Equipment Choice for Flood Damage Restoration in Hyde Park

11/12/2024 (Permalink)

After water damage, you can trust that your Hyde Park home is in good hands with our experienced technicians at SERVPRO.

Equipment Type, Size, and Number for Convenient Flood Restoration

Hyde Park's location along the Hudson River and its tributaries, Crum Elbow Creek and Fall Kill, makes it vulnerable to flood damage, especially during storms and hurricanes. It's hard to visualize the same water bodies that provide exciting experiences like kayaking, river cruising, scenic hiking, and fishing during fair weather as a source of the destruction that brings the luxury homes or historic mansions and estates like the Vanderbilt Mansion and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Home into ruin or turns them into dumping grounds full of debris and waste.

Hyde Park flood damage incidents have many expected problems, like widespread inundation, heavy soiling, and contamination. Some unexpected issues may develop, causing delays or impacting restoration outcomes. Equipment choice is one such issue since some restoration tasks require several units of the same equipment. In contrast, others require big or small equipment. Knowing what you need beforehand improves efficiency rather than making haphazard choices. When SERVPRO® crew chiefs inspect your property after flood damage, we determine what equipment to bring along.

Variable equipment for flood restoration

• Air movers
• Dehumidifiers
• Heating equipment
• Air filtration devices

The primary considerations for equipment choice include the property size, individual room sizes, and interior fixtures like cabinets. Small rooms restrict the use of large dehumidifiers, while fixtures like cabinets can interfere with air circulation patterns, necessitating unique air mover arrangements. The layout of a school such as Hyde Park Elementary School differs from that of a lodging facility such as Hyde Park Landing. SERVPRO's IICRC-certified water restoration technicians use mathematical formulas based on the equipment's rated cubic feet per minute, CFM, to determine the best dehumidifier-to-air mover ratio for the best drying outcomes.

Power affects equipment choice

Unless it's a severe flooding situation, most restoration equipment draws power from the property during restoration. Our SERVPRO technicians check whether there are enough outlets and the load capacity for each outlet. Residential properties like the single-family homes in Greenfields or the older homes in Haviland typically have 15 to 20-amp outlets, thus limiting the simultaneous use of several pieces of equipment.

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County thoroughly evaluates flood damage situations to develop the best restoration strategy. For assistance, call (845) 635-4550.

Effective Storm and Flood Damage Restoration Services for Hyde Park Residents

1/8/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians mitigate water damage from groundwater flooding in Hyde Park. We deploy advanced equipment, "Like it never even happened."

Fast Storm Damage Mitigation Services by SERVPRO

With its rich history, culture, parks, and picturesque landscape, Hyde Park, NY, is a favorite hiking, biking, and sightseeing spot for locals and visitors alike. It is the hometown of President Franklin Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor. The Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, Springwood (Roosevelt's home), and Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum are some testaments to the town's rich history.

However, the threat of storms and flooding looms over Hyde Park. Prompt and effective restoration services are paramount when nature takes an unpredictable turn, and your home faces water damage from storms or floods. Having a reliable water damage restorer on your speed dial is important to help handle the situation and prevent further damage.

Heavy rains, flash floods, and other weather-related incidents can devastate your valuable properties, including books and jewelry. At SERVPRO®, we have a team of dedicated specialists who act promptly to dry, clean and restore your home and valuables to their preloss condition. You can trust us to deliver nothing but the best.

Doing well in the storm and flood damage restoration business requires some "know-how." Our technicians are well-versed in psychometry and advanced water damage restoration equipment and methods. We understand how water and moisture affect different items, the drying system, and the best way to position air movers and dehumidifiers.

We endeavor to maintain the integrity of your structure. When restoring hardwood flooring, we remove carpet and pads to allow immediate water extraction and prevent further damage. Once the floor is completely dry, we then sand or refinish it to return its former smoothness and glow. We then use a nonpenetrating moisture meter to identify wet areas and ensure complete drying.

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County is Faster to any size disaster.™ Call us at (845) 635-4550 for effective storm and flood damage restoration services.

Water Removal in Hyde Park After a Storm Causes Structural Damage

2/8/2023 (Permalink)

With advanced equipment, SERVPRO restores property to pre-damaged conditions, "Like it never even happened."

Mitigating Impacts on Structures Caused by Water Damage in Hyde Park

High winds damage structures, cause broken windows and introduce water damage to buildings in Hyde Park. Flood waters also introduce debris, silt, chemicals, and even sewage into homes, contributing additional damage to the building and creating safety concerns, including:

• Long-term exposure weakens flooring and drywall
• Bacteria and viruses may be introduced to the premises
• Electrical systems may be compromised
• Broken glass from windows may be present

SERVPRO takes all necessary precautions during water removal from your Hyde Park residence to ensure the safety of the crew and residents. We also act quickly to remove all water, debris, and storm damage to reduce the secondary damage that may occur to porous materials, including the growth of mold colonies.

Structural damage can be mitigated by acting as soon as possible after a storm has passed through the area; however, SERVPRO must check for safety concerns to ensure the safety of the crew and residents. For example:

• Spilled fuel or the odor of gas indicates a fuel leak
• Water in ceiling cavities must be removed before the ceiling caves in
• Porous flooring materials may not support the weight of people or machines
• Broken glass, exposed nails, and various sharp objects must be carefully removed
• Asbestos abatement processes are to be utilized if asbestos is present
• PPE must be worn while removing debris that potentially contains sewage, viruses, and bacteria

Our clients trust our SERVPRO team to act quickly and safely during water removal and drying operations to minimize secondary damage to your home and the contents of long-term exposure to water, debris, and biohazards carried by floodwaters into your home.

Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County for water removal services. We provide service to Hyde Park and nearby areas. We can help 24/7. Call (845) 635-4550.

Common Types of Storm Damage

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, make SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County your first call.

Severe storms can raise anyone’s anxiety level

When you own a home, you have the stress of worrying about storm damage. While most homes are built to withstand weather extremes, damages are always possible when a strong storm moves in.

Each season brings its variety of threats, but rain, hail, snow, and sleet will always come with the risk of storm damage to your Dutchess home, sometimes down to the very structure.

Your level of risk will vary depending on several factors, including the type of storm coming in, the materials your home is constructed from, and even your landscaping. And sometimes, whether you receive damages simply comes down to luck.

It is not uncommon to see a wide variety of weather in New York. Still, some of our main extremes include snowstorms in the winter and severe thunderstorms in the summer. We can also see the occasional tornado.

This past July, we saw a week where several tornadoes touched down. The more we learn about common kinds of storm damage and how to protect our homes from them, the safer we can stay.

Wind

Wind damage begins when high-velocity winds pound a building with strong gusts. Hurricanes and tornadoes carry these kinds of winds, but even a mild thunderstorm can blow winds up to 100 mph.

When winds reach this strength, they can cause damage to themselves or toss other items around. To stay safe, shelter indoors in an interior room away from windows and walls. Debris can easily pierce walls or break glass when it is thrown at a high rate of speed.

You can take steps to prevent this kind of damage to your property. Clear limbs and rocks loose or overly close to your house. Tie down your outside furniture so it can’t fly around when the wind picks up. The more debris you can clean up, the less damage wind can cause.

Water

Water damage is one of the most commonly occurring types of storm damage. A storm with a heavy downpour can cause ponding of water outside your home, which can leak through window seals and doors.

When a large amount of water falls, it can begin to seep through your ground floor and cause structural damage.

Use your landscaping as your first line of defense to mitigate your risks from water damage to your property. Create slopes or consider installing an absorbent rain garden. This is a beautiful way to protect your home from the water before it can threaten your home.

You should also keep your gutters clear to allow water to flow away from your house. When the gutter gets clogged, water can pool on your roof and leak through to every level of your home.

Impact

Another common form of damage is when objects are knocked over or blown around and make an impact on another object. This kind of damage can be completely destructive, as it can often include trees falling on vehicles or homes.

To avoid this kind of damage, keep your trees trimmed and remove from your property those that are not healthy.

In 2021, weather disasters led to more than $145 billion in damages. When you take the time to protect your home, you can save yourself money and rest a little easier knowing you are safer.

If your home has been damaged by a storm, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County. We are available 24⁄7 with the industry-leading equipment and experience needed to complete your restoration faster.

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, you must know who to call! Contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County today at (845) 635-4550 to get your storm damage restoration started faster. 

Stay Safe During Storms by Understanding Alerts

7/12/2022 (Permalink)

If you suspect any damage to your home from a recent storm, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess.

There are 42 different kinds of weather alerts broken into seven different categories. When severe weather is rolling in and you want to keep your family safe, that is a lot of information to try and digest.

Understanding what an alert means allows you to get to safety quickly. It also means that you can take preemptive steps before the storm to protect your home.

Having a general knowledge of all kinds of weather is helpful, but it is essential to understand our most common severe weather and the alerts that go along with it right here in New York.

How Alerts Are Issued

Where do weather alerts come from? How are forecasts formed, and when they are, how is a storm tracked for its timing, strength, and location? There are a couple of ways to answer these questions.

The National Weather Service is the entity that is responsible for creating weather forecasts and subsequently issuing any necessary warnings. There are six regional weather offices and more than 100 forecasting offices all around the nation, which means when we receive a forecast it is not only accurate but localized.

NWS personnel and meteorologists use several different kinds of data in order to create a forecast, including satellite radar, seismic activity, solar activity, and sensors. The kind of data that is accessed varies according to the type of weather moving in, but the end result is always to provide an accurate and dependable forecast.

The Most Important Alerts to Understand

“Watch” and “warning” are two words that will be used in almost every weather situation and something that everyone should understand the difference between. These alerts will be issued with winter storms, floods, and thunderstorms to name just a few examples.

A watch is issued when it is time to prepare for a serious storm to move in. Watches are issued for a large area in order to keep most people safe before the danger starts.

When a warning is issued, it will cover a more pinpointed, smaller area, like a city or county. A warning means that a severe storm is in the immediate area and you should seek shelter right away in order to protect your life and home.

