Atlantic Hurricane season 2022 is here - SERVPRO is READY to help after any size disaster

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

Our team is available for emergency help, during high volume events many people in the community can be negatively impacted by a big storm.

After the record-breaking Atlantic hurricane seasons in the last several years, it’s best to be prepared for another active season this year. The 2020 Atlantic hurricane season was the most active and the fifth costliest Atlantic hurricane season on record. Our team is always here to help with tips for before the storm and storm damage restoration services if our area is in for another active hurricane season in 2022.

The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th. The Atlantic basin includes the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. The long-term average (taken over the last 70 years – between 1951 and 2019) of named storms is 11. The short-term average (taken over the last 15 years – between 1995 and 2019) is 14 named storms.

When a hurricane makes landfall, the force of hurricane strength winds can destroy buildings, topple trees, bring down power lines, and blow vehicles off roads. When flying debris, such as signs, roofing material, building siding, and small items left outside, is added to the mix, the potential for building damage is even greater. When a storm hits your Brooklyn or Queens home or business, you need help immediately, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is here to help with property restoration and repairs. Our team of storm and water damage specialists get started promptly to maximize recovery and reverse storm damage. 

SERVPRO property emergency professionals are ready to help reverse whatever happens following storms that hit the Northeast big or small. If your property experiences flood, wind, or impact damage from local weather events our crews are here to help plan your restoration and recovery.

Hurricane winds and rain can bring a massive amount of damage to a community. Hurricane winds impact homes and other buildings in two different ways: 1) differential pressures act on the building envelope, which includes roofs and walls (and their associated components), and 2) wind-borne debris may strike a building, with windows and doors the most susceptible to impact. Additionally, downed trees and power lines, being blown down onto a building, is another way hurricanes can cause damage to structures. Rainwater damage to a building’s interior will normally result after damage to the building envelope has occurred.

Call local SERVPRO professionals to help recover your property with Emergency Storm or Hurricane damage restoration and repairs.

Our team is available for emergency help, during high volume events many people in the community can be negatively impacted by a big storm, our team will work with you to make any emergency repairs needed and explain the rest of your recovery process and timeline. Emergency repairs are necessary to address any damage that has caused a safety issue or could potentially lead to further damage to the property if left untouched. The effects of a storm to a homeowner can oftentimes be devastating, sustained winds and flooding can damage your home and belongings. When storm and water damage hits Brooklyn there is only one team to call—SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn! 

Our team is highly qualified and trained in disaster restoration, damage mitigation, and construction. 

• We are Faster to Any Size Disaster
• We provide 24-Hour Emergency Service
• We are a Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
• We are Locally Owned and Operated

Our experts will come in, assess your damage, and take the proper steps to limit damage. We work hand in hand with your insurance company to restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Every New York City and surrounding area water restoration situation is unique, and our team will treat them that way. We are local to the Brooklyn and Queens community to help during your water or storm property damage in these very stressful times we are Always Here to Help!

Spring is the season for volatile weather, SERVPRO is prepared to help restore your property after Spring storm damage

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Spring storms can be unpredictable and cause damage, our SERVPRO team is ready to provide restoration and repairs for seasonal property damages.

Spring is notorious for producing a broad range of extreme weather, including major snowstorms, severe thunderstorms, flooding, big temperature changes and high winds. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. That temperature contrast fuels a strong jet stream, and in turn, highly variable weather conditions.

Spring is the time of year when many things change—including the weather. Spring storms can be unpredictable, we can't stop spring showers, but our team is ready to provide restoration and repairs to your home or business should it suffer from Spring thunderstorms, severe winds, flooding or other property damage disasters. There are a variety of potential property damages that you may experience. These include:

• Roof or structural damage to your walls from a fallen tree or high winds
• Broken windows from hailstorms or objects thrown by heavy wind
• Lightning strikes, which could lead to a fire
• Water damage caused by loose or damaged shingles, clogged gutters, or leaking roofs
• Flooding in your basement or home
• Animal infestations caused by critters looking for shelter during the storm

Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the flooded or other water damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. It is important to note that storm property damage emergencies are rarely mild enough to not require some form of intervention and work by our experienced technicians. Some conditions that could encourage a prompt call to our SERVPRO team are:

Standing Water – Pooling water in a damaged area can be destructive to many of the materials. Wood and sheetrock exposed to standing water can quickly absorb this water and allow for a much more rapid deterioration of the construction element.

Migrating Water – You might not always know how widespread water loss effects can be, but if water has moved beyond the surface of materials, you need the sophisticated tools of our team to identify moisture pockets and dampness beyond what the eye can see.

Hidden Damages – In the same way that water can migrate throughout your apartment, damages can exist and persist out of sight without discovery tools and positive pressure drying systems getting used.

When water damage occurs in your home or business, knowing what to do will save precious time and ultimately minimize losses to your property and building contents. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals have extensive experience repairing and restoring catastrophic water damage to countless locals in our Brooklyn and Queens community. Our technicians understand that unattended water damage continues to cause harm to your property over time. Making it necessary to make quick, informed decisions, to perform quality restoration services today, that save you from further damaging problems, tomorrow.

SERVPRO provides fast and effective emergency restoration services to local storm property disasters

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Continual increases in storm intensity and tidal flooding are making flood and storm water damage a regular concern for many Brooklyn and Queens neighborhood property owners. Flooding can have a devastating impact on your coastal building or residence, it can be difficult to predict the full extent of water and storm related damages. Additionally, saltwater can be extremely dangerous and destructive to building materials and has added safety concerns for cleanup and restoration providers. Extracting the water is just the first step that SERVPRO professionals take to thoroughly dry and restore water and storm damaged areas inside and outside of your property. Floodwater is dangerous, it’s advised to contact a reliable property damage restoration company such as SERVPRO that specializes in natural disaster and flood cleanup and remediation.

It can be difficult for the average property owner or management team to determine if the contaminated areas and contents of your property have been properly remediated, to avoid continued damage from salt corrosion and mold growth. Our restoration technicians are IICRC trained and certified with countless hours of experience responding to local coastal property damage cleanups and repairs. Starting the restoration process begins with a visit from a highly trained staff member to assess the full extent of your flood or water damage intrusion and present a comprehensive plan for a complete property damage restoration and construction solution. While assessing your property damage our managers will help determine what parts of your loss our team can clean, sanitize, and restore. Unfortunately, some items are unsafe for restoration and some controlled demolition and replacement may be necessary. Our restoration teams work closely with our construction crews and management to provide a seamless transition from destruction to reconstruction. Throughout the process our philosophy is to restore over replacing materials and contents whenever possible, helping to lower overall cost and time needed for property disaster recovery.

Professionals use specialized tools and training to remove flood water from Brooklyn properties during storm damage disaster restoration

As straightforward as water removal might appear, there are more considerations for removing water from your home or business than you might think. Our SERVPRO team knows that many homeowners want to work to save time and money by tackling these essential tasks on their own, and it is our mission to ensure that you do it safely and with a degree of confidence when possible. To offer this to you, we have comprised a shortlist of the things that every homeowner needs to remove flooding from their property.

While there might be other gear and machines that could make this list, these are absolute must-haves for proper flood removal: 

Capable Extraction Equipment – Extraction is going to be one of the most considerable obstacles that your home faces, especially if you return to several inches of standing water. While a wet/dry vacuum can eventually overcome this considerable volume, it is better to rent more powerful extraction tools our SERVPRO team uses like trash pumps from home improvement locations, directing your discharge hose into a nearby drain. 

The Right Drying Tools – Much like acquiring the right tools for proper extraction, you also need to grab two vital pieces of equipment for drying efforts as well. You cannot sop up floodwater and allow it to dry naturally – you must take direct action. Air movers and dehumidifiers help to begin removing the moisture and saturation from exposed materials and the environment right away. 

Personal Protective Equipment – Keeping yourself safe is paramount in all of these efforts. The flooding comes with substantial risks, among the most threatening being potential contamination of the water itself. Keep yourself covered and safe avoid getting in the water, and work to reduce the levels of damage quickly. 

Cleaning Supplies – Cleaning up after a flood is vital to protect your property and its occupants. The risk of contamination and bacteria is high in natural flooding, so the use of effective disinfection and cleaning agents can address these concerns.

When flooding or storm damage affects your home or business, SERVPRO responds quickly to storm and water emergencies, we are dedicated to respond Faster to Any Size Disaster to make sure that all our customers receive the highest quality and cost-effective damage mitigation and restoration service possible. Our restoration specialists have the training, and the tools get your property back to pre-damage condition, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Is always available for ANY Property Damage Emergency

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Property Disasters don’t have regular hours and neither does our dedicated team of technicians and project managers.

SERVPRO provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

When property damage from fire, smoke, water strike, time is of the essence. Contacting a Disaster Restoration company within the first 24 hours after the initial damage can better prevent permanent destruction and reduce repair costs to homeowners. That’s why, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides 24-HOUR Emergency Support EVERYDAY! We always have a trained Disaster restoration professional here to help you with your fire or water property damage.

Our SERVPRO team is here to answer the phone ready to help with your Brooklyn property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

Know what to expect:

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your property damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed. Emergency Contact: After you have a property disaster or emergency, your call will connect you to one of our trained professionals to take some basic information to provide to our project managers and technicians.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

    •    Your name and contact information
    •    Your insurance information (if applicable)
    •    The street address of the water-damaged home or business
    •    When did the flooding or water damage occur?
    •    What caused the water damage (if known)?
    •    Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Inspection and Damage Assessment including Estimate: One of our trained professionals will come and assess your property damage. What type of fire is it? What type of water loss was it? These answers are critical to addressing the unique solution for your restoration needs.

Restoration, Cleanup and Repair: With your approval, our team of skilled technicians starts working on your restoration and cleanup. We can provide board-up, packing and itemizing your property, water, smoke, or soot removal, drying and dehumidification, cleanup and repair services depending on your specific situation and restoration needs.

Your best defense against long lasting commercial fire, smoke and water property damage is a quick and rigorous response by our trained technicians. Each SERVPRO team member has been thoroughly trained in fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation before stepping foot onto your home or business. Our restoration technicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment and technology to restore and repair your entire structure and belongings as efficiently as possible.

Property Emergencies happen everyday and acting fast after property damage could mean the difference between restoring your home quickly to pre loss condition or needing extensive and expensive reconstruction. Our SERVPRO team never stops being READY to handle your fire, water, or mold property disaster, we have the best staff, with the best resources standing ready to answer your call quickly and restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Mold Remediation for ALL Types of Brooklyn Commercial Facilities

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Mold colonization in commercial facilities and warehouses can quickly get out of control without appropriate mitigation, SERVPRO is here to help with mold remediation for all types of Brooklyn businesses.

Flooding and water damage most often has far reaching consequences on a commercial property, requiring many different types of property damage restoration services including water removal, demolition, deodorization, and decontamination, drying and dehumidifying and rebuilding. Whether your property just experienced a heavy rain intrusion, a common appliance malfunction or hazardous plumbing leak. Commercial water damage cleanup and restoration can be complicated, it most often requires a set of detailed steps to make sure the water is properly extracted, cleaned up, dried, and mitigated, when these steps aren’t taken, and moisture continues to plaque your building mold growth will often occur. Mold grows quickly and can spread throughout a property in as little as 24-48 hours. Any commercial property can quickly become infested with mold if a source of water is present, the key to preventing excessive mold growth is to control moisture. That’s why it’s important to act quickly if your commercial property experiences a water damage or you see any signs of hidden water damage or visible mold. SERVPRO is a leading provider of mold remediation services across the country, our mold certified technicians can assess your commercial warehouse or building to evaluate the extent of the damage and advise owners and managers of the proper steps to remediate and restore your facility, “Like it never even happened.”

Mold Damage to Your Commercial Warehouse or Building?

Mold is a microscopic, airborne fungus that exists all around us, it occurs naturally in our surroundings and usually reproduces by releasing spores into the environment. In nature, mold plays an important role in the decomposition of organic material. Mold requires both organic material and a consistent source of moisture to grow. Many materials in homes and business contain the organic materials and under the right circumstances can be conducive to mold growth. When excessive moisture accumulates indoors, drywall, wood, paneling, ceiling tiles, carpeting, insulation, paper, cardboard, fabric, upholstery and even paint will encourage mold growth. If there is a consistent water source, mold will continue to colonize and break down organic material into dusty, dirt-like matter. Neglecting mold damage for an extended period can cause unnecessary damage to your home and risk possible health effects to occupants. It’s never too early nor too late to address commercial property mold damage.

When excessive moisture accumulates inside buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends these tips to prevent commercial property mold damage

• Ensure all leaky plumbing is fixed; Correct all noticed wet spots.
• Completely eliminate condensation through insulating or increasing air circulation.

• Reduce the moisture level in the air and add ventilation to reduce humidity.
  
• Maintain indoor humidity level below 60% with a goal of 30-50%.
  
• Conduct routine building and HVAC inspections.
  
• Provide proper drainage and sloping to eliminate wet foundations.

SERVPRO is a local resource for mold remediation services

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

What is Mold Remediation

Mold remediation is the process of finding, containing, and removing mold and damaged materials from the affected area and the air around it. It’s crucial to contain the damaged areas, because spores are microscopic and can easily spread to other areas through the air or by attaching themselves to clothes or objects throughout the remediation process. SERVPRO mold removal specialists are specially trained using techniques to contain the damaged areas and mitigate the spread of mold, using negative air pressure and physical barriers to seal off the infected area, including ductwork during the remediation process.

Moldy items such as furniture, carpeting and inventory are cleaned if the infestation is minor or removed if it’s extensive. In this commercial warehouse our mold remediation team setup on-site clean rooms to more efficiently remediate damaged materials and contents. Damaged parts of drywall are removed, replaced, and repainted. Large storage racks can be hand cleaned with antimicrobial agents, all items in the area must be cleaned and sanitized, even if they don’t have visible mold. Mold can be very illusive and can grow behind wallpaper, inside books or files and other hidden areas. Our SERVPRO professionals have advanced equipment and top tier training to remediate mold and return any commercial property mold damage back to a healthy, safe and operation work environment.

Commercial Mold Remediation

The Environmental Protection Agency has a guide for Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings on their website.

SERVPRO Stops the Spread of Mold During the Remediation Process

SERVPRO mold remediation technicians are train to use the highest restoration industry standards, mastering Applied Microbial Remediation through IICRC courses. We employ the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed protocols to contain and remove active mold colonies. Our crews also use EPA registered antimicrobial products to treat surfaces after removal to inhibit additional growth. During remediation, we protect our employees and your occupants from the hazards of mold remediation by creating zones where we remove and bag the mold and contaminated debris. Physical barriers provide one kind of protection, and we also install HEPA filtered exhaust ductwork and use negative air pressure to prevent airborne mold and residues from infiltrating unaffected areas of the building.

Containment of the Affected Area

One of the main concerns, during a remediation project is the dissemination of airborne mold spores. When a remediation project is initiated the first step is to set up containment or isolation of the affected area. Containment will help our SERVPRO professionals control the spread of these spores while assisting the remediation process in returning the affected area to normal healthy levels. The act of removing or disturbing a mold source during the remediation process tends to distribute large quantities of mold spores into the air. That’s why proper containment is so important to the safety of the occupants and undamaged areas. Cross contamination is a major concern for our crews and our teams are trained and provided the highest level of safety equipment and personal safety gear to process your mold remediation safely.

When setting up containment of the work area, the first step is to install a HEPA Filtered Negative Air machine. This is a fan which pulls air from the affected area and exhausts the contaminated air outside of the structure via flexible tubing or ducting. Doing this will begin to draw the airborne mold spores away from the airspace, eventually creating a negative pressure environment.

The second step is to install physical barriers in the work area, creating zones. This is most typically done with the use of heavy plastic. The main goal when creating this physical barrier is to completely isolate the work area from any adjacent, non-affected areas. All HVAC systems or shared airways between other rooms would be taped or covered in plastic, and all electrical outlets and light fixtures would be covered. Basically, any area that could allow air flow between the mold infested area and another non-affected area should be properly sealed.

If you fear that your commercial building is contaminated with mold or has had a recent water damage that was not properly mitigated, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to help. Our highly-trained and IICRC certified Brooklyn and Queens mold remediation specialists are here to help, to explain and assess your property’s commercial mold cleanup and remediation needs. Our priority is to provide a remediation solution and get your commercial property’s mold damage concerns under control. Our teams will cleanup, remove damaged materials and remediate your commercial mold problem, restoring your facility, “Like it never even happened.”

Our SERVPRO construction team can help rebuild and restore your property after any size property disaster

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Over my many years in property restoration, disasters are unpredictable and happen when we least expect it, I have witnessed catastrophic property disasters with unmeasurable damages. Throughout that time, myself and my team have worked diligently with property owners and families to restore their homes and businesses and their “normal.” I have witnessed many successes, I have had many lessons, my advice is having an experienced professional by your side is the most important part of any recovery. All property restorations are multi-facetted; these phases of recovery are often handled by multiple providers who perform limited services, ultimately leaving gaps in the process, costing you time, money, and resources. My goal over the past decade has been to build an experienced team to handle the complete recovery and restoration of any size disaster, from start to finish. Our SERVPRO franchise has worked hard over the last decade to develop a robust construction team, capable of general contracting, new construction, renovation and rebuild services. 

Our SERVPRO certified property restoration specialists and construction professionals have helped thousands of residential and commercial property owners recover from disastrous property damage events. Our team’s expert training, state-of-the-art equipment, science-based restoration process and construction services combine to expedite your recovery in a cost-effective manner. 

Property Disaster Cleanup & Restoration Services:

Should your property sustain damage following a disaster, our SERVPRO team is here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When working on property damage restoration jobs, our priority is to determine what steps to take to save as much of the structure and contents as possible. We use specialized equipment and methods sanctioned by the Institute for Inspection and Cleaning Restoration Certification (IICRC) to assist in accomplishing this objective. Customers can rely on our fast, quality, and reliable support to handle any size restoration, remediation, or repair project — our goal and unique recovery solution is designed to help your business or home get back to normal, “Like it never even happened.”

• Water Damage Restoration
• Mold Removal and Remediation
• Fire Damage Cleanup & Restoration
• Flood and Storm Damage Restoration

Residential & Commercial Property Construction Services:

Depending on the scope of the project, the restoration process may require several phases before completion. As a full-service residential and commercial restoration and construction company, we support your property recovery process from start to finish. SERVPRO’s preferred vendor status ensures we have a thorough understanding of the claims process, deliver premium quality services, and ensure customer satisfaction. You can trust that our team has a clear understanding of your rights as a property owner, as well as the responsibilities of your insurance carrier. Mitigating the disaster, gathering evidence, giving estimates, and dealing with any insurance adjusters are some of the important skills needed to expedite your claim. Claims negotiation is an important part of the process and another step where you really want a disaster restoration company that you can trust to be your advocate.

• General Contractor: Commercial and Residential Construction and Remodeling
• Structural Demolition and Debris Removal
• Structural Containment, Board Up and Fencing
• Interior Build-Out and Tenant Improvements
• Drywall, Painting and Carpentry

Trusted. Experienced. Certified

Putting your property back together after a disaster can be challenging, our whole team takes pride in helping restore and repair residential or commercial property after a fire, water, or mold disaster! The SERVPRO brand is nationally recognized and a leader in the restoration industry; managers and technicians have IICRC training and certifications. We have spent decades building an experienced and well trained multi-facetted certified team, that is the complete package for any property disaster recovery. Our emergency restoration specialists and our highly qualified licensed construction team are both known for innovative solutions to complex and catastrophic disaster property losses and having unique skills including property damage mitigation, remediation, thermal imaging, rebuild, new construction, and capital improvements. Whatever your fire, water, or mold emergency you can trust that the SERVPRO team will have you covered.

Our team has years of experience helping local properties recover from property damages, our SERVPRO construction team is always here to help rebuild.

Why Choosing a Professional Brooklyn Disaster Restoration Company, like SERVPRO is Important?

3/1/2022 (Permalink)

Making the call to the right restoration and clean up service provider can save you valuable money and critical time during the restoration process.

Contacting SERVPRO Restoration Professionals near you is important to avoid costly secondary damages, our experience and knowledge with property disasters cleanup and restoration is the advantage you need to make it, “Like it never even happened.”

When a property disaster strikes your Brooklyn or Queens home or business it can be difficult to know what the next step is… there are so many options for what you “should” do next. Working with a trusted leader in Property Restoration and Repair services can help reduce the overwhelming stress following a residential or commercial property damage event. It makes sense to call your local Brooklyn SERVPRO restoration professionals, our staff has the experience, training and equipment to handle your cleanup, repairs and restoration needs from start to finish. Our crews and managers have been helping local home and business owners with property damage emergency services and working with insurance professionals for nearly 30 years. Our staff is well trained in dealing with the aftermath of both commercial and residential property damages following fire and smoke damage, flood and water damage, sewage and biohazard cleanup and mold remediation. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn can help you with detailed documentation, generate accurate estimates, and work closely with the owner and insurance company to get you the best outcome. Working with trusted SERVPRO restoration professionals following a fire, water, flood, sewage or mold property damage event will give you peace of mind, and a friendly, highly-qualified restoration specialist by your side.

Big and Small Steps you can take now to prepare for a Brooklyn fire, water, or storm disaster

Preparing in advance to handle a Brooklyn or Queens property disaster can seem a little ominous, but after helping countless local home and business owners during property damage recoveries in our community we know it can make a huge difference during and following a property emergency. Here are some key steps to take in advance that can be important to the recovery process and the overall restoration of your property.

• Know the hazards that are present in your area.
• Review your insurance policies and confirm you have adequate cover against each type of disaster you are vulnerable to. Also check your sum insured to avoid being underinsured.
• Take a household inventory and store copies in a safe location or online. Cataloging your belongings with a home inventory might sound tedious, but how easy would it be for you to recall all the contents of your home if you lost everything? Taking a home inventory can help you determine if you have enough insurance and can save you time and headaches when filing a claim following a disaster
• Prepare a disaster plan. Your plan should start with having somewhere safe to go. Think of someone who could house you and your family and talk to them about what might happen in the event of a disaster. Then talk to everyone who lives in your home about what to do if there’s an emergency and you are unable to return
• Have an evacuation plan. In some cases when you need to evacuate, there may not be a lot of time. Plan how to evacuate your home quickly and make sure everyone knows the evacuation plan. Make sure everyone has a list of emergency contact numbers they can phone
• Make sure to regularly check safety devices in your home, such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

Spring Cleaning Offers Perfect Opportunity to Create a Property Inventory

Spring is a great time to spruce up and declutter your Brooklyn or Queens home or business, taking a broad look at the state of your property and check all areas of your proper for potential hazards and maintenance needs. While you’re deciding what to keep, trash and donate, it’s a great time to create or update your home or business inventory, review previous emergency plans and supplies and consider any revisions.

Keeping an inventory of your belongings will help you make sure you have enough coverage on your insurance policy and can put your mind at ease if something were to happen to your home or business, such as a fire, flood, or theft. In the event you experience an emergency like this, having a property inventory on hand can help make the claims process easier.

Tips to create a property inventory:

• Create your inventory online or keep a hard copy away from your home. If you create a home inventory but then it’s destroyed along with your other possessions, it won’t be of any use to you. Keeping it on a password-protected online database that you can access anywhere will ensure you don’t lose it.
• Document details like values, receipts, and date of purchase. The more information you include when documenting your items, the better. If you have receipts, appraisals, or product information for your items, be sure to document that along with the name, place of purchase and description of the item. You may even want to include the serial number for big appliances like your dishwasher or washing machine.
• Take photos or video of the items. Even if you have receipts, photos or video of the items in your home will help confirm proof of purchase when it comes to filing your claim. Taking a video can also make the inventory process easier — just video yourself going over each item in your home!
• Organize items by room. If you have damage to only one part of your home, having your list organized by room will help you determine what may be missing. Going room by room will also help you ensure you don’t miss anything — don’t forget to check spaces like closets, attics, and basements.
• Keep track of the date. Each time you update your home inventory, you should make note of the date. This way, you’ll know when you last added new items, updated values of old ones, and can plan for when you’ll need to update again.

What you should include in your home inventory

When it comes to your home inventory, it’s better to over-document than to leave something off. Even smaller items, like clothes and shoes, can add up quickly. For those items that may not hold significant value, keeping a list of how many of each you have will suffice. For everything else, like high-end items, jewelry, appliances, and electronics, you’ll want to document with more detail.

Making the call to the right restoration and clean up service provider can save you valuable money and critical time during the restoration process. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is a one-stop cleanup, restoration and repairs company that offers restoration, renovation, and complete rebuilding to reverse your devastating fire, smoke, water, flood, and storm property damage and to do so “Like it never even happened.”

Call our local restoration experts at SERVPRO for emergency kitchen fire cleanup and repair

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

It’s important to practice fire safety habits each day, because cooking and other fire related activities are regularly scheduled activities most days

Residential fires are some of the most difficult situations we encounter. Not because our crew is unprepared for the event, but because the personal loss of a home and possessions is extremely painful for the owners and can lead to a highly scrutinized job site. Our crew is prepared for this and sympathizes with the anguish each homeowner feels after a disaster has impeded their life. We are trained to move quickly understanding that every moment saved at the onset of disaster recovery increases the chance of a successful mitigation exponentially. 

Comprehensive Reports Assist in Filing Insurance Claims

SERVPRO technicians create detailed reports that include photos and a full description of whether the item was a loss or underwent restorative efforts for reuse. Having these reports helps expedite the filing of insurance claims. The technicians also give recommendations for any needed repairs or reconstruction that the home needs to attain pre-fire damage loss status.

Get Cleanup, Restoration, and Rebuilding in One Place

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is uniquely qualified to offer property owners the services of both restoration and reconstruction. Instead of having one company do the cleanup and another company repair or rebuild fire loss areas in the home, you can use a single company for both needs. 

Continue your property recovery following a residential fire disaster with SERVPRO construction services

• Site Containment / Temporary Shoring
• Selective Demolition
• Full-Scale Carpentry
• Complete Exterior/Envelope Reconstruction
• Interior Build-Out and Finishes
• Complex Installation and Interior Finishes
• Historic Reconstruction and Restoration

Year after year cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking accounts for about 47% of home fires and 45% of the fire-related injuries reported across the country each year. Although, NFPA says Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are the peak days for cooking fire mishaps, probably because of all the distractions on those days. It’s important to practice fire safety habits each day, because cooking and other fire related activities are regularly scheduled activities most days of the year.

REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE KITCHEN

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says 6 out of 7 cooking fires occurred while the cook was out of the kitchen, and 2/3rds of these fires happened in the first 15 minutes of cooking. The BEST WAY you can do to keep you and your family and property safe this year, ALWAYS watch what you’re cooking. If you’re using the stovetop, stay in the kitchen and watch closely. Also, experts recommend setting a timer periodically to remind you to check the oven.

OTHER FIRE PREVENTION TIPS INCLUDE

• Roll up sleeves and don’t wear loose fitting clothing that could catch and open flame or heating element
• Ban children and pets from a 3-foot “safe zone” around the stove
• Keep the stove and oven clean, turn pot handles in to avoid spills and cleanup any messes when appropriate
• Keep potholders, dishtowels, oven mitts, food packaging and other clutter off and away from the stove.
• Clean cooking equipment thoroughly because built-up grease can catch fire.
• wait for grease to cool before disposing, tossing hot grease in a trashcan could turn into a disaster

Smoke detectors are your first line for defense against a fire disaster situation so make sure you have one installed in or near the kitchen and make sure it’s working properly.

After a fire disaster impacts your local Brooklyn or Queens home, the cleanup of fire debris, removal of harmful chemicals and pollutants and minimizing damage to the building structure needs to happen quickly. The more time that passes after the fire event and before restoration services begin gives soot the opportunity to spread throughout the property causing contamination and corrosion. Contact our staff for help with your cleanup and property restoration; we have years of experience and the answers you are looking for.

Fire Prevention Tips for Common Causes of Residential Fire Damage

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Even a minor fire can bring significant smoke and soot damage throughout your home. We can provide property damage restoration service near you.

What to Expect from Our SERVPRO Professional Fire Damage Restoration Process in Brooklyn and Queens

Every year, there are between 350,000 and 400,000 home fires in the U.S. (according to the National Fire Protection Association). Any building is at risk of catching fire for a variety of reasons, knowing the most common reasons for residential fire damage can be important to fire prevention. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has been providing property disaster cleanup and restoration service to fire damage victims for nearly 30 years, our IICRC certified fire damage restoration specialists arrive ready to rescue and recover your home and property following a fire, “Like it never even happened.”

PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE WITH CLEANUP & INTERVENTION

Our restoration specialists focus on improving air quality and removing soot and debris to avoid continued damage to your home and contents. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry; our team is ready to respond to your emergency fire property damage, quickly and effectively with unparalleled training and equipment. Giving you peace of mind that your property is being cleaned and restored by caring and competent restoration professionals.

Often during a fire restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated areas. Smoke and soot particles are small and can get deep inside building materials, furniture, and other porous items. HEPA filters help our industrial strength air scrubbers and vacuums capture soot, purify the air and neutralize odors. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn location is fortunate to offer restoration and rebuilding services following a property disaster from fire, water, or mold. Using our highly qualified construction team will help keep your recovery process moving steady and hassle free, often it can also minimize costs and completion time.

OUR FIRST STEPS FOR FIRE RESTORATION:

Isolate Fire Damaged Areas

SERVPRO professionals will start with containment to help restrict odors and debris from contaminating the air throughout the house and keep the damage contained at the source of the fire and affected areas of the home.

Water Damage Remediation

Fire suppression and rescue uses a lot of water that can be just as destructive to structural components and contents as the fire. Our SERVPRO professionals will take the steps needed to minimize the damage by prioritizing water extraction.

Pack-Out for Contents

Fire damage mitigation and restoration is more effective when furnishings and personal possessions are relocated to avoid continued exposure to contaminated air and debris. Our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) creates a digital listing of the affected property, very helpful when corresponding with your insurance company. Specialized contents technicians evaluate the pack-out items’ conditions and recommend and implement efficient strategies to clean, dry, deodorize, and disinfect them.

Customized Soot Removal

Smoke and soot damages are especially invasive attacking every space of your residential property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels with the air coating surfaces SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Quick action is crucial to minimize damages; soot must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

Common causes of residential fire property damage disasters:

Cooking: Many house fires are caused by cooking-related incidents, specifically, a person leaving a hot oven or stove unattended.

Prevention tips: Always keep an eye on cooking equipment while it’s in use. Use a timer to remind you cooking is in progress. Make sure to remove flammable objects and materials around cooking areas and surfaces.

Heating: Portable and stationary space heaters accounted for 32% of these fires, but most resulted from the homeowner’s failure to clean heating equipment or chimneys. 

Prevention tips: Have heating equipment cleaned and inspected every year to ensure it’s working properly. When using space heaters, situate them away from combustible objects such as clothing, furniture and bedding and turn them off when you leave home.

Electrical systems: Lighting sources are responsible for most electrical fires. Fires started through electrical systems represent more than $1 billion in property losses each year. 

Prevention tips: Use qualified electricians to handle your electrical projects, many fires are the result of improper installation by homeowners. When using electrical appliances, replace frayed or damaged cords, refrain from overloading outlets with plugs and use bulbs of the proper wattage for lamps.

Candles: Candles are responsible for 5 percent of home fire deaths, and on average, 35 home fires caused by candles are reported each day in the United States. 

Prevention tips: Don’t leave burning candles unattended and put them out before going to bed.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage to a residential property; the flames, soot and smoke can destroy structural materials, interior and exterior items and personal processions. The aftermath of a fire can bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution and unhealthy smoke levels. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move even more rapidly, spreading damage throughout the entire property. Even a minor fire can bring significant smoke and soot damage throughout your home. We can provide property damage restoration service near you, SERVPRO is here to help with highly trained IICRC certified fire damage restoration experts and advanced technology and equipment to restore your home and possessions and provide knowledge and experience when you need it most.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn responds quickly to your fire damage emergency with skilled technicians to your home, our team’s primary goal is to mitigate additional damages with preventative procedures and neutralize and recover sustained damages using expert skill, experience, and equipment.

Fireplace and Chimney Fire Damage Restoration Services for Brooklyn

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

Fire creates smoke and soot, and the tiny particles float in the air and will become trapped in interiors and furniture, SERVPRO is here to help

When artic temperatures move to the Northeast, Brooklyn homeowners get warm and cozy by their fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. It is important to remember proper maintenance and fire safety when starting that fire this season, for the first time and each time after. Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves pose a considerable fire threat to your home and family, a fire can result in the loss of personal items, property and even life. Taking proper precautions when using your fireplace or wood-burning stove can help you avoid a property fire disaster negatively impacting your life this winter.

Chimney fires and puffbacks can cause major destruction to your home and possessions; smoke and soot can continue to cause damage long after the flames have gone out.

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your home it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

SMOKE AND SOOT CONCERNS FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Even a minor property fire or a season of outdoor fires and BBQs can cause or contribute to significant smoke or soot damage to your Brooklyn home’s interiors and exteriors, including your HVAC unit. Our SERVPRO restoration specialists know a lot about the secondary damages from soot and smoke that happen as the result of a blaze. Whether the fire was from a recreational source like a fireplace, outdoor fire pit or grill, or the fire was the result of a fire mishap and a property disaster. Fire creates smoke and soot, and the tiny particles float in the air and will become trapped in drapes, carpets and furniture, or collect on surfaces and inside your HVAC system. When these issues arise and you see soot residue or smell smoke odors, the solution is the same.

SERVPRO restoration professionals will address widespread effects of fire damage including soot and smoke residue that can stain surfaces with appropriate equipment and cleaning products to minimize damage. For structural concerns, we have a team of licensed contractors within our SERVPRO crew that can help to address both temporary construction solutions to prevent worsening damage while mitigation is underway and full-scale reconstruction and build back after that. Calling your local SERVPRO Fire Cleanup and Restoration Professionals will provide top quality services, experience, knowledge and trust that our Brooklyn fire damage restoration crews will quickly restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

WHILE YOU COZY UP TO YOUR FIREPLACE or WOOD-BURNING STOVE PRACTICE THESE FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

Before making a fire in the fireplace, open the damper and crack open a window, keep the screen closed to encourage airflow up into the chimney. Light a match, blow it out and watch the smoke to see if it is properly going up the chimney. To increase the draft in your chimney, burn your fires hot and for short periods of time instead of all day. Improper airflow can cause smoke and soot damage to your home’s contents. Poor airflow can result from excessive creosote deposits, closed or plugged dampers, malfunctioning flues, and chimney blockages or a dirty cap, always remember never leave a fire unattended.

Avoid using wood from recently cut trees, they contain high levels of moisture which contributes to additional smoke and deposits inside your chimney. Seasoned and dry wood appears dark, has cracks on the end and will sound hollow when hitting another piece of wood. Look for signs of creosote and soot buildup, creosote is a dark substance that accumulates if wood isn’t burning completely, it’s a major factor in chimney fires and a good reason to have an annual inspection to avoid costly fire property damage and repairs.

SERVPRO professionals have all the tools, equipment, and experience necessary to manage your entire Brooklyn property restoration from beginning to end. Our team work tirelessly to produce quality results from quick and effective mitigation, to putting the finishing touches on any repairs and reconstruction needed to complete the job.  

• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• Water Damage Restoration Technician

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides full-service solutions for all your fire, smoke, sewage and water emergency situations 24/7, 365, day or night. Call us today for access to fully IICRC certified cleaning and restoration professionals you can trust.

SERVPRO offers professional fire, smoke and soot cleanup and restoration assistance for local property damage disasters

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

The more time that passes after the fire event and before restoration services begin gives soot the opportunity to spread and cause additional damage.

After your Brooklyn commercial property suffers from a fire, water or other disaster, contacting our local New York SERVPRO Property Restoration Professionals is an important step to avoid costly secondary damages. Our SERVPRO team has over 30 years of experience helping the communities during property disasters, trust that your commercial property will be restored quickly and correctly by IICRC licensed professionals and advanced equipment.

Getting your local commercial property operational quickly following a property disaster is the SERVPRO way. Our local Brooklyn restoration professionals rely on decades of hands-on property restoration experience and proven results to help local business owners and managers dealing with fire, smoke and soot damage cleanup, repair and restore their commercial property quickly. Our commitment to quick and effective property restoration and recovery after a property disaster makes selecting SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn restoration experts the right choice.

SERVPRO commercial property fire restoration and mitigation services include special help to minimize damages including:

Eliminating Fire Damage Residue
Our SERVPRO technicians will assess and pre-test many damages areas and property to decide the precise type of clean and fire damage remediation services needed for your commercial disaster. Our crews use various wet and dry methods to clean different materials most effectively. We can also use specialized cleaning methods such as soda blasting which offers deodorization qualities and helps restore charred surfaces without causing further damages.

Remove Smoke Odors
Odor control after a fire is a crucial part of the restoration process, odor-causing particles are microscopic SERVPRO has advanced equipment to eliminate the microscopic odor-causing particles and reverse your commercial property damage concerns.

Guarding Against Mold
Water is a big help when putting out fires, however it can have a lasting negative impact on the structural elements and contents of your building. Our SERVPRO IICRC certified water or mold remediation specialists work to extract the remaining water quickly and can take proactive actions against mold growth if necessary.

