A Fire Checklist Every Homeowner Should Have

6/7/2023 (Permalink)

A house fire is always a devastating event. It leaves homeowners with questions about what they need to do next, who to call, where to begin, etc. With a proper house fire checklist, you can execute the right procedures that can help you mitigate the damage and get back on your feet within a shorter period of time.

What NOT to Do After a House Fire
It’s important to know what NOT to do prior to a house fire. This is for your safety.

• Don’t enter your home until you have received permission from the local fire department that it is safe to do so.
• Don’t turn on the water, gas, or electric until it has been deemed safe to do so by a professional.
• Don’t move or start your vehicle if it has sustained any damage from the fire.
• Don’t try to clean any soot or smoke damage on your own - leave it to the professionals like SERVPRO, who have the right safety equipment and expertise.

What You CAN Do After a House Fire
There are many things you should not do when it comes to a house fire, and although we understand that you want to go through your home - it is for your safety not to until it is deemed safe. However, there are some things you can do.

• Get permission from your local fire department before you re-enter your damaged property.
• Get in touch with your friends and family to inform them of the disaster.
• Attend to your frightened pets and provide them with the necessary support.
• Call all utility providers (water, gas, electric) and inform them of the disaster.
• Call your homeowner’s insurance company to submit a claim.
• Call SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan to discuss fire damage and restoration.
• Have an understanding of the different terms of the fire report issues by your local fire department and keep a copy. This report is important for insurance claim purposes.
• Document all fire damage and jot down detailed notes along with photographs of the damage to your property.
• Retrieve your valuables before leaving the property.
• Contact your local police department to inform them that your home will be vacant for a temporary period. It’s also important to inform your children’s schools so their teachers will know that your children will not be attending school temporarily during this difficult time.
• Notify the post office to forward your mail or hold it temporarily
• Start the process of replacing important documents that may have been lost in the fire such as passports, licenses, birth certificates, etc.
• Take care of the emotional needs of every family member, as a fire can inflict a tremendous amount of stress.
• For property damage by wildfires, you may be eligible for Fire Management Assistance.
• For disaster relief, there are several organizations that you can seek assistance from such as The Salvation Army or Red Cross depending on where you are located.

A fire will also cause water damage as a result of firefighters putting out the fire. SERVPRO can help with fire damage restoration, water damage restoration, and even mold remediation if the water damage hasn’t been cleaned up in a timely manner.

As for a checklist for your family to understand in the event that there is a fire, get together and discuss what items you’d want to save if possible, have a plan for your pets, and know the best ways to exit the house.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

What is Carpet Bonnet Cleaning and Is it Worth it?

5/26/2023 (Permalink)

If you have ever spent time in a hotel lobby, commercial building, etc., during late-night hours, you’ve likely seen a staff member or service operating device that uses a spinning pad to polish and buff concrete, linoleum, or tile floors. These are used frequently in commercial establishments.

Somewhere along the line, someone decided that the same cleaning process might work well for carpets! It is referred to as carpet bonnet cleaning and uses the same rotary machine, more or less, but concentrates on carpets rather than hard floors. If you’ve come across those “so satisfying” videos on TikTok of companies performing carpet bonnet cleaning, this is what we’re talking about!

Initially, the bonnet - made of propylene, rayon, or cotton - is attached to the rotary machine and soaked with shampoo. Over the carpet, they move the machine back and forth. The carpet is significantly cleaner once it has dried.

A Temporary Fix at Best
The thing about bonnet cleaning is that it’s pretty much just a topical solution. You’re taking surface dirt and essentially scraping it off. If you know anything about stains, you know that to remove them, scrubbing is not usually the best method. Rather than removing the stain further into the carpet, the stain ends up being ground down and in. That’s pretty much what’s going on with bonnet cleaning. You’re scrubbing your stains - that used to be on the surface - deeper down into your carpet. Who wants that?

Yes, it does dislodge and collect dirt from the surface to a point, but again, it’s also pushing some of it deep into the pile.

After bonnet cleaning, the carpet does dry fast (one of the more attractive points of bonnet cleaning), and it looks clean. But think about this - anything that came off the carpet, but doesn’t appear on the bonnet, is actually just staying in the carpeting. There is no extraction method with bonnet cleaning.

