Why SERVPRO® of New Bern is the Ideal Choice for Commercial Restoration Services

4/24/2023 (Permalink)

Don't wait if you see standing water: contact an emergency restoration provider such as SERVPRO of New Bern right away!

When disaster strikes your commercial property, choosing the right restoration company is crucial for the successful recovery of your business. At SERVPRO® of New Bern, we pride ourselves on being a top choice for local businesses in need of restoration services. Here are some key factors that show why we're an excellent choice for your commercial restoration needs.

1. Local, Experienced, and Licensed:

In the aftermath of a disaster, it's common to see an influx of out-of-state companies offering restoration services. However, selecting a local company with a proven track record of success in the community is vital. SERVPRO® of New Bern has years of experience serving the New Bern area, and our team is fully licensed and certified, ensuring that we meet the highest standards for restoration services.

2. Unparalleled Customer Service:

During times of stress and uncertainty, it's essential to work with a service provider that demonstrates empathy, professionalism, and effective communication. At SERVPRO® of New Bern, we take pride in offering outstanding customer service. We work closely with our clients to outline their options, guide them through the restoration process, and coordinate with insurance companies to streamline the recovery process.

3. IICRC Certified:

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the leading authority in the restoration industry. An IICRC certification signifies that a company has undergone rigorous training, testing, and consistently provides the highest quality of cleaning and restoration work. SERVPRO® of New Bern is proud to be IICRC certified, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible service.

Conclusion:

When disaster impacts your commercial property, trust the experienced and compassionate professionals at SERVPRO® of New Bern to help you get back on track. As a locally owned and operated company, we are dedicated to supporting our community and providing exceptional restoration services. With our 24/7 emergency service, we're always Here to help® when you need us most. Contact us at (252)-637-7274 for immediate assistance.

Top Tips for Preventing Fire Damage in New Bern Homes

3/31/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage cleanup is tricky. Call the professional restoration team at SERVPRO® of New Bern to simplify your recovery!

Fire damage can be devastating to homeowners in New Bern and beyond. Here are some essential tips for preventing fire damage, helping you protect your home, and maintain its value. By taking the necessary precautions and staying vigilant, you can minimize the risk of a fire disaster happening to your property.

Install and Maintain Smoke Alarms

Properly functioning smoke alarms are crucial in detecting fires early and preventing extensive damage. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Regularly test the alarms and replace batteries at least once a year.

Avoid Overloading Electrical Outlets

Overloaded electrical outlets can lead to fires, so it's essential to exercise caution. Avoid plugging in multiple high-wattage appliances into the same outlet, and never use damaged cords or extension cords.

Keep a Fire Extinguisher on Hand

A fire extinguisher is a must-have in every home. Keep one in your kitchen, garage, and any other area where fires are likely to occur. Ensure that all family members know how to use the extinguisher and check its expiration date periodically.

Create a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, a well-practiced escape plan can save lives. Develop a plan that includes two exits from each room, and designate an outdoor meeting spot. Practice the escape plan with your family at least twice a year.

Maintain Your Heating System

Regularly inspect and clean your heating system, including furnaces, fireplaces, and chimneys. Keep combustible materials at least three feet away from heating sources and never leave portable heaters unattended.

Exercise Caution in the Kitchen

Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires in the United States. Always stay in the kitchen while cooking and keep flammable items, like oven mitts and towels, away from heat sources.

Safely Store Flammable Materials

Store flammable materials, such as gasoline and paint, in approved containers and away from heat sources. Properly dispose of oily rags and never smoke near flammable materials.

By following these fire prevention tips, you can protect your New Bern home from the devastating effects of fire damage. If you ever experience a fire in your home, know that SERVPRO® of New Bern is Here to help® with professional fire damage restoration services, smoke and fire damage cleanup, and more. 

SERVPRO of New Bern: Commercial Restoration Professionals

2/20/2023 (Permalink)

Disaster can strike in many forms. Give us a call to help get your property back to preloss conditions regardless of the cause.

If you're a property owner in New Bern or the greater Craven/Pamlico County area, you know that disasters can strike at any time. Whether it's a fire, flood, storm, or another unexpected event, your property can sustain serious damage that requires immediate attention. That's why it's so important to have a locally owned and operated full-service restoration company like SERVPRO® of New Bern available to you. There are many benefits of working with a local restoration company, particularly when it comes to fire and water damage restoration.

Quick Response Times

When a disaster strikes, time is of the essence. The longer you wait to address the damage, the more extensive and expensive it becomes. That's why it's so important to have a restoration company that can respond quickly to your needs. Getting to your property fast is particularly important in emergency situations.

Local Expertise

We are intimately familiar with the unique challenges and weather patterns of the region. Understanding the local building codes, regulations, and insurance requirements can help you navigate the restoration process more smoothly. In addition, our close relationships with other local businesses can be especially beneficial when coordinating repairs and sourcing materials.

