SERVPRO's Emergency Ready Packet. Are you prepared?

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Emergency Ready Packet

If an emergency were to happen in your business today, would you and all employees be prepared? If your answer is no then don't be frightened!  SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island is here to help! We can come out to your business and set up an Emergency Ready Plan for FREE! What is an Emergency Ready Plan aka ERP?  An ERP is a packet for you and your employees to have to help keep everyone calm during an emergency.  The packet includes a property overview, building access information, an emergency action checklist, contact information for the local Fire Department, Police Department, and Hospital, pictures of all shut off valves and description of location, and more.  Being prepared for an emergency requires a team effort.  Communities and businesses need to have contingency plans in place to ensure their residents and workers stay informed.  By working together, individuals, families, businesses and communities can make a real difference in minimizing the impact that a disaster has on their lives and their livelihoods.  If disaster does strike, leaving fire, water or mold damage in its wake, SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island's emergency restoration specialists offer an assortment of services to help local residents quickly restore damaged property.  For more information about SERVPRO or to receive free emergency preparedness materials, please contact SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island.

Essential Tips for Moving During COVID-19

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

Moving During COVID-19? Our professionals are uniquely qualified and prepared to maintain strict safety precautions.

Although most of the country is staying home right now due to COVID-19, there are many in New York City who are tasked with having to find a new house or apartment to move into. Moving to a new home is always stressful, but it can be extremely nerve-wracking when done during a pandemic. To ensure that your move is done as safely as possible, we have created an essential list of cleaning and inspection tips to help keep you and your family safe.

First Things First! Can the virus live on surfaces?

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has made it clear that the virus is more likely to be spread via respiratory droplets than through contact with contaminated surfaces. From what researchers have observed, the virus can survive on surfaces for up to three days on a variety of materials. Best advice? The CDC recommends cleaning surfaces that are visibly dirty and then sanitize to rid your home of the virus and protect against spreading COVID-19.

Tip #1 Clean BEFORE Disinfecting

To differentiate between cleaning and sanitizing, it is important to understand the following. Cleaning refers to removal: of germs, dirt, and any other impurities that may be resting on household surfaces. In contrast, to disinfect is to use chemical disinfectants that can kill germs on contact. Your best shot of lowering the risk of spreading the virus is to clean all surfaces and to then use an approved disinfectant, such as Lysol Disinfecting Spray. For more approved household cleaners, please check out the official EPA list.

Tip #2 Make Sure to Leave Windows Open

According to the CDC, during times of illness, it is important to have fresh air circulation. When moving and after, be sure to keep all doors and windows open to ensure a breeze to flow throughout the home. Also, leaving doors open will lessen the contact made on high traffic surfaces such as door frames and handles during the moving process by those in your household as well as movers.

Tip #3 Don’t Forget to Check For Mold

If you are moving to an apartment or home that has been abandoned, such as during the COVID-19 outbreak, your new home may be at risk for containing mold. Reoccupying a space after a period of building inactivity leads to the risk of microbial hazards (i.e. mold). Before moving into an apartment, check all ceilings, walls, and floors for water spots, as they indicate a high potential for mold growth.  Moisture is needed for mold to grow, so be sure to also check for any leaks or spots that indicate mold growth. Areas that are most likely to contain mold are kitchens and bathrooms: be sure to inspect each cabinet and drawer as well.

Please remember that if anyone in your household has a respiratory issue, it is considered dangerous to move into any building that is suspected to have mold. If you do see any problem areas, be sure to act quickly and contact a SERVPRO professional as soon as possible to take care of your mold issue immediately. 

Tip #4 Keep Clear Safety Standards with Movers

If you are utilizing a moving company to help with transporting and placing your items, be sure to make your safety standards clear. Movers should be given clear instructions on what your expectations are. This may include correctly wearing PPE, cleaning/disinfecting the truck, removing shoes before coming into a home, keeping a standard 6-feet social distance from others, being sure to minimize contact, washing hands frequently, etc. By communicating these safety standards and expectations, you will be able to minimize the risks of spreading the virus during the move-in process.

Did you know that SERVPRO can help you with your moving needs? Our trained staff can safely box and transport all household items to ensure a successful move. Our team is equipped to make sure your items arrive perfectly intact. Also, all SERVPRO technicians as well as keeping strict hygienic protocol. 

Tip #5 For True Peace of Mind? Hire SERVPRO for a Professional Cleaning!

Unlike a typical janitorial cleaning, SERVPRO has expert technicians who are highly trained and have experience dealing with hazardous work, be it COVID-19 cleaning or the more typical mold work. SERVPRO has both the correct professional equipment and the trained professionals that will give new homeowners and renters an invaluable peace of mind and greatly reduce the stress brought upon by moving. Our professional cleanup process includes cleaning of porous and non-porous surfaces, disinfecting of all high-traffic spaces that are most likely to contain the virus: handrails, shelving, bathroom fixtures, etc.

