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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Storm Damage Blog Posts

Expert Flood Damage Cleanup in New Haven

12/21/2023 (Permalink)

stacked air movers in box truck SERVPRO arrives with plenty of drying equipment, like these air movers, to mitigate water damage after your New Haven home has been flooded.

SERVPRO® Provides Rapid Flood Damage Removal Services

In the heart of New Haven, the impact of flood damage can be significant, especially when it strikes residential areas. When a flood hits, it's not just the water itself that's a concern but also the myriad of problems it brings.

Flood Damage in New Haven Homes: A Closer Look

Flood damage in a typical New Haven home often occurs in the basement or lower living areas. This situation happens due to the city's geographical layout and the common architectural styles. Floodwaters infiltrating these areas can wreak havoc, leading to several challenges:

  • Water seeps into foundational cracks, weakening the structure.
  • Damage to electrical systems and appliances
  • Mold and mildew growth due to damp conditions
  • Ruined furniture and personal belongings

SERVPRO's Approach to Flood Damage Restoration

When tackling flood damage in New Haven, SERVPRO employs advanced techniques and equipment. Their approach involves:

  • Initial Assessment: Using moisture sensors and thermal imaging cameras to gauge the extent of the damage and plan the restoration process.
  • Water Extraction: Utilizing powerful pumps and extraction units to remove standing water.
  • Drying: Air movers and dehumidifiers are deployed to accelerate drying, ensuring no moisture is left behind.
  • Restoration: Repairing structural damage and restoring the property to its pre-flood condition when approved by the owner's insurance.

Equipment and Techniques Used by SERVPRO

SERVPRO's effectiveness in managing flood damage is primarily due to their use of professional equipment and use of advanced methods for cleanup:

  • Thermal Imaging Cameras: Used to see hidden moisture and ensure thorough drying.
  • High-capacity Air Movers and Dehumidifiers: To remove moisture from the air and accelerate drying.
  • Advanced Water Extraction Equipment: Ensuring quick removal of floodwater.

Flood damage in New Haven homes can be daunting, but with SERVPRO's expertise and specialized equipment, restoration is efficient and effective. Their approach addresses immediate water damage and mitigates long-term risks like mold growth and structural weakening.

SERVPRO of New Haven at (203) 234-1100 is the storm and flood damage restoration company residents trust to be Here to Help® 24/7.

Reliable Storm Water Cleanup Services for Residents of Haven

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

Sump Pump Don't let water take control of your Haven property. Call SERVPRO today!

SERVPRO Minimizes the Effects of Storm Water Damage in Haven

IICRC-recognized companies should offer stormwater cleanup services since many safety procedures and specialized equipment are required during the process. Furthermore, these technicians undergo training to acquire unique skills to handle the arising challenges as they get your life and property back to normal. To make the restoration process much easier, contact them as soon as possible.

SERVPRO defines the severity of stormwater damage in your Haven property depending on the type of water present and the level of contamination. You might struggle with "gray water" if the damage is caused by rainwater that primarily entered your home due to the roof being swept away by the wind during the storm. But, if the water entered the property after sweeping through the surface and picking up debris, sewage overflow, and other pollutants, chances are you are dealing with "black water."

You can follow some steps to minimize the possible impacts of flood water damage. They include:

  • Regular inspection: Our SERVPRO technicians can regularly inspect your home for susceptibilities like poorly draining landscaping, cracked foundation, and suitability of low-lying areas.
  • Sealing cracks: If cracks exist on basement windows and the foundation area, we can seal them to prevent water seeping into buildings during a flood.
  • Sump pump installation: We can replace a faulty sump pump or install a new one in your basement. The pump helps in removing water whenever flooding happens.
  • Ensure downspouts and gutter are clear: We remove debris from the gutters and ensure the downspouts direct water properly to lower the chances of it seeping into your basement.
  • Have an emergency plan: We can help you develop an emergency plan to assist in case of a severe storm or flood. It helps you identify emergency contact numbers, evacuation routes, and other important procedures.

Some water damage events can be overwhelming, no matter how prepared you are. You need the help of restoration technicians who have faced and solved such challenges before.

SERVPRO of New Haven works around the clock to provide reliable water mitigation services. Call (203) 234-1100 to work with a highly trained team of technicians that are Faster to Any Size Disaster whenever you face water, mold, or fire damage incidents.

Education and Hurricane Preparedness for Property Owners

11/1/2022 (Permalink)

street covered in flood water When flood damage from a hurricane impacts your property, call SERVPRO. We have what is needed to have your property back to preloss condition.

Disasters and severe weather happen at any time, often without much notice or warning. Natural disasters like hurricanes bring intense flooding and damaging winds, making your property vulnerable. Learning about hurricane preparedness and safeguarding your home and family from possible storms is the best way to stay ahead of the game.

Do you Have an Annual Hurricane Checklist? 

There are several steps that all homeowners can take that will help prepare for storms and hurricane flooding. No matter where you live, be it high or low-risk, putting preventative measures in place will give added peace of mind and possibly save thousands in storm or water damage repair costs. 

Helpful Tip: Not sure where your property lies regarding hurricane flood risk? FEMA provides a flood map tool that outlines flood risk for your region. 

How Can I Ready my Home and Family for Hurricanes?

Getting a head start and preparing for storms, flooding, and possible damage will give you the solid foundation you need to weather the storm and quickly get back on your feet. Some helpful tips to keep in mind:

  • Formulate an emergency plan and begin practicing it. Putting together a plan for your family helps ensure you all know what to do in the event of hurricanes and flooding. Know an evacuation route and go over what to do should anyone become separated.
  • Build your emergency kit. Inside a preparedness kit, you will want water, food, medicine, and other supplies for a few days. Other popular items for such emergency kit planning include first aid items, flashlights, a handheld radio, and batteries.
  • Put together several ways to receive storm and evacuation alerts. Take time to download apps on your smartphone to receive alerts. You can also have a battery-operated portable radio to get important information if the power goes out.

Consider Investing in Flood Insurance

When you reside in a flood-prone area, you must remember that not all renter's or homeowner's policies will cover damages from floods. Water damage and contamination from floodwaters are expensive to rectify. Unfortunately, federal disaster aid rarely covers all homeowners' damages. 

Helpful Tip: If you do not know where to begin when looking for the property amount of flood damage coverage, FEMA has a flood damage tool to determine what flood damage could cost to restore your property. FloodSmart also has a website listing participating insurance providers.

Ready your Home to Resist Flooding

While some flood situations with hurricanes are unavoidable, you can work to prepare your property to minimize damage. Steps like cleaning your gutters and drains help ensure the water has a way to flow away from your property. 

Outside your home:

  • Elevate any utilities and service equipment to prevent flood damage and electrocution. You can do this by elevating switches, sockets, and electrical outlets to a foot above flood elevation estimation for your zone.
  • Install a rain barrel to collect water coming from your roof. 
  • Anchor any outdoor fuel tanks so they do not float and lead to injury or damage.

Inside your home:

  • Look into the installation of a sump pump or foundation vents.
  • Apply coatings or sealants to your home's basement walls and foundation.
  • Install drain plugs in the basement or look into sewer backwater valves for piping coming into your home. 

Cleanup and Restoration After Hurricane Flooding

Even in a low-risk area, hurricanes involving floodwater can generate extensive property damage. Flood-proofing your foundation can save an immense amount of money, but you may encounter flood waters, a leaking roof from storms, broken windows, and other damage. For all your water removal services and cleanup needs, SERVPRO is here to help. 

