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Steps That Ease Cleaning of Levittown Homes after Fire Damage

12/20/2022 (Permalink)

Just call SERVPRO when you want your fire damaged Levittown home to appear "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Helps Levittown Homeowners Address Fire Damage

While you may expect difficulties when addressing fire damage, what you may have in mind may differ from the realities you face once the process starts. One aspect that can be surprisingly difficult is cleaning the spots soiled by fire at your Levittown home. Without the right strategies, you might not achieve your restoration goals.

Once your Levittown home sustains fire damage, restoring it to its preloss condition is an achievable goal. That means you must identify and take note of all soiling and deterioration that may have occurred before the fire. Such damage may be permanent, and thus you should not waste time or other resources attempting to fix it. Our SERVPRO technicians check for signs such as significant material wear from foot traffic or other daily activities. Corrosion can also cause long-term problems. Once the overall goal is established, the restoration can be broken down into distinct steps.

Unique Steps to Deal with Fire

  • Locating smoke residues
  • Identifying residue types
  • Identifying surface types
  • Selecting cleaning methods

Locating fire residues may sound like a counterproductive step since combustion produces soot and other readily visible deposits. However, since the smoke has unique movement patterns, residues travel further than the immediate surfaces. The convection currents that drive smoke produce unique outcomes since the hotter smoke is pushed towards colder areas of the room. Concealed spots such as cabinet spaces tend to collect more soot residues. Our SERVPRO technicians start locating residues by inspecting the area close to the source of the fire and then moving further away. Running a cleaning sponge along wall or ceiling surfaces helps establish where most residues accumulate.

Identifying Fire Residues

You may think of fire residue simply as soot or ash. That assumption is inaccurate and complicates cleaning processes since smoke residues can have different physical properties like being dry or wet and smeary. Residue variation is possible within the same loss environment of your house. That is why casual observation is not an ideal identification method.

Distinctive Smoke Residues

  • Fuel oil residue
  • Protein smoke
  • Dry smoke residues
  • Wet smoke residues 

Although the soils left by fires influence the cleaning process, the affected surfaces also have some impact. Soiling might be easy to clean, but if the surface is susceptible to damage during the cleaning process, there is no need to try. Our SERVPRO crews have specialized solutions for such challenges. For instance, residue accumulation on vulnerable ceiling materials such as acoustic tiles means wet cleaning would be detrimental. However, a proprietary method such as peroxide-active cleaning removes the soiling and saves the underlying material.

The choice of a cleaning method takes several considerations apart from the state of the soiled surface. The time it might take to complete the process and the finishing procedures necessary after cleaning are also compelling reasons to pick or avoid some methods. Pressure washing may seem like an obvious choice when cleaning fire residues from vast areas. However, when you consider the massive moisture introduced to the materials, it quickly becomes unideal unless in outdoor locations made from resilient materials. Agitating surfaces with compressed air removes the moisture problem, but the fine debris released into the air limits its usefulness. Our crews explore other options, including vacuuming surfaces and blast cleaning with soda or dry ice.

SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage, is ready to accompany you throughout the recovery journey after fire damage. Call us at any time at (516) 261-9600. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Critical Planning When Levittown Homes Require Water Damage

12/20/2022 (Permalink)

Stop? Let SERVPRO deal with your water damaged Levittown property. "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Segments Levittown Water Restoration into Stages

Most areas of a home are vulnerable to adverse conditions. For instance, moisture build-up causes swelling, corrosion, odors, and staining. Therefore any water leak affecting your Levittown home requires immediate attention to halt or reverse moisture effects. Without a proper plan, any water damage incident can prove unmanageable. 

Every case in Levittown involving water damage is unique because the leak sources and amounts of water involved vary. Knowing the actions to take is not automatic or a matter of luck; rather, it is having the right knowledge. When restoration is handled by a professional like SERVPRO, benefits accrue from the superior expertise such teams have. For instance, knowing the issues to expect and the useful remedial processes helps resolve the problems faster.

Professional restoration emphasizes:

  • Inspection
  • Emergency services
  • Monitoring activities

For maximum efficiency, the process is divided into stages so that you can do each action thoroughly. For instance, inspection is essential on arrival at the property to establish the leak sources, the amount of water involved, and the spread patterns. Assessment requires precision measuring tools such as moisture meters and thermo-hygrometers to evaluate the level of water involved. Having enough information creates the perfect opportunity for moving to the next stage of the restoration, whereby you can limit deterioration.

