of high winds, they can and do fail. This can cause a chain reaction of destruction and damage to a home once wind and moisture are introduced to the area.
Check to see that all seals around the door are good enough to prevent winds from entering. Protecting a garage door can be done with special braces or installing plywood as you would with windows.
Home Siding
Another area of a home that should be of concern in high winds is the siding. Like the roof, windows, and doors, keeping a home's siding inspected and properly maintained will go a long way in maintaining its integrity in a windstorm. Like those other areas, the key is preventing the wind from getting a foothold behind the siding, allowing it to tear it off of the structure.
Preparing the siding of a building is to repair damages sections and gaps where wind could enter or complete replacement of the system.
Landscaping and Outdoor Items
An important component of protecting a building in high winds is minimizing the potential projectiles that can become airborne. These projectiles can result from trees and limbs and from an assortment of yard items.
Depending on how much warning you have prior to a wind event, these items should be safely stored. Larger items which cannot be stored should be disassembled and stored, or at the very least turned upside down and secured to the ground. You should consider every item not secured in their outdoor spaces as a potential projectile.
Taking Shelter Indoors
The safest place in a building during a high wind event is generally the same; an interior room on the lowest level of a structure, away from windows and exterior doors. In some cases, this may be a basement or a first-floor interior closet or bathroom.
Be sure to take a battery operated radio or weather radio with you along with a flashlight. Blankets may offer additional protection and in severe cases, mattresses can be used to provide cover. If an interior bathroom is used, the tub can provide additional protection.
When disaster strikes your home or business, choose the #1 ranked in Restoration Services. Choose SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Contact us at (973) 994-1640 if you have a service need or click here to visit our website to learn more about SERVPRO of Western Essex County's System Services.
Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. Your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of the tools used by your local SERVPRO of Western Essex County:
Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
Moisture Meters (pictured) are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals to monitor the drying process.
Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.
Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas.
Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor causing particles.
The bottom line? SERVPRO of Western Union County have the training and equipment to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Regularly cleaning your oven is the best way to ensure you don’t end up with an appliance that looks older than it really is and it’s the best way to avoid baking your dinner in an unhygienic oven. A clean oven will make the whole kitchen more attractive and may even make you a happier baker. Here are three common methods for cleaning your oven.
1. Cleaning An Oven With The Self-Cleaning Setting
A self-cleaning oven is a well-insulated oven that heats to a very high temperature (upwards of 800′ Fahrenheit or more) and incinerates baked on food and grease. General Electric is accredited with inventing the pyrolytic cleaning (commonly called the self-cleaning) oven feature in 1963. Much like you can clean off your outdoor grill by turning up the heat and letting the debris bake off, the self-cleaning method utilizes extreme heat to remove stuck on food. But don’t be fooled by the name. Most manufacturers will recommend first removing as much grease and grime before your self-cleaning session and afterwards you’ll need to wipe off and remove the remaining ashes. If you are nervous about having your oven heat up to nearly 1000′ for over three hours you’re not alone. Many people wonder if this will damage the oven (or damage a person who accidentally touches the front of the oven) yet manufacturers assure us that a self-cleaning oven is perfectly safe to use as long as you follow the operating instructions. Some ovens require that you remove the interior racks prior to cleaning, and you don’t ever want to leave your house with this setting on. Because a self-cleaning oven burns all left-on debris to a crisp, you may see smoke or vapors coming from the oven. Households with pet birds will want to sequester them away from the oven during the self-cleaning process as the vapors be highly toxic to birds.
Self-Cleaning Oven Pros:
Inexpensive (if it already comes with your oven)
Easy to use
Effectively burns off baked on debris
Self cleaning ovens are more insulated which makes it more energy efficient when baking
You don’t need to use additional oven cleaning chemicals to clean
Self-Cleaning Oven Cons:
Potentially dangerous if the exterior is touched during cleaning
You still need to clean the oven before and after the self-cleaning session
Hazardous fumes and vapors are released during the process, toxic enough to kill birds
Strong smells may be unpleasant
Smoke from burning food may set off your smoke alarm
2. Cleaning An Oven With Chemical Oven Cleaners
Arguably the most dangerous way to clean an oven is by using an off-the-shelf chemical cleaner. Not that it doesn’t do the job; chemical cleaners use lye (along with a host of other chemicals) to magically lift off caked on grease and grime. The number one reason you won’t want to use this product is that it is incredibly hazardous to your health and the health of your family. Lye is caustic and can cause irritation to mucus membranes, eyes, skin and lungs. In fact, most manufacturers recommend wearing long gloves and goggles while using the product. Corrosive alkalis are dangerous to inhale and can damage lung tissue. Chemical cleaners may contain a combination of monoethanolamine (MEA) which is a volatile organic compound, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, petroleum gases and many other dangerous chemicals. In fact, if you’d like to see the ratings of cleaning products like oven cleaners, check out the Environmental Working Group’s rating system of this particular brand.
Chemical Oven Cleaner Pros:
Easily removes baked on grease and leftover foods
Chemical Oven Clean Cons:
Highly toxic fumes can damage lungs and respiratory system
Chemical components are known to cause cancer, damage to DNA and reproductive health, skin irritation and allergen
Known environmental hazards
Deadly poisonous if swallowed
3. Cleaning An Oven Using Non-Toxic, Homemade Cleaners
You might think that something as tough as baked on food would either need to be burned off by heat (self cleaning method) or by chemicals, but you’d be wrong. There are several ways to clean a dirty oven using non-toxic (and incredibly inexpensive) ingredients. In fact, most kitchen appliances can be cleaned using homemade cleaners you can easily make in a matter of seconds with products you probably already have in your pantry. Baking soda is a very effective cleaner; it’s abrasive enough to remove caked on debris but won’t scratch surfaces. It also helps remove odors. Vinegar, or lemon juice, easily cuts through grease and removes germs. Some recipes call for Castile soap, which is a vegetable based soap, and you can decide whether or not to add this ingredient to the following recipes.
For best results, wipe off as much baked on food prior to either method and make sure oven is completely cool.
Non toxic cleaning method #1
Generously sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the oven
Using a spray bottle, wet the baking soda with vinegar (you don’t want a puddle of vinegar). Note that the reaction of the vinegar and baking soda will cause bubbling.
Let sit for about 4 hours or overnight
Wipe away vinegar and baking soda with a textured sponge.
If any residue is left, simply use clean water to wipe clean
Non toxic cleaning method #2
In a mixing bowl combine about 1 cup of baking soda with enough water to make a paste
Generously coat inside of oven with paste
Let sit overnight
Remove with a damp sponge and repeat wiping until clean
Non-Toxic Cleaning Pros:
Inexpensive, easy to make
Effective at removing debris from oven
Non-irritating and doesn’t produce harmful fumes
Not harmful to the environment
Can control the amount and types of ingredients used
Non-Toxic Cleaning Cons:
May need to use more “elbow grease” to remove debris
May take longer to clean oven than other methods
Ensemble Architecture
How To Keep Your Oven Clean All The Time
The best way to keep your oven clean is to prevent spills from happening in the first place. This shouldn’t be too difficult, especially as you know your baking habits. If it’s always spilled casseroles or pie, simply put your baking dishes on top of a jelly roll pan. If it’s grease spatters from weekly chicken roasts, consider covering up the chicken with foil or immediately wipe off the grease while the grease is still warm. Just like your BBQ grill, it’s much easier to wipe away drippings while they are still warm rather that bake them repeatedly and expect to get it clean later.
Home and business owners should be taking note: when lint clogs a dryer duct, your building is at risk for fire. Dryer vent cleaning helps to prevent costly fires, reduce dryer downtime—and keep your building’s dryer system functioning properly.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is a cost-effective way to protect the safety of building residents. As part of our service, we remove lint, birds’ nests, small articles of clothing and more from dryer vents in houses, beauty salons, hotels, multi-family living structures and other establishments.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures that the full length of the dryer vent is clean when we leave your property.
This may entail cutting additional access points to the dryer vent from the attic, basement—or where ever the dryer vent routes through your home or business.
Here at SERVPRO of Western Essex County no job is too big for us and we are always here to help. We are open 24/7 seven days a week, just for our customer's needs.
Severe weather can happen any time, anywhere. Each year, Americans cope with an average of the following intense storms:
10,000 severe thunderstorms
5,000 floods or flash floods
1,000 tornadoes
2 landfalling deadly hurricanes
Approximately 98% of all presidential declared disasters are weather-related, leading to around 500 deaths per year and nearly $15 billion in damage.* Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.
Know Your Risk
The first step to being weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and obtain a NOAA Weather Radio. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.
Take Action
Take the next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.
Be an Example
Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story with co-workers and family and friends on Facebook or Twitter. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same. Contact SERVPRO of Western Union County for more readiness tips and tools to make it, "Like it Never Even Happened."
10 Unexpected Places Where Mold Creeps into your Home
The Smith’s didn’t notice the mold and mildew smell in their home until they came home from vacation.
“What’s that smell?” John asked. “Mildew. Maybe mold. Maybe I left some clothes in the washer,” Kathy said.
After an hour-long search, the couple couldn’t find a leak. So they called John’s brother David — a plumber. He came right over.
“The number one rule for checking for mold and mildew?” David said, “If it uses water, chances are it’s going to leak.”
These are 10 places many homeowners overlook when checking for mold:
Dishwasher
Unless a dishwasher stops working or needs replacing or servicing, most of us don’t think about it as a potential source for mold. There are two connections under each dishwasher that have the potential for mold and mildew to get started–the water supply and the discharge connection. The water supply needs to be lubricated with the right sealant and properly tightened periodically. The discharge connection involves a rubber hose and clamp, and installing the hose before the dishwasher is installed ensures it is done properly. Hoses wear out over time. If you’re buying an older house, it doesn’t hurt to check the dishwasher connections — especially if there’s an odd smell when you open the door.
Icemaker Connections
Refrigerators often get moved, either for cleaning or other projects. This can weaken or break the water line connection to the ice maker, causing leaks behind the refrigerator.
“It seems like a simple job, so in the real world the plumbing contractor doesn’t install the water line, another contractor does,” Hoffman said. “The connection is a compression fitting and it must be installed properly to ensure there are no leaks.”
Washing Machine Connections
When installing a washing machine, always install a brand new washing machine hose, using the rubber washers the manufacturer recommends. Also, use Teflon tape and make sure to tighten the connection with vice grips so there are no drips or leaks. After all, it doesn’t take many drips to create an environment for mold.
Hot Water Heater
“Many states have laws regarding the installation of hot water heaters, and most of them involve overflow pans that are piped to drain outside the house. The pan must be tilted ¼ inch to ensure the water does drain. Newer heaters with quick connect connectors should be properly lubricated and tightened so the shut-off valve doesn’t leak,” Hoffman said.
Plastic P-Traps
Under every sink in your home is a “P-Trap,” almost always made of PVC pipe, which expands, and contracts. This process eventually loosens the connection and allows water to leak onto the base of the cabinet. If you look under sinks in every room you’ll easily spot the stains and discoloration commonly caused by leaking P-Traps. Use Teflon tape to seal every P-Trap and check them periodically, tightening them by hand to ensure their connections don’t loosen and leak. Over tightening PVC can cause it to crack, so be careful.
Toilet Connections
“I’m amazed at how many steps the DIY home improvement shows leave out when they explain about how to install a toilet,” Hoffman said. “The base of the toilet is where most mold grows. Toilets should be installed with a horned wax ring, and then the base of the toilet grouted in with tile grout,” he said. “The grout serves as a filler between the bowl and the floor to keep the bowl from rocking. Rocking bowls are the number one reason for the wax ring being compromised, which then allows mold to get a foothold.”
Shower Doors
Shower doors should probably be installed by plumbing contractors, Hoffman said. “They know how to keep them from leaking.” Mold growing at the base of the tub may be from leaking or improperly installed shower doors. Shower doors need caulking on all three rails — the two side rails as well as the bottom rail.
Tub
A properly caulked tub isn’t just nicer looking. It keeps water and moisture from dripping down under the tub and causing mold issues. Slab floors can create more problems — especially if installed by a DIY’er. The hole(s) in concrete slabs under tubs should be filled with a liquid tar, or expandable foam insulation to ensure moisture does not wick up from the ground through the slab.
Exterior Hose Bib
If you have a home, you have an exterior hose bib — a place where the water connection sticks out from the house. If you’ve used a hose, you know a poor connection or missing rubber washer, or loose hose can result in water spraying the house. This uncontrolled spray allows water to enter the space between the sidings, or into the wall, leading to mold growth. Make sure all holes, gaps and areas around every outdoor water connection are properly caulked and sealed.
Outdoor Water Sprinklers
Siding is engineered to shed rain falling down, not sprinklers shooting water up. Make sure your sprinklers are well away from the house when turned on. If you have children or teens that are watering the yard or garden, make sure they know not to spray the house with the hose. If power washing your home, hire a professional, or take care that water is not forced up under the siding as you wash.
As a homeowner, if you take the appropriate precautions and are vigilant about upkeep, you should be able to avoid mold, or catch it at it’s outset. While mold can be a huge problem in homes, even causing health issues, it is easily preventable.
Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.
More than just removing excess water, IICRC-certified (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other issues can be prevented. If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.
All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.
Every technician in SERVPRO of Western Essex is Certified through the IICRC, and experienced in their craft.
Make Sure Your Business Is Ready for Potential Disasters | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
When you are a business owner, one of the most important factors to think about is emergency preparedness.
Disaster are going to happen, and while having a plan in place cannot stop all disasters, it can still offer a certain sense of security and at least ensure that your employees are aware of what to do if a disaster or emergency situation should occur.
What’s Your Plan?
Please take the time and make it a priority to sit down and work out an emergency preparedness plan for various disaster situations that could affect your business!
There are numerous emergencies your business should have a preparedness plan in place for, including:
Fire
Severe weather, including thunderstorms and winter storms
Other natural hazards like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes
Human-caused hazards, including accidents or acts of violence
Technology-related issues like power outages and equipment failure
When disaster strikes, it doesn’t matter if it’s a man-made incident or natural, if no emergency plan is in place for your business, things could get even more stressful quickly.
You should make sure that safety training and familiarization of emergency preparedness plans are included in the company onboarding process, team-building activities and continuing education opportunities. By encouraging your employees to familiarize themselves with proper safety protocol and emergency procedures, you’re not only giving them the tools to protect themselves, but you are also setting them up to help protect guests/visitors and the business itself.
Where to Begin
In beginning to set up an emergency plan for your business, start by evaluating which scenarios are most likely to occur—and go as far as considering the longshots that could still happen. After all, it’s better to prepare for all the worst-case scenarios and not be caught off guard.
There are plenty of online resources to help guide you through this process, including Ready.gov, the American Red Cross, FEMA and the CDC.
If you have a business impact analysis (BIA) done, it will help predict potential effects a disaster may have on your business. This would include lost or delayed sales and income, increased expenses from repairs, and delayed implementation of business plans. Don’t forget to make sure a crisis communications plan is in place, too.
Once you have come up with an emergency preparedness plan, be sure to review it and practice it with employees. Reviewing and rehearsing various scenarios can help ensure the process remains fresh in their minds and can help employees feel more empowered.
Disaster can strike when you least expect it, but by being prepared and having a plan in place, your business will be better suited to handle whatever Mother Nature has in store. If the worst should happen and your business is damaged, know that SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Does Your Business Have a Natural Disaster Plan? | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Would your business be prepared to face all that Mother Nature can throw at it through floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and earthquakes? The most important key to surviving these natural disasters is to be prepared for these situations.
Being prepared for these situations involves creating a natural disaster plan for your business. This blog will lay out some aspects to consider when designing that very important disaster plan.
<h4to-start-with-your-disaster-plan">Where to Start With Your Disaster Plan
There are many things you will need to consider, including your employees, your material assets and equipment, when developing a disaster plan for your business.
Some of those considerations should be:
How to protect your employees
How to secure your assets
How to get business up and running again
Many checklists have been made available through sources like the Red Cross, FEMA and Ready.gov that can offer information that will help you identify areas that need to be included in your natural disaster preparedness plan. These sources will also help you see just how prepared you truly are.
If a disaster should strike without warning, your plan must lay out clear and concise procedures and safety measures for the protection of your employees and visitors. Your evacuation routes and exits from your facility should all be properly and clearly marked, have an area designated that will serve as a shelter space, consider emergency light installation, and ask for volunteers to serve as designated “safety wardens” properly trained and ready to guide and assist with all emergency efforts.
When choosing a place for shelter, ideally this space would be a basement or storm cellar in the event of tornadoes or other high-wind situations. If there is no basement available, select a small interior room on the lowest level of the building, such as a closet or interior hallway.
<h4to-protect-the-assets">How to Protect the Assets
In a brick and mortar location, you’ll still need to make careful decisions when it comes to protecting the assets inside the building. You have thousands of dollars tied up in equipment and/or merchandise that will be at risk should a natural disaster strike.
Be sure to have a complete and up-to-date inventory of all equipment and assets. Having photographs prior to a disaster whenever possible is also always helpful if insurance claims need to be made. If your assets are computer data-based and kept on a server, take the steps necessary to ensure that the backup system is making regular backups and that the storage system cannot be damaged, such as a cloud storage option.
If you own the building that you conduct your business in, get with a contractor to uncover areas that could be structurally strengthened. This contractor should be able to suggest possible safety upgrades and advise on any areas that may not make the grade in certain weather situations.
<h4back-to-business">Getting Back to Business
When—and if—a natural disaster does occur, it may be entirely possible that your business will have to be closed for days or months due to the damage incurred. And every day you remain closed is another day of lost profits. It is wise to set up a disaster fund to help cover any additional costs that are not covered by your insurance.
Keep a list of contractors handy who will make themselves available for repairs, and know which cleanup and restoration service will be available to quickly respond to your emergency situation.
With SERVPRO® of Western Essex, you can count on us to get to the disaster faster and make it "Like it never even happened." Our training and expertise have prepared us to help with water damage, storm damage, fire damage and mold remediation quickly and effectively.
Knowing what to do when disaster strikes your business is of the utmost importance. When it comes to the cleanup and restoration aspects, depend on SERVPRO® of Western Essex County to be there for you.
Taking Water Damage Into Consideration | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Water. Let’s face it—we need it to live—everything needs it! But what we don’t need is for it to be causing damage to our property and our homes.
When it comes to damage caused by water, there are many reasons it happens. How many of those reasons are you aware of?
Common Causes
For the period covering 2009 to 2015, The Travelers Companies Inc. discovered the most prevalent reasons for a filed homeowners insurance claim were:
Wind damage
Water damage from sources other than weather
Hail
Weather-related water damage
Burglary
Water damage is so common that it appears on this list twice, in two different categories. To make it simple, remember that it can be classified as non-weather-related and weather-related.
Water damage that is not caused by weather occurs most often in the home and is the result of plumbing and appliance malfunction issues. Water damage caused by weather can cause just as big of headache but does not occur as often. Weather-related water damage is caused by events such as rain, snow or melting ice.
The top five reasons for water damage in the home are plumbing, appliance leaks, water pipe issues, older water heaters and weather.
Water Damage Prevention
While water damage can be pricey, it could be even more pricey if a homeowner is not covered by homeowners insurance. Check your homeowner policy for your coverages. In most cases, damages that are covered in a standard policy are:
Damages caused by winter weather
The expulsion of water, even if it is accidental
Damaged or broken down hot water heating system
Plumbing that freezes
Fortunately, there are ways to keep water damage from occurring, thereby saving yourself some headaches in the future.
Here are some ideas for preventive maintenance to help you protect your home as much as possible from the damage caused by water:
Hire a plumber to install back flow valves and standpipes in basement drains.
Raise your appliances and personal items up off the basement floor.
Clean all gutters and downspouts.
Never place grease down the kitchen drain.
When you follow these suggested tips, you just might reduce the probability for any water damage incidents in your home.
Water damage can be a nightmare to deal with but fortunately, you will always have SERVPRO® of Western Essex County on your side to help with the cleanup and restoration process.
Can You Identify Common Fire Hazards in Your Home? | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response from SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures your Damage Restoration needs are professionally completed.
Nobody wants to think about the possibility of their home being damaged by fire, but it’s an unfortunate, harsh reality for a multitude of Americans.
One way you can help protect your home is to understand fire hazards and know how to identify them. In this blog, let’s dive into two of the most common causes of household fires.
Candles are a common fire hazard.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, over a five-year period from 2011 to 2015, fire departments across the United States answered an estimated 8,700 house fires a year that were caused by candles.
In total, these fires caused 82 deaths, 800 injuries and $295 million in property damage. Candles were the cause of 2 percent of reported house fires, of which 3 percent resulted in death and 7 percent resulted in injuries.
An average of 24 home candle fires per day were reported during those five years, with December having the highest month of incidents. Out of all the candle fires during this time period, 37 percent started in the bedroom and were responsible for 36 percent of the associated deaths and 51 percent were associated with injuries.
When using a candle, be sure it’s kept at least one foot away from anything that could possibly ignite and that it is in a sturdy holder that will not easily tip over. It is never wise to use a candle where oxygen is in use in a home. And you always want to ensure that all candles are properly extinguished before leaving a room or going to sleep.
House fires from smoking can be lethal.
While cooking is the leading cause of house fires, smoking is the main cause of home fire deaths. Approximately 17,200 house fires were reported in 2014 due to smoking, which includes cigarettes, pipes and cigars. Those fires resulted in 570 deaths, 1,140 injuries and $426 million in property damage, according to the Coalition for Fire-Safe Cigarettes.
If you’re a smoker, it is smart to smoke outside, as most deaths result from fires that started in living rooms, family rooms or bedrooms. Fire-safe cigarettes are the best option, and using a deep, sturdy ashtray is advised.
Drop all lit cigarettes and ashes in water or sand prior to throwing them out—and remember that one out of four fatal victims of smoking fires is not the smoker whose cigarette started the fire.
Dust bunnies as fire hazards?
While candles and smoking are well-known causes of home structure fires, were you aware that some glassware in your home could be a fire risk? When sunlight passes through them, the concentrated ray may ignite flammable materials. It’s best to keep glass accessories away from windows and out of direct sunlight.
Dust bunnies can also pose a fire risk when they collect near electrical sockets and floor heaters. Regular sweeping or vacuuming regularly and cleaning hard-to-reach areas like behind entertainment systems can help prevent buildup.
Also, look for loose outlets in your home. The movement of these outlets loosens the wires connected to the outlet and could create dangerous arcing.
Fire and smoke damage can be devastating to homes, and in many circumstances, can be accompanied by water damage from firefighting efforts. If your home is damaged by fire or smoke, SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help restore your home to pre-fire condition.
Stopping Ice Dams | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Seems a little late in the season to be talking about Ice Dams, but now is the time to correct some issues which may have caused them.
Ice Dams are thick ridges of solid ice that build up on the lower part of your roofline, preventing melting snow from reaching your gutters.
First, we need to understand how an Ice Dam forms:
Heavy snowfall and sustained cold weather prevents roof-bound snow from gradually melting away. This leaves an enormous amount of snow on your roof.
Heat then collects in your attic and warms the roof, except the eaves.
Snow then melts on the warm roof and then freezes as the melted water approaches the cold eaves.
This water then re-freezes. Ice accumulates along the eaves, forming a dam. Once this ice dam forms, it blocks ongoing melting snow from escaping into your gutters.
Melted snow water has nowhere to go except back up the roofline, under the shingles, and finally into your home.
Preventing Ice Dams
Following are some steps you can take now to prevent Ice Dams in the future. Speak with a contractor for each, if you're not handy.
Use Heated Cables: heated cables, placed along your roof edge, will help keep snow melting before it freezes
Ventilate Eaves And Ridge: Place baffles at the eaves to maintain a clear path for the airflow from the soffit vents.
Cap the Hatch: Cover unsealed attic hatches with weather-stripped caps made from foil-faced foam board held together with aluminum tape.
Exhaust to the Outside: Make sure that the ducts connected to the kitchen, bathroom, and dryer vents all lead outdoors through either the roof or walls.
Add Insulation: Make sure attic insulation is not missing in any area. This will keep heat from entering the attic space from your home. The attic should not be a heated space.
Flash Around Chimneys
Seal and Insulate Ducts
Caulk All Penetrations
If you do experience an Ice Dam situation, here are some quick fixes to prevent further damage until the ice and snow can be removed from the roof.
Rake the Snow before it can accumulate and freeze. There are long handle snow rakes you can purchase.
Blow Cold Air at the source. This will help to re-freeze the ice dam and prevent water from entering the home until the roof can be cleared.
De-ice the problem area by filling an old pantyhose with calcium chloride and placing it where the ice dam has occurred. This will cause a gradual melting of the ice.
Finally, DON'T:
Throw rock salt on the problem. This could damage the roof shingles and shrubs.
Hack away at the ice. You could damage your roof and this is a dangerous fall hazard.
Contact us at 908.650.8611 if you have a service need or visit our website to learn more about SERVPRO of Western Essex County's services.
How To Protect Your Home From A Fire When Your Electricity Comes Back On | SERVPRO Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Did you know that when your power comes back on, the initial surge can cause damages to your appliances or possibly a fire if they are still plugged in.
In the United States, it is reported that a home fire is put on record every 24 seconds according the NFPA. That works out to be nearly 8,600 house fires a day.
Though the vast majority of house fires are cooking related, surges, malfunctioning appliances and frayed wires or cords are also often to blame. Because fire can spread rapidly and can quickly consume an entire house, it is essential to be vigilant in prevention for the safety of your household (even during a disaster).
Prevention Tips When The Power Goes Out
Walk around an unplug bigger power users, television, computers, appliances, and turn off smaller ones like lamps and radios.
Turn off the main supply of power to the house or remove the fuses.
During summer months, turn the air conditioner off.
By following these tips, you can mitigate the risk of frying your electronics or overloading your house’s circuits.
When The Power Comes Back On
Once the power returns, wait a few minutes before turning on the main supply switch.To give the electrical system a chance to stabilize, turn on essential appliances first, then gradually turn on other electronics.
Restarting appliances all at once can almost double the amount of electricity that they use when running normally. When the main switches are re-energized, this demand can cause breakers to trip. It helps if you don't have all your appliances waiting to draw power the instant it is restored.
Fire and smoke damage can be devastating to your home, and in many circumstances, can be accompanied by water damage. If your home is damaged by fire or smoke, we are here to help restore your home to pre-fire condition. Contact us at 908.650.8611.
We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
You Can Count on Us to Be There Fast | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response from SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures your Damage Restoration needs are professionally completed.
When disaster strikes, time can become an even more precious commodity—especially when it’s your home or livelihood on the line.
We know how crucial a fast response is following a disaster at your home or business, which is why responding faster to any size disaster is more than just a slogan in our world.
Why a Fast Response Is Key
Time is not a luxury you have when disaster strikes, especially when it’s your belongings or business on the line. This is especially true where water damage has come into play, which can be through various means such as flooding, appliance and/or plumbing failures, storm damage and fire damage, as water is used to put out the fires.
Water can spread throughout your property in mere minutes, saturating everything in its path. Items like the walls, floors, upholstery and your belongings can all be casualties of water.
The effects of water damage within the first 24 hours include:
Furniture begins to swell and crack
Drywall begins to swell and break down
The arrival of a musty odor
Dyes and inks from cloth and paper items spread and stain
Metal surfaces begin to tarnish
The damage will worsen as time goes on. Between 48 hours and a week later, you could begin to see:
Paint beginning to blister
Swelling and warping of doors, windows and studs
The growth and spreading of mold and mildew
The possibilities of serious biohazard contamination
Wood flooring swelling and warping
Metal beginning to rust and corrode
The damage done can dramatically increase the restoration time and costs and can also impact structural safety if left unchecked for over a week.
How We Can Respond So Quickly
It doesn’t matter what day or time it is, our trained restoration specialists will quickly be dispatched to your property or business.
Providing an immediate response to any size disaster is what we are here for! Our fast response times can help minimize the damage and keep the cleaning and restoration costs manageable.
A major perk of being part of a national network of over 1,800 franchises is that we have access to more resources for the cleanup and restoration projects that may be larger or stem from major storm situations. Being a locally owned and operated franchise helps us be close by and ready to respond whenever the call comes in.
Remember, if you need us, we’ll be there—no matter the time or day. The team of highly trained restoration experts at SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Why Business Owners Choose Us for Restoration | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
For many business owners, sustaining damage to their business can damage more than just their property—it can also damage their entire venture. In a recent FEMA study, they determined 40 to 60% of businesses will not reopen following a natural disaster. That is why if your business has sustained fire, water or mold damage, either due to a disaster or any other cause, it is important to choose a company that is well-versed in commercial restoration.
We know how important your business is to your livelihood, which is why we make it our mission to be experts in commercial restoration. Having a team you trust on your side will help you focus on other crucial business aspects and help get your doors open again faster. These are just a few of the reasons why business owners have chosen us for commercial restoration:
1. We’re Proud of Our Response Time
You may be aware that our slogan is “faster to any size disaster,” but that’s more than just something we say. Our emergency line is open 24⁄7, 365 days a year to ensure our restoration experts are alerted right away when a business owner calls to report the damage.
A quick response time not only gives business owners peace of mind, but it also makes the restoration process more efficient. By getting to the scene quickly, our technicians can stop further damage from occurring, saving both time and money on the project. This makes for one less thing business owners have to worry about as they get their business on track to reopen.
2. We’re Proud of Our Technicians
Our technicians are leaders in the restoration field because of the education and training they receive. They study the guidelines set forth by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to learn about best practices, restoration techniques and other insider tips in the field.
Technicians also have the opportunity to further their education through certification programs, online courses and other industry knowledge throughout their employment. This allows them to be prepared for any damage scenario your business might face.
3. We’re Proud of Our Equipment
The materials and procedures we use on commercial restoration projects comply with the IICRC’s guidelines, ensuring we are tackling the job with the most advanced tools in the industry.
From water extraction machines following flooding or odor removal equipment to remove smoke after a fire, we’ve got the tools to make your commercial remediation a success.
If you’re in need of commercial restoration, do not hesitate to make the call so you can get your business back faster. Our trained experts are here to help 24/7—contact us today.
How to Prevent House Fires | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Smoke alarms are a great tool for house fire prevention, but they are not the only way to lessen your risk.
The causality of house fires is varied, but one thing that is consistent is how frequently they occur. By learning about the statistics and proven prevention methods, homeowners can keep their families safe.
The Numbers Behind House Fires
In the United States, it is reported that a home fire is put on record every 24 seconds according to the NFPA. That works out to nearly 8,600 house fires a day.
Though the vast majority of house fires are cooking-related, malfunctioning appliances, frayed wiring or cords, and carelessness with open flames are also often to blame. Because fires spread rapidly and can quickly consume an entire home, it is essential to be vigilant in prevention for the safety of your household.
House Fires Prevention Tips
Being proactive is the best defense against house fires. By keeping these fire prevention tips in mind, you can minimize your risk and keep your home safer:
Maintain smoke detectors. Maintain your smoke detectors by testing them each month and replacing them every 10 years.
Clean the dryer. After each load of laundry is dried, make a point to clear lint from the tray. Lint can build up and become a fire hazard when the dryer gets warm.
Keep an eye on open flames. Fires can start and spread faster than you think, which is why it is never wise to leave the room when there is an open flame. Whether it is a candle, cooking flame or fireplace, always keep an eye on them.
Maintain electrical cords. Cords and electrical wires should be checked often for frayed spots and immediately replaced if they are present. Never run electrical cords under rugs or behind furniture, as they can produce heat.
Read product labels. Chemicals in household products can be highly flammable, and so can products that come in aerosol cans. Keep these away from sunlight or heat sources.
If your home has suffered damage from a house fire, give us a call. We are certified in fire and soot remediation, and here to help 24⁄7.
Where Water Damage May Hide in a Home | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response from SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures your Damage Restoration needs are professionally completed.
Though water damage to a home is often associated with bad weather, there are many other ways water damage can sneak up on a homeowner. There are many causes of water damage, and many places for it to hide.
Because hidden water damage often takes a long time to be discovered, it can be a costly endeavor. For water damage insurance claims, the typical amount is over $6,500, and often insurance companies do not cover water damage at all. Being aware of where water damage may hide in a home is a great way to be on guard and prevent this costly disaster.
Where Water Damage May Hide in a Home
Beneath a window. The seal between the window and wall can often become compromised, allowing water to come between them and rot the wood over time.
Underneath siding. Where siding panels come together or at corners are especially vulnerable spots that water can enter.
Thresholds of exterior doors. Under the metal plate that serves as the door threshold, the wood can become swollen with water damage as it is gradually exposed.
Within painted windowsills. If there are many layers of paint on a windowsill, water can seep between them innocuously.
Beneath the dishwasher. The hoses of a dishwasher can get worn or leak, causing expensive damage to the subfloor underneath.
Under a tub. The pipes that carry water to a tub can become leaky or weak with time and can leak under the tub without notice.
Beneath a wobbly toilet. The seal at the base of the toilet can become weak and soak the wood underneath, which is often not noticeable until the toilet begins to wobble on the unsteady flooring.
If your home has suffered water damage (even in a hidden place like one of these), we are happy to help! Give us a call right away, and we’ll get there quickly.
The Right Restoration Company Makes a Difference | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Winter has many positive associations, including increased time with family and exciting holidays. However, the Red Cross notes that winter has the highest volume of house fires as well, urging families to be prepared.
While planning ahead for house fires might seem dismal, it is a wise choice for homeowners. You should create a fire evacuation plan for your household, and also consider the restoration company you will work with to restore your home if it’s ever needed. Picking a company that can respond quickly and restores thoroughly is highly recommended.
<h3your-home-and-belongings-after-a-fire">Restoring Your Home and Belongings After a Fire
Fire damages are multifaceted—not only can they affect the structure of your home, but they can also damage your things and be detrimental to air quality. Finding a company that can handle all these aspects is vital to having the proper restoration completed. Here is how we restore after a fire:
Structural Cleaning
It is important that the structure of your home is prepared quickly and well following a house fire because these are the elements that support your home. We will start with tests to get an overview of the damage severity so we know what repairs should be completed. By using industry-grade equipment, we will then begin to remove soot and damage from surfaces.
Content Cleaning
Because we know how important your belongings are, we make sure our technicians are able to restore most items as well. Wood and upholstered furniture can be cleaned and deodorized thoroughly. Oftentimes, we are also able to restore paintings, photos and electronics as well by utilizing appropriate tools and methods to protect them.
Deodorization Services
The smoke smell after a fire can linger for ages, but that is not the only concern. Fires can leave soot particles behind that cause some concern. That is why instead of trying to mask the scent, we use air scrubbers to fully purify and deodorize the air. Our technicians will work with you to develop the best deodorization method for your needs in order to provide your family with healthy air once more.
If you’ve been affected by a fire, reach out to us right away! We are here 24⁄7 to help you recover.
Learn More About Our “Restore First” Mentality | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
When disaster strikes, we get there fast, but that is not the only reason why we need to be first on your list of calls if the worst should occur.
What sets us apart—our team of technicians have a “restore first” mentality, complemented by specialized equipment and cleaning techniques. By making this our mission, we are able to minimize potential disruptions to your home and life and get you back into your home as quickly as feasible.
How It Works
When a fire has damaged your property, it’s a scary time, but once you reach out to our team, we’ll take some of the weight off your shoulders.
No two fires act the same, so it’s logical that the damage they inflict would also be different. That’s why we believe in starting with a standardized process, but adding onto it and enhancing it to meet your individual needs.
1. You call us. When you reach out via our 24⁄7 Emergency Line, we will spring into action. Our first step is to ask you questions about the fire and your home’s unique space and needs. That set of questions helps inform our strategy.
2. We inspect and assess the fire damage. Our next step is to visit your home. During this visit, we will inspect and test adjoining rooms of the property to determine the extent of fire, smoke and soot damage. Based on what we see and determine, we will take immediate next steps.
3. We board up windows and tarp the roof. Because fire damage often compromises windows, walls and roofs, we will make sure that your property is secured and protected from further damage. This will involve boarding up missing windows and walls and placing a tarp over the top of damaged roofs.
4. We remove water and begin the drying out process. When we think of fire, we don’t think of water damage. But we should, because water is a necessary component of fighting fires. So our next step is to remove any standing water and start drying out objects and spaces when possible.
5. We remove smoke and soot from all surfaces. We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls and other surfaces in your home.
6. We clean and sanitize your home. This is another place where the “restore first” mentality comes into play. We will attempt to clean objects and surfaces whenever possible, rather than removing and replacing them. We also use industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment to help remove odors.
7. We complete the restoration. This is our final step, bringing your property back to the condition it was in before the fire. Restoration may involve minor repairs like replacing drywall, painting and installing new carpet. It could also involve major repairs like reconstruction of damaged areas.
Remember, if you need us, we’ll be there—no matter the time or day. The team of highly trained restoration experts at SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
SERVPRO Cares About Your Safety - Generator Safety
We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Winter season is upon us and power outages may follow. If you have a generator on hand for power outages during severe weather, follow the safety tips below provided by the American Red Cross.
Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawl space, or any partially enclosed area.
To avoid electrocution, keep the generator dry and do not use it in wet conditions. Operate it on a dry surface under an open canopy-like structure, such as under a tarp held up on poles. Do not touch the generator with wet hands.
Opening doors and windows or using fans will not prevent carbon monoxide (CO) buildup in the home. Although CO can’t be seen or smelled, it can rapidly lead to full incapacitation and death. Even if you cannot smell exhaust fumes, you may still be exposed to CO. If you start to feel sick, dizzy, or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately.
Install CO alarms in central locations on every level of your home or property and outside sleeping areas to provide early warnings.
Disaster can strike when you least expect it, be prepared and have a plan in place. If the worst should happen, know that SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Your safety is always top of mind with SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Winter months present a particular concern with accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Every year, hundreds of people in the US die from accidental CO poisoning, and 50,000 visit the emergency room.
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless and invisible fume generated by furnaces, kerosene heaters, portable generators, and similar fuel-burning appliances. Carbon Monoxide can build up in enclosed spaces and you can be poisoned and die from breathing these fumes.
Common symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning include headaches, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. Most people are poisoned while they sleep.
Here are some steps you can take to reduce the risk and prevent CO poisoning:
Make sure you install a CO detector in different parts of the home and frequently check that the batteries are working.
Never operate your car in a closed garage.
Keep vents and flues clean of debris and blockages.
Make sure your home heating system is inspected annually.
Never operate a generator or other gasoline-powered equipment within 20 feet of an open window or door and never inside the home.
Remember, CO poisoning is preventable. If you suspect CO poisoning, do not wait, call 911.
Disaster can strike when you least expect it, be prepared and have a plan in place. If the worst should happen, know that SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Make your pets part of your preparedness planning.
Have you accounted for Fido or Lucy when emergency planning?
After The Storm
After Hurricane Katrina, "It’s estimated that over 15,500 animals were ultimately rescued. Of the 15,500 animals rescued, only 15%-20% were ever reunited with their owners.”
Source: Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, la-spca.org
Pets are just as important as any family member to most people, so why would you not make them a part of your preparedness planning? There are several things you can do to make sure they stay safe as well during an emergency.
Pet Emergency Kit
Ready.gov/pets lists the below items as essential to building your Pet Emergency Kit.
Food. At least a three-day supply in an airtight, waterproof container.
Water. At least three days of water specifically for your pets.
Medicines and medical records.
Important documents. Registration information, adoption papers, and vaccination documents. Talk to your veterinarian about microchipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
First aid kit. Cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape, and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol, and saline solution. Including a pet first aid reference book is a good idea too.
Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash.
Crate or pet carrier. Have a sturdy, safe crate or carrier in case you need to evacuate. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.
Sanitation. Pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach.
A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you. Add species, breed, age, sex, color, and distinguishing characteristics.
Familiar items. Familiar items, such as treats, toys, and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet.
Evacuations
While practicing fire escape or evacuation plans, be sure to include pets. If an evacuation happens, don’t leave pets behind as they can be lost or injured.
Identification
Micro-chipping pets is a great way to locate them. Most veterinary clinics and shelters have scanners that will read the microchip information to help find a pet’s owners.
Be sure to take four-legged friends into consideration when planning for emergencies. Visit ready.gov/pets for further tips and safety precautions to think about for you or your insured’s families’ pets, or your tenant's pets’ during a disaster.
How We Approach Restoration Differently | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response from SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures your Damage Restoration needs are professionally completed.
There is a lot that goes into choosing a restoration company as a property manager. Not only are you picking someone to restore your building, but you are also forced to make a big decision during a stressful time in life. Choosing the right company will give you peace of mind and make your experience a positive one, but it’s important to pick one that is trustworthy.
Because there are so many types of damages that can occur from a disaster, it is important to choose a company that can handle a variety of situations.
When water damage turns into structural damage or a fire releases toxic soot particles into the air, you will want a company that can handle the entire situation. Seeking a company that can handle complications is essential for a positive experience.
Our Approach to Restoration
Our restoration jobs are just as much about providing excellent service as they are restoring your property. These are the ways in which we approach restoration differently:
With a Guaranteed Quick Response Time
Emergencies do not have respect for anyone’s schedule, which is why we do not have business hours. Our emergency service line is an around-the-clock service, meaning you can call us 24 hours a day to report the damage. Once we receive the call, our technicians will spring into action in order to get to you ASAP.
With an Experienced Team
Our restoration technicians are industry leaders with proven results. Trained according to IICRC standards, they will ensure the most up-to-date methodology is used in your restoration for any type of damage.
With a National Network
Our franchise locations are located across the country with over 1,800 locations. This means that we have a national network to utilize for resources. Therefore, we can treat a large-scale disaster with the same care and efficiency as we would an isolated spot of thunderstorm damage.
If you have experienced storm damage, we are always here to help! Call our restoration experts 24⁄7 so we can address your damages quickly.
Taking Water Damage Into Consideration | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response from SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures your Damage Restoration needs are professionally completed.
Water. Let’s face it—we need it to live—everything needs it! But what we don’t need is for it to be causing damage to our property and our homes.
When it comes to damage caused by water, there are many reasons it happens. How many of those reasons are you aware of?
Common Causes
Experience has taught us that the most prevalent reasons for a filed homeowners insurance claim were:
Wind damage
Water damage from sources other than weather
Hail
Weather-related water damage
Burglary
Water damage is so common that it appears on this list twice, in two different categories. To make it simple, remember that it can be classified as non-weather-related and weather-related.
Water damage that is not caused by weather occurs most often in the home and is the result of plumbing and appliance malfunction issues. Water damage caused by weather can cause just as big of headache but does not occur as often. Weather-related water damage is caused by events such as rain, snow or melting ice.
The top five reasons for water damage in the home are plumbing, appliance leaks, water pipe issues, older water heaters and weather.
Water Damage Prevention
While water damage can be pricey, it could be even more pricey if a homeowner is not covered by homeowners insurance. Check your homeowner policy for your coverages. In most cases, damages that are covered in a standard policy are:
Damages caused by winter weather
The expulsion of water, even if it is accidental
Damaged or broken down hot water heating system
Plumbing that freezes
Fortunately, there are ways to keep water damage from occurring, thereby saving yourself some headaches in the future.
Here are some ideas for preventive maintenance to help you protect your home as much as possible from the damage caused by water:
Hire a plumber to install back flow valves and standpipes in basement drains.
Raise your appliances and personal items up off the basement floor.
Clean all gutters and downspouts.
Never place grease down the kitchen drain.
When you follow these suggested tips, you just might reduce the probability for any water damage incidents in your home.
Water damage can be a nightmare to deal with but fortunately, you will always have SERVPRO® of Western Essex County on your side to help with the cleanup and restoration process.
We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Commercial cleaning and restoration present unique challenges. Our goal is to provide excellent results while minimizing the disruption to your clients. SERVPRO of Western Essex County is fully equipped to take on your commercial property no matter the size of the job.
Commercial Services:
Air Ducts / HVAC
General & Specialty Cleaning
Post Construction Cleaning
Punch List Services
Dry Ice Blasting
Power Washing
Biohazard & Sewage
Odor Removal / Deodorization
We offer our services to any time of commercial property:
Small/Large Office Buildings
High-Rise Office Buildings
Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotel/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
High-Rise Residential
Manufacturing & Industrial
Government/Military
For any additional information, please feel free to contact our office for all of your commercial property needs.
Why Business Owners Choose Us for Restoration | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
If you’re in need of commercial restoration, do not hesitate to call us so you can get your business back faster.
For many business owners, sustaining damage to their business can damage more than just their property—it can also damage their entire venture. In a recent FEMA study, they determined 40 to 60% of businesses will not reopen following a natural disaster. That is why if your business has sustained fire, water or mold damage, either due to a disaster or any other cause, it is important to choose a company that is well-versed in commercial restoration.
We know how important your business is to your livelihood, which is why we make it our mission to be experts in commercial restoration. Having a team you trust on your side will help you focus on other crucial business aspects and help get your doors open again faster. These are just a few of the reasons why business owners have chosen us for commercial restoration:
1. We’re Proud of Our Response Time
You may be aware that our slogan is “faster to any size disaster,” but that’s more than just something we say. Our emergency line is open 24⁄7, 365 days a year to ensure our restoration experts are alerted right away when a business owner calls to report the damage.
A quick response time not only gives business owners peace of mind, but it also makes the restoration process more efficient. By getting to the scene quickly, our technicians can stop further damage from occurring, saving both time and money on the project. This makes for one less thing business owners have to worry about as they get their business on track to reopen.
2. We’re Proud of Our Technicians
Our technicians are leaders in the restoration field because of the education and training they receive. They study the guidelines set forth by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to learn about best practices, restoration techniques and other insider tips in the field.
Technicians also have the opportunity to further their education through certification programs, online courses and other industry knowledge throughout their employment. This allows them to be prepared for any damage scenario your business might face.
3. We’re Proud of Our Equipment
The materials and procedures we use on commercial restoration projects comply with the IICRC’s guidelines, ensuring we are tackling the job with the most advanced tools in the industry.
From water extraction machines following flooding or odor removal equipment to remove smoke after a fire, we’ve got the tools to make your commercial remediation a success.
If you’re in need of commercial restoration, do not hesitate to make the call so you can get your business back faster. Our trained experts are here to help 24/7—contact us today.
A Look at Common Causes of Water Damage in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
If your home has experienced any water damage, the team at SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is always available to help with cleanup and restoration.
Severe weather is usually one of the first things that comes to mind for many when thinking of water damage. It’s true that storms and flooding can cause catastrophic water damage, but they are often not the main culprits. Various items in your home can be the culprits responsible for many water damage situations.
<h4water-damage">Understanding Water Damage
Many homeowners will face water damage. Water damage was the third most common reason for homeowners insurance claims between 2011 and 2015, with an average payout per claim of $8,861.
Insurance claims are impacted by the type of water damage. Gradual damage, for example, is often not covered by insurance. Gradual damage is something that has been happening over time, such as plumbing issues in the walls causing damage to the walls, ceilings or floors, or water damage caused by cracks in the foundation. Unfortunately, many aspects of gradual water damage are not covered by homeowners insurance, while storm-related water damage usually is.
<h4water-damage-culprits">Common Water Damage Culprits
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), lists the leading causes of water damage as outlined below:
Plumbing drain system failures. These can occur when a sewer drain backs up and overflows into a home or from material performance issues. In their study, IBHS determined that 52% of drain system failures were caused by sewer backups and 37% were related to material performance issues. It was also discovered that the average costs incurred due to drain system failure were higher in southern states than in other areas of the country.
Plumbing supply system failures. Frozen pipes can burst due to water pressure buildup caused by freezing water or when the supply system material fails and results in a leaking or burst pipe. Per IBHS, plumbing supply system failures are the leading source of residential water losses, costing an average of $5,092 per claim after the deductible. Homes with ages of 16 to 40 years made up a larger group of supply system material failure claims.
Toilet failures. Toilets are the second highest cause of residential water damage loss after plumbing supply system failures and result from faulty fill valves to clogged drain lines. Surprisingly, according to IBHS, toilet failures on the first floor of a home resulted in more extensive claims than those in basements or upper floors.
Water heater failures. If your water heater has reached its life expectancy, expect that the tank will begin to rust and corrode, resulting in leaking or bursting issues. IBHS found that 69% of all water heater failures were a result of a slow leak or sudden burst and, on average, cost $4,444 per incident after the deductible has been paid.
Washing machine failures. Typically washing machine failures are caused by supply hose failures, machine overflows and drain line failures. Washing machines are one of the top 10 sources of residential water damage losses. Per IBHS, supply hose failures accounted for over half of all washing machine-related losses.
If your home has experienced any water damage, the team at SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is always available to help with cleanup and restoration, making it look “Like it never even happened.”
Fire Safety Basics to Help Protect Your Family | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Every year in the United States, more than 350,000 house fires happen, adding up to more than $5.5 billion in property damage. Beyond the financial loss, these fires also lead to nearly 3,000 deaths and another 10,000 injuries.
The best defense for your family against a fire is to prepare in advance. That’s why it’s important for every person to know how to prevent fires and how to respond if one occurs.
Start teaching your kids basic fire safety guidelines when they’re young. Let’s also take a look at three other fire safety practices you can practice as a family:
Watch Out for Fire Hazards
Go through your home. You might be surprised how many fire hazards you spot! Take some time and go through every room and your outdoor space to uncover any hazards.
Ensure your appliances are in good shape.
Check that electrical cords are in workable condition.
Do not overload outlets and/or extension cords.
Check to make sure you are using the correct wattage of lightbulbs.
Double-check that electrical wiring is not covered up by rugs or carpet.
Creating Your Fire Plan
In the event of a fire, every person in the family needs to know what to do—including how to get out of the house and where to go once they’re out.
But don’t just create a plan and not have practice drills. After all, as the saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” Regular practice of what to do makes you more likely to remember the steps if an actual fire occurs.
Practice Kitchen Fire Safety
Cooking is the biggest single cause of home fires. That’s why it’s important to be especially careful in the kitchen.
Anyone who’s cooking needs to familiarize themselves with basic cooking safety:
Never cook when tired or unable to pay attention.
Do not leave kids and teens alone when they cook.
Always keep a lid at hand when cooking on the stove in case of a grease fire. If a small grease fire occurs, use the lid to smother the fire.
If a fire occurs in the oven, turn it off and keep the door closed.
Leave the room and close the door if a kitchen fire occurs and begins to spread.
How Homeowners Can Protect Their Homes Against Flood Damage | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
If you’ve experienced water damage due to a flood or other causes, SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help.
Did you know that out of all natural disasters, 90% involve some form of flooding? While no one wants to think about the dangers a flood could pose, it is important that homeowners understand their risks.
Though your home may not have a history of flooding in the past, it is still essential to be aware of the risks a flood could pose should it occur.
How to Reduce Damage From a Flood
Here are some ways for flood damage to be prevented for your home:
Stay aware of the risks. Using the FEMA Flood Map Tool or contacting your local authorities in emergency management, you can understand what specific measures you should take to stay aware.
Elevate valuables. Irreplaceable paperwork and documents such as family memorabilia, tax returns and other important files would be better kept in a secondary location, such as a safety deposit box.
Turn off electricity. It may be unlikely that electrical appliances or outlets would be affected by water, but it is still dangerous to have these things be live anywhere near floodwaters. Shut off the electrical breaker to any rooms that are at-risk for a flood.
Anchor propane and fuel tanks. A dangerous spill or even a fire can result from fuel tanks tipping or propane tanks leaking. Remove fuel tanks from the property or anchor them securely.
Discuss emergency procedures. Ensure every member of the household is aware of what to do should the need to evacuate arise. Keep emergency supplies on-hand, and make sure all adults know where to shut off the home’s utilities.
Raise hazardous materials. Elevate things such as oil, paint and cleaning supplies to prevent dangerous spills into the floodwater.
Prepare appliances. In the case of a shallow flood, appliances such as washers and dryers can be elevated on bricks or stands to protect the internal workings from water damage.
