Water Mitigation Is One Step in Remediating Smithtown Businesses

5/17/2023 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage go unchecked in your property. Call SERVPRO for help to avoid further damage.

Effective Water Mitigation Saves Smithtown Shops 

Water damage remediation terminology can sometimes be confusing to Smithtown business owners, but it is helpful if they can distinguish between industry terms. Words that seem almost synonymous to them could be quite different. They might improperly conflate distinct stages in the overall remediation process. Therefore, the following explanations attempt to clarify some of what happens during water damage recovery.

SERVPRO’s team of highly-trained water mitigation experts in Smithtown has quickly and skillfully returned countless commercial enterprises to normal operations. As knowledgeable professionals in this field, our technicians would like to give you a better understanding of what water mitigation is and how it differs from water damage restoration. Simply put, mitigation is doing what it takes to prevent water damage from becoming worse. At the same time, restoration refers to water damage repairs to return facilities to their pre-event state. More specifically, water mitigation:

• Is done during/immediately following basement flooding or a water event caused by things like ceiling leaks and burst pipes
• Occurs before restoration efforts in the water damage remediation process
• Offers temporary or top-gap solutions, while restorative actions are permanent
• Helps protect property from further damage and ensure the safety of customers, workers, and owners, while repairs are meant to fix existing damage
• Usually involves fixing or throwing things away instead of replacing them, while restoration adds new materials to buildings and replaces damaged items.

As you can see, both steps are integral to helping you fully overcome a water-related event as cheaply and swiftly as possible.

With this in mind, remember to call your helpful neighbors at SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown whenever you need top-quality water mitigation work done on your business. Our skilled crews can often stop further water damage from developing, which is likely going to save time as well as money in the long run. So, call us at (631) 265-9200 whenever you need us.

The Obstacles of Smithtown Fire Damage Restoration

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the manpower and equipment for any size of fire damage to your Smithtown property. Call now!

SERVPRO Offers Efficient Fire Damage Recovery  

It is essential to have a crew of professionals ready 24/7 to help with post-fire cleanup and recovery. Mitigating losses after fire events is crucial, as effects can continually spread and impact new surfaces and contents. We have a roster of FSRT-Certified technicians available to help when every minute counts. Our accreditations from the IICRC are in multiple beneficial restoration niches like: 

• Fire Restoration
• Carpet Cleaning
• Upholstery Cleaning
• Water Restoration
• Odor Control

Reaching a Damaged Property Fast

Smithtown fire damage events do not improve on their own and, in many cases, exponentially worsen until direct mitigative and restorative action is taken. As a trusted name for recovering fire losses and smoke damage, SERVPRO professionals on our roster have the tools and training to help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, a commitment we show by our available team of technicians who mobilize for emergency services when disasters strike.

Damage Claims Approval 

One of the obstacles that many professionals like ours face when starting the fire damage cleanup process is the insurance company involved. Most homeowners rely on their policies to cover the bulk of restoration costs after a fire emergency, so our SERVPRO team must work closely with providers and policyholders to meet demands. Claim approval is often subject to specific needs by the representing company, including:

• Estimation – SERVPRO provides detailed estimates regarding the expected costs of specific aspects of the restoration a property needs and the anticipated timeline to complete these phases.
• Damage Tracking – Insurance adjusters need the full scope of the damage upon the initial inspection and continued progress updates. We interface directly with the company to keep this process going.
• Content Inventory – The initial cataloging of fire damage also gives our professionals the chance to take an entire inventory of impacted contents and personal belongings that must get replaced, restored, or relocated.

Soot and Smoke Deposits

Partial combustion creates acidic particles that can severely mar impacted surfaces where these solids come to rest. It is vital to undertake direct actions to remove buildup and soot solids on building materials and contents as rapidly as possible. Varying smoke and fire damage types can involve unique cleanup strategies ranging from solvents to abrasive tactics. Our SERVPRO team is ready to help remove these residues to protect underlying substrates.

Harsh Malodors

Burning can also create odor compounds that spread rapidly in the structure. The hotter the fire burns, the more combustion occurs, and smoke odor molecules penetrate the porous elements in the immediate vicinity. Because malodors exist in different forms, several deodorization practices and products must neutralize these effects in a property. Techniques can include:

• Fogging – These portable units operate by rapidly heating a wet deodorizing product in a reservoir to form a mist or vapor that can be sprayed in an affected area. Vaporous products can penetrate porous materials and neutralize trapped smells.
• Hydroxyl Machines – Using UV cleaning, hydroxyl machines simultaneously manage the malodor threats and airborne contaminants with HEPA filtration.
• Ozone – Ozone machines generate unstable chemical compounds that bind with the molecules of smoke odors and neutralize them immediately. This is highly effective, but the process is hazardous to humans and pets, so this approach halts restoration until the ozone dissipates.

