Summer Time Water Damages

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

Here we got a call for a water damage that had grown quite a bit of mold in the summer heat and constant moisture. 

How Does Mold Form?

Mold is present all around, indoors and out floating in the air through AC, heatings, on your clothes or even your dog. Mold thrives in moist environments and can grow in as little as 48 hours. Mold spores can affect people with compromised immune systems and those with allergies. Wet areas of your home are very prone to mold and can be causing you issues you may have never realized. With all of the rain we have experienced recently, it is important to inspect your home for signs of mold or any water leaks. Some common places to check for mold include: under your sink, behind your toilet, behind your fridge/freezer, basement, and around windows

What to do?

While it is possible to clean up mold yourself, we recommend giving a professional a call. Depending on the severity and type of mold you could put yourself at risk cleaning it up and make the problem more severe. Oftentimes people attempt to clean these issues up themselves only to result in more growth over time as the root issue is not taken care of. At SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint we are trained in mold remediation and will stop the current spread, as well as any future spreading of mold spores in your home or business. Mold cleanup requires special chemicals and equipment to be done correctly, and at SERVPRO we have tested our products with great results for years. 

Pro tip: The smell of mold is the biggest sign you should have your home/business checked out. The musty/earthy smell under your kitchen sink could be causing you and your family health effects you never realized. 

Fire Sprinkler Water Damage

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

If your commercial property suffers significant water damage your locally owned and operated SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint has around the clock emergency help. Water damage occurring on your commercial property can be caused by, a flood from a storm, a burst/ leaky pipe, or even a broken sewage system- regardless of how we can fix it.

As an owner, or property manager of a commercial building it is extremely important to hire a professional water damage remediation service to assist in taking care of the loss and preventing future damage that can occur if the loss is not treated in a timely and correct manner. SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint has a crew of certified and accredited professionals who are ready to assist you in a timely and professional manner.

Recent Cleanup Story- 

Recently, SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint was able to help a local hotel, when the sprinkler system was activated on the 7th floor of the building, leading to water damage. Our crew responded to their call immediately. We began to assess the extent of the damage and returned in the days following to continue the scope of the work.

Our SERVPRO crew arrived on sight and began the extraction and cleaning of the affected areas. First, we removed the damaged area- from under the beds and submitted them for appraisal. Base-molding was removed from the water soaked drywall in the affected rooms and corridors. Access holes were then drilled to begin the proper drying process. The 6th Floor carpet was removed and the sub floor (concrete) was treated with antimicrobial. The antimicrobial was utilized to destroy or suppress bacteria, viruses, and fungi that the water damage caused. Our crew also had to remove the 6th floor carpet. We cut 1x1 access holes in the ceiling corridor to allow air flow in the ceiling cavity. For proper drying, we let the equipment run for 3 days.

Our crew cleaned and deodorized both the 6th and 7th floor. We used dehumidifiers, air movers and scrubbers to properly clean and remove the water. Our SERVPRO crew was able to take care of the water damage in an appropriate and professional way while also being mindful of the occupants in the hotel.

Water removal services from our professionally trained team can lessen stress and restore your commercial property to its preloss state faster than the competitors. Our services are available for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year because disasters don't wait to happen. Call us at (917) 809-6562

24/7 Water Damage Assistance

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

24 Hour Emergency Service

Being available 24/7 means we don't stick to the "regular" business hours. Why? Because emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours! SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint provides emergency water restoration services every day of the year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night. 

Why the Need for Speed?

In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is essential to preventing more serious damage. Below is a basic timeline of what happens when water strikes:

Within Minutes:

• Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path
• Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings
• Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets
• Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp

Hours 1 - 24:

• Drywall, heavy with the water it absorbed, begins to swell and break down
• Metal surfaces begin to tarnish
• Furniture begins to swell and crack
• Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain
• A musty odor appears

48 Hours to 1 Week:

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread, especially in prime conditions
• Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp
• Metal begins to rust and corrode
• Furniture warps and shows signs of mold
• Paint begins to blister
• Wood flooring swells and warps
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible

Over 1 Week:

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically
• Replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive and costly
• Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants

Call Up SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint to solve your water damage as soon as possible... Don't forget we can save you lots of time and money the sooner you call!

