Rain, Rain Go Away, Come Back Another Day in Mercer County NJ

5/3/2023 (Permalink)

Recent NJ Storms have impacted over thousands of homes, especially in Mercer County, NJ.

Heavy rains can cause interior water damage issues leading to mold and even foundational deterioration.  As a homeowner or business owner, making sure water damage remediation is handled promptly and professionally can be the difference in avoiding more costly repairs and reconstruction of your property.

SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is the leading water, fire, and mold restoration company in Mercer County NJ.  As part of the industry leader- SERVPRO, the local franchise operator has highly trained and experienced technicians to address any size water or fire disaster occurring in your home or business.  Water issues can also lead to complex mold problems, which if left unattended, can cause lasting and permanent damage to your property.

SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is available 24/7 to address any size water, or fire restoration disaster that you might experience.  Call 609- 894-8555 for a professional and prompt response.

Tornadoes, Extreme Thunderstorms and Heavy Winds Hit Mercer & Burlington Counties in Early Spring 2023.

4/2/2023 (Permalink)

Storms are traumatic events that cause undue property damage whether from wind, tree damage, water or fire. Communities in both Mercer and Burlington Counties, NJ have experienced severe weather patterns in early spring/2023 risking property damage.

 SERVPRO offers safety, security and restoration measures. Homeowners and businesses need reputable companies to provide quality services to assist with the mitigation, clean-up, and restoration of their property.  

SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is always available to provide solutions for everyone. Here’s  what sets us apart from the competition:

Top 3 Services SERVPRO Provides:

1. Disaster Response: SERVPRO will respond to any local disaster and enlist the help of convenient franchises to provide necessary services.
2. Mitigation and Clean-up: SERVPRO will do everything from surveying the damage to doing a total clean-up of the area. We are a full-service restoration company.
3. All in One: SERVPRO is always available to provide comprehensive restoration solutions. We work closely with insurance agents and adjusters to provide a timely and quality response to any property damage.
4. Professional & Highly Trained. Our team has numerous certifications in water and fire damage restoration.  We are in industry leader in restoration services.

Disasters are unpredictable, stressful events. If your home or business experiences a disaster, call SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton at 609-894-8555 to mitigate any storm damage. We are available 24/7.

Stay Ahead of Freezing Water in Your Mercer County Home

1/19/2023 (Permalink)

Although the winter of 2023 has been unseasonably warmer in Mercer and Burlington counties, NJ freezing temperatures at night still threaten water pipes in your home or business--especially if pipes haven't been properly winterized.

Here are some tips to ensure the pipes in your home or business don't burst and cause significant damage to property. 

Insulate Your Pipes: Wrap your pipes with insulation material such as foam sleeves or fiberglass insulation wraps. 

Proper Heating in Your Home: Set your thermostat to a temperature warm enough to keep pipes from freezing, usually between 45-55 degrees. This is especially true when you leave your home for an extended period of time.

Winterize Outdoor Faucets: Water should be turned off and the faucet should be drained, and hoses removed. 

Be aware of sudden drop in water pressure--such as a loud banging noise coming from the pipes-could indicate a leak in the pipe resulting in lower pressure. 

Prevention is always the strategy when dealing with freezing water issues.

SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is the leader in the industry in water damage restoration.  Call 609-894-8555 for a professional review of your issue.  They work with all insurance companies to ensure an efficient and convenient resolution to your water damage problem. 

The Importance of Air Quality in Your Mercer County, NJ Business

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

Since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, indoor spaces, cleanliness of surfaces, and air flow have become more important elements when considering the overall health of a commercial property in Mercer County.

Maintaining a healthy environment in your building, maintains the health of employees, customers, patients, and residents alike. Research points to building occupant cognitive ability is 60-100% higher in Green Building environments.

What determines clean air?  According to the EPA pollutants fall into 3 main Categories: 

• Biological
• Chemical
• Particles

Indoor Air Quality or IAQ is defined by the EPA as the “air quality within and around buildings and structures,” which can impact the health and well-being of the building’s occupants.  Exposure to indoor pollutants can impact the health of occupants immediately or build over many months or even years.

