Watch out for Frozen Pipes!

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

Temperatures this Winter have fluctuated a lot. Today could be single digits and later in the week it gets all the up to 50 degrees. The weather break can be nice for the Spring and Summer lovers but not for your pipes. When pipes are exposed to subfreezing temperatures, the water inside freezes and expands the pipes; in some cases when the pressure it too much they might burst. If they don’t burst from the frozen water pressure, when it gets drastically warmer and the water thaws quickly, the additional of the melting water may cause the pipes to burst. This can cause severe damage to walls, ceilings, floorings, interior and increase mold growth. Which leads to even more problems.

But we can’t control the weather and water damage cost thousands to repair. So, here are some tips to help prevent pipe burst.

• Keep pipes insulated by wrapping foam insulation around them.
• Seal up cracks and leaks to keep out the cold air as much as possible.
• Open the doors inside your home to allow the heat to move efficiently through the house.
• Keep the heat set to no longer than 50 degrees Fahrenheit even if you won’t be home. If the house is warm, it can prevent the pipes from freezing.

Tips listed above are provided from Simply Most https://www.simplemost.com/7-tips-prevent-your-pipes-from-bursting-winter/.

If You Experience a Flood…Call SERVPRO!

2/16/2022 (Permalink)

The Binghamton area hasn’t seen any major flooding since 2011 but floods happen more often than we think. According to CBS News, 1 in 10 homes across the U.S. is likely to experience a flood. There are multiple factors that can cause floods in homes such as broken/burst pipes, poor drainage, clogged rain gutters, damaged foundation, and malfunctioning appliances. Simple mistakes like leaving a faucet on for too long can also cause floods. Water can cause severe damage and be costly to repair.

But what should you do if you experience flooding inside your home? Make SERVPRO your first choice to help you. Whether it’s 2 am or 2 pm our team is on call and ready to assist when a disaster strikes. Water can spread quickly throughout your property causing more damage as it spreads and create breeding grounds for mold. But once we get on site, we start the water extraction and dehumidification process immediately. We have advanced training, experience, and the latest technology and equipment to provide a good, fast, and efficient job. Our goal is to restore your home to how it was prior to any water damage. In  the event, you should have mold infestation along with water damage, we are trained and equipped to handle that as well. So, if you should experience flooding, let us help you restore your property as if it never ever happened.

Smoke, Soot, and Odor Removal

4/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO utilizes several techniques to remove odor from properties. In our line of work many times we are referring to odors remaining from smoke or soot damage. The first step to odor mitigation, is cleaning or removing the source. In the instance of a fire loss, it would mean removing charred structural materials, and cleaning soot and smoke from surfaces.

Often done as a last step, technicians may choose one of several options to remove offensive odors from your property. While many times people first think of fire odors coming from a fire that happened to your own property, smoke odor can also be caused from fires happening at another property nearby or wild fires. Whether the source of the odor inside your home is from outside or inside, experts are trained to safely identify the origin of the problem and eliminate any lingering odors. Here are three techniques that are commonly used by professionals to remove smoke odor.

1. Air Filtration Devices
   Air filtration devices work by circulating the air through a powerful HEPA filter. These filters are an excellent choice for smoke cleaning because they remove 99.97% of particulates from the air. As the particles get trapped, so do the molecules causing the smoke odor.
2. Ozone Machines
   Ozone generators are especially effective with protein-based smoke that is difficult to neutralize. Because these machines release additional ozone into the air, it is not safe to enter the home while this process is taking place. Your smoke damage professional will let you know when it is safe to reenter your residence.
3. Thermal Foggers
   Thermal fogging uses a petroleum-based fragrance to neutralize odors. Smoke from a fire can reach into tiny crevices. Since thermal foggers produce a fine mist in the form of a fog, they can reach just about anywhere odors could be hiding, including inside drawers, closets, or carpet fibers. Once the fog makes contact with the molecule causing the smoke smell, it absorbs it.

With access to special training, knowledge, and nearly 30 years’ experience, calling in a professional like SERVPRO Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, Elmira/ Chemung County & Watkins Glen/ Schuyler County will be the best choice for guidance on how to handle fire, soot, or smoke odor related issues to your property.

COVID-19: Commercial Disinfecting Services

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

Although 2020 is behind us, the pandemic and its effect on business is still with us. Risks of infection, spread, and masks are still a part of our daily lives. Our Commercial Large Loss Response Team is still out there assisting our commercial clients combat COVID-19 in the work place.

There are essential businesses in the manufacturing, municipalities, financial institutions and more that are required to be open and maintain a high level of operation. These agencies have relied greatly on SERVPRO for COVID-19 disinfecting services this past year and still continue today. Our Team recently completed a 30,000 Sq. foot disinfecting and cleaning of a manufacturing plant following notification multiple employees were infected. Our Client reacted quickly, and knew we were the Team to call to respond fast and minimize business interruption. Our clients put their employee safety at #1 and we do the same.

Our Trained and highly quailed staff will be there to meet the needs of your business. Scoping and estimating is at no cost to our clients. Let us meet with you first and share our process and how we can help with no commitment. SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, SERVPRO of Elmira/ Chemung County & Watkins Glen/ Schuyler County is here to help!

Noticing Water Damage? Don't Wait!

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

First Steps to take after noticing water damage:

After locating water damage in your home or business, you might not be aware of how dangerous it is to ignore the problems you find. Even with just a little moisture trapped in your property significant issues can develop that compromise the structural integrity, or staining and decomposition of surface materials.

With the help of a trained professional, you can defeat the water damage to your property at first notice of loss. SERVPRO can provide quality personnel, advanced equipment, and access to resources you likely do not have on your own. This gives you a better opportunity to protect your home or business.

Within days, unknown water intrusions can do major damage that you cannot see. 

Water trapped in your walls can cause severe damage to untreated framing materials, insulation, and lead to corrosion, rot, and mold growth. You should always assume wherever water damage occurs, or a leak happens, that mold growth is not so far away. SERVPRO can send IICRC-industry certified technicians to your home or business that understand how water and mold act, giving you a plan of action that helps you take care of even the worst problems.

With trained technicians nearby, our Team can respond to emergencies within 4 hours of a call. Whether you have a faulty appliance, damage caused by leaky or broken pipes, weather-related water problems, or something as terrible as a flood, we can help.

Advantages of catching water damage early:

Failure to attend to water damage can lead to mold growth, electrical hazards, and cause costly losses to your property. The longer water sits the more likely building materials will need to be replaced vs. dried and restored to preloss condition.

It is vital for any home or business owner to act within 48 hours from the time the water event took place.

When our technicians arrive at your property to address water damage, we immediately do a site inspection. With the help of specialized devices, we are in a position to determine the magnitude of the problem. By using moisture meters and infrared cameras, we can detect any hidden moisture in ceilings, walls, and floors. The inspection also helps us to find out salvageable contents, items that need replacement. With all these details, we formulate an appropriate restoration plan.

Water Extraction and Dehumidification Process:

During the water extraction process, our team can use pumps and truck-mounted systems to remove deep standing water. If water has gone through your carpet or padding, we can lift it and dry it separately or discard it when necessary. After removing the water through extraction and drying the site, there are chances of the structure having high humidity. When the humidity is high, there are chances of secondary water damage -like mold growth - taking place once condensation takes place. To prevent that, we perform dehumidification with the help of Desiccant Dehumidifiers and Refrigerant Dehumidifiers.

Our Team is ready to assist homeowners with professional water damage restoration, cleaning, and deodorization services you can trust.

Call our office today for questions or services. Our Team is here to help!

Hail Damage and your Property!

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Hail damage to siding of a customers home. SERVPRO's ReconstructionTeam completed repairs to damaged windows, siding and roof.

There are many storms and natural occurring events that can impact your property. Flooding, thunderstorms, wind, wildfire, mudslides, hurricanes, tornadoes, and hail damage. Some areas of the US are more susceptible to certain types of disasters than others, but when it comes to flooding and hail these affect most areas throughout the country.  

Hail can be anywhere from ¼ inch in size to 4 ¼ inch in size. On Average it is more commonly under an inch in diameter, with the largest on record being close to 8 inches, according RMIIA.

Hail can cause severe damage to property, automobiles, and Crops. Larger hail can break windows, damage siding, and roofs. According to statistics culled from NOAA's Severe Storms database There were 5,382 major hail storms in 2019, In 2018, 4.610 major hailstorms occurred, resulting in $810 million in property and crop damage.

How can SERVPRO Help? Following a major storm such as flooding, our mitigation specialists are out there in affected communities until the cleanup is done. With Storms that cause roof, window and siding damage, our Repair Coordinators are out there providing Roof Tarps and Board ups and securing properties from further damage. Exterior damage and easily turn into interior damage, broken skylight windows & damaged roofs can leave your property vulnerable to water damage and mold. Our Team can respond and provide emergency services, moisture readings, and help determine the root of the issue and what it will take to get your property whole again.

Document Restoration & Trained Personnel

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Broome County East, Broome County West, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and Elmira/ Chemung County & Watkins Glen/ Schuyler County is always working towards further education and training for our staff members and certified mitigation specialists. Most recently we had additional staff members complete HIPAA Compliance Training. This type of training is necessary and essential when dealing with sensitive medical information on job sites.

As a Document Restoration Vendor, we want our customers confidence in handing their sensitive information and documents. When it comes to fire and water damage to your property, it doesn’t just wreak havoc over your flooring, walls, or roof, those elements can often cause damage to fixtures, contents, and documents in your building or facility. As a trusted vendor to numerous hospital and medical facilities, it was important to get additional staff the training needed to insure customer confidentiality. Through our recent completion of the HIPAA Master’s training our Team knows how to properly secure client documents for the next phase of fire, water, or mold damage document restoration, while keeping confidential information confidential throughout the entire process.

No matter how large or small our Team can assist with any Document Restoration need you have from Restoration to Digitizing. Call our Team today to learn more!

Water Damage and the Benefits of Using Trained Industry Professionals

3/26/2021 (Permalink)

A water loss to your home or business can come on very unexpectedly from various sources. From home appliance failure like your dishwasher, washing machines or water lines to your fridge.  Rain, flooding and burst pipes can cause water to come through the foundation, exposed areas from storm damage and in many cases can be hidden behind walls.  Regardless of where the water comes from, these types of issues are never convenient and can be very stressful for any home or property owner.

SERVPRO of Broome County East, SERVPRO of Broome County West, SERVPRO of Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & SERVPRO of Watkins Glen/Schuyler County is here to help with all of your water mitigation and restoration needs. A trained water technician can assist in locating the cause or source of the loss and put together a drying plan. Wewill communicate with both the insurance provider and the owner of the property, insuring transparency as they document the entire process.

Documentation by a trained SERVPRO technician is crucial to the recovery process. SERVPRO’s documentation process helps record all damage to the property, potential losses to contents or inventory and advises on the expected time frame for the drying process.

If you experience a water loss at your home or business, rest assure that SERVPRO will put you on the path to recovery. Call your local franchise today at 607-722-2262.

Soot, Carbon Webs, Fire Damage: How we Can HELP!

3/26/2021 (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.

Besides the unsightly appearance, the small size of soot could pose health risks for humans and pets. 

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.

Sprinkler Activation: Causes and a Plan for Action

3/24/2021 (Permalink)

According to AAA Fire Protection, 91% of sprinklers do activate when they are supposed to, approximately 9% of the time they are ineffective. Why? It’s a combination of things, including systems that have been turned off due to inactivity, conditions in the building or a lack of understanding the systems platforms.

Most Common Causes for Sprinkler System Failure or Malfunction:

1. Corrosion

Corrosion or damage to the pipes that send the water where it needs to go can impact the ability of the fire sprinkler system to deliver life-saving water when it is needed the most. The minerals and additives in water have a bad habit of eating away at pipes, causing leaks and a lack of pressure at a dangerous time. Regular maintenance reviews by your professional fire protection partner and rigorous testing are the best ways to ensure that your system is in full working order.

2. Freezing

Depending on where your business resides, freezing can be a big problem for sprinkler systems. They are often piped through industrial areas that may or may not have adequate insulation. Frozen sprinkler lines can lead to ice build ups. These build ups can expand within the pipes; causing cracks, pipe breaks and a lack of water pressure.

      3.Overheating

Your office staff is unlikely to be thrilled if the air conditioner goes out, and they are suddenly drenched in water on one of the hottest days of the year! When you are defining your fire sprinkler tolerances, be sure to keep in mind the maximum internal temperature that is possible or probable before setting the “tolerances” for your fire protection system.

4. Poor Installation Or Damage

Poor installation practices and the lack of a structured review process together can make for an inexcusably poor fire sprinkler system. Working with a trusted sprinkler service provider can help to give you piece of mind that you need; knowing that you have been proactive in protecting both your employees and your investment. 

NFPA research states that the United States Fire Sprinklers Market is expected to grow from a $4.3 billion in 2019 to $7.2 billion in 2025. Fire protection systems are now mandated in all new commercial construction. In the event of a fire, properly working sprinkler systems can both protect your facility and save lives.

Whether it’s a working fire or malfunction, sprinkler systems can release anywhere from 8-24 gallons per minute, depending on predetermined settings and the cause of activation. When these systems go off, an immediate plan of action is needed to extract and dry out your facility.

As a 24 hour emergency Fire & Water clean-up and restoration company, your local SERVPRO will respond quickly.  Helping to minimize business interruption and the costs associated with secondary damage. With 27 years of mitigation experience, your local franchise;  SERVPRO of Broome County East, SERVPRO of Broome County West, SERVPRO of Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & SERVPRO of Watkins Glen/Schuyler County is highly trained in all manners of fire and water mitigation.

When your business needs us, trust the SERVPRO name. Trust the experience. But foremost, trust that we care about getting your business back up and running fast. SERVPRO cares, let us help you today!

Commmercial Emergency Services: Let us help put the pieces back together.

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Mitigation Crews Cleaning Smoke & Soot damage for a local municipality.

It’s 11:03 pm and you are nestled in your warm bed. Not a care in the world as you dream happy thoughts. You’re suddenly startled by a loud sound. Your phone is ringing. Still half asleep and confused, you answer. You were just notified that the sprinkler system had gone off at your business. The good news is that the sprinkler system works. The bad news, you just had a fire.

Your heart starts racing. You have a quick moment of relief when you are told that no one was harmed. That fades quickly. What do you do now? How will you clean this up?  What about your employees? How long will the business interruption last?

Your local SERVPRO franchise, SERVPRO of Broome County East, SERVPRO of Broome County West, SERVPRO of Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & SERVPRO of Watkins Glen/Schuyler County is a phone call away and ready to assist you.

SERVPRO franchises are highly trained in all aspects of fire and water mitigation. SERVPRO employees will respond fast. On site, a uniformed employee can and will speak with all decision makers; ie adjusters, owners, facility directors etc. They will discuss and put the proper plan in action to get you back to business.

SERVPRO can assist with (but not limited to);

-Securing your property with board up assistance

-Fire and Water Mitigation

-Contents Claim Inventory Services

-Contents Cleaning (onsite or packed out and cleaned at the contents cleaning center in Binghamton)

-Deodorization

-Temporary heating, storage and even work space trailers (helping to minimize interruption)

-Drying and tear out where needed

-Repair and Reconstruction services

-HVAC Cleaning

-Documentation Restoration, Freeze Drying and Recovery

-Free Emergency Planning services: SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile

When you need help getting your business back up and running; SERVPRO of Broome County East, SERVPRO of Broome County West, SERVPRO of Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & SERVPRO of Watkins Glen/Schuyler County is only a phone call away and ready to assist you. Call 607-722-2262 today with any of your commercial needs or questions.

Fire Safety & Prevention: Know what to do, and who to call!

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

There are many causes of fire damage, electrical, cooking, storm damages, appliance malfunction, wildfires and more. As a home or businesses owner knowing your risks and how to prepare and react is important. Safety is number one when it comes to fire damage, once the safety of every family member or employee is confirmed….the next step is getting  your home or business whole again.  

Here are some items to consider before fire damage impacts your life:

What is the most likely and common cause of Fire Damage?

According to FEMA, the top three causes of fires in homes are cooking, heating equipment, and electrical malfunction.

Following cooking safety recommendations, having furnaces and chimneys inspected by a professional, and knowing your electric is up to date and appliances are properly installed and hooked up can assist in limiting unnecessary risk.

More Fire Prevention Tips can be found here: https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Press-Room/Reporters-Guide-to-Fire-and-NFPA/Key-Fire-Safety-Tips

Even if you do everything in your power to minimize your risk, nothing is 100% guaranteed.

What else can be done in advance for fire prevention and safety?

Test your smoke alarms once a month, make a home fire escape plan (and practice it!), and keep fire extinguishers nearby. Having everyone in the household know proper use of the Fire extinguishers will be helpful should they ever need to be used.

To learn More about this Visit: https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/fire

If I have a fire at my home or business, and everyone is safe…what do I do next?

SERVPRO can assist in the next steps to make your property whole again. Our Team of trained professionals can assist with structure stabilization, board ups, and roof tarps. Stabilizing the structure helps with preventing theft and ensure people do not enter the property while there are safety issues present. SERVPRO can provide a scope of work and work with your insurance carrier to establish a game plan for cleaning, inventorying of affected contents, removal of affected building materials and contents, and mitigating the loss to save all that we can. Whether fire, smoke, soot or odor affected one room or an entire property, SERVPRO can provide the solution necessary and act quickly to save time and money in your time of need.

SERVPRO is a 24 hours Emergency Service company, and we will be there when you need us most. Call us locally for all of your emergency service needs, questions, or free quotes.

Sewage Damage and Your Property

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

Sewage damage resulting from a blocked drain in your home or business can be pretty stressful. Blocked drain lines will cause a toilet to back up, as well as obstructed vents which can also cause water from the toilet to drain slowly. In fact, vent problems can contribute to drain blockages, as can tree roots and a septic system in need of servicing. Home or businesses using main sewer lines can also become backed up and cause serious damage inside the home or business.

If you have a backup of sewage or sewage water in your property it will be important to contact your plumber to fix the problem with your drains. The backup can occur in any drain- toilet, sink, and shower.  If you don’t have a plumber on hand, you can call our team and we can help coordinate a preferred plumbing vendor of ours if needed. SERVPRO’s role will be to assess the damage at hand and provide the necessary cleanup services to your property to make it a healthy and safe environment once again.

Sewage damage is considered a Category 3 water loss, which is grossly contaminated water that can potentially cause harm to people or animals that come in contact with it. Sewage damage isn’t always how it appears, at times Cat 3 water looks clear, but is actually highly contaminated. Strong odors typically come hand in hand with sewage back up, and may even be the first sign there is an issue with your drains.

If you have standing sewage, or water of any kind wreaking havoc to your home or business, call in our SERVPRO team of professionals and we will be there to make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Claim Services: Commercial Clients

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

If your business is damaged in a fire, storm or other disaster, the first call you are likely to make is to your insurance provider. The second call, however, should be to certified remediation specialists, like SERVPRO, who offer great claim services. It takes several factors to help you get the money you need to cover the damage to your building.

Timely Response
A crucial part of keeping your costs down following a fire or water claim is a fast emergency response time. This gives you a quick start to the restoration process. The longer your building remains damaged, the more vulnerable it becomes to elevated risks:

• Secondary damage
• Thieves or vandals
• Compromised Structural Integrity

Once technicians arrive, they can assess and record the extent of the damage. They use this information to create a scope of work that will outline the necessary to complete the restoration and the cost of completing services. SERVPRO utilizes industry approved rate schedules to insure proper assessment of your property. You can then use this information to get the claim process started.

Communication

Another vital aspect of quality claim service is continuous communication. SERVPRO keeps both clients and insurance providers in the loop. As tasks are updated to include new information or if your estimate has to be altered, you are kept informed. Our Project Managers will provide daily communication updates on your project. We always do our best to eliminate any “guessing”, there should not be any surprises or unmet expectations throughout our process.

When disaster strikes your commercial property, you need a remediation company you can trust to handle the problem swiftly and transparently. Call our office for any of your commercial needs for Fire, Water, Mold, Biohazard, COVID-19, Post Construction Cleanup, Document Restoration and more.  

Spring Weather & Storm Preparedness

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

Spring is the time of year when many things change, including weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between warm and downright frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Sometimes extreme weather changes can occur even within the same day.

Whenever warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, the possibility for a thunderstorm is present. Although thunderstorms may be “common” in many regions, storms can come on with little to no warning and leave devastating effects. Thunderstorms can bring lightning, heavy rain, hail and high winds. In more extreme conditions even tornadoes can occur.

Because spring weather is so unpredictable, many can be caught unprepared. When severe weather hits unexpectedly, the risk of property damage, personal injury and death increases. So planning ahead makes sense; prepare for storms, floods, and tornadoes as if you know in advance they are coming.
Often by the time we are aware of an approaching storm, we have little if any time to prepare for it. Proactive planning for severe storms can be crucial for both enduring and rebuilding after the storm.  According to the American Red Cross, recommended items to include in your storm planning;

• A battery-operated flashlight, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries for both
• An emergency evacuation or shelter plan, including a map of your home and, for every type of severe weather emergency, routes to safety from each room
• A list of important personal information, including:
• telephone numbers of neighbors, family, and friends
• insurance and property information
• telephone numbers of utility companies
• medical information
• According to the American Red Cross a first aid kit should may include:
• non-latex gloves
• assortment of adhesive bandages
• antibiotic ointment
• sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes
• absorbent compress dressings
• tweezers
• scissors
• adhesive cloth tape
• aspirin packets (81 mg each)
• first aid instruction booklet
• A 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bags

Prepare your family, home or business for the possibility of severe weather. Have a plan to endure the storm. Know who to call to help pick up the pieces. Your local SERVPRO franchise is a 24 hour emergency fire and water mitigation company and ready to assist you. SERVPRO Storm services include but are not limited to:

-Water extraction

-Dehumidification and air filtration services

-Contents cleaning and pack out services

-Structural evaluation and board-up

-Reconstruction planning and services

Dryer Fire Culprits

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than 15,000 home fires per year are caused by clothes dryers. And MOST of these could have been prevented, according to firefighters. The solution? The right products and maintenance.

Unfortunately, dryer fires happen every day. Here are two things you as a homeowner can do to help prevent dryer fires:

One: Clean the lint filter. After every use. Teach your children how to clean it. Everyone in the house should master this super-simple preventative measure.

Two: Have the ducts cleaned annually, because lint still gets past the filter even when clean. Professional duct-cleaners can spot additional dangers, and possibly save your life.

How do dryer fires happen?

Culprit #1: Lint.

Lint is the leading cause of dryer fires. It’s highly flammable, and it’s everywhere. Lint naturally accumulates in your dryer and dryer exhaust system. This buildup makes the dryer work harder for each load and the lint can work its way into the heating element, creating a possible fire hazard. Additionally extra long exhaust hosing and unnecessary elbows can hinder airflow and create restrictive areas for lint to build up.

Culprit #2: Crushed Hoses.

When you push your dryer back to the wall, you may end up accidentally crushing the exhaust hose. When the dryer can’t move the air, the resulting blowback of lint is dangerous. To protect the duct, consider using a dryer box or simply moving the dryer further from the wall. This can prevent bends, folds and dents. Allowing the hot air to move safely through the ducting and out of the house, where it belongs.

Culprit #3: Animals.

External venting creates pre-built “homes” for our animal friends, and they’re more than happy to move in. A cheap plastic or louvered external venting termination can be inviting for nest builders. When the duct is clogged with a nest, the lint can’t blow past, increasing the danger of fire. A good exterior closure like a powder coated, galvanized steel dryer wall vent will deter animals while providing a sleek look for your home.

Unfortunately even the most proactive measures may not be enough. Dryers and other household appliances can still unexpectedly fail, causing damage to your home and personal items. Smoke damage, soot and even the smell after a fire can be incredibly hard to take care of. In the event that you experience a fire situation, call SERVPRO. Your local SERVPRO franchise is highly trained and ready to help. As a 24 hour emergency fire and water clean-up and restoration company, SERVPRO can assess your loss, put a plan in action and help to restore your home and life back to normal. “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO, The Trusted Commercial Mitigation Vendor

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Our Commercial Large Loss Team is here to help. Our Large Loss Response Teams are trained professionals ready to respond to your businesses fire, water, mold or biohazard clean up needs. As a business owner you want to know the proper and fastest steps to mitigate your loss and minimize your business interruption. Following a disaster SERVPRO will help protect your investment and work with you and your carrier to establish a game for services and identify your needs and priorities specific to your businesses.

Our Team has experience in working with municipalities, hotels, property management firms, schools, hospitals, and more. No matter the setting, we listen to our customers and determine what works for them and their needs.

As a business owner, you cannot rely on just any mitigation to be there to help. Call the name that’s known and trusted for over 50 years nationwide, Call SERVPRO.

References and Testimonials available upon Request!

Leaking Water Heater? What to do next.

3/11/2021 (Permalink)

Common causes of water losses in a home are related to appliance malfunction. One of the most common we see are leaking water heaters. Water damage can be minimal or extensive to affect floors, baseboards, and wicking up the walls near by. Many times if the water heater is located in an area that is not seen every day, the unknown leak can cause even more havoc.

Here is what you can do if you discover a leaking a Hot water heater.

Examine the Unit
Puddles in the basement of your home can form for a variety of reasons so be sure to take a close look at your unit to be sure that a leaking water heater is the source of the problem. Be sure to check:

• Pipes above and around the puddle
• Nearby floor drains
• Cracks in walls or floors

Disconnect Power
An electric water heater can be turned off easily by flipping its designated circuit breaker switch to the off position. A gas version will have an on/off switch on its exterior.

Turn Off the Water Source
It is important to get the water supply turned off as quickly as possible. Most water heaters will have a valve located above them. If you cannot access the valve safely, you may need to turn off your home's main water supply instead.

Clean Up
If it is just a small leak quickly found, this could be cleaned up with a mop or towels.  For a large leak or a long-term leak that has just been discovered, be sure to contact specialists trained in repair to ensure a thorough cleanup. Quick and proper cleanup is important to avoid secondary damage such as mold and mildew. A trained SERVPRO Professional can assist with moisture readings, extensive cleanup and proper care of your property.

SERVPRO Legacy and Reorganization

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

This year has brought a few changes to internal organzation. As we continue to grow and change, we are excited to share the update below with our friends and customers. 

As of January 2021, Louis Sepe, President and CEO of SERVPRO of Broome County East, SERVPRO of Broome County West, SERVPRO of Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & SERVPRO of Watkins Glen/Schuyler County transitioned into his new role as Chief Financial Officer.

Lou purchased his first SERVPRO Franchise in 1993, which was then a residential carpet and upholstery cleaning company, operated out of a rented office space. Over time, he followed the SERVPRO system and expanded the business, into what is now four SERVPRO Franchises, specializing in Residential, Commercial & Industrial Fire and Water Damage Clean Up and Restoration.

Louis’s leadership and dedication has led SERVPRO through years of success and expansion in their service areas of Upstate New York. As Chief Financial Officer, Louis will continue to play a vital role in the financial division of the company and contribute to the overall on-going development and continued success of the business.

SERVPRO will continue to remain under the SEPE Family Management. We are proud to announce that Danielle Sepe Yurka is the new President and Chief Executive Officer, Justin Sepe, Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Nicole (Sepe) Travis, Secretary and Chief Administrative Officer, Quinn Sepe, Chief Compliance Officer and Ryan Travis, Chief Information Officer.

As we reflect on the tremendous success of our company over the past 27 years, there is a lot to say for the strategic thinking, vision, industry knowledge, and training which has been the foundation for our company. SERVPRO will continue to be the leaders in Fire & Water Damage Clean Up and Restoration Services and continue to maintain our high quality of standards with our professional staff servicing our customers throughout the region.

What happens to your belongings after a storm?

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

Storm and water damage not only affects a home structure, but also the contents within the home. Whether it’s just furniture, or precious photographs and important documents, SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SEVRPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & Watkins Glen/Schuyler County can help you restore all your contents to preloss condition. We offer five different methods of cleaning your contents:

1. Dry Cleaning – This method is used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to cleaning.
2. Wet Cleaning – This is an effective cleaning method used for removing moderate to heavy residues.
3. Spray & Wipe – Effective for items that cannot withstand cleaning.
4. Foam Cleaning – Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if cleaned.
5. Abrasive Cleaning – Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
6. Immersion Cleaning – The soiled contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water, extreme caution should be taken to help insure the water damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-water damage condition, SERVPRO can save a great deal and minimized additional damage. Depending on the type of documents and the level of water damage, there are five options for the restoration of documents.

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

Call SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & Watkins Glen/Schuyler County at 607-722-2262 to learn more about how we can help restore your items and documents.

Free Moisture Checks by SERVPRO

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

When excessive moisture goes unchecked, it can cause significant damage, allow mold growth and even weaken structural material. Moisture can be absorbed by many different materials which can provide perfect fertile ground for mold to flourish or even pests to nest in. The most typical place for mold to grow and go unnoticed is in the basement of a building. Water usually runs to the lowest available ground, which means basements are the ultimate destination for water to pool, especially after a major flooding event. So, you’re probably wondering how we check for moisture without ripping everything out? Luckily for you and your structure, we have three different moisture meters.

The first is a pin-type meter. This type uses the principle of electrical resistance to measure the moisture content in materials by measuring the conductivity between the two pins.

The second type is a pin-less meter. This is a non-destructive measurement of moisture in wood and other substrates, such as concrete. These meters are commonly used to determine moisture content on a relative scale of 0-100% in concrete subfloors and flooring prior to laying a wood floor or other decorative flooring surface. These types are also commonly used for identifying moisture buildup behind bathroom/shower tiles, under vinyl flooring and other finished surfaces.

The all in one meter offers the option to measure moisture content in substrates using both pin/pin less methods. Because of this, one meter may be able to identify problem areas & then also e used to pin point the exact location where moisture damage or build-up is occurring.

Call SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & Watkins Glen/Schuyler County at 607-722-2262 for your FREE moisture reading!

We really are here 24/7/365!

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

The week before Christmas, we got over forty inches of snow dumped on our community. A week later, and a few degrees warmer, we got a large rainfall that also melted much of the snow – which meant a lot of flooding. Between December 23-December 28 we had over 100 water related losses called into our franchise. Despite the Holidays, we had our production and office staff out assisting our community during their time of need. Estimates were being given, mediation was beginning and the waters began receding.

SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung & Watkins Glen/Schuyler County prioritizes fast response, professionalism and the ability to get the job done. While we offer a plethora of services, we also offer free estimates. Give us a call at 607-722-2262 to schedule an appointment with us today!

Winter Warnings Vs. Watches

1/3/2021 (Permalink)

The labels of storm watches & warnings flash across our screens on a consistent basis, but do you know what each one means?

Winter watches are conditions favorable for a winter storm event, which is a threat to life and/or property. They are issued in advance of the storm, which is usually 24 hours. This indicates the risk of a hazardous winter weather event has increased (at least 50% chance of it occurring), but it’s occurrence, location and/or timing is still uncertain. This alert is intended to provide enough lead time to make plans in order to stay safe.

An advisory is issued for one or more of the following:
                - Snow of 3-5 inches in 12 hours
                - An accumulation of more than ½” of                    sleet
                - Freezing rain with sleet/snow
                - Blowing snow

As the event becomes more imminent, a watch would usually be upgraded to an advisory (which indicates an 80% or greater probability of occurrence.  An advisory indicates conditions that pose a significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten life and/or property.

Warnings are issued for one or more of the following:
                - Heavy snow of 6 inches in 12 hours or 8 inches in 24 hours
                - Sleet of ¼” or more
                - Ice accumulation of ¼” or more
                - Blizzard conditions for at least three                    hours

A warning indicates the conditions pose a threat to life and property, and that travel will become difficult to impossible. These are statements made when there is currently a winter storm occurring or is about to occur in the area.

Protect You Property from the Threat of Water

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. Here are some water damage response tips for clean water situations.

• Shut off the water source if possible, and if it can be done safely.
• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying. Do not put cushion covers in the washing machine.
• Place aluminum foil or wooden blocks under furniture legs.
• Hang furs and leather goods separately at room temperature.
• Remove oriental or other colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Do not use a regular vacuum to remove water.
• Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of areas where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
• Do not leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpeting.

Don’t forget to call SERVPRO for any questions or if you need assistance. There are things you can do to prevent further damage, but we are here for the full scope of work when you need us!

Why SERVPRO? Let's hear what our Customers have to say!

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Chemung & Schuyler counties, we pride ourselves on our professional and respectful production team members. We aim to give our customers peace of mind when they experience an unfortunate disaster. Here is what some of our local customers have to say about our services.

SERVPRO came and worked with us after a leaky pipe flooded our basement... they were professional, efficient, and timely! We definitely recommend them and will use them again in the future if needed!
- Patti M

Recently had a broken radiator pipe that resulted in flooding of 2 floors. The folks at SERVPRO took care of everything! From the cleanup to negotiating with the insurance company to the repair work. They even brought flooring samples to my house so I didn't have to go to the store. Could not be happier with the outcome!
- Wendy A

We had an issue with some mold in two bathrooms of a rental property. They came quickly to assess and then to remediate the issue. Pricing was fair and upfront. Our tenants are satisfied and so are we!
- Janet S

This the 3rd time in the past 10 years that we have used SERVPRO. Each time they came to our rescue. We had a water leak in our ceiling which had travelled behind our basement wall. They were there the very next morning and reassured us that it will be taken care of quickly. They removed part of the wall and the wet insulation. The wall and the flooring was dried over the weekend. Throughout the time, they were very professional and respectful. We will highly recommend them. We would use them again if the need arises. Thank you again for being there for us.
- Deb D

Put a Freeze on Winter Fires

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

Winter holidays are a time for family and friends to get together, but that also means a greater risk for fires.

