Recent Posts

Do You Know How to Protect Your Saugerties Property from Damaging Winds and Why?

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

A grey house with several parts of a large tree laying on its roof and around it. Taking protective steps ahead of time, even yearly, can help prevent significant structural damage and unforeseen dangers in high winds.

There are many concerns that come with severe storms, not just the heavy rain or even snow, but potentially damaging winds are always a threat to keep in mind. These winds, which can come with little to no notice, can be devastating and cause long-term structural impacts without thinking ahead and protecting your home or building.

When Wind Becomes Damaging

While many consider damaging winds to come from a tornado or hurricane, those are not the only times when they may come into play. Traditionally, damaging winds are considered those with wind speeds exceeding 50–60 mph. They can stem from a strong thunderstorm and are called “straight-line” winds, which cause damage much like tornadoes and, yet the damage is different. We have experienced our fair share of straight-line storms and the damage they cause. We often feel like these are actual hurricanes due to the amount of rain and force of wind, and while these storms certainly cause huge amounts of problems, the Ulster County doesn’t often feel the wrath of a true hurricane.

These winds can also cause loose objects on your property to become dangerous projectiles. Cars parked outside, windows and the roof are especially vulnerable and can take the brunt of this damage, and if the damage is extensive, water damage can happen inside your home as well.

Protecting Your Property from Damaging Winds

There are several ways you can protect your property from damaging winds but keep the “Two R’s” in mind: Reinforce and Remove. A few of these are listed below:

  • Have a professional reinforce your garage door.
  • Make it a yearly or bi-yearly plan to have your roof checked and repaired as needed.
  • Remove and/or anchor loose objects on your property, items such as trash cans, grills, small plastic pools, trampolines, outdoor furniture, and toys that could be moved or tossed by the wind.
  • Hire a professional to remove or trim back large or dying trees and branches that could fall over onto your home or someone else’s.
  • Have your gutters cleaned professionally once a year, especially if there are trees growing near them. Leaf collection or heavy snow can cause water intrusion if the gutters can’t drain properly.

Not all high wind circumstances come with advanced warning, but some of these action items could be the difference between damage and little-to-no damage.

Also, when building a new home or renovating an older home, be sure the windows, walls and doors are up to code for the weather in your area.

If your home ever be hit by damaging winds and resulting water damage, our highly trained storm damage restoration specialists at SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz are here to help with the cleanup and restoration, 24/7 with an emergency response. Call us at 845-255-4334. We’re here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Steps to Making Your Kingston Business Workplace Safety Drill Actually Work

8/4/2023 (Permalink)

2 SERVPRO Green vans parked inside a gleaming white commercial warehouse facility A well thought-out emergency plan is key for any business owner. You can never be too prepared when an emergency strikes your business!

If you are a manager or a business owner in Ulster County, you understand how important it is to keep your workplace free of hazards and your employees safe from harm during their work day. But have you considered what would happen in an emergency?

Because of how negatively a disaster can impact a small business, it is important to create a plan for what to do should an emergency occur. Creating a plan that accounts for multiple possibilities, gathering honest feedback and then using that to improve are all important components to creating with a fool-proof plan.

Here’s how business owners can begin creating a solid workplace safety drill:

1.    Plan Your Drill

To create a properly executed drill, it is important to plan it thoroughly and well in advance to ensure it is as effective as possible. Be sure to plan for every scenario that could put your staff in harms’ way, such as fires, storm damage, power outages or any other emergency that could be specific to your industry. Prepare for specific points such as:

  • Determining a meeting point outside of and away from the building
  • Designating someone to perform a headcount and ensure that everyone in the building participates
  • How to perform any emergency shutdown procedures, like as turning off machinery before exiting the building
  • Understanding and able to handle software backup and important document handling

It’s also important to schedule drills at various times if you have personnel who work a variety of hours so everyone is able to experience them and provide critical feedback no matter the time of day.

2.    Determine Where to Improve

After performing safety drills, the most important thing to do is take note of where improvements could be made. Even things that seem small can make a big difference in an emergency scenario, such as more lighting or better signage. Solicit feedback from employees on how the drill could improve to get further ideas.

