Water Damage

10/5/2023 (Permalink)

Three things to know after experiencing water 

1.Emergency services  

2. Drying process 

3. Final cleaning 

Now lets get into what each one means, 

When it comes to the emergency services which is also known as water mitigation we always begin with extracting the water that is present which the faster you call us the faster we get out there and try to minimize the damage that can occur. After that we begin to go through whatever got damaged which we call contents we will attempt to salvage any personal items that may have been caught in the flooding, what ever can be saved we will take photos and store them for you. 

The second step which is important is drying process, sometimes it is as easy as drying what ever is wet on the surface but sometimes it does get trapped within walls and even flooring but don't you fret we have the best drying equipment and even if your floors are beyond the help of drying we can also help you with removing them and even putting them back.

Step three which can be the most satisfying part is cleaning after the chaos of flooding. We use not only the best products to clean after situations like this but we also have plant based products so you do not need to worry about the smell of harsh chemicals. 

Water damage can be a tough situation and overwhelming but do not worry we at White Plains and New Rochelle will always be there to help. We have experienced professional's who are ready to help 24/7. Always remember we will leave your home like it never happened. Call (914) 685-1560 with all your needs.     

Elements of Water Damage Restoration in White Plains

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

Don't duck calling SERVPRO for water damage cleanup and restoration for your White Plains property.

The Three Primary Phases of Water Damage Recovery

Knowing what to expect with damages from water disasters is important to keep customers calm and informed through the restoration process. While an oversimplification, water restoration services can be broken down into three primary phases:

• Emergency Services
• The Drying Process
• Final Cleaning

White Plains water damage can be challenging to overcome through these restoration stages, but our SERVPRO team can help. We have experienced professionals capable of responding fast to emergencies and an educated roster licensed and certified to offer comprehensive restoration and recovery solutions.

Emergency Services and Mitigation

To mitigate when water damage is involved, remove the pressing concerns that threaten the structure and its contents. In most situations, properties face several approaches to eliminating direct problems. From water pooling on exposed surfaces to managing the location and condition of personal belongings and contents, there is more to mitigation and emergency services than homeowners might think. Our fast response allows us to get these early actions underway, with objectives like:

• Extraction - Water removal services are often the first action taken by SERVPRO professionals reaching damaged residences. We must eliminate pooling to protect exposed building materials like carpeting, plank flooring, and drywall.
• Managing Damaged Contents - Personal belongings and loose contents throughout the structure must be identified and cataloged for inspection. When these items are at risk for harm from migrating water, they can be moved to a safer area of the house or transported to our SERVPRO facility for intricate cleaning.
• Cataloging Damage - The inspection and evaluation process involves an experienced staff member walking through the property and noting damage encountered. The information collected here creates a detailed estimation and restoration plan.
• Removing Ruined Materials - Controlled demolition also plays an essential part in pre-restoration emergency services. Sagging materials overwhelmed by moisture and water must be cut out and removed. Similarly, SERVPRO can also discard any overexposed building materials like carpeting.
• Emergency Repairs Necessary - Because many water emergencies homeowners face can happen from broken fixtures, and portions of the plumbing, our general contractor's license can help by allowing us to complete needed repairs before the bulk of restoration gets underway.

Starting the Necessary Drying Process

Drying your home or business after water damage means overcoming moisture in several scenarios. One drying approach is not universal for structures, meaning SERVPRO professionals must diversify measures to ensure the expected moisture range is met. Some types of expected damage include:

• Wet Surfaces – When homeowners think of needed drying practices, damp surfaces and building materials come to mind. Air movers can help with the evaporation of this outermost moisture.
• Trapped Water – Water can become absorbed into materials like wood plank flooring, requiring specialty tools to resolve like drying mats.
• Humidity – Increasing the room's humidity requires suitable equipment to collect and manage this growing moisture concern. Dehumidifiers can trap moisture and prevent relative humidity from reaching its maximum.

Thoroughly Cleaning After Drying Materials

Cleaning up after water damage exposure can be an essential part of restoring the former appearance of your home after a disaster. Often elements like carpeted floors can become soiled or discolored, requiring focused cleaning efforts after drying with bonnet tools or hot water extraction equipment from our inventory.

Disasters like these are not fully resolved without needed repairs and reconstruction completed. We have a general contractor license to save customers time and money on vetting and selecting a subcontractor.

White Plains water damage can impact your property in many ways, but SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle can help. We have experienced professionals ready 24/7 to mitigate damage and protect your property from preventable harm. "Like it never even happened." Call now at (914) 684-1560.

Just When You Think It's Safe To Go Back Into The Water

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Just when you think it’s safe to go back in the water, you find out it isn’t 

With no end in sight for the heat wave that has been suffocating the northeast, we are all looking for ways to stay cool. What better way then heading out to the Long Island Shore! Not so fast. As appealing as it seems with the ocean breeze and the waters of the Atlantic that never seem to get above 70 degrees, it’s just not going to happen. The shake your head reason it simple. Sharks! 

Shark sightings have been closing beaches up and down the eastern seaboard for the past week. Of all weeks! With temperatures hovering in the high 90s we are all looking for a little relief. A beach day sounds perfect! It seems locals are willing to battle the LIE (Long Island Expressway) to sit in the inevitable traffic for a couple of hours to spend a day with the hot sand and rough waves crashing at their feet. 

Then came the news that put all of that on the things to complain about list. 

There have been over 12 sightings of sharks, including 3 great white sharks at our local beaches. A life guard was bitten by a shark 150 yards from shore. Another man was bitten in the leg as he swam in the water.   Beach goers are definitely on edge. The New York City Police Department has been doing flyovers, the Coast Guard Helicopter's have been seen on the hour flying low and slow over the water, and New York State Park Commision has been sending out drones to search for sharks. Turns out they didn’t have to look too hard. They posted video of a great white preying on a school of fish not too far out of the swimming area.  

New York State Govenor Kathy Hochul ordered state agencies to increase lifeguard staffing, patrols and aerial surveillance on beaches to spot sharks and prevent encounters. 

So kids, the bottom line is you’re going to have to find alternative ways to stay cool as the heat wave continues into week 2 

SERVPRO of White Plains reminds you that Shark Week begins soon, timing is everything!  

Tips for Keeping Your BBQ Food Safe From Bacteria

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Ahhhh the smell of BBQ! Nothing says summer like the smell of something cooking on the grill. It makes you want to eat even if you’re not hungry. You sink your teeth into that juicy burger and thrown some more mustard on that grilled hotdog. It’s light out late, the backyard is nice and cool and life is good! Ever eat out or eat a BBQ and then not be feeling so good hours later? If you have ever gotten food poisoning or food borne related illness, you will never forget it! It can be horrible.  

It will take a long time (if ever) before you can even imagine eating anything that was cooked on the grill.  You may have even shied away from eating anything but the potato chips at a BBQ.  

We would love to see you enjoy a fun backyard BBQ again. So, come back to the grill. When done correctly food can be kept safe and not get contaminated.  

SERVPRO of White Plains has a few tips for keeping food safe and preventing foodborne illnesses when BBQing or grilling. 

Wash Your Hands! Seems obvious enough right? Hmmmm not so sure this is happening as often as it should be. 

Keep Your Food Cold. We hear a lot from our favorite food shows and magazines to let the meat come to room temp before you cook it. This does not apply to cooking outdoors. Keep it cold and put it on the grill cold. Letting it sit can allow bacteria to grow.  

Keep your raw and foods to be cooked separate. Don’t ever put cooked meat back on the same plate you had raw meat on. This will prevent the bacteria from the raw food from contaminating the cooked. 

If you are marinating your food, leave it in the fridge and not out on the table. Once you put the meat on the grill, throw away the marinade. Don’t use it to baste food, but instead make a separate marinade for basting. 

A food thermometer can become your summertime best friend. To kill harmful bacteria, burgers should be cooked to 160 degrees and chicken should be cooked to at least 170 degrees. Don’t cross contaminate your thermometers either. Buy a separate one for chicken. 

The staple potato salad. Everyone has their own recipe and thinks theirs is better than anyone else's. Keep any salad, especially salads with mayo, think potato, macaroni, coleslaw in the fridge until ready to eat. If you are putting it on the table, have a large bowl with ice under it to keep it cold. Mayo can turn on the dime before you know it.  

Enjoy your summer BBQs and be safe! 

List of Cooling Shelter Opened in Westchester County as the Heat Wave is extended.

7/22/2022 (Permalink)

This morning the news stations announced that the Heat Wave will continue through the beginning of next week.   They also alerted us to the Poor Air Quality  Index in our area.   SERVPRO of White Plains urges you all to stay cool and here is a list of Cooling Shelters in our Area.

