Spring Storm Damage

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

Storm season is among us. What do they say? ‘April showers bring May flowers?’ Well, April showers also bring flooding and water damage. It’s important to get educated and prepared before all of the rain comes.

Storm and flood damage require specialized restoration techniques and equipment. When a storm hits your Manhattan home, you need the company with storm damage experience and expertise. SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.

Why Choose SERVPRO?

There are many reasons to choose SERVPRO for your storm damage restoration needs. Some of these reasons are:

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster
We’re dedicated to respond immediately to water and storm damage emergencies. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces cost.

We’re Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists
As leaders in the storm and water damage industry, we have advanced training and expertise, not to mention a tremendous amount of hands-on experience. We use this training and experience to quickly dry your home and restore it back to pre-storm condition.

We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters
We can access the resources and personnel of 2110 franchises to handle major storms and disasters. We also have access to special Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located throughout the country to respond to catastrophic storms and events.

We’re a Locally Owned Company
We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is close by and ready to respond to your flood or storm damage emergencies. We are proud to be an active member of the Manhattan community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.

Immediate Storm Damage Repair is a Priority

Quick responses to storm damage can help reduce the severity of the damage and prevent more from happening. For example, if you don’t respond to water damage quickly, you’ll end up with mold.

No one wants mold to develop in their home or building. A mold infestation hinders at the integrity of any structure, which can make it unsafe, risky, and expensive. If you suspect mold after water damage, SERVPRO can help you with mold remediation services.

Many people think that they can wait on storm damage repairs, but that’s a major mistake. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur. The damage repairs may seem costly at first, but it’s significantly less expensive if you jump on the repairs ASAP. If a storm creates a leak in your roof and you wait for it to be repaired, you may end up with an even bigger leak or the need of an entire new roof.

Minimize Storm Damage Ahead of Time

How do you minimize storm damage ahead of time? Simple.

• Make sure you’re getting annual inspections on your home to ensure that the structure and roof is in good shape and can take on a storm.
• If you’re in a flood zone or have experienced floods before, be sure to get flood insurance.
• When you know a heavy storm is coming, prepare your yard. Grills, patio furniture, trees, etc. can become missiles if the winds pick up.
• Support your garage door by holding it down and on an angle, place several sturdy boards on the door jams.
• You can attempt to keep flooding/blowing water out of your home by using sandbags in front of your exterior doors.

If April brings you more rain than you hoped for and you’ve fallen victim to a flood or any other storm damage, give SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan a call. Our experts are local and ready to jump on any disaster to help.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Holmdel/ Aberdeen, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Residential Cleaning in the Spring

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

Spring is coming! When most of us hear “spring” we think of spring cleaning. The thought of having your current or new home professionally cleaned is the “ahh” moment you’ve been waiting for all year. With that said, SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan provides residential cleaning services so you can enjoy that fresh feeling.

Life can be messy. Kids spill drinks, pets have accidents, and homes get dirty. We have the expertise to provide a deeper clean than your basic house cleaning service. We use special SERVPRO products that wipe out dirt and grime with ease. If you want a deeper, thorough clean - we’re here to help.

It’s also beneficial to get a professional cleaning service done to your new home prior to moving in. You never know what kind of dirt, dog, hair, grime the people that just moved out left behind. Keep your mind at ease and allow us to make it feel brand new.

Our Residential Cleaning Services Include:

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
The SERVPRO carpet and upholstery cleaning service will not only get rid of the dirt you see, but will also remove the unwanted dirt and dust you don’t. A professionally cleaned carpet and furniture will make all the difference in brightening up a room and freshening up your home.

We also offer a range of specialized cleaning methods:

• Bonnet Cleaning: A less aggressive method for short piled carpets.
• Hot Water Extraction: A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types.
• Deluxe Precondition and Rinse: Helps restore deeply soiled areas.
• Showcase Premier Cleaning: The most thorough cleaning method in the industry.
• Dry Cleaning: When color-fastness is an issue.

Air Duct Cleaning
We all have tasks around the house that don’t make it to the top of our priority list. Properly maintaining your home’s air ducts should not be one of them. Regular duct cleaning can increase your home’s heating and cooling efficiency and improve the quality of the air you and your family breathe.

The benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:

• Helps to restore peak energy efficiency.
• May help to eliminate offensive odors.
• Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.

Odor Removal
Your basic cleaning service is not going to have the expertise to effectively deodorize your home. Take advantage of SERVPRO’s residential cleaning services to remove unwanted odors.