• Between 2013-2017, U.S Fire Departments responded to an average of 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires cause and average of $10 million in direct property damage annually.
• Of those fires, 44% were the result of lighting equipment and/or electrical distribution.
• One quart of Christmas tree fires are the result of some type of heat source, such as a candle, that was too close to the tree.

While trees may seem like the main culprit of home fires, the U.S Fire Department responded to an average of 780 home structure fires per year that began with JUST decorations, which excludes Christmas trees.

• These fires caused an annual average of $12 million in direct property damage.
• On average, 22 home candle fires were reported each day.
• While thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, Christmas Eve and Christmas day follow right behind.

While these risks are scary, there are plenty of ways to minimize these risks, such as placement of the tree (away from fireplaces and sunny windows) and keeping the tree watered thoroughly.

As the holiday season moves into full swing, SERVPRO reminds homeowners to take common sense precautions based on a clear understanding of the potential danger to help prevent holiday traditions from turning into a holiday nightmare. For more fire prevention tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, please call us at (607) 722-2262.

www.nfpa.com

If Disaster Strikes..Is your business Ready?

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know that 50% of businesses fail after a major disaster that causes significant business interruptions? Of the businesses that do survive, a staggering majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.

The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan refers to a set of steps, guidelines and important contacts that will help you continue to your normal day-to-day business after an unplanned disaster. The profile document only contains the critical information needed in the event of an emergency, which is also available on a user friendly, easily accessible app. By having vital valve shut offs outlined and emergency contact information on hand, you are able to reduce business interruptions and have an instant plan of action.

While you can never predict when disaster strikes, you can always anticipate and be prepared. The Emergency Ready Profile is a no-cost assessment of your facility, and will contain all the information necessary for SERVPRO to begin mitigation and recovery services as quick as possible.

Plan to be “Ready for whatever happens” with SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & Watkins Glen/Schuyler County. Call us today for a free ERP consultation and evaluation. 607-722-2262

Turkeys shouldn't be terrifying

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

Turkey Fryer Fire

The Thanksgiving holiday should be a day of relaxation and great food, but sometimes preparing that big bird can turn into a disaster very quickly. Deep frying turkeys have recently become an increasingly popular way to cook that grand meal but come with an increased likelihood of injury and destruction.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, deep fryers cause more than $15 million in property damage each year. It’s important to carefully examine the risks of using a deep fryer to cook a turkey, and know some of the main causes of these accidents.

1. As the turkey is placed in the hot oil, the oil can spill over.
2. Fryers can easily be tipped over.
3. Most fryers do not have an automatic thermostat control, therefore the oil can overheat and combust.
4. One of the United States' top safety consulting companies refuse to safety certify any turkey fryers due to the increasing numbers of fires and burn injuries related to their use.

While these all seem scary, there are many ways to still get that crisp turkey skin while keeping yourself, others, and structures safe.

Never use a fryer in a garage! Always use the fryer outdoors and away from flammable materials and structures. Never leave the fryer unattended, and keep children away from the fryer even if it’s not in use. Make sure that the turkey is completely thawed before lowering it into the oil. It’s imperative that you keep a fire extinguisher nearby, and never use water to put out a grease fire.

All of the team members here at SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung and Watkins Glen/Schuyler Counties want to keep you safe during the holiday seasons and are here for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Give us a call at 607-722-2262.

Your Property and Getting Ready for Winter

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

The cold is finally here, which means increased risk in potential damages happening within your properties. Here at SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung and Watkins Glen/Schuyler Counties want to offer you some tips that can help you winterize your homes and businesses in order to minimize any damages or losses that can occur in a moment’s notice.

It’s important to professionally maintain your heating and air conditioning units throughout the year, but winter is the time to take the extra step to make sure your heating system is prepared for overdrive. Problems such as an airlock, thermostat issues, leakage, and dripping may mean the system is not running efficiently. If your property has heating ducts, check them to see if the insulation needs to be replaced. While you should be cleaning and replacing your furnace filters every three months, winter is the prime time to change those out as clogged and dirty filters can restrict airflow, resulting in the system working harder than it should.

Make sure that you test all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors around the property. Regularly replacing batteries for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is a good practice for winter preparedness.

Drain outside faucets. They are completely unprotected from the elements and can freeze over the winter which could split the water line well inside the property – flooding a basement. Not to mention the potential of extreme leaks occurring. Frozen pipes that burst are one of the biggest cause of property loss and damage during the winter.

Check the trees surrounding your property, and make sure that they are healthy so the possibility of them falling on a structure is minimized. Trim the branches close to the siding and windows so there are no ice-covered branches near them.

Clean the gutters and ensure that the roof is in a good condition in case it has to handle heavy snowfall.

Severe winter weather can lead to property damage, injury, and possible business closure. At SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung and Watkins Glen/Schuyler Counties, were here to make sure that you are prepared and in good hands, through the rain, snow, and sun, 24/7! Give us a call at 607-722-2262 for free estimates and other professional services.

Moisture Control

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

At least 45 million buildings in the US have unhealthy levels of mold, and mold destroys more woods than all the fire and termites combined. Mold can grow on virtually any type of substance as long as moisture, water, oxygen, and an organic source are present. They can gradually damage building materials and furnishings if left unchecked and cause structural damage to a wood-framed building, weakening floors and walls.

Mold needs moisture to grow, so it’s important to prevent excess moisture. Moisture problems in buildings can be linked to leaky pipes, roof damage, landscaping or gutters that direct water into or under a building, or an unvented combustion appliance. Even delayed, improper or insufficient maintenance of HVAC systems can result in elevated humidity levels inside a building.

Moisture control is the key to control mold, so any initial water infiltration should be stopped and cleaned promptly. A quick response (within 24-48 hours), thorough clean-up, and removal of damaged materials prevent and limit mold growth. Simply killing the mold is not enough. Since the chemicals and proteins are present even in dead mold, it’s essential that the mold be removed.

Luckily, SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & Watkins Glen/Schuyler County are your trusted and certified mold remediation specialists.

Give us a call for a free estimate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! 607-722-2262.

Cleaning & Disinfecting Professionals

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

During this unprecedented time marked by the global pandemic of coronavirus, SERVPRO of Broome County , Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/ Chemung County & SERVPRO of Watkins Glen/ Schuyler County want to remind our customers we are specialists in cleaning services. As a professional team, we strictly adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards derived by industry leaders for over 25 years.

To date, there is no specific proven protocol to eradicate the virus from frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, kitchen counters & bathrooms. However, the CDC is encouraging the use of hospital-grade, EPA registered disinfectants that are typically used to remove certain pathogens. SERVPRO offers different “levels” of disinfecting that can accomplish the specific needs of a commercial client.

Level 1 disinfection entails fogging/electrostatic spraying of surfaces only, without any manual cleaning services. 

The level 2 disinfecting protocol incorporates the electrostatic spraying of surfaces with additional high touch point and surface cleaning. High tough surfaces can include counters, tables, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, phones, computer equipment, desks, furniture etc.  Cleanup of high touch surfaces is required for a situation involving a person who is suspected to have COVID-19 or a Person Under Investigation. 

Enhanced cleanup is required for an area in which a person who has been confirmed positive for COVID-19 has inhabited. This may in included Level 1 and 2 cleaning and disinfecting, along with cleaning of all nonporous and porous surfaces. This enhanced cleaning includes up to 8 feet of wall cleaning, but excludes ceilings.

Reach out to SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, Elmira/ Chemung County & Watkins Glen/ Schuyler County today to schedule your free COVID-19 disinfecting estimate.

Faster to Any Size Disaster

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

Faster to any size water damage

Flooding and water damage at any commercial property can are often be difficult with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we're dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In some instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Most office buildings have a kitchen or break room. And typically these rooms have a refrigerator, a sink disposer or possibly a dishwasher. When these appliances fail, they can leak a significant amount of water, flooding the entire room or more.

Bathrooms are another source of possible problems. It is not uncommon for the sewer lines to get backed up, releasing contaminated water into the building. This type of water damage is extremely dangerous because the water is filled with hazardous waste and other contaminants. Bathroom toilet supply lines are also notorious culprits of water damage.

Broken or cracked pipes are very common in commercial buildings, especially as they age. When these pipes burst open, water rushes out of them, spraying throughout the building. This can cause damage to the ceiling, walls, and flooring, not to mention any furniture or electronics that get in the water’s way.

Water damage isn’t something that you want to happen on your commercial property, but when it does, you want to hire the right company to clean up the damage and get your business back to normal as quickly as possible. Call SERVPRO today to put a disaster response plan in place.

Locally Owned & Operated

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins, and Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & Watkins Glen/Schuyler County is locally owned and operated by members of the area, and have continually aided the community in disaster restoration and clean-up for over 25 years.

Most insurers prefer companies with The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certifications (IICRC) as they demonstrate knowledge, confidence, and safety, as well as sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Your locally owned and operated SERVPRO team is mindful of legal and environmental concerns, restore affected areas and items to preloss condition while working within budgetary constraints.

Our professional production team consists of over 35 employees trained in IICRC certifications such as Commercial Drying (CDS), Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), Health & Safety (HST), Odor Control (OCS), and dozens more. On top of the certifications, our team has access to continuing their education on their own time as they progress within our company. This keeps the staff and even the office staff up to date on industry standards and the professional quality you expect.

While we specialize in fire, water, and mold clean-up and restoration, we also specialize in document restoration and recovery, HVAC cleaning, lead renovation services, and much more. Our franchise services all types of commercial and residential properties, as well as government, educational, and health facilities.

Call us today to find out why your local SERVPRO is ranked in the top 30 franchises out of 1,800+ across the country! 607-722-2262

Thunderstorm & Tornado Safety

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

Tornado and Lightning Strike Hard

Why worry about thunderstorms?

• Lightning
• Tornadoes
• Straight-line winds
• Flash floods and floods
• Hail

A thunderstorm affects a relatively small area when compared to a hurricane or a winter storm. The typical thunderstorm is 15 miles in diameter and lasts an average of 30 minutes. Despite their small size, ALL thunderstorms are dangerous! Of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms that occur each year in the United States, about 10 percent are classified as severe.

Who's Most At-Risk from Thunderstorms?

From tornadoes, people who are in mobile homes our outdoors.

From lightning, people who are outdoors  or anyone who stays outdoors when thunderstorms are nearby.

From flash flooding, people who walk or drive through flood waters.

From large hail, people who are caught outdoors.

Be Prepared

Each year, many people are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and severe thunderstorms despite advance warning. Some did not hear the warning; others heard the warning but did not believe it would happen to them. The following preparedness information, combined with timely severe weather watches and warnings, may save your life. If you hear a warning or observe threatening skies, only YOU can make the decision to seek safety. This could be the most important decision you will ever make.

Develop a plan for you and your family at home, work, school and when outdoors. The American Red Cross offers tips at redcross.org, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at ready.gov.

When Dangerous Weather Approaches

Avoid the Lightning Threat

• Have a lightning safety plan. Know where you'll go for safety and how much time it will take to get there. Make sure your plan allows enough time to reach safety.
• Postpone activities. Before going outdoors, check the forecast for thunderstorms. Consider postponing activities to avoid being caught in a dangerous situation.
• Monitor the weather. Look for signs of a developing thunderstorm such as darkening skies, flashes of lightning or increasing wind.
• Get to a safe place. If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, immediately move to a safe place. When thunder roars, go indoors! Fully enclosed buildings with wiring and plumbing provide the best protection. Sheds, picnic shelters, tents or covered porches do not protect you from lightning. If a sturdy building is not nearby, get into a hard-topped metal vehicle and close all the windows. Stay inside until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder.
• If you hear thunder, don't use a corded phone. Cordless phones, cell phones and other wireless handheld devices are safe to use.
• Keep away from electrical equipment, wiring and water pipes. Sensitive electronics should be unplugged well in advance of thunderstorms. Don't take a bath, shower or use other plumbing during a thunderstorm.

When Caught Outside During Thunder

There is no safe place outside during a thunderstorm. Plan ahead to avoid this dangerous situation! If you're outside and hear thunder, the only way to significantly reduce your risk of becoming a lightning casualty is to get inside a substantial building or hard-topped metal vehicle as fast as you can. Remember, there is no substitute for getting to a safe place.

• Avoid open areas and stay away from isolated tall trees, towers or utility poles. Do not be the tallest object in the area. Lightning tends to strike the tallest objects in the area.
• Stay away from metal conductors such as wires or fences. Metal does not attract lightning, but lightning can travel long distances through it.

Top 10 safety tips for working in the heat!

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

The Temperature is rising. Stay Cool!

As summer approaches and the days get longer, the dangers of working outside during hot weather also increases. Knowing how to work safely in hot weather can help prevent heat stress injuries and heat stroke.  According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), heat stroke is the most serious heat-related disorder and occurs when the body can no longer control its temperature. The body temperature can rise to 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within 10 to 15 minutes and heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.  Other heat-related disorders include heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rash.

Be prepared for the hot weather with these tips!

Ten Hot Weather Safety Tips:

1. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids; drink about 16 ounces before starting and 5 to 7 ounces every 15 or 20 minutes.
2. Avoid dehydrating liquids. Alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks can hurt more than help.
3. Wear protective clothing. Lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing helps protect against heat. Change clothing if it gets completely saturated.
4. Pace yourself. Slow down and work at an even pace. Know your own limits and ability to work safely in heat.
5. Schedule frequent breaks. Take time for rest periods and water breaks in a shaded or air conditioned area.
6. Use a damp rag. Wipe your face or put it around your neck.
7. Avoid getting sunburn. Use sunscreen and wear a hat if working outside.
8. Be alert to signs of heat-related illness. Know what to look for and check on other workers that might be at high risk.
9. Avoid direct sun. Find shade or block out the sun if possible.
10. Eat smaller meals. Eat fruits high in fiber and natural juice. Avoid high protein foods.

Now that you know how to 'beat the heat', here's to hoping you stay healthy and cool this summer!

SERVPRO: HERE FOR YOU 24/7

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Here to help, anytime, day or night.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours, why would we? As your local SERVPRO we pride ourselves on our proximity and response times, during your emergency. Every second counts (and costs), we know that, and we make it our duty to not waste even one.

Emergencies happen. They can be unpredictable. They can be scary. They can be beat.

SERVPRO’s team of highly trained employees never stop preparing. Each and every SERVPRO team member has been thoroughly trained on fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation before stepping foot into the field. Together we can beat your emergency.

The fast response times by our highly trained employees are only possible because of our state of the art Fleet of response vehicles. Our fleet of cars, vans, pickup trucks, flatbed trucks, dumpsters trucks, and trailers, provide a vessel outfitted for your specific needs ready at the turn of a key.

We put the best people, in the best locations, and give them the best resources because our clients deserve nothing but the, you guessed it, best.

Local flood alerts: stay tuned!

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Car flooding

This month marks the National Weather Safety's (NWS) Annual Flood Safety Awareness . The National Weather safety will be teaming with NOAA and FEMA to provide awareness and safety to help prepare America for the single most damaging water related event. For those who are not aware The NWS is America’s Hero, providing support efforts and important prevention information to those at risk of experiencing the effects of a disaster from sea to shining sea. Similar to SERVPRO, The NWS exists to provide one sole purpose. To provide support and relief to those we serve.

Flood preparedness is not optional when living here in the Southern Tier. Our long term residents know firsthand the disastrous effects of Flash Flooding. Within the last decade we have experienced two catastrophic floods, the first in 2006 and the second in 2011. The flood caused from Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 forced 20,000 (NY Times) residents to evacuate their homes and find refuge outside the flood zone. Local University SUNY Binghamton even housed 1,700 residents displaced from their homes in its events center and used it’s west gym as a medical emergency unit, caring for 100 critically injured flood victims (NY Times). Unfortunately flooding is too common and unpreventable by the residents. Because they are guaranteed to happen and unpreventable in nature, being prepared for such an event is absolutely critical. SERVPRO will be here for relief efforts after the event, however it is your responsibility to ensure that when a flood does strike that you are not caught without a plan.

Knowledge is power. Binghamton’s National Weather service has dedicated each day this week to a different flood related topic.

We highly recommend that you educate yourself on the different topics. Here’s the “sparknotes” version: but reading the full piece could literally be a matter of life or death come the time of an emergency.

Prepare: Know what you’re up against

Flooding Hazards that affect Broome County of New York State:

-Flash Floods

-River Flooding

-Snowmelt

-Tropical Systems and Coastal Flooding

Be Aware: Stay Informed

Use resources to always be aware of what the conditions are around you.

Final words from SERVPRO:

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”- Benjamin Franklin

SERVPRO Scientists; The science of drying

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Flooded Commercial Building

Flooding is common. Especially in Upstate NY. We’ve seen our fair share of epic floods in 2006 and 2011. That’s why SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties is certified when it comes to our drying techniques. The knowledge of psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water damaged structure to its preloss condition. We know your first inclination is to grab the roll of paper towels and a fan, but that could create secondary damages. That’s when you know to call in the SERVPRO team.

When your business is facing water damage, our certified professionals will

• Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet, to help prevent secondary damage from happening

• 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

Your local SERVPRO professionals (US!) specialize in water damage restoration. We use the very latest technology to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Fireline Ultrasonic Contents Cleaning Systems

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Contents Cleaning

Have you or has someone you know experienced a fire or smoke damage to their home or business? Let us shed a little light on the system that SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties uses to bring your contents back to new. The Fireline Ultrasonic Contents Cleaning System is an assembly line process to quickly clean customer's contents following fire or smoke damage or other related disaster. The Fireline's systematic approach to contents restoration has emerged as the industry model and continues to set the standard for efficiency. 

At SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties we can now safely restore instead of replace your damaged contents. The Fireline System can clean to near pristine condition, much of your personal and sentimental contents. You would never know that your contents had been through a fire or smoke loss. Having the ability to restore your contents will provide you not only with peace of mind, but a timely turnout of your belongings and a cost savings for the client as well as the insurance company. 

While utilizing the Fireline System, our expertise in contents restoration enables us to offer a total solution that provides increased customer satisfaction. Employees that work in the Fireline Systems Center are all trained and certified to work in restoring contents as a result of a fire, smoke, water or mold loss. The staff at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is highly trained in property damage restoration. From the initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's corporate training facility to industry certifications such as the Clean Trust (IICRC), rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property and contents. 

When choosing SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, you are choosing a company who understands the stress and worry that comes with devastation. Having our employees at your door with understanding, along with the knowledge and training to back their work will be invaluable.

Signs of a water damage

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

Water leak in ceiling

Purchasing a home is one of the biggest investments you will make in your lifetime. In order to protect that investment, you should be aware of the following signs for household problems and address them before they get worse.

One of the biggest problems to a homeowner is water damage. If left unattended, water damage can deteriorate the structure or cause secondary damage, including mold growth. Here are some things to look for:

1. Floor damage
No matter what kind of flooring you have, it will show signs of water damage. For tile and wood, look for cracked, buckling or warped flooring. When it comes to carpet, look for damp spots or the smell of mold and dampness.

2. Stains
Water stains on the floor, as well as stains on ceilings and walls, are some of the most obvious signs of water damage. Cracks in the drywall may suggest an issue. Peeling paint is another sign of water within wall cavities.

3. Inspect Outdoors                                        Check the exterior of your house. Look for pools of water that can signify poor drainage, or leaky rain gutters. Any of those issues could threaten the foundation of your house. Common signs of water damage on the roof may include pools of water; cracked, curled or missing shingles; or broken flashing.

4. Rust and Mold
Inspect your water heater and check for rust on the tank or damp spots on the floor. A rusted tank could indicate a slow leak. When water stagnates, mold and bacteria can grow, producing a musty, unpleasant smell. 

Being aware of these signs are the first step to being prepared. If you see any of these signs in your home, get the issue taken care of, before it worsens. If you need assistance with moisture readings, or visual inspections, we are here to help 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

Call your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional (607) 722-2262.

Most Common Fire Hazards

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

Overloaded power strip

Fire Damage Cleanup & Restoration is one of our primary services. No matter the season, a fire can begin by one of the most common ways listed below. Stay aware and know what to look for according to Wikipedia.

• Kitchen fires from unattended cooking, grease fires/chip pan fires
• Electrical systems that are overloaded, poorly maintained or defective
• Combustible storage areas with insufficient protection
• Combustibles near equipment that generates heat, flame, or sparks
• Candles and other open flames
• Smoking (Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, lighters, etc.)
• Equipment that generates heat and utilizes combustible materials
• Flammable liquids and aerosols
• Flammable solvents (and rags soaked with solvent) placed in enclosed trash cans
• Fireplace chimneys not properly or regularly cleaned
• Cooking appliances - stoves, ovens
• Heating appliances - fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, furnaces, boilers, portable heaters, solid fuels
• Household appliances - clothes dryers, curling irons, hair dryers, refrigerators, freezers, boilers
• Chimneys that concentrate creosote 
• Electrical wiring in poor condition
• Leaking/ defective batteries
• Personal ignition sources - matches, lighters
• Electronic and electrical equipment
• Exterior cooking equipment - barbecue

Hoping these help you and your family stay fire safe. Know what causes fires, so you can avoid them.

If you experience a fire in your home and need assistance with the clean up & restoration, please call us. We are always here and happy to help!

SERVPRO; The Cleaning Experts

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Cleaning Experts

SERVPRO 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 Today for a Proactive Cleaning

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

(607) 722-2262

www.SERVPRObroomecounty.com 

Specialty Services for Police & Fire Departments

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Fire fighter

SERVPRO is a 24/7 Emergency Service Company for Fire/Water, Mold and Specialty Cleanup Services.

We work hand in hand with our communities first responders and can assist Police & Fire Departments with many services. They include:

1-4-8: Timely response, communication & action. 

Emergency Board Up: SERVPRO offers assistance for roofs, windows, doors & Structures following a fire loss or vandalism.

Restore vs. Replace: Our goal is to salvage restorable personal items to reduce recovery time & costs.

Bio-hazard & Vandalism: SERVPRO offers cleaning services for police stations, cells & emergency vehicles.

Deodorization: Proper removal of smoke residues & deposits can help prevent permanent content damage & resurfacing odors. 

Fire Department Turnout gear & Police Uniform Cleaning: We are certified under NFPA 1851 guidelines to clean, restore and visually inspect full fire gear ensembles and PPE, especially following heavy soiling. Our Esporta wash system can disinfect up to 99.9% for odor, mold, viruses, bacteria & bloodborne pathogens.

We are locally owned and operated and have been serving our community and surrounding counties for over 26 years. Let us bring our top notch service to you in your time of need and show you why SERVPRO is the #1 nationally recognized cleanup & restoration company.

Call us today to start the relationship!

(607) 722-2262

Steps to Restore Fire, Smoke and Soot Damage

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

This is a closeup photo of smoke damage above an entryway walking into a dining room.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to restore your home or business after a fire? Below are the detailed steps we would take to make it "Like it never even happened." 

• Step 1- Structural Cleaning 

After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Your experienced local SERVPRO Franchise Professional will pretest to determine the extent of damage, and then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different surfaces found in your structure. Depending on the amount of soot, your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional may even be able to reduce the cost of recovery by cleaning lighter soot deposits found on some surfaces, eliminating the expense incurred with repainting or refinishing. In other cases, SERVPRO will clean to "prepare for painting." This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface. 

• Step 2- Contents Cleaning

All of the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals begin by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics in the structure to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can provide wet or dry cleaning services. Additionally, all the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition. This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, bric-a-brac and much more. Finally, SERVPRO can provide an inventory list of all "to be claimed" items if requested. 

• Step 3- Deodorization 

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals do not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance, they seek out the sources of the odor and remove them. Ask your SERVPRO Franchise Professional to explain the various deodorization methods available and which will work best for you.

When it comes to your home or business, getting you back to normal quickly is our first priority. Trust the most recognized restoration vendor in the world, trust the SERVPRO professionals! 

Your local SERVPRO is only a phone call away, call (607) 722-2262 if you experience a situation where we can help. When fire takes control of your life, we help you take it back.

Know the Flood Terms

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

Flood Watch

During a local emergency, it can be challenging to stay up to date on the terms being used for flooding.

Learn the terms listed below so you know what level of preparedness you should take.

Flood Watch: Flooding is possible. Listen to weather radio, commercial radio, or TV for information.

Flash Flood Watch: Flash Flooding is possible. Be prepared to move to higher ground; listen to weather radio, commercial radio, or TV for information.

Flood Warnings: Flooding is occurring or will occur soon; if advised to evacuate, do so immediately. 

Flash Flood Warnings: A flash flood is occurring; seek higher ground on foot immediately. 

Floods are ranked as one of the most common and widespread natural disasters in the United States. Whether you live near a coastline, along city streets or in the mountains, near a river or even in the desert, there is potential for suffering flood damage. According to the NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program), houses in the United Stated have a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30 year mortgage. 

Be prepared, be alert and know the terms!

If you experience a flood situation in your home or business, your local SERVPRO franchise professionals can help. We are available 24 hours a day to serve you when the need, or the water rises. Call us today to learn more! (607) 722-2262

Commercial Construction Cleanup

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Construction

SERVPRO helps ensure your finished projects always look their best. We can provide a thorough cleaning after construction is complete at your home or business.

What is Post Construction Cleaning?

Once the floors are down and the drywall is up, its time to remove the debris and dirt in order to lay the carpet, paint and decorate. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can provide the debris removal services to prepare the building for interior design. 

Final Cleaning services are when you want the facility to look its best when the doors open. Your local SERVPRO Franchise Professionals provide cleaning services to give the building that extra shine. These services include showcase carpet cleaning; hard floor cleaning; ceiling walls and fixture cleaning; deodorization; air duct cleaning; debris removal; window cleaning. 

Is your building trapping moisture during construction? Excessive moisture could result in mold growth. We can provide Dehumidification and Drying services to help you eliminate moisture and prevent the potential for mold growth. 

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the training and tools necessary to help you during your project. Call us today for a discussion on how we can help. (607) 722-2262

FAQ's about Lead

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

Old Lead Paint

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in the pre-1978 properties, child care facilities and schools be certified by the EPA. 

FACTS ABOUT LEAD

• Lead based paint was used in more than 38 million properties until it was banned for residential use in 1978.
• Lead can affect children's brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ, learning disabilities and behavioral problems.
• Lead is also harmful to adults and the elderly. 
• In most cases, lead-based paint that is in good condition is not a hazard.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF?

• Clean up paint chips immediately.
• Regularly clean floors, window sills and other surfaces.
• Thoroughly rinse sponges and mop heads after cleaning dirty or dusty areas. 
• Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tacking in lead from soil.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals are aware of the guidelines involving lead paint and will take the necessary precautions according to current laws. Your local SERVPRO has been trained and certified to follow lead-safe work practices while performing renovation and repair projects in your area. Call us today if you have any concerns regarding Lead exposure. Our team is here for you, and ready to help! (607) 722-2262

Bio-Hazard, Vandalism and Crime Scene Remediation & Cleanup

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

Bio-Hazard symbol for hazardous materials.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals offer, fast, reliable Bio-hazard, vandalism, and crime scene cleanup and remediation services to commercial and residential property owners. 

Your local SERVPRO is trained to safely and effectively remove hazardous biological substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA and state and local health regulations. Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, we can help turn an unsafe environment into a clean, safe home or business. We can assist with cleaning and disinfecting:

• Blood-borne Pathogens
• Emerging Viral Pathogens
• Methamphetamine Labs
• Crime Scene Residues
• Arson
• Vandalism
• Sewage backups
• Black water Intrusions

Blood-borne Pathogens 

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue, and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime or death. Trained SERVPRO Franchise Professionals thoroughly clean, disinfect, and deodorize the structure.

Methamphetamine Labs

Many of the chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs, such as methamphetamine, are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals follow applicable federal and state guidelines to clean all surfaces.

Sewage Backup

Sewage backups and black water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits-these damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals remove the sewage, contaminants, and moisture, disinfecting as they clean.

Your local SERVPRO is trained to adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards, making us the number one choice locally for cleanup and restoration. We are open 24 hours a day to be "Ready for Whatever Happens."

SERVPRO is Essential

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Here to Help

What a week in the world of SERVPRO. One thing is for certain, nothing is certain at this time. Being an Emergency Response team in a time where the whole world is in crisis, is an interesting place to be. 

One thing we know, SERVPRO teams are essential to the recovery efforts. We are proud to be on the front lines assisting the most critical properties in our communities infrastructure.

Assisting these clients and their properties on a daily basis is what we were designed to do. We dedicate ourselves to continuous training and top notch customer service to ensure the best results.

We will get through this, and we will be better for it. Our communities have pulled together to support our senior citizens, the residents and our school children. It is amazing to see how many people step up in a time of turmoil and we are so lucky to have the support of one another.

Let's hold onto this moving forward, and remember that we are all on the same team.

Stay safe, stay healthy and know that we are always here to help.

Be flood-smart - Reduce your risk

3/20/2020 (Permalink)

Stay informed and stay prepared

Ready.gov has great tips on how to be flood smart and reduce your risk of being unprepared. See below for some suggestions on how to be better prepared this spring storm season. 

A flood does not have to be a catastrophic event to bring high out-of-pocket costs, and you don’t have to live in a high-risk flood area to suffer flood damage. Around twenty percent of flood insurance claims occur in moderate-to-low-risk zones. Property owners should remember: ? The time to prepare is now. Visit ready.gov/floods for more on family preparedness for flood and other emergencies.

There are a number of steps individuals and families can take to better prepare themselves for flooding and reduce their risks. Remember to have a family evacuation plan, put an emergency kit together, and keep important papers and valuables in a safe, dry place. Gather supplies in case of a storm, strengthen your home against damage, and review your insurance coverages.

Only flood insurance covers flood damage. Most standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. Remember: it typically takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect, so get your policy now.. Visit floodsmart.gov (or call 1-800-427-2419) to learn more about individual flood risk, explore coverage options, and to find an agent in your area.

Before A Flood

Practice your family emergency plan. Plan and practice flood evacuation routes from home, work, and school that are on higher ground.

Conduct a thorough home inventory. Thorough documentation of your belongings will help you file your flood insurance claim. For more information, visit http://www.ready.gov/insurance-vitalrecords.

Your local SERVPRO restoration specialists are happy to serve you 24 hours a day/7 days a week. If you experience a flood damage in your home or business, please call (607) 722-2262.

2020 SERVPRO Vision

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial building in downtown Binghamton

2020 has been a year of growth, expansion and exciting times already, and we are only 3 months in!

We are proud to announce that we have expanded into 2 new counties surrounding our existing service area. We are now SERVPRO of Broome County, SERVPRO of Tompkins & Tioga Counties and SERVPRO of Elmira/Chemung County & SERVPRO of Watkins Glen/Schuyler County.

We are so excited to have the opportunity to share our knowledge of the restoration industry with commercial and residential property owners in those counties.

As a Commercial Large Loss Division who has been in business for over 27 years, we service the following kinds of commercial properties:

• Schools
• Colleges/Universities
• Hospitals
• Libraries
• Government Municipalities
• Manufacturing Plants
• Apartment buildings
• Senior Living Centers
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Industrial Properties
• And more...

We are available 24 hours a day to service you, and are only a phone call away. Please visit our website to see what types of services we can provide to you. www.SERVPRObroomecounty.com.

We look forward to serving you!

SERVPRO: Here to Help our Local Businesses

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Project Manager, Connor with Clients following a fire damage at their business. Here to Help.

Small businesses today are a crucial part of America’s economy from the goods and services they produce to the people they employ. There are many forces that could interrupt a small business operation in a day…things such as natural disasters, a fire, or a serious water damage.

If there was something that could be done to protect your business in advance would you do it? While we can’t prevent a Natural Disaster from happening, we can plan for them. We can know our risk, and know what to do if something happened. When it comes to man-made disasters such as broken pipes and electrical fires, we can plan for them, know who to call, and know how to react quickly.

It is our goal here at SERVPRO to assist small and large businesses in being prepared. If a small business is affected by fire or water, be it a storm event or man-made disaster we will do our best to minimize downtime, business interruption and keep America working.

Having a plan in place for disaster SIGNIFICANTLY impacts the likelihood of recovery. If you don’t have a plan in place for your businesses and not sure where to start, consider working with SERVPRO to develop a plan for free. Visit our site below to learn more, or call one of our trained personnel to work with you. 607-722-2262. We are here to help.

When it comes to Commercial Fire, Water, Mold, or Storm Damage- Call SERVPRO of Broome County, Tompkins & Tioga Counties & SERVPRO of Elmira/ Chemung County & Watkins Glen/ Schuyler County our trained professionals are here for you.

https://ready.SERVPRO.com/

Spring Forward with Preparedness!

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Spring flowers growing despite the snow

Well, it is almost time to spring forward and gain an extra hour of sunlight! March brings many things, including longer days, warmer temperature (sometimes) and unpredictable weather.

Living in upstate NY, we always get hit with one more snow storm just when we think we are on the path to spring. Checking the farmer's almanac, here is what we can expect up north. According to weather folklore, if March “comes in like a lion, it goes out like a lamb.” This seems to hold true again this March. Even though the weather is supposed to get increasingly warmer, there may still be a mid-March snowstorm to send us on our way. There is even a possibility that we may have snow on our first day of spring. March 19th is the earliest spring we've ever had!

Although the weather is ever-changing, one thing that can stay constant is how prepared you are for any kind of weather. Check out your farmers almanac and see what you're hometown may experience this spring and summer. Be like your local SERVPRO restoration team and be, "Ready for whatever happens" this spring!

Is a Water damage an Emergency?

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial Water Damage in office setting.

Having a water damage in your home or business is a very stressful situation. Many things can go through your mind, but how do you know if it is an Emergency? If no one is injured, then by definition it is not considered a "true" emergency and 911 usually does not need to be called.

