Water Damage Restoration: Long Island NY SERVPRO's Commitment to Fast Recovery

7/13/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO provides swift and efficient water damage restoration services in Long Island, NY

When disaster strikes, count on SERVPRO of Long Island, NY, your trusted water damage restoration experts. Water damage can strike anytime—whether from a burst pipe, storm, or flooding, the impact can be devastating. Quick action is crucial. We're available 24/7, providing immediate, professional remediation services to protect your property from further harm. Our highly trained technicians use cutting-edge equipment and proven techniques to efficiently remove excess water, dry out the area, and restore your home or business to its pre-damage condition. Moreover, we carefully monitor and document the entire process to ensure your property is thoroughly cleaned and safe. Trust SERVPRO of Long Island, NY, for fast, reliable, and comprehensive water damage solutions. Your peace of mind is our highest priority.

The Danger of Fire in Your Home | SERVPRO of Long Island City

6/16/2023 (Permalink)

Fires can quickly get out of hand. If you've experienced a house fire recently, call SERVPRO of Long Island City to restore your space.

No matter how you think about it, house fires are a scary experience. While they can remain small and end up just being minor inconveniences, they can also lead to widespread devastation and can be seriously dangerous.

In fact, over 350,000 homes experience some type of fire damage every year in the United States.

The reasons for house fires vary, but there are some more common locations and situations that can spark a fire that quickly grows out of control. Read on as we explain some of the most common places that fire breaks out in households so you can make some changes around your own home.

SERVPRO Storm Preparation Team

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's Storm Team is available to help when major storms damage property, call us 24/7

SERVPRO's Storm Response Team was developed to help organize a larger chain of command in the event of a catastrophic storm event. Our dedication during these types of of unpredictable events is undeniable. Our team braves dangerous and disgusting messes to help communities recover. Our green and orange trucks can be seen in the background of news feeds from almost every major storm over the last three decades and it is in no small part because of our ability to grow our workforce and equipment stockpile quickly and mobilize.

When called upon, our franchises will mobilize and bring equipment and an experienced workforce thousands of miles to help in recovery efforts after a natural disaster. Within our own ranks are some of the most experienced storm restoration project managers and technicians. Our family of 11 franchises line the east coast from New Jersey to New York to Boston exposing us to some of the worst storm events mother nature has to offer. 

Similarly, when major storms are projected to come into our area we are steadfast and forward thinking and will mobilize our team to the area of need. We provide pre-storm services like board-up services, pump and sandbag placement and more. After the storm we jump into action and provide restoration services to commercial and residential properties in need. 

We will be tracking all major storms this hurricane season and will be ready to help in the event of an emergency. If you are aware of that your building has a tendency to flood call us today. A project manager is available to document your property and will be even more prepared to manage your restoration in the event of a major storm.

Soot & Smoke Damage Clean Up

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is available 24/7 to begin restoration on your property after a fire.

The 2022 heat waves have broke temperature records across the globe. Forest fires in Europe and in the US have forced many people to leave their homes and businesses behind.

Commercial and residential properties that are in danger of being destroyed by a forest fire have little chance of survival. However, properties far away from the fire can still be affected by smoke, fire, and soot. SERVPRO can help with smoke and soot damage as well as clean-up and repairs to buildings directly affected by fire.

Our team has the ability to handle and resolve any issues that may arise from soot and smoke damage, including:

• Sanitizing & cleaning of all surfaces
• Eliminating odors
• Clean HVAC/ductwork
• Cleaning textiles (clothings, rugs and curtains)
• Furniture restoration
• Electronics restoration
• Reconstruction

SERVPRO is the best choice for fire damage restoration. We offer a complete product from start to finish that will save you both time and money. We are available 24/7 to help you if your residential or commercial property is damaged. Our team is available 24 hours a day and will get to work immediately in order save and restore as much property as possible.

New York City Fire Damage Restoration & Repair

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is available to help New Yorkers when fire damages their residential or commercial properties, call us 24/7.

SERVPRO is often called by commercial and residential property owners after a fire causes property damage. We are the best fire damage team because we have years of training and developed methods that are unmatched by the competition. Insurance companies across the country trust us to clean up smoke, soot and odors because we use the most recent technology in cleaning products and equipment.

Our team will work with homeowners and insurance companies immediately upon their first visit to a residential home. Our team will ensure that homeowners are given priority when deciding what contents to keep. We can help you to get furniture, electronics, and toys cleaned up and returned quickly, if needed, for business purposes or your comfort.

Commercial properties will require us to restore documents, computers and other equipment. We want to ensure that these areas are open for business as soon as possible. We may work in multiple shifts for commercial projects to minimize downtime. Our team can handle large projects with large equipment and high ceilings.

We can also assist with structural damage. After the property has been cleaned up, we can start the construction phase. This helps to keep the process moving, and prevents delays in switching contractors and searching for sub-contractors.

Our offices are open 24/7/365. We are your local fire damage restoration specialists!

Flood Damage & Restoration New York City

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is available to help when water and flooding damage your New York City property. Call us 24/7.

After hitting land, Tropical Storm Alex formed as the first named storm of 2022 Hurricane Season. It dumped record amounts of rainfall on southern Florida before forming into a Tropical Storm. Tropical Storm Alex has now passed without causing further damage to land and is making its way into the Atlantic. At the same time that this tropical depression gather strength, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration updated its prediction for storm activity in the Atlantic to be more active than originally predicted. Colorado State University scientists and the Administration now predict that there will be 20 named tropical  storms, 10 hurricanes, 5 hurricanes that could reach category 3 or higher.

Flood damage and repair should be your top concern during a major hurricane or rainstorm. While people worry about the impacts of wind and fallen trees, flooding can have a much greater impact on property and make it more costly to repair. More recently storms have produced more property damage after large hurricanes make landfall and weaken, but continue to pour large amounts rain traveling across land. Millions of dollars in property loss is caused by flash flooding each year.

We are prepared to help 24/7/365 in the event of any major storms, call us when your property requires immediate restoration and water damage clean up services.

When Fire Damages Your Long Island City Building, We Can Help

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is available to serve New York City residential and commercial properties when fire damage requires professional clean up.

Fire damage to a property can immediately affect your ability to live in it or work there. Other than the obvious structural damage, there could be other factors that render the home or commercial property uninhabitable. Soot and smoke damage are two of the most common causes. It is easy to underestimate the damage caused by smoke and soot after a fire. This type of disaster requires special products and equipment. It is best to contact SERVPRO immediately if you have suffered this type of property damage.

SERVPRO project managers have the ability to assess your property's damage after a fire, and provide transparent restoration processes. You or your insurance company, or both depending on the circumstances surrounding the loss, will be contacted directly by them. They will also provide daily communication about project progress reports and information so that you are always up to date on what is happening in your property.

We can also help with odor, soot, and smoke damage. After completing the restoration and cleaning, our team of construction professionals is ready to begin your project and rebuild your home.

We hope that your property is not damaged by fire. However, we are available 24/7/365 to assist you in the event of such damage.

Fire Damage Restoration/Clean Up

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City responds to fire calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are available when you need us!

The aftermath of a fire can cause chaos in commercial and residential properties. Even a small fire can cause significant damage that may seem impossible to clean up. SERVPRO will take complete responsibility for your restoration and alleviate you from the pain and stress that comes with this labor-intensive clean up.

We have labor/work available 24/7, which means we can quickly increase our labor force wherever and whenever it is necessary to ensure that projects are completed efficiently but with precision. It is much easier to clean up after a fire than it is to do so quickly. To ensure that every project is done correctly, we work hard to clean all surfaces. We use the most up-to-date air-moving, dehumidification and air purification equipment, along with SERVPRO's exclusive cleaning products.

Once we have cleared all evidence of the fire, we can assess damage and provide complete construction/repair service. Our team is always available and ready to go. We will begin construction once all estimates have been approved by your insurance company.

Transparent pricing is provided on all services. We also provide daily communication for you and your insurer to keep you informed about progress and any unforeseen circumstances. We can offer a variety of services, including plumbing, electrical, appliance installation, insulation and painting.

We are available 24/7 to assist you if you find yourself in a difficult situation.

Flood Damage Restoration Services in New York City

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City's flood response team is available when water damages your property. We can help 24/7.

Here in the north east we are accustom to large storms such as hurricanes and nor'easters. These types of storms bring copious amounts of rain in a short period of time and have the potential to cause widespread flooding and damage very quickly.

SERVPRO technicians are always watching the weather and when forecasts look grim we are prepared with our trucks loaded and ready to go, at a moments notice. Even before the storm arrives we will offer services such as sandbag placement and window board-up so that we can preemptively avoid damage before the storm hits.

If damage does occur it is typically water damage. Flash flooding from intense rain, overflow from storm and sewer drains, overflow from rivers lakes ponds or of course the ocean are also contributing factors when we consider water damage during a storm. When this type of damage occurs it is smart to call us quickly. The faster we are able to respond to your call the faster we can begin clean up and the more likely we are going to be able to restore much of the wet/saturated property.

If a future storm has you concerned about your home or commercial property don't hesitate to call us our innovated project managers can offer several solutions to help flood prone homes and building escape large scale damage in a storm.

Weather & Storm Damage In Historical Buildings

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City provides restoration and construction services on demand. Contact us today.

Historical buildings require special attention during the rehabbing and reconstruction process. Through our many years of providing restoration services to the cities and towns of New England & New York we have become adept to restoring and renovating historical buildings.

Storm and weather wear and tear to these types of buildings can be a common cause of water damage. When this type of long term water damage has set in it is important to work with experienced contractors such as our team because we can determine the most efficient and least intrusive methods for restoring the property. We are already properly equipped with moisture testing equipment so that we can properly determine what materials can be saved and restored and what must be replaced. We can then provide a multitude of dehumidification and air moving solutions to remove mold feeding moisture from the air and the materials that make up the building. Once the property is cleaned and prepped and restoration is complete, it is ready for reconstruction.

We provide complete construction services and will have a full working knowledge of your property. We will be prepared to provide you estimates to complete the project without the impediment of subcontractors or waiting for another construction team to get to your project. We are labor ready and prepared to provide guaranteed craftsmanship to each and every client.

If your property has experienced long term water damage from a storm or other wear and tear we can help. We provide comprehensive plans for almost any budget and can offer simple solutions like dehumidification equipment rental and larger solutions like reconstruction and modification of these types of properties. Call us to learn more.

Damage Restoration For The Hospitality Industry

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City provides damage restoration services to businesses throughout the New York City area, call us today.

SERVPRO of Long Island City provides damage restoration services to the hospitality industry in the New York City area. 

For example if a hotel has water damage that affects several floors, we have the capability, the personel and the equipment to restore the property with minimal impact to the business.

Another example could be a restaurant that experiences fire damage. We respond quickly and our team is available 24/7 when fire damages a property. We provide restoration services immediately and through the night in multiple shifts if needed, reducing the impact on the business and allowing us to throughly clean and restore the property.

A third example of property damage in the hospitality industry for which we would be the ideal contractor to solve the issue would be a theatre or music venue experiencing mold damage. We provide comprehensive and complete solutions when it comes to resolving mold issues. Our team will identify the source of the moisture feeding the outbreak and will completely clean and restore the property so it is safe for patrons.

If your commercial property is damaged call us today. In addition to providing water, fire and mold damage restoration services, we also provide construction services and can work directly with your insurance provider.

SERVPRO Technicians Repair Water-Damaged Brooklyn Residential Buildings 24/7

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is available to manage and restore large commercial properties when damage requires immediate attention. Call us 24/7!

A simple pipe leak can cause water damage to multiple units in multi-family residential buildings in Brooklyn. To receive the right compensation for your tenants' living spaces, the claims process is complicated and requires detailed documentation.

SERVPRO can restore your Brooklyn rental property to its preloss condition when you find water damage. We will work with your insurance company to mitigate the damage. Here are some tips to help you get through stressful times.

Commonly Asked Questions about Multi-Family Insurance Claims

• What should I do if my claim is denied? You can request a second inspection by either an independent agent or a new adjuster from your insurance company to assess the damage to your property.
• How quickly does compensation take? This depends on the insurer. You are more likely to receive payment quickly if you file your claim quickly.
• What can I do to prepare for filing a claim.

• Photograph and film your property before and after disasters.
• Keep written records about the damage, such as its size, time and how you responded.
• Talk to an adjuster or trusted agent about your policy.

SERVPRO's Structural Drying Process

It takes careful calculations to determine the best placement and use of air movers and humidifiers. The placement of dehumidifiers is determined by a number of factors. The following factors are used to calculate dehumidification needs:

• The area affected by the radiation.
• The area affected by water damage.
• Type of dehumidifier.
• Based on manufacturer guidelines, the pints-per day (PPD) rating is calculated.

SERVPRO Long Island City can provide businesses with disaster mitigation services that are faster than any other. To get started, call (718) 440-6994.

It is important to have a plan in place for when your queen's home suffers water damage

4/10/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is ready when water damage affects your property. Call us 24/7.

Bathroom backups are a frequent source of water damage. These are the most expensive in terms of damage because they are a category three biohazard. Items that are saturated often have no restoration possibilities.

A homeowner in Queens suffered water damage from water coming from a backup. To absorb as much moisture as possible, the homeowner laid several towels on the flooring before SERVPRO technicians arrived.

Ventilation and Scoring

To prevent aspiration of moisture during water loss, techs should wear protective clothing. Another standard measure is to confine the pungent smell to the work area. This will prevent cross-contamination. The strong odor of the backup caused the techs to set up air scrubbers in order to capture the airborne particles. The techs then use their advanced moisture detection equipment, which determines if the subfloor needs drying.

Water Extraction Techniques

The equipment showed that water didn't seep into the tile flooring. It is common for techs to make several passes when removing water. This ensures that the tile flooring does not absorb as much moisture as possible. To speed up drying times, the more moisture that is collected before drying helps to reduce drying time.

No Controlled Demo Required

It is common to have the toe kicks removed from cabinets and baseboards surrounding walls when there is a sewage backup. This homeowner contacted SERVPRO techs immediately after the water loss. It helped to keep the loss down.

Odor Control

To ensure that the bathroom is safe for family members to use, it must be cleaned with antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaners. Techs can use a variety of odor control methods to eliminate any residual odors.

There is more risk of loss if water damage continues to build up in your home. SERVPRO Long Island City can be reached at (718) 440-6994. The certified technicians will arrive quickly to restore your home to preloss condition.

Find out more about Long Island City.

SERVPRO of Long Island City Works With Your Maintenance Team When Needed

3/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is available 24/7, always available to our clients as needed.

Water damage can occur in many ways in your Queens house, especially if it is a multi-family property. This can lead to water damage that can affect other people in the area. It is important to hire a professional restoration company. It is impossible to see where the water has migrated. SERVPRO technicians bring several moisture detection devices with them to make sure they inspect the entire area and find any areas where the water has migrated. If you don't have the right equipment, DIY cleanup could lead to more problems.

• Professional extraction equipment
• Capacity to dry any area that has been damaged by water
• Locate the water in the structure with devices
• If necessary, skills to conduct controlled demonstrations
• Preventative and remedial mold treatments

How do I know what type of water cleaning service I need?

Water damage to Queens property can lead to water damage. The water cleanup type will change depending on the amount of water or the type of water. It can be described as one of three types: black, gray or clean. It is considered a black water condition if the water has been left to sit for more than 48 hours. This is because bacteria could be present.

You are likely to have a clean-level if there was a leak in the supply line or a pipe burst. However, water that came from a dishwasher or washing machine with soap will be considered dirty. In most cases, the risk of getting sick from coming in contact with this kind of moisture is low. Black water is the most serious type of cleanup. It can be caused by sewage backups, groundwater, and water that has been stagnant for more than 48 hours. The SERVPRO technicians will help you find the following information during your first phone call.

• The extent of water damage to your property
• The time it takes to call you for cleanup
• Be aware of any potentially harmful elements

Commercial Mold Remediation Services Available New York City/New Jersey

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City offers mold remediation services and equipment rental for commercial properties in New York City, Call Us Today.

Many businesses need deep cleaning services once or twice a year. Regardless of the type of commercial business, if you find mold in your property, you will most likely need to hire a professional restoration company. The warmer climate makes mold and mildew growth more common in the spring across New York & New Jersey. Our mold remediation team can solve these problems permanently in large commercial and industrial areas.

First, we need to identify the source of mold growth. The removal of the source might require some construction work. For example, insulation and sheetrock that are beyond salvageable may need to be removed. These materials can become unsafe and must be disposed as soon as possible. Drop ceilings, carpets, as well as other types of flooring are subject to this rule. Once these materials have been removed, we will use the dehumidification techniques that our project managers feel are best to dry out the affected areas and make them ready for reconstruction. The SERVPRO project managers are well-trained to know how to make the most of the latest dehumidification technology. This will ensure that the process is completed quickly and efficiently to prevent further mold growth.

Our technicians will next come to clean surfaces that are prone to mold growth. However, they do not have to be removed. These surfaces could include tiles, stone counter tops and cement structures. We will use mildew- and mold-killing solutions that will not cause any damage to the original surfaces but ensure the fungus has been completely eliminated.

Once your commercial property is clean, you might need construction services to fix any damaged or removed building materials. This is where we again can help! We provide full reconstruction services for drywall, flooring, and drop ceilings.

Don't delay in calling us if mold is found during spring cleaning. We can quickly resolve the issue and provide the equipment, services and support you need to make sure it doesn't happen again. Give us a call today.

Appliance Water Damage Repair

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is available to restore your home or commercial property after water damage, call us 24/7.

It is amazing how quickly things can change when an appliance such as a dishwasher or a refrigerator begins to leak. Many times the leak can go unnoticed for days and weeks until it is too late and there is permanent damage to floors, baseboards, cabinets and more. This is where SERVPRO of Long Island City can help. We are available to repair the damage caused by a leaking appliance and can work with you and in some cases your insurance company to repair the damage and restore our home. 

Our team is available 24/7 when this type of water damage occurs because if the flow of water cannot easily be stopped and is significant you may need immediate help. As water begins to permeate surfaces such as particle board, drywall, laminate flooring and carpets the materials quickly become unsalvageable and must be removed and replaced, this includes insulation behind sheetrock walls. Our team is trained to measure humidity levels in these materials to determine if the can be saved or if removing them will be better to prevent structural damage. 

If your home or commercial property are damaged by water from a leaking appliance, water supply or waste pipe, call us today. We are prepared to help 24/7!

Mold Cleaning & Removal Services New York City

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is a trusted source for mold removal and cleaning services, call us today.

Spring is only weeks away and warmer weather is already beginning to creep into the north eastern part of the country. After a wet and wild winter featuring some record breaking storms we are all ready for a reprieve from the cold weather. 

But with this warmer weather comes the chance that mold growth will occur, especially in places where water damage may have gone unnoticed throughout the winter.

When it comes to mold removal you have some options. One option is preform the clean up service yourself. There are several over-the-counter products that you can get at your local hardware store and if all directions are followed and the area to be cleaned is relatively small you should be able properly clean and disinfect the area.

Other times this is not an option, especially if the amount of mold growth has gone beyond the surface of porous materials such as sheetrock, wood or pressed boards. This may also be the case when the size and scope of the damage is beyond what one can handle with a simple rag and bucket approach.

In these instances it is best to call SERVPRO. 

Your local SERVPRO is available to manage, clean and remove mold from your home or commercial property, no matter the size or scope of your project we have the equipment, knowledge and cleaning solutions needed to properly remediate the issue. We will use professional drying equipment to extract moisture from the property that is feeding the mold growth. We will then remove materials such as drywall and carpets if they cannot be salvaged and can offer complete construction services afterwards to complete the repair of your property.

If you experience mold growth in your New York City residential or commercial property, call us today. We are always available to help!

Fire Clean Up NYC Disaster Restoration

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City • Disaster Restoration & Construction • New York City

When most people first think of restoring a business following a fire they image the damage caused by the fire itself and the construction efforts it will take to get things back to normal. But many people are unaware that even a small fire can cause serious damage due to soot & smoke. 

After a fire, smoke can fill a room with a layer of black soot that leaves behind an unpleasant odor. Our team has the ability to restore your business after a fire or soot damage. Our team is extremely thorough and will reach every corner of the house to remove any soot. We can also use other cleaning methods & air purification methods to completely remove any lingering odors from a fire. If items like carpets or upholstered furniture are not damaged, they will be removed from the site for cleaning.

We can help you if your commercial property has been damaged by fire. Call us anytime we are available 24/7 and if necessary will arrive onsite immediately to begin restoration services.

Storm Damage Repair - How to Get Your Water-Damaged Basement Back to Normal After a Storm

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is available to help restore property after a winter storm.

The start of the winter of 2021-22 has been unpredictable across much of the USA. Here in the New York City area, we have had wild temperature swings, heavy snow, rain, and ice. During this first month of the winter, we have been busy helping homeowners, commercial property owners, and government building managers through water damage from frozen/broken pipes. 

This type of damage typically occurs at night when the temperatures are at their coldest. Properties can be even more vulnerable when there are power outages and suppling the property with proper heat becomes difficult. This is why winter storms can be so devastating, especially in areas where they are less prepared for cold weather.

SERVPRO of Long Island City is prepared to help if your property suffers damage from a winter storm. Water damage repair and drying, mold removal, and even construction services when the property is damaged by wind and snow weight.

This is why SERVPRO Disaster Management is trusted by insurance agents across the U.S.A. Our team is prepared and trained to manage disasters in any condition. This winter do not leave your property restoration to chance, call SERVPRO.

A Somber Reminder Of The Dangers of Fire

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City serves New York City, Call Us 24/7.

Last week the fire in the Bronx was a somber reminder of the dangers of a fire in a large commercial/residential building in New York City. Despite modern fire safety standards the loss of life was the largest seen in decades. Being prepared for a fire of this magnitude is difficult if not impossible, but preparing yourself and your family for a fire is always a good idea no matter where you live.

First and foremost, you should make sure all smoke detectors in your home are in working condition, this should be done every 6 months. For owners of multifamily residential properties fire safety inspections should be done regularly by your local fire department to make sure all systems, alarm and sprinkler, are in working condition. Next you should know all your evacuation routes, this will allow you options in case your planned evacuation route is blocked. If you live in a multifamily home with several floors it may be a good idea to occasionally walk these optional routes so they are familiar, especially in buildings where you typically use the elevators.

Commercial Property Restoration is A Phone Call Away in New York City

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is New York City's #1 Commercial Property Restoration Company.

SERVPRO of Long Island City offers many services to commercial property managers, particularly after disasters such as flood damage, fire damage or storm damage. We can also help with mold removal and years of neglect.

Our leadership team has over two decades of combined experience in disaster recovery and construction. SERVPRO's unparalleled systems/protocols, equipment and experience in disaster restoration make us the best choice when disaster strikes.

Many commercial properties are served in Long Island City, Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan as well as areas around New York City. These properties receive a range of services, including emergency services such as flooding or fire, and long-term services such as construction management, cleaning, and other services. We aim to establish relationships with city property managers to give them direct access to our services, expediting the process and giving them an opportunity to make requests.

You are a property manager in New York City, Connecticut or New Jersey. Give our office a call today. A representative can meet with you right away to discuss your requirements.

Available 24/7 Water Damage Restoration Team NYC

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Long Island City 24/7 our Water Damage Repair Experts are available to help!

Water damage to commercial and residential properties can occur at night, when temperatures are at their lowest. Heating systems are also at lower temperatures. The winter can cause pipes to burst due to freezing and expansion of water in the plumbing. The water pressure from the pipe that has frozen will push through the pipe and spray water all over the structure. When this happens you need to be able to trust the company you hire to repair or dry the structure to determine the best course. It is often best to remove and replace building materials such as sheetrock, laminate flooring and carpeting. Mold growth can be rapid and could lead to costly repairs. It is best to contact SERVPRO immediately in these situations. Our team works hard to find the most efficient and effective methods for structural repair and drying. We are also familiar with how to remove mold from buildings and homes that have suffered water damage. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Commercial Flood Damage Repair New York City

12/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is Available To Help When Water Damage & Flooding Threaten Your Property

Flood cleanup is a complex task that requires lots of effort. To help you stay organized and move forward, there is a checklist that you can use. This checklist will serve as a guideline and help you to get the job done quickly.

Once the flooding has subsided, it is time to clean up the flood-damaged property. Standing water can be a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Flood water can contain sewage from overflowing pipe. It is important to get rid of this sewage as soon as possible.

You should begin the restoration process immediately after the flooding and contact your insurance company to get coverage. Your insurance company should be contacted immediately to ensure that employees are safe. To help with cleanup, it is a good idea to contact an environmental mitigation company. They will be able to provide guidance on the most effective and safe cleaning methods. They will assist you in determining the best way to clean up water damage.

Flood cleanup requires heavy sterilization. Flood cleanup involves heavy sterilization. Ceilings, floors, and walls should be cleaned with hot detergent solutions. These areas are most susceptible to contaminating materials. After the water has dried, you need to ensure that there are no chemicals in the air. You can have the area professionally cleaned by an environmental mitigation team to prevent mold growth.

SERVPRO Restoration - We are experts in fire, water, and mold removal

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is Available 24/7

SERVPRO of Long Island City is a leader in the industry of disaster recovery and cleaning services in New York City. We understand the importance and urgency of property restoration. we offer our clients a variety of restoration services, including water damage repair, fire damage repair, and storm damage restoration and construction. Our well-trained staff is ready to tackle any job.

For a quick response, call SERVPRO's emergency services.  SERVPRO can help with any size restoration project, no matter if it is a small or large-scale emergency. SERVPRO has the experience and training to manage all types of property damage from sewage overflows to upholstery and furniture cleaning.

SERVPRO of Long Island City specializes in the restoration of fire, water and mold damage. SERVPRO also offers document restoration services. Our technicians use sophisticated equipment to find moisture in your home and ensure your belongings remain safe. After the SERVPRO restoration team arrives they will evaluate the extent of the damage and give you an accurate quote. They will clean the house thoroughly and remove all traces of odors. 

Storm Damage Repair NYC

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Storm Response and Restoration Services Are Here to Help

Storm damage can result in serious and expensive property damage. Storm damage restoration companies can be hired to clean up waterlogged floors, repair roof damage, and replace windows that have been damaged. You can trust that the company you choose is capable of handling all kinds of repairs, even those caused by fires or floods. Make sure the storm damage repair company you hire is well-respected in your local area.