The More You Know
In case you’re not convinced that bonnet cleaning isn’t the best way to go about refreshing your carpet, here’s some additional information that may be valuable to you.

You can’t just walk into the bonnet cleaning process if you’ve never done it before and here’s why:

• Friction burns could result from dry hard carpet scrubbing because not enough detergent was used.
• You will need to vacuum up residue that stays behind after the carpet dries - because you’ll notice swirl marks - if there’s too much shampoo or detergent.
• Various carpet designs call for specific types of bonnets.
• Mildew and mold can build up on bonnets if they are not regularly laundered after use.
• Because this type of cleaning needs to be done so often, it offsets the savings you thought you would enjoy.
• Lastly, you may well void the warranty on your carpet if you use bonnet cleaning. This is a policy for some carpet manufacturers.

So, What’s the Better Solution?
Truth be told, bonnet cleaning is not the recommended cleaning method for carpeting! As suggested above, it is only superficial, among other things. When you need a thorough, deep down carpet cleaning, there’s no one like SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan to get the job done. PLUS, we don’t stop at carpets… we’re capable of odor removal, cleaning drapes and blinds, taking care of walls, floors, and ceilings, upholstery cleaning, biohazard cleanup, and HVAC/air duct cleaning.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

4 Types of Air Duct Contaminants

5/8/2023 (Permalink)

If you own a business, you should know all about how to keep your air ducts free of contaminants. However, it’s also important to know what types of contaminants can build up there.

Most residential and commercial property owners take their air ducts for granted. Meaning, as long as cold and hot air is emitted when desired with no chemical or burning scents, most people are content. However, air duct contamination can become a real problem and it must be addressed.

The four main types of air duct contaminants are:

Pests
Ductwork is the perfect conduit for warm air during winter and cool air during the summer. This makes it an attractive nesting spot for many insects and rodents, some of which might spread pathogens and cause other damage. Unless you enjoy rats, mice, or roaches suddenly showing up in your property, you’ll probably want to have your ductwork cleaned regularly.

Dander, Dirt, and Dust
These are the most frequent contaminants that you’ll find in typical ductwork. Textiles such as furniture and carpets often generate dust and dirt and they will gain entry through windows and doors. Dander is the result of hair and skin cells that are shed by both animals and people.

The good news is that the majority of dirt, dust, and danger are removed during standard vacuuming and cleaning. The bad news is that because they consist of particles that readily become airborne, your air ducts will suck them in. While HVAC systems have filters that are capable of capturing the particles in varying quantities, there is still plenty that will end up in the ducts, accumulating as the months and years go by.

Mold
Mold can be found in virtually every home, from studio apartments to penthouses and mansions. However, most forms are relatively harmless to humans and pets. They result from condensation within ducts which frequently occur because of insufficient insulation. Once mold colonies form, they will contaminate the air of the interior each time the HVAC system is activated. There is also rare black and green mold that is considered a biohazard and if they appear in your home, you’ll need to evacuate so the property can be professionally cleaned.

Allergens and Pollen
Both airborne allergens and pollen behave similarly to dirt, dust, and danger, appearing within air ducts. While some of it comes from outside the building, others will be generated from within. Either way, both will compromise the quality of your indoor air and can cause some serious effects on your health.

As you can see there are many contaminants that can appear in your building’s ductwork. Commercial property owners, in particular, must be careful because businesses are required by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) to create a safe working environment for employees. If your building is found to have contaminants in the ductwork that is harming employees or customers, it can threaten your business and potentially lead to fines and litigation, not to mention a loss of reputation.

This is why regular cleaning of your ductwork is so important, but because the task can be tedious, it is best to hire a professional like SERVPRO that has the expertise, equipment, and credentials to get the job done right.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Team Harvey’s Water Restoration Steps

4/21/2023 (Permalink)

Each water damage scenario is usually a little different. Homeowners and business owners deal with water damage from burst pipes and floods, to sewer backups, and plumbing problems. Whatever the case may be, we have a 6 step process for water restoration. These steps detail our process for the typical water-damaged property.

