ServiceMaster News
Smoke Detection Basics for Office and Commercial Buildings
Smoke detection in office buildings, retail spaces, public centers, and industrial parks is the first line of defense against the devastation and expense of fires. It is an essential part of building maintenance and helps prevent the need for fire damage restoration and fire mitigation services in the case of a disaster. Not only does it keep the property itself safe, but it protects the lives and well-being of employees, customers, guests, and anyone else who comes on the property. Understanding smoke detection for commercial spaces involves...
read morePipe Freezing Prevention In Commercial Buildings
Pipe freezing is a serious problem that can occur in commercial buildings during the winter. When water in the pipes freezes, it expands and can cause the pipes to burst. This can lead to significant damage to the property and expensive repairs. There are several things that can be done to prevent this issue, such as insulating the plumbing system and keeping the building heated. By taking these steps, commercial building owners can avoid the costly repairs that are associated with pipe freezing. However, sometimes even the best preparation...
read moreHow to Reduce the Impact of Floods
Floods can cause devastating damage to your home or business. The problems caused by flooding are widespread from causing damage to the inside and outside of your property to causing harm to your health due to exposure to unsanitary water and possible mold growth. If you live in an area where natural floods are common certain times of the year, make sure to take all the necessary precautions before they happen. Even if you don’t live in an area where floods are common, you could still face a minor flood at your home or business due to an...
read moreWhat Causes Kitchen Sinks to Flood?
The kitchen sink is a crucial part of your home. This is where most people do all the dish washing and prepping food and when it is out of commission, it can be frustrating. Clogged sinks can cause flooding and damage to your home, so it is important to keep them clean and clear of clogs. It may be difficult to tell why your sink is clogged and flooding as the clog may be in the wall for example which needs to be cleared before it becomes worse. There are several things that can cause a sink to clog and the clog may occur in different areas...
read moreWhat Should I Do After Finding Mold in my New Jersey Home?
Mold appears in damp or moist areas of homes and can cause major health problems with prolonged exposure. Inhaling particles of mold can cause upper respiratory issues such as coughing, sneezing, and over time, more severe illnesses such as asthma. Mold can be very visible, or it can hide under wallpaper, baseboards, floorboards, or in wet basements. Many homes have mold problems, but the owners may not realize it. Usually, these homes are very cluttered and have very little airing out or ventilation, as well as poor heating or insulation....
read moreTurkey Frying Fire Hazards
A holiday feast, whether it be a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s affair, leads many to try out new recipes to impressive family and friends with. One such recipe involves frying a turkey or other poultry. This method has risen in popularity over recent years as it’s both a novel and delicious way to cook birds that can otherwise be a bit bland. However, as the leading provider of trusted fire damage restoration services in Morris County, ServiceMaster by Timeless has to warn New Jersey communities of the inherent risks of attempting to...
read moreHow to Handle a Flooded Kitchen
A flood in the kitchen can be one of the most stressful experiences as a homeowner. You may have to deal with insurance, broken appliances, and long-lasting problems from the water damage such as mold. Not only that, but you obviously can’t cook with a flooded kitchen or clean dishes. Food may need to be thrown away if electrical appliances are affected. And if your kitchen is in a small apartment, the entire place can quickly start to smell of mildew and mold. Before we get into how to respond to a kitchen flood, let’s examine the different...
read moreHow Fire Affects Masonry and Concrete
Because it’s highly durable, masonry is used to construct various building components. To a certain extent, the non-combustible product also helps to protect structures from fires. Nevertheless, fire damage to masonry materials can occur. Repairs to fire-damaged masonry, though, are quick and easy. What are masonry constructions? Masonry constructions are built with heavy-duty materials, most commonly blocks of brick, stone or concrete. As a popular material for different types of constructions, masonry offers several advantages. However, as...
read moreWhat to Do When Your Air Conditioner Smells Like Mold
Especially in the summertime, we all depend on our air conditioners to keep us cool as temperatures soar above 80 degrees. But because air conditioners use water to cool air and push it through our homes, it’s common for them to have a mildew like smell, especially if they are older. If you notice your air conditioner has a mildewy or moldy smell, the most important step is to inspect it for mold. If water is left to sit in the unit, such as from a leak, it can trigger mold growth, contributing to the moldy smell. If you do find mold in your...
read morePainting Over Fire Damaged Walls
Walls that have been damaged in a fire or stained by smoke are a big challenge to clean and paint over effectively. However, while you are in for a lot of hard work, the job can certainly be done. Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning and painting over fire damaged walls. What You’ll Need The following tools and products are needed to clean, prep, and paint a fire damaged wall: Trisodium Phosphate solution Towels and Rags Sponges and Magic Sponges Zinsser primer or Kilz primer (or anything shellac based) Paint and painting tools...
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