SERVPRO is able to help you with your single family home or multi-family residence. Our team is skilled in storm damage restoration. We have worked with thousands insurance companies to fix homes and buildings. Our team of highly-trained technicians is ready to handle any storm-damaged property. We will also work with your insurance company to ensure that you get the best coverage. You may be able to stay in a hotel or with your friends if you are unable to leave the property due to immediate dangers.

Your home can be damaged by flooding and storms. Some types of storm damage are not dangerous, but others can cause serious harm to your home. Flooding on the main floor could pose a threat to your family's safety. After a storm, the first thing to do is to protect yourself and your home. Residential storm damage restoration services can restore your home to pre-storm conditions. Also, you should contact your insurance company to request a temporary solution.

Educational Facilities: What SERVPRO of Long Island City can do for you.

11/10/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City provides disaster restoration services to educational facilities throughout New York City and New Jersey.

Educational facilities in the New York City /New Jersey area are another area where our services can be essential. These services range from disaster restoration services such as water damage removal, fire & smoke damage repair, mold removal or storm damage repair. We also offer more comprehensive services including construction services and project management. 

During the school year it can be difficult to be forced to undergo emergency services; they may cause class cancellations and other delays that impact your student body. This is where SERVPRO of Long Island City excels. Our team will provide the services required to minimize impact to students such as working multiple shifts and night shifts, creating construction/privacy barriers around work zones and providing the latest in drying equipment, odor removal equipment and other disaster related technology.

If your educational facility is in need of the area’s #1 Disaster Restoration and Mold Removal company, call us today.

Commercial Property Managers Trust SERVPRO

10/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City manages Commercial Disaster Restoration Projects. We get you back up and running quickly, call us 24/7.

If you own or manage large commercial properties such as hotels, schools, multifamily residential homes, industrial or retail shops, venues, transportation hubs and other large facilities, you should know that SERVPRO has a disaster recovery specialist who is available to help you get your property back to its original condition. SERVPRO is trusted by large facility owners and managers in New York City. SERVPRO is the nation's leading provider of water damage restoration and fire damage restoration services, as well as mold remediation. Our services are unmatched.

Our team works with property owners and managers throughout New York & New England to give them the assurance that we will immediately start mitigation services in case of an emergency. Large property owners can rely on us to provide services such as packing and storage of manufacturing and retail goods, equipment, and furniture. Then, we provide the necessary manpower and equipment to help you restore your property following water damage, fire damage or any other disaster-related cleaning services.

Call our office to learn more about our large-scale property restoration services. A Project Manager will reach out to you to further discuss your property protection plan.

Water Damage Brooklyn NY, We Are Near You & Ready to Help

10/25/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City Provide Water Damage Repair Services to Properties Throughout New York City

New York City is facing an increasing number of severe storms which cause water damage/flood damage to residential and commercial properties. We are here to help these properties better prepare for these types of events. Our Long Island City team is constantly working with property owners in the area to identify vulnerabilities and help to plan accordingly in the event water enters the building. 

During the last severe storm event, Tropical Storm Ida, we responded to catastrophic flooding events in areas that had in recent memory never been affected by a tropical storm in such a way. While working to restore properties throughout the boroughs we found several instances where better preparation and equipment could have helped to minimize the damage to property.

By working with SERVPRO of Long Island City many property owners were able to create an Emergency Ready Profile with our project managers. Project Managers first review the building and assess the best way to mitigate future damage by preparing ahead of extreme weather events. Then if severe weather does impact the building the amount of damage is minimal and our team is prepared to mitigate further damage using pre-planned strategies based on the review of your property.

Contact our office today to talk about your property and developing an Emergency Ready Profile so you are prepared the next time extreme weather hits the NYC area.

What is the best extraction tool for flooding in my house?

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

Recovering a flooded home can feel like an insurmountable task when property owners first see the damage to their residence.

SERVPRO professionals have access to a wide range of water removal tools that can be used in any flood situation.

Flooding can cause a lot of water to remain on your property. If you don't act quickly to eliminate this water risk, the conditions could worsen such as structural deterioration and saturation. Our SERVPRO team can quickly take action to restore your property. Our professionals will assess your situation and determine the best equipment or products to help you achieve this goal.

Like every aspect of flood relief for businesses and homes, there are many ways to restore and recover the structure. There are many tools that can be used to extract water from a structure. The severity of the situation, depth of standing water and materials that are affected by flood water will all play a role in deciding which equipment is used. Our technicians have many tools available to them when mitigation starts. However, the most commonly used are:

• Submersible Electric Pumps
• Trash pumps
• Truck-Mount Pumps
• Wet Vacuums
• Specialty Extractors

Recovering a flooded home can feel like an insurmountable task when property owners first see the damage to their residence. Our team can help with efficient water removal, drying, and cleaning, to make all flood losses “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today!

How Do You Dry Electronics After A Water Leak?

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

Homeowners often use their phones and tablets in multiple rooms.

SERVPRO® professionals have the experience to help you save these resources in your home.

Leakages can cause havoc in a home. Water leaks can cause damage to electronics throughout a home. Homeowners often use their phones and tablets in multiple rooms. Experts who are familiar with how to protect your equipment and data can save you money.

What type of damage can a water leak usually cause?

A water leak can cause power problems with various electronics in your house. It is important to remove electronics from harm as soon as possible.

What are the first steps when electronics become damaged?

First, ensure there are no electrical hazards. All electronics must be unplugged and backup batteries disconnected. Fuse breakers and trip breakers also need to be removed.

What are the other steps?

All electronics should be removed from any exposed areas if possible. To prevent further water damage, electronics should be covered with plastic if possible.

What about the water leaking from the leak?

SERVPRO® professionals are skilled in removing any standing water. You should wipe away any water remaining from your electrical equipment after the water has been removed. Do not turn on the equipment until you have thoroughly evaluated it. Otherwise, further damage could be caused by running an electric charge through electronics.

What equipment can we use in addition?

SERVPRO® professionals may use dehumidification equipment to stabilize electronics. As this can lead to corrosion and condensation, electronics should not be allowed to cool to the room's dew point.

What happens if you need more specialized knowledge?

We may need to use an electronics restoration specialist in order to finish the job and ensure the integrity of the electronics.

SERVPRO® of Long Island City can help you save your electronics. For a free evaluation, call us at (718) 440-6994

Let SERVPRO help with your residential fire damage.

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

Candles add a pleasant look to rooms and add a pleasant aroma. If left unattended, candles can cause fire damage to homes.

Candles add a pleasant look to rooms and add a pleasant aroma. If left unattended, candles can cause fire damage to homes.

After leaving a candle lit, a homeowner unintentionally set fire to the bedroom of his daughter. A fan also blew a piece of paper into the flames. Although firefighters quickly extinguished the fire, smoke damage was extensive in the room.

Removing Charred Items

The room where the candle was placed had too much damage to be cleaned and needed to be removed. The techs will not dispose of items without the approval of the homeowner/ adjuster. This ensures that property owners are fully informed about the restoration process and that SERVPRO®'s actions do not fall outside of their insurance coverage.

Testing before Cleaning

It is important to test any smoke residues before using any solution. This will ensure that the right agents and methods are used. The residue may vary depending on the temperature of the fire or the objects that were burned by the flames. Dry and wet smoke can be found in the same space.

Techs use dry cleaning sponges to remove the fine, dark smoke that is often found on walls. Wet smoke can often be removed from surfaces by using solvents.

Odor Control in the Bedroom

The removal of charred objects can help reduce the fire odors. Because hot air expands in the fire, it can push odorous smoke into porous items. Many times, the smells can be removed by using the same odor control methods, such as thermal fogging.

Duct Inspection

Although the fire occurred in the room of the daughter, the family still used the HVAC. There was a high possibility that the soot could have spread throughout the house via the ductwork.
SERVPRO® technicians removed all traces of odors from the ducts.

SERVPRO® restores fire damaged properties to preloss conditions.

Water Damage Repair Near Me

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

We are available 24 hours a day and can arrive promptly to assess the damage and make your home or place of business as safe as possible.

You are probably in an emergency situation when you rush to do a Google search for "water damage repair near me" and you need a team of trained water damage repair technicians to arrive quickly and handle the situation.

SERVPRO® of Long Island City should be your first and only call to set up an expert assessment and begin planning for a successful recovery.

We are available 24 hours a day and can arrive promptly to assess the damage and make your home or place of business as safe as possible.

We offer all aspects of construction services. If there is any further damage to your home, you can simply search for "water damage near me" and get a complete repair experience.

Call SERVPRO® of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 day or night.

In The Event of a Storm, It Is Critical To Have a Well-Thought-Out Plan for Your Home.

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

A hardwood floor wet with flood water after a storm. The wood's natural tendency is to absorb it.

Taking the First Step

Turn off the electricity to the house if water is in light fixtures or near electrical outlets. When calling SERVPRO to schedule an appointment, explain that there is no electricity accessible on-site and that the technicians will need to bring generators to power their equipment.

If it is safe to do so, remove valuables and heirlooms. If not, inform the lead technician when SERVPRO comes so that they may recover your belongings. Everyone's safety is paramount, and homeowners should not overlook the dangers of slipping and falling on damp flooring.

Hardwood Flooring Has a Chance to Recover

When water leaks through a hardwood floor, the wood's natural tendency is to absorb it. Crowning, cupping, and warping can occur in fast succession as a result. The sooner moisture is removed, the less likely tile will delaminate and hardwood floors will be damaged. After extended exposure to water, composite pressed wood boards usually deteriorate and must be removed.

SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440 6994 has the trained technicians that arrive fast to your property and restore it from storm damage to make the loss to your home and contents, "Like it never even happened."

 We are available 24/7.

Types of Fire Damages

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

Most fire damage starts from the typical broken gas pipes and open electrical wires.

Most fire damage starts from the typical broken gas pipes and open electrical wires. However, there are a few classifications that causes fire and it would be really helpful to pretend any fire damage, if we would take the time to get ourselves familiarized with:  

Class A: involves combustible solids, plastics, paper, rubber, fabric, and wood.

Class B: Liquids and combustible solids that have turned into liquids cause damage. Gasoline, fuel, oil, polymers, and paints are examples of these substances. Cooking oils and fats are not included in this category.

Class C: Gases that are flammable, such as hydrogen, natural gas, butane, and propane.

Class D: Combustible gases such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium.

Class E: This classification combines Class A and Class B, but it also includes electrical components.

Class F: Cooking oils and fats cause damage. Cooking oils and fats are in their own category due to the fact that the fire is generally hotter and greater harm is done.

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all fire extinguisher. Check the label on your fire extinguisher to discover what kinds of flames it can put out. Some fire extinguishers include water, making them unsafe to use on a Class E fire. Check your fire extinguisher's expiration date to make sure it's still okay to use in case of an emergency.

If you experience a fire in your home, the first step you should take is to call the fire department. Your second step should be to reach out to your insurance agent. Your final step should be calling SERVPRO.

All SERVPRO franchises are available 24/7 with highly trained restoration technicians. SERVPRO specializes in fire and water damage and will get your property looking “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Damage Can Be Hazardous in Long Island City

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot damage from a fire is not an easy task. Call SERVPRO and let their trained technicians do all the work for you.

SERVPRO Handles Soot and Tough Odors with Fire Damage Restoration to Bring Your Long Island City Property Back to Pre-Fire Condition

No matter the size of the fire, leftover soot and smoke pose a threat to your interior as well as any inhabitants of your Long Island City Home. Fire produces toxic gases and volatile particles that disperse quickly even after the flames get extinguished. SERVPRO has fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) on the team to address fire and smoke damage accordingly during your project. With our rapid response and proven methods, we have the power to make it “Like it never even happened.”

When SERVPRO addresses your fire damage in Long Island City, our technicians understand all of the potential dangers of burnt property. Because of this, we always put containment barriers in place around the work zones, and all of our crew wear the appropriate personal protective equipment.

Some of the hidden airborne dangers within fire damaged homes include:

• Microscopic particulate pollution in the form of dust or soot that present a danger if inhaled or ingested.
• There are potentially harmful, volatile organic compounds (VOC) found in fire loss situations that should never get inhaled.
• Some solvents for deodorizing or equipment used, such as ozone generators, can be harmful if operated inappropriately.

Our team always handles water & fire damage restorations with the utmost care and precision. We know how to address airborne smoke and soot particles with the help of air scrubbers and air filtration units. Everything works in unison to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) to eliminate dangers and odors so that no trace of the fire gets left behind. 

Call (718) 440-6994, and SERVPRO of Long Island City will have a crew at your front door ready to work within hours. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, offering area residents professional house fire clean up.

Rough Storms Bringing Flood Damage Means Calling for Expert Cleanup in Queens

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage service by SERVPRO is top-notch. Our IICRC certified technicians are ready 24/7 365 days a year for any size disaster.

SERVPRO Handles Flood Damage Restoration After a Storm to Give Queens Residents Peace of Mind

Whenever you have standing water within your Queens property after a storm, it could mean significant harm to your property or the onset of potential health effects. Not only is there pressure and stress to implement water cleanup, but you also have to worry about all of the hidden moisture. Because water migrates beneath floorboards and into various cavities, hiring SERVPRO for emergency services water damage is best. 

We use a targeted approach to handle storm and flood damage in Queens, which begins with an assessment to determine the contents and contamination levels of the water. Our crew relies on a range of extraction tools so that we can efficiently perform water removal services. Not only do we have truck-mount extractors for handling hundreds of gallons quickly, but we also have portable extractors that allow us to get into tight spaces.

• Portable extraction equipment generally features a storage tank that can handle 5 to 12 gallons and a lift capacity of 140 inches.
• Truck-mount extraction units can store more than 100 gallons of water along with a lift capacity beginning around 185 inches.
• Each extraction equipment type above may easily get fitted with extraction wands, additional weight, and other attachments to help our technicians reach their water removal goals.

With any storm with high winds, you could also have tremendous structural damage from tree branches and flying debris. SERVPRO offers tarping, board-up services, and controlled demolition to help with a leaking roof from storms and ceiling repairs from water damages. 

Flood damage restoration is easy when SERVPRO of Long Island City in your corner. Call us at (718) 440-6994, and we can send out our emergency services water damage crew!

Queens Residents Deserve Prompt, Reliable Fire Cleanup

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the means and equipment for any size fire-damaged property you may have. Call now for the service you need.

Professional Fire Damage Restoration and Cleanup in Queens by SERVPRO Gets Results Fast!

Any fire event at your Queens residence is unfortunate, but the damage begins to compound if you do not address it as soon as possible. Whenever soot and smoke particles get left behind, your interior is subject to corrosion, breakdown, and foul odors. You can avoid yellowing surfaces and other severe secondary damage when contacting skilled fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) at SERVPRO. 

When working in fire cleanup in Queens, our team arrives quickly with a Green Fleet of vehicles loaded with tools and equipment for the job. We work fast once first responders deem the property safe to enter. Because we have proven methods and years of experience, we are the number one answer in the area to bring fire-damaged homes back to preloss condition. 

During fire and smoke remediation, steps we take include:

• A thorough assessment determining the extent of the damage to formulate the best course of action for house fire clean up
• Board up and tarping services as needed to protect your interior from further damage
• Detailed cleanup to remove debris, dirt, soot, and smoke residues from surfaces and the air throughout your home
• Water damage restoration to address any moisture left behind from extinguishing the flames
• Smoke damage treatment with the help of air scrubbers, odor-eliminating products, and various filtration systems
• Controlled demolition to remove and replace all charred materials 

Our crew also works to limit the onset of additional issues during fire cleanup, such as:

• Using containment as a way to limit movement of soot and smoke particles
• Movement of belongings off-site for cleaning
• HVAC and ductwork inspection to keep odorous particles from traveling into unaffected zones

Call SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 when you want IICRC-certified technicians on the job! We are available 24/7.

Don’t Leave Fire Damage to Chance – Call the Pros to Your Astoria Property!

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO positions Ozone machines and HEPA filtration units to restore good IAQ inddor air quality after a fire damaging event in your Astoria home

SERVPRO ensures fire damaged homes get prompt attention in Astoria to return them to pre-fire condition

Even if there is a fire that only burned in one room of your Astoria living space, there may be other zones impacted by soot and smoke particles. The SERVPRO crew is composed of IICRC-certified fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) ready to tackle your fire and smoke damage. The result is your property “Like it never even happened,” back to pre-fire condition.

When handling fire damage in Astoria, our team utilizes the most advanced technology and best industry practices to get results. We work carefully and efficiently so that corrosive soot and smoke particles never have time to fester. Depending on what materials have been impacted by smoke and soot, SERVPRO uses various cleaning solutions and techniques to reach our desired goals. Some steps taken during fire restoration may include:

• Water removal services and extraction to remove the moisture left by first responders extinguishing the flames. We bring a variety of pumps and extractors to each project.
• Disinfection to remove potentially harmful bacteria.
• Ozone machines to neutralize pungent odors
• Deodorizing and purifying with HEPA filtration to remove smoke particles.
• Charred debris and unsalvageable materials removal.
• Controlled demolition services, as needed.

Fire damage restoration pros at SERVPRO of Long Island City ensure your house fire clean up goes as smoothly as possible. We can dispatch our Green Fleet within hours once you call us at (718) 440-6994 for emergency service.

Who Can I Call for Water Damage Help in Long Island City?

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration in Long Island City with SERVPRO's advanced equipment makes it "Like it never even happened."

Long Island City homeowners trust SERVPRO for Water Mitigation

SERVPRO is a qualified and certified company committed to responding as soon as possible to a water damaging event. We are ready to help Long Island City homeowners who need water damage restoration. If you are experiencing hard times due to water damages, pipe blockages and bursting, or any other problem associated with water spillag  in your home, trust our SERVPRO technicians. We have the tools, equipment, and know-how to operate during any season of the year.

Our crews are trained and follow the best practices of the IICRC The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, so you know you are receiving the best Long Island City water cleanup service possible. Upon arrival, we inspect and scope the job to ensure the most expedient and practical efforts are used for the water damage mitigation. Our goal is to make you feel " Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO can offer to resolve problems and complete the job:

• Water damage remediation
• Burst pipes
• Ceiling leaks
• Spillages
• Water Damage Restoration

How can I reach SERVPRO?

You can reach SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994. We offer 24/7 emergency water damage restoration.

Get Results in Queens with Flood Damage Services From SERVPRO

5/3/2021 (Permalink)

With or without flood insurance for your Queens home, SERVPRO is the right choice for flood water removal and water damage mitigation

DIY methods are never the best bet for flood damage – Call SERVPRO to your Queens property for help!

When looking at the five boroughs within New York City, Queens is the largest in area, and you will find it in the easternmost portion. Queens is only second in population to Brooklyn. Established in 1683, Queens was one of the original twelve counties in New York. It got named after Princess Catherine of Braganza of Portugal and the Queens of Ireland, Scotland, and England.

There are many beautiful neighborhoods to explore throughout Queens. Whether you are heading into Astoria for a bit of cultural learning or you want to grab a meal in Long Island City, there are many areas to take in. Other popular neighborhoods include:

• Forest Hills
• Jackson Heights
• Jamaica
• Corona
• Sunnyside
• Flushing
• The Rockaways

Plenty of Enjoyment Within Queens for Visitors and Locals Alike

Whether you are looking to explore parks and forests or take in historical or cultural tours, there is a plethora of places to see and things to do in Queens. Some of the top attractions not to miss when you are in the area include:

• Citi Field
• Gantry Plaza State Park
• Rockaway Beach
• Pepsi Cola Sign
• Long Island Rail Road
• Flushing Meadows Corona Park
• Finback Brewery
• Cunningham Park

Many Notable Names Come from Queens, New York!

There is never a shortage of famous names that come out of Queens, including everything from reality stars and musicians to politicians and actors. Some of the names that you may recognize include:

• Martin Scorsese – Director
• Donald J. Trump – 45th President of the United States
• Al Roker – Television Show Host
• Dee Snider – Musician, Twisted Sister
• Don Rickles – Comedian
• Andrew Cuomo – Politician
• Ray Romano – Television Actor/Comedian
• Ja Rule – Rapper/Entrepreneur
• NeNe Leakes – Reality Television Sta

Flood Damage Assistance from SERVPRO After a Storm in Queens Helps Limit Costly Secondary Damage

Whenever harsh weather is on the forecast, it can bring flooding that may ravage your Queens residential property. Standing water or basement flooding can put a great deal of structural pressure on the building, which could turn costly should moisture fester and bring about mildew and mold growth. It is essential to have storm water removal services fast so that your home gets back to pre-flood condition. This is where SERVPRO can help!

When faced with flood damage in Queens, our SERVPRO crew works diligently to help mitigate losses while getting you right back on your feet as quickly as possible.

• We have water restoration technicians (WRT) that work to restore versus replace whenever possible. This helps to lessen claim expenses during water damage remediation.
• Our project managers and crew chiefs have experience executing each phase of water clean up while ensuring your flood insurance company is informed each step of the way.
• Contaminated materials get disposed of properly or cleaned thoroughly with our advanced equipment, methods, and expertise. We also perform water damage repairs when necessary with our controlled demolition services.

Storm water removal and flood damage restoration are what we do best at SERVPRO of Long Island City. With a phone call to us at (510) 599-9300, there will be a team ready to work at your door within hours.

How Does Mold Removal Happen for Long Island City Businesses After Storm Damage?

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is in fast action when the call comes in. We are here for your mold remediation services for your commercial building.

Our fast response to Long Island City businesses can prevent unnecessary damage.

We understand that mold damage can develop with little warning in area businesses following persistent moisture or dampness. Organisms can deteriorate hosting materials, making it critical for our remediation professionals to help with:

• Mold remediation
• Bathroom mold removal
• Basement mold remediation
• Mold specialists
• Black mold
• Attic mold

What Mold Remediation Strategies Work Best in Long Island City Structures? 

The mold damage in Long Island City businesses can originate in lower-traffic areas like storage levels, so removing attic mold or starting basement mold remediation can involve several practices and products. Our SERVPRO professionals evaluate the affected materials for the best remediation techniques, which can include:

• Sanding
• Antimicrobial cleaning
• Dry ice blasting

Because of how quickly mold damage can spread in area businesses, let our SERVPRO of Long Island City help you remove colonies and restore any damage to the property. Give us a call today at (718) 440-6994.

How Can Soot Get Removed After a Fire in a Queens Shop?

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has IICRC certified-trained technicians for any size fire restoration service needed for your business.

Our fast response to Queens storefronts can help overcome soils and soot on surfaces.

Our Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians (FSRT) are ready 24/7 to provide a thorough cleaning of fire and smoke damage present in your shop after an emergency. We can help with:

• Fire and smoke damage
• Smoke remediation
• Fire damage restoration
• Fire damaged homes

What Practices Can Remove Soot in Queens Shops? 

Soot is often one of the most challenging obstacles to cleaning fire damage in Queens businesses. Circulating particles present carcinogenic threats to those exposed and damage underlying materials when these particulates come to rest on surfaces and contents in the store. Immediate relocation of contents and wares can protect your investments while fire restoration and smoke remediation continue. Removing surface soils involves emulsification and dissolving of residues with potent cleaning agents.

Fire damage can be devastating, but our business is to get you back in business after a fire. Let our SERVPRO of Long Island City help by calling (718) 440-6994. 

What Water Damage Remediation Steps Restore Queens Apartments?

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO handles all sorts of water damage restoration needs for your home. No job is too big or small for us. Call now!

Our SERVPRO professionals have leading tools for extraction and drying Queens apartment buildings.

Water damage can occur from multiple sources, making it critical to have a team of restoration professionals capable of handling both the water removal services and emergency services water damage that your property requires. With apartment buildings and high-rises typical to the Queens borough, the methods and measures for flood restoration and extraction must change to suit a greater distance to drain points and the need for pumps to reach several stories from the ground floor.

Our ability to handle water damage in Queen's apartments can be critical for repairing leaking roofs from storms or basement flooding cleanup. Our team of Water Restoration Technicians (WRT) can help with:

• Basement flooding
• Emergency services water damage
• Water damage remediation
• Burst pipes
• Ceiling leaks
• Flood restoration

Water Damage Assessment for Compromised Apartments

A thorough water damage assessment must get conducted to fully understand the needs of a compromised home or apartment. Our crew chief or competent inspection professionals can walk the property with the customer to determine the priorities for cleaning and restoration and pressing concerns that must be among the first restoration focus. Job scoping identifies other critical information as well, such as any contents or personal belongings in harm's way that require relocation, on-site cleaning, or replacement after water damage.

Water Removal Services Available for Multi-Story Apartment Structures

The tools used in restoring and removing water damage from apartments in a building are not always the same as those used in area homes. Because high-rises are so prevalent in the borough, we have many high-pressure pumps to address the substantial head pressure required to either push water up from subterranean levels of the structure during basement flooding or discharge collected water from a unit several stories from the main level.

What Tools Provide Efficient Evaporation in Apartments? 

Air mover and dehumidifiers continue to be the foundational elements of evaporation and moisture removal in apartment buildings. We can continually monitor the drying process with moisture detection devices like hygrometers and thermal imagery. The progress evaluations dictate when equipment can get moved or when specialty drying equipment like positive pressure systems might be required.

Is Content Cleaning Necessary After Ceiling Leaks? 

The job scoping phase identified where water damage had taken hold of personal belongings in the apartment and where cleaning or relocation might be necessary. On-site cleaning and restoration are preferred, but there are instances where it is more convenient to move your items to our nearby SERVPRO facility for drying, deodorization, and surface cleaning. Ceiling leaks can introduce water damage to several areas of the property simultaneously, requiring water removal, evaporative drying, and content cleaning after the water damage migration.

Because water damage can have such a destructive impact on area apartments, our SERVPRO for Long Island City team has specialized equipment to maximize water removal and drying of units in a building quickly. Give us a call at (718) 440-6994.

Mold Damage Can Happen Faster Than You Think

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Fast mold remediation is a must for the safety of your home and family. SERVPRO technicians are IICRC certified and are experienced for the job.

Long Island City homes with water damage are at risk for mold.

Many people believe that microbial growth only happens with large water intrusion, but the fact is, any moisture can cause mold. Microbes can develop in as little as 24 hours. This means fast mitigation is needed to prevent mold from starting and spreading.