Beyond understanding watches and warnings, it is essential to understand the weather that most often affects us right here in Dutchess County. While we typically have mild temperatures in the summer, it certainly doesn’t rule out the risk of severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, and strong winds.

In the winter, we can see close to 45 inches of snow, which means we should make sure we understand how to respond to winter storm alerts, ice warnings, and freezing temperatures.

Protecting Your Home During a Storm

Having a good knowledge of the different weather alerts that affect us is the first way to protect your home and your life during a weather event, but there are a few other things you can do as well.

Keep your gutters clean and secure your outdoor furniture ahead of storms to prevent flood and wind damage. Prepare a safe space in your home with supplies for each family member to comfortably shelter during a storm. Plan and practice an exit route for those times that you cannot safely stay in your home.

After the storm, assess your property for damage. Take pictures to document the damage and call SERVPRO. We are available ²⁴⁄₇ to start your recovery process quickly and restore your home.

Learn as much as you can about our community’s weather so that you can stay safe no matter what comes our way. Be prepared for the next round of alerts and ride out the storm with ease.

Experienced storm damage to your home or property? Contact us today for a quick response!

Make Your Storm Safety Plan Today

6/12/2022 (Permalink)

If you discover storm damage to your home or business, reach out to SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess right away.

Weather can get scary quickly. Heavy rain, lightning, hail, and strong winds pose a threat to lives and structures. Thunderstorms are such a common occurrence that the United States can see close to 100,000 every year. These storms are not something any of us can avoid or ignore.

New York is known for a variety of weather throughout the year, including strong thunderstorms. We all can likely recall the path of destruction left behind throughout Dutchess County last year when what seemed like a normal summer storm turned for the worst, toppling trees and taking out the power. Our extreme weather should serve as a reminder that we need an emergency weather plan to stay safe and protect our families.

Your Severe Weather Communication Strategy

Communication should be the first step in your emergency plan, and that means you need to understand the difference between a watch and a warning. This is essential knowledge so you can move your family to safety at the appropriate times.

In order to stay vigilant during a storm, you should have at least two ways to receive alerts from weather officials. Your cell phone and a weather radio from the NOAA are two common devices you should have charged before a storm moves in.

Once you have these two pieces of your plan taken care of, you should create a communication strategy for your family. Create a designated space in your home as a safe area, typically a basement or a bathroom. Make sure everyone in your house knows that this is where to go when the weather turns dangerous. You may also want to create a plan for any family members that may not be home during the storm so that everyone is safely accounted for.

Your Severe Weather Emergency Kit

In your designated safe space, you should keep an emergency kit stocked with supplies to sustain your family. Flashlights, batteries, water, and nonperishable items should all be included in the kit, as well as first-aid supplies.

In the event that you should need to shelter in place, you may also want some comfort items such as blankets or games to keep your family calm. You should have enough supplies to last for up to 72 hours.

Your Severe Weather Aftermath Checklist

Once the storm is over, it is essential to know what to do next. Taking the proper steps means you can mitigate any losses and re-address any parts of your safety plan that may not have worked. As soon as you are able, you should walk your property and assess for any damages you may have received.

Pay close attention to your roof, windows, and doors to ensure their seals are intact. These areas are the most likely locations where water can intrude, and you will want to mitigate any moisture quickly.

If you do find your property damaged, make our trained professionals your first call. We are locally owned, and as your neighbors, SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County wants to offer you peace of mind and get our community put back together faster. We are available to start your restorations ²⁴⁄₇.

Once you have assessed for damages and restoration is underway, talk with your family members and review the steps of your plan. What worked and what did not work? Did you have enough supplies in your kit? Was everyone able to check in as safe?

Your emergency plan should be adjusted and practiced continuously to ensure you are ready for the next storm.

If you discover storm damage to your home or business, you can count on SERVPRO to handle the restoration. We’re here ²⁴⁄₇ to spring into action—get in touch with us today.

The Facts About Flood Types and Causes

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Regardless of the cause of the flooding, SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess has the team to help you recover from any disastrous event.

Flooding is the most common natural disaster and claims more lives than hurricanes, tornadoes, or lightning in the United States per year. Floods affect a wide swath of communities, cities, and individual properties.

All U.S. territories and states have been affected by flooding, and while each part of the nation has different kinds of flood events, there are similarities in the types and the casualties they can cause. There are three common kinds of floods and four main reasons they can happen.

3 Types of Natural Flooding

Flash floods happen commonly and quickly when a slow-moving storm or a storm with excessive amounts of rain moves through an area. The ground becomes overwhelmed, and when it can no longer absorb water, runoff creates a flowing stream that can carry away large or small objects.

River floods occur when a river fills with too much water, and spillage into banks and beyond begins. River floods can create destruction in those areas closest to the water source.

Coastal floods take place near a large body of water. These floods are a product of weather events such as hurricanes, storm surges, and rising tides.

The 4 Most Common Causes of Natural Flooding

Heavy rainfall. Rainfall is our most common cause of flooding in Dutchess County. Storms generated after a hurricane have caused flash floods and river flooding in our area. The highly developed areas in our county are even more susceptible to flooding due to a lack of soil to aid in moisture absorption.

Oceanic activity. While most of our area is inland, we have felt the effects of several Atlantic hurricanes over the years. Storm surges and rising tides have pushed storms into our area leading to flooding on par with our coastal neighbors. Hurricane Ida was particularly damaging to our area a few years ago.

Dams and levees failing. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused the historic levee failure in Louisiana. Dams and levees fail when they are cracked or under extreme pressure and can no longer contain the storm surge behind. These breaks cause catastrophic destruction.

Snowmelts and ice dams. Our heavy snowstorms and extended freezing temperatures during the winter mean we will contend with flooding and ice dams as spring begins to break. Ice dams or ice jams occur when ice is pushed downstream and creates a block, causing river water to flow over the banks and creating destruction to those areas nearby.

Regardless of the cause of the flooding, SERVPRO has the tools and teams to help your home or business recover from its disastrous effects. Contact us anytime when flooding or water damage makes a mess in your life.

Repair of Storm Flood Damage in Hyde Park Requires Expertise

3/8/2022 (Permalink)

When flooding hits your property, SERVPRO is prepared with restoration equipment and experienced technicians.

SERVPRO Can Help Hyde Park Residents Handle Storm Flood Damage

Inclement weather has led to flooding in my home. It has caused damage to my property and possessions. Whom do I call?

You can handle storm flood damage in your Hyde Park residence by hiring technicians from SERVPRO. We are highly trained and can use state-of-the-art equipment to relieve you of the flood damage nightmare. The process we follow to restore homes widely depends on the condition of the residence and the extent of the damage. Still, it includes the basic steps outlined below:

• Inspection
• Floodwater extraction
• Debris removal and disposal
• Drying and dehumidification
• Disinfection and deodorization
• Reconstruction

Inspection

We visually inspect the affected rooms to determine the extent of the destruction and know which restoration measures to take. Our restorers can use thermal imaging cameras to see how water and moisture travel throughout your home.

Floodwater Extraction

Floodwater causes more damage to a property the longer it remains on it. Our technicians can use portable pumps to remove the floodwater as quickly as possible to avoid this.

Debris Removal and Disposal

Our SERVPRO technicians can remove all the ruined items, like furniture, clothing, and carpets, and sort them to determine what to dispose of and what to repair and restore.

Drying and Dehumidification

SERVPRO technicians can dry out your house. The air that touches saturated materials has high humidity. Air movers work by introducing airflow at the surface level and replacing the highly saturated air with dry air to improve evaporation. We can then use low grain refrigerant dehumidifiers (LGR) to remove the water vapor in the house.

Disinfection and Deodorization

Our technicians can apply disinfectants to exterminate microorganisms and prevent further growth. We can then use deodorants to remove the bad smell that the floodwater leaves behind.

Reconstruction

SERVPRO technicians can help you to restore your house to its original state. We can complete tasks like repainting, replacing damaged walls, and repairing the basement.

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County can effectively perform storm flood damage repairs. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster. Contact us today at (845) 635-4550.

Spring Weather Varies Across the Nation

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Extreme temperature changes can lead to the possibility of severe weather. SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess is a click away if you experience any damage.

Our nation is one of the largest in the world. The United States is second in size only to Russia and Canada, though China is also larger if you don’t count all outlying U.S. territories.

A territory this big under one umbrella means the seasons don’t look the same—different areas of the country experience different weather patterns. This adds up to various weather threats around the nation across a year.

As spring approaches and we all look forward to milder days, we also have to prepare for the weather extremes that come as cold and warm air collide. Let’s look at what different regions can expect, and specifically what we can expect here in Hyde Park and the rest of Dutchess County.

The Pacific Northwest is prone to heavy rain over the spring months, much like we often experience in New York. These rainstorms can cause flooding and water damage issues to residents of this region. Higher elevations often still have snow, which leads to melting and runoff problems.

In the Upper Midwest and the Northeast, we tend to have the longest continuation of winter’s chill. While our own neighborhoods in Dutchess County can see some ease of the blistering low temps, residents from Maine to the Dakotas can expect extreme cold and blizzards until early summer. Snowstorms are often not out of the question, even in our own weather forecast until late April.

On the opposite side of the nation from our own coast, the southern West Coast deals with the opposite of our spring weather. This region has perhaps the warmest weather pattern, including excessive heat waves that can endanger lives and safety. Their South Pacific neighbors, including Hawaii, will be on alert for possible tsunamis resulting from tectonic shifts.

The middle of the country, with states from Iowa to Texas, will need to watch out for windstorms, derechos, and the risk of wildfires, which spread easily when winds are high and the spring season is dry. A high concentration of tornadoes occur in this region, giving it the appropriate nickname of Tornado Alley.

Finally, the Southeast experiences a variety of severe weather, from tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in the landlocked states to dangerous rip currents, plus early-season hurricanes later in the spring. While typically far warmer than we are here in New York, the southern states still experience swinging temps and the occasional late frost.

