Recovering From a Flood Disaster, Safely | SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater

3/15/2024 (Permalink)

No matter where the water comes from, SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater is ready to restore flood damage to your property!

Have you ever watched the rain fall from the safety of your house and been impressed with how powerful nature is? While we can appreciate the comfort and safety of our homes during severe weather, it is also the unfortunate fact that our homes aren’t invincible and they can suffer significantly during powerful weather events.

Strong storms can produce strong wind and heavy rain that can overwhelm the ground, causing flash flooding issues quickly. As the water builds up and flows down the street, your home could easily become compromised. Follow the tips below to help you navigate an unfortunate flood disaster in your home. 

Safety First 

It is important to remember that flash flood warnings can be issued even if it is not actively raining. That said, you still need to take action right away so you are ready for when the rain does start to fall. 

Head home if you aren’t already there, and be sure to avoid any low-lying areas or roads that are prone to flooding. A few inches of fast-moving water have the potential to sweep you off your feet, so stay inside once you get home.

If you know that your home is in a flood zone, consider shutting off electricity to your lower levels and moving anything important or sentimental to higher ground. Tie down any outdoor furniture or anything that is too heavy to bring inside but still vulnerable to being swept away by the moving water. 

Responding to a Flooded Home 

If the water starts to sneak into your home, do your best not to panic. There really isn’t much you can do about the situation until the storm has passed and the water stops rushing in. 

Simply stay above the water line and stay dry. Once the water stops flowing, use caution when moving about your home and avoid coming into contact with the water. Floodwater can easily become dangerous as it picks up chemicals, debris and sharp objects, so wear sturdy boots and gloves if you must walk through the water.  

Avoid broken glass, bent nails or any visible structural damage as you make your way to safety. Once your family is accounted for and you have checked on your neighbors, pick up the phone and give us a call. 

How Our Flood Restoration Process Works 

We know that time is of the essence when it comes to responding to flood disasters, so we will have already prepared our teams and trucks as soon as a flood watch or warning is issued. We will be able to jump right into action for you exactly when you need us!

Our team will get to work removing the standing water and securing your home from further damage. We are dedicated to saving as much of your home as possible, which is why we focus on a “restore vs. replace” mentality. We will pay just as much attention to your soft upholstery and fragile objects as to your more obvious structural damage. Our team is ready 24/7 to help you overcome your next flood disaster!

Dealing with flood damage? Call SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater right away.

SERVPRO Helps Dover Homeowners with Fast Flood Removal After a Storm

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825 for fast and efficient service.

Why is SERVPRO the first choice of Dover residents for flood removal? 

Flooding after a storm can spell disaster for property owners. If flood removal from your Dover home is not done promptly, it can create major problems in the time to come. Taking help from professionals like SERVPRO can help you stay on top of things and prevent potential long-term issues. 

While getting rid of any standing water is the first step that SERVPRO techs engage in, flood removal from your Dover property involves much more than that. The biggest challenges that SERVPRO restorers face after this initial step include:

• Getting the structure dry as soon as possible
• Preventing the growth of microbes and other contaminants
• Eliminating the odors (if any)

Restorers can't address the problem of contamination and odor unless the structure is dried to a preloss condition. Hence, the SERVPRO team first eliminates excess moisture using equipment like air movers and dehumidifiers. 

What Refrigerant Dehumidifier That SERVPRO Techs Use During Flood Restoration In Dover? 

Refrigerant dehumidifiers are the equipment of choice to accelerate drying your flooded Dover home. These dehumidifiers work similarly to an air conditioner and condense the excess vapors in the air to liquid water, thereby removing them from the air. SERVPRO techs use refrigerant dehumidifiers that use either conventional or low grain refrigerant (LGR).   

An LGR dehumidifier has the advantage of producing lower humidity ratio conditions than dehumidifiers with conventional refrigerants, which translates to faster drying rates. LGR dehumidifier is more effective in drying wood floors and other difficult materials. 

Call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825 to discuss your restoration needs. 

The Risks of Standing Flood Water in Jefferson Homes

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

We know and understand all concerns with your flood damage in Jefferson.

SERVPRO Wants to Help You Understand the Risks of Your Jefferson Flood Damage

Flooding can become a very traumatic experience quickly for Jefferson homeowners. Ideally, property owners would seek to secure the expertise and fast response of trained disaster relief specialists to help address this invading water and any structural concerns that might also exist. With a substantial push for DIY projects, many owners are looking to overcome these obstacles independently without completely understanding the potential risks involved. 

Our SERVPRO professionals have extensive training to combat flood damage in Jefferson homes through the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and the American Bio Recovery Association (ABRA.) Both firms offer extensive training and coursework to technicians looking to become valuable assets in the industry's restoration and recovery niches. 

As you might expect, safety is a top concern for our SERVPRO team when we approach the recovery of a flood damage situation in area homes. Likewise, even if you do not intend to utilize our expertise and experience in these matters, we want to ensure that residents in our service region handle these disasters smartly and safely. We carefully assess risks and work to overcome these hazardous conditions within their limitations and abilities. Here are some risks that exist with standing water on your property: 

• Water pouring through openings can allow rodents, snakes, and harmful insects to enter. Do not get into the floodwater without extensive protection. 
• Flooding can overflow sanitary sewers to present biohazardous contamination for your entire household exposed to the water. 
• Standing water can substantially weaken flooring, sag ceilings, and deteriorate supports. Tread carefully even after this water has gotten extracted. 
  

Standing water presents significant risks to the safety of homeowners and even our certified and experienced SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater technicians. It is critical to understand these threats and how to avoid them to keep yourself and your family safe throughout the restoration and recovery efforts. Give our professionals a call to help at (973) 810-2825.

We Have The Proper Techniques To Restore Your Jefferson Home After A Flood

3/17/2022 (Permalink)

Cutting out drywall to a few inches above the flood line helps us make proper repairs to your home after a flood.

After Flood Damage, We Pump Out Water, Dry Interiors, and Sanitize Homes in Jefferson

Powerful storms that drench the area around Jefferson can leave sewer systems overflowing in various locations. City streets and side roads are not the only sources of the flooding, however. Creeks, streams, and ditches can send overflowing water into your neighborhood.

After a disaster, SERVPRO helps out in the community by assisting residents in Jefferson cope with flood-damaged houses. We know that the flooding affected more than your house. We help people find local resources that can make a big difference in how a family's post-flood experiences shape their future.

When we first arrive at a flood-damaged house, we spray exposed and contaminated surfaces with a disinfectant. This reduces the amount of cross-contamination that might otherwise happen during our initial cleanup efforts.

We methodically pump any remaining water from the lowest portions of the home with submersible units, taking care to check for signs of stress in the foundation. Carpets get cut into sections for quick disposal, and we do the same with portions of drywall about six inches above the flood line. We pull ruined appliances, furniture, and other large items out of your home and place them outside for disposal. 

After removing the water and items retaining large amounts of it, we need to start working on drying things out more thoroughly. We can do this even if the area's electrical power is out. Box fans and dehumidifiers pull floodwaters from out of the wood frame and allow us to apply antimicrobial agents. We use our Injectidry systems to dry out flooring, wall cavities, and other enclosed areas.

Drying can take a while, as can cleaning up each item. However, the more work we do with these methods, the less you must replace them. Restoration is often the least costly of the two options. As soon as the interior becomes dry again, we re-apply a disinfectant to ensure that everything that might cause health effects in your family members no longer poses a threat.

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater knows how vital a fast recovery is after a disaster. When flood damage keeps you from living in your Hopatcong, Stanhope, or Mt. Arlington residence, a quick call to our 24-hour service line, (973) 810-2825, can help make everything "Like it never even happened."

Structure Damage Can Lead to Flooding in Dover Homes

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can often bring floodwaters into your home. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and flood damage remediation services. We are available 24/7.

Experienced professionals can repair structural damage and restore flood damage in Dover properties

When flooding occurs on your property, you have little time to waste to get the situation resolved. While there might be many catalysts to allow these disasters, our SERVPRO team arrives fast to help with:

• Extraction
• Content removal
• Emergency repairs
• Board-up

Hail and Wind Damage

One of the larger contributors of flood damage in Dover homes is torrential rainfall and harsh weather elements that compromise the structural integrity of construction elements like the roof or siding. The result can be attic flooding and water penetration into many rooms of your home simultaneously.

Fallen Trees and Debris

A tree falling into a part of your house is a traumatic event and rarely occurs under calm weather conditions outside. The result is structural damage from the falling trunk or branch, and then runoff or direct rainfall and precipitation into the house until the tree gets cut up and removed, and the structure is at least temporarily sealed.