How Does Mold Spread?

Long Island City homes with mold damage are more common than you think. Mold feeds on organic material. As it reproduces, it releases spores into the air. You can’t avoid mold spores, as they are everywhere. The problem is when moisture and spores mix. 

How Does SERVPRO Remediate Microbial Growth? 

Our technicians have access to over 100 proprietary cleaning solutions designed to stop microbial growth. We also:

• Use a variety of sanitization methods such as foggers, sponges, and sprayers
• Employ technicians certified and educated in mold removal
• Inhibit microbial growth quickly with commercial structural drying equipment
• Odor Control Technicians use EPA registered antimicrobial and ULV foggers to eliminate odors

Preventing mold from returning means ensuring the moisture gets removed. Keeping areas like attics and crawl spaces well ventilated is a must. If you think you have a mold problem, contact SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 for professional mold damage remediation.

What Can Happen if a Water Intrusion Isn’t Cleaned Properly?

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

Your home may experience water damage issues anytime. SERVPRO techs are IICRC certified in water restoration and ready 24/7 365 days a year.

SERVPRO understands the water damage that can happen to Queens homes and knows how to provide professional mitigation

Problems occur every day that leads to water intrusion and potential damage to your home. It can be something as simple as an appliance failure or plumbing issue. Complete water extraction and drying are crucial to avoid secondary damage.

Common Issues from Inadequate Water Removal 

When moisture is not mitigated immediately, water damage in your Queens home can be serious. DIY clean up can lead to:

• Musty smells, which can indicate mold
• Buckling sheetrock
• Warped floorboards
• Compromised structural elements
• Sagging ceiling tiles
• Discolored walls

Professional IICRC certified water damage services ensure secondary damages are kept to a minimum, if not avoided altogether. Our technicians use a combination of commercial equipment and state-of-the-art technology to make sure your home is thoroughly dried and restored to preloss condition whenever possible. The crew will:

• Trace the migration path of the water
• Use controlled demolition if necessary
• Employ the right pump for the job
• Restore instead of replace when possible
• Make sure you are completely satisfied

If you have water damage, no matter how extensive, give SERVPRO of Long Island City a call at (718) 440-6994. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Restaurants with Flood Damage Can Count on SERVPRO

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial water restoration services by SERVPRO are top notch. Their trained and experienced IICRC certified techs are ready 24/7 365 days a year.

Queen's business needs professional flood damage remediation, and SERVPRO can do the job.

If you love to eat, Queens is the perfect place. Foodies can experience all kinds of cuisines, from traditional Greek to authentic Italian meals. In between meals, you can tour the Queens Botanical Park or check out the Socrates Sculpture Park. Here are some favorite eateries of the SERVPRO team.

Yumpling

This restaurant started as a Taiwanese food truck and became so popular it opened a permanent eatery in Queens. If you love Taiwanese food, dumplings, a specialty, you will want to head over to Vernon Blvd. Their pork and chive dumplings are always at the top of the list, and they now have a vegan version. Another often ordered item is their beef bowl. 

Penny Bridge

If you are a fan of diners from the past, the Penny Bridge might be just the thing for you. Traditional comfort foods are cooked up daily alongside unique offerings such as delicata squash fried until crispy. They are currently only offering take-out, but it is still worth it. They do deliver as well.

Niko's Souvlaki

Greek cuisine at its finest happens at Niko's. You can try the Greek version of fast food when you order gyros and fries. More traditional fare awaits like:

• Bacon wrapped chicken skewers

• Pita sandwiches

• Orange phyllo cake

Caleta 111

Tingle your taste buds with this delicious Peruvian food. This is a new restaurant; it opened just over a year ago. When you order you have to try their famous ceviche. Marinated in a delightful mixture known as Leche de Tigre, it has a wonderful citrusy flavor. Caleta 111 has already earned one star and is a favorite in Queens.

Rolo's

When comfort food and a cozy atmosphere are what you seek, this is the place to be. Everything from the condiments to the fresh pasta is prepared in-house. They have delicious dishes like wood-fired half chicken served alongside pasta with your choice of sauces. They have a family-style package that allows you to choose what items you want from the menu. 

Nneji

While not a large establishment, the owner Beatrice Ajaero cooks up some amazing Nigerian delights. Soups and stews are the main focus and include egusi, West African red stew, and specialty meat and fish stew. 

Try Something New Today

There are plenty of traditional American food eateries in Queens, but why not branch out and enjoy some ethnic foods? You may discover a few new dishes that will become old favorites over time. 

SERVPRO Provides Flood Damage Remediation to Queens' Businesses

With all of the snow New York has experienced, the possibility of flooding is real. If the weather warms up too quickly or rain appears, the flash flooding can come raging through your business. SERVPRO of Long Island City is known for our premier flood damage mitigation. We have earned this reputation by:

• Working hard for our commercial customers

• Understanding the impact local businesses have on the community

• Working closely with insurance companies

• Scaling our response to your company's needs

• Cleaning, disinfecting, and restoring structural elements and content

If you want to find out how SERVPRO of Long Island City can meet commercial property needs, contact us at (718) 440-6994. From the assessment to the finishing touches, we can help you to get back in business. Immediate mitigation is vital, so do not wait to give us a call.

Can Wood Furniture Get Restored After Fire Damage in a Queens Home?

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

Fires are one of the most stressful events homeowners endure. SERVPRO is always available to restore your home.

SERVPRO Techs Have Specialized Training to Handle Fire Damage to Both Queens Properties and Contents

After a fire occurs in a home, it is not unusual to find all the room's possessions piled in the center and drenched, which is a common tactic used during fire fighting to control the blaze, and in some cases, it saves items from permanent damage. 

SERVPRO technicians work hard for Queens residents with fire damage in their homes. Not all wood furniture gets created equally, and the construction materials can determine the outcome after exposure to the high heat and water. The techs inspect each piece and look for:

• Irreparable damage to the joints from heat.
• The need for cleaning away soot and smoke damage.
• Swelling from water damage with potential to get corrected through drying.
• Deterioration in composite wood furniture.

Once inspected, the techs use their proprietary cleaning agents and methods to restore the furniture with restoration potential. Any item ruined beyond the point of repair only gets disposed of with the homeowner's approval. 

SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 is the restoration services company local Queens residents trust with their fire damage cleanup needs. 

What are the Two Main Types of Flood Damages in Queens Homes?

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

When storms hit, SERVPRO is standing by to restore any damage.

SERVPRO Professionals Handle Any Size Flood Damage in Queens Properties

When heavy storms impact the area, the result can be more water than the city drainage can handle, and flooding may occur. As long as the water is outside the property, there are no significant issues. 

If flood damage occurs in a Queens' property, two main types of floodwater wind up in a home. The first is clean water from a damaged roof that allows rainwater or snowmelt into the house. As long as this gets extracted and dried within 24 hours, there are little to no health hazards. When groundwater such as from the Flushing River enters a home, it can hold a host of contaminants and debris, meaning people and pets in the house should not come into contact with it. 

SERVPRO technicians have the equipment to safely handle this type of water damage cleanup, including: 

• Personal protective gear 
• Professional biocides for water treatment
• Extraction equipment to move large amounts of water quickly

SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 is available any time of the day or night for flood damage cleanup in Queens.

SERVPRO is the Name Local Long Island City Property Owners Trust for Commercial Water Removal

2/2/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can restore your water damaged office. Call us today!

Long Island City Building Owners Can Call on SERVPRO 24/7 for Commercial Water Damage Restoration

Long Island City, sometimes abbreviated as LIC, is a small neighborhood on Queens' western tip. The city was incorporated in 1870 and was the original county seat for Newtown before merging into the Greater New York City in 1898. The city has many perks, including: 

• Being a waterfront community
• Strong arts community
• Major employers such as Apple, Amazon, and Google 

Like much of the State of New York, the original settlers in the area were Native American tribes. The most likely group was the Mespat, drawn in due to the abundant hunting and fishing opportunities. Then Dutch farmers arrived in the 1640s. Two well-known family names came: the Rikers and the Bogardus/Jans family, who founded Hunter's Point land where Dominie's Bowery stood, and the legal fight over the property became one of the strongest in New York legal history. 

The Dominie's Bowery Court Case

The story begins with Anneke Jans, who settled the New Netherland colony (later New York) and acquired a large land parcel. When she died in 1633, she stated the land needed to be sold by her six surviving children and split the proceeds. Her heirs did as she wished, and the land changed hands several times, becoming known as King's Farm. As the farm's wealth and prestige grew in the area, Anneke Jans' descendants began to feel cheated by their ancestors' actions. Right after the American Revolution, when titles to land were in dispute throughout the area, the great-grandson of Anneke Jans named Cornelius Bogardus filed a claim that his family's branch had not given up their share to the Farm formerly known as Dominie's Bowery. He based this claim on the 1779 Act of Forfeiture and Sale of the Estates of Persons who have adhered to the Enemies of this State," which declared any New Yorkers that claimed loyalty to Great Britain forfeited their right to own land or live in the state. The courts did not agree with Bogardus, but the family pursued the claim on the land through legal channels for more than one hundred years. 

How Soon Should Commercial Water Removal and Restoration Services in Long Island City Begin After a Pipe Break?

When there are plumbing issues that cause commercial water removal needs in a Long Island City property, the answer is the cleanup efforts need to begin as quickly as possible for more than one reason. 

Water Does Not Age Well

Unlike a fine wine, water gets worse and sometimes more dangerous with age. Even clean water from an interior pipe in a building can create larger issues if it sits for too long before it gets removed. SERVPRO techs routinely run into problems such as: 

• Harmful bacteria in water allowed to degrade.
• Larger migration area requiring extraction and drying.
• More significant damage to building materials due to a delay in cleanup efforts.

Local businesses trust SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 with their commercial water removal needs in their Long Island City properties.

An Expo for Soon-To-Be-Brides and Wedding Planners in Queens

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage property in Queens is no joke. Call the professionals of SERVPRO for the water damage services needed to handle the problem.

Don't miss your chance to see the latest fashions and trends for 2021 weddings.

The annual Great Bridal Expo puts expectant brides and wedding planners with some of the wedding business's top names. You can get assistance and guidance through some of the most complicated facets of planning your big day and beyond, including interfacing with companies supplying decorations for the wedding, helping you get away on the honeymoon, and settle into your new life together.

Don't miss your opportunity to witness the stunning bridal show and enter for your chance at fabulous prizes and giveaways. The event is happening Tuesday, January 26th, 2021, at the New York Marriott Marquis. You can contact the event host directly at 1-800-422-3976 for more information. 

Flood damage in your Queens home can ruin any big day, but our SERVPRO of Long Island City team can help. We have efficient extraction and cleaning strategies, as well as experienced professionals to relocate damaged contents to make flood losses "Like it never even happened." We have experienced flood restorers available 24/7 when you call (718) 440-6994.  

Honor Your New Year’s Resolution to Learn to Dance in Queens

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Queens has your home covered from any size fire. We have the technicians and experience for the job.

Take the opportunity to grab lessons from a renowned Latin dance studio in Queens.

Many people have made resolutions to learn something they never thought was possible, and a great way to achieve this is through beginner classes of salsa dancing. The courses are still happening live with an instructor, following strict guidelines and regulations regarding distancing and sanitization.

Take advantage of the experience of renowned salsa/bachata styles Thursday, January 21st, 2021, from 8 PM to 9 PM. You can double up on the course by also catching another lesson Sunday, January 24th, from 4 PM to 5 PM. If you want to make these classes a regular thing to eventually master facets of Latin dancing, you can contact (347) 669-3589 for packages.

When the fire is on more than the dance floor, you can count on our SERVPRO of Long Island City team for fire damage in Queens homes and apartments. We have efficient cleaning, mitigation, and restoration practices we can begin right away. Give us a call when disasters strike at (718) 440-6994.

How a Fast Water Damage Response Protects the Treasures of Queens

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

Water disasters may stop business totally. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the water mitigation services for your company.

Our experienced professionals can reach damaged Queens businesses quickly when water damages occur. 

From Spiderman to rappers like 50 Cent and NAS, Queens is as much a borough of New York City as it is a standalone community with an attitude and image that has influenced the entire country. With this borough's incredible history and heritage, we as restoration professionals understand the value of a fast response when emergencies occur. Many of the tallest buildings in the area have been a long-standing part of the skyline, including structures along the border in Long Island City. Knowing how diverse the community is, it is no great surprise that our area is heavily visited throughout the year both for business and pleasure. We have an impressive number of attractions and landmarks, making Queens among the most populated and heavily traveled portions of New York City. 

The Higher Education Facilities of Queens 

One of the areas where the borough has excelled for the greater community is through long-standing secondary education institutions available to residents and the rest of the country. Some of these colleges and universities boast the most complete and unrivaled programs in the country, making them sought after for many others throughout the state and local region of the country, as much as for the appropriate portion of our more than two million residents. Even though many of these colleges could make the list among the most active and long-standing for the community, a few of the top post-high school education opportunities for Queens residents that wish to stay local include: 

• Queens College - With many colleges and universities throughout the borough a part of the City University of New York network, these schools can share resources and personnel to offer a much more diverse assortment of courses and majors. While a public school, Queens college has been an elite educational experience for no more than 18,500 students on average every year. 

• St. John's University - While many throughout the country might recognize this university for its competitive men's basketball team on the national stage, it is also one of the most renowned colleges in Queens and all of New York City. Each semester, the college provides an education to more than 20,000 students and offers more than 100 bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs. 

• La Guardia Community College - Despite being a community college that offers multiple different Bachelor and Associate degrees for area residents, this institution often has clothes to 18,000 students enrolled on their nearing two million-square-foot campus in Long Island City. The school has been up and running since 1967 and offers various majors, including Business, Technology, Health Sciences, and many others. 

Skyscrapers That Define the Skyline

While Queens is not home to some of the tallest structures globally, high rises are undoubtedly a part of our everyday skyline. When disasters strike like water and fire loss situations, restores must appreciate the necessary tools and strategies required when the damage exists on these massive structures' upper floors. Some of the buildings that have been constructed (or are currently being constructed) in the borough are welcomed additions to the city, and some of the tallest of these include: 

• Skyline Tower - While skyline tower is currently still under construction in the Long Island City neighborhood here in Queens, the building has already topped out at a higher point than any other structure throughout our borough. This residential building will be home to 68 floors of residents in varying sized accommodations. 

• Queens Plaza Park - This is yet another one of the residential properties that are currently under construction between 29 and 27 Queens Plaza North. At 755 feet tall, this is the second tallest building in Queens behind skyline towers 778 feet. Not only will this skyscraper include residences for locals, but it will also incorporate the Chase Manhattan Bank Building.

• One Court Square - More commonly, this is known as the Citigroup building, and it is an impressive 673 feet tall. It is the tallest office tower and Queens. Until recent developments, this 50-story construct was the tallest in the borough and was home to many offices and more than 1.4 million square feet of floor space. It has been a staple of the skyline of our city since 1990. 

Removing Water Damage Effects from Queens Businesses 

Between the sprawling commercial structures that are tens of thousands of square feet to our incredible skyscrapers that are dozens of stories tall, protecting and restoring Queens businesses after water damage requires several advanced tools and techniques. As with all water disasters, mitigation plays the most significant part in reducing losses for area companies, especially when standing water presents risks to stock and wares. 

Removing standing water and pooling from the surface involves multiple extraction tools and machines in our recovery inventory. It is vital to determine the necessary equipment as soon as possible, as varying commercial properties will require different strategies to overcome the surface water threats. For example, an enormous warehouse might require truck-mount extractors and submersible pumps to remove several inches of standing water in the property. In contrast, high rise structures require specialty water removal tools like our high-pressure pumps to deal with the need for a longer discharge line. 

Our Content Claims and Inventory Service (CCIS) is a vital aspect of our recovery in water restoration services we provide area businesses. We can appreciate how quickly water damages can impact your wares, stock, and essential documents. We have cleaning technicians available to address these concerns through actions like on-site cleaning, relocation, and off-site restoration and recovery when necessary. 

Water disasters can get out of control quickly, especially in some of the massive commercial properties you can find in Queens. Home and business owners can trust our SERVPRO of Long Island City water restoration technicians' fast and knowledgeable response to help. Give us a call today at (718) 440-6994. 

What Is One Thing Moms and Dads Run Short of as the Holidays Approach in Long Island City?

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

It will be exciting to see the community at the Alley Pond Environmental Center!

Alley Pond Environmental Center Knows the Answer and Offers Parents Night Out -- Gift of Time to Long Island City Parents

Parents of young children know the pressures as holiday deadlines loom. Alley Pond Environmental Center (APEC) throws crazy-busy Long Island City families a lifeline a week before Christmas. APEC invites parents a Parents Night Out -- Gift of Time.

Wrap up your shopping or gifts without probing eyes, or enjoy a leisurely meal. Whether you take care of preparations or relationships, the Educators at APEC keep the kiddos busy with:

• Storytime
• Night hikes 
• Winter crafts
• Stem activities
• Nature-themed games, animal encounters

Children 6 or older need a bagged dinner, snacks, & water bottle.

The cost is $45 per child. Masks are required.

• When:      December 18, 20205:30 pm – 9:00 pm
• Where:        Alley Pond Environmental Center

        224-65 76th Ave

        Oakland Gardens, NY 11364

• Contact:    (718) 229-4000

Borough residents benefit from good partnerships with area businesses, why SERVPRO of Long Island City is your first call for mold remediation. Contact our team at (718) 440-6994 for an honest assessment.

Queens Families Seeking a Holiday Mood Find Their Vibe at a Festive Poppenhusen Institute Songfest

12/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to seeing the troubadour sing!

Take Delight in the Seasonal Tunes of Queens Own Holiday Troubadour, a Diverse Selection Certain to Make You Smile

Nothing creates a holiday ambiance quite as effectively as songs of the season. This time of year offers many traditions among which to choose, but Richard Stillman provides an inclusive range honoring the cultures that share this holiday time. Expect to hear the music of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and more. Treasure old favorites and open your heart and mind to new experiences.

The fun doesn’t end after the troubadour sings. Rumor has it the man in red is a music lover. Prepare the young ones for the thrill of a visit with Santa, adjusted a bit this year for appropriate social distancing.

• Date:         December 12, 2020
• Time:         1:00 pm
• Location:     Poppenhusen Institute

114-04 14th Rd

College Point, NY 11356

718-358-0067

• Price:         $5.00

Everyone is welcome, but obtain tickets in advance. Call the Poppenhusen Institute for details on reservations and tickets.

Water mitigation professionals from SERVPRO of Long Island City are always ready to respond. Call (718) 440-6994 to schedule a prompt assessment, music to the ears of homeowners who struggle with a water loss during the holidays.

Does Making an Informed Choice Among Queens Fire Loss Recovery Companies Improve the Outcome?

12/6/2020 (Permalink)

Regardless of which room has been damaged by the fire, team SERVPRO can help. Call up right away for effective services.

Customer Confidence in Queens Fire Damage Recovery Is Not Assumed but Earned: Why Your Local SERVPRO Commits to Comprehensive Fire Damage Training Plus Investment in Cutting Edge Equipment

Devotion to the highest standards of care, diligence, professionalism, and skill is essential to many industries, none more so than the crafting of superlative pianos. Steinway is the name synonymous with excellence in the keyboard realm. And they are crafted in Astoria, Queens.

Who Founded Steinway & Sons?

Henry Steinweg (later Steinway) branched out from cabinet making to small instruments like zithers and guitars before moving on to pianos while learning his trade in Germany. His first piano, a small and square model, was a present to his wife Juliane for their wedding in 1835. He made his first grand piano the next year in his kitchen. Known as “the kitchen piano,” it is on display at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art with a Steinweg 1836 square piano. Steinway brought his piano and cabinet-making skills with him after his 1850 emigration to New York from his home in Goslar, Germany.

How Did a Piano Manufacturer Develop the Astoria Neighborhood in Queens?

Steinway opened his first shop on Varick Street in the West Village in 1853. After gaining recognition as a rising maker of fine pianos, Steinway & Sons determined to find a space for the factory and other buildings with room to grow and for the family to prosper. The Steinways also were aware of a growing labor movement in Manhattan and were eager to move the firm’s workers away from those perceived pressures. They hoped to meet the workers’ needs for comfort and security differently. As the pathway to personal and professional goals, William Steinway, Henry’s fourth son, bought 400 acres of farmland in Astoria. The company used the land to build a state of the art foundry to cast piano frames, a sawmill to prepare the lumber needed for piano cabinetry, and a production space to create the instruments. Last but not least, the remaining area provided space to create Steinway Village.

What Was Steinway Village?

Steinway purchased the Pike family’s mansion on Long Island Sound for personal use. Later and still known as the Steinway Mansion, it was placed on the  National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The workers who accompanied the company from Manhattan also needed adequate housing. William Steinway had a plan to build Steinway Village to meet the various needs of workers and their families, which included:

• Preliminary street surveys
• Construction of employee housing 
• Provision of fresh water
• Public school facilities
• Firehouse
• Post office 
• Donation of land for the building of a Protestant church
• Public bath with fifty dressing rooms
• Parkland

Did Steinway Village Provide What William Steinway Hoped?

William Steinway had a vision of the workers of the family piano business living in relative comfort, strolling under the spreading boulevard trees in front of their homes on Steinway Street. After the economic downturn in the early 1870s, Steinway Village developed as envisioned. By 1879, Steinway was able to offer the homes for purchase to his workers. Unlike the dreary tenements in Manhattan, Steinway Village homes were open and airy, with windows for adequate ventilation. Attached brick houses were home for factory workers. Single-family freestanding houses on surrounding streets were intended for supervisory staff. Many of these structures still stand in Astoria.

Was Steinway & Sons Involved in Transportation Enhancements in Astoria?

To connect the factory to other areas in the city, William Steinway invested in options whose footprint remains in Queens. Mirroring the opportunities available at the time, Steinway & Sons started with a network of :

• Horse-car railroads
• Streetcars
• Trolleys -- using the Rikers power plant to electrify these cars
• Ferries

Not only did these investments offer safe and efficient ways for workers to make their way to the Steinway factory, but they gave many the freedom of reliable transportation. Fees paid for the trips provided revenue to make this burgeoning transportation system sustainable. In 1930 at the corner of Steinway Street and Broadway in nearby Long Island City, Steinway Station was built to honor William Steinway’s transportation efforts.

What Did Steinway & Sons Build for Fun?

Eventually called North Beach Amusement Park, the Steinways set aside a seaside venue to offer their workers a Coney Island alternative. Evening events illuminated by the new electrical lighting technology at North Beach were the talk of Steinway Village.

What Is the Status of Steinway Village Today?

Steinway Street and Steinway Place are still thoroughfares near the operating piano factory. Steinway Playground and many businesses use the name Steinway. The “company town” faded after the Great Depression, but the neighborhood is still vital.

Can a Queens  Homeowner Manage Fire Cleanup Alone?

The aftermath of a fire is traumatizing. You might want to try to regain some control over your Queen’s dwelling by digging and starting the cleanup. A DIY approach is contraindicated for a broad range of reasons:

• Water damage from firefighting efforts often causes structural hazards -- professionals can most safely do removal.
• Fire residues are toxic and require specialized products and protocols for appropriate removal.
• Airborne residues can result in poor air quality and require sophisticated equipment operated by trained technicians to contain and vent the contaminated atmosphere.

Why SERVPRO? Our Skills and Experience Deliver Results for Queens Residents

Fire damage scenarios in Queens have many different causes. Fire residues, charring, odors, and damage from heat present a set of interrelated and complicated problems. Resolving all of the aspects needs a highly-qualified fire and smoke restoration company team.

Can One Fire Restoration Company Handle It All?

Over the years, we have invested the best people, training, and equipment, why SERVPRO can manage a fire scene from assessment to rebuilding. Avoid the need to hire a series of contractors by entrusting your fire loss recovery to our wrap-around approach.

Our trained, well equipped, and experienced managers and technicians are why SERVPRO of Long Island City should be your first call. After suffering fire damage, knowledgeable homeowners dial up (718) 440-6994 and expect our crews to arrive promptly.

Benner’s Farm Fall Harvest in Long Island City

11/20/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to having fun this fall in Long Island!

Fall Fun for Long Island City Families from September Through November

The Bremmer family homestead began farming in the 1700s. It is a privately-owned 15-acre homestead. Today it hosts thousands of families each year. This seventh generation of Bremmers are still working the soil as they have for centuries.

Step Back in Time

When you visit the farm, it is like taking a step back in time and experiencing farm life of past centuries. An organic farm they have gardens and strawberry farms. Bremmer’s holds workshops and other fun events throughout the year.  During November, you can enjoy a variety of fall fun. You can also arrange a private tour and hayride.

Part of the Community

SERVPRO of Long Island City is proud to provide fire odor cleanup in Long Island City. We are proud to belong to this fantastic, diverse community. Fall is upon us, and it’s time to enjoy the upcoming holidays. We want our neighbors to stay safe and healthy this fall season. Visit Bremmer’s and enjoy the cooler weather.

Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens

11/13/2020 (Permalink)

It will be exciting to see the community enjoying the Queens Park and tours!

Enjoy the Park in Queens at Your Leisure or Book a Tour

Flushing Meadows-Corona Park was home to two World Fairs. It is home to the Queens Wildlife Conservation Center and is a favorite place of New Yorkers. When you visit this delightful area, you can enjoy:

• Historic walks
• Scenic trails
• A beautiful carousel
• Recreation center & indoor pool
• Bike
• Kayak
• Cultural and civic institutions
• Sports such as baseball, tennis, soccer, and more

The park has areas for picnics and barbecues along with golf courses. The entire family can enjoy the park, even your four-legged members. Fishing and boating are warm-weather activities that are available. When cold weather hits, the ice-skating rinks open. There are playgrounds, skate parks, and handball courts. Zoos and aquariums are in the area as well. So head on over to Grand Central Pkwy, Van Wyck Exwy, Queens, and enjoy Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

SERVPRO of Long Island City team members enjoys spending the day in the park. We also like helping the community by providing flood water removal in Queens. Contact us at (718) 440-6994.

SERVPRO is Dedicated to Helping Queens Homes During Floods

11/8/2020 (Permalink)

Regardless of how the water intrusion entered your home, team SERVPRO can help. Contact our technicians right away for water removal efforts.

