We Are in Business for Your Business | SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County

3/15/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County is here for your business’ commercial cleaning needs.

If you own and operate a business in the Vernon community and surrounding area, we are in awe of you! We know just how much work it takes to run a successful business, and we walk that journey right along with you, navigating the ups and downs as a community. 

We hope that there aren’t many downs, but that’s where we come in! Our team is proud to offer our restoration and cleaning services to all businesses in the area. 

Steps to Restoration

Disasters can happen at a moment’s notice and lead to serious damage in a short amount of time. Burst pipes can spill hundreds of gallons of water onto your floor, warehouse fires can destroy entire buildings in minutes and severe weather can tear off roofs or break windows with ease. 

While it may be overwhelming to look around your property and assess the damage, our large-loss recovery team will confidently start working on your restoration. We will secure your space and get right to work rebuilding and restoring walls, floors and ceilings with confidence. We know that every moment closed can affect the future of your business, so we work quickly while also making sure to be thorough. 

Commercial Cleaning

In addition to our restoration services, we are also master cleaners! While you most likely have some sort of janitorial staff that take care of your general cleaning duties, they most likely don’t specialize in deep-cleaning duties. Our commercial cleaning crew does, however. We have the specialized training and tools to tackle a wide variety of cleanings for you. 

When was the last time you had your carpets cleaned? What about your upholstery? Over time, soft materials can easily get overwhelmed with dirt, dust and allergens that can impact your building’s indoor air quality. We can also tackle any air duct cleanings that are necessary! It is our goal to help ensure your property is safe and clean as the seasons change. 

When the Unexpected Happens 

Most businesses have plans in place for common disasters like fires, floods and storms, but it is impossible to plan for every single unexpected scenario. Would you know what to do if someone suffered a medical emergency in your building? What about if your building was the scene of a crime or the unfortunate victim of a sewage leak? 

Situations like these often require a trained hand to clean up safely. Biohazard substances like blood, sewage or crime scene residue can be dangerous if mishandled, so let us take care of you. 

Our crew has the proper safety gear to stay protected while we work, and we have the training necessary to make sure your building is safe to re-enter after any sort of disaster. When the unexpected happens, lean on SERVPRO® for a quick and reliable restoration or cleaning. 

We are here to help your business thrive! Contact SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County today.

Sparta Businesses Require Professional Fire Damage Restoration

7/5/2022 (Permalink)

The first step to resolving fire damage is calling your local trained professionals at SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County.

Get Your Sparta Business Back on Track with SERVPRO Fire Damage Assistance

For any Sparta business owner, sudden fire damage creates a world of stress and worry. If you have an extensive loss in your retail store, you need to ensure you begin restoration as soon as possible. Downtime hurts your bottom line, but SERVPRO is available 24/7 to assist with emergency fire cleanup for area businesses. Rather than your place of business getting shut down for weeks or months, we work to streamline operations and focus on restoring versus replacing whenever possible using proven techniques and industry knowledge. 

Fire Damage Restoration Begins Fast in Sparta

Once you contact our SERVPRO customer care team, we begin mobilizing our area crew to fill up the vehicles in our Green Fleet with the right equipment and products to execute your project. We arrive at your commercial property within four hours or less of the time of initial contact. After the retail space is given the green light for entry, we will:

• Assess all damage and determine the proper techniques and tools for the job
• Determine the safety and structural integrity
• Identify all hazards as well as the types of soot residues present
• Address any standing water left by first responders dousing the flames
• Begin removal of charred debris for safe, local disposal

Indoor Air Quality is Paramount for all Businesses

We know that you want your Sparta business restored to pre-fire condition, which means no lingering odors as a reminder of the fire. Indoor air quality (IAQ) gets addressed with specialized equipment so we can ensure your staff and customers can breathe easy upon re-entry. We do this with the help of our odor control technicians (OCT) to:

• Eliminate the source of the odor
• Recreate conditions of odor penetration to pull out foul smells
• Dry brush, vacuum, or spray and wipe surfaces to remove residues
• Seal walls or ductwork to keep odors from resurfacing
• Deployment of odor-eliminating products like counteractant beads, pellets, and granules

SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County is available 24/7 for your commercial fire damage cleanup needs. Call us at (973) 383-2024 to schedule a crew for your project!

SERVPRO Provides Commercial Water Restoration Services in Vernon

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO commercial water restoration services are second to none. Call now for fast and immediate help.

Fast Commercial Water Restoration and Drying Services in Vernon – Call SERVPRO

Whether your run a commercial factory, warehousing, retail or rental property in Vernon, water leaks mean downtime for your business until everything can be cleaned up and restored. You may have to turn away customers, employees may need to take time off, and suppliers cannot ship to you. A water leak can be a major disruption to your business.