Sewage and Biohazard Clean Up
Our experts are ready to assist in the cleanup of sewage and other biohazard materials to provide deep cleaning services for your home.

We provide cleanup and recovery for many biohazard situations including:

• Sewage backups
• Crime scene residues
• Suicide/death accidents
• Homicide cleanups
• Blood cleanup
• Accident cleanup
• Hoarding scenes
• Animal waste/remains
• Chemical spills
• Tear gas cleanup
• Meth lab cleanup

If you’re ready for the ultimate spring cleaning for your current or new home, contact SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan. We have the skills, knowledge, and expertise to make your home feel new again.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Holmdel/Aberdeen, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Why You Can Count On SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan’s 24/7 Emergency Restoration Services

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

Water emergencies like flooding and others can happen to anyone, anytime, and anywhere. To help you restore your property back to its original condition within the fastest turnaround rate, count on SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan/Financial District’s 24/7 emergency restoration services. We are available around the clock to provide you with the professional help you need so you can get back up on your feet again in no time.

Faster to Any Size Emergency

In most cleaning and restoration situations, immediate response is needed. SERVPRO has more than 1,700 U.S. and Canadian franchise locations, making our services readily available to render immediate response to any size emergency within the fastest time possible. Providing you with immediate help can mitigate the scale of the damage, thus helping you cut down on the cleaning and restoration costs involved.

Water Damage Restoration

We have fully-certified technicians under our wings who have been trained to deliver immediate response to floor or water damage at any type of property. We possess the necessary expertise, experience, and training to help restore your residence or business swiftly and in a proper manner. Our team is equipped with state-of-the-art inspection and extraction equipment to detect the water to remove it within the shortest time possible. Our technicians will perform the monitoring of the drying process which will be documented to get your property back to its original condition.

Fire Damage Cleanup

After the fire trucks are gone, your home and possessions would have most likely suffered from both smoke and fire damage as well as water damage as a result of firefighting. Our team at SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan/Financial District possesses extensive specialized training and experience to provide reliable water damage cleanup and restoration services for efficient restoration of your home back to its pre-fire condition. Our team is also qualified in odor removal as well as deep-cleaning of upholstery through our comprehensive training and advanced equipment.

Mold Remediation

It only takes a simple water leak or just a case of excess humidity for mold to start building up in your residence or business property. Mold will then thrive and spread quickly throughout the whole building within as little as just 48 hours. Mold can cause health effects. If your residence or business property is experiencing a mold problem, seek the assistance of our professional mold remediation team to inspect and assess the scale of your mold problem. We will utilize our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to perform immediate remediation of your mold infestation problem.

Commercial Services

As a business owner, you must know how crucial it is to keep your operations running smoothly without disruptions. For the maintenance of your commercial property, work with SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan/Financial District to help you achieve results with minimal disruptions. We offer professional commercial cleaning and restoration services that are rendered by fully-trained specialists. We are available around the clock to help you restore your property to its original condition in the fastest time possible.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of West Somerset County, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

3 Causes of Water Streaks on Your Walls

2/9/2023 (Permalink)

Water streaks on your walls can look messy. However, the problem is often bigger than just an eyesore as they could indicate mold growth, rot, water leakages behind the wall, and a sign of inadequate drainage of water and condensation. It’s important to have this problem resolved as soon as possible. Here are 3 causes of water streaks on your walls!

Inadequate Home Ventilation

Proper home ventilation will help to remove pollutants, control heat, and remove excess moisture in the environment. If your home has a persistent moisture problem and water streaks on your walls, you should try to increase your ventilation to fix the problem. For example, you can use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom or other humid areas to increase air circulation and ensure proper ventilation. Always, remember that exhaust fans should be vented to the exterior and not the interior.

Condensation

Condensation occurs when there is a large temperature difference between the air outside and the air inside your home. This causes condensation on interior surfaces in your houses such as walls and windows. Over time, this condensation can contribute to water streaks on your walls.

The good news is those condensation problems are relatively minor and easier to fix as compared to water leakages. You can use dehumidifiers, improve your ventilation system or exhaust systems to fix condensation issues, thereby preventing excess moisture from building in your house and on surfaces.

Roof Leaks and Ice Dams

If your roof has a leakage, water can seep into your home or inner walls. Cracked masonry, walls, or other damaged building structures may also contribute to the excess build-up of moisture. If you frequently observe wet patches or water streaks on your walls after heavy rain or storm, the likely culprit would be roof leaks.

