To The Rescue After A Hurricane

2/14/2025 (Permalink)

Our team traveled to assist with the recovery after the hurricane!

After Hurricane Florence caused severe flooding and wind damage to the Carolinas, our professional SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne team headed south from New Jersey to assist with the recovery effort. Many homes had suffered from roof damage due to the high wind speed. Other homes were damaged from the seepage of floodwater which was heavily soiled with contaminants. A vast majority of structures needed extensive interior demolition while those with extreme structural damage were scheduled for complete demolition at a later time.

Our SERVPRO team started work immediately, removing wet materials such as drywall, trim, insulation, hardwood floor, carpet, padding and vinyl. They sprayed antimicrobial to prevent unwanted microbial growth and placed drying equipment to remove moisture from the remaining structural components. Once the structures were dry in three days, customers were able to schedule needed repairs quickly.

Due to our dedication to excellence, our SERVPRO team is always ready to mobilize to regions hit by natural disasters. We have the experience, tools, vehicle fleet and trained personnel to master the completion of dozens of mitigation jobs, no matter how large or small. Don’t be surprised to see us on the road; SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne- “Faster to Any Disaster!”

Do Not Let Sewage Turn Into Mold

2/7/2025 (Permalink)

Mold growth on the floor due to the sewage damage.

Left untreated, the moisture and bacteria from a sewage loss may cause microbial growth. Our SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne team 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 sealer can be brushed on all affected areas to prevent mold from forming again in the future. This is often the most important step in the remediation 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 South Jersey City/Bayonne is always ready to take on even the largest sewage losses.

Fire and Water Damage Restoration

1/30/2025 (Permalink)

The kitchen after the reconstruction.

Fire and water combined cause a seemingly catastrophic situation. Our SERPVRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne team was called following a kitchen fire to help this apartment building get their tenants back in their units. Our professional cleaning staff worked their magic in 24 hours to extract and dry the water damage before our construction department replaced the sheetrock, kitchen cabinets, painted the walls and finished the floors all within two weeks. The property manager was thrilled with the results and the tenants were able to move back into their units quickly. Small kitchen fires can cause an incredible amount of damage in a short span of time in an apartment building when the sprinkler systems go off. There were five other units in the building, including the main hallway which were flooded following this unit’s fire loss. SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne can provide full-service mitigation and repairs to any apartment complex which has a large-scale loss due to fire.

How Electrical Outlets Are Affected By Floods

1/16/2025 (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. 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 flooded drywall, exposing the wall 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. SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne is ready to help you whenever disaster strikes.

Protecting Your Home in Extreme Cold

1/7/2025 (Permalink)

Ice caused by a water loss from above!

When temperatures approach record lows for the northeast region, it is important home and business owners take steps to protect their structures from the extreme weather. Frozen pipes can lead to breakage, damaging personal property and essential heating systems which can create a major disaster at your home or property.

Be sure to keep all living spaces at a minimum low of 50 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent pipes from freezing. Frozen pipes are often those exposed to the cold weather, such as those outside your house, or in cold areas such as basements, attics or garages. A frozen pipe can burst due to the backflow pressure between the blockage and water source. Some additional prevention methods include:

- Draining pools, sprinkler lines, and shutting off the water source to outside spigots.

-Opening kitchen cabinets to let warm air reach the pipes beneath.

-Daily use of faucets whose source might come from an outside pipe.

In the event of a winter weather emergency, SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne is always ready to respond to quickly get your property back to normal! Give us a call 24/7 at 201-333-3200.

Always Here to Help!

Mold Hidden Behind The Wallpaper

12/21/2024 (Permalink)

The mold was only discovered once the wallpaper was removed.

A family recently purchased a home in Livingston, NJ and during renovations found mold behind the wallpaper. SERVPRO of South Jersey City and Bayonne responded to clean it up so they could be ready for the holidays. 

Mold spores exist naturally throughout our entire environment and are often at levels which are not harmful to our health. Mold which is hidden in your home, however; can increase to unsafe levels and cause discomfort to those who reside in the structure. Once the customer in Livingston started to remodel the home, he was so alarmed by his discovery he called SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne right away to remediate the mold growth.

Upon arriving on site, our expertly trained technicians removed the affected wallpaper, drywall and insulation from the home. After cleaning and sanitizing the remaining materials, special equipment was placed to remove any remaining contaminates from the air. The customer was very impressed and appreciative of the job our crew did in order for the family to enjoy their new home.

Clean Water Correctly The First Time

12/9/2024 (Permalink)

Cleaning up water correctly can prevent mold from forming.

Always make sure you hire an emergency service company with expert knowledge and integrity. A frantic customer in Hudson County called us at SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne after another restoration company failed to properly dry out her home. Instead of taking care of a general water loss, our team needed to perform a mold remediation on her entire home. Mold is provided with an ideal growing environment when wet building materials are not dried correctly.

The water technicians here at SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne always use special meters to verify wet materials progressively dry within a few days to prevent mold from growing. We encourage our customers to understand the drying process so they can be confident a job is being done correctly.

The home in Hudson County was returned to safe breathing levels following the cleaning of the mold. The customer was relieved and extremely pleased with the repairs completed by our mitigation team.

All technicians are extensively trained on how to prevent a water loss from turning into mold. SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne is always ready to take care of homes and businesses affected by disaster. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Importance of Cleaning Up After Storm Surge

11/29/2024 (Permalink)

The home after demolition following a surge of ocean water.

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 of South Jersey City/ Bayonne 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 South Jersey City/Bayonne 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."

Help, Mold In The Laundry Room!

11/22/2024 (Permalink)

The laundry room was covered in mold.

We 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 South Jersey City/Bayonne for an estimate. The customer let us know his wife was being induced within three days and he wanted to take the new baby home to a safe environment. Our office staff immediately worked with him to get a professional mold tester right over to assess the severity of the mold and to provide a scope of work to remove it. Once we received the protocol needed for removal, our mold remediation team was able to complete the job in a single day. The crew removed all the affected materials and sanitized the remaining surfaces while purifying the air. The home passed the clean air test just in time for the baby to come home. Great Job guys!

SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne is always ready to take care of homes and businesses afflicted by mold. Call us at 201-333-3200, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Broken Supply Line

11/11/2024 (Permalink)

Contents in the cabinet were affected by water.

When a supply line breaks, water can travel far and wide inside a structure. This home in West New York, NJ just had a new kitchen installed prior to the break. After investigating the extent of the damage, it appeared that the cabinets may have not been affected by the water. Once we opened them up, we were surprised to find they were actually soaked with water. Since the homeowners called SERVPRO of South Jersey City /Bayonne right away, we were able to save the cabinets by drying them out in place.

When faced with water in the kitchen, clear the contents from any location where water can accumulate and attempt to dry out as much as you can prior to our arrival. Please be attentive to your safety and make sure any appliances that are plugged in are removed to prevent electrocution. Safety is the number one priority of our SERVPRO team; it prevents dangerous situations for the technicians and the customers as well.

SERVPRO is always ready to take care of homes and businesses affected by disaster. Call us at 201-333-3200, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.