Air pollutants can be created by indoor and outdoor sources.  Inadequate ventilation can increase indoor contaminates by not bringing sufficient outdoor air in to dilute emissions or the reverse, but not expelling enough indoor air.  High humidity and temperatures also increase the concentration of harmful or hazardous particles.

DETERMINE THE SOURCE

The most effective way to minimize the effect of indoor air pollution is source control.  By eliminating the source of the pollutant to reduce their emissions.  Common indoor sources of pollutants can be building materials such as asbestos, fuel burning combustible appliances, building materials (flooring, carpeting, upholstery, cabinets of pressed wood products), household cleaning products, tobacco and excessive moisture. Outdoor sources are Radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution.

 Indoor Air Quality is best handled by:

• Isolation: Removing the pollutant from the air
• Dilution: Removing the pollutant through ventilation
• Filtration: Removing the contaminants through cleaning the air

Action steps to improve indoor air through integrating air quality protocols in purchasing decisions for building, furniture and cleaning products.  Establish and enforce an effective no smoking policy.  Educate employees in the building on management of air quality and healthy building environment.

Green Building certifications help your company communicate your commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency performance through certifications and reporting.

SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is available 24/7 to address your water, fire /smoke, mold and biohazard restoration needs.  Call us at 609-894-8555.  We are proud to serve our local communities in Mercer County.

2022 Coastal Hurricane Season is Quiet—So Far

9/8/2022 (Permalink)

2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season update: This has been a very quiet hurricane season to date with one early named storm, but don’t let your guard down just yet.

Historical data shows peak season from Mid-August through Mid-October however August 2022 has not had one named storm, which is only the 5^th time this has happened since data has been recorded, and the first time since 1997.

The Sahara Desert sand of the Africa coast has not allowed storms to develop and move west into the tropical Atlantic Ocean.

Hurricanes form when the Ocean temps are in the 80’s, converging winds and abundant moisture.  Let’s hope we can continue to dodge the stormy season and avoid the major disturbance and havoc of the hurricane season.

However, if a natural disaster strikes, the experienced team at SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is ready to respond. Since we are locally owned and operated, we have prepared for expected damage from storms like Hurricane IDA and are able to respond quickly. Immediate action and a fast response help to reduce damage and mitigate costs associated with restoration. Our highly trained crews have the specialized equipment and resources to handle the job, large or small, residential and commercial. Our teams are prepared with equipment strategically located in case of flood or storm emergency in our area including:

Choose SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton, a local company that specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Call us at 609-894-8555 for immediate relief. We are available 24/7.

Managing Your Commercial Property in Burlington County

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Managing Your Commercial Property in Burlington County

When managing your commercial property in Burlington County, checking the indoor air quality and humidity levels are important to the overall health and wellness of your building. Healthy buildings, means a healthier workforce or residents.  

Excess moisture is a perfect environment of mold.  Control moisture and you can control mold. Here are 5 Important tips:

Quick clean-up of water leaks. Any water leaks or spills that occur need immediate attention.  Act quickly to thoroughly dry damp areas and materials with 24-48 hours to eliminate the potential mold growth.

Grade Landscaping Beds.  Slope landscaping beds away from your home and building to limit the opportunity for ground water to collect and jeopardize your foundation.

Maintain your Gutters and Roofing.  Seasonally clean and clear your gutters and spouting to keep it clean and flowing.  Debris build ups contribute water leaks around windows and roofing.

Inspect Air Conditioning drain lines and drip pans.  Routine inspection of filters, drip pans and drain lines for your AC system is a good practice to ensure lines remains unobstructed with a proper flow.

Indoor Humidity Levels.  The relative humidity in your home or office should ideally be below 60%.  This is easily monitored by a moisture meter that is usually available at the local hardware store.  Condensation on windows is an indicator that you may have humidity.  Running exhaust fans and a dehumidifier can alleviate this issue.

