SERVPRO

10/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been servicing the United States and Canada for over 50 years, starting from one franchise and growing to over 1700! Since the start, SERVPRO has grown to be the #1 choice for cleanup and restoration. Quote from Rick Isaacson, LLC, “SERVPRO was founded over 50 years ago with the vision of becoming the premier cleaning and restoration company” and I believe SERVPRO is just that! If you have any damage from storms, whether that's water/fire/mold damage, SERVPRO is here to assist whenever you need. We are available 24/7 and ready to make your loss look "Like it never even happened.”

WATER DAMAGE

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage can be unexpected and can come from many different sources. There are three different types of categories when it comes to water damage in your home/building. Category 1 water damage refers to “clean” water, such as water from your dishwasher, sink, or toilet (containing no feces). Category 2 water damage refers to “slightly contaminated” water, such as water that passes through building materials (insolation). Category 3 water damage refers to “grossly contaminated” water,  such as sewage water, mouse droppings, etc. SERVPRO is trained on how to effectively remediate all types of water damage that you may encounter.  In the event that you have category 3 water damage, avoid touching your mouth and eyes and call SERVPRO to help!

Fire Tips

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

House fires are pretty uncommon, but they do happen. Here are some tips for you to stay as safe as possible.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas
• Test smoke alarms every month 
• Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year
• If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. 

After the fire has subsided, our SERVPRO franchise professionals, who are specifically trained on fire restoration, will come to the site and restore your home back to its original look.

Explore the World of Science & Aviation from Centereach

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

You can fly high when you let SERVPRO tackle your storm damage.

Centereach Kids Can Go on a Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Head on over to the Cradle of Aviation Museum and Education Center and download the virtual scavenger hunt PDF. Print it out, grab a writing utensil, and get ready to go on an exciting adventure. To find the hidden message and complete the scavenger hunt, kids will have to explore the Aviation Museum via the web. Do you know:

• What the Wright Brothers constructed in 1899?
• What was the name of Charles Lindbergh’s famous plane?
• What jet fighter flies over 600 miles an hour?

The history of planes and lots of interesting, current information awaits. The fun begins in January and is ongoing. Contact the museum at (516) 572-4111 for more details.

SERVPRO Provides Flood Damage Services to Centereach

Centereach is a coastal town, which puts it at a greater risk for flooding. SERVPRO of Centereach/ Selden can provide flood damage mitigation. Don’t attempt to clean up contaminated water on your own. Let the professionals who are equipped for the situation handle the problem. Contact us at (631) 468-3003 for help in restoring your home to preloss condition. 

New York Blood Center Blood Drive in Centereach

1/5/2021 (Permalink)

We hope to see you at the Middle County Public Library Blood Drive!

The Middle Country Public Library Is Hosting a Blood Drive- Come Out Centereach!

If you are looking to give back to your community, giving blood is a great option. It saves lives and may be needed for a loved one in your life at some point. Due to COVID-19, donations are down, and there are shortages of certain blood types. We are encouraging the Centereach community to come out for this event. 

Go Online to Register

You can register at the New York Blood Center. They have time slots available throughout the day. For more information on how to sign-up, you can call (800) 933-2566. 

The Middle Country Public Library is hosting the event on Thursday, January 14, 2021. The hours are 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM. There is plenty of time to stop on your way home from work. The library address is 101 Eastwood Blvd, Centereach.

SERVPRO Provides Fire Restoration Service to Centereach Homes

Giving blood is a way to help our friends and neighbors. At SERVPRO, we are committed to helping our community by providing professional and experienced fire restoration services to Centereach and the surrounding communities. If you have been impacted by fire and need smoke and soot cleanup, contact SERVPRO of Centereach/ Selden at (631) 469-3003.

SERVPRO Provides Water Damage Restoration to Centereach

12/22/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO handle your water damage so you can enjoy all that Centereach has to offer.

Centereach Residents Depend on Us to Mitigate Water Damage in Their Homes

Centereach is a quaint little hamlet in Suffolk County. Over 31,500 people live, work, and play there. A hamlet is a community within a town that has not been incorporated as a village. They are often identified by the name of the local post office, fire district, or school district. Hamlets do not have governing bodies of their own. Instead, they depend upon the municipal government and services of the bigger town they are part of. The boundaries can be unclear, as well.