A disaster, such as a flood, puts into perspective that the most important thing is keeping your family safe. By understanding precautionary measures and disaster action plans, homeowners can protect their family and their home from flood dangers.
If you’ve experienced water damage due to a flood or other causes, SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help. Our technicians are fully trained in water remediation, and our 24⁄7 Emergency Line means we’ll be there for you when you call.
Storm Damage: What are the Causes? SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response from SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures your Damage Restoration needs are professionally completed.
In the past few months, New Jersey has been experiencing a high level of heavy rainfall. Did you know heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding is one of the common types of damage from storms? There are ten common types of storms and being familiar with them aids in storm preparation and damage prevention.
SERVPRO® of Western Essex County knows how important it is to homeowners to keep homes safe from storm damage.
The 5 most common storms are:
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Thunderstorms
Snow storm
Hail storms
Since Union County is so far north and so close to the coast, it’s very possible that you may experience each of these kinds of events.
The fact is that hurricanes cause damage far past the coast. That storms cause damage is obvious, but the kinds of damage they cause and how is not always known.
Since hurricanes have long-term effects (Hurricane Sandy impacted 24 states), it’s very important to be educated on that type of storm in particular.
Hurricane damage is caused by three distinct but related storm elements: storm surge, floods, and wind.
Storm surge is when water rises far past the predicted tide level. This rise occurs because the wind from the hurricane pushes the water toward the shore, giving it nowhere to go, except up and in. The force of storm surge can be so strong as to destroy buildings and roads.
Storm surge is a direct cause of floods. The extra water from storm surge can reach far inland, causing widespread floods as it goes. Hurricanes can also cause rainfall as far as 100 miles past where the hurricane actually hits. Even tropical storms that don’t reach hurricane level can cause excess rainfall and thus floods.
Wind from hurricanes can reach speeds of 74 mph up to 155 mph. Winds of this speed cause widespread destruction by uprooting trees, downing power lines, and carrying debris and tossing it against other structures, even causing roofs to lift. It’s not unheard of for hurricane winds to form tornadoes.
Storm surge, floods, and winds can cause damage that is far-reaching, unexpected, and overwhelming. You can take precautions by packing an emergency preparedness kit, installing weather-resistant features to your house, and always following official safety orders or directives.
Storm damage clean up can be exhausting and dangerous. Don’t do it alone. Call SERVPRO® of Western Essex County for expert storm damage restoration services.
The Dangers of Lightning During Storms | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
We are experts in damage cleanup and can restore your damage quickly.
There are many ways in which a thunderstorm can cause damage. Flooding or wind damage are what often come to mind, but it is also important to consider the risks associated with lightning when discussing thunderstorms.
While some storms bring rain and water, every storm is made up of electricity, creating the possibility for lightning even in the absence of precipitation. Lightning bolts can be up to 500,000 degrees, causing damage and even fatalities when they strike. An understanding of what lightning is and how it can be dangerous is extremely helpful in helping homeowners prevent these risks.
How Thunderstorms and Lightning Coexist
All thunderstorms contain the electricity that makes a lightning strike possible. What we know as a lightning strike is actually a rapid burst of electricity that occurs when this charge becomes agitated.
The atmosphere is not an ideal conductor, which is why lightning tends to strike objects—this creates a less resistant route in getting to the ground. When a home is the object that has been struck, lightning will usually forge this path through water pipes and wiring.
How Lightning Is Dangerous to Homes
While there are many dangers surrounding thunderstorms, there are [three main ones involved with lightning striking a house]:
The risk of fire. One of the biggest dangers of a lightning strike to a house is the fire hazard it causes. Lightning is hot enough to ignite building materials, causing a fire to break out at the point of impact. Additionally, lightning traveling through wires can cause them to fray, creating fire hazards all throughout the home.
The risk of power surges. Because of the electrical charge at play with lightning, it can easily transfer that to the wiring in the home. This is what we call a power surge, which can affect any electronic device plugged in that is not routed through a surge protector.
The risk of shock waves. Shock waves are typically manifested in thunder, but they can also occur at the site of a lightning strike. Shock waves have been known to crack chimneys, break windows and explode cinder blocks, making them extremely hazardous to a home’s structure.
If your home has been affected by storm damages or lightning-related fires, give us a call today! We are experts in damage cleanup and can restore your damage quickly.
How to Prevent House Fires | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
If your home has suffered damage from a house fire, give us a call. We are certified in fire and soot remediation, and here to help 24/7.
Smoke alarms are a great tool for house fire prevention, but they are not the only way to lessen your risk.
The causality of house fires is varied, but one thing that is consistent is how frequently they occur. By learning about the statistics and proven prevention methods, homeowners can keep their families safe.
The Numbers Behind House Fires
In the United States, it is reported that a home fire is put on record every 24 seconds according to the NFPA. That works out to nearly 8,600 house fires a day.
Though the vast majority of house fires are cooking-related, malfunctioning appliances, frayed wiring or cords, and carelessness with open flames are also often to blame. Because fires spread rapidly and can quickly consume an entire home, it is essential to be vigilant in prevention for the safety of your household.
House Fires Prevention Tips
Being proactive is the best defense against house fires. By keeping these fire prevention tips in mind, you can minimize your risk and keep your home safer:
Maintain smoke detectors. Maintain your smoke detectors by testing them each month and replacing them every 10 years.
Clean the dryer. After each load of laundry is dried, make a point to clear lint from the tray. Lint can build up and become a fire hazard when the dryer gets warm.
Keep an eye on open flames. Fires can start and spread faster than you think, which is why it is never wise to leave the room when there is an open flame. Whether it is a candle, cooking flame or fireplace, always keep an eye on them.
Maintain electrical cords. Cords and electrical wires should be checked often for frayed spots and immediately replaced if they are present. Never run electrical cords under rugs or behind furniture, as they can produce heat.
Read product labels. Chemicals in household products can be highly flammable, and so can products that come in aerosol cans. Keep these away from sunlight or heat sources.
Avoiding Fire Hazards While Cooking | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
If your home has experienced damage from a cooking fire, know that SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to make it “Like it never even happened.”
Even though the kitchen can be a wonderfully versatile place for family and friends to gather to enjoy a fresh-cooked meal or to spend quality time together, danger can lurk. Unfortunately, home fires can often begin in the kitchen.
Fires resulting from cooking are the No. 1 cause of home fires and injuries and, often, the leading cause of these kitchen fires is unattended cooking.
Over $130 million in homeowners insurance claims that were related to grease and other cooking fires were paid out in 2017 by State Farm Insurance. According to the insurance company, these are the worst states for kitchen fires:
North Carolina
Texas
Pennsylvania
California
Ohio
Illinois
Maryland
New York
Alabama
Georgia
Staying Safe in the Kitchen
There are other safety tips to look into, as well as the well-known tip of remaining in the kitchen while cooking. Here are some other helpful tips to observe while cooking:
1. Be careful of your clothing. If you are wearing long, flowing sleeves or loose fitting clothing, it is best to change into a short or close-fitting sleeved shirt or make sure any loose shirts are tucked in or tied back away from the stove. Loose clothing could catch fire if you aren’t careful and get too close while cooking over the stove.
2. Be aware of what you are placing on or near the stovetop. Make sure there are no kitchen towels, oven mitts, appliance cords or even curtains too close to the stovetop when cooking. Ideally, it is best to move anything flammable away from the stove.
3. Place a fire extinguisher in or close to the kitchen. It is best to have at least one fire extinguisher located in your home and, ideally, one that is near your kitchen. Make sure you know how to properly use the extinguisher, just in case it is ever needed.
4. Wait before throwing hot grease in the garbage can. Even if the grease may not be on fire, it could still be hot enough to cause something in the trash to burn. Letting the grease cool a bit and then disposing of it in an old coffee can is safest. Also, know the smoke points of the oils you cook with. Be sure to never subject a low-smoke point oil to high heat when cooking, as it could catch fire.
5. Be sure there is a fire escape plan established. Thinking about the worst that can happen is not fun, but it’s better if you are over-prepared rather than unprepared if an emergency were to occur. Go over exit routes and designated meeting points with your family, making sure that everyone knows what to do.
Fire safety in the kitchen is an absolute necessity, as it can help prevent dangerous and destructive cooking fires.
What Could Cause Fires in Your Business | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response from SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures your Damage Restoration needs are professionally completed.
Business owners have many responsibilities, with one of them being safety factors to take into consideration regarding risks to your business, staff and visitors. One of those risks that needs some extra consideration is planning for and working toward preventing fires.
Leading Causes of Commercial Structure Fires
According to a report published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the leading causes of structure fires in office properties were (in order):
Cooking equipment, 29% of fires
Electrical distribution and lighting equipment, 12% of fires
Heating equipment, 11% of fires
Intentional, 10% of fires
Smoking materials, 9% of fires
Exposure, 4% of fires
Electronic, office or entertainment equipment, 3% of fires
Of those causes, intentional, exposure, and electrical distribution and lighting equipment accounted for the most property damage with 20%, 18% and 15% respectively.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that in 2007, fires and explosions accounted for 3% of all workplace fatalities.
In more recent studies, the NFPA estimates that from 2007–2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 3,340 fires at office properties per year. Those fires were responsible for an annual average of four deaths, 44 injuries and $112 million in direct property damage.
Protect Your Business
By focusing on fire risk assessment, fire prevention and staff education, you can take steps to protect your business from a fire risk and help reduce the chance of a fire breaking out.
First, you must assess the fire hazard risk. Fire marshals are often offered in some areas by the local government. During a visit, the fire marshal can offer advice and help identify your business’ risks, providing guidance on your fire prevention plan.
You’ll want to make sure you have chosen the right fire protection equipment. This should include an automatic sprinkler system, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor.
Finally, and more importantly, consider your employees and visitors. By creating a fire prevention and evacuation plan and reviewing it with your staff, you’ll be making sure everyone knows what to do in the case of a fire. Conduct regular fire drills at least annually to keep the fire safety protocol fresh, and take time to review evacuation plans and routes and also the location of first-aid kits.
Despite best efforts with fire prevention and safety tips, the worst could always happen at your business. If a fire has damaged your business, SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is available to help make it "Like it never even happened."
The Dangers of Lightning During Storms | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
When a storm hits your home, you need the company with experience and expertise. Contact us for all of your emergency needs.
There are many ways in which a thunderstorm can cause damage. Flooding or wind damage are what often come to mind, but it is also important to consider the risks associated with lightning when discussing thunderstorms.
While some storms bring rain and water, every storm is made up of electricity, creating the possibility for lightning even in the absence of precipitation. Lightning bolts can be up to 500,000 degrees, causing damage and even fatalities when they strike. An understanding of what lightning is and how it can be dangerous is extremely helpful in helping homeowners prevent these risks.
How Thunderstorms and Lightning Coexist
All thunderstorms contain the electricity that makes a lightning strike possible. What we know as a lightning strike is actually a rapid burst of electricity that occurs when this charge becomes agitated.
The atmosphere is not an ideal conductor, which is why lightning tends to strike objects—this creates a less resistant route in getting to the ground. When a home is the object that has been struck, lightning will usually forge this path through water pipes and wiring.
How Lightning Is Dangerous to Homes
While there are many dangers surrounding thunderstorms, there are [three main ones involved with lightning striking a house]:
The risk of fire. One of the biggest dangers of a lightning strike to a house is the fire hazard it causes. Lightning is hot enough to ignite building materials, causing a fire to break out at the point of impact. Additionally, lightning traveling through wires can cause them to fray, creating fire hazards all throughout the home.
The risk of power surges. Because of the electrical charge at play with lightning, it can easily transfer that to the wiring in the home. This is what we call a power surge, which can affect any electronic device plugged in that is not routed through a surge protector.
The risk of shock waves. Shock waves are typically manifested in thunder, but they can also occur at the site of a lightning strike. Shock waves have been known to crack chimneys, break windows and explode cinder blocks, making them extremely hazardous to a home’s structure.
If your home has been affected by storm damages or lightning-related fires, give us a call today! We are experts in damage cleanup and can restore your damage quickly.
Make Sure Your Business Is Ready for Potential Disasters | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alert team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed by SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
When you are a business owner, one of the most important factors to think about is emergency preparedness.
Disaster are going to happen, and while having a plan in place cannot stop all disasters, it can still offer a certain sense of security and at least ensure that your employees are aware of what to do if a disaster or emergency situation should occur.
What’s Your Plan?
Please take the time and make it a priority to sit down and work out an emergency preparedness plan for various disaster situations that could affect your business!
There are numerous emergencies your business should have a preparedness plan in place for, including:
Fire
Severe weather, including thunderstorms and winter storms
Other natural hazards like floods, hurricanes, tornadoes and earthquakes
Human-caused hazards, including accidents or acts of violence
Technology-related issues like power outages and equipment failure
When disaster strikes, it doesn’t matter if it’s a man-made incident or natural, if no emergency plan is in place for your business, things could get even more stressful quickly.
You should make sure that safety training and familiarization of emergency preparedness plans are included in the company onboarding process, team-building activities and continuing education opportunities. By encouraging your employees to familiarize themselves with proper safety protocol and emergency procedures, you’re not only giving them the tools to protect themselves, but you are also setting them up to help protect guests/visitors and the business itself.
Where to Begin
In beginning to set up an emergency plan for your business, start by evaluating which scenarios are most likely to occur—and go as far as considering the longshots that could still happen. After all, it’s better to prepare for all the worst-case scenarios and not be caught off guard.
There are plenty of online resources to help guide you through this process, including Ready.gov, the American Red Cross, FEMA and the CDC.
If you have a business impact analysis (BIA) done, it will help predict potential effects a disaster may have on your business. This would include lost or delayed sales and income, increased expenses from repairs, and delayed implementation of business plans. Don’t forget to make sure a crisis communications plan is in place, too.
Once you have come up with an emergency preparedness plan, be sure to review it and practice it with employees. Reviewing and rehearsing various scenarios can help ensure the process remains fresh in their minds and can help employees feel more empowered.
Disaster can strike when you least expect it, but by being prepared and having a plan in place, your business will be better suited to handle whatever Mother Nature has in store. If the worst should happen and your business is damaged, know that SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
An Introduction to Mold Remediation | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
We will ensure that each mold remediation job is done correctly and completely. Give SERVPRO of Western Essex County a call.
When there is water damage in a home or commercial property, mold growth will likely follow. Mold can begin to grow within 48 hours after moisture exposure.
If you are ever facing a mold issue, knowing what steps to take is very important, which is why we have chosen to use this blog to discuss the subject of mold remediation.
Mold Remediation, Not Removal
Mold remediation and mold removal ads are everywhere, and you’ve probably seen ads for these services, but the truth is there is no such thing as mold removal. Removing all mold from a home or business is simply impossible. Instead, a qualified restoration company focuses on mold remediation, which in turn brings mold levels back to a normal and natural level.
Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, both inside and outside. The issue arises only when a minor mold problem is left untreated and then turns into a major mold issue.
During mold remediation, the contaminated areas will be isolated by technicians. Depending on the amount of remediation required, this would be done by either closing all doors and windows or sealing off all doorways and openings with polyethylene sheeting. The technicians will use a method called “misting” to suppress the dust in the contaminated areas.
Materials that are wet and mold-damaged are removed and discarded in plastic bags. Any areas that have been exposed to and affected by the mold are then thoroughly cleaned and dried. A HEPA vacuum may be brought in at sometime during the remediation process to help remove contamination and debris.
Then, the mold-affected area is treated with a biocide and left overnight to start killing the mold spores. The following day, the mold remediation crew will return and encapsulate the affected area and beyond.
When to Contact a Professional
If you believe your home or business may have been affected by mold, you’ll want to act quickly. Upon evaluation of the size of the problem, and if the moldy area is more than 10 square feet, you will want call in the professionals.
The professionals you hire for mold remediation should be highly trained and certified in areas such as:
Applied microbial remediation
Water damage restoration
Applied structural drying
While some minor mold issues can be successfully resolved by home and business owners on their own, it is always safest to talk to professionals and get the remediation process started quickly before further damage sets in.
At SERVPRO® of Western Essex County our mold damage specialists are trained and certified experts in mold remediation. If your home or business is experiencing a mold issue, contact us to begin the mold remediation process.
Where Water Damage May Hide in a Home | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
Water damage can happen at any time. SERVPRO of Western Essex County will ensure that each water mitigation job is done correctly and completely.
Though water damage to a home is often associated with bad weather, there are many other ways water damage can sneak up on a homeowner. There are many causes of water damage, and many places for it to hide.
Because hidden water damage often takes a long time to be discovered, it can be a costly endeavor. For water damage insurance claims, the typical amount is over $6,500, and often insurance companies do not cover water damage at all. Being aware of where water damage may hide in a home is a great way to be on guard and prevent this costly disaster.
Where Water Damage May Hide in a Home
Beneath a window. The seal between the window and wall can often become compromised, allowing water to come between them and rot the wood over time.
Underneath siding. Where siding panels come together or at corners are especially vulnerable spots that water can enter.
Thresholds of exterior doors. Under the metal plate that serves as the door threshold, the wood can become swollen with water damage as it is gradually exposed.
Within painted windowsills. If there are many layers of paint on a windowsill, water can seep between them innocuously.
Beneath the dishwasher. The hoses of a dishwasher can get worn or leak, causing expensive damage to the subfloor underneath.
Under a tub. The pipes that carry water to a tub can become leaky or weak with time and can leak under the tub without notice.
Beneath a wobbly toilet. The seal at the base of the toilet can become weak and soak the wood underneath, which is often not noticeable until the toilet begins to wobble on the unsteady flooring.
If your home has suffered water damage (even in a hidden place like one of these), we are happy to help! Give us a call and we’ll get there quickly.
What to Do When Hoarding Is Discovered | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
In need of a team to help restore a space where hoarding has been an issue? Contact our team at 908.650.8611.
Have you ever heard about hoarding? It’s a dangerous mental disorder that can make household dangers, including fires, more likely.
So, what is hoarding exactly? Hoarding is a mental illness that causes people to obsessively hang on to possessions, ultimately accumulating them in large quantities that can take over a home. Those affected by the disorder are rarely hoarding things of any value—trash and other clutter are common.
As these items pile up over time, they can present fire hazards, house insects or rodents, or even hide toxic mold growth.
So, if you you need to clean out a space where hoarding has been taking place, what should you do?
Step 1: Call in the professionals, who can clean up the space and ensure the area is safely rehabbed for future use.
What Is Involved in Hoarding Cleanup
There’s more involved in hoarding clean-up than simply clearing out the hoarded materials and washing the space. A professional team will provide a comprehensive cleanup process that mitigates any safety hazards that have cropped up.
Removal of Dangerous Substances
Piles of hoarded materials can conceal any number of health hazards, including toxic mold growth, along with insects, bacteria, and other pests.
A team of professionals educated in safe removal principles and outfitted in the appropriate gear will help ensure this step is done comprehensively and safely.
Removal of Items
When you think of cleaning up after hoarding, this is probably the step you think of. This involves clearing the space of hoarded materials, including items like newspapers and even trash that has collected over time.
Other items like carpets, furniture, and kitchenware, may also have been contaminated and need to be removed.
Complete Cleaning
Once the space is cleared of all debris and clutter, a professional team will deep-clean the area. This is the last step in the process and helps ensure the property is ready to be used again.
In need of a team to help restore a space where hoarding has been an issue? Contact our team at SERVPRO® of Central Union County, and we’ll make it "Like it never even happened."
Contact us to make it, "Like it never even happened."
Commercial cleaning and restoration present unique challenges. Our goal is to provide excellent results while minimizing the disruption to your clients. SERVPRO of Central Union County & Roselle are fully equipped to take on your commercial property no matter the size of the job.
Commercial Services:
Air Ducts / HVAC
General & Specialty Cleaning
Post Construction Cleaning
Punch List Services
Dry Ice Blasting
Power Washing
Biohazard & Sewage
Odor Removal / Deodorization
We offer our services to any time of commercial property:
Small/Large Office Buildings
High-Rise Office Buildings
Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotel/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
High-Rise Residential
Manufacturing & Industrial
Government/Military
For any additional information, please feel free to contact our office for all of your commercial property needs.
Window Air Conditioner Leaking Water Into House – What To Check – How To Fix
If your home has experienced any water damage, the team at SERVPRO® is always available to help with cleanup and restoration.
Question: I just turned my window AC unit on today and it is leaking water inside my house. What could be the problem? I had it running for 3 weeks and all of a sudden it started to leak. Water is on the plastic vent where the cold air blows out. I believe that is where it is leaking from but not sure. Can you tell me how to fix this?
ANSWER: You need to check a few things to be sure the ac unit is installed properly and there is no water drainage block present.
– Unplug the window AC unit.
– Clean up all the water on the AC unit, on the window ledge, and on the floor of your room.
– Check and be sure the AC is tightly sealed in the window.
– Do you feel warm air coming into the room around the AC unit?
– If you feel warm air coming in you need to seal it again.
– Check to see if the drain holes on the rear of the ac unit are blocked.
– Clean the drain holes to allow water to drip out.
– Make sure the filter is clean and not clogged with massive dirt or dust.
– After cleaning up the water and having it turned off for 30 minutes or so, then turn it back on to make sure the water doesn’t appear again.
Here are the reasons water can drip from a window air conditioner unit:
AIR LEAK – AIR CONDITIONER NOT PROPERLY SEALED IN WINDOW:
If your window air conditioner is not sealed correctly, the warmer air from outside gets inside the air conditioner. When this happens, the moisture that is in the warmer air will be condensed by the colder air inside the air conditioner. When there is excess moisture, the water will leak.
DRAIN IS BLOCKED – DIRT OR DUST HAS BLOCKED THE DRAIN HOLES:
There are drain holes (drip pan) at the rear of window AC units. They can get blocked from dusty conditions or dirt in the air. When this type of blockage happens, the water that would normally drip out will be trapped and water will leak from the front of the AC unit and at both sides of the unit. Be sure to keep the drain holes clean and free of debris. Also clean the filters or replace them to prevent any type of blockage that may cause a water leak.
OUTSIDE TEMP IS LOWER – HEAVY MOISTURE IN OUTSIDE AIR:
If it is raining or there is heavy moisture in the air outside, water evaporates much less than usual. This leads to excess water moisture in the air conditioner and this will cause water leaks. This is normal for most window AC units and using a drip pan can solve the issue if there is heavy moisture in the air outside.
CONDENSER PUMP NOT WORKING – BROKEN OR CLOGGED PUMP:
If the condenser pump in the AC is faulty or clogged, it will cause water to leak. You can check the condenser/pump if you feel confident. Check for any blockage or loose wires. If the pump seems to be okay visually, you will need to test the pump with a meter to see if it is faulty. If so, you may be better off buying a new AC unit.
If your home has experienced any water damage, the team at SERVPRO® is always available to help with cleanup and restoration, making it look “Like it never even happened.” Contact us at 908.650.8611.
Business Owners Should Practice Flood Preparedness | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
Call us 24/7 to get our team of professionals to your business quickly so you can get back on track.
It is not uncommon for home and business owners to underestimate their flood preparedness, especially if they are not in an area historically known for flooding. However, it was recently reported that natural disasters involve flooding in 90% of instances and affect areas that are not typically known for flooding quite often.
Planning is a smart idea for business owners not only to increase safety within the workplace, but it can also serve to allow businesses to reopen more quickly after the flood passes. By planning ahead, business owners can have the peace of mind to know that they are ready should a flood occur.
How to Practice Flood Preparedness
Some key ways business owners can practice flood preparedness are:
Make use of the Flood Map provided by FEMA to get an overview of flooding rates in your geographical location.
Copy business documents and keep them in a secure location such as a waterproof safe or safety deposit box.
Develop an official training guide for emergencies so employees can be educated and know what to do.
Designate evacuation routes and mark them clearly.
Consider adding flood insurance to your business policy, which does not typically include it.
Create a personal emergency kit for your desk and an office-wide one in case someone is stranded.
Find creative ways to raise electronics if necessary.
How to Prepare Documents for a Flood
As you begin the process of reopening the business after a disaster, having helpful documents will make the process much easier. Consider preparing and storing copies of the following:
The continuity plan for after floodwaters recede
Contact information for all employees, vendors, suppliers and any other parties that might need to be contacted right away
Your insurance policy records and agent contact information
Digital file backups and recovery instructions
Financial documentation that may come in handy
If your business has experienced a flood, we are always here to help. Call us 24⁄7 to get our team of professionals to your business quickly so you can get back on track.
When it comes to the cleanup and restoration aspects, depend on SERVPRO Central County | SERVPRO of Roselle.
Would your business be prepared to face all that Mother Nature can throw at it through floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and earthquakes? The most important key to surviving these natural disasters is to be prepared for these situations.
Being prepared for these situations involves creating a natural disaster plan for your business. This blog will lay out some aspects to consider when designing that very important disaster plan.
Where to Start With Your Disaster Plan
There are many things you will need to consider, including your employees, your material assets and equipment, when developing a disaster plan for your business.
Some of those considerations should be:
How to protect your employees
How to secure your assets
How to get business up and running again
Many checklists have been made available through sources like the Red Cross, FEMA and Ready.gov that can offer information that will help you identify areas that need to be included in your natural disaster preparedness plan. These sources will also help you see just how prepared you truly are.
Don’t Neglect Employee Safety
If a disaster should strike without warning, your plan must lay out clear and concise procedures and safety measures for the protection of your employees and visitors. Your evacuation routes and exits from your facility should all be properly and clearly marked, have an area designated that will serve as a shelter space, consider emergency light installation, and ask for volunteers to serve as designated “safety wardens” properly trained and ready to guide and assist with all emergency efforts.
When choosing a place for shelter, ideally this space would be a basement or storm cellar in the event of tornadoes or other high-wind situations. If there is no basement available, select a small interior room on the lowest level of the building, such as a closet or interior hallway.
How to Protect the Assets
In a brick and mortar location, you’ll still need to make careful decisions when it comes to protecting the assets inside the building. You have thousands of dollars tied up in equipment and/or merchandise that will be at risk should a natural disaster strike.
Be sure to have a complete and up-to-date inventory of all equipment and assets. Having photographs prior to a disaster whenever possible is also always helpful if insurance claims need to be made. If your assets are computer data-based and kept on a server, take the steps necessary to ensure that the backup system is making regular backups and that the storage system cannot be damaged, such as a cloud storage option.
If you own the building that you conduct your business in, get with a contractor to uncover areas that could be structurally strengthened. This contractor should be able to suggest possible safety upgrades and advise on any areas that may not make the grade in certain weather situations.
Getting Back to Business
When—and if—a natural disaster does occur, it may be entirely possible that your business will have to be closed for days or months due to the damage incurred. And every day you remain closed is another day of lost profits. It is wise to set up a disaster fund to help cover any additional costs that are not covered by your insurance.
Keep a list of contractors handy who will make themselves available for repairs, and know which cleanup and restoration service will be available to quickly respond to your emergency situation.
You can count on us to get to the disaster faster and make it "Like it never even happened." Our training and expertise have prepared us to help with water damage, storm damage, fire damage and mold remediation quickly and effectively.
Why Business Owners Choose Us for Restoration | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
Our trained experts are here to help 24/7—contact us today.
For many business owners, sustaining damage to their business can damage more than just their property—it can also damage their entire venture. In a recent FEMA study, they determined 40 to 60% of businesses will not reopen following a natural disaster. That is why if your business has sustained fire, water or mold damage, either due to a disaster or any other cause, it is important to choose a company that is well-versed in commercial restoration.
We know how important your business is to your livelihood, which is why we make it our mission to be experts in commercial restoration. Having a team you trust on your side will help you focus on other crucial business aspects and help get your doors open again faster. These are just a few of the reasons why business owners have chosen us for commercial restoration:
1. We’re Proud of Our Response Time
You may be aware that our slogan is “faster to any size disaster,” but that’s more than just something we say. Our emergency line is open 24⁄7, 365 days a year to ensure our restoration experts are alerted right away when a business owner calls to report the damage.
A quick response time not only gives business owners peace of mind, but it also makes the restoration process more efficient. By getting to the scene quickly, our technicians can stop further damage from occurring, saving both time and money on the project. This makes for one less thing business owners have to worry about as they get their business on track to reopen.
2. We’re Proud of Our Technicians
Our technicians are leaders in the restoration field because of the education and training they receive. They study the guidelines set forth by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to learn about best practices, restoration techniques and other insider tips in the field.
Technicians also have the opportunity to further their education through certification programs, online courses and other industry knowledge throughout their employment. This allows them to be prepared for any damage scenario your business might face.
3. We’re Proud of Our Equipment
The materials and procedures we use on commercial restoration projects comply with the IICRC’s guidelines, ensuring we are tackling the job with the most advanced tools in the industry.
From water extraction machines following flooding or odor removal equipment to remove smoke after a fire, we’ve got the tools to make your commercial remediation a success.
If you’re in need of commercial restoration, do not hesitate to make the call so you can get your business back faster. Our trained experts are here to help 24/7—contact us today.
Our team of highly trained restoration experts are available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
When disaster strikes, we get there fast, but that is not the only reason why we need to be first on your list of calls if the worst should occur.
What sets us apart—our team of technicians have a “restore first” mentality, complemented by specialized equipment and cleaning techniques. By making this our mission, we are able to minimize potential disruptions to your home and life and get you back into your home as quickly as feasible.
How It Works
When a fire has damaged your property, it’s a scary time, but once you reach out to our team, we’ll take some of the weight off your shoulders.
No two fires act the same, so it’s logical that the damage they inflict would also be different. That’s why we believe in starting with a standardized process, but adding onto it and enhancing it to meet your individual needs.
1. You call us. When you reach out via our 24⁄7 Emergency Line, we will spring into action. Our first step is to ask you questions about the fire and your home’s unique space and needs. That set of questions helps inform our strategy.
2. We inspect and assess the fire damage. Our next step is to visit your home. During this visit, we will inspect and test adjoining rooms of the property to determine the extent of fire, smoke and soot damage. Based on what we see and determine, we will take immediate next steps.
3. We board up windows and tarp the roof. Because fire damage often compromises windows, walls and roofs, we will make sure that your property is secured and protected from further damage. This will involve boarding up missing windows and walls and placing a tarp over the top of damaged roofs.
4. We remove water and begin the drying out process. When we think of fire, we don’t think of water damage. But we should, because water is a necessary component of fighting fires. So our next step is to remove any standing water and start drying out objects and spaces when possible.
5. We remove smoke and soot from all surfaces. We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls and other surfaces in your home.
6. We clean and sanitize your home. This is another place where the “restore first” mentality comes into play. We will attempt to clean objects and surfaces whenever possible, rather than removing and replacing them. We also use industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment to help remove odors.
7. We complete the restoration. This is our final step, bringing your property back to the condition it was in before the fire. Restoration may involve minor repairs like replacing drywall, painting and installing new carpet. It could also involve major repairs like reconstruction of damaged areas.
Remember, if you need us, we’ll be there—no matter the time or day. Our team of highly trained restoration experts are available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Our team is available 24/7 to help with cleanup and restoration.
Thunderstorms are a regular occurrence during the warmer spring and summer seasons, bringing along the risk of damage to your property.
Thunderstorms come in varying levels of intensity. Do you know what those are?
Understanding Thunderstorms
Across the world, an average of 16 million thunderstorms occur each year. The U.S. can see upward of 100,000 thunderstorms annually, with an estimated 10% earning severe status.
Thunderstorms need certain conditions to be met in order to form. Moisture and rising unstable air are required, along with a “lifting” mechanism, which could be things like hills or mountains that force air to rise, or where warm/cold or wet/dry air bump together, causing that rising motion.
There are three stages in a thunderstorm’s life cycle. Those are the developing stage, the mature stage and the dissipating stage. It is during the mature stage that things like hail, strong rain, lightning, high winds and tornadoes are most likely to occur.
Common Types of Damage
Thunderstorms can prove dangerous in many different ways, but an extremely serious threat stems from the possibility of seeing flying debris due to high winds.
During severe storms, wind can see speeds in excess of 57.5 mph, and that is certainly high enough to result in damage to your property.
Even the most unexpected items could reach projectile status during a high wind situation. A smart thing to do is make sure you have scouted your yard for items that could turn dangerous, such as tree branches, lawn furniture, and fencing, and then taken steps to secure them before a storm comes into town.
Besides wind damage, thunderstorms can also produce these types of damage:
Lightning damage. Not only can lightning strikes cause a fire, they can also wreak havoc on your electrical systems. Since a lightning strike can pass through the wiring of your home, it can lead to the damage of anything plugged in.
Tornado damage. With wind speeds that can reach as high as 200 mph, tornadoes are especially destructive. They are able to cover a large area and do their damage in a limited amount of time.
Hail damage. Believe it or not, hail damage can top out around $1 billion a year. Small hail can damage crops throughout the country, while larger hail can damage vehicles, roofing and windows.
Flood damage. Rain almost always accompanies a storm, so it should not come as a surprise that heavy rains can turn into flood danger. Flash flooding can have the strength to rip trees out of the ground and sweep items and structures away.
If a thunderstorm has resulted in damage to your home or business, know that our team is available 24⁄7 to help with cleanup and restoration.
Contact SERVPRO for HVAC Maintenance To Keep Units Running Efficiently
Contact us at 908.650.8611 if you’d like to schedule a consultation to discuss HVAC cleaning.
Everyone who owns a home appreciates the comforts of an efficient central heating and air system, but there’s a large investment associated with operating them. Did you know that about half of the energy costs for a home are due to the heating and cooling system according to Energy Star? While that’s a significant chunk of change, just a little bit of maintenance can make the investment extend much further.
It’s important to catch problems with your HVAC system before they become serious: that’s where routine maintenance comes in.
Homeowners should educate themselves about how their HVAC system works to provide it with the best care.
Swap your filters. Your HVAC filters need to be changed between every 30 and 90 days (depending on the type of filter used) for maximum air quality and efficiency. Other ways to improve heating and cooling include using the highest efficiency filter for your HVAC model and ensuring a properly secured fit when filters are installed.
Reduce your dust. Simply keeping up with routine dusting and vacuuming will clear the dust and debris out before it has a chance to invade your air flow system, doing wonders for your HVAC cleanliness. Further the benefit by always using the highest efficiency filter for the vacuum, and purchasing one with a HEPA certification if possible.
Check your drainage. As the AC runs, cooling coils work to remove water from the air and drain it away. If the moisture collected is not properly drained, water damage can occur and lead to mold growth. Regularly check drain pans and nearby surfaces for moisture accumulation to stop large problems before they start.
Tip: If you’re doing construction or renovations in the home, seal off supply and return registers in the house.
Schedule regular maintenance checkups and cleaning. There’s no substitute for having a professional survey your system twice per year. While there are quite a few things homeowners can do to maintain their HVAC system, a professional cleaning can have a marked improvement in air quality and the efficiency of your unit.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation to discuss HVAC cleaning, contact us at 908.650.8611.
When disaster strikes, we strike back! Contact us at 908.650.8611 for 24/7 emergency service.
While planning ahead for house fires might seem dismal, it is a wise choice for homeowners. You should create a fire evacuation plan for your household, and also consider the restoration company you will work with to restore your home if it’s ever needed. Picking a company that can respond quickly and restores thoroughly is highly recommended.
Restoring Your Home and Belongings After a Fire
Fire damages are multifaceted—not only can they affect the structure of your home, but they can also damage your things and be detrimental to air quality. Finding a company that can handle all these aspects is vital to having the proper restoration completed. Here is how we restore after a fire:
Structural Cleaning
It is important that the structure of your home is prepared quickly and well following a house fire because these are the elements that support your home. We will start with tests to get an overview of the damage severity so we know what repairs should be completed. By using industry-grade equipment, we will then begin to remove soot and damage from surfaces.
Content Cleaning
Because we know how important your belongings are, we make sure our technicians are able to restore most items as well. Wood and upholstered furniture can be cleaned and deodorized thoroughly. Oftentimes, we are also able to restore paintings, photos and electronics as well by utilizing appropriate tools and methods to protect them.
Deodorization Services
The smoke smell after a fire can linger for ages, but that is not the only concern. Fires can leave soot particles behind that cause serious health concerns with exposure as well. That is why instead of trying to mask the scent, we use air scrubbers to fully purify and deodorize the air. Our technicians will work with you to develop the best deodorization method for your needs in order to provide your family with healthy air once more.
If you’ve been affected by a fire, reach out to us right away! We are here 24⁄7 to help you recover.
How We Approach Restoration Differently | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
If you have experienced storm damage, we are always here to help! Call our restoration experts 24/7 so we can address your damages quickly.
There is a lot that goes into choosing a restoration company as a homeowner. Not only are you picking someone to restore your home, but you are also forced to make a big decision during a stressful time in life. Choosing the right company will give you peace of mind and make your experience a positive one, but it’s important to pick one that is trustworthy.
Because there are so many types of damages that can occur from a disaster, it is important to choose a company that can handle a variety of situations.
When water damage turns into structural damage or a small kitchen fire releases toxic soot particles into the air, homeowners will want a company that can handle the entire situation. Seeking a company that can handle complications is essential for a positive experience.
Our Approach to Restoration
Our restoration jobs are just as much about providing excellent service as they are restoring your home. These are the ways in which we approach restoration differently:
With a Guaranteed Quick Response Time
Emergencies do not have respect for anyone’s schedule, which is why we do not have business hours. Our emergency service line is an around-the-clock service, meaning you can call us 24 hours a day to report the damage. Once we receive the call, our technicians will spring into action in order to get to you ASAP.
With an Experienced Team
Our restoration technicians are industry leaders with proven results. Trained according to IICRC standards, they will ensure the most up-to-date methodology is used in your restoration for any type of damage.
With a National Network
Our franchise locations are located across the country with over 1,800 locations. This means that we have a national network to utilize for resources. Therefore, we can treat a large-scale disaster with the same care and efficiency as we would an isolated spot of thunderstorm damage.
Contact us at 908.650.8611 for all of your restoration needs.
Frozen Pipes Will Burst | You Can Count on SERVPRO of Western Essex County To Respond
When disaster strikes, we strike back! Contact us at 908.650.8611.
Cold weather, snow, and ice storms can cause severe damage to your home or business. When these types of disasters strike, immediate action is necessary to prevent additional damage to your property. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.
Extreme cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst. In general, pipes are more likely to freeze when the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The resulting water damage can be extensive. Outdoor pipes and pipes in unheated areas of the home can freeze if they are not properly insulated or if temperatures are severely cold.
Outdoor pipes most likely to freeze include:
Outdoor hose bibs
Swimming pool supply lines
Water sprinkler lines
Pipes in unheated or partially heated areas are also at risk of freezing, including:
Basements
Crawl spaces
Garages
When A Pipe Bursts, We Respond Quickly
At SERVPRO, we know how devastating burst pipes and flooding can be. We are dedicated to responding immediately to water emergencies. Our professionals specialize in water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. They have extensive training that helps you get back to normal more quickly.
If your property has experienced any water damage, the team at SERVPRO® of Central Union County is always available to help 24/7 with cleanup and restoration, making it look “Like it never even happened.” Contact us at 908.650.8611.
The Dangers of Lightning During Storms | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
If your home has been affected by storm damages or lightning-related fires, give us a call today! We are experts in damage cleanup and restoration.
There are many ways in which a thunderstorm can cause damage. Flooding or wind damage are what often come to mind, but it is also important to consider the risks associated with lightning when discussing thunderstorms.
While some storms bring rain and water, every storm is made up of electricity, creating the possibility for lightning even in the absence of precipitation. Lightning bolts can be up to 500,000 degrees, causing damage and even fatalities when they strike. An understanding of what lightning is and how it can be dangerous is extremely helpful in helping homeowners prevent these risks.
How Thunderstorms and Lightning Coexist
All thunderstorms contain the electricity that makes a lightning strike possible. What we know as a lightning strike is actually a rapid burst of electricity that occurs when this charge becomes agitated.
The atmosphere is not an ideal conductor, which is why lightning tends to strike objects—this creates a less resistant route in getting to the ground. When a home is the object that has been struck, lightning will usually forge this path through water pipes and wiring.
How Lightning Is Dangerous to Homes
While there are many dangers surrounding thunderstorms, there are [three main ones involved with lightning striking a house]:
The risk of fire. One of the biggest dangers of a lightning strike to a house is the fire hazard it causes. Lightning is hot enough to ignite building materials, causing a fire to break out at the point of impact. Additionally, lightning traveling through wires can cause them to fray, creating fire hazards all throughout the home.
The risk of power surges. Because of the electrical charge at play with lightning, it can easily transfer that to the wiring in the home. This is what we call a power surge, which can affect any electronic device plugged in that is not routed through a surge protector.
The risk of shock waves. Shock waves are typically manifested in thunder, but they can also occur at the site of a lightning strike. Shock waves have been known to crack chimneys, break windows and explode cinder blocks, making them extremely hazardous to a home’s structure.
Taking Water Damage Into Consideration | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
Water damage can be a nightmare to deal with but fortunately, you will always have us on your side to help with the cleanup and restoration process.
Water. Let’s face it—we need it to live—everything needs it! But what we don’t need is for it to be causing damage to our property and our homes.
When it comes to damage caused by water, there are many reasons it happens. How many of those reasons are you aware of?
Common Causes
For the period covering 2009 to 2015, The Travelers Companies Inc. discovered the most prevalent reasons for a filed homeowners insurance claim were:
Wind damage
Water damage from sources other than weather
Hail
Weather-related water damage
Burglary
Water damage is so common that it appears on this list twice, in two different categories. To make it simple, remember that it can be classified as non-weather-related and weather-related.
Water damage that is not caused by weather occurs most often in the home and is the result of plumbing and appliance malfunction issues. Water damage caused by weather can cause just as big of headache but does not occur as often. Weather-related water damage is caused by events such as rain, snow or melting ice.
The top five reasons for water damage in the home are plumbing, appliance leaks, water pipe issues, older water heaters and weather.
Water Damage Prevention
While water damage can be pricey, it could be even more pricey if a homeowner is not covered by homeowners insurance. Check your homeowner policy for your coverages. In most cases, damages that are covered in a standard policy are:
Damages caused by winter weather
The expulsion of water, even if it is accidental
Damaged or broken down hot water heating system
Plumbing that freezes
Fortunately, there are ways to keep water damage from occurring, thereby saving yourself some headaches in the future.
Here are some ideas for preventive maintenance to help you protect your home as much as possible from the damage caused by water:
Hire a plumber to install back flow valves and standpipes in basement drains.
Raise your appliances and personal items up off the basement floor.
Clean all gutters and downspouts.
Never place grease down the kitchen drain.
When you follow these suggested tips, you just might reduce the probability for any water damage incidents in your home.
Fire Safety Basics to Help Protect Your Family | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
If your family has experienced a fire and needs help restoring your home, we can help!
Every year in the United States, more than 350,000 house fires happen, adding up to more than $5.5 billion in property damage. Beyond the financial loss, these fires also lead to nearly 3,000 deaths and another 10,000 injuries.
The best defense for your family against a fire is to prepare in advance. That’s why it’s important for every person to know how to prevent fires and how to respond if one occurs.
Start teaching your kids basic fire safety guidelines when they’re young. Let’s also take a look at three other fire safety practices you can practice as a family:
Watch Out for Fire Hazards
Go through your home. You might be surprised how many fire hazards you spot! Take some time and go through every room and your outdoor space to uncover any hazards.
Ensure your appliances are in good shape.
Check that electrical cords are in workable condition.
Do not overload outlets and/or extension cords.
Check to make sure you are using the correct wattage of lightbulbs.
Double-check that electrical wiring is not covered up by rugs or carpet.
Creating Your Fire Plan
In the event of a fire, every person in the family needs to know what to do—including how to get out of the house and where to go once they’re out.
But don’t just create a plan and not have practice drills. After all, as the saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” Regular practice of what to do makes you more likely to remember the steps if an actual fire occurs.
Practice Kitchen Fire Safety
Cooking is the biggest single cause of home fires. That’s why it’s important to be especially careful in the kitchen.
Anyone who’s cooking needs to familiarize themselves with basic cooking safety:
Never cook when tired or unable to pay attention.
Do not leave kids and teens alone when they cook.
Always keep a lid at hand when cooking on the stove in case of a grease fire. If a small grease fire occurs, use the lid to smother the fire.
If a fire occurs in the oven, turn it off and keep the door closed.
Leave the room and close the door if a kitchen fire occurs and begins to spread.
How We Approach Restoration Differently | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
We are always here to help! Call our restoration experts 24/7 so we can address your damages quickly.
There is a lot that goes into choosing a restoration company as a homeowner. Not only are you picking someone to restore your home, but you are also forced to make a big decision during a stressful time in life. Choosing the right company will give you peace of mind and make your experience a positive one, but it’s important to pick one that is trustworthy.
Because there are so many types of damages that can occur from a disaster, it is important to choose a company that can handle a variety of situations.
When water damage turns into structural damage or a small kitchen fire releases toxic soot particles into the air, homeowners will want a company that can handle the entire situation. Seeking a company that can handle complications is essential for a positive experience.
Our Approach to Restoration
Our restoration jobs are just as much about providing excellent service as they are restoring your home. These are the ways in which we approach restoration differently:
With a Guaranteed Quick Response Time
Emergencies do not have respect for anyone’s schedule, which is why we do not have business hours. Our emergency service line is an around-the-clock service, meaning you can call us 24 hours a day to report the damage. Once we receive the call, our technicians will spring into action in order to get to you ASAP.
With an Experienced Team
Our restoration technicians are industry leaders with proven results. Trained according to IICRC standards, they will ensure the most up-to-date methodology is used in your restoration for any type of damage.
With a National Network
Our franchise locations are located across the country with over 1,700 locations. This means that we have a national network to utilize for resources. Therefore, we can treat a large-scale disaster with the same care and efficiency as we would an isolated spot of thunderstorm damage.
Learn More About Our “Restore First” Mentality | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
Remember, if you need us, we’ll be there—no matter the time or day. We are available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24/7.
When disaster strikes, we get there fast, but that is not the only reason why we need to be first on your list of calls if the worst should occur.
What sets us apart—our team of technicians have a “restore first” mentality, complemented by specialized equipment and cleaning techniques. By making this our mission, we are able to minimize potential disruptions to your home and life and get you back into your home as quickly as feasible.
How It Works
When a fire has damaged your property, it’s a scary time, but once you reach out to our team, we’ll take some of the weight off your shoulders.
No two fires act the same, so it’s logical that the damage they inflict would also be different. That’s why we believe in starting with a standardized process, but adding onto it and enhancing it to meet your individual needs.
1. You call us. When you reach out via our 24⁄7 Emergency Line, we will spring into action. Our first step is to ask you questions about the fire and your home’s unique space and needs. That set of questions helps inform our strategy.
2. We inspect and assess the fire damage. Our next step is to visit your home. During this visit, we will inspect and test adjoining rooms of the property to determine the extent of fire, smoke and soot damage. Based on what we see and determine, we will take immediate next steps.
3. We board up windows and tarp the roof. Because fire damage often compromises windows, walls and roofs, we will make sure that your property is secured and protected from further damage. This will involve boarding up missing windows and walls and placing a tarp over the top of damaged roofs.
4. We remove water and begin the drying out process. When we think of fire, we don’t think of water damage. But we should, because water is a necessary component of fighting fires. So our next step is to remove any standing water and start drying out objects and spaces when possible.
5. We remove smoke and soot from all surfaces. We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls and other surfaces in your home.
6. We clean and sanitize your home. This is another place where the “restore first” mentality comes into play. We will attempt to clean objects and surfaces whenever possible, rather than removing and replacing them. We also use industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment to help remove odors.
7. We complete the restoration. This is our final step, bringing your property back to the condition it was in before the fire. Restoration may involve minor repairs like replacing drywall, painting and installing new carpet. It could also involve major repairs like reconstruction of damaged areas.
Why Business Owners Choose Us for Restoration | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
If you’re in need of commercial restoration, do not hesitate to make the call so you can get your business back faster.
For many business owners, sustaining damage to their business can damage more than just their property—it can also damage their entire venture. In a recent FEMA study, they determined 40 to 60% of businesses will not reopen following a natural disaster. That is why if your business has sustained fire, water or mold damage, either due to a disaster or any other cause, it is important to choose a company that is well-versed in commercial restoration.
We know how important your business is to your livelihood, which is why we make it our mission to be experts in commercial restoration. Having a team you trust on your side will help you focus on other crucial business aspects and help get your doors open again faster. These are just a few of the reasons why business owners have chosen us for commercial restoration:
1. We’re Proud of Our Response Time
You may be aware that our slogan is “faster to any size disaster,” but that’s more than just something we say. Our emergency line is open 24⁄7, 365 days a year to ensure our restoration experts are alerted right away when a business owner calls to report the damage.
A quick response time not only gives business owners peace of mind, but it also makes the restoration process more efficient. By getting to the scene quickly, our technicians can stop further damage from occurring, saving both time and money on the project. This makes for one less thing business owners have to worry about as they get their business on track to reopen.
2. We’re Proud of Our Technicians
Our technicians are leaders in the restoration field because of the education and training they receive. They study the guidelines set forth by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to learn about best practices, restoration techniques and other insider tips in the field.
Technicians also have the opportunity to further their education through certification programs, online courses and other industry knowledge throughout their employment. This allows them to be prepared for any damage scenario your business might face.
3. We’re Proud of Our Equipment
The materials and procedures we use on commercial restoration projects comply with the IICRC’s guidelines, ensuring we are tackling the job with the most advanced tools in the industry.
From water extraction machines following flooding or odor removal equipment to remove smoke after a fire, we’ve got the tools to make your commercial remediation a success.
You Can Count on Us to Be There Fast | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
Remember, if you need us, we’ll be there—no matter the time or day, for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
When disaster strikes, time can become an even more precious commodity—especially when it’s your home or livelihood on the line.
We know how crucial a fast response is following a disaster at your home or business, which is why responding faster to any size disaster is more than just a slogan in our world.
Why a Fast Response Is Key
Time is not a luxury you have when disaster strikes, especially when it’s your belongings or business on the line. This is especially true where water damage has come into play, which can be through various means such as flooding, appliance and/or plumbing failures, storm damage and fire damage, as water is used to put out the fires.
Water can spread throughout your property in mere minutes, saturating everything in its path. Items like the walls, floors, upholstery and your belongings can all be casualties of water.
The effects of water damage within the first 24 hours include:
Furniture begins to swell and crack
Drywall begins to swell and break down
The arrival of a musty odor
Dyes and inks from cloth and paper items spread and stain
Metal surfaces begin to tarnish
The damage will worsen as time goes on. Between 48 hours and a week later, you could begin to see:
Paint beginning to blister
Swelling and warping of doors, windows and studs
The growth and spreading of mold and mildew
The possibilities of serious biohazard contamination
Wood flooring swelling and warping
Metal beginning to rust and corrode
The damage done can dramatically increase the restoration time and costs and can also impact structural safety if left unchecked for over a week.
How We Can Respond So Quickly
It doesn’t matter what day or time it is, our trained restoration specialists will quickly be dispatched to your property or business.
Providing an immediate response to any size disaster is what we are here for! Our fast response times can help minimize the damage and keep the cleaning and restoration costs manageable.
A major perk of being part of a national network of over 1,700 franchises is that we have access to more resources for the cleanup and restoration projects that may be larger or stem from major storm situations. Being a locally owned and operated franchise helps us be close by and ready to respond whenever the call comes in.
Getting to Know the 3 Water Classifications | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
If you think all water that causes water damage is the same, think again! There are three classifications for it: clean, gray and black.
By gaining a better understanding of the differences in these types of water, it will help you understand how to better handle a water damage situation.
Whenever there is a water damage situation, it doesn’t matter what type of water has caused damage because a cleanup and restoration process will always follow. First, and most important, is removing all moisture and damp items as quickly as possible to hinder the growth of mold, which begins to flourish in this ideal environment.
