Recent Posts

Fire Damage Restoration of Randolph Homes Happens Fast with Pros

2/15/2023 (Permalink)

puppy in a SERVPRO truck You will be as happy as this puppy when you call SERVPRO for fire damage restoration in your Randolph home.

How do SERVPRO Technicians Use Restorative Cleaning After Fire Damage in Randolph Homes?

The smoke and soot produced during a fire damage incident in your Randolph home can harm the exposed surfaces and contents. SERVPRO technicians use restorative cleaning methods to remove the soils from surfaces to prevent long-term damage. 

SERVPRO technicians use several cleaning products to remove surface smoke and soot residues during the restoration of fire damage to your Randolph home. The type of product used during repair depends on the residue and the kind of surface involved. SERVPRO technicians ensure that the products we use are safe and don’t affect the contents negatively. While some cleaning products are designed specifically for the contents, others are useful for cleaning structural surfaces. 

Cleaning Smoke and Soot Residue

Removing smoke and soot residues involves breaking the bonds between the soil and the surface. SERVPRO restorers have a few ways of achieving this:

  • Agitation or scrubbing can remove dry and loose residues from surfaces
  • Dissolving the residues in an appropriate solvent can also remove some residues
  • Technicians remove oily residues by emulsifying them in a cleaning solution 
  • In some cases, technicians also use ultrasonic sound to clean smoke and soot particles

Whatever the method used, SERVPRO technicians always ensure that the surfaces being cleaned are not harmed. 

Technicians use petroleum-based solvents during the dry cleaning of surfaces and contents. The solvents clean draperies and fabrics that might shrink or experience distortion or browning if wet-cleaned. Dry cleaning with such solvents is effective on light soiling but not heavily soiled fabrics. 

Technicians also use volatile dry solvents that evaporate quickly and don't leave any residue as spotting agents to remove oily and greasy. Volatile dry solvents act as a lubricant to remove carbon and soot and are preferred to remove smoke particles settled on surfaces.  

SERVPRO restorers remove smoke residue from surfaces such as drywall and furniture using mild detergents that do not contain any strong alkalis. The agents called wood oil soaps can remove smoke and soot particles from finished wood surfaces. 

SERVPRO experts use fabric rinses are mildly acidic cleaning agents that stabilize the fabric dyes in carpets and furniture fabrics. 

Cleaning Appliances

Cleaning smoke and soot particles from appliance surfaces can be especially challenging as various metals, paint, glass, Formica, etc., are used in their construction. As these surfaces are non-porous and non-absorbent, SERVPRO technicians use water-based detergent solutions to clean them. SERVPRO restorers use the following approaches to clean appliances after fire damage to your Randolph home:

  • A high alkalinity cleaning agent removes greasy and heavy smoke and soot from appliance surfaces. The fundamental nature of these solvents can cut through the sticky smoke residue.
  • Yellowing of appliance surfaces due to protein fires in the kitchen is cleaned by SERVPRO technicians using light abrasion with a '0000' grade steel wool. 

Smoke and soot after fire damage can not only ruin the aesthetics of your home but can cause irreparable harm if not cleaned properly. Trained SERVPRO technicians have the knowledge, skill, and experience to deal with any fire incident, small or big. We ensure that your home is restored “Like it never even happened.”

Call SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County at (973) 895-5000 for a fast and efficient restoration service.

Randolph Homes Need Professionals to Handle Water Damage

2/15/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment in a water damaged room When this Randolph home suffered water damage, we worked quickly to limit further damage and prevent mold growth.

How SERVPRO Technicians Accelerate Drying During Water Damage Remediation in Randolph?

The best way to control the extent of water damage to your Randolph home is to accelerate the drying process. SERVPRO technicians achieve this by creating conditions that favor drying.    