However, it could still be an emergency in regards to your property. The longer that water sits on the building materials, the more possibility there is that secondary damage will occur. Water can seep into wall crevices and down through the floors below. If it is not cleaned up and dried out properly, then the potential for mold growth is high. 

If you walk in and see water pouring into your home or business, step 1 is to find the main water shutoff, and to shutoff the water.

Also be very aware of these other things that may be affected and could be a potential hazard, such as the Electricity supply, Gas supply, Water damaged electrical appliances, Contaminated water (gasoline, chemicals, etc.) or Structural damage.

So if you don't call 911, who do you call?

• Local SERVPRO Restoration professionals
• Insurance Agent
• Insurance Company 

We work hand in hand with your insurance company to act fast, so we can get your home or business back to normal. We are available 24 hours a day to address these water emergencies. When it comes to water damage, don't take chances. Call your local SERVPRO franchise professionals and get the damage taken care of the right way, the first time.

Visit our website for more information on Water Damage Restoration and how we can help.

www.SERVPRObroomecounty.com 

Cleaning Fire & Smoke Damage

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Ceiling Cleaning of smoke damage on an aerial lift.

SERVPRO Professionals are highly trained and have the resources necessary for cleaning smoke and fire damage inside homes and businesses. Not every smoke damage is the same. SERVPRO determines the best cleaning method to use based on the type of smoke that was produced during the fire. The type of smoke residue is determined by the origin of the fire, and what was burned during the fire. There are 4 main types of Smoke Residue:

Wet Smoke (Plastic & Rubber): Low heat, smoldering pungent Odor, stick, smeary, and smoke webs. This type of smoke is difficult to clean. If not cleaned properly more damage could be created.

Dry Smoke (Paper & Wood): Fast burning, high temperatures, hear rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Smoke: This is produced by evaporation of material rather than fire. This is basically invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. Commonly seen with cooking fires.

Fuel Oil Smoke (Furnace Puff backs): Caused by burning oil, and oil-based substances. This smoke can damage furniture and flooring if not taken care of quickly.

Other Types: SERVPRO specializes in all types of cleanup including Fire Extinguisher dust and finger printing powder.

Don’t wait. If your home or business is affected by fire, smoke, or even smoke odor- call SERVPRO. We will be there!

IICRC Trained and Certified Employees

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

IICRC Certified

Property restoration includes a wide area of services all with the primary purpose of cleaning of damage and messes caused by flooding and excess moisture, fire smoke and soot, mold, biohazard, and severe weather such as tornadoes, hurricanes, hail and more. Property Restorers want to protect fragile properties against further damages.

Although property restoration professionals may have training and expertise in specialized areas, most are required to have met some certifications. The IICRC, or Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration, is a certification organization that sets standards for the related industries. The IICRC is recognized by the insurance industry and restoration professionals as the global standard for restoration.

What Is the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration?

The IICRC is a third-party certification agency that also oversees the training and education of restoration and cleanup technicians. Some of the classes that technicians study includes fire and water restoration, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, and structural drying. Technicians may also earn certificates in mold remediation, restorative drying, and tarping services. If performing work with biohazards, special training courses must be completed.

What Is Mitigation?

Mitigation is an important element of cleaning and restoration services. The goal of mitigation is to reduce losses by limiting the effect of disasters. When a property has been damaged by flooding or fires, it may seem that the extent of damages is complete. However, secondary damages are often a possibility. For example, mold growth can take place after floodwaters have been cleaned up. Once the flames of a property fire are gone, the structure may suffer secondary damages because moisture has been absorbed from the water used to fight the fire. A mitigation certificate shows that technicians have demonstrated their ability to prevent further losses.

The Importance of Industry Standard Makers

The IICRC plays a vital role in preparing property restoration and cleanup professionals to perform their jobs with top quality results. It also keeps industry standards high, protecting clients from all walks of life. If you require restoration services in Broome County, Tompkins County, Tioga County, Chemung County or Schuyler County choose a company that lives up to these standards and requires trained employees.

Understanding Ice dams

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

Ice Dam on residential roof

What is an ice dam? An ice dam is an ice build-up on the eaves of sloped roofs of heated buildings that results from melting snow under a snow pack reaching the eave and freezing there.

When winter weather hits, you must take additional steps to keep your home in good shape. If an ice dam forms, your roof could leak. Here are a few things you need to know about ice dams.

When temperatures are low, these dams don’t cause much trouble. When roof temperatures rise, however, melted water pools behind the dam. As you may suspect, this water can seep under your shingles and into your home. If you have a problem with ice dams, your home could sustain significant water damage to the following building materials:

• Shingles
• Rafters
• Decking
• Insulation
• Drywall
• Ceilings

As you can imagine, the longer this goes unnoticed, the more damage it will cause. So what can you do about it?

If you have an attic, seal it off so heat cannot get in. If the roof can stay cold, then the ice will stay frozen. Check your insulation to see if it is doing it's job, if it isn't, it may be time to get new insulation. Also make sure the space is well ventilated by adding vents.

If you do notice damage in your home caused by ice dams, act quickly and get it cleaned up by a SERVPRO restoration professional. Mold can begin to grow in as little as 24 hours, so timely response is crucial to ensure safe living.

By understanding what ice dams are, you are already on your way to being more prepared should a situation occur.

If you do experience a situation where we can assist you, please don't hesitate to call us as your local SERVPRO franchise. We are always available and happy to help!

Fire Support Services: Board up & Containment

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides a variety of services. Our Team will not only so the cleanup and restoration of fire and smoke within your home or business, we can assist with support efforts before even starting. With a wide variety of resources at our finger tips we can help from the moment the fire is extinguished and everyone is safe.

We are offer Support services such as:

• Emergency board-up and site containment services: securing the property/premises and preserving the scene from further fire and smoke damage.
• Moving of materials, removal of debris and glass in order to help secure safe entry for clients and authorized personnel in the fire damage restoration process.
• Provide lighting, dumpsters, emergency power, etc.
• Application of board-up if required to reduce visual eyesore of burned structures.

Suffering a fire loss to your home or business is stressful. You may not know where to start or who to call. As a preferred vendor of the insurance industry and a trusted vendor in our community, choose SERVPRO, we’ll be there to help.  

Spring weather is coming; tips to get prepared for whatever comes your way!

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Stormy spring weather with a Rainbow

Spring is the time of year when many things change—including the weather. Temperatures can swing back and forth between balmy and frigid. Sunny days may be followed by a week of stormy weather. Sometimes extreme weather changes can occur even within the same day.

Advance planning for thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, and floods requires specific safety precautions. You can follow many of the same steps that you would for all extreme weather events. Keep an emergency kit on hand. According to CDC.gov, some items to include are:

• A battery-operated flashlight, a battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio, and extra batteries for both
• An emergency evacuation or shelter plan, including a map of your home and, for every type of severe weather emergency, routes to safety from each room
• A list of important personal information, including:
  • telephone numbers of neighbors, family, and friends
  • insurance and property information
  • telephone numbers of utility companies
  • medical information
• According to the American Red CrossExternal a first aid kit may include:
  • non-latex gloves
  • assortment of adhesive bandages
  • antibiotic ointment
  • sterile gauze pads in assorted sizes
  • absorbent compress dressings
  • tweezers
  • scissors
  • adhesive cloth tape
  • aspirin packets (81 mg each)
  • first aid instruction booklet (NOTE: Customize your first aid kitExternal to meet your individual and family needs.)
• A 3–5 day supply of bottled water and nonperishable food
• Personal hygiene items
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• An emergency kit Cdc-pdf[1.08 MB] in your car

Often by the time we are aware of an approaching storm, we have little if any time to prepare for it. But we do know that when spring arrives, thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods are real possibilities. So why not take the surprise factor out of severe weather and prepare yourself, your family, and your home? If thunderstorms, tornadoes, and floods do occur, you’ll be ready for them.

Have piece of mind knowing that you have SERVPRO franchise professionals in your community who can assist you anytime day or night. We are available 24 hours a day to serve you and help make it, "Like it never even happened."

Call us today if you experience any storm damage to your home or business. Our trained technicians are ready and awaiting your call. (607) 722-2262.

Our Team Cares about YOU!

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial or Residential we will be there for our customers!

SERVPRO has a ONE TEAM focus in its organization. As ONE TEAM we make customer service a responsibility of all divisions from office to production to marketing to repairs to our large loss division.

“Create Happy Customers.” How do we do this? Communication.  We want our customers to know we will listen to their needs, answer their questions, and do our very best to explain our approach in handling their fire, water, mold, and specialty cleanup needs.

No one wants to wake up to an inch of water in their basement from a leaking hot water tank, but if you HAD to, wouldn’t you want a company who you know you can count on to be there? Being READY 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year gives our customers peace of mind. We’re not just READY, as ONE TEAM we care about our customer’s experience with our company.  Please visit our testimonial section of our website, or read our reviews on Facebook and Google to hear from real people who have used our company!

We invite our customers to share their experience!

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Each month customers who review are entered into a drawing for a $25 Gift Card!

SERVPRO of Broome County & Tompkins & Tioga Counties love to hear our customer’s feedback!

Each month we are doing a drawing for the customer or clients that have left us a review on either Google, Facebook or Yelp!  We are offering a $25 Gift Card for the drawing. If our customers complete a review on more than one outlet- multiple entries mean multiple chances!

 Whether it’s, fire, water, mold or any other emergency service we want to be there to help. Letting the world know how we did can help others.  A thoughtful review can impact fellow neighbors or friends facing disaster to choose SERVPRO!

If our clients experience was less than excellent, we want to know why and how we can improve the next time. Thank you to all of our clients who have already taken the time to share about your experience – we truly appreciate it!

To learn more about SERVPRO and how we can help, please click here!

https://www.SERVPRObroomecounty.com/water-damage-restoration

Commercial Water Loss: Assisted Living Facility

12/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment set up

Our Commercial Large Loss Division responded to a water loss that occurred at a senior living facility. The loss occurred due to a severe broken pipe in an elevator shaft on the 7^th floor of the building. This caused the elevator to flood, and flood all the floor levels in between. Ceiling tiles fell from each ceiling as they were soaked with water; walls and flooring were saturated, and resident rooms had water damage throughout.

This situation needed to be dealt with immediately in order to insure the safety of residents and to insure the building could be salvaged before secondary damage such as mold set in. Our client responded quickly and called in SERVPRO who they knew could help. 

Having a plan in place and knowing what to do and who to call following a disaster is vital to any commercial loss. Having a plan can minimize business interruption and unnecessary secondary damage.  

Our Team was ready to assist with the management, skilled man power, & equipment and resources needed to handle this size multi-level commercial water loss. 

Our Local franchise is ready for what you need, no loss is too large or small. 

SERVPRO & The New Visions Program for Students

12/24/2019 (Permalink)

We put our community first. This year, we started working with the New Visions program. New Visions is a program provided through BOCES for accelerated high school seniors. The seniors chosen for this program are seeking hands-on experience in the professional world regarding their future field of interest.  New Visions achieves this by setting up internships at different professions in the Broome, Tioga county areas. SERVPRO was eager to get involved in the internships.

We contacted the educator of the New Visions Business Academy, to see how we could help. Our contact linked us to a senior from Vestal Senior High School, Laura. Laura comes to our Binghamton location from 8:30 to 10:00am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to learn about what we do here at SERVPRO.

She has been working closely with our marketing team these past few weeks. She has gotten the chance to see the exclusive details of their daily workload.  She has sat in on marketing meetings, toured our facilities and worked on marketing projects. We hope to teach her the importance of customer service, communication, and the many other inside secrets SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties has to offer.

We love supporting the New Visions program because we believe these students are the future of our workforce. We hope to give them a unique experience at SERVPRO, as to illuminate them to the possibilities they can achieve. We look forward to the future placements with the New Visions Business students in the 2020 year.

House and Outdoor Winter Storm Prep Tips

12/24/2019 (Permalink)

Winter is here!

We know with large snow storms and freezing rain it can be dangerous for travel and house-care. SERVPRO wants to remind you of some handy tips to stay safe this winter season.

-Put salt down on your driveway and sidewalks. It is hard to see black ice and misjudge your traction on slippery snow.

-Shovel snow periodically to avoid mass build-up. The snow can get dense and heavy over long periods of accumulation.

-Ice removal is time consuming, leaving many car windows poorly cleared. To eliminate this problem, cover your car windows with cardboard before an ice storm.

-Prepare for power outages. It is a good idea to have non-perishable food, flashlights, batteries, firewood, and blankets handy in case of a power outage. Any supplies that require minimal energy should be stored to stay warm and healthy in a storm.

-Have your chimney inspected by a trained professional to assure all parts are working correctly. Eliminate the risk for fire problems throughout the winter season.

We are also available for help 24 hours a day 365 days a year if you ever need assistance. There is no disaster we are not prepared for. Happy Holidays!

https://www.aginginplace.org/winter-home-safety-tips-for-seniors-to-prepare-your-home/

Winter Weather: Storm Prep

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

Can we really prepare our businesses for Winter Storms?

Yes! Here are some tips of what can be done in advance of a storm in order to protect your property and liabilities.

- Check for down tree limbs and branches around your property. Weather such as wind, heavy rain, snow and ice can cause branches to fall which could potentially cause damage  to the property and even potentially cause personal injuries.

- Check walkways and parking lots around property for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.

- Install mats or non slip surfaces and post caution signs where water could be present. Inspect handrails, stairwell and entry ways to address and correct potential slipper or hazardous areas.

Call on your local SERVPRO today about starting a free Emergency Ready Profile for your commercial business. We are here to help.

Our Customers are Important to Us!

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

We truly value our customers and their experience with SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties.

We encourage our clients to provide us the best feedback they can, good or bad! If there is an area where we can improve, we want to know about it.

Feedback can be given through a facebook review, google plus, yelp, or simply just picking up the phone and giving us a call! We want to know.

Although you may have been referred to us during a water, fire or storm emergency, we can be your go-to vendor for any future needs you may have. It is tough finding the right company to provide services in your home or business, so call a company you can trust.

All employees are background screened prior to employment and on an annual basis. Our Staff is uniformed, highly trained, professional, and right in your community. 

So how did we do? If we have visited your home or business, give us a review us today!

Holiday Decorating Safety

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Keep your holiday season free of fire damage!

Be safe this season! Holiday lights and decorations are festive and raise the holiday spirit, but if they are not used properly they can wreak havoc on your holidays! The U.S. Fire Administration says that one of every three home Christmas tree fire is caused by electrical problems. Although these fires may not be as common they are more likely to be serious.

Here are a couple things to keep in mind from the American Red Cross while you are getting your home or business festive!

1. Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving the property or going to bed
2. Place Christmas Trees, and other holiday decorations at least 3 feet away from heat sources- fire places, portable heaters, and other heat vents.
3. Make sure that light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords.

If fire or smoke damages your property, call in a professional to assist in the clean up! We will walk you through our fire restoration process and make it "Like it never even happened."

Winter is here! SERVPRO tips to keep windows dry.

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Keep your windows frost free

Most winters in Upstate NY are dreadful by the time Halloween rolls around, but the fall and winter of 2019 gave us a little more warmth, and most importantly, more time to enjoy outdoor activities! 

Unfortunately for us upstaters, perfect fall days can't last forever. The past few weeks have brought some below freezing temps which leave our hands, homes and offices cold and our windows covered with frost. 

So finally with those cold temps we saw some snow flurries! That snow may be pretty and hey, some people even enjoy the winter cold but it can also come with damages that you might not even consider.

So keep this in mind while you're admiring the frost from the inside your cozy bedroom, window frost while sometimes beautiful, can also be damaging and surprisingly enough can even cause mold in your home or office. So follow these tips to keep your windows warm and dry..'

#1 Use a dehumidifier inside your home to keep the moisture out.

#2 Seal any gaps or cracks in your windows.

#3 And most importantly, heat your homes/offices properly! 

So keep these tips in mind when it starts flurrying this winter season! Stay warm for the rest of 2019 and in the New Year!

Helping families this Thanksgiving

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Loading up the turkeys

SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties was able to help the Broome County Catholic Charities Thanks 4 Giving 2019 Turkey Drive by donating 110 Turkeys to reach their goal of feeding 3,500 families this Thanksgiving.

Each year our company donates to several organizations in the area, with a particular interest in bettering the lives of families and children in our area.

“To do more for the world, than the world has done for you – that is success.”- Henry Ford.

As a special "Thank You"  to all of our hard working employees and their families this holiday, extra turkey's were purchased for each employee to take home. We wouldn't be where we are today without the dedication of our staff.

Wishing all the families of the Greater Binghamton and surrounding areas a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

SERVPRO Large Loss Division

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Large Loss Damage

Did you know? Your very own SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is the Large Loss response team for all of Upstate, Central and Western, NY?!  Our certified Large Loss Team will respond to any location within Upstate NY when called! Learn more about how our team handles a large loss! Our elite Large Loss specialists are qualified with the following certifications:

• OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program

• OSHA - 30-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
• OSHA - Other Training
• IICRC Certified Firm
• SRT - IICRC Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• WRT- IICRC Water Damage Restoration
• CCT – IICRC Carpet Cleaning Technician

• AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
• MOLD: Abatement Worker Training

• ECTP – SERVPRO Employee Certification Training Program

• SERVPRO - Fire, Water, Carpet & Upholstery Certified
• HAAG – Roofing Training Certification         
• Successful Subrogation I & II

In addition, every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation. At SERVPRO, the difference is our ability to dispatch trained production professionals and cut costs through the strategic placement and oversight of temporary labor.

Want to know if you qualify as a commercial large loss? See the list!

-Municipalities

-Universities

-Property Management Facilities

-Hospitality Industry

-All Commercial & Industrial Facilities 

Any time of day or night the SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties fleet is ready to take off! So give us a call at 607-722-2262.

Did you know we can restore damaged documents?

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Damaged Documents

It can be overwhelming when unexpected fire or water damage affects your school, business, home, or facility. It is important to first make sure everyone is safe when a disaster happens. Once safety is insured and the damage is done….it’s time to assess and work towards restoring the property.

When it comes to assessing damage, some of the most valuable items may just be documents, photos, or books. These items aren’t always lost, we can help. Document Restoration is another service our TEAM can provide.

The SERVPRO® Document Restoration Facility Offers:

• Innovation: we use the latest vacuum freeze-drying method, as well as gamma irradiation technology for sterilizing

• Secure: managed by HIPPA Master-certified technicians, under 24/7 surveillance

• Digital: we use a computerized inventory system for digitizing your documents

• Flexible capacity - we can accommodate large commercial losses or small residential jobs

• Full Service: we offer a range of services including drying, cleaning/disinfecting, re-jacketing, digitizing, and deodorization

If you or your facility is in need of Document restoration services please contact us today and we would be happy to help you restore your valuable documents.

Commercial Post Construction Cleanup

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Post Construction Cleanup

Structural integrity, materials, labor, safety, customer satisfaction and deadlines- the list goes on and on when building a commercial facility. However, the bottom line is this- Property Managers and Construction Developers are  responsible for getting the doors open on time.

Our team can help meet deadlines by providing thorough post-construction cleanup services in a timely manner. These services include:

• Post-Construction Cleaning
• Dehumidification and Drying
• Final Cleaning
• Fast-Track Drying
• Emergency Response Restoration and Cleanup Services

If an emergency occurs, the newly installed sprinkler system goes off, or pipe bursts, our TEAM will work with you and your TEAM to get you back on track. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year.

Even when it's not an emergency, we can help. We can schedule a free estimate and answer any questions you may have about concerns with your property.

Flood Safety-Protecting your family

8/12/2019 (Permalink)

Flood Safety Tips

Be Ready for Whatever Happens! Prepare before a flood hits and start by Protecting Your Family with these tips from the American Red Cross.

• Talk with your family about what to do if a flood watch or warning is issued. Discussing floods ahead of time helps reduce fear, especially for younger children.

• Ensure that every member of your family carries a Safe and Well wallet card.

• Make sure you have access to NOAA radio broadcasts:
  • Find an online NOAA radio station
  • Search for a NOAA radio app in the Apple Store or Google Play
  • Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA radio in the Red Cross Store
• Find out if you are located in a floodplain, which is considered a Special Flood Hazard Area. If so, you are still eligible for flood insurance. Check with your city or county government (start with the Building or Planning Department) to review the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

• Find out if local streams or rivers flood easily.

• Keep insurance policies, documents, and other valuables in a safe-deposit box. You may need quick, easy access to these documents. Keep them in a safe place less likely to be damaged during a flood. Take pictures on a phone and keep copies of important documents and files on a flashdrive that you can carry with you on your house or car keys.

SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is ready to assist you and your loved ones, anytime day and night. If your home or business experiences damage during a storm situation our team is qualified and ready to help!

Stay prepared by reading more tips below.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/flood.html

SERVPRO Storm Response

7/31/2019 (Permalink)

Storm Response available 24/7

When it comes to fire & water damage, or specialty cleanup needs, your local SERVPRO team should be the first that comes to mind. Our TEAMS work endlessly to make sure our customers are happy, and have one objective in the aftermath of disaster, to make their loss Like it never even happened.

No matter the job or the size, our SERVPRO teams are ready to handle any size loss. With 1,700+ franchises nationwide, we have access to numerous highly trained personnel and thousands of pieces of equipment. Our SERVPRO Disaster Recovery teams are strategically placed throughout the country to respond when needed. Our Teams have a proven track record for success, assisting with cleanup of floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and damage caused from frigid temperatures.

Whether it’s a major storm event, or a faulty appliance, we will be there with one call. 607-722-2262.

How do you determine the type of Water loss?

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

Water Damage Categories

When it comes to a water damage in your home or business, it is very important to determine what type of water you are dealing with before attempting cleanup yourself or starting services. If you are unsure, it is safer to have a SERVPRO trained professional help you determine what the cause of the water loss was.  

Some things to look for to assist you in determining the cause; Is there an odor to the water? Is there debris floating in the water? Is the water a different color? Answering these questions first can help you know what to do next. Ask yourself, is it safe for me to attempt cleanup myself? Unless you are sure, it is always better to have a SERVPRO trained professional assess the situation.

The source of the water is what determines what "type" of water. The 3 types of water are Clean Water, Gray Water, and Black Water.

Clean Water: An example of a "Clean Water" water damage would be resulting from a broken pipe, back of toilet tank, or any unused water source.

Gray Water: An example of a "Gray Water" water damage is a washing machine overflow; or clean water that has set too long or gone unnoticed will become gray water, as contaminates and bacteria will start to grow.

Black Water: An example of "Black Water" water damage would be caused by a sewage backup or flood damage. This is considered highly contaminated water.

If you ever experience a water intrusion of any kind, it is always best to clean and dry the area as soon as possible to avoid further damage from occurring. Call in our SERVPRO Team for a free estimate of services. We are always available and happy to help!

Water Damage: What to do First

3/26/2019 (Permalink)

When discovering water damage in your home or business it can be very stressful. Water damage can happen from a number of things: Washer Hose Breaking, Pipe Break, Refrigerator Ice Maker line breaking, Flood damage, Toilet overflow or backup, Roof leak, sprinkler system going off, just to name a few. But then where do you begin as a property owner? 

Step One: Stop the source of water if possible, or contact a qualified party to do so

Step Two: Call SERVPRO!

What you can do while we are on our way:

• Remove as much excess water as possible, by mopping or blotting
• Wipe away excess water on wood surfaces, table tops
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs of wet carpeting
• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, documents or items that are sensitive to moisture

Always Remember safety first! If you are not physically able to take on the above measures, it will be ok, our Team will be there to help!

What to avoid doing:

• Do not enter rooms with standing water where electrical hazards may be present
• Do not use water damaged appliances
• Do not use ceiling light fixtures if the ceiling is wet

When our Team arrives we will make an assessment of the affected areas and start mitigating the water damage as soon as possible to avoid further damage from happening such as warped flooring, mold damage and musty odors.

Be READY for 2019!

3/26/2019 (Permalink)

As a business owner you always want to make sure you have emergency contacts close by in case anything unexpected happens. We couldn't imagine the amount of stress! SERVPRO® of Broome County East realizes that you might not think about the unexpected things that might happen to your business; flooding, fire, mold etc.

Emergency Ready Program

Our ERP, Emergency Ready Profile is the best way to reduce business interruption following a disaster...by planning for it now! As many as 50% of businesses may never recover following a disaster, according to the latest industry research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place. Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. By developing a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.

The SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile Advantage is a no-cost assessment to your facility. This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost. The SERVPRO ERP is 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. It is 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. This plan Establishes SERVPRO® as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider. You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by. The plan identifies 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. Our Profile will provide 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.” Give us a call today and set up your ERP!

Homeowner Electrical Safety: Fire Prevention

3/22/2019 (Permalink)

According to data from the NFPA, fire departments responded to an average of 45,000 home fires caused by electrical failure or malfunction every year between 2010-2014. In fact, home electrical fires are the most common fire in a home accounting for nearly 60% of all fires.

While you can’t prevent all electrical fires from occurring, there are a lot of things you can do to reduce the risk of an electrical fire from happening at your Binghamton home. Below the NFPA will cover some electrical safety tips you can follow that may help prevent an electrical fire from happening to you.

Protect Children from Exposed Outlets

If you have young children in your home, it’s important that you use child-proof outlet covers on unused receptacles. You can find outlet covers and tamper resistant outlets at your local hardware store. If you replace your standard outlets with tamper resistant outlets, be sure to hire a professional electrician to install them. Another tip to keep young kids away from outlets is to block access to the outlets using furniture like a couch or table or shelving.

Don’t Overload Outlets

Do you have an outlet that is powering a couple power strips and a dozen electronics? This can be dangerous. Don’t overload your outlets with too many powered electronics or appliances. Try to move some to another outlet. If you aren’t using an electrical appliance, like a blender or toaster, unplug it when you don’t need it. Overloading an outlet can trip the circuit or worse, it can lead to a fire.

Turn Off Appliances Before Turning Circuit Back On

If you do experience a tripped circuit from overloading an outlet or a power surge, be sure to turn off any appliances that the circuit is powering. Also, unplug anything that is powered by the circuit. Once you have flipped the circuit back on, you can then turn on the appliances or the electronics that the circuit is powering.

Check Cords and Plugs

Over time cords can kink, tear and fray. A small fray in a cord can cause sparks which can lead to a fire pretty quickly. Make it a habit of always taking a look at any cords or power outlets that you are near. Not only make sure that the cords are in good condition but that the plugs are plugged into the outlets all the way. A loose plug on an outlet can also cause sparks or a short which can cause an electrical fire.

Light Bulb Safety

Light bulbs are the most commonly used electrical item in a home. With light bulbs located in every room of your home, it’s important to follow a few tips to ensure they don’t become a fire hazard. Always use the recommended wattage of bulb for each fixture. Using a higher wattage bulb can cause the fixture to overheat. Be careful with light bulbs near curtains or other fabric. The fabric can be blown on top of the bulb which can quickly lead to a fire.

If You Should Suffer a Fire, Contact the Professionals

Following the above tips should help reduce the risk of a house fire, but it can’t eliminate the risk. If you should suffer from a house fire, call the fire professionals at SERVPRO of Broome County East. They have the knowledge, expertise, and equipment to handle any size disaster.

Just call and we will be ready. We offer emergency fire board up services and free estimates on all services!

Commercial Mold Restoration

3/22/2019 (Permalink)

Many types of mold exist and all molds have thepotentialto cause health effects. However some mold is good- such as mold used in making blue cheese mold and mold used in the production of Penicillin. Some forms of mold can certainly cause health problems, but not all kinds of molds cause health problems in all people. Molds produce allergens, but not all people will have the sensitivity to react to the molds. However, those allergens can trigger allergic reactions or asthma attacks in people who are allergic to mold.

For mold to grow it takes moisture and oxygen. Mold can grow on any organic substance such as wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

It is impossible to eliminate all molds and mold spores in an indoor environment; however, mold growth can be controlled simply by controlling the moisture indoors.

If mold spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. Over time mold can gradually destroy the things they grow on if the mold is not remediated.

Today builders are making buildings that are tightly sealed, and can lack adequate ventilation which can potentially lead to moisture buildup. Since mold requires water to grow, it is important to prevent moisture problems in buildings. Building materials, such as drywall, may not allow moisture to escape easily. Moisture problems can be a result of roof leaks, landscaping and lack of timely maintenance of moisture problems.

It is important to address any water issues whether sudden or on-going in order to eliminate or at least minimize the need for mold remediation services. SERVPRO can provide free estimates for mold damaged commercial properties. Our Team has the experience, knowledge, and NYS Mold Licensing to get your affected business back in working order.

Risks of not Cleaning your Dryer Vents

3/22/2019 (Permalink)

According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death. To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your or your insured’s home or business, SERVPRO can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup. Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Agency include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by snow, a bird’s nest or other potential obstacles. For more information on cleaning dryer vents contact your local SERVPRO. Your local SERVPRO Team is available 24 hours a day, do not hesitate to call, day or night you are guaranteed to reach our office-just call 607-722-2262.

Water needs a Quick Response!

3/21/2019 (Permalink)

Whether it's from a busted water pipe, sewage backup, faulty appliance, or natural disaster water damage can wreak havoc on your property if not addressed immediately.

Here are some essentials you should know about water damage restoration:

The more polluted the water, the worse your situation. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) classifies water into three categories in its S500 Standard:

• Category 1: Generally sanitary water
• Category 2: Significantly contaminated water
• Category 3: Grossly contaminated water

The category of water on any loss will dictate how it's restored and how much can be salvaged.

Mold can be debilitating to your home's structure and to your health.  Mold needs only five perfect conditions to grow in 48-72 hours:

• Moisture
• Food source
• Prime temperature
• No/minimal air movement
• No/minimal light

Fast action is crucial. In order to begin processing an insurance claim, your agent or carrier needs to know about a water damage situation immediately, what happened, how it happened, the source of the water, etc. The longer you wait, the worse the situation gets. When it is safe and reasonable, your insurance carrier may expect you to minimize sudden damage as much as possible. Call in our Team and we can help!

What can you expect when choosing SERVPRO?

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Choosing the right vendor for your fire or water damage is important. Here is what you can expect when calling SERVPRO of Broome County East.

• Uniformed Employees with photo ID Badges

• Marked SERVPRO Vehicles

• Drug Tested and Background Checked Team Members

• Advanced Training and Certifications

• On-site arrival within 4 hours (This does not apply to catastrophe situations)

Once they get here, what’s next?

Once our employees arrive on-site the customer will meet with a SERVPRO Supervisor who will explain the mitigation services. Our Supervisor will explain the necessary documents in order for our team to proceed with services.

Here are some of the basic forms that we review with our customers

Authorization To Perform Services & Direction Of Payment Form

This form is the customers consent for SERVPRO to perform restoration services in their home or business. It also addresses how services will be paid for and their deductible amount to be collected as directed by their insurance company.

Customer Information Form

This form is an informational document that addresses many aspects of the customer home such as what the customer should expect during the process and how we will proceed. It also discusses what items are restorable, pre-existing conditions, personal items in the home and understanding our role versus the insurance companies.

Customer Equipment Responsibility Form

This is a document in which the customer can identify and confirm what equipment is left in their home as well as the responsibility they assume with SERVPRO equipment. It also explains who to contact if there are any issues with the equipment.

Certificate of Satisfaction: Job Completion Form

This form is used during the final walk through of services with the customer. It is also used to insure we completed mitigation services to customer’s satisfaction. This document is also needed to provide to the insurance company for final billing for services completed.

Tornado Damage

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

When it comes to Storm Damage, your world can be turned upside down in a matter of minutes. Our Team was able to assist following a local tornado event in Pennsylvania. Within a matter of minute’s cars, roofs, and building debris were lifted and moved from tornado strong winds. Buildings were left with full exposure to rain and outside elements.

Our TEAM was able to assist a sporting goods store establish temporary fencing and board up services to help secure the store. There was glass and debris inside the building to be cleaned from the storm making it unsafe for employees to report to work. Additionally we worked to relocate merchandise, fixtures, and protect undamaged items from further damage and risk.

In this situation there was no doubt business interruption was going to happen, but it was our goal to minimize the turnaround time as much as possible. Our Team worked with the business owner and its representative’s daily providing updates and keeping communication open between all parties.

If your business is ever affected by unexpected storm damage, we will be there. Just call our local number to learn more about our services and how we can help.

Restore Vs. Replace Q & A

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Broome County East is the area’s leading mitigation vendor and a preferred vendor of many insurance companies. When we are faced with homes, businesses, or contents affected by fire, water, or mold damage our goal is to first try and restore the item(s) or materials back to preloss condition compared to replacing the items.

Q. What is water and fire mitigation?

A. When we are providing water or fire mitigation services, we are providing a service in which we reduce the affects of fire and water damage to the property. This is done through a quick response, use of effective drying techniques, and cleaning and restoration.

Q. How can the “restore vs. replace” concept affect Insurance?

A. When a structure or contents are restored to pre loss condition, it eliminates or minimizes costly repairs. This will ultimately lower the cost of the claim to the insurance company.

Q. How can the “restore vs. replace” concept affect a business owner or homeowner who had a fire or water loss?

A. When we are able to restore items for a customer rather than replace them, it gives the customer peace of mind knowing they can have their own property back. Re-construction of a property takes more time to complete, and restoration can return the customer to normalcy faster. The quicker a customer is returned to normalcy the more likely they will be satisfied with claim resolution.

