Recent Posts

To The Rescue After A Hurricane!

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

construction debris on a lawn with trucks parked on the street SERVPRO of Freehold assisting with recovery in North Carolina.

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

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

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

Water Trapped Behind The Wall

2/29/2024 (Permalink)

section of removed lower drywall next to a briefcase Water damage behind the wall due to storm run-off outside.

Although SERVPRO of Freehold was called in to dry out a commercial building which had wet carpets from a water purifier, we took the initiative to take care of an ongoing issue behind the walls. The water originated from improper run off due to the building's gutters and outside slope. We picked up some leader extensions so that the water would run away from the building. As you can see, over time the water had run behind the walls causing the paint to peel.

Always take some time to inspect your property around your window wells and foundation walls. Clear your gutters and add some gutter down spout extensions so the water does not end up against your foundation. Any water which lays there could work its way into your home and in the future cause possible mold issues.

SERVPRO of Freehold will always provide you with advice to avoid future losses and develop an emergency ready plan for you. 

Fire and Water Restoration

2/14/2024 (Permalink)

section of clean and new cabinets and counters in a kitchen The restored finished kitchen.

Fire and water combined cause a seemingly catastrophic situation. Our SERPVRO of Freehold team was called following a kitchen fire to help this apartment building get their tenants back in their units. Our professional cleaning staff worked their magic in 24 hours to extract and dry the water damage before our construction department replaced the sheetrock, kitchen cabinets, painted the walls and finished the floors all within 2 weeks. The property manager was thrilled with the results and the tenants were able to move back into their units quickly. Small kitchen fires can cause an incredible amount of damage in a short span of time in an apartment building when the sprinkler systems go off. There were 5 additional units in the building, including the main hallway which were flooded following this unit’s fire loss. Our SERVPRO team has the expertise and knowledge to fully assist an apartment complex which has a large -scale loss due to fire.

Waterproofing To Prevent Storm Damage

2/8/2024 (Permalink)

water rushing down a rocky hill in front of houses Flash floods occur suddenly during heavy rains.

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

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

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

Water Heater Leak

1/26/2024 (Permalink)

Wet carpeting on the floor of an office. The carpet and contents after the water damage.

The water heater from an office above rained down on this law office in Marlboro, NJ. They called SERVPRO of Freehold right away to assist with the removal of the water. Our emergency service technicians arrived quickly to extract the water from the carpet and dispose of the wet ceiling tiles.

Commercial water losses generally need to be handled in a different manner those taking place in residential structures. Most commercial buildings are active workplaces and even public retail spaces where a break in operations due to disaster can be harmful to the business. SERVPRO of Freehold makes every effort to work in a way which is least disruptive to daily activities in order to successfully dry affected buildings. Since our teams are available 24/7, performing work outside of normal business hours is usually more convenient.

The customer in Marlboro was delighted when the wet areas of the office were thoroughly dried in only a few days. Our in-house construction department was able to repair the damaged areas immediately once drying was complete.

Being Prompt After A Fire Is The Key to Safety

1/17/2024 (Permalink)

A fire in your home or work space can get out of hand if it’s not attended to quickly.

Commercial fire damage can come in the form of lingering smoke, soot damage, and smoke damage. It’s important to take serious action in the event that a fire spreads from the home to the business. The number one thing to do is respond as fast as possible. Though you may be in complete shock after viewing the damage, it is important to shift your focus towards finding a solution before it becomes an even bigger problem. The steps to bringing your space back to life after the fire needs to happen quickly. As a home or business owner, it is critical to follow these steps in the event of a fire.

Speedy Response

Acting quick with the help of a restoration company can be crucial in the event of a fire. The damage to the space can be less severe if a board is up. Being prompt can help the owner stay in business. It truly shows the character of a restoration business that is helping the owner get back on their feet by completing everything in a quick manner. They understand how important it is to get it running again, no matter what kind of damages occurred. The customers will also realize this and be very appreciative of it. An owner that works closely with a restoration company that specializes in responding to damage after a fire is one that puts their employees and customers before anything else. This shows they can truly overcome any obstacle that might arise in their business.

Damage Done

A fire doesn’t have to be huge to make an impact; any size fire can be harmful. It’s very easy for a fire to spread, which can cause smoke and soot damage. Smoke smell can travel from one area to another in just a few seconds. This is why it is so important for the owner to contact fire restoration and cleanup as soon as they realize the problem. They will learn that many other issues arise from commercial fires. The smoke smell is so strong that if it gets into any kind of inventory, it will make it nearly impossible to sell again. Not only will this ruin the inventory, it will also turn customers away from the strong smell. Fire damage restoration and cleanup should begin with a board up then analyze the other parts of the property. Contracts with restoration companies are crucial when it comes to help with problems such as smoke smell, fire cleanup and a board up.