For someone that prefers a spring day with cold mornings and mild afternoons, our New York weather can be a dream. But even these dream temperatures do not make us immune from the possibility of severe weather. And like the rest of our nation, no matter what weather comes your way, it always pays to be prepared.

If extreme weather leaves you with damage from water, fire, or other elements, help is a click away. Contact SERVPRO for fast, expert recovery.

Cleaning Up After Flood Damage in Poughkeepsie

2/13/2022 (Permalink)

Has a recent storm brought excess water into your home? Call SERVPRO 24/7 for water removal and flood damage remediation services.

SERVPRO Provides Flood Damage Restoration in Poughkeepsie

When a storm strikes your neighborhood, the wind created can be one of its most destructive forces. If wind speeds get high during a snowstorm or thunderstorm, gravel, rocks, or branches could become airborne. If any flying debris happens to strike one of your windows, your structure could get breached during the rain or snowstorm. If you have broken windows, moisture can enter your house until you get your building re-sealed. 

If you suffer from flood damage in Poughkeepsie after a storm, you could find that a large amount of water goes into your house. Suppose moisture coming from the outdoors comes into contact with porous items like your carpet or clothing. In that case, the materials might have to be removed and replaced due to the possibility of contamination. Other non-porous materials in your house, like your hardwood or linoleum floors, could also have contacted moisture, and they will need attention from our SERVPRO technicians.

Anytime outside water affects your building materials or contents inside your home, contamination and mold growth could become issues. Therefore, it is wise to remove all moisture in less than two days. Luckily, our highly trained team at SERVPRO can assist you with the following because We're Faster To Any Size Disaster:

• Water Extraction Services
• Category 2 and 3 Water Damage Restorations
• Applied Structural Drying (ASD)
• Black Mold Inspections
• Water Damage Debris Removal
• Restorative Carpet Cleaning

Once we extract and dry out your wet hard-surface floors, we can then take steps to clean and decontaminate them. Since there is a chance the moisture that contacted your flooring contained harmful bacteria or other microscopic particles, we can use a disinfectant such as Vanquish. 

If a broken window during a storm turns into a major water damage project, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550.

SERVPRO Handles Flood Damage in Hyde Park Homes Like a Pro

1/28/2022 (Permalink)

Storm and flooding damage restoration is very hard to contain correctly. SERVPRO has the equipment and knowledge for every situation for your home.

Need help dealing with flood damage to your Hyde Park home? Call SERVPRO 

Dealing with floodwater can pose a significant challenge in unconditioned spaces of your property, such as garages and crawlspaces. SERVPRO techs use different drying systems to deal with flood damage in such areas of your Hyde Park home. 

An open drying system that SERVPRO techs often use to handle flood damage in unconditioned spaces of your Hyde Park home allows direct exposure to the outside air. However, SERVPRO techs only use the open drying system if the outside air is "drier" than the indoor air. The IICRC S500 guidelines recommend a closed drying system if-

• The outside air has high humidity ratio than the indoor air
• When an open system risk building security
• Changing weather patterns 
• Excess energy loss occurs

How do SERVPRO techs decide which drying system to use during water clean-up from your Hyde Park home? 

Active and passive ventilation might be available for unconditioned spaces in your flood-damaged Hyde Park home. Some crawlspaces have a passive ventilation capacity characterized by adjustable vents. However, building and energy codes may require that the crawlspace incorporate active ventilation in some areas. 

The type of ventilation system dictates the choice of a drying system for an unconditioned space. An open drying system is much easily achievable if passive ventilation is present. 

How do SERVPRO techs make an open drying system more effective? 

If the indoor humidity increases, SERVPRO techs take the following steps to improve the efficiency of an open drying system-

• Install supplemental dehumidification system, thereby converting an open system into a combination drying strategy
• Outdoor air exchange can be limited by installing barriers.

In a water restoration emergency, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550.

What Preventative Methods Do Poughkeepsie Residents Need to Avoid Frozen Pipes and Ice Damming?

12/19/2021 (Permalink)

Take preventative measures to avoid dealing with water damage from frozen pipes by contacting SERVPRO. Our technicians are standing by 24/7 for you.

SERVPRO Advises Poughkeepsie Residents on How to Protect their Home from Frozen Pipes and Ice Damming this Winter

Storms can bring in adverse weather conditions, including below-freezing temperatures. Sometimes a long period of cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and subsequently burst. As the winter months approach, it can be helpful to conduct an assessment of your home's plumbing to reduce the possibility of frozen pipes. When assessing your home for potential frozen pipes, the areas of most concern include:

• Exposed or improperly insulated parts of the property
• Garages, crawlspaces, and attics
• Gardening equipment such as sprinklers or external water storage units

Preventative measures to reduce frozen pipes and ice damming in your Poughkeepsie home are an inexpensive way to avoid high costs. Simple property maintenance, such as removing ice shingles from guttering periodically, can help to save time and expense. Ice dams can tear guttering away from the property or cause excessive blockages inside pipes in difficult situations. There are also several types of equipment that can help to lower the chances of ice dams forming altogether, these include:

• Investing in heating cables for your roof. Heated lines are fairly energy efficient and can be attached to the exterior of your home where ice dams form. 
• Another alternative is to insulate your attic spaces. A warm attic from living quarters heating can cause snowmelt promoting ice damming.
• Raking the roof can stop ice damming. Aim to remove the snow from the roof at regular intervals. Removing snow raises the roof's temperature and prevents ice dams from forming. 

Avoid unnecessary expenses and property repairs this winter. Contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County if you suffer property damage at (845) 635-4550.

Where Homeowners Can Get Help With Storm Flood Removal in Poughkeepsie

11/26/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage can quickly affect both the contents and structure of your home. Contact Team SERVPRO for effective flood removal.

SERVPRO Offers Prompt Flood Removal Services in Poughkeepsie

Storm and flooding events involve the presence of heavy rainfall, powerful winds and landslides among other undesirable things. Therefore, recovery and cleanup activities can be hazardous. The hazards that could be encountered include physical, ergonomic, biological and chemical hazards. It is necessary to hire professional emergency recovery and response workers like SERVPRO technicians who are aware of the dangers involved and take the appropriate safety precautions.

The flooding associated with storms poses a severe risk to a property and its contents. You can trust us to perform efficient storm flood removal in your Poughkeepsie residence. Flooding often leads to contamination, which may include sewage. Our SERVPRO team can apply biocides twice if there is sewage contamination. We apply the initial treatment before the restoration process begins to make the work-site safer for workers to complete the cleaning tasks. The biocides begin to decontaminate the affected surfaces but not disinfect the surfaces fully.

We apply a second treatment after cleaning the contaminated surfaces since biocides are more effective after they contact microorganisms on clean surfaces. A storm can also cause roofing and structural destruction. Our SERVPRO team has the expertise required to offer a wide range of restoration services to bring your home back to its original condition. Our restoration process may involve:

• Removing debris and cleaning up the property.
• Roof repairs due to extreme winds or water damage.
• Boarding up your home to prevent injury or theft.
• Contents move out and storage as restoration occurs.
• Property reconstruction services.

We also address standing water during the storm damage restoration process. We can use self-priming trash pumps to remove the water. These pumps are ideal when little lift is needed or when water is supposed to be transferred horizontally. For instance, they are suitable for removing water from single story structures. Our SERVPRO team also uses air moving and dehumidification equipment that minimize drying time. We also use moisture detection tools to measure moisture content in all areas of a building to meet drying goals.

In the event of storm flood damage, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 for effective restoration services. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

How Can Property Owners Handle Storm Flood Damage in Hyde Park?

11/14/2021 (Permalink)

When your home is affected by a storm and resulting flood damage, quick action is necessary. Call our certified technicians to assess the situation.

They Can Contact SERVPRO to Perform Storm Flood Damage Restoration in Hyde Park

Storms do not come with much warning, and the destruction they cause can be devastating. The National Weather Service claims that about 100,000 thunderstorms take place in the United States every year. The devastation from one storm can affect many homes and impact families. Storm damage may take several forms, including roof, wind, and flood damage. You need restoration services from SERVPRO to repair your home quickly and keep your family safe.

We have the expertise and tools required to perform storm flood damage repair in your Hyde Park residence. SERVPRO has built its reputation by providing top storm cleanup services. We are a locally owned and operated restoration service that can address your storm flood damage as quickly as possible. Floodwater can ruin personal valuables, carpets, furniture, and appliances. The longer it remains standing, the more severe the water damage takes place. Water gets into materials in two basic ways. Materials absorb water when it comes into direct contact with them, or they absorb excessive moisture in the air. Moisture moves through and from materials by four mechanical processes, namely:

• Air movement
• Liquid flow
• Vapor diffusion
• Capillary suction

Our SERVPRO team understands how moisture moves and can make sense of the pace of our drying efforts. We can choose the most appropriate water removal techniques based on the flood damage and take measures to potentially increase the drying process for specific materials. We use water removal tools like electric submersible pumps to remove water, and air movers as well as dehumidifiers to eliminate moisture.

A storm can cause wind damage to windows, siding, and roofs. With roof or exterior damage, your home can get exposed to the elements. Our SERVPRO technicians can provide you with full reconstruction solutions such as roof tarping, roof repair, painting, and plumbing repairs. We offer a straightforward process aimed at providing relief and getting things back to normal.

If you need storm flood restoration services, SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County can help. Call us at (845) 635-4550. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Staying Safe During Summer Storms

8/17/2021 (Permalink)

If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of NW & SW Dutchess is on the line, ready to make things right.

Summertime is most people’s favorite time, filled with not as much rushing to events and more family time outdoors. We also tend to think of hot, sunny summer days at the beach or pool.

But amidst all that sun, it might feel like summer also has more thunderstorms. It feels that way because it’s totally true. In most parts of the country, there are atmospheric conditions during the summer months that create moisture and warm air, which helps create thunderstorms.

While it’s obvious that summer months produce hotter days in our area, between May and August, rain chances increase by between 10 and 18%.