If you see mold and needed assistance with mitigation, SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton are the professionals to call. They offer expert clean-up and mold remediation services. Avoid the risk of long-lasting damage to your home or business; call the ‘faster to any disaster team’: 609-894-8555

SERVPRO Provides Hospital Grade Cleaning and Disinfecting Services

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

We are 2 years away from the COVID-19 pandemic, but awareness brought forth by the pandemic has put an emphasis on the importance of disinfecting surfaces we come in contact with daily.

As we continue to frequent all the communal commercial spaces: offices, hospitals, schools and public venues we want to be sure that the building is fully sanitized. Likewise, we want our homes to be as clean as possible. Luckily, SERVPRO is here to make that process as simple for you as we can. We produce a majority of the products we use every day during our work including cleaning supplies, deodorizing compounds, and disinfectants to solve any issues you may be experiencing or trying to prevent. 

SERVPROXIDE™ is our registered hospital-grade disinfectant. It is registered with the EPA and ranks in their lowest toxicity rating. The product is a stabilized chlorine dioxide-based antimicrobial which has little to no fragrance. Any mild cleaning odor disappears quickly, which makes SERVPROXIDE™ a great solution for people with sensitivities to strong odors. 

In terms of COVID-19, the CDC has recommended using products that are hospital-grade disinfectants with claims against similar types of organisms to SARS-CoV-2. SERVPROXIDE™ is the perfect solution, considering it is EPA-approved for use on Feline coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, staphylococcus, E coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus, and Swine flu. 

There are plenty of ways we can utilize SERVPROXIDE™ to clean your space. It eliminates odors through disinfecting and oxidation as opposed to just masking the smell. This can be done by applying the product directly with a towel or by spraying the product on the necessary area. It can also be used for crime scene cleanup. SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is always here if you need a biohazard cleanup and restoration. 

SERVPRO is the #1 Choice for clean-up and restoration.  We offer 24/7 service of highly trained professionals for storm damage clean-up, water clean-up, fire clean-up and other specialty cleaning services.

If you need your home or business cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized, call SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton at 609-894-8555 for a FREE evaluation. 

Flooding presents a serious risk to your home or business and your safety in Burlington County, NJ.

8/23/2022 (Permalink)

According to the U.S. National Severe Storms Laboratory, floods kill more people every year than lightning, hurricanes and tornadoes combined. Flooding in the Garden State and Burlington County has already impacted roads and power lines.

When it comes to structures, floods can lead to dangerous contamination and damage to drywall, support beams and foundations. You are at risk for mold within the first 24 hours of a flood, so it’s vital to stop the water from flowing and start remediation quickly.

Different types of flooding come with different risks. Flash floods are common in Burlington County and have been known to completely overwhelm structures. Coastal floods and storm surges are even more dangerous, and usually lead to evacuation warnings. These can destroy homes entirely, so it’s best to listen to weather reports and plan ahead. Debris flows, which are often made up of heavy mud and plant material, can crush houses and sweep them away.

High Winds, Tornadoes and Hurricane Damage

High winds can occur virtually anywhere, and thousands of tornadoes and hurricanes hit the U.S. every year, including New Jersey.

Damage from wind can be widespread and can affect not only your residential property or business but also surrounding landscapes and improvements.  Be alert to the potential for falling trees and power poles and damaged power lines and take precautions to be ready for emergency action steps. After the storm, examine your property for structural damage to the home, including windows, siding, and roofs. In the most extreme scenarios, roofs can be destroyed.

SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is ready and available, 24/7, to address your storm-related damages, including damage caused by excessive water; mold; high winds.  We are highly trained professionals with state-of-the art mobile equipment prepared to provide rapid response to mitigate loss of personal or business property.

Call us at 609-894-8555 for emergency service.  We are proud to serve our local Bordentown/Pemberton community, Burlington County and Mercer County, NJ

Why More People Choose SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton for Restoration Needs

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

People choose SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton for many reasons, but probably the 3 most important reasons resonate with:

OUR MISSION- to develop a team of quality people who focus on excellent service, fairness, and mutual respect.