For constructions and extreme demolition projects, we look to our trusted partners at Connecticut Reconstruction Services (CRS) to handle everything from drywall replacement and new flooring to other fine details. We make your home "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of New Haven wants area residents to stay safe and prepared in the event of a hurricane. Should you require floodwater removal and drying, call us 24/7 at (203) 234-1100.

Four Steps to Protect Against Home Flooding No Matter Where You Live

9/28/2022 (Permalink)

coast line with stormy skies and rough sea Nor'easter and hurricane season will soon be upon us in the Northeastern US

Floods can happen anywhere. Communities that are at low to moderate risk of a flood receive one-third of federal disaster assistance for flooding, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Everyone should be prepared for a flood, no matter where you live. A flood of just one inch of water can cost a homeowner $25,000 in losses, according to FEMA. Flood insurance will cover most of the cost of damage caused by a flood. Additionally, flood-proofing your home can reduce the potential for damage to its foundation and your personal belongings. 

4 steps to protect your family and home against flooding

Whether you live in a high-risk or low-risk area, getting insurance coverage and bolstering your home's structure to prevent flood damage can save you thousands of dollars in damage repair costs. 

Here are four steps you can take to protect yourself and stay safe in the event of a flood. 

Step 1: Measure your level of risk 

Different regions have varying exposure levels to flooding. Densely populated areas, and communities near rivers, dams, and mountains are at particularly high risk. Knowing the risk level can help you assess the necessary steps you can take to keep you and your home safe. 

You can use FEMA's flood map tool to determine your region's risk of flooding. Some regions are marked with color codes indicating the likelihood of flooding there.

Blue zones and red with blue striped zones are areas at the highest risk of flooding. High-risk areas face more than a 1% probability of severe flooding (often referred to as a 100-year flood) in any given year, according to FEMA. People who live there are likely to see at least one significant flood in their lifetimes. Blue zones might experience floods of 1.5 feet to 3 feet. However, certain areas are subject to wavelengths of 3 feet or more.

Orange zone areas are at low to moderate risk of flooding. These areas face a 0.2% chance of significant flooding with depths less than 1-foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile. While orange zones are deemed low risk, experts still encourage you to take preventative measures to keep you and your home safe.

Zone Blue Risk

  • High-risk or special flood hazard area
  • 1% chance of significant flood
  • Depth of more than 1.5 feet 

How to prepare

  • Under the National Flood Insurance Act, homeowners in high-risk flood areas are required to purchase flood insurance. 
  • Homeowners in blue zones should also flood-proof their homes and have evacuation plans in place.
  • Homeowners in blue zones must obtain an elevation flood certificate to help determine their home's flood risk. 

Zone Orange Risk

  • Low to moderate risk
  • 0.2% chance of significant flooding
  • Depth of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile

How to prepare

  • Homeowners in low to moderate risk are encouraged to purchase flood insurance. 
  • They should also ensure all gutters and drains are cleared to prevent running water from damaging the home. 

Zone Yellow Risk

  • Area of undetermined flood hazard 
  • No research conducted in this area to determine flood risk
  • Potential high-risk area

How to prepare

  • Homeowners in undetermined flood risk areas should purchase flood insurance.

Zone Blue with red stripes Risk

  • Special flood hazard
  • High-risk area
  • Regulatory floodway 

How to prepare

  • Under the National Flood Insurance Act, homeowners in high-risk flood areas are required to purchase flood insurance.
  • Homeowners in blue zones should also flood-proof their homes and have a flood evacuation plan in place.

Source: Risk data from FEMA

Step 2: Insure your property

Flood insurance will cover the cost of damage directly caused by a flood, minus your deductible. Most homeowners and renters policies don't include flood insurance. You might need to buy flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) administered by FEMA. 

The damage floods cause to your home can be expensive. Without flood insurance, a 4-foot flood in a 2,500 square foot, 2-story house, can exceed $100,000 in water damage. It's also important to note that FEMA disaster assistance usually only gives $5,000 in grants for each household. On the other hand, the average flood insurance payout is $40,000. Federal disaster aid is scarcely enough to recuperate the cost of water damages. That's why it is critical to ensure your home is covered before a disaster.

Quick tip: You can use FEMA's Flood damage tool to find out how much flood damage could cost for your house.

Under the National Flood Insurance Act, homeowners in high-risk flood areas are required to purchase flood insurance. For homeowners outside of high-risk flood areas, experts encourage that you protect your home with flood insurance. FEMA says that 40% of flood-related insurance claims are by communities outside of high-risk flood zones. If you live in an area of undetermined flood risk, you can get a document called an elevation certificate that details how susceptible your home may be to flooding.

The best time to buy flood insurance is well before a flood is most likely to occur, as it takes 30 days for a policy to go into effect. This is especially important during hurricane season. To sign up for a policy, call your insurance provider or an independent agent to purchase flood coverage. You can use FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program provider locator to find a provider in your area.

Flood insurance is available to homeowners in 24,000 NFIP participating communities. You can see if yours is one of them here. You can also check out FloodSmart to see if your area participates in discounted flood insurance rates.

Quick tip: You can find a participating insurance provider by visiting the FloodSmart website or calling the NFIP at 877-336-2627.

Step 3: Prepare your home to resist flooding 

"In preparation for a flood, homeowners should prepare their home to minimize the damage it will cause, even those in low-risk areas. Ensure that water can flow away from your home by properly cleaning gutters and drains. Homeowners are also encouraged to take pictures of their homes and valuables before flooding occurs. 

Here are some of FEMA's recommendations to protect your home from flooding: 

Outside the home

  • Maintain proper water runoffs and drainage. Gutters, downspouts, and splash pads keep rainwater on your roof from flowing into your home. Be sure to keep runoff systems and drainages clean and properly operating.
  • Install a rain barrel. A rain barrel collects rainwater from your roof. You can use the water in the barrel to water plants or wash your car. 
  • Elevate utilities and service equipment. Elevating utilities and service equipment will prevent home damage and electrocution during a flood. Raise electrical outlets, switches, and sockets at least 1 foot above the estimated flood elevation in your area. You should also raise outdoor equipment like air-conditioning units, and pool equipment above flood level. 
  • Anchor outdoor fuel tanks. Fuel tanks, if carried by floodwaters can leave people, property, and the environment susceptible to injury and damage. Attach your outdoor fuel tank to a heavy item like a concrete slab so the tank stays in place.

Inside the home

  • Protect valuable items. Keep important documents and valuables in a watertight security deposit box above the anticipated flood elevation level. Take pictures of important household items and personal valuables, as well. 
  • Install foundation vents or a sump pump. A sump pump transports water from your basement away from your home. Be sure to purchase a battery-operated backup sump pump in case of a power outage. 
  • Apply sealants or coatings to your home's foundation and basement walls. Seal any cracks and gaps where water could seep into your home's foundation. Also, coat the walls in your basement with a waterproofing compound to keep water from seeping through. 
  • Prevent sewer backups. Install drain plugs in your basement floor drain or install sewer backwater valves for all pipes entering your home. These devices prevent contaminated water from entering your home through toilets, sinks, and other drains. 

Quick tip: Visit FEMA's website for more information on how to keep your home safe during a flood.

Step 4: Stay safe during and after flooding

Preparation before a flood is key to minimizing damage to your home and preventing harm to you and your family. Here are some things to keep in mind during and after a flood: 

During a flood 

If you can, evacuate as soon as possible. Tune into your local radio or NOAA weather radio for emergency alerts. If a flash flood warning is issued in your area, move to higher ground immediately. If the water begins to rise above your feet or if moving rapidly, stop and turn around.

In high-risk areas have an evacuation plan in place. If you are leaving your home, turn off the electricity at the breaker panel to avoid water damage. Those in low-risk areas should also anticipate power outages and have several days of food and water supplies stocked up. 

