SERVPRO Can Clean Your Commercial Kitchen in Wilmington

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Wilmington Restaurants Rely on SERVPRO to Rid the Premises of Smoky Odors Post Fires

Wilmington's Commercial Fire Damage Technicians from SERVPRO

Kitchens are familiar places for fires to start. Commercial kitchens are not immune to accidents, and it is possible that someday a fire starts inside your Wilmington restaurant. After the building gets cleared by the fire department, it is time to assess the damage.

The number one priority is to secure the burnt area and make sure it is safe for your employees and customers. SERVPRO's commercial fire damage professionals in Wilmington know how to complete the restoration process by causing as little of a strain on your business operations as possible. Many times we complete the work outside of business hours so that your restaurant does not lose revenue as a result of the mitigation process.

When starting the cleanup and restoration process, our SERVPRO specialists remove anything that is severely burnt and needs to get replaced. Once all of the charred debris gets discarded, the next step is deodorization. Pungent odors sometimes have multiple sources that get removed to start the deodorization process. Protein-fueled blazes from meats are especially malodorous. Mechanical means can be used to neutralize the odors by recombining the odor-causing into no-offensive or no odor at all. Hydroxyl generators are a safe bet for this.

After items that create foul odors get discarded, surfaces that odor particles stick to get cleaned. Many times cleaning all of the soot residues inside a structure eliminates most pungent odors. However, sometimes odor particles penetrate deep into materials, and other methods get used to rid the area of the awful smells.

If foul smells are still present after all surfaces are clean, the conditions that caused the odor particles to penetrate building materials get recreated. We create smoke behavior by using chemical fogging equipment. Chemical foggers disperse microscopic particles of deodorization chemicals into the structure.

Smoke particles penetrate deeply into materials because they are microscopic. The use of industrial grades hoods helps vent odors to the outside. Odor particles range in size from one-tenth of a micron to four microns. Deodorant particles must be just as small and travel at a high velocity to be effective.

Other factors such as porosity cause odor particles to penetrate deep into materials. The more porous material is, the more likely it is to absorb odors. If the residue is more concentrated in an area, then the odor particles cover a larger surface area. The time an area gets exposed to smoke affects how deep odor particles penetrate.

If odors still exist after recreating the smoke's environment with deodorant chemicals, sometimes walls and studs get sprayed with a special sealant paint to seal the foul odors. For help restoring smoke problems, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Things to do here.

How Water Damage Can Strike

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Save Your Water Damaged Home in Wilmington

Coastal Storms Can Bring on Water Damage

Living in a coastal area can be comfortable and relaxing in many ways, but can also come with some risks as well. Residents of Wilmington have to be ready for floods, hurricanes, and heavy storms, in addition to physical water disasters. Even properties on high ground are not immune to water damage and flooding. Knowing about the different types of water damage that could harm your property is the first step in mitigating the damage from disasters.
 
Hurricanes and Large Storms
A large portion of Wilmington water damage cases results from hurricanes and storms, due to proximity to the ocean and significant potential for tropical storms to move in. Although many homes are built with heavy winds in mind, exterior, and interior water damage can still result from any storm with heavy rain and wind. Large amounts of rainfall can flood houses and stain their walls and floors, and heavy winds can peel off roofing materials and blow objects through walls and windows, opening up the room to the elements. There is little to be done about these storms, aside from ensuring your safety by getting to a shelter or at the very least holing up in a bathroom or safe room.
 
River Flooding
The rivers and streams that swirl around Wilmington may be prone to flooding during a storm, causing significant damage to properties along their banks. Also, consider that intruding groundwater is contaminated with chemicals, pathogens, and organic debris. If your home is located on or near a river, consider taking precautions to have valuables placed six to twelve inches above the ground to avoid significant loss in the event of a flood.

Infrastructure Disasters
As with locations across the country, water fixtures can also malfunction or incur damage, leading to potential disaster for your property. Water lines and fixtures inside and outside of your home may rupture or fail, causing mild to severe water damage in portions of your home. Make sure that all water lines and fixtures in your home are relatively new and in good shape to avoid most of the damage associated with these disasters. Periodically inspect visible plumbing lines and couplings. Inspect hose drain lines from the washing machine and dishwasher every six months.
 
SERVPRO of New Hanover has been a trusted locally owned and operated franchise for years now and has serviced many local clients with water, flood, fire, and mold damage repair and restoration services. If you require assistance with cleanup and repair of any water damage in the area, please don't hesitate to call us at (910) 762-8180 for fast 24/7 service.

What to Do When a Wrightsville Beach School Suffers Fire Damages

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

The experienced professionals at SERVPRO work quickly and efficiently so that schools can reopen their doors sooner after fire damage.

SERVPRO is Here to Help Keep Schools Safe after Fire Damage

There are plenty of things that you have to concern yourself with regarding the safety of the children that attend Wrightsville Beach schools. When you are dealing with an incident like a fire, regardless of the severity, the lingering effects and potential damage need to be removed, restored, and repaired right away. Knowing whom you can trust to handle any emergency restoration job can save you time, money, and resources.

As a decision maker for incidents like fire damage in Wrightsville Beach schools, the last thing that you want is excessive time getting lost from children kept at home while damage restoration is underway. Often, this fact alone is enough to discourage school systems from attempting to repair and restore fire effects on their own and leave it to the hands of trusted professionals like our SERVPRO team.

Regardless of the severity of the fire itself, there are always going to be symptoms that linger to make it unsafe for children. Smoke and soot damage are typical effects of any size fire, and with our tools and expertise, we can remove the presence of this damage efficiently. Cleaning surfaces, floors, contents, and ceilings usually get accomplished with scrubbers fitted with HEPA filters to prevent dust and debris from floating through the air while the cleaning is underway.

The scent of the smoke can also be a difficult thing to deal with, as this can be noxious in areas that are not well ventilated. Instead, our SERVPRO team can remove the foul smell at a molecular level with the use of dense fogging machines. The chemical fog itself is odorless, and reacts with the foul scent molecules, successfully neutralizing them on contact. Instead of masking this awful smell with a stronger scent, the process leaves nothing behind.

There are varying degrees of restoration when it comes to fire damage, but time is of the essence when classes are supposed to be convening. When you do not have the time to waste to correct and restore the damage left behind by fire or any manner of emergency, contact SERVPRO of New Hanover. Our experienced technicians can be reached anytime at (910) 762-8180.  

Click here for more on the town of Wrightsville Beach.

Storm and Flood Damage in Carolina Beach

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

Protect Your Carolina Beach Castle from Flooding with SERVPRO's Help

SERVPRO Is Here to Help with Flood Damage Services

Flooding may be inevitable living on the coast like we do, but that doesn't mean the extreme damage may not be preventable or at least reduced. Inspecting your home before the next storm is a big step to keeping your home intact and maybe even dry in spite of what the next storm can drop on us.

At SERVPRO, we do our best to minimize flood damage to Carolina Beach homes. Like Freeman Park, we may be smaller than many of the surrounding towns and cities, but that just makes each of our neighbors more important and valuable. Once you call us, there's nothing we won't do to help.

Our inspectors are extensively trained and certified to help keep your home water-free and dry. They will make a note of every possible source of water damage. This assessment includes damaged rain gutters and downspouts that need to be repaired or replaced as well as unsecured pipes that can be battered around in a storm until they break or burst, sending, even more, water into an already affected area. Once our inspection is completed, you will be given a copy of our recommendations along with a price list for each service. This is general to offer you an overview. We can also assist with insurance paperwork.

When the storms do strike our community, we are ready for it. Thanks to having a national support network, our local franchise can maintain a 24-hour response team with the best equipment available in the restoration business. Once you call, we can be at your home within a few hours and can start the job within minutes after arriving. Using our extensive inventory of pumps and other water removal equipment, most standing water can be extracted in less than a day. Next, our technicians will deploy a series of fans and dehumidifiers to finish the drying process. The fans are designed to increase the flow of air over carpets, drying them before mold has a chance to grow. The dehumidifiers are designed to draw water from nearby walls and ceilings to prevent the rotting of tiles and drywall.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is locally owned and operated. Restoring your homes isn't merely a set of businesses transactions. You are our neighbors and fellow members of the community. Call us today at (910) 762-8180 to schedule a free inspection.

Water Removal after a Hurricane or a Leak

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

For Hurricanes and Storm Damage call SERVPRO for Help

SERVPRO Is the Answer To All Your Water Removal Needs

Living in an area prone to natural water events means that it is always wise to take the proper precautions against dangerous and destructive natural forces, such as water. Remember these tips to save you money should you encounter an unwelcome water problem. Hurricane Matthew is a case in point.
 
Water removal in Silver Lake is no small deal. It can be heartbreaking and stressful to see your home ravaged by water. SERVPRO is always here to help you with the water extraction you need in an emergency. We can help you avoid water damage in the future, with the following tips.
 
An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure
It is possible that this finds you as one of the lucky homeowners who has escaped from recent waters unscathed, or perhaps, you were not so fortunate. Either way, information on prevention is helpful to everyone, from those who are unprepared to face a water event, those who are rebuilding after a disaster, as well as those who have unfortunately just been through (or need) water removal. It is never too late to prepare for the future.
 
Put Items Up High in Storage
While you cannot always completely avoid the need for water removals, such as from unexpected storms, hurricanes, and floods, an excellent way to protect your belongings can go far. Start by going into your storage areas: closets, garages, attics, and proper storage rooms. Put cherished items up high in these rooms to protect them from standing water.
 
The use of plastic bins to protect against water is the best thing you can do. These bins often have click-shut tops and can be easily stacked on top of each other. They were particularly useful in storage areas where you may not have storage shelves to use. Simply getting your packable belongings off of the floor can be a cheap solution to future problems.
 
Spring Cleaning
Yes, the dreaded term: spring cleaning. Basements often become the final resting place of old belongings, furniture, clothing, and other items that do not have another place to go inside your living space. Take the time to go through your basement once a year and declutter the area, pack up things you want to save in plastic bins, and get rid of things you will never use. Should the time ever come, you will be very glad that some of the clutter is gone and items you wanted to keep are safe inside their plastic bins.
 
The stress and worry of needing water removal services cannot be overstated. The economical costs and emotional havoc it causes can be overwhelming. Call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 anytime for your water emergency. Our Storm Emergency Service team is available 24/7 to take your calls.

Our Team Can Help Prepare Your Home In Carolina Beach For Hurricane Season

2/18/2022 (Permalink)

Homeowners who prepared their homes in advance for a Hurricane sustained less damage than those who failed to do so.

Preparing For Hurricane Season Can Minimize Flood Damage In Carolina Beach

September is National Preparedness Month and knowing how to protect your Carolina Beach home from flooding brought by heavy rains and hurricanes can prevent costly damage from skyrocketing. In the aftermath, flooding of any quantity causes damage, but SERVPRO is here to help mitigate any amount of harm your property sustains.

When SERVPRO comes to clean up a home's flood damage, we arrive with pump trucks ready to begin extracting water and any debris from the home's interior. We also check to ensure that the interior is safe and remove anything that can cause injuries. Wearing personal protective equipment, we can work safely and efficiently. Injuries can slow a team down, so we always take care to prevent these wherever possible.

Homeowners who prepared their homes in advance for Hurricane Florence's arrival sustained less damage than those who failed to do so. Flooding that remained lower than other homes' means we can cut lower to the floor than we must in homes that remained unprepared. This may seem insignificant, but for an entire home, it can represent significant savings.

Boarding up windows and doors can also keep windows from shattering and debris from entering your home. This results in a reduction in clean up that requires attention and can also allow less damage to happen to your home's interior. Homes that have no boarding up beforehand often have several broken windows, and as high-speed winds from the hurricane enter, an unprotected home's furnishings often end up broken and smashed.

Preparing for the next hurricane is just as essential as it was for Hurricane Florence. Each one has the potential to devastate a home left unprepared for the wind and rain brought inland. SERVPRO is always ready, Faster To Any Size Disaster, to help mitigate flood damage and get things back to normal.

After flood damage caused by a hurricane or any other weather event, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180. We are here 24/7 and ready to take your call. Serving Kure Beach, Figure Eight Island, Leland, and the surrounding areas, we can quickly restore your property “Like it never even happened,” again.

Understanding Various Smoke and Fire Damage Possible in Your Wilmington Home

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke spreads quicker than fire and has the potential for creating more damage. Contact SERVPRO to assess the damage and remediate.

Our Technicians Assess the Fire Damage and then Create a Tailored Remediation Plan

A serious emergency, house fires in Wilmington leave you facing a major cleaning project once the fire has been put out. While the flames themselves can create extensive damage to your home, smoke is a primary cause of damage as well when a fire happens.
 
Scheduling a fire damage restoration service in Wilmington for your home fire is the smart thing to do. Companies such as SERVPRO are specially trained and certified to handle all kinds of fire damage correctly and help you salvage anything possible. Our technicians use clues to figure out the kind of smoke which has damaged your home. We can restore your home back to excellent condition after a fire.
 
There are various types of smoke damage that we take the time to identify before we begin restoration. Wet smoke damage is caused when a fire burns or smolders at a lower temperature. They produce few flames but usually put out a lot of smoke. We distinguish wet smoke damage by its powerful smell and thick coating.
 
Dry smoke damage, unlike wet smoke damage, is created from high levels of heat. Dry fire in your home, when hot, creates a dry, thin, and powdery substance. The residue which is left by dry smoke damage, in general, is many times easier to clean than what is left from wet smoke damage.
 
A more unusual kind of smoke damage is fuel oil smoke damage. When a fire is caused by flames in an oil-burning furnace, your home can be affected by fuel oil smoke damage. It creates a powerful odor and can wreck couches and other upholstered pieces. At SERVPRO, we can help you clean up even a mess like this.
 
We can also clean up smoke residues from protein fires and fire extinguisher residue.
 
SERVPRO of New Hanover is available for all your smoke, and fire damage needs anytime you need us. If you live in and around the areas of Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington, and Castle Hayne, you can reach us just by dialing (910) 762-8180.

For more information regarding Wilmington, click here

How Can Commercial Water Removal Services Save Your Flooded Wilmington Restaurant?

2/9/2022 (Permalink)

Water Removal from a Wilmington Restaurant Keeps Customers Happy--Thanks SERVPRO!

Count on SERVPRO for Wilmington Area Business Water Extraction and Cleanup

A flooded restaurant is nothing short of a nightmare for any restaurateur. Whether it is due to a ruptured pipe, broken appliance, or a natural disaster, the best recourse during such a situation is to get the water removed as soon as possible. Thankfully, professional water extraction services can help you get the job done before the situation gets out of hand.

Here at SERVPRO, we have a team of experts who can save your Wilmington restaurant from any long-lasting water damage. Our IICRC certified team has years of experience dealing with water-related emergencies in retail establishments. We work hard to make sure that your doors are open while we mitigate the situation and prevent any further damage.

The SERVPRO technicians spring into action as soon as we hear from you. They assess the situation, make a plan and start getting things under control as quickly as possible. We also understand the risk of additional water-related damage that can result from inefficient water removal and drying. As a result, our technicians use a multi-step drying approach to get your restaurant back to the pre-damage condition as quickly as possible.
 
Efficient drying is the key to limiting additional damage  
Residual moisture from inefficient drying can result in secondary damage such as mold growth and food and product contamination. SERVPRO technicians use some of the best drying equipment and moisture sensing devices to eliminate residual moisture after a water-related incident in your restaurant. We use high-efficiency dryers, dehumidifiers, and air movers to create a perfect situation for the most efficient water removal from your establishment.

Our technicians understand the physics and mechanics of the drying and use that knowledge to speed up the whole process. They use a combination of heat and relative humidity control and air movement to create the most efficient situation for drying. We also make sure that when we have completed the service, your restaurant is as ready as possible for any inspections and certifications. We also provide documented paperwork as evidence of a dry environment.

Call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 today to speak with us and discuss your situation. Remember, We're Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Restaurants at the Beach click here.

We Act Fast In Wilmington To Restore Your Home's Flood Damage

1/18/2022 (Permalink)

We have large inventories of water restoration equipment to handle any size flood damage disaster.

Safely Protecting the Contents of Your Flooding Wilmington Home

In the wake of substantial disasters like hurricanes, your Wilmington home can become both structurally damaged and susceptible to hazardous flood effects. As much as you want to avoid these unfortunate circumstances, it is often safer to vacate the premises to stay safe and then work to restore and repair structural concerns when the storm passes. When flooding is seemingly inevitable, there are steps that homeowners can take to protect their belongings and reduce their loss. 

Hurricanes, tropical storms, and other severe weather events consistently present risks of flood damage to Wilmington homes. Content management is a significant division of our SERVPRO team, especially during flood disasters. Even with our advanced technology and tools, we are at the mercy of the severity of the water damage and how long these contents have remained exposed to the standing water. Your involvement ahead of the storm can help to save you from losses that have no set monetary value. These items might include keepsakes, heirlooms, and irreplaceable treasures.

As much as you want to save all of your possessions for what can feel like an inevitable loss, there are some practices you can employ before our professionals arrive after the storm has passed. Apart from the traditional approach to hurricane-proof a home, including boarding up windows and shutting off utilities, you can also round up the precious belongings of your home to protect them from what is coming as you get to a safe location.

You often have limited time to prepare your home for what flood damage could occur, so you have little time to waste in gathering up your possessions as well. Employ the entire family in helping to grab what belongings matter most, as these can be a source of comfort even amid the destructive power making landfall with higher category storm systems.

We are here with you when disasters strike, as our homes are in the same communities as you. We can be there quickly to help overcome the harmful flooding conditions in your home and to mitigate your losses. No matter what help you need, you can count on our SERVPRO of New Hanover restoration specialists to provide it. Give us a call today at (910) 762-8180.

See more about Wilmington.

We Respond Quickly To Your Wilmington Water Removal Needs

1/15/2022 (Permalink)

We removed the flooring and dried the subfloor and other affected areas after water damage struck. We have the necessary equipment to help.

Extraction Equipment Used without Power to Wilmington Homes

Natural disasters and substantial water loss incidents can often have a destructive effect on active utilities, severing electricity and other vital services to your Wilmington home. To find a solution for the growing threat, our technicians must first address the standing water and saturation of affected surfaces and materials. We have numerous solutions for extraction in situations where a home does not have power.

Water removal for Wilmington homes is a critical element to the restoration process and the fastest pathway to drying all affected materials. Because we have such a broad array of drying and extraction tools, we have many options for every situation we encounter. Our crew chief and production manager can work on determining the best approach and equipment to use tailored to your specific home, the severity of the situation, and the location of the damage.

Because power loss is a situation that our SERVPRO team must always account for, we have several options for these conditions, including:

•  Gas-Powered Extractors – When a single extraction device can suffice for the water damage present in your home, the use of our gas-powered trash pumps is a sound option. These machines can extract at a continuous, steady rate and do not require power from the residence to run. These units, if placed indoors, must have exceptional ventilation because of exhaust fumes. These machines also require priming the line to use, which is an added step that takes more time than using electric-powered options in our inventory.
•  Portable Generators – Portable generators provide an immediate source of electricity to run multiple extractors, drying tools, and other equipment within a water-damaged home. Our SERVPRO team has a variety of sizes and strengths in generators, many of which are ready to roll out with our Green Fleet at the first sign of trouble.

Whether you have lost power or not, you can count on the expertise and evolving knowledge of our SERVPRO of New Hanover water restoration technicians to help whenever disasters strike. We have the quick response to make it “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call at (910) 762-8180.

See more about Wilmington.

Flood Damage Remediation Can Be Easy in Your Wilmington Home

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

Flood damage can take over a whole neighborhood within hours. Contact SERVPRO today for all remediation needs.

Making The Right Decisions When Dealing With Flood Damage In Wilmington

After experiencing a flood on your Wilmington property for the first time, a few things become quite clear. You have to make decisions fast and know whom to turn to for help. The longer you leave water sitting in your home, the harder time you have restoring the affected area.

The first thought on any homeowners mind after a flood is and should be, to get everyone involved in the event to safety. Once you tackle the immediate danger when dealing with flood damage in your Wilmington area home, you should shift your thoughts to contacting a licensed professional for help returning to your home after waters subside. Never enter your home after an emergency without a professional at your side.

Since emergencies never occur when we expect them to, it never hurts to become familiar with your local restoration experts beforehand. Locate a technician with proper Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) in your area and make sure that they handle the type of restoration you consider your most significant threat. At SERVPRO, we handle a variety of emergencies, specializing in flood, storm, and mold-related issues.

You need to make sure that the company you pick has the right equipment, personnel, and resources available when you need them. SERVPRO has an entire staff and emergency response teams available at a moments notice, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, 365-days a year. Whether you suffer from flooding in your basement, laundry room, bathroom, or the entire structure, we can help.

Have questions and need answers? SERVPRO can give you the help you need. We answer questions about insurance, safety, planning, and all of our quality home restoration services, every day. It is essential as homeowners to learn everything you can and make informed decisions that fit your specific situation. Every concern you address at the beginning of your restoration allows us to build trust and provide excellent service.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is proud to provide quality restoration services throughout Leland, Wilmington, and Elizabethtown. Call to learn more about a specific problem or to start your flood damage restoration, today. We look forward to helping neighbors in our local community protect their investments.

Click here to see more about Wilmington.

Movie Theater Features Water Damage in Wilmington

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

Keep your concession stands operational after a water damage event with a quick call to SERVPRO and their fast response to your emergency.

SERVPRO Technicians Efficiently Remediate Your Water Damage in Order to Minimize Any Downtime

Concession areas have many plumbing and drain points that threaten the rest of a Wilmington entertainment venue with damaging water leaks. Appliances and plumbing lines are all potential sources of anything from slow leaks to outright breaks that send large amounts of water throughout the space. Our full-service restoration company offers the skilled technicians and tools necessary to return your business to normal.
 
A leak in the water line to an ice maker in one of the secondary concession stands of your multi-screen theater soaked the wall behind the food prep area and the carpeting in front and into the theater. One of our experienced project managers assessed the circumstances and developed a plan to remove the water and handle the commercial water damage in Wilmington to building materials with minimal disturbance to your employees and theatergoers.
 
Drying the carpeting in place is preferable as the multiplex has carpeting in almost all areas and removing only the wet section would be difficult. The SERVPRO crew uses high-efficiency water extractors to suction out the moisture, adding a weighted wand to ensure that the padding also dries thoroughly. If the padding remains wet, the carpet reabsorbs that moisture and is at risk of mold growth and delamination.
 
Our crew also evaluates the wall area where the water line leak. Probes and scanners that measure and locate the moisture in structures help us find any residual moisture, including pockets of standing water trapped behind the drywall. If necessary, we cut out a section or drill strategic holes to release the water or give us access so we can use the extractor wand to pull moisture out of the areas. SERVPRO arranges for repairs or replacements to the damaged piping to avoid future problems. At every point in the recovery, we focus on restoration and on permitting routine business activity to continue.
 
Post-water removal the SERVPRO team positions air movers and dehumidifiers to complete the drying. Technicians continue to monitor the moisture levels in the structures and to check to make sure the carpeting and padding are drying, not wicking moisture from any additional water source. Throughout the restoration process, we inspect for any microbial growth, sanitizing areas affected with professional antimicrobial products to inhibit any unwanted mold or mildew development.
 
When water damage arises in any area of your business, contact SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180. Fast action is essential when water saturates walls, floors, and carpeting, and we have the skills and the equipment to restore your property quickly.

For more information about the City of Wilmington, North Carolina visit:  https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/

New Hanover Residents: Follow These Mold Safety Tips If You Suspect Mold

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

Be careful! Without proper training, you could be spreading mold throughout your home by trying to clean yourself. Call SERVPRO.

If you see visible mold, do not disturb it. You can inadvertently spread the mold infestation throughout your home. When mold is disturbed, the mold can release microscopic mold spores which become airborne and can circulate inside yourhome. 

What to Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans.
• Contact SERVPRO of New Hanover for mold remediation services.

What Not to Do:

• Don't touch or disturb the mold.
• Don't blow air across any surfaces with visible or suspected mold growth.
• Don't attempt to dry the area yourself. 
• Don't spray bleach or other disinfectants on the mold.

About Our Mold Remediation Services

SERVPRO of New Hanover specializes in mold cleanup and restoration, in fact, it's a cornerstone of our business. Our crews are highly trained restoration professionals that use specialized equipment and techniques to properly remediate your mold problem quickly and safely.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today - (910) 762-8180 

How Items are Salvaged From Fire Damage

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help restore Fine Art that is damaged in a Fire

Certified SERVPRO Technicians Can Evaluate What Items Can Be Restored and What Needs to be Replaced

When a fire strikes, it is often far more than just the burned out region that suffers damage in a home. Fires create debris, smoke, ash, and end up touching almost every part of a house and even sometimes neighboring properties. Damage can sometimes be merely cosmetic, requiring little more than a little cleaning, however, more often than not heavy equipment must be brought in to truly rid a property of all traces of the fire.
 
Windows, Mirrors, and Smooth Surfaces
 
Smooth surfaces such as windows and mirrors are often one of the easiest types of Wrightsville Beach fire damage to clean up. Typically, only one side of a window will need cleaning, and this can be accomplished with simple mops, soap and water, and sanitizing materials. One should always be careful to shield the eyes, nose, and mouth when cleaning soot off, however, as it may be harmful to the body if it enters any of those regions.
 
Electronics
 
Electronics are often a loss in a fire, unfortunately. Soot and ash can work their way into the internals of electronics, and it is difficult if not impossible to clean out the internals of most electric devices. If a device is not initially working, there is often little chance it can be recovered, although SERVPRO teams will always evaluate what can be done.

Smoke Damage
 
Smoke odors can often remain in a home long after a fire has been otherwise cleaned up, serving as a constant reminder of past damage. To prevent this, heavy industrial deodorization equipment must be used. These machines, typically ULV or thermal foggers, can clear an entire room at a time of embedded smoke particles and smell.
 
Fine Art
 
Another common concern homeowners have is for their fine art and paintings. It is difficult to clean smoke and soot from a painting without damaging the valuable art lying underneath, and such work typically requires the careful hand of a specialized conservator or art restorer. SERVPRO contracts a number of qualified individuals for this purpose, and you should typically be able to fully restore art that has not been burned.
 
SERVPRO of New Hanover is a locally owned and run company that employs trained and competent cleanup crews to help homeowners with any disaster that comes their way. If you require the services of a professional cleanup and restoration company, please don't hesitate to contact us at (910) 762-8180 for 24/7 service and advice.

How Salt Water Flooding Damages Wrightsville Beach Homes

11/25/2021 (Permalink)

Ocean storm surges create more damage to homes due to the corrosive nature of salt. Call SERVPRO to remediate your salt water damage.

Salt Water Complicates Remediation of Wrightsville Beach Flood Damage 

Spread along several miles of Atlantic coastline, Wrightsville Beach can be directly in the path of seasonal tropical severe weather patterns, including hurricanes. The potential of adding a storm surge to the other water threatening your home ramps up the expected intensity of the damage significantly. Using professional flooding mitigation and remediation company is even more essential when saltwater floods your home’s structure and contents. 

Proximity to one of the world’s most massive oceans escalates the probability of flood damage in Wrightsville Beach. When a severe storm system moves over the sea, it pulls water up, increasing the amount of moisture available to fall back to earth as rain. At the same time, the strong winds and tides create a protracted and sometimes violent wash of seawater onto land, otherwise known as a storm surge. 

The rain falling is saltier than usual, somewhat like the storm surge, adding the minerals to the other contaminants accelerating the flooding and harm done to homes in the storm area. Our SERVPRO crews understand how harsh and corrosive saltwater can be to structural components. Special steps beyond mere water removal and structural drying must follow to ensure that building materials do not suffer long-term damage. 

Wood or wood byproducts compose many structural components. The cellular structures of wood hold together because of a glue-like substance called lignin. Saltwater accelerated the breakdown of lignin, a process called delignification. As the lignin leaches out, the affected materials begin to weaken and eventually collapse. The fuzzy residues that look like mold seen on seaside weather wood are the lignin forced out of the solid material by the salty fluid. Saltwater also corrodes cement, bricks, and mortar. 

To limit the current and future damage caused by salt storm surge and saline-full rain SERVPRO technicians flush the damaged materials with freshwater before removal and structural drying. We contain and dispose of the contaminated floodwaters per local regulations.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is ready to respond to the specialized needs of coastal residences threatened with severe storms and consequent saltwater flooding. Call on us at (910) 762-8180 for professional help during a stressful time. 

More about Wrightsville Beach.

We Have The Experts In Kure Beach To Handle Your Water Damage Mitigation and Restoration

11/17/2021 (Permalink)

Ocean water at the beach is fine, but when leaking water develops inside your home, it needs immediate action in order to prevent the spread of damage

How Humidity Causes Water Damage in Kure Beach

Most people grow up in Kure Beach considering humidity to be just a factor of life. It makes warm days hot, helps the plants grow, and sometimes makes it tough to drive. What most people never consider is how high levels of relative humidity can cause water damage to their homes and belongings. While it can be hard to stop the slow progression of damage caused by humidity to some outdoor objects like gates and fences, you should be much more wary of how moisture in the air can affect appliances inside your home.

How Humidity Causes Damage

Some of the most common water damage in Kure Beach comes from humidity in the form of damage over time to certain materials and surfaces that may be vulnerable to its effects. Metals such as iron, steel, and copper can start to oxidize when exposed to water. While most objects are built to withstand some amount of rusting on their surfaces, excess humidity can cause oxidation that may permanently damage your home. Additionally, high levels of relative humidity can cause warping or mold growth on wood and fabric materials inside the home that were never designed to be in contact with substantial amounts of water.

How to Stop and Reverse Damages

Stopping damage to your home that may result from humidity mostly involves patching up any leaks or holes in the building exterior and keeping windows and doors closed whenever possible. When you keep your home mostly sealed off from the outside, this allows your HVAC system to regulate the climate effectively and keep moisture levels within safe parameters. If your home still feels humid after making some minor adjustments, consider buying a commercially available dehumidifier for the rooms most affected.

Reversing most long-term effects of humidity requires the help of a professional water damage restoration company like SERVPRO. We apply a variety of professional treatments to your home and belongings to remove the existing damage and reverse the area’s appearance to make it look “Like it never even happened.” Remember, though – not every small patch of rust requires professional care (but you should always call us for even the smallest mold problem).

SERVPRO of New Hanover is a local expert in damage mitigation and restoration with time-tested treatments developed over years of testing and experience. Call us at (910) 762-8180.

See more about Kure Beach.

We Are Available 24/7 To Restore Your Wrightsville Beach Home

11/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to serve the community with large inventories of water restoration equipment and sufficient personnel to operate that equipment.

Why SERVPRO Is The Best Choice To Remediate Wrightsville Beach Flood Damage 

Wrightsville Beach is a beautiful place for life on the water. That same oceanside location also makes it vulnerable to flooding from even minor storms. When that happens, homeowners need a fast response to dry and clean their residence to prevent permanent damage and high restoration costs. 

So why choose SERVPRO for flood damage in your Wrightsville Beach home? Our office maintains a 24/7 service, including all major holidays, to help return your home to its pre-flood condition as quickly as possible. 

The best method for eliminating or reducing flood damage risk is to remove as much water as possible. That means getting in immediately with pumps and extractors. Removal stops everything in the home from absorbing more water, which means that our restoration team can preserve more structural property like drywall panels and wood trim. It also helps team members restore more personal property like bookcases, dressers, and other wood furniture. 

Getting rid of the standing water is not always enough, however. SERVPRO restoration technicians need to quickly dry everything to prevent the water already absorbed from causing permanent damage. That means drying every affected surface in a careful manner that increases natural evaporation while also preventing exposed wood from cracking and splitting due to the absorbed water. 

Not everything can be dried and preserved though. Floodwater contains outside contaminants like dirt, fertilizers, and other chemicals used in lawn care. It can also carry waste from backed-up sewers if the flood damage overwhelmed them. Because of that, our teams cannot guarantee the cleanliness of rugs and carpets. After removing the water to make moving them easier, team members dispose of them immediately. 