Water Restoration Services in Queens is Done Professionally with Qualified Technicians

In 1683 Queens became one of the 12 original counties in the Province of New York. Named for an English queen, it was included in Nassau County until 1899.  The original settlers were of Dutch and English descent and members of the New Netherland settlement. Other settlements followed over the years. The colony was captured by the English and, in 1664, was renamed New York. When New York became consolidated in 1898, it became a borough of the city.

The Flushing Remonstrance

New York played an essential role in the early years of the United States. In 1657 the colonists penned the Flushing Remonstrance. It was a powerful document protesting the Dutch colonial authorities. They were persecuting the Quakers in the area that is now Queens. This document is thought to be the forerunner to the freedom of religion portion in the Bill of Rights.

The Revolutionary War

Brooklyn played a more significant role in the Revolutionary War than Queens, but it still was heavily involved. It remained under British occupation until the Battle of Long Island, which took place in 1776. The British soldiers took up residence in any public inns or buildings uninhabited under the Quartering Act. The American patriot, Nathan Hale, was captured along Flushing Bay. He was hanged in Manhattan.

The Five Towns of Queens County

Until 1784, Queens County was made up of five towns. They included:

•   Flushing
•   Hempstead
•   Jamaica
•   Newton
•   Oyster Bay

Another town, North Hempstead, was added in 1784. Many buildings were destroyed by the British and had to be rebuilt after the war.

A Colorful History

Over the years, Queens has had an exciting history. The boundaries and what consisted of what is now Queens were assessed and clarified. Land surveys were carried out in 1899 because of the definition of where Queens was in conjunction with the channel between Rockaway Beach and Shelter Island. Other historical events include:

•   The Long Island Rail Road was electrified between 1905 – 1908.
•   Queensboro Bridge was finished in 1909, opening up transportation.
•   Queens is connected by the New York City Subway from 1915 onward.
•   The Steinway Tunnel was constructed in 1915.
•   With the expansion of automobile usage in the 1920s, the Queens population exploded.
•   In 1939 and 1964, the city hosted New York World’s Fair.
•   LaGuardia Airport opened in 1939.
•   JFK Airport, originally known as Idlewild Airport, opened in 1948.

This is just a sampling of the historical events that have taken place in this area of New York.

Making a Big Impact

Today Queens is the largest borough of New York City. This diverse city has the second largest population out of the five boroughs that make up New York City. It is second in the population count out of all the counties in New York. What is interesting is that 47% of the residents are from other countries. It is known to be the most linguistically diverse area in the entire world.

There are many famous landmarks in Queens, including the Aqueduct Racetrack, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, and the Kaufman Astoria Studios. The diversity of thriving businesses has a serious impact on the economy of New York overall.

Neighborhoods Are Diverse

The people that live in Queens strongly identify with local neighborhoods. While many have no distinct boundaries, residents know which one they belong to. Flushing is one of the biggest and is home to many Asian families. Other neighborhoods include:

•   Flushing Chinatown
•   Howard beach, Middle Village, and Whitestone are primarily Italian Americans.
•   Ozone and South Ozone park consist of Italian, Hispanic, and Guyanese.
•   Rockaway Beach consists of Irish Americans.
•   Astoria has one of the largest Greek communities but is also home to Spanish and Italian Americans. 

There are also Romanian, Polish, Albanian, and Serbian communities. It’s an amazingly diverse city.

Hurricane Sandy

Queens is a coastal town, and storms and flooding can occur at any time.  In October of 2012, the impact of Hurricane Sandy was felt in the town. Queens’ Breezy Point area was devastated by a six-alarm fire that broke out due to the hurricane.

Known as Superstorm Sandy, it was one of the most destructive hurricanes in history.  233 people in eight countries were killed, and approximately $70 million in damages occurred. It became the largest Atlantic hurricane to be recorded. The storm surge slammed into NYC on October 29. Streets were flooded, tunnels and subways were submersed, and power lines went down all around the city. Water restoration became a top priority after the flooding. Companies such as SERVPRO were on hand to assist residents when possible.

SERVPRO Mitigates Flood Damage With EPA-Registered Cleaning Products

The sea-level rise is increasing across the shores of coastal cities. This means the risk of flooding increases as well. When a storm like Hurricane Sandy hits, it sends millions gallons of contaminated flood water surging into homes. Professional water restoration is needed at this point.

Our technicians use a proprietary cleaning agent known as SERVPROXIDE. Floodwater, also known as blackwater, is highly contaminated. It is full of chemical waste, bacteria, debris, and dirt. Many factors impact flood cleanup, including:

•   How deep is the standing water?
•   What are the contaminants in the water? Is it salt water?
•   To what extent is the home affected?
•   How fast can remediation begin?

Whenever possible, we use non-toxic chemicals. SERVPROXIDE is a hospital-grade disinfectant. It is a stabilized chlorine dioxide-based agent that is a powerful microbial. We are proud of its low toxicity rating from the EPA. It dissipates rapidly and is practically odorless.

SERVPRO® Industries, Inc. is a proud member of the EPA’s Design for Environment (EPA/DFE) initiative. We use other environmentally cleaning agents as well. These include Carpet & Upholstery Green Clean, All Surface Green Clean, and Window Green Clean. What this means is SERVPRO of Long Island City can clean and restore while keeping the earth safe at the same time. Contact us for water restoration services in Queens at (718) 440-6994.

Why Should You Check for Mold Damage in Your Queens Storage Units?

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

For help keeping your storage units free of mold, call SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994.

Your Queens Customers do not Want Mold Damage to Their Items

Queens is a busy area, with many people moving to and from the location all the time. Those people often look for storage units to keep their belongings while they move home. Other people look for storage units to keep all the items they cannot fit in their homes.

Mold damage in your Queens storage business is bad news. If your customers discover mold, they will be unhappy and might demand their money back. Your reputation is also at stake.

How do you know if you have mold in your storage units?
Keep an eye out for the following signs:
    •    Patches of mold growing in the units
    •    Water leaks of any kind – these can give fungus the moisture it needs to grow
    •    Moldy smells even if you cannot see the source

If you notice one of these signs, call us at once. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster, and we can get your business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

How can SERVPRO help?
We can remove visible mold growth with dry scrubbing and wet cleaning. We can also use media blasting on more robust surfaces like wood or metal.

Because mold spores are microscopic, we do not rely on sight alone. We use air scrubbers and HEPA vacuums to catch the spores and stop them from spreading. We also use dehumidifiers to dry out your storage unit because decreasing the moisture level is the only reliable way to reduce the chance of regrowth.

When we are done, we will deodorize the units to get rid of moldy smells.

Can you prevent mold in your storage units?
There are steps you can take to prevent fungal growth:
    •    Keep your units well ventilated
    •    Invest in dehumidifiers
    •    Investigate and fix leaks immediately
    •    Install shelving that keeps customers’ items away from the floor

Are you advising your customers about mold?
When customers bring their belongings for storage, they are probably not thinking about mold. You can help them by having informational leaflets, putting something on your website, or even having a staff member talk to them. Let them know that proper sturdy storage boxes and bubble wrap are much more mold resistant than garbage bags. Remind them to store items away from walls and not packed too tightly together.

For help keeping your storage units free of mold, call SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994.

Where Can You Get Fast and Effective Help with Water Damage in Queens?

10/10/2020 (Permalink)

We're Faster To Any Size Disaster--SERVPRO Mitigates Water Damage in Queens Properties--Even Parquet Flooring

SERVPRO Highly Trained Water Damage Restoration Technicians in Queens Respond Quickly to Help Mitigate Water Damage.

Queens property owners know that time is critical to significant water damage mitigation. SERVPRO professional technicians arrive within four hours to begin mitigation services, helping property owners prevent further water damage. Our highly trained technicians work quickly to begin drying and restoring your property.

How Do Most Unexpected Water Intrusions Occur?

SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRTs) understand that a water loss in Queens can seem inexplicable. Before they begin working to dry and restore your property, they ensure the water source is corrected. These are some of the causes of water damage to Queens homes and commercial properties:

• Leaky or burst pipes
• Broken water heaters
• Faulty appliances
• Broken water fixtures
• Sewage leaks or overflow

How Does SERVPRO Restore Your Property to Pre-Loss Condition?

SERVPRO WRTs use pumps and extraction equipment designed to pull water from your Queens property. Then they use professional air movers and dehumidifiers to dry your property. The team monitors the drying process with temperature and humidity readings and makes any appropriate adjustments. This process helps prevent further water damage.

Most property owners are unaware that cleaning and restoring are scientific processes that require specialized products and extensive technical training. IICRC trained techs can chemically test soilings and use appropriate cleaners to restore your property. We even test the pH of cleaned items to make sure it is balanced. Professional restoration saves owners time and money when compared to replacement.

We understand that some types of water damage emergencies are more hazardous than others. Your safety is always our concern. If the water damage is dangerous to a resident's health, we notify all parties before we proceed, and take appropriate measures to ensure everyone's safety. All damaged areas are restored and sanitized before the team calls their work complete.

When your property is affected by water intrusion, act quickly to help stop the spread through your property. Call SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994.

Will Calling in Skilled Technicians Shorten Flood water Cleanup Times?

10/2/2020 (Permalink)

Please know how hazardous flood damage can be to you and your Queens home.

SERVPRO Uses Proven Flood Damage Restoration Methods to Handle Queens Cleanup Faster Than DIY Efforts Alone.

Street flooding from heavy rains may wreak havoc at your Queens property. Instead of breaking out the shop vac thinking that you can handle it on your own, calling in the help of skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) is the best way to get the results you need. Flood aftermath can leave lasting damage within your home if it does not get addressed carefully. SERVPRO is here to offer you the support, guidance, and manpower necessary to navigate the cleanup and restoration process. We are Faster to Any Size Disaster, meaning that we can get there quickly to start before secondary damage can set in.

What Can Happen to My Interior with All the Floodwater?

Cleaning up flood damage in Queens, calls for expertise and precision. The longer that any floodwater lingers, the more damage it creates. In addition to the devastation to building materials and contents, you also have to worry about microbial growth that brings on mold and mildew. The potential health effects from the onset of mold call for proper cleaning and sanitization throughout your interior.

Hiring skilled cleanup technicians for your residence is crucial for several reasons, such as:

• Flooding coming in from outside harbors silt, debris, chemicals, sewage, and other substances.
• As mentioned, mold growth becomes an issue that can happen rapidly within 24 hours of standing water within your home.
• Decay starts to set in, attacking wood and other materials saturated with water.
• Salt crystals from the water may also begin to leave deposits on a variety of surfaces.
• Drywall and other porous materials take on water, which causes them to swell and crumble.
• Paneling and various kinds of flooring can begin to shrink, swell, warp, and delaminate.

Is Flood water Considered Hazardous?

Flooding, especially flash floods, forces a copious amount of water into your home in a short period. This water must get handled carefully, which includes unique treatments before extraction can begin. Our team at SERVPRO will come in to assess the water levels, test the water, and make sure that the appropriate treatments get applied. All of our crew also wear personal protective equipment (PPE) throughout the project. This not only protects our crew, but it also helps ensure that we limit the amount of contamination tracked from the flood zone to unaffected areas of your interior.

How Does Flood water Extraction Work?

When you have detailed water extraction after a flood incident, it helps to shorten drying times. Our SERVPRO technicians come into your Queens property for a full assessment of the affected areas, which allows our team to determine the best way to proceed. After the loss zone is defined, our crew begins extraction to remove standing water before addressing any areas that may have hidden moisture. 

• For areas with carpet and carpet padding, restoration to the preloss condition when saturated with contaminated flood water is impossible. Our techs will carefully extract water, then remove all saturated carpeting and padding below to properly dispose of it.
• After standing water and remaining moisture gets removed, and extraction wands make dry passes, our team moves into the next phase of drying.

What Happens with The Drying Phase?

Drying your interior and restoring the relative humidity within your home to the appropriate level is critical. Too much moisture left behind creates the ultimate atmosphere for mold and mildew growth. Our team opens up the loss area so that we can force air under flooring or behind wall cavities, ensuring that no place is left unaddressed. Should we discover mold colonies during the mitigation process, we can inhibit mold growth in its tracks with proper drying and sanitization methods. 

Will My House Get Torn Apart?

Whenever there are materials damaged beyond repair and restoration, we perform what is known as controlled demolition. While we always work to restore rather than replace, some areas damaged call for new material installation. Some of the steps we take may include:

• Pack-outs so those belongings can be assessed, cleaned, and fully restored away from the flood-loss zone.
• Floor covering removal so that our team can thoroughly dry the subflooring below.
• Delaminated tiles may be collected and cleaned for reuse, if possible.
• Flood cuts in the drywall a few inches above the water line allow us to remove unsalvageable materials for full replacement and refinishing. 

How Does Flood Damage Restoration Wrap Up?

Once we restore your interior and relative humidity is back to normal, we then do a full walk-through. SERVPRO always completes detailed inventory and reporting so that you have everything you need to facilitate your homeowner’s insurance claim. It is important to us that your interior is “Like it never even happened,” so that you can go back to your routine without any reminders of the flooding incident.

Call (718) 440-6994 to have SERVPRO of Long Island City send our Green Fleet to your property to get started on a flood damage assessment. We can be reached 24/7 for emergency cleanup services.

Can a Queens Homeowner Protect Flooring Materials After a Water Heater Leak?

9/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is here to help when emergencies happen.

Calling a Professional Water Restoration Technician Is the First Step in Protecting the Floors of Your Queens Home After a Water Heater Breaks

Appliances can break for many reasons, including their age, usage, or other malfunctions. While finding out why your home's water heater in Queens suddenly allowed water to seep through your floors is essential, so is taking steps to prevent further damage. Appealing to a professional water restoration team is your best option when disaster strikes.

Residents in Queens with water damage to their floors can rely on SERVPRO to help them sort the issue. Our technicians are experts in the field, as evidenced by the certification issued by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), which sets the standards in our industry. When you reach our 24/7 hotline, you immediately access a team of experts knowledgeable in the latest techniques and equipment available to restore your home to its original condition.

Is water bad for all flooring?
Flooring materials react differently to water, but virtually all of them are subject to total loss if excess humidity lingers for too long. Our SERVPRO team arrives at your home and uses advanced technology, such as infrared moisture meters, to determine where and how much water is threatening your floors.

With this information at hand, we take action to dry them while preventing further damage. Buckling, delamination, and cupping are typical problems of wet flooring materials, and carpets present their own set of concerns as well. Some of the methods you may see us use depend on the flooring itself, as natural elements such as hardwood require a treatment different than material such as vinyl, but they can include:
    •    Dehumidifiers to encourage water evaporation
    •    Drying mats to suction water out of your floors
    •    Wet vacuums ideal for carpets

SERVPRO of Long Island City is here to help when emergencies happen. Our team is available by calling (718) 440-6994 and inviting us into your home. Like you, we want to leave it, “Like it never even happened.”

Is the Food in My Freezer Safe to Eat After a Garage Fire in Queens?

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

Rely on SERVPRO of Long Island City to provide top-notch cleaning of fire damage residues and practical advice for your many questions.

The SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Team In Queens Helps Sort Out a Broad Range of Health and Safety Concerns During All Phases of a Recovery Project

A home improvement project gone wrong in your Queens garage caused a small fire extinguished quickly. The cleanup of the residues still needs consultation with a professional fire damage restoration company to ensure your family's health and safety. As it is tucked under your living spaces, the garage fire's aftermath can contribute unwanted fumes, gasses, soot, and odors into other areas of your home.

What About My Deep Freezer? How Could the Fire Affect It?
As our crews employ mitigation, remediation, and restoration strategies to eliminate exposure to toxic residues after your Queens garage's fire damage, we pay attention to the effects on appliances. If, like many residents, you use your garage space to store food and beverages in refrigerators and freezers, do not assume the closed doors sealed out harmful vapors or soot. The chemicals or water used to put out the flames also might damage the cord, pug, or circuits inside the appliance.

Are There Guidelines for Frozen Food Safety After a Fire?
SERVPRO crews follow governmental agencies' advice when helping you assess whether the food inside a chest or upright freezer was protected adequately during and after a fire. Understand that freezer seals are unreliably airtight, so each situation must be investigated. Recommendations include:

    •    Keep the door to the freezer shut during a power outage caused by the fire
    •    When opening the freezer the first time, check for soot lines or a smoky odor -- if present, discard the food
    •    Ensure the appliance kept food at a temperature lower than 40 degrees F -- as the temperature of the frozen food rises, so does the risk
    •    If items thaw, you can cook and consume or cook and refreeze meat, fish, or poultry
    •    Refreeze thawed, cold (40 degrees or blow)  juices, baked goods, and dairy items
    •    Refreeze thawed vegetables only if ice crystals remain
    •    Obtain professional advice regarding whether the electronics, cord, or plug is still appropriately operational

Rely on SERVPRO of Long Island City to provide top-notch cleaning of fire damage residues and practical advice for your many questions. Call (718) 440-6994 as soon as possible after your loss.

What Do I Need For Cleanup of Water in My Queens Home?

9/7/2020 (Permalink)

If your home or apartment suffers from water damage, quickly reach out to SERVPRO for effective mitigation services. We are here 24/7.

SERVPRO technicians bring everything needed to restore your Queens property from water damage

There are a lot of ways water damage can happen in your Queens home, and mainly if you live in a multi-family building, the water in your house can also affect others in the vicinity. That is why it is crucial to bring in a professional restoration services company. You cannot tell where the water migrated to by sight alone. SERVPRO techs bring a host of moisture detection devices to ensure that they scope the entire area and determine anyplace that the water migrated into. Doing DIY cleanup can create more issues unless you have access to:  

• Professional extraction equipment  
• Ability to dry the area damaged by water  
• Devices to locate the water within the structure
• Skills to perform controlled demo if necessary
• Preventative mold applications or remediation of existing infestations

How Do I Know What Type of Water Cleanup Service I Need?  

Once water damage occurs in your Queens property, the water cleanup type changes as water degrades or due to the type of water present. It gets described as one of three types: clean, gray, or black. If the water in your home has been allowed to sit for over 48 hours, it requires handling as a black water situation due to the probability of the presence of bacteria.

If the water spill in your home involved a pipe burst or supply line leak, you are probably dealing with a clean-level, however, if the water came from a washing machine with soap in it or water from a shower or dishwasher. The potential for illness from coming into contact with this type of moisture is minimal in most cases. The most severe kind of cleanup involves black water, which can emanate from toilet backups, sewage, groundwater, or water that has stagnated longer than 48 hours. During your initial phone call with SERVPRO, the technicians you speak with will find out:

• The nature of the water damage in your property
• The length of time between the event and your call for cleanup  
• Knowledge of any harmful elements present  

Equipment Needed For Water Extraction  

Before the removal of the water in Queens begins, the techs use various kinds of moisture detection throughout the home to determine the migration path. If water from an overflowing tub ran through the floor joists into a neighboring property, it is vital to address that situation, so the building materials do not wick the moisture, and an ideal harbor for mold growth does not occur.

Using equipment to probe into floors and walls as well as thermal imaging, the technicians can build a reliable scale for the size of the water removal needs. Moisture detection units that work on radio waves are also helpful for monitoring the drying process and ensure that drying goals get attained.

The extraction equipment most often seen used by the techs is their portable pumps. These maneuverable units are compact but have immense pulling power for water removal. The wands make it simple to extract water from hard-to-reach places and also have attachments such as weighted heads for use on carpet and squeegees for use on a concrete slab and tile floors. When standing water is more than 2-inches deep such as in a water tank failure or flood damage in a basement, the techs have submersible pumps that can get to work without delay in these conditions. When water removal needs are massive, the techs have access to powerful truck-mounted removal systems. It is common for SERVPRO techs to perform several "dry" passes where moisture no longer appears to get lifted, this assists in lessening the drying times needed to hit the preset interior humidity goals.

When the SERVPRO green service vans arrive for the mitigation in the property, the techs bring every piece of equipment they will need based on the initial phone interview. This attention to detail and treating every job as unique means they always have the right amount of extraction and drying equipment on-site to fit the needs of the homeowner for the best outcome.

Deploying multiple air movers along with the dehumidification equipment dries the problem areas in the home quickly. Because the technicians have access to a broad array of equipment, they can handle the cleanup of water in properties of any size.

SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 brings their large selection of water cleanup equipment and skills to local properties in need. The techs can restore homes to their original condition "Like it never even happened."

Prevent House Fires in Queens – Tips That Can Save Your Life

8/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s professional technicians understand fire damage cleanup and the mitigation required to return your home to preloss condition.

Stay Safe in Queens by Being Proactive in Preventing Fires

California, Texas and New York rank highest for fire deaths in the United States. Over one-fourth of all fires are residential. Many Queens fires are preventable if you follow proper safety protocols.

 What Should I Do to Prevent a Fire?

Fires can strike at any time, in any home. With a fire comes destruction and often loss of much of your home. This also means you need fire damage cleanup in Queens. But many fires can be prevented. According to Total Fire & Protection, the Fire Department of New York City (FDNY) gets calls for approximately 2,200 structural fires each month. They also state,

“This number is staggering, especially considering that many landowners ignore measures that could reduce the risk of fires in their homes.”

Fire prevention is not difficult. It requires very little of your time or money, but it can go a long way in saving you in both of those areas. Here are safety precautions SERVPRO recommends:
•    Smoke Alarms – Every home should have several smoke alarms. A monthly test should be performed to ensure the alarm is operating correctly. Replace batteries yearly and replace the smoke alarms every ten years.
•    Open Flames – Never leave open flames unattended. Candles, fireplaces, and gas kitchen stoves are all examples of things you should never walk away from.
•    Dryers – Maintain your dryer by cleaning it regularly. Clean the lint trap after each load. Dryer fires from built-up lint is a common source of house fires.
•    Household Chemicals – Keep combustible products away from sunlight and heat sources. Store them away from the main living area, if possible.
•    Wiring – Do a regular check of household wires and cables. If they become frayed, worn out, or otherwise damaged, they can become a fire hazard. Replace damaged wires immediately.

If you do experience a fire, don’t attempt to clean up the damage yourself. SERVPRO’s professional technicians understand fire damage cleanup and the mitigation required to return your home to preloss condition. Contact SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

How Can I Restore Queens Flood Damage Quickly?

8/11/2020 (Permalink)

Don't waste any time when it comes to storm damage in your home. Call SERVPRO today we are ready for your call.

Avoid Wasting Time by Calling a Professional Restoration Company to Help You Return Your Home in Queens to its Original Condition

Your Queens home may become the victim of a storm despite your efforts to protect it. When flood water enters through your roof or windows, it carries outside dangers into your home, including bacteria. When it is all said and done, effectively restoring your home is contingent on you acting quickly after the event. The longer you allow water to sit in your home, the more you invite damage to become permanent.

Floodwater extraction in Queens is a job for our SERVPRO crew, ready to help around the clock. The experience we gain at each job site prepares us to handle the toughest situations as we coordinate your needs with local ordinances, relevant building rules, and insurance adjusters. Rather than taking on the extraction of water, sanitizing, and disinfecting your home, rely on our certified staff to guide you through the process and mitigate your loss.

How Should I Protect my Home after a Flood?

Safety is a top priority for our SERVPRO team. After a flood, we verify that the area is safe to enter, and there are no concerns regarding electrical hazards or structural weaknesses. Once we receive this clearance from the pertinent authorities, we use personal protective equipment to protect ourselves as we isolate the affected area to avoid cross-contamination. As you contact your insurance company, we document our process and begin to discard items that may pose a threat due to their ability to foster bacteria and mold growth. Conversely, we set up a staging area, if possible, to protect the items we can salvage. To extract water from your home, our team may use one of the following-

• Truck-mounted pumps which are capable of connecting to local sewage to dispose of water
• Industrial-size dehumidifiers to accelerate water evaporation
• Wand extractors for water accumulation in the crevices of your home

Floodwater removal can seem overwhelming, but calling the right team can make the process less intimidating. Call our competent staff at SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 and allow us to leave your home "Like it never even happened."

What Steps Do I Take After a Fire at My Queens Apartment Complex?

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

We help your tenants get their homes back, and you get back to business.

If You Own a Queens Apartment Complex, You Need to Have A Plan In Case of a Fire

Over 2 million people live in Queens, with apartment complexes spread throughout the city. Harry Houdini is buried there, beautiful pianos get made in Queens, and it claims the world’s first road explicitly made for cars. The last thing anyone wants to experience there is an apartment fire.

What Do I Need to Do First?

Apartment complex owners have great responsibility. Not only do they have the running of the apartments and maintenance to worry about, but the lives of everyone in the apartments should something happen. There is nothing more devastating than fire damage in Queens. Apt owners should prepare in the event a fire does occur. The first thing you should do if a fire breaks out is to notify all the tenants. Have a plan in place that enables you to contact them immediately.

Steps to Take After an Apartment Fire

Once everyone has been notified, and the building gets cleared, you should take nine more steps. The fire department will help make sure the complex is entirely empty. Here is what else should take place:
    •    Find the source of the fire. The fire department and tenants help determine this. You will need to know this for insurance purposes.
    •    Contact your insurance company right away. They will send adjusters and investigators to the location immediately.
    •    Call in a fire restoration company. Not all fires cause a total loss. Many times a restoration company can clean and restore your apartments to preloss condition.
    •    Secure the building. You may have to board up windows and doors to protect against intruders. The restoration company should help with emergency procedures like this.
    •    Document the damage. Take pictures and thoroughly document the loss for insurance purposes.
    •    Determine liability. You want to work with authorities to determine liability. If the tenant was responsible for the fire, their renter’s insurance would cover restoration costs. If it occurs from a wiring situation, you are responsible.
    •    Begin restoration immediately. As soon as it is possible, allow the fire restoration company to get started. They can provide emergency mitigation quickly. The longer you wait, the more secondary damage can occur.
    •    Have your apartments reinspected. Once the fire restoration gets completed, then you can get the complex reinspected.
    •    Move tenants back in and start renting again.

Professional Fire Restoration Technicians Work with You

At SERVPRO, our fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) are the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified. They understand what fire damage, apt, or any other structure can mean to those involved.  As an apartment owner, you want to get your tenants back in their homes and have your livelihood restored as well. We work with you to see that both things occur as quickly as possible.