OUR VISION-to be the premier cleaning and restoration company in central New Jersey.

OUR CORE VALUES-Professionalism; Respect; Financial Responsibility; Teamwork; Accountability.

We are proud to serve the many communities of Burlington & Mercer Counties, New Jersey. Whether it is restoring a flood-damaged basement, mitigating a nasty mold issue, or providing professional proactive viral pathogen cleaning to support our local fire and police departments and first responders, we are dedicated to community 'first' in our approach to operating our business. 

We are available 24/7 to respond to any water, fire and mold restoration need.  Call 609-894-8555.

Tips on Preparing Your Mercer County Home for Flash Flooding

8/7/2022 (Permalink)

Summertime typically means lots of sunshine, but the heat can also bring unexpected heavy thunderstorms to the Mercer County, NJ area, as we have already experienced this summer.

 Whether you live in Hamilton, Trenton or Ewing, heavy rains can spell trouble.  While these summer storms typically don’t last very long, they can lead to flash floods. By definition, a flash flood involves flooding that starts within 6 hours of heavy rainfall but often occurs as soon as 3 hours after the storm. Urban areas are prone to this type of flooding, as land use, and topography do not allow water to be absorbed into the ground quickly.  Suburban areas may also be affected by this type of flooding where lawns and permeable landscapes saturate very quickly causing increased water run-off.

           Floods may result from heavy rain, storm surges, coastal storms, and dam overflows.  In just 6 inches of moving water, you could risk serious injury as well as your home.  In as little as 1 foot of moving water, vehicles can be swept away.  If there is a flash flood watch or warning in your area be prepared to act and evacuate.   It’s just smart to have a plan in place in case your home or business is impacted by unwanted water.

 Tips to Prepare Your Home for a Flash Flood:

• All electrical sockets, switches, and wiring should be elevated at least a foot above any predicted flood levels. This prevents your home from becoming a safety hazard in the case that there is a flood.
• Waterproof your basement. While this may involve an expense, it is worth it if you live in a flood zone and will prevent future damage to your home.
• Once a flood watch occurs, move furniture and valuable items to a secure location.

   Flash flooding may occur in any location.   

In case your home experiences water damage due to an unexpected flood, call SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton at 609-894-8555. Our is ready to mobilize to mitigate the harmful effects of flash flooding

Understanding the Aftermath of Fire in Your Burlington County NJ Home

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

The aftermath of fire in your Burlington County home is not limited to damage only inflicted by flames. Smoke and soot may cause both visible and hidden damage far beyond the original fire.

 Smoke damage can be categorized in 2 ways: Wet Smoke and Dry Smoke.

 Dry smoke is created by high temperature burning of paper and wood materials.   Dry smoke residue is powdery and fine. This fine, dry powder is generally easier to clean-up since it can be wiped, but unfortunately it will find any porous surface, crack, or crevice. Your home may look perfectly clean, however soot such as this, hidden from view may retain a smell.

 Wet smoke is a product of low temperature, smoldering fires.  It creates thick, black sticky residue which clings to surfaces and has a strong, pungent odor.  This smoke smears when wiped due to the oily consistency creating a challenging clean-up.  Plastics, rubber are the primary causes of Wet smoke.

 Other causes of damage after a fire are synthetic materials, protein material, petroleum, or natural substances.

 Synthetic materials such as fabrics, (draperies, carpets. bedding) furniture, electronics, and plastics when burned create a thick, billowy, black smoke that rises quickly and coats walls and anything in its path.  Oftentimes these synthetics are products of oil- based substances thus a sticky, oil residue will be left by the smoke.  Leave this clean-up to the professionals.

 Protein fire residue is left behind due to evaporation of material.  Virtually invisible, protein fire residue discolors paints and varnishes and has an extreme pungent odor.

 Petroleum residue is the remains of oil burning.  This smoke is dark in appearance and will discolor and stain anything it touches.

