How Is Commercial Restoration Different than Residential?

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant helps commercial customers with a wide variety of cleaning, reconstruction and restoration projects of all sizes.

Commercial buildings include apartment complexes, industrial spaces, hotels, retail spaces and office spaces. These have rooms designed for a specific function.

Residential is any property that has between one and four residential units. This can include a single-family home, a townhome, a condo, a mobile home, or a multiplex building.

The main difference between the two is the size of the building and how it is being used. Commercial properties are generally larger than residential properties.

Plumbing

Commercial properties usually have more pipes due to the increased number of bathrooms, kitchens etc. While residential homes have standard plumbing. Just like a residential home, a broken pipe can equally destroy a commercial property.

Business Spaces & Appliances

A commercial business might involve networks of computer systems, document storage, complicated desk setups etc. When restoring these rooms this needs to be done with an extreme amount of caution.

HVAC systems

The HVAC and sprinkler systems in commercial properties are on a very larger scale and can cause a significant amount of damage. HVAC systems can fail, it is important to get them regularly maintained and checked for old hardware or a leak. By doing so, it will help decrease the chances of issues caused by your HVAC system.

You can count on SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for all your commercial restoration needs to:

• Respond immediately
• Formulate the right solution
• Keep you operational if possible
• Document the process
• Get the work done fast
• Get the work done right

The right equipment and trained professionals are needed to address these specific types of issues. Every day your business is closed or only partially operational, you could be losing money. Whether you are dealing with a water damage, fire damage, storm damage, or you have mold or a biohazard contamination SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is here to help. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us today at 732-202-3001 for all of your restoration needs!

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.

Professional Cleaning Throughout the Pandemic

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has multiple products in the our product line that carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens.

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

For more information, follow the Environmental Protection Agency's Cleaning and Disinfecting Best Practices During Covid-19. 

How to Know When to Clean and When to Disinfect:

• Cleaning with products containing soap or detergent reduces germs on surfaces by removing contaminants and may also weaken or damage some of the virus particles, which decreases risk of infection from surfaces. When no people with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 are known to have been in a space, cleaning is usually enough to sufficiently remove virus that may be on surfaces and help maintain a healthy facility, according to the CDC.
• Clean and disinfect in shared spaces if certain conditions apply that can increase the risk of infection from touching surfaces such as a high transmission of COVID-19 in your community, a low number of people wearing masks, infrequent hand hygiene, or the space is occupied by certain populations, such as people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Remember to Stay Home if...

• You are feeling sick
• You have a sick family member in their home

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is uniquely prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business according to the protocols set forth by the CDC. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis. Our professionals are trained to perform a proactive cleanup that involves facility or structure cleaning and disinfection. 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 waste. Call today at 732-202-3001. 

Day Four of Hurricane Preparedness Week: Flood Insurance

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant uses advanced equipment and scientific drying techniques after storm damage or flood damage.

Being prepared with flood insurance can help you rebuild your home faster and stronger. No home is completely safe from the risk of potential flooding. Floods can happen anywhere and just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage, according to FEMA If you’re not protected, you could be responsible for paying for costly damage all on your own. 

Need Flood Insurance?

Call your insurance company or insurance agent, or ask a friend or family member who they use or contact The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to get a quote as soon as possible. Plan ahead as there is typically a 30-day waiting period for an NFIP policy to go into effect.

Currently Have Flood Insurance?

Do an insurance check-up: make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it.

Flooding can be an emotionally and financially devastating event. With flood insurance, you're able to recover faster and more fully. 

Have Storm or Flood Damage?

Major storms and flooding events can overwhelm many restoration companies. On the other hand, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has helped many people in the aftermath of hurricanes and flooding, including Superstorm Sandy. We are storm and flooding damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-flood and pre-storm condition. 

Day Three of Hurricane Preparedness Week: Emergency Disaster Kit

5/3/2022 (Permalink)

Be hurricane ready!

When preparing for hurricanes, having supplies to make it through the hurricane isn’t enough. Ensure you have supplies for the recovery period, which could be very long depending on the damage. In some cases, water, electricity and gas could be out for a day or even over a week. You may need to survive on your own for several days so having an emergency hurricane disaster kit in the event of a hurricane could be a life saver.

What is an Emergency Hurricane Disaster Kit?

An emergency hurricane disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

What Items Should Be in the Hurricane Emergency Disaster Kit?

• Cash-banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods. 
• Water-at least one gallon per person per day for three to seven days, plus water for pets.
• Food-at least enough for three to seven days, including: Non-perishable packaged or canned food and juices, food for infants and the elderly, snack food, paper plates, plastic utensils. 
• Manual can opener (non-electric)
• Radio-battery powered and NOAA weather radio with extra batteries.
• Blankets, pillows etc. 
• Clothing-seasonal, rain gear/ sturdy shoes. 
• First Aid Kit-plus medicines, prescription drugs, vitamins
• Special items-for babies and the elderly. 
• Toiletries-hygiene items, moisture wipes, sanitizer.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Keys
• A portable crank or solar-powered USB charger for your cell phones.
• Toys, books and games.
• Pet care items, proper identification, immunization records, ample food and water, medicine, a carrier or cage, leash.

Once you take a look at the basic items consider what unique needs your family might have, according to Federal Alliance for Safer Homes.

How Much of Each Should Be in Your Emergency hurricane Disaster Kit?

Have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of 3 days (store a longer than 3-day supply of water, if possible) to ensure your family's basic comfort and well-being.

How Should These Items be Safely Stored?

To assemble your kit store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.

Where Should Your Emergency Hurricane Disaster Kit Be Kept?

This kit should be kept at home in a designated place and should be have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.

What Should You Do to Keep the Supplies Updated?

Remember to replace stored food and water every six months, keep a supply of fresh batteries on hand. Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Day Two of Hurricane Preparedness Week: Evacuation

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups.

Day Two Hurricane Preparedness Week: Evacuation Plan

If you live in a hurricane evacuation zone or your area is prone to flooding you may need to leave your home. Also, if you reside in a mobile home and near an evacuation zone you may also need to leave your home. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.

As hurricane season approaches, listen to local officials on questions related to how you may need to adjust any evacuation plans your local officials.

Do You Know New Jersey’s Coastal Evacuation Routes?

They show the various state roads that have been identified as potential evacuation routes for coastal emergencies in Ocean County such as approaching Tropical Storms or Hurricanes. You can prepare for an evacuation by using a local map to identify the roads you would take to reach these Evacuation Routes from home, work or any place where you and your family spend time.

Remember that all evacuation plans, including the evacuation routes posted are flexible and may change based on the nature of an emergency.

When local, county or State officials order you to evacuate, they will provide specific information about the roads you should take. Police and first responders will be posted in your community to direct traffic and block roads that are unsafe. Click here to find the Ocean County and surrounding coastal evacuation maps from the State of New Jersey Office of Emergency Management. 

What Should You Do If Your Evacuation Route Gets Flooded?

Always avoid driving into flooded areas! Remember to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” is the motto of NJ.gov in the event of bad weather and flooding. 

A flash flood occurs within a few hours (usually less than 6 hours) of heavy or excessive rainfall, a dam or levee failure, or the sudden release of water. Flash flood warnings and area-based flood warnings are issued as tropical systems make landfall. Many flash flood fatalities occur at night.

A flood develops more slowly, normally taking more than 6 hours. Area-based flood warnings may continue for days or weeks until flood waters have receded.

Water is very powerful. Six inches of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and pickups. Most flooding deaths occur in automobiles.

Day One of Hurricane Preparedness Week: Risk Assessment

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

Determining your risk is the first part of Hurricane Preparedness Month!

To kick off Hurricane Preparedness Week, the first part of preparation is determining your risk. Everyone lives in an area with some flood risk, it’s just a question of whether you live in a high-risk, low-risk, or moderate-risk flood area.

Do You Know Where to Track a Hurricane?

Learn about your flood zone and know your risk. The NOAA can help you with its Historical Hurricane Tracks Tool that uses your zip code to display paths of past storms related to your location.

Can You Predict Your Chance of Flooding Due to a Hurricane?

Using flood maps can show you your community’s risk of flooding. Specifically, flood maps show a community’s flood zone, floodplain boundaries, and base flood elevation.

What Are Flood Maps?

Flood maps show a community’s risk of flooding. Specifically, flood maps show a community’s flood zone, floodplain boundaries, and base flood elevation.

Where Can You Find Your Flood Map?

You can find your flood map on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center. 

Can Your Flood Risk Change?

How water flows and drains can change due to new construction and community development or natural forces such as changing weather patterns or terrain changes. Also, communities may build levees and dams, decreasing flood risk over time. Although the frequency or severity of impacts cannot be changed, FEMA is working with federal, state, tribal and local partners across the nation to identify flood risk and promote informed planning and development practices to help reduce that risk through the Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP) program. To better reflect your current flood risk, the National Flood Insurance Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency use the latest technology and data to update flood maps nationwide.

Clothes Dryer and Appliance Fire Safety in Mantoloking

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

If a dryer fire strikes your Bricktown property, call the fire damage cleanup experts at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant today.

Fires are common in the home because most of us use lots of them in our everyday lives. While some of the newer appliances come equipped with safety features, other older ones may not. As consumers, we must read the manual for each appliance and be aware of any specific safety features that it has or does not have before purchasing the product.

While many appliances could be the cause of a fire, today we are focusing on the clothes dryer. 

The Clothes Dryer

If you are installing a new dryer of having one installed make sure to carefully follow the installation instructions and make sure that it is installed in a safe place. 

Read these clothes dryer fire facts from the U.S. Fire Administration:

• 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss.
• Failure to clean the dryer (34 percent) is the leading cause of home clothes dryer fires.
• More home clothes dryer fires occur in the fall and winter months, peaking in January.

Common causes of dryer fires:

• Mechanical and electrical failure-faulty wiring and damaged machinery can potentially cause dryer fires, like anything with moving parts and electronic components.
• Dirty lint filter-this is a result of a buildup of lint, but can certainly be caused by an accumulation of dirt, grass, or anything else that remains after the washing process. 
• Clogged vent-the outside vent can become clogged, which prevents airflow and potentially leads to hazardous conditions. It can also become obstructed by birds, insect nests, or rodent nests. 
• Improper use-using it outside of the manufacturer's recommended guidelines, such as over-stuffing the appliance, items that shouldn't be put in a dryer, or items with instructions advising against drying with heat.

If a dryer fire starts in your Brick Township home, normally the safest course of action is to evacuate, move your family to a safe location, and call the fire department immediately. While many fires start relatively small, they do tend to spread quickly, according to Germania Insurance.

After a fire, you will need the assistance of a reputable fire restoration company to handle your fire damage cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, NJ at (732) 202-3001 for the experts in fire damage restoration, smoke and soot cleanup.

Common Sources of Water Damage in Mantoloking, New Jersey

4/23/2022 (Permalink)

After any water damage, your primary focus should be safety first and secondly to stop the water.

A broken pipe can cause water damage to your home in Mantoloking, NJ. 

Here are the most common sources of water damage and how you can prevent them and tips to prevent them from happening at all:

• Roofs-Standing water is a sign that your drainage system is not working properly. This is a problem because of the weight of the water. Eventually, this will strain your roof and cause leaks, which can do more damage than a broken pipe. Also, be sure you look for damaged flashing, felt, and shingles as these pieces can degrade over time and will need to be replaced to avoid leaks.
• Pipes-Your plumbing is vulnerable to clogs and other damage. Regularly examine the outside of your pipes for stains, rust, cracks, and bulges. If you see any of these, have them repaired. You can also insulate your pipes to prevent freezing in the winter. Furthermore, a lot of commercial buildings can benefit from leak detectors as there are inexpensive and alert you to any leaks. 
• Forces of Nature-Hurricanes, thunderstorms, and flooding do a lot of damage to buildings. While you can't avoid nasty weather, you can take steps to make sure you are ready to deal with disasters. 

Prevention is key, but sometimes water damage happens no matter how prepared we are and the quicker the water is cleaned up the batter it is for the structure. The speed with which drying occurs can determine how expensive your repair is, how much damage is done, and whether or not your home remains habitable. At SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, we have the expertise needed to repair your home after a water damage occurs. Call us at 732-202-3001.

April Showers Bring May Flowers or... Property Damage in Ocean County

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

It's finally Spring! The daylight begins to stay out longer, the days begin to warm up a little, but then you remember it's still April. April gives us lots of wet weather here in Ocean County. Yesterday was a perfect example. People were outside enjoying the 80 degree day when all of a sudden the sky darkened and the storms rolled in. Wind gusts picked up and there was a sprinkling of lightening in there too.

Thunderstorms are common this time of year in New Jersey, especially in the afternoon and evening hours in the and can produce very dangerous lightning. Follow these safety tips from the American Red Cross to stay safe if a storm rolls in:

• Where there is thunder, there is lightning! If thunder can be heard, then you are close enough to be in danger of lightning strikes. Go indoors!

• Postpone any outdoor activities, such as sporting events and picnics until the storm passes. It is possible to get struck by lightning even if it is not raining.

• Take shelter in a building or vehicle with windows closed and stay clear of the windows.

We can follow these tips to stay safe but unfortunately, there is no foolproof way to completely protect your house from lightning damage, wind damage and storm damage. Following a storm, in order to prevent further damage, it is always important to look for signs of roof damage. Some things to look for are holes, missing or dented shingles, and dented or cracked gutters and downspouts.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant responds immediately, any time, day or night to a storm damage emergency. A quick response is crucial to help limit the additional interior damage and understand the importance of responding quickly to help prevent secondary damage and reduce restoration costs. Our team can provide temporary protective measures to prevent additional damage to the property after a storm including board ups, temporary fencing and portable power.

Hopefully the storms will end at the end of the month and May will bring flowers to New Jersey instead of property damage!

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Offers Emergency Storm & Flood Damage Cleanup

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

There are 3,277 properties in Point Pleasant that have greater than a 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding.

Living at the Jersey Shore, flooding is something a lot of us are familiar with. There are two types of flooding that are the most common in Ocean County are flash floods and coastal floods. Below is a brief description of each:

Flash floods are a sudden local flood, typically due to heavy rain. They can also be caused by dam or levee breaks, or mudslides (debris flow). The intensity of the rainfall, the location and distribution of the rainfall, the land use and topography, vegetation types and growth/density, soil type, and soil water-content all determine just how quickly the Flash Flooding may occur, and influence where it may occur. If people are at their homes or businesses, the water may rise quickly and trap them, or cause damage to the property without them having a chance to protect the property, according to the National Weather Service. Flash Flooding is possible everywhere. The normally tranquil streams and creeks in your neighborhood or area can become raging torrents if heavy rain falls overhead.

Coastal floods are when the coast is flooded by the sea. It occurs when low-lying land is flooded by seawater. According to Washington Coastal Hazards Resilience Network, common causes of coastal flooding are:

• Storm surge-changes in atmospheric pressure can elevate seawater levels during a storm, pushing more water toward the shore.
• Wind-driven waves-wind can push water higher and further onto land, causing coastal flooding.
• High tides and king tides-high tides can combine with other factors to cause coastal flooding. King tides are exceptionally high tides caused by one or more astronomical events happening at the same time.
• Sea level rise – as daily tides become higher smaller magnitudes of storm surge, wind and other factors will result in coastal flooding.
• Increased river flows – increased river discharge, caused by changes in rainfall, groundwater storage, and melting snowpack, can combine with seawater levels to flood coastal areas.

Severe weather from hurricanes, thunderstorms, and floods can cause significant damage to your Point Pleasant property. Water can be extremely destructive and the longer it remains, the more damage it could cause to your property.

When it comes to storms and floods, few people anticipate that it will actually cause damage to their home, whether it be water damage from either storm or a flood, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant provides emergency water damage cleanup restoration services. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, including holidays.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Performs Expert Level Cleaning Services for Covid-19

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has specialized training and experience in biohazard cleanup for all emergencies of decontamination due to Covid-19.

Beginning in 2020, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention responded to an outbreak of a respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus that was first detected in China and spread internationally. While the virus is termed coronavirus, the sickness that results after infection is termed COVID-19.

COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, which is a global outbreak of a disease.

Expert Level Cleaning Services

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your Bricktown home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have many years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

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 Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• 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. 

24 Hour Emergency Service

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our highly trained technicians are standing by. We have the qualified trained professionals who are ready to respond to these incidents. We will always treat your property and the people involved with the greatest empathy and respect in the face of trying circumstances.

A broken pipe can cause water damage to your home in Mantoloking, NJ.

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

After any water damage, your primary focus should be safety first and secondly to stop the water.

A broken pipe can cause water damage to your home in Mantoloking, NJ. 

Here are the most common sources of water damage and how you can prevent them and tips to prevent them from happening at all:

• Roofs-Standing water is a sign that your drainage system is not working properly. This is a problem because of the weight of the water. Eventually, this will strain your roof and cause leaks, which can do more damage than a broken pipe. Also, be sure you look for damaged flashing, felt, and shingles as these pieces can degrade over time and will need to be replaced to avoid leaks.
• Pipes-Your plumbing is vulnerable to clogs and other damage. Regularly examine the outside of your pipes for stains, rust, cracks, and bulges. If you see any of these, have them repaired. You can also insulate your pipes to prevent freezing in the winter. Furthermore, a lot of commercial buildings can benefit from leak detectors as there are inexpensive and alert you to any leaks. 
• Forces of Nature-Hurricanes, thunderstorms, and flooding do a lot of damage to buildings. While you can't avoid nasty weather, you can take steps to make sure you are ready to deal with disasters. 

Prevention is key, but sometimes water damage happens no matter how prepared we are and the quicker the water is cleaned up the batter it is for the structure. The speed with which drying occurs can determine how expensive your repair is, how much damage is done, and whether or not your home remains habitable. At SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, we have the expertise needed to repair your home after a water damage occurs. Call us at 732-202-3001.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Emergency Water Damage Cleanup for Your Business

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

Fire suppression system pipe broke in a business on the second floor and the entire first floor has water damage.

If you are a Point Pleasant Beach business owner, any kind of water damage to your facility needs to be remedied quickly with the least amount of downtime to your daily business functions. A call to SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will help you get water damage repaired and restored in order to minimize downtime and prevent loss of revenue.

What to Expect When You First Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for Help After You Experience a Water Damage at Your Business?

With your initial call to our office, we will need to know several important details and information regarding your water damage emergency. This  will help us determine what equipment and resources are needed when to arrive on site to begin the water cleanup process:

• Your name, contact information and position with the business
• Your insurance information, if applicable
• Location and street address of your water damaged business
• The date you first noticed the water damage
• The cause of the water loss, if known
• Is power or electricity available
• What area or areas have been affected

Whatever size the water damage is to your business, we have the experience and equipment to deal with it. We will help you understand the severity of the water damage to your building so that you’re able to make the best decisions on moving forward with the restoration process. Whether you’re dealing with minor water damage to your commercial property or a large-loss event, we can develop a restoration plan to help ensure your property is clean, dry and restored to its pre-damaged condition.  

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant only uses the most advanced equipment to detect hidden moisture and extract standing water. We will work closely with you and the any other occupants of your building during the restoration process to have as little disruption as possible to your daily business activities.

Book Mold, Foxing or Age-Tanning?

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

It is sometimes hard to distinguish between mold, foxing and age-tanning on books.

How should I store or pack my books to prevent mold?

If stored in a good environment, paper made in Europe from the late medieval period through to the mid-19th century tends to be in good condition. Paper made after the mid-19th century, however, may be affected by the poor quality materials from which it was made. From the mid-19th century onwards, increasing demand for reading material coincided with the development of mechanized papermaking and printing. This allowed the widespread use of cheap and plentiful wood pulp as the raw material for paper making. Wood pulp can simply be ground up and then made into paper. This type of pulp, known as groundwood, contains all the acidic components that are present in the wood. Paper made from groundwood pulp, e.g. newspaper, is cheap to produce but inherently very acidic, according to the Victoria and Albert Museum. The use of groundwood in old books can immediately be identified by the way the paper has turned a rusty-orangy-brown as the acids in it work away at the fibers, according to Rhollick.

Avoid storing books in attics, basements and garages and keep boxes slightly off the floor and away from the walls. This prevents damage from minor flooding and the airflow will help avoid insect damage and mold. For long term storage of valued books, individual, archive quality, boxes are a great option.

How often should I perform regular maintenance on my books?

Removing books from shelves once or twice a year to dust them will keep them clean and is a good way of noticing problems with mold or insects before too much damage is caused.

Besides mold, what else can cause yellow/brown/orange spots or browning on books?

1. Age tanning, or browning, occurs over time on the pages of books. This kind of deterioration is commonly seen in books printed before the advent of acid-free paper in the 1980s, according to Biblio.com. Tanning tends to start from the outer edges of books and moves inwards over time, thus creating a yellowish or brownish border on the pages. This process can show up on just the edges of pages, when this occurs it is sometimes referred to as "edge tanning." The end papers of books are usually more acidic than the rest of the pages, so they undergo tanning faster. The process is more noticeable in the areas where glue has been applied to the back or where bookplates or newspaper cutouts have been kept says freelance writer, Satabdi Mukherjee. The browning of pages in older books will continue to be both part of the charm and challenge of book collecting.
2. Foxing describes disfiguring small yellow brown spots or blotches on paper. Two main causes are mold and iron contaminants in the paper. Molds feed on the paper itself, as well as any dirt or organic material on it, for example, finger marks, food stains and squashed insects. Tiny metal impurities can be found in paper as a result of the original manufacturing process. Damp conditions will cause iron contaminants to rust. In some cases a conservator may be able to reduce the disfiguring effect of foxing, but in many cases you simply have to accept this old damage.

Is old-book smell always mold?

No. Explained best by Ann Elizabeth Wiener for the Science History Institute, that no one can deny that old books have their own distinct scent but that does not necessarily mean they have mold. Some love “old book smell’ while others despise it but everyone can agree that it is a potent, unmistakable smell but it can be a hard order to describe. That may be because no two books smell exactly the same. The complex scent is actually an amalgamation of specific chemical markers of decay that combine with how a book was made and how and where it was stored and used by the people who have touched it. In essence, when we breathe it in, we are simultaneously smelling the life and the death of a book. The paper, inks, and adhesives that make up a book contain hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As these components break down, VOCs are released into the air, and we detect them in the form of that distinctive odor. (New books release their own, very different VOCs. Inks, solvents, adhesives, bleaching agents, and other chemicals involved in modern manufacturing processes combine to produce the crisp, synthetic smell you notice when you snap open a freshly printed text. Environmental factors, such as the kind of climate or room a book was stored in, whether it was dusty or dirty or exposed to constant sunlight or mildew, all contribute to a book’s smell profile. So to sum up, just because a book can smell like it’s past does not mean it has mold.

What may cause mold on my books?

Air carries moisture and paper is really good at absorbing water out of the air. Water rapidly escalates the deterioration of paper so humidity is extremely harmful to your books. Try to keep your books in a controlled humidity situation, according to BookWritten.com. Mold growth is caused by high relative humidity or dampness, combined with poor air circulation. Relative humidity measures the amount of moisture that is in the air relative to the maximum amount of moisture that the air could hold at that temperature. If conditions become dryer and relative humidity drops, the mold should become dormant, but will reactivate again if relative humidity rises. If you have mold on books, try to locate the source of the dampness and address the underlying cause of your problem.

What to do if you find mold in your books in your Brick Township home, study, office or library?

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001 today. We are trained mold damage specialists who get started quickly to get your home or business back to normal, with specific training and certifications to handle your restoration needs.

The Blizzard of 2022

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

What is a bomb cyclone?

The Blizzard of 2022!

Ocean County, along with the Eastern Coast of Ney Jersey, was expecting a severe winter storm to hit here the last weekend in January. The storm started late on Friday night and by Saturday morning the nor'easter brought lots of gusting winds that were blowing sideways. Some areas had wind gusts of 70 mile per hour. Bands of snow and wind clobbered the Jersey Shore throughout the day. Drifting snow from the wind made snow totals hard to measure. 

When is a snow storm considered a blizzard?

A blizzard is defined as three or more hours of visibility reductions to one quarter mile or less due to falling or blowing snow, and sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or greater. The National Weather Service confirmed Blizzard Conditions along the entire coastal strip of New Jersey from Cape May to Sandy Hook, NJ during the Nor’easter of January 28 and 29, 2022.

Saturday morning, the air pressure dropped and the storm rapidly turning into a bomb cyclone. 

What is a bomb cyclone?

A "bomb cyclone" is a term given to a rapidly strengthening storm that fulfills one important criterion. Generally, pressure must drop 24 millibars (a unit of pressure) within 24 hours. However, that benchmark is also based on the latitude of the storm. So, the millibar requirement can change depending on where the storm forms, according to CNN.

Have storm damage in your Brick or Point Pleasant business or home?

Let SERVPRO of Point Pleasant handle all of your storm damage cleanup. We are your local water damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-storm condition. Using advanced equipment and scientific drying techniques, we document the drying process to validate your home or business is ready.

What Makes Mold Different Colors

2/11/2022 (Permalink)

There are thousands of species of molds and each type of mold can vary in color, shape and size.

Mold is a type of fungus that forms multicellular, thread-like structures and produces spores that give it its color. Mold is typically green, white, black or grey but can be brown, purple, orange, pink, yellow, red, white, or even a combination of colors. The color of mold can be influenced by many factors including food source, humidity level, light, region and even their age. The same mold can be different colors in different conditions and can even change over time.

Mold is typically multi-colored. This is because most types of mold appear with a small array of color or colors, ranging from white at the edges to a dark or bright color in the center. The colors are the spores themselves, the second surrounding color is the body, and the white or gray are the filaments that explore and produce spores. It is important to remember that the same mold type can appear in several different colors. This can make it very difficult to identify any particular type of mold by appearance alone. 

Here’s some interesting facts about different colors of molds:

• Blue Mold can start out as blue and if the area keeps getting wet, eventually it can start to eat the blue mold and it will become black or green. This is why blue will not always stay blue and is usually pretty powdery. Blue mold is often found growing on food, but it can also be found growing on household materials like wallpaper, insulation, furnishings and carpeting that have been damaged by water.
• Gray Mold affects many plant species and greatly depends on the type of plant and environmental conditions.
• Orange Mold is unique and generally not a single type of species, but more like a colony of single-celled organisms. This mold may grow together with some other mold types, such as green mold or black mold, especially on food and usually appears with a slimy, spongy consistency. It is typically spotted eating rotted trees that have fallen in the woods and in mulch piles.
• Purple Mold is something that you can find behind walls, often underneath vinyl and wallpaper, and on wood. It mostly grows in areas hidden from plain sight.
• Brown Mold typically grows on plywood, other wood surfaces and in the bathroom on window sills or between tiles. It may look like fuzzy growth or small moist blobs.
• Pink Mold is controversial as some believe it is not a mold but instead is a bacteria. Science has proven that it is indeed both a mold and a bacteria. It is mostly found in moisture-rich environments like bathrooms where it can feed off soap and shower products and tends to be fuzzy
• Red Mold usually grows in tandem with other color molds. It grows on building materials such as particle board or drywall. It can also grow on spoiled food.
• White Mold is the default spore-free color of most molds and the exploratory tendrils of a mold are almost always white before they produce and release spores. This means that very new mold will almost always appear to be white. It can be found on virtually any material and thrives in dark and damp areas that include framing in the attic, basement walls, and exposed dirt in crawlspaces.
• Green Mold appears as soft and fuzzy or powdery and can have different hues of green. It can basically grow anywhere in your home where a water problem may occur. It loves latching onto food such as bread and starch heavy foods.
• Yellow Mold is a common household mold and can found virtually everywhere you’ve experienced water damage. It is sometimes referred to as house-eating mold because it feeds on wooden structures and literally eats away at them causing the deterioration of many old wooden buildings and wooden furniture.
• Black Mold favors materials, such as cardboard, hay, paper, wicker, and wood especially in humid rooms of a house.

Interested in learning other fascinating science facts about mold? Try searching “prettiest molds”, “slime molds” and even “bizarre fruiting bodies of slime molds!” This shows just how amazing nature is in our world.

The only time it is not interesting to learn about mold is when you learn you have unwanted mold growing in your home or business. Regardless of the color of your mold, you want it gone as soon as possible. That is when it is time to call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant! Our highly trained technicians will remediate the mold with our Mold Remediation Process.

Frozen Pipe Water Damage Due to Swing in Temperatures in Point Pleasant and Bricktown

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

This pipe burst on the second floor causing water to flow into the first floor and basement causing extensive water damage to the home.

The large temperature swings that Ocean County have been experiencing these last few months are causing lots of burst pipes. After a freeze, any sort of warm-up and thaw in temperature, you could get an expansion of the pipes. This usually occurs 24 hours after the thaw that pipes will start to break. 

These burst pipes are bad news for any dwelling because a burst pipe can releases hundreds of gallons of water per hour. Just to give you an idea of how much water a burst pipe can release, here are the average water flow rates based on typical municipal water lines from the Municipal Water District:

• ½-inch pipe: 50 gallons per minute
• ¾-inch pipe: 110 gallons per minute
• 1-inch pipe: 210 gallons per minute
• 2-inch pipe: 850 gallons per minute
• 3-inch pipe: 1,900 gallons per minute
• 4-inch pipe: 3,400 gallons per minute

Regardless of where the pipe burst occurs, the effects can be devastating. The damages are usually worse when there is a burst pipe in the upstairs and the water comes trickling down to the lower floors. First thing you should do in this case is stop the flow of water. To do this, find the shut off valve. Turn it off and this will stop all the further flow of the water into your property. This will help prevent the spread of more water that could cause more damage.

When you leave your home in the colder months, leave the thermostat set no lower than 55-60 degrees. In the event of a power outage or extreme cold, it will not take long for the interior temperature in your home to drop to a dangerous low, allowing the pipes to freeze.

Frozen pipe cleanup should be left to the experienced and qualified water damage experts at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. We have years of experience and up to date certifications, so you can rest assured knowing your property is in good hands. If you’re experiencing water damage due to frozen and burst pipes in New Jersey, call us today at 732-202-3001.

Winter Weather Heading to Ocean County on January 28, 2022

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

Be aware of the wind chill. Dress appropriately and avoid staying in the cold too long. Stay safe!

Winter Storm Watch 

Start Friday, January 28, 7:00 PM EST

End Saturday, January 29, 7:00 PM EST

WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM FRIDAY EVENING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING... 

Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 6 to 12 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph.

The coastal counties of New Jersey including Point Pleasant, Bricktown, and surrounding towns according to AccuWeather.

IMPACTS Travel could be very difficult to impossible.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS Snow is expected to begin Friday evening in Delmarva and southern New Jersey, spreading northward overnight into Saturday morning. Snow may be heavy at times through mid afternoon before diminishing Saturday evening. Strong winds may generate blowing snow and very low visibilities at times. The storm total snow forecast remains very uncertain, so stay tuned to the latest forecasts.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Do You Know How Molds Are Used In Our Daily Lives?

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

Not all molds should be growing on all cheese including this mold growing on old pizza from a hoarding situation in Manchester, NJ.

Mold is a scary word to some people but it is very common in our daily lives. Mold is a type of fungus that forms multicellular, thread-like structures. Mold is found everywhere in nature. Some molds are known to cause damage, decay and mild annoyances while others have become indispensable to humans.

Do you know what things are made from mold that most of us have used before?

1. The Penicillium mold is one of the first and still one of the most widely used antibiotic agents to make Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin and Nafcillin. The PBS News Story has an interesting article, The Real Story of Penicillin, about how Penicillin was first discovered to treat infections. It is truly remarkable how a few doctors changed the course of medicine that we still use in our lives today.
2. The second thing made with mold that most of us use are certain kinds of cheeses. Yes, cheese. Blue veined cheese such as Roquefort, blue, Gorgonzola, and Stilton are created by the introduction of Penicillium roqueforti or Penicillium roqueforti spores. Cheeses such as Brie and Camembert have white surface molds. Production involves adding a white mold culture to the curd, causing a white bloom to grow on the surface. The cheese then ripens in four to nine weeks. The longer it is stored, the softer it becomes. Other cheeses have both an internal and a surface mold. The molds used to manufacture these cheeses are safe to eat. Visit Castello to look at some of their white mold cheese.
3. Some molds are used in the production of alcohol. Rhizopus has several industrial applications in the manufacturing of enzymes and metabolites such as ethanol, lactic, and fumaric acids. This means that Rhizopus can metabolize starch into glucose, directly fermenting the glucose to give alcohol.
4. Koji molds are used to ferment soybeans to make soy sauce. They are also used to make vinegar, as well as fermented beverages, like sake.

