Recent Water Damage Posts

WATER DAMAGE ON SURFACES

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO of South Burlington County understands that your home is more than a structure. Your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings help transform a house into a home. 

SERVPRO of South Burlington County specializes in restoring contents damaged by fire, water, or mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their condition before the water damage. We utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including the following:

  • Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
  • Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
  • Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
  • Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
  • Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned. 
  • Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

WATER CLEAN UP PROCESS

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

Below is the process that you will most likely go through during a water restoration. Every water damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. 

1.) Emergency Contact 

When you call, our specialist will guide you through several questions that will help the SERVPRO Franchise Professional respond to your water emergency more quickly and efficiently. This initial contact is an important part of a fast, effective restoration.

2.) Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

They carefully inspect your property’s water damage, determining the type of water damage and the areas affected. This is a crucial step to creating an effective plan of action that will result in a successful restoration.

3.) Water Removal

Typically, hundreds or thousands of gallons of water are removed using our powerful pumps and vacuums during the water removal process. The SERVPRO Franchise Professionals start this process as soon as possible to minimize further damage and to help prevent mold growth.

4.) Drying and Dehumidification

After the bulk of the water has been removed, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals use specialized equipment to target the water that’s harder to access. They use less intrusive, scientific drying methods to draw the remaining water and moisture from your property with air movers and dehumidifiers.

5.) Cleaning

Water damage also affects your belongings, like furniture, clothing, and personal items. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can clean restorable items using a number of specialized cleaning techniques. They also sanitize with antimicrobial treatments and remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

6.) Restoration

The last step is restoring your home or business back to its pre-water damage condition. The restoration step can be relatively minor, such as replacing a few drywall panels, or could include major reconstruction, such as rebuilding entire rooms of a home or business. 

 

WE ARE HERE TO HELP 24/7

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. Over at SERVPRO of South Burlington County we provide emergency water restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays. You can expect an immediate response time, day or night. In many cleaning and restoration situations, immediate action is needed. With over 1,700 U.S. and Canadian Franchise locations, SERVPRO is strategically positioned to be faster to any size emergency. An immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs. Water is particularly invasive, quickly spreading throughout your property and being absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, etc. Here at SERVPRO of South Burlington we arrive quickly and start the water extraction process almost immediately.

WATER DAMAGE RESTERATION

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

Have you ever seen the 7-day forecast outlook look anything similar to this?

Monday - 75. Sunny. No chance of rain. 

Tuesday - 82. Sunny. No chance of rain.

Wednesday - 76. Cloudy. Slight chance of rain. 

Thursday - 70. Sunny. No chance of rain. 

Friday - 87. Sunny. No chance of rain. 

Saturday - 92. Cloudy. No chance of rain. 

Sunday - 70. Sunny. 10 percent chance of rain. 

Your local weatherman or weather woman tells you how nice it’s going to be for the week. You’re ecstatic. You make all these outdoor plans. Then, Mother Nature decides to have a say so. All of a sudden, the weather is torrential rain -- all seven days. Not only are all your outdoor plans ruined, know what else could possibly be ruined? Your home or business! Because now, there’s a likely chance your property is flooded as a result of all the rain. Now you’re flooded with a range of emotions. And now, you’re in need of a flood cleanup company. There’s only one company to rely on when it comes to flooding, storm damage and water damage. SERVPRO® of South Burlington County can make that damage "Like it never even happened."®        

Storm and flood damage require specialized restoration techniques and equipment. The past few decades have seen a rapid advancement in the technology and techniques used in the restoration industry. These advancements afford SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals to restore a property back to preloss condition quickly, reliably, and more effectively.

SERVPRO® of South Burlington County, Top professionals Can Respond quickly! However, our heroes have responded and helped rescue the day at a number of other storm emergencies, such as Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Florence and countless others. We played an instrumental role in getting those communities back to "Like it never even happened."® We’re here so we’re always there in your time of need. Teamwork makes the dream work. We unite to achieve that synergistic goal every day.

The next time you need a flood cleanup company for your residential or commercial property, call SERVPRO® of South Burlington County at 856-988-6195. Program our number in your phone so you can speed dial us for all your emergency and non-emergency needs.