Cooking Fire Safety: NFPA

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Cooking fires can be dangerous and quickly get out of control. Please see these valuable cooking safety tips and statistics provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

What you should know about home cooking safety

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear way out.
• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Cooking fires by the numbers

• Based on 2012-2016 annual averages:

• Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home* fires and fire injuries, causing 48% of home fires that resulted in 21% of the home fire deaths and 45% of the injuries.
• Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires start with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
• Clothing is the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but clothing ignitions lead to 15% of the home cooking equipment fire deaths.
• Ranges or cooktops account for almost two-thirds (63%) of home cooking fire incidents.
• Unattended equipment is a factor in one-third (32%) of reported home cooking fires and half (45%) of the associated deaths.
• Frying dominates the cooking fire problem.
• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.  

Safety considerations for cooking with oil

• Sources: NFPA's Home Cooking Fires and Home Structure Fires reports. * Homes include one- and two-family homes, apartments (regardless of ownership), and manufactured housing.
• Always stay in the kitchen when frying on the stovetop.
• Keep an eye on what you fry. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot.
• Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying or sautéing.
• Add food gently to the pot or pan so the oil does not splatter.
• Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water or use a fire extinguisher on the fire.
• If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside. 

When the fire is out and your family is safe, it is time for cleanup to begin. Please contact our office for a FREE estimate to restore your property and belongings. 607-722-2262.

*Information from NFPA*

https://www.nfpa.org/

SERVPRO DryBook

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Broome County East

specializes in water damage restoration. We

use the latest technology and tools to help make

water damage “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO is proud to utilize a newly developed

tool–SERVPRO DryBook™.

The SERVPRO DryBook™ is a proprietary

tool allowing our Team to capture and track the steps

of a restoration project according to industry

best practices and standards. This ensures

your restoration is done properly and efficiently.

It also improves results and restores your

property at a faster rate, getting you back in

your home sooner. Insurance carriers want to have access to this documentation at the end of the claim. SERVPRO DryBook insures the property is in fact dry and it validates the work SERVPRO provided and the equipment that was used. SERVPRO DryBook is one more reason so consider SERVPRO over the competition.

Did you know: Flood Hazards

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

According to the National Weather Service (NOAA), “Approximately seventy five percent of all Presidential disaster declarations are associated with flooding.”

NOAA lists the most common flood hazards in the United States as:

• Flash Flooding
• River Flooding
• Storm Surge and Coastal
• Inundation from Tropical and Non-Tropical Systems
• Burn Scars/Debris Flows (Caused by Wildfires)
• Ice/Debris Jams
• Snowmelt
• Dry Wash (Caused by heavyrainfall in dry areas)
• Dam Breaks/Levee Failure

Just because you haven’t experienced a flood doesn’t mean you won’t in the future. In fact, 20% of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) were for policies in low-risk communities. On average, floods cost $3.5 billion in annual losses in the U.S., and commercial flood claims

average more than $75,000 (NFIP). When catastrophic water damage happens to you, SERVPRO®

Professionals can help. We can help you prepare ahead of time with an Emergency Ready Profile® (ERP), or respond to any size disaster to begin cleanup and restoration to get you back in business as soon as possible. Your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professionals are ready to help make it

“Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Restoration Newsline

Commercial HVAC Cleaning

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

It's easy for the cleaning of air ducts and HVAC systems on your property to go forgotten, but it is important to keep up with regular HVAC maintenance. Like anything else in a home or business, air ducts accumulate dust and dirt over time. Other the factors that may increase the need for regular HVAC system cleaning are pets, occupants with allergies or asthma, cigarette or cigar smoke, water contamination or damage to the home HVAC system, or home renovation and remodeling projects. A general rule of thumb is that if your air ducts look dirty, then they probably are. 

The National Air Duct Cleaning Association (NADCA) recommends that dirty HVAC systems be inspected by a reputable, certified HVAC professional. Clean HVAC systems can result in an improved air quality of your home or business. Regular cleaning may also increase your energy savings and give your HVAC system a longer lifespan.

If air duct and HVAC system cleaning goes beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, or if you want cleaning done for your home's system call SERVPRO of Broome County today!

Commercial Fire Testimonial

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

Fire and water damages happen when we least expect it. Our goal is to work with our clients and make these stressful situations manageable by providing a thorough scope of work to make it like it never even happened.

We recently worked with a local municipality whose Department of Publics building sustained a fire loss. A snow plow caught fire during the winter season causing smoke and fire damage throughout the garage and office areas. Our Team was there to respond. The project took close to 2 months to complete due to the size and extensive damage. We assisted with structure cleaning, contents cleaning, document restoration, and repair services. Progress updates and photos were provided daily to our client.

When the job was complete our client was more than happy and had this to say:

"Great Job! Very professional. Justin is attentive and considers all of our needs. I would recommend this TEAM to everyone."

Document Restoration Chamber

2/28/2019 (Permalink)

When it comes to fire, water, or mold damage, not only is the structure/property itself affected but potentially valuable contents as well. Some of our most valuable processions can be photos, documents, or legal files. SERVPRO of Broome County East can help in this case as your all in one vendor- from structure cleaning to content and document restoration. Whether it’s your home or office, we can help.

SERVPRO offers the following forms of document restoration:

• Vacuum Freeze Drying
  • Process in which an item containing moisture is frozen and dried using various vacuums and pressures to achieve sublimation
• Digitizing
  • With the new age of technology digitizing records and documents has become a standard practice in most industries. This eliminates the need to have massive file storage rooms and allows us to access records at the click of a button. If your file room has damage by water, or smoke, and need to be cleaned, dried, or decontaminated, digitizing might be a good choice to eliminate the needs to have 100’s or even 1000’s of documents and records in storage.
• Gamma Irradiation
  • High-energy photons are emitted from an isotope source (Cobalt 60) production ionization (electron disruptions throughout a product. In living cells, these disruptions result in damage to the DNA and other cellular structures. These photon-induced changes at the molecular level cause the death of the organism or render the organism incapable of reproduction. The gamma process does not create residuals or impart radioactivity in processed products.
  • Gamma Irradiation is a process that is used for cleaning/disinfecting and decontaminating documents or other consumer goods.
  • In a Cat 3 situation (Sewage or Flood water) documents are not only deteriorating but are also infected with all types of bacteria. In most storm situations you are dealing with CAT 3 water, therefore most of the affected documents that you will encounter will be contaminated. If this is the case tan de-contamination is always a must.
• Certified Destruction
  • Inventory of documents & certified disposal per HIPAA Regulations

Call our office today for a free quote on document restoration!

Flood Damage

2/28/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding can happen in a Broome County home or business for many reasons, some related to severe weather or external water supply breaks, and some related to plumbing leaks, broken appliances, or sink and tub overflows by mistake or inattention. When a large amount of water invades, both structural components and the contents of your home are at risk. Our trained crews have many strategies to help you recover from this crisis. When flood damage impacts your home or office, your furnishings, household goods, papers, and other personal articles are often at risk of severe harm. Leaving these portable possessions in your home during flooding remediation also can interfere with the water removal and structural drying necessary to restore soaked building materials. A pack out of contents to a dry area on your property may be necessary to better impact the drying progress of equipment. Removing wet contents allows SERVPRO on-site crews to move through the damaged areas of your home more quickly and efficiently. Water removal, extraction, and structural drying must be completed fast to avoid secondary damage and progressive deterioration of porous materials. When the spaces are cleared, our employees can concentrate on employing powerful water mitigation and drying equipment not on moving boxes and furniture repetitively around the affected areas. SERVPRO inventories and tracks the contents packed out using our Contents Track proprietary program, using bar coding, lists, and digital images to maintain order as we work on restoring items and documenting the process for you and your insurance carrier. Our team members can assist in determining what is salvageable; we will assist in inventorying, and produce the final pack out. When flood damage exposes your home and its contents to potential ruin, a pack out of contents may be necessary. If you experience a flood loss call our office- we can help!

SERVPRO Emergency Response

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

Emergency Response 24/7

Restoring a property is SERVPRO of Broome County East's first priority. You will appreciate the immediate response we provide, and feel comfort knowing that are doing everything we can to minimize the damage to your home or business.

We strive to meet our 1-4-8 priority response guidelines. What does this mean to you?

Within ONE hour from notice of loss, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will contact you to arrange for service. 

Within FOUR hours of loss notification, a SERVPRO Franchise Professional will be on-site to start mitigation services. 

Within EIGHT business hours of on-site arrival, a verbal briefing of the scope will be communicated to you by a SERVPRO Franchise Professional.

SERVPRO of Broome County East is dedicated to providing the fastest service possible when you need us. Our response guidelines help us address the issue quickly and efficiently to prevent further damage from occurring.

Pride in our Community

11/21/2018 (Permalink)

Our managers wearing pink to raise awareness for Breast Cancer.

Our Production Managers and Large Loss Project Managers wore pink for the entire month of October to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness. The fundraiser was called 'Real Men Wear Pink' for the American Cancer Society.

We planned a successful fundraiser and raised funds online to reach a goal of just over $1,000.00 to aid research efforts. Our managers were happy to wear pink to showcase our support for the cause and for our community.

Throughout the year we take part in many different activities to showcase different aspects of our company. We make it so every one of us feels like we are making a difference in the place we work and live in. This is important to us so we can all be a part of building a better community together.

Team Building Activities

11/21/2018 (Permalink)

Team Building at its best!

SERVPRO of Broome County East knows that the best teams that work together are the ones who have a great relationships. We like to do fun team building activities with our employees to remind them that it is important to work together to reach our main goals.

We have weekly meetings with the entire company where we focus on education and communication to one another.

In this activity, everyone was split into teams to build a pyramid of cups without using their hands! The only materials they could use were the ones provided to them. The materials were 6 paper cups, precut pieces of string and a rubber band. It was exciting to see each team come up with different strategies to complete their task. This helps them get ready for the day and whatever it may bring.

Mold: A HOT topic

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Damage, No Problem

Water damage in your home or office? You could be at risk for mold growth - this topic is actually a lot more complex than you might think. So let the SERVPRO Professionals break it down a bit. 

"On January 29th, 2015 - Governor Andrew Cuomo signed NYS Senate Bill S3667D-2013 which will create Article 32 to the Labor Law. This article will establish the licensing of mold inspection, assessment, and remediation specialists and minimum work standards. According to the bill - the law goes (went into effect) 180 days of Jan 29th - which if calculated correctly would be July 28th 2015."

Now that this law is in effect - mold remediation specialists are required to have much more certification on their ends. The specifics about requirements to become a licensed assessor or remediator have been left to New York State Department Of Labor. But for homeowners, all you need to know is that any contractor that performs mold remediation/abatement services must be certified.

When should you hire a mold remediation company?

• New York State has set fourth a guideline that whenever 10 sq ft or more of mold is found you should consult a mold remediation specialist.

Need a few more tips?

• Request proof of pollution insurance
• Request proof of workers compensation and liability insurance
• Request employee and company certification.
• Obtain a written contract for all work to be done and costs to be incurred.

Or you could just call SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties. Lucky for YOU, all SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga County employees are certified mold remediators and stay up to date on all certifications and requirements set forth by New York State. Our team will continue to advance in mold remediation techniques as the industry advances each year.

Mold is a serious threat to home and office owners, so having professionals who know how to handle the job is crucial. We're just down the road. Give us a call and read on to learn more. 

Mold Damaged Documents

11/12/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Damaged Books

If your home or business has important documents that are affected by Mold, we can HELP!

We use a specialized process called Gamma Irradiation. This is used for cleaning/ disinfection and decontaminating documents or other consumer goods. In gamma irradiation, high-energy photons are emitted from an isotope source (Colbalt 60) producing ionization(electron disruptions) throughout a product. In a CAT 3 situation (sewage or flood water), documents are not only deteriorating but are also infected with all types of bacteria. In most storm situations you are dealing with CAT 3 water: therefore, most of the affected documents that you will encounter will be contaminated. If this is the case then decontamination is always a must. In Living cells, these disruptions result in damage to the DNA and other cellular structures. These photon-induced changes at the molecular level cause death to the organism or render the organism incapable of reproduction. The gamma process does not create residuals or impart radioactivity in processed products.

For additional information or questions on processes involving fire, water, or mold damaged documents please call our office, and we would be happy to further discuss and provide a free estimate for services.

Commercial Large Loss Division

11/9/2018 (Permalink)

Large Loss Response to a Student Housing Complex

SERVPRO of Broome County East is ready for your emergency call 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Our Large Loss Response Team can assess the damage done to your commercial facility and write up a professional scope for you and your team to review. We take a step by step approach and identify the most important tasks to tackle first. Not only are we there as your restoration specialists, we are there as your professional consultants, business associates and trusted advisors. We focus on what is best for you and your business and work hard everyday until the job is complete. We strive for excellence by providing you with daily written and verbal communication, before and after photographs and detailed scope outlines of the entire project. Call us today to see why SERVPRO is the leader in Restoration industry. See, feel and experience the SERVPRO difference!

Best Practices to avoid winter pipe freezes!

11/9/2018 (Permalink)

Frozen Pipes

Many people welcome the crisp, cold winter weather, but nobody welcomes pipe-related headaches that come with the dropping temperatures. Frozen pipes are far more common than most would think, affecting hundreds of thousands of families every winter. 

The best way to handle pipe freezes are to prevent them in the first place.

Follow these SERVPRO Tips:

Spend a little, Save a lot:

Temperatures only need to be at 31 degrees for your pipes to freeze and cause you a headache

Even if your house is 45 degrees, waterlines close to exterior walls (I.E. baseboard heaters) can be significantly colder because of their proximity to an uninsulated exterior wall, your house may be 45 degrees, but your pipes may be dangerously close to freezing

Spend the extra few dollars in fuel, and save yourself a lot of time and frustration in the long run

Let your pipes feel the heat:

Be sure to keep your pipes insulated to ensure warmth

Open cabinet doors to allow uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances close to exterior doors, allowing the heat from your house to heat your pipes

Keep it moving:

Keeping a faucet open to allow a continuous drip ensures that the water in your pipes are moving and decreases the chance of a freeze significantly.

In the event that you ever find yourself on the wrong end of a pipe-related problem, the SERVPRO team would be happy to lend a helping hand!

Atlantic Hurricane Season

11/7/2018 (Permalink)

The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1- November 30^th. We have one month left. There were a number of tropical depressions this year, with Hurricane Michael being the most severe Hurricane and Weather event along the East Coast this year. It is SO important to insure safety before, during and after a hurricane emergency. Please see the tips below from ready.gov on how to prepare BEFORE for Hurricane Emergencies.

IF YOU ARE UNDER A HURRICANE WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY

• Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding.
• Evacuate if told to do so.
• Take refuge in a designated storm shelter, or an interior room for high winds.
• Listen for emergency information and alerts.
• Only use generators outdoors and away from windows.
• Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters.

Prepare NOW

• Know your area’s risk of hurricanes.
• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
• If you are at risk for flash flooding, watch for warning signs such as heavy rain.
• Practice going to a safe shelter for high winds, such as a FEMA safe room or ICC 500 storm shelter. The next best protection is a small, interior, windowless room in a sturdy building on the lowest level that is not subject to flooding.
• Based on your location and community plans, make your own plans for evacuation or sheltering in place.
• Become familiar with your evacuation zone, the evacuation route, and shelter locations.
• Gather needed supplies for at least three days. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets.
• Keep important documents in a safe place or create password-protected digital copies.
• Protect your property. Declutter drains and gutters. Install check valves in plumbing to prevent backups. Consider hurricane shutters. Review insurance policies.

When the Emergency and threat is over, and safety can be insured, we can begin to rebuild and mitigate damage. SERVPRO with over 1,700 Franchises Nationwide will be there READY for Whatever Happens.

Learn More: https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes

Fall Checklist, Getting Ready for Winter

11/7/2018 (Permalink)

As leaves start to fly, revisit your spring cleaning list and add a few seasonal extras to prepare your house for the winter.

The new season should always begin with a fresh start, especially in your home. Is your home ready for the beautiful autumn weather in Upstate NY? We've done our research and with a bit of help from Real Simple, we can help you get through your fall cleaning checklist!

Check out your wooden floors are they scuffed up? See if they need to be sanded or refurbished.

Test all of your home smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; especially as you go through the months with more active fireplaces and with your heat turned up.

Replace Furnace Filters. If you changed your furnace filter in the last three months, now is a good time to do it!

Don't forget the outside of your home too!

Check and clean the gutters before the red and orange leaves fall!

Time to drain and store your garden hoses, don't let them freeze when the first snow falls.

Touch up the paint on your home

Check out the full checklist here! https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/fall-cleaning-checklist

And if you need an expert to come but to make sure you have your full checklist covered, give SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins, and Tioga Counties a call. We'll give you and your family a free estimate! (607) 722-2262!

Fire Damage: Types of Smoke Residue

11/6/2018 (Permalink)

Did you know there are different types of smoke? There is “Wet” Smoke and “Dry” Smoke. What is burning in your home or business determines the type of smoke residue that is left. The different types of smoke are Wet Smoke (Plastic & Rubber), Dry Smoke (Paper & Wood), Protein Fire Residue (Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire), Fuel Oil Soot (Furnace Puff Back), Other Types of Smoke (Tear gas, Fingerprint Powder, and Fire Extinguisher residue).

Our SERVPRO franchise is highly trained in how clean and remediate fire losses depending on the type of smoke. SERVPRO is also trained in how to assess smoke damage. For example, smoke is unique in its behavior as it gravitates to cooler areas and upper levels, smoke seeps through holes around piping and can go floor to floor between walls and flooring.

Dealing with any smoke or fire damage to your home or business, no matter how minor or severe, can be stressful and frustrating. If you experience a fire loss, and have issues with linger odor, wall discoloration, or even severe damage call in SERVPRO, we will be there to provide a free quote and plan of action to restore your property "Like it never even happened."

ERP Testimonial

11/6/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO offers Emergency Ready Profiles to all commercial buildings, no matter the size. We work with Schools, Municipalities, Property Management Firms, Manufacturing Facilities and more. We work directly with Owners and Facility Managers to put a plan in place should an Emergency Occur. The profile only includes the necessary information needed following an Emergency with the goal of a knowing what to do and who to call. A quick response can minimize damage and business interruption when it comes to fire and water damages.

After working with our Marketing Manager Ashley on an Emergency Ready Profile, the Johnson City Senior Center had an unexpected water damage occur after hours. The organizations Director, Darlene had her mobile at accessible at 4 AM and called SERVPRO to respond. SERVPRO came and cleaned up the water within a couple hours. Our client could not believe how smooth of a process this was and how much easier it was having a plan, and knowing exactly what to do without wasting time. To learn more about our ERP and see the Johnson City Senior Living Video testimonial, please click the link below and

https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROBroomeTompkinsTioga/videos/1064465280388176/

Commercial Specialty Cleaning

11/6/2018 (Permalink)

Our Team offers a variety clean up and restoration services. Many times our clients think of us for Fire, Water or Mold Clean up. However we have offer specialty cleanup services as well. Our Team has been contacted by Universities and Hospitals to assist in minimizing rapid spread of infectious illnesses. We have assisted in the containment of diseases such as the Norovirus, Scabies, and aggressive cleaning of Operation and Medical rooms to limit infection spread.

Our Team provided our client a plan of action based on their need, and worked in a professional and safe manner to successfully deliver the outcome needed. Every circumstance is different, please feel free to call our office for a Free Estimate or just to learn more about our services, capabilities and how we can help!

SERVPRO is READY 24 Hours a day, 7 Days a Week, 365 Days a year.

A Team you can Trust

11/6/2018 (Permalink)

Whether it’s your home or office - we all need a little backup especially in an emergency! You never know what you’ll need. Lucky for you, we do! Floods, mold, fire damage or just regular cleaning; you have to have a company you can trust. And even more importantly - people you can count on 24/7. Look no further! You KNOW you can trust the professionals at SERVPRO!

Do you know why? Because you local SERVPRO team has been in business 25 year and ranks among the Top 20 Franchises Nationwide! Even better - according to Entrepreneur, SERVPRO is ranked in the top 10 Franchises Nationwide! WOW! And to top it all off we're #1 in our industry - and we have been for the last ten years! 

Want to know a little more about how we got our start? Believe it or not SERVPRO actually started in 1967 as a painting business. Two years later, the founders Ted and Doris Isaacson began franchising SERVPRO as a cleaning and restoration company. Then finally in 1988 they decided to make the move and left Sacramento, California to expand their business in Gallatin, Tennessee - all in order to be within 600 miles of 50% of the U.S. population. 

Our team at SERVPRO specialize in disaster restoration, offering cleanup and repairs to both commercial and residential customers whose property has suffered fire or water damage. We also offer mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, air duct and HVAC cleaning and so much more! 

We’ve been in the cleaning and restoration business for quite a while now - so we know what we’re doing. Let us be your backup - download our “Ready Plan” app and put our number on speed dial. In an emergency, you need a team you can trust - we’ve got your back! 

Fire Safety & Prevention

11/6/2018 (Permalink)

We tend to think about Fire Prevention each fall during Fire Prevention Month…. however fire can affect, homes, businesses, and communities at any time. Always keep in mind how to keep your property safest during a fire, especially by having working smoke alarms!

According to the National Fire Protection Association, survey data shows that the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, which can put them at increased risk in the event of a home fire.  In an effort to inform the members of our community, SERVPRO and the National Fire Protection Association are offering several tips and information regarding your smoke detectors:

-Check how many years you've had your smoke alarm for- if it's after 10 years its time for a new one.  If you are not sure how old your smoke alarm is, the date of the manufacture on the back of the alarm will tell you.

-Hardwired smoke alarms operate 94% of the time while battery powered alarms operate 80% of the time. However, if smoke alarms completely fail to operate, it could mean batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.

-As the National Fire Protection Association specifically recommend, an ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.

Keep safe this week and every week. SERVPRO will always be there for you.

Storm Safety Tips

8/31/2018 (Permalink)

No one likes a rainy day, SERVPRO included. But they do happen, and when a storm strikes both you and your home are at risk. Sudden downpour, power outages, and downed wires are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to an emergency. The key is to focus on what you can control in times of chaos.

Taking it back to an elementary level (literally) we here at SERVPRO recommend sharing these safety tips with your family, and even reviewing them for yourself!

Follow these 10 Rules from Alliant Energy Kids to stay in control and stay safe:

1. Have a storm safety Kit Handy
2. Stay Inside During thunderstorms and Blizzards
3. Use flashlights instead of candles
4. Don’t open the refrigerator or freezer unless you absolutely need to
5. If your power goes out, have an adult notify the power company right away
6. Don’t try to use a gas appliance to keep warm
7. Ask an adult to unplug as many as many appliances as possible
8. Don’t play near generators or heaters
9. Stay away from damaged or downed lines
10. Remind adults to watch out for power lines when they’re cleaning up outside

For the full article visit: http://www.alliantenergykids.com/PlayingItSafe/StormSafety/000562

SERVPRO: Your 365/24/7 Friend

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Team

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours, why would we? As your local SERVPRO we pride ourselves on our proximity and response times, during your emergency. Every second counts (and costs), we know that, and we make it our duty to not waste even one.

Emergencies happen. They can be unpredictable. They can be scary. They can be beat.

SERVPRO’s team of highly trained employees never stop preparing. Each and every SERVPRO team member has been thoroughly trained on fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation before stepping foot into the field. Together we can beat your emergency.

The fast response times by our highly trained employees are only possible because of our state of the art Fleet of response vehicles. Our fleet of cars, vans, pickup trucks, flatbed trucks, dumpsters trucks, and trailers, provide a vessel outfitted for your specific needs ready at the turn of a key.

We put the best people, in the best locations, and give them the best resources because our clients deserve nothing but the, you guessed it, best.

EPA Certified Firm

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

Whether you’re working on your home or business, choosing the right vendor can be difficult. No matter what the project, there is one thing that should be a number one priority when work is being performed in your home or business- SAFETY. Safety is extremely important to us; this is why our franchise is an EPA Certified Firm.

This means our workers are certified and trained in the use of lead-safe work practices to avoid potential lead based paint hazards to consumers and workers alike. Find out more about the laws governing renovators. https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program-rules.

Not only have our employees undergone lead safety training, but OSHA training as well to insure safety on all job worksites from any hazard. When it comes to proper clean up Fire, Water, Mold, or Biohazards you can be sure we are doing it the right, safe way to prevent further contamination to any home or business.

Grill Safety this Summer

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

Summer is the time for picnics, barbeques and plenty of delicious food; however do you know all of the safety measures you should take with your grill? Three out of five households own a gas grill. Each year an average of 8,900 home fires are caused by grilling and about 16,000 patients went to the emergency room because of an injury involving a grill. Wow, that’s a lot. 

Most of these injuries and fires could have easily been avoided. So just in case, here are some tips on how to avoid injuries and fires while also enjoying those yummy summer-time meals:

• Keep your grill away from your home and deck railings.
• In order to safely turn on your grill, follow these steps:
  • Open the lid before turning on the grill
  • Turn on the propane tank
  • Turn on the knobs of the grill burner
  • Push ignition button (if you have one)
• If your grill doesn’t ignite, let gas dissipate for at least 5 minutes before igniting again. 
• To turn off your grill safely, turn the gas tank off first in order to keep excess gas from leaking out.

And in case of fire damage, you know who to call: SERVPRO!

Identifying & Treating Unseen Water Damage

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

Everyone knows that the water damage that you can clearly see is causing damage to your home is not good and should be fixed as quickly as possible. However, do you know that even the smallest water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. SERVPRO Professionals have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. Having the right equipment to use makes a significant difference when dealing with water damage. Here are a few examples of what our team uses to help any unseen water damage in your home:

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 readings, allowing SERVPRO Professionals to monitor the drying process.

Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO Professionals can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.

Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas. Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor-causing particles.

If you are having any problems dealing with water in your home or property, call SERVPRO immediately so that we can help you make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO: NYS Mold

4/27/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage in your home or office? You could be at risk for mold growth - this topic is actually a lot more complex than you might think. So let the SERVPRO Professionals break it down a bit. 

"Last January 29th - Governor Andrew Cuomo signed NYS Senate Bill S3667D-2013 which will create Article 32 to the Labor Law. This article will establish the licensing of mold inspection, assessment, and remediation specialists and minimum work standards. According to the bill - the law goes (went into effect) 180 days of Jan 29th - which if calculated correctly would be July 28th 2015."

Now that this law is in effect - mold remediation specialists are required to have much more certification on their ends. The specifics about requirements to become a licensed assessor or remediator have been left to New York State Department Of Labor. But for homeowners, all you need to know is that any contractor that performs mold remediation/abatement services must be certified.

When should you hire a mold remediation company?

• New York State has set fourth a guideline that whenever 10 sq ft or more of mold is found you should consult a mold remediation specialist.

Need a few more tips?

• Request proof of pollution insurance
• Request proof of workers compensation and liability insurance
• Request employee and company certification.
• Obtain a written contract for all work to be done and costs to be incurred.

Or you could just call our Team, our employees are certified mold remediators and stay up to date on all certifications and requirements set forth by New York State. Our team will continue to advance in mold remediation techniques as the industry advances each year.

Mold is a serious threat to home and office owners, so having professionals who know how to handle the job is crucial. We're just down the road. Give us a call and read on to learn more. 

Soft Contacts: Restore, Don't Replace!

4/18/2018 (Permalink)

When it comes to restoration, many people focus on the structure of the house or building itself. Browse around our website for even 15 seconds and you can rest easy knowing that this is our specialty. However, after the initial panic of fire and water/flood damage has eased, your next natural question is probably, “but what about all of my stuff?”

Meet our Esporta Wash System. By using Esporta Technologies we have been able to make the restoration process effortless and stress free from start to finish (Even for “your stuff”.)

Traditional Dry Cleaners typically can restore: 40% of soft contents

The Esporta Machines used by SERVPRO typically can restore: 85% of soft contents

Using an advanced system of hydraulic action our machines can force both organic and inorganic contaminants out of all your valuable personal belongings.

So what can be restored you ask? You name it! Purses, comforters, couch cushions, sports gear, boots, high school letterman jackets, clothing, linens, Valentine ’s Day teddy bears, and even your favorite pair of socks with the sharks on them.

In the past these items typically ended up in the landfill, but today this technology has literally revolutionized life after an emergency. We have saved our clients time, money and peace of mind after a loss.

Learn More:

https://www.esporta.ca/blog/blog/post/14/THE_FUTURE_OF_SOFT_CONTENTS_RESTORATION/

SERVPRO Repair Division

4/16/2018 (Permalink)

Having a fire, water or mold damage to your home can be very stressful! While it is our top priority to restore vs. replace, every situation isn’t a best case scenario. Our goal is to prevent further damage from happening with a quick response but sometimes water damage isn’t found for several days, or fire damage was beyond cleaning due to severity.

In these instances we are able to offer repair services. We have highly experienced repair coordinators on staff that can assist with your repair needs following a fire, water, or mold damage to your property. We will work with your insurance carrier and do all of the coordination for you throughout the mitigation and repair process to help limit the added stresses of reconstruction.

If you have any questions about our services and how we can help, just call our local office, and we would be happy to assist you!

Thermal Imaging: Unseen Water

3/21/2018 (Permalink)

Thermal Imaging from a Commercial Water Damage

When it comes to water damages, it is the water you don’t see that can make damage even worse than it appears. Hidden or trapped water that is unseen could potentially cause mold growth to occur and make restoration more costly. For example, if your property experiences a roof leak, pipe break, or appliance/sprinkler malfunction and water travels through multiple floor levels it could be difficult to identify if there is moisture trapped in wall / floor joists, insulation or crawl spaces.

SERVPRO offers FREE Moisture Inspections to avoid these issues! Our Franchise is now a Certified Level 1 Thermographer. We use the latest in thermal imaging technology to detect unseen water. Although a surface may feel dry, water could be trapped. Your SERVPRO Professionals can take non-invasive measures to properly identify and dry water affected areas. SERVPRO can be of service to Residential, Commercial or Industrial Properties. We know what to look for, and how to help to save your home or business time and money in the future.

Seasonal Snow & Water Damage

3/21/2018 (Permalink)

It has been a long and exciting winter in the Southern Tier as snow piles are still high in streets and on roof tops even in Mid March.

What risks you need to consider with roof snow build up:

1. Ice Dam formation

• When warm air rises from your heated living spaces, it warms the shingles of your roof and the snow that covers it. This leads to snow melting and dripping down to the colder edges of the roof where it refreezes as ice. Once the ice grows thick enough, it backs up further snow-melt behind it, causing water to seep under the shingles, and eventually into your home through leakage points.

2. Icicle Formation

• Icicles often result from the same kinds of conditions that cause ice damming. While they may seem harmless, they can actually damage shingles and gutters as well as break and fall on those walking below.

3. Attic Condensation Problems

• When your roof is suffering from winter build-up, especially ice dams, there is a good chance that, just below the roof, your attic ceiling will have excessive condensation. Moisture build-up is no minor matter since this can lead to wood-rot and mold. Again, proper ventilation is the answer. However, in this case, it is crucial to plug any leaks in the insulation on the attic floor where moist air from below might enter.

**http://blogs.heattrak.com/residential/5-winter-roof-damage-issues-homeowners-need-to-know

Is there a concern for flooding from melting snow?

Although it may not be probable, it’s possible. If there is rapid snow melt from warmer weather and significant rainfall at the same time there could be a risk for flooding or flash flooding.

If you experience any issue with moisture or water, please call our office for a free estimate- We are always here to help!

DYK: Behavior of Fire & Smoke

12/5/2017 (Permalink)

Image By: http://londonfirefighters.ca/2017/02/

Fires can be caused by many things from candles, wood stoves, electrical malfunction, cooking/ grease fires, space heaters, and more.

Did you know there are different types of smoke & fire residue? Not only that, but smoke has unique behavior that impacts the way your property is affected by smoke.

There are two types of smoke: wet and dry. Depending on what is burning determines the type of smoke residue that is produced.

The various types of smoke/ residues are:

• Wet Smoke: Plastic and Rubber
• Dry Smoke: Paper and Wood
• Protein Fire Residue: Prodiced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
• Fuel Oil Soot: Furnace Puffback
• Other Types: Tear gas, finger print powder, and fire extinguisher dust.

Behavior of Smoke:

• Smoke migrates to cooler areas, and upper levels of structures
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems and seeps through holes that pipes go through
• The type of smoke can greatly impact the restoration process

No matter the type of fire loss or residue left, SERVPRO professionals are highly trained in understanding the behavior of smoke and cleanup processes to best utilize during fire restoration services.

Keep Fall Fire Free!

10/26/2017 (Permalink)

This Fall be aware and fire concious of everyday hazards, even of decorations!

Follow these tips to help ensure you stay safe and fire-free:

• Keep fall decorations like dried flowers & cornstalks away from any heat source and open flame.
• Keep emergency exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks an escape route.
• Teach Children to stay away from open flames. Be sre they know how to stop, drop and roll if clothing catches fire.
• Remember safety first when choosing a Halloween costume. Consider avoiding billowing fabric.
• It is safest to use a flashlight or battery operated candle in a Jack-O-Lantern. If using a candle place it away from anything that can burn and out of the way doorsteps, walkways and yards.

Facts provided by nfpa.org

Did you know there are 3 types of Water?

6/15/2017 (Permalink)

When it comes to a water damage in your home or business, it is very important to determine what type of water you are dealing with before attempting cleanup yourself or starting services. If you are unsure, a SERVPRO trained professional can help determine what the cause of the water loss was.  

The source of the water is what determines what "type" of water. The 3 types of water are Clean Water, Gray Water, and Black Water.

Clean Water: An example of a "Clean Water" water damage would be resulting from a broken pipe, back of toilet tank, or any unused water source.

Gray Water: An example of a "Gray Water" water damage is a washing machine overflow; or clean water that has set too long or gone unnoticed will become gray water, as contaminates and bacteria will start to grow.

Black Water: An example of "Black Water" water damage would be caused by a sewage backup or flood damage. This is considered highly contaminated water.

