We Can Take On Any Winter Storm!

9/16/2022 (Permalink)

If you experience damage from a storm to your home or business, please call us at 802-375-1500!

With winter and cold weather just around the corner we here at SERVPRO of Bennington & Rutland Counties want you to be prepared! 

A winter storm is typically occurring at extremely low temperatures where precipitation forms snow or sleet, or even rain that freezes and turns to ice when hitting the ground. A winter storm can be life threatening so it is important to be able to differentiate the different possible storms for your safety!

                Blizzards are a combination of blowing snow which creates low visibility. Blizzards are dangerous storms that can have an accumulation of a lot of snow fall on the ground. If you get stuck in a blizzard for a long period of time it can lead to hypothermia and even frostbite.

                Snow Flurries usually last for a short period of time but vary with intensity. Typically, they are light and within a few seconds of hitting pavement the snow usually melts right away.

                  A Snow squall although it is brief can cause some major safety concerns. They are short intense snowfalls that come with strong winds and greatly impact your visibility of your surroundings. So be careful when driving in situations like this!

                Ice storms are storms that cause at least a fourth of an inch of ice forming on the ground or exposed surfaces.  Ice storms create extremely poor driving conditions, so you want to be extremely cautious if you get caught driving in an ice storm. Tree branches and power lines also have been known to fall during ice storms due to the weight the ice puts on the, which can cause them to snap.

                No matter the winter storm or damage that occurs from it we here at SERVPRO are here to help! If you experience damage from a storm to your home or business, please call us at 802-375-1500.

What Should You Do as a Homeowner After a Storm

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 518-677-3444!

Lately we have seen our fair share of rainfall here in New England! And significant rainfall can lead to flooding and ceiling leaks. Whether you have a basement flooding or have secondary damage from moisture getting into your home, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties can help!
No matter the severity or extent of the damage we have a team of skilled professionals who are faster to any disaster. Stormwater events are usually categorized into two groups.
• Category 2- this is when water comes through a window, or a ceiling and the contamination is not as significant.
• Category 3- generally involves basement flooding’s with groundwater which contain several harmful microorganisms, fecal matter, and other contaminants.
The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a situation like the ones described is to give us a call! The faster we are notified the faster we can be on site and start the mitigation process and decrease the amount of damage in your home.
Once we are on site we will:
1. Extract standing water if there is any.
2. Remove unwanted/unsalvageable contents.
3. Use our state-of-the-art equipment including meters to determine which other areas may be wet.
4. Set up drying equipment and sanitize the structure.
5. Dry and clean contents.
6. Perform any demolition that is needed.
7. Provide reconstruction resources/services as needed.
We are a 24/7 emergency service team who is eager to help you in any disaster! If you experience a water damage from a storm, give us a call at 518-677-3444!

Biohazard- The Impact of Infectious Disease in the Commercial Enviroment

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Call us for all your commercial or residential Biohazards cleanups!

In today’s world more and more infectious diseases are becoming a trend that no one seems to get away from. This story is going to give you the knowledge to understand the seriousness of infectious diseases and what we can do to lower the levels of contamination. As we all know every year there is a new case of a bug and/or super bug and we are sometimes unsure as to how they get to us. As the populations increases throughout the world, we see more public areas developing. For example, shopping malls, restaurants and public transportation are at its highest capacity. Therefore, the more social interaction the larger the impact of contracting an infectious disease. No matter where the infection originated, there is no way that it can be controlled unless someone implements a plan of action to stop the spread. There are infectious diseases that are only contracted from animal to animal, as well as human to human. However, today we are seeing that there are infectious diseases transmitting from animal to human. This means diseases are mutating. When a virus mutates there is no plan of action because we don’t have the capabilities or education on how to fight it. It only comes after the after the spread that we begin to build a plan of action and fight the spread. We see if every day, in our countries, states etc. Everyone needs to do their due diligence when it comes to infectious diseases. 

We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties specialize in biohazard cleanup and have several years' experience cleaning up biohazards on a commercial level. If your business needs a biohazard cleanup do not hesitate to give us a call at 518-677-3444.

How to Choose a Commercial Restoration Contractor

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 518-677-344!

When a disaster happens in a business, whether it be a pipe leaking, sewage back up, mold spores, or maybe just an odor lingering these situations need to be handled professionally. However, how do you choose which restoration contractor? When searching for a trained restoration contractor is can be challenging to find the correct one. It is important to determine your needs so that you are able to contact the right restoration contractor. You many experience situations like the following: if your basement flooded you would want to contact a water mitigation contractor. If you have a backup into your commercial building of outside water or sewage, you would want to contact a water mitigation contractor. If you have mold growing in your office building, you would want to contact a mold remediation specialist. If you have experienced a puff back from your heating source, or a structural fire has happened, you would want to contact a fire restoration contractor. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington has a workforce that is fully trained and certified to help with the handling of all your, water mitigation, fire restoration, and mold remediation needs.

Do Your Due Diligence

In today’s world, we look to the internet to find companies, research websites and examine reviews on different companies. Some also like the more traditional route and seek word of mouth references. Both are equally important in finding the right restoration company that fits your needs. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington has a website that is easy to navigate and links of customers leaving testimonials, blogs, etc. We always recommend reading all our reviews, and all our testimonials to understand WHY SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington is the right professionals to contract. If your find it challenging to do research on the web, please do not hesitate to make a telephone call and ask for references from our office staff here at SERVPRO North Rensselaer/South Washington.

When you property is experiencing a damage, there is cost and time, plus an array of other questions that should be asked before hiring on a restoration company. Some Questions might be:

1. Do you have an estimated cost on this job?
2. Do you have a license to perform this kind of work?
3. Are there any additional hidden fees associated with this job?
4. How long will the job take?
5. What kind of chemicals do you use and are they harmful to children, pets, etc.
6. Who will be in charge of this job and how many on his/her crew?

Please deep in mind, again we are available for all questions you may have and please never hesitate to ask a trained professional here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington. We are Always Here to Help. Just give us a call at (518)677-3444.

Tips to Prepare for a Hurricane

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Hurricane season is fast approaching. Here are some things you should do to prepare before the storm:

• Review your local authority’s plan to prepare and respond to hurricanes so you are aware of how it will impact you and your family
• Create a plan that includes where you will evacuate to, how you will receive emergency alerts and warnings, and how you and your family will communicate with each other
• Stock up on emergency supplies that could last up to 5 days
• Prepare a “go-bag” in case you need to evacuate with short notice
• Prepare and protect your property
• Prepare financially

Prepare the following:

• Emergency food and water supply
• Emergency medicine supply
• Emergency power sources such as flashlights, candles, extra batteries
• Fire extinguisher
• Important documents, including medical documents, wills, passports, and personal identification’
• Safety and personal items

Even if you are not in a hurricane-prone location, share this information with your friends and loved ones so they are prepared for this upcoming hurricane season. If you are in a hurricane-prone location, make sure your neighbors and community are also prepared.

Preparing for a Winter Storm

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Snowplow, plowing snow on snow covered roads.

Are you ready for a severe winter storm? It’s important to know how to keep your family, home and self safe with winter storm season approaching.  Here are a list of things to do:

1. Stock your food pantry with non-perishable items in case you lose power.
2. Buy bottled water in case your pipes freeze and you have no access to tap water.
3. Fill your prescriptions and pick up hygiene items
4. Build an emergency kit include items such as first aid items, flashlights, batteries, a fire extinguisher, matches, candles, cash, travelers’ checks, important family documents blankets and sleeping bags.
5. Stock up on ice melt and check your tools
6. Prepare for a power blackout.
7. Make an emergency communication plan with family
8. Protect your water pipes
9. Seal your windows and doors
10. Check or install new smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
11. Prepare your yard
12. Ready your car
13. Stay informed
14. Be careful

Know Your Hurricane Categories

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 518-677-3444.

The best way to prepare for any sort of natural disaster is to educate yourself and understand them! Hurricanes are no different, when you are sitting at home  watching television and you see reports that a hurricane is coming you likely think, how bad is this storm and what do I need to do to protect myself and my family?

                One of the most common tools used to decipher and understand hurricanes is called the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This scale categorizes hurricanes based off their wind speeds primarily. There are 5 categories on this scale. Hurricanes reaching a category 3 or higher are major hurricanes with life threatening and significant potential for extreme damage.

                Category 1 hurricanes have wind speeds between 74-95mph. This level of a storm will likely cause minimal damage to your home. This speed of wind however can still lead to some damages and loss of power.

                Category 2 hurricanes have wind speeds between 96-110mph. Winds of this speed can cause an increase in damage to your home and property. Several trees may be down, roads can be shut down, and power outages will most definitely occur.

                Category 3 hurricanes have wind speeds between 111-129mph. Significant damage will be done to most homes such some roof damage. Power outages will occur lasting several days typically with this high level of a storm.

                Category 4 hurricanes have wind speeds between 130-156mph. Storms of this category are very deadly and destructive. Significant damage that is sometimes irreparable will be done to your home and property.

                Category 5 hurricanes have winds that are greater than 157mph. This is the highest category of a storm on this scale. A storm of this caliber is highly destructive leaving buildings, homes, and even entire residential areas uninhabitable for weeks or even months.

                We here at SERVPRO can help you prepare for any storms that lay ahead by completing an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP). Please call us if you have any questions we are always here to help. We can be reached at 518-677-3444. 

Grill Safety

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 518-677-3444.

With grilling season in full swing so are grill related disasters! Did you know that between 2014-2018 there were around 10,600 home fires per year due to a grill like incident? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that roughly there was $149 million in damages due to these fires. There are however steps you can take to help minimize your chances of ending up in a bad situation and protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. Grills should be placed away from your home, deck railings, and overhanging branches.
2. Be aware of grass near your grill especially if it dry. If ashes fly off from your grill and land on dry grass a fire can be started quickly.
3. Always keep your children and pets away from the grill!
4. Never leave your grill unattended!
5. Always clean your grill after you are finished using it. You want to remove grease and fat buildup from the grill trays and below your grill.

When fire and water damages transpire a fast response is crucial. And we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties are here to help! We are available 24/7 365 days a year and are dedicated to responding immediately to your needs. A faster response time helps to prevent secondary damage and greatly reduce costs. If you experience a barbecue or grill fire, call us at (518) 677-3444.

Oh no my basement flooded! What do I do?

8/16/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 518-677-3444!

What to do When Your Basement Floods

                When a basement floods it is a stressful and confusing time. There are several different reasons basements can flood, a broken water pipe, heavy rainfall, or even a sump pump failure. Fortunately, here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties we have been able to help families with flooded basements all around our local area and are ready to help you! Here are some important steps to take when dealing with a flooded basement:

1. Turn off your electricity. This is the first step you want to take as soon as you can safely navigate to the breaker box. Appliances or wires may be in water so there is a good chance there is an electrical current traveling through standing water. This can be deadly! You would want to contact an electrician or electrical company if you are unable to turn it off safely.
2. Find/Stop the source of the flood. If you discover the flood is plumbing related you will want to turn off your homes main water valve. If you discover it is rainwater that is flooding your home you will want to use sand bags or flood bags to create a barrier.
3. Remove the water. You can use a shop vac, mopping, or blotting to do this depending on the severity. However, the more water you can pick up the better!
4. Remove affected materials. You want to dispose of flooded carpeting or padding that is unsalvageable. Other porous items such as wooden furniture or sofas need drying as soon as possible to salvage them!
5. Did you know that mold can start to develop withing 24 hours of introduction to water? It is crucial to dry and disinfect the area properly in order to keep mold and bacteria from growing and spreading.

If your home suffers a water damage from a flooded basement, you want to check your insurance coverage to see what is covered. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties have years of experience and the resources to help with all your water damage needs. And we are prepared to get your home back to pre-flood conditions, “Like it never even happened.”

Candle Free Alternatives!

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 518-677-3444!

Candles are lovely to have in your home, they bring wonderful aromas as well as a “homey” sense we all love. However, as great as they are over 15,000 home fires are caused by candles. These statistics are staggering. So we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties are happy to share with you some alternatives to the traditional candle jars.

1. Essential Oil Diffuser

Oil diffusers are great! They can fill your room with therapeutic scents such as lavender, peppermint, and more. Each scent can have different health benefits such as helping to cope with anxiety.

2. Reed Diffuser

Reed diffusers also use essential oils however the difference is that the reeds diffuse scents over several weeks and require not maintenance. No flames, no wax, or any sort of plug in.

3. Fairy Lights

These are battery run or electricity run lights which are perfect for setting the mood without the need of a flaming candle. They come in several different colors as well!

4. Wax Warmers

This is a flame free device that warms scented wax melts/cubes that can release smell they are also electrical or batter powered.

5. Flameless Candles

These are battery operated candles that give the appearance of having a flame! They provide that cozy atmosphere that you are looking for from a candle but without the risks that come along with a flaming candle!

                These are just a few options that we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties wanted to share with you. We hope everyone stays safe and if you ever have any fire, water, or mold needs please give us a call at (518) 677-3444.

Why Choose SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties?

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 518-677-3444!

We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties greatly appreciate all of our customers. We know that we arrive at some of the most difficult times of their lives and it is our goal to make it "Like it never even happened." Here are a few recent testimonials from some of our recent customers.

“First time homeowners, bought our house 2 months ago, hadn't even moved in and we discovered the basement flooded with two inches of water from out hot water heater. I called SERVPRO after hours, had no idea what to do or if they were even the right people to call and Angela answered and immediately took over and calmed me down. She had them come over first thing the next day to start cleaning the water, told me about insurance and a plumber (this didn't even cross my mind, I was literally clueless). SERVPRO handled insurance for the cleanup and dried out the basement and I am so thankful for them.”  - Melissa

“I would like to thank each and every one of you (Johnny, Tyler, Kyle, Chuck, Michael and Gabriel). When water damage happened 2 weeks before my surgery and the week I had to put my cat to sleep. I was overwhelmed and broken hearted. You came in and took control making a bad situation so much better. You all went above and beyond the call of duty and are a great asset to the SERVPRO Company. It is comforting to know people still care and exercise true customer service. No doubt I will be telling everyone of my wonderful experience with SERVPRO!!!” - Linda

“Wadley and his crew were fantastic. We would highly recommend this company and team to anyone”   - Jean

“SERVPRO did a fantastic job for my family. When my relatives passed away in their home, Sarah in their front office was both highly professional and sensitive to the situation. Thanks to a meticulous proposal process we knew exactly what would be done and when. Dan and Megan blew me away with their honesty and thoroughness. After finding collection of gold jewelry in a pile of stuff that was supposed to be thrown away- they brought it to us without a second thought. A home that was badly damaged by neglect is now on its way back to being a place to gather for my family. SERVPRO has quality people and does great work. Thank you SERVPRO!”- Anne

If you experience a fire/water/mold/biohazard needs in your home or business, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are always happy to help our customers through all their emergency services needs. Call us at 518-677-3444!

Torrential Rain Dangers for Your Home

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Call us for all you water damage needs! 518-677-3444

Torrential rain is any amount of rain that is especially heavy. It is not a technical weather term as there is no formal definition of torrential rains. However, the meteorologist define heavy rainfall as rain that accumulates at a rate of 3/10”, or more, per hour.

Dangers of Torrential Rain on a Home

Heavy rain can trigger any one or more of the following deadly events”

Runoff:

            If heavy rains arrive more quickly than the ground can absorb water, you get what is called run off. Runoff can carry pollutants (like pesticides, oil and yard waste) into nearby creeks, rivers, lakes, and sometimes Homes.

If a home is not sealed in the foundation or in the bottom sills are damaged the water can seep into the home causes a world of damage. A lot of the times we see this kind of this happen in the spring months due to the ground being hard from winter and the ground already engorged.

Flooding:

            If enough rain falls into rivers, and other bodies of water it can cause their water levels to rise and over flor onto normally dry land.

If a home is near a lake or pond, a torrential rainfall could cause that body of water to rise up and flood its surroundings. Damaging, foundations, siding, roofs. Etc.

Mudslides:

            If rain is continuous over a period time, the ground and soil can liquify and carry unsecured objects, people, and even buildings away in debris flows. This is exacerbated along hillsides and slopes since the ground there is more easily eroded away. In the US mudslides are common and pose as a great threat to residents. Sometimes even destroying entire cities, and small towns.

At SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties, we always recommend to prepared for any disaster. Even though at most time the weather is unpredictable, being cautious and aware will help is any disastrous situation. If you would like to know more about Rain Safety and how to prepare yourself, Give us a call! 518-677-3444

Cleaning and Disinfecting for your Business!

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

At SERPVRO we take mitigation services very seriously. We handle and cleaning services you could need from bio-hazard, sewage, soot exposure, and more. SERVPRO provides quick, professional and efficient decontamination and disinfection services for residential and commercial properties. As there are certain protocols to a commercial cleaning, we utilize SERPVRO disinfectant that are available today. We offer air cleaning and deodorizing, surface cleaning, and carpet cleanings. We can disinfect and sanitize all areas of concern and provide peace of mind in knowing your business is safe.

With Spring approaching it is a great time to have a full-service commercial cleaning. Here is a list of things to make sure your office is clean and fresh for the coming months:

Clean –

-Windows- Tops of cubicles-file cabinets, desktops – behind furniture- around equipment- under desks

Disinfect –

-Phones-Keypad-Handsets-Buttons on Equipment-Desktops-Knobs and Handles-Light Switches-Computer mouse and keypads

If your office is in need of a thorough deep cleaning, call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer & South Washington counties! 27 hours a day 7 days a week. 518-677-3444

Did you know there was more than 1 type of water?

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Water that goes into your home or comes from your home has what we call a “category’.  If you have an emergency at your home, water needs to be treated correctly to be safe.  You never know what is either in your water of what the water has passed through to create contamination. 

Below there is explanations of the main types of water damage and could help you identify the problem quickly if it ever happens to you.

Category One: Clear Water

This is the cleanest water.  This is also the most non-toxic form of water damage.  It’s possible that this water can come directly from a tap.  It is also unlikely to cause you any harm even if you are exposed to it for some time.  Unfortunately, although fairly safe, even clean flooding can cause electrical and structural faults.  Clean eater floods can come from things like a broken water supply line, appliance malfunctions, and sink or tub overflow with no contaminants.  Once clean water leaves the exit point, it might not remain clean after contacting other surfaces or materials.  Although considered the “safest” of the categories it can become a category 2 or 3 if left untreated.

Category Two: Gray Water

Category two, considered gray water is a little but more serious and does require a faster removal process.  This water needs to be removed faster, because it may contain potentially unsafe levels of chemicals, microorganisms, or dirt.  Some examples of Category 2 water can include but are not limited to: overflow from dishwashers or washing machines; overflows from toilet bowls with urine; seepage due to hydrostatic pressure and broke aquariums.  If a category 2 is left untreated it can quickly become a category 3.

Category Three: Black Water

Water considered a Category three is grossly contaminated water and can contain pathogenic, toxigenic or other harmful agents.  Sewage, toilet backflows from beyond the trap; flooding from seawater, rivers or streams, ground surface water, or other contaminated water entering the indoor environment are some of the types of Category 3 waters. 

The team here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington counites is highly skilled in the safe handling of the different categories of water.  We take all protective measures to eliminate the risk of sickness.  If you are experiencing a water loss in your home call us 518-677-3444 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Steps to get Back to Normal after a fire

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Fire- Due 4/2

If you suffer a fire loss in your home or business there are a few different steps to take to get things back to normal.

• Step 1- Structural Cleaning

After fire or smoke damage a technician from SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties will come determine the extent of damage.  Your property will need a thorough cleaning of the ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors.  The technician will use specific equipment and cleaning products that are required to clean and protect different surfaces.  Depending on the amount of soot left behind, there’s a possibility of reducing the cost of recovery by cleaning lighter soot deposits found on some surfaces.  Other surfaces SERVPRO will clean to “prepare for painting”.  This process deodorizes and ensures that when painted the new paint will adhere to the surface.

• Step 2- Contents Cleaning

Area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery are contents that smoke and fire damage can affect.  These restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized.   The contents will be inspected and tested to determine which methods of cleanings would be appropriate.  All other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to the condition before the loss occurred including electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, and much more.  SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties can provide both wet and dry cleaning services.  Our crew members can also create and provide and inventory list of all “to be claimed” items if requested.

• Step 3- Deodorization

SERVPRO does not just merely cover-up lingering odors with some fragrances, we provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage.  We seek out the sources of the odors and remove them.

SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week! Call us today at (518) 677-3444!

Did a Windstorm cause damage to your home?

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

It’s that time of year where the Wind can get up to high speeds.  Those higher speeds of wind could cause damage to your home.  Wind Damage can be unpredictable and besides the exterior damage your home may have encountered, these could lead to damages inside the home.  The following are some tips for cleaning up after a windstorm.

               Sometimes the damage can be pricey to repair and you may not have the time or extra money to compete the repairs which is why you would want to file a claim with your insurance company.  With filing this claim providing photos of what the home looked like before the damage could be helpful.

               Having a company of trusted professionals come and do an assessment and estimate on the damage is very important.  SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties has experienced and trained technicians that can prepare an estimate and guide you in the next steps to take to start getting things back to normal.  While your repairs are being done, make sure to mention even things you may think are minor as in the future they could lead to more problems.

After a windstorm, call SERVPRO, 24 hours a day 7 days a week! 518-677-3444

Get Your Businesses Ducts Cleaned!

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 518-677-3444!

Duct cleaning yearly is relatively small investment that could save you money in the long run. Plus, you could get the added benefits like breathing clean air, increase the safety and comfort of your home, and help the environment while boosting your overall peace of mind?

Preventive Maintenance Benefits.

Saving Money

Regular Duct Cleaning maintenance is said to reduce the risk of costly breakdowns by as much as 95%. Just like having a vehicle, if you drive over the recommended miles of an oil change, you could be asking for trouble. That is why the standards are set for regular maintenance of vehicles. Well, the same applies to duct maintenance. Cutting energy bills, extending system life, and adhering to warranty benefits are all benefits of routine duct cleaning.

Air Quality

The EPA reports that level of airborne pollutants in a home may be five times higher than outdoor levels. For anyone that suffers from respiratory issues, you are allowing yourself to be at higher risk if ducts are not cleaned properly. Unfortunately, we all share our homes with various substances that we would rather not breathe. The common indoor allergens include dust, pollen, mold, a cigarette smoke. If any of these allergens are part of daily life, you should really think about getting your duct cleaned. Therefore, preventive maintenance helps ensure that the warm or cold air pumping through your vents is as clean and well-filtered as possible.