Centereach Changes Names

First known as West Middle Island, the hamlet later changed to New Village. It was called that through the early part of the 20th century. Later it was discovered that another town in Upstate New York shared that name, and in 1916, it became Centereach. It is called that due to its location in the center of Long Island.

Native American Inhabitants

English colonists arrived in the area in the early 17th century. Before that, Native Americans inhabited the location. The last known tribe to live there was the Montauk Indians. In the mid-17th century, the hamlet was established on Long Island.

Montauk Indians

The Montauk belong to the Algonquian tribes and share language attributes with the Narragansett and Pequot peoples. They speak Mohegan-Pequot. Because the colonial Americans often referred to Native American tribes by their location, this group may be the same as the Shinnecock tribe instead of two different people groups. In Theodore Roosevelt County Park, which is just east of Montauk, NY, ruins and Montauk relics have been discovered. They were farmers and fishermen, with the women doing the harvesting and preserving of the beans, corn, and squash. The men did the hunting and fishing. Whale was one of the things they hunted using dugout canoes, which must have been challenging.

With Great Wealth Comes Great Risk

During the pre-colonial period, wampumpeag (wampum) was what was used for buying, selling, and trading amongst the Indians. Wampum was made from quahog shells, which were readily available in the area the Montauk lived. They were smart and used awls they obtained from the Europeans to create the disk-shaped beads easier. This form of “money” was used by the:

• English
• Dutch
• Native Americans

The Montauk became quite wealthy from their ability to produce wampum. But as with all societies, where there is great wealth, there are those who would take it from them. Other, more powerful, new England tribes either raided the Montauk and took what they wanted or demanded tribute payments from them.

A Population Dwindles

The Europeans brought smallpox and other sicknesses to the tribes. Because the Montauk, like many other Native American tribes, had no natural immunity to diseases such as smallpox, they often succumbed to the illness.  This, along with intertribal wars, depleted the Montauk population.

Christianity Comes to the Tribes

In 1637, during the Pequot War, Cockenoe, a Montaukett, was captured. In 1640 John Eliot would begin translating the Bible into the native language with the help of Cockenoe. It became known as the Eliot Indian Bible. Another gentleman, Samson Occum, who was a preacher and Mohegan missionary, formed a group within the Montauk. The Brothertown group also included members of a neighboring band, the Shinnecock. As colonial settlements expanded, this group moved from Long Island to Oneida County, NY. A large portion would later relocate to Wisconsin, and their descendants are part of the Brothertown Indians movement that is still there today.

The Last King of Montauk

Many of the Montaukett people remained in the Centereach area because it was difficult for settlers to access the land. One famous Montaukett was Stephen Talkhouse. Also known as Stephen Taukus “Talkhouse” Pharaoh, he lived in the late 19th century. He was famous for walking 30 to 50 miles per day on a round trip to East Hampton or Sag Harbor from Montauk. Today there are stones on the Paumanock Path hiking trail that mark his path. Talkhouse was not the last of the Montauk, nor was he a king, but that didn’t stop P.T. Barnum from featuring him and declaring he was “The Last King of the Montauks.”

The Land is Sold

Arthur W. Benson began buying land around the late 1800s with a desire for future development. This resulted in court battles with the Montaukett, which left them with no recourse for compensation. They also lost their legal status. The entirety of Montauk land was sold to Benson in 1890, allowing certain rights to the few remaining Montaukett families still on the land. Although they are not a federally recognized tribe, they still have their own government and reservations today. Communities of Montauk still exist in New York today.

Centereach Today

Today it is a suburban community and has grown substantially from the 628 residents there were in 1949. It has always been known as a working-class community and, in the last ten years, has experienced a boom in construction. Residents are moving into the area with a higher income bracket raising the median pay and home values.

SERVPRO Provides Water Damage Restoration to Centereach

You never know when a pipe may burst or your dishwasher might overflow, sending gallons of water pouring into your home. It can become a disaster pretty quickly. As the moisture flows onto the flooring, behind cabinets, and into the corners of the room, the potential for water damage is alarming. Even if you manage to get most of the water up, the hidden liquid can cause serious problems. You could end up with:

• Warped floorboards
• Delaminated tiles
• Ruined carpet
• Mold
• Damaged drywall
• Degradation of structural elements

Our SERVPRO technicians are experts at seeking out hidden water damage. We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove the moisture, dry the premises, and restore your home. Our goal is always to leave your residence, “Like it never even happened.” SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden provides professional water damage restoration service that is fast and dependable. Contact us today at (613) 468-3003. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

December Is the Perfect Time to Enjoy Festive Lights Near Centereach

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO says to protect your home in Centereach from electrical fires, give the firefighters a night off!

