Recent Posts

Preempting Water Issues In Your Home ~SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen Is Here to Help

9/3/2024 (Permalink)

Technician using water gage on wet hardwood floor. Water damage from a leak or broken appliances can lead to major damage if it is not taken care of quickly. Call SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen.

In every pipe, hose and connection, your water is waiting—even now—for an opportunity to break free of restraint and get out. And if it finds any opportunity to free itself, it will absolutely take it.

That’s why it’s important to be familiar with the areas around your home that may be susceptible to leaks and failures—and if you can keep your guard up, you might be able to catch some escapes before they happen.

Toilets. Your toilet only has a couple of places that would end up putting water in your actual floor—namely the valve seal, the supply hose and possibly the wax seal under the toilet itself. Inside the tank, you might develop leaks from your rubber flapper as well—these will waste water, but not spill it.

Appliances. If an appliance uses water, it has to use hoses, joints and washers to move that water around. Washing machines in particular are known for developing leaky hoses. Oh, and do mind the age of your water heater. If it gets too old, it is more like to burst.

Clogged gutters. Clogged gutters are probably the most preventable water damage scenario, because it’s a relatively simple task to get up there and remove the leaves and dirt that would become a problem.

Roof damage. Roof damage can come from environmental factors such as sun and rain over time, or acute factors like falling branches and hail. Inspect your shingles from the ground regularly and after any major storm event.

Pipes. Older pipers are prone to oxidation, but even newer pipes can burst or separate if joints aren’t fitted well. And outdoor pipes can get in trouble, too, especially from tree roots.

Blocked garbage disposals and sinks. The wrong foods can make it difficult for your disposal to work, or they can soak up a lot of water even after processing and dam up your sink’s pipes.

Water will try to escape through even the tiniest crack or deficiency, and you can’t predict everything—but routine inspection and prompt action may save you the headache of having to deal with the damage of a leak.

If a water leak erupts into a big problem at home, you’ve got the best team in the business on your side. Contact SERVPRO® today so we can get started.

Fire Damage: The Behavior of Smoke ~SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen Has the training and Experience

9/3/2024 (Permalink)

Mop cleaning ceiling with soot and smoke damage. Call SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen to clean up after fire damage, we have years of experience with fire, soot, and smoke damage.

The damage to your Bergen County property following a fire can often be complicated due to the unique behavior of smoke.

There are two different types of smoke--wet and dry. As a result, there are different typed of soot residue after a fire.

SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen County Service Technicians are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration. They are trained to know about the different types of smoke and its behavior patterns. Knowing this information is vital to proper restoration. Before restoration begins, the technicians will survey the loss to determine the extent of impact from fire, smoke, heat, and moisture on the building materials and contents. The soot will then be tested to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows us to focus on your precious items. 

Smoke can penetrate various cavities within the structure, causing hidden damage and odor. Our knowledge of building systems helps us to investigate how far smoke damage may have spread.

The following are additional facts you may not know about smoke.

  • Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
  • Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor. 
  • The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Types of Smoke:

Wet Smoke (Plastic and Rubber) Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke (Paper and Wood) Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke dries. 

Protein Fire Residue (Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire) Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Fuel Oil Soot (Furnace Puff Backs) While "puff backs" can create havoc for homeowners, SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen Service Technicians can, in most cases restore the contents and structure quickly. 

Other Types (Tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher residue) Special loss situations require special care.

Our technicians are trained to handle even the toughest losses, and are IICRC Certified. The Northwest SERVPRO® team will make any smoke disaster "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO® of Northwest Bergen | Offers 24/7 Emergency Service after the Storm Flooding

3/21/2024 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen if you have flooding from storm damage.

High-powered storms can bring many disasters to your doorstep. From extreme winds to heavy rains and flooding, they can all do serious damage to your home.

The type of storm and the events it causes can expose your home to multiple kinds of damage. Calculating your home’s potential level of damage is complicated and involves looking at your home’s qualities, age and the landscape surrounding it.