Comfort

Typically, we depend on our air systems to keep us comfortable all year round. Hot Air in the winter and Cold in the summer. Therefore, if we think about it, generally our air systems are working every day, all day long, and all year round. Routine maintenance helps your system produce and distribute the air more evenly and steadily.

Safer home environment

We have all heard the awful stories of how someone went away on vacation and returns to a frozen, and damaged house with broken pipes, and water damage everywhere. The cost of this tragedy weighs heavily of an owner. Routine maintenance will help safeguard you against the possibility of carbon monoxide. The most common cause of carbon monoxide leaks is a cracked heat exchanger. Routine Maintenance typically includes a carbon monoxide test.

Peace of Mind

In the end, the benefits of routine duct cleaning give you the comfort of knowing that if something goes wrong, you’ve already taken the preventative measure to make any situation as painless as possible.

If you are an owner that is interested in getting a duct cleaning, Give Us a Call at 518-677-3444 or email us at Office@SERVPRO10299.com and would be happy to help you.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties explains what fires are made of!

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

Call us at 518-677-3444!

Chemical structure of Fire

Fire is the outcome of a chemical reaction called combustion. At a definite time in the ignition reaction, called the ignition point, flames are formed. Flames consist primarily of carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen, and nitrogen.

State of Substance of Fire

In a candle flame or small fire, most the matter in a flame consists of hot gases. An extremely hot fire discharges enough energy to ionize the gaseous atoms, forming the state of matter called plasma. Examples, of flames that contain plasma include those produced by plasma torches and the thermite reaction.

Why Fire is hot.

Fire radiates heat and light because the chemical reaction that produces flames is exothermic. In other words, combustion releases more energy than is needed to ignite or sustain it. For combustion to occur and flames to form, three things must be present: fuel, oxygen, and energy (usually in the form of heat). Once energy starts the reaction, it continues so long as fuel and oxygen are present.

If you would like to hear more about Fire restoration and the science behind it, Give SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties a call. We would be glad to help. So give us a call at 518-677-3444!

Information needed to report a Water Loss

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Large or small, SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties is available for water emergencies 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  Immediate action is extremely important when it comes to water damage.  Any delay even just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage. 

When calling to report a water emergency our office staff will as you several questions.  These questions will help determine the equipment and resources that we need to bring, and how many of our trained SERVPRO professionals may be needed. 

Some of the questions are as followed:

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

SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after damage has occurred.  From the initial and ongoing training, to regular IICRC-industry certification, you can rest assured out staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.  Call today (518) 677-3444!

What Services can SERVPRO provide for you?

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is able to provide a range of services to deep clean your home.  These services go beyond to scope of a traditional cleaning and will have your home looking its best!

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning: A professionally cleaned carpet can make a difference in brightening up a room and freshening up your home.  SERVPRO’s carpet and upholstery cleaning will not only get unwanted dirt you see but will also removes unwanted dust you don’t see. 

Sewage and Biohazard Clean Up: SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties has a crew of experts that is ready to assist in the cleanup of sewage and other biohazard materials.  Providing a deep cleaning for your home.

Air Duct Cleaning: It is important to properly maintain your home’s air ducts.  Regularly maintaining your air ducts can improve the quality of air as well as increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling.

Odor Removal: A basic home cleaning service won’t have same expertise and SERVPRO products to effectively deodorize your home.  Contact SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties to help remove unwanted odors! 

You can trust the professionals at SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties to keep your home looking and smelling great!  Call us today at (518) 677-3444.

Weather can be unpredictable, are you prepared?

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

During the Spring months, thunderstorms are the cause for most of the severe weather.  With them, they can bring lightening, tornadoes, and flooding.  Because Spring weather can be so unpredictable, there’s a possibility you could be unprepared when sever weather hits.  Planning ahead and preparing for storms like you know they are coming is a good idea so you will be ready anytime.

Below, are a few things you can do to prepare for a Spring Storm:

Assess- Take a walk around, see if the winter weather has damaged any of your property.  Something that may seem like small damage to roofs or chimneys can turn into a big problem when severe weather hits. 

Trim and prune trees- Take away dead branches that are near the home, or near the power source to your home.  It is generally recommended that trees and limbs be 10 feet away from your home. 

Ensure sump pumps are working- Any runoff or heavy rainstorms can result in a flooded basement.  Make sure your pumps are working properly so they are ready if they are needed.

Familiarize yourself with your insurance coverage- As a homeowner you should know what coverages you have in case of severe weather. 

SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties, is ready to help if you suffer unfortunate damage from a Severe Spring Storm.  We will help guide you through the process from the very first call to the end of the job.  You can contact us 24 hours a day 7 days a week at (518) 677-3444.

Who To Call When Your Sprinkler Malfunctions at Your Place of Buisiness

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Call us if your business experiences a water damage! 518-677-3444

When your automatic sprinkler goes off who at your commercial business who should you call? Call us here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties! Automatic fire sprinklers are a very effective way to extinguish a fire, but they also pose a high risk of causing a water damage.

                Sprinklers can release about 8-24 gallons of water a minute, so after several minutes it is possible that 100s of gallons of water can be released if the sprinklers are not shut off. You can see how this can cause quite a water damage in a building!

                We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties are well equipped to handle a job like this. We respond to hundreds of water damage emergencies a year in our local area. Our water restoration technicians are IICRC certified in water mitigation and have the specialized equipment to mitigate the water damage quickly no matter what the size of the job is.

                If you or your business experience any sort of water damage, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are a 24/7 fire and water restoration company who is highly trained and equipped to handle any job that is thrown our way. So, give us a call at 518-677-3444.

Did a Fire Disrupt your Schedule?

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

It is reported that in the United States a home fire is put on record every 24 seconds.  According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) the works out to nearly 8,600 fires a day.  The leading cause of house fires are cooking-related, malfunctioning appliances, frayed wiring or cords, and open flame carelessness. 

There are several things you can do to help prevent home fires.  By being proactive you can help minimize the risks of a fire and keep your family and home safe.

• Maintain Smoke Detectors – the testing on a smoke detector should be done at least once a month, and should be replaced every 10 years.
• Maintain electrical cords – wires and cords should be checked frequently for frayed spots and should be immediately replaced if they are present. It is also not safe to run electrical cords under rugs or behind furniture, as they can produce heat and catch fire.
• Clean the Dryer- After drying each load of laundry clearing the lint from the tray can prevent build up which because a fire hazard when the dryer is warming up.
• Read Product Labels- There are many household products that are flammable including aerosol cans. These should be kept away from sunlight or heat sources.
• Keep an eye on open flames- It is never wise to leave the room when there is an open flame. Fires can start and spread faster than you think so whether it be cooking flame, candles, or even a fireplace always keep a close eye on them.

If your home has suffered damage from a fire, give us a call at SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties!  Available 24 hours a day 7 days a week! (518)677-3444

Did a Pipe Burst cause water damage to your home?

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

Broken Pipe causing water damage

During the coldest time of the year pipe bursts are common causes of water coming into your home.  In a short time, a large amount of water can enter the home and have an impact on the contents inside such as furniture, carpets, and bookcases.  Initially, the first thing to be done is to have the water extracted.  Once extraction is completed, there is a good chance your carpet can be restored as generally water coming from pipes is clean water.  There are a few different methods that SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties can do to restore your carpets to preloss conditions.

• Deluxe Precondition and Rinse helps in the restoration of deeply soiled areas
• Showcase Premier Cleaning is the most thorough cleaning method in the industry

When it comes to other contents of your home such as furniture, window drapes, and bookcases our water damage restoration experts are often able to mitigate any water damage that affects certain types of furniture such as upholstered and wood furniture and drapes.  Using equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers they are able to dry the contents and carpets.

        Our Crews here at SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties understand how important immediate water extraction is to restore your home quickly. Contact us today for service that responds 24 hours a day 7 days a week! (518) 677-3444

Commercial Services

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is available for your Commercial needs 24 hours a day 7 days a week.  We have a team with expert experience, professional training, and specific equipment to help your business no matter the amount of damage from water, fire or storms. 

We are able to offer many different services to help business owners and commercial clients.  Some of those services are the following;

• Commercial Mold Remediation
• Commercial Water Restoration
• Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned
• Commercial Fire Restoration
• Commercial Restoration

Big or small, whether it be a major manufacturing plant or your small local coffee shop, our crew here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington counties is able to assist with getting your business back up and running as soon as possible. 

If you have any type of damage, storm, water, fire give us a call today and speak with someone directly about how we can assist with any damage! (518) 677-3444

We're here 24/7 for your needs!

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week!  Water and fire emergencies don’t have a schedule they can happen any times.  Our team makes being faster to any disaster a priority!  We have the ability to respond immediately to your emergency and have the experts to handle your restoration and cleaning needs. 

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

When there are damages in a home from any size disaster immediate action is needed.  The technicians here at SERVPRO or North Rensselear/South Washington Counties have extensive training and can make the process of cleaning and restoration seamless. 

24 hours, 7 days a week day or night, if you have a cleanup or restoration emergency, give us a call at (518) 677-3444!

A service for everyone!

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

Once you notice something, you will likely notice it more often.  This is called the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, or frequency illusion.  This phenomenon leads you to believe there is more of something occurring around you.  Noticing that SERVPRO cars are green, will have you seeing green everywhere you go!  SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week, whether it be right near our home base in Cambridge NY, or any surrounding areas such as Greenwich, Eagle Bridge, Hoosick Falls, and Salem. 

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties offers a variety of different services along with high quality restoration and mitigation services.  We offer services such as cleaning area rugs as well!  They can be dropped off and picked up at our shop for a small fee, we can also pick up and deliver.  We use specially formulated products and equipment to clean tough stains and eliminate odors.  This deep cleaning service we offer can bring your rugs back to their best looking condition!

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties will respond and use the resources needed to get the job done right! 

If you need restoration/mitigation services or just a general cleaning, give us a call at (518) 677-3444!

Why Our customer Choose our SERVPRO

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

If you are in need of assistance give us a call at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Cointues at 518-677-3444!

There are many choices for a restoration company in New York and Vermont, but there are advantages to choosing the SERVPRO brand.  SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is known for providing high quality restoration and mitigation services.  We use specially formulated products and equipment to clean tough stains and eliminate odors.

Below are just a few of our reviews:

Wallingford, VT

Positive: Professionalism

SERVPRO came after our entire basement filled with thick, dark smoke from a boiler mishap. Two weeks after the completion of that job, our leach field clogged and that very same (newly cleaned) basement filled with sewage. SERVPRO returned and, yet again, thoroughly cleaned our basement. Mike Bradley and Kyle Harris were here for both jobs and we are incredibly grateful to them. They were professional, yet friendly and extremely hard working. Hopefully our house is spared from any more mishaps like these, but if anything were to happen I wouldn’t hesitate to call these guys again. Thank you so much!

Services: Sewage cleanup, Deep clean, Fire damage cleanup & repair, Mold inspection, Water damage cleanup, Mold removal, Clean upholstery

Bolton, NY

Positive: Professionalism

Carl and Bob came to help after a hot water heater flooded my basement. True to their motto: “Like it never even happened,” they were able to get the water out quickly and dry up the walls and carpets. The next day the owner of the company came by to check on everything. Hope I never have to call again, but if I did, this would be the team.

Service: Water damage cleanup

Cambridge, NY

My experience with SERVPRO was more than amazing! The entire staff was not only professional but truly caring to help me through an awful experience. They were here the day of the flood and worked diligently for the entire time it took to get everything back to normal. If I could give them 10 stars it still wouldn’t be enough! Thank you!

Commercial Flood Damage and Mitigation

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Give us a call for all your extracting needs! 518-677-3444

During the wintertime, snowfall and cold temperatures can plague your neighborhood. During severe winter weather, your store could suffer from commercial flood damage due to a variety of causes. For example, a heavy snowstorm can cause deep amounts to build up outside your store's building, and then when it melts, excessive moisture can enter your structure. Cold temperatures can also cause the H2O in your pipes to freeze.

The main problem when mitigating commercial flood damage inside your store is that the different products are made from many different materials.  Your store may also have areas that contain porous materials such as carpet and furniture as well as different types of flooring for example, tile or linoleum.  

When snow starts to melt, or a pipe freezes and breaks, all of the flooring present inside your store could have been negatively affected.  When a professional restoration company, like SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties, arrive at your business, the inspection process begins.  We use different tools to sense moisture travel inside.  We also test humidity levels to see if products that didn’t come directly into contact with moisture are at risk.

When It comes to mitigating moisture, our technicians will extract as much water they can while it is still liquid.  There are different methods we use to extract the water.  If there is more than 2 inches of standing water, we can use a submersible pump to pull all of the moisture into one of your sewage drains.  If there is water on top of hard surfaces we can use a mop or squeegee.  When it comes to carpets we can also use a heavy duty extractor to vacuum the moisture. 

If your business suffers from issues creates after the cold or a winter snowstorm, call us, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties at 518-677-3444.

How To Prevent Dryer Fires

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

Give us a call for all your fire rescue needs. 518-677-3444

Did you know that according to the National Fire Protection Association every year roughly 13,820 home fires are caused by clothes dryers? About 27 percent of these fires are due to the accumulation of lint in the dryer! Who would have thought that a third of the reason these fires occur is due to a failure to clean dryer vents! Not properly cleaning out your dryer vent can set you up for a serious fire hazard that can cause a lot of harm.

                Here are some simple tips to ensure the safety of you and your home:

1. Clean out your lint filter after every load! Doing this will help prevent a fire but also dry your clothes much faster! The back of your dryer should also be cleaned because lint can at times build up in that area as well. The vent pipe/exhaust should also be emptied with a plumbers snake every few months as well to help avoid a lint fire.
2. Proper use of your machine! You want to avoid over filling your dryer as well with too many clothes for a single load. You also want to avoid drying items that are made of plastic or rubber. You never want to put clothing in your dryer that has oil, gas, alcohol, or any other flammable products.
3. Turn your dryer off! Always ensure your dryer is off before leaving your home or going to bed.
4. Routine Maintenance! You want to inspect your equipment to make sure there is no damage or build up of lint. Also check outside venting for blockages from things like bird nests.

Dryer/lint fires are almost always preventable if you take the proper precautions. If your home has been damaged by a dryer fire, please call us, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties at 518-677-3444.

Proper Interview Process

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

We are Hiring!! Give us a call 518-677-3444

Proper Interview Process.

Here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties we take pride in our onboarding process. Currently we have about 3 positions available on various job boards. As we increase our customer base we also increase our crews too. Here are some great tips for getting the job:

1. Submit a resume-
   1. Resume should include Name, Address, Phone Number, Objectives, Experience, Work history, and education. Also you should try and make the resume only 1 page. So if you have a lot of work history, start with your most recent and work your way down the timeline. Once your resume has been sent, be sure to call the office to follow up.
2. Scheduling the Interview-
   1. Scheduling is just as important as submitting the resume. Typically, employers who are actively hiring with call the candidate the day the resume is received or the very next day. It is best to make sure that your phone is on and ringer is up. Missing a call for a job could put you on a back burner.
3. Knowing the Job
   1. Knowing what the company does before the interview process is KEY. We have seen it all too much where a candidate comes into an interview completely unprepared. We recommend going on to our website prior to the interview to review the different services we offer.
4. Interview Process-
   1. A candidate should always arrive at the interview 15 minutes prior to the appointment time. There could be some other paperwork that needs to be filled out prior to the interview.
   2. A candidate should be presentable, a simple pair on Khaki’s and polo or casul button down will go a long way. SERVPRO calls this business casual.
   3. Ask Questions regarding the position. Never feel like your questions are not merited. Employers look for candidates that can communicate and ask questions about the positions available.
5. Understand the COVID Restrictions-
   1. In certain businesses across the United States, covid restrictions are a part of the everyday policies. We recommend being proactive and wearing a mask at the time of the interview.
6. Follow up
   1. We recommending ending the interview on a good note. If you like the position available let the hiring agent know that you are really interested.
   2. Give the hiring agent 2 days and then call back to follow up with your interview.
   3. If asked to schedule a 2^nd interview, we recommend scheduling right away for best results. (there is a reason they are asking to have you back for a 2^nd interview, and that is your time to shine!)

Give us a Call if you are in search of a position in a faced paced company like SERVPRO of Bennington and Rutland Counties.

It's that time of year where the pipes may freeze.

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call to clean up your water loss. 518-677-3444

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties gets flooded with calls each winter due to pipes bursting. Sometimes they are big jobs and sometimes they are small jobs. One thing, however, that all these jobs have is insulated pipes. Here are some tips on making sure the pipes don’t burst.

1. The use of pipe insulation- Pipe insulation is used to prevent metal and rigid plastic water filled lines from freezing.
   1. Different Types of insulation include: Mineral wool, glass wool, flexible elastomeric foams, rigid foam, polyethylene, cellular glass, aerogel.
2. Opening cabinets- Pipes can be located on exterior walls. Watching out for signs that the weather is going to be colder than usual, will help determine whether or not you should open up your cabinet doors so that the heat from the inside the house can help keep the warmth on the pipes.
   1. Different areas that a pipe could be on an exteriors wall. Kitchen sinks, washing machines, and bathroom sinks.
3. Turning on the faucet-When the temperature hovers around -20 degrees, its time to let a least one faucet drip. Be sure to pay close attention to waters pipes because temperatures in this unheated interior spaces usually mimic outdoor temperatures.
   1. Different area in the house that could be affected in the winter months are, attics, garages, basements, and crawl spaces.

If you have frozen pipes and they burst and affect your home. Give SERVPRO a call. 518-677-3444

Pipes Frozen? No Thank you! Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes This Winter!

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call at 518-677-3444!

With fall on its way out we are moving into winter months! And with that comes freezing temperatures! One of the most common causes of water damages in the winter months is when pipes freeze. When pipes freeze they expand which causes them to burst resulting in a water damage in your home. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties are here to help you if you or your business experience a water damage from frozen pipes this winter! A water damage in your home is no fun so here are a few tips to help prevent your pipes from freezing this winter!

1. Adjusting your thermostat- keeping your thermostat the same temperature during both the evening and day reduces risk of pipes freezing
2. Going away- if you are leaving your home for an extended period, leave your heat on and set the temperature to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. House Sitting- as a neighbor to check your house daily to ensure it is warm enough and pipes have not frozen.
4. Garage- keep your garage door closed to keep cold air out!
5. Insulation- insulate all exposed pipes properly.
6. Faucet- Let your faucet drip, moving water is less likely to freeze!

So if your pipes freeze at your home or business and you experience a water damage please call us at 518-677-3444. We are available 24/7 365 days a year and are always happy to help!

Cold & Flu Season Are Upon Us- Tips to Keep You and Your Coworkers Healthy!

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

With COVID 19 still out there many of us have already increased our health and safety practices. However, the common cold and flu are still out there, and the season is upon us! Here are a few reminders to keep in mind to stay healthy:

• Drink lots of fluids, especially water. Staying hydrated is one of the most important habits to keep you healthy!
• Wash your hands. Hand hygiene is extremely important. Tip, keep some hand sanitizer on you at all times when out and about!
• When coughing or sneezing cover you mouth and nose your coworkers will greatly appreciate this!
• Get outside in the sun, go for a walk or a hike, vitamin D is important for your health!
• Sleep! It is important for adults to get 7 or more hours of sleep a night.
• Eat lots of fruit and veggies! Healthy eating habits are important in aiding fighting off a cold.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind during cold and flu season which we are approaching. We here at SERVPRO hope you and your family stay happy and healthy!

What To Do When Your Office Space Has a Water Damage

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

Oh no! You walk into your office to start your day of work and you notice the floor and walls are soaked with water! This is not how you wanted to start your day! What do you do and what steps need to be taken to get your space back to normal?

                The first thing you need to do is give us here at SERVPRO of Bennington and Rutland Counties a call! The faster that we can arrive on site the better the chances are that the damage will not be as intense. And the more likely we can salvage and dry out your place of business.

                The first thing to do is give us a call! Next, our professionals will inspect the affected area to determine the extent of the water damage. After a plan has been established the next steps will be taken by our staff to protect your business and its contents from further damage by extracting excess water and preparing to dry with our state-of-the-art equipment and doing whatever demolition needs to be done if things cannot be dried. The final step is for us to monitor your business and contents to ensure they are drying properly. One of our professionals will arrive on site daily to monitor the drying process.

                Please do not hesitate to contact our office if you have any further questions, we can be reached 24/7 at 518-677-3444. We look forward to assisting you in your time of need!

We Can Take On Any Winter Storm!

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

A winter storm is typically occurring at extremely low temperatures where precipitation forms snow or sleet, or even rain that freezes and turns to ice when hitting the ground. A winter storm can be life threatening so it is important to be able to differentiate the different possible storms for your safety!

                Blizzards are a combination of blowing snow which creates low visibility. Blizzards are dangerous storms that can have an accumulation of a lot of snow fall on the ground. If you get stuck in a blizzard for a long period of time it can lead to hypothermia and even frostbite.

                Snow Flurries usually last for a short period of time but vary with intensity. Typically, they are light and within a few seconds of hitting pavement the snow usually melts right away.

                  A Snow squall although it is brief can cause some major safety concerns. They are short intense snowfalls that come with strong winds and greatly impact your visibility of your surroundings. So be careful when driving in situations like this!

                Ice storms are storms that cause at least a fourth of an inch of ice forming on the ground or exposed surfaces.  Ice storms create extremely poor driving conditions, so you want to be extremely cautious if you get caught driving in an ice storm. Tree branches and power lines also have been known to fall during ice storms due to the weight the ice puts on the, which can cause them to snap.

                No matter the winter storm or damage that occurs from it we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties are here to help! If you experience damage from a storm to your home or business, please call us at 518-677-3444.

Summer Vacation Plans? Protect Your Home From Water Damage While You Are Away!

8/11/2021 (Permalink)

Summer 2021 officially kicks off June 21^st, 2021! And with summer usually comes a vacation. We all could use a vacation and the last thing you want to worry about on vacation is a water damage in your home when you return. One of the most common causes of home water damage during the summer is when a family leaves to go on vacation. We leave our homes empty for days, weeks, and some people even months and the tiniest of leaks left unchecked can cause a substantial amount of water damage that can be devastating!

                In order to prevent water damages from occurring while you are on vacation it is important to prepare your home! We here at SERVPRO have some tips to ensure the safety of your home!