While evacuating, if your car gets trapped, stay inside. Go to the roof of your car if needed. If you require medical attention, stay where you are, call 9-1-1 and listen for further instruction. 

After a flood 

Turn on the NOAA weather radio or your local radio station for updates and instructions. Don't attempt to drive in a flooded area. Even six inches of rushing water can result in loss of control of your car.

Beware of electrocution. If you are wet or are standing in water, don't touch electrical outlets and plugs. Also, avoid traveling in water. Floodwaters may be contaminated with sewage, oil, and other dangerous debris. Sanitize anything that might be contaminated and wear appropriate hazard attire (e.g. work gloves, protective clothing, boots and face masks) while you clean. 

Floods — even in low-risk areas —cause significant damage to homes. Not taking the necessary precautions could be costly and dangerous. Insuring your home with flood insurance and flood-proofing your foundation can save you thousands of dollars. Don't wait until there's a flood to take action, the best time to protect your home is now. 

What is the Safest Way to Restore my Home and Contents after Flood Damage?

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

Flood Zone Sign New Haven's Storm damage needs SERVPRO’s tools and reliability.

SERVPRO Offers Nationally Certified Restoration Experts to New Haven Residents with Flood Damage.

What qualifications are needed to restore property flooding in New Haven?

Certifications can help you identify expert local restorers when you do not have time to do thorough research. Our technicians complete their training by receiving nationally recognized qualifications from the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certifications (IICRC) body. Flooding can present considerable challenges to even the most experienced practitioners, which is why certifiable quality is essential to sourcing a good restorer.

Our roster of technicians for flood damage in your New Haven home includes water restorers (WRT), Applied Structural Drying (ASD) experts, odor control (OCT), and applied microbial remediation (AMRT.) We can also provide specialist stone, masonry, and ceramic tile cleaning technicians (SMT) and carpet cleaning technicians (CCT.)

What are the immediate concerns with a flooded property?

  • Standing water can exert significant pressure on a structure and need to reduce immediately.
  • Stemming water migration can lessen potential damages. 
  • Securing a property from unlawful entry and theft
  • Waterproofing your home using tarpaulins to prevent further water intrusion
  • Bringing down relative humidity to avoid microbial growth issues
  • Removing possessions from the reach of floodwaters and placing them in a designated dry room for specific restoration detail
  • Acting quickly to control water migration and protecting wall cavities or subfloor from water exposure

How does controlling humidity prevent mold growth?

Microorganisms like mold need three conditions to grow: food supply, temperature, and moisture. A home is full of potential food for microbes, especially wet fabrics, insulation, or drywall. The relative humidity typically rises in a property with large amounts of water in it due to evaporation. To dry a property, we need to encourage evaporation by increasing the temperature, allowing air to hold more moisture than in cooler conditions. The combination of drying efficiently and preventing microbial growth is a fine balance. SERVPRO technicians take regular measurements of indoor humidity using hygrometers to ensure that mold reproduces slowly during the restoration. Slowing mold growth allows us to focus on drying efficiently without risking an uncontrolled microbial outbreak. 

How can you rid a property of microbes after flood restoration?

Microbes are a natural part of all home environments, which makes removing them impossible. However, microbes are not bothersome unless they reproduce in an uncontrolled environment. Our AMRT technicians can focus solely on preventing mold growth using a combination of chemical agents and drying principles. The most effective precaution against mold growth is to dry the affected area quickly and control humidity levels overnight. By working together with ASD technicians, they can prevent an infestation from occurring and restore the property to its normal, sanitary condition.

What steps can you take to control mold growth during flood restoration?

  • Dehumidification to maintain indoor humidity below 60 grains (of moisture) per pound (GPP) keeps microbial growth under control. 
  • Using biocides or antimicrobial chemicals on high-risk areas to prevent mold from moving through growth stages during the cleanup
  • Paying close attention to water migration, dripping, or leaking, which could cause damp spots and attract mold spores
  • Thorough cavity inspection and drying to avoid mold buildup behind walls, floors, or ceilings

How can I speed up evaporation in a room without natural ventilation or light?

Water evaporates quicker when there is plenty of dry air in the room. A general rule of thumb for encouraging evaporation is that wet always moves to dry. However, the more water that evaporates, the more saturated the surrounding air becomes, reducing drying times. When dealing with a room with lots of residual moisture, evaporation can create a vapor barrier between dry air and the surface, which leads to slow drying. SERVPRO technicians use air-moving equipment to maintain constant air motion through a flooded property. Moving air allows wet surfaces to evaporate into dry air. Combining a heating element increases overall air temperature, which allows it to absorb more evaporated moisture speeding up the drying process. 

When can you start structural or contents restoration for a flooded property?

Once damage mitigation is complete with the property is clean and dry, we can begin to perform a restoration. Restoring a property can involve replacing any building materials that were non-salvageable and buffering carpets or repainting walls. Our technicians combine the restoration phase with preventive measures that can protect your home against secondary damage. These procedures include using antimicrobial or odor sealing primers on walls and carpets to ensure that you do not incur costs in the future. 

Taking a property through restoration from start to finish requires organization and qualified restoration professionals. Contact SERVPRO of New Haven at (203) 234-1100.

Our Certified Experts Are Committed To Restoring Your New Haven Home After A Flood

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Wet Hardwood Our experts have the training, equipment, and experience to restore your home to pre-damage condition after a flood hits your home.

Repairing Hardwoods After New Haven Flooding

After flooding occurs in a New Haven home, you are quick to work towards assessing the damage and the steps you can take to return your property to pre-damaged condition. Flooding, even without contamination, can pool along the floors of the levels affected, allowing it to saturate into materials like carpet fibers or porous wood. Hardwoods are more water-resistant and can exist in flooring, cabinets, and other furniture.

Despite the lower porosity of hardwood furniture and construction materials, contamination or delays in drying flood damages require us to replace hardwoods in New Haven homes. Our SERVPRO professionals can assess the widespread effects of migrating flooding with moisture meters and probing detection devices. Surface meters can show when trapped water exists in wood materials, often without a need for probing. When visible swelling and warping begin, there is no reversing this condition, and controlled demolition must occur.

Flooring

Wood flooring can be one of the first areas of your home affected by natural flooding. While surface water can remain above the wood planks for a short period, absorption inevitably begins. Once contaminated water begins to bond with the cells in the wood, the flooring is not preserved. Our partners at Connecticut Reconstruction Services can replace wood flooring and subflooring materials once our SERVPRO technicians have removed damaged areas and decontaminated the remaining structural supports and joists.

Cabinets 

Base cabinets can come into direct contact with pooling floodwater. Still, hung cabinets can also get damaged when water enters through the roof after storm effects. While particleboards can show damage and deterioration quickly after a flood, hardwood cabinets can resist penetration for longer spans. Once saturation occurs, it is crucial to remove these flood-damaged elements to prevent mold development promptly. We can remove these units entirely to better dry structural cavities and drywall behind to prepare the kitchen or bathroom for new materials to get installed.

Hardwood can resist absorption of penetrating floodwater, but once it has saturated beyond the surface, our SERVPRO of New Haven professionals must work on controlled demolition solutions to make it “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (203) 234-1100.

Our Certified Technicians Are Prepared For Your New Haven Flood Restoration Services

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Place SERVPRO says to inspect your damper and flue at least once a year before the cold season arrives. We are here to help, call us 24/7.

Professional Flood Damage Management in New Haven

When heavy rainfall stresses storm sewers and residential gutter and downspout systems in New Haven, the result can be flooded lower levels, basements, foundations, or crawl spaces. Extreme weather patterns during the mid to late summer can result in many inches of rain falling in a short period. Repeated storms “training” rainwater over the same locale over hours or days expose areas to flooding. Our team can help you remove the influx and dry out your home to prevent secondary damage.

