How Electrical Outlets Are Affected By Floods

11/29/2023 (Permalink)

When floodwaters rise to the height of electrical outlets, a common result is loss of power. However, in some cases the resulting sparks and damage can create a fire in a house, apartment, or commercial building.

There are restoration companies that specialize in water damage, but very few have the experience that can handle fire damage and water damage like SERVPRO of Middletown. For decades we have been in the business of restoring homes to original condition. Our expert response teams can pump out a basement and scrub away smoke residues with equal ease.

Fortunately, fire damage that is caused by a flooded outlet is usually small and is mainly just smoke damage. In either disaster, removal of drywall is critical so that the workload is not as difficult to deal with. However, the rising smoke can leave residue higher up on the walls, requiring more panels to be removed. Ceiling tiles can also require cleaning after a fire as well.

When an outlet is damaged by water, it needs a replacement from the hardware store, which typically costs less than $5 apiece. The spot where the fire begins, the point of ignition, would be the outlet in this case. The wires leading to the outlet are melted to the outlet box and may require cutting from above where there is any damage. It is important to inspect the rest of the building as well to ensure that the fried wires did not compromise any other building materials.

If the damage runs very far back along the wires, then they require replacing so that the new outlet is in the original location. Our technicians are trained to run new wiring from any point in the structure back to the breaker box if it is needed to rebuild the wiring system of your home or business. This task is extremely easier once a different team member removes the drywall for easier access.

Dealing with damage from a flood can be a very difficult and stressful process. Restoring your home and property from both requires professional treatment and care from experts with a nationwide support network or equipment. We are ready to help you whenever disaster strikes.

Importance of Cleaning Up After Storm Surge

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

The flooded home after demolition.

After this extremely active Atlantic Ocean hurricane season, it is important to understand how to calmly react to the tremendous damage which is left after a storm.

This photo was taken after the demolition of a flooded house in Manasquan, NJ. Our SERVPRO® crew was called immediately after ocean surge flooded this home within a block of the beach. Our team responded on the scene within an hour. During inspection, the crew determined all of the drywall and insulation needed to be removed as well as most of the flooring due to the contamination of the ocean water. The remaining stud beams and subfloor were sprayed with an anti-microbial solution to kill any lingering contaminants. Drying equipment was placed to remove any additional moisture to prevent further damage and/or the formation of mold.

Large floods are never too difficult for our SERVPRO of Middletown team as it is imperative to clean and dry the extensive moisture the water deposits into the structure. When dealing with a loss from storm surge, it is imperative to contact your local SERVPRO to properly clean and restore your property "Like it never even happened."

Do Not Let Sewage Turn Into Mold

10/30/2023 (Permalink)

Mold growth on the floor due to sewage loss.

Left untreated, the moisture and bacteria from a sewage loss may cause microbial growth.  SERVPRO of Middletown has experience with remediating a loss in which sewage was left untreated, causing mold to form on the drywall and floor. In such an instance, all flooring, drywall, doors and trim must be removed. Dehumidifiers are placed and remaining stud beams, subfloor, and stationary objects are cleaned and sanitized. A special antimicrobial solution can be painted on the affected areas to prevent mold from reforming on the cleaned areas. This is usually the most important step in the mold process.

In an effort to prevent the timely remediation of mold, a sewage loss must be mitigated immediately. Our team of SERVPRO professionals are trained to extract and clean the discharge from the area before placing drying equipment to remove any remaining moisture. Faster to any disaster, SERVPRO of Middletown is always ready to take on even the largest sewage losses.

Being Prompt After A Fire Is The Key to Safety

10/11/2023 (Permalink)

Fire spreads very quickly!

A fire in your home or workspace can get out of hand if it’s not attended to quickly.