As team members perform these tasks, others work to make the air inside the home more comfortable. High humidity leaves many residents sticky and otherwise uncomfortable. Air saturated with moisture also puts a home at continued risk for furniture damage and can even lead to mold spores expanding and growing through the structure. 

After drying everything to its proper state, technicians clean them using an extensive product inventory. That includes a mild cleaner for drywall and wood paneling to powerful anti-fungal agents on surfaces in the bathrooms and kitchen. 

For SERVPRO of New Hanover, this is how we support our community and surrounding areas like Castle Hayne, Kure Beach, and Wilmington. If you need help after a storm floods your home, call (910) 762-8180 today. We are here for you. 

See more about Wrightsville Beach. 

Help Avoiding Fire Damage in Your Wrightsville Beach Home

10/24/2021 (Permalink)

Be careful not to overload outlets in your home. Keep an eye out for damaged wiring that could start a fire. If you have a fire, call SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Technicians can Assess Your Home for Possible Preventable Damage from a Fire

You may find it surprising, but a variety of house fires continues to affect homeowners on a regular basis. Fire-related losses soar as many of you attempt self-repairs trying to limit the costs associated with fire, or simply do not want to report smaller fires that would raise your insurance rates.
 
The majority of fire damage reported throughout the Wrightsville Beach area includes fire-related losses caused by preventable incidents. Paying more attention, learning to use products safely, or having a qualified professional inspect your home for possible hazards can teach you how to avoid causing fires in your home.
 
One of the leading causes of house fires is faulty electrical wiring. As we put more emphasis on electronics as a society, these types of fires become more common. Frayed cords, cracked or broken connectors and even outlets can lead to a fire. It is important to keep an eye out for any damage that might pose risks to you and your family.
 
Always avoid covering electrical cords with flammable items, be aware of each socket’s capacity to avoid overloading circuits and learn the difference between surge protectors and regular power strips. While both allow you to install multiple devices, only surge protectors can help you avoid damage caused by electrical shorts or spikes.
 
When SERVPRO technicians inspect your property, we check everything. We have several years of experience providing homeowners with solutions that fit their unique situation. Whether you need professional technicians to help recover from a recent fire or want help eliminating possible hazards, we can provide you with an answer.
 
Having your home inspected by an IICRC certified professional, like those offered at SERVPRO, can help you avoid problems plaguing your home. We can help you locate problems, make repairs, and protect your home against possible issues before things get out of hand. When emergencies occur, our advanced equipment and a variety of resources lend you the assistance you need to return everything to normal as quickly as possible.
 
SERVPRO of New Hanover has qualified technicians available 24-hours a day to assist you, call today. (910) 762-8180

For more information regarding Wrightsville Beach, click here

Last Minute Preparation for Hurricane Damage to Your New Hanover Property

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Wilmington and New Hanover Area Residents Are Advised to always be prepared for possible Hurricanes.

While many in the New Hanover area have already planned and prepared for potential looming and growing hurricanes approaching the coastline, many homeowners wonder what more they can do to protect their properties and to reduce potential restoration costs once a severe system passes through. Here are some things that you can still do to limit the damage that your home can sustain from a storm.

To fortify your New Hanover home from a Hurricane is to reinforce weak areas as best as you can. If you have resided in the coastal areas for many years now, you are likely already familiar with boarding up your windows if you do not have accordion shutters and similar approaches to prevent the conditions from getting worse while your house weathers the impending hurricane.

Another thing that you should consider as you set to face a Hurricane in the Wilmington area is that the “next” storm could be one of the worst storms that the area has seen for a long time. Tropical storms and severe weather systems might not be newsworthy through the average hurricane season; the Carolina coast government agencies are mandating that residents evacuate coastal counties in preparation for destructive forces. Seek a safe place to wait out the effects of the storm for you and your loved ones. Personal safety is of paramount importance.

Our SERVPRO team of professionals can help you to overcome any of the damages that your home might sustain during a severe event, and our emergency response team is available 24/7 to respond to the situation. As you return to your home when the situation is safer, our team of dedicated professionals can help you to assess the full scope of this damage and mitigate the situation from getting worse. This means pumping out standing water, moving and trying to preserve furnishings and possessions, drying out with dehumidification, and sanitizing your home.

While you cannot avoid in many cases the kind of destructive damages that a hurricane can produce in the area, you can rest assured that the right measures can get taken after the storm passes to clean up the mess and restore your property. Give our experienced SERVPRO of New Hanover emergency response team a call anytime at (910) 762-8180.

What are the Key Factors for Drying a Home?

10/13/2021 (Permalink)

Did a burst pipe cause water damage to your home? SERVPRO knows how to dry and restore your home.

Four Key Factors Go into Drying out the Premises in Wilmington, and SERVPRO Understands How to Put Them All Together for Proper Drying

Home of the USS North Carolina battleship Wilmington is a beautiful city full of historical sites, flowering gardens, and beaches. It is a coastal town that visitors flock to during tourist season. Many of the homes in Wilmington are older homes that are architectural beauties. Nevertheless, older homes often have older plumbing, leading to water intrusion and a professional water restoration company like SERVPRO. 

What is the Time Frame for Drying a House?

When a water spill happens from something like a burst pipe, immediate mitigation is vital. Water removal in the Wilmington home needs to happen as quickly as possible to prevent the water from migrating to unaffected areas. It is necessary to prevent secondary damage, such as mold, as well. Water extraction figures significantly into the drying time. There are four key factors that impact how long it takes to dry both the building and content. They are:

• Temperature
• Air movement
• Humidity
• Amount of water to be evaporated

These all need to be considered during the drying process. Our SERVPRO technicians understand the "wet goes to dry" rule, meaning that the moisture in wet materials seeks to move to drier materials. To balance out wet air seeks drier air. Two scenarios happen with this rule:

• Dry air absorbs moisture from wet surfaces.
• Dry surfaces absorb moisture from wet air.

Conclusion: a delicate balance is needed to make sure the proper drying methods and time get used to dry out your home. Because everyone's situation is different, the time necessary to dry and restore the house and the belongings differ.

Temperature

Hot air can possess more moisture than cold air, so the best temperature for drying is 70° to 90°. SERVPRO technicians can use portable heaters to increase the temperature of the area if heat is not available. The technicians need to ensure the drying process does not put too much moisture in the air without the proper dehumidifiers in use.

 Air Movement

When a room has experienced water damage in Wilmington, it can often be damp and humid. Air movement involves blowing warm, dry air in and blowing the moist air out. Industrial strength air movers are used to accomplish this. As the drying process proceeds, the techs position the air movers to promote even thorough drying. 

Humidity

The measure of moisture the air is currently retaining at a given temperature is relative humidity (RH). It is determined by the ratio of water vapor in the air compared to the amount of water vapor the air can contain. It's not something that a homeowner would typically think of, but most people's comfort level is between 30% and 50% RH.

If the RH is over 60%, drying time becomes slower due to the air's saturation. The moisture in the air needs removing at this point. Dehumidifiers are the most effective at lowering the relative humidity. SERVPRO techs use dehumidifiers with air movers in the correct ratio to provide optimum drying power.

Amount of Water Needing Evaporating

The more liquid water removal there is, the less water vapor needs to be removed by dehumidifiers. Physically extracting as much water as possible from the scene is 1200 times more effective than using dehumidifiers. SERVPRO extracts water with:

• Submersible pumps in standing water over 2".
• Truck-mounted pumps that can extract 36,000 gallons per day.
• Portable pumps for hard to reach or lesser amounts of water.
• Rovers for water removal from carpet
• Squeegees for hard surfaces.

Drying Your Home in the Right Amount of Time

While SERVPRO certainly wants to quickly return your home to preloss condition, the proper drying time needs to be utilized. Successful drying equals the right humidity levels, the correct temperature, precise water extraction, and air movement. All of these things differ, depending on the circumstances of the water damage. 

Our Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified technicians understand how it all works together and are pros at water extraction and drying your home and the content. They apply their knowledge and experience to bring about the best results. They strive to ensure your home looks, "Like it never even happened."

We know the significance of getting your home back in order after any water intrusion. Having your home disrupted is no fun. That's why our teams arrive on the job quickly and work as fast as possible to get the job done.

Contact SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 for expert water removal service. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Do Homeowners Need a Household Inventory List in Case of Fire?

9/24/2021 (Permalink)

Should you experience fire damage, your insurance company will ask for an inventory of your home’s contents. SERVPRO’s ERP can help with this.

An Inventory of the Household Can Help with Insurance Claims in Wrightsville Beach

A fire can leave your home in devastation. Even small fires can damage items that may not be salvageable. Many people put off creating a household inventory list because it is a daunting task. But if a fire does strike in Wrightsville Beach, having such a list can help replace ruined items faster. 

Where Do I Start?

One of the things you need to recognize is that your homeowner's insurance most likely does not cover your home's entire content. If it does cover the loss, it may be less than full value. So, if you have expensive items, you may wish to talk to your insurance agent about more inclusive coverage on those. 

Examples would be artwork, collectibles, jewelry, equipment, and electronics, making this a wise move if fire damage happens to your Wrightsville Beach home. Here are some tips for getting started:

• Put together a plan– Trying to do it all at once can be overwhelming. Going room by room is a better option. Give yourself a deadline to ensure it does get done.
• Take pictures– Pictures can help a great deal if questions arise. Take several shots of each room. Open drawers, closets, and cupboards and photograph the content.
• Organize receipts– Keeping copies of receipts can verify you bought the item. It helps with more significant purchases when determining value.
•  Be specific– Details are critical, so the more detailed you can be in your descriptions, the better. Along with pictures and receipts, record serial numbers. 

SERVPRO can help with this inventory. Our mobile app, SERVPRO's ERP Emergency READY Profile Plan, makes inventory list-making easier. Ask us to visit you to set up this game-changer for mitigating water and fire damaging events to your property. A computer spreadsheet is a good option, as well. Do not let catastrophes such as a fire catch you off guard. Chances are you will never need your household inventory list, but if you do, it is ready.

Contact SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 for expert fire damage service. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Does the Presence of Contaminants Change Water Extraction Procedures in Wilmington?

9/10/2021 (Permalink)

Remember when dealing with water loss events that not all water is clean. Take precautions to protect yourself from contaminated water.

SERVPRO Immediately Assesses the Category of Water Needing Removal in Wilmington and Keeps Everyone Safe with Appropriate Contamination Emergency Service Procedures 

Although severe damage to structural components can occur with relatively clean water, the presence of infectious waste, minerals, or chemicals fuels Wilmington's immediate removal plan's urgency. A contaminated water crisis can expose your family and our technicians to:

Sewage, containing human pathogens including bacteria and viruses

• Biohazards previously used as building materials such as asbestos and lead, now disturbed during the water loss
• Chemicals from spilled household products or where wet cartons or other containers leach out dangerous substances

What Are Safety Hazard Control Steps During Contaminated Water Removal?

Tainted water removal in Wilmington requires highly trained and appropriately equipped technicians. Our crew members don personal protective equipment (PPE), including boots, full-body suits, rubber gloves, respirators equipped with P100/organic vapor cartridges, and eye protection. We broadcast-spray Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectants in the affected spaces to reduce the pathogen load before extraction. After evaluating whether contaminants could move into other areas of your home, we might construct containment chambers of 1.6 mil polyethylene and conduit, sealed through the negative pressure of air scrubbers that force airborne contaminants through HEPA filters. 

How Is My Insurance Company Involved During Contaminated Water Removal?

SERVPRO consults with your insurance carrier frequently during contaminated water removal, keeping you informed. Because of the possibility of porous contents and structures being damaged beyond repair due to the contamination, we follow local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and rules when determining if some materials must be removed and discarded. Transparent communication with the adjuster about the contamination level is critical to establishing coverage for your claims under your insurance contract.

The crews at SERVPRO of New Hanover have the experience you need for a successful contaminated water removal outcome. Call for a consultation at (910) 762-8180 after the first signs of water damage.

More about Wilmington.

Protecting Your Wilmington Home from Flood Damage

9/9/2021 (Permalink)

Inspecting your roof regularly can protect your home from flood damage.

Steps to preventing flood damage

Severe storms, heavy rains, and flooding in Wilmington can cause costly water damage to your home and the loss of your valuable possessions. There are steps you can take to protect your home from flood damage. It is helpful to know some things you can do to take extra care of your home, especially if you live in a flood prone area.

The first step to protect your Wilmington home from torrential rains and flood damage is to inspect your roof. A roof which is leaky can cause much more damage to your home than water stains on the ceiling. Roof leaks keep insulation in the attic wet, leading to mold and rot.

As flood damage remediation specialists, our SERVPRO technicians can help you clean and repair damages from flooding, whether it is a leaky roof or another problem.

You should also have an inventory of your personal belongings, backed up with video, photos, or both. Something such as this kept in a watertight container, or secure location is invaluable during the aftermath of storm and flood damage. Scanning documents is also a good way to keep copies of all necessary records. Doing so helps you get the right insurance claim should you need it.

Keep your downspouts and gutters clean and repair any leaks in your gutters right away. Regularly inspect them to ensure they are draining properly.

You also want to make sure the ground on your property slopes away from your home to help keep your basement dry. Having a sump pump installed can also remove ground water that seeps inside.

Rising water can cause sewage to back up into your home through the drain pipe in an area which is flood prone. It damages your home and can be a health hazard. To prevent this, a backflow valve can be installed.

HVAC equipment should also be installed above a level which the water could reach in a flood prone area. If it cannot be elevated, think about putting it on a masonry or concrete block wall.

When a flood disaster happens in your area, and your home is affected, our SERVPRO staff is ready to take care of you. Our industrial tools such as truck-mounted pumps, fans and dehumidifiers can get your home dried back out. We can assess all the damages when we first arrive and determine what is salvageable.

SERVPRO of New Hanover works fast once you alert us there is a flood emergency at your home. Residents of Wrightsville Beach, Wilmington, and Castle Hayne just need to reach out to us at (910) 762-8180.

For more information about the city of Wilmington, visit https://www.wilmingtonnc.gov/.

How Does a Home Recover from Fire, Odor, and Smoke Damage?

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians deploy advanced equipment like this hydroxyl generator to mitigate fire, smoke, and odor damages in Wilmington area properties

SERVPRO Is a Nationally Recognized Fire Damage Restoration Company Operating in the Wilmington Area.

Are Smoke Odors Unsafe to Inhale?

Fires lead to the release of noxious gases. However, most toxic gases disperse from an indoor environment within a few hours, but you should check with a fire marshall before returning to your Wilmington home. After a blaze, trace elements of ash in the air can affect the indoor air quality of an enclosed environment. SERVPRO recommends that you cover floors, carpets, and surfaces when returning to a property after a fire to avoid unnecessary soiling to surfaces from falling soot and other airborne particles. Our technicians can perform extensive air restoration using air filtration devices in the property. These devices use high-particulate air (HEPA) filters to capture odor and soot particles from the indoor environment. By restoring your indoor air quality (IAQ), our technicians can ensure that your home returns to a preloss condition.

What causes smoke odors to linger?

When working on properties with fire damage in Wilmington, one of the chief causes of concern for homeowners is returning odors. Often ventilating or air-scrubbing does not entirely remove odors with some burnt smells returning to rooms. The reason stubborn odors can remain behind after a fire is that they embed themselves into surfaces, paintwork, porous materials, and textiles. This embedding can lead to continuous odors for weeks or months. To combat these odor-causing elements, it is essential to thoroughly clean and remove any visible signs of soiling in the property. Light smoke residues are odor-causing but can be challenging to detect. SERVPRO technicians can professionally assess light, moderate, and heavy smoke residues before performing tasks to remove them altogether from the affected area. We have in our inventory of advanced equipment:

• Hydroxyl Generators to deploy safely during the cleanup phase to change the chemical nature of some odors
• Ozone Machines for extreme odor removal
• ULV ultra-light volume foggers for dispersing chemicals to combine with and alter the chemical composition of malodors
• Thermal Fogging a more complex technique to mimic the circulation of combusted gases, seek them out in embedded materials, and neutralize them
• Paint Primers to encapsulate odors within building materials
• Deodorizing gels and pellets

If there is a fire in your property, use a professional restoration service to ensure safety and minimum losses. Contact SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180.

Do I Have Choices When It Comes to Fire Damage Recovery in Wilmington?

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke permeates your home and possessions during a fire, and the odor lingers if not properly treated. SERVPRO knows how to remove the odor.

Training, Experience, and Many Options for Both Structural and Contents Recovery Are Why SERVPRO Is Wilmington Resident’s Go-To for Fire Damage Mitigation and Remediation 

 No two fire scenarios in Wilmington are precisely the same, and every homeowner has priorities, concerns, and opinions due to respectful consideration when recovery efforts commence. One of the recommendations frequently made to customers with significant fire damage is a partial or full pack-out of your furnishings, household goods, and personal possessions. 

 What Are the Benefits to a Pack-Out During Fire Damage Recovery?

 Fire damage in Wilmington is nearly always paired with significant water damage from the fire fighting. Water plus fire damage puts an enormous strain on the contents of your house. It also interferes with the straightforward restoration of the damaged spaces. Thus, moving items out of the affected areas to either a secure space elsewhere on your property or our production facility is often a viable choice. Why we suggest this route includes the following benefits:

•  Clearing the space so technicians can work unimpeded
• Permitting our specialized contents processing technicians to evaluate the condition and potential for restoration of the contents
• Limiting the spread of fire debris and residues
• Reducing the humidity and water load in your interior spaces during water removal and drying

 How Is My Property Kept Safe, Secure, and Accounted for During a Pack-Out?

 The Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS) serves to track the packed-out property during the fire restoration project. A concise, digital record is created, why SERVPRO selected this option for our customers. The materials removed are listed, photographed, and barcoded. We share information about each article with your insurance carrier throughout the mitigation, remediation, and restoration process. If some items are deemed irreparable, we document that so a claim can be made. Work done on restorable possessions is likewise itemized so that your out-of-pocket expenses for those services are limited per your contract.

 Flexibility teams with practicality during a fire damage-related pack-out and SERVPRO of New Hanover makes it an option for customers. Call us at (910) 762-8180 to determine the best way to resolve your post-fire situation.

 More about Wilmington.

What is Crawl Space Encapsulation, and Do I Need It?

8/5/2021 (Permalink)

Did your home experience water damage? Call SERVPRO. This is just some of the equipment at our disposal to restore your home.

SERVPRO Techs can Extract, Dry and Repair Your Wilmington Crawl Space

If your Wilmington home did not get an encapsulated crawl space at the time of construction, there is a good chance that during the area's service life, water damage may be an issue. When ventilation is an issue or seepage occurs, the closed-in design of a crawl space creates the perfect environment for mold and dampness to affect the area of the home above with damage such as mold appearing from under floor tiles. When water loss signs appear, it is an excellent time to get your home professionally dried and get encapsulation.  

Can I Do My Water Removal in My Crawl Space? 

When the need for water removal occurs in your Wilmington property, it is best to bring in a professional restoration services company whether or not your crawl space is encapsulated. SERVPRO technicians have extensive training handling basement and crawl space water damage situations and avoid dealing with issues such as:

Water collecting on a raw, unfinished crawl space ground creating a muddy mess 

• Removal of both water and ambient humidity 
• Remediation of any mold growth found

How Does Encapsulation Avoid Water Issues?   

While the installation of crawl space encapsulation cannot protect your home 100% from a water damage situation, it can help diminish the potential. The encapsulation is a vapor barrier installed over the unfinished (usually dirt) crawl space. It assists in negating mold, dampness, and foul odors, which can create problems in the home above. There are different types of encapsulation methods to develop the needed vapor barrier, including:  

• Do-it-Yourself plastic sheeting placed over the floor usually has a limited service life  
• Professional encapsulation uses multi-layered, strength-reinforced polyester sheeting
• Installation of concrete flooring over the dirt

Getting the Water Out of a Crawl Space

When standing water or high-moisture conditions get established in a crawl space, they generally do not go away on their own and instead compound until mitigation of the problem happens. SERVPRO technicians remove the water using their professional equipment, including submersible pumps, if needed for water more significant than two inches in depth or the use of truck-mounted units. 

Careful measurements of the air within the crawl space get taken to determine the current interior humidity levels and goals get set. Although each job site is unique, the air moisture levels generally get set below 50%, as this is unsustainable for the germination of airborne spores and the growth of mold colonies.

Drying the crawlspace can present specific challenges due to the number of air movers and the dehumidification equipment's sheer size. SERVPRO technicians create custom tubing or venting as needed using plastic sheeting to direct the airflow as required for the best outcome. 

Bringing down the interior moisture in the Wilmington crawl space goes a long way towards eliminating the musty odors that can accompany this issue. Further proactive treatments include cleaning surfaces with professional-strength antimicrobial cleaning agents and sealants to inhibit any return of previously remediated mold problems.   

Whenever any residual odors remain behind after drying and cleaning, SERVPRO techs have numerous types of odor control methods to handle the smell. Scents can get divided into two basic types: caused by airborne particulate and caused by embedded particulate. Whether it is bacteria or mold spores, different kinds of methods get applied. For example, within a crawl space, drying the area may be affected. However, should odors penetrate the subfloor above, thermal fogging can get used to go into the wood and eliminate the odor at the molecular level. When the odorous particles are airborne, air scrubbers do an excellent job of capturing them. Hydroxyl generators are a safe way to eradicate airborne odors using UV rays to render them inert and zero chance of causing unpleasant scents in the future. 

Once the water damage mitigation efforts complete, SERVPRO techs go over the actions taken with the homeowner and provide a detailed report that includes any losses due to the water in the crawl space, including photos to assist with any insurance claims getting filed. If the homeowner wants, the techs can also offer advice on the best way to keep water from entering the home and connect them with a trusted partner to perform any needed repairs or encapsulation of the crawl space. 

Consider our services to install a sump pump and a permanent dehumidifier after the encapsulation completes. Indoor air conditions can be enhanced in the above living space when the crawl space moisture levels align with the norms for the geographic and climatic conditions.

When your crawl space needs water removal, contact SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180. The technicians have the experience and professional equipment to remove the water loss and return the area to its preloss condition. 

What Are the Holes in Walls for During Floodwater Cleanup?

7/9/2021 (Permalink)

No matter the location of the water damage in your home, SERVPRO is ready to make it, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Technicians Have the Advanced Restoration Service Methods to Turn Around Flood loss in Your Wrightsville Beach Home

During floodwater cleanup in your home, it is not uncommon to see little holes drilled side by side down walls. These are known as "weep holes," and they perform the dual functions of encouraging drainage and allowing for more significant airflow. In some cases, this early action can assist in saving the sheetrock from additional damage.    

What Does Controlled Demolition Look Like During Flood Damage Restoration Services?    

The term "controlled demolition" may sound too destructive to get associated with flood damage restoration in your Wrightsville Beach property; however, it can work in your favor in the following ways:   

 Sheetrock with flood cuts can save entire portions of a wall, so the whole area does not need to come down

• Techs determine the areas of loss using their equipment and remove flooring as required for drying
• On a case by case basis, hardwood floorboards can get dried and reinstalled saving the homeowner the cost of replacement

Other things that may need to happen are removing carpet and padding that took on too much water. In cases where the sheetrock absorbed moisture and began to deteriorate, entire portions of wall or ceilings may require taking down and disposal. When this situation occurs, the techs spend time ensuring that the structure's interior is dry and verify it through the use of their monitoring equipment during and after the drying phase of mitigation. 

 Cleaning and disinfection is a essential part of the cleanup process and ensures the home gets returned for a sanitary standard for habitation. The cleaning agents SERVPRO relies upon including professional-grade antibacterial and antimicrobial solutions, many of which are exclusive formulations. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned.

 Call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 for flood damage restoration in any part of your home. Our team is available 24/7 and arrive quickly to return your home to its preloss condition. 

 More about Wrightsville Beach.

What Factors Can Make Mold Removal Complicated?

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

Mold damage can be off-putting to your employees and customers. SERVPRO can restore your water damaged building.

SERVPRO Technicians Perform Mold Remediation Services for Wilmington Businesses

Even with regular cleaning with a reliable custodial service, office spaces can see mold proliferate from water damage or rainy weather. It is prudent to remediate mold quickly before it can affect the quality of your workspace.

 SERVPRO is available to render Wilmington mold remediation services for businesses in need. This team is certified to offer remediation services that can improve cleanliness, indoor air quality, and comfort for your employees and clients.

 Considerations for Mold Remediation

• Mold thrives in warm, moist environments. Mold requires three things to generate: warmth, humidity, and organic material to eat. Ensuring that conditions are suitably dry, cool, and sanitary can minimize your mold risk significantly.
• Leave remediation to certified pros. Certified restoration technicians have access to personal protection equipment, containment measures, and commercial-grade tools to remove spores from your business.
• Why mold remediation and not mitigation? Mold exists in almost every building to some degree, as well as in outdoor air. Full removal of mold is not a guarantee.

 SERVPRO’s Sanitation Strategies

Sanitation is key to eliminating mold in a commercial setting. SERVPRO technicians have access to over 100 proprietary cleaning solutions that are OSHA-approved and EPA-registered. Many of these solutions feature biocides designed to remediate microbial growth. We apply these sanitizers can with a variety of tools, including:

• Commercial-grade pump and trigger sprayers
• Cleaning cloths
• Sponges and squeegees
• Mops
• Foggers

 These cleaners, in tandem with removal of debris, containment measures, structural drying, and personal protection equipment, allow technicians to provide safe and effective remediation services that prevent mold from spreading to other parts of your business.

 SERVPRO of New Hanover provides a full suite of restoration services that are Faster to Any Size Disaster. You can call (910) 762-8180 to have a team at your home or business within hours of your initial contact.

 More about Wilmington.

Why Does My Home Still Smell Like Smoke Months After Remediation?

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

Although extinguished quickly, the smoke from this fire quickly dissipated throughout the home. If not removed properly, the odors can linger long aft

Not Properly Cleaning Your Fire Damaged Wilmington Home Can Cause Smoke Odors to Persist

 Whenever there is a fire in your home, smoke particles quickly fill the air. As these airborne particles mix with water vapor, they form various compounds that eventually collect on surfaces around your residence. Depending on the kinds of materials burned, these compounds, or soot residues, could either be dry or greasy. Often, soot residues are acidic and can, over time, discolor or corrode wherever they happen to land. Also, these substances are usually the source of most foul fire-related odors. If they not adequately cleaned, your home could continue to smell of smoke months or even years after a fire. It is essential to find the right Wilmington area service to handle your fire damage.

 Why are Fire-Related Smells So Difficult to Eliminate?

 Experienced Wilmington fire and odor remediation services like SERVPRO understand the difficulties involved in dealing with the unpleasant odors resulting from fires. They also know how to source and successfully eliminate them. With all that said, some of the reasons fire-related smells are so challenging to neutralize are:

•  Odorous smoke particles travel throughout your home, settling as soot residues on various difficult-to-access surfaces
• Porous materials around your residence, like old painted surfaces, upholstered furniture, fabrics, and carpeting, quickly absorb and trap these smelly particles
• Fire-related heat bonds smelly particles and soot residues to structural elements and household objects
• Firefighting efforts and excess moisture can help odorous residues bond more strongly to surfaces
• House fires often burn many different synthetic substances, like plastics, that produce difficult-to-clean oily or greasy residues
• The intense heat a fire generates increases air pressure and turbulent air that force odor-causing particles more deeply into impacted materials
• Smelly smoke particles usually rise and coat your HVAC system's ducts, causing it to spread them around your home later

 These behaviors of fires and smoke particles are what often make fire-related odor remediation a daunting task. They are also why various methods are usually necessary to neutralize the unpleasant smells of fire damage effectively.

 Why Do Fire Damage Odors Sometimes Disappear and Then Reappear Later? 

 Not remediating fire or damage in Wilmington correctly, unwanted smells could suddenly reappear later, which generally happens during warmer, more humid times of the year. Increased temperatures expand the pores of impacted materials, thereby allowing trapped odorous particles to escape back into your home's interior air. Simultaneously, higher humidity levels cause these particles to be more easily absorbed and carried through the air. The airborne odorous compounds make smells return and eventually redeposit in other areas around your house.  

How Does SERVPRO Clean Up Odor-Causing Residues?

 Soot residues are the source of most lasting fire-related odors. They retain the smoky smells of a fire long after extinguishment, strongly affixing themselves to varied surfaces around your home, and transforming these structural elements and household objects into odor producers. Some of the ways SERVPRO technicians handle these troublesome residues are by:

•  Cleaning up charring and heavy smoke residues with scraping, abrasive blasting, and wire brushing
• Using the innovative peroxide active cleaning technique on delicate, dense soot-covered surfaces
• Removing greasy residues with tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) and similar solutions
• Eliminating non-grease smoke deposits with dry cleaning sponges
• Pressure washing structural elements covered with soot composed of non-grease residues

 These methods enable us to neutralize many lingering fire smells successfully, but more is often required to fully restore your fire-damaged home.

 How Does SERVPRO Clean Your Home's Air?   

 Depending on environmental conditions at your location in Wilmington, smoke gases and particles could remain airborne in your house for some time after a fire. SERVPRO professionals employ a vast array of high-tech equipment to remove these contaminants from your home's air. Among other things, this gear includes:

•  HVAC cleaning systems with agitators, a strong vacuum, and filters
• Scrubbers that filter your home's interior air, removing gases and smoke particles, and replace it with cleaner outdoor air
• Ozone machines that counteract odorous particles with ozone gas
• Vaportek devices to neutralize smells with aerosolized natural oils
• High-velocity box fans and air movers to thoroughly ventilate your residence
• Thermal foggers that eliminate odors with aerosolized deodorizers

 Each of these tools helps tackle harsh fire-related smells and improve your home's overall air quality.

 Often, the most difficult things to remediate following a house fire are lingering odors. These are caused by smoke particles in the air, as well as by deposited soot residues. If workers do not clean up this smoke damage effectively, the associated smells could repeatedly return to haunt you every time the weather warms up. Fortunately, local companies like SERVPRO have the experience and tools to do the job right the first time.

 Whenever you need assistance getting rid of a fire's unpleasant odors, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180.

Where Might Mold Damage Happen in Your Wilmington Store?

4/22/2021 (Permalink)

Mold can be off-putting to visitors to your store. SERVPRO can remove the mold and restore your business.

Wilmington Store Owners Advised to Stay Ahead of Mold Damage

As a business owner, you must keep on top of repairs and cleaning at your premises. This attention to detail is critical when you run a store – you do not want your customers to find your shop unwelcoming or, even worse, dirty. Unhappy customers will not come back, and they might leave you bad reviews that give you an unpleasant reputation. 

Mold damage in your Wilmington store is something of which you need to be aware. If you are not already carrying out regular mold inspection, we suggest you start now. The most important places to check are:

• Wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Dark areas such as storerooms or crawl spaces.
• Spaces with a lot of organic material for mold to munch on, such as food or fabric stocks or areas with curtains, drapes, or paper products.

If you see fungus growing anywhere, call SERVPRO immediately for mold removal. We seal off the damaged area to prevent further spread and use industry standard HEPA vacuums and antimicrobial agents to deal with the situation. 

For mold damage cleanup in your office, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180.

What Happens to Electronics During Fire Cleanup in Wilmington Offices?

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Soot is corrosive to electronics. SERVPRO has cleaners and knows how to restore your business.

SERVPRO Helps Wilmington Businesses with Fire Cleanup

The cost of fire restoration can run high for businesses. As well as replacing damaged equipment and cleaning smoke-stained carpets or drapes, there is the cost of replacing furniture or office tools destroyed in the blaze. 

If you need fire cleanup in your Wilmington office, you might well be concerned about your office electronics. If a device such as a printer, computer, tablet, or kitchen appliance suffers fire damage, we most likely cannot salvage it. However, it is sometimes possible to save soot-damaged electronics if we:

• Act quickly – soot is corrosive, and the longer the soot is present, the less chance of saving the device. Fortunately, we are Faster to Any Size Disaster.
• Call in supporting experts – we can liaise with trained electricians who will assess, clean, and make your electronics safe if possible.

• Check the device has not been tampered with – tampering with soot-damaged electronics can be dangerous, so please do not touch them while waiting for us to arrive.

For smoke damage cleanup in your office, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180.

When Is Hydroxyl the Best Choice for Wilmington Water Damage?