It is important to get your roof repaired and to seek professional help as your roof may deteriorate over time. Roof leaks may also occur due to damaged roofs from improper installation and damage from heavy weather such as storms.

Ice dams can also cause roof damage and leaks in colder climates. This is because heavy snowfalls, paired with damaged roofs, or inadequate roof structures, insulation, and ventilation would contribute to ice dams. Ice dams occur when the snow on the roof melts and seeps or leaks into the roof, or your interior walls via a crack or crevice on the roof. If you observe water streaks occurring on the walls in the top of rooms which are located on the highest story, it may be due to an ice dam and roof leakage.

SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan/Financial District Can Assist You with Water Damage Restoration

SERVPRO is a trusted leader in the restoration industry and possesses numerous advanced restoration and cleaning equipment. We can identify the source of your leakage and properly address the water damage on your walls.

We also offer refurbish and repair services so that your walls will look as good as new.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of West Somerset County, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Lower Manhattan Commercial Cleaning Tips & Tricks

1/25/2023 (Permalink)

Cleaning a business is nothing like cleaning a home. You can’t just throw extra things in a closet and plan to deal with it during spring cleaning… we know you do it, most people do. When it comes to a business, you need to make sure everything is up to par for the sake of you, your employees, and customers/clients. Here are some tips and tricks for cleaning your lower Manhattan commercial business!

Hire a Professional
First off, it’s smart to just hire a professional to get this done for you. The last thing you need is to add cleaning to your busy plate. Plus, professionals will come in with the best equipment and understand exactly what needs to be done and how to do it. When it comes to SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan, we can take care of carpet & upholstery cleaning, air duct cleaning, odor removal, and sewage & biohazard cleanup.

Get the Right Products
If you are, in fact, handling the cleaning on your own - be sure to choose the right products. You want to look for non-toxic cleaners if you own a place of business that sells or makes food, and all-natural disinfectants will keep the areas safe for your customers/clients and employees.

Disinfect!
Staying on top of disinfecting is important, especially while we live in the world of Covid-19. Make sure there are hand sanitizers in many places around the building and ensure every surface is cleaned after each day. A clean work environment is a safe work environment.

Clean the Air Ducts
Professional duct cleaners will see to it your ducts are clean and sanitized properly. This is going to be particularly effective when you increase your business’ ventilation. When people talk, sing, cough, or sneeze, respiratory droplets are released. To keep your employees safe, ventilation should be increased. Have an HVAC professional help you adjust.

Graffiti & Vandalism Cleanup
Vandalism and graffiti can be very upsetting, especially if it occurs to your business in Manhattan. It can range from minor pranks to malicious destruction of property. Often simple acts of vandalism, like breaking a window, can cause significant water and mold damage if not addressed in a timely manner. We will act quickly to remove this from your commercial space. In addition to removing spray-painted graffiti from exterior walls, we can also clean driveways, walkways, asphalt, metals, wood, glass, plastics, and masonry.

Count on SERVPRO to Keep Your Building Clean
Everyone likes to watch their budget, but when it comes to the sanitation of your building, it’s not the time to cut corners. Make sure only the most dependable, reputable company takes care of cleaning and sanitizing all areas of your office and common areas. You don’t want to put your business and your employees or your clients at unnecessary risk. You also want to put forth good first impressions when new clients visit.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of West Somerset County, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

How to Prepare Your Lower Manhattan Business for a Winter Storm

1/12/2023 (Permalink)

Winter storms can be a nightmare, especially if you live on the east coast. If you own a business in the lower Manhattan area, you’ll need the best tips and tricks on how to properly prepare for winter storms. SERVPRO is not only here to give you those tips, but we’re here to help you clean up as well. Let’s check out those tips, shall we?

Check Out the Full Weather Advisory
Ahead of the storm, it’s a good idea to look into the full winter weather advisory before preparing. If your area is only supposed to get some flurries, you don’t need to prepare as much. However, if you see anything in the list below - it’s time to assemble the troops.

1. Possible road closures
2. Freezing rain/sleet
3. Heavy snowfall
4. Possible power outages
5. Freezing temperatures

Put Together an Emergency Kit
In case you’re still at your business during a winter storm, compiling a list of items for an emergency kit will be comforting to you and whomever is there with you. Be sure to pack blankets, a supply of food and water, candles, flashlights, a first aid kit, and a shovel.