Clean Water
The name says it all; clean water is considered “clean” and not likely to be the type that would pose an immediate threat to your health. This water contains no contaminants and is the result of:
Broken water lines
Malfunctioning appliances
Toilet holding tanks
Snow melt and rainwater
Clean water is the easiest type of water damage to work with because there are fewer microbes living in the water. But remember, it only takes 48 hours and contact with the surfaces of a building for clean water to become a category two, becoming gray water.
Gray Water
Damage from gray water makes water damage cleanup and restoration a bit more serious. This is water that may pose a health risk because it will most likely contain chemical or biological contamination. This slight contamination means that gray water would need to be thoroughly treated before it is safe for consumption.
Water that comes from dishwashers, aquariums, showers, etc. is considered gray water, and the 48-hour exposure time applies here as well, as it will become black water if it is not quickly and properly treated.
Black Water
A black water damage situation is considered the most serious of the three classifications as this water is highly contaminated by harmful chemicals and biological matter. This would include floodwaters containing soil and all sewage waters.
Sewage is contaminated with microbes, which include bacteria, protozoans, molds, fungi and more—many of these can be harmful to humans.
Some of the diseases that can be transmitted by black water are:
Cholera
Typhoid
Hepatitis
Gastroenteritis-type illnesses
Any water involved in a flooding situation should be considered dangerous and assumed to be black water since it will pick up contaminants along its path.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Remediation Certification (IICRC), an organization that certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industry, recognizes these three classifications of floodwater. Our highly trained technicians have all studied IICRC’s standards and best practices in water restoration and are available to help determine the steps to take to get your home back to normal.
It doesn’t matter what type of water has caused damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of Western Essex County is here to help get the situation under control and make it "Like it never even happened." Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need emergency cleanup and restoration services!
Avoiding Fire Hazards While Cooking | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
A quick response time with an alertful team will ensure that your restoration needs are professionally completed.
Even though the kitchen can be a wonderfully versatile place for family and friends to gather to enjoy a fresh-cooked meal or to spend quality time together, danger can lurk. Unfortunately, home fires can often begin in the kitchen.
Over $130 million in homeowners insurance claims that were related to grease and other cooking fires were paid out in 2017 by State Farm Insurance. According to the insurance company, these are the worst states for kitchen fires:
North Carolina
Texas
Pennsylvania
California
Ohio
Illinois
Maryland
New York
Alabama
Georgia
Staying Safe in the Kitchen
There are other safety tips to look into, as well as the well-known tip of remaining in the kitchen while cooking. Here are some other helpful tips to observe while cooking:
1. Be careful of your clothing. If you are wearing long, flowing sleeves or loose fitting clothing, it is best to change into a short or close-fitting sleeved shirt or make sure any loose shirts are tucked in or tied back away from the stove. Loose clothing could catch fire if you aren’t careful and get too close while cooking over the stove.
2. Be aware of what you are placing on or near the stovetop. Make sure there are no kitchen towels, oven mitts, appliance cords or even curtains too close to the stovetop when cooking. Ideally, it is best to move anything flammable away from the stove.
3. Place a fire extinguisher in or close to the kitchen. It is best to have at least one fire extinguisher located in your home and, ideally, one that is near your kitchen. Make sure you know how to properly use the extinguisher, just in case it is ever needed.
4. Wait before throwing hot grease in the garbage can. Even if the grease may not be on fire, it could still be hot enough to cause something in the trash to burn. Letting the grease cool a bit and then disposing of it in an old coffee can is safest. Also, know the smoke points of the oils you cook with. Be sure to never subject a low-smoke point oil to high heat when cooking, as it could catch fire.
5. Be sure there is a fire escape plan established. Thinking about the worst that can happen is not fun, but it’s better if you are over-prepared rather than unprepared if an emergency were to occur. Go over exit routes and designated meeting points with your family, making sure that everyone knows what to do.
Fire safety in the kitchen is an absolute necessity, as it can help prevent dangerous and destructive cooking fires. If your home has experienced damage from a cooking fire, know that SERVPRO of Western Essex County is here to make it “Like it never even happened.”
A Look at Common Causes of Water Damage in Your Home | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
If your home has experienced any water damage, our team is always available to help with cleanup and restoration.
Severe weather is usually one of the first things that comes to mind for many when thinking of water damage. It’s true that storms and flooding can cause catastrophic water damage, but they are often not the main culprits. Various items in your home can be the culprits responsible for many water damage situations.
Understanding Water Damage
Many homeowners will face water damage. Water damage was the third most common reason for homeowners insurance claims between 2011 and 2015, with an average payout per claim of $8,861.
Insurance claims are impacted by the type of water damage. Gradual damage, for example, is often not covered by insurance. Gradual damage is something that has been happening over time, such as plumbing issues in the walls causing damage to the walls, ceilings or floors, or water damage caused by cracks in the foundation. Unfortunately, many aspects of gradual water damage are not covered by homeowners insurance, while storm-related water damage usually is.
Common Water Damage Culprits
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), lists the leading causes of water damage as outlined below:
Plumbing drain system failures. These can occur when a sewer drain backs up and overflows into a home or from material performance issues. In their study, IBHS determined that 52% of drain system failures were caused by sewer backups and 37% were related to material performance issues. It was also discovered that the average costs incurred due to drain system failure were higher in southern states than in other areas of the country.
Plumbing supply system failures. Frozen pipes can burst due to water pressure buildup caused by freezing water or when the supply system material fails and results in a leaking or burst pipe. Per IBHS, plumbing supply system failures are the leading source of residential water losses, costing an average of $5,092 per claim after the deductible. Homes with ages of 16 to 40 years made up a larger group of supply system material failure claims.
Toilet failures. Toilets are the second highest cause of residential water damage loss after plumbing supply system failures and result from faulty fill valves to clogged drain lines. Surprisingly, according to IBHS, toilet failures on the first floor of a home resulted in more extensive claims than those in basements or upper floors.
Water heater failures. If your water heater has reached its life expectancy, expect that the tank will begin to rust and corrode, resulting in leaking or bursting issues. IBHS found that 69% of all water heater failures were a result of a slow leak or sudden burst and, on average, cost $4,444 per incident after the deductible has been paid.
Washing machine failures. Typically washing machine failures are caused by supply hose failures, machine overflows and drain line failures. Washing machines are one of the top 10 sources of residential water damage losses. Per IBHS, supply hose failures accounted for over half of all washing machine-related
Does Your Business Have a Natural Disaster Plan? | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
Knowing what to do when disaster strikes your business is of the utmost importance. When it comes to the cleanup & restoration aspects, depend on us.
Would your business be prepared to face all that Mother Nature can throw at it through floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and earthquakes? The most important key to surviving these natural disasters is to be prepared for these situations.
Being prepared for these situations involves creating a natural disaster plan for your business. This blog will lay out some aspects to consider when designing that very important disaster plan.
Where to Start With Your Disaster Plan
There are many things you will need to consider, including your employees, your material assets and equipment, when developing a disaster plan for your business.
Some of those considerations should be:
How to protect your employees
How to secure your assets
How to get business up and running again
Many checklists have been made available through sources like the Red Cross, FEMA and Ready.gov that can offer information that will help you identify areas that need to be included in your natural disaster preparedness plan. These sources will also help you see just how prepared you truly are.
Don’t Neglect Employee Safety
If a disaster should strike without warning, your plan must lay out clear and concise procedures and safety measures for the protection of your employees and visitors. Your evacuation routes and exits from your facility should all be properly and clearly marked, have an area designated that will serve as a shelter space, consider emergency light installation, and ask for volunteers to serve as designated “safety wardens” properly trained and ready to guide and assist with all emergency efforts.
When choosing a place for shelter, ideally this space would be a basement or storm cellar in the event of tornadoes or other high-wind situations. If there is no basement available, select a small interior room on the lowest level of the building, such as a closet or interior hallway.
How to Protect the Assets
In a brick and mortar location, you’ll still need to make careful decisions when it comes to protecting the assets inside the building. You have thousands of dollars tied up in equipment and/or merchandise that will be at risk should a natural disaster strike.
Be sure to have a complete and up-to-date inventory of all equipment and assets. Having photographs prior to a disaster whenever possible is also always helpful if insurance claims need to be made. If your assets are computer data-based and kept on a server, take the steps necessary to ensure that the backup system is making regular backups and that the storage system cannot be damaged, such as a cloud storage option.
If you own the building that you conduct your business in, get with a contractor to uncover areas that could be structurally strengthened. This contractor should be able to suggest possible safety upgrades and advise on any areas that may not make the grade in certain weather situations.
Getting Back to Business
When—and if—a natural disaster does occur, it may be entirely possible that your business will have to be closed for days or months due to the damage incurred. And every day you remain closed is another day of lost profits. It is wise to set up a disaster fund to help cover any additional costs that are not covered by your insurance.
Keep a list of contractors handy who will make themselves available for repairs, and know which cleanup and restoration service will be available to quickly respond to your emergency situation.
With SERVPRO® of Central Union County, you can count on us to get to the disaster faster and make it "Like it never even happened." Our training and expertise have prepared us to help with water damage, storm damage, fire damage and mold remediation quickly and effectively.
Business Owners Should Practice Flood Preparedness | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
A flood can happen when you least expect it. If your business experiences water damage, contact SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
t is not uncommon for home and business owners to underestimate their flood preparedness, especially if they are not in an area historically known for flooding. However, it was recently reported that natural disasters involve flooding in 90% of instances and affect areas that are not typically known for flooding quite often.
Planning is a smart idea for business owners not only to increase safety within the workplace, but it can also serve to allow businesses to reopen more quickly after the flood passes. By planning ahead, business owners can have the peace of mind to know that they are ready should a flood occur.
How to Practice Flood Preparedness
Some key ways business owners can practice flood preparedness are:
Make use of the Flood Map provided by FEMA to get an overview of flooding rates in your geographical location.
Copy business documents and keep them in a secure location such as a waterproof safe or safety deposit box.
Develop an official training guide for emergencies so employees can be educated and know what to do.
Designate evacuation routes and mark them clearly.
Consider adding flood insurance to your business policy, which does not typically include it.
Create a personal emergency kit for your desk and an office-wide one in case someone is stranded.
Find creative ways to raise electronics if necessary.
How to Prepare Documents for a Flood
As you begin the process of reopening the business after a disaster, having helpful documents will make the process much easier. Consider preparing and storing copies of the following:
The continuity plan for after floodwaters recede
Contact information for all employees, vendors, suppliers and any other parties that might need to be contacted right away
Your insurance policy records and agent contact information
Digital file backups and recovery instructions
Financial documentation that may come in handy
If your business has experienced a flood, we are always here to help. Call us 24⁄7 to get our team of professionals to your business quickly so you can get back on track.
Where Water Damage May Hide in a Home | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
We are available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Though water damage to a home is often associated with bad weather, there are many other ways water damage can sneak up on a homeowner. There are many causes of water damage, and many places for it to hide.
Because hidden water damage often takes a long time to be discovered, it can be a costly endeavor. For water damage insurance claims, the typical amount is over $6,500, and often insurance companies do not cover water damage at all. Being aware of where water damage may hide in a home is a great way to be on guard and prevent this costly disaster.
Where Water Damage May Hide in a Home
Beneath a window. The seal between the window and wall can often become compromised, allowing water to come between them and rot the wood over time.
Underneath siding. Where siding panels come together or at corners are especially vulnerable spots that water can enter.
Thresholds of exterior doors. Under the metal plate that serves as the door threshold, the wood can become swollen with water damage as it is gradually exposed.
Within painted windowsills. If there are many layers of paint on a windowsill, water can seep between them innocuously.
Beneath the dishwasher. The hoses of a dishwasher can get worn or leak, causing expensive damage to the subfloor underneath.
Under a tub. The pipes that carry water to a tub can become leaky or weak with time and can leak under the tub without notice.
Beneath a wobbly toilet. The seal at the base of the toilet can become weak and soak the wood underneath, which is often not noticeable until the toilet begins to wobble on the unsteady flooring.
If your home has suffered water damage (even in a hidden place like one of these), we are happy to help! Give us a call right away, and we’ll get there quickly.
The Right Restoration Company Makes a Difference | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
Having a team on your side after a disaster can help relieve stress. We are here to help when a fire strikes.
Winter has many positive associations, including increased time with family and exciting holidays. However, the Red Cross notes that winter has the highest volume of house fires as well, urging families to be prepared.
While planning ahead for house fires might seem dismal, it is a wise choice for homeowners. You should create a fire evacuation plan for your household, and also consider the restoration company you will work with to restore your home if it’s ever needed. Picking a company that can respond quickly and restores thoroughly is highly recommended.
Restoring Your Home and Belongings After a Fire
Fire damages are multifaceted—not only can they affect the structure of your home, but they can also damage your things and be detrimental to air quality. Finding a company that can handle all these aspects is vital to having the proper restoration completed. Here is how we restore after a fire:
Structural Cleaning
It is important that the structure of your home is prepared quickly and well following a house fire because these are the elements that support your home. We will start with tests to get an overview of the damage severity so we know what repairs should be completed. By using industry-grade equipment, we will then begin to remove soot and damage from surfaces.
Content Cleaning
Because we know how important your belongings are, we make sure our technicians are able to restore most items as well. Wood and upholstered furniture can be cleaned and deodorized thoroughly. Oftentimes, we are also able to restore paintings, photos and electronics as well by utilizing appropriate tools and methods to protect them.
Deodorization Services
The smoke smell after a fire can linger for ages, but that is not the only concern. Fires can leave soot particles behind that cause serious health concerns with exposure as well. That is why instead of trying to mask the scent, we use air scrubbers to fully purify and deodorize the air. Our technicians will work with you to develop the best deodorization method for your needs in order to provide your family with healthy air once more.
If you’ve been affected by a fire, reach out to us right away! We are here 24⁄7 to help you recover.
The Dangers of Lightning During Storms | SERVPRO of Western Essex County
Storm & lighting damage require specialized restoration techniques and equipment. When a storm hits your home, you need the company with experience.
There are many ways in which a thunderstorm can cause damage. Flooding or wind damage are what often come to mind, but it is also important to consider the risks associated with lightning when discussing thunderstorms.
While some storms bring rain and water, every storm is made up of electricity, creating the possibility for lightning even in the absence of precipitation. Lightning bolts can be up to 500,000 degrees, causing damage and even fatalities when they strike. An understanding of what lightning is and how it can be dangerous is extremely helpful in helping homeowners prevent these risks.
How Thunderstorms and Lightning Coexist
All thunderstorms contain the electricity that makes a lightning strike possible. What we know as a lightning strike is actually a rapid burst of electricity that occurs when this charge becomes agitated.
The atmosphere is not an ideal conductor, which is why lightning tends to strike objects—this creates a less resistant route in getting to the ground. When a home is the object that has been struck, lightning will usually forge this path through water pipes and wiring.
How Lightning Is Dangerous to Homes
While there are many dangers surrounding thunderstorms, there are [three main ones involved with lightning striking a house]:
The risk of fire. One of the biggest dangers of a lightning strike to a house is the fire hazard it causes. Lightning is hot enough to ignite building materials, causing a fire to break out at the point of impact. Additionally, lightning traveling through wires can cause them to fray, creating fire hazards all throughout the home.
The risk of power surges. Because of the electrical charge at play with lightning, it can easily transfer that to the wiring in the home. This is what we call a power surge, which can affect any electronic device plugged in that is not routed through a surge protector.
The risk of shock waves. Shock waves are typically manifested in thunder, but they can also occur at the site of a lightning strike. Shock waves have been known to crack chimneys, break windows and explode cinder blocks, making them extremely hazardous to a home’s structure.
If your home has been affected by storm damages or lightning-related fires, give us a call today! We are experts in damage cleanup and can restore your damage quickly.
Storm Damage: What are the Causes? SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
We are available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In the past few months, New Jersey has been experiencing a high level of heavy rainfall. Did you know heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding is one of the common types of damage from storms? There are ten common types of storms and being familiar with them aids in storm preparation and damage prevention.
SERVPRO® of Central Union County knows how important it is to homeowners to keep homes safe from storm damage.
The 5 most common storms are:
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Thunderstorms
Snow storm
Hail storms
Since Union County is so far north and so close to the coast, it’s very possible that you may experience each of these kinds of events.
The fact that hurricanes cause damage far past the coast is obvious, but the kinds of damage they cause and how is not always known.
Since hurricanes have long-term effects (Hurricane Sandy impacted 24 states), it’s very important to be educated on that type of storm in particular.
Hurricane damage is caused by three distinct but related storm elements: storm surge, floods, and wind.
Storm surge is when water rises far past the predicted tide level. This rise occurs because the wind from the hurricane pushes the water toward the shore, giving it nowhere to go, except up and in. The force of storm surge can be so strong as to destroy buildings and roads.
Storm surge is a direct cause of floods. The extra water from storm surge can reach far inland, causing widespread floods as it goes. Hurricanes can also cause rainfall as far as 100 miles past where the hurricane actually hits. Even tropical storms that don’t reach hurricane level can cause excess rainfall and thus floods.
Wind from hurricanes can reach speeds of 74 mph up to 155 mph. Winds of this speed cause widespread destruction by uprooting trees, downing power lines, and carrying debris and tossing it against other structures, even causing roofs to lift. It’s not unheard of for hurricane winds to form tornadoes.
Storm surge, floods, and winds can cause damage that is far-reaching, unexpected, and overwhelming. You can take precautions by packing an emergency preparedness kit, installing weather-resistant features to your house, and always following official safety orders or directives.
Storm damage clean up can be exhausting and dangerous. Don’t do it alone. Call SERVPRO® of Western Essex County for expert storm damage restoration services.
Fire Safety Basics to Help Protect Your Family | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
We are available for emergency restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Every year in the United States, more than 350,000 house fires happen, adding up to more than $5.5 billion in property damage. Beyond the financial loss, these fires also lead to nearly 3,000 deaths and another 10,000 injuries.
The best defense for your family against a fire is to prepare in advance. That’s why it’s important for every person to know how to prevent fires and how to respond if one occurs.
Start teaching your kids basic fire safety guidelines when they’re young. Let’s also take a look at three other fire safety practices you can practice as a family:
Watch Out for Fire Hazards
Go through your home. You might be surprised how many fire hazards you spot! Take some time and go through every room and your outdoor space to uncover any hazards.
Ensure your appliances are in good shape.
Check that electrical cords are in workable condition.
Do not overload outlets and/or extension cords.
Check to make sure you are using the correct wattage of lightbulbs.
Double-check that electrical wiring is not covered up by rugs or carpet.
Creating Your Fire Plan
In the event of a fire, every person in the family needs to know what to do—including how to get out of the house and where to go once they’re out.
But don’t just create a plan and not have practice drills. After all, as the saying goes, “practice makes perfect.” Regular practice of what to do makes you more likely to remember the steps if an actual fire occurs.
Practice Kitchen Fire Safety
Cooking is the biggest single cause of home fires. That’s why it’s important to be especially careful in the kitchen.
Anyone who’s cooking needs to familiarize themselves with basic cooking safety:
Never cook when tired or unable to pay attention.
Do not leave kids and teens alone when they cook.
Always keep a lid at hand when cooking on the stove in case of a grease fire. If a small grease fire occurs, use the lid to smother the fire.
If a fire occurs in the oven, turn it off and keep the door closed.
Leave the room and close the door if a kitchen fire occurs and begins to spread.
If your family has experienced a fire and needs help restoring your home, we can help! Give us a call to learn about our fire restoration services and what we can do for you.
How To Protect Your Home From A Fire When Your Electricity Comes Back On | SERVPRO Western Essex County
Having a team on your side after a disaster can help relieve stress. SERVPRO of Western Essex County is here to help 24/7.
Did you know that when your power comes back on, the initial surge can cause damages to your appliances or possibly a fire if they are still plugged in.
In the United States, it is reported that a home fire is put on record every 24 seconds according the NFPA. That works out to be nearly 8,600 house fires a day.
Though the vast majority of house fires are cooking related, surges, malfunctioning appliances and frayed wires or cords are also often to blame. Because fire can spread rapidly and can quickly consume an entire house, it is essential to be vigilant in prevention for the safety of your household (even during a disaster).
Prevention Tips When The Power Goes Out
Walk around an unplug bigger power users, television, computers, appliances, and turn off smaller ones like lamps and radios.
Turn off the main supply of power to the house or remove the fuses.
During summer months, turn the air conditioner off.
By following these tips, you can mitigate the risk of frying your electronics or overloading your house’s circuits.
When The Power Comes Back On
Once the power returns, wait a few minutes before turning on the main supply switch.To give the electrical system a chance to stabilize, turn on essential appliances first, then gradually turn on other electronics.
Restarting appliances all at once can almost double the amount of electricity that they use when running normally. When the main switches are re-energized, this demand can cause breakers to trip. It helps if you don't have all your appliances waiting to draw power the instant it is restored.
Fire and smoke damage can be devastating to your home, and in many circumstances, can be accompanied by water damage. If your home is damaged by fire or smoke, we are here to help restore your home to pre-fire condition. Contact us at 908.650.8611.
We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Why Business Owners Choose Us for Restoration | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For many business owners, sustaining damage to their business can damage more than just their property—it can also damage their entire venture. In a recent FEMA study, they determined 40 to 60% of businesses will not reopen following a natural disaster. That is why if your business has sustained fire, water or mold damage, either due to a disaster or any other cause, it is important to choose a company that is well-versed in commercial restoration.
We know how important your business is to your livelihood, which is why we make it our mission to be experts in commercial restoration. Having a team you trust on your side will help you focus on other crucial business aspects and help get your doors open again faster. These are just a few of the reasons why business owners have chosen us for commercial restoration:
1. We’re Proud of Our Response Time
You may be aware that our slogan is “faster to any size disaster,” but that’s more than just something we say. Our emergency line is open 24⁄7, 365 days a year to ensure our restoration experts are alerted right away when a business owner calls to report the damage.
A quick response time not only gives business owners peace of mind, but it also makes the restoration process more efficient. By getting to the scene quickly, our technicians can stop further damage from occurring, saving both time and money on the project. This makes for one less thing business owners have to worry about as they get their business on track to reopen.
2. We’re Proud of Our Technicians
Our technicians are leaders in the restoration field because of the education and training they receive. They study the guidelines set forth by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to learn about best practices, restoration techniques and other insider tips in the field.
Technicians also have the opportunity to further their education through certification programs, online courses and other industry knowledge throughout their employment. This allows them to be prepared for any damage scenario your business might face.
3. We’re Proud of Our Equipment
The materials and procedures we use on commercial restoration projects comply with the IICRC’s guidelines, ensuring we are tackling the job with the most advanced tools in the industry.
From water extraction machines following flooding or odor removal equipment to remove smoke after a fire, we’ve got the tools to make your commercial remediation a success.
If you’re in need of commercial restoration, do not hesitate to make the call so you can get your business back faster. Our trained experts are here to help 24/7—contact us today at 908.650.8611.
Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program
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, 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 Western Essex County.
* #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 Could Cause Fires in Your Business? | SERVPRO® of Western Essex County
Having a team on your side after a disaster can help relieve stress. SERVPRO of Western Essex County is here to help.
Business owners have many responsibilities, with one of them being safety factors to take into consideration regarding risks to your business, staff and visitors. One of those risks that needs some extra consideration is planning for and working toward preventing fires.
Leading Causes of Commercial Structure Fires
According to a report published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the leading causes of structure fires in office properties were (in order):
Cooking equipment, 29% of fires
Electrical distribution and lighting equipment, 12% of fires
Heating equipment, 11% of fires
Intentional, 10% of fires
Smoking materials, 9% of fires
Exposure, 4% of fires
Electronic, office or entertainment equipment, 3% of fires
Of those causes, intentional, exposure, and electrical distribution and lighting equipment accounted for the most property damage with 20%, 18% and 15% respectively..
First, you must assess the fire hazard risk. Fire marshals are often offered in some areas by the local government. During a visit, the fire marshal can offer advice and help identify your business’ risks, providing guidance on your fire prevention plan.
You’ll want to make sure you have chosen the right fire protection equipment. This should include an automatic sprinkler system, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor.
Finally, and more importantly, consider your employees and visitors. By creating a fire prevention and evacuation plan and reviewing it with your staff, you’ll be making sure everyone knows what to do in the case of a fire. Conduct regular fire drills at least annually to keep the fire safety protocol fresh, and take time to review evacuation plans and routes and also the location of first-aid kits.
We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
When there is water damage in a home or commercial property, mold growth will likely follow. Mold can begin to grow within 48 hours after moisture exposure.
If you are ever facing a mold issue, knowing what steps to take is very important, which is why we have chosen to use this blog to discuss the subject of mold remediation.
Mold Remediation, Not Removal
Mold remediation and mold removal ads are everywhere, and you’ve probably seen ads for these services, but the truth is there is no such thing as mold removal. Removing all mold from a home or business is simply impossible. Instead, a qualified restoration company focuses on mold remediation, which in turn brings mold levels back to a normal and natural level.
Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, both inside and outside. The issue arises only when a minor mold problem is left untreated and then turns into a major mold issue.
During mold remediation, the contaminated areas will be isolated by technicians. Depending on the amount of remediation required, this would be done by either closing all doors and windows or sealing off all doorways and openings with polyethylene sheeting. The technicians will use a method called “misting” to suppress the dust in the contaminated areas.
Materials that are wet and mold-damaged are removed and discarded in plastic bags. Any areas that have been exposed to and affected by the mold are then thoroughly cleaned and dried. A HEPA vacuum may be brought in at sometime during the remediation process to help remove contamination and debris.
Then, the mold-affected area is treated with a biocide and left overnight to start killing the mold spores. The following day, the mold remediation crew will return and encapsulate the affected area and beyond.
When to Contact a Professional
If you believe your home or business may have been affected by mold, you'll want to act quickly. Upon evaluation of the size of the problem, and if the moldy area is more than 10 square feet, you will want call in the professionals.
The professionals you hire for mold remediation should be highly trained and certified in areas such as:
Applied microbial remediation
Water damage restoration
Applied structural drying
While some minor mold issues can be successfully resolved by home and business owners on their own, it is always safest to talk to professionals and get the remediation process started quickly before further damage sets in.
Our mold damage specialists are trained and certified experts in mold remediation. If your home or business is experiencing a mold issue, contact us to begin the mold remediation process.
How Homeowners Can Protect Their Homes Against Flood Damage | SERVPRO® Western Essex County
We are available for cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Did you know that out of all natural disasters, 90% involve some form of flooding? While no one wants to think about the dangers a flood could pose, it is important that homeowners understand their risks.
Though your home may not have a history of flooding in the past, it is still essential to be aware of the risks a flood could pose should it occur.
How to Reduce Damage From a Flood
Here are some ways for flood damage to be prevented for your home:
Stay aware of the risks. Using the FEMA Flood Map Tool or contacting your local authorities in emergency management, you can understand what specific measures you should take to stay aware.
Elevate valuables. Irreplaceable paperwork and documents such as family memorabilia, tax returns and other important files would be better kept in a secondary location, such as a safety deposit box.
Turn off electricity. It may be unlikely that electrical appliances or outlets would be affected by water, but it is still dangerous to have these things be live anywhere near floodwaters. Shut off the electrical breaker to any rooms that are at-risk for a flood.
Anchor propane and fuel tanks. A dangerous spill or even a fire can result from fuel tanks tipping or propane tanks leaking. Remove fuel tanks from the property or anchor them securely.
Discuss emergency procedures. Ensure every member of the household is aware of what to do should the need to evacuate arise. Keep emergency supplies on-hand, and make sure all adults know where to shut off the home’s utilities.
Raise hazardous materials. Elevate things such as oil, paint and cleaning supplies to prevent dangerous spills into the floodwater.
Prepare appliances. In the case of a shallow flood, appliances such as washers and dryers can be elevated on bricks or stands to protect the internal workings from water damage.
A disaster, such as a flood, puts into perspective that the most important thing is keeping your family safe. By understanding precautionary measures and disaster action plans, homeowners can protect their family and their home from flood dangers.
If you’ve experienced water damage due to a flood or other causes, SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help. Our technicians are fully trained in water remediation, and our 24⁄7 Emergency Line means we’ll be there for you when you call.
One thing I love about New Jersey is that we get to experience all four seasons. With the weather warming up to the 90s, it’s only necessary to take impromptu trips to the beach and have endless barbeques. But with hot weather comes brutal showers.
Severe thunderstorms pummeled across New Jersey and the Northeast these last few days, causing flooding on major roads, widespread ongoing power outages, fallen trees and utility lines, damage to homes and even fatality. SERVPRO of Central Union County would like to stress the severity and the potential threat storms can cause.
To keep from putting yourself at risk, we encourage our community to please stay away from storm-damaged areas, downed power lines that can potentially have live wires, and to never drive through a flooded road. During storms, use a battery-operated radio to get updates from local officials. Stay away from windows and doors. Make an emergency supply kit. We recommend having water, non-perishable food, flashlights and extra batteries, clothing and hygiene items, important documents, and cash.
As Always, SERVPRO of Western Essex County are here to handle any water damages, no matter the home or business. Give us a call at 866-361-3400 to set up a free inspection with us. We are here to serve our community!
It's tough to find a reliable company with enough man power to address any commercial services you may need. Commercial cleaning and restoration present unique challenges. Our goal is to provide excellent results while minimizing the disruption to your clients. SERVPRO of Western Essex County are fully equipped to take on your commercial property no matter the size of the job.
Commercial Services:
Air Ducts / HVAC
General & Specialty Cleaning
Post Construction Cleaning
Punch List Services
Dry Ice Blasting
Power Washing
Biohazard & Sewage
Odor Removal / Deodorization
We offer our services to any time of commercial property:
Small/Large Office Buildings
High-Rise Office Buildings
Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotel/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
High-Rise Residential
Manufacturing & Industrial
Government/Military
For any additional information, please feel free to contact our office at 866-361-3400. Our Sales department will gladly assist you with the best services for your commercial property
Did you know your ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air
quality? Inspecting the duct work in your facility or home should be a high
priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time
without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold and irritating dust throughout your building or home.
A routine part of our service is inspecting the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life-span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may help save you money.
Duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO® of Western Essex County Professionals will inspect your HVAC system and duct work and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns.
In some circumstances, such as after a fire, smoke or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. In these cases, we can often restore the HVAC system and duct work to pre-damage condition. Unlike the majority of duct cleaning services, we use a portable ventilation and air duct cleaning system to examine duct work and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.
The process begins by using patented equipment, including a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the duct’s shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.
Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.
Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of the particles in the air-stream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the indoor environment clean.
As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.
Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.
To inquire on prices for HVAC/Air duct cleaning, give us a call at 866-361-3400
Mold can cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Western Essex County professionals have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem affecting your residential and commercial property.
Inspection and Damage Assessment
Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect hidden water sources that could lead to mold. Depending on the amount of mold found, we may refer the services of an environmental testing company for your protection.
Mold Containment
Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
Air Filtration
Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. SERVPRO of Western Essex County technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.
Restoration
Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, sub floors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
If you suspect a mold issue in your home or business, please give us a call at 866-361-3400, to schedule an inspection. We have highly trained professionals ready to take care of your property needs
SERVPRO of Western Essex County are devoted to keeping your family safe in case of an unexpected fire. Please review these tips to better prepare yourself for any future disasters:
DO:
-To prevent soot particles from being embedded into carpet, try to limit the movement around your home. This will avoid tracking. Also, keep your hands clean as you can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
-Empty your freezer and fridge. Keep doors open to prevent odor.
-Wipe soot from metal kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances.
-Pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, and tubs, to avoid freezing pipes in case heat is off during the winter.
-Change your old HVAC filter, and leave it off until a professional can check the system
-To prevent soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system, tape your air registers with double layers of cheesecloth
DON’T:
-Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces, or shampoo carpets/rugs without contacting SERVPRO of Central Union County
-Do not clean any electrical appliances as it may have been close to fire
-Ceiling fixture wiring may be wet and damaged, so avoid turning them on. It may cause electrical shock
Call SERVPRO of Western Essex County For your residential or commercial needs. 866-361-3400
SERVPRO of Western Essex County are here to help you understand what type of water you are dealing with to ensure proper cleanup when your home or business suffers a water damage.
We classify these waters in three ways. Clean water is water from a broken pipe, or other water source (such as rain). The term gray water is slightly contaminated water. Clean water becomes gray water when it is left untreated allowing bacteria and other contaminants to begin growing. Black water is highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals and more. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster. Black water should only be handled by trained professionals. Consider taking the following precautions to help minimize damage or prevent further damage while waiting for help to arrive.
Damage from Clean Water
We advise our customer to not enter any rooms with standing water. Electrical hazards may exist and should be avoided. Turn off your circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if access to the power distribution panel is safe from potential electrical shock.
Shut off water source if possible.
Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions to allow more even drying.
Do not use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water as there is potential for electrical shock or causing damage to the vacuum cleaner.
Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet; do not enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
Damage from Contaminated Water
Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage.
Do not walk through contaminated areas, as you could spread damage to unaffected areas.
Do not turn on the HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
Do not use household fans to dry the structure; air flow could spread contaminants.
Discard any food and/or products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.
When you have a water damage, don’t leave your property to chance. Call your SERVPRO of Western Essex County. 866-361-3400
SERVPRO of Western Essex County proudly service our community, bringing the best solutions for water damage in your residential home. Flooding can happen fast in many environments. The American Red Cross recommends having the following list of items packed and ready to go in the event of an evacuation due to flooding.
Stock up on water! - You should have 3 days’ worth (or more) of water, and about one gallon per person per day.
Keep a supply of nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food. You should have enough for 3 days (or more)
Keep a couple of flashlights in your possession
Battery-powered or çhand-crank radio
Extra batteries for your flashlights, tools, or radio
Have a First Aid kit
Medications – Here’s one that doesn’t get spoken of… Medication! (7-day supply) and medical items
Bring a Multi-purpose tool
Stock up on Sanitation/personal hygiene items for the family
Call SERVPRO of Western Essex County today for your residential or commercial needs. We are a 24-Hour emergency response service with highly trained restoration technicians. 866-361-3400
We’ve made it through winter and welcome spring with open arms! Now we can better enjoy the weather…but also buckle up for whatever Mother Nature may choose to send our way.
Mother Nature Can Be Tricky
With the arrival of spring comes longer days and more sunshine; however, the season also brings the threat of severe weather throughout the country. It’s dealer’s choice this time of year, which means the weather may change at moment’s notice.
Changing, unpredictable weather is caused by the unstable temperatures we get with spring, going from warm to cold even in the same day. That temperature change can result in extreme weather changes as well.
Thunderstorms are increasingly common throughout the spring and are the main cause of severe weather. A thunderstorm can occur whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, which is most common in the spring and summer.
When looking at losses caused by natural catastrophes in the U.S. for 2017, severe thunderstorms were the most common and produced some of the costliest results. Out of 50 events, there were 85 fatalities and an estimated total of $25.4 billion in overall losses.
The threat of floods, high winds and even tornadoes, given the right conditions, go along with these storms. It has been found that in modern history, 10% of all violent tornadoes have occurred in March, with April, May and June taking the top spots at 30%, 24% and 15% respectively.
Be Prepared
Weather is fickle, and we are not be able to predict the weather with 100% accuracy, but fortunately, forecasters have the tools available to at least give warnings that severe weather may be on the horizon. Advanced warnings, along with the right preparation, can greatly improve overall safety for your family.
Clear out your home’s gutters, drains and downspouts.
Trim trees of precarious limbs or branches that could break off in a storm.
Secure or store outdoor belongings if severe weather is in the forecast.
Having an emergency kit on hand is always advised. These kits should include the following:
Battery-operated flashlight and NOAA weather radio, with extra batteries for both
Emergency evacuation or shelter plans
Important personal info, like telephone numbers of neighbors, family and friends, insurance and property info, numbers for the utility companies, and medical info
A first-aid kit with things like non-latex gloves, adhesive bandages, tweezers, sterile gauze pads, aspirin packets, adhesive cloth tape and scissors
3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
Personal hygiene items
Blankets or sleeping bag
Despite its unpredictability, there is one thing that always remains true of the spring weather season: It always happens. If your home or business is damaged in a storm, you can depend on SERVPRO® of Western Essex County to get the cleanup and restoration process started fast.
Learning that you’ve been affected by a home fire is devastating. While it’s stressful regardless of the extent of the damages, the good news is that if you hire a professional, many of the damages can be mitigated through restoration.
Working with a professional has several benefits—they work with your homeowner’s insurance company on your behalf, and they will also be able to salvage more items in the cleanup. However, as you’re waiting for help to arrive, it’s natural to want to do what you can to get started.
While some things should always be left to the professionals, a few things are safe for most people to do while they wait. If you decide you’d like to start on fire restoration ASAP, here are three things you can safely do:
Laundry
Getting started on laundry right away is the best way to help the cleanup process. Most things will have to be washed several times, so washing any clothing, bedding or other machine-washable materials with an alkaline cleaner or vinegar solution is a great place to start. Delicate fabrics, upholstery and curtains should be left to professional care.
<h3ventilation">Increased Ventilation
If weather allows, opening windows and doors will help reduce the smoky smell—be sure to let them remain open as long as possible. While the restoration team will bring industrial-grade equipment to aid this process once they arrive, this is a small step you can take toward helping the process along.
<h3cleaning">Preliminary Cleaning
Non-porous surfaces such as tile and countertops can benefit from a scrub with soap and water to cut through the initial layers of grime. Using a mild dish soap or alkaline cleaner is safe, but let the professionals handle the usage of anything more heavy-duty. Cleaning improperly can result in more severe and possibly permanent damage to your surfaces, so anything you’re unsure about should be left to the pros.
Time become a precious commodity when disaster strikes your home or business. There is no benefit of waiting for help when it is your home or livelihood on the line, because you need help right away.
Nobody understands how important a fast response is like we do, which is why a fast response to any size disaster is more than just a slogan for us.
Why a Fast Response to Disasters Matters
When it’s your belongings or business on the line, time is not a luxury you have regarding disaster cleanup. This is especially true when water damage has come into play, which can be through various means such as flooding, appliance and/or plumbing failures, storm damage and fire damage, as water is used to put out the fires.
It only takes mere minutes for water to spread throughout your property, where it will saturate everything in its path. The walls, the floors, upholstery and your belongings are fast casualties of water.
The effects of water damage within the first 24 hours include:
Drywall beginning to swell and break down
Metal surfaces beginning to tarnish
Furniture beginning to swell and crack
Dyes and inks from cloth and paper items spreading and staining
The beginning of a musty odor
The damage continues to worsen as time goes on. Between 48 hours and a week later, you could begin to see:
The growth and spreading of mold and mildew
Swelling and warping of doors, windows and studs
Metal beginning to rust and corrode
Paint beginning to blister
Wood flooring swelling and warping
The possibilities of serious biohazard contamination
Water damage that is left unchecked for over a week can lead to a dramatically increased restoration time and costs and can also impact structural safety.
We’re Here to Help
We can provide an immediate response to any size disaster, which can help minimize the damage and help keep the cleaning and restoration costs manageable.
Our trained cleanup and restoration specialists can be dispatched to your property or business at any time, no matter what day or time it is.
Being a locally owned and operated franchise helps us be close by and ready to respond whenever the call comes in. A major perk of being part of a national network of over 1,700 franchises is that we have access to more resources for the cleanup and restoration projects that may be larger or stem from major storm situations.
Remember, if you need us, we’ll be there—no matter the time or day. The team of highly trained restoration experts at SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
When water damage occurs in a home or commercial property, mold growth will likely follow. It’s a proven fact that mold can begin to grow within 48 hours of exposure to moisture.
If you are faced with a mold issue, it is very important to know what you need to do, which is why we’re providing an overview of what mold remediation is in this blog.
Mold Remediation, Not Removal
There are ads out there for mold remediation and you’ve also seen those that promise mold removal, but mold removal is a fallacy. Removing all mold from a home or business simply cannot be done. Instead, a qualified restoration company will focus on mold remediation and the goal of bringing mold levels back into a normal and natural range.
It is a natural occurrence for mold spores to occur almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. They are not an issue until a minor problem is not treated and it then turns into a major infestation.
During a mold remediation process, technicians will isolate the contaminated areas and either close off all doors and windows or effectively sealing off all doorways and openings with a polyethylene sheeting. Dust in the contaminated areas is then suppressed through misting.
Wet and mold-damaged materials are removed and discarded using plastic bags, and then all areas exposed to and affected by the mold will be thoroughly cleaned and completely dried. A HEPA vacuum can be used during some remediation cases to help remove contamination and debris.
The mold-affected area is treated with a biocide and left to cure overnight allowing the biocide to kill the mold spores. The following day, the mold remediation crew will return and encapsulate the mold-affected and surrounding areas.
<h4to-call-the-professionals">When to Call the Professionals
So, if you believe your home or business may have a mold problem, it is important to act quickly. If you find that the mold-affected area is larger than 10 square feet upon evaluation, that is when you need to contact professionals to take care of the situation.
The professionals you contact need to be well-versed and highly trained and certified in areas like:
Applied microbial remediation
Water damage restoration
Applied structural drying
While some minor mold issues have been successfully resolved by home and business owners on their own, the surest and safest way to handle mold remediation to bring in the professionals for a quick resolution to the problem.
At SERVPRO® of Western Essex County, our mold damage specialists are trained and certified experts in mold remediation. If your home or business is experiencing a mold issue, contact us to begin the mold remediation process.
SERVPRO is There for You & Your Business | Disaster Plan
Have you ever stopped to think about how Mother Nature can prove to be quite a formidable foe, throwing everything from floods, hurricanes and tornadoes to wildfires and earthquakes at us? The key to being able to roll with the punches as a business, so to speak, is to be prepared for a multitude of worst-case scenarios.
Being prepared for those scenarios involves creating a natural disaster plan for your business. Some aspects to consider when designing that plan are laid out in this blog.
What to Consider in Your Disaster Plan
There are many things you will need to consider when creating a disaster plan for your business. Included in those considerations should be:
Protecting your employees
Securing your assets
Getting your business up and running again
Many checklists are available from different agencies like the Red Cross, FEMA and Ready.gov that will assist in identifying areas that need to be included in your natural disaster preparedness plan. These sources can also help let you know how prepared you truly are.
The Importance of Protecting Employees
Because disasters strike without warning, your primary concern must be having a plan in place that lays out procedures and safety measures for the protection of employees and visitors.
Evacuation routes and all exits from your facility need to be clearly marked. You need to provide a place where people can take shelter, look into installing emergency lights, and have a designated staff of “safety wardens” properly trained and ready to help with all emergency efforts.
A basement is the ideal location when looking for a space to provide shelter in tornadoes or high-wind situations. However, if this is not possible, find a small interior room, closet or interior hallway on the lowest level of the building.
How to Protect Assets
Brick and mortar locations don’t always mean your business is not at risk. You’ll need to make careful choices about protecting your assets on the inside. Thousands of dollars in equipment and/or merchandise are at risk when a natural disaster strikes.
Be sure to have a comprehensive and up-to-date inventory of these items, and yes, having photographs prior to a disaster whenever possible is always helpful if insurance claims will have to be made. If your assets are based on a computer server, take the steps necessary to ensure that the backup system is working and the storage system cannot be damaged.
As a building owner, take the time to work with a contractor and uncover any areas that could need structural integrity improvement. The contractor can also show you possible safety upgrades and advise on any areas that are not up to code for certain weather situations.
Starting Back in Business
When a natural disaster does occur, it is possible that your business will have to be closed due to damage, and every day you remain closed is another day of lost profits. It is a good idea to set aside an “emergency” fund to cover any additional costs incurred that are not covered by your insurance.
Have a list of contractors who would be available for construction concerns, and know which cleanup and restoration service will be available to quickly respond to your emergency situation.
With SERVPRO® of Western Essex County, you can count on us to get to the disaster faster and make it "Like it never even happened." Our training and expertise have prepared us to help with water damage, storm damage, fire damage and mold remediation quickly and effectively.
Knowing what to do when disaster strikes your business is of the utmost importance. When it comes to the cleanup and restoration aspects, depend on SERVPRO® of Western Essex County to be there for you.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County Cares About Your Family
Have you ever stopped to think about whether your family is prepared for severe weather that can take us by surprise? While we may have advanced warning for some types of severe weather, that is not always the case.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take and safety tips to follow that will ensure your family is prepared.
Severe Weather Planning for Your Family
Creating and establishing a family emergency plan is one of the best ways to be ready for the unexpected.
Kudos to you if your family does have an emergency plan in place, but be sure that it is practiced and reviewed on a regular basis.
If you’ve not yet completed this process, take some time to do so. Take a look at some things to take into consideration when putting together your family emergency plan:
1. Getting Emergency Alerts
Technology today is a marvel. Thanks to today’s smartphone technology, it is easy to receive emergency alerts and warnings on your smartphone equipped with a weather app or Google on your smartphone. This allows you to act quickly and efficiently when you receive emergency alerts, and you can then tune in to your local radio and television stations for further information.
2. Knowing Your Storm Shelters
In areas where tornadoes are common, you’ll want to take shelter in a basement if you have one. If there is no basement, find an interior room (away from building corners and outside walls) on the lowest level that is away from windows and doors. Be aware, however, that tornadoes aren’t the only weather circumstance that requires a form of storm shelter, and you can learn more about those situations by visiting ready.gov.
3. Having Evacuation Routes
Be sure you have multiple routes mapped out that can serve as an evacuation route as hurricanes, flooding and fires can force you from your home in a hurry. It’s wise to have multiple routes in case one becomes impassable. Make sure to make preparations for your furry family members and find places to stay with your pets that have evacuated with you.
4. Staying in Touch
It is easy to rely on cell phones to keep in touch with your family, but in some circumstances, that will not be a viable option. Cell phone towers can sustain severe damage, phones could be lost or left behind, and if there is no power, you will not be able to recharge their batteries.
You should complete an emergency communication plan for your family and decide on a place to safely meet in the event you are separated during the emergency.
If a storm does cause damage to your home or business, don’t hesitate to call your friends at SERVPRO® of Western Essex County to get the cleanup and restoration process started.
We Are The Experts & We Are Here To Help | Identifying Floodwaters
When you understand the differences in the types of water that are involved with water damage, you will be better able to deal with the cleanup. It is easy to think that all water causing damage is the same, but there are three separate classifications for it: clean water, gray water and black water.
Whatever the type of water that has caused the water damage, there will most assuredly be a cleanup and restoration process to follow. To begin the process, the most important thing to do is remove all of the moisture and damp items quickly, so that mold will not begin to flourish in its ideal environment.
Info on Clean Water
The name says it all—this water is free from contaminants and is considered “clean” and not the type to pose an immediate threat to your health. Sources of clean water are:
Broken water lines
Malfunctioning appliances
Toilet holding tanks
Snow melt and rainwater
This will be the easiest type of water damage to work with since there are fewer microbes living in the water, but after 48 hours and building surface contact, clean water can move up to category two, “gray” water.
Info on Gray Water
“Gray” water is where water damage cleanup and restoration can become a bit more complicated. It may pose a health risk due to chemical or biological contamination. That slight contamination in gray water means that it will have to be properly and thoroughly treated before safe consumption.
Gray water can come from dishwashers, aquariums, showers, etc. The 48-hour exposure time applies here as well, with gray water turning into black water if not treated.
Info on Black Water
Black water is the most serious of the three classifications and it is considered highly contaminated by harmful chemicals and biological matter. This makes cleanup risky and includes floodwaters containing soil and all sewage waters.
Sewage contains microbe contamination, including bacteria, protozoans, molds, fungi and more, which are hazardous to humans.
Some of the diseases that can be transmitted by black water are:
Cholera
Typhoid
Hepatitis
Gastroenteritis-type illnesses
You should remember that where floodwaters are concerned, it should be assumed that all water involved is black water since it will be picking up contaminants along the path it travels.
All floodwater classifications are recognized by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Remediation Certification (IICRC), which is an organization that certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Our technicians all study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration and are available to help determine the steps to take to get your home back to normal.
It doesn’t matter what type of water has caused damage to your home or business, SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is here to help get the situation under control and make it "Like it never even happened." Don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you need emergency cleanup and restoration services!
As a business owner, you have plenty of safety factors to consider regarding risks to your business, staff and visitors. One area you need to spend a little extra time planning for is fire prevention.
<h4common-causes-of-commercial-structure-fires">Most Common Causes of Commercial Structure Fires
Electrical distribution and lighting equipment, 12% of fires
Heating equipment, 11% of fires
Intentional, 10% of fires
Smoking materials, 9% of fires
Exposure, 4% of fires
Electronic, office or entertainment equipment, 3% of fires
Of those causes, intentional was 20% responsible, exposure was 18% responsible, and electrical distribution and lighting equipment was 15% responsible for the most property damage.
More recently, the NFPA estimates that from 2007–2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 3,340 fires in office properties per year. Those fires resulted in an annual average of four deaths, 44 injuries and $112 million in direct property damage.
<h4to-protect-your-business">Ways to Protect Your Business
Let’s take a look at a few of the many steps you can take to protect your business from the risk of fires. When placing an emphasis on fire risk assessment, fire prevention and staff education, you will help reduce the chance of a fire breaking out in your facility.
First, assess your risk for fire hazards. You may be able to access the expertise of a fire marshal provided by the local government in some areas who can work with you to help identify these risks and provide guidance on your fire prevention plan.
You’ll want to make sure that the right fire protection equipment is in place. This should include an automatic sprinkler system, smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor.
Finally, consider the human aspect, the employees. By creating a fire plan and reviewing it with your staff, you’ll be making sure everyone is aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a fire. Conduct fire drills at least once a year to keep the fire safety protocol fresh, and take time to review evacuation plans and where the first-aid kits are.
Despite best efforts with fire prevention and safety tips, the worst could always happen at your business. If a fire has damaged your business, SERVPRO® of Western Essex County is available to help make it "Like it never even happened."
Trust SERVPRO to Protect Your Home From Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most common and costliest disasters you may experience as a homeowner. There are countless ways water damage could strike your home, from a bursting pipe to malfunctioning appliances or even storm damage.
Since water damage is an especially common issue for homeowners to deal with, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can protect your home.
<h4your-home">Protecting Your Home
Not only is water damage a hassle to deal with, but if the cleanup afterward is not done properly, it can have a long-term impact on your home. Mold begins to grow in as little as 24–48 hours after moisture exposure and is one of the most common side effects of water damage.
As you start to think about ways to protect your home, it is helpful if you break it down by areas of impact—for example, basements, kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and ceilings.
Water seepage is a concern in basements, and you can help prevent water damage by locating vulnerable areas for water seepage and resealing those areas of the basement. You should also make sure water drains away from your home and install a backwater valve.
The kitchen and bathrooms often experience water damage as a result of plumbing system breakdowns, backups and appliance failures.
Be sure you:
Inspect all appliances regularly, looking for issues with hoses and faucets
Check all of the seals and caulking around your showers and tubs to make sure there is no leakage
Know the location of the main water shut-off valve is in your home
Don’t leave the house while the washer or dishwasher is running
Protecting the possessions in your home from water damage is not always possible, but there are ways you can at least decrease the amount of loss. By using waterproof bins to store items and storing things up off the floor, especially in the basement, you may be able to safeguard some of your possessions.
<h4from-water-damage">Recovering From Water Damage
Rain water, condensation or leaky pipes, which is “clean” water
Slightly dirty water from dishwashers, washing machines, clean toilets, etc., which is “gray” water
Water from sewage or serious flooding from nearby rivers, etc., which can cause serious health problems is “black” water
Following a water damage disaster, as soon as it is safe, remove all wet objects, get your home dehumidified and dried out, and then disinfect any remaining materials.
Pro tip: You can freeze wet books, photos and papers in a frost-free freezer to buy some extra time. This prevents mold and mildew from developing and causing more deterioration. Once able, you can remove them from the freezer and air-dry or fan-dry the pages.
It may seem like recovering from water damage is an overwhelming and slightly impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be. You can call on the highly trained experts at SERVPRO® of Western Essex County, who are here to make it "Like it never even happened."