Stay Aware

While thunderstorms are common, it doesn’t mean that the threats should be treated lightly. Make sure you’re paying attention to alerts that come across, and if you have an outdoor event scheduled, it’s smarter to move it indoors or postpone it.

You can use an NOAA Weather radio to receive weather alerts even if power is lost.

Flooding is hard to predict, but can happen. If flooding does happen, it’s best to stay off the roads.

Storms can also cause tree limbs to break or winds to pick up and carry items from your yard. Make sure you do yard maintenance daily to prevent disasters happening to your home.

Dozens of people die every year in storm-related incidents, so it’s smart to always stay aware and prepared.

Staying Safe

When thunder roars, go indoors. It’s not safe to go back outside until you haven’t heard thunder for a full half hour, because lightning can strike up to 10 miles from the nearest rain.

As crazy as it may sound, you should always stay away from windows and avoid bathing or showering during a storm.

While we don’t have to necessarily worry about hurricanes or tornadoes, flooding can happen, so it’s important to keep an emergency kit prepared and to know the evacuation route for your area.

If flooding does occur, stay on high ground and avoid any and all flood waters. Don’t try to drive or walk through moving water, because it can knock you down or carry your car away.

There are any number of dangers that can come into play in a thunderstorm, and it’s always best to be cautious and put things on hold until storms safely pass. If storms cause damage to your home or business, SERVPRO is on the line, ready to make things right again.

Do Beekman Homes Need Decontamination After a Flood?

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians know all the steps to take after your home is affected by storm flood waters.

Beekman Homes Hit by Storm Damage Need Professional Storm Cleanup, and SERVPRO is the Answer

Storms can put homes at risk from all kinds of damage. Blackwater is one of the concerns when storm waters surge through buildings. Blackwater is contaminated and requires biohazardous handling. 

Is Black Water Deadly?

Storm cleanup in Beekman is vital because of the contamination in the water. Flash floods carry debris, bacteria, chemicals, and other nasty material. When the flooding stops, the standing water is then a breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. 

How Does SERVPRO Handle the Storm Cleanup?

Our IICRC technicians are experts in dealing with biohazardous material. They also have certification from the American Bio-Recovery Association (ABRA) and Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). They come ready to clean with the correct PPE equipment and cleaning products. We use proprietary disinfecting and sanitizing agents, such as SERVPROXIDE. This product is:

• Fragrant free for those who are sensitive to smells
• On the EPA’s list for the lowest toxicity rating
• A hospital-grade disinfectant
• A stable chlorine dioxide-based antimicrobial

Flash Flooding is Serious

Never take flash flood warnings lightly. The material that floods your home along with the water can be deadly. Prevent health issues by contacting SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550. We provide flood restoration, sewage cleanup, and water damage repairs.

Can a Professional Water Damage Company Help with Hyde Park Flash Flooding?

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding quickly causes flood damage. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and remediation services.

SERVPRO is Ready & Able to Help Hyde Park Residents with Flood Damage Cleanup

Flash flooding can happen rapidly and leaves residents with flooded basements and homes. Before you know it, you can have more than a foot of water covering your residence.

What if My Home Experiences Flood Damage?

The weather is not often predictable, but you should have a plan for when disaster strikes. After getting your family to safety and contacting your insurance company, contact the flood damage experts in Hyde Park. The faster our response, the better your chance of reducing flood damage. 

Storms Bring More Than Just Water with Them

Storms bring massive amounts of water with them, but other things come right along with the liquid. The water raging through your home carries all kinds of contaminants and debris. Special equipment is needed to deal with black water. Our emergency services for water damage include:

• Tarping leaking roof from storms
• Rapid water extraction and mucking out if needed
• Preventing further damage to the home’s content
• Controlled demolition
• Drying the facilities

Preventing Extensive Loss

When our IICRC trained techs get to the flood damage quickly, it can keep you from severe loss. We strive to prevent secondary damage. Contact SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 for basement flooding cleanup and more.

What Makes a Thunderstorm Into a *Severe* Thunderstorm?

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Thunderstorms can pop up at any moment. Contact SERVPRO of NW & SW Dutchess if you experience any damage.

What comes to mind when you think about severe weather? Many people cite tornadoes and hurricanes—and maybe even cyclones or monsoons if they’re thinking about weather around the world.

But what about thunderstorms?

These common storms, which are any storm that involves thunder, occur so frequently that we often disregard them as harmless. But that can be dangerous.

Thunderstorms often involve high winds, lightning, hail, flooding and other issues, so there are many ways that the weather can turn dangerous quickly. A thunderstorm turns into severe weather when certain conditions are present.

Severe thunderstorms are defined as storms that contain hail that is one inch or larger and straight-line winds of 58 miles per hour or more. Read on as we take a deeper dive into the topic.

The Dangers Thunderstorms Can Cause

Damage and injury from lightning strikes. We’ve already mentioned that thunderstorms always involve thunder. But did you know that they always involve lightning, too? That’s because thunder and lightning are always paired together; you can’t have one without the other. Lightning strikes can be dangerous, causing around 300 injuries every year. Bodily harm isn’t the only danger, either. Lightning can cause damage to your home both directly and indirectly, through things like striking a tree that then falls on your house.

Property damage due to hail. These are some pesky little ice pellets, and they can also be quite dangerous. Hail can fall at tremendous speeds, making it a painful and powerful force. The pellets vary in size from tiny to quite large. When hail is large, such as in a severe thunderstorm, it can easily damage your home by affecting the roof or siding, which can in turn lead to leaks and water damage.

Harm from flash flooding. “Turn around, don’t drown” is more than just a catch phrase. It’s a very important rule to know when it comes to flash floods. Flash flooding can occur in any place at any time due to a number of factors, ranging from intense, heavy rainfall to a defective drainage ditch. When it occurs, anyone in the area is in danger. If flash flood conditions are possible, it’s best to stay off the road.

Thunderstorms are dangerous and can cause significant damage to homes or commercial spaces. If you have damage due to a thunderstorm, you can count on us to help. Contact us ²⁴⁄₇ for more information about our storm restoration practices.

Flood Damage or Leaking Roof from Storms in Poughkeepsie – Call SERVPRO

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage is an after-effect of a storm. SERVPRO has the manpower and equipment for any size disaster services needed for your home.

Emergency Services for Flood Damage in Poughkeepsie – Call SERVPRO

High winds can rip the siding off the walls of your home. Often shingles are missing, or a flying piece of debris punctures a hole in the roof, letting a river of water into the attic and the ceiling below. The insulation, the drywall, and even the carpets or hardwood floors can be quickly soaked.

SERVPRO can help with many different types of flood damage in Poughkeepsie. Our team can respond in less than four hours on a 24/7 basis. Our professionals' water damage remediation technicians can significantly reduce the amount of damage by our fast response to your call.

Flood damage mitigation may involve the following:

• Application of tarps over a damaged roof
• Board up services over broken windows and doors or punctured walls
• Water removal services
• Water damage repairs & restoration

We quickly assess the situation, discuss our plan with our clients, and put it into action. We aim to control and limit the amount of ongoing damage. Once the water is removed and your home dried, we can begin the restoration of your home.

Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County for flood damage restoration in Poughkeepsie and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (845) 635-4550.

Look for Ways to Protect Your Home From Heavy Rains

4/6/2021 (Permalink)

If you need help dealing with any damage caused by water, contact SERVPRO of NW & SW Dutchess today.

If you’re a Poughkeepsie homeowner, we have a question for you: How many homeowners do you think file water damage claims every year?

The answer is probably more than you think. It’s in the millions. One out of every 50 American homeowners will likely file a water damage claim in 2021.

The size of our individual social circles varies. Still, depending on how many people you know, more than one of your friends, family members, coworkers or acquaintances might file a water damage claim this year.

So if you find yourself dealing with home water damage, you won’t be the only one. While our team hopes you don’t have to file a water damage claim, we’ll be here to help if you do.

Causes of Water Damage

You probably know some of the most obvious ways water can damage your home. They include problems like a flash flood or a burst pipe.

But heavy rains can be a significant cause of water damage. This is especially true if there are home maintenance issues that go unaddressed over time.

Don’t Let Heavy Rains Damage Your Home

We have insights into how you can protect your home from suffering water damage now and in the future. Here’s some good news: Basic home maintenance can help you stay safe from water damage.

Get to know how your yard drains. Understanding the way your yard drains is vital to protecting your home. If you notice that your yard is draining toward your home, then you might want to get in touch with a landscaping expert to look for ways to protect your yard.

Learn the value of native plant landscaping. It might not sound like a big issue, but landscaping makes a difference. Many people don’t realize that the right landscaping at your home can make a big difference in preventing water damage. Talk with landscaping experts in the area or visit a native plant sale for tips and ideas.

Consider if sealing your roof could be a helpful move Experts estimate that almost 95% of damage is caused by water finding its way through gaps in your shingles, which can be prevented with this step. Talk with a roofing specialist for details.

If you need help dealing with damage caused by water, fire or any other issue, we’re here to help you restore your home. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about us and how we can help you restore your home to its original state.

Helping Beekman Homeowners Get Ready for Spring

3/3/2021 (Permalink)

If you experience any property damage from spring storms, contact SERVPRO of NW & SW Dutchess County.

Beekman residents are finally starting to gear up for a new season after a long, cold winter.

If you have a serious case of spring fever, you aren’t alone. As we welcome March, most of us are already dreaming of how we’re going to spend our weekends when it’s warmer and sunnier outside.

Now is a great time to start planning new projects, too. Whether you enjoy gardening, grilling or spending time outdoors, spring brings with it plenty of possibilities.

There’s no doubt spring is an enjoyable time of year, but like any season, it can bring specific hazards. Spring storms are something homeowners have to be prepared to handle and manage.

While we don’t have the ability to control when a storm hits, we can do things to ensure we’re prepared to weather one when it happens.

Prioritize These Important Home Projects

When you’re making your next home improvement to-do list, be sure these items have a spot on it:

Get rid of any tree branches and limbs hanging over your roof. Limbs and branches that hang over your roof create hazards during a storm. Winds can bring them down and cause damage. You can prevent this from happening by cutting them down.