When Smithtown fire damage incidents occur, there is a finite timeline to restore and recover impacted areas of your house. Our SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown team is always ready to respond to these emergencies with our prompt mobilization of vehicles, equipment, and specialists. Call us today at (631) 265-9200.

Restoring Smithtown Water Damage with Effective Solutions

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

Moisture meters and other tools help SERVPRO technicians locate and remove water damage from your Smithtown home.

SERVPRO Overcomes Many Types of Water Damage 

It is critical to appreciate the immediate actions professionals like our SERVPRO team must take when we reach a damaged property. Water continues to spread until containment barriers are installed and operated. It is necessary to complete multiple phases of restoration and cleanup in succession to return a home to preloss condition. These efforts can include:

• Water removal services
• Surface cleaning
• Structural drying
• Content restoration
• Repairs

To adequately manage Smithtown water damage, we prioritize mitigation and emergency services tailored to the specific property and its compromising event. Often, threats to the structure and its occupants can result from several different avenues.

Several Types of Water Damage 

Water is consistently one of the most harmful conditions for a household, making the processes during restoration vital to prevent irreparable damage. Each situation is different from one house to the next, as the trigger for the disaster changes. Recovery and restoration services are vital after:

• Burst Pipes – a broken or burst pipe can introduce hundreds or thousands of gallons of water into the affected area.
• Appliance Malfunctions – Dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, and even air conditioning units can leak and cause compromising damage.
• Flooding – Storm damage can also require immediate mitigation and restoration as intruding water can continually spread in the structure until it is stopped and dried.
• Accidents – Overflows and spills can also account for part of the annual volume of water disaster calls our professionals address, which often threaten a specific portion of a household.

Addressing Standing Water 

Water damage is at its worst for the household when pooling persists on much of the flooring. Our SERVPRO team has an array of extraction and water removal devices ranging from powerful engine-driven truck pumps to portable wet vacuums to help. Once surface water has been addressed, we can use sophisticated equipment to track moisture migration and appropriately place drying tools.

Removing Trapped Moisture

Water and moisture can become a concern when it penetrates the surface and begins to impact the composition of the building material through its pores. Thorough saturation or moisture trapped in structural cavities will most likely require special tools like an Injectidry system or drying mats to help.

Providing a Thorough Drying Result

Drying consists of several steps and stages. The entire process combines chemical reactions like evaporation, absorption, condensation, and sublimation. Air movers are placed strategically in the house to cover the greatest surface area of moist elements and run simultaneously to evaporate surface moisture to be absorbed or pulled in by dehumidification units for outside exhaustion. We can verify successful drying progress with tools like:

• Thermal imagery
• Moisture sensors
• Detection devices 

When Should Water Damage Repairs Occur? 

Damage repairs are another phase of the recovery process but essential to returning to preloss conditions. We have a general contractor license (#51995-H) to provide a wealth of construction services needed in a home after disasters. An emergency like a burst pipe, for example, can require plumbing repairs, wall and ceiling system replacement, and flooring repairs. From controlled demolition to the final paint coat on a replaced wall, our team is ready to help in this post-restoration capacity.

Smithtown water damage makes up the bulk of the restoration callouts that our SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown team addresses throughout the year. The frequencies of these situations and how they vary from one incident to the next leaves a need to always stay prepared for mitigation and recovery. Our crew is here to help 24/7 when you call (631) 265-9200.

The Threat of Smithtown Mold Damage on Structures

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians in Smithtown are at your service when you detect mold damage in your home.

SERVPRO Remediates Mold Damage to Protect Property

Homeowners must appreciate the impact of mold on their properties. Because of the proximity of our communities to major water bodies on Long Island’s North Shore, several homes contend with groundwater concerns and higher humidity. Without appropriate moisture content management and ventilation, the result can be the formation of mold colonies. Our SERVPRO AMRT-Certified technicians are trained to help with:

• Moisture removal
• Surface cleaning
• Odor removal
• Structural repairs
• Mold inhibition

Responding fast is one of the best defenses against Smithtown mold damage. We understand the importance of a quick arrival window as mold colonies continue to spread through the structure and new hosting materials until containment is established and remediation work begins.

