Who Cleans Vandalism from Graffiti in Bricktown?

2/13/2023 (Permalink)

This door has vandalism from graffiti inside the property before it was removed. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant removed, cleaned & sanitized the property.

Graffiti is never a good look for any business. When you experience graffiti damage it is important to act quickly. The quicker it is removed, the less likely it will leave permanent damage to your property. Every graffiti medium is different so each of those could require a different chemical composition to remove it effectively without damaging the surface. Even with the most common graffiti medium, spray paint, there’s a thousand different chemistries that causes many different interactions. 

Will high pressure remove the graffiti?

• High pressure will normally cause more damage than it actually helps and it may actually damage the surface in the process.

At SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, we have been mitigating graffiti damage in Brick for years. We have the advanced training to clean and restore graffiti from many types of surfaces, including:

• Brick, stone, and concrete cleaning
• General cleaning and graffiti removal 
• Odor removal and deodorization
• Debris removal

When your Brick business suffers vandalism from graffiti, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is available 24/7 at 732-202-3001 to make it “Like it never even happened.” 

Is a Sewer Backup Bad for My Point Pleasant Home or Business?

2/3/2023 (Permalink)

We are available 24 hours a day—our highly trained technicians are standing by for any size biohazard cleanup.

A sewer backup creates a stressful and emotional situation for any Point Pleasant home or business owner. In some cases, there are not only safety concerns but also concerns over significant property loss. Proper and a quick response to this situation can significantly minimize property damage.

What is a sewer backup?

A sewer backup occurs when sewage and/or dirty water (called wastewater) comes up a drain, sink or toilet. This usually happens when there is a blockage in the sewer pipe that is preventing wastewater from freely flowing. If this occurs, sewer backups need to be stopped and cleaned immediately to eliminate any sort of exposure to harmful bacteria and viruses. “Sewer systems connect entire communities and carry the wastewater to a treatment facility where it is treated and returned to the environment,” according to Lentz Wastewater Management Inc. 

What causes sewer backups in Point Pleasant?

There are several reasons why a sewer backup occurs, but the two main categories would be:

1. There is a blockage and it is preventing the sewage from flowing, or there’s just too much wastewater for the system to handle. If something is blocking the pipe or otherwise preventing wastewater from flowing, eventually that wastewater will back up into the drains inside your home. Particularly older homes are more susceptible to damaged sewer pipes, but there are many things that can cause a blockage. Like flushing items that should not be flushed – wipes, grease, oils, fats, etc.
2. Heavy rains can also be the cause of sewer backups. Particularly for homes connected to municipal sewer systems. There are wastewater systems in most cities and separate the rain water and the sewage. Some cities have a combined sewer system that carries sewage and rain together. During heavy rain fall, the sewer system can get filled with rain water and it forces the water and sewage up into the home systems that it’s connected too. Which result into a sewage backup.

It’s one thing to have a flooded basement full of water; it’s quite another to have one full of backed-up sewage. Sewer backups aren’t necessarily the most destructive thing that can happen to your house, but they are definitely one of the most disgusting. These situations should be considered an emergency and dealt with as quickly as possible to prevent any further damage to your property. Consider your personal protection-the raw sewage can be extremely dangerous and filled with gases, viruses, bacterial, and fungi. SERVPRO employees have all the PPE (personal protective equipment), proper training and products to tackle such biohazard cleanup jobs. There is no disaster cleanup service that the experts of SERVPRO of Point Pleasant can’t tackle. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate reaching out to us. We know how to contain the situation and neutralize it. Call 732-202-3001 today for all your sewage cleanup needs

Pipe Burst While on Vacation?

2/3/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can determine the scope of your water damage, inspect and test to determine the extent of damage and how far the moisture traveled.

If you are planning to travel away from your Lacey home, it is of the utmost importance to occasionally check your vacant property. By having a trusted friend or family member stop by even a couple times a week to make sure everything is as you left it, is strongly recommended. In a winter cold spell, water pipes may develop ice and form a blockage. If left untreated, this can lead to increased pressure, causing the pipe to burst. A burst water pipe in your home can cause more than $5,000 in damage, so it’s important to act quickly.

A family in our community had a pipe burst while travelling during the holidays when the temperature changed drastically (which is usually the cause). Thankfully, they had a family who was checking the home catch this before the water damage spread. They called SERVPRO of Lacey, Manchester and we were able to get there to begin the water damage restoration process. If the water was left sitting for too long untreated moisture can result in bacteria, mold and mildew growth or worsening structural damage.