Clean your gutters this (and every) season. Clean channels allow water to move around your home the correct way. Don’t let water backup up your home and cause water damage.

Look for issues with your roof. Be sure your roof doesn’t have any missing shingles. It would help if you were mindful of the signs of a leak, too.

Don’t let items around your home become hazards. Be sure your patio furniture or other similar things don’t become tools for the wind to damage your home.

If a fire, flood or any other cause damage to your home, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.

Enjoy Festive Lights Near Hyde Park With The Holiday Spirit Festival

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Storm damage may happen year round. Call SERVPRO for the services of an experienced company when it comes to water restoration.

Keep Up Your Christmas Spirit In Hyde Park This Year

Are you ready for some extra festive cheer this December? Look no further than Kevin McCurdy’s Holiday Spirit Festival at nearby Wappinger Falls. There is so much to see and do that you might need to visit twice!

• Visit the holiday train exhibit with full-size trains and festive lights.
• Explore the Enchanted Forest of Lights.
• Stop at the Winter Wonderland to see animated scenes.
• Visit the Legend of the Fairies story attraction.

Remember to bring your letter to Santa ready for posting. There will be themed entertainment every night and a scavenger hunt.

The Festival runs until December 27, and admission starts at $12. Please note that this is a reservation-only event – you must book online with the Holiday Lights Festival. Tickets are not available on site.

We hope the weather will be clear and dry enough to enjoy the lights. However, should bad weather leave you with flood damage to clean up, SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County is here to help. Call us at (845) 635-4550.

Explore A Slice Of Hudson Valley History In Poughkeepsie

12/10/2020 (Permalink)

Flood damage is a serious issue. Leave it to the trained professionals at SERVPRO for all of the storm damage restoration services needed.

Vibrant Dutchess County City Offers A Window Into The Past

Poughkeepsie has always held a special place in Hudson Valley history. Dutch colonist Myndert Harmense Van Den Bogaerdt and English colonist Robert Sanders purchased the land in 1686. Growth happened fast, and the first church was founded in Poughkeepsie in 1720. The city serves as New York State's second capital. When the town of Poughkeepsie was incorporated in 1799, the rest of the community split off and eventually became chartered as the city of Poughkeepsie. However, the town and city are usually seen as one whole place, given the name "Poughkeepsie," and a combined population of 74,751.

Poughkeepsie also bears the charming name The Queen City of The Hudson, and the city has a proud riverside heritage. There are two Hudson crossings in the town. The Walkway Over The Hudson is an ex-railroad bridge from the nineteenth century. It is now a pedestrian walkway that spans the river. The mid-Hudson toll bridge is a significant traffic thoroughfare.

Get Close To History In Poughkeepsie

You will never be short of interesting historical sites to see in Poughkeepsie. The city has several historic districts that are worth visiting:

• Union Street Historic District started life as a simple footpath connecting the settlement of Poughkeepsie to the Union Store on the riverfront. In 1767 the trail was developed into a proper street, and homes started springing upon it. The district covers eight blocks, and 173 buildings are considered "contributing buildings" that add to the area's historical importance.
• Academy Street Historic District was the first planned neighborhood in Poughkeepsie. It contains many buildings from the eighteen and nineteenth centuries. The land was part of a farm in 1805, and later in the century was sold to a group of speculators. This purchase turned out to be fortuitous, as the district's smaller lots meant they could build plenty of houses in different styles.
• Mount Carmel is a vibrant historic district that is popular with visitors. The Walkway Over The Hudson crosses over the neighborhood, and every year the St Anthony's Street Festival draws visitors from far and wide. Mount Carmel historically welcomed a large number of Italian immigrants. The area is still home to several authentic Italian bakeries and eateries and is known locally as Little Italy.
• Garfield Place Historic District is only two blocks in length, but those two blocks are well worth visiting to see the grand historic homes. Garfield Place was started life in an area called the "Little Commons." In the early nineteenth century, the van Kleeck family sold the Little Commons to Bronson French. In 1836, the French sold it to some local businessmen who saw that the area's fantastic Hudson views and proximity to the Poughkeepsie settlement made it prime real estate. Today, the site is home to some of the most desirable properties in Poughkeepsie.

While you are strolling around Poughkeepsie's historic districts, there are two buildings that you will not want to miss.

The Building at 73 Mansion Street is an excellent example of Queen Anne style architecture. When the neighboring area of Balding Avenue was granted Historic District status, the awarding body excluded 73 Mansion Street because its style did not match the Balding homes in the rest of the street. The building was finally recognized in its own right, and it is worth a stroll past to see the striking architecture and the colored glass window inserts.

When you are finished, take a trip to nearby Hyde Park to see the Vanderbilt Mansion. The mansion is one of the most prominent Hudson River estates and features 54 rooms arranged in the Beaux-Arts style, which was popular in Paris in the nineteenth century. The house is beautifully furnished with period pieces, and you can also take a stroll around the Italian Gardens.

Get To Know Poughkeepsie's Famous Residents

Poughkeepsie has many interesting historical sites – but did you know it is also the birthplace of some fascinating figures? Some innovative Poughkeepsie natives include:

• Pioneering botanist William Henry Brewer was involved with the first California Geological Survey. He was also Yale Sheffield Scientific School's first Chair of Agriculture and a former member of one of Yale's oldest secret societies.
• The inventors of the famous Smith Bros' Cough Drops. William Wallace Smith and Andrew Smith created the first cough drops sold in North America. At first, the drops were sold from glass jars on the pharmacy counter, but by 1872 the brothers had created a branded box to sell them in. They even had portraits of themselves stamped on the packaging so imitators could not steal their idea.
• The man who gave the world Scrabble. Alfred Mosher Butts invented the well-loved game of Scrabble in 1932. He wanted to include elements of both chance and skill. He studied the New York Times' front page to work out how often each letter appeared, and therefore how often it should appear in the game. He named his game Lexiko, and then Criss Cross Words, before settling on Scrabble. 

SERVPRO Helps Poughkeepsie Residents In Stormy Weather

Unfortunately, the Poughkeepsie area is familiar with storms and floods. In August of 2020, a severe storm brought down trees and left many homes without power. It is distressing to see your home damaged by flooding after a storm, but SERVPRO is on hand to help:

• We Are Faster To Any Size Disaster – you can rely on us to call you back within an hour from your first call and to arrange a visit within four hours.
• We operate safely – our teams come with overalls, long gloves, aprons, and respirators so we can work safely even in contaminated floodwater.
• We monitor drying using high-tech equipment. We use moisture probes, thermo hygrometers, dehumidifiers, and thermal imaging to monitor moisture levels and ensure your home is dry.
• We dispose of contaminated items and take care of cleaning salvageable items, including furniture, linen, toys, household utensils, and drapes.
• We choose from a range of deodorization techniques such as ULV fogging, spot cleaning, and odor eating pellets so that your home smells fresh.

You can rest assured that we will discuss all plans with you before proceeding. 

If you need help dealing with flood damage, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550.

Poughkeepsie Visitors Can Take a Stroll Over the World’s Longest Elevated Pedestrian Bridge

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County values every bit of their community.

Lots of Events and Activities Around This One-of-a-Kind Bridge in Poughkeepsie

The Walkway Over the Hudson simply defies words to describe the experience. It is a magnificent structure spanning the Erie Canal. You can bike it, walk it, or drive it. Whichever mode of transportation you choose, just do not miss seeing it. The bridge is open from 7:00 AM to Sunset every day. A lot is happening that centers around the Walkway as well. Enjoy things such as:

• Guided tours
• Mobile audio tour
• Starry Starry Night concerts
• Movies Under the Walkway
• Walkway at Night

Discovery zones in the area include:

• City Downtown
• Franny Reese State Park
• Union St. Historic Neighborhood
• Highland Hamlet
• Little Italy
• Poughkeepsie Waterfront
• Highland Landing
• Walkway Trail Loop

Poughkeepsie is a New York gem that everyone should explore. If you live there, get out and take advantage of all the wonderful places to explore and enjoy. If you are visiting, plan to stay for several days to see it all. 

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County provides flood water extraction services to Poughkeepsie and surrounding areas. If you need flood mitigation, call us at (846) 635-4550.

The Importance of Being Concerned With Flash Flood Safety

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of NW & SW Dutchess is your local water & storm restoration expert. We will get the job done right, contact us today.

If severe weather is likely, staying safe is the most important thing to focus on—especially if flash flooding becomes a possibility. Floods claim the second-highest number of lives out of any weather-related event throughout the United States, and flash floods are the deadliest type of them all.

If there is a flash flooding incident, it will occur quickly and provide little notice to those who may be caught in its path. That is why we always encourage people to think through the steps to safety in advance, so that way if a flash flood does become imminent you can be certain that you are making the right choices.

What Is the Danger of a Flash Flood?

Flooding is always a risky type of weather event, but many floods provide much more notice than a flash flood typically will. Flash floods must start in under six hours after heavy rains, but typically occur much faster in the aftermath of a storm. Because of how quickly they occur, there is often little warning for those who are in the flash flood’s pathway.

What Should I Know About Flash Flood Alerts?

Having a reliable way to receive local weather alerts is so important if severe weather is possible, especially if there is the potential for a flash flood. If you see that a flash flood watch is issued, stay alert and stay tuned.

A flash flood warning is far more serious, meaning you should execute your safety plan quickly. For a flash flood emergency, it is important to do everything you can to get to higher ground.

What Do I Need to Know About Evacuating Safely?

It is difficult to make the safest decision quickly if you do not know what the safest decision is, which is why we encourage everyone to keep track of these safety tips beforehand.

• Be sure you have a reliable way to be alerted to weather alerts in your area.
• Have an evacuation plan that you have rehearsed with your household.
• Never cross flooded roads or pathways.
• Do not come into contact with flood water if it is avoidable.
• Have multiple evacuation routes in mind in case water blocks your primary path.