If you ever experience a water intrusion of any kind, it is always best to clean and dry the area as soon as possible to avoid further damage from occurring. Call in our SERVPRO Team for a free estimate of services.

Ozone Deodorization: How does it work?

5/23/2017 (Permalink)

The use of ozone can be a very effective way of removing odor from a property. SERVPRO may commonly use this method following fire damage cleaning, skunk odor to the property, mold or full property cleaning. SERVPRO will provide a free estimate of your situation and decide if Ozone will be the best and most appropriate method of odor removal. 

When it comes to successful deodorization the first step is to clean/remove or fix what is causing the odor, for example the best chance of success would be to clean the fire damage first, fix a leaking pipe that is causing a musty odor, or remove the garbage from an area before starting the ozone process. It will be crucial to remove items emitting odor.

How it works: Basically, ozone removes odor by destroying the molecules, bacteria, and spores that cause unpleasant smells.  Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive molecule and is very quick to chemically react with particles that it comes into contact with in the air and on surfaces.  The extra oxygen atom in the ozone attaches itself to other molecules, chemically changing their structure to create non-offensive molecules – eliminating the smell. *Ozonesolutions.com

For more questions regarding our deodorization methods please feel free to call our office and we would be happy to help!

Mold Damaged Documents

5/12/2017 (Permalink)

If your home or business has important documents that are affected by Mold, we can HELP!

We use a specialized process called Gamma Irradiation. This is used for cleaning/ disinfection and decontaminating documents or other consumer goods. In gamma irradiation, high-energy photons are emitted from an isotope source (Colbalt 60) producing ionization(electron disruptions) throughout a product. In a CAT 3 situation (sewage or flood water), documents are not only deteriorating but are also infected with all types of bacteria. In most storm situations you are dealing with CAT 3 water: therefore, most of the affected documents that you will encounter will be contaminated. If this is the case then decontamination is always a must. In Living cells, these disruptions result in damage to the DNA and other cellular structures. These photon-induced changes at the molecular level cause death to the organism or render the organism incapable of reproduction. The gamma process does not create residuals or impart radioactivity in processed products.

For additional information or questions on processes involving fire, water, or mold damaged documents please call our office, and we would be happy to further discuss and provide a free estimate for services.

Property Stabilization

5/2/2017 (Permalink)

Following a disaster, whether it’s after a fire, storm or other structural disaster, ensuring the safety of you and your family, or employees if the property is a business is priority #1. Once safety is insured, stabilization of the property is next. In many cases stabilization can mean boarding up damaged property. This is a burden that no one should ever have to go through- especially if it is your property that has been damaged.

Boarding up damaged property incorrectly could cause secondary damages such as moisture or animal intrusion, making the situation even worse. The process of boarding up after an unexpected damage can also be as dangerous as the damage itself.

Our team of SERVPRO professionals can board up the damaged property and mitigate and remediate the original damage, providing you with peace of mind while helping making it “Like it never even happened.”

Get our Moblie App!

4/17/2017 (Permalink)

Getting help is now quicker and easier using our SERVPRO Mobile App. Its free, easy to download and is compatible with any smart phone.

How does it work?

Once the App is downloaded, create an account and select your prefered franchise by selecting "My Profile" on the main page and inputting your name and address.

A few key features of the App is the ability to create a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for your home or business. This emergency plan contains only critical property information needed following a loss. The App also features tips of what to do or not do following a water, fire, mold or vandalism damage, as well as local weather updates.

As a National service provider, our local team is READY for whatever happens to your property. For commercial property owners we can personally and assist with facility walk throughs and Emergency Ready Profile creation, just contact us today and ask to speak with one of our commercial representatives.  

Commercial Post Construction Cleanup

4/12/2017 (Permalink)

Structural integrity, materials, labor, safety, customer satisfaction and deadlines- the list goes on and on when building a commercial facility. However, the bottom line is this- Property Managers and Construction Developers are  responsible for getting the doors open on time.

Our team can help meet deadlines by providing thorough post-construction cleanup services in a timely manner. These services include:

• Post- Construction Cleaning
• Dehumidification and Drying
• Final Cleaning
• Fast-Track Drying
• Emergency Response Restoration and Cleanup Services

If an emergency occurs, the newly installed sprinkler system goes off, or pipe bursts, our TEAM will work with you and your TEAM to get you back on track.

Dryer Vents & Fire Prevention

4/7/2017 (Permalink)

According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers casues 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause $35 Million in property loss and even can cause injury or death. To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your own home or business, SERVRPO can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup.

Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Agency include cleaning the lint filter befroe and after each each load, and making sure the outdoor vent flap will openand is not restricted by snow, a birds nest or other potential obsticles.

If your home or business is ever affected by fire or smoke damage due to a dryer fire, call us in for a free estimate. Our trained professionals will work with you and your insurance to asses the damage and come up with a plan to get you back up and running as soon as possible.

*Featured Article from the April SERVPRO Restoration Newsline

How does Duct Cleaning Work?

4/7/2017 (Permalink)

If you have a fuel-burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, the US EPA recommends they be inspected for proper functioning and be serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.

When it comes to cleaning your duct work the SERVPRO way uses a portable ventilation and air duct cleaning system.  

• Our process beings by using patentedequipment, including a roto-scraper, which automatically adapts to the duct’s shapre and diameter while traveling through the duct, removing debirs and filth before vacuuming begins.

• Next, a powerful push-pull air delivery and collection system transfers the debirs from the ducting to a 16 gallon container.

• Air is filtered through a HEPA filtration system removing 99.97 percent of the particles in the airstream. HEPA filters capture debris and keep the indoor environment clean.

• As an optional process, a sealant or coating product may be sprayed to address odor or microbial concerns.

• Filters will either be cleaned or replaced to remove odor and dirt.

Emergency Planning: Will your business be READY or RUINED?

3/20/2017 (Permalink)

When people think of “disasters” they think of Fire, Water, or Weather related events. Although there are many emergencies and disasters that can impact your business without any warning or notice, Fire and Water certainly can be culprits that can cause some serious property damage.

• The number one natural disaster in the United States is flooding. Flooding and Flash Flooding is a risk in every state. (According to floodsmart.gov)
• In 2015, there were over 1.3 Million Fires Reported (According to NFPA)

Since we can’t plan on disasters, we can plan for them. SERVPRO can help commercial businesses be prepared for these events in order to help in minimizing downtime, business interruption and the amount of damage that occurs. By knowing what to do, and who to call following a fire or water damage to your property, you are not only saving your property from further damage, but yourself from further aggravation and stress. Being prepared can lessen the stress of recovery. Starting an Emergency Ready Profile is easy. With just one meeting with one of our commercial representatives you’ll know what is needed to create the profile, and have a game plan started should anything happen. Our TEAM will work with business owners and property managers for free in order to put a plan in place. You’ll have one step in the right direction of being READY for whatever happens.

Learn more about preparedness:

https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2015/04/28/sixty-percent-americans-not-practicing-disaster-fema-urges-everyone-prepare

Dangers of Flash Flooding

3/20/2017 (Permalink)

Flooding is the number #1 weather related cause of death, with majority of those deaths caused by flash flooding. Flash flooding is when there is a large amount of rain that comes down within minutes or hours. Other causes can be heavy rain associated with a severe thunderstorm, hurricane, tropical storm, or melt water from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields.

If flooding does occur in your area, please remember

• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for current and forecasted conditions in your area.
• If flooding begins in your area, go to higher ground immediately.
• When driving, always be aware that the road bed under flood waters may be severely damaged. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Remember that it takes only two feet of water to carry away a vehicle, including pickups and SUVs.
• When walking, do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Remember that it takes only six inches of rushing water to knock an adult off his feet.
• If your vehicle stalls, get out immediately and go to higher ground.
• Be extra cautious at night, when it is harder to see possible flood dangers.
• These four words could save your life: TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN.

When it comes to water damage from flooding, safety is the number one priority. When you can insure the safety of your family and conditions have improved, that is when to call in the professionals and assess damage. Our SERVPRO Team is Ready for Whatever Happens.

If flooding does occur in your area, listen to and adhere to weather alerts and warnings and know your risk!

See the link below to learn about some of History’s worst and most extreme recorded Floods in the U.S. https://www.bustle.com/articles/85907-the-8-worst-floods-in-us-history-show-how-devastating-extreme-weather-can-be. 

Document Restoration

2/27/2017 (Permalink)

It can be overwhelming when unexpected fire or water damage affects your school, business, home, or facility. It is important to first make sure everyone is safe when a disaster happens. Once safety is insured and the damage is done….it’s time to assess and work towards restoring the property.

When it comes to assessing damage, some of the most valuable items may just be documents, photos, or books. These items aren’t always lost, we can help. Document Restoration is another service our TEAM can provide.

The SERVPRO® Document Restoration Facility Offers:

• Innovation: we use the latest vacuum freeze-drying method, as well as gamma irradiation technology for sterilizing


• Secure: managed by HIPPA Master-certified technicians, under 24/7 surveillance


• Digital: we use a computerized inventory system for digitizing your documents


• Flexible capacity - we can accommodate large commercial losses or small residential jobs


• Full Service: we offer a range of services including drying, cleaning/disinfecting, re-jacketing, digitizing, and deodorization

If you or your facility is in need of Document restoration services please contact us today and we would be happy to help you restore your valuable documents.

Join our TEAM

2/27/2017 (Permalink)

Are you interested in helping others? Is being a part of TEAM that gives back to the community and encourages personal and professional growth important to you?

Then working for SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties may be the place for you.

A career with SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is not only challenging, but rewarding because we help home and business owners when they need us most. Our company Vision is to be the best in our industry, which challenges us to continually improve as we strive towards excellence. We believe in hard work, continuous professional development, and long term investment in our community and staff. We strive to provide a fair and respectful work environment that understands the needs of our employees while meeting the expectations of our business.

Our Sales & Marketing & Production Divisions are growing. Please contact us today, SERVPRO5819ls@stny.rr.com to inquire about current job openings and how to apply.

Floods: How to be Ready

2/23/2017 (Permalink)

Photo:Courtesy of Bill Walsh 2011 Binghamton Flood. SERVPRO Southside Building.

There are several times throughout the year when there is potential for flooding. Examples would be melting snow, heavy rain fall for a long period of time, and quick heavy rain that can cause flash flooding. Please read below on how to be prepared and how to stay safe during a flood emergency.

What you can do before the flood

• Know your flood risk.
• Make a flood emergency plan.
• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
• Consider buying flood insurance.
• Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building, or to evacuate.

Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates, emergency instructions, or evacuation orders.

Basic Flood Safety Tips:

• Turn Around, Don’t Drown! ®
• Avoid walking or driving through flood waters.
• Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 2 feet of water can sweep your vehicle away.
• If there is a chance of flash flooding, move immediately to higher ground. Flash floods are the #1 cause of weather-related deaths in the US.
• If floodwaters rise around your car but the water is not moving, abandon the car and move to higher ground. Do not leave the car and enter moving water.
• Avoid camping or parking along streams, rivers, and creeks during heavy rainfall. These areas can flood quickly and with little warning. Please visit Ready.gov for more information on how to stay prepared for all types of emergencies!

Our region is an area that has flooded in the past, and has the potential to flood again the future. It is extremely important to know how to stay safe during a flood emergency, and also how to prepare in advance of a flood.

Ice Damming: What is it?

2/23/2017 (Permalink)

handyman.com Photo

When it comes to owning a home or business, one way or another, water will find its way in. It could be minor from a simple spill or slow leak, to flood or broken pipe. Ice damming is another risk that can happen to any homeowner living in regions where they are affected by cold weather.

What is Ice damming?

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, an ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. What causes this happen? According to the University of Minnesota Extension There is a complex interaction among the amount of heat loss from a house, snow cover, and outside temperatures that leads to ice dam formation. For ice dams to form there must be snow on the roof, and, at the same time, higher portions of the roof's outside surface must be above 32°F while lower surfaces are below 32°F. For a portion of the roof to be below 32°F, outside temperatures must also be below 32°F. When we say temperatures above or below 32°F, we are talking about average temperature over sustained periods of time. The snow on a roof surface that is above 32°F will melt. As water flows down the roof it reaches the portion of the roof that is below 32°F and freezes. Voila! - an ice dam.

The dam grows as it is fed by the melting snow above it, but it will limit itself to the portions of the roof that are on the average below 32°F. So the water above backs up behind the ice dam and remains a liquid. This water finds cracks and openings in the exterior roof covering and flows into the attic space. From the attic it could flow into exterior walls or through the ceiling insulation and stain the ceiling finish.

If water damage occurs inside the home, contact us immediately and we can assist in minimizing the amount of damage that is caused. Our TEAM can also assist in finding trapped water in walls and ceilings before secondary damage arises.

Please visit http://www.extension.umn.edu/environment/housing-technology/moisture-management/ice-dams/ to learn more about long term & temporary prevention.

SERVPRO Working with Federal Agencies

2/15/2017 (Permalink)

Binghamton, NY – US Federal Contractor Registration client SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and is available to work on federal contracts.

In business since 1993, SERVPRO makes available 53’ tractor trailers for clients during emergencies. These trailers come complete with state-of-the-art drying equipment, air filtration equipment, and deodorization equipment. SERVPRO also makes available document-restoration services, in addition to their Emergency fire, water, mold, biohazard, and HVAC-cleaning and restoration related services.

“We also make available to our clients a well-trained and high-quality team of people who have passed background and chemical checks,” said VP of Administration & Marketing Danielle Sepe Yurka. “Our clients know from the get-go they can trust our team with their contents & sensitive documents, and know that we will get the job done right”

SERVPRO, which serves clients in Broome, Tompkins, and Tioga Counties in New York; Upstate, Central, and Western New York; and in Northern Pennsylvania, is available 24 hours a day, which means that regardless of when an emergency occurs, the company is available to respond. Making its team available 24 hours a day means it can help prevent secondary damage from occurring, said Yurka.

SERVPRO specializes in responding to and helping mitigate large losses, and provides its clients with real-time communication and job updates. 

Though it hasn’t yet won its first contract, Yurka credits US Federal Contractor Registration with helping it put in place the tools it needs to succeed as a federal contractor. 

“The team at USFCR is pleasant to work with and its associates are eager to help us succeed,” said Yurka.

US Federal Contractor Registration helps clients complete the SAM Registration, develop winning bid strategies, and succeed as government contractors. In 2016, USFCR clients earned nearly $2 billion in government contracts.

Eric Knellinger, president of US Federal Contractor Registration, the world’s largest third-party government registration firm, said that SERVPRO makes available the types of services that federal buyers often can’t plan to acquire until they actually need them – and not just need them, but need them at that very moment. 

“SERVPRO has positioned itself as a federal contractor that is available and willing to respond to any types of emergencies when called into action,” said Knellinger. “That type of responsiveness will help it succeed going forward.”

SERVPRO Owner Renovates 3rd Property

2/15/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties now occupies a 3^rd Binghamton Property on 146 Main Street, in addition to the 18 South Washington Ave “green building” (acquired 2002), and their Main Offices located on 134 Conklin Ave (acquired 2010).

Before each acquisition the properties stood as vacant, unused or blighted properties in the city, each in need of major renovations on the inside & building exterior. As the needs of the Fire & Water cleanup business expands, the need to have more space became an issue which is what prompted the property purchase. The latest acquisition [Main Street] will allow the business to have additional space to clean and securely store customer’s contents off site of the main headquarters.

Changes to the “Green Building” property may also have been noticed by Binghamton south siders as that property also was just recently cleared of 2 structures, one a long standing apartment building, along with tress and debris which opens up the Southside property. Plans are still underway for the future of the property.

“With making a new investment in our business, we are making an investment in the growth of the community”, says owner Lou Sepe, who has owned the business since 1993. “With expanding our business we can put more people to work.” Sepe also said the business is looking to fill positions in their production and sales divisions.

The Franchise provides Emergency Fire & Water- Cleanup & Restoration services for Commercial, Residential, & Insurance clients. Additionally SERVPRO® of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties provides mold, biohazard, document restoration, as well as specialty cleanup needs. “Our job is to be there for our customer, especially following a fire or water loss when emergency response is vital to protecting their assets from further damage.”

Smoke Alarm Safety

2/6/2017 (Permalink)

In our line of work, seeing fire damaged property is part of the day to day operation. For those actually experiencing the fire loss, it can be a very stressful, scary, or worse. We are there to help in the aftermath of the fire, but what can we do to limit our personal risk? Properly placed Smoke alarms are the key to limiting fire deaths and injury.

When Fires start, they spread quickly, and alarms are needed to give you and your family warning and time to get out. The entire home should be evacuated in less than 2 minutes!

Here is some of what you need to know about Smoke Alarms:

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. 


• Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound. 


• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.


• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.


• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both types of alarms in the home.


• When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.


• Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years

Find out more on how to protect your family and your home. http://www.nfpa.org/

Q&A: Biohazard, Vandalism, & Crime Scene Cleanup

2/6/2017 (Permalink)

Q. What is considered “Bio-hazardous” that SERVPRO can help me cleanup?

A. Blood borne Pathogens, Sewage Backup, methamphetamine Labs, Blackwater intrusions, Mold Damage

Q. What are black water intrusions?

A. These are intrusions from flood waters, sewage, and anything else that has significantly contaminated the water. This type of water hosts harmful microorganisms that can pose a health risk to humans.

Q.How can SERVPRO assist with Crime Scene and Vandalism Cleanup?

A. Our team can assist with Arson Fire Cleanup, damage from graffiti, egg, spoiled foods, and human or animal waste. Our team also specializes in detail cleaning of crime scenes including fingerprint dust cleaning, and with blood & bodily fluid cleanup.

Q. Do I really need a trained professional for Bio-hazard cleanup?

A. Yes. In order to prevent risk to you, your family, or co-workers call in a professional. Our team is trained to effectively remove hazardous biological substances & utilize the top of the line personal protective equipment while doing so. Our team also follows guidelines for proper hazardous waste disposal according to OSHA, EPA and State regulations.

Customer Benefits: Restore Vs. Replace

1/30/2017 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO, our goal on every water, fire, or mold damage job is to save more and replace less. When assessing damage in a home or business, our team will determine what can be salvaged or cleaned, such as contents, furniture, & structural materials. Our team will then perform pre-testing to determine what the best method of cleaning will be.  

To an untrained eye, it would appear most items need to be removed and replaced when it comes to fire and water damage. However our drying and cleaning methods allow us to save more every day.

What exactly are the benefits of Restoring Vs. Replacing?

• Cost effective-For example, it is significantly less expensive to dry and save flooring than to remove and replace.


• Saves Time- The drying process will return you to normalcy sooner, where as removing and replacing materials will be a timely process.


• Environmental Benefit: For every item & building material that is saved, that is one less item wastefully put in the landfill.


• Peace of Mind: Being able to save precious family Heirlooms, a child’s toy, photo or favorite item, puts that peace of mind back to our customer. In our case new isn’t always better.


• Preferred Method by majority of insurance companies. Many insurance carriers prefer working with mitigation companies like SERVPRO vs contractors when it comes to fire and water damage.

If you ever experience a fire or water loss at your property, just wondering where to start can be very stressful and overwhelming to say the least. Please call our office for a free assessment and estimate. Our professional and knowledgeable team will get you back to normal faster by replacing less, and saving more!

Commercial Large Loss TEAM of Upstate NY

1/30/2017 (Permalink)

Our TEAM is Ready for whatever happens! Our Commercial Large Loss Division is ready day and night. Our Team is currently in progress with Fire restoration & cleanup services at a bowling alley in upstate NY. The fire originated in the kitchen of the bowling alley which created heavy smoke damage throughout the first and second floor.

It is our top priority to get this business back open, and their employees back to work. Our Team is working to clean every aspect of the property from the bowling alleys specialty mechanical equipment, to duct work, and every surface in between!

Our TEAM has experience working with different types of properties such as Apartment Complexes, Hotels, Assisted Living facilities, Strip Malls, Churches, Schools, Municipalities and more. With our TEAM you can expect daily communication, in-progress reports, and detailed billing and estimating. Ongoing communication throughout the job process with our commercial clients and their insurance company and/or consultants is a must in order to insure a smooth project from start to finish.

Secondary Damage to Hardwood Flooring

1/24/2017 (Permalink)

There are many ways water damage in your home or business can occur. Some of the most common examples are broken or leaking pipes, appliances malfunctioning, or flooding. The key to keeping the extent of water damage to a minimum is a quick response to start drying. Otherwise secondary damage to the property will be inevitable. Secondary damage can be many things from, delaminated carpeting, discoloring of building materials, musty odors, mold, or warped flooring. In this case we are talking about hardwood flooring in particular and what happens. Wood is semi porous material that absorbs water slowly between the wood joints. If wood has been affected by water damage, and is caught in a short amount of time, there are drying mats that can extract the water out of the wood and bring it back to its original state. If a wood floor has absorbed a significant amount of water and has dwelled for an extended period of time, then the wood floor will begin to cup and stain. If the floors are left in this condition it will get worse to the point of no return and must be removed. If wood floors are treated as soon as you see cupping, there is still a chance of them being saved. Water will get extracted, and then once dry, the wood can be sanded and refinished to get a smooth surface again.

If you or someone you know ever experiences water damage, the first thing you should do is call in a SERVPRO professional and start the drying process to prevent unnecessary damage from occurring! If a water damage occurs and has gone unnoticed, call us in and we will survey the damage. Our goal is to save as much as we can and assist in the replacement of materials if absolutely necessary.

Preparing for Winter Storms

1/23/2017 (Permalink)

Winter in Upstate NY can sometimes be unpredictable. Weather can change from week to week, but one thing we know for sure is the winter season will be here for a few more months.

The American Red Cross has great tips we would like to share, from what to do during the storm, to what we can already have on hand in your home emergency supply kit.

Remaining Safe During a Winter Storm

• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio or other local news channels for critical information on snow storms and blizzards from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Bring pets/companion animals inside during winter weather. Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure that their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles.
• Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside and kept clear.
• 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.
• 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.
• Go to a designated public shelter if your home loses power or heat during periods of extreme cold.
• Avoid driving when conditions include sleet, freezing rain or drizzle, snow or dense fog. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies kit in your vehicle.
• Before tackling strenuous tasks in cold temperatures, consider your physical condition, the weather factors and the nature of the task.
• Protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia by wearing warm, loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in several layers. Stay indoors, if possible.
• Help people who require special assistance such as elderly people living alone, people with disabilities and children.

Please see the link below for further information on putting together a home supply kit for winter emergencies!

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm#Prepare

Duct Cleaning: What you Need to Know

1/17/2017 (Permalink)

Some of our clients wonder when to get their duct work cleaned. There are a few factors to consider…when were they last cleaned? Are there pets in the home causing more than normal build up in duct work? Is there concern about your indoor air quality?...

When it comes to ductwork an annual cleaning usually is not be necessary, but call us in and We will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns.

Having Ductwork cleaned can assist with the following:

• Helps to restore peak energy efficiency
• May help to eliminate offensive odors.
• Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.

Please call us today for a free assessment if you have concerns about your ductwork. This is especially important if your home or business has been subject to contaminates such as smoke, soot, or mold.

National Get to Know you Customer Day

1/17/2017 (Permalink)

January 19^th is National Get to know your Customer Day! When our TEAM works with a client, it is because something didn’t work quite right for them; their experiencing the aftermath of flood, fire, mold, bio-hazardous damage, or worse yet! In an effort to better understand our customer’s needs and wants we do our best to listen, explain how we can help in a way that makes sense for the customer, address their concerns, and make the loss like it never even happened.

We would love to hear back from our customers, not just this week, but always! Have you or someone you know worked with us in the past? How did we do? How can we improve for a better customer experience?!

How to let us know:

1. Leave feedback on a Facebook Review
2. Leave a Review on our Google Plus Page
3. Write a Letter
4. Send an e-mail : SERVPRO5819ls@stny.rr.com
5. Give us a call: 607-722-2262

We want to be there, and make our customers happy—Tell us about YOUR experience on Facebook or Google Plus to be entered in our monthly $25 Dinner giveaway!

SERVPRO Storm Response

1/10/2017 (Permalink)

When it comes to fire & water damage, or specialty cleanup needs, it’s the SERVPRO brand that comes to mind. Our TEAMS work endlessly to make sure our customers are happy, and have one objective in the aftermath of disaster, to make their loss Like it never even happened.

No matter the job or the size, our SERVPRO teams are ready to handle any size loss. With 1,700+ franchises nationwide, we have access to numerous highly trained personnel and thousands of pieces of equipment. Our SERVPRO Disaster Recovery teams are strategically placed throughout the country to respond when needed. Our Teams have a proven track record for success, assisting with cleanup of floods, tornadoes, wildfires, and damage caused from frigid temperatures.

Whether it’s a major storm event, or faulty appliance, we will be there with one call. 607-722-2262.

The SERVPRO Difference

1/10/2017 (Permalink)

When working with SERVPRO, you know you have hired the best, because we train the best.

Our SERVPRO franchise has prided itself on the training and knowledge of our staff, with the mantra “Knowledge is Power”.

We want everyone who is working with a customer to have the knowledge and professionalism necessary to fully explain the job process of fire or water mitigation—not only what is happening , but why.  If we get the call—It’s already not good, out client is dealing with a stressful situation. Period. We want to make it better!

Our team goes through an initial intense training period where they are SERVPRO Certified in Fire, Water, and Carpet Cleaning Trained. Next, they become IICRC certified (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certified) in Applied Structural Drying, Fire, Water, Mold, & Odor. Additionally weekly training in morning meetings along with OSHA and safety training is a part of our overall strategy to be the best!

Water in the Winter

1/3/2017 (Permalink)

Happy New Year!

As the area’s weather is still ever changing from the 10’s to the 40’s, we may see on and off again snowfall, melting snow, and then again frozen. This can at times wreck havoc on your property. Water intrusions can happen through the roof, walls, windows, or any area not completely sealed---not to mention leaking appliances or broken pipes.

If there is ever a time water damage is noticed, no clean up is “too small”. It is important to address any and all water/moisture issues. The water you see, or not see for that matter, if its trapped in insulation or behind a wall surface, can contain bacteria, cause mold, rot, odor, or other unseen damage. No matter the size, call in one of our professionals for free to do an initial free assessment/ estimate of the damage.

Remember Safety first when it comes to water cleanup. If you can, prevent further damage on your own while waiting for one of our professional team members. If not we will follow up on- site quickly to…

1. Identify the source/ type of water
2. Measure temperature and humidity for drying analysis
3. Survey the Extent of Damage and inspect the premises.
4. Perform Emergency Water Extraction.
5. Apply necessary Treatments.
6. Utilize drying equipment and monitor drying

We will work with you and your insurance company, if you have opened a claim, throughout the water remediation process.

REMEMBER don’t let water of any type sit- call us in and we will be there!

Getting READY with New Equipment

1/3/2017 (Permalink)

We will now serve our clients better than ever. Our TEAM has made an investment of growing our equipment inventory, allowing us to service more people, faster. Throughout each year we make it  point to continually update versions of equipment we may have,  add more of what we already have, or expand our commercial fleet.

SO what is new? To help service our clients this winter, we have added more Desiccants, Vapor Sharks, Air scrubbers, Air movers, Portable Heaters, Gull Wings, 1 Dodge Promaster, and 1 Portable 20 KW Generator.

Calling in SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties will give you access to the most state of the art industry equipment. Having new and well maintained equipment in your home or business gives that extra peace of mind that you’ve hired a company that cares, and wants to continually invest in what is best to serve our clients.

Understanding Types of Water Damages

12/28/2016 (Permalink)

Did You Know…Water damages are categorized into three different types based on the SOURCE where the water loss came from?

Common sources of water losses are broken water pipes, defective appliances, natural disasters, and structural failures.

These losses can happen to ANY home or business owner and understanding the different types

can help you as a homeowner or business owner.

• Clean Water = Category One

Clean Water is treated water that does not contain any waste, and has not been used. Examples of clean water damages are broken pipes, overflowing sinks, and defective appliances. This type of damage

presents few health risks to humans during removal.

• Gray Water = Category Two

Gray Water is water that has been used and carries waste products, but does not contain human waste. Examples of Gray water damages are overflowing washing machines, toilet overflow with no solid matter. Generally this type of damage does present the hazard of spreading diseases but could cause sickness if exposed through touching or drinking.

• Black Water = Category Three

Black Water is unsanitary water. Examples of Black Water are sewage backups, flood water.

This type of damage can contain disease-causing organisms as well as possible chemical contaminates.

*The names of water types-clean, gray or black are not based on actual water color, but what it contains*

*Clean water becomes Gray water, and Gray water becomes Black water, the longer water sits*

TIMELY mitigation is KEY in preventing secondary damage to contents and structure. Secondary damage can be mold growth, warped flooring, carpet delimitation, musty odors, etc. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? The faster water is removed the less damage that will occur. This will ultimately save the property owner and insurance company money and prevent costly repairs to the property.

SERVPRO’s goal is to RESTORE rather than replace a damaged structure or contents in order to save time and money for our customers.

Be READY this New Year

12/28/2016 (Permalink)

Do you have a New Year’s resolution? Often times when people create resolutions be it personal or business, it is on areas in which they want to improve, do better or change. If it’s improving your business this year, this is an area where we can help!

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile is a free tool our company offers to prepare businesses should they ever incur a disaster or emergency such as a major pipe break, fire, or biohazard / vandalism cleanup. The profile outlines, what to do, who to call, list of emergency preferred vendors, key company personnel, and photo documented utility shut off and priority areas.

How can this help?

By knowing what to do, and who to call when it comes to initial response could save substantial dollars. A quick response will limit the amount of damage that occurs, especially when it comes to fire or water damage. Furthermore, if more damage is incurred then the time it takes to fix or restore the damage may be timely causing further business interruption and unnecessary downtime.

We stay connected throughout the year to make sure the profile is up to date. The Profile is made available as a hard copy and Mobile Versions. It will feel great to not have the stress of--will I know what to do should fire, water, or mold ever affect my business?

Call us today to find out how to get started!

First Day of Winter: Winter Storm Prep!

12/19/2016 (Permalink)

December 21^st marks the first day of winter! Upstate NY sometimes has unpredictable weather, we can be surprised by some mild weather and the sun shining….but for the part we know we will see some of those freezing temperatures and Winter storms! It is important to have your home and business ready!

Take a look at some of these Winter Storm Safety Tips from the American Red Cross:

• Winterize your vehicle and keep the gas tank full. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Insulate your home by installing storm windows or covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep cold air out.
• Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected every year.
• 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.

Not following these tips for your property could potentially wreck havoc on your winter season from broken pipes to chimney fires!

SERVPRO wants you to stay safe! If your home or business ever suffers from the cold weather causing issues from water or smoke damage, give us a call and we will be there!

READY for the Holidays

12/19/2016 (Permalink)

When it comes to Fire or Water damage in your home or business…it’s never a 9-5 job. Our team will be READY 24 Hours a day, 7 days a week, no matter what the day, even if it is a holiday!

By calling our local number, our on-call service will be ready with a live representative day or night to take your call. Our typical on-site response time is 4 hours*.

If you find water, mold, bio-hazard or smoke damage to your property, make us your first call! This can be very stressful and we will be here to help advise and discuss what you can do or shouldn’t do to prevent further damage while you are waiting for our team to respond, how we will work with your insurance company, and put your mind at ease while we are on our way!

Call us day or night, we are READY for the Holidays!

*Only exception is catastrophic high volume events

Featured Business with the City of Binghamton

12/15/2016 (Permalink)

Greater Binghamton Area

SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is a featured business with The City of Binghamton. As a leader in our industry, we are dedicated to serving and supporting our local communities. Our company, along with other successful businesses has been featured as a part of a promotion of the City of Binghamton. The video features our state of the art facility and capabilities.

Throughout the year our SERVPRO TEAM responds to disasters and emergencies on a residential and commercial base, our team arrives uniformed, in a marked vehicle and ready to HELP! In additionl to our everyday service, our TEAM helo to support the community though donations and sponsorships for many organizational events and charities throughout the year.

Check out our business's featured video at the link below!

http://www.elocallink.tv/m/v/player.php?pid=Q1xwzx34&fp=nybi14_wel_rev4_iwd#

Let’s stay Connected!

12/15/2016 (Permalink)

With today’s technology there are so many ways to connect with the people and information you need! Find the icons on our home page to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. We regularly post helpful tips and information to our clients and followers, be sure to visit our social media pages!

Stay even closer by downloading our free Mobile App! Our App features advice on what to do if you have a fire or water issue, local weather updates, and the ability to make your own SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile! Own a business? We can work with you to develop a more comprehensive plan that can be updated with us each year and shared with your colleagues. Learn more by visiting the link below

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nm1pzO_9sG4 https://www.google.com/search?q=SERVPRO+ready+app&biw=1600&bih=752&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwj2sYjl1NrPAhVGXD4KHbOEBjUQ_AUICCgD#imgrc=uygV6R0X83VBoM%3A

Holiday Decorating Safety

12/6/2016 (Permalink)

Be safe this season! Holiday lights and decorations are festive and raise the holiday spirit, but if they are not used properly they can wreck havoc on your holidays! The U.S. Fire Administration says that one of every three home Christmas tree fire is caused by electrical problems. Although these fires may not be as common they are more likely to be serious.

Here are a couple things to keep in mind from the American Red Cross while you are getting your home or business festive!

1. Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving the property or going to bed
2. Place Christmas Trees, and other holiday decorations at least 3 feet away from heat sources- fire places, portable heathers, and other heat vents.
3. Make sure that light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords.

If fire or smoke damages your property, call in a professional to assist in the clean up! We will walk you through our fire restoration process and make it like it never even happened!