 Natural residue is left behind when natural elements are burned. Ash in color, it is the easiest to clean due to its dry, powdery nature.

 We hope you never have to experience the trauma of a fire, but if you do, SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is here to restore your home “Like it never even happened.”

Our team of professionals are trained to clean-up and restore your home in Burlington and Mercer Counties. 

Give us a call 24/7 at 609-894-8555 for all your fire, water, and mold remediation needs.

5 Tips to Keep Your Mercer County NJ Home or Business Mold Free

7/5/2022 (Permalink)

Excess moisture is a perfect environment of mold.  Control moisture and you can control mold. Here are 5 Important tips for Mercer County Homeowners:

Quick clean-up of water leaks. Any water leaks or spills that occur need immediate attention.  Act quickly to thoroughly dry damp areas and materials with 24-48 hours to eliminate the potential mold growth.

Grade Landscaping Beds.  Slope landscaping beds away from your home and building to limit the opportunity for ground water to collect and jeopardize your foundation. 

Maintain your Gutters and Roofing.  Seasonally clean and clear your gutters and spouting to keep it clean and flowing.  Debris build ups cause water leaks around windows and roofing.

Inspect Air Conditioning drain lines and drip pans.  Routine inspection of filters, drip pans and drain lines for your AC system is a good practice to ensure line remains unobstructed with a proper flow. This inspection is especially important when starting your AC for the hot summer days ahead.

Indoor Humidity Levels.  The relative humidity in your home or office should ideally be below 60%.  This is easily monitored by a moisture meter that is usually available at the local hardware store.  Condensation on windows is an indicator that you may have humidity.  Running exhaust fans and a dehumidifier can alleviate this issue.

If you see mold and needed assistance with mediation, SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton are the professionals to call. They offer expert clean-up and mold remediation services. Avoid the risk of long-lasting damage to your home or business; call the ‘faster to any disaster team’: 609-894-8555

Switching on the AC-Watch for Water Leaks in Your Mercer County NJ home.

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

If you see an uptick in your water bill due to usage it may be an indication of a water leak in your Mercer County NJ home.

Water from unseen leaks is not only expensive, but the potential damage caused by this type of water leak can cause serious damage.

According to the EPA, household leaks can waste more than a trillion gallons of water annually.  Ten percent of homes can have leaks of 90 gallons or more per day and the average home leak can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water per year or 270 loads of laundry.  

Obvious water damage due to a broken pipe, frozen pipe or faulty appliances requires urgent action to stop the water flow. The faster the removal and a thorough drying process eliminates the potential for molds. While this type of disaster is stressful at the moment, calling in the professionals allows you peace of mind knowing that well trained technicians handle the inspection, extraction and restoration of your property. 

At this time of year when we switch on the AC, a clogged drain line may cause a water leak. Routine maintenance of your AC unit and condenser can avoid costly water damage. 

Small water leaks however may go undetected creating unseen damage to walls, wood and insulation. Over time the water seep and dampness produce damage to structural elements of your home spawning mold and mildew to grow.  Advanced inspection techniques to uncover the unknown water as well as monitoring the area to ensure complete dryness tailors the unique solution for each individual homeowner or business.

SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton’s team of professionals has the right training, tools and equipment to check your home or business for water damage and mitigate against the development of mold.

If your suspect a potential water leak or experience a major water event, contact SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton at 609-894-8555

NOAA Predicts Another Active Atlantic Hurricane Season in 2022 Which Can Impact Burlington & Mercer Counties, NJ

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

June 1 is the official beginning of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. 

Can this season bring more severe weather than we have recently experienced in New Jersey? The Atlantic Hurricane season officially runs from June 1- November 30 and this year predictions have it as being another active season with severe weather including high winds, heavy storms, and, flooding annually impacts the central New Jersey region of Burlington and Mercer Counties.

At present the La Nina winds have the ocean a tad colder, but meteorologists believe this is an anomaly with typical La Nina returning in mid to late June. La Nina weather patterns create high westerly winds which create less vertical wind shear, and more hurricanes.