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage can cause odors. We have the equipment to remove the odors and restore your home.

SERVPRO Deodorizes Wilmington Homes After Water Damage

A lovely port town in North Carolina, Wilmington boasts a population of 123,744. Wilmington has a strong history! It was a crucial part of the resistance to the British during the Revolutionary War. By the time of the Revolution, Wilmington already had a reputation as a busy and prosperous port town, with an economy built on lumber and Naval stores. 

When British Parliament passed the Stamp Act in 1765, levying more taxes against British colonies, there was strong opposition in Wilmington. Hundreds of residents gathered on the streets chanting “liberty, property, and no stamp duty!” Local officials, when seeing the flying banners and heard the beating drums, decided to stay safely away from the crowd.

Wilmington continued to grow strong in the nineteenth century, with gas lamps and a new town hall in the city. During the Second World War, Wilmington was home to the North Carolina Shipbuilding Company. Folks employed at the plant built 243 in five years as part of the government’s emergency shipbuilding program. 

Visitors can see USS North Carolina (BB-55). She is the lead ship of the North Carolina class of fast battleships and the first ship of her kind built in the United States. There is a walkway all around the boat so visitors can see this historic boat from all angles.

From Ships to Cinema

Wilmington is not just famous for its shipbuilding history. It is also home to EUE / Screen Gems, the largest production company outside California. The facility includes a 37,500 square foot “dream stage,” a vast column-less structure, which contains a 90,000-gallon special-effects water tank. Many well-known movies, shows, and even adverts have been filmed at the Wilmington Studios, including: 

• One Tree Hill
• Dawson’s Creek
• The Crow
• Ironman 3
• The Conjuring

Arts and Culture in Wilmington

As well as a famous ship and a well-loved movie studio, Wilmington has plenty of other arts and culture spots to entertain you:

• Cape Fear Museum of Science and History is the oldest history museum in North Carolina. Explore North Carolina’s natural history, flora, and learn about the human history around Cape Fear. There is even an exhibit dedicated to Michael Jordan.
• Cameron Art Museum is located beside the historic site of the Battle of Forks Road. It showcases a range of pieces by artists working in many different mediums.

• The yearly North Carolina Azalea Festival is dedicated to these beautiful plants, and a local girl is crowned Azalea Queen!

When do We use Hydroxyl During Water Cleanup?

When it comes to water damage repairs, odor removal is critical. SERVPRO understands that your home will not feel like yours again until it smells fresh. 

Part of our water removal services is deodorizing after. One technique we sometimes use is hydroxyl generators. The generators break down the volatile organic compounds that cause bad smells. We use hydroxyl when:

• We need a way of deodorizing that is safe for use around plants and fish.
• We need to work in a wet area, where an ozone generator might cause damage or bleaching.
• We are dealing with a range of odors, as hydroxyl works for many different smells. 

For a water cleanup service that leaves your home smelling good, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180.

How Can You Remove Harsh Fire Odors in Wrightsville Beach Businesses?

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Fires create smoke odors that are difficult to DIY remove. SERVPRO is equipped to remove fire damage odors. Call us today!

Our Technicians have Leading Products and Equipment to Overcome Pungent Burning Odors 

Post-fire recovery for Wrightsville Beach homes and businesses is often more challenging than many people understand as loss effects spread fast after extinguishment. Odors can often be one of the final restoration elements to return a business to preloss condition after a fire, but this requires multiple products and devices to complete. A thorough damage assessment of the structure can identify where open-air odors and trapped smells exist that require removal. 

How Can We Deodorize Your Wrightsville Beach Business After a Fire? 

The right deodorization and neutralization approach depends on the severity of the damage and the type of combusted materials in Wrightsville Beach. Harsh odors make regular operation impossible, so removing these smells is essential to returning your facility to its standard function. Some of the deodorizing equipment includes: 

• Thermal foggers
• Hydroxyl generators 
• Ozone machines 
• HEPA filtration products with added charcoal filters
• Strategically placed odor-killing pellets

Getting your business back in business is a priority of our SERVPRO of New Hanover team. You can reach us 24/7 to help at (910) 762-8180. 

Can SERVPRO Help with Post-Flooding Repairs?

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

As we enter the spring and summer storm season, know that SERVPRO is always on call for any damage your home incurs.

Flood Damage can Often Require Repairs and Reconstruction for Wilmington Properties

Wilmington can be one of the many North Carolina communities that find themselves in the immediate path of violent storms making landfall on the Atlantic Coast. The destruction of high winds and torrential rainfall can have a devastating effect on homes and businesses throughout the region, often allowing for flooding once vulnerabilities in the property's roof or exterior become exploited. 

Can SERVPRO Complete Post-Flooding Repairs and Reconstruction? 

A thorough assessment of the impact of flood damage in Wilmington homes is the first step in choosing the best mitigation and restoration options to overcome it. With a general contractor license and more than 50 years of experience, we can offer repairs and reconstruction services often necessary after floodwater penetration. Some of the ways that our SERVPRO team can help your home or business include: 

• Roof repairs
• Foundation patching
• Crawlspace reconstruction
• Crawlspace encapsulation
• Controlled demolition

No matter how destructive flooding can be, our SERVPRO of New Hanover team can help. Call us today at (910) 762-8180. 

Need Wilmington Mold Removal Technicians?

2/18/2021 (Permalink)

The areas around windows are a common place for mold to grow. Inspect this area often.

SERVPRO Trains Wilmington Pros for Mold Remediation

Mold damage has already had an extensive amount of time to damage property by the time it is visible on surfaces such as drywall, upholstery, or carpet. Property owners need professional care to ensure their homes are safely returned to a pre-disaster state.

Wilmington homeowners seeking mold removal services can call their local SERVPRO any time of the day or night, including weekends and holidays, for emergency-response remediation and restoration.

Odor Control for Mold Remediation

SERVPRO professionals use a wide array of odor control strategies to eliminate microbe-related odors from a property, including:

• Removal of unsalvageable, mold-damaged items with the permission of homeowners and insurance adjusters, including damaged drywall and carpet
• Remediation of microbial growth and odors by applying EPA-registered biocides
• Vacuuming dry mold spores with commercial-grade extraction tools and manual cleaning methods

Fogging equipment, trays of scented granules placed near ventilation intakes, and time-release pellets can address various odor sources in a residential mold damage scenario.

SERVPRO of New Hanover offers mold removal for homeowners who call (910) 762-8180.

Need Emergency-Response Fire Damage Restoration Services?

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s cleanup and rebuilding services restored this kitchen after fire damage.

SERVPRO of New Hanover Provides Fire Cleanup for Wilmington Homes

Fire damage situations, particularly in kitchens, are grossly underreported each year. However, the smoke and soot accumulation from such disasters can create long-terms damages to structures and appliances that are challenging to address in full of consumer-grade products.

SERVPRO provides comprehensive cleanup and rebuilding services for Wilmington homeowners requiring fire damage restoration. This service is available 24/7 and can begin within hours of initial contact.

Dealing with Kitchen Fire Protein Residues

Fires caused by cooking meat, poultry, or fish add an extra layer of difficulty to the cleanup process with burnt proteins. The residues from these byproducts can be characterized as:

• Greasy to the touch
• Foul-smelling compared to other soils
• Lacking color but can stain surfaces over time

SERVPRO techs use enzyme digesters to convert these proteins into water-soluble byproducts that are odorless and easy to clean, which allows for more of your belongings to be salvaged after a kitchen fire.

SERVPRO of New Hanover provides emergency-response fire damage restoration when homeowners call (910) 762-8180.

Commercial Water Removal in Wilmington Businesses Needs Help Fast

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Each vehicle in our Green Fleet is fully stocked with restoration equipment and ready to handle your commercial water damage.

Local Wilmington Property Owners Trust SERVPRO With Commercial Water Removal

Due to the frequency of hurricanes and intense storms in the Wilmington area, flooding and water damage to properties is not unusual. Besides the cost of replacing building materials and articles ranging from office furnishings, cubicles, and computer equipment, there is also another danger that crops up. 

Phony Mitigation Companies

When a commercial property needs assistance after water enters the premises, the business owner may not perform their due diligence on the company they are hiring for water removal and restoration. After Hurricane Florence, some fake companies targeted small mom and pop businesses and elderly residents, knowing this sector has little means to pursue them in small claims court. The companies usually talk property owners, both commercial and residential, into obtaining SBA loans to pay for the work done upfront with the promise of reimbursement later "when insurance pays the claim." 

With Wilmington in a high-risk area for hurricane activity, property owners should regularly maintain structures to ensure they remain as watertight as possible. Ninety hurricanes have impacted the city since records began getting kept in 1930.

Protection for Commercial Properties

An investment that many business owners make is installing environmental monitoring devices. There are many different types of equipment to choose from, including: 

• Devices that monitor for elevated humidity indicating water on-site from outside sources
• Smoke and fire detectors
• Ecosystems that monitor plumbing for any leaks 

Each of these monitoring equipment types gives the benefit from immediately notifying designated parties, so there is never a delay in addressing events that occur within the structure. Many insurance companies provide discounts for coverage when approved monitoring devices get installed. 

What Types of Commercial Water Removal Occurs in Wilmington Most Frequently?

Water damage and flooding occur in this area of North Carolina in several ways. Its proximity to the Atlantic coast leaves it vulnerable to surges from 

• Hurricanes and tropical storms.
• Beavers, which are a nuisance and pose a problem damming up necessary drainage routes.
• Plumbing issues, which can cause significant damage to a structure.

One of the biggest problems with commercial water removal in Wilmington businesses is the issue does not always get caught promptly. When water problems happen during weekends or holidays, although SERVPRO is available 24/7, the cleanup may get delayed until it gets discovered when the business opens on Monday morning. 

The closed conditions can intensify the interior humidity and damage items that never encountered water. The most at-risk articles are electronic equipment and data centers. During the scoping phase of the water damage restoration services, SERVPRO technicians move out items to a safe and secure area to ensure they remain undamaged. If there are any questions regarding electrical or computer devices, the techs can bring in an industry professional to perform an inspection and ensure the items are safe to operate. 

When local Wilmington properties need commercial water removal, they trust SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180. The certified techs arrive quickly for any size restoration services required. Our team's business is to keep you in business.

Get Ready for the Wilmington Antique Show & Sale

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO’s commitment to the customer is timeless. We continually train and procure the best equipment to restore your home.

The Wilmington Antique Show & Sale is Coming to the Coastline Conference and Event Center

As one of the oldest antique showcases in the state, nothing is quite like the Wilmington Antique Show and Sale display. This event occurs once a year, and it is your chance to see over 25 antique dealers that come in from various states. You will find items like primitives, English and Early American furnishings, jewelry, glassware, silver, and much more during this showcase. Not only will there be vendors and appraisers, but there is also a silent auction and restoration resource providers available for consulting. This event is presented through North Carolina Jr. Sorosis and North Carolina Sorosis.

• Dates: Friday through Sunday, January 29th through January 31st, 2021
• Times: Friday and Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday 11 am to 4 pm
• Location: Coastline Convention Center, 501 Nutt Street, Wilmington, NC
• Cost: $10 per person; admission is valid for all three event days

SERVPRO of New Hanover is pleased to support the local community for such exciting events. When you have issues after a storm, do a quick search for the ‘best flood companies near me,’ and our name will be at the top of the list. We are available 24/7 so that you have a team at your door faster to restore your home to preloss condition. Call (910) 762-8180 when you need us!

Wrightsville Beach Residents – Don’t Miss Johnnie Mercers Pier Dogfish Tournament

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

We love water… when it’s at the beach! Should water invade your home, SERVPRO is always available.

Johnnie Mercers Pier Dogfish Tournament is Taking Place in Wrightsville Beach, NC

If you enjoy local fishing or want to get out to enjoy the spirit of vigorous competition, don’t miss the annual Dogfish Tournament at Johnnie Mercers Pier. This year’s event welcomes hundreds of anglers, old and new, as everyone gathers to try their hand at winning a variety of cash prizes. The top three anglers with the most significant dogfish weigh-ins will be victorious, but raffle prizes are up for grabs as well. Note: All fish entered for the tournament must be released alive if you want to be eligible for prizes.

• Date: Saturday, January 30th, 2021
• Time: Fishing 1 pm to 8 pm - Then inside gathering after 8 pm for results announcements
• Location: Johnnie Mercers Pier, 23 East Salisbury Street, Wrightsville Beach, NC
• Cost: $5 entry fee, $10 rod fee, $2 spectator fee

SERVPRO of New Hanover is always happy to support the local community. Why call us when you need water removal services? We arrive promptly and bring our proven techniques and all of the right equipment for the job. We are Faster to Any Size Disaster, which means you get the results you need without added dangers from mold and mildew growth. Call (910) 762-8180 for 24/7 emergency service!

Wrightsville Beach, NC, Residents Understand that the Risk of Flood Damage After a Storm is Extremely High

1/7/2021 (Permalink)

Our vehicles, stocked with equipment, are always ready to be deployed to your home.

Mitigate Flood Damage by Calling SERVPRO to Your Wrightsville Beach Property to Assist with Industrial Strength Pumps and Drying Equipment

A town residing in New Hanover County, North Carolina, Wrightsville Beach is situated east of Wilmington, making it part of the statistical Wilmington Metropolitan area. As of 2010, the United States census had Wrightsville Beach listed as having 2,477 people. The town itself is comprised of four miles of beach island, with an interior referred to as Harbor Island. There are also lots of pockets filled with commercial property located within the mainland.

Learning More About Wrightsville Beach in New Hanover County, NC

When it comes to recreational activities, this region is loaded with plenty of options for active lifestyles. There are wellness and healthy outdoor activities, watersports, and many community gatherings throughout the calendar year. Not only that, but Wrightsville Beach itself is one of the most accessible beaches in the region. The beach is known for spacious areas for planning your day in the sand or stepping into the crystal blue waters. Many people come here to paddleboard, surf, or experience some local cuisines at several eateries along the strip.

Wrightsville Beach, NC, Beginnings, and History

In 1881, there was a post office established called Wrightsville. The town is made up of two islands separated by two unique bodies of water. In between, you have Bradley Creek that runs through and the Hammocks, which is now known as Harbor Island. The Hammocks were separated from the entire beach by Banks Channel. During the 1700 and 1800s, this area of the Hammocks remained accessible via boat and a footbridge from the mainland. The central portion of the beach remained accessible only via boat.

1725 is when you have the first-ever documented history of current-day Wrightsville Beach, which started when the land was granted to Charles Harrison by the Lord's Proprietors. The grant itself was for 640 acres of land located just north of Heide Trask Bridge (present-day), which goes over the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Carolina Yacht Club had its beginnings in 1853 by seven men from the area that sailed and raced boats as a hobby. This club is now known to be the second oldest within the United States. Once the yacht club building was complete in 1884, it became the first permanent structure located on the beach that was only readily accessible via boat. Over time, some scattered commercial buildings and cottages popped up over the area, previously known as Ocean View. The town itself became incorporated as Wrightsville Beach in 1899 to honor Wilmington's Wright family.

Wrightsville Beach is Known for Tough Storms and Weather Events

Throughout the years, Wrightsville Beach has been through many notable storms, including two significant hurricanes in 1899. The first of these two storms hit in August, where it made landfall in the Hatteras region, but there was also notable destruction in Wrightsville Beach. The second hurricane hit the south of the town in November. Many buildings and other structures throughout the island became damaged, with some cottages were wiped-out entirely from the beach.

Another notable storm took place in October 1954 when Hurricane Hazel made landfall at the Holden Beach area. This storm made its way along the coastline, eventually hitting Wrightsville Beach. After that, there was plenty of destruction with Hurricane Connie in 1955 and then both Fran and Bertha in 1996.

Enjoying Local Attractions and Dining in Wrightsville Beach, NC

In addition to sandy beaches and waters on the Intracoastal Waterway, many attractions in the area are must-see. Some of the top options to experience include:

Wrightsville Beach Museum of History – Located on West Salisbury Street, this museum is housed in a Myers Cottage from the turn of the century. Here, you can learn all about the beach's early days while taking in artwork, information on the region, children's programs, and more. 

Crystal Pier – On Lumina Ave. S., this stunning pier is a great place to go when you want to get away for a bit. The dock is an excellent location for viewing local surfers or grabbing a bite to eat at the Oceanic Restaurant on the pier.

Stanback Coastal Education Center – This facility on Salisbury Street W offers a wide variety of children's programs, including the famous Touch Tank Tuesday event. You will find it is filled with wonders and learning, which is why many schools set it up for field trips! 

When it comes to Wrightsville Beach, NC, eateries, the list is long and filled with diverse options, such as:

• Poe's Tavern
• Bluewater Grill
• Brent's Bistro
• South Beach Grill
• Gulfstream Restaurant
• Oceanic
• East Oceanfront Dining
• Adapt Kitchen and Juice Bar

Flood Damage can be Costly and Devastating for your Wrightsville Beach Home – Call SERVPRO to Assist After a Storm to Ensure No Moisture Gets Left Behind!

When there is extreme weather in the Wrightsville Beach area, you need to know that you have skilled technicians to handle all water extraction, drying, and clean up. SERVPRO makes your restoration job a priority, and we are Faster to Any Size Disaster. Once you call, you will have our Green Fleet at your door within hours so that we can limit the amount of subsequent damage that sets in.

Until we arrive to begin restoration after you experience flood damage in Wrightsville Beach, there are several steps that you can take:

• Reduce any additional risks:When your home floods, there could be other dangers, including the risk of electrical shock. Be mindful to eliminate slip and fall accidents, plus take the time to see if you can safely turn off the power to the flood zone.
• Avoid contact with water:Because floodwaters contain contaminants, it is best to steer clear of it until our crew arrives.
• Block off the area where water is coming in: If possible, shut any doors leading to the flood-zone and put old blankets or towels down to try to limit water traveling rapidly into unaffected areas of your home.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is the team to call when you have flood damage after a significant storm front comes through. Once you call us at (910) 762-8180, we send a team out to your property to begin assessment followed by extraction and drying measures.

Wrightsville Beach Residents Can Travel by “Reindeer”

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO loves the holiday season! We look forward to seeing you at the Reindeer Trolley.

Caroling by “Reindeer” Trolley is Part of the Holiday Fun Awaiting Wrightsville Beach

Christmas carols, Santa, and holiday lights await visitors to the historic downtown in nearby Wilmington. It is a delightful time, and you can enjoy caroling by carriage or trolley. These carriages are horse-drawn, and you can snuggle down under a blanket while heading out for a tour of the Christmas lights. Santa Claus will be handing out free candy canes to the kiddos. The event is happening:

• December 18 & 19
• December 23 & 24

The magic is from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Tickets are:

• Adults - $14
• Kids under 12 - $6.00

It all takes place at Market & Water Streets, downtown Wilmington. Trolley tours are available as well.

SERVPRO Proudly Serves Wrightsville Beach

SERVPRO of New Hanover provides fire debris cleanup to Wrightsville Beach and surrounding areas. If you need fire damage mitigation, our company has the expertise, experience, and equipment to handle the job. Our technicians are certified and fire and water cleanup and restoration. Contact us at (910) 762-8180 for more information.

Christmas Open House & Market in Wilmington

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

When holiday shopping, make sure that SERVPRO is on your list for all your emergency restoration needs.

Shop Wilmington Artists & Vendors While Enjoying the Festivities

Plan to take the whole family to enjoy this fun-filled, festive Christmas event. Not only can you take in the sights and sounds of Christmas while getting your holiday shopping done, but you can tour the Burgwin-Wright House. The house will be decorated for the holidays, and it is lovely. It is the only colonial period structure open to the public. 

The event is free, but they do suggest a $5 donation when touring the Burgwin-Wright House. The proceeds go towards educational programs. There will also be a Toys for Tot drive going on. It is a chance to give back to the less fortunate in our community. 

It all takes place on December 12, 2020, from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan to enjoy the day at this wonderful event hosted by the Burgwin-Wright House & Gardens. 

SERVPRO of New Hanover provides mold inspection and mitigation to Wilmington residents. If you see us at the Christmas Market, be sure and say hello. If you need mold remediation, contact us at (910) 762-8180.

Wilmington Counts on SERVPRO for Water Damage Repair

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Water damage doesn’t take a break for the holidays and neither does SERVPRO! We are available 24/7 for all your emergency restoration needs.

Wilmington Businesses Trust Us to Provide Water Damage Mitigation When a Water Loss Occurs

Wilmington, NC is a beautiful port city that is home to the Riverwalk. This 1 ¾ mile riverfront walk was named "Best American Riverfront" by USA Today in 2014. Residents enjoy both the river and the beach, as do the many visitors that flock to the area yearly.

Native Americans & Colonials

Algonquin tribes were among the primary tribes of indigenous people who lived in the area when the Europeans' colonization began. Both Europeans and Africans took part in the history of Wilmington. Giovanni da Verrazano, a 16th-century explorer, is the first white person to see the area. English colonists would build the first European settlement in the 1720s. John Watson, a landowner, established a community in 1732 on the Cape Fear River. It was known as "New Carthage," but that name would change several times. It would become "New Liverpool" and finally morph into "Newton." Governor Gabriel Johnson ruled this North Carolina city. The name would change again to honor the Earl of Wilmington, Spencer Compton, around 1739.

Early settlers migrated to Wilmington from various locations such as Pamlico, Albemarle, Virginia, and South Carolina. But the significant influx would be from:

• Northern British colonies
• West Indies
• British Isles

The Revolutionary War Comes Along

Before and after the War of Independence, lumber and naval stores were the region's primary economy. Wilmington would play a significant role in the Revolutionary War. As a prominent port, it was commercially vital. Many outspoken city leaders would encourage patriot separation. One of the most prominent voices was Cornelius Harnett. Part of the General Assembly, he would rally folks to stand against the Sugar Act. 

The Stamp Act would follow, and Wilmington would hold demonstrations against that. 

Liberty, Property, and No Stamp Duty

This phrase was the cry on October 19, 1765, when townspeople flocked to burn an effigy of residents who supported the Stamp Act and protest the new law. Others would gather at a "funeral" to mourn the death of liberty. But when they discovered she still had a "pulse," a celebration followed. 

Attempting to Bring Calm

Governor William Tryon would attempt to bring the two sides together, but it was not to be. He pleaded with the residents on November 18, 1765, but the locals claimed their rights were restricted. Governor Tryon ordered the stamps to be kept aboard the Diligence. Court business was stopped, as was all Cape Fear shipping. The unrest ended up being so great Tryon would eventually move his government seat to New Bern. Ultimately, the Stamp Act would be repealed by the Westminster Parliament in 1766.

Railroads Bring Commerce

Wilmington looked forward to railroad transportation, and in the 1830s, it took place. A plan was put together, and the track was laid, with completion taking place in 1840. It would be the longest single line of railroad track anywhere in the world. The railroad also had a fleet of steamboats that serviced passengers traveling between Wilmington and Charleston. They also carried freight, and with the city being a stop-over point, commerce grew.

The Antebellum Period

Other things besides the railroads were growing. Church cemeteries had filled up, and in 1853 Oakdale Cemetery would be established on 65 acres. It would be North Carolina's first rural cemetery. Other happenings during this time included:

• Establishment of the Wilmington Gas Company in 1854
• Gas-powered lights replace oil lamps
• Construction on a new city hall began in 1855
• Thalian Hall opera house is established
• First public school, Union Free School, opened in 1857
• Free people of color open businesses and develop trade

The Civil War Comes to Wilmington

Blockade runners, both privately owned and Confederate, would use the port in Wilmington as their base. They would bring much-needed supplies from England to waiting troops and cities. The Union tried to stop the running of supplies to the South. Fort Fisher fell to Union troops, and the port was closed. One month later, Wilmington's Battle took place in 1865, and Union forces captured the city. Much of the battle took place on the city's outskirts, so period houses and buildings were preserved.

A City Full of History

Today much of the past can be seen in Wilmington. The downtown monuments and historic buildings include:

• George Davis Monument
• Confederate Monument
• Bellamy Mansion
• Cotton Exchange of Wilmington
• Temple of Israel
• Murchison Building

SERVPRO of New Hanover Proudly Serving Wilmington Businesses

Burst pipes and leaking HVAC systems can all cause water intrusions that call for water damage repair services. When that happens, SERVPRO is here to mitigate the damage. We arrive at your property as fast as possible and do a scope of the premises. Once that happens, and a plan of action gets put in place, our technicians:

• Provide water extraction services using various types of pumps
• Dry the building using industrial strength air movers and dehumidifiers
• Clean the structure and content
• Use controlled demolition if needed
• Repair and restore the facility

Emergency mitigation is vital to prevent secondary damage from occurring. Water is caustic and can damage surfaces. Mold can rapidly develop when moisture is allowed to remain in place. Early intervention is crucial to prevent these problems. SERVPRO of New Hanover understands the importance of restoring your business fast. Your business needs to be open to support your family and maintain customers. We can help with that by providing water damage repair to your Wilmington business. Contact us at (910) 762- 8180. Ask about our ERP plan that can help you be prepared before a disaster.

Experience the Cape Fear Festival of Trees in Wilmington

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

While you are sleeping, SERVPRO is on call. We are always available for your restoration needs

Enjoy a Bit of Holiday Magic with this Popular Wilmington Family Tradition

From November 21st to December 24th, Mayfaire Town Center in Wilmington gets turned into a sparkling winter wonderland. Fun for the entire family, the Cape Fear Festival of Trees is with artfully decorated holiday trees and plenty of seasonal cheer. Hours for this event are Monday through Saturday from 12 pm to 8 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 6 pm. Pricing is just $5 for adults with free admission for children 12 and under with a paying adult. 

• Experience festively decorated timbers
• Take advantage of unique photo opportunities
• Vote on your favorite holiday tree
• Bring home the magic by purchasing commemorative ornaments and holiday wreaths
• Immerse yourself in winter splendor with decorated restaurants and shop windows

Community is crucial, and SERVPRO of New Hanover is proud to enjoy events such as this with our local families and businesses. If you have damage from tropical storm flooding, we are the team to call for repair and restoration. Contact us 24 hours any day of the week for emergency service by calling (910) 762-8180.

Gear Up for Those Thanksgiving Meal Calories and Get Moving in Wrightsville Beach With a 5K Race

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

Just like our neighbors train for 5k’s, SERVPRO continually trains for emergency restoration scenarios.

Enjoy Some Much-Needed Fresh Air at the Wrightsville Beach Turkey Trot

For our community to stay up with social distancing and safety guidelines, enjoying an open-air activity might be good for the soul. The Wrightsville Beach Turkey Trot is a Thanksgiving 5k run or walk all around the Wrightsville Beach Loop. This event is taking place on Thursday, November 26th, with registration beginning at 7:00am. The 5k kicks off at 8:30am, and there is also a one-mile fun run scheduled for 8:45am.

Further details on this family-friendly event include: 

• Sponsorship by the Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity
• Free admission for all spectators
• Prizes, food, and fun for everybody!

Always caring about our local community's health and well-being, SERVPRO of New Hanover welcomes all attendants to this annual event. Should there be a circumstance where you require assistance in water cleanup and restoration for your home or business, you can reach our skilled crew by calling (910) 762-8180. We are Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Hiring Skilled Restoration for Your Wilmington Home Ensures Prompt, Reliable Results

11/6/2020 (Permalink)

Look for our Green Fleet around town. We are always on the job!

When it Comes to Fire and Smoke Companies, SERVPRO Offers Round the Clock Services Wilmington Homeowners Can Trust

Nestled in the beautiful state of North Carolina, New Hanover County is one of 100 counties in the area. Despite being one of the smaller land area counties within the state, this region is home to over 200,000 citizens. Within New Hanover County, you also have Wilmington, which is one of the largest cities in the entire state.

Created in 1729, New Hanover County is primarily a maritime region with an Atlantic Ocean border on the east with Cape Fear River located to the west. This area has become home to a broad range of incredible historical landmarks, including:

• Cape Fear Civil War Shipwreck
• Peterhoff
• Wilmington National Cemetery
• Fort Fisher
• Audubon Trolley Station

New Hanover County has a total area of 328 square miles, with 137 square miles made up of water and 192 square miles comprised of land.

Fire and Smoke Damage Companies to the Rescue in Wilmington, NC for Businesses and Homeowners Alike

Any loss for a property owner becomes a significant blow, both from a personal and financial standpoint. As IICRC-certified fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT), we know how to handle a fire damage situation to bring our customers the best results.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is dedicated to community engagement, especially in times of need. We work closely with various local charities to help prevent accidents within the home while fostering well-being throughout the region.

• Through programs like Nourish NC, The American Red Cross, the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM), and the Wilmington Chamber Foundation, our team is committed to making a difference.

Fire events are devastating for all involved. Our team at SERVPRO of New Hanover works closely with New Hanover County Fire Rescue and other first responders in the region to provide emergency services to all community members. With our 24/7 emergency response team and highly specialized techniques, we have the manpower and expertise to restore your family home or place of business to preloss conditions. Whether you have a blaze at your place of business as significant as the Wilmington Terminal Company fire of 1953 or a small kitchen fire within your condo, you can trust that our skilled technicians will act fast and get the job done.

Common Reasons to Contact Skilled Fire and Smoke Companies for Emergency Service

From communities filled with family homes to populated areas with businesses, this region is not exempt from fire and smoke damage. With fast action and proven methods, fire and smoke companies of New Hanover can lessen the blow and the onset of secondary damage.

• Grease Fires –What may begin as a small fire on a stovetop can turn into something significant in a matter of seconds. If the fire spreads and damages your ceiling or structure, you need restoration and reconstruction by trained technicians. Working with an industry-certified company ensures you can address handle your fire damage accordingly.
• Electrical Fires –Often hidden until they spread into other rooms or floors of your property, an electrical fire is one that calls for careful consideration. It is imperative to have a team that will follow the fire's path to ensure that no area is left unaddressed. Failing to locate all fire damage areas means that corrosive soot and smoke may get left behind in your walls, ceilings, and ductwork.
• Smoke Damage –In some instances, your interior could suffer smoke damage from a fire in a nearby home. Professional restoration crews have various tools at our disposal to handle your soot and smoke removal needs. We employ specialized equipment and stop at nothing to ensure you have the indoor air quality (IAQ) that you deserve.

When faced with a fire inside your home, you must follow a plan of action to get the best results. Before a fire even takes place, these are some tips that will ensure you are thoroughly prepared:

Put a plan into writing as a reminder to make necessary phone calls initiating cleanup so that you do not get overwhelmed.

• Always take pictures of all areas of your home. Having shots of each room allows you to have the documentation you need for your insurance company.
• Gather any receipts and copies of payments you have made on big-ticket items within your home. These essential documents help determine value should you lose these items in a fire.
• All details are critical, so be sure that you are careful with descriptions of items, including serial numbers, if possible.
• Have the name and contact information of a trusted fire and smoke company handy so that you know whom you can call to begin the restoration process.

How Can Fire and Smoke Companies Help Me Recover After a Fire?

Fire recovery and restoration call for meticulous planning and cleanup efforts. Working with our certified specialists at SERVPRO ensures that your Wilmington home is restored to preloss condition, "Like it never even happened." We cover everything within the house to get the results you want, from your carpets and upholstery to insulation and structural elements.

When called for any smoke or fire damage project in Wilmington, we assess the devastation level and adjust our plan accordingly. Some of the advanced equipment that we utilize most for fire incident cleanup includes: 

• Deodorizing pellets and gels
• Thermal fogging equipment to seek out embedded particulates and neutralize them
• Ozone machinery best for extreme odor removal situations
• Hydroxyl generators work to alter the chemical nature of odors during the cleanup phase
• Ultra-light volume foggers (ULV) that disperse chemicals which bind to and alter malodor chemical composition
• Sealants and paint primers

Our efforts focus on restoration and reconstruction versus replacement, which sets us apart at SERVPRO of New Hanover. When you need fire and smoke companies that you can trust, you can always look to us for prompt emergency services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call us at (910) 762-8180 to deploy a crew to your location.

Who Can Homeowners Contact to Restore Their Homes After a Fire?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Our experienced technicians have the equipment your home needs after a fire. Call us today for immediate assistance.

Wilmington Residents Should Call SERVPRO for Professional Restoration.