1. Turn off the main water. Turning off the water main to your home will avoid water pressure from building up in your pipes and weaken them.
2. Turn off your water heater. This prevents your water heater from having any problem while you are away.
3. Drain your pipes. Running faucets in your home will ensure that the pipes are alleviated of any pressure.
4. Have a friend or neighbor check on your home. With so much that can go wrong when we are away from our homes having someone to check on your house will be the best way to sure any situation that unfortunately can occur will be handled quickly and this will decrease the amount of damage that can happen.

If you or your loved ones experience any kind of water damage, we here at SERVPRO are available 24/7 for all of your water restoration needs. We have state of the art equipment as well as IICRC water mitigation experts who will be there at any time of the day to help you in a time of need. Please do not hesitate to give us a call if you experience a water damage at 518-677-3444. We are happy to help!

Simple Burn First Aid Tips

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

When we think of fire damages we usually immediately think of our homes/offices or our belongings being destroyed. However, every year hundreds of thousands of individuals every year suffer from burn injuries. If you or someone you care about suffers a burn injury it is important to act quickly to help alleviate the pain and minimize the damage or extent of the injury. Here are some helpful tips that might help!

1. Remove All Jewelry

One of the first things you should do if you have experienced a minor burn is to remove all jewelry near the burn area such as a ring or watch in order that they do not get stuck if the burn swells.

2. Cool Burned Skin

Use cool water on the skin until the pain subsides or decreases. Using a cold compress may also work. You may depending on the severity of the burn want to apply a moisturizer such as aloe to help relieve pain and keep the area moisturized in order that it does not dry out.

3. Loosely Bandage

Use sterile gauze to loosely wrap the affected area to help the area stay dry and clean as it heals.

4. Take Pain Medication

Many of the times in minor burns the above steps will help to alleviate the pain. However, this is not always the case. Over the counter pain medications can help burn victims that are still in pain after the above measures are taken in the first aid process.

5. Seek Medical Attention

If someone is still in a significant amount of pain after these steps or the burn is severe and beyond what you can handle, be sure to seek professional medical attention! Always seek medical attention if you feel you need it!

                Fire damages in your home or commercial building can be overwhelming to think about, but knowing how to do burn first aid correctly and promptly will help keep you and your employees safe!

What to do When Your Basement Floods

8/6/2021 (Permalink)

When a basement floods it is a stressful and confusing time. There are several different reasons basements can flood, a broken water pipe, heavy rainfall, or even a sump pump failure. Fortunately, here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties we have been able to help families with flooded basements all around our local area and are ready to help you! Here are some important steps to take when dealing with a flooded basement:

1. Turn off your electricity. This is the first step you want to take as soon as you can safely navigate to the breaker box. Appliances or wires may be in water so there is a good chance there is an electrical current traveling through standing water. This can be deadly! You would want to contact an electrician or electrical company if you are unable to turn it off safely.
2. Find/Stop the source of the flood. If you discover the flood is plumbing related you will want to turn off your homes main water valve. If you discover it is rainwater that is flooding your home you will want to use sand bags or flood bags to create a barrier.
3. Remove the water. You can use a shop vac, mopping, or blotting to do this depending on the severity. However, the more water you can pick up the better!
4. Remove affected materials. You want to dispose of flooded carpeting or padding that is unsalvageable. Other porous items such as wooden furniture or sofas need drying as soon as possible to salvage them!
5. Did you know that mold can start to develop within 24 hours of introduction to water? It is crucial to dry and disinfect the area properly in order to keep mold and bacteria from growing and spreading.

If your home suffers a water damage from a flooded basement, you want to check your insurance coverage to see what is covered. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties have years of experience and the resources to help with all your water damage needs. And we are prepared to get your home back to pre-flood conditions, “Like it never even happened.”

Stay Safe While Grilling!

6/8/2021 (Permalink)

If us a call for our SERVPRO Grill Safety Tips. 518-677-3444

With grilling season in full swing so are grill related disasters! Did you know that between 2014-2018 there were around 10,600 home fires per year due to a grill like incident? The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that roughly there was $149 million in damages due to these fires. There are however steps you can take to help minimize your chances of ending up in a bad situation and protect yourself and your loved ones.

1. Grills should be placed away from your home, deck railings, and overhanging branches.
2. Be aware of grass near your grill especially if it dry. If ashes fly off from your grill and land on dry grass a fire can be started quickly.
3. Always keep your children and pets away from the grill!
4. Never leave your grill unattended!
5. Always clean your grill after you are finished using it. You want to remove grease and fat buildup from the grill trays and below your grill.

When fire and water damages transpire a fast response is crucial. And we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties are here to help! We are available 24/7 365 days a year and are dedicated to responding immediately to your needs. A faster response time helps to prevent secondary damage and greatly reduce costs. If you experience a barbecue or grill fire, call us at (518) 677-3444.

SVMC Essential Workers Charity Golf Tournament  

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

More details on the tournament to follow!

We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties are beyond thrilled to announce that on October 2^nd, 2021 we will be hosting our first every Charity Golf Tournament! This tournament is benefiting South Western Vermont Medical Center (SVMC). We are especially grateful to all our essential workers at the hospital and are proud to support this wonderful cause!

SVMC has provided quality medical care for the Bennington area for roughly 100 years. It has nine total locations that service Bennington, New York, and Massachusetts. This year has been far from easy and even more challenging with the Covid 19 Pandemic. Yet, SVMC has provided excellent care to many in our local communities despite the many difficulties they have faced.

We are so looking forward to supporting the hospital in this charity tournament and we hope to see many of you there! Keep an eye out on our Instagram and Website where more details are soon to follow!

How to Prevent Rain Damage and Water Inundation in Your Building

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call if you basement is flooded and you need extraction. 518-677-3444

Rain damage can lead to mold growth and structural damage to your North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties commercial property. This is something no business ever wants to experience and have to go though. Fortunately, there are several different precautions you can take to avoid water inundation in your commercial building.

                Building envelopes are barriers between the interior of a building and the outdoors. Some examples of this would-be doors, windows, the roof, and even the walls or foundation. Regular maintenance on these envelopes is essential to maintain their integrity. These envelopes are your buildings primary protection against water damage. You want to keep an eye out for cracks, deteriorating seals, mold growth, or other signs of envelope failure.

                At times of heavy rain, it may be necessary to set up temporary precautions to protect the buildings envelopes against rain damage. Remember, that barriers should not go around the entire building because water that gets between the barrier and the building needs to be able to escape.

                Weather is among one of the many things that business owners cannot control. Hopefully, the above precautions will be able to minimize or eliminate a water damage from happening. However, if these steps do not work you will want to hire a professional mitigation team to handle the work. We here at North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties are a team of highly trained professionals with the skills to restore any size building that has been impacted by a water damage. Our staff has state of the art drying equipment that will aid in this restoration process. We are a 24/7 emergency service company that is always here to help! Please give us a call at (518) 677-3444 if you experience any storm damage large or small!

Fire Safety for Your New York Hotel

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call if you commercial building is damaged by fire. 518-677-3444

If you run a hotel business, you will want to do all you can in order to protect your hotel from a disaster such as a fire damage. Today, we are sharing some tips that can help you prevent a fire damage and some helpful tips in the event a fire does occur:

• Proper signage. Exit signs need to be clearly marked for all to see. They should be illuminated with backup batteries in case there is a power outage.
• Sprinkler system. Ensure your sprinkler system is functioning properly by having it serviced every 12 months or less by a licensed professional.
• Fire alarm system. Your fire alarm system should also be tested and serviced regularly by a licensed professional.
• Escape Routes. Escape routes should be positioned in ways that ensure anyone can safely reach them. These escape routes should be obstruction free, be enclosed with smoke and fire-resistant materials, and remain closed as much as possible to prevent the spread of smoke and fire.
• Electrical outlets. Each electrical outlet should have no more then one item per outlet plug being used. All cords should be kept in good repair and replaced when needed!
• Have fire evacuation plan ready and accessible to all!
• Inform your guests of fire safety. All hotel guests should be informed of manual call points and the hotels escape routes. Forms should also be accessible to guests that clarify information such as steps to take if the guests see a fire or hears fire alarm.

In the unfortunate event of a hotel fire, please reach out to SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties. Our team is experienced in cleanup projects after fires both large and small. We are also mold remediation specialists, and here to help in the event of water damages, fire damages, and storm damages. Give us a call at (518)677-3444.

Summer Vacation Plans? Protect Your Home From Water Damage While You Are Away!

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call for all your water, fire, or mold needs. 518-677-3444

Summer Vacation Plans? Protect Your Home From Water Damage While You Are Away!

                Summer 2021 officially kicks off June 21^st, 2021! And with summer usually comes a vacation. We all could use a vacation and the last thing you want to worry about on vacation is a water damage in your home when you return. One of the most common causes of home water damage during the summer is when a family leaves to go on vacation. We leave our homes empty for days, weeks, and some people even months and the tiniest of leaks left unchecked can cause a substantial amount of water damage that can be devastating!

                In order to prevent water damages from occurring while you are on vacation it is important to prepare your home! We here at SERVPRO have some tips to ensure the safety of your home!

1. Turn off the main water. Turning off the water main to your home will avoid water pressure from building up in your pipes and weaken them.
2. Turn off your water heater. This prevents your water heater from having any problem while you are away.
3. Drain your pipes. Running faucets in your home will ensure that the pipes are alleviated of any pressure.
4. Have a friend or neighbor check on your home. With so much that can go wrong when we are away from our homes having someone to check on your house will be the best way to sure any situation that unfortunately can occur will be handled quickly and this will decrease the amount of damage that can happen.

If you or your loved ones experience any kind of water damage, we here at SERVPRO are available 24/7 for all of your water restoration needs. We have state of the art equipment as well as IICRC water mitigation experts who will be there at any time of the day to help you in a time of need. Please do not hesitate to give us a call if you experience a water damage at 518-677-3444. We are happy to help!

What’s A Flood Cut?

5/11/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call for all your water damage needs. 518-677-3444

When your North Rensselaer/ South Washington County home experiences a water damage it can lead to many problems in your home, such as contamination or mold growth. If your drywall gets wet, you most likely will require a professional restoration company to come in and perform water restoration. If left wet or not dried out professionally wet drywall or other materials can lead to quick mold growth.

                So, what is a flood cut? A flood cut is the process that involves cutting and removing of a section of drywall. Generally, the cut is usually 2 feet above the level where the water reached at its highest point. Flood cuts are not always necessary our main goal is to save your walls so if we are able to do so that is what we will try to do. However, if the water is contaminated and contains harmful pathogens then it must be removed for you and your family’s safety.

                Flood cuts allow us to access the damage that was done. We are able to see the area behind the wall and see or remove other affected materials. They also improve drying. Once the section of the wall is removed, it allows the framing and other wood components that are hidden behind the wall to dry faster. The faster things are dried the less likely the chance of mold growth.  

                If you ever experience a water damage in your North Rensselaer/ South Washington County home, please do not hesitate to give us a call. We are IICRC certified in water restoration and have a team of highly trained professionals who are eager to help you and restore your home back to preloss conditions! We are open 24/7 to assist you at any time of the day so give us a call at (518) 677-3444!

Is Your Emergency Kit Ready for Hurricane Week>

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a Call for all your Storm Emergency Needs. 518-677-3444

If a community is not prepared for a severe storm, the consequences can be devastating. We here in the North Rensselaer and South Washington County area are no strangers to storms! So, we here at your local SERVPRO wanted to share with you a few tips to keep in mind when putting together your emergency kit in the event of a severe storm.

                A basic emergency kit should last you roughly 3 days and should include the following recommended items:

• Water (the average person should have one gallon per day)
• Non-perishable Food
• First aid kit as well as any medication that you are currently taking
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery powered or hand crank radio
• Mask
• Local map
• Cell phone with backup charger
• Extra set of clothes
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Pet supplies if you are taking care of an animal.

These are just a few examples of what an emergency kit should contain. You can add whatever you would like to your own! You can also use ready.gov for additional ideas on what to pack in your emergency kit. We want to help you prepare for any storm! If a storm ever damages your home or business, please call us at (518)-677-3444.

Tips for Fire Pit Safety

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call for any fire or water damage. 518-677-3444

There is nothing like enjoying a cool summer night sitting around a fire pit with your friends and families. Many of us look forward to nights like these where we can enjoy our time together. However, before you start to dream about starry nights and roasted marshmallows take a moment to review some of these tips and tricks for fire pit safety!

• Always build or place your fire pits in a flat open area, be sure to avoid areas that have trees.
• Always use dry wood and kindling to light your fire never use accelerants or garbage to light a fire.
• Never throw materials besides wood onto your fire.
• Ensure the seating area is large enough and properly placed for ventilation.
• Do not wear flammable clothing such as nylon or loose clothing that can easily get caught in fire.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose, or bucket of water nearby.
• Check your wind direction prior to starting a fire.
• Us a commercial grade fire pit screen on top to help prevent large amber from leaving the controlled area.
• Do not allow children to start a fire or play near it, children should always be closely supervised around fires.
• When the fire dies down, use a shovel, and spread out the ashes to allow them to cool down. Pour water over the ashes and watch the, closely to ensure no embers remain or reignite.

These are just a few tips to keep in mind when planning to have a fire pit in your backyard. Fire safety is something that we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties take very seriously and we want the best for you and your family. Please give us a call if you experience any fire damage, we are certified in fire restoration and have a team of highly trained professionals who are ready to help. So, if you ever need us, please call us at (518) 677-3444.

Vandalism Cleanup for North Rensselaer/ South Washington County Hotel

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call if you have vandalism done at your business.

Vandalism is the willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property. Vandalism includes graffiti, breaking windows, knocking over one’s property, “keying” vehicles or walls etc.  As a business owner vandalism can be a very upsetting event to discover in your building. It ranges from relatively minor pranks to malicious destruction of property. According to the U.S Small Business Administration just one single act of vandalism on average costs over $3,000.

                Property damage caused by vandalism such as a broken window, can cause serious property damage such as mold if not handled in an efficient and a timely manner.  Which can ultimately, if not taken care of lead to permanent damage to the structure. When a building is left unattended, it may be found with broken windows, broken doors, graffiti, and even fire damages in some cases.

As a business and property owner finding you building in a state like this can be devastating. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties is a group of highly trained professionals who are equipped to clean and restore your property quickly and effectively, allowing you to resume your daily activities. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties is an IICRC certified business that you can trust to service your business for vandalism and graffiti cleanup. We know how important restoring your business is to you and we want to help. Our professionals will act quickly to remove vandalism from your home or commercial spaces. We are a 24/7 emergency service business that will be there to help and restore your business back to "Like it never even happened." So do not hesitate to give us a call at (518)677-3444 if you have experienced any property damage caused by vandalism.

Simple Burn First Aid Tips

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call for all your fire needs. 518-677-3444

When we think of fire damages we usually immediately think of our homes/offices or our belongings being destroyed. However, every year hundreds of thousands of individuals every year suffer from burn injuries. If you or someone you care about suffers a burn injury it is important to act quickly to help alleviate the pain and minimize the damage or extent of the injury. Here are some helpful tips that might help!

1. Remove All Jewelry

One of the first things you should do if you have experienced a minor burn is to remove all jewelry near the burn area such as a ring or watch in order that they do not get stuck if the burn swells.

2. Cool Burned Skin

Use cool water on the skin until the pain subsides or decreases. Using a cold compress may also work. You may depending on the severity of the burn want to apply a moisturizer such as aloe to help relieve pain and keep the area moisturized in order that it does not dry out.

3. Loosely Bandage

Use sterile gauze to loosely wrap the affected area to help the area stay dry and clean as it heals.

4. Take Pain Medication

Many of the times in minor burns the above steps will help to alleviate the pain. However, this is not always the case. Over the counter pain medications can help burn victims that are still in pain after the above measures are taken in the first aid process.

5. Seek Medical Attention

If someone is still in a significant amount of pain after these steps or the burn is severe and beyond what you can handle, be sure to seek professional medical attention! Always seek medical attention if you feel you need it!

                Fire damages in your home or commercial building can be overwhelming to think about, but knowing how to do burn first aid correctly and promptly will help keep you and your employees safe!

Why SERVPRO is the Best Choice for Cleaning Your Contents!

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call for all your contents needs. 518-677-3444

A fire in your home can be devastating especially when some of your valuable contents get damaged! Your items are valuable to you and we here at SERVPRO understand and respect that! We take pride in taking care of your items as if they were our own. And our highly trained professionals are up to the task of restoring your items that have been damaged in a fire back to "Like it never even happened."

                Contents such as clothing or other items that have been damaged, but not destroyed by a fire can sometimes be restored by dry cleaning and other methods to remove soot and smoke smells. This process is called content cleaning, and we here at SERVPRO are content cleaning experts!

                There are two ways we classify contents soft or hard. Soft contents include items such clothing, bedding, leather goods, uniforms, etc. These consist of items that are made from fabric or other soft materials. Hard contents include items such as furniture, electronics, antiques, sports equipment, etc.

                There are several different cleaning methods that are used depending on the type of items that need to be cleaned and what would be the most affective. Dry cleaning is often used to remove light soot/residue on pre clean clothes. Wet cleaning is used to remove heavy residue. Foam cleaning is used for upholstery fabrics and the spray and wipe method is used on items that may be damaged by the wet cleaning process. There also is immersion cleaning is used for contents that can be submerged in cleaning products. Abrasive cleaning is only used on some hard surfaces when other methods have not been successful.

                Prior to cleaning your contents, we will send out a fire restoration crew chief who will examine your belongings and determine which items are salvageable and unsalvageable, this is called content analysis.

                In some cases, pack outs are needed and this requires us to pack out all your damaged salvageable belongings and move them to our facility for cleaning. Items that have been cleaned are then kept in a storage container until they are ready to be packed back and delivered back to the homeowner.

                Here at SERVPRO our team of highly trained fire restoration team members are eager to help you and your family in a time of need. We know how valuable your items are and we have the system, equipment, cleaning products, and knowledge to restore your belongings. If you experience a fire and need assistance please call us at 518-677-3444.

Ice Dams Can Cause Water Damage in Your Bennington Count Vt. Home

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call if you have an ice dam that is making a mess inside your home. 802-375-1500

What is an ice dam you might ask? An ice dam is thick build ups of solid ice along the eaves of you roof. Ice dams are formed because heat builds up in your attic which warms your roof but does not warm your eaves. That snow then melts due to the warmth of the roof from the attic and then the snow freezes again once it reaches the cold eaves. And finally, the ice accumulates along the eaves and forms a dam. Then the meltwater from the warm roof begins to back up behind the ice dam and flow under the shingles in your home causing you to have a water damage.  

                We here at SERVPRO of Bennington and Rutland County have experience in remediating your home if you have been impacted by an ice dam. We have a team of trained professionals who are all certified in IICRC water and mitigation work. Our team along with our state-of-the-art equipment can make your home that has been affected "Like it never even happened."  However, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you prevent ice dams forming all together!

• Use heated cables. These will allow you to equalize the heat on your roof.
• Use a fan box. Place a fan box and aim it at your roof where the leak is actively happening. Doing this will freeze the water and help stop the leak from continuing.
• Rake the snow from your roof using a roof rake!
• Adding more insulation to your attic floors to help keep the heat from rising.
• If your attic has an unsealed hatch cover it with weather stripped caps.

These are just a few helpful tips to prevent/ fix ice dams. If you have any further questions or have a water damage in your home or business, please call us at 802-375-1500!

Tips and Facts on Why Cigarette Causes Smoke Damage

4/2/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a Call for and Smoke and Fire Restoration. 518-677-3444.

Smoking cigarettes is not only harmful to our bodies, but it is also very damaging to our homes. Smoking can cause wall/ceiling staining, discoloring to paint or wallpaper, and leaves a very unappealing odor that stays in your walls/furniture/carpet.  Cigarette smoke leaves a yellowish-brown gluey substance that sticks to all the above-mentioned surfaces in your home. It is extremely time consuming and can be exceedingly difficult to remove. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties have the proper tools and trained professionals that have specialized deodorizing equipment to help with any unwanted smoke odor in your home!

                Here are some tips that you can do to prevent/ help eliminate tobacco odor in your home:

• Open doors/windows to allow as much fresh air in as you can
• Use a ammonia and glycol cleaning product to neutralize odors on your walls and ceiling
• Repaint walls if cleaning them does not work
• Get indoor plants that can absorb a high percentage of indoor pollutants
• Place small bowls of coffee throughout your home
• Use an air purifier in your home

If these methods are unsuccessful, please call us at 518-677-3444 where we will be happy restore your home back to "Like it never even happened."

What is a Flash Flood?

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a Call if there is water running into your house from a flash flood. 518-677-3444

What is a flash flood? A flash flood is a rapid flooding of low-lying areas, usually caused by heavy from sever thunderstorms, hurricanes, or collapsing of human made structures like dams. The National Weather Service defines flash flooding as flooding that begins within 6 hours of heavy rainfall.  They also recommend people get out of the area of the flash flood and not attempt to face it or cross its paths.

                What makes these floods so dangerous is how rapidly they can occur and how fast moving the water can be. Flash floods are serious and many loose their lives yearly from them. There are several steps however you can take to keep you and your family safe during a flash flood!

1. Have an emergency plan and kit ready.
2. Follow evacuation orders immediately.
3. Stay up to date on weather forecasts.
4. Do not attempt to walk and or drive near flooded areas.
5. If it is too late to evacuate your home call 911 and move to the highest point in your home.

We here at SERVPRO know the seriousness of flash floods and we are always here to help. If you’ve experienced any water damage due to a recent storm, give SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington County a call and well make sure to make it "Like it never even happened."

What to do When Your Commercial Basement Floods

3/21/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a call 518-677-3444

When a basement floods it is a stressful and confusing time. There are several different reasons basements can flood, a broken water pipe, heavy rainfall, or even a sump pump failure. Fortunately, here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties we have been able to help businesses with flooded basements all around our local area and are ready to help you! Here are some important steps to take when dealing with a flooded basement:

1. Turn off your electricity. This is the first step you want to take as soon as you can safely navigate to the breaker box. Appliances or wires may be in water so there is a good chance there is an electrical current traveling through standing water. This can be deadly! You would want to contact an electrician or electrical company if you are unable to turn it off safely.
2. Find/Stop the source of the flood. If you discover the flood is plumbing related, you will want to turn off your businesses main water valve. If you discover it is rainwater that is flooding your business, you will want to use sand bags or flood bags to create a barrier.
3. Remove the water. You can use a shop vac, mopping, or blotting to do this depending on the severity. However, the more water you can pick up the better!
4. Remove affected materials. You want to dispose of flooded carpeting or padding that is unsalvageable. Other porous items such as wooden furniture or sofas need drying as soon as possible to salvage them!
5. Did you know that mold can start to develop withing 24 hours of introduction to water? It is crucial to dry and disinfect the area properly in order to keep mold and bacteria from growing and spreading.

