Recent Posts

Frozen Pipes can lead pipes to burst

10/6/2023 (Permalink)

Water causing damage to a property

Busted pipes are an enormous inconvenience and hazard. There are a number of potential reasons why pipes inside a home can experience too much stress and burst. This time of year, the main reason why is due to extreme cold temperatures.  

But Why? Cold water can cause serious issues when is affects the water supply pipes. Ice has more volume than water so when water freezes inside a pipe, it expands and increases pressure in the pipe. The building pressure needs to escape so it literally bursts right out of the pipe.  

How can I prevent frozen pipes? 

Keep garage doors closed, especially if they are water supply lines in the garage.  

Open kitchen and cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. 

Let the cold-water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe even a trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing. 

Keep the thermostat at the same temperature during day and night.  

If you plan to be away during the cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F. 

For the long term, add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas.  

But, if those pipes due decide to burst and cause water damage, you can always call SERVPRO of Newport News at 757-244-8467. We will gladly help, and make it seem "Like it never even happened." 

Soot Removal For Newport News Home

9/27/2023 (Permalink)

Soot Removal

Do you know what soot is? 

Soot is a black powdery or flaky substance consisting largely of amorphous carbon, produced by the incomplete burning of organic matter. 

Soot is so small, soot is typically 2.5 micrometers or even SMALLER. Because its so tiny it gets almost everywhere and inside everything so it's important to get professionals out there to remove the soot.  

You want to make sure you have the right people getting that nastiness out. Here at SERVPRO we have cleaned so many homes and have a lot of experience.  

Here at SERVPRO of Newport News we have a dedicated team to clean off everything in your home after a fire. We have so much experience when it comes to fires so you can always trust in us to get rid of all that soot. 

You can give us a call 24/7 at 757-244-8467! Were always ready to help

How To Be Safe During A Campfire

9/27/2023 (Permalink)

Campfire Safety

As we are still lucky enough to enjoy hot, warm weather some of us are still doing outdoor activities which can include campfires while camping!  

Camping requires building your own fire and cooking up your own food in the wild. If you don't know how to do it correctly you could get yourself in trouble with a fire. 

Here are some safety tips when dealing with fire while camping.  

You want be 15 inches away from existing structures, trees, greenery, and tents.  

Pull out your fire before leaving the fire pit 

Be sure the match is out cold by breaking it before discarding 

Always keep a pail of water and a shovel nearby in case the fire gets out of control 

Lastly, the suggested length of a roasting stick to minimize getting too close to the campfire is 30 feet. 

Never leave children near an unattended campfire!  

As always give us a call at 757-244-8467 if you need any help with your restoration needs.

Why Call SERVPRO?

9/22/2022 (Permalink)

Give us a call at 757-244-8467

Not too long ago during Hurricane Idas' landfall places that don't usually experience storm damage got a ton of damage. Subways being filled with water, houses flooded, and so much more. So many SERVPROs were working around the clock to clean up the damage. Especially in Louisiana, Louisiana was hit with a stage 4 storm. Lives were taken, houses were damaged, people were left with nothing. Thankfully SERVPRO was there to help many people get their lives some what back to normal. We know its stressful seeing so much damage in tour home or business. Were always here to help. The more time is taken to get back to normal the more money it cost you. We want to help you save money and get that stress off your shoulders. SERVPRO of Newport News is always here to help with any storm. Were watching the weather nonstop to make sure we have our crew here to help!  

Water Damage After A Dishwasher Leak

9/22/2022 (Permalink)

Give us a call at 757-244-8467

If you find your home flooded from a failed dishwasher, call SERVPRO of Newport News to properly remove the water and repair the damage. 

The Importance of Humidity Levels in a Water Damaged Home 

When you purchase a new dishwasher, you trust that the company who comes to deliver and install it knows what they are doing. However, sometimes you may run into a problem with it not being installed correctly, and you soon have a mess of water flooding your kitchen. You need to act fast to get the water cleaned up before it creates more damage than it already has. 

A leaking dishwasher can put many gallons of water out into your home very quickly. Once you get the water turned off and not flowing anymore, you need help in cleaning up the water damage, so it gets dried properly. SERVPRO of Newport News can come to your rescue anytime you need, so be sure to give us a call. 

As water damage technicians we always make a drying goal for any water damage situation. We also monitor the drying process each day to see whether the goal is being accomplished. A drying goal is a condition that we want to bring about in the affected area of your home. Our goal is to get your home completely dry again and to correct any damage which has happened due to the standing water. 

Our process includes moisture content readings from dry, unaffected contents and the structure. We take readings in percentage for wood materials and in points for materials which are not made of wood. 

Our technicians use drier air to increase the rate of evaporation. Drier air means air with low humidity. A relative humidity of less than forty percent is essential for an efficient drying process. Relative humidity of under forty percent lets us know that the air is dry and thirsty, and pulls more water out of materials. 