Lift Your Spirits with Miles Of Lights Near Centereach

One of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday season is festive lights. There is nothing like viewing some lights and then coming home for a hot chocolate or mulled wine.

Jones Beach on Long Island is pleased to host Magic of Lights again this year.

• See beautiful lights along Long Island’s South Shore.
• Explore over a mile of drive-thru paths
• Price per carload so that you can bring the family.

Magic of Lights runs till January 2, 2021. Open 5 PM – 10 PM on Sundays through Thursdays, and 5 PM – 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Costs $30 per carload during the week and $35 on the weekends, with discounts available for advance booking.

When hanging festive lights, it is essential to be fire safety aware. Always use the correct plug and make sure wires are not frayed or damaged. If you need help with fire mitigation, call SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden, at (631) 468-3003.

Enjoy A Festive Gathering with A Difference in Centereach This December

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can restore a water damaged community center in Centereach in time for the next event

Find Your Festive Rhythm in Centereach with Spirit Sky Drum

It is the time of year for meeting up with friends and relatives (while obeying local distancing guidelines, of course.) What better way to have a memorable event than with some drumming?

Spirit Sky Drum helps kids and adults alike connect with their inner rhythm for fun and relaxation. You can book a drumming event for all kinds of get-together.

• Lunch box drumming sessions to help those in high-pressure jobs relax and enjoy some team bonding time.
• Circle of youth sessions to help kids learn a new skill and gain confidence.
• Seniors sounds to help older adults decrease stress and keep their minds active.
• Life events such as birthdays, graduations, and weddings.

Sessions start at $200 and must be booked in advance.

Water damage is a concern when hosting events near a river, lake, or Long Island Sound. SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden, is here to help all local businesses with water damage clean up. Call us at (631) 468-3003.

SERVPRO Helps Residents Enjoy the Family-Friendly Hamlet of Centereach Whatever the Weather

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can mitigate flood damage in Centereach properties--both residential and municipal.

Centereach Is Perfect for Family Activities and Fresh Air Despite Being So Close to NYC

When people think of New York, they think of the big city with its glitz and glamor. Of course, New York is overflowing with things to see and do, but some of the smaller communities nearby have a lot to offer, too – like Centereach.

Centereach is a hamlet of some 31,758 people. It is situated in Suffolk County, Long Island. You can drive from Centereach to Manhattan in under 90 minutes, making it a popular commuter town. Since its tiny beginnings, Centereach has grown into a thriving and prosperous family-friendly community. It is an affluent suburban area within easy striking distance of the Atlantic coast.

Small Beginnings

English settlers established the hamlet in the seventeenth century as part of a drive to develop several agricultural hamlets on Long Island. The hamlet, which started tiny, was called West Middle Island. The residents decided to change it to New Village, which it remained until the early nineteenth century when they learned there was already a community named New Village further upstate. IN 1916 they gave the hamlet a new name – Centereach – which it has kept to this day. Popular lore suggests that Centereach refers to the community's central position on Long Island. When you get there, you have reached the center!

Centereach remained a teeny hamlet into the 1940s when the population was a mere 600. As the community continued to grow and gain more amenities such as good transport and schools, the population expanded rapidly.

Get Close To Nature Amid The Bustle

Long Island is a densely populated area of NYC. Almost 40% of people in the state live on Long Island, making it the most populous island in the United States and the eighteenth-most populated worldwide. Long Island consists of four counties:

• Brooklyn
• Queens
• Nassau County
• Suffolk County

Many local residents use "Long Island" to mean Nassau and Suffolk counties together, as these are more suburban than Brooklyn and Queens. Despite the dense population, Centereach offers families ample opportunities to get outdoors and enjoy some time in nature. Some of the most popular places for outdoor fun in and near Centereach include:

• County Fair Entertainment Park is an ideal location for kids of all ages (that includes moms and dads!) Enjoy batting cages, a driving range, go-karts, bumper cars, miniature golf, and more. There are arcade games to bring out your competitive streak, plus plenty of snack carts dotted around in case you're hungry after all that driving and golfing.
• Bayard Cutting Arboretum, where you will forget you are near New York! This extensive arboretum offers a conifer garden, flower gardens, and tons of relaxing nature walks. Be sure to take a stroll along the Connetquot River route, where you can spot ducks and swans and look across the river to the affluent homes there. You'll find a quaint bridge, a gazebo, and a mansion with stunning Tiffany glass windows. This is a hidden gem that is perfect for a quiet afternoon picnic with the family.
• Blydenburgh County Park is a dog-friendly park with gorgeous lake views that is located just 50 minutes drive from Queens. Hikers and runners can take advantage of the seven-mile trail that loops around the lake. There's a large dog run area, plus dogs are welcome on the trails. You'll also find public amenities and BBQ sites.
• Avalon Park & Preserve is quiet, pretty, and well-maintained. Visitors can spend hours wandering the easy walking trails or relaxing by the millpond, where there are ducks, geese, and swans to feed. Avalon offers walks in the woodland with quaint steps and bridges, and you can also find a labyrinth and a mysterious silver orb scattered throughout the park. If you need refreshment after, the nearby village of Stonybrook has everything you need.

The Fun Does Not Stop When The Weather Turns

Long Island is no stranger to wet weather but never fear. There is plenty to do when the weather turns gray. Centereach Square mall offers indoor shopping with everything you could need. With 31 stores, there is plenty to keep you occupied. Centereach also offers a wide range of dining choices. You will find all kinds of cuisine, including Turkish, Italian, Greek, and Spanish.

The NYC Area Is At Risk Of Floods

The local area has suffered flood damage several times. This includes freshwater flooding from Hurricane Irene in 2011, storm surges from Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and flash flooding in Long Island in 2014.

There are different ways for flood water to enter Centereach homes:

• Storms and hurricanes bring storm surges and heavy rains.
• The spring thaw causes snow rivers and lakes to swell and overflow.
• Flash floods cause a rapid rise in water levels in urban and suburban areas.

SERVPRO Suggests Preparing for Floods When Possible

No one wants to deal with flood damage in their home. Although you cannot prevent bad weather, there are steps you can take to protect your home and family.

• Have a flood kit ready, so if you need to evacuate, you can. Include non-perishable food, water, clothes, spare phone chargers, toys for the children, and any medication. If you have pets, include their medicine too, plus bedding and some familiar toys.
• Keep all essential family documents in a watertight container, and consider taking copies and storing them in a safe at another location. Store necessary papers on shelves away from the floor and on your home's upper story if possible.
• Keep your home in good condition. Consider installing flood strips or storm doors if you live in a flood-prone area. Ensure you take care of any roof, door, or window repairs straight away.
• Install a weather alert app on your phone, so you always know what is happening in your locality. Talk to your family about potential floods and what to do in the event of an emergency. Make sure everyone knows the escape route and where to go.

If you need help with flood damage clean up, SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden, is here for you. We can help you with water removal, drying, home repairs, disinfection, and deodorizing. Call us at (631) 468-3003.

Family Fun in Centereach in time to Celebrate the Holidays

11/16/2020 (Permalink)

Benner's Farm is a great place to visit with loved ones. Trust SERVPRO to handle your fire or water troubles while you relax and enjoy family time.

Entertain Young and Old with a Visit to Benner’s Farm

A short ride from Centereach, families find good old-fashioned fun at Benner’s Farm. A privately owned farm dating back to the 1700s provides the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of fun. Depending on the season, the education programming changes, so no visit is ever like the one before. Organically grown produce and farm animals are a treat to all who visit. The owners are educators and, as such, have focused on linking their historic setting with lessons of life on a small farm. As you plan your visit, remember the following-

• Check the calendar and make reservations. No walk-in visits are in place at this time.
• Several programs are offered, including Farmhouse Style Holiday Ornaments and Gingerbread Houses.
• Teachers are encouraged to reach out about their programming to find ways to incorporate it into the classroom and fulfill the Long Island social studies curriculum.
  
  

Much like the folks at Benner’s Farm, SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden also provides a service to our community. Whether you need fire restoration services or your home has sustained water damage, you need to call us at (631) 468-3003. With our help, your home can look, “Like it never even happened.”