Even if you’ll only be away from your home for a few days, consider having someone check up on your living space. Especially if it’s during extreme weather condition. As always, SERVPRO of Lacey is here to help with any emergency service regarding water damage. Contact us at 732-408-3161, we are available 24/7.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Commercial Damage Restoration Services

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Water from unit above came down into a business in Point Pleasant causing water damage.

When it comes to your commercial property, you need a restoration company that can minimize the disruption while delivering superior and fast results. Whether you need water or fire damage cleanup, mold removal, storm cleanup, flood cleanup, sewage removal, bio-hazard cleanup, professional cleaning services or Covid-19 cleaning services, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant handles it all. We are your local commercial cleanup experts. We service:

• Office Buildings
• High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotels and Motel
• Retail Stores
• High-Rise Buildings
• Manufacturing Buildings
• Industrial Parks
• Warehouses
• Flex Buildings
• Suites or Condominiums
• Multi-Dwelling Units and Buildings
• Medical Buildings
• Government Buildings
• Military Buildings

A professional commercial water damage restoration company, like SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, will have the knowledge and experience to mitigate these risks, as well as restore your property. our technicians are trained and certified to handle any commercial water damage restoration project. We can assist you through every step of the process and help return your property back to a state of normalcy.

September is Campus Fire Prevention Safety

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

September is Campus Fire Safety Month! Spend some time this month by focusing on creating a fire-safe environment either on or off campus.

As September approaches, students are heading to college, so now is the perfect time to review best practices and learn how to put these practices into action for both students living on or off campus. Whether you are a student or parent, taking a few minutes to evaluate the new housing could go a long way toward preventing potential fire-related injury or deaths.  

Click here to down the Campus Fire Safety Checklist for Students or click here for the Campus Fire Safety Tips for Parents.

When you first move in to your new housing, analyze your surroundings. Take time to educate yourself and your roommates about fire safety can make all the difference in a life-or-death situation. Taking small steps in identifying two ways out of a room, ensuring smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are properly installed and working can go a long way toward preventing potential fire-related injury or deaths.

Listed below are some simple things to evaluate for fire safety measures for campus-related housing:

• Keep combustible items away from heat sources.
• Smoking, candles, and other open flame items should never be used in student housing. 
• Fire sprinklers control a fire and provide lifesaving time for escape. 
• Know and practice the building’s evacuation plan, as well as alternate routes. Create and practice a fire escape plan, if living off campus.
• Ensure smoke alarms are installed in all sleeping areas, test smoke alarms monthly in an apartment or a house.
• Never remove or disable smoke alarms.  
• Keep common areas and hallways free of possessions and debris, and never block exit routes. 

What are some common causes of fires for college students?

There are several common causes for fires in dorms and off campus housing, including cooking, candles and overloaded power strips.

Follow these simple tips from the U.S. Fire Administration to avoid fires in campus housing:

Cooking

• Cook only where it is allowed.
• Keep your cooking area clean and free of anything that can burn.
• Keep an eye on what you are cooking, especially if you are cooking at high temperatures.
• If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit.

Electrical safety

• Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn.
• Never use an extension cord with large appliances, like a refrigerator.
• Do not overload outlets.
• Use only surge protectors or power strips that have internal overload protection.

We know how exciting it is to make the transition from home to college and we want you to stay safe, so we hope you share this information with friends in dorms and off campus. Don’t forget to check with your school’s individual fire safety plans.

As a certified fire restoration company in New Jersey, https://www.SERVPROpointpleasant.com/  pledges our commitment to serving local colleges and the surrounding communities. We’re proud to provide the best emergency fire restoration services in Ocean, Monmouth, Middlesex, Mercer, Atlantic and Burlington Counties.

Simple Steps to Help Avoid a Home Fire in Point Pleasant

8/3/2022 (Permalink)

After a fire, you will need the assistance of a reputable fire restoration company to handle your fire damage cleanup.

Preparing for a fire in your Point Pleasant home is easier than the fire restoration process. Follow these simple steps to help avoid a fire in your home:

• Install the right number of smoke alarms in your residence. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Not sure how many and where to install smoke detectors? The American Red Cross has a video to show you and The National Fire Alarm Code provides the latest safety provisions to meet our society's changing fire detection, signaling, and emergency communications demands.
• Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one. 
• Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.
• Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.
• Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire“ to alert everyone that they must get out.
• Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes catch on fire. 
• Fire extinguishers should be easily accessible to adults trained to use them, and kept away from children's curious hands. Install extinguishers high on the wall, near an exit, and away from heat sources. If you try to use a fire extinguisher on a fire and the fire does not immediately die down, drop the extinguisher and get out.