How Does Mold Damage Threaten a Home? 

With more than 120,000 in Smithtown and a substantially larger population through Suffolk County, many homes and businesses could get impacted by mold and microbial damage. There are a few ways that active colonies can destroy your home or make comfortable living impossible:

• Structural Deterioration – Mold uses organic matter as a food source, destroying hosting elements the longer they stay exposed to the organism. After as little as 24 hours, materials like drywall often require demolition. 
• Moisture Damage – The same conditions that allowed mold growth initially can also be detrimental and destructive to the property. 
• Volatile Organic Compounds – VOCs are a byproduct of colonies, and their presence can directly impact living conditions. Widespread VOCs overwhelm a property with harsh, offensive malodors. 

How Does Mold Get Discovered?

As destructive and harmful to property as mold damage can be, it is surprising that finding the colonies can often seem elusive. Mold often forms in darker, moist environments, so these typically do not describe the high-traffic areas of your household. There are signs to alert you to possible mold growth, and these include:

• Odors – Volatile organic compounds produce strong, musty smells from active colonies, which can penetrate nearby areas and signal mold trouble. 
• Structural Damage – The deterioration of building materials like drywall is a strong indicator that some type of damage exists, be it water or mold. 
• Spotting – Physical spotting on surfaces can show the earliest colonization of hosting materials. These can be any color: black, blue, orange, green, and others. 

Removing Mold Damage 

There are multiple approaches to removing mold and microbial growth from a property. The factors that determine the ideal solution range from the type of hosting material to the severity of the infestation. The degree to which microbes have penetrated an impacted building material also determines what methods are best for removal, including:

• Antimicrobial products
• Mechanical action
• Abrasive cleaning
• Demolition

Fast Damage Repairs 

With a general contractor license (#51995-H) and IICRC AMRT-Certifications, we have the training and accreditation to complete a wealth of building services your property might need. After mold exposures, controlled demolition is often a significant factor in the approach to restore the property and prevent the spread of spores and colonies. Our team can also replace discarded materials, repair structural compromise that permits moisture infiltration, and repair damaged utilities like plumbing that could contribute to the moist environment.

Smithtown mold damage impacts many surfaces, contents, and materials throughout an affected property. Remediation professionals need to act fast to help. With a roster of accredited AMRT-Certified professionals, our SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown team is ready to mitigate loss and repair the damage that mold can do to a house. Give us a call today at (631) 265-9200.

When Your Smithtown Bathroom Suffers Mold Damage

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is prepared with restoration equipment and experienced technicians.

SERVPRO Helps Remediate Mold Damage Threats

The presence of mold in your home threatens the structural elements and creates a volatile environment for your family. Fast restoration and remediation services are needed when a high-traffic house area like the bathroom suffers from these organisms.

What Mold Can Damage in the Bathroom

The mold damage in your Smithtown bathroom can be alarming to see. As fast as these symptoms can develop in moist conditions, multiple materials in the room can begin to get ruined by colonies:

• Vanity
• Flooring
• Paint
• Drywall

Cleaning and Remediation Solutions

The preferred method of mold remediation and removal is surface cleaning. Using antimicrobial and sporicidal agents from our inventory, we can apply these products to colonies on hosting materials to destroy the accessible spores. We also have more intricate recovery options, such as sanding and media blasting, to remediate beyond the surface layer.

While surface cleaning and other remediation solutions are favored, it is not always practical for the existing damage. Our certified and licensed team can help with controlled demolition services that cut out the ruined hosting materials. We safely discard these elements and leave a clean and stable foundation for reconstruction. 

Preventing Recurring Mold in the Bathroom 

Recurrences of mold can be one of the direct concerns for remediators. The extensive work and effort that goes into clearing an active mold issue can be undone by the regrowth of new colonies in the same bathroom spots. We can overcome structural vulnerabilities and moisture penetration through repairs and permanent regulation equipment. 

Mold can be an underappreciated threat to your home or business. Professional remediation is critical with threats like structural deterioration and recurring development in areas like the bathroom. Our SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown team is ready to help when you need us. Call now at (631) 265-9200.

Smithtown Homeowners Trust SERVPRO with Water Damage Restoration

3/14/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown for fast and efficient service.

Water Damage Restoration in Smithtown Homes Happens Fast with SERVPRO 

Water damage restoration of your Smithtown home after a storm involves multiple steps, including removing water, drying the affected areas, and repairing or replacing materials to restore the property to its preloss condition. SERVPRO techs have the knowledge, experience, and specialized equipment to properly assess the extent of the damage and develop an effective restoration plan.