It’s essential to have basic storm damage knowledge, but it’s especially important for us in New Jersey, where powerful storms are common. Our regional government has created Weather Ready, which offers everything from a hyper-local weather radar to tips about how we can prepare for these kinds of disasters.

Look below at the main types of damage so you can better understand how to prepare for them:

Wind

Wind damage takes place when structures face strong gusts that can rip roofs off the building or even tear walls apart. While tornadoes and hurricanes are usually the culprits, traditional thunderstorms can cause 100 mph winds as well.

To prepare for wind damage, remove any excess limbs, large rocks or toys that might become dangerous debris during a powerful weather event. This will limit the number of objects that could potentially damage your home.

You should also have your roof inspected regularly to ensure it is able to withstand intense wind and storms.

Water

The damage that water can cause during and after a storm is also significant. High-volume rains can allow water to collect around your home, seeping inside through any possible location.

To mitigate the level of destruction from water, think about using landscaping methods that direct water away from your home. Or you could create a rain garden on your land to collect excess rainwater and prevent flooding.

You should also maintain your gutter so that they can assist with removing water from the roof. When water can collect up there, the results can be catastrophic, potentially even a roof collapse.

Impact

Damage done through impacts is another big problem with storms. Falling trees or flying debris are two of the main ways that this affects us, but you can help prevent impact damage.

By trimming trees around your home and removing any dead ones, you can lower the risk of one falling onto your home. You should also secure other objects outside of your house that could be picked up by wind and thrown into your structure or property, causing damage.

Weather disasters resulted in approximately $145 billion in damages last year in this country. This is why it’s important to follow these steps and take action before the storm strikes. Doing so could help you save countless amounts of money and stress associated with recovering from a disaster.

If you do happen to suffer storm damage, call SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen immediately. Our expert team will come ready for action, with a can-do attitude that will have you back in your home before you know it!

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Contact us today to get your storm damage restoration started faster.

SERVPRO Is Ready to Help With Every Disaster | SERVPRO® of Northwest Bergen

3/21/2024 (Permalink)

No matter what type of disaster you face, SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen is only a phone call away.

We can relate to the struggles of business owners, as our SERVPRO® is independently owned and operated. We know how difficult it is to balance 20-plus things at once, all while running the everyday operations of a business. An unexpected disaster ruining everything would be the worst outcome for every business owner.

While none of us are able to perfectly predict or prevent natural disasters, we are all able to prepare for them.

We know that damage to the home can be just as stressful, too. Attempting to recover after sustaining any level of damage can be an overwhelming and painstaking process.

To get your home ready for handling destruction, you should make an effort to form an emergency plan. This starts by learning the kinds of disasters that we face most often.

Our American Red Cross has created a great website to help Americans prepare with information about general emergency preparedness. Our government has created 2-1-1 New Jersey, which is aimed at getting all of us in this state ready for our common disasters.

It’s likely that every homeowner and business owner will experience damage at some point. However, it’s always important for you to begin restoration quickly so that you can get the best results. Here is why we should be first in your mind:

Why Choose SERVPRO?

We understand that no two situations are alike. Although many disasters happen that require restoration in the United States, every situation will be different.

To show this, there are more than 14 million homes in this country that face annual flooding risks, but the damage each one suffers will vary for a number of reasons. Our experts are trained to handle any damage regardless of its scale.

We will begin by getting an understanding of your circumstances so that we can provide the best solution for you.

We are available 24 hours a day. On the topic of restoration, the most important thing to remember is that you need to act quickly. Not only does this prevent more damage from happening to your home, but it can also lower the costs of restoration significantly.

As water gets inside your home, it will likely damage your flooring, fabrics and furniture almost immediately. Even worse, as water is allowed to soak in, it will allow mold to grow exponentially throughout the affected areas. This is why our team is on call 247 so that you can get started immediately.