Personalized Service

We understand that every job has unique qualities. When our customers give us their attention, we listen. We aim to always answer your questions and provide updates throughout the restoration process.

Comprehensive Services

A full-service restoration company can handle all aspects of the restoration process, from initial cleanup and repairs to rebuilding and restoration. This can save you time, money, and hassle, as you won't have to coordinate with multiple contractors. In addition, we have many national accounts and relationships with insurance providers, which can help streamline the claims process.

Fire Damage Restoration

Fire damage can be devastating, leaving behind not only physical damage but emotional trauma as well. Our specialization in fire damage restoration can help you navigate the complex process of rebuilding and recovering from a fire. Our professionals can handle everything from soot and smoke damage to structural repairs, giving you some elusive peace of mind during a difficult time.

Water Damage Restoration

Water damage can be just as destructive as fire damage, if not more so. Whether it's a burst pipe, a leaky roof, or a flooded crawlspace, water damage can quickly spread and cause serious problems. Our water damage restoration process can help you mitigate the damage, dry out your property, and restore it to its preloss condition.

Whether you need fire damage restoration, water damage restoration, or one of our many other services, call the certified professionals at SERVPRO of New Bern when disaster strikes.

Call The Experts: Saving New Bern Residents From Secondary Damages

12/22/2022 (Permalink)

Call professionals to help keep damage to a minimum, saving you precious time and money.

Trying to figure out ways to save money after a fire or water damage emergency is a perfectly normal thing for home and business owners to do. Some even try to handle their mitigation efforts themselves. While this may seem tempting, it is not a generally recommended cost-saving measure, as there are many ways an easy oversight can cost you considerably more in the future.

Moisture-swollen wood in floors, baseboards, and trim is a common source of secondary damage. Unaddressed excess moisture can also lead to unwanted growth, which can be hidden from an untrained eye and is often tricky to take care of. It can sometimes take weeks for any signs of damage to show. If you notice a musty smell after water damage strikes, it is recommended to have a professional come and inspect your property, promptly.

With any luck, you’ll never have to contend with water damage on your property. Regardless of why don’t think unwanted water is too small to call in professionals. We can evaluate the damage, decrease your chances of secondary damages, and save you considerable time and headaches in the long run.

Call the restoration experts at SERVPRO® of New Bern today!

Why Choose SERVPRO of New Bern for Your Mold Remediation Needs

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let mold get you panicked, call the professionals at SERVPRO of New Bern to schedule an inspection!

Mold is a common concern in Eastern NC, where excess moisture is present in the air during much of the year. But did you know there are different classifications for mold?

• Allergenic
• Pathogenic
• Toxigenic

It’s important to know how to approach each type of situation. Please consider the following of what to do and what NOT to do when you find mold growth where its not supposed to be:

What to Avoid

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

What to Do

• Stay out of the affected area
• Turn off the HVAC system and fans
• Contact SERVPRO of New Bern for mold remediation services

Contacting SERVPRO of New Bern is the best thing you can do for your mold issues, as we aim to identify the source of what is causing mold growth and remediate it. A common mistake when dealing with mold is only cleaning up the visible mold and assuming that it’s taken care of. Until you fix the source of moisture that is feeding the mold, it will continue to come back.

Mold remediation is a cornerstone of our business, and our technicians have been trained by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification so you can ensure we will provide you with quality solutions to treat the problem. Feel free to call our office with any questions or schedule your service today (252) 637-7274.

New Bern, NC Storms Can Cause Sewage Backups

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

Don't ignore your instincts or any of these signs of a clogged sewage pipe.

Eastern NC is known for some intense storms, and New Bern is no exception. When there are heavy rains, an abundance of water and debris end up in municipal sanitary sewers, which can overload the sewer system. When there is more water than the sewer system can handle, excess water can flow backward into your home's sewer line, leading to some unsanitary and unsafe conditions that need immediate attention.

Growing tree roots may pose another danger to your sewer line after storms. Tree roots may grow quickly over the summer months. Tree roots can pierce the pipes as they search for nutrients found in sewage. Within the system, roots continue to grow and may cause broken or blocked pipes. There are some warning signs to be aware of which can help you spot a problem early on.

Signs of a Clogged Sewer Pipe 

• Slow drainage in toilets, showers, or sinks
• Bubbling noise as you flush toilets or shower/sink drains 
• Another drain backs up when you flush the toilet
• The smell of sewage (rotten eggs or sulfur)
• Lush, green spots can form in your yard above the septic tank or broken pipes

Sewer backups should be considered an emergency since the water may contain viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that can cause serious illness. SERVPRO of New Bern has the specialized training and equipment to quickly and safely clean contaminants like sewage. We are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Give us a call when you need professional service at (252) 637-7274.