Flood Damage Takes Many Shapes

Flood damage in New Haven does not always stem from an overflowing waterway. “Flash floods” are a phenomenon experienced in many places when torrential rainfall collects on roadways or washes from elevations, acting like a creek or river breaching its banks. The effect is similar, with residences in the path vulnerable to inches to feet of water intruding, submerging crawl spaces, or filling the lowest story of a house with highly contaminated water.

Contamination Requires Professional Action

Relatively clean water is already incredibly damaging to conventional building materials. Porous structures crumble, wood warps, metals rust, and the stages are set for destructive microbial growth. When sewage, yard and road chemicals, organic debris, dirt, and a host of other solids and dissolved substances add to the mix, safety and other concerns increase. SERVPRO is poised 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to assist members of our community in collecting, containing, and disposing of contaminated water fast, following local hazardous waste regulations.

Cleaning and Disinfection Using EPA-Registered Products

After containment and disposal of contaminated floodwaters, SERVPRO’s Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC)-trained technicians clean the affected surfaces with products tested and registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). We also use EPA-registered disinfectants to kill and inhibit the growth of the wide range of pathogens that contamination can introduce into your home. 

Efficient Structural Drying

After water removal, cleaning, and sanitization, SERVPRO technicians utilize principles learned during the IICRC-approved Applied Structural Drying (ASD) course. We measure moisture levels, establishing baselines that help us determine and work toward the implementation of drying goals. Heat and the action of air movers encourage absorbed water to vaporize. Then our high-efficiency dehumidifiers capture the moisture for disposal.

SERVPRO of New Haven is your resource when residential flooding presents a challenge. Call us at (203) 234-1100 to set up an evaluation after heavy rains infiltrate your home.

Can SERVPRO Restore My Antique Sofa After Flood Damage?

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Antique Couch Storm-Damaged Antique Heirlooms or Furnishings? We Respond Swiftly to Salvage Contents for Our New Haven Customers.

New Haven Residents Are Concerned About Flood Damage to Irreplaceable Antiques

Anyone who has enjoyed antique shopping in New Haven knows how much fun it is to find an excellent piece of furniture full of character. Sometimes you come into possession of an antique from a friend or relative. Antiques lend something unique to the atmosphere of a home and are often beloved by the homeowner.

In the event of flood damage in your New Haven home, it is natural to worry about your beloved antique sofa. After all, you cannot just go to the nearest furniture store and buy another. Do not despair – SERVPRO technicians can use various techniques to save your favorite seat from floodwaters.

How does Floodwater Affect Antique Furniture?

Floodwater can cause several problems:

  • Wood frames can swell and even crack as they absorb water – sofas may be especially vulnerable to this because of the way their frames join together.
  • Delicate upholstery can bleed color or become blotchy.
  • Mold can grow on wooden surfaces or inside cushions and seats.

It is essential to deal with flood damage immediately. If you leave it, there is more opportunity for mold to grow in, and on your sofa, water stains can settle in more deeply, and cracking and swelling can worsen.

How Does SERVPRO Save the Sofa Frame?

Our technicians know that antique wood can warp under the strain of floodwater – and they also understand that rapid drying is dangerous. If we dry your couch too quickly, it could be at greater risk of damage.

We dry your sofa frame in three stages:

First, we mop up surface water from the legs and seat, being careful not to cause color bleeding

Second, we position air movers, fans, and dehumidifiers in the room and around the sofa to dry it

Third, we use moisture meters and thermo-hygrometers to monitor moisture and humidity as we proceed

We train our technicians to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification standards, which means they know how to carry out drying at the correct speed to get results without damaging the wood. We can also carry out light refinishing of the wood if necessary.

What About the Upholstery and Cushions?

SERVPRO understands how disheartening it is to see your favorite seat damp and bedraggled looking. Thankfully, we have ways to tackle water-logged furniture.

We have a range of cleaning materials we can use to cleanse cushions and upholstery and leave them free of mottling. Depending on the material, we might employ:

  • Wet fogging
  • Water extraction
  • Spot cleaning

Our technicians know just how to tent cushions for maximum drying efficiency. Once the cushions are tented, we can place air movers and fans around them to blow air across the material, triggering evaporation and drying. We can also place dehumidifiers to reduce moisture in the surrounding air.

Should I Worry About Mildew?

No – we understand the risks of mildew growth and take steps to mitigate those risks. We do not close out the project until we are satisfied that your sofa is thoroughly dry. We can also apply microbial agents to the frame and cushions to further discourage mold or mildew.

Will my Sofa Smell Damp Afterward?

We know that damp odors are a severe concern for our customers – they have told us that one of the most challenging things about water damage is the lingering smell. That is why deodorization is the final stage of any flood damage operation.

When it comes to odors, a good rule of thumb is to use dry or wet treatments, depending on the smell source. So if the source is fire, we would use hot, dry thermal fogging. For water, we use wet fogging. The wet fogger machine sprays a fine mist of deodorizing and cleaning compounds that can penetrate even hidden nooks and crannies.

Because the fogger wets the material evenly, it can also help fight water stains – it is easier to get good results when drying an entire cushion rather than the affected part only. We can also use air scrubbers, carbon filters, and odor-eating pellets to enhance deodorization.

If you are concerned about your antique furniture after a flood, call SERVPRO of New Haven at (203) 234-1100.

How Does SERVPRO Deal with Flood Contaminants in New Haven Homes?

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO trailer full of equipment ready for work at a flood job-site When a flood impacts your property call SERVPRO flood damage restoration team. We have what is needed to have your property back to preloss condition

Several sources of contamination could impact New Haven homes after flood damage.

After flooding impacts your home or business, there is a finite timeline to restore and recover the damage caused. Emergency services focus on specific actions necessary to protect the property and its occupants, such as:

  • Extraction
  • Debris Cleanup
  • Muck-Out
  • Content Relocation

Organic Matter Brought in With Water

One of the ways flood damage in New Haven can threaten exposed building materials and contents is through the decaying organic matter carried in with flooding. Debris, organisms, and mud can all introduce pathogenic threats to your property, as well as harsh odors and other cleaning needs.

Sewage Backup Concerns

In some events, utilities like sanitary sewers and culvert systems become overrun, with entire neighborhoods becoming flooded. Any blockages in these systems can cause a backflow event into connected homes through floor drains or lower toilet hookups in the property.

Cleaning Surfaces and Contents 

Disinfection and surface cleaning are also vital processes to the flood recovery effort. Exposure to migrating bacterial and viral pathogens creates a pressing and urgent need for surface cleaning with sanitizing and disinfection products in our inventory.

Repairs When Needed

Because of our general contractor license, we can handle the many repairs, and reconstruction needs your home might have after flooding. Exposure to contaminants, for example, will require controlled demolition and replacement of porous materials impacted directly by these black water events. With flooding being among the highest categories of loss, few examples of flood damage do not require some degree of repair.

With many ways that your house can become flooded, having experienced professionals capable of providing varying restoration and recovery is valuable to a property and its contents. Our technicians are ready to help overcome each post-flood repair and cleanup phase. Give our SERVPRO of New Haven team a call today at (203) 234-1100.

What Happens to Hamden Wood Flooring After Flood Damage?

1/24/2022 (Permalink)

wood flooring Afraid your wood floors have been damaged by a storm? No need to stress it, Let SERVPRO fix it.