3.    Make Changes and Repeat

As you continue to make improvements and run drills, it is important to note how more recent drills compare with earlier ones. Technology upgrades, building infrastructure changes, employee turnover, and even small changes are important to note for yearly improvements or revisions. Tracking the improvements that are made and the outcome of each round is a great way to ensure that drills are as efficient as they can be, that way everyone will stay safe should a real emergency occur.

If you’ve had an emergency occur at your business, we’re here for you! As experts in commercial damage restoration, SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz can handle fire, water or storm damage from any disaster. Here to help 24/7 with an emergency response!

The Right Choice for Water Damage Restoration in your New Paltz Home

8/4/2023 (Permalink)

A living room ceiling with large patches of water staining around a recessed light. Trust the certified pros at SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz to help you with any type of water damage at your house!

Finding water damage in your home leads to instant stress and lots of questions. Not knowing where to begin or the right steps to take is overwhelming, especially if you haven’t been through it before. Knowing ahead of time that you already have a trusted partner in restoration company can help.

You can rely on SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz to be here to help 24/7 with an emergency response to your water damage situation.

Typically, our services begin with one of our estimators arriving at your home to do a thorough scope of the structure and the materials affected, assessing damage to personal items and handling information, and gathering needed resources from both our company and from your insurance company. It’s critical that we look at it first, otherwise we couldn’t know the extent of the damage and the vital services your home needs.

By choosing a reputable and certified restoration company in advance, homeowners can alleviate at least one part of the process before it even begins and feel some relief. Our highly experienced water damage restoration teams will handle everything, from start to finish, alleviating a huge amount of pressure and inconveniences from the start.

There are a lot of companies out there, so it can be difficult to determine what is important when researching restoration companies. Here’s a guide of what to look for to make the right choice:

*A Full Restoration Provider

Damages to the home, including water damage, no matter the cause, often require multiple types and sometimes levels of restoration. Water can cause structural issues which means not only the removal of water and drying things out, but sheet rock, insulation, sub flooring and other components might need to be replaced as well. Our professionals are trained and certified in every type of water damage remediation and will provide full restoration of your home.

*A Flexible Emergency Service

When you discover water damage, you want to be sure you can contact your restoration company right away. That is why we have a 24-hour, 7 day-a-week emergency line staffed by live people, not just a recording, so we answer whenever you call and can assemble what you need right away.

*A Thorough Training Program

Technicians who perform restoration need to be consistently trained and highly skilled, which is why we only use the highest standards in the industry to design our training materials and educate our technicians. We pride ourselves on constantly evolving as new technology is introduced and additional certifications are gained.

A Scalable Model

SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz been a LOCAL community business for over 30 years, but we also have a nationwide network of other franchises that we can work with if a large disaster were to occur. Whether it’s manpower, equipment, specialty services or just someone needing help, this allows us to treat every job with the same level of service and expertise, whether for a single home or an entire area.

If you have experienced fire, water, sewage, mold or any storm damage, we are always here to help! Program our number in your phone, (845)255-4334, one less thing to worry about!  We’ll help get you back to preloss condition and make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz Has What it Takes to Handle Any Size Water Damage!

8/4/2023 (Permalink)

A large Dessicant Dehumidifier wrapped in SERVPRO green and orange, sits on a trailer towed behind a truck. SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz has the equipment and experience for any type of water damage!

No matter if it’s residential or commercial in size, no two water damages are the same. It could be the result of a pipe burst, an appliance malfunction, a leak from a hot water heater, maybe an HVAC unit on the roof of a building or a flood, each one must be remedied in its own customized way. SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz has been restoring water damaged properties since 1992 and has been the cornerstone of our LOCAL business to this day.

For commercial losses that affect a greater area, our professionals have the experience and the specialized equipment to get it done the right way, the first time. We make sure that extensive and ongoing training is always a top priority for all staff members as well as having the necessary tools and equipment on hand. This eliminates waiting for reources or personnel to arrive from elsewhere and helps make the mitigation process seamless and efficient. This in turn, helps the insured keep remediation costs down and re-open their business quicker or in a residential base, get the family home back to preloss condition faster.