Unfortunately, the likelihood of floods is increasing across the U.S., even in areas that aren’t usually prone to excess water. But the fact remains that if rain is possible, so are floods.
A flood officially occurs when two or more acres, or two or more properties, have been partially or completely inundated with water.
But if you are facing a flood, the last thing you’ll be worried about is the official definition. You’ll be worried about your safety and the safety of your property.
This blog contains helpful flood preparation tips - not to worry, none of them suggest building an ark.
Don’t forget: water is a conduit for electricity, and after a flood you’ll be facing a lot of excess water. When you know that flooding is imminent, move all your appliances and electrical devices to safer ground.
###2. Risk Level Before flooding is expected, you should become familiar with your property’s risk for floods. Local government and FEMA are good resources for this. A familiarity with flood zones, risk, and causes is the first step of preparation. For Westfield, NJ, and the surrounding areas, start here.
Another smart risk-management tool is a weather radio. Purchase a weather radio and learn how to use it, including what the different emergency notifications mean.
###3. Emergency Prep It’s important to have an emergency preparedness kit that can handle any emergency. But you should also have supplies tailor to specific severe weather events. Because floodwater contains contaminants, be sure to pack plenty of clean and fresh water. Choose a waterpoof case for your kit and all it contains, like important documents. For a more detailed list on what should be in your emergency kit, read this.
###4. Evacuation Plan Your evacuation plan should include two things. One: become familiar with the local and federal government plans for evacuation. Second: create a personal evacuation plan and involve all members of the family. The plan should be practiced until everyone has it memorized. Be sure to include an emergency communication plan as part of the overall evacuation plan.
Many floods are caused by severe storms and excess rain. Remember that significant storm damage may be caused and may not be noticeable until after flood waters recede.
In the past few months, New Jersey has been experiencing a high level of heavy rainfall. Did you know heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding is one of the common types of damage from storms? There are ten common types of storms and being familiar with them aids in storm preparation and damage prevention.
SERVPRO® of Western Essex County knows how important it is to homeowners to keep homes safe from storm damage.
The 5 most common storms are:
Hurricanes
Tornadoes
Thunderstorms
Snow storm
Hail storms
Since Western Essex County is so far north and so close to the coast, it’s very possible that you may experience each of these kinds of events.
The fact is that hurricanes cause damage far past the coast. That storms cause damage is obvious, but the kinds of damage they cause and how is not always known.
Since hurricanes have long-term effects (Hurricane Sandy impacted 24 states), it’s very important to be educated on that type of storm in particular.
Hurricane damage is caused by three distinct but related storm elements: storm surge, floods, and wind.
Storm surge is when water rises far past the predicted tide level. This rise occurs because the wind from the hurricane pushes the water toward the shore, giving it nowhere to go, except up and in. The force of storm surge can be so strong as to destroy buildings and roads.
Storm surge is a direct cause of floods. The extra water from storm surge can reach far inland, causing widespread floods as it goes. Hurricanes can also cause rainfall as far as 100 miles past where the hurricane actually hits. Even tropical storms that don’t reach hurricane level can cause excess rainfall and thus floods.
Wind from hurricanes can reach speeds of 74 mph up to 155 mph. Winds of this speed cause widespread destruction by uprooting trees, downing power lines, and carrying debris and tossing it against other structures, even causing roofs to lift. It’s not unheard of for hurricane winds to form tornadoes.
Storm surge, floods, and winds can cause damage that is far-reaching, unexpected, and overwhelming. You can take precautions by packing an emergency preparedness kit, installing weather-resistant features to your house, and always following official safety orders or directives.
Storm damage clean up can be exhausting and dangerous. Don’t do it alone. Call SERVPRO® of Western Essex County for expert storm damage restoration services.
Pets are just as important as any family member to most people, so why would you not make them a part of your preparedness planning? There are several things you can do to make sure they stay safe as well during an emergency. Pet Emergency Kit Ready.gov/animals lists the below items as essential to building your Pet Emergency Kit.
Food: At least a three-day supply in an airtight, waterproof container.
Water: At least three days of water specifically for your pets.
Medicines and medical records.
Important documents: Registration information, adoption papers and vaccination documents. Talk to your veterinarian about microchipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database.
First aid kit: Cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors; antibiotic ointment; flea and tick prevention; latex gloves, isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Including a pet first aid reference book is a good idea too.
7.Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash.
8.Crate or pet carrier: Have a sturdy, safe crate or carrier in case you need to evacuate. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down.
Sanitation: Pet litter and litter box if appropriate, newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach.
A picture of you and your pet together: If you become separated, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you. Add species, breed, age, sex, color and distinguishing characteristics. Familiar items. Familiar items, such as treats, toys and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet.
Evacuations While practicing fire escape or evacuation plans, be sure to include pets. If an evacuation happens, don’t leave pets behind as they can be lost or injured.
Identification Microchipping pets is a great way to locate them. Most veterinary clinics and shelters have scanners that will read the microchip information to help find a pet’s owners. Be sure to take four-legged friends into consideration when planning for emergencies. Visit ready.gov/ animals for further tips and safety precautions to think about for you or your insured’s families’ pets, or your tenants pets’ during a disaster.
Experienced homeowners know that mold comes with the territory. Often, a little elbow grease will do the trick to get rid of it, but not always. It’s important to be educated about mold to know when it’s time to ask for professional help.
Below you’ll find three mold facts to help determine when to call for professional mold remediation services.
Airborne
Did you know that mold is airborne? Mold spores spread through the air - which means it can spread quickly and far.
Because mold spores are airborne, they can also cause health side effects like allergies and respiratory issues, and even skin irritation. If you’ve noticed these adverse reactions, it may be time to call in an expert.
Drywall
Mold can grow in the walls of your home - especially untreated drywall that is porous. To get rid of mold in the walls, often the infected section of the wall has to be removed.
If a mold colony has grown larger than 10 sq. feet in the wall, it’s time to ask an expert for help.
Water
All mold needs to grow is water or humidity. That makes the bathroom or even the basement the most common locations for mold. Because mold is common in these places, you may think you can handle it on your own. But if the infestation continues to reoccur, the problem might be worse than you think.
If you have a mold problem that just won’t go away, call SERVPRO® of Western Essex County today. SERVPRO of Western Essex County will make it like it never happened.
Water damage is difficult for home and business owners—due not only to the damage it can cause but also because of the unique health hazards and risks it can present.
If your home has been affected by water damage and you’re concerned about mold growth, there are steps you can take to help stop mold from taking hold:
Before You Get Started
Never re-enter your building before officials have deemed it safe and are positive all water has receded.
Take photos and videos of damage throughout—making sure to include damage done to furniture and walls—for insurance claim purposes.
Drying Should Begin Right Away
Begin vacuuming with a heavy-duty, outdoor vacuum before the cleanup crew arrives.
Weather permitting, open windows and doors to maximize airflow for as long as possible.
Make use of fans, dehumidifiers and heaters to speed up drying time.
Items Exposed to Water Should Be Sorted
Porous materials exposed to water damage, such as wood, upholstery and paper of any kind, can trap mold and should be discarded.
Non-porous materials—such as metal, plastic and glass—can often be cleaned, disinfected and reused.
It is important to note that drying carpet will not necessarily remove mold spores if they’ve already begun to grow.
Mold is incorrectly associated with discolorations and foul odors when the reality is that mold can often lurk unnoticed long before it is seen. While replacing the carpet pad is less costly than a full re-carpeting of the home, only a professional can determine if this is adequate enough to prevent mold from spreading.
If you’re worried about cleanup associated with mold growth and water damage, SERVPRO® of Western Essex County can help you restore your home and remediate any mold issues you may have.
Ways You Can Prevent Mold Growth After Water Damage
Most homeowners and renters are familiar with the common household annoyance that is mold. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean that common solutions will always work to fix it. Sometimes, mold requires more than a simple cleaning and you need to hire professional remediation services.
But when is that time? This blog is meant to offer information about mold that will help you decide if and when you need call an expert.
Is the mold a common occurrence?
Places in your home, like the bathroom, that are often damp and humid are the most likely places for mold to grow. But that could also mean the attic or basement are prime spots for mold as well. If mold keeps recurring in these places, even after several scrubs, your problem may be bigger than you think.
Is the mold in a hard to reach place?
You might not know it, but mold likes to grow in or behind the walls too. Because it tends to be hidden in these places, it’s sometimes too late once you find mold in the wall. Often, the mold-infested section has to be removed.
Is the mold causing health problems?
Mold allergies are just as common as mold. Less common, but more serious, are the other respiratory issues that mold can cause. Mold can also cause skin irritation. Mold spores travel through the air, so mold-related health problems are usually indicative of a larger problem.
If your answer to any of these question is yes, it’s time for you to hire a pro to get rid of the mold in your home. Call SERVPRO® of Western Essex County today to get life back on track.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.
IICRC Certified Firms must • Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC Develops the Standards for The Restoration Industry The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.
Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.
About SERVPRO of Western Essex County SERVPRO of Western Essex County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
Preparation is a vital component for making it through a disaster, whether it's a small water leak, a large fire or an area flood. The best time to plan for these events is well before they happen. No one ever plans a disaster, but you can plan for it. Now is the time to ask yourself and fellow employees, "Are you Ready for whatever happens?"
SERVPRO of Western Essex County offers the Emergency Ready Profile as a startup approach that provides the important information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services. It was created to help as a quick reference guide of the buildings most important information.
The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile Advantage:
A NO COST assessment of your facility
This means you do not need to appropriate any funds, giving you a great value at no cost.
A Compact Profile Document that contains only the important information needed in the event of an emergency.
It will only take a short time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. Most importantly it will save you a lot of time if ever needed
A guide to help you get back into your building after a disaster.
This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action
Establishes SERVPRO of Western Essex County as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader close by.
Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
This saves time, so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.
Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.
Having quick reference guide provides solutions in the advance of a disaster, so that during a disaster you are "Ready for whatever happens."
SERVPRO of Western Essex County specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained, and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
Faster Response
Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.
Resources to Handle Floods and Storms
When storms hit Western Essex County, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.
Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today at (973) 994-1640
Fire damage to your home can be a traumatic experience for any homeowner. Apart from the damage due to heat, fire can cause significant damage to your property and belongings due to smoke and soot. The smoke particles can coat walls, ceilings, and almost any surface and cause permanent damage if not cleaned quickly and efficiently.
The particles in the smoke contain unburned carbon that can be very difficult to remove after a fire to your Western Essex home. Not all soot particles are alike, and it takes a multi-step process to eliminate them. It is a job for the professionals who have years of training and expertise in fire damage restoration.
We’re Fire and Water Damage Specialists
As fire and water restoration specialists, we have the training, experience and specialized equipment necessary to restore your home or business. We are committed to providing superior service while restoring your property back to pre-fire condition.
Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
Odor Control Technician
Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
Water Damage Restoration Technician
Call SERVPRO of Western Essex County (973) 994-1640
When storm damage hits Western Essex County homes and businesses, it's important to know what to do until SERVPRO crews get on site.
Call SERVPRO of Western Essex County at (973) 994-1640 immediately upon discovering damage.
Shut off the source of water (ie: replace sump pump) or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. Use a shop vac or carpet cleaning machine to suck water from carpets. Do Not use a household vacuum cleaner.
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
Remove electronics, documents, sensitive or valuable items to a dry place.
Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting and window curtains off damp floors.
Pull carpet back from the walls to limit water wicking into the drywall.
Don't forget that when storm damage strikes, SERVPRO of Western Essex County is here to help.
If your home has a smoke/soot issue, call SERVPRO of Western Essex County today at 973-994-1640. Don't attempt to clean anything as it could make it an irreversible event.
After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first:
Is it safe to stay in the house?
Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County has seen countless water heaters cause damage inside homes. A water heater’s useful life varies, depending on the type of water heater, the quality of the unit, and how well it’s been maintained. As long as it’s still heating water sufficiently, without leaks or strange noises, you might still get a few more years of service from it.
A traditional tank-type water has a life span of around 8 to 12 years. An anode rod protects the interior lining by attracting all corrosive particles through a process called electrolysis. When the rod is no longer capable of doing its job. Those particles settle at the bottom of the water tank. This eventually destroys the lining.
A tankless water heater (also called “on-demand” water heaters) can last you up to 20 years, sometimes even more. These water heaters do not continuously work to maintain a supply of hot water, which makes it last longer. Eventually, tankless water heaters will also suffer from corrosion and require replacement.
Make sure to watch for warning signs once your water heater hits it’s second half of life. Some warning signs can be a banging or rumbling noise, tinted hot water, a drop of temperature water, or water pooling around the base of the heater tank can also suggest bad news.
Close foundation cracks with mortar and masonry caulk or hydraulic cement, which expands and fills gaps completely and costs only a few dollars. Don’t patch solely with mortar or cement, which may crack again. If water is a recurring problem, be sure to investigate other solutions for issues like wet basements.
Invest in a battery-powered sump pump. Sump pumps let you pump water out of your home and can be an excellent defense against flooding — unless they’re powered by electricity and the power is out. Battery-powered sump pumps are a relatively inexpensive ($150-$400) solution.
Move expensive items to a safer location. If you have a second floor or an attic, moving furniture, photographs, and artwork to a higher level will protect your possessions in all but the most severe floods. Elevate furnaces and water pumps when they’re installed, if possible, to a height of 12 inches above the highest known flood level for your area, suggests FEMA.
Anchor your fuel tanks. Unanchored tanks can float, rupture, and release fuel. Once the power sources of system units like furnaces and water heaters are disabled and the units cooled, you can also wrap them in waterproof tarps to mitigate water damage.
Install sewer or septic line check valves. They allow waste to flow only one way. Plan to spend $100 or more per valve to have a pro install them or do it yourself for $10-$15 each to ensure sewage can’t back up into the standing water in your home. Install at a point in the pipe that’s easy to access for repair.
Always practice fire drills- Fire drills shouldn’t stop at your job or at school. They are important for families too. Have an escape plan and review emergency exists in your home. Your family should practice crawling low on hands and knees through the emergency exists.
Make sure street numbers are visible – Fire fighters and first responders need to find where you live quickly. House numbers should be at least four inches tall, visible from the street. Remember that fire fighters sit higher in their vehicles than drivers of regular automobiles.
Inspect your extension cords- Extension cords can take a good beating overtime, and damaged ones pose a fire hazard. Make sure to inspect your extension cords and discard and that get hot with use. If their cord or outlet strip looks damaged, throw it away immediately.
Prevent false alarms- False alarms can cost fire fighters valuable time and money. Make sure your fire alarm system is installed by a licensed professional. It is important to test your fire alarm system monthly, and keep it clean of dust and debris.
Use proper fuel for your fireplace- Never burn trash or paper in the fireplace. Tiny particles of ignited paper can float up your chimney then onto the roof and into the yard, posing a severe fire risk.
Get the right extinguisher and learn how to use it- Fire fighters recommend a 2-1/2 pound class ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher for your home. This model can be used to put out many types of fire, including those involving wood, paper, plastics, liquids, electric appliances, or outlets. Review the operating instructions for each fire extinguisher you have. Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze and hold down the handle, and sweep from side to side and front to back.
One important fact that homeowners need to know about fire extinguishers is that they do in fact expire. Fire extinguishers last between 5 and 15 years but they all ultimately expire and become ineffective, no matter what fire-fighting substance they contain. Household fire extinguishers are typically filled with dry chemicals (carbon dioxide or halon) and can lose their charge over time. Extinguishers with compressed gas can leak contents slowly as their seals weaken, while those with ammonium phosphate will solidify over the years, becoming unusable.
Some units can be professionally recharged. Check the expiration of the original charge, read on to get a handle on the age and effectiveness of your fire extinguisher. Locate the paper tag on the fire extinguisher. It may not imply an expiration date, but if the oldest date on that was more than 10 years ago, it may already have lost its ability to fight flames.
Additionally, homeowners should inspect the pressure gauge at the top. If the needle is within the green area, it should still work fine. A needle in the red or white area indicates that it requires service. Older models usually have no gauge, which means it would be wise to take it to a professional for testing and, if necessary (and possible), recharging. A professional recharge typically runs between $15 and $20, a bargain compared to a new extinguisher, which will likely cost $100 to $200.
Store a fire extinguisher in a clean, indoor location can help extend its life. Exposure to sun, UV radiation, wind, or rain can cause corrosion, rust, and deterioration. Excessively dusty or dirty environments can hamper the device’s ability to function properly. If the canister is dented or bruised, or if the tamper seal and pin are missing, there’s a possibility that it might explode unprompted. Examine the entire unit and if it’s not in good shape, properly dispose of it without delay.
What To Expect When You Are Expecting A Contractor
Looking for a commercial or residential construction company can be exhausting. You want to ensure that whoever you hire is the best company for the job at hand.
Know What You Want
As the client, you are the one driving the process. Before speaking with Contractors, spend time thinking about your goals for the project -- what it might look like, the amenities you want, and so on. If you don't know how to translate your goals into specific features or products, hire a design-build firm that can offer that service too.
Why Contractor Quotes Vary Drastically
Contractors cannot offer a correct fixed price because there are too many unknowns about the job, so try to eliminate as many of the unknowns as possible. For example, have them open up a wall to examine the skeleton of your house where the add-ons would happen.
Request to define the project specs to include only what he expects to do with the mutual understanding that if additional work is needed, you will get a change order — a written mini-bid for new work after the project has been started. This is common in the construction industry and it is the reason quotes vary by thousands of dollars. The cheapest quote also means they are not being conscientious of the realities that may come later to blow your budget when you were not prepared for unexpected expense(s).
Costs for all of the various elements of the job should include:
Demolition and hauling trash
Framing
Plumbing
Electrical work
HVAC
Tiling and floor covering installations
Lighting fixtures
Drywall and painting
Finish carpentry
Clean up
Contractors will often give you a fixed bid, but some work may be on a "cost plus" basis, charging you for materials, time/labor, and an administrative or overhead fee for their time managing those aspect of your project. “Cost plus” is sometimes a legitimate alternative, but it should have a cap or some provision to contain cost overruns that exceed your max budget.
Reputation Has More Value Than Price Reputable and therefore trustworthy Contractors in trade locally for five or ten years will have an established network of subcontractors and suppliers in the area and a local reputation to uphold. That makes them a safer choice.
Ask for a business card with a real street address, not just a post office box, and get references from one or two early projects and some current customers. This will help you verify consistency and honor.
You should also vet their background by verifying their credentials and insist on a detailed contract before making a hiring decision.
Personality Is Prettier Than Price
You’re going to be spending a lot of time with this contractor, so when you make your decision, think about whether you feel comfortable with their personality, background, methods, and communication skills. Is everyone clear about the project at hand and on the same page? If not, you could end up disappointed, frustrated, and possibly out several thousand dollars beyond what you budgeted for.
Set Job Site Boundaries
Let the company know you expect routine precautions. Also, establish some ground rules about parking, bathroom use, smoking, and other issues that might concern you.
Have A Resolution Strategy
Any contractor you hire will become part of your life for at least the duration of the project. Make sure you pick someone with whom you can communicate, and trust your gut if first impressions leave you feeling uneasy. Reputable professionals will insist on clear written agreements in order to protect both parties.
During initial meetings, ask how unexpected issues or differences might be handled. This can include change orders (these should always be in writing, with cost issues directly noted) or more serious disputes, such as unintended damage or a failure to meet legal or reasonable standards.
We are in the middle of summer, and that means there are many projects around the home demanding your attention. One thing that often goes overlooked is your gutters.
Gutter cleaning is an integral part of maintaining your home during this summer. At SERVPRO of Western Essex County, we know gutter cleaning is probably at the bottom of your list of things you want to think about.
The problem is, many homeowners wait to get their gutters cleaned until they notice a problem, or so much debris has collected the gutter is tearing from the roof. Unfortunately, this is like waiting to lower your cholesterol until you have a heart attack.
Clogged gutters can wreak havoc with the natural drainage of water away from your home. This can result in damage to fascia, soffit, roofing, or even begin leaking into your home. Additionally, water damage can ruin the very foundation of your home – something you NEVER want to happen.
Looking for Cleaning your home in New Jersey? Contact SERVPRO of Western Essex County for cleaning all your home including the gutters.
Why Choose a NADCA Certified Company for Your Commercial Property
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is a proud certified NADCA member. As a NADCA certified company, we assure that your commercial property is treated with proper and safe techniques required during HVAC inspection, cleaning and restoration procedures. We maintain this certification with Continuing Education Credits each year. The certified members in our company have significant knowledge of the tools and equipment that are necessary for each job. Please be advised that sadly there are air duct cleaning companies that illegally use the NADCA logo or claim to be NADCA members when they are not. To ensure that the company you hire is indeed a NADCA member, look the company up in NADCA's Find a Professional Directory or contact NADCA Headquarters to verify membership. NADCA provides certificates to each of its members which list the company’s name and when their membership expires. Let SERVPRO of Western Essex County be your first choice for your business!
When it comes to your commercial property, we mean business. You need a company that can minimize the disruption to your clients while delivering superior results. Whether you need professional cleaning to make your business shine, or emergency water restoration services, SERVPRO of Western Essex County has the training and expertise to help make it “Like it never even happened.”
Small Office Buildings
Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
Apartment Buildings
Restaurants
Hotel/Motels
Small Retail Stores
Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
High-Rise Residential
Manufacturing & Industrial
Government/Military
Commercial Building Cleaning Services
Whether your need is removing an odor problem or deep-cleaning flooring or carpets, you can depend on SERVPRO of Western Essex County to get the job done right the first time. We’ll respond promptly and make your work space look its very best. Learn more about our commercial cleaning services.
Commercial Building Restoration Services
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is available 24 hours a day to restore your property and get you back to business. We have the expertise, equipment, and highly trained personnel to handle your commercial water, fire, or mold damage. We can also access the resources of our national network of 1,700 Franchises to handle large commercial projects and major storm events. Learn more about our commercial restoration services.
The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to home insulation. All homes are created differently. There are a few factors to consider when choosing the right insulation for your home including climate, installation, cost, and product performance. It is also important to consider a product’s thermal performance rating. This is known as the R-value.
Fiberglass- This is by the far the most commonly used insulation. It usually comes in rolls pre-sized to fit between standard joists and studs. Fiberglass has been the go-to choice for new construction for both DIY homeowners and professionals. Not to mentioned it is relatively affordable.
Mineral Wool- This is a definite DIY installation as this tends to hold shape well. It is composed of recycled materials and has fire-retardant properties. Mineral wool is also known as rock wool or slag wool.
Loose Fill- For filling nooks and crannies in your attics, your best bet may be to use a loose-fill insulation. This is composed of fiberglass or cellulose. This product is blown into place with a special machine and does a great job of filling gaps. On the down side, there have been some reports that it can compress overtime, losing effectiveness. Also, keep in mind that for some attics or roof structures, cellulose may be too heavy.
Spray Foam- This formula offers a high R-value and can fit in just about any tight space when it dries hard, providing a cozy home. This option of insulation is a bit more expensive than other types and does require the help of professionals, but it can cut down on other weatherizing tasks, such as caulking.
Rigid Foam- These rigid foam panels are commonly made of polystyrene, polyisocyanurate, or polyurethane. It helps slow heat transfer through structural elements like studs. It is more expensive than batt and blanket insulation, and hard to fit into awkward corners.
Structural Insulated Panels(SIPs)- These panels are airtight structural elements that help with noise reduction and can provide energy savings up to 14%. They can be installed in walls, ceilings and floors. They are on the pricier side and are used mostly for new construction.
Radiant Barriers and Reflective Systems- This type of insulation system has highly reflective materials which helps reflect heat away from the house. They are installed on the underside of a roof and reduce radiant heat transfer from the sun, reducing cooling costs for your home.
Beneath Your Sink- Mold tends to thrive in warm, moist, and dark environments, just like your kitchen your bathroom sink. You should check these areas for condensation or any plumbing leaks. Wipe down the interior of the cabinet with a bleach-based solution to prevent mold from spreading.
Inside Your Toothbrush Holder- Your glass or ceramic container may be the perfect spot to store your tooth brush, but it is also leaves room for mold to grow inside. It thrives on the water that drips from your tooth brush into the container. Make sure to rinse and dry your holder on a regular basis to prevent mold from growing.
Filing Cabinets- Remember, paper is made of wood pulp, which mold love to feast on. Let’s say your house has experienced water damage or high humidity- the paper files could become damp leaving behind a mold feeding frenzy. Contaminated paper can be difficult to stop permanent damage to your files. Be cautious about storing items in damp boxes, attics, or basements, and opt in for a dehumidifier in your home.
Toys- Have kids? Small children put everything in their mouths. Toys can accumulate bacteria and moisture, making them prone to mold growth. Give the toys a regular trip to the dishwasher or washing machine to keep mold at bay.
Appliances Seals and Drip Pans- Where there is moisture, there can be mold! The seals, coils, and drip pans on many household appliances retain moisture, which makes it a perfect hangout spot for mold. Try to regularly clean these hidden spots to prevent mold growth.
Carpets and Upholstery- Drapes, curtains, upholstery, and carpeting trap a lot of dirt, skin cells, and dust, which are all food for mold spores. And of course, with mishaps like spills or plumbing leaks, you have yourself the perfect breeding ground for mold. Vacuuming regularly, washing with mold-inhibiting cleaning solutions, and drying carpets or upholstery thoroughly after a spill can help prevent mold infestation.
Plumbing and Ductwork- To prevent mold growth on plumbing and ductwork, reduce indoor humidity levels to between 30 and 50 percent by weatherizing your home, fixing leaks, and running a dehumidifier. You can also try installing an ultraviolet lighting system that will destroy mold spores as air passes through the ducts.
Around Boilers and Water Heaters- Very commonly, boilers and water heaters typically have drains to rid of excess moisture and condensation that builds up during normal operation. These drains can become clogged or rusted, inhibiting liquid from being properly removed. This can encourage mold growth on the walls, floors, and even the air. Regularly clean your HVAC units drains to ensure that they are working properly.
Today, more than 90% of homes and nearly all business use air conditioning to beat the summer heat. Most people think they know how to maintain their system properly, whether it’s central air, a window unit, or ductless mini-splits. Many homeowners fall victim to common mistakes that waste energy, shorten the working lifespan of their air conditioner, and cost money.
Buying the wrong system- Try to use an air conditioner that’s correctly sized for your home. An oversized unit may cycle on and off too quickly. This will result in ineffectively removing humidity and will not maintain uniform temperatures. On the other hand, a too-small unit will need to run constantly, which will ultimately shorten the lifespan drastically. Consideration each room’s square footage, layout, insulation and function.
Cooling an empty room- Upgrade to a programmable thermostat to avoid wasting both money and energy on cooling an empty house. This technology allows you to raise and lower the temperature of your AC based on preset schedule. This can save you hundreds of dollars annually. Do you have unoccupied rooms? Boost your energy efficiency by closing vents in those rooms as well as keeping closet and cabinet door shut so excess air doesn’t get in.
Putting the AC unit in direct sunlight- We all know air conditioners aren’t the most attractive items in a landscape, but homeowners shouldn’t try to “hide” the unit in an inopportune spot. The location of an air conditioner has a great impact on its energy efficiency. Try installing it in a shady spot. Too much direct sunlight will make the system work harder. Also, do not place plants or shrubs too close to the unit, as these will impede ventilation causing the condenser coils to clog.
Poorly positioning the thermostat and vents- Thermostats should be properly positioned for accuracy reasons. Placing the thermostat in direct sunlight or near heat-producing lights gives an inaccurate reading, causing the air conditioner to work overtime. Also, make sure not to block vents with furniture or curtains as this will inhibit proper air circulation.
Setting the thermostat too low- Homeowners have a bad habit of setting their thermostat much lower than needed. Adjusting to a higher setting will cut your AC cost around 3% for every degree you raise the temperature.
Not cleaning the coils- Out door condensers and evaporator coils should always be well maintained. Condensers and coils can clog up with dirt, which blocks airflow and insulates the coils, reducing their ability to manage heat efficiently. Try not to place your AC components near dryer vents. Remove fallen leaves, grass clippings, and other debris to prevent clogging.
One of the most probable, and costly, setbacks your home can suffer is water damage. Homeowners and renters across the country lose billions of dollars because of it each year. It can occur at any time. There are a handful of situations that can cause water damage in a home:
Problems with your HVAC system.
Cracks in your foundation or walls.
Severe storms, floods and other extreme weather.
Leaky or burst pipes.
Malfunctioning dishwashers or washing machines.
Roof damage, such as missing shingles or cracked flashing.
Drainage problems on your property.
Water damage is recognizable when it’s caused by a flood, but other causes are harder to spot. If you are unsure of what to look for, it can be easy to miss until it becomes a major problem. Here are the usual signs of water damage in a home:
Paint peeling from your walls
Mold growth (which can look like dark discoloration) on any surface
Warping of your floors.
A strong musty smell in a room.
Sagging in parts of your walls or ceiling.
Stains or discolored patches on walls or ceilings.
Homeowners often wonder how to identify the different signs of foundation problems. It certainly tops the list of potentially expensive home repairs, and for good reason. The average cost of foundation repairs can be between $5,000 and $7,000 and can potentially climb even higher if the problems damage other parts of your home. Identifying foundation problems early is an important part of preventative home maintenance.
Finding cracks in walls, floors and ceilings is crucial when assessing potential foundation damage. But just because you can’t see a crack doesn’t mean one isn’t there – or that it isn’t coming. Paranoid yet? Time to put your mind at ease. Here are a few ways to check your home for signs of foundation problems.
Test door and windows- If you are noticing a few of your windows and doors getting tougher to close, it could be a sign of foundation problems. Shifting in an unstable foundation can distort the shape of the frames, making the doors and windows unable to latch and eventually jam entirely.
Saggy Floors and Ceilings- Warped floors and ceilings and be a warning sign of foundation problems. As the foundation moves, it can pull apart or compact walls and support beams. This can cause the weight of the house to sit unevenly in certain spots. An indicating sign is a slanted floor. If you notice a continual change in one direction, it may be time to call a professional.
Inspect Sources of mold- Reappearing mold in the corners of windows and walls and means that’s moisture is accumulating in your home. Check mold-prone areas to rule out any foundation-related cracks and gaps that could be letting in water.
Check gaps between exterior windows and walls- If you notice gaps between your front door and façade, it could mean that the foundation of your home is shifting, causing the two to pull apart. These gaps can allow water and insects like termites into the walls of your home, resulting in even more structural damage in the long run.
Pay close mind to your chimney- If your chimney shifts dramatically, it can collapse entirely, posing a serious threat to your family and your property.
Investigate cracked walls or floors- The easiest signs of foundation problems are cracks in the walls and floors of your home. Not all cracks are related to foundation issues. Small cracks near a window or door frame can typically be caused by normal seasonal expansion of the drywall and underlying wood. Do be alarmed when you see cracks that are more than one-eighth of an inch wide. Cracks that are wide on one end and narrow on the other, horizontal or at a 45-degree angle, leaking water, or stair step cracks on walls can be a sign of foundation problems.
Reference: Schroer, Emily (2018, May 17). 9 Ways to Spot Serious Home Foundation Problems
Try to imagine the world we live in without air conditioning and how uncomfortable it would be!
It was 116 years ago today, July 17, 1902 that the air conditioner was invented. Willis Carrier was an engineer, working to invent a machine that would control air temperature and humidity for a printing plant in Brooklyn, New York. His mission was to somehow create something that would keep the paper from shrinking, wrinkling, etc in the summer heat. What he wound up inventing was the first mechanical, electrical air conditioner and it would prove to be one of the world's most revolutionary inventions to date.
Thank you, Willis Carrier for inventing the Air Conditioner and for the enormous impact it continues to have on all of our daily lives!
The solution to many household cleaning and freshening problems is probably sitting in your cupboard right now—baking soda. Here are some Great uses for baking soda around your home!
Clean Floors- Get deep cleaned floors by mixing one-half cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water to make an effective cleanser for no-wax and tile floors. For scuff marks, sprinkle baking soda onto a damp sponge and gently rub until the scuff is gone.
Deodorize Carpets- To get rid of unpleasant odor from carpets and rugs, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the carpet and let it sit overnight. Vacuum until all baking soda is removed.
Deodorize Everything- We all know that an open box of baking soda can counterbalance odors in the fridge, but don’t stop there! You can use baking soda to chase away odors in garbage cans, dishwashers, and litter boxes. Simply sprinkle baking soda in the bottom of the container or appliance, let sit for several hours or overnight, then rinse or wipe clean with a damp sponge.
Soap Scum- The infamous soap scum in the bathroom. Sprinkle baking soda onto a clean, damp sponge and wipe down surfaces, then rinse with cool water. For heavier bathroom cleaning jobs, make a paste of baking soda, salt, and liquid dish soap. Spread on the surface, then wipe clean and rinse.
Clean Drains- By pouring baking soda down the drain while running warm water, you can help neutralize acidity and odors. Make sure to do it on a regular basis.
Extinguish Fires- For small cooking fires, make sure to turn off the electricity or gas to the stove, stand back, and throw handfuls of baking soda at the base of the flame to put out the fire.
Candles, music, and tub filled with bubbles may be just what you need after a long day. But, with all that plumbing, humidity, and other business going on in there, your bathroom is full of unexpected hazards.
Soap Scum- Neglecting your tub is not only unsightly - that slimy buildup can lead to slips and falls while bathing or getting in and out of the tub. Aside from keeping your tub clean or shower floor clean, consider adding non-slip strips to the floor or installing grab bars to decrease the risk of injury.
Mold- Mold can grow often in the grout between tiles or along caulk lines due to an influx of humidity. Prevent the buildup with proper ventilation, including dehumidifiers, fans, and open windows.
Air Fresheners- Some sprays contain VOCs and cancer-causing chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde. Try opting for a fan or opening a window instead of covering any unpleasant scents.
Cleaning Products- Although we are tempted to use the strongest cleanser we can find, some commercial cleaners contain chemicals that can irritate the eyes and skin or emit dangerous fumes. Instead, look for cleansers certified as the Safer Choice by the EPA.
Hairballs- Overtime, all the hair, products, and dirt you wash down the sink can clog up the pipes. A clog can lead to an overflow in the sink or tub that causes water damage through the rest of the room. To prevent it, run a snake through the pipes anytime the draining starts to slow.
Anti-bacterial Soap- Many soaps marketed as antibacterial contain additives like triclosan and triclocarban, which have been linked to afflictions from allergies to hormone disruption. Plus, they don’t actually get your hands any cleaner than vigorous washing with regular soap and water.
Care for some cleaning tips? SERVPRO of Western Essex County are here to give you a friendly reminder to clean these unexpected Spots around the house
Dust off your ceiling fan’s blades with a pillow case to prevent dust from flying all over the air. Start by sliding an old pillow case over the blade, then slowly slide it off, maintaining light pressure against the blade. Any dust will fall right into the case instead of all over the floor and air.
Do you gag every time you take out the trash to the garbage can? Sure, you may say that it will just get smelly all over again, but there's a tolerable level of stench that you can maintain if you just spray it down with a hose and a sprayer attachment. It should be strong enough to push all of that built-on grime.
Make a DIY spray for your outdoor furniture. Mix half a cup of vinegar, a cup of club soda, a cup of dish soap, and 15 drops of essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray all over the furniture and scrub with a bristle brush. Wipe off with a microfiber towel. Good like new!
Need outdoor cushions cleaned too? Scrub the cushions with a solution of a quart of warm water, a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent, and a tablespoon of Borax. Let cushions soak for 15 minutes, then rinse them with a hose. Stand them on their sides in the sun to dry.
I’m sure that dirt and pollen left behind on your windows doesn’t look very attractive. Rub warm soapy water all over the windows with the squeegee, then remove the cover to pull the squeegee across the window from top to bottom. Dry off the rubber blade after every pass and only move in one direction so you aren't pushing the dirt around.
Want to learn a neat trick for dusty window screens? You can vacuum the screens from the inside by putting the brush head on your vacuum and gently brushing the screen. No need to take them out of the window!
Rusty gardening tools? Spray your gardening tools with vinegar and wrap them in paper towels. Set them off to the side for 2 hours. Use a toothbrush to scrub off the rust, and rinse and dry the tools. Sprinkle baking soda all over the tools and splash water on them for a follow-up scrub. You can store them afterward in oiled sand to keep them lubricated
Have you noticed discoloration in your bathroom surfaces? Pink mold can be unpleasant to look at but follow these tips and kick this mold to the curb for good!
Unlike Cladosporium, or the notorious black mold, pink “mold” at all. The discoloration that you see comes from a biofilm of Serratia marcescens. It thrives in moist areas like your shower. It feeds on mineral deposits in soap scum and fatty deposits in soap and shampoo residue. Although it may be harmless to some, this mold can cause some illnesses such as a urinary tract or bladder infections if it enters the body through the eyes or open wound. Luckily, the pink to almost red coloring the mold produces makes it much easier to pin point and remove from shower, walls, floors, countertops, shower doors, and curtain liners.
The biofilm of Serratia marcescens can be removed through a little elbow grease. Start by mixing a quarter-cup baking soda and a tablespoon of liquid dish soap in a small bowl. Try to limit your exposure to the bacteria by wearing gloves and protective glasses. Vigorously scrub down any visible patches of biofilm on hard surfaces in the shower with a soft bristle brush. Rinse away any loosen biofilm.
Make sure to disinfect these same areas. It is not enough just to scrub away the biofilm. You must disinfect to get rid of any lingering bacteria to prevent it from returning. Bleach is your best option for killing any last bit of bacteria left behind. Pour six ounces each of chlorine bleach powder and warm water into a 12-ounce spray bottle. Spray the solution over the hard surfaces and let it sit for 10 minutes. Use a fresh soft bristle brush to scrub down surfaces, rinse down the surface, and dry with a clean towel.
Sanitize your shower curtains. It is a popular hangout spot for pink mold since curtains are rarely cleaned and usually riddled with soap and shampoo residue. Run your curtains through the washing machine on a gentle wash cycle preferably with warm water and let it air dry before hanging back up. This will effectively remove any Serratia marcescens bacteria.
Serratia marcescens is more likely to spread in damp areas, so make sure to dry or squeegee hard surfaces after every use to remove excess water.
Use a damp towel to wipe away soap residue that collects in the shower after every use.
Identify and repair leaking shower heads or faucets that may create excessive dampness in the shower.
As we enter the holiday spirit of backyard barbeques, flag waving, pool parties, and fireworks, we at SERVPRO of western Essex County would like to wish everyone a happy 4th of July. We would like to stress the importance of staying safe of any fireworks. While we use fireworks to mark this special holiday, it is in our best interest to stress the importance of safety. Fireworks cause thousands of burns and eye injuries each year. Most often children and teens are injured while using consumer fireworks. People can still enjoy fireworks if they follow simple safety tips. If you want to see fireworks, go to a public show put on by experts. Keep a close eye on children at events where fireworks are used. Do not use consumer fireworks. All in all, have fun and stay cool!
As a proud member of NADCA, our staff at SERVPRO of Western Essex County are dedicated in providing the best services for your home when it comes to air duct cleaning. We also want you to be aware of switch-and-bait tactics. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. This is certainly the case with some companies offering special offers of $49 or $100 for an air duct cleaning job. We see it all the time. Companies advertising very low prices to lure potential customers in, only to up the price once inside your home. Different tactics these companies are using include offering a free mold test. From here, they might show a test where it looks like you have mold but it can potentially be a false test. This is a way for them to merely extort money. Some simple ways to avoid scams like these are to verify if the company is a NADCA member with certified contractors on staff. Always check customer reviews as they can be extremely helpful when deciding which company to go with. Try to avoid advertisements or “whole house specials” for under $100. Aside from those bad apples, there are a great amount of companies with amazing feedback, staying true to the services they provide. This is not to scare you off indefinite, but simply to educate you of potential scams.
We at SERVPRO of Western Essex County understand the inconveniences homeowners deal with in their home, whether there is a sudden burst pipe, or a flood in the basement. Here are some emergency guidelines to consider to better prepare yourself for any future common household mishaps.
Animal Invasion
As homeowners, we are not too fond of uninvited guests. Animals can find their way inside your house causing major chaos. Urine, feces, ripped upholstery, you name it. These little creatures sure do know how to leave a mark! No pun intended. Try closing all doors and containing it in one area. Open a window so it can find its way outside. Call animal control if this does not work.
Burst Pipes
In a matter of seconds, a burst pipe can cause a substantial amount of damage. If water is gushing out, try closing the valve closest to the link, then shut off the main water valve into the house. We at SERVPRO of Western Essex County are staffed with experienced technicians able to help with any clean up, extraction of water, or drying needed.
Black Out
Although it seems like an unharmful inconvenience, power outages still pose dangers and safety precautions should be taken. Disconnect all appliances and electronics to avoid damage from power surges when the power returns to your home. Be careful when using candles, and make sure to stock up on flashlights and extra batteries.
Gas Leak
If you notice a gas odor in your home or your carbon monoxide sounds, evacuate as quickly as possible. Once relocated to a safer area, call your gas company and ask them to send you a technician to check for any leaks.
Many people do not realize it but there are numerous bad habits we tend to ignore that may spark a fire in our homes. Consider the following hazards:
Dirty rags- Sure, we’re inclined to pile up rags in a corner, but be aware! Oil soaked rags thrown and left unattended can potentially oxidized, spontaneously combusting, causing a house fire. Let rags dry flat outside or if disposing, use a metal can filled with water and a tight lid.
Improper use of electric blankets- Yes, even a cozy blanket can go wrong. Never let your pet to snuggle on top, and make sure not to pile extra covers over the electric blanket. Excessive heat build-up can trigger a fire. To stay on the side, keep your blanket on the lowest setting and don’t forget to turn it off when not in use.
Home Appliances Recalls- A significant amount of home appliances caused house fires in the past decade, some being from defective appliances. To ensure that you are on top of your home appliances, register your appliances with the manufacturers or recalls.gov to see if any of your models are on the list.
Dryer Lint- Aside from cleaning your lint screen for more drying efficiency, did you know that lint can become flammable? Be very consistent with cleaning out lint from your dryer vent and exhaust duct.
Excess amount of extension cords- Connecting a large amount of cords for an extensive amount of time can cause a short circuit and ignite a fire. Extension cords are not permanent solutions for a lack of electrical outlets.
Oven Range hoods- While stoves can be a very common source for kitchen fires, range hoods present potential fire hazards as well. Grease builds up inside the vent hood filter and can potentially drip onto the stove, igniting a probable fire.
Any carpet that experiences regular use will need to be replace sooner or later. Carpets usually have 5-15-year life span. Consider the following to determine if your carpet is due for a replacement.
Stains on your carpet? Although most carpets come with a stain resistance finish, the treatment fades away over time and leaves the carpet unprotected. If you find yourself covering stains with furniture or rugs, it may be time for a carpet replacement. Fortunately, professionals like SERVPRO of Western Essex County have the skills to remove tough stains.
Certain stains such as pet urine or vomit are easily clean but bacteria from such can absorb into the carpet padding, eventually creating mold. Please consider replacing the carpet due to health hazards.
Experiencing bad odor? When owning a pet or you haven’t cleaned in a while, you will notice a persisting smell on your carpet. Usually with some proper cleaning, the smell will subside. If it doesn’t, typically the odors have penetrated deep into the carpet padding or subfloor.
If you notice that your allergies have increased, one source may be your older carpet. Often, older carpets retain allergens which can cause your allergies to act up.
How old is your carpet? color loss, fading, matting, ripples, wrinkles and lack of padding support can be a clear indication that your carpet has reached its end.
Those high temperatures summer brings can surely rack up high electrical bills. Here are some tips to keeping cool and save energy:
Air leaks is very common in homes. Make sure to seal up windows, doors, and other parts of your home in which cool air can sneak out of.
Look for products with the Energy Star label. Air conditioners with the Energy Star label usually use 15% less energy than conventional models. That means more money in your pocket.
Make sure to clean and maintain air conditioners. Have your filters cleaned or replaced. This helps so your air conditioner uses less energy to operate.
Unplug any appliances when not in use or when leaving your house. To make this hassle free, plug in appliances or home electronics on a power strip and turn off the power strip when not in use.
Close blinds, shades, or curtains to keep your home cool and the hot sun rays out.
Wash your clothes in cold water. Skip the dryer and take it old school with a traditional clothes line.
We hope these simple tricks will help you out this summer!
Summer is just around the corner. And that means lots of prepping for the hot weather. Here are some tips to get a head start on any necessary to-dos for a perfect summer experience.
Air Conditioners/ Fans
Check your air conditioners. As the weather gets warmer, it becomes the busiest year for window air conditioners, central air conditioner units, and fans. Remove the filters from window air conditioners and clean them thoroughly. Aside from helping keep the air running cool, cleaning your filters will also keep your AC bill low.
Try changing the filter once a month. Consider hiring professional services for your central air conditioning unit.
For ceiling fans, clean with a damp rag or a fain duster for those hard to reach blades.
Smoke Alarms
Check your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly.
You should change the batteries on your smoke every six months.
Clean the Gutters
Ridding your gutters of any leaves, sticks, and debris can help prevent roof leaks, water damage, even insects and rodents.
Gutters should be cleaned at least twice a year
Fix any Leaks
Check for leaks in your exterior faucets and hoses. The slightest drop of water can cost you money and a leaky faucet can slowly cause damage along the foundation of your home, which can potentially leak into your home
Here at SERVPRO of Western Essex, we take the necessary measures to identify contaminated water associated with water losses in your home. There are three major types of contaminated water.
Category 1- Clean Water
Clean water is water that you can drink safely and contains no contaminants or additives. This water can come from your faucet or shower head and is also considered rain water or snow melt. When it comes to water damage in your home, this type of water can come from broken supply lines, tub or sink overflows with no contaminants, appliance malfunctions involving water supply lines, melting ice or snow, falling rainwater, broken toilet tanks, etc. While clean water flooding your basement or floors may not cause an immediate health risk, it can quickly evolve into gray water after prolonged contact with building surfaces, material, and items
Category 2- Gray Water
Gray water is water that may contain chemicals or contaminants that may be harmful to your health. This type of water can come from dishwashers, washing machines (water mixed with laundry detergent), overflows from toilet bowls with some urine (no feces), sump pump failures, seepage due to hydrostatic pressure, broken aquariums, punctured water beds, etc. Gray water can cause even more damage than clean water and can evolve into black water within 48 hours causing even further damage and health risks.
Category 3- Black Water
Black water is water from sewage or other contaminated water sources including toilet back flows that originate beyond the trap, flooding from seawater, ground surface water and rising water from rivers or streams, etc. Black water can contain all types of harmful contaminants like bacteria, mold, fungi and viruses that can be extremely harmful to humans.
Before the Federal Government banned it in 1978, lead based paint was used in more than 38 million homes for its durability. Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause health issues especially to your children. If your house was built before 1978, the chances of your paint having lead are extremely high. Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, damaged, or damp) is a hazard and needs immediate attention.
Lead is more harmful to children than to adults since it can disrupt with their growth, developing nerves, and brains. Some complications that children can experience is hearing problems, kidney damage, slow body growth, and behavioral problems. As far as symptom associated with lead poisoning, your child can develop headaches, Anemia, abdominal pain, cramping, loss of energy, etc. Very high levels of lead may cause vomiting, staggering walk, muscle weakness, seizures, or can even result in coma.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is are aware of the guidelines involving lead paint and will take the necessary precautions according to current laws. SERVPRO of Western Essex County professionals have been trained and certified to follow lead-safe work practices while performing renovation and repair projects in your area. Contact us at (732) 994-1640 if you have a service need.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County cares gratefully about the safety of our customers. Thunderstorms can be a scary and overwhelming event. Here are some safety precautions that can be taken to insure your well-being.
Keep yourself updated with news reports by listening to your local weather radios.
When inside, stay off corded phones, computers, and other electronic equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity or plumbing.
Unplug any appliances or electrical items such as TVs, computers, and air conditioners. If you are not able to unplug, turn it off.
Secure any doors and shutters. Make sure that you remove any dead or rotting branches from trees that could potentially fall and cause damage to your home or anyone.
Remember, Storm damage is likely to occur depending on the intensity of the storm. For any services you may need whether an emergency or a quote, please feel free to give us a call at (973) 994-1640
Here at SERVPRO of Western Essex County we have highly trained mold remediation technicians that can properly resolve mold infestation. We provide services such as mold remediation and mold removal.
Molds are usually not an indoor problem unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. It takes no less than 48 hours for mold to quickly spread throughout your home.
Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma and other respiratory complaints. Home owners have to understand that there is no way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in indoor environments but there are ways to control indoor mold growth.
If mold is a problem in your home, you can call SERVPRO of Wessex County at (973) 994-1640 to help assist you.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is your number one stop for water damage restoration for your residential home.
If you are currently experiencing water damage in your home here are a few first aid restoration tips.
After assuring that it is safe, make sure to turn off power outlets and electric appliances in or near flooded areas. Any other electric devices should not be handled while standing in water
Remove wet rugs or anything off the floor
Mop up as much water as possible
Move any valuable items such as paintings and family pictures to a dry area
Remove all furniture from wet areas
Prop up wet pillows and furniture cushions for even drying
Open drawers and closet doors to decrease drying time
Wipe down all furniture to get rid of excess moisture
Source: www.waterdamagerecovery.net
Benefits of HVAC System Cleaning for your commercial Building
Our SERVPRO staff are trained to take on even the biggest tasks. SERVPRO provides cleaning services to commercial buildings no matter the size.
For those with HVAC Systems, it is very important to do routinely maintenance. This has many benefits including better air quality and less energy wasted.
HVAC systems can get dirty over time and they have the potential to contain large amounts of dust and particulates. Although this does not mean that the air is unhealthy, it may contribute to health issues for people with respiratory health conditions or allergies. Indoor air quality is crucial and is one of the main concerns that building managers and building inhabitants have when they decide to investigate HVAC system. Normally, commercial buildings generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. This re-circulation can cause a build-up of contaminants in the ductwork overtime.
Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is highly devoted to serving their community in the best way they can. Take a look at this wonderful contribution from Bob Morrison in his own words, as we highlight one of his many devotions to his community with a Hospital Facility Managers Group.
“I was on the waiting list for this group for many years, prior to getting inducted in 2003 and have been an active member since then.” Bill Anderson sponsored me, and I remain grateful to him for his efforts in assisting me. My relationship with Bill stemmed from when I was an account rep for Honeywell Inc., and was assigned our account at Rahway Hospital, where he was the Vice President of Facilities. I have been a member of ASHE dating back to 1993, and have remained active with since 2009. I currently serve on the Hospital Facility Managers Group, in which I greatly value and enjoy. I have been serving that capacity since 2015. Prior to then, I served as the Ad Journal Committee Chair, dating back to 2010. During that time, I was fortunate to have been recognized with the President’s Service Award for my efforts to the Chapter in 2012.
In my view, the culture has changed positively through the years, thereby encouraging and enabling member participation in many aspects of Chapter activities.
There has been an influx of newer members, including Regular Members, Professional Members as well as Professional Associate Members. In my view, this has enabled a more global perspective of the specific Healthcare challenges and concerns which our industry is faced with.
“The ability for all these varied backgrounds and points of view facilitates networking opportunities, from both a business-to- business level as well as via a peer-to-peer level.”
I have owned SERVPRO of Western Essex County for over 15 years. We provide both emergency and non-emergency services, including fire/water restoration, mold remediation, HVAC System and Air Duct System cleaning, Cooling Tower cleaning, deodorization, and many more. My company is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning Restoration Certification (IICRC), the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), active with the Indoor Air Quality Association of New Jersey (IAQA). We are registered as a Small Business Enterprise (SME) with the State of New Jersey. We are registered with the Federal Small Business Administration (SBA), and with the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey as a Small Business.
We have performed services at many of the Chapter Institutions through the years, and remain excited about working with many more going forward. We offer an Emergency Response Profile (ERP) which is an electronic App which proactively provides valuable facility data should an event occur, on any portable electronic device on a real- time basis. This is available at no cost in essence, a free tool which we would be happy to generate upon request.
