Protecting Your Home in Extreme Weather

12/7/2024 (Permalink)

Ice hanging from the ceiling!

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

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

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

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

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

 In the event of a winter weather emergency, our SERVPRO of Freehold team is always ready to respond to quickly get your property back to normal! Give us a call 24/7 at 732-431-4440.

Always Here to Help!

Clean Water Correctly The First Time

11/22/2024 (Permalink)

Cleaning up water correctly can prevent mold from forming.

Always make sure you hire a company who has the expertise to properly remediate a water loss. SERVPRO of Freehold was called in by a customer after another restoration company failed to properly dry out their home in Millstone, NJ. Instead of just mitigating a water loss, our team was charged with performing an entire home mold remediation. This situation arises when affected materials remain wet from incorrect treatment following the initial damage. 

Our SERVPRO® crew thoroughly inspects wet areas by using special meters to verify wet materials progressively dry within a few days. We encourage our customers to understand the drying process so they can be confident that a job is being done correctly.

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

All technicians are extensively trained on how to prevent a water loss from turning into mold. SERVPRO of Freehold is always ready to take care of homes and businesses affected by disaster. Call us at 732-431-4440, 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Importance of Cleaning Up After Storm Surge

11/7/2024 (Permalink)

The home after demolition following a surge of ocean water.

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

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

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

Floors Were Saved After A Water Loss

10/30/2024 (Permalink)

The wood floors were saved using drying mats!

When this 3 story Rumson home was flooded, the insurance agent said he did not think we could save the floors. He was very surprised when we saved the wood floor without needing the homeowner to move out for demolition. The insurance company and the homeowner were thrilled with the work our team did.

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

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

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

Broken Kitchen Supply Line

10/16/2024 (Permalink)

Water can travel everywhere during a water loss.

When a supply line breaks, the water will travel far and wide inside a structure. This home in Old Bridge, NJ just had a new kitchen installed before the water damage. After investigating the extent of the damage, it appeared that the cabinets may not had been affected. Once the cabinets were opened up, it was discovered the contents inside were soaked. Since the homeowners called SERVPRO of Freehold right away, the emergency technicians were able to save the cabinets by drying them in place.

Before our team arrives to help, clear contents out of any locations where water can accumulate to dry out as much as you can. Please keep your safety in mind and make sure any appliances that are plugged in are removed to prevent electrocution. Safety is the number one priority of our SERVPRO team; it prevents dangerous situations for the technicians and the customers as well.

SERVPRO of Freehold is always ready to take care of homes and businesses affected by disaster. Call us at 732-431-4440, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It is Extremely Important to Prevent Mold Growth

9/13/2024 (Permalink)

Mold growing on the ceiling of the entryway.

This is a dramatic before shot of a portion of a mold job performed by our team. A long neglected and toxic environment was discovered upon inspection of a reported water loss. A mold test was performed to confirm the composition and severity of the infestation, and a comprehensive scope of work was enacted to remove the affected materials. The entryway pictured is the area most affected by the mold infestation. The enormous effort taken by the SERVPRO of Freehold mold technicians to clean the structure was successful and the air clearance test performed at the conclusion of the job showed there was no longer any mold in the house. Both the client and homeowner were thrilled with the final result.

There are many dangers in letting your home or business sit without proper cleanliness and maintenance habits. Not only are you setting the environment up for contamination, but the neglect may cause health effects to those who are exposed to that environment. In the event water affects the interior of any structure, it is imperative the water and moisture are removed as quickly as possible to prevent microbial growth from growing. Additionally, inspecting homes or businesses on a regular basis helps prevent structural components from degrading and allows owners to identify possible issues before they can cause water damage.

Never Know What You Can Walk Into

9/5/2024 (Permalink)

Walking down the flooded hallway.

When a water heater on the 3rd floor of this Holmdel corporation leaked, the owner immediately called SERVPRO of Freehold to dry out the 60,000 square foot building. The employees walking into the office were alarmed by the water flowing across the carpeted areas of the office but remained calm until our emergency crew arrived on the scene. Using special extraction tools, the expertly trained technicians were able to quickly remove the standing water from the office floors. The affected carpet and trim were removed, and special equipment was placed to completely dry the structure. The owner was so satisfied with the work our mitigation crew completed; they asked our repair team to install new carpeting throughout the entire building. 

It is imperative our technicians are provided with ongoing training regarding the handling of large commercial water losses. Regardless of the size of the loss, SERVPRO of Freehold works quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. Our franchise has the proper tools and expertise needed to dry a commercial property in as little as three days to minimize the impact of the loss on the business.

Sprinkler Break in Edison

8/28/2024 (Permalink)

The contents were moved to perform the mitigation.

The sprinkler system in a commercial building in Edison NJ malfunctioned and damaged over twenty offices during a holiday weekend. The building manager contacted our 24/7 staff here at SERVPRO of Freehold to come out and survey the wet areas. She let us know there were a large number of contents on the floor in the affected areas of the building.

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

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

What To Do When A Basement Floods

8/8/2024 (Permalink)

It is very important to remove standing water as soon as possible.

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

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

SERVPRO of Freehold is ready to take on water losses large and small. Give us a call anytime- 732-431-4440.

Mold Under The Wallpaper

7/31/2024 (Permalink)

Mold can easily form without your knowledge.

This homeowner did not realize the mold which was under the wallpaper after he bought this house in Manalapan NJ. He called SERVPRO of Freehold in to remediate the house so that his pregnant wife and family could move in before the holidays.

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

Upon arriving on site, our expertly trained technicians removed the affected wallpaper, drywall and insulation from the home. After cleaning and sanitizing the remaining materials, special equipment was placed to remove any remaining contaminates from the air. The customer was very impressed and appreciative of the job our crew did to return the air in the home back to safe breathing levels.