Step 1: Emergency Contact
The Restoration process begins when you call us. SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you’re dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. Even a delay of a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

When you call, you’ll be asked 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 damage? (If known)
• Is there electricity available? (On-site)

Step 2: Inspection & Water Damage Assessment
When responding to a water damage emergency, we begin with a detailed inspection of your home or property, including a damage assessment. At this stage, our professionals are trying to determine the scope of the damage so that we can develop an appropriate plan of action.

We will check for the source of moisture in your home or business. The source must be stopped before any restoration or drying of the building can be successful.

We will identify the category and classification of water damage to ensure our professionals restore your property based on industry guidelines. The level of contamination of the water will affect the specific restoration process we use.

We’ll inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration. In addition, we will inspect for safety concerns that may be evident. If there are any safety issues like lead or asbestos, please bring them to our attention.

Step 3: Water Removal/Extraction
After the inspection and damage assessment, the water extraction process begins. This step removes the majority of the water, as we use powerful pumps and truck-mounted units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons of water from your property.

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning, we can conduct an organized move-out to protect your belongings from further damage.

Our highly trained technicians will begin the water removal process almost immediately. Depending on the amount of water, we may use powerful submersible pumps in addition to industrial strength, wet/dry vacuums. Removing most of the water helps reduce drying time and helps prevent secondary water damage and mold and bacterial growth.

The water removal equipment we use include:

• Moisture detectors, hygrometers, and other meters that measure the extent of moisture saturation.
• Infrared cameras may be used to find “hidden” water behind walls and ceilings.
• Submersible and gas-powered pumps are used for continuous pumping of high-level water.
• Truck-mounted and portable extraction units perform efficient water removal.

Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification
Once the excess water has been removed, the floors and walls may appear dry, but a quick inspection will reveal they are wet to the touch. Nearly all building materials, like wood, drywall, and flooring materials, are porous and therefore retain water. This retained water can cause the materials to break down, warp, or cause mold damage.

Our professionals will use room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers to dry your home or business. We’ll carefully monitor the process using moisture meters until the materials return to acceptable drying goals.

Our drying equipment includes:

Industrial-grade dehumidifiers help prevent secondary water damage like swelling or warping of floors, walls, and furniture.
High-speed air movers create airflow across walls, carpets, pas, and furniture, which accelerates the evaporation of moisture.

Step 5: Cleaning and Sanitizing
Your walls, flooring, and ceiling will most likely require professional cleaning services. In addition to cleaning your property’s structure, we will clean your furniture, upholstery, clothing, and other restorable belongings damaged by the water. Most flooding and water damage also require professional odor removal and deodorization since wet materials have a very distinct odor.

We are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. Our technical expertise and industrial grade scrubbers and fogging equipment go well beyond simply masking odors and other shortcuts that don’t work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.

When it comes to sanitizing treatments, depending on the scenario, we may use antimicrobial, antibacterial, or disinfectant treatments to clean your property.

Step 6: Restoration
Restoration is the final step! It’s the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs such as reconstruction or various areas or rooms in a home or business.

If you need our restoration services, please contact us right away. You don’t want to let water sit in your home, causing more damage and getting more expensive.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

The Difference Between Mold Remediation & Mold Removal

4/18/2023 (Permalink)

We often get the question, “what is the difference between mold remediation and mold removal?” Well, since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Many restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy. We understand mold and mold growth. SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan has the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business.

Understanding Mold
When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, AC/heating systems, and could even hitch a ride on your clothing or pets.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. They 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. Otherside, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, must odor, and that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45%.

What Does Our Mold Remediation Process Look Like?
Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same.

1. Emergency Contact
The mold cleanup and restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel.

2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
Local and state laws may require a specific inspection and documentation protocol based on the size of the affected area. We can advise you on this process, providing guidance based on your unique situation.

During our assessment, we carefully inspect your property for visible signs of mold. Mold feeds on cellulose and water and can be hidden from plain view. We use various technologies to detect mold and hidden water sources.

3. Mold Containment
Our professionals use various containment procedures to prevent the spread of mold. We may use advanced containment procedures like negative air chambers to isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process. All fans and heating/cooling systems will be turned off to prevent the spread of mold.

4. Air Filtration
Our specialized filtration equipment allows our professionals to capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We utilize powerful “air scrubbers” and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these mold spores while the mold remediation is in process.