Check Out Your Inventory
Before the storm hits, ensure that you are taking inventory of your supplies, products, technology, etc. Take pictures of everything as well - this is all in preparation for possible damage during the winter storm. Why is this important? Insurance reasons.

Check Your Insurance Coverage
Assuming damage occurs to your business, you’ll have the before pictures to present to your insurance company. If there is damage, before cleaning it up, take as many pictures as you can. You’ll be able to provide proof to your insurance company so you can be covered.

Other Preparations
Grab bags of salt for walkways so ice doesn’t accumulate, be prepared for snow removal - whether that will be your job or if you plan on hiring a company that will help clean up and inspect for any damage that can go unseen (roof damage, structural damage, water, mold, etc.)

To keep your business safe from a winter storm, please follow the tips provided. If you need help with restoration, SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan can help.

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of West Somerset County, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Water Damage Causes in Your Lower Manhattan Commercial Facility

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage in your Lower Manhattan commercial facility can be detrimental to your business. It’s important to know the causes of water damage and how to effectively restore the building to prevent additional damage, such as mold.

Here are some top causes of water structural water damage (and later, what you can do about it):

Deteriorating Plumbing & Burst Pipes

How old is the plumbing in your building and when is the last time the pipes, sprinklers, toilets, etc. were replaced? Old plumbing is the cause of many water damage instances, so if you believe it’s time to replace the old with the new, do it before it’s too late.

Burst pipes are also a leading cause of water damage, especially in the winter months. If the pipes freeze, there’s a large chance that they will burst if the necessary actions are not taken.

Natural Disasters

Severe weather like hurricanes, flooding, and even blizzards can cause a tremendous amount of water damage. If your business is in a vulnerable place, or not prepared for a large storm, the chance of water damage is high. There are ways you can try to protect your building if you know a bad storm is coming, but if it’s bad enough - you may be looking for a restoration company after the damage has been done.

Roof Problems

Ensure that you get your roof inspected at least once a year. A roof leak can lead to even bigger problems like mold, structural damage, and more. If you do have a leak, get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid more damage.

HVAC System Malfunctions

Like all machines, building HVAC systems are subject to wear and tear as time passes and this will ultimately inhibit their performance. When your cooling/heating system stops operating, cracks or leaks can appear within its drains and pipes. This in turn will lead to the leakage of liquid outside the unit which can get all over the floor and become a slip and fall hazard and cause mold, and water damage to the floor and surrounding objects.

Check the Windows

If there are any cracks in the windows of your commercial business building, seal them up as soon as possible. This can cause unwanted liquid and moisture to get inside. This is why experts recommend inspecting every seal and window and if problems are found they should be fixed immediately.

Faster to Any Disaster
There isn’t time to wait when it comes to disasters - especially if they are to your business. With SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel, you can expect an immediate response time - day or night. We provide emergency disaster cleanup services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - including holidays.

Reach out with any and all of your questions and inquiries: (212) 564-6365

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of West Somerset County, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

Holiday Safety Tips to Prevent Fires in Your Lower Manhattan Home

12/13/2022 (Permalink)

‘Tis the season for mistletoes, holiday music, and mall madness. However, ‘tis also the season for house fires.

Although the holiday season is desirable and warms your hearts, it’s important to remember the hazards that may come with it. SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan wants to provide you with holiday safety tips to prevent fires in your Lower Manhattan home.

Space Heaters

Whether you have a space heater from the 90s that is still kicking or a new, visually appealing fireplace heater, they should never be unattended. Here are some tips to help you avoid a fire due to your heater.

• Never turn on a heater you suspect is damaged.
• Before use, inspect the heater, power cord, and plug for any damage.
• Never leave the heater operating while unattended, or while you’re sleeping.
• Keep materials such as beds, sofas, curtains, papers, and clothes at least 3 feet from the front, top, sides, and back of the heater.
• Make sure the heater plug fits tightly into the outlet - if not, don’t use this outlet. Poor electrical connections are another leading cause of fires.
• Ensure that the heater is placed on a stable, level surface and located where it will not be knocked over.

Christmas Trees

One of the deadliest types of fires that occurs during the holiday season involves live Christmas trees. Here are some tips to help you avoid Christmas tree fires.

• Always make sure your tree is properly watered
• Check for electrical issues and broken bulbs when hanging lights on the tree.
• Remove heat sources in close proximity to the tree.
• Unplug your tree when you’re not home and overnight.