Taking Initiative

The owner of a company exhibits their leadership qualities by knowing what to do in the situation of a fire. A fast response to a big problem can show the leadership qualities to the rest of the employees and motivate them follow in the same footsteps. “Leaders aren’t self-made; they are driven” as stated in entrepreneur.com by Arnold Schwarzenegger. A fire is the time to step up and take that initiative as a boss to be the leader of your business. Display what should be expected from everyone in your business. Having the damages cleaned up immediately by a restoration company will avoid the risk of any long-term damage to your employees, property and surroundings.

How Electrical Outlets Are Affected By Floods

1/9/2024 (Permalink)

When floodwaters rise to the height of electrical outlets, a common result is loss of power. However, in some cases the resulting sparks and damage can create a fire in a house, apartment, or commercial building.

There are many restoration companies which specialize in water damage, but very few have the experience that can handle fire damage and water damage like SERVPRO. For decades, we have been in the business of restoring homes to original condition. Our expert response teams can pump out a basement and scrub away smoke residues with equal ease.

Fortunately, fire damage which is caused by a flooded outlet is usually small and is mainly just smoke damage. In either disaster, removal of drywall is critical so that the workload is not as difficult to deal with. However, the rising smoke can leave residue higher up on the walls, requiring more panels to be removed. Ceiling tiles can also require cleaning after a fire as well.

When an outlet is damaged by water, it needs a replacement from the hardware store, which typically costs less than $5 apiece. The spot where the fire begins, the point of ignition, would be the outlet in this case. The wires leading to the outlet are melted to the outlet box and may require cutting from above where there is any damage. It is important to inspect the rest of the building as well to ensure the fried wires did not compromise any other building materials.

If the damage runs very far back along the wires, then they require replacing so the new outlet is in the original location. Our technicians are trained to run new wiring from any point in the structure back to the breaker box if it is needed to rebuild the wiring system of your home or business. This task is much easier once a different team member removes the flooded drywall, exposing the drywall for easier access.

Dealing with damage from a flood can be a very difficult and stressful process. Restoring your home and property from both requires professional treatment and care from experts with a nationwide support network or equipment. We are ready to help you whenever disaster strikes.

Moisture Masked by Dry Appearance

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

A hallway with brightly colored wallpaper. Moisture can cause mold to form in areas hidden to homeowners.

Water leaks and moisture are not always present in areas which are visible to home and business owners. Over time, slow leaks and high levels of humidity can cause mold to form under floors, behind walls and in air ducts. SERVPRO of Freehold’s expertly trained water mitigation technicians were called out to a home which had a water loss due to a broken sprinkler head. Once the crew started to remove the wallpaper, they realized mold had formed after a former slow leak from the air conditioning system.

This room looks nice and dry, but a closer inspection shows mold is growing under the wallpaper. If your walls are wet and the wallpaper remains in place, it can act as a vapor barrier preventing the drying process from occurring. Chances are the insulation behind the wall is also affected. Water will wick up a wall 1" per hour for the first 12 hours following a water loss. 

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, and seven days a week.

Fire Spreads Quickly

12/13/2023 (Permalink)

section of siding of a house singed and damaged. Damage to the house caused by the fire.

Fire has the unique ability to spread rapidly and cause an enormous amount of damage. In light of recent wildfires in the west, it is important to remember many structures can be restored with proper remediation efforts. The restoration team at SERVPRO of Freehold is always ready to respond to home or business owners who have suffered a loss due to fire.

This damage resulted after a lawn mower caught on fire right outside the house. The owners were not at home at the time and the damage was extensive as the fire spread from the machine to the house very quickly. Our SERVPRO team was able to assess the site quickly and began remediation efforts immediately. Inside, the team removed sheetrock, removed affected contents, and performed smoke and soot remediation. HEPA vacuuming, deep cleaning of remaining materials and air purification were also performed after the demolition. Water from the fire department was removed via extraction and our effective drying equipment. After a building affected by fire is thoroughly cleaned, it is ready for our building services crew to repair the structure.

Protecting Your Home in Extreme Weather

12/6/2023 (Permalink)

Icicles hanging from vehicle in a parking garage.  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!