 Can’t Homeowners Have a Crew Remove Scorched Items and Paint Over the Walls?

Returning Wilmington homes to a pre-fire condition requires more than paint and hauling out trash. SERVPRO teams have technicians specially trained to preserve the home, clean property, and remove odors.

Where Do Restoration Technicians Begin?

To begin fire damage restoration, our teams first have to stop and prevent further damage to each home. These first steps are emergency services, or mitigation activities, which include:

• Boarding up doors, windows, and roofs – Between the fire and efforts to extinguish it, doors and windows are easily broken and have to be covered temporarily with plywood to reduce the effects of weather. If the fire burns through walls and the roof, technicians stretch tarps over the damaged areas and secure it with fir strips, nails, and screws.
• Demolition and debris removal – Heat, flames, and smoke can ruin a large amount of personal and structural property.
• Ventilation - Although our teams board up everything when we are not working, technicians set up a series of fans to increase air circulation. This activity, along with installing dehumidifiers, reduces odors, forces out damp air out of the home, and lowers the humidity. Both help dry the interior without physically touching anything, reducing the risk of additional damage.
• Weather plays a key role in ventilating an interior.

Is That All SERVPRO Does at First?

No. If there is personal property that has to be cleaned immediately, our teams can remove items to our facility, where we have an extensive inventory of cleaning agents, isolation chambers, ultrasonic cleaning tanks, and more that can restore the appearance of anything from curtains and blankets to sofas and tables. Odor elimination and soot and soil removal are goals we pursue to restore content and personal treasured possessions.

To learn more about what SERVPRO of New Hanover can do for your home here or in Wrightsville Beach, call us today at (910) 762-8180. We are ready to help you restore your home and your life to its pre-fire state. 

What is the Easiest Way to Clean Up After Heavy Flooding?

10/16/2020 (Permalink)

Storms can occur any time of year. Our professionals are always on call to meet your restoration needs.

SERVPRO Handles Contaminated Water and Flood Damage – Call Our Crew to Your Wrightsville Beach Home for 24/7 Emergency Service

Whether you have flooding brought on by heavy rain or local bodies of water overflowing, you need to be able to handle the fallout from the surge. Water is known for causing substantial damage, which calls for skilled professionals to take care of clean up and mitigation, which is where SERVPRO thrives, and we want you to know that we are available 24/7. You can even call us over the weekend or during a holiday, and we will send out a crew to your Wrightsville Beach property as soon as possible.

Is It Possible to Prevent Further Damage?

 There are a lot of factors for any project involving flood damage in Wrightsville Beach. To start with, if there has been massive flooding in the area, you must not remain in or re-enter your home until deemed safe to do so by local authorities. If everything is clear, call our team at SERVPRO, and we can send out a crew to: 

• Inspect and assess your property for all signs of water damage and overall safety.
• Work on removing contents to either salvage or discard
• Perform pack-out services for any items set for further cleaning off-site or stored until the restoration project is complete
• Total cleanup of all debris and removal of water, followed by preparation for drying
• Repair or replace any materials as needed, including controlled demolition for any unsalvageable drywall, carpeting, and other building materials
• Sanitization and deodorization to keep musty odors from developing within your Wrightsville Beach home

To ensure everything is "Like it never even happened," our crew does a final walkthrough and looks for hidden moisture with the help of sensors and detection tools. SERVPRO of New Hanover can handle your flood damage, so your home is brought back to preloss condition. Call us at (910) 762-8180 for more information on our services!

What Can I Do If My Hair Salon Flooded After Hours?

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

Your customers rely on you to be open, and you can rely on SERVPRO to quickly remediate water damages.

SERVPRO Provides Emergency Water Damage Services to Wilmington Businesses Around the Clock

 Anything that causes a business in Wilmington to shut down means a loss in revenue. We provide 24-hour service, so your activity is back up and running with minimal downtime. Our expert team of trained technicians leaves your hair salon “Like it never even happened.”

 Can your Technicians Work Through the Night to Help my Business?

 SERVPRO knows when flooding happens after hours, you can’t wait until morning for emergency water mitigation in your Wilmington business. You need fast assistance. Even after eliminating the source of the water intrusion, water extraction and cleanup needs to happen immediately. Something as simple as a burst pipe causes severe water damage, including:

•  Mold – within two days
• Carpet and furniture damage
• Structural damage

Keep the Customers Coming In

 Whenever water loss strikes, we are Faster To Any Size Disaster. Because we are available around the clock, including Sundays, our certified technicians can attack the problem when it happens. On arrival, our team will assess the damage, locate and eliminate the source, and start the cleanup and restoration. Depending on your unique situation, we will:

• Deal with water extraction – powerful pumps and extraction equipment removes water fast.
• Dry the premises – air movers and dehumidifiers are both used.
• Carpet and Flooring repaired and restored.
• Furniture – sanitized with EPA registered microbial sanitizers
• Deodorized if needed

If your hair salon experiences flooding, let our SERVPRO experts provide the water mitigation required steps you can take before their arrival includes turning off the electricity and shutting the water off. We work alongside your insurance to make the entire process as easy as possible. 

To keep your customers flowing and minimize your downtime, contact SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180. 

 More about Wilmington.

How Can I Protect My Staffing Agency’s Break Room from Water Damage?

6/16/2020 (Permalink)

Is a water loss event threatening to close your office? Call SERVPRO for fast effective remediation.

SERVPRO Technicians Provide Rapid-Response Commercial Water Damage Cleanup for Wilmington Offices

 Office spaces are as vulnerable as any other facility to water damage. Whether a pipe leak behind a wall, a faulty sprinkler system, or a plumbing failure is the culprit, a water-damaged area can become an ideal environment for mold and odors in as little as one to two days.

 If your business needs commercial water damage mitigation targeted at Wilmington offices, certified SERVPRO technicians can render this service.

 What Are Some Effective Water Damage Prevention Measures for Office Spaces?

• Implement water alarms.Water alarms are a cost-effective option for detecting water damage early. Place these alert systems feature moisture sensors and can on walls and floors.
• Invest in insurance.While on-site alarm and prevention systems are useful for reducing restoration costs, your business insurance should have adequate water damage for both commercial assets and structures.
• Maintain your property.Regular maintenance prevents many forms of water damage, but it can push your claim through more quickly when an unexpected disaster happens. Check door and window seals, maintain plumbing, and recoat your roofing at least once every five years.

How Can SERVPRO Restore My Facilities After Cleanup?

 A pipe leak in your break room can leave chairs, upholstery, and decor saturated with water. However, many of these items are restorable with the help of SERVPRO techs:

•  Carpet and pad that have not delaminated can be cleaned, dried, and reinstalled.
• Exterior walls exhibiting signs of damage can save both sheetrock and insulation by drilling holes near the top of the wall to boost ventilation during drying.
• Furniture like end tables and chairs need sanitizing with EPA-registered antimicrobials.

 SERVPRO of New Hanover has the tools you need to keep your business looking, “Like it never even happened.” Call (910) 762-8180 for rapid-response cleanup.

 More about Wilmington.

Are There Several Ways to Remove Water from Wet Carpets?

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

Did your carpet experience water damage? Call SERVPRO to restore your home.

Our SERVPRO professionals can offer a variety of water removal solutions for saturated flooring in your Wilmington home. 

 Taking care of damp and saturated flooring in your Wilmington home is a priority for property owners because of how quickly wet surfaces can degrade and deteriorate. There is a finite timeline to salvage and restore materials like carpeting, and that timeline begins at the first exposure to migrating water damages. Our SERVPRO professionals can help with a fast response designed to remove water and dry up affected areas of the property as soon as possible.

 Water removal in Wilmington homes requires dozens of extractors and various tools and machines. With an extensive inventory of industry-leading equipment, we can meet the demands of your house through actions like moisture removal from carpets and padding, but also drying out structural cavities, drywall, and full flooring systems. 

 What Options Exist for Protecting Carpeted Floors After Water Losses? 

 Knowing what the carpeted floors in your home need after a water loss involve some thorough evaluation by our competent professionals. It is always our intention to complete restoration tasks as efficiently as possible. It hinges on a complete understanding of what actions are necessary to return materials and areas of the house to preloss conditions. With varying degrees of damage, restoration might encompass one or more of three general practices: 

• Extraction - Water removal in Wilmington is an intricate task that involves many cutting-edge tools and machines available to our technicians. Several potential extractors can help with removing water from carpeting, including carpet wands and weighted extraction units.
• Drying – If a carpet can get salvaged after water exposure, this restoration relies on thorough drying practices. In many cases, centrifugal air movers are vital in this effort, as it can work on drying both the top layer and the padding simultaneously with the right position. 
• Reinstallation – Tear-out and reinstallation are always among our team's last resort strategies. We do have competent contractors in-house that can help oversee repairs, controlled demolition, and reinstallation of new materials as necessary.

 What Tools Are Best for Extracting Water from Carpets? 

•  Carpet Wands - Carpet wands cannot remove all the water trapped in the fibers of flooring, but it can remove enough where other drying efforts can be more productive.
• Wet Vacuums - Much like on hard surfaces, wet vacuums are ideal for removing both surface water and trapped moisture, and carpet fibers to make drying efforts take less time.
•  Weighted Extractors - Using the technician's weight in either stationary or ride-on models, weighted extractors force moisture to the surface by squeezing the top layer and padding against the subflooring. 

 What is Necessary to Dry Damp Carpeting? 

 Drying damp carpeting can be a challenge even after substantial extraction has taken place. We have multiple tools to remove moisture trapped in fibers and padding before it can soak through the subflooring materials. Choosing the right approach for drying your carpet can save time and money on the restoration that your property needs after water loss incidents. Some of the useful drying tools we use are: 

•  Centrifugal Air Movers - Air movers offer high-velocity blasts of heated air directed at specific points in saturated materials. By placing centrifugal air movers between the top layer of carpeting and the padding, we can simultaneously dry both layers to offer a more efficient water removal solution.
•  Desiccant Dehumidifiers - Much like centrifugal air movers, desiccant dehumidifiers work to reintroduce heated, dry air back into the moist environment or saturated materials like the carpeting. These dehumidifiers are also vital to manage increasing moisture content concerns.
•  Floor Mat Drying System - When moisture concerns have passed the padding layer and reached the subflooring, there is often little we can do to protect the top layers of carpeting, and they must get discarded. To preserve and salvage the subflooring, such as plywood or OSB, we can slowly utilize drying mats to draw out moisture to the acceptable parameters.

 Can SERVPRO Reinstall Carpet? 

 With a full team of in-house residential contractors, we can offer efficient controlled demolition and quality reinstallation of removed flooring and structural elements. Our licensed professionals can help to provide a seamless transition between mitigation, like drying and extraction, and the reconstruction and repairs that your home might need after that. 

 Regardless of how severe water losses might be, our SERVPRO of New Hanover team can help to make it, "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (910) 762-8180.

Where Can I Find 24 Hour Water Removal Services for my Bar?

5/29/2020 (Permalink)

Wilmington Bars and Commercial Establishments Count on SERVPRO for Advanced Devices to Mitigate a Water Loss

SERVPRO of Wilmington Can Provide Water Removal Services at Any Time or Day

 Owning and operating a bar in Wilmington means working the night and most of the morning, and suddenly needing water removal services can feel quite jarring to your schedule. However, do not worry. Here at SERVPRO, our doors are open whenever you need us.

 If your Wilmington bar needs water removal services, we could be there within hours to assist you. We create and base our schedule off of yours. Whenever you need us, SERVPRO is here for you.

 I Need Discretion, Can SERVPRO Provide That?

At SERVPRO, it is our goal to leave our customers feeling happy and taken care of. If you want a discreet service to your property, we can:

• Use back entrances to avoid public line-of-sight
• Work during the day, when your bar is closed normally
• Work fast to get the job done as soon as possible

 No matter what your needs are, SERVPRO can find a way to help you.

 How Can SERVPRO Remediate my Bar?

Once inside, our technicians can do a brief investigation to create a remediation plan. After, we can get right to work. We can start by:

• Using thermal imaging cameras to identify water in hidden places
• Use advanced technological devices to remove standing water, such as wet/dry vacuums
• Use drying equipment to ensure the moisture levels in your bar are appropriate

Furthermore, here at SERVPRO, we have specialty equipment for hard-to-reach places. We can use air-blasting tubes to get underneath the bar, or between walls. Doing so can help speed up the drying process and ensure that mold growth cannot occur.

 If your bar needs professional water removal services, never wait to get help. Get in touch with SERVPRO of New Hanover by dialing the number (910) 762-8180. No matter the time of day or night, we're available to help.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned – a defensive cleaning program

5/19/2020 (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 Wilmington, 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 New Hanover today at (910) 762-8180 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 Professionals Remove Water from Flood Damaged Wilmington Homes?

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Floods are devastating. Call SERVPRO for fast, effective water removal.

Dealing with Volume During Flood Water Extraction from Affected Wilmington Properties

 Flooding incidents can leave a significant amount of water in your Wilmington property. Extracting such water poses different challenges, yet it is essential for the recovery process. Professional restorers such as SERVPRO use diverse strategies to achieve the intended goal.

Letting the water drain out

There is a need to think of the water source for successful floodwater extraction from affected Wilmington houses. If the water outside the building is yet to recede, any extraction effort is likely to be futile. Our SERVPRO technicians leave water levels to subside before starting any removal processes. As we wait for the water to drain out, we can take other remedial actions such as moving vulnerable items to higher levels within the structure, limiting exposure to water.

High capacity pumps

Often, a significant volume of water is left inside the structure even after groundwater outside the structure subsides. High capacity pumps can help remove such water within a short period compared to using mops and buckets. Our SERVPRO technicians mostly rely on centrifugal pumps, which convert rotational energy from a motor to an energy that can move fluid. Apart from the volume of water, there are other challenging aspects since the water might contain solids, or the disposal point located far from the extraction point. We use specialized pumps to tackle individual challenges. For example, self-priming trash pumps remove water with solids conveniently, while high-pressure pumps have high lift capacity perfect for pumping out underground structures.

Controlled demolition

Considerable amounts of water find a way into cavities such as walls within the house. Demolishing the entire wall or leaving the water in place are not viable solutions. Our SERVPRO technicians perform controlled demolition steps, such as making flood cuts or punching vent holes to release the water conveniently. Such measures also help us deal with the moisture absorbed by semi-porous materials such as wood since we can circulate air conveniently around the affected areas boosting evaporation rates.

High volumes of water can complicate the restoration of the flooded property. Call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 to help. We are faster to any size disaster.

More about Wilmington.

How Can a Fire Cause Water Damage?

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage from a Leak Causes Problems in Wilmington That SERVPRO Can Fix.

SERVPRO Handles All Aspects of Fire Damage Which Often Includes Significant Water Damage

 In some fires, damage from the actual flames ends up being the least of your concerns. Fires often trigger damage in a way homeowners do not expect: significant water damage. Whether during the efforts to put the fire out or leaks caused by the heat, fire can directly or indirectly cause your home to take on large amounts of water unexpectedly. If the fire started during a storm, rain or flood water might also deal some damage. Listed are some common ways we encounter water damage after a fire.

 Water Damage from Hoses and Extinguishers

 After a fire, severe water damage in Wilmington can happen as a result of fire hoses and extinguishers used to douse the flames. These devices, while sometimes using foam to smother the fire, often use pure or mixed water to stop the fire in its tracks. Care is not often taken to controlling the water flow, with as much being used as necessary to stop the flames. This can lead to a heavy dousing of any surface in your home and some mild flooding as a result of fire hoses. Excess water is common after a fire, and perhaps more often than not you'll be dealing with this type of damage. Typically, a small isolated fire in a kitchen or room would not inflict such heavy secondary water damage.

 Burst and Leaking Faucets and Pipes

 Fire can melt and break metal faucets and plumbing due to its extreme temperature, causing profuse leaks and ruptures wherever it crosses a water fixture. Although these do not often release enormous amounts of water, they can cause considerable damage to floors and walls in their vicinity.

 Water Damage During a Storm

 Many infernos start as the result of a storm, from a lightning strike or otherwise. The fire may work in tandem with torrential rains, as these are often not enough to put out the blaze but enough to pour through any burned openings into your house. Also, some severe storms may come with massive flooding, which can be exceedingly dangerous due to the presence of Black Water. This highly contaminated water can carry pathogens, silt, pesticides, chemicals, and dangerous debris like broken glass and tree limbs. SERVPRO has IICRC trained technicians that have certifications in ASD, Applied Structural Drying, and AMR, Applied Microbial Remediation to combat the ramifications of contaminated groundwater or sewage.

 SERVPRO of New Hanover is a locally owned and operated business that has experience with all sorts of water and fire damage, often at the same time. Should you require emergency restoration services following a disaster, call us 24/7 at (910) 762-8180. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

 Learn more about Wilmington.

What Types of Flood Damage Should I Look for After a Severe Storm in Wilmington?

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

We are available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week and are proud to provide quality cleanup and restoration services.

Flood Damage as a Result of a Storm Can Result in Many Types of Damage. SERVPRO of New Hanover is Here to Help with it All.

Severe storm systems can impact Wilmington homes with a very little warning, especially when homeowners are unsuspecting of a possible issue with their roof, siding, or foundation. As much as the area has experienced flooding, it has become an understanding that the best approach to recovering from situations like these is to trust in the fast response and experienced technicians of the restoration industry. The quicker a storm damage restoration company can identify and restore your property, the better.  Waiting, for any reason, can make all storm and flood damage related issues get worse, fast.

Repairing flood damages to your Wilmington home might seem straightforward, but many concerns linger from the immediate water penetration to several weeks following the flood. Addressing the damage to your home must happen quickly, as pooling water and saturation can begin to affect walls, flooring, and ceiling materials within hours of exposure.  

With water damages, the timeline for irreparable damages is concise. Within only a few hours, drywall can bloat and distort, eroding beyond repair. Our mitigation team can arrive at your home fast in the face of an emergency to begin the necessary steps to limit the spread of the damage throughout the property and to preserve what elements can get salvaged.

Flooding can lead to cracks in your basement walls, trapping moisture in your walls, ceiling, and floor where corrosion, rot, and mold fester. There are several types of mold and each type requires careful consideration and vast knowledge of specific removal techniques in order to thoroughly remediate the situation.  Black mold is especially hazardous. It requires specific cleaning and restoration methods, provided by a water removal or water damage restoration specialist, like those offered through SERVPRO, to treat your home for damage after a flood. Remember, mold may not be readily visible to you, the homeowner, but can wreak havoc on your home without you knowing. Let’s also keep in mind that any amount of flooding presents a potential danger to your home’s foundation. Cement has a porous surface that can crack, crumble, and chip after prolonged moisture exposure.

Flood waters can also get underneath your home, rotting or shifting support beams and posts that provide structural integrity throughout. The best way to avoid problems like this involves preparing your home against flooding, especially unfinished basements and crawlspaces. SERVPRO technicians can help you understand more about keeping these areas clean and dry while also providing you with the flood damage restoration services you need to get things back to normal after significant water intrusions in your home.

SERVPRO’s IICRC-industry certified restoration team could help you address weather-related soil erosion on your property that often leads to flooding in your home. We can also help you install additional drainage and sump pumps that help keep water away from your home. Sump pumps are one of the most effective and efficient ways to remove water from your home quickly. They are especially good for areas like Wilmington and surrounding areas that frequently see flooding. Our technicians can check your home’s gutter system, downspouts, basements, crawlspaces and roofing to ensure that water gets directed away from your home where it belongs.

Our ability to help our customers so swiftly throughout an emergency comes from our reliance on the advanced technology available to our SERVPRO technicians from the moment they arrive at your home. The professionals on site can utilize a range of pumps from portable electric options to our large 300 psi truck-mounted pump for the fastest extraction possible. Once the excess gets removed, our focus can move to drying with our high-strength air movers for fast vaporization of saturation and moisture to our industrial grade dehumidifiers to pull that vapor from the air efficiently.

Take advantage of the experience and training SERVPRO of New Hanover gives you access to and call to start your home’s flood damage restoration, today. We are available 24-hours a day, 7-days a week and are proud to provide quality cleanup and restoration services throughout our local community. Call today (910) 762-8180.

Learn more about Wilmington.

Why It Is Important To Clean Your HVAC System During and After Fire Damage in Carolina Beach?

5/5/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Often Means Cleaning the HVAC System in Carolina Beach Properties

SERVPRO Inspects and Repairs HVAC Systems That Can Be Contaminated with Fire & Smoke Residues and Lingering Odors 

 Fire damage incidents are always frightening. Luckily, if you promptly take the right restoration actions, you can prevent further damage and salvage most of your possessions. It is not all about cleaning the soot and smoke particles that you usually see after a fire; there are inspections that we perform in your Carolina Beach home during the restoration to uncover hidden issues. For instance, have you ever asked yourself what it takes to clean a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system after a fire event?

 While cleaning the HVAC unit may not be mandatory during fire damage restoration in Carolina Beach, our SERVPRO technicians never take chances. If the system is contaminated, it can spread smoke residues within the structure once you switch it on. When we are performing HVAC duct cleaning, we adhere to the state and local regulations. We are going to look at some of the steps we follow when cleaning these vital systems.

 Fire and HVAC System Relation

 Our SERVPRO technicians start by identifying the location of the fire in relation to the return side or supply side of the HVAC system. Even if the system was off, air pressure might develop from the heat which can move smoke particles into the ducts. Knowing whether the unit was operating during the fire and the duration it took is equally essential. So, irrespective of the situation, we have to inspect the system and check whether it has smoke residues and odors. Our Green Fleet supplies our SERVPRO technicians with the heavy-duty equipment and cleaning and deodorizing products to complete the task at hand.

 HVAC Contamination and Fire Damage Degree

 Once we are sure some level of contamination exists in the unit, checking the extent of the damage follows. It is the time when we identify the type of smoke particles and whether odors are present. Our SERVPRO technicians are familiar with the design and operation of HVAC systems, and that helps us to identify mechanical damage, and if present, we may recommend a replacement. Depending on the state of the filters, we can clean or do a replacement several times during the recovery process. By using ULV Foggers, we can perform deodorization to neutralize the odors.

 At SERVPRO of New Hanover, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and offer residents 24-hour emergency services. Call us at (910) 762-8180 when you need a trusted industry leader to serve you.

 Learn more about Carolina Beach.

How Can SERVPRO Fireproof Your Carolina Beach Commercial Property?

4/28/2020 (Permalink)

To protect your business against fire damage in Carolina Beach, prevent the disaster before it happens.

Here are 3 Ways to Fire Proof Your Business

Keeping your employees safe and protecting your commercial property is of utmost importance. As a Carolina Beach commercial property owner, you do not want your business to burn. Not only are you going to lose a lot of money, but the rebuilding costs are too high. Here are 3 ways to fireproof your commercial property.

Prevent The Fire Before It Even Begins

To protect your business against fire damage in Carolina Beach, prevent the disaster before it happens. The first thing a business owner ought to do is keep their building up to code. Make sure you enforce strict No Smoking policy. If found, the individual must face high penalties.

Avoid storing flammable items in offices or unoccupied areas of the building. Install smoke alarms and detectors along the building corridors and in offices. In case of a fire, the measures above gives you an opportunity to save your building using available firefighting equipment. Do not forget to maintain the fire alarms, detectors, and other equipment. 

Educate Your Employees And Other Building Occupants

As a property owner, it's important to educate your employees and other building occupants about fire safety. For starters, they need to be aware of building exits and where to meet when outside the building. Carry out fire drills from time to time. This will help to instill the procedure of how employees should react when the fire alarm goes off. Also, teach your employees how to use a fire extinguisher.

Keep In Touch With The Local Fire Department

Inviting the local fire department to check available firefighting measures is a great way of protecting your building against commercial fire damage. After the tour, guides are available to help you make improvements. They can also provide their opinion and help you protect your employees. 

In the event of a fire, the fire department is going to arrive on time and put out the fire before your building burns down.

At SERVPRO of New Hanover, we understand fires can devastate your commercial property. By taking the small proactive steps above, you get to protect your employees and business. If you're ever in need of commercial fire damage experts, call our 24/7 emergency line at (910) 762-8180 today!

Learn more about Carolina Beach.

How Can I Care For Pets During Flood Damage in Wrightsville Beach?

4/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Says to Prepare Your Pets for Flooding in Wrightsville Beach

Preparation is Key When it Comes to Keeping Pets Safe During Storms and Resulting Floods

 Floods are dangerous for humans and animals alike. If you have four-legged companions, naturally you want to protect them when flood damage occurs. SERVPRO understands that the health and safety of their pets is a significant concern for many of our customers. That is the reason we have put together this short guide on how to care for pets in the Wrightsville area in the event of a flood or hurricane.

 The best way to protect Wrightsville Beach pets during flood damage is preparation. Preparing ahead of time means you are ready in the event of a disaster and know what to do. Check out places that are used as flood shelters and make sure that they take animals (some do not.) Always keep a good stock of food and medicines for your pets on hand. SERVPRO suggests that you check The American Red Cross as a potential shelter site.

 It is also wise to make sure you have a means of transportation. For most small animals or cats, a carry crate is ideal. Birds need a portable cage. Small dogs may also go in a carrier, or on a substantial lead.

 Know what to do should your pet get lost, or if you are away from home during flooding. Ensure each animal is microchipped and has a collar with identifying information on it. Check whether friends or neighbors are willing to take in your animals if the evacuation order comes when you are away.

 During a flood, if you are not evacuating, bring your pets indoors and keep them with you in the highest room of the house. Make sure they have access to freshwater (you may need to use bottled), food and dry bedding. Keep a favorite toy to hand – animals may become stressed and need familiar objects to help comfort them.

 After the flood is over and it is time to return home, you may find standing water, or water damaged items, in your home. Put in a call to SERVPRO as soon as you can. Our IICRC-experts have pumps, dehumidifiers, air movers, moisture meters, and foggers on hand to deal with everything from water extraction to odor removal.

For help with the after-effects of a flood in Wrightsville Beach, Kure Beach, Elizabethtown and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 today.

 Learn more about Wrightsville Beach.

Three Reasons to Call SERVPRO in Wilmington to Slow Viral Spread

4/23/2020 (Permalink)

When you feel like germs are everywhere and you can't keep up, SERVPRO is here to help.

Disaster Clean Up and Restoration Leaders 

 Difficult times call for extraordinary responses. There are several business services designated as essential. Though the challenges we are facing can be a bit overwhelming, we train our SERVPRO team in disaster remediation. We bring you commercial-grade equipment and cleaning products to address pathogens, and we are proud to stand up and support our Wilmington community in this time of need.

Our technicians know that emergency cleanup in the Wilmington area requires immediate action, and that is why our goal is to provide a quick response. We are a trusted leader in the community for many reasons. 

 1. Biohazard Cleanup Certification 

SERVPRO managers and technicians are trained and certified in biohazard mitigation recognized by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification. We use EPA-registered cleaning products that meet the emerging viral pathogens claim against viruses, and can clean and apply a disinfectant to any size space. 

 2. Containment Establishment Pros

SERVPRO frequently uses mitigation strategies when responding to disasters where the situation includes airborne and surface contamination as well as viral pathogens. Our negative pressure air scrubbing and infectious debris resolution strategies utilize high-efficiency particulate air filter-fitted equipment to improve air quality and prevent drift of microorganisms. 

 3. SERVPRO - A Name You Can Trust

Our team continually engages with the community during times of emergency, as well as every day. We work closely with area charities to mitigate and prevent all types of accidents and illnesses. The response team is highly skilled and flexible in helping manage many levels of hazardous situations. 

Let SERVPRO of New Hanover support you as you meet a critical community need. Call us at (910) 762-8180.

 Advice from the medical and scientific community regarding how to deal with the coronavirus is based on present knowledge, which is subject to change as the situation continues to develop. There can be no assurance that disinfectants alone will be adequate to fully eliminate the virus. We are not physicians or infectious disease professionals. Consult your medical professionals for individual medical advice.

How Can I Clean Up My Wilmington Home After a Flood?

4/22/2020 (Permalink)

When this homeowner called, SERVPRO answered and restored the home. We can handle water damage emergencies of any size and scope.

You Can Count on SERVPRO for Restoration After Flood Damage in Your Wilmington Home

 Spring weather often brings a variety of storms, which also bring the potential of flooding in your home. If your property is subject to the fallout from a major storm and flooding, you need to contact the professionals to help with the prompt restoration. The team at SERVPRO knows how unpredictable weather can be, so we have formulated a variety of processes that enable us to help Wilmington homeowners with flood mitigation services quickly and efficiently.

Why Do I Need Professional Restoration Services?

Once you get hit with flood damage in Wilmington, you need to take quick action to mitigate the situation appropriately. Time is of the essence, and even if the water from the flood recedes, it often leaves a lot of bacteria-filled sludge and other contaminants inside your home. This floodwater, known as black water, needs addressing by skilled technicians to ensure your interior is once again safe for your family and pets. All you must do is give our team a call, and we can send out trucks as soon as possible to make it just “Like it never even happened.”

 Can I Save My Furniture?

 Water impacts mostly everything it touches in your home during a flood situation. Furniture must be removed or put on non-staining wood blocks to lift them off your floors or carpeting to prevent staining. Wood furniture can take on water faster than non-porous materials like metal. Any furniture made from particleboard becomes waterlogged and warped and deteriorates quickly, making them unsalvageable. 

 We Come Fully Equipped for Water Removal

 The right equipment must be available for any Wilmington water cleanup job. When you call us for help with flood damage, our trucks arrive fully equipped with the tools and cleaning products necessary to get the job done. In any home flooding situation, extraction is the most significant step to ensure your home is restored quickly to preloss condition. 

•  Submersible pumps are excellent in situations where the water in your home is more than two inches deep. We deal with any water removed from your home according to guidelines for your area, which sometimes includes transport via a septic tank company or pumped into the local treated sewer.
• Truck-mounted and portable extractors are also available for rapid water removal. The portable extractors have wands and tanks that hold anywhere between five to twelve gallons of water. The truck-mounted extractors can store up to 100 gallons of water or more. They also have more powerful lift capabilities, making them an excellent choice for water that contains debris. 

 What Does Controlled Demolition Mean?

 Depending on the water levels in your home, controlled demolition might be necessary to complete the restoration process. Our skilled technicians go through the interior, looking for the best places to make flood cuts in your drywall. Water from the flood migrates behind the baseboards and begins wicking up the sheetrock. It is crucial to cut several inches above the saturation level to prevent the onset of dangerous mold. With strategic flood cuts, our team can speed up drying with the help of:

•  Air movers to force air into the wall cavities
• Dehumidifiers that work to remove water vapors from the air
• Industrial fans that increase the airflow throughout the home

Why Isn’t the Dehumidifier in My Home Enough?

 Consumer-grade dehumidifiers are no match for the professional-grade dehumidification equipment available at SERVPRO. 

•  Refrigerant Dehumidifiers –Works to keep the air moving through refrigerated coils that help the water vapor to condense, removing it from the air.
• Desiccant Dehumidifiers –Works as air passes over specialized materials like silica gel, which helps to attract and capture the water molecules

 Restoration and Deodorization

 Floodwater impacted carpeting throughout your home is discarded if deemed unsalvageable. Our skilled technicians can also perform rapid pack-out services to remove your furnishings, personal belongings, and electronics from nearby moisture. We relocate these items to a safe and dry space where moisture is unable to impact it so that everything can be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized using EPA-registered products that are eco-friendly and safe.

 No matter the level of flood damage in your home, you can trust in our IICRC-certified technicians at SERVPRO of New Hanover. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

Reach us 24/7 for emergency assessment and restoration services by calling (910) 762-8180. We can send out a team as soon as possible!

What Should I Do When a Fire Destroys My Elizabethtown Home and How Can I Save My Valuables?

4/21/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the right equipment to remove soot after a fire saving your belongings from further damage.

SERVPRO Responds Quickly, Provides Reliable Fire Damage Restoration and Helps Elizabethtown Residents Save Precious Items.

A fire can be the most devastating thing to happen to your Elizabethtown property. When the fire is out, and everything is said and done, you need someone by your side to protect against loss. Everyone wants to save money, minimize damages, and relieve this increasingly prevalent threat. However, not everyone has the tools, training, and resources to pull it off in the best possible manner.