In summary, I love our organization and look forward to forging ahead together!”
Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in your home. Unattended cooking causes nearly 90 percent of all kitchen fires. Here are some tips to prevent Kitchen fires.
Never leave cooking food unattended! Fires can happen spontaneously. Cooking food should always be monitored. Make sure if you leave the room, to turn off the stove.
Avoid any loose clothing. Baggy t-shirts or dangling sleeves can potentially catch on fire while around a stove.
Always watch your kids! For parents, we want to keep our kids safe and sound from any fires. Try to avoid having your child(ren) around cooking areas. At least 3 feet away from the stove is ideal to insure their safety.
Try to keep anything that can catch on fire away from your stove stop. This can include oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, and towels or curtains. Materials like such can generate heat.
Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in hands reach in your kitchen.
It’s that time of year again! We here at SERVPRO of Western Essex county will be hosting a FREE 3 credit CE class for New Jersey P&C Insurance producers on Tuesday, May 1, 2017.
GOOD STUFF- ENHANCEMENTS YOU WANT ON YOUR CLIENT’S POLICIES (Enhancing your client's coverage is a critical part of the risk management function and is mandatory in today's competitive environment. Most policy forms as written, need to be broadened in a variety of ways: increasing-sub limits, broadening restrictive coverage, providing coverage where no coverage is given, and adding essential endorsements to help keep you out of court! Beware of some "broadening" endorsements that carriers include with their policies---as they may just give your more limit of a crummy coverage! This class will help you determine the expanded coverages you should be sure are included in your client's insurance program). (#88893270-NJ) Presented by Steven D. Lyon, CPCU,CIC,CRM,AAI,ARM,AIS,CRIS,CWCP Lyon Consulting Services, LLC
If you are interested in attending and you have not signed up already, please leave us a comment with your E-Mail so, Vanessa Garcia (Social Media Coordinator), can send you the form and sign you in as soon as possible. If you registered please disregard this message and we hope to see you there!!!
No matter where you live, you'll encounter storms. Most of the time these are routine, but some cause serious and dangerous problems. Here are tips for preparing for storms, and weathering them safely.
Always keep a battery-powered radio in your home so that you can tune to radio stations if you lose electricity. Check or change the batteries frequently.
Keep a flashlight in an easily accessible spot on every floor of your home. Check the batteries monthly, and replace them as needed.
Keep a supply of candles on hand for power failures.
As a safety precaution before leaving the house on vacation, unplug all electrical appliances except for those lights connected to automatic timers.
If you live in a storm-prone area, nail down roof shingles or use adequate adhesive to keep them from blowing off in a violent wind. For roofs with shingles that are not the seal-down type, apply a little dab of roofing cement under each tab.
A lightning-protection system should offer an easy, direct path for the bolt to follow into the ground and thus prevent injury or damage. Grounding rods (at least two for a house) should be placed at opposite corners of the house.
Don't go out during a hurricane unless you have to; however, if flooding threatens, seek high ground, and follow the instructions of civil defense personnel.
When a major storm is imminent, close shutters, board windows, or tape the inside of larger panes with an "X" along the full length of their diagonals. Even a light material like masking tape may give the glass the extra margin of strength it needs to resist cracking.
When a tornado threatens, leave windows slightly ajar.
The basement is not a good shelter during a tornado -- it's too close to gas pipes, sewer pipes, drains, and cesspools. A better shelter would be underground, far from the house (in case the roof falls) and away from the gas and sewer systems. Let all family members know where the shelter is.
Keep an eye on large trees -- even healthy ones -- that could damage your house if felled in a storm. Cut them back, if necessary.
We've covered numerous key tips for preparing for storms and getting through them safely. Now you can regard gathering clouds with a little less trepidation.
After the storm if you need assistance you can always reach out to us here in SERVPRO of Western Essex County at 973-994-1640
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Two weeks after Hurricane Maria toppled Puerto Rico's communications towers, wrecked its electrical grid and knocked out power to water systems, medical officials said the island's health system is "on life support."
"We have hospitals that are working, but eventually we are going to have to transfer patients," said Carlos Méndez, an associate administrator at the Auxilio Mutuo Hospital in Hato Rey, one of the island’s top medical facilities.
Among the multiple impacts that have left the island’s medical system deeply damaged:
-Patients are dying because of complications related to the primitive conditions and difficult transportation issues so many island residents now endure.
-A lack of transportation in small towns makes it difficult to transfer patients to larger hospitals.
-An administrator in a small-town hospital has to drive her car to an ambulance company a mile away to ask for a patient to be transferred to a larger hospital.
-Severe lack of communications on the island has resulted in less triage and coordination between hospitals, and more patients arriving at large medical centers than usual, which has stretched capacity.
-Doctors are afraid to discharge patients after surgery to places with unsanitary conditions and where care and transportation may not exist, adding strain to an already strained system.
On Wednesday, health officials in Puerto Rico toured the 1,000-bed U.S. Naval Hospital Ship Comfort as it docked in San Juan, the capital. It is the largest floating medical facility in the U.S. military and the ship will be used to help deal with the medical crisis facing this island of 3.4 million residents.
Méndez, whose hospital has Puerto Rico's only fully functioning ward for cardio-thoracic surgery — for treatments inside the chest — said the U.S.S. Comfort’s arrival comes as the island's health system "right now is on life support."
Getting water, needing an ambulance
Across the island in the hill town of Adjuntas, near Puerto Rico’s southern coast, doctors and nurses at the Adjuntas medical center celebrated Wednesday the first shipment of water since Hurricane Maria blasted the town.
But the celebrations were cut short when Gladys Galarza, a nurse, brought a patient's electrocardiogram (EKG) chart to emergency room physician, Jorge Gagos.
The chart showed an abnormal rhythm.
The patient, an elderly woman with a history of heart trouble who was complaining of chest pains, needed a better-equipped hospital — and an ambulance to get there.
"We have a sick person and no ambulance," Gagos said. "Normally we have a phone to call. The nearest ambulance is one mile away."
Lacking a radio or a satellite phone, Gagos asked a hospital administrator to get in her car and deliver the message to the ambulance company, a private contractor. That led to an argument over payment. Eventually, after more than an hour, the ambulance showed up and took the woman to San Lucan Hospital in Ponce.
As he prepared to tour the Comfort, Carlos Gomez Marcial, emergency medical director at Centro Medico de Puerto Rico, the island’s top-level trauma center, listed the top challenges facing patients and hospitals: Water, food, communications.
"We can’t communicate with anybody," Gomez Marcial said. "Less than 10% of communications towers are standing. For command and control, it’s very hard to get things done without communications."
As a result, administrators cannot plan for receiving new patients. And without communications, the process that usually results in triaging patients based on how sick they are, and available beds in trauma hospitals, doesn’t work.
Centro Medico de Puerto Rico operated on generator power for three days after the storm, and contended with water shortages. It was finally connected to the grid on Saturday and is now nearing capacity.
After touring the floating hospital, Gomez Marcial said he would confer with other hospital officials on which patients to transfer.
"When they arrive by helicopter there’s no way to turn them away," added Juan Angel Nazario Fernandez, Centro Medico de Puerto Rico's senior medical officer.
Outside, in a series of tents set up in the hospital's parking lot, a low-level treatment center run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) is attempting to relieve some of that pressure.
“Our mission here is to decompress the emergency room,” said Lesa Ansell of Dallas, Tex., DMAT’s chief nursing officer here, and part of one of 18 teams across the island.
“We triage patients, treat some here, and send trauma and surgery patients inside."
Bad conditions, sicker patients
Orlando López de Victoria, the only cardio-thoracic surgeon still on the island, said more patients have arrived sicker than usual because of the difficult conditions.
Some have died.
On Monday, he operated on a patient whose transfer to Auxilio Mutuo in Hato Rey was delayed because there was no gasoline. By the time she arrived, her heart was so weak she didn't survive the operation.
On Tuesday, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló raised the death toll from Hurricane Maria from 16 to 34, citing several similar cases as part of the reason for the increase.
"Yesterday, one of my patients came with a very infected wound because he has no water to take a shower," López de Victoria said.
Other cardiac surgeons left the island before the hurricane.
"I decided to stay because I love my country, my family and my patients," he said.
For more information, or if you need help with flooding, or any water damage give us a call here at SERVPRO of Western Essex County 973-994-1640
A newly formed tropical storm in the southwestern Caribbean is forecast to strengthen into a hurricane that could affect the U.S. Gulf Coast.
The system, formerly a tropical depression, strengthened into a tropical storm near the coast of Nicaragua this morning. Tropical Storm Nate was moving across northeastern Nicaragua, churning 50 miles northwest of Puerto Cabezas, as of 2 p.m. ET, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The tropical storm is pounding Nicaragua with rain heavy enough to cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides. Up to 30 inches of rain is possible in some areas of Central America through Friday night.
Tropical Storm Nate is expected to be near Cancun, Mexico, by Friday night, according to the National Hurricane Center.
A hurricane watch has already been issued for Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, including Cancun.
Nate could reach hurricane status as early as Saturday while entering the Gulf of Mexico. Its trajectory has it on track to make landfall somewhere between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama, on Saturday night or Sunday morning as a weak Category 1 hurricane, with winds of about 80 mph. Then, the storm is expected to weaken to a post-tropical system, according to the National Hurricane Center.
But the track and the storm's strength are subject to change.
Residents from Louisiana to Florida are being warned to monitor the system as it approaches this weekend. The area is still feeling the effects of hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
So far, the Atlantic has seen five major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) during the 2017 season; two short of the record set in 2005, when seven major hurricanes hit.
If you need any information on storm safety, flooding, and water damage precautions do give us a call here in SERVPRO of Western Essex County NJ at 973-994-1640
– In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, it is easy to be tricked by a less than professional repair service. Hiring a “storm chaser” will lead to serious headaches, exorbitant costs, poor workmanship and unfinished work that can leave your home or business in worse condition. To ensure your home or business is restored by a trustworthy and reliable company after devastating flood damage, the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has compiled a list of key characteristics to help identify “storm chasers.” “After a flood, home and business owners are in a vulnerable state,” said Pete Duncanson, IICRC Chairman. “Unfortunately, some individuals will take advantage of people’s hardships. These tips will help you identify the warning signs of a flood restoration scam artist.” To help home owners and businesses properly restore their properties following a disaster, the IICRC identifies the following traits of a “storm chaser”:
1. Too-good-to-be-true prices. Often dubious restoration companies will offer low prices to grab your attention, but be wary of surprise costs that will hurt your wallet. Never let the price of the repairs be the sole criterion for choosing a restoration firm.
2. Requesting upfront cash payments. While it can be a regular practice to deposit up to one-third of the estimated price on the day repairs begin, avoid paying in cash or more than the expected payment. Pay by check or credit card, and pay the final amount only after the work is finished and you are happy with the quality of the repairs.
3. A lack of references. References are easy to check and can help you quickly identify if the company is legitimate and provides good service. Research the company online and check feedback on user-review sites such as Angie’s List or Yelp, or ask friends or business contacts if they have had any experience with the firm.
4. High-pressure tactics. Often, a “storm chaser” will arrive uninvited to your door peddling their services. If the contractor is using high-pressure sales tactics, it is best to turn them away politely and shut the door. Technicians should be courteous, thoroughly explain the scope of work and answer all questions. You should never feel pressure to accept their services.
5. Lack of training. Professional cleaning and restoration firms require management and employees to engage in formal training in a variety of cleaning and restoration disciplines, and these educational efforts will be ongoing. Inquire about the formal training and certifications of technicians who will be working in your home or business. Look for organizations that require their technicians to hold certifications from organizations like the IICRC to ensure the work is done correctly.
6. Inability to show credentials. Never hesitate to ask for proof. Ask to see the individual’s certification card, business license and insurance certificate. To verify a company, you can contact the IICRC which is a not-for-profit standards-setting and credentialing body for the inspection, cleaning and restoration industry. Call the IICRC at 1-844-464-4272 to confirm the certification of any company that has contacted you. You can also go to http://www.IICRC.org/locate-a-certified-professional/ to locate a qualified cleaning and restoration firm in your area. Immediately after a storm, a home or business owner should contact their insurance provider for a storm damage assessment by an adjuster. Insurance companies can often provide a list of credible restoration companies. As an international non-profit organization, the IICRC is dedicated to providing advice on proper and safe clean-up, and providing certification to professionals in water damage restoration. For more information or to speak with someone about flood cleanup, water damage restoration or mold remediation in flood-affected communities, you can go to www.SERVPROwesternessexcounty.com and contact us we are here to help.
About IICRC The IICRC is an international, ANSI-accredited standard-development organization (SDO) that certifies individuals in 20+ categories within the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. Representing more than 54,000 certified technicians and 6,000 Certified Firms in 22 countries, the IICRC, in partnership with regional and international trade associations, represents the entire industry. The IICRC does not own schools, employ instructors, produce training materials, or promote specific product brands, cleaning methods or systems. For more information, visit www.IICRC.org.
You can expect mold and mildew outside your home because of the natural damp conditions of the outdoors. Mold and mildew inside the home is a different problem, because the inside of your home shouldn’t remain damp.
The presence of moisture is the biggest contributor to mold growth, and to fight the infestation you should conduct a room-by-room assessment of the house to identify problem areas. The moisture can come from condensation due to poor ventilation (attic), from a water leak (around bathrooms), or from outdoor intrusion (foundation walls).
Detection
Mold and mildew in a home is not always easy to detect if it exists within attics or is hidden within walls. If you suspect your indoor air quality is hindered by hidden mold, you can conduct your own DIY test to detect a problem.
The EHT staff recently conducted the Healthful Home 5-Minute Mold Test in a finished basement that had suffered some previous flooding problems. The air seemed fine in the room, but the old moisture issues suggested that if there were to be a mold problem in the house then it was likely to occur in this room.
The test is easy to accomplish. Simply use one of the cotton swabs included with the kit to sample surface dust in the room. Soak the swab tip in the “rinse buffer” liquid (included) and then drip five drops of the liquid onto the two test strips that come with the kit. One strip is labeled Asp/Pen (Aspergillus and/or Penicillium) and the other is labeled Stachybortrys.
Test results show in as little as 5 minutes, and much like a pregnancy test you’ll either see one line (negative results) or two lines (positive).
If the test is positive, however, it does not necessarily mean you have a serious problem but that you should consider consulting a professional indoor air quality inspector or a remediation service professional. You can also have an optional laboratory analysis of your test results conducted for an additional fee.
Fighting the Mold you Find
If you discover mold on the home’s interior, the first step in solving the problem is to eliminate the source of moisture—whatever that may be. Otherwise, any mold or mildew you clean is likely to return.
For minor problems you may be able to clean the surface of the materials with bleach or an antimicrobial cleaner. For major problems, remove materials that cannot be thoroughly cleaned of mold and mildew, like insulation, carpeting or drywall. Use your antimicrobial cleaner to clean the surrounding area as well as the places where you actually see mold and mildew, to make sure you remove all traces of the substances.
Finally, replace the removed building materials with new, mold-free materials.
In the wake of this historic catastrophe, it is inspiring to see so many in the community come together to help Red Cross make a difference for the people whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Harvey.
I want to share some stories of the people who braved life-threatening conditions to find shelter from the storm. Thanks to your generosity, those fleeing their homes found a safe, dry place to stay, nourishment and warmth, and emotional support during this traumatic time.
Please take a moment to learn more about some of the families you are helping:
Jennifer and her 10-year-old son Kortney were evacuated by helicopter from their home in Houston.
“I haven’t cried at all, because I’m looking at the news and seeing all the people who have lost everything… so I’m not going to complain,” she recounts her experience to a Red Cross volunteer. Asked to describe what it meant to have a safe place to be, she shared, “[I’m] very appreciative because some people are still waiting. And yesterday, we were eating, we were safe, we were warm, we had three hot meals.”
Noticing tears forming in his mother’s eyes, Kortney gave her a warm hug.
By late Monday night, the shelter population at the George R. Brown Convention Center had nearly 9,000 residents. “No one will be turned away” was the mantra of service at the Houston mega shelter:
Massive disasters like Hurricane Harvey create more needs than any one organization can meet on its own. We are working very closely with the entire response community – government agencies, other non-profit groups, faith-based organizations, area businesses and others – to coordinate emergency relief efforts and to help people as quickly as possible. Along with our partners, the Red Cross has served more than 807,000 meals and snacks since the storm began. Thousands of more meals will be served in the days ahead. Sisters Skyann and Marylee take a break from playing at a shelter in Cuero, Texas. Disasters like Hurricane Harvey take an emotional toll on families, but shelters can offer more than safety and food. They give kids a chance to play and relax despite difficult circumstances. Inside, Dveuon plays with building blocks while staying in the shelter in Cuero, Texas. He traveled with his mother Mariah and three siblings to escape the storm. “It’s safe, my kids are safe, I can’t really complain,” Mariah said.
And finally, there is Diesel, a service dog, who came to the shelter with his owner, Chris Long. Late at night on August 27 at a Red Cross shelter, Diesel alerted others that Chris was having a stroke. Thanks to his service dog, Chris got the urgent medical attention he needed while staying at the shelter. “The Red Cross, y’all are good people. If you need something they got you,” said Chris.
Every day, we strive to make Chris’s words true.
From cots and blankets, meals and medicine, to hugs and games, we are helping meet the most urgent needs of families and individuals like Chris, thanks to your generous support.
Hurricane season is officially upon us and the potential damage that storms can leave behind is limitless. For some properties, the severe weather will result in water damage, caused by flooding. In an effort to help homeowners recover, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) is offering tips about restoring damaged HVAC systems and avoiding mold growth when flooding occurs.
According to the American Red Cross, floods are the most frequent and costly natural disasters. When flooding occurs, homes are prone to extreme water damage and in many cases, mold.
NADCA recommends hiring a certified contractor to inspect potentially damaged air handling systems when flooding occurs. It’s almost impossible to avoid the effects of natural disasters. Water damage and flooding are sometimes unavoidable when natural disasters hit, but consulting with a NADCA-certified contractor after a disaster will help homeowners determine next steps.
NADCA urges these individuals to consider the following, to help prolong the longevity of their air handling unit and avoid mold contamination:
Use dehumidifiers to dry out the structure of the home effected. This will help keep the humidity low and the ventilation system dry.
If the electric is still working, turn it off to avoid damaging your HVAC system.
If sheetrock and insulation appears extremely wet, remove it as soon as possible. If left untouched, this can be a food source for growing mold.
If you suspect the water damage in your home has resulted in mold growth, be sure to wear a respirator to protect yourself whenever you are in the infected area.
Air duct cleaning is a misnomer. In actuality, the entire HVAC system should be cleaned. Failure to clean all components of the system can result in recontamination of the entire system, thus minimizing the benefits of cleaning.
Just as you wouldn’t clean only half of your living room floor, you also would not want to clean only part of your HVAC system. NADCA recommends cleaning the entire HVAC system, including the following components:
air ducts
coils
drain pan
registers
grills
air plenum
blower motor and assembly
heat exchanger
air filter
air cleaner
There are two key components to HVAC cleaning: breaking contaminants loose, and collection of contaminants.
Breaking Contaminants Loose
Properly cleaning HVAC systems requires removing the sources of contamination. Source removal begins with the use of one or more agitation devices designed to loosen contaminants from the surfaces within the heating and air conditioning system. Examples of agitation devices include: brushes, air whips and compressed air nozzles or “skipper balls.” Agitation can also be achieved through hand-brushing or contact vacuuming.
Collection of Contaminants
During cleaning, the entire HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure (a vacuum) to prevent the spread of contaminants. Continuous negative pressure allows very fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne, ensuring that these particles are not released into the living space when the system is turned on after cleaning. This negative pressure also serves to extract the loosened contaminants, which are collected and removed from your home.
System Access
HVAC system cleaning is not a complex process, but each job is unique. Where possible, access to duct interiors should be made through existing openings such as supply diffusers, return grills, duct end caps and existing service openings. Cleaning technicians may need to cut access holes in the duct work in order to reach inside with various cleaning tools. Creation of these service openings, and their subsequent closure, requires craftsmanship and professional skills.
Equipment Requirements
There is a wide variety of equipment available to HVAC cleaning professionals. Both truck-mounted and portable vacuums can be used to stop the spread of contaminants and get the system cleaned to the NADCA Standard.
Antimicrobial Chemicals
Antimicrobial chemicals include sanitizers, disinfectants and deodorizers that can be applied to nonporous surfaces in HVAC systems to address microbial contamination and help control odors. Only chemicals registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be used. These products should only be considered after mechanical surface cleaning has been performed and if the need for such treatment has been deemed necessary. Review the NADCA White Paper on Chemical Applications in HVAC Systems for more information.
Meteorologists have been shocked at how rapidly Hurricane Irma has been strengthening, and they are already warning that if it hits the United States as a high-level category 5 storm the devastation would be absolutely unprecedented. Of course, we are already dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, and many experts are already telling us that the economic damage done by that storm will easily surpass any other disaster in all of U.S. history. But there is a very real possibility that Hurricane Irma could be even worse. According to the National Hurricane Center, at 5 PM on Friday Irma already had sustained winds of 130 miles per hour. But it is still very early, and as you will see below, next week it is expected to potentially develop into a category 5 storm with winds of 180 miles per hour or more.
I suppose that it is appropriate that such a powerful storm has a very powerful name. In old German, the name “Irma” actually means “war goddess”…
The name Irma is a German baby name. In German the meaning of the name Irma is: Universal, from the Old German ‘irmin’. War goddess.
Irma began forming on Wednesday, and it intensified at a faster rate than any storm that we have seen in nearly 20 years…
Hurricane Irma formed early Wednesday in the warm waters off the coast of West Africa — and took just 30 hours to strengthen to a Category 3. That’s the fastest intensification rate in almost two decades. By Friday afternoon, the storm had also grown noticeably larger in size with a well-defined eye, a classic sign of a strong hurricane.
According to Michael Ventrice of the Weather Channel, Irma could easily become a “super typhoon” with “sustained speeds of over 180mph”…
Veteran USA forecaster Michael Ventrice posted the track model on Twitter overnight and warned it looked like the storm could be a “super typhoon”, with sustained speeds of over 180mph.
He wrote: “These are the highest windspeed forecasts I’ve ever seen in my 10 yrs of Atlantic hurricane forecasting.
“Irma is another retiree candidate.”
The scale we have right now really never envisioned storms that powerful. In fact, some have suggested that we need to add a “category 6” to describe the kind of “super storms” that are now developing in the Atlantic.
There are a few factors that worry hurricane forecasters more about this storm when compared to the myriad other tropical storms and hurricanes that tend to form in the Atlantic.
First, it’s a so-called Cape Verde storm, having formed off the west coast of Africa. These storms tend to be the ones that go on to affect the U.S., after gathering strength for many days during their march across the ocean. For example, Hurricane Andrew, which was the most recent Category 5 storm to hit the U.S. in 1992, was a Cape Verde-type storm.
Because they begin at a relatively low latitude and move west rather than northwest, it can be harder for upper level winds blowing across North America to pick up and steer these types of storms away from the U.S. coast.
Let us hope that this storm does get steered away from our coastlines at some point, but so far that is just not happening.
Many hurricanes are often weakened by wind shear, but that isn’t happening to Irma either. In fact, CNN is reporting that “Irma will remain in a low-shear environment for the next several days”…
A strong high-pressure ridge to the north of Irma, over the Atlantic, is steering the storm to the west and limiting the wind shear in the upper levels of the atmosphere, which has allowed the storm to grow so quickly. Wind shear is like hurricane kryptonite, and prevents storms from forming or gaining strength.
Unfortunately, Irma will remain in a low-shear environment for the next several days, so there isn’t much hope that Irma will weaken any time soon.
Basically, conditions are nearly ideal for a “super storm” to develop, and if Irma does make it to the U.S. the destruction that it causes could be absolutely off the charts.
Of course, at this point, there is no guarantee that it will ever reach the United States. But if it does, and if it is still a category 5 storm when it arrives, we could be facing an event unlike anything that we have ever seen before.
Do you remember Hurricane Katrina? Well, scientists now know that when it hit New Orleans it had already been downgraded to just a “low category 3” storm…
To put this all in perspective, Katrina was a Category 5 hurricane out over some hot spots in the Gulf. But when it hit New Orleans, scientists now know, Katrina had winds at a low Category 3, and much of them Category 2, including the “left side winds” that then came down from the north and pushed the surge-swollen waters of Lake Pontchartrain over and through NOLA’s levees. (Hurricanes spin counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere, so when Katrina came ashore just east of New Orleans, its winds hit the city from the north.)
Only three Category 5s have come ashore in the United States in the past century — the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, Camille in 1969 and Andrew in 1992.
If Hurricane Irma were to make landfall as a category 5 storm with sustained winds of 180 miles per hour, it would rip buildings and everything else in its path to shreds.
Next week we shall find out what happens. Let us hope for the best, but let us also get prepared for the worst.
With rainfall topping 47 inches in some areas, Harvey devastated aswath of Texasstretching east from Houston. “Our whole city is underwater,” Derrick Freeman, the mayor of Port Arthur, Texas, said on Wednesday.
But even as the rain and wind moved on, the region continued to suffer the consequences of the storm. Explosions rocked a chemical plant early Thursday, and many hazards still lurk beneath the floodwaters that soaked the region.
At least 38 people have died so far, including a Houston police officer, a family whose van was trapped beneath surging floodwater, and a mother whose shivering 3-year-old was found clinging to her unresponsive body.
Tens of thousands of people filled overcrowded shelters, the management of which remains “the biggest battle that we have right now,” Brock Long, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said on Thursday.
Vice President Mike Penceand other cabinet officials were expected to meet with storm survivors around Corpus Christi on Thursday, two days after President Trump himself visited the area.
Many organizations are helping victims on the ground. Here are a few of them; a fuller list can be found here.
• The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fundwas established by Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston and is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
As water began to recede in some parts of flood-ravaged Houston and as Harvey, now a tropical depression, shifted its wrath to the Beaumont-Port Arthur area of Texas, there were reports early Thursday that a chemical plant at risk of exploding had done just that.
There were two explosions at the Arkema plant in Crosby, about 30 miles northeast of downtown Houston, around 2 a.m., the French chemicals company that owns the plant said in a statement.
It said there was a risk of further explosions at the site.
“We want local residents to be aware that the product is stored in multiple locations on the site, and a threat of additional explosion remains,” Arkema said.
CBS19, the Houston affiliate, reported the two explosions at the plant and showed photos of black smoke. The blasts were also reported by Fox 26.
The company had already ordered all workers to leave the damaged plant, and Harris County ordered the evacuation of residents within a 1.5-mile radius. After the explosion, at least one Harris County deputy was taken to the hospital after inhaling fumes from the plant, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said on Twitter.
Later, the sheriff’s office tweeted that company officials believed that the smoke inhaled by the 10 deputies was “a nontoxic irritant.”
Richard Rowe, the chief executive of Arkema’s North American division, told Reuters that the company had expected the chemicals to catch fire.
The Arkema plant manufactures organic peroxides, which are used in making plastic and other materials. When the chemicals warm, they start to decompose, which creates more heat and can quickly lead to a rapid, explosive reaction. Some organic peroxides also produce flammable vapors as they decompose.
The plant was shut down last Friday in anticipation of the storm, and a skeleton crew of 11 was left behind to ensure that the chemicals, which are kept in cold storage, remained safe.
But Arkema said the plant had been without power since Sunday, and the torrential rains and flooding had damaged backup generators. With the storage warehouse warming up, the crew transferred the chemicals to diesel-powered refrigerated trailers, but some of those stopped working as well.
Here is the latest:
• The storm was downgraded to a tropical depression on Wednesday night. It is expected move through central Louisiana on Wednesday night, then move through northeastern Louisiana and northwestern Mississippi on Thursday.
• Vice President Mike Pence is expected to visit four locations around Corpus Christi, Tex., on Thursday, to meet with storm survivors, according to a senior administration official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the details of the trip were still being worked out.
• Officials have reported at least 38 deaths that were related or suspected to be related to the storm. The victims include a police officer who died on his way to work; a mother who was swept into a canal while her child survived by clinging to her; a woman who died when a tree fell on her mobile home; and a family that is believed to have drowned while trying to escape floodwaters in a van.
• More than 32,000 people were in shelters in Texas, and 30,000 shelter beds were available, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas said. Houston officials said the city’s largest shelter at the George R. Brown Convention Center had 8,000 and was no longer accepting evacuees. New evacuees would be taken to NRG Center, a conference hall in Houston.
• Houston’s two airports reopened, and airport officials said on Wednesday night that United Airlines had boarded a flight from Los Angeles bound for Houston. Five more flights were on their way and three aircrafts were scheduled to leave the Houston area. International flights are expected to resume Thursday.
• The governor said 210,000 people have registered with FEMA for assistance.
• The National Guard has conducted 8,500 rescues since the storm began, Mr. Abbott said, and the police and firefighters in the Houston area have done a similar number. About 24,000 National Guard troops will soon be deployed for disaster recovery in Texas.
A fire can happen anywhere and anytime. Here are some tips on things we can do to help prevent a fire in the common workplace.
Accessibility Always ensure accessibility to electrical control panels. Material or equipment stored in front of the panels would hinder the shutdown of power in an emergency. Also, never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits and observe clearances when stacking materials.
Good Housekeeping Clutter not only provides fuel for fires, but also prevents access to exits and emergency equipment. Keep your workplace as clutter-free as possible.
Proper Waste Disposal Discard fire hazards like oily rags by placing them in a covered metal container and emptying it on a regular basis.
Maintenance Make sure the machines in your workplace are properly maintained to prevent overheating and friction sparks.
Report Electrical Hazards Unless you are qualified and authorized, you should never attempt electrical repairs. Faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment are key contributors to workplace fires.
Safe Chemical Use & Storage Always read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to assess flammability and other fire hazards of a substance. When using and storing chemical materials, always do so in an area with adequate ventilation.
Precautions In Explosive Atmospheres Follow all recommended and required precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres, such as those containing flammable liquid vapors or fine particles. These precautions include non-sparking tools and proper static electricity control.
Maximum Building Security To help prevent arson fires, always lock up as instructed, report suspicious persons or behavior and never leave combustible garbage outside near your building..
Smoke Areas Always ensure that there is a smoke area available and that all workers who smoke on the job are using it. Proper extinguishing of smoking materials should always be enforced.
Fully Charged Fire Extinguishers Check fire extinguishers often by looking at the gauges and making sure they're fully charged and ready for use. If they're not fully charged or if the attached tag indicates that the last inspection occurred more than a month ago, call for maintenance. Also, encourage all workers to learn how to use a fire extinguisher.
Emergency Numbers Emergency phone numbers, as well as your company address, should be posted by the phone station for quick access.
11.5 OSHA Guidelines Adherence to OSHA's fire safety guidelines is crucial for fire prevention. Read through these regulations and make sure your workplace is in compliance.
Making sure your workers return home safely is our mission and passion. Take these 11.5 tips to your workplace and practice true fire safety, which begins before the fire even ignites.
If you have any questions or concerns you can always visit our site, and social media pages to learn more about our system services.
Question:I just turned my window AC unit ON today and it is leaking water inside my house. What could be the problem? I had it running for 3 weeks and all of a sudden it started leaking. There is a puddle of water on the window ledge on the inside of the house. Water is on the plastic vent where the cold air blows out. I believe that is where it is leaking but not sure. Can you tell me how to fix this? My carpet is soaking wet, I need this to stop leaking, please help!
Window AC Leaking Water Into House – How To Fix
ANSWER:You are going to check a few things to be sure the ac unit is installed properly and there is no water drainage block present – Unplug the window AC unit. – Clean up all the water on the AC unit, on the window ledge, and on the floor of your room. – Check and be sure the AC is tightly sealed in the window. – Do you feel warm air coming into the room around the AC unit? – If you feel warm air coming in you need to seal it correctly. – Seal in the window AC unit to prevent warm air from entering the room. – Check to see if the drain holes on the rear of the ac unit are blocked. – Clean the drain holes to allow water to drip out. – Make sure the filter is clean and not clogged with massive dirt or dust. – After cleaning up the water and having it turned off for 30 minutes or so, turn it back on and see if the water appears again. – If water appears and starts dripping into your room again, check to see if the AC unit is properly sealed in the window. – If the AC unit is not sealed correctly, the moisture in the air coming in from outside gets condensed by the cold air inside the unit and this extra moisture builds up in AC unit and then leaks. SO BE SURE IT IS SEALED IN THE WINDOW CORRECTLY.
Here are some other reasons water can drip from a window air conditioner unit:
AIR LEAK – AIR CONDITIONER NOT PROPERLY SEALED IN WINDOW: If your window air conditioner is not sealed correctly, the warmer air from outside gets inside the air conditioner. When this happens, the moisture that is in the warmer air will be condensed by the colder air inside the air conditioner. When there is excess moisture inside the AC, water will leak. So if this is happening to you, make sure you have a good seal around the window AC.
DRAIN IS BLOCKED – DIRT OR DUST HAS BLOCKED THE DRAIN HOLES: There are drain holes (drip pan) at the rear of window AC units. They can get blocked from dusty conditions or dirt in the air. When this type of blockage happens, the water that would normally drip out will be trapped and water will leak from the front of the AC unit and at both sides of the unit. Be sure to keep the drain holes clean and free of debris. Also clean the filters or replace them to prevent any type of blockage that may cause a water leak.
OUTSIDE TEMP IS LOWER – HEAVY MOISTURE IN OUTSIDE AIR: If it is raining or there is heavy moisture in the air outside, water evaporates much less than usual. This leads to excess water moisture in the air conditioner and this will cause water leaks. This is normal for most window AC units and using a drip pan can solve the issue if there is heavy moisture in the air outside.
CONDENSER PUMP NOT WORKING – BROKEN OR CLOGGED PUMP: If the condenser pump in the AC is faulty or clogged, it will cause water to leak. You can check the condenser/pump if you feel confident. Check for any blockage or loose wires. If the pump seems to be okay visually, you will need to test the pump with a meter to see if it is faulty. If so, you may be better off buying a new AC unit.
Let’s face it: No one wants to have to go running for a drip bucket every time it rains. Not only is having to stay on top of the weather forecast annoying and impractical, but that one small drip symbolizes a larger roofing issue – and we all know that roofing issues mean an investment of time and money.
In an effort to save you that investment, we’ve compiled a list of The 10 Most Common Causes of Roof Leaks. We’ll tell you what they look like, why they happen, and how to fix them.
Whether your roof is two years old or twenty keep this list handy. You never know when it could mean the difference between doing a quick repair or a major remodel.
1. Your Flashing Has Cracked
What Does It Look Like: Flashing are thin pieces of metal that are installed under shingles and on the joints of your roof in order to create a water-resistant barrier, which can be concealed or exposed. If exposed, they will look like long runs of sheet metal and, if concealed, they will have a rubberized coating over top. Broken flashing will feature large cracks
Why It Happens: Roofers often use tar to seal the flashing together and that can corrode over time. In the event that your flashing is left exposed, elements like wind and rain could be the reason behind its crack.
How To Fix It: (Via The Family Handyman): Once you locate the source of the leak, pry up the nails used to secure the old flashing. Lift any shingles out of the way and remove the cracked segment. Gently put a new run of flashing in its place, fasten the new flashing in the same pattern as your old piece using roofing nails. Then, apply a coat of roofing sealant to the nail heads.
2. You Have Broken Shingles
What Does It Look Like: Look up! This one is easy to spot. Since shingles are the exterior layer of a roof, you should be able to identify missing shingles by seeing different-colored patches on your roof. Alternatively, you may find the shingles themselves littering your yard after a heavy storm.
Why It Happens: Again, weather. High winds and heavy rains.
How To Fix It: (Via This Old House): Slide a pry bar underneath the row of nails that connects the damage shingle to the one below it. Lift up until the nail pops and then press down on the shingle while you remove the nail. Repeat for the remaining nails. Pull out the damaged shingle, replace it with a new one, and secure it with four new nails.
3. Your Valleys Aren’t Properly Sealed
What Does It Look Like: An area where two planes of roof come together. Since, these areas of the roof are usually sloped, if the valleys are not sealed together properly, rainwater can get inside as it runs down the roof. You can detect a problem by searching for wet spots that run along the seams of your roof.
Why It Happens: A variety of reasons – the sealing may not have been done properly in the first place, it may have cracked when being stepped on, or an excess of rain and ice may have caused it to erode over time.
How To Fix It: This is one of those things that needs to be done by a professional because of its complexity and we do not recommend attempting it on your own. However, your roofer will likely fix the problem by laying a new leak barrier along the valley and shingling overtop.
4. Your Vent Booting Is Cracked
What Does It Look Like: Roof vents are those things that look like small pipes sticking out of the top of your roof. They’re used to expel excess moisture from the inside of the house. Leaks from this area will likely leave corresponding dark spots (and mustiness).
Why It Happens: Roof vents are often sealed by placing some flashing around the opening and slipping a tight, rubber boot over the area where the pipe peeks out of the roof. Over time, the flashing can break or the roof can decay.
How To Fix It:(Via: DIY Guy): Use a knife to remove the rubber around the vent. Use a pry bar to break the seal on any connecting shingles. Slide the new rubber boot under the shingles, over the vent, and bring it down onto the roof. Then, secure the new boot with roofing nails on either side and caulk under the shingles to seal them to the new flashing.
5. You Have Ice Dam Buildup
What Does It Look Like: An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off. The combined weight of the ice itself can damage the roof, as well as the water just sitting on the roof’s surface.
Why It Happens: The heat from your attic (and the rest of your house) is above freezing, which causes some of the snowfall to melt, despite the cold temperatures outside. The water will then run between the roof’s surface and the snow and will refreeze into ice once it hit’s the roof’s exterior edge.
How To Fix It: Invest in a roof rake, which looks like a sideways shovel with a long handle, and use it too reach up onto the roof and remove at least the lower four feet of snow from the roof edge. If you see an ice dam forming, consider treating it with an ice melt product, according to manufacturer’s directions.
6. Your Skylights Were Improperly Installed
What Does It Look Like: Leaks from this kind of problem should be super easy to spot. If you find yourself noticing wet spots or consistently needing to place drip buckets around the sides of your skylights, you’ve found the cause. However, leaks and wet spots near the top of the skylight may be a flashing issue instead.
Why It Happens: There are two main causes for this type of leak. Improperly measuring and fitting the skylights upon installation or decayed insulation along the skylights edges.
How To Fix It: Clear any debris off of the skylight and check for cracks in the window itself. Seal any cracks with a layer of clear silicone along its length, if necessary. If that is not the cause, check the surrounding flashing and replace as needed.
7. Your Gutters Are Clogged
What Does It Look Like: You may be able to see the leaves sticking out of the gutter when you look up onto your roof. But, if not, you should notice the lack of water trickling out of a downspout during a rainstorm.
Why It Happens: Your gutters are meant to help water travel away from the roof. When a blockage forms and they get clogged, that travel stops. Rainwater will then pool in one area of the roof and have more of an opportunity to seep through cracks.
How To Fix It: Sorry, there’s no easy answer to this one. Get up on a ladder, and get in there with your hands. Many recommend placing a large tarp underneath the area where you are working. That way, you can drop any debris as you go and wrap it up for easy disposal later.
8. You Have A Cracked Chimney
What Does It Look Like: Most often, you can look for signs of wear and tear along the mud cap, or mortared area around the top of the chimney. You should also look for any holes in the mortared joints where the chimney connects with the roof. Also, be on the lookout for loose flashing and shingles in the surrounding area.
Why It Happens: Mortar is essentially just a thick mixture of water, sand, and cement. It erodes easily in harsh weather conditions.
How To Fix It: In some cases, all you need to do is find the source of the leak and replace the missing mortar. However, since the materials used for chimney repairs are different than those for standard roofing fixes, it is recommended that you hire a professional handle the repairs.
9. There’s Condensation In Your Attic
What Does It Look Like: A leak is most likely coming from your attic if the space shows signs of mold growth or mildew. A strong, musty odor emanating from the attic is also a key that water has gotten inside.
Why It Happens: As the uppermost part of your home, the attic is trapped between indoor and outdoor temperatures. When those clash – think hot summers and cold winters – condensation will form and moisture will follow.
How To Fix It: First, treat any mold growth. Then, take the time to isolate your attic to prevent large fluctuations in temperature. Make sure that all of the roof vents are clear from the interior end and install a large ventilation fan, if needed.
10. You’re Using It Too Much
What Does It Look Like: Unfortunately, there is no way to differentiate if this is the cause of the leak. However, all homeowners should be careful with how often they venture out on to their roofs.
Why It Happens: As you can see from the other causes in this post, a lot of roofing material is very fragile. You may accidentally step on a crucial element or crack an already precarious seal.
How To Fix It: Avoid walking on your roof whenever possible. Let that Frisbee go and buy a new one. Hire a professional roofer to do your fixes, since they are trained on how to avoid the most easily-damaged areas.
Whether you have an old roof, new roof, or even a fancy green rooftop, wear and tear is unavoidable. There will be rainstorms, long winters, and heavy winds. But, roof leaks? They are a different story. With the right care regimen, every roof should have the ability to keep your family warm and dry for decades. As you work on home maintenance, refer to this list of the 10 most common causes of roof leaks. You’ll be glad you did when catching a leak early saves you time and money.
In the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to recruit 35,000 volunteers to install 100,000 free smoke alarms across the country as part of Sound the Alarm – a series of lifesaving home fire safety and smoke alarm installation events happening September 23 - October 15.
I hope you’ll be a part of this important effort. Home fires disproportionately harm children and seniors, and most deaths occur in homes that lack working smoke alarms. That’s why the Red Cross started the Home Fire Campaign in 2014 – to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by fires in homes by 25 percent. Seven Americans die every day from fires in their homes. By signing up as a volunteer to Sound the Alarm this fall, you can help save those lives.
Did you know that 90 percent of the Red Cross’s humanitarian efforts are carried out by volunteers?
These volunteers are friends and neighbors who care about their community – people just like you. They are a diverse group, but they all share one thing: They know how deeply rewarding it can feel to make their town a safer place to live, and how delightful it can be to get to know their neighbors in the process.
Since we first launched the Home Fire Campaign in 2014, our volunteers have achieved so much: installing 941,916 smoke alarms, educating 884,007 youth about fire safety, and saving hundreds of lives.
Sound the Alarm is part of this ongoing Home Fire Campaign, and if you join us as one of those 35,000 volunteers this fall, we can bring the total number of free smoke alarms we’ve installed as part of our Home Fire Campaign since 2014 to one million!
Everything should be as reliable as a toilet. It's not unusual for one to last more than 40 years with only a minimal amount of care. But, occasionally, water will begin to leak out from under the toilet and spill onto the floor, which can lead to serious water damage. But this type of leak is easy to diagnose and fix, even if you've never attempted a plumbing repair.
The leak is usually caused when the seal under the toilet fails. Even if this hasn't happened to one of your toilets yet, this "Home Care" is for you. You'll learn how to install a new wax gasket to create a watertight seal between the toilet and the closet flange and install a new flexible water-supply tube.
Finding the Problem Water pooling around the base of the toilet is a good indication that the wax seal has failed. But in some cases the problem lies elsewhere. Soak up the water from the floor with a sponge and dry off the toilet with a towel. Wait until a new puddle appears on the floor, then check to make sure the water is seeping out from under the toilet and not coming from a loose supply tube, faulty shutoff valve, cracked tank or sweaty bowl.
If water is leaking from beneath the toilet, you might be able to stop it by simply tightening the closet bolts that secure the toilet to the floor. Use a putty knife or slotted screwdriver to pry off the caps that are covering the bolts. Then use a wrench to alternately tighten each bolt, a little at a time. Be careful not to apply too much pressure; you can crack the toilet's base.
If you're lucky, the leak will stop. If tightening the bolts doesn't help, you'll have to remove the toilet and replace the wax gasket.
Removing The Toilet
Disconnect the water supply tube from the shutoff valve using a wrench. Be sure the valve is closed all the way.
The first step is to turn off the water at the shutoff valve, which is usually located behind the toilet, or in the basement or crawl space directly below it. Turn the handle all the way in a clockwise direction.
Remove the tank lid, flush the toilet and hold down the handle to drain as much water as possible from the tank. Use a sponge to get up the remaining water in the tank; a small paper cup will help you remove any water left in the bowl.
Next, disconnect the water-supply tube by loosening the compression nut on the shutoff valve (step 1). Pry the caps from the closet bolts, then use a wrench to remove the nuts (step 2). If either bolt spins as you turn the nut, hold the top of the bolt with needlenose pliers.
Grab the rim of the bowl directly below the seat hinges, and gently rock the toilet back and forth to break the wax seal. Lift the toilet off the floor (step 3) and lay it on a blanket or piece of cardboard. Use a narrow putty knife to scrape off the old wax gasket from the bottom of the toilet and from the closet flange in the floor (step 4).
Check the condition of the flange to make sure it isn't cracked or bent. After we scraped off the wax, we discovered that a large piece of the flange had broken off. If this happens, you can replace the entire flange (no easy task), install a full replacement flange or fill in the missing piece with a repair strap. We opted for the easiest, least expensive option and used the Gapper Flange Repair Strap (about $5) from Jones Stephens Corporation.
To install the curved metal strap, first loosen the two screws that secure the flange to the floor. Insert a new closet bolt into the slot in the strap, then slide the strap under the flange (step 5). Tighten the flange screws to lock the strap in place. Install the remaining closet bolt in the flange. If the bolts won't stand upright, pack a little wax from the old gasket around the base of each one.
Take a new wax gasket and set it down on the closet flange, making sure it's perfectly centered (step 6). Most wax gaskets are simply a ring of solid wax, but we used Harvey's Bol-Wax No. 5 (about $5). This one has wax surrounding a core of soft urethane foam, and it easily conforms to the flange and toilet to create a superior seal.
Replacing The Toilet
Pry off the rounded caps that cover the closet bolts, then use a wrench to remove the hex nuts.
If the toilet is fitted with an old chrome-plated copper supply tube, consider replacing it with a new flexible one made of stainless steel-enmeshed polymer. It makes the installation a whole lot easier, and it will virtually last forever. We installed a 12-in.-long Fluidmaster supply tube (about $5); other lengths are available ranging from about 8 to 24 in.
Apply a light coating of pipe-joint compound to the fitting at each end of the supply tube, then tighten one end onto the fill-valve shank protruding from the bottom of the toilet tank (step 7).
You're now ready to set the toilet back in place. Grip the bowl near the seat hinges, lift up the toilet and walk it over to the flange. Set the toilet down onto the wax gasket, using the closet bolts as guides. Slip the washers over the bolts and thread on the nuts. However, before tightening them, press down on the rim of the bowl with all your weight to compress the gasket (step 8).
Check to make sure the toilet tank is parallel with the back wall. Alternately tighten each closet bolt until both feel snug. Then, press down on the bowl again and tighten the nuts a little more. Continue in this manner until the nuts no longer feel loose after you press down on the toilet. Again, be careful not to exert too much pressure with the wrench or you'll crack the toilet. Use a hacksaw to cut the closet bolts nearly flush with the nuts (step 9), then snap on the bolt caps.
Your final step is to tighten the loose end of the water-supply tube to the shutoff valve (step 10). Open up the valve and flush the toilet several times. If a leak occurs, press down on the bowl and tighten the nuts a little more. If it isn't leaking, use the toilet for a couple of weeks, then pry off the bolt caps and retighten the nuts. The toilet will often settle after several uses.
The Caulk Question There's a long-standing debate in the plumbing world over whether you should caulk around the base of a toilet. Most plumbers don't because they're concerned that the caulk would conceal any leaks. However, in some municipalities, the local building code requires homeowners to caulk around the toilet to keep bacteria from growing in the joint.
Check with your building department for the code requirement in your town. If you do decide to caulk, be sure to use a high-quality, mildewproof tub-and-tile caulk.
Step by Step
Very carefully lift the toilet by the bowl, not the tank, and set it down on an old blanket or cardboard sheet.
1. Disconnect the supply tube from the shutoff valve using a wrench. Be sure the valve is closed and the toilet is drained.
2. Pry off the rounded caps that cover the closet bolts, then use a wrench to remove the hex nuts.
3. Very carefully lift the toilet by the bowl, not the tank, and set it down on an old blanket or cardboard sheet.
4. Scrape off all of the old wax gasket from the closet flange. Note that a section of the flange is broken off.
5. Slide a repair strap under the closet flange after loosening the screws that secure the flange to the floor.
6. Set the new wax gasket down on the closet flange, making sure it's centered. Note: Both closet bolts are in place.
7. Connect the new water-supply tube to the threaded fill-valve shank on the bottom of the toilet tank.
8. Press down on the toilet bowl rim to compress the gasket. Tighten the closet bolts, then press down again.
9. Use a close-quarter hacksaw to trim off the tops of the closet bolts. Tighten the nuts before replacing the caps.
10. Connect the supply tube to the shutoff valve. Then open the valve, flush the toilet and check for leaks.
Believe it or not, rainwater can be filtered into the best-tasting, freshest water you’ve ever had. In some states, there are literally thousands of homes that rely on rainwater for their sole water supply, and thousands more homes that utilize rainwater for the majority of their watering needs.
But care must be taken. While rainwater is filtered naturally through solar distillation, some not-so-fresh things happen to the rain on the way back down -- especially once the rain hits our roofs and collects all the organic material (animal feces and all) that collects there. To return the rain to a potable state once again, there are some time-tested, effective methods we can use for filtration: There’s the short-term fix (great for emergency water situations) and the long-term rainwater filtration method (great for utilizing rainwater for your water needs). Here’s an overview of both:
THE SMALL-SCALE, SHORT-TERM, SIMPLE METHOD
If you live in a rural area and rely on a well (and, more importantly, on electricity to provide power to your well pump), or if you are on a municipal water supply and want to have a back-up water source for emergency preparedness, you may want to consider having a short-term filtration solution on hand. In this case, we recommend ultra-filtration units. LifeStraw, in our opinion, is the best, most affordable example of this. Ultra-filtration and/or forward-osmosis technology operates on the principle of reducing a filtration element to such a fine degree that 99.9999% of water-born bacteria cannot pass through, thus making the water that passes through the filter safe for drinking. In fact, ultra-filtration is so effective that no other filter is needed.
The disadvantage of ultra-filtration, though, is the scale at which this filter can be used. It is great for emergency situations, but for household water options, this method has its limitations.
RAINWATER FILTRATION FOR HOUSEHOLD APPLICATIONS
If you want to utilize rainwater for your home and are looking to install larger-scale filtration, there are a few steps to follow to ensure a fresh, clean, efficient system. (CAUTION: It is tempting to cut out one or two of these steps, but, in so doing, you’ll put more burden on the other steps and will create more work for yourself down the road. After working on rainwater systems of all types for a decade, we’ve learned that lesson the hard way.)
First flush filtration: Because the majority of bacteria enters rainwater from a roof and gutter system (where the water picks up fecal matter from squirrels, birds, etc., as well as other organic matter), pre-filtration is a VITAL step in creating and storing a fresh water supply. First, you’ll want to consider installing first flush filters. A first flush filter works under the principle that the most contaminated water is the first bit of water that falls from a roof during a rain event (because this is the water that’s flushing off the fecal matter and organics). Please note that the downpipe component on first flush filters should be sized according to the type of roof you have (e.g., asphalt shingle roofs will need more first flush diversion -- and therefore a larger downpipe on the first flush filter -- than metal roofs because they are more gritty and it takes longer for fecal matter to be cleaned from the surface from a rain event). For roofs that in a clean environment (i.e., not many trees/birds around), it is recommended to flush 12.5 gallons/1,000 sq. ft. of roof area. For roofs that are more susceptible to organic material and/or roofs with asphalt shingles, a flushing of 50 gallons/1,000 sq. ft. of roof is recommended.