Measurements for relative humidity are however not as accurate as specific humidity readings. Reaching low relative humidity readings does not mean the structure is dry 100%, so we use specific humidity readings to make sure the humidity in the affected area is going down. When it is thoroughly dry, the specific humidity in the area should be the same or lower than the specific humidity in an area which was not affected. 

SERVPRO of Newport News ensures your home is dry again before we say the job is complete. Doing this avoids any additional damage in your home in the Hampton Roads area such as mold growth, give us a call (757) 244-8467 when you have a water damage problem

Air Movers After Water Damage

9/22/2022 (Permalink)

Give us a call at 757-244-8467

Have you ever had a leak and think "Hey I think I can clean this up myself?" I know I have. 

Here at SERVPRO we use professional equipment like air movers. 

Air movers help circulate air to dry every bit of water we can and FAST.

Air movers help move large amounts of air over surfaces to dry them. Air movers also help the dehumidifiers work to their optimum performance.

We have quite a few different air movers depending on the job type. 

We have velo air movers, shara air movers, ace air movers, axial air movers.

The most common air mover we use is the ace movers. The ace mover are awesome at directed large amounts of air in any direction with hardly any power. We love them!

If you have any water damage you can always call SERVPRO of Newport News at 757-244-8467 as were open 24/7

What Is Covered On Your Insurance Policy?

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

What On Your Insurance Policy?

The first step is to consider whether water damage is covered by your business insurance policy. The only way to be sure you have appropriate cover is to discuss your concern directly with a representative from your insurance company. There are a few general areas where policy holders have questions: 
 
 
Are bursting pipes covered? 

This is an important point, particularly in areas where freezing temperatures are an issue. Hidden pipes that freeze and burst are of significant concern. Much of the time, these damages are covered by commercial property policies. 
Slightly cracked and broken pipes that result in gradual damage pose a separate problem. These damages, whether the result of normal wear and tear or due to owner negligence, are commonly excluded from insurance coverage. 
Floods are also a common exclusion on commercial property policies. Sometimes property owners purchase additional coverage specifically for floods. 
 
 
Imagine that one of your pipe's bursts over a weekend when no one is there to notice the water. Floors, carpeting, walls, cabinets, and anything on the floor could be completely soaked before anyone notices. In this case, insurance coverage is absolutely necessary for complete water cleanup. 
 
Learn About Risks and Prevention 
 
Once you have an appropriate water damage insurance policy in place, discuss potential risks and preventative steps you can take. Insurance representatives are often valuable resources with suggestions specific to the Newport News, VA community and specific to your type of business. 

Fire Damage Tips

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

How To Prevent House Fires
Here are some emergency fire damage tips to keep in mind while at home... 
  • Keep hands clean 
  • Limit movement in the home to prevent further damage 
  • Place dry, colorfast towels or old lines on carpeted traffic area to prevent more soiling 
  • If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open 
  • Wipe soot from chrome on faucets and appliances then protect with a light coating of lubricant 
  • Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO of Newport News 
  • Do not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting SERVPRO of Newport News 
  • Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire or water without consulting a repair service 

Give us a call at 757-244-8467 we are available 24/7 and 365 days a year always ready to help no matter the time or day. 

Putting Out A Fire Can Be Worse Than The Fire Itself

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

Let a professional put out the fire

Fire damage in a business can be stressful for owners, property managers, employees, and tenants. Property damage, equipment damage, document loss and temporary business closure are just some of the concerns you may experience.  

  • Here is what you can do until help arrives:  

DO: 

  • Limit movement in the facility to prevent soot particles from spreading and additional damage from occurring.
  • Place clean towels or old lines on rugs and high traffic areas.
  • Coat chrome faucets, trim and appliance with petroleum jelly or oil.
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between office furniture legs and wet carpets. 

DO NOT: 

  • Wash any walls or painted surfaces. 
  • Shampoo carpet or upholstery.
  • Clean any electrical equipment. 
  • Send clothing to dry cleaner since improper cleaning may set smoke odor. 

Give SERVPRO of Newport News a call at 757-244-8467. We are always available to help 24/7 and 365 days a year no matter what! 

Hurricane Season Almost Coming To An End BUT...

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Forecast of Hurricane Fiona

As were in hurricane season and we are getting close to it ending storms are continuing to form and COULD  impact your business. There's tons of things we can do to prepare for a storm before the storm hits. 

1. Have a plan in place

2. Alert your employees and customers

3. Protect files and back up your data

4. Keep supplies on hand

5. Prep your physical structure 

6. Secure outdoor objects

7. Expect the unexpected

Having these in play BEFORE the storm comes could help you not only save a ton of money, but save you stress and worry. Luckily, not many hurricanes have hit the east coast for us this year but as of right now Puerto Rico is has been hit hard by Hurricane Fiona. 

Remember if anything does occur know that SERVPRO of Newport News always has your back and we work around the clock to make sure everything is back to normal. Give us a call at 757-244-8467 any time of day.