 Every homeowner throughout the Elizabethtown area can benefit from helpful tips from a fire damage restoration expert. Our experts want you to recover as soon as possible, and these tips can help ensure that you do. Always start by checking your coverage with your insurance provider. You need to verify that you have the proper coverage, so you’re never left out in the cold.

 When an incident occurs, call your agent immediately to begin your claim process as soon as possible. You’ll also need to secure your property and belongings before calling it a day. Your highly-trained SERVPRO team can help you minimize damages to your property and help prevent additional problems from forming in exposed areas of your home.

 It is especially important to maintain a record of household contents, take pictures and record everything of value before accidents happen. SERVPRO’s entire staff can help you implement a plan to help protect your property and reduce stress related to any problems that might arise. We help you think of every possibility and cut down on surprises.

 You should also maintain records regarding living expenses while displaced from your home. Repairing fire damage in your home can be a lengthy process, one that requires the attention of experienced professionals. SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians have access to advanced restoration equipment and provide you with services you can count on to return your home to a quality pre-damage condition, “Like it never even happened.”

 Many times, the smoke is just as destructive as the flames. At SERVPRO, we mitigate damage to both your Elizabethtown home and the contents inside. We know that your family's belongings are what makes your house 'home' and without them, things are just not the sameWhen a family's home in Elizabethtown sustains fire damage, SERVPRO technicians working on the house's structure to remove damaged areas also take the items inside into consideration. We box things up, room to room, in clean boxes and label each with its inventory sheet's number. We take the majority of these items to our facility to clean and restore them.

 We can set aside any items that your family needs immediately so we can work on those first, making sure that you receive them as soon as possible. Soot can spread its griminess with the slightest touch. We have the equipment to remove residue, even in the deepest grooves and minute details of your belongings.

 We use ultrasonic cleaning techniques that act in a way similar to hydrogen peroxide, with its bubbling action, to remove foreign substances after fire damage. While we can clean hard surfaces in your home with special cloths that trap soot particles, textured items require more attention. A short time in the ultrasonic cleaning equipment works well at removing soot that manual cleaning might take hours to accomplish.

 We can restore and clean items that can be immersed in water and also dry quickly. Your Grandmother's china and knick-knacks from your parents' vacations can once again find their place in your home and look just as lovely as before. Many customers find that years of dust that accumulated on their belongings no longer dulls them. Our equipment is this effective. Therefore, if antiques should not receive this treatment to maintain their patina, please inform us, so we know to use other restoration methods. While these might take longer, the final effects are our goal and your satisfaction with our work.

Once cleaned, some items might require deodorization. We use special chambers to do this with hydroxyl generators that remove the odors still embedded in these things. We only use ozone on completely dry items, and both methods are equally effective.

 SERVPRO of New Hanover offers full-service solutions to fire damage on your property, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week for your convenience. We also go that extra mile to provide you with fast response times and quality services you can trust. Call our office, today (910) 762-8180!

 Learn more about Elizabethtown.

Having Trouble Understanding Mold Damage in Your Wrightsville Beach Home?

4/17/2020 (Permalink)

There are many types and colors of mold. Whether you see or smell it, contact SERVPRO to commence remediation efforts.

SERVPRO Technicians will NOT ONLY Remediate Mold Damage on Your Property, They Will Guide and Show You Many Effective Preventative Measures

People often confuse mold and mildew while both are used to describe fungal growth, mildew presents as a light-colored powder, with molds containing more colors and a fuzzy texture. Regardless, these are all visible groups of fungi that form and spread over various types of organic matter, including many building materials found in your home.

Discovering mold damage on your Wrightsville Beach area property is rather common. Most homeowners face this problem and only react after finding rather significant amounts in their homes. The majority of mold species that exist are not all that harmful to healthy adult humans. We become exposed to various amounts of mold throughout daily life, at home, work, or school, both indoors and out.

Health concerns usually only develop in the old or very young, others who have an existing respiratory condition or allergies may also have a reaction to mold. Some molds are used to produce a variety of food and medicine, which help protect us from some conditions. However, extensive, prolonged exposure can produce health effects, making it necessary to seek professional assistance to control how much mold interacts with us within our living environment.  

You may not notice mold in your home right away; it can be a very subtle or even hidden growth that begins in your problem. By the time you can see or smell mold in your home, the spread is often more than anyone can handle on your own, making professional remediation services essential. SERVPRO provides you with expertly trained mold remediation specialists who understand how mold acts, responds, and develops.   

SERVPRO understands that controlling mold is as easy as controlling moisture levels in your home. We use a variety of equipment to remove moisture including air movers, dehumidifiers, and advanced moisture detection to get even the smallest areas under control. We can even make recommendations that help prevent future growth.

Contact SERVPRO of New Hanover to schedule your mold remediation services, today. We can provide you with the services you deserve. (910) 762-8180

Learn more about Wrightsville Beach.

What Factors Determine if You Should Demolish a Flood-Damaged Business Structure in Wilmington?

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding has become a more common occurrence in Wilmington.

Opting for Demolition when Your Commercial Business Sustains Flood Damage in Wilmington Can Be a Hard Choice. SERVPRO Can Guide You Through this Troubling Time.

 Decades ago, flooding around Wilmington was similar to lightning strikes – one-time events that never happened in the same place twice. In more recent years, though, flooding seems to repeat itself in different communities, coming back to traumatize residents who expected repeat flooding less than they ever did the first time around.

 Because of this new propensity for repeat flooding in different areas, including Wilmington, many experts recommend the demolition of commercial buildings once they succumb to a flood. The options of either relocation to higher ground or rebuilding with flood-resistant capabilities ensure the continuation of a business. SERVPRO can help get your business, warehouse, factory, or retail setting ready for demolition and help you through the rebuilding process.

 We serve all businesses, regardless of type or size, throughout the area. Because we are local, we understand the community's needs, the experiences we all have in common, and can help make things cohesive again. The sooner you can rebuild, the sooner you can provide your products or services to the community again.

 Before demolition, we must ensure that all the paperwork is ready and that your salvageable inventory and equipment no longer occupies the area. Your inventory sheets should reflect each item. You must remove salvageable items like metal staircases or recyclable materials before we begin. If needed, we can assist you in their retrieval. Once demolition starts, entering the premises becomes extremely dangerous.

 Tearing down the business you and your family own can be a very trying time, but we can assure you that rebuilding means a bright future. While elevating your business might seem a better option, the drawbacks to this are quite extensive. You need to relocate electrical, plumbing, and gas lines, as well as any communications systems' cabling. Entryways need new staircases, as well as reinforced doors. Windows often require resizing to accommodate reinforced walls built below them. Stability becomes a concern, also, as the footprint must remain the same and must not become larger than the original footage, even when additional space is available. Demolition with subsequent rebuilding from scratch solves these issues.

 While we can also demolish partial areas of a structure, or only interior area, after a significant flood, many changes weaken the current building. We want to help you do better than making it “Like it never even happened.” We want to help you make it so it cannot ever happen again.

SERVPRO of New Hanover can help make flooding a non-issue for you and your Leland or Elizabethtown area business. Demolition might seem extreme, but the work involved in coming back after a flood is also extreme. Call us at (910) 762-8180 so we can get things stable and secure for you.

 Learn more about Wilmington.

Why Your Kure Beach Home Should Have a Professional Plan When Flood Waters from Hurricanes Strike

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

Hurricanes not only create wind damage to buildings in Kure Beach but also flood damage as the waters come in over the area.

SERVPRO Moves in Quickly with Using Proper Steps to Remediate Hurricane Flood Damage 

 Living in a city situated near water always has the potential to lead to flood damage in your home. In the case of Kure Beach, the city's unique geographic location near the Atlantic ocean makes it particularly susceptible to storms that start on the water. Strong tropical storms and hurricanes sweeping in can cause heavy rain and wind. While not all hurricanes lead to mass destruction, they can still cause flooding, and that water can bring a multitude of problems with it, even if it only floods small portions of your home. 

 Hurricanes not only create wind damage to buildings in Kure Beach but also flood damage as the waters come in over the area. Flood water from hurricanes contains high levels of raw sewage and additional bio-hazards that need to be avoided at all costs. Hurricanes create tons of building rubble, debris, charred wood, ash, soot, massive flooding, extreme wind damages, and cause personal property damage.

 Once the storm ends, and the floodwaters recede, you are dealing with plenty of problems inside your Kure Beach home due to flood damage. SERVPRO is here to help clean up the aftermath. All you must do is give us a call and we help you get your property restored in a timely fashion.

 Because hurricane floodwater can be contaminated with hazardous chemicals and materials, our technicians always wear special protective outer clothing and goggles. Doing so prevents any cross-contamination. We also advise you to remain out of your home until we can get the damage cleaned up and your home sanitized again.

 Proper Water Removal is Key

 The first step to remediating the flood damage in your home is to remove the stagnant water. SERVPRO technicians can use powerful tools to remove the water from your garage as soon as possible to limit the amount of damage to the structure of your home. The water removal process includes using a combination of wet/dry vacuums and portable pumps that can swiftly drain the water from the impacted areas.

 Cleaning Debris and Separating Salvageable Items is Necessary  

 Once we have removed the water, we can begin to clean up the debris that the flood carried inside and identify any items that may have been ruined. Unfortunately, the waters that carry dangerous pathogens can make some of your belongings unsafe to keep. SERVPRO technicians can recommend what to keep and what to throw out, but the remaining decision is always yours. Afterward, we can begin to take the next necessary steps to dry out your belongings and your garage.

 Proper Water Extraction Techniques

 To extract any standing water left in your home, SERVPRO techs use truck-mounted water extraction units, plus we put smaller, more portable units throughout the flooded areas of your home. Once all the excess water is removed from your home, we can begin checking for any hidden water and moisture.

 Root Out Hidden Moisture Areas

 Using digital moisture meters and cameras with thermal imagery, we find all of this hidden moisture so we can work on removing it, too. We must dry your home out to its normal moisture levels to avoid any further damage such as mold growth. Dehumidifiers and industrial fans are then used to remove the remaining moisture. These are monitored daily so we can ensure your home is drying quickly. The machines are rotated around the space as needed.

 Reconstruction and Restoration

 Once all the moisture is removed, we can begin the process of reconstruction and restoration. Anything that is salvageable we repair or move to a safer location to do so. If something cannot be repaired, we make sure it is replaced. 

 SERVPRO of New Hanover takes their time to ensure that your home in Leland, Castle Hayne, or Carolina Beach is adequately dried and restored after a flood damage emergency. Our IICRC-certified technicians can quickly arrive at your Kure Beach residence and remediate the damaging flood waters in your home. Remember, floods can carry dangerous wastes in their waters, such as sewage and pesticides. When a situation like this happens, it is vital that you leave the area and allow a professional to deal with that waters as they are not safe for human contact. Contact us at (910) 762-8180 any time that you need our assistance.

 Learn more about Kure Beach.

Wondering How to Have Water Removed From Your Wrightsville Beach Crawlspace?

4/6/2020 (Permalink)

When your crawlspace is affected by water damage, quick action can produce effective results. Contact SERVPRO for an assessment and water removal.

Here are a Few Proven Tips to Remediate Water Damage from SERVPRO New Hanover.

With the presence of groundwater, springs, precipitation runoff, and lingering effects from rising water levels throughout the region, your Wrightsville Beach crawlspace could have pooling water that should get addressed as promptly as possible. Unfortunately, many homeowners do not even realize when a problem persists in this area of their home, as it is not a place that gets checked often for potential concerns. If moisture and dampness persist in this area, it can allow for situations like mold growth to occur, so drying out this crawlspace is critical to protecting the entirety of your home.

Assess the Level of Water Damage

Identifying concerns with the crawlspace and understanding when you need water removal for your Wrightsville Beach property can be a challenge for a homeowner. Many homeowners simply cannot get underneath their property to assess damages or potential threats and have to wait until other signs present themselves before they recognize a problem exists. With flooding throughout the area, you can often get assured that even if your home itself did not fall victim to the rising water, that your crawlspace did. Our SERVPRO team can quickly assess the situation for what must happen and the severity of any damages that might exist.

Prevent the Formation of Mold Colonies

When acted upon quickly enough, our SERVPRO professionals can work to extract water from the crawlspace of your home and potentially prevent the formation of mold colonies. Naturally, existing mold spores only require a damp environment to seat and thrive and removing the moisture from this area of your home can keep colonies from forming if this problem has not already occurred.

Remove From Your Crawlspace

We can also offer services such as crawlspace encapsulation which can work to divert water away from this area of your property and continually protect all of the elements of your home with thick plastic sheeting.

Don’t Allow this Problem to Get Worse 

While there are many ways that your crawlspace can get affected by excess water, allowing this problem to persist can cause significant concerns for the structural integrity of your home. Give our SERVPRO of New Hanover rapid response team a call anytime at (910) 762-8180. 

Learn more about Wrightsville Beach.

Transforming Your Wilmington Facility to Provide Emergency Services?

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is certified in biohazard mitigation. Call us for an assessment of your building.

SERVPRO Can Help You Prepare

Difficult times call for extraordinary responses. When Wilmington needs additional beds for those suffering from severe cases of COVID-19, hotels and student housing can be converted. Ensuring proper cleaning for a pandemic response requires fast action by qualified individuals. 

Why reach out to SERVPRO for specialty cleaning services?

Biohazard Cleanup Certification  

SERVPRO managers and crews are trained and certified in biohazard mitigation, ready to use the skills and knowledge they already have to clean and disinfect spaces before, during, and after your facility’s repurposing to respond to the pandemic.

Containment Establishment Pros

SERVPRO frequently uses containment strategies when responding to disasters featuring airborne and surface contamination, molds, and human pathogens such as viruses. We help meet the demands of health officials for negative pressure air scrubbing and infectious debris resolution strategies with HEPA filter-fitted equipment to enhance air quality and prevent drift of microorganisms.  

Wrap-Around Cleaning After the Pandemic

When the need for additional beds in the community subsides, SERVPRO is right with you in restoring your facility to its original purpose. Deep cleaning, followed by disinfection, is the CDC’s best practice. We have access to disinfectants granted the EPA’s emerging viral pathogens claim. These antimicrobials meet the EPA’s criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING CORONAVIRUS CLEANING PROTOCOLS

The pandemic response team at SERVPRO of New Hanover is highly-skilled and flexible in the management of infectious agents. Let us support as you meet a critical community need by calling (910) 762-8180.

We are Cleaning Experts

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

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 New Hanover, 910-762-8180

How SERVPRO Removes Fire Damage Odors in Wilmington

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

Should fire damage your home, call SERVPRO. Our team knows how to remove the odors and restore your home.

Wilmington Fire Damage Solutions for Persistent Odors

When a fire eats its way through your Wilmington home, it does devour building materials and contents. Depending on the composition of the structural components or articles burned, the temperature, and the amount of oxygen available, the flames often can incompletely consume their fuel. The residues left behind contain liquids, vapors, tars, and tiny particles of the things burned but not destroyed. 

Lingering Particles Mean Long-term Odors

The tiny particles, at first airborne as solids in smoke, eventually coat the surfaces in your Wilmington residence, fire damage typically called soot. Trapped inside each soot particle, nearly impossible to see one by one, are malodorous chemical compounds. As we work to clear away fire debris and residues, the stench naturally reduces. Deep cleaning to dissolve and suspends the soot permits us to rinse or wipe away the particles, and their odors. Care must be taken not to drive soot more deeply into permeable materials as the particles are sharp-edged as well as smelly.

Oder Risks Depending on Types of Soot

Lighter, ashy soot produced by hot, high oxygen burning of paper and wood brushes, vacuums off surfaces. Dry chemical sponges offer an excellent option on ceiling and walls that are less durable. Because these materials burned more completely and cleaned up relatively quickly, odors are less of an issue for the SERVPRO team. 

Sticky, dark soot after electrical, plastic, fiber or low-oxygen smoldering fires need a cleanser with wetting agents or surfactants and more agitation to release. The chemical makeup of the cords, rubbers, and plastics, and synthetic fabrics plus the adhesive nature of the soot make odor control more evasive.  

Protein-based soot is the dehydrated residues of food, oils, and grease, hard to remove, and extremely pungent. Coating removal uses solvents abrasive tools, and the smell is tenacious. 

Odor Reducing and Eliminating Opportunities

SERVPRO deodorizing specialists have other possibilities available, and we work until your home sees the best results. We might use deodorant blocks or granules in hard to clean spots like HVAC systems to mask smells. Innovative technologies such as wet or thermal fogging, ozone machines, and hydroxyl generators pair with unpleasant odiferous particles and change their chemical composition. These actions at a molecular level neutralize the smell, rendering this kind of fire damage solved, “Like it never even happened.”

Have confidence that the professionals at SERVPRO of New Hanover pledge to make every effort to eliminate the lingering smell after fire damage. Contact (910) 762-8180 as soon as possible so we can get to work.

More about Wilmington. 

Did Flooding in Wilmington Damage Your Hardwood Floors?

3/5/2020 (Permalink)

Keep your hardwood floors beautiful, even after water damage. Call SERVPRO when your floors suffer water damage.

Flood Damage in Wilmington Hits the Floors Hard

 When flood damage flows into a home, even though SERVPRO emergency response teams arrive quickly, most of the water recedes. The problem is that it often has wicked into building materials and left contaminated debris on the floor. 

 Stormwater surges are frequently the root cause of flood damage in Wilmington properties. The biggest issue with this category of water is when it enters a property, while there is little to no standing water in the home, the contaminated debris is present on the floor area.

 Scoping and Moisture Extraction

Although the water in the home may not be readily visible, the SERVPRO techs use their moisture detection equipment to locate anywhere the floodwater went within the property. Common areas water winds up is behind baseboards, under cabinets, and in the subfloor.  

 Careful Cleaning

The techs test the debris to determine any contaminants that are present and sometimes use spray antimicrobial or antibacterial products to lessen the contagion factor during cleanup. The techs take safety precautions such as the use of air scrubbers to capture airborne water vapor molecules, wearing personal protective gear, and using respirators.

 Different Types of Flooring Have Differing Outcomes

 Water exposure can wreck a floor in a short period. 

• Composite wood floorboards tend to fall apart quickly and are a complete loss. 
• Vinyl laminate and glue-down carpet tend to loosen rapidly and, in many cases, have no restoration potential. 
• Hardwood floorboards absorb moisture, but in many cases, through the specialized drying methods of SERVPRO, can get brought back to a preloss condition. 
• Tile with a sealed grout often fares the best under these circumstances, and if the techs do not find water in the subfloor, they get dried in place and then treated with a biocide to disinfect the grout line and prevent any mold growth. 

 Choosing Drying Methods for the Best Outcome

Bringing down the ambient humidity is crucial for the home. SERVPRO technicians carefully set up drying equipment, including dehumidifiers. The drying phase gets carefully monitored to ensure preset drying goals get attained in the timeframe set. 

 SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 reverses flood damage in homes through the use of their advanced equipment and cleaning technicians to make the loss to the house, "Like it never even happened."

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Dishwasher Water Cleanup in a Wilmington Home

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

Avoid a potential catastrophe caused by a leaking dishwasher. Call the professionals at SERVPRO, We are always available.

Our Experts at SERVPRO Know Exactly What to do for your Home’s Water Cleanup needs 

 Water leaks, whether they come from an appliance or pipes, can cause homeowners hundreds to even thousands of dollars in damages depending on the length and extent of exposure. In the United States alone, water leaks waste over 1 trillion gallons of water each year. This amount equals the water usage of Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles put together. 

 If your Wilmington home requires water cleanup, the pros at SERVPRO are always available to restore your home to a preloss condition. These highly-trained technicians receive extensive education in fire, water, and mold damage mitigation and remediation to allow homeowners to minimize property loss and repair costs after disaster strikes. Your local SERVPRO works closely with both you and your insurance adjuster to make filing your water damage claim stress-free. 

Common Causes of Dishwasher Leaks

• The base of the appliance is not level
• A broken door or worn gasket
• A defective dishwasher tub 
• Using the wrong type of dishwashing soap
• Damaged supply lines

 Water damage from any of these causes can affect everything from drywall, to paint, to floor tiles, to electrical wiring. Inspect and maintain the appliance regularly so that neither your warranty nor your claim is voided due to neglect. 

SERVPRO Dries Your Kitchen Fast

After technicians evaluate the extent of damage and measure moisture content with infrared imaging and penetrating and non-penetrating sensors and meters, they can get to work extracting moisture with a variety of tools. These can include mops, squeegees, and extraction wands, which are ideal for removing water from wall cavities and other hard-to-reach areas.

 If your kitchen tiles are saturated by water, ceramic tiles can generally be salvaged. Discolored grout can be cleaned with specialized EPA-registered cleaners and bleaching solutions. However, if the saturation has reached the subflooring, the affected area may require tile removal and replacement so that technicians can clean and dry the subfloor with air movers and dehumidifiers. 

 SERVPRO of New Hanover can leave your home looking, "Like it never even happened." Call (910) 762-8180 for disaster mitigation that you can count on any time of the day or night.

 Learn more about Wilmington.

What is the Best Way to Clean Fire Damaged Clothing and Toys in Wilmington?

2/13/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot can permeate fabrics. SERVPRO has the cleaners to remove the smoke and leave your home smelling fresh.

Cleaning Challenges After Fire Damage in Wilmington: Clothing and Toys

 When sorting through items damaged after a fire in Wilmington, a couple of categories cause more concern than others. The clothing you and your loved one’s wear could expose you to the potential of toxic substances potentially absorbed through contact. The toys your children treasure need not only to pass the skin contact test, but they also risk the possibility of being chewed or sucked, requiring a whole higher level of clean. 

 Preliminary Sorting

 Replacing an entire wardrobe for every occupant after fire damage in your Wilmington home is expensive and disruptive. With everything you need to accomplish during the aftermath, our ability to clean and restore most of your clothing is crucial. Initially, we need your help to prioritize the contents of your dressers and closets:

 (1) The clothing you and your family need immediately

(2) The clothing we can take longer to process

(3) The clothing that serves a seasonal or limited purpose

 We keep a detailed inventory of all clothing, including conditions and evolving plans for restoring or discarding.

 Cleaning and Deodorizing Clothing

 Many clothing articles are made solely or partially of synthetic fibers, permitting the bonding of smoke particles and odor molecules with the fabrics unless we move quickly. A brief run-down of the steps and techniques SERVPRO uses helps clarify the process.

•  Because metal hangers can oxidize due to smoke residues, staining clothing, we immediately remove clothing and discard the hangers.
•  Use techniques like brushing and directing compressed air to remove loose particles and accelerate the evaporation of odor molecules.
•  Check labels to determine the appropriate cleaning method -- laundering or dry cleaning.
•  Treat persistent odors that linger after cleaning with Solvent-based odor counteractants and Thermal fogging 

 Restoring Toys 

 It is vital that SERVPRO technicians clean and sanitizes playthings thoroughly before returning them to your children. No matter how much your young ones love the toys, if we cannot eradicate the smoke residues and fumes, the objects must be discarded. Drycleaning solvents are ineffective on soft items like stuffed animals. Fumes from the solvents can linger.

 SERVPRO of New Hanover has skilled employees who follow the restoration industry’s best practices when cleaning structures and contents. Give us a call at (910) 762-8180 to discuss your restoration options.

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The Science Behind Permeance and Water Damage in Wilmington

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

When this home experienced water damage, we were there to remove the water. SERVPRO is always on call.

How Permeance Affects the Level of Water Damage Your Wilmington Home Might Experience

 How much water enters any given material inside of a Wilmington residence reveals its permeance. The lower the number, the less moisture enters the material. The number or permeance for waterproof materials cannot be greater than ‘1,’ which means no more than one grain of water enters the material in an hour for every square foot.

When a residence in Wilmington sustains water damage, we look at the materials inside the house. Not all building materials dry the same because their permeance varies. Sometimes, like with brick, permeance can vary significantly among subtypes of the same material. One difficulty with waterproof materials is that when submerged, minute amounts of water seep inside. Even glass cannot prevent water from invading your home if the seals around the edges fail. As a liquid, water spreads out to fit any container you place it in, and as a vapor, it can migrate anywhere.

Brick, for instance, has a varying rate of permeance depending on its specific composition. Lower numbers of permeance also mean that drying takes longer, not shorter, periods. The ability of water to pass through the material is why this occurs.

Vapor barriers are waterproof or water-resistant materials that can keep drying times lengthy. When these barriers block moisture in and keep it from passing to the exterior of the material, water can slowly damage the interior of the material as the exterior dries. When possible, we use heat to increase the rate that moisture moves toward the exterior and enters the air. Other situations require our building department to help with deconstructing the area so we can gain access to dampened areas.

Hygroscopic materials have much higher permeance numbers and let water pass through their surfaces quickly. They also dry much faster. The water damage seen with this varies greatly. Fabrics can become water stained but otherwise dry undamaged. Drywall, gypsum, and plywood disintegrate after a short period and often need replacing. Wood can warp and crack from either being too wet or from over-drying.

SERVPRO of New Hanover’s technicians understand the permeance factor of different materials and how to obtain the drying results necessary to reduce the effects of water damage. Call (910) 762-8180 for efficient drying and mitigation of water damage in your Wrightsville Beach, Castle Hayne, or Kure Beach residence.

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Why SERVPRO Recommends Homeowners Take Steps to Prevent Water Damage in Their Wilmington Residence

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

When it comes to water damage in your Wilmington home, SERVPRO will get you taken care of.

Let SERVPRO help prepare and take the steps for your Wilmington water damage.

 There are many things that homeowners in Wilmington can do to protect their investment from the effects of water, fire, and storms. Unfortunately, not every event can be planned for, and when this happens SERVPRO is ready to help out with getting things back to normal. When it comes to water, this everyday substance can cause serious deterioration to your sturdy home.

 This is why SERVPRO recommends homeowners in Wilmington check for water damage periodically. Signs to look for include musty odors, bubbling paint or wallpapers on walls, soft spots in floors, warped floorboards, mold and mildew, and a damp feel in the air. Calling SERVPRO for mitigation keeps such issues from worsening. Allowing these conditions to continue unabated only results in more devastation and higher restoration costs in the future.

 Preventing water damage from becoming worse also protects the belongings inside your residence, those items that make your house a home for your family. Many of these items fall into the category of one-of-a-kind and irreplaceable. Memories of loved ones might remain but losing a piece of them when something they gave you can feel like losing them again. Restoring your home’s humidity levels to normal can help prevent Grandma’s handmade lace from developing spots and a musty odor.

 Warped floorboards also show up when humidity levels are high, but within the floor. Forgetting to finish with a well-wrung out mop or using an overly saturated mop, wood floors can swell and become damaged. We can get these dry again for you. Tile floors can have similar problems when grout or other adhesives disintegrate and let tiles work their way loose. Our building services department knows how to restore these perfectly, making it just “Like it never even happened.”

 Some paints on cabinets flake away when they lose their stick because of changes in the surface they cover. Excess water in the air can cause this to happen. Other paints, especially oil-based ones, bubble up when water vapour levels increase. Cabinets might cost more to refinish than to replace, depending on the materials used. We can help you decide on the most cost-effective approach. Walls can have the same problem, or for those with wallpaper, end up in tatters. We can solve this, also.

 SERVPRO of New Hanover wants to work with you as your partner in preventing and mitigating water damage, and restoring your home where needed. We use diagnostic tools to locate the sources of excess moisture and water so future problems become less likely to occur. Call us at (910) 762-8180 for assistance with your Castle Hayne, Wrightsville Beach, or Wilmington residence.

To find out more about Wilmington, click here.

What is the Best Way to Clean Fired Damaged Fabrics in Wilmington?

1/20/2020 (Permalink)

Our Green Fleet is standing by to restore your fire damage. Call us today!

Fire Damage Restoration in Wilmington Often Requires Restorers to Clean Fabrics

Any time something burns inside a building, including your Wilmington townhome, the smoke created by the blaze can spread throughout your entire structure. Smoke rises with the heat and then attaches to cooler surfaces and possibly causes extensive fire damage. Once gases from the burn touch other surfaces in your home, they can leave behind soils and soot residues when the partially combusted particles return to their solid-state.

Smoke can travel through every room inside your townhome complex and cause issues inside your unit. Many fire damage projects in Wilmington require a large amount of cleaning and soot removal efforts during the restoration process. Since blazes put off different types of smoke based on what they burn, our SERVPRO technicians can utilize a variety of methods to clean every surface inside your dwelling. When we first arrive at your residence, one of the first steps we take is to test clean any of your building materials and contents that got negatively affected. Before beginning any restoration procedures, we figure out what we can save with cleaning and which soot removal techniques work best for each item.

During some situations, items inside your home like your carpets or upholstered furniture can get negatively affected by soot residues and soils. When cleaning residues from fabrics, our SERVPRO technicians can utilize a variety of methods based on the types of soot present. For example, carpet inside your home can often be restored through cleaning because heat rises during a fire. In some cases, though, the carpets can collect the fallout of burnt smoke particles from the air.

When cleaning carpets, we first start by dry vacuuming the affected area. Vacuums equipped with high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filters can be useful when removing light soot residues from fabrics. If the soot residues have soaked deeper into your carpet, we can clean your carpets with detergents and deodorizers.

If any of your upholstered items in your home, such as your couch or recliner chair, get damaged, we can often remove the residues with dry cleaning methods. Dry sponges or vacuuming can also get soils from upholstered furniture if the soot is only on the surface. In some scenarios, soot residues can cause your furniture to stain. When this occurs, we can clean the items with a one percent chlorine bleach cleaning solution to remove the staining.

If you ever notice soot residues or soils present inside your townhome after something burns, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 24/7. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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Strategic Deployment of Air Movers to Dry Flood Damage throughout your Wrightsville Beach Home

1/15/2020 (Permalink)

Wrightsville Beach we have the equipment your home needs after a flood damage.

Let SERVPRO help limit the losses in your Wrightsville Beach home after a flood damage.

 Large residences can suffer inexplicably from flooding situations. As weather alerts reach their peak, this period of winter poses a threat of flash flooding to your home. Flash floods can travel at up to nine feet per second, picking up mud, gravel, or rocks. The speed, weight, and force of rushing water can break through doors or windows, rapidly flooding the lower levels while leaving homeowners relatively powerless. You may not be able to stop floodwaters from entering your home, but you can limit the losses they cause by bringing in professional assistance.

 Emergency services for flood damage are available in Wrightsville Beach all year round. The emergency aspect of water restoration depends upon removing water quickly to mitigate potential losses. However, the role of a restorer does not stop at removing standing water. Wet properties are just as likely to suffer significant losses as properties with flooding. SERVPRO uses qualified technicians to ensure the drying procedure is as effective at mitigating future losses as the removal procedure is at stopping immediate concerns.

Wet floors raise humidity levels as the moisture evaporates. As water evaporates, it can create a boundary layer of air that inhibits further evaporation. To combat this issue, SERVPRO technicians use air movers to keep air circulating and replace humid boundary layers with dryer sheets. This process can play a significant role in the length of time it takes for your property to restore to a preloss condition.

 To promote constant airflow, SERVPRO technicians may use as many as twenty air-movers. Axial air movers use centrifugal motion to move larger volumes of air and use a daisy chain fitting to ensure that multiple units can be set up in a room with only one power cord. Placing air movers ensures that it is possible to circulate air throughout the home from one or two open points of outdoor air. If there are security concerns, air movers are deployed in a closed-circuit system using dehumidifiers to provide dry air.

 Drying the lower levels of a fully flooded property can reduce claims and secondary losses. Contact SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 now.

 To find out more about Wrightsville Beach, click here.

Get the Scoop on Water Damage Remediation in Wilmington Before You're Too Late

12/31/2019 (Permalink)

Moisture and water damage can quickly affect the walls of your home. Contact SERVPRO quickly for remediation services.

The Importance of Dehumidifiers in Damaged Wilmington Homes

 While many homeowners can recognize the role of dehumidifiers in drying out their damaged Wilmington houses, few fully appreciate all of the reasons why dehumidification units are a staple in water loss recovery. Our SERVPRO team can implement practical containment barriers that can isolate damp areas of the house to create a regulated space to monitor airflow, traffic, drying, and structural integrity of affected materials.