Commercial fire damage can come in the form of lingering smoke, soot damage, and smoke damage. It’s important to take serious action in the event that a fire spreads from the home to the business. The number one thing to do is respond as fast as possible. Though you may be in complete shock after viewing the damage, it is important to shift your focus towards finding a solution before it becomes an even bigger problem. The steps to bringing your space back to life after the fire needs to happen quickly. As a home or business owner, it is critical to follow these steps in the event of a fire.

Speedy Response

Acting quick with the help of a restoration company can be crucial in the event of a fire. The damage to the space can be less severe if a board is up. Being prompt can help the owner stay in business. It truly shows the character of a restoration business that is helping the owner get back on their feet by completing everything in a quick manner. They understand how important it is to get it running again, no matter what kind of damages occurred. The customers will also realize this and be very appreciative of it. An owner that works closely with a restoration company that specializes in responding to damage after a fire is one that puts their employees and customers before anything else. This shows they can truly overcome any obstacle that might arise in their business.

Damage Done

A fire doesn’t have to be huge to make an impact; any size fire can be harmful. It’s very easy for a fire to spread, which can cause smoke and soot damage. Smoke smell can travel from one area to another in just a few seconds. This is why it is so important for the owner to contact fire restoration and cleanup as soon as they realize the problem. They will learn that many other issues arise from commercial fires. The smoke smell is so strong that if it gets into any kind of inventory, it will make it nearly impossible to sell again. Not only will this ruin the inventory, but it will also turn customers away from the strong smell. Fire damage restoration and cleanup should begin with a board up then analyze the other parts of the property. Contracts with restoration companies are crucial when it comes to help with problems such as smoke smell, fire cleanup and a board up.

Taking Initiative

An owner of a company can exhibit their leadership qualities by knowing what to do in the situation of a fire. A fast response to a big problem can show the leadership qualities to the rest of the employees and motivate them follow in the same footsteps. “Leaders aren’t self-made; they are driven” as stated in entrepreneur.com by Arnold Schwarzenegger. A fire is the time to step up and take that initiative as a boss to be the leader of your business. Display what should be expected from everyone in your business. Having the damages cleaned up immediately by a restoration company will avoid the risk of any long-term damage to your employees, property and surroundings.

Latest Technology

10/5/2023 (Permalink)

Using an infrared meter to detect water behind the wall.

SERVPRO of Middletown uses the latest technology in disaster recovery to ensure fast and efficient service for all emergency projects. Mastering industry standards, utilizing advanced equipment and providing continuous training to team members allow our business to be a leader in the emergency service industry.

When on site at various losses, our technicians use a range of energy-saving equipment to dry, deodorize, and purify air and structural materials as needed. Specialized machines and environmentally- friendly cleaning agents are used to properly disinfect structures affected by fire, water or mold.

Advanced monitoring tools allow our technicians to accurately determine the moisture level of building materials affected by water. The tools make it simple to confirm the materials are successfully dried at the completion of the job. Our team utilized the infrared camera pictured on a commercial loss in Middletown NJ to check for moisture behind a wall which did not appear to be wet from the outside.

All technicians receive ongoing training and certifications in accordance with IICRC standards, which are a series of guidelines and processes necessary for performing emergency mitigation services. The training also updates the staff about the availability of innovative new equipment and tools which can provide them with greater capability in the field. Additional training is provided whenever equipment is updated.

SERVPRO of Middletown is dedicated to obtaining cutting-edge technology as it continues to become available. Equipped with innovative tools and knowledge, the franchise is always ready to take on emergencies of any size with expert precision. 

Mold In The Laundry Room With A Baby On The Way!

9/28/2023 (Permalink)

The visible mold growth on the laundry room wall.

SERVPRO of Middletown received a frantic call from a homeowner who was concerned about mold after watching a show explaining how it grows. He suspected he had some mold in the basement and felt he needed to have it taken care of considering his wife was pregnant. He called SERVPRO of Middletown for an estimate. Our office staff learned the customer's wife was being induced within 3 days and he wanted to take the new baby home to a clean house. They immediately worked with him to get a mold testing company over to his home to verify mold was present. Once the mold removal scope of work was provided by the tester, our mold remediation crew was dispatched to get started.