A big or small commercial property fire disaster can cause an abundant amount of smoke, soot and fire damage. Any size fire can have big consequences, your commercial property will likely have a variety of hurdles to overcome and will have multi-faceted impact on your business. The effects of a property disaster can range from loss of revenue, inventory, customers and/or employees to irreversible structural and financial damages. After a property disaster strikes, we recommend calling an expert in property restoration. Here at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn we can get to work fixing your commercial fire property damage immediately. Our SERVPRO team is here to help with fast and effective disaster restoration and cleanup services, we provide a full-range of disaster restoration services including: emergency response, water damage extraction and repair, water removal, flood restoration, fire damage restoration, soot and smoke damage services, storm damage repairs, wind damage restoration, industrial dehumidification, structural cleaning and decontamination, mold remediation, environmental services such as hazardous waste removal, lead removal and asbestos removal, duct cleaning services, vital document and paper recovery, machinery and equipment restoration, semiconductor services, reconstruction, consulting and more. Visit our website for more information on how our team can help you recover after a property fire disaster. 

Restoring your commercial property is our business, and we are always ready to help get local businesses back up and running, “Like it never even happened.”

Our SERVPRO team has the knowledge and experience to mitigate unique commercial property damage

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to property recovery, our team will provide comprehensive solutions.

Commercial Property Disasters require a unique cleanup, restoration, and repair services, SERVPRO takes pride in delivering exceptional recovery solutions. 

Brooklyn and Queens are crammed with commercial properties, ranging from busy airports, local shopping centers, medical facilities, and small businesses, we have successfully completed cleanup and restoration services for residential and commercial clients near you. Our restoration specialists worked cohesively to mitigate the water and fire damages and restore the kitchen and dining areas for customers and employees as soon as possible. The multiple certifications in specialties like Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) held by our crew members allows us to move from task to task without delay. 

Professional Disaster Restoration for commercial facilities during any size property damage event

SERVPRO offers Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique commercial property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have vast experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

• Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances, equipment, furnishings, and inventory as possible.
• They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.
• Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.
• Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together any structural, interior, and exterior damages sustained during the initial disaster or as a result of the restoration and cleanup efforts. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

The full-service approach is why SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn delivers on our promise for fast and professional cleanup and restoration. After a local warehouse experienced ongoing high-humidity, mold became a major problem for the facility, affecting structural components and inventory. Our SERVPRO mold remediation specialists fixed the issue, providing microbial remediation, water damage mitigation and investigation, applied structural drying, commercial cleaning, and deodorizing services to get the job done right.

Whatever the season we have answers to your property damage restoration

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO knows each season has its own set of commercial property disasters, and our staff is always ready to support your facility.

Whatever season, the risk for property damage is there, whether it’s freezing temperatures in winter or severe storms and flooding during spring and summer. Our SERVPRO team knows each season has its own set of commercial property disasters, and our staff is always ready to support your facility with complete property damage restoration and construction needs. 

Big or small, the negative effects commercial property damage can have on your local business are multi-faceted from loss of revenue, inventory, customers and/or employees to irreversible structural and financial damages. After a property disaster strikes, calling a local trusted property restoration company near you is the most effective way to recover. Here at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn our IICRC certified technicians start working to repair and restore your commercial property right away. SERVPRO is here to help Brooklyn communities with fast and effective property disaster restoration and cleanup services, we provide a full-range of disaster commercial restoration services including: emergency response, water damage repair, water removal, flood restoration, fire damage restoration, soot and smoke damage services, storm damage repairs, wind damage restoration, industrial dehumidification, structural cleaning and decontamination, mold remediation, environmental services such as hazardous waste removal, lead removal and asbestos removal, duct cleaning services, vital document and paper recovery, machinery and equipment restoration, semiconductor services, reconstruction, consulting and more. Restoring your commercial property is our business, and we are always prepared to get local businesses back up and running, “Like it never even happened.”

Our team provides professional and prompt EMERGENCY RESTORATION SERVICES for all Brooklyn commercial businesses and homeowners. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn’s Construction services gives our location a unique opportunity to streamline the entire property restoration and recovery process, while mitigating challenges and providing quick and seamless professional service from start to finish.

• EMERGENCY Water Property Damage Restoration
• EMERGENCY Fire Damage Property Cleanup & Restoration
• EMERGENCY Flood and Storm Property Damage Restoration
• EMERGENCY Property Construction and Structural Mitigation 

Our Commercial Fire and Water Damage Restoration Process

Fire and water damage can leave your Brooklyn restaurant or commercial property unsafe for potential customers. Our experienced SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn restoration specialists are trained to clean and restore your property with as little disruption as possible.

• Emergency Contact
• Inspection and Fire & Water Damage Assessment
• Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)
• Water Removal and Drying
• Smoke and Soot Remediation
• Cleaning and Repairs
• Restoration & Rebuild

Fire or water damage to your business is frustrating and needs to be dealt with by trained professionals to ensure further damage does not continue to impact your commercial property down the road. The SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team has decades of experience and training to overcome the unique challenges that can come with commercial property disasters including keeping your business running while cleaning and restoration is being performed. Our IICRC certified restoration specialists work quickly and efficiently to minimize or eliminate downtime with fast mitigation, content management and professional containment services for a fast recovery.

Our SERVPRO team is the right choice for property disaster restoration service across Brooklyn

9/22/2021 (Permalink)

When your Brooklyn home or commercial building faces damages from a property disaster, working with a full-service disaster restoration and cleanup company can give you the advantage you need to save money and time during the property recovery process. Our SERVPRO location offers a unique opportunity to work with a local trusted restoration and recovery team, that includes IICRC certified property damage technicians and licensed contractors with disaster restoration rebuilding experience. Giving you a complete property disaster restoration and rebuild option for cleanup and repairs.

Choosing a disaster restoration and recovery company after your property suffers a property damage is an important step. Choosing an experienced and professionally trained and accountable Brooklyn based SERVPRO team as your property restoration partner is the key to a successful outcome. We recommend you choose us because we deliver:

• Swift response times and round the clock availability – we are available 24 hours a day.
• Well-trained staff – we put all our technicians through rigorous training.
• Advanced technology – we use state of the art equipment to mitigate damages.

Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have vast experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

OUR Training - SERVPRO’s team of highly trained employees never stop preparing. Our team members have been thoroughly trained for fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation. Our skilled SERVPRO technicians have ongoing training extending far beyond their initial IICRC training, with continued education programs and e-learning seminars and courses our technicians cultivate skills to make them more efficient with mitigation, remediation, and ALL other advanced restoration techniques. We pride ourselves on providing industry-leading equipment and training to our teams to make your property damage cleanup and restoration process quick and effective.

OUR Equipment - Our teams use high-quality products and advanced technology equipment to provide you with the most effective cleanup and restoration results. SERVPRO equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the amount of damage sustained to your property and possessions following a fire, smoke, or water loss. Our state-of-the-art equipment including, portable water extraction units, air scrubbers, high powered air movers, industrial-strength dehumidification equipment, and thermal imaging cameras all have crucial roles in the mitigation, cleanup, and restoration process. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn technicians are specially trained to use these tools and equipment to diagnose what areas of your property sustained damage and give them a distinct advantage to determine the most effective and efficient way to cleanup and restore your property damage.

SERVPRO professional restoration and construction managers and crews work together to give your water damage, fire damage or mold remediation project a seamless timesaving and often cost-effective transition, making your property truly, “Like it never even happened.”

An initial inspection is critical for SERVPRO professionals to effectively resolve unique water damage concerns in each property disaster restoration

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

Our crews are available for professional property damage restoration each day, our team has been helping property owners recover from disasters for nearly 30 years. Whether you’re facing a storm, flood, weakened roof, HVAC leak, kitchen fire, electrical fire or appliance malfunction, property problems are distressing and threaten your property’s safety and value. Finding the initial cause of the damage and addressing the issue is half the battle, the other half is mitigating the damages. The extent of the damages can be misleading when looking at the outside surface but often additional concerns can reach deeper into the materials and structure of your property. Due to the varied nature of property damage, the cost can range from high to low.  Here’s a look into factors that will affect the price of a property damage mitigation and restoration.

What to Expect During Property Restoration Services

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your property damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Emergency Contact: After a property disaster or emergency at your Brooklyn home or business, your call to us will connect you to one of our trained SERVPRO restoration professionals to take some basic information to provide to our project managers and technicians.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

•   Your name, address and contact information
•   Your insurance information (if applicable)
•   When did the flooding or water damage occur?
•   What caused the water damage (if known)?

Inspection and Damage Assessment including Estimate:

One of our trained professionals will come and assess your property damage. What type of water loss was it? How much of the property is affected? These answers are critical to addressing the unique solution for your restoration needs.

These key factors can determine the amount of mitigation, restoration and rebuild needed to recover your property following a disaster:

• The type of water affecting the property. Clean water from a burst plumbing pipe poses less risk than “black water” from the sewer or debris-laden floodwaters. The type of water that has damaged your property makes a big difference in what it will take to appropriately treat the damage.
   
• The types of materials involved. The type of soot and smoke damage a property sustains is dependent on unique factors for each fire. Porous materials will swell, warp, and disintegrate when it’s wet. The makeup of damaged structures and property strongly affect the approach and costs for cleanup and restoration.
   
• How deeply the structure is affected. The size of the affected area and how deeply the damage penetrated subsurfaces can determine the timeline and cost of your disaster recovery. Water and fire can cause many “hidden” losses, and a professional will carefully identify and evaluate the potential for deeper, unseen damages.
   
• How long the property has been damaged. Mitigation efforts are most effective when they happen immediately after the damage happens. If a property has been standing in water for a long time or wasn’t appropriately treated when the water was removed, the damage may have worsened significantly. The growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria also becomes an increasingly major concern the longer a property stays wet. 

Property Emergencies Happen Everyday

Acting fast after property damage could mean the difference between restoring your home or business quickly or needing extensive and expensive reconstruction. Knowing the proper steps to take and which company to turn to after experiencing fire damage to your Brooklyn property can play a significant role in your restoration effort. Choosing SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides an experienced project manager and crew with extensive training and advanced technology to implement a cleanup, mitigation and recovery plan unique to your fire damage concerns. Our SERVPRO team never stops being READY to handle your Brooklyn fire, water or mold property disaster, we have the best staff, with the best resources standing ready to answer your call quickly and restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO provides fast, critical actions during Emergency Fire Damage Cleaning and Restoration for Brooklyn homes and businesses

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

Large or small fires can bring significant smoke and soot damage throughout your home. We can provide property damage restoration service near you.

Following a fire disaster big or small, your property will likely have sustained several types of damage. The fire damage restoration and cleanup process is multifaceted and complex, SERVPRO teams are certified in fire damage restoration, rest assured that your property is in excellent hands. Some items will be heavily damaged by the fire — exhibiting ashing, charring, melting, or other distortion from the heat. Much of this material is likely not salvageable. The remainder may be slightly scorched, covered in soot, and have a strong fire odor. Often during a fire restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated areas. SERVPRO has a long history in the restoration industry and we focus on salvaging and restoring your contents and structure. SERVPRO provides exceptional fire, smoke and soot damage restoration services and experience, balanced with efficiency and cost-effective techniques in response to your property damage disaster.

Early Mitigation Steps for Fire Damage

As every fire loss is unique, the type of emergency service activities offered by SERVPRO can vary significantly but might include some of the following:

• Conducting building inspection: To assess any safety or health hazard after the fire and smoke damage.
• Board up the structure: In certain situations, boarding up your Brooklyn residence can be essential.
• Dry the structure: Drying the water used during the fire extinguishment fire is critical. We use various equipment to remove standing water and monitor humidity and moisture content to prevent secondary water damages.
• Establish emergency electricity: SERVPRO technicians might have to arrange for a temporary power source during the fire restoration process as electricity is needed for heat and light.
• Initial cleaning: Before the restoration begins, pre-cleaning carpets and furniture can prevent continual damages.

SERVPRO professionals have all the tools, equipment, and experience necessary to manage your entire Brooklyn or Queens property restoration from beginning to end. Our team works tirelessly to produce quality results from quick and effective mitigation, to putting the finishing touches on any repairs and reconstruction needed to complete the job.  

• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• Water Damage Restoration Technician

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn services local Brooklyn Neighborhoods providing full-service property restoration solutions including water extraction, property drying, air filtration and containment, debris removal, content documentation, soot and smoke mitigation, restoration and reconstruction services. Our SERVPRO team has 24/7 Emergency service help to support our disaster restoration customers day or night.

SERVPRO provides scalable cleaning and sanitizing services for local Brooklyn and Queens homes and businesses

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Our staff is capable of cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms, kitchens and other common areas with the discretion and effectiveness.

SERVPRO professionals have specialized equipment and training to provide the highest level of commercial cleaning and sanitizing to maintain your commercial property.

While the pandemic continues to evolve, it’s as important as ever to take precautions with your commercial property to promote safety. Our team is available to provide commercial cleaning and bioremediation services a SERVPRO near you. As businesses continue to accelerate their cleaning and sanitizing procedures, it’s an excellent time to take advantage of the experience and tools our professionals can provide. When your commercial or residential property needs a deep cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing, calling SERVPRO of Southeast Brooklyn to provide a fast and professional response is the only solution. Cleanliness is how to best be proactive, and we are here to help. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your school or university, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform daily.

Reminding People of Best Practices in Hygiene:

• Inform customers/visitors on how to protect themselves.
• Promote best practices with hygiene like handwashing.
• Cleaning & disinfecting regularly.
• Increasing airflow and ventilation.

When it comes to preventing the spread of this virus, it is up to us as a community to do the best we can to remain informed and act with thoughtful consideration. Our crews are up to the recent challenges impacting our community using specialized training and equipment, our 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 our cleanup process, and disposal of waste. Carpets and fabric and upholstery can be sanitized using our hospital-grade disinfectant.

Timely Response with Minimal Disruption 

Our crews can schedule work around your business hours to reduce the impact to your daily operations. Trust the SERVPRO team to be aware of and capable of meeting the sanitation standards required during this challenging atmosphere. We are trained in the appropriate use of EPA-registered disinfectants and committed to a close working relationship with your facility housekeeping staff. Our staff is capable of cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms, kitchens and other common areas with the discretion and effectiveness your commercial facility requires.

SERVPRO is here to help develop a professional disinfecting plan for your property to promote confidence in the safety of your local business.

SERVPRO professionals will cleanup and restore your NYC property after seasonal water damage

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage (including damage from freezing) is one of the most common and most costly types of homeowners insurance claims. Every year, about one in 50 homeowners will file a water damage or freezing claim, accounting for almost 24% of all homeowner’s insurance claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Winter can be hazardous to your property’s intricate network of plumbing and supply lines, freezing temperatures could lead to both major headaches and expensive repair bills. Other water problems, like a heavy storm, a deep freeze, flooding, and exterior leaks can penetrate from outside having a negative effect on your property’s structure, insulation, and interiors.

At SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn we take pride in our ability to reverse the damage done by water, including damages caused by hidden problems. After 48 hours of exposure to water, there is a risk of mold growth in wet materials. Our Brooklyn Property Restoration team of technicians put years of training, experience, and specialized equipment to work for you, ensuring the removal of all remaining moisture and a fast, effective drying process that you can count on. Our restoration specialists utilize infrared technology and thermal imagery to assess the full extent of the damage that your property has suffered. Using advanced technology can show our technicians areas where water might still exist based on a temperature difference. This process can ensure that the damage has not reached other areas of the building and confirm the completion of the restoration process.

SERVPRO 24 Hour Emergency Restoration Service Calls to the Long Island area

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides 24-hour Emergency Services to local communities across Brooklyn and Queens suffering from fire, smoke, sewage and water damage and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. Our service pros respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment

SERVPRO responds quickly to your water damage emergency with skilled technicians to your home or business whenever necessary. Our SERVPRO team’s primary goal is to mitigate additional damages with preventative procedures and neutralize and recover sustained damages using expert skill, experience, and equipment. When you need property disaster help give us a call.

Construction services for Brooklyn and Queens following a property disaster

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

Once the emergency mitigation services have been performed, our SERVPRO Property Restoration Project Manager will coordinate with our SERVPRO Construction and Rebuild team, your insurance company and adjuster to plan the next steps. Our complete disaster restoration services provide all the necessary steps in the cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild process from start to finish. Our crews and managers work closely with you to restore your property to pre loss condition. Our goal is to leave you with the home and/or business you had before any damages occurred, as well as minimize any stress or strain associated with handling a restoration and construction project on your own. We have rebuilt and reconstructed countless walls, floors, kitchens, bathrooms, structures and more. Whether your property suffers a small flood or fire and requires minor remediation services, or is large and requires complete reconstruction of walls, support beams, floors and subfloors, our experienced restoration professionals are here to help. Not only can we remove ceilings, walls and floors affected by property disasters, but we can also replace them. We provide all necessary reconstruction services and work seamlessly with highly vetted vendors for plumbing, roofing, electrical or other related services.

Types of Construction Services available by SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

From simple repairs and remodeling to total reconstruction or improvement projects, our construction and remediation crews have the resources and knowledge to offer these services:

•   Site Containment / Temporary Shoring
•   Selective Demolition
•   Full-Scale Carpentry
•   Reconstruction
•   Complete Exterior/Envelope
•   Interior Build-Out and Finishes
•   Complex Installation and Interior Finishes
•   Historic Restoration

Our SERVPRO Disaster Restoration and Reconstruction crews are committed to helping home and business owners and managers navigate the aftermath of any property disaster. You are not alone – SERVPRO will guide you step-by-step through the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction process and make your experience as quick and efficient as possible. We have helped countless local property owners in your situation, and are here to help you, too.

When your Brooklyn or Queens home or commercial building faces damages from a property disaster, working with a full-service disaster restoration and cleanup company can give you the advantage you need to save money and time during the property recovery process. Our SERVPRO location offers a unique opportunity to work with a local trusted restoration and recovery team, that includes IICRC certified property damage technicians and licensed contractors with disaster restoration rebuilding experience. Giving you a complete property disaster restoration and rebuild option for cleanup and repairs. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professional restoration and construction managers and crews work together to give your water damage, fire damage or mold remediation project a seamless time saving and often cost-effective transition, making your property truly, “Like it never even happened.”

Backyard Barbeque Safety Tips

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

Simple precautions can help your family enjoy a safe grilling season.

SERVPRO is always here to help, with years of experience and commitment to property damage cleanup and restoration throughout Brooklyn and Queens. Barbeque safety is a key component to avoid seasonal fire damage to your property and injury.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 8,900 home fires involving grills, hibachis, or barbecues every year. Unfortunately, almost all these fires can be prevented. Fortunately, with some simple precautions, your family can enjoy a safe grilling season.

Backyard Grilling Safety Tips to Avoid Fire Damage

Monitor and control the fire - Never leave the grill unattended. Avoid flare ups during cooking by keeping your grill clean, scraping the grates, and cleaning the trays to remove grease and fat buildup each time you use the grill. Keep a spray bottle of water handy incase of a small flare-up.

Position your grill in a safe place - choose a location for your grill that open and well ventilated, at least 10 ft away from structures including your home, deck railing, eaves, and low hanging branches.

Keep the grill out of a high-traffic area - Be sure to warn adults and children alike of a hot grill. The surface of a grill can heat up to dangerously high temperatures – certainly hot enough to cause serious burns. Keep kids and pets at least 3ft away from the grill, even a grill that's turned off and cooling down can cause serious burns.

Have a plan to put out a fire - Have the correct type of fire extinguisher within reach and, if you are using a gas grill, make sure you know where the emergency cut-off is before you start cooking. Keep matches, lighters, and combustible liquids out of reach and sight of children.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property restoration industry; our team is ready to respond to your emergency property fire damage event, quickly and effectively with unparalleled training and equipment. Giving you peace of mind that your property is being cleaned and restored by caring and competent restoration professionals.

Often during a fire restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated areas. Smoke and soot particles are small and can get deep inside building materials, furniture and other porous items. HEPA filters help our industrial strength air scrubbers and vacuums capture soot, purify the air and neutralize odors. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn location is fortunate to offer restoration and rebuilding services following a property disaster from fire, water or mold. Using our highly qualified construction team will help keep your recovery process moving steady and hassle free, often it can also minimize costs and completion time.

Here to help local businesses with property damage cleanup and recovery following a disaster

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

Our property restoration experts are here to help your business recover after a disaster with unique solutions.  

Small businesses are a staple of our local economy, it’s important to keep your doors open whenever possible. That is why our local Brooklyn SERVPRO restoration professionals are available 24/7 to provide property damage cleanup and mitigation to minimize your damages, save you money and reduce downtime.

SERVPRO helps cleanup, restore and repair local Brooklyn or Queens commercial properties and small businesses after fire, water, or mold property damage mishaps.

Fast Action is a critical component to the recovery of your property following any kind of damage. Our SERVPRO professionals know how important time management and efficient procedures are to mitigate your damages quickly and minimize the disruption to your daily operations. Our teams are certified in effective procedures specific to the disaster property damage restoration field including Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) making them well prepared to provide cleanup and restoration services in your area. When disaster strikes a municipal building, it can have a devastating impact on the local community, the public often rely on these facilities for daily needs. Our managers and crews take special care to get these facilities running again quickly while balancing the demand for safety and health concerns. Every precaution is made to ensure the safety of the staff and patrons, while providing quick and effective cleanup and repair services. Our crew can set up containment or providing a pack-out to speed up the recovery process and contain the damage to only a small area. Our Brooklyn and Queens SERVPRO professionals will customize a plan and estimate for a successful property restoration and get you started with the solutions and services needed to fix your commercial property, so your facility can continue servicing our local community as soon as possible.

Water Damage

There can be many reasons for your commercial property water damage, whatever the cause brings the same inconvenience to your daily operations. The type and category of water damage affecting your property does have a significant impact on the types of restoration services needed; including proper procedures, costs and length of services required. The key to avoiding additional damages and preserving as much of your structure and possessions as possible is quick and effective mitigation. Waiting to start mitigation and remediation efforts exposes structural components inside your facility to increasingly more severe damage.

Fire Damage

Whatever the cause of your commercial fire, it can leave widespread destruction way beyond the original flames. Fast action is necessary to avoid the spread of damage that smoke and soot can bring. Restoring your Brooklyn facility following a destructive fire requires a variety of restoration techniques, your facility might suffer from water damage and extensive HVAC contamination from migrating smoke and soot exposure. Making an immediate call to our IICRC certified fire cleanup and restoration crew will start the inspection and pre-testing process, looking for the exact scope of property damages and your facility’s specific path to recovery. Fires can leave various types of obvious soot and charring and less visible smoke deposits, and residues that penetrate beyond the surface quickly causing corrosion and permanent damage, our crews work quickly to contain and identify the damaged areas and take steps to reverse the signs of damage.

Construction and Capital Improvements

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is a great choice to recover your full property because we have a team of restoration specialists that work alongside our in-house commercial contractors to strategically navigate the mitigation and reconstruction of your property to minimize costs and disruption. During your property recovery you can make critical decisions to invest in the growth and future of your property with our experienced team.

SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan?

Another unique advantage to using our local SERVPRO franchise is our ability to prepare for disasters, we can help your business develop a unique SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan and Profile (ERP). It is an important step you can take in collaboration with our team to minimize the impact of property damage and get you back to business faster. An experienced member of our staff will visit your site, perform a walk-through evaluation of your commercial property’s strengths and weaknesses. Once familiar with your layout and operations, we provide a personalized plan of action, and recommendations that could help mitigate severe damage to your building’s structure, equipment, and contents if a disaster happens. It can also give our SERVPRO staff an advantage in mitigating and restoring your property quickly and efficiently, providing us with critical details necessary to respond to your commercial property disaster.

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) will help ensure you are “Ready for whatever happens.” In the event of an emergency, the ERP can help minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action in place for your facility. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about your business, including emergency contacts, shut-off valve locations and priority areas.

Our Commercial Fire and Water Damage Restoration Process

Fire and water damage can leave your Brooklyn business, retail store or commercial property unsafe for potential customers. Our experienced restoration specialists are trained to clean and restore your property with as little disruption as possible.

Step1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Fire & Water Damage Assessment

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

Step 6: Cleaning and Repair

Step 7: Restoration & Rebuild

Fire or water damage to your business is frustrating and needs to be dealt with by trained professionals to ensure further damage does not continue to impact your commercial property down the road. For the best chance at a successful property damage recovery, you need access to SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn’s team of qualified professionals who are ready to provide you with the expert restoration services you deserve, our company puts every effort into making damages on your property disappear, “Like it never even happened.”

Quick action response cleanup and mitigation service – addressing your damage with professional help

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Emergency property damage can strike your home or business at any hour of the day or night. When you are dealing with fire, smoke, storm, flood or another type of property disaster, immediate action is crucial.

That’s why SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is here to help our crews are ready to respond to your property emergency 24/7, 365 days a year. YES… at 2AM our highly trained staff and state-of-the-art equipment will respond to your building fire or facility flood. When you make the call, our staff is READY to take immediate action to help preserve as much of your property as possible and help to avoid additional damage and cleanup costs.

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly trained and experienced with all types of property disasters losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local Brooklyn communities every day.

Emergency Response Property Disaster Restoration Services

Property disaster events might be unpredictable, but our SERVPRO response and rapid cleanup and restoration service is reliable.

Disaster restoration and repair for your Brooklyn commercial or residential property is best left to professionals. Our SERVPRO professionals are skills with the complexities of removing water and the water extraction, drying, dehumidifying, disinfecting and removal equipment required to complete your home or commercial building cleanup and repair properly. Our expert team has the experience, certifications, and equipment to complete any size restoration and rebuild project quickly, correctly, and affordably.

• Swift response times and round the clock availability – we are available 24 hours a day.
• Well-trained staff – we put all our technicians through rigorous training.
• Advanced technology – we use state of the art equipment to mitigate damages.

Whether your home or commercial building sustained damages from a storm, flood, fire, or water disaster, you will have trusted and compassionate professionals by your side. We will work with you to survey the extent of the property damage, develop a plan for cleanup, restoration, and reconstruction.

The benefits of planning ahead to mitigate property damage when a disaster strikes

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

With nearly 30 years of disaster restoration experience and a background in facility management, our founders have mentored and assembled a SERVPRO team of exemplary professionals capable of handling any size property disaster; no matter how complex the problem, they have a complete solution for cleanup, restoration, and repairs. Over his lengthy career, many owners and managers have expressed remorse about not being better prepared to manage and execute a plan for during an emergency and the recovery after a property disaster. According to the latest industry research, as many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster. Of the businesses that survive, most of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind.

Whether you manage retail, office, multi-family or industrial properties, every property manager should consider a well thought out emergency plan to be an essential part of their property management duties. In an ideal world you will, of course, never have to use it. However, should you ever find yourself in an emergency, knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize the extent of damage can affect your business. 

A sound emergency management strategy saves time and money

After years of experience in the restoration business, we strongly recommend including these critical points when developing your property management emergency procedures.

1. Be Ready to Respond
2. Maintain All Safety Systems
3. Keep Staff Informed and Involved
4. Have a Trusted Recovery Partner

A solid emergency plan needs to address the aftermath of a property disaster. SERVPRO is a leader in the disaster restoration industry, and we are always here to help. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. 

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile Advantage

Partnering with SERVPRO provides full-service recovery, available 24/7. Our Disaster Restoration Specialists can collaborate with your team to develop an action plan to minimize commercial property damages and get your business open faster. 

• A no-cost assessment of your facility.
• A concise Profile Document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
• Establishes your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
• Identification of the proper contacts for authorizing work to begin.
• Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information.

Our SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile, combines our knowledge and experience dealing with disaster restoration and the valuable details your team can contribute about your facility.

SERVPRO professionals will cleanup and restore your Brooklyn property after seasonal water damage

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

Our team provides professional and prompt emergency restoration services for all local Long Island commercial businesses and homeowners. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn’s building services gives our location a unique opportunity to streamline the entire property restoration and recovery process, while mitigating challenges and providing quick and seamless professional service from start to finish.

It’s critical to take quick action and call our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team to begin taking steps to stop the damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solution to restore and repair your property and contents to help minimize additional damages.

OUR BROOKLYN AND QUEENS STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

• Water Extraction
• Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
• Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
• Mold and Mildew Remediation
• Reconstruction and Repairs 

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Storm Team has the experience and resources to handle your winter weather property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after the storm and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help when you need us! 

Our SERVPRO team has the knowledge and experience to mitigate unique commercial property damage losses

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial Property Disasters require a unique cleanup, restoration and repair services, SERVPRO takes pride in delivering exceptional recovery solutions. 

Brooklyn and Queens is crammed with commercial properties, ranging from busy airports, local shopping centers, medical facilities and small businesses, we have successfully completed cleanup and restoration services for residential and commercial clients near you. Our restoration specialists worked cohesively to mitigate the water and fire damages and restore the kitchen and dining areas for customers and employees as soon as possible. The multiple certifications in specialties like Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) held by our crew members allows us to move from task to task without delay. 

Professional Disaster Restoration for commercial facilities during any size property damage event

SERVPRO offers Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique commercial property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have vast experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

• Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances and equipment, furnishings and inventory as possible.
• They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.
• Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.
• Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together any structural, interior and exterior damages sustained during the initial disaster or as a result of restoration and cleanup. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

The full-service approach is why SERVPRO delivers on our promise for fast and professional cleanup and restoration. After a local warehouse experienced ongoing high-humidity, mold became a major problem for the facility, affecting structural components and inventory. Our SERVPRO mold remediation specialists fixed the issue, providing microbial remediation, water damage mitigation and investigation, applied structural drying, commercial cleaning and deodorizing services to get the job done right.

Property owners dealing with disasters should consider SERVPRO’s Advantages during unique property restoration projects

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

Choosing a disaster restoration and recovery company after your Brooklyn or Queens property suffers a property damage is an important step. Choosing an experienced and professionally trained and accountable team as your property restoration partner is the key to a successful outcome. We recommend you choose us because we deliver: 

• Swift response times and round the clock availability – we are available 24 hours a day.
• Well-trained staff – we put all our technicians through rigorous training.
• Advanced technology – we use state of the art equipment to mitigate damages.
• Focus on results – our main aim is to leave your home "Like it never even happened."

How Do SERVPRO Tools and Training Accelerate the Restoration Process?

Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-accredited technicians at SERVPRO are not only trained to adhere to restoration industry guidelines. They also receive extensive training and education in using both sophisticated technologies and tried-and-true techniques for home disaster mitigation. These tools include the following:

• Sophisticated moisture measurement technologies, such as calibrated sensors and meters, and thermal imaging, help establish structural drying goals and determine water damage locations behind walls, above ceilings, and under floors.
• Industrial-grade air movement equipment, including centrifugal air movers and ventilation box fans, which
• OSHA approved cleaning solutions that aid in the remediation of microbes and unpleasant odors from water damage.
• Odor control modalities that address a variety of sources, including pet odors, water damage, and mold.
• Moisture extraction tools, like extraction wands and truck-mounted units, make the structural drying process hundreds of times more efficient.

Since saving time is critical, our technicians respond within a short time and identify areas with high moisture levels. Our technicians can help you avoid incurring costly damages in your property.

SERVPRO is your partner after a property fire disaster, providing complete restoration and rebuild services

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

Why Choosing a Professional Disaster Restoration Company, like SERVPRO is Important?

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn offers Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique Brooklyn commercial property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have vast experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

• Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances and equipment, furnishings and inventory as possible.
  
  
• They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation, and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.
  
  
• Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.
  
  
• Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together any structural, interior and exterior damages sustained during the initial disaster or as a result of restoration and cleanup. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

If your property is in need of fire damage repair, find an experienced and certified fire damage restoration service near you.

Hiring a trusted leader in fire and water damage restoration ensures that your home repairs will be properly handled after fire damage. It‘s essential to find a reliable and experienced fire restoration expert who is able to offer a range of services. This includes everything from smoke damage restoration to soot damage repair to water restoration and removal.

When looking for fire restoration and repair experts, look for the following qualities:

• IICRC-certified—the restoration industry standard
• Able to offer emergency service and arrive on short notice
• Experience in restoring and repairing your type of property, whether it’s a multi-story home or office building

Coastal weather and seawater flood damage restoration - contaminated water requires professional disaster recovery services

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

Ready to Respond with Disaster Flood and Storm Property Damage Restoration Services to Brooklyn or Queens Neighborhoods everyday

One of the first things to do when faced with water damage is determine what kind of contamination you’re dealing with. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), agricultural pollution, oil pollution, sewage and wastewater, radioactive substances, harmful chemicals, and various other materials can contaminate water. It can sometimes be difficult to determine the type and extent of water damage affecting your home or business. That's why it's best to call a local property disaster restoration company like SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to fill in the blanks. Our Professional staff will come and inspect your damage and customize a disaster restoration plan for your specific needs, including; extraction, cleanup, mitigation, and restoration solutions to get your property damage reversed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Three types of water damage – our SERVPRO restoration professionals can decide what to do next

Category 1: Clean water originates from a sanitary source such as a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean and poses no substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. However, it may not always remain clean after it meets other surfaces or materials.

Category 2: Gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. It may contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological).

Category 3: Black water is highly contaminated and filled with pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Such water sources may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances. Sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster typically causes black water; trained professionals should always handle black water.

Different types of contaminated water pose different risks, but the longer the water stays in a home, the more severe the property damage it will cause and the greater the threat to your health. Also called black water, Category 3 water is water from sewage backups and overflowing rivers that contains various hazardous contaminants, sewage, and/or toxic debris. According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IIRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all water originating from seawater, ground or surface water, rising rivers and streams, and wind-driven rain from hurricanes and tropical storms is considered Category 3.

When Spring and Summer storms are coming to Brooklyn and Queens it’s important to be prepared, our SERVPRO teams are ready and always prepared to handle any size property disaster. Calling SERVPRO after you experience flood or water damage from coastal flooding, severe thunderstorms or basement flooding, can be the difference from a quick cleanup and mitigation or costly restoration, construction and mold remediation services.

SERVPRO is here to help develop a professional disinfecting plan for your property to promote confidence in the safety of your local business

2/24/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help during the COVID-19 National crisis providing a variety of comprehensive and flexible disinfection and decontamination solutions to local commercial buildings and businesses. 

Our team has been busy working with local businesses and commercial facilities to help develop a multi-level disinfection plan for routine and emergency responses to the COVID-19 crisis impacting our community. Our new Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program proves your commitment to a clean and safe environment that your staff and patrons can rely on. 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – Program 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program that SERVPRO offers to commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 global pandemic. This is a level of clean that goes far beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. This is proactive viral pathogen cleaning. When you choose 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. 

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. Expertise borne out of cleaning up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects the unique experiences and capabilities of America’s #1 clean-up and restoration brand. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

Consult

Not all businesses are the same, which is why we will assign you with a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a bespoke cleaning program to meet your specific needs. SERVPRO has worked in a wide variety of industries with businesses ranging from start-ups to global, multinational organizations. That’s why we know to begin such a critical cleaning process with a consultation. 

Your specific program will be developed based on a range of factors including business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touch points, foot traffic and congestion points. As a result, you’ll know that Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is not just an industry leading standard in clean, you’ll know that the clean you receive is customized to your need. 

Clean

Based on the specific needs of your business, your location will undergo a thorough, expert deep clean rooted in the pillars of People, Process, and Product. Combining our proprietary training, cleaning solutions and processes creates an industry leading solution that will help provide your business, employees, and customers the peace of mind that you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Certify

We’re going to extend our credibility as a premier biohazard cleaning company in the country to your business – to give assurance to your employees and customers that only SERVPRO can deliver. Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to on propriety 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.

The demand for disinfecting services continues to increase across the country as America reopens and organizations put the health and safety of people first. SERVPRO teams are in a unique position to provide the highest level of clean and confidence during this crisis. SERVPRO teams have advanced training and superior technology to handle the planning and implementation of both proactive and reactive services to minimize the spread of pathogens.

SERVPRO provides complete cleanup, restoration and rebuild services after fire damage to your property

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

Call our certified professionals 24/7 to restore your home after a fire. We have the necessary equipment and training to make restore your home

Developing a Plan to Rebuild and Restore your home after a fire

Whether it is a small fire in the kitchen or something more significant, most homeowners and families can feel overwhelmed. Some disasters that affect your Brooklyn or Queens home offer little hope of a fast restoration and recovery. Instead, large fire situations can pose a great risk to homeowners and the occupants of the household until substantial work occurs to the property to return it to a safe and secure preloss condition. Calling our local SERVPRO team puts you in contact with our highly trained and experienced staff to answer your questions about the fire disaster restoration and recovery process… should your family move out until repairs are made, how can the odor from the smoke ever be removed?  When a fire causes widespread structural damage and other secondary concerns throughout the property. You need a team with the experience and the skill sets to restore and rebuild all the damage to your house, not only a portion of it. Our team has lots of experience with fire damage situations and can provide suggestions and helpful information regarding what to do in these situations. Most importantly, we will develop a complete restoration plan in conjunction with your insurance provider that will cleanup, restore and rebuild your home and property “Like it never even happened.” We respond quickly and our emergency teams are available every day, 24 hours a day.