Hamden SERVPRO Technicians Have the Tools for Successful Water Damage Recovery

The flooring of all kinds bears the brunt of water damage in a Hamden property. While ceramic tile with an intact grout line seal tends to fare better than adhesive tile and carpet. However, hardwood floorboards can run the gamut from loss to restore depending on a few caveats:

  • How quickly the restoration service began
  • If the boards received drying applications properly
  • The base construction materials for the boards

Wood flooring affected by flood damage in a Hamden property needs prompt attention from SERVPRO. Some homeowners panicked that their wood flooring got saturated and attempted to dry the boards quickly in various ways. This can be a mistake because the wood can crack if dried too rapidly. 

Detailed Drying Applications

SERVPRO technicians monitor the extraction and drying process of hardwood floorboards carefully. They have varying devices to determine the moisture content of the wood, so drying methods can be adjusted as needed to ensure the boards dry correctly and do not lose too much moisture too rapidly. 

One of the pieces of equipment the technicians rely on frequently is drying mats. These flat pieces of equipment lay squarely over a portion of the board and force warm, dry into the wood. This is especially beneficial when only a part of the flooring has water damage. The amount of moisture within the wood is at varying levels. Another technique used the force of the high-velocity airflow from the centrifugal air movers to cause embedded water vapor to rise. SERVPRO techs use dehumidification equipment during the drying phase to capture moisture as it rises to dry the worksite more rapidly.


SERVPRO of New Haven at (203) 234-1100 stands ready to support the local Hamden community for any size and type of flood damage restoration service needed, and the trained techs are available 24/7.

When Your New Haven Drainage System Fails, You Need Prompt Storm Flood Damage Restoration

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

water damaged ceiling Excessive rains can bring damage to all areas of your home.

SERVPRO is On Call 24/7 to Handle Storm Flood Damage and Restoration Services in New Haven

Heavy rain might not seem like much of a concern until you realize that your drainage system at your New Haven property is not functioning as it should. Without the proper stormwater management system in place, your home could become immersed in contaminated floodwater beginning at the ground level up. SERVPRO is available to come out, night or day, to address your flooding so that you can get your household back to normal. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Storm flood damage in New Haven could present in several ways. Some of the common issues that we get calls for at SERVPRO include:

  • River Flooding – This is when precipitation occurs for a prolonged time or local flood-control structures fail.
  • Rainfall-Runoff – This happens during a precipitation event where your stormwater management system becomes overwhelmed.

If you end up with basement flooding or water intruding throughout your ground floor, SERVPRO will begin water remediation efforts. We put containment barriers in place, and extraction begins to pull up as much water and debris as possible.

  • Our Green Fleet comes packed with extraction tools, protective gear, dehumidifiers, and EPA-registered cleaning agents.
  • All water restoration technicians (WRT) are fully certified with the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.
  • We work directly with your insurance company, helping streamline the process and take some of the stress off your shoulders.
  • Because water-related emergencies bring the potential for foul, musty odors, our odor control technicians (OCT) get to work with specialized methods.
  • When necessary, we perform controlled demolition with precision to make your home “Like it never even happened.”

The restoration team you need in your corner for any storm damage and flooding is SERVPRO of New Haven. Call us whenever you need assistance at (203) 234-1100.

Storms and Natural Disasters in New Haven Call for Skilled Flood Damage Mitigation

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

Here To Help SERVPRO uses EPA-registered products for all storm damage remediation services for your home.

SERVPRO is On-Call 24/7 to Help New Haven Residents in Need of Flood Damage Mitigation and Restoration

If your New Haven property gets hit with flooding after a storm or recent disaster, you need a team on the job that can help you to get it cleared up quickly. SERVPRO features certified technicians at the ready to fully clean and restore your home so that you can get back to your routine. Our efforts to execute flood mitigation help cut back on costs and wrap up the project as quickly as possible to make it even better. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

Some homeowners might not understand the difference between flood restoration and flood damage mitigation in New Haven. Once you have a storm that results in flooding, the cleanup is considered mitigation. This phase has to start as soon as the damage happens to prevent secondary damage and loss from occurring. It is also important that our crew initiates efforts to prevent mold growth during this stage. Some steps that our team takes when hired for water removal services after a flood include:

  • Tarping your roof and boarding up windows to keep vandals, wildlife, and the elements from getting inside.
  • Taking out all damaged, wet materials and contents like flooring, carpets, furnishings, and other items.
  • Water clean up using extractors and pumps to remove as much of the standing water as possible. 
  • Setting up commercial-grade fans, dehumidifiers, and other drying equipment to eliminate moisture and bring down your interior relative humidity (RH).
  • Thoroughly clean and sanitize all surfaces with the help of EPA-registered products.

With flood restoration, the focus is on repairing the damage that has already set in. Our goal at SERVPRO of New Haven is to arrive fast to get you the results that you need promptly. Call us 24/7 if you have an emergency and require flood damage mitigation.

Understanding Contamination in New Haven When Addressing Flood Damage Restoration

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment at work. Storm damage restoration doesn't have to be a pain. SERVPRO has you covered from start to finish in all phases.

SERVPRO Assists New Haven Residents with Rapid Flood Damage Restoration After a Storm Comes Through

Any flooding situation can inflict tremendous amounts of water damage to your property. However, some flood situations after storms can be more dangerous than others. Floodwater gets classified in one of three main water categories, depending on the kinds of contaminants present. Whenever you need emergency services water damage assistance, the team at SERVPRO is fast to act to address basement flooding and other issues you may encounter. With one phone call, you will find out that We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster!

When it comes to flood damage restoration in New Haven after a storm, our IICRC-certified team comes to your property to do a complete evaluation of all flood damage. It allows us to determine the best way to approach water cleanup and the types of contaminants involved. The categories of water include:

  • Category 1 – This is a clean water flooding situation, which often stems from burst pipes, a refrigerator line leak, or spilled water from an overflowing sink or bathtub. However, these clean water situations can turn into something more dangerous depending on outside contaminants getting introduced during the event.
  • Category 2 – This is a gray water flooding situation from a washing machine or dishwasher incident with partially contaminated water. These situations will usually have mild contamination but are not dangerous enough for the crew to consider it a biohazard event. 
  • Category 3 – This is a black water flooding situation from outside floodwater infiltration, sewage backup, or toilet backflow. After a flood, SERVPRO is here for basement flooding cleanup, careful water treatment, and any controlled demolition necessary.

SERVPRO of New Haven is the team to call when you need prompt flood damage restoration after a recent storm. Reach us 24/7 at (203) 234-1100.

Call Early for the Best Hamden Flood Damage Outcomes

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

air blowers You can count on our professionals with state of the art equipment to thoroughly dry your property so you can return safely after a water incident.

Avoid Expensive Repairs Through Rapid Response to Flood Damage in Hamden

Your call to SERVPRO for help with flood damage should come as soon as possible after the disaster to have the best effects. Delaying your call could lead to costly side effects later on.

Our approach towards flood damage in Hamden revolves around the speed of our response. Damage restoration is only half of our job – mitigation, or the prevention of further problems, is the other half. By arriving soon after the incident or even while it is still in progress, we can potentially avoid many of the worst problems associated with:

  • Water Removal Services
  • Basement Flooding Cleanup
  • Mold Growth
  • Structural Damage

One of the most expensive ways to damage your house over time is through structural effects. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster because speed helps us remove water from the property before it has the chance to seep into the deepest reaches of the building. When water finds its way into the foundation and supporting elements of your home, it can begin to form cracks and fissures, especially when overnight temperatures cause it to freeze before thawing the next morning. A call to the 24/7 SERVPRO emergency phone line can avoid many of these consequences.

SERVPRO of New Haven can arrive within hours of your first phone call to stop the spread of damage on your property. Contact our emergency line at (203) 234-1100.