Cooling Shelters in and around Westchester County  

Anthony J. Posillipo Community Center/Senior Center 

32 Garibaldi Pl, Rye Brook, NY 10573 

914-939-7904 

As needed 

Ardsley Public Library 

9 American Legion Drive, Ardsley, NY 10502 

914-693-6636 

M/T/W/S 10 AM -5:30 PM, Th 1 PM - 8 PM, CLOSED Sunday 

Bedford Free Library 

32 Village Green, Bedford, NY 10506 

914-234-3570 

M-F 10 AM - 6 PM, Sat 10 AM - 2 PM 

Bedford Hills Free Library 

26 Main Street, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 

914-666-6472 

M-Th 10 AM - 6 PM, F 10 AM -5 PM, Sa 10 AM - 2 PM 

Bronxville Public Library 

201 Pondfield Rd, Bronxville, NY 10708 

914-337-7680 

M/W/F 9:30 AM -5:30 PM, Tu 1 PM - 8 PM, Th 1 PM - 5:30 PM, Sa 9:30 AM - 1 PM 

Chappaqua Library 

195 South Greeley Ave, Chappaqua, NY 10514 

914-238-4779 

M-Th 9 AM - 8 PM, F 9 AM - 6 PM , Sa 9 AM - 5 PM, Su 1 PM - 5 PM 

Cortlandt Senior Center 

29 Westbrook Dr, Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567 

914-528-1572 

Days/ Hours - Based on Town Supervisor decision 

Croton Free Library 

171 Cleveland Drive, Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 

914-271-6612 

M 1 PM - 9 PM, Tu/Th 10 AM - 9 PM, W/F 10 AM - 5:30 PM, Sa 10AM - 5 PM, Su 1 PM-5 PM 

Dobbs Ferry Public Library 

55 Main St, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 

914-693-6614 

M/W 10 AM - 8 PM, Tu/Th 10 AM - 6 PM, F/Sa 10 AM - 5 PM 

Eastchester Public Library 

11 Oak Ridge Place, Eastchester, NY 10709 

914-793-5055 

M/F 9 AM - 5 PM, Tu/Th 10 AM - 6 PM, W 9 AM - 8 PM, Sa 9 AM - 5 PM 

Elmsford Community Senior Center 

10 North Stone Ave, Elmsford, NY 10523 

914- 592-6555 

7 days a week, 9 AM - 9 PM (if needed) 

Greenburgh Public Library 

300 Tarrytown Road, Elmsford, NY 10523 

914-721-8200 

M/Th/F/Sa 9:30 AM - 5 PM, Tu/W 9:30 AM - 8:30 PM 

Harrison Public Library 

2 Bruce Avenue, Harrison, NY 10528 

914-835-0324 

M/W 9:30 AM - 9 PM, Tu/Th/F/Sa 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Su 1 PM - 5 PM 

Hastings on Hudson Public Library 

7 Maple Avenue, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 

914-478-3307 

M-Th 9:30 AM - 7 PM, F/Sa 9:30 AM - 2 PM, Su 1 PM - 5 PM 

Hendrick Hudson Free Library 

185 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose, NY 10548 

914-739-5654 

M-Th 9 AM - 8 PM, F 9 AM - 6 PM, Sa 9 AM - 5 PM, Su 10 AM - 5 PM 

Heritage Hills Activity Center 

8 Heritage Hills Drive, Somers, NY 10589 

914-377-6450 

Daily, 7 AM - 11 PM 

Hugh A Doyle Senior Center 

94 Davis Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801 

914-235-2363 

M-F 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM 

Irvington Public Library 

12 South Astor St, Irvington-on-Hudson, NY 10533 

914-591-7840 

M/W/F 10 AM - 5 PM, Tu/Th 10 AM - 9 PM, Sa 10 AM - 5 PM 

Joseph G. Caputo Community Center 

95 Broadway, Ossining, NY 10562 

914-762-8953 

M-F 6 AM - 9 PM, Sa 6 AM - 6 PM, Su 10 AM -5 PM 

Larchmont Public Library 

121 Larchmont Ave, Larchmont, NY 10538 

914-834-2281 

M/Tu/W/F/Sa 9 AM - 5 PM, Th 9 AM - 8 PM, Su 12 PM - 5 PM 

Lewisboro Library (South Salem) 

15 Main St, South Salem, NY 10590 

914-763-3857 

M-Th 10 AM - 6 PM, F 10 AM - 5 PM, Sa 10 PM - 4 PM 

Mount Kisco Public Library 

100 Main Street, Mount Kisco, NY 10549 

914-666-8041 

M/Tu 10 AM - 6 PM, W/Th 10 AM - 7 PM, F 10 AM - 5 PM, Sa 10 AM - 4 PM 

Mount Pleasant Branch Library 

125 Lozza Dr, Valhalla, NY 10595 

914-741-0276 

M-Th 10 AM - 5 PM, F/Sa 10 AM - 2 PM 

Mount Vernon Public Library 

28 S 1st Ave, Mount Vernon, NY 10550 

914-668-1840 

M/W/F 10 AM - 5:45 PM ; Tu/Th 10 AM - 7:45 PM; Sa 10AM-4PM (JUNE), 9 AM - 12:45 PM (JUL/AUG) 

New Rochelle Public Library 

One Library Plaza, New Rochelle, NY 10801 

914-632-7878 

M/Tu/Th 9 AM - 8 PM, W 10 AM - 6 PM, F/Sa 9 AM - 5 PM, Su 1 PM - 5 PM 

North Castle / Hergenhan Community Center 

40 Maple Ave, Armonk, NY 10504 

914-273-3000 

As needed 

North Castle / North White Plains Community Center 

10 Clove Rd, White Plains, NY 10603 

914-948-6359 

As needed 

North Castle/ ArmonkPublic Library 

19 Whippoorwill Road East, Armonk, NY 10504 

914-273-3887 

M/W/Th/F 10 AM - 5:30 PM, Tu 10 AM - 8 PM, Sa 10 AM - 5 PM 

Ossining Public Library 

53 Croton Ave, Ossining, NY 10562 

914-941-2416 

M/Th 9 AM - 9 PM, Tu/F 10 AM - 6 PM, W 1 PM - 9 PM, Sa 9 AM - 5 PM, Su 1 PM - 5 PM 

Peekskill Nutrition Center 

4 Nelson Ave, Peekskill, NY 10566 

914-734-4254 

As needed (Decided by City Manager) 

Pelham Town House 

34 Fifth Ave, Pelham, NY 10803 

914-738-1021 

As needed 

Port Chester Police Department 

350 N. Main St, Port Chester, NY 10573 

914-939-1000 

M-Su 24 Hours 

Port Chester Senior Center 

222 Grace Church St, Port Chester, NY 10573 

914-939-4975 

M-Sa 9 AM - 4 PM 

Port Chester-Rye Brook Public Library 

1 Haseco Avenue, Port Chester, NY 10573 

914-939-6710 

M/Tu 9 AM - 8 PM, W/Sa 9 AM - 5 PM (JUNE); M 9 AM - 9 PM, Tu/F 9 AM - 5 PM, Sa 9 AM - 12 PM (JUL/AUG) 

Pound Ridge Library District 

271 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge, NY 10576 

914-764-5085 

Tu-F 10 AM - 6 PM, Sa 10 AM - 5 PM (JUNE), Sa 10 PM - 3 PM (JUL/AUG) 

Pound Ridge Townhouse 

179 Westchester Ave, Pound Ridge, NY 10576 

914-764-4206 

As needed 

Purchase Free Library 

3093 Purchase Street, Purchase, NY 10577 

914-948-0550 

M-F 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Sa 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM 

Ruth Keeler Memorial Library 

279 Titicus Road (Route 116), North Salem, NY 10560 

914-668-5161 

M 12 PM - 7 PM, Tu-F 10 AM - 5 PM, Sa 10 AM - 3 PM 

Rye Free Reading Room 

1061 Boston Post Road, Rye, NY 10580 

914-967-0480 

M 12 PM - 7 PM, Tu-F 10 AM - 5 PM, Sa 10 AM - 3 PM 

Somers Nutrition Program (D Wayne Van Tassel Memorial Park) 

98 Primrose St, Katonah, NY 10536 

914-232-0807 

M - F, 8 AM - 3 PM (can be extended if needed) 

Somers Public Library (Reis Park) 

82 Primrose St, Katonah, NY 10589 

914-232-5717 

M/W/F 10 AM - 5 PM, Tu/Th 10 AM - 8 PM, Sa 10 AM - 3 PM 

Stanley H. Kellerhouse Municipal Building 

1 Van Wyck St., Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520 

914-271-5177 

As needed 

Tarrytown Senior Center 

240 West Main St, Tarrytown, NY 10591 

914-631-8347 

As needed 

The Field Library (Peekskill) 

4 Nelson Ave, Peekskill, NY 10566 

914-737-1212 

M/Tu/Th 9:30 AM - 9 PM, W 11 AM - 9 PM, F 9:30 AM - 5 PM, Sa 10 AM - 5 PM, Su 11 AM - 4 PM 

The James F. Galgano Building / Sleepy Hollow Senior Center 

55 Elm St, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591 

914-366-5106 

M - F 8 AM - 6 PM (also Sa-Su as needed) 

The James Harmon Community Center 

44 Main St, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY 10706 

914-478-2380 

M - W 9 AM - 4:30 PM, Th 9 AM - 8 PM, F 9 AM - 1 PM 

The Warner Library (Tarrytown) 

121 North Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10591 

914-631-7734 

M-W 10 AM - 6 PM, Th 1 PM - 9 PM, F/Sa 10 AM - 5 PM 

Town of Pelham Public Library 

530 Colonial Ave, Pelham, NY 10803 

914-738-1234 

M/Th 1 PM - 7 PM, Tu/W/F 10 AM - 5 PM, Sa 10 AM - 4 PM 

Tuckahoe Public Library 

71 Columbus Ave, Tuckahoe, NY 10710 

914-961-2121 

M/W 10 AM - 8:30 PM, Tu/Th/F 10 AM - 5:30 PM, Sa 10 AM - 5 PM 

White Plains Public Library 

100 Martine Ave, White Plains, NY 10601 

914-422-1400 

M-Th 10 AM - 9 PM, F 10 AM - 6 PM, Sa 10 AM - 5 PM, Su 1 PM - 4 PM 

Yorktown Community and Cultural Center 

1974 Commerce St, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 

914-962-5758 

M - F, 8 AM - 4 PM (can be extended if needed) 

Keep Your Pets Cool During This Heatwave!