If your business suffers a water damage from a flooded basement, you want to check your insurance coverage to see what is covered. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties have years of experience and the resources to help with all your water damage needs. And we are prepared to get your business back to pre-flood conditions, "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties 1-4-8 Service Response

3/21/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a Call 518-67-3444

No one likes to stand around and wait all day for anything especially during an emergency. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties know the importance of emergency response time that is why we live by the 1-4-8 response guidelines. No matter the size of the project whether it be mold, fire or water damage in your home or business we will be there quickly with our team of trained professionals to make it "Like it never even happened."

Service Response Guidelines

1 Hour- Within one hour of notice of loss you will be contacted by someone from our team to make further arrangements and assess the issue you have going on in your home or business!

4 Hours- Within four hours of notice of loss our team will be on site to start the work (if necessary).

8 Hours- Within eight hours of notice of loss we will brief you on the scope of the damage and the plan going forward to help restore your home or business.

                At SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties we assure you we always follow our Corporate’s 1-4-8-time guidelines and strive to assist our customers as fast as possible! We know when our services are needed this is a difficult time for our customers so we will always do our best to be there to help as quickly as possible! If you have a water, mold, or fire damage, do not hesitate to call SERVPRO of Bennington/ Rutland Counties at 802-375-1500!

How to Prevent your Dryer not to have a Fire.

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

Don't forget to call us for a cleanout of the Lint Lines. 518-677-3444

Did you know that according to the National Fire Protection Association every year roughly 13,820 home fires are caused by clothes dryers? About 27 percent of these fires are due to the accumulation of lint in the dryer! Who would have thought that a third of the reason these fires occur is due to a failure to clean dryer vents! Not properly cleaning out your dryer vent can set you up for a serious fire hazard that can cause a lot of harm.

                Here are some simple tips to ensure the safety of you and your home:

1. Clean out your lint filter after every load! Doing this will help prevent a fire but also dry your clothes much faster! The back of your dryer should also be cleaned because lint can at times build up in that area as well. The vent pipe/exhaust should also be emptied with a plumbers snake every few months as well to help avoid a lint fire.
2. Proper use of your machine! You want to avoid over filling your dryer as well with too many clothes for a single load. You also want to avoid drying items that are made of plastic or rubber. You never want to put clothing in your dryer that has oil, gas, alcohol, or any other flammable products.
3. Turn your dryer off! Always ensure your dryer is off before leaving your home or going to bed.
4. Routine Maintenance! You want to inspect your equipment to make sure there is no damage or build up of lint. Also check outside venting for blockages from things like bird nests.

Dryer/lint fires are almost always preventable if you take the proper precautions. If your home has been damaged by a dryer fire, please call us, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties at 518-677-3444.

Tips to Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

GIVE US A CALL 518-677-3444

Winter is here, and with it, comes sub zero temperatures! Pipes freezing are a common occurrence that can happen in the winter. When pipes freeze, they expand your pipe to the point where it bursts! This is caused by the increase in pressure. Pipes bursting are a common cause of water damages that we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties receive in the winter months. So here are some helpful tips to avoid frozen pipes and water damages that can happen from them!

• Maintain a consistent temperature throughout your home day and night.
• Keep your garage door closed to keep cold air out!
• Open interior doors to allow heat to circulate.
• If you are leaving your home for an extended period, leave your heat on and set the temperature to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Insulate all exposed pipes properly.
• Let your faucet drip, moving water is less likely to freeze!
• Appy heat tape to pipes that are exposed.

If your pipes freeze at your home or business and you experience a water damage, please call us at 518-677-3444. No job is too big or too small and we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties have the experience and the tools to help you with all you water damage needs!

Top of The Line Cleaning Products

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a Call for all your Cleaning Needs. 518-677-3444.

We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties are your local mitigation, remediation and restoration company that carry a variety of top-of-the-line products to take care of all your needs. The products we use are not your general cleaning products that you can get in your local store. SERVPRO Industries has their own staff of scientists that work to formulate the best and most effective products to take care of your losses.

                Each product has a label that specifies the ingredients and the proper use of the product. Our technicians also have the knowledge and ability to explain each product and answer all questions you may have.  Please feel free to contact us at 518-677-3444 if you have any questions regarding the products, we use to get your home back to looking “Like it never even happened.”

Our SERVPRO team is made up of highly trained professionals in property mitigation, remediation, and restoration. Our technicians receive continuous training throughout their career here at SERVPRO and many are currently IICRC certified. We assure you our team is well equipped with the knowledge and tools to restore your property back to looking "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is the #1 Biohazard Remediation Company in the area.

3/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is HERE to HELP in any Biohazard Remediation. 518-677-3444

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is the #1 Biohazard Remediation Company in the area because we have trained specialists that are licensed to handle biohazards. Sometimes we find that our customers are facing a cleanup that they handle on their own. While other times our customers do not typically know what a biohazard is and what the potential risks are associated with handling them.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties follows the IICRC Standards for Biohazard and Trauma Remediation. Our technicians go through vigorous training to get certified through the IICRC for Biohazard and Trauma Remediation. SERVPRO holds a level of respect and caution when dealing in these kinds of situations.

One might ask, “what constitutes a biohazard?”. Well, the definition of Biohazard is any substance that contains or can transmit a biological hazard and is a significant health risk. For this reason alone, you should never attempt to clean a biohazard on you own.

Common Biohazard include:

• Blood
• Bodily Fluids
• Biological Materials
• Medical Waste
• Unattended Deaths, Suicides, Homicides, Crime Scenes
• Illegal Drug Labs, Meth Labs, Etc.
• Drug paraphernalia
• Chemical Waste
• Toxic Chemicals
• Animal Waste and Feces
• Rodents and Nuisance Animals

The Decontamination of a home or business because of Trauma, can be dangerous and hard to clean up properly with out the proper equipment and proper knowledge.

Whether an accident has occurred in your home, at your business or in your car, we are HERE TO HELP you make your environment safe again.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties are quick to any Disaster.

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a Call (518) 677-3444

Our Experienced Professionals can reach damage in North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties business’s quickly when water damages occur.

With the bustle of the cold weather and the amount of snow that has hit the North East this winter, our restoration professionals’ treasure fast response when emergencies happen. Between the snow, ice and below 0* temperatures, commercial structures are left in the cold. Why? Because when business is closed the heat goes down. Which makes sense, because why would you want to fully heat a room with no one in it? We have seen it time and time again. In fact, in the month of January alone we have had over 40 calls for pipes that had burst because of being frozen. This kind of mess leaves business owners at risk of staying closed, and let us face it, no one can afford that.

The best way to handle situations like that is keep the heat up enough to make sure all the pipes are kept at a neutral temperature. 60* is typically at good temperature for pipes not to freeze in the North East.

Water disasters can get out of control quickly, especially in some of the North Rensselaer/South Washington Area where some buildings are over 100 years old. Business owners can trust our SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties water restoration technicians’ fast and knowledgeable response to help.

Give us a call today at (518) 677-3444

The most untreated high touch area could be the flooring in your business.

2/12/2021 (Permalink)

Give us Call for your disnfecting needs. 518-677-3444

At SERVPRO of the North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties, we take pride in our work while we participate in the fight against COVID-19. With the emergence of COVID-19, we have received many calls from Local Businesses in need of the services that include disinfecting and sanitizing. Our protocols call for disinfection of all high touch areas. High Touch Area include: switches, door knobs, counter tops, handles from various appliances, toilets, sinks and hardware. Flooring is also a high touch area that many companies may disregard. Well, not SERVPRO!. The floors are one the most important high touch area that needs to be cleaned. When it comes to reducing the spread of germs in a indoor environment a major concerns is that many diseases are transmitted through the air. Droplet are released by individuals from coughing, sneezing, and even speaking. These contaminants are pulled by gravity to the ground which also serves as a transmission. Flooring surfaces are the most overlooked high touch area to disinfect. Even though contaminants do not typically stay on the floors, they are tracked throughout the facility on shoes, socks, purses, backpacks, and pets. Therefore, at SERVPRO, we make sure the flooring is cleaned properly then disinfected. Do your floors need a good scrubbing and disinfecting? If so, Give us a Call. 518-677-3444

SERVPRO of North rensselaer and south washington counties are the experts on disinfecting.

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

If you company is in need of disinfecting from a positive case or preventative care, please Give our Certified Cleaned Team right away 518-677-3444

With COVID still an unfortunate part of all of our lives, safety is of the utmost importance and we here at SERVPRO are here to help. If your business or home has been infected or exposed to the coronavirus, we have the proper equipment, protection, and product to disinfect and bring you the peace of mind that we all need during this time.

                We recently disinfected and sanitized a local business in the South Washington County area that had been affected and had exposure to COVID. Our team of highly trained professionals used all of the proper PPE that is required and suggested by the CDC when dealing with this virus. Once safely in the building we used a state-of-the-art fogging machine that fogs the air and the surface area all around. This fogging machine uses our products that have been approved by the CDC to disinfect and clean COVID. As we said before we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties value the safety of all in our community and we are happy to help you if your business or home is exposed to the coronavirus.

                Please do not hesitate to call us  for all of your COVID needs or if you have any questions about our disinfection process. We are a 24/7 emergency response team who is always happy to help! Together we can help stop the spread of COVID19!

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties has Top of The Line Cleaning Products

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Give us a Call for all your COVID Cleaning/Disinfecting needs. 518-677-3444

We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties are your local mitigation, remediation and restoration company that carry a variety of top-of-the-line products to take care of all your needs. The products we use are not your general cleaning products that you can get in your local store. SERVPRO Industries has their own staff of scientists that work to formulate the best and most effective products to take care of your losses.

                Each product has a label that specifies the ingredients and the proper use of the product. Our technicians also have the knowledge and ability to explain each product and answer all questions you may have.  Please feel free to contact us at 518-677-3444 if you have any questions regarding the products, we use to get your home back to looking “Like it never even happened.”

Our SERVPRO team is made up of highly trained professionals in property mitigation, remediation, and restoration. Our technicians receive continuous training throughout their career here at SERVPRO and many are currently IICRC certified. We assure you our team is well equipped with the knowledge and tools to restore your property back to looking "Like it never even happened."

Electrical Fire in North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties

1/15/2021 (Permalink)

Please call us here at 518-677-3444 to help you with all of your fire damage needs

Did you know that nearly 51,000 fires yearly are electrical fires! And the most common cause of electrical fires is due to a faulty outlet. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties have some helpful tips and tricks to help you prevent an electrical fire.

1. Replace worn out sockets! As stated, before faulty or old outlets are the most common cause of electrical fires. So, the best thing for you to do is to replace and loose or old ones as soon as you notice them wearing.
2. Reduce the risk of circuit overloads! You never want to overload your outlets or excessively use your extension cords. If you notice that you do not have enough outlets the best practice is to hire an electrician to install more. Another safety tip would be to avoid hiding cords under rugs this increases the amount of heat produced and can cause a fire!
3. Install the proper light bulb! You want to make sure that you avoid installing a bulb with a high wattage to light fixture that is incapable of handling a high wattage.
4. Use space heaters appropriately. Avoid flammable products/materials around this type of equipment such as paper, cardboards, coats, and rugs.

These are just a few tips to try to help prevent an electrical fire! Please call us here at 518-677-3444 to help you with all of your fire damage needs.

Why Choose SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties?

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

SEND US A REVIEW on GOOGLE. Just look up SERVPRO...Find our Franchise and give us a review!

Have you ever had a fire damage, smoke damage, water damage, or have found mold in your home or business? Well if you or someone you know has experienced one of these unfortunate events many people are unsure of who to call. Well SERVPRO has been in business for over 50 years and has all the expertise and experience to help you and get the job done! We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties have highly trained certified technicians and state of the art equipment to make your home and business look "Like it never even happened.” We are a 24-hour emergency service that is locally owned and operated and a trusted leader here in the community when it comes to restoration. If you do not believe SERVPRO is the best here are some testimonials from some of our customers!

                “SERVPRO was an excellent choice for my mold remediation. Absolute professional staff, very compassionate and attentive to my specific needs. Trust Gabrielle 100% and job manager Carl, thorough, kind, professional at all times. Great Job SERVPRO! Will definitely recommend this company.” – Tammy

                “The team from SERVPRO North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties were fantastic from start to finish with a water-damage issue that required immediate attention. The team demonstrated clear communication, excellent follow-through, and absolute professionalism at every step. I recommend this company without hesitation.” – Carolyn

                “My experience with SERVPRO was more than amazing! The entire staff was not only professional but truly caring to help me through an awful experience. They were here the day of the flood and worked diligently for the entire time it took to get everything back to normal. If I could give them 10 stars it still wouldn’t be enough! Thank you.” – Gloria

                “First time having to use the company.  Wonderful team, very helpful from the first call.  The team was on time, very friendly and informative.  They explained every step and made sure we understood fully every step of the way.  They were very clean and efficient with the job.  They made a messy situation not feel so horrific. Thank you for all your help.” – Al

                “We had surprise leak following an extensive renovation that destroyed months of hard work, the SERVPRO team led by John Flood did a remarkable job in record time. Their knowledge and professionalism were exceptional in every way and proved invaluable in working with our insurer on a fair and equitable settlement.” – Brendan

                “John and his team went above & beyond during our difficult time. They arrived quickly and performed great work over the two weeks they were here. Their professionalism, timeliness and communication were very refreshing. They did an amazing job. We would HIGHLY recommend them to everyone!” – Rory

                If you find yourself in need of our services, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 518-677-3444. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties is here 24-7 to assist you with all of your restoration needs!

What to Do When your Basement Floods

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties extracting water out of a customer's basement in Troy, NY

What to Do When Your Basement Floods

                When a basement floods it is a stressful and confusing time. There are several different reasons basements can flood: a broken water pipe, heavy rainfall, or even a sump pump failure. Fortunately, here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties we have been able to help families with flooded basements all around our local area and are ready to help you! Here are some important steps to take when dealing with a flooded basement:

1. Turn off your electricity. This is the first step you want to take as soon as you can safely navigate to the breaker box. Appliances or wires may be in water so there is a good chance there is an electrical current traveling through standing water. This can be deadly! You would want to contact an electrician or electrical company if you are unable to turn it off safely.
2. Find/Stop the source of the flood. If you discover the flood is plumbing related you will want to turn off your home's main water valve. If you discover it is rainwater that is flooding your home you will want to use sand bags or flood bags to create a barrier.
3. Remove the water. You can use a shop vac, mopping, or blotting to do this depending on the severity. However, the more water you can pick up the better!
4. Remove affected materials. You want to dispose of flooded carpeting or padding that is unsalvageable. Other porous items such as wooden furniture or sofas need drying as soon as possible to salvage them!
5. Did you know that mold can start to develop within 24 hours of introduction to water? It is crucial to dry and disinfect the area properly in order to keep mold and bacteria from growing and spreading.

If your home suffers a water damage from a flooded basement, you want to check your insurance coverage to see what is covered. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties have years of experience and the resources to help with all your water damage needs. And we are prepared to get your home back to pre-flood conditions, “Like it never even happened.”

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

We are Here to Help in your Community, Give us a Call 518-677-3444

During this worldwide pandemic, businesses have had to shut down all across the world. Schools, gyms, malls, hair salons, movie theatres, and restaurants have had to face some significant hardships, along with not knowing when the reopen was going to happen. Of course, every state in the United States is different because we are all governed by different people. However, if you are in Upstate New York right now, which is located about 4 hours north of New York City, once the epi-center of this pandemic in the United States, you see we are in phase 3 of reopens and thus far it has seemed to help lower the risk of transmitting disease and viruses.

Some might ask how this possible? How is it lowering the risk by re-opening business for more people to congregate? The answer to this question is key in understanding the importance of doing your due diligence. We all know that the CDC recommends for people to stay 6 feet apart, wear a mask most of the time if not all the time in some cases, and continued proper cleaning methods to lower the risk. Many businesses know the importance of this process and make sure their due diligence is served. For some businesses if proper precautions are not following to specifications, the state can restrict opening, the business could face another shut down and no one can afford for that to happen again in 1 year.

To better aid in the fight against the COVID-19 Virus, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned. This program is a special cleaning process and action plan that allows businesses to get their business up and running. We are highly trained in disinfecting and sanitizing all areas and take pride in the work that we do. To offer peace of mind we also have leave behind materials that specify when the area was cleaned and who did it. So if you are ready to open your business make up and would like to have your company Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, give us a call 518-677-3444.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties Explains What Fires Are Made Of

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

A recent electrical fire in a home.

Chemical structure of Fire

Fire is the outcome of a chemical reaction called combustion. At a definite time in the ignition reaction, called the ignition point, flames are formed. Flames consist primarily of carbon dioxide, water vapor, oxygen, and nitrogen.

State of Substance of Fire

In a candle flame or small fire, most the matter in a flame consists of hot gases. An extremely hot fire discharges enough energy to ionize the gaseous atoms, forming the state of matter called plasma. Examples, of flames that contain plasma include those produced by plasma torches and the thermite reaction.

Why Fire is hot.

Fire radiates heat and light because the chemical reaction that produces flames is exothermic. In other words, combustion releases more energy than is needed to ignite or sustain it. For combustion to occur and flames to form, three things must be present: fuel, oxygen, and energy (usually in the form of heat). Once energy starts the reaction, it continues so long as fuel and oxygen are present.

If you would like to hear more about Fire restoration and the science behind it, Give SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties a call. We would be glad to help. 518-677-3444

Steps to Take to Prevent Further Water Damage

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

Standing water in living room of a recent water damage.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is here to help in the instance water comes into your home and causes damage.

Here are some steps to take to prevent further damage.

1. The first thing you want to do is find out where the water is coming from. If the leak is not visible turn all water off at the main line. You also might want to check the roof for possible exposure.

2. Second, get the towels, mop, and buckets out or whatever you can use to soak up as much water as possible. Now, if your basement if flooding, call SERVPRO, do not attempts to soak that water up because if electrical lines are affected you could get electrocuted. Be sure to also unplug any electronic devices that are around the leak to prevent power surge.

3. Third, if furniture is sitting on wet flooring, especially carpet, use aluminum foil or wood blocks to go under the legs of the furniture from the flooring. This will prevent the legs of your furniture from soaking up any more water and prevent staining, and possible damage from the water to the furniture.

4. After you have taken these steps, Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties to come to the rescue. 518-677-3444

Dangers of Torrential Rain

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

Torrential rain is any amount of rain that is especially heavy. It is not a technical weather term as there is no formal definition of torrential rains. However, meteorologists define heavy rainfall as rain that accumulates at a rate of 3/10”, or more, per hour.

Dangers of Torrential Rain on a Home

Heavy rain can trigger any one or more of the following deadly events

Runoff:

If heavy rains arrive more quickly than the ground can absorb water, you get what is called run off. Runoff can carry pollutants (like pesticides, oil and yard waste) into nearby creeks, rivers, lakes, and sometimes Homes.

If a home is not sealed in the foundation or the bottom sills are damaged the water can seep into the home causing a world of damage. A lot of the time we see this happen in the spring months due to the ground being hard from winter and the ground already engorged.

Flooding:

If enough rain falls into rivers, and other bodies of water it can cause their water levels to rise and over flow onto normally dry land.

If a home is near a lake or pond, a torrential rainfall could cause that body of water to rise up and flood its surroundings. Damaging, foundations, siding, roofs. Etc.

Mudslides:

If rain is continuous over a period time, the ground and soil can liquify and carry unsecured objects, people, and even buildings away in debris flows. This is exacerbated along hillsides and slopes since the ground there is more easily eroded away. In the US mudslides are common and pose as a great threat to residents. Sometimes even destroying entire cities, and small towns.

At SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties, we always recommend to prepared for any disaster. Even though at most time the weather is unpredictable, being cautious and aware will help is any disastrous situation. If you would like to know more about Rain Safety and how to prepare yourself, give us a call! 518-677-3444

Tornado Causes Damage to Home in New York

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

A home was damaged due to a tree falling during a recent tornado in our local area.

Did you know that in 2019 there were 4 tornadoes in the State of New York? A tornado is a vicious rotation of air typically from a thunderstorm to the ground. Tornadoes can reach winds up to 300 mph! They can occur with little or no warning at all. We recently took care of a home that was damaged due to a tornado in our local area. The entire community was in shock as well as other homeowners in the surrounding areas, which had damage to their homes.

Types of damages that we mostly dealt with were trees on top of houses or broken windows due to trees or high winds. This is a scary time for a homeowner. Tornadoes are terrifying and devastating weather events. And we here at SERVPRO were there to assist our community in this time of need. We have an incredibly fast response time here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties when it comes to disasters.

We have the experience and training that will allow us to restore your property quickly and efficiently. We are a 24/7 emergency service response team who will be there to help no matter the size of the storm! If you experience a storm, water, or fire damage, please call us here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington for all your disaster needs.

We Can Weather Any Storm!

8/12/2020 (Permalink)

We are here to help!

As a business, it is our job to weather any storm that comes your way regardless of the type or size. Storms can be quite devastating and many are unexpected. We here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties remain a reliable option for business owners and homeowners during disasters. It is our job to give you peace of mind and get your homes or businesses back to being “Like it never even happened.”