Mold can grow on almost all foods. Do you know what common foods are likely to grow mold?

• Fruits: Including strawberries, oranges, grapes, apples and raspberries
• Vegetables: Including tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower and carrots
• Bread: Especially when it contains no preservatives
• Cheese: Both soft and hard varieties
• Meats
• Nuts
• Milk
• Processed Foods

Even if mold is only visible on the surface, its roots may lie deep in the food.

What does mold need to grow on these foods?

Most molds need organic matter and oxygen to live, which is why they usually don’t thrive where oxygen is limited. Also, most molds need moisture to live.

Even though some molds are added to particular foods during production to achieve certain effects, the same molds can still spoil other products. Remember that just because some molds are used to make some cheese does not mean you should eat them.

So, how can you prevent mold from growing on your food?

According to healthline, here are their tips to help prevent mold growth in your food:

• Clean your fridge regularly: Wipe out the inside every few months.
• Keep cleaning supplies clean: This includes dishcloths, sponges and other cleaning utensils.
• Don’t let your produce rot: Fresh food has a limited shelf life. Buy a small amount at a time and use it within a few days.
• Keep perishable foods cool: Store foods with limited shelf lives, such as vegetables, in the refrigerator, and don’t leave them out for more than two hours.
• Storage containers should be clean and sealed: Use clean containers when storing food and cover it to prevent exposure to mold spores in the air.
• Use leftover food fast: Eat leftovers within three to four days.
• Freeze for longer-term storage: If you don’t plan on eating the food soon, put it in the freezer.

If you do find mold growing in places that should not have mold, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. 

Below Freezing Temperatures in Ocean County Could Bring Water Damage Caused by Burst Pipes

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

A pipe with a small crack can bring gallons of water causing extensive water damage to your home.

Below Freezing Temperatures in Ocean County Could Bring Water Damage Caused by Burst Pipes

Brick has had a couple of very cold days this week and now the weather is starting to rise above freezing you need to keep an eye out for water from a burst pipe. 

What are signs that might lead you to realize you had a frozen pipe in the last few days?

• Water supply problems-If you notice you have little to no water flow after you turn on the faucet
• Water where there shouldn't be any water
• A bulging in a pipe
• Icy pipes or pipes with frost on them

Call us at 732-202-3001 for all you water damage cleanup emergencies 24/7. We are water damage specialists, we have the experience, expertise, and advanced training that enables us to get your property dried quickly and thoroughly. We use scientific drying principles and provide validation and documentation that your property is dry and the job is complete. Learn about our water damage training and certificates.

To prevent pipes from freezing in the future, follow these easy steps from the American Red Cross:

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.

• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.

• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.

• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.

• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

Food to Avoid Giving Your Pets on Thanksgiving

11/24/2021 (Permalink)

Keep the phone number to the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) as well as the number and address for your local emergency veterinarian handy.

Thanksgiving is just one day away so please keep your animals safe. Ask your guests to not feed your pets table scraps or ask you before they do to let them know what is safe to feed them. Turkey is not normally bad for dogs, but the “trimmings” and other ingredients included in the dishes on the table are often not tolerated by dogs and in some cases can be toxic. This list is on the DO NOT FEED PETS list:

• Turkey skin
• Tukey drippings
• Turkey bones
• Stuffing
• Gravy
• Onions
• Garlic
• Mushrooms
• Grapes
• Raisins
• Sage
• Pumpkin Pie – May contain Xylitol
• Chocolate
• Alcohol 

Here are a few items that are considered safe to feed your pets if you decide to let them share in the festivities:

• Turkey meat
• Sweet potatoes
• Pumpkin (not pumpkin pie)
• Potatoes
• Apples

Pets do not know what is good and safe for them so it is up to us to keep them happy and healthy. Always keep the phone number to the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) as well as the number and address for your local emergency veterinarian in a place where all household members can see it. 

Fried Turkey Cooking Safety Tips to Keep Everyone Safe on Thanksgiving

11/23/2021 (Permalink)

Fire prevention and safety for deep frying a turkey on Thanksgiving.

Turkey fryers have the potential to cause fire and serious injury so be sure you know how to safely use the fryer. Follow these fried turkey cooking safety tips to keep everyone safe on Thanksgiving:

• Set up the turkey fryer more than 10 feet away from your home.
• Keep children and pets away from the fryer
• Never ever leave it unattended.
• Place the fryer on a flat, level surface and make sure the oil stays even and steady at all times.
• Make sure your Thanksgiving turkey is completely thawed and dry because any extra water may cause the oil to bubble furiously and spill over.
• Be sure to keep track of the oil's temperature because many fryers do not have their own thermostats.
• Be careful when touching the turkey fryer as the lid and handle can become very hot to the touch.
• Choose a smaller turkey for frying.
• Wear goggles to shield your eyes, use oven mitts to protect your hands and arms.
• Leave 2 feet between the tank and the burner when using a propane-powered fryer.
• Always have a fire extinguisher (multipurpose, dry-powder) ready at all times in the event that the oil ignites.

Follow the above safety tips to make sure all your family and friends will enjoy your tasty Thanksgiving fried turkey. 

Tips to Keep Your Pipes from Freezing when Cold Temperatures Arrive in Point Pleasant

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

What do you do after the plumber has repaired your burst pipe? Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for all your water damage cleanup needs.

As the Jersey Shore heads into it’s winter season, now is a good time to start planning ahead to avoid one of winter's most unwanted experiences: frozen pipes.

Some homes and business have pipes that are in danger of freezing. In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather and can cause thousands in water damage.

Before we talk about tips to prevent your pipes from freezing, let's first look at which pipes are most likely to freeze when the weather plummets:

• Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
• Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation. 

Now that we know which pipes are at high risk from the cold, follow these simple tips to help prevent frozen pipes:

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

In the event your home or business does experience a frozen pipe, here are a few things to do while waiting for the cleanup process to begin:

• Turn the main water off to the property.
• Shut off power main if the is a chance water came in contact with anything electrical.
• Find the damaged pipe and repair yourself or call a licensed plumber to help.

• Check with your agent or insurance company so you will be sure what your policy covers.
• Document the damaged articles and take photos.

• If your home sustains water damage, it is important to make sure that it is properly dried and repaired to prevent any potential problem with mold. 

In the event of property damage from a frozen or burst pipe, you may need professional help to make repairs, clean up the water, and prevent any mold from creeping up in the affected area of your home. Don’t just call any water damage service, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, your local, water damage clean-up specialists. With over 20 years of service in our community, we have the experience, expertise and knowledge to make the repairs to your home and business “Like it never even happened.” 

Why Choose SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for Fire, Smoke and Soot Damage Cleanup in Your Bricktown Home?

10/8/2021 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. We’re dedicated to responding immediately when you need help with fire or water damage.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for Fire, Smoke and Soot Damage Cleanup in Your Bricktown Home?

1. Free Estimate-SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will write up a free estimate for your fire damage emergency cleanup service in your house, condominium or apartment.
2. Work with Insurance–We will work with insurance company when it comes to removing smoke, soot and even water from firefighting efforts caused by extinguishing the flames.
3. Timely Response–We understand that time is of the utmost importance after you experience a fire. Our team will arrive as soon as it is deemed safe to start your restoration process.
4. Certification– SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is IICRC certified.
5. Reputation– We let our past clients speak through reviews to make sure that you have the best company working for you. We have a long history of happy customers and great service in the Ocean County and surrounding areas.
6. Experience– We have over 20 years of experience within our local community and are true professionals.
7. Availability– We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for all fire damage emergencies your home.

We’re Fire Damage Specialists

There is no substitute for training and experience. As fire and water damage specialists, our business is built upon fire and water restoration expertise. We have the knowledge and the specialized equipment to get your property back to pre-fire condition.

• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician

Learn to be Fire Smart Against Fires in Your Brick Home

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

We clean and restore your property using specialized equipment and cleaning techniques. Our “restore first” mentality reduces interruption and gets yo

Do not let your Brick home be one of the statistics each year. There are more than 45,000 home fires each year. They are a very common cause of fires in the home. They cause millions of dollars in damages, while claiming lives in the process. Most fire deaths occur between midnight and 6 AM with peak months being December through March, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Common causes can be:

• Appliances
  • Always appliances directly into a wall outlet.
  • Never use an extension cord with a major appliance because it can easily overheat and start a fire.
  • Unplug small appliances when you are not using them.
  • Keep lamps, light fixtures and light bulbs away from anything that can burn.
  • Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture.
  • Check electrical cords on appliances often. Replace cracked, damaged and loose electrical cords. Do not try to repair them.
• Outlets
  • Do not overload wall outlets. Insert plugs fully into sockets.
  • Never force a three-prong cord into a two-slot outlet.
  • Install tamper-resistant electrical outlets if you have young children.

• Extension Cords, Power Strips and Surge Protectors
  • Replace worn, old or damaged extension cords right away.
  • Use extension cords for temporary purposes only.
  • Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug.
  • Do not overload power strips.
  • Use power strips that have internal overload protection.

If your home does experience an electrical fire, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant specializes in fire damage restoration. We have the specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment and can quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition. 

Flooding Information for Your Home or Business

9/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant understands that every flood damage is different and requires a unique solution. Call us today at 732-202-3001.

What is flooding?

Flooding is a temporary overflow of water onto land that is normally dry.

What could cause flooding?

• Result from rain, snow, coastal storms, storm surges and overflows of dams and other water systems.
• Develop slowly or quickly. Flash floods can come with no warning.
• Cause outages, disrupt transportation, damage buildings and create landslides.

What you should know about Flood Safety:

• Make a family emergency communication plan and include pets.
• Have emergency supplies in place at home, at work, and in the car.
• Check on your neighbors to make sure they’re okay.
• Know what to do before, during, and after a flood.
• Flood insurance takes 30 days to take effect.
• Listen to local officials by radio, TV or social media.
• Evacuate when advised by authorities or if you are in a flood or flash flood prone area.
• If you are on high ground above flooded areas, being prepared to stay where you are may be the best protection.
• Never drive or walk through flooded streets.

For FEMA's Be Prepared for a Flood information sheets, click here.

When can you return to your home after a flood?

Pay attention to authorities for information and instructions than return home only when authorities say it is safe.

What can you do to restore your home or business after a flood?

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant as soon as possible. has the specialized training and expertise to restore your home back to its pre-storm condition. Our restoration process puts an emphasis on scientific drying techniques, progress monitoring and documentation. Our quick response will help prevent secondary damage and help reduce restoration costs.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Has the Right Equipment For Every Water Damage Emergency

9/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant professionals have the resources and restoration equipment to help you take back control of your life.

The right equipment is vital for timely mitigation. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant understands that using the proper equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. When time matters, technology and equipment must be counted on to perform. 

Detection Equipment

Scoping involves locating the areas of the structure affected by water and defining the extent to which the structure and contents have absorbed moisture. Moisture detection devices are also used to verify that an environment has been dried thoroughly.

• Moisture Sensors are used to detect moisture in carpets, baseboards and walls.
• Moisture Meters are used to determine the actual moisture content of various materials. The moisture tester provides accurate moisture readings that enable the SERVPRO® Franchise Professional to monitor the drying process.
• Thermohygrometers measure both temperature and relative humidity. Capturing these two readings, a SERVPRO® Franchise Professional using a psychrometric chart can calculate specific humidity, dew point and vapor pressure.

Extraction Equipment

The most effective method of removing moisture from a structure is extraction. This is why it is critical to respond quickly to a water damage and to provide emergency mitigation services. When the water is extracted quickly, the environment can usually be dried much faster.

• Extractors are used in cleaning carpets and upholstery and in removing water from floors following a water damage. Extractors can either be truck-mounted or portable, allowing for greater access inside structures.

Air Moving Equipment

Air movers are used in water damage restoration to enhance evaporation at the surface level, thereby reducing drying time. As airflow at the surface level increases, the moisture in the air increases. This moisture is then eliminated via the use of dehumidification equipment.

Dehumidification Equipment

By extracting water vapor from the air, dehumidifiers lower the relative humidity, which in turn increases the rate of evaporation. In a water damaged structure, dehumidifiers pull in the moist, humid air and then discharge dry, warm air. The dry air acts like a sponge, absorbing moisture from wet materials. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant use two types of dehumidifiers:

• Refrigerant Dehumidifiers work similarly to air conditioners.
• Desiccant Dehumidifiers use chemicals, called desiccants, that readily absorb moisture from the air. Deodorization.

Deodorization Equipment

• Ultra Low Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that easily penetrates sites where odor-causing residues accumulate. The device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other difficult-to-access areas.
• Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products in large volume, dense fogs suitable for confined areas. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that pair with and neutralize odor-causing particles.

Tropical Depression Henri dumps more than 8 inches of rain on parts of NJ.

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

When a storm hits your home or business, you need help immediately. Our quick response will help return to normal quickly.

Though Hurricane Henri was expected to avoid a direct hit on New Jersey, the National Weather Service was forecasting it would bring heavy rain, strong winds, and flash flooding, with the northern half of the state at the most risk for the torrential weather. Henri was upgraded from a tropical storm to a hurricane late Saturday morning. Rain and wind in New Jersey were expected to begin sometime Saturday night. Luckily, the storm was downgraded to a tropical depression before and Ocean County did not get a direct hit. We did experience heavy rainfall, with Brick receiving about 2.65 inches, Manchester 2.1 inches and Jackson 2.27 inches. Some other areas in New Jersey received more than 8 inches, according to NJ.com.

Do you know the difference between a tropical storm and tropical depression?

A tropical depression is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds (one-minute average) of 38 mph (33 knots) or less. A tropical storm is a tropical cyclone that has maximum sustained surface winds ranging from 39-73 mph (34 to 63 knots), according to the National Weather Service.

New Jersey was under a tropical storm watch because the path for Tropical Storm Henri was uncertain until it got closer to New Jersey. As the path became certain, Ocean County was going to avoid a direct hit and the storm’s intensity decreased. We were just going to get the outer bands from the storm which means rain, rain and more rain with a chance of flooding.

Do you know the difference between a tropical storm watch and a tropical storm warning?

A tropical storm watch is issued when Tropical Storm conditions, including winds of 39-73 mph, pose a POSSIBLE threat to a specified coastal area within 48 hours. A tropical storm warning is issued when Tropical Storm conditions, including winds of 39-73 mph, are EXPECTED in a specified coastal area within 36 hours or less.

If your property experienced storm damage for the storm, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to quickly and properly restore your structure. We have specialized training and expertise to restore your home back to its pre-storm condition. Our restoration process puts an emphasis on scientific drying techniques, progress monitoring and documentation.

Could NJ be looking at more rainfall and more flooding this week due to Hurricane Ida heading to NJ?

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

A fast response to flooding is a critical part of limiting the damage and getting your life back to normal.

As Hurricane Ida makes a right turn and heads towards NJ, it is expected to be downgraded from a category 4 hurricane but it could still bring lots of rain and flooding to Ocean County when it arrives. After an already wet summer from lots of storms including Tropical Storm Fred and then Tropical Storm Henri, Ida is predicted over the next few days to weaken into a tropical depression when it arrives in NJ. The center (or eye) of the storm appears to be heading right towards NJ. Forecasters are predicting the 200 mile wide storm to arrive in NJ sometime on Wednesday or Thursday depending on her speed and if her paths shifts a bit. Ida may bring up to 4-6 inches of rainfall to the Garden State this week.

Hurricane Ida is probably going to bring more rain and cause more flooding problems. Significant flash flooding may become a concern starting Wednesday due to the heavy rain and flooding that was brought to us last week when Tropical Storm Henri came through. A Flash Flood Watch has already been issued for most of New Jersey, from Wednesday morning through Thursday evening. The weather service said flooding is possible in creeks, streams and areas with poor drainage. Water is expected to cover roads, particularly in low lying areas.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has the Resources to Handle Major Storms and Disasters

We are locally owned and operated, so we can respond immediately with our highly trained technicians.  You can trust our professionals to handle your damages with care, precision, and expert knowledge.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant today at 732-349-9898.

How does your business set itself apart and inspire confidence with your customers and employees?

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

Take an additional step to make sure your business has received a higher cleaning standard with Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Many businesses are tasked not only with navigating the constantly changing guidelines set forth NJ but are also learning a new way of doing business. Regardless of what industry you are in, every business in our state has had to make difficult but necessary decisions to develop a strategic plan to remain open during a pandemic. Business owners and employees are now placing a higher emphasis on cleanliness and sanitation in the workplace, for not only their employees to feel safe, but for the safety of their customers as well.

Commercial Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned for COVID-19 Cleaning

Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program is the answer. With a tailored cleaning program that is customized for your business needs, our expertly trained staff cleans and decontaminates your property according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards. We use EPA-approved cleaning solutions, including our proprietary cleaning agent SERVPROXIDE, a hospital-grade disinfectant that is NSF certified for direct food contact surface use.

As a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned participant, you’ll provide reassurance to your customers and employees that you’re taking all the steps needed to get the highest level of clean for them. This dedication will be on display through a decal window emblem, and other digital marks to show your commitment to clean.

Remember to Not Overloading Your Electrical Circuits

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

If a fire strikes your home or business, call us today at 732-202-3001.

What can happen to your Point Pleasant Beach home if you overload your electrical circuits?

Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. To help lower your risk of electrical fires and fire damage to your home look for these warning signs of overloaded circuits:

• Flickering, blinking, or dimming lights
• Warm or discolored wall plates or cords
• Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles
• Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches
• Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
• Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches

In the event that a fire does start in your home:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Only use a dry fire extinguisher (NEVER put water on an electrical fire) or baking soda if you must try to put out the fire yourself.
• If the fire is large, do not try to handle it yourself but try to turn off the main power source without putting yourself in harm’s way.

If you have experienced an electrical fire in Ocean County home, it most likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant have the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001 to learn more about our fire damage restoration and smoke damage restoration services for your property or visit

Is there a difference between mold and mildew? Can we prevent either or both from growing in our home?

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (732)-202-3001.

Mold and mildew are not the same but they do share a number of key characteristics. Both are common types of household fungi and both thrive in damp, humid environments. They are both destructive and beneficial. They both spread from surface to surface easily. To better understand the differences, first we need to know what each is.

Mildew is a kind of mold and is known as a surface fungi. Mildew grows on top of flat surfaces and does not penetrate surfaces and grow into the material. Mildew needs the same elements (warmth, darkness, oxygen, and moisture) mold needs to grow. Mildew can grow and spread just as quickly as other molds, but it can be treated without much trouble. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), mildew is considered to be early stage mold.

Mold is a living organism that belongs to the kingdom Fungi, meaning mold is a type of fungus. Mold cannot make its own food like plants do so it must gain nutrients from other organic substances. Mold does not really eat its food, but it does absorb nutrition from other organisms by secreting enzymes that break down the food substance into smaller organic molecules that can then be absorbed.

Did you know that there are than 100,000 species of mold? Luckily, only about 80 have the potential to cause health effects to humans.

Now that we know the similarities between the two and what each one is, let’s look at what makes them different:

• They both affect the home but cause different types of damage. Mildew usually causes less damage than mold and the damage is usually more cosmetic.
• Mildew’s tendency to only grow on flat surfaces is another of the main differences that exist between the two.

Here is how we help can prevent both mold and mildew from growing in our home:

• Keep everything dry if possible.
• Use a dehumidifier to keep humidity at a safe level for your home.
• Change air filters regularly.
• Use your eyes to look for signs of mold or mildew growth.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Point Pleasant?

We are highly trained mold remediation specialists and have the experience, the expertise, and the advanced training that enables us to get your property restored quickly and thoroughly. We also use advanced mold remediation techniques and equipment

Want to Be Severe Storm Ready?

7/28/2021 (Permalink)

Simple measures prepared before the storm can save you hours of aggravation after the storm.

Some dangers of severe weather and storms include tornadoes, strong winds, hail and flash flooding. There is not always time to get everything we may need together quickly before the storm, so always have stuff ready for quick evacuation. Some items you may want to have packed and ready include:

• non-perishable food
• manual can opener
• water
• battery powered radio
• flashlight
• lanterns
• extra batteries
• personal hygiene items
• medications
• first aid supplies/kit
• copies of important documents
• cell phone fully charged 
• important contact information for family and friends
• blankets
• change of clothes
• pocket knife
• rain gear
• cash

What should my first aid/medical kit contain?

• sterile adhesive bandages
• antiseptic
• tape
• compresses
• pain relievers
• scissors
• tweezers
• first aid guide
• moist towelettes

What important documents should I copy and have ready?

• insurance cards
• medical records
• bank numbers
• credit card numbers
• copies of birth certificates and/or marriage licenses
• copy of social security cards
• other personal documents
• copy of wills
• titles of cars and properties
• house inventory photos

Never leave your pets behind and make sure you have enough extra food, water, leashes, medicines and vet records for them. 

We all hope to never need to use these emergency kits but it is always better to be prepared just in case an emergency strikes. 

Can Soot Cause Damage If Left Untreated?

7/24/2021 (Permalink)

It’s not uncommon to have questions about the soot removal process. Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant today to answer all your questions at 732-202-3001

What is soot?

Soot is a black carbonaceous substance produced during incomplete combustion of coal, wood, oil, etc., rising in fine particles that adhere to and blacken surfaces on contact., according to the Free Dictionary. 

This is messy irritant, soot, can damage materials it touches. Therefore, proper cleaning techniques need to be used, especially when cleaning soot off the ceilings and walls, or you could actually make the situation worse instead of better. 

Soot can spread much further than flames, staining many different surfaces throughout your home.  Porous materials like drywall, paint, wood, carpeting, and fabric are most susceptible to soot damage. Other non-porous materials like metal, stone, and glass, are more resistant to soot but they can still be damaged. Soot may also get into ductwork for your heating and air conditioning system, which could spread it even further.  

Why is soot produced?

Incomplete combustion produces soot. Keeping burners and pilots cleaned and properly adjusted can reduce the amount of soot produced. Uncontrolled combustion, such as wood burning in an open fireplace, candles, and cigarettes, produce higher amounts of soot, according to Iowa State University.

How is the soot problem solved?

Find and eliminate the source. Remove all traces of soot from all surfaces. 

What Happens if Soot Remains on Surfaces?

The longer the soot remains due to it's acidic nature, the more significant the damage to properties and structures if not properly cleaned in a timely manner. Metal will corrode if soot remains on the surface. Glass and mirrors can become etched. Plastic, vinyl, and fabric may become discolored. 

What is Soot vs Smoke?

Soot is seeable part on surfaces and smoke is the gaseous part that produces an odor. 

Can SERVPRO of Point Pleasant remove all soot?

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant understands that each soot damage presents unique issues and challenges. As experts in soot damage cleanup, our crew has seen, cleaned and restored it all.

Is There Anything More Traumatic for a Business Then Discovering a Fire Has Struck Their Business?

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is here to help 24/7.

Whether you get a call from the fire department about a fire at your business or arrive there and see a fire truck putting out flames, both are devastating and shocking. Once the initial shock wears off, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant as soon as possible. We provide expert fire damage cleanup services designed for business in New Jersey. We will return your Ocean County business to its pre-disaster state quickly, while minimizing the impact and interruption to your business as much as possible.

What can I do until help arrives at my business?

• You may walk through AFTER it is deemed safe but not without gloves, eye protection, a face-mask, and a respirator to keep smoke particles off your skin and out of your lungs.
• Although the fire may have only affected one area of your Point Pleasant or Brick business, smoke can permeate a larger area. Try and ventilate the building by opening windows and running fans, if possible.
• Smoke can cause malfunctions in the mechanisms so be sure to inspect and appliances before turning them on.
• Always throw away any perishable food items that may have been exposed to smoke and never try to save them.
• Change the filter in your air conditioner unit before you turn it on because soot most likely will have accumulated there.

Why can you always count on SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for your commercial fire damage emergency?

• We offer 24 hour emergency service
• We utilize state-of-the-art cleaning and restoration technology
• We are faster to any size disaster
• We are a trusted leader in the fire restoration industry with over
• Our crew is highly trained in fire damage cleanup
• We are locally owned and operated

Our fire damage cleanup crew is just a phone call away, operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call us at 732-202-3001 for all your emergency commercial fire needs.

Strong Storms Bring Power Outages and Flooding to Ocean County

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Follow these easy 9 steps to be prepared for future storms in NJ.

Ocean County and surrounding areas have woken up to scattered debris and some damage after strong thunder and lightning storms blew through these last few weeks. Howling winds brought down trees and branches and caused power outages across Ocean County.

Monday’s storm on July 12, 2021 tore through our area. Hooper Avenue near Oak Avenue in Toms River had downed power lines and there were nearly 2,000 homes without power as of 5 p.m. The storm brought down power lines in some places, and there were reports of homes possibly struck by lightning, according to the The Patch.

Tropical storm Elsa headed to the Jersey Shore this past Friday, July 9, 2021, with heavy rain, severe winds, heavy rain and flash flooding. This storm brought traffic disruptions at three Toms River intersections.

Powerful thunderstorms pushed through Ocean County on Tuesday night, July 6, 2021. The storm caused more than 3,500 Ocean County homes and businesses to still be without power on Wednesday morning. According to National Weather Service Mount Holly, the storm was very active, with nearly 900 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes recorded in Central Jersey in an hour

With NJ not even half way through the hurricane season that lasts from June 1st to November 30^th, we have already seen some serious storms already. New Jersey's tropical storm activity is typically between August and late October, according to Office of Emergency Management. Weather researchers from Colorado State University say the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season will likely be more active than normal, for the sixth straight year. But they don’t expect it to be as stormy as last year’s explosive, record breaking season. CSU is predicting 17 named storms, five higher than the normal average. Of the 17, eight are likely to intensify into hurricanes, and four of those are likely to become major hurricanes. Major hurricanes are storms that are classified as Category 3, 4 or 5 in terms of wind strength. Category 3 hurricanes pack sustained winds of 111 to 129 mph, Category 4 storms produce winds as strong as 130 to 156 mph and Category 5 hurricanes generate catastrophic winds higher than 156 mph.

Follow SERVPRO's Emergency Preparedness Checklist to be storm ready.

Why Use SERVPRO for Your Business’ Restoration and Remediation Emergencies?

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant handles all types of water, fire and mold cleanup, restoration and remediation.

When your business experiences an emergency from a natural disaster, plumbing issue, fire, or flood, you need to act fast to limit financial loss, and keep your business open. Commercial restoration companies, like SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, offers several services to bring your property back to its original condition, something you likely can’t do by yourself if you have suffered extensive damages.

What are SERVPRO of Point Pleasant’s Qualifications to Handle My Business’s Emergency?

1. We are an IICRC Certified Firm, which ensures top-level standards and ethics surrounding restoration processes.
2. We have high ratings on sites such as Google and Facebook and we often testimonials on our website to showcase previous clients’ reviews. Here at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, we are very proud to say that we get many customer reviews about our technicians for their knowledgeable, understanding and their attention to detail.
3. Our highly trained team of specialists work extensively in the disaster recovery field and handle all aspects of disaster cleanup. Our technicians have certifications from the IICRC to prove that they have the skills and necessary training to perform all required tasks.
4. We will deal with your insurance company after a disaster to make everything as smooth as possible during this stressful time. Our business is to get you back to your business as soon as possible. If your business is still able to function during the restoration process, we will do everything possible to minimize disruption so that you can remain as efficient as possible.
5. Our quick response time can help stop further damage and keep costs from increasing.

What types of emergencies can SERVPRO of Point Pleasant handle for your business?

1. Mold Removal
2. Fire Damage Restoration Service
3. Water Removal and Cleanup
4. Sewage Cleanup
5. Bio-hazard Cleanup

Contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant today for all your business’ water, fire and mold emergencies at 732-202-3001.

What is the Cleanup Process after an Unexpected Death in Brick or Point Pleasant?

6/25/2021 (Permalink)

We are available 24 hours a day and our highly trained technicians are standing ready to respond to these incidents.

An unexpected death, such as a violent crime or suicide, may leave behind bio-hazards such as: pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminations, that you or loved ones could run risk of coming into contact with. What are bio-hazards and pathogens?

What are biohazards?

Biohazards are biological agents, such as infectious microorganisms that or conditions that constitutes a threat to humans.

What are Pathogens? 

Pathogens (or also known as an infectious agent) are bacterium, viruses, or other microorganisms that can cause diseases.

What is SERVPRO of Point Pleasant’s Cleanup Process after an Unexpected Death?

• Assess the area, including the amount surrounding area of hazardous material.
• Isolate the impacted area to prevent further spread and prevent cross-contamination.
• Clean all signs of blood or biological material and safely discard contaminated materials.
• Disinfect impacted areas with proper cleaners specific to your specific job requirements.
• Remove any remaining or lingering odors.

Our crime and trauma cleanup professionals know how hard it can be to understand and process the loss of a loved one. We can walk you through the entire process so you know what to expect while showing empathy and understanding. If you are faced with the aftermath of an event that has left a large amount of blood or other contaminations, call the cleanup experts at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001. We will help you and your family prevent further unneeded, additional trauma. We provide cleanup for the owners of both residential and business properties in Point Pleasant and Brick.

Four Things Point Peasant Property Owners Need to Know About Water Damage

6/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO drying equipment in the utility room where cause of water loss occurred.

Here are the four things to know about a water loss in your Point Pleasant home:

• Contact your insurance carrier immediately. As soon as you discover water damage, let your insurance carrier know so the claims process can begin. Your agent will also give you tips for protecting your property from additional damage and may refer you to a water-damage restoration company (you are not obligated to use the specialist they recommend). Note: Insurance companies differentiate between water damage and flood damage, so be sure to specify which applies to your situation. Also, not all water damage is covered by insurance—review your policy carefully.
• Time is of the essence when you have water damage. Water is aggressive and cruel. Once it seeps in to carpets, flooring, walls, furniture, paper, and everything else in its wake, it will continue to destroy. Drywall will droop and disintegrate. Wood will swell, buckle, warp, and rot. Electrical equipment may short out, causing shock and fire hazards. Mold will flourish. For anything other than a minor spill, it’s best you get a professional assessment of your situation to determine the extent of damage. Professional water-damage specialists can then begin the restoration process and halt additional damage.
• You’ve got less than 48 hours to dry out before mold takes over. Mold spores lurk everywhere, but they’re opportunistic. Give them a nice wet environment—like a soaked carpet or damp drywall—and they’ll multiply like mad. You have 24 to 48 hours to dry your space before the fungus invasion. Mold remediation is a dirty deed and is best left to specialists who have the right equipment and cleaning supplies to get the job done swiftly.
• Water may be contaminated. An overflowing dishwasher or burst water heater releases clean H₂O, so there’s little immediate risk of harm. But, again, time is not on your side. “Clean” water that’s been sitting around can foster bacterial growth or pick up icky stuff from dirty carpets and ground soil, sullying the waters within hours. Even more serious: Sewage backups, toilet overflow, storm-drain water, and other polluted waters that enter your home can be dangerous to your health. Attempting to clean these messes up yourself is a bad idea. Get professional help from certified water-damage remediation experts, like SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

Since every water damage scenario is a little different, each water cleanup is also different.  SERVPRO of Point Pleasant knows how to handle all water emergencies. Call us today at (732) 202-3001. 

What Can I Do About Mold in My Basement Bathroom?

6/14/2021 (Permalink)

This wood covered in mold, was removed from the subfloor in a bathroom in a basement of a Point Pleasant home.

What Can I Do About Mold in My Point Pleasant Basement Bathroom?

When bathroom facilities get installed in a Point Pleasant basement, the need for mold remediation may arise. One of the main reasons for this is the need for an injection pump to replace gravity that works for toilet flushing on upper levels in a home. Diligence is needed for these hardworking pieces of equipment because if they develop a leak, the already moist air conditions create a perfect environment for mold growth, which can spread rapidly across sheetrock. It is a good idea to perform an inspection monthly to ensure small leaks get handled before they become big problems in the home.

Necessary Actions for Cleanup From Mold Damage

Once sheetrock has a mold infestation, it requires removal as it has no potential for restoration through cleaning. The techs carefully cut off the damaged portions and expose the framework underneath for drying, cleaning, and the application of antimicrobial sealant as needed to inhibit the reestablishment of any colonies post-mitigation.