For example, when there’s a large amount of insulation in a basement or crawlspace that’s been saturated by a burst pipe, it needs to be removed cleanly and safely. Our professionals utilize an insulation vacuum to make this type of job quick and effective. Using this machine helps contain the affected insulation in an easy to dispose of fashion and can be utilized outside to decrease space restrictions.

For large water damages that need to get dried out, like an auditorium, arena, or commercial structures, we use a powerful industrial machine called a Desiccant Dehumidifier. Desiccant dehumidifiers utilize chemical attraction instead of condensation to remove water from the air. Because they do not use condensation, they are not limited by low dew point temperatures, and produce the lowest vapor pressure of any dehumidifier. Portable desiccant dehumidifiers work best in cool and/or dry environments. The cooler and drier the air going into the desiccant, the drier the air will be coming out. Additionally, we are Large Loss Certified,. Should a storm or disaster affect an area, we are able to call in many additional resources to help everyone get back to normal quickly.

If your home, property or business has suffered any level of water damage, call the local pros who have been taking care of properties for over 30 years. We’re available and ready to help 24/7, and we’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

How to Keep Your New Paltz Home Safe From Flooding

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

A large green field on a farm, flooded by more than a foot of water. Regular home maintenance is vital to help keep flooding problems at bay!

All homeowners in Ulster County need to take steps to protect against flooding, even if you’re in a low-risk area. It takes less than an inch of water to do serious damage to your home, and with the unpredictability of weather, that could happen in under an hour.

You can take steps both inside and outside of your home to protect against flooding, but it all starts with understanding our local risks. Here in Ulster County, we face a higher risk of flooding than most, primarily due to our close proximity to the Hudson, the Esopus Creek and other tributaries that can overflow into our streets during storms.

After you fully know what types of weather we may face, you can begin to plan against them.

Protecting Your Home From the Outside

Heavy rainfall can come through out of nowhere, and if you haven’t taken time to prepare your property, you could be at serious risk of suffering water damage. Ensure that your gutters are free of debris likes leaves and sticks and working properly. Consider adding materials like mulch or gravel around the foundation to assist with water distribution around your home.

In addition, you can use landscaping techniques like rain gardens that feature bushes, flowers and small trees to absorb the water before it has a chance to cause a flood. You can also use organic materials like mulch or pine straw to increase water absorption near your home’s structure.

When done properly, these upgrades not only offer some natural beauty but can give your home a layer of protection, helping you to feel safe during the next extreme weather event.

Flood Protection From the Inside

External flooding sources can wreak havoc on your foundation, meaning that you must seal any cracks immediately and think about further steps like installing a sump pump to remove excess water during a severe storm. If flooding has been a consistent problem in your basement, contact a local contractor to see if the area can be sealed from the inside. Try to keep that area as dry as possible with the help of a dehumidifier, just remember to empty it often! Additionally, if you do install a sump pump, advise your homeowner's insurance so it can be added on to your policy.

Flooding can also originate indoors from faulty plumbing, hot water heater malfunctions or faucet leaks, but performing simple home maintenance can go a long way. Monitor your home’s pipes for any leaks, have the hot water heater maintained yearly and have a plumber at the ready!

Whatever the potential causes, floodwater is dangerous and will damage documents and photos quickly, so keep these items in waterproof containers on high shelves. In addition, practice an emergency plan with your family so that everyone knows where to go and what to do in case you experience a flood.

Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO today to get your restoration completed faster. We're always here to help with an emergency response 24/7.

What Makes a Thunderstorm in Ulster County So Dangerous |SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

A view out of a window of black skies, heavy rain and white lightning strikes Thunderstorms should always be taken very seriously and can cause injuries and significant property damage!

Gray clouds, rumbles from the sky, light rain starting. You can almost watch it roll in over the Hudson and across to Highland. We all know this is the beginning of a thunderstorm.