5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
The mold remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We’ll use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and to help prevent new colonies from forming. It may be necessary to remove and dispose of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and carpeting, to remediate heavy mold growth.

6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings
We clean your furniture, decorative items, curtains, clothing, and other restorable items affected by mold. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and disinfect your belongings. We’re also trained to remove odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.

7. Restoration
Depending on the level of mold damage, drywall, subfloors, and other building materials may have been removed. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business. The restoration step gets your home or business back to normal.

If you need our mold remediation services, please reach out to us ASAP! The long you wait, the worse it can get.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Spring Weather and Mold

4/7/2023 (Permalink)

Did you know? Mold can grow and thrive in any season - spring, summer, fall and winter, however, spring can be the worst season for mold growth due to the amounts of rainfall, moisture, and humidity. For SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, no season, amount of rain, or task is too small. We’re here to help you understand how to avoid getting mold in your home in the spring, along with some insight on how we can help you get rid of it.

Control the Humidity
In many cases, mold emerges and thrives in hot and humid areas. If the spring weather is bringing warmer than usual temperatures to your area, don’t just turn on the air conditioner and set the thermostat super high. This will cause the air conditioner to not dehumidify your air effectively. To avoid this, just set your thermostat at 78 degrees.

Declutter
Spring cleaning doesn’t just mean giving your floors, couches, and curtains some TLC. It also should include looking for any blockages to airflow. For example, if you see dust or clutter blocking your HVAC system, it will accumulate moisture - creating microclimates in your home and welcoming in mold. Just remember to move couches and furniture away from vents and grills to ensure that the air continues to circulate. If it becomes super humid - run some fans for extra support!

SERVPRO can clean your air ducts and HVAC systems so you don’t have to worry about it. If your system has been operating some time without attention, it could be circulating one or more of the following:

• Dust
• Pollen
• Odors
• Dirt and debris
• Other contaminants

Eliminate Air Escape Doors
What does that mean? When you open your doors or windows while you have your air conditioning running, it not only wastes a lot of money and resources, but invites humid air into your home. If you do this - this causes… yes, mold.

Prepare Your Home for Vacation
If you’re going away for a vacation, most people are excited to not have to turn their air on and save a chunk of change while they’re away. It’s ok to not leave your air conditioning running - unless you have pets at home - but many like to bump their thermostat up to 85 to ensure nothing runs. Instead, keep your home at 80 - it’ll eliminate the chance of mold growth.

Grab a Dehumidifier
If your home gets more humid than most, it’s smart to have a dehumidifier on hand. Run it over night or when you believe it’s getting a little too humid. Make sure you get one that is the right size for the area; if it’s too small, it’ll just be wasting energy.

Understanding Mold
Confusion and misunderstanding surround the topic of mold and mold remediation. Some restoration businesses even make claims to remove all mold from a building. This is a fallacy. Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. These microscopic spores float along the air and can enter a home or business through windows and HVAC systems.

If you need any cleaning or mold remediation done - please reach out to SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan. We’re here and ready to help.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Holmdel/Aberdeen, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Spring Storm Damage

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

Storm season is among us. What do they say? ‘April showers bring May flowers?’ Well, April showers also bring flooding and water damage. It’s important to get educated and prepared before all of the rain comes.

Storm and flood damage require specialized restoration techniques and equipment. When a storm hits your Manhattan home, you need the company with storm damage experience and expertise. SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.

Why Choose SERVPRO?

There are many reasons to choose SERVPRO for your storm damage restoration needs. Some of these reasons are:

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster
We’re dedicated to respond immediately to water and storm damage emergencies. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

We’re Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists
As leaders in the storm and water damage industry, we have advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands-on experience. We use this training and experience to quickly dry your home and restore it back to pre-storm condition.

We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters
We can access the resources and personnel of 2110 franchises to handle major storms and disasters. We also have access to special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country to respond to catastrophic storms and events.

We’re a Locally Owned Company
We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is close by and ready to respond to your flood or storm damage emergencies. We are proud to be an active member of the Manhattan community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.

Immediate Storm Damage Repair is a Priority

Quick responses to storm damage can help reduce the severity of the damage and prevent more from happening. For example, if you don’t respond to water damage quickly, you’ll end up with mold.