As soon as signs of mold colonies get found, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001 for expert mold remediation. The techs have extensive training in the safe handling of this type of infestation and can restore your home to its preloss condition.

What Kind of Flood is Your Brick Business Facing?

6/8/2021 (Permalink)

This kitchen is as good as new after SERVPRO of Point Pleasant cleaned up their water damage.

What Kind of Flood Are You Facing in Your Brick Business? 

Flooding is a general term for several different unique circumstances that can threaten your business. The penetration points are often determining factors in knowing the damage that you are facing. With natural flooding situations that could have encountered substances like sewage and other threatening chemicals, the threat becomes contaminants on surfaces and furniture in your eatery. Clean water incidents can be just as structurally compromising if exposure continues unabated for too long. Identifying the type of threat ensures that our professionals arrive with not only the right tools and technologies to make a difference but our licensed commercial contractors as necessary to provide temporary construction solutions and repairs. Some of the most common flood scenarios include:

• Roof Flooding – Damage to the roof of your building during a storm can leave your property vulnerable to water penetration. While these are clean water incidents, the water can spread throughout the entire building from a single breach when an upper floor or attic storage space gets flooded.
• Natural Flooding – In almost any season or conditions of the year, steady rainfall or precipitation can lead to the rising creeks, streams, and other water bodies around the area. Lower-lying properties like your restaurant could have water penetrate the main building level as several feet of migrating water moves through the region.
• Flash Flooding – These flood scenarios develop quickly and expose any vulnerabilities in your structure with a fast rush of floodwater. Much like natural flooding situations, flash floods must get contaminated.
• Wind-Driven Flooding – With structural weaknesses like missing siding, damaged masonry, or broken windows in the building, torrential rainfall, and other precipitation events can force water inside the structure.

How Bad is the Damage? 

Identifying the severity of the situation is one of the critical components of successful restoration and recovery. When our professionals first arrive, we determine the spread and severity of the flooding through an intricate and thorough evaluation of the property with a job scoping phase. This step helps to pinpoint damaged areas, water migration, compromised contents, and areas in need of immediate attention by our professionals. It can also indicate where specific practices might need to get implemented to protect unaffected areas of your business and work to keep flooding from destroying your whole building. Some of these include:

• Containment Barriers
• Extraction
• Content Cleaning

Does My Business Need to Close? 

It is always our intention to keep businesses open whenever possible, but this is unwise in situations where contamination or microbial threats could be a factor. These are not only hazardous but can damage your reputation. Our SERVPRO team works around the clock to make Bricktown flood losses “Like it never even happened,” so you can get your doors back open again quickly.

As threatening as flooding can be, the right professional presence can resolve it fast. You can rely on the response and experience of our SERVPRO of Point Pleasant technicians. Give us a call anytime at (732) 202-3001.

SERVPRO's Fire Damage Cleanup and Board Up Services

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

This master bedroom ceiling and ceiling fan in Brick, NJ are covered in a layer of soot damage from a fire outside.

Fire damage does not always mean that your entire home has been destroyed by a fire. Fire damage can be a small one room fire and can also just consist of soot damage, smoke damage and/or water damage that may surface while extinguishing a fire. Not only can fire damage effect your structure but smoke and soot damages also impacts furniture and electronic devices.

After your property is deemed safe to enter by the fire Marshall, it is imperative that you start fire damage mitigation as soon as possible. Not only can fire damage effect your structure, but smoke and soot damages may impact furniture, electronic devices, family heirlooms, pictures and keepsakes. Due to the fact that every fire damage is unique and the surfaces of affected items vary, fire damage cleanup is not something that you should attempt on your own. Let your local fire damage mitigation company take care of this process for you.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant’s fire damage cleanup services include:

• 24/7 Emergency Response
• Emergency Board Up-When your home has suffered damage from a storm, fire or other disaster and cannot be secured, you need board up services to protect your property and prevent additional damages by using the proper supplies to board up windows, walls, and doors
• Smoke and Soot Cleanup and Removal- use specialized cleaning equipment
• Odor Removal- Odors will cling to a variety of surfaces and may linger in your home long after the fire has been extinguished. The types of materials that were burned will determine what the removal processes for them with will be.
• Content Cleaning and Restoration- This process involves cleaning, repairing, and deodorizing items that have been damaged by smoke, soot and water.
• Full Documentation
• Reconstruction-SERVPRO of Toms River not only handles the cleanup and restoration process after a fire, we will also rebuild and restore your property in Ocean County after a fire.

We use several methods of cleaning your contents, including:

• 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.

If by chance you experience a fire damage, remember to give your local cleanup pros a call at 732-202-3001. For the past two decades, our proven professionals have been helping customers throughout the state protect their property during this difficult time. Along with decades of experience, we have specialized equipment and cleaning methods to get your property back to it’s pre-fire condition quickly. We can swiftly and economically restore your property, completely rebuild and restore your property.

Who Cleans Up Water Damage from a Shower or Bath Leak?

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

This pipe leaked in the master bathroom on the second floor of a home in Manasquan, NJ and the water migrated to the kitchen on the first floor.

What to Do If You Discover a Leak in Your Shower or Bath in Point Pleasant or Brick?

Shower and bath leaks can be a minor issue if caught early or a really big water damage problem undiscovered for any length of time You may not even know you have a bath or shower leak until it is becomes a major issue because the pipes are usually hidden from sight, behind the shower walls or under the shower floor. In some cases, the water might migrate away from the source of the leak and the water damage appears nowhere near the original source. Since the water can migrate, it can become evident in an adjoining room or the ceiling of a room below on a lower level.

What to Do After Discovering Water Damage?

Safety always comes first, even before finding the source of the water leak. Once the area is safe to enter, stop the flow of the water that is causing the damage. If you are handy, you may be able to do this yourself. If the damage is something you are unable to do yourself, you may need to contact a local plumber in your area. 

Who Cleans Up Water Damage from a Shower or Bath Leak?

Catching a leak early and stopping the leak as soon as possible will help stop the spread of more damage and can even save you a lot of money in costly repairs. To minimize the potential of serious water damage, call your local water damage experts at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to start the water damage restoration process When water damage strikes day or night, Ocean County residents and business owners can expect us to respond immediately to your water emergency. Call us 24/7 at 732-202-3001 for you water cleanup needs.

How Can I Be Sure My Structure Is Dry?

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has the equipment, training, and experience to find and dry unseen water. With our advanced drying techniques, we monitor and ensure your property is properly dried.

Thank You Brick Township Firefighters Today and Every Day!

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

International Firefighters Day, thank you to all Ocean County firefighters for all that you do to protect our community!

To all those brave firefighters that run towards the fire, we thank you! Today is International Firefighters’ Day IFFD so let’s make sure we go out of our way to show them extra appreciation today for all they do for our Brick Township community.

On this date (May 4) every year, it is a time for remembrance of the past firefighters who have died while serving our community or dedicated their lives to protecting the safety of us all. At the same time, we can show our support and appreciation to the firefighters worldwide and in our community who continue to protect us so well throughout the year. By proudly wearing and displaying blue and red ribbons pinned together or by participating in a memorial or recognition event, we can show our gratitude to firefighters everywhere. The IFFD ribbons are linked to colors symbolic of the main elements firefighters work with – red for fire and blue for water. These colors also are internationally recognized as representing emergency service.

Today and every day of the year, please follow these easy fire safety tips from the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) so firefighters will not have to put out a fire at your home:

• Watch what you are cooking by staying in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• Give space heaters space and keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers.
• Keep matches out of the reach of children and up high, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock.
• Inspect electrical cords and replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections.
• Be careful when using candles and keep them at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Have a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.
• Install sprinklers if you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive at your home.

Interested in learning about the how the Brick Bureau of Fire Safety and the Brick Township Fire Department serve our community? Visit them at brickfire.org.

If you do experience fire damage, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant as soon as possible and follow these simple tips until we arrive:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What Can I Expect from Water Damage Restoration Professionals in Bricktown?

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

A home in Brick, NJ had a washing machine overflow and SERVPRO of Point Pleasant used advanced drying technology to properly dry the home.

Bricktown Property Owners Love SERVPRO's Full-Service Water Removal and Build Back Services

Until you experience the frustration and chaos after a burst pipe sends water throughout your home, the challenges of water loss recovery to your home are hard to imagine. Much more intense than a spill or overflow, a pipe leaking behind a kitchen wall can put not only the wall but also woodwork, floors, and cabinets at risk. Water migration is hard to follow without proper tools, but leaving water behind risks progressive deterioration of building materials and mold growth.

When Can I Expect an Assessment of My Loss?

Our trained and experienced project managers arrive within four hours to inspect and plan the mitigation and reconstruction of your Bricktown water damaged home. Visual examination precedes moisture detection and metering, helping our crew map the contours of the affected area. To achieve these goals we have:

• Thermal imaging camera to discover temperature fluctuations
• Boroscopes to locate trapped water and moisture in building cavities
• Moisture meters for determining the amount of dampness
• Moisture sensors for indicating areas of wetness

Planning

After data collection, the SERVPRO crew chief creates a project plan. Emergency services proceed. Our technicians use pumps if the water is deeper than two inches and roll extractors off our service vehicles to follow-up with less volumes of standing water. In a kitchen-centric plumbing emergency, water can seep under cabinets and built-in appliances, necessitating creative strategies for removal and drying.

How Are Cabinet Drying Challenges Met?

The walls and floors behind and under cabinets can allow water to collect and also impede drying. SERVPRO technicians examine your cabinets to discover details about their construction to help prevent further issues and remediate the current damage. Backless cabinets can be opened, and holes drilled in the wall behind to release trapped water and permit access for dry, warm air during drying.

Cabinets with backs complicate both water removal and drying with additional layers of materials. Holes can be cut through the cabinet back and then through the wall to facilitate water removal and drying. Additional holes at the top of the wall might help create ventilation to speed drying.

Cutting holes in the toe-kick under the cabinet or removing these strips, combined with the use of a vent system to force dry air into the exposed space, accelerates moisture reduction to normal levels. We can utilize an injecti-dry device to facilitate this drying effort.

Repair and Rebuilding

SERVPRO’s construction division (General Contractor License #: 13VH04999700) can rehabilitate the controlled demolition used to open areas for water damage restoration. Our full spectrum of services means you can save time and expense, and even update your kitchen.

Count on SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to restore your kitchen after leaky plumbing causes water damage. Call (732) 202-3001 and let us make it “Like it never even happened.”

Click here to see more about your local area.

Who Cleans Up Fingerprint Dust After a Crime Scene?

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

The fingerprint dust used by law enforcement is messy stuff and can require professional cleaning after a home's been dusted top to bottom.

If you or someone you know has experienced a crime in your Point Pleasant home or business, such as a burglary, you may know that dusting for fingerprints may help law enforcement solve the crime. Fingerprinting is necessary for law enforcement but it can be a nuisance once they are finished. The fingerprint dust used by law enforcement is messy stuff and the residual marks and dust can be both frustrating to the property owner and extremely difficult to clean. It may require professional cleaning after a property has been dusted before you try common household cleaners and water that can activate the dust, making it nearly impossible to remove. 

You may not even know that invisible fingerprints themselves are made of water, fatty acids, amino acids and triglycerides—in other words, they result from the oil and sweat that your skin produces naturally. To make them visible, you have to find a way to detect one of these substances present in the invisible fingerprint. The easiest method is called dusting, in which you use a very fine powder that can stick to the oil in the fingerprint, according to Scientific American. Once the fingerprint becomes visible, it can be lifted from the surface with clear tape and transferred to another surface to be taken into the laboratory for further analysis. 

Interested in learning more about fingerprint analysis, download this informative analysis sheet from Home Science Tools

Need Trauma or Crime Scene Cleanup? Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant 24/7 at (732) 202-3001.

We are available 365 days a year, 7 days a week and 24 hours a day for emergency cleanup. Our highly trained technicians are ready and standing by. We will always treat your property and the people involved with the greatest empathy and respect in the face of trying circumstances. SERVPRO Of Point Pleasant will clean and restore your property after a crime scene investigation including:

• Fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals
• Tear gas and pepper spray residues
• Fire extinguisher residue
• Blood, bodily fluids, and tissue remnants

What is the Best Way to Remediate Fire Damage in Brick?

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

Brick home boarded up by SERVPRO of Point Pleasant after a brush fire which also had soot damage to the inside of the home.

What to Expect from Professional Fire Damage Recovery in Brick

Homeowners rarely need to cope with the aftermath of a significant fire loss in Brick, which is a good thing. If, on the other hand, you and your family find yourselves among those who do experience a structure fire, know you are not alone. Roughly 387,000 homes in the US, including everything from single-family dwellings to apartment buildings, reported fires according to summarized findings most recently reported in 2019. 

A Unique Type of Cleanup

Although there are some DIY things a property owner can do to respond to Brick fire damage, it is essential to schedule an assessment by a certified disaster company. Our managers and crews complete comprehensive training from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), preparing our team to manage a fire damage restoration from start to finish to the highest industry standards. We start by securing your property from the elements and completing a safety inspection.

Water and Debris Removal 

The amount of water and chemical extinguishing substances SERVPRO removes from a fire site can be substantial. Because our core services focus on both fire and water mitigation and remediation, our crews can transition smoothly between the two, taking care of water removal and structural drying first. We also clear out charred debris and rubble, which is a safety trip-and-fall prevention necessary to begin lowering the load of toxic fumes, odors, and residues.

Matching Methods to Residues

Cleaning up soot deposits is the priority for SERVPRO crews. The highly corrosive coatings begin destroying surfaces and contents on contact. Our technicians evaluate the types of soot and the composition and durability of the surfaces affected when selecting cleaning products and tools. We also manipulate the intensity of agitation, temperature, and dwell time to achieve the best results. 

Safety Considerations

SERVPRO crews wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and employ containment and air scrubbing technology during the project to safeguard your family’s health and well-being during the project. Preventing drift of soot and other residues limits the deterioration of building materials far from the ignition site and improves air quality for your loved ones. 

Consult SERVPRO of Point Pleasant as soon as practical after a household’s fire destruction. We offer mitigation, remediation, and wrap-around rebuilding and restoration services with one call to (732) 202-3001.

More about Brick.

Did You Know That There Are Three Categories of Contaminated Water?

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

These are water extraction mats that SERVPRO of Point Pleasant uses to get excess water out of hard wood flooring.

When your Point Pleasant home suffers from a flood, understanding what type of water you are dealing with is critical to ensure proper cleanup. 

There are three types of water categories that could affect your property: 

1. Clean water is the water that comes from a broken pipe, or other water source, like rainwater.
2. Gray water is used to describe water that is slightly contaminated. Clean water can become gray water when it is left untreated, allowing bacteria and other contaminants to begin to grow, making the water hazardous.
3. Black wateris highly contaminated and filled with fungi, bacteria, chemicals, and more. It is typically caused by sewage damage, flooding or any natural disaster. 

What Should You Do If You Think Your Point Pleasant Home May Have Contaminated Water?

1. Avoid all contact with any water containing contaminants. Wash any body part that has come into contact with the contaminated water. 
2. Never walk through contaminated areas, as you could spread damage to unaffected areas.
3. Do not turn on the HVAC system because there could be a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
4. Do not use household fans to dry the structure because the air flow could spread contaminants.
5. Do not eat or use any food and/or personal products personal for hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to contaminated areas.

If your property does suffer from a water damage in Ocean County from either clean or contaminated water, call your local experts at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001. We are water removal and cleanup specialists that are ready to service your property when flooding causes water damage. We quickly dry your property using state-of-the-art water removal equipment and advanced drying techniques, documenting the drying process to make sure your property is dry and the job is done right.

SERVPRO Can Send Expert Technicians to Your Bricktown Business!

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

This water drying equipment is drying the remaining water and moisture in the hallway of a Bricktown business after a water loss.

Water damage is a nightmare for any Bricktown business owner. However, for anyone who owns a business specifically built around self-service and ease of convenience, it can be a significant loss for your establishment. Here at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, we don't want you to have to keep your doors closed any longer than possible. If you find damage on your property, trust us to help you.

Imagine how dealing with water damage in your Bricktown business might affect your daily routine. First and foremost, water is never good for merchandise and equipment, and your business is stocked full of both. Secondly, your store cannot run while water is puddled on the floor, potentially pushing your hard-earned customers into your competitors' hands.

How Can SERVPRO Help Me Clean Up the Water Fast?

Our technicians live locally, are expertly trained, and we're always ready to help. We are available 24/7 for commercial water damage emergency. Don't hesitate if the damage on your property happens:
    •    During the night
    •    On a weekend
    •    Over a holiday

We know water damage waits for no one and never waits for a good time to inconvenience someone. Thus, we make sure we're always available, no matter when you need our services.

What Can SERVPRO Use to Get Rid of the Water Damage?

Here at SERVPRO, our technicians have access to advanced technological equipment. To clean up the standing water and ensure that your property is adequately dry, we can use:
    •    Wet/dry vacuums
    •    Flood drying mats
    •    Dehumidifiers

Our technicians have IICRC (Institution of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.) They are expertly trained and can help remediate your property swiftly with their many years of experience. Our equipment is crucial to us, and we know yours is essential to you. While helping you, we can do our best to ensure your machinery stays in optimal condition.

If you need professional water damage remediation services, don't hesitate to reach out for help. Call us at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant by dialing (732)202-3001. We can help you open the doors of your business again.

Want to Volunteer in Point Pleasant and Brick?

3/23/2021 (Permalink)

OceanCares board president, Kathy, volunteering at the Ocean Mental Health Services Wellness Fair.

Want to Volunteer in Point Pleasant and Brick

• Destiny Thrift Shop in Brick raise funds in their store to benefit their on-site food pantry and their mobile food pantry for those in our community. The volunteers who run the store are absolutely wonderful and are happy if you just volunteer one hour a week in the store. They need volunteers to organize and restock the shelves. They are also in need of items such as adult and children’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, handbags, luggage, home décor, artwork, furniture, books and media to fill their store. Please call them at 732-341-0779 to see what times you can drop off items.
• Jersey Shore Animal Center & Thrift Store are always in need of volunteers. You can either help them by volunteering in the shelter with the animals or in their thrift store to raise money for the shelter. To see their volunteer opportunities, click here
• Contact of Ocean and Monmouth Counties is a non-profit, charitable organization, provides trained telephone listeners who respond to human needs 24 hours every day. This volunteer based organization offers free confidential crisis intervention, information on available resources, and referral to community services. Click here to volunteer or here to check out their upcoming events. One of their big fundraising events is their gift wrap station they set up at the Ocean County Mall during the Holiday Season.
• OceanCares Foundation support Ocean Mental Health Services (https://oceanmhs.org/) help people with mental health needs have access to services and supports, allowing them to live healthier and succeed in their treatment goals. Our very own Kathy is the current board president for the OceanCares Foundation. To volunteer click here
• S.A.V.E. in Lakewood takes unwanted, homeless and abandoned animals and provides them with medical care and a safe and nurturing environment until they find there forever homes. SAVE is a no kill shelter. S.A.V.E has its very own pet center with adoptions available Tues-Sun 1-4pm (open Thursdays 2-5pm) located at 1594 Lakewood Road Unit 5 Toms River, NJ. They also have an adoption center located at the Brick PetSmart with adoption hours Sat-Sun 12pm-4pm. They usually host a gift auction twice a year to raise funds but due to Covid they have been placed on hold. I try never to miss them because they are so much fun and usually I win something too.
• Local libraries are always looking for volunteers but with Covid, most events are currently on hold. The Friends of the Brick Library Branch of the Ocean County Library, 301 Chambers Bridge Road or at the Friends of the Point Pleasant Beach Library, 710 McLean Ave are great places to volunteer.
• Local fire departments and first aid squads are usually in need of volunteers to help with fundraising ideas and helping out at event fundraisers.
• The American Red Cross always need volunteers at their local blood drives.

These are just a few options in and around Toms River where you can volunteer. There is a never ending need for volunteers and many different organizations and charities to choose from.

If you are not comfortable volunteering there are lots of wonderful, local organizations in need of donations:

• Ocean’s Harbor House provides a safe haven and caring environment for vulnerable youth to enable them to unlock their potential and learn skills that will empower them to build healthier lives, relationships and futures. Want to help? Click here here to donate.
• Ocean Mental Health Services has a wish list of items if you prefer to purchase items and drop them off.

Attending fundraising events is another great way to help out local organizations. By attending, you get to enjoy the event and the organization gets to benefit from the extra income. Once Covid is over, get out there and enjoy some fun events to benefit local charities.

How Soon Should SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Clean Up Water Damage in Your Business?

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

A brief description of the water damage timeline from SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

After water damage occurs in your business, the cleanup process can seem overwhelming and irreparable. We are able to get your commercial property dry and get you back to business quickly.

How Soon Should SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Clean Up Commercial Water Damage?

The longer water sits, the more time it has to cause even further damage. Within minutes of the water spreading, it can get absorbed into the walls, flooring, furniture and belongings. Between 1 and 2 hours, drywall swells, metal tarnishes and furniture begins to warp. After 48 hours, mold can begin to grow, doors begin to warp and metal begins to rust. After 1 week, structural safety becomes a major concern.

To answer the question when should you call us, the answer is as soon as possible to prevent further damage and cost.

What Commercial Properties Does SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Specialize In?

• Small Office Buildings
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial flooding or water damage emergencies. Whether your water emergency occurs in a small office building or big box store, we will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion. Learn more about learn more about our training and certifications.

• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Applied Structural Drying Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician

Commercial Water Damage? Call Us Today (732)-202-3001.

What is the Purpose of a Crawl Space and Why Mold is Common in Them?

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

Mold in Point Pleasant crawl space on the wood before the mold clean up process begins.

What is the Purpose of a Crawl Space?

A crawl space is essentially a hollow area under the floors of some homes between the ground and the first floor. Usually it is about 1 foot to 3 feet high, just high enough for someone to enter by crawling, as its name implies. Aside from elevating your home off the ground, a crawl space’s purpose is a convenient and inconspicuous place to contain stuff of the house that would normally be in a basement, such as its air conditioning and heater, duct work, insulation, plumbing, and electrical wiring according to Realtor.com.

Why Mold is Common in Crawl Spaces?

Wood, insulation and dirt floors all allow mold growth given the right circumstances such as moisture. A crawl space with excess moisture needs to properly vented or it may become a perfect breeding ground for mold. If there is a water issue of any kind and the source of the problem is not addressed, the crawl space is the perfect place for microorganisms like mold to multiply, according to Homelight.com.

If you find your crawl space has mold, you have 2 issues that need to be addressed:

1. The cause of the mold
2. The mold

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has highly trained technicians that specialize in mold damage remediation. We arrive quickly to get your home back to normal, along with our specific training and certifications to handle your restoration needs:

• Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist
• Water Damage Restoration Technician
• Applied Structural Drying Technician

Have a mold emergency? Contact us at 732-202-3001.

Why Should You Board Up Exposed Windows and Doors After a Fire?

2/26/2021 (Permalink)

Windows in this Manasquan home needed to be boarded up after a fire struck the home next door until they can be replaced.

Why Should You Board Up Exposed Windows and Doors After a Fire?

When a fire affects your property, you may need emergency board up services because some areas of the property may be exposed and vulnerable to additional damage. Windows and doors are usually some of the most vulnerable points of a home especially after a fire. Heat may cause windows to shatter or firefighters might need to break windows or doors in order to access a building to extinguish the flames.

When Should You Board Up After a Fire?

After a fire, property owners should board up windows and doors as soon as possible to prevent further damage and loss. Your property could be susceptible the elements, such as snow, wind and rain. It will also help keep animals and vandals out of your property.

Why Use SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to Board Up Your Manasquan Property?

The fire recovery process comes with plenty of challenges and frustrations and most property owners do not have the knowledge or skills to restore their own property after a fire. They could even make the damage worse trying to attempt it themselves. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is highly trained in board up, cleanup and fire damage restoration services. Our team will arrive quickly to your residential or commercial property. Your property and its contents will be secure and protected from the elements, animals and vandals until the fire restoration begins.

Call us at 732-202-3001 for any board up emergency service your property requires.

Tips for Homeowners in Point Pleasant to Thaw Frozen Pipes

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Follow these tips if your pipes have ALREADY frozen over.

Temperatures are expected to drop in Point Pleasant over the next 10 days to below freezing most nights. What does that mean for the pipes in our home that exposed to these cold temperatures? The water in a vulnerable pipe may freeze and expand, causing the pipe to rupture. Hours or days later, when the ice finally abates, the freely flowing water can pour out of the compromised pipe into your home.

Luckily not every frozen pipe will bursts open and leak water into your home but time is always a factor. Follow these tips by Bob Vila to thaw your frozen pipes:

1. Locate the frozen pipe, which is sometimes harder than it sounds.
2. Open the faucets.
3. Turn off the main water supply line.
4. Apply heat to the frozen pipe. To do so, homeowners typically use such things as hair dryers, heat lamps, and heating pads.  Remember that it’s best to begin heating near the edge of the frozen area, on the side closest to the nearest kitchen or bathroom. That way, any steam or water generated by the heating can escape the pipe. Continue heating, inching along the frozen pipe one section at a time.
5. Once you are confident the freeze has melted, close the faucets and return to the main water supply valve and turn it on, partially. Then go back to the pipe and inspect it for leaks.

Hopefully you found your frozen pipe before it burst. If you were not lucky enough to find it before it burst, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has years of experience in water damage cleanup. Call us 24/7 at 732-301-2002 for any size water damage emergency.

Tips to Prevent Your Pipes from Freezing in Point Pleasant

1/27/2021 (Permalink)

Even a small burst like this in a pipe can bring enormous amounts of water into your home.

The Jersey Shore has been lucky with warm temperatures so far this winter season.  Unfortunately, that is looking like it may soon change. Over the next 10 days, the nighttime temperature is expected to be below freezing, ranging from a low of 12° to a high of 37°. Daytime temps aren't predicted to be as cold, ranging from a high of 49° to a low of 28° according to WeatherForYou.com. Even some snow storms may be in our future.

With the temperatures predicted to plunge below freezing all but one night over the next 10 days, some of our pipes are in danger of freezing. In fact, burst pipes are one of the most common causes of property damage during frigid weather and can cause thousands in water damage, according to Consumer Reports.

Before we talk about tips to prevent your pipes from freezing, let's first look at which pipes are likely to freeze when the weather plummets. The American Red Cross explains the pipes that freeze most frequently are:

• Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
• Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation. 

According to the American Red Cross, follow these simple tips to prevent frozen pipes:

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is fully equipped to handle all the cleanup of water damage from any frozen or burst pipe. Please follow our water damage emergency tips until help arrives. 

Can Water Removal Save Your Carpet from Delamination?

10/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO uses advanced equipment like this LGR dehumidifier to salvage water damaged carpets in Point Pleasant properties

Point Pleasant Homeowners do not Want to Replace Carpets after Water Removal

The right carpet adds ambiance to your Point Pleasant home. From chic single-color rugs to vivid vintage prints, your choice of carpet brings a room together. Carpets are also notoriously expensive, and replacing them is a hassle, so naturally, you do not want to change carpets unless you have to.

The state of your carpets is a primary concern during water removal in your Point Pleasant residence. Carpets are often one of the first things customers ask SERVPRO of Point Pleasant about. Our customers want to know if we can save their floor coverings and whether they will need to make an insurance claim.

What is delamination?

Delamination occurs when the primary and secondary carpet backings separate. Delamination happens as a direct result of water damage to carpets. Unfortunately, once a carpet reaches this stage, it is unsalvageable, and our technicians will dispose of the carpet.

That is the bad news. The good news is that if you call us immediately, water damage happens, we may be able to dry out the carpet before delamination occurs.

Can SERVPRO save your carpet?

There are some situations where it is not possible to save a carpet:

• When it becomes delaminated
• If it was soaked with water that poses a health hazard, such as water contaminated with raw sewage
• If there is extensive mold growth because the water problem was left to fester

Thankfully, in many other situations, it is possible to restore your carpet.

How do we remove water from a carpet?

Our technicians have several methods to get water out of a carpet:

• Free-standing and truck-mounted pumps to suck up surface water
• Carpet wands to get into corners, and draw water from the top of the carpet
• Rotary and free-standing extractors to carefully press the water out

Thorough extraction makes drying faster and more efficient and decreases the risk of mold growth. However, careless extraction can cause damage, which is why we treat your carpets with care.

What is the best way to dry a carpet?

The best way to dry a carpet is by using a combination of:

• Air movers and fans
• Dehumidifiers
• Portable heaters (we do not need these in every case)

Our technicians follow the theory of drying to set up drying zones. We also monitor moisture and humidity levels during drying, and we use moisture probes to measure water in carpets and on the subfloor below.

Can SERVPRO clean your carpet?

We certainly can. We train our technicians in a range of carpet cleaning methods, including hot water extraction, showcase, bonnet cleaning, and deluxe precondition and rinse. The best way depends on the carpet fibers and the type of soiling. We test your carpet beforehand to establish the kinds of threads, the level of dirt, and the colorfastness.

Will insurance pay for a replacement?

That depends on your insurance company and your policy. However, we can liaise with your insurance company on your behalf, and we can take pictures and document evidence for you to present to them.

Can SERVPRO fit a replacement carpet?

We understand that you do not want to deal with lots of different contractors. We can bring in other professionals when needed, and ensure they carry out their duties to our strict standards. That means less stress for you and a more streamlined restoration process.

Can you prevent delamination during water removal?

By the time carpet gets wet, there is not much you can do to prevent delamination. However, there are steps you can take to look after your carpet before a disaster strikes. Wear and tear contribute to delamination, so take good care of your carpets. If possible, remove shoes before walking across them, and ask visitors to do the same. Vacuum your carpets regularly, and be careful when choosing cleaning products. Strong solvents can deteriorate the backing and separate it from the main body.

Do not leave your carpet wet after small everyday spills. Dry spills quickly, and call us if you need help or advice.

If you have a puppy or kitten who has not figured out where to do their business yet, do not let them roam loose across your best carpets!

What about other kinds of floors?

We can help with other kinds of floors too. If your wooden, linoleum, or marble floor needs water removal, we are here to help. Like carpet, fast action is essential, especially with wooden floors, where lingering moisture can cause warping. We suction away water and set up a drying environment for your floors. We can also deodorize afterward and apply anti-microbial treatments if needed.

If you are concerned about carpet damage during water removal, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001.

Why You Need a Mold Removal Company that Puts the Customer First

10/22/2020 (Permalink)

Mold can grow anywhere. Is it lurking in your home? We have the tools to remediate the mold.

Point Pleasant Residents Need Mold Removal Companies that Respect Their Concerns

Finding fungal growth in your Point Pleasant home can be disturbing. It looks and smells terrible, and you may be concerned about possible health effects or damage to your house. That is why a remediation company, like SERVPRO, that is caring and puts excellent customer service at the forefront of its practices is necessary.

When you need mold removal in Point Pleasant, we are on hand to help you. We know this is a family-oriented area with many married couples and children living in the local community. We know that your top priority is the safety of your family.  

What happens when you call SERVPRO?

We know you are eager to sort out the mold situation. The timeline after you call us looks like this:

• Within the first hour after your call, we will call back to arrange a time to visit your property
• Within four hours, we will arrive on-site and begin remediation
• Within eight hours, we will provide a full scope of the situation and recommended treatments

What will happen during remediation?

Communicating with you is our priority. We treat your home and personal belongings as if they were our own. Our service is founded on honesty. We will explain to you:

• The extent of the damage
• The result of our moisture and humidity testing
• Our suggestions for mold remediation
• A realistic overview of the outcome you can expect to see
• An assessment of mold-damaged items and whether we can salvage them

What will your home be like after mold removal?

We aim to leave your home, “Like it never even happened.” When we have cleaned the mold, we dry the area to discourage regrowth and advise you on keeping your home dry. We also deodorize your home because we know that mold smells can linger. In many cases, we can restore furniture, textiles, and walls to their pre-mold state. If any part of your home requires repairs, we will carry out repair tasks and leave it looking as good as before.

What happens after SERVPRO leaves? 

Our client service does not end when we leave. We will check in with you after a week, and of course, we provide our information so you can contact us any time you need to.

For a mold removal service you can trust, contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001.

What is the Next Step After Flooding in your Point Pleasant Home?

10/18/2020 (Permalink)

Cabinet drying typically takes longer but is essential to recovering your home from flood losses.

SERVPRO Can Dry Cabinets and Cavities in your Point Pleasant Home after Flood Damage.