Ice Damming and Attic Flooding

Like cold snaps after a snowfall, turns in the weather can create the conditions necessary to form ice barricades along the roof eaves. As snowmelt looks to reach the gutter system, it is thwarted by this dam. The result is that water gets pushed back against the roof's shingles and works its way against the installation design to enter the attic through underlayment materials.

Foundation Damage

Groundwater can also be a concern for area homes. With many of the flood cleanup projects our SERVPRO team is dispatched to help primarily in the basement of residences, structural damages like masonry vulnerability in the foundation are real possibilities. We carefully inspect water penetration points for solutions, including reinstalling foundation materials or patching with durable hydraulic cement.

Specific damage to homes and businesses can welcome flood damage. When these emergencies occur, homeowners look to our experienced SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater team to help. We have extraction, drying, and cleaning equipment to fully restore after we help with needed repairs. Give us a call today at (973) 810-2825.

How Likely is Basement Flooding for Hopatcong Homes?

2/13/2022 (Permalink)

When your basement is flooded, both the contents and structure of your home face decay. Our SERVPRO team is standing by 24/7 for your emergency call.

Many flood damage catalysts can leave Hopatcong properties with water penetration in the basement

Flooding remains one of the more damaging and destructive events that property owners might face. When water migrates to the basement, there are several strategies for removing standing water and cleaning the grounds. It is important to note several ways that flooding can occur. 

Flash Flooding

No matter the season, flood damage to Hopatcong homes can happen at any time from flash flooding threats. Torrential rainfall and other ideal conditions facilitate the rapid spread and powerful surge of water against a house. The lower level and its vents or window openings can allow fast penetration and several inches or more of standing water.

Snowmelt Flooding

The winter season can often produce some of the harshest weather conditions Hopatcong homes endure. After substantial snowfall, a warmer couple of days could result in flooding that impacts homes and businesses near rising water bodies. Beyond natural flooding from snowmelt and other precipitation, the winter can cause water damage in different ways too, such as:

• Burst pipes from freezing
• Ice damming flooding from the roof
• Ice jamming of creeks and streams

Groundwater Penetration

Subterranean levels of your home are often subject to the saturation of the ground around the property and changing conditions like natural springs. Hydrostatic pressures maintain an immense force against blockwork used in the construction of residences. When vulnerabilities exist in the mortar joints or individual concrete masonry units, floodwater can find its way into the basement to cause issues.

With so many ways that property could become flooded, it is nice to get mitigation and restoration started as soon as possible. Lower levels of your property, like the basement, are common settling areas for intruding water. Our SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater team is ready with effective extraction tools, drying equipment, and disinfection cleaning products. Give us a call now at (973) 810-2825. 

Everything in My Jefferson House Is Soaked -- Can Professional Recovery Technicians Help My Belongings Survive Flooding?

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding can quickly overtake your home. Contact team SERVPRO to assess the situation and remediate the flood damage in your home.

Flood Damage Can Threaten the Heart of Your Jefferson Home -- Fear Not Because SERVPRO Has Strategies for Both Structure and Contents

When you are just watching news reports or reading and looking at pictures of flooding, it can be upsetting to imagine your Jefferson home could be next. In our area, summer and fall are hurricane and tropical storm season, so the image you see on the screen or the paper could be your reality with little to no warning. You might be stoic about the damage your walls, floors, ceilings, and other structural components might suffer because of the availability of replacement materials if restoration of all surfaces is not possible. What tugs at your heartstrings is the fear that irreplaceable photos, documents, heirlooms, toys, clothing, furniture, electronics, and more will not just be damaged but instead lost, ruined beyond repair.

Is There Hope for Flood Damaged Household Goods, Furniture, and Personal Possessions?

Flood damage in Jefferson does not discriminate according to the emotional value of the items harmed. Although you can try to move your things to higher ground when a flood threatens, the reality is your house is a home, a place where you eat, sleep, laugh, study, and work. It is impractical to store all items away from flooding that might not materialize. With many families using all possible spaces in their homes for living and remote working activities, rising floodwaters in your lower levels will affect your personal property.

How Can Professionals Complete Appropriate Flood Damage Remediation with All My Property in Their Way?

There are ways to manage flooding recovery even when a home is full of damaged contents, but SERVPRO often recommends a partial or full pack-out as a preferred option. We suggest this approach for several reasons, including:

•   Clearing the spaces affected by storm-related flooding makes it much more straightforward to complete pumping and extraction of the floodwaters
•   Removing wet contents also reduces the humidity levels in the affected spaces, making applied structural drying much more efficient once the liquid water is gone
•   Packing out items avoids the need for our on-site technicians to shift them numerous times during the project
•   Our production facility IICRC-certified technicians have numerous resources to clean, disinfect, dry, deodorize, and otherwise restore contents to functionality and appearance -- they are skilled in working with your insurance company to document claims for restoration or damages if articles are beyond help

I Am Already Stressed --How Do I Know My Personal Property Is Tracked and Secure?

We use a detailed and mostly digital Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) to list and follow your individual items through the recovery process. CCIS uses the following to document the packed-out articles:

•   Written lists and checklists
•   Digital photography
•   Barcoding
•   Labeling of boxes or other containers
•   A dedicated space for storage of processed items in our climate-controlled warehouse

What Are the Innovative Interventions Used to Mitigate, Remediate, and Restore the Packed-Out Items?

Machines, tools, and other equipment located in our production facility are target to contents processing. We also maintain relationships with subcontractors for some unique treatments.

•   Freeze-drying under pressure for wet paper and photos -- uses a process called sublimation that removes water by skipping the liquid state between a solid and a vapor
•   Industrial washing and drying systems for clothing, textiles, and other soft items
•   Small contained chambers for cleaning, deodorizing, and drying padded and upholstered furnishings
•   Small contained chambers for drying electronics, avoiding reaching the dew point by manipulating air movement, humidity, and temperature -- electronics checked by a specialist to ensure proper function before storage or return to you
•   Immersion tubs for cleaning and disinfection of solid loose items
•   Ultrasonic machines and tanks for durable loose items encrusted with dirt, grime, or infectious waste -- this technology uses sound waves to loosen debris through jets of microbubbles and superheated solution

How Do the Packed-Out Items Return to My Cleaned, Sanitized, and Dry Home?

Our crews have monitored and updated the location of all items throughout the off-site water damage restoration process. The boxes and other containers are checked off against the inventory before loading to transport back to your house. We take great care to return the items to their place of pride in your home.

Rely on the comprehensive training and experience of the SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater team when flood damage disrupts. Call (973) 810-2825 to set storm damage and flooding right.

What Is Necessary to Contain Flood Damage in Dover Properties?

11/14/2021 (Permalink)

When a recent storm brings a large amount of water into your home, turn to SERVPRO for water removal and flood damage remediation. Call us 24/7.

SERVPRO Focuses on Managing Contamination, Protecting Contents and the Structure After Flooding Incidents

If your Dover property lies in the path of a storm, there is little you can do to protect it from being affected. However, afterward, you need to take action to contain the effects of the resulting flooding. Containing flood damage requires you to know what to do and time such action correctly to be impactful.

Containing flood damage in your Dover house requires addressing several unrelated factors simultaneously. With the situation rapidly changing, there is limited chance to correct any errors.  SERVPRO avoids negative outcomes by sending fully staffed teams to ensure every aspect gets timely and sufficient attention.

The three primary aspects that help contain flood damage are:

• Tarping and boarding up structure openings
• Content pack-outs or move-outs
• Controlling contaminants

Storms can create different types of openings in structures by blowing off roofing shingles and shattering windows. Such openings can worsen the damage in your house over time by allowing rainwater, sunshine, and other weather elements into the property's interior. Our SERVPRO technicians install roof tarps and use plywood panels to board-up wall openings. We can also create barriers inside the house using plastic sheets and steel poles.

Floodwater can be laced with chemicals and biohazards, thus contaminating your house. Alternatively, water left to stagnate for some time becomes contaminated due to microbial proliferation. Our SERVPRO technicians spray EPA-registered disinfectants directly into the standing water to manage contamination. That way, we limit the spreading of contaminants while we perform the other tasks, including moving contents. 

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater can perform various procedures to help you deal with flood damage, “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (973) 810-2825.

Dover Homeowners Appreciate Post-Flood Content Preservation by SERVPRO

6/26/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding can quickly become a headache if fast action isn’t taken. Team SERVPRO is available 24/7 for your emergency call.

What Happens to Flood Damaged Items in Your Dover Home?

It can be challenging to contend with flooding in your Dover home, especially when it comes with considerable structural concerns. With multiple symptoms and effects to face, most homeowners can appreciate their need for professional restoration technicians to work quickly to protect property as best as they can. Many of these same homeowners do not realize that with teams like ours, structural recovery is only the beginning of the work that we do to restore your home and your life after a flood emergency.