Know A Senior in Centereach Who Needs Someone to "Reach Out?"

11/9/2020 (Permalink)

We are exited about the HELPLINE service that supports local seniors.

Helpline Offers a Friendly Voice and Reassurance for Centereach's Isolated or Homebound Seniors 

Centereach, New York is rightly regarded as the "Heart of Long Island." Our hamlet's location near the center of Brookhaven's town confirms we are at the nexus of all good and kind things happening in the region, stretching from Long Island Sound across the Island to the Great South Bay.  

Our seniors deserve support and assistance. Helpline is a free telephone program that keeps seniors, who frequently are at risk of becoming isolated and homebound, connected with the community. Volunteers make a daily call, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays: 

• Checking in on wellness and mood
• Reassuring that someone is always there 
• Answering questions and linking services
• Providing a friendly ear 

Volunteers are always welcome -- call 631-451-9191 to sign up. 

Water damage repair in Centereach from the skilled, certified, and licensed crews at SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden is also just a call away at (631) 468-3003. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster and honored to help.

Why Do Clients Regret Doing Water Clean Up Themselves?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

Call in the professionals for water cleanup, to avoid additional water loss in your home. our SERVPRO technicians are available 24/7.

Our trained technicians can help cleanup water damage to reduce secondary damages.

Many Centereach homeowners attempt to clean up water spills and leaks themselves. A week or two later, they may notice a musty smell around the area where the leak occurred, or perhaps the floor is buckling because the wood absorbed moisture and began to swell. A mold infestation may have set in, and if repairs are not undertaken, it only gets worse and much more expensive to remove.

SERVPRO provides water damage restoration services in Centereach and surrounding areas. We also offer mold mitigation services along with reconstruction services if needed. Our general contractor's license is H0456340000.

Water leaks in the kitchen or bathroom areas are common and can be hidden from view until suddenly one day, you're stepping in water. Mopping up the visible water is a good idea, but what about the water and moisture inside the walls or under the cupboards? Mold can grow in these areas and cause structural damage. SERVPRO has the equipment to find these hard to reach places, including:

Moisture detection equipment behind walls

Water extraction equipment for hard to reach areas

Dehumidification and air movers

Odor Removal

Sanitizing Agents, and Antimicrobial Treatments

We know what areas to assess for moisture, and we have the knowledge and equipment to remove it before mold or mildew can gain a foothold.

What are the Techniques Used by Our Team?

Knowing where the moisture has accumulated is one of the most important elements of our job. Moisture pockets can damage the flooring, cupboards, and structural elements from swelling, disintegration, and mold.

We use the following equipment to detect and remove all moisture from the exposed area:

Infrared cameras

Moisture detectors

Hygrometers

Dehumidifiers

High-speed air movers

SERVPRO leaves nothing to chance. Our skilled technicians use the most advanced equipment to ensure all of the water and moisture are removed from your home.

Call SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden (631) 468-3003 for help with water damage to your residential home.

Is it Safe for Staff to Tackle Mold Removal in a Veterinary Office?

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

Keep helping our furry friends and let SERVPRO help you with mold damage

Centereach Veterinarians Keen to Save on Mold Removal Costs

Mold is an ever-present reality for business owners in the Centereach area. It is not uncommon to spot a tell-tale patch of black, green, or brown fungus growing in a dark, damp corner of the premises. 

Suppose you need mold removal in your Centereach veterinarian office. In that case, it is natural to respond by grabbing some gloves, a scrubbing brush, and whatever cleaning products you usually use in your business. However, please do not do this – you could make the infestation worse in the long run.

Why are everyday cleaning products a terrible choice for mold removal

To understand why professional remediation is the best way to go, we must first understand how mold grows. Mold is a parasite that feeds by eating the material it is growing on. To do this, it needs a food source, oxygen, darkness, and moisture.

Mold can grow on many surfaces in your office, including:

• Paper products such as office records, vaccination records, and wallpaper
• Textiles such as pet beds, mats, and examination table covers
• Natural surfaces such as wood

Most commercial cleaners contain water. If you spray those cleaners onto the mold, the water can penetrate the surface and encourage further fungal growth. Even if you wipe the surface clean, the mold can start propagating again due to moisture.