 Because there are varying sizes and types of these machines, it stands to reason that there are many ways that they can aid in removing water damage from Wilmington homes. Depending on the nature of the moisture present in the compromised areas of the house, our project manager can determine the best use of our equipment and which moisture removal units are necessary for each recovery project.

 Containment

 Containment is vital for helping moisture removal practices to be more productive, but it can also amplify the production of running dehumidifiers. In an enclosed space, the units are recirculating the same air, drying it out more quickly than if the project were open-air.

Evaporation 

 Because our SERVPRO team uses air movers to vaporize moisture and saturation in materials throughout the property, this vapor hangs as cool air above the surface of the wall or flooring. Colder temperatures can slow the drying and restoration process, making the moisture removal capabilities of dehumidifiers valuable.

 Drying Balance 

 Establishing the appropriate balance between air movers and dehumidifiers is one struggle that our SERVPRO team must face. Too much evaporation and the dehumidifiers cannot keep up. The same can get said about the placement and positioning of units to maintain a balanced drying system. At no point can the amount of moisture removed drop below the moist air created through evaporation.

 No matter how severe water loss incidents can be in your home, our SERVPRO of New Hanover team can help. We have refrigerant and desiccant dehumidifiers ranging in size and strength to tackle even the largest of jobs. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster – give us a call today at (910) 762-8180.

 Click here for more information about Wilmington.

What to Avoid When Remediating Flood Damage in Wilmington

12/18/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding can seem overwhelming when it affects your home. Pick up the phone and call our experienced flood damage remediation technicians.

Open or Closed Dry Systems: What to Expect After Flood Damage in Wilmington

 When extreme weather causes overland flooding in Wilmington, you are probably ready for our team to use pumps and commercial class extractors to remove the water. Although standing water removal is essential as one of the first phases of a flooding project, we transition to structural drying to complete the job. A homeowner’s instinct about what drying looks like can vary from what research teaches us to do.

 Drying Is a Science Not an Instinct

 When your Wilmington home experiences flood damage, you may want to throw all windows and doors open to encourage dampness to leave the space. Although there might be circumstances where this action can help, our customers are often surprised when we choose a closed drying system instead. Understanding the science behind structural drying clarifies our approach.

 Balancing the Drying System

 Moisture must move from structural components into the air during effective drying. SERVPRO facilitates this by directing a warmed air flow over wet surfaces. As the moisture load in the air increases, even the layperson feels the humidity rise. For continual moisture removal from structures, the water vapor must leave the air, decreasing the humidity. This decrease is effectuated by dehumidifiers. Closing the system to outdoor conditions allows our crews to control and manipulate the conditions, increasing the drying effect.

 Disadvantages of an Open System

 Post-storm, the outdoor air is frequently extremely humid, adding moisture load for dehumidifiers to handle. As the seasons change, the outdoor temperatures plummet, and colder air holds far less water vapor. If SERVPRO keeps your windows open during structural drying, your heating or cooling systems also work overtime, costing you money at the same time as the balance needed for most efficient drying is lost. Open windows and doors also create a security risk, exacerbated by any structural damage your home experienced during stormy weather.

 Benefits of Smaller Drying Chambers

 Even when SERVPRO uses a closed drying system, we often further intensify the drying power of air movement, heat, and dehumidification by partitioning your home into smaller drying chambers. In spaces where porous materials absorbed high levels of water, concentrating the drying effort delivers faster, more thorough results. 

 At SERVPRO of New Hanover, we emphasize transparent communication with our customers and happily explain why we choose the drying approach we believe is best for your situation. Call us at (910) 762-8180 to open the flood damage recovery conversation.

 Click here for more information about Wilmington.

After A Fire We Provide External Storage And Pack-Outs In Wilmington

12/3/2019 (Permalink)

Our experts will save your commercial property after a fire.

External Storage and Pack-Outs Available for Wilmington Warehouse Owners with Commercial Fire Damage

 As an owner of a storage site, commercial property fires are among the most harmful events that occur to your business and can even force permanent closure. With sites that are often outside of built-up areas, the chances of vandalism or accidental fire are significantly increased; not to mention, the start of a fire can go unnoticed, causing further damages. We are a local company with the human resources required to serve large commercial clients. Our top of the range equipment is capable of covering large surface areas in a short time.

 We are a prime candidate for business restoration after commercial fire damage in Wilmington. Alongside our expert technicians, we can also offer temporary storage of your clients' contents while building restoration is underway. SERVPRO has a stellar reputation in this community for performing fire and smoke damage restoration in time and on-budget. You can get started by calling our twenty-four-hour emergency call line for commercial businesses.

 Pack out procedures can be complicated. SERVPRO provides reassurance to warehouse owners by recording the condition, storage unit, and item in a digital inventory. We do create these inventories before wrapping and preparing items for removal. Our specialty is restoration, but we can organize for professional movers to pick up your contents and transport them to one of our climate-controlled warehouses. Business owners benefit by only having to deal with one point of contact through what is undoubtedly a stressful and challenging time.

 Once the safe and careful removal of your contents is complete, our team of SERVPRO technicians can begin work on the structure of your property. If there is temporary closure, we can thoroughly deodorize and cleanse indoor air using Ozone generators. These powerful machines release unstable O3 particles into the air that break down odor-causing and chemical particles in the air. By using Ozone generators, we can eliminate it from the property allowing your staff to return to work in normal conditions.

 Using a professional restorer can help your business return to work sooner rather than later. Contact SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180.

 For more about Wilmington click here.

We Discuss Initial Scope And Move Out Estimate Of Fire Damage In Wilmington

11/24/2019 (Permalink)

Our crew is ready to respond after a fire in your home.

How SERVPRO Conducts an Initial Scope and Move Out Estimate of Fire Damage in Wilmington

 Not many Wilmington residents have prior experience with a fire loss. Consequently, when they confront the aftermath of even a seemingly minor fire, the stress and worry are all too real. Fortunately, what you might lack in familiarity with fire recovery our employees possess the skills, training, and equipment to turn a wet, sooty mess around. Here are some of the first actions we take when called to a fire emergency to give you context and general framework if a move-out of contents is a possibility.

 Meet Your Estimator

The first of our team, you likely see, respond to fire damage in Wilmington is one of our seasoned estimators. Focusing on how many of the water, smoke, and soot-damaged items can benefit from and move toward restoration through appropriate cleaning is the estimator’s primary mission. We depend on the homeowner to share a range of information with the estimator, the better to serve you and restore your property expeditiously.

 Understanding Pre-Testing Results and the Restoration Process

Your SERVPRO estimator performs pre-tests to demonstrate the effect of cleaning methods on fire-damaged items. The results and an overview of the protocols we follow are communicated, and any questions answered. We want our customers to understand how we plan and then implement the phases of a fire damage restoration agenda with the spotlight on contents.

Move-Out Considerations

SERVPRO can offer a pack-out option to prevent further harm to items in the fire damage-affected areas. If there is a clean and dry space within your house or another building on the premises, it can be cost-effective to move the items of interest out and work with them close to home. We also have access to resources at our production facility designed to clean, dry, and deodorize items that provide challenging to manage at your home.

 Estimating Costs for Moving and Cleaning of Contents

The estimator in charge of your move-out does preliminary sorting of objects, dividing them broadly as to whether they are restorable or not. This baseline inventory informs the adjuster from your insurance carrier as to expected claims. Adjusters use the SERVPRO estimate total to establish a reserve on the claim, projecting the eventual costs for the claim. Our experienced estimators strive to provide an initial estimate that closely reflects actual costs.

 SERVPRO of New Hanover takes great care when evaluating the projected cost to move out and restore contents damaged in a fire. Call us at (910) 762-8180 to start the estimating process.

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SERVPRO is The First Choice for Commercial Trauma Scene Cleanup in Wilmington

11/22/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the special skills, training, and certifications needed for trauma cleanup. We are available 24/7 for your trauma cleanup needs.

Reliable Wilmington Commercial Trauma Scene Cleanup

 Accidents at your work-site rank among the most stressful events a Wilmington business encounters. If the situation involves traumatic injuries, you and your employees endue worry, grief, fear, and a host of other emotions. Health risks associated with exposure to pathogens carried by blood, tissues, and other bodily fluids are significant. OSHA regulations demand adherence to specific research-based protocols to ensure safety during cleanup and to provide a thoroughly disinfected environment for your business operations.

We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster

The story behind the need for trauma scene cleanup at your Wilmington commercial building can encompass everything from simple human error or equipment malfunction to criminal activity. The onset of the event is likely sudden and your need for help immediate. Our biohazard cleanup crews are available 24/7, with the appropriate training, skills, experience, and tools to respond fast and efficiently.

 Adherence to Trauma Scene Cleanup Best Practices and Regulations

 Specially trained and certified technicians must respond to a trauma or crime site. Leaving the cleanup for your contracted or in-house housekeeping team could jeopardize their health, both physical and emotional. Secure containment of the affected area and the use of personal protective equipment during the project are required. We observe local rules concerning biohazard disposal for safety and to ensure that your business does not face sanctions. SERVPRO pledges our technicians complete comprehensive training and our products, tools, and equipment exceed expectations.

Transferability of Skills

 Often the space contaminated in a commercial building has expanses of porous building materials. To be sure we remove all blood and fluids, intensive flushing of the structural components is critical. SERVPRO’s proven proficiency in water containment and removal permits us to eradicate biohazards safely and completely. Our crews are experts in disinfection and structural drying, as well.

 Care and Compassion

 SERVPRO employees are acutely aware of the need to balance speedy and competent trauma cleanup with sensitivity for the ordeal experienced by those touched by the tragedy. We work hard to respond with respect and compassion in the aftermath of a devastating event. Taking care of the details with your insurer helps streamline the process.

 SERVPRO of New Hanover provides proper cleaning, application of EPA-registered disinfectants, and lawful biohazard disposal, after severe trauma or death at your business. Count on a fast and discreet response when you call (910) 762-8180 round the clock.

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Commercial Fire Damage at Your Wilmington Beauty Salon? Call SERVPRO!

11/5/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the experience and equipment to restore fire damaged salon quickly. Call us today!

Different Cleaning Methods that Help Restore Commercial Fire Damage in Affected Wilmington Salons

 When your beauty parlor is affected by a fire incident, you make losses that reach beyond the items damaged by the flames. Extended closure of the facility leads to loss of revenue or even customers. The central aspect of restoring commercial fire damage is cleaning. Choosing the right approach can help complete the process faster or save more items. As a professional in the fire restoration business, SERVPRO utilizes different cleaning techniques, including:

 Dry Cleaning

• Cleaning
• Foam Cleaning
• Spray and Wipe
• Abrasive Cleaning
• Immersion Cleaning

 Cleaning a salon after a commercial fire damage incident in Wilmington may require more than one method. It might also require a progressive approach whereby you start with one method then progress to the next. For instance, since fires leave fine dry residue from smoke or ash, it is a good idea to start with dry cleaning before progressing to wet cleaning. Our SERVPRO technicians use feather dusters, dry cleaning sponges, and dusting cloths to remove particulate soiling and light debris.

Soot and other smoke residues adhere to surfaces such as ceilings and walls requiring extra effort to remove. Wet cleaning provides better results compared to dry cleaning because the saturation process helps loosen the soils. Our SERVPRO crews can use plain water during wet cleaning, but for better results, we also add detergent or other cleaning agents to help break down soils further. With this approach, we can help eliminate the need to repaint or apply other finishes to the walls and ceiling in your beauty parlor.

 Sometimes there is a need to clean surfaces or materials without saturating them massively. For example, if there is a patch of soiling on an upholstery item such as a seat, saturating the entire item only lengthens the cleaning process and might also introduce complications such as dyes running and shrinking due to wetness. Our SERVPRO technicians avoid such complications by using the “spray and wipe” approach, which helps regulate the amount of cleaning agent used. We also use foam cleaning, which applies minimal cleaning solution on the item even when we clean it entirely. We have specialized foam generation tools such as Tampico upholstery brush or pump sprayer, which delivers ready foam efficiently.

 A balanced cleaning process is beneficial to your business in many ways. Call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 to help eliminate all soiling from the fire, “Like it never even happened.”

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We Work As Promptly As Possible In Wilmington To Restore Your Home

10/23/2019 (Permalink)

We offer water extraction and drying processes to mitigate water damage in your home.

How Long Should Drying Take for Wilmington Residences?

There is no guaranteed time limit or recovery timeline for any Wilmington home after a water loss incident, but that does not stop our professionals from working around the clock to get your restored home back to you quickly. Efficiency is as vital to our SERVPRO team, as is the customer satisfaction we focus on, so being able to address water losses with the full measure of our premier equipment and tools ensures that damaged rooms in your home get their necessary attention as soon as our team arrives.

As challenging as many might believe water removal in Wilmington homes to be, especially when homeowners are working alone to resolve these concerns, we have an extensive inventory of powerful extractors that can get the job done effectively. From our powerful truck-mount option capable of 300psi extraction to portable electric options like the light wands and sump pumps, we have the right tool for any sized disaster that we can face.

The length of time that a drying project takes after extraction completes varies from one residence to another, though we can say that we work to complete a majority of our drying tasks within 72 hours. This window of time ensures that we can avoid costlier and more challenging circumstances like mold growth that would require the expertise and skills of our remediation specialists. Allowing mold growth to occur can lead to potential health effects for members of your family exposed to the active colonization.

Also, many construction materials can begin to show severe warping and distortion within this time, especially if they had spent more extended periods exposed to standing water threats. Without quickly drying out water damaged areas like drywall, carpeting, hardwood flooring, and other fixtures like cabinets, our team might have to replace these structural elements and materials later once mitigation completes.

While no technicians, even our experienced SERVPRO of New Hanover team, can tell you exactly how long drying takes for your home, Rich and his crew can work to get the job done as promptly as possible. Give us a call whenever disasters strike at (910) 762-8180.

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Learn How SERVPRO Handles Flood Damage In Wilmington Schools

10/11/2019 (Permalink)

We have large inventories of water restoration equipment and sufficient personnel to operate that equipment.

Preparedness for Flooding Can Help Protect Wilmington Schools

Flooding is an unfortunate certainty for many Wilmington properties, and when schools become affected by these disasters, it can displace students and faculty. Emergency Ready Profiles (ERP) can help to provide real-time information to our restoration technicians and to those responsible for the school itself. The ERP helps to ensure that no time gets wasted on getting mitigation and restoration actions start immediately following flooding.

As challenging as flood damage in Wilmington schools can be for all parties involved, we have seen the value in having the right emergency information at our fingertips and the same benefit that this information can have for our customers in a crisis. Understanding what ERPs do specifically can help you to see why developing one with our SERVPRO professionals is worth your time and effort.

Minimize Interruption to Your Business

As is the case with all commercial work that we do from flood damage to fires, we want to get you back in business as quickly as we can. The development of an Emergency Ready Profile can help to delegate tasks and roles and designates SERVPRO as the restoration team responsible for mitigation and recovery after disasters. This readily accessible information prevents further loss by getting our team mobilizing right away.

No Cost to You

We want our customers, especially community staples responsible for the education of our children, to have the best possible care and restoration when disasters strike, and that is why this service comes at no cost. Wes and Justin work with customers to develop custom ERPs and show them how to use the app, access the information, and mobilize our team in a crisis.

Specific Facility Details

A beneficial aspect of the ready profile is the locations of vital areas such as shut off valves and contact information for both immediate uses by your staff and later use by our professionals.

We want our area schools back up and running as quickly as they can be, and that is why we encourage the creation of Emergency Ready Profiles with our SERVPRO of New Hanover team. Give us a call to learn more about this helpful service at (910) 762-8180.

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How SERVPRO Finishes DIY Fire Damage Cleanings Job in Wilmington

9/26/2019 (Permalink)

Protein fires may seem to be localized to the kitchen, but their pungent odor and soot spread throughout the house.

Wilmington Fire Damage Gets Cleaned Up for Good the Second Time Around

 Many, many DIY projects are great to do around your home, but one of them you should never do is clean up fire damage on your own. Sounds simple enough, see smoke, wipe it away. Burn something in a pan or the oven, not too much visible smoke residue to clean up, wipe the kitchen and done. 

 Moreover, then a pungent odor from the fire damage in your Wilmington home begins to grow. Worse, you can smell it in other areas of the house that were initially affected by the fire. That is when you should call in a professional restoration services company to eliminate residual smoke damage to your property.

 Why SERVPRO?

When you need follow-up after a DIY cleanup, it is vital to bring in a restoration services company that has both the training and equipment to neutralize smoke odors. They should eliminate cross-contamination of soot in the home. This company should also be able to clean the HVAC ductwork if necessary. 

Special Attention to Protein Fires

When proteins burn in a pan or within an oven, there often is not much in the way of visible dark smoke residue that you expect to see. The protein strands combust and turn into a fine mist that spreads over surfaces and has a powerful odor. However, it is nearly invisible and challenging to clean. SERVPRO technicians use professional-strength solutions to clean all surfaces, including walls and floors, to ensure no protein residues get left behind. 

 Odor Control is Vital

The scent left by a protein fire is not one that a wall plug-in air freshener has the power to remove. It has the potential to spread throughout the home. This smoke requires elimination by both cleaning and neutralizing airborne particles at the molecular level using equipment such as hydroxyl generators and thermal fogging to reach odors within porous objects.

SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 arrives within an hour of your call to clean up and restore your property from fire damage. The certified technicians have access to advanced technology to return your home to its pre-fire condition. 

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Cleaning and Restoring Kure Beach Homes After a Fire

9/19/2019 (Permalink)

Your fire damage in Kure Beach will need assistance, call SERVPRO.

Let us handle your fire damage in Kure Beach.

 We work hard to save our customers money through every phase of fire damage recovery in their Kure Beach home. While the restoration of your property might feel overwhelming at first, our practices and fast response to emergencies can often reduce out of pocket expenses, and can even reduce the costs of damage claims that many property owners file after a loss incident. The less costly a claim is, the less likely that your premium might increase substantially or at all. Our focus in helping you through this process begins with our efficient restoring and cleaning approaches.

 Especially following fire damage in Kure Beach properties, restoration and cleaning might not always feel possible. There is no denying that replacement or even resurfacing can cost more money in the long run than our restoration and recovery practices. Our SERVPRO professionals have the skills and experience to help in all of these areas when necessary, but often push for restoration above replacement or even resurfacing whenever possible. Not only does this inevitably save our customers money, but it can help jobs completed in a timelier fashion as well.

 Resurfacing

 Resurfacing is often a common element that our SERVPRO team must implement after a fire loss incident, but the degree that we use this practice is the way we can become the most cost-effective option. With combustion that can mar surfaces like walls and ceilings, repainting might be necessary. The same can be said for refinishing flooring. While these might not seem like overly costly tasks, restoration and cleaning practices can often eliminate these needs.

Replacement 

As a restoration team, our SERVPRO brand works to reduce the need for replacement and demolition as much as possible. We understand that substantial structural damage situations demand replacement and reinstallation, but when this outcome can be avoided, we can save our customers money and time.

 We have skilled technicians that can help our customers to overcome most any obstacle after a fire loss incident, including both reconstruction and resurfacing as needed. You can depend on the efficient response and expertise of our SERVPRO of New Hanover fire restoration specialists to make these loss effects “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (910) 762-8180.

 To find out more Kure Beach, click here.

Commercial Water Cleanup Specialists In Wrightsville Beach Talk About Steps To Take On Your Own

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

We know the best steps to take as soon as your Water damage in Wrightsville Beach appears.

Let SERVPRO walk through the steps with your Wrightsville Beach water damage.

Whenever water spills into your Wrightsville Beach manufacturing facility, it is wise to seek out help from a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO. Our water restoration technicians or WRTs have the best tools at our disposal to conduct prompt commercial water cleanup. However, in many instances, there is much that you and your maintenance and custodial staff can do to keep the problems from getting worse. 

This first step when conducting any commercial water cleanup in Wrightsville Beach is to find the source of the leak. Once you and your team locate where the moisture is coming from, it is wise to turn off the water in that location. If there is anything that uses electricity in the area that got wet, make sure to turn the power to that region off so that no electrical shorts occur. 

The next thing our WRTs at SERVPRO will then do is to figure out what type of water has leaked out into your manufacturing plant. If the water source is a clean water pipe than mitigating the issues will be much easier because the chances of contamination are low. However, if the source of the leak is rainwater, a sink, or sewage line, the chances of contamination get higher, making it a good idea to call in the professionals. 

Once you have determined if the water is clean or not, it is then wise to remove as much of it as possible while it is still liquid before it evaporates into the air or soaks into your contents or building materials. Liquid H20 can be removed much quicker and easier than water vapor or taking moisture out of wet materials. 

To start, first, find any areas of your manufacturing building that have standing water. If the water is more than a couple of inches deep, it is best to use a submersible pump to suck up the water and put it into a sewage drain. If there is water sitting on a flat surface such as a tile or concrete floor, then mopping or squeegeeing can be the most effective cleaning method. If carpets inside your manufacturing facility got wet, then it is smart to vacuum up the water using a wet/dry vacuum. 

If you ever notice a water leak inside your manufacturing plant in Wilmington, Castle Hayne, or Carolina Beach, it is wise to call in SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

If you would like to learn more about Wrightsville Beach, click here.

Is Flood Damage Shuddering Your Wrightsville Beach Restaurant?

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

Don't let water damage close your restaurant. Call SERVPRO of New Hanover to restore your business.

Preparing Your Wrightsville Beach Restaurant For Flood Damage Can Make a Huge Difference

Whether from storms, hurricanes, or day-to-day disasters, your food service business needs to be prepared for flood damage to survive it. Studies show that almost half of all flooded service sector businesses never re-open their doors, but you can avoid becoming a statistic with a bit of preparedness. Damage mitigation and restoration companies like SERVPRO can help to control and reverse damages quickly and efficiently, but the best way to reduce repair costs and open doors faster after a disaster is to have a plan in place.

Know The Threats

The first step in planning for a potential storm is to know how hurricanes and other types of flood damage in Wrightsville Beach can affect your restaurant. When being evaluated for flood insurance rates, an insurance adjuster may be able to provide you with a comprehensive report on how your location may be at-risk for flooding. The hurricane season comes each year and poses a substantial threat, but other sources of flood damage may come at any time of year and cause the same sort of problems. Where your business lies relative to nearby features (such as a hill or drainage area) may make flooding outside of hurricane season much more likely.

Get Things Off the Ground

Most floods only involve several inches of water at most, meaning that most damages can be averted by picking up furniture and objects and placing them somewhere higher up. Another option may be to place blocks under the corners of sizable objects to give them some clearance off the ground. Take these extra few steps any time weather reports worsen, and flood damage poses a substantial risk.

Be Ready to Act

Acting fast can make thousands of dollars' difference when flood damage strikes. Calling SERVPRO or requesting help through our Emergency Ready Profile app immediately after the incident can prevent many of the worst types of damage from happening. You should also have a flood insurance policy and be ready to contact your insurance company just after the disaster, as well.

SERVPRO of New Hanover stays ready on a 24/7 basis to respond to local calls for help with storm and flood damage. Call us at (910) 762-8180 for our services or a quote.

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Furniture in Wilmington Properties Get Cleaned of Soot and Fire Damage--Just Call SERVPRO

6/27/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Keeps Your Hands Clean By Restoring Your Soot and Fire Damaged Home for You in Wilmington

Deep Cleaning and Other Techniques Resolve Smoke and Soot Damage within Wilmington Homes

Homeowners inspecting their home after a fire find that surfaces covered in dark soot often remain unaffected by the flames or the heat. Wiping these components down with a cloth shows the difficulty involved in cleaning these pieces around your home to an acceptable degree.

When a customer calls SERVPRO about their Wilmington home's soot damage, we assure them that we can handle the situation and help them reclaim their valued possessions. There is no need to throw out treasured heirlooms and refurbished items.

Our technicians pay attention to detail, often taking pictures of the items before removing knobs and handles. Taking these pieces off helps get them clean in areas where soot might have collected in denser layers because of the static charge. Having the photos helps get the bits back together with the way you remember them.
Wood furniture made a generation or two ago contained minimal, if any, pressed wood products like particle board. Older items in your home that soot covers can become stained when the soot sits too long on the surface. We remove smoke residue from these and composite wood materials using different cleaning agents and tools, typically starting with either wet or dry sponges or vacuuming excess soot that easily falls off in a powdery mess.

Our technicians use low-alkaline cleaners that strip the soot off surfaces quickly. If cleaning reveals staining on the surface, the technician then uses a thick creme paste specifically for wood that minimizes stains. Upon finishing and rinsing this off, an application of our Lemon Oil Polish leaves the piece smelling beautifully again and well-protected. Heat often strips natural wood of the oils that kept it from developing cracks and this polish can help prevent this from marring your furniture.

Newer items containing pressed wood and particle board can swell when exposed to water, as well as the steam produced, during fire-fighting maneuvers. Some of these items might require replacements, but for those that do not, we can attempt to restore them with different methods. Using a dry sponge or in some cases, a stiff wire brush, and a vacuum, the technician removes as much soot as possible. Often, this method removes the film, but for those situations where the residue remains deeply embedded in the surface, our technician uses alcohol to dissolve the soot by breaking it down into smaller particles. For the toughest soot, the technician might rely on a sander to remove the uppermost surface. Using a fine-grained sanding paper ensures that only the damaged area gets removed.

SERVPRO of New Hanover's experienced technicians help many of the residents in Wrightsville Beach, Castle Hayne, and Kure Beach reclaim their furniture from the effects of smoke damage. Call our 24-hour service line, (910) 762-8180, so we can help reduce the expenses related to your recovery after any size fire.

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Why We Are The Leader In Wilmington Water Removal Services

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage in this Wilmington home started with a water supply line in the ceiling above bursting.

Skilled Water Removal and Desiccation Protects Floors and Wood Cabinetry in Wilmington Residences

Cleaning up after a dinner party in your Wilmington residence can overload your dishwasher. Leaving food still on plates, bowls, and serving platters leads to clogged drain lines, and the water inside has no other place to go. Adding extra detergent to clean up dirty dishes can also create similar effects. Water overflowing onto your floors happens with either situation.

The immediate area affected by water spewing out of your dishwasher can damage the floors and cabinets in your home, making water removal in Wilmington an immediate need. SERVPRO helps by getting everything cleaned up and dry again, helping keep your wood cabinets and floors in the kitchen from becoming damaged permanently. Our goal is to make everything “Like it never even happened” and as inexpensively as possible.

With water removal we are able to get up all the soapy water from the area with small-sized but powerful pumps that pull the water into our large tanks. These tanks, mounted on one of our Green Fleet's trucks, uses a motorized pump to suction the water up through the wands reaching underneath your refrigerator, inside cabinets, and even underneath those cabinets. Water removal in these areas helps prevent the effects of water on veneers and painted surfaces.

The same tubing used for the handheld extraction wands also works with our Injectidry mats, making it possible to continue drying the floors with localized heat and air currents. Increasing the rate of evaporation like this can keep floors from cupping, buckling, or splintering. Composite flooring that becomes saturated without drying almost always requires replacing because of the disintegration of individual tiles that occurs.

The ability to restore your house's structure before it becomes damaged to the point of requiring removal and replacement of expensive elements, which saves you from any unnecessary and significant expense, makes SERVPRO of New Hanover's services more valuable to you and other homeowners. However, we need you to partner with us as soon as an emergency develops by making that first call to (910) 762-8180. When your Leland, Kure Beach, or Elizabethtown home needs water removal, every second counts.

Click here to learn more about the 1.75 miles of Riverwalk stretching along the bank of the Cape Fear River in historic downtown Wilmington.

Flood Damage In Your Wrightsville Beach Home Is No Match For Our Team Of Specialists

5/29/2019 (Permalink)

Our restoration services are thorough and can make the damage appear “Like it never even happened.”

Handling Flood Damage In Wrightsville Beach Is Easier With A Professional Restoration Firm

High tide flooding is a common problem in areas close to beaches. If high tides coincide with coastal storms, the extent, and depth of flooding increase dramatically. Winds blowing towards land during such an event can push extra water inland, and rainfall could add water to the flood.

Due to rising sea levels, storms that did not cause serious impacts in the past can do so now, and the water can enter homes. If your home in Wrightsville Beach has flood damage, using water damage restoration services as early as you can is imperative. If water is left unattended for a lengthy period, moisture could seep in floors, furniture, walls, and appliances in your home, aggravating the problem even further. It is advisable to contact a professional restoration firm like SERVPRO for help. Our technicians can remove the water from your home safely and begin the drying process.

Our restoration specialists can clean up, repair, and restore your property quickly and efficiently. We have the training and advanced equipment required to remove flood water and harmful microorganisms like bacteria. We can work on different parts of your house simultaneously to complete the work quickly. We use equipment like submersible pumps to remove water that is more than two inches deep. If your home does not have large volumes of standing water, we can use shop vacs to extract it.

SERVPRO franchise professionals also use industrial grade air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out a flood-damaged structure effectively. Our technicians perform calculations to determine the number of air movers and dehumidifiers required to dry the affected areas. We ensure that the air moving equipment is not putting more moisture into the air than the dehumidification equipment is pulling out to ensure a balanced drying system.

Flooding can also cause mold growth and rusted pipes. We use moisture sensors to find the hidden flood damage problems and repair them during the restoration process. Our flood restoration services also include the replacement or repair of structural elements like ruined drywall and rotted wood.

If your home has flooded, SERVPRO of New Hanover can assist you to remove the water and dry out the affected areas. Call us at (910) 762-8180 for quick restoration. Our restoration services are thorough and can make the damage appear “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more about Wrightsville Beach.

Professionals Talk About Remediating Grease Fire Damage in Wilmington

5/13/2019 (Permalink)

This shows time lapsed images of pouring water onto a grease fire. Always smother a grease fire.

What You Can Do When a Kitchen Grease Fire Causes Damage in Your Wilmington Home

Everybody uses their stove, but sometimes being ignorant of proper fire-safety can lead to fire damage happening inside of your kitchen. You should always smother grease fires. If a pot of grease catches fire, cut off oxygen by covering it with a lid, or use an extinguisher. However, you should never apply water to a grease fire, as it can cause the fire to turn very violent and spread the fire from your pan to your countertops and cupboards. 

Fortunately for your Wilmington home, the fire damage was contained to one section of your kitchen by your sprinkler system, which snuffed out the fire through the use of powder. Greasy soot from the fire has stained your stove, the wall behind it, the countertops, and the cupboards. Furthermore, your kitchen has an unpleasant odor that is associated with something burning. To remediate all of these damages and see your kitchen in its pre-burned state again, it is imperative for you to call for help immediately.  

When you call SERVPRO, we always make getting to you promptly a priority. As soon as you call and explain your problem, we begin to assemble a team of highly trained technicians. Very soon after your call, our technicians travel to your home, bringing specifically created supplies to remediate fire damage.  

Our SERVPRO techs clean off the impacted stove and countertops, removing any burnt material. From there, we empty your cupboard and carefully pack your glassware away for thorough cleaning. SERVPRO uses a custom-created cleaning solution designed specifically to combat smoke damage and soot. 

Our technicians also use a spray-and-wipe method repeatedly to remove the soot from the surfaces of your kitchen. Our formula is lubricative and lifts the grime away from the impacted surface. To combat the malodor, SERVPRO set up a carbon filtered air scrubber to pull the very particles from the air that cause the scent and trap them. By the end of the work, we hope to return your home to you in its preloss condition, free of any reminders of what occurred. 

If a mistake causes a fire inside of your home, never wait for help. Get in touch with SERVPRO of New Hanover by dialing (910) 762-8180. No matter the time, we're always ready to take your call.

Read more about Wilmington here.

SERVPRO Provides Inspections, Assessments, and Mitigation for Flood Loss Situations in Wrightsville Beach

5/9/2019 (Permalink)

Wrightsville Beach Stormy Weather Problems? Call SERVPRO for Flooding Removal and Cleanup

Repairing the Minor Effects of Flood Damage Marring Your Wrightsville Beach Property

Puddles of rainwater on your Wrightsville Beach property's floor can indicate problems elsewhere. While you might not have yet found these places with similar damage, SERVPRO can help by first locating them and then mitigating the situation. Restoration of damaged areas helps return your house to its pre-incident condition and makes things safe again.
 