Weather: 1st week of December

12/6/2016 (Permalink)

According to Accuweather, this week will be highs in the mid 30s/40s, and possible flurries or showers each day. Be sure to stay warm this week, and up to date with any driving risks the weather could bring!

We are getting ready for whatever happens as the cooler weather kicks in, we will be here when you need us! 607-722-2262

Preventing Frozen Pipes

12/6/2016 (Permalink)

During the winter months our franchise sees an increase in water damages caused by frozen pipes that have burst. It is nearly impossible to tell the condition of interior pipes in your home and business, but there are ways to decrease your risk of having pipes break due to freezing and thawing of water.

Here are a couple tips from the American Red Cross to prevent pipes from freezing..

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

Visit http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes to learn more about preventing frozen pipes, and how to safely thaw pipes that may be frozen.

If your home or business experience water damage due to a broken pipe, contact us right away to prevent further damage from happening. We will be able to quickly respond and start the water removal and drying process right away. We are also able to use moisture reading tools to test if there is moisture trapped in walls or flooring. This will allow us to effectively dry wet areas, and give you the best service possible!

Join the Holiday Fun!

11/28/2016 (Permalink)

Each year our company gets excited for our Annual Holiday Party and Snack with Santa! Last year Santa dropped by early to bring gifts to all the children of the SERVPRO employees. This weekend we get a chance to appreciate our employees once more with a Holiday Celebration Saturday night! Thank you to all of our hardworking, dedicated employees making it happen each day.

If you or someone you know is not doing as well as they should be, please put them in touch with us! We may just have a spot for them. Our Sales and Marketing Team is growing and expanding, inquire within and we will gladly discuss possible employment opportunities in our company’s Marketing and Production Divisions.

ARC Home Fire Preparedness Campaign

11/28/2016 (Permalink)

The American Red Cross is in full swing of their home fire safety campaign! SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, along with SERVPRO Industries fully support this amazing initiative. The goal is to have the amount of fire related deaths lowered by 25%. The American Red Cross is educating homeowners and installing smoke alarms for free to anyone who contacts them. To have one installed in your home contact your local American Red Cross Chapter.

http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/prevent-home-fire#About

Home Fire risk is the highest in the months of December, January and February. We want to remind homeowners to be aware of their risk and avoid preventable fires this season! Not every fire is a total loss, and when it comes to smoke, soot, and content damage we are the professionals ready to help. We offer free estimates, and offer 24 hours response for when you need us most!

Weather Week of December 1st

11/28/2016 (Permalink)

According to the Weather Channel, the Greater Binghamton area will be wet the first half of the week, with temperatures in the mid 40s – 50s. As December starts on Thursday we should see temperatures dropping with possible snow showers starting next week. For many this will be the weekend to kick off the holiday season, whether it’s decorating outside or hunting for a tree, it shouldn’t be too bad out there! As always, SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties will be READY for any of the unpredictable winter weather that can happen this season!

Helping Families this Thanksgiving!

11/21/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO vehicles caravan to drop of 100 Thanksgiving Turkeys

SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties strived to help the Broome Catholic Charities Thanks 4 Giving 2016 Turkey Drive by donating 100 Turkeys to reach their goal of feeding 3,800 families this Thanksgiving.

Each year our company donates to several organizations in the area, with a particular interest in bettering the lives of families and children in our area.

“To do more for the world, than the world has done for you – that is success.”- Henry Ford.

Wishing all the families of the Greater Binghamton and surrounding areas a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Cooking Safety!

11/21/2016 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving has the highest number of reported cooking fires in the U.S., which is about 3x the average of any other day. We would like to keep your family safe this holiday season by sharing some cooking safety tips to avoid being part of this overwhelming statistic! According to the NFPA here’s what you need to know!

• Keep an eye on what you fry
• Be alert when cooking
• Keep things that can catch fire away from cooking area

Our team has significant experience in clean up of smoke & soot damage from cooking related fires, and even clean up of fire extinguisher dust used to put out a protein fire. Cooking related fires are known for leaving behind a very pungent odor and a virtually invisible film that can discolor paint. If you have ever experienced this is your home, call our local number we can provide a free estimate for cleanup, deodorization, or repair services. Call our local number 607-722-2262.

http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/top-causes-of-fire/cooking

Weather This Week: 11/21/2016

11/21/2016 (Permalink)

This week’s weather is starting out with a lot of snow! Most of the surrounding Binghamton areas have experienced wind along with several inches of lake effect snow. According to the Weather Channel, as we continue to later in the week, weather highs get into the low 40’s and possible rain/ snow mix for Thanksgiving, and cloudy skies for the weekend. We will be staying bundled up this week here at SERVPRO, and wish everyone safe travels as families get together for the upcoming holiday. No matter what is going on outside, we will be available to respond 24/7!

https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USNY0124:1:US

Fire at Board of Elections Building

11/14/2016 (Permalink)

Our Commercial Large Loss Team was able to assist in the fire remediation needed at a Board of Election building in Erie County. A fire broke out in the night causing smoke, soot, and odor damage throughout the building. Our Franchise was able to work with the government officials in restoring the building quickly to minimize unnecessary downtime.

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/erie-co-board-of-elections-building-fire/312019573

When it comes to damage to a commercial building, it is our priority to minimize the amount of secondary damage that occurs which can ultimately limit the amount of business interruption. If your business does not already have a plan in place of what to do and who to call if disaster strikes- call our office and we will assist is making on for you…for FREE! Call us to find out more.

We're in your Neighborhood

11/14/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is here to help! We cover, Broome, Tompkins, Tioga, and the surrounding counties in upstate NY, and Northern PA. With our franchise having over 20 years of experience in fire and water restoration, we are a trusted vendor among the insurance and commercial industries and can accept any size job- big or small! Call our local 24/7 number, 607-722-2262, and speak with a live person day or night!

If there is any degree of damage from fire, water, or mold, call us in for a free estimate and our professional technician can advise how to treat the issue and the next anticipated steps of getting your issue resolved.

Weather 11-14-16

11/14/2016 (Permalink)

2011 Leonid Meteor Shower (wordlesstech.com)

It’s looking like another great Fall week of weather. According to the Weather Channel, the Binghamton area will enjoy temperature highs in the mid 50’s and partly cloudy most days this week, with possible rain towards the end of the week. As many of us enjoyed the SUPER moon this past week, still look out for the Leonid meteor shower that will peak towards the 17^th! https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/meteor-shower/leonids.html

EPA Certified Firm

11/8/2016 (Permalink)

Whether you’re working on your home or business, choosing the right vendor can be difficult. No matter what the project, there is one thing that should be a number one priority when work is being performed in your home or business- SAFETY. Safety is extremely important to us; this is why SERVPRO® of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is an EPA Certified Firm.

This means our workers are certified and trained in the use of lead-safe work practices to avoid potential lead based paint hazards to consumers and workers alike. Find out more about the laws governing renovators. https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-renovation-repair-and-painting-program-rules

Not only have our employees undergone lead safety training, but OSHA training as well to insure safety on all job worksites from any hazard. When it comes to proper clean up Fire, Water, Mold, or Biohazards you can be sure we are doing it the right, safe way to prevent further contamination to any home or business.

Weather This Week

11/8/2016 (Permalink)

According to AccuWeather we may see some mid 50’s earlier in the week followed by cooler temperatures as we hit the weekend. The mornings will be frosty and cool as the week continues. If you can, enjoy the sun early in the week as it may be harder to come by as the week goes on. Rain or Shine SERVPRO® is always here for you!

Home Fire Escape Planning

11/8/2016 (Permalink)

Every home should have a fire escape plan. According to the American Red Cross, homeowners shouldn’t just have a plan of escape for a fire but have a plan and practice it twice a year. Home fires cannot be predicted and can happen to anyone. If you’re making preparations to prevent home fire, you should also prepare for what you and your family would do if you have one. Here are some tips from the American Red Cross in making a plan for your home.

• All members of the household should know two ways to get out of every room.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas or homes on the second floor or above. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
• Pick a place outside for everyone to meet and make sure everyone knows where it is.
• Practice your home fire drill until everyone in the household can do it in less than two minutes.
• Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

http://www.redcross.org/news/article/A-Home-Fire-Escape-Plan-Can-Save-Your-Life

Once the safety for your family is established, the next steps to come will be home recovery. SERVPRO® will work with you from widow and roof board up to assisting with the final stages of move back & rebuild.

Ultrasonic Cleaning

11/3/2016 (Permalink)

A fire in your home can cause a devastation that carries distress and anguish over anything lost in the aftermath. However, SERVPRO has the ability to restore your home and many of your items that appear to be ruined. We’ve now applied the Fireline system of Ultrasonic Cleaning so we can repair and preserve the things important to you! It’s an assembly line system so your things will be taken care of and packaged individually. Our team at SERVPRO want to help you save more and replace less.   

If you have a fire emergency or are concerned about the safety of your home, call us at (607) 722-2262. We’re here for you 24/7 and your safety is our number one priority!

Wet Smoke and Dry Smoke

11/3/2016 (Permalink)

Restoring your home after a fire can be a dangerous feat, especially with fires emitting two types of smoke: wet smoke and dry smoke.  The difference in smoke results in a difference in soot residue. If you don’t know the type of smoke or soot released you may add more damage to your home when you begin the restoration process. To determine if the smoke is dry or wet, SERVPRO Franchise Professional study the layer of soot left behind and can then treat and restore your home accordingly.  

We at SERVPRO would like to share some additional information regarding various types of smoke in order to keep you safe:

- Wet smoke causes plastic and rubber to smolder and emit a pungent odor. They may also turn sticky or smeary.

- Paper and wood caught in dry smoke will reach a high temperature and burn quickly.

- After a fire, there may be protein fire residue created by evaporation of material. Although the residue is virtually invisible, it can discolor paint and release an extremely pungent odor.

- Fuel oil soot or furnace puff backs are difficult to manage, but SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can restore the contents and structure quickly.

If your home or business sustains fire or smoke damage, contact SERVPRO. Once we arrive, we can help make it look “Like it never even happened.”

Weather • November 1

11/3/2016 (Permalink)

With the Halloween spirit still lingering in the air, we’re kicking off November with gray skies and rainy mornings. Jumping from the 80-degree weather of last week, Binghamton has finally caught up to the season.

We’re plunging into a chilly autumn this week with temperatures ranging from the high 40s to mid-50s. Our mornings may be cloudy but by the end of the week, our afternoons will be sunny! We hope you enjoy the week and remember to take in the beauty of the Southern Tier in the fall.

Protect Your Pipes From the Cold

11/1/2016 (Permalink)

Preparing your home is a crucial task homeowners must take as we approach the colder fall and upcoming winter weather.  Our SERVPRO team looks out for you and your family and we have several tips when it comes to setting up your home. One particularly significant regards piping. Pipes freezing from the cold is an ongoing phenomenon we’d like to stop!

Before the cold weather hits, we suggest insulating the pipes most susceptible to freezing, specifically your home’s water pipes. In order to properly insulate and keep out cold air, you can use heat tape to wrap around any spots that leak. You should also make sure to disconnect garden hoses and drain the water from the pipes previously connected.

If your pipes do freeze immediately shut off the water.  Be cautious as there may still be water in the pipe, which could potentially lead to an electric shock. After stopping the flow of water call a professional to fix the piping. Do not try to defrost the pipe on your own.

We at SERVPRO hope you take care of your home. Remember, we’re always ready to help in any disaster, so if you do have a home emergency contact us. Your safety is our number one priority!

Summer Weather in the Fall?

10/19/2016 (Permalink)

Just when we thought we were ready to break out the jackets and prepare to turn the heat up, this Upstate NY weather pulled a fast one on us, before we could even pull our coats on! Already this week we're looking at significantly higher temps than last weeks temps of 33 degrees at night and a high of 50 degrees. This week is looking a little rainy on Monday and then throughout the week were getting warmer. Tuesday is 80 degrees! A record high for this time of year. Then through Thursday were still in the 60s, just up until we can get outside and really enjoy it. Then the weather drops back down to around high 40s for the weekend. Regardless of why this warm weather is happening, we are definitely happy to have a few more days of sun and warmth or weeks for that matter!

Fires: Be Ready and Stay Safe

10/18/2016 (Permalink)

Fire disasters in the United States reached over 1.3 million in 2015.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, 501,500 were structure fires, 204,500 were vehicle fires and 639,500 were outside and other fires.  Every 86 seconds a home structure fire was reported.  SERVPRO is set on greatly decreasing these frightening numbers by supplying you and your family with important information.

The NFPA lists several causes for a home structure fire.  Based on this list, we would like to remind you of the following:

-Using cooking and heating equipment, make sure to turn off any item you are no longer using

-Using clothes dryers and washing machines, remember to clean out the lint filter

-Any equipment that involves ignition, including grill fires, should be completely turned off

-Fireplace and candles, extinguish both when leaving the room

Our team at SERVPRO hope you remember the list above and be cautious- your safety is our number one priority.

For more information regarding fire statistics and potential hazards, visit: http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-reports/fire-statistics/fires-in-the-us

Lunch and Learn!

10/18/2016 (Permalink)

Lunch is on us! Our sales and marketing team at SERVPRO of Broome County East will hold an event for business owners, agents, brokers, office managers or CSR’s. This Lunch and Learn event will give you an opportunity to learn more about our company. Specifically how we can be of service to you and your company when you need it the most.  We can schedule any time that works for you. Plus, you can decide if you would like us to come to your office or have your business visit us.  

Over lunch, we will do a 15-20 minute PowerPoint presentation with a particular focus.  You can choose  any of the following topics:

Topic 1: General Overview of SERVPRO Services and How SERVPRO is engaged with the insurance industry.

Topic 2: Water Damage and various categories. Also to include flood & mold, and how it affects your client's properties.

Topic 3: Fire, Smoke & Soot Damage. Types of smoke and how it affects your client’s properties. Also to include stats and fire safety tips/ what to do until help arrives.

Topic 4: SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties: Contents & Electronics Restoration Center-Saving your Customer’s peace of mind.

Topic 5: Commercial & Industrial Large Loss: Capabilities, Response, and Preparing your Commercial Clients for Whatever Happens (Emergency Ready Profile)

If you’re interested contact our office 607-722-2262 and ask for Ashley.  Or, you can e-mail us with your interest at alayton@cleanupteam.net

We hope to hear from you soon!

What To Do In A Fire Emergency

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

Fires can spread fast and cause immediate damage, but we at SERVPRO are here to help restore your home.  As with all natural disasters, you and your family should first assess the situation and determine if it is safe to stay in your home. If you decide to stay in your home, SERVPRO would like to offer pertinent information to keep you safe while we are on our way to help.

After a fire, make sure to limit movement in your home, as soot particles can get embedded into upholstery and carpets.  We recommend placing clean towels or old linens on any rugs or upholstery. In this regard, keeping your hands clean will prevent further soiling to upholstery, walls and woodwork. As we mention on our website, if you have houseplants wash them on both sides of the leaves.  We also suggest changing the HVAC filter and taping double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

However, there are several activities you should not to before we arrive. These include attempting to wash any walls or painted surfaces, or shampoo carpet or upholstery.  Avoid cleaning electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water.  You should also avoid using any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.  If the ceiling is wet, do not turn on ceiling fixtures, as the wiring may be damaged.

Once SERVPRO arrives, we will handle the rest. We'll be there no matter the disaster- your safety is our main priority.

Autumn Weather in Upstate NY!

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

The changing leaves of the season that turn the hills of trees into an array of warm colors will be accentuated with this week of sunshine.  The weather will be in the mid-60s all week, gradually reaching the cooler weather that will mark the rest of October. Our SERVPRO team hopes you enjoy the week and get outdoors!

Fire Prevention Week

10/10/2016 (Permalink)

For over nine decades we, as a nation, have taken part in Fire Prevention Week. This tradition occurs through the week of October 9th, to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire and the commonly forgotten Peshtigo fire of 1871. It's our duty to uphold the efforts of the brave individuals that risked their lives with their acts of heroism during those disasters.  SERVPRO would like to be an active participant in a week dedicated to preventing the start of another infamous blaze.

Every year the National Fire Protection Association creates themes for Fire Prevention Week. Last year was Hear The Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!  This year we're observing: "Don't Wait, Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years." As these themes suggest, a simple way to protect you and your family begins with the fire alarm. According to the National Fire Protection Association, survey data shows that the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, which can put them at increased risk in the event of a home fire.  In an effort to inform the members of our community, SERVPRO and the National Fire Protection Association are offering several tips and information regarding your smoke detectors:

-Check how many years you've had your smoke alarm for- if it's after 10 years its time for a new one.  If you are not sure how old your smoke alarm is, the date of the manufacture on the back of the alarm will tell you.

-Hardwired smoke alarms operate 94% of the time while battery powered alarms operate 80% of the time. However, if smoke alarms completely fail to operate, it could mean batteries are missing, disconnected or dead.

-As the National Fire Protection Association specifically recommend, an ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended.

Keep safe this week and every week. SERVPRO will always be there for you.

SERVPRO Quick Response

10/6/2016 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO we strive to respond to your call and arrive at your property as fast as possible.  Our method for a speedy arrival is our standard 1-4-8 system.  If you call between 8am and 5pm you will receive an immediate response.  However, if you call after hours, we will assist you within 1 hour. Within 4 hours a crew will arrive at your home to start Emergency Services.  We will then contact your insurance company to give an initial update and progress of your job within 8 hours.

SERVPRO is here to help 24/7 to fix the damage of your property and quickly make it "like it never even happened.”

Join Our Team

10/6/2016 (Permalink)

Since 1967, SERVPRO has strived to make life safer for the community by restoring residential, as well as commercial, property after a fire or water damage.  We’re proud to service the people of Broome County and would like to give you the opportunity to join us.  At SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer that looks for top-notch employees to get the job done.   

Interested in sales? We have Commercial Sales, Marketing and Mitigation positions ready to be filled. As we write on our website, this person would promote and sell franchise services in designated territories to meet and exceed sale goals. They would take part in building relationships and educating customers on why SERVPRO is the best cleaning and restoration company.

Helping the community is our number one priority, to do this we need more experts. We’re looking for a Production Technician for fire, water, and mold. This position involves communicating with customers to make sure all needs are met as well as support the crew chief and other production personnel.  They’ll oversee vehicles, equipment, and facilities to make sure they are clean, orderly, and working properly.

If you would like to take part in our mission to clean and restore the community, apply to either of these positions by sending your resume to SERVPRO5819ls@stny.rr.com

Weather October 3rd!

10/6/2016 (Permalink)

Binghamton rings in October with a daunting gray sky and a high percentage of humidity. But it’s not time to break out the umbrellas! The majority of the week appears to be sunny and the chilly weather of last week has reverted to warmer temperatures around the low 70’s. This may be the last week of warm as true fall weather will arrive the following week.

The nice weather coming up will be a great time for you and your family to start pumpkin carving and putting up some outdoor decorations. To celebrate the spirit of the month, the chance of rain coming up next week would be a great excuse to spend a cozy day indoors enjoying a scary movie marathon.  For now, get out there and soak up the heat while you can, cool weather is headed our way.

Fall Cleaning Checklist

9/27/2016 (Permalink)

As leaves start to fly, revisit your spring cleaning list and add a few seasonal extras to prepare your house for the winter. (9/29)

The new season should always begin with a fresh start, especially in your home. Is your home ready for the beautiful autumn weather in Upstate NY? We've done our research and with a bit of help from Real Simple, we can help you get through your fall cleaning checklist!

Check out your wooden floors are they scuffed up? See if they need to be sanded or refurbished.

Test all of your home smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; especially as you go through the months with more active fireplaces and with your heat turned up.

Replace Furnace Filters. If you changed your furnace filter in the last three months, now is a good time to do it!

Don't forget the outside of your home too!

Check and clean the gutters before the red and orange leaves fall!

Time to drain and store your garden hoses, don't let them freeze when the first snow falls.

Touch up the paint on your home

Check out the full checklist here! http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/fall-cleaning-checklist

And if you need an expert to come but to make sure you have your full checklist covered, give SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins, and Tioga Counties a call. We'll give you and your family a free estimate! (607) 722-2262!

SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties Ranked Top 20 at National Convention

9/27/2016 (Permalink)

In exciting news, our team at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins, and Tioga Counties has been ranked in the Top 20 SERVPRO franchises at the SERVPRO 2016 National Convention. Were proud to serve Broome, Tompkins and Tioga counties and ensure the safety and well-being of our community members! SERVPRO is here for you whenever damage hits your home. Our professionals arrive at the scene immediately, working 24/7 if need be, to eliminate your household problems and in turn, minimize your stress.

As SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties we cover a lot of ground and we feel honored by our company's recognition. We will continue to work thoroughly and efficiently, we understand the importance of each person and want to make sure your home is a safe home.

Weather (9/27)

9/27/2016 (Permalink)

Last week we had a brief return to summer, but this week we are officially in full fall mode! A bit of rain is on its way, with temperatures in the low 60’s it’s clear our crisp autumn weather has broken through. We can now, officially, enjoy our apple pie and hot cider outdoors with the comfort of a warm jacket. The rain may impede on your weekend, so plan for some fall-inspired indoor activities! Our SERVPRO team hopes you have a fun, safe week, and remember to drive safely in the rain!

First Day of Fall

9/22/2016 (Permalink)

Autumn has arrived with cool weather, warm fireplaces, beautiful trees and their falling leaves. As the season has just begun, it's important to remember certain safety precautions that can keep you and your family safe throughout the season.

Fireplaces are comforting, beautiful and quite popular in the fall, of course, this can also lead to certain dangers involving fire. We've put together some tips to keep you safe in your home. When burning a fire, make sure to have a screen to keep sparks from flying, and never leave a burning fire unattended. While these are simple instructions, it's always important to refresh your memory. Keeping with fire safety, candles are also an easy way to start a fire in your home.  To avoid this danger, place your lit candles away from children and pets and fully blow-out candles when leaving your home.  

The array of red and orange leaves add a nice atmosphere to a fall drive. However, they can also lead to dangerous roads. With falling leaves and wet weather, driving on a street covered with leaves can make the ground slippery, so it's important to be cautious, and drive slow!

Our SERVPRO team believes it's important for you to remember these tips so you can have an enjoyable, safe season. Happy fall!

How to Handle Water Damage

9/22/2016 (Permalink)

Water damage ranging from floods to leaks can severely hurt your home. Once the water flows in it’s crucial that you take the right procedures as it can cause immediate damage.  Our SERVPRO team acts fast, but before we arrive we want to make sure you’re safe.  

When the water hits, it’s important to first determine whether it’s safe to stay in the house.  If you decide to stay, we offer the following tips that will ensure you and your family remain safe.

Examine the situation - if you’d like to clean your home before we arrive remember to only do activities that are safe for you to perform.  As we mention on our website, gathering wet items and other materials may be very heavy, so be careful when picking them up. Particularly significant hazards include the handling of electrical equipment and the high potential to “slip and fall” from the wet floor.

Electrical equipment is one of our most prevalent concerns. It is a factor that is stressed throughout the long list of “What Not To Do After Flooding.”  When your home has water damage, do not turn on the television or other household appliances. Do not use your household vacuum to remove water, or turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.  Finally, it’s important to keep out of rooms where the ceiling is sagging.

Our SERVPRO team will be there for you in any disaster at any time.  We hope you remember the information above and, most importantly, stay safe.

Weather September 20th

9/22/2016 (Permalink)

Fall is just two days away, and the leaves have already started their transformation into those warm, red-orange colors that mark this new season. But get ready to take a hayride in a t-shirt and shorts. It seems no one told Mother Nature it was time to be as crisp as the leaves. This week brings high rates of humidity and temperatures reaching over the 80's.  Don’t fret, fall festivals, pumpkin picking and corn maze racing are all set to start! Leave your jacket behind and take a trip to a farm near you, or head to the Cider Mill! We hope you enjoy a week of sunny weather and have a great start to the season.

Health & Safety Jamboree Success!

9/21/2016 (Permalink)

September 10th 2016, the SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties team held our first Health and Safety Jamboree for the local businesses and children in the community. This event garnered such amazing support from local businesses in the area that came together to support an extremely worthy cause; Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network.

In the MacArthur Elementary School parking lot Saturday September 10th our team and local vendors offered various exciting activities for families, to help raise awareness about health and safety services offered in our community. This event had 13 different businesses and so many activities. All of the profits raised from this event go towards our partner, Mothers and Babies Perinatal Network, which provides services to mothers and children in the community.

SERVPRO organized a"Touch-a-Truck Expo," to teach children about police and service vehicles in the community. The Broome County Sheriff's Office also did car seat inspections.

Our event organizer and Vice President of Administrative Marketing at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins, and Tioga Counties, Danielle Sepe Yurka, said the event was crucial to make attendees aware of all of the services that are offered in the community. Our team at SERVPRO has worked on this for the last couple of months, and it is wonderful to see it all come together. This event was such a success, and we are thankful for those that have volunteered their time and our participating sponsors.

To see more photos from our event check out our Facebook page!

National Preparedness Month

9/15/2016 (Permalink)

Many of us spend the majority of our waking hours spent at work. It is widely thought to create Preparedness Kits and evacuation routes from our homes, but how many of us have thought to put those same plans in place for your work environment. 

Grace & Holy Spirit Church Fire

9/15/2016 (Permalink)

A growing segment within SERVPRO Industries is Commercial Large Loss Response. Our professionally trained team has the experience and equipment to manage any and all commercial damage emergencies, no matter how large. One of the most devastating disasters for any business or commercial property is a fire. 

When an electrical fire caused significant damage to the Grace & Holy Spirit Church in Cortland, New York, we were eager to get to work. This landmark in the Cortland Community is not only a place of worship, but also the home to many outreach groups, including those who serve food to the hungry and hold 12-step programs. We knew that it was vital for this loss cleanup to be completed as quickly as possible and with a great deal of TLC. 

Fall Season.

9/14/2016 (Permalink)

The fall season is fast approaching and the weather is beginning to reflect it! We can finally breath a sigh of relief as the hot and humid temperatures gradually come to an end. The forecast for the week ahead will remain in the high-to-low 70's. This weekend will however come with some precipitation. Sunday we are expected to have thunderstorms, so prepare for a gloomy day inside. Though the rain may put a dent in your weekend plans, it will be much appreciated by those local apple farms because as we all know, apple season is almost here! We cannot wait for the apple cider, picking, pies, and so on! Enjoy your week, from the SERVPRO team. 

Back to School.

9/13/2016 (Permalink)

School is officially back in session! The summer may have come to an end, but the nice weather is not over just yet. This week will remain in the 70 to 80 degrees range. There will be some cloud coverage throughout the week, but there will be no rain on the forecast. Be sure to take advantage of the warm temperatures while they last! It's the perfect weather to be outside supporting your local school's fall sports. For those night games/events you should dress a little warmer as the evenings will see quite a drop in temperatures- as low as 55 degrees! We wish all of you the best of luck this school year, both in sports and academically.

Labor Day Weekend Weather!

8/31/2016 (Permalink)

Summer is coming to an end and the weather is beginning to show it. The coming week will give us just the break that we need from the hot and humid weather. Temperatures are predicted to range between 75 and 80 degrees with partially cloudy skies. Though the sun may be a hit or miss, we can be certain that rain is not on the forecast! So go ahead, spend your labor day weekend outside soaking up the warm weather while it's still here. After all, labor day is officially the unofficial end to the summer months. As always, we encourage you all to practice safety this holiday weekend. Have your 'ready plan' in place for when disaster does strike with our mobile app. Create one today by downloading our SERVPRO app and following the provided prompts! 

https://ready.SERVPRO.com

Weather for August 24th!

8/24/2016 (Permalink)

The week is off to a great start with temperatures in the low 80's and plenty of sunshine! The same, however, cannot be said for next week with thunderstorms predicted on Monday and the remainder of the week being partly cloudy. Soak up the warm weather while you can! Fall is just around the corner bringing the cooler temperatures with it. This may be the perfect weekend for one last summer getaway with the family before school is back in session. So get out there and make your weekend count while summer is still here. 

Weather August 17th!

8/16/2016 (Permalink)

After a week of many showers and summer thunderstorms, it looks like the sun is going to be peaking out for the weekend! Since Summer is already beginning to start to wind down, we suggest getting outside as much as you can this weekend to soak up the sun while you still can! We’re looking at mostly sunny with highs in the low 80’s! And remember, if you’re looking for something to do there’s always the Golf Fore Good miniature golf event Thursday through Sunday at the Oakdale Mall!

Golf FORE Good

8/10/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is a sponsor for this year’s Golf Fore Good miniature golf event to benefit the Discovery Center! This event will be held at the Oakdale Mall’s center court and will be from Thursday, August 18th to Sunday, August 21st. You can golf anytime between 11:30 to closing. It’s only $4 a round and includes 9 wild and wacky holes to take a hack at as well as a Foundation Prize Wheel with a guaranteed prize and a chance to win a $100 mall gift card! This event will help ensure the long term sustainability of the Discovery Center so come out to the Oakdale Mall this weekend for some family fun!!

Weekend Weather August 12th-13th

8/10/2016 (Permalink)

This weekend looks like it’s going to be a bit on the stormy side! Make sure you stay safe if any bad thunderstorms make it to town. Scattered thunderstorms are forecasted throughout the weekend so make your plans accordingly. We suggest staying inside and away from any possible bad conditions that could develop. And if you do find your home or office in a bit of a jam, you know exactly who to call; SERVPRO!

The Water You Don’t See

8/4/2016 (Permalink)

Everyone knows that the water damage that you can clearly see is causing damage to your home is not good and should be fixed as quickly as possible. However, do you know that even the smallest water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. SERVPRO Professionals have the equipment, training and experience to find and dry unseen water before secondary damages occur. Having the right equipment to use makes a significant difference when dealing with water damage. Here are a few examples of what our team uses to help any unseen water damage in your home:

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 readings, allowing SERVPRO Professionals to monitor the drying process.

Thermohygrometers measure temperature and relative humidity. When armed with this information, SERVPRO Professionals can calculate and create an environment most conducive to drying. When facing a contaminated water loss, it is not only important to dry the structure, but the structure must also be disinfected and often deodorized.

Ultra Low-Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that can easily penetrate the site where odor-causing residues may accumulate. This device can also be used to inject fungicides and disinfectants into wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas. Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products by creating a dense fog. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that attach to and neutralize odor-causing particles.

If you are having any problems dealing with water in your home or property, call SERVPRO immediately so that we can help you make it “Like it never even happened.” 607-722-2262

Weekend Weather

8/4/2016 (Permalink)

Weekend Weather

This weekend is looking a little on the cloudy side with a few showers headed our way. After a very dry past few weeks, it looks like we’re getting quite caught up with the rain. Saturday should start out with a few showers and then clear up as the day progresses. The cloudy skies seem to be in the forecast all weekend, continuing into early next week. We are looking forward to getting our nice summer flowers and plants a fresh drink this weekend but it may not be the best weekend for those outdoor activities.

Weather this week:

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

We’re looking at another hot one this week! But it is July so it’s pretty appropriate. This week looks clear and sunny with a high of 91 on Wednesday! So even if you are working, try and get to the pool after work and soak up some rays. Don’t forget the sunscreen! This weekend is looking a little questionable however. Friday through Sunday we’re looking at 60% precipitation all weekend, but Binghamton and the Southern Tier is in desperate need of rain, just check out that river. So stay cool this week and maybe plan a few indoor activities this weekend.

Preparedness Planning for Commercial Clients

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

Surprisingly, as many as 50% of businesses close down after a disaster. Luckily, most of those that did survive had a preparedness plan in place before the disaster struck and you can too. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile, you can be sure that you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action.

Here are a few things you can do to make sure you and your business are prepared for any disaster:

• A no cost assessment of your facility.

• This 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 your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional as your disaster mitigation and restoration provider.

• You have a provider that is recognized as an industry leader and close by.

• 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."

For more information check out our website! http://bit.ly/1x7gmap

National Ice Cream Month!

7/26/2016 (Permalink)

Summer is the best time of year for ice cream so it’s fitting that July is National Ice Cream Month!

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated this national holiday and recognized ice cream as a fun and nutritious food that is enjoyed by over 90% of the population! Who doesn’t love a good scoop or two of your favorite flavor of ice cream?

The SERVPRO team sure does and we like to treat them to some tasty, ice cream treats during our Annual SERVPRO family picnics in July. If you’re interested in joining our team, we are always looking for people to help grow our team and sales force! Don’t be afraid to give us a call for any openings available!

Summer Grilling

7/19/2016 (Permalink)

Summer is the time for picnics, barbeques and plenty of delicious food, however do you know all of the safety measures you should take with your grill? Three out of five households own a gas grill. Each year an average of 8,900 home fires are caused by grilling and about 16,000 patients went to the emergency room because of an injury involving a grill. Wow, that’s a lot. 

Most of these injuries and fires could have easily been avoided. So just in case, here are some tips on how to avoid injuries and fires while also enjoying those yummy summer-time meals:

• Keep your grill away from your home and deck railings.
• In order to safely turn on your grill, follow these steps:
• Open the lid before turning on the grill
• Turn on the propane tank
• Turn on the knobs of the grill burner
• Push ignition button (if you have one)
• If your grill doesn’t ignite, let gas dissipate for at least 5 minutes before igniting again. 
• To turn off your grill safely, turn the gas tank off first in order to keep excess gas from leaking out.

For more information on grill safety check out this link: http://bit.ly/25JqeuV 

And in case of fire damage, you know who to call; SERVPRO!

Weather Update!

