Annual Code of Conduct and Background Checks

11/2/2018 (Permalink)

Code of Conduct and Background Checks

Annual Background Checks for SERVPRO of Newark

Did you know that SERVPRO of Newark performs background checks on all our employees? Background checks for Franchise employees must be performed annually, and background checks for Franchise Owners are performed as well. SERVPRO does not employee any individual convicted of or who has plead guilty to a felony involving dishonesty or breach of trust, theft, or any type of violence against a person. All employees also sign an annual code of conduct statement certifying that they have not been found guilty of pled guilty or nolo contendere (or similar plea) to any crime involving dishonesty or breach of trust, or violence of assault, and have not been found guilty civilly liable for any act of violence or assault.

Antimicrobial Treatments

10/19/2018 (Permalink)

Odor Control

SERVPRO of Newark sometimes uses antimicrobial products in our services. Antimicrobial simply means, against microorganisms. Microorganisms are life including, all forms of bacteria and their spores and fungi. We try to sanitize areas of the home that have been affected. Sanitizing reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms to a safe level. The safe level is determined from public health agencies. These treatments inhibit the growth of an organism. Sanitizing is different and should not be confused with sterilizing. Sterilizing is 100% effective, the highest level, of destroying all forms of microbial life.  Our technicians comply with applicable safety and training while applying. Our technicians also use proper protection equipment such as, gloves and/or eye protection while applying as well. We use SERVPRO products that have Safety Data Sheets.

Mold Growth

10/19/2018 (Permalink)

Mold growth on ceiling

Mold Growth in homes can be concerning to the homeowner.  Here are some facts about mold. Microorganism growth, otherwise known as mold, needs certain requirements in order to grow. First, there needs to be a food source. Food sources are found in both structures and contents. Materials include wood framing, drywall, cotton, linens, latex paints, carpets, clothing, paper products, adhesives, food items etc. There needs to be moisture or high relative humidity in order for mold to grow. Usually in dark and damp places along with stagnant air creates a perfect environment for mold to grow. SERVPRO of Newark has technicians that are certified in mold remediation cleaning. We do not identify what type of mold is growing in your home. We remediate the mold.

Mold Clean Up

10/12/2018 (Permalink)

Mold Clean Up

Mold is everywhere among us. There are certain types of mold outside in the air we breathe. These molds and pollen spores are things we cannot control. The air in our homes is referred to Indoor Air Quality or IAQ and it differs from outdoor air quality. Mold can often be a result from a previous water damage not properly addressed. SERVPRO of Newark specializes in water damage restoration as well as mold remediation. We have the experience and expertise to handle your mold needs – big or small. Our highly trained team can examine, evaluate and remediate your home efficiently and effectively. Tackling mold quicker than later can help reduce the spread of the mold spores. Acting in a timely manner will also significantly help reduce the cost. SERVPRO of Newark is here to help.

Mold under Dishwasher

10/11/2018 (Permalink)

Mold under Dishwasher

Mold can be tricky at times. Mold likes to grow in dark, damp places that have a food source. Mold absolutely thrives in this environment. SERVPRO of Newark sees mold every day in homes. One of the most common places we mitigate mold is from under refrigerators and dishwashers. Sometimes the water supply line or some type of malfunction occurs in the unit itself. Due to the fact the refrigerator and / or the dishwasher is normally against a wall or under / flush with the counter, it can sometimes be difficult to detect there is even a problem. In this photo you can see the area where a dishwasher once resided. When we pulled out the dishwasher and saw the mold we were able to properly take care of the situation.

Spring is Almost Here!

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

Prepare your home for the springtime

Spring is on it's way! As the weather warms up and the seasons change, we should prepare for the spring time as best we can. Here are some tips on how to get your home ready for this spring season!

Check/Service your Lawn Care Equipment. Cleaning up your lawn mower and changing the oil helps you to start fresh once its time to put it to use again.

Clean Patio Furniture. Dust off your outdoor tables and wash your patio cushions. You are going to want them ready for relaxing once the weather is nice!

Clear Your Gutters. After the fall season and then the wintery weather, your gutters probably could use a little attention. Clear out anything in your gutters to prevent mold or weeds growing up there.

Change Filters. HVAC filters should be checked/changed seasonally in order to ensure proper air quality in your home.

SERVPRO Before the Wrestling Season

12/7/2017 (Permalink)

Wrestling mats being pulled up for assessment

This year, one of our local school was gearing up for the wrestling season when they came across a problem. When pulling up their wrestling mats for cleaning before they would be put in place for the season, they found some mold growth in various spots and a lot of moisture. When our SERVPRO technicians assessed the mats and the conditions of the floors below them, they found many patches of moisture and mold growth. The mats had to be taken up and cleaned separately while they removed the mold. We mitigated the mold and dried the floor and the mats before they were put back in their place. Now that SERVPRO has taken care of it, the school is ready to start their wrestling season training. 