Our SERVPRO team of professionals have the qualifications and the equipment to get your business or home back to preloss conditions. And we are ready at any time for whatever disaster occurs! Whether it is three in the afternoon or three in the morning we are here to help! We make our services available 24 hours a day for 365 days a year.  We want to ensure you that we will help you during overwhelming and unexpected times. We are ready no matter the weather or the time of day we will be there to assist you!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties today at 518-677-3444 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing 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.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

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. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. 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 cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary 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.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

1-4-8 SERVPRO PROTOCOL

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties stands by our 1-4-8 policy to our customers. When receiving any kind of loss, we make it our priority to make sure that our customers are contacted within 1 hour. During this initial telephone call, we will gather all the preliminary information and schedule the best time to get onsite. After getting an idea from the customer on the loss details, we understand the equipment needed to start the job and from there the items are loaded onto our trucks. This also gives us an opportunity to prepare our technicians with the job details prior to arriving onsite. The number 4 represents the amount of time we will need to get to your home. That is right folks, we want to get there ASAP! The faster we can arrive to your home and get the job done, it will seem like it never happened. Once we arrive, we do an inspection and walk you through the steps we would take to complete the project. We always want to insure they homeowners are comfortable with the process, and then we explain the documents they need to sign in order to have us begin the mitigation. The number 8 represents the time we have to be able to contact the homeowner’s insurance company or property manager. During this telephone conversation, we give a briefing of the damages and what we foresee the work that is needed to insure the structure back to good standing in the shortest amount of time. With this outline our customers know SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties is there fast, in what can be a stressful time of need.

Storm Safety Tips

6/3/2020 (Permalink)

In many areas with the United States, residents are caught up in stressful weather-related storms. Whether the outcome is a flood, or damage done to a home, or even electrical outages. So, how to do you really prepare yourself for what is to come? What measures can you take to ensure the safety of everyone, and everything is your home? Here are some safety guidelines to follow!

1. Stay inside a house or a large shelter. If safe shelter is unavailable find a low spot away from trees, metal fences, and poles.
2. Make sure all the windows, canopies, and any outside materials are closed and secured.
3. Avoid using water! During a Thunderstorm, lightening can strike a house, travel through plumbing, into metal pipes and shock anyone.  
4. Bring your pets inside during a severe storm, avoid leaving them tied up outside or in a doghouse.
5. Avoid using any electronic and turn the main breaker OFF! You could get an electrical shock, and your electronics could be in jeopardy.
6. Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent.
7. If boating or swimming, get out of the boat and away from the water, get to land and find some shelter.
8. Wait at least 30 minutes after you hear the last roar of thunder before going outside.
9. Stay up to date with weather reports and updates.

Here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties we want our community to stay safe in a storm situation.

What is media blasting?

6/3/2020 (Permalink)

GIVE US A CALL IF YOU NEED TO MEDIA BLAST! 518-677-3444

Media blasting is a process that uses pressurized air to force pieces of abrasive material out of a nozzle to strip away stains, paints, rust, soot, and odors. Media Blasting is a non-destructive way of safely cleaning and/or removing unwanted coatings left from water damage, mold, and fire damage.  Media Blasting can be used in many different instances where a home has been affected. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties will look to media blasting as a safe and effective way to clean the damage up. Media Blasting is the general term. However, there are different kinds of Media that can be used to blast and clean an area, like dry ice, corn, and baking soda. Dry ice blasting is our preferred media and method because it can be used in different situations, like water, mold, and fire. Dry ice blasting is one of the most effective methods for removing soot stains and charring. Dry ice leaves no secondary waste to add to the task of clean up. Recently, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties had worked for a client that required Media Blasting in their home. Our client had an extremely bad fire at their home that resulted in a complete demolition of materials right down to the studs. The soot, smoke, charring, and odor was so significant that general cleaning was not an option. So, we recommended dry ice blasting soot, smoke residue and odor off the building materials after the bulk of the demolition and cleaning was performed. As a result, we completed the job with an excellent outcome. Our client was extremely surprised and happy with our results. Please refer to the picture of our before and after media blasting job. If you have a need of Media Blasting and want the job done right, Give Us a CALL! 518-677-3444

How to Choose a Commercial Restoration Contractor

5/8/2020 (Permalink)

If your company is experiencing water damage throughout the building, Give Us a Call, we will make it "Like it never even happened." 518-677-3444

When a disaster happens in a business, whether it be a pipe leaking, sewage back up, mold spores, or maybe just an odor lingering, these situations need to be handled professionally. However, how do you choose which restoration contractor? When searching for a trained restoration contractor is can be challenging to find the correct one. It is important to determine your needs so that you are able to contact the right restoration contractor. You many experience situations like the following: if you basement flooded you would want to contact a water mitigation contractor. If you have a backup into your commercial building of outside water or sewage, you would want to contact a water mitigation contractor. If you have mold growing in your office building, you would want to contact a mold remediation specialist. If you have experienced a puff back from your heating source, or a structural fire has happened, you would want to contact a fire restoration contractor. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington has a workforce that is fully trained and certified to help with the handling of all your, water mitigation, fire restoration, and mold remediation needs.

Do Your Due Diligence

In today’s world, we look to the internet to find companies, research websites and examine reviews on different companies. Some also like the more traditional route and seek word of mouth references. Both are equally important in finding the right restoration company that fits your needs. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington has a website that is easy to navigate and links of customers leaving testimonials, blogs, etc. We always recommend reading all our reviews, and all our testimonials to understand WHY SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington is the right professionals to contract. If your find it challenging to do research on the web, please do not hesitate to make a telephone call and ask for references from our office staff here at SERVPRO North Rensselaer/South Washington.

When you property is experiencing a damage, there is cost and time, plus an array of other questions that should be asked before hiring on a restoration company. Some Questions might be:

1. Do you have an estimated cost on this job?
2. Do you have a license to perform this kind of work?
3. Are there any additional hidden fees associated with this job?
4. How long will the job take?
5. What kind of chemicals do you use and are they harmful to children, pets, etc.
6. Who will be in charge of this job and how many on his/her crew?

Please deep in mind, again we are available for all questions you may have and please never hesitate to ask a trained professional here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington. We are Always Here to Help. JUST GIVE US A CALL (518)677-3444.

Affected Wood Floors

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

If you have wood floors and have had a water loss that has affected those wood floors, give us a call NOW! 518-677-3444

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties has responded to many water losses where wood floors have been affected.  Wood floors differ from any other flooring material because there are so many different categories of wood floors. Wood Floors could be made of, bamboo, oak, pine, cherry, etc. Therefore, the drying process and salvation is different with every type of wood. Our technicians are trained to know the different processes needed to dry wood floor effectively. The first thing our technician will do is determine the type of wood they are dealing with and inspecting if it solid or an engineered wood product.  Once the determination of which type of wood is completed, we then us a moisture meter to test the moisture levels in the floor. By taking these readings, it is the most effective way to determine the moisture levels. Meter reading also helps us understand how much water covered an area. For example, if the wood floor has increased by more 10% moisture content, the wood has swelled and is pushing the shouldering boards by ¾” or more. This will create large gaps when the floor is totally dried and back to original moisture content. If the floor has expanded and is actually buckling in areas, there might be the concern of whether or not the floor is salvable. If we have determine that the floors have a possibility on being saved, we at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties utilize a dry force system, which includes drying mats to dry the floor in place and relieve moisture within the wood floorboards. Unfortunately, not every wood floor can be saved. It is vitally important for us the restoration company to observe all the conditions involving wood floors beforehand and to understand how the wood floors were originally assembled. In some cases, wood floors have been in homes for years and removal can be trying. Therefore, when it comes to a water loss in your home affecting your wood flooring, timing is everything.

So, if you recently experienced a water loss and your wood floors are affected, please do not hesitate to contact us right away! We are trained professionals and are here to help in the restoration process of getting your hard wood floors back to their original condition.

518-677-3444

Building Materials that everyone needs to be careful with.

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

Always be safe when handling dangerous materials. Give us a Call to Remove them for you! 518-677-3444

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties are trained in determining and properly reporting any hazardous building materials. The very first process of an initial inspection is to see what kind of building materials are affected and what potential hazards could be associated with the restoration process. Dangerous building materials include, Asbestos, Lead, Mercury, and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs).

Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural occurring fibrous mineral composed of thin, needle-like fibers. Asbestos is not banned in the united states and is resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion. High exposure to asbestos can lead to cancer and other health diseases including mesothelioma. Prior to 1986 asbestos was used in roofing materials, coatings, compounds, and plastics. You can also find asbestos in drywall, and floor tiles. Therefore, if SERVPRO were to receive a lead for a water loss in a home, the first thing we need to find out is what the year of the house is. The asbestos hazard emergency response act of 1986 highly regulates the mineral. For a home that was built prior to the 1980’s, regulation requires testing to be preformed and depending on the results of the test, will determine to actions that needs to happen in order to properly remove the hazardous material. In New York State, you must be certified in asbestos abatement to properly remove the hazardous materials. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties does NOT perform abatement, we seek out environmental companies that are in areas that we work. Environmental companies typically will perform the test and then handle the abatement if needed.

Lead

Lead is a heavy metal that was used in paints. Lead is not banned in the United States but was phased out in the 19^th Century. Health risks associated with Lead is poisoning to the brain, kidneys and over exposure could lead to death. In 1970, lead paints were banned in the United States. At SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is trained and certified in lead testing, and abatement. Lead testing can be done in a lab by a licensed environmental company that uses x-ray equipment to detect lead in homes. This test can be very expensive and sometimes not worth the money because over the counter lead kits are usually performed and is said to have great outcomes. Depending on the results and affected materials, remediation of lead can be performed by SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties.

If you or anyone you know may be hazardous materials lurking in your home or business and would like to get a quote of removing such materials- Give Us A Call Today! 518-677-3444

Here in your Community, Here to Help.

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

In you are in need of some disinfecting, GIVE US A CALL! 518-677-3444

Here in your Community. Here to Help.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties strives to be a part of our local Community and is always Here to Help. Despite the disappointing COVID-19 pandemic and its considerable influence on the economy, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is able to continue helping out the community by showing our appreciation for all the first responders in our local area. Many of the small towns in Upstate New York have been hit hard and the 1^st Responders are on the front line, and we understand the concerns of not having enough cleaning products to keep up with the influx of people contracting the COVID-19 Virus.  On April 15^th, 2020, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties, reached out to the Village of Cambridge and offered free cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfection of all the 1^st response vehicles. In the coming days, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties will continue to give free cleaning for all surrounding area 1^st Response vehicles. We strive to make sure that all 1^st. Responders are fully taken care of as best as we can.

The Facts of Fire Restoration

5/5/2020 (Permalink)

Give Us a Call when you have a fire damage your home. 518-677-3444

After a fire, a homeowner wants nothing more than to be able to restore their home back to its original condition. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties will rush to accommodate and get the job done for you. We do our very best in getting the restoration job done in a reasonable time. There are many contributing factors we must take into consideration when starting the restoration process. For example, before any fire restoration begins, a plan of action is the first step. This step is to examine the structure and make sure that the structure is safe and if the home is restorable. In some cases, the fire could be so bad that restoring it would not be an option. That is what we call, “A Total Loss”. We also consider odors and other underlining factors that could come during the remediation or reconstruction process. Next is to determine how many contents there are affected and what damaged items will need to be cleaned.

Challenging Odors

After a fire has happened in a home, one of the main nuisances that remains is the odor. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties utilizes professional resources and equipment to eliminate the heavy smoke odor. Air purifiers are great resources that we use to start eliminating these kinds of odors. One of the pieces of equipment we use often is an Ozone Machine.  An Ozone Machine helps to remove and reduce the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the home. SERVPRO will do this Ozone treatment process towards the end of the cleaning process. Ozone is a powerful oxidation that requires our trained technicians to wear Proper Protective Equipment (PPE) and not allow any other personal around the affected area until this process has been completed.

Cleaning Solutions

After SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties determines salvageable items to be cleaned and non-salvageable items to be tossed, they then choose the proper cleaning solutions for the items needing cleaning. The product and cleaning process is then determined by examining the salvageable items and organizing them by porous, semi-porous or non-porous. Porous items are items such as, drapes, carpets, and fabrics. An example of a semi-porous item is like walls in the home. Non-porous items consist of glass, plastics, metals, and varnished wood. One of our most common cleaners we use on almost every job is Wall and All Surface Cleaner. Wall and All is a detergent cleaner that is formulated for the use of general cleaning to smoke damage restoration on a painted and washable surface.

As with all products and technologies, it is essential to understand the purpose and use of remediation products, as well as their applicability in different situations. If you have had, a fire or a puff back from a furnace and have soot, smoke, or heavy fire damage in your home, Give Us A Call Today. We are Here to Help! 518-677-3444

When Storms or Floods hit Washington and Rensselaer Counties, SERVPRO is ready!

4/30/2020 (Permalink)

CALL SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties when storm damage hits your home. 518-677-3444

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington County specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Washington and Rensselaer Counties, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 518-677-3444

SERVPRO Commercial Carpet Cleaning

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

John Flood-Owner Cleaning Carpets At Bennington College.

At SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties we take pride in the way we handle our commercial carpet cleaning accounts. First, we always do our best to build a relationship with our customers and then work out the logistics. The reason why we start with relationships first is so we are able to continue building our relationship with our customers. We strive to continue servicing their carpets cleaning needs and want to help maintaining them in the future. Our goal is not to give a “one and done service”. Occasionally, there are some businesses that want the “one and done service” and we accommodate to their needs for cleanings as well. For our first time customers, after our professional carpet cleaning is completed, at a satisfactory level, we would hope to continue to service your carpet cleaning needs. Rates will always be different, however at SERVPRO we are competitive, and we don’t change the style or the way we do things.

Once the relationship has been built and the need for regular carpet cleaning maintenance is established, a work plan is created to justify the scope of work and payment details. The Scope of Work is dependent on the area in need of cleaning, whether it is just carpet or if there is furniture involved that is in the need of upholstery cleaning. Then there is sampling done prior to any cleaning. Since there is a number of ways to clean carpets and/or upholstery, taking a sample and doing a test run will determine what the type of fabric is being used and how chemicals react to clean the area the best. Sometimes you must do a dry clean and some time it is a wet clean. All depend on the type of material needed to be cleaned. Other determinations in the scope of work would be how often the actual cleaning needs to be performed. A lot of time we have seen that the main traffic areas are done more often then an entire area. So, we typically would suggest, monthly traffic lanes being cleaned and with every 6 months the entire are should be cleaned. Thus, we also know this depends on the type of business. Once the scope of work is created, we move on to payment details. Like other carpet cleaning businesses our rates are based on size and square footage. Thus, we always take the proper measurements for clear and precise pricing.

To sum up, building relationships is the determining factor in developing continual carpet cleanings for commercial application. Locking in continual carpet cleanings, not only helps SERVPRO grow an important customer base, but also allows some relief to the commercial owners who are constantly looking for someone to come and clean their carpets.

If you are in need of a carpet cleaner and want to start to build a relationship with us, Please give us a CALL! 518-677-3444

Get Your Ducts Cleaned!!

4/8/2020 (Permalink)

Duct cleaning yearly is relatively small investment that could save you money in the long run. Plus, you could get the added benefits like breathing clean air, increase the safety and comfort of your home, and help the environment while boosting your overall peace of mind?

Preventive Maintenance Benefits.

Saving Money

Regular Duct Cleaning maintenance is said to reduce the risk of costly breakdowns by as much as 95%. Just like having a vehicle, if you drive over the recommended miles of an oil change, you could be asking for trouble. That is why the standards are set for regular maintenance of vehicles. Well, the same applies to duct maintenance. Cutting energy bills, extending system life, and adhering to warranty benefits are all benefits of routine duct cleaning.

Air Quality

The EPA reports that level of airborne pollutants in a home may be five times higher than outdoor levels. For anyone that suffers from respiratory issues, you are allowing yourself to be at higher risk if ducts are not cleaned properly. Unfortunately, we all share our homes with various substances that we would rather not breathe. The common indoor allergens include dust, pollen, mold, a cigarette smoke. If any of these allergens are part of daily life, you should really think about getting your duct cleaned. Therefore, preventive maintenance helps ensure that the warm or cold air pumping through your vents is as clean and well-filtered as possible.

Comfort

Typically, we depend on our air systems to keep us comfortable all year round. Hot Air in the winter and Cold in the summer. Therefore, if we think about it, generally our air systems are working every day, all day long, and all year round. Routine maintenance helps your system produce and distribute the air more evenly and steadily.

Safer home environment

We have all heard the awful stories of how someone went away on vacation and returns to a frozen, and damaged house with broken pipes, and water damage everywhere. The cost of this tragedy weighs heavily of an owner. Routine maintenance will help safeguard you against the possibility of carbon monoxide. The most common cause of carbon monoxide leaks is a cracked heat exchanger. Routine Maintenance typically includes a carbon monoxide test.

Peace of Mind

In the end, the benefits of routine duct cleaning give you the comfort of knowing that if something goes wrong, you’ve already taken the preventative measure to make any situation as painless as possible.

If you are an owner that is interested in getting a duct cleaning, Give Us a Call at 518-677-3444 or email us at Office@SERVPRO10299.com and we would be happy to help you.

Moisture Testing with Moisture Meters

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties there are many factors that determine to measure of affected materials in a home or business. Using penetrating meters, we can determine how went the material actually is. To get real moisture readings, our technician needs to use a penetrating tools that actually goes into an affected material. There are two primary types of penetrating meters: the hammer probe style and the pin style type.

The hammer probe style comes with pins that are various lengths, usually 3, 5 and 7 inches. The hammer probe pins are hammered into the material that is affected. The pins are insulated, and the readings are only from the ends of the pins. This allows for determining the amount of moisture and the depth of this moisture in a material.

The pin style type of meter uses shorter pins, usually about 1 inch. These pins are pushed into the material that is affected and the meter then provides a moisture content reading.

To put this in perspective, using a hammer probe on a two-by-four, our technician could determine if the entire piece of lumber was affected or if the moisture only penetrated a half inch into the affected material. And as the two-by-four dries, the hammer probe will show this drying.

If you have questions or would like to get a moisture reading at your home or business, please give us a CALL 518-677-3444

Pack Out with Success!

4/4/2020 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of North Rensselaer / South Washington Counties, we take our customer’s personal property contents very seriously. We understand that there is nothing worse than having a flood or a fire come through a home and ruin everything in its path.

What are Contents?

A lot of people get confused when saying the word, “contents”. So, to put it in simpler terms, it is everything in a home that is not attached to the structure. Here are some examples of personal property contents:

• Clothing/Bedding
• Furniture
• Electronic
• Knickknacks

If a disaster strikes, what does SERVPRO of North Rensselaer / South Washington do to protect and restore a customer’s personal property contents?

Once a fire or a flood is stabilized, SERVPRO uses a state of art software program called Contents Track. The programs allow us to properly document items and determine what is unsalvageable and salvageable.  Contents Track allows us to be efficient with content and manage all the items is a delicate manor. The very first step is to inventory everything. By taking photos of the damaged areas are really worth a thousand words and the only way to know exactly capture the damage and further update exactly what stage the restoration process is at. For example, if our crew is working on a master bedroom and there are multiple items to go through, first thing is we set up our boxes, and then tag those boxes with QR codes. The QR Codes are like bar codes and once the item is being packed is pictured, the items are scanned and the QR code tag is placed on the box. The code then transmits to the Contents Track software and saved. Once all contents are packed out, typically we move out all the items and bring them to a cleaning location where we can begin the restoration process. One by one each box that is full of contents are unpackaged and cleaned to restore back to its original state. Once cleaned a duplicate QR code is placed on a new clean box and is scanned then marked cleaned in the system. Now, we know this all seems like a long process as well as time consuming, but SERVPRO knows how important contents are to our clients, so we take pride in helping this process run smoothly.

If you have a water or fire disaster, please give us a CALL! 518-677-3444

Mitigation Vs. Remediation

3/22/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties often gets asked the question, “What is the difference between Mitigation and Remediation?”. So, let us help you clear up a lot of your questions when it comes to a disaster that happens either in your home or business.

What is Mitigation?

The actual definition of Mitigation is the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something. For example, if there was a water loss that happened, and an area was flooded and it had damaged your structure, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties would mitigate the loss. This means we remove the effects materials and use drying equipment to help prevent any further damage in the coming future. I.e. Mold Growth.

What is Remediation?

Remediation is the act of remedying something, in reversing or stopping environmental damage. For example, if you have a lot of mold in an area, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties will remove the mold and help prevent it from coming back by using industrial strength microbials and equipment to remediate the problem. Mold is a natural spore that can spread throughout an area, so it is best that the problem is dealt with at a professional level.

If you have any questions about the technical terms used in the restoration business, Give us a Call today! 518-677-3444

Working with Insurance Companies after a disaster.

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

Whether there is a disaster that happens in your home or business, please know that you are not alone throughout this process. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties, is a preferred restoration company that not only works for the customer but also appeases the insurance companies. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties act as guides and advocates so that the disastrous situation is completed in the most stress-free way possible.

The SERVPRO process:

When working with insurance companies SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties follows several requirements and regulations to make sure everything runs smoothly. In any disaster, we get on site, and inspect the causes of loss, board up any broken windows, or walls that are unstable. Once stabilization is complete, we the start the estimate process, this involves creating a sketched diagram of the affected home or business. We then create a scope of the job stating what needs to be done in the affected areas. We do our very best to work with customer by notifying them of any and all status updates of the restoration process as it moves along. We also strive to work with the insurance companies and following their guidelines and expectations too. Therefore, we do our best as the go between when it comes to getting approvals, being diligent when taking notes, and keeping the costs at a rate that both the customer and insurance companies are in agreeance with.

Our Customer’s Process:

1. Contact your insurance agent or company directly to file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. This is the very first step to hurry the process along. If you are unsure as to if you should file a claim, CALL US 518-677-3444
2. Submit Proof of the Loss by having a phone conversation with you assigned adjuster to your claim. In most cases your insurance company will send a field Adjuster out to your home to inspect your loss. They will then update the claim and let you know if you have confirmed coverage or not on your loss.
3. Be organized. There is nothing worse than not knowing, we recommend keeping good communication records, invoices, receipts and permits filed in a safe place. This way if proof is needed, it is there at your fingertips.

So, if you have a disaster and not sure where to start, give SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties a Call! Always her to help!!  (24) Hours  (518)-677-3444

We are Cleaning Experts!

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here during this time of need.

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of Coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect you home or business, 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.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Area
• Bathrooms
• Schools
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the Coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against the particular strain of the Coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If you home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today –

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties- 518-677-3444

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

3/4/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Smoke and soot facts:

• How 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 North Rensselaer South Washington Counties 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.

Out Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each on 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 518-677-3444

North Rensselaer and South Washington Businesses: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your business. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside your business.

What to do:

• Stay out of affected area.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans
• Contact SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties for mold remediation services

What Not to Do:

• Don’t touch or disturb the mold.
• Don’t blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don’t attempt to dry the area yourself
• Don’t spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it’s a cornerstone of our business. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today-518-677-3444

Restoring your Commercial Property After A Water Disaster.