Establishing a drying zone is one of the first things SERVPRO technicians do during the water damage restoration of your Randolph home. A drying zone is an area where the technicians control the humidity, airflow, and temperature to speed up the drying of wet materials. SERVPRO experts crate such a zone by sealing off openings between affected and unaffected areas by closing doors or erecting plastic sheeting (also called containment). Establishing drying zones allow the technicians to focus their equipment’s efforts; the smaller the drying zone, the better will be drying efficiency. Several rooms affected by water damage will be combined into a single drying zone to increase efficiency. 

Positioning the Equipment 

Establishing the drying zone is not enough to speed up the drying process. It is equally important to position the drying equipment properly within the area to increase the efficiency of the drying process. The two most essential pieces of equipment that SERVPRO technicians use in the zones are air movers and dehumidifiers. 

  • Positioning air movers: Before beginning the restoration work, the SERVPRO technicians determine how many air movers are needed to dry your Randolph home. Once the number of required air movers is known, the next decision is where to position them. Air movers are placed to blow air directly on the wet materials. The technicians ensure that adequate airflow is maintained. If multiple walls are dried in a room, the technicians position the air movers to create a vortex of circular airflow. To maintain the vortex, the restorers place air movers close to each wall and at an angle (15° angle for axial and 45° angle for centrifugal air movers). 
  • Positioning dehumidifiers: Dehumidifiers process the air within the drying zone to eliminate moisture. Simply placing the dehumidifiers in the drying zone is not enough; the technicians need to put them throughout the structure strategically. Ideally, at least one dehumidifier is placed in the room where water intrusion occurs. Other dehumidifiers are arranged to direct their exhaust towards wet materials such as saturated cabinets or wet hardwood flooring.  

Controlled Demolition 

According to the IICRC S500 guidelines, restorers must consider demolishing and removing structural materials if doing so can accelerate the drying process. If the technicians determine that structural demolition can expedite the drying process, they share the customer's information. SERVPRO technicians ensure that no demolition takes place without the customer's consent. 

The demo step is not required if the water damage is limited to a small area and the water has not intruded into the structural components. Some of the structural elements that technicians might remove during water restoration of your Randolph home include:

  • Carpets soaked with water
  • Carpet pads 
  • Baseboard trim of drywalls
  • Drilling holes in drywall to install wall cavity drying system

Water restoration is a complex process that involves carefully executed steps. Hiring an experienced restoration company like SERVPRO can help you limit the extent of the damage and reduce the restoration costs. We work hard to restore water damage to your home “Like it never even happened.”

To know more and speak with one of our experienced technicians, call SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County at (973) 895-5000; We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Professionals can Help Control Mold Damage in Randolph Homes

2/15/2023 (Permalink)

mold damage on a ceiling A mold infestation in your Randolph home can seem quite overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO immediately for mitigation and remediation services.

Why does it Pay to Hire SERVPRO for Mold Damage Restoration in Randolph?

Mold damage to your Randolph home can have lasting effects if not handled promptly. Mold can cause aesthetic and even structural damage to your home. Hiring professionals like SERVPRO can help you restore your home safely, “Like it never even happened.” 

SERVPRO effectively handles mold damage in Randolph homes as our technicians have a scientific approach to remediation. We understand the importance of preventing the fungal spores from spreading to the unaffected areas and use tools and techniques to ensure it. SERVPRO technicians follow the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) S520 Mold Remediation guidelines during the restoration process. Our technicians collaborate with science experts like the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) professionals and Indoor Environmental Professionals (IEP) for an efficient and safe restoration process. 

What Causes Mold to Grow in Your Home?

Our indoor environment is full of microscopic, airborne spores of fungi. However, mold damage problems occur when these fungi find a conducive place to germinate, grow, and thrive. 

Fungi require three things to grow and multiply in your Randolph home:

  • Moisture
  • The right temperature, and
  • Organic material as a food source

Most fungi grow when excess moisture is present, and the temperature is between 680 and 860F. However, some species can also grow in temperatures as low as 320F and 1220F. Microbes generally feed on organic material, including wood, paper material in drywall, and carpet fibers like cotton, jute rayon, and wool. These surfaces regularly accumulate spores; however, mold damage occurs when these materials become damp. 