Property is much more than building materials and space. When flood damage occurs in your Dover home, you can start appreciating the various items and contents that now become at risk for irreparable damages. The belongings within your house can quickly become ruined by standing and rising waters, especially when water comes with the threat of contamination and bacteriological concerns. Our SERVPRO professionals responding to the emergency can work to protect these items with our pack-out process.

Assessment of a Water Damaged Home

With the initial assessment of the property, when our mitigation team arrives at your address, our contents department can walk through the home and earmark belongings, furniture, and other items for removal and storage off-site. There are many steps that these possessions undergo once they reach our SERVPRO facility, and it can prepare them for their later return to your restored residence.

Water Damage Restoration for Personal Belongings

First and foremost, our team works to dry out damaged belongings removed from the house to prevent secondary effects like mold growth from taking root. In some cases, antimicrobial agents must get introduced to make surfaces uninhabitable for mold spores in the environment. Additionally, deodorization and disinfection are conventional approaches before these items go into storage in our controlled-climate facility.

While you might think that restoration is all about bringing your home back to pre-flood condition, there are more steps than many homeowners realize. You can count on the experience and advanced techniques of our SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater professionals to make flood damage “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call anytime disaster strikes at (973) 810-2825.

When A Flood Strikes Your Dover Home, Call Our Experts At SERVPRO Right Away!

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

Flood and storm damage is no easy task. Call SERVPRO for the storm restoration services needed for your home.

Scoping Flood Damage For A More Efficient Service In Dover

When we think of flooding, the first thing that comes to mind is external — natural weather events like heavy rainfall, storms, road overflow, or flash flooding. However, flooding can be caused by many other issues internal to the home. If there are issues with an attic water tank, HVAC system, or second-floor plumbing, water can quickly flood the home requiring emergency assistance from an experienced service provider.

We can provide expert IICRC certificate holders to help residents with flood damage in Dover. One of the first things your SERVPRO technician can use their expertise for when arriving on-site is conducting a visual inspection, also known as scoping the property. This process may seem time-consuming, especially when there is water around your ankles, but scoping is an essential part of delivering an efficient service.

The scoping procedure involves checking to make sure ceilings are not loaded with water. Equally, shutting off electrical shock hazards and checking subfloors to see how much water has been absorbed. We start from the source of moisture and work outwards using moisture meters to detect where water may have migrated and make a note of different materials that could be a source of damage.

Once a thorough assessment is complete, we can bring in the correct equipment, tailoring it to your property and possessions. Water extraction units combine heating elements with vacuum power and specialize in removing excess moisture. These are effective in combating pooling without risking damages to your structural contents.

If during the scoping procedure, there is a discovery of excess water beneath your subfloor, underneath fittings, or inside wall spaces, SERVPRO can deploy specialty drying equipment. Injectidry systems involve drilling small holes at the base of walls to allow a current of hot air to be passed through. We can refill and repaint these holes afterward. However, the process is essential to ensuring your home is thoroughly dry, “Like it never even happened.”

For expert inspection and property solutions for flood damage, contact SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825.

When Should Property Owners Contact Restoration Professionals to Perform Flood Damage Restoration in Hopatcong Properties?

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

Homes devastated by storm damage need the help of SERVPRO. Our equipment and manpower are second to none.

They Should Contact an Experienced Restoration Team Like SERVPRO Immediately when Flood Damage Occurs in Their Hopatcong Home

Floodwater intrusion into your home can cause significant destruction. The excess moisture can cause long-term effects if proper water extraction, decontamination, and drying are not performed within a short time. Hiring a certified restoration team like SERVPRO is the best way to avoid long-lasting structural damage.

Property owners should take floodwater ingress seriously and act fast by contacting our response team. Only certified technicians can perform proper flood damage restoration in Hopatcong homes. This intervention should be fast and effective to minimize potential short and long-term damages.

Can SERVPRO respond to a homeowner's emergency at night?

SERVPRO has decades of experience in handling flood damage. Therefore, we understand the importance of a quick response. Our technicians can respond to your emergency call even in the middle of the night and develop a flood damage restoration plan. Our restoration team can evaluate three criteria to determine the best way to solve the problem, including:

• Degree of contamination
• The magnitude of property damage
• Replacement cost vs. restoration cost

How does SERVPRO's restoration team dry wooden floors after water extraction?

Our technicians use highly advanced equipment during restoration to offer effective flood remediation services. We can use portable electric heaters to direct heat on the wooden floor to speed up moisture evaporation, leading to faster drying. We are also proficient at offering other services like:

• Ceiling repairs from water damages
• Basement flooding cleanup
• Water removal services
• Water damage repairs

When a storm causes flood damage in your home, you need help from an experienced restoration firm. Contact SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater for excellent restoration that can make the flood damage look "Like it never even happened." Talk to us today at (973) 810-2825.

Prompt Extraction of Floodwater to Prevent Additional Storm Flood Damage in Dover Homes

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage to your property is a job for SERVPRO. Their technicians are trained and experienced in any size disaster.

Homeowners Can Hire SERVPRO to Handle the Flood Damage in their Dover Properties 

Located in Morrison County, New Jersey, Dover town is situated on the Rockaway River and about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of New York City. The town is 37 kilometers (23 miles) west of Newark, New Jersey.

The town is home to a population of 18,157, according to the census held in 2010. This was a decline of -0.2 percent from the census held in the year 2000, which had recorded a population increase of 20.3 percent from the 1990 census.

The Local Government of Dover

Dover runs under the Town's form of government. It is among the 565 municipalities across the state that use this kind of government. The town's government includes a Mayor and a Board of Aldermen.

The Board of Aldermen consists of eight elected members chosen on the partisan basis of the general election held in November. Two of the Aldermen elected members to serve four wards for two years. The town's mayor is elected at large to serve for four years.

Popular culture in Dover town

• On April 16th, 1983, Metallica performed live with lead guitarist Kirk Hammett at Showplace for the first time in New Jersey.
• The climactic scene of "The Wrestler," the 2008 movie, was filmed at the Baker Theater.
• Eddie Money's music video "I Wanna Go Back" was filmed at the old Dover High School and Blackwell Street.

Places to visit 

Hedden County Park

The 389.4-2 acre facility is a public park consisting of a 2.8-acre easement along Jackson Brook and a six-acre Hedden Pond. Named after the Hedden family in 1963, the park was dedicated in 1970 October 4th. The Hedden family of Dover donated the original 40 acres in 1963.

JFK Memorial Commons Park 

The facility hosts several events, including Christmas tree lighting every year, a Halloween parade, an Easter egg hunt, and summer concerts. It consists of the town's Gazebo and a children's play park. It was named in 1963 after the assassination of President JF Kennedy.

WaterWorks Park 

In 1902, the Water Commission bought the facility and built wells to supply water into the growing community. The facility consists of accessible banks of Rockaway River, a picnic area, and a baseball field. Most people visit the facility, especially during summer, for swimming in the Rockaway River.

How fast can SERVPRO restorers dry a property affected by flood damage in Dover?

Flood damage after a heavy storm can cause serious primary and secondary destruction to your property if you delay restoration. Acting immediately by contacting SERVPRO's team of technicians is the best move to prevent further damage.

Our team of restorers has hands-on, professional training that enables us to handle storm flood damage of any magnitude. SERVPRO also has experience in offering flood restoration services. We can restore your cherished possessions.

We use state-of-the-art equipment and tools during flood damage restoration to speed up the process. If the water level in your basement is above several feet high, you can benefit from our basement flooding restoration services. Our SERVPRO team can use a diesel-powered self-priming trash pump that can pass solids in floodwater. We prefer the equipment since:

• It offers easy access to the affected area.
• Portable and does not require electricity to run.
• Can pass solids of up to 1¼." 

Flood damage should not give you sleepless nights. Contact SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater for fast and effective restoration at (973) 810-2825. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Dover Residents Can Enjoy Boutique Style Shopping Experience at the Craft & Vendor Fair

1/27/2021 (Permalink)

After your home suffers flood damage, you need a team of professionals to assist you with cleanup. Call SERVPRO right away! We are always available.

Unique Handmade Items for Valentine's Day Gifts for Dover Residents

A satisfactory shopping experience requires several things, including a good variety of items that the shopper might need, fair prices, and a superior customer experience. For the latter aspect, boutique shopping is preferable over visiting large establishments. The Craft & Vendor Fair scheduled for Saturday, February 6th, 2021, seeks to give shoppers from Dover and surrounding areas a unique shopping experience a few days before Valentine's Day.  The event is designed to showcase various unique handmade items like jewelry, décor, and accessories. People also have a chance to explore different gift ideas for the upcoming holiday. 