2/13/2020 (Permalink)

Restoring Your Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington counties work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So, when an emergency arises in your business, give SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our Staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. For 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.

Faster to Any Size Disaster

2/8/2020 (Permalink)

Faster to Any Size Disaster

Water Damage is very menacing. Water will quickly spread throughout your home and can absorb into floors, walls, furniture and more. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties arrives quickly and starts the water mitigation process. This quick response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and mitigation costs.

NEED EMERGENCY SERVICE? Call Us 24/7 at 518-677-3444

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

• Water spreads throughout the property, and absorbs everything in its way. Including walls, floors, furniture and belongings.
• Furniture finishes may bleed onto flooring, causing more damage.
• Any personal items such as books, photographs and paper goods will swell and tear with the water’s impact.

1-24 Hours

• Drywall will begin to breakdown and disintegrate.
• Metal surfaces begin to rust.
• Furniture will crack and become less durable.
• Any dyes and inks from clothing and paper goods with spread and stain other throughout the property.
• Odors start to appear.

48 Hours to 1 Week

• Mold and mildew may grow and spread in the walls, furniture, and flooring.
• Doors, windows, and studs start to warp from its original form.
• Metals will corrode.
• Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

Beyond 1 Week

• Restoration time and cost increase dramatically.
• Structural safety/mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious health risks.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help- Call Today 518-677-3444

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help- Call Today 518-677-3444

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through your crisis. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration. In fact, it’s the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

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

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions

• You name and contact information
• Your insurance information (if applicable)
• When did the flooding or water damage occur?
• What caused the water damage (if known)?
• Is there electricity available (on-site)?
• What year the house was built?
• Is there any standing water?
• Was the cause of loss fixed?
• How big of an area is damaged?
• How did you hear out us?

About SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, and water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. For initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equip with the knowledge to restore your property.

Does your North Rensselaer or South Washington County home have a Mold Problem?

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

In North Rensselaer and South Washington counties mold can spread through a home in as little as 48 hours.

Mold is a microscopic spore that naturally occurs almost everywhere. Therefore, it is hard to remove mold from a home or business. However, at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties we remediate mold which reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level.

Mold Facts:

• Mold is present everywhere.
• Mold Spores float in the air and may enter a home through windows, doors, ac/heating units, and clothing.
• Mold thrives in wet environments and becomes a breeding ground for more mold spores to appear.
• Mold will produce strong odors and lead to huge problems.

If your home or business has a mold problem, remember any remediation can’t begin without taking care of any moisture. So, if a leak or flood happens it is best to address that first.

At SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate the mold infestation.

If you see signs of mold, Call us today at 518-677-3444

Where to keep a fire extinguisher in a home.

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

How terrifying is it to have a fire in your home and not be properly prepared for the worst? A fire does happen in homes a lot more frequently than one would think. When it comes to a home fire, the best thing is to have a ready plan in place with the right equipment throughout the house. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties will explain the proper places for which a fire extinguisher in your home should be kept.

Kitchen

Did you know that 68% of home fires happen in the kitchen? So, we can only assume that the #1 place for a fire extinguisher is in the kitchen. Grease fires are the most common factor as it is highly flammable therefore, you don’t want to keep the fire extinguisher next to a stove. It should actually be located about 30 ft from the stove. For small kitchen we recommend mounting the extinguisher to an adjacent location with easy access. .

Every Level

For some of you who have several levels, please be aware that according to many law and jurisdictions with your state recommend a fire extinguisher be put on every level. If you think about it, it makes sense because no one would want to travel to another level and grab a extinguisher, that would absolutely take too long and you would run the risk of getting injured and having the fire grow into something more damaging.

Garage and Workshop

Garages and workshop’s are also a great place to have a fire extinguisher. In most cases the garage and workshop is a place where certain flammable items are stored. For example, gasoline, electric power tools, oil and paints are all stored in garages and workshops. So, to prevent that disaster of a fire to happen, mount a fire extinguisher and have the peace of mind that you have a ready plan in place as a precaution.

Laundry/ Heat sourced Areas

Laundry rooms and utility rooms are also areas in your home that could catch on fire. Dryers have a collection of lint that can build up in the hoses and vents. Dryers can get up to 120* f or hotter, and if the lint caught any sort of sparkle, a fire would happen instantly. Utility rooms are commonly used for the main heat source in a home. A furnace for example can be a potential fire hazard because of all the components, motors, electrically wiring, and the oil to allow it to run. You can never be too careful when putting a ready plan together and sticking a fire extinguisher in a utility room.

By having an extinguisher in all the basic rooms in the home you will have the ease that you are prepared in the event of a fire at your home. Did you know if you get to a fire within 6 seconds of it happening there is 75% chance that the fire can be put out. That is a quick action that could save a life or further destroy your home.

A word from the wise as well, please check expiration dates on all fire extinguisher in your home. They do expire and will not work when you need them too if expired. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties recommends you to not wait. By waiting you are creating a disaster to happen and you can never be too prepared. So, take an evaluation today and see if your home could use a few more extinguishers ready for a quick response.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties are the experts on removing odors

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

One of the most deterrents of buying a house is walking into a home that is for sale and smelling odors that are not appealing. Actually about 80% of realtors will say that a home for sale that has had owners who smoke will lose 20% of the value of home because buyers don’t want to buy a house that is filled with cigarette and/or cannabis smells. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties has seen many instances where realtors will call us to help eliminate the order from the home. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington Counties has a proven odor removal protocol that prepares us to restore properties to their original forms.

Thermal Fog

Since smoke odors stick to surfaces throughout the home, SERVPRO North Rensselaer South Washington Counties performs a Thermal Fog before any cleaning. A thermal fog uses a heat-activated odor neutralizer that makes its way to cavities and materials. Then it creates a vapor barrier to prevent smoke from returning.

Heavy Cleaning.

After a Thermal Fog, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington counties starts the cleaning process. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington counties is well trained and highly cautious of all the chemicals used to fully restore a property. One chemical that we use is called the smoke deodorizer and like a fine tuned comb, SERVPRO of North Rennselaer South Washington counties crews will clean every surface from top to bottom. Another agent used is a degreaser. You would be surprised how greasy feeling smoke can be on upholstery, wood surfaces, cabinets and ceilings.

Treatment

After all the cleaning is done and the foggers have done their job, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer South Washington counties will treat the affected areas. Chemicals that carry neutralizers are sprayed on soft and hard surfaces to ensure refreshing smells and sealing power to not let smoke odors to stick to structures within the home.

In the end if you are buying a home that you are concerned that the smell cannot be illuminated is sure to give SERVPRO of North Rensselaer Washington Counties a call to ensure the job can be done. We thrive to make sure that all of our jobs are handled with care and determination to make sure that we restore the home to its original fresh smelling integrity.

Top 3 Concrete Slab Foundation Problems

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

Since the 1980’s, concrete slab foundations have become the first step in constructing a home. The typical foundation is poured over the top soil and is reinforced by rebar. Although slab foundations have replaced a crawl space, slabs can experience problems.

Disruption

Unlike settlement a slab foundation can happen in areas. This could be because of moisture in the soil or simply a poorly designed foundation. Some signs of disruption will occur in the walls, floors, and countertops as they will not be level. To help prevent disruption install proper drainage to illuminate unwanted moisture from the soil.

Cracks

Cracks in the foundation can be from many factors including disruption from weather and settling. Once cracked, the concrete slab will separate the joints and allow bugs, water, and moisture to enter the home. Sometimes foundations will experience just a hair line fracture. However, the littlest crack will grow into a bigger crack. Every home will experience settling because it is a natural process that the home sinks into the ground. Settling however can become more disastrous if not properly reinforced.

Improper Design

Finally, a slab that is not properly designed can be the top reason for a disaster to strike in the foundation. Having an engineer who take a proper geological survey can prevent cataclysmic problems in a slab foundation. By not following professional recommendations for foundations a home could be at risk. Surveyors will give the recommendations and statistics as to what kind foundation should be used with what soil type is present. Therefore, to keep a foundation safe one should always call a professional.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties is IICRC certified.

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

The first questions that everyone has are, what is the IICRC and what does it mean? In 1972 the IICRC was founded and is an acronym for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification. In the event of some water damage, SERVPRO must follow certain regulations and guidelines and those protocols come from the IICRC standards.  In fact the group includes about 60,000 active certified registered technicians and 10,000 certified firms. To get a certification, technicians take a series of classes that specialize in cleaning, inspection, and mitigation and remediation and follow it up with a standardized exam. After the certification is complete, registered technicians must keep up to date with the trends of the group. For example, new protocols, renewals of certification, etc. So what does this mean for the homeowner? Well, peace of mind because they know they are getting a comprehensive restoration during any water damage. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties is prepared for that comprehensive restoration. We know what our customers need and what an impact a water loss or fire can do for a home. We take pride in our regulated guidelines and continue to strive for the best.

Water Loss- Categories and Classes

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

Water Loss- Categories and Classes

Water Losses in a home happen all the time whether the home has experienced damaging storms, pipe bursts, or even utility failure. Water Mitigation and Remediation companies like SERVPRO decipher water losses under categories’ and class. There are 3 categories when dealing with a water loss. The category is determined by the originating source and the level of contamination.

Category 1 (Cat1)

Cat 1 water loss means that the loss happened from a clean water supply and does not carry a risk if ingested or inhaled. Examples of a Cat 1 water loss included broken water supply lines and sink or tub overflow with no contaminants.

Category 2 (Cat2)

Cat 2 water loss means that the loss happened from a contaminated water source that has potential risk that is unsafe to ingest or even inhale. Examples of a Cat 2 water loss include overflows of washing machines, discharge from dishwashers, and overflows from toilet bowls.

Category 3 (Cat3)

Cat 3 water loss is the highest category with the most risk. Cat 3 water loss can contain pathogens, micro organisms and other harmful agents. Examples of a Cat3 water loss is sewage and outside driven weather condition that damage the home and disrupt its structure.

Water losses also carry a class depending on the amount of water and the anticipated rate of drying of wet materials. There are 4 classes to consider when there is a water loss.

Class 1 water loss may affect part of a room or minimal materials with the least amount of water and drying time.

Class 2 water loss may affect an entire room with a large amount of water and minor drying time.

Class 3 water loss may affect from above, such as ceilings, walls, and insulation with a greater amount of water and increasingly slow drying time.

Class 4 water loss is the highest class. This means that there is deep saturation and destruction of wet materials, usually hardwood floors, plaster, brick and concrete. This class requires long drying times and special methods including demolition.

Weighted Water Extraction!

8/15/2019 (Permalink)

Water extraction is extremely important in water remediation. When a water damage occurs in a home or a business, the first step in water mitigation is to remove all the water as quickly as possible! This will reduce the risk of water spreading into various areas into other rooms and reduce the damage.

Recently we serviced a home North of Albany where a supply line in a bathroom had broken and affected all three levels of the home! Immediately our crew was on the scene! We used a method of water extraction called “weighted extraction”.  This technique is used to remove water from carpets and pads without having to remove the carpet! It allows us to save the carpet and in the end save on drying time! This method unfortunately cannot always be used. However, If contamination levels are low, then this is the best system to use. Still, if we are unable to use this method our expert team has other processes that we can use to extract water from your carpets and home!

We here at the SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties are dedicated to responding immediately to you when you contact us! A quick response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the cost of these disasters. If your business or home experiences a water damage, please call us at (518) 677-3444 and our professional team will make it “Like it never even happened."

What's a Soot Web?

8/15/2019 (Permalink)

Soot webs in a customers basement after a recent fire.

After a fire in your home you’ll probably spend a lot of time focusing on the aftermath of this disaster. One thing that you may notice along the edges and corners of your ceiling are what many customers think are “dirty cobwebs”. However, these are called soot webs! These are not indicative of your cleaning skills at all they are actually due to the fire!

Soot webs form when ionized soot particles stick together and form long chains. These webs like to move to cooler areas in your home which is why you will likely see them along the edges of your walls and ceilings.

Do not attempt to clean these soot webs all by yourself! In order to properly clean them the correct chemicals and experience are required. Otherwise, further damage can be done if the proper action is not taken! We here at the SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties have crews that are trained and have the precise tools and experience to clean up these soot webs the right way!

If you have a fire damage please call us at (518) 677-3444.

Storms and Floods: Tips and Safety to Consider!

8/15/2019 (Permalink)

Flood water can wreak havoc on any home or business. Avoiding floods may not be entirely possible but there are ways to reduce the impact of water damages. If a storm is approaching here are some actions to take!

1. Consider flood insurance. Floods tend to follow storms and many policies do not cover floods so check your policy to make sure you are covered!
2. Locate weak points. Retrofit your doors and seal all windows. You can even have a professional come out to inspect your roof, basement, and gutters.
3. Keep valuables on your upper levels. Floods tend to for the most part impact basements so moving irreplaceable belongings to upper levels or even higher up on shelves can help reduce risk of damage.
4. Consider purchasing a portable generator.
5. Remove or trim rotting trees or branches around your home or business. These are at increased risk of falling and causing injury or damage during a storm!
6. Sign up for your communities alert system. So you can be prepared for when a storm is approaching.
7. During storm unplug appliances and other electrical devices.
8. Avoid flooded roadways. Never drive your vehicle through a road that is flooded.
9. Watch for fallen power lines and trees. Always be on lookout!
10. Stay away from anything metal! Avoid wires, metal fences, tractors, farm equipment, golf clubs, bicycles, etc.

Storms can hit quickly and unexpectedly, leaving a trail of damage behind. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide emergency services. Our crew responds quickly to restore properties affected by storms, if you experience storm damage please call us at (518)677-3444.

Flooded Basement? No Problem!

8/15/2019 (Permalink)

Recent basement that was flooded and in the drying process

Cleaning basements especially after a flood calls for a team of professionals with the proper equipment and experience to get the job done right. The water needs to be extracted as soon as possible to reduce the damage. Your basement can become flooded for several reasons, broken pipes, flood conditions (storms), sewer backup, and malfunctioning appliances. Regardless of the cause something must be done and we here at SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties are here to help!

Our team of trained specialists would first pump out or remove any standing water and debris. Cleaning and disinfecting then needs to take place and the final step in the mitigation process would be drying!

As water damage specialists our team of skilled professionals have the advanced training and experience that enables us to get your basement dried properly as well as any of your affected belongings cleaned and dried.

Homeowners and business owners dealing with a flooded basement can rely on us here at SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties to make it “Like it never even happened."

If you experience a flooded basement or any other water damage, please call us at (518) 677-3444.

Precautions to Take During Thunder and Lightening!

8/15/2019 (Permalink)

According to the National Weather Services, so far in 2019 there have been 12 fatalities due to lightening. When lightening strikes do you know what to do? What measures can you take to ensure your safety, your family’s safety, and even your pets? Here are some safety suggestions and guidelines to follow!

1. Get inside a house or a large shelter. If safe shelter is unavailable find a low spot away from trees, metal fences, and poles.
2. Do not use your balcony, porches, or an open garage area during storm.
3. Do not use a phone that is attached to a cord. Only use cordless or wireless phones.
4. Do not shower and avoid washing your hands and dishes.
5. Bring your pets inside during a severe storm, avoid leaving them tied up outside or in a doghouse.
6. Do not touch TV’s, computers, or other electronic devices or appliances with cords.
7. Do not lean on exterior doors or windows that could possibly contain some amount of metal components.
8. Postpone outdoor activities if thunderstorms are imminent.
9. If boating or swimming, get out of the boat and away from the water, get to land and find some shelter.
10. Wait at least 30 minutes after you hear the last roar of thunder before going outside.

Here at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties we want our community to stay safe and follow precautions!

Air Duct Cleaning Importance and More!

8/14/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties now offers local duct cleaning for residential and commercial HVAC systems. We just recently have cleaned air duct systems using negative pressure for Albany International Airport, Bennington College, and many other local companies and residents. Our pro duct cleaners will provide you with a thorough cleaning of your duct system and walk you through every step of the way.

Why you should have your HVAC system cleaned?

Your HVAC system plays an important role in your air quality. Over time increased dust, pollen, odors, and other debris build up and decrease the air quality and negatively impact your systems performance.  

Benefits of Servicing HVAC Unit include:

1. Helps to restore peak energy efficiency
2. Helps to eliminate offensive odors
3. Helps to reduce the growth of mold

For more information on HVAC and air duct cleaning please call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties at (518) 677-3444.

Convention 2019

7/17/2019 (Permalink)

This year's Annual Convention in Sacramento, California, was a very special one as we celebrated 50 years of making history!

The convention is a time for SERVPRO owners and managers to come together and talk about new initiatives for SERVPRO, attend workshops, and celebrate this year's achievements. It was a week of limitless information from creating a great team, improving customer service, to managing our website, and the list goes on!

We are so proud to be a part of the ONE TEAM SERVPRO family. And we are extremely excited to implement everything we learned at this year's convention!

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties takes pride in servicing our community North of Albany.

If you ever experience fire or water damage in your home or business please call us at (518) 677-3444.

Grilling Safety Tips

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

July is National grilling month! Nothings better than cooking up some burgers and hotdogs on the grill in the summertime. But before firing up that grill, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties would like to remind you to be safe and use precautions when grilling. If your grill is not used properly, an unexpected, unwelcoming fire can turn your fun cookout into a disaster. Here are some helpful tips to keep everyone safe this summer:

• Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors.
• Grills should be placed far away from the home, railings, or overhanging branches.
• NEVER leave the grill unattended.
• Always keep a spray bottle nearby in case of a sudden flareup.
• Keep the grill clean by removing all access grease and fat buildup left behind from previous cookouts.
  

If you experience a fire at your home this summer, call the professionals at SERVPRO at North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties at (518)677-3444.

Thunderstorm tips and safety

6/20/2019 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms are in the forecast

Thunderstorms are in the forecast north of Albany tonight and tomorrow. In upstate NY, these types storms are very frequent during the summer months, so we thought it might be a good time to share some tips to help you prepare for the storms yet to come.

Different between a Watch vs. a Warning

Watch: Conditions are favorable for severe storms. Be alert, and be on the lookout for severe weather conditions and be ready to move to a safe place if you hear thunder or see lightning.

Warning: Severe weather is imminent or occurring. Action should be taken immediately.

Strong Winds

Severe thunderstorms are capable of producing damaging winds and hail. It is rare, but sometimes in our area straight line winds can occur if the storm is strong and fast enough. It is very important shelter is taken during a severe storm.

Take Shelter

The safest place in a thunderstorm is inside a sturdy building. Stay away from windows, anything that is plugged in, and plumbing. If you can’t find a substantial structure for shelter, you can get into a car with a metal roof and sides.

While it is nearly impossible to predict when a tragedy will occur, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties provides 24 hour emergency services for when it does. If your home or business experiences storm damage, call us today at (518)677-3444.

What is dry ice blasting?

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

Dry ice blasting is a carbon dioxide cleaning method using solid CO2 pellets (dry ice) to create a pressurized air steam that is directed at a surface to clean it. This cleaning method is similar to others, such as sand blasting, bead blasting, or soda blasting as it cleans the surfaces using a pressurized air steam. Dry ice blasting is an environmentally safe cleaning method and is nonabrasive, non-conductive, nonflammable, and non toxic.

Dry ice blasting is often used to remove smoke, soot, and char damage after a fire at a home or business. It also provides a fast and effective alternative to traditional methods of cleaning industrial production equipment. This process is the preferred method of cleaning because it leaves no chemical residue, in comparison to other blasting methods, as dry ice sublimates, or coverts back to a gaseous state, when it hits the surface that is being cleaned.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Us Today – (518)677-3444

Protecting Your Roof From Wind Storms

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

Wind storms can occur during any season and could be accompanied by another storm such as hurricane, thunderstorm, or even a snow storm. We all know that these types of storms can hit at a moment’s notice.  Whenever you experience high winds, you should take shelter immediately to protect yourself from the flying debris. The roof of your home is also extremely venerable during this type of weather.

High winds can lift and/or rip the shingles right off of your roof causing damage and future leaks. You will want to make sure your roof is well taken care of and the materials can withstand high, damaging winds. Instead of shingles and asphalt, replacing your roof with metal or stone might make it more durable.  

Trees are also very vulnerable during wind storms. To prevent future roof damage from a fallen tree, make sure you observe your property to ensure there are not dead trees or limbs hanging in the vicinity and that all trees are a safe distance from your home.

If you experience any kind of damage to your roof, it should be addressed and fixed immediately. If a roof is left unfixed, you might end up needing our services for water and/or mold damage.

Have Questions?
Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties at (518)677-3444.

How To Build Containments

5/20/2019 (Permalink)

Containments are also referred to as critical barriers of plastic sheets that we put up around windows and doors. Our technicians may put up containment throughout your home for a couple of different reasons. 
1. To isolate an area for drying
2. To minimize cross contamination from affected areas to unaffected areas 
3. To confine dust and debris in a demo room or area. 

Setting up a containment is a multi step process.

Step 1: Move and Protect Furniture

• Move furniture to the center of the room
• Cover with a plastic sheet to protect from dust/debris.

Step 2: Position AFD (air filtration device)

• An air filtration device is used to establish negative air pressure to contain contaminates and dust.

Step 3: Install Critical Barriers on Windows 

• Use painters tape on painted areas
• Square up plastic to painters tape
• Secure plastic with duct tape
  *DO NOT allow duct tape to touch the painted surfaces, as it will take off the paint

Step 4: Install Critical Barriers on Doors

• Door installation is the same as window with 1 extra step 
• Cut a "T" flap in plastic panel: Place duct tape along the center and across the bottom resembling an upside down "T"
• Cut the center of the duct tape to create an open to go in and out of the containment. 
• Place a 2^nd sheet of plastic over the 1^st sheet at the top of the door and secure with duct tape
• Allow 2^nd sheet to freely open and close door

Step 5: Position Lay-Flat Ducting

• Connect ducting to AFD (air filtration device)
• Unroll to barrier where you will be exhausting, for example window barrier.
• Cut an “X” in the barrier and hold ducting up to the hole just cut
• Cut ducting about a foot beyond opening, so ducting extends about a foot outside
• Tie up a small amount of the end of the ducting to create back pressure which helps inflate ducting

Step 6: Turn on AFD

• Turn on AFD to a low or minimum speed
• Ducting should inflate

Step 7: Check Pressurization

• Visually see critical barriers pulling into contained area
• Use a manometer to meet the recommended -.02 pressure differential within the contained area
• Make adjustments to AFD speed and barriers, if needed
  **DO NOT set AFD on high, this could cause barriers to collapse
  
  Step 8: Complete Work
  
  Step 9: Take down equipment once all testing is completed
  
  

Have Questions?
Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties- (518)677-3444

Why You Should Have Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned

5/10/2019 (Permalink)

Many people try to clean their expensive carpets and rugs themselves, but instead of cleaning them, they often end up ruining them. Our technicians at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties can do much more than water and fire mitigation and have the training and experience to properly clean your residential or commercial carpet and rugs professionally.