If such puddles for flooding happen after a rainstorm passing through Wrightsville Beach, flood damage may have started slowly and steadily progressed over a long period. We can help with such situations by locating the affected materials. Once we find damaged places in your property, we can discuss with you different options that can provide you with the best cost-effective results.
 
Flood damage never really goes away, even if it remained minor and remained undetected. Dry rotting of your house's wood frame, damage to drywall pieces, warping of wooden trim, peeling paint and wall borders, as well as wallpapered areas, hinges and metal handles that rust for no apparent reason can all happen after slight flood damage. Then there is the issue of contaminated water leaving behind unwanted, and unhealthy microbes and debris.
 
An open door or window, as well as a leaky porch roof, out-of-alignment gutters, and many other reasons, can push rainwater into your home. Each time it rains, the damage caused by this can worsen and spread. SERVPRO 's ability to track down the places affected this way can easily show us what needs to be repaired to prevent future storms from causing additional damage. Often, merely resealing around window casings can do the trick.
 
Our team can help you by finding currently undetected damage, mitigating such areas, and preventing it from happening again. We want your home to look “Like it never even happened” and remain so, long after we finish the job. Achieving this requires that we also do the work that prevents future intrusions of water, protecting your home from any additional instances of flood damage.
 
SERVPRO of New Hanover also helps mitigate and prevent flood damage in the communities of Kure Beach and Figure Eight Island. Call us at (910) 762-8180 to discuss how we can help you protect your home from this and other kinds of deterioration.

Be prepared for storms, flooding, and hurricanes by clicking here.

Wrightsville Beach, Water Spillage and Damage, and Yeah for SERVPRO!

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Uses Advanced Equipment for Water Cleanup and Restoration in Wrightsville Beach

Water Damage Restoration for Your Wrightsville Beach House

One of the exceptional services that our technicians offer is emergency arrival times. We understand that water damage can occur at any time in your house. That is why we specialize in emergency restoration services to protect your property from further damages. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Every water damage restoration project in Wrightsville Beach is unique. The effort needed for each depends on a variety of factors including duration and extent of the lingering water. Once our SERVPRO experts arrive, they can start with the inspection this includes scoping out the restoration phases and equipment needed.

Our SERVPRO technicians inspect your home to assess the nature and extent of the damage. We use specialized tools and instruments to measure the moisture content in your house. Our team can poke or rest these tools on top of surfaces like floors, ceilings, and baseboards. Depending on the moisture readings, we can determine where to place the drying equipment once any residual water has been removed.

The longer the time from the discovery of spillage to the time we are requested to help, the higher the possibility of experiencing secondary damage. You do not want this to happen.

Our team removes any stagnant water from your home. We use advanced tools to suck water up from your room. Removing this water paves the way for the drying process. Our technicians use different types of air movers to aid in airflow circulation throughout the house. In a hardwood floor, our workers can use floor mats to draw water out. If need be, we can drill small holes in your drywall by the baseboards to facilitate the drying.

As a locally owned business, SERVPRO of New Hanover is strategically located to respond quickly to your water damage emergencies. We have the resources and technicians to help. Just call us at (910) 762-8180 for more information.

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Tips for Recovering From a Fire in Wilmington

4/8/2019 (Permalink)

It doesn't take long for a small flame to grow into a large fire. Call SERVPRO for your fire damage restoration needs.

Restoring Your Home and Family Life after Fire Damage Occurs in Wilmington

Even small-sized fires can create disastrous results that continue to affect your house and family long after the incident. In addition to the rebuilding and restoration services we offer to the Wilmington community, we also have a few tips that could help your family feel better quickly.  

Various agencies in Wilmington help families whose homes have sustained fire damage, and SERVPRO puts you in contact with these helpful sources faster. We know that many of these places provide replacements for immediate needs like toiletries and other essentials while we work tirelessly to restore the personal belongings in your home. You need both present needs and treasured items to recover from a disaster involving fire damage quickly and thoroughly.  

When relatives know about an emergency, help from familiar, extended family members becomes possible while relieving anyone who heard about the fire through the news, neighbors, or from stopping by to visit, putting their minds at ease about your family's safety. Simple tasks like giving rides to after-school activities can take an enormous burden off your shoulders and keep your children's routines as normal as possible. The technicians at SERVPRO help keep you and your family updated on your property's restoration progress.  

Another call you should always make after any fire damage to your property happens is to your insurance adjuster's office. Explaining the situation can give them an idea of what else you should do to protect your property. They might ask for you to forward a copy of the fire department's report to their office to speed up the processing of your claim. Calling as soon as possible can mean the difference between finding shelter on your own or having someone help find suitable lodging, as well as provide you the funds for this as well as incidentals and meals. Because we work with so many of the insurance agencies in our area, we can help explain more complicated matters directly to the adjuster that might need clarification to help you settle claims in a more timely matter. Doing so can significantly diminish any stress your family might otherwise experience.  

While these calls do take some time and can seem tedious when you might still feel the shock of the fire's impact, the benefits your family gains are immeasurable. Making one of those first calls to

SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 begins the assessment of the damage and the restoration work necessary. We can help you make things “Like it never even happened.” so your family can get back to how they remember them.

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How to Guide: Water Damage Remediation in Wilmington for Beginners

4/7/2019 (Permalink)

When water damage and a mold infestation combine, the result can be wet and produce an odor. Contact SERVPRO for effective remediation services.

Has Water Damage in Wilmington Left Mold in my Home?

Imagine that your beautiful Hanover home suddenly starts to smell. At first, it is only a whiff, but as the days go by it seems like the bathroom smells more and more of mildew. You visit your local home improvement store and attempt to mask the smell with deodorizers, but it continues to linger with no apparent cause. When you finally call a handyman to take a look, you discover that your bathtub has been leaking into your crawl space for quite a long time and you now need to seek professional help to address the situation.

When there is water damage to your home in Wilmington SERVPRO is here to help. Our crew is trained to handle your water removal needs not only when there are natural disasters, but also when regular wear and tear brings challenges into your home. Thankfully, we are available 24/7 to answer your call and start the restoration process as soon as possible to mitigate further damage.

Our SERVPRO team arrives ready to assess the situation and quantify just how much humidity is affecting the structure of your home. Our moisture meters and hygrometers help us monitor the situation as we place water extractors, dehumidifiers, and air handlers in your home to speed up the drying process. Once we restore the air quality and balance in your home, we tackle any remaining issues associated with the leak.

An important aspect of water damage and removal is monitoring the presence of mold in your home. Even though bacteria naturally exists all around us, it thrives wherever there is excess moisture. By using advanced technology, our SERVPRO team can detect the presence of mold and take action to remove it and preempt any future growth. Failure to curtail mold proliferation can cause significant complications to your home and health in the future.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is your ally whether a storm comes to our region, or your plumbing fails. By calling (910) 762-8180 you have access to our expert team of technicians, and we happily work with you until your home looks "Like it never even happened."

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The Real Truth Behind the Correlation Between the Aging Electrical Wiring in Your Wilmington Home and Fire Damage

3/31/2019 (Permalink)

After fire damage resulting from an electrical fire in your home, contact SERVPRO to remediate the damage as well as assess the wiring situation.

Faulty Wiring can Cause Fire Damage in Your Wilmington Home

Many Wilmington homeowners have aging properties that got constructed decades ago. Without the steep regulations and required inspections that are a staple of modern construction, many of the building trades went unchecked and unquestioned with their installation of critical systems like electrical wiring. Additionally, the quality and insulation of the wiring itself have improved with time, but older materials remain susceptible to failures such as overheating and shorts that can combust. Faulty wiring is the cause of many fire emergencies throughout the area, and when disaster strikes, you need professionals that can respond quickly.

Once the first responders and firefighters have left your home, you have to assess the full scope of the Wilmington fire damage to know where to begin restoring these effects. Our SERVPRO team can respond 24/7 to give a thorough and honest assessment of the property to determine what restorative practices are necessary, the equipment needed to complete the job, and how many of our IICRC-certified technicians the job requires.

With early stages like debris removal and demolition, our contractors can get a look at the source of the damage and determine where a short might have occurred. While our professionals can rebuild and reconstruct damaged areas of the property, we also have the experience and skill to handle complex building tradecrafts, such as installing new wiring, conduit, and receptacles.

The controlled demolition in your home often coincides with other mitigation tasks performed by our SERVPRO professionals. From cleanup of soot and smoke residues through removing indoor air quality concerns with our hydroxyl generators and ozone machines, we have the expertise and the broad inventory of recovery equipment to make any fire damage situation “Like it never even happened.”

While you might not know about the age or degradation of your electrical wiring throughout your home, you can always trust in our rapid response recovery team to help. Our SERVPRO of New Hanover contractors and certified restoration specialists can help you through every phase of recovering your property after a fire. Give us a call anytime at (910) 762-8180.

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How Frozen Pipes in the Basement Cause Water Damage in Wilmington

3/14/2019 (Permalink)

Spring is almost here, but freezing temperature swigs still occur. Visually inspect the plumbing in your basement for signs of leaking.

Leaking Pipes in Your Wilmington Basement Can Damage Your Home

The basement in your Wilmington home might be a place for storage, or a laundry area, or even a finished living space. What this area also holds is access to much of the primary plumbing branches that divert from the main service line where it enters your home beneath your main floor. As convenient as this access might be for maintenance and upkeep of the lines, it can also leave these plumbing elements exposed to the rogue severe temperature drop that can occur randomly throughout the North Carolina winter season, falling far below the freezing threshold.

It is no great surprise that frozen or freezing pipes can lead to an immediate need for water removal in your Wilmington home. While sometimes these freezing temperatures can dam the water inside of the lines, forcing pressure to swell in the pipes until it breaks apart at a connection, other times it can warp or distort the pipe itself, allowing the plumbing to be more susceptible to steady leaks and sprays. Our SERVPRO professionals have the experience and equipment to extract water from your damaged basement quickly, but also to fix the concerns with the plumbing to prevent the damage immediately reoccurring.

From the time that our professionals first arrive at your damaged home, we have to assess the severity of the pooling water and identify the problematic plumbing. We can use both moisture detection devices and thermal imagery to get a layout of the spread of the damage and where the most saturation has occurred to get immediate access through the drywall of where the leak has gotten found.

Our SERVPRO team arrives with a wide array of fast extraction equipment that can remove excess water from the exposed area. From our portable sump pumps and wet-vacs with extraction wands to our gas-powered trash pumps and extractor trucks, we have the equipment to handle any sized situation with efficiency.

Water loss incidents can happen with little warning. Whenever they occur, reach out to our experienced and courteous professionals at SERVPRO of New Hanover. You can reach us anytime by calling (910) 762-8180.

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Flooding, Cleanup, and Restoration by SERVPRO Make Wilmington Property Owners Delighted!

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

Wilmington Tropical Storm Damage--Call SERVPRO-The Experienced Recovery Team

Why Wilmington Homeowners Should Not Cleanup Flood Damage on Their Own

The minute there is an intrusion into your home by water, the clock starts ticking on the flood damage to your home. There are three designations for water: clean, gray and black. Flood water automatically falls into the gray or black water category due to the contaminants and debris picked up along the way.
 
Wilmington flood damage can be better mitigated the faster the water extraction begins. The Gray or Black Water has the potential to cause illness and is generally not safe for direct contact by the homeowner. SERVPRO technicians don PPE personal protective equipment and with their training and equipment reduce flood loss.
 
When you contact us, our certified technicians advise you what to do before we arrive and if you should remain in the home. We arrive onsite within four hours and conduct a thorough analysis of the water condition and affected areas so the best mitigation efforts can be implemented.
 
Water extraction is the primary goal for beginning restoration efforts against flood water. SERVPRO technicians have many resources such as submersible pumps and truck-mounted extraction pumps that can pull thousands of gallons of water from the home so the drying process can begin as fast as possible.
 
The next step involves both disinfecting and deodorizing. SERVPRO attempts to clean and restore affected possessions and removes items that cannot be saved through restoration efforts and get approval from the homeowner before removing items. An odor may remain in the home after drying, and we have multiple methods of effectively deodorizing your home. In some cases, more than one method may need to be applied to eradicate odors. From mechanical means like air scrubbers to foggers and deodorizing gels and pellets, we can provide solutions to enhance the indoor air quality.
 
SERVPRO of New Hanover knows you need flood damage cleaned up as fast as possible and it is not a job you should do on your own. That is why our emergency services are available to you 24/7, just call (910) 762-8180 and one of our certified technicians will begin the process of eliminating the water in your home and restoring it to preloss condition “Like it never even happened.”

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SERVPRO Has The Right Equipment To Clean Up Your Wrightsville Bike Shop After A Flood

2/25/2019 (Permalink)

Our team is ready and waiting for you call 24/7. We have the equipment to handle any job big or small so call us today.

SERVPRO - Reducing Commercial Flood Damage In Wrightsville Beach

Rental agencies are an important part of the tourism industry here in Wrightsville Beach. With every location just minutes away from the beach, getting there is sometimes just as fun. It’s why bicycle rentals are so popular and why the owners have to keep the doors open and every bike available to rent.

For a Wrightsville Beach bike shop, commercial flood damage centers around getting the inventory dry and clean for customers. SERVPRO teams can often respond within an hour or two and begin setting up the equipment we need to eliminate the effects of a flood.

Where possible, we start by lifting every bike out of the water while setting up a pump to remove the water. After hanging them up or at least putting the bikes on blocks or pallets, specialists spray every surface with an anti-bacterial agent. Since outside flooding contains soil and other contaminants, this is a necessary part of ameliorating the effects and making sure everything is safe for customers.

SERVPRO team members clean and dry each bike next. To prevent rust, they install a combination of fans to increase air circulation and dehumidifiers to draw moisture off the surfaces and out of the surrounding air. If needed in larger areas, they can also install air movers to force warm, dry air across the bicycles to speed up drying.

We use these same devices to help dry the structure as well. In concrete or sheet metal buildings, flood water does not affect most of them, but it is still necessary to reduce the humidity to provide a more comfortable environment for customers and employees.

No matter if you operate on Harbor Island or Middle Sound, SERVPRO of New Hanover is here to help reopen doors and serve customers. If you are still dealing with the effects of the last flood, contact us at (910) 762-8180 today to finish getting your shop back on its feet.

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Don't Let Water Damage Spoil Your Wilmington Bakery

1/8/2019 (Permalink)

Even a little water can close a business indefinitely.

Commercial Flood Removal in Wilmington Keeps Your Cake Shop Open for Business

Cakes and other delicious treats help the people in Wilmington celebrate so many important milestones in life, Birthdays graduations, promotions, weddings, and everything in between seems so much better when a cake makes its way into the center of those gathered together. Providing such an essential part of these events means keeping everything sparkling clean and sanitary in your facility.  

Wilmington businesses like yours can end up closed after a flood unless you call immediately for experts in commercial flood removal. We recommend signing up for our READY Profile, which can help you prepare for this and other disasters, significantly decreasing the difficulties in remaining open, or reopening after only a short closure. The faster you respond to an emergency, the less likely your business suffers permanent damage.

When SERVPRO helps another business after a flood, we use the most effective but least costly methods. We understand that extra expenses cut into your profits. We protect your business by communicating with you honestly and providing you with information that can help save you money and time. When pumping water after a flood out and away from your business, we use either our pump truck or begin straight away with smaller units that remove any remaining puddles of water.

Once we have the floors dry, we begin working on cleaning up your equipment, shelving units, display cases, window sills, and anywhere else that the floodwaters touched. We dispose of all contaminated foodstuffs for you, clearing the way for new stock. We provide you with a list of destroyed inventory to aid you in replacing the lost goods to communicate with your insurance adjuster more efficiently.  

To get your shop completely dry, we use heavy-duty air movers. These units speed up the amount of air exchanged in your business and whisk moisture out of walls and other surfaces. Our desiccant machines pull this moisture out of the air. Another piece of equipment that we rely on during flood damage mitigation is our air scrubbers. These extract mold spores from the air, keeping it free of contamination.

SERVPRO of New Hanover appreciates your presence in our area, be it Kure Beach, Figure Eight Island, or Elizabethtown. Call us at (910) 762-8180 when high water or rains flood your business. We are glad to do everything we can to help you recover after such a setback and help keep your business going.

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Our Specialists Can Handle Any Mold Damage Disaster in Your Castle Hayne Home

12/27/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help you solve these problems with our specialized tools and machines.

Mold Damage in Your Castle Hayne Residence Is No Match For Dedicated and Well-Trained Team Players

When a property's plumbing in Castle Hayne contains loose joints or other problems that allow water to escape, different problems occur for the homeowner. SERVPRO can help you solve these problems with our specialized tools and machines.

Our SERVPRO technicians understand mold damage situations in Castle Hayne homes because of our extensive training, commitment to the community, and ability to work within a team. We also use the latest in equipment that industry developers find provides improved results for our customers. When mold damage affects your residence, we can help get things remediated and back to how you remember, “Like it never even happened.”

Regardless of where mold damage occurs inside a home, SERVPRO technicians use handheld equipment that reveals on the screen where moisture hides inside materials. There is no need to wait for testing, as we provide immediate results. Other equipment helps us determine the amount of moisture retained in walls and other materials so we can give an accurate estimate of how long drying time of damp areas and remediation of mold damage should take. Both of these must occur to ensure we regain control of the mold damage situation in your dwelling.

To dry out your home, we first shut off the water at the place where dripping water or leaking appliances allow it to pass into your living area. We then use air movers to draw the moisture out of damp things and whisk this water vapor into desiccant machines.

Mold damage remediation is where we continue working together as teams. We seal off areas that require extensive scraping or removal of materials, so we protect the rest of your home from stray mold particles and just-released spores. These areas are known as negative air chambers because of how we draw air out of them with the use of air scrubbers.

SERVPRO specialists know the importance of using HEPA filters on the majority of our equipment from air scrubbers to vacuums. Releasing only clean air into your home reduces the number of spores your family breathes in, a possible cause of health effects, and also reduces the ability of mold to recolonize in other locations.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is happy to send IICRC-certified mold damage specialists to your residence in Kure Beach, Leland, and Elizabethtown. Your first step in becoming the next partner of our team is to call us at (910) 762-8180. Always answered, our 24-hour service line number is open every day of the year.

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Is Your Wilmington Home Prepared for Melting Snow?

11/28/2018 (Permalink)

The water from this melting snowman can cause flooding. Is your home prepared?

Snow Melt Flooding Can Affect Multiple Wilmington Home

While many Wilmington residents might not consider the area to be prone to heavy snowfall throughout the coming winter months, there is a persistent threat of potential flooding from moderate snow mixed with heavier rains. With the winters often fluctuating between the two types of precipitation, melting snow combined with torrential rainfall can allow for flooding conditions to occur rapidly. Protecting your home is critical to avoid much costlier restoration in the future.

When you consider flood damages to your Wilmington home, many homeowners might agree that their property did not get as well constructed as they might have hoped to prevent water penetration. Many aging homes are susceptible to water penetration through blockwork foundations and crawlspaces, which can prove equally hazardous throughout a few days as minor flooding to the primary levels of the house.

Efficient extraction is critical to help preserve elements of your home that become exposed to the floodwaters. While you might get tempted to avoid the cost of professional assistance here, you should remember that runoff and flash flooding situations can bring all manners of contaminants and bacteria into the home along with the floodwaters, so removing it on your own could be hazardous.

Our SERVPRO professionals have effective equipment stocked on our Green Fleet vehicles for fast extraction and efficient drying of affected areas in your home. For substantial water loss situations where construction materials become compromised and overly damaged quickly, our licensed contractors can remove these areas individually to expedite reconstruction and build back services. Our in-house contracting abilities help us to provide comprehensive, cost-effective solutions for our customers.

Flooding can significantly damage to your home, and these problems continually worsen in the days to follow without appropriate mitigation tactics. This winter, like any, could present the possibility of snowmelt flooding throughout the region. Stay prepared with our SERVPRO of New Hanover rapid response team standing by to help. Call us anytime at (910) 762-8180.

Wilmington was colonized in the 1720s by English settlers. Click here for more information.

A Water Damaged Crawl Space In Carolina Beach Does Not Stand A Chance Against Our Team

10/25/2018 (Permalink)

Safety is paramount when offering water damage restoration services in Carolina Beach.

What It Takes To Restore A Water Damaged Crawl Space In Your Carolina Beach Home

Just like the attic area, it is difficult to access water damaged crawl spaces in most buildings. Usually, such locations have small entrances, and our team might find it hard to enter the site with some of the restoration equipment. Some do not have enough room for our technicians to stand upright or to position the dehumidifiers. Irrespective of the state of the site, our team must be creative enough and find a way of restoring your Carolina Beach property.

Safety is paramount when offering water damage restoration services in Carolina Beach. Our SERVPRO technicians must deactivate all the electrical circuits that are positioned under the building. We must also check on the structure's integrity since severely damaged buildings can collapse. Another danger is the ground settling which may affect foundation walls and the footings. Even if the water was from a clean source, we have to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment since the dirt on the floor can cause contamination.

If standing water is still in the crawl space, our SERVPRO team extracts or pumps out the water as soon as possible. We first identify the structure's lowest point and use submersible pumps or any appropriate water extraction equipment. If there is mud in the area, we use shovels to remove the dirt from the site. As a precaution, we do not use submersible pumps when extracting water that has solid particles.

At this point, we are ready to dry the structure and its components. When the area has enough space, we position dehumidifiers and air mover within the crawl space. If they do not fit, our SERVPRO technicians might perform some minor demolitions on the floor or make use of other drying procedures. Another option is to connect a flex hose to the dehumidifier and direct the air to the site. After drying, we have to clean the area using disinfectant to prevent mold growth.

SERVPRO of New Hanover can offer relief after a storm, water, mold, or fire damage incident. Our highly trained technicians work around the clock to ensure your business or home returns to its normal operations. To learn more about our operations, call (910) 762-8180.

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Our Mold Damage Experts Are Better And Faster At Restoring Your Home In Elizabethtown

10/2/2018 (Permalink)

Mold spores are microscopic, which means there may be thousands of airborne spores inside the affected areas.

We Offer Mold Damage Restoration In Elizabethtown

Visible signs of mold-growth include gray, green or black spots on surfaces such as floors, shower or wall tile and other surfaces like counter-tops or ceilings. A stale or musty odor can also be present in your home. If you notice that there is a presence of in your bathroom, kitchen or any other room inside your house, contact us right away. Mold spores can cause health effects, which makes it urgent for you to act as soon as possible.

Our SERVPRO mold damage services in Elizabethtown can restore your home to its pre-mold condition. We train our crews to utilize professional-grade disinfectants and to use industrial equipment to remove mold. We work fast to clean the affected areas inside the structure. Plus, our teams take the proper precautions to make sure the spores do not spread to any other rooms inside your residence. Crews first seal entryways such as windows, doors, vents, and ceiling exhaust fans to contain airborne spores.

Mold spores are microscopic, which means there may be thousands of airborne spores inside the affected areas. SERVPRO technicians can use commercial air scrubbers to trap and remove the spores and to scrub and purify the air inside the home environment. These top-grade machines can also remove stale odors by pulling in fresh air from the outside and pushing out musty air. We may also employ anti-fungal agents to sanitize the structure and to prevent future mold growth. We must note that it is impossible for us to eliminate every spore inside the structure, but we can reduce them to a safe level.

After the cleaning phase, techs can begin drying stage. Drying also helps stop mold from growing back inside your home. We may also use air movers, axial fans and dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels and to speed up drying.

SERVPRO of New Hanover offers mold damage restoration services in your area. When possible, we can restore your home. Contact us at (910) 762-8180 anytime. We are close by and here to help.

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Leaving a Space Heater Unattended inside Your Wrightsville Beach Home Can Cause Fire Damage

9/9/2018 (Permalink)

Space heaters are great for warmth but can cause damage to your home if they are the cause of a fire. Be vigilant and call SERVPRO after a fire.

SERVPRO Technicians are BOTH Certified and Properly Equipped to Remediate After a Fire in Your Home 

Sometimes rainstorms and fall weather can bring chilly days that make you want to take your space heater out of storage, but leaving it unattended can cause fire damage. You may be tempted to attend to chores in another part of your home, but leaving it can be dangerous. A rug that is pushed too close to the heater or an electrical malfunction can cause a blaze to start.
 
Fortunately, catching the flames early and extinguishing it can avoid severe fire damage to your Wrightsville Beach home. However, the damage that was done can still leave you in need of remediation services. Due to the nature of fire-based damage, the quicker that you call for help, the more likely a successful remediation can occur.
 
When you call SERVPRO, our team of IICRC-certified technicians makes it their priority to arrive at your residence as swiftly as possible. Upon arrival, our techs can investigate the damage and then our estimator can walk you through it, answering any questions while giving you an estimated time-frame for the remediation. Once we are all on the same page, our technicians can begin to work.
 
SERVPRO can remove any remains of the carpet that burned as a result of the fire to begin the process. To remove the soot stains off of your wooden flooring, SERVPRO can choose a gentle alternative to chemically-based cleaning products. Instead, our techs can choose to use lubricative cleaning methods, which lift the dirt and grime away from the wood. We can do the same for nearby furniture or decorations.
 
After thoroughly cleaning the space where the fire occurred, SERVPRO can then use a thermal fogger to help neutralize any odor that is left behind. We always strive to remove all reminders of the damage that happened inside of your home, including scent. After we have completed the remediation successfully, you can rest assured knowing your home has been returned to its preloss state.
 
When a fire breaks out onto your property and causes damages of any degree, do not hesitate. Get in touch with SERVPRO of New Hanover by calling (910) 762-8180. 24/7, we are available for you.

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Cleaning up Flood Damage in Elizabethtown Homes

8/26/2018 (Permalink)

When flood waters rise in your home, contact SERVPRO quickly for drying out and remediation services.

Team SERVPRO Understands the Extent of the Flood Damage in Your House By the Category of the Water

Removing water from any Elizabethtown home can be a complicated process depending on the amount and how long it was in the residence. When the water comes from outside the home as part of a flood, there are additional problems for the homeowner and the restoration service.
 
Elizabethtown flood damage can involve much more than only physical destruction of property. SERVPRO restoration teams recognize that flood water is contaminated and usually falls into the Black category regarding precautions to take for safety, removal, and cleaning.
 
Flood water is determined as Black water since it contains water that has crossed over open ground, picking up what it can, and bringing it into a home. Often, this includes water and sewage from overwhelmed sewer systems, and whatever was in nearby creeks or rivers when they crest due to a storm.
 
SERVPRO technicians put on protective gear to include boots, gloves, and possibly masks, depending on the visual condition of the water as they approach it. Before entering the affected home, team members spray the surface of the water and nearby property with an anti-bacterial agent to reduce health risks.
 
Our teams do not pump out contaminated water from the home onto the nearby ground. If there is a nearby, functioning storm drain, they use commercial pumps to dispose of the flood water back into the sewer system. If there is no drain available, teams pump the water into a tank truck for disposal at a water treatment facility.
 
When there is Black water present, our team leader recommends immediate disposal of all carpeting. It is usually cheaper to dispose and replace them than attempting to clean and dry them. It is often the preferred option for many insurance companies as well.
 
With the water and carpets removed, team members spray the floors, walls, and any flooded property with the anti-bacterial agent. Since it is already difficult to dry and restore drywall, our recommendation for these panels is to remove and replace them as quickly as possible.
 
The presence of flood water also requires additional cleaning for wood flooring. Technicians check for water under the floorboards, and if they find any, spray the affected areas. They next use an air mover with a flexible hose to force warm air under the floor to dry it before splitting, cracking, or another warping can take place.
 
The goal of SERVPRO of New Hanover is to quickly restore flooded homes to a dry, safe condition after the water recedes. If you need our restoration services, call us today at (910) 762-8180 to schedule an inspection.

Click here for more information on the city of Elizabethtown.

A Flood From The Northeast Cape Fear River Can Cause Mold Damage In Your Castle Haynes Basement

8/15/2018 (Permalink)

Flooding is one of the biggest threats that can cause mold damage inside of your home.

A Flood Can Cause Mold Damage In Your Home

Flooding is one of the biggest threats that can cause mold damage inside of your home. When the river outside of your home floods your basement, it has the potential to cause mold growth if it's not dealt with right away. However, sometimes you are not able to deal with the problem immediately, especially if the flooding happens when you are away on a summer camping trip.

By the time you use a wet/dry vacuum to get the relatively small amount of water out of your Castle Haynes basement, the mold damage has already taken root. Because mold is trickier to handle than just removing water from your home, one of the best things you can do is to call for professional help.

When you call SERVPRO, we always strive to travel to your home swiftly, as we understand that your time is valuable and that damages inside of your home often do not wait. One of our first employees on the scene is our Estimator who can walk you through the damage and answer any questions you have. Once we investigate the mold damage in your basement and find that it is impacting the walls and floor, we can begin the remediation process.

One of the first things that SERVPRO does when dealing with mold damage is constructing a barrier with plastic sheeting around the microbial growth. Doing this allows us to remove the mold without any fear of it spreading to a new place. Before we begin to clean the mold off the walls and floors, SERVPRO can set up an air scrubber with carbon filters. The device can filter the air as we work, pulling in mold spores and neutralizing the particles that create a musty scent.

To remove and clean mold growth, our technicians can use a disinfectant. Afterward, we can spray an antifungal agent to help prevent any future complications. Because the bare drywall has been exposed to mold, it is likely that we may need to remove it. Drywall is a porous material, and mold colonies root themselves, which can make it hard to clean the surface thoroughly. Should any drywall need to be removed, SERVPRO can give you the number of a contractor who can rebuild in the area after.

Should flooding cause mold damage in your home, it is best not to wait. Call the number (910) 762-8180 to get in touch with SERVPRO of New Hanover. We are always ready to remediate damage inside of your home.

Click here for more about Castle Haynes.

There Is Less Pain When Professionals Restore Water Damage in Elizabethtown Homes

8/7/2018 (Permalink)

Elizabethtown Home's Carpet Gets Dried and Restored by SERVPRO

SERVPRO Removes Water and Restores Elizabethtown Properties After Leaks in a Stress-Free Manner

Most cases of water-related damage happen due to accidents such as a tap left running. However, other more annoying cases occur because an appliance breaks down or fails to perform as expected. The loss in these cases can be extensive because the Elizabethtown homeowner is less likely aware of the leakage. For example, a leak in a frost proof faucet that feeds your gardening hose might be hard to notice, primarily if you use the hose when no one else is in the house. After the cold winter temperatures (it only takes one night), any leakage in the line might not happen until you turn the frost proof faucet on and since you are working outside, you might only notice the flooding when a significant portion of the house is already affected.
 
When the water damage in Elizabethtown results from a failed appliance or installation, it is much more painful to the homeowner. If further mistakes occur during restoration, they only amplify the impact. At SERVPRO, we have the necessary tools, expertise, and human touch to help the homeowner deal with the loss with as little distress as possible. The most significant advantage of working with us is the ability to extract water from the affected areas within a short while. Such quick reaction reduces chances of other problems cropping up. Our goal is to make "Like it never even happened."
 
If there is a carpet in the affected area, our team from SERVPRO can use a weighted water extraction tool. It works very fast because the technician walks around and presses down on the wet carpet. The combined weight of the extractor and the technician helps squeeze out more water gently not damaging the nap. The extractor connects to a vacuum that sucks the water squeezed out. With this tool, we can extract as much as 97% of the excessive moisture within the first few hours of arriving at your property.
 
Once the initial extraction is over, our SERVPRO team dries the property back to its preloss state using air movers and dehumidifiers. This reduces the pain of dealing with additional secondary water damaging problems like mold or bad odors. Working with a team has extra benefits, too. For example, you do not have to worry about the mundane, yet energy-sapping tasks, like moving heavy furniture around during the restoration because our team takes care of everything.
 
A water restoration technician helps in many ways, which combined reduce the suffering a homeowner would have to endure. When you call SERVPRO of New Hannover, we are quick to respond to any size disaster. Call us at (901) 762-8180 our team is ready to help 24 hours a day.