When making your plans to attend the Craft & Vendor Fair, note that:

• The fair starts at 10 AM and end at 5 PM
• The event is free, and no prior booking is necessary to attend
• The location is at the Rockaway Townsquare, an approximately 10-minute drive from downtown Dover

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater provides distinctive solutions in residences affected by flood incidents. Call us at (973) 810-2825 to help with cleanup and other restoration processes.

Timely Response Helps with Flood Damage Mitigation in Dover

1/19/2021 (Permalink)

You can depend on our professionals with state of the art equipment to thoroughly dry your property so you can return safely after a flooding incident

SERVPRO Sends Well-Equipped Teams to help Mitigate Flood Damage in Dover Properties

Dover is situated along the banks of the Rockaway River in Morris County, New Jersey. The presence of iron ore in the area and the construction of railway lines and a canal were the main factors that fueled the town's early development. In 1713 the proprietors of West Jersey deeded Joseph Latham portions of land bought from Native Americans. Later, Latham deeded 527 acres of his land to John Jackson, who had an interest in exploiting iron ore, which was so plentiful in the area that it could be picked off the ground at nearby Dickerson mine. However, his venture was heavily affected by the Iron Act's passage, which sought to limit the building of iron-related production facilities in North America, maintaining manufacturing capacity in Great Britain while limiting competition from the colonies with sufficient supplies of raw materials. The resulting financial difficulties led Jackson to bankruptcy in 1753.

The Morris Canal, whose construction started in 1824 and was completed in 1831, connected Dover to several towns lying along the canal, including Easton, Phillipsburg, Washington, Hackettstown, Boonton, and Jersey City, among others. The canal was the primary transportation route for coal, iron, and agricultural products. The earliest canal boats were mule-drawn and could move up to 70 tons of cargo. The transport route transformed Dover from a rural settlement to a thriving industrial town.

The Establishment of Dover

The village of Dover was incorporated in 1826. The name is thought to have been adopted from Dover, New Hampshire, or Dover, England. The village prospered with silk manufacturing, knitting mills, and the sizable MacGregors hosiery factory. It also had several machine shops, furnaces, stoves, rolling mills, and drill works. As it continued developing, it was incorporated into a town on 1st April 1869. 

Several structures and monuments built in those days still stand in the area and include:

• Baker's Opera House

In 1880, a renowned miner from the area, William Henry Baker, built the Baker Opera House as a vaudeville theater. The three-story brick building features an Eclectic style.  It also includes a tower. Some of its unique features include a Mail Pouch Tobacco sign covering the southern side of the building. The Northside is made up of granite lintels and window sills, recessed brick panels, and a granite name plate written "Baker Building." 

• The Dover Doughboy

The Dover Doughboy is one of several similar sculptures made for different communities all over the United States to honor casualties and veterans of World War I. The Dover sculpture is placed on top of 38 unique stones collected from surrounding areas.  Each stone has a bronze place inscribed with the name of a soldier from the Second District of Morris County killed in the war. The monument was dedicated on May 30th, 1922. 

Interesting Things to Do in Dover

The town has grown tremendously over the years from its humble village beginnings. There are several shops, entertainment joints, parks, and other facilities that provide the amenities visitors and residents need.  Some notable areas to visit while in Dover include:

Hedden County Park

The general-purpose public park covers a total area of 389.42 acres, including the 6 acre Hedden Pond. The park, first established when the Hedden Family donated the original 40 acres in 1963, was later expanded to its current size. At the park, there are two ball fields, a children's play area, and multi-purpose fields. The pond has a fishing deck, and there is a sheltered area that can accommodate up to 140 people. Several hiking trails provide the perfect avenue to explore the woods, streams, and waterfalls.

Marcade Family Fun Center

The gaming and entertainment center is a classic 80s and 90s arcade. All games at the facility are set to free-play allowing visitors to pay by the hour.  

The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey

The dynamic Orchestra performs music from all periods and styles, not just the baroque period. The baroque period usually refers to the years around 1600 to 1750. At the concerts organized by the orchestra, you are likely to hear Dvorak, Beethoven, Mahler, Mozart, or Bach. They also organize summer music festivals that include chamber music, concerts, cabarets, and even full opera performances at reasonable prices.

Dover Little Theatre

The small theater established in 1933 has a 100 seat capacity.  A visit to the facility gives audiences the chance to enjoy memorable theater experiences. There are five mainstage productions each season. The theater draws producers, actors, directors, set designers, and other talents locally.  Various entertainment pieces, including plays and musicals, are exhibited at the facility.  

How Does SERVPRO Help with Flood Damage Recovery in Dover?

Flooding incidents in Dover, New Jersey, are mostly attributed to periodic inundation and obstruction of waterways forcing groundwater into homes and other properties. When such incidents happen, remedial action is necessary to save the affected structures or the contents within. SERVPRO is an established flood damage mitigation service that helps homeowners determine the best course of action and take the necessary implementation steps.

The primary issue after a flooding incident is the exposure of various materials to the floodwaters. Such exposure contributes to further physical deterioration or contamination. SERVPRO focuses on limiting the effects of such exposure, thus reducing damages by:

• Doing partial or complete content move-outs 
• Expediting extraction of standing water from the property
• Making flood cuts and other physical alterations to the structure to half moisture migration

The effectiveness of such steps varies greatly depending on the timing and the skill level of the people working on the restoration. SERVPRO teams are made up of IICRC certified Water Restoration Technicians and Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians, among other professionals ensuring the right skill sets are applied. Our teams have state of the art equipment that helps simplify processes such as water extraction, cleaning, and decontamination of the affected property. Our customer care staff is also available 24/7, ensuring timely response when notified of an incident. 

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater helps manage flood damage remediation in Dover properties conveniently. Call us at (973) 810-2825 for timely intervention if your property is affected by a flooding incident.

Is Everything Lost When a Home Garage Floods?

10/19/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the tools and equipment to remove water from your home after a storm

A Professional Water Restoration Team Can Restore Many of the Items in your Flooded Garage in Jefferson

Many homeowners in Jefferson use their garage in Jefferson to house much more than their cars. 

Garages often hold home décor, family keepsakes, children’s toys, and schoolwork and sports equipment. When water levels rise or copious rain causes a flash flood, everything you are storing in your garage may be in jeopardy.  

If you are at a loss about what to do about flood damage in your Jefferson home, let the experts take over. Our team of experts at SERVPRO is ready to spring into action as soon as the emergency allows us to do so safely. When you call our round-the-clock line, you access our knowledgeable team to provide efficient solutions to your needs. Like you, we want to restore your home as soon as possible so that life can go on as usual.

Should Homeowners Toss Everything After a Flood?

Although time is of the essence, please wait for our SERVPRO team to arrive before you discard any items. While keeping safety in mind, we can help you decide which items we can salvage or discard. Our specialty drying solutions help us address things such as documents and electronics. When family memories and priceless things are in question, resorting to state-of-the-art restoration techniques is a smart move. Floodwaters invite bacteria into your home, so items such as porous fabrics should be removed, but others may be preserved. As we work on your garage, our team focuses on the following-

• Water extraction and control of humidity levels
• Cleanup of surfaces and items, including move-out services if appropriate
• Disinfecting of the area, including the use of anti-microbial solutions to prevent the spread of bacteria

SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater is your ally when emergencies happen. Call us at (973) 810-2825 as soon as you can. Let us apply our expert knowledge to restoring your home and leaving it “Like it never even happened.”

How Damaged is My Jefferson Home After a Storm?

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

Lucky Jefferson Homeowners Can Rely on SERVPRO to Mitigate Water and Storm Damage

Our SERVPRO professionals can assess damage and repair structural breaches after severe storm systems. 

Severe weather is nothing new to Jefferson's homes and businesses, but the damage that occurs requires immediate attention by competent contractors and restoration technicians of our SERVPRO team. In our area, especially factors like severe wind, can damage your home's defenses, such as the roof or siding. While you cannot control these natural elements outside of your house, you can have a clear plan in place regarding who repairs and restores these damages when they occur.

It might be initially challenging to calculate the damage that occurs from a windstorm against Jefferson structures. In many cases, competent professionals like our technicians must begin job scoping and damage assessment upon arrival to fully grasp the entire spectrum a loss to the property.We fixate our inspection on several areas most prone to structural compromise after severe weather events so that we can quickly determine what repairs and emergency tarping/board up might be required. Some of the most sensitive material to windstorms include:

• Roofs
• Eaves
• Windows
• Siding

Can Water Damage Result from Structural Damage?

Vulnerabilities in your home's exterior can leave openings for water penetration. The water inside of your house can spread quickly and affect multiple areas. Much like the emergency services where structural breaches can get repaired or temporarily resolved, mitigation that follows seeks to address any water that might have entered your home from these physical vulnerabilities. Extraction is the foundational element of this approach. We use submersible pumps and wet vacuums to address standing water and surface damage before delving more deeply into drying and water removal with the air movers dehumidifiers.