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

We just cannot talk about the heat wave without offering some tips to keep our most faithful friends safe. Our pet, our fur babies, dogs, cats whichever it is you love, they need to be kept safe from the heat and humidity as well. They rely on us for just about everything so we need to make sure they are well protected in this exhausting heat. 

Make sure they have fresh clean water throughout the day and night. They can get dehydrated so quickly.  

Excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, weakness, excessive drooling can be signs of your pet overheating. If you notice these or anything even worse than these signs contact your vet immediately. Move your pet into a cool area, apply cool water all over their body, get some cold wet towels to wrap them in, small drinks of cold water while you are getting them to your vet or waiting for a call back 

Pugs and Persian cats who have prominently flat faces, are more likely to suffer from heat stroke than other dogs and cats. These pets, and pets who are overweight, should be kept in air-conditioned rooms whenever possible.  

Stay indoors as much as possible. We all know how much our pets love to go out, but these temperatures are just too high. Try and walk early in the morning or late in the evening. Stay off of pavement whenever possible. If it is too hot for your bare feet it is too hot for their paws. Dogs bodies are so much closer to the ground, they heat up so much faster.  

 I learned something new today while researching keeping pets safe. Dogs sweat through their paws! Never heard that before, but they say it is one of the reasons that fans don’t help dogs cool off.  

Keep a cold water bottle and portable water bowl with you when you are outside or traveling in a car.  

Keep your pet inside and cool whenever possible. These guys need the same hot weather treatment that we do. 

Here at SERVPRO of White Plains we are animal lovers and hope you will follow our tips for keeping your pets as cool as possible!  

Safety Tips on The Water

7/15/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is in full swing here in the Northeast. Boating season is short season here, and here at SERVPRO of White Plains, we want you to make the most of the boating season and maintain safety at all times 

Here in New York, we just witnessed a tragedy on the Hudson River. A 12-foot pleasure boat capsized in the choppy waters by one of New York City’s fames piers. 2 people lost their lives, on a boat that reportedly had 13 people on it.  

We would like to offer a few boating safety tips  

Life Jackets Life Jackets Life Jackets- Seems pretty simple right? It should be, but many boating casualties are from people not wearing life jackets. People say, “but I can swim”, So can I, I can swim in a pool, but can you swim in a river or ocean, or lake with currents and rough waters? People who fall out of a boat, can often be injured, or disoriented, or even unconscious. A life jacket can save your life. 

Everyone on the boat should have a life jacket. Many states require this. They should be size appropriate and worn at all times. Do not be laxed about this. Life Jackets are probably the single most important thing you can have on board. 

Familiarize yourself with boating state laws. People sometimes have a how hard could it be attitude. Knowledge is priceless.  

Take a boating safety course 

Plan Ahead- Let someone on land know your boating plan also known as a Float Plan. 

Have a first aid kit and a small tool kit on board 

Sunscreen and plenty of drinking water 

Have a designated driver who is boating familiar 

Check the weather, storms can come up pretty quickly out there, and what looks like a faraway storm can approach very rapidly. 

Use common sense. The water can be the most relaxing place to spend a sunny afternoon on. Don’t let a bad judgment call ruin your day or your summer. 

Enjoy and Be Safe!! 

Water Water Water!

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is here and here in the Northeast we are about to experience some hot and humid weather this July 4th weekend. As many jobs as we do involving water, this is about drinking water, and lots of it. Water is imperative to staying safe in these July days. Here at SERVPRO of White Plains, we are still out working hard in this weather and we want to keep everyone safe. We have some preventative measures to avoid heat stress injuries and illnesses. As summer approaches and the days get longer, the dangers of working outside during hot weather also increases. Knowing how to work safely in hot weather can help prevent heat stress illnesses and heat stroke. 1. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids; drink about 16 ounces before you start to work, walk, exercise, or any strenuous activity and 5 to 7 ounces every 15 or 20 minutes during and after. Avoid alcohol, coffee, tea and caffeinated soft drinks when it is super hot. Stick with water and plenty of it. 2. How to Dress . Lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing helps protect against heat. Change clothing if it gets completely saturated. Drink water. 3. Pace yourself. Slow down and work at an even pace. Know your own limits and ability to work safely in heat. Drink water. 4. Take frequent breaks. Take time for rest periods and water breaks in a shaded or air-conditioned area. Drink water. 5. Keep a cold wet towel on hand,. Wipe your face or put it around your neck. Drink water. 6. Sunscreen . Use sunscreen and wear a hat if working outside. Drink water. 7. Be alert to signs of heat-related illness. Know what to look for- excessive sweating or not sweating at all, red rash, trouble focusing and slurred speech, shortness of breath and check on other workers that might be at high risk. Drink water. 8. Avoid direct sun. Find shade or block out the sun if possible. Drink water. 9. Eat smaller meals. Eat fruits high in fiber and natural juice. Avoid high protein foods. Drink water. We really emphasize the importance of water. Elderly people and very young kids are especially sensitive to the heat and dehydration effect. Stay safe out there and Drink water!!

Water and Money Saving Tips

6/29/2022 (Permalink)

With the cost of absolutely everything going up, what can we do to save on some of our bills around the house? Take water for example. Many people are seeing an increase in their water bill by 15-20% over the last 2 months. Most people didn’t budget for this, so we researched ways to lower your water bill, and leaving less of a foot print on the environment.  

We started by contacting some local village offices and then heard about the Rain Barrel Program. Many municipalities participate in this program. They give you a recycled barrel to put under your drain pipe to catch rain water. This water is not potable, but it is rain water. It can be used to water the garden, lawn, wash the car, etc. It will also cut down on the sprinkler system use and using your hose to water the lawn.   Suggested times for watering your lawn is to cut it down to 7 minutes at 6:00AM and 7 minutes at 9:00PM. Adjust the times accordingly as you see how your lawn looks. We want to save water but not at the risk of our lawn dying.  

If you can’t get a rain barrel check your garage, you probably have something, even an old garbage can will work. The cover must be sealed with just a 2-inch hole to catch the rain water. Think safety as far as animals or small kids being around.  

Next research was how to save on water use inside.  This was a little tougher it seemed. Most suggested cutting showers down to 3-5 minutes. That will take some getting used to.  Not letting the water run while shaving or brushing your teeth.  

 When doing dishes, run the dishwasher only when it’s full and on a shorter cycle. If you are washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run the whole time.  

 When doing laundry, only use your washing machine when you have enough for a full load.   

Installing a faucet aerator, water saving shower heads, and water saving toilets are also going to help cut down on water use, but also water pressure. This will take some getting used to! 

It was also suggested to us that during the installation of faucet aerators, several people discovered slow leaks. SERVPRO of White Plains can certainly help with leak problems should they occur, but we also hope these water saving ideas, will help you our as well.

Being Prepared for a Rip Current

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

What a rip current looks like

Here we are heading rapidly towards July, the most popular beach going month for sand and surf lovers in the Northeast. Here are SERVPRO of White Plains, we all love the cool breeze and crashing waves on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. What don’t we love? We don’t love biting in to sand in our sandwiches and we don’t love when seagulls steal food from our blankets and beach bags.

What we really don’t love is a Rip Current. We see signs warning us about rip currents.  These can be deadly if you don’t know what to do if you are caught in one. Not deadly because you will be pulled under or dragged out to sea. Deadly because you can become so exhausted trying to swim into shore you can then drown.

You probably should know what a rip current is, so that you can try and stay calm and remember some tips on how to navigate a rip current.  

We usually think of waves as washing stuff onto the beach—seaweed, shells and other ocean debris. But sometimes the waves hit the beach in a certain way to create a current that flows away from the beach. This is a rip current. You can often see a rip current from the beach. It looks like a smoother area of water with no waves breaking. 

Never try to swim against a rip current.   

Swim parallel to the shore and you will usually swim out of it.  

Don’t panic. Try and remain calm.  

Try and alert some one that you need help without tiring yourself out.  