If your home or business has been damaged due to a flood or other severe weather, you can depend on us. Contact us at any hour to learn more about our services or to report damage to your property.

How does SERVPRO Contain Hazards during Flood Damage Remediation?

10/15/2020 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO assist you with your safe flood damage remediation in Poughkeepsie.

Poughkeepsie Homeowners Need Safe Flood Damage Remediation

No one likes to think of contaminants entering their Poughkeepsie home, but unfortunately, sometimes it is unavoidable after a severe storm. Thankfully SERVPRO is on hand to take care of the problem hygienically and safely. 

Flood damage in your Poughkeepsie home carries with it a risk of contamination by all kinds of nasties, including:

• Chemicals such as pesticides
• Dangerous building materials such as asbestos
• Human or animal waste or carcasses

Biohazards such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungus
Keeping you and your family safe from pollutants and creating a safe working environment are our top priorities when attending a flood damage situation. We make sure the area is secure, our workers are well-equipped, and you understand what we are doing, and what will happen next.

Why is time so important when handling the contaminant risk?

We measure water by category: 

• Category 1 water is clean with no contaminants, such as water from a cold faucet
• Category 2 water has some contaminants, such as dishwasher chemicals, or water from a heating system
• Category 3 water is the most hazardous and might contain pathogens, microbes, and human waste

Floodwater from rivers, the ocean, or an overflowing sewage inlet is always counted as category three, and many storm incidents cause category three flooding.

If water is left standing, the category can deteriorate. Category two water can become category three water as microbes multiply and grow. A longer time also increases the risk of mold growth. That is why We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster – our team will be with you within four hours after you call and notify us of a flood damage situation.

What safety training and equipment do our technicians have?

All SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County staff receives comprehensive training. We train our people to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. The IICRC provides national standards for all aspects of remediation, including flood damage.

We equip our teams with all the equipment they need to work safely, including aprons, gloves, hard hats, steel-toed boots, and breathing apparatus.

We also use antimicrobial agents to help decontaminate the area and fight microbe growth.

Biohazards are not the only concern when dealing with flood damage. SERVPRO teams also:

• Ensure there is a safe electricity supply for our equipment, and neutralize any electrical hazards 
• Check there is no danger from sagging ceilings or hanging drywall
• Tarp up roofs and board up doors and windows if necessary
•  Set up adequate lighting in the working area and clear it of any walkway debris

When do we use containment and how does it help?

Containment helps prevent the spread of contaminants. People often associate containment with fungal cleanup, but it is also useful for preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses. Containment also limits the number of people who are exposed to contaminants and helps us manage the airflow between clean and contaminated areas.

Source containment means wrapping contaminated materials in thick plastic sheeting and disposing of them. We use source containment for very mild situations. For mild to moderate cases, we use local containment. We construct a small area from a frame and some plastic sheeting, that is big enough for one worker to clean inside the site while bagging contaminated materials and passing them out for disposal.

In more extreme cases, we use full-scale containment. We start by setting up our main containment area. Then, depending on needs, we might add:

• A decontamination area for decontaminating SERVPRO workers and equipment, and for storing contaminated materials ready for removal
• An equipment room for storing contaminated equipment and worker’s clothes 
• A clean room for storing uncontaminated equipment and clothes
• A contents cleaning room for cleaning salvageable contents

We clean and decontaminate all re-usable items between uses.

How well-sealed is the containment area?

A contamination area only works if it is properly sealed. Because most contaminants are microscopic inside, we need to seal the site to prevent the escape of tiny particles. We use thick plastic sheeting to set up our containment areas and seal every seam with thick duct tape. We also cover all windows, doors, and vents, so there are no escape routes. It is essential to switch off the HVAC, so microbes do not escape via the HVAC ducts.

We can also bring in a negative air machine to create negative air pressure inside the contained area, and make it harder for contaminated air to escape. We use tubing to evacuate the contaminated air outside the building.

You can rely on us to identify and dispose of contaminated water and materials, and clean and disinfect your home to leave it safe and healthy once more.

For safe flood damage remediation, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550.

This Storm Left Our Poughkeepsie Home Flooded, How Can I Limit the Cost of Damage?

8/29/2020 (Permalink)

Dealing with flood damage can cause you and your family a lot of stress. Contact SERVPRO for professional remediation and mitigation services.

SERVPRO Has the Techniques to Ensure Your Poughkeepsie Home is Back to Normal with Less Secondary Flood Damage and Costs

Rain, wind, and flash flooding bring the potential for harmful water infiltration. If you want to salvage the interior of your Poughkeepsie home, DIY measures will not do. SERVPRO provides emergency response and a highly qualified team of technicians that get to work quickly to limit damage and the need for extensive restoration efforts. The sooner we can begin cleanup, the easier it becomes to limit secondary damage to your structure and your belongings.

What Happens to Soaked Furniture and Personal Items?

Working under the promise to salvage and restore rather than replace, our team addresses every item carefully when called for help with flood damage in Poughkeepsie. We test belongings and building materials to determine the level of contamination so that we know how best to proceed. Anything that gets deemed unsalvageable is first documented and then disposed of carefully and per local guidelines.

Why Do I Need Skilled Restoration?

SERVPRO features a fleet of trucks loaded with tools and equipment to allow us to remove standing flood water rapidly. A few of the top reasons we are the trusted team for cleanup when a storm emergency comes about include the following:

• Timely Response – Our team gets deployed within a few hours after you call to arrive and begin our assessment.
• Documentation – Not only do you need paperwork for your insurance claim, but we also carefully detail each step of the process for your peace of mind.
• Industrial-Grade Equipment – Rather than taking on cleanup with a wet-dry vacuum or a mop and bucket with DIY, we have professional-strength tools and EPA-registered cleaning agents for restoring your flood-damaged interior to preloss condition. This includes total moisture detection efforts to ensure no pockets of hidden moisture get left behind in the affected area.

Do you need emergency flood damage assistance? You can trust our trained team at SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County to get the job done right. Reach us by calling (845) 635-4550.

Click here for more information about Poughkeepsie.

Does Hardwood Flooring Require Removal After Floods?

7/8/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals are trained to handle all types of water damage in your home.

Flooding can spread quickly throughout your Poughkeepsie home, but with the premier extraction tools available, we can reduce how severe and threatening these conditions become.

Flooding in your Poughkeepsie home can initially seem impossible to clean and restore. Ideally, the objective of our SERVPRO technicians is to limit the amount of build back and reconstruction necessary to recover the property entirely. This objective comes with a fast response involving premier recovery tools, including powerful extractors, air movers, dehumidifiers, and other specialty tools to remove water and moisture from the damaged areas. 

Despite how challenging removing standing water might be, it is often the flood damage repair in Poughkeepsie homes that is the most time-consuming and costly. With sensitive materials like hardwood flooring, exposure to flood water could have immediate detrimental effects. The longer this exposure persists, the harder that successful restoration effort becomes. In some situations, the only suitable solution is to remove portions of the wood flooring and reinstall them at a later date after mitigation completes. Some of the compromising conditions that could require controlled demolition and material replacement include:

• Overexposure of water damage
• Physical damage to plank (warping, bloating, peeling)
• Contamination exposure

What Happens When Hardwood Becomes Too Saturated? 

With a team of in-house contractors and the restoration professionals that we provide, we can address a greater spectrum of recovery and repair needs for your home after a flood. Instead of pursuing subcontractors to do construction work, we can meet each of these phases at the appropriate times without extended waits. Saturated hardwood flooring can become too weak to support the occupants of the house or show physical damage that restoration cannot correct. Removing portions of flooring can ensure that our team can return your home to its pre loss-condition fast.

Floods can compromise flooring materials, but our SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County contractors and restoration technicians can help make it “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (845) 635-4550.

Learn more about Poughkeepsie

Some Ways to Avoid Storm Damage Issues in Poughkeepsie

2/29/2020 (Permalink)

Regardless of the room or rooms in your home that flooding has affected, contact SERVPRO for effective water removal and remediation efforts.

Flood Removal In Poughkeepsie Could Involve Removing Your Carpets And Padding

If an intense snowstorm ever rolls into the Poughkeepsie area, the result can be snow accumulations that reach over a foot or more. Once the snow starts melting when it warms up, moisture could enter your home and cause you to have to call in a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO to conduct flood removal. When dealing with H2O that comes into your structure from the outdoors, the water could be contaminated.

When conducting flood removal in Poughkeepsie, our SERVPRO technicians know that we are dealing with moisture that does not come from a clean source. H2O that enters your building due to severe weather gets classified as either category two or three situations. For example, if snow melting on your roof is the source of the problem, then the moisture could contain contaminants, so it is considered a category two problem. However, if the water entering your house is muddy water coming from snow melting on the ground and entering, then the situation and be classified as a category three scenario which gets treated the same as a sewage backup because the moisture is more than likely contaminated.

If muddy waters enter your dwelling, we can remove all of the porous materials inside your home, such as your carpets, upholstered furniture, and possibly your drywall. If contaminated moisture saturates any of your porous building materials or contents, then they could become affected by harmful bacteria, parasites, or fungi. Because of this, when dealing with category three or "black" water sources, we always remove your carpets and pad if they have retained moisture. We can also remove any wet drywall by cutting the material up from the floor. For instance, if your drywall is only wet at the very bottom, we can cut a foot or two up from the floors.

After your carpets and drywall get removed, we can then treat your subfloors and wall studs. If your subfloors got saturated by the category three moisture, then we can dry it out and then seal it with a specialized sealant paint to trap any harmful microorganisms or malodor particles. If the materials only got a little damp, then we can use a hand sprayer to spray them with a disinfectant. 

If you ever need help after snow melts and moisture enters your home, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 any day of the week.

Click here for more information about Poughkeepsie.

Ways Severe Snowstorms Can Flood Your Poughkeepsie Home

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

Let us help you get your Poughkeepsie home back in order after a devastation. Call us anytime at (845) 635-4550.