Storms Can Cause Flash Flooding & Damage New Haven Homes

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment at work. Flood damage impacts homes. SERVPRO will be on-premise within 4 hours of the initial call.

 New Haven can count on SERVPRO to provide flood damage services to impacted homes. 

New Haven, CT, is an exciting city. It was begun in 1638 and was settled by English Puritans, so its roots go way back into the early days of America. One of the things that makes it interesting is its layout. Most early cities were not planned; they just developed as things went along. However, New Haven was a planned city, one of the first in the country. It was designed using a Nine Square Plan, and the eight streets were laid out in a grid pattern. The New Haven Green is a 16-acre square in the center of the town. The Green is a National Historic Landmark.

Notable People from New Haven

The list of famous people of New Haven is phenomenal. It is too extensive to list here. The town has produced famous people from academia, arts, military, sports, business, and clergy. Some of the most well-known include:

• Edward Bouchet – 1st African-American to earn a Ph.D. – physicist

• James Pierpont – Yale College founder

• Ernest Borgnine – actor

• Al Capp – cartoonist

• Albie Booth – football player

• Harold Devine – boxer

• Justin Duberman – hockey player

• Charles Goodyear – inventor & industrialist

• Eli Whitney – inventor

• Lyman Beecher – abolitionist, clergyman

• Henry Leavenworth – brigadier general

• Karen and Richard Carpenter – singers, musicians

• George W Bush – 43rd president

Notable Events in New Haven

Many cities have a list of famous people, either born or raised, in the city, but not many can boast a list of notable events. It is incredible the number of influential people and events that took place there. It is home to Yale College, which had an impact on some of these happenings. Here some things that happened in New Haven that changed the world:

• 1st American submarine invented by David Bushnell in 1776. Yale student.

• 1st steamboat built by John Fitch in 1787.

• Cotton Gin was invented by Eli Whitney in 1793.

• 1st automatic revolver built by Samuel Colt in 1836.

• 1st telephone exchange, directory, and public phone from the District Telephone Company of New Haven in 1878 – 1880.

• 1st hamburger at Louis’ Lunch in 1900.

• 1st Holocaust Memorial on public land in 1977.

Louis’s Lunch

You can still enjoy a meal at this eatery which began in 1895. Louis Lassen was the founder and got credited with the invention of the steak sandwich and the hamburger. Today, when visitors order either of those or a hotdog, their meat is broiled on the same cast iron stoves they used back in 1898. Today, New Haven residents flock to this restaurant just like they have done over the centuries. 

SERVPRO Provides Flood Restoration When Homes are Flood Damaged

In a town like New Haven, antiques abound. But what happens when floodwaters come storming through your home, impacting your furnishings. Understanding how floodwater affects your antique and other furniture can help you understand the restoration process. Floodwater can move furnishings in several ways:

• Delicate upholstery can become blotchy or bleed

• Wood frames absorb moisture and can swell and crack

• Sofa frames are joined in such a way they are particularly vulnerable

• Mold can grow on seats, inside cushions, and on wood

Our technicians are trained in specialty drying techniques that take into consideration the specific needs of antique furniture. It is not always about drying things fast but drying them correctly. 

For emergency services for water damage, contact SERVPRO of New Haven (203) 234-1100. We deal with basement flooding, leaking roofs from storms, water removal services, and more.

Can SERVPRO Protect Famous New Haven Eateries from Flood Damage?

3/23/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment at work. SERVPRO uses the latest technology and equipment when it comes to any kind of disaster restoration service.

Through water removal services and extensive cleaning, we can protect New Haven structures. 

Unexpected flooding can result from multiple sources ranging from burst pipes to a leaking roof from storms. How our SERVPRO team handles these conditions can directly impact the time restoration takes and the out-of-pocket expense for the customer.

When flood damage in New Haven homes occurs, we can respond fast with efficient extraction and cleaning options. We provide the same level of care and consideration for some of the famous businesses and eateries that call the city home.

What Famous Restaurants Call New Haven Home? 

There are hundreds of restaurants across the city, so there is a location to suit every taste. Because New Haven has been around for hundreds of years, surviving flood damage and fires, some of its longest-running restaurants and eateries have national or global acclaim. Some of these include:

  • Louis' Lunch (1895) – One of the remarkable aspects of this restaurant that first opened in 1895 is that it is accredited with creating and serving the first hamburgers on a menu in the United States, according to the Library of Congress. As the birthplace of one of the nation's most favorite entrees, there are no signs of slowing down for this little restaurant on Crown Street. 
  • Miya's – While Miya's has only been a staple of the gastronomical scene in New Haven since 1982, this restaurant's origins are remarkable. Miya's is the first sustainable sushi restaurant globally, offering a wide variety of fresh daily options to hungry patrons appreciating the bounties of New England fare.
  • Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana (1925) – New Haven is known for its unique take on pizza. Apizza, as it is called here in the city, can trace its roots to a quaint pizzeria and restaurant standing for nearly 100 years. Using coal or wood-fueled brick ovens, apizza is a thin crust delicacy that has made New Haven famous.

How Can SERVPRO Help Overcome Flood Damage in New Haven? 

Flooding is an unfortunate inevitability for many homes and businesses in the area. As challenging and overwhelming as these conditions can be, our SERVPRO professionals' prompt response can overcome the initial threats to protect the property and its contents better. Water removal services often play a critical role in this regard, as pooling and direct exposure of standing water can allow for a rapid spread of moisture through inaccessible areas of the house that requires controlled demolition to reach.

Eliminating standing water from the property involves multiple tools and instruments in our recovery inventory, many designated for discharging water with debris and solids present. Some of these include:

  • Wet vacuums
  • Truck-mount extractors
  • Trash pumps

No matter how quickly flood damage develops, our SERVPRO of New Haven team can help with efficient water removal and cleaning strategies. Give us a call today at (203) 234-1100.

Amazing Rock Tunes Near Hamden

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technician at work. Flood damage is no laughing matter. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the water mitigation services needed for the job.

At Cafe Nine, You Can Enjoy Some Good-Old Rock and Roll

After months of staying in, we think it is time for Hamden residents to have the chance to go out. On January 14, a rock band is coming to town to help you do exactly that. The Schizophrenics have traveled around the country for live performances ever since their founding over a decade ago. With stages reopening, they have decided to come to New England for their next tour. Their concerts, usually described as explosive and hard-hitting, carry influences from many big names in Rock and Roll, especially The MC5. They performed and got quite popular in Europe for a time, but these days the band feels the American love for Rock.

Tickets will be sold at the door at Café Nine in New Haven, so be sure to show up early to secure your spot at the performance. The admission price is just $12 but be sure to bring some extra cash to spend while you are there. Doors open at 8 PM.

Get the Professionals for Hamden Flood Damage Care

SERVPRO of New Haven is a licensed and certified team of professional flood damage mitigators. Call us as soon as you identify damage at (203) 234-1100.

People in New Haven can Marry, Exercise, and have Fun in a Safe Setting.

11/25/2020 (Permalink)

A rope course. It Adventure Ropes Course in New Haven has to be so much fun. Go burn some energy with the family.

Spend Some Energy Moving Your Body at It Adventure Ropes Course in New Haven

The extended duration of the current health crisis prompts New Haven residents to look for activities that comply with safety recommendations while taking into account the weather outside. 

It Adventure Ropes Course in New Haven offers precisely what your family needs. A safe place to visit and try a new activity, whether you swing, climb, or zip, you are sure to have a fantastic time. If you are looking for a place to celebrate a birthday or other event, this site inside Jordan’s Furniture can help you. Some things to consider as you plan your day-

  • Reservations are available seven days a week
  • The facility is open at 25% capacity to comply with health recommendations
  • Be on time.  Reservations are made for one or two hours depending on your ticket, and times are strictly enforced.