Don’t swim alone or in an area without a lift guard 

When you get to the beach ask a life guard if they see any rip currents 

A little bit of knowledge and caution can help make your beach day memorable this summer. Wear your sun screen and enjoy your beach days!!

Turn Around Don't Drown Safety Tips for Navigating Flooded Roadways

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Summertime is here and for us here in the Northeast we get our summer often end of day storms.   They bring high winds and are quick fierce storms that often don’t last more than an hour at a time.  

These Summer storms often dump several inches of water in a short amount of time.   They also seem to happen around 5:00 pm, just as rush hour is in its full glory.  

Here in the White Plains/Westchester County area we have several small rivers that run along parkways.   They are often no wider than 10 feet but are known to overflow and cause flooding on the parkways quickly. Often sections of these parkways are closed due to flooding. 

  The county and local police have seen their share of tragedies from people driving through flooded roads and have offered up some tips and rules.  

TADD- The universal acronym for Turn Around Don’t Drown.    

 It’s never a good idea to drive on flooded roadways even when you’re caught unexpectedly in the middle of a trip. If you encounter floodwaters on the road ahead, turn around – don’t drown.  

Unpredictable and quick moving storms can cause flooded roads and put you in a dangerous situation before you can safely get off the road.   If you find yourself driving through water here are some tips to help navigate your way to safety.  

Drive Down the Center- What part of the road is the safest to drive on during flood conditions? Forget about lanes and drive down the center. The water tends to be most shallow at the center of the road. 

Take Turns with Other Cars - Creating a single lane behind other drivers is safer than passing by and splashing water onto passing vehicles. The vehicle in front of you can help move water out of the way so you have a little better traction. Plus, stress is already running high when the roads are wet, there’s no need to add extra frustration to the mix by blasting past people. 

Only Cross When the Water is Extremely Shallow 

Only about ½ inch of water at any speed can cause you to lose control - badly. Never try and cross water that rises above the center of your wheels. That includes large puddles.  

Drive Slowly -The last thing you want to do is drive fast over watery roads. If you do have to cross water on the road enter at 1-2mph then drive at 3-4mph to avoid engine flooding. 

Drive in Low Gear -Drive in low gear to protect the car. If you’re driving an automatic vehicle, keep the speed low enough to stay in first or second gear. Keep your foot on the gas and use the brake to regulate speed. 

Best bet is to stay out of moving water. Period. Many people have been put in life threatening situations after thinking they could drive through water that was moving.  

Even larger vehicles, pickup trucks, SUVs and jeeps need to exercise caution.  If your vehicle cannot cross a stream on a good day, you should not attempt to drive through moving water.  Less than one foot of water will float your vehicle. Two feet can sweep most vehicles away even a heavy, lifted pickup truck.  

Turn around and wait it out or find an alternative route.    

SERVPRO of White Plains hopes you will take care driving this summer and remember our safe driving water tips.  

Don't let your Windows Eat Up Your Vacation Fund!

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

Leaking Windows the Water Damage Culprit 

I personally never knew that I should check my windows for leaks. One of our clients had water leaking through her ceiling and walls in her rec room in her finished basement. She returned from vacation to find several inches of water in her basement. We at SERVPRO of White Plains started the remediation process and then started the demo. Pipes were not leaking her plumber told us. More demo that led to the discovery of the source of loss as being the windows in her 1st floor living room leaking. The west side of her house seemed to take the brunt of the rain storms and the water was pooling in her house. Now she was dealing with a basement down to the studs. We did the reconstruction and she had the windows replaced in her living room. A lesson learned. After speaking to some experts, we came up with a few ways to check your windows for leaking. This process didn’t take too long and we did find a few leaks. Checking for water leaks is the same way you would check for air leaks. You might find your home to be cooler after repairs and your energy bills may be less.  

As windows are often the culprit for both water and air leaks into the home, it’s important to do both a physical and visual inspection of your windows to prevent future damage.     

A physical inspection of your windows for water and air leaks is the first step  

First close all of your windows. (You may not want to do this on the hottest day of the year, but you get my point) 

Lock the windows to make sure you are getting the tightest seal. Limit air flow as much as possible, so try and close all of your windows at once. This will help make the inspection more accurate  

Next step is to turn off the furnace, central air or fans. If you have air leaks there is a good possibility you could have these same leaks, be water leaks.  

To increase the accuracy of your inspection and best determine if you have any air leaks, you should turn off your home’s furnace or air conditioner.  Let the system cycle down so there is no additional air movement in the home.  You want your house as still as possible so turn off any floor fans, exhaust fans and any wall or window air conditioning units for the best results! 

Next step is to light a candle 

As the flicker of a flame or the flicker of smoke is the best way to determine if you have a leaky window, grab a lighter or some matches and light a candle.  Long taper candles work best, but pillar candles can work well too. 

You just need something that you can securely hold in a steady fashion.  If you don’t have any candles, a stick of incense can work as well.  While there isn’t a lit flame with incense, the smoke would be enough of a visual cue. 

Once your candle is lit, slowly move it around the perimeter, or edges of the window.  If you have a window with two operable sashes, like a double hung window or a sliding window, you could also move the candle along the place where the two sashes meet.  If you see the flame flicker or the smoke blow away from the window, you probably have a leaky window.  As you perform this part of the candle test, be sure to take caution to avoid any curtains or drapes which could catch fire. 

Not only is it a good idea to test window leaks from the inside, it is also important to inspect of all your windows from both the inside and outside of your home.  This is especially true if you performed the candle test on a day without a lot of breezes. Even if your test showed only a handful of windows may have a potential leak, it is still a good idea to give them the visual once-over to see if there are any other contributors to a leaky window. 

Interior Inspection 

Pull back your window treatments and look all around the window for any obvious signs of daylight entering your home where there shouldn’t be.  If you do have curtains or drapes, do they move when the wind blows? Even the smallest gap could be a problem so take a good look around all the window’s edges and make a note to further inspect that window from the outside. 

Exterior Inspection 

Now it’s time to take a tour of the outside of your home and inspect your windows from the exterior.  Look for any gaps in the frame around your windows.  Check to see if there are any cracks in the caulking around the top, bottom or sides of the windows.  If your window is single paned, check all the putty between the panes of glass to make sure it’s not cracked.  If you notice any of these issues with your window, you are probably experiencing water or air leaks, if not both! 

Now you have discovered that you do have leaks. What’s next? Here is an easy step  

Reapply Caulk 

One of the simplest fixes for a leaky window is to reapply caulk around the window.  The first step includes removing the old and dried out caulk.  This can be done best with a putty knife.  Then take your new tube of caulk and cut a hole in the tip at an angle, leaving the hole the same width of the gap you will be filling with new caulk.  Apply the caulk to the edges of the window and then smooth out and clean any excess.  Caulk is best applied outside when the temperature is over 45° and with low humidity. 

After it dries spray your window with water and check for leaks one more time. 

If you do have any water issues, from leaky windows or anything else, give us a call at 914.684.1560 

Tips on Finding Water Leaks

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

Many of us have experienced leaks at some point in our homes.  It can be an expensive repair if it goes undetected for too long. 

Here at SERVPRO of White Plains, we have put together a few ways to check for the possibility of a leak   

Under the guidelines from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, if you are a family of 4 and using more than 12,000 gallons on average per month, there is probably a leak.  

1. Smell – Follow your nose.   If you smell moldy or musty smells in places that you wouldn’t expect to, chances are there is a leak somewhere.  It could be a small leak of course, but a leak non the less.   Water building up behind a wall, a closet could potentially smell rather musty
2. What does your Water Bill say? -If you have received an exceptionally high  water bill you don’t believe your usage has changed this would be a good time to call your water company.   Some municipalities’ water departments will come out and look for no charge.   Some will come out and look, but if it is nothing wrong on their end they may charge you a fee.  Find out before you have them come out. I received a $1400 water bill one time a month after moving in to my house.    The water company said they would charge me $185 if it wasn’t anything on their end.   They came out and determined one of their lines was cracked causing a leak under the slab. They were giving me the run around about getting the repairs done.  This could have been disastrous, but luckily, I was persistent and made endless calls daily to get them to come out and fix it.   They did and the next month my water bill was an acceptable amount.   Anything that is leaking before the meter is the water dept, after the meter is the home owners.
3. Water Meter – This is a great way to check for leaks without having to call anyone in.   Turn off all of the water throughout your home, make sure nothing is running.  Check the meter and see if it changes at all- you can check right away, and then check again in 1-2 hours later.   If you notice it changes quickly, there is a possibility of a leak on a greater scale.   If it changes after a couple of hours, it might be a small leak.  .
4. Detecting a leak in your toilet- Add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank.   Wait about 15 minutes and take a look in your toilet bowl.  If the color you added to the tank is in the bowl, you most likely have a leak.
5. Outside Leaks-  Make sure your hoses, sprinkler system, or irrigation systems are not leaking.   This is easy enough just by walking around your yard, checking hose connections and stepping in soggy grass around inground sprinkler heads.     If this happens, check the hose for leaks, splits, holes, and check the sprinkler heads are on correctly.

