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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Cleaning Blog Posts

Removing Black Soot from Fire Damaged Concrete

5/19/2023 (Permalink)

After a structural fire, even if there isn’t a lot of structural damage, the clean-up required can mean hours and hours of hard work. Afterwards, to ensure that entry is safe, a structural engineer must check concrete and other affected masonry surfaces. The restoration process can begin once an area has been thoroughly cleaned.

One characteristic of concrete is its natural heat resistance. So, structures made of concrete - think vehicle tunnels, parking garages, etc., will often suffer damage only to the surface as the result of a fire. Black soot and smoke damage are fairly common. Cracking (also referred to as spalling) may occur if the fire gets hot enough to hear the structural steel that exists within the concrete in some structures. How long a fire burns can have everything to do with the severity of damage issues. Potentially, concrete could be rendered unsalvageable if its physical characteristics are changed due to a severe fire.

Cosmetic Fire Damage
The process of removing soot from concrete is relatively straightforward. For removing soot, there a couple of approaches that may be used:

  • Using abrasive blasting to exfoliate the surface and reveal the surface below, which is clean.
  • Use water and various chemicals to wash the soot away. Multiple attempts may be needed to remove the soot, which is a lengthy process. Even after the visual damage has been removed, deep within the concrete the smell may have permeated and will remain. Additionally, so that any runoff doesn’t flow into sewers or storms when executing a liquid-based cleaning method, great care must be taken regarding runoff collection.

Severe Fires
If the fire has been severe enough that spalling and cracking on smooth surface concrete layers has occurred, this changes things. Prior to reapplying a skim coat, a rough surface may need to be created on the concrete by a contractor. CSP - a standard to which the rough surface is held - was created by the ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute). The new coating being applied, or the new layer of concrete, will help determine the level of roughness required.

This roughness cannot be created by chemical cleaning or water cleaning. For creating the roughness referred to here, the best option is abrasive blasting. Occasionally, contractors may use hand tools, so that in one step, surface roughing and soot removal can be carried out.

Sponge Blasting
During this process, the smell of fire should be removed from the concrete at the same time the soot layers are removed. Surfaces that are sponge blasted may actually end up being cleaner than they were before the fire, as long as no spalling or cracking has been sustained by the skim coat. Surface soot damage sustained by the concrete is easily removed in this manner.

If you need concrete cleaned due to soot and fire damage, SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City are your guys.

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

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

Residential Cleaning in the Spring

3/15/2023 (Permalink)

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

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

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

Our Residential Cleaning Services Include:

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

We also offer a range of specialized cleaning methods:

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

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

The benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:

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

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

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

We provide cleanup and recovery for many biohazard situations including:

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

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

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

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

Benefits of Air Ducts & HVAC Cleaning

3/1/2023 (Permalink)

The air ducts in your home provide a very important function. They circulate the air from your heating and cooling system into and out of each room, which allows for consistent interior comfort regardless of the season.

If your HVAC has been operating for some time without attention, it could be circulating one or more of the following:

  • Dust
  • Pollen
  • Odors
  • Dirt and debris
  • Other contaminants

What Are the Benefits of Air Ducts & HVAC Cleaning?

There are many benefits when it comes to cleaning your air ducts and HVAC system. These include:

  • Creating a cleaner living environment
  • Providing better breathing air
  • Reduces allergens and irritants
  • Removes unpleasant smells and odors
  • Improves airflow efficiency
  • Helps restore peak energy efficiency
  • Helps reduce the potential for mold growth

SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City professionals routinely inspect the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit (HVAC). Keeping them clean can extend the life of the equipment and can in turn, save you money and give you cleaner air to breathe.

However, duct cleaning is not always necessary. We will make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns. This can save you money and provide peace of mind on the health of your system.

Should You Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned?

If no one in your household suffers from allergies or unexplained symptoms or illness and if, after a look inside the ducts, you may see no indication that your air ducts are contaminated with large deposits of dust or mold, having them cleaned is probably unnecessary.

However, if family members are experiencing unusual or unexplained symptoms or illnesses that you think might be related to your home environment, you may want to have your air ducts looked at. SERVPRO will come and take a look and provide information on whether you need them cleaned or not.

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

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

Spring is Here!

4/4/2017 (Permalink)

Spring is in the air ladies and gentlemen! Here comes the blooming flowers and beautiful weather. However, along with saying goodbye to winter, we also have to welcome sniffles and sneezes. Yes, allergy season is here as well, unfortunately. While others are frolicking in the spring breeze, there are those who are stopping at their local drug stores for allergy medication. For those who have to take extra precautions during this time of the year, here are some tips to make spring enjoyable rather than bearable. 

- Laundry, laundry, laundry! After being outside pollen may stick to clothing and the skin/hair. Be sure to wash clothing after being outside!
- For homeowners: Make sure to mow your lawn! Take care of those pesky weeds and other flowers that release pollen.
- Keep windows and doors closed during days where there are high pollen levels.
- Dehumidifiers and air filters in your home may be very helpful!
- Clean, clean, clean!

Have a wonderful spring everyone!

 

Bathroom Cleaning

2/21/2017 (Permalink)

The state of the bathroom prior to our cleaning services. Condition bathroom was in prior to our services.

When looking at the image on the right it is visible to see where the damage is. The room is covered in dust, debris, and possible unknown toxins. These types of conditions are unsuitable for any individual to be in. Our team at SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City and SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan knew exactly how to take this task head on. You can see in the after picture on the right the conditions have improved immensely. The floor is visible again. Both the sink and toilet have been restored to their original white color. The green air mover was a great tool that helped us get the job done. Our customer was very thankful four our services and overall happy with the final turnout.

Bathroom Cleaning

2/21/2017 (Permalink)

The condition of the bathroom before we started the deep clean. Condition bathroom was in prior to our services.

When looking at the image on the right it is visible to see where the damage is. The room is covered in dust, debris, and possible unknown toxins. These types of conditions are unsuitable for any individual to be in. Our team at SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City and SERVPRO of Lower Manhattan knew exactly how to take this task head on. You can see in the after picture on the right the conditions have improved immensely. The floor is visible again. Both the sink and toilet have been restored to their original white color. The green air mover was a great tool that helped us get the job done. Our customer was very thankful four our services and overall happy with the final turnout.

Basement Cleaning

2/10/2017 (Permalink)

Items after they have been cleaned and organized. Basement after our crew went in and cleaned it up.

Cleanings are one of our services we offer here at SERVPRO of Hoboken/Union City and Lower Manhattan. Not pictured in the picture on the right is the basement of this property had a great deal of clutter the customer did not want to deal with. Here at SERVPRO we like nothing more than to take the stress off the shoulders of our clients. Our crew bagged up everything the client wanted to discard and took the appropriate steps to waste cleanup. Looking at the picture here on the right you can see the difference of clutter. We discarded all the unwanted items and disposed of them properly. Our client was very impressed with the level of skill our crew provided and can rest assured.