Emergency Services Necessary After Water Leaks

Any action plan to counter water intrusion must protect the structure and contents from further damage. Structure means walls and ceilings, while contents are individual items like furniture and appliances.

Emergency services help protect your valuables and create a safe environment for restoration tasks. Our SERVPRO technicians set up warning signs around the affected areas and cover vulnerable items with plastic sheets to limit further moisture exposure, especially when the leak originates at an elevated point in the house.

Another crucial aspect of emergency service is removing unsalvageable materials from the structure. Such items may include delaminated carpets and soggy pads or drywall. Our SERVPRO technicians can also remove some floorboards if you have a hardwood floor creating the necessary room for the remaining boards to swell without developing permanent damage. Removing the different materials requires various tools, including pry bars, saws, and hammers. Once the materials are out, convenient water extraction and drying can facilitate restoration to preloss conditions.

Water extraction is rarely the last step when restoring water damage. A significant portion of the water involved soaks into many porous and semi-porous materials in the house requiring elaborate drying procedures such as setting up air movers and dehumidifiers to facilitate evaporation and humidity control. Close monitoring is necessary during drying for the best outcomes.

Monitoring involves:

  • Calculating the equipment positioning
  • Changing the drying equipment
  • Establishing a drying goal

Air movers produce columns of moving air to facilitate evaporation. For maximum effectiveness, the positioning of such equipment also matters because the angle at which the air hits the surfaces determines whether moisture is moved away or forced back into the material. Our SERVPRO technicians ensure the air is vented at a 45° angle against a wall or floor surface. We also keep checking the drying process and move or remove some equipment as drying requirements change. 

SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage meticulously plans when dealing with water damage. You can reach us at (516) 261-9600 when you need assistance. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Superior Customer Service Eases Levittown Mold Damage Restoration

12/20/2022 (Permalink)

Reliable SERVPRO applied mold remediation technicians ensure your Levittown home appears "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Reassures Levittown Homeowners after Mold Damage

In the period following property disasters, nerves are raw and straightforward actions or inaction can upset the aggrieved parties. When remediating mold damage, taking care of the human aspects of the loss is essential in addition to fixing the physical problems manifesting in your Levittown home. A professional team like SERVPRO that emphasizes quality customer service is best suited to assist you in overcoming a mold problem.

Of all the things you may want to evaluate when seeking ways to fix your Levittown home after mold damage, the quality of the customer service you might get is the hardest to assess. After all, customer care has no tangible representation. SERVPRO has a long-standing reputation, having operated in the sector for several years. In addition, we take specific steps to reassure our clients they are in good hands.

Signs of Quality Customer Care

  • Considering the client's special instructions
  • Dedicating sufficient time to each task
  • Finding ways to provide extra value  

In a moldy environment, some actions are automatic. For instance, removing and disposing of all porous materials heavily affected by the colonies is necessary. Mold embeds its hyphae deep into the structure of such materials, diminishing the chances of restoring them. Porous materials may include carpets, pads, rugs, and fabric materials. Before removing the materials, we identify in your property, we consult since some, like expensive rugs, may hold sentimental value. You might also want to retain some samples for matching replacements. 

Time affects customer service

Time is one of the most sensitive factors when managing any property disaster, including mold contamination. Taking too long to complete the process creates many inconveniences, including limiting access to the property. For example, significant teardown is essential to remove mold colonies from the ceiling area. Such methods cannot be completed while the house or the specific room is still inhabited. Finishing the processes too fast might raise some issues since it may seem that the job is not done satisfactorily.

From the significant experience, our SERVPRO IICRC-certified teams have managed damaged properties, we understand that most time-related problems arise if there is minimal information. You may expect an elaborate restoration procedure that takes time to complete or vice versa. For example, the mold patches staining surfaces may seem like something that you can easily wipe off within a short time. However, wiping is not a solution if the problem starts deep inside the wall.

Getting extra value where a property disaster is involved may not seem realistic. In a moldy house, safety is one aspect that can add extra value. Since mold exposure is not ideal, actions that minimize moldy debris or keep them from spreading are valuable. 

Useful Processes in Managing Debris

  • Running HEPA air filtration devices
  • Setting up containment barriers
  • Bagging moldy debris

Our SERVPRO technicians evaluate the intensity and mold spread patterns to determine the necessary remedial action. If demolition or aggressive cleaning is required, we only start such procedures after containing the affected area. 6-mil plastic sheets set up with PVC pipes create a perfect containment. We also use air filtration devices to remove particulate matter from the air. We can utilize negative air pressure with our devices and channel the contaminated air to the exterior.

SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage is a reliable service to help you tackle mold damage. You can reach us at (516) 261-9600. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Typical Damages to Contents After Levittown Fire Damage

12/19/2022 (Permalink)

The first step to resolving fire damage is calling your local trained professionals at SERVPRO.

Cleaning Fire Damage to Contents

The fast response of SERVPRO professionals after a fire can assuredly get mitigation started. We urgently begin emergency services to give your home and its contents the best chance at restoration over replacement. Some of the focuses of the initial efforts of responding technicians include:

  • Air filtering
  • Debris cleanup
  • Surface cleaning
  • Water extraction

Soot Soiling

Soot soils can be one of the most direct types of fire damage in Levittown homes, especially to the contents involved. Surface cleaning is a priority of responding SERVPRO professionals, including several products like solvents, detergents, and cleaners, to increase alkalinity. Alkaline cleaners can balance the pH of corrosive soot particles to make them easier to clean and less destructive to the surfaces where it lands. 

Removing Trapped Odors

The combustion process can generate strong smells that overwhelm affected areas of your house. Any contents in these portions of the property are likely to absorb these fire-loss odors if they are porous enough. Soft materials like clothing, furniture fabrics, and plushes can hold malodors long beyond the mitigation phase. On-site, we can use thermal fogging techniques and ozone to impact trapped smells directly.

Water Damage After a Fire 

Another aspect of fire loss incidents that can have a dire impact on the contents of your home is the water used to extinguish the flames. Firefighting efforts often use a substantial amount of water to overcome an active fire, which can overwhelm and damage impacted materials and contents of the residence. We must work on drying out affected fabrics and upholstery before greater damage results. 

Fire damage can rapidly spread and threaten your home, especially with the harm it can do to the contents of your residence. Protecting your personal belongings after a fire combines on-site and off-site cleaning and restoration by our SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage professionals. When disasters strike, call us at (516) 261-9600. 

Why Water Restoration Is Necessary in Levittown Homes

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO to effectively tackle the water damage in your property. Call now!

Situations Requiring Water Restoration in Levittown

When you contend with disasters involving water, several possible causes can expose your home to the risks associated with migrating moisture and standing water. How your residence becomes damaged changes the way, that experience SERVPRO professionals must respond to help. 

Plumbing Leaks and Separations

The most common reason for needing water restoration in Levittown homes and businesses is an issue with the plumbing. Direct water exposure can impact wall systems and floors through separations and leaks. We have to work to both remove pooling water with extractors and utilize drying tools to prevent moisture migration beyond most directly affected construction elements. With our general contractor license, we can also complete needed repairs to fix the damage to this plumbing system to avoid further harm to the house.

Damaged or Broken Appliances 

Water-fed appliances are a common installation in modern homes, making it possible to experience these types of damage within your residence after fixtures age or a malfunction occurs with the equipment. A situation as simple as a missing or broken gasket can lead to hundreds of gallons of water spreading from this appliance through the kitchen or laundry area. Wet vacuums must be used to clear the surface water concerns in this case. 

Intruding Floodwater 

Flooding can also be one of the contributing factors to the need for managing water damage in your home. Intruding water of this type is overwhelming and powerful, surging through rooms and connected areas to be an encompassing concern for an entire floor layout of your home. We must work to address the pressing issues of flooding with our mitigation solutions like:

  • Water removal
  • Content management
  • Controlled demolition
  • Disinfection cleaning

When you need water restoration for your Levittown home or business, you can count on the fast response and experience of our SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage team. Call us today at (516) 261-9600.

Commercial Water Mitigation in Levittown Demands Help from SERVPRO

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

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

Trust Experts for Commercial Water Mitigation in Levittown

Water damage in any property can be catastrophic. Still, when the property is a commercial enterprise, it can be debilitating if you do not handle it quickly and properly. The initial step in evaluating water damage in a retail environment is conducting a risk assessment to determine the risks to workers, occupants, and other personnel. The potential dangers following a water damage event may include slip, electrical and bacterial hazards, and HVAC system contamination. 