As the spores absorb moisture, they swell and send out a network of structures called hyphae. Some hyphae grow like roots and penetrate the material on which the fungi grow, while others grow upright and produce spores on top. 

Trying to remove mold without the proper precautions can result in the spores becoming loose and spreading to unaffected areas. Professional restorers like SERVPRO take special precautions, erect containment zones, and use state-of-the-art equipment to prevent this. 

Removing the Mold Contamination

SERVPRO's remediation begins by erecting containment zones using high-strength 6-mil polyethylene sheeting, PVC pipes, wood framing, or spring-loaded expansion poles. 

Negative air pressure is established and maintained in the containment zones using negative air machines (NAMs) fitted with HEPA filters. The goal is to prevent the airborne spores from getting out of the containment zone into the unaffected areas of the building.

SERVPRO technicians ensure that robust environmental hygiene practices are employed throughout the restoration process. 

Technicians carefully remove the contaminated material using razors and knives to avoid gathering dust and bioaerosols. SERVPRO technicians further limit the spread of the contamination by employing several engineering controls that include the following:

  • Using control systems vacuuming the visible contamination from surfaces or containing it with 6-mil poly
  • Using controlled sources of water or pump sprayers during restoration processes 
  • Monitoring the specific humidity throughout the process and taking steps to dry the environment to prevent amplification of the microbes quickly
  • Bagging and wrapping the wet materials immediately in heavy-gauge poly and disposing of them properly.

Professional restoration of mold damage can ensure safe and efficient remediation, and it pays to hire a service like SERVPRO. 

To know how we can help you in your time of need, call SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County at (973) 895-5000; We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Why You Need Professional Mold Removal and Mitigation Services in Randolph

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

mold in closet We aim to restore your property as quickly as possible, “Like It Never Even Happened.”

SERVPRO Can Perform Controlled Mold Demolition in Your Randolph Home

Mold removal is necessary since when people get exposed to the spores. For it to start growing, its spores, usually suspended in the air, have to land on a moist surface. When surfaces such as drywall get moisture, they create conditions for mold growth.

Our SERVPRO technicians can perform a mold inspection on your Randolph property. The first thing we do is to identify the source of the moisture and fix it before we can remove the mold. Below, we highlight some common causes of mold in most buildings. They include:

  • Leaky appliances
  • Condensation on walls or windows
  • Flooding or water damage
  • High humidity levels
  • Poor Ventilation

Our team wears appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during mold remediation. For instance, we wear goggles, gloves, and respirator masks to protect ourselves from inhaling mold spores. We can achieve that by creating barriers with the help of plastic sheeting, and even closing windows and doors helps.

At this point, we are ready to perform controlled mold demolition by cutting out the affected areas. Below are some of the tools we use to make precise and clean cuts:

  • Utility knife: We use it to groove the drywall along the affected areas so that it can break easily and be removed.
  • Reciprocating saw: It is a powered tool that makes precise cuts through the sheetrock.
  • Drywall saw: It has sharp teeth and a pointed tip that can cut through drywall.
  • Circular saw: Can cut through sheetrock but is less efficient than the other two options.

Our SERVPRO technicians can use bleach and water to scrub the drywall's moldy areas during mold cleanup. Our team can then use dehumidifiers and fans to dry the mold remediation process. Later, we can replace the affected drywall and finally repaint the area.


Call SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County at (973) 895-5000 for professional mold removal services. Our company is Faster to Any Size Disaster and uses advanced cleaning and restoration equipment to handle any size disaster.

Fire Damage Restoration in Randolph Demands Expertise

1/17/2023 (Permalink)

Chair on Fire Don’t let your property be a victim of fire damage, SERVPRO is only a call away.