Basic Fire Mitigation Steps

Each situation is unique, and what is involved in restoring your apartments to the preloss condition can vary based on the type of fire. Minor fires may require very little in the way of restoration, and only one apartment is involved. Another fire can start in one apartment and quickly spread to others before containment. However, there are steps SERVPRO techs take that are basic to each fire damage situation. These include:
    •    Ensuring the safety of the structure
    •    Emergency mitigation such as boarding up windows etc
    •    Water extraction
    •    Mucking out if needed
    •    Drying out the apartment
    •    Repair and replacing items such as carpet, drywall, and sheetrock
    •    Proper disposal of charred and fire-damaged debris
    •    Deodorizing to remove smoke odors
    •    Cleaning and sanitizing all surface areas
    •    Use EPA approved cleaning products
    •    Cleaning and restoring the content of the apartment
    •    Cleaning the HVAC system
    •    Leaving your complex, “Like it never even happened.”

 Let SERVPRO Handle the Stress

You have enough to do without wondering if things are taken care of properly. Our crews will work with your insurance company, so you don’t have to worry about going back and forth. We keep you apprised of the situation every step of the way, so you know precisely what is happening. If the content cannot be cleaned on-site, we offer your tenants pack-out services. With years of experience, you can trust SERVPRO to handle everything that comes with the aftermath of fire damage to your apartment complex.

 A fire in an apartment complex can be terrifying as it can quickly move from one apartment to the next. When you need emergency fire mitigation, We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. Contact SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 for professional fire restoration when fire damage in an apt occurs. We help your tenants get their homes back, and you get back to business.

How Can I Prevent Bedroom Fires in Long Island City?

7/26/2020 (Permalink)

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

SERVPRO can help you set up a readiness plan as well as cleanup fore loss in your Long Island City home

One of the essential parts of a fire prevention plan is outlining what each member of the family needs to do in case of fire and safe practices. Last but not least, determine who you will call if a fire occurs and you need cleanup. While residential fires in Long Island City tend to happen in the kitchen, mostly, bedroom fires are also common for the following reasons:
    •    Candles left unattended  
    •    Falling asleep smoking in bed  
    •    Improper use of extension cords
    •    Overloading outlets

Can My Mattress Get Reused After Fire Damage?

Very few mattresses have restoration potential after fire damage in your Long Island City home for reasons ranging from the construction materials to not meeting flame retardant standards that were tightened in 2007. If the bedding and window treatments in the bedroom do not have charring but smell strongly of smoke odors, they may have restoration potential if they are machine washable. SERVPRO techs have access to the Esporta Washing System that can render even the most smoke-laden fabrics to food-grade cleanliness after a single wash.

Bed frames made of metal tend to have the best outcome from fire loss; however, soot can be caustic to some metals, and it needs removal as rapidly as possible. Wooden headboards and footboards may have restoration potential if the joints did not get damaged from exposure to heat or water, and the wood has no signs of charring. The removal of the smoke residues may require that the wood gets refinished, but it saves the cost of replacement.

Fire damage can be devastating and feel overwhelming to deal with. Contact SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994, and the trained, certified technicians can clean and restore your home to its preloss condition.

Can Water Removal in My Home Wait?

7/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals are trained to handle all types of water damage. Don't wait for assistance. Call now.

If you have water damage in your Queens home, Do not wait for assistance, Our Technicians can arrive on scene within hours.

After water damage happens in your home, the longer you wait to clean it up, the more the water degrades, and potentially the damages to your property and contents increase. Also, after 48 hours, even clean water needs handling as a biohazard, so waiting for the cleanup can wind up costing unnecessary extra money. The best bet is to outsource the task to a professional restoration services company to ensure all the water gets extracted.

Where Can I Find Tips for Water Damage Cleanup Online?  

When SERVPRO handles water removal in Queens homes, it is not an unusual situation for the homeowner to have attempted a cleanup on their own before realizing, it takes more than rags, mops, and a wet/dry vacuum to clean up a water damage situation. Inadequate removal efforts can lead to:  

• Structural damage
• Loss of carpet or other floor coverings
• Deterioration of sheetrock such as buckled walls or sagging ceilings
• Multi-unit water damage possible to your neighbors

Poor tips given to homeowners online such as spraying loss areas with bleach to prevent mold can do far more damage than good, such as bleaching fibers in carpet, ruining the finish on wood furnishings, and causing breaches in the seal on the grout lines of tile because bleach is so caustic. Another tip that can cause more significant issues is putting rice on the floor around cabinet edges to absorb moisture when the water loss is in a kitchen. This action will do nothing literally but create a more significant loss situation because the water underneath a cabinet will not get attracted to the rice. It requires removing the toe kicks and using extraction wands to remove it entirely.

SERVPRO technicians arrive in their green service vans with every piece of equipment to find and extract the water within the home. The house gets dried rapidly through the use of their professional drying equipment, and the techs carefully monitor the property to ensure that the drying goals get attained. 

SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 comes to local properties for any size water removal needed. The techs are available 24/7 to perform the required restoration services to bring your home back to its preloss condition, whenever possible. “Like it never even happened.”

Learn more about Queens.

My Living Room Has Significant Storm Flooding Damage, How Can I Restore It?

7/8/2020 (Permalink)

Was your home affected by storm damage? SERVPRO has what it takes to restore your home!

SERVPRO Handles Flood Damage Using Industry-Proven Techniques to Restore Your Queens Property 

When your Queens property takes on damage from a recent storm, water intrusion can wreak havoc in multiple ways. A living room contains electronics, furnishings, and countless personal items that you know you want to salvage. SERVPRO has proven methods and the latest advancements to ensure your interior is back to normal faster than DIY methods alone. We do whatever possible to preserve your interior while also keeping safety a number one priority. 

Calling for skilled water restoration technicians (WRT) for flood damage in Queens gets you the mitigation and cleanup you need. Our crew understands that the faster we get to work, the better our chances of preventing secondary damage and salvaging your belongings. We are Faster to Any Size Disaster, and you can count on us to arrive at your house in as little as four hours after your initial phone call. Cutting back on property loss and structural damage saves you both time and money. 

How Does the Restoration Begin? 

A flooded home from a storm calls for extensive extraction followed by drying and sanitation to eliminate secondary damage hazards. If moisture is left to fester, microbes multiply and create foul odors and mildew growth potential. The measures that we take to work through the restoration steps include: 

• Detailed inventory and pack-out of belongings for relocation to our facility for cleaning, if necessary.
• Removal of any present solid debris, including silt, mud, and flood-damaged materials like carpeting, insulation, and drywall.
• Sanitization of all salvageable flood-damaged surfaces using anti-microbial solutions that are EPA-registered. 

Full deodorization of your interior using specialized products and advanced technology. 

Upon arrival at your Queens property, our crew chief performs a thorough inspection to note any impacted contents and building materials. If some of your water damaged contents are restorable, the team organizes them for restoration on or off-site. Anything unsalvageable is recorded and disposed of according to local regulations in the safest manner possible. 

What Makes Skilled Restoration the Best Choice? 

Using the right techniques for each situation is key to each flood project in Queens. Our SERVPRO crew uses a unique formula to determine the best methods and equipment for each phase of your water loss cleanup, which allows us to eradicate contaminated materials, select the best tools for water removal, and to promote rapid drying. 

Dealing with Contaminated Water 

Water from a storm flood often contains a variety of debris and contaminants that need carefully addressing and efficiently to ensure our crew and the occupants' safety. We test the water present and label it accordingly so that the team knows the best way to proceed. 

• Category 1 is sanitary water
• Category 2 contains significant contamination
• Category 3, often referred to as black water, is grossly contaminated 

Category 2 and 3 water calls for a careful approach that includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as well as cordoning off zones to contain potential hazards within the affected areas. Contamination can spread with the movement of equipment, removing debris, and foot traffic. Hence, our team works swiftly to minimize cross-contamination by containment with sealed off doorways using durable polyethylene plastic sheeting. 

If a significant amount of solid waste is present, such as debris and silt, our crew may use rakes and shovels for removal. The debris removal helps us expose the structural elements to inspect and evaluate them before proceeding. For any standing water, we use: 

• Truck-mounted extraction equipment that allows us to pull up tremendous amounts of water containing debris.
• Submersible pumps for areas with water levels 2-inches deep, or higher. 

Depending on the storm floodwater contamination levels that entered your Queens living room, our crew might need to treat it with disinfectants to help with sanitization before pumping it out. 

What About My Carpeting? 

When significant contamination is present, it is best to remove carpeting to replace them with brand-new materials. However, if your carpet is deemed salvageable, our skilled technicians have various tools available to help with water extraction, including: 

• Portable or truck-mounted extractors
• Rovers, or weighted extractors, use the technician's weight to push water up and out of carpeting
• Carpet wands, or light-wand extractors 

We also carry squeegee wands for any areas where you have hard surface floors impacted by water damage. 

Once the debris is gone and water extraction wraps up, we put industrial-strength drying equipment to restore relative humidity levels throughout your home. With the help of air movers used in conjunction with dehumidifiers, our crew can enhance drying time to make it, "Like it never even happened." 

SERVPRO of Long Island City is available 24/7 for emergency water cleanup and restoration when faced with flood damage after a storm. Call (718) 440-6994 to have a crew deployed to your property for an assessment. 

More about Queens.

How Can I Clean Up After a Broken Pipe in My Queens Deli?

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

Give our SERVPRO of Long Island City team a call 24/7!

Water Damage In Your Queens Deli

Damaged plumbing can cause unfavorable conditions for your eatery, but our fast response with extraction and drying tools can help.

Many people do not realize how destructive a broken portion of plumbing can be until it is happening in their Queens property. With your highly trafficked deli open more than half of the day, water loss incidents like breaks in the plumbing could threaten your ability to serve your loyal patrons and keep your doors open. It is estimated that almost half of businesses that close after substantial loss incidents never reopen. However, our SERVPRO team makes it our business to get you back in business quickly.

When it comes to water damage in Queen's delis like yours, there often several specific stages of restoration and recovery that must occur. Because plumbing is often hidden in the walls, we must track moisture trapped in wall systems and pinpoint the damage to the plumbing network to ensure that it gets repaired during the earliest mitigation stages. Additionally, we must assess the damage to the kitchen and its aging structural elements to thoroughly recover from the loss and return your business to its original state.

What Tools Dry Out the Kitchen Area?

While it might seem that extraction is the foundation of effective water loss response, the tools, and technologies used for drying are continually advancing in the restoration industry. As a leading team of professionals, our SERVPRO roster utilizes an extensive array of these advanced tools for thoroughly drying the kitchen area, including crumbling brick walls, linoleum tile floors, and wooden shelving. Some of the capable drying equipment that we bring to your business includes:

    •    Centrifugal Air Movers
    •    Desiccant Dehumidifiers
    •    Positive Pressure Systems
    •    Portable Electric Heaters

From removing standing water and moisture throughout the building to repairing the plumbing and other structural concerns, we are your one-stop-shop for restoration and recovery. Give our SERVPRO of Long Island City team a call 24/7 at (718) 440-6994.

How Do I Navigate the Claims Filing Process for a Water-Damaged Multi-Family Property?

6/21/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can quickly progress into a mold infestation. Contact SERVPRO to dry out your space today.

SERVPRO Technicians Restore Water-Damaged Queens Residential Complexes 24/7

When water damage strikes in multi-family residential complexes in Queens a simple pipe leak can lead to damage that affects multiple units. The claims filing process is complex and requires thorough documentation to receive appropriate compensation for your tenants’ living spaces.

If you find commercial water damage in your Queens rental property, SERVPRO is ready to restore the affected units to a preloss condition per Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) best practices for water cleanup. Though we cooperate with you and your insurance company on mitigation services, we are not an insurance company. However, here are some helpful tips to get you through a stressful time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Multi-Family Insurance Claims

• What do I do if my claim gets denied? If you disagree with your insurer’s evaluation of the damage to your property, you can request a second inspection with either a new adjuster from the insurance company or an independent agent.
• How long does it take to receive compensation? The speed at which payment is dispensed depends on the insurer. The more quickly you file a claim, the more likely you are to get paid quickly.
• How can I prepare for filing a claim?

• Take pictures and videos of your property both before and after a disaster occurs.
• Keep written records of information related to the damage such as size, when it occurred, and how you responded to the damage.
• Review your policy with a trusted insurance agent or adjuster.

SERVPRO’s Structural Drying Process

The careful calculation goes into the placement and utilization of air movers and dehumidifiers. Dehumidifier placement is calculated based on a variety of factors. Factors that go into calculating dehumidification requirements include:

• The total size of the affected space.
• The approximate size of the water damage in that area.
• The type of dehumidifier used.
• The pints-per-day (PPD) rating based on manufacturer guidelines.

SERVPRO of Long Island City is a phone call away from providing businesses with mitigation service that is Faster to Any Size Disaster. Call (718) 440-6994 to get started.

Click here for more information about Queens. 

How Do I Deal With Affected Upholstery Items During Water Cleanup In My Queens Home?

6/9/2020 (Permalink)

Saving items affected during water spills helps reduce the cost of restoration.

SERVPRO Can Help Perform the Necessary Cleaning and Drying to Restore Them to the Pre-loss State in Queens

After a water spill, you may expect cleanup only to involve mopping wet surfaces and drying wet contents. However, many incidents turn into full-blown cleaning exercise where you have to resolve several issues to restore your Queens home to its preloss state.  If a burst pipe sprays water on upholstery items, various cleaning challenges can arise.

How does water affect upholstery items necessitating cleaning?

For successful water cleanup in your Queens property, preparation is crucial. When you involve our SERVPRO crews, part of preparation goes towards predicting what sort of problems the exposure to water is likely to cause. Typical issues include:
    •    Browning
    •    Material Shrinkage
    •    Bleeding of dyes
    •    Water spots

The problems mostly develop due to the exposure of items to significant amounts of water, or if the items are soaked over extended periods. Alternatively, materials dissolved in the water can be deposited in the materials of the upholstered items, soiling them.

Why does browning happen?

Some upholstery items have sections made from cellulose fiber fabrics such as raw cotton. A combination of factors can lead to browning. When such material is over wet or dried slowly, browning can happen. Another common reason for browning is the use of alkaline cleaning products in the process of removing other forms of soiling since the alkali reacts with the material. Luckily, it is possible to prevent browning by thoroughly rinsing the material after cleaning. Our SERVPRO technicians also expedite the drying process, especially by using air movers.

In case some browning still happens even with the preventive steps, we can use different approaches to rectify the problem, thus saving your item. We can rinse the material with an acidic rinsing solution to counter the effects of alkaline cleaning agents. Alternatively, we re-clean the item with specially formulated detergents.

Do upholstery items always bleed when exposed to water?

If your items bleed after exposure to water, there is a high chance cleaning cannot resolve the issue, so other forms of repair such as resurfacing may be necessary. The good news is that it takes more than just water exposure for dyes to bleed. The most likely reasons for such outcomes include:
    •    Colorfastness of the fabric
    •    Aggressive cleaning method such as pressure washing with over 200psi
    •    Exposing the material to strong alkaline or acidic products

Apart from ruining the item, bleeding also transfers problems to other items. For instance, if the furniture sits on a carpeted area, or is in contact with other fabrics such as draperies, the dyes can stain the other items. Our SERVPRO technicians help in many ways, including using hydrogen peroxide, chlorine bleach, or other products to try to reverse the damage if minimal areas are affected. We also use manual corrective methods such as subjecting the area to high-pressure air, which can help force the dye into the fabric backing.

How do water spots develop?

It may seem ironic that water, which is used widely for cleaning, can also cause some problems. Water spots mainly develop because water contains some impurities such as minerals or other microscopic particles. The spots are more pronounced when the exposure only affects sections of an item. The spots could appear as a collection of circles if the exposure happens through sprinkling or large patches of discoloration when there is significant exposure.

In many cases, water spots develop when items are left to dry undisturbed. Therefore, the cleanup and other restoration steps that our SERVPRO technicians take help diminish the chances of water spots developing. We can also take specific cleanup steps to remove them once they develop. We can re-wet the item and clean it from scratch. Since residues dissolved in water are the main problem, we use alternatives such as distilled water when cleaning.

Can cleaning processes lead to physical changes?

Careful handling of upholstery items such as furniture is necessary to avoid damages. Actions such as moving items and actual cleaning steps such as agitation can result in physical damages. One likely form of physical damage is shrinkage of material, especially in furniture skirts or cushions. Our technicians handle items carefully to prevent such outcomes. We can also take steps to resolve shrinkage, in case it happens. Steaming the shrunken material while slightly tugging it helps resolve the problem.

Saving items affected during water spills helps reduce the cost of restoration. Call SERVPRO of Long Island City at (917) 793-0419 to help restore any damage to your items, “Like it never even happened.”

Barstool Sports & SERVPRO of Long Island City

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City and Barstool Sports have teamed up to offer a special discount to their listeners. Give us to call today!

Welcome to the Barstool Sports fans in Queens and Brooklyn. We are excited about our new promotion with Barstool Sports and glad you took the time to check out our site.

We are happy to offer New York City area businesses 10% off of their first COVID-19 Certiifed: SERVPRO Cleaned disinfection cleaning service.

Call us today! 844-895-9116, a local sales associate will help you schedule a time to meet, review your business reopening plan, and help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Where Do I Begin to Return My Home to Normal After A Fire?

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

Don't worry about who to call for the restoration of your Queens home. Call SERVPRO to mitigate you fire problem.

Have SERVPRO Clear, Clean, and Restore Your Queens Home

Fire can happen in any home in Queens. The resulting problems can be as mild as a coating of soot residues throughout a garage or kitchen, or as severe as the destruction of load-bearing walls and other support structures. 

Is the Damage to My Home just Burned Property and Soot over Everything?

No. At SERVPRO, we understand that fire damage in Queens is more than just scorching and covering everything in ash and soot residues. If the fire burned for an extended time, flames could have reached the roof or burned deep into surrounding walls, and shattered windows. Fire Restoration Technicians also perform the following, protective tasks:

• Board up windows and doors
• Cover damaged roofs with tarps or plywood sheets
• Remove water left by fire-fighting efforts

Can SERVPRO make these Repairs as Well?

Yes. SERVPRO has trained construction experts who can perform any repair and reconstruction effort except for complete replacement of your home.

No matter how small, or large, the fire; contact SERVPRO of Long Island City to schedule a service call, inspection, or simply to ask questions. Call today at (917) 444-9336.

Is It Possible to Dry My Mattress in Queens?

5/22/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage can cause you to lose many of your possessions, including your mattress. Call SERVPRO to remediate the damage and reduce your losses.

SERVPRO Technicians Have the Equipment For Extraction and Drying Contents in Your Queens Home

A wet mattress is a frustrating problem for any homeowner to deal with. If it does not get dried quickly, it will be a loss. If the source of the water is from an external flooding, whether groundwater or stormwater that migrated through building materials, it is contaminated. This requires disposal. The following factors are considerations in the restoration potential of a wet mattress: 

• The age of the mattress
• The construction material
• Whether it has springs
• How quickly the extraction and drying efforts began

What Kind of Mattresses Have the Best Outcome After Water Removal?

When SERVPRO techs handle water removal from wet mattresses in Queens homes, they inspect it to determine the construction materials because if it has a cotton, foam, or rubber core, it can be more challenging to dry.  If it got made before 2007, it does not meet the requirements for the current fire retardant standards and requires disposal.

Methods of Drying Mattresses

SERVPRO techs remove as much moisture as possible to lessen the drying time using their portable pumps with upholstery attachments. This includes doing several "dry" passes where no apparent water gets removed before moving on to the drying phase. When drying a mattress, the techs may use tenting with plastic over the mattress with both air movers and de-humidification equipment working in tandem too quickly. When necessary, the techs can remove the mattress for in-plant drying.

Not every mattress has the potential for restoration, and in some cases, it is better to replace the existing mattress with a new one. In situations where the mattress requires disposal, the technicians can ensure it gets disposed of per local regulations.

SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 arrives quickly to local properties for water removal tasks of any size. The certified technicians get rid of the water and dry your property as fast as possible. 

Click here for more information on Queens.

Should I Clean the Carpets of My Office After a Water Loss? 

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Call the SERVPRO professionals in your Queens area for the drying and water extracting help you need for your carpets.

Our SERVPRO team can help Queens businesses look and function their best after a disaster, including thorough carpet cleaning. 

Water losses might seem to leave a direct set of effects and damages that you must address in your Queens office building. While addressing these apparent conditions can prevent the situation from worsening, full restoration and recovery often require premier cleaning.

Carpet cleaning and other avenues of water cleanup in your Queens office are not something that can happen before mitigation has completed. From extraction and drying to deodorization, several steps must precede cleaning your carpets. However, after water losses, trapped moisture and water can often leave your carpet in need of focused attention and revitalization.

Why Shoud I Get Professional Cleaning? 

One of the advantages of choosing cleaning with our SERVPRO team is that we are already restoring the property through drying and odor removal. After these mitigation steps, we can offer a seamless transition to premier cleaning services, allowing us to quickly address carpet concerns such as:

• Soils
• Color Fading
• Residues 
• Staining

No matter how water losses affect your office, give our SERVPRO of Long Island City team a call today at (917) 793-0419.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Our defensive cleaning program gives your business a way forward by providing your employees and customers ongoing safety and assuredness.

Let us help you get back to business

As our communities re-open in Queens, we’re all moving back toward a new kind of normal. The expectations of visitors, customers, and employees who come into our establishments have evolved, and staying safe and well is a top concern. The global COVID-19 pandemic has changed what it means to be clean, and we’ve developed a program to help your business meet the new higher standard of clean that is now expected.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a defensive cleaning program we’re offering to businesses and commercial locations to address the current COVID-19 pandemic. This proactive viral pathogen cleaning program goes well beyond janitorial or carpet cleaning. By choosing Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you, your employees, your customers, and your community can rest assured that you’ve selected a higher cleaning standard – you are Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

Extensive training and specialized products

As the #1 choice in cleanup and restoration*, we stand on more than 50 years of experience and expertise to help your business become Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.  Beyond fire & water, SERVPRO professionals are trained and experienced in biohazard decontamination and chemical spills – always adhering to the cleaning and decontamination standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. 

From formulating and creating our proprietary cleaning products, like SERVPROXIDE, at our headquarters in Gallatin, TN, to taking the utmost care while disinfecting, we will ensure you and your business are set up to inspire consumer confidence as the economy continues to reopen.

3 C’s – Consult, Clean, and Certify

When the stakes are this high, you want a partner who has developed an industry leading, proprietary training program, cleaning solutions, and remediation processes over decades. We’ve cleaned up some of the most challenging biohazards imaginable. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned reflects our unique experiences and capabilities. The program is grounded with our unique 3 C’s: Consult, Clean, and Certify.

• Consult – Every business is different, which is why you’ll be assigned a Cleaning Protocol Consultant who understands your business and will create a cleaning program to meet your specific needs. This program will be developed based on your business type, size of space, amount of high frequency touchpoints, foot traffic and congestion points.
• Clean – Based on your specific business needs, your location will undergo a thorough, deep clean, using exclusive cleaning products, according to protocols set forth by the CDC. Our employees have years of experience, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform. Cleanup procedures generally include cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of non-porous surfaces, cleaning and disinfecting of equipment, tools, and/or supplies used for cleanup process, and disposal of hazardous materials.  In the event of a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 event, we will be there cleaning within 24 hours to ensure you get back to business as quickly as possible. 
• Certify - Once your business location has been Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, you will gain access to proprietary signage, digital emblems, and other collateral that communicates that you’ve selected a higher standard of clean available to help protect your employees and customers. And because we add the day, month, and year to that proprietary stamp of clean, your guests will know that not only did you choose Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, but that your location is being cleaned regularly at this standard.

Call today for a Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation

We’re Here to Help – 24 hours a day, seven days a week – until life is back to normal in the communities we all call home.

Call SERVPRO of Long Island City today at (718) 440-6994 for your Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned consultation.

* #1 Choice in cleanup & restoration based Commercial Attitude & Usage Tracking study. Polling 816 commercial business decision makers on first choice for future needs related to cleanup & restoration work. Study conducted by C&R Research: October 2019

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned means professionally trained SERVPRO franchises perform the requested cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection services according to proprietary SERVPRO protocols and recognized industry and CDC standards with EPA approved cleaning products to deliver a SERVPRO certified cleaning experience.  Each SERVPRO franchise is independently owned and operated.

How Do I Remove Floodwater from My Home?

5/12/2020 (Permalink)

Nobody wants a flooded home in Queens. Let SERVPRO take care of all your water problem needs.

Call SERVPRO Water Restoration Teams to Clear Your Queens Home of Floodwater

After a major storm, almost every home in Queens is in danger of flooding. Since even a small amount of floodwater can cause thousands of dollars in damage, removing it quickly is very important.

Why do I need SERVPRO to get property?

The equipment our technicians use is more powerful and has more options to remove water. SERVPRO experts also have extensive training to quickly remove flooding in your Queens home without accidentally causing additional damage to the floors underneath the floodwater.

Is that all technicians need to do for my home?

No, removal is just the beginning. Our teams then need to perform the following steps at a minimum:

• Remove contaminants – Floodwater brings in dirt and more which has to be removed for full, residential restoration.
• Dry the home – Technicians next install air movers, fans, and dehumidifiers to force moisture out of surfaces and pull it from the air. These actions reduce the amount of property lost to the flood. For example, all three devices help to pull water out of floorboards so they do not crack or warp.
• Remove damaged property – Carpets are an item that cannot be 100% restored. The only option is to dispose of the carpets immediately and clean the floors underneath with an anti-bacterial agent.

To your home after a flood, call SERVPRO of Long Island City at (917) 793-0419 today. We are here for you.

What Caused Water Damage in My Queens Office Building?

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

When water damage invades your office, call SERVPRO of fast, effective restoration.

Our SERVPRO team can thoroughly inspect the damaged area to find the source of water damage and restore the damage it caused.  

Water damage is not always as cut-and-dry as you might believe. Addressing these concerns begins by identifying the source of the damage, which can sometimes hide behind layers of a wall system or ceiling materials. In some situations, you might not be sure that a water loss incident exists until you can recognize some of the symptoms these incidents can leave behind.  