Just like individual behavior helps control the spread of germs, so does SERVPRO of New Haven help sanitize your home or business by providing flood water removal services. When we all work together to keep us healthy, our community becomes stronger. Call us at (203) 234-1100 and let us join you in making your home look “Like it never even happened.”

What is the Best Way to Get Rainwater off My Click and Lock Flooring in New Haven?

8/9/2020 (Permalink)

flooded interior of an apartment kitchenflooded interior of an apartment kitchen Once water gets into your home it can hide until it is extracted or dried. Contact SERVPRO for stormwater extraction services in your home.

SERVPRO technicians have the training and equipment to turn around the water damage in your New Haven home

No matter how the water from heavy rains entered your home, you want it gone quickly. If your click and lock flooring did not have a vapor barrier installed when it laid, it might not buckle if water seeps into the subfloor, mainly if it got installed over a concrete substrate. When this happens, you need fast removal of the moisture through both extraction and drying. There are three common outcomes after water damage to this type of flooring: 

  • Successful restoration through quick removal and drying
  • Partial removal of boards to dry substrate and re-installation
  • Replacement of boards due to deterioration of the installed floorboards

After Roof Damage, What Do I Do About Stormwater Extraction?

Bringing in professional restoration services to your New Haven home for stormwater extraction is a smart move. SERVPRO technicians not only work on the loss in your home but also do any needed temporary repairs such as tarping roofing or boarding up broken windows to ensure no further water enters the property until final repairs get made. In cases where fiberglass insulation has water damage, the techs have collection bags for taking the insulation out for drying outside of the loss area for reuse after the mitigation efforts complete.

It is not uncommon for the water to have receded, however, it continues to weaken building materials until it gets removed and the structure dried. Proactive treatments using professional cleaning agents inhibit issues with mold and odors by eradicating odorous bacteria and conditions favorable for mold growth.

SERVPRO of New Haven at (203) 234-1100 when you need fast, efficient stormwater extraction. The technicians bring their advanced equipment and years of experience to ensure the best outcome possible for your property and content.


Click here for more information about New Haven.

Which Equipment Best Removes Standing Water After a Flood in New Haven?

6/28/2020 (Permalink)

Lifebuoy floating on kitchen Flooding and its damages can spread quickly throughout your residence.

Flood Damage in New Haven

Our SERVPRO team can help with useful extraction tools to make drying and cleaning efforts more efficient after flooding in your New Haven home.

Flooding can introduce many immediate threats to your New Haven home. Among the most severe and threatening of these, especially in natural flooding scenarios, is standing water. This pooling in areas of your residence can be challenging to remove without the right tools and approaches. However, our SERVPRO professionals can help with multiple options designed to manage this loss scenario quickly.

Despite how destructive flood damage in New Haven homes can be, many homeowners do not recognize the need for professional restorers as quickly as they should in many circumstances. The sooner that our experienced technicians can get to work on removing water and drying the house, the less damaging that migrating water and saturation can become. Mitigation and emergency services like extraction must begin as soon as our team arrives, and we have several approaches. Popular types of extraction tools include:

Pumps – With a submersible end that can generate a prime to pull standing water from a damaged area, these units are capable of moving thousands of gallons from damaged areas over brief periods.

Wet Vacuums – When water depths do not exceed two inches, wet vacuums and their various attachments can help to remove surface water and prepare the property for drying.

Weighted Extraction Tools – Carpeting can absorb high volumes of water before pooling begins on the surface. Weighted extraction units utilize the weight of our technicians to press the top layer and padding into the subflooring. The onboard vacuum removes moisture brought to the surface.

Are Submersible Pumps the Best Choice for Standing Water?

Submersibles are some of the more reliable and powerful tools in our water restoration inventory. The choice in which of these pumps suits the damage the best often falls to the present debris and solids in the standing water. Natural flooding can introduce substantial debris, silt, and other particulates that electric submersible pumps cannot easily pass, but that is more ideal for trash pumps and larger units like the extractor truck in our SERVPRO Green Fleet. Some of the most common choices for extracting substantial flooding in the house include:

Self-Priming Trash Pump - Trash pumps run on gasoline and diesel fuels, which can make them an ideal option where power is already limited, and other restorative devices can use it. These powerful extractors can pass smaller debris with a larger intake/discharge hose.

Electric Submersible Pump - These units are the standard for removing standing clean water in the house. When flooding occurs through breaches in the roof or openings in the house, we can extract thousands of gallons over a brief period with these capable units.

High-Pressure Pump - Similar in function to the electric pumps, high-pressure units can address a greater need for lift and head. These units cannot easily pass debris but can be excellent options for removing flooding in the basement, attic, or other areas that require an extended discharge.

When Do Professional Restorers Use Wet Vacuums?

With a manageable depth of two inches or less, the present water damage is still too considerable for time-efficient drying. Wet vacuums and their various attachments can help to finalize the removal of surface water. While these units can also be capable at greater depths and more substantial losses, when the standing water is enough to support the prime on submersible units, these have more power and a higher volume of output production.

What Are Weighted Extractors?

Water losses can often negatively impact many of the exposed materials in the house, and none can experience more of this damage than the flooring. Carpeting can get hit the worst, as it immediately absorbs migrating water and can become nearly fully saturated before showing pooling water on the surface. With clean water incidents where contamination is not a concern, it is often possible to dry and restore carpeted floors with the use of water removal tools and calculated drying approaches. Weighted extractors can have a role in this recovery, and these include:

    •    Stationary Units
    •    Ride-On Extractors
    •    Large Loss Recovery Tools

Flooding and its damages can spread quickly throughout your residence. Beginning extraction and drying efforts as soon as possible is an effective way to protect your home and its contents from irreparable damage. Give our SERVPRO of New Haven team a call today at (203) 234-1100.

Help for Selecting a Professional Restoration Service After Flooding in New Haven

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

Standing water on floor Spring rains bring the potential of flooding. Should the rains invade your home, know that SERVPRO is always available to take your call.

Identifying Reputable Restoration Teams After New Haven Flooding 

Flooding in New Haven homes can be overwhelming and leave many homeowners so fixated on fixing the immediate issues that they do not approach the situation with a clear mind. Many predatory companies can pop up amid natural disasters that we have seen in the area. As much as we can be a positive responder to these emergencies, we hope to keep our neighbors from befalling the unfortunate scam artists that appear after a storm. 

Knowing how to identify reputable restoration teams from these fake companies is not always easy, especially when you are under the stress of flood damage in your New Haven home. There are a few key differences that should help these fraudulent restoration teams stand out against accredited professionals in the industry like our SERVPRO team. 

Paying Upfront for Services  

One of the most considerable red flags that should inform you that you are not speaking to a legitimate restoration company is the request to pay money upfront, even part of the final bill. Our company does not ask for money until the work gets finished, and this is discussed throughout the restoration process to keep everyone on the same page. 

Unknown to Your Insurance  

After flooding, many local insurance companies reach out to our team directly on behalf of their clients and properties because we are a recognized name in quality restoration. If your insurance company has not heard of the team you are considering, there is a chance they are not as renowned as they might pretend to be. 

Undocumented  

Accredited restoration teams like our SERVPRO team have a business license complete with insurance for the work that we do in homes throughout the area. After flooding, many things could happen to your home in even the earliest stages of restoration. Choosing an uninsured and unlicensed restoration team leaves you vulnerable to even greater financial disasters. 

Flooding is a scenario that is more common than many homeowners might believe. When you need reputable and reliable service during an emergency, you can always count on our SERVPRO of New Haven professionals to help. Give us a call at (203) 234-1100. 