Regular inspections can help save you a lot of money! If you find yourself with a leak and have water in your house or damage from water, give SERVPRO of White Plains a call at 914.684.1560 

April Showers bring May Flowers

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

We've been hearing this expression forever! Here in the Northeast the April showers part is certainly true.   We here at SERVPRO of White Plains, have seen quite a few basements with water, rooms with wet carpets from leaky roofs, and muddy water coming in a first floor window.   The one thing that stands out is the older man with the water in the basement.   He kept all of his important documents in an old leather briefcase on a shelf in his basement.   The problem he had was it was on the bottom shelf.   The old worn leather with the zipper that didn't quite close all the way, was no match for the quick rain that flooded his basement.  Inside was a mess of wet papers, mud and more wet papers.   Insurance documents that had been stored in this case for many years and were his only copies.   He shook his head, and told us that he put his important papers in the case and forgot about them.  He had bank papers and other documents that were ruined as well.  Some, he couldn't recall what they even were.   

Lesson learned.  Valuable papers no matter what area of the country you live in, should always be kept in water proof bags, and be somewhere that you have easy access to.   Insurance information, bank information, prescription info, and emergency contact numbers.  

A great piece of advice for anyone

Stay Cool This Summer!

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

With the scorching summer temperatures that have sprung upon us within the last few days, there’s nothing better than finding a way to stay out of the heat and still have fun. One memory that many of us here at SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle have in regards to hot summer days as a kid is running through a sprinkler. While this is a simple way to keep both children and adults from overheating, if you’re not careful you could create the perfect environment for potential water damage. Keep reading for SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle’s tips on how to avoid this and stay cool this summer:

• Instead of using multiple sprinkler heads, make sure to just use one singular head. If you do use multiple, make sure to use a timer for 10 minutes or less.
• Keep sprinklers away from the foundation of your home. If the runoff from the sprinkler isn’t absorbing into the ground, it can collect against the foundation. This causes the ground to swell and contract, and this can then cause the foundation to move and/or crack. 
• If the foundation isn’t exactly well-built in the first place the movement and cracks can lead to broken pipes and leaks, causing even more water damage. 
• Along with that, there are weep holes in brick walls. If the water gets above the foundation line, it can seep in through the holes and soak into your walls and flooring.

Have fun, be mindful and stay cool during these sweltering summer temperatures! If your fun day of water play turns into water damage, you know who to call. SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle is just one phone call away at 914-684-1560.

We specialize in flooded Basement Clean-up

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

This local business called SERVPRO when their basement flooded

A basement can flood at any time and for many reasons, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-Water tank failure
• And many more

If You Have Questions or Need Help, Please Call Us At  - (914) 684-1560

This local business had some flooding in their basement, as can be seen in the picture. They called SERVPRO of White Plains for remediation.

We responded promptly and inspected the damage, then began the Water extraction process.  In less than four days we had the basement dry. We use advanced inspection and monitoring equipment to determine your business or home’s structure is actually dry. 

If water damage isn't handled quickly and properly, it can cause severe damage to your home’s structure not to mention the potential harmful health effects of mold. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Here To Help - (914) 684-1560 

Mold and your Business

5/17/2021 (Permalink)

As you may have already guessed, mold can present a serious hazard to your business. It can cause health effects to both you and your employees, which results in lost work and productivity. It doesn’t matter if you’ve experienced a tiny roof leak or a massive water damage, keep reading for some tips and tricks to help you and your business avoid serious mold issues:

• Keep all flood insurance current and all documentation quickly accessible. 
• Install proper ventilation in areas that tend to accumulate a lot of steam and/or moisture. You can do this by installing fans or vents overhead. 
• Think about buying monitors that can give you simple moisture readings and alert you of any spikes. 
• Leave the cleaning to professionals and steer clear of bleach. It still has water in it, so while it may kill some of the spores, it will still add additional moisture to the area. 
• If you find any items that you suspect may have mold on them, get rid of the contaminated items as soon as possible. 
• If you suspect that you may have mold, do not hesitate to get an inspection done in your building right away. 

If you do find yourself with mold issues, SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle is able to help. Our technicians are trained to properly remediate the affected areas and get your business running smoothly in no time. Give us a call at 914-684-1560. 

Keep Up With Your Kitchen.

4/18/2021 (Permalink)

Water is essential for life. We are constantly using it, whether it be to drink, wash dishes, and cook our food. Due to this, our kitchens are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to potential water damages in our homes. The problem is there are so many different appliances, nooks and crannies, and when both of those are combined, it’s a perfect opportunity for a leak to go unnoticed. Keep reading to learn about some common culprits of hidden leaks in the kitchen... this way you can be aware and potentially save yourself from a costly situation. 

Dishwashers are one of the common appliances that can cause pesky leaks that when they go unnoticed, can become a huge issue. One way this can happen is when a leak occurs through the door. Sometimes this happens naturally but usually it occurs due to factors such as using too much soap, overloading the dishwasher or loading it in a way that disrupts the free spraying. Along with that, a dishwasher can also have a hidden leak underneath. These leaks are usually caused by gasket failures, cracks in hoses or faulty connections. Keep this in mind every time you go to use your dishwasher.

Refrigerators are another common kitchen appliance that can cause unsightly leaks in the kitchen. One thing you have to look out for is any broken pipes as they can develop cracks or have gasket failure. Along with that, make sure you’re careful while moving your refrigerator during a cleaning session or for any other reason. Water lines are notorious for breaking when moving the appliance back and forth. Freezers are also another pesky culprit, as ice can melt and leak if your freezer is not functioning properly. Make sure to keep an eye out next time you go to grab some ice cream. 

With all of that being said, make sure to give your kitchen some extra TLC. Make sure all appliances, whether big or small, are functioning properly, and clean up any messes and spills as soon as they happen. If you do happen to find yourself in the middle of a wet kitchen, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle. We can be reached at 914-684-1560.  

Make sure you have summer fun, not flooding!

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

Now that Spring has arrived, even though some may say it’s too early, we can’t stop thinking about Summer over here at SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle. However, with the beautiful weather and all the fun that it brings, there is also the increased risk of unexpected water damages. For example, one of the most relaxing things to do on a hot Summer day is take a long swim by ourselves or with our loved ones in our pools. While it might be all fun in the sun, if you don’t take the proper preventative measures, it can end up as a not so fun water damage in your home. Here are some tips to make sure your fun summer day swim doesn’t turn into a disaster for your home:

• Ensure that you winterize your pool properly for the off-season.
• Make sure to check for any leaks, cracks or physical damage to the structure of your pool.
• Consistently remove any leaves or other debris from your pool to avoid any clogged filters.
• If you live in an area with heavy rain, make sure that your pool is placed strategically to direct any possible flooding away from your home.

If you do unfortunately find your summer fun ruined by some flooding, SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle will be happy to help. Give us a call at 914-684-1560, we’re available 24/7.

Taking Control Back of Your Home

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle, we know that any water damage situation can be very overwhelming for you. However, there are plenty of simple tips that we can provide you for initially dealing with water damage situations, that will help you keep calm and take control back of your home:

• Immediately call your homeowners’ insurance company to inquire about what damage is covered, and what is not.
• Take as many pictures of the damage when it initially happens. SERVPRO will always take plenty of pictures once on-site, but you can never have too much documentation of the loss.
• Make sure to identify the cause of loss and figure out how to stop any new water from coming in. 
• Be sure to wear proper personal protection including boots, gloves, etc. if you decide to expose yourself to the water. This helps prevent any potential infections from bacteria-ridden water. 
• Quickly begin to identify and protect any items of value that you can.
• Contact the proper water restoration company to begin clean-up within 24-48 hours if you don’t plan on remediating the loss yourself. This is vital as mold can begin forming 24 hours after a water damage. 

However, as much as we enjoy providing you with the knowledge to take care of your home, please know that we are always here to help here at SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle. We are just one call away at 914-684-1560.

Prepare your Pipes!

12/5/2020 (Permalink)

Winter is an exciting time of year for many people around the world, as it brings the holidays and a sense of comfort and joy, but it can also bring plummeting temperatures. This poses a possible problem as frozen pipes can burst once temperatures rise in the spring, so it’s vital that homeowners begin to think about winterizing their properties. Keep reading to learn some helpful tips and tricks that will help prepare your homes for the cold days ahead:

• The absolute best defense against pipe freezing is to buy specifically designed pipe insulation. If you do decide to insulate your pipes, make sure that you pay attention to pipes in unheated and interior areas of your home such as the attic and the garage. If you are unable to buy pipe insulation, you can make your own with duct tape and crumpled newspaper for a temporary fix. 
• Make sure to inspect your home for any holes, cracks or openings and then seal them. This will stop any drafts from freezing the water systems in your home. 
• If you plan on leaving your home at any time, make sure that the heat is on. However, the temperature doesn’t have to be as high as it would be if you were actually in the home, as anything over 55 degrees is optimal to keep your pipes safe. 
• Make sure to keep your thermostat temperature consistent to avoid any sudden changes in the environment of your residence. 
• Interestingly enough, opening your bathroom and kitchen cabinets periodically will allow warm air to circulate around the plumbing. If you are expecting a very cold night, try keep the cabinets open to keep pipes clear.  