When you suspect water damage to your Queens office building, you want to resolve this threat soon. Prolonged exposure to moisture or damp, structural elements allows for more compromising effects like deterioration or mold growth. Our SERVPRO professionals have a fast and thorough response that can help you to not only identify water losses and moisture, but dry up this damage to make it “Like it never even happened.” 

How Do You Identify Subtle Water Damage?  

When you are not sure that a water loss incident exists, how can you know for sure? Several indicative symptoms can showcase water or moisture, even if the majority of this damaged area exists behind surface materials in wall cavities or structural openings. You can start by looking for:  

• Yellowing – Drywall is one of the most common structural materials used in office spaces. While you do not typically have to worry about the metal framework becoming damaged by water, drywall can quickly and readily absorb moisture and water from a persistent leak. The surface around this water-damaged area of the sheetrock can often show yellowing in an uneven blotch. 

• Spotting - Prolonged exposure to moisture, or the unresolved saturation of materials, can facilitate mold growth in areas that you cannot see. The migration of mold colonies can show as spotting on the surface of the drywall, which can be multiple colors: black, green, blue, or even orange.  

• Material Deterioration – Sagging or damaged materials are often an excellent indication of water damage. As materials get saturated, they can become too heavy for screws or nails used to install them to support them. Sagging ceilings or bloated wall surfaces can indicate a substantial water loss concern. 

Is Professional Restoration Needed for Damp Drywall?  

With drywall being such a standard element to your entire office space, restoring it after a water loss is something that you want to address immediately. Because these materials can become irreparably damaged in often as little as 24 hours of exposure, controlled demolition and reconstruction is often the fastest and most reliable approach for overcoming damp drywall. Our SERVPRO professionals can help with restoring these damaged areas and elements in the office, as sheetrock can be a considerable challenge due to:  

• Structural Deterioration – Exposure to migrating water or moisture in any area of your office can allow for the bloating and deterioration of drywall surfaces.  

• Porous Surfaces – The sheetrock’s permeance and porosity make it one of the most susceptible structural elements to moving water or the presence of moisture in the environment.  

• Facilitate Mold Growth – Because drywall is an organic material, it can be a host for developing mold colonies. 

Is Damage Assessment Worth the Wait to Start Mitigation? 

When you believe that there is a problem with your office building, you owe it to your staff and your customers to address it as soon as possible. Rushing to get this done, however, might not be the best decision. A pre-job damage assessment conducted by our project manager can ultimately make the restoration more efficient and direct with accurate information and the appropriate recovery tools. Scoping a restoration project before it starts is helpful because:  

• Identify Existing Problems – Noting all the existing problems with our SERVPRO DryBook Software can keep our technicians, our customer, and their insurance company all on the same page regarding what must happen and the progress of our restoration process. 

• Content Assessment – Your office has many valuable items from its commercial-grade equipment and electronics, to individual desks, chairs, and other furniture. Our professionals can assess the damage to each of these items individually. 

• Recognize moisture Beyond the Surface – With sophisticated technologies and tools, such as thermal imagery and surface moisture meters, we can identify the presence of moisture pockets even beyond surface materials. 

• Label Pre-Existing Conditions - By meeting with the property manager of your office, we can determine areas that might have already been damaged or compromised before water losses. Directing our technicians at this loss incident alone can save time and money. 

No matter how subtle or blatant water losses might initially appear, they all must get addressed with effective drying and cleaning approaches as soon as possible. Our SERVPRO of Long Island City can help 24/7 by calling (718) 440-6994. 

More about Queens.

Who Can I Call to Restore My Flood-Damaged Condo?

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

Homeowners have to deal with many things which may include water damage. Contact SERVPRO right away.

Disaster Mitigation Teams Clean, Sanitize, and Rebuild Queens Residences After Flood Damage

Ground flooding is rarely an event that New York residents are ready for, even when they have prepared for disaster. After the floodwaters subside, homeowners and renters are left to tackle residues from sewage, insects, mold, and industrial waste when consumer-grade products are not designed for such tasks.

If your condo in Queens has suffered flood damage, certified SERVPRO technicians are available 24/7 to address your needs and return to home to its pre-loss condition. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-accredited teams are not only compliant with the standards set by SERVPRO training, but also by those expected for the entire US restoration industry.

Understanding Flood Damage in New York

Here are some facts to help you understand the size and breadth of New York’s floodplain:

• According to FEMA’s 2015 PFIRMs, the city’s 100-year floodplain affects over 400,000 residents and 183,000 residential units, with the total floor area estimated at a whopping 532 million square feet.
• The term “100-year floodplain” can be misleading, as there is a 26% chance of such flooding occurring during a homeowner’s 30-year mortgage.
• Sea levels in the 1% annual chance floodplain are expected to rise between 8 and 30 inches by the 2050s. Coastal storm risks are also projected to increase from 1% to 3% during this period. Coastal storms include nor’easters, hurricanes, and tropical storms.

SERVPRO’s Sanitation Tools

SERVPRO technicians address flood damage with a variety of odor control tools and solutions. The first step is to remove standing water and odor-causing waste. Sanitation efforts after moisture and debris extraction also go a long way toward mitigating odor with the use of EPA-registered biocides. The drying process occurs after sanitation to prevent the spread of microbes.

Odor Control Technicians (OCTs) can utilize ultra-low volume foggers to dispense water- or solvent-based deodorizers that bind with odors and eliminate the particles that cause them.

SERVPRO of Long Island City wants to keep your residence looking, “Like it never even happened.” Call (718) 440-6994 for service that can start within hours of your initial contact.

Learn more about Queens.

Can I Ever Get Rid of the Soot in My Home Since the Fire?

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

Sooty walls and smelly odors in your Queens residence? SERVPRO can help, "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Addresses Fire Damage and Soot in Your Queens Home to Return it to Pre-Loss Condition

Fires happen unexpectedly, and the aftermath leaves your Queens home with an unprecedented amount of debris and sticky soot residue. SERVPRO is here to make sure that your interior is back to normal and free of any reminder that the fire took place. With a simple phone call, we deploy a team to your residence to start with emergency fire restoration services.

How Can You Make Sure All Soot and Odors are Gone?

Smoke and soot particles are some of the top elements that we address when it comes to fire damage in Queens. Soot residue is acidic, meaning that it can cause certain materials like metals to corrode. We address soot residue in several ways, including:
•    Dry or wet cleaning methods to loosen soot and smoke particles from various surfaces
•    Thermal fogging technology heats deodorant agents that put out a chemical cloud, which penetrates materials to pull out tough odors
•    In some situations where a lot of smoke residue is present on exposed surfaces, our skilled technicians seal off the walls with a special primer followed by the final paint color

Will the Air in My Home be Safe?

We utilize a variety of filtration tools to pull particles from the air to improve upon the air quality in your home. This ensures that your interior is both safe and free from lingering smoke odors after the fire.
•    Air Scrubbers are powerful tools that reduce particulates from the environment while cutting back on microorganism colonization.
•    Hydroxyl Generators work to both deodorize your interior while purifying and filtering the air with the help of HEPA filters.

There is nothing like the prompt, professional fire damage service that we offer at SERVPRO of Long Island City. With a quick phone call to our team at (718) 440-6994, we can be there 24/7 to get started with emergency restoration services.

Where Does the Water Go After a Leak Inside an Apartment Building?

4/11/2020 (Permalink)

We understand the need for rapid response and restoration to minimize the loss of your property. Call us right away we are available 24/7.

Landlords Need Help Tracing All Migration of Water After a Plumbing Leak in Queens--SERVPRO Has the Training and Tools Needed

Perhaps one of the most mysterious things a property owner must puzzle out is where water travels after a leak in one or more rentals, especially in a large and complex space. Multi-unit housing is not an unexpected location for such detective work, as every apartment is typically plumbed separately, yet shares walls, ceilings, and floors with other living spaces. It is inadequate for a landlord to respond only to the complaint of one tenant when it is very likely that the water from the leak eventually spreads throughout the building.

Is It Easy to Follow the Migration of Water from Space to Space?

When working on water removal in a Queens rental building, how do we find all of the moisture? Water is often characterized as moving along the path of least resistance. The truism does not always hold up to scrutiny, as a number of other factors weigh in. For example, if water runs along the outside of a pipe, think condensation on a cold water supply pipe parallel to the floor in a warm, damp basement, some water will drip in a line along the expanse of the pipe to the floor. Instead of just one wet spot below the pipe, there will be many damp areas, tracing on the floor over the length of the pipe. If, on the other hand, the cold pipe is perpendicular to the floor, the condensation will tend to run down that pipe, depositing in a circle around the bottom. Other examples can result in even more varied answers. Apparently, “least resistance” is not a straightforward concept.

How Do Trained Technicians Follow the Water?

Since water follows pathways not quite as straightforward as folklore might think, SERVPRO must find more reliable ways to discover where water migrates and hides. Our technicians master basic moisture detection strategies during the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training. We use detectors with and without prongs to locate the presence of moisture, helping us trace the outline of a water incursion. For added data, we also employ moisture meters to determine levels of water absorbed by permeable materials. The moisture levels become baselines for our Applied Structural Drying (ASD) technicians when we move on to determining drying goals after we remove all standing water.

What About Infrared Imaging?

We also pursue advanced training from the IICRC in Building Moisture Thermography. This higher-level course teaches technicians to use the elements of infrared radiation, thermodynamics, and psychrometry, the science of drying, in an interdisciplinary approach. Developing competence in how these elements work together supports our ability to locate hidden water and moisture when inspecting and restoring building envelopes. Interpretation of the temperature fluctuations is an art, as well as a science and, it helps when tracking down where the water might have moved.

Why Does It Matter? Doesn’t the Water Just Dry Up Inside the Building?

One of the concerning factors to consider is the possibility of mold growth if all water is not removed from every space within an apartment building. Mold spores need only a small amount of moisture to “germinate” and begin their growth curve. Only oxygen, water, and an organic surface upon which to multiply are necessities for molds. No light is required so that mold colonies can breed in between walls, above ceilings, and in any building cavity. Because of the potential of mold damage when wood framing, drywall, ceiling tiles, and other building materials are just slightly wet, landlords must find and make arrangements to remove all water after a leak.

How Do Professionals Get Water Out of Confined Spaces?

Portable extractors can be brought far inside the units of even a large apartment building. The mobile units are much more flexible in uses, fitting in tight spaces much easier than the large yet more powerful truck-mounted variety. The equipment can be carried like a backpack, capable of extracting up to 12 gallons of water before needing to be drained to begin a fresh attempt to remove all the water practical. If the extractor cannot reach moisture, even with extenders, we have to consider some controlled demolition techniques. Options can include:

• Drilling holes in drywall
• Cutting out or removing sections of drywall or paneling
• Taking down ceiling tiles to gain access to a building cavity

SERVPRO of Long Island City has a team of inquisitive managers and technicians ready to put their training and experience to the test when on the lookout for hidden water in a multiple-family residence. Call (718) 440-6994 to explore your options, minimizing disruption of your tenants’ right of quiet enjoyment of their apartments.

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Queens and Long Island City Residents Can Count on SERVPRO

3/25/2020 (Permalink)

Queens and All Our Neighbors Can Rely on SERVPRO for Cleanup, Restoration, and Disinfection.

For Comprehensive Cleanup and Remediation Services in Queens and Surrounding Areas, Rely on Your Local SERVPRO

With more than eight and a half million people sharing the boroughs of New York City as a place to call home, the need for cleanup, disinfection,  restoration, and recovery is as sleepless as the city itself. Our SERVPRO team can help with an all-inclusive approach that can not only remedy the immediate consequences of a disaster, but also provide lasting solutions and rebuilding for Queens, Manhattan, and Brooklyn homes and businesses. One of the advantages of choosing our team is the extensive experience and education that our technicians receive to acquire endorsements from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC.) We can offer a fast and confident response when disasters strike.

Water

Water loss incidents are among the most anticipated disasters that affect Queens properties throughout the year. Because of the long list of potential causes, from freezing pipes in the winter to appliance failures, we stay prepared for your emergencies with stocked trailers and service vehicles ready to mobilize right away. We can often respond to customers within minutes, helping to spread the news fast to our field technicians to roll out from our SERVPRO facility.  

Because of the harsh winters that we can experience along the east coast, freezing can damage homes and businesses in direct ways. Water damage can often result from the bursting of pipes exposed to freezing temperatures for prolonged periods. These breaches can leave your Queens residence contending with a high volume of internal flooding. We have a wide array of water extraction tools that can help.

The mitigation that we can provide Queens properties can help to reduce the out of pocket expenses and total losses of our customers. Emergency services can begin as soon as our team arrives at the damaged address, including focused demolition to provide access to extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers. Evaporative drying techniques can remove moisture continually until we have reached the established baseline for adequate drying.

Fire

Because of the higher volume of apartment buildings and adjacent structures throughout Queens, fires can have more than just an impact on where it starts. Firefighters work quickly to quell a spreading disaster like this, though restoration is often a challenge of its own. Damage assessment can allow our responding technicians to have a better understanding of the extent of the trouble and what restorative practices are necessary. We can reduce property damage with a fast response to the scene, and this is possible with our centrally located facility.

Cleaning up after a fire loss can mean many different tasks, all of which can reduce the severity of airborne contaminants, lingering odors, and worsening content deterioration. In many cases, debris removal can have a positive effect on the remaining recovery tasks. We also have potent cleaners and cleansing agents that can emulsify or dissolve oily residues and soot resting on exposed surfaces throughout your Queens property. If your belongings are still at risk or in need of focused cleaning efforts, we can move these possessions to our warehouse for immersive cleaning techniques with our ultrasonic tank, deodorization with ozone chambers, and other restorative practices.

As you might expect, many of the structure fires that start in Queens result in more damages than even experienced restoration professionals like ours can fully help. Instead, we have a licensed team of in-house residential and commercial contractors to help. With the combined efforts of our cleaning technicians and our experienced general contractors, we can make most fire losses “Like it never even happened.”

Storm

Storm losses are nothing new to the east coast, especially New York City. From blizzards and hurricane-strength storms to cold snaps and hailstorms, we can stay prepared for the threats that your Queens home might take. During the winter months, conditions like ice damming forming on shingled roofs can threaten to flood attics and upper floors of aging structures in the area. With both residential contractors in-house and mitigation specialists to help with water cleanup and removal, we can provide comprehensive restoration services when it matters most.

While our contractors can handle the immediate needs of your residence, such as board up and tarping for damaged roofs, they can also help with full-scale remodeling and build back when restoration completes. Flooding can be a devastating situation that can only get worse without water removal and drying techniques accompanying temporary construction solutions. We have a wide range of extraction tools that we can use for Queens properties, including electric sump pumps, trash pumps, and wet vacuums.

Massive commercial structures can benefit from our large loss recovery team, whose experience and preparedness have allowed for traveling around the country to help with substantial natural disaster recovery. Back here in Queens, these same technicians and techniques get used to putting life back to normal after storm and flood losses.

Mold

Higher humidity concerns, hydrostatic pressures leading to moist basements, and inadequate drying of water losses in Queens homes can all become factors that allow for mold growth. Under the right damp and warm conditions, microbial threats can form when spores seat into organic materials like fabrics, drywall, and wood. With how quickly the newly forming colonies can spread throughout a damaged area, the disaster can become hazardous for those exposed.

Microbial presences can allow for volatile organic compounds to circulate in the environment, which can agitate respiratory conditions in the occupants of the house or encourage other health effects. Remediation of these threats in your Queens home begins with drying out the moisture permitting mold colonization and using a variety of techniques to remove surface organisms. If a colony is too deeply seated into materials like drywall, it is often more economical for our contractors to remove these compromised portions of the wallboard.

With accreditations from both the IICRC and the National Organization of Remediators and Mold Inspectors (NORMI), along with recognition as a mold reconstruction contractor through the State of New York, we can help your Queens home through nearly any hurdle of recovery after a microbial threat.

We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and you can reach our SERVPRO of Long Island City team anytime you need us at (718) 440-6994.

Need Help With Water Damage in Queens? Read this Helpful Remediation Information

3/21/2020 (Permalink)

When your building or home is facing water damage, contacting SERVPRO is your best bet for effective water removal and remediation services.

Extracting Water From Drywall is Not an Easy Task

It is almost inevitable that your home suffers from water damage at some point in time. Homes in the northeast are susceptible to rain, to the routine wear and tear of plumbing and appliances, and even the added stress that a change in temperature can place on the structure of your home. Regardless of the culprit, water can make its way into your home fairly quickly, leaving you in need of water removal services to restore it. When this happens, many homeowners consider forgoing professional advice and applying themselves to the cleanup process. As admirable as this effort is, misinformation can misguide your tactics, compounding the problem and leaving you vulnerable to future complications.

Our  neighbors in Queens who need help with water damage can count on SERVPRO for expert advice. Our team holds certifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC), where they learn about the intricacies of water removal and the restoration of your home. A call to our 24/7 hotline gives you access to our knowledge and expertise, which we put to work as soon as we arrive at your residence.

An essential aspect of what we do at SERVPRO is understanding the materials present in your home. Their use and composition guide our steps in evaluating the restorability and drying plan for your house. For example, drywall is present in many households, but they are not all the same. The drywall in a bathroom is different from one in a living room, and may require additional drying time. By using specialized moisture meters, we can determine just how extensive the water damage is and plan accordingly. This process also informs us as we evaluate restoration versus replacement and the cost-efficiency involved in this decision. When you choose to handle water extraction without expert advice, you run the risk of leaving hidden damage unattended, which can eventually resurface as mold and further complications.

Water removal is one of the areas of expertise for SERVPRO of Long Island City. When you call us at (718) 440-6994, you access a vast amount of technical knowledge that works to protect your home. Our technicians, like you, commit to taking every step toward leaving your home, “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more information about Queens.

We are Cleaning Experts

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

Healthy specialty-cleaning methods are available to protect your halls. Call now.

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need

During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.

Specialized Training

We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.

The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving/Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and Rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

Specialized Products

The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.

Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning

If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Long Island City, (718) 440-6994

Flood Damage in Queens Basement Gets Fast Turnaround

3/2/2020 (Permalink)

No matter when you make the call, we have technicians who can assist you.

SERVPRO Will Quickly Respond to Your Home's Flood Damage, Day or Night

Basements get the brunt of flood damage. It is the lowest level, and basement walls range from finished with sheetrock to porous cinder block and brick. The faster the cleanup begins lessens the potential for loss for the homeowner. 

A homeowner in Queens needed help with flood damage cleanup in her finished basement. This area of the home got used as storage mainly, and numerous boxes and items required removal. 

First Actions On Arrival

A mere inch of water leaves behind substantial damages in a property. SERVPRO technicians immediately begin extracting water and moving items out of the work area to determine if they have restoration potential from the water exposure. The techs quickly discovered the sump pump was not working and arranged with the homeowner to bring in a plumber for repairs. Fortunately, the majority of contents stored in the basement in plastic bins, which only required exterior wipe down with antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaners.

Removal of Ruined Sheetrock

Unfortunately, the sheetrock over the cinder block and brick walls wicked the floodwater and required removal from the floor upwards several inches above the waterline. This action is essential to allow water loss areas to dry completely. 

Drying and Commonly Seen After Effects

Slab substrate is a standard in basements. Because of the porous nature of concrete, some moisture becomes embedded in both the slab and cinder block or brick walls. During the drying process, the high-velocity air movers cause moisture to rise. The dehumidifiers capture it as this reaction happens and creates a cycle of progressively drier air circulating, which brings down the humidity rapidly. When concrete dries, the salts in the composition rise to the surface and leave a white powdery substance known as efflorescence, and the techs clean it away during the final sanitizing wipe down. 

Returning Items

Once the basement gets dried, the technicians verify through the use of moisture detection equipment that the walls and floor attained drying goals. Once confirmed, they can begin to move the stored items back in for the homeowner. 

SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 for fast flood damage cleanup. The certified technicians arrive quickly and make the water loss to the home, "Like it never even happened."

Learn more about Queens.

Proven Tips to Combat Fire Damage in Queens

2/29/2020 (Permalink)

Some electrical fires can be prevented. Contact SERVPRO after facing fire damage or to learn some methods to prevent fires.

Eliminating Electrical Fire Damage from a Queens Condo

Home electrical fires are the root of over 50,000 fires per year and well over $1 billion in damages to property. Whether a space heater catches fire or an overburdened outlet gives way to flames, this type of fire is challenging to mitigate with consumer-grade products alone. 

If your Queens condo needs fire damage mitigation on a moment's notice, SERVPRO technicians are available to come to your home within hours of your call to remove damage and restore your residence to a preloss condition. These IICRC-certified professionals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, to remove damage quickly. The goal is to minimize losses while maximizing the potential for restoration so that you can save time, money, and stress.

Minimizing Electrical Fire Risks

• Use a surge protector. One of the leading causes of electrical fires is the use of overburdened outlets. You can prevent this with surge protectors, which should not be confused with power strips. You can also install additional outlets in your home. 
• Never leave electronics unattended. While there is little need to monitor your computer or television constantly, fire risks like space heaters should not be used without supervision. 
• Mind the areas around outlets and cords. Keep flammable materials, such as fabrics, away from electronics that are in use.
• Remove risky devices. If you have an appliance that sparks every time you plug it into an outlet or that trips your breakers when it runs, throw it out.

SERVPRO Cleans From Top to Bottom

When fire damage happens in your home, SERVPRO technicians use a specific process to address it. Technicians work from ceiling to floor to remove mild deposits before moving on to heavier stains and residues. 

Dry-cleaning methods, including dry cleaning sponges and vacuuming loose soot deposits, are implemented before stronger alkaline cleaners or blast media. If an appliance such as a space heater has charred nearby wood furniture or flooring, the area can be blasted with soda ash to eliminate blackened areas while mitigating some of the odor from the fire.

SERVPRO of Long Island City serves the community by being Faster to Any Size Disaster. No matter when disaster strikes, you can call (718) 440-6994.

Click here for more information about Queens.

Common Walls, Shared Water Damage in a Queens Row House--Better Call SERVPRO!

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

Is Your Back Up Against the Wall in Your Queen's Row House? SERVPRO Has Water Loss Solutions

Tricks of the Trade: Why SERVPRO Succeeds with Water Removal in Queens

Semi-detached and row houses in Queens provide some challenges when excess moisture after a water loss requires elimination. Some of the issues are common to detached houses, but others arise from the connections between households. Our skilled technicians have options when it comes to water extraction; why we are familiar with the hoops, we might need to jump through to get the moisture out of the structure.

Where Is the Water?
When two separately owned residences share interior walls as do many homes in Queens, water removal can get tricky. After a substantial quantity of water pours over the floors after because a pipe leaks or the dishwasher overflows, it seems to disappear quickly. Crossing your fingers and hoping the problem solved itself cannot be your response. Sharing more than a wall with your neighbor is also possible as the water flows without respect for boundaries.  Skilled technicians discover where the water migrated to remove it, why hiring our team is crucial if you want to avoid continuing building material deterioration and secondary damage like mold growth. We use moisture detection and metering tools to find and measure the amount of water in structural components. Thermal imaging helps find hidden caches of water in building cavities.

Removal Strategies for Particular Issues
Tight spaces are a reality for the compact housing stock in our community. These constraints are why SERVPRO has not only high capacity, truck-mounted extractors, but also portable units that can be carried like backpacks into nearly inaccessible spaces. When water goes visiting between walls, we can use different techniques and equipment like the Injecti-dry that accesses building cavities through holes or controlled flood cuts that permit water release. Damaged hardwood flooring responds well to sealed floor mats attached to our extractors, the negative pressure or suction pulling the fluid from several layers of subfloor as well.

Help with Insurance Intricacy
Coping with the insurance claim process can be outside of your experience, but our team is comfortable with the communication and documentation that keeps your out of pocket costs manageable. Our customer-centric approach is why SERVPRO’s commitment to helping with all aspects of a water removal job takes you and your family from devastation to “Like it never even happened.”

We have the talent technicians and cutting edge equipment needed for your residential water removal needs, why SERVPRO of Long Island City should be your first call. Contact our team at (718) 440-6994 for a swift recovery.

Commercial Water Damage Remediation is Bound to Make an Impact in Your Queens Business

2/16/2020 (Permalink)

When a pipe bursts during the middle of the night, the damage the next day can be overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO for effective water removal efforts.

Early Morning Commercial Water Removal in Queens Office 

A plumbing break in the early morning hours in a local office resulted in the need for commercial water removal. Upon finding standing water, the first call was to SERVPRO. 

When the technicians arrived on-site at the office, they immediately began commercial water removal efforts in Queens. This includes carefully scoping the property with moisture detection equipment and determining all paths of water migration. 

Professional Water Extraction Equipment

Flooring tends to suffer the most when a pipe break happens. SERVPRO technicians removed the industrial rubber baseboards to remove the water that seeped behind them and entered the wall. The cubicle dividers were raised and did not receive any damage, and the techs move them out of the worksite area. Portable pumps removed the bulk of the water, but unfortunately, the glue-down carpeting delaminated and required removal so the slab floor underneath could dry.

Drying Contents in Place

SERVPRO techs want to get businesses reopened and running again as soon as possible. They dry desks and other items in place to limit the disruption of clearing out water loss areas. The air movers work to pull up embedded moisture that remains after extraction, and the dehumidifiers work to port captured water vapor off-site. Hence, the structure experiences a rapid reduction in ambient humidity. The powerful equipment the techs use assists in negating mold and foul odors that can delay reopening for mitigation for those issues. 

Post-Drying Cleaning

After a water loss, the techs use their professional cleaning solutions to restore the office to its preloss condition without a hint of musty water odors. When concrete becomes wet and then dried, it can force salts to the surface, and when they dry, a powdery dusting gets left on the surface. This is called efflorescence and gets wiped away easily, so the substrate is left clean and residue-free ready for installation of a new floor covering. 

SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994 has the equipment and certified technicians to address any size commercial water removal and make it "Like it never even happened."

Click here for more information about Queens.

Water Damage in Queens Home Needs Fast Action

1/29/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals are trained to handle all types of water damage.

You Should Always Have a Plan For When Your Queens Home Experiences Water Damage

Bathroom backups are a common source of water damage. They are also one of the most costly in terms of loss because this class of water is a category three biohazard. Frequently, objects that get saturated have no restoration potential. 