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Mitigation Of Flood Damage Restores Safe Conditions In Homes In Carolina Beach

7/30/2018 (Permalink)

Conditions during a flood can become highly dangerous.

Mitigation Of Flood Damage

Conditions during a flood can become highly dangerous. Advisories state driving in such circumstances can cause vehicles to get swept away. This kind of situation arises because when floodwaters move through neighborhoods in Carolina Beach, they move with an incredible forcefulness.

The strength with which the water hits a Carolina Beach home can increase the amount of flood damage sustained. The interior structures inside your home can change the direction of the water after it comes in and this can cause more significant amounts of sediment to occur in different areas. Deposited sediment is only one aspect of damage caused by flooding.

SERVPRO technicians are highly skilled at professionally mitigating flood damage in all its possible forms. Removing sediment and other foreign materials is an easy task when it involves smooth surfaces. However, this task is nearly impossible to accomplish when it involves carpeting and other porous materials. We remove any carpets saturated by floodwater. Once we clean and dry the newly exposed flooring, we can bring in your home's new pad and carpeting.

Other areas of your home require the removal of materials. Drywall and other elements making up your home's walls can harbor microbes. Many of these microscopic pathogens can survive in barely damp conditions, making it crucial that we restore your home to an utterly dry state.

SERVPRO's Green Fleet arrives at your flood-damaged home carrying the equipment to get your property dry. We use air movers, extraction units of different types, air scrubbers, detection devices to locate and measure different things' moisture-content, heat-producing machines that raise the temperature which significantly increases evaporation rates, and various cleaning utensils and tools to make the restoration process steadily progress. We take your home from an absolutely unlivable condition and make it just "Like it never even happened." again.

Our technicians want to restore your home as quickly as possible so your family can move back home without any unnecessary delay after a flood. SERVPRO of New Hanover can make this happen for you. Contact us at (910) 762-8180 whenever your home sustains flood damage. We are always here to answer your questions and help guide you through this and other disasters.

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A Castle Hayne Solution For That Musty Mold Damage Odor

7/18/2018 (Permalink)

Responding to mold issues in a warm and humid area like Castle Hayne can seem like an endless proposition.

Mold Damage Odor

Responding to mold issues in a warm and humid area like Castle Hayne can seem like an endless proposition. One of the reasons it feels unresolvable is the smell that lingers in many cases even after the mold is abated. Find a mold remediation service that communicates clearly with you throughout the process and answers all your concerns. We believe our job is incomplete until all aspects of mold contamination are addressed.

Warm and moist air is common in Castle Hayne during the summer, perfect conditions for mold damage. Homeowners need to be vigilant about eliminating moisture, the variable that fuels mold growth. Leaks must be repaired, and spills cleaned up. Running an air conditioner can reduce humidity levels to the 30 to 50 percent range recommended to avoid microbial growth. We can work to find, contain, and remove mold growth, but if the moisture is not managed mold recurs.

After SERVPRO crews systematically walk through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) protocol underlying IICRC certification in Applied Microbial Remediation the following has happened:

    •    We contained the affected area with physical barriers and equipment such as negative pressure air scrubbers.

    •    We scraped or wiped off mold colonies, using abrasives such as soda blasting if the infestation goes beneath the surface.

    •    We cleaned up debris with HEPA equipped vacuums, bagging moldy materials and disposing of them according to local codes.

    •    We treated the area with EPA-registered disinfectants to inhibit future mold growth.

The final concern is whether the above steps eliminates that tell-tale musty odor emitted by growing mold. If the smell perseveres, SERVPRO mold remediation teams have advanced odor elimination tools as resources. We employ thermal fogging to create tiny odor-seeking particles that bond with the odiferous debris still airborne despite the use of air scrubbing filters during the mold removal phase. Another option is hydroxyl generators that produce radicals that also connect with the smelly particulates. Both of these solutions chemically change the characteristics of the musty-smelling bits, rendering them odor neutral.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is your go-to source for mold remediation and odor elimination. Our phone line at (910) 762-8180 is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because disasters do not wait for business hours.

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Why It Is Important To Clean Your HVAC System during Fire Damage Restoration in Carolina Beach

7/5/2018 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Often Means Cleaning the HVAC System in Carolina Beach Properties

Complete Fire & Smoke Residues and Odor Remediation Needed? Call SERVPRO

Fire damage incidents are always frightening. Luckily, if you promptly take the right restoration actions, you can prevent further damage and salvage most of your contents. It is not all about cleaning the soot and smoke particles that you usually see after a fire; there are inspections that we perform in your Carolina Beach home during the restoration to uncover hidden issues. For instance, have you ever asked yourself what it takes to clean a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system after a fire event?

 
While cleaning the HVAC unit may not be mandatory during fire damage restoration in Carolina Beach, our SERVPRO technicians never take chances. If the system is contaminated, it can spread smoke residues within the structure once you switch it on. When we are performing HVAC duct cleaning, we adhere to the state and local regulations. We are going to look at some of the steps we follow when cleaning these vital systems.
 
Our SERVPRO technicians start by identifying the location of the fire in relation to the return side or supply side of the HVAC system. Even if the system was off, air pressure might develop from the heat which can move smoke particles into the ducts. Knowing whether the unit was operating during the fire and the duration it took is equally essential. So, irrespective of the situation, we have to inspect the system and check whether it has smoke residues and odors. Our Green Fleet supplies our SERVPRO technicians with the heavy-duty equipment and cleaning and deodorizing products to complete the task at hand.
 
Once we are sure some level of contamination exists in the unit, checking the extent of the damage follows. It is the time when we identify the type of smoke particles and whether odors are present. Our SERVPRO technicians are familiar with the design and operation of HVAC systems, and that helps us to identify mechanical damage, and if present, we may recommend a replacement. Depending on the state of the filters, we can clean or do a replacement several times during the recovery process. By using ULV Foggers, we can perform deodorization to neutralize the odors.
 
At SERVPRO of New Hanover, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and offer residents 24-hour emergency services. Call us at (910) 762-8180 when you need a trusted industry leader to serve you.

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After a Fire We Can Reduce Smoke Odors

5/28/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration often includes dealing with water damage as well. Contact SERVPRO to remediate both right away.

Certified SERVPRO Technicians Have the Training to Remediate Fire and Water Damage in Your Home

Fires can occur at any time and without any prior notice. When there is a fire in your home, call professionals to inspect the home as soon as possible. They are experienced in fire damage restoration and can make your home look “Like it never even happened.”
 
SERVPRO fire damage services in Wrightsville Beach also include water removal when needed. At times, firefighters use a great deal of water to extinguish the fire. When that occurs, our technicians may use a variety of methods to extract water from the affected area. Extractors remove water from areas such as carpets, upholstery, and floors. To remove water from carpeting, flooring or upholstery technicians may use the vacuum extractor. If there is a large amount of water in the home, the team may use a pump. To dry the area, technicians, typically, use air movers or high-velocity axial fans to speed up drying.  
 
When dealing with smoke odors, the crew can reduce smells in your home. Smoke can be pungent and offensive and often lingers in the area after a fire. The team will remove charred furniture and other burned items with the homeowner's consent. Also, the crew can shut off the HVAC system during cleaning to prevent smoke residue, ash, and soot from spreading throughout the home via the vents and ductwork. Fire, ash and smoke residues can contaminate ducts if it filters through ductwork. We inspect the HVAC system to determine the extent of smoke residue and to check for smoke odors. If smoke residues are there, we clean the affected areas to prevent ash, soot, and smoke from being blown throughout your home when you use your HVAC system.
 
Our first objective is to prevent fire and smoke damages from further damaging your home. We may need to board or tape to secure the property and to prevent intruders from coming in the home. It is important to note that if the structure needs major work, homeowners must call a contractor to do the repairs.  
 
We provide 24/7 emergency services. Call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 for a fast response.

Click here for more information on the city of Wrightsville Beach.

When You Experience Water Damage In Your Castle Hayne Home

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

Plumbing Leaks in Castle Hayne Can Be Destructive--Call SERVPRO for Cleanup and Restoration

Castle Hayne Homeowners Rely on SERVPRO for Water Cleanup and Restoration

As a Castle Hayne homeowner, you are quite familiar with the severe weather systems that can come rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean and have a dire effect on the houses in the area. Fortunately, your home had gotten constructed to withstand a lot of these severe storms and the effects they might have. What your home did not get prepared for, was the likelihood of water damage inside of your house.

Fixtures and plumbing are often a significant contributor to water damages that affect your Castle Hayne home. When items like faucets and sink plumbing age, they sometimes have a difficult time withstanding their standard tolerances for pressures and flow, leaving them vulnerable to failures and malfunctions. Some of these cases might not cause disastrous damages, but it could still require professional restoration to bring your house back to original conditions before the leakage started.

Our SERVPRO team can begin the restoration process the moment that we arrive at your home. We assess the extent of the damage that the broken plumbing or malfunctioning fixture allowed and work to set up a plan for what needs to happen to restore this damage and the kind of equipment necessary to complete these tasks.

Smaller instances of water incursion might only require some drying efforts and cleanup to restore, but even this needs to proceed in a particular professional standard. Leaving moisture or dampness after an incident like this could allow compounding damages like mold growth to occur within 72 hrs. To avoid a circumstance like this great lengths are taken to ensure that all of the dampness and moisture get thoroughly dried up before the restoration process completes.

While every case of water damage to your home might not be disastrous, there is something to be said about having the right personnel clean the mess up and get things back to normal. You can always trust in the expertise and professionalism of our SERVPRO of New Hanover team to help you clean up the mess and ensure that all of the moisture gets successfully extracted from the affected areas. "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (910) 762-8180.

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Water Damage Restoration Techniques Used in Wilmington

4/16/2018 (Permalink)

When hardwood floors get exposed to moisture, buckling, warping, and cupping usually occur.

SERVPRO Professionals Have the Equipment to Dry Out Your Home to its Pre-Loss Condition

After a pipe breaks in your Wilmington home, the restoration process takes many steps. After the area is secure and safe for all occupants, the extraction process occurs. After extraction, the goal of any remediation project is to dry out the structure so that mold growth does not occur.

When drying out structures, air movers and dehumidifiers get placed in the affected area to speed up the evaporation process. SERVPRO's water damage technicians in Wilmington also use specialty drying equipment in specific scenarios. Sometimes specialized techniques and equipment are needed to complete drying of materials such as drywall and hardwood floors.

In most scenarios, our  IICRC certified SERVPRO restoration team sets up air movers that push air in a circular motion so that it replaces dry air with the wet air evaporating off of wet surfaces. The dehumidifier then pulls moisture out of the wet air and dispenses it in liquid form. The dehumidifier also exhausts out hot, dry air so that the air movers can push it around the room.

When dealing with hardwood floors, different techniques get used. Hardwood floors are designed to repel moisture better than softer woods which enhances their ability to be restored. The drying strategy for hardwood floors is to keep buckling, warping, or cupping from becoming permanent.

Buckling, warping, and cupping are natural occurrences to wood when it is exposed to moisture. How bad the effects get depend on how much moisture sat on the wood and how long it stayed wet. In some cases when the hardwood floor has warped the cupping or warping gets sanded down, and the floor gets refinished. Before any sanding can occur, the hardwood material must get dropped to 12% moisture or below so that warping does not occur after sanding.

In other cases, specialty equipment gets used for drying out drywall. The combination of the specialized drying techniques and equipment for specific materials allows us to dry out a structure and building materials within a 48-hour period. For professional assistance with structural drying, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 any day of the week.  

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The Clear Choice For Water Removal Services For Your Wilmington Residence

2/14/2018 (Permalink)

When you are in need of water removal services to your Wilmington home, something substantial likely occurred.

Water Removal Services

It is not until you become a homeowner that you start to think hard about the responsibilities you have in maintaining the residence you have. While the upkeep itself might feel endless at times, the real rub is the repairs and maintenance that come from unexpected events. Significant water emergencies to your Wilmington home are easy enough to restore and repair when you know the right team to call.

When you are in need of water removal services to your Wilmington home, something substantial likely occurred. Whether plumbing ruptured or appliances decided they no longer wished to function correctly, the result was still the same: high volumes of water left on your floor. While conventional cleaning measures were a possibility with smaller amounts that you could have kept up with, significant breaks require professional restoration services to remedy the damages quickly and prevent them from getting worse.

The first thing that our SERVPRO technicians are going to do when we get on site is to find the source of the water and shut it down. Often this is as fundamental as turning off a supply valve to either the problematic appliance or the portion of the damaged pipe in need of replacement or repair. Without a steady supply of new water, our restoration specialists can get to work on repairing the damage at the source (when possible) and restoring your home.

Extraction of the water is the first step in the restoration process, as it is the most pressing concern for further damage and the most immediate symptom to the overall problem. The process consists of using portable pumps and wet-vacs together to pull the water from the floor and affected areas quickly. Drying follows this step and gets accomplished with a combination of air movers and dehumidification equipment.

The completion of our process rests on an assessment to determine that all of the water has gotten removed successfully and that there is no further damage to your home that we have not addressed.

When you are in need of water removal services or find yourself in any level of a water emergency, reach out to our SERVPRO of New Hanover team. Our emergency response restoration specialists are available 24/7 by calling (910) 762-8180.

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Removing Mold Damage In Wrightsville Beach Homes

1/30/2018 (Permalink)

Mold can grow anywhere inside a Wrightsville Beach home, including inside walls, above ceilings, and under cabinetry.

Removing Mold Damage

Mold can grow anywhere inside a Wrightsville Beach home, including inside walls, above ceilings, and under cabinetry. Mold spores come in such small sizes that they can end up virtually anywhere inside even the cleanest home. In fact, some cleaning methods spread mold instead of removing them from a home.

Homes in Wrightsville Beach often suffer mold damage because of our proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean water, when dry, leaves a salt residue that continually draws moisture from the air. Storing items in your home after a trip to the beach can bring about the microbial growth that damages your home and your belongings.

SERVPRO's Applied Microbial Remediation Technician (AMRT) is always prepared to provide mold remediation in both homes and businesses. The techniques used by our technicians conform to IICRC standards and can effectively remove mold damage and reduce the number of mold spores within your property back to normal. We realize that having workers in your home can seem intrusive and disruptive, so we work as soon as possible to minimize the time required to complete the work.

We use negative air pressure containment methods because mold can cause health effects. While we remove damaged materials inundated with mold colonies, some of the mold spores become airborne. The methods we use keep this mold from contaminating other areas of your home. Air scrubbers are part of the containment process, but we also use them elsewhere, in larger areas, to ensure the cleanliness of your home's air.

While homeowners can easily see mold on the exterior portion of walls and ceilings, any mold that grows on the inside, between opposing drywall sections, can hide. A moisture meter can detect the presence of moisture that allows mold to grow, and if detected at higher levels, we know a closer inspection can provide the assurance needed on the interior condition of the wall. Crucial to detecting hidden mold, we do not want to leave any mold undiscovered, while at the same time, we do not want to tear away any mold-free structures.

SERVPRO of New Hanover can be reached by calling our 24-hour line at (910) 762-8180, 365 days a year. Our experienced technicians can quickly remediate any amount of mold damage and restore many of your belongings, as well.

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Factors Affecting Water Damage in Wilmington

1/5/2018 (Permalink)

Water damage can come from many sources including a broken pipe. If your property suffers water damage, contact SERVPRO for remeditation services.

SERVPRO Trained Technicians Focus on FOUR Key Factors When Remediating Water Damage

Wilmington homes did not suffer from the extreme weather that struck the East Coast last year. That does not mean we are not at risk from other sources of damage. Most of the flooding or other water issues that affect private homes come from more mundane sources like a failed appliance or an aging pipe that has finally corroded and pulled away from its connection.
 
SERVPRO restoration teams first remove the water from each home as the first step to eliminate Wilmington water damage. It does not determine if we are successful though. To achieve the goal of stopping damage in a home, we also attempt to dry and otherwise restore as much personal and structural property as possible. Temperature, Air Movement, Humidity, and Evaporation are the key factors which determine how much we can keep out of the dumpsters.
 
Temperature – The best range to dry property in a home is between 70 and 90 degrees. That is the normal range of most homes, but our technicians try to keep it at around 80 if possible. Lower than that slows the drying process and a higher temperature, especially over 90, can result in generating more moisture in the surrounding air rather than removing it.

Air Movement – Circulation speeds up the drying process for personal property and building materials such as wood trim and drywall. The air movers we use produce warm, dry air that we can direct across surfaces. They are adjustable so that we can control not just speed and temperature, but even direct them up to walls and across ceilings.

Humidity – Water vapor in the air can slow the drying process to almost a stop. If we find the air content level is over 60 percent, we have to lower it, so our other actions have a useful effect. SERVPRO uses dehumidifiers to draw moisture directly from the air. In most homes, several of these devices working together lower the humidity level to under 40 percent in just 24 hours. They rapidly speed up our last factor: Evaporation.
 
A certain amount of evaporation occurs as water turns to vapor. For it to be useful to us, we remove as much water from the home as possible before setting up any other equipment. In fact, evaporation is not effective if there are more than two inches of water on the floor.
 
Restoring a home and its contents is not a short or simple process. If you have any water damage in your home, you need a professional service. To return your home and property to its original condition, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 today.

For more information regarding the town of Wilmington, click here.

Reliable Options For Combating Flood Damage In Wilmington

11/22/2017 (Permalink)

Flood damage incidents are unpredictable, and as a resident of Wilmington, being prepared is vital.

Options For Combating Flood Damage

Flood damage incidents are unpredictable, and as a resident of Wilmington, being prepared is vital. During such a disaster, it is hard to know what to discard and what to restore. To make the right decisions, working with certified restorers is advised. These are professionals who have experience in such matters and are in a position to guide you on what needs to happen to avoid further losses.

Many risks are associated with flood damage disasters in Wilmington since at that time the flood water carries chemical toxins, mud, sewage, and bacteria. That requires service providers like SERVPRO to clean the affected structures and perform the necessary restoration procedures to put a business or a home back together. The trained restoration crew starts by inspecting the affected areas - normally subfloors, walls, and carpets - and choose the most suitable cleaning methods.

After doing the inspection, trained technicians make a list of the areas to clean and the ones to deodorize. Even when a small section of the carpet is affected, cleaning of the entire room is essential. The soil level of the carpet is looked at when selecting the method to clean it. That means light soiling, moderate soiling, and deep soiling will all require different cleaning methods.

Some contents might require repairs that need specialized procedures to return them to their preloss condition. When that is the case, contacting subcontractors is necessary as well as the needed scheduling. Upon completion of the work, inspection is done. It is a process that gives you confidence since companies like SERVPRO follow the local and state regulations in their working.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is a trusted industry leader that handles all flood, fire, storm and mold damage disasters. Call (910) 762-8180 to discover the many options you have when faced with a related disaster.

Click here for more about the city of Wilmington, North Carolina.

How the Mycelium Contributes to Mold Damage in Castle Hayne Homes

10/15/2017 (Permalink)

Understanding mold is key to controlling it. SERVPRO technicians are very educated when it comes to dealing with mold. Contact us today.

SERVPRO Technicians Take a Knowledgeable Approach When Dealing With a Mold Infestation in Your Home

Mold damage is a genuine risk for any homeowner. The fungus thrives wherever it finds a food source plus moisture to help it grow. As residents of North Carolina know, the state can get rather hot and humid during warmer months. The humidity gives fungus extra chances to grow. Older homes are at particular risk as they tend to be damper and darker. Today we are getting a little technical and talking about the mycelium, what it is, and the role it plays in mold growth in Castle Hayne homes.
 
Homeowners want to avoid mold damage in Castle Hayne wherever possible. Sometimes a little extra understanding of the life cycle of mold helps because when we understand how the fungus grows, we understand better how to stop it growing.
 
Mycelium is a fancy sounding name which means a mass of tiny branching cells. The microscopic cells that make up the mycelium are known as hyphae. As a mycelium grows, it absorbs nutrients from its surroundings – in the case of your home, that might mean eating into your drywall, carpet, or even wood or leather.
 
In nature, the mycelium is a vital part of the ecosystem because it eats decomposing plant matter and releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. However, you naturally do not want it eating anything in your home!
 
The Mycelium grows tiny mold spores which it releases into the atmosphere so they can travel and find new locations to start new mycelium. The movement of spores means mold spreads from one place in your home to another.
 
The mycelium is also the visible part of mold – it is what you see when you notice black, brown or green mold growing in the corner of your home.
 
SERVPRO is on hand to help with mold damage remediation. Our IICRC-certified technicians set up a containment area around the affected room to reduce the risk of more spores spreading. We also use a negative air machine to vent contaminated air outside your home.
 
It is possible to clean visible mold by scraping and scrubbing. However, it is not feasible to detect all spores as they are impossible to see with the naked eye. SERVPRO equips our teams with dehumidifiers and moisture meters so they can monitor and reduce wetness, thus making it hard for mold to grow back.
 
For help with fungal remediation in Kure Beach, Elizabethtown, Wilmington, Leland and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 today.

For more information regarding Castle Hayne, click here

Using Storm Shutters to Prevent Flood Damage to Wilmington Homes

9/28/2017 (Permalink)

Installing storm shutters is one way of reducing damage to your home during a storm.

Storm Shutter Options for Your Home

North Carolina and Wilmington are no strangers to the great damage wreaked by storms. You cannot prevent a storm from coming, but you can take steps to protect your home from subsequent flood damage and reduce costly repair bills. SERVPRO believes that preventing damage is of paramount importance.

One way of reducing the risk of flood damage to your Wilmington home is installing storm shutters over your windows. Storm shutters protect the glass from the onslaught of hard rain and powerful winds and thus reduce the risk of leaks or, even worse, broken panes. There are several types of storm shutters on the market.

Accordion shutters are fixed beside windows and open out accordion-style to cover them in the event of a storm. Because accordion shutters are a permanent fixture, there is no need to store them, and they are usually easy enough for one person to operate.

Bahama style shutters are louvered units that provide shade and shelter by propping them above the windows. Like accordion styles, Bahama styles are a permanent fixture, and easy to use. On the other hand, they are not as durable as some options, so are not suitable for every home.

Roll-down shutters are lowered either by hand or by pressing a button, depending on the model. Roll-down styles attach above the window, then lower and lock into place when needed. They are pricier than some models but are very strong and also double as a burglary deterrent.

Storm panels are a non-permanent option. The panels are made of corrugated metal for maximum strength, and are put up and bolted into place in times of need. Storm panels are an inexpensive option, and many homeowners like the fact that they are removable when not in use. On the other hand, storm shutters are harder to handle than other models.

Your budget, your needs, and even the look of your home all determine which system is best for you. One thing is for sure, though: In the event of storm damage to your home, SERVPRO is on hand to help. Our IICRC-certified technicians arrive equipped with pumps and extraction tools to rid your home of water, and air movers and dehumidifiers to reduce humidity and restore your home “Like it never even happened.”

For help with flood cleanup in Carolina Beach, Leland, Elizabethtown and surrounding areas, call SERVPRO of New Hanover at (910) 762-8180 today.

Click here for more information about Wilmington.

Spots in Your Wilmington Home Prone to Mold Damage

9/13/2017 (Permalink)

If you discover mold in your home, call SERVPRO to remediate.

Areas of Your Home to Routinely Check for Mold Damage

While mold can begin growing anywhere in the home, some areas are more susceptible to infection than others. Whether you have existing mold damage in your Wilmington home or you are concerned about the risks your home may face regarding mold and fungi. If you are to prepare for it adequately, it is important to understand where mold is most likely to start growing. Ask a SERVPRO representative about mold-resistant paints, waterproofing, or other anti-mold treatments for these vulnerable parts of your home.

Bathrooms

By far the most common place for mild mold damage to appear in Wilmington is in the bathroom. Bathrooms regularly have high volumes of water flowing through them, and some of this water inevitably escapes proper receptacles to dampen walls, ceilings, cabinets, and tile grout in the room. While mold damage is very common here, it is thankfully not as likely to spread around the home, as bathrooms are usually more isolated than other rooms.

Basements and Closets

Basements, closets, and other dark and secluded places are especially prone to serious mold damage. Mold thrives in the dark, especially when ventilation and air flow is weak. Sometimes, conditions may even be good enough to allow mold to grow without an extra water source, as is typical in most cases. Be sure to check back corners of closets and basements every once in a while to catch mold before it gets out of control.

HVAC Systems

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are often the source of some of the worst mold damage cases we get. When mold takes root in a home's ventilation system, spores are easily picked up and spread around the home, infecting numerous rooms at once. SERVPRO technicians carry a broad range of HVAC certifications and training credentials to clean up these disasters as safely and efficiently as possible.

SERVPRO of New Hanover is a fully certified and equipped provider of mold remediation and restoration services. Call us for any mold issue, large or small, at (910) 762-8180.

Click here for more information about Wilmington, North Carolina.

Correctly Address Mold Damage Found On Your Property In Wrightsville Beach

6/7/2017 (Permalink)

Wrightsville Beach is a No-Fly Zone for SERVPRO Mold Remediation

Restoring a Mold Infested Property by SERVPRO

Quality mold remediation services follow a fairly established protocol to get mold growth found in your home under control. However, the company you decide to use should always maintain safety above all else when providing services like these on your property.
 
Finding mold damage in your Wrightsville Beach home is serious business. Mold can affect the health of you and your family gradually over time, without you even knowing the source. Different types of mold and mildew can hide in your walls, crawl spaces, attic, or basement for months or even years before exposing visual signs of contamination.
 
If you suspect mold growth in your home at any time, contact SERVPRO for help. Our expertly trained IICRC certified mold remediation specialists can help you and your family obtain the clean, safe home environment that you deserve. Once you see our recovery team in action, you know you made the right decision.  
 
SERVPRO takes pride in providing customers just like you with quality services that help protect your home. By using the training, experience, and equipment at our disposal, we make dealing with mold a thing of the past. Our technicians put vast resources to use to provide customers with a full-service solution they can count on to reduce costs and limit their losses.   
 
Many of the services SERVPRO offers, including mold remediation, water removal, cleaning, deodorization, and restoration of your property help homeowners secure a safe, healthy home environment for their families. It does not matter whether you have a single room or an entire building that requires our attention, we provide you with unique solutions to problems that exist on your property.
 
You are not alone, dealing with these types of issues is rather common. Many homeowners experience mold problems in their homes; it has nothing to do with the way you live or how you conduct yourselves on your property. Incidents happen, and when they do, it is best to seek professional assistance in finding a quality, safe solution.  
 
SERVPRO Of New Hanover can help you recover from a variety of issues that plague homeowners throughout the area. We answer your calls for help and provide you with the services you deserve during an emergency, call today. (910) 762-8180 For more info about this city click here.

Readying for Hurricanes in Carolina Beach

2/13/2017 (Permalink)

Inspection and preparation before a storm are key to preventing damage afterwards. Call SERVPRO to discuss.

SERVPRO Technicians are Trained to help You Get Ready for a Storm

Readying up for hurricane season is a tradition familiar to many in the Southeast. In some regions such as Florida, hurricanes are so frequent as to be a seasonal factor of life. The entire region, however, is still equally vulnerable to these potentially devastating storms, especially the Carolina coasts. Getting ready for these destructive and potentially dangerous storms could save you thousands of dollars in restoration and repair costs. That is if you are willing to get serious about hurricane preparation, do your homework and safeguard your home with these preventative measures.
 
Get the Property Inspected
 
Getting your property inspected by a certified company like SERVPRO could save you from catastrophic flood damage in Carolina Beach in the next hurricane. Certified inspectors can identify problems even if they are hidden and obscure, reaching and reacting to them before the ravaging floodwaters get a chance to. Inspectors may also find other risks and points of damage you may not even know about, such as mold growth. Although you may be worried about the costs of inspection and any repairs done after it, this insurance is a far smaller cost than an unmitigated hurricane wreaking havoc.
 
Get Leaks Patched
 
Leaks may be a minor concern for you normally, but they become significantly more pressing when a hurricane is about to hit. Leaks in your home can allow high winds and rain to blast in, soaking the area around the leak. Getting SERVPRO to repair leaks around your home may be a worthwhile investment, before the next big storm hits and takes advantage.
 
Storm Windows and Doors
 
Some homes, especially older and cheaper ones, may lack suitable storm windows. Upgrading built-in windows or investing in a strong set of storm windows is a must in this case, as otherwise, they may easily shatter under impact or simply heavy wind and hail in the storm.
 
SERVPRO of New Hanover has been helping local families to get their homes through hurricane season for years. If your home needs inspection, repairs, or damage restoration, give us a call at (910) 762-8180.

Chemical Compounds Produced During Mold Growth

10/25/2016 (Permalink)

Mold problems can cause health effects. Call SERVPRO today to remediate!

SERVPRO Technicians Can Control the Spread of Mold on Your Kure Beach Property

Molds produce two types of chemical compounds that people in water-damaged buildings can be exposed to - Mycotoxins and Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds (“MVOC”), MVOC are gases produced by mold. The musty odor produced by mold is caused by microbial volatile organic compounds. These odors are chemicals, generated during certain parts of the mold's growing cycle. Mold odors are made up of strong chemicals which can cause health issues.
 
Different mold growth produces different MVOC's depending on conditions, including how much moisture is present, temperature, air pressure, light, and what surface it is growing on. The gases or chemicals produced by actively growing mold can be monitored to find the level of its growth in the house. If you see any mold damage in Kure Beach, contact SERVPRO immediately.
 
It was believed that gases released by mold have certain antifungal and cytotoxic properties. Laboratory testing has discovered that MVOC chemicals are made up of benzenes, tuloenes, aldehydes and much more. Because of this, it is possible that under certain circumstances, microbial volatile organic compounds may be partly responsible for complaints of ill-health and poor indoor air quality.
 
One of the main benefits of a mold restoration service is that they have the state-of-the-art equipment to see chemicals being emitted from growing mold, even if it is behind a wall. If, however, the MVOC levels exceed acceptable standards, mold remediation experts can help.
 
Mold removal technicians will take the next steps to improve your home's air quality with consultation, testing or other professional techniques that are used for indoor air quality treatment. Our homes are our safe havens. With an expert comprehensive test, mold removal experts can give you peace of mind that you are doing everything you can to protect the ones that you love.
 
Contact SERVPRO of New Hanover today. We are locally owned and operated. As a leader in the restoration industry, we understand how quickly mold spreads. We are dedicated to responding immediately when you contact us. After all, a fast response lessens mold damage and limits further damage, especially to your health.
 
You can reach us at (910) 762-8180. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you have a water or mold damage problem, we are already nearby and ready to help restore your home back to normal.

What to Expect When You Hire a Mold Damage Professional

9/7/2016 (Permalink)

Mold cleanup must be done right to prevent a recurrence. Call SERVPRO today!

The Mold Damage Remediation Process Detailed

The dreaded sign of mold typically concerns homeowners, and for good reason. Aside from affecting the look, smell, and comfort of your home, mold damage is a potential health hazard that can be challenging to resolve. Hiring an expert to get rid of the mold damage in your house is a wise choice, but you're probably wondering what happens next.
 
Homeowners facing mold damage in Wilmington have a wide range of choices when it comes to mold remediation services. When you trust SERVPRO to repair the mold damage in your house, here's what you can expect.
 
Assessment

To understand how extensive your home's mold damage is and figure out what type of mold infestation is present, our technicians will perform a thorough evaluation and inspection.
 
Containment
 
Controlling the spread of mold damage is key, and we have the equipment and experience to quickly do so while ensuring the safety of your family and our workers.

Removal of Contaminated Materials
 
Physically removing any surfaces or materials affected by mold damage is necessary to prevent cross-contamination. We will properly dispose of the waste, so you won't have to worry about getting rid of materials infested with mold on your own.
 
Air Quality Control
 
Mold spores in your home must be removed to prevent future damage or health risks. SERVPRO technicians use a variety of techniques to filtrate the air inside of your home and improve its quality.
 
Cleanup and Restoration
 
Once all of the items and materials in your home that were infested with mold have been removed, the process of cleaning up and restoring the rest of your home and belongings can begin.
 
If your home is in need of mold remediation, count on our expertise at SERVPRO of New Hanover. To obtain a quote or find out more about our mold damage repair services, call us anytime at (910) 762-8180.