Leak Detectors

2/21/2020 (Permalink)

If you, the homeowner are really worried about leaks, there is a tool that can help you detect the problem faster. You can now buy electronic water sensors or leak alarms. They can send a warning to your smart phone when they detect water. Detectors generally include a hub of some kind plus five or six little sensors you can place in various vulnerable areas like under a refrigerator, toilet or water heater. Of course you can still call SERVPRO of South Burlington County to help fix the water damage. We are here for you no matter what the cause is. We will get to the scene as fast as we can and make it look "Like it never even happened." Call us today at 856-988-6195.

What is a Water Damage?

2/21/2020 (Permalink)

The term water damage describes various possible losses caused by water intruding where it will enable attack of a material or system by destructive processes such as rotting of wood, growth, rusting of steel, de-laminating of materials such as plywood, and many others. The damage may be slow and minor such as water spots that could eventually mar a surface, or it may be instantaneous and catastrophic such as flooding. However fast it occurs, water damage is a major contributor to loss of property.

What about my insurance?

An insurance policy may or may not cover the costs associated with water damage and the process of water damage restoration. While a common cause of residential water damage is often the failure of a sump pump, many homeowner's insurance policies do not cover the associated costs without an addendum which adds to the monthly premium of the policy. Often the verbiage of this addendum is similar to "Sewer and Drain Coverage".

Common Water Damage Scenarios

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

A Water damage can have many sources. Below are some of the very common water scenarios we can get at SERVPRO of South Burlington County. 

  • Loose appliance hoses 
  • A natural disaster
  • Flooding and storm damage 
  • Leaking appliances, water heaters, Plumbing, a broken pipe 
  • Overflowing toilets, bathtubs, and sinks 
  • Flooded basements 
  • Tornadoes and thunderstorms 
  • Hurricanes 
  • Sewage backups 
  • Flooding from firefighting efforts to put out a fire 

Over at SERVPRO of South Burlington County we have some of the best and highly trained professionals to take care of these water damages. With our outstanding crew and state of the arc equipment we can handle any size disaster. We arrive to any water damage and take care of the problem. If you have a water damage call us today at 856-988-6195. 

Water Damage Tips That Will Help Until We Arrive

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety.

  • Is it safe to stay in the house?
  • Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
  • Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
  • Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful when moving them. 

What to do after a water flood

  • Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
  • Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
  • Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  • Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
  • Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
  • Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
  • Gather loose items from floors.

What not to do after a water flood

  • Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods
  • Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
  • Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
  • Don't use television or other household appliances.

Water Restoration Process.

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

Below is the process that you will most likely go through during a water restoration. Every water damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. 

1.) Emergency Contact 

When you call, our specialist will guide you through several questions that will help the SERVPRO Franchise Professional respond to your water emergency more quickly and efficiently. This initial contact is an important part of a fast, effective restoration.

2.) Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

They carefully inspect your property’s water damage, determining the type of water damage and the areas affected. This is a crucial step to creating an effective plan of action that will result in a successful restoration.

3.) Water Removal

Typically, hundreds or thousands of gallons of water are removed using our powerful pumps and vacuums during the water removal process. The SERVPRO Franchise Professionals start this process as soon as possible to minimize further damage and to help prevent mold growth.

4.) Drying and Dehumidification

After the bulk of the water has been removed, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals use specialized equipment to target the water that’s harder to access. They use less intrusive, scientific drying methods to draw the remaining water and moisture from your property with air movers and dehumidifiers.

5.) Cleaning

Water damage also affects your belongings, like furniture, clothing, and personal items. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can clean restorable items using a number of specialized cleaning techniques. They also sanitize with antimicrobial treatments and remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

6.) Restoration

The last step is restoring your home or business back to its pre-water damage condition. The restoration step can be relatively minor, such as replacing a few drywall panels, or could include major reconstruction, such as rebuilding entire rooms of a home or business. 

How to save water damaged paper

1/30/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage SERVPRO will help save any water damaged properties!

Following these steps in order can help save your important paper work that has been damaged by a water loss. 

  • Carefully move papers to a dry area. It is essential to remove papers from the water as soon as possible.
  • Place individual sheets onto plain paper towels and put into direct sunlight.
  • To dry books, place paper towels in between the pages and lay the book flat to give its pages room to breathe. Place a paper towel about every twenty pages or so. 
  • Place a fan near the papers but face it up and away. This is a slow process, but it is necessary to properly dry your papers. Use a real fan, not a hairdryer or other substitute.
  • Place paperweights on the edges of each paper to prevent curling.