The following safety measures might seem simple, but an astonishing number of house fires are started because these precautions haven’t been taken:

• Heaters should be at least three feet away from curtains, bedding and clothing.
• Matches and lighters should always be stored out of the reach of children.
• Candles should not be positioned near curtains or other flammable items or used while sleeping even if the power is shut off or is temporarily out of service.
• Food cooking on the stove top should not be left unattended. If you are multi-tasking while cooking and are working in another area of the home, set an alarm to remind you to check!
• Don’t overload power points with appliances.

Fires can cause extensive damage and the clean-up process tends to labor intensive, it is advisable to call in fire, smoke and soot professionals at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

Certified: SERVPRO's Three C's for Cleaning

6/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Toms River is "Here to Help" and Ready to Respond.

As we continue the battle against COVID-19, it’s important to feel confident that the place where we gather, shop or dine is clean and safe. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant knows that we all have a new sense of what it means to be clean.

When you see that a local business in Ocean County has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you can be confident it’s been cleaned using the processes and procedures used by SERVPRO. This defensive and proactive pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond standard janitorial cleaning practices. We are dedicated to inspiring confidence in our community.

When you see the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned shield, you can know that space has been cleaned to a higher standard, so you can feel safe to go there. This thorough deep COVID cleaning has 3 phases called the “3 C’s”:

• Consult-We customize a cleaning program based on the unique needs of each business.
• Clean-In this step, our trained professionals will use EPA-approved hospital-grade cleaning solutions to clean a facility based on the particular needs of that business. We adhere to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the CDC, cleaning all touchpoints and surrounding surfaces.
• Certify-You’ll know a business is Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned by the shield posted on their front window. Our shield represents their commitment to the comfort and security of their employees, customers, and community.

Whether or not you’ve had a positive case of the novel coronavirus, we can deep clean your business or commercial property as a proactive measure that will give your employees and customers confidence in gathering there. Interested in our Commercial Services? Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant today at 732-202-3001. 

Did You Know That SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Offers Water Damage Cleanup and Reconstruction?

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is your one-stop shop for residential reconstruction.

First we must understand what reconstruction means? Reconstruction is the act or process of rebuilding, repairing, or restoring something.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for Water Damage Restoration and Reconstruction?

SERVPRO water damage restoration and reconstruction services will ensure our customers can work with SERVPRO of Point Pleasant on all aspects of their water damage. We will be there at the start to the very end, rather than contracting with multiple vendors and dealing with several points of contact. Working with one company on all aspects of a reconstruction project will save our customers time and money and eliminate the need to plan out a project with multiple vendors. SERVPRO customers now will have one project manager, one point of contact, and one schedule.

Customers who put their trust in us with their water damage emergency and reconstruction project will know they are in the best hands. Our SERVPRO crew are experts in the water damage cleanup and the reconstruction process and our customers are presented with the highest level of customer service, 24/7 365 days a year.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has over 15 years of experience in the restoration, remediation, mitigation and reconstruction of residential and commercial properties. Our team understands the extent to which water can damage a property and offer high quality repair, rebuilding and construction services. We are a full service water mitigation and reconstruction company. We will take care of the entire process from water extraction and cleanup, drying, content cleaning, restoration, and finally the reconstruction.

Fire Prevention for Your Point Pleasant Restaurant

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Fire Damage? Call Us Today – (732) 202-3001

Understanding fire hazards in your Point Pleasant restaurant kitchen can help minimize the risk of can help prevent injury or loss of life, property damage and business shutdown which could cause a loss of revenue.

Do you know the most common causes of restaurant fires?

• Open flames are a risk because many things within the kitchen can catch fire from them. The staff should be experienced in controlling open flames and know how a fire suppression system works in the event a fire were to start. An automatic fire suppression system is a system in the kitchen is one of the best preventative measures available. According to NFPA, more than half of restaurant fires involve cooking equipment. Fire suppression systems automatically release fire retardant materials when triggered. Once activated, the system automatically shuts off the fuel or energy supply to the cooking system.
• Grease and grease traps Grease can get hot and is extremely flammable. A full grease trap that is not cleaned regularly may have pieces of food that can easily catch fire when more hot grease is added.
• Flammable materials such as loose fitting or flammable clothing, dish towels and pot holders Make sure everyone in the kitchen has safe and proper attire while in the cooking areas. Also, make sure to keep all dish towels and pot holders away from an open flame.
• Electrical wiring Just a small tear, fray or, cut in a wire can lead to a fire in your kitchen so remember to check for frays, breaks, or damage, even those that are out of sight. 
• Smoking If the staff is allowed to smoke, ensure they have a designated smoking area with disposal bins that are regularly checked and cleaned out.