No one wants mold to develop in their home or building. A mold infestation hinders at the integrity of any structure, which can make it unsafe, risky, and expensive. If you suspect mold after water damage, SERVPRO can help you with mold remediation services.

Many people think that they can wait on storm damage repairs, but that’s a major mistake. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur. The damage repairs may seem costly at first, but it’s significantly less expensive if you jump on the repairs ASAP. If a storm creates a leak in your roof and you wait for it to be repaired, you may end up with an even bigger leak or the need of an entire new roof.

Minimize Storm Damage Ahead of Time

How do you minimize storm damage ahead of time? Simple.

• Make sure you’re getting annual inspections on your home to ensure that the structure and roof is in good shape and can take on a storm.
• If you’re in a flood zone or have experienced floods before, be sure to get flood insurance.
• When you know a heavy storm is coming, prepare your yard. Grills, patio furniture, trees, etc. can become missiles if the winds pick up.
• Support your garage door by holding it down and on an angle, place several sturdy boards on the door jams.
• You can attempt to keep flooding/blowing water out of your home by using sandbags in front of your exterior doors.

If April brings you more rain than you hoped for and you’ve fallen victim to a flood or any other storm damage, give SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan a call. Our experts are local and ready to jump on any disaster to help.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Holmdel/ Aberdeen, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Residential Cleaning in the Spring

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

Spring is coming! When most of us hear “spring” we think of spring cleaning. The thought of having your current or new home professionally cleaned is the “ahh” moment you’ve been waiting for all year. With that said, SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan provides residential cleaning services so you can enjoy that fresh feeling.

Life can be messy. Kids spill drinks, pets have accidents, and homes get dirty. We have the expertise to provide a deeper clean than your basic house cleaning service. We use special SERVPRO products that wipe out dirt and grime with ease. If you want a deeper, thorough clean - we’re here to help.

It’s also beneficial to get a professional cleaning service done to your new home prior to moving in. You never know what kind of dirt, dog, hair, grime the people that just moved out left behind. Keep your mind at ease and allow us to make it feel brand new.

Our Residential Cleaning Services Include:

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
The SERVPRO carpet and upholstery cleaning service will not only get rid of the dirt you see, but will also remove the unwanted dirt and dust you don’t. A professionally cleaned carpet and furniture will make all the difference in brightening up a room and freshening up your home.

We also offer a range of specialized cleaning methods:

• Bonnet Cleaning: A less aggressive method for short piled carpets.
• Hot Water Extraction: A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types.
• Deluxe Precondition and Rinse: Helps restore deeply soiled areas.
• Showcase Premier Cleaning: The most thorough cleaning method in the industry.
• Dry Cleaning: When color-fastness is an issue.

Air Duct Cleaning
We all have tasks around the house that don’t make it to the top of our priority list. Properly maintaining your home’s air ducts should not be one of them. Regular duct cleaning can increase your home’s heating and cooling efficiency and improve the quality of the air you and your family breathe.

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.

Odor Removal
Your basic cleaning service is not going to have the expertise to effectively deodorize your home. Take advantage of SERVPRO’s residential cleaning services to remove unwanted odors.

Sewage and Biohazard Clean Up
Our experts are ready to assist in the cleanup of sewage and other biohazard materials to provide deep cleaning services for your home.

We provide cleanup and recovery for many biohazard situations including:

• Sewage backups
• Crime scene residues
• Suicide/death accidents
• Homicide cleanups
• Blood cleanup
• Accident cleanup
• Hoarding scenes
• Animal waste/remains
• Chemical spills
• Tear gas cleanup
• Meth lab cleanup

If you’re ready for the ultimate spring cleaning for your current or new home, contact SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan. We have the skills, knowledge, and expertise to make your home feel new again.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Holmdel/Aberdeen, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Why You Can Count On SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan’s 24/7 Emergency Restoration Services

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

Water emergencies like flooding and others can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. To help you restore your property back to its original condition within the fastest turnaround rate, count on SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan/Financial District’s 24/7 emergency restoration services. We are available around the clock to provide you with the professional help you need so you can get back up on your feet again in no time.