Pre-tank filtration: Next, you will want to consider a tank pre-filter for your system. While there are many on the market (and several in our store), a lot of the options available are designed for commercial and industrial applications and are not always cost-effective (or even efficient) for residential-scale systems. In fact, we generally recommend our precast concrete roofwasher to Ohio-region customers as an affordable and highly effective pre-tank filter -- and concrete roofwasher actually has a first flush filter built into it, so it takes care of the first two filtration steps in one unit. We also have a plastic roofwashing filter available. Even doing something as simple as installing downspout filters can be an effective means of drastically improving your water quality BEFORE it enters your tank.
In-tank filtration: In-tank filtration is simple to do and can have a big impact on overall water quality. First rule of thumb is to try to plumb your tank inlets so that they go down inside your tank and empty at the bottom. Consider putting concrete blocks around the inlet pipe at the bottom of the tank, or install a 90-degree elbow fitting on the pipe. Doing so act as a “force breaker” and will reduce turbidity in the water, thereby maintaining sediment zones in the tank. Sedimentation will be most heavily concentrated on the very bottom and on the very top of the water in a given cistern, so if we can reduce turbidity in the water and draw the water from the middle of the water level (using a floating cistern filter), we’ll get the cleanest water from our system.
Activated carbon: All water will carry with it its own taste and odor, and rainwater is no exception. To get the best water quality possible, as well as the best tasting water, a granulated activated carbon (or “GAC”) filter is a must for any system. As a homeowner, you would have the option of going with a simple GAC cartridge filter, or a more thorough and larger household GAC unit.
Sediment filtration: Any remaining sedimentation in the water should be filtered out as thoroughly as possible. Sediment size is measured in microns -- the higher the micron reading, the larger the particulate. In some states, all rainwater systems that are used for drinking water must be filtered down to at least 5 microns (which is small enough to filter out cysts from the water). When we are putting in drinking water systems from rainwater tanks, we generally install a two- or three-stage sediment filtration system, starting with a 20-30 micron filter, followed by a 5 micron filter. When installing sediment filters, always put the higher micron element first, followed by the second highest and so on.
UV Sterilization: The final step in any rainwater filtration system needs to be disinfection (killing bacteria) or sterilization (sterilizing bacteria so that it cannot reproduce, thereby rendering it harmless). Even after filtering the water down to 5 microns, bacteria can still be present in the water. While many rainwater systems use chlorine to disinfect the water, our preferred method for bacteria filtration is ultra-violet sterilization. We strive for the best possible water quality, and adding chlorine to the water, in our experience, does not lend itself to this end. UV sterilizers, by contrast, offer a very safe and extremely effective result. However, UV lamp sleeves need regular (usually every 3 months) cleaning to ensure that the UV light penetrates the water fully. Cleaning is not difficult and, with all of the above filtration steps in place, can be a very quick process (under 5 minutes).
We have developed a list of the most common causes of fire-related losses as well as some things you can do to help prevent them.
Faulty Wiring and Outlets Are One of the Top Causes of House Fires.
Check the electrical cords throughout your home for signs of fraying, and replace all frayed wires.
Do not pinch or cover electrical cords with items such as rugs.
Be aware of the capacity of your home's electrical system. Do not overload your circuits. If you have questions about your home's electrical system, you may want to consult a licensed electrician.
Understand the difference between surge protectors and power strips—both allow you to plug in multiple electronic devices, but only the surge protector will help protect these devices from a power spike. Use surge protectors to protect valuable electronic devices, such as computers and televisions.
Carelessness in the Kitchen May Also Lead to a House Fire.
Never leave your pots or pans unattended on your stove.
Keep a kitchen fire extinguisher readily available and know how to use it.
Keep your stove and oven clean. Built up food splatter or grease can later ignite when the stove or oven is turned on for cooking.
Clothes Dryers Are Another Common Source of House Fires.
If you are installing your own dryer vent, follow the directions in the manufacturer’s installation instructions, using the recommended duct material. If you are unsure about how to properly install the vent, consider hiring a professional to do the installation.
Clean out the dryer vent regularly.
Clean out the lint filter after each load.
Lint may also collect under and behind your dryer, so do not forget to clean these areas.
Alternative Heating Sources May Also Create a Fire Hazard.
Avoid using an older space heater, as it may not have adequate safety features compared to newer units. When purchasing a new space heater, ensure it is UL Listed and pay attention to the safety features.
Do not place a space heater near furniture, curtains or other objects that could easily catch fire.
If you plan to install an alternative heating system, such as a wood or pellet stove, follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you are unsure about how to properly install the system, consider hiring a professional to do the installation.
Before installing a wood or pellet stove, check to ensure it complies with the laws of your state and municipality.
Dirty Chimneys Also Pose a Fire Hazard.
Have your chimney inspected annually by a Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA)-certified chimney sweep. Have a professional clean and repair the chimney as needed, especially before the cold months, when you will be using it frequently.
Use seasoned wood only. Never burn green or damp wood.
Never burn cardboard boxes, wrapping paper, trash or trees in your fireplace—these can all spark chimney fires.
Unfortunately we all know for a fact that fires happen. As much precaution as we take to prevent them, they happen! So then what are the main causes of fires starting? The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that the leading reported causes of fires in non-residential buildings for 2013 was due to cooking materials (29.3%), intentional (9.7%), and carelessness (9.2%). However, The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) broke down the statistics on the main causes of fire in healthcare, educational, and commercial properties.
Healthcare
In the healthcare arena, the U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 6,240 structure fires during 2006-2010.
61% of fires were due to cooking equipment
7% of fires were due to clothing equipment
6% of fires were started intentionally
While cooking equipment seemed to have been the leading cause of fires, nursing homes were more likely to have fires involving clothes washer & dryer. And facilities providing care of those with developmental disabilities, mental illness or substance abuse had more fires that were intentionally set.
Education
In the educational arena, during 2007-2011 an estimated average of 4,060 structure fires per year were reported in educational facilities. And an estimated 700 structure fires per year were reported in college classrooms and adult education centers.
13% of fires began in a kitchen or cooking area
49% of fires were started intentionally
32% occurred in the lavatory or bathroom
Most fires in educational properties occurred in nursery, elementary, middle, or high schools.
Commercial
In the commercial arena, an estimated average of 3,700 fires in hotels were reported to the U.S. fire departments during 2006-2010. And the U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 3,340 fires in offices during 2007-2011.
In Hotels:
45% of fires were due to cooking equipment
10% of fires were due to smoking material
9% of fires were due to heating equipment
Nearly three-quarters of fires in hotels didn’t spread beyond their origin. However, fires that began in a bedroom were responsible for 31% of civilian injuries and 72% of civilian deaths. Smoking materials were the cause of the fire in 79% of civilian deaths.
In Office Buildings:
29% of fires were due to cooking equipment
12% of fires were due to electrical and wiring equipment
11% of fires were due to heating equipment
Although cooking equipment was the leading cause of office fires, it only accounted for just 6% of the direct property damage. Electrical and lighting equipment caused 15% of direct property damage, while fires that were intentionally set caused 20% of direct property damage.
All in all cooking and electrical equipment, carelessness as well as fires set intentionally, are the main causes of fire. So what can you do to prevent fires from happening? Be cautious when using electricity or any kind of heating equipment and make sure your passive fire protection system (fire/smoke dampers, fire doors, and firestop) are inspected and tested to help ensure that your building as well as its occupants are safe in case of a fire.
No matter type of business you conduct at your workplace, fire safety should always be a main concern. Here are a few fire safety tips you can distribute to your staff.
Fire Prevention
Keep your work area free of waste paper, trash and other items that can easily catch fire.
Check on your electrical cords. If a cord is damaged in any way, replace it. Try not to lay cords in places where they can be stepped on, as this will contribute to deterioration of the protective outside coating.
Don't overload your circuits.
Turn off electrical appliances at the end of each day.
Keep heat producing equipment away from anything that might burn. This includes copiers, coffee makers, computers, etc.
In the Event of a Fire
Upon finding a fire, call 911 immediately and don't hand up with the emergency responder until told to do so.
Close doors when exiting to help limit the spread of smoke and fire throughout the building.
Never use elevators during an evacuation.
Follow the escape plan and meet at a per-determined place outside of your building and away from danger. Conduct a headcount to ensure all of your staff has evacuated.
The best way to ensure the safety of your staff is through fire prevention and preparation. Talk with your staff about fire safety in the workplace today.
Now that the fire is out, there are a few things you need to know. Here is a check list to follow:
Step 1 - Securing the site
Protect the fire site from any further damage by weather, theft or vandalism. Do not leave the site unsecured.
If you are the owner it is your responsibility to see that openings are covered against rain and entry. Make sure outside doors to the property can be locked and secured. The Fire Department will help secure the premises until responsibility can be handed over to the tenant or insurance company.
If you are the tenant contact your real estate agent or landlord and inform them of the fire. If you cannot contact them and you need professional assistance in boarding the premises, a general contractor for or fire damage restoration firm can help. Check your telephone directory.
If you plan to leave the site, try to remove any valuable remaining in the building.
Contact your own insurance agent to report the loss.
Step 2- Cautions
Household wiring which may have been water damaged should be checked by a licensed electrician before power is turned back on.
Check for structural damage caused by the fire. Roofs and floors may be weakened. The local Council's Building Inspector may be able to help.
Food, drink and medicines exposed to heat, smoke or soot may be discarded in the appropriate manner.
Refrigerators and freezers left unopened will hold their temperature for a short time. However do not attempt to refreeze thawed items.
The Fire Department will call for the services of the local gas, fuel and electricity suppliers to disconnect services before they leave the site.
If a utility (gas, electricity or water) is disconnected, it is your responsibility to have the services checked and reconnected by a licensed trade person. Do not attempt to reconnect the service yourself.
Start collecting receipts for any money you spend. These are important because you can use them to show the insurance company what money you have spent relating to your fire loss and also verifying losses claimed.
Step 3 - Insurance Claims
Make personal contact with the insurance claims manager.
Advise the claims manager of loss or damage and give him, or her, a forwarding address and telephone number if the circumstances have forced you to leave the damaged fire building.
The sooner the insurance company is alerted, the quicker the insurance claim can be processed, as the company has to alert the insurance adjuster to carry out the inspection.
Try to form an inventory, as soon as possible, of household items either inside or outside the buildings which have been damaged by fire. The inventory of damaged items will further speed the claim when the loss adjuster makes contact. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after the inventory is made by the insurance adjuster.
Step 4 - Leaving your home
If you have to leave your home because the fire has left it unsafe, contact the local police. They can keep an eye on the property in your absence.
Check with your insurance company to find out whether you are entitled to stay in hotel as part of a temporary housing clause in your policy, or how soon you might get an advance on your eventual insurance claim settlement.
Provided it is safe to do so, try to locate the following to take with you:
Identification
Vital medicines, such as blood pressure regulating drugs or insulin.
Eyeglasses, hearing aids, prosthetic devices or personal aids.
Valuables such as credit cards, check-books, insurance policies, savings account books, money and jewelry.
Notify these people of your new address
Your employer.
Family and friends.
Your children's schools.
Your Post Office. Have them either hold or forward your mail, depending on the length of time you expect to be relocated.
Delivery services like newspapers and milk.
Telecom and the suppliers of gas, electricity and water.
contact:
SERVPRO of Western Essex County at 973-994-1640
We will help to get your life in order after this catastrophic event.
Why Carpet Maintenance is Important in The Workplace
Maintenance Protects your Investment Flooring is a substantial investment —one you’ll want to protect for years to come. After all, the longer your flooring lasts, the less it costs. The initial cost for floor covering materials and installation does not fully encompass your total floor covering investment. The life cycle cost also factors in life expectancy of the carpet, costs for removal/disposal, lost revenues during renovations and maintenance costs over the life of the carpet.
Good maintenance helps protect your total flooring investment.
Maintenance Helps Carpet Last Longer and Cost Less Proactive, regularly scheduled maintenance removes soil before it can build up and damage carpet fibers. This can actually extend the life of the carpet, reducing the costs of restoration, replacement and disposal. Reactive maintenance cannot fully restore a carpet to a like-new appearance. This results in shorter carpet life and higher carpet life cycle costs.
Maintenance Is Good for the Environment
Our life cycle analysis of carpet shows that the overall environmental footprint of carpet is reduced by increasing the amount of time a carpet remains on the floor. A consistent, proactive maintenance program can significantly improve the appearance retention throughout the life of the carpet. Less carpet waste going to landfills is always good for the environment.
Creating a Carpet Maintenance Program
Once the importance of proper carpet maintenance is understood, we can create a comprehensive maintenance program for you.
Step 1: Make Preventive Maintenance a Priority Preventing soil from entering the environment is easier and less expensive than removing it from the carpet.
Here are five simple but important steps in a preventive maintenance program:
Keep Outside Areas Clean Outside maintenance helps minimize immediate sources of soil. The cleaner you keep sidewalks, parking lots, garages and other areas around the perimeter of your building, the less dirt that will be tracked inside.
Use Soil Barriers Walk-off mats, grates and removable elevator carpets help collect soil before it can be tracked throughout the building. Be sure soil barriers are large enough to allow for at least five steps across.
Vacuum daily, clean frequently and change often for best results. Protect Desk Areas Chair pads under desk chairs prevent casters from crushing carpet and grinding in soil. Specify eating, drinking and smoking areas By restricting these activities to limited areas, you can help confine certain difficult kinds of soil.
Maintain your HVAC System To remove many airborne particles before they are recirculated, regularly replace or clean filters on air-handling equipment. Airborne soil includes industrial wastes, auto emissions, tobacco smoke and pollen.
Step 2: Manage Soil with Regular Vacuuming Vacuuming is the most important dry soil management procedure. Effective vacuuming removes dry soil so that it cannot spread to other carpeted areas.
The level of effective vacuuming has two components: frequency and equipment type. Vacuuming Frequency
• Heavy- to moderate-traffic areas (entrances, elevator lobbies, reception areas, busy corridors, cafeterias, vending machine areas, employee lounges) should be vacuumed daily.
• Light-traffic areas (offices, conference rooms) should be vacuumed at least two to three times per week. Equipment Type
• Dual-motor vacuums are very effective machines for thoroughly cleaning heavy- to moderate traffic areas. This vacuum uses two motors to clean. One motor drives a beater-brush bar that knocks dirt loose, while the second motor provides suction that pulls dirt into the vacuum bag.
• Single-motor vacuums can be very effective machines depending upon their design. For the most part, they should only be used in light-traffic areas. They are generally less powerful than dual-motor vacuums, but easier to maneuver around furniture.
• Detail vacuums can be used to clean around the edges of a room or in confined areas around furniture.
• Carpet sweepers may be used to remove larger particle-sized surface dirt and small litter in high-visibility areas during the business day. However, they are not an effective cleaning method and should not take the place of thorough vacuuming.
The Carpet and Rug Institute has identified vacuum cleaners that meet industry criteria for removal efficacy, particulate emission and carpet damage.
Step 3: Promptly Remove Spills and Stains Although spills are inevitable, permanent stains do not have to be. Most stains can be avoided or removed by immediate, or at least same-day, treatment. It is good practice to have spot and stain removal products and equipment on hand for immediate use.
Correct identification of spots and stains is the first step in proper removal because some types of spills may require special cleaning solutions and techniques.
But for most spills, the basic removal procedure is the same:
1. Blot as much of the spill as you can with an absorbent towel. Always work toward the center of the spill. Do not rub! If the spill is solid or semisolid, gently scrape off what you can using a dull knife.
2. Apply a general-purpose carpet spotter to the spill. This is a detergent solution that is specially made for use on carpets. Never use other kinds of cleaning solutions, such as bleach. These may permanently damage the carpet.
3. Tamp or pat in the carpet spotter with a tamping brush.
4. Wait three minutes, then blot again.
5. Rinse with clean water, then blot as dry as possible. If the stain remains, repeat the entire process. If the stain persists after the second time, contact us here at SERVPRO of Western Essex County.
Step 4: Renew your Carpet with Proactive, Periodic Cleaning Even the most effective, consistent vacuuming may leave some soil behind.
Periodic cleaning improves the appearance and extends the life of carpet. Periodic cleaning also removes oily, sticky soil from the carpet that attracts and holds additional soil. Depending on soiling conditions and other factors, there are a number of available cleaning methods. Your choice of method should be based on what will be the most effective and compatible with your carpet and its traffic levels.
Carpet cleaning can be a bothersome chore. However, the reward of restoring the freshness and beauty back to our carpets is very often worth the efforts. Carpets without proper cleaning quickly lose its beauty in due time. The soiling of carpets can unfold rather fast, even with regularly vacuuming and spot cleaning. Let’s take a look at the main reasons why carpet cleaning is so important.
It prolongs the life span of the carpet.
Vacuuming does help but there are dirt and grime that sinks deep within the fibers. They become hard to clean. They even make the carpet look old and discolored. Regular carpet cleaning in intervals of 12 to 18 months sustains longer life span. It also maintains the beauty of the carpet as if it is only several months old since purchased.
It removes stains, restoring the carpet back an unblemished state.
Carpet stains often mar the look of a carpet and make our living space less pleasant-looking. Carpet stains appear all the time from the dirt carried inside from the soles of shoes, to spilt coffee, wine and other drinks, to pet accidents and more. Deep carpet cleaning can separate the dirt from the carpets, bringing it back to an unblemished and pleasant-looking state.
It lessens pollutants.
The carpet is an effective trap of various particles. Dirt, dust, pet dander, and insect allergens are regulars of home carpet. Regular carpet cleaning helps lessen or completely eliminate these pollutants. The use of special sanitizers like carpet shampoo kills the bacteria from these particles. Would you believe that the average home toilet seat is cleaner than the average home carpet?
It prevents insect infestation.
There are insects that are hard to notice when they are on the carpet’s surface. Sometimes, adaptive coloration makes cockroaches and mites to stay on it until they release eggs. They also leave body fragments like shed skin. With regular carpet cleaning, you do not clean the carpet alone but also kills insects and prevents possible infestation.
It eliminates bad odor.
The dust, insects, urine and various pollutants on the carpet emit foul odor. They also increase the chances that some organisms like bacteria and fungi will soon thrive on the carpet. The bad odor is itself a sign of an unhealthy environment. Regular carpet cleaning will not only eliminate bad odor. It will also hinder these harmful organisms from being carpet mainstays.
It contributes to overall home appeal.
A well-maintained and regularly cleaned carpet is a sign of a well-maintained home. It leaves an impression that the homeowner is careful and meticulous of how his house looks and appeals to his guests. More often than not, a clean home carpet reflects that other things and other parts within the house also shows equal cleanliness.
It protects your investment
Regular carpet cleaning treats your carpet as a great investment. It doesn’t matter how cheap or how expensive you’ve bought it. This is an effort that maintains beauty, color, and the pattern or designs of your carpet longer than you could imagine. It can even make your carpet a legacy passed to your children.
Summary & Next Steps
Regular home carpet cleaning should not be taken for granted. Summing up, the importance it brings comes down to adding beauty wherever that may be.
Manual (hand wash) carpet cleaning of homes can be a tedious, if not impossible process. Fortunately, there are many models of home carpet cleaning machines that allow the process to be much easier.
On top of your own carpet cleaning routines, you may also consider engaging qualified professional cleaning services for an expert review of your carpets. Here at SERVPRO Western Essex County we have the most up to date equipment to do a job well done. You can always give us a call for professional advice on the matter at hand.
Water damage can be deceptive. Water penetrates into structural cavities creating trapped pockets of saturation. The detection of water in these areas can often only be discovered with sophisticated moisture detection meters. Undetected moisture will continue to cause damage. This damage, at a minimum, will cause odors. Greater damage will surface when materials delaminate, shrink, split and further deteriorate to where costly repairs are required.
More than just removing excess water, IICRC-certified restorers have the knowledge and equipment to further dry a home or facility (including substructure materials) completely back to preloss conditions. Through timely response and the careful monitoring of water damage, mold and other issues can be prevented.If water damage has been present too long, mold will occur.
All IICRC-certified professionals have the training and experience to identify moisture sources, evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected), contain damage, remove contamination and dry materials to ensure that mold will not return.
Every technician in SERVPRO of Western Essex County is Certified through the IICRC, and experienced in their craft.
Severe weather can happen any time, anywhere. Each year, Americans cope with an average of the following intense storms:
10,000 severe thunderstorms
5,000 floods or flash floods
1,000 tornadoes
2 landfalling deadly hurricanes
Approximately 98% of all presidential declared disasters are weather-related, leading to around 500 deaths per year and nearly $15 billion in damage.* Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.
Know Your Risk
The first step to being weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly and obtain a NOAA Weather Radio. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.
Take Action
Take the next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.
Be an Example
Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story with co-workers and family and friends on Facebook or Twitter. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same. Contact your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals for more readiness tips and tools and be “Ready for whatever happens!”
LAS VEGAS– (October 1, 2015) – Have you ever wondered what happens when a mold removal specialist gets called to a mold-damaged facility? The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) shares five steps a mold removal specialist takes when conducting mold remediation.
“Many people aren’t aware of the dangers, nor the difficulty level of removing mold from a facility,” said IICRC Chairman Tony Wheelwright. “Mold remediation is a potentially hazardous process that should only be undertaken by a certified professional.”
Five steps that each mold-removal specialist takes when conducting mold remediation includes:
1. Determine the degree of contamination. The first step for a mold remediation specialist may be to bring in an Indoor Environmental Professional (IEP) to determine the extent of the mold damage and test for contamination within the facility. Because mold spores and other microscopic contaminants can travel easily throughout a building, the IEP may collect and analyze samples from affected as well as unaffected areas of the building. Once the IEP has finished the inspection they will develop a remediation plan for the mold removal specialist with steps to return the home to its preloss condition (Condition 1).
2. Set up and verify containment. To make sure mold contamination does not spread to other areas of a facility, the mold remediation specialist will set up containment by creating isolation barriers. Once the barriers are set up, the specialist will need to verify the containment with a lower partial pressure differential (negative pressure) to ensure there is no air leakage between containment zones. Exit chambers would then be used to serve as a transition between the containment and the unaffected area of the building. Once the containment is verified and the correct amount of pressure is achieved, the removal process can begin.
3. Remove unsalvageable materials. Porous materials and items that cannot be restored or cleaned effectively must be carefully discarded. Unsalvageable items include but are not limited to drywall, insulation and other items with visible mold growth. It is important for the specialist to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment which may include a full face respirator equipped with a P100/OV cartridge, disposable coveralls and nitrite gloves.
4. Clean surfaces with a high-attention to detail. A mold remediation specialist will likely begin the cleaning process by thoroughly vacuuming the contaminated areas using a HEPA vacuum with a high-efficiency filter to catch mold spores. He or she will then begin a detailed cleaning process involving mold removal tools such as a HEPA filtered sander, followed by the damp wiping of surfaces with an effective cleaning solution.
5. Verify remediation. Once cleaning is complete, the IEP will return to too to verify the remediation was successful. The area must be returned to the dry standard and should be visually dust free with no malodors. In addition an IEP may perform surface or air sampling as part of the verification that the area is back to normal fungal ecology (Condition 1).
“Mold remediation requires mold removal specialists to perform techniques that promote source removal rather than relying on chemicals, paints and coatings as a replacement,” said Rachel Adams, President of Indoor Environmental Management, Inc. “Understanding and managing air flow is also critical to the success of a mold remediation project. Working with qualified IEP can also help to reduce the liability for the technician as well as provide a final determination if the remediation was successful.”
For more information on mold remediation or the latest in mold remediation standards, visit the IICRC website at http://www.IICRC.org. About IICRC The IICRC is a global, ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO) that credentials individuals in 20+ categories within the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries. Representing more than 54,000 certified technicians and 6,000 Certified Firms in 22 countries, the IICRC, in partnership with regional and international trade associations, represents the entire industry. The IICRC does not own schools, employ instructors, produce training materials or promote specific product brands, cleaning methods or systems. For more information, visit www.IICRC.org.
When there’s a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home or business. Mold can affect your health and can also cause significant damage to your property. Fortunately, SERVPRO® of Western Essex County Professionals have the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different, requiring a unique solution, the general mold remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process.
Call Your Local SERVPRO® of Western Essex County Professionals The mold cleanup and restoration
process begins when you call our SERVPRO’s Call Center. A representative will ask a series of questions to help determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed.
Inspection & Damage Assessment
Your property will be carefully inspected for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources. Mold feeds on cellulose and water which can be hidden from plain view.
Mold Containment
Various containment procedures will be placed to prevent the spread of mold and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
Air Filtration
Specialized filtration equipment captures microscopic mold spores out of the air. Our SERVPRO® technicians utilize powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in progress.
Removing Mold & Mold-Infested Materials
The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. Anti-fungal and antimicrobial treatments will be used to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new colonies from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to re-mediate heavy mold growth.
Cleaning Contents & Belongings
SERVPRO® of Western Essex County Professionals clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, and other restorable items affected by mold. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings. They are also trained to remove odors and deodorize using fogging equipment.
Restoration
Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may be removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. SERVPRO® of Western Essex County Professionals understand mold and mold growth and have the training and equipment to remediate mold in your home or business
The main things mold needs to grow in a home are organic materials to feed on and moisture. In houses there are always plenty of organic materials for mold to live on such as wood, drywall and various other building materials.
Moisture, on the other hand, can be controlled practically and so keeping the moisture in your home low is the best way to prevent mold growth.
Prevent Mold by Preventing Moisture
Most molds need 24-48 hours of moisture to begin to grow. Therefore if a suitable material in your home is wet for more than 24 hours then you run the risk of mold starting to grow.
Prevent Mold by Preventing Water Leaks
There are a few main things which usually cause moisture problems in the home. One is water leaks. These include things such as leaking roofs or walls, leaking pipes and leaking taps or a leaking shower.
If you know of any leaks in your home you should fix them without delay. You might need to inspect your home to find any water leaks you didn't know about.
Prevent Mold by Preventing Condensation
Condensation is another frequent cause of moisture. Condensation forms on cold surfaces when water vapor in the air cools and becomes liquid. Often you'll see condensation on metal pipes, concrete walls, water tanks and windows.
One way to reduce condensation is to keep the temperature warmer in rooms. For example, by installing insulation. You can also insulate the surfaces themselves such as putting coverings over metal pipes. You'll also have less condensation occurring if you keep the humidity in your home low.
Prevent Mold by Reducing Humidity
Dehumidifier
Many species of mold can begin to grow from humidity alone if the humidity stays high for long enough. In fact the humidity only needs to be higher than 55% before some molds can begin to grow.
The best way to keep humidity low in your home is through ventilation. Open the windows during the day, especially when it's hot since this is when humidity is usually the lowest outside. Close your windows when it's raining outside though.
It's especially important to ventilate the rooms where steam and moisture builds up, like the kitchen and bathroom. Exhaust fans help to reduce the humidity when doing things like cooking or washing dishes.
Air conditioners can also reduce household humidity, as can using dehumidifiers in your home.
Wet Clothes and Preventing Mold
One common cause of moisture problems in homes is wet clothes. After you've washed your clothes you should immediately dry them. Don't leave them sitting in a wet pile for a long time. Make sure not to leave any wet clothes lying around waiting to be washed too.
It's best to dry your clothes outside on a clothes line if you can. Hanging them inside on a clothes horse or indoor clothes line will not dry them as quickly and the moisture from your clothes will evaporate into the air, raising the humidity. If you dry them in a clothes dryer inside your home then you should exhaust the air outdoors if possible. In either case make sure the room where you're drying your clothes is well ventilated.
Once mold has begun to grow in your home it's not enough to just take away the mold's moisture source. Mold that runs out of moisture can lie dormant for a long time without dying. So if you already have mold growth in your home you need to take steps to have it removed.
Mold grows and feeds on organic substances such as wood or cotton. Mold should not grow on surfaces like plastic, metal or glass unless there is a layer of grease or some other organic substance which it can feed on.
Some materials mold commonly grows on in the home include wood, carpet, food, paper, insulation, wallpaper, paint, wallpaper glue, plasterboard, fabrics, cotton, books, leather, chipboard, furniture, dust, ceiling tiles, inside air conditioners and almost any other organic material.
You should clean regularly to reduce dirt and grime which mold can live on. Dust and vacuum often, ideally with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered vacuum cleaner to remove dust and other substances that mold can grow off of. It has been found that 80% of mold grows on dust.
For more information about vacuum cleaners and mold visit Vacuum Mold.
Minimizing Mold Spores to Prevent Mold
Mold spores are everywhere in the air outside. They float through buildings all the time and there is no practical way to remove all mold spores indoors.
However if the concentration of mold spores inside is significantly higher than outside then it can start to cause health issues. A higher amount of mold spores also increases the potential for mold problems to start.
Mold spores enter homes through windows, doors, air ducts, etc. They can also be transported inside attached to skin, clothing, hair, pets, etc.
Although you cannot eliminate all mold spores inside your home or prevent all mold spores from entering, minimizing the amount of spores will prevent you from suffering mold related health problems and lessen the chance of mold beginning to grow in your home.
To minimize mold spores clean and dust often. Also vacuum your home regularly, preferably with a HEPA vacuum cleaner to remove mold spores. HEPA air filters in your home also help remove mold spores from the air.
Sunlight to Prevent Mold
Mold loves dark spaces indoors to grow in. Allowing sunlight in will reduce the chances of mold growing so open the curtains in rooms during the day to let natural light in.
Warmth and Preventing Mold
Mold generally does not grow in cold environments. Warm, humid conditions are ideal for mold growth. Most molds need temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) or more to grow.
Air conditioners to regulate the temperature of your house can help prevent mold growth.
Mold testing can tell you if you have a mold problem in your home. Mold tests can also help you find hidden mold, measure your indoor air quality and identify what species of mold is in your home.
Professional Mold Testing
It's best to have mold testing performed for you by a qualified mold professional. Hiring a professional mold tester who is experienced at collecting and analyzing mold samples will always lead to the most accurate results.
Mold Test Kits
You can purchase mold test kits which you can use to collect mold samples yourself. This is a less expensive option than having a mold tester test your home. The samples you collect will be sent away to a professional mold testing laboratory which will get back to you with the results.
A mold test gives you a snapshot of the amount of mold particles in a certain area at a certain time. But the amount of mold spores fluctuates over time and from place to place.
Because of this it's a good idea to test at several different times and in different locations in your home. This way you will get a more complete and accurate picture of the mold problem in your home.
Types of Mold Tests
The three main types of mold tests are:
Air testing
Surface testing
Bulk testing
Ideally you should use all three types of tests since each have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Air Testing for Mold
Air sampling tests the concentration of mold spores in your home's air. Samples are taken from the air and are later examined under a microscope.
Air tests can tell you if you have a mold problem even if you cannot find the mold growth. However the amount of mold spores in the air can change drastically in a small amount of time, giving varying results at different times.
Surface Testing for Mold
Surface testing takes samples from household surfaces to find the amount of mold growth and spores deposited around the home. Samples are collected by swabbing, tape lifting or other methods. The sample is then examined in a laboratory.
Like with air testing the results can vary because mold growth and spores aren't spread evenly across surfaces in the home and can change over time. Unlike air testing though, surface tests can't identify the exact concentration of mold spores in the air.
Bulk Testing for Mold
Bulk testing involves collecting pieces of material from the home. The material is then taken to a laboratory where mold particles on the material can then be examined under a microscope. Bulk tests can tell you if you have a mold problem and give you an idea of the concentration of mold particles in your home.
Culture Tests for Mold
Culture tests are where mold particles in a sample from the home are grown into larger mold colonies in a lab. This way culture tests identify the species of molds in houses.
Only mold particles that are still alive can be grown. Other tests can detect both living and non-living mold in a home but can't always identify the species of molds.
Why You Should Test for Mold
The main reasons for having mold testing performed in your home are:
You notice signs of mold such as a mold smell or mold symptoms
To identify the species of mold in your home
To help you find where mold is growing
To test indoor air quality by measuring the amount of spores in the air
To test if mold in your home has been fully removed
Mold Signs
One sign you could have mold is a mold smell. If you notice a moldy smell in your home there's a good chance you could have mold hidden somewhere.
Identifying Mold Species
Another reason for mold testing is if you want to find out what kind of species of mold is in your home. This is important for toxic molds since extra caution needs to be taken to safely remove toxic mold from the home.
Two well known toxic molds are Stachybotrys (often called toxic black mold) and Aspergillus.
Mold Testing to Find Mold
Not only can mold testing tell you if you have a mold problem somewhere in your home, but it can also help you to find it.
Mold often grows hidden away behind walls and other places. Mold tests can help you narrow down the location of hidden mold by telling you the places in your home with the highest amount of mold spores.
You can find out places mold commonly grows in the home at Where Mold Grows.
Mold Testing for Indoor Air Quality
You can have mold testing done to tell you the amount of mold spores in the air.
Mold Testing after Removing Mold
Mold testing can be useful after you've had mold removed from your home. Through testing you can make sure that the mold removal was a success.
Surface sampling can show whether an area has been properly cleaned of mold. Having air testing some time after the mold removal can also confirm that mold spores in your home's air have been reduced to a safe level.
There's a guide to removing mold from your home at Mold Removal.
Mold Inspection before Testing
Before you turn to mold testing you should have a thorough mold inspection of your home done. If the inspection turns up mold then usually you don't need to do any mold testing. Instead you can move onto the mold removal stage.
But if you couldn't find any mold but still think you have a mold problem, or if you found some mold but think there is more hidden or that it could be toxic, then it's time to turn to mold testing.
Home and business owners should be taking note: when lint clogs a dryer duct, your building is at risk for fire. Dryer vent cleaning helps to prevent costly fires, reduce dryer downtime—and keep your building’s dryer system functioning properly.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is a cost-effective way to protect the safety of building residents. As part of our service, we remove lint, birds’ nests, small articles of clothing and more from dryer vents in houses, beauty salons, hotels, multi-family living structures and other establishments.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County ensures that the full length of the dryer vent is clean when we leave your property.
This may entail cutting additional access points to the dryer vent from the attic, basement—or where ever the dryer vent routes through your home or business.
Here at SERVPRO of Western Essex County no job is too big for us and we are always here to help. We are open 24/7 seven days a week, just for our customer's needs.
Building Safety Month—in its 37th year—is an initiative of the International Code Council (ICC) and their 57,000 members across the world, as well as their partners in building construction and design, and the safety community. Building Safety Month is an opportunity to educate insurance and commercial property professionals, as well as the general public, on “what it takes to create safe, resilient, affordable, and energy-efficient homes and buildings,” according to the ICC website.
The theme for 2017 is Code Officials— Partners in Community Safety and Economic Growth and highlights managing disasters, specifically natural disasters, in week three of this year’s campaign. Some of the topics and tips shared throughout the month include Disaster Safety and Mitigation, as well as Fire Safety and Awareness. The general public may not be aware how codes and code officials “improve and protect the places where we live, learn, work, worship, and play,” and this month can certainly improve that awareness!
IMPORTANT TIPS FROM THE ICC Disaster Safety & Mitigation n
*If you live in a high wind or hurricane prone area and do not have tested and code-approved shutters for protection from windborne debris, consider temporarily protecting your doors and windows by mounting exterior grade, 7/16" minimum thickness plywood and fastening it into place. Visit www.flash.org for detailed instructions on how to use plywood for emergency board-up.
* Consider building or retrofitting to create a tornado-safe room in your home. Follow ICC/NSSA 500 Standard for detailed construction information and to ensure you achieve the highest level of protection for your family.
* In wildfire prone areas, remove fine (dead grass, leaves, etc.) and coarse fuels (dead twigs, branches, etc.) within 30 feet of a building to create a survivable space in case of wildfire. Be sure to remove dry leaf and pine litter from roofs, rain gutters, decks, and walkways. Follow ICC’s International Wildland-Urban Interface Code® for detailed requirements.
*Flooded roads could have significant damage hidden by floodwaters. Never drive through floodwaters or on flooded roads. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream. It takes only six inches of fast flowing water to sweep you off your feet and two feet of water to move an SUV-sized vehicle.
Source: iccsafe.org
US Small Business Administration-Small Business Week
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is a registered Small Business with the US Small Business Administration (SBA), and with the State of New Jersey and the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey as a Small Business Enterprise
Do You Have Dirty Ducts? Improve your indoor air quality with duct cleaning
Over time, different contaminants or foreign objects can enter and collect in your air ducts that may diminish the indoor air quality of your systems
Did you know your ventilation system is often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality? Inspecting the ductwork in your facility or home should be a high priority. In most cases, the HVAC system has been operating for some time without much attention. Dirty ducts can circulate odors, contaminants such as mold, and irritating dust throughout your building or home.
A routine part of your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional’s service is inspecting the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping the HVAC and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life-span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which may help save you money. Duct cleaning may not always be necessary. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This inspection can help save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and ductwork.
In some circumstances, such as after a fire, smoke, or suspected mold growth, duct cleaning becomes an essential part of the cleanup process. In these cases, your SERVPRO® Franchise Professional can often restore the HVAC system and ductwork to pre-damage condition.
If you have a fuel-burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends they be inspected for proper functioning and be serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
The SERVPRO® Duct Cleaning System is proven and cost-efficient. Unlike the majority of duct cleaning services, your SERVPRO® Franchise Professional uses a portable ventilation and air duct cleaning system to examine ductwork and make a clean sweep, removing years of dust and grime.
The process begins by using patented equipment, including a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the duct’s shape and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debris and filth before vacuuming begins.
Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debris from the ducting to a 16-gallon container.n Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system, removing 99.97 percent of the particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the indoor environment clean.
As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.
Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.
For more information on duct cleaning, or to schedule an appointment, contact us today, 973-994-1640
According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death.
To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your or your insured’s home or business, SERVPRO® can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup.
Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Agency include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load, and making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by snow, a bird’s nest, or other potential obstacles.
For more information on cleaning dryer vents contact us at 973-994-1640
Things Your Parents Didn't Tell You About Taking Care of Your Home: Winterizing Your Home
Ice dams are a common homeowner’s nightmare in the winter whenever it snows, potentially causing major and costly water damage to your roof and even ceilings. Ice dams occur when snow on the roof melts slightly then refreezes when the runoff reaches the eaves, often in the gutters. When the day warms even slightly, the top layer melts but is unable to drain off properly, resulting in a pool of water up against the base of your roof. The water then often seeps under the roofing material, sometimes as much as 5ft or even 10ft up. Eventually, the water can work its way into your house’s soffits, walls, and even ceilings. When it comes to ice dams, an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure.
Essential Maintenance
Thoroughly clean out your gutters and downspout after the last leaves have fallen in your neighborhood, but certainly before the first snows of the season. Water will run more swiftly through cleaned gutters, giving it less time to freeze. Empty gutters also allow more room for ice and water to pool before it starts threatening your roof.
Try to purchase a roof rake or snow rake (a type of rake specially designed for cleaning your roof of snow) before the first snow of the season, then scrape the snow off your roof after each snowfall, or pay someone to come out and scrape the snow for you. This can also help avoid problems with the snow falling suddenly and possibly hitting someone when it comes loose as it melts. Unfortunately, snow rakes only work for single-story homes – they’re not long enough to reach a second floor, and you should never use a roof rake while standing on a ladder. Snow rakes work well if you experience heavy snows only rarely, but can be tedious to use.You will also need to be careful to not damage shingles since they can become brittle in the cold. Specially designed roof rakes are available for clearing snow off solar panels – standard roof rakes should not be used on panels as they can scratch the photorefractive surface.
If nothing else works, heat cables can help prevent ice dams as a fallback measure, especially if installed in the gutters and the downspout. Heat cables run over portions of the roof in a zigzag pattern, melting away ice and snow when turned on and can help if installed on a part of your roof particularly prone to ice dams. They might not prevent ice dams entirely, but heat cables can create enough of a channel for water to drain away, preventing some water damage.
Next time you need to replace your roof, also consider adding a special ice-and-water barrier under the shingles up to 3ft to 6ft from the roof’s edge. It will help with waterproofing, and the building codes in most areas now actually require an ice-and-water barrier to be installed under your roof. Your local building inspector will know how far up the barrier needs to extend in your region.
A Colder Roof
Generally speaking, ice dams form when the surface of your roof is above freezing, but the edges of your roof are below freezing. As hot air leaks from inside your house, it warms up your roof, often just enough to bring it right to the edge of freezing, creating the conditions in which ice dams can form. Many of the methods listed here can also reduce heat leakage, lowering your heating bill.
The average U.S. home loses about one-third of its heat through the ceiling and into the attic, and from there into the outside world. Most of that loss is due to leaks between the conditioned home and unconditioned attic. Unfortunately, air leaks are a hard nut to crack, since you usually have to go into the attic, pull back insulation, and plug any leaks by hand with foam, caulk, or other methods. Leaks usually occur around anything that penetrates the ceiling, like pipes, ceiling fixtures, access hatches, and others. Sealing leaks is ideally a cold-weather project since otherwise your attic will likely be too warm.
Heat loss also occurs through inadequate insulation. How much insulation you need varies depending on where you live. Generally, blown-in cellulose and fiberglass will serve better in colder regions, since they leave fewer gaps. See our article on installing insulation for a more in-depth look at how much and what kind of attic insulation your home needs. You will also want to make sure that any insulation doesn’t block your airflow. Baffles usually prevent blocked airflow, though you will still want to check your soffit vents.
Adding attic ventilation to an unfinished attic will make the attic colder, keeping the roof from heating up. Attic ventilation can be complicated. Generally speaking, you need about 1 sq ft of vent (the actual openings, added together for total vent area) per 300 sq ft of ceiling area (the size of the attic floor), with half of the total vent area low on the roof and half high on the roof. Look at your existing vents to find the area of each (which should be stamped somewhere easily visible), then add the area of your existing vents together to find out how much you still need. Some roof styles are harder to vent than others. When in doubt, contact a qualified contractor for advice and guidance.
Also, whenever you make your home more airtight, double check your combustion appliances, including furnaces and most water heaters, for backdrafts. If your appliance isn’t drafting properly, it could be leaking deadly waste products into your home. If you suspect you might have a problem with back drafting, contact a licensed home inspector to check your house and combustion appliances.
What to Do If a Dam Forms
Sometimes even the best preventative measures can’t stop dams from forming. Try to carefully remove any forming ice from your gutters. If you have heat cables, they can also reduce the damage a building ice dam will do. The safest way to remove the ice entirely, though, is to hire a roofing company to use a steamer to remove any ice and snow. A steamer uses hot water at high pressure to melt the ice without risking the damage that an ice pick does.
Bad NJ Winter Weather Forecast Released: Polar Vortex May Return
New Jersey and Pennsylvania may be in for another polar vortex weather system that could send temperatures into the record books in late winter and early spring, forecasters say.
And you probably don’t need to be reminded of the bone-chilling nightmare that was the winter of 2013-2014, when record low temperatures extended well into March. It was cold everywhere, and on Jan. 7, 2014, the temperature in every state in the country dipped below 32 degrees, even in Hawaii, where it was 25 degrees. At least 33 deaths were blamed on the record cold.
AccuWeather meteorologist Dean DeVore said it looks like the area could get a one-two punch from a couple of polar vortices.
“If you really delve deep into it there’s actually a couple of vortices,” DeVore told reporters. “One’s in the lower level of the atmosphere, one's in the higher levels. All of that — part and partial — looks like there’s a shift in one of the polar vortices that is expected to happen going into this winter.”
Polar vortices often mean colder temperatures in February and March. Though he expects some periods of extreme cold, DeVore thinks a bigger effect on winter weather will be the change from an El Niño to a mild La Niña system, which is occurring now and is expected to result in a colder, snowier winter, a departure from the last couple of years, he told told WWJ/CBS Detroit.
The prediction would match what was already forecasted by AccuWeather, which recently released its long-range forecast that predicts it will feel like an extended winter for New Jersey and Pennsylvania as cold and snowy conditions will likely stretch into spring 2017.
Frequent storms across the northeastern U.S. — particularly in the Northeast — this winter may lead to an above-normal season for snowfall.
"I think the Northeast is going to see more than just a few, maybe several, systems in the course of the season," AccuWeather Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok said in a news release.
Unlike last season, in which most of winter's snowfall came from a few heavy-hitting storms, this winter will last into the early or middle part of spring and will feature frequent snow events.
AccuWeather said much of the accumulation will be in New Jersey, the Philadelphia metropolitan area and south of Washington, D.C. These areas will see a handful of changeover systems, where falling snow transitions to rain and sleet.
The Old Farmer's Almanac, meanwhile, has released its long-range weather predictions for the rest of 2016 and into 2017. If the publication's long-range forecast is accurate, we should expect above-normal temperatures this winter in the central part of the Atlantic Corridor region, which includes New Jersey.
What is a Polar Vortex?
Though the term was only popularized in recent years, polar vortices aren’t anything new. The National Weather Service explains that a polar vortex — a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding both of the Earth’s poles — always exists but weakens in the summers and strengthens in the winter.
“The term ‘vortex’ refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Pole,” the Weather Service explained. “Many times during winter in the northern hemisphere, the polar vortex will expand, sending cold air southward with the jet stream. This occurs fairly regularly during wintertime and is often associated with large outbreaks of Arctic air in the United States.”
Similar outbreaks of extreme cold were also reported in 1977, 1982, 1985 and 1989.
Protect Your Pipes
So, what should you do to get your home and car ready while it’s still relatively mild? Even if the polar vortex doesn’t bring brutally frigid weather, you should take some precautions because the weather will turn colder.
Make sure your plumbing pipes are protected. Pipes freeze under three common scenarios: quick temperature drops, poor insulation and thermostats that are set too low. Some suggestions from the American Red Cross, Popular Mechanics and American Home Shield:
Check the insulation of pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and the attic, because they’re the most susceptible when temperatures plummet.
Wrap pipes in heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables, but be sure they’re approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Use caulk or insulation to seal leaks that allow cold air to flow inside near plumbing pipes. Pay particular attention to leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and the pipes themselves.
Disconnect hoses from each spigot on the outside of your house. Drain and store them.
Use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This will reduce the chance the short span of pipe just inside the house will freeze.
In extreme cold, you may be able prevent your pipes from freezing by allowing a trickle of warm water to drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
Leave your thermostat at the same temperature, day and night. Your routine may be to turn the heat down when you go to bed, but when the temperature plummets, which often occurs overnight, your pipes could freeze. Better to have a higher heating bill than costly repairs necessary when pipes freeze and burst.
Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Another idea is to turn off the main water valve before you leave home, even if you’re going to be gone only for a weekend.
Furnace Been Checked Lately?
With the house sealed up, you’ll also want to check these items off your list:
Make sure your furnace has been serviced to ensure it is running efficiently and safely.
Install a carbon monoxide detector and water heater, especially since they could be running on overdrive in freezing temperatures.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace, make sure the chimney is cleaned and the chimney cap is in place.
What to Do During Power Outage
You should also gather some other items you may need in the case of a power outage — and don’t forget to talk through the emergency plan with your family:
Have plenty of matches, candles and flashlights on hand in case the power goes out.
If you have a wood-burning fireplace or stove, make sure you have some cut firewood ready in case of an emergency.
A few extra gallons of water.
Non-perishable food items for you and your pets.
Lots of blankets, sleeping bags and comforters.
A battery-powered radio.
Backup battery for your cell phone and computer
A first-aid kit.
Dress for the Cold Regardless
Now, make sure your vehicle is ready to go for the cold months ahead. Here are some tips from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:
Have you located the windshield scraper and brush? Find them before you need them.
Keep your gas tank at least half full during extreme cold situation, so you can stay warm if you become stranded.
Dress for the extreme cold, even if you don’t think you’ll be out much.
Graphic courtesy of NOAACar Emergency Survival Kit Must-Haves
Put together a winter car survival kit for your vehicle. Be sure to include:
Definitely include jumper cables, but you may want to include flares or reflective triangle as well.
Flashlights and extra batteries.
First-aid kit, including necessary medications, baby formula and diapers if you have a small child.
Non-perishable food items such as canned food (don’t forget a can opener) and protein-rich foods like nuts and energy bars. If you travel with pets, make sure to include food for them, too.
Water — at least a gallon of water per person a day for at least three days.
Basic toolkit with pliers, wrench and screwdriver.
Cat litter or sand for better tire traction.
A shovel to dig out of snow.
Extra gloves, hats, sturdy boots, jacket and extra change of clothes for the cold.
Since Hurricane Matthew first threatened the United States, Red Cross and community shelters have provided over 70,000 overnight stays. This massive sheltering effort has provided nearly as many overnight stays in shelters as after Superstorm Sandy. American Red Cross Response Along the East Coast: Since Hurricane Matthew first threatened the U.S., Red Cross and community partners have served more than 137,000 meals and snacks, and provided 74,000 overnight stays. The Red Cross has mobilized 3,000 disaster workers, 155 response vehicles—nearly half of our total fleet—and more than 100 trailers filled with water, ready-to-eat meals, cots, blankets, kitchen items, cleaning supplies and comfort kits, insect repellant, gloves, masks, shovels, rakes, coolers and more. More volunteers, vehicles and supplies are being mobilized now to supplement relief efforts. As conditions permit, Red Cross response vehicles will begin circulating through the hardest hit areas to begin delivering food and relief supplies Even in areas where homes were on higher ground, further away from the water and less prone to flooding, wind damage from Hurricane Matthew caused older trees in historic and established communities in Georgia and South Carolina to fall onto homes, crushing them due to the age and size of the trees. Trees and large limbs covered streets and cars.
New Long-Range NJ Winter Forecast Released, And it's Not Good
A new long range NJ winter forecast has been released, and you should be prepared.
If the latest long-range forecast is correct, it's a good time to start shopping for a new snow shovel.
AccuWeather, in its new long-range forecast, predicts it will feel like an extended winter for New Jersey and Pennsylvania as cold and snowy conditions will likely stretch into spring 2017.
Frequent storms across the northeastern U.S. — particularly in the Northeast — this winter may lead to an above-normal season for snowfall.
"I think the Northeast is going to see more than just a few, maybe several, systems in the course of the season," AccuWeather Long-Range Forecaster Paul Pastelok said in a news release.
Unlike last season, in which most of winter's snowfall came from a few heavy-hitting storms, this winter will last into the early or middle part of spring and will feature frequent snow events.
Pastelok said much of the accumulation will be in New Jersey, the Philadelphia metropolitan area and south of Washington, D.C. These areas will see a handful of changeover systems, where falling snow transitions to rain and sleet.
"But still, Boston, Hartford, along the coastal areas up into Connecticut and southern New England, they can still have a fair amount of snow," he said.
Overall, it's predicted that the region will total a below-normal number of subzero days, though the temperature will average 3-5 degrees Fahrenheit lower than last year.
Winter will slowly creep into the Southeast this season, as very mild air hangs on throughout the month of December.
However, the new year will usher in a pattern change as a sudden burst of cold air penetrates the region.
"I am afraid that we have a shot at seeing a damaging freeze in central Florida in mid- to late January this year," Pastelok said.
The Old Farmer's Almanac, meanwhile, has released its long-range weather predictions for the rest of 2016 and into 2017. If the publication's long-range forecast is accurate, we should expect above-normal temperatures this winter in the central part of the Atlantic Corridor region, which includes New Jersey.
AccuWeather, meanwhile, says a chill could spell disaster for the area's citrus farmers.
Cold air will once again retreat following January and the threat is predicted to shift to severe weather.
"Places like Atlanta, Chattanooga, even up into Roanoke, they could have some severe weather," Pastelok said. "But if the storm track is a little farther east, then you're looking more like Tallahassee to Savannah and, maybe, Charleston."
Things Your Parents Didn't Tell You About Taking Care of Your Home: Winterizing Your Home
The excitement of owning your first home can be intense and overwhelming. The opportunity to make each room a reflection of you and your tastes, to fill the rooms with things that are meaningful to your family, and to become a part of your new neighborhood can quickly fill up your first few months in a new home. But after you’ve had a chance to settle in, the weather starts cooling off, and the leaves start turning beautiful colors, you realize there may be things you need to do to prepare your home for the change in seasons.
