Avoid Frozen Pipes!

12/20/2022 (Permalink)

When temperatures fall over the coming months, most people tend to think of ice in respect to skating. However, when it comes to the water pipes in your home, this frosty dilemma can be far from enjoyable. With temperatures dropping below 32 degrees this winter, it is more important than ever to keep the pipes in our homes from becoming frozen.

When water freezes the molecules expand, meaning that pipes can often burst or become damaged in some way. Here are a few tips to help prevent these icy issues. First, homeowners should always keep the heat on, and use extra insulation or heating in colder rooms. It's also recommended to drain water from outside pools and hoses as well. If you experience any type of water disaster this winter, SERVPRO is here to help with any restoration service you could need!

Fire Safety, The Gift That Keeps On Giving This Holiday Season

12/7/2022 (Permalink)

Visit the Redcross,org to learn more about cooking safety!

There’s no doubt that the holidays are filled with joy, and there seems to be a time no better than the present for celebrating with friends and family. With these festivities in mind, it is also critical to be aware of fire safety and the role it plays during our favorite holiday routines.

Whether you’re decorating the Christmas tree, lighting a menorah, or baking cookies, it is always important to understand the fire risks associated with these cheerful traditions.

Always remember to unplug the lights, blow out the candles, and turn off the stove during this holiday season! The American Red Cross Association encourages safety tips for these activities and more on their website. Holiday Fire Safety Tips | American Red Cross

If you are susceptible to any fire damage this holiday season, our 24 Hour Emergency Team at SERVPRO of Broome County East will be more than accessible to service all of your restoration needs!

NYS Burn Ban & Wild Fires

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

New York State puts a burn ban in effect each year, for 2022 it is March 14- May 16th. In New York, Spring can mean a time of increased risk of wildfires, due to outdoor burning of debris and brush. While Homeowners may be well intended with their actions, these fires can quickly get out of control and spread. Spreading wild fires leave disastrous effects to the environment and air quality, not to mention the potential for bodily inquiry and property damage.

Does a Burn Ban mean all residential fires, and campfires are prohibited? No, but there are limitations. According the NYS DEC, Backyard fire pits and campfires less than three feet in height and four feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed. Small cooking fires are allowed. Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. 

To learn more about Homeowner Wildfire Safety visit by FIREWISE NY. https://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/42529.html

If you property is affected by fire, smoke or soot damage, please contact SERVPRO, we offer emergency property stabilization, board up, air filtration, and more. We are here to help. 

Soot Damage and All you need to know....

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Soot is a mixture of very fine black particles created by the product of incomplete combustion. Soot, the most noticeable result from fire, is primarily made up of carbon, but can also contain trace amounts of metals, dust, and chemicals. Soot is different from charcoal and other byproducts of combustion because it is so fine. These tiny particles are often smaller than dust, mold, and dirt particles. 

There are many factors that contribute to both how much and where soot will eventually settle.

In general soot is caused by both the gaseous and solid byproducts of fire traveling through a given space until settling in cooler temperatures. Thus, allowing soot to form in areas like duct vents and walls not initially affected by the fire.  The “fuel” or materials consumed by fire, ie wood, oil based products or proteins alter the fires intensity, lingering smell and the type of soot present after a fire. The temperature, air flow and type of soot are all contributing factors to the varying magnitude and locations of soot development.  For example “Soot tags” or “Carbon Webbings”, can form when synthetic materials burn at high temperatures. As the material burns it becomes charged. Allowing soot to gather and form webbing like features around areas of low circulation. These are most likely to be seen in corners and near the ceiling.

Cleaning up after a fire is already a daunting and stressful task. The additional health risks to tenants, pets and employees make this a job for professionals. As a leader in Fire Mitigation, your local SERVPRO franchise will consider all factors in devising the correct procedure for cleaning your facility. SERVPRO will put an equal emphasis on cleaning the visible mess and all hidden risks associated with your loss. When the safety of your tenants or employees are of concern,  SERVPRO is here to help, 24/7, 365 days a year.

SERVPRO Storm and Wind Damage Response

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

With the spring storm season approaching, it’s important to remember the potential damages wind, hail, and excessive rainwater can cause. Fallen trees, flooded basements, and damaged windows are only a few of the effects a large storm can have on a home or business. When you find yourself with property damage after a big storm, SERVPRO is here to help. With a strategic network of Disaster Recovery Teams on standby, SERVPRO is able to respond to hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes, or floods 24 hours a day 365 days a year. SERVPRO technicians have advanced training as well as plenty of hands-on experience when dealing with storm damages that ensure your home will be quickly dried and restored to pre-storm condition. Being locally owned and operated, we at SERVPRO aim to maintain fast service response to ease your worries about your home or property after a storm. Weather may be unpredictable, but SERVPRO can ensure a detailed and speedy cleanup of damages any time, any day.

Commercial Flood Clean-up: A Glimpse into Jasper- Troupsburg CSD

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

Heavy rainfall across Steuben County in August 2021 ended up creating a local school district’s worst nightmare. Jasper-Troupsburg Central School District was shocked and devastated to find their building completely destroyed by flash flooding that affected the halls, library, classrooms, and outdoor facilities. Inches of mud and debris coated the school floors as well as the track and parking lot leaving behind millions of dollars in damages. With school starting in a mere 18 days, the school district was at a loss with the destruction of their space.