Do wet cabinets dry naturally?
Floodwaters can enter and spread throughout your Point Pleasant Beach property leading to wet walls behind cabinets and fittings. These areas are particularly challenging to dry because of space limitations and the multiple layers of cabinet backs and drywall. The low ventilation level typically means fittings dry slowly without intervening with equipment and could become hotbeds for microbial growth activity. Drying times are typically longer when cabinet design includes a back. Often drying the wall and the cabinet requires drilling small holes to allow for adequate ventilation and air-flow.

What makes wet cabinets and walls slow to dry?
    •    The type of paint, either flat paint or glossy, can slow down drying. Flat paint is generally the quickest.
    •    Cabinet design, mainly whether cabinets include backing.
    •    Laminated cabinets can be tricky to measure due to the vapor barrier.

Is cabinet disassembly necessary for drying efficiency?
Fittings with water exposure and flood damage in your Point Pleasant Beach home are often time-consuming to disassemble. SERVPRO technicians generally opt for drilling vent points into the cabinet walls and using a venting fan to drive air into the cavity. One area that may be useful to drill into is the cabinet toe kick located at the cabinet's bottom. To remove the toe kick, remove the base molding to circulate air into the cavity. With proper care and attention, base molds are reusable so long as they do not sustain permanent harm during removal.

What methods are useful for walls with high exposure to moisture?
    •    Drill additional holes at the top of the wall to allow full ventilation.
    •    Insulation in exterior walls can often be saveable by drilling additional holes.
    •    Take extra care to avoid loosening sheetrock, which may be weak due to water exposure.

Cabinet drying typically takes longer but is essential to recovering your home from flood losses. Contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001.

Are Increased Fires a Risk Around Halloween?

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Candles are an integral part of holiday decorating but can also be a fire hazard.

Fire Danger Increases During Fall Trick or Treating Time 

Once known as the “Land of Tall Timber” by the Lenape Indians, Point Pleasant began when European settlers arrived around 1665. A small borough of approximately 19,000 residents, it is considered a summer resort town by many. The families that live there today enjoy participating in seasonal activities such as Halloween and trick or treating. But this time of year can bring fire risks with it as well as fun. 

What Causes Fires During This Time? 

Autumn is a beautiful time of year. Leaves are turning in many places, the air is getting colder, and pumpkins are everywhere. Fall holidays include celebrating Halloween for many families. But each year, approximately 13 million in property damage occurs due to fires during the Halloween time frame. Families need to be aware of potential fire damage in Point Pleasant as they prepare to enjoy the festivities. 

Part of the fun is decorating. Jack O’ Lanterns, hay bales, and scarecrows adorn porches and yards. While they are pleasant to look at, many of the decorations and activities that go hand in hand with the holiday are fire risks. From 2009 to 2013, reported home fires were caused by decorations igniting, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Between 2013 – 2017, 780 residential fires began with decorations. The statistics show: 

• 44% of these occurred because the décor was too close to a heat source
• 37% of the fires started by candles
• 21% started in the kitchen
• 16% started in the living room 

How Can I Avoid Halloween Fire Hazards? 

A tradition that a lot of folks enjoy is carving a pumpkin. And of course, once you get your Jack O’ Lantern finished, you want it to glow and show off your scary face. Candles are often placed inside the pumpkins to create that glow. The problem is a pumpkin sitting inside your home or on your porch with an open flame can easily get bumped, which is a Point Pleasant fire disaster waiting to happen. At SERVPRO, we deal with fire damage regularly, and plenty of them start with something as simple as a candle. Instead of a candle, this year place battery operated tea lights or a glow stick inside your creation. Other ways you can play it safe this year include: 

• Dry Decorations– hay bales and straw scarecrows are the perfect fall decorations, but they are also the ideal fuel for fires. Keep highly flammable decorations like these away from open flames.
• Candles– Play it safe with candles. In pumpkins, luminaries, and other lit up decorations, opt for battery operated lights.
• Costumes– Choose costumes for kids that are flame retardant. Outfits with long trailing pieces are at risk of brushing against an open flame and catching fire.  

Candle Safety Tips 

If you enjoy burning candles at any time of year, you should follow some general safety tips. According to NFPA, December is the peak month for candle-related fires in the home. Over one-third of candle fires begin in the bedroom. These fires are often a result when flammable material is too close to the candle. Here is some information that can aid you in staying safe and enjoy your candles: 

• Blow out all candles when you leave a room or before sleeping.
• Keep items at least 1 foot away from the open flame.
• Use sturdy candle holders.
• Do not let the candle burn all the way down to the base.
• Avoid using candles during power outages.
• Keep hair and clothes out of the way when lighting candles.
• Consider using flameless candles.
• Never leave children alone in a room with burning candles. 

Be Safe Year Round 

SERVPRO recommends installing fire alarms on every level of your home. They should be in more than one area. Consider installing a fire alarm in each bedroom. A fire can quickly destroy a home and lead to loss of life that could have been prevented but something as simple as fire alarms.  

If a Fire Does Occur 

If a fire does break out in your home, getting professional fire mitigation fast is vital. Even small contained fires can cause extensive smoke damage throughout the entire house. SERVPRO is here to provide fire damage cleanup and restoration if the need arises.  

Our families enjoy the holidays just like yours does. SERVPRO wants everyone in the Point Pleasant area to have fun this fall season and stay safe as well. If you experience fire damage, we are ready to mitigate the problem, but we would much rather have you safe at home. 

Contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001 for professional fire damage service. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Are Electric Submersible Pumps Used Most Often for Water Removal in Point Pleasant?

9/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO comes fully equipped for your Point Pleasant water damage.

Extractors are often necessary after water disasters in Point Pleasant homes, and submersible pumps can make the most significant initial impact. 

Because extraction is such a critical element to the restoration and recovery of Point Pleasant homes after a water disaster, it is one of the tools and equipment with the most versatility in our inventory. With dozens of models varying in size, production, and ideal use, we can meet rapidly changing conditions in a substantial water emergency for your residence. When standing water is a concern, these circumstances must get resolved as soon as possible to limit the damage and absorption of exposed materials and contents. 

While water removal in Point Pleasant homes often relies on multiple extractors simultaneously, one of the most efficient and heavily used is the electric submersible pump. With continual, quiet operation that can remove hundreds of gallons of water every hour from a damaged area, the only potential obstacle is supplying the unit's power. There are several solutions, including:

• Portable Generators 
• Trailered Generators 
• In-House Electricity

What If Power is Limited? 

It is not uncommon for some loss scenarios to exist in structures struggling to produce adequate power and electricity for restoration equipment. Even spider boxes running off portable generators can become overloaded with air movers and dehumidifiers. We can resolve this with daisy-chaining air movers when possible, but this is not always practical in widespread drying zones. We also have options to utilize non-electric extraction options such as gas-powered trash pumps and truck-mounted extraction units that operate on service vehicles' engines. 

With so many threats resulting from prolonged exposure to standing water, it is always a priority of our responding SERVPRO of Point Pleasant team to mitigate loss with extraction tools. Electric submersible pumps are a possible choice, but our restorers have many options to make water disasters "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (732) 202-3001.

How Can I Get Professional Flood Damage Remediation Services in Point Pleasant Beach?

9/6/2020 (Permalink)

Floodwater can remain in your home even after you think it's gone. Contact SERVPRO for professional remediation and mitigation services in your home.

If Your Point Pleasant Beach Home Requires Flood Damage Remediation, Call SERVPRO Today!

Now that fall is around the corner, and hurricane season is imminent, it is essential to consider that your Point Pleasant Beach home could face flood damage. Any home adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean could be at risk of flooding. We do not say this to encourage you to live your life in fear of something that could happen. We say this to enable you to do what you can to prepare, should an emergency occur.

You may wonder what you can do to prepare your Point Pleasant Beach home for flood damage. The truth is, you cannot predict if your home might flood or how bad the water damage may be. Instead, it is essential to do your best to enable immediate access to your property for restoration professionals, like SERVPRO.

How Can I Help SERVPRO Get to the Damage on My Property ASAP? 

There are a few things you can do for your home to help professionals get immediate access in the case of an emergency, including:

• Creating a SERVPRO READY Emergency Profile Plan
• Keeping a list of emergency phone numbers in an easily accessible place
• Telling professionals about any obstructions that may be between them and your home right away

A SERVPRO READY Emergency Profile Plan is free to create and allows us to make a map of your home to follow during an emergency. It is crucial to book an appointment with our technicians before the damage occurs for the plan to work. Furthermore, telling our professionals about obstructions, such as fallen trees, can ensure we are prepared before arriving.

How Can SERVPRO Remove Flood Water From My Home? 

SERVPRO uses advanced technology to reduce standing water inside of your home. We can employ devices such as: 

• Portable sump pumps
• Wet/dry vacuums
• Extractors 

Should you have significant standing water on your property, we can use truck-mounted devices for water removal.

If you ever find your home in need of flood damage remediation, get help today. Contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant by phoning (732) 202-3001. We are flood damage experts. 

Click here for more information about Point Pleasant Beach.

The Ultimate Guide to Damage Scenarios in Point Pleasant

8/30/2020 (Permalink)

Regardless of the type of damage, Team SERVPRO can remediate the situation fast. Our team is standing by 24/7 to take your call.

Proof That Contacting SERVPRO After Damage Can Help Mitigate the Situation

As a locally owned and operated restoration team that has been serving the area since 2006, we have grown into a trusted and reputable name when disasters strike Point Pleasant homes and businesses. Our large loss recovery team has managed substantial loss events in commercial properties like restaurants, schools, and hospitals. As a full-service provider of both restoration services and reconstruction through our in-house contractors, we can ultimately save customers time and money on the recovery that their property needs.

Water

It might not be easy for homeowners to determine the extent of water damage in their Point Pleasant residences. With hundreds of causes for water emergencies, the severity and spread of the damage can change from one house to another. Preliminary assessments can determine the extent of the surface damage and provide an accurate evaluation of exposed contents and structural elements throughout your home. Documentation can be recorded through our exclusive SERVPRO DryBook technology and software, which can ensure that all parties involved, including our field technicians and the insurance provider for the homeowner, are actively aware of mitigation progress and the tasks that still need to get performed.

What Mitigation Solutions Do Professionals Use?

Mitigation is a phase exclusively designed to save customers time and money by reducing the property's overall loss. When this comes to your Point Pleasant home or business, mitigation is one of the most critical stages of recovery. While this general term can describe multiple actions restoration professionals take upon arrival, with water loss incidents, it can often indicate specific tasks:

• Extraction
• Controlled Demolition
• Content Cleaning and Management

Is Rebuilding Necessary After Drying?

With how widespread water loss incidents can become, especially when migrating water pushes beyond the surface material into structural cavities and subflooring, build back and repairs are often necessary. We have contractors on our roster capable of handling both the required immediate repairs and the full reconstruction of discarded materials. We can make water loss incidents "Like it never even happened," for your Point Pleasant home.

Fire

When fire damages affect your Point Pleasant home or office, it is critical for professional restoration technicians like ours to respond quickly to this disaster. While chasing fires can often have a negative connotation, it is a practice we utilize to ready our team for emergencies occurring in the communities that we serve. With our relationship with many local insurance companies and significant providers who call on our experience to help, readiness for fire recovery involves multiple factors:

• Pre-stocked trailers
• Available technicians
• 24/7 operation
• Emergency experience

What Immediate Tasks Can Prevent Greater Loss?

Mitigation and emergency services are also substantial when looking to reduce the spread and severity of fire loss effects. There are multiple steps that our professionals can take in your Point Pleasant property beginning as soon as we arrive. From fire debris removal and air quality control through surface cleaning to remove smoke residues and other threats, we have skilled professionals 24/7.

What Are the Final Stages of Fire Recovery?

Over the years that we have been serving the area, many have looked to our SERVPRO team to provide both restoration and reconstruction after structure fires affecting Point Pleasant buildings and homes. As pressing of a need as reconstruction and repair might be after a fire, a restoration professional must also address lingering effects such as embedded odors in structural elements that are not getting replaced. We have multiple tools for removing odors successfully, and this process can be even more efficient through practices like controlled demolition and reconstruction.

Commercial

As you might suspect, our restoration professionals' success in commercial properties in the Point Pleasant area and beyond hinges on our fast response. Every loss incident has a finite timeline for restoration and recovery before protecting construction materials and contents becomes impossible. This speedy response can become even more pressing in smaller shops or warehouses where stored articles and wares can become heavily damaged by water and flood disasters.

What Cleaning Practices Are Standard for Commercial Properties?

Cleaning up after one of these loss incidents can be crucial to returning your property to a preloss condition. The same fast response can ensure that your doors stay open or reopen quickly after the first notice of loss. Proper cleaning of your Point Pleasant commercial property involves many steps ranging from carpet cleaning and resurfacing through deodorization and air quality control. Each of these steps is not only vital in the restoration and recovery after disasters but also the revitalization of your property when wear and tear to the building become apparent. These actions include:

• Carpet Cleaning
• Surface Wipe Cleaning 
• Deodorization 
• Vandalism and Graffiti Removal
• Air Quality Control 

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The development of a defensive cleaning program ensures that we have qualified restoration and cleaning professionals available at any time that your Point Pleasant property needs it. This program provides the highest levels of cleaning and sanitation that we can give commercial properties. Our attention to detail in these matters ensures the high traffic areas and touched surfaces get appropriately cleaned and protected regularly.

Storm

Severe storm events are nothing new to the Point Pleasant area. Because of this frequency, we have a fast response to begin deliberate emergency services. Some of these options include temporary construction, controlled demolition, and cleaning surfaces.

What is the Fastest Method of Extraction?

Flood losses could often be a typical result of water penetration after storm losses occur. When flooding begins in your Point Pleasant home, we fixate on the appropriate tools necessary to remove standing water. Some of the most frequently used removal tools include:

• Submersible Pumps
• Trash Pumps
• Wet Vacuums
• Carpet Wands
• Weighted Extraction Machines

What Must Happen to Address Flood Damage?

The removal of flood effects after a disaster can be a considerable challenge, especially when the property needs services like muck out and extraction. Flood recovery, in general, describes a wide variety of actions taken, ranging from controlled demolition and debris removal through extensive cleaning and reconstruction.

We're Faster to Any Size Disaster, and we can show you. Give our SERVPRO of Point Pleasant team a call at (732) 202-3001.

How Can I Remove Odors from My Restaurant Kitchen After a Fire?

8/10/2020 (Permalink)

Point Pleasant Restaurants Rely on SERVPRO for Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration

Fire Can Leave Difficult-To-Remove Residues That Cause Unpleasant Odors

After experiencing a fire incident in your Point Pleasant establishment, you face the difficult task of fully restoring your business so that it can be reopened. Fire residues can be difficult to remove without professional help, and they create unpleasant odors that can turn away customers. SERVPRO has experience with eliminating these unwanted scents.

What Are the First Steps SERVPRO Will Take To Restore My Business?

Our technicians have extensive experience with fire damage mitigation in Point Pleasant. Once SERVPRO teams arrive, we can work rapidly to assess the damage and determine the most effective tools and techniques for beginning the restoration process. Our technicians can do the following:

• Find the residues
• Identify the type of residues
• Identify the type of surface the residue is on
• Capture the film or ash in dry particulate form or in solution depending on the surfaces
• Properly dispose of residues

Can Residues Be Removed Without Damaging Surfaces?

Yes, SERPVRO technicians have several options when it comes to removing residues:

• Mechanical action can scrape off dry residues. Our technicians can choose between mild, medium, and heavy agitation to avoid damaging the surfaces and fixtures.
• Lubrication to detach residues and cause them to slide off. This is accomplished by the application of detergents.
• Chemical action to alter sediments, causing them to lose their grip on surfaces. We accomplish this through the use of enzyme digestion, bleaching, oxidizing, and strong acids.
• Suspension and dispersion to remove more oily deposits. We use hydrophilic and lipophilic clarifications to dissolve and then rinse away the residue particles.

Throughout the fire damage cleanup and restoration service, we make sure to adjust our cleaning to avoid causing damages to the surfaces as quickly as possible to help get the restaurant prepared for a re-opening.

If you have suffered fire damage and you need rapid help to quickly get your business back on its feet, then call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001. Our teams are available 24/7, and We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

When Can I Retrieve My Personal Belongings and Important Documents after a Fire in Point Pleasant Beach?

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant (732) 202-3001 to assist with your emergency fire damage and restoration needs.

Fire Damage In Point Pleasant Beach

When a fire occurs in our Point Pleasant Beach community, it can be devastating to the occupants. If the fire can be extinguished quickly, the damage may be limited. However, there is always fire, smoke, and water damage from the fireman's efforts to quell the blaze. Everyone wants to know when they can get into their home, retrieve essential belongings, including keepsakes, mementos, and papers.

One of the first tasks for our SERVPRO team of Point Pleasant is to work closely with the fire chief and the homeowner to evaluate the site. Our objective is to ensure that it is safe to enter. Safety concerns include electrical issues, slips, and falls due to wet conditions and structural integrity. Every fire damage site in Point Pleasant Beach is different and must be assessed. We can work closely with the homeowner to retrieve items safely before restoration begins.

Do I Need to Make Alternate Housing Arrangements?

Our SERVPRO Point Pleasant team can work closely with your insurance representatives to help answer this question. Depending on the amount of damaged caused by the fire, homeowners may be able to re-enter and live in a portion of the home that is undamaged. Larger fires with lots of smoke odor damage usually require the residents to make alternate temporary living arrangements.

Our teams follow a seven-step process for both small and large fire emergencies. The first two steps involve assessing the amount of damage, safety issues, and determining the amount and type of equipment needed. Next, compromised windows, walls, or roofs are boarded up or covered by tarpaulins to prevent further damage.

We remove all water and dry your home if needed before focusing on removing smoke and soot from all surfaces in the house. All items in the home are cleaned and sanitized as well as removing any remaining odors. Restoration of various structural elements may be required along with repairs to walls, carpet, and flooring.

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant (732) 202-3001 to assist with your emergency fire damage and restoration needs.

Can Efficient Cleaning Happen After a Fire in My Point Pleasant Beach Shop?

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage costs your business money! Call SERVPRO for fast, effective remediation.

Fires Can Leave Your Entire Structure Damaged, Making it Vital to get Cleaning and Recovery Efforts Started as Soon as Possible 

After a fire loss incident, cleaning up can often reduce the cost of a fire damage claim for Point Pleasant Beach shops. As restoration professionals, we have seen some of the destructive powers of fire losses throughout commercial properties. This damage can become especially problematic when your wares and stock also become impacted by the structure fire. Fast and direct restoration and cleaning approaches can protect these potentially damaged items and get your doors back open quickly for your customers and staff.  

The term fire damage for Point Pleasant Beach shops like yours can indicate multiple problems simultaneously. From the direct structural damage resulting from widespread combustion to lingering residues and coatings on the walls from smoke damage, cleaning is not a one size fits all solution for each building. Despite the obstacles that exist with cleanup and recovery, it is often a more cost-efficient approach to returning your property to the preloss condition when your insurance company has become involved in damage claim efforts.  

What Information Gets Collected in the Job Scoping Phase?  

The job scoping phase is one of the vital efforts that our SERVPRO team begins as soon as we arrive. This inspection and evaluation of your property help us determine the structure's condition and what must get done to restore it. Careful documentation and readings get conducted during this phase to ensure that all parties, including our fire restoration professionals and the insurance adjusters, know what to expect when restoration and mitigation efforts begin shortly after that. Job scoping seeks to determine:   

• Environmental Conditions – The conditions in the environment can vary from one fire-damaged structure to the next. Often, circulating particles like soot can have hazardous effects on those exposed. Air quality control, as well as many different emergency services, must occur before other restoration actions can take place.  

• Content Damage – Because your shop is your livelihood, you are often concerned with how damaged your stock and wares have become. Careful evaluation on an item-by-item basis can help designate which corrective actions can happen on-site in which your content needs restoring in our nearby warehouse. 

• Structure Damage – There is no mistaking how destructive fires in Point Pleasant Beach can be to the building itself. Structural damage must get addressed as soon as possible because breaches in the building's envelope affect how efficient and thorough restoration actions like cleaning, drying, and deodorization can be. 

• Estimated Costs – Job scoping is also vital for our project manager and crew chief to determine the work's estimated costs. Documentation of the damage and the corrective actions needed to recover the property helps the insurance company designate the appropriate amounts for the restoration of the building and its affected items. 

What Are the Primary Principles of Cleaning Smoke-Damaged Items?  

Smoke-damaged items are not uncommon to see after a structure fire in a small shop. Not only can the building's contents become affected by these residues, wall services, counters, and flooring can also become damaged. There are specific factors that we must consider with each of these restoration approaches when cleaning smoke residues:  

• Identify the Residue – There are multiple types of smoke residues that can impact your property, from wet smoke damage, a thick residue to dry smoke damage, which often appears more like a chalky film. 

• Identify the Affected Materials – The type of material affected underneath the residue can also impact the cleaning choice made. Specific abrasive cleaning techniques might damage or scratch sensitive surfaces. 

• Choose Appropriate Cleaning Method – With dozens of possible cleaning approaches for smoke residues, several get implemented on every job site. We have situations where soda blasting can be most efficient, while emulsification with water-based solvents might be best in other areas. 

Is Cleaning a Better Choice Than Replacement? 

Insurance companies often view restoration and cleaning as more desirable rather than replacement. Replacement indicates that materials or contents have become too damaged to preserve and must get discarded. Cleaning is more than resurfacing and refinishing, although these approaches can be cost-efficient against replacing the materials altogether. Advantages to cleaning include: 

• Less Money
• Faster than Replacement
• Desirable Alternative to Resurfacing 

No matter how destructive fire damages can be to your shop, our SERVPRO of Point Pleasant team can quickly respond. Give us a call whenever disasters strike at (732) 202-3001.

Can Hardwood Floors Be Saved After Storm Damage?

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

One step that may be used during the drying process are these water extraction mats as shown in this living room in Brick, NJ.

When a storm brings water into your home, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will on site quickly to begin the drying process. When water saturates hardwood flooring, the fibers swell, and permanent damage occur. The sooner the water cleanup begins means the chances of saving your hardwood floors are greater.  

SERVPRO has specialty equipment that may be able to save those hardwood floors. One step that may be used during the drying process are water extraction mats. These mats are very effective and efficient way to extract water moisture and vapor from hardwood floors. Extraction mats are placed in specific spots on the hardwood floors that pulls out remaining water and moisture that is in and under the floors. 

We have highly trained technicians along with professional equipment to make your storm damage "Like it never even happened." 

Call 732-349-9898 today for all your storm damage needs. 

Why Does Water Damage Extraction Accelerate Drying?

7/17/2020 (Permalink)

With Advanced equipment like this injecti-dry rig Shows Why SERVPRO Is the Water Damage Mitigation Company of Choice

SERVPRO Restores Point Pleasant Properties Affected by Water Damage

Something as simple as a faucet overflow can do significant damage to a kitchen. The moisture can delaminate tiles, affect cabinet finishes, cause the paint to bubble and peel, and create unpleasant water damage odors, among many other potential concerns.

SERVPRO is prepared to eliminate water damage from Point Pleasant residences 24/7. These Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-certified professionals are well-versed in performing mitigation services and restoring damaged areas of your home.

Why Does 24/7 Availability Matter?

SERVPRO is proud to provide communities with services from locally-owned franchises all over the United States and Canada at over 1,700 locations. Availability is a must for residential disaster cleanup because:

• Fast action means big savings. Water damage can affect your property in as little as the first 24 hours after exposure. The faster a mitigation team can act, the more likely it is that your belongings can be restored in full.
• Emergency response teams handle any size disaster. Whether the overflow has led to odors in your carpet or soaked through the ceiling of the floor below, SERVPRO has the tools and strategies necessary to return your home to a preloss state.
• Streamlined insurance claim filings. SERVPRO can accelerate the process by performing fast cleanup with extensive documentation of the damage in your home to support your insurance claim.

What Tools Can SERVPRO Use to Remove Water Damage?

Extracting moisture is a multi-step process that can entail the use of a variety of tools, depending on the extent of water damage. In a faucet overflow situation, your home may require:

• Portable extraction units for removing water from between baseboards, underneath tiles, behind toe-kicks, and many other hard-to-reach spaces.
• Rovers or extraction wands for pulling moisture out of carpeting.
• EPA-registered sanitizers for controlling odors and removing microbial growth.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is ready to leave water-damaged residences looking, “Like it never even happened.” Call (732) 202-3001 for comprehensive water damage mitigation services.

Click here for more about beachside living.

A Heavy Storm Caused Flood Damage in My Home. What Can I Do to Restore the Damaged Areas?

7/8/2020 (Permalink)

Do you know the storm damage restoration process? Regardless give the certified technicians of SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to handle the issue.

Hire a Restoration Firm to Conduct Storm Flood Cleanup and Mitigation in Your Point Pleasant Beach Property

Floodwater can cause significant damage to your property that can lead to costly repairs. Act fast by contacting professional restorers from SERVPRO to prevent further damage in your Point Pleasant Beach home. We have gone through thorough training and have access to state-of-the-art equipment that helps us handle flood damage to make it “Like it never even happened.”

How fast can you start the restoration process?

Since we understand how stressful a flooding situation can turn out, we can dispatch a team of technicians to perform stormwater removal and cleanup in your Point Pleasant Beach property within a few hours. We inspect the property to determine the best restoration techniques and products to use. Our certified technicians use approved methods to ensure effective rehabilitation.

What destruction does floodwater cause?

When floodwater gets into your property, it can infect everything it touches because it usually contains harmful microorganisms. Murky water can conceal insects and even life-threatening wildlife. The pooling floodwater can cause long-term damage to items such as:

•     Drywall and wallboard - These materials are porous, and when they absorb water, they may become weak and remain contaminated even after drying.
•     Floor coverings - Laminated covers with foam rubber backing, can be destroyed beyond repair. Carpets that come into contact with contaminated water need to be replaced. 
•     Electrical wiring and pipes - Flooding can cause pipes to break. It can also ruin electrical wiring, leading to electrocution hazards. 
•     Laminated wood and particle board: These materials can swell, separate, and weaken after getting wet, typically not salvageable.

Which restoration services do professionals offer?

Since floodwater poses health risks to humans, it is essential to let SERVPRO professionals conduct the restoration process. Before we start removing the contaminated water, we wear protective gear such as face masks, full bodysuits, rubber boots, and chemical resistant gloves. Our flood damage restoration services include:

•     Floodwater extraction - We can use self-priming trash pumps to extract the floodwater. We classify the pumps as slurry, full trash, or semi trash. The classifications are mainly based on the size of solids they can pass. Semi-trash pumps can pass solids less than 5/8” while trash pumps pass solids up to 1¼″. Full trash pumps can pass solids over 3”, and slurry pumps can carry fluid containing mud or sand. 
•     Drying – Our team performs thorough drying using centrifugal air movers and dehumidifiers. The equipment can remove moisture even in confined spaces. We can dry the contents of your home off-site or on-site.
•     Removing and disposing of non-salvageable items.
•     Eliminating odors in the property by using different deodorizing products and equipment

Do not let flood damage distort your daily activities. Contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001 for effective restoration. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

What are Signs of a Moisture Problem in My Hardwood Flooring in Point Pleasant Boro?

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

Quick action is necessary to ensure that your flooring can be restored. Contact our experienced team for services.

SERVPRO technicians can diagnose and treat water damage symptoms in your Point Pleasant Boro hardwood flooring with their professional restoration methods

When your hardwood flooring is the center point of a home-based water disaster in Point Pleasant Boro, if the cleanup was not complete, secondary issues may be the problem in the near future. Since wood absorbs water, it also releases moisture to be in equilibrium with its immediate environment. Signs that your hardwood flooring is dealing with an overage of moisture include:   

• Warping or cupping of floorboards
• Water droplets on the boards with no source in the vicinity
• Musty odors
• Discoloration on the boards

How Does SERVPRO Find and Diagnose the Areas That Need Water Removal?

SERVPRO technicians bring an array of water removal equipment to each Point Pleasant Boro job site to enable them to locate all areas of water migration, and any place elevated areas of moisture reside. They do not have to remove floorboards or sheetrock to "see" under flooring or behind walls, their detection equipment such as their thermal imaging cams and hygrometers allow them to peer throughout the room and find the problem areas that need addressing.

What are Some Common Issues When Water Waits for Cleanup? 

The biggest problem when there is a delay between the initial water spill and the cleanup in Point Pleasant Borough is the deterioration of the water that occurs. Within 48 hours, even a clean water loss requires handling as a category three biohazard due to the probability of bacteria now present in the water. This means items that absorb the water that once had potential for restoration is now a loss due to the possibly contaminated nature of the water.

In a house that is closed up, mold spores can germinate and spread rapidly across surfaces creating a secondary issue that require remediation before the house is habitable again.

Foul odors are another negative side effect of waiting to begin restoration services. The musty, distinctive odor remains until the moisture gets eradicated.

Not All Extraction Equipment is Equal 

Using a wet/dry vac on a water spill may work for small scale losses, but if the water migrates between floors, under flooring or may reside under cabinets or within walls, you need the professional power SERVPRO brings to the scene. 

The use of professional removal equipment is vital for the best outcome. The techs have access to state of the art extraction equipment such as:   

• Portable Pumps, including weight heads for use on carpet
• Submersible pumps for deeper water situations such as a flood damage or standing water in a basement
• Truck-mounted units for widespread water extraction situations

Professional Drying Equipment vs. Fans 

The drying equipment the techs bring on-site is light years ahead of the blowing power that comes from household fans. Air movers do not look like a fan, this small boxy device delivers high-velocity airflow that creates a chain reaction that causes embedded moisture to rise. Unlike when only fans get used to dry an area, the airflow only goes over the tops of surfaces, once the air movers raise the water vapor, the dehumidification equipment is on standby to grab it and port it off-site. When hardwood flooring requires drying, the techs most often attempt to dry the boards in place using specialized devices such as drying mats. The mats get rotated during drying to ensure the wood dries evenly. This method can help with lessening the sanding needed to bring the floorboards back to a level state. 

Pack Out vs Dry in Place 

SERVPRO techs want to limit the upheaval that the restoration process can cause in a home. They put furniture up on blocks and attempt to disrupt the home as little as possible. However when carpet requires removal or flooring gets affected by water loss, it often leads to the need for a pack out. The extremely organized process involves the cataloging of items and their place in the home so when the cleanup and restoration services complete, each item gets put back precisely where it came from.

Items that require removal due to loss also get photographed and a detailed report created. This document is provided to the homeowner once the mitigation efforts complete to assist in expediting any insurance claims the property owner may have in the works.

The certified technicians at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Boro know you need water removal sooner rather than later that is why their team of professionals is ready to come to your property 24/7. Just call (732) 202-3001 and get your home restored to its preloss condition. 

Does Storm Surge Complicate Hurricane Flood Damage Cleanup in Point Pleasant?

6/18/2020 (Permalink)

Having storm damage issues. Call SERVPRO in your local Point Pleasant area to mitigate your water damage home.

Training and Experience Are Why SERVPRO Implements Research-Based Planning for Salt Water-Contaminated Flood Damage in Point Pleasant

The torrential precipitation that falls when tropical storms or hurricanes lash the Jersey Coast can fill your Point Pleasant home with a combination of rainwater, industrial waste and other chemicals, and sewage from overland flooding. Topping off the hazardous concoction can be a dangerous influx of salt water from storm surge generated by the incredibly high winds accompanying the weather system.

Why Does Storm Surge Make Flooding Riskier?

Flood damage in Point Pleasant already exposes occupants and cleanup crews to the threat of electrocution. The additional salt in seawater increases electrical conductivity, making it even more important to have certified professional help when mitigating the flood waters. Additionally, if only standard extraction of the watery mess and structural drying occurs in response to the flood damage, salt residues will remain in structural components and within electronic devices. This can contribute to the following long term issues:

• Salt absorbed into framing, or other wood products, destroys lignin, the “glue” that holds the cells in wood and other cellulose-based materials together

• Salt absorbed into permeable materials corrodes concrete, cement, bricks, and mortar

• Salt crystallized on your home’s wiring can cause electrical shorts

• Salt coating plumbing and metal structural supports continues corrosive action

Are Extra Extraction Steps Needed with Storm Surge Contamination?

Fresh water flushing is vital during water removal after storm surge flooding. Our knowledge of this process and experience in its implementation are why SERVPRO professionals are best prepared for this complication.