Winterizing your home is an important, but all too often overlooked, part of maintaining a household. Properly protecting your home against cold weather can help save money, increase your personal comfort, and reduce the chance of expensive problems like burst pipes. Many of these steps you will want to do before freezing weather sets in to head off any problems that the cold weather may cause. The first frost date for your area is a good approximation for the onset of cold weather, and there are several agricultural sites that allow you to look up the average first frost by zip code. Some areas of the U.S. can experience their first frost as early as September, so it’s good to know what to expect for your area.
While many of the steps here are simple and cheap, some can get costly. Luckily, the federal and state governments offer tax credits and weatherization assistance for some purchases. The US Department of Energy has a guide on seeking weatherization assistance from the state, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program has a guide on federal tax credits for energy-efficient purchases. Be sure to check these each year, as guidelines and eligibility requirements can change.
Before the Frost:
Executive_Home
Remove dead tree branches: Prune back any dead or damaged tree branches, especially if they overhang your house or parking space. Dead branches are more likely to break and fall in a snow or ice storm, potentially damaging your property and passerby. You should also remove any branches that could damage your home or car if they fell, even if the branch is healthy. Use caulk and weather-striping: According to the US Department of Energy, having a drafty house can increase your energy bill by as much as 5% to 30%. Caulk and weather-striping are effective methods to seal leaks. Window frames are a frequent source of drafts, as is anywhere that two materials meet (such as around the chimney, in corners, where pipes exit the house, and around the foundation). You can test for leaks manually, by walking around on a chilly night and feeling where cold air gets in, or using the incense test. The incense test involves turning off any fans, lighting a stick of incense, and running it near potential leaks. If the smoke wavers, there’s a breeze, which means air is getting in and out. (Move flammable objects away from where you’ll be testing. Incense doesn’t typically get too hot, but better safe than sorry.) Prepare to keep out under-door drafts: The space under exterior doors is another major place that drafts can pass through. Make or buy a door snake (or door guard) to keep out the cold. Rolled up towels will do in a pinch, or you can make a cute DIY door snake to help guard your house against the wind. You can also put door snakes on interior doors, if you’re trying to preferentially heat a single room. Improve insulation: Repairing, installing, or improving your house’s insulation can be one of the most effective ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Adding insulation is also one of the easiest home improvement projects to do yourself, and it can add value to your home. Insulation is important between walls, in your attic’s floor, and in your basement’s ceiling. You can also install insulation between floors. How much and what type of insulation you’ll need will vary depending on where you live and what part of the house is being insulated (attics need more insulation than walls or floors). The U.S. Department of Energy has a guide outlining the different qualities of insulation needed for different locations and uses. Winterize A/C and water lines: This is a step that will typically require a professional to help with, but even with that cost can save you money in the long run. Talk to neighbors about who they use, or contact your local better business bureau for recommendations. You can also usually purchase a cover for your air conditioner that can help to keep out snow and debris. If you have a window A/C unit, you may want to remove it and put it in storage till the spring. Have a professional check and seal ducts: Your air ducts form a core part of both your central heating and A/C system. Sealing your ducts properly can lead to massive savings in both the winter and summer, since the air will stay cold or hot longer. Properly sealed ducts also reduce incidence of dust and mold in your air. You can hire a professional to come to your house to check and seal your ducts. However, be leery of ‘duct cleaning’ services – most homes don’t need them. Your utility company might offer incentives to improve your ducts. Insulate pipes: Insulating your pipes will help you save on heating water and can reduce the risk of pipes bursting. Most hardware stores sell pre-slit foam that can be easily wrapped around your pipes. Pay attention to the foam’s R-rating. The R-rating is a measure of how effective the insulation is. Most pipe insulation ranges from R-3 to R-7. Higher R-ratings offer better insulation. You can also insulate your hot water heater. Install more efficient doors and windows: Modern, energy-efficient glass can raise the value of your home and help you save on both heating and A/C. Make sure any windows you purchase are Energy Star qualified. You can also install storm windows or a storm door over or behind existing, low-efficiency windows and doors. Storm windows are mostly helpful in areas prone to inclement weather and/or temperatures far below freezing. Buy a window insulation kit: Window insulation kits are a cheaper and easier alternative to installing new windows or storm windows. You can get them for as little as a few dollars. If your area doesn’t get particularly cold in the winter, a window insulation kit might actually be a more cost-effective solution. Larger kits can also be used to insulate sliding glass doors. Replace worn or missing roof shingles: Holes in your roof can let warm air escape and cold water enter, increasing the risk of frost and water damage and increasing your heating bills. If you’re not comfortable repairing the roof yourself, call a professional. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned: A blockage in your chimney could trigger a house fire, or redirect smoke down into your house. Get a certified chimney sweep to check your chimney for problems and remove things like animal nests and built up suit. Chimney sweeps start getting busy in the late fall and winter, so it’s best to get your chimney inspected well ahead of the cold season. Fortunately, you only need to get your chimney checked once a year. Have your furnace inspected: Call an HVAC professional to check your furnace out, to make sure that it’s running efficiently and safely. Damaged or old furnaces can cause massive safety problems, including carbon monoxide buildup, on top of increased energy usage and utility bills. The HVAC professional might also be able to clean and properly adjust your furnace. Many utility companies offer a free annual inspection, and some furnace manufacturers also offer inspections at a discount. HVAC crews get busy once heating season arrives, so a furnace inspection is another thing that it’s best to schedule early. Change out filters: Check your furnace and air filters before heating season starts, and replace them if the filter looks dirty. Standard, disposable filters should be replaced once a month during heating season. Consider installing a permanent filter instead (they’re also called washable or electrostatic filters). Permanent filters are washed instead of replaced, reducing waste. They trap on average over twice as much debris as a disposable filter. A permanent filter should still be washed once a month and allowed to dry before re-installation. Stock up ahead of time: Make certain your snow blower and shovel are in good repair, and replace them before it snows if needed. Also stock up on sand or salt for your driveway, along with non-perishables for your pantry, and any other winter supplies. People often wait until it snows to buy a new shovel, fill their pantry, or refill on propane, risking the stores running out. It’s always a good idea to keep at least three days’ to a week’s worth of non-perishable food, water, medicine, hygiene supplies, and other necessities in your house, in case power gets knocked out and you’re unable to reach the store. During the winter:
Modern Single Family Home In Snow
A few steps should be taken once the cold weather really sets in, to help keep costs down and keep your home warm and cozy.
Check smoke and CO detectors: Ideally, you should check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors once a week. Find out what type of batteries they need, and make sure to keep a supply on hand so you can change out any depleted batteries. The winter sees an uptick in house fires and cases of carbon monoxide poisoning, so exercise extra caution about both. Run ceiling fans in reverse: Running the fan during the winter sounds counterintuitive, but it can actually be a big help. During the summer most people set their fans to run in a counterclockwise direction so that air is blown down. But in the winter, it’s recommended that you run your ceiling fans on a low speed in a clockwise direction so that air is drawn upward. This will gently pull air upward, forcing the warmer air on the ceiling back down and balancing a room’s overall temperature. Make use of natural light and heat: Although the sun’s effects will be less noticeable in the winter, it can still have a warming impact on your home if used effectively. If you can, keep curtains on south-facing windows open during the day to let the sunlight in. Close curtains at night to help keep heat from leeching back out the windows after the sun goes down. Turn down the thermostat: Especially if you’re not going to be home, consider cranking the thermostat to a lower setting. (You can buy a smart or programmable thermostat if you want the house to be warmed back up before you arrive, but not be wasting heating while you’re away.) Even a few degrees’ difference can result in fairly good savings on heating. Dress warmly: You know how your parents were always saying “If you’re cold, put on a sweater”? Once you are the one paying the bills, you’ll probably appreciate their wisdom a little more. A warm sweater and slippers can go a long way towards staying comfortable in the winter. Keep gutters clean: Clean gutters allow water to flow freely, reducing the chance that water will freeze in the gutters. Clogged gutters, on the other hand, worsen problems with icicles and run the risk of being damaged by the ice.
Hazardous weather is expected this weekend as several New Jersey towns dealt with serious flooding on Friday. The National Weather Service issued alerts warning New Jersey residents that persistent heavy rain could lead to flooding up and down the state. Indeed, a Coastal Flood Advisory was posted for Hudson and Essex counties and along the coast to Salem County, with minor flooding possible. Rainfall intensity is expected to decrease Friday, although we should continue to see rain through the weekend, according to the NWS. Hurricane Matthew, meanwhile, appeared to be on a track heading north from the Caribbean, although forecasters say it's too early to say whether it will impact the Northeast. Communities in North Jersey, down to the Jersey Shore and in South Jersey, meanwhile, dealt with a day's full of rain that flooded a number of streets on Friday. Here is the weather forecast for the weekend: Get free real-time news alerts from the Livingston Patch. Enter email address SUBSCRIBE Friday: A chance of rain or drizzle. Cloudy, with a high near 66. Northeast wind 14 to 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts between a 10th and quarter of an inch possible. Friday night: A chance of showers, mainly after 9pm. Cloudy, with a low around 62. Northeast wind 8 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent. New precipitation amounts between a 10th and quarter of an inch possible. Saturday: Showers likely, mainly before 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Saturday night: A chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 62. East wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a 10th of an inch possible.
Sunday night: A slight chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.
Monday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent
Tropical Storm Hermine Expected to Become Hurricane, Could Impact N.J., Forecasters Say
Tropical Storm Hermine is now expected to become a hurricane and may impact New Jersey this weekend, bringing several severe impacts that could be damaging to the area, forecasters say.
Hermine is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall Thursday, according to The Weather Channel. Winds could exceed 70 mph when it hits Florida, and strong wind gusts could come to the New Jersey area by Sunday or Monday.
The storm, currently located over the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to move north toward the mid-Atlantic region this weekend, bringing with it a renewed threat of rip currents through the busy Labor Day weekend.
Beachgoers are being told that they should enter the water only if lifeguards are present, according to a briefing package put together by the National Weather Service.
Most rip current deaths occur on beaches when and where no life guards are on duty. Beach erosion is also possible, according to the briefing.
The storms could also bring these elements to the region:
Strong Winds: There is a chance for tropical storm force winds - 39 to 73 mph - this Labor Day weekend as Tropical Storm Hermine, or its remnants, move north.
The strongest winds should occur Saturday and Sunday. An inland path would result in lower winds.
Heavy rain: There is a risk for heavy rain over much of the mid-Atlantic area. However, specific rainfall amounts are highly dependent on the eventual track of the storm. Recent dry weather will lessen the severity of any stream and river flooding that may develop.
Street flooding and flash flooding are greater threats.
Storm surge: It is still too early to determine if storm surge will occur with Hermine. A inland path would lessen the threat from surge. However, astronomical tides will be running high from the new moon on Sept. 1, so less onshore flow is needed for coastal flooding to develop.
Timing: The second round of increased rip current risk (from Hermine) could begin Friday, then persist through Monday (Labor Day).
Strong winds and heavy rain are most likely Saturday and Sunday, with showers possibly lingering into Monday.
Photos: The Weather Channel, National Weather Service
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Q: Help! I woke after last night’s storm to find a discoloration on the kitchen ceiling and a puddle beneath. What do I do about this new leak?
A: There’s nothing quite like an indoor puddle to put a damper on your rise-and-shine routine, is there? The first thing to do is mitigate any moisture damage. That can get complicated, since a leaky roof doesn’t always appear as a puddle on the floor (or at least not immediately). Occasionally, the only sign of a leak is that subtle discolored patch on your ceiling or wall, caused from water pooling behind it. When you’re lucky enough to spot it early on, intervene as soon as possible following these steps.
Secure the scene. If water has only dripped onto the floor, consider yourself lucky and move a bucket to catch the falling droplets. (While you’re at it, save your sanity by propping up some scrap wood inside the container to mute the annoying drip-drip-drip sound.) Otherwise, move as much out of the water’s path and cover items that are too heavy to relocate with thick plastic sheeting.
Photo: istockphoto.com
Drain the water. Using a ladder or a sturdy chair, climb up and puncture the water-damaged patch with a screwdriver. Making a hole might sound counterintuitive, but skipping this step will allow more moisture to seep in. The weight of the water might even cause your ceiling to sag or collapse—one more thing to add to your list of necessary repairs. Ultimately, patching up a small, 1/2-inch drainage hole is a lot easier and cheaper than dealing with structural damage.
Start sleuthing. So where’s the source of that pesky leak? Water travels down trusses or flashing until it finds a weak spot, so the entry point into the house isn’t necessarily directly underneath the part of the roof you’ll have to fix. If you have attic access, head up there first during daylight hours. Turn off the lights and look up for any small opening that allows sunshine to stream through—an obvious source for your leaky roof.
Fight water with water. Can’t spot any signs of damage from the attic? Your next step is the water-test method, where someone stands outside on the roof and, using a lengthy hose, showers the roof until the drip returns—giving you a second chance to locate the source.
Phone a professional. Sometimes, finding what is in need of repair is not as easy as spotting a hole in your attic’s ceiling. From failing flashing to clogged gutters to crumbling shingles, the list of potential causes is very long. If you’ve conducted a thorough inspection and you’re still not certain what has led to your leaky roof, it’s time to call in a pro to both deduce the problem and recommend a fix. The actual repair will depend on many factors, including shingle type and pitch.
Meanwhile, lay out a tarp. When you’ve determined the source of the leak but can’t get a same-day repair, you’ll have to find temporary measures to protect your roof and home from snow, rain, and more water damage. If the roof is dry enough for you to carefully climb, try covering the affected area with heavy plastic sheeting or a tarp (at least 6 millimeters thick) and some 2×4s. Start at least 4 feet beneath the problem area and slowly roll the plastic over it, past the the ridge of the roof, and 4 feet down the opposite side to cover your leaky roof completely. Place one 2×4 at the “top” of the tarp (the opposite side of roof) and one at the bottom to weight it down, folding the tarp back over each plank and fastening it to the wood with a staple gun. The bottom board should rest in an eave or flat area against the roof. Lay a third 2×4 on the top board (which is wrapped in plastic sheeting) and secure it to the wrapped board with nails to help anchor the covering. Use more 2×4s resting on the plastic’s perimeter if you’re worried about wind.
While you work outside, remember: Proceed carefully and—unless you want to compound the problem with a few more leaks—do not puncture your roof by nailing or screwing boards directly to it.
So, you’ve just moved into your brand new home. You shopped around and did a lot of research to find the home that was just right for you. You signed a big pile of documents at closing, the moving trucks have left, all the boxes are unpacked, and all your belongings are in their proper places. What should you do now?
1. Change your filters
One of the most important things to remember is that you are responsible for certain routine maintenance items to keep your house functioning properly. These tasks tend to be relatively simple. For instance, many types of heating and air conditioning systems contain filters to remove dirt and dust from the air. A homeowner should change these filters when necessary.
Cleanliness is a factor that will make your home last longer and work better. Dust and dirt, if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, tiles and other items. If dirt does accumulate, make sure to clean it with a substance that does not scratch or damage the finishes.
3. Check your exterior
On the outside of your home, make sure that gutters and downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other objects. The exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the elements, but a periodic cleaningwill improve the appearance and, in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior products.
When you bought your home, you probably received a warranty from the builder on workmanship and materials. This warranty applies to problems related to the construction of the home, but it does not apply to problems that arise because of failure to perform routine maintenance. For example, if your roof begins to leak after six months because of faulty workmanship, your warranty would cover that. If you develop a problem because water backed up in clogged gutters that you should have cleaned, the builder is not responsible for repairs. Also, some items, such as appliances, may be covered by manufacturers warranties and are not the responsibility of the builder.
You should fully familiarize yourself with the terms of your warranty soon after you move into your home. With all the excitement surrounding a move into a new home, most people have little desire to curl up in front of the fireplace and read a legal document. Nonetheless, you should not wait to read your warranty until a problem arises. Set aside an hour to learn what your rights and responsibilities are from the outset.
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for N.J., as heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected Thursday and Friday and over the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
The New Jersey counties impacted by the watch, which is in effect until 12 midnight, are: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem and Somerset.
A flash flood warning was also issued for all New Jersey south of Morristown, and as much as 2 inches of rain could fall beginning Thursday, mostly in South Jersey.
AccuWeather reports the storm system swinging up from the Deep South will bring downpours to the northeastern U.S. and break the back of an extended heat wave.
Downpours will extend northeastward from the lower Mississippi Valley on Thursday into Thursday night. Locally gusty thunderstorms will erupt along with the drenching downpours from parts of Virginia to southern New Jersey during this time, according to an AccuWeather release.
"The exact track of the storm system will be a challenge to predict," according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson.
Here is what is expected on Thursday:
Here is what is expected on Friday:
Here is the forecast:
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Thursday afternoon (North, Central Jersey): Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Light south wind.
Thursday afternoon (South Jersey): Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Light southwest wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday night: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Light south wind. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Friday: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 3 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. High near 82. Southeast wind around 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Friday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. North wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Saturday night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Sunday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 84. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly problems in the future is to handle every water damage as a threat to your property. SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. The proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage expense during a fire or water loss. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. Your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals will answer your call with rapid action and a dull arsenal of drying equipment. Here are a few of the tools used by your local SERVPRO Franchise Professionals.
Mositure Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
Mositure Meters are used to determine the actual mositure content of various materials. The mositure tester provides accurate reading, allowing SERVPRO Franchise Professionals to monitor the drying process.
Thermohygrometers measure tempreture and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can calculate and create an environment most condusive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure most also be disinfected and often deodorized.
Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomized liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the sire where odor-causing residues may acculate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavited and other hard-to-reach areas.
Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products by creating a dense fodd. The fod consist of tiny particles of deordorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor-causing particles.
The bottom line? Your local SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the training and equipment to help make it "Like it never happened.
10 Unexpected Places Where Mold Creeps Into Your Home
The Smith’s didn’t notice the mold and mildew smell in their home until they came home from vacation.
“What’s that smell?” John asked. “Mildew. Maybe mold. Maybe I left some clothes in the washer,” Kathy said.
After an hour-long search, the couple couldn’t find a leak. So they called John’s brother David — a plumber. He came right over.
“The number one rule for checking for mold and mildew?” David said, “If it uses water, chances are it’s going to leak.”
These are 10 places many homeowners overlook when checking for mold:
Dishwasher
Unless a dishwasher stops working or needs replacing or servicing, most of us don’t think about it as a potential source for mold. There are two connections under each dishwasher that have the potential for mold and mildew to get started–the water supply and the discharge connection. The water supply needs to be lubricated with the right sealant and properly tightened periodically. The discharge connection involves a rubber hose and clamp, and installing the hose before the dishwasher is installed ensures it is done properly. Hoses wear out over time. If you’re buying an older house, it doesn’t hurt to check the dishwasher connections — especially if there’s an odd smell when you open the door.
Icemaker Connections
Refrigerators often get moved, either for cleaning or other projects. This can weaken or break the water line connection to the icemaker, causing leaks behind the refrigerator.
“It seems like a simple job, so in the real world the plumbing contractor doesn’t install the water line, another contractor does,” Hoffman said. “The connection is a compression fitting and it must be installed properly to ensure there are no leaks.”
Washing Machine Connections
When installing a washing machine, always install a brand new washing machine hose, using the rubber washers the manufacturer recommends. Also, use Teflon tape and make sure to tighten the connection with vice grips so there are no drips or leaks. After all, it doesn’t take many drips to create an environment for mold.
Hot Water Heater
“Many states have laws regarding the installation of hot water heaters, and most of them involve overflow pans that are piped to drain outside the house. The pan must be tilted ¼ inch to ensure the water does drain. Newer heaters with quick connect connectors should be properly lubricated and tightened so the shut-off valve doesn’t leak,” Hoffman said.
Plastic P-Traps
Under every sink in your home is a “P-Trap,” almost always made of PVC pipe, which expands, and contracts. This process eventually loosens the connection and allows water to leak onto the base of the cabinet. If you look under sinks in every room you’ll easily spot the stains and discoloration commonly caused by leaking P-Traps. Use Teflon tape to seal every P-Trap and check them periodically, tightening them by hand to ensure their connections don’t loosen and leak. Over tightening PVC can cause it to crack, so be careful.
Toilet Connections
“I’m amazed at how many steps the DIY home improvement shows leave out when they explain about how to install a toilet,” Hoffman said. “The base of the toilet is where most mold grows. Toilets should be installed with a horned wax ring, and then the base of the toilet grouted in with tile grout,” he said. “The grout serves as a filler between the bowl and the floor to keep the bowl from rocking. Rocking bowls are the number one reason for the wax ring being compromised, which then allows mold to get a foothold.”
Shower Doors
Shower doors should probably be installed by plumbing contractors, Hoffman said. “They know how to keep them from leaking.” Mold growing at the base of the tub may be from leaking or improperly installed shower doors. Shower doors need caulking on all three rails — the two side rails as well as the bottom rail.
Tub
A properly caulked tub isn’t just nicer looking. It keeps water and moisture from dripping down under the tub and causing mold issues. Slab floors can create more problems — especially if installed by a DIY’er. The hole(s) in concrete slabs under tubs should be filled with a liquid tar, or expandable foam insulation to ensure moisture does not wick up from the ground through the slab.
Exterior Hose Bib
If you have a home, you have an exterior hose bib — a place where the water connection sticks out from the house. If you’ve used a hose, you know a poor connection or missing rubber washer, or loose hose can result in water spraying the house. This uncontrolled spray allows water to enter the space between the sidings, or into the wall, leading to mold growth. Make sure all holes, gaps and areas around every outdoor water connection are properly caulked and sealed.
Outdoor Water Sprinklers
Siding is engineered to shed rain falling down, not sprinklers shooting water up. Make sure your sprinklers are well away from the house when turned on. If you have children or teens that are watering the yard or garden, make sure they know not to spray the house with the hose. If power washing your home, hire a professional, or take care that water is not forced up under the siding as you wash.
As a homeowner, if you take the appropriate precautions and are vigilant about upkeep, you should be able to avoid mold, or catch it at it’s outset. While mold can be a huge problem in homes, even causing health issues, it is easily preventable.
With summer just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to start preparing your new home for the warmer months.
From saving money on your electric bills to giving your home’s interior a seasonal refresh, a lot can be done now to make sure your new home is in optimal shape for years to come. To help get you started, here are just a few summer home maintenance tips from the professionals:
Exterior
One of the best ways to shave the dollars off your electricity bill is to provide natural shade around your home. This can be accomplished with a quick trip to your local garden center.
Planting a well-developed bush near the living room window or a large tree near a second-story bedroom could help keep your home cool and save you money in the long run. Be sure to plant any shrubs, trees and other plants at the appropriate distance from your home to prevent any problems with your foundation and plants’ roots in the future.
While you’re in the gardening spirit, now’s also a great time to think about how you plan to maintain your lawn over the summer. The National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) provides several tips in their seasonal guide to summer lawn and landscaping care.
For instance, many people believe hot weather means you should water more frequently, but the NALP actually advises to water your plants less often but more deeply. So increasing the length of time you expose your greenery to water will usually do the trick.
And to ensure the health of your grass, the NALP suggests having your lawn properly aerated to improve the flow of oxygen in addition to adding adequate amounts of fertilizer and frequently checking its pH levels.
For more tips on summer lawn maintenance, check out the full guide.
After your yard is in tip-top shape, it’s time to pay attention to the rest of your outdoor area. Summer nights are great for enjoying friends and family in the backyard, so why not make an outdoor oasis?
“Create areas around your yard that aren’t being used,” suggests Nicolle Nelson, a spokesman for Nadeau Furniture in Dallas, Texas. “And don’t be afraid to use furniture in a non-traditional way.”
For example, adding a fire pit and seating area can help prevent mosquitoes and create an intimate gathering area. Teak benches around the pool and buffets to house your grilling essentials are other great furniture pieces that really bring out the summer feel.
“By adding a piece of furniture to any corner of your patio or yard, you are inviting your family to use every inch of your space,” says Nelson. “That means more memories for your summer.”
Interior
Apart from the exterior of your home, there are also plenty of things you can do to get your home summer ready from the inside.
Since warmer weather brings thoughts of a well air-conditioned home, let’s start with the AC system.
“With spring allergies in full swing and warmer temperatures on their way, it’s crucial to be sure your air filter and AC system are working properly,” says Mike Clear, vice president of operations for American Home Shield, a home warranty company based in Memphis, Tenn.
Clear suggests checking filters regularly throughout the year to help prevent damage, inefficiencies and to keep air clean.
“Schedule annual maintenance on your AC now so you can be sure your unit is in top shape before being put to the test with summer’s high temperatures,” he adds.
He also advises to check in on the furnace and heating system while you’re at it. While a new home’s furnace is likely already quite clean, it’s important to make sure the area around air returns stays clean and unobstructed throughout the year to prevent fire hazards and inefficiency.
SERVPRO of Western Essex County is a NADCA-Certified Company
Top Benefits of HVAC Cleaning
NADCA’s rule of thumb for consumers is that “if your ducts look dirty, they probably are,” and that dirty HVAC systems should be inspected by a reputable, certified HVAC professional. Below are some other reasons homeowners choose to have their air ducts cleaned.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality is one concern that homeowners have when they decide to investigate air duct cleaning. In a typical six-room home, up to 40 pounds of dust is created annually through everyday living. Your heating and cooling system is the lungs of your home. The system taken air in and breathes air out.
Through normal occupation in a home, we generate a great deal of contaminants and air pollutants, such as dander, dust, and chemicals. These contaminants are pulled into the HVAC system and re-circulated 5 to 7 times per day, on average. Over time, this re-circulation causes a build-up of contaminants in the duct work.
While dirty ducts don’t necessarily mean unhealthy air in your home, school or workplace, they may be contributing to larger health issues or harboring contaminants that could cause serious problems for people with respiratory health conditions, autoimmune disorders or some environmental allergies.
Energy Savings
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling a home is wasted. Contaminants in the heating and cooling system cause it to work harder and shorten the life of your system. Although filters are used, the heating and cooling system still gets dirty through normal use.
When an HVAC system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain the temperature you desire. As a result, less energy is used, leading to improved cost-effectiveness.
Old-Fashioned Housekeeping Tips That Still Work- And Why
Home styles and trends have certainly changed over the decades, and unless you actually enjoy washing clothes and dishes by hand, improvements in home technology have made housekeeping tasks faster and less time consuming. But did you know that many of our best, most trusted, most effective housekeeping tips are over a century (or more) old? Here are some tried and true old-fashioned housekeeping tips that you’ll want to try in your own home.
1. Baking soda
History: For baking, gentle cleaning and odor removal, nothing beats baking soda. This water soluble powder, usually found in the baking or cleaning section of your grocery store, is inexpensive and versatile. Baking soda’s chemical makeup is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and in nature it is found as nahcolite, a derivative of natron. The history of this mineral is lengthy: Ancient Egyptians used this mineral to create the paste for hieroglyphics. In 1846 two bakers in New York, Dr. Austin Church and John Dwight, started manufacturing and selling sodium bicarbonate. Their partnership eventually became the company we now know as Arm & Hammer. Although it was originally promoted for it’s uses in baking, baking soda was quickly adapted for money-saving personal care and other uses, like gently removing stains and odors, and became a trusted member of the household. In 1986 the copper-lined inside of the Statue of Liberty, which was covered in 100 years worth of coal tar, was cleaned with baking soda!
Uses: You probably already use baking soda when baking cookies, muffins or cakes. You can easily make cleaning solutions with baking soda and apply it to your sink, bathtub or oven to remove spots and stains. Baking soda easily removes coffee stains from your daily mug and can make glassware brighter. Many find that a bit of baking soda in the laundry helps remove odors and stains. Baking soda is really good at removing odors so sprinkle it on your carpeting or inside your dishwasher, or place an open jar inside the refrigerator, freezer or closet. You can even use baking soda as a toothpaste and denture cleaner. Check out the Arm & Hammer website for a huge list of how to use baking soda to clean and care for your home.
History: The exact origin of the lemon plant isn’t exactly known but it thought to have originated in northern India or southern China. As world trade expanded so did the lemon, and became prized for its use in medicines, like the treatment of scurvy, and is an important plant in Ayurvedic medicine. The pH of a lemon is low, making it acidic, and the flavor is sour. This fruit quickly adapted to various culinary regions, becoming a feature on the tables of Europe, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the New World.
Uses: Lemons are an incredibly versatile fruit and you probably already use it in your cooking and baking. After squeezing out the juice of a lemon, toss that leftover peel down the garbage disposal for a quick, refreshing scent. Sprinkle salt on half a lemon and use it to clean and brighten your copper pots. Rub a lemon half over stainless steel or brass to remove spots. Toss part of a lemon in a bowl of water and heat it in the microwave to remove caked on spills and deodorize the inside. The juice of a lemon (one lemon has about 3 tablespoons of juice) can help dissolve grease and grime. The essential oils of a lemon are considered to be antibacterial, can be used as an insecticide, can be used as a wood furniture polish, and the scent can help make any room smell fresh and clean.
History: Vinegar has been used throughout history. Traces of vinegar have been found in Egypt dating back to 3000 BCE and may have been used to fight bacteria. Many ancient cultures used vinegar for food preservation, medicinal purposes, as cleaning agents, and as a food enhancer. There are all sorts of colors and flavors of vinegar, from the dark, thick balsamic to the cloudy, orange apple cider. There is malt vinegar, fruit vinegar, rice vinegar, cane vinegar, wine vinegar, and many other varieties. Essentially vinegar is the result of fermentation of ethanol, and consists of acetic acid, water and sometimes flavoring.
Uses: Vinegar has long been used for good health, preservation of food and for cleaning and today many homeowners rely upon vinegar to perform a host of jobs around the house. Vinegar is acidic and can easily etch or leave marks on natural stone like marble. For cleaning around the home try using distilled white vinegar. Simply pour it on a dry cloth and rub it on stainless steel to remove fingerprints or spots. You can use this same method to clean the inside of your washing machine and dishwasher, particularly the rubber gaskets and seals. Mixed with water it makes an excellent cleaning liquid for flooring or other surfaces like glass. Use it as a rinse in your coffee maker to remove oily coffee residue. Vinegar can remove odors too. Try boiling a tablespoon in a pot of water to remove household smells or place an open bowl of vinegar in a stinky cupboard or fridge. Vinegar can remove sticky residue, like a sticker or tag that won’t come off. You probably remember this from science class: mixing vinegar with baking soda will produce an effervescent effect and can be a great combination to battle dirty dishes and also works well as a drain un-clogger (follow this up with some boiling hot water down the drain).
History: Salt is comprised of sodium and chloride (NaCl) and in the days before refrigeration, salt became the leading method to preserving foods. Historically and economically, salt was a prized possession throughout many cultures. Salt was so valuable in ancient Rome that soldiers were sometimes paid in salt (the Latin word for salt is sal, which is where we get the word “salary”). Dozens of place names and expressions have derived from this mineral. “Worth his weight in salt,” “salt of the earth,” “take it with a grain of salt,” and “to sit above the salt” are all recognizable phrases we still use today. Salt would have been a featured object on an table, but only placed closest to the head of the table. And salt was a common gift to bring someone to their new home. Whole geographic areas in Europe were named after salt mining, like Saltzburg, Austria, the salt road in Italy (via Salaria), and in Britian the suffix “wich” means a place of salt or brine. If you want to learn more about the history of salt, check out Salt A World History by Mark Kurlansky.
Uses: Salt is abrasive and is a perfect weapon against caked on, baked on grime or grease. Sprinkle it on a cutting board to thoroughly remove debris, or sprinkle in your mugs to remove coffee or tea stains. Salt is absorbent and can help soak up wine spills or other stains on fabrics or fibers. Use salt to melt ice, use it in the wash load to remove perspiration stains, or remove lime buildup in the sink. Sprinkle salt on a lemon half and use it to scrub and polish copper. Sprinkle salt on the windowsill to deter ants. Want more household uses for salt? Check out this list here.
History: You might think that composting and recycling is a new idea however it wasn’t that long ago that households reused or recycled nearly everything. If you lived on a farm, or had property, you’d most likely feed your leftover food scraps to the animals or place them in the ground. City dwellers in England would rely upon the rag and bone man to buy leftover goods that weren’t reused or recycled. Victorian households had a surprising lack of waste – much of this can be attributed to lack of food waste (no food was ever wasted), reusable packaging (no plastic), buying only what the household needed (no electronics replaced every few years), and lack of sanitary department to pick up rubbish (higher motivation to reuse). Mending was both economical and earth friendly and belongings tended to have a longer life cycle. Ancient Greece actually had a ruling about dumping waste outside the city limits as far back as 500 BC and Londoners regularly needed to revisit public dumping laws due to outbreaks of cholera and concerns for public health. New York City was among the first cities in America to create a formalized garbage management system in 1895, but other cities took longer to organize sanitation departments. Fortunately for households today we have opportunities to turn leftovers and garbage into useful products both outside and inside the home.
Uses: It’s a smart idea to get to know your city’s policies on rubbish and recycling; your yard waste bin, for example, might also collect food scraps. And your recycling bin make accept more types of plastic than you think. There are many leftovers in your home that you might already be reusing like glass jars, egg cartons or newspaper, which can be used for all sorts of ways in the home. Don’t forget the more “old fashioned” ways of using leftovers, like saving old linens, towels and clothing for cleaning rags or polishing projects. Try using old toothbrushes for cleaning hard-to-reach areas of the home or car. Soot or ashes from the fireplace can be spread in the yard as a nutritious additive, so can your used coffee grounds or eggshells. Seashells make excellent scraping tools, lemon rinds can be used to deodorize your kitchen sink, and newspapers can be used to clean your windows. Sites like this have all sorts of creative ways to reuse or upcycle nearly anything!
History: Using all parts of the animal was how our ancestors lived, and it was common practice to use the hide, bones and fat for all sorts of household uses. Animal fat helped illuminate homes until natural gas, then electricity, became common. Animal fat was also used to make soap, protect the skin, seal containers, protect clothing from water and many other uses. Technological advancements may have replaced our animal fat usage however our homes still need, from time to time, the coating and lubrication that an oil provides. Olive oil, made from the fruit of the olive tree, was thought to have been produced in the Mediterranean as far back as 6000 BC. Coconuts have long been used by the peoples of Asia and the Pacific for thousands of years. Both oils were historically used for a multitude of purposes: food, medicinal, personal health, beauty, fuel, and in religious ceremonies. Today we don’t have to rely upon animal fat to illuminate our home, and it’s easier than ever to purchase olive and coconut oils.
Uses: You can use both types of oils around the home for many purposes (other than cooking or baking). A thin coating of olive oil over your stainless steel refrigerator can help keep off fingerprints. Coconut oil does a great job seasoning your cast iron skillets or BBQ grates. A bit of oil or fat can help unstick a zipper, take the squeak out of a door hinge and makes drawers roll smoothly. A small amount of olive oil on a dry cloth can help polish wood furniture (add some lemon essential oil and it will smell better than Pledge). Rub your garden tools (like shovels) with oil to keep them in good condition. Your shoes will look a bit shinier with a homemade oil polish. Coat your measuring cup with oil to prevent sticky substances, like molasses, from sticking. Both of these oils work well for the body as well. Use them as moisturizers for the hair or skin, use them for treating irritated or cracked skin, or use it to remove makeup. Sticky bandaids come off much easier when the adhesive is rubbed with oil.
Your cooling and heating system is one of the biggest energy users in your home. Here are some inexpensive tips on ways to help save some energy and money this summer.
Summer officially starts on June 20th, but you don’t have to sweat spending extra money on your utility bill this year. There are easy things you can do at home to save. According to the Department of Energy, cooling and heating accounts for about 48% of the energy used in most homes. [1] Here are tips that can help you save energy and money.
Use Fans. Ceiling fans and table top fans can create a wind chill effect, which can help you feel cool. Remember: fans cool people and not rooms. Turn fans on when you enter the room and you will feel cool without having to lower the temperature of your thermostat. Turn fans off when you leave the room to conserve energy. Bathroom fans and range hoods in the kitchen can also help remove heat and humidity from the air.
Insulation. If your home is not properly insulated you can lose the cool air you pay for to the outside. Simple caulking and weather stripping is an inexpensive way to help keep the cool inside and help save energy.
Window coverings / passive cooling. Close blinds and curtains when you can to help deflect heat away from your windows. Your air conditioner will not have to work as hard to cool your home.
Cook outside. Try not to use appliances, like ovens and ranges, which create extra heat inside. Consider grilling outside for dinner so the air conditioner is not working to overcome the heat you are creating in the kitchen.
Regular maintenance of your cooling system is also important during the summer. A trusted technician can insure your air conditioning is operating at peak performance and spot potential trouble before it becomes a larger expense.
The 7 Biggest Benefits of Hiring a Green House Cleaner
It may seem like a luxury to hire a house cleaner, but when it comes to keeping your house spotless and sparkling, a professional can not only make sure everything is dirt and grime-free from top to bottom (including baseboards and ceiling fans), but can give you time back that you’d typically spend scrubbing toilets and washing windows. Even better, if you hire a green cleaner, you’re also doing your part to be environmentally responsible and take care of the earth. Read on to find out the benefits of hiring a house cleaner that’s planet-friendly and how it’s actually quite easy to be green (despite what that charming frog says).
1. Green Cleaning Is Safer for Your Family and Pets
Certainly there are times when one needs to disinfect an area (like on surfaces that have had contact with raw meat or when someone has a contagious illness), but the chemicals in disinfectants can trigger asthma, allergies, and create other health issues. Exposure to living bacteria is actually good for us and according to some research may actually strengthen immune systems. Mostly though, by cleaning with products that don’t contain toxins, pollutants, or suspected carcinogens such as VOCs, solvents, chlorine, ammonia, sulfates, or irritating dyes and perfumes, you’re making sure your children and pets are living and thriving in a healthy and safe environment.
2. Green Cleaners Don’t “Green Wash”
Green cleaners wash your home in a green way, but they don’t “green wash,” meaning they won’t deceive you about the products they’re using to clean your home. If they say they’re using eco-friendly products and practices, then they really are. This means they’ll also be honest about which organic products are most effective and won’t tell you they’re disinfecting if they’re not.
3. Green Products Are Better for Your Health
Most common household cleaners contain toxic chemicals that can have an adverse affect on your health, which is why the biggest advantage giving your home an eco-friendly cleaning is that everything will be cleaned with all-natural products. There are tons of household cleaners that can keep your home fresh and clean that are non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources. That being said, it’s true that sometimes it can take a little more time and elbow grease to get green products to work because they’re much more gentle than chemical products. Chemicals may make cleaning easier, but they don’t make it any better. Still, green products won’t disinfect and kill bacteria the way traditional cleaning products do, so if that’s important to you, it’s something to think about. Though it’s also worth nothing that it’s not necessary to kill bacteria on a surface, just to remove it, which green products will do.
In order to ensure your home is being cleaned with non-toxic and environmentally friendly products, most green cleaners provide all of the cleaning equipment and products, though they will use your products if you ask them to.
5. Green Cleaners Are Committed to Being Green in All Areas
While using green house cleaning products is a huge part of taking care of the earth, green cleaners know it goes further than just that and make an effort to save water, reuse bottles, reduce waste, and implement sustainable business practices.
6. Green Cleaning Is Also Safer for the People Doing the Cleaning
A sustainable cleaning philosophy means that cleaners are not exposed to toxic chemicals that could adversely affect their health.
7. Green Cleaners Will Save You Time
Okay, this is true of any house cleaner, but it’s still worth mentioning. Whether you live in an apartment or a house, a green cleaner is saving you the time and effort it takes to keep everything looking its best. And they will clean on a schedule that works for you, whether that’s once a week or once a month. In addition, by taking care of your home and providing regular maintenance, you’ll save money in the long run.
As people age, their movement can become less fluid and they may need day-to-day assistance or ongoing health care. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ensures there are public accommodations available for those who need it. However, commercial spaces are not the only place to find ADA-compliantrooms; many residential homes are remodeling to include fixtures and appliances to accommodate those with disabilities, injuries or other health issues that may make it difficult for them to move around or grip objects.
Research by the American Association of Retired Persons shows that nearly 90% of seniors want to stay in their own homes as they age, often referred to as “aging in place.” With falls as the leading cause of injury-related visits to the emergency room in the United States and the primary cause of accidental deaths (75%) in people over 65, reports MetLife Mature Marketing Institute, it is important that safety is highlighted in the aging-in-place movement.
This movement has affected many areas of the home. The Centers for Disease Control says bathrooms are commonly believed to be a particularly hazardous location. An ADA-compliant shower system allows for a safer showering experience. The technology used with ADA showers is not only geared toward safety but ease-of-use and accessibility as well.
“For showers, it’s preferable to have a zero threshold/walk-in shower area, with height-adjustable hand-held products or multiple showerheads,” says Darnell Wesson, product manager, Bradley Corp. “Activation devices and handles that are easy to see and use also are important. All activations must offer the ability to be turned on with less than five pounds of pressure as required by the ADA. To help prevent slips and falls, grab bars and built-in seats/benches are also key, as well as slip-resistant flooring.”
The design of these ADA-compliant shower systems used to be industrial-looking. However, as these systems move toward residential housing, many manufacturers have started universal design lines, which are age-friendly and blend well with any interior design plan.
Universal design elements
Several products speak to universal design — catering to users on both sides of the fence. “These universal lines are not only for those with disabilities that the ADA regulations accommodate but also for those who are aging-in-place and may have arthritis, for example,” says Jason McNeely, sales training manager with Hansgrohe North America. “We try to be adaptive to everyone and everything is labeled for intuitive use.”
For Wesson, the ultimate design goal starts with an emphasis on user-friendly products with a great aesthetic and are easy to maintain.
“Products must be easy to grip or grasp, easy to understand and operate and, when possible, they should include fail-safe features,” he says. “Subtle integration of safety and support are also critical. The United States is on track to have more than 80 million Americans over the age of 65 by 2050, so manufacturers need to provide innovative, accessible and high-quality products to meet the requirements of the marketplace going forward.”
Another universal design concept is temperature-control technology. “An integrated digital temperature display with LED color indicators signals different water temperature ranges, providing users peace of mind before getting in the shower or bath,” says Sarah Reep, director of designer relations and education at Masco Cabinetry, parent company ofDelta Faucet Co., and a National Association of Home Builders’ certified aging-in-place specialist.
“The technology is available on a variety of hand showers and showerheads to suit various décor styles.”
The trend is to improve the function of bathroom products yet allow consumers to use them with less effort, she adds, such as hand showers with rubberized grips or the implementation of push-button technology. “Regardless of the consumers’ ability, accessible shower systems with advanced technology can help all comfortably interact with water,” Reep says.
McNeely agrees: “Push-button technology is an evolutionary change. We saw the change from the rotary phone to the push-button model; even cars are changing to push-button engine starts. Society is demanding the making of easier and more functional products.”
Touchless technology — which solves flexibility issues for people who have hand injuries or arthritis — also is an ongoing trend.
“Touchless fittings controlled by infrared electronics combine ease-of-use with reliable operation,” says Cheryl Dickson, head of brand and trade marketing for Grohe America. “Showers need to be convenient and electronic functionality makes operation effortless and exact. Functions that control temperature, as well as configurations that make showering while seated possible and comfortable, also are popular. Technology that controls water flow, water source and especially temperature are very important now and will continue to be in the future.”
Code considerations
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder signed final regulations in July 2010 revising the Department of Justice’s ADA regulations, including its ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Shower system regulations are covered in sections 607 through 610 here: http://tinyurl.com/ADA-regs-2010.
“Building codes can vary regionally and locally; however, design and planning keys for bathroom accessibility are consistent across North America,” Reep notes. “Dimensional relationships and access are two critical pieces. One such example might be accommodating a 5-ft. open radius within the bath space so a wheelchair can turn fully in the room. If room size limitations hamper this, layout options exist to make the space flexible for added functionality.”
Height is another area to watch for ease-of-reach issues so that people can easily access lavatory sinks, countertop surfaces, grab bars, seating and shower entry thresholds.
Specifications to keep in mind when remodeling bathrooms for accessibility include:
The faucet controls and shower diverter can be turned on and off easily, and are operable and usable with one hand — without tight grasping, pinching or twisting of the wrist;
An adjustable-height, hand-held wand with at least a 60-in. long hose provided so persons who bathe from a seated position may wash and rinse with the directional spray;
Roll-in showers should have a securely fastened folding seat at 17-in. to 19-in. above the floor to make it easy for people who use wheelchairs to transfer into the shower space;
The faucet controls and wand are positioned on the wall along the side of the seat so they are operable from the folding seat or from the wheelchair;
A horizontal grab bar on the wall alongside and/or opposite the shower seat (but not behind the seat) for stabilization and aid in transfer from a wheelchair to the folding seat; and
The gap between the wall and the inside face of each grab bar should be 1 1/2-in. to accommodate persons with disabilities who rest their forearms on the bars for stabilization. This ensures the arm does not accidentally pass between the grab bar and wall, especially if a fall occurs.
For manufacturers, product testing is a very important process in ensuring the longevity of their products and the safety of their customers. “At our life-testing laboratories, our products are put through their paces and shown no mercy,” Dickson says. “Here, our faucets, showers, thermostats and all the components that go with them have to endure the simulated effects of 20 years’ daily use — with especially hard water. People who find conventional fittings hard to handle expect good design to make operation easier.”
However, it all comes down to the shower experience, so performance testing is critical for these shower systems. “We want to make sure people are still having a great shower experience,” McNeely notes. “Not only are these systems becoming more popular, but they are becoming more of a standard — not so much asked for as much as expected as second nature. It is becoming more of a normalized design.”
Reep agrees that universal design is gaining industry momentum, commercially and in private residences. “Many new construction projects are working to create spaces that are as inclusive as possible, thus making the need for accessible bathroom and shower products even greater than before,” she says.
UL Warns of Potential Hazards from Improper Installation of Lighting Retrofit Kits
UL has issued a warning over the growing number of reports of improperly installed and uncertified retrofit lighting kits that may pose a fire or shock hazard.
In many states, utility companies are offering financial incentives to consumers and businesses that upgrade or retrofit their facilities to use more energy-efficient lighting. While the move to more modern and efficient lighting fixtures is a positive step, care must be taken to use certified retrofit kits and install them properly. A qualified electrician must complete the retrofit according to accompanying installation instructions, as improper installation may pose a fire or shock hazard.
“Many of these retrofit installations are completed in ways that create safety hazards where none existed before, creating unintended consequences in the name of energy efficiency,” said Marguerite Carroll, manager of UL’s Regulatory Services Department.
The components used in the retrofit may have individual certifications, but if the kit (including the accompanying installation instructions) is not certified per the applicable Standards for Safety, problems can occur.
“The common thinking is that LED retrofits are low-voltage. This is not true. All retrofit kits will include branch circuit connections, and should be treated with proper safety precautions,” said Bahram Barzideh, principal engineer with UL’s Lighting Division. “A retrofit kit is more than just parts. When a luminaire is modified using off-the-shelf parts, there is no way to know if the luminaire is compliant or even safe.”
UL urges those installing a lighting retrofit to use only third-party certified retrofit kits and follow the accompanying installation instructions. UL Certified lighting retrofit kits can be verified in UL’s Certification database found on ul.com at http://iq.ul.com/ssl/and selecting LED Retrofit Kits from the product category pull-down. More detailed information about retrofits and retrofit safety can be found at http://industries.ul.com/lighting/retrofit-kits.
IICRC Certified Firms have earned the right to display the IICRC logo as a symbol of quality. In order to achieve IICRC-certified status, firms must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and expertise. All IICRC Certified Firms must:
Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC actively has relationships with fiber producers, carpet and fabric mills, furnishing manufacturers and retailers, and others affiliated with the industry. The use of IICRC service professionals is specified in leading manufacturers’ maintenance brochures and warranties.
When it comes to cleaning, restoration and inspection, the IICRC writes the books
As an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO), the IICRC has led the way in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, upholstery and fabric cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation.
Each IICRC standard takes years to develop and the coordination of several experts in the field, including allied tradespersons; manufacturers; international, national and regional trade associations; individual or franchise professionals; cleaning, inspection and restoration industry organizations; insurance industry; training schools; contractors; and public health professionals.
These standards are reviewed and updated at least every five years. Many of these fields, such as the water damage restoration field, change rapidly and those who are certified keep up with the advancement of the science and generally accepted practices of the industry.
The IICRC helps keep homes and businesses healthful
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average person spends 90 percent or more of their time indoors, where levels of pollutants may be two to five times (and occasionally more than 100 times) higher than outdoor levels.
This makes it extremely important to perform regular maintenance inside your home or business. In addition to vacuuming, cleaning and checking for water damage on a regular basis, using a certified technician for cleaning will help extend the life of your flooring and upholstery and ensure that your home or business is healthful for those who live and work there.
5 Ways to Transform Your Home Into A Stress-Reducing Paradise
People long to be at home as revealed in the well-known saying, "home is where the heart is." Your home is the person or place you love the most.
But if your home design stresses you out, then you may need to control some of the stress-inducing circumstances that are controlling your environment. Why not create a homey paradise right in your own home? As you read on, think how these five ways can help you transform your blab stressful home environment into a paradise that you wake up to each day.
De-clutter your spaces
To ensure that you aren't getting stressed trying to find things on a daily basis, start getting a hold of the clutter in your house by starting small in one specific area. In fact, go through stuff you haven't worn or used in years. Why are you still hanging on to these things? As revealed in this article, the "why" part behind the purpose for decluttering is especially important otherwise the need to declutter will feel like another "cleaning" type task.
Another way to view decluttering is to make space for things such as having a place for each item you need to find. This will ensure that you won't lose your sanity each time you are trying to find something. You can solve this problem by stocking up on plastic containers of all sizes that can hold a variety of papers and items far away from view.
Clean the air in your environment
Purifiers can eliminate toxins from the air. Our homes are full of toxins especially from household chemicals. Getting a high quality air filter either for heating or air-conditioning can also help build your toxic tolerance.
Keep a plant supply
Studies have actually shown that stocking your home with plants can reduce stress. If you don't have time to take care of plants, invest in a few low-maintenance plants like succulents. Balance a succulent plant with other colors, patterns and textures. Like air-filters, plants clean the air and get rid of toxins.
Establish routines and places that give you peace
Where in your home can you feel more at peace? Is there a place you can meditate, relax and breathe? You don't need to go on lavish vacations to find that sense of peace and happiness. For example, is there a meditation corner you can establish in your bedroom?
Light up your life
Lighting, in all forms, can often be harsh and too bright. The key is to aim for warmer and more soothing light that bathes you which is generally produced by halogen bulbs.
Obviously, natural light is the best earth centering energy, but this is not always possible especially if your windows face away from sunlight. LEDs are efficient bulbs that produce more light than the amount of energy they take.
Cleaning and decluttering aren't just "cleaning" mechanisms, but they have the power to transform your life allowing you to feel true joy and happiness in your home. Destressing a home environment is all about connecting to those "feel good" energies.
Your home should be your sanctuary, but did you know that the air inside your home (and other indoor spaces) could be 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside? In some cases, it may be much worse.
The Problem:
Chemicals, mold, particulates and poor ventilation compromise indoor air quality.
Many of the items that make their way into your home emit thousands of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particles into the air. Although these compounds can contribute to a number of health problems, they are not generally identified on product labels. VOCs are used in many household items such as furnishings and building materials, as well as cleaners, laundry products and air fresheners containing synthetic fragrance.
Additionally, dust, dirt and debris containing pollutants and irritants come into your home on people’s shoes. Mold, which is caused by moisture, is another source of VOCs and particulates.
The Solutions:
Use cleaners and laundry products that don’t contain harmful chemicals and synthetic fragrances. (Fragrance-free products are a great option.)
Don’t use aerosol sprays.
Keep large doormats at each entry to catch the majority of dust, dirt and pollutants on shoes. Consider making your home a shoe-free zone.