SERVPRO Technicians Know How to Properly Dry Your Home and Business

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

We have the equipment and know-how to take care of your restoration and remediation needs.

Flooding can leave behind massive losses causing thousands of dollars in damage. No matter how well we try to prepare to face such disasters, there is always a margin for disaster. New Bern residents need to work with IICRC-certified restoration service providers like SERVPRO of New Bern when dealing with the aftermath of flooding to ensure a timely response and accurate drying procedures.

Using the right equipment makes a big difference when restoring your property after flood damage or a storm disaster. Our SERVPRO team understands the importance of analyzing each situation differently to determine the most appropriate tools and technology to use when working on your property. Drying as a process requires one to know humidity, temperature, and the various air properties - something that our technicians understand very well.

Timely evaporation of the moisture in your property is vital during the restoration. It all starts by putting in place appropriate measures to reduce the drying time. The use of extractors, air movers, and dehumidifiers works towards achieving that. Air movers facilitate airflow and increase the speed of evaporation. As the moisture evaporates from surfaces, it leads to the formation of moist air. Dehumidifiers then pull the moisture out of the air to prevent further damage.

The two main types of dehumidifiers that our SERVPRO technicians use are desiccant dehumidifiers and refrigerant dehumidifiers. Desiccant dehumidifiers use chemicals to absorb the moisture, while the working of refrigerant dehumidifiers has a lot of similarities to how air conditioners work. Deodorization then follows to neutralize any odors present.

SERVPRO of New Bern aims to restore your contents to their preloss condition no matter the type or location of the disaster. We use advanced technology to restore items that wouldn’t be salvageable otherwise. Our team of professionals is trained to assess the damage and potential threats, extract and contain the affected area, dry, and restore your property to preloss conditions.

Why You Should Choose SERVPRO for Your Large Loss Recovery

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

Choose SERVPRO for Your Large Loss Recovery and Avoid Damage to your Property.

When a catastrophic loss affects your New Bern, NC, home or business, you need the best remediation experts available. Whether your building suffers from severe flooding or storm damage, the restoration professionals at SERVPRO can help with the rebuild.

Why You Should Call SERVPRO for Storm Damage Recovery

When a natural disaster strikes, SERVPRO mobilizes its disaster recovery team and pools together restoration professionals from around the country. This team has assisted in the remediation of government buildings, universities, and hospitals. It has also responded to some of the more catastrophic weather events in recent North American history, including:

• The 2016 Houston and Louisiana floods
• The 2015 Siberian Express
• The 2014 Polar vortex
• The 2013 California wildfires
• Hurricanes Sandy, Irene and Ike
• Tropical Storm Lee

SERVPRO can respond quickly because it has more than 1,900 locations in Canada and the United States. It thus has the huge network of supplies, equipment and workers needed for catastrophic loss recovery. The large number of franchises also allows SERVPRO to respond to a disaster at any time of day or night. After all, catastrophies do not only happen during traditional business hours.

Yet SERVPRO still provides personal attention to each home and business owner. The project manager from your local franchise will control the remediation project. You can thus speak to this person directly with any problems or concerns.

SERVPRO also understands that making an insurance claim for storm repairs can be a challenge. That is why SERVPRO will work with your insurer to coordinate all the required paperwork. This will give you one less thing to worry about as you recover from the disaster.

How You Can Mitigate Damage After a Storm

Before SERVPRO representatives or other restoration professionals arrive at your property, you should attempt to safely mitigate additional harm to the premises. Before re-entering your home or business, put on protective gear, including sturdy shoes.

Flooding of a nearby stream, river or creek is particularly dangerous. The water likely contains harmful bacteria. You should thus avoid directly contacting this water or anything that has been contaminated by it. You should also throw out any foods that have touched the water. Even foods in secured containers such as cans could still be contaminated.

Once you are safely inside the property, do not attempt to turn on a light switch or operate any other electrical items while you are in damp or wet areas. You could put yourself at risk of electrocution.

Any wet pillow cushions or upholstery should be removed from the premises. Prop up these items so they can dry more quickly. You can simply wipe dry any wooden furniture after removing lamps and other items from their surfaces.

Finally, pay special attention to the crawlspace of your home. If water settles there during a storm or flood, the wetness combined with the dark space could foster mold growth. This could then cause additional damage to the property.

If your property suffers a catastrophic loss, contact professionals from SERVPRO. They have the training and experience needed to help your home recover from a severe storm or flood.

Steps To Take After a Fire

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Avoid Further Fire Damage by Following our Tips.

No landlord likes to think about the damage that an apartment fire can cause. It's important to know what to do in case it happens in your building in New Bern, NC, though. Here are the steps you should take immediately after a fire.