Carpets are designed to act as a filter trapping dust, dirt, gases, pet dander, and other soils. Vacuuming is a key component to proper care and maintenance between cleanings. Regular vacuuming and scheduling professional cleanings at least once a year can increase the life span of your favorite carpet!

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties offers 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.

Need Carpet or Upholstery Cleaning?
Call Us Today For a Quote- (518)677-3444

Why Choose SERVPRO?

5/8/2019 (Permalink)

When water sits for a long period of time, it results in mold growth. We often see these types of losses in summer or vacation homes.

Many homeowners will suffer from water damage in their homes this spring. From flooded basements to broken pipes, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is always here to help. Here are some reasons why you should call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties for your water restoration needs.

1. IICRC Certified Firm
   IICRC stands for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification and is the driving force in establishing industry standards for water damage restoration. Our technicians are highly trained and equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
2. Emergency Services
   We understand that a disaster can happen any day of the week, any time of the day so SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties offers emergency services 24/7.
3. Locally Owned and Operated
   Our franchise is located in just over the NY-VT boarder in Cambridge, NY; centrally located between our territory of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties.
4. Advanced Technology
   The restoration industry is always changing with new equipment and/or techniques. SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties stays up to date with the most advances equipment and uses a wide range of techniques.
5. Professional Mitigation Experience
   Our technicians are not just in trained in water restoration, but mold remediation as well. Depending on how long the water sits, it could result in a mold problem. When you call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties, we provide professional mitigation services to properly dry the area and ensure you will not have mold growth in the future.

Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties today at (518)677-3444 and we’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Thunderstorm Safety

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

It’s that time of year again when we have to watch the weather channel before making plans outdoors. Spring is well known for its rainstorms and thunderstorms. Rain and thunderstorms are very unpredictable and can come out of nowhere, sometimes at a moment’s notice and can ruin your beautiful afternoon outdoors.

Storms are not just a nuisance, but could potentially be very dangerous. Thunderstorms can be more dangerous and deadly than a hurricane or tornado. The best thing you can do during a thunderstorm watch is take it seriously and be prepared.

• Cancel or postpone outdoor activities.
• Create an emergency kit, in case the power goes out. Have supplies ready and prepare to not have power for several days.
• Make sure flashlights have batteries.
• Unplug electronics (TVs, appliances, computers, etc.) or use surge protectors to protect electronics.
• Secure outdoor objects so they do not blow away or get damaged from high winds.
• Stay tuned to weather reports via radio or internet.

Has your home or business suffered from storm damage? Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties at (518)677-3444.

No Job Is Too Large

5/2/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Large Loss Team Arriving to Jobsite

After a recent fire at a local college in Vermont, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties called out SERVPRO’s Commercial Large Loss Division Team for assistance.  SERVPRO’s Commercial Large Loss Division team is the best of the best in the restoration industry. Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.

One thing that we are proud of at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is that we are always quick to respond. We were able to be on site, that same day, and with the help from the Commercial Large Loss Division Team, we were able to setup a large amount of industrial drying equipment to dry out from the water damage from the firefighting efforts. We also have a significant amount of crew members working to restore the structure as quickly as possible, to get the college back up and running.

Fire damage can be very devastating for a business or commercial property. We understand that every hour spent restoring your business back to pre-fire condition is an hour lost of revenue and productivity.

Is your business suffering from fire damage? Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties at (518)677-3444.

How To Remove Strong Odor From Cigarette Smoke

4/29/2019 (Permalink)

Many homeowners smoke cigarettes inside their home without realizing that the smoke and odor it creates will have negative effects on their home and is not easy to get rid of.

First our technicians will try to remove nicotine buildup from the walls and ceiling of the home. We use strong degreasers as cleaning agents. Most homeowners might think that a coat of fresh paint will eliminate the odor, but if you just paint over nicotine coated walls, the smoke smell will still remain strong as nicotine is an oil base and will just bleeds through paint overtime.

If all else fails when trying to remove a smoke odor from a home, our trained technicians can perform an ozone treatment which is a deodorizing technique that eliminates odor by oxidizing the air. The oxidized air is circulated through the air just as smoke is and is able to get into all of places cigarette smoke does, effectively getting rid of the smelly residue. 

For professional assistance with deodorization, call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties at (518)677-3444.

SERVPRO: Official Cleanup and Restoration Company of the PGA and the Champions Tour

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has extended its sponsorship with the PGA through the 2020 season, retaining its designation as “the official cleanup and restoration company of both the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour.” According to Sue Steen, SERVPRO Industries, Inc., chief executive officer, "The entire SERVPRO family is proud to be associated with the prestigious and well-respected PGA Tour. This sponsorship allows us to showcase our capabilities not only to the communities where PGA events are held, but also to the huge television and online audience that follows the Tour. Both individual property owners and commercial facility owners will have the opportunity to learn about SERVPRO and the services offered as they enjoy watching the world's best players compete on the world's most beautiful golf courses." 

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties specializes in water and fire restoration for both residential and commercial properties, helping to make it "Like it never even happened.” For more information, give us a call at (518)677-3444.

Spring Cleaning

4/24/2019 (Permalink)

It’s that time of year again for spring cleaning! SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is here to help your home or business with the various services we provide for residential or commercial properties to make it “like it never even happened.”

Air Duct/HVAC Cleaning

Does your home or business need a professional duct cleaning this spring? Overtime, ducts can become filled with dust and dander. This happens because air pollutants (dust, dander, or mold) fill the air in your home or business and is forced into and collected in your HVAC system. This contaminates the air ducts and is recirculated throughout the air, resulting in allergies and sickness. Having your ducts cleaned can be beneficial to your health.

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Whether it is your business or residence, you want to make the best first impression as possible on your guests. If your guests notice dirt, strains, or even an odor on your carpets, they will associate your home or business as filthy and dirty. Our professional cleaning services can address moderate to heavy soil conditions in your carpets leaving with your guests with the best possible impression of your property!

Odor Removal

Odors in your home can come from a number of sources both inside and outside your home. Our technicians have the training and equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. Our technicians have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly. The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing, so give us a call, and leave the restoration to us. Some common unpleasant odors could be smoke either from a previous fire or cigarettes, skunk, pet odors such as urine, and mold or mildew. We have seen and worked with it all. As trained professionals we have the knowledge, equipment and trained staff to tackle your smelliest of odors.

Need any of our professional cleaning services?
Call Today – (518) 677-3444

Causes of Water Damage

4/3/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage in a residential or commercial property is often caused by things like water leaking or flooding that goes unnoticed for a period of time. From minor repairs to carpet replacements, identifying water damage early is the key to minimizing potential damage to your home.

The ability to recognize and identify where the water is coming from and what is causing the damage is the first step. These are a list of the most common types of causes of water damages:

• Leaking, clogged, or bust pipes
• Malfunctioning air conditioners or other HVAC issues
• Leaking dishwashers, washing machines, or other household appliances
• Snow or ice buildup resulting in a leaking roof
• Natural disasters like hurricanes or rainstorms that cause flooding
• Overflowing toilet or bathtub

No matter what the water damage cause may be, having a plumber come out and address the problem immediately is crucial in reducing the amount of damage to your home. Once the cause has been fixed or at least contained, SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties can come in and begin the water mitigation process. Call us our 24/7 emergency line at (518)677-3444 and we can help make it look” Like it never ever happened.”

Water Damage to Wood Floors

3/22/2019 (Permalink)

When a water loss, such as a burst pipe affects and saturates your hardwood wood floor, within a couple of days the floor can start to warp and the hardwood floor may completely need to be removed and replaced.

Once your hardwood floor suffers water damage, they immediately become saturated. The quicker this water is removed from the flooring the more likeliness it is the floors can be saved. The most common piece of equipment used to save wood flooring is called an injectidry.

An injectidry system is used to extract the water and moisture from an affected floor. Floor panels are placed on the affected floor and a hose is connected to the floors panels on one end and an injectidry system on the other end. This system creates to suction to lift up the water and moisture below the surface of the floor.

SERVPRO of North Rensselear/South Washington Counties has an on call 24/7 emergency response, so if you experience water damage to your wood floors, by calling us at (518)677-3444, you will have a greater chance of your floors being saved.

SERVPRO Product

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial cleaning supplies

SERVPRO is famous for the color green. From our green vehicles, and green signs and billboards you may see on the street to our green equipment and green attire you may see when we come into your home, we are proud to announce our products are also “going green!” Our cleaning products and solution all are available with an SDS (Safety Data Sheet) that explains in clear detail the product and if there are any safety precautions. The products we use can assist with a variety of different types of losses, such as water, fire, and mold. The importance of the correct chemicals needed for a specific job is just as important as the correct type of equipment needed. Every job is different but we have a wide variety of chemicals to assist your specific needs to help make the disaster look “Like it never even happened.”

Have Questions?
Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties at (518)677-3444

Fire Extinguisher Safety

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

Every residential and commercial property should have at least one fire extinguisher present on the premises. Many people do not know the different types of fire extinguishers; let alone how to use them. It is best to learn this before, so that you will be prepared in an event of an emergency.

According to OSHA, the 3 most common types of fire extinguishers are air pressurized water (used for ordinary combustibles, such as paper, cloth, wood, rubber, and plastics), CO₂ (used for flammable liquids, such as oils, gasoline, paint, lacquers, grease, solvent, and other flammable liquids) ,and dry chemical (used for electrical equipment, such as wiring, fuse boxes, energized electrical equipment, computers) .

Use the “P.A.S.S.” technique when operating a fire extinguisher:
P=Pull
A=Aim
S=Squeeze
S=Sweep

Using a fire extinguisher properly is a great way to contain or put out a small fire, but creates quite a mess. Our trained technicians on fire, smoke, and soot clean up at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties can help clean that mess and make it look "Like it never even happened.”

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call us Today- (518)677-3444

When Disaster Strikes Your Business

2/19/2019 (Permalink)

After a larger commercial loss, many businesses have a hard time reopening after the disaster occurs. A disaster could be anything from a frozen pipe, fire, leaky roof, etc. Having a plan of action will help reduce the cost of an unplanned event at your local business.

Emergency Plan
The first step is to prepare an emergency plan. Knowing what to do when one of these events takes place ensures the right steps will be taken, for example knowing where the fire extinguisher is if a fire occurs or knowing how to shut off the water to the facility if a pipe freezes or breaks. When you have a plan of action in place, your business has a greater chance of reopening quicker after a disaster occurs.

Insurance
After you have your emergency plan in place, you will want to review your commercial insurance policy. Understanding your policy helps you know what is covered and not covered. You can always talk to your agent to reevaluate your policy if you feel you need more or less coverage.

If a disaster occurs at your local business, call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties! We are available 24/7: (518)677-3444

Mold Containment

2/14/2019 (Permalink)

During a recent mold remediation job at a Cambridge, NY commercial establishment, we created an area of full containments to separate the mold affected areas from non affected areas. This helps prevent the spread of mold spores throughout the whole facility. Mold has a tendency to grow anywhere there is high moisture and easily can be transported from one room or surface to another. When our trained professionals come in they will use personal protective equipment to protect themselves from being exposed to the mold and also use these containments to prevent further spread of mold.  These containments consist of airtight layers of polyethylene that seals off the affected area. The containments act as 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. Before the mold remediation starts, it is important that the source of moisture (such as a leaky roof) is identified and fixed, otherwise mold may return.

Have a Mold Problem at your business? Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties today! (518)677-3444

Personal Protective Equipment

2/8/2019 (Permalink)

Our crew at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties geared up in the personal protective equipment for a mold remediation job.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties uses OSHA approved PPE or personal protective equipment. This equipment is needed to ensure our trained professionals are protected against hazardous materials at mold and sewage and/or biohazard jobs. There are 3 parts that make up their full suits, the suit/gloves, the respirator, and the goggles. The suit and gloves help eliminate contact to the skin or clothing. These are one time use only and should be disposed after use, to avoid cross contamination. The respirator protects our workers lungs and protects them from inhaling unsafe contaminates as they may become airborne during cleanup. This could include mold spores, dust particles, or other toxic particles that may be encountered during the remediation process. Properly fitting goggles are also important to protect our workers eyes from the hazardous materials. Our PPE or personal protective equipment at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is up to OSHA standards and protects our workers from contact with hazardous materials. If you would like more information on this topic, please visit this link: https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/personalprotectiveequipment/

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is always here to help with your mold, biohazard clean up needs.

Call us today! We are available 24/7: (518)677-3444

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is an IICRC firm

1/14/2019 (Permalink)

Who is SERVPRO?

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/ South Washington Counties specializes in 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. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification.

What is IICRC?

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) has been the driving force in establishing  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.

SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties is an IICRC firm. The IICRC creates 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. Our staff is highly trained and equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Have Questions? Call us today! We are available 24/7: (518)677-3444

Fireplace and Space Heater Safety

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

With the temperatures dropping as we winter progresses, it is nice to sit back and relax and take off the chill by warming up next to your fireplace or space heater. It also can be very dangerous if you do not take the appropriate precautions. Here are some helpful tips to enjoy your cozy fire or warm space heater but still keeping safe.

Space Heaters:

• NEVER leave a space heater running without supervision. The plug can overheat and start a fire if it cannot handle the amount of energy it takes to run the heater. Better yet, you can even unplug your space heater when you do not have it running or are not home.
  
  
• Make sure your space heater is approved for indoor use. Most of the heaters that run on electric are safe to use indoors, but some heaters run on fuel and can produce carbon monoxide and should not be used indoors.
  
  
• NEVER use a space heater as a dryer. It can be tempting to warm socks or a blanket over the warm blowing air, but this is extremely dangerous as the materials can easily start a fire.

Fireplaces:

• Test Smoke detectors at least once a month.
  
  
• NEVER leave a fire unattended. Even though it seems to be a controlled fire, you can’t control a spark from flying out of the fire and onto a surface or a blanket in your home.
  
  
• Clean your chimney at least once a year and have it inspected by a trained professional.

Contact our fire cleanup trained professionals at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties (518)677-3444 with our 24 hour emergency services, we are always here to help!

Using Moisture Meters to Detect Water Damage

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

These meters will detect where the water as traveled and show how saturated the flooring and walls could be underneath the surface.

After the source of the water damage is fixed (such as a broken pipe) and the standing water is cleaned up, it might appear that everything is dried out by looking or touching the floors and/or walls, but this is not always the case.

Our professionals at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties will test for moisture in the affected walls and/or floors by using a moisture meter, showing us where the water has traveled. Moisture meters are essential to our inspection and drying process.

If the flooring and walls are not completely dried according to standards, the retained water could result in the flooring to warp or swell and if the water sits long enough could result in mold growth.

Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties 24 hour emergency service at (518)677-3444, to have our highly trained restoration technicians inspect your water damages.

Determining Water Loss Categotries

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

This broken hot water supply line is a good example of a Category 1 water loss.

Water losses are categorized on three levels based on the range of contamination in the water.

Category 1:  Water that originates from a sanitary source, such as a broken water supply line from a dishwasher and will not cause illness if inhaled or ingested.

Category 2: Water that originates from an unsanitary source, such as a broken aquarium and may cause discomfort or illness if ingested or contacted.

Category 3: Water that originates from an extremely unsanitary source, such as rising waters from a river or stream that can contain harmful agents if ingested. 

• Because a water loss might originate from the source as a category 1, this could quickly change when the water travels, for example through a dirty carpet and the water can deteriorate to a category 2 or 3.
• The category could also deteriorate if the water sits for a period of time in the right climate, resulting in mold growth.
• It is very important that once the source of the water is determined (for example a broken pipe or overflowing washing machine), that it is fixed by a plumber before we begin our mitigation work as the homeowner does not want to problem to reoccur.
  
  Contact the professionals at SERVPRO of North Rensselaer/South Washington Counties for our 24 hour emergency services at 518-677-3444 we will help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Layered Flooring

9/28/2018 (Permalink)

There were multiple layers of flooring in this home that had a severe water damage. Normally ceramic tile can be saved when drying a home, for the simple fact that it is a natural stone. We have extraction mats that lay over the stone and they remove any harbored water within and the wood subfloor beneath, since wood is also a natural material and will release water. Unfortunately, when this home was remodeled, they laid ceramic tile over top of vinyl flooring. Vinyl acts as a vapor barrier and will hold water between the ceramic tile and the subfloor. Since this layer existed, all of the tile had to be removed and the vinyl also had to be removed in order to dry the subfloor properly. Multiple layers of flooring like this can cause mold growth since it traps water within the layers. So when you remodel your home, remember it is worth the extra time to take out the old flooring first instead of laying over top.

What to do during a storm

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

• Use a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.
• Avoid contact with corded phones. Use a corded telephone only for emergencies. Cordless and cellular telephones are safe to use.
• Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords.  Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners.  Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
• Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.  Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
• Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.
• Avoid hilltops, open fields, the beach or a boat on the water.
• Take shelter in a sturdy building. Avoid isolated sheds or other small structures in open spaces. 
• Avoid contact with anything metal - tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, and bicycles.
• If you are not driving, try to safely exit the roadway and park.  Stay in the vehicle and turn on the emergency flashers until the heavy rain ends. Avoid touching metal or other surfaces that conduct electricity in and outside the vehicle.

Fire Restoration in an 1800's Home

9/25/2018 (Permalink)

A fire occurred at our customer’s home in their kitchen due to a cardboard box catching fire near an electric stove. Our customer stated that there was 5 to 6 feet of backsplash affected by the fire and white ash from the cardboard and paper towels throughout the home. Our technicians spent several days properly cleaning the homes structure, contents, and upholstery.  Due to the ornate woodwork and moldings within the home, along with the historic wallpaper that dated back to the 1800’s, we took extra time to insure these areas were properly restored. In the photo you will see the wallpaper that covered the ceiling of the dining area and the ornate base of the dining room's chandelier. When our work was completed the customers were very satisfied with our quality of work and timely restoration. 

Hurricane Preparedness

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. Make sure you are prepared should one be near you! Hurricane's are defined as an intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 MPH or higher. You can see a storm coming by the change in color of the sky (often greenish), large hail, low-flying clouds and a roar like a freight train.

Below are some helpful hints to follow whether you own a home, RV, boat, car or all of them! 

• It is best to have a plan in place regarding where you are going to go when a hurricane hits. While they may be intriguing to watch, the best place is NOT outside. Your basement or under a set of stairs are great places to wait out the storm. If this is not available, the bottom floor of any building will work.
• Keep your car indoors if possible. Tape up the windows and door with tarps and keep away from any objects that could damage the car if they were to fall on top of it.
• During an emergency, gas stations will often be closed, so always make sure you have at least half a tank of gas to get away instantly
• Have enough supplies on hand to wait out 72 hours, just in case help cannot arrive right away. These supplies can also be stored in the trunk (items like a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable foods, and medication can stay there at all times.)
• Make sure your car is in proper shape. Have a full tank of gas, wiper blades and tires are ready to go.
• Make sure your cell phone is charged and keep your charger with you.
• Avoid driving in deep waters
• For your boat, remove non-secure items, electronics, excess gear, valuable, and important documents.
• Make sure all openings are clear of debris
• Double all lines that are securing your boat to its securing space
• With your RV, do not drive it during the storm as it is more vulnerable to higher/stronger winds
• Make sure you have a full tank of gas, but empty holding tanks, turn off propane cylinders and cover the regulator.
• Make sure all documents are in a waterproof bag and with you at all times

Life can be unpredictable, but having plans in place help you with whatever may come. For more information, please check out these hurricane tips. As always, once the storm passes, contact your SERVPRO of North Rensselaer & South Washington Counties 518-677-3444 to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Prepping your home

9/14/2018 (Permalink)

Whether it is fire, water, or mold, we always take the extra precaution to protect your home. In this scenario we had a ceiling that needed to be removed, so we covered all cabinetry, countertops, and flooring to protect them from drywall dust and any residue. This dust will travel into your drawers and cabinets and leave a layer of dust on your contents inside. A temporary containment wall was put up to protect the next room from any dust traveling through the air, and we also covered their air conditioning unit so no dust would travel inside. In instances such as these, we also place a negative air fan that filters the air in the area. When we are on a job that requires us to travel through the home to get back and forth to the loss area, we have film that will cover and protect the carpet and we will also use cardboard to protect hardwood floors from any scratches.

Check your home for mold on the outside too!

9/14/2018 (Permalink)

Many people are under the assumption that mold only grows on structures inside your home, but that’s not true.  This photo represents a home that experienced water damage more than once and was very close to a lake.  Water and Mold remediation in the interior of this home had been completed and passed inspection, although it reappeared within a few months in the same areas as before but not to the same severity.    The contractor on the job traced the areas of most mold concentration to the photo you see here.  The problem began behind the siding.  Mold had been present here for quite a while and although it wasn’t visible it had reached a point where it would continue to spread in the interior of the home unless it was totally gutted.  This home had a new exterior face-lift!

Torrential Rains

9/14/2018 (Permalink)

When torrential rains fall, and water cannot disburse or settle in the ground it will enter any building in its way.  This prestigious college found inches of ground water entering their large main library with thousands of books and other historical items that could have been damaged for good.  This is one row of many isle bookcases that have had their books packed out and sent to a Document Restoration Company to have them all restored to their original state prior to the flooding.  After packing up boxes of water damaged documents industrial air movers and dehumidifiers are placed to dry carpeting and custom-made bookcases.  Each one of these bookcases were individually elevated in order to dry the carpeting and bookcases completely so that when the documents returned they would be able to be put back in specific areas “Like it never even happened.”

Water Damage in a Physician's Office

8/24/2018 (Permalink)

Residential homes are not the only ones that experience water damage. This commercial physician’s office experienced a flood after a ceiling pipe burst and affected the entire complex, including an adjacent occupied office space. Not only were medical tables and office equipment affected, so were years of medical records.  Residential storage rooms can be a nightmare when water damages contents in them, but in a medical building it can destroy years of medical history within minutes. This medical group not only had written files on their patients, but fortunately for them, these files were also scanned in their computers. Drying equipment was set up in these rooms and the contents were all dried with minimal damage to the files.  Happily all the party items were also saved!