SERVPRO techs make hundreds of drying decisions during the water damage restoration of your Smithtown home to guide the process to the most cost-efficient result. Whenever possible, techs ensure that the affected items are cleaned and restored rather than replaced entirely to reduce expenses.  

Cleaning and Drying Carpet During Water Cleanup  

Carpets absorb water and are challenging to dry, especially if stormwater intrudes on your property. SERVPRO techs use penetrating or non-penetrating moisture meters to determine the moisture levels in the carpets and use one of the following four techniques to dry the carpets as quickly and effectively as possible. 

• In-place drying: As the name suggests, this technique involves drying the carpet and padding without disengaging them from the floor. In most situations, this is the preferred method. 
• Drying the carpet flat: The method involves removing and disposing of the wet padding and placing the carpet on the subfloor to dry. 
• Floating the carpet: It also involves removing and disposing of the padding, following which the rug is laid back down on the subfloor, and airflow is directed underneath it.  

When is In-place Drying Preferred?

In-place drying is preferred only for Category 1 water losses, where the water is sanitary. In case of Category 2 or 3 losses, SERVPRO techs dispose of the carpet pad. Even in Category 1 water damage, techs remove the pad if it has been saturated for more than 72 hours. 

Call SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown at (631) 265-9200 for fast and efficient water damage repairs.

Water Mitigation Can Protect Dry Units From Wet Ones in Smithtown

2/13/2023 (Permalink)

Don’t let your property be a victim of water damage, SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown is only a call away.

Landlords Rely on Our Water Mitigation Experts

Accidents are more likely to happen when you own a multi-family house in Smithtown. Duplexes contain twice as many sinks, tubs, and toilets, and fourplexes have twice that. These additional units might not have any problems originating inside, making water mitigation crucial to their protection.

SERVPRO keeps water from spreading from one unit in a property to another tenant's living space in Smithtown by using water mitigation techniques. Our tested methods preserve your rental property and tenants' belongings, reducing disputes and claims.

In addition to stopping the water coming in at its source, to ensure that the spread slows to a halt, we also do the following:

• Begin removing and extracting water
• Remove bulky materials that retain large volumes of water
• Aggressively start drying out your structure

Depending on where the water is pouring out and how deep the water is on the floor, we begin removing the water with our pump truck using either submersible or small-sized units. These hand-held ones can reach into spaces behind appliances, under beds, inside wall cavities, and much more. Floors and walls are often the hardest to dry because water gets trapped under the different layers making up these structures. Our InjectiDry system uses air, suction, and heat to dry these areas quickly.

An area rug is not the only thing that soaks up water. Furniture with fabric covers and paper-based materials like books and magazines can absorb water. We get these items outside the property and remove the water left behind.

Steady and robust air currents help direct water vapor outdoors, but we also want to introduce extra warmth to increase evaporation rates. Room temperature, especially over the winter months, is not ideal and cannot help us achieve our immediate goals. Our General Contractor License number is 51995-H, so you can rely on us for any required rebuilding.

Call SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown at (631) 265-9200 for this and other emergency services that protect your investment.

Cleaning Ceilings After Fire Damage in Smithtown

1/10/2023 (Permalink)

For fast and efficient service call SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown at (631) 265-9200.

Fire Cleanup Technicians From SERVPRO Can Help

Hot air rises. When a fire breaks out in your home, smoke residues concentrate on the ceiling directly above the ignition. After the flames are extinguished and temperatures return to normal, many particulates released during the fire cool and drop down onto surfaces or furniture below. At SERVPRO, we recommend that you cover any furniture or flooring as quickly as possible in the aftermath of a fire to prevent secondary damage to carpets, fabrics, and exposed surfaces. 

Our services include:

• Fire cleanup
• Fire mitigation
• Smoke Restoration

Cleaning ceiling soot can be a challenging part of fire restoration for Smithtown homeowners. SERVPRO technicians have a tried-and-tested method for cleaning ceilings that do not cause accidental damage to other parts of the home. First, our technicians prepare the area by moving furniture, covering floors with canvas or plastic sheets, and removing lampshades, draperies, and curtains. We can then begin the initial cleaning phase by vacuuming the ceiling to remove loose soot, hanging soil, or soot chains. Often, heavier soils can bond with ceiling finishes and require direct agitation to remove. Our technicians use specially-designed dry sponges to remove thicker soil from the ceiling, using a methodology that avoids streaking or spreading of soot.