Storm losses can be devastating. Our SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater team can offer both structural repair and restoration solutions to make these losses "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (973) 810-2825.

Is it Ever Possible to Get My Flooded Jefferson Home Back to Normal Since the Recent Storm?

6/14/2020 (Permalink)

We always make it “Like it never even happened,” when you call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater for flood damage services.

After Storm Flood Damage, SERVPRO Works Fast to Restore Your Jefferson Home to Pre-Loss Condition

Any water infiltrating your home’s interior, especially with storm flooding, leaves behind a significant amount of damage. The water from a flood brings about the potential for a laundry list of contaminants. Working with trained water restoration technicians (WRT) is the only way to ensure you have safe, reliable cleanup. SERVPRO features skilled technicians that can arrive at your Jefferson property to start restoration within a few hours after the incident. We are available 24 hours a day, every day of the week, for emergency service because we are Faster to Any Size Disaster!

What Happens After I Call for Restoration?

Handling flood damage in Jefferson calls for a targeted approach. Once we arrive, your interior must get thoroughly assessed so that we may determine the full extent of the loss. From there, our crew chief formulates a plan of attack for flood water removal, followed by the remainder of our specialized restoration steps. Safety hazards are always at the forefront of our minds when addressing floodwaters, so our team takes precautions before starting remediation and restoration. The following is a sampling of standard steps to ensure safety and efficiency with any flood loss event:

    •    Examining various areas of your interior to ensure that there are no electrical hazards
    •    Floodwater testing to determine the level of contaminants
    •    Ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFC) get put on specific electrical equipment
    •    Technicians dress in personal protection equipment (PPE)
    •    We take special care when searching for hidden moisture pockets and other areas susceptible to mold growth

What Happens During Flood Cleanup and Restoration?

SERVPRO follows proven guidelines and protocols for handling water restoration and flood loss events. We put a plan into action and have professional-grade extraction tools and pumps at our disposal to quickly and efficiently remove immense amounts of water. Once the standing water gets picked up, we then follow a formula that tells us how many drying units to set up throughout your Jefferson home. Options available to us include:

    •    High-powered industrial fans
    •    Centrifugal air movers
    •    Dehumidifiers

Will DIY Methods Work to Clean Up After the Storm?

Even if you have decent equipment on hand to start cleaning your interior, DIY is never a match for the industrial-grade tools and advanced equipment that our Green Fleet comes stocked with. Our centrifugal air movers boost airflow in the loss zone, allowing embedded moisture to rise. The dehumidification equipment takes it from there, capturing the remainder of the moisture flowing through the air.

How Do You Find Hidden Moisture Pockets?

It is essential to locate and address all hidden moisture so that mold and mildew do not develop. Our team works to provide rapid cleanup, including moisture detection services. If water made its way into your walls, under flooring, and behind your baseboards, we have professional detection tools to find it. A sampling of our detection tools include:

    •    Moisture sensors
    •    Moisture meters
    •    Thermal imaging camera technology

Along with rapid water removal, we also deep clean all surface areas and disinfect using EPA-registered anti-microbial agents. Throughout the drying process, we also continually reposition our dehumidifiers, heaters, and air movers until we can get regular readings from our moisture detection tools.

In some instances, it may be necessary for our technicians to perform what is known as controlled demolition to complete the restoration process. During this time, we may perform flood cuts several inches above the water line to remove damaged sheetrock. It then gets replaced with brand-new materials and finished off to ensure the walls look as they did pre-flood.

What About Carpeting in My Home?

Each flood restoration project gets treated on a case-by-case basis due to the nature of floodwater and the presence of potential contaminants. We can test the materials to determine the contamination levels, which tell us whether your carpet and carpet padding is salvageable. If cleaning is not possible, we remove the wet carpet and all padding below. We then treat the subfloor beneath, ensuring everything is dry to inhibit the onset of fungal growth.

We Leave Your Interior Fresh, Clean, and Deodorized

Damp, musty smells are common with any water loss incident. If not addressed appropriately, this smell could linger and become a constant reminder of the flooding. Our crew uses EPA-registered disinfectants and cleaning agents to sanitize your home thoroughly. However, we also have a range of professional-grade equipment to help us facilitate deodorization, including:

    •    Air scrubbers
    •    Thermal fogging
    •    Air filtration devices (AFD), and more

We always make it “Like it never even happened,” when you call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater for flood damage services. To have a crew deployed to your property once you get hit with storm damage, give us a call at (973) 810-2825.

How Can I Protect My Home From Flood Damage?

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO to Restore Your Flood Damaged Home

Technicians Offer Professional Flood Damage Mitigation for Jefferson Homes

Home flooding is the most common natural disaster in the continental United States. While the surface-level damage caused by floodwater, silt, debris, and contaminants is overwhelming enough on its own, flooding also requires rapid mitigation because of the damage it can do behind wall cavities and beneath floors.

SERVPRO offers emergency-response flood damage mitigation for Jefferson residents. Theses Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) accredited technicians, provide comprehensive disaster cleanup that includes the following:

• A thorough initial inspection by a SERVPRO crew chief to develop a plan of action for saving your home from flood damage.
• A rapid-response team that is available day and night to restore your home, including on weekends and holidays.
• In-depth extraction, sanitation, and drying can be accomplished with SERVPRO’s own power sources when yours have been affected by flooding.
• Restoration and rebuilding services provide cost-effective home cleanup while safely minimizing loss of structures and contents.

Preventative and Emergency Measures for Home Flooding

Be Prepared Before Disaster Strikes

• Formulate an emergency plan with your family before a disaster. Keep an emergency kit at the ready with enough first aid, shelf-stable food, water, medicine, and other necessities for everyone.
• Keep photos and digital copies of documents, valuables, and other items and store this data in a safe, off-site location.
• Consult with licensed professionals about implementing landscaping, drainage systems, waterproofing, or barriers that can lessen the impact of home flooding.

During the Flood

• Monitor the situation with an NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio.
• Move important documents and other valuables to higher ground or an upper floor. Make use of sandbags for fast-acting diversion of floodwater.
• Focus on personal safety for yourself and your loved ones above all else. Avoid making contact with floodwater and focus on keeping occupants safe until the disaster has passed.

After Flooding Subsides

• Do not make contact with floodwater and avoid interacting with electrical components affected by flooding.
• Call your insurer as soon as possible to file a claim. A prompt filing is more likely to provide faster service and compensation from your insurance provider.
• Document damage with photos, video, and detailed descriptions of affected structures and property before performing any temporary repairs.

SERVPRO is ready to coordinate with property owners and insurance adjusters to ensure that cleanup is performed per IICRC standards and your insurance policy.

How SERVPRO Restores Flood-Damaged Belongings

SERVPRO techs have the resources to take the content of your home off-site for thorough cleaning. This process, called a pack out, entails technicians documenting, packing, and moving damaged items room by room for restoration. This process not only bolsters your proof of loss claim with extensive written, photo, and video evidence, but it also strives to prevent loss to a variety of items in your home, including:

• Books and documents
• Electronics and digital media
• Keepsakes, heirlooms, and antiques
• Collectibles, jewelry, and artwork
• Children’s toys and items of sentimental value

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater offers mitigation that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. Call (973) 810-2825 for an emergency response team to come to your home.

Learn more about Jefferson, NJ.

Flood Damage Cleanup In Dover

4/3/2020 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Flood Damage Cleanup In Dover Involves A Final Cleaning Process

After stormy weather comes into the Dover region, weaknesses in your house's structure can become the source of a water leak. Any time rainwater gets into your residence, there is a chance that it can be dirty and contain contaminants. Any outdoor moisture breaching the exterior shell of your building can also be the source of mold growth or mildew-like odors.

As a final step of your flood damage project in Dover, our SERVPRO technicians go through your home to make sure that everything is clean and looks “Like it never even happened.” This final cleaning phase can often include steam cleaning all of the carpets inside your dwelling to remove any staining or unpleasant aromas. To make sure your affected contents and building materials are as clean as possible, we use the following six different aspects to define your home as being "clean."

1. Looks Clean
Our SERVPRO team knows that it is very important that any visible stains or soiling on your carpets and other items are removed during the final cleaning processes.

2. Smells Clean
Smelling clean refers to your house, both containing pleasant aromas and not having foul smells such as mildew.

3. Feels Clean
Clean carpets should be soft and fluffy to the touch and feel like your hair when you get out of the shower. Clean fibers should not feel matted or greasy.