What does SERVPRO do to remove mold?

It is not possible to remove mold altogether because it is naturally occurring and can re-enter your business at any time. However, we can take steps to contain the current outbreak and discourage the fungus from regrowing:

• We use HEPA vacuuming, dry brushing, and wet wiping to remove existing mold growth
• We position air movers and dehumidifiers around the area to decrease moisture and humidity, thus starving mold of the water it needs
• We apply microbial treatments to kill off mold and make it less likely to come back
• Set up containment barriers to protect the animals and people from spores and dust

If you notice mold in your veterinary office, do not delay. Call SERVPRO as soon as you can – We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. The more quickly we can tackle the mold, the less chance it will spread throughout your premises and cause further damage.

For help with mold removal, call SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden at (631) 468-3003.

Why Do Walls Discolor After Flooding in a Centereach Home?

10/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden at (631) 468-3003, brings the tools and knowledge to clean up any size flood damage in local properties.

SERVPRO technicians bring the tools and equipment to handle any size water damage in your Centereach property

After floodwater enters a Centereach home, the water can recede as quickly as it entered, and it can be deceiving because it does not look like there is all that much to clean up. However, once inside the home, the floodwater migrates under flooring and behind walls, where it gets readily wicked by sheetrock. The result can be water spots appearing as discoloring on the walls as the moisture gets pulled upward. The only way to stop any further damage and deterioration to the wall is to cut off the sheetrock above the highest watermark.

Why is Personal Protective Equipment Needed for Flood Damage Cleanup?
When SERVPRO techs handle the flood damage cleanup in Centereach properties, they wear full PPE to protect themselves during the water's handling. Floodwater can contain literally anything encountered before it entered the property, including mud, debris, sewage, and more. The techs perform the following actions to make the water safer:
    •    Contain the worksite to stop the potential of airborne cross-contamination
    •    Testing the water to determine what bacteria or other elements are present
    •    Treat with the appropriate biocide solutions

This SERVPRO is a general contractor. This license #H0456340000 allows it to offer local property owners restoration services and the repair and reconstruction that needs to happen after this level of damage to a home. Post-flooding repairs commonly seen include replacement of sheetrock, installation of new carpet, and other floorings along with painting and other cosmetic applications.

SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden at (631) 468-3003, brings the tools and knowledge to clean up any size flood damage in local properties. The techs arrive quickly and use their advanced equipment to make it, “Like it never even happened.”

What Is Soot and How Can It Damage Your Home?

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot damage are difficult to remove. SERVPRO knows how to remove the residue and restore your home.

After a Disaster in Centereach Homes, There are Many Obstacles Like Soot That Professional Fire Restorers Face 

Understanding the severity of a fire disaster in Centereach homes is rarely tricky, as structure fires can spread quickly through the property and destroy materials in its path. As relieving as it might initially be to get the fire extinguished, there are still many ways that the house's lingering effects can damage exposed surfaces, contents, and the occupants. One of the most prevalent and hazardous of these effects is soot in the damaged areas. 

While there are multiple layers of fire damage in Centereach homes after a disaster, soot can often be one of the most destructive to manage. It is made of small carbon particles created when fuel types, like wood and other organic matter, did not fully combust during the fire. The results are acidic and often ionized particulates circulating in the environment that adhere to exposed surfaces and contents. They can even penetrate the HVAC system with its magnetism towards the sheet metal, vents, and registers. Whether stuck to surfaces or circulating in the environment, this threat must get addressed as soon as possible by competent professionals with the appropriate personal protective equipment like our SERVPRO team. 

Can You Lessen the Severity of Soot?  

It might be worth considering the potential avenues that could reduce the prolonged impacts of soot on the house over time. Fire restoration does not happen overnight, so prioritizing the steps that can reduce hazards for our SERVPRO technicians and any occupants of the house is vital. There are immediate steps that can get taken to lessen the presence of soot where it can get found in the property, including: 

• Debris Removal – Ashes, remnants of partially combusted materials, and other debris are on the floors in the house's affected rooms. Shoveling out piles of this charred matter can reduce concentrations of circulating threats like soot and noxious odors. 

• Dry Vacuuming – Residues can be thick on surfaces, especially when these elements are nearby to where the fire burned the longest and smoldered. Thick residues can sometimes benefit from dry vacuuming to remove the majority of surface particles before cleaning begins.

