Recent Water Damage Posts

Do Not Let Sewage Turn Into Mold

2/7/2024 (Permalink)

wood flooring with mold on a bathroom floor 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.

How Electrical Outlets Are Affected By Floods

1/17/2024 (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.

Broken Supply Line

11/10/2023 (Permalink)

Hand pulling a pan out of a lower kitchen cabinet 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.

Using The Latest Technology

10/11/2023 (Permalink)

hand placing a black meter to a wall Using an infrared meter to detect water inside the wall.

SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne is using 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 emergency recovery.

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 meter pictured on a commercial loss in Jersey City 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 South Jersey City/Bayonne 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 large and small with expert precision.

Another Floor Saved!

9/13/2023 (Permalink)

Black rectangular mats on a wood floor. The wood floor was saved using drying mats.

A broken pipe flooded a four story home in Weehawken NJ, affecting the hardwood floors throughout. The customer was very concerned the flooring would have to be removed as it was original to her historic home.

Upon arrival to the home, SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne technicians inspected the flooring to see if it could be salvaged. Since the wood floor was not showing an extremely high moisture content, the technicians decided to use the Injecti-dry system in an attempt to save it from removal.

The Injecti-dry system works by utilizing extraction mats placed over wet sections of the wood floor. The mats are connected to a special machine which directs air below the floor in an attempt to dry underneath it quickly. Dehumidifiers are often placed alongside the system to assist in removing as much moisture from the surrounding area as possible.

After the system ran for four days, the mats were removed to revel the wood had dried exceptionally well and would not need to be replaced! The homeowner was so overjoyed to hear we were able to save the flooring. The Injecti-dry system is an innovative tool often used by SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne to alleviate costly, time-consuming repairs for our customers.

Waterproofing To Prevent Intrusion From Heavy Rain

4/27/2023 (Permalink)

truck driving through a flooded roadway with a line of cars ahead Flash flooding can occur suddenly during periods of heavy rain.

It is very important to identify and correct possible points of entry for water during a storm situation. Rushing water, flash flooding, saturated ground and heavy rain can enter a home or business through weakened areas in the structure or a lack of proper drainage systems. Paying attention to potential issues in fair weather can prevent major damage when extreme weather arrives.

Be sure to check the gutter system to ensure there aren’t any clogs and to confirm they are properly draining water away from the structure. Pay attention to evidence of runoff in the vicinity of the building and have a special drainage system installed to prevent water from seeping in during inundating water events. Inspect basement windows, door and walls for openings or improper sealing to prevent floodwater from entering; groundwater intrusion is generally excluded from coverage in general homeowners’ policies. Consult with certified professionals who have expertise in drainage, waterproofing and landscaping for precise evaluation and proper corrective measures.

Utilizing foresight and taking the time to fortify homes and businesses from storm water can prevent costly damages while keeping interiors clean and dry no matter when and how severe weather strikes!