Planning your property cleanup and recovery from fire damages

Every property disaster is unique, our experts will assess your specific situation, the amount of damage, and if there are any safety concerns for you, your family, and our team members. Before professionals can get the fire restoration process started, our team will determine the extent of damage by using some of the following methods:

• Testing for soot or smoke damage
• Documenting the destruction
• Determining which assets are salvageable

Our SERVPRO manager and crew chief will formulate a plan based on the amount of damage to your property from your fire disaster to restore your home to its original condition. Our team will explain the plan, the timeline, and the overall cost. Once a plan is in place, homeowners can focus on their personal recovery and trust our experts in fire damage recovery to work on their behalf to expedite the phases of the mitigation, restoration, and rebuilding process. Our SERVPRO rapid response team offers real-time mitigation solutions designed to protect the contents and the structure of your home as much as possible, sometimes areas of your home are too badly damaged to restore. We can use controlled demolition techniques on the fire-damaged structural elements of the property to remove only what cannot be saved. When this happens, our licensed contracting division can help provide comprehensive support to our customers from the initial inspection through entire reconstructions of leveled properties. Along with our mitigation and restoration tactics, our licensed contractors work to efficiently replace the removed materials to minimize our impact on your life in this traumatic time to get you back into your home quickly.

Phases of a complete fire damage property restoration;

    •    Cleanup: After a disaster occurs, licensed technicians focus on restoring your residence to a clean and safe condition.
    •    Restoration: This process can include installing new tile, cleaning your HVAC system, repainting walls, and repairing nearby carpet that may have been affected by the fire.
    •    Rebuilding: If the structural damage in your home from the fire requires more work to restore, SERVPRO contractors can repair subflooring, install new wall joists, hang the drywall and much, much more.

Our team is available 24/7 to offer our comprehensive solutions including emergency mitigation, restoration, and reconstruction for customers affected by fires. You can depend on our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn IICRC-certified technicians to arrive quickly to protect your property as much as possible. 

Winter weather is unpredictable, but you can count on SERVPRO to have reliable solutions to all your big and small winter property damage disasters.

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

Freezing temperatures can be incredibly dangerous to your home or business, frozen water, snow, and ice can cause significant property damage.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn property restoration specialists are available to clean up and reverse damages caused by winter. Frozen pipes, flooding and roof leaks from ice and snow are all concerns for Brooklyn and Queens property owners and tenants, our certified and reliable team is ready to restore your home or business whenever winter property damage strikes. 

Winter weather and freezing temperatures can be incredibly dangerous to your home or business, as frozen water, snow, and ice can all lead to significant property damage disasters. On average each year a quarter of a million homeowners will experience the destructive power of frozen water problems including, frozen pipe bursts, ice dams and other leaking water damage occurrences. A frozen pipe alone can result in gallons of water spilling over your floors, leaking, or pouring through ceilings and walls, and ruining furniture and other valuable possessions. SERVPRO professionals specialize in the cleanup and restoration of Brooklyn and Queens residential or commercial property after a frozen water property damage emergency. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn staff is highly trained and experienced in the cleanup and restoration of your frozen water property damage from frigid Northeast temperatures. Our team can respond quickly and help you assess your damage and find a restoration solution that you can trust.

Common causes of winter property damage in Brooklyn and Queens

ICE DAMS

Ice dams occur after a snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures, common weather conditions in the Northeast during winter. Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and warms the underside of the roof causing snow and ice to melt. The melted water refreezes on the cold overhang and can form icicles and an ice dam on the roof and gutters. This process can cause damage to the roof which can cause water to leak into the home causing water damage to the ceiling, walls, insulation, and other areas.

LEAKING BASEMENTS AND FOUNDATIONS

Water damage and flooding to lower-level apartments is a common occurrence for many properties in Brooklyn and Queens. The impact of heavy snow, ice and rain on saturated soil often leads to water leaks, flooding and other types of basement and foundation water damage. Water damage can lead to significant structural damage, destroy furnishings and other belongings, and commonly lead to elevated mold and humidity issues.

FROZEN WATER PIPES

When Northeast temperatures drop to at or below freezing, the water flowing in your plumbing has the potential to freeze. Water expands when it freezes, the expansion of the frozen water can cause a rupture, causing catastrophic flood damage. It is important to note that the break often occurs between the frozen point and the faucet, as the ice blocks the pipe, and the water pressure increases leading to stress on the pipe. Pipes that run through the exterior walls are particularly at risk, but those that run through low- or uninsulated attics and crawl spaces can also freeze.

Although, these frozen water damage situations are very common, sometimes the damage could have largely been prevented by taking a few preventative steps ahead of time. These are a few tips you can take to try and avoid turning the coming frigid days and nights into inconvenient and expensive property disasters.

HELP PREVENT FROZEN WATER ISSUES IN YOUR HOME

• Exposed pipes are the most susceptible to freezing, so insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic.
• Seal air leaks in your attic, basement, and exterior walls, look for air leaks around electrical wiring, vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
• To avoid ice dams, add roof and soffit vents to regulate the air temperature close to the underside of the roof.
• Sump pumps and sub-floor drainage systems are typically used to avoid the continued damage associated with basements and other foundation issues.

Property water damage is common, our team has decades of local property restoration experience.

New York weather can be unpredictable even when winter temperatures are not extremely cold; property water damages happen to home and business owners often. When water begins spreading across floors or filling basements, it is usually from a failed water heater shut-off valve or a split line on a washing machine. Many factors contribute to the length and cost of your property damage cleanup and restoration project, including the amount and type of water involved, length of time before service and the total area impacted. Our qualified and experienced staff can help answer your disaster restoration questions and provide a step-by-step plan for a full recovery of your flooded commercial or residential property. Our crews explain the process of water extraction, drying and restoration. Our Brooklyn SERVPRO team has a unique rebuild option with our dedicated construction crew, to seamlessly move from restoration to reconstruction, helping you recover more quickly. Our specialized equipment and highly trained staff have the scope of services to handle your property restoration needs from start to finish. We understand you may not have all the answers, calling our team connects you to professionals that can provide the answers to your restoration concerns and tailor a solution to repair your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Water is one of the biggest threats to your property and personal belongings, SERVPRO responds quickly to minimize water damage loss.

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

Brooklyn team of technicians put years of training, experience, and specialized equipment to work for you reversing damage and restoring your property

Water damage (including damage from freezing) is one of the most common and most costly types of homeowners insurance claims. Every year, about one in 50 homeowners will file a water damage or freezing claim, accounting for almost 24% of all homeowners insurance claims, according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Winter can be hazardous to your property’s intricate network of plumbing and supply lines, freezing temperatures could lead to both major headaches and expensive repair bills. Other water problems, like a heavy storm, a deep freeze, flooding and exterior leaks can penetrate from outside having a negative effect on your property’s structure, insulation and interiors.

At SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn we take pride in our ability to reverse the damage done by water, including damages caused by hidden problems. After 48 hours of exposure to water, there is a risk of mold growth in wet materials. Our Brooklyn team of technicians put years of training, experience, and specialized equipment to work for you, ensuring the removal of all remaining moisture and a fast, effective drying process that you can count on. Our restoration specialists utilize infrared technology and thermal imagery to assess the full extent of the damage that your property has suffered. Using advanced technology can show our technicians areas where water might still exist based on a temperature difference. This process can ensure that the damage has not reached other areas of the building and confirm the completion of the restoration process.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn responds quickly to your water damage emergency with skilled technicians to your home or business whenever necessary. Our SERVPRO team’s primary goal is to mitigate additional damages with preventative procedures and neutralize and recover sustained damages using expert skill, experience, and equipment. When you need property disaster help give us a call.

Common causes of home or business water damage:

• Plumbing Problems: freezing pipes is a common problem that can lead to water damage. But it is not just a burst pipe that can create a leak in your plumbing. Pipes can corrode or connections to fixtures can become worn, causing major plumbing problems and water leaks.
  
  Prevention tips: When it comes to avoiding costly damage from plumbing problems keeping your pipes warm and avoiding clogs are the best things you can do. Even small leaks can cause plenty of harm to your home or business, any unexplained changes in your water bill can also be a sign you could have a hidden water damage problem.
  
  
  
• Ice Dams: When ice forms at the edge of your roof creating an ice dam, water can get trapped on your roof. This can cause leaks into your walls, around window or door jams and through the roof.
  
  Prevention tips: Proper ventilation, drainage and insulation are the only ways to prevent ice dams from causing major damage to your property. Inspect your attic and roof for proper ventilation, look for signs of rust or mold, make sure your vents are not blocked with debris or insulation. Look for air leaks and keep your gutters and downspouts working properly, diverting water away from your roof and foundation.
  
  
  
• Appliance Malfunctions: Supply hoses, water heaters and drainage systems are notorious for springing leaks. In a matter of minutes, hundreds of gallons of water can flood your home or commercial property if any of these connections or holding tanks becomes corroded or damaged.
  
  Prevention tips: Check and maintain your appliances and hoses regularly, looking for leaks or signs of wear. Damaged hoses are among the most frequent causes of water loss for homeowners. Replace yours regularly to avoid a big mess and expensive property damage.
  
  
  
• Basement Flooding: Keeping water out of your basement requires effective waterproofing and excess water removal systems in place. If your waterproofing is insufficient, or your sump pump fails, your basement can become flooded.
  
  Prevention tips: When water doesn’t properly drain it can cause water to backup or seep into your foundation and basement. Keep your gutters and downspouts working properly, extend them at least 10 ft. to divert water away from your foundation, drain subsurface water with a sump pump – run it every few months and perform annual maintenance.
  
  
  
• Roof Damage: A leaking roof can quickly cause extensive water damage in your home, dripping down through the ceilings and walls of your structure.
  
  Prevention tips: Doing regular inspections for roof damage is a great way to avoid the costly aftereffects that storms, and weathering can bring. Looking for missing shingles or ponding that could lead to water intrusion. Any place where there are openings or joints in your roof, there is the potential for leaks down the line.

Many of these common water damage issues can be prevented by keeping up with property maintenance. However, not all water infiltration can be stopped. When a pipe bursts or a storm punctures a hole in your roof, you not only need to worry about fixing the leak problem, but you also need SERVPRO’s expert water removal and restoration service to protect your home or business.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals work hard to minimize the disruption property damage causes your life, home and business.

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the right training, equipment, and experience to assess your situation and develop a plan of action to restore your property completely.

SERVPRO has the right training, equipment, and experience to assess your situation and develop a plan of action to restore your property completely.

What to Expect from SERVPRO Professional Water Damage Restoration Service in Brooklyn

Even small leaks can spell trouble for your home or business causing extensive damage if water removal services are not contacted quickly. A leaky skylight, clogged drainpipe, or tub overflow can soak your floors, walls, and cabinets. Our technicians have experience in water removal and cleanup for homes and businesses across Brooklyn they can quickly get to work to make you feel “Like it never even happened.” We can locate the source of the damage and use advanced technology to map the extent of damages. Our crews will reverse your water damage and flooding, first by pumping water from your home with the assistance of wet vacs and pumps. Dehumidifiers and air movers can then be deployed to suck excess moisture from your kitchen cabinets, bathroom flooring, or basement ceiling.

Calling SERVPRO professionals to assist you with the cleanup efforts is also vital. We have competent technicians who can help you get back to your home within a short time. We are available around the clock for emergency calls. Whether working with your insurance company or directly with you, our Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRTs) can assess the destruction to your property, offer an estimate, and handle the restoration process. We can provide your insurance company with images, videos, measurements, and other pertinent information using insurance-industry approved and preferred methods for resolving claims easily.

Call SERVPRO For Comprehensive Water Removal!

Often during water restoration, many recovery operations need to happen simultaneously, some of our crew will work on water extraction and controlled demolition, while others will inventory and pack up items to move to another location to help prevent further property damage from exposure to contaminated water or excess moisture. Moisture and mold particles can penetrate deep inside building materials, furniture, and other porous items. HEPA filters help our industrial strength air scrubbers and dehumidifiers purify the air and neutralize odors and contaminants. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn location is fortunate to offer restoration and rebuilding services following a property disaster from all types of water or mold property concerns. Using our highly qualified construction team will help keep your recovery process moving steady and hassle free, often it can also minimize costs and completion time.

EQUIPMENT IS KEY TO WATER RESTORATION:

Isolate Water Damaged Areas

Depending on the severity of your water or flood damage, our SERVPRO professionals may start with containment to help restrict secondary damages such as excessive humidity and mold from contaminating the air throughout your house and keep the damage contained at the source of the water or flood loss areas.

Water Extraction and Removal Equipment

Extractors are at the center of the water removal services. These machines are used to remove water from carpet, upholstery, and floors following a flood damage incidence. Our crews use either truck mounted or portable extractors depending on the extent and severity of water damage. 

Dehumidification Equipment

Excessive humidity from water damage in your home can have devastating consequences leaving significant structural damage, mold growth and other latent concerns. Dehumidifiers extract water vapor from the air and lower the relative humidity and speed up the evaporation process for faster drying. These machines draw in the moist air and replace it with warmer and drier air.

Air Moving Equipment

Used to accelerate air flow and evaporation of moisture from materials for restorative drying. An air mover—at its core—is a fan. But what separates it from your traditional fan is that it’s high velocity, it’s versatile, and it has precision. This degree of functionality allows us to work quickly and more efficiently as opposed to a generic fan. As the air flows across the surface of moisture, it speeds up the process from which it evaporates and enters the air. It also pushes the newly created water vapor away from the area so more water molecules can dissipate into the air. We then remove the moisture from the air by running a dehumidifier.

When water damage occurs in your home or business, knowing what to do will save precious time and ultimately minimize losses to your property and building contents. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals have extensive experience repairing and restoring catastrophic water damage to countless locals in the Brooklyn community. Our technicians understand that unattended water damage continues to cause harm to your property over time. Making it necessary to make quick, informed decisions, to perform quality restoration services today, that save you from further damaging problems, tomorrow.

High-Quality Commercial Property cleanup helps minimize business interruption and gets you back to business quickly.

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

Our commitment to quality property restoration and recovery after a commercial property disaster caused by fire, flood, water and mold makes selecting our Brooklyn SERVPRO property restoration experts the right choice. Getting your business open and operational quickly after a property disaster is our highest priority. We rely on decades of hands-on experience and proven cleanup and restoration results to helping local business owners dealing with property damage in communities near you; cleanup, repair and restore their commercial property.

Big or small, the negative effects commercial property damage can have on your local business are multi-faceted from loss of revenue, inventory, customers and/or employees to irreversible structural and financial damages. After a property disaster strikes, calling a local trusted property restoration company near you is the most effective way to recover. Here at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn our IICRC certified technicians start working to repair and restore your commercial property right away. SERVPRO is here to help local communities with fast and effective property disaster restoration and cleanup services, we provide a full-range of disaster commercial restoration services including: emergency response, water damage repair, water removal, flood restoration, fire damage restoration, soot and smoke damage services, storm damage repairs, wind damage restoration, industrial dehumidification, structural cleaning and decontamination, mold remediation, environmental services such as hazardous waste removal, lead removal and asbestos removal, duct cleaning services, vital document and paper recovery, machinery and equipment restoration, semiconductor services, reconstruction, consulting and more. Restoring your commercial property is our business, and we are always prepared to get local businesses back up and running, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO is here to help with restoration services for secondary property damages

Are you concerned with other restoration service providers, do you think you still have property damage concerns? Was your office flooded during a rain storm, or your restaurant suffered a grease fire, maybe your commercial property had a sewage backup? Whatever the extent of damage, SERVPRO is a leading provider of property damage cleanup, restoration and repair services for local businesses and commercial facilities around the country. If you are unhappy with your previous property cleanup, or you have signs of secondary damages, give our staff a call, our local staff can answer your questions or setup an inspection to address your concerns. Many business owners rely on our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn franchise every year for a range of services and trust us to handle their property with care. Individuals, corporate clients, and major insurance companies alike deal with us for our speed, reliability, and effectiveness in mitigating property damage and lowering overall claims and recovery costs. Calling our local SERVPRO team gives you the confidence of a disaster specialist who is trained and equipped to handle your “once in a lifetime disaster” with our experience and professionalism.

Brooklyn and it’s surrounding areas are crammed with commercial properties, ranging from busy hospitals, libraries, local shopping centers, community facilities and small businesses, our crews have successfully completed cleanup and restoration services for families and business owners near you. Brooklyn has many great places to eat, after one of the many popular restaurants experienced a kitchen fire, our fire and smoke restoration technicians were called in to cleanup and restore the damages quickly. Our restoration specialists worked cohesively to mitigate the water and fire damages and restore the kitchen and dining areas for customers and employees as soon as possible. Multi-family and apartment buildings in Brooklyn are common, when a local residential complex had an extensive water damage event that destroyed several units our emergency restoration crews were able to get tenants back in their homes quickly and efficiently. The multiple certifications in specialties like Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) held by our team allows us to move from task to task without delay. The full-service approach is why SERVPRO delivers on our promise for fast and professionally cleanup and restoration. After a local warehouse experienced ongoing high-humidity, mold became a major problem for the facility, affecting structural components and inventory. Our SERVPRO mold remediation specialists fixed the issue, providing microbial remediation, water damage mitigation and investigation, applied structural drying, commercial cleaning and deodorizing services to get the job done right.

Why Disaster Restoration Professionals are the right choice?

SERVPRO is the right choice for commercial property damage restoration in the Brooklyn and Queens area, we have decades of hands-on cleanup, restoration and repair experience and our dedication to helping local businesses disrupted by disasters is second to none. We have worked hard over the years building a reliable team of IICRC certified technicians and an arsenal of high-tech commercial grade equipment ready to assist with water, fire, mold, or storm disaster restoration services. Wherever you need restoration specialists, our SERVPRO crews are here to help!

SERVPRO provides scalable disinfection services for Brooklyn and Queens commercial properties and businesses

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

The CDC encourages regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces, it’s an excellent time to schedule a commercial cleaning and disinfection service.

Show staff and customers you’ve chosen the highest level of clean with SERVPRO pathogen disinfecting services. SERVPRO is providing comprehensive and flexible disinfecting solutions to promote confidence in local businesses and commercial facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our new Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program is a flexible routine viral pathogen disinfecting service, designed just for commercial property needs during this national COVID-19 crisis. Our professional disinfecting and deep-cleaning services is at it’s core about a commitment to a clean and disinfected space for the health and hygiene of your staff and customers. Our SERVPRO cleanup and restoration specialists are ready to help with your COVID-19 action plan with professional commercial disinfecting services for a variety of concerns, including flexible routine disinfecting, a tailored emergency response for potential infections and our legacy services in all types of property disasters.

SERVPRO is a trusted source and leader in property damage cleanup and restoration during a disaster. Our expert training and experience with pathogen and biohazard cleanup and disinfecting gives our team an advantage during this new crisis our nation is facing. The Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned initiative offers confidence to your staff and patrons that you have chosen a “higher level” of clean. SERVPRO is ready to partner with your business to provide the support needed to fight back against COVID-19 together.

SERVPRO professionals have specialized equipment and training to provide the highest level of commercial cleaning and sanitizing to maintain your commercial facility.

As businesses accelerate their cleaning and sanitizing procedures, it’s an excellent time to take advantage of the commercial cleaning and bioremediation services a SERVPRO near you can provide. When your commercial or residential property needs a deep cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing, calling SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to provide a fast and professional response is the only solution. The CDC encourages regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, tables at a minimum.

Our crews are up to the recent challenges impacting our community using specialized training and equipment, our 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 our cleanup process, and disposal of waste. Carpets and fabric and upholstery can be sanitized using our hospital-grade disinfectant.

Timely Response with Minimal Disruption

The demand for disinfecting services continues to increase, as our areas infection rates climb, SERVPRO is here to help your establishment focus on the health and safety of people first. Our professional cleaning team is in a unique position to provide the highest level of clean and confidence with advanced training and superior technology together with established protocols developed by a team of experts.

Our crews can schedule work around your business hours to reduce the impact to your daily operations. Trust the SERVPRO team to be aware of and capable of meeting the sanitation standards required during this challenging atmosphere. We are trained in the appropriate use of EPA-registered disinfectants and committed to a close working relationship with your facility housekeeping staff. Our staff is capable of cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms, kitchens and other common areas with the discretion and effectiveness your commercial facility requires.

SERVPRO has advanced strategies for professional residential air duct/HVAC cleaning services for Brooklyn

9/21/2020 (Permalink)

Air duct and HVAC cleaning services can reduce the pollutants circulating throughout your system, improve air flow, energy concerns and air concerns.

Heating Season is around the corner; here are several reasons to schedule a professional residential air duct/HVAC cleaning service this season with SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn. Maintaining clean and healthy air quality in your home or business is essential this fall and winter.

Fall brings longer nights and lower temperatures, for most households that means turning on the heating and ventilation system in your home. The HVAC and air duct system in your home is responsible for circulating heated air and providing proper ventilation keeping your family comfortable throughout the fall and winter. According to the EPA, Americans’ spend about 90% of their time indoors, and the quality of your air is directly related to the amount of debris and contamination in your ducts and ventilation system. As we begin spending more time indoors and closing the doors and windows, it’s most important to focus on the health of the air your family is breathing. Here are some great reasons why fall is an ideal time to schedule an HVAC/air duct cleaning and inspection, to keep your home, family and system healthy and running efficiently. 

• Fall Is Allergy Season
  
  For many, seasonal allergies in the fall are terrible the mixture of dry air and allergens can have a negative impact on many in your family. Air ducts can accumulate allergens such as mold spores, bacteria, pollen, mildew, pet dander, and other contaminants spreading them throughout your indoor environment and compromising your air quality.  Making an appointment for SERVPRO professionals to clean your air ducts and HVAC system can remove these pollutants that have accumulated over the seasons, to keep your family healthy and breathing easier this fall and winter.
• Summer Is Over
  
  Summer storms, pests and vegetation can bring debris inside your HVAC system or high humidity can cause mold growth inside or around your air ducts, vents and fans. Fall is a great time to inspect your air entrances and exists for airflow problems or dust and debris buildup. These factors could contribute to air restriction and possibly compromised air quality. Setting up an appointment for a residential air duct inspection with a highly trained SERVPRO professional is easy, give us a call to schedule an appointment today.
• Lower Energy Costs
  
  Turning on your system in the fall and winter to heat your home, circulates heated air throughout your duct system. When dust, mold, contaminants and other debris accumulates in air ducts, it blocks the incoming/outgoing airflow. A reduction in airflow caused by particle and debris buildup can be directly responsible for increases in energy usage when your system needs more power to continue to force air through a dirty duct system. ENERGY STAR estimates that about 20% of the air that moves through your HVAC system is lost due to leaks and duct issues. When your HVAC unit works harder to move air through dirty ducts, you use more energy and your monthly bill increases. Cleaning your air ducts in the fall will allow larger volumes of clean air to circulate throughout your home, along with several other steps air duct cleaning can help reduce the rising cost of heating your home.

SERVPRO residential air duct and HVAC cleaning services have an additional benefit, of providing a cleaner home for you and your family to enjoy. Home heating and ventilation systems can accumulate dust, mold, pollen and any number of contaminants that can cause air quality problems to develop inside your residence. As the air cycles through your duct work, vents and other parts of your HVAC unit the dust and debris will also, sometimes adding to the weekly buildup of dust and pollutants in your living areas. SERVPRO professionals use advanced equipment and techniques to thoroughly clean your air ducts, removing dust, mold and other contaminants trapped within your air ventilation system and stop them from re-circulating through your living areas. Our crews use heavy-duty vacuums, to eliminate harmful odors, particles and allergens to improve the overall air quality of your home.

SERVPRO professionals are here to help Brooklyn with residential air duct and HVAC cleaning services. Our technicians have a wide variety of services to clean and sanitize any dirty or contaminated indoor air duct systems. SERVPRO residential air duct and HVAC cleaning services can reduce the pollutants circulating throughout your system, improve air flow, energy concerns and create a healthier and cleaner indoor environment overall.

SERVPRO has quick and effective commercial property restoration services to minimize business interruption and get you back to business quickly.

9/21/2020 (Permalink)

Decades of experience and our dedication to helping local Brooklyn businesses disrupted by property damage makes SERVPRO the right choice.

Getting your Brooklyn business open and operational quickly is the SERVPRO way, we rely on decades of hands-on experience and proven results to helping local business owners dealing with property damage in communities near you; cleanup, repair and restore their commercial property. Our commitment to quick and effective property restoration and recovery after a property disaster caused by fire, flood, water and mold makes selecting our Brooklyn SERVPRO restoration experts the right choice.

Big or small, property damage to Brooklyn commercial property can have a multi-faceted impact on your business. The effects of a property disaster can range from loss of revenue, inventory, customers and/or employees to irreversible structural and financial damages. After a property disaster strikes, we recommend calling an expert in property restoration, here at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn we can get to work fixing your commercial property. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is here to help with fast and effective disaster restoration and cleanup services, we provide a full-range of disaster restoration services including: emergency response, water damage repair, water removal, flood restoration, fire damage restoration, soot and smoke damage services, storm damage repairs, wind damage restoration, industrial dehumidification, structural cleaning and decontamination, mold remediation, environmental services such as hazardous waste removal, lead removal and asbestos removal, duct cleaning services, vital document and paper recovery, machinery and equipment restoration, semiconductor services, reconstruction, consulting and more. Restoring your commercial property is our business, and we are always ready to help get local businesses back up and running, “Like it never even happened.”

Has your business already suffered from a disaster? Was your office flooded during a storm, or your restaurant suffered a grease fire, maybe your commercial property had a sewage backup? Whatever the extent of damage, SERVPRO is among the leading providers of property damage cleanup, restoration and repair services for New York and around the country. Thousands of business owners trust and rely on us every year for a range of services and trust us to handle their property with care. Individuals, corporate clients, and major insurance companies alike deal with us for our speed, reliability, and effectiveness in mitigating property damage and lowering overall claims and recovery costs. Calling our local SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team gives you the confidence of a disaster restoration professional who is trained and equipped to handle any “once in a lifetime disaster” with a professional recovery plan.

Brooklyn are crammed with commercial properties, ranging from busy airports, local shopping centers, medical facilities and small businesses, we have successfully completed cleanup and restoration services for residential and commercial clients near you. Our restoration specialists worked cohesively to mitigate the water and fire damages and restore the kitchen and dining areas for customers and employees as soon as possible. The multiple certifications in specialties like Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) held by our crew members allows us to move from task to task without delay. The full-service approach is why SERVPRO delivers on our promise for fast and professionally cleanup and restoration. After a local warehouse experienced ongoing high-humidity, mold became a major problem for the facility, affecting structural components and inventory. Our SERVPRO mold remediation specialists fixed the issue, providing microbial remediation, water damage mitigation and investigation, applied structural drying, commercial cleaning and deodorizing services to get the job done right.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is the right choice for commercial property damage restoration, because of decades of hands-on cleanup, restoration and repair experience and our dedication to helping local Long Island businesses disrupted by disasters. We have worked diligently over these decades building a reliable team of IICRC certified technicians and a collection of commercial grade equipment ready to assist with water, fire, mold, or storm disaster restoration services. Wherever you need help, our SERVPRO crews are here to help!

Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration Solutions for local Brooklyn homes and businesses

8/31/2020 (Permalink)

Our primary goal is to mitigate damages with containment procedures and recover sustained damages using expert skill, experience and equipment.

SERVPRO Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration Professionals Can Handle Any Size Brooklyn Property Disaster

Having a fire in your Brooklyn property can seem devastating, even if you know what to look for after the smoke settles. Many of your cherished possessions can sustain fire and smoke damage and often leave you wondering what comes next. No one should ever face events such as these alone, which is why we train diligently to provide you with the SERVPRO quality restoration services you need to turn things around.

Knowing the proper steps to take and which company to turn to after experiencing fire damage to your Brooklyn property can play a significant role in your restoration effort. While many property owners can feel relief from prior research, SERVPRO is an industry leader in property disaster restoration. Choosing SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides an experienced project manager and crew with extensive training and advanced technology to implement a cleanup, mitigation and recovery plan unique to your fire damage concerns.

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your home it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Services

When you experience fire or smoke damage to your local Brooklyn home or business you might not be sure what steps to take next. Once the fire department has left and you have called SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn, wait for the professionals to arrive, our fire damage remediation specialists will guide you through the fire damage restoration process.

1. Initial Inspection- One of our trained managers will come inspect your property for damages and see how intensely the fire/smoke affected your home and determine with you and/or your adjuster what steps need to be taken next.
2. Structure/Content Clean- Depending on what has been determined in step one, SERVPRO will start the process of cleaning and restoring your home and/or contents, including cleaning walls and ceilings, personal belongings, ducts, etc.

SERVPRO Restoration & Reconstruction Services

Residential or Commercial Fires often causes significant structural damage and often require repairing and rebuilding your property. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn offers comprehensive reconstruction services for both residential and commercial properties our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to meet your reconstruction needs. Our construction team works quickly and effectively, working with you to survey the extent of the damage, develop a plan for reconstruction, and assess whether your property is safe to occupy. Our SERVPRO crews are ready to undertake reconstruction projects of any size, structural repairs and rebuilding may only involve a portion of your property, or in some cases a complete rebuild may be necessary.

When your property has been damaged and it’s in need of repairs or reconstruction services, SERVPRO professionals are available to help.

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Disaster restoration solutions for latent property damage risking the safety of your facility

8/10/2020 (Permalink)

Our crews are here to help during any property disaster crisis, we have solutions to commercial disinfecting or damage concerns.

SERVPRO is here to help local schools and public buildings with unwanted property damage concerns that have happened during closures.  Our crews provide immediate cleanup, restoration and repairs to both big and small properties suffering from disasters. Our restoration experience and advanced equipment are an essential part of a successful recovery.

Schools should be a safe environment for our children to learn and grow, during the summer while a lot of the hustle and bustle of a typical school day is less present, it’s an ideal time for water damages or mold growth to cause BIG concerns. There is no doubt that this year has brought new challenges to every school across the country and our local schools are making plans to provide students with the best choices for the upcoming school year. SERVPRO is here to help with a vast array of services to provide property cleanup, mitigation, disinfecting and restoration solutions to whatever crisis your building maybe facing.

While SERVPRO has answers to help local schools deal with COVID-19 planning, using proactive deep-cleaning and disinfectant services to provide the highest-standard of pathogen disinfecting with scalable options to meet every need both big and small. Our fast and professional property restoration team has been providing commercial damage cleanup and restoration services to local businesses and municipalities for decades. Our expert crews and managers are quickly able to assess the damage and create a unique plan for the most effective mitigation and restoration of local school property to get back on track for whatever September brings.

While planning for this school year maybe different, these facilities all have one thing in common they are large public spaces that see a ton of activity. Each space is under careful consideration to provide the safest environment possible. Each school building contains a vast array of intricate systems; ventilation, plumbing, electric, communication and other working parts including; equipment, supplies, furniture and personal property. These buildings are particularly vulnerable to hidden property damage or vandalism during summer months. Unexpected water damage can go undetected or poor ventilation and high humidity can cause secondary damages including mold growth or structural damage. Summer is often an ideal time for school to make improvements which can sometimes unearth other hidden property damage concerns including pests, water leaks or mold growth.

SERVPRO Provides Emergency Mitigation and Restoration Services

• Mitigation efforts are meant to prevent further damage and loss from occurring due to the existing threat, thus increasing the overall amount of work that needs to be done during the restoration itself.
• Restoration is performed on items that could not be saved by mitigation efforts, and items that were damaged before the restoration company arrived. This step is often a longer process and may involve the complete replacement of floors, roofs, walls and other portions of your business that have been too damaged to save.
• Both are necessary in order to get your business back in order after a flood, fire or other disaster, and should be performed by a professional disaster restoration company.

SERVPRO Training and Tools Makes the Difference

The success of any property disaster recovery hinges on a quick and effective response, SERVPRO teams are prepared to assist during a property emergency with powerful and efficient tools and IICRC certified restoration specialists around-the-clock. The SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team has decades of experience and training to overcome the unique challenges that can come with large property disasters including keeping your operations running while cleaning and restoration is being performed.

Quick and Effective Spring and Summer Storm Property Restoration Services for Brooklyn Homes or Businesses

8/10/2020 (Permalink)

Many New York City properties have experienced flooding and other property damage from the severe weather in our area, SERVPRO is here to help.

Spring and summer bring some considerable hazards and potential damage to your local Brooklyn property, including severe storms that bring coastal flooding, torrential rains, strong winds and lightning. Other elements that can cause property damage during the spring and summer are high-humidity or brush fire concerns. Your home or business could face any number of potential Spring and Summer property damage events, including mold damage, fire damage, sewage backup damage, or an appliance or plumbing water leak.

When you find yourself in need of professional fire or water disaster restoration services or emergency flood cleanup and property repairs for your commercial or residential property, our SERVPRO restoration specialists are here to assist. The spring and summer months bring a ton of exciting things to do in Brooklyn, our area offers great beaches and parks to explore, and additionally there are great events and community functions happening throughout the seasons. It’s important to remember safety while enjoying all that spring and summer have to offer. Keeping your family, friends and employees safe during these months is important to us, as is taking steps to avoid property damage to your home or business. Follow us for great tips on how to protect your property and what to do in the aftermath of a property disaster. Our crews are available 24-hours a day, always here to help with property repairs and recovery services.

Many Brooklyn properties and businesses have experienced flooding and other property damage from the severe storms in our area, do you need restoration and cleanup help?

OUR BROOKLYN STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

• Roof Tarping and Board Up Services
• Category 1, 2 and 3 Water Extraction & Cleanup
• Drying of Damaged Areas including; walls, carpets and furniture
• Cleaning and Restoration of Affected Possessions
• Remediating Mold and Mildew
• Reconstruction and Repairs

SAFETY TIPS BEFORE A STORM ARRIVES:

Stock up: Gather and check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed. The American Red Cross suggests you pick up at least three days' worth of water and non-perishable food, a flashlight and extra batteries for it, at least seven days’ worth of prescription medication, a cell phone with a charger, and that you have extra cash and spare clothes at the ready. Have an emergency kit with these items you probably already have in your home: flashlight(s), battery powered weather radio, extra batteries to fit each electronic (including cell phone), non-perishable foods (canned goods and dry foods), lots of bottled water, can opener, first aid kit (with a disinfectant), fire extinguisher, blankets, extra clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, clock or watch, whistle to signal for help, important personal items (eyeglasses, prescriptions, etc.), and paper documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, and other significant legal papers.

Stay Indoors: Stay inside and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a safe area in the interior or your property on the lower level or basement. If flooding threatens your home, turn off the electricity at the main breaker. If your property loses power, turn off major appliances such as the AC unit and water heater to reduce damage.

Property Concerns: Inspect your roof and foundation for damage and make necessary repairs. Exterior doors should have 3 hinges and a deadbolt lock that is an inch-long minimum. Cut dead or weak limbs before a storm hits. Remove any limbs hanging over your home that could cause substantial damage if they fall. Likewise, take the time to have trees that could fall on the home removed. Clean rain gutters ensure runoff has a place to go; water that pools and gathers can cause damage especially if a downpour is ongoing.

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team has been helping our local communities for nearly 30 years, we are prepared with expert training and quality equipment to mitigate and restore your commercial or residential property. Our technicians are available 24-7 with our Emergency Service Team to help cleanup and repair your property damage from water, sewage, smoke or fire. Our priority is providing quick and effective service and solutions to restore your property and belongings, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO provides start to finish professional property disaster cleanup, restoration, rebuild and post-construction cleaning services to Brooklyn

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process for our customers organized, efficient and successful.

SERVPRO PROFESSIONALS WORK HARD TO RECOVER YOUR WHOLE BROOKLYN OR QUEENS PROPERTY DURING ANY DISASTER

When your Brooklyn home or commercial building faces damages from a property disaster, working with a full-service disaster restoration and cleanup company can give you the advantage you need to save money and time during the property recovery process. Our SERVPRO location offers a unique opportunity to work with a local trusted restoration and recovery team, that includes IICRC certified property damage technicians and licensed contractors with disaster restoration rebuilding experience. Giving you a complete property disaster restoration and rebuild option for cleanup and repairs. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professional restoration and construction managers and crews work together to give your water damage, fire damage or mold remediation project a seamless time-saving and often cost effective transition, making your property truly, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly-trained and experienced with all types of property disasters losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local Brooklyn communities every day.

Our Superior Disaster Property Damage Restoration Process

Step1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Fire & Water Damage Assessment

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

Step 6: Cleaning and Repair

Step 7: Restoration & Rebuild

Property disasters including property damage from storms, fire, flood and water can leave your New York City property unsafe for family and friends, contacting a one-stop shop for all disaster restoration services is an important step to property recovery and a faster return to normal. Our experienced SERVPRO restoration specialists are trained to clean and restore your property with as little disruption as possible. Fire or water damage to your Brooklyn property is frustrating and needs to be dealt with by trained professionals to ensure further damage does not continue to impact your commercial property down the road. We understand the level of importance that surrounds maintaining a safe, healthy environment in your business or home. You need access to SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn’s team of qualified professionals who are ready to provide you with the expert restoration services you deserve, a company that puts every effort into making damages on your property disappear, “Like it never even happened.” 

SERVPRO Responds to Brooklyn Flood or Storm Water Property Damage Immediately

6/24/2020 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO Storm Property Restoration Team has the experience and resources to handle any Brooklyn or Queens weather related water property damage.

It’s critical to take quick action following a flood or storm water intrusion to your local Brooklyn or Queens home or business.

If it’s a roof leak, exterior damage, a cracked foundation or basement flooding, causing your water property damage, call our Disaster Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to begin taking steps to stop the water damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the flooded or other water damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solutions to restore and repair your local property and contents to help minimize additional damages, we provide services to Brooklyn.

OUR BROOKLYN STORM & FLOOD WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

• Water Extraction
• Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
• Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
• Remediating mold and mildew
• Reconstruction and Repairs

Our crews are IICRC certified, with training in the most effective protocol and equipment to mitigate and restore all types of property water damages. Many factors can contribute to the cost, length and outcome of your property disaster including; the severity of the water damage, the presence of debris or solids in the standing water, the availability of sufficient power and the location of the damaged areas.