SERVPRO Teams can Assist you with Any Form of Weather Related Damage your Home Faces

The winter weather can threaten your Poughkeepsie home in many ways, and heavy snowfall is one of them. Snow by itself might seem harmless, but there are numerous destructive paths this precipitation could take to damage your house. Understanding these concerns can help you better prepare for these scenarios and even possibly prevent some of them.

Structural damage might be a costly situation, but flood snow damage to Poughkeepsie homes can be an even more significant obstacle and financial burden. Depending on the home insurance that you have and its coverage limitations, you might find that your policy only covers portions of flood loss recoveries. That is what makes understanding the potential destructive paths of snowstorm flooding beneficial to you.

Heavy Snowfall

Area homes have seen substantial snowfall over the years, regularly measuring more than a foot at a time during the heart of winter. The weight of this snow on your roof can test its limitations and sometimes cause structural breaches when portions of the roof collapse or supports break and the roof sags. These become penetration points for flooding.

Ice Damming 

Inadequate insulation in your home can cause snow to melt when it is still well below freezing outside. This melting can lead to situations like ice damming, which ultimately remove shingles from your roof as the growing ice forces melted water back into the house. This situation can go unnoticed at first but lead to substantial flooding concerns.  

Snowmelt Flooding 

Natural flooding from rising creeks and streams is another concern, as melting snow inevitably finds its way back to more significant bodies of water. Our SERVPRO professionals must prepare in these situations for widespread flooding concerns affecting multiple properties simultaneously.

Ice Jams 

Ice Jams are another concern for the area, as moving streams and rivers can dam up with floes of ice when specific conditions exist. Without a place for collecting water to go, water can spread out over the banks and affect houses and businesses in this immediate area.

There are several ways that heavy snowfall can lead to flooding in your home, and our SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County team can help you in all of these situations. Call our experienced professionals today at (845) 635-4550.

Want to know more about Poughkeepsie?

We’re Here to Help With Storm Restoration | SERVPRO® of NW & SE Dutchess County

2/5/2020 (Permalink)

High winds and severe storms are a fairly common occurrence, but it is wise to not disregard the damage they can cause. Storm damage cost homeowners $2 billion in losses for the year 2018, making them one of the most common reasons homeowners file insurance claims.

In order to help you through the aftermath of storm damage to your home, we are here to help with all of your restoration needs. Learn more about our unique approach to damage and why we are a good choice to handle your storm restoration:

Why We’re a Good Choice for Home Restoration

Your Damages Will Be Restored With Care
Storm damage often involves multiple elements of destruction, including structural damage, moisture buildup and even mold accumulation. This makes it important to look at the entire issue of damage and restore it with all of these things in mind—and because we are fully certified in multiple types of damage and have extensive experience, we can do just that.

You Will Have Experienced Technicians on the Job
The technicians who do your restoration work make all the difference in the quality of work you receive, which is why we make sure ours are fully trained and prepared for all types of storm damage. Our technicians are educated to the standards of the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification from the moment they are hired, and they also receive opportunities for continued education and seminars to expand their expertise.

You Will Receive Timely Service for Any Size Disaster
We are proud to be a locally owned and operated business, but we also have the unique benefit of the SERVPRO® national brand behind us. When large-scale damages occur, we can rely on our national colleagues to provide equipment and workforce resources to ensure everyone in the community will receive the restoration they need in a timely manner.

You Will Know We Are a Reputable Company
With all of our years of experience, we have unfortunately seen many customers get taken advantage of by post-storm scams by unscrupulous “restoration professionals.” Because we have a long-standing reputation as leaders in the restoration industry, you can trust that with us, you will receive quality work and will not fall victim to one of these scams.

If you have experienced storm damage or want to learn more, you can call us ²⁴⁄₇ for more details.

Flood Damage Poughkeepsie – Infectious Waste Handling

12/30/2019 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO break down what all your Poughkeepsie home can endure after a flood.

Flood water can bring in so much more than just water in your Poughkeepsie home.

Floodwaters combine with all sorts of biohazards, including chemicals, sewage, and fuels, as floodwaters overflow streams and rivers into streets and neighborhoods. Floodwaters may wash through your home, depositing debris and hazardous materials in your home. Consumers should be careful to avoid coming into contact with these materials to prevent infections and sickness.

SERVPRO has provided construction and flood damage services for over 20 years in the Poughkeepsie area. We have twenty-five highly trained technicians that have experience dealing with virtually every catastrophe imaginable. Our training includes restoration from water, fire, flood, and storm damage.

Concern for our Customers Around Infectious Waste

Many customers want to pitch in and begin cleanup after a flood. There may be family heirlooms and other personal items the homeowner would like to rescue. Occupants can be exposed to a variety of harmful chemicals as well as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that could be very harmful to their health. Some infections from bacteria and viruses can enter through the skin, especially if there are cuts, abrasions, or scratches on the skin. These are serious hazards that can send you to the hospital.

SERVPRO equips our technicians for this potentially dangerous environment. The cleanup team may wear respirators, chemically resistant gloves, rubber boots, splash goggles, and full-body suits for their protection. Containment areas may be set up to control the spread of contaminants to other unaffected areas of the building. We remove all of the contaminated materials and dispose of them following industry guidelines.

The flooding and damage may seem overwhelming at first to homeowners. SERVPRO has lots of experience in these conditions. We follow a standard protocol that removes debris and contaminated material, cleans, and disinfects everything in the home, followed with restoration. We aim to return your home to its original condition, "Like it never even happened."

Call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550 for 24/7 service. We proudly serve Pleasant Valley, Dover Plains, and surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

To find out more about Poughkeepsie, click here.

Emergency Response to Flood Damage in a Poughkeepsie Garage

11/10/2019 (Permalink)

Poughkeepsie don’t panic over water damage we will take care of you.

Let SERVPRO take over the water damage in your Poughkeepsie garage.

After Hurricane Sandy, New Yorker residents had to clean up 5.2 billion gallons of spilled sewage. While this is an extreme case, the unfortunate fact is that every flood carries the risk of spreading wastewater and other contaminants, which can put homeowners and their properties at risk.

If autumn storms result in flood damage to your Poughkeepsie home, SERVPRO technicians can come to your residence within hours of your call. These IICRC-certified teams work with property owners and insurance adjusters to clean your home using both tried-and-true methods as well as cutting-edge technologies. SERVPRO focuses on preservation when it is safe to do so to restore your home to a preloss condition.

Preventive Measures for Garage Flooding

While flooding can affect any part of the home, a location we may not often consider having to protect from flooding is the garage. Here are just a few preventive measures to consider for keeping this part of your home dry:

• Install weatherstripping. Implementing quality weatherstripping under your garage door creates a tight seal between the door and cement flooring. If you already have weatherstripping, check to see if it is cracked or dry and replace as necessary.
• Inspect your foundation. Small cracks in your home's foundation are enough to allow water to accumulate and cause further damage over time. Seal small damages with a waterproof paint or vinyl concrete patch, and consult a professional for more substantial repairs. 
• Add drainage systems. Even neighborhood storm drains can overflow during severe storms and flash floods. A smart way to increase safety would be to install a trench drain in your driveway or in front of your garage to move water away from your home. Make sure that the drain system does not redirect water to neighbors' homes, sidewalks, or dirt slopes without plants that can absorb water.

How SERVPRO Can Help

Whether during or after storms, SERVPRO can come to you with all of the equipment necessary for fast, professional disaster mitigation. While the focus is on preserving and restoring your items, porous fabrics and surfaces exposed to floodwaters may need to be disposed of to prevent exposure to sewage and other contaminants. In cases of severe flooding, truck-mounted pumps can be used to extract water in tandem with back-mounted portable extraction equipment. Water extraction and disinfection with EPA-registered antimicrobials must be thorough to ensure successful drying with air movers and dehumidifiers. 

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County wants to ensure that, after a disaster, your home looks, "Like it never even happened." Call (845) 635-4550 today for disaster cleanup any time of the day or night, even on holidays.

To learn more about Poughkeepsie, click here.

How You Can Deal With Storm Damage Remediation In Poughkeepsie

9/22/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding is not something that you can control. But how you react to flood damage in your home is definitely within your control. Call SERVPRO.

Structural Cavity Drying for Full Recovery of Poughkeepsie Homes

After flooding, there is a definitive timeline where complete drying and extraction efforts must get completed before structural elements in Poughkeepsie homes become too severely damaged to protect and preserve. One of the most pressing obstacles to overcome in your home after a flood is the effect that this spreading, and possibly contaminated, water can have on structural cavities. Our SERVPRO technicians have several strategies to address dampness in these spaces.

The faster that our professionals can overcome flood damage in Poughkeepsie homes, the less loss that our customers experience. Especially in situations where contamination cannot get ruled out, the threat and severity of these spreading effects get amplified the longer that the symptoms go unaddressed. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, and that means that you can expect our Green Fleet to arrive within hours of your initial call to begin sufficient mitigation work that can protect your property.

We have several strategies that can both identify the moisture and dry structural cavities. The most common initial approach for identifying dampness is infrared and thermal imagery. Temperature differences can locate moisture pockets and show our technicians where focused drying efforts are necessary. Positive and negative pressures are both effective and get selected based on the current damage and potential contamination present.

The difference between these two approaches is the push of air vs. the pull of air. Positive pressure gets achieved when air gets pushed into the cavity, which can be an effective method of exclusively drying this affected area. The negative pressure approach involves pulling moisture from the cavity and can be effective against the possibility of contamination. To access the cavity, our professionals can drill small holes along the baseboard of a wall for either of these strategies.

As challenging as drying cavities can be, our SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County professionals understand how vital this process is to protect your home and its occupants. We have a fast response with cutting-edge equipment that can overcome these threats beginning as soon as our team arrives. Give our team a call anytime that you need us at (845) 635-4550.

Click here to learn more about Poughkeepsie. 

Hyde Park, Floods from Storms, and SERVPRO Restoration Services

7/28/2019 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO to Save Your Home after a Flooding--From Water Removal through Restoration

Flood Damage Cleanup for Reconstruction in Hyde Park Home

This area of New York is no stranger to intense storms all year round. Water damage loss continues as it remains on-site, so cleanup needs to occur as fast as possible to limit costly replacements. In some cases, after copious amounts of the liquid breach a property, preparing it for reconstruction is the best outcome.