Faster to Any Size Emergency

In most cleaning and restoration situations, immediate response is needed. SERVPRO has more than 1,700 U.S. and Canadian franchise locations, making our services readily available to render immediate response to any size emergency within the fastest time possible. Providing you with immediate help can mitigate the scale of the damage, thus helping you cut down on the cleaning and restoration costs involved.

Water Damage Restoration

We have fully-certified technicians under our wings who have been trained to deliver immediate response to floor or water damage at any type of property. We possess the necessary expertise, experience, and training to help restore your residence or business swiftly and in a proper manner. Our team is equipped with state-of-the-art inspection and extraction equipment to detect the water to remove it within the shortest time possible. Our technicians will perform the monitoring of the drying process which will be documented to get your property back to its original condition.

Fire Damage Cleanup

After the fire trucks are gone, your home and possessions would have most likely suffered from both smoke and fire damage as well as water damage as a result of firefighting. Our team at SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan/Financial District possesses extensive specialized training and experience to provide reliable water damage cleanup and restoration services for efficient restoration of your home back to its pre-fire condition. Our team is also qualified in odor removal as well as deep-cleaning of upholstery through our comprehensive training and advanced equipment.

Mold Remediation

It only takes a simple water leak or just a case of excess humidity for mold to start building up in your residence or business property. Mold will then thrive and spread quickly throughout the whole building within as little as just 48 hours. Mold can cause health effects. If your residence or business property is experiencing a mold problem, seek the assistance of our professional mold remediation team to inspect and assess the scale of your mold problem. We will utilize our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to perform immediate remediation of your mold infestation problem.

Commercial Services

As a business owner, you must know how crucial it is to keep your operations running smoothly without disruptions. For the maintenance of your commercial property, work with SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan/Financial District to help you achieve results with minimal disruptions. We offer professional commercial cleaning and restoration services that are rendered by fully-trained specialists. We are available around the clock to help you restore your property to its original condition in the fastest time possible.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of West Somerset County, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

3 Causes of Water Streaks on Your Walls

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

Water streaks on your walls can look messy. However, the problem is often bigger than just an eyesore as they could indicate mold growth, rot, water leakages behind the wall, and a sign of inadequate drainage of water and condensation. It’s important to have this problem resolved as soon as possible. Here are 3 causes of water streaks on your walls!

Inadequate Home Ventilation

Proper home ventilation will help to remove pollutants, control heat, and remove excess moisture in the environment. If your home has a persistent moisture problem and water streaks on your walls, you should try to increase your ventilation to fix the problem. For example, you can use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom or other humid areas to increase air circulation and ensure proper ventilation. Always, remember that exhaust fans should be vented to the exterior and not the interior.

Condensation

Condensation occurs when there is a large temperature difference between the air outside and the air inside your home. This causes condensation on interior surfaces in your houses such as walls and windows. Over time, this condensation can contribute to water streaks on your walls.

The good news is those condensation problems are relatively minor and easier to fix as compared to water leakages. You can use dehumidifiers, improve your ventilation system or exhaust systems to fix condensation issues, thereby preventing excess moisture from building in your house and on surfaces.

Roof Leaks and Ice Dams

If your roof has a leakage, water can seep into your home or inner walls. Cracked masonry, walls, or other damaged building structures may also contribute to the excess build-up of moisture. If you frequently observe wet patches or water streaks on your walls after heavy rain or storm, the likely culprit would be roof leaks.

It is important to get your roof repaired and to seek professional help as your roof may deteriorate over time. Roof leaks may also occur due to damaged roofs from improper installation and damage from heavy weather such as storms.

Ice dams can also cause roof damage and leaks in colder climates. This is because heavy snowfalls, paired with damaged roofs, or inadequate roof structures, insulation, and ventilation would contribute to ice dams. Ice dams occur when the snow on the roof melts and seeps or leaks into the roof, or your interior walls via a crack or crevice on the roof. If you observe water streaks occurring on the walls in the top of rooms which are located on the highest story, it may be due to an ice dam and roof leakage.

SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan/Financial District Can Assist You with Water Damage Restoration

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry and possesses numerous advanced restoration and cleaning equipment. We can identify the source of your leakage and properly address the water damage on your walls.

We also offer refurbish and repair services so that your walls will look as good as new.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of West Somerset County, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”