SERVPRO understands the needs of our business community and partners in Vernon, and we provide emergency response services for commercial water restoration for all Vernon incidents. We are on call 24/7 and dispatch to your location in less than four hours from your call. We know how essential it is to respond quickly and focus on returning your business to normal operations.

Water always runs to the lowest point. For example, water dripping from the ceiling may be coming from a leaky pipe many feet away from where the water appears. Ceilings fill with water and come crashing down when the drywall or ceiling tiles can no longer support the weight. All of the contents in the room are exposed to the water. Soggy tiles and debris fall onto the floor, and there may also be an electrical hazard.

SERVPRO provides all of the services needed to help your business return to full service. We clean up the mess and dry and clean your business contents, floors, and walls. We can arrange for plumbers, electricians, flooring, and ceiling technicians to complete all of the restoration needed, saving time and expenses for your business. We can also install plastic barriers to isolate the area impacted by the water leak from other unaffected parts of the building.

Our services to our commercial business customers include:

• Water removal services
• Water damage restoration
• Water clean up
• Repairs to burst pipes and ceiling leaks

Call SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County and nearby areas for commercial water restoration assistance. We can help 24/7. Call (973) 383-2024

Get Help with Sparta Living Facilities Fire Damage Restoration

3/19/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage restoration is a job for SERVPRO. We have the manpower and equipment for every size disaster. We are here to help!

SERVPRO’s Commercial Fire Damage Restoration Team is Here in Sparta

Whether you are in charge of an apartment complex or another living community, fire damage is never something you want to experience. However, it is beneficial to plan for emergencies, including fire and smoke damage. SERVPRO handles cleanup in fire-damaged homes and various commercial properties like condos, townhomes, high-rises, and more. All you have to do is give us a quick call, and we will send our Green Fleet and highly-trained technicians to your Sparta property to get started.

When you need fire damage restoration in Sparta at a large living complex, SERVPRO has protocols to safely address each area impacted by the blaze. We also take the time to remedy any pungent smoke odors that may have traveled into other zones, so there is no lingering reminder of the fire that took place.

Let Our Years of Experience Work for You!

Our team is fully IICRC-certified, which means we are up-to-date with best practices in the industry. Pairing that with our proven methods and commercial grade equipment, we can have your commercial housing building back to pre-fire condition as quickly as possible. We send the correct number of technicians to address each floor impacted to work in tandem to reach our restoration goals. This may involve what is known as a daisy chain of our advanced technology and equipment for maximum effectiveness. Some of the equipment we may use in such a fire restoration project include:

• Extractors and dehumidifiers to address moisture left from water to extinguish the blaze
• Air scrubbers with HEPA filtration
• Thermal foggers for smoke remediation and deodorization
• Sealants like scent-reducing primer paints

SERVPRO handles all charred debris while working on stubborn soot with cleaning agents. We also tackle reconstruction with new materials using controlled demolition measures.

One call to (973) 383-2024 mobilizes a team from SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County to your commercial housing property for fire damage restoration.

Why Does Mold Remediation and Water Damage in Vernon Go Hand-in-Hand?

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

Count on SERVPRO when you find mold damage in your office.

SERVPRO handles mold remediation and removal so that your Vernon business gets the attention it deserves

Water damage is often typical with various commercial locations, especially when you have busy daily operations. You must address all water damage swiftly so that you do not get hit with mold and mildew growth in your Vernon business that can lead to potential health concerns. SERVPRO is here to handle remediation and mold removal so that you can have added peace of mind. 

When mold specialists are on the case, you can breathe easier in more ways than one. Calling SERVPRO for commercial mold remediation in Vernon gets you IICRC-certified technicians and detailed cleaning for incredible results. Water damage is a concern because:

• Most all water events can bring mold damage depending on location
• Mold only requires oxygen, moisture, and organic material to begin growing, thriving, and spreading
• Even if you think that your commercial building is mold-free, there is no such thing as property without microscopic spores – it exists everywhere

Mold specialists are well-trained to detect mold, so having SERVPRO take a look will offer you complete service when you need it.

• We have experience seeking out mold in residential and commercial properties.
• We bring all the right equipment and proven techniques to find even the hardest to locate mold. 
• We can make sure testing gets done to find non-visible mold if necessary.
• We use EPA-registered antimicrobials to thoroughly clean and sanitize all impacted areas.

Mold remediation and black mold damage repairs are our specialties at SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County. Call us at (973) 383-2024 today!

What Factors Influence Water Damage Restoration in Vernon Business Establishments?

12/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the experienced technicians with the equipment and expertise your property needs after a water catastrophe. Give us a call right away.