• Air Filtration – HEPA-filtration equipment like our air scrubbers can help capture circulating soot particles as small as 0.3 microns. By reducing the circulating soot, we can limit the damage to surfaces, restorers, and contents.  

Where Is Soot Located?  

While it is not uncommon to see residues and coatings on almost all exposed surfaces throughout the property after a Centereach fire, certain areas often get most of these damaging effects. Through convection and other scientific principles relative to the circulation of heated and cooler air, contaminated warm gases and smoke continually seek the highest points, which can often leave greater concentrations and thicker smoke residues on or in areas like: 

• Ceilings – The constant push for heated air and smoke to rise can leave places like the drywall or plaster ceiling of your home coated with black soot residues. 

• Walls – While residues could impact any portion of walls, upper halves towards the ceilings can often display a greater concentration of soot particles.

• HVAC System – With the ionization and magnetism of particles after the combustion of specific materials, the HVAC system can often draw in a considerable volume of soot particles and spread it throughout the house if the system is running. 

What Must Happen to Remove It?  

The presence of soot in your home does not necessarily mean the end of exposed structural elements, contents, and other areas. Knowing how to address these concerns with various cleaning practices and restorative actions requires some initial inspection. Our SERVPRO professionals can identify vital information about the damaged materials to determine what should happen next. This data includes: 

• Type of Residue – Every soot residue and smoke damage coating are not the same. Different combusted materials and substances create soot damage of varying compositions. Each of these requires specific products and practices to address.

• Affected Surfaces – The type of underlying material can also impact the appropriate cleaning response. Abrasive cleaning methods might be efficient against soot but could damage sensitive host materials.

• Marring/Staining – Because of its acidic nature and properties that allow for staining beyond the immediate finish on the fixture or surface, it is not improbable that soot can damage exposed elements and contents beyond restoration. 

Understanding the threat of soot and other lingering post-fire effects can show the need for professional restoration after disasters. Our SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden team is standing by 24/7 at (631) 468-3003.

Why Should Residential Property Owners in Centereach Reach Out for Professional Water Removal Assistance?

9/27/2020 (Permalink)

Removing water from your home is a hard job to do on your own. Contact SERVPRO 24/7 for remediation and mitigation services in your home.

SERVPRO Crews Use Training and Experience in Similar Circumstances While Completing Water Removal in Centereach to the Highest Industry Standards

We invest in the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards and hands-on training for our managers and technicians to ensure we employ the latest research-based interventions when your Centereach home suffers a water loss. The propensity of water from any source, including pipe ruptures, appliance malfunctions, or spills, to migrate into building materials and cavities is a significant cause of structural deterioration, mold growth, and structural weakening and potential collapse. We build our crews’ knowledge capacity by keeping Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT) and Applied Structural Drying (ASD) certifications current.

How Does “Clean” Supply Line Water Damage Building Materials?

The urgency recommended for water removal in your Centereach home can be puzzling, especially if it appears to drain away. Because homeowners use water for many beneficial purposes, the corrosive nature of both clean and contaminated water is often discounted. Our technicians focus on the rapid removal of clean water because of a range of impacts on conventional building materials:

• Causes wood framing and substrates to swell and distort, reducing load-bearing capacity
• Oxidizes (tarnishes or rusts) metals, resulting in staining and fastener and supportive failure
• Soaks and packs down insulation, reducing or eliminating projected R values (lessening efficiency) and providing an environment for mold growth
• Collects in building cavities above ceilings, between walls, and under floors, threatening structural collapse from weight and pressure

What Changes in SERVPRO’s Approach to Water Removal When Water Becomes Contaminated?

Clean water quickly acquires contaminants when it stands and moves through your home. Dust, dirt, household chemicals, mold and mildew spores, and more impurities infiltrate the fluids, transforming Category 1 water to Categories 2 or 3 in a matter of hours or days. Training and commercial-grade equipment support SERVPRO technicians as we collect and contain the water of any category. We follow local hazardous waste regulations to dispose of contaminated liquids appropriately and lawfully.

Count on the team at SERVPRO of Centereach, Selden to arrive fully equipped and prepared to manage your water removal needs. Best practices include rapid extraction, so call us day or night at (917) 423-6364 for a prompt assessment and intervention.

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