However, even with taking the proper precautions, it is still possible that your pipes can burst. If you find yourself in that situation and are unable to handle it, give SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle a call at 914-684-1560. We’re here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  

Autumn has arrived! You know what that means…

10/9/2020 (Permalink)

Fall is known for being a transitional part of the year. Leaves begin to change colors, the air becomes a little crisper, as a familiar chill surrounds you. However, all of these wonderful things also mean that water damage issues are also in flux. While you might not always think about it, those beautiful, colorful leaves that gracefully fall off their trees, also are a big source of potential damage. Autumn leaves whether we like it or not, clog gutters and downspouts. Now, when substantial rainfall occurs, gutters will then overflow and spill water down exterior walls, which will then penetrate siding and infiltrating wall cavities. Unfortunately, indoor water damage and mold growth can happen as a result of this. That being said, make sure those gutters get cleaned! If you’re not comfortable doing the task yourself, there are plenty of qualified professionals that are willing to take care of it for you. Keeping on top of them can help you avoid a costly and time consuming issue later down the road. 

However, if it does happen to slip your mind, SERVPRO of White Plains & New Rochelle is always here to help. Whether it’s water or mold, we’ve got your back! Our SERVPRO professionals will happily conduct a no-cost assessment of the damage. For more information on SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle, please contact us at (914) 684-1560 or (800) 967-6663. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year!

Let`s get soaking wet!

5/20/2020 (Permalink)

Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner. The large gatherings, cookouts, swimming pools opening, firework displays and other communal activities have been scaled back significantly for the health of our community and loved ones. The temperatures will be around 70 degrees as a high and there is rain coming on Saturday...BOOO! The rest of the extended weekend looks sunny to partly cloudy and pleasant.

Whether your celebration includes small fireworks, bonfires or swimming pools, safety is paramount. If you are using small fireworks, make sure there is a bucket of water or sand to extinguish them when done. Sparklers can reach 1200 degrees and can cause severe burns or the sparks coming off of it can cause eye damage. Make sure your children, friends or family are not running with them and put them into the bucket of water and sand when complete.

Having a swimming pool is a major responsibility, from keeping it clean to keeping the pH in a normal range. If you top off your pool with water keep an eye on the hose connections and the level of water. If you leave the water hose running for a couple days to top off the pool it can become disastrous if there is a leak that you are not aware of. Make sure the outside faucet the hose is attached to is not leaking, check the water pipe inside the house that is attached to the faucet outside and make sure there is no leaking. Also check the hose connection and the water line at least one to two times a day. Having a leak go undetected for a day or even a few hours can be disastrous and expensive. Trying to get a contractor over a holiday weekend can bestressful but here at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle we are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend. SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle remembers and honors the military members who gave their lives in service to our country.

But...we don`t have a pool?

5/17/2020 (Permalink)

The garden and lawn is an important feature of our homes. The upkeep and maintenance can be time consuming. The need to fertilize, weed and water can take a whole day or two. One of the greatest inventions to keep our lawns and gardens maintained, especially newly planted ones, is home sprinkler systems. Basically just set the timer and it will do the job, so easy and practical. Unfortunately it adds another system that needs to be maintained, not as time consuming as maintaining lawns and gardens but the trade off is worth it. How can you tell if it needs maintenance or if there is an underground leak?

• Recent spike in the water bill. A constant leak will drive your water bill up.
• Visible wet spots in your yard. Once the ground is saturated there is nowhere but up for the water to go.
• Discolored lawn and spots in the yard. Over-saturation of grass will eventually kill it.
• Plants and lawn that look extremely dry and brittle. Uneven watering can also affect plants and areas of grass that are not receiving the water they need to thrive. The leak affects the pressure in the lines and the water will not spray as far as it needs to maintain your lawn and garden.
• Water seepage into your basement. If there is a leaking pipe close to your home, eventually the water will find a path into the basement and create damage that can go unnoticed until there is significant damage.

There are several water damages every year that SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle handles caused by faulty or leaking sprinkler systems. The water leaks have been found to come through window wells, seeping through foundations and even coming in under basement doors. A majority of these water damages had finished basements with carpet, carpet pad, drywall and furniture. A majority of these items that were damaged were ruined because they had been saturated for so long they either warped or became moldy and it needed to be discarded. The average water damage costs between $2,000 to $5,000. The average cost for lawn sprinkler maintenance is $50-$120 per service call. Maintenance is significantly cheaper than not maintaining your systems.

Check your lines

4/16/2020 (Permalink)

We have received a large amount of water damage jobs through the years that have been caused by faulty water feed lines and usually are not noticed until hardwood flooring is buckled or cupped, carpets are wet or someone begins to smell mildew and mold. This can be prevented with some simple solutions.

If your refrigerator has an ice-maker the feed line should be replaced with a copper one. We had a job where a contractor accidentally put a nail through a plastic feed line and the leak went undetected for a long time. The damage from that included the entire wood floor of a kitchen and the drywall in the refrigerator surround as well as the ceiling in the finished basement below. This particular job cost thousands of dollars to rectify. A simple copper line would have prevented the piercing.

Dishwasher feed lines are usually undetected and tucked into the bottom of cabinetry. Check to make sure there are no kinks in the line. We have had several jobs in the past few months where a dishwasher line has leaked and ruined the hardwood flooring in the kitchen and the cabinetry around it. This was also a couple thousand dollar job to rectify.

When you initially order appliances request that the water supply lines be switched to metal braided lines. If you move into a home that already has appliances take the time to inspect the lines for any wear, kinks or holes. You can replace all the lines with metal braided lines, the metal braided lines are more durable and will last longer than plastic lines. If you take a vacation, even a mini vacation, make sure the water supply lines are turned off. When you come home turn them on one at a time to make sure there is no leakage.

The cost of an average water damage is between $2,000 - $5,000 but the inconvenience of not being able to use your kitchen, bathroom, laundry and other facilities because of necessary repair work hurts even more. Take an hour or two once a month and inspect your appliance water feed lines, it will save you time and money in the future.

If you find your kitchen floors buckled , finished basement carpet soaked , or bathroom floors flooded , call us here at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle. We have the experience and training to get your home back to preloss condition from start to finish.

Spring has sprung but the lawn has sprung a leak

3/23/2020 (Permalink)

Spring started on the 19th of March but that would be hard to believe with the cold temps and snow falling today. The good news is by the end of the week temperatures will be close to 60 degrees and it will feel more spring like. With the spring-like temperatures yard work such as gardening and lawn care can be done to break up the monotony of being home.

Lawn maintenance is paramount to have a beautiful lawn and garden. Fertilizing the lawn and gardens will help provide nutrients that may be missing. Proper watering and irrigation combined are necessary to achieve lush gardens and lawns. One way to maintain proper watering is through an automatic sprinkler system. Sometimes those watering systems do not perform properly and we have had a few basement flood calls due to leaking or malfunctioning sprinkler systems. Here are some tips to keep your home dry and your lawn green.

• Before shutting the sprinkler system down for the winter time, blow out the sprinkler lines with compressed air to prevent freezing of the lines.
• In the spring before turning the sprinkler system on, contact a professional service. They have the equipment, knowledge and experience in case there is a leak.
• During the start up in the spring have the professional check the connections and valves for leaks and sprinkler heads that may not be operating properly.
• About 3 months after start up have a professional service come out and check your system again to check sprinkler head alignment and to do a check to make sure it is functioning properly.
• If you do have water entering your basement and it appears that there is no known source, turn off your sprinkler system until the source of water intrusion can be found.

If you do have the unfortunate event of having a flooded basement , call us here at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our technicians have experience and are trained to handle any and all water intrusion events.

Cold SNAP!

2/14/2020 (Permalink)

The weather has swung back to a cold snap here in White Plains and New Rochelle. Today's temperature will not rise above freezing. Overnight the temperature will drop to the low teens and Saturday`s temps will remain below freezing as well. Sunday we will rise above freezing for the first time since Thursday. The higher than normal temperatures have made us a little too comfortable and checking to make sure your vulnerable water pipes and faucets are protected from freezing is vital. Here are some quick tips to prevent a broken pipe in your home.

1. Leave the water drip or a small trickle running from faucets that are connected to at risk water lines. This will keep them from completely freezing.

1. Make sure your heat thermostat is staying at a regular temperature and not fluctuating. Nest thermostats have an eco setting for when no one is home. I have recently had one installed and during one of our cold spells this year I checked the temperature of my home while I was working. It was a good call, my Nest had an eco temp of 40 degrees Fahrenheit when I was not home. That is way too cold and my home was more vulnerable to a pipe break because of it. I have adjusted the eco temp to 60 degrees Fahrenheit since then and all is well.

1. Open kitchen cabinets under the sink and in bathrooms to allow warm air to circulate around them. This will prevent freezing as well.

1. If a room still feels chilly during a cold spell consider using a portable heater temporarily for that room to raise the temperature to a warmer temperature.

Stay warm for the next 2 days and if you do have any issues with pipes freezing and breaking remember SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and that includes weekends. Call us anytime.

Clean your rain gutters.