Basement Water Damage in Brooklyn

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Water In The Basement

Water Damage Made Easy

Your basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure

Regardless of how or when it happened we will be there for you and your family to clean it up and get your life back to normal again. No one wants to be limited in their own home, don't deal with the hassle of a cleanup yourself- give us a call and we will be right there to help. These homeowners gave us a call in the middle of the night and we arrived immediately to begin the extraction and drying process. Being accessible at all hours allows us to prevent damage that would occur while it sat, not only does this save you money it saves you a lot of time by preventing bigger issues

We are a company you can trust to be there when you need us most, don’t settle for anything but the best and give SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint a call. 

Sprinkler Disaster

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

Sometimes fire sprinkler systems go off when you least expect, they can be hit and opened up during construction or accidentally triggered in the kitchen. Most commonly though we deal with damage from them being accidentally triggered during construction or renovations in a building and the amount of water they release is substantial. 

How to Prepare

We recommend having inspections done regularly as well as servicing your fire sprinkler units regularly to prevent any accidental discharging of the unit. When you plan on having work done inside make sure to have the units temporarily shut off. Make sure whoever is working on your property is prepared for an event like this with something like a sprinkler plug to temporarily stop the flow. 

What to do After

Water damage from a fire sprinkler system can cause thousands of dollars in damage and requires immediate attention. The longer the water sits the more damage is done to the foundation and any items in the area. Call SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint to ensure a job well completed to the highest level of satisfaction. We are prepared to extract the water and continue the drying process until all the water is gone. Once this is complete we will begin the restoration process and have the damage looking “Like it never even happened.”

Bathroom Flood

10/27/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding in the bathroom is a common occurrence in homes, and something you should be prepared to take care of. Bathrooms have multiple sources of water such as the tube, sink, and toilet. All of these can create a serious amount of water that can cause damage and a serious hassle. Below are some steps you can take in the event of a bathroom water damage-

What to do?

• Shut the water off at the source
• This will stop more water from coming and prevent further flooding
• Shut off the electricity 
• Do not touch the water if is anywhere near electrical outlets or sources of power
• Soak up whatever water you can if it is not from a clogged toilet
• Put wet towels into the bath/shower 
• Remove items from the bathroom that have or have not been affected 
• Call the professionals at SERVPRO
• If it is from a clogged toilet this is considered a hazard and requires professional attention immediately 

Buckled Floor? Don’t wait!

7/31/2021 (Permalink)

What does it mean?

Floor buckling is the most extreme reaction that can occur due to moisture in a hardwood floor. The buckling occurs when the wood flooring pulls up from the subfloor due to moisture being embedded underneath causing it to lift several inches in one or more places. Fortunately, this is not a common occurrence in most buildings, but it is definitely a possibility and something to keep an eye out for.

If the damage is noticed and treated early, spot repair and replacement may be possible to prevent a much larger restoration project. Once the standing water causing the issue is removed, several boards can be taken up from the floor so that forced air can circulate across and below the floor drying it up to an acceptable condition. We will test and confirm the area is dry before completing our restoration. When the floor is fully dried to a stable moisture level, the needed repairs can usually be made or at least made ready for the new floor if necessary. 

What do we do?

At SERVPRO of Williamsburg and Greenpoint we are professional in the industry, on arrival we will begin to set up floor protection, drying mats and drying equipment. We will then clean all affected areas to rid them of moisture and possible mold. And as the floors are drying we will discuss a restoration plan with you to get new floors in and prevent any further water from introducing itself to your home/business. 

How Does Water Damage Lead to Mold Growth?

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Water Damage in the Brooklyn Can Lead to Mold

There is no place in the world like New York City. If you're lucky enough to live in Brooklyn, you have access to an unparalleled view of the Manhattan skyline from Williamsburg or Greenpoint. While we enjoy a variety of culture, fine dining, exciting activities city living is not without its challenges.

The age of both our own and neighboring properties can make our homes susceptible to accidents. Older residential buildings have the normal wear-and-tear on their facilities, including pipes. When a pipe breaks, water can leak all over your house, leaving you in immediate need of reputable restoration service like SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint.

