Recent Posts

Shocking Workplace Discovery!

3/14/2024 (Permalink)

Person walking through standing water on a carpeted office hallway. Water flooded the hallway.

When a pipe from the 2nd floor of a Bayonne company burst, the owner called SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne to dry out the 45,000 square foot building. The employees walking into the office were alarmed by the water flowing across the carpeted areas of the office but remained calm until our emergency crew arrived on the scene. Using special extraction tools, the expertly trained technicians were able to quickly remove the standing water from the office floors. The affected carpet and trim were removed, and special equipment was placed to completely dry the structure. The owner was so satisfied with the work we completed; they asked us to repair the damaged facility for them. 

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

Being Prompt After A Fire Is The Key to Safety

2/28/2024 (Permalink)

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

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

Speedy Response

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

Damage Done

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

Taking Initiative

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

To The Rescue After A Hurricane

2/14/2024 (Permalink)

construction debris on a lawn with trucks parked on the street Our team traveled to assist with the recovery after the hurricane!

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

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

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

Do Not Let Sewage Turn Into Mold

2/7/2024 (Permalink)

wood flooring with mold on a bathroom floor Mold growth on the floor due to the sewage damage.

Left untreated, the moisture and bacteria from a sewage loss may cause microbial growth. Our SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne team has experience with remediating a loss in which sewage was left untreated, causing mold to form on the drywall and floor. In such an instance, all flooring, drywall, doors and trim must be removed. Dehumidifiers are placed and remaining stud beams, subfloor, and stationary objects are cleaned and sanitized. A special antimicrobial sealer can be brushed on all affected areas to prevent mold from forming again in the future. This is often the most important step in the remediation process.

In an effort to prevent the timely remediation of mold, a sewage loss must be mitigated immediately. Our team of SERVPRO professionals are trained to extract and clean the discharge from the area before placing drying equipment to remove any remaining moisture. Faster to any disaster, SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne is always ready to take on even the largest sewage losses.

Fire and Water Damage Restoration

1/29/2024 (Permalink)

section of clean and new cabinets and counters in a kitchen The kitchen after the reconstruction.

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

How Electrical Outlets Are Affected By Floods

1/17/2024 (Permalink)

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

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

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

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

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

Dealing with damage from a flood can be a very difficult and stressful process. Restoring your home and property from both requires professional treatment and care from experts with a nationwide support network or equipment. SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne is ready to help you whenever disaster strikes.

Protecting Your Home in Extreme Cold

1/9/2024 (Permalink)

Icicles hanging from vehicle in a parking garage.  Ice caused by a water loss from above!

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

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

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

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

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

In the event of a winter weather emergency, SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne is always ready to respond to quickly get your property back to normal! Give us a call 24/7 at 201-333-3200.

Always Here to Help!

Fire Spreads Quickly

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

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

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

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

Mold Hidden Behind The Wallpaper

12/20/2023 (Permalink)

wallpaper free section of wall with visible mold growth The mold was only discovered once the wallpaper was removed.

A family recently purchased a home in Livingston, NJ and during renovations found mold behind the wallpaper. SERVPRO of South Jersey City and Bayonne responded to clean it up so they could be ready for the holidays. 

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

Upon arriving on site, our expertly trained technicians removed the affected wallpaper, drywall and insulation from the home. After cleaning and sanitizing the remaining materials, special equipment was placed to remove any remaining contaminates from the air. The customer was very impressed and appreciative of the job our crew did in order for the family to enjoy their new home.

Clean Water Correctly The First Time

12/8/2023 (Permalink)

mold covered drywall and flooring under bathroom sink and toilet Cleaning up water correctly can prevent mold from forming.

Always make sure you hire an emergency service company with expert knowledge and integrity. A frantic customer in Hudson County called us at SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne after another restoration company failed to properly dry out her home. Instead of taking care of a general water loss, our team needed to perform a mold remediation on her entire home. Mold is provided with an ideal growing environment when wet building materials are not dried correctly.

The water technicians here at SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne always use special meters to verify wet materials progressively dry within a few days to prevent mold from growing. We encourage our customers to understand the drying process so they can be confident a job is being done correctly.

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

All technicians are extensively trained on how to prevent a water loss from turning into mold. SERVPRO of South Jersey City/Bayonne is always ready to take care of homes and businesses affected by disaster. Call us at 201-333-3200, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.