Advanced training and practical experience in managing the complications of saltwater contamination are why SERVPRO of Point Pleasant conquers the challenge of storm surge during flood damage recovery. Call (732) 202-3001 to consult about what special measures are needed to protect your home.

How Can I Rid My Point Pleasant Boro Business of the Smoke and Soot Residues Left After A Fire?

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

Have the Experts at SERVPRO Restore Your Point Pleasant Boro Business

Now that local businesses in Point Pleasant Boro are reopening, each day can mean the difference between making payroll that week and keeping the lights on long enough to catch up. Even a minor disaster, such as an electrical fire in the breakroom, can mean additional weeks without customers and income.

How Bad Can it Get and What Can You Do About It?

In a business like a car dealership in Point Pleasant Boro, commercial fire damage can be extremely costly if residues from burning material attach themselves to every surface. SERVPRO Restoration Technicians are trained to deal remove these residues without damaging automobile paint and preserve other property not physically touched by open flames.

What is the Process to Preserve My Inventory?

Our first task is to quickly inspect each vehicle and determine which cleaning/removal method is needed.

    •    Dry Wiping – In most cases, this is our first method. Technicians use cloths and soft brushes to remove dry, powdery residues left behind after a very hot, quick-burning fire.
    •    Wet Wiping – Best used on sticky residues left on surfaces from a slower-burning and lower temperature fire. Here, technicians use the minimum amount of water or cleaner needed to break up the residue for removal with soft brushes without affecting the surface underneath it.

Our those the only Methods to Restore My Business?

No. SERVPRO technicians have an extensive inventory of chemical agents and tools to remove residues from other surfaces to include linoleum, wall paneling, paint, and concrete. Our personnel uses many of these same agents to eliminate the pungent odors left behind after a fire in your business.

To learn more about what SERVPRO of Point Pleasant can do for your home, or to schedule a service appointment, call (732) 202-3001 today. We are here for you.

Is It Possible to Completely Eliminate Bad Smells Associated with Flood Damage?

5/28/2020 (Permalink)

After the flood, odors remain. SERVPRO has the know-how and tools to restore your home to its preloss condition.

Although It May Seem Unlikely at Times, Flood Damage Remediation Companies can Eliminate Unwanted Flood Damage-Related Smells.  

In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy made landfall just to the south of Point Pleasant Beach. While the storm itself was bad enough, its flooding effects were substantially enhanced because the moon was full at the time. As a result, the storm surge caused by the hurricane was as much as 20% worse than otherwise. Many area homeowners suddenly faced feet of floodwaters in their homes. In particular, one resident suffered a submerged basement and feet of standing water on the first floor of his home. He had a local flood damage cleanup and restoration company remove the water and clean up the mess but, months later, unpleasant smells still lingered in the Point Pleasant home. Fortunately, another local remediation service, SERVPRO, was able to eliminate the lingering unwanted smells.

What Causes Odors Associated with Floodwaters?

Experts classify floodwaters as “black water,” or water contaminated with human feces, dangerous chemicals, or medical waste. Therefore, flood damage in Point Pleasant Beach requires professional water removal and restoration services, which is because disease-causing microbes, like viruses, bacteria, and fungi, pollutes blackwater. It may even contain harmful parasites like tapeworms, which live in the intestines of humans. Odors arising from flooding events generally originate from one or more of the following sources:

• Trash washed away by floodwaters
• Sewage picked up by stormwaters flowing through sewers
• Microbial waste from microorganisms living in moisture-saturated materials
• Dead bodies of animals and humans that have been swept away by raging waters
• Soils with organic materials that microbes feed on

The longer these odor sources remain in your home, the worse smells become because odor-causing microbes proliferate over time.

Another essential thing to note is that poorly remediated flood damage can result in recurring smells months after restoration efforts have ceased. These odors are a result of workers failing to clean and treat surfaces with appropriate agents effectively, causing microbes to remain. While the initial treatment reduces the number of microorganisms present in your home and makes smells undetectable, these microbes are still around. Their colonies can rebound in the future under the right conditions. Since these microscopic creatures are moisture-loving, preferring a relative humidity above 59%, and thrive in warm temperatures exceeding 68F, their numbers increase in the hotter, more humid summer months. These conditions can cause previously remediated odors to return.  

How Does SERVPRO Eliminate Odors?

To eliminate unpleasant odors, SERVPRO technicians first locate and remove their source. Our experts in Point Pleasant Beach remove the source by disposing of affected debris and killing odor-producing microbes. When getting rid of these offending microorganisms, we do one or more of the following: treat impacted materials with chemical agents, cut-off microbe food sources, reduce interior relative humidity to below 60%, and keep temperatures below 68F for an extended period. When treating your home, we use a wide variety of chemical agents to neutralize odors. These include:

• Disinfectants and antifungals to hinder the growth of bacteria and fungi
• Pairing agents that combine with airborne odor particles, forcing them to fall onto surfaces and making them easier to clean up
• Absorption agents to absorb moisture and reduce humidity
• Masking chemicals that cover unpleasant odors with pleasing smells

While these products are highly effective in odor remediation, we also make sure residents like their smell. Their approval is vital because we want the replacement smells to be more pleasant to the homeowner than those they replace.   

There are several ways in which SERVPRO removes unwanted smells from your Point Pleasant Beach home. These include methods of drying, as well as ways of applying disinfectants, antifungals, and deodorants to affected surfaces and materials. Some of our methods are:

• Using high-velocity box fans to quickly ventilate your home, before and after we employ chemical agents
• Employing high-tech air scrubbers to remove odor-causing particles and chemicals from the air
• Wet fogging, where ultra-low volume foggers inject solvent-based deodorants and other agents into difficult-to-reach areas
• Directly spraying disinfectants onto affected surfaces

Most times, these tools and measures solve residents’ odor-related complaints. We can use them at the time flood damage occurs or later when issues arise.

Sometimes it may seem like certain unwanted smells are impossible to eliminate, but this is certainly not the case. If you ever experience an ongoing flood-related odor issue, remember some companies can help you. They can solve your problem, just like SERVPRO helped the Point Pleasant Beach resident suffering the lingering malodorous effects of Hurricane Sandy.

If you ever need assistance dealing with unwanted smells from prior flooding, contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001.

A Fire Has Ruined My Home, What Do I Need to Do?

5/22/2020 (Permalink)

A fire can take over your Point Pleasant home in a split second. Call SERVPRO today.

Let Professionals Handle the Fire Damage in Your Point Pleasant Home

Fire is a traumatizing and frightening experience for property owners in Point Pleasant. The ferocity and speed of the flames make homeowners feel vulnerable and can cause significant damage. Do not let the aftermath of fire damage continue to destroy your prized possessions and property, while SERVPRO technicians can restore them to their preloss state.

When should I call the restorers?

With fire damage, it is essential to act fast to stop further loss that can lead to expensive repairs. When the smoke clears, contact our response team, who can promptly restore your fire damaged Point Pleasant property. Our team of technicians answers our customer’s emergency call with quick and decisive action. We are available 24-hours a day, all year long.

What is involved in the restoration process?

Our team of technicians calls the first 48 hours after the unfortunate incident, the “golden hours” for restoration. With our fast response, our technicians can restore affected structures and contents fast.

Fire produces acidic soot and smoke, which can cause the deterioration and corrosion of essential items and building components. Firefighters use water or dry chemicals to extinguish the flames. Also, a persisting smoke odor is left behind after the incident and can exist for an extended period if not removed properly.

Our fire damage restoration service includes damage mitigation, soot, and smoke damage cleanup as well as water restoration. We always use approved techniques to restore our customers’ property.

Since time is of the essence, we use state-of-the-art equipment and tools to hasten the restoration process. For instance, our technicians can use centrifugal air movers to increase air circulation, which can speed up the drying process.

What factors do professionals consider when restoring valuable items?

Before our team of experts restores a home’s contents, we evaluate the items thoroughly based on the following factors:

•     Loss of value and use
•     The effects of smoke and heat
•     Restoration cost vs. replacement cost
•     Sentimental value

We consider these factors to keep our customers from incurring unnecessary expenses and dispose of items damaged beyond repair.

How can you get rid of the smoke odor?

The SERVPRO team of technicians works hard to leave homeowners and their families in a friendly environment. Even after cleaning your property thoroughly, we can use air scrubbers to remove the odor in your property.

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at (732) 202-3001 to restore your home after a fire. With our advanced equipment, cleaning chemicals, and proven methods, we can save your priced items. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

To find out more about Point Pleasant, click here. 

What Can I Do for a Pipe Burst in the Walls of My Point Pleasant House?

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

Point Pleasant Homeowners rely on SERVPRO to restore their insurance policy covered water loss

Our SERVPRO Team Can Help with Repairs and Dry Wall Cavities after a Water Loss

When pipes burst in the wall of your Point Pleasant home, it can be a difficult thing to recognize, let alone successfully dry and restore. In most situations, property owners rely on the fast and confident response of our SERVPRO professionals to help. With a combination of advanced technologies for moisture content discovery to cutting-edge wall cavity drying systems, we can make a difference quickly in your damaged home.

What Should I Do Immediately After a Burst Pipe? 

Several steps must get taken immediately following the recognition of water damage in Point Pleasant homes. With pipes bursting in the walls or between floors, there are a few actions that you can take immediately to get the restoration process started. These include:

• Stop the Water – Burst pipes can be alarming but gathering your senses and finding the shutoff for the water supply to your home can prevent this breach in your plumbing from spurting hundreds of gallons of water before help arrives.
• Call Professionals – With a 24/7 response to water loss emergencies, you can reach our SERVPRO team whenever disasters strike. We can mobilize quickly to begin mitigation when you need it most.
• Speak with Your Insurance Company – Many homeowners have no idea what their insurance policies say about water damages, or what gets covered when the restoration is necessary. Notify your insurance company about the situation and get their feedback on what you should do. 

Can SERVPRO Do Repairs?

With a full division of in-house contractors, plumbing repairs can begin in the earliest stages of recovery. We understand how vital fresh water can be in the house, so we locate the damage and repair it fast.

With water losses that start in your walls, you might not know how bad the situation is until you are overwhelmed. Give SERVPRO of Point Pleasant a call at (732) 202-3001.

What Is the Fastest Water Removal Method for a Point Pleasant School?

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can close schools. SERVPRO has the equipment and experience to remediate the damage. Call us today.

Our SERVPRO Team Can Help with Efficient Extraction, Drying and Cleaning to Get Students and Faculty Back Quickly

When water losses affect Point Pleasant municipal buildings and schools, there are so many individuals affected. Each of these disasters can force a temporary shutdown of the facility, or at least closing off a portion of the school. Preventing foot traffic through the damaged area is an essential way for students to get injured by slips or rapidly changing conditions in standing water scenarios.

Water removal for Point Pleasant schools involves a blend of talented professionals like our SERVPRO team meeting the changing situation of substantial water damage with advanced tools and technologies. Finding the most efficient method for extraction and drying is our technicians' priority as soon as we arrive at the damaged location. We can establish containment barriers to limit traffic through the drying zone when our professionals begin with mitigation. 

What Are the Risks of Standing Water? 

Pooling water in any school area can be a dangerous situation for the students and faculty exposed. Other considerations make standing water a concern for your school. Here are some of the ways that this substantial water loss effect can be detrimental to your facilities: 

Structural Deterioration  

You might not think about how standing water could affect tile flooring throughout the hallways. This water can be even more compromising when the water loss occurs in areas with concrete floors, unpainted masonry walls, drywall, or when the water damage occurs in ceiling cavities.

Water Migration

Breaks in the plumbing to fixtures like water fountains can deposit high volumes of water on tile flooring, which can spread quickly throughout your school's entire wing. Though its initial position might not be immediately destructive, where water travels could cause considerable damage elsewhere in the building.

Unusable Facilities 

Standing water in Point Pleasant is too great of a risk for your students and faculty, so until resolving the situation, there is little that you can do with this portion of the school. Running at a compromised state puts the strain on resources and the faculty to keep meeting the demands of educating students without space and means to do so more efficiently. 

How Do You Remove Surface Water? 

As much as you might want to get this situation resolved as soon as possible, considerable extraction needs exceed your custodial staff's available equipment and expertise. By trusting our SERVPRO team to help, we can showcase multiple practical tools and devices that can remove surface water and prepare the area for drying efficiently. Some of these cutting-edge tools in our arsenal are:

• Submersible Pumps 

Submersible pumps are ideal for when any standing water in your school exceeds two inches in depth. Beneath two inches, more air is getting into the pump than water, making it impossible to maintain an appropriate prime of suction to remove the pool.

• Wet Vacuums 

With lower depths of standing water, the appropriate tool for removal is the wet vacuum. This vacuum is a versatile piece of equipment that can work as a standalone extractor, but also get fitted with multiple attachments to improve its effectiveness with specific materials. The squeegee wand is an excellent example of one that might get used on the tile and concrete flooring throughout most of the school.

• Conventional Sopping Approaches

Several instances in which mopping and sopping up the water might work for any lingering surface moisture. In most cases, our SERVPRO professionals work to remove most of the water present with other strategies before finalizing these efforts with conventional toweling. 

Can SERVPRO Help to Resolve the Cause of the Water Damage? 

We have skilled professionals on our team that have the knowledge and the experience to repair and rebuild your building after a water loss. Take the time to inspect the origin of the water losses to determine the likelihood of recurrence. Repairs can address both the immediate damage and the use of preventative maintenance. By choosing our team, you are getting: 

• In-House Contractors
• Thorough Inspections
• Quality Repairs

How Fast Can Students Get Back After Water Losses? 

It is always our priority to get students and faculty back to the damaged portions of the facility as soon as possible. Even if the loss incident does not force a total shutdown, it can strain resources and test the available space limitations. We can work efficiently to get you back to preloss conditions faster than you might have expected.

No matter how our professionals can help after a water loss incident, you can reach our SERVPRO of Point Pleasant 24/7 by calling (732) 202-3001.

Damage in Your Point Pleasant Home

5/3/2020 (Permalink)

Our skilled crew at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will restore you home after a water damage incident.

Removing Water Heater Water Damage from a Point Pleasant Home

Water heater-related damages may not be the most common, but most homeowners can still expect their heaters to fail within the first eight to ten years of use. Without regular cleaning and maintenance, water heater leaks from supply lines or rusty tanks can create considerable amounts of water damage in your utility room.

If your home in Point Pleasant requires water damage mitigation due to a water heater failure, SERVPRO technicians are available to address the damage and restore your home to a preloss condition. These technicians are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to extract water damage from all types of surfaces. SERVPRO emphasizes repair over replacement whenever feasible so that homeowners can save time and money on much-needed mitigation services.

Inspecting Your Water Heater

• Examining the exterior. Check the floor underneath the heater, as well as the tank, supply lines, and nearby plumbing. Regular visual inspections can help you detect small issues before they become costly repairs.
• Flush the tank. It is recommended that you flush your water heater's tank annually to prevent the buildup of residues and sediments that can eventually compromise the tank without regular cleanup.
• Inspect the anode rod. This specially designed rod collects corrosive materials to prevent them from eating away at the tank. Examine this once every year or two to get a better idea of when to flush the tank.
• Check any vents. If your water heater features a top vent, you can determine its effectiveness by lighting a match near the gap between the water heater and the vent. When the heater turns on, the flame should move toward the gap. If not, call a plumber to examine the system.

SERVPRO's Water Extraction Methods

SERVPRO technicians use a variety of extraction methods to address damage in your basement, including mops, wet/dry vacuums, and portable extractors that can access hard-to-reach spaces, including saturated wall cavities. Small holes or cutouts may be necessary - with the homeowner's permission - to facilitate drying. The extraction process must be thorough to ensure that drying is efficient and successful.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant can ensure that your home looks, “Like it never even happened.” Call (732) 202-3001 for professional cleanup services when disaster strikes on your property.

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Go It Alone or Hire Professionals to Remediate Fire Damage in Point Pleasant?

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is experienced in fire damage restoration. We have the equipment and training to restore your home.

Professional Cleanup of Fire Damage in Point Pleasant

A fire loss in your Point Pleasant home requires a multi-phase cleanup plan. As the flames moved through a wide range of materials and contents were burned. Because of this variation of fuels consumed, the residues deposited on surfaces can change its consistency. The cleaning methods needed to clean soot off different surfaces must match the residues, and our technicians must adopt the approach if the materials coated cannot withstand specific strategies. 

Water Removal a Priority

Before we can begin residue cleanup, the water and chemicals used to knock down fire damage in Point Pleasant need removing. The chemical process can be a significant job but is well within our capability. Our technicians hold multiple certifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Water damage events are just as destructive as fire, and if not resolved can allow building materials can deteriorate, and secondary damage like mold growth can flourish.

Soot Damage Evaluation and Cleanup

As the crews pump and extract the water and complete structural drying, the project manager inspects the entire structure for fire damage residues. SERVPRO technicians complete rigorous coursework on the principles and elements of cleaning. Taking together the characteristics of the soot -- dry, wet, or protein-based -- and the composition of the surfaces it coats, our team matches cleaning methods, tools, and proprietary products to remove it from your home. 

Odor Evaluation and Elimination

During the aftermath of a fire, many sources contribute to unpleasant smells. Removing debris and cleaning off the soot are the first steps, as we find most of the malodors in the incompletely combusted particles of building materials and contents burned. These particles are tiny and can remain airborne for quite some time. They also settle into crevices and seams on furnishings or invade window and floor coverings. Removing all the tiny bits is impractical. SERVPRO turns to innovations like thermal foggers and hydroxyl generators as a strategy. This equipment creates deodorizing particles that seek out or pair with the odor-bearing particles at a molecular level, rendering them odorless.

Count on the highly trained crews from SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to manage your fire damage recovery needs. Call us at (732) 202-3001 as soon as possible so we can get to work.

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SERVPRO of Point Pleasant: Thank You First Responders

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

Silverton Fire Department trucks getting disinfected by SERVPRO of Point Pleasant crew at the Ocean County Mall, Toms River, NJ.

Complimentary First Responder Emergency Vehicle Professional Disinfecting Stations 

This past Thursday, April 23, 2020, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant sanitized 175 emergency First Responder Vehicles at the Ocean County Mall. We had fire trucks, ambulances, police and sheriff cars, undercover cars, security and corrections vehicles from as far as Barnegat and Ocean Township to as close as the Toms River Police Department right around the corner.

We offered free towel surface wipe down and Microbial Misting throughout the vehicles at one of our four disinfecting stations in front of Macy's and JCPenney. 

Special thanks to Air Duct Cleaning Solutions for bringing their crew to help out with this fantastic event. Also, thanks to Blue Wave Printing for distributing hand sanitizer to be kept in the emergency vehicles. 

Thank you to everyone who is working hard to keep us all safe during this unique time in our lives.

Is Professional Drying Faster for Your Point Pleasant Home After A Water Loss?

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

This room in a Point Pleasant home has our advanced drying equipment during the water removal and extraction process.

Our SERVPRO Professionals Have Efficient Water Removal and Drying Tools to Get Your Point Pleasant Home Back to Pre-Loss Condition Quickly.

Due to the more efficient restoration equipment and techniques of our experienced SERVPRO professionals, professional drying is often considerably faster and more cost-effective for customers. With our fast response 24/7, we can reach water damaged properties often within hours to begin drying.

Evaluating water damage to Point Pleasant homes is the first step. Our crew chief and project manager can scope the work to get done to ensure the right tools and technicians reach your damaged home as soon as possible.

What Tools Dry a Residence? 

While there are dozens of tools that get used regularly to perform drying tasks for structures, there are some that get used consistently enough to be foundational equipment in our drying approach.

• Centrifugal Air Movers
• Axial Air Movers
• Dehumidifiers

Axial units are designed to dry broader open areas while centrifugal units target specific areas of damaged materials saturated by water losses. The evaporation causes rising moisture content and relative humidity levels in the affected drying zone, which is where carefully placed dehumidification units come into play to regulate this rising condition. 

How Does Trapped Water in Materials Evaporate? 

While you might consider surface water to be the most significant concern when drying your home, it is the absorbed moisture that can create the biggest hurdle in water removal. Porous materials like wood flooring or absorbent materials like carpeting all require unique approaches to dry. We have several unique practices that can maximize drying output without requiring reconstruction.

• Damp hardwood flooring can get dried with floor mat systems
• Wall materials and structural cavities can dry with positive pressure systems
• Carpets and their respective padding can get dried simultaneously by floating with centrifugal air movers

No matter how severe water losses might be, our SERVPRO of Point Pleasant can dry up the damage fast. Give us a call whenever you need us at (732) 202-3001.

What to Expect from Professional Commercial Water Removal in Point Pleasant

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

We understand the need for rapid response and restoration to minimize the loss of your business property. Call us right away we are available 24/7.

Having a Knowledgeable Team with Experience Makes All The Difference 

No matter whether your Point Pleasant business is a tiny boutique or a vast warehouse and distribution center, expert assistance is needed to return to preloss condition after a water emergency. Our highly-qualified crews rely on world-class training from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and up-to-date commercial-grade equipment to evacuate water swiftly and dry out structural components and contents. 

We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster 

When your Point Pleasant company needs commercial water removal, timeframes are tight. Moisture is an incredibly destructive force, immediately causing damage that becomes progressively more severe as minutes and hours pass. Plumbing breakage or appliance malfunctions send hundreds to thousands of gallons of water into your business property, far more than you or your on-staff or contracted cleaning staff can manage. Our business mission focuses on solving water incursions and subsequent damage rapidly for commercial customers.

High-Efficiency Equipment 

To remove the water swiftly, SERVPRO stocks adequate inventories of equipment designed precisely for that purpose on our signature green service vehicles. The workhorses are submersible pumps and truck-mounted extractors. Both these types of removal equipment operate even if your electricity is temporarily disconnected. Pumps are gas-powered, and truck-mounted extractors use onboard generators. Once the bulk of the water exits, portable extractors help suction up the remaining standing water, able to reach the confined areas and recesses where water migrated.

Thorough Drying

Unless the weather conditions are perfect, open drying systems are not usually optimal. SERVPRO works to balance the temperature and air movement within your commercial space to facilitate the evaporation of water trapped inside structural components. As the water evaporates out of building materials, we are ready with our fleet of evaporative or desiccant dehumidifiers. Our project managers choose the proper type and placement of industrial-strength dehumidifiers depending on a range of factors, including:

• Interior and exterior temperatures - desiccant dehumidifiers work better when temperatures are low.
• Types of materials needing drying - concentrating on porosity and density. Refrigerant dehumidifiers are best for moderate to highly porous and permeable materials. 

Consult with SERVPRO of Point Pleasant when a water loss requires liquid removal and moisture reduction. Call (732) 202-3001 to see how our team and equipment can resolve commercial water damage woes. 

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SERVPRO of Point Pleasant: We are the Cleaning Experts

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant technicians are cleaning and sanitizing a local church in Toms River, NJ. We are Here to Help.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is Here to Help 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 your 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 on a daily basis.

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 Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• 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 this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Today for a Proactive Cleaning at 732-.202-3001.

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today.

Good Practices to Help You Avoid the Spread of Germs

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

The CDC recommends that everyone should practice good hygiene, be careful with meetings and travel and handle food carefully. If you feel sick, please be courteous of others by staying home to limit the spread of germs.

Some easy precautions to take to avoid germs:

• No Handshaking
• Disinfect surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, handrails, desks, light fixtures, toilets, etc. regularly
• Increase ventilation by opening windows and keeping open when possible

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. Call us today at 732-202-3001.

What is the Leading Cause of Residential Fires During the Holidays?

11/1/2019 (Permalink)

This kitchen in Bayville has fire, smoke and soot damage not only in the kitchen but throughout the home.

During the holiday season, the leading cause of residential fires is cooking equipment. With the upcoming holidays, we tend to spend a lot more time in the kitchen cooking and baking. We also have a lot on our minds so it is easy to get distracted while cooking. It is so important that we practice safe cooking habits to avoid having a fire in the kitchen.

How to avoid cooking fires during the holidays:

• Never leave cooking food unattended
• Use a timer as a reminder that an appliance is on 
• Keep children away from the cooking area
• Keep anything flammable away from appliances that generate heat
• Do not wear loose clothing that may catch fire
• Keep appliances clean and grease free
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it
• Make sure all appliances are off before you leave or go to bed
• Install smoke alarms and make sure they are working properly

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant wishes everyone a happy and fire-free holiday season. 

It's Time to Winterize Your Summer Home

8/31/2019 (Permalink)

This Beach Haven home was left unchecked for a month and then was discovered to have both water and mold damage.

Even though the warmer weather might still be here for a little longer, the colder weather is just around the corner. Now is the time to start thinking about winterizing the water and plumbing systems in your summer home because a vacant house is particularly prone to damage during extended periods of freezing temperatures.

Proper care and frequent checks around your property by yourself if possible, or a friend, neighbor or relative while you are away, will help prevent your home from disaster. A quick look around done periodically for as long as the house is empty can mean the difference between a problem being caught early enough to be fixed before any damage is done, and a problem left unchecked left to cause serious and costly damage. The last thing you want to walk into after the long, winter season is to find a catastrophe has hit your vacation home.

Follow these simple steps to help prevent water and mold damage to your summer home:

• You may want to shut off the water to the house when you leave, as it reduces the chance of water leakage and subsequent damage. Always consult with your heating professional to determine if it is safe to turn off the water supply for your particular heating system. Also, if your home is protected by a fire sprinkler system, make sure that you do not turn off the water to this system. If you have turned off the water supply, drain your pipes of all water by opening the faucets, and flush your toilet to clear the water from the tank and bowl. 

• If you decide against draining your water pipes, keep the furnace running with the temperature 55°F or higher to help ensure the home stays warm and that the pipes do not freeze. Also, wrap any pipes that might be exposed to the elements with insulation or heat tape. Keeping room and cabinet doors open can also help heat to circulate and warm the areas where pipes are located. Shut off the water to washing machine, dishwasher, and/or ice maker line where possible, to avoid leaks or broken hoses. It is also advisable to wrap insulation around the water heater, the pipes leading to and from it and insulate any pipes exposed outdoors, in a crawl space under the house, etc. If the pilot light is left on, it is not necessary to drain the water heater.

• Invest in smart home technology that detects water leaks and can alert you to a problem, before it overwhelms your house.

Even if you have someone regularly checking on your summer home, they might not see the water until it has caused serious damage to your property. Any home can quickly become infested with mold if a source of water is present. Mold can spread throughout a property in as little as 48 hours. 

If you return to your summer home to water or mold damage or both, know that you will be in great hands if you call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

Avoid Electrical Hazards after a Hurricane or Flood

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

This is just one step in the water extraction process that SERVPRO of Point Pleasant preforms to make it "Like it never even happened."

After a hurricane, flood or other natural disaster you need to be careful to avoid electrical hazards both in your home and elsewhere. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these tips to stay safe from electrical hazards:

• Never touch a fallen power line. Always the power company to report fallen power lines.
• Avoid contact with overhead power lines during cleanup and other activities.
• Do not drive through standing water if downed power lines are in the water.
• If a power line falls across your car while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not turn off the ignition. Warn people not to touch the car or the line. Call or ask someone to call the local utility company and emergency services. Do not allow anyone other than emergency personnel to approach your vehicle.
• If electrical circuits and electrical equipment have gotten wet or are in or near water, turn off the power at the main breaker or fuse on the service panel. Do not enter standing water to access the main power switch. Call an electrician to turn it off.
• Never turn power on or off yourself or use an electric tool or appliance while standing in water. Do not turn the power back on until electrical equipment has been inspected by a qualified electrician. All electrical equipment and appliances must be completely dry before returning them to service. Have a certified electrician check these items if there is any question.
• If you see frayed wiring or sparks when you restore power, or if there is an odor of something burning but no visible fire, you should immediately shut off the electrical system at the main circuit breaker.
• Consult your utility company about using electrical equipment, including power generators. Do not connect generators to your home’s electrical circuits without the approved, automatic-interrupt devices. If a generator is on line when electrical service is restored, it can become a major fire hazard and it may endanger line workers helping to restore power in your area.

Take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your loved ones after a hurricane, storm or flood. 

If you believe someone has had an electrical shock, do not touch them, call 911 immediately.

After your New Jersey property is safe from all electrical hazards, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to begin the water damage cleanup and restoration. For more information on water and storm damage cleanup, call us 24/7 at 732-202-3001.

Why Your Business Must Have an Emergency READY Profile from SERVPRO of Toms River

6/8/2019 (Permalink)

An estimated 50% of businesses do not recover after a disaster. Do not become one of them. Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for your ERP today.

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile (ERP) is a tool that can help prepare your business for anything that 2019 may bring. It is a quick reference document, detailing important building and contact information. It can be an ideal supplement to any existing emergency preparedness or contingency plan. Rather than simply reacting to a disaster, be proactive by establishing a relationship with a restoration company. We are a leader in fire and water damage response and can help you get your property back in working order.

The advantages of having an ERP with SERVPRO of Point Pleasant:

• A no cost assessment of your facility.
• A concise profile document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. 
• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
• Establishes us as your local disaster mitigation and restoration provider.
• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
• Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.

Don't wait until disaster strikes. Call us today so we can get your business "Ready for whatever happens."

Flood Damage Prevention Tips

5/15/2019 (Permalink)

Ocean County suffered heavy rain in August 2018 that resulted in flooding. Brick was one of the areas largely affected with major water damage.

Floods rank as one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Whether you live near the Jersey coastline, along city streets or near a river or lake, there is always a potential for suffering flood damage. On average, floods cost $6 billion in annual losses in the U.S. Flooding can also result from plumbing failures, frozen pipes and damaged structures. Flood damage can affect your business operation in a variety of ways and can range in size from being isolated to a single room to entire floors being fully submerged.

Knowing how to prepare and deal with potential flooding in advance can affect how much of your property can be restored and how much has to be replaced. Below are prevention, mitigation and restoration tips to follow until help arrives:

Flood Prevention Tips:

• Determine if your property is in a floodplain.
• In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
• Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
• Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store is not accessible. This type of planning is often referred to as a continuity of operations plan, or COOP, and includes all facets of your business.
• Plan for payroll continuity.
• Review your emergency plans annually. Just as your business changes over time, so do your preparedness needs. When you hire new employees or when there are changes in how your company functions, you should update your plans and inform your people.
• Visit Ready.gov for a comprehensive plan and to learn about emergency plans for New Jersey.

Flood damage affect not only the structure of your property but also your belongings. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant 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. The first 24 hours after flooding are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Our team is ready to respond as quickly as possible to help our Ocean County community with water cleanup and restoration.

Call the Cleanup Team That is Faster to Any Size Disaster

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant on site for fire cleanup at a house in Waretown, NJ.

Fire damage in a home can be a stressful event for any property owner. Damage to personal belongings and the contents of your property is a huge concern. Timely mitigation is the key to controlling damage, while reducing downtime and recovery costs. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant understands how disruptive fires can be for our customers. That is why we offer 24 hour emergency. Our rapid respond team and our trained technicians will help limit damage and get your get back to preloss condition. We will be there to help you restore order quickly.

No fire damage is too big or too small for SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. With experience in mitigating damages ranging from small one room apartments to large commercial buildings, our crew can provide quick response to virtually every situation. 

No matter when disaster strikes, call the cleanup team that's faster to any size disaster. Our team is always ready, on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Why Do Frozen Pipes Burst?

2/22/2019 (Permalink)

If you have already experienced some form of water damage from a burst pipe, call the water restoration experts at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

Freezing cold temperatures can cause serious damage to your pipes of your Ocean County home or business.  Unfortunately, burst pipes are a common, serious occurrence in New Jersey. 

Why do pipes burst? According to Live Science, when water freezes, its molecules crystallize, which takes up more space than when the molecules are in their liquid form, meaning the water molecules expand as they freeze. As the ice expands, it pushes water toward the closed faucet. This causes an immense amount of water pressure to build between the ice blockage and the faucet. Eventually, the pipe ruptures under the pressure, usually at a spot where there's little or no ice.

While you can't control the weather, you can definitely prepare before disaster strikes. Protect water pipes from freezing by simply allowing water to drip when temperatures dip below freezing. If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the doors open allowing warm inside air to circulate around the pipes. If your building has outdoor faucets, consider shutting off at the main valve in the basement or crawl space. Once the valve is off, open the outdoor faucet to ensure it drains, preventing any remaining water from freezing in the pipe. Also, heating or insulating these vulnerable pipes with fiberglass or foam sleeves ahead of time can help prevent them from bursting.