A Queens homeowner had water damage in a bathroom from a backup. The homeowner placed several towels on the floor to absorb as much moisture as possible before the arrival of the SERVPRO technicians. 

Scoping and Ventilation

During this type of water loss, the techs wear protective clothing, including respirators, to ensure they do not aspirate the moisture during cleanup. Containment is another standard action to keep the pungent smell limited to the work area and stop cross-contamination to other areas of the home. Because of the strong odor from the backup, the techs set up air scrubbers to assist in capturing airborne particles. After picking up and disposing of the towels, the techs use their advanced moisture detection equipment to see if the subfloor required drying. 

Water Extraction Techniques

The equipment showed that the water did not seep into the tile flooring. When removing water, it is a commonplace for the techs to do several passes to ensure the most moisture possible gets removed. The more moisture that gets picked up before drying works to expedite the time needed to hit pre-set drying goals. 

No Controlled Demo Needed

When there is a sewage-based backup, the removal of the toe kicks under cabinets and baseboards around the walls is frequent. Fortunately, this homeowner brought in SERVPRO techs very soon after the initial water loss event happened, and it assisted in keeping the loss minimal.  

Sanitizing and Odor Control

A water loss of this nature requires both the use of antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning agents to ensure the bathroom gets returned to sanitary levels for reuse by the family. If any residual odors remain, the techs have a diverse array of odor control applications to neutralize any remaining smells. 

The longer water damage remains in your home, the more potential for loss there is. Contact SERVPRO of Long Island City at (718) 440-6994, and the certified technicians arrive quickly and restore the home to its preloss condition, "Like it never even happened."

Learn more about Long Island City.

Unwanted Storm and Groundwater Damage to Your Queens Property? Call SERVPRO--Fast!

1/26/2020 (Permalink)

Queens Homeowners Count on SERVPRO's Advanced Equipment for Mitigating Flood Damage

Critical Elements of Flood Mitigation in Queens Homes

Flooding for many homes in Queens starts from storms that allow water penetration. As challenging as reducing the immediate threats might be, our SERVPRO team must act quickly once notified of a loss incident to save you time and money on restoration. Mitigation is a vital phase of the recovery of your home and can allow our team to protect exposed contents, structural elements, and construction materials before build back, or replacement is necessary.

Understanding the elements of our mitigation process can help our customers be at ease with the restoration of flood damage in Queens residences. Emergency services can often precede even our relief steps as these prevent further water penetration into the house by placing roof tarps, boarding up structural breaches of the residence, or repairing other compromised areas that could allow further harm. With an in-house team of general contractors, we can offer a full line of simple to complex repairs and replacements as they are necessary for the restoration of your home.

Extraction

After flooding, one of the primary concerns that our SERVPRO team faces is standing water within the structure. We can resolve these issues with the use of multiple advanced water removal tools, including electric submersible pumps, trash pumps, and truck-mount extractors. Combined with numerous attachments and accessories, these tools can remove surface water to prepare the house for drying efforts. However, often the groundwater has receded, and moisture removal and cleanup are next up.

Controlled Demolition

In many situations, the movement of floodwater can irreparably damage many installed structural elements and construction materials like drywall, wood trim, insulation, and ceiling tiles. Our contractors can remove only the damaged portions of these materials to make build back faster and less costly.

Drying

Drying is a considerable obstacle for our team after widespread flooding, as every affected material dries over varying periods and with differing techniques. We have state-of-the-art drying tools like air movers, drying mats, and positive pressure systems all that hinges on various methods of evaporation to protect saturated materials.

Validated Documentation

The on-going monitoring of the drying phase of the storm damage restoration process is crucial for the desired result. Using moisture sensors and infrared camera imaging, we can validate when all affected materials have been restored to baseline moisture content levels. During this segment of mitigation, our SERVPRO crew can adjust the strategic positioning of the air movers, axial fans, and dehumidifiers.

Mitigation is an essential element to our recovery process, and one that can save you time and money on the restoration work your property needs. Give our SERVPRO of Long Island City team a call anytime at (718) 440-6994.

Basement Repair NYC

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City offers Basement Repair Services in New York City

Many basements in New York City are used as storage for the residents who live in the apartments above. Often these places are left unvisited for months on end, then at the end of the winter, someone will inevitably find water has seeped in through the foundation and damaged stored goods. SERVPRO of Long Island City provides New Yorkers a solution for this issue, we are experts in water damage repair and we look to SOLVE the problem. Our team of trained technicians use advanced technology to trace down the source of water and moisture and offer complete repair and restoration services to fix the problem right. We then strategically place our drying equipment on the property to remove moisture from the air and prevent futher damage and mold growth. Call our offices today!

Fire Clean-Up New York City

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a commercial building needs a fast response team that has the know-how to get the businesses in the building back to work.

After a fire in a commercial building, you need a team of experienced cleaning technicians to move in and begin the mitigation process quickly. SERVPRO of Long Island City provides top-notch fire clean up services in New York City. With over 15 years of experience in disaster restoration and backed by the training and technology of SERVPRO, we are fast and reliable and can provide services that rise above and beyond expectations. When fire and smoke damage occurs in a commercial building the businesses that work in the building are prone to losses in production, we cut down on that time. We provide cleaning and repairing in multiple shifts and even scaling up our labor force if needed. If you are in need of fire damage repair services call us today.

Cold Fall Nights Are Ahead

11/4/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is available to handle any sized disaster in New York City.

With Thanksgiving only a few weeks away all of us here in the northeast know that the cold fall and winter nights will be upon us any day now. In fact, a look ahead into this week's forecast shows that this will be the first week this fall where the temperature will dip below freezing... and there is a potential for some snowfall on Friday! This is why right now is a great time to get to know your local SERVPRO. In a water damage or fire damage emergency, which are far more typical in the winter, we are available at a moment's notice to help mitigate and repair the issue. And, when you contact your local SERVPRO office, you can be assured a timely response. Call our office 24/7, (718) 440-6994

The UN's IPCC Predicts Stronger, Wetter Hurricanes

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

The world's ice & oceans are taking on the brunt of heat and carbon dioxide from climate change impact in the latest report from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Warmer ocean temperatures lead to stronger, and more rain-heavy hurricanes like Hurricanes Harvey & Dorian. If this is true those of us on the Gulf of Mexico and on the east coast need to be prepared for these dangerous storms in ways that we wouldn't have thought previously possible. In Houston, TX flooding was once again a problem in 2019 as Hurricane Imelda, although weaker by hurricane standards than Hurricane Harvey, dumped more rain and in some ways was more damaging to the low-lying areas around the densely populated city. Our crew here at SERVPRO of Long Island City is prepared to help when these disasters strike. We have been in Houston to help out in 2018 and 2019 and will be trained and prepared to continue to help in the recovery effort wherever we are needed!

Fire Damage Repair NYC

9/5/2019 (Permalink)

We were recently called into a residential building in Long Island City where a small boiler fire created a big mess in the force hot-air building. Like many highrise residential buildings in New York City forced hot-air is used to heat the building in the wintertime, and move fresh cool air throughout the building the rest of the year. The system relies on ductwork that begins in the basement. So when the fire in the basement broke out the soot and dust that was created quickly filled the air ducts and left a mess in many apartments within the building.

We were prepared and ready to clean the ducts from the basement to each and every apartment to ensure a clean and healthy environment for all residents.

Back To School, Fire Safety 101

9/3/2019 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires account for the majority of residential fires across the country and in September, when the kids go off to college, many will stay in 'apartment-style' dorm rooms. These dorms feature private bathrooms, common living spaces and sometimes a common kitchen. In these living conditions, the chances of a fire in the kitchen increase dramatically, not just because younger people might not always be the most experienced cooks, but because there are several kitchens throughout the building. If your children are heading off to college for the first time remind them to cautious and aware of the potential for a kitchen. Also, check to see that their kitchen is equipped with a working fire extinguisher. Of course, if there is damage from a fire in your building we can help. We are prepared to restore large properties, like dorm rooms and apartment complexes, after fire, water, soot and smoke damage.

Dry Grass & Leaves, Chance of Fire Increases

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Throughout the northeast, we have, for the most part, enjoyed a rather flawless summer so far when it comes to the weather. Some areas have been hotter than others and the occasional thunderstorm has rolled through towns and cities to cause some damage and flash flooding but otherwise, it has been warm and sunny almost every weekend. One concern many home and business owners should be aware of is the increased chance of fire due to dry grass and leaves while we are enjoying these prolonged periods without rain.

Many times a backyard fire, a BBQ, or fireworks can be the cause of the of these types of fires that quickly get out of control and cause damage to property in the immediate area. 

The best way to prevent these types of fires is to be aware of flammable dry grass and leaves in the immediate area and to always keep a water source nearby. If you do ever experience damage from a fire contact our offices immediately after your local contacting emergency response.

Staying Cool is Great, But Watch the Drip Pan!

7/31/2019 (Permalink)

If your home or business has central air conditioning you are probably prone to want to stay inside and stay cool during these hot summer days. And why not! Air conditioning has revolutionized the way we live and the places we can inhabit. But one hazard with a central air handling unit that most home and business owners are not aware of is the overflow of the drip pan, especially when the unit is working in overdrive! Your drip pan is designed to drain out of the building but this small drain line (normally 1" PVC) can easily be clogged just enough to slow down the drain pan and to cause the overflow. The result of this issue is water damage that could go undetected for weeks while causing thousands of dollars in damage. If you experience water damage from an air handler overflow, call our office now. We can help with all phases of restoration.

Power Outages Can Cause Damage To Your Home or Business

7/24/2019 (Permalink)

A summer thunderstorm can be fun to watch from a safe distance. The warm air, the rolling sound of the thunder in the background and the streaks of lightning that light up the night sky is like natures version of fireworks. But of course, with a thunderstorm, the chance of a power outage is always a possibility.

Normally, a short power outage is no big deal, but the longer the power is out the potential for damage to a home or business increases. For example, homes that take on water during storms generally, have a sub-pump that removes the water from the basement before damage can occur. Without power, this pump will not work allowing water to fill up the basement. Or if you rely on air conditioning to keep your home or business from getting too humid, a power outage can quickly lead to mold growth.

If you do run into any of these issues contact our office. We can help you to repair water damage and remove mold.

Flash Floods & Thunderstorms

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

So far in the northeast, the summer of 2019 has been just about perfect, but this weekend culminated in a record-breaking heatwave followed by thunderstorms and heavy rains lasting up to 12 hours. Many areas saw flash flooding during this time.

Flash floods and heavy rain can be potentially dangerous for many reasons. The first reason is the road. Driving in these conditions is difficult and it can be extremely hard to determine the depth of water on the road before it is too late.

Basement flooding also becomes a major issue, especially when the area is already saturated, as is most of the northeast.

If your home or business was damaged from or took on water from this most recent rain event call us now. The warm weather will be back tomorrow and damp buildings will be susceptible to mold growth, we can help. We have drying equipment and technicians available 24/7.

Contact our offices today.

Are We Going to See A Hot Summer?

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

If the first week of July is any indication of what summer in the northeast will be like this year then we are in for a long hot summer. When looking at recent trends in the northeast one can estimate that there will be at least 20 days that will reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Last year 23 days in the northeast were over 90 degrees along the coastline, making it even hotter inland! And, after one of the wettest springs on record in the midwest, moisture in the ground will ensure it will be humid and uncomfortable for many of those hot days. These conditions will be perfect for mold growth in damp places and if left unchecked can lead to an expensive outbreak! If you plan to leave any of your properties unattended for an extended period of time contact our office today to learn more about renting our professional dehumidifiers and air purifiers. We can give you peace of mind that your school, business or home will be safe from the threat of mold while you are away for the summer!

Commercial Opperations Expansion

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

In less than three short years in New York City our SERVPRO of Long Island City disaster restoration team has made a huge impact. We have been part of several major restoration projects throughout the city, we have made strategic relationships with important product and service vendors and have put together a team of reliable professionals ready to serve our city on a moments notice. It is because of our amazing clients and our trusted team members that we are currently expanding our commercial operations to include new team members, a larger vehicle fleet, more rental equipment including professional dehumidifiers & air purifiers, and a stronger management presence in major restoration projects throughout the area. If your commercial business in the New York City area is in need of a reliable Disaster Clean-up & Construction Management team look no further, call us now!

Mold Prevention is Cheaper Than Mold Removal

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

If you already know that your properties get that damp and musty odor in the summer months then this year should worry you more than most. After a recording setting spring for rainfall, many in  NYC are at high risk for mold and mildew outbreaks. Preventing these outbreaks before they become a health issue is a far better solution than trying to eliminate mold after it has taken hold within your commercial or residential building. SERVPRO of Long Island City and our Commercial Opps team is available to help you solve this problem quickly and affordably before it ever begins! Our team of trained professionals will asses your property, and the moisture content readings within the dampest areas of the building. We will then station and monitor professional grade dehumidifiers and air purifiers and remove them at the end of the humid summer months, saving you the hassle and the expense of purchasing, storing and maintaining this necessary equipment.  

Mold Remediation Services NYC

6/20/2019 (Permalink)

For many areas of the country, the spring of 2019 has been one of the rainiest on record. In New York City it is no different and with all that rainfall comes the potential for mold. Mold outbreaks, especially in commercial and large residential apartment homes, can be difficult to maintain without proper training and equipment. Our team of certified mold technicians are available to help. We are licensed and trained in the state of New York to remove & remediate mold outbreaks in residential and commercial buildings. We work quickly to contain the outbreak and remove the source of moisture responsible for the problem. Mold can be more dangerous than it appears and can affect the health of those in the area causing respiratory issues and illness. If you believe your building has mold issues, don't hesitate, contact our office now.

Large Loss Restoration & Construction

5/15/2019 (Permalink)

In a disaster restoration scenario, why choose SERVPRO? The answer is simple, peace of mind.

When a natural disaster, a fire, or even the wear and tear of time has caused damage to your home or business you need a restoration and construction team you can trust. We are prepared for any project and have the capability to grow our team and resources as needed if the restoration project is worse than expected and requires more immediate attention. We are so much more than your typical contractor and offer more value and better communication during restoration construction because it is already part of our day to day protocol.

Our experience cannot be understated. With almost 20 years in business, we have been part of recovery efforts in many of our countries largest natural disasters and are available to help our home communities 24/7. If you are in need of restoration and construction services make us your #1 call SERVPRO of Washington County.

Our Commercial Restoration Division in New York City

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

When a disaster relief effort is underway, there are no easy tasks. SERVPRO team members know this and are willing to go the extra mile whenever called upon.

At SERVPRO of Long Island City, we specialize in many different areas of disaster relief, such as Commercial Restoration & Recovery. Our Large Loss Recovery Team is dedicated to these to these claims, the crew understands that they may be required to be on the job for weeks or even months, and must ensure they follow a ridge protocol & chain of command to work efficiently, quote accurately and complete the restoration project on time.

This is what makes our restoration team stand out from the competition. We have inspired a workplace atmosphere and energy that encompasses our team and pushes them to always give their best effort. Our hands-on management approach includes rigorous training programs, teaching and understanding SERVPRO protocols for disaster restoration, consistently reviewing our customer service practices, and providing the best possible restoration services at all times.

In a large-loss restoration, we are 100% dedicated to the job at hand and our client in need, 24/7. We are here, leading the way to recovery.

A Team On The Rise

4/18/2019 (Permalink)

We are fierce competitors always striving to improve our game. This is how we approach every job, with a dedication to hard work and an understanding that we should always be learning and improving from our experiences. We have been on the front-lines of some of the countries biggest natural disasters where we managed every stage of the recovery & reconstruction process. 

Our aggressive work ethic has helped us to earn the trust and respect of many well-recognized subcontractors including many of the north easts largest reconstruction contracting companies who rely on us when everything is on the line.

Of course, our experienced professionals can only be as good as their equipment allows. We boast an impressive inventory of restoration equipment allowing us to be prepared to manage and mitigate multiple disasters at one time.

We are proud of our team and will continue to build upon the hard work that has brought us so far already!

Schedule A Facility Cleaning Today!

4/9/2019 (Permalink)

We were out early on a Sunday morning visiting a commercial client for a monthly facility cleaning. This particular client requires we clean the premises outside of their regular business hours when they are closed and there are no employees in the building. Did you even know SERVPRO provides scheduled cleaning services? Most people are not aware of this service and assume we only handle disaster restoration clean-up after a flood, storm or fire. But our general cleaning services are second to none. Our technicians are professionally trained and have access to a vast array of SERVPRO equipment, cleaning solutions and techniques. If your business is in need of a weekly, monthly, annually or even one-time cleaning services we can help! Our professionally trained cleaning technicians can handle any industry, such as commercial, industrial, service businesses, warehouses, government buildings and more. Schedule your cleaning today!

Parking Lot Clean-Up, Repainting, Repair & More

3/12/2019 (Permalink)

Now that the winter is over it is likely you and your client's parking lots need to be cleaned and possibly repainted. We can help. We are your #1 call for any and all types of cleaning and repair and are on the scene shortly after of your call. If you need parking lot cleaning, repainting, repair, or lightbulb replacement contact our office now and we can send out a crew for a one-time cleaning and damage inspection or schedule regular clean-up inspection times to ensure your property always looks great. We make the process simple, SERVPRO of Long Island City, offers one-stop shopping when it comes to property clean-up, maintenance, construction and restoration. Our team of highly skilled technicians, contractors, and craftsmen make us the #1 choice for large corporations looking for a full-time, fully-capable maintenance team that is available at a moments notice. Call us today!

A Professional Restoration Company Can Save You Money In A Water Damage

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

When your home or business is struck by a water damage event, such as a flood, burst pipe, or roof leak, you will see many restoration options in a google search. Here is why it is so important to carefully consider the company you choose to repair your property. 

1. Evaluating exactly what can and cannot be saved in the property is crucial. This is where our experienced managers quickly determine the best course of action to save as much of the structure as possible. This first step can determine a huge chunk of your upfront costs for repair and materials for replacement.

2. Drying Equipment. If the company you hire is not using the best drying and air scrubbing equipment available, chances are they will need to use that equipment on your property for a longer period of time, costing you more money. Our techs are trained to work and act efficiently and we invest in the best possible restoration equipment so everything we do is efficient. In the long run, this is the best possible way to save our client's money.

3. We offer all phases of restoration and reconstruction services. Again, as we strive to be an efficient company we employ a team of talented and experienced craftsmen and carpenters to remove the need to hire subcontractors on your project and to be 100% sure your job will be completed professionally.

Smoke & Soot Cleaning After A Fire Damage

1/30/2019 (Permalink)

Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult and emotional process. From the perspective of the home or business owner, the task can seem impossible. SERVPRO of Long Island City specializes in this type of clean-up and we consistently train our crew members on the correct approach for clean-up after a fire. We recently were called into clean-up a fire damaged building where soot and smoke had filled several areas of the property leaving behind a coat of black dirt and debris throughout the lower level. Our crew members immediate jumped to action first clearing the smoked damaged areas and then thoroughly scrubbing and washing down the cement interior until all of the soot is removed. Our full-service crew provides construction services and was also available to repair fire-damaged areas of the property.

Despite a mild December; Winter is Coming

1/11/2019 (Permalink)

Sure we will have to wait until April for 'Winter to Come' in the world of Westeros, but here in New York, despite the mild December, winter is finally here. Below freezing temperatures have been consistent the last few weeks and it feels like snow will be on the ground any day now. Are you prepared? And more importantly is your home or commercial property prepared for the extended freezing cold weather? Here are some things you can do to make sure your home is ready for winter.

• Check attic and basement eves - If you live in an older home chance are you have a vented attic if this is the case double check to make sure attic insulation is still in place and working and that there are no drafts in the attic or basement. If you have any exposed water pipes you should insulate them and if necessary install an electric pipe heating cable that will monitor the pipes and keep them warm enough to keep water flowing.
• Make sure water to outside water faucets is shut off - Leaving water on can cause the faucet to freeze and leak, this slow leak will allow ice to form around your hose bib and your foundation with the potential to cause structure and water damage to the property.
• Monitor the temperature in your garage - If you have an attached garage there is a chance there are water pipes within the ceiling or walls adjacent to the garage, monitor the temperature of your attached garage and, if needed, install an emergency heat source to kick on when the temperature is low. This can save you thousands in water damage in the case a pipe were to burst! 

Christmas Tree Fires Account for Millions of Dollars in Property Damage Annually

12/12/2018 (Permalink)

Christmas trees and holiday decorations account for millions of dollars in property damage every year. Please share these basic safety tips to ensure your family's well being this holiday season.

• Look for a fresh tree, these are less likely to catch fire. Vibrant green needles that do not fall off easily. The Frazier Fir is a great choice and has a softer needle that does not dry out as quickly.
• Remember to water your tree immediately after getting it home and in the stand. Continue to water the tree until it stops taking water.
• Keep your tree away from heat sources, candles and other electronics.
• All your Christmas lights should be UL or ETL/ITSNA tested for safety, and you should throw away damaged lights.
• Be sure to plug outdoor lights into a ground-fault circuit interrupter protected receptacle.
• Keep all your candles away from your Christmas tree, surrounding furniture and décor. If possible avoid candles all together especially this time of year when there tend to be more flammable items around the home.
• Don’t forget to turn your Christmas tree lights off each night.
• When your tree's needles begin to fall, it is time to take it down.

Follow these guidelines and avoid being another statistic in the National Fire Protection Association or United States Fire Administration report this holiday season. Of course, if you do have an emergency contact us immediately along with the local emergency response departments needed. We will be there to help you get things back, "Like it never even happened."

Colder Weather Setting In - Be Prepared

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

As we near closer to Christmas it is important to remember that freezing weather leads to a greater chance of frozen pipes and a potential for leaks and flooding. Even if you have not had an issue in the past there are steps you can take to ensure your home or business safe from this disaster.

1. Check your home or business for drafts and heat loss. Many times, especially in older homes, attic and basement insulation may become brittle or old and become ineffective in reducing drafts and cold spots. Check to see if your basement or attic has cold spots or failing insulation.

2. Installing a backup heat source. If you have an attached garage or a basement without heat this you have the potential for frozen pipes. Installing an additional heat source that turns on automatically when the room temperature gets too cold can save you from disaster!

Of course, if you ever do experience a burst pipe call our offices immediately. Our team of trained technicians will respond quickly to restore your home or business.

Duct Work Cleaning NYC

12/1/2018 (Permalink)

Is the ductwork in your building clean and ready for the winter months? As forced hot air systems are turned on all over the city for the cold winter months we are reminded that it is important to make sure the ductwork that supplies that warm air is clean. Clean ductwork makes for a healthier environment inside your home, office or business. Clean ductwork also makes your heating system more efficient and reduces your fuel costs. There are some factors that make cleaning your ductwork a necessity, one such factor is if you have recently had flooding, water damage or mold within your building. Mold in ductwork can lead to health issues for anyone within your building and regularly having your ducts cleaned is the easiest way to avoid this type of disaster. For a free evaluation and price quote call our office, (718) 440-6994.

We are here when you need us.

11/1/2018 (Permalink)

Recently we were called upon by a local school for an emergency cleaning. This wasn't our typical emergency, such as a flood, fire or storm damage, but instead was a job that needed to be completed quickly due to the start of the school year!

When preparing to open for the 2018-2019 school year many teachers and faculty complained about a musky odor in the building. We were called in to test the quality of the air in the building and were able to detect impurities in the air, and with only 3 days to go until the start of school.

Due to the expedited time schedule, we brought in dozens of techs and a management team that would teach and lead our techs to ensure the school was safe and ready for students on the first day.

Storm Damage Repair & Dry Out

9/24/2018 (Permalink)

Heavy rains from Hurricane Florence and other weather systems have soaked the east coast of the United States over the last couple of weeks. Our team of Disaster Restoration techs have been working around the clock restoring and drying out homes and businesses up and down the eastern seaboard, but we're not done yet! In fact, we have only just begun what we consider to be one of our busiest times of the year. There are of course major events, like hurricanes, that when they occur require several teams of restoration experts to band together. And there is also the change of seasons that will bring with it the cold weather that will inevitably cause pipes to burst, ice dam and snowmelt flooding. We recommend to all of our neighbors to take this time of year to prepare for the winter and other potential weather-related events that could cause damage to your property. Being prepared is the first step to a successful restoration.

Warehouse Fire Repair

8/27/2018 (Permalink)

Recently we needed to pull resources from our multiple franchise locations to a fire & water restoration at a food distribution center. The partially damaged building needed to be restored quickly to prevent contamination and mold growth in areas of the warehouse that were not directly affected by the fire. In disaster restoration time is always crucial and we train our techs to work quickly and efficiently to ensure the environment is returned to normal ASAP! In this particular case, we knew there were hundreds of thousands of dollars in perishable products that were at risk to be damaged so we arrived on scene within hours and had equipment and techs on site shortly thereafter. We were able to clean and restore the facilities within 48 hours in time to re-open only 3 days after the fire damage occurred.

Cleaning Crew Long Island City

8/22/2018 (Permalink)

If you have property in need of a thorough cleaning SERVPRO of Long Island City should be your only call. Recently we were brought in to clean a mixed commercial and residential building in Long Island City. This particular clean-up required our techs wear respirators and cover-alls to protect themselves while cleaning mold which had started to become a problem in several areas of the building. Once the mold is removed we begin the process of deep cleaning including carpets and upholstery where SERVPRO techs excel in provided unmatched services. Because we are trained in disaster and extreme situation clean-up our techs excel in any restoration situation. Our access to SERVPRO training, techniques and cleaning products make us second to none in the industry, call our office to schedule our clean-up today.

2018 Report: Above Average Rainfall Throughout the Northeast

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

It seems like it is raining every other day here in the northeast lately, so over here in our SERVPRO^® of Long Island City office, we decided to figure out just how much more rain has fallen in 2018. Using tools available on the National Weather Service website we were able to generate this map showing rainfall accumulation for the year and comparing it to the average amount of rain for this time of year. As you can see rainfall along the coastal regions of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York are 4"-12" above average! This will be something to keep an eye on going into what many believe will be a busy hurricane season this year. If your home or business is near any of our located near a resevour, river, lake or pond keep our number on hand, we will continue to monitor the weather! 