            Luckily, SERVPRO was able to step in when disaster struck. Within days, the SERVPRO team was able to begin water mitigation, extracting the mud and standing water from the entire school. Next came the removal of the compromised floors, walls, and ceilings that could not be restored. The SERVPRO team then dried out all surfaces to prevent molding and further damage. SERVPRO also provided unique services for Jasper-Troupsburg to ensure they had as many items restored as possible. We employed document restoration for files, uniform cleaning for band and fall sports members, and excavation of the track, field, and parking area. Over the months following the flooding, SERVPRO was able to move forward with the restoration process so reconstruction of the school could begin. LeeAnne Jordan, Superintendent of Jasper-Troupsburg, said, “Without question, the best decision made in the hours following the flooding of our high school was contacting Justin Sepe. Justin and his SERVPRO team have been compassionate, understanding, patient, and incredibly knowledgeable and thorough throughout their time with us.” At SERVPRO our customers come first. We are able to build strong relationships with our communities through our fast and reliable services that leave our customers satisfied. After SERVPRO’s work, Jasper-Troupsburg is hoping to have the rebuilding project completed by 2024 so students can enjoy the facility once again.

Specialty Services: Document Restoration

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of fire or water damage to your home or business is typically the loss of clothes, furniture, goods, and electronics. However, something we don’t often think about is all of the legal documents and photos that can be lost as well. Here at SERVPRO we understand the importance of restoring these irreplaceable documents, so we offer a service that aims to recover and restore photos and legal papers through an assortment of techniques that ensure your best chance at saving and recovering the important ones.

 One process we use is vacuum freeze drying where we employ sublimation to freeze and dry an item to bypass the liquid stage and restore the item to its previous form. It is the most efficient and effective way to save water damaged items and it’s the only method approved by NARA (National Archives and Records Administration) and GSA (General Service Administration).

Another method we can use is digitizing. If you have many documents that have been physically affected but are still able to be digitally recorded, those documents can be filed online in a safe place eliminating the need for many records in storage that are subject to potential damage.

SERVPRO follows a process that includes, inventory, packaging, cold storage, shipping, and finally receipt of documents to ensure everything is accounted for and restored accordingly. Document restoration is a unique service offered by SERVPRO because we understand the value of physical documents and the importance of restoring photos. Call SERVPRO to get a free estimate on your damaged documents or photos and we’ll do our best to make it seem "Like it never even happened."

Washing Machines, a water damage culprit.

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

Oftentimes we turn on our washing machines and walk away without thinking twice. However, machines that have not had their water level, pressure switch, or inlet valve checked are subject to overflowing and causing serious water damage surrounding the machine that can be tedious to recover. Unattended water damage on flooring and dry wall can lead to further damages with mold and odor that can be costly.

Luckily, there are a few things you as a home or business owner can do to prevent washing machine overflow. The first step would be to check and replace the hose to improve water flow to your machine. Leaky hoses can worsen the damage without being detected making them a leading culprit in water loss. Make sure to find the right size hose as per the manufacturer and disconnect the hot and cold water before replacing. Another preventative measure you can take is replacing a faulty pressure switch. Having the correct amount of pressure to your washing machine is key, so checking your pressure switch will prevent future overflows. Finally, make sure to check the water inlet valve. If you’ve checked the hose and the pressure, your final stop should be the water inlet valve which controls the water flowing in and out of the machine. These can be easily replaced by a professional or yourself.

Water damage is unpredictable but can be prevented. Routine check ins on each component of your washing machine will prove to benefit you greatly in the long run. If you should come across water damage, SERVPRO will be ready to assist you in restoring that space and ensuring it is dry to prevent secondary damage.

Tips can be found at https://fixappliances.ca/washing-machine-repair/how-to-fix-washer-overflow/

Prepare your business- and we can Help!

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

Download the SERVPRO Ready App to get Started or call us today and we can do it for you for free!

Here at SERVPRO it’s more than just a business. We pride ourselves in the relationships we build with our customers; we care about all our customers. That’s why we go the extra mile in providing the best service, advice, and preplanning to all our customers. We know disasters are never planned for but there are steps that can be taken to lessen the aftermath of one. Whether big or small, planning beforehand can prepare you for whatever could happen. SERVPRO’s Emergency Ready Profile gives our customers a chance to be ready for a disaster.

This free service that we offer is a concise profile document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency. The ERP contains information such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas, and priority contact information. It also connects us with our customers; we get a chance to be there before anything happens and allows us to learn about your team and your building. This way in the event a disaster should strike, it makes the process easier for you and can cut down the damage by having a faster response. So, what are you waiting for, get your Emergency Ready Profile today!

SERVPRO and New Visions; a program for local High Schoolers

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

2022 New Visions Class of Students; SERVPRO welcomed 3 Students this year to job shadow and learn about the business atmosphere.

New Visions is a highly selective academically rigorous and personally challenging career exploration program offered through Broome-Tioga BOCES for high school seniors. There are five different career pathways in Health, Business, Education, Engineering, and Law and Government. Students in all the academies gain over 120 hours of job shadowing experience at a range of workplaces throughout our community. College classes through SUNY Broome Community College and Syracuse University are also incorporated to fulfil NYS high school graduation requirement, given students a chance to earn over 10 college credits, and challenge them with college level material. The program is designed for independent students who have the maturity to leave the traditional classroom environment and focus on college preparation and professional growth.

The Business Academy students are placed at a range of local businesses in Broome County. SERVPRO has been one of the partners since 2019 that welcome in NV students and give them a chance to learn not just about their industry and business but also, the work world and different career options. SERVPRO love’s the program, and encourage high school juniors to take advantage of such great opportunity and are happy to have the students in their office over the years.

SERVPRO of Broome County is owned and operated locally; they don’t just focus on their service to the community but try to give back in any way they can. They donate to different local charities each year such as Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network and many others. A big part of their goal as a local business is to be involved in the community whether through donations, volunteering, or hosting internship opportunities for students before they go in the workforce.