THE 4 PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS OF WATER DAMAGE

    •    Class 1 is the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture.  Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present.

    •    Class 2 involves a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects at least an entire room of carpet and cushion (pad). Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches.  There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil.

    •    Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation. Water may have come from overhead.  Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushions and subfloor in virtually all the entire area is saturated.

    •    Class 4 relates to specialty drying situations. Wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (eg. hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light-weight concrete and stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity. These types of losses may require longer drying times and special methods.

Our SERVPRO Storm Property Restoration Team has the experience and resources to handle your New York City weather related water property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after your property suffers a disaster storm water damage and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help to repair your home or business when you need us! Call our Storm Damage Cleanup, Restoration and Repair team.

Fighting a Pandemic with Professional Cleaning and Disinfecting

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s crews stand ready to provide advanced cleaning and disinfecting options for your commercial or residential property.

SERVPRO professionals have been helping local communities across the country flatten the curve performing residential and commercial deep cleaning and disinfecting services. In response to the coronavirus crisis, SERVPRO offers proactive and reactive cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection options for commercial and residential properties with the goal of minimizing the transmission of emergent viral pathogens, including the coronavirus.
We’re Here for You in a Time of Crisis
As a corporation, SERVPRO is in a unique position to perform these essential services at a time of urgent need. In just about any disaster situation, the team at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is prepared to offer—the expertise, training, equipment and personnel to quickly clean up and restore your home or business.
About the Coronavirus and Covid-19
The coronavirus is believed to spread primarily through personal contact, between people who are within about six feet of one another, through airborne respiratory droplets that are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. It may also be possible to catch the virus by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
“Social distancing” has become the new watchword and the key to slowing the pandemic. In this rapidly changing situation, Americans are experiencing unprecedented canceling of events and widespread closings of schools, restaurants and workplaces. Along with avoiding large crowds and keeping a six-foot distance from others, the most common advice from experts is to wash hands frequently and avoid touching faces.
Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website for the latest and most accurate information on the coronavirus and Covid-19. Because this outbreak is unfolding rapidly and unpredictably, we at SERVPRO encourage you to check back with the CDC frequently for updates.
The Importance of Proactive Cleaning
According to the CDC, “Cleaning of visibly dirty surfaces followed by disinfection is a best practice measure for prevention of COVID-19 and other viral respiratory illnesses in households and community settings.”
Today, when the need is most urgent, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is prepared—right now—to clean, sanitize and disinfect your home or business to eradicate traces of coronavirus or other pathogens.
Whether you have no indication of existing contamination, or you are aware that your structure may have been contaminated with coronavirus, SERVPRO’s crews stand ready to provide increased assurance that you, your family, your customers and your employees will not be exposed to coronavirus within your building.
Many types of businesses can benefit from SERVPRO’s proactive cleaning, which targets the coronavirus and other pathogens:
    •    Restaurants and bars
    •    Retail stores
    •    Offices, especially medical offices
    •    Schools
    •    Nursing homes, senior centers and rehabilitation facilities
    •    Gyms
    •    Hotels, B&Bs and other hospitality sites
    •    Libraries
    •    Theaters and entertainment venues
    •    Apartment buildings
    •    Factories and warehouses

Please be aware, however, that while SERVPRO’s cleaning process can remove existing viral pathogens, including the coronavirus, structures we clean proactively will not be protected from future coronavirus contamination if an infected person subsequently enters the building.

SERVPRO professionals have extensive experience repairing and restoring catastrophic water damage

4/26/2020 (Permalink)

Our technicians understand that unattended water damage continues to cause harm to your property over time, so they work quickly to minimize losses.

Water damage to your property can happen anytime, it can come from both clean and contaminated sources, knowing what to do will save precious time and ultimately minimize losses to your property and building contents.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals have extensive experience repairing and restoring catastrophic water damage to both commercial and residential properties. Our technicians understand that unattended water damage continues to cause harm to your property over time. It is necessary to make quick, informed decisions while performing quality restoration services as soon as possible, to save your property from even further damages. SERVPRO uses many tools and has vast experience in helping home and businesses owners managed water disasters and we are always prepared to provide emergency services when you need us.

How SERVPRO professionals mitigate and restore property water damage

Step 1 - Emergency Contact
When you call, our representative will guide you through several questions that will help the SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team respond to your water emergency more quickly and efficiently. This initial contact is an important part of a fast, effective restoration.

Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
They carefully inspect your properties water damage, determining the type of water damage and the areas affected. This is a crucial step to creating an effective plan of action that will result in a successful restoration.

Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction
Typically, hundreds or thousands of gallons of water are removed using our powerful pumps and vacuums during the water removal process. The SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals start this process as soon as possible to minimize further damage and to help prevent mold growth.

Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification
After the bulk of the water has been removed, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn local technicians use specialized equipment to target the water that is harder to access. They use less intrusive, scientific drying methods to draw the remaining water and moisture from your property with air movers and dehumidifiers.

Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing
Water damage also affects your belongings, like furniture, clothing, and personal items. Our team of professionals can clean and restore items using a number of specialized cleaning techniques. They also sanitize with antimicrobial treatments and remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 6 - Restoration
The last step is restoring your home or business back to its pre-water damage condition. The restoration step can be relatively minor, such as replacing a few drywall panels, or could include major reconstruction, such as rebuilding entire rooms of a home or business. We are your complete restoration and repair solution.

At SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn we take pride in our ability to erase the damage done by water, including damages caused by hidden problems. After 48 hours of exposure to water, there is a risk of mold growth in wet materials. Our Brooklyn based team of property restoration technicians put years of training, experience, and specialized equipment to work for you, ensuring the removal of all remaining moisture and a fast, effective drying process that you can count on. Our restoration specialists utilize infrared technology and thermal imagery to assess the full extent of the damage that your property has suffered. The technology can show our technicians areas where water might still exist based on a temperature difference. This process can ensure that the damage has not reached other areas of the building and confirm the completion of the restoration process.

SERVPRO is faster to any size disaster because we know what an impact quick action has during a property disaster recovery.

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

When changes in weather cause storm property damage our crews are always here to help, with fast and effective action to minimize damages.

A quick response and cleanup is key to a successful storm damage restoration

When Spring brings rain and wind to local Brooklyn and Queens communities causing fallen trees, damages to roofs and flooding to basements, our local SERVPRO team of property restoration specialists is ready to help. We have years of experience handling disaster cleanup and mitigation, we know how important it is to be prepared, our SERVPRO teams are ready and always prepared to handle any size property disaster. Contacting SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn for immediate service after you experience a flood or water damage can be the difference between a quick cleanup and mitigation or more costly and intrusive restoration, construction and mold remediation services. Our Emergency Service Team technicians are available 24-7 with to help cleanup and repair your storm and flood property damage. Our priority is providing quick and effective service and solutions to restore your property and belongings, “Like it never even happened.”

It’s critical to take quick action and call our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team to begin taking steps to stop the damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solution to restore and repair your property and contents to help minimize additional damages.

OUR LONG ISLAND STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE
    •    Water Extraction
    •    Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
    •    Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
    •    Remediating mold and mildew
    •    Reconstruction and Repairs

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Storm Team has the experience and resources to handle your storm property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after the storm and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help when you need us! Call our cleanup, restoration and repair teams today!

Effective storm and flood water removal across Brooklyn

4/5/2020 (Permalink)

Water intrusion is one of the main contributors to storm property damage, SERVPRO is always here to help with quick and effective disaster cleanup

Severe thunderstorms and flooding can lead to severe damage to your property, water intrusion is one of the main contributors to building damage. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn responds quickly to storm and water emergencies, we are dedicated to respond Faster to Any Size Disaster to make sure that all of our customers receive the most high quality and cost-effective damage mitigation and restoration service possible. Our restoration specialists have the training and the tools get your property back to pre-damage condition, “Like it never even happened.”

HOW SPRING STORMS CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE

• Coastal flooding due to the storm surge.
• Widespread wind damage.
• Widespread inland small stream and river flooding due to heavy rains.

Structural Damage
Without immediate flood water removal, Brooklyn  properties can see significant structural damage occur to the foundations and building materials of their home. Water naturally degrades most construction materials with long-term exposure, but in the colder months of the year, a much stronger threat may damage your home. As temperatures drop overnight and water starts to freeze, any moisture soaked into the microscopic cracks and crevices of your home can begin to expand, potentially causing significant permanent damage.

Mold Growth
Mold can start to proliferate after a flood or other water damage intrusion. Removing flood waters and any excess moisture from your property quickly cuts off any potential infestations before it can even begin to grow and spread. SERVPRO technicians are also trained to identify and take care of fungal growth early in a colony's life cycle, thereby preventing additional damages.

Spreading Moisture
The longer flood water remains inside your building without professional removal, the more likely it is that moisture spreads to nearby rooms and areas. We can help to combat these effects by implementing rapid and thorough drying processes and monitoring nearby areas with digital moisture detection tools that help us determine when a problem may be likely to form.


Call in the Professionals
Every storm and water restoration situation is unique and we treat them that way, Our team is here for you in these very stressful times and we are Always Here to Help! SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is highly qualified and trained in water restoration, our experts will come in, assess your damage, take the proper remediation steps to limit damage. We work hand in hand with your insurance company to restore your home to what it was before. "Like it never even happened."

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster?
We provide 24-Hour Emergency Service?
We are a Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry?
We are Locally Owned and Operated

SERVPRO provides scalable cleaning and sanitizing services for local Brooklyn homes and businesses

3/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help with local commercial cleaning and sanitizing services.

SERVPRO professionals have specialized equipment and training to provide the highest level of commercial cleaning and sanitizing to maintain your commercial facility.
As businesses accelerate their cleaning and sanitizing procedures, it’s an excellent time to take advantage of the commercial cleaning and bioremediation services a SERVPRO near you can provide. When your commercial or residential property needs a deep cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing, calling SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to provide a fast and professional response is the only solution. The CDC encourages regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, tables at a minimum.
Our crews are up to the recent challenges impacting our community using specialized training and equipment, our 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 our cleanup process, and disposal of waste. Carpets and fabric and upholstery can be sanitized using our hospital-grade disinfectant.
Timely Response with Minimal Disruption
Our crews can schedule work around your business hours to reduce the impact to your daily operations. Trust the SERVPRO team to be aware of and capable of meeting the sanitation standards required during this challenging atmosphere. We are trained in the appropriate use of EPA-registered disinfectants and committed to a close working relationship with your facility housekeeping staff. Our staff is capable of cleaning and sanitizing bathrooms, kitchens and other common areas with the discretion and effectiveness your commercial facility requires.

Mold is a growing issue for Brooklyn home and business owners during winter and spring

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

The proper mold remediation solution for your home or business depends on the amount of mold growth and types of surfaces on which the fungus appears.

Mold needs moisture, warmth and food to grow, so why is it becoming such a problem for property owners during cold winters?

Proper insulation is important to save on energy costs and keep you warm and cozy during winter temperatures, but without proper airflow and ventilation you could be creating a WINTER MOLD DISASTER.

Proper air circulation is crucial to avoid water and mold damage to your Brooklyn residential or commercial property, especially during winter. Airflow and ventilation regulate temperature, removes impurities, prevents mold and creates a more healthy and safe breathing environment.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has your home and business mold disaster answers; our team can protect your property from additional water and mold damage we offer remediation services throughout Brooklyn. Our professionals are certified in mold remediation and removal, we are a trusted leader in the mold remediation industry and have been helping local home and business owners in this community for nearly 30 years. Our technicians are near you, and available to help access your property damage and provide quick and efficient mold remediation and removal services with highly qualified technicians and state-of-the-art tools and equipment. You can trust SERVPRO to work hard to restore your property, “Like it never even happened.”

While mold is generally thought to thrive during the warmer months, mold growth in the winter is now becoming a more common problem for home and business owners. Mold needs moisture, warmth and food to grow, during winter turning up the heat in your well-insulated and tightly sealed home or business may feel like the best way to shield yourself from the cold, but without proper ventilation that warm moist air can’t escape, especially in high-humidity areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, basement or attic it forms condensation on your windows, walls and other areas of your property that can cause water damage and mold.

Trouble Spots for Mold and Moisture

Most Brooklyn homes and businesses have numerous trouble spots for mold and moisture, in residential properties the places that get most easily affected by mold are bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, garages, and laundry rooms. In commercial or municipal buildings; bathrooms and kitchens, cafeterias, gyms with showering or pool areas, HVAC systems, and any area that has high moisture content will be an ideal breeding ground for mold.

Several factors lead to increased concerns about mold during the winter months.

• For one thing, moisture conditions indoors can lead to the growth of mold and mildew; certain areas of the home may experience intensified levels of humidity because of a lack of ventilation.
• Bathrooms and kitchens are particularly susceptible to this problem; the accumulation of steam from showers, washing dishes and cooking in the kitchen all add moisture mixing with heated air.
• Moisture that travels through the air from your basement, bathrooms, or kitchen may condense when it meets a cold wall. Because of cold weather, windows aren't usually open, and condensation collects on indoor surfaces such as cold walls or windows and their frames, often creating ideal conditions for mold growth. 
• Less than optimal insulation, mold can also grow during the winter on the inside walls, especially on the surfaces closest to the outside of your home or business.

SERVPRO IS ALWAYS HERE TO HELP WITH MOLD PROPERTY DAMAGE

Mold can be a major problem for residential and commercial property owners, using the prevention tips outlined above can help keep your property mold-free. If you do discover mold in your home or business, the best thing to do is call our professional mold remediation team at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn.

We use various containment procedures to prevent mold spore from spreading and we have specialized filtration equipment that allows our professionals to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. The proper mold remediation solution for your home or business depends on the amount of mold growth and types of surfaces on which the fungus appears. Our mold remediation team at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has the tools and equipment to inspect and assess the damage and determine the best methods to contain and remove the mold, clean and restore your contents and property and, help identify the cause of the water or moisture problem so that it doesn’t cause additional damage in the future.

SERVPRO professional air duct cleaning service offers surprising benefits to your Brooklyn commercial property

3/10/2020 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO commercial cleaning specialists are familiar with all types of commercial and industrial HVAC/air duct systems.

Business owners and managers are busy, countless daily tasks and emergency situations make paying attention to routine maintenance difficult at times. Turning your attention annually to your commercial HVAC system and air duct system including performing scheduled inspections, maintenance and cleaning services is crucial to keeping your operations running efficiently.

There are many benefits to having our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn commercial cleaning professionals perform an air duct, vent and register cleaning at your Brooklyn facility.

Commercial Air Duct Cleaning Benefits:

• Reduce energy costs for your business
• Reduce the potential for mold growth
• Improve indoor air quality
• Increase air circulation and flow
• Increase your commercial system performance
• Extend HVAC equipment life

Whether your focus is eliminating contaminants, dust, debris, and other harmful pollutants to improve your buildings indoor air quality, or you want to extend the life and efficiency of your HVAC and air duct system; SERVPRO professional commercial HVAC/air duct cleaning services could benefit your business. According to the US Department of Energy, 25 to 40 percent of the energy used for heating or cooling is wasted due to air pollutants and other dirt and debris clogging up residential/commercial air ducts.

Things that decrease air flow in your commercial air duct system:

• Obstructed condenser unit
• Blocked vents and registers
• Clogged filters
• Blocked or leaky ducts

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn technicians have advanced training to help resolve potential air flow concerns and accurately clean and remove the buildup of dust/debris, contaminants, mold spores, and particulates circulating throughout your commercial air duct system. Our crews use a variety of specialized equipment to overcome years of buildup and pollutants within your air duct system, including high-powered HEPA vacuums, negative air machines and whisking brushes to help remove debris and mold spores from internal surfaces. Our goal is to provide a thorough commercial air duct cleaning and remove built-up sediment and pollutants from your system, improving efficiency and indoor air quality.

Why is Cleaning Your Commercial Air Ducts Important?

The air ducts in your Brooklyn commercial building serve an important function, bringing heating and cooling throughout your facility as well as circulating the air through a filter, which cleans out some of the dust particles before reaching the rooms in which air is breathed by you and your employees.

Air Duct Cleaning Improves the Quality of Indoor Air

By routinely having your air ducts cleaned you can significantly decrease the number of airborne molecules in your office, all while avoiding weighty fees for other air purifying solutions. Air ducts, like everything else in our office, collect dirt and debris. While filters may catch a lot of streaming debris, there is still a considerable amount of dust that settles within the ducts.

Air Duct Cleaning Conserves Energy

Air duct cleaning provides a beginning in optimizing your duct function, a properly and thoroughly cleaned HVAC system, can reduce the costs associated with running your HVAC system and increase the useful life of your air conditioner and furnace. Performing routine commercial air duct cleanings removes obstructions and improves airflow, helping your systems to work better, faster, and more efficiently, all while using less energy!

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn specializes in cleaning local commercial and industrial air ducts; contact our staff to schedule an inspection and estimate for your commercial cleaning solution. Our crews have experience, training and advanced equipment to restore your HVAC system to optimal performance. Our SERVPRO commercial cleaning specialists are familiar with all types of commercial and industrial HVAC/air duct systems, give us a call so we can get to work, and you can start experiencing the benefits a commercial air duct cleaning service can bring to your business!

Brooklyn ground floor and basement flood damage cleanup and repairs

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

Our restoration specialists respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration and cleanup needs.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is prepared with highly trained professionals and top-notch equipment to be your number one resource during these times of distress. No property disaster is too large for us to handle, our professionals can find solutions to restore your property, “Like it never even happened.”

GROUND FLOOR AND BASEMENT FLOODING: A Basement is a wonderful asset to your home or business, it can provide additional storage or living space to a crowded property. Storm flooding and melting snow can cause water damage in your basement from faulty gutters, cracks in foundations and improper drainage. Water damage is one of the most common and worst side effects of water leakage or flooding in a basement. In addition to contributing to structural and foundation problems, basement water damage can destroy your personal belongings and interior decorative finishes and it also has the power to create the perfect environment for toxic mold growth.

Our SERVPRO technicians are IICRC certified and have experience working with a variety of water damage situations both big and small. We have seen flooding and carpet issues, to broken or frozen pipe and plumbing issues, and basement and roof leaks. Our technicians understand that a property damage event can be traumatic and unexpected; they realize time and efficiency are important and they take every step possible to minimize the intrusion while executing the cleanup and restoration of your home or business.

24 Hour Emergency Service Call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn servicing Brooklyn

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides 24-hour Emergency Services to local communities like Brooklyn suffering from fire, smoke, sewage and water damage and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. Our service pros respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Emergency Water Removal – Addressing your flood damage with a quick reaction

3/9/2020 (Permalink)

Property restoration and recovery solutions by mitigating challenges and providing quick and seamless professional service from start to finish

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the property disaster recovery and restoration business, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly trained and experienced with all types of property disaster losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local Brooklyn and Queens communities every day.

Emergency Response Property Disaster Restoration Services

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process for our customers organized, efficient and successful, after a frustrating and confusing property disaster event. Whether your home or building sustained damages from a storm, flood, fire or water disaster, you’ll have trusted and compassionate professionals by your side. We will work with you to survey the extent of the property damage, develop a plan for cleanup, restoration and reconstruction.

Disaster restoration and repair for your commercial or residential property is best left to professionals. Our SERVPRO professionals are skills with the complexities of removing water and the water extraction, drying, dehumidifying, disinfecting and removal equipment required to complete the job properly. Our expert team has the experience, certifications, and equipment to complete any size restoration and repair project quickly, correctly, and affordably.

Some of our property Restoration services include:

• Water Removal and Extraction: This important and often first step in the process involves us removing and extracting standing water from all areas of your property. Our SERVPRO technicians utilize industrial grade equipment to move large volumes quickly and efficiently to minimize long term hazards and damage
• Property Drying: After the bulk of the water is removed hazardous levels of moisture can still exist fibrous structural and aesthetic components in your home or business building. We utilize specialized equipment to pull moisture from the air to create an environment suitable for drying of these important pieces and may also attempt to speed the drying process with heat.
• Cleanup: After water and moisture have been removed and dried it’s important to conduct thorough cleaning of the affected area to prevent future health hazards. Flooding from rivers and sewers can pose exceptional risks to health and welfare due to the silt and bacteria they carry. Our team will remove damaged items that are beyond repair
• Soot and Smoke Mitigation: SERVPRO’s full-spectrum restoration capabilities has many benefits when it comes to fire and smoke damage restoration. We often use air scrubbers that creates negative air pressure to force contaminants through HEPA filters before exhausting to the outdoors. Air quality is improved, including the clearing of any fumes from cleaners or solvents used to remove protein-based soot from kitchen fires.

Our team provides professional and prompt emergency restoration services for all local Long Island commercial businesses and homeowners. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn’s building services gives our location a unique opportunity to streamline the entire property restoration and recovery process, while mitigating challenges and providing quick and seamless professional service from start to finish.

It’s critical to take quick action and call our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team to begin taking steps to stop the damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solution to restore and repair your property and contents to help minimize additional damages.

OUR BROOKLYN AND QUEENS STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

• Water Extraction
• Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
• Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
• Mold and Mildew Remediation
• Reconstruction and Repairs 

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Storm Team has the experience and resources to handle your winter weather property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after the storm and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help when you need us! 

SERVPRO has Professional Restoration Services for All Types of Flood Damage in Brooklyn or Queens Homes and Businesses

3/3/2020 (Permalink)

It’s critical to take fast action to contact a local SERVPRO professional in your area, following a flood or storm water intrusion.

Many Brooklyn and Queens properties are near the ocean and other natural seawater sources, saltwater flooding and the resulting damage can be a common occurrence. Similarly, to flood damage from ground water and other category 3 losses, ocean water can cause severe property water damage and can create unique restoration concerns and complications for local home and business owners.

Continual increases in storm intensity and tidal flooding is making flood and storm water damage a regular concern for many Brooklyn and Queens neighborhoods. Flooding can have a devastating impact on your coastal building or residence, it can be difficult to predict the full extent of water and storm related damages. Additionally, saltwater can be extremely dangerous and destructive to building materials and has added safety concerns for cleanup and restoration providers. Extracting the water is just the first step that SERVPRO professionals take to thoroughly dry and restore water and storm damaged areas inside and outside of your property. Floodwater is dangerous, it’s advised to contact a reliable property damage restoration company such as SERVPRO that specializes in natural disaster and flood cleanup and remediation.

It can be difficult for the average property owner or management team to determine if the contaminated areas and contents of your property have been properly remediated, to avoid continued damage from salt corrosion and mold growth. Our restoration technicians are IICRC trained and certified with countless hours of experience responding to local coastal property damage cleanups and repairs. Starting the restoration process begins with a visit from a highly trained staff member to assess the full extent of your flooding or water damage intrusion and present a comprehensive plan for a complete property damage restoration and construction solution. While assessing your property damage our managers will help determine what parts of your loss our team can clean, sanitize and restore. Unfortunately, some items are unsafe for restoration and some controlled demolition and replacement maybe necessary. Our restoration teams work closely with our construction crews and management to provide a seamless transition from destruction to reconstruction. Throughout the process our philosophy is to restore over replacing materials and contents whenever possible, helping to lower overall cost and time needed for property disaster recovery.

Coastal Properties experience a much higher risk for property damage from salt-water, sand and other beach and waterfront related concerns.

COASTAL WEATHER AND SEAWATER CORROSION

Access to beautiful beaches and oceanfront views can be one of the many advantages to living, working or owning coastal property in Brooklyn or Queens. However, considering how the environment, and surrounding landscape, could adversely affect your commercial or residential property could quickly turn your dream property into a potential nightmare. Waterfront properties are more exposed to driving rain and winds off the ocean during an intense storm, battering your properties exterior and creating a need for frequent maintenance. Damage caused by debris and salt is unavoidable, blowing winds and salty sea air are likely to cause some cosmetic and structural damage including; rusting metalwork, chipping and scratching to exterior surfaces, and possible damage to mechanical elements such as window latches. New York City is no stranger to bad weather including hurricane force winds, storm and tidal surges, high waves and rising water levels can mean more coastal flooding leading to an increased risk for both indoor and outdoor storm, flood and water property damage.

Why Saltwater Flooding Does More Damage

Salt Breaks Down Building Materials

Similarly, to all other types of water intrusion and flood damage, saltwater flooding can quickly penetrate a variety of building materials causing significant damage to structural components and property contents. Unlike some other water sources, saltwater is more dangerous and causes more severe property damage because it is highly corrosive. The combination of water and higher levels of salt can weaken or even dissolve many types of building materials; including concrete, wood, plaster and drywall. Delignification is when saltwater penetrates wood forming fuzzy salt crystals on the surface and slowly pulls out lignin causing damage to the wood on a cellular level. If a structure is repeatedly exposed to saltwater flooding or proper decontamination (using fresh water to neutralize the excess salt) doesn’t occur, the longer the salt-water remains in contact with affected materials, this process will continue to weaken the internal structure developing serious structural problems that could lead to collapse.

Saltwater Damage Can Quickly Lead to Mold

Like any flood damage, if the moisture is not properly mitigated it can lead to mold growth in under 24 hours. Did you know salt-water accelerates the development of mold following a flood disaster? Mold needs moisture to grow, but flooding can penetrate hidden corners of a structure that can be very hard to dry. SERVPRO professionals use advanced technology including moisture detection equipment and thermal imaging cameras to help identify hidden moisture concerns during the structural drying and disinfecting process. Air movers, heaters, and dehumidifiers are strategically positioned to speed up the drying process. Transferring moisture out of damaged materials into the air, to be captured through evaporation and absorption and removed permanently. EPA-registered disinfectants applied throughout the affected areas reduce the potential for fungal growth and kill lingering bacteria or viruses.

SERVPRO Responds to Flood or Storm Water Property Damage Immediately

It’s critical to take fast action to contact a local SERVPRO professional in your area, following a flood or storm water intrusion. Be assured that our managers and crews take every necessary step to mitigate your water damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Seawater can cause significantly more damage due to the additional salt content involved. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team will start the flood and water damage recovery process with an inspection. Our Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRTs) are trained to classify what kind of water they will be working with on the job site and adjust their methods accordingly. While extracting water is part of every water damage job, saltwater intrusion my also require additional steps to neutralize the salt reaction from further damaging building materials and surfaces.

OUR STORM & FLOOD WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

Restoring your home or business quickly after a storm damage or salt-water contaminated water loss, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC certified professionals

• Temporary Shoring, board-up and roof tarping
• Water Extraction
• Neutralizing of affected areas, including sanitizing and controlled demolition
• Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
• Cleaning and Restoring of affected possessions
• Remediating mold and mildew
• Reconstruction and Repairs

Is Seawater from Storm Flooding Contaminated?

Yes!  The water from oceans, lakes, rivers or streams is considered Category 3 Water.

Category 3 Water: is known as "black water" and is grossly unsanitary. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria and fungi, causing severe discomfort or sickness. This category includes water sources from sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, ground surface water or standing water.

Ready to Respond with Disaster Flood and Storm Property Damage Restoration Services to Manhattan Neighborhoods everyday

Salt-water property damage from flooding or storms is a major concern for many property owners and managers on the East Coast and throughout the Northeast throughout the year. Whether your property experiences an above average tidal flood, a storm surge, ground water flooding or foundation seepage after a severe storm. Our SERVPRO staff is available to help with your property restoration concerns. When SERVPRO’s signature green service vehicles show up they are stocked with a full array of advanced water damage restoration equipment and IICRC certified technicians who can respond quickly to your concerns and get you started on the road to restoration and recovery, “Like it never even happened.”

The SERVPRO Advantage: Knowledge and Advanced Technology And A Quick Response

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides a quick, effective and complete restoration plan for the full cleanup, repair and rebuild of your property following any disaster.

How the SERVPRO Advantage makes a difference in your Brooklyn property damage cleanup and restoration

Property Emergencies happen every day, acting fast after your Brooklyn property damage from fire, smoke or water could mean the difference between restoring your home quickly to preloss condition or needing extensive and expensive reconstruction. We put the best people, in the best locations, and give them the best resources to give your property the BEST results.

The Brand You Know and Trust

You can recognize and trust the SERVPRO name... as a leader and innovator in the restoration industry, our team and equipment stand out above the rest.

Serving America Since 1967

Since 1967, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have been assisting client's fire and water damage cleanup and restoration needs across the United States, locally owned and operated, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has been helping local Brooklyn residents and business owners with property losses in this community for nearly 30 years, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is an extremely important component to the service advantage that the SERVPRO near you can provide.

OUR Experience - Following a fire and smoke or water property damage to your home or business a courteous SERVPRO professional will lead the way. Our skilled technicians perform an inspection; checking for hazards and making a detailed list of professional services that can help restore your Brooklyn business, home and contents. After explaining everything in detail, our technicians get to work restoring your home. You’ll see the SERVPRO advantage with a team on site, each performing different tasks designed to reach a specific goal. At the end of our restoration process, our technicians make sure you are satisfied with the work we have done, we have corrected any existing problems and remove our supplies and equipment making sure we have achieved the desired goal of restoring your home or business.

OUR Training - SERVPRO’s team of highly trained employees never stop preparing. Each team member has been thoroughly trained for fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation before stepping foot inside your home or business. Our skilled SERVPRO technicians have ongoing training extending far beyond their initial IICRC training, with continued education programs and e-learning seminars and courses our technicians cultivate skills to make them more efficient with mitigation, remediation and ALL other advanced restoration techniques. We pride ourselves on providing industry-leading equipment and training to our teams to make your property damage cleanup and restoration process quick and effective.

OUR Equipment - Our teams use high-quality products and advanced technology equipment to provide you with the most effective cleanup and restoration results. SERVPRO equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing the amount of damage sustained to your property and possessions following a fire, smoke or water loss. Our state-of-the-art equipment including, portable water extraction units, air scrubbers, high powered air movers, industrial-strength dehumidification equipment, and thermal imaging cameras all have crucial roles in the mitigation, cleanup and restoration process. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn technicians are specially trained to use these tools and equipment to diagnose what areas of your property sustained damage and give them a distinct advantage to determine the most effective and efficient way to cleanup and restore your property damage.

Are you looking for a reliable restoration company, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn can quickly and effectively reverse your property’s fire, smoke, water or mold damage, and restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.” 

SERVPRO water extraction, cleanup and restoration makes a huge difference after any Brooklyn water damage disaster.

1/21/2020 (Permalink)

Our team can respond quickly and help you assess your damage and find a restoration solution that you can trust.

SERVPRO professionals excel at the cleanup, restoration and rebuild of after frozen water or winter temperatures damage your Brooklyn residential or commercial.

Winter weather and freezing temperatures can be incredibly damaging to your home or business, as frozen water, snow and ice can all lead to significant property damage disasters. On average each year a quarter of a million homeowners will experience the destructive power of frozen water problems including, frozen pipe bursts, ice dams and other leaking water damage occurrences. A frozen pipe alone can result in gallons of water spilling over your floors, leaking or pouring through ceilings and walls, and ruining furniture and other valuable possessions.

Fast Response to Water Removal Minimizes Damages

Our crews are available 24/7 to aid our local Brooklyn neighborhoods with both commercial and residential flooding and water damage emergencies. A quick response and expert action to your water intrusion can significantly reduce the overall damage to your home or business. Our property damage restoration crew will tailor a specific plan using our advanced equipment capacities to quickly overcome any property damage situation. SERVPRO trucks and teams are available to deploy submersible pumps, water extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers, quickly controlling the spread of water and moisture damages.

Many factors determine the specific process for your property damage recovery: level of water, type of contamination, and amount of exposure all play a vital role in the balance between restore and replace.

Water extraction is the heart of this water restoration process, and depending on the severity of your issue, can get accomplished in several ways. For smaller volumes needing removal, SERVPRO WRTs utilize extraction wands and other, smaller devices. Each one has three components, but technicians start by using only the pump option to remove water. For larger projects, especially those that stand to risk the structural integrity of your building considerably, our SERVPRO technicians start removal with a commercial grade, submersible or truck pump.

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn staff is highly trained and experienced in the cleanup and restoration of your frozen water property damage from frigid Northeast temperatures. Our team can respond quickly and help you assess your damage and find a restoration solution that you can trust.

WINTER WATER PROPERTY DAMAGE

• ICE DAMS
  Ice dams occur after a New York City snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures, common weather conditions in the Northeast during winter. Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and warms the underside of the roof causing snow and ice to melt. The melted water refreezes on the cold overhang and can form icicles and an ice dam on the roof and gutters. This process can cause damage to the roof which can cause water to leak into the home causing water damage to the ceiling, walls, insulation and other areas.
  
  
• LEAKING BASEMENTS AND FOUNDATIONS
  Basement and ground floor apartment flooding are a common occurrence for many homeowners throughout Brooklyn, the impact of heavy snow, ice and rain can overflow sewer drains and pavement often leading to water leaks, flooding and other types of lower lever water damage. Ground level flooding can lead to significant structural damage, destroy furnishings and other belongings and commonly lead to elevated mold and humidity issues.
  
  
• FROZEN WATER PIPES
  When Northeast temperatures drop to at or below freezing, the water flowing in your plumbing has the potential to freeze. Water expands when it freezes, the expansion of the frozen water can cause a rupture, causing catastrophic flood damage. It’s important to note that the break often occurs between the frozen point and the faucet, as the ice blocks the pipe and the water pressure increases leading to stress on the pipe. Pipes that run through the exterior walls are particularly at risk, but those that run through low- or uninsulated attics and crawlspaces can also freeze.

Although, these frozen water damage situations are very common, sometimes the damage could have largely been prevented by taking a few preventative steps ahead of time. These are a few tips you can take to try and avoid turning the coming frigid days and nights into inconvenient and expensive property disasters.

HELP PREVENT WINTER WEATHER & FREEZING WATER ISSUES WITH THESE TIPS

• Exposed pipes are the most susceptible to freezing, so insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic.
• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes and prevent ice dams.
• Seal air leaks in your attic, basement and exterior walls, look for air leaks around electrical wiring, vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
• To avoid ice dam concerns, add roof and soffit vents to regulate the air temperature close to the underside of the roof.
• Sump pumps and sub-floor drainage systems are typically used to avoid the continued damage associated with basements and other foundation issues.
• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing.
• Let warm water drip overnight, from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Brooklyn weather can be unpredictable even when winter temperatures aren’t extremely cold; property water damages happen to home and business owners often. When water begins spilling across the floor or filling the basement, it is usually from a failed water heater shut-off valve or a split line on a washing machine. Many factors contribute to the length and cost of your property damage cleanup and restoration project, including the amount and type of water involved, length of time before service and the total area impacted. Our qualified and experienced staff can help answer your disaster restoration questions and provide a step-by-step plan for a full recovery of your flooded commercial or residential property. Our crews explain the process of water extraction, drying and restoration. Our Brooklyn SERVPRO team has a unique rebuild option with our dedicated construction crew, to seamlessly move from restoration to reconstruction, helping you recover more quickly. Our specialized equipment and highly trained staff have the scope of services to handle your property restoration needs from start to finish. We understand you may not have all the answers, calling our team connects you to professionals that can provide the answers to your restoration concerns and tailor a solution to repair your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO offers professional fire, smoke and soot cleanup and restoration assistance for Brooklyn property damage disasters.

1/8/2020 (Permalink)

The more time that passes after the fire event and before restoration services begin gives soot the opportunity to spread and cause additional damage.

After your commercial property suffers from a fire, water or other disaster, contacting our local Brooklyn SERVPRO Property Restoration Professionals is an important step to avoid costly secondary damages. Our SERVPRO team has over 30 years of experience helping the Brooklyn and Queens community during property disasters, trust that your commercial property will be restored quickly and correctly by IICRC licensed professionals and advanced equipment.

Getting your local Brooklyn commercial property operational quickly following a property disaster is the SERVPRO way. Our local Brooklyn restoration professionals rely on decades of hands-on property restoration experience and proven results to help local Brooklyn business owners and managers dealing with fire, smoke and soot damage cleanup, repair and restore their commercial property quickly. Our commitment to quick and effective property restoration and recovery after a property disaster makes selecting SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn restoration experts the right choice.

SERVPRO commercial property restoration services include special help to minimize damages including:

Eliminating Fire Damage Residue
Our SERVPRO technicians will assess and pre-test many damages areas and property to decide the precise type of clean and fire damage remediation services needed for your commercial disaster. Our crews use various wet and dry methods to clean different materials most effectively. We can also use specialized cleaning methods such as soda blasting which offers deodorization qualities and also helps restore charred surfaces without causing further damages.

Remove Smoke Odors
Odor control after a fire is a crucial part of the restoration process, odor-causing particles are microscopic SERVPRO has advanced equipment to eliminate the microscopic odor-causing particles and reverse your commercial property damage concerns.

Guarding Against Mold
Water is a big help when putting out fires, however it can have a lasting negative impact on the structural elements and contents of your building. Our SERVPRO IICRC certified water or mold remediation specialists work to extract the remaining water quickly, and can take proactive actions against mold growth if necessary.