6th Annual PTA Spring Gala & Silent Auction for Long Island City Public Schools

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City was honored to offer a sponsorship to the 6th Annual PTA Spring Gala & Silent Auction for Long Island City public schools. We were happy to attend the festivities and had a great time getting to know the school board members, teachers, and other corporate sponsors who sent representatives to attend the event. As a locally owned and operated franchise we feel it is important to get involved with our community and to get to know local business owners. Many are surprized to learn that we offer services like carpet cleaning, duct cleaning and general cleaning services, in addition to our disaster restoration service for which we are well known. This event offered us the unique opportunity to give directly to our communities most important organization, our public schools. We would like to extend our gratitude to all who worked so hard to bringing such an amazing event together to benefit local children and teachers.

Proudly Serving the Community of Long Island City

5/23/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Long Island City is Here to Serve the Community, Call Us 24/7 We Can Help.

SERVPRO^® is often recognized as a nation-wide leader in disaster restoration services but, it is important to note that SERVPRO^® of Long Island City and all SERVPRO^® locations are locally owned and operated. As a local business, we enjoy getting involved in our community; getting to know each other, engaging in community events, and of course, working with other business owners in our area when needed. We know that working locally means our reputation is always on the line and for each and every job it is of the utmost importance for our team to maintain our great reputation, especially with our neighbors!

In addition to our restoration services, we can also provide our neighbors cleaning services. We provide carpet and upholstery cleaning and ductwork cleaning, contact our office today!

Water Extraction Reduces Overall Costs

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

As an insurance agent, adjuster or property manager you may wonder why SERVPRO extracts water from soaked rugs and carpets that will most likely end up being thrown away anyway! There are a few reasons for this; first, the weight of a wet carpet or rug requires more manpower to remove and move, so extracting water reduces the weight of the carpets to be removed significantly. This not only makes the material easier to lift and requires fewer technicians but it is safer for our technicians to handle, reducing on-site injuries. Also, by removing the weight of the water we reduce the amount of total weight of the waste removed, helping to keep waste removal fees down. Finally, by extracting and removing the water from wet carpets and rugs we are removing the water from the property entirely! The importance of this cannot be understated because removing water from the property quickly is the first step in preventing further structural damage and mold growth. Dragging wet rugs and carpets from a property without extraction can leave water behind and exasperate an already dire situation. 

Winter Water Damage

12/7/2017 (Permalink)

In the wintertime, we tend to forget about mold becoming an issue in the home. For the most part, we associate mold with humid summer days creating the perfect environment for mold growth in dark, damp spaces… but this is not always the case. For example, mold growth can strike quickly after a flood or fire even in the winter. We recently encountered a home in which the pipes had burst on the third floor of the dwelling. With no one home, the water soaked the home for 2 days before the leak was discovered. Our crew began working in the home within 72 hours of the disaster and within that time mold growth could be seen on wet surfaces throughout the house. If not properly treated mold can quickly make its way into difficult to find places like vents and ducts where it may cause health issues to those in the home if not removed.

Revitalizing Old Buildings? You Might Find Mold.

11/30/2017 (Permalink)

Finding mold in your home or commercial property is a precarious situation. Sometimes it may be a localized outbreak that can be easily cleaned away, other times what appears to be a small patch of mold is an indication of a much bigger issue that could be hazardous to the health of those living in the home.  SERVPRO of Long Island City’s mold remediation is second to none and will evaluate and remediate mold outbreaks.

As many areas in the US see continued growth many old, unoccupied commercial buildings are now opening their doors again. If you encounter mold in your new commercial property SERVPRO of Long Island City can help. Call our office today and we can send an experienced technician to review your mold issue.

5th Annual Government & Business Matchmaker

11/17/2017 (Permalink)

This annual event allows local businesses to meet one-on-one with different government agencies to introduce themselves and the services their companies provide. As a Disaster Management Company we can provide government agencies with the area's fastest response time to flood, fire and other emergency events and provide the equipment and manpower needed to clean and restore any disaster. Our team has over 10 years experience in disaster management and have provided our services for major flooding events across the country. We have trained extensively for several types of disaster response techniques and continue to educate our managers and our crew in the latest strategies and technologies available to best mitigate disaster. Our crew managers and team members have worked on local government sanctioned jobs in Rhode Island & Connecticut and look forward to serving the communities of New York City.

Fire Restoration

11/8/2017 (Permalink)

Restoring a home or place of business after a small fire is always a difficult task. Even a small cooking fire can cause damage and immerse the surrounding areas with soot and a smell that will linger permanently if not treated correctly. SERVPRO® of Washington County is the area's most experienced disaster recovery team. We have decades of combined experience amongst our ranks and we extensively train each and every new crew member to utilize proven techniques and to optimally manage all drying equipment. Since we are a SERVPRO® Franchise we have access to new technology, equipment, and methods that are backed and tested by the nation's most reliable disaster relief franchise. Hopefully, you will never need our services, but if your home or commercial properties ever experience a fire we will be there when you call. 

Residential Fires

11/7/2017 (Permalink)

Residential fires are some of the most difficult situations we encounter. Not because our crew is unprepared for the event, but because the personal loss of a home and possessions is extremely painful for the owners and can lead to a highly scrutinized job site. Our crew is prepared for this and sympathizes with the anguish each and every homeowner feels after a disaster has impeded their life. We are trained to move quickly understanding that every moment saved at the onset of disaster recovery increases the chance of a successful mitigation exponentially. We carefully attempt to salvage any items that can be restored and store them in our warehouse to be cleaned and dried. After the structure has been reviewed we then begin the cleaning process, being careful to protect any undamaged areas of the home before we start. Once clean we can begin drying and assessing the damage totality, our trained crew includes carpenters and other subcontractors that can help to expedite the recovery process and get you back in your home faster.

SERVPRO of Long Island City is Hiring

11/6/2017 (Permalink)

As a valued SERVPRO® employee, you’ll be part of a stable, growing company offering state-of-the- art customer service and products throughout the United States. You will receive a competitive pay rate, with great opportunity and the ability to work with a talented and supportive team that is growing 10 years strong!

We are adding motivated people to our team in several capacities. We are seeking someone who has community relationships in Long Island City, NY with excellent communication skills, and who is a focused and driven. If you are self-motivated and have superb interpersonal skills, then you will thrive in this work environment. Our idea of the ultimate candidate is one who is proactive, experienced, truly enjoys providing superior service, and loves taking ownership.  

Read over the responsibilities, minimum requirements and then apply online today!

Some of the Responsibilities

• Provide excellent customer service.

• Compile and maintain online internal database of customer contact.

• Participate in networking events and be a local face for our franchise.

• Conduct presentations to professionals in our industry.

• Complete documentation, as appropriate.

• Assist other departments as needed.

• Take the initiative on other tasks as assigned and as needed.

• Achieve sales volume goals.

• Maintain existing accounts and source new ones.

• Be Dymanic 

• Social media postings

• Engage with Co workers and Clients

• Focusing on Property mangers relationships

• Daily reporting and use CRM

Minimum Requirements

• Clean driving record.

• Minimum 2 years outside Sales, Marketing or Customer Service Rep experience. Outside sales experience a plus. Insurance, real estate, or risk management background a plus.

• Experience with Professional Sales or Marketing Associations a plus.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including proper pronunciation, grammar, and a consistently courteous and professional tone of voice at all times.

• Possess polite, confident and excellent customer service skills, including listening and questioning skills.

• Ability to handle both rejection and success.

• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.

• Very self-motivated and goal-oriented.

• Ability to multi-task.

• Experience with database management and CRM tools.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (i.e., Outlook, Word, Excel).

• Bachelors degree preferred.

• Current involvement in one or more community organizations.

• Work under minimal supervision.

• Credit Check

• Motor vehicle check

Primary Role: Promote and sell franchise services in our Long Island City, NY territory, which results in meeting or exceeding assigned sales goals. Grow and develop customer base by utilizing a systematic process to identify new prospects and to routinely contact and follow-up with customers. Conduct repetitive contact calls to build relationships and educate the customer on why SERVPRO® is the best cleaning, restoration, & construction company. 

1. Salary
2. Commission schedule (paid 1st of month on collected sales)
   1. Commission of Direct Sales
      1. Estimated sales per year: 1,000,000.00
      2. 3% commission, minus subcontract.(i.e. dumpsters, tradesmen, contract labor.)
3. Health Benefits
   1. Employer will contribute 100.00 per month toward selected company plan.
   2. We currently do not offer dental.
   3. Effective after 60 days of employment. (Plan policy)
4. Must following expense policies.
5. IPad and iPhone will be provided.
6. Must follow SERVPRO Corporate Policy.
7. 401k contributions, per plan policies. (180 days before eligible, Plan Policy)
8. Performance review in 60 days.

Retail Store Flood

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

Reaction-time cannot be underestimated when disaster strikes a retail establishment. At SERVPRO of Long Island City we strive to react and be onsite within the hour for most disasters. Recently we responded to a call from a retail store where flooding had occurred. Our team arrived on-site and immediately removed & stored all retail goods from the affected area saving the owners thousands in lost merchandise. Next the team began to contain the water damage to the already affected areas of the store to prevent further damage. Using the drying equipment at our disposal the crew was able to begin mitigation processes within 30 minutes of arrival. Once further damage was contained our repair crew began to take preventative measures to safeguard the structure from further flooding knowing another rain storm was due the following day. Once drying was complete our contracting team took over and began the repairs needed to fix the damage from the flood and to repair the building to prevent a future flood.

Hotel Lobby Flood

10/30/2017 (Permalink)

When disaster strikes a business or commercial property SERVPRO of Long Island City has scored high ranks with our clients, we understand the importance of ensuring a business or commercial is in operation as soon as possible. In many cases we are able to isolate the area where the disaster has struck and the business can remain in operation. Recently we were called to a disaster at a hotel where water from persistent rains flooded the lobby. Upon arrival our first goal was to clean and restore as much of the lobby as possible. We knew that by doing so we could allow the hotel to operate and service their customers as we continued to mitigate and dry the public areas of the business. Our team built temporary barriers to block the view of the equipment and the crew as the mitigation work was underway, 24/7 until the lobby was 100% recovered.

Serving Long Island City

10/30/2017 (Permalink)

Some of the most rewarding work we do is directly in our community. When we are called to a disaster in Long Island City we know that our every-step is on display to individuals we may end up seeing around the community many times over afterward and we must step-up our performance. A few years ago our sister franchise had been called to a summer home in Rhode Island on Atlantic Ave which had flooded after a winter storm. We were on the scene within the hour and began the process of mitigating and repairing the home. Little did we know the owner of the home was also a business owner in Queens, NY and his boatyard also suffered damage after the storm. Thanks to our Rhode Island crew and their professional approach in the beach home we were called into work on and mitigate the water damaged suffered in the warehouse and office building of the yard in Queens.

Flooded House, Now What!

10/23/2017 (Permalink)

All too often homeowners wait too long before contacting a water damage mitigation expert in the event of a flood. A good example is when an appliance (like the dishwasher or washing machine) breaks and leaks throughout the house. If you are lucky you realize the leak right away and are able to fix the problem before any real damage is done. But many times a small leak goes undetected for weeks until the leak expands and parts of the home begin to show water damage. 

In one particular example, a two-story single family home was set up with the washer and dryer on the second floor. The homeowners left the machine running before leaving for the day and returned home to find the supply hose had become detached from the washing machine and was draining onto the carpets and throughout the house.

They attempted to dry the mess themselves and waited 5 days before contacting SERVPRO of Long Island City, multiplying the problem and damage to their home.

Hurricane Report: 2017

10/11/2017 (Permalink)

Needless to say, it has been a busy hurricane season in the United States. SERVPRO of Long Island City has been busy serving the affected communities while also leaving an experienced crew behind ready to serve New York in case emergency restoration services have been needed. 

During the last few months, we have provided equipment, manpower, and management in the hurricane-affected areas of Texas, Florida, Louisana, Mississippi & Alabama. It has been difficult work and hard to witness the damage first hand but it has also been uplifting to see the resolve of the people who want to get back to normal and have pitched in to help their community.

SERVPRO of Long Island City would like send our continued prayers and support to these effect areas. We are here to help!

Back to School Is Here, Schools Need ERPs Too!

8/29/2017 (Permalink)

AT SERVPRO® of Long Island City we believe learning shouldn’t be paused or canceled, even in the face of disaster. Disasters at an educational facility are highly complex and require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a small school or a campus of higher education, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area so that normal operations can continue while we restore your facility. Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area. Your job is to provide valuable lessons and information to the students; ours is to make sure you have a safe place to do so.

An Emergency Ready Profile Can Save You Thousands. 
By profiling your school, library, daycare or event facility with SERVPRO of Long Island City Counties you allow us to document and understand how to approach any disaster with the intent of mitigating further damage immediately upon our arrival on the scene.

Setting up your Emergency Ready Profile is easy, simply call (718)440-6994 and we will schedule a convenient date and time for a SERVPRO Project Manager to review, document, tag, and photograph your facilities as part of your new Emergency Ready Program Profile.

Healthcare Facility Disaster Restoration

8/1/2017 (Permalink)

Our team of disaster restoration professionals is well trained in adhering to the highest sanitation standards, especially when working in 'clean spaces' such as hospitals, doctors offices, rehab facilities, etc.. Our team knows time is crucial for both your operations and your patients and we strive to work around the clock to complete the task at hand as quickly as possible.Each crew member undergoes specialized training to work in operating rooms and other restricted areas and knows how to handle regulated medical waste according to HIPPA regulations. We also adhere to a strict policy that every medical facility disaster is prepared for environmental and infection control, and teams establish containment areas, monitor progress and make sure that all necessary health certifications are obtained prior to completing any job. Our number one priority is to quickly and safely take full responsibility of your cleanup needs so that you are free to focus on your number one priority: the patients. Our experience in the healthcare industry has given us the ability to provide a variety of detailed services for the following:

• Hospitals
• Assisted Living Centers
• Outpatient Surgical Centers
• Hospice Facilities
• Rehab Facilities
• Medical Office Buildings

Celebrate Summer Safety

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

Summer is a time to enjoy the great outdoors, but it is also important to keep safety in mind. Consider the following tips, provided by the National Fire Protection Association to keep you and your family safe all summer long.

• When using a charcoal grill, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills; do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
• When using a gas grill, ensure the hose connection is tight; check hoses for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
• Always build a campfire downwind from the tent area. Clear vegetation and dig a pit before building your fire. Extinguish the fire before going to sleep or leaving the campsite.
• Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.

Your local SERVPRO® of Long Island City wishes you a safe and happy summer!

Professional Carpet Cleaning

7/18/2017 (Permalink)

Choosing the right carpet cleaning company has never been easier. SERVPRO of Long Island City's professional cleaning crew is available for carpet cleaning work of any size. Our experience and powerful cleaning equipment can handle large commercial and residential cleaning jobs such as hotels, lobbies, and common hallways. Or small jobs such as residential homes and small business retail locations. As the country's leader in disaster restoration SERVPRO employees have become accustomed to clean-up work that appears to be beyond repair. Yet time and time again their training and determination prove otherwise thus earning a reliable reputation for disaster clean-up. Carpet cleaning, although smaller in scale visually, is not much different than a full on disaster. It requires the technician carefully evaluates the situation and determines the course of action to produce the best results.

Hurricane Season 2017: What to Expect.

7/10/2017 (Permalink)

As we begin the summer months it is important to note the start of the 2017 hurricane season is also underway. Meteorologist and scientist around the world believe this year we could see an increased number of Atlantic Ocean hurricanes due to a weak to non-existent El Nino effect.  SERVPRO of Long Island City offers experienced leadership and crew members when it comes to hurricane damage and flooding mitigation.

Experienced team members play a crucial role in reducing the damage caused by weather, especially in densely populated neighborhoods. SERVPRO of Long Island City managers and crew members have participated in mitigating floods across the country including floods caused by Hurricane Sandy in 2014.

Please take a minute to note this phone number, 718-440-6994, our office is available 24-7 and ready to send a prepared crew to your emergency situation in a moment's notice. We offer several mitigation services that can drastically reduce the overall damage caused by weather.

2017 Mold Report & Preparation

6/29/2017 (Permalink)

Nationwide 2017 has been a unique year for weather. Across the country cities and towns have been stressed by the weather extremes from snowfall accumulating in 48 of 50 states to almost non-stop rain storms and flooding throughout the spring in some areas. The next battle will be the warm summer months and mold will be a new challenge as a result of the spring weather. SERVPRO technicians everywhere are getting prepared for what they believe will be an above average year for mold contamination in homes and commercial properties everywhere.

In New York City conditions could be perfect for mold growth in many lower level and basement apartment and commercial buildings. These areas tend to get little light and remain damp even when the temperature rises creating the perfect environment for mold to thrive. 

If you believe your home, office or commercial building could be experiencing mold issues call us today! (718) 440-6994

Duct Cleaning NYC

5/10/2017 (Permalink)

Time for spring cleaning?

Springtime cleaning in the Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan usually means the typical top-to-bottom refreshing of a home or place of business that is needed after a long winter. Often times home and business owners tend to take on these tasks in-house, spending hours cleaning and refreshing. While this is one important step for a typical spring cleaning SERVPRO Professionals know there is so much more to true “spring cleaning”.

One of the first task to evaluating a commercial or residential space is to identify the type of heating source used throughout the winter; homes or businesses using duct work to provide heat should begin by cleaning ducts ensuring the dust a debris collected after a full season heating is removed. SERVPRO of Long Island City is the company to call for duct cleaning in NYC; so even if you prefer to do the bulk of spring cleaning in your home or place of business we can help to clean your duct work to ensure clean air when it is time to turn on the air conditioning.

For most residential and commercial spaces in NYC duct work cleaning is imperative as the larger buildings will accumulate more dust and debris and, in turn the accumulation reduces airflow and air purity for the entire property and all residents. SERVPRO of Long Island City is experienced large property duct work cleaning and can offer you a no obligation cost evaluation of your property. Clean ducts can not only help to provide cleaner air into your facility but drastically reduces cooling and heating cost and can prevent the likelihood of fire do to a heating system malfunction.

Contact a SERVPRO professional from SERVPRO of Long Island City today. We specialize in spring cleaning of any size from duct and carpet cleaning, to hoarder clean-outs and disaster restoration we are a team you can trust!

Fire Pit Safety Tips

5/2/2017 (Permalink)

Fire pits are a great way to accessorize your yard and they are perfect for gatherings! When you use your fire pit, make sure you are keeping you and your property safe by following these safety tips!

Location

Make sure you keep your fire pit AT LEAST 10 feet away from any structures. This may help prevent sparks from hitting your home and excessive smoke from entering your or your neighbor’s home.

Do NOT put your fire pit under tree branches or on a covered deck. Make sure your fire pit is in a location where the flames and sparks will not hit any objects.

Under the Pit

If your fire pit is not built into the ground, make sure you have stone, brick, gravel, or concrete under the pit. This will help prevent the area below the pit from burning. You should NEVER place your pit over dry grass or over a wooden deck. This is because the heat from the base of it pit may spark a fire to the ground below it.

Weather

Do not use your fire pit if it is windy. The wind may push sparks from the fire to an area that is flammable.

When you are using your fire pit, you should notice the direction the breeze is blowing. You should move any object out of the way of where the breeze is blowing to help prevent a fire from occurring.

Lighting the Pit

When lighting your fire pit, use a commercial fire starter pack. Do NOT use lighter fluid or gasoline to light the pit or to relight fires. You should always keep water nearby just in case the fire inside of the pit spreads.

Before you use your fire pit, you should check your town’s laws on fire pits. Some towns require a permit and an inspection. If the unfortunate happens, call the experts at SERVPRO. We will restore your property and make it look “Like it never even happened.”

Should you Clean your Air Ducts?

4/24/2017 (Permalink)

It’s that time of year where everyone wonders if they should get their air ducts cleaned. Dirty air ducts usually spread dust, dirt, and mold around your property. This can lead to poor indoor air quality.

While it is normal to have some dust and pollen in your air ducts, you might want to consider getting your ducts cleaned if the following is true:

1. There is mold growing inside of the air ducts

It is not always easy to see if mold is present. If your service provider says that mold is growing, ask him to show you where it is. If you do have mold in your air ducts, please note that it is impossible to completely get rid of mold.

2. Your ducts are infested with vermin

Do you have unwanted guests living in your air ducts? If so, you should call an expert to get them out as quickly as possible in order to prevent the problem from getting worse.

3. Your ducts are clogged with debris and dust

If your air ducts are clogged, you should call a professional to clean out your ducts. A clog can contribute to poor air quality.

If you have experienced any of the above issues, make sure you find out what caused the issue because it is likely that it will happen again.

If you believe your ventilation system falls into one of these three categories, call SERVPRO! The experts at SERVPRO will inspect your ductwork and HVAC system, give recommendations about the best way to address poor air quality, and fix your problem.

How to Prevent Mold

4/19/2017 (Permalink)

Mold can grow everywhere, from your carpet to your window seals, and even inside of your walls! Sometimes it is easy to detect mold, and other times it’s more difficult. While it is impossible to completely eliminate mold, here are some tips on how to prevent mold from growing.

Dry Wet Areas

Mold needs moisture to grow. You can help prevent mold from growing by wiping away condensation and by not leaving wet items around. Always make sure you wipe down the bathroom after you shower and hang wet towels in a room with good air circulation to dry.

Proper Ventilation

Poor ventilation allows water to stay in the area and may help mold grow. If you are doing an activity that produces a lot of moisture, like cooking, make sure you are using the exhaust fan. You can always open up a window in addition to using an exhaust fan.

Monitor Humidity

The EPA recommends indoor air humidity should be between 30 and 60 percent. You can keep an eye on humidity levels in your home with a moisture meter which can be picked up at your local hardware store.

If your home has high humidity levels, you may want to get a dehumidifier. This will help keep humidity levels down.

Direct Moisture Away from your Home

If your property constantly is flooded, you may want to develop a way to prevent water from getting inside of your home. This will help prevent water damage and it may help prevent mold from growing inside of your home. This can be done in a few ways.

1. Create a barrier
2. Dig a trench
3. Build a dry well

If you suspect that you have mold growing in your home, call SERVPRO. The experts at SERVPRO will inspect and assess your property with our specialized training and equipment. We will make your property look “Like it never even happened”.

Types of Fire Damage

4/14/2017 (Permalink)

According to the NFPA, the number of fires your household can expect in an average lifetime is five. Any fire regardless of size will cause damage to your property. Fire damage is classified into six different classes and the type of fire damage can be classified in two ways.

Six Types of Fire Damage

Fires are classified into six different classes. These classes are Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class E, and Class F.

• Class A: Involves flammable solids, plastics, paper, rubber, cloth, and wood
• Class B: Damage is caused by flammable solids that became liquids and by liquids. Examples of these types of substance are gasoline, petrol, oil, plastics and, paints. Cooking oils and fats are excluded from this class
• Class C: Involves flammable gasses such as hydrogen, natural gas, butane, and propane
• Class D: Damage is caused by combustible gasses such as potassium, sodium, and magnesium
• Class E: This class is a combination of Class A and Class B but, it involves electrical elements
• Class F: Damage is caused by cooking oils and fats. Cooking oils and fats are in their own class because the fire is usually hotter and more damage is caused.

Fire extinguishers are not a one size fits all. Make sure you read the label on your fire extinguisher to see what types of fires it can put out. Some fire extinguishers are water based which would not be safe to use on a Class E fire. Also, check the expiration date on your fire extinguisher to make sure it is still good to use in case of an emergency.

Types of Fire Damage

Most insurance companies use two classifications for fire damage. These categories are primary damage and secondary damage.

• Primary Damage: Damage is caused by direct flames to the structure or to objects inside of the structure
• Secondary Damage: Damage is caused by corrosive substances, smoke, and water from putting the fire out

Secondary damage typically causes the most damage to the structure. This is because soot and smoke can work its way throughout the structure.

If you experience a fire in your home, the first step you should take is to call the fire department. Your second step should be to reach out to your insurance agent. Your final step should be calling SERVPRO. All SERVPRO franchises are available 24/7 with highly trained restoration technicians. SERVPRO specializes in fire and water damage and will get your property looking “Like it never even happened”.

5 Spring Cleaning Tips

4/13/2017 (Permalink)

Spring has officially sprung and that means it is time for spring cleaning! If you think the only way to clean your home is with harsh chemicals, think again! You can clean almost every surface in your home with distilled white vinegar. Get every room in your home looking clean and smelling fresh by following these spring cleaning tips.

Clean Carpet

Over the course of the winter, your carpet may have developed an odor and it may have sand, salt, and dirt trapped inside of it. Help eliminate the odor and remove anything trapped inside of the carpet by mixing essential oils and distilled white vinegar. Before applying this mixture, test it out on a small area of your carpet because some fabrics are sensitive and it may cause damage.

Clean Windows

Over time, windows get dirty or develop smudges. You can make your windows look crystal clear by mixing one part hot water and one part distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Simply spray the solution on the window and wipe away to clean.

Follow these three steps to make your windows truly shine.

1. Clean from the top down.
2. Do NOT clean your windows in direct sunlight. This will cause streaking.
3. Avoid damage to your window frames by drying immediately.

Clean Mattress

Dust mites and odors are inevitable when it comes to mattresses. You can help eliminate them by doing the following steps.

1. Remove all sheets and blankets from the bed.
2. Spray mattress with distilled white vinegar.
3. Sprinkle baking soda over the white vinegar and let it bubble.
4. Place a towel over mattress for 1-2 hours or until dry.
5. Vacuum up any residue from the baking soda.

Clean Refrigerator

You probably want to avoid using harsh chemicals where you store your food. Follow these steps to get your refrigerator looking like new!

1. Remove all contents from the refrigerator.
2. Wash shelves and the sides of the refrigerator with one part hot water and one part distilled white vinegar.
3. Dry all areas of the refrigerator
4. Wipe down jars before putting them back in the refrigerator.

Clean Bathtub

Over the course of time, your tub can build up with grime and soap residue. You can eliminate the buildup with ease by doing the following.

1. Fill a spray bottle with one part hot water and one part distilled white vinegar
2. Spray mixture in the tub and let it sit for 15 minutes.
3. Wipe clean with a sponge or a towel
4. Rise tub with water and wipe again

These cleaning tips should make your home look and smell great. Remember, you can always call SERVPRO to do your spring cleaning for you. SERVPRO offers “green” cleaning products and we are available 24/7!