Water Damage and Surfaces

1/2/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO of South Burlington County understands that your home is more than a structure. Your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings help transform a house into a home. 

SERVPRO of South Burlington County specializes in restoring contents damaged by fire, water, or mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their condition before the water damage. We utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including the following:

  • Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
  • Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
  • Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
  • Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
  • Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned. 
  • Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

How to Save Contents Damaged by Water

1/2/2019 (Permalink)

Electronic Cleanup

Water-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by water. We will coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including:

  • Television sets
  • DVD players
  • Computers
  • And more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. We start by cleaning the exterior of electronic devices to help stop further corrosion and damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.

Document / Photograph Drying

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the water damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-water damage condition, SERVPRO of South Burlington County can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage. 

Depending on the type of documents and the level of water damage, we have five options for the restoration of documents:

  • Air Drying
  • Dehumidification
  • Freezer Drying
  • Vacuum Freeze Drying
  • Vacuum Thermal Drying

Water Removal Equipment

10/31/2018 (Permalink)

We inspect the carpet and pad to determine if they should be removed to protect the subfloor. What do we use to do this? 

  • Moisture detectors, hygrometers, and other meters measure the extent of moisture saturation.
  • Infrared cameras may be used to find “hidden” water behind walls and ceilings.
  • Submersible and gas-powered pumps are used for continuous pumping of high-level water.
  • Truck-mounted and portable extraction units perform efficient water removal.

How Fast Can Water Damage Spread?

10/31/2018 (Permalink)

Hours one to twenty four 

  • drywall begins to break down 
  • Musty odor appears 
  • furniture beings to get damaged 

Two days to a week

  • Mold starts to grow and expand 
  • Metal begins to rust 
  • Wood flooring beings to swell and warp 
  • Bio hazard contamination is possible 

More than a week

  • Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.
  • Health issues may occur with the home owner/occupants inside the house 

All this can be prevent by always checking around your home for possible signs of water damage. If something doesn't look right do not hesitate to call SERVPRO as we will come out right away to determine what you have going on. We have the equipment to check around and look into the walls for damage or even unseen damage. Alot times if you catch a water damage fast enough there is a good shot we can dry out everything saving you from having to put claim in or even costing you $1000 of dollars due to uncovered loss.

Do You Know The Signs of Mold?

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

Do you know what's going on behind your walls?

Mold growth can be a nightmare for homeowners. That's why it is important to know the signs of mold so you can stop it before it spreads too far. Most of the time, once the mold has become visible on the surface, it has been growing behind the scenes for quite some time. Make sure you know the signs to look for BEFORE that mold becomes visible. 

If you notice a strange odor, that could be a sign of mold. If an area of your home is giving off a persistent must smell, there is a strong possibility that there is mold in the room. You can typically follow the smell to where it is strongest in the room and find the mold.

Condensation can also be a tell-tale sign of possible mold. It can be excess moisture on windows, or condensation dripping from pipes. If there is excess moisture in your home, that is often a sign that mold may be growing somewhere you can't see. 

A water damage in your home can also lead to mold growth. If there was a leaking pipe or appliance that went unnoticed for some time, there may be mold present. Mold can start to grow as soon as 48 hours after moisture has been present, so if you suspect that you had an ongoing leak, you may want to have a professional inspect for mold. 

If you do suspect your home has mold, give SERVPRO of South Burlington County a call for an inspection 856-988-6195. 

Signs of Water Damage in Wood Floors

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

Hardwood floors are a popular flooring option for many homeowners due to their aesthetic as well as the relatively low maintenance required. While hardwood floors are extremely durable, they can be quite vulnerable to moisture. If your home has hardwood floors, it is important that you are always on the lookout for signs of water damage to the wood flooring. 

A very common sign of water damage in hardwood floors in known as cupping. This occurs when moisture causes the wood to expand, which then pushes the boards together and deforms them in the center. Another common sign of water damage in wood floors is called crowning. Crowning is essentially the opposite of cupping. While cupping causes a depression in the center of the wood planks, crowning is when the boards are pushed together and result in a raise in the center of the wood boards. Both cupping and crowning can lead to a buckling floor if left unchecked. Buckling is when the floor boards have actually begun lifting from the subfloor, causing considerable damage to your wood floor. 