If water damage does happen in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. We are water removal and cleanup specialists that quickly dry your property using state-of-the-art water removal equipment and advanced drying techniques.

How to Defend Your Ocean County Home from Mold

2/20/2019 (Permalink)

Leaky pipes left alone may not only bring water damage but mold damage too. Fix them ASAP to avoid mold growth in your Point Pleasant home.

When there is a water or moisture intrusion of any kind in your home, mold can quickly become a problem. Not only can mold cause health effects but it can also cause significant damage to your property.

Follow these simple tips to help prevent your property against mold:

• Keep the humidity between 30-60 percent.
• Provide proper drainage away from your home’s foundation.
• Regularly inspect plumbing and appliances for leaks.
• Keeps gutters and drains free of debris.
• Inspect the roof, windows and other areas where water might enter the building and preform necessary maintenance.
• Respond to all water intrusions immediately.
• Contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant ASAP if you suspect or find a water intrusion.

We understand both water, mold and mold growth. Our team has the training, protective gear and specialized equipment necessary to handle any mold problem. Because every mold damage is different and will require a unique solution, you need an experienced crew there to make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Responds with Fast Action and a Full Arsenal of Drying Equipment

2/15/2019 (Permalink)

A washing machine hose leak caused an entire floor of water damage to this home in Brick. SERVPRO was onsite with our arsenal of drying equipment.

When water damage takes control of your life, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will help you take it back.

There is no such thing as a small water disaster, especially when a small leak could blossom into a bigger, expense later. Unseen water can soak through walls, seep into carpets and pool on sub floors, causing major problems the longer it remains. Our team has experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur.

We will answer your call with fast action and a full arsenal of drying equipment. Our trained professionals understand how to manage the drying processing by using state of the art equipment and the latest technology. Using the proper equipment will ensure your structure is thoroughly dried, which makes a measurable difference in reducing the damage and expense after a water loss. 

The bottom line is SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has the training and equipment to make your water damage "Like it never even happened."

Replace Batteries in Smoke Detectors on National Battery Day

2/15/2019 (Permalink)

Prevent fire damage from happening in your Point Pleasant home by celebrating National Battery Day because even a small candle can cause damage.

Nowadays every day of the year is a day for celebrating something. There are over 1,500 national days of things to celebrate even though we only have 365 calendar days to celebrate them. Some are just lighthearted or silly, like National Gumdrop Day (February 15^th), National Tell a Fairy Tale Day (February 26^th) and National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day (March 1^st.) Others we should take a little more seriously, such as National Battery Day (February 15^th).

National Battery Day was created to raise awareness of the importance of testing and having working batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These detectors help warn you of a potentially life threatening situation, giving vital time to get you and your loved ones to safety. This is why it is so important to make sure they have working batteries.

Also, while you have the batteries out, this is a good day to check the batteries in your flashlights in the event of a power outage.

Why Use the Professionals at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for Your Commercial Water Loss

2/12/2019 (Permalink)

This is just one step in the water mitigation process by SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at this office in Brick, NJ.

From a broken water line to an overflowing toilet, water damage can happen anytime to any commercial property.

You may think that repairing water damage on your own will save your business tons of money, unfortunately, that is not what usually happens. If you do not have the proper knowledge, equipment and training in water damage mitigation and restoration, you can end up causing more damage and significantly increasing the cost of cleanup and repairs.

The extent of water damage can be deceiving as much of it can get absorbed into the porous building materials of the property. Water is stealthy and you may miss it in hidden areas that are not noticeable to human eyes. It can easily find its way into small cracks and crevices causing major damage behind the walls, in the ceiling, and under the floors.

Hiring SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to do the restoration right away will prevent the water from becoming absorbed into the building materials causing extensive damage to your commercial property. Since water damage cleanup is a time sensitive process, you need us there quickly. The longer the water remains, it will aid mold growth and allow secondary water damage to incur. We are available 24/7 for your business emergency. As soon as you notice water damage in your home, call your local us to restore your business to preloss condition and bring it back to "Like to never even happened."

Benefits of Mitigation from SERVPRO of Point Pleasant

2/2/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant restoring property to make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant promotes restoration rather than replacement when possible to save you from higher damage costs. Our technicians strive to restore your items to preloss condition. The cost to restore damaged contents is a fraction of the cost to replace. Replacing flooring, drywall, and all of your furniture is expensive. Restoring your home is a lot less expensive than replacing everything in your home. Items such as family heirlooms and photographs can not be replaced, so we try to restore all that are savable.  

Why choose SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for your mitigation needs?

Choose us because we are a national leader in the cleanup and restoration services. Our effective results are the result of consistent training and execution. Our trained technicians provide timely response with mitigation services ranging from fire, smoke and soot removal.

You have a choice when it comes to who to trust with your home. Choose SERVPRO of Point Pleasant and let us help you make it “Like it never even happened.”

Why Choose SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for Your Business Emergency?

1/2/2019 (Permalink)

When you need a quick response for your business emergency, call on SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant understands that there is no such thing as a small emergency when it can negatively impact revenue loss and business continuity. Timely mitigation is key to minimizing damage, business interruptions and recovery costs. 

We provide 24/7 365 days a year emergency service because when you need us, you need us fast. The sooner we arrive, the better chance we can reduce damage and save money. 

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has trained, uniformed professionals that will be there from beginning to end of the process. We will walk you through the job process and then work quickly to restore your property to preloss condition. 

You and your business will appreciate the rapid response, expertise and training that enables us to help you get your facility back into operation quickly. 

Call us 24/7 732-202-3001 for any size water or fire damage emergency.

Tips to Keep Your Home Fire Damage Free During the Holidays

12/1/2018 (Permalink)

Everyone here at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant wishes you and yours a happy and fire safe holiday season.

The holiday season is a time to get together with family and friends. Whether you celebrate at home with a few loved ones or host a large gathering, there are a few precautions to consider to help ensure your holiday stays happy and safe.

The U.S. Fire Administration suggests following these simply holiday decorating tips to help keep your home fire free:

1. Use only non-flammabe decorations and place all decorations away from heat vents and heating sources.
2. Maintain holiday lights. Check lights for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in insulation, broken or cracked sockets and excessive wire kinking. This should be done yearly before using all lights. Only use lighting by an approved testing laboratory.
3. Do not overload electrical sockets. Do not link more than three strands of lights, unless directions indicate it is safe. Periodically, check the wires. The wires should not be warm to the touch. 
4. Avoid using lit candles. Consider choosing flameless candles over flame candles. If you do choose flame candles, make sure they are in a stable holders and place them in low traffic areas, where they can not be knocked down. Never leave a candle unattended.
5. Do not block exits with decorations or trees.
6. Check all smoke and fire detectors to ensure they are in proper working order.

Whether you are ready for the holidays or not, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will always be "Ready for whatever happens." If If disaster does strike your home during the holiday season, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will be on call for your fire damage emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

Highland Plaza Apartments Thanksgiving Day Fire

11/27/2018 (Permalink)

We are extra thankful for our wonderful SERVPRO of Point Pleasant staff on Thanksgiving.

A fire on Thanksgiving morning forced 111 senior citizens from their apartment complex in Toms River. After firefighters extinguished the fire, an estimated 75 percent of the building suffered from smoke and water damage, according to the Toms River Patch. We are thankful to have helped get most of them back into their homes by the Monday after Thanksgiving and making it “Like it never even happened.”

A Special Thank You to All Military Families this November

11/5/2018 (Permalink)

Military families often endure unique challenges as they support their soldier so we thank them not just this November but all through the year.

Every November, The Armed Services celebrates Military Family Month to demonstrate the nation’s support and commitment to the families of military personnel. Throughout the month of November, Army families serving around the world are being recognized and honored for the commitment and contributions they make every day through a variety of observances.

All of us share in the responsibility of caring for our military families and veterans. These families have stepped up to the plate at great personal cost. Unsure of what you can do for Military Family Month? You can do one or more of the following ideas or create your own:

• Create a care package for them to enjoy while away from home.
• Thank an Active-Duty Member, Veteran, Military Spouse, or Military Child for their service and sacrifice.
• Visit war memorials with your family to teach your children the value of service.
• Fly the U.S. Flag.
• Thank someone in a military uniform and/or surprise someone in military uniform with a free coffee, dessert or drink if in line behind you.
• Adopt a military family for the holidays by sponsoring a Food Basket or Toys for junior enlisted military families.
• Make a donation or volunteer with a military assistance organization

As we acknowledge and appreciate our veterans of the past and present for their noble and brave service to our nation, we offer gratitude for their sacrifice and for the security and protection of our freedoms. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to military families for the support they provide for our service members on a daily basis. Your sacrifices on behalf of our country are truly inspiring. 

Safety First Before the Feast

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of Point Pleasant restore your kitchen along with your peace of mind.

Every Thanksgiving, family and friends get together to celebrate by cooking a huge feast. Safe cooking should be a habit practiced at Thanksgiving and every other gathering because cooking fires are the leading cause of residential fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Follow these simple steps to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire:

1. Never leave anything unattended while cooking. 
2. Use a timer as a reminder that there is something cooking.
3. Keep children away from all cooking areas. At least three feet is usually a good, safe distance. 
4. Keep all flammable items away from anything that generates heat.
5. Avoid your clothing from catching fire around flames if wearing loose clothing.
6. Have a working fire extinguisher nearby and know how to work it in case of an emergency.
7. Check to make sure smoke and fire detectors are working properly.

If the unthinkable happens and a fire strikes, call your local fire damage experts at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. We will help you make it "Like it never even happened."

Don't Forgot a Preparedness Plan for Your Pets and Animals

10/17/2018 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, pets are important family members so we make them a part of our preparedness planning.

If you haven't done so already, now is the time to put a plan in place for your pet or pets in case of an emergency. 

There are several things you can do to make sure they stay stay safe during an emergency. Putting a Pet Emergency Kit together for your pets is the easiest way to plan ahead for an emergency. Ready.gov/animals lists the following items as essential to building your Pet Emergency Kit

• Bring at least a three day supply of food per animal in an airtight, waterproof container.
• Bring at least a three day supply of water per animal.
• Back all medicines and medical records for your pets in a waterproof case. 
• Put together a first aid kit that includes cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape, scissors, antibiotic ointment, latex gloves, Isopropyl alcohol and saline solution. Could not hurt to include a pet first aid reference book too.
• collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag and a leash.
• Have a sturdy, safe crate or carrier for each animal in case you need to evacuate. It should be large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down. 
• Everything necessary for sanitation. Pet litter and litter box if appropriate. Paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach.
• A picture of your pet and yourself to show others to assist if if you become separated from your pet.
• Bring microchip information in case you become separated from your pet in order to help locate them. Most veterinary clinics and shelters will have scanners to read the microchips.
• Bring some familiar items for your pet to make them comfortable and to help reduce stress during an emergency, such as treats, toys and bedding.

Pets are just as important as any family member to most people, so never leave your pet behind. They could be lost, hurt or even die if left behind. If you are unable to take your pet for any reason, please contact a local shelter, a family member or friend, police department, fire department or post on social media ahead of time for assistance.  

For more information on preparedness for pets and animals, please visit ready.gov/animals.

Do You Know Why the United States has Fire Prevention Week Every Year?

10/8/2018 (Permalink)

Even a small fire in a garage, like this one in Toms River, can quickly fill your entire home with smoke and soot. Be safe and plan ahead.

Fire Prevention Week (FPW) began in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which burned from October 8 until October 10 and caused devastating damage to the city. The History Channel reported that this tragedy killed an estimated 300 people and destroyed more than 17,000 structures. There are many theories on what started the fire, including a cow tipping over a lantern in a barn, but the truth is still unknown as to how it began.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week will be observed October 7^th through 13^th. The purpose of this week is to bring awareness to people of all ages and races in order to keep everyone safe. The National Fire Protection Association's theme this year is “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.”

“LOOK” for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.

“LISTEN” for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Meet at a predesignated meeting spot outside and a safe distance from the home and remain there until safe.

“LEARN” two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.

In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy for your family or friends. That is why not only yourself but all members of your household should understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.

Please join SERVPRO of Point Pleasant in keeping our family and community safe this year. Follow these safety tips on escape planning by the NFPA.

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant in the unfortunate event of fire damage at 732-202-3001.

Are You Aware that September is Mold Awareness Month?

9/1/2018 (Permalink)

Mold spreads quickly, so a minor mold infestation can quickly escalate into a major problem.

Are You Aware that September is Mold Awareness Month?

Molds are part of our natural environment, and can be found everywhere, indoors and outdoors.  Molds are usually not a problem indoors, unless mold spores land on a wet or damp spot and begin growing. The mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. Indoor mold growth can and should be prevented or controlled by controlling moisture indoors. 

It only takes a small water leak, or even excess humidity, for mold to form in your Point Pleasant home or business. Then, mold can spread quickly through the property in as little as 48 hours. Mold can produce allergens and irritants, and it has the potential to cause other health effects.

Listed below are a few simple tips if you suspect you may have a mold situation:

• DO NOT ignore possible signs of mold.  Immediately look for possible sources of moisture without disturbing suspected mold to prevent further spreading.
• Repair any sources of water as quickly as possible and thoroughly dry the any areas that are wet or damp.
• Move anything that is not suspected of having mold on it to a safe and dry area.
• If possible, seal off areas that may be contaminated to prevent further spreading. 

If You See Signs of Mold, 
Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Today at 732-202-3001.

Five Preventative Tips Against Water Damage

8/31/2018 (Permalink)

An appliance leak caused this home to need water damage restoration in this Toms River home.

Water damage is one of the most common issues that homeowners like us, may face, but with prevention, we may stop it before it begins.  Here are five simple tips to aid in the prevention of water destruction in your home:

• Do not ignore leaks. If you notice a leak inside or outside your home fix it quickly because a small leak will not remain small. If you are unable to fix it yourself, call in a plumber immediately. The faster you fix a leak, the less damage it will leave behind.
• Watch for increases in your water bill. If you have an increasingly high water bill one month there may be an unseen reason. Some pipes are in walls or underneath flooring making it difficult to see the leak or burst pipe.
• Regularly inspect appliances connected to a water supply line. Any appliance that connect to a water supply line, have a chance of bursting or leaking. Appliances using hoses are a common weakness for water damage problems. Replace any that show signs of decay, rust or damage.
• Turn off your main water valve to your home before going away. Turning off the main valve will cut off your home’s entire water supply and ensure that water will not wreak havoc on your home while unoccupied.
• Regularly inspect your roof and gutters. Keeping your roof in good condition with no cracks or loose shingles is a great line of defense against rainwater entering your home. While checking the roof, do not forget remove debris from your gutters to prevent overflow.

In Need of Water Damage Cleanup? Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant when a fast response is critical. We are your local water damage specialists who get started promptly to get your property dry and back to pre-water-damage condition.

Corroded Pipes at Local Dental Office Cause Water Damage

8/1/2018 (Permalink)

A local dental office in Bayville, NJ was surprised to find water damage on the their floors when they returned to the office.

A commercial dental office had a flood in areas of their building caused by corroded pipes attached to the water filtration system. Corrosion of pipes is due to physical and chemical reactions between the pipe material and water. In simple words, the metal from the piping dissolves into the water from various causes. Depending on the degree of the reaction, a new piping system can show signs of corrosion in as little as two years. If you are dealing with an older home, corrosion is always a risk. With corrosion comes restricted water flow and in extreme cases, cruddy water.

The rate of pipe corrosion is commonly associated with the following factors:

• Alkaline water, with a high pH level above 8.5.
• Acidic water, with a low pH level under 7.0.
• An elevated level of dissolved oxygen in the water.
• A high level of dissolved salts in the water, known as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).
• Electrochemical issues, most commonly improper grounding of appliances and/or lightning strikes that pass through utility grounding wires.
• Bacteria that can cause corrosion, such as iron bacteria and sulfates.
• Hydraulic wear, caused by materials, such as grit, sand, and sediment, moving across the surface of the pipe.
• High velocity water, relative to the pipe size that causes hydraulic wear on the pipe surface, sometimes caused by pumps in hot water systems.
• An incorrect copper piping installation, where the ends of the pipe were not deburred or reamed and/or excessive acidic flux when the pipes were soldered together.

There is never a convenient time for water damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial flooding or water damage emergencies. Whether your water emergency occurs in a small office building or big box store, we will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion.  In an emergency, give us a call 24/7 at 732-202-3001 and we will be there fast with the help you need.

Summertime Sewage Removal at the Jersey Shore

8/1/2018 (Permalink)

Summertime at the Jersey Shore is the time for getting out in the sun, enjoying fresh air and swimming at the beach. The last thing you want to come home to find after a wonderful summer day is the smell of sewage. When you left in the morning, there was no sign of the disaster to come. Unfortunately, this family in Lavallette, had exactly that experience this summer.

Sewage poses a serious health risk to any humans and animals living in the home, so anything it touches must be cleaned, disinfected, or discarded. Sewage can cause extensive property damage and severe health problems and, on top of that, it is extremely difficult and unpleasant to deal with because it requires a lot of time and effort, as well as specialized disinfecting products and purification techniques. Immediate cleanup of the affected area can help minimize the future damage and can prevent mold growth.

This photo shows that special training and equipment is necessary to clean this type of contamination safely. At SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, we consider sewage cleanup to be an emergency and dealt with as quickly as possible. We are the water damage restoration specialists with specific training and expertise to safely restore your home to pre-sewage condition.

Be Fire Smart against Electrical Fires in Your Home

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

Even a small electrical fire can cause significant damage to your Ocean County home.

There are more than 45,000 home electrical fires each year. They are the most common cause of fires in the home. They cause millions of dollars in damages, while claiming lives in the process. Most electrical fire deaths occur between midnight and 6 AM with peak months being December through March, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Common causes can be:

• Appliances
  • Always appliances directly into a wall outlet.
  • Never use an extension cord with a major appliance because it can easily overheat and start a fire.
  • Unplug small appliances when you are not using them.
  • Keep lamps, light fixtures and light bulbs away from anything that can burn.
  • Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage on the lamp or fixture.
  • Check electrical cords on appliances often. Replace cracked, damaged and loose electrical cords. Do not try to repair them.
• Outlets
  • Do not overload wall outlets.Insert plugs fully into sockets.
  • Never force a three-prong cord into a two-slot outlet.
  • Install tamper-resistant electrical outlets if you have young children.

• Extension Cords, Power Strips and Surge Protectors
  • Replace worn, old or damaged extension cords right away.
  • Use extension cords for temporary purposes only.
  • Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug.
  • Do not overload power strips.
  • Use power strips that have internal overload protection.

If your home does experience an electrical fire, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant specializes in fire damage restoration. We have the specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment and can quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition. 

In addition to fire, smoke, and soot damage, your Point Pleasant home may also suffer from water damage as a result of the firefighting efforts. This type of damage can be especially upsetting and destructive for your family to process. You may feel stressed, confused, and vulnerable, so you’ll need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis. We’ll treat you with respect and empathy, and we’ll always treat your home and belongings with care.

Restoring Your Point Pleasant or Brick Commercial Property after a Water Damage Event

7/13/2018 (Permalink)

A commercial property in Toms River had an unexpected water damage and SERVPRO of Point Pleasant made it "Like it never even happened."

Flooding and water damage events at Point Pleasant and Brick commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require knowledge and a fast, flexible response time. Whether we are dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a larger event, we 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.

• Small Office Buildings
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military
• Schools

At SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, our trained professionals will be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to 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. In the event of an emergency in your business, give us a call day or night, weekdays or weekends, and we will be there fast with the help you require.

Mold Spores are Present in the Air all the Time

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

A water leak behind a sink was unseen for more than 48 hours and quickly spread into a "mold problem" in this home in Toms River, NJ.

Mold spores are present in the air all the time so it is impossible to eliminate every trace of it. It becomes more a matter of preventing the start of mold growth rather than trying to eliminate it once it starts to grow and spread. You might come across “DIY” tricks for getting rid of mold, but they almost never work. The most effective option is usually to call a professional who can:

• Locate and identify mold
• Assess the damage
• Contain the mold and keep it from spreading
• Identify and repair sources of moisture
• Provide air filtration
• Physically remove the mold
• Clean the affected area
• Develop and execute a restoration plan

When choosing a mold removal company, it is important to remember that killing the mold is more important than scoring a low price or “cheap deal.” SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has highly trained specialists that specialize in mold removal and remediation.  We effectively restore your home or business to pre-mold condition.

Mold can spread in as little as 48 hours. We will beat the clock and attend to your mold issue immediately so that it does not worsen. As your Point Pleasant neighbors, we take pride in making your mold problem “Like it never even happened.” If you suspect you might have a mold problem, call us 24/7 at 732-202-3001. You can also learn more about our mold remediation and restoration services here.

After a Fire

6/28/2018 (Permalink)

A fire may leave the outside of your home untouched, as this one did in Ocean County, but the inside was covered in smoke and soot damage.

After a Fire

After a fire, the outside of your home may not show fire damage, but that does not mean that the inside fared as well. A small fire inside can leave the outside looking like new while the entire inside may be covered in smoke and soot. In addition to smoke and soot damage, your Toms River home may also suffer from water damage from the firefighting efforts.

Immediate action is crucial when dealing with fire damage. We are dedicated to responding immediately when you need help. A fast response helps lessen the damage, limits secondary damage, and reduces cost. This type of damage can be especially upsetting and destructive for your family to process. You may feel stressed, confused, and vulnerable, so you will need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis. We will treat you with respect and empathy, and we will always treat your home and belongings with care.

At SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, we specialize in fire and water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have extensive cleanup and restoration training to get your property back to pre-fire condition.

The Mold Remediation Process and Your Property

6/13/2018 (Permalink)

During our mold remediation process in this home in Brick, NJ, barriers were constructed to prevent the further spread of mold spores.

Molds are part of the natural environment. Outdoors, molds play a part in nature by breaking down dead organic matter such as fallen leaves and dead trees, but indoors, mold growth should be avoided, according to the EPA. Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores; the spores are invisible to the naked eye and float through outdoor and indoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet or contain moisture. There are many types of mold, and none of them will grow without water or moisture.

Molds can gradually destroy the things they grow on. You can prevent damage to your home and furnishings, save money, and avoid potential health problems by controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth, according to the EPA.

Since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Many restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy. We understand mold and mold growth. SERVPRO of Toms River has the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business.

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. Learn more about our mold remediation process.

1. Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant as soon as possible at 732-202-3001
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings

For a guide from the EPA on Mold, Moisture and Your Home please visit their website.

Be Prepared for Hurricane Season 2018

6/1/2018 (Permalink)

With the start of the Atlantic hurricane season here, now is the time to prepare at the Jersey Shore.

Be Prepared Before a Hurricane Strikes

Living at the Jersey Shore makes us prone to severe weather disasters including hurricanes and tropical storms that may bring coastal flooding. While predicting exactly how much damage a storm will cause is impossible, with some preventive measures, you and your family can try to minimize the potential damage. Here are three things you can do to prepare for flooding from a powerful hurricane or tropical storm:

1. Create a Disaster Survival Kit
   In case of an emergency you should always have a disaster survival kit that you and your family update every so often. Include items like bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries (for radios, flashlights), and a first aid medical kit. Shop early for supplies. Essential items usually sell out fast before a storm. Remember to write down important emergency contact information and insurance documents, as well as essential medications and lastly, do not forget cell phone chargers, either.
2. Secure Your Home & Valuables
   Before the storm arrives, if possible, move or secure any items that are in danger of causing damage or becoming destroyed by strong winds, such as outdoor furniture. Inside the home, you can move furniture, valuables, hazardous materials, and important documents to higher ground inside your home. For safety, remember to shut off the main power supply to your home, as well as unplug all electronics. If you, a loved one or a neighbor have a mobile home, ensure it is properly secured and anchored.
3. Help Others in Need of Assistance and Protect Pets
   In addition to protecting you and your family make sure to help anyone in need of assistance. Before the storm hits, ask them if they need any assistance evacuating or preparing before the storm. Do not forget about pets. If necessary, make special arrangements for safe transport of your pets while remembering to bring any pet medications and enough food to last through the ordeal. If you need a safe place for your pet during the disaster, contact your local animal shelter. Never leave them behind.

We all know flooding is part of living near the water. Here at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, we are prepared 24 hours a day to cleanup and dry your water damaged property, if you do suffer flooding. We can start the remediation process immediately after you contact us. A faster response lessens the mold damage, limits additional damage, and reduces the remediation cost. We have the experience and advanced training that enables us to restore your property quickly.

Contact us 24/7 at 732-202-3001 for all your storm related damage.

Storm Alberto May Cause Flash Flooding and Downpours Over 5 Days

5/30/2018 (Permalink)

Even though Subtropical Storm Alberto has already crashed ashore on Florida's Gulf Coast,it is expected to churn through the United States on a path far west of New Jersey, but still impact the region, forecasters predict, according to the Toms River Patch. A surge of tropical air may cause downpours to spread over New Jersey and the northeastern United States late this week and into this weekend. New Jersey could see some rain on five straight days from Thursday to next Monday. There is the likelihood of isolated flash flooding incidents in the upcoming weather pattern, according to AccuWeather. 

As the pattern evolves, motorists should be prepared for localized, torrential downpours that may quickly flood streets and low-lying portions of highways, according to AccuWeather. From late this week through this weekend, a general 1-3 inches of rain is likely with highly localized amounts up to 6 inches possible.

This storm was the first of the 2018 season to hit the Florida Panhandle this past Monday, dumping up to 8 inches of rain on Alabama and other southern states. It is expected to drench areas as far north as Chicago. After that, it will track through Michigan and into Canada, according to the National Weather Service. 

For more information on Storm Alberto please visit TomsRiverPatch/StormAlberto.

Have Storm or Flood Damage?
Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Today at (732)-202-3001.

At SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, restoring storm- and flood-damaged properties is the cornerstone of our business. Our highly trained professionals use specialized equipment and advanced training to quickly restore your Ocean County property to pre-storm condition. We’re dedicated to responding immediately, which helps to minimize secondary damage.

17th Annual OCASBO Golf Scholarship Fundraiser

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

A big thank you to all the volunteers, new and returning, who helped us distribute all the bags.

The 17th Annual Ocean County Association of School Business Officials Scholarship Fundraiser, held on May 24, 2018 at the Sea Oaks Country Club was a huge success. This event raises money to provide two students from each Ocean County public high school with scholarships. This year the golf outing sold out again, hosting 144 golfers. They enjoyed the beautiful weather all day on the course while competing in some friendly games. The games included Hole in One, Beat the Pro, Closest to the Pin, Longest Drive and Lowest Scoring Foursome and the winners went home with some great prizes.

Thanks for inviting SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to be a part this great event. 

Help the National Weather Service Build a Weather Ready Nation

5/6/2018 (Permalink)

Hurricane Preparedness Week for 2018 is May 6 through May 12, and is your time to prepare for a potential land falling tropical storm or hurricane. The goal of Hurricane Preparedness Week is to inform you about hurricane hazards and provide knowledge, which you can use to take action. The National Weather Service will focus on a different topic each day of the week:

Day 1 Determine Your Risk

Day 2 Develop an Evacuation Plan

Day 3 Assemble Disaster Supplies

Day 4 Secure am Insurance Check Up

Day 5 Strengthen Your Home

Day 6 Check on Your Neighbor

Day 7 Complete Your Written Hurricane Plan

For more information on each day, please visit the National Weather Service.

What Not To Do If Your Property Suffers From Smoke or Soot

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant was called in to make it "Like It Never Even Happened" after soot and smoke spread into the entire home from the fireplace.

A fire can leave behind soot, smoke damage and a host of other problems. Ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough professional cleaning. If your home or business suffers a fire, first contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant before attempting to clean yourself. It is important NOT to do the following even though you think it might help the situation:

• Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces.
• Do not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture.
• Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV's, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water.
• Do not consume any foods or beverages that may have been stores close to fire, heat or water as they may be contaminated.
• If ceiling is wet, do not turn on ceiling fans. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
• Do not send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor

Call Us Today at 732-202-3001. 

We specialize in fire and water damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We’re dedicated to responding immediately when you need help. A fast response helps lessen the damage, limits secondary damage, and reduces cost.

Did You Know There is Science Behind Our Drying Process?

4/12/2018 (Permalink)

A sink overflowed on the 2nd floor affected multiple floors with water damage so we brought in our drying equipment to speed up Mother Nature.

Your initial reaction to a water damage may be to grab a few towels to mop up the mess and place a fan or two around the wet area, but there is actually a science behind the drying process. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is highly trained in the science of drying and follow strict standards to help lower the chance of secondary damages. If you suffer a water damage, we will:

• Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet to help prevent secondary damage.
• Measure how much moisture is in wet materials and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.
• Speed up Mother Nature by using professional drying equipment.

Why exactly do we need to speed up Mother Nature? A wet building can often dry naturally because the environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material but only if the air is, indeed, drier. The only problem is, nature often takes too long and secondary damages may occur while the building is drying out, which could lead to the dreaded mold word.

SERVPRO of Point PLeasant has the tools and equipment necessary to help Mother Nature along, including hardwood floors, tough to reach spaces or inside walls and much more. We also use state of the art monitoring equipment and technology along with a proven scientific process to help speed the drying of your property.

Visit our Water Damage Repair and Restoration page for more information or call us at 732-202-3001.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is Ready for Whatever Happens. Are you?

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPR of Point Pleasant is there when you need them, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

When a storm or disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is prepared and ready to take action and you should be too. Be prepared in your home or business with an Emergency Kit. Ready.gov suggests you to have enough supplies to last for at least three days. Below are some suggested items to include in your kit:

• 3 day supply of nonperishable foods
• Water (One+ gallon per person)
• First Aid Kit
• Prescription Medicine
• Sleeping Bag or blankets
• Fire extinguisher
• Hygiene products
• Flashlights
• Extra batteries
• Cell phone charger
• Change of clothes
• Matches in waterproof container
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Whistle to signal for help
• Pet supplies
• Infant formula and diapers
• Important documents such as insurance policies, ID’s, and bank records in a plastic container

For a more extensive list, check out Ready.gov.

Whenever or whatever the disaster SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is there when you need them.

4 Steps SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Does Following a Water Loss

3/29/2018 (Permalink)

A frozen pipe burst in Manahawkin, NJ and caused water damage throughout the 1st floor.

The first 24 hours following a water loss are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within 4 hours of emergency water loss notification, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will be on site to help ensure your loss is handled by completing the following steps:

• Inspection-We will inspect affected areas to determine the extent of water damage and will review the inspection with you to answer any questions before beginning work.
• Emergency Services-SERVPRO of Point Pleasant professionals will take steps to help protect your home or business, as well as personal belongings and other contents, from further water damage by extracting the excess water and preparing the area for drying. They will explain the needed emergency services to you step by step.
• Monitoring-To help ensure your home or business and belongings are dried to appropriate industry standards, we will monitor the drying process. The updates will be communicated to you consistently.
• Restoration Services- Lastly, we will repair structural materials, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of your property and belongings. A final walk through of the jobsite will be conducted with you to help ensure the property to preloss condition.

For more information on recovering from a water damage, contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001.

Faster to Any Size Flood Disaster

3/21/2018 (Permalink)

Brave New World experienced flood damage and they called the cleanup team that is faster is any size disaster.

Having a home or business by the Jersey Shore, there is always a potential for flood damage. Floods are one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Just because you have not experienced a flood in the past does not mean you will not in the future. Nearly 20% of all flood insurance claims come from moderate to low risk areas.

When flood damage puts the things that matter most on the line, you need the very best help on the line as well. That is why contacting SERVPRO of Point Pleasant as soon as possible is so important. Even minor floods have the potential to cause major damage to a structure when not treated quickly and properly. Call us at 732-202-3001 or visit our storm and flood damage cleanup and restoration page for more information on our services. Our company is a leader in giving control back to home and business owners and even entire communities after the ravaging effects of water.

A Water Intrusion Quickly Becomes a Mold Problem

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

This home in Whiting, NJ had a roof that leaked into the attic, unbeknownst to the homeowners, and quickly turned into a mold problem.