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When You Need Professional Cleanup Service In New Haven Call Our Experts

12/4/2019 (Permalink)

Wet hardwood floors due to flood damage in this home We are locally owned and operated and our experts have the training, equipment, and experience to restore your home 24/7.

SERVPRO Tackles Basement Flood Damage in New Haven

Many Connecticut homeowners may be considering remodeling their basement. On average, homeowners spend $62,834 according to 2014 figures. It is crucial to weigh this investment against the average losses from basement flood damage, which can be as much as $48,000.

If your New Haven residence requires rapid flood damage cleanup, an IICRC-certified SERVPRO crew is ready to take on the job. Both technicians and franchise owners alike receive extensive training in flood damage mitigation, as well as restoration of items whenever possible. Our emphasis is on your safety and comfort so you can enjoy your home restored to a preloss condition.

Preventive Measures for Basement Water Damage

  • Mind your water bill. While floods can be disastrous, other types of water damage can be easily detected by finding sudden increases in water costs. 
  • Do routine maintenance. If you install a sump pump in your basement, you can minimize damage from flooding and other types of water accumulation to a certain degree.
  • Protect your basement. Measures like automatic dehumidifier systems, thermal insulation, and drainage systems are excellent ways to minimize the effect of moisture on your basement.
  • Install sensors. Having water sensors in your basement allows you to be alerted as soon as moisture is detected. Some water sensors are even able to turn off power and close valves to minimize damage.
  • Repair cracks. One of the most common ways water infiltrates basements is through cracks in the walls or foundation. If you see a crack, repair it, no matter how small it is.

How SERVPRO Can Help

When SERVPRO technicians come to your home, they can get right to work extracting floodwaters from your basement. One of the primary concerns after extraction and before drying is stopping the spread of microbes. There are several methods that technicians can use to mitigate damage and other risks from microbes, including EPA-registered broad-spectrum disinfectants, and controlling temperature, humidity, and pH levels. Vacuums with HEPA filters may be used to take care of airborne microbes that are as small as 0.3 microns in size. 

Extensively contaminated materials may require removal, and what is safely salvageable in a flood situation can be disinfected and dried accordingly. Technicians can discuss the disposal of items with homeowners and insurance adjusters to keep them informed throughout the cleaning process.

SERVPRO of New Haven is a team you can count on to make sure your home looks, "Like it never even happened." When you need professional cleanup service, you can call (203) 234-1100 any time of the day or night.

See more about New Haven.

Regulating Humidity Levels After Hamden Flood Damage

10/20/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment on the floor of a room. Your Hamden home can go back to normal after a flood.

Let us help you through the flood in your Hamden community.

Hamden homes call for immediate attention to extract water in the event of a flood. Our team of trained technicians at SERVPRO can help you to protect your home and your family from potentially hazardous conditions. We offer a range of containment and cleanup strategies that help to keep microbial threats to a minimum.

Something that remains vital after a flood event is controlling the humidity by containing the area. We have proven methods we use for addressing flood damage in Hamden and the surrounding areas. Our team can quickly get inside to work on drying out construction materials and structural elements using the latest equipment and technology. Dehumidification is done to not only mitigate water and moisture damage from the flooding but also to help keep secondary damage from forming due to prolonged exposure.

While homeowners often turn to dehumidifiers within the drying zones, there is more to effective drying and moisture control. Such units are elemental for the drying process, but SERVPRO technicians know that proper leveling of the moisture content in the air can speed up restoration efforts. Once the area is disinfected and cleaned thoroughly, our team can then employ the use of air movers to dry the space efficiently.

Something that only flood damage and water restoration professionals know is the proper way to create negative pressure in the drying zone. SERVPRO technicians can use hydroxyl generators and negative air chamber units to help clean environmental contaminants by way of HEPA filtration. This technology works to trap and exhaust these contaminants outside the home. When using these specialized units strategically, we can manage relative humidity and dehumidify your home to limit the impact of secondary water damage. The impact includes the potential hazards involved in mold growth.

We know that flood damage is a situation that can be both hazardous and costly for any homeowner. SERVPRO of New Haven has teams at the ready for mobilization 24/7 to help if disaster strikes. All you have to do is give our staff a call at (203) 234-1100.

To learn more about Hamden, click here.

Don’t Try and Tackle Flood Damage in Your New Haven Residence Alone

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

Flood damage to your New Haven home can be tiresome to deal with alone. Contact the professionals at SERVPRO today for remediation assistance.

Responding to Several Aspects of Flood Damage in Your New Haven Home 

You may consider a storm as a single event, but it can damage your property in many ways. Lighting and falling debris such as tree branches can punch holes in the roof while the strong winds can blow up windows. All these problems create ways for water to reach the interior of your house and cause widespread damages. A fast response can help save your New Haven home when such an incident happens. 

Protecting the property from further deterioration is a crucial step when responding to flood damage in your New Haven home. Various steps can help you achieve your intended goal of protecting the property from further damages. Sealing any openings can help prevent keep out weather elements, while quick water extraction helps prevent problems associated with unfettered permeation of water. Our SERVPRO technicians help by boarding up the house and installing roof tarps securing it. We also bring high capacity water extractors to remove any standing water quickly. 

Storm waters affect building materials in many ways. The materials on the floor such as carpets, tiles, or floorboards bear the brunt because no matter where the water breaches the property, it is likely to end up on the floor. Contaminated water soaks into carpets ruining them completely through staining and contamination. Wood expands when it absorbs high amounts of water so floorboards can buckle at the joints or rot if not dried properly. Our SERVPRO technicians remove the existing carpet and pad for disposal. We also help install the new one when cleanup is over. We also use various moisture detection and drying equipment to remove moisture, including: 

LGR Dehumidifiers 

Centrifugal Air Movers 

FLIR Thermal Cameras 

Moisture meters 

Thermo-hygrometers 

Flooding incidents leave properties dirty with a combination of debris from damaged items within the structure and materials swept in by ranging water or strong winds from outside the structure. A thorough clean up is, therefore, necessary to restore the property to its preloss state.  Our SERVPRO technicians clean all affected contents, including furniture, draperies, and upholstery. We also clean floors, walls, and other parts of the structure to achieve sanitary levels. 

Consulting a professional restorer can help you deal with any aspect of flood damage. Call SERVPRO of New Haven at (203) 234-1100 to assist. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. 

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Damage from a Storm: Go Big and Go Green

3/4/2016 (Permalink)

If you have ever had a weather related emergency, such as a flood, tree fall, pipe burst you may have experienced the frustration of calling for help only to find you would be put on a list and gotten to when you’re gotten to.  If you have not had a weather or event related issue at your home or business, good.  If you ever do, here’s a few things to keep in mind:

1)     Everyone you reach out to, whether a plumber, tree company or SERVPRO wants to help you and as quickly as possible.

2)     When an area is affected, whether by a microburst, hurricane or deep freeze, the damage is common.  In other words, if your pipes freeze when the temperature drops from 40 to seven over a 24 hour period, the same thing is happening all around you.

3)     Immediate response resources in an area are always limited.  Your plumber of 15 years can not hire additional crews overnight, as much as he would like to.

So when this occurs, it pays to Go Big.

At SERVPRO of New Haven, our first question is always: Is the source fixed or do you need help fixing the source? As the largest SERVPRO in Connecticut, we work with a huge network of trades people and labor and can often recommend someone to help out.  Once the source is fixed, our large trained staff supplemented by experienced labor and euqipment sources from all over the tri-state area will be rolling.  

Whether its factory fire, burst water heater or a tree on a house, We are Ready for Whatever Happens.

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