These common storms tend to peak during the spring and summer and can bring with them some serious damage if the conditions are right. Many times the combination of hail, strong winds, lightning and flooding can lead to serious damage to personal and commercial property, as well as impact the lives of the people exposed to the weather.

A thunderstorm is any storm that has thunder and lightning. For it to be identified as a severe thunderstorm, it must contain hail that is at least one inch in diameter and straight-line winds that are (at minimum) 58 miles per hour..

Take a look at some ways that this weather pattern can create hazards so that you can prepare and keep your family, property and pets safe the next time one comes through Ulster County.

The 3 Main Types of Hazards Associated with Thunderstorms

Injury and damage due to lightning strikes. Lightning strikes rank at the top of the hazard list for thunderstorms because it is reported that they cause around 300 injuries every year. On top of this, the damage that it can do to property can include house fires or toppling trees that may fall on homes, vehicles or businesses. While you may not see lightning, by definition, it comes with every thunderstorm, so due use caution amidst this possibility.

Hail damage. Not only does hail sound frightening against roofs and windows, it generally does as much damage as it sounds like it could. In severe storms, when the hail is classified as being one inch or larger, there is a chance of serious damage to cars that are not under cover, people and pets who are not adequately protected and very significant damages to roofs and sidings of homes. Given the speed at which hail can fall, it makes this a force to be reckoned with.

Flash flooding. While flooding can be a serious issue for areas that aren’t generally thought of as probable for flooding, flash flooding is common and can happen very quickly. Flash floods can cause many problems any time there is heavy rainfall for a variety of reasons. If a storm drain is clogged and begins to back up or small ditches are filled with water, the rain can turn these things into life-threatening flooding scenarios in the blink of an eye. Roadways should be approached with great caution if there is standing water due to the flooding and drivers should be aware of the possibility of damage to their vehicle if they attempt to cross a flooded roadway.

Additionally, in extreme storm cases- as we saw in April of 2022, flooding can cause ground water to seep into your foundation when it has nowhere else to go. The higher the water in the basement area, the more dangerous it becomes as it gets closer to electrical lines and utilities.  Sump pumps and reassessing water drainage paths outside your home can help thwart a very big headache.

While they are common, the severity of a thunderstorm can change depending on the circumstances and could be a cause of notable damage to person and property.

If you experience damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz is on standby and always ready to help.

Our staff is available for emergencies 24/7, faster to any size disaster!

The Many Ways Storm Damage Can Affect Your Kingston Home

8/26/2022 (Permalink)

Several large trees laying on top and on the side of a gray colored house. Being diligent about storm prep as yearly maintenance to your home can make a huge difference when a major storm comes through Ulster County.

Extreme weather events are a common occurrence in Ulster County. We've seen our fair share of ice storms, large amounts of snow, straight line winds and seemingly endless below freezing temps. Regardless of the house you have, everyone faces some risk of suffering damage. These severe storms can bring high-velocity winds, hail and many other hazards in minutes.

The type of storm, combined with your home’s condition, the landscape and many other factors, will help determine the level of damage that you might see.

Although all of us should have a good amount of knowledge on storm damage, it’s particularly important for us here in New York, where severe weather is common. Flooding and high-powered storms are the most common events that we see, so our government has created this Weather Emergency Preparedness Site so that we can be ready for what may happen in our region.

Now, let’s look at the main types of storm damage and how you can mitigate or even prevent them from happening:

Wind

Wind damage happens when buildings experience high gusts, but this doesn’t only happen with tornadoes and hurricanes. Thunderstorms can also cause dangerous winds of up to 100 mph.

These wind speeds mean that your home could be struck by heavy debris like mailboxes, limbs, rocks and small vehicles.

You should always take shelter far from windows or glass doors and heed local weather alerts to know what’s coming. Also, take time before the storm arrives to clear limbs, rocks or other debris from your property.

Water

When storms produce heavy rainfall, water can pool and begin a flash flood in under 30 minutes. This means that thousands of gallons could be poured onto your land, seeping inside your doors and through the cracks in your walls.