Remember: The best defense against fire loss is to minimize the risk before a fire breaks out. One of the most accessible strategies for fire prevention involves good housekeeping.

What Can Owners, Managers and Employees Do to Help Prevent a Restaurant Fire?

• Train employees on fire extinguisher use/fire submission Train all employees how to properly use a fire extinguisher and activate the overhead fire suppression system, so in the event of a fire, they will know what to do.
• Back up extinguishers: Install back up extinguishers in your restaurant. Extinguishers in the cooking area should be Class K for use on high-temperature grease fires. Use them only after the built-in suppression system is activated. Use Class ABC extinguishers in other areas of the restaurant to deal with fires resulting from other materials such as electrical issues, paper, plastic, or wood. Fire extinguishers are helpful only when staff is trained on their proper use. Staff should know where the extinguishers are located and exactly how to operate one.
• Empty grease traps regularly Overfilled grease traps can catch fire.
• Keep aisles uncluttered Cluttered walkways will hamper employees and customers trying to escape from a fire.
• Turn off gas and electric source Employees should know where and how to cut off the gas and electrical source in case of an emergency ONLY IF SAFE!
• Provide sufficient lighting/make sure exit signs are functioning  The emergency exit route needs to be adequately lit so employees and customers can see where they are going in case of an emergency and allows everyone to quickly identify the exit in an emergency.

During a four-year study by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there were 7,640 structural fires in dining and drinking establishments. These fires caused more than $246 million in property damage.

The best strategy to protect your restaurant from a fire loss includes fire prevention and proper training for employees. If your Jackson restaurant experiences fire damage, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, or office building, we will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion.

Kitchen Cleaning After a Grease Fire in Whiting

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

Grease fire in Whiting brought soot and smoke damage throughout 2 story home.

Cooking is such a routine activity that it is easy to forget that the high temperatures used can easily start a fire. More fires start in the kitchen than in any other place in the home. Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen while food is cooking. Luckily, the majority of reported cooking fires were small.

Do Electric or Gas Stoves Cause More Kitchen Fires?

Households that used electric ranges showed a higher risk of cooking fires and associated losses than those using gas ranges, according to the National Fire Prevention Agency. This could be because with an electric range it may be less obvious that a burner is still on.

Did You Know That Oil and Grease Could Start a Kitchen Fire?

Grease fires happen when oil, grease, or fat on a stovetop or oven get hot enough to ignite. They are highly flammable which means they can catch fire easily. Different oils burn at different temperatures or flash points, but every oil you can buy at the grocery store is capable of catching on fire if the temperature is high enough. When you're cooking with grease, it's important to know the warning signs that oils are getting too hot. Boiling and smoking are good indicators that it's time to turn down the heat. Oils heat very quickly, and once it starts to smoke, oil can catch fire in as little as 30 seconds.

Water Makes Grease Fires Worse

NEVER try to extinguish a grease fire with water. Throwing water on the fire can cause burning grease to splash, which can make the fire spread and potentially harm bystanders. It is dangerous to move a pan or pot of burning oil for the same reasons, according to VeryWellHealth.com.

Grease Fires Can Get Out of Control Quickly

Do not wait until the fire is out of control to call 911! The fire department can always return to the station if you are able to get the fire out before they get to you.

What to Do If You Experience an Oil or Grease Fire?

• Call 911-Fires can become out of control very quickly
• Turn off the Stove whether it is the burner, oven, or broiler.
• Cover with a Lid-The easiest way to cut off oxygen to a grease fire is to cover it with a metal pan lid or baking sheet. 
• Douse the Flames-The warning to never use water to put out a grease fire is worth repeating, especially since your urge may be to take a burning pot to the sink and turn on the faucet. Instead, you can reach for two pantry staples to help douse a small grease fire safely with baking sodabecause it releases carbon dioxide when heated, which can smother the fire or salt can form a barrier between the fire and the air. This prevents the fire from getting the oxygen it needs. NEVER use flour and baking powder as they are highly combustible and can explode in extreme heat. Do not use them (or any boxed mixes that contain them) on a grease fire.
• Use a Class K Fire Extinguisher. These are wet chemical extinguishers that are commonly found in commercial kitchens. They are designed specifically for cooking fires and work by forming a soapy foam on the surface of the fire that cuts off air flow. NEVER use a Class A-only fire extinguisher on a grease fire, as it is water-based.

When to Call the Pros at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to Clean After a Grease Fire?

Because grease fires cause such extensive damage and be a long, intensive process, it's almost always advisable to call in professionals. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant have the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.