Just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there!

8/16/2018 (Permalink)

When inspecting a fire at a commercial building site, it is very crucial to look at every level of the building even if the fire did not occur on that floor. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there! Ceiling tiles and or any other type of ceiling may block your view of soot throughout the building. A great hint that there is extra space above the ceiling is the HVAC ventilation system. This building had a complete automobile repair shop above it prior to it being closed off for the building space below. In total there was a 14’ ceiling space above this commercial business that needed soot cleaning along with HVAC ducting, steel structure, electrical & plumbing systems and main carrying beams that would never have been seen if the inspector never looked above the ceiling tiles to see how much damage there was.

Cambridge Wind Storm

7/30/2018 (Permalink)

On the Afternoon of May 4, 2018, a line of thunderstorms along with a strong cold front, came through our town, Cambridge, NY. These strong storms moved across eastern New York between 6:30 and 10 pm, causing numerous reports of trees and wires down. Very strong winds gusted up to 61 mph. A few intense bands of wind damage, most likely were associated with microbursts. Most all of the damages occurred in Johnstown, NY and Cambridge, NY. Due to this extreme weather it caused several large trees to fall down on houses and cars in these areas. Well over 100,000 people lost power during this event. Many homes were in need of repair and water mitigation. Several streets and yards were covered with trees and debris that took several weeks to clean up and repair.

Saving your carpet!

4/20/2018 (Permalink)

When you have water instrusion in your home, carpet is very time sensitive in order to save. Water extraction is needed as soon as possible and if the water is not extracted properly, and in this time frame, it may not be able to be saved due to delamination and bacteria growth. Our truck mounted system allows us to extract quickly and efficiently, removing 80% of the water from the carpet and carpet pad. After extraction we then set up drying equipment to dry the last 20% that cannot be extracted. We have another blog post that explains how other types of flooring handle being exposed to water intrusion and the steps to restore, if they are able to be restored. If you are in the remodeling process, and have questions on the durablity of your flooring options when it comes to water, you can always call our office at 518-677-3444. In the case of a water emergency, and you are in need of assistance, we are available 24/7 serving Granville to Troy.

How will your floors hold up against water damage?

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Below are listed some different hard surface floorings, and how our SERVPRO team has experienced their reaction to water damage. Let's start with laminate flooring, one of the more common floors we see in homes today.

Laminate flooring is very resilient to almost anything except water. Laminate flooring advertises that it is real wood which is correct, but it only has a thin layer of wood on the top layer. The rest of the flooring is made up of particle board or press board. These types of materials absorb water very quickly and delaminate with minimal time. Imagine dog food when it absorbs water, it expands and breaks apart, that is the same with laminate flooring. Laminate flooring cannot be dried for that reason, but also due to the water that sits under the floor. Laminate flooring is a floating floor with a foam pad underneath. Once water has reached the pad you are unable to extract or evaporate the water. So, for both of these reasons, laminate flooring must be removed after a water loss, in order to dry out the structure and subfloor properly.

Vinyl is more resilient to water than laminate flooring, because it does not absorb water and is glued down not free floating. If a vinyl floor is affected by water damage, it can be saved depending on the amount of time the water has been dwelling. Once water has found its way underneath the tiles, the tiles must be removed. Vinyl acts as a vapor barrier and does not allow for evaporation which is needed in the drying process.

Linoleum: This type of flooring is much like vinyl when it comes to water damage. It is a vapor barrier and will need to be removed if water gets underneath, so the sub floor is able to dry.

Wood floor is a semi porous material that absorbs water slowly between the wood joints. If wood has been affected by a water damage, and is caught in a short amount of time, there are mats that can extract the water out of the wood and bring it back to its original state. If a wood floor has absorbed a significant amount of water and has dwelled for an extended period of time, then the wood floor will begin to cup and stain. If the floors are left in this condition it will get worse to the point of no return and must be removed. If wood floors are treated as soon as you see cupping, there is still a chance of them being saved. Water will get extracted, and then once dry, the wood can be sanded and refinished to get a smooth surface again.

Ceramic tile is the most resilient to water damage. It is semi porous like wood flooring, but is more apt to release water than wood. A large percentage of time, ceramic tile will dry, as well as the concrete or plywood underneath. The only time ceramic tiles need to be removed, is if the tiles and grout have loosened, or there is a plywood subfloor that is not drying. If the plywood will not dry, the ceramic tile will need to be removed to dry the plywood properly.

Please note all these processes of drying are within proper standards of dehumidification and air movement, performed by water restoration professionals. You will not get these results with at home equipment or leaving materials to air-dry.

Why we choose Benefect for your home

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Benefect is our favorite disinfectant and antimicrobial to use in our customer’s homes. Benefect is an authentic botanical disinfectant, and the active ingredient listed on the Safety Data Sheet is Thyme. We feel good knowing what we are using one of the safest products available, and something that is also strong and effective. We use Benefect on all different types of jobs whether it is water damage, sewer damage, or even mold damage. We apply Benefect on all structure surfaces affected on a job. Sometimes it is used at the beginning of the job as a cleaner, and sometimes we spray Benefect on our last day of the job as a preventative measure and let dry, since it does not require rinsing or wiping after application.

Immediate steps to take when a water loss happens in your home!

2/1/2018 (Permalink)

The first thing you want to do is find out where the source of water is from, and shut off if possible.

Second, soak up as much access water as possible by mopping and using towels for any other surfaces. Cleaning up as much water as you can will prevent further damage.

Third, if furniture is sitting on affected flooring, especially carpet, use aluminum foil or wood blocks to separate the furniture from the flooring. This will prevent the legs of your furniture from soaking up any more water.

Lastly, move any contents or area rugs that may have been contacted by water, to prevent any futher damage.

Please note not to use any electronics that have been affected by water or are plugged in to an affected wall. This also regards any fixtures in the walls and ceilings.

After you have taken these steps, call your local SERVPRO. If you are located in North Rensselaer & South Washington Counties you can call our office at 518-677-3444.

Severe Water Damage

1/24/2018 (Permalink)

This winter has been a cold one!! These past couple months have been dangerous for many home owners. Why you may ask? These extreme temperatures and wind chill can freeze pipes in your home and create a water damage that can be catastrophic! This picture here was a home that was vacant due to being on the market. The water line to their tub froze and burst leaving water to run for days since no one was at the property, and the water froze on the outside of the home. The entire home had to be demoed due to the severe damage, but we were able to salvage the home and dry the structure.

What are some steps you can take to avoid a water loss in your home from these extreme cold temperatures? Make sure you have sufficient oil in reserve and keep your home much warmer than you normally would during these cold spells. You may feel you are saving money from keeping your heat low but in the long run you aren’t, especially for many with second homes that aren’t being lived in.  One water damage can destroy your home and can be very costly to fix, so taking the necessary precautions are a necessity. Another great tip is to keep your faucets trickling while it is extremely cold. This keeps the water flowing so that the water will not freeze. For those problem areas that are hard to heat getting small electric space heaters can help to keep the pipes from freezing. One of the most important things to do to your home to protect from frozen pipes is during the summer month to check your insulation and see if there are areas that you can insulate that can protect from any draft or unwanted cold air getting to any of your water lines. These ideas may be basic but by following these tips you can prevent a water damage in your home. If you follow all of these tips and you still experience a water loss, there is no need to worry because we are here to salvage and dry out your home and make it "Like it never even happened."

The science behind what we do at SERVPRO

12/19/2017 (Permalink)

We here at SERVPRO use Psychrometrics. Psychrometry is the study of the air and its properties. The properties of temperature, humidity, vapor pressure and dew point are measured to evaluate air conditions in the structure, enabling a SERVPRO Professional to create the proper atmosphere for more efficient drying.

Water can damage materials in two ways. First, materials absorb water through direct contact. Second, materials absorb water from the air. Measuring the moisture content of the air is critical to the drying process.

We as restoration professionals must establish an environment favorable for drying. It is critical we also understand how to manipulate temperature and humidity levels to produce optimum drying conditions without causing secondary damages through improper drying processes. The tools and equipment used to achieve the proper drying environment are: Moisture Sensors, Moisture Meters, Thermo-hygrometers, Infrared Cameras, Manometers, Air Movers, and most importantly our Refrigerant and Desiccant Dehumidifiers.

This is a little hint of what we do to make it "Like it never even happened."

Duct Cleaning

11/9/2017 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered if the air quality in your home is really as good as you might think? The air quality in your home is a crucial part to your respiratory health. What can you do to improve your air quality in your home? The first thing to check is your air filter near your air handler to your duct system. If the filter is dirty, then you should change the filter on a regular basis. After years of use, the next step is to get your duct work thoroughly cleaned with an industrial duct cleaning system. The reason for this is dust and mold spores can collect overtime. This process is quick and will tremendously improve your air quality. A hepa negative air machine is set up and attached to the duct system to vacuum out all the dust that is kicked up by a rotary brush that scrubs all the duct work in your home. After all the duct work is cleaned, we then apply an antimicrobial and an encapsulant, which will disinfect all the duct work and seal any of the dust that may be left behind. This process is fast and efficient, and by doing this you can rest easy that the air quality in your home will be improved drastically. We will be happy to help you in this regard, please give us a call at 518-677-3444.

SERVPRO Teams responding to Hurricane Harvey and Irma

9/14/2017 (Permalink)

Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a Major Hurricane at Category 4 strength on Friday, August 25 causing widespread devastating flooding and wind destruction along the Texas and Louisiana coast. After making landfall, the storm’s track continued through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, causing heavy rains and additional flooding situations. SERVPRO has mobilized and deployed Disaster Recover Teams to the most heavily impacted areas of Texas and Louisiana. Over 400 fully-equipped storm crews have been deployed and additional crews are being added daily. Hurricane Irma has made her way through Florida and we are actively routing Disaster Recovery Teams out to help. With disasters of this magnitude, residents and business owners are encouraged to be patient while SERVPRO makes every effort to respond to each need as quickly as possible. Our thoughts are with all who were affected by these devastating storms.

Is professional carpet cleaning the better option?

8/11/2017 (Permalink)

Many people rent at home carpet cleaning machines. Even though it is great that they have created a machine that is a “do-it-yourself” tool and not as costly as a professional cleaning, but it is important to know the issues home cleaning machines can cause. The biggest difference between the two machines is the at home machines do not have the suction power that professional truck mounts have. Truck mounts have around 4 times that amount of suction power, extracting much more than the alternative. At home machines generally don’t have the suction power to extract the cleaning agents and water that is put into the carpet. This can result in carpets that feel stiff or grimy, and take a very long time to dry. Also, at home machines only get up to about half of the temperature as truck mounts. The heat is essential to loosen the dirt and other particles away from the carpet fibers and be extracted. So, as you see there is a big difference in the machines and their capabilities for a good clean. If do decide to go to the professionals for a carpet cleaning, you can call us at 518-677-3444.

Hoosick Falls Flood Damage

8/1/2017 (Permalink)

Tenting system to dry gymnasium wood floor

Hoosick Falls, New York recently had flooding causing devastating damage. We were able to respond to many homes and the Hoosick Falls Central School. Many basements had to have water extracted, and other homes had water affect their main living area. We were able to go in immediately and perform mitigation so the contractors were able to go in and get the homes back to preloss condition. The school had flood water enter about a quarter of the school. Our full crew responded right away and prevented any further damage the water could have done, including saving the gymnasium wood floor. With our office ladies going out in the field, we were able to pull together and help a community that was in desperate need. Construction of roads and homes are still underway, but are coming together.

Our Story

4/20/2017 (Permalink)

John and Angie opened their first business in 1997 named Deep Clean Restoration. It started as a carpet cleaning business, but grew over the years adding many services including water mitigation and fire restoration. In 2014 John and Angie decided to become part of the SERVPRO family. Angie ended her career in nursing to run the office, and John continued to work with our crew out on the field. We started in a small shop and have expanded to our building in Cambridge New York. Cambridge centrally locates us to our area covering northern Rensselear counties including Troy and southern Washington counties. Our team not only comes prepared, but with 20 years experience. If you ever need our services you can call our office at 518-677-3444.

SERVPRO 1-4-8

2/17/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Franchises stand by a 1-4-8 policy for our customers. We are committed to contacting our customers within 1 hour of notification of loss. We will discuss with you the cause of loss, how much of your home and what materials were affected. This gives us an idea of what needs to be packed on our trucks and leads us to the next step. The number 4 is in regards to the amount of time given to get to your home. Once at your home we do an inspection and walk you through the steps we would take to complete the project, to make sure you are comfortable with the process. The next step is contacting your insurance company or property manager within 8 hours of on-site arrival. We give a verbal briefing of the damage and what we foresee is needed to be done to get the structure back to good standing in the shortest amount of time. With this outline our customers know SERVPRO is there fast, in their time of need.

Our franchise's first billboard!

2/10/2017 (Permalink)

We decided we would do something different and budget for a billboard in our small town. We wondered what it would be like to have a billboard, and when the day came we decided to post on the billboard that is right near our building. Our billboard features our action figures Stormy and Blaze, and I’m sure you have seen them in action on our commercials! Whether they are propelling, scuba diving the deep waters of a house flood, or landing with a parachute to a large fire loss, Stormy and Blaze are first on scene. Though they are just for the commercials, we are here to help when you are in need. Contact us at 518-677-3444 for all of northern Rensselaer counties including Troy, and southern Washington counties!

Our favorite product, Benefect

2/2/2017 (Permalink)

Benefect is our favorite disinfectant and antimicrobial to use in our customer’s homes. Benefect is an authentic botanical disinfectant, and the active ingredient listed on the Safety Data Sheet is Thyme. We feel good knowing what we are using one of the safest products available, and something that is also strong and effective. We use Benefect on all different types of jobs whether it is water damage, sewer damage, or even mold damage. We apply Benefect on all structure surfaces affected on a job. Sometimes it is used at the beginning of the job as a cleaner, and sometimes we spray Benefect on our last day of the job as a preventative measure and let dry, since it does not require rinsing or wiping after application.

Soot Webs or Soot Tags

1/12/2017 (Permalink)

Soot

Our customers frequently mistake these soot webs, also known as soot tags, for smoke that has attached itself to spider webs that were present prior to a fire. In fact, soot from synthetic/petroleum based sources that have burned, cling to each other like magnets creating chains of soot. These webs are usually found in corners like spider webs and here’s why. Smoke/soot circulates towards cold, as the air is seeking equilibrium within its environment. These areas tend to be on the perimeter of the ceiling on an outside wall since those walls are cooler. Not only are those areas cooler, but the area near the ceiling is also a low area of concentration. So if you happen to find these after a fire, they are in no way indicative of your housekeeping.

Warning signs and preventative measures to prevent a house fire

12/22/2016 (Permalink)

This past year we have done a few fire restoration jobs relating to everyday items, that most people know can be a fire hazard, but are overlooked. Some items were an electric blanket, electrical outlet, kitchen stove, dryer, portable electric heater, and an extension cord. As a homeowner there are warning signs and preventative measures you can take to help prevent a fire like this in your home. For example, a couple ways to prevent your dryer from causing a fire is to clean out the lint in the lint filter to help prevents the dryer from overheating, also make sure to check your exhaust for any obstructions. For extension cords make sure to check them thoroughly for cuts or kinks in the cord, these can make sparks if the positive and the negative cords touch. Another area to check on cords is the end of the cord that plugs into the outlet. If the cord is extremely warm to the touch, then you should replace that end immediately or replace the cord all together. Any item that has an outlet cord is an easy place to check regularly. If this cord ever gets hot to the touch it should be replaced. Another tip is anything that has a fan, whether it is exhaust or intake, make sure the fan can breathe. Clean any dust or debris that may be covering the area. Some items that may have these fans would be a stove, portable boxed heaters, dehumidifiers, computers and computer towers. These are just a few tips to help you prevent a disaster from happening in your home. As a side note make sure to do your yearly maintenance cleaning on your boiler and chimney in order to prevent chimney fires and puff backs in your home. We hope these tips are a help for all of you in the future for preventing fires in your home.

Drying Time after a Water Damage

11/11/2016 (Permalink)

If you are wondering how long it will take for your home to dry after a water damage, it is hard to pinpoint an exact amount of time without knowing the materials of your home’s structure, or the amount of water damage. We can tell you that through our experience, we have found that after non-restorable materials have been removed, drying on average is about 3-4 days. This time frame only correlates with the placement of the required commercial air movers and dehumidifiers from the calculation of many variables including temperature, humidity, and square footage. You will not have these results with at home equipment or if you were to let the structure air dry. It is important after a water damage to consult a water mitigation specialist, as improper drying techniques can lead to mold damage. If you ever need us we are available 24/7. Call SERVPRO of North Rensselaer and South Washington Counties at 518-677-3444.

How different floorings react to water damage

10/17/2016 (Permalink)

Below are listed some different hard surface floorings, and how our SERVPRO team has experienced their reaction to water damage. Let's start with laminate flooring, one of the more common floors we see in homes today.

Laminate flooring is very resilient to almost anything except water. Laminate flooring advertises that it is real wood which is correct, but it only has a thin layer of wood on the top layer. The rest of the flooring is made up of particle board or press board. These types of materials absorb water very quickly and delaminate with minimal time. Imagine dog food when it absorbs water, it expands and breaks apart, that is the same with laminate flooring. Laminate flooring cannot be dried for that reason, but also due to the water that sits under the floor. Laminate flooring is a floating floor with a foam pad underneath. Once water has reached the pad you are unable to extract or evaporate the water. So, for both of these reasons, laminate flooring must be removed after a water loss, in order to dry out the structure and subfloor properly.

Vinyl is more resilient to water than laminate flooring, because it does not absorb water and is glued down not free floating. If a vinyl floor is affected by water damage, it can be saved depending on the amount of time the water has been dwelling. Once water has found its way underneath the tiles, the tiles must be removed. Vinyl acts as a vapor barrier and does not allow for evaporation which is needed in the drying process.

Linoleum: This type of flooring is much like vinyl when it comes to water damage. It is a vapor barrier and will need to be removed if water gets underneath, so the sub floor is able to dry.

Wood floor is a semi porous material that absorbs water slowly between the wood joints. If wood has been affected by a water damage, and is caught in a short amount of time, there are mats that can extract the water out of the wood and bring it back to its original state. If a wood floor has absorbed a significant amount of water and has dwelled for an extended period of time, then the wood floor will begin to cup and stain. If the floors are left in this condition it will get worse to the point of no return and must be removed. If wood floors are treated as soon as you see cupping, there is still a chance of them being saved. Water will get extracted, and then once dry, the wood can be sanded and refinished to get a smooth surface again.

Ceramic tile is the most resilient to water damage. It is semi porous like wood flooring, but is more apt to release water than wood. A large percentage of time, ceramic tile will dry, as well as the concrete or plywood underneath. The only time ceramic tiles need to be removed, is if the tiles and grout have loosened, or there is a plywood subfloor that is not drying. If the plywood will not dry, the ceramic tile will need to be removed to dry the plywood properly.

Please note all these processes of drying are within proper standards of dehumidification and air movement, performed by water restoration professionals. You will not get these results with at home equipment or leaving materials to air-dry.

How does SERVPRO know what is wet in my home?

8/18/2016 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered how SERVPRO detects what parts of your home are wet and how they can tell where the water has traveled?

To do this, we use a Protimeter .They are Moisture Sensors, Moisture Meters, and Thermohygrometers all in one. Each part tells us a little bit of different information.

• The moisture sensor detects where there is water.
• The moisture meter tells us the moisture content of various materials. Most materials such as drywall and concrete read in points ranging from 001-999, but wood material is calculated by percentage from 0% to 100%. With these readings we can see where the water traveled and also helps us when we are monitoring to show that the materials are drying.
• The thermohygrometer tells us the temperature and the humidity in the room. Capturing these two readings calculates specific humidity, dew point and vapor pressure, which leads us to calculate the amount of fans and dehumidifiers needed to dry the area.

First steps to take immediately after a water loss!

8/17/2016 (Permalink)

The first thing you want to do is find out where the source of water is from, and shut off if possible.

Second, soak up as much access water as possible by mopping and using towels for any other surfaces. Cleaning up as much water as you can will prevent further damage.

Third, if furniture is sitting on affected flooring, especially carpet, use aluminum foil or wood blocks to separate the furniture from the flooring. This will prevent the legs of your furniture from soaking up any more water.

Lastly, move any contents or area rugs that may have been contacted by water, to prevent any futher damage.

Please note not to use any electronics that have been affected by water or are plugged in to an affected wall. This also regards any fixtures in the walls and ceilings.

After you have taken these steps, call your local SERVPRO. If you are located in North Rensselaer & South Washington Counties you can call our office at 518-677-3444.

The science behind drying your home or business is....

4/20/2016 (Permalink)

Psychrometrics. Psychrometry is the study of the air and its properties. The properties of temperature, humidity, vapor pressure and dew point are measured to evaluate air conditions in the structure, enabling a SERVPRO Professional to create the proper atmosphere for more efficient drying.

Water can damage materials in two ways. First, materials absorb water through direct contact. Second, materials absorb water from the air. Measuring the moisture content of the air is critical to the drying process.

We as restoration professionals must establish an environment favorable for drying. It is critical we also understand how to manipulate temperature and humidity levels to produce optimum drying conditions without causing secondary damages through improper drying processes. The tools and equipment used to achieve the proper drying environment are: Moisture Sensors, Moisture Meters, Thermo-hygrometers, Infrared Cameras, Manometers, Air Movers, and most importantly our Refrigerant and Desiccant Dehumidifiers.

This is a little hint of what we do to make it "Like It Never Even Happened"

We're Here!

1/13/2016 (Permalink)

We have finally made it to our new building in Cambridge, New York and are all settled in! We now have more room for equipment to service our customers, and are now closer than before, so we are able to respond even quicker to help you in your time of need. We can help you with any water damage including sewer, fire damage, smoke damage and mold remediation. If you own a home or business, we offer upholstery cleaning, carpet cleaning, and area rug cleaning including wool! In preparation for winter contact us about cleaning your ducts, to keep dust and dander from spreading through your home when the heat is turned on. If you have and other cleaning or remediation needs, Visit us on Route 22 in Cambridge, NY or call our office at 518-677-3444.