Trust SERVPRO for Fire Damage Cleanup in Randolph

Fire accidents are a terrifying experience and can cause you to lose many things in your home. However, if you contact professional restoration technicians on time, you can reduce the damage and restore your home to a preloss state. 

Our SERVPRO team can help save your residence and valuables with the skills and knowledge gained through years of experience. When performing fire damage restoration in your Randolph residence, we can remove water, smoke, and debris effectively and fix the items the fire damaged. Our fire damage repair process involves several steps, including the following: 

  • Assessment
  • Smoke and soot removal
  • Odor elimination
  • Restoring contents
  • Reconstruction

Assessment 

Our SERVPRO team can inspect the affected areas to assess the damage. We can create a full-proof plan and carry it out to restore your property to pre-damaged condition. Precisely scoping provides a professional approach to coordinating recovery with your insurance carrier.

Smoke and Soot Removal

Smoke and soot can reach many parts of your home, including undamaged ductwork, walls, stereos, computers, appliances, and other home electronics. Since soot is acidic, it can corrode metals and blemish porous items. Porous surfaces absorb cleaning solutions and residues. To prevent smoke residues from setting, our SERVPRO team can use dry cleaning processes to remove soot from porous materials. 

Odor Elimination 

Immediate removal of fire odor is critical because odor-causing compounds can penetrate materials deeply to the point of being no longer removable. The wrong processes can force the odors deeper into the affected materials. We can use specialized odor-blasting equipment like thermal foggers, air scrubbers, and hydroxyl machines to remove smells from building surfaces. 

Restoring Contents 

Our team includes technicians certified to perform content restoration for smoke and other types of damage. We recommend taking clothes and other affected textiles to dry cleaners so that odors and stains do not set. We also perform upholstery cleaning along with cleaning carpets, kitchen and bath fixtures, and drapes, among other items. 

Reconstruction

SERVPRO is a full-service fire restoration firm that can handle all repairs, including completely reconstructing your home's damaged flooring, walls, or other sections. 


Please contact SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County at (973) 895-5000 for efficient fire damage repairs. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

What a Water Cleanup Task in Randolph after a Storm Entails

12/19/2022 (Permalink)

Water filled living space Call SERVPRO for assistance from a professional remediation company.

For Rapid Flood Cleanup in Randolph, Homes - Call SERVPRO

When a storm hits, rainwater can seep into your home from landscaping sloping towards the house, damaged roof, clogged gutters, or improperly sealed windows. You should always check to ensure that rain gutters are clean and that downspouts drain a few feet away from your home’s foundation. Keeping an eye on your Randolph home helps you notice potential problems that could lead to moisture damage during bad weather.

While the above steps may help minimize the risk of a flood, if it happens, rapid water clean up in your Randolph home reduces the amount of damage and makes repair easier. Safety is also important during such incidents. Therefore, when you notice water accumulating in your home, turn off the power and unplug all equipment and machines. If water comes in fast or while you are away, you should have qualified personnel assess the situation before entering the house to avoid electrocution. SERVPRO is available 24/7 and responds rapidly to extract moisture, thus minimizing further damage.

Some activities during the water cleanup process:

  • Removing all soaked and contaminated materials
  • Shoveling out silt and mud before it dries
  • Deodorization
  • Drying surfaces

In flood water you may not always be able to see these hazards or contaminants. The water could be polluted with chemical substances, mold, or bacteria; thus, it is important to wear protective gear.

Cleaning Up

Stopping further intrusion into a home is crucial. Homeowners can mitigate flooding due to a storm by ensuring the storm drains are properly working and blocking any entry points to stop water from intruding further. SERVPRO crews install tarps, board up any openings to prevent further intrusion, and quickly clean up soiled areas.

Cleaning should target areas such as:

  • Hard surfaces like floors, walls, tiles, and linoleum floors
  • Carpets and furniture
  • Textiles and clothes




Depending on the amount of water, our SERVPRO crews use different units to remove moisture from homes, including light wands for your carpet and deep extraction tools, which can be attached to an extractor. Shovels and rakes help remove silt and mud.

SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County offers good water cleanup. Call us at (973) 895-5000. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Commercial Water Removal for Randolph Businesses

11/16/2022 (Permalink)

muddy, contaminated water, white partition and debris SERVPRO extracts contaminated water from commercial buildings in Randolph and then disinfects it. Let's get back to work!

SERVPRO Water Cleanup is Available

Businesses can succumb to water-related property damages from a variety of sources. Failure to maintain public restrooms, cleaning appliances, and plumbing can all be the root causes of a sudden premises emergency. Equally, unexpected water intrusions can occur from sustained periods of rainfall or local flooding. These events prevent commercial premises from functioning correctly and can force temporary closures that result in revenue losses. Knowing a local restoration service is essential for any premises manager that wishes to deal with these issues promptly and with minimum fuss.

SERVPRO Provides

  • Water damage restoration
  • Water cleanup
  • Emergency services

Communication is the core aspect of successful commercial water removal in Randolph. Our customer services operate twenty-four hours a day to prepare the necessary documentation, mobilize equipment and send technicians to your premises in an emergency. Understanding the context of a water intrusion event can help us correctly prepare for the unique challenges each one presents. This information can include questions about how the emergency occurred, the extent of damages, and how long ago the incident happened.

Water restoration is time-sensitive. The longer moisture resides in a property, the more damage it causes. These damages can relate to contamination, stagnation, microbial growth, and vapor or humidity impact. If the cause of water intrusion is a sewer backup, then it is likely that the high levels of contamination in the water affect the premises. Black water damages often require wholesale replacement of materials that make contact with contaminated materials. Controlled demolitions and extensive sanitization must be carried out to return the premises to a safe state.

Stages of restoration for contaminated water emergencies

  • Contaminated materials are shoveled into double-sealed bags and safely removed from the property.
  • Excess water is removed using specially designed solid waste pumps, while salvageable materials are treated with powerful disinfectants.
  • Extensive cleaning of the affected area and replacements for demolished materials are completed once the site is disinfected.

To get your business back together quickly after an emergency, contact SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County for water removal at (973) 895-5000.

Water Mitigation Strategy Protects Carpets in Randolph

9/17/2022 (Permalink)

water extractor wand poster SERVPRO extracts water from carpets in Randolph using advanced equipment. We preserve and save your flooring, "Like it never even happened."

Randolph Water Damage Flooring Actions

Many clients wonder why they should dry a carpet vs. allowing the carpet to dry naturally. After all, they feel that the water can evaporate over time, causing little damage to the carpet.

There are several reasons why SERVPRO feels they should apply water mitigation techniques in Randolph homes to carpets. Every situation is distinct and should be assessed based on the following factors:

  • The amount of water absorbed by the carpet
  • Ambient humidity levels
  • Construction of the carpet
  • Carpet materials
  • Primary backing
  • Condition and type of underpad
  • Existing carpet warranties

Crawlspace foundation homes require attention to drying the floor joists and sheathing, which are comprised of cellulose materials. Mold and odors can cause poor IAQ indoor air quality and damp conditions below. We check and inspect to ensure all building elements are dried to standard levels.

  • Subfloor construction
    • Hardwood
    • Particleboard
    • Multiple layers of subfloor
  • Potential for delamination
  • Presence of mold

Carpets, which are allowed to remain wet for more than 72 hours, risk destabilizing the glues that are holding the carpet fibers together with the backing, the growth of mold, and the subfloor's structure weakening if it has absorbed moisture. Wet carpets over hardwood floors can also cause the wood to absorb water and swell, causing cupping or buckling. Protect your home, fixtures, and contents with rapid water removal to mitigate or prevent water damage.

Contact SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County for water mitigation service to Easton and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 895-5000.

SERVPRO Provides Water Damage Repairs to Tile Floors in Randolph

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

wet tile by carpet SERVPRO is the answer for water damage cleanup for Randolph area tiled floors. "Like it never even happened."