7/19/2016 (Permalink)

This week is looking pretty summery with highs getting up into the 90s! The middle of the week should be clear with sunny skies and high temps, so bust out the KanJam. Later in the week we’re looking at a few scattered thunderstorms heading to our area, which might leave out a chance for a Friday night BBQ. You might want to check the forecast before you head outside on Friday but don’t worry because Saturday is supposed to be better with a low chance of rain and a high of 94!! WOO. Don’t forget that sunscreen! 

Additional Services

7/19/2016 (Permalink)

You may have considered SERVPRO as just as just a fire and water mitigation service, but did you know? We offer so much more than that! Although, fire and water are most common, you may need assistance with the cleanup of more. 

If you are exposed to biological and chemical contaminants in your home, it could pose serious health consequences. Failure to properly remove such substances can lead to unhealthy and very dangerous environments. Lucky for you, our team is trained to safely remove biohazards and properly dispose of them.  If you have any questions on biohazard emergency cleanup and what to do in the event of a hazardous situation check out these helpful tips: http://bit.ly/29PvItq

Then give us a call! 

SERVPRO is ready for whatever Happens.

7/15/2016 (Permalink)

One benefit of having SERVPRO as your disaster Mitigation Vendor of choice… we can ALWAYS get to you. There are over 1,700 franchises nationwide and SERVPRO Disaster Recovery Teams are always on standby ready to be dispatched for disasters large and small. Here are some recent responses we have taken action on.

SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team

2015 Siberian Express: Record sub- zero temperatures caused major problems for a large portion

of the country stretching from Florida to Maine. The Midwest also experienced record breaking low

temperatures resulting in frozen pipes and ice dams causing major problems for residents. The Storm

Team dispatched a total of 257 crews from 108 Franchises to assist local SERVPRO® Franchises

completing nearly 2000 jobs.

2014 Mid-Atlantic Flooding: Rainfall rates up to 2” per hour caused major flash flooding

stretching from Northeast Ohio all the way up to Portland, Maine. Eastern Michigan and Baltimore,

Maryland were also impacted creating over 1,381 jobs for the Storm team to produce. A total of 82

SERVPRO® Franchises and 173 crews mitigated over $4.3 million in damages while assisting the

local Franchises.

2014 Polar Vortex: Record low temperatures caused by a break in the North Pole’s polar vortex

resulted in an unprecedented freezing event, spanning from east of the Rocky Mountains to as far

south as Central Florida, effecting all or part of 39 states and 70% of the SERVPRO® Franchise System.

2013 Colorado Floods: Heavy rainfall, with amounts up to 17 inches in some areas, resulted in

widespread flooding in Fort Collins, Boulder and surrounding Colorado mountain communities. The

Disaster Recovery Team® responded with 109 crews from 48 Franchises to assist the local SERVPRO®

Franchises in the emergency response.

2013 Alberta, Canada Floods: Heavy rainfall triggered flooding affecting more than 120,000

residents, and ultimately, the costliest disaster in Canadian history with damages estimated at C$5

billion, with C$1.7 billion in insurance damages.

2012 Hurricane Sandy: Affecting more than 20 states, Sandy left widespread damage and

flooding from Florida stretching the entire eastern seaboard to Maine. The Disaster Recovery Team®

placed nearly 1000 crews in affected areas, representing over 300 SERVPRO® Franchises from across

the country. Teams traveled from as far as Arizona, California, Oregon and Washington.

Always call your local SERVPRO first, 607-722-2262. SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties serves as Large Loss Response Team in Upstate NY,  but always keeps crews local who are “Ready For Whatever Happens®” in the Southern Tier Region.

Preventing Secondary Damage from Water

7/15/2016 (Permalink)

Secondary damage can be anything from mold to warped flooring to delaminated carpet or even just musty odors. It is important to know that timely mitigation is key in preventing secondary damage to contents and structure. The quicker that water is removed, the less damage that will occur. Ultimately, this will save the insurance company money while also preventing timely and costly repairs to the property. 

SERVPRO offers free estimates for all services and moisture checks! Call us today! (607)722-2262

http://bit.ly/1jeyRYv

July Weather 2016

7/15/2016 (Permalink)

This upcoming weather is looking fairly warm with highs in the mid 80s! Although it might be partly cloudy throughout the weekend, chance of rain is pretty low so don’t be afraid to plan some outdoor adventures!

Summer weekends are great for spending time with family and friends and getting to enjoy the outdoors and warm weather. 

SERVPRO Injectidry System

7/7/2016 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO our goal is to restore instead of replacing your belongings. We aim to make sure that your home is back to the way it was before the damage was done, and in order to do that we make sure we are using the right equipment. For water damage, you may catch us using the Injectidry System. 

This system is very useful for drying almost anything with high power abilities. We want to get your home back to new as soon as possible without having to start from scratch and replace everything. For more information on our equipment check out our website! http://bit.ly/1jeyRYv 

Home Fire Preparedness Campaign

7/7/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO and the American Red Cross are teaming up for a new partnership in 2016! We are working on the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign in which we help families become aware of the dangers of house fires and how to prepare for and prevent one. Get tips and tricks on how to stay prepared and learn what to do if there were a fire in your home. Check out the American Red Cross website for more information on Home Fire Safety!

http://rdcrss.org/1mN5M7B

Mid July Weather Update

7/7/2016 (Permalink)

This weekend is looking a little on the dreary side with a few showers and thunderstorms ready to roll in. Friday will be partly cloudy with highs hitting above 90! Saturday and Sunday we can expect morning storms so make sure you stay inside and safe. On the plus side, it will give us a chance to rest up after a busy holiday weekend!

Save the date: Health and Safety Jamboree

6/30/2016 (Permalink)

Make sure you keep your calendars clear on September 10th! The Health and Safety Jamboree is going to take place at MacArthur School in Binghamton, NY. This is going to be a great event for the whole family to attend with activities and free safety bags for your little ones! Come early and have lunch with a $1 menu of hotdogs, drinks, snacks and more! This event is only $2 for kids and $4 for adults and there is so much to do! We're so excited for this event and we dont want you to miss out so save the date!

July 4th!

6/30/2016 (Permalink)

This weekend is looking great for all of those picnics and barbeques you may have planned for this holiday weekend! Were looking at mostly sunny and high 70s- low 80s for Saturday and Sunday. Of course Monday, the 4th is looking great as well with clear skies and a high of 86 so get ready to enjoy some awesome fireworks! We couldnt ask for better weather to celebrate our countrys independence!

Watch out for Friday though, because there may be a few scattered thunderstorms rolling through during the day but should clear up overnight. We are so excited for this 4th of July weekend and the great weather thats ahead!

Professional Equipment and Products

6/23/2016 (Permalink)

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with certain equipment and products that are used in fire, water and mold cleanup services, trust us, you’re not the only ones!! We’ve had some questions asked about these products and wanted to give you a look into what and why we use certain products.

For many water damage restoration cases we often used a product called Benefect Botanical Disinfectant. This product works wonders for disinfecting any hard surface that may have had damage from contaminated water. It is also great for deodorizing surfaces such as carpeting so you don’t have to worry about any smelly surfaces!

You may also find us using the Phoenix Guardian HEPA System. This may be a mouthful but this machine is a great piece of equipment for fire, water and mold restoration purposes. It will easily remove airborne biological contaminants that are present in all of the possible damages to your home.

For more information about the products used during our restoration services, give us a call! (607) 722-2262

Summer Weather is Here!

6/23/2016 (Permalink)

This weekend couldn’t look any better! We are looking at mid to high 80’s and sunny all throughout the weekend. It’s the perfect opportunity to get ready for those 4th of July parties next week! This weekend also marks many high school graduations which is wonderful news for all of you outdoor party and barbeque goers! Whatever you end up doing this weekend, be sure you get outside as much as possible before the showers and thunderstorms roll in next week! 

Lightning Safety Awareness Week!

6/23/2016 (Permalink)

It’s the first week of summer and we’ve already had our first night storm. It’s good to be knowledgeable about the potential dangers of lightning at all times of the year, but it’s Lightning Safety Awareness Week we thought it would be a good time to share some details. Surprisingly, lightning is the third greatest storm-related killer in the United States. It is commonly underestimated because many people don’t believe that it could happen to them. However, on average, lightning will kill about 37 people directly, cause 300 injuries and $1 Billion in damages each year. It is important to know that there is no safe place outside when there is a thunderstorm in the area. Even when inside, it is still possible that your home can be struck by lightning as well. Lightning causes about 4,400 home structure fires each year. WOW that’s quite a few. 

Learn more! Check out these helpful tips on what to do if this happens to your home. And don’t forget you can always call us for the clean up!

http://1.usa.gov/28PPOIE

The Science of Drying

6/16/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding is common. Especially in Upstate NY. We’ve seen our fair share of epic floods in 2006 and 2011. That’s why SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties is so certified when it comes to our drying techniques. The knowledge of psychrometrics is essential to restoring a water damaged structure to its pre-loss condition. We know your first inclination is to grab the roll of paper towels and a fan, but that could create secondary damages. That’s when you know to call in the SERVPRO team.

When your business is facing water damage, our certified professionals will

• Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet, to help prevent secondary damage from happening

• 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

Your local SERVPRO professionals (US!) specialize in water damage restoration. We use the very latest technology to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Sunny Summer Starts in June!

6/16/2016 (Permalink)

This week started a little chillier, is beginning to look a lot like SUMMER! Today through the weekend the Southern Tier is looking clear and and feeling warm and sunny! The weekend looks clear too which means it’s perfect time to get out and do some yard work, get to the lake and fish, or throw a BBQ with your favorite neighbors! Just be sure to bring the sunscreen and bugspray! With high temps of 83-86 degrees we couldn’t ask for a better kick off to the summer months. Tuesday the 21st is looking a little rainy but we’ll enjoy the sun where we can! Have a spectacular sunny weekend!

Flag Day - June 14th!

6/16/2016 (Permalink)

It’s June 14th so a Happy Flag Day to all of you! SERVPRO prides itself on being an American organization from the very day the doors opened! Do you know how Flag Day came about? On May 30th 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing national Flag Day on June 14th.

How do you celebrate? BBQ? Hanging the flag on your home? Many Americans celebrate Flag Day by displaying Red, White and Blue in the front of their homes and businesses. This day commemorates the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the USA. Do you know the flag’s history? According to an American legend, in June 1776, George Washington commissioned Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress to create a flag for the NEW nation in anticipation of a declaration of its independence.  

Join the SERVPRO Team!!

6/13/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO currently has several open positions including Crew Chiefs and Marketing Representatives.

Crew Chiefs are expected to set up and establish efficient job flow, coordinate requirements for the job, complete job documentation, perform and supervise production work, and monitor assigned jobs from start to finish. We are looking for people who can resolve problems quickly as they arise and who can monitor assigned jobs so that they meet customer needs.

Marketing Representatives will be in charge of promoting and selling franchise services in assigned territory. We are looking for people to meet or exceed assigned sales goals as well as building relationships and educating the customers on why SERVPRO is the best cleaning and restoration company.

If you are interested in any of our job openings check out the link below! http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/careers

What Can You Expect from Us?

6/13/2016 (Permalink)

What can you expect from SERVPRO at Broome, Tompkins and Tioga counties? You can expect top customer service from the time our employees arrive on-site to the final walk through of services.

Customer satisfaction is our #1 priority and we make sure that the your needs are fulfilled. A crew chief or supervisor will always be there to make sure that you fully understand the mitigation process needed for a water or fire loss.

At the end of the process, we always make sure to insure that we completed the fire/water mitigation to your satisfaction by doing a service walk through. We work with your insurance carrier in order to make sure everything runs smoothly. We have trained and IICRC Certified Employees who care and respect your property and act professionally. Customer service and satisfaction is our main concern here at SERVPRO.

For more information on the customer service that is found at SERVPRO check out the following link! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PnAS2SKMI8Ixb58QwLsZpyRlruZTVSWvXBsIjgzcbWE/edit?usp=sharing

Summer Weather?

6/13/2016 (Permalink)

After a somewhat chilly week last week, it looks like the temperatures will be a lot higher this week. It will be mostly sunny throughout the week which means get outside and enjoy the sun after work! This weekend is looking promising as well with temperatures in the 80’s and only 10% chance of rain. It would be a great weekend to spend at the lake or take the kids to the park! It may be partly cloudy throughout the beginning of the weekend but should clear up by Sunday. We love weeks like this with a lot of sun and little rain! Take advantage of this nice weather and get outside!

Summer Mold?

6/1/2016 (Permalink)

It’s getting humid and between the sunny days, the summer rain can bring mold growth in your home or office. Believe it or not it only takes a small water leak or even a bit of excess humidity for mold to form in your home. And it doesn’t just stop there, it can spread quickly in as little as 48 hours!

It’s important to be sure your home or office is mold free. However, if you do stumble upon mold growth, SERVPRO’s trained, licensed crews offer free estimates with specialized training and equipment. We’ll give you the full diagnosis and help you better understand how to rid your home for contaminants to protect you and your family from mold infestation. Read on about mold here: http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/mold-remediation then give us a call. Remember the estimate is free - so don’t be afraid to pick up your phone or download the SERVPRO Ready App - so you’re always prepared.

Summer Sun

6/1/2016 (Permalink)

Weather this week:

Can’t get enough of this SUN! Didn’t think we’d say that in Upstate NY, especially when that February weekend reached negative 3, we we’re desperate for the days of going outdoors without a coat. But we’re finally here! This week it’s sun, sun and did we mention? More sun! Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, a little rain Friday then Sun Saturday! High in the 80’s but we’re not complaining. Just be careful when you’re having fun in the sun! According to the American Cancer Society remember this quick catchphrase to protect yourself from the sun: Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap!

• Slip on a shirt.

• Slop on sunscreen.

• Slap on a hat.

• Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and sensitive skin around them.

See more here!

http://www.pressconnects.com/story/sponsor-story/uhs/2016/05/30/more-sunny-days/83963362/

Memorial Day 2016

6/1/2016 (Permalink)

This Federal holiday honoring men and women who died while serving the U.S. military takes place the last Monday of May and has created many springtime traditions and tributes around various towns in America. By the late 1960s, Americans all over bugun this tradition in order to honor the fallen soldiers by decorating their graves with flowers and reciting prayers.

Originally, Memorial Day was known as Decoration Day and was chosen to be held on the 30th of May because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle. It was to honor only the fallen soldiers of the Civil War but over time, it evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. By 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday of May and created a three-day weekend for federal employees.

Today, many cities and towns across America hold Memorial Day parades, incorporating military personnel and members of the veterans’ organization. Many people are often found visiting cemeteries and memorials to honor the countless fallen soldiers. Others throw parties and barbecues to enjoy the beginning of summer.

Weather May 26th

5/26/2016 (Permalink)

Weather May 26th:

We’re just getting into the thick of it! The humidity that is. Upstate NY spring/summers are definitely known to be more humid than dry but we’ll take the heat over the snow any day of the week! This weekend is definitely looking promising. Thursday and Friday are definitely going to be warm and sunny with a humidity at 44-55%. Then this weekend we’re looking at a little bit of precipitation with some scattered thunderstorms throughout Saturday and Sunday. So you might be able to take that Kayak out on the lake in the morning but I’d start looking to head back inside around 4pm! But regardless of the rain, we’re looking at high temps of 76 and 89 degrees, so there’s your silver lining. Get outside a bit this weekend and get moving, we’re really loving the warmth, feels like we’ve been waiting a while for the sun!

Building Safety Month - May 2016

5/26/2016 (Permalink)

Building Safety Month (BSM) is a public awareness campaign founded by the ICC and celebrated internationally throughout May.  It is important to recognize code enforcement and trained professionals who promote building safety. 

SERVPRO employees keep safe work practices when on the job.  Our employees are OSHA trained and certified, and do weekly Tool Box Talks on work place safety. 

Check out the website below for more information! http://www.iccsafe.org/about-icc/building-safety-month/2016-building-safety-month/

Asbestos Code Rule 56

5/26/2016 (Permalink)

When it comes to fire, water or mold damage, every property loss is different as to how it affects property. Our team works to maintain and restore property to original condition, but sometimes tear out of materials may be necessary to get the job done right!  When it comes to removal, in NYS age of the structure plays a huge factor in how removal will proceed.

According to Asbestos Code Rule 56 New York State requires  asbestos testing in certain situations.

In some cases structural materials affected by water, fire or mold need to be removed rather than restored due to structural incompetency. When it is absolutely necessary to do tear out of materials that are affected by fire and water in any structure built prior to 1976, New York State requires asbestos testing to be performed prior to tear out.

SERVPRO follows all NYS guidelines and wants to ensure customer protection and safety at all times. For more information please visit: https://labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/safetyhealth/Links/CR56.htm

Weather This Week

5/19/2016 (Permalink)

Hey Southern Tier, are you ready for some sunshine? We sure are!

Upstate New York has experienced a cool, damp May so far. With temperatures averaging in the 50’s for the past couple of weeks, we look forward to the warmer days ahead!

We’ve been feeling the effects of the low pressure waves of cold air coming in from the North. According to weather.com, a southward shift in the polar vortex is to blame for the chilly temperatures and even snow this past weekend! Binghamton and the surrounding area should expect to experience highs in the low to mid 70’s for the remainder of the month of May – only a few more days of projected rainfall, as well!

This warmer, dryer weather should make way for those “May Flowers” we’ve been promised, and hopefully lead us into a beautiful, snow-free June! 

Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 15 - May 21)

5/16/2016 (Permalink)

Hurricane preparedness week is here!  It only takes one disaster to change the community you live in forever.  Hurricanes are powerful and destructive so it is important to be aware of the necessary preparation.  If you live in an area on the coastline it is important to be prepared and even areas distant from water can be threatened by flooding, winds and tornadoes. 

This week it is important for you to prepare for potential tropical storms or hurricanes. 

Check out the site below for daily tips and other links to ensure your prepared for any storm! http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/hurricane_preparedness.html

If a hurricane storm has affected your area and its time to rebuild, the Red Cross suggests calling in a professional  when it comes to:

It's National Police Week!

5/16/2016 (Permalink)

A tradition since 1962, law enforcement officers travel to Washington, DC to participate in planned events that honor them.

25,000 to 40,000 law enforcers experience the greatness of this event.  There is a Memorial Service in Senate Park honoring special survivors and supporters of law enforcement.  The National Peace Officers' Memorial Service includes the Candlelight Vigil and seminars.  Thank you to all who serve our country!

We clean uniforms that have been contaminated by biohazard material.  This week and every week of the year it is important to have an appreciation for our police and law enforcement officers.  For more information visit: http://www.policeweek.org/ 

Happy National Electrical Safety Month!

5/13/2016 (Permalink)

Happy National Electrical Safety Month! What is Electrical Safety Month you ask? “The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is a non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety in the home, school, and workplace.” every year ESFI creates a campaign to educate key audiences about the steps that can be taken in order to reduce the number of electrically-related fires, fatalities, injuries and property loss. This year their campaign features a collection of new resources to help facilitate an effective electrical safety awareness campaign for your community, organization, school, or family. So read more here on how you can protect your office or home!

http://www.esfi.org/program/national-electrical-safety-month-314

And if anything does ever happen and you’re faced with recovering property from an electrical fire, SERVPRO is here to help! We’ve got 7 steps to get you through this trying time, just see how by clicking the link below!

http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/fire-repair-process

Together, we can reduce the number of electrically-related deaths and injuries – one home, one school, and one workplace at a time!

Weather This Week

5/13/2016 (Permalink)

It’s finally happening! Upstate NY is finally seeing clear skies, 70’s and sunny - the perfect combination for a start to spring! This week we’ve seen more sun than we know what to do with and we couldn’t be happier. If this is what the summer is going to look like - bring it on! While we’ve been extremely fortunate this week - and it may feel like summer across sections of the interior Northeast and New England Thursday with highs in the 80s, the warmth will be short-lived as high temperatures turn nearly 30 degrees colder this weekend. According to weather.com “a cold front will slide through the Midwest Thursday and Friday with showers and thunderstorms. Behind it, the jet stream, or river of fast-moving air separating cold air from warm air, will dig southward Friday and Saturday.” Of course just in time for us to leave work and get outside. However Sunday we’ll see clouds and through next week more sun. So just hold on! We will see the return of the sun!

Red Cross Ready Rating Program

5/12/2016 (Permalink)

We at SERVPRO strive to be the best disaster recovery and cleanup company available, but we know we can’t always do it alone.

The American Red Cross seeks to provide relief to some of the same issues we do, aiding individuals and communities in their time of need. We’re proud to sponsor their Ready Rating program, a system allowing businesses to assess their readiness for a disaster, so they can take all necessary steps before disaster strikes to protect their property from damage and loss. 

The Ready Rating assessment offers businesses, organizations and schools access to tools, tips and the best practices to help improve their level of preparedness. Who better to advise you on disaster issues than the professionals at SERVPRO that clean up after them? Restoration is our business, but we want to see as many people as possible taking measures to protect their homes and businesses, and help them in the process to do so.

http://www.redcross.org/news/article/SERVPRO-Signs-on-as-National-Sponsor-for-Ready-Rating-Program

Commercial Clean Up

5/6/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Broome County and of Tompkins & Tioga Counties specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage.

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. With a nationwide system of qualified franchises, no damage is too large or too small for SERVPRO! 

Our team of highly trained specialists utilize the most state of the art technology available. SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties has a local state of the art facility, featuring a full contents and electronics restoration center, along with an Esporta laundering center. Our facility allows for on-site content storage in our surveillance, temperature controlled, secured facility. We use advanced equipment to restore your property back to their pre-loss condition, removing airborne odors, flood water, and harmful micro-organisms. SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties has over 23 years of experience in the industry and can restore your residential or commercial space to the state it should be. Our staff of over 40 employees is available 24 hours a day, so give SERVPRO a call and get your business back up and running.

It's May!

5/6/2016 (Permalink)

While Binghamton has warmed up, the summer weather we’ve long been waiting for still seems a bit out of reach.

May will begin with moderate temperatures between 50-65 degrees, continuing the trend of late April weather. These moderate temperatures will help make a smooth transition into the summer months, and in the sun, the warmth will feel comfortable. A 10 day forecast calls for rain throughout most of the first week in May as light showers hit the Southern Tier. Accuweather Binghamton calls for partly cloudy days which could lead to a low temperature hovering around 40 degrees.

While we ease into May, it’s a great time to start thinking about spring cleaning and tidying up the house before the kids are home for the summer! SERVPRO offers air duct and HVAC cleaning options so that the ventilation in your house isn’t circulating dust, pollen, or other irritants as allergy season kicks into gear. Also, as humidity may pick up, be conscious of additional moisture in your home as a breeding ground for mold tends to be in damp, dark, & unventilated areas.

The folks at SERVPRO wish you a good first few weeks of May!

CITIZENS PREPAREDNESS CORPS

5/6/2016 (Permalink)

CITIZENS PREPAREDNESS CORPS

We here at SERVPRO help provide the information you need to be prepared for emergencies in the home, but for larger scale emergencies, turn to the Citizen Preparedness Corps!

This preparedness initiative seeks to educate the public on preparedness for any type of disaster so that communities can respond accordingly, and recover as quickly as possible. Two-hour training sessions are offered throughout the year in different parts of New York State offering advice on how to properly prepare for any disaster, including developing a family emergency plan and compiling a stock of emergency supplies. Free NYS Disaster Preparedness Kits will even be given out to all participating groups containing key items to assist in disaster aftermath.

Just as SERVPRO is committed to making you feel safe and secure in your home, this state training will allow you to feel secure and prepared for whatever environmental or man-made disaster your community might face. You never know when an emergency will happen, so this training aims to make New York State residents the best-prepared they can possibly be.

Weather This Week

4/27/2016 (Permalink)

While the weather in Upstate NY is mild this week - sunny with a few showers - central America is struggling to get through some severe weather changes. “A very active weather pattern is taking shape this week that will impact many areas of the country from coast-to-coast. Included is a threat of severe storms and possible tornadoes, flooding rainfall and possible blizzard conditions.” (weather.com) Heavy rain, flooding, snow and the possibility of strong winds are all possible.

We know the SERVPRO teams in the affected areas will be busy repairing and restoring homes and businesses affected by the water damage. We’re always ready for whatever weather comes our way!

See more here: http://wxch.nl/21feD0K

Air Quality and Health - HVAC Cleaning Benefits.

4/27/2016 (Permalink)

Sneezing like crazy? Coughing uncontrollably? Maybe the air you’re breathing in your home isn’t as clean as you thought. Ever wonder? Believe it or not ventilation systems are often the biggest culprit in poor indoor air quality. But have no fear - the SERVPRO team is here!

If your HVAC system has been running for a while without any attention it could be circulating dust, pollen, odors, dirt, debris and more. “If no one in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illnesses and if, after a visual inspection of the inside of the ducts, you see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold... having your air ducts cleaned is probably unnecessary. It is normal for the return registers to get dusty as dust-laden air is pulled through the grate. This does not indicate that your air ducts are contaminated with heavy deposits of dust or debris; the registers can be easily vacuumed or removed and cleaned.

On the other hand, if family members are experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you should discuss the situation with your doctor. EPA has published the following publications for guidance on identifying possible indoor air quality problems and ways to prevent or fix them.

• Indoor Air Quality: An Introduction for Health Professionals
• The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality

You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that air ducts will get dirty over time and should occasionally be cleaned. While the debate about the value of periodic duct cleaning continues, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental, provided that it is done properly.” That’s where our team comes in!

So learn a little more about HVAC cleaning here: https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned

And if you want the job done, or free estimate for services give us a call - 607-722-2262.

Have we worked with you recently? We want your feedback!

4/27/2016 (Permalink)

To all of our SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties customers; we would really like to hear from you!

Check out our Facebook page! Once you’re all logged in click on the reviews tab there on the left hand side close to the bottom. Then give us a review, tell us about your experience with our staff. We can’t get better or continue to serve our customers more efficiently if we don’t hear from you first!

Not on Facebook? No problem leave us a Google review! Just log onto your gmail account and visit our Google+ page. https://plus.google.com/101838135350535275832/about Once on our page just leave us a review!

We’re giving our customers who leave us a review a chance to win a $25 gift card - chosen at random each month. So show us some feedback and you’ll be entered to win! Thanks a million!

SERVPRO: Earth Day 2016

4/25/2016 (Permalink)

April 22nd 2016 represents 46 years of dedication to a movement that seeks to improve our planet through challenging ideas, igniting passion, and motivating people to action. “In 1970, the year of our first Earth Day, the movement gave voice to an emerging consciousness, channeling human energy toward environmental issues. Forty-six years later, we continue to lead with groundbreaking ideas and by the power of our example.” (Earth Day Network)

The Earth Day Initiative grew out of the 70’s peace movement to help force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. “Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. By the end of that year, the first Earth Day had led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts.” To learn more about the history of Earth Day check out the link below.

http://www.earthday.org/about/the-history-of-earth-day/

If you or your company are seeking to support the Earth Day Network in your local community, they have generously included all the resources needed to host a community wide event.

http://www.earthday.org/earth-day/earth-day-toolkit/#3

Earth day represents the idea that we all play an impact in shaping the world around us. If you don’t have the resources or time to organize a community wide event, you can help participate in the Earth Day Networks Tree’s for Earth Campaign. For every dollar donated the foundation pledges to plant trees to combat land degradation and climate change, to provide food, energy, and income. To donate and learn more about the campaign please visit the website below.

https://donate.earthday.org/events/trees-for-earth/e76443

Spring is here whether you like it or not!

4/25/2016 (Permalink)

The times they are a changin! Warm weather is here and it looks like it’s here to stay. According to Accuweather Binghamton we can expect 50’s to 60’s all throughout the months of April and May, and even look forward to consistent days of sunshine and 70’s starting as soon as the second week of June.

The birds are chirping and more importantly the leaves are growing! Most locals to the Southern Tier/Upstate region of New York anticipate the fall and spring blooms every year, and they never disappoint. While most of us enjoy the foliage view from our houses, cars, and neighborhood restaurants; iloveny.com offers many unique ways to appreciate the seasons. Hot air balloon tours, rail trails, private airplane tours, and boat tours offered by various different local business are highlighted as options to enjoy this spring season.

http://www.iloveny.com/seasons/fall/foliage-rides/#.VxeUJZMrJ-V

SERVPRO is a proud supporter of local business and we love our New York Community!

SERVPRO: Official Sponsor of the PGA Tour

4/25/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is the proud "Official Cleanup and Restoration Company of the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour." We are happy to sponsor the tour of your favorite athletes including Jordan Spiethm, Rory McIlroy, Bubba Watson, Jason Day, and Rickie Fowler. Our sponsorship started in 2014 and we are proud to continue supporting the PGA Tour.

Our sponsorship included the 80th annual masters tournament held April 7-10th at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta Georgia. Danny Willet, the first Englishman since 1999, won the tournament, coming in three strokes under favorites Lee Westwood and defending champion Jordan Spiethm.

"The PGA TOUR partnership is a perfect way to expand our brand awareness and thank our clients for allowing SERVPRO to help make it 'Like it never even happened,'" said Sue Steen, CEO of SERVPRO Industries, Inc.

Just like the pro’s we sponsor, we never stop improving. SERVPRO works around the clock so you can live your life without skipping a stroke.

Get outside, but not too fast!

4/15/2016 (Permalink)

Warmer weather is here! Congratulations Upstate NY, we’ve made it through yet another bi-polar winter. We are officially entering tailgating, grilling, frisbee throwing, bike riding, and outdoor season of the year we all love so dearly. Get out there and enjoy the season, but don’t rush to quick!

As specialist in restoration, we can attest to how all to often rushing out the door can lead to careless accidents. Always be sure to turn off all appliances, heat sources, running faucets, grills, and electrical sources before skipping out the door. 

Especially while you are on the job, Gempler's Tailgate Training Tips note some of the serious dangers of rushing/hurrying and tips on how to avoid unintended consequences of being in a hurry.

1. Always put safety first
2. Don’t Take Shortcuts
3. Dress Properly for the job
4. Use the right tools for the job
5. Identify hazardous situations in advances

https://www.gemplers.com/docs/tailgate-training-tip-sheets/56-hurrying-dangers-en.pdf

Emergencies happen and SERVPRO will always be here for you in the case of any emergency. We encourage home and business owners to take preventative and safe measure to avoid emergencies caused by rushing.

Now get out there and have a great sunny season!

SERVPRO: A team of Heroes

4/14/2016 (Permalink)

Meet Stormy and Blaze, our hero’s helping America at large! Stormy and Blaze have a sole mission, protecting and restoring your home from fire, water, HVAC, and Disaster relief. They’re equipped with the tools, training, and support to help your home or small businesses quickly and effectively.

While Stormy and Blaze keep America at large safe, SERVPRO of Broome Tompkins and Tioga Counties have our local branch of heroes helping the community day to day. Our heroes are equipped with IICRC Training, SERVPRO Training, and a fleet of equipped machinery to be the hero you need and deserve!

Our heroes are your parents, children, neighbors, and community members!

SERVPRO Entrepreneur’s 4th best franchise in America!

4/14/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s proven model has pleased thousands of our clients, but they aren’t alone! Entrepreneur.com recently acknowledged SERVPRO as the 4th best franchise in America in their annual top 500 Franchise report.

https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/SERVPRO/282790

Not only does SERVPRO rank #4 Overall- SERVPRO has ranked #1 for the last 10 years in the Cleaning & Restoration Industry sector, according to Entrepreneur 500.

Noted for our excellent training and support services we thank our Founders Ted and Doris for providing us with the tools we need bring excellence to our loyal customers in the southern tier. They support us, support you!

Southern Tier Home Builders & Remodelers Association: 2016 Home and Garden Show

4/8/2016 (Permalink)

Southern Tier Home Builders and Remodelers Association

2016 Home and Garden Show

Around the House

When: April 9th 9:00 A.M. - 7 P.M.

April 10th 10:00 A.M. - 4 P.M.

Where: Binghamton University Events Center

Events Center, Vestal, NY 13850 

Cost: $5 

Who: Home and Business Owners

More Info: http://sthbra.com/

Be sure to stop by our booth to visit with our representatives, receive free information, giveaways & a play a game of SERVPRO Cornhole for a chance to win a $25 Agway Gift Card!

Take a Hike

4/8/2016 (Permalink)

Water, an essential resource, a threat, and a great time?

When it comes to your body it is important to recognize that properly hydrating is essential to live a happy and healthy life. Dehydration can cause weakness, dizziness, palpitations, confusions, and a variety of other medical conditions. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dehydration-adults#2

When it comes to your home it is important to recognize that a leaky pipe can cause more damage than a puddle. Water damage puts you at risk for electrical damage, slip and fall hazards, the loss of valued possessions, secondary damage and many other structural risks. http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/water-damage-tips

When it comes to a recreation it is important to recognize that some of New York’s greatest adventures are right around the corner. Enjoying the sunshine and New York's natural beauties can lead to smiles, memories, laughs, and an all around great time! http://www.wideopenspaces.com/8-best-swimming-holes-new-york-can-hike-pics/

Stress Awareness Month

4/8/2016 (Permalink)

http://stressawarenessmonth.com/welcome-to-stress-awareness-month-April-1-30-2016/

Stay stress free with SERVPRO! SERVPRO exists to handle the stresses that emergencies and natural disasters pose to your home and business. Stress can come from internal and external stressors both inside and outside of your control.

Since 1992, The Health Resource Network (HRN) has dedicated the month of April to bringing awareness of stress, the dangers of stress, and successful coping strategies for stress to the public. During this annual thirty day period, health care professionals and health promotion experts across the country will join forces to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern stress epidemic.

Defining the causes of stress and how to cope with them are far outside our scope of expertise, however there are several free online resources that provide insight on the matter:

• http://stressawarenessmonth.com/welcome-to-stress-awarenAprilonth-april-1-30-2016/
• http://www.foh.hhs.gov/calendar/stress.html
• http://www.beliefnet.com/Wellness/Galleries/10-Ways-to-Celebrate-National-Stress-Awareness-Month.aspx
• http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/

Acknowledging stress is important. Acknowledging that there are people to help you when stressful times come is also important. Please help us help you during these times, it’s our specialty.