SERVPRO Focuses on Providing Enough Resources to Handle Any Expected or Unexpected Challenge

Most commercial establishments have unique characteristics that set them apart from residential properties. The characteristics influence how water damage affects a Vernon establishment and the restoration processes necessary to restore normalcy.

One of the main factors influencing water damage restoration in Vernon establishments is the size of various features in the property. Many installations, whether windows or HVAC systems, are larger sizes, and therefore a simple malfunction can have notable implications. For instance, an improperly sealed window can allow significant rainwater inside the property, leaving massive damage. Alternatively, such a window can interfere with the drying process by allowing air to escape. SERVPRO provides the necessary resources to match the loss conditions in commercial establishments.

The Essential Resources That Help Resolve Water Damage Include: 

• Sufficient power to extract intruding water 
• Controlled demolition and rehabilitation of the structure
• Establishment of protective barriers

The source of damage influences the restoration processes needed. Source variations can include the location of the leak or its intensity, among other things. Slow leaks from supply pipes or sprinkler systems may go unnoticed for some time, thus deeply soaking wall or ceiling materials. Sudden water release from burst pipes or driving rain involve significant amounts of water. Demolition might be necessary in both cases to reach trapped water or to remove deteriorated materials.

Protective Barriers Might be Necessary for Reasons Like:

• Protecting contents from further water exposure
• To separate affected property sections from the rest of the structure
• To create chambers to facilitate drying

Plastic sheets help create barriers easily. Our SERVPRO technicians provide the skills for a speedy and convenient barrier setup. For instance, when we use spring tension metal rods to create a frame supporting the protective barrier, we can separate wet areas from the rest of the facility within minutes. We can also establish positive or negative air pressure within the contained area for faster drying. 

SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County is fully prepared to address any level of water damage restoration, allowing you to resume operations. Call us at (973) 383-2024.

How to Salvage Water Damaged Business Documents in Vernon

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO if your business experiences water damage.

Approaches that Enhance Results during Water Removal 

Every incident of water damage in a Vernon business premise is unique. However, each case presents several challenges, and if not properly managed, it can hurt the business long after the initial occurrence. Such impacts might include damaged documents, the accumulated cost of follow-up restoration processes because of deteriorating materials, and even minor inconveniences such as unpleasant smells. 

Water removal in Vernon has to be fast and thorough to be deemed successful. Quick response prevents secondary problems like microbial growth. It can also help save materials and documents from further deterioration after the initial damage. Our SERVPRO technicians take different approaches that help satisfy the urgency aspect. One option is to remove free items such as books and other valuable documents. Freezing the wet documents helps stop deterioration. 

Water Removal Services

Since some items are immovable, removing any standing water from the premises is crucial in reducing damages. Having the right resources can help improve speed. Our SERVPRO technicians use advanced equipment such as dry-wet vacs and truck-mounted water extractors. Apart from a faster rate when using an extractor, the 60-100 gallon storage tank ensures that the removed water cannot find its way back, which is more efficient than mops or buckets. 

After removing the liquid water, there is a need to dry moisture from materials and lower the relative humidity in the air. Relative humidity exceeding 60% can cause mold development all over the structure, while excess moisture traces in materials leads to rot, rust, warping, and other forms of deterioration. Our SERVPRO technicians combine advanced equipment like dehumidifiers and air movers with specialized skills. For example, using plastic sheets, we can create exclusion zones known as drying chambers whose smaller area helps make drying manageable. 

Working with a professional restorer in Vernon helps improve the outcome of water removal. Call SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County to help in case of a spill. You can reach us at (973) 383-2024 any time. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Restoring Your Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events at commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response.  Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area.  In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

Contact us at 973-383-2024 if you have a service need or click here to visit our website to learn more about SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County's System Services.

Document Restoration

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

As a leader in the restoration industry, SERVPRO® knows timely mitigation is the key to reducing the severity and recovering damaged items. Water– or smoke–damaged paper can rapidly deteriorate. Without proper handling, valuable files and irreplaceable documents could be lost forever. Let SERVPRO’s Document Restoration Team help you recover your damaged paper goods before it is too late.

SERVPRO’s technicians are trained to use the most advanced technology available for document recovery and drying; in fact, the Document Restoration Team uses the same technique the Library of Congress uses to dry water-damaged books.

Vacuum Freeze Drying?

Vacuum freeze-drying is the most efficient and effective way to salvage water-damaged documents. The Document Restoration Team uses
sublimation—turning a solid directly into a vapor, skipping the liquid stage to avoid causing more damage to the documents. This process can recover even the most delicate items—from documents to photographs and x-rays, to entire business archives.