4. Stays Clean
If the carpet cleaning procedures get conducted properly, your carpets should not quickly attract soils to it. During the carpet cleaning phase, our SERVPRO crew rinses your carpets so that soap residues do not attract dirt or dust.

5. Dries Fast
During carpet cleaning, we extract as much excess moisture as possible so that your floors do not stay wet long after they get cleaned.

6. Is Sanitized
During the cleaning process, we can use detergents that have anti-bacterial properties that work towards eliminating any microorganisms that may have been present in the water that entered your home from the outside.

Restoring storm-related problems can require the use of advanced technology just in the cleaning phase. For professional assistance, call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

For more about Dover click here.

Flood Damage In Dover

3/6/2020 (Permalink)

“Like it never even happened.”

Unexpected Storms in Dover Can Leave Homeowners Reeling from Flood Damage

Storms can bring unpredictability in the form of high wind and excessive rain. Without warning, trees can drop limbs onto your roof, allowing water to get in and leaving your interior drenched. In addition to this, you also have potential harm from storm debris that may leave your outside drains clogged where water may enter your home in other areas.

To make sure you can adequately address any flood damage in Dover, it is a good idea to call trained technicians to make it “Like it never even happened.” With a simple phone call to our offices at SERVPRO, we send out a team equipped with the tools necessary for locating unwanted water. We then extract all of the water, dry out the contents of your home, and ensure that everything is cleaned and disinfected for your family to resume daily activities safely.

Should there be damage to your roof, our building crew is available to remove overhead branches and to get the repair work started. You must know that your family does not have to go through flood loss alone. Our skilled technicians bring a great deal of expertise and experience to your home to get everything back to normal.

Prompt Action
The sooner that we are able to get to work on your flood-damaged home, the less there is that must be repaired. Expedient mitigation helps halt the spread of any contaminated water, thus cutting back on the risk of mold growth. Our team utilizes powerful antimicrobials that easily adhere to various surfaces to inhibit bacteria from spreading.

Flood Mitigation
Proper drying after floodwater is removed calls for careful monitoring. We utilize specialized equipment to detect hidden moisture along with the help of mighty air movers and industrial-strength dehumidifiers. InjectiDry systems help extract water from hollow cavities and flooring while putting forced air into places where other drying equipment is unable to reach.

Flood damage in your home often leaves behind debris and silt on your floors, which also gets pushed into corners and other smaller areas. Our SERVPRO technicians help ensure debris and residue is cleaned up to make your home pleasant to be in once again.

SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater is available to address all of your flood damage needs. With just one phone call to our office at (973) 810-2825, we deploy a team to your location promptly to start the assessment.

For more about Dover click here.

What Few People Know About Flood Damage Mitigation in Dover

11/10/2019 (Permalink)

Flood damage and stagnant water can be quite overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and remediation services.

Why Water Removal is Vital for Flooded Dover Homes

Debris removal is one of the first steps that you can anticipate your Dover home needing, which might include strenuous hours spent raking and shoveling loose content from the floors of your residence. In many situations, however, water removal must precede debris cleanup because of the severity of standing water and its potential contamination threats present. The extraction process is a critical one for many reasons.

Flood removal for Dover homes hinges on the use of premier extraction tools available to our SERVPRO professionals arriving at your damaged residence. One of the most routinely used devices for our water recovery and flood restoration professionals is our submersible pump. Though it runs on electricity in situations where the power might be disconnected, we have portable and trailered generators to supply stable power to the units where necessary. If the water is thought to contain sewage or other contaminants, we can also work with septic pump truck operators to remove this hazardous standing water.

Hydrostatic pressure is another reason why reacting quickly to flooding scenarios is the focus of our SERVPRO team. Softening soil around the foundation of your house, combined with literal standing water against this structure, can present a challenging scenario. We have to regularly inspect the condition of nearby surfaces like block walls and their mortar joints for new moisture pockets or literal leaks through the masonry of your basement or crawlspace where applicable.

Continually discharging floodwater from a damaged residence often requires us to find the most reliable path to a sanitary sewer system or use our extractor trucks to transport this removed water to a licensed disposal facility. Because many homes have sewer cleanouts towards their home or close to where a service line and mainline come together, drainage to the sewer system is often accessible with these standpipes.

Removing standing water and the hazardous flood effects that can result is the priority of our SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater team. We have the experience and equipment to help, however you need. Give us a call anytime disasters strike at (973) 810-2825.

Click here for more information about Dover.

We Offer Fast Cleanup Action In Jefferson After A Flood

8/8/2019 (Permalink)

If flood damage is not addressed within 24 to 48 hours it can cause secondary damage such as mold to begin to develop. We arrive right away.

Yes, Sometimes Insulation Can Be Saved From Flood Damage in Jefferson Homes

It feels overwhelming enough when a strong storm drops a tree branch on your roof and water pours in. It is even worse when the rainwater runs through the fiberglass insulation and soaks the ceiling in the room below. Fast attention can turn this situation around and limit loss.

Because airborne mold spores can begin to germinate as fast as 24 hours after a flood damage event in a Jefferson home, cleanup should occur quickly. When SERVPRO technicians arrive on-site, one of the first actions our team members do is to tarp over the damaged roof area to inhibit any further entrance of water to the house. 

Attic spaces often present a particular challenge for flood damage cleanup due to the fact space is often limited. One of the key elements for drying an attic is the removal of the fiberglass insulation. Our technicians have specialized attachments on their commercial vacuums that let them pick up the insulation for drying and preparation for reinstallation if the homeowner chooses.

During the drying phase, there may not be room to bring in our air movers, and we create configurations with hoses running from the air movers into the attic to deliver warm, dry air. If the water ran from the attic into the floor joists and the ceiling below, we have drying mats to force air into the area and assist with complete drying. 

Once the attic attains pre-set drying goals, our technicians perform the following functions: 

• Thoroughly hand clean the area to inhibit the growth of mold, bacteria, and odors.
• In some cases, antimicrobial sealant around the damaged area further makes the area inhospitable to mold growth.
• If water odors remain, we apply different methods to neutralize them.

Flood damage in your home does not automatically mean a complete loss. With fast cleanup action, our technicians assist homeowners every day by minimizing water loss. Call SERVPRO of Dover / Stillwater at (973) 810-2825, and we can make the water damage in your home, "Like it never even happened."

See more about Jefferson.

Broken pipes in Freezing Temperatures

12/7/2018 (Permalink)

Pipe burst due to freezing the water will run until the line is shut off

It is easy for us to forget how devastating water damage can be. And many do not realize how much damage can be done from a single supply pipe that has a break.

This can be the flex lines we all se eat the toilets and under our sinks and the cooper or PEX lines we all have in our homes. In regards to the flex lines they should be replaced every 5-7 years to prevent a break. Remember these lines are under constant pressure and wear and break down over time. The worst part is they wear from the inside out so likely you have no idea there is a issue until it is too late. And it always seems to happen just as you are leaving for an amazing vacation or going to see family for a extended weekend.

Here are a few tips to protect your home.

1. First is to make sure the flex lines are all under 7 years old and if you don't know how old it is you should have them replaced. During this process make sure all of the shut off valves work. there is nothing worse than turning the valve to stop the water and it no longer works then all you can do is shut off the main if it works or wait for the plumber to get there and that is a helpless feeling.
2. In addition when you are going to be away for a extended period of time turn off the water to the home at the main. That way there can be no issues to ruin your vacation. 
3. There are also multiple water monitors that can be placed on the floor to send you notification that they have sensed water. The key to all of this is maintenance and thinking ahead.

Sometimes all the preparation in the world can stop a accident from happening and that is what we are here for. So if something happens please call us and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

What Is a Nor’easter?

11/14/2018 (Permalink)

Storm problems in Dover,NJ

A severe storm that travels up the Northeastern coast of the United States is referred to as a Nor'easter. These storms can cause flooding due to heavy rain and storm surges or snow. Find out what these storms involve and other Nor'easter facts to help you prepare for adverse weather in Dover, NJ.

What Causes Nor'easters?

Several factors cause Nor'easters:

• Cold air traveling southward from Canada on the polar jet stream
• Warm air moving northward from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean
• The Gulf Stream current warming coastal Atlantic waters and air above the water

The combination of warm air over water and cold air over land is a recipe for strong storms. Although Nor'easters often develop during the winter, these storms can occur at any time of year.

What Do Nor'easters Involve?

These storms have several defining characteristics:

• Low-pressure fronts
• Strong winds
• Blow in off the Atlantic Ocean
• Originate as a cyclone in the Midwest
• Move northeastward up the coast
• Often cause rain, snow, or flooding

A classic or Miller Type-A Nor'easter is a storm that develops along the Gulf Coast or East Coast. A Miller Type-B storm originates in the Midwest.

Which Areas Experience Nor'easters?