Don’t let water take your business underwater

3/29/2016 (Permalink)

When it comes to helping, SERVPRO doesn’t play favorites. We pride ourselves on our ability to help everyone in the Southern Tier. That includes helping get your business back on its feet after disaster strikes.

How can SERVPRO help my business? We’re glad you asked! As you may have heard, we specialize in the restoration of buildings after water, fire, and mold damage.  In addition to our structural restoration services, we help protect and restore what’s most important to your business…your information.

Utilize SERVPRO's electronics and document drying restoration services to preserve the data you have worked so hard to aggregate.

Electronic Cleanup: https://www.SERVPRO.com/water-cleanup

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

• Television sets
• DVD players
• Computers
• And more

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

Document/Photograph Drying: https://www.SERVPRO.com/water-cleanup

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

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

1. Air Drying
2. Dehumidification
3. Freezer Drying
4. Vacuum Freeze Drying
5. Vacuum Thermal Drying

WEATHER: The thaw is coming!

3/29/2016 (Permalink)

Spring is here and she’s not going anywhere anytime soon!  According to AccuWeather we have officially entered the 40’s to 50’s range, without a dip below 43 degrees the entire month of April. If you’ve winterized your home before leaving for the winter, or have a summer home that you winterize…now may be the time to de-winterize with winter officially on her way out the door!

It is important that water and heat are restored in particular to protect your pipes, water heaters, and drains.

For a step by step process on how to de-winterize your home go to: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/dewinterize-house-88126.html

If the process does not go as planned or if you encounter any unexpected leakage keep SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties number nearby and review our mold and water damage services here:

http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/water-damage-restoration

http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/mold-remediation

607-722-2262

Happy Spring!

STORM TIPS: Stay dry (and safe)!

3/29/2016 (Permalink)

No one likes a rainy day, SERVPRO included. But they do happen, and when a storm strikes both you and your home are at risk. Sudden downpour, power outages, and downed wires are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to an emergency. The key is to focus on what you can control in times of chaos.

Taking it back to an elementary level (literally) we here at SERVPRO recommend sharing these safety tips with your family, and even reviewing them for yourself!

Follow these 10 Rules from Alliant Energy Kids to stay in control and stay safe:

1. Have a storm safety Kit Handy
2. Stay Inside During thunderstorms and Blizzards
3. Use flashlights instead of candles
4. Don’t open the refrigerator or freezer unless you absolutely need to
5. If your power goes out, have an adult notify the power company right away
6. Don’t try to use a gas appliance to keep warm
7. Ask an adult to unplug as many as many appliances as possible
8. Don’t play near generators or heaters
9. Stay away from damaged or downed lines
10. Remind adults to watch out for power lines when they’re cleaning up outside

For the full article visit: http://www.alliantenergykids.com/PlayingItSafe/StormSafety/000562

Happy Easter!

3/24/2016 (Permalink)

Spring is here, and it feels….wet.

We have to say we are more than excited that spring is rolling through Upstate NY this week! While this winter was a mild one, and we can count on one hand how many times the temperature dipped below 0, (which we are endlessly thankful for) we’re ready for some sun.

Unfortunately it doesn’t matter how ready we are, it seems like rain is in the forecast, at least until Saturday. With a 50% chance of precipitation every day this week we’re grabbing our rain boots and umbrellas. So keep an eye out for flooding in your home or office, and if you do see excess water, and would rather not get your feet wet (or your hands for that matter) you’ve always got us!

We’re rolling into April next week, so if you’re sick of the rain just remember April showers bring May flowers! And keep your head up, we’ll see the sun Saturday and Sunday, just in time for the Easter Bunny!

Have a happy one, from all of your friends at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins, and Tioga Counties!

SERVPRO: Water Damage Clean Up Tips

3/24/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO: Water Damage Clean Up Tips

Water damage clean up is a large task to tackle. Knowing the type of water damage you’re dealing with is crucial to ensuring the proper clean up, that’s why you have the SERVPRO professionals on hand (download our Ready App). But until help arrives know the categories of water: clean, gray and black.

Clean water is typically due to a pipe burst or to an appliance malfunction.  This water damage is the easiest to handle, but it is important to clean and dry the area properly, so fungus and mold do not grow. No matter the amount of water damage, a quick response will minimize secondary damage- call in a professional to ensure all areas are thoroughly dry!

Gray Water is slightly contaminated. Clean water can become gray water if it is left untreated for a long period of time. Gray water is most commonly seen when a toilet or washing machine overflow occurs. No biggie, but we’d suggest letting the professionals handle this more difficult cleaning task, especially if it’s quite a bit of water. 

Worst and most important to note is black water in your home. This is the most hazardous of the three. Black water usually results from natural disasters or sewage damage and can contain toxic contaminants!  Diseases, chemicals, pesticides and microbes can be found in black water, so understand that when you spot it, it’s time to call in the certified, trained professionals. 

Know the signs and call us for a spill of any size! 

http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/water-damage-tips

SERVPRO: Green Means Clean!

3/23/2016 (Permalink)

Spring Cleaning

Spring is finally here! With the warmer weather and pollination comes the dreaded spring cleaning. Spring Cleaning does not have to be an activity you avoid. Check out these Spring Cleaning Tips to maximize your cleaning efficiency for a cleaner home!

1. Organize your closets. Donate used clothing and accessories.  Reorganize what you want to keep by color or style and you will have an aesthetically pleasing, clean closet! 
2. Clean all your fabrics. Wash pillows, pillow coverings, mattress pads, bath mats, shower curtains and liners! 
3. Collect your rugs and other dust collectors. Take them outside, shake them and let them air out on a sunny day. 
4. Revamp your refrigerator. Dispose of old leftovers and clear the fridge to scrub the shelves and bins.   
5. Check your fire safety equipment. Change the batteries in smoke detectors and clear them of dust. Review fire escape plans with your family. 
6. Dust, Dust, Dust! Take every item of your shelves and dust.  The crevice tool on your vacuum can also help with this task.  Don’t forget lighting fixtures and window casings. Remember, dust first and then vacuum! 
7. Make your house shine. Wash your windows inside and out, wipe down the walls and lighting accessories, vacuum and mop the floors.  When your house is clean you will see and smell the difference!

Spring cleaning isn’t a walk in the park, but once your home is clean you will be able to enjoy the beauty of spring! And don’t forget, if you want to do an even deeper clean call your friends at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties! 

SERVPRO: Better Safe Than Soaked

3/17/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding

This week marks the National Weather Safety's (NWS) Annual Flood Safety Awareness week. The National Weather safety will be teaming with NOAA and FEMA to provide awareness and safety to help prepare America for the single most damaging water related event. For those who are not aware The NWS is America’s Hero, providing support efforts and important prevention information to those at risk of experiencing the effects of a disaster from sea to shining sea. Similar to SERVPRO, The NWS exists to provide one sole purpose. To provide support and relief to those we serve.

Flood preparedness is not optional when living here in the Southern Tier. Our long term residents know firsthand the disastrous effects of Flash Flooding. Within the last decade we have experienced two catastrophic floods, the first in 2006 and the second in 2011. The flood caused from Tropical Storm Lee in 2011 forced 20,000 (NY Times) residents to evacuate their homes and find refuge outside the flood zone. Local University SUNY Binghamton even housed 1,700 residents displaced from their homes in its events center and used it’s west gym as a medical emergency unit, caring for 100 critically injured flood victims (NY Times). Unfortunately flooding is too common and unpreventable by the residents. Because they are guaranteed to happen and unpreventable in nature, being prepared for such an event is absolutely critical. SERVPRO will be here for relief efforts after the event, however it is your responsibility to ensure that when a flood does strike that you are not caught without a plan.

SERVPRO Flood Relief: http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/storm-flooding-restoration

Knowledge is power. Binghamton’s National Weather service has dedicated each day this week to a different flood related topic:

http://www.weather.gov/bgm/preparednessFSAWNY2016

We highly recommend that you educate yourself on the different topics. Here’s the “sparknotes” version: but reading the full piece could literally be a matter of life or death come the time of an emergency.

Prepare: Know what you’re up against

Flooding Hazards that affect Broome County of New York State:

-Flash Floods

-River Flooding

-Snowmelt

-Tropical Systems and Coastal Flooding

Be Aware: Stay Informed

Use resources to always be aware of what the conditions are around you

Weather.gov - For latest forecasts and hazardous weather conditions

Weather Ready Nation's FAQ on Wireless Emergency Alerts- To sign up for wireless emergency alerts

Water.weather.gov - Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (Flood forecastings for us simpletons)

weather.gov/bgm/floodinundation- Flood inundation Mapping (See future road closing)

www.floodsafety.noaa.gov- Flood safety awareness (before, during, and after information)

Turn Around Don’t Drown (TADD): There is no such thing as a little flood

-Six inches of fast moving water can knock over an adult 

-Twelve inches of flowing water can carry away most small cars

-Twenty four inches of rushing water can carry away most vehicles

Partner Resources:

American Red Cross- Family disaster plan

Federal Alliance For Safe Homes (FLASH)- Flood safety information

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- Safety information

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- Safety kit assembly

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- Property protection and flood insurance

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)- Assess your flood risk

United States Army Corps of Engineers- Flood information

United States Geological Survey- Water watch

United States Geological Survey-Water alert - National Water Information System

Final words from SERVPRO:

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”- Benjamin Franklin

SERVPRO: Ready App

3/17/2016 (Permalink)

Ready App

No one wants or expects to have an emergency, but when fire, flooding, or other devastating forms of damage strike your home or business, you need to be prepared to reach out for help, and quick. Good news, SERVPRO is here.

With our “Emergency Ready Program” for your mobile device, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes your way.

The key to the “Ready Program” is the wisdom of foresight. As a business or homeowner, you can enter detailed information about your property into the app in advance, prior to any damage. If a disaster ever occurs, you’ll know what to do and who to call, allowing SERVPRO to address the problem immediately, minimizing business interruption.

The SERVPRO “Ready Plan” app is available across mobile platforms and streamlines the process of filing a claim. When you have an emergency on your hands and your property on the line, seconds count. Make them count by putting your “Ready Plan” into action.

No one understands the trauma of property damage like SERVPRO, so let us help you Prepare and Be READY for whatever happens with the “Emergency Ready Program.” 

SERVPRO: Weather this Week

3/17/2016 (Permalink)

Spring

March came in like a lamb, and we think it’s fair to say it will go out as one too. As we approach the end of the month, temperatures are projected to hover in the 50’s and above. Can you say baaaaa?

What better way to usher in spring than with a temperature range of 40-50 degrees? That’s pretty warm for March, especially when we compare this week’s temperatures to that of last year’s mid-month average of at least 10-20 degrees cooler.

It looks like spring weather is coming right on schedule, as are the spring showers. Light rain is projected periodically throughout the latter half of the month.

We’re happy about the warmer weather, but we’re not the only ones. Mold thrives in warm, humid environments, and these unseasonably rainy weeks have given it a strong chance to take a foothold in your home or business.

Mold colonies may produce airborne allergens and irritants, so it’s important to be alert for particularly strong, musty odors which could indicate problem areas. If you find mold growth on your property, SERVPRO has the experience and expertise to inspect, contain, and remove the unwanted intrusion. 

Snap, Crackle, and Pop! Best practices to avoid winter pipe freezes!

3/10/2016 (Permalink)

Pipes

Many people welcome the crisp, cold winter weather, but nobody welcomes pipe-related headaches that come with the dropping temperatures. Frozen pipes are far more common than most would think, affecting hundreds of thousands of families every winter. 

The best way to handle pipe freezes are to prevent them in the first place.

Follow these SERVPRO Tips:

Spend a little, Save a lot:

Temperatures only need to be at 31 degrees for your pipes to freeze and cause you a headache

Even if your house is 45 degrees, waterlines close to exterior walls (I.E. baseboard heaters) can be significantly colder because of their proximity to an uninsulated exterior wall, your house may be 45 degrees, but your pipes may be dangerously close to freezing

Spend the extra few dollars in fuel, and save yourself a lot of time and frustration in the long run

Let your pipes feel the heat:

Be sure to keep your pipes insulated to ensure warmth

Open cabinet doors to allow uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances close to exterior doors, allowing the heat from your house to heat your pipes

Keep it moving:

Keeping a faucet open to allow a continuous drip ensures that the water in your pipes are moving and decreases the chance of a freeze significantly.

In the event that you ever find yourself on the wrong end of a pipe-related problem, the SERVPRO team would be happy to lend a helping hand!

Rain or Snow, We’ll take rain.

3/10/2016 (Permalink)

Weather

With the sun shining and the birds chirping it’s official…. winter is coming to a close!

Congratulations all of you Upstate NY Residents on surviving and thriving through what has undoubtedly been our most indecisive season yet. With that bully snow becoming a problem of yesterday, we turn our focus to his much warmer brother… rain.

Tomorrow looks like a wet one so keep these tips in mind! Gutters serve the fundamental purpose of redirecting water away from your home. If it were not for your gutters rain water would fall straight down; attacking your house's solid foundation and infiltrating the siding of your home causing mold and mildew growth.

Gutters clogged with winter debris can cause water to build up and leak inside a roof or run down exterior walls. Either scenario results in water damage and/or mold remediation.

A simple monthly inspection and a semi-annual cleaning goes a long way!

We here at SERVPRO would be happy to lend a hand if this happens to your home this spring, but we’d also love to see you avoid the stress entirely. So enjoy the sun now and we’ll deal with the rain tomorrow!

The One Thing Standing Between You and Perfect Home

3/4/2016 (Permalink)

Odor

No matter how nice the view, how large the bedroom’s, or pretty the landscaping, there is no distraction worse than a lingering smell.

Lingering smells in a beautiful home are the clouds to a sunny summer day; full of promise, yet deeply dissatisfying. SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties is here to make the sun shine year round!

Whether the smell be pet related, tobacco related, food related, ‘not me’ related, or ‘I got it this way’ related SERVPRO uses the most innovative and scientific approaches to attack and eliminate your odor for good!

In addition to everyday home odor elimination needs, we use some of the same processes in eliminating odors of smoke, soot, and musty smells.

Here are only a few of our Deodorization Methods:

Ozone Machines: Ozone machines use natural oxygen to break down smells to their chemical composition and eliminate them for good. Click below for descriptive video on this process.

https://youtu.be/UpF8NNXaP_g?t=41s

Negative Air Machines:

A negative air machine uses ducting to remove contaminated air from a sealed containment area. The filtered air is exhausted outside of the containment area. This creates negative air pressure (a vacuum effect), which helps limit the spread of contaminants to other areas inside the structure.

Glade and Febreze are solutions for a college dorm room… SERVPRO is the solution for you!

Restore, Don’t Replace!

3/4/2016 (Permalink)

Esporta

When it comes to restoration, many people focus on the structure of the house or building itself. Browse around our website for even 15 seconds and you can rest easy knowing that this is our specialty. However, after the initial panic of fire and water damage has eased, your next natural question is probably, “but what about all of my stuff?”

Meet our Esporta Wash System. By teaming with Esporta Technologies we have been able to make the restoration process effortless and stress free from start to finish (Even for “your stuff”.)

Traditional Dry Cleaners typically can restore: 40% of soft contents

The Esporta Machines used by SERVPRO typically can restore: 85% of soft contents

Using an advanced system of hydraulic action our machines can force both organic and inorganic contaminants out of all your valuable personal belongings.

So what can be restored you ask? You name it! Purses, comforters, couch cushions, sports gear, boots, high school letterman jackets, clothing, linens, valentine’s day teddy bears, and even your favorite pair of socks with the sharks on them.

In the past these items typically ended up in the landfill, but today this technology has literally revolutionized life after an emergency. We have saved our clients time, money and peace of mind after a loss.

Check out how it all works:

https://youtu.be/V9kDie-ta3c?t=13s

A Perfect Day for a Parade

3/4/2016 (Permalink)

Binghamton Parade

As SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties we would be remiss if we didn’t discuss Binghamton’s annual Parade Day! Binghamton’s “Parade Day” will come with weather as unpredictable as the events. According to accuweather we are looking at mid 30’s degree weather with sunshine during the earlier hours of the day. I think we all agree, the luck of the Irish is on our side having a parade day without snow.

For those who don’t know, Parade Day is a massive gathering in Downtown Binghamton to celebrate St. Patrick's day and Irish American Pride. “Despite being a county of diversity … Everyone is Irish on parade day!” Bagpipers, 5ks, green beer and plenty of activities for all to enjoy!

As experts in emergency restoration we wish everyone a happy, safe parade day, and advocate the best way to handle an emergency is to avoid practices that create one.

A Happy St. Patrick's day to all!

SERVPRO Subrogation Professionals: Making sure you’re never hung out to dry

3/3/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO

Emergencies are never fun. Teaming up with SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties, we will work hand in hand with you to get you and your loved ones back on your feet. We will take the utmost care of your possessions and your household, but our services don’t stop there. In your time of need the last thing you need on your mind is cost. We know how stressful these situations can be and that’s why we train our managers and supervisors as certified subrogation professionals.

Subrogation may be an unfamiliar term to those not in the field of insurance, but here are the basics:

Subrogation (n)- a legal right that allows one party to make a payment to another party and then collect money from the party that owes the debt after the fact.

To get a better understanding (in layman's terms) of what Subrogation is and how it can affect your property personally, please view the links below. This is for educational purposes only. 

http://www.homeinsurance.org/articles/understanding-subrogation-and-its-role-in-home-insurance-policies/

To make things even simpler, we make it our priority to protect your home, your psyche, and your wallet.

SERVPRO: Your 24/7/365 Friend

2/25/2016 (Permalink)

Servpro

SERVPRO: Your 24/7/365 Friend

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours, why would we? Here at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties we pride ourselves on our proximity and response times, during your emergency. Every second counts (and costs), we know that, and we make it our duty to not waste even one.

Emergencies happen. They can be unpredictable. They can be scary. They can be beat.

SERVPRO’s team of highly trained employees never stop preparing. Each and every SERVPRO team member has been thoroughly trained on fire restoration, water restoration, carpet & upholstery cleaning, and mold mitigation before stepping foot into the field. Together we can beat your emergency.

The fast response times by our highly trained employees are only possible because of our state of the art Fleet of response vehicles. Our fleet of cars, vans, pickup trucks, flatbed trucks, dumpsters trucks, and trailers, provide a vessel outfitted for your specific needs ready at the turn of a key.

We put the best people, in the best locations, and give them the best resources because our clients deserve nothing but the, you guessed it, best.

SERVPRO: Large Loss Division

2/17/2016 (Permalink)

Large Loss

Did you know? Your very own SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is the Large Loss response team for all of Upstate, Central and Western, NY?!  Our certified Large Loss Team will respond to any location within Upstate NY when called! Learn more about how our team handles a large loss! Our elite Large Loss specialists are prequalified with the following certifications:

• OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program

• OSHA - 30-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program
• OSHA - Other Training
• IICRC Certified Firm
• SRT - IICRC Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• WRT- IICRC Water Damage Restoration
• CCT – IICRC Carpet Cleaning Technician

• AMRT - Applied Microbial Remediation Technician
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
• MOLD: Abatement Worker Training

• ECTP – SERVPRO Employee Certification Training Program

• SERVPRO - Fire, Water, Carpet & Upholstery Certified
• HAAG – Roofing Training Certification         
• Successful Subrogation I & II

In addition, every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation. At SERVPRO, the difference is our ability to dispatch trained production professionals and cut costs through the strategic placement and oversight of temporary labor.

Want to know if you qualify as a commercial large loss? See the list!

-Municipalities

-Universities

-Property Management Facilities

-Hospitality Industry

-All Commercial & Industrial Facilities 

Any time of day or night the SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties fleet is ready to take off! So give us a call at 607-722-2262.

SERVPRO: Rain & Sleet

2/16/2016 (Permalink)

Rain

Wow! Has this weeks weather been crazy in Upstate NY or what?! After this weekend where we reached a tied low for the 2nd all time coldest reading in Binghamton (-18) now we’re looking at a bit of a wintry mix! While yesterday it seemed like it was going to keep snowing, and we faced a high of 23 degrees now we’re looking at much warmer temps but boy was it icey this morning!

This afternoon will be warmer, however it looks like we’ll be facing a lot of water! The National Weather Service has issued a statement saying much of the area will be rainy from early/mid afternoon. But as the temps drop slippery driving conditions will redevelop this evening. So drive slowly and be cautious!

And keep in mind, if you’re facing a bit of flooding (or a lot of flooding) we’re always here for you so download the Ready Plan App today and give us a call (607)722-2262! And until help arrives on the scene check out our emergency tips:

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

• Is it safe to stay in the house?

• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.

• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.

• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

See more tips here!

http://www.SERVPRObroomecountyeast.com/water-damage-tips

#SERVPROREADY

SERVPRO: Join the Team!

2/11/2016 (Permalink)

team

NOW HIRING! SERVPRO is an amazing place to work. But what goes into working at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties exactly? If you’re looking for a new career or just a curious customer, read on!

All SERVPRO employees are first and foremost given a background check, and drug tested, since they will be entering the homes and personal spaces of our valued customers. Our employees are typically entering your homes/offices at a very sensitive time and we need to be 100% positive they are responsible and respectable individuals.

Our employees travel quite a bit to obtain all of their many certifications. All employees from the office staff to Production Technicians are trained to perform all services! Our SERVPRO team members drive through Broome, Tompkins and Tioga counties and (because we have all of our certifications) sometimes farther for large loss recovery. As a result we make sure they are driving one of our green SERVPRO vehicles! So see if you spot them next time you’re driving around town and tag us on Facebook! Our team is also geared up daily in a SERVPRO specific uniform to ensure we keep up our professional appearances for all of our customers.

Lastly, and the most important part of working at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties is that we’re a bonded company. When you work for our team you and your family are considered a part of our family. We host events for our employees and their families throughout the year; we want to make sure we show our employees our appreciation for working for us! No matter what job you have, you should enjoy and believe in what you do. Any employee should feel confident in their company and themselves and be proud of where they work. SERVPRO of Broome Tompkins and Tioga Counties hopes to do just that!

SERVPRO: Weather this Weekend

2/10/2016 (Permalink)

Winter

We knew it wouldn’t last, and even though that Groundhog didn’t see his shadow, it looks like we’re going to be bracing ourselves for a cold weekend ahead! So bundle up people! While earlier this week we we’re enjoying the 40 and 50 degree temps this weekend is about to get frrrrreezing! But that’s pretty standard for Upstate NY in February right?

Friday we’re looking at a high of 22 degrees and a low of…6. And if that doesn’t sound cold enough for you just wait until Saturday, upstate NY will be looking at a low of -9 degrees. So grab your hat and gloves and brace yourselves if you’re planning to go out. Or better yet, plan a weekend in by the fireplace. We’re definitely liking that idea more as the temps drop and the weekend moves closer.

So brace yourselves, winter isn’t over yet! Should you or someone you know experience a weather related catastrophe such as frozen pipes or furnace mafunction, call SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties at 607-722-2262! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you.

But hold on to hope, next week we’re looking at 30 degrees and it’ll be spring before we know it! Stay warm!

Fireline Systems

2/9/2016 (Permalink)

Fireline

Have you or has someone you know experienced a fire or smoke damage to their home or business? Let us shed a little light on the system that SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties uses to bring your contents back to new. The Fireline Ultrasonic Contents Cleaning System is an assembly line process to quickly clean customer's contents following fire or smoke damage or other related disaster. The Fireline's systematic approach to contents restoration has emerged as the industry model and continues to set the standard for efficiency. 

At SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties we can now safely restore instead of replace your damaged contents. The Fireline System can clean to near pristine condition, much of your personal and sentimental contents. You would never know that your contents had been through a fire or smoke loss. Having the ability to restore your contents will provide you not only with peace of mind, but a timely turnout of your belongings and a cost savings for the client as well as the insurance company. 

While utilizing the Fireline System, our expertise in contents restoration enables us to offer a total solution that provides increased customer satisfaction. Employees that work in the Fireline Systems Center are all trained and certified to work in restoring contents as a result of a fire, smoke, water or mold loss. The staff at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is highly trained in property damage restoration. From the initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO's corporate training facility to industry certifications such as the Clean Trust (IICRC), rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property and contents. 

When choosing SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties, you are choosing a company who understands the stress and worry that comes with devastation. Having our employees at your door with understanding, along with the knowledge and training to back their work will be invaluable.

SERVPRO: Happy Groundhog Day!

2/2/2016 (Permalink)

GroundHog

It’s February 2nd and the dark days of winter are finally dwindling to a close! Every 5pm walk to the car gets brighter and brighter and our team could not be more excited!

According to America’s favorite little varmint Punxsutawney Phil, we’re looking at a quick end to winter! CNN reported, “Spring is coming! America's most iconic weather forecaster, the Pennsylvania groundhog Punxsutawney Phil, "told" this to the president of the groundhog club after not seeing his shadow at Gobbler's Knob in the town northeast of Pittsburgh. Legend dictates that if Phil doesn't see his shadow on Groundhog Day, there will be early spring like weather.”

In honor of spring coming a bit early, we want to provide you with 5 of our favorite spring cleaning tips!

1. Organizing your closet is the first step to organizing the rest of your home. Get rid of unused clothes and accessories, and organize the rest by how you get dressed in the morning and by color. Your closet will look appealing, and your everyday routine will be easier. -HouseBeautiful
2. Empty the fridge and defrost. Pull out all of the contents, tossing anything past its prime and storing the rest in a cooler. Wipe down and deodorize shelves and walls with a warm water and baking soda solution (1 tablespoon baking soda to 1 quart of water). -WomansDay
3. Clean your carpets! If your carpet requires a deep cleaning, consider hiring a pro. Inexperience with the equipment can result in over-soaking and moisture retention that can promote the growth of mildew or damage the floor underneath. -WomansDay
4. Replace Batteries You should replace the batteries in your smoke detectors every six months. Use the day you set your clocks back as a reminder, and you'll be unlikely to forget. Change the batteries again in spring, when you set your clocks ahead. -MarthaStewart
5. Do one room, even one area of one room, at a time to avoid unfinished jobs. The satisfaction of seeing one room sparkle will make the hard work feel like it's worth the effort. -StyleAtHome

These are our top 5 spring cleaning tips - and we’ve got many more! What are your best spring cleaning tips? #SERVPROTIPS

SERVPRO IICRC Certified.

1/29/2016 (Permalink)

Cleaning

SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins & Tioga Counties is IICRC Certified!

Do you need another reason to consider bringing the SERVPRO team into your home of office for a thorough cleaning or restoration? We’ve got more than one, but let’s break it down for you. The staff at SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties is highly trained in property damage restoration. All Production employees and office staff members are trained in the most up to date standards and techniques according to the IICRC, which stands for the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. You’ll sleep like a baby knowing our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property, just like new!

Why do we do it? To be the BEST in the Industry! “The IICRC certification helps customers to immediately identify the cleaning, restoration and inspection industry's MOST skilled and dedicated technicians and businesses.” You won’t have to look to far to find the SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties team. According to the IICRC’s website, certification benefits customers because “consumers know that, when they hire IICRC certified technicians or firms, they have hired experts who will ensure that the services will be completed in accordance with the industry’s highest standards.” Our team has the knowledge and confidence to ensure that when we come into your home or business, we will clean and restore your property the right way, the first time. Even better, it will be completed and restored to the highest standards in the industry.

As a home or business owner you have more than enough to worry about. So let us take care of the aftermath when emergency strikes. Call SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties: 722-2262!

Winter Storm Jonas: Weather Update

1/27/2016 (Permalink)

Snow

Winter Storm Jonas: Impacts

The East Coast got hit in a big way by Winter Storm Jonas this past weekend. This specific storm rivaled even the most infamous snowstorms of the recent past. Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties we’re extremely lucky to have missed this wave of snow. However just because we missed this one doesn’t mean we won’t see more. After all it is only January. So knowing the crazy upstate weather, it’s always good to read up on how to handle these excessive amounts of snow.

Just a little recap of this big storm. Jonas was the single BIGGEST snowstorm on record for at least six locations in the East including Allentown, Pennsylvania which faced 31.9 inches of snow. Baltimore-Washington International Airport saw 29.2 inches, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania saw 30.2 inches of snow. Kind of crazy - and what’s worse many residents say they’re trapped in their homes until plows can clear the streets!

So while you’re settling in and getting cozy at home, let us send a few tips your way for snow removal on your roofs.

First - don’t reach for your ladder/shovel just yet. Reach for the phone instead. HouseLogic says, “Calling in a professional to remove ice and snow from your roof is the smartest and safest option.” “Most home roofs aren’t readily accessible, making the snow removal job dangerous for do-it-yourselfers.” Pro crews have special gear - including sturdy extension ladders and more for snow and ice removal.

However, if you’re a persistent DIY-er, and say for example you have a one-story home with a roof just off the ground - taking matters into your own hands MIGHT be safe. But you will need to anticipate where the snow and ice will fall as you pull it off your roof.

Regardless, if you are doing it yourself or hiring professionals just remember don’t expect a bone-dry roof at job’s end. The goal is to remove the “Excessive weight” Plus an important item to note - “any attempt to completely remove the bottom layer of ice will almost always result in irreparable damage to your roofing.”

We can’t stress this enough - BE CAREFUL when removing snow and ice from your roof this winter. And when you’re looking at that roof and thinking it might be a little much to remove yourself, call in the SERVPRO professionals. We’ve got it.

Want to read more: http://bit.ly/IKLyrp

SERVPRO: On Mold

1/26/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO

Water damage in your home or office? You could be at risk for mold growth - this topic is actually a lot more complex than you might think. So let the SERVPRO Professionals break it down a bit. 

"Last January 29th - Governor Andrew Cuomo signed NYS Senate Bill S3667D-2013 which will create Article 32 to the Labor Law. This article will establish the licensing of mold inspection, assessment, and remediation specialists and minimum work standards. According to the bill - the law goes (went into effect) 180 days of Jan 29th - which if calculated correctly would be July 28th 2015."

Now that this law is in effect - mold remediation specialists are required to have much more certification on their ends. The specifics about requirements to become a licensed assessor or remediator have been left to New York State Department Of Labor. But for homeowners, all you need to know is that any contractor that performs mold remediation/abatement services must be certified.

When should you hire a mold remediation company?

• New York State has set fourth a guideline that whenever 10 sq ft or more of mold is found you should consult a mold remediation specialist.

Need a few more tips?

• Request proof of pollution insurance
• Request proof of workers compensation and liability insurance
• Request employee and company certification.
• Obtain a written contract for all work to be done and costs to be incurred.

Or you could just call SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga Counties. Lucky for YOU, all SERVPRO of Broome, Tompkins and Tioga County employees are certified mold remediators and stay up to date on all certifications and requirements set forth by New York State. Our team will continue to advance in mold remediation techniques as the industry advances each year.

Mold is a serious threat to home and office owners, so having professionals who know how to handle the job is crucial. We're just down the road. Give us a call and read on to learn more. 

SERVPRO: A Team You Can Trust!

1/20/2016 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO!

Whether it’s your home or office - we all need a little backup especially in an emergency! You never know what you’ll need. Lucky for you, we do! Floods, mold, fire damage or just regular cleaning; you have to have a company you can trust. And even more importantly - people you can count on 24/7. Look no further! You KNOW you can trust the professionals at SERVPRO!

Do you know why? Because the SERVPRO team is in the top ten franchises of 2016! Even better - according to Entrepreneur, SERVPRO is ranked #4 out of 500! WOW! And to top it all off we're #1 in our industry - and we have been for the last ten years! 

Want to know a little more about how we got our start? Believe it or not SERVPRO actually started in 1967 as a painting business. Two years later, the founders Ted and Doris Isaacson began franchising SERVPRO as a cleaning and restoration company. Then finally in 1988 they decided to make the move and left Sacramento, California to expand their business in Gallatin, Tennessee - all in order to be within 600 miles of 50% of the U.S. population. 

Our team at SERVPRO specialize in disaster restoration, offering cleanup and repairs to both commercial and residential customers whose property has suffered fire or water damage. We also offer mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, air duct and HVAC cleaning and so much more! 

We’ve been in the cleaning and restoration business for quite a while now - so we know what we’re doing. Let us be your backup - download our “Ready Plan” app and put our number on speed dial. In an emergency, you need a team you can trust - we’ve got your back! 

SERVPRO Tips: Winter is here!

1/18/2016 (Permalink)

Frosted Window Panes

Most winters in Upstate NY are dreadful by the time Halloween rolls around, but the fall and winter of 2015 gave us a little more warmth, and most importantly, more time to enjoy outdoor activities! So yes we had another green Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year, but we are definitely not complaining. 

Unfortunately for us upstaters, perfect fall days can't last forever. The past few weeks of the New Year have brought some below freeing temps which leave our hands, homes and offices cold and our windows covered with frost. 

So finally with those cold temps on Sunday the 17th, right as Peyton took the win from Pittsburgh, we saw some fluffy snow! That snow may be pretty and hey, some people even enjoy the winter cold but it can also come with damages that you might not even consider.

So keep this in mind while you're admiring the frost from the inside your cozy bedroom, 'window frost while sometimes beautiful, can also be damaging and surprisingly enough can even cause mold in your home or office. So follow these tips to keep your windows warm and dry..'

#1 Use a dehumidifier inside your home to keep the moisture out.

#2 Seal any gaps or cracks in your windows.

#3 And most importantly, heat your homes/offices properly! 

So keep these tips in mind when it starts flurrying this February! Keep warm this 2016!