Fireplaces

There’s nothing like sitting in front of a fire, sipping cocoa, and watching a holiday movie. Keep fires from reaching outside the fireplace with these safety tips:

• Clean up build-up and ash before lighting a new fire.
• Schedule an annual chimney inspection before the season.
• Use safe fire starters - this includes well-seasoned hardwood or CSIA-approved logs.
• For kindling, stick to fired twigs or branches
• Ensure all of the embers are completely burnt out before heading to bed.

Reach out with any and all of your questions and inquiries: (212) 564-6365

About SERVPRO Team Harvey
SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of West Somerset County, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City, and SERVPRO of Aberdeen/Holmdel.

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”

What to Do For Your Manhattan Business: Mold Removal vs. Mold Remediation

11/29/2022 (Permalink)

What to Do For Your Manhattan Business: Mold Removal vs. Mold Remediation

Since microscopic mold spores exist naturally almost everywhere, removing all mold from a home or business is impossible. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy.

A qualified restoration company understands the science behind mold and mold growth. SERVPRO franchise professionals have the training and expertise to remediate the mold in your home or business. Mold remediation focuses on getting mold levels back to normal, natural levels.

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. Here are the steps so you can further understand our mold remediation process:

Step 1: Emergency Contact 1-800-TEAMHRV

Step 2: Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

Step 3: Mold Containment

Step 4: Air Filtration

Step 5: Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

Step 6: Cleaning Contents and Belongings

Step 7: Restoration

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

• Mold spores are microscopic, float in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems, or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants and have the potential to cause other health effects. 
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, and that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

When it comes to your business, it is extremely important to understand mold and what to do so you, your employees, and your clients/customers are safe. SERVPRO professionals are skilled and trained to deal with all types of mold, water damage restoration, storm damage restoration, and much more. 

Reach out with any and all of your questions and inquiries: (212) 564-6365

About SERVPRO Team Harvey

SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Holmdel/Aberdeen, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City. 

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.” 

5 Steps to Guide Fellow Manhattan Commercial Business Owners in Dealing with Winter Storm Damage

11/22/2022 (Permalink)

5 Steps to Guide Fellow Manhattan Commercial Business Owners in Dealing with Winter Storm Damage

Winter storms can cause a lot of damage to your commercial business property, so quick action is critical. If you’re able to leave your home and check out your business - there are steps you can take prior to the storm hitting to make the recovery process run smoothly. Here are 5 steps to guide lower Manhattan commercial business owners in dealing with winter storm damage.

Be Calm

Being calm may be easier said than done, but trust us on this one. SERVPRO can help in any way, shape, or form, so assuming damage has already been done - we can assist with the restoration. We’re able to help with water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, cleaning services, and we’re specifically trained in storm and major events cleanup. 

Cut the Water & Power

If you’re familiar with your breakers, turning off your water and power connection will help tremendously prior to or during the storm, especially if a flood is involved. Be sure to check your pipes as well due to winter storms causing them to leak or burst. Assuming this has already happened and a flood occurred, we’re here for you!

Take Pictures

It’s a good idea to take pictures and videos of your commercial property before the storm hits. This will help when you’re coordinating with your insurance company, your chosen restoration company, and with any vendors you may use for products that are under warranty. When you’re taking these pictures and videos, make sure there is a timestamp on the footage as well to ensure that any damage that has occurred due to the storm was because of the storm - this will eliminate any back-and-forth with your insurance company.

Contact Insurance Company

After the storm has hit, you’ll want to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim. Get those forms filled out, provide your photos and videos, and wait for instruction on the next steps. Remember to keep track of the personnel you talked to and their position with the insurance company, phone numbers you contacted, date and time of the transaction, initial agreements, and any other critical information from the discussion.

Contact a Trusted Restoration Company

Now that you’ve gotten everything figured out with your insurance, it’s a good time to contact a water restoration company. Make sure you do your research on one that you can trust - like SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan. Be sure that the company you choose can do everything that needs to be done and begin the process. 

Reach out with any and all of your questions and inquiries: (212) 564-6365

About SERVPRO Team Harvey

SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan is proudly owned by Lance and Jennifer Harvey - a husband and wife duo that owns three other SERVPRO locations, including SERVPRO of Holmdel/Aberdeen, SERVPRO of West Somerset County, and SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City. 

We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your home or business. Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it “like it never even happened.”