We provide more than simply damage restoration. Instead of merely restoring the damage to your home, we can help you every step of the way.

Our professionals are happy to help pack things away and prevent further destruction, and we can speak with your insurance company to make that process go better. We always strive to provide you with the best assistance in any way that we can.

Regardless of the damage you may face, your restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen will be there for you! Our team has years of experience handling every kind of damage so you can feel confident going with us.

When you suffer damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Contact us today to get restoration started faster.

Cleaning Water Damage Quickly is Important | SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen has over 25 years of experience in water damage restoration.

Water damage in your Bergen County home occurs when excess water starts to flood and pool in areas where it shouldn't be.

Several factors can cause this excess water, and therefore, contribute to damage to your property. When you know what the potential causes are, you can take precautionary steps to help you avoid a water loss. You can also spot an issue once it arises and get it fixed before it has a chance to do additional damage.

The faster you see a problem, the less work and extraction there is. Either way, water cleanup needs to be done in your Bergen County home, and you should hire the help of a professional remediation and restoration company to do the job. SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen Customer Service staff and Service Technicians are available to help you at any time with the experience and knowledge that you would expect from a reliable company.

A common cause of water damage in your home is broken pipes and hoses. Things such as aging pipes, a burst water main, or ice maker supply lines and washing machine supply hoses that fail certainly ruin your day. It is a good idea to purchase copper pipes and braided metal lines to replace the original ones, as they hold up much better so you can avoid accidents.

Another common cause for water damage is leaking hot water heaters which can cause major water damage mainly in finished basements. If you are home the first thing to do is shut off the water supply, then call your plumber, often the appliance needs to be replaced. The next steps should be a call to your home insurance company and then SERVPRO so we can help cleanup and dry the entire space while working closely with your insurance company.  

No matter what has happened, our SERVPRO Service Technicians can help you get your home dry and back in its preloss condition. We have various tools to help us get the water out, including moisture meters and sensors to find any hidden moisture, pumps to get rid of any standing water over a few inches deep, plus air movers and dehumidifiers to dry everything. We also work quickly and efficiently so additional damage is avoided, such as mold growth.

Another common reason for water damage in your home includes broken toilets and overflowing bathtubs. The toilets overflows or backups are particularly important to clean up properly because of the biohazard contaminants of the “black water,” SERVPRO techs are trained and have protective gear specifically for these types of cleanups. Sewer backups, unfortunately, happen as well. Tree roots can invade and clog your drain lines. Using an enzyme drain treatment to flush out your lines every month during the spring and summer months when tree roots grow the most is a good idea to avoid this kind of disaster.

SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen can help you restore your home after a water damage emergency, no matter what type it is.  Call our Customer Service team at (201)236-2400 as soon as you realize there is an issue so we can schedule an appointment and come quickly to clean things for you. 

To learn more about Water Damage read our online water damage brochure.

Are you ready to have the cleanest business in town? Contact SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen for all your cleaning needs.

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen 201-236-2400.

Homeowners in Bergen County know that when mold, fire or water cause headaches at home, SERVPRO is the call to make for recovery, restoration and more.

Business owners, likewise, know that we’re the proper partner for businesses suffering from similar fates.

But there’s an additional service business owners can take advantage of at any time, not only when there’s a crisis: ultra-high-grade commercial cleaning services that go far beyond traditional sanitation service.

Commercial Services for Businesses of Any Size

More so than ever before, it’s important for business owners to present a shopping or commercial experience which makes it clear that the health of customers and employees is at the forefront. And that’s where we can help. We take care of businesses of every ilk, including:

Retailers and malls. Chains and local boutiques equally deserve sanitation and the clean feeling that promotes customer comfort.

Educational facilities and sporting venues. School wipedowns are only clearing half the bacteria from the most heavily used areas of the classroom. We can improve the standard of cleaning to provide a more hygienic learning or athletic environment.