When there is a water intrusion, like a roof leak or leaking water line, mold can quickly become a problem in your home. Mold can cause health effects and significant damage to your property. Fortunately, the team at SERVPRO of Point PLeasant, has the training, protective gear, and specialized equipment necessary to handle your mold problem. Although every mold damage scenario is different requiring a unique solution, the general remediation process stays the same. The following steps illustrate a “typical” mold removal process:

• Call 732-202-3001 and we will ask you a series of questions to help us determine the necessary equipment, resources, and personnel needed for your mold problem.
• We will carefully inspect for signs of mold using technology designed to detect mold and hidden water sources, sometimes hidden from plain view.
• Containment procedures may need to be set up to further prevent spreading and isolate the contaminated area with physical barriers and negative air pressure to keep the mold spores from spreading during the cleanup process.
• Specialized filtration equipment will capture microscopic mold spores out of the air. We will utilize our powerful air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to prevent the spread of these spores while the process is in progress.
• The remediation process depends on the amount of mold growth and the types of surfaces on which the mold appears. We will use antifungal and antimicrobial treatments to eliminate mold colonies and help prevent new ones from forming. Removing and disposing of mold-infested porous materials, like drywall and flooring, may be necessary to remediate heavy growth.
• Cleaning furniture, decorative items, curtains and other restorable items that are affected comes next. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to clean and sanitize your belongings along with removing odors and deodorization using fogging equipment.
• Finally, depending on the level of damage and removing what was necessary, installing new drywall, subfloors, carpeting, etc. and painting may be necessary to finish the restoration process

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is a trusted leader in the restoration industry. Locally owned and operated, we live and work here and are proud to be part of this community. We are proud to provide mold remediation services in our local communities.

Mold is Present Almost Everywhere

3/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growing on wood in a home in Tuckerton, NJ before the mold remediation process.

Mold is present almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors, year round, which is not necessarily a bad thing. They are a necessary part of our environment that play a key role in the breakdown of organic materials and recycle nutrients back through our ecosystem.

Airborne mold spores float around inside our homes are simply a fact of our daily life and are normally not harmful. They only becomes harmful or bad when they enter our indoor environment and begin to grow on sustainable food sources that could potentially affect the air with an elevated level of mold spores.

Some examples of sustainable food sources are:

• Drywall
• Wood
• Carpeting or rugs
• Furniture
• Insulation

Indoors, mold needs moisture to grow and becomes a problem where there is water damage, elevated, prolonged or excessive humidity or dampness. They grow best in warm, damp, and humid conditions. Mold growth can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours and will digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on.

Some people are unaware that molds can be many colors including white, green, orange or blue and not just black or grey. Color has no bearing on whether it is dangerous or not and not all black, brown, grey, or white spots are mold. When unsure, it is best to have a professional evaluate the situation.

The best practice is to remediate the mold at the source and work to prevent future growth. The key to preventing and stopping mold growth is to control excessive moisture and condensation. Removing the mold without fixing the water problem will usually result in the mold coming back. Keeping susceptible areas in the home clean and dry is critical. In cases dealing with humidity, use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier during humid months. Humidity levels change with changes in the moisture in the air and the air temperature, so they will need to regularly monitored. Be sure the home has adequate ventilation, including exhaust fans.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant knows that every mold infestation is different, from the amount of mold to the types of materials affected. Each scenario requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. We are locally owned and operated, and proud to provide mold remediation services in our local communities.

If You See Signs of Mold, 
Call us today at (732)349-9898.

Cooking Fire Restoration and Cleanup

2/16/2018 (Permalink)

This small cooking fire in Bayville, NJ caused significant smoke and soot damage throughout the home.

Cooking Fire Restoration and Cleanup

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen.

Always cook with caution. Make sure you are focusing on your cooking and not sleepy, distracted, or drinking alcohol. Keep anything that could catch on fire away from your stovetop, such as oven mitts, towels, wooden utensils, food packaging and combustible items. Stay in the kitchen and use a timer to remind you of cooking times. If you need to leave the kitchen, even for a short amount of time, turn off the stove.

If a fire does break out in your kitchen, please remember these simple tips:

• Keep a lid nearby to smother a small grease fire on the stovetop. Carefully slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the lid on until the pan cools completely.
• Keep the oven door closed and turn off the heat in the event of an oven fire.
• Leave! Get out as fast as you can and if possible close doors to try to contain the fire.
• Call 911 or your local fire and police departments from outside your home.

Fires are not just frightening while the flames are blazing. The aftermath of a fire can be scary and devastating. Seeing the smoke, soot and water damage left behind can be heartbreaking. Even though the fire occurred in the kitchen, the entire house will need inspecting for both seen and unseen damage.

One of the biggest challenges after a kitchen fire is that you often have smoke and soot which leaves a residue made up of more than one type of material. Understanding how to best clean these residues and the proper tools to use is what SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, your local fire damage cleanup company, does on a daily basis.

Another difficult challenge may be the extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. The water removal process begins almost immediately after the structure is safe to enter. This process removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

We hope you never have to experience a cooking fire, but if you do, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will be there to treat you and your loved ones with respect and empathy, and will always treat your home and belongings with care throughout the restoration process.

Common Causes of Commercial Water Damage

2/9/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is extracting water from a clubhouse in Lakewood, NJ after a sprinkler system malfunction.

Common Causes of Commercial Water Damage

Ongoing maintenance to your commercial property is key to not having water related damage. Even with proper maintenance, there is still a chance that your commercial property could experience water damage.

Listed below are the most common causes of commercial water damages besides weather related storms:

• Broken or burst pipes and plumbing-water rushes out of them, spraying or leaking water throughout the building
• Sprinkler systems-any time there is a fire and the sprinklers activate, there will be water damage or the sprinkler system can malfunction and activate on its own
• Malfunctioning appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers-when these appliances fail, they can leak a significant amount of water, flooding the entire room or more
• Sewer lines-It is not uncommon for the sewer lines to get backed up, releasing contaminated water into the building

Whenever water damage is experienced, you need to take immediate action.  You have to determine where the source of the water is coming from first before you can begin the water remediation process.

Water damage is not something that you want to happen or plan to happen to your commercial property. When it does, you want to hire the right company to clean up the water damage to prevent further loss and get your business back to normal as quickly as possible. 

Call us 24/7 at 732-202-3001 for your commercial water damage emergency.

Mold Remediation in Commercial Buildings and Schools

1/31/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation in Commercial Buildings and Schools

Mold can be found almost anywhere. It can grow on virtually any organic substance, as long as moisture and oxygen are present. Mold in schools and commercial buildings, can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation. Mold will gradually destroy the things it grows on. Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent moisture problems in buildings. Moisture problems can have many causes, including uncontrolled humidity. By controlling moisture and eliminating mold growth, you can:

• Prevent damage to building materials and furnishings
• Save money
• Avoid potential health risks

If you suspect your school or commercial property has mold, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant because it can spread quickly, if left untreated. We will begin the mold cleanup after the sources of water or moisture have been addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return. After the water or moisture problem has been resolved, we will begin by working to first contain the infestation to help prevent its spread to other parts of the building. Next, we will begin the remediation process, working safely and effectively to manage the situation. Our team has the training, experience, and equipment to contain the mold infestation and remediate it to preloss condition.

Suspect Mold? Call Us Today at 732-202=3001.

Water Damage from a Burst Pipe in Freehold, NJ

1/11/2018 (Permalink)

This photo may look like a photo taken at night at the beach but in reality it is a crawl space flooded with water from a burst pipe in Freehold, NJ.

Quick action is key to minimize further damage from a burst pipe. Follow these simple tips:

1. Shut off water: Immediately shut of the main water valve to your home to reduce further damage to your home.
2. Power down: Avoid a shock by powering down and unplugging electrical devices in the area where the water has entered.
3. Protect possessions: Remove belongings from the area if possible, to avoid excess damage to your possessions.
4. Call a plumber: Contact a certified and trusted professional plumber to help you fix to the burst pipe if you are unable to fix it properly yourself.
5. Contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, your local water damage restoration company: In the event your home is effected by water, contact us at 732-202-3001 to remove the water, dry the structure, and prevent further damage such as mold. 
6. Contact your insurance company: Depending on your policy, water damage caused by a burst pipe may be covered. Contact your insurance company and file a claim to have damages assessed and necessary repairs and recovery actions reimbursed.
7. Record the damage: Take photos and write down personal items and structural areas of your home that are damaged by the burst pipe. This will help in your claims process.
Prevention is best to avoid damaging and costly effects of frozen and burst pipes, but despite our best efforts, pipes still freeze and burst. Call us at 732-202-3001 at the first sign of water damage to minimize further damage and cost.

New Jersey's "Bomb Cyclone"

1/8/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant's fleet of trucks during the 2018 "bomb cyclone".

A winter hurricane called a “bomb cyclone” is about to cause problems for New Jersey and all along the East Coast. According to the Toms River Patch, a “bomb cyclone” is a meteorological term and described as such because its pressure is predicted to fall so fast, an indicator of explosive strengthening of the storm. 
This “bomb cyclone” will be on the way here after forming off the coast of Florida on Wednesday, Jan 2, 2018. This winter storm is expected to hit New England with strong winds exceeding 45 miles per hour and blizzard conditions on Thursday. Luckily, the worst of the storm will hover 20 to 50 miles, or more, off the Jersey Shore. Worst case scenario is if the storm tracks closer to the coast, then some sections of New Jersey could get hit with as much as 8 to 12 inches of snow.
The temperatures will dip into the polar vortex range, which can cause your pipes to freeze and ice damns that can cause series damage to your home. The term “Polar Vortex” is used when referring to the frigidly cold temperatures we experience during the winter months in many regions of the United States. Thursday night, gusty winds coupled with temperatures that will drop into the single digits and low teens will freeze the Garden State deeper with sub-zero wind chills. Well below freezing temperatures are expected to linger through Friday and Saturday.
In the event of a burst pipe or ice damn damage, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001 for all your storm damage cleanup.

Winter is on the Way

12/8/2017 (Permalink)

Even a tiny crack on a pipe can cause water damage to your home.

Winter is on the way bringing with it joy, happiness and frozen pipes. While all of us look forward to joy and happiness not many of us are looking forward to a frozen pipe that could leave us with devastating water damage and costly repairs.

A quarter of a million families experience cracks on pipes from the cold weather each winter. A crack in a pipe only 1/8-inch can expel up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage and the immediate potential for mold.

Homes with plastic and copper pipes are both susceptible to the cold temperature and pipes that freeze most frequently are:

• Pipes exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and water sprinkler lines.
• Water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets.
• Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation.

If you do happen to experience the full effect of winter with water damage from a frozen pipe, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001, your local water restoration company.

CAREing for Children and the Ocean County Business Association

12/1/2017 (Permalink)

This is the first delivery of toys for the 2017 holiday season that will soon be delivered to those in need.

Join SERVPRO of Point Pleasant and the Ocean County Business Association with their adopted non-profit charity CAREing for Children. CAREing for Children distributes toys and food to needy, local families over the month of December for the holidays. The majority of the toys are delivered through other agencies, including:

• Island Heights Methodist Church
• Preferred Behavioral Health
• Ocean County Sheriff’s Office
• DYFS of Toms River
• C.E.A.N. Inc.
• Providence House
• Lakehurst Police Department and Fire Squad
• Lakehurst VFW
• Lakehurst Fleet Rescue
• Beachwood and Pine Beach Police
• Hope Center of Toms River
• Seaside Park Police and Borough
• Ocean Inc. of Barnegat
• Morning Star Presbyterian Church
• Joseph’s Church
• many individual families.

”The gifts are always unwrapped, so everyone can see what they are receiving. We categorize them by age group, sex, baby or young adult which helps the agencies tailor the gifts to their recipients,” explains Clare Bojus, chair of CAREing for Children.

CAREing for Children is a year round endeavor. The 60 plus members of the OCBA collect donations throughout the year at their monthly meetings and bring toy donations to their December meeting. Our largest fundraiser event is the Annual Marty Aronow Golf Classic in May.

To become a member of the OCBA or to donate to CAREing for Children, please visit the OCBA's website.

Veterans Day November 11, 2017

11/11/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant would like to thank all who served in The United States Armed Forces. We thank you for your service and commitment, not just today, but every day.

David Kenyon Webster, a member of E Company, 506th Regiment of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division during World War II and aspiring writer, said it best "Those things that are precious are saved only by sacrifice."

Prevent Fire and Smoke Damage in Your Home on Thanksgiving

11/9/2017 (Permalink)

Prevent Fire and Smoke Damage in Your Home on Thanksgiving

It is almost that time of year again, the time to roast the turkey, bake the pies, boil the potatoes and make the stuffing. Because so many more people cook on Thanksgiving than any other day, the chance of a kitchen fire in your home increases greatly. Nearly four times as many kitchen fires occur on Thanksgiving Day compared with any typical day.

The American Red Cross offers these steps to remain safe in the kitchen at Thanksgiving and throughout the year:

1. Never leave cooking food unattended! Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen, even for a second, turn off the stove.
2. Check your food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking.
3. Use a timer so you remember that the stove or oven is on.
4. Don’t wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
5. Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.
6. Keep anything that can catch fire such as potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains, away from your stove, oven or any other appliance in the kitchen that generates heat.
7. Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
8. Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen. Contact your local fire department to take training on the proper use of extinguishers.
9. Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all stoves, ovens, and small appliances are off.
10. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.

You friends and family at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant ask you to be prepared, cook responsibly and have a happy and safe Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

For additional Thanksgiving fire safety, please visit the National Fire Protection Agency and the  American Red Cross.

In the event of a kitchen fire on Thanksgiving or any day, call us at 721-202-3001.

Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!

10/8/2017 (Permalink)

The fire in this bedroom of a Whiting home spread quickly throughout the house. Please plan ahead with 2 exits, if possible, to help save lives.

Fire Prevention Week October 2017 

2017's Fire Prevention Week is Sunday, October 8 through Saturday, October 14. The National Fire Protection Association's 2017 theme is "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!"

This year's theme has 6 steps as follows:

• Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit. Visit the National Fire Prevention Association website to get a free PDF of how to draw a map of your home.
• Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
• Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
• Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
• Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.

If you or your family do suffer a fire call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. We specialize in fire and water damage restoration and have the specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment and can quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition. Visit our website for more information or call us at 732-202-3001.

Please plan ahead to keep your family and loved ones safe. Please visit firepreventionweek.org for more information on Fire Prevention Week.

Is Your Family Prepared for a Disaster?

9/7/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant began the cleanup of the water damage quickly to avoid further mold growth in this basement in Beachwood, NJ.

9/5/2017 - Future Scheduled Date

September is National Preparedness Month. Is your family prepared for a disaster?

Disasters can strike at any time. Floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, blizzards, earthquakes, and home fires are just some types of disasters that can disrupt your life. The American Red Cross recommends planning ahead for the emergencies that are most likely to happen where you live and has this list of different types of disasters and how to help you prepare for each type.

Having a plan in place for these emergencies for every member of your household could save a life. Some members of your household such as people with disabilities, senior citizens, children and pets, may need special accommodations. Ready.gov has this Make-A-Plan for your family before disaster strikes.

If a disaster does happen to your family and loved ones, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is always there to make it “Like it never even happened.” 

Be Hurricane Ready

9/7/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage in this Ortley Beach residence being dried to prevent further damage.

After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas and as Hurricane Irma quickly approaches Florida as a category 5, it reminds the rest of us that we should always plan ahead. Preparation is key to making it through any size disaster. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant offers these simple steps to plan ahead:

• Check your insurance policy to see what is covered and make sure to purchase flood insurance if you do not already have it.
• Review your area’s evacuation plans so in the event of a quick evacuation you will know where to go.
• Make sure your residence is hurricane ready by checking for existing damage and fixing whatever needs to be fixed.
• Purchase supplies and have them organized together in case you need to evacuate or in case you are without power for some time. Please use the American Red Cross Checklist for a list supplies you will need.
• Make copies of all your important documents and store them in a dry, safe place.
• Take pictures of your residence and belongings and keep them in a dry, safe place.

After a hurricane, we are dedicated to responding immediately to your water and storm damage emergency. Our highly trained professionals use specialized equipment and advanced training to quickly restore your Toms River property to pre-storm condition. Major storms and flooding events can overwhelm many restoration companies. On the other hand, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant can access resources from 1,700 Franchises across the state and country and even utilize Disaster Recovery Teams for major storms and disasters.

To help those impacted by Hurricane Harvey, please donate to the American Red Cross.

Got Water Damage? Four Things You Need to Know.

8/30/2017 (Permalink)

A pipe leak caused water damage to this hallway in Beachwood, NJ.

Got Water Damage? Four Things You Need to Know.

After the floodgates open, things can unravel quickly. Here’s how to begin the recovery process.

Your water heater exploded, a pipe burst, an epic rainstorm flooded your basement: No matter how the deluge began, you’ve now got a soggy mess on your hands. And unless you act quickly, the damage will only get worse.

You’re probably feeling overwhelmed, stressed out, and frightened. How will you ever clean up the water damage? Will your insurance cover the cost? Did irreplaceable stuff—like old photos and letters—get ruined?

While you’re swimming in questions, it’s important to keep the momentum going. Here are four ways to begin the recovery process:

1. Contact your insurance carrier immediately.

As soon as you discover water damage, let your insurance carrier know so the claims process can begin. Your agent will also give you tips for protecting your property from additional damage and may refer you to a water-damage restoration company (you are not obligated to use the specialist they recommend).

Note: Insurance companies differentiate between water damage and flood damage, so be sure to specify which applies to your situation. Also, not all water damage is covered by insurance—review your policy carefully.

2. Tick tock. Time is of the essence when you have water damage.

Water is aggressive and cruel. Once it seeps in to carpets, flooring, walls, furniture, paper, and everything else in its wake, it will continue to destroy. Drywall will droop and disintegrate. Wood will swell, buckle, warp, and rot. Electrical equipment may short out, causing shock and fire hazards. Mold will flourish (see point #3).

For anything other than a minor spill, it’s best you get a professional assessment of your situation to determine the extent of damage. Professional water-damage specialists can then begin the restoration process and halt additional damage.

3. You’ve got less than 48 hours to dry out before mold takes over.

Mold spores lurk everywhere, but they’re opportunistic. Give them a nice wet environment—like a soaked carpet or damp drywall—and they’ll multiply like mad. You have 24 to 48 hours to dry your space before the fungus invasion.

Mold remediation is a dirty deed and is best left to specialists who have the right equipment and cleaning supplies to get the job done swiftly.

4. Water may be contaminated.

An overflowing dishwasher or burst water heater releases clean H₂O, so there’s little immediate risk of harm. But, again, time is not on your side. “Clean” water that’s been sitting around can foster bacterial growth or pick up icky stuff from dirty carpets and ground soil, sullying the waters within hours.

Even more serious: Sewage backups, toilet overflow, storm-drain water, and other polluted waters that enter your home can be dangerous to your health. Attempting to clean these messes up yourself is a bad idea. Get professional help from certified water-damage remediation experts, like SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

If you’ve experienced water damage, contact us now. We’ll help you get back to “Like it never happened.”

Fire Damage Leaves Smoke Damage in Its Wake

8/16/2017 (Permalink)

This photo shows soot and smoke damage to the walls from a fire in Beachwood, NJ before SERVPRO of Point Pleasant started the restoration process.

Fire Damage Leaves Smoke Damage in Its Wake

Resist DIY Cleanup. Here’s Why You Should Leave Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration to the Professionals.

When fire sweeps through a room or your entire home or building, you’ve got a big, stinky mess on your hands—not to mention having to deal with the emotional and financial tolls these disasters take on your life and livelihood.

While you may be tempted to tackle small jobs yourself, it’s important to resist the urge. Even seemingly minor cleanups require a lot more than just good old-fashioned elbow grease. And waiting too long to begin the smoke-damage restoration process can have dire consequences.

Once the real danger—the fire—has been extinguished, other hazards ignite.

1. First, there’s the terrible odor that lingers long after the event. This is tough to neutralize without using specialized professional-grade detergents, along with sealants that prevent more odor from escaping.

2. Left unchecked, residual ash—which is very acidic—may quickly and permanently:

• Discolor carpets, walls, clothing, plastic, fiberglass, finishes on appliances, and anything within close range of the fire
• Severely scratch glass surfaces
• Tarnish or corrode metal
• Damage wood and vinyl

Particles can spread quickly throughout the building, defiling other things in its path. Over time, ash can even harden to a lacquer-like consistency, making it more difficult to eliminate.

3. Smoke damage leaves black soot marks and charred areas on walls and ceilings. Extremely stubborn and hard to clean, these “blemishes” require herculean efforts to remove.

Some people make the attempt using highly toxic cleaning products like TSP (trisodium phosphate). However, if not used properly and with protective gear, these harsh chemicals can cause severe skin and eye irritation. Smoke damage restoration is grimy, dangerous work.

You have enough on your plate after experiencing fire related damage, and trying to clean up the mess yourself will only lead to further pain and suffering. Contact SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, your trained and certified local professionals to get you back to “Like it never even happened.”

And remember: Swift action is your best bet—the sooner a professional begins fire damage restoration, the sooner you’ll be back to normal.

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant 24/7 at 732-202-3001 for any fire or smoke damage

Sump Pump Failure in a Finished Basement in Oakhurst, NJ

8/2/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant on scene after a sump pump failure in Oakhurst, NJ.

Sump pumps, commonly placed in the lowest part of basements and crawlspaces, are used to pump the water out and away from the building to keep it dry and prevent flooding. Water from rain, melting snow, flooding, and other water related disasters can seep through a building’s foundation into a sump basin or other area where standing water is distributed to the pump.

Sump pump failures are one of those things that you don't think about until it is too late. If you rely on a sump pump to keep your basement from flooding, it's important to have a backup system in place. Consider one or more of the following options as a backup system:

• Secondary Electric Pump
• Battery Backup Powered System
• Hydraulic Pump
• High Level Alarm

If your New Jersey property has experienced water damage or mold from a sump pump failure call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. We are highly trained in water damage restoration including basement and crawlspace flooding. We have the experience, expertise, and equipment to remove the water and dry your basement properly. Our water removal and drying process emphasizes monitoring and documentation to validate your property is dry.

Call Us Today (732)-202-3001.

Here’s What NOT to Do After a Fire in Your Point Pleasant or Brick Home

7/5/2017 (Permalink)

After the fire department deemed this Manahawkin residence safe to enter, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant was there to begin the restoration process.

Here’s What NOT to Do After a Fire

After a fire, it’s important for you to assess the safety of returning to your home, the hazards that might be present, and the damage to your belongings. But, equally important is what not to do. Here’s a quick list of things you might think to do but should refrain from:

Don’t Scrub

Walls, painted surfaces, carpeting and upholstery should be left to a professional fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO. Trying to clean them with household products can be counterproductive and cause further damage. We have the proper equipment and experience to get the job done right.

Don’t Clean or Test Electrical Appliances

Always consult a repair service before touching or using any electrical appliances that might have been compromised by the fire. Damaged appliances can spark and cause a secondary fire.

Don’t Consume Food or Beverages That Survived the Fire

Soot seeps into everything, including the inside of your refrigerator, freezer and cabinets. Any packed or canned items should be discarded. If your electricity is off, let your empty refrigerator and freezer air out by propping the doors open.

Don’t Turn on Ceiling Fans

Turning on a wet ceiling will cause additional water damage, and if the ceiling itself is also wet, the wiring might be damaged and dangerous. Try to rely on any natural cross breeze you can achieve rather than risking further damage to or from your ceiling fans.

Don’t Send Garments to a Dry Cleaner

Did you know that improper cleaning of smoke damaged clothing can cause the smoke odor to set in permanently? As fire damage restoration specialists, SERVPRO will help you find the right solution for all of your belongings, including your clothes, shoes and jewelry.

Don’t Try to Restore Your Belongings Yourself

It takes a true professional to restore a home to living condition after a fire. Don’t try to be that professional, especially in the midst of coping with the trauma of a house fire. If your Jersey Shore home and belongings have been damaged in a fire, call SERVPRO of Toms River at 732-349-9898.

Fourth of July Grill Fire Prevention

6/27/2017 (Permalink)

Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July from your friends and family at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

The 4th of July is almost here and that means that a lot of us will be getting ready to head outdoors for the warmer weather to enjoy barbecues. These are delightful ways to spend the holiday but fire safety should be a top priority. Patio torches, fire pits, grills, candles, campfires, fireworks and sparklers can easily start a fire that could result in injury or fire damage. 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, about 5,700 grill fires take place on residential property every year, causing an annual average of $37 million in damage. The National Fire Protection Association offers these general grilling tips:

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.

For more information on grilling safety please visit the NFPA. 

As your local fire damage restoration company, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant reminds you to always be vigilant when grilling.

Water Damage Restoration: SERVPRO’s Process by the Hour

6/23/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant in the process of drying out a finished basement in Spring Lake, NJ from a burst pipe.

Water Damage Restoration: SERVPRO’s Process by the Hour

Water damage restoration is a process that we at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant have practiced, refined and perfected over the years. Our experts are meticulous yet swift with their response to emergency water damage calls. Here’s what to expect when you call SERVPRO for water damage restoration:

One-Hour Response

Within one hour from notice of loss, we will contact you to arrange for water damage service. You’ll gain some much-needed peace of mind knowing help is on the way!

Four-Hour Arrival

We will be on site within four hours to begin mitigation services. The key to reducing damage and saving money is immediate action, which is why we guarantee our fast arrival. Once we arrive, we will walk you through each step of the job process, and begin pretesting from the source of the damage outward.

Eight-Hour Follow-Up

Within eight business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated from SERVPRO to the appropriate person, usually the adjuster or property manager.

Cleaning & Restoration

It’s difficult for us to give an exact hour in which we will complete cleaning and restoration, because each job has different parameters. But rest assured we will work neatly and efficiently to help you to restore your property to pre-damage form. SERVPRO uses state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your property is taken care of correctly, the first time.

Final Walk-Through

After our work has been completed, we will take you on a final walk-through to ensure your satisfaction.

And that’s it! Water damage restoration in Point Pleasant, NJ and the surrounding area is as easy as calling SERVPRO at 732-202-3001 or visit us at SERVPROofPointPleasant.com/water. When water damage takes control of your life, count on us to help you take it back. Our goal is to make it “like it never even happened.®”

6 Steps to Treat and Remediate Water Damage

6/3/2017 (Permalink)

This water damage in Manchester, NJ caused part of the ceiling to fall.

6 Steps to Treat and Remediate Water Damage

Water damage can wreak havoc on a home or business. If your property in Toms River, NJ and the surrounding area has suffered water damage from flooding, a leak or a fire, don’t try to clean up on your own. SERVPRO of Toms River provides complete water damage restoration in six straightforward steps:

1. Call SERVPRO

Water damage doesn’t have to be daunting. When you call SERVPRO immediately, one of our friendly representatives will guide you through a series of questions that will help us to respond quickly, with the right equipment and team to meet your needs.

2. Assess

When we arrive at your home or business, we will conduct a complete inspection and compile a detailed assessment of the water damage. This helps us to determine how serious the damage is, and how best to begin treatment.

3. Remove/Extract

Before we can restore your property and belongings, we need to get rid of the water. We use powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water from your property, helping to prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.

4. Dry

Once the water is gone, we can begin the drying process. To determine how many dehumidifiers to use and where to place them, we will measure the dimensions of every room, along with the temperature and relative humidity. This helps us to dry out your home or business efficiently and effectively.

5. Clean

Using several different tools and techniques, SERVPRO will clean any structures, furniture and personal items that appear to be restorable. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments, and to deodorize your property.

6. Restore

Restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to the condition it was in prior to water damage. Restoration can involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, as well as more substantial repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms.

Are you in need of water restoration and water damage repair? Don’t wait, call SERVPRO today at 732-349-9898.

Getting Back on Course

5/30/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant all set up and ready to welcome the golfers at the fourth annual Marty Aronow Charity Golf Classic.

Getting Back on Course

A Day on the Green Helps Local Families Have a Happier Holiday

Mold, muck, dust, dirt, water, soot, odors—these are just a few of our favorite things, and we happily spend our days elbow deep in filthy endeavors. But every now and then, we like to ditch the hazmat suits and head outdoors for some fresh air and a good clean game of golf.

And when we can tee off for a good cause? Doubly amazing.

In early May 2017, owner Mike Reilly rallied friends and colleagues to play a round at the fourth annual Marty Aronow Charity Golf Classic, hosted by the Ocean County Business Association (OCBA) and benefiting OCBA’s charitable arm, CAREing For Children (CFC).

When we arrived at the beautiful Pine Barrens Golf Club in Jackson, the skies looked threatening, but it thankfully never rained. And while Team SERVPRO’s score will forever remain a secret, we had a lot of fun and enjoyed bonding with our teammates and fellow golfers.

Sadly, we did not sink a hole-in-one, which would have qualified us to drive off in a new car donated by Down’s Ford. Nor did we win the other contests: low score, longest drive, closest to the pin, putting contest, or beat-the-pro competition.

Our disappointment vanished over cocktails and dinner in the clubhouse, and we salivated over the many exciting prizes available on the silent-auction table.

All in all, it was a wonderful day, which—in the end—helped create a magical morning for hundreds of local families over the holidays.

OCBA: Businesses Helping Businesses

We’ve been members of OCBA since 2013 and have made many friends and professional connections. It’s been an invaluable support system. The group helps us continually learn about the business environment here in Ocean County and New Jersey, discover new resources, and expand our horizons as entrepreneurs.

Aside from being an excellent business and networking organization, the OCBA has a big heart, too, in the form of its CAREing For Children 501(c)3 philanthropy. For many years, we’ve collected donations from members and used those funds to buy toys, clothing, and food boxes for underprivileged families in Ocean County during the holidays.

These gifts are then distributed through numerous local charities, including DYFS of Toms River and Lakewood, Pine Beach and Beachwood Police Departments, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, and St. Joseph’s Church in Toms River. We’ve put smiles on the faces of thousands of kids and their parents—people who would otherwise have had next to nothing under their Christmas trees.

Since the Charity Golf Classic began four years ago, we’ve been able to make even more of an impact. The event funnels 100 percent of its profits to CFC. In its first year, we netted $10,000. In 2015, we doubled the amount. That number rose to nearly $26,000 in 2016, and we had record participation of 102 golfers. In its fourth year, we brought in close to $20,000.

Want to play or be a sponsor in 2018?

The fifth Annual Marty Aronow Charity Golf Classic might be a year away, but it is never too early to join us. Interested? Click here for details.

What to Do After a Fire

5/14/2017 (Permalink)

This fire in Manahawkin, NJ was started by a dryer fire that quickly spread throughout the upstairs, causing fire, smoke and soot damage.

What to Do After a Fire

Fire is a threat to New Jersey homes year-round. From electrical malfunctions and cooking accidents to blistering summer days, the possibility of a fire is always present, which is why it’s important to know the steps to take if your home suffers fire damage.

Assess Safety

Once the fire department has extinguished the fire, they will indicate whether it’s safe for you to re-enter. Even if your property is deemed structurally safe for the time being, you should still have it assessed by additional professionals. In the meantime, while you are inside, be aware of hazards that can cause a slip and fall. Do not try to lift any wet materials by yourself, as they can be extremely heavy. If an area of your home seems like it might be unsafe, avoid the area until you can have it inspected by an engineer and/or your insurance company.

Assess Damage to Belongings

Being safe is the first priority, but your belongings are precious, too. You will want a fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO to come in and provide water damage restoration, carpet and upholstery cleaning, odor removal and related services. To help us get a faster start, you can give us a list of the damage you see over the phone. We also recommend placing clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and high traffic areas to avoid mildew. Houseplants and other smaller items can be washed, but walls, woodwork and furniture should be left for us to take care of.

If Electricity is Off, Empty Fridge and Freezer

You don’t want to compound the situation with a refrigerator full of rotting food. If your electricity has been turned off, be sure to empty out your fridge and freezer. Take the trash out, and leave the fridge and freezer doors open to air out.

Change HVAC Filter

After a fire, your HVAC filter will likely be clogged with soot and smoke residue. This can make for unhealthy air quality, or cause your HVAC system to fail altogether. For both your and your HVAC system’s sake, change out the filter. Also consider taping double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to prevent unhealthy particles from getting into your lungs.

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant for Fire Damage Restoration Services in NJ

Most importantly, leave fire restoration to the professionals. When fire and water take control of your life, SERVPRO will help you take it back. Click here to see how we can restore your belongings from smoke, soot and water damage.