Refrigerator Cleaning

11/29/2017 (Permalink)

When was the last time that you found something in your fridge that was expired or needed to be thrown out? It is fairly common to find some perishable and/or questionable items in the back of your fridge that have been hidden behind some condiments or left overs for too long. 

Once a week, your refrigerator should be tidied up by wiping spills and surfaces. Any sticky spots on containers should be wiped up as well. To prevent bacteria growth, the fridge should be cleared out, thoroughly cleaned, and organized. Products should be checked for expiration dates and mold before going back in the refrigerator. 

It is important to keep your fridge clean and organized so that your items can remain bacteria and mold free!

Mold Inspection and Remediation

11/2/2017 (Permalink)

Because mold can be hidden in walls, floors, ductwork, it can be hard to detect until it has already affected your home. Janet bought her first home and was so excited to move in. It took months of enduring a musky odor before she discovered her mold problem. Janet was so surprised that an inspector came across mold growth in her home because she kept the entire house spotless. Sometimes prevention is the strongest fight against mold growth. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners help keep homes dry and strengthen the ventilation throughout the area and should be used when humidity is high or living conditions are damp. Air ducts should be checked every once in a while as well. Ducts go unchecked in many homes for very long periods of time, which sometimes allows undetected buildup and mold growth.

Mold Inspection and Deodorization

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

When SERVPRO is inspecting a home or building for mold, there is a variety of key indicators we look for. Visible mold growth or the smell of mold or musty smells are the most apparent signs of mold SERVPRO looks for. In different situations, SERVPRO of Newark technicians will check for dampness and mold growth on carpet pads, carpets, we conduct inspections throughout the flooring, walls, and sub-floors. Moisture in the air and temperature within the home/building are monitored and measured by our technicians in certain scenarios as well. If we have found that mold growth is present within the facility, our mitigation process of the mold growth is the next step in our process. If there is no mold growth detected but there is a musty odor in the room which caused for the question and inspection of mold, SERVPRO is able to proceed with their deodorization services instead.

Healthy Home

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Along with checking for mold and making sure you are aware of the signs that could indicate mold in your home, you should make sure you are keeping your home a healthy environment in as many other ways you can. You should ask yourself a few questions in regard to your environment:

• Do you smoke inside your home?
• Is the ventilation and exhaust fans between your laundry room, kitchen, and bathroom adequate?
• When was the last time you changed your air filters?
• When was the last time you changed the filter or bag to your vacuum?
• Is your laundry done with bleach or ammonia?
• Is your gas stove and fire place checked every year for emissions?
• Was your home build before 1977? If so, has it been checked for led based paint?
• Do your bathrooms have carpet?

Investigating the Source of Water to Prevent Mold

10/18/2017 (Permalink)

Affected Hallway of School

Mold can grow on many materials especially after a water damage. 

Some Examples of Possible Materials of Mold Growth:

• Wallpaper
• Drywall
• Paint
• Carpet
• Adhesives
• Wood
• Fabrics
• Paper Products 
• Food

The byproduct of mold is the musty smell that grows more and more apparent as the mold spreads. Environments with a lot of moisture are the most common cause of mold growth, which includes environments that have encountered a water damage. After mold remediation/water remediation has been conducted, the job is not finished. The source of water and moisture that creates the perfect feeding ground for mold must be addressed to prevent future mold growth.

Here is a water damage in a local school that our SERVPRO restored. This school is a perfect example of the importance of finding the source of water damage and moisture. There was a large leak in the plumbing system that caused the water damage but later it was discovered that the old plumbing system had started to fail and water was unable to easily flow through the pipes and had been slowly affecting the lower level bathrooms for some time. If the school had not investigated the source of the water damage and moisture build up over time, they would have encountered this situation again, and a great possibility of mold later on.

Mold & Your Health

10/13/2017 (Permalink)

Mold throughout Basement

Whether it's a storm, plumbing malfunctions, or equipment mishaps, when water affects your home, the risk of encountering mold growth in the near future runs much higher. If the level of humidity is not controlled in the damaged area, moisture is absorbed into the environment and mold spores will begin to multiply. SERVPRO works in a timely manner because we are well trained in the importance of mold prevention and water extraction. Whether it be after a water damage or simply for your awareness, be alert for:

• Visible Mold
• Strong Musty Odors
• Evidence of Current Moisture Problems
• Evidence of Previous Moisture Problems
• Excessive Humidity
• Dampness

SERVPRO technicians are highly trained and knowledgeable about water damage, moisture in an environment, and mold and are able to bring your home back to the condition it was in before any damage occurred.