To reduce the amount of water that your home sees, you might want to landscape your property in ways that will direct water away instead of pooling it nearby. You can also build a rain garden on your property, which can help soak up heavy rainfall and reduce flooding risks. If your basement is prone to flooding or pooling water, consider installing a sump pump to help avoid a bigger problem.

Lastly, keep your home in good condition with routine and necessary maintenance. Make sure your gutters and roof are clear of debris to prevent an overload of water from damaging your home from top to bottom. A yearly roof inspection can help deter issues with loose or missing shingles as well as gutter problems that should be tackled before severe weather.

Impact

The last main kind of storm damage is from impacts. This may seem obvious, but the causes can be anything from a fallen tree to a mailbox flying through the air. The best way to avoid disastrous impacts is to ensure no trees around your home are at risk of falling or losing limbs.

Weather disasters resulted in an estimated $145 billion in damages last year in this country. This is why it’s important to follow these steps and take action before the storm strikes. This could save you money and stress associated with recovering from a disaster.

If your home is shuttered by storm damage, call SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz immediately. We have teams of experts that will come in fast and have your home back to its preloss condition before you know it!

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Contact us today to get your storm damage restoration started faster.

SERVPRO Is Ready to Tackle All of Your Restoration Needs at Your Ulster County Property

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

A team of SERVPRO professionals unloading equipment from a green SERVPRO van and bringing it into a commercial building. No matter what kind of property or damage you have, SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz can handle every aspect of it!

Our SERVPRO location is locally operated and owned independently, meaning that we understand the hardships of being a business owner. Besides running the day-to-day operations, you have to focus on all of the little details to be a success. And when a disaster comes and knocks you down, it can be extremely hard to get back up.

Unfortunately, no one can stop a severe weather event, but we all should be prepared for them and take action before they affect us.

Along with commercial damage, we understand that suffering damage to your home can be heartbreaking as well. Managing your emotions while trying to recover can be extremely overwhelming, no matter the type of damage.

To make sure you’re ready to handle the destruction, you should form an emergency plan. This starts by learning the kinds of disasters that we face most often.

The American Red Cross does more than providing disaster relief—they’ve compiled this website to help with general disaster preparedness. Our local Ulster County government has created the Division of Emergency Management to educate us on what disasters we’ll likely face here in our region. This page includes details of how you can take action and an evacuation plan.

It’s probable that all business owners and homeowners will suffer damage of some kind during their lives. However, these don’t have to spell the end of your home or business if you act fast and stop severe damage from happening. This is why we should be first on your list for restoration:

Why Choose SERVPRO?

We understand that no two situations are alike. Many events across the country require restoration all year long, but none of them are identical.

As evidence of this, there are at least 14 million homes at risk of flooding annually, but the level of damage and the restoration needed will change depending on the situation.

Our team is trained to handle damage of any size, so you have nothing to worry about. We analyze every factor that might change your restoration needs to provide you with the best options.

We are available 24 hours a day. It’s extremely important to know that you must always act fast with restoration. Not only will this get you back in your home or business sooner, but it can limit the damage and costs associated with restoring it.

Imagine water seeping inside your home—it will likely damage your flooring, fabrics and furniture immediately. Even worse, as water is allowed to soak in, it will allow mold to grow exponentially throughout the affected areas. This is why our team is on call 247 so that you can get started right away.

We provide more than simply damage restoration. Along with fixing any damage around your property, we can take over everything else you could need, too.

Our team can help you pack up valuables to prevent more damage, and anything else that could improve your situation. Our goal is always to provide the best assistance we can to make this terrible process go over a lot smoother.

Whatever type of disaster brings damage your way, the professionals at SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz will always respond fast. Our expert team is trained to use industry-leading equipment so that you can be back inside your home or business sooner.

When you suffer damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! We're here to help, contact us today to get restoration started.

It’s Not Just the Flames that Do the Damage to Your Highland Home

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

A photo of a basement with burned wooden beams and scorched and charred walls. Soot and water damage do just as much damage as the fire itself. Call the experienced pros to handle it all if you're dealing with a fire!

Whether it’s at your Highland home or your Saugerties business, a fire is a devastating occurrence. Once the flames are out, the next steps are often confusing at to who to call, what the cleanup truly entails and what kind of damage has really been done.