Nor'easters tend to batter the eastern coast of the United States. These storms have a characteristic pattern:

• Nor'easters form within 100 miles east or west of the East Coast
• Storms tend to develop between Georgia and New Jersey
• Storms reach maximum intensity near New England or the Maritime Provinces of Canada

Nor'easters can cause severe weather throughout the populous Interstate 95 Northeast corridor of coastal cities from Washington D.C. up through Philadelphia to New York City and Boston. Plan for inclement weather and a potential loss of power if a Nor'easter is headed your way. Contact residential storm damage restoration experts if one of these storms strikes your home in Dover, NJ.

How To Get Rid of Water in Your Basement

9/16/2018 (Permalink)

Using the right equipment to Remove water from the Basement

During storm season in Dover, NJ, the likelihood that your basement may flood increases exponentially. Rising groundwater, however, doesn't always wait on a storm. A backed-up sewer or some other type of flood can affect your home as well. Knowing that flooding is always a possibility, you should have procedures in place for dealing with it. You may purchase equipment yourself, have professionals on speed dial for when an emergency arises or do both.

Protecting Your Basement

A flood can fill up your basement pretty fast. Once the water flow starts, you could have two feet of standing water down there in no time. That's why it's a good idea to have a sump pump that is ready to pump the water out into your backyard or some other area. It's not enough to have it; you must also take care of the pump:

• Charge it – Make sure it's plugged in to a power source
• Clean it – Make sure there's no debris in the inlet screen
• Test it – Make sure it works by pouring water into it and seeing if it comes on

Taking care of your equipment ensures that it will kick into gear when you need it to do so.

Consulting the Experts

You probably don't want to just rely on the sump pump to take care of the flood's aftermath. Any water damage needs to be fixed by water mitigation professionals. If the standing water in your basement is filled with debris, they can also bring out a trash pump that not only removes the water but the sludge and muck hidden in it. The pump mounts right on the collection truck, making containment a simple process.

It may be daunting to open the door to your basement and see several feet of water where the floor used to be. With the right equipment and help, though, you can get the water out of your basement quickly and efficiently.

For more on Dover click here. 

What Is Black Water?

8/18/2018 (Permalink)

Black Water damage to Dover Commercial property

Flood water and sewage overflow are two types of black water, also known as Category 3 water. This type of water poses the highest sanitation risks. If flooding has occurred in Dover, NJ, or a storm has caused sewers to back up, property owners may experience Category 3 flooding or water damage. This water may contain a variety of contents that call for immediate cleanup with protective gear, such as

• Bacteria
• Chemicals
• Pesticides
• Sewage

Category 3 Water Risks

The Category 3 classification covers water from both flooding and sewage. This water is not potable and may pose serious risks upon skin exposure or if inhaled or ingested. Restoration professionals wear personal protective equipment when taking the steps necessary to rid buildings of the presence of contaminated water and limit the extent of the water damage resulting from a backup or flooding situation. These steps include

• Assessing damage
• Removing water and solid waste
• Eliminating or specially cleaning contaminated porous contents
• Cleaning and disinfecting contaminated nonporous contents and surfaces
• Drying the affected area

These methods help to reduce the risk of infection and restrict the amount of secondary damage, such as mold, that can result from the prolonged presence of black water in the wake of flooding or a sewer backup. Porous contents may need to be cleaned with specialized methods or removed and disposed of to eliminate all traces of contamination. Nonporous contents and surfaces can be cleaned by being sprayed or wiped down and disinfected before being thoroughly dried and restored.

How To Get Rid of Category 3 Water

If you are dealing with water damage in a commercial property located in Dover, NJ, damage restoration experts can help you quickly and safely clean the affected area and resume business as usual. Reaching out sooner rather than later can keep the worst effects of this type of flooding from undermining your business.

For more on Dover click here. 

Ways You can Prevent Further Damage to Your Roof

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

When you follow these damage prevention and mitigation tips, you can help keep your roof strong.

Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. A well-built roof will keep out the elements and provide shelter and protection for you and your family. In most cases, your roof will stand up to the weather and to age. Fortunately, there are ways to can prevent damage and also ensure roof damage from getting worse after large storms.

Inspect Regularly

Just like any part of your Dover, NJ, home, you need to consistently check on your roof to make sure it’s sound. If it is weakening in any way, even mild storms could produce severe wind damage or other problems.

• Inspect it once a year.
• Check for curled, loose or missing roof shingles or tiles.
• Examine the rafters or trusses for nail tips that may be coming through.
• If you’re not thrilled about getting on your roof, you can hire a professional.

Strengthen Your Roof

If you live in an area where high winds are common, it’s a good idea to reinforce your roof to protect it against roof damage. One way to do this is to put cement around the edges or under shingle tabs. You can also install metal structural supports to connect your roof to your walls.

After the Storm

In many places, strong storms are inevitable, and you may have to deal with wind damage and other problems. If your roof has suffered damage, you need to act quickly to ensure your safety and roof integrity. With the help of a professional, you should board up any weakened spots or severely damaged areas of your roof. You may also place tarps over holes to prevent water or debris from coming inside.

When you follow these damage prevention and mitigation tips, you can help keep your roof strong. You can also get it back to normal in a timely manner. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROdoverstillwater.com/.

What Can You Expect During Storm Damage Repairs at Your Business?

6/13/2018 (Permalink)

Expert storm damage technicians may be able to put your mind at ease by offering a variety of services, large and small, to restore your business.

When heavy thunderstorms cause torrential rains, hail and high winds in Dover, NJ, your commercial building could suffer considerable damage as a result. While this can be stressful for you, having a storm damage and flood cleanup service on call to come make repairs might give you peace of mind despite the destruction. From draining away water to drywall tear out, you can expect this type of company to perform a variety of actions when it comes to the restoration of your business.

Flood Mitigation

Flood waters can come from several sources, but one of the most common is from overflowing rain water during heavy rains. This type of flooding can be contaminated with an array of toxins, including:

• animal feces
• sewage runoff
• chemicals from drain runoff

Flood cleanup techs can prevent the spread of this water inside your building by sealing off affected areas and using sump and trash pumps to drain it away.

Drying and Deodorizing Services

After a flood, water damage may leave behind stains, mold growth and foul odors. Flood cleanup techs will likely eliminate these problems by performing the tear out of drywall and damaged insulation and using specialized tools to clean and deodorize any areas affected by flooding. If mold is detected, your techs may provide you with several options for eliminating it.

Restoration of Damaged Items

If you have any inventory or equipment affected by flood waters or mold, cleanup techs may include storm restoration services as a part of their repair plan. Clothing, books, important documents and office furniture may all be salvaged and restored by the specialized processes a flood cleanup company offers.

Whether you need drywall tear out or flood water mitigation for your commercial building after storms in Dover, NJ, having a flood cleanup company on hand can be helpful. Expert storm damage technicians may be able to put your mind at ease by offering a variety of services, large and small, to restore your business. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROdoverstillwater.com/.

It is important to understand what the weather (Flood) warnings mean

12/26/2017 (Permalink)

The winter season is here, we all know that because we have experienced the cold breeze in our faces and the snowflakes falling in the last weeks. We also know that it is hard to predict the weather and its dangerous storms, but we should know that there are a couple of warning signs that are designed to help us to be prepared and stay safe. It is our responsibility to learn their meaning in in order for them to be successful. For example, in a large snow storm, besides the common dangers there is also the possibility of flooding once the snow melts. Therefore, the National Weather Service will issue some flood warnings and understanding them could make the difference to keep your family and property safe.

Please review the following description of the four main flood warnings:

1. Flash Flood Warning: This flood warning is issued when the flood is imminent or it is already occurring. You will need to move to a higher ground because this type of flood can be sudden and a violent one, it hard to predict how long it will last it could take from minutes to hours to develop, and it can happen even in areas that are not immediately receiving water. It is important to understand the meaning of the warning signs to know what to do when one is issued. In this case when you see or hear this warning take action and stay safe.
2. Flood Warning: This kind of warning is issued when flooding is either occurring or is imminent. You need to take action and find a safe place for you and your family.
3. Flood Watch: This warning is issue when the conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to happen and for flooding to be in the area. It is a preventing warning because it does not mean that flooding will occur, but is a possibility that can happen.
4. Flood Advisory: This type of advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be severe enough to issue a warning, but it may cause inconvenience and therefore people should take caution because the situation could change.

We hope that these information is helpful to you and to your family. If you ever have an issue with flooding call us we are the professional team that you can count on, we are SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater 973-810-2825.

Important Snow Shoveling Lessons for the Winter Season

12/19/2017 (Permalink)

Snow Removal Lessons

Now that the winter and snowing season is here, it seems like the perfect timing to talk about some snow lessons that will help us to get through the season safe.