The secondary damages may include mold infestation, permanent damage to wood flooring, and loss of critical documents. Proper commercial water mitigation in Levittown properties is a vital step in bringing things back to normal. SERVPRO’s mitigation process involves the following phases:

  • Inspection
  • Identifying salvageable and non-salvageable materials
  • Extracting water
  • Industrial grade drying 

Inspection

Our SERVPRO team can assess the severity of the damage and use moisture detection tools like infrared cameras to detect hidden moisture in floors, walls, and ceilings. We can then create a detailed drying plan to remove the water and moisture quickly and safely.

Identifying Salvageable and Non-salvageable Materials

We can inventory affected items and determine if they are salvageable. We can pack out inventoried items for cleaning and storage until we complete the job. 

Extracting water 

Our SERVPRO crew can perform water extraction using electric submersible pumps. These pumps eradicate the suction lift limitations and operate quietly and continuously. 

Industrial Grade Drying

High humidity usually causes materials to dry slowly, while low humidity improves drying. Air temperature impacts water’s ability to move out of materials and the air’s capacity to hold moisture. Our SERVPRO restorers can create an initial environment favorable for drying. We can manipulate humidity levels and temperature to develop optimal drying conditions without causing secondary damage. We use specialized air moving and drying equipment to expedite the process. We monitor the drying progress carefully and record moisture levels until the equilibrium moisture content is reached. Our team can restore your property speedily to ensure you return to business quickly. 

During times of an emergency like commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage, promises to return your property to preloss condition. Call us at any time at (516) 261-9600.

Handle Storm Flood Damage in Bethpage With SERVPRO's Help

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let flood damage take over your property, Call SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage at (516) 261-9600.

Tips for Dealing with Storm Flood Damage in Bethpage 

No one looks forward to a storm flood damage event striking their homes. When disaster strikes, having a plan for restoring your home within a short time is vital. Make sure you call professional restorers like SERVPRO to perform the necessary mitigation. 

With a well-thought-out and well-executed restoration plan, your home can return to its pre-damage state within no time. Our technicians have expertise in handling storm flood damage in Bethpage residences. We can provide the following services to restore your home from storm flood damage. 

Water Removal

SERVPRO restorers can use state-of-the-art extraction equipment to remove floodwater from your home. We often use portable extractors to remove the water because we can take them to most areas of an affected building. This stage's goal is to prevent further damage that can happen because of mold or corrosion. 

Controlled Demolition

Our goal is to dry your home with minimal demolition. When necessary, we can remove damaged flooring, drywall, and other materials down to the studs. We know that it is easy for contaminants to get dislodged or aerosolized during demolition and travel to unaffected areas through the air. We use proper engineering controls like establishing negative pressure and building containment to reduce this cross-contamination. Erecting or building containment involves using 6-mil polyethylene plastic to seal off the openings or doorways of affected areas. 

Dry out

After water cleanup, we thoroughly dry a house before attempting any repair or rebuilding. Drying helps prevent structural water damage and mold growth. Our SERVPRO team can use high-powered air movers and dehumidifiers to dry your home quickly.

Sanitization

Floodwater is blackwater and may contain bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and sewage. Our SERVPRO technicians can use EPA-approved antimicrobial products to decontaminate all affected areas. 

Deodorization

Our crew can use ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers to dispense solvent-based and water-based deodorants into your home. The foggers generate small particles that penetrate most areas where odors can hide. 

SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage, is available to repair your home when you need us most. Call (516) 261-9600 for efficient flood damage repairs. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

SERVPRO can Perform Mold Remediation in Your Levittown Home

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let mold take control of your Levittown property. Call SERVPRO today!

Contact Specialists for Mold Remediation in Levittown

A mold infestation works extra hard at damaging your house's aesthetic appeal while also compromising its structural integrity. If you leave it unattended, it might colonize many parts of your home in a short time. Thus, you should immediately contact a certified firm with the technology and expertise to deal with the situation. 

SERVPRO has the resources to perform mold remediation in your Levittown home. We can use tools like borescopes to identify mold damage in hard-to-reach areas without compromising the structure of your home. These digital cameras can recognize a mold infestation in hard-to-reach places like behind closed walls, HVAC ductwork, under cabinets, and under stairwells, among others.  

Our remediation process mainly involves removing the mold from the contents and structures and conducting a thorough cleaning process. Some of the signs of mold include:

  • Musty smells in your house.
  • A recent occurrence of water damage.
  • Rust and warped materials.
  • The mold might be visible.

Depending on the infestation's severity, SERVPRO can take about one to five days to complete the remediation process. The factors determining the time it takes to remediate the mold include the severity of the infestation, how long mold has been in your home, and the type of contaminated materials.