The Best Way to Reduce a Business Interruption Following a Disaster to Your Business is to Plan Ahead for One

5/12/2017 (Permalink)

We are in the process of drying a commercial building affected by water damage that flooded four classrooms and a hallway at a preschool in Toms River

The Best Way to Reduce a Business Interruption Following a Disaster to Your Business is to Plan Ahead for One

As many as 50% of businesses never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant can help you plan ahead for a disaster to minimize business interruption by developing an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) for your business before one strikes. An ERP provides important contact and building information needed to begin a timely mitigation to help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business. Benefits of an ERP include:

• A no cost assessment of your facility which means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.


• A concise profile document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects. But it will save a lot of time if ever needed.


• A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster. This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.


• Establishes SERVPRO of Point Pleasant as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by, when needed.


• Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin. This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.


• Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information. Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are “Ready for whatever happens.”

Contact us at 732-349-9898 for your free Emergency Ready Profile for your business.

What to Look for in a Commercial Restoration Services Company

5/2/2017 (Permalink)

The team in the water restoration process in a commercial building in Point Pleasant Beach.

What to Look for in a Commercial Restoration Services Company

So, you’ve decided it’s time to make the call and get your building in top shape, but there are lots of companies that are vying for your business. Which one should you trust? Here are a few things to look for when you’re choosing which commercial restoration services company will get the job done right the first time.

Pick a Company with the Right Certifications

If you’re looking for a one-stop shop, be sure to go with a company that is certified in all areas. Here’s a quick guide to help you familiarize yourself with the various commercial restoration certifications and industry organizations:

• CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
• IICRC - Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification
• WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
• AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
• OSHA - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
• RRT - Carpet Repair & Reinstallation Technician
• SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• OCT - Odor Control Technician
• UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician

If you just need a company to help with something specific, it’s not always necessary for your provider to be qualified in all areas, but if they are, it only increases the trust factor. It shows that they are as invested in the safety of your property as you are, and you won’t be as likely to have to hire multiple companies for the job to be completed correctly.

Communication Matters

You should always be able to have your questions answered in a timely manner. It’s not enough for a commercial restoration services company to just go in and “take care of it” without giving you any context or reassurance. You want to be a part of the process and know a bit about what they’re doing in your building. We know that you have questions, so we make it our mission to give you the most thorough and accurate information possible.

Local + National

Choosing between a small independent provider and a large national company can be difficult, but with SERVPRO, you get both! We’re committed to our community, with a world of resources at our fingertips. You can hold us to a higher standard, and trust that we will meet and even exceed your expectations for service!

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Specializes in Biohazard Removal of Blood and Bodily Fluid for Ocean County, NJ

4/28/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant Specializes in Biohazard Removal of Blood and Bodily Fluid for Ocean County, NJ

Biohazards, such as blood and bodily fluids, can endanger anyone who comes in contact with them. The earlier these fluids are removed by a professional biohazard cleanup company the safer for everyone. If they are not taken care of quickly and appropriately, they could transmit diseases.

If a crime or accident scene involves blood-borne pathogens, harmful chemicals, and other dangers, don’t put yourself, your family or your patrons at risk, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. We have the specialized training, protective equipment, and experience to safely cleanup and restore your property. We will always treat your property and the people involved with the greatest empathy and respect in the face of trying circumstances.

If you need removal or cleanup of bodily fluids, tissue and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime or death in Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Bayhead, Brick or Mantoloking, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, your locally owned and operated biohazard restoration company.

Our job at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is complete and total restoration of the affected area for you and your New Jersey property.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant also offers other biohazard cleanup services including:

• Suicide/death accidents


• Homicide cleanups


• Blood cleanup


• Accident cleanup


• Hoarding scenes


• Animal waste/remains


• Chemical spills


• Tear gas cleanup


• Meth lab cleanup


• Crime scene residues


• Sewage backups

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001 or visit SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

Hoarding Cleanup and Remediation for Your New Jersey Home

4/28/2017 (Permalink)

Our team is in the process of cleaning this home that was caused by a hoarding situation.

Hoarding Cleanup and Remediation for Your New Jersey Home 

Hoarding disorder is a psychiatric condition that produces symptoms such as the compulsive urge to acquire unusually large amounts of possessions and the inability to voluntarily part with those possessions. According to PsychCentral, compulsive hoarding affects approximately 700,000 to 1.4 people in the U.S.

People with this disorder may accumulate possessions that include locations in their homes, yards, vehicles, offices or work settings which can lead to complications that can be dangerous to clean up on your own. According to The Mayo Clinic, some hazards and complications may include:

• Unsanitary conditions that pose a risk to health

• Mold

• Increased risk of falls

• Injury or being trapped by shifting or falling items

• Biohazards

• A fire hazard

• An inability to perform daily tasks, such as bathing or cooking

• Poor work performance

• Family conflicts

• Loneliness and social isolation

• Financial problems

• Legal issues, including eviction

If someone you know or even yourself needs hoarding cleanup, it is best to call in a professional remediation company. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has the experience and training to make your home safe and livable again. Call us at 732-202-3001 to learn more about our professional cleanup services.

For more information on hoarding and safety:

mayoclinic.org/hoarding-disorder/basics/symptoms

nfpa.org/hoarding-and-fire-safety

Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 7-13, 2017.

4/27/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant cleaning up storm damage from Hurricane Sandy,

Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 7-13, 2017.

Hurricane season in New Jersey is June 1st through November 30^th and since it can only take one storm to change your life, it pays to be prepared. Planning ahead for a major disaster may help to minimize damage to yourself, loved ones, pets, home and belongings.

The goal of Hurricane Preparedness Week is to inform people about hurricane hazards and provide knowledge that can be used if one occurs. If you haven’t done so in the past, there is no better time than hurricane preparedness week to begin.

Every day during Hurricane Preparedness Week will focus on a specific topic:

• Sunday May 7^th Determine Your Risk


• Monday May 8^th Develop an Evacuation Plan


• Tuesday May 9^th Assemble Disaster Supplies


• Wednesday May 10^th Secure an Insurance Checkup


• Thursday May 11^th Strengthen Your Home


• Friday May 12^th Check on Your Neighbors


• Saturday May 13^th Complete Your Written Hurricane Plan

Please visit The National Weather Service for more information on these specific topics.

The American Red Cross offers a Hurricane Safety Checklist and FEMA offers a guide on How to Prepare for a Hurricane.

In the event of storm damage after a hurricane, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001.

Prevent Fire Damage and Smoke Damage to Your Home by Not Overloading Your Electrical Circuits

4/15/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Damage in Beachwood, NJ

Prevent Fire Damage and Smoke Damage to Your Home by Not Overloading Your Electrical Circuits

Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. To help lower your risk of electrical fires and fire damage to your home look for these warning signs of overloaded circuits:

• Flickering, blinking, or dimming lights
• Warm or discolored wall plates or cords
• Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles
• Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches
• Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
• Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches

In the event that a fire does start in your home:

• Call 911 immediately.
• Only use a dry fire extinguisher (NEVER put water on an electrical fire) or baking soda if you must try to put out the fire yourself.
• If the fire is large, do not try to handle it yourself but try to turn off the main power source without putting yourself in harm’s way.

If you have experienced an electrical fire in Ocean County home, it most likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Toms River have the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001 to learn more about our fire damage restoration and smoke damage restoration services for your property or visit SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

For more information on safety for overloaded electrical circuits please visit esfi or tipmont.

Biohazard Cleanup Emergency for Your New Jersey Property

4/10/2017 (Permalink)

Biohazard cleanup at this home in Manchester, NJ

Biohazard Cleanup Emergency in Your New Jersey Property

In the unfortunate event that you experience a biohazard emergency in your home or business in New Jersey, you will need immediate, professional, biohazard cleanup.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is in the business of ensuring that you, your family, your home and property gets the protection it needs from potential biohazards after an unforeseen event. Our technicians are trained in decontamination and sterilization. We are ready to respond to any biohazard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Through our years of on the job experience along with extensive training, we are equipped to handle all types of biohazard cleanup including:

• Sewage backups


• Crime scene residue


• Suicide/death accidents


• Homicide cleanups


• Blood cleanup


• Accident cleanup


• Hoarding scenes


• Animal waste/remains


• Chemical spills


• Tear gas cleanup


• Meth lab cleanup

If your New Jersey home or place of business requires any biohazardous cleaning, please give us a call at 732-202-3001 or visit our website.

5 Types of Commercial Restoration to Call SERVPRO For

4/9/2017 (Permalink)

This hallway in a commercial building is in the drying process after a water damage in Neptune City, NJ.

5 Types of Commercial Restoration to Call SERVPRO For

Whether you’re remodeling, restoring, or just trying to get up to code, calling a commercial restoration service should be your first move. You have to peel back the layers of any building and any damage it’s suffered before getting to work. Here are five times to call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant:

1. Any Sign of Potential Water Damage - If you see a leak that seems like “a small problem,” give us a ring right away. A small bit of water leftover from a storm or a leaky pipe is typically a very quick fix, but if you put off taking care of it, it can wreak havoc later on. Here are some preventative water damage tips you can take immediately when you spot the problem.


2. Immediately After a Fire - Once the fire department wraps up their hard work putting out a fire, give us a call. Our fire restoration technicians are highly trained and ready to get your building back into safe and operating order.


3. When Interior Humidity Levels Are Rising - If the humidity in your building is above 45%, you’re creating the perfect environment for mold, which can spread very quickly. Don’t wait until you see it. Sometimes it does not visibly show itself until it’s a serious health hazard. If you don’t want to rely on your gut instinct, we recommend purchasing a hygrometer. Here's a guide to help you choose one.


4. Carpet And Upholstery Cleaning - Yes, we do that too! No matter what type of carpet or furniture you own, we have the equipment and the processes in place to get everything clean and fresher than ever.


5. When You Can’t Get Rid of Musty Odors - If you can’t find the source of an unpleasant odor, it doesn’t mean you’re imagining things. A strong musty odor in your building can be a sign of a mold problem. Trust your sense of smell and give SERVPRO a call.

We are available 24/7 at 732-202-3001 so there’s no reason to hesitate in taking the steps necessary to maintain your property. The sooner you call, the sooner the problem will be solved!

Emergency Water Damage Mitigation After a Major Apartment Building Fire in Ocean Grove, NJ

3/28/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant arriving on scene after a massive fire burns several buildings in Neptune Township.

Emergency Water Damage Mitigation After a Major Apartment Building Fire in Ocean Grove, NJ

An early morning fire on March 3, 2017 burned several structures including the Warren Rest Home, La Pierre Condominiums, Marlboro Condominiums and four single family homes in Ocean Grove, NJ. The buildings in Ocean Grove are very close together, but fortunately the firefighters did a great job of getting the fire under control quickly to avoid it spreading further. The Warrington burned completely to the ground while The La Pierre Condominiums and The Marlborough Condominiums were badly damaged. The La Pierre Condominiums were saved but suffered major water damage from the firefighters’ efforts to put out the fire.  

As soon as it was safe, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant was on scene to begin the process of drying out the structure. We have the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial water damage emergencies. We will respond quickly, regardless of the size or scope of the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion. To learn more please visit SERVPRO of Point Pleasant or call us at 732-202-3001.

Your Business is Flooded. Where Do You Start?

3/17/2017 (Permalink)

This medical building in Lakewood, NJ suffered water damage during a storm.

Your Business is Flooded. Where Do You Start?

Life in coastal New Jersey is beautiful, but it comes with its own set of risks. Living near the ocean makes our local businesses and communities more susceptible to the elements. Atlantic hurricane season, which in 2017 will be in effect from approximately July 1 to November 30, has the potential to cause damage to homes and businesses in many different ways, and even after it’s over, winter storms can also pose a threat.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is prepared for anything Mother Nature throws our way. We know storms don’t always happen during business hours, which is why we’re available 24/7 at (732) 349-9898. We have access to the equipment and personnel of 1,700 franchises plus the help of disaster recovery team, who specialize in flood response. Here is our process for restoring a flooded business.

1. Emergency Contact

Give us a call and we will assess the situation by asking you a few questions before our team mobilizes.

2. Inspection and Water Damage Assessment

We inspect the property thoroughly, stop the source of the water coming in, and then test for contamination. After the contamination has been assessed, we survey the damage and complete a safety inspection.

3. Move-Out/Water Removal

If we determine that your business has suffered extensive damage, we conduct an efficient move-out to protect your belongings from any further damage. Then we get started on water removal almost immediately, using submersible pumps and wet/dry vacuums.

4. Drying and Dehumidification

We use industrial-grade dehumidifiers to prevent secondary water damage, and high-speed air movers to create airflow accelerating the evaporation process. Throughout this step, we carefully monitor moisture meters to be sure the property returns to an acceptable level before proceeding.

5. Cleaning and Sanitizing

After the water has been removed, your business will probably require professional cleaning. We firmly believe in “restoring” over “replacing,” and thoroughly clean the affected area with sanitizing treatments to avoid the growth of microbes and bacteria. We also use industrial-grade odor removal equipment and air scrubbers.

6. Restoration

After your business is clean and dry, our goal is to make your space “look like nothing ever happened.” If needed, we can even provide reconstruction and building services.

If a catastrophic weather event affects your business, it’s good to know that there’s a local company equipped to handle every step of the process. Rest assured that after SERVPRO has completed flood restoration on your business, you will be able to get back to a sense of normalcy at work.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant 732-202-3001

Flood or Mold Damage to Your Property After a Frozen Pipe Burst

3/15/2017 (Permalink)

Water and mold damage caused by a frozen burst pipe to a home in Bayville, NJ

Flood or Mold Damage to Your Property After a Frozen Pipe Burst

Pipes that freeze during the cold season are in danger of bursting possibly causing several hundred gallons of water to flow throughout your property leading to water damage. Water damage can significantly harm your home by promoting mold growth and causing rot to develop causing significant damage to the structure. Leaking frozen pipe water can also soak your furniture, appliances, important papers, family heirlooms, pictures, and so on.

Getting immediate water remediation in the event of a frozen or burst water pipe accident is essential for New Jersey property owners to prevent further loss. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is a locally owned water damage restoration company and is close by, ready to respond to your water damage emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

While you are waiting for SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to arrive follow these few steps to prevent further water damage:

• Turn off the electricity, if necessary to prevent electrocution.

• Turn off the water supply if you detect a frozen pipe burst as it will minimize any water damage. 

• Protect your possessions that are in danger from the frozen pipe in case the water continues to flow.

• Cover your electric box if you think the water could reach it.

• Find the frozen pipe by looking in areas like the bathroom and kitchen feeling along pipes to locate frozen or bulging areas on a pipe or if unsure how to locate or fix a burst pipe contact a licensed plumber.

Prevention is key to keep your home, property, and possessions safe from water and mold damage caused by a burst pipe. For more information on preventing a frozen pipe from bursting please visit washingtonpost. In the unfortunate event you do experience a burst pipe causing water damage or mold damage, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001 or visit SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. We are a highly trained emergency response team specializing in water restoration and mold remediation servicing all off Ocean County and surrounding areas

Chef's Night Out

3/15/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is proud to be one of the sponsors for Chef's Night Out for The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education.

The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education had it's an annual Chef's Night Out on March 6, 2017 at the Pine Belt Arena at Toms River High School North. The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education is a non-profit organization dedicated to help ensure a quality education for students of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School. It is our mission to augment, supplement and complement the programs of the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools through the attraction of private resources for the exclusive benefit of its students and staff.

Chef’s Night Out was a fun filled night of sweet and savory delicacies from dozens of local restaurants, caterers, bakeries, specialty stores and wine and beverage distributors. We sampled Seafood Bisque and New England Clam Chowder from ACME Draft House, beef empanadas from Caneda’s, kale salad from Harrogate, mushroom risotto from Cuisine on the Green, short ribs from Martell’s Water’s Edge and pulled pork sandwiches and cinnamon roll pancakes from The Four Seasons Diner. They had delicious donuts from OB-CO’s and cupcakes from Jennie Cakes. The OCVTS' Brick Culinary and Pastry students made amazing desserts including my favorite, crème brulee. So many wonderful dishes from 709 Bistro, Bonefish Grill, Tuscan Bistro Bar, Klee’s, Café Diem, Waypoint 622, Mulberry Street, Bahama Breeze, Windward Tavern, Toms River Ale House, Carrabba's, Breezes Bar & Grill, Blend on Main, The Olive Garden, Prime 13, Labrador Lounge, Joey D's, and more. We discovered delicious wines made by 19 Crimes and beer from Beach Haus Brewery and Hunderton Brewery. 

A special thank you to everyone who made this evening a success.

Give Blood for March’s American Red Cross Month

3/7/2017 (Permalink)

Give Blood for March’s American Red Cross Month

Since 1943, every U.S. president has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world. The Red Cross depends on blood donor heroes across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed to help those rely on blood products. The Red Cross must collect 14,000 units of blood every day to fulfill the country’s needs.

During Red Cross Month, the American Red Cross is recognizing the country’s everyday heroes, those who reach out to help people in need. These are the people who:

• Help disaster victims get on the road to recovery.
• Give blood to help a hospital patient
• Brighten the day of an injured service member who is in a hospital far from home.
• Take one of our lifesaving classes and step forward to assist someone having a heart attack or to save a drowning child.

Red Cross Month is a great time to become part of the Red Cross. You can work on a preparedness plan with members of your household so you are ready for emergencies. You can become a Red Cross volunteer. Or you can give blood or a financial donation to become an everyday hero.

To become part of The American Red Cross in New Jersey please visit New Jersey Red Cross  or call the Ocean County Chapter at 732-349-9230.

What to Do if Your Hot Water Heater Causes Flood or Water Damage

2/27/2017 (Permalink)

This home in Colts Neck, NJ suffered flood damage to their basement that was caused by a hot water heater leak in the garage.

What to Do if Your Hot Water Heater Causes Flood or Water Damage

A hot water heater leak may seem like a minor problem at first but it can lead to damage to walls, floors and sub-floors if it is not addressed immediately. It could also be the symptom of a larger problem and, in some cases, can cause significant water damage. The longer water is allowed to sit your home the more damage it has the potential to do and the higher the cost for repairs and replacing damaged items.

As soon as you discover a hot water leak follow these steps to avoid further damage:

•  Turn off the power


•  Shut off the water supply


•  Drain the water tank


•  Take pictures for your records


•  Contact a certified plumber if you are  unable to find and fix the leak safely and  properly yourself

After the water heater leak has been controlled, the damage halted and the problem fixed, it is time to begin the water restoration process by calling SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. We have a rapid response team that is highly trained with years of experience and are ready to help you. Our highly trained professional technicians have the experience and tools necessary to clean up the water damage properly and bring your home and personal belongings back to pre-flood condition. 

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001 for any New Jersey water damage emergency.

Preventative Tips to Help Your Pipes from Freezing in New Jersey

2/15/2017 (Permalink)

Water damage emergency in Brick, NJ

Preventative Tips to Help Your Pipes from Freezing in New Jersey

New Jersey winters can be harsh on household plumbing so don’t forget to protect the pipes from the elements. Cold weather can cause plumbing pipes to freeze and possibly burst causing flooding and costly water damage to your home. Taking preventative measures to your home before winter sets in can reduce and eliminate the risk of frozen pipes leading to water damage. Pipes located on outside walls, in un-heated basements, crawl spaces, garages and attics are more prone to the cold temperature and freezing than others.

Because water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal and plastic pipes. No matter the strength of the pipe, expanding water can cause it to burst.

To help avoid frozen pipes and costly repairs to your New Jersey home, follow these preventative tips:

Outside:

• Disconnect all garden hoses from the faucet to prevent an interior pipe from bursting due to increasing pressure.


• Protect outdoor faucets from freezing by shutting off water from the interior valve leading to the outdoor faucet.

Indoors: 

• Locate the main water valve and the water heater valve in case of an emergency.


• Keep the heat at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or above.


• Look for pipes that are near exterior walls and in unheated areas and insulate them.


• Check for any leaks or cracks in the walls that could let cold air in and seal them by weather strips, caulking, or insulating. Also check for leaks around chimneys, dryer vents, wiring and pipes.


• Make sure all windows are closed and seal any gaps.


• During extremely cold periods, let lukewarm water drip from faucets to keep water moving through the pipes.


• Keep kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors open to let warm are circulate in around the plumbing.

Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant when a frozen pipe burst.

If you are faced with an emergency water damage situation in your New Jersey home or business, call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant at 732-202-3001. When dealing with a water damage emergency, immediate attention to the situation will minimize damage and prevent further loss.

Why You Should Leave Smoke Damage Cleanup to the Professionals

2/15/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant on the process of cleaning the soot and smoke damage from this home in Lanoka Harbor, NJ.

Why You Should Leave Smoke Damage Cleanup to the Professionals

Once a fire is extinguished, you may think your Ocean County home is safe to re-enter and begin the cleanup process on your own. However, it is best that you enlist the help of a professional restoration company, like your local SERVPRO of Point Pleasant, to come in and take a look at your home and belongings to assess which items can be restored and which are best to be replaced.

When your home catches on fire, it is not just the flames that cause the damage but the water and chemicals firefighters use to put out the fires, as well as the smoke and soot that follow. Even if the fire was contained to a small area of your home, the smoke and soot could have easily traveled throughout your home. Soot and smoke have a tendency to get everywhere, and these particles are so small that they can pass through walls effortlessly. They will also cake onto furniture, countertops, floors and walls if not dealt with right away, causing discoloration and overpowering odors. Smoke damage cleaning has to address both issues to be completely effective.

Because the process of soot and smoke removal is extremely complex, it is important to leave this job to the professionals. As experts in the field of smoke and soot damage restoration, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has the know-how, manpower and equipment to complete the task properly.

Have Soot or Smoke Damage?

Call SERVPRO of Point Peasant at 732-202-3001.

After a Flood

2/14/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is in the process of restoring this flooded home in Ocean County to it's pre-storm condition.

After a Flood

After a flood mold can spread quickly through your Ocean County home or business in as little as 48 hours. Water damaged areas and items should be dried within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. If you were unable to properly dry your belongings and control the moisture within this time period, you should assume that you have mold growth. Just because you cannot see it does not mean that it is not present. It may be hidden under or behind items like carpet, cushions, or walls. Flood waters may also have carried sewage or chemicals into your home. This could expose you or your family to viruses, bacteria, disease carriers (such as mosquitoes), and parasites, as well as mold.

Cleaning up yourself after a flood can pose certain health risks to you and your family. Before you start the cleanup process ask yourself if it is too dangerous or difficult to do yourself. If you are unsure it may be best to get help from experienced and qualified professionals. As leaders in the water damage and mold remediation industry, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant has advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands-on experience. We use this training and experience to quickly dry your home and restore it back to pre-storm condition.

Restoring flood-damaged properties is the cornerstone of our business. Our highly trained professionals use specialized equipment and advanced training to quickly restore your Point Pleasant or Brick property to pre-flooding condition. We’re dedicated to responding immediately, which helps to minimize secondary damage.

Have Flood or Mold Damage? 

Call Us Today 732-202-3001

Valentine's Day Candle Safety

2/3/2017 (Permalink)

Soot damage to the walls of this home in Toms River, NJ are in the process of being cleaned by our team at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

Before Things Heat Up on Valentine’s Day Read These Candle Fire Safety Tips

Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, February 14 and whether you are planning on spending it with that special someone or getting together with friends, candle safety is a top priority. Follow these fire candle safety tips to keep you loved ones and friends safe this Valentine’s Day:

• Make sure all candles are in sturdy, designated holders made of glass, metal or ceramic.


• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that could burn or catch on fire.


• Place candles on a flat surface where they could not be knocked over.


• Keep all candles out of reach of children and pets.


• Blow out all candles when you leave a room or before you go to sleep.


• Never use candles in a home with an oxygen tank.


• Make sure fire alarms are in working order before you light your candles.


• When possible, use battery-operated candles.

Fire departments responded to an estimated 9,300 home structural fires started by candles per year reported by NFPA. If you do experience fire or smoke damage SERVPRO of Point Pleasant will be there to treat your family with empathy and your home with great care.

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant understands that fire and smoke damage can be especially destructive. In many instances your Ocean County property will also suffer from water damage from firefighting efforts. We specialize in fire and water damage restoration; it’s the cornerstone of our business. We have specialized equipment, specific training, and certifications that allow us restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (732)-202-3001

Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration in Point Pleasant, NJ

1/27/2017 (Permalink)

A winter storm brought water and sand into this commercial building in Lakewood, NJ. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant was there to cleanup the storm damage.

Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration in Point Pleasant, NJ

Storm and flood damage should be attended to quickly after the storm has passed in order to reduce costs and minimize secondary damage. SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is one of the most trusted storm damage cleanup and restoration companies serving Point Pleasant, NJ and nearby towns. If your home or business is damaged by a hurricane, tornado, blizzard or flood, we can help aid your recovery efforts.

Beautiful but Vulnerable Communities

The coastal lifestyle is enviable, but it’s not without its risks. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy had a devastating impact on New Jersey, particularly in Point Pleasant. 

While Hurricane Sandy was considered a once-in-a-lifetime storm, it reminded us of Mother Nature’s unpredictability. Atlantic hurricane season is an annual threat to NJ, as are powerful winter storms that can cause significant damage of their own.

Storm Damage Repair Experts

Storm damage and restoration is one of our main areas of expertise here at SERVPRO of Point Pleasant. Our storm and flood services include:

• Disaster Response and Recovery


• Water Damage Restoration


• Contents Restoration


• Move-Outs (if needed)


• Mold Remediation


• Sewage Cleanup


• Carpet Cleaning


• Odor Removal


• Building Services


• Commercial Storm Damage Repair


• Commercial Large Loss Recovery

Why SERVPRO of Point Pleasant?

A storm can strike at any time. That’s why SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is available 24/7 to provide:

• Immediate Response


• Highly Trained and Experienced Professionals


• Specialized Equipment


• Assistance with Any Disaster of Any Magnitude


• Emphasis on Restoring Over Replacing


• Personalized, Local Care Backed by a Nationally Trusted Name

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant stands ready to mobilize in the towns of Point Pleasant, Point Pleasant Beach, Bay Head, Lakewood, Point Pleasant Boro and Brick. For any of your storm damage cleanup and restoration needs, call us at 732-202-3001.

Mold Removal: Get Rid of Mold for Good

1/27/2017 (Permalink)

Mold remediation at home in Manahawkin, NJ by SERVPRO of Point Pleasant.

Mold Removal: Get Rid of Mold for Good

Mold is unhealthy and unrelenting. Cases of black mold are also unsightly, while other types of mold can be more difficult to detect.

It doesn’t take much for mold to become a big problem in your home or business, especially here in Point Pleasant, NJ, where humid summers, year-round precipitation and proximity to the ocean foster mold growth.

What Exactly is Mold?

Mold is a fungus that exists just about everywhere, indoors and outdoors. There are hundreds of thousands of mold types, ranging in seriousness from completely harmless to major health hazard. Microscopic mold spores float in the air, entering your home through windows, doors, AC/heating systems, and other small cracks that allow airflow. They can also live on your clothing and pets.

Why and Where Does Mold Grow?

When mold spores find a thriving environment, they can quickly multiply into allergen- and irritant-producing colonies. Mold typically grows when there is some combination of:

• Moisture (often from a leak)


• Humidity


• Warmth


• Darkness


• Oxygen


• Poor Ventilation

Mold also needs a food source, whether it’s drywall, fabric, wood, or any other material found in your home or business. If you are having ongoing respiratory problems, throat irritation, sneezing fits, or unexplained health concerns, you should check for mold in in the following areas:

• Under sinks


• Behind walls


• Around AC units


• Around windows


• Under carpeting


• In the basement


• In the laundry room


• Anywhere that might have been dampened

How Does Mold Removal or Mold Remediation Work?

Since mold spores are in the air all the time, it’s impossible to completely eliminate mold. It’s more a matter of keeping it out of your home or business. You might come across “DIY” tricks for getting rid of mold, but they almost never work. The most effective option is usually to call a professional who can:

• Locate and identify mold


• Assess the damage


• Contain the mold and keep it from spreading


• Identify and repair sources of moisture


• Provide air filtration


• Physically remove the mold


• Clean the affected area


• Develop and execute a restoration plan

Mold Removal Experts

When choosing a mold removal company, it’s important to remember that killing the mold is more important than scoring a low price or “cheap deal.” SERVPRO of Point Pleasant specializes in mold removal and mold remediation, with a team of highly trained mold damage specialists and an arsenal of advanced equipment to effectively restore your home or business the first time around.

Mold can spread in as little as 48 hours–we will beat the clock and attend to your mold issue immediately so that it doesn’t worsen. As your neighbors, getting rid of mold once and for all is as important to us as it is to you. If you think you might have a mold problem, call us at 732-202-3001, or request help online. You can also learn more about our mold remediation and restoration services here.

Fire Damage Restoration: What to do After a Fire in Your Ocean County Home or Business

1/27/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant was called in to clean the soot and smoke damage. The entire home had smoke damage as a result of this fire.

Fire Damage Restoration: What to do After a Fire in Your NJ Home or Business

The effects of a fire are felt long after the blaze is extinguished. When you return to your home or business to assess the damage, the combination of shock, distress, and not knowing where to start can be overwhelming.

As one of the most trusted fire damage restoration companies in Point Pleasant, NJ and the surrounding area, SERVPRO of Point Pleasant offers fast, responsive fire repair services.

Types of Fire Damage

Fire damage can manifest itself in many ways. A fire might cause any combination of the following:

• Overpowering smoke odor


• Ash and soot


• Charring


• Dangerous chemical releases or reactions


• Structural hazards


• Water damage


• Mold

Fire Damage Restoration Services & Process

Once your property has been deemed safe to re-enter, restoration can begin. Call SERVPRO of Point Pleasant so we can walk you through our fire damage repair process, which includes:

• Emergency Response


• Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment


• Immediate Board-Up and Roof Tarp Service (if needed)


• Water Removal and Drying (if needed)


• Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces


• Cleaning and Repair


• Restoration to Pre-Fire Condition

Why SERVPRO of Point Pleasant?

If a fire has damaged your home or business, count on SERVPRO of Point Pleasant to deliver the highest level of attention and expertise. We provide:

• Immediate Response


• Highly Trained Professionals (Fire & Smoke Restoration, Odor Control, Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning, Water Damage)


• Specialized Equipment


• Emphasis on Restoring Over Replacing


• Personalized, Local Care Backed by a Nationally Trusted Name

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant can help you limit damage, reduce costs, restore your property, and quickly regain a sense of normalcy. We live and work in the same community as you, which means we’re close by and fully committed to serving your fire damage restoration needs. Call us at 732-202-3001, or request help online.

WATER DAMAGE & FLOODING: HOW WE CAN HELP

1/27/2017 (Permalink)

When a local bank had flooding, SERVPRO responded with equipment and manpower so they could stay open, even as the cleanup was underway.

WATER DAMAGE & FLOODING: HOW WE CAN HELP

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant is fully equipped and fully staffed to handle any disaster that comes our way. With advanced water inspection, extraction and drying equipment, we are a trusted leader in the water restoration industry. We can handle any size loss – from small water damage in a residential home to a very large damage in a skyscraper.

Flooding from burst pipes is one of the most common reasons SERVPRO gets calls for help.

Our highly trained technicians are ready to respond immediately to flood or water damage at your Ocean County property. We have the experience, expertise, and training to restore your home or business quickly and properly.

Case Study

After a burst pipe flooded the Toms River branch of OceanFirst Bank,

SERVPRO of Point Pleasant responded with plenty of equipment and manpower so the bank could stay open for business, even as the cleanup was underway.

“They did an excellent job. Very professional, and they brought the correct staff in to clean the building up. They were courteous to our customers, didn’t interfere with our daily business, and they stayed in touch with me the entire time - the communication was fantastic. The team did a very professional job.”

- Bob Brennan, General Service Manager, OceanFirst Bank

OUR WATER DAMAGE RESTORATION PROCESS

The steps below detail our restoration process for the typical water damaged property:

Step 1: Emergency Contact

Step 2: Inspection and Damage Assessment

Step 3: Water Removal/Water Extraction

Step 4: Drying and Dehumidification

Step 5: Cleaning and Repair

Step 6: Restoration

If you are dealing with water damage and/or flooding, give our team a call today! SERVPRO of Point pleasant is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small.

Phone: (732) 202 3001

Email: SERVPRO8796@comcast.net