Horrible flames are what most of us think of, but the fire itself isn’t always what causes the most damage. Smoke, soot and water damage go together with a fire, no matter the type, and it’s vital to work with a trusted and reliable restoration company that understands how to handle all these issues, work with your insurance company and get you back to preloss condition as soon as possible.

The Types of Damage That Fires Can Cause 

Smoke Damage Smoke inhalation is the #1 cause of fire-related deaths, and smoke damage is also one of the most severe ways a structure can be impacted after a fire. Smoke seeps into absolutely everything, damaging furniture, walls, flooring, even the furthest rooms. For areas not physically touched by the flames, paint discoloration, corroded appliances and unbearable odors can all be expected following simply due to the smoke. 

Soot Damage- Soot is an inescapable, nasty substance that WILL cover nearly anything in a layer of extremely hazardous film. Soot is the deposit that smoke leaves behind, which often contains many chemicals as a result of the burning of plastics and other combustibles. Not only can soot linger on items, but it can also infiltrate the ducts of the HVAC system in a home or business leading to contaminated air quality. Hiring an experienced restoration company that can also clean out your HVAC system and ductwork is key to improving the air quality.

Water Damage Whether it is from firefighting efforts or automated sprinkler systems, water damage and fire damage are often intertwined. Not only can water damage result in additional damage to susceptible items such as electronics, but it can also result in mold growth if it is not removed quickly by a professional. In the right humidity and temperatures, mold will start to grow within 48 hours.

Though putting out the fire should always be the first concern, it is important that cleanup and restoration is done properly and efficiently in order to mitigate as much damage as possible and to avoid secondary issues.

SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz has been the trusted, LOCAL fire and water damage remediation company since 1992. We have the certified professionals who will handle any remediation needed, in either a commercial or residential property and get you back to normal quickly. Our professionals are on standby and ready to mobilize 24/7.

If your home or business has been impacted by a fire, we are here to help! We’re here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

Is Your New Paltz Business Ready in Case of an Emergency?

8/3/2022 (Permalink)

An example of a binder version and a cell phone version of the SERVPRO Emergency Preparedness Program Make sure your New Patlz business has emergency info at the ready, call SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz to fnd out how!

Being a business or commercial property owner in Kingston, New Paltz, Highland, Saugerties or Rosendale, there are some ESSENTIAL STEPS that you and your employees need to be aware of in case of a disaster or emergency:

-Do you have an Emergency Evacuation Plan in place? Has your staff reviewed and updated it as needed?

-Does everyone know where the emergency shut-offs are for utilities like electric or gas?

-Do you have the vital contacts and phone numbers available at a moment’s notice for everyone at your business?

SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz offers an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) for at no cost to you. Our business is about being prepared and taking care of disasters at a moment’s notice, so we know how important it is to be ready for whatever happens!

We work with local businesses every day to help develop an easy tool, customized to your business’s vital information, available as an app for your phone and in hard copy as well. This resource is loaded with the necessary information you and your employees can keep for super quick access! 

What is an ERP?

A snapshot of everything you may need to know in case of an emergency at your building or property. This includes:

  • Photos, locations, and contacts info for utility shutoff locations (i.e. water, gas, alarms, etc.)
  • Emergency Personnel Contact Information, updated as often as needed
  • Emergency Protocols, plus recommendations as businesses change
  • Floor or Building Plans 
  • Smart Phone App and Hard Copy Binder for quick access of info no matter where.

Why do it?

  • It’s FREE and It’s EASY, we’ll take care of it all for you!
  • Comprehensive document that has all the vital information needed in one spot
  • Easy to understand and read for all personnel
  • Access Available 24/7
  • Peace of mind knowing you have a plan in place and the safety of all will not be compromised.

We have completed over 800 ERPs for other local businesses in the Hudson Valley and Ulster County area. Let us help you be prepared. We’re here to help no matter when and will get you back to business quickly if disaster ever strikes!

Contact SERVPRO of Kingston/New Paltz to get an ERP started today!