Removing Smoke Residues From Ceilings

Ceilings can be tricky to reach and greatly increase the chances of slip and trip hazards. Before cleaning smoke residue from the ceiling, it is vital to procure the correct equipment and learn the methods. Our technicians have years of experience in restoring local properties from fire-related damages. 

• Dry sponges are attached to fixed clamps so technicians can reach the upper ceiling area.
• Cleaning areas are "cut in" by pushing the sponge 3 to 4 feet on the surface with even pressure and overlapping each new cut.
• Multiple cleans should be started in the opposite direction while a final vacuuming of the floor and ceiling completes the job.

Property restoration can be quick and painless with professional assistance. Contact SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown for fire restoration help at (631) 265-9200.

Full Water Damage Repair for Smithtown Office Buildings

12/13/2022 (Permalink)

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

The Role of Demolition in Water Damage Repair 

After disasters, you might be overwhelmed with the appearance and condition of your office building. In some situations, like burst pipes, it is inevitable for controlled demolition and repairs to be entirely avoided. With the experience of our restoration professionals, we can provide comprehensive solutions to emergencies.

A controlled Demolition is a Helpful Tool. 

There are multiple steps and stages to water damage repair for Smithtown offices, though the most important of these preliminary actions include controlled demolition. Some common areas of focus include:

• Carpeted Flooring - short pile carpeting is common in office buildings, and mold and mildew can develop after prolonged moisture exposure. Early signs of mold development could encourage the removal of this flooring.

• Drywall – drywall is highly porous and can absorb moisture and water quickly. It does not take long after this exposure for these materials to swell and degrade. Often, panels will require removal after a limited contact time.

• Metal Framing – it is rare that metal framing will need to be removed, as these are typically nonporous installations. The metal framework can be a stable foundation for rebuilding.

How Do You Know the Rest is Dry?

It is important to ensure the property's dryness before build-back services begin. Our restoration professionals have multiple moisture sensors and sophisticated equipment to track damp pockets through the property and structural cavities. When moisture gets found that could lead to secondary effects like mold growth, we focus drying attention on these areas to expedite recovery to reach needed repairs.

Licensed Contractors for Build-Back

Because we are accredited with a general contractor license (# 51995-H), we can complete the wealth of build-back services that will be necessary with the controlled demolition taking place. Our thorough restoration processes leave several areas where repairs and reconstruction might be required, so having this license ensures that you are getting the best possible service for the time and money you invest for the result.

Water damage repair in commercial settings should get left to experienced restoration contractors like our SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown team. Call us at (631) 265-9200. 

Why SERVPRO Smithtown Mold Inspections Use Industrial Hygienists

11/13/2022 (Permalink)

Mold infestations quickly take over any allotted space. Contact SERVPRO 24/7, 365 days a year for effective services and a custom remediation plan.

Mold Inspections Can Require Testing and Lab Work

Visually inspecting your Smithtown property for unwanted and developing damage should be a normal event that occurs regularly and always after any water leaks or other situations that cause elevated humidity. Mold multiplies at a rapid pace, easily overtaking obscure areas. When our preliminary mold inspection reveals possible mold activity, many customers request further testing. Such additional testing requires an independent industrial hygienist (IH).

After we perform a mold inspection in Smithtown, SERVPRO works with an IH who provides an independent assessment for the customer. The IH can perform a detailed evaluation using additional methods to determine the mold varieties within a building or house. We then follow their written directives as we remediate the structure. Mold is not always bad or causes health effects, but mold and spores always exist inside your property. The only exceptions to this are specially built ‘clean rooms’ used in certain industrial settings. Even the cleanest medical environment harbors mold particles.

What causes problems with the overgrowth of mold in our living spaces include:

• Deterioration of the surface material generated by the colony growing into and eating away at it,
• Stained areas left behind on more durable surfaces (porcelain, ceramic), and
• Odors that can transfer to clothing, upholstery, and other textiles.

When SERVPRO mold remediation specialists perform work related to the mold found in your property, we do so in a manner that protects everything from further destruction. We might offer to store items in our warehouse to prevent contamination. Our air scrubbers work quickly and keep up with any debris thrown into the air as we perform abrasive cleaning, dry-ice blasting, and controlled demolition of mold-destroyed areas.

After removing damaged materials, we always work with the customer on rebuilding the damaged areas using the most economical ways. 

Before we finish, we do everything to bring it all back to the same condition as before, “Like it never even happened.” Call SERVPRO of Greater Smithtown at (631) 265-9200 for the mold inspection and remediation your property needs.