If you’re moving into a new space, it is important to follow these tips to be prepared and minimize the chance of contracting the virus. If you require professional cleaning of your new home or help with moving in, our professionals at SERVPRO are always prepared to help you!

Maintenance tips to prepare your property for the winter

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

Preparing for the cold, along with the potential winter storms that come with it is important for a few reasons: its both cost and time effective, to name a few. A handful of tips that may help prevent unwanted waste of time and money can be found below. 

1. Clearing all the drains on the property of debris. 

2. Be aware of snow buildup on your roof. Every roof has its own weight capacity, and exceeding that can cause long term problems. 

3. Cracks and weaker walls that are already in the structure will worsen with the dry winter air. Get these checked out in the fall to avoid larger bills down the road. 

Staten Island Restoration Services

5/12/2017 (Permalink)

New York City is a popular place for movies to set the scene for their wide array of disasters, but unlike the silver screen disasters don't simply disappear. If half of your roof caves in during a blizzard or your commercial office building gets flooded, it's important to respond quickly to set up provisional and protective measures to avoid further deterioration. SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island is available 24 hours a day with efficient and adept Restoration Technicians ready to clean up any mess from the upholstery in your home to the removng of mold damage within a commercial facility.

SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island can sort out any mess:

• Fire Damage
• Water Damage
• Smoke Damage
• Storm Damage
• Mold Damage/Remediation
• Cleaning & Building Services

Save yourself time and money by hiring SERVPRO's Restoration Technicians. SERVPRO will be there for every stage of the recovery. Knowing a trusted pioneer of the Restoration and Renovation industry will respond cost effectively and quickly.

When emergency strikes be prepared, depend on SERVPRO and its 1700 franchises. In moments of urgency our capable and highly-skilled technicians can call upon Special Disaster Recovery Teams to make sure your problem is resolved.

No matter what the elements throw at you, whether it be dust bunnies or extensive smoke damage, SERVPRO will have your property clean in a cinch and for a reasonable price too. SERVPRO is a trusted leader of commercial and residential restoration throughout the New York City area and further afield.

SERVPRO will be there to fix any element's destruction: water, fire, smoke, mold or storm damage. Hundreds of franchises are ready to dispatch highly-trained restoration professionals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. New York City is iconic American culture and SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island is the best at keeping New York City clean.

Expecting the Unexpected

7/24/2016 (Permalink)

Whichever the season, whether it's winter or summer, the weather conditions and temperature outside your home will not match the inside. Unless your home is properly prepped and sealed, the outside weather conditions can have a big impact on your home. Floods, in particular, can occur at anytime and anywhere. To ensure that you and your home are protected, here are some weather-proofing tips from SERVPRO of Staten Island.

Weatherproof Windows and Doors

Seal all gaps around windows and doors. Not only will this keep flood water out, but it can cut your heating and cooling bill significantly by maintaining a consistent internal temperature. Check for gaps that are larger than 1/8-inch, and consider sealing those.

Check Gutters

Incorrectly angled or clogged gutters can catch rainwater and other debris such as leaves and twigs, causing overflow. Water can then be redirected and leak into your home, causing wall damage in addition to interior damage of your home. Check for proper gutter installation and alignment, and frequently clean out your gutters to prevent overflow.

Inspect the Attic

The attic is usually the last place many homeowners will check for any signs of damage or need for repairs. If left unfixed, this can lead to water leakage during rainy days. During the day, check for streams of light entering the attic through the roof.

Weather proofing and preparing for a flood can avoid the need to elevate, demolish or relocate homes. Taking the proper precautions, making the right repairs and being prepared for the unexpected is a cost-effect approach and solution. It can save you money, time and the headache of dealing with a larger disaster or damage on your home.

SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island and Claim Filing Assistance

7/13/2016 (Permalink)

Disasters can be harrowing and stressful experiences. If your home has just experienced a serious fire, for example, the last thing you probably feel like doing is filing a time-consuming claim and negotiating with an insurance company. The mere thought probably makes your head feel like it's going to explode. If you're interested in a reputable restoration company that is more than happy to handle claim filing on your behalf, then it's time to get into contact with SERVPRO of Southern Staten Island. We'll communicate with the insurance company for you to see to it that you get the coverage you deserve, period.

If you're in Staten Island and looking for a reliable restoration company that can assist you with the often frustrating and time-consuming claim filing process, give SERVPRO a call as soon as possible. If your property has just experienced any type of severe disaster (whether a fire, flood or anything else), our company is right here waiting to help you. If you're worried about the damage a disaster may have caused your property, we can give you much-needed peace of mind.

Reach out to the team at SERVPRO today to learn more about our in-depth restoration services. Call our company ASAP to learn more about our efficient insurance assistance as well. We're here to help you!