When groundwater enters a Hyde Park property causing flood damage, the homeowner's second call after speaking to her adjuster was to SERVPRO. Our technicians arrived quickly to find a couple of rooms received several inches of water as we could see from the water lines in the sheetrock. Our moisture detection confirmed this, and we measured 6-inches above the highest moisture detected and cut away the sheetrock using clean cuts. Controlled demolition techniques are necessary because:

?    They allow significant amounts of airflow during drying which diminishes chances of odors and mold development
?    It is more efficient to clean and disinfect the property
?    This action readies the rooms for reconstruction

The upholstered sofa and chairs absorbed a significant amount of water and deemed a loss from the contaminated black water. The carpet and padding were also destroyed and required removal. Very few porous items that take on groundwater have the capacity for sanitization and reuse. SERVPRO technicians examined each piece as we went through the rooms during the cleanup phase to find items with re-storability potential through our proprietary cleaning methods.

When there is this much damage left behind by water, it is vital to give the homeowner a clean slate to rebuild the loss areas of the residence. That means rooms are left dry, clean, and disinfected. Flood water has the potential to leave behind strong odors and problems such as mold set up home quickly. We lower the humidity in the house, usually under 45%, which negates hospitable conditions for mold colony growth. Treatments for odor and antimicrobials are the first line of defense against secondary issues after an in-home flood.

Once our technicians complete mitigation efforts, we give the homeowner a report that contains details of restoration services SERVPRO technicians performed as well as the repairs necessary to rebuild the house to preloss specs.

When flood damage happens, call SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County at (845) 635-4550. Our emergency response team can be on-site within an hour to begin turning around the water loss to your home and possessions. Because we are local, We're Faster to Any Size Disaster.

We Have The Experience Necessary To Handle Your Poughkeepsie Flood Damage

4/30/2019 (Permalink)

After a recent thunderstorm caused some flooding in the basement we showed up in record time to pull out wet material and restored their home.

Flooding of the Hudson Can Lead to Damages for Poughkeepsie Homes

Over the years, the Hudson River has been a source of sustenance and also an origin of disaster for many Poughkeepsie homes constructed along its banks. With months more prone to heavier rainfalls, several days strung together with steady precipitation can cause a cresting far above the flood line. The trouble with rising creeks, streams, and rivers that can flood area homes is the potential for bacteria and other contaminants that make a recovery and clean up hazardous to those ill-prepared for the conditions.

Whether you live right along the river or not, flood damage can occur in lower lying areas throughout Poughkeepsie under the appropriate conditions. The immense pressures of moving floodwater and its position against your home can cause whatever vulnerabilities in the foundation, basement, or main level of your home to allow the water inside. Our SERVPRO team can mobilize at the first sign of flood damage. With a situation like this, we have many addresses that we expect to call for our expertise and training in disaster relief and recovery.

When water could become contaminated in its path to your home or due to foreign substances or locations within the route to addresses from the river, the water is immediately considered to be unsafe and hazardous. Our SERVPRO professionals consider this condition to be black water, and it gets treated much like situations such as sewage backup handled by our biohazard cleaning division.

Exposed materials and contents are rarely protected and preserved in flooding situations involving black water because the risk of contamination and bacterial spread is too considerable. Instead, our professionals work in full personal protective equipment to begin stripping down exposed materials within the affected area to get your home down to studs and beams for reconstruction efforts to follow once cleaning completes.

We approach every phase of flood damage with experience and confidence, and in situations where contaminated water could be present, time is of the essence to protect unaffected areas of your property. Give our SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County team a call today at (845) 635-4550 to make flood effects “Like it never even happened.”

Click here for more information about the top 10 activities for everyone in your family.

Tips for Managing Flood Damage in the Town of Poughkeepsie Year Round

4/9/2019 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO when there is water, water everywhere!

SERVPRO Helps with Town of Poughkeepsie Flood Damage Year Round

Flood damage in the Town of Poughkeepsie can strike at any time of year. Winter storms can carry just as much destructive power as inclement weather in the summertime, potentially causing localized or widespread flood damage in your home. We tailor our treatments to the weather conditions present at the time of the accident, and while many of our processes remain the same, some key differences make many winter flood damage incidents an extra challenge for even the most experienced SERVPRO technicians.  

What Stays the Same  

Widespread damage to ground-level furniture and appliances as well as flooring materials characterizes summertime flood damage in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Wintertime flood damage is similar; as no amount wind and snow can make gravity (and water) flow in reverse. Most of our drying and restoration efforts stay concentrated on flooring materials and anything below them, as these are the areas most prone to sustain long-term damage. We also must go through the same processes of drying and restoration, as cold weather cannot make an area dry any faster.  

How Winter Restorations Differ  

With cold weather comes additional consequences for flood damages of all severity. As water freezes, it expands, making temperature control vital to prevent massive structural damage from occurring. Because power can be knocked out during a storm, this means we may have to find other ways to heat your home while drying it out. Any part of your home that has frozen over may be much harder to repair and restore as ice crystals cause physical damage to the structure. Frozen power lines can also present significant safety hazards even with protective equipment. Whatever of the time of year or current weather conditions, we make sure to approach every flood damage call with care and appropriate safety precautions.  

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County protects against flood damages to local communities on a 24/7 basis. Call us as soon as possible after a disaster at (845) 635-4550.

The Town of Poughkeepsie was established in 1788.  Read more here.

Contents Restoration and Inventory after a Storm Event

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess County Professionals specialize in restoring contents damaged by storms and other water damage events. Our expertise and our “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We pretest your contents to determine what items can be restored back to their condition before the water damage. 

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning, SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess County Professionals can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. Move-out will provide several benefits, including:

•  A quicker remodeling process
•  Protecting items from potential damage
•  Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When restoration is completed, we will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

When Storms or Floods Hit in Dutchess County

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess County specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Dutchess County, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Disaster Recovery Team

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today at (845)-635-4550

Frozen Pipes. What do they mean for your Dutchess County Home.

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

Extreme cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and burst. In general, pipes are more likely to freeze when the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.  This can occur a lot during the winters here in the Hudson Valley. The resulting water damage can be extensive. Outdoor pipes and pipes in unheated areas of the home can freeze if they are not properly insulated or if temperatures are severely cold. SERVPRO of NW and SE Dutchess County Professionals can quickly and safely repair water damage caused by frozen pipes.

Outdoor pipes most likely to freeze include:

• Outdoor hose bibs
• Swimming pool supply lines
• Water sprinkler lines

Pipes in unheated or partially heated areas are also at risk of freezing, including:

• Basements
• Crawl spaces
• Garages

Call us today at 845-635-4550!

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can restore your Dutchess County Home

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County

SERVPRO of NW & SE Dutchess County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

http://www.SERVPROnwsedutchesscounty.com/restoration-training-certifications

Are You Prepared?

4/16/2018 (Permalink)

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days. Depending on the nature of the disaster road conditions may prevent help from arriving in a timely manner. 

Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.  If the power goes out keep your pipes from freezing by shutting off the valve that allows water to come into your home. Then, open any drain valves and all faucets and let them run until the pipes are empty (it's helpful to identify these valves in advance). Next, flush all toilets and pour denatured alcohol into toilets and sinks to prevent water in the traps from freezing. Do NOT use automotive antifreeze in case there's trouble with your water system; you don't want the antifreeze to contaminate your drinking water. You may, however, use nontoxic antifreeze that's made for winterizing motor homes.

Be prepared for a power outage by keeping necessary items centrally located in your home. Take the time to ensure that everyone in your family is aware of the "kit." Periodically check your kit to see that batteries operate properly. The following is a list of items that are suggested to keep on hand:

1.     Flashlights for each family member

2.     Battery-operated radio and clock

3.     Extra batteries

4.     Containers of bottled water

5.     Canned, freeze-dried or dehydrated food, powdered milk, baby supplies for infants

6.     Non-electric can opener

7.     List of important phone numbers

8.     First-aid kit

Following a disaster, there may be power outages that could last for several days. Stock canned foods, dry mixes and other staples that do not require refrigeration, cooking, water or special preparation. Be sure to include a manual can opener and eating utensils. The following items are suggested when selecting emergency food supplies. You may already have many of these on hand.

•Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

•Choose foods your family will eat.

•Remember any special dietary needs.

•Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.

•Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals and canned foods with high liquid content.

•Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener

•Protein or fruit bars

•Dry cereal or granola

•Peanut butter

•Dried fruit

•Nuts

•Crackers

•Canned juices

•Non-perishable pasteurized milk

•High energy foods

•Vitamins

•Food for infants

•Comfort/stress foods

These and many other helpful tips are available at ready.gov Here is the link to winter tips for before during and after a winter storm http://www.ready.gov/winter-weather

When winter weather strikes the North West and South East Dutchess County area knowing what to do until SERVPRO of NW&SE Dutchess County arrives will make a difference.  Contact us at 845-635-4550.

Crazy Winter

4/16/2018 (Permalink)

Here in the Hudson Valley we are experiencing a crazy winter weather pattern.  Warm months and very little snow, to sub zero freezing conditions that only last for a few days then back up to the mid 50's.  What does all this mean for our homes?

Pipes that freeze and thaw rapidly can sometimes be compromised.  Although the prevention of freezing is certainly best, the rapid response to fix the problem and minimize the damage is essential!  Once the leak has sprung, contact the professionals at SERVPRO of NW& SE Dutchess county for their quick response time and expertise in the field of remediation. 

Our crew is highly trained and is prepared for any of the emergency situations you could be faced with in your home.  We will handle the extraction of water, the clean up after a fire, mold remediation, the removal of damaged walls, ceilings, floors and contents, pack out of personal items and the ability to help you to understand the process.

Should you need us, we are ready!  SERVPRO of NW&SE Dutchess county, trusted professionals.  845-635-4550