Choose a natural alternative to pesticides. If you must use harsh chemicals, do so sparingly and with great caution. Always read labels and follow directions carefully.
Maintain a healthy humidity level (30%-50%) to keep dust mites, mold and other allergens under control. Fix leaks and moisture problems to prevent mold growth.
Keep indoor plants to clean the air naturally and brighten your space. Ferns, spider plants and aloe are excellent natural air purifiers. (If you have kids or pets, choose plants that are safe for them.) Be sure not to overwater your plants; overwatering can result in mold growth.
Vacuum, mop and dust often. HEPA filters in vacuums prevent dust and dirt from blowing back through the exhaust. Microfiber dusters and mops trap dirt without the use of cleaners or chemicals.
Don’t smoke. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 harmful chemicals and secondhand smoke poses a serious health risk to children.
Open your windows. Fresh air can prevent the build-up of toxic chemicals.
Talk to an HVAC expert about a whole home air cleaner and humidification system. A whole home system is the best solution to getting rid of 99% of indoor contaminants, as well as maintaining that healthy humidity level in your home to alleviate allergy and asthma triggers.
Continuing Education class for NJ Insurance Producers
We will be hosting two (2) Continuing Education classes for 3 credits for New Jersey Insurance Property and Casualty producers on April 12 Steve Lyon will be presenting "NASTY STUFF-Essential Coverages Removed by Endorsement", with both a morning and an afternoon class being offered, see the registration form shown below. All are welcome, but prospective attendees would need to register in advance.
This Old House host Kevin O'Connor and Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel discuss how to prepare for the next big storm
THIS OLD HOUSE HOST KEVIN O'CONNOR AND JIM CANTORE OF THE WEATHER CHANNELTHIS OLD HOUSE TELEVISION
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In this video, This Old House host Kevin O'Connor and Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel discuss how to prepare for the next big storm.
Steps: 1. Keep a water supply of one gallon per day per person for three days. 2. Have a three-day supply of canned goods, and don't forget to pack a can opener. 3. Pack several fresh batteries, flashlights, and lanterns. 4. Get a hand-crank flashlight that can also recharge cell phones. 5. Place important documents and phone numbers in a waterproof case. 6. Choose a meeting place in case family members get separated. 7. Portable gas-powered generators must be placed outdoors; never run one in an enclosed space. Be sure to have gasoline on hand. 8. Use a chain and padlock to secure the generator to a tree or other unmovable object.
3 Common Furnace Repairs That Annual Maintenance May Prevent
Nothing is quite as comforting as coming home to a warm house on a cold wintry day. Yet, chances are, you don’t think about your furnace unless it stops working. By then, however, you may be dealing with costly repairs that could have been avoided or minimized. Scheduling annual maintenance for your heating system is a simple step that saves money and time, and minimizes inconvenience and discomfort.
As with any appliance that has multiple moving parts, your furnace is at risk for wear and tear. When these parts become damaged they can make your furnace less efficient or stop working altogether. Here are three common problem areas that your HVAC professional can identify before they become serious:
The Fan
The fan keeps warm air circulating throughout your home and has several components that require attention and maintenance.
Dry ball bearings can cause friction in the fan shaft.
Fan blades can become loose or bent.
Motor mounts can come loose.
Fan belts wear out.
Fan motor issues and electrical issues, including frayed wiring, affect performance, efficiency and safety.
The Burner
During routine maintenance the burner is inspected and cleaned to insure that it is functioning properly. Dust and dirt covering the burner components can prevent all the burners from lighting and can also cause excessive wear and tear. This can result in uneven heating.
The Ignition
Today’s furnaces typically work with an electronic ignition. There are two types: intermittent and hot surface. Dirt and grime that build up over time negatively affect the performance of both types. The intermittent pilot uses a fuel nozzle that can become clogged, blocking the gas from flowing. The dirt on the hot surface igniter can act as insulation, and prevent the igniter from becoming hot enough to light the gas jet. During a maintenance visit, the HVAC professional will clean the igniter components to help prevent these issues.
An annual maintenance inspection is a worthwhile investment. While there are things you can do yourself to keep your furnace running smoothly such as replacing your furnace filters regularly,HVAC professionals are trained to spot potential problems that you likely won’t see.
February may be a shorter month than the others but it’s still a great time of year to get your home projects done. In fact, there are many projects that are perfect to do during the winter month of February. Despite snow or icy weather, balcony garden or backyard gardening is something to think about this month. You may not be able to dig in the dirt, but most regions host their annual home and garden shows now for the spring. (Read how to make the most of attending a show like this.) It’s also a great time of year to purchase seeds and supplies for your summer vegetable or fruit containers.
Inside the home you may be craving some change that is more in line with the upcoming season. Try a new color of paint for your walls or purchase new bed linens for a quick update. Budget friendly projects like spray painting tired old frames is another great way to insert a new interior design scheme without spending a lot of money. Organization is also a great project to focus on this month. Be realistic and start with one room or area at a time. When you reorganize you may find the need to do some minor repair work, so call in a handyman or contractor to fix up that area once and for all.
Here are some other great projects to get done this month.
Treat your loved ones on Valentine’s Day. You don’t have to buy the standard box of chocolate or make expensive dinner reservations. Try giving your loved ones the gift of a healthy and safe home. Here are some great ideas to try this year.
Perform a monthly smoke alarm test. Holding down the button tests the actual sound, but a more accurate test is to mimic the alarm’s ability to detect smoke. Read more about smoke alarms.
Deep clean appliances. This is a great month to do some quick appliance maintenance like:
Washing machine: Clean rubber gaskets and seals with plain vinegar on a cloth. Do a clothes-free cycle with hot water, vinegar and baking soda. Leave washing machine door open for it to dry completely. Check connection points behind the machine to ensure the hoses are in good shape.
Dishwasher: Use plain vinegar on a dry cloth and wipe the edges of the machine that tend to stay dirty. Remove the filter and clean it to remove stuck on food. Sprinkle the inside with baking soda until you’re ready for your next load.
Refrigerator: Remove food and wipe down all surfaces with a mixture of warm water and vinegar. This is a great time to throw out old leftovers and check the expiration dates of condiments. The freezer can also get a quick clean. Use a vacuum to suck up small objects like coffee grounds. Empty ice bins and add a fresh box of baking soda to remove odors.
Regularly cleaning your oven is the best way to ensure you don’t end up with an appliance that looks older than it really is and it’s the best way to avoid baking your dinner in an unhygienic oven. A clean oven will make the whole kitchen more attractive and may even make you a happier baker. Here are three common methods for cleaning your oven.
1. Cleaning An Oven With The Self-Cleaning Setting
A self-cleaning oven is a well-insulated oven that heats to a very high temperature (upwards of 800′ Fahrenheit or more) and incinerates baked on food and grease. General Electric is accredited with inventing the pyrolytic cleaning (commonly called the self-cleaning) oven feature in 1963. Much like you can clean off your outdoor grill by turning up the heat and letting the debris bake off, the self-cleaning method utilizes extreme heat to remove stuck on food. But don’t be fooled by the name. Most manufacturers will recommend first removing as much grease and grime before your self-cleaning session and afterwards you’ll need to wipe off and remove the remaining ashes. If you are nervous about having your oven heat up to nearly 1000′ for over three hours you’re not alone. Many people wonder if this will damage the oven (or damage a person who accidentally touches the front of the oven) yet manufacturers assure us that a self-cleaning oven is perfectly safe to use as long as you follow the operating instructions. Some ovens require that you remove the interior racks prior to cleaning, and you don’t ever want to leave your house with this setting on. Because a self-cleaning oven burns all left-on debris to a crisp, you may see smoke or vapors coming from the oven. Households with pet birds will want to sequester them away from the oven during the self-cleaning process as the vapors be highly toxic to birds.
Self-Cleaning Oven Pros:
Inexpensive (if it already comes with your oven)
Easy to use
Effectively burns off baked on debris
Self cleaning ovens are more insulated which makes it more energy efficient when baking
You don’t need to use additional oven cleaning chemicals to clean
Self-Cleaning Oven Cons:
Potentially dangerous if the exterior is touched during cleaning
You still need to clean the oven before and after the self-cleaning session
Hazardous fumes and vapors are released during the process, toxic enough to kill birds
Strong smells may be unpleasant
Smoke from burning food may set off your smoke alarm
2. Cleaning An Oven With Chemical Oven Cleaners
Arguably the most dangerous way to clean an oven is by using an off-the-shelf chemical cleaner. Not that it doesn’t do the job; chemical cleaners use lye (along with a host of other chemicals) to magically lift off caked on grease and grime. The number one reason you won’t want to use this product is that it is incredibly hazardous to your health and the health of your family. Lye is caustic and can cause irritation to mucus membranes, eyes, skin and lungs. In fact, most manufacturers recommend wearing long gloves and goggles while using the product. Corrosive alkalis are dangerous to inhale and can damage lung tissue. Chemical cleaners may contain a combination of monoethanolamine (MEA) which is a volatile organic compound, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, petroleum gases and many other dangerous chemicals. In fact, if you’d like to see the ratings of cleaning products like oven cleaners, check out the Environmental Working Group’s rating system of this particular brand.
Chemical Oven Cleaner Pros:
Easily removes baked on grease and leftover foods
Chemical Oven Clean Cons:
Highly toxic fumes can damage lungs and respiratory system
Chemical components are known to cause cancer, damage to DNA and reproductive health, skin irritation and allergen
Known environmental hazards
Deadly poisonous if swallowed
Remodelista?
3. Cleaning An Oven Using Non-Toxic, Homemade Cleaners
You might think that something as tough as baked on food would either need to be burned off by heat (self cleaning method) or by chemicals, but you’d be wrong. There are several ways to clean a dirty oven using non-toxic (and incredibly inexpensive) ingredients. In fact, most kitchen appliances can be cleaned using homemade cleaners you can easily make in a matter of seconds with products you probably already have in your pantry. Baking soda is a very effective cleaner; it’s abrasive enough to remove caked on debris but won’t scratch surfaces. It also helps remove odors. Vinegar, or lemon juice, easily cuts through grease and removes germs. Some recipes call for Castile soap, which is a vegetable based soap, and you can decide whether or not to add this ingredient to the following recipes.
For best results, wipe off as much baked on food prior to either method and make sure oven is completely cool.
Non toxic cleaning method #1
Generously sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of the oven
Using a spray bottle, wet the baking soda with vinegar (you don’t want a puddle of vinegar). Note that the reaction of the vinegar and baking soda will cause bubbling.
Let sit for about 4 hours or overnight
Wipe away vinegar and baking soda with a textured sponge.
If any residue is left, simply use clean water to wipe clean
Non toxic cleaning method #2
In a mixing bowl combine about 1 cup of baking soda with enough water to make a paste
Generously coat inside of oven with paste
Let sit overnight
Remove with a damp sponge and repeat wiping until clean
Non-Toxic Cleaning Pros:
Inexpensive, easy to make
Effective at removing debris from oven
Non-irritating and doesn’t produce harmful fumes
Not harmful to the environment
Can control the amount and types of ingredients used
Non-Toxic Cleaning Cons:
May need to use more “elbow grease” to remove debris
May take longer to clean oven than other methods
Ensemble Architecture
How To Keep Your Oven Clean All The Time
The best way to keep your oven clean is to prevent spills from happening in the first place. This shouldn’t be too difficult, especially as you know your baking habits. If it’s always spilled casseroles or pie, simply put your baking dishes on top of a jelly roll pan. If it’s grease spatters from weekly chicken roasts, consider covering up the chicken with foil or immediately wipe off the grease while the grease is still warm. Just like your BBQ grill, it’s much easier to wipe away drippings while they are still warm rather that bake them repeatedly and expect to get it clean later.
Trevor Krueger, owner of custom home builders Krueger Group, uses insulation in new homes with higher R-values than required under the current building code because it can better protect plumbing pipes from freezing. He allows extra space between the exterior wall and pipes to allow for more insulation.
January and February are widely considered in the plumbing industry to be the prime pipe-freezing months, a plight that can create huge problems and rack up costly repair bills.
“We have that period where it never gets above 20 degrees during the day,” said Gary Roseberry of Roseberry Plumbing & Heating.
“The problem is that not enough people understand their homes. If your thermostat is at 50 degrees, that’s not necessarily the temperature that’s reaching your pipes.”
Run water, keep cabinet doors open, crank the thermostat and don’t neglect the heat tape is the usual advice, but those in the plumbing industry see enough repeated mistakes each year to know the tips bear repeating.
“Some of the dumb mistakes I’ve seen every year: ‘Oh, it’s hot outside and sunny,’ so they leave the garage door open,” Roseberry said. “But if you leave the cabinet doors open for air circulation and turn the heat up, a lot of the times, plumbing will thaw itself out and they’re fine.”
For owners of older homes dealing with the insulation they’ve got, Roseberry said the usual tricks are typically effective but not always.
Depending on how long someone leaves the faucet running, the water could freeze the sewer line, he said. Heat tapes, which are heating cables that plug into a socket and then are wrapped around plumbing, can be effective, but homeowners often forget to plug them in come fall – or they neglect to notice the tape no longer works, until the pipes freeze.
And frozen pipe problems aren’t limited to indoors; underground pipes can also freeze.
Master plumber Howard Kuhfal of Master Rooter, who averages about 20 frozen pipe calls a week in January and February, said sewer lines are susceptible to freezing, particularly where the pipe has a flat spot.
If a homeowner’s underground pipes tend to freeze, he advises hiring a plumber who can use a camera to identify the trouble spots underground.
“If the sewer lines are under three feet deep, the water in that belly of the pipe will freeze,” he said. “If you have a problem with a sewer line freezing, and this happens every year, hire a plumber with a camera to come in there and locate the area with the flat spot that freezes.”
Frost depth in La Plata County is about three feet underground, Kuhfal estimated, and it’s deeper in areas such as Vallecito and Purgatory. Water lines in La Plata County, at minimum, should be at least 40 inches deep or deeper, he said.
Local builders working on new homes have the option to take some preemptive measures against pipe freezing, from the types of pipe they use to the amount of insulation.
Kuhfal has been in the business 30 years and advises builders to use cross-link polyethylene (PEX) pipe for plumbing.
“PEX pipe has been around La Plata County for several years,” Kuhfal said. “It freezes, contracts and goes back to its original shape. Copper will swell up and split. Plastic will freeze up and shatter.”
Homebuilders are also adding and improving insulation in newer homes.
Trevor Krueger of Krueger Group, which manages the construction of custom homes, said his company uses simple practices that make all the difference in preventing pipe breaks.
For one, he installs plumbing valves when possible in interior walls, which are better insulated.
“When pipes freeze in older homes, that’s just from not having enough insulation,” Krueger said. Insulation is measured by an R-value, which quantifies a material’s thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation. The R-value standard under the city’s building code is R-19, but Krueger builds starting at R-22. In ceilings, the code is R-28, but he builds at R-45.
Other homebuilders are also using spray foam insulation, which is applied as a liquid, then expands as it turns to a solid and offers a higher R-value per inch. “Those things don’t sound like a big difference, but it definitely is a better insulated wall,” Krueger said.
How to Clean a Fireplace; 5 Hacks for a Safe and Warm Winter by the Fire
t’s starting to get chilly outside again, and few things seem more appealing than cozying up by the fire with a good book and a mug of hot cocoa. But whether you have a wood- or gas-burning fireplace, it’s important to clear it of debris and buildup so that it functions efficiently and you and your loved ones stay safe this season. Read on for 5 fireplace-cleaning hacks*.
Whether it’s the strangely satisfying crackles and pops, the fragrance of fresh wood, or those cool-looking tools they come with, few people can deny the allure of a traditional wood-burning fireplace.
But with burning wood comes ash, soot, and creosote buildup that can quickly accumulate and affect the efficiency and safety of your fireplace. That’s why it’s a good idea to clean it up every fall so it’s ready to, er, fire up once winter hits.
(By the way, you’ll want to make sure you haven’t used your fireplace for at least 72 hours before cleaning it in order to reduce the risk of starting fires outside your fireplace.)
1. Prep for the scrub-down
Safety first! It’s wise to wear a dust mask, rubber gloves, and even clear goggles to avoid direct contact with any harmful materials.
Lay a plastic tarp around the hearth to protect any surrounding carpet and reduce the amount of after-work cleanup. You may also want a kneeling pad for your comfort. And remember to wear old clothes (or at least an apron) since this can get messy.
Pro tip: Save some used coffee grounds or tea leaves to sprinkle on top of the ash and debris. That way, you’ll avoid inhaling the dust when you’re ready to sweep everything up.
2. Remove any grates and take them outside
Using a nylon brush, scrub soot and debris off your fireplace’s grates. When you’re done, simply rinse them off with water and wipe them dry. If you’re aiming for extra shininess, you can use metal polish to get that trademark gleam.
To avoid breathing in ash and dust, sprinkle some used coffee grounds or tea leaves over the piles of debris in your fireplace. You can sweep everything up with a brush and dustpan and then place it in a metal bin or bucket outside and away from your home.
4. Start scrubbing
Next, scrub the fireplace walls with the same nylon brush you used on the grates. Work your way from the top of each wall to the bottom. It also helps to line the bottom of your fireplace with newspaper for easier cleanup.
5. Tidy up the hearth
You’re almost done! Carefully gather up the plastic tarp and soot-covered newspaper and dispose of them outside. Vacuum any remaining debris on and around the hearth and spray the sooty areas with water.
Then apply hearth cleaner and give those areas a good rub. (Spraying the areas with water first prevents the hearth cleaner from soaking in too quickly, which tends to be more of an issue with brick fireplaces.)
Rinse the cleaner off with a clean sponge and let it air-dry. Then put the grates you cleaned back inside. Voilà — you now have a clean fireplace!
But what if you have a gas-burning fireplace, you ask?
How to clean a gas fireplace
Luckily, gas-burning fireplaces are pretty low maintenance and not many steps are required to clean one out for this winter’s use.
It’s really simple: use your vacuum to clear out ash and debris in or around the vents of the fireplace. Then, make sure that gas logs are positioned properly, wipe down any glass doors with a non-ammonia-based cleaner, and give yourself a pat on the back — your fireplace is now ready to go.
Creosote, which is essentially wood tar, is extremely flammable and can accumulate along the flue walls of your chimney, presenting a major safety issue. In fact, it’s one of the main causes of chimney fires.
It’s generally recommended that you have a licensed chimney specialist come out once a year to inspect for dangerous buildup — especially if you use your fireplace frequently.
According to HomeAdvisor, most Americans spend between $123 and $314 for a chimney sweep to inspect and clean their chimney. That’s nothing compared to the thousands of dollars you could spend after a catastrophic chimney fire. If you’re a homeowner, make sure you have homeowners insurance, which can financially protect you from fire damage and so much more.
The ventilation system above or next to your stove top serves several important functions in the kitchen. It helps remove moisture, smoke and odors, helps improve indoor air quality, and most importantly, helps trap flammable, aerated grease that is creating during the cooking process. Some states or cities require a ventilation hood to be present in the kitchen but even if your area doesn’t require one, you’ll want to make sure one is installed in your kitchen. Regularly cleaning and maintaining this ventilation system will help it function better, remove bacteria and mold, and reduce the risk of a kitchen fire.
Why your kitchen needs an exhaust system
In addition to whisking away odors, steam and smoke, a good ventilation or exhaust system will suck in and trap tiny grease and oil particles that would otherwise end up drifting throughout the kitchen and into rest of the home. Additionally, if you cook with natural gas, understand that a certain amount of nitrogen dioxide (along with carbon monoxide and formaldehyde) may be produced when cooking. These chemicals are bad for the lungs and can aggravate people with asthma or respiratory issues. When cooking, always turn on the exhaust system to help improve the indoor air quality.
How to clean the hood, filters and ventilation system
The exhaust system filters act as a trap for grease and oil and should be cleaned or replaced often. How often depends upon the type of filter system as well as how often you cook. If you wok fry food weekly, for example, a monthly cleaning will be necessary. But most find that a regular schedule of cleaning the filters every 3 months is the best way to keep a routine that you can stick to. Recirculating hoods use charcoal disposable filters and should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. Check with your manufacturer for more specific replacement or cleaning instructions.
To clean the wire mesh filters first remove them from the hood or ventilation system. You can either wash them by hand with warm soapy water (some find that baking soda works great too) or you can place them in an empty dishwasher and run a full cycle. You may need to repeat these methods if they are particularly greasy. Once they are clean, inspect them to insure there is no rusted or broken parts. Let them dry completely before placing them back in the ventilation system.
The rest of the ventilation system, like the hood, should also be periodically cleaned. Most hoods are made from stainless steel so use a cleaning product designed for this material or use one of ournon-toxic stainless steel cleaning recipes here. You’ll want to remove dust, grease and debris and always rub the stainless steel in the direction of the grain.
What happens if you don’t clean the stove ventilation system
The three biggest reasons for keeping the filters and ventilation hood clean are better indoor air quality, reduction of bacteria and mold, and fire risk reduction. As mentioned above, having a functioning and clean ventilation system will help create a healthier indoor air quality. This is especially important in the cooler months of fall and winter when many homeowners are cooking inside more and have the windows closed.
The warm and moist environment directly above a hot stove top is perfect for growing bacteria and mold, especially when there is a steady supply of food particles and oils. Dust can also stick to this grease buildup and create a nasty mess, not to mention a bad smell.
Kitchen fires are a very real hazard that you need to be aware of. When cooking on the stove, high heat mixed with oil can create a flame. If this flame is high enough, or near enough a grease-soaked filter, the flames can catch and spread. A grease or cooking fire can be very scary, spread quickly, and is responsible for 50% of reported residential house fires every year. Always keep a fire extinguisher labeled “for cooking fires” or with a “K” to put out a kitchen grease fire.
Clogged Filter Monitor Indicates Time To Replace HVAC Filters
AUSTIN, Texas — Airflow1 has announced a clogged filter monitor, called the CFM-GM, that signals the ideal time to replace HVAC air filters, which the company says can help homeowners keep a cleaner indoor environment, reduce the need for maintenance on HVAC equipment, and trim energy costs. The company currently has a Kickstarter campaign to fund the final development and production of the device.
Airflow1 notes that replacing HVAC air filters is necessary to keep equipment running at optimal efficiency, but knowing exactly when to replace them is equally important. Unfortunately, there has never been an easy or precise way to address that question. Filters become more efficient the longer they’re in place, so replacing one too soon is wasteful. But there comes a point when a filter is no longer performing at all, and the HVAC unit suffers a drop in efficiency, not to mention the accumulation of dust and dirt on the components and in the indoor environment. By some estimates, inefficient HVAC units waste up to a billion dollars in electricity each month.
Seeing this problem and finding there was no straightforward way to check for clogged air filters, engineer and product developer Mike Sweaton set out to design a solution that could adapt to most standard HVAC units. “My goals were to develop a product that was easy to install and see, cost effective for homeowners, and most of all, accurate. The reality is that many people change their filters on a set schedule, but that may not be ideal from a cost and resource-use perspective. Once in full production, I believe the CFM-GM will make a tremendous difference in our nation’s energy usage.”
The CFM-GM is said to allow homeowners to find the “sweet spot” — the moment just before a filter clogs and loses its efficiency. The device works by sensing the differential air pressure between the front and the back of the filter. Sweaton said he conducted rigorous testing and research to identify the most robust, accurate, and reliable pressure sensors.
The CFM-GM is designed to work with 1-inch width filters mounted in a wall or ceiling return grille. The device is also compatible with Supermechanical’s Twine, a wireless home monitoring system.
Preparing Your Home for Winter; 8 Fall Maintenance Hacks for Cold-Weather Comfort
We all look forward to fall’s festivities. But taking the time to prepare your home for winter (before it arrives) can help ensure you’re cozying up by the fireside — worry-free — once cold weather rolls around. Find out how with these 8 simple hacks.
Ahhh, fall is finally here! The leaves are changing, there’s a crisp coolness in the air, and our favorite pumpkin-flavored treats line store shelves once more. Decorating and meal-prepping might be the first things on your mind when it comes to preparing your home for the colder months — but the National Weather Service is predicting strong winter storms that could affect homeowners across the country this year.
Here are 8 important fall maintenance tips that can make all the difference once winter’s first freeze hits.
1. Clear out your gutters
All those colorful leaves falling from the trees sure are pretty — but they also pile up pretty quickly in your home’s gutters.
Excess debris can lead to clogs (or ice dams in wintery conditions), which can prevent gutters from draining properly. In turn, there’s a chance water could seep into your home since it has nowhere else to escape to, causing a multitude of issues like damage to your valuables, mold growth, and even structural rot.
Before winter hits, clear your house’s gutters of leaves and any other debris that might’ve accumulated during the summer months. It also helps to run water through the gutters afterward to check for any leaks or misalignments that could damage your home.
Things like damaged weather stripping and small cracks in your home’s structure allow warm air to escape, causing your heater to go into overdrive to keep your place warm.
The solution to your chilly house and high utility bills is pretty simple: before it gets wintery outside, inspect your home’s windows, doorways, and any other places where air might be able to enter or exit.
You can use caulking to stop leaks in the stationary components of your home (like a crack in your doorframe) and weather stripping to insulate the moving components (like windows and doors).
Home just doesn’t feel like home if a malfunctioning heater is leaving you with the chills. And in parts of the country with freezing temps, it can be a much more serious situation.
That’s why it’s wise to have a licensed contractor come out to inspect your heater at least once a year, especially before the weather outside becomes frightful.
4. Prepare your pipes
Get to know where the pipelines in your house are located and make sure to inspect them every autumn (at least).
Simply patch any small leaks with heat tape to help reduce weaknesses that might cause the pipe to burst in freezing weather. And you can further protect any exposed outdoor pipes by insulating them with foam or rubber pipe wraps, which can be found at your local hardware store.
For larger leaks or pipeline problems, it’s always a good idea to play it safe and call the pros.
5. Drain any outside faucets and irrigation systems
Speaking of bursting pipes, it’s important to pay attention to the water systems immediately outside your place too. Undrained water in outdoor faucets and irrigation systems can expand when frozen and cause a pipe to burst.
Draining faucets is simple enough: just pack away your garden hoses in the garage for the winter and let out any remaining water — easy as that!
Irrigation systems, on the other hand, often vary in the way they should be maintained. It’s best to call a professional who has experience with underground water systems, just to cover all your bases.
6. Have your roof inspected
For your safety, a full-blown roof inspection should be done professionally. The cost to hire an inspector can be as low as a little over $200 and can prevent seriously hefty repair expenses down the line if a winter storm wreaks havoc on your roof and you don’t have sufficient insurance coverage to cover repair costs.
Reinforcing your roof now can help you avoid a whole host of hazards, like air and water leaks, water damage, mold, and more — all of which could put a damper on your seasonal festivities (and your wallet).
7. Restock cold-weather home essentials
Key items like rock salt or kitty litter, snow shovels, space heaters, extra batteries, and heated blankets can help make your home both more functional and comfortable during wintertime. Stock up on these helpful winter wares ahead of time to help avoid any extra hassle or stress come holiday season.
Believe it or not, your homeowners policy could come to the rescue for a whole host of cold-weather mishaps.
Whether a hailstorm leaves holes in your roof, a vandal breaks into your home and destroys valuables while you’re out holiday shopping, or the weight of snow and ice results in structural damage to your house, homeowners insurance could help pay to repair or replace your loss
Before you know it, winter will be here! If you live in Colorado, you know that the weather can turn from warm and moderate to cold and snowy almost overnight. Typically, there is a spell of cold weather in October or November, followed by a warming trend for a few weeks, and then winter hits altogether. The problem with the short spell of cold weather that typically hits during October or November is that it causes homeowners to rush to turn on their heat before their HVAC system has been tuned up for the cold season.
Now is a good time of year to call your furnace repair company to schedule your annual tune-up and maintenance. But besides scheduling your appointment, make sure to follow these seven steps which will make sure your furnace is ready to heat your home this winter:
Change your air filter. During your annual furnace tune-up appointment, your furnace repair technician may replace your air filter with a new one. However, this is a task that you can complete on your own before your appointment if you think you will run your furnace before your scheduled furnace tune-up.
Review the settings on your thermostat. You might not have looked at the winter settings on your thermostat for six months. Make sure to check that the settings are correct and make any necessary adjustments. If you have a programmable thermostat and you are unsure how to set it correctly, your furnace repair company should be able to assist you.
Make sure all air vents are open. An HVAC system functions the best when the flow of air throughout your home is unobstructed. Therefore, make sure all air vents are open and that return air registers are not blocked by furniture or other items such as pictures or mirrors hanging on the wall.
Clean the area around your furnace. If your home is set up like many, your furnace probably sits in a basement, a closet or a room that gets very little use. It’s likely that dust and debris gathered around the furnace over the course of many months. Make sure to sweep or vacuum the area that surrounds your furnace so the dust and debris is not pulled into the system when it runs.
Check your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms. A home’s carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms should be checked on a regular basis. It’s a good idea to make a habit of checking to make sure these safety items work well at the beginning of each and every season.
Have your air ducts cleaned. Many people have their air ducts cleaned on an annual basis. If you want to make sure the dust, debris and pollutants are removed from your air vents before you turn on your furnace for the season, now is a good time to schedule your appointment.
Turn on your furnace and make sure it works. The best way to know if your furnace is set for cold weather is to test it. Wait for a cool day and turn on the system. Make sure it heats your home to the temperature you desire.
As of its 8 a.m. update, the National Hurricane Center has upgraded Joaquin to a category 1 Hurricane. Estimated sustained winds are at 75.
Hurricane warnings have been posted for part of the Bahamas. No watches or warnings have been issued for the U.S. yet.
The latest official track looks pretty ominous for the Garden State, with most of the state back in that “cone of uncertainty”. Remember, the white markers on the following graphic indicate the most likely position of the center of the storm by early Monday morning – they do not give any information regarding the size or extent of the storm.
8 a.m. update on Hurricane Joaquin from the National Hurricane Center
Forecast Track
Confidence is growing that we are going to see some really messy weather from Joaquin through early next week. Here’s the latest spaghetti plot, showing Joaquin’s expected track according to 32 different forecast models…
Spaghetti plot of forecast track models for Joaquin, as of 2 a.m. on September 9/30. (TropicalTidbits.com)
Blur your eyes a little while staring at that jumbled mess, and you will see the vast majority of these models eventually turn Joaquin toward the United States. The general consensus seems to be toward a landfall south of New Jersey, somewhere between the Delmarva and the Carolinas. As I mentioned yesterday, it really doesn’t matter where along the coast the storm eventually makes landfall – any of these solutions would include some degree of weather and/or surf problems for New Jersey.
However… the landfalling hurricane solution is still not a 100% sure bet… The spaghetti plot above indicates a number of outliers that turn Joaquin eastward toward the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. That also includes the almighty European model, which rapidly sweeps Joaquin out to sea, before the east coast even sees a drop of rain from the storm. That alone is enough fodder to keep some doubts and some hesitation in today’s forecast. Until and unless the Euro model flips to match the others, it is difficult to offer a high confidence forecast.
Forecast Intensity
Observations via satellite and hurricane hunters have so far painted Joaquin as a stronger storm than models have indicated. Now, the vast majority of forecast models showed Joaquin will become a category 1 hurricane Wednesday (which it did), and potentially strengthening to a category 2 hurricane by Thursday afternoon.
Graph of forecasted intensity for Joaquin, as of 2 a.m. on September 9/30. (TropicalTidbits.com)
The rapid decrease in intensity after the 96-hour mark (early Sunday morning) is expected as Joaquin potentially comes close to U.S. Cooler water and friction will cause the storm to lose some oomph as the storm approaches landfall.
Worst Case Scenario for New Jersey
Yesterday, I presented three potential scenarios for the track of Joaquin. I highly recommend you refresh your memory as to these options before reading further.
The best case scenario for New Jersey at this point would still be if the storm take the “out to sea” track, according to the Euro model among others. We would still potentially see some tropically induced heavy rain, and some rough surf… while the wind and flooding would be marginal at best.
Tropical IR satellite image of Joaquin, from the morning of September 30, 2015. (College of DuPage Meteorology)
Meanwhile, the current most likely scenario is pretty close to the worst case scenario. Following a landfall somewhere between Delaware and South Carolina, Joaquin would track up the coast. We would still have the torrential rain threat – upwards of 5 to 8 inches (or more). We would still have the wind threat – with 50+ mph gusts (I’ve seen as high as an 80 mph gust on one model this morning). And depending how close the storm gets to the Jersey Shore, we could still have the storm surge and coastal flooding threat- 3+ foot surge would cause significant coastal erosion.
A lot of New Jerseyans have been asking about how the impacts of Joaquin will play out late this week through the weekend. Here is my attempt at a timeline. This is frankly an educated guess at the forecast. Please keep in mind, this forecast is really volatile, and is very much subject to change…
Wednesday 9/30: Overnight steady rain has ended, but scattered showers remain possible through lunchtime. Otherwise, cloudy and breezy (20 mph).Thursday 10/1: Overcast skies, a few showers, and a brisk northerly wind (25 mph) will keep us cool in the lower 60s. Still no Joaquin impacts. Friday 10/2: An ejection of convection way ahead of Joaquin could bring us a round of heavy rain and gusty winds. Saturday 10/3: Actually looks pretty tranquil – a few showers will be possible, and wind gusts over 40 mph will be possible. Sunday 10/4: Joaquin makes landfall just south of New Jersey. Heavy rain and very strong wind gusts (50+ mph) enter the region. Rough surf and the potential for 3+ foot storm surge begin.
Monday 10/5: Potential tropical storm effects continue, with rain eventual tapering off from south to north
Tuesday 10/6: Storm wraps up with a few leftover showers, a stiff breeze (20 mph), and seasonably cool temperatures.
A Final Note on Uncertainty
This has been one of the most complicated storm forecasts in recent memory, given the wide variety of model tracks and the inconsistency of each model from run to run. While there remain some question marks regarding this storm’s precise track and timing, we are becoming more comfortable and more confident that the impacts on New Jersey and the entire eastern seaboard will be significant. That would be even more true if the European model resolved to match most of the other storm track solutions.
Is this storm going to be as bad as Sandy? Highly doubtful. Sandy was a one-of-a-kind storm that made direct landfall in New Jersey, and came from a completely different direction.
Is this storm still worth watching for New Jerseyans? Absolutely. No matter where you live in New Jersey, your plans for this weekend through early next week are in jeopardy. It’s time to start thinking about contingencies, and whether you have enough food and other supplies to last through the weekend.
You don’t have to be a Game of Thrones fan to know that winters these days are wild. When colder months roll around, the only thing that’s certain is that the weather will be unpredictable. Whether it’s ice storms across the North East, or flash floods throughout the South West, being prepared is the best defense.
Check these nine home projects to weatherproof your place and make sure you have a cozy winter.
Get a winter-ready roof. A leaking roof makes for a messy, expensive, winter. Inside the house, dark ceiling stains or sagging spots mean a roof repair is in order. Outside, confirm shingles have no signs of splitting, disintegration, or looseness. If your roof is tricky to access—or you have tile shingles—hire a specialist to do the inspection. It’s not worth the broken bones or broken tiles!
Clean those gutters. You could break out the ladders and gloves, root around in old wet leaves… or do yourself a favor and hire someone who specializes in gutters to handle this arduous task for you. A professional will safely reach the roof, clear out the muck, and look for signs of wear and tear that might need repair.
Tuck up your trees. If winter storms are bad, unwieldy trees can do serious damage to homes, vehicles—even people. Call in a tree trimming service to give an assessment of your yard and tree safety. Southeastern cities such as Miami,Houston, and New Orleans benefit from trim trees during hurricane season as well.
Tune up your heat source – and save money on heating bills. Have a fireplace or heater? Get it ready for winter. Buildup in a fireplace is a serious fire hazard. Call in an expert to take care of black dust or residue. For heaters, call for a routine maintenance check before the freezing temps hit.
Winterize your windows and doors. Apply weather stripping around doors to seal in heat and keep out cold. Use caulk to seal windows in tight and keep out icy winds. Even cities with moderate winter climates like Los Angeles benefit from these quick fixes. Best of all, it’s a cheap energy saver!
Schedule your holiday lighting installation. Winter prep is not all chores! Decorating is a fabulous project to look forward to. Think big this year with a gorgeous light display that’ll have all the neighbors jealous. Give Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival a run for their money.
Winterize the yard. Bring in small plants that can’t survive a freeze like the ones that strike Dallas each winter. For cities that deep freeze, like Chicago and Boston, turn off outdoor watering systems to avoid bursting pipes. Regardless of location, every yard benefits when you load up the truck—or hire someone to do the dirty work for you—and haul away dead bushes, old leaves, and yard waste. When rotting debris stays on the lawn all winter, expect brown spots and blight come spring.
Prep the pool. Love the summertime fun of playing in the pool? Make sure it gets the winterizing treatment before snows and freezing temperatures hit. Cities like Newark that enjoy both hot and cold temperatures can call in a pool specialist or winterize themselves to make sure the pool survives the winter.
Finish your to-do list. Getting winter ready is a great excuse to fix a leaky faucet, repair the creaking washing machine, and replace the springs on the garage door. Everything is more manageable when the weather is warmer. Either get out the toolbox or hire a handyperson—all you’ll have to worry about when the temperature drops is which movie to watch.
'Drenching' Thunderstorms Will End N.J. Drought, Torrid Heat
WEATHER ALERT: 'Drenching' Thunderstorms Will End N.J. Drought, Torrid Heat
New Jersey has essentially gone 18 days without rain, and a heat wave has forced a number of school districts to close early.
It all should end tonight.
A torrid upper-90-degree heat wave that’s capped an 18-day drought should come to end Wednesday night and Thursday as drenching thunderstorms are expected to arrive in the region.
The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for all of New Jersey, saying showers and thunderstorms producing heavy rain may lead to flooding in poor drainage and low-lying areas through Thursday.
”We are looking at a front this evening and we’re looking at some pretty good rain, just a lot of rain,” said Jim Bunker, a National Weather Service Meteorologist.
Despite having a “small trace” of rain on Aug. 31, New Jersey hasn’t had anything since Aug. 21, when .52 inches fell in the state.
A number of towns have imposed water restrictions, and a numbers of school districts closed early on Tuesday as they battle the effects of heat and drought.
The current El Nino weather pattern may be on track to become one of the strongest in more than half a century, experts at the World Meteorological Organization said Tuesday.
The El Nino event involves a shift in winds in the Pacific Ocean along the equator every few years, warming the water more than usual and triggering a change in global weather patterns.
The Geneva-based U.N. body says ocean and atmospheric conditions over the tropical Pacific and most expert models and opinion point to a strengthening of the El Nino in the second half of 2015. This El Nino, the first since 1997-98, follows the rapid melting of arctic sea ice and snow cover in the northern hemisphere over the last few years.
Weather Whys: An Autumn forecast based on the LRC & El NinoKJRH - Tulsa, OK "This is a new planet. Will the two patterns reinforce each other or cancel each other?" said David Carlson, director of WMO's World Climate Research program. "We have no precedent for this situation."
A WMO statement Tuesday said models indicate ocean temperatures in the east-central tropical Pacific are likely to reach peaks that could make this El Nino among the four strongest since 1950. Peak strength is expected between October and January.
El Nino's impact this year on California is one lingering question. The coast of California, which has faced four years of drought, would traditionally get a lot of rain from the El Nino weather pattern, officials said.
WMO director of climate prediction Maxx Dilley said farmers, rescue officials and reservoir operators are among those bracing for El Nino's impact.
Repair leaks promptly - If you have a leaky faucet, toilet or pipe in your home, fix it immediately before it becomes a much bigger and more expensive problem. Even if it’s a slow leak, such as a dripping faucet, it can account for more than 10 percent of your water usage.
If you don’t know if you have a leak, your water meter readings can provide the clue. When water is not in use, check the meter twice in a two-hour time span. If the readings change, then there is a leak somewhere in your home.
If you can't determine the source of the leak but your meter readings indicate you definitely have one, call in a professional plumber. You may have a leaky pipe behind a wall, and if left alone, will cause extensive damage that ruins the drywall, deteriorates the framing over time and causes mold growth. A leaky pipe is also an early sign of a burst pipe, which will result in greater damage to your home.
Stop a running toilet - A running toilet can cost you hundreds of dollars and is a major contribution to a costly water bill. It is generally the result of broken internal parts. It could be that a simple repair on the valves is needed, or there could be a larger issue.
"Many people think that showering or doing laundry uses the most water, but actually, the toilet accounts for the largest use of water in a home. If you have a leaky or running toilet, your water bill can skyrocket," explained Tim Flynn, owner. "If you hear the toilet running or it flushes slowly or overflows often, get it checked out right away. Clogged drains waste water as well and can become a major problem."
Waiting for hot water - If you turn on the sink or shower and wait anywhere from 30 seconds to over a minute for the water to heat up, precious gallons of clean water go down the drain. You are paying for that water to get hot while it runs. Consider replacing your traditional storage water heater with a Tankless Water Heater or installing a Hot Water Recirculating System. Recirculation pumps will get the water to the faucet faster and keep it hot in the line longer. They usually cost approximately $1000, which can be recouped in about two and a half years. Either system will ensure immediate delivery of hot water when you need it and provide significant water savings.
Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have just two minutes to escape?
The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from fire is to identify and remove fire hazards. Sixty percent of house fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.
Dealing with Mold and Humidity Threats in Vacation Residences
A closed-up vacation house can be a breeding ground for mold in the summer months. Moisture from a nearby lake or river, or the humidity in the air, can lead to that musty odor vacationers have come to expect upon arriving at their weekend getaway.
Mold is a particularly stealthy foe. It exists nearly everywhere in an inactive state, and all it needs to grow is a food source (drywall will do nicely), and a source of moisture, such as high humidity.
To get rid of the damp odor, most homeowners will turn on the air conditioner and maybe a dehumidifier and wait for the smell to go away. While much of the odor may dissipate in a few hours, the mold is still there. And, when they leave for a week, it’s back again when they return.
That smell is more than just unpleasant; it’s an indication that mold is actively growing, triggering allergies and affecting health. Left untreated, mold will continue to grow and spread and can damage walls, ceilings, carpeting, and more. Every time the house is closed up and the a/c is turned off, the moisture creeps back in and the mold begins growing again.
MOISTURE SOLUTIONS
What can HVAC contractors do to help? First, it’s important to stress to customers that the key to preventing mold is to eliminate moisture. The first step is to address any leaks in roofing, chimneys, and foundations. Perhaps you can recommend someone who can do a thorough check and perform the repairs necessary to stop the leaks. If mold remediation is necessary, your customer should get bids from several companies that specialize in this, as it can be costly.
Reducing humidity through air conditioning is a key to controlling mold, but, of course, leaving the a/c on all summer long will run up utility bills. Fresh outside air is also critical, but vacation homeowners won’t want to leave windows open while they’re not using the property.
Some relatively new offerings in air conditioning systems can help manage mold problems. One example is a small-duct, high-velocity air handler, which has a unique cooling coil that removes 30 percent more humidity from the air than a traditional system. Eliminating moisture is critical in avoiding mold growth, so this feature is particularly important.
Another helpful technology is a continuously operating outdoor inverter unit that works so efficiently that homeowners can leave it on while they’re away without breaking the bank. It runs on various speeds — typically a very low speed — always striving for the most efficient operation by making small, incremental changes to keep a constant temperature. In a traditional system, every time the system cycles on it must ramp up to full operating power, requiring a tremendous amount of energy. You won’t have this issue with the inverter unit.
When cooling a summer home, the inverter technology is a great way for customers to keep air conditioning going when they’re gone, but at a lower cost.
Another great option is a ventilation system operated by a programmable control board. Based on the size of the home, the control board calculates how much fresh outside air to bring in at all times, opening and closing dampers as needed to maintain a healthy level of fresh air. Look for options that meet ASHRAE 62.2 standards for IAQ.
These newer technologies can go a long way toward reducing energy consumption while letting fresh air in and keeping mold problems at bay. More savings and fewer molds mean a healthier and happier vacation for everyone.
Safety should always be at the front of our minds on any job – from biohazard cleanup to fire restoration. But the truth is, once our mind is focused on the job at hand, it’s easy to forget simple ways to keep ourselves and our team safe. OSHA, or the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, was established in 1971 to help ensure employees have a workplace free from recognized hazards. While OSHA does help with safety, no one agency can be responsible for the safety of everyone every day. It’s no secret safety issues increase following a fire, flood or other disaster. So it’s up to restoration contractors and technicians to understand the risks and be trained to handle them whether it be high levels of bacteria in a flooded home, or mold on a basement wall. Basic Safety Risks Here are some safety risks to consider specifically related to restoration and remediation work, and very simple safety tips to keep in mind:
Structural integrity issues caused by fire or flood damage -- don’t walk on surfaces that are not stable.
Possible exposures from toxic chemical substances generated during a fire or in flood water -- wear rubber boots and gloves.
A variety of sharp metal objects, razor blades, jagged edges – use care when handling and clean any cuts or wounds.
Breathing dust containing asbestos or other toxic materials – wear proper filtration masks.
Eye injuries from flying debris, dust, contaminated water and cleaning chemicals – wear safety goggles.
Carbon monoxide from propane or gas fired generators or other equipment – do not work in these areas.
Ladders – avoid electrical wires, position at a safe angle; don’t place on unstable surfaces.
Chain saws and other power tools– follow manufacturer’s instructions and don’t overreach.
Trucks or other heavy equipment backing up or being moved – always be alert on the job.
Remediating death scenes (may include blood or bodily fluids) – use gloves and other PPE (personal protection equipment) like hazmat suits.
Beyond PPE’s Now, let’s dive a little deeper. Workers must avoid exposures to microbial contamination and chemicals via skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion. This requires the use of PPE’s and good personal hygiene. Washing hands often and not eating in areas where work is being performed are two simple practices that should not be overlooked. Even with the proper PPE’s, physical and emotional stress can take a toll. Pace yourself and take frequent breaks. Keep a watchful eye on those helping with cleanup and be vigilant of your surroundings. Drink plenty of water in order to stay hydrated. Seek medical attention if your body temperature exceeds 103degrees Fahrenheit, you experience dizziness or nausea or you have other health concerns. Talk to your primary care physician about tetanus or other vaccinations you may need. Handling Chemicals Technicians should also be trained to select and use appropriate cleaning chemicals, disinfectants and protectors. For example, bleach, while readily available and inexpensive, is a caustic and hazardous chemical. It can cause harm to human skin and mucus membranes, is corrosive to metals, is readily inactivated by organic matter, produces irritating fumes, and can generate deadly chlorine gas or form explosive compounds if inadvertently mixed with ammonia or ammonia-containing products. The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported in 2004 that there were over 57,000 exposures, major or minor, reported from bleach across the United States. When using any chemical, care should also be taken to allow adequate dwell time for EPA registered disinfectants. All EPA labeled directions must be followed. Moreover, using a chemical that may be “safer” and less toxic may not be strong enough to inactivate target organisms. There is no doubt the most efficient method to stay safe is to constantly be aware of your work area surroundings and follow OSHA and industry guidelines. Safety is everybody’s job. Additional Resources Going beyond those very basic rules of worksite safety, following industry guidelines such as S500 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration, the S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation, and the NIDR Fire Guidelines, provide additional, more specificknowledge for various restoration and remediation situations. Plus, OSHA, the EPA and organizations like the American Red Crossand FEMA are excellent resources and their websites provide guidance free of charge.
Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
Moisture Meters (pictured) are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate readings, allowing SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals to monitor the drying process.
Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals can calculate and create an environment most condusive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.
Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas.
Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor causing particles.
Floods are the most common disaster for homes in the US. Whether a flood is from torrential rains, flash floods, rising rivers, or a leak inside the home, a flood can cause serious damage to your house. If the horrible images of Hurricane Sandy or Hurricane Katrina are still fresh in your mind, you know just how powerful a sudden surge of water can be. According to FloodSmart, every home is at risk of a flood, but regions are usually divided up by low, medium and high-risk areas. Unfortunately, even homes located in flood-prone areas don’t have flood insurance, making the cleanup and recovery efforts even more stressful for homeowners.
Create a home inventory that you can access during a flood
It’s a smart idea to have an inventory of your home and personal possessions. Insurance companies require thorough inventories in order to compensate a policyholder. So whether the loss of belongings is from break-ins, floods, fires or other disasters, it’s a good idea to keep an accurate record of what you own. Read this article to learn more about different ways to keep track of your inventory. During an actual flood, it’s a good idea to take photographs of your home (if it is safe to do so). This can also help during the documentation process. Keep a home inventory somewhere safe and accessible, like in cloud storage, and remember that when a flood occurs, you may need to evacuate your home.
Store important documents and information outside of your home
Some families like to keep important objects like passports, jewelry, cash or other paper goods in a fireproof safe. But when a flood occurs, these safes may not be accessible. It may be a good idea to keep certain belongings in a safe deposit box at your bank. Of course, if your region regularly floods, you’ll want to ensure that this outside facility is secure from flooding. Keep in mind that if a flood has occurred in your town, the bank may not be accessible for quite some time.
Advice for the basement or rooms below ground
If your live in an area that floods regularly, or if you are concerned about flooding, you’ll want to think carefully about which items you store in your basement. If your basement is where valuables are kept, elevate boxes off the ground and consider watertight enclosures. It’s easy to purchase rolling racks with adjustable shelves; these can be perfect for moving things around and keeping boxes up off wet surfaces. If your water heater, furnace, electrical panel or other important mechanical fixtures are located in the basement, consider having them elevated off the ground or moved (at least 12 inches above the expected flood line). Water can seriously damage these items and replacing them can be very expensive.
Install a sump pump
Sump pumps are ideal for homes that experience regular flooding, especially in the basement. It may not be able to handle a flash-flood situation, but can be perfect for smaller, seasonal floods. You’ll want to have your sump pump regularly inspected to ensure it functions properly. Many homeowners that install a sump pump also install a backup generator so that the pump continues to operate even when power is cut off to the home.
Food and water for 2-4 days
The American Red Cross suggests having at least a 3-day supply of food and water on hand for emergencies. Remember that if your area has experienced a flood, you may have difficulty getting to your local stores and pharmacies and even if you can reach them, supplies may be very limited. It is recommended to have at least 1 gallon of water per day per person during an emergency. Keep these supplies in an area of your home that would be accessible in the event of a flood.
Have an emergency bag packed
An emergency bag or box should be filled with first aid supplies, extra medicine (a 7-day supply), food and water, flashlight and batteries, toilet paper, a multipurpose tool, a blanket and any other supplies you may need to cope with a flood. You’ll also want your tools for communicating like a portable radio and a cell phone charger. Some people keep cash in their emergency kits; ATMs may not be functioning during a natural disaster and you may need cash for hotels or transportation. If your region has flood warnings or institutes a flood evacuation, you don’t have time to pack a bag. The idea of this emergency kit is that it should be already packed, easy to carry or transport (in case you need to evacuate) and should be able to tide you over until you reach a more stable area. There are many online sites that sell ready-to-go bags and emergency kits. Here is a link to the FEMA recommended list of emergency supplies.
Plan your evacuation with your family ahead of time
Your family should put together a plan of action in case of an emergency. This could include how everyone should get a hold of each other, meeting points, and evacuation routes. Many city websites have specific pages designed to help families understand their local natural disaster plans. It’s important to read through this information prior to a natural disaster, as your access to the internet may be immediately cut off. As we saw from past events like Hurricane Katrina, flooding can happen quickly and can create an overwhelming feeling of chaos. Some families designate an out-of-state person as the central point of contact during an emergency, as their lines of communication may still be functioning. Having a plan on hand is the best way to feel in control when disaster strikes, particularly if you and your family have to act quickly. Some neighborhood organizations create emergency plans for their specific area. If you have neighbors that live alone or may need extra help during an emergency, it’s a good idea to ask them if they’d like to be included in your family’s plan. Remember to have a plan for your pets as well.
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Always be mindful of how to handle flammable liquids!