• While snow is falling

If snow is on your weather forecast do not make the mistake of waiting until it passes to start shoveling. This will only make your work harder and you increase the chances to suffer an injury. What you should do instead is to start shoveling snow as it lands, you should prepare yourself to do it as often as every hour if the snow storm is a heavy one, this will allow a faster and safer snow removal.

• Materials Matter

Most people do not think about the importance of choosing the right snow removal tools and materials. Some of the recommendations to follow are for example not to use rock salt on concrete to avoid cracked walkways, instead use calcium chloride. Use plastic shovels instead of metal ones in surfaces that could get damage. Keep shovels and blades from snow blowers at least a half inch to the grown to avoid to damage the driveway

• Hold the Shovel Close

During the cold months it is not uncommon to hear about the winter injuries caused by shoveling. In order to avoid this it is necessary to learn how to shovel snow properly. The best way is to keep the shovel close to your body preventing overreaching and causing strain to different parts of your body.

• Spray Liberally

There is a helpful tip to remember when you are getting ready to go outside to shovel some snow. Before you go outside try to apply a generous amount of cooking spray to the front and back of your shovel, this will let the snow slide of the blade of the shovel which translates in an easier job for you.

• Have a plan

We recommend that you have a plan when you start shoveling snow. Making not only your job easier, but avoiding the risk of injuries (So common during the winter season). One excellent strategy is to start shoveling from the center of the driveway and work your way out. This will allow you to move lighter loads of snow, move faster, and avoid injuries.

Winter Storms Damages

10/15/2017 (Permalink)

the amount snow that a Snow Storm could bring during winter time.

The evidence of the effects of Climate Change have been more noticeable than ever this year. If we think about it Harvey, Maria, Jose, and Katia, etc. are not exactly names on a new year student's list. Instead, they remind us of the destruction and fear that this year's hurricane season, one of the most active in decades, have left us (Not only in the US, but in the Caribbean and Central America too). Even though the Hurricane season is not over yet, it is about time for us to start thinking about the possible effects of Climate Change for the upcoming winter season and how we can prepare for them.

It is really hard to predict how this winter is going to be, how climate change may affect the amount of snow that we will get, and how many snow storms or blizzards we are going to have. The truth is, it is always smart to be prepare for all the scenarios, know what to do, and who to call in case of an emergency due to the extreme weather conditions. It is important to remember that a winter storm can change from moderate snowfall to severe blizzard conditions in a small time frame. Low temperatures, black ice, power outages, pipe bursts, strong winds, large amounts of snow on the roof that can cause structural damage, and flooding due to melting snow are some of the treats to keep in mind when thinking about how to prepare for the winter season.

There are some considerations to take in order to protect your family and your property from the different kinds of dangers caused by a snow storm.

Before the Snow:

• Avoid to travel, but prepare your car in case you need to go. Some items to have in your car are : A battery-powered radio with extra batteries, a windshield scraper, some water and snacks, warm blankets (Also, a coat, a hat, and gloves), road salt and cat litter, booster cables, a first aid kit, a shovel, a portable cellphone charger, and make sure to fill your tank with gas before the storm.
• Prepare an emergency kit (Make sure to have enough food, water, and safety supplies for the whole family and pets. At least for a week). Some items to have are: canned food, drinking water, can opener, first aid kit, prescription medicine, and a flash light with extra batteries, sanitary wipes, a radio, and any special supplies depending on the needs of your family.
• Prepare your home. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from furniture, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors work, always use generators outside, insulate windows and doors, avoid the use of candles and try to use flashlights, keep cabinets open to allow heated air around the pipes, if possible wrap pipes with insulation or newspaper, fill the bathtub with water, and prepare your basement if you think there is a possibility of flooding due to the melting of snow.

During the Snow:

• Make sure to stay indoors and only go outside if it is necessary, if you do make sure to keep multiple layers of warm and dry clothes to keep heat in. Also, communicate with family, friends, and neighbors through text messages to minimize network congestion and keep your phone charged. Watch the news or listen to the radio for updates. Allow a small amount of water to drip continuously from all water taps, keep refrigerator doors closed to maintain temperature and preserve the food in there, stay dressed and warm at all times, and make sure your pets are inside and safe as well.

After the Snow:

• If you took all the necessary measures to prevent damages due to Mother Nature conditions, more than likely you, your family, and your property will be safe and getting ready to get back to your normal routine. The problem is that sometimes things do not go as planned and an unexpected pipe bursts, some flooding, some damage from your roof, or a fire can alter how soon you will return to your daily activities. This is when you should know who to call to restore your property. If you have any of these emergencies do not hesitate to give us a call. We are here to understand your needs and we are open 24/7 to make sure that your home looks "Like it never even happened." We are SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater (973-810-2825) and we have a highly trained team ready to answer to any kind of emergency that you have.

Preparing your emergency/survival kit.

10/14/2017 (Permalink)

You can be prepared and make your own perfect emergency/survival kit.

When you think about natural disasters and how to be prepared for them, one of the most important tools to survive is to have a good Emergency kit in your home. There are different options that you can buy online, but you can also build your own and accommodate it to your family specific needs. Even though you can add unique items to yours, there are some things that are basic to any emergency kit and that we recommend that you should have when making your own, those are:

• First-Aid Kit (Pain relievers, bandages different sizes, instant cold pads, antibiotic ointment, antiseptic solution, scissors, thermometer, disposable gloves, adhesive tape, cotton balls, eye solution, soap and a hand sanitizer, anti-diarrhea medication, antihistamine, cold medication, first aid manual, etc.).
• Flash light (with extra batteries).
• Water-enough for at least three days (One gallon per person per day).
• Non-perishable food for at least three days and a can opener if needed. Examples: Proteins or fruit bars, dried fruits, canned juice, granola, can food, avoid foods that can make you and your family thirsty.
• Cash and change.
• Copies of important documents (identifications, bank accounts, insurances, etc.)
• Prescription medicine.
• Matches and candles in a waterproof container.
• Battery powered radio (extra batteries).
• Complete change of clothing.
• Moist towelettes.
• Infant supplies (Diaper, formula, wipes, bottles).
• Feminine supplies.
• Food and water for your pets.
• Garbage bags.
• Sleeping bag or a blanket.
• Cellphone fully charge.

It is also important to remember to maintain your kit and replace any items as needed at least every six months.

An emergency kit is only one of the things that you can do to be prepared for any kind of disaster, but it is the one that can make the difference and help you survive after the storm.

Flodding: What to do before, during, and after.

10/13/2017 (Permalink)

This is what flooding looks like and it could happen to any homeowner at any time.

Flooding is one type of undesired disasters that could result from a storm or an accident in your home or business. It is important to know that even a few inches of flooding water could cause serious damage to your property, it could be life threating, and it could happened at any time and sometimes without notice. Since any homeowner is exposed to this kind of incident, this is the right time to ask yourself about your home insurance and if you are covered (most standard homeowners insurance do not include this kind of coverage and you will need to call your agent and ask about the National Flood Insurance Program). This could make a big difference in case that you have to deal with this disaster.

Besides making sure that you have flooding insurance, there are some recommendations to follow in case of a flooding emergency (before, during, and after it happens):

1. Before: Remember that the most important thing is to save yourself and your loved ones (including pets). Therefore, if directed by your local officials evacuate the zone before flooding happens. If possible secure your home (some homeowners use homemade dams made of sand to help to protect their property), disconnect appliances, move valuables to a safe place, and turn off utilities. Finally, bring with you copies of important documents in case originals get affected.
2. During: In case it is too late to leave and you find yourself in a flooding situation, make sure to move to a higher ground, if necessary go onto the roof of your house (try to avoid going into a closed attic). Do not walk in flooding waters, this is a really important recommendation not only because this water could carry rocks, debris, sewage, etc. but because only six inches of moving water could make you fall. This also applies to driving your car since only one foot of water can move your vehicle off to the road.
3. After: Finally If you evacuated only return to your property when local authorities say it is safe to do so and follow these recommendations:

• Be careful when accessing the property as many hidden damages could become even more dangerous than the flood itself.
• If it is safe turn off electrical breakers before touching or moving any electronics.
• Discard any food items that have been in contact with the flooding waters.
• Call your insurance company and if possible take pictures to help the claim process
• Finally call us SERVPRO of Dover/Stillwater 973-810-2825, we recommend that you do not delay to give us a call because the faster we start the cleaning process the faster we can restore your home and avoid further damages to your property. 

Sometimes it becomes impossible to avoid or prevent dangerous circumstances like flooding, but what we can do is to be prepared to know how to handle the situation and stay safe. We hope these recommendations are useful to you and your family. Please call us if you ever have a flooding emergency, we are here 24/7 to serve you and to help you to restore your property.