Big or small, fire, smoke and soot damage to your Brooklyn commercial property will have a multi-faceted impact on your business. The effects of a property disaster can range from loss of revenue, inventory, customers and/or employees to irreversible structural and financial damages. After a property disaster strikes, we recommend calling an expert in property restoration. Here at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn we can get to work fixing your commercial fire property damage immediately. Our Brooklyn SERVPRO team is here to help with fast and effective disaster restoration and cleanup services, we provide a full-range of disaster restoration services including: emergency response, water damage extraction and repair, water removal, flood restoration, fire damage restoration, soot and smoke damage services, storm damage repairs, wind damage restoration, industrial dehumidification, structural cleaning and decontamination, mold remediation, environmental services such as hazardous waste removal, lead removal and asbestos removal, duct cleaning services, vital document and paper recovery, machinery and equipment restoration, semiconductor services, reconstruction, consulting and more. Restoring your commercial property is our business, and we are always ready to help get local Brooklyn businesses back up and running, “Like it never even happened.”

Why Choosing a Professional Disaster Restoration Company, like SERVPRO is Important?

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn offers Emergency Restoration Services in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit your unique Brooklyn commercial property damage disaster needs. Our staff and restoration managers understand that a rapid response is critical to your recovery, our team will provide comprehensive cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild options following a property fire disaster. SERVPRO is trusted leader in the restoration industry providing advanced technology and training to a nationwide team of skilled technicians and project managers. Our crews have vast experience and knowledge offering a wide variety of restoration services to recover your commercial property with minimized cost and business interruption.

• Our crews will assess the full damage of your property taking necessary steps to save as much of your inventory, appliances and equipment, furnishings and inventory as possible.
  
  
• They will do a complete inventory of all items removed from your property taking photos and documentation, and return all salvageable items back to your business following the restoration process.
  
  
• Our technicians work quickly and carefully to get your business up and running as soon as possible. Our project managers and staff will follow-up to make sure you are satisfied or address any other concerns.
  
  
• Our construction managers can seamlessly begin putting back together any structural, interior and exterior damages sustained during the initial disaster or as a result of restoration and cleanup. Our staff can work with your insurance and answer any concerns you may have about the process.

Big and Small Steps you can take now to prepare for a disaster

Preparing in advance to handle a property disaster in Brooklyn can seem a little ominous, but after helping countless local home and business owners during property damage recoveries in our community we know it can make a huge difference during and following a property emergency. Here are some key steps to take in advance that can be important to the recovery process and the overall restoration of your property.

1. Set up an emergency response plan and train employees how to carry it out. Make sure employees know whom to notify about the disaster and what measures to take to preserve life and limit property losses.
   
   
2. Compile a list of important phone numbers and addresses. Make sure you can get in touch with key people after the disaster. The list should include local and state emergency management agencies, major clients, contractors, suppliers, realtors, financial institutions, insurance agents and insurance company claim representatives.
   
   
3. Decide on a communications strategy to prevent loss of customers. Post notices outside your premises; contact clients by phone, email or regular mail; place a notice in local newspapers.
   
   
4. Consider the things you may need initially during an emergency. Do you need a back-up source of power? First-aid? Do you have a back-up communications system?
   
   
5. Keep duplicate records. Back-up computerized data files regularly and store them off-premises. Keep copies of important records and documents in a safe deposit box and make sure they’re up-to-date.
   
   
6. Identify critical business activities and the resources needed to support them. If you cannot afford to shut down your operations, even temporarily, determine what you require to run the business at another location.

After a fire disaster impacts your Brooklyn business, the cleanup of fire debris, removal of harmful chemicals and pollutants and minimizing damage to the building structure needs to happen quickly. The more time that passes after the fire event and before restoration services begin gives soot the opportunity to spread throughout the property causing contamination and corrosion. This delay often results in the need for larger-scale mitigation as well as the cleaning of the ductwork, adding valuable time and dollars to your recovery. Has your property suffered a fire disaster? Contact our staff for help with your cleanup and property restoration; we have years of experience and the answers you are looking for.

SERVPRO are experts at keeping your Brooklyn business operating during the busiest retail season

11/29/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help during a retail property disaster to minimize downtime and damages keeping your holiday sales going strong.

As Brooklyn and Queens retailers look to stretch an uncomfortably short shopping season this year, don’t let property damages get in the way of increased holiday sales. SERVPRO is your answer to staying operational after a Big or Small water or fire disaster impacts your commercial property this holiday shopping season. SERVPRO restoration specialists have the experience, training and equipment to arrive faster to your commercial property disaster. Our full-service team is uniquely equipped to handle all phases of the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction saving your critical time during your recovery when your retail property needs it most. With over 30 years of experience helping local businesses our goal is to work with managers and owners to develop the right recovery plan to minimize cost, avoid business interruption and mitigate property damages.

What Type of Business Disaster Restoration Service Does SERVPRO Provide?

Our SERVPRO Commercial Restoration Professionals can assist your local Brooklyn or Queens business with:

• Board-up, Emergency Power and Building Stabilization
• Emergency Mitigation Services including Content Management
• Drying, Dehumidification and Water Extraction
• Electronics Restoration
• Fine Art, Data and Document Recovery
• Reconstruction Services
• Soot, Smoke and Odor Removal

OUR SERVPRO Training and Tools Makes a BIG Difference in quick property cleanup and repairs

The success of your property disaster recovery hinges on a fast and effective response from a professional restoration company. Our SERVPRO teams have been assisting your neighbors with disaster restoration for years, providing expert commercial property disaster remediation. Our crews are prepared to assist during your property emergency with powerful and efficient tools and IICRC certified restoration specialists around-the-clock. Retail establishments can be dramatically impacted by natural or accidental disasters such as fire, flood, storms or even vandalism. The SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has decades of experience and training to overcome the unique challenges that can come with commercial property disasters including keeping your business running while cleaning and restoration is being performed. Our IICRC certified restoration specialists work quickly and efficiently to minimize or eliminate downtime with fast mitigation, content management and professional containment services for a fast recovery.

SERVPRO Provides Emergency Cleanup and Restoration Services

• Mitigation efforts are meant to prevent further damage and loss from occurring due to the existing threat, thus increasing the overall amount of work that needs to be done during the restoration itself.
• Restoration is performed on items that could not be saved by mitigation efforts, and items that were damaged before the restoration company arrived. This step is often a longer process and may involve the complete replacement of floors, roofs, walls and other portions of your business that have been too damaged to save.
• Both are necessary in order to get your business back in order after a flood, fire or other disaster, and should be performed by a professional disaster restoration company.

SERVPRO is here to help keep your commercial property operating through the busiest shopping season

Commercial property damage events are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale fire disaster, trust our restoration professionals to cleanup, repair and restore your business with minimal interruption to your customers and employees. Happy Holidays from SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn.

Mold Remediation for ALL Types of Brooklyn Commercial Facilities

9/17/2019 (Permalink)

Mold remediation is the process of finding, containing, and removing mold and damaged materials from an affected area.

Mold colonization in commercial facilities and warehouses can quickly get out of control without appropriate mitigation, SERVPRO is here to help with mold remediation for all types of Brooklyn businesses.

Flooding and water damage most often have far reaching consequences on a commercial property, requiring many different types of property damage restoration services including water removal, demolition, deodorization and decontamination, drying and dehumidifying and rebuilding. Whether your property just experienced a heavy rain intrusion, a common appliance malfunction or hazardous plumbing leak. Commercial water damage cleanup and restoration can be complicated, it most often requires a set of detailed steps to make sure the water is properly extracted, cleaned up, dried and mitigated, when these steps aren’t taken, and moisture continues to plaque your building mold growth will often occur. Mold grows quickly and can spread throughout a property in as little as 24-48 hours. Any commercial property can quickly become infested with mold if a source of water is present, the key to preventing excessive mold growth is to control moisture. That’s why it’s important to act quickly if your commercial property experiences a water damage or you see any signs of hidden water damage or visible mold. SERVPRO is a leading provider of mold remediation services across the country, our mold certified technicians can assess your commercial warehouse or building to evaluate the extent of the damage and advise owners and managers of the proper steps to remediate and restore your facility, “Like it never even happened.”

Mold Damage to Your Commercial Warehouse or Building?

Mold is a microscopic, airborne fungus that exists all around us, it occurs naturally in our surroundings and usually reproduces by releasing spores into the environment. In nature, mold plays an important role in the decomposition of organic material. Mold requires both organic material and a consistent source of moisture to grow. Many materials in homes and business contain the organic materials and under the right circumstances can be conducive to mold growth. When excessive moisture accumulates indoors, drywall, wood, paneling, ceiling tiles, carpeting, insulation, paper, cardboard, fabric, upholstery and even paint will encourage mold growth. If there is a consistent water source, mold will continue to colonize and break down organic material into dusty, dirt-like matter. Neglecting mold damage for an extended period can cause unnecessary damage to your home and risk possible health effects to occupants. It’s never too early nor too late to address commercial property mold damage.

When excessive moisture accumulates inside buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, particularly if the moisture problem remains unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture indoors.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends these tips to prevent commercial property mold damage

Ensure all leaky plumbing is fixed; Correct all noticed wet spots;

Completely eliminate condensation through insulating or increasing air circulation;

• Reduce the moisture level in the air and add ventilation to reduce humidity;
• Maintain indoor humidity level below 60% with a goal of 30-50%;
• Conduct routine building and HVAC inspections;
• Provide proper drainage and sloping to eliminate wet foundations.

What is Mold Remediation

Mold remediation is the process of finding, containing, and removing mold and damaged materials from the affected area and the air around it. It’s crucial to contain the damaged areas, because spores are microscopic and can easily spread to other areas through the air or by attaching themselves to clothes or objects throughout the remediation process. SERVPRO mold removal specialists are specially trained using techniques to contain the damaged areas and mitigate the spread of mold, using negative air pressure and physical barriers to seal off the infected area, including ductwork during the remediation process.

Moldy items such as furniture, carpeting and inventory are cleaned if the infestation is minor or removed if it’s extensive. In this commercial warehouse our mold remediation team setup on-site clean rooms to more efficiently remediate damaged materials and contents. Damaged parts of drywall are removed, replaced, and repainted. Large storage racks can be hand cleaned with antimicrobial agents, all items in the area must be cleaned and sanitized, even if they don’t have visible mold. Mold can be very illusive and can grow behind wallpaper, inside books or files and other hidden areas. Our SERVPRO professionals have advanced equipment and top tier training to remediate mold and return any commercial property mold damage back to a healthy, safe and operation work environment.

Commercial Mold Remediation

The Environmental Protection Agency has a guide for Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings on their website.

SERVPRO Stops the Spread of Mold During the Remediation Process

SERVPRO mold remediation technicians are train to use the highest restoration industry standards, mastering Applied Microbial Remediation through IICRC courses. We employ the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed protocols to contain and remove active mold colonies. Our crews also use EPA registered antimicrobial products to treat surfaces after removal to inhibit additional growth. During remediation, we protect our employees and your occupants from the hazards of mold remediation by creating zones where we remove and bag the mold and contaminated debris. Physical barriers provide one kind of protection, and we also install HEPA filtered exhaust ductwork and use negative air pressure to prevent airborne mold and residues from infiltrating unaffected areas of the building.

Containment of the Affected Area

One of the main concerns, during a remediation project is the dissemination of airborne mold spores. When a remediation project is initiated the first step is to set up containment or isolation of the affected area. Containment will help our SERVPRO professionals control the spread of these spores while assisting the remediation process in returning the affected area to normal healthy levels. The act of removing or disturbing a mold source during the remediation process tends to distribute large quantities of mold spores into the air. That’s why proper containment is so important to the safety of the occupants and undamaged areas. Cross contamination is a major concern for our crews and our teams are trained and provided the highest level of safety equipment and personal safety gear to process your mold remediation safely.

When setting up containment of the work area, the first step is to install a HEPA Filtered Negative Air machine. This is a fan which pulls air from the affected area and exhausts the contaminated air outside of the structure via flexible tubing or ducting. Doing this will begin to draw the airborne mold spores away from the airspace, eventually creating a negative pressure environment.

The second step is to install physical barriers in the work area, creating zones. This is most typically done with the use of heavy plastic. The main goal when creating this physical barrier is to completely isolate the work area from any adjacent, non-affected areas. All HVAC systems or shared airways between other rooms would be taped or covered in plastic, and all electrical outlets and light fixtures would be covered. Basically, any area that could allow air flow between the mold infested area and another non-affected area should be properly sealed.

If you fear that your commercial building is contaminated with mold or has had a recent water damage that was not properly mitigated, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to help. Our highly-trained and IICRC certified Brooklyn and Queens mold remediation specialists are here to help, to explain and assess your property’s commercial mold cleanup and remediation needs. Our priority is to provide a remediation solution and get your commercial property’s mold damage concerns under control. Our teams will cleanup, remove damaged materials and remediate your commercial mold problem, restoring your facility, “Like it never even happened.”

SOURCE: https://www.epa.gov

A Plumbing Failure Can Leave Your Commercial Property in Urgent Need of Hazardous Water and Sewage Removal & Cleanup

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

Our Brooklyn SERVPRO technicians can arrive quickly and are experienced in dealing with messy and hazardous water damage cleanup and restoration.

SERVPRO is here to help with ALL types of commercial property restoration services to keep your organization looking and running at its best. Sewage backups are a common and messy commercial property disaster, big or small “category 3” water damages are dangerous and should be repaired by TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ONLY. A sewage backup can occur for many reasons, but the most common is when a blockage prevents wastewater from flowing through the sewer line that connects your restroom to the municipal sewers or other type of septic system managing your waste removal. The obstruction will cause your sewer lines and drain pipes to fill up until it eventually overflows. Looking for a reliable commercial sewage removal company near you, can be challenging, however calling a local SERVPRO franchise, will get you the quick and effective cleanup and repair services you need. Water damage in your commercial property is an inconvenience, damages can spread quickly throughout your building, threatening not only the structural components of your school, store, restaurant, office building or warehouse but also potentially allowing secondary effects such as mold growth to occur. Our local Brooklyn SERVPRO technicians can arrive quickly and are experienced in dealing with messy and hazardous “black water” situations and can effectively decontaminate, sanitize and deodorize the area. Our IICRC certified sewage and biohazard cleanup professionals are trained and equipped with all necessary resources needed to mitigate and protect your commercial property and contents from further harm.

What risks are associated with a Brooklyn commercial sewage backup?

Health Risks, Contamination, and Mold
Cosmetic & Structural Damage
Damage to Appliances, Inventory and other Contents

Depending on the category of water involved in the water intrusion, sewage backups can pose serious health risk and often contain bacterial and viral contaminants including; parasites, and mold. Hazardous sewage cleanup should be performed by highly-trained, certified professional in order to ensure the safety of the affected area as well as the inhabitants of the property. Most porous items that meet raw sewage must be handled properly by certified professionals and disposed of safely.

SERVPRO professional water damage cleanup crews are experienced with messy property disasters 

Category 3 water damage from a sewage backup can leave your commercial property messy, like other water damages they can cause serious cosmetic and structural damage to your home or business. Contents such as inventory, equipment, documents, furnishings can be ruined if saturated with contaminated water and losing vital hours of operation can have serious consequences to your short- and long-term profitability. Toilet overflows, sewage backups and other category 3 “black water” intrusions are more than nasty, smelly messes; these biohazard situations can bring with them harmful parasites, viruses, and bacteria that pose a significant health risk to occupants as well as moisture that can ultimately lead to mold growth.

When contacting a local professional sewage cleanup service is necessary our SERVPRO expert IICRC certified specialists will respond to your situation in the quickest, safest, and most appropriate manner possible. When it comes to biohazard cleanup, our team knows that there are multiple steps to ensure a building is properly restored after a sewage mess. After extracting the dirty water from your commercial property, our team will sanitize, deodorize and dry out the damaged areas. Our SERVPRO category 3 water damage, sewage and biohazard removal professionals are fully equipped with all the necessary tools to ensure an effective cleanup and restoration happens, including air filters, devices to detect moisture, vacuums, pumps, anti-microbial chemicals, and protective suits. Our team will isolate, clean and sanitize your commercial restroom and other damaged areas, neutralizing the odors and remove all contaminated materials to restore your office or facility to a safe and healthy condition, quickly and properly.

Our Restoration specialists follow proven steps to cleanup and repair sewage backups and other hazardous flood damage, including:

• Properly removing sewage water and solid waste;
• Removing contaminated contents; including carpet, flooring and other surfaces that have been exposed to potential contamination
• Cleaning and sanitizing the area;
• Using air movers and dehumidifiers to rapidly dry the area;
• Finally making any necessary repairs and restoration

The most important solution for your commercial sewage backup is a quick response, by calling our team immediately following a property disaster, our crews can start the mitigation process, our trucks are stocked with extraction and drying equipment to quickly reverse the signs of damage. That, combined with our experience in controlled demolition, can quickly protect your home from contamination and bacterial threats that can often exist after contaminated “black water” circumstances. We know business interruption for cleanup and restoration, can prove to be stressful and compromising. Our team takes all necessary steps to minimize downtime and avoid disruption during your recovery, we strive to restore rather than replace whenever possible, helping mitigate the damage quickly and save on recovery costs.

Sewage Backup, Plumbing Failure or Toilet Overflow? Call Us Today

Fire safety tips to avoid property fire damage and the need for disaster restoration services.

8/26/2019 (Permalink)

A fast response is critical as fire residue can immediately damage structural components and contents.

Don’t let an outdoor fire ruin your summer/fall, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has some helpful tips for preventing Brooklyn fire property disasters.

Fall is almost here, and it’s a great time to tryout some new grilling recipes and perfect your marshmallow roasting technique. Spending fall evenings outdoors cooking yummy things on the grill and relaxing with family and friends by the fire pit are wonderful ways to make great end of summer and fall memories. Summer and Fall are peak times for outdoor fire mishaps and property damage concerns. It’s important to keep safety in mind when enjoying these fun but hazardous activities this season, SERVPRO wants your summer and fall to be remembered for fabulous food and outdoor entertaining, not the charred steaks and a burnt building.

SMOKE AND SOOT DAMAGE CONCERNS FOR YOUR PROPERTY

Even a minor property fire or a season of outdoor fires and BBQs can contribute to significant smoke or soot damage throughout your Brooklyn home’s interiors and exteriors, including your HVAC unit. Our SERVPRO restoration specialists know a lot about the secondary damages from soot and smoke that happen as the result of a blaze. Whether the fire was from a recreational source like a fireplace, outdoor fire pit or grill, or the result of a fire mishap and a property disaster. Fire creates smoke and soot, and the tiny particles float in the air and will become trapped in drapes, carpets and furniture, or collect on surfaces and inside your HVAC system. When these issues arise and you see soot residue or smell smoke odors, the solution is the same. Calling your local SERVPRO Fire Cleanup and Restoration Professionals will provide top quality services, experience, knowledge and trust that our Brooklyn restoration crews will quickly restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

When the wind changes while your outdoor fire or BBQ is going it can bring secondary fire damages like smoke and soot concerns to the interiors and exteriors of your home. That’s why it’s always recommended that you avoid outdoor fires during windy nights, and you should pay special attention while cooking. Smoke and soot can permeate your walls, surfaces and air ducts leaving unseen odors throughout your property. Consulting a full-service cleanup, restoration and repairs company is your top-priority to keeping restoration costs lower and salvaging as much of your structure and possessions as possible. SERVPRO has a long history in the restoration industry and we focus on salvaging and restoring your contents and structure. SERVPRO provides exceptional fire, smoke and soot damage restoration services and experience, balanced with efficiency and cost-effective techniques in response to your property damage disaster.

Learn more about our superior Fire damage cleanup and restoration services here.

Want to know more about how SERVPRO can help with smoke odors and soot damage in your home following seasonal outdoor fire property damage?

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has been providing disaster restoration services including, fire, smoke, flood and water damage for nearly 30 years, we have learned that property damage happens even to the most cautious of homeowners. A fast response is critical as fire residue can immediately damage structural components and contents, the contamination grows progressively worse and more expensive to remediate as time passes. SERVPRO is Faster to any size disaster, arriving at your home as soon as possible with a full complement of Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) and the products, tools, and equipment needed in our well-stocked service vehicles.

The training our crews complete from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) prepares them to use effective strategies that clean up the charring, soiling, and odors post-fire. SERVPRO’s professional fire restoration specialists and high-tech commercial equipment ensure quick and effective cleanup, removal and repairs of your property and contents following smoke, soot and ash surface buildup and damage before it continues to spread.

SERVPRO’s Proven Soot and Smoke Damage Cleaning and Deodorizing Process:

• Clean the soot residue that builds up on surfaces before it continues to spread.
• Neutralize the odor to keep them from returning
• Remove soot residue from at-risk items including brass, aluminum, chrome, marble, tile, fabrics, carpets and upholstery.
• Deodorize carpets, curtains and clothing and other porous materials

Learn more about soot damage and other secondary fire damages including different methods for cleaning and restoring your residential or commercial property and contents correctly.    

Even when your belongings are in good shape, and the cleanup is minor, the lingering odor can be overwhelming. Our SERVPRO crew has a variety of approaches to use, including deodorizing pellets, charcoal-activated filters, and even ozone air purifiers. Here are just a few examples of materials and possible restoration solutions; Porous materials like drywall, wood and furniture often require ozone treatments to remove the smoke smell. Upholstery, carpeting, drapes and other fabrics are often dry cleaned with special chemical deodorizers to neutralize the smell, then either steam or dry cleaned. The exact deodorization process will vary depending on the extent of the fire smell and the type of materials involved.

Contact us today if your home has experienced smoke or soot damage from an outdoor fire mishap or an accidental fire disaster.

On average 8,800 home fires start from barbeque grills, fire pits and outdoor fireplaces, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is here to help with fire cleanup and mitigation emergency services, whenever you need us. Our local SERVPRO professionals can answer your emergency call 24-hours/7 days per week! Our priority is servicing our local community, and we want to provide a few simple outdoor fire and grilling safety tips can help prevent injury and keep your home and property safe from potential fire damage and the need for local fire damage cleanup and restoration services, this season.

REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE FROM OUTDOOR GRILLS & FIRE PITS… NEVER LEAVE YOUR BURNING GRILL OR FIRE UNATTENDED!

Tips for Backyard Grill and Fire Pit Fire Safety

• Keep at least a safe 3-foot clearance around the entire grill or fire pit. Keep kids and pets clear of this area too!
• Move the grill away from the house, fence and away from underneath any overhangs. Do not use the grill under trees or near shrubbery.
• Regularly clean out the grease traps on your grill to prevent grease fires.
• Never leave your grill unattended!
• If using charcoal, make sure the coals have cooled completely before disposing of them in a metal container.
• Keeping a fire extinguisher or a big box of baking soda in the vicinity is good idea in case a fire does breakout.
• Drag a hose over to where you’re burning. If you have a sprayer on your hose, turn the water on and keep it on until you’re through with your fire in case of an emergency.
• Never have a fire under trees or overhangs, near shrubbery, or close to the house.
• Keep flammable materials away from fires.
• Never have a fire on a windy day!

Efficient local Summer Storm Property Damage Restoration Services with SERVPRO

8/6/2019 (Permalink)

Our EMERGENCY RESTORATION crews are available 24-hours a day, here to help with property repairs and recovery services.

Our Brooklyn Restoration Specialists have the answers to your home or business storm property damage cleanup and repair concerns

Spring and Summer bring many weather-related hazards and potential storm, flood and water damage to your Brooklyn residential or commercial property, including severe storms that bring coastal flooding, torrential rains, strong winds and lightning. Other elements that can cause local property damage during the spring and summer are high-indoor humidity or summer fire concerns. Your home or business could face any number of potential Spring and Summer property damage concerns, including mold damage, fire damage, sewage backup damage or plumbing leaks and appliance water damage. When you find yourself or someone you know in need of professional disaster restoration services or emergency fire, flood or sewage cleanup and property repairs, our SERVPRO restoration specialists are here to assist.

Brooklyn summer months bring a ton of exciting things to do, our area offers great beaches and parks to explore, additionally there are great events and community functions happening throughout the season. It’s important to remember safety while enjoying all that spring and summer have to offer. Keeping your family, friends and employees safe during these months is important to us, as is taking steps to avoid property damage to your home or business. Our Emergency Response crews are available 24-hours a day, always here to help with property damage repairs and recovery services. 

Many Brooklyn property owners and renters have experienced flooding and other property water damage from the severe weather in our area, do you need restoration and cleanup help?

OUR NEW YORK CITY STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

• Roof tarp and Board-up Services
• Category 1, 2 and 3 Water Extraction & Cleanup
• Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
• Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
• Mold Remediation
• Reconstruction and Repairs

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team has been helping our local communities for nearly 30 years, we are prepared with expert training and quality equipment to mitigate and restore your commercial or residential property. Our technicians are available 24-7 with our Emergency Service Team to help cleanup and repair your property damage from water, sewage, smoke or fire. Our priority is providing quick and effective service and solutions to restore your property and belongings, “Like it never even happened.”

Storm Flood Damage and Coastal Flood Damage Concerns for Brooklyn

Flooding is a serious and potentially dangerous concern for many commercial or residential property owners or renters. Northeast Thunderstorms and Hurricanes can bring a ton of moisture and tidal surges causing above average amounts of water to cover the local and surrounding areas. Flooding, water and other storm damages are a threat to local business and communities with excessive wind, water and flooding causing property damage and injury, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory, floods kill more people every year than lightning, hurricanes and tornadoes combined. SERVPRO is here to help Brooklyn communities get back to normal and restore property and homes following major disasters, providing disaster recovery services at a National scale, our chain of resources can bring relief and recovery quickly. Storm and coastal flooding can lead to dangerous contamination and structural damage and corrosion including damage to the drywall, contents and support structure. After only 24 hours your property is in jeopardy of additional damages including mold growth and other harmful bacteria. Quick and Effective cleanup and restoration services from a professional team is vital to avoiding even further damage.

Structural Damage: Severe storms can bring major flood risks to most Brooklyn and Queens properties causing significant structural damage to building materials, contents, foundations and basements. Our immediate flood water removal services are essential to avoiding additional costly damages, our SERVPRO specialists can also provide temporary structural support, tarp and board-up services to help stabilize and secure the property.

Mold Growth: following a flood or water damage to your home or business, mold has the potential to start growing right away. SERVPRO technicians are trained and experienced to handle the mold remediation process and avoid the spread of mold colonies throughout your property.

Spreading Moisture: Our rapid drying techniques reduce the risk of continued moisture exposure, preventing further water damage to your home or business. Our technicians monitor the spread of moisture to nearby areas and can address any hidden water damage early helping avoid additional costly secondary damage.

Types of Contaminated Water and Categories of Water Damage

One of the first things to do when faced with water damage is determine what kind of contamination you’re dealing with. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), water can be contaminated by agricultural pollution, oil pollution, sewage and wastewater, radioactive substances, harmful chemicals, and various other materials. It can sometimes be difficult to determine the type and extent of water damage affecting your home or business. That's why it's best to call a local property disaster restoration company like SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to fill in the blanks. Our Professional staff will come and inspect your damage and customize a removal, cleanup and restoration solution to get your property damage reversed as quickly and effectively as possible.

Different types of contaminated water pose different risks, but the longer the water stays in a home, the more severe the property damage it will cause and the greater the threat to your health. Also called black water, Category 3 water is water from sewage backups and overflowing rivers that contains various hazardous contaminants, sewage, and/or toxic debris. According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IIRC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), all water originating from sea water, ground or surface water, rising rivers and streams, and wind-driven rain from hurricanes and tropical storms is considered Category 3.

When Summer and Fall storms are coming to Brooklyn it’s important to be prepared, our SERVPRO teams are ready and always prepared to handle any size property disaster. Calling SERVPRO after you experience flood or water damage from coastal flooding, severe thunderstorms or basement flooding, can be the difference from a quick cleanup and mitigation or costly restoration, construction and mold remediation services.

KNOW YOUR ZONE & WEATHER TERMINOLOGY

When living in a coastal community such as Brooklyn it is incredibly important to know where the flood zones are located, and to prepare for severe weather-related hazards. Weather terminology and warnings are important tools to knowing when to prepare for a storm and how to keep your family healthy and your property safe from disaster.

THUNDERSTORM TERMINOLOGY

• Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Be Prepared! Watches are typically issued 12-48 hours before a storm is set to hit. This is to advise the public of the possibility of a thunderstorm including; heavy rain, flooding, strong winds and possible hail.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Take Action! Warnings alert the public 2-24 hours before a storm occurs. Issued for hazardous weather that can cause “significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.”

HURRICANE TERMINOLOGY

• Hurricane Watch: Be Prepared! Watches are typically issued 12-48 hours before a storm is set to hit. This is to advise the public of the possibility of a Hurricane (sustained winds of 74mph or greater) including; heavy rain, flooding, strong winds and possible hail.
• Hurricane Warning: Take Action! Warnings alert the public 36 hours in advance of tropical storm-force winds. Issued for hazardous weather that can cause “significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.”

SAFETY TIPS BEFORE A STORM ARRIVES:

Stock up:

Gather and check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed. The American Red Cross suggests you pick up at least three days' worth of water and non-perishable food, a flashlight and extra batteries for it, at least seven days’ worth of prescription medication, a cell phone with a charger, and that you have extra cash and spare clothes at the ready.

Have an emergency kit with these items you probably already have in your home: flashlight(s), battery powered weather radio, extra batteries to fit each electronic (including cell phone), non-perishable foods (canned goods and dry foods), lots of bottled water, can opener, first aid kit (with a disinfectant), fire extinguisher, blankets, extra clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, clock or watch, whistle to signal for help, important personal items (eyeglasses, prescriptions, etc.), and paper documents such as birth certificates, social security cards, and other significant legal papers.

Stay Indoors:

Stay inside and away from windows, skylights and glass doors. Find a safe area in the interior or your property on the lower level or basement. If flooding threatens your home, turn off the electricity at the main breaker. If your property loses power, turn off major appliances such as the AC unit and water heater to reduce damage.

Property Concerns:

Inspect your roof and foundation for damage and make necessary repairs. Exterior doors should have 3 hinges and a deadbolt lock that is an inch long minimum. Cut dead or weak limbs before a storm hits. Remove any limbs hanging over your home that could cause substantial damage if they fall. Likewise, take the time to have trees that could fall on the home removed. Clean rain gutters ensure runoff has a place to go; water that pools and gathers can cause damage especially if a downpour is ongoing.

SERVPRO can help with start to finish professional property disaster cleanup, restoration, rebuild and post-construction cleaning services.

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

Our restoration and construction services gives SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn a unique opportunity to streamline the entire property recovery process.

When your Brooklyn or Queens residential or commercial property faces damages from a disaster, working with a full service disaster restoration, cleanup and construction company can give you the advantage you need to save money and time during the property recovery process. Our SERVPRO location offers a unique chance to work with a trusted local Brooklyn and Queens restoration and recovery team, that includes IICRC certified property damage technicians and licensed contractors with disaster restoration rebuilding and new construction experience. Providing you a complete property disaster restoration and rebuild option for cleanup and repairs. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professional restoration and construction managers and crews work together to give your water damage, fire damage or mold remediation and rebuild project a seamless time-saving and often cost effective transition, making your property truly, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in property disaster recovery and restoration services, our on-call 24/7 emergency response teams are highly-trained and experienced with all types of property disaster losses including fire, smoke, water, sewage, flood and storm damage. Our restoration professionals near you have nearly 30 years of experience providing high-quality commercial and residential property disaster restoration and reconstruction services to local Brooklyn communities every day.

More about SERVPRO’s Emergency Response Property Disaster Restoration Services

After a frustrating and confusing property disaster, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is committed to making the cleanup, restoration and rebuild process as organized, efficient and easy for customers as possible. Whether your home or business sustained damages from a storm, flood, fire or water disaster, you’ll have trusted and compassionate specialists by your side. Our staff has countless hours of experience helping people in your position, and they work with you to survey the extent of the property damage, develop a plan for cleanup, restoration and reconstruction that fits your needs.

Disaster restoration and repair for your Brooklyn or Queens home, building or business is best left to our restoration professionals. Our SERVPRO crews are skilled with the complexities of removing water and the water extraction, drying, dehumidifying, disinfecting and removal equipment required to complete the job properly. They have extensive experience, certifications, and equipment to complete any size restoration and repair your property disaster loss quickly, correctly, and affordably.

Our Brooklyn and Queens Property Restoration Services include:

• Water Removal and Extraction: This important step in the process involves us removing and extracting standing water from all areas of your property. Our SERVPRO technicians utilize industrial grade equipment to move large volumes quickly and efficiently to minimize long term hazards and damage
• Property Drying: After the bulk of the water is removed hazardous levels of moisture can still exist fibrous structural and aesthetic components in your home or business building. We utilize specialized equipment to pull moisture from the air to create an environment suitable for drying of these important pieces and may also attempt to speed the drying process with heat.
• Cleanup: After water and moisture have been removed and dried it’s important to conduct thorough cleaning of the affected area to prevent future health hazards. Flooding from rivers and sewers can pose exceptional risks to health and welfare due to the silt and bacteria they carry. Our team will remove damaged items that are beyond repair
• Soot and Smoke Mitigation: SERVPRO’s full-spectrum restoration capabilities has many benefits when it comes to fire and smoke damage restoration. We often use air scrubbers that creates negative air pressure to force contaminants through HEPA filters before exhausting to the outdoors. Air quality is improved, including the clearing of any fumes from cleaners or solvents used to remove protein-based soot from kitchen fires.

Our dedicated team, provides professional and prompt emergency restoration services for all local Brooklyn and Queens commercial businesses and residences. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn offers building services giving our NYC location a unique opportunity to streamline the entire property restoration and recovery process, while mitigating challenges and providing quick and seamless professional service from start to finish.

Property Repair and Reconstruction Services in Brooklyn and Queens

Once the emergency mitigation services have been performed, our Restoration Project Manager will coordinate with our construction team, your insurance company and adjuster to plan the next steps. Our complete disaster restoration services provide all the necessary steps in the cleanup, mitigation, restoration and rebuild process from start to finish. Our crews and managers work closely with you to restore your property to preloss condition. Our goal is to leave you with the home and/or business you had before any damages occurred, as well as minimize any stress or strain associated with handling a restoration and construction project on your own. We have rebuilt and reconstructed countless walls, floors, kitchens, bathrooms, structures and more. Whether your property suffers a small flood or fire and requires minor remediation services, or is large and require complete reconstruction of walls, support beams, floors and sub-floors, our experienced restoration professionals are here to help. Not only can we remove ceilings, wall and floors affected by property disasters, we can also replace them. We provide all necessary reconstruction services and work seamlessly with highly vetted vendors for plumbing, roofing, electrical or other related services.

Following the mitigation phase as the construction phase in your Brooklyn or Queens property begins a SERVPRO Construction Project Manager will work closely with you and your insurance adjuster to guarantee the highest level of satisfaction and most time-efficient execution of any and all construction requirements and needs. Our goal is to restore and repair your home or business back to its original condition, but also allow for any changes or upgrades to the property at your request (these upgrades may NOT be covered by insurance). This will afford you the opportunity to make any alterations to your property during the reconstruction phase. This will save you time and money on any of those property improvements you may have been planning but putting off!  

Types of Construction Services available by SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

From simple repairs and remodeling, to total reconstruction or improvement projects, our construction and remediation crews have the resources and knowledge to offer these services:
    •    Site Containment / Temporary Shoring
    •    Selective Demolition
    •    Full-Scale Carpentry
    •    Complete Exterior/Envelope Reconstruction
    •    Interior Build-Out and Finishes
    •    Complex Installation and Interior Finishes
    •    Historic Reconstruction and Restoration

Our SERVPRO Disaster Restoration and Reconstruction crews are committed to helping home and business owners and managers navigate the aftermath of a Brooklyn or Queens property disaster. You are not alone – SERVPRO will guide you step-by-step through the cleanup, restoration and reconstruction process and make your experience as quick and efficient as possible. We have helped countless local property owners in your situation, and are here to help you, too.

Still have questions about Restorations and Repairs?

Let us answer your questions about ANY of our property disaster recovery phases, our professionally trained SERVPRO staff is available 24-hours a day to provide answers to your concerns, or setup an inspection to get your property back on the road to restoration and recovery. Give SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn a call!

High Humidity Levels could be causing property damage in your Brooklyn home

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

Over time hidden moisture can contribute to high humidity levels, creating ideal conditions for mold growth and other property damage concerns.

Local Brooklyn homes and commercial buildings are at great risk from disaster water damage, it is a top reason for property damage insurance claims in the Boroughs. Water damage from floods, burst pipes, and sewage backups are obvious and require emergency SERVPRO property disaster restoration service right away. However, “hidden moisture” water damage can be difficult to detect and often leads to a considerable amount of property damage and an increased cost for water disaster restoration including cleanup, restoration and repairs.

One concern hidden moisture problems or sustained water damage can cause is an increase in the overall humidity of your property. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 60 percent. During warm spring and summer months keeping an ideal relative humidity can be difficult, especially if your property is hiding a moisture issue. If you are having trouble with high humidity in your Brooklyn residence or commercial building “hidden moisture” could be a cause.

Potential problem areas in your property for high humidity are, damp basements, moisture prone high traffic areas, bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens with high humidity activities and poor circulation. Common signs of excessive humidity include condensation on windows, pipes, and walls. Over time hidden moisture, for example a slow attic leak or a foundation crack can contribute to high indoor humidity levels and during ideal conditions can cause mold growth and other property concerns to emerge. The possible causes of water damage lurking in your home can originate from many different sources, with varying intensities, contamination levels, and scope of damage. Some of our largest Brooklyn property restoration projects start as small water leaks that cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time.

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn crews use many tools and techniques to successfully and thoroughly locate and address local Brooklyn area high humidity and other hidden water damage concerns. Calling local SERVPRO restoration professionals can help investigate the source behind high humidity or hidden water damage concerns and inspect for any sign of visible mold or other secondary property damages.