Senior care facilities and hospitals. The environment of healthcare facilities has to be clean to an incredible degree to ensure a safe space for patient care, and nobody is more capable of making it happen than the experts at SERVPRO.

Resorts, hotels and casinos. Whether chips are flying or families are checking in, we’ve got the extra cleaning that high-traffic areas like hotels and convention centers require.

Foodservice facilities. Processing, distribution and service of food calls for a bacteria-free space. We can keep it spotless so you can focus on the vittles.

Managed residences and businesses. Landlords and property managers trust us to provide tenants with healthy spaces and spotless offices.

When you’re ready to have the cleanest business in town, we’re ready to help. Contact your local SERVPRO to get the pros working on the cleaning so you can work on the work.

Leave the Odor Removal Process to Us | SERVPRO® of Northwest Bergen

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

If you experience an odor or any other water or fire damage inside your home, call SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen 201-236-2400.

Home damage can come in many forms, and sometimes they can be hard to see with the naked eye. Sometimes you can smell them instead! In addition to tackling your home damage from storms, fire and water, we can also address any odor problems you have within your home or business.

All damage can cause lingering odors, and some can be hard to discover on your own.

In these instances, we can take it from there! Your SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen team is ready to tackle whatever odor problem you are experiencing with our thorough removal process.

Our Different Removal Agents

We understand that each odor situation and home is unique, so we create a specialized approach for each project we tackle to make sure your home’s odor problem is completely taken care of. While the list below is not exhaustive, these are some of the most common ways we can address your odor.

Masking agents. Some smells need to be addressed right away while we are working on more in-depth methods. Our masking agents create a much more pleasant atmosphere for all of us!

Filtration agents. Another option is to just filter it out! We can pull the smell from furniture, carpets and walls with our filtration compounds.

Disinfectants and sanitizers. Any good cleaning requires sanitization to ensure the smell does not come back due to any leftover particles or bacteria.

The Odor Removal Steps to Success

1. Remove the source. The first task is to locate what is exactly causing the smell! Once we do that, we can remove it and address the lingering odor.

2. Clean residue from surfaces. Once the cause of the smell is gone, we give the area a full cleaning to make sure nothing is left behind.

3. Recreate the odor-causing conditions. This step is important in making sure we got the entire odor. We use specific deodorizers to help recreate the original environment. This shows us residual particles.

4. Seal exposed surfaces. Sealing up the space doesn’t happen in every situation, but if we decide that the project is becoming too expensive or impractical to continue, we can seal off the area to prevent the smell from traveling.

We aren’t afraid of a little smell! No matter what type of odor your home or business is suffering from, your SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen team is here for you.

If you experience an odor or other damage inside your home or business, call us at any time, 247. We have the training and equipment to quickly get your property back in operation.

Did You Know? SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen Handles More then Water and Fire Damage and can restore your Glen Rock Property to preloss condition

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen County we are here to help.

Recognized as a leading fire, water, and mold restoration provider, SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen also offers fast and reliable bio-hazard, vandalism, hoarding and crime scene cleanup and restoration services in Bergen County, New Jersey. 

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose health consequences for building occupants, employees, customers and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazardous substances can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments. 

SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen Service Technicians are trained to safely and effectively remove bio-hazardous substances and prepare waste for proper disposal according to OSHA, EPA and state and local health regulations. 

Equipped with the necessary safety equipment and cleaning products, SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen County helps turn unsafe environments into clean, safe homes and offices. 