The team was able to get the job done in one day! The house passed the clean air test just in time to take the baby home. Great Job guys!

SERVPRO is always ready to take care of homes and businesses affected by disaster. Call us at 732-530-9009, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Sprinkler Break in Red Bank

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

The contents in the office were affected.

The sprinkler system in a commercial building in Red Bank, NJ engaged on a Saturday night due to a frozen pipe. 15,000 square feet of office space was damaged by the water. The building manager contacted our 24/7 staff here at SERVPRO of Middletown to come out and take care of the water removal. She let us know there was a large amount of furniture and personal contents on the floor in the affected areas of the building.

Our water mitigation team quickly prepared equipment for the job and rushed to the scene. They made sure to bring the largest truck to move the contents to temporary workspace while the drying and repairs took place. Shortly after arriving, the technicians had all items packed out and were able to remove the saturated ceiling tiles and carpet in just a few hours.

The manager was amazed at SERVPRO of Middletown’s immediate response during the weekend. She was equally impressed with our team’s ability to dry out the wet offices in only a few days. The office belongings were returned once our construction crew completed repairs of the floor and ceiling. The entire job was complete in less than a month!

What To Do When A Basement Floods

8/25/2023 (Permalink)

Always remove standing water right away!

When faced with a flood in the basement, it is very important to remain calm and take the appropriate steps towards remediating the situation as soon as possible. Once you give us a call at SERVPRO of Middletown, one of our 24/7 emergency service crews will be dispatched right away to assist with the removal of the standing water. While waiting for our team to arrive at your home or business, it is important to avoid flooded areas of the basement where you are unable to see the floor as electrical outlets beneath pose a great safety risk.

When our emergency crew arrives, they utilize special extraction tools which are designed to safety and effectively remove the water from the basement quickly. Once all the standing water has been removed, the technicians remove unsalvageable materials such as drywall, flooring and trim. After the wet materials are removed, drying equipment is placed to ensure any remaining moisture is eliminated from the building.

SERVPRO of Middletown is ready to take on water losses large and small. Give us a call anytime- 732-530-9009.

Unbelievable Wind Damage!

8/16/2023 (Permalink)

Extreme wind events are increasing in frequency.

Here at SERVPRO of Middletown, we have noticed an increase in damaging high wind events. Hurricanes are increasing in strength and frequency, coupled with changes in the jet stream, causing widespread costly property destruction. Powerful tornadoes continue to flatten entire communities in a matter of minutes. Falling trees from extreme wind events are a major cause of structural losses throughout the country on a regular basis.

SERVPRO of Middletown is always well prepared to respond to homes and businesses affected by wind damage. Often times, water can enter structures affected by wind, requiring our mitigation experts to quickly tarp damaged areas and start the drying process inside until repairs can begin. Experienced technicians from our franchise have also traveled out of state to assist with large-scale recovery following devastating hurricanes. Although windstorms are difficult to gauge, SERVPRO of Middletown has the tools and knowledge to secure and restore properties affected by wind in our ever-changing environment.

Water Trapped Behind The Wall

8/7/2023 (Permalink)

Water from runoff caused the paint to peel.

Even though SERVPRO of Middletown was called in to dry out a commercial building which had wet carpets from a water purifier, we took the initiative to take care on an ongoing issue behind the walls. The water loss originated from improper run off due to the building's poor gutter design and outside slope. We picked up and installed some leader extensions so the water would run away from the building. As you can see, over time the water had seeped behind the walls causing the paint to peel.

Always take some time to inspect your property around your window wells and foundation walls. Clear your gutters and add some gutter down spout extensions so the water does not end up against your foundation. Any water which lays there will most likely work its way into your home and eventually could create mold issues.

SERVPRO of Middletown will always provide you with advice to avoid future losses and help develop an emergency ready plan for you.