How do SERVPRO property restoration specialists find hidden water?

Our SERVPRO professionals have IICRC certification and extensive training to handle all facets of water loss recovery in homes and businesses throughout NYC. Our technicians double check to ensure success during the water disaster restoration process, our goal is to provide quick and effective service to get life and operations back to normal. We use state of the art moisture monitoring and thermal imaging equipment to locate hidden water damage that could be lurking in your home after an emergency loss or lingering water property disaster.

MOISTURE DETECTION DEVICES:
Our SERVPRO water damage technicians use moisture detection devices, like a stud finder these moisture readers can indicate the presence of moisture behind, ceilings, walls and floors. The devices that our teams use emits electromagnetic waves and measures the resistance in their return to determine moisture content in the affected materials. This sophisticated equipment can help us to decide when structural element could be too saturated or damaged to preserve.

THERMAL IMAGING EQUIPMENT:
Our local SERVPRO disaster restoration professionals also use thermal imagery to indicate the presence of moisture pockets throughout affected and exposed areas of your property. Much of the damage in many water loss incidents can occur out of sight, so seeing a temperature array to detail the presence of moisture and dampness in challenging areas can help to determine the best points for installing drying equipment.

Is Hidden Moisture Causing Disaster Water Damage in your local Brooklyn Home or Business

Hidden moisture or water leaks are dangerous because they can cause serious issues like structural damage and mold growth before they are discovered. Excess water and moisture get absorbed in wood, drywall, insulation, and furniture and can lead to warping, stains, bubbling, and structural deterioration.

Common signs of hidden water damage look like:

Water spots or warping under sink cabinets

If you see water under the bathroom or kitchen sink, it’s a warning sign that you have water damage and potential mold growth around the sink area. If the leak is bad enough, it could cause additional damage to the building structure, including the floor and walls, even if there’s no water present, water spots clearly indicate that pipes under the sink have a slow leak.

Ceiling or wall stains and bubbling

Ceiling and wall stains are obvious signs of a roof, appliance, or plumbing leak, water saturates insulation and drywall, it can also lead to major water damage, that can compromise the structural integrity of the property. Check your roof for damage, broken tiles or puddling, also investigate appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher, and toilets for leaky spigots that could be dripping water and causing damage.

Squishy or Warping kitchen/bathroom floors or tile

Water damage is not always visible. In fact, it’s more common for damage to occur behind the floor, ceiling, and walls where you can’t see it. Since the bathroom is the most humid room in your home, it’s a common place for water damage and mold growth.

Moisture detection equipment can help our SERVPRO restoration professionals to identify problem areas within your home that could be contributing to your home’s high humidity. Excessive moisture and high humidity can also cause mold to grow and spread in areas behind walls and ceilings where it is not easily detected. If water damage isn’t properly mitigated, mold and other secondary damages can begin to spread throughout your property in just a few days. That’s why it’s important to choose quality restoration professionals to dry and restore your property and take necessary steps to avoid further damages.

Ask SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn about a Visible Mold Inspection

The key to mold prevention is simple: moisture control and adequate airflow. If you suspect your Brooklyn property is suffering from excessive high humidity, get in touch with our SERVPRO staff right away. Our Disaster Restoration team can inspect your property for mold and water damage, locate the source of hidden moisture and plan a mold removal and remediation process to get your home healthy and safe, “Like it never even happened.”

Signs of mold in your property are unpleasant odor, health effects or visual signs of mold growth.

If our SERVPRO technicians do discover mold during the inspection and mitigation process, they will evaluate the mold growth and contain any damage to the smallest area possible. They will then physically remove the mold and thoroughly dry any contaminated areas to ensure that the mold does not return. Finally, the technicians will follow established procedures to return the property to a preloss condition.

When your Brooklyn home or business experiences a water disaster issue, or you suspect that high humidity maybe a problem, call our trusted local SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Property Restoration Service Specialists. Our sophisticated tools can make it easy to determine the presence of hidden moisture and dampness in your local Brooklyn property, waiting too long to choose a professional cleanup and recovery service can be a costly and hazardous mistake. Our SERVPRO specialists closely monitor and document all our cleanup, mitigation and remediation steps and make sure your moisture problem is taken care of correctly. To schedule a FREE inspection for property damage, give our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team a call 24/7 at (718) 375-2388.

SERVPRO Professionals Offer Quality Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup, Restoration and Reconstruction Services

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

Soot composition can vary greatly, depending on the source and intensity of the fire, our Brooklyn and Queens restoration professionals are here.

SERVPRO is the Right Choice for Fire Damage Cleanup and Remediation Following a Brooklyn Home or Business Fire

Brooklyn property owners and renters are using more electrical appliances and equipment each day, many local apartment buildings and retail properties were not designed for our ongoing and ever-increasing electrical needs. It’s easy to take for granted the power coming from our walls but if you’ve ever tried to switch on the microwave while the oven, dishwasher and coffeemaker were on before a dinner party and the lights shut off, you’ve created an electrical circuit overload.

Our SERVPRO disaster restoration specialists started this fire damage cleanup and restoration project after an electrical fire started in the family room. Our crews arrived fast, began cleaning up and mitigating any additional damage to the residence. There was extensive smoke and soot damage to many areas of the home, the renters were surprised how quickly the smoke and soot damage spread.

If an electrical overload has caused fire, smoke and soot damage to your home or business, you need the professional assistance of a disaster restoration company. Choosing SERVPRO for your property restoration needs, means you’re working with professional disaster restoration specialists with the proper training and experience to clean up damages from fire, including smoke and soot. Our fire damage restoration team works quickly to restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

Circuit breakers are an important safety component to preventing fires in your home or business.

How electrical circuit breakers work: when the current of electricity going through a circuit is too much for it to handle, an electrical overload can happen. This typically happens when there are too many electrical devices pulling from a single circuit or when older properties try and upgrade an appliance that uses excessive energy. Circuit breakers are an important safeguard, protecting your home or business from an electrical circuit overload that can cause the circuit to overheat, which could potentially result in a fire. While circuit breakers are reliable and do a good job preventing residential and commercial fires due to overloads, if the power surges are excessive they can, over time, result in electrical fires.

The three most common causes of a “tripped” circuit breaker are:

• Overloaded Circuit
• Short Circuit
• Ground Fault

Signs of Overloaded Circuits

The most obvious sign of an electrical circuit overload is a breaker tripping and shutting off all the power. Other signs can be less noticeable; buzzing sounds, burning smells, and unusually warm devices also can indicate other wiring problems, such as loose connections or short circuits. If any of these problems persist after you’ve taken steps to prevent circuit overloads, contact an electrician.

• Dimming lights, especially if lights dim when you turn on appliances or more lights.
• Buzzing outlets or switches.
• Outlet or switch covers that are warm to the touch.
• Burning odors from outlets or switches.
• Scorched plugs or outlets.
• Power tools, appliances, or electronics that seem to lack enough power.

It’s important to contact your local SERVPRO, following a residential or commercial property fire disaster, our professional staff is ready to help you in the aftermath of a property disaster. After your initial call a trained and IICRC certified technician will help you through the property cleanup and restoration process and begin to work with you to assess your damages.

Fire leaves different kinds of soot on surfaces depending on what burned in your Brooklyn residential or commercial property. Even a small blaze produces acidic smoke and soot that needs to be cleaned up. During your initial fire damage inspection, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn will test the soot on your structure and contents to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Depending on how much smoke damage there is, there are various methods we can use to clean up the surrounding walls and ceiling.

Typically soot damage will cause at least some darkening and in severe cases, soot can be completely black. The exact composition of the soot that is damaging your property is a direct result of the underlying causes of the fire, the duration and types of materials involved in the blaze. There are several types of soot and depending on the pretesting, the methods to restore your property, structure and contents will vary.

Dry Soot 
Dry soot is caused by very hot fires burning natural ingredients swiftly. It has a dry, dusty texture and almost no smell. Dry soot is often easier to manage than mold or storm damage. In many cases, removing it is as simple as using a vacuum with a HEPA filter on all surfaces. 

Wet Soot 
If a fire smolders for a while on low heat and burns high moisture items, wet soot may be created. This is essentially dry soot that has mingled with steam to create a sort of soggy, sooty mess. Cleaning up wet soot requires a combination of fire damage and water damage strategies. 

Oily Soot 
When plastics, rubbers, and other products containing oil are burned, soot can turn into a sticky, greasy substance. If you try to wipe it up, it will just smear instead of going away. Unlike dry soot, oily soot will cling to any surface, even vertical areas, this type of soot is also resistant to water-based cleaning products. 

Protein Soot 
Protein-based soot is a greasy soot that tends to occur as the buildup in kitchens or the product of a kitchen fire. It involves overcooked proteins that turn to soot, and it has a very pungent odor. This type of soot is quite hard to get rid of, and the odor may linger if it is not cleaned up properly. 

Each type of soot gets a different cleaning method. Our technicians check out all damage and match the best cleaning method to soiling. Once damage does happen, our technicians are fully trained and certified under the guidelines of The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) to restore your home to its original state. Local teams learn the latest procedures to clean carpets, furniture and surfaces of soot and to remove the smoke odor that can linger for weeks in an untreated home. One fire site can need a variety of cleaning methods. We can handle it all.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Specialists use commercial grade vacuums to remove soot, the blowers and exhaust fans can be adapted to work from a large family room to a small laundry closet. We use a wide-variety of cleaning products specialized for every surface in a home or commercial property from marble countertop cleaners to soaps and dry sponges that gently remove soot and not the paint underneath. We can use HEPA grade filtration systems, air scrubbers, and ozone machines to help improve the Indoor Air Quality.

Obviously, safety is the highest concern, it is important that precautions are taken during or following a property fire to turn off the HVAC and close the air duct vents if possible to prevent additional damages from traveling through the entire property.

For Fire Disaster Property Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn at (718) -------

When dealing with soot damage, our SERVPRO teams have a few different options available

Dry Clean the Soot 
If you primarily have dry soot in your home, you can use dry cleaning methods to pick up most of the soot. These methods are essentially the same methods you would use for removing dust. A dry cloth can remove soot from tables and furniture, while a vacuum can pick it up off carpets, upholstery, and flooring. Dry-cleaning will ensure that powdery soot does not smear into a blackened grime. 

This method is a little tedious, so it is normally only recommended for smaller areas of soot. It can be helpful for doing a basic clean up and ensuring the soot does not spread before you can get more help. Keep in mind that if you try a dry-cleaning method and the soot begins to smear, you may need to try a wet cleaning method. 

Wet Clean the Soot 
A wet cleaning method can be effective if you have wet or oily soot. To use this method, combine soap with water to lightly scrub an area with soot. Try testing it in a small area to ensure that it can pick up soot without making the mess worse or damage the underlying surface. 

Wet cleaning soot does have some benefits because it can pick up soot that is mixed in with oil or moisture. However, it is quite time-consuming and requires a lot of effort. Another downside of the wet cleaning soot method is that it’s only feasible on tile or other waterproof surfaces. Using water to clean drywall, wood, or electronics is not advisable. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

When you experience fire or smoke damage to your local Brooklyn home or business you might not be sure what steps to take next. Once the fire department has left and you have called SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn, wait for our professionals to arrive, our fire damage restoration specialists will guide you through the fire damage cleanup and restoration process.

1. Initial Inspection- One of our trained managers will come inspect your property for damages and see how intensely the fire/smoke affected your home and determine with you and/or your adjuster what steps need to be taken next.
2. Structure/Content Clean- Depending on what has been determined in step one, SERVPRO will start the process of cleaning and restoring your home and/or contents, including cleaning walls and ceilings, personal belongings, ducts, etc.

Restoration & Reconstruction

Residential or Commercial Fires often causes significant structural damage and often require repairing and rebuilding your property. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn offers comprehensive reconstruction services for both residential and commercial properties our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to meet your reconstruction needs. Our construction team manages your property restoration project, working with you to survey the extent of the damage, develop a plan for reconstruction, and assess whether your property is safe to occupy. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn crews are ready to undertake reconstruction projects of any size, structural repairs and rebuilding may only involve a portion of your property, or in some cases a complete rebuild may be necessary.

Contact us today for a FREE ESTIMATE, if your property has been damaged by fire, smoke or soot and needs repairs or reconstruction services, our crews are available 24/7 to help with your recovery.

Our project managers know that each property disaster is different and requires a unique solution tailored to the specific conditions and damages.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage, quickly and effectively.  We will also treat your family with care and empathy and respect your property.

We're Here to Help You

If you do experience a fire, professional fire restoration services like SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn can handle the entire fire cleanup process from assessing the smoke and fire damage, pretesting your soot and smoke damage, through rebuilding your home or business, "Like it never even happened.” Wherever you are our SERVPRO Residential or Commercial Property Disaster Fire and Water Restoration Teams can help.

Check out our facebook page for additional safety tips and other resources for protecting your property from disasters including fire, water, mold and sewage. We are ALWAYS ready to serve our local Brooklyn community.

Looking for relief from indoor allergies this spring, SERVPRO professional NYC cleaning services can help.

4/29/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO cleaning crews can reduce allergens in your home or business and assure healthy air quality throughout your property.

Spring is a welcome reprieve from the long winter — that is, unless you suffer from spring allergies.

Improve indoor air quality with SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Professional Commercial Cleaning Services to reduce indoor allergens.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn offers cleaning and maintenance services to benefit your Brooklyn neighborhood home or business:

• Creating a Clean & Healthy Living/Working Environment
• Reducing Allergens and Irritants to alleviate allergy symptoms
• Removing Unpleasant Smells and Odors
• Improving Air Flow Efficiency

You can't control the increase of allergens in the spring air, but you can improve the air quality in your Brooklyn commercial or residential property, bolstering your fight against allergy symptoms? HVAC units, air ducts, registers, upholstery, carpets and flooring can hold much more dust, dirt and pollen than you would think. Scheduling periodic professional cleaning and odor removal services with our SERVPRO cleaning crews during spring can reduce allergens in your home or business and assure healthy air quality throughout your Brooklyn property. SERVPRO commercial cleaning services can help minimize indoor allergens and alleviate your seasonal allergy symptoms and improve the overall indoor air quality of your home or business.

Your local SERVPRO offer solutions that may help alleviate allergy symptoms by promoting healthy indoor air quality, our New York City services include:

• HVAC unit Cleaning
• Air Duct and Register Cleaning
• Intensive Carpet & Floor Cleaning
  Odor Removal

HVAC Unit Cleaning, Air Duct and Vent Cleaning

HVAC systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality and a leading cause in increased allergy symptoms. The air inside your Brooklyn home/business is full of tiny particles like dust, pollen and debris. When your furnace or air conditioner draws air, it also pulls in airborne particles. Over time, these contaminants can build up inside the ducts, reducing airflow and re-circulating allergens throughout your living/working space. Keeping dust, pollen, pet dander, and other irritants out of the air you breathe involves more than changing the air filter, proper HVAC unit and air duct maintenance is essential to reducing allergens inside your commercial or residential property and improve air quality. Our trained professionals at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn use commercial-grade, duct-cleaning equipment, brushes, and air whips, that remove dust and debris trapped inside your duct system and leave your property with optimal indoor air quality.

Intensive Upholstery, Carpet and Floor Cleaning

Scheduling a deep cleaning every 12-18 months by an IICRC trained SERVPRO professional will renew the look of your upholstery, carpet and flooring by removing the deepest dirt and debris. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn utilizes the best technology and highest-quality equipment that effectively removes dust, pollen and other allergens to keep your home or business allergen free and your carpets and flooring looking like new. Our professional cleaning will address moderate and heavy soil conditions in your carpets, dirt builds up in layers, and when a carpet looks dirty you are only seeing the dirt at the tips of the fibers. More dirt is hiding below the surface down near the base of the pile, causing damage to the carpet.

Odor Removal

Rely on SERVPRO technicians to have the expertise to effectively deodorize your home/business. Take advantage of SERVPRO’s residential and commercial cleaning services to remove unwanted odors. Our Brooklyn crews have the training and equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. Our experienced technicians have access to specialized odor removal products and equipment capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize odors and help restore your home or business to a safe, healthy and fresh environment.

CLEANING TIPS to Help You Control Indoor Allergens and Improve Indoor Air Quality

The best way to improve your air quality is to get rid of the sources of allergens and irritants from your home or business. Take measures to avoid and reduce your contact with allergens. Also increase the flow of outdoor air into your home and reduce humidity as much as possible.

When you have environmental allergies, it can be hard to bring yourself to open a window, much less stir up dust, dander, pollen or mold while cleaning your home or business.

Here are cleaning tips you may want to add to your regular routine to reduce indoor allergens

• Reducing dust-collecting clutter
• Regularly vacuuming carpeted floors with a double-bag or HEPA filter vacuum
• Dusting blinds and window treatments bi-weekly
• Regularly washing blankets and throw rugs
• Washing all bed linens in hot water every week
• Keeping counters and other hard surfaces clean and dry
• Getting all water damage restored quickly

Benefits of Air Duct & HVAC Cleaning

Like furnaces and air conditioners, air ducts require proper cleaning and maintenance to perform at their best. Keeping ducts free of dust and debris can also help reduce your energy bill and improve air quality in your home/business. More frequent duct cleaning is recommended if you have indoor pets or are sensitive to indoor air quality issues for example you suffer from asthma. You should also have your ducts cleaned if you have recently renovated your home or business, as this will increase the amount of dust in your forced air system. It’s also recommended to have your HVAC system and air ducts cleaned and services following a property damage event.

Having your ducts cleaned can save you money in the long run, and create a better environment for your family, friends, employees and your customers. Restore energy efficiency over time and reduce the possibility of microbial growth with ventilation cleaning services from SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn.

The benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:

• Helps to restore peak energy efficiency.
• May help to eliminate offensive odors.
• Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.

However, duct cleaning is not always necessary. Our technicians will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your commercial or residential HVAC system.

If indoor allergens are causing your seasonal allergies to flare up, reach for the phone. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals are trained technicians, with state-of-the-art equipment and unique knowledge and experience to pay careful attention to the details that matter most when cleaning and restoring your property to a healthy work or living environment.

Basement Water Damage Cleanup, Mitigation and Disaster Restoration Specialists in Brooklyn

4/23/2019 (Permalink)

Restoring your Brooklyn basement flood or property water damage quickly, takes specialized equipment and IICRC certified professionals.

The 3 types of water damage affecting your Brooklyn Neighborhood home or business

There are numerous reasons why Brooklyn basements can suffer from flood and water damage– heavy rains, foundation seepage, sewage backup, high tides, storm flooding and when time is of the essence, you need cleanup and repairs from the trusted SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Disaster Restoration specialists. Rely on our Brooklyn crews and Emergency services to quickly cleanup and remove the water and other fire, mold and water related damage to your property. SERVPRO professionals are available to help with your home or business restoration needs around the clock, 24 hours a day 7 days a week, to restore your residential or commercial property, “Like it never even happened.”

Water damage is one of the most common problems that commercial and residential property owners experience. Brooklyn basement flooding and water damage is especially common because it is the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There is always a risk of basement water damage and flooding due to substantial rain and defective plumbing, additional common causes for water damage to your local Brooklyn basement or foundation include: 

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

When considering a solution to your Brooklyn commercial or residential property water damage, our SERVPRO technicians will access what type of water caused the damage. This assessment will help our crew make the most effective plan for cleaning and removing the water, drying and mitigating the damage and repairing and restoring your property and contents correctly. When your Brooklyn home or business suffers a water damage there are 3 types of water that could have caused your property damage, including clean, grey and black water, understanding what type of water is affecting your property is critical to ensuring proper cleanup. Water carries hidden dangers that may not be immediately evident when you first see the damage. That’s why it’s recommended that you always choose a professional restoration service provider like SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to immediately assess and begin repair on any water damage affecting your property. We offer 24-hour Emergency Property Restoration Services to your neighborhood, excellent customer care and expedient remediation work that will return your home or commercial property to a safe, healthy and sanitary condition.

Three types of water damage – our SERVPRO restoration professionals can decide what to do next

Category 1:

Clean water originates from a sanitary source such as a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean and poses no substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. However, it may not always remain clean after it meets other surfaces or materials.

Category 2:

Gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. It may contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological).

Category 3:

Black water is highly contaminated and filled with pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Such water sources may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster; black water should always be handled by trained professionals.


RECOGNIZED AND TRUSTED WATER DAMAGE EXPERTS

Restoring your Brooklyn home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC certified professionals. Our team closely inspects the damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solution to restore and repair your Brooklyn property and contents to help minimize additional damages and get you back to normal quickly and efficiently. If your residential or commercial property has experienced water or sewage damage from any number of causes, we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help when you need us! Let our SERVPRO disaster restoration team determine the most effective methods and services to begin the cleanup, repair, and restoration process and get your property water damage corrected.

SERVPRO is Here to Help local Brooklyn Businesses and Property Owners with High-Quality Spring Commercial Cleaning Services

4/19/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can provide a healthy work environment for your employees and customers, we strive to keep your building looking its best.

In addition to our reputation as a trusted leader in the property disaster restoration industry, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn offers Commercial Cleaning Services to keep your business looking its best.

Spring is a great time to spruce up your commercial property's appearance, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides commercial cleaning services to keep your Brooklyn or Queens organization looking its best and mitigate future property damage.

1. Scalable Cleaning Services: The Seasons can bring dirt and debris into your commercial property. An intensive deep cleaning of your small business or corporate offices will benefit morale and productivity, with a clean and healthy environment.
2. Deep Clean the Flooring: The Seasons can cause extreme wear and tear and a dulling on commercial flooring. A deep cleaning will revitalize tile and carpeting, prolonging life-span and avoiding expensive replacement costs.
3. Power Wash: Seasonal weather can be tough on your building’s exterior, concrete and pavement, make sure all roof and exterior walls, pathways, patios and parking lots are clean and in good repair. Replace, repair and power wash all hardscaping to keep it aesthetically pleasing and prolong its life-span.
4. Get Your Commercial HVAC System cleaned and inspected for the Spring and Summer: A well-maintained Commercial HVAC will run at peak performance and can prolong the lifespan of the system.
5. Check and Test Irrigation Systems: Seasonal damage is common, examine your irrigation system’s nozzles, sprinkler heads, valves to make sure there are no leaks, blockages and is functioning properly, to avoid property damage.
   
   Our trusted and highly-trained IICRC certified disaster restoration crews use the latest technologies and techniques in commercial cleaning to provide a healthy Brooklyn work environment for your employees and customers, we keep your building looking its best. We offer a wide range of janitorial services including ongoing maintenance, specialty and seasonal, project-based and annual cleaning services that are scalable to meet your changing needs. Regardless of the size of your commercial property or the scope of services needed, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn offers detailed and comprehensive commercial cleaning services to fit your needs, carpet and floor cleaning, window and pressure washing, air duct and HVAC cleaning we can create a custom commercial cleaning solution based on your priorities, facility, and budget.

Effective Winter Storm Restoration: Our SERVPRO team has the answers to your property damage repair concerns.

2/25/2019 (Permalink)

Frigid winter weather and Blizzard conditions can cause BIG problems for Brooklyn and Queens home and business owners.

Frigid winter weather and Blizzard conditions can cause BIG problems for Brooklyn home, apartment and business owners; restore your property damage with our SERVPRO of cleanup and restoration team.

As we settle in for what may or may not be an arctic cold and blizzard filled winter, it makes sense to review some basic steps to help shield your Brooklyn home and family or your business and employees from the worst that Northeast Winters can offer. Cold temperatures, snow, ice, blizzard conditions with high winds and dangerous wind chills all contribute to the possible threat of a residential or commercial property disaster. Whether it’s a burst plumbing pipe or your water heater, an electrical fire or your furnace or fireplace has a puff back, winter poses a serious threat to your home or business from a fire, smoke, water or sewage property damage event.

Did your Brooklyn home or business experience a pipe break over the last several weeks during the arctic blast that hit the Northeast?

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team has been helping our local communities for nearly 30 years, we are prepared with expert training and quality equipment to mitigate and restore your commercial or residential property. Our technicians are available 24-7 with our Emergency Service Team to help cleanup and repair your property damage from water, sewage, smoke or fire. Our priority is providing quick and effective service and solutions to restore your property and belongings, “Like it never even happened.”

When Brooklyn winter storms are coming it’s important to be prepared, our SERVPRO teams are ready and always prepared to handle any size property disaster. Calling SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn after you experience water damage from ice dams or basement flooding from ice buildup or excessive snow melt, can be the difference from a quick cleanup and mitigation or costly restoration, construction and mold remediation services.

UNDERSTAND WINTER WEATHER TERMINOLOGY

• Winter Weather Outlook: Meteorologists issue this typically 3-5 days prior to a winter storm when they believe wintery conditions are possible.
• Winter Weather Advisory: Issued typically 2-3 days prior to a possible hazardous winter weather storm that could cause “significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.”
• Winter Weather Watch: Watches are typically issued 12-48 hours before a winter storm is set to hit. This is to advise the public of the possibility of a winter storm, blizzard, or other hazardous wintery conditions such as freezing rain.
• Winter Weather Warning: Warnings alert the public 2-24 hours before a winter storm occurs. Issued for hazardous winter weather that can cause “significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, could lead to life-threatening situations.”

………………………………………………………………………………….

Blizzard Warning: Sustained wind or frequent gusts greater than or equal to 35 miles per hour accompanied by falling and/or blowing snow, frequently visibilities less than 1/4 of a mile for at least 3 hours.

Winter Storm Warning: Heavy Snow (snow accumulation of 6 inches or more in 12 hours or 8 inches or more in 24 hours), Sleet (accumulation of ice pellets 1/2 of an inch and greater), Ice (accumulation of 1/4 of an inch or more) and/or heavy Snow and Blowing Snow (wind is below blizzard criteria).

SERVPRO CAN HELP WITH WATER PROPERTY EMERGENCIES FOLLOWING STORM FLOODING OR FREEZING WINTER WEATHER

Northeast Winter Storms can bring any number of potential hazards to your Brooklyn commercial or residential property, including fallen tree limbs, hail, blizzard winds and heavy rain and snow. Your home or business is at risk from a collapsed roof, or frozen pipe burst, once a significant amount of water from flooding or moisture affects your home or business, problems from water damage can start to occur.

It’s critical to take quick action and call our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team to begin taking steps to stop the damage from becoming an even bigger disaster. Our professionals first assess the severity of the situation and determine the full extent of the storm, flooding or additional water damage. Restoring your home or business quickly, takes specialized equipment and highly skilled IICRC professionals. Our team closely inspects the damaged areas; measuring the moisture content, humidity and temperature to assess the full extent of the damage. They provide a step-by-step solution to restore and repair your property and contents to help minimize additional damages.

OUR BROOKLYN AND QUEENS STORM & WATER MITIGATION SERVICES INCLUDE

• Water Extraction
• Drying of affected areas, including walls, carpets and furniture
• Cleaning and Restoration of affected possessions
• Remediating mold and mildew
• Reconstruction and Repairs 

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Storm Team has the experience and resources to handle your winter weather property damage quickly and professionally. We know what comes next after the storm and we are prepared 24-7 with Emergency help when you need us! Call our Cleanup, Restoration and Repair teams @(718) 375-2388.

Types of Water Damages and How SERVPRO Restoration Professionals Can Help

2/21/2019 (Permalink)

We offer 24-hour water and sewage damage cleanup and restoration services, excellent customer service, and expedient remediation.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has helped countless local Brooklyn business owners with emergency commercial water removal services following invasive, problematic water damage issues that have threatened to halt normal business operations. SERVPRO is a trusted leader in emergency property restoration and cleanup situations of any type or magnitude. Our water mitigation and restoration professionals care about your employees' health and business operations, they work efficiently and quickly to restore your property, “Like it never even happened.” We know how important your time is, our goal is to help you stay open, operational, and in business.

RECOGNIZED AND TRUSTED WATER DAMAGE EXPERTS

If you find that your office, warehouse, restaurant or other commercial property in Brooklyn has experienced water or sewage damage, from broken plumbing, flooding, roof leaks or other types of water damage the most effective solution is to hire a restoration company like SERVPRO to begin the cleanup, repair, and restoration process. When your Brooklyn home or business suffers a water damage, understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensuring proper cleanup. We offer 24-hour services, excellent customer service, and expedient remediation work that return your home to a safe, sanitary condition.

THERE ARE 3 BASIC CATEGORIES OF WATER

Category 1:
Clean water originates from a sanitary source such as a broken pipe, or other water source; rainwater is also considered clean and poses no substantial risk from dermal, ingestion, or inhalation exposure. However, it may not always remain clean after it meets other surfaces or materials.

Category 2:
Gray water is used to classify slightly contaminated water and has the potential to cause discomfort or sickness if contacted or consumed by humans. It may contain potentially unsafe levels of microorganisms or nutrients for microorganisms, as well as other organic or inorganic matter (chemical or biological).

Category 3:
Black water is highly contaminated and filled with pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents. Such water sources may carry silt, organic matter, pesticides, heavy metals, regulated materials, or toxic organic substances. Black water is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any type of natural disaster; Black water should always be handled by trained professionals.

THE 4 PRIMARY CLASSIFICATIONS OF WATER DAMAGE

• Class 1 is the least amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects only part of a room or area, or larger areas containing materials that have absorbed minimal moisture. Little or no wet carpet and/or cushion is present.
  
  
• Class 2 involves a large amount of water, absorption and evaporation. It affects at least an entire room of carpet and cushion (pad). Water has wicked up walls less than 24 inches. There is moisture remaining in structural materials and substructure soil.
  
  
• Class 3 involves the greatest amount of water, absorption and evaporation. Water may have come from overhead.  Ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet, cushions and subfloor in virtually all the entire area is saturated.
  
  
• Class 4 relates to specialty drying situations. Wet materials with very low permeance/porosity (eg. hardwood, plaster, brick, concrete, light-weight concrete and stone). Typically, there are deep pockets of saturation, which require very low specific humidity. These types of losses may require longer drying times and special methods.

We have the knowledge, experience and proper equipment to locate any hidden moisture lurking out of sight and clean up water damage of any size and get it done right the first time.

Moisture sensors, which are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls. We have moisture meters that we use to test the actual moisture content of materials. The meters allow our technicians to accurately monitor the drying process. Our team also has thermohygrometers on hand to measure temperature and relative humidity, which ensures techs can calculate and create an environment that is most conducive to drying.

Locally Owned and Operated
When you have a commercial or residential water damage, don’t leave your property to chance. Call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn (718) 375-2388

As a locally owned and operated business, Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn teams are close by and ready to respond to your water and flood damage emergency. As leaders in the water damage industry, we have advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands-on experience.

Getting your commercial property back in order doesn’t have to be a total loss. If you are experiencing a flooded commercial property in the Brooklyn area, make sure to consult a local SERVPRO professional clean-up and restoration crew as soon as possible to help ensure proper and thorough cleanup.

WHEN WINTER STORMS ATTACK YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS OUR SOUTHWEST BROOKLYN SERVPRO TEAM CAN HELP

2/15/2019 (Permalink)

Our team takes every step possible to minimize the intrusion while working on the cleanup and restoration of your winter storm property damage.

Winter weather can cause damage from top to bottom in your Brooklyn home or business. Our weather patterns have become increasingly unpredictable, resulting in heavy snow and freezing temperatures one day and warmer temperatures and rain the next. Ice, freezing rain, wind and snow all play a role in Brooklyn winter property damage losses.

The good news SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is always here to help, our specialized equipment and highly trained professional staff has the scope of services to handle your Brooklyn property restoration needs from start to finish. We understand you may not have all the answers, this may be the first traumatic experience with your residential or commercial property, calling our team connects you to a professional staff that can provide the answers to your restoration concerns and tailor a solution to restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

The winter season creates the most common and costly claims for home and business owners, and winter-related claims are on the rise, likely due to the severity of storms and increase in the number of people with insurance protection. Over 50% of ALL homeowner claims come from wintery wind, hail, and weather-related water damage.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is prepared with highly trained professionals and top-notch equipment to be your number one resource during these times of distress. No property disaster is too large for us to handle, our professionals can find solutions to restore your property, “Like it never even happened.”

ROOF DAMAGE: We often take for granted the work our roofs do for us during tough Brooklyn or Queens winters, they keep us safe, dry and warm from the worst winter snow and ice storms. They bear the brunt of the elements, over time the cycle of snow and ice accumulation can have devastating effects and cause major damage to roofing materials and weaken the structural components. Excessive snow loads and weakened roofing materials from ice dams, pooling or leakage are all possible problems that can cause water to infiltrate your home or business and cause water damage.

PIPE BURSTS: We also take for granted the plumbing system in our home or business we just know the water is running or in the case of a pipe freeze (not running). During the winter it gets cold and your pipes feel that too, if your pipes get too cold, the water inside will freeze. The ice can expand causing tiny stresses and breaks or a burst, when the ice melts water begins to leak and causes water property damage to your home or business. Freezing pipes are a major concern, and a priority for our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team; learn more about how we can help. Freezing pipes account for 18% of all water damage claims, damage from pipe bursts can include flooding, ceiling collapse, floor and wall damage, contents and electronic damage and mold.

WET BASEMENTS: A Basement is a wonderful asset to your home or business, it can provide additional storage or living space to a crowded property. During winter months melting snow can cause water damage in your basement from faulty gutters, cracks in foundations and improper drainage. Water damage is one of the most common and worst side effects of water leakage or flooding in a basement. In addition to contributing to structural and foundation problems, basement water damage can destroy your personal belongings and interior decorative finishes and it also has the power to create the perfect environment for toxic mold growth.

Our SERVPRO technicians are IICRC certified and have experience working with a variety of water damage situations both big and small. We have seen flooding and carpet issues, to broken or frozen pipe and plumbing issues, and basement and roof leaks. Our technicians understand that a property damage event can be traumatic and unexpected; they realize time and efficiency are important and they take every step possible to minimize the intrusion while executing the cleanup and restoration of your home or business.

24 Hour Emergency Service Call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides 24-hour Emergency Services to Brooklyn residents and business owners for fire, smoke, sewage and water and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster. Our service pros respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

DO YOU NEED HELP WITH WINTER STORM DAMAGE? Call Us 24/7 – (718) 375-2388

Fire damage restoration and repair solutions for your Brooklyn home

1/24/2019 (Permalink)

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your residence it is important to contact SERVPRO for quick and effective mitigation and restoration.

FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION SOLUTIONS AND HOME FIRE PREVENTION TIPS

Artic temperatures across the Northeast have Brooklyn homeowners getting warm and cozy by their fireplaces and wood-burning stoves. It is important to remember proper maintenance and fire safety actions when starting that fire this season, for the first time and each time after. Fireplaces and wood-burning stoves pose a considerable fire threat to your home and family, a fire can result in the loss of personal items, property and even life. Taking proper precautions when using your fireplace or wood-burning stove can help you avoid a property fire disaster negatively impacting your life this winter.

Chimney fires and puff backs can cause major destruction to your home and possessions; smoke and soot can continue to cause damage long after the flames have gone out.

If you have experienced fire or smoke damage in your home it is important to contact the SERVPRO team for quick and effective mitigation and restoration, depending on the surface material and the duration and time elapsed, damage from soot and smoke maybe completely reversible. Smoke and soot cleanup is expensive and time-consuming, our SERVPRO professionals take careful steps to minimize further damage from soot staining, mold and mildew, rust and corrosion and improve the air quality in your home following a fire emergency. Our trained professionals have the knowledge, skills and equipment to restore your property quickly and efficiently saving you valuable time and money.

STEPS FOR PROPER FIRE PROPERTY RESTORATION:

STEP 1: THE INSPECTION

The first step in the fire mitigation process is determining the cause of the fire, as well as the extent of the smoke damage, and then documenting it through photos to provide to the homeowner’s insurance company. How the fire was started and what materials were damaged gives insight to our professionals on how best to cleanup and restore the loss areas. SERVPRO professionals will explain the cleaning process, go over what you can expect from the demolition and repair/rebuild phases, explain the types of equipment used during the process and begin to decide what items are salvageable after a thorough inventory has been completed.

STEP 2: PREVENT FURTHER DAMAGE WITH CLEANUP & INTERVENTION

SERVPRO cleanup teams will remove any contents from your home as quickly as possible to minimize further damage, our technicians will focus on improving air quality and removing soot and debris to avoid continued damage to your home and contents.

STEP 3: REMOVAL OF ITEMS DAMAGED BY FIRE AND SMOKE

SERVPRO professionals know how important your Brooklyn home and possessions are, we take extra care in removing items, and involve homeowners during the inventory process. Make sure to notify our SERVPRO technicians of important/sentimental items, or things your family may need returned to them quickly. Contents are photographed, inventoried and packaged, and then taken offsite to our cleaning facility where they’re stored during the repairs. Since the fire cleanup process can vary, it’s common for fire- or smoke-damaged items to be inventoried and later determined as salvageable or non-salvageable.

STEP 4: CONTAINMENT, MITIGATION, REPAIRS AND RESTORATION

SERVPRO professionals will start with containment to help restrict odors and debris from contaminating the air throughout the house and keep the damage contained at the source of the fire and affected areas of the home.

Mitigation – water restoration equipment including air movers and dehumidifiers will remove moisture from walls, flooring and subflooring. Our SERVPRO team will give advice when deciding what items and materials to clean and restored, or what should be replaced. Carpets, fabrics and other porous materials usually need special attention because they are easily ruined. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn’s licensed construction team is an asset to our organization, with them our professionals can provide an additional estimate to continue your complete home restoration solutions with scheduling your repairs and reconstruction phase getting homeowners back into their property as quickly as possible.