12/3/2019 (Permalink)

The snow storm predictions and dusting of snow we did receive this last round of weather is a gentle reminder that the temperatures will be moving to the much colder side within the next month or so. Now is a good time to make sure your rain gutters are free of leaves and debris. The small amount of snow we received will be melting and draining from rooftops and back to the ground . The water draining away needs a clear path free of obstruction and away from the foundations of the home.

An obstructed or blocked rain gutter can create issues to your home and its foundation. If there is a heavy rain storm and the rain gutters are blocked the gutter will overflow and drain along the side of the house into the ground and seep down to the foundation. Freezing temperatures would allow that water to freeze and possibly crack your foundation. There is also the chance that a clogged gutter will freeze and begin to work its way under the overhang of your roof subsequently damaging your roof and during the thawing out process there would be water leaking into your home from the ice dam thawing out. A great way to prevent this from occurring is to have your gutters cleaned on a regular basis. Have your gutters cleaned at least twice a year or if you have many trees around your home , you will need to clean them more often.

Cleaning rain gutters on your home can be an arduous task and if you are not comfortable on a ladder I would recommend having a professional come in a clean the rain gutters for you. According to HomeAdvisor.com the average cost of gutter cleaning is $156 . Single-story homes may cost between $70 and $200. Two-story homes range between $90 and $225 per job. Three or more stories may cost an additional $75 to $200 per service. The service can definitely get a little pricey but is necessary to reduce and prevent damage to your home.

SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for all your water mitigation, fire and soot cleanup, mold remediation and rebuild needs . Call us anytime day or night.

Communities along the shore.

5/23/2019 (Permalink)

 SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle serves communities along the Long Island Sound such as Rye, Mamaroneck, Port Chester, Larchmont, New Rochelle and Pelham. There is always a threat of flooding in these communities during spring times rainy season , thunderstorms during the summer and hurricane season from June 1st to November 30th

 Flood preparations are vital to help maintain your property and your lives. Before the flood strikes there should  preparations made.

• Have a plan in place to be able to communicate with family and friends in case of a disaster.
• Have an emergency kit that contains first aids supplies as well as enough non-perishable foods to sustain you and your family for at least a few days.
• Be aware if your home is on a floodplain, educate yourself on the route to higher ground in case of flash flooding and know the roads near you that flood faster than the others and plan accordingly
• Sign up for notifications from local weather stations as well  to be kept informed of weather changes and flood levels.
• Prepare your home by sandbagging and creating a wall to protect your home as much as possible. Ensure your sump pump is operational and check your home insurance to ensure you have flood coverage. Flood coverage is not normally apart of a regular insurance policy and will need to be added on to cover your home effectively.
• When notifications start for a flood warning immediately start to pack and make preparations to evacuate. Pack for your pets as well. Do not wait until the last minute.
• Charge all of your electronics cell phones, and portables radios. Pack back up batteries for your devices as well. You can also get portable solar charging panels for your devices at local outdoor adventure stores.
• Fill up the gas tank of your vehicles
• Be ready to leave if you notice your home will definitely flood, do not wait to be told to evacuate. Have a plan in place that includes arrangements to stay somewhere until the waters recede and you are given the o.k. to return by local officials. If you have pets make sure you are able to bring them with you or make arrangements for boarding in a facility that is safe from the flood waters.

The clean up process from flooding can be extensive, time consuming and tiring. Here at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle we have years of experience dealing with flooding and natural disasters. Give us a call and we help get your home back to “Like it never even happened.”

Late spring and early summer backyard oasis time!

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

 The sun is out and the temperatures are rising, which makes us here at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle happy. We get to work outside during the work week and enjoy our  backyard patios during the weekend. The upkeep on our backyard spaces can be grueling and expensive at times but the end result is so worth it. An oasis to call our own to enjoy after work and during the weekends.

 During the process of keeping our outdoor spaces in decent shape we maintain the lawn by watering them with sprinklers or move ground to make spaces enjoyable and to our liking. In the process of maintaining or upgrading these spaces, we can leave our homes susceptible to water intrusion. Whether it is from sprinklers placed too close to the home, dirt that has been pulled away from the home to waterproof the foundation, or filling the pool these activities can create a water event in our home by over watering of the yard and the excess water finding its way into the basement, a fast moving thunderstorm drops excessive amounts of water and the foundation is not being protected by the dirt or the pool is overfilled and water runs back into the house. If you do have a water issue this late spring into the summer , we are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so you can continue to enjoy your outdoor space while we take care of your indoor space.

Water damage prevention tips

4/17/2019 (Permalink)

There are preventative measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a water leak event in your White Plains, Harrison, Rye,Rye Brook, Purchase, Port Chester, New Rochelle, Mamaroneck, Larchmont or Pelham home.

The following are the five leading causes of water damage insurance claim and came up with solutions to help prevent them.

Plumbing Supply System Failure

The average cost was more than $5,000 after the deductible was paid.

Reducing the Damage

• Some indicators are increased monthly water bill, banging pipes, rust stains, moisture in the walls or on floors, and signs of wet soil erosion near the foundation.
• Reduce risk of frozen pipes by raising your thermostat to 60 degrees or higher in the winter, insulate pipes, or let faucets drip so that water isn't sitting still in the pipes.
• Install a leak detection system, just in case.

Toilet Failure

The average cost was over $5,500 after the deductible was paid. 1/3 of these incidents were caused by overflowing or clogged toilets.

Reducing the Damage

• Wait for the valve to completely refill the tank and bowl. If it looks like it may overflow, turn off the supply valve.
• Inspect a toilets components twice a year.
• Consider upgrading the supply line to a sturdier braided steel hose.

Water Heater Failure

Reducing the Damage

• Check the life expectancy and warranty for the water heater and replace accordingly.
• Make sure to maintain the heater. Flushing sediments and inspecting the heater's anode rod may lead to an increase in life expectancy of your heater.
• Inspect valves and use ball valves instead of gate valves whenever possible.

Plumbing Drain System Failure

The average cost per incident is $4,000 after the deductible was paid.

Reducing the Damage

• If the sewer system is connected to the city's sewer system or you are located downhill or below street level, contact a professional to install a backflow prevention assembly into the home's sewer system.
• Plant trees away from lateral drain lines to prevent roots from damaging piping
• Never pour grease down the drain.

Washing Machine Failure

Washing machine claims averaged more than $5,300 per incident after the deductible was paid.

Reducing the Damage

• One burst inlet hose and your laundry room is flooded in a matter of minutes. Replace rubber hoses every three years and consider upgrading to sturdier braided steel hoses.
• When leaving the house for an extended period of time, turn off the hot and cold water supply valve to reduce failure risks.
• Don't try to cut corners by overloading the machine, and use it only while someone is at home.

If you do experience a water damage in your home, give us a call here at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle. Call us 24 hours a day (914)684-1560 or toll free at 800-967-6663.

Flooded Out

3/25/2019 (Permalink)

 What do you do when there is water pouring into your home or business either from your basement  flooding , a  burst pipe in your upstairs bathroom or another cause of water damage to your home or business . Here are some Do`s and Don`ts we give our customers before we arrive.

 DO:

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified professional to stop the water source.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off of damp floors.
• Hang draperies with a coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.
• Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.

 DON`T:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.
• Leave books,newspapers,magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors to cause staining.
• Leave Oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water,possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use tv`s or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet or enter rooms where the ceilings are sagging from retained water.

 If the water leaking into your home or business is dark water or from a known sewage source the Do`s and Don`ts are a different from non- contaminated water. Below is a list of what to do and what not to do.

DO:

• Avoid all contact with sewage and items contaminated by sewage.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after contact with contaminated items.

DON`T:

• Spread contaminated water by walking unnecessarily on damaged or wet areas.
• Turn on HVAC system if there is a possibility of spreading contaminated air.
• Use household fans to dry the structure and spread contaminants.
• Use products for personal hygiene and cleanliness if exposed to the contaminated areas.

These are some useful tips for home or business owners to use prior to us here at SERVPRO of White Plains arriving to handle the water intrusion professionally. Call us for your home or business water remediation needs. Our technicians and staff are certified and trained along with years of experience. We are available 24/7/365, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call us here at SERVPRO of White Plains at  914-684-1560 or

Loss of Heat Source during a Water Emergency

2/21/2019 (Permalink)

Through the frigid winter months, uninsulated and poorly placed water pipes become susceptible to freezing and breaking. There have been a few home or business owners these past few months who have come home or into work with water flooding into their respective spaces. They have called us here at SERVPRO of White Plains, after speaking to their plumbers, to come in and mitigate the water damage by removing affected materials such as drywall, ceilings, wood floors, cabinetry or any other material that was affected. When the removal of the affected materials was done we would then set up containment and drying equipment.

A few of these winter jobs have lost heat entirely and due to the frigid temperatures the home or business was put at risk of being damaged more. Fortunately here at SERVPRO of White Plains we are equipped with portable heaters called Firebirds to keep any home or business here in Westchester County and the surrounding area warm until the heating system lines are completely repaired and operational.  When using the portable heaters on site in your home or business, we are also able to using our drying equipment from air movers, dehumidifiers and wood floor drying mat systems. The Firebird portable heaters provide enough heat to allow us to continue drying out the structure with the other drying equipment. Your home or business will still be able to be cleaned up and dried out in a timely manner, with the use of the many tools we have here at SERVPRO of White Plains. “Like it never even happened."