Other signs to be aware of are if the floor starts to crack, the boards are separating, or the wood becomes soft and weak. If you notice any of these signs occurring in your wood floor, you have wood floor water damage, and need to take action to prevent further damage.

The first step in preventing further water damage is to determine the source of the damage. If you have an active leak, it is best to turn of the water to the home and have a leak detector or plumber inspect to determine the cause of leak and make a repair. 

You should also call SERVPRO right away to begin the mitigation services. If the floor is salvageable, we can place drying equipment (including a floor drying mat system) to repair the damaged floor to its preloss condition. 

If you think your home may be affected by a water damage, give SERVPRO of South Burlington County a call today! 856-988-6195

Tips For Preventing Water Damage in Your Apartment Community

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

With so many shared walls and spaces, water damage in an apartment community can get messy pretty quickly. Of course you can never know when an emergency situation will occur, but it’s in your best interest as a property manager, as well as in the best interest of your residents, to always be ahead of the game. Take these measures today to prevent water damage tomorrow.

  1. Check On Aging Appliances Regularly – If the property you manage includes a fridge, dishwasher, and/or washer/dryer in unit, you should closely monitor the age of the appliances as well as routinely checking them for cracked or damaged hoses or connections. Washer hoses should be replaced about every five years. It’s a good idea to replace washers and dryers before there’s a problem. It may cost more money now, but it could save you a lot of money and a headache or two in the future.

  2. Repair Old or Damaged Roofs When It’s Dry – Don’t wait for a big rain storm to find out that the roofing at your unit(s) needs replacing. Make routine checkups to monitor the condition of the roof(s) at your property. Make time and room in the budget to make any replacements or upgrades necessary during the dry season so that you can avoid water damage in the wet season.

  3. Stay in Touch with Your Residents and Know When they’re Traveling – Many people go on vacations during the summer. Talk to your residents about having their water shut off while they’re gone or, alternatively, having someone check on their apartment from time to time while they’re gone. If a water leak occurs while they’re away and no one is checking in, a small problem could potentially turn into something much worse.

  4. Clear Downspouts Consistently – This is especially important if there are a lot of large trees throughout your apartment community. When leaves, branches, and other debris clog the gutters, the risk of flooding is increased. Clear all debris from the gutters frequently. If you know a storm is about to hit, make sure everything is clear and that water is being effectively carried away from the building.

  5. Apply Dry-Proofing Methods – One cost effective way to prevent large scale water damage in low-lying areas is to apply waterproofing coatings and sealings. You can also elevate electrical equipment at least three feet off of the floor and install waterproof structures around circuits and electrical breakers.

  6. Check For HVAC System Blockages – If the line that moves condensation from the HVAC system is backed up, it can create serious water damage. Backed up water can seep through ceilings and through light fixtures or in between walls. When water leaks between walls, it can go undetected and result in mold damage in addition to water damage.

Do water clean up right the first time.

7/18/2017 (Permalink)

Do you have a water loss in your home or business? To prevent having mold growth call SERVPRO of south Burlington county NJ right away after any water loss. Mold can start to grow within 48 hours of a water loss. The picture below show our guys ice blasting the floor joist in a home in Marlton, NJ. We were called to remove mold that grew due to the homeowner thinking they could clean the water up themselves. Now the homeowner had to pay this out of pocket due to the insurance company denying the claim. For not calling it in right away and letting it get this bad, basically negligence. Don't let this happen to you, let the professionals take care of it for you. We have the equipment and knowledge to do the job right the FIRST time! Call SERVPRO of south Burlington, NJ (856)-988-6195...............................Make it "Like it never even happened."

Sewer Backups happen

5/12/2016 (Permalink)

This is a photo of a sewer backup that we were called on to clean up.

No one wants to talk about it, but unfortunately sewer backups happen… this is one disaster that you want professional help, to ensure areas are professionally cleaned and sanitized, getting your home back to normal as soon as possible. Call #SERVPRO of South Burlington County, NJ (856)988-6195

Got Water Damage!!!

4/19/2016 (Permalink)

 No matter how bad your property Water damage is, we've got the experience to handle it. Call SERVPRO of South Burlington County at (856)988-6195 just ask for Sean!!!!