In Northern Brooklyn, Water Damage is the specialty of our team here at SERVPRO. Navigating the streets, regulations, and needs of New York is not for outsiders. Our team is part of the Brooklyn community, and we know how valuable your space and time are, so we strive to mitigate your losses as we diligently return your home to mint condition. Just call our 24/7 hotline and let us do the heavy lifting to protect your home.

How can I avoid mold?
Whenever a water incident occurs, acting swiftly is the most critical step. It takes less than three days for mold to begin multiplying in your home if the water is left standing. When you call our SERVPRO crew, we assess the extent of the damage and jump into action as soon as it is safe.

With our industry-grade tools, we can determine where water is hiding beneath your cupboards, inside wall cavities, and under flooring. We can also decide which pieces of furniture, if any, need a deep cleaning and which we need to remove from your home. So, what do we use to measure humidity in your home?

    •    Thermal imaging can show us water behind walls and under cabinets.
    •    Moisture sensors can report relative humidity in furniture and fixtures.
    •    Borescopes let us reach hard-to-access corners to verify moisture within them.

With a complete suite of equipment informing us of our progress, we can work to eliminate excess humidity in your home. By acting swiftly, you will significantly reduce the risk of mold growing in your home. SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint is your ally in an emergency. Call us at 917.809.6562 and let us leave your home, “Like it never even happened.”

Types of Water Damage & How to Prevent Damage

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

TYPES OF WATER DAMAGE AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM

Water damage is a problem that most property owners fear. With the accumulation of rain and snow, the risk of damage increases. Water can cause thousands of money worth of damage by damaging wood furniture, upholstery, electronics, household appliances, and equipment. Water damage also increases the risk of mold growth, which is a very expensive problem to restore.

Assessing the type of damage is important to determine what is needed to start water damage repair and water removal. There are several different types of water damage and how to prevent them.

1. Clean Water

This is water does not threat to human’s health if exposed or consumed by them. Overflowing sink or tub, or a broken incoming water line would be examples of clean water. This is the easiest type of water damage to handle, since there will not be too many microbes living in the water. If the damage is not properly cleaned, this will result to mold and fungus growth. If the damage is more than 24 hours, it is best to contact professional service restoration.

2. Gray Water

Water is slightly contaminated because of the source. Clean water can be gray if left untreated. This type of water contains microorganisms. Broken toilets, broken sump pumps, and seepage may cause gray water. This may cause sickness if ingested. If you want to begin the cleaning and drying process before the restoration service arrives, you should wear gloves in order to prevent your skin from touching the water so you do not spread any microbes.

3. Black water

Is the most hazardous type of water damage. It is usually a result of natural disasters or sewage damage. Black water can include toxic materials such as bacterial diseases, chemicals, pesticides, and microbes. If your home is suffered from this type, it is best to contact a professional to do the disinfecting. Better to be safe than sorry in the end.

Experiencing a water damage disaster is enough stress on its own. Always seek for professional advice for water damage. If you experience these kinds of emergencies, call SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint at (917) 809-6562.

Water Extraction Explained

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

Learn about our water extraction process that occurs during the water restoration process.

WHAT IS WATER EXTRACTION?

If your house has water and you can’t figure out where it is coming from. Water extraction is a must have process to prevent secondary and extensive damage. Water damage is never fun, especially since it requires resources and efforts to go through without losing your mind and restoring your home back to its original state.

After water damage, your home needs a complete restoration process and should be done professionally and efficiently. Water extraction should be done quickly to remove all water that entered your home and prevent more problems including mold growth, additional damage to materials and spreading more damage to more areas.

What is water extraction?

Water extraction is a process recommended to remove excess water form flooring and grounds of the house or property. This job should be carried out by experts like SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint because they have the expertise, the necessary tools and water extraction equipment and most efficient methods for water damage extraction.

What is the purpose of water extraction?

The purpose of water extraction is to reduce the risk of damages to property to prevent mold growth and restore your home or property to its original state.

What are the methods used for water extraction?

• Vacuums – such as wet dry vacuums used to eliminate water form areas
• Pumps – such as sump pumps can help remove water from a building.

If you have any questions about water damage, please do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint at (917) 809-6562