To confine the damage to the affected area, our SERVPRO technicians can seal all the windows and other openings and then put-up plastic sheeting around the affected area before establishing negative air pressure. This prevents the spread of mold spores that get airborne.

Our SERVPRO crew can then remove all the damaged materials, mainly the porous ones, including carpets, drywall, and insulation. We also scrub and vacuum all the non-porous surfaces to remove the spores. After removing the contents affected by mold, we spray the affected area with a biocide that kills the remaining mold and prevents further mold growth. Our dehumidifiers and fans finalize the drying process, which denies the remaining spores the conditions to grow again.

For a swift and efficient mold remediation process at your home, contact SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage, at (516) 261-9600. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Fire Damage in Levittown Requires That You Contact Professional Restorers

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO fire damage restoration services are top-notch. We are here to help.

SERVPRO Can Restore Your Levittown House After Fire Damage

Fire causes damage in not just the consumption of a building structure and its components by the flames; it leaves behind a building covered in smoke and soot and a high probability of water damage from the fire suppression system or the firefighters. All these damages are hard to come out of, so you must contact professional restorers as soon as the firefighters extinguish the fire.

At SERVPRO, we are well equipped to handle fire damage in Levittown homes. We can help you restore your house in the shortest time possible and at reasonable costs. We can group the residues that the smoke leaves behind into four, all with different approaches to their cleaning technique:

  • Dry smoke residues – The materials affected by this category of smoke are more restorable, which is why we use less aggressive cleaning measures.
  • Wet smoke residues result from slow-burning fires, allowing them to penetrate even the smallest of crevices, and many of the items affected are not restorable.
  • Protein smoke residues result from burning meat, poultry, or fish, making removing odors one of SERVPRO’s main tasks in these events.
  • Fuel oil soot and smoke residues are usually removable if fresh but might strongly bind with the paint if they have been there for long.

Before removing the smoke residues, it is essential to capture them. Our SERVPRO technicians can use vacuums to capture the dry particles and dissolve those that are not loose in a cleaning product to dispose of them.

Since smoke and soot particles are mildly acidic, letting them stand for some time on your house causes rust to appear on metallic surfaces and items. To clean them off, SERVPRO uses its highly efficient rust remover, Rusticide, which is a solution of oxalic-phosphorous acid with a pH of 2. It can dissolve all the rust stains on linen, silk, cotton, carpeting, wool, or synthetic fibers.

To restore your home after fire damage, contact SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage, at (516) 261-9600 for a fast and efficient restoration process. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Experts Best Handle Water Damage in Bethpage

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration services by SERVPRO are second to none. Call now for fast and immediate service.

SERVPRO Can Counter Water Damage in Your Bethpage Home

Damages occur by the millions every year as water destroys structures and household items, and the homeowners do not take immediate action to curb the menace. Timely restoration minimizes the damages and halts the spread of mold and other microorganisms all over your house.

SERVPRO has set up a team to help homeowners handle water damage in Bethpage, giving them peace of mind when such a disaster strikes. Our technicians are well trained and appropriately certified, so we offer satisfactory services. We can use portable extractors to clean affected carpeting and upholstery and remove water from the flooring.

Our main guiding principles are the standards set out by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) S500 Standard. These standards guide the drying process that SERVPRO uses to restore homes and belongings to their normal humidity levels. For an efficient drying process, they stipulate that we control:

  • The flow of air – Evaporation of water from a structure or material causes the formation of a boundary layer of cool, saturated air. Our SERVPRO team can use air movers to initiate airflow that causes a disturbance of the layer, replacing it with drier and warmer air that raises the evaporation rate.
  • Humidity – Reducing humidity lowers the vapor pressure, enabling the water to evaporate faster.
  • Temperature – A rise in the temperature of the water and the material increases the energy of the water molecules, which helps us achieve faster evaporation.

Alongside drying, we also ensure your house is safe for everyone by doing away with any microorganisms and mold that might have started to develop colonies in your residence. Disinfectants and germicides destroy 99% of organisms on a surface. But are not very efficient at eliminating fungal or bacterial spores, which is why SERVPRO uses special products. These effectively eliminate all microorganisms, including fungi and bacteria spores, on surfaces that can withstand them. They are mostly chlorine products.

To prevent the situation in your house from worsening, contact SERVPRO of Levittown, Bethpage, at (516) 261-9600 for a fast and efficient restoration process. We can make the water intrusion incident seem “Like it never even happened.”