Can SERVPRO Complete Water Damage Repair to my Ceramic Tile Floor in Randolph?

Many consumers consider ceramic tile floors impervious to water damage in their Randolph homes. Ceramic tiles are not porous, and the grout between the tiles used to fill the joints is usually waterproofed when the floor is installed. Unfortunately, our homes shift over time, or there is damage to the grout, and small cracks in the grout or even the tiles cause the tile to be vulnerable to water damage.

SERVPRO provides water damage repairs to homeowners in Randolph and surrounding areas. Our services include water cleanup, drying after a water leak, and restoring walls and flooring materials, including ceramic tiles, concrete, resilient tiles, and hardwood floors.

When ceramic tiles are on the floor, water can penetrate cracks in the grout or tiles, which the subfloor will absorb. The subfloor may swell and cause the ceramic tiles to come loose at the joints, or the ceramic tile may also crack, allowing more water to penetrate the floor.

Before reinstalling the tiles, SERVPRO dries the subfloor. If access to the subfloor can be arranged from the bottom, it can be dried before we reinstall the ceramic tiles. Another approach is to remove the tile and drill holes through the ceramic tile cement used to hold the tile in place. We ensure the floor is dried in this manner before replacing the tiles and re-grouting between the tiles. SERVPRO uses non-penetrating moisture meters to check for moisture in the subfloor before replacing the tile.

SERVPRO provides the following water damage repair services:

  • Water Clean up
  • Water damage restoration
  • Water damage repairs for flooring, walls, and contents

Call SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County for water damage repair services. We cover Randolph and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 895-5000.

Professional Trade Secrets for Restoring Fire Damaged Homes in Randolph

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

fire burned resilient floor tile, charred SERVPRO restores your fire damaged Randolph home--"Like it never even happened."

Aspects that Help Remove All Traces of Fire damage in Randolph

A fire incident can leave a permanent mark in your life both from the financial losses incurred and the physical alterations in your home. Just like insurance covers help you overcome the financial loss, professional restoration services can help restore your property to its preloss state. We work closely with Randolph homeowners and their insurance adjusters to ensure a positive outcome.  

Fire loss incidents differ, so proper evaluation is necessary after fire damage in your Randolph property to determine the best steps to take. In many incidents, a considerable percentage of the problems are caused by residue deposits, unless the flames entirely consume the property. It is possible to remove most deposits left by the fire through cleaning but requires a proper understanding of what transpired during the incident. Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians certification, FSRT, means our SERVPRO crews can evaluate the outcome of fire and determine the forces at play during the actual fire, therefore, creating an effective response plan.  

To restore the fire damaged property to its preloss state through cleanup, a proper understanding of several factors is crucial because they affect the ability to clean items. The main ones include the type of materials burnt, airflow patterns in the building, the types of smoke residues left, and the amount of oxygen, heat, and moisture present in the fire. If the fire burns more synthetic materials than natural ones, the resulting residues are harder to clean. Hotter fires lead to residue impingement because they open up pores on materials complicating the cleaning process. Our SERVPRO technicians respond to these issues in different ways, including using professional cleaning agents to dissolve residues, and applying heat and mechanical agitation, among other steps. The sophisticated equipment in our green trucks to facilitate these processes includes:  

  • Portable heaters
  • Pressure washers
  • Multi-surface scrubbers
  • Hydroxyl Generators  

Unlike most other visible problems, bad odor is invisible, but it can make your home uninhabitable. Odor particles penetrate deep into materials making it hard to eliminate them. Our SERVPRO technicians take different approaches to deodorizing property. Using ULV foggers, we can deliver deodorizing agents that pair with odor particles, neutralizing them. We also use state-of-the-art odor control equipment such as hydroxyl generators and ozone generators.  

It is possible to eliminate the painful memories of fire damage. Call SERVPRO of Southwest Morris County at (862) 305-9757 to help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.