WHILE YOU COZY UP TO YOUR FIREPLACE or WOOD-BURNING STOVE PRACTICE THESE FIRE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:

Before making a fire in the fireplace, open the damper and crack open a window, keep the screen closed to encourage airflow up into the chimney. Light a match, blow it out and watch the smoke to see if it is properly going up the chimney. To increase the draft in your chimney, burn your fires hot and for short periods of time instead of all day. Improper airflow can cause smoke and soot damage to your home’s contents. Poor airflow can result from excessive creosote deposits, closed or plugged dampers, malfunctioning flues, and chimney blockages or a dirty cap, always remember never leave a fire unattended.

Avoid using wood from recently cut trees, they contain high levels of moisture which contributes to additional smoke and deposits inside your chimney. Seasoned and dry wood appears dark, has cracks on the end and will sound hollow when hitting another piece of wood. Look for signs of creosote and soot buildup, creosote is a dark substance that accumulates if wood isn’t burning completely, it’s a major factor in chimney fires and a good reason to have an annual inspection to avoid costly fire property damage and repairs.

SERVPRO professionals have all the tools, equipment, and experience necessary to manage your entire Brooklyn property restoration from beginning to end. Our team work tirelessly to produce quality results from quick and effective mitigation, to putting the finishing touches on any repairs and reconstruction needed to complete the job.  

Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
Odor Control Technician
Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
Water Damage Restoration Technician

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides full-service solutions for all your fire, smoke, sewage and water emergency situations 24/7, 365, day or night. Call us today for access to fully IICRC certified cleaning and restoration professionals you can trust. (718) 375-2388

Frozen Pipes: A Winter Water Damage Emergency

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

Low temperatures cause seasonal property damage including frozen pipes and ice dams, so take key steps with SERVPRO to avoid a restoration disaster.

We can’t control the frigid winter temperatures here in the Northeast; the lower temperatures cause a new set of seasonal Brooklyn property disasters including frozen pipes, ice dams and other frozen water damage concerns.

Every winter our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals help countless home and business owners with the restoration, cleanup and repair of their property following a frozen water property disaster.

Why is a Frozen Pipe a Concern?

• When water begins to freeze, it expands. This can cause both plastic and metal pipes to burst, possibly leading to significant water damage to your home or business.
• Since water expands when it freezes, it puts unwanted pressure on pipes.
• As water freezes, the force exerted from the expansion can cause a pipe to burst, regardless of the strength of the material.
• You may not know you have a burst pipe as the water has turned to ice. Once the temperature starts to warm and thawing begins, leaking and flooding can occur.

TYPES OF WATER DAMAGE FROM A FROZEN PIPE OR OTHER FROZEN WATER DAMAGE

Brooklyn residential and commercial plumbing pipes are typically protected in insulated spaces reducing the risk of freezing, however pipes that run through exterior walls or spaces with no insulated or under-insulated spaces can freeze. A frozen water property damage event including a frozen pipe burst is especially likely during days and weeks of extended subfreezing weather, or when pipes are in high risk locations for example in cold areas caused by poor insulation, cracks in the walls or foundation, or around entry points commonly found in basements and crawlspaces. Frozen water pipes and the damage they can cause are a reality for thousands of New York City home and business owners each year. 

Frozen pipes can often lead to water damage from leaking water or flooding. Water damage can be very intrusive it can cause obvious surface damage but can easily penetrate all the porous materials in your home or business and additionally cause structural damage and mold growth. When moisture meets your property the initial water damage to your home or business and the contents are considered primary issues, with prompt mitigation and repairs by our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn teams, almost all primary issues from water and flood damage can be reversed, avoiding the need for additional costly restoration. However, any continued damage due to rising humidity and prolonged exposure to water or water-soaked materials is considered secondary damage. Water damage that sits for just 24 hours will begin to carry a higher risk of permanently damaging your property, flood and other water damage that goes untreated for longer will almost always result in serious and lasting damage.

FROZEN PIPE WATER DAMAGE TREATMENT AND RESTORATION

The key to avoiding costly secondary damage is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property with proper mitigation. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn teams have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. We begin removing the standing water from your property with extraction methods, and rapidly dry your structure and contents with dehumidifiers that lower the indoor humidity levels, so your building dries out quickly. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals will answer your call with rapid action and a full arsenal of drying equipment.

FROZEN PIPE PREVENTION

Short- and Long-term solutions for low temperature plumbing problems include:

• Locate and seal cracks and openings in the walls, attic, basement or crawlspace.
• Weather strip and caulk around crawlspace doors and basement windows.
• Make sure your home is properly insulated. Pay special attention to areas where pipes are located.
• Insulate unprotected pipes and don't leave gaps. Pipe sleeves simplify the process. Keep the pieces tight against each other and seal the slits and joints with duct tape.
• Install storm windows over basement windows or replace the old windows with energy-efficient alternatives.
• Find your main water shutoff so you can turn off the water quickly if needed. Locations vary — look in the crawlspace or basement where the water supply enters the house, inside a water meter box directly outside the house or near the water heater.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air flow around the supply lines. Move any cleaners or other chemicals out of the reach of children.
• Keep your thermostat at the daytime setting during the night. If you'll be away for several days during subfreezing weather, keep it set above 55° F.

What Do You Do if You Have a Frozen Pipe?

• If you have a leak or flood, turn the water off immediately to prevent further water damage and call a licensed plumber to make repairs. 

HOW SERVPRO CAN HELP RESTORE YOUR FLOOD AND WATER DAMAGE FOLLOWING A PIPE BURST

When winter temperatures drop below freezing, the water flowing freely in pipes throughout your home or business have the potential to freeze. When your pipes burst from freezing water, getting the water out fast is our highest priority. Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team comes ready with all the necessary equipment to get it done quickly because we want to prevent it from causing further damage to your property. We have years of experience in dealing with Brooklyn or Queens residential or commercial water damage, and we know what it takes to restore your property, "Like it never even happened."

Prevent a frozen water damage event in your home this winter.

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals specialize in the cleanup and restoration of Brooklyn residential or commercial property after a frozen water property damage emergency. 

Winter weather and freezing temperatures can be incredibly dangerous to your home or business, frozen water, snow and ice can all lead to significant property damage disasters. On Average each year a quarter of a million homeowners will experience the destructive power of frozen water problems including, frozen pipe bursts, ice dams and other leaking water damage occurrences. A frozen pipe alone can result in gallons of water spilling over your floors, leaking or pouring through ceilings and walls, and ruining furniture and other valuable processions.

Our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn staff is highly trained and experienced in the cleanup and restoration of your frozen water property damage from frigid Northeast temperatures. Our team can respond quickly and help you assess your damage and find a restoration solution that you can trust.

TOP FROZEN WATER PROPERTY DAMAGE CONCERNS

ICE DAMS
Ice dams occur after a Brooklyn snowfall and several days of freezing temperatures, common weather conditions in the Northeast during Winter. Warm air inside your home leaks into the attic and warms the underside of the roof causing snow and ice to melt. The melted water refreezes on the cold overhang and can form icicles and an ice dam on the roof and gutters. This process can cause damage to the roof which can cause water to leak into the home causing water damage to the ceiling, walls, insulation and other areas.

LEAKING BASEMENTS AND FOUNDATIONS
Wet basements are a common occurrence for many homeowners on Brooklyn, the impact of heavy snow, ice and rain on saturated soil often leads to water leaks, flooding and other types of basement and foundation water damage. Wet basements can lead to significant structural damage, destroy furnishings and other belongings and commonly lead to elevated mold and humidity issues.

FROZEN WATER PIPES
When Northeast temperatures drop to at or below freezing, the water flowing in your plumbing has the potential to freeze. Water expands when it freezes, the expansion of the frozen water can cause a rupture, causing catastrophic flood damage. It’s important to note that the break often occurs between the frozen point and the faucet, as the ice blocks the pipe and the water pressure increases leading to stress on the pipe. Pipes that run through the exterior walls are particularly at risk, but those that run through low- or uninsulated attics and crawlspaces can also freeze.

Although, these frozen water damage situations are very common, sometimes the damage could have largely been prevented by taking a few preventative steps ahead of time. These are a few tips you can take to try and avoid turning the coming frigid days and nights into inconvenient and expensive property disasters.

HELP PREVENT FROZEN WATER ISSUES IN YOUR HOME

• Exposed pipes are the most susceptible to freezing, insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic.
• Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes and prevent ice dams.
• Seal air leaks in your attic, basement and exterior walls, look for air leaks around electrical wiring, vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out.
• To avoid ice dams, add roof and soffit vents to regulate the air temperature close to the underside of the roof.
• Sump pumps and sub-floor drainage systems are typically used to avoid the continued damage associated with basements and other foundation issues.
• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing.
• Let warm water drip overnight, from a faucet on an outside wall.
• Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Our specialized equipment and highly trained staff has the scope of services to handle your property restoration needs from start to finish. We understand you may not have all the answers, calling our team connects you to professionals that can provide the answers to your restoration concerns and tailor a solution to repair your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Is Always Open for Your Property Emergency

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team never stops being READY to handle your fire, water or mold property disaster.

Property Disasters don’t have regular hours and neither does our dedicated team of technicians and project managers.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides emergency cleaning and restoration services to Brooklyn and Queens 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.
 
When property damage from fire, smoke, water strike, time is of the essence. Contacting a Disaster Restoration company within the first 24 hours after the initial damage can better prevent permanent destruction and reduce repair costs to homeowners. That’s why, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn provides 24-HOUR Emergency Support EVERYDAY! We always have a trained Disaster restoration professional here to help you with your fire or water property damage, call us (718) 375-2388.
 
We answer the phone ready to help with your property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your property damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Emergency Contact: After you have a property disaster or emergency, your call will connect you to one of our trained professionals to take some basic information to provide to our project managers and technicians. 

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

• Your name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• The street address of the water-damaged home or business
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?

Inspection and Damage Assessment including Estimate: One of our trained professionals will come and assess your property damage. What type of fire is it? What type of water loss was it? These answers are critical to addressing the unique solution for your restoration needs.??

Restoration, Cleanup and Repair: With your approval, our team of skilled technicians starts working on your restoration and cleanup. We can provide board-up, packing and itemizing your property, water, smoke or soot removal, drying and dehumidification, cleanup and repair services depending on your specific situation and restoration needs.

Your best defense against long lasting commercial fire, smoke and water property damage is a quick and rigorous response by our trained technicians. Each SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team member has been thoroughly trained in fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation before stepping foot onto your home or business. Our restoration technicians utilize state-of-the-art equipment and technology to restore and repair your entire structure and belongings as efficiently as possible.

Property Emergencies happen every day and acting fast after property damage could mean the difference between restoring your home quickly to preloss condition or needing extensive and expensive reconstruction. Our SERVPRO team never stops being READY to handle your fire, water or mold property disaster, we have the best staff, with the best resources standing ready to answer your call quickly and restore your home or business, “Like it never even happened.”

For more information on WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE OUR SERVPRO TEAM... Connect with us on Facebook!

Your Brooklyn property can survive winter with these tips for a safe season.

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

Preparing your Brooklyn home for winter can help prevent ice dams, frozen pipes, and other types of water or fire damage to your home.

Winter is Here! SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn wants you to protect your home from fire and water damage emergencies this winter. Before the chilly weather sets in its time for some Brooklyn home repairs and maintenance to keep you and your family safe and warm this winter.

• Keep the Cold Outside
  Check around the windows and doors for any gaps in the insulation or caulking, your home can lose a lot of warmth in the winter months if not properly sealed. Remember to change your HVAC system filters and have your unit inspected for debris or mold. At entry ways have a non-skid mat or rug to protect floors and prevent falls. Inspect your roof and siding for gaps or damage from storms, make any necessary repairs.
  
  
• Protect the Pipes
  Pipes located in attics, crawl spaces, basements, and near outer walls can be susceptible to freezing in extreme temperatures, avoid a costly pipe break or other water related disaster. Wrap exposed pipes in your attic, basement, or crawlspaces, with extra insulation around them to prevent them from freezing and causing damage. Don’t forget your water heater, add additional insulation if it’s located in an exposed or cold location.
  
  
• Prepare the Car for Cold Weather
  There are several things you can do to keep your car in good shape during cold conditions. Make sure you have a new set of windshield wipers and switch to a winter washer fluid. Check the tire pressure levels regularly with temperature changes, and make sure the coolant and antifreeze levels are plentiful. It’s a good idea to get an oil change to keep the car working at optimal efficiency. Have an emergency kit for your car including: flashlights, warm blankets, water and a first aid kit. It’s also a good idea to keep a shovel, ice scraper and a bag of sand.
  
  
• Don't Forget Yard Care
  Even with the cold weather conditions, your yard still needs to be maintained. Make sure tree and shrub branches are well away from the house and windows. Icy conditions can cause branches to break and damage your home. Autumn is the time for falling leaves, so make sure to clean out the gutters, to avoid possible ice dams and other costly water damage, and rake them off the lawn, clean the flower beds and prepare them for next year with fertilizer.
  
  
• Snow and Ice Preparedness
  Switch out Spring and Summer tools for Winter ones, keep the snow removal tools close at hand; including roof rakes, snow shovels and blowers, and pet-safe ice melt. Stock up on emergency supplies like batteries, ready-to-eat foods and maybe a generator.

Winter temperatures and storms can come on quick, often before you’re even prepared for it, don’t put off getting your home ready for the winter season. Taking some time to prepare your home for winter can help prevent ice dams, frozen pipes, and other types of water or fire damage to your home. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is prepared to help home owners in the case of a water or fire property damage Emergency. Our highly-trained technicians are ready to get your home back to normal after a disaster, “Like it never even happened.”

Contact us for 24-7 Emergency Service for your home or business, Fire and Water Damage Emergencies.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is Always Here to Help! (718) 375-2388

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has some helpful tips to keep your Brooklyn kitchen safe from fire damage.

11/16/2018 (Permalink)

Cooking fires are the most common cause of home fires, follow these tips to help prevent cooking hazards in your Brooklyn or Queens home.

Don’t let a cooking fire ruin your holiday season, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has some helpful tips for preventing fire property disasters.

While most of us are thankful for spending time with loved ones and eating too much delicious food on Thanksgiving. There are more potential hazards in your Brooklyn kitchen than over stuffing your turkey or yourself.

Year after year cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking accounts for about 47% of home fires and 45% of the fire-related injuries reported across the country each year. The NFPA says Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and then Christmas Eve. Make sure you keep yourself and your family safe this year with these safety tips.

REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE IN THE KITCHEN

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says 6 out of 7 cooking fires occurred while the cook was out of the kitchen, and 2/3rds of these fires happened in the first 15 minutes of cooking. So the best thing you can do to keep you and your family and property safe this year, ALWAYS watch what you’re cooking. If you’re using the stovetop, stay in the kitchen and watch closely. Also, experts recommend setting a timer periodically to remind you to check the oven.

OTHER FIRE PREVENTION TIPS INCLUDE

• Roll up sleeves and don’t wear loose fitting clothing that could catch and open flame or heating element
• Ban children and pets from a 3-foot “safe zone” around the stove
• Keep the stove and oven clean, turn pot handles in to avoid spills and cleanup any messes when appropriate
• Keep potholders, dishtowels, oven mitts, food packaging and other clutter off and away from the stove.
• Clean cooking equipment thoroughly because built-up grease can catch fire.
• Don’t over heat your oils, and wait for grease to cool before disposing, tossing hot grease in a trashcan could turn into a disaster

Smoke detectors are your first line for defense against a fire disaster situation so make sure you have one installed in or near the kitchen and make sure it’s working properly.

IF A FIRE DOES HAPPEN, CONSIDER THESE SAFETY TIPS

• Just get out, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.

People often try to put out cooking fires themselves with a fire extinguisher or even water. NEVER use water on any grease fire. Store fire safety equipment in a cabinet or under the sink – It’s important to have a fire extinguisher close by as well as a box of baking soda or salt for grease fires. The first step you can take is turning the stove off and having a lid handy to put over the pan you can also smother the fire with baking soda or salt. If the fire is in your oven just close the door and turn off the heat. Done improperly your cooking fire can spread to other parts of your kitchen, any time you are unsure of how to combat a fire your best option is to leave and call your local fire department.

CREATE AND PRACTICE A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly.

Practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year, more often if you have small children. 

Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

• Find two ways out. Visit each room of your house and find two ways out, including windows and doors. Make sure all escape routes open easily so you can get outside, and install emergency release devices on any security bars on doors or windows. Practice feeling your war out in the dark and with
  your eyes closed.
• Involve children in planning. Consider having your children help create a fire evacuation plan. Draw a map of the home and have children mark two exit routes and the locations of smoke detectors. Make sure your children know NOT to hide from firefighters or other first responders.
• Choose a meeting spot. Decide on a meeting place outside, such as a neighbor’s house, mailbox or stop sign. It should be in the front of the house so emergency responders can see you when they arrive.
• Agree not to go back into the house after you leave.
  Have a backup plan. If the planned exit routes are blocked and it’s not possible to leave the house, close all doors between you and the fire. Place a towel under the door and go to an exterior-facing window.
• Call the local fire department to report your location.

Whether you’re trying a new cooking technique or cooking your signature dish the way you have countless times before; practicing these important holiday safety tips can help you to avoid major mishaps that could lead to smoke or fire damage.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn wishes you a safe and happy holiday season. If your home does experience fire or smoke damage, give us call at (718) 375-2388. We can restore your home “Like it never even happened.”

The SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Construction Team can help Repair and Restore these 5 Common Property Damage Areas.

10/24/2018 (Permalink)

Our building team can help restore and rebuild your Brooklyn home or business to a safe and welcoming place, again.

Putting your local Brooklyn area property back together after a disaster can be challenging, our construction team takes pride in helping restore and repair residential or commercial property after a fire, water or mold disaster! Restoring your residential or commercial property, “Like it never even happened,” is important to us, making improvements after a disaster is common. Our professionals are skilled at working with home and business owners to help navigate a rebuild or remodel, our team is here to help from disaster restoration to the final walk through after reconstruction.

5 COMMON PROPERTY DAMAGE AREAS

• Bathrooms suffer common water damage mainly because they are exposed to several water and plumbing sources including sinks and bathtubs/showers in a localized area.
  
  
• Kitchens can suffer damage from both water and fire hazards and can see major damage to floors, appliances, cabinets and counter tops.
  
  
• Basements are prone to water and mold damage from poor drainage and ventilation, both finished and unfinished basements can see major damage from storm and environmental leakage and flooding.
  
  
• Exterior Elements such as a roof, doors, windows and siding are all common locations to see property damage from weather, water, fire and mold. Whether damage is small or extensive, taking care of these problems immediately can minimize continued damage to your home.
  
  
• Floors commonly suffer water damage and can significantly affect your home’s overall safety and structure, leading to costly repairs.

These common areas are ideal places to look for upgrades or remodel options when your property suffers from storm, water, fire or mold damage. The SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn construction team can help you reimagine your space and restore and rebuild your Brooklyn home to a comfortable, safe and welcoming home or business, again. 

• Open-Concept Living: Consider knocking down a wall, creating distinct groupings for the space, and make sure to leave plenty of negative space to help separate the areas and provide space for walking around and entertaining.
  
  
• Upgrading Windows, Lighting and Fixtures: Adding a new window, skylight or new light fixtures can brighten up your space and create more flow for enhanced natural light.
  
  
• Aesthetics: Color can unify and update a dated space, research color trends and find a style that fits your property. Adding wall art, throw pillows, and other accessories can make the space more welcoming.
  
  
• Finishing a Basement: A moisture-free and properly ventilated basement can provide additional living space that is an ideal location for an extra bedroom, home office or entertainment area, and don’t forget some additional storage
  
  
• Upgrading your kitchen or bathroom: Updated cabinets, replacing a tub or shower, and new fixtures will make a huge difference, also updating your flooring, backsplash or adding an island for additional counter space are a few options.

A fire, water or mold disaster can ruin your possessions and significantly affect the structure of your home or business, which can result in costly repairs.

Our team at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is here to help, we are trusted leaders in the restoration industry and we have the expertise and manpower to address the damage and make repairs. We take pride in every detail of restoring your local Brooklyn area property and getting your life back to normal as quickly as possible.

Here to Help Tips: Because it’s important to us that you are prepared in case of an Emergency.

10/19/2018 (Permalink)

Emergencies happen everyday; we have supported countless home and business owners and managers with water, fire and storm property damage.

September was National Preparedness Month; it helps remind everyone that taking little steps to get prepared now, can make a big difference when an Emergency happens.

We here at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn know that Emergencies happen everyday; we have supported countless home and business owners, renters and managers with water, fire and storm property damage. We understand that your lives are busy, it can be overwhelming to add being prepared in case of an Emergency to your list, and getting started maybe the hardest part. We also know that being prepared can make a huge difference when faced with a disaster and can get your life back to normal more quickly afterwards. Doing just a few things each month can have a big impact if the worst happens to you or your community.

This Month’s Here to Help Tips, start with getting informed and communicating with your family, household and community about potential risks and what your plan will be in an emergency situation.

Step 1: Make a Plan

Start making an emergency plan with your family, friends and household by discussing the types of disasters that could strike and what to do at different times of the day. Discuss how to prepare and respond to emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live, learn, work, and play. Keep your emergency plan as simple as possible and use places that are very familiar and hard to forget. Identify responsibilities for each member of your household and plan to work together as a team.

Fill out a Family Emergency Plan and make sure each member has a copy on them at all times.

FEMA.gov has a printable resource to get you started.

Key Points for building your Emergency Plan this Month:

1. Choose at least two pre-planned places for your family to meet in case of an emergency. One should be right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire. The other should be outside of your neighborhood in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate.

2. Hold evacuation drills at home, practice getting out of the house quickly and drive your planned evacuation route. The more you practice, the more confident you will be if you really need to evacuate.

3. Communication is a key component to your safety; make sure you have an out-of-town contact that will help your household reconnect after an emergency. Store an “In Case of Emergency” contact in your phone, have regular conversations about whom to text or call if you need help and where to go during and after an emergency.

4. Create a personalized plan and supply kit for your specific daily needs and responsibilities, taking into consideration any additional friends or family that may be included in your emergency plan, such as elderly neighbors or grandparents. Some key factors to consider when creating a supply list are:

• Different ages within your household
• Medical and Dietary needs including medications
• Children

Step 2: Start a Disaster Supply Kit

While your family's Emergency preparedness supply kit and other essentials will be unique to you, there are a few basics that will help to prepare you for success, and get you started on the right track. Your kit should be organized and easily accessible, make sure your kit is easy to carry and contains these basics: water, medical supplies, medications, non-perishable foods, a battery- or hand-powered radio, a manual can opener, a flashlight, batteries, spare clothing items including socks, blankets, cash, tools including a wrench and pliers, local maps and your emergency plan, contact information, important personal and financial information, and a first-aid kit.

It’s also recommended that you have backpack kits for each individual and secondary kits in cars, school lockers and work locations in case you are separated during an emergency situation.

The point about Emergency Preparation is that you never know when or where a disaster could happen. It’s important to take steps now to help make sure you and your family will be prepared with needed supplies and essentials if a disaster strikes later. It’s our goal at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to be here to help you restore your property after a disaster, but we also want to try and help you be prepared to face a disaster and to take steps to try and avoid one.

If you have experienced a property disaster in the Brooklyn or New York City area and require some restoration help, give SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn a call we are experienced in getting your property restored, “Like it never even happened.”

Visit us again for more information about our Here to Help Tips, and for even more tips this month visit our Facebook page by clicking here.

Moisture & Mold Solutions for Your Brooklyn Home or Business

9/26/2018 (Permalink)

If your Brooklyn property mold damage is larger than 10 sq. ft, you should contact a mold remediation service like SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

Indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% are ideal.

Moisture problems in your Southwest Brooklyn home have a variety of causes and can lead to major property damage and encourage harmful mold and mildew growth.

Common causes of Moisture and Mold in your home can be:

• Water from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub, also weather related flooding in your home. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health effects.
  
  
• Excessive moisture from condensation and high humidity can have negative effects on your property and may indicate poor ventilation or that repairs are needed.
  
  
• Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in your roof, foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors.
  
  
• Normal activities such as cooking, bathing, clothes drying and dish washing also add moisture to the air.

All of these common problems contribute to overall high indoor humidity levels leading to mold and mildew growth. Mold can grow quickly and spread fast if moisture is left untreated, under ideal conditions (optimal temperature and level of humidity) it takes 24-48 hours for mold growth to occur. Typically you will start to see visible mold in 12-20 days, the more time passes the greater chance for mold to develop and spread through your property.

When you find mold damage in your Brooklyn home or business it is essential to call for remediation services as quickly as possible, as mold can cause health effects. Additionally, mold also leaves behind a musty smell and has the power to rot organic materials. For health and safety reasons, when you find mold, you should contact SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals and have them remediate it for you.

When SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn arrives at your Brooklyn home, we can swiftly inspect the mold damage and then identify a remediation strategy. The first step to containing the problem is to set up plastic sheeting, block vents and doorways, so the spores cannot spread while the colony is being removed.

Certified professionals have the training and experience to:

• Identify moisture sources
• Evaluate mold growth (visible or suspected)
• Contain damage to the smallest area possible
• Physically remove contamination
• Dry materials to ensure that mold will not return
• Perform or recommend procedures for returning property to a preloss condition

It is a good idea to inspect your Brooklyn home or business regularly for any damage caused by moisture, if you notice any problems, take immediate action to fix them before they cause further damage or balloon into larger, more complicated issues. Here are some way you can reduce moisture and prevent damage in your home from water and mold.

• Install vent fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Run a dehumidifier.
• Cover dirt floors in crawl spaces with a plastic vapor barrier.
• Seal air and duct leaks.
• Houseplants can absorb moisture from the air
• Never let wet clothing or other fabrics lie around
• Avoid activities that add moisture to the air on humid days, such as taking hot showers and boiling water on the stove.

Indoor plants that help absorb moisture:

These are perfect plants to have in your home or business to help decrease moisture in the air, with the added bonus of purifying your air of certain contaminants at the same time.

Reed Palms, English Ivy, and Boston Ferns

These plants will reduce humidity levels by absorbing moisture from the air through their leaves.

Some moisture problems in your Brooklyn property may require more complex solutions, and sources of moisture may be hidden.

Consult SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn for a complete inspection if you have serious water damage or mold problems due to humidity, condensation or a water leak or flood. Luckily, our team at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is highly qualified and trained in water and mold remediation and restoration services. Every Brooklyn water and mold restoration situation is unique and we treat them that way.

We are here for you in these very stressful times, our team is Always Here to Help! Contact SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn @ 718-375-2388!

Our experts will come in and assess your Brooklyn water or mold problem, take the proper steps to limit additional damage. Our teams works quickly to eliminate the water, prepare the area for our advanced drying techniques, inspect for additional damage or mold and work with you to restore your property back to a stable, safe and healthy condition.

Big Concerns: Hurricane Season 2018 Preparing for Intense Storms

9/12/2018 (Permalink)

Knowing the category of a hurricane can help you understand how threatening it may be. It is never too early to start preparing for an emergency.

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season produced 17 named storms, 10 hurricanes and six major hurricanes, including three Category 4 hurricanes that made landfall in the United States: Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. It was the most active season since 1936. 

When it comes to hurricanes, most of the overwhelming damage, is from the "very few strongest storms," Mann said. "What matters is how many Category 3, 4, and 5 storms we get, and we're likely to see more of those storms, and more damage… as a result." —Penn State climate scientist Michael Mann

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over warm ocean waters and move toward land. Potential threats from hurricanes include powerful winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, tornadoes, and landslides. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, Although, they are most common to Brooklyn areas during September and early October.

Southern New England is subject to all three hurricane threats:

• Coastal flooding due to the storm surge.
• Widespread wind damage.
• Widespread inland small stream and river flooding due to heavy rains.

Typhoons and hurricanes are both tropical cyclones with winds of at least 74 miles per hour. The only difference is where they are located. Typhoons form in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, while hurricanes occur in the Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, central and northeast Pacific.

Knowing the category of a hurricane can help you understand how threatening it may be.

Category 1: Winds range from 74 to 95 mph and can be expected to produce some minor damage to property. Injuries to people and animals are generally isolated and limited to flying or falling debris. During a Category 1 storm, protected glass windows generally remain intact. Some roof damage to frame homes, apartments, and shopping centers can also occur, as well as short-term power outages due to snapped power lines and downed trees.

Category 2: Winds range from 96 to 110 mph and can be expected to produce extensive property damage. Greater wind velocities mean that debris poses a greater threat to humans and animals, while the roofing, siding, and glass windows (protected and unprotected) of frame homes are more vulnerable to damage. In a Category 2 storm, significant structural damage to apartment buildings, mobile homes, and shopping centers is also expected, as well as flooding in low-lying areas. Extensive power outages ranging from a few days to a few weeks are common, and residents are encouraged to stock up on potable water as filtration systems also fail during this time.

Category 3: Winds ranging from 111 to 130 mph cause significant damage to property, humans, and animals. Mobile and poorly constructed frame homes are often destroyed, and even well-built frame homes commonly sustain major damage. Significant damage to apartments and shopping centers (even those made of wood or steel) can be expected. Category 3 storms can also cause extensive inland flooding. Electricity and water are commonly unavailable for several days to several weeks after the storm, therefore it’s important for residents to have their own stores of canned food and water.

Category 4: Winds range from 131 to 155 mph and can cause catastrophic damage to property, humans, and animals. Severe structural damage to frame homes, apartments, and shopping centers should be expected. Category 4 hurricanes often include long-term power outages and water shortages lasting from a few weeks to a few months, so again, it’s important for any remaining residents to have a significant nonperishable food and water supply at hand.

Category 5: Winds at or greater than 155 mph cause catastrophic damage to property, humans, and animals (read: you should be nowhere near this storm!). Complete or almost-complete destruction of mobile homes, frame homes, apartments, and shopping centers should be expected, and nearly all trees in the area will be snapped or uprooted. Power outages can last for weeks and possibly months. Long-term water shortages should be expected as well, and most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

The strongest hurricanes, have brought severe water and storm damage to coastal locations, including Southwest Brooklyn and other local Brooklyn areas while totally disrupting utility power for days across the interior from downed trees and high winds. Both the stronger hurricanes and many of the weaker tropical storms have caused inland river flooding in parts of the New England. History shows that everyone living in southern New England must take tropical storms and hurricanes seriously. Whether you live along the coast, by a river or stream, or far inland, a tropical storm or hurricane striking Southern New England will affect our local area, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is ready to help you repair your home/business water damage.

The Difference Between a Hurricane Watch and a Hurricane Warning

The difference is 12 HOURS. A watch is issued when a hurricane or tropical storm is possible within 36 hours. A warning is issued when those same conditions are expected within 24 hours.

It’s important to take steps while you have time before a storm arrives to protect the well-being of your family/employees and home/business.

Step 1: Have an Emergency Communication and Evacuation Plan; have a predetermined location both on your property, like the large tree in the front yard, or the family station wagon; and in your local town to meet incase an emergency causes your family to separate. It’s also a good idea to discuss a relative out of town that will be a check-in since it could be difficult to reach others in the same emergency area.

Step 2: Supplies; you should have enough supplies in your home for 72 hours for each member of your family, this includes having specialty items for babies and children or the elderly. You should also have an emergency and first aid kit for your home, your car and each person should have a personal kit for themselves. Another good thing to think about is flashlights, batteries and multiple copies of area maps.

Step 3: Insurance Coverage; consider your coverage for flooding, it’s important to have contact information incase of an emergency and make sure you know what to do if a storm causes damage to your property. If flooding is predicted try and move your vehicles to a safer location. Taking a home inventory can be as simple as snapping cell phone photos of the contents in each of your home’s rooms, and recording the item number or serial number of more important items.

Step 4: Important Documents; you should keep copies of important documents including; proof of ownership for homes, cars and other property. Make sure to keep copies of you and your family’s personal identification and banking information. It’s also a good idea to have some cash available, after a storm getting to an ATM or bank maybe difficult depending on the severity of the damage.

Step 5: Secure Your Property; Experts recommend piling up sandbags at least 2 feet high as an effective barricade against floodwaters. Unplug unused household electronics and appliances, if you are evacuating consider shutting off electricity. Think about trimming trees to reduce any falling limbs and cleaning up things around your home and yard like potted plants, lawn furniture and children’s toys.

Step 6: Electronic Concerns; Aside from keeping extra batteries and chargers around during a hurricane, people are also encouraged to backup any electronic devices. It’s a good idea to store your data at an off-site location.

Call in the Professionals

The effects of a storm to a homeowner can oftentimes be devastating, sustained winds and flooding can damage your home and belongings. When storm and water damage gets serious in Southwest Brooklyn New York, there is really only one team to call—SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn! Our team is highly qualified and trained in water restoration, our experts will come in, assess your damage, take the proper remediation steps to limit damage. We work hand in hand with your insurance company to restore your home to what it was before. "Like it never even happened."

• We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster
• We provide 24-Hour Emergency Service
• We are a Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
• We are Locally Owned and Operated

Every Brooklyn, New York water restoration situation is unique and our team will treat them that way. We are here in your Southwest Brooklyn neighborhoods to help during your water or storm property damage, in these very stressful times and we are Always Here to Help!

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn went Back to School Early, Helping a Brooklyn School with Restoration After Water Damage.

8/30/2018 (Permalink)

Contacting our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team following any water damage, will save precious time and minimize losses to your property.

When flooding caused extensive water damage in a Brooklyn school, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn was there to help with restoration and reconstruction. 

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn was there to help, our certified professionals knew that water damage recovery starts with damage assessment, temporary protection, supervised implementation of emergency plans and ongoing monitoring. Our team completed the water extraction and dehumidification processes, thoroughly treated the affected surfaces to inhibit bacteria, mold and mildew growth, and began any necessary reconstruction of the school facility in record time, assuring that classes could resume as quickly as possible.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn’s goal is to protect not only your belongings but also your health. We provide 24-hour emergency services that are essential to stabilizing and protecting your health and property from further damage. 

When water damage occurs in a school or other commercial building, knowing what to do will save precious time and ultimately minimize losses to your property and building contents. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals have extensive experience repairing and restoring catastrophic water damage. Our technicians understand that unattended water damage continues to cause harm to your commercial property over time. Making it necessary to make quick, informed decisions, performing quality restoration services today, that save you from further damaging problems, tomorrow. 

At SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn we take pride in our ability to erase the damage done by water, including damages caused by hidden problems. After 48 hours of exposure to water, there is a risk of mold growth in wet materials. Our Brooklyn water damage repair team of technicians put years of training, experience, and specialized equipment to work for you, ensuring the removal of all remaining moisture and a fast, effective drying process that you can count on. Our restoration specialists utilize infrared technology and thermal imagery to assess the full extent of the damage that your property has suffered. The technology can show our technicians areas where water might still exist based on a temperature difference. This process can ensure that the damage has not reached other areas of the building and confirm the completion of the restoration process.

SERVPRO STEPS FOR A WATER DAMAGE EMERGENCY

Step 1 - Emergency Contact
When you call, our representative will guide you through several questions that will help the SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team respond to your water emergency more quickly and efficiently. This initial contact is an important part of a fast, effective restoration.

Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
They carefully inspect your properties water damage, determining the type of water damage and the areas affected. This is a crucial step to creating an effective plan of action that will result in a successful restoration.

Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction
Typically, hundreds or thousands of gallons of water are removed using our powerful pumps and vacuums during the water removal process. The SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professionals start this process as soon as possible to minimize further damage and to help prevent mold growth.

Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification
After the bulk of the water has been removed, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn local technicians use specialized equipment to target the water that is harder to access. They use less intrusive, scientific drying methods to draw the remaining water and moisture from your property with air movers and dehumidifiers.

Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing
Water damage also affects your belongings, like furniture, clothing, and personal items. Our team of professionals can clean and restore items using a number of specialized cleaning techniques. They also sanitize with antimicrobial treatments and remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 6 - Restoration
The last step is restoring your home or business back to its pre-water damage condition. The restoration step can be relatively minor, such as replacing a few drywall panels, or could include major reconstruction, such as rebuilding entire rooms of a home or business.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. When our disaster team arrives on the scene, they know how to handle it with expertise no matter the size or scope of the situation.

We take pride in providing our employees with the best tools, equipment, and vehicles to effectively and efficiently get the problem solved with minimal stress and impact on our customers. We know it is never anticipated when a water emergency occurs, but when you call in our SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team, you can count on us to get things refreshed and restored, like it never even happened!

If you need help to cleanup, restore and repair your property after a water damage event, give us a call (718) 375-2388 we are always here to help!

More Intense Storms are on the Rise, bringing increased property damage in Coastal Communities like Southwest Brooklyn.

8/17/2018 (Permalink)

More Intense Storms are on the Rise, bringing increased property damage in Coastal Communities like Southwest Brooklyn and New York City.

As the 2018 Atlantic hurricane season continues, scientists are worried that U.S. coastal communities, including Brooklyn could face more super storms with strong winds, storm surges and rainfall so intense that current warning categories don't fully capture the threat.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is here to help incase your Southwest Brooklyn Property suffer water damage from a storm.
 
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center forecasters predicted a 70 percent likelihood of 10 to 16 named storms with winds of 39 miles per hour or higher. Five to nine of those could become hurricanes, with winds of 74 m.p.h. or higher, and one to four could develop into major hurricanes, which have winds of 111 m.p.h. or higher.