Frozen pipes are a problem and how to prevent them

1/21/2019 (Permalink)

The recent cold artic snap can wreak havoc on your homes plumbing. The severe arctic dip in temperature in White Plains, New Rochelle, Rye and surrounding Westchester County puts your water pipes at risk. They can burst from freezing if they are not properly maintained.

The problem of frozen pipes

The reason pipe freezing is a problem is because water expands when frozen. The expanding water exerts a large amount of pressure on your pipes causing them to burst. Whether the pipes are metal or plastic the expansion of frozen water will affect them.

Pipes that are more likely to freeze are:

• exposed to severe cold such as water sprinkler lines, swimming pool supply lines and outside hose bibs.
• along exterior walls and have no insulation, even with a little insulation these pipes are still vulnerable to freezing.
• supply lines located in unheated areas such as garages ,attics , crawl spaces , basements and kitchen cabinets.

Preventing your pipes from freezing

There are some steps you can take to prevent freezing during the warmer months of the year.

• Drain water from the sprinkler system and winterize your swimming pool. Follow manufacturer`s and installers instructions on this process.
• Check insulation in vulnerable unheated areas and add insulation if there is none. This will help maintain a higher temperature in those areas.
• Disconnect ,drain and store outside hoses. After removing the outside hose leave the faucet open and close the interior water line supplying the outside connection.

In case a pipe breaks

With these precautions being taken a burst pipe can still occur if that happens here are some simple tips to limit the damage.

• Make sure no electrical appliances are submerged or saturated before entering the affected area. If electronics or electrical outlets are submerged do not enter the affected area and call a certified electrician.
• If you have safe access to the electric panel turn off the power to that area.
• Find the main valve supplying that line and turn it off.
• If safely accessible, inspect to see where the break occurred.
• notify a reputable plumber 
• Call us at SERVPRO of White Plains and New Rochelle to handle the water mitigation and drying.

Do you use a Contractor or SERVPRO?

7/19/2016 (Permalink)

Make sure you save time and money by calling SERVPRO if you have water damage!

Imagine you come home one evening and you walk into your living room covered with water and your ceiling has collapsed.

What do you do?

Who do you call?

Do you call your contractor or a Water Restoration Company?

What is the difference?

There are many differences between contractors and Water Restoration Companies. Here are a few:

When you call SERVPRO of White Plains/ New Rochelle you can expect a First Responder on site within two hours. We will assess the situation with you and run through al of our options. We will get rid of anything that could cause more damage to your home and salvage as much as we can to save you time and money.

If you have a problem call: (914) 684-1560

We operate in Portchester, Rye, Rye Brook, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, and White Plains. 

Avoiding Water Damage

6/24/2016 (Permalink)

Make sure to use these prevention tips to save yourself money down the road.

The following are the five leading causes of water damage insurance claim and came up with solutions to help prevent them.

Plumbing Supply System Failure

The average cost was more than $5,000 after the deductible was paid.

Reducing the Damage

• Some indicators are increased monthly water bill, banging pipes, rust stains, moisture in the walls or on floors, and signs of wet soil erosion near the foundation.
• Reduce risk of frozen pipes by raising your thermostat to 60 degrees or higher in the winter, insulate pipes, or let faucets drip so that water isn't sitting still in the pipes.
• Install a leak detection system, just in case.

Toilet Failure

The average cost was over $5,500 after the deductible was paid. 1/3 of these incidents were caused by overflowing or clogged toilets.

Reducing the Damage

• Wait for the valve to completely refill the tank and bowl. If it looks like it may overflow, turn off the supply valve.
• Inspect a toilets components twice a year.
• Consider upgrading the supply line to a sturdier braided steel hose.

Water Heater Failure

Reducing the Damage

• Check the life expectancy and warranty for the water heater and replace accordingly.
• Make sure to maintain the heater. Flushing sediments and inspecting the heater's anode rod may lead to an increase in life expectancy of your heater.
• Inspect valves and use ball valves instead of gate valves whenever possible.

Plumbing Drain System Failure

The average cost per incident is $4,000 after the deductible was paid.

Reducing the Damage

• If the sewer system is connected to the city's sewer system or you are located downhill or below street level, contact a professional to install a backflow prevention assembly into the home's sewer system.
• Plant trees away from lateral drain lines to prevent roots from damaging piping
• Never pour grease down the drain.

Washing Machine Failure

Washing machine claims averaged more than $5,300 per incident after the deductible was paid.

Reducing the Damage

• One burst inlet hose and your laundry room is flooded in a matter of minutes. Replace rubber hoses every three years and consider upgrading to sturdier braided steel hoses.
• When leaving the house for an extended period of time, turn off the hot and cold water supply valve to reduce failure risks.
• Don't try to cut corners by overloading the machine, and use it only while someone is at home.

What Would you do if your House Floods?

6/6/2016 (Permalink)

Floods can seem disastrous but with our help life will be back to normal in no time.

Floods can be caused by a variety of things and you will want to implement these practices to ensure the safety of you and your home, as well as having the best outcome with your insurance.

Avoid Risks

If you had to evacuate, make sure it is safe before you return. Check for any warping, cracked foundations, or other structural damage before entering the home. You may also want to speak to your utility companies to be sure it is safe from things such as electric or gas.

Health

The water that is now in your home could be contaminated by sewage. It is recommended that you wear waist high waders or waterproof boots that come waist high. Also, dispose of any food that comes in contact with the water.

Take Pictures

Before doing anything to your home after a flood be sure to take photos or videos of your home to prove the damage to your insurance company.

Contact your insurance provider

Make sure you have your insurance company's phone number in case you experience a flood. Let your insurance representative know the extent of the damage to your home and of any repairs you wish to make. 

Clean Up

This is where SERVPRO steps in. We will help remove water from your house and afterwards mitigate mold so that there are no long lasting negative effect on you or your house.

If you experience a flood in Portchester, Rye, Ryebrook, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, new Rochelle, or White Plains call us at:

(914) 684-1560

Faster to your Westchester County Water Damage Event

5/16/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of White Plains provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Westchester County

If you live in Portchester, Rye, Ryebrook, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, or White Plains call us immediately if you have water damage.

Flooding and water emergencies don’t wait for regular business hours and neither do we. SERVPRO of White Plains provides emergency cleaning and restoration services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—including all holidays.

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of White Plains arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (914) 684-1560

Water Damage Timeline

Within Minutes

Water quickly spreads throughout your property, saturating everything in its path.

Water is absorbed into walls, floors, upholstery, and belongings.

Furniture finishes may bleed, causing permanent staining on carpets.

Photographs, books, and other paper goods start to swell and warp.

Hours 1 - 24:

Drywall begins to swell and break down.

Metal surfaces begin to tarnish.

Furniture begins to swell and crack.

Dyes and inks from cloth and paper goods spread and stain.

A musty odor appears.

48 Hours to 1 Week:

Mold and mildew may grow and spread.

Doors, windows, and studs swell and warp.

Metal begins to rust and corrode.

Furniture warps and shows signs of mold.

Paint begins to blister.

Wood flooring swells and warps.

Serious biohazard contamination is possible.

More Than 1 Week:

Restoration time and cost increase dramatically; replacing contaminated materials and structural rebuilding may be extensive.

Structural safety, mold growth, and biohazard contaminants pose serious risks to occupants.

About SERVPRO of White Plains

SERVPRO of White Plains 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. 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.

Westchester County 24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service

5/9/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of White Plains provides 24 hour fire and water damage restoration service in Westchester County

If you live in Portchester, Rye, Ryebrook, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, or White Plains call us immediately if you have water damage.

SERVPRO of White Plains is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help

Call Today - (914)-684-1560

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of White Plains has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

Your name and contact information

Your insurance information (if applicable)

The street address of the water-damaged home or business

When did the flooding or water damage occur?

What caused the water damage (if known)?

Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of White Plains

SERVPRO of White Plains 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. 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.

Mamaroneck Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

2/18/2016 (Permalink)

This Mamaroneck business called SERVPRO when their basement flooded.

If you live in Portchester, Rye, Ryebrook, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle, or White Plains call us immediately if you have water damage.

A basement can flood at any time and for many reasons, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Scarsdale basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-Water tank failure
• And many more

If You Have Questions or Need Help, Please Call Us At  - (914) 684-1560

This Mamaroneck, NY business had some flooding in their basement, as can be seen in the picture. They called SERVPRO of White Plains for remediation.

We responded promptly and inspected the damage, then began the Water extraction process.  In less than four days we had the basement dry. We use advanced inspection and monitoring equipment to determine your business or home’s structure is actually dry. You can see the before and after photos here.

If water damage isn't handled quickly and properly, it can cause severe damage to your home’s structure not to mention the potential harmful health effects of mold. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use s500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Here To Help - (914) 684-1560