Our services cover the following issues:

  • Blood-borne Pathogens:We remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue and other potentially pathogenic substance resulting from accident, trauma, crime or death. Technicians clean, disinfect, and deodorize the structure.
  • Methamphetamine Labs:Many chemicals used in the production of illegal drugs, are volatile and can leave harmful residues throughout a structure. SERVPRO follows federal and state guidelines to properly clean all surfaces. 
  • Crime Scene Residues:Fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues can be cleaned from surfaces and contents to restore your property. 
  • Arson and Vandalism:After the fire trucks are gone, your home and belongings likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO has the specialized fire and water damage cleanup and restoration training and experience to quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition. We also have specific training and equipment for odor removal and deep cleaning of upholstery and carpet. 
  • Sewage Backups:Water from sewer system backups should be considered very dangerous. The water is grossly unsanitary and may contain bacteria and viruses that could cause serious illness. Special training and equipment is necessary to safely clean this type of contamination. This water is grossly unsanitary, and any contact should be avoided. Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.
  • Black Water Intrusions:This water is unsanitary, and any contact should be avoided. Sources for category 3 water could include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.
    • May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
    • Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup
  • Mold Mitigation and Remediation:Mold has the potential to cause other health effects. Mold can spread quickly through your home or business in as little as 48 hours. If you suspect that your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property. If mold is found, we have the training, equipment, and expertise to mitigate your mold infestation.

Knowing and trusting who to call when you have a cleanup problem at your Glen Rock, New Jersey property is critical to getting the job done right. Call the professional cleanup Service Technicians at SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen County to reliably and safely cleanup your worst bio-hazard disasters.

To learn more read SERVPRO residential cleaning services. Or give our professional office staff a call at 201-236-2400.

Faster To Any Size Disaster | SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen

2/28/2023 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen

SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Bergen County, New Jersey.  We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

  • 24-Hour Emergency Service
  • Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
  • Highly Trained Service Technicians
  • A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
  • Locally Owned and Operated
  • Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 

(201)236-2400 or (800)497-7179

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency flood damage, fire damage or biohazard/sewage damage cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can clean and restore your home and make your property look its best. 

Learn more about our residential services:

  • Water Damage Cleanup
  • Fire Damage Restoration
  • Sewage/biohazard Cleanup
  • Mold Remediation
  • Storm Damage Restoration
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting
  • Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So, when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services, we have the training and expertise to respond quickly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business.

Learn more about our commercial services:

  • Commercial Water Damage Restoration
  • Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
  • Commercial Cleaning and Disinfecting

Don’t trust your home or business to just any cleanup crew, TRUST the local damage and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen. We will be there faster even when disaster strikes at any unexpected time. 

Call SERVPRO When the Smoke of a Fire Disaster Has Cleared | SERVPRO® of Northwest Bergen County

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

For quick repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen.

Disasters are one of those things that we all hope never happens, but when they do, they can leave a wide variety of damages behind. While there are lots of ways we can be affected by disasters, a fire is one that will almost always leave a path of destruction.

Cleaning up after a fire emergency can feel daunting and scary, but when you have neighbors like SERVPRO in your community, you can rest assured that you are far from alone. We will walk with you through the entire process and get you back on your feet in no time.

Our Initial Move

When you are affected by a fire, your first priority has to be securing the safety of yourself and your family. After that, call our experts to start down the road of recovery.

We can take your call at any time of night or day, and we will start creating a plan immediately by gathering as much information from you over the phone. Our team will be headed your direction in no time with the proper equipment and resources to get things started.

On site, we will first assess the damage as we continue to create a plan that will meet the unique needs of your situation. No two disasters are the same, and we want to ensure that every part of your restoration is covered.

Time to Get to Work

Removing smoke and soot damage from everything it has penetrated will start once the area is secured. Smoke and soot can reach rooms that never even saw flames, so we will clean walls, floors and ceilings anywhere there is sign of damage. Surfaces will also be sanitized to remove and stop additional odors.

The Most Crucial Step

Once the cleaning process has been completed, our team can get down to the real restoration of your home. This means we will start to put everything back together, including hanging drywall, laying floors or painting a room.

If part of your property could not be salvaged and demolition took place, our team is experienced in construction. We can rebuild an entire room if necessary. It is our goal to put your home back together exactly as you want it. At SERVPRO, we have years of experience, and we are always ready to help.

For rapid repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Northwest Bergen County! We will work as quickly as possible to return you to a safe and fully restored property.