Ensure Apartment Fire Is Out and Everyone Is Safe

As soon as you know there's a fire in the building, dial 911. Then focus on your responsibilities:

• Alert all tenants quickly by text.
• Check on elderly and disabled tenants to see if they need assistance escaping the building.
• Exchange contact information with the fire officer on the scene.

Your primary concern should be the safety of your residents, but it's also vital that you make sure the fire is put out as soon as possible. The more damage you can prevent, the less expensive restoration will be.

Contact Insurance Company and Restoration Professionals

Once the fire is out, call your insurance provider. The company will send an adjuster who will assess the damage to the structure to help you get the claims process started. You also need to contact fire damage restoration experts so that they can assess what needs to be repaired and begin the mitigation process.

Provide Tenants With Information About What They Should Do

As the landlord, you are only responsible for covering the cost of the damage the apartment fire did to the structure and the property itself. Tenants are responsible for their own belongings. Ideally, the people who live in your building have renter's insurance so that they can get help with temporary relocation costs and the replacement of personal items.

If they don't have policies that compensate them for their losses, they may be able to get help from organizations such as the Red Cross.

Document Damage To Your Building

It's a good idea to accompany the restoration team or insurance adjuster on the walkthrough of your building. That way, you can take pictures or videos of the fire's aftermath. Take notes and make a list of repairs that need to be made so that you have the information you need for the insurance company.

Include Fire Report and Restoration Estimate in Claim

Other documentation you should gather includes the official fire report from the officer who was in charge of taking care of the flames and the estimate given to you by the head of the restoration team. These documents can corroborate your own records and thus increase the likelihood that your claim will be accepted.

Keep Tenants Informed Throughout Process

Tenants will likely be concerned about when they can return to their homes. Provide them with a general timeline, but maintain contact throughout the process to reassure them. Taking the initiative to keep them informed is good customer service and can help to put their minds at ease.

There is a lot to do after an apartment fire. You have a responsibility to make your building habitable again and to keep residents notified as new information comes to light. If you complete this checklist, you should be able to file a successful claim for the fire damage to your building.

Why Does My Toilet Leak Every Time I Flush?

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

Learn more about leaky Toilets, Follow out Tips, and Avoid Water Damage in your property.

Have you detected water dripping or collecting on the outside of your toilet every time you flush? Typically leaking that coincides with flushing emerges either around the toilet base or between the tank and the bowl. A leaking toilet can result from various issues, so as with any bathroom leak, it could take some time to investigate to uncover the problem.

Types of Toilet Leaks and Their Fixes

If you detect a leak coming from your toilet, there is a good chance it is occurring due to one of the following issues. A leak between the tank and the bowl when the toilet is flushed could result from either a worn spud washer, cracked flush valve or loose tank bolts. Fortunately, most are relatively easy repairs that you can probably accomplish yourself.

Still, if there is a significant amount of water, you may need to hire water damage restoration professionals to thoroughly clean up after the repair.

1. Worn Wax Ring

The wax ring on a toilet is a plastic ring with a thick layer of wax around it. It's supposed to provide a watertight seal between the top of the toilet flange and the bottom of the toilet. A properly working wax ring also prevents sewer gases from releasing into the bathroom from the floor and toilet. Alternatively, you can use a rubber seal, which tends to be cleaner than its wax counterpart.

If you notice a leak around the toilet base, the wax ring is probably not sealing as it should. Make sure the bowl isn't cracked first before replacing the ring. If your leak is seeping from the base, it could be that the ring is not sealing because of loose bolts. If the ring doesn't look damaged, try replacing it and tightening the bolts to see if this helps.

2. Faulty Flush Valve (aka Douglas Valve)

The flush valve is located where the flushed water enters the bowl from the tank. Often, if the flush valve is leaky, you can create a new seal by replacing the flapper that seals the opening of the flush valve. Unfortunately, if you have to replace the flush valve, you will need to remove the tank.

3. Damaged Tank-to-Bowl Gasket (aka Spud Washer)

As its name implies, the tank-to-bowl gasket creates a watertight seal between the tank and the bowl to prevent a leaking toilet. Typically, you will find this gasket on the flush valve. The toilet tank will usually have to be removed to make the repair.

4. Broken Closet Flange

A closet flange (aka toilet flange) screws into the bathroom floor as a pipe fitting that connects the toilet to the drainpipe. This connection also secures the toilet to the floor. The toilet and the closet flange are joined by two bolts. If the toilet's base is leaking, it could be because the bolts are loose. You'll probably notice that the toilet wobbles if this is the case.

When your New Bern, NC, home has a leaking toilet, it's essential to locate the original source of the problem as quickly as possible. Even if a leak doesn't seem significant, it can result in costly damage and hefty water bills.