We have been providing home property or commercial property damage help to a record number of local property owners in the Southwest Brooklyn areas during the last few weeks. We appreciate the trust our customers put in SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn to take care of their flooding and water damage brought on by these record setting rainfalls in our New York City/Brooklyn area. It is impossible to predict when a water or storm related emergency will affect your property, but these are a few tips to keep in mind when the weather report is calling for storms and flooding in your area.

 
BEFORE THE STORM
    •    Keep the name, address, insurance policy and claims reporting telephone number of your insurer and agent in a safe and easily accessible place.
    •    Take inventory of your household items, especially valuables. Photograph and videotape items for verification and keep in a safe place such as a safety deposit box, and/or send copies of records to a trusted relative or friend who lives another state.
    •    Read your insurance policy and know what YOUR responsibilities are. Know what is and isn't covered, such as flooding, and know your general/specific policy limits and deductibles.

AFTER THE STORM DAMAGE. NOW WHAT?
    •    Find out the time limit on filing claims and notify your insurance agent in writing of the damage as soon as possible.
    •    If there are holes in your roof or your windows are broken, be sure to cover them as quickly as possible so that wind and rain do not cause further damage.
    •    Save receipts of what you spend and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
    •    Don't throw away any damaged items until an adjuster visits your home.
    •    Photograph or videotape the damage for your records and the insurance company. Make a copy of your home inventory for your adjuster
 

Call in the Professionals

Every Brooklyn area storm and water restoration situation is unique and SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn treats them that way. During your home or commercial property damage emergency, our team is here for you in these very stressful times and we are Always Here to Help! SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is highly qualified and trained in water restoration, our experts will come in, assess your damage, take the proper remediation steps to limit damage, and work with your to restore or rebuild your property. We are a single solution home emergency resource, also working hand in hand with your insurance company to restore your home or commercial property to what it was before. "Like it never even happened."

We are apart of the larger SERVPRO family, which means we have access to the best equipment and technology in the business.
We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster
We provide 24-Hour Emergency Service
We are a Trusted Leader in the Water Restoration Industry
We are Locally Owned and Operated

Fire and Water Damage in your Laundry Room can cause serious damage to your home.

8/7/2018 (Permalink)

When someone mentions they have a laundry emergency, most people’s first thought would be a red wine or grass stain, but here at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn a laundry emergency is a much BIGGER deal! What you aren’t thinking about is without proper inspection and maintenance those appliances you rely on can really lead to a serious disaster in your home.

Washing Machines typically run a few times per week in most homes, and the typical life expectancy of a washing machine is 10-11 years, during that time it can wash up to 5,000 loads. Washers come with 3 hoses filled with water: hot water, cold water and a drain, that gives that appliance 3 opportunities to suddenly leave you with a laundry room flood, or worse widespread water damage.

To complete a full cycle of laundry you have to put those wet clothes somewhere, and it is convent that the clothes dryer is located right next to the washing machine, right? No one forgets to throw in the laundry detergent when doing a load, but forgetting to dispose of your dryer lint, well that can cause BIG problems. Dryer lint is very combustible, the accumulation of lint in your dryer and vent can reduce airflow, causing your dryer to overheat. An improperly vented dryer can have dangerous consequences and is a leading cause of fire damage in homes.

Steps to prevent a laundry emergency in your home:

1. Inspect the hoses on your washing machine regularly, remember to check for leaks thoroughly but be sure not to disconnect them. The best way to check is to start a small load on a short cycle and make sure you don’t see any water, with each cycle. Better yet replace rubber hoses with a stainless-steel option, they have a longer life span.

2. Give your washer some room, keeping it 6” away from the wall can help prevent the hoses from kinking. Also, make sure you don’t see a lot of movement, an imbalanced washer can move around enough to loosen or cause added stress on your hose connections.

3. If you seem to have continued problems with your washer install a flood stopper. It’s placed on the floor near your washing machine and when it detects water it can shut off the water supply.

4. It is recommended to have your dryer exhaust system cleaned at least twice a year. Make sure you remove lint from your filter and underneath it every time you start a new load. Don’t use dryer sheets and fabric softener and remove the back of the dryer regularly to remove trapped lint.

5. Check that your dryer vent outside is lifting/venting properly. When installing the duct line keep it as short as possible to accumulate less debris. Keep the area around your dryer free of dust and other debris.

Accidents sometimes happen even after taking proper precautions and performing routine maintenance in your home. We here at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn have responded to dozens of calls for water or fire property damage caused by laundry emergencies. We specialize in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after fire, smoke or water damage. Our professional staff has the equipment, expertise, and experience to respond faster to any size disaster.

If you have a laundry emergency caused by Fire/Water Damage! SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is always here to help!

Providing 24 Hour Emergency service, 7 Days a week, (718) 375-2388 we are just a phone call away!

Protect Your Business with SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

7/29/2018 (Permalink)

Be prepared for anything with SERVPRO's Emergency READY Profile

According to industry research up to 50% of businesses may never recover after a disaster. If you were to look at this statistic alone it might feel as if your company’s future is in the hands of a coin flip. Fortunately, it isn’t a simple game of chance; the companies that were able to recover had a plan in place if disaster were to strike. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn always hopes for the best, but prepares for the worst and we hope you are doing the same. SERVPRO has started a checklist to make sure your company is ready for whatever happens.

SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile is a startup approach that provides information needed to begin restoring your business. It was designed to serve as a reference of important building and vital contact information. Working with SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile means your business will have access to over 40 years of experience remediating and cleaning property after a natural or man-made disaster.

SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile Advantage

• A cost-free assessment of your facility
• A succinct Profile Document that consists of only the information critical to us in the event of an emergency
• A guide to help get you back into your building following a disaster
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work
• Provides facility details, like priority areas
• Establishes SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn as your mitigation and restoration provider

How to get a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile:

• Visit SERVPRO.com/ready and register an account using your email address as your username
• Choose SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn as your preferred franchise representative
• Begin creating ERPs for every property you owned
• Download the SERVPRO Ready Plan app onto your smart device
• Launch the Ready Plan app and sign in using the account information you provided

After completing the necessary forms a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile will be created and you will be prepared for a disaster that hopefully never comes. With a plan in place, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn will get your business back to work “Like it never even happened!” Call us at (718) 375-2388

Common Signs that Water Damage is Lurking in Your Home.

7/23/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn will closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly.

Water damage is among the most common causes of property damage claims. One in every 50 insured homes will have a water-related property claim. The possible causes of water damage lurking in your home can originate from many different sources, with varying intensities, danger levels, and reach of damage. Even a well-maintained residence can have unexpected water damage including, a leaky dishwasher or sink, broken pipe(s), an overflowing washing machine, an old leaky roof, flood or storm damage and foundation cracks. If you see signs that water damage is lurking in your home, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn always here to help!

Water spots under sink cabinets

If you see water under the bathroom or kitchen sink it’s a warning sign that you have water damage and potential mold growth around the sink area. If the leak is bad enough, it could cause additional damage to the building structure, including the floor and walls, even if there’s no water present, water spots clearly indicate that pipes under the sink have a slow leak.

Ceiling and wall stains

Ceiling and wall stains are obvious signs of a roof, appliance, or plumbing leak, water saturates insulation and drywall, it can also lead to major water damage, that can compromise the structural integrity of the property. Check your roof for damage, broken tiles or puddling, also investigate appliances such as the washing machine, dishwasher, and toilets for leaky spigots that could be dripping water and causing damage.

Mold growth

Mold needs water to grow, so it’s common to find mold in consistently damp locations—and finding mold is never a good thing, since it means your air quality is suffering. In fact, sensitive individuals may experience unpleasant symptoms such as aggravated allergy symptoms, cold-like issues, and more.

Squishy kitchen/bathroom tiles

Water damage is not always visible. In fact, it’s more common for damage to occur behind the floor, ceiling, and walls where you can’t see it. Since the bathroom is the most humid room in your home, it’s a common place for water damage and mold growth.

Standing water

Many things can cause water to pool in unlikely places, including a broken pipe or flooding. If you find standing water, it’s important to seek water damage remediation as quickly as possible. Ignoring the problem could lead to greater damage to your home’s structural integrity and air quality.

When you are dealing with water damage, call in the experts to help! SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn can respond immediately and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. We closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly.

Contact us for 24-7 emergency service in your home. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Always here to help!

Don't Let Damage To Your Commercial Property Damage Your Bottom Line!

7/17/2018 (Permalink)

Regardless of the size of your commercial property SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn can help restore your business!

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn knows that damage to a commercial property can ruin your business if not addressed quickly.  Intense blizzards, flooding, or even tropical storms could cost your business thousands of dollars in damage and lost revenue. Our 24 hour a day, 7 days a week service will be ready for your call as soon as disaster strikes. Even an hour of missed work means money lost, so be sure to give us a call at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn so we can get to work restoring your business—like it never even happened!

Fire damage can be particularly difficult to restore. After you call our technicians will begin the process of removing all fire and smoke damage. After the damage has been restored, and the smoky odor removed, we can start cleaning your fabric and upholstery. Frequently with fire damage, there is water damage from sprinklers. Don’t worry though—we are experts in restoring water damage too!

Sprinklers after a fire will cause large scale damage to your business, regardless of your company’s size.  First, we start by removing all the contaminated water from the building and begin structural drying.  Your expert from SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn will then begin cleaning any fabric or upholstery you may possess. Once all the moisture has been removed we will remove the smell that, if left unattended, will become mold.

Mold, for those unfamiliar with the signs, can be difficult to spot and remove. Our team has thorough training in locating mold. If mold is spotted SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn will begin using applied microbial remediation to remove the mold wherever it may be. After the mold is cleaned our technician will remove any causes of mold.

Large big box warehouses, apartment buildings, hospitals, etc—we do it all!

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn specializes in cleaning and restoring your commercial and residential property. Our staff is thoroughly versed in damage restoration. We are constantly training our staff on the newest and most efficient ways to remove mold. We are IICRC-certified and great at what we do. Give us a call at (718) 831-6426 so we can get to work fixing your business!

FIRES HAPPEN! Once the fire is out, the recovery process begins. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is here to help!

6/29/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has been successfully helping Southwest Brooklyn, NY homeowners with fire damage for over 27 years.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn’s local professionals have been successfully helping Southwest Brooklyn, NY homeowners with fire damage for over 27 years. We provide 24-hour emergency service and are dedicated to responding FASTER to any size disaster. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened."

24-Hour Emergency Fire Restoration Service

Call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn, New York at (718) 375-2388 we’re ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with all your damage remediation needs. 

First Steps After a Fire:

• Safety: Ask the firefighters or proper authorities on the scene if it is safe to go inside.
• Call your Insurance provider: Let them know what happened so they can start a claim and initiate the paperwork for you.
• Contact loved ones: Call to let everyone know you’re okay or let people who weren’t home know what happened.
• Secure the residence/business: Prevent theft by locking the doors and covering windows or holes. If, you need help contact SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn, we are here to help!
• Obtain a copy of the fire report: The report specifies all the necessary information about the fire including the time, casualties, date and the extent of fire damage.
• Your current location: Notify friends, family, employers, schools, utilities & services of your temporary location. If you need somewhere to stay you can also contact the American Red Cross for assistance.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn, NY can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. We can help you with providing estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning and repairing your home.

SERVPRO Steps for a Fire Damage Emergency:

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call the SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn, New York which is staffed 24 hours a day. Our representative will ask a series of questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us dispatch the nearest SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Professional with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

Our Professionals will carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, the SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Professional can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. They will then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

The SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn Professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

They will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. They’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. 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.

If You Have Questions or Need Help, Call Us Today

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn, New York at (718) 375-2388

Your First Steps After a Disaster

6/8/2018 (Permalink)

You might feel overwhelmed after a disaster, but we are here to help rebuild your home!

You may have a considerable number of questions going through your mind after disaster strikes. The sentiment of being overwhelmed isn't unusual. We've learned individuals are regularly left asking: what do I do now?

The initial step is to have your home assessed to guarantee it is a secure place to return. Your wellbeing will forever be our first concern, and it ought to be yours as well. Fire, water, and mold could all create dangerous living conditions; contaminated air or structural damage are serious issues. If you are fortunate and the house has been cleared for reentry, a great many people figure the next logical step is to begin cleaning; however, it is essential to document the harm done to your home and possessions. With a camera or your cell phone, you should take photos of the damage, which will help with insurance claims. On the off chance that your telephone or camera did not survive the occurrence we suggest calling a SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn expert to take care of the documentation and start on the path toward reestablishing your home.

A specialist at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn will be able to photograph the harm done to your property and simplify your dealings with the insurance company. The only thing you would need to do is present the claim to your insurance agency! Depending on the state of your home, the SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn serviceperson can suggest, based on rate increases and the total cost to repair, if it is advisable to even involve the insurance company.

We want to make the rebuilding process as effortless for you as possible; we will be with you every step of the way. Once the damage has been archived we can give you an expert evaluation of the harm done and how best to continue. An insurance organization will frequently have agreements with their preferred vendors, however, you should know that you have the right to pick an organization you trust to reconstruct your home.

Disaster can—clearly—be devastating; however, it could give you the chance to rebuild your house into your dream home! SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is eager to help you turn lemons into lemonade. Transform a negative into a positive by adding the pantry you always needed. Reestablishing your life after a traumatic event is always difficult; but luckily, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is here to help!

Get Your Ducts in a Row

5/25/2018 (Permalink)

Removing a vent cover allows you to take a look at your duct system.

It can be very difficult to clean a duct system, so we do recommend leaving that to the professionals here at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn.  Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to see if the system needs to be cleaned.  By removing the vent covers you can get a glimpse into the system. Any signs of dirt or debris means the air you are breathing isn’t as clean as it could be. You can also check the air filters for dust and dirt. If either of these checks results in questionable cleanliness, we are here to help. While checking the condition or your air conditioner, you should also look at your heater. A dirty heat exchanger surface means the system is not running at maximum efficiency.

With summer getting closer and closer, make sure your AC is ready to help you beat the heat. The coils of your AC need to be unhindered to give you the best results. Shine a flashlight onto the coils to see if the light projects on the other side. The coil fins should be evenly spaced and free of any damage, like dents or nicks.  If you do see accumulated dirt or dust your AC will be less efficient.  We are here to help get your AC in tip-top shape, so don’t sweat it!

Below we will list a quick introduction to the work that goes into cleaning your ducts:

The first thing a SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professional will do is check the AC filters. Dirty filters mean the air you are breathing is dirty too! Cleaning or, if needed, replacing your filter can make the air you breathe cleaner and ensure the air is flowing unobstructed.

Once the filter is dealt with, we move to the condenser coils. Clean condenser coils will maximize your AC’s energy efficiency so not only will your room be cooler, it will cost you less! Your SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn service person will also check the coolant lines to ensure you are receiving the coolest air possible.

All cleaned up and ready to go, the last step is to turn the AC on. Once running, we can make sure there is no need for additional work.  Needless to say, if there is more work to be done we are ready to do that too!

What Causes Mold Inside The Home?

4/19/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has a team of trained specialists to handle any mold removal projects.

Mold needs saturation or water to prosper. Mold spores will start spreading as soon as they find a wet surface. Some fundamental spots mold can cover include:

• Bathrooms. Showers, sinks, and toilets are perfect areas for mold. These spots tend to be soggy and, without powerful ventilation, will grow mold.
• Air conditioning and vents.
• Fireplaces. When not frequently in use, a chimney or fireplace is dark and cool—a productive ground for mold spore growth.
• Attics. On the off chance that your roof cracks, mold can reproduce and spread through the ventilation space in the regularly disregarded room. It will flourish in ventilation or soffit vents.
• Cellars. That obvious basement smell is confirmation of moisture and—more than likely—mold. Mold will be found encompassing the foundation, sump pump, windows, or vents.

Indoor mold progression must be ceased by drying the clammy conditions inside. In the event that there is mold proliferation in your home it is fundamental to stop it quickly. In the wrong conditions mold can spread quickly—in as meager as 24–48 hours.

If you are uncertain if your home or business has mold it is fundamental that you call a pro as fast as possible. They will begin by dissecting and testing the territory. The Mold Remediation Specialists at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn are knowledgeable about water and mold removal. They're professionals in recovering your home from mold, utilizing the best possible gear.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn specialists will survey the damage and, if required by law, get a protocol for a Certified Mold Assessor so they can start to devise a strategy. They will then spotlight the issue and get to work. Utilizing blockades and a negative air pressure chamber, your SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn professional will stop the mold so they can begin cleaning and restoring your home.

The specialists at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn are thoroughly trained for remediation, guaranteeing your home or business will be yours again in no time.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn offers a fast reaction 24 hours per day, every day of the week. 

Is Black Mold Really Dangerous?

4/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has a team of trained mold removal & mold remediation experts.

We’ve all been there. You go into your basement or your bathroom and there, on the wall, you see it: black mold. You panic, because you’ve heard horror stories for years about the dangers of black mold, but is there really any truth to the hype?

In truth, the term “toxic black mold” is a misnomer with no scientific validation at all. In fact, the term “toxic mold” is also inaccurate. According to the CDC, “the term ‘toxic mold’ is not accurate. While some molds can produce toxins, specifically mycotoxins, the molds themselves are not toxic or poisonous”.

So what kinds of mycotoxins can black mold produce? The trichothecene types below are found in toxic black mold:

• Cyclosporin
• Roridin E
• Satratoxin F, G and H (the most abundant type of trichothecene)
• Sporidesmin G
• Stachybotryolactone
• Trichoverrol
• Trichoverrin
• Verrucarin J

Molds come in a rainbow of colors but it is the black mold species Stachybotrys chartarum that has been falsely dubbed “toxic black mold”. In reality, mold is everywhere in our environment, it’s the dosage that makes the poison.

There is no argument that excessive exposure to almost any type of mold can cause adverse health effects, no matter what the color.

In addition, mold growth can also damage buildings—weakening structure and causing unpleasant odors, as well as causing ugly staining. Cleaning mold is often exactly what causes it to spread; the process dislodges mold spores and allows them to travel into new areas of the environment.

To avoid this it’s best to call a professional when you suspect you have a mold issue in your home or business. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has years of experience in mold removal and remediation and can ensure that any damage caused by mold is repaired properly, and completely. With SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn it’ll be "Like it never even happened."

The Real Truth About Mold Removal And Mold Remediation

3/23/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has a team of trained mold removal & mold remediation technicians to handle any job size.

Many contractors and even mold removal companies will try to confuse you as to the difference between mold removal and mold remediation. Some will try to tell you that for a small mold issue, you can get mold removal, but for a larger more dangerous issue, you’ll need a more complicated, and expensive, mold remediation. Out of fear, many will choose to go with remediation and spend the extra money. That makes sense, mold can be extremely dangerous, causing severe illness and other problems, but the fact is that mold removal and mold remediation are interchangeable terms that mean the same thing!

Mold is endemic in our environment, meaning you can find it almost everywhere that water and oxygen are present. While some mold, such as the mildew in your shower (when in small quantities,) are considered “cosmetic mold” and can be simply sprayed with bleach, other types of mold (and even mildew when it spreads,) can become dangerous and toxic. 

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn has certified mold remediation technicians that can not only help to identify and properly remove the mold in your home, but they will also locate the source, and eradicate the cause of your mold issues. 

When you find mold in your home, make sure that your mold professional can explain the mold remediation process in simple terms. Many small mold issues should not be expensive to handle. Moldy drywall is one example. If the affected area is small, it should not be a tremendously expensive fix. The most important issue with small drywall fixes happens once the damaged section is removed. It is imperative to ensure that spores are not spread further, so great care must be taken with the disposal of affected areas. If the technicians you hire use extremely technical terms to frighten you into tremendously expensive treatment options, be wary. 

When you call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn, we will carefully inspect your property to ensure that not only are all mold issues are addressed, but also that we locate the source of the issue, and eradicate it. If we do find an issue that needs to be addressed, we will use specialized filtration equipment to capture microscopic mold spores that may be in the air and to prevent them from spreading during removal. 

In addition to mold removal, we also specialize in cleaning your belongings and ensuring that they are sanitized and safe to use. Should major restoration need to be done, we can also handle reconstruction and finishing to ensure that you are back to normal as quickly, and cleanly, as possible. 

Mold doesn’t have to be scary, so don’t let an unqualified contractor or “specialist” make it into a nightmare.

Water Damage & Flooding

3/16/2018 (Permalink)

If you experience flooding or water damage, contact SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

The rainy season is upon us in Southwest Brooklyn. Excessive rainfall means the potential for leaky roofs, flooded basements and other types of water damage. These situations are some of the most costly that a homeowner or business owner can face. Water can quickly lead to mold growth, damage furniture and drywall, and compromise the very structure of a house or building.

Common causes of water damage include corroded or damaged pipes, blocked gutters, and leaks from roofs or windows.

To prepare for flooding, elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home or building. Install check-valves to prevent floodwater from backing up into the drains. And know how to locate and safely shut off all utilities.

There are also several measures you can take to help prevent water damage. Inspect sinks, showers, toilets, gutters and downspouts to ensure there are no blockages. Have a sump pump installed in the basement of your home or business. Seal basement walls and floors with waterproofing compounds.

If certain areas consistently have standing water or if there are a few spots in your basement where water regularly collects, there might be a problem with the pitch or angle of the grounds outside. If the ground is pitched toward your house or building, water will run back toward it, causing leaks or flooding. So make sure the ground pitch is angled away from your home or facility.

Water and flood damage restoration is not a do-it-yourself project. It is a lengthy and potentially dangerous process that should be tackled only by experienced professionals, like the experts at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn. If you have an issue, call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn right away. While you wait for our restoration team to arrive, take the following steps:

1. Turn off all power
2. Move important possessions and documents to safety
3. Raise all furniture or remove it entirely
4. Let in fresh air if weather permits
5. If safely doing so is possible, use buckets to remove water, and clean out the internal and outside water drainage of your home or building

Once they arrive, the SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn team will begin the repair and restoration process:

Assessment

Our technicians determine f the water is from a clean source or an unsanitary place like a sewerage system. SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn locates and measures the damage, from subfloors to inside the wall cavities and elsewhere.

Water removal

We use powerful vacuums capable of removing thousands of gallons every hour.

Drying

Our licensed restoration professionals have the knowledge and heavy-duty
equipment to start the air movement necessary to dry out your home or facility. They will also inspect the affected areas for mold.

Without prompt action, water damage is virtually guaranteed to spread and become permanent. The longer you wait, the greater the chance of mold growth and unrecoverable property. So if you live in Southwest Brooklyn and have a water issue, call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn immediately. Our professionals have the expertise to reverse and prevent the devastating effects of flooding and water damage.

When a pipe bursts in your home.

1/5/2018 (Permalink)

A burst pipe can cause serious water damage.

2018 has brought us mostly subfreezing temperatures. When it gets this cold outside homes are at risk of burst pipes and all of the headaches and water damage they bring. Water pipes burst when the water inside them freezes and expands causing an increase in pressure inside the pipe. When the pressure gets too high for the pipe to contain it bursts causing damage to your home.

A burst pipe can happen almost anywhere, but usually occurs with pipes that are close to the exterior of your home. The most critical aspect of dealing with a burst pipe is turning off the water supply and stopping the flow of water. Water in a crawlspace or basement is usually well contained and can be easily dried out. However, when a pipe bursts in the main part of your home, such as a toilet feed or an under-sink supply line, it can create a much bigger mess depending upon how much water has inundated the house.

As with any water damage, time is of the essence as mold can start to develop in as little as 24 hours after flooding occurs. The more time that passes without treatment the more likely those materials will continue to deteriorate and may not be salvageable. This is doubly true in homes with carpeting.

When a pipe in your home bursts—affecting multiple rooms—travels from an upper level to a lower level of the home, or has been left unnoticed for more than 8 hours, professional water mitigation and specialized drying equipment is essential for preventing long-term damage. If you see that water has seeped into the subflooring or the drywall the safest step would be to contact a professional water damage remediation company like SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn  to help remove or restore items that would otherwise be destroyed by mold.

Preventing Smoke Damage From Your Fireplace

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Preventing Smoke Damage From Your Fireplace

The weather outside is frightful and there is nothing better than curling up on a cold night to the warm glow of a fireplace. Unfortunately, fireplaces can also pose a smoke and fire hazard to your home. There is, however, nothing particularly soothing about unwanted fireplace smoke puffs that spill into the home while the fire is burning. Fires can also start when hot embers from the fire catch on residue from unclean chimneys.

If you are someone who likes to use their fireplace during the winter here are a few tips to prevent smoke or fire damage to your home.

Nobody likes a drafty house, but a house that is relatively airtight may not be able to supply enough outside air to the fire, resulting in a negative pressure in the home. Well-insulated homes can benefit from an outside air supply vent installed in the fireplace to satisfy the fire's needs.

Exhaust fans—like in kitchens or in forced air heating systems—can cause negative pressure, which will drag the smoke from your fireplace into your home. Turn off exhaust fans before settling down by the fire.

Only use your fireplace when it is cold out. The difference between the indoor and outdoor air helps the smoke draft properly. If it is too warm the smoke will have nowhere to go.

Make sure that the damper is open all the way. Sometimes there is a rain cap or even another damper on top of the chimney, which may be obstructed and needs attention. This can also be a fire hazard, so be careful.

Wet firewood can create heavy smoke. Make sure you only use seasoned firewood that is dry in your fireplace.

If you experience smoke or fire damage from your fireplace this winter contact the experts at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn. Their smoke damage experts can clean your furniture, curtains, walls, and floors to get rid of not only the black soot, but the foul odor it leaves behind.

Hurricane Harvey Response

11/22/2017 (Permalink)

Hurricane Harvey Blasts Texas

SERVPRO is known to respond faster to any disaster; after the devastation of Hurricane Harvey hit Texas, we lived up to that claim. Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 storm that hit Texas on August 25, 2017. It caused $180 billion in damage. That’s more than any other natural disaster in U.S history, except the largest estimates of Hurricane Katrina damage.

At its peak on September 1, 2017, one-third of Houston was underwater. Two feet of rain fell in the first 24 hours. The storm claimed the lives of 82 people and damaged 203,000 homes, of which 12,700 were destroyed.

Harvey was just winding down when our team landed in San Antonio, TX, after that it was a harrowing journey navigating across flooded river crossings and damaged bridges to get to Houston. Within the first three days we surveyed thirty properties for water and storm damage and started getting them on the path to recovery.

We were able to coordinate efforts mobilizing the resources we needed to help dry out and rebuild these properties, shipping in tractor-trailers full of equipment, our crew of one hundred ready to work.

Common Places for Mold to Grow

10/20/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can grow in many places.

When we think of mold problems we equate it to damp basements and black gross mold growing on drywall; but mold is insidious and can grow in places where you least expect it. Mold is fast growing, can pop up within 24 hours of being exposed to moisture, and spreads quickly.

Here are some common places where mold forms that you might not be aware of:

• Under Your Refrigerator

The spaces behind and under your fridge rarely see the light of day, which make them a perfect breeding ground for mold. Clean all water lines and drip pans and ensure they are not leaking; even a small leak can lead to a huge mold problem. Take the extra time to check and clean behind and underneath your refrigerator.

• Chimneys

Your chimney can easily become a breeding ground for mold. Brick crevices collect water, dirt, and other organic debris. Rusted chimney caps and faulty flashing let in rain and snow, encouraging mold to grow. Replace rusted caps and fix flashing. Call a licensed mold removal specialist to remove the mold in your chimneys. To prevent mold, get your chimney cleaned by a professional chimney sweep at least once a year.

• Front-Loading Washing Machines

Front-loading washing machines are great, but can be a hotspot for mold growth. The gasket around the door on front-loading washing machines often stays wet because the door is usually closed when not in use. Add some lint to the moisture and mold happily munches and multiplies. Wipe the gasket and glass dry before you shut the door. If you spot mold, run a hot water wash with some chlorine bleach (no clothes), which will kill the fungi. Even if you have a top-load washer make sure to regularly check behind and underneath your washer and dryer to make sure there are no leaks or source of moisture. Clean out vents and lint traps to prevent mold havens, as well as fire hazards.

• Window Sashes and Seals

Condensation from windows provides the moisture mold loves, and the dirt and dust that collect provide the perfect place for the mold to settle. After heavy rains open windows and wipe moisture from the bottoms of sashes and windowsills. Replace any broken seals and if you notice any water has leaked into the wood and walls call a professional to see if the problem has caused mold.

• Air Conditioners

Air conditioning units trap dust and pollen (a good meal for mold) and grab moisture from the air. If you don’t run your AC unit at least every 24 hours in warm weather humidity in your house climbs, giving mold the opportunity to grow in AC ducts, drain pans, and on coils. Drip pans and drainage hoses on window units can leak causing mold to grow into the windowsill and dry wall. If mold grows in your central air conditioning unit you’ll have to hire a mold remediation pro to clean out the system.

If you suspect you may have mold contact the experts at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

Construction Services

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

Rebuilding after a disaster.

After a disaster—whether it be a fire, water, or storm—damages your home you will need to rebuild and restore. For decades SERVPRO has been known for their ability to respond to a disaster and fix your home to make it "Like it never even happened.”

The first thing you must do after a disaster is take temporary protective measures such as placing roof tarps to prevent additional damage, and boarding up to secure the building and remove water and debris. Mold, smoke, fire, and water damage all have their own protocol for restoration and our experts know how to tackle each problem.

Once your home or building is secured and the hazards are removed you can start the rebuilding process; from the structure itself to preserving and restoring the treasured items inside your home—including heirlooms, art, and family photos. The professionals at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn can simplify the restoration process by handling both the initial damage mitigation and rebuilding the affected areas. Having one qualified company for the entire process can save time and keeps costs low.

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn can provide this continuity by supervising a full range of restoration services that will bring a building back to full functionality.

• Board Up
• Carpet Repair and Installation
• Document Drying
• Dry Cleaning
• Drywall Installation
• Drywall Removal
• Electrical
• Electronics Restoration
• Fine Art Restoration
• Furniture Restoration
• General Contracting
• Hardwood Floor Repair
• HVAC Services
• Move Out
• Painting
• Plumbing
• Roofing Services
• Tree Removal
• And more!

If you are in need of construction services contact SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn at (718) 831-6294.

Document Restoration

8/21/2017 (Permalink)

Document Restoration at SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

Aside from people, some of the hardest things to replace after a natural disaster are documents. After a flood or fire photographs and books could be lost forever. As a leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn   knows that timely mitigation is the key to recovering damaged possessions. Our experience and state-of-the-art technology can help save your important documents from the trash.

We employ the latest technology available, utilizing the same freeze-drying methods used by the Library of Congress to dry valuable historic documents and books; this method can clean and dry your documents without sacrificing their integrity or damaging them. As powerful as our document restoration technology is, it is delicate enough to handle old and fragile documents, books, and papers. With water damage like sewage or floodwater, documents will be exposed to bacteria, viruses, pesticides, or other harmful chemicals. Our team uses a gamma irradiation process to safely and effectively sterilize your documents.

Our facility is managed by HIPPA Master-certified technicians, under 24/7 surveillance so you know that your personal information is kept secure and confidential.

To prevent your documents from becoming damaged again, we also offer digitalization for your documents and photos. We use a computerized inventory system for digitizing your documents. In the digital age converting your paper files and photos to digital formats can have an invaluable impact on your business or home. You can have access to your records while saving space.

Types of Documents We Restore/Preserve

• paper documents
• books and magazines
• manuscripts and files
• photographs, films, negatives, and microfiche
• x-rays
• blueprints and maps
• parchment

If you are in need of document restoration services contact SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn at (718) 831-6294.

What to Do After A Fire

7/20/2017 (Permalink)

About SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn 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. 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.

What to do after a fire-

There is nothing quite as devastating as a house fire and once the smoke clears and the fire trucks drive away the real work rebuilding begins. It may be a daunting task, especially when there is such a mess left behind, but it is possible to rebuild.

The first thing you should do after a fire is contact your insurance company within the first 24 hours. Your insurance company will advise you on how to handle the aftermath of your fire and possibly be able to recommend a professional fire restoration company, such as SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn. A fire restoration company provides services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. They provide estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning and repairing your home.

Things to remember after a fire:

• Don’t use any electrical appliance that was in or around the fire.
• If the ceiling or floor above is wet do not use any ceiling lights or fans.
• Prevent soot from getting everywhere by not touching anything.
• Do not wash drapes or other materials that may require dry cleaning.

Hiring a professional like SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn right after a fire can save you time and money.

Call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn at (718) 375-2388 

Burst Pipes

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

Frozen or burst pipes can cause serious water damage,

When old man winter starts doing his worst, it wreaks havoc on your home. Plunging temperatures put your pipes at risk of freezing. Burst pipes cause problematic water damage requiring remediation, not to mention the risk for mold as well. As water freezes it expands putting pressure on metal and other pipes. The continuous expanding and contracting eventually weakens the integrity of your pipes, turning them into ticking time bombs. Expanding water can cause pipes to break, leaving you with a big, wet, cold, mess.

So How Do You Prevent Burst Pipes?

Ice forming in a pipe is not what causes it to break. It’s the continual freezing and expansion that causes water pressure to increase downstream, between the ice blockage and the closed faucet at the end. It’s this increase in water pressure that leads to pipe failure. Usually, the pipe will burst where little or no ice has formed.

Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold; like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls—with little or no insulation—are also subject to freezing.

So, what should you do? Keep the water running at a trickle to keep water from settling, open cabinets, and draw heat to pipes against exterior walls and places like your basement.

If you should find yourself faced with a pipe break situation, contact your insurance company, then call us. We have 24 hour emergency services available, and will do our very best to bring your home back to its preloss condition as soon as possible.

Call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn at (718) 831-6294

What To Do After a Flood

1/20/2017 (Permalink)

Floods happen so quickly that many are caught unprepared, and while floods often can’t be prevented, what you do after a flood can save you thousands of dollars on flood remediation and water damage repair costs.  Here are some tips to take after you notice flood damage.

1. Stay Safe

Flood waters can be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals so do not go into the water without protection even if it is clear. If there is possibility of downed or live wires don’t risk it, wait for a professional. If it is safe to go into the water wear waders, hip- or waist-high waterproof boots. In addition, wear rubber gloves to remove water- damaged possessions and to avoid contaminants. Hiring a professional to do flood clean-up is the best way to ensure your safety and the safety of your possessions. Any food that came into contact with the flood waters should be thrown away. Boil all of your water until authorities declare the water supply is safe.

2. Take Pictures

Before you remove any water or make any repairs, fully document the damage to send to your insurance company by taking photos or video. If you start removing water or making repairs before you photograph the damage, you run the risk of decreasing the extent of your coverage.

3. Call Your Insurance Company

After you have ensured your family is safe, the first person you contact should be your insurance agent. If the floods have affected an entire region note that your agent might be dealing with their own flooding emergency and may not be available. If that is the case, contact your insurance company’s headquarters they should be able to direct you to the right information.

Let your insurance company know the extent of the damages to your home and any repairs you intend to do immediately. Be sure to follow the insurance company’s direction about whether or not to wait for an adjuster to inspect the property before making repairs. Document the damage and conversations at every stage of the process.

4. Call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

Our expert flood damage remediation specialists can help you recover from water damage. We use scientific drying principles and provide validation and documentation that your property is dry and the job is complete.

Call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn at (718) 831-6294

Puff Back

11/30/2016 (Permalink)

Soot from a puff back should be cleaned by a professional.

A puff back can turn your home into a smelly mess, covering the place in black soot. So what causes puff backs and what can you do if it happens to you?

Puff backs happen when the ignition fails to light properly, oil fumes accumulate in the chamber of the furnace. These fumes will cause a small explosion when the pilot light finally ignites and will blow every little piece of dust and soot in your baseboard heating system or duct system all over EVERYTHING in your home. Drapes, blinds, furniture, bedding, clothing, floors, carpets, dishes, appliances, you name it, the soot will find its way in.

The biggest problem with soot is that it is not easily cleaned. You cannot clean soot with a regular sponge, towel, paper towel, etc. The cleaning of soot requires special sponges and cleaning products that are used by professionals. In addition to this stick sooty mess, an odor will also be present which is similar to that of an oil smell. This odor is difficult to remove and requires the services of a professional to remove as well. A professional certified home restoration company such as SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn is experienced with handling puff back situations. A puff back can occur in large proportion such as the situation just mentioned or in small proportion, over a period of time. If you notice black soot accumulating on carpet around heating vents or baseboard, or on surfaces inside your home, chances are you are experiencing a small scale puff back.

If you experience puff back in your home call your insurance company then call SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn at (718) 375-2388 to clean it up.

Sewage

4/29/2016 (Permalink)

Sewage backup

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn 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 Southwest Brooklyn

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, water or sewage 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.

Mold

4/29/2016 (Permalink)

Mold inside attic.

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – 718-375-2388

Dryer Fire

4/29/2016 (Permalink)

Dryer fire in a laundromat.

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your place of business, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 718-375-2388

Raining on ceiling

4/29/2016 (Permalink)

Water behind paint on wall.

Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 718-375-2388

Water Damage Timeline

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 begins to swell and break down.
• Depending on the temperature of the structure, water can actually condensate so it appears to rain inside.
• 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.
• 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.

More Than 1 Week:

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

About SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn

SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn 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. 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.

Kitchen Fire

4/29/2016 (Permalink)

Bad Kitchen fire in garden apartment complex.

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Southwest Brooklyn will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today –  718-375-2388