A typical season sees 13-19 Named Storms. Named storms must have winds of more than 39 mph, Hurricanes more than 74mph winds and major Hurricanes 111mph wind.  Weather patterns change as the summer progresses. August accounts for 24% of all storms recorded. For 2021, a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher) is expected. NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.

Early in the season, meteorologists look at tropical depressions that are forming in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, close to land, while later in the season the pattern changes and they watch for storms that develop off the coast of Africa.

The NOAA is using cutting-edge tools, upgrading the Global Forecast System, the first in 40 years, to predict and alert Americans of the impending storms.

How to prepare for a Hurricane

Planning and preparing for a hurricane is the responsibility of all levels of government, local, state and national as well as both the private sector and the public. Being prepared is the way to lessen the devastation that one event can have on a community.

Be prepared by:

• Having cash on hand
• Review Insurance to ensure you have adequate coverage
• Establish a family communication plan
• Establish a family evacuation plan
• Stay tuned to local news (battery operated radio)
• Have food and water
• Emergency lighting in the event of power outages

“Now is the time for communities along the coastline as well as inland to get prepared for the dangers that hurricanes can bring,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “The experts at NOAA are poised to deliver life-saving early warnings and forecasts to communities, which will also help minimize the economic impacts of storms.”

Heed warnings by local officials and to ensure your family’s safety.

When emergencies happen, SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is ready to serve. We are ready to mobilize and assist with storm damage cleanup and restoration.

Call us at 609-894-8555, for 24/7 emergency mitigation services

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2022/05/05/4-things-to-watch-for-in-the-2022-atlantic-hurricane-season/?sh=50e127fb59fd

Here are some tips to remember if your basement floods in your Burlington County, NJ Home

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Choosing the right approach to treat water damage is imperative.  Urgency in handling of the emergency will limit the extent of the property loss.

• Address Health & Safety Issues:  Keep children & animals out of the basement and away from standing water. 

• Deactivate Services:  Turn off energy services around the affected area, including gas and electricity.

• Stop the Flood Source:  A DIY option is not recommended in most instances.  It is highly advised to call a professionally trained water/flood restoration company to quickly address the source of the water damage.  If you are able to identify the source quickly, (i.e. leak from bathroom plumbing) make sure to wear waterproof gloves and boots to protect your skin from potentially dangerous chemicals in the standing water.

• Extract the Water & Ventilate:  Allowing good airflow through the affected area will aid in the drying process.  A professional water damage company will use advanced blowers to accelerate the drying process.

• Disinfect the Area:  Dry and disinfect the entire area.  This is especially important when trying to prevent or contain the growth of potential mold spores and bacteria.  

Call Insurance Company:  Homeowners policies don’t typically cover natural disasters-floods, so check with your insurance company to determine your coverage and next steps.

Water left to its own will always continue to move and find pathways.  Immediate response to any water will lessen the damage.  SERVPRO is the #1 choice for clean-up and restoration.

SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton is faster to any disaster.  Call: 609-894-8555

Proper Mold Mitigation Protects Your Most Cherished Things

2/6/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton staff are IICRC trained through the IICRC Applied Microbial Remediation Technician training program

Mold, as common as it is in the environment, can be terrible for your home and for people and pets. Mold typically grows in a dark, humid environment and can quickly damage the building’s structure itself and your precious personal belongings. Mold can cause health effects to humans and animals. Mold can be controlled in your home and if a mold issue exists, the problem can be mitigated safely to protect you and your family. Proper training of our staff through the IICRC Applied Microbial Remediation Technician training program is a key benefit when choosing SERVPRO of Bordentown/Pemberton to handle your mold mitigation project. Our seasoned staff will gladly assist you by providing a mitigation estimate and detail the mitigation plan for you so that you can understand the steps we will take to mitigate the mold problem in your home. We can also coordinate pre and post testing through a certified industrial hygienist. Contact us today at (609)894-8555 to schedule your estimate today.