All employees of the Document Restoration Team are HIPAA Master certified and once your items arrive at the SERVPRO® facility, 24/7 video surveillance is guaranteed.

Digitizing

With the new age of technology, digitizing records and documents has become a standard practice in most industries. This eliminates the need to have massive file storage rooms and allows us to access records at the click of a button. If your file room was damaged by water or smoke and needs to be cleaned, dried, or decontaminated, digitizing might be a good choice to eliminate the need to have hundreds or even thousands of documents and records in storage.

Gamma Irradiation

Gamma irradiation is a process used for cleaning/disinfecting and decontaminating documents or other consumer goods.

In a CAT 3 situation (sewage or flood water), documents are not only deteriorating but are also infected with all types of bacteria. In most storm situations, you are dealing with CAT 3 water; therefore, most of the affected documents you encounter will be contaminated.

If this is the case, decontamination is always a must. In living cells, these disruptions result in damage to the DNA and other cellular structures. These photon-induced changes at the molecular level cause the death of the organism or render the organism incapable of reproduction. The gamma process does not create residuals or impart radioactivity in processed products.

Certified Destruction

Unfortunately, many businesses and government agencies have to dispose of counterfeit, faulty, expired or contaminated materials. All entities need to be certified that their products and materials are destroyed. The guarantee of certified destruction is to protect one’s liabilities, brand image, or proprietary information. We guarantee certified destruction to give you peace of mind that your documents are disposed of properly.

Contact us at 973-383-2024 if you have a service need or click here to visit our website to learn more about SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County's System Services. 

COVID-19 - Still Here and Still Challenging The Norm

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is trained and prepared to provide fully compliant COVID-19 / Coronavirus sanitizing and disinfecting services.

We first posted our COVID-19 Back To Business Plan blog last year.  At that time, we envisioned it would be a thing of the past.  A challenge we could look back at as bad times gone.  But, sadly, this is not the case, so we are re-posting our blog as businesses continue to re-open.

COVID-19 Back to Business Plan

With all the changes that a person or business encounters after any type of local, national, or global scale disaster we ALL need a plan to get back to business! Without it you will feel the impacts long after the event. We are here to help with some important steps and ideas for you to consider so that you can start off on the right path of getting back to your business normal confidently!

At SERVPRO we have over 50 years of proven experience working to make it "Like it never even happened." A big part to achieving that has been by educating and empowering people and businesses in our local communities with tools they can use to recover or reopen or after a small or large disaster.

With re-opening dates for businesses coming up let us help you!

Pre-reopening and biological contamination prevention suggestions:

• It is crucial to have an Employee Safety/Outbreak Response Plan in place if you don’t already.

• Fogging and high touch cleaning are recommended for businesses before reopening to give peace of mind to your employees and customers, so they feel secure coming back to work or shop. (Please be advised SERVPRO personnel adhere to protocols set forth by the CDC and we have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff performs daily).

• Set up scheduled cleanings in the future to be proactive instead of reactive.

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for employees such as face masks and gloves.

• Temperature Checks as warranted.

• Shift Management / Space Separation / One Way Aisles.

• Regular Hand Sanitation and Hand Washing.

Educating Employees in the Workplace

It’s important to prepare a Healthy work environment and educate Employees on how to safely return to work. It gives peace of mind where there could be fear and educates all employees of new policies and procedures moving forward.

• Practice Good Hygiene! Stop shaking hands – use other non-contact methods of greeting. Clean hands with sanitizer or wash hands frequently. Avoid touching your face and cover coughs and sneezes. Disinfect surfaces like doorknobs, tables, desks, keyboards, phones/tablets, light switches, and bathroom fixtures regularly. Increase ventilation by opening windows or adjusting air conditioning.

• If any employee is feeling sick, they should stay home.

• Under the revised EEOC guidelines as of March 2020, if an employee arrives at work displaying symptoms of an illness the employer may check the employee temperature. As with all medical information, the fact that an employee had a fever or other symptoms would be subject to ADA confidentiality requirements.

• Business owners cannot require employees to have a vaccine if it becomes available.

• Limit food sharing in the workplace.

Back to Business Basics

As professionals and business owners alike, it is important to quickly adapt to our current business climate.

• Consider implementing physical distancing policies and practices.

• Schedule videoconferencing for meetings when possible, when it is not possible, hold meetings in open, well-ventilated spaces.

• Business travel should be assessed case-by-case as to necessity.

• Employers must maintain the confidentiality of any employee with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or other sicknesses. There should be a system and process in place to protect their identity. However, you should inform employees of their possible exposure to COVID-19 or other sicknesses because employees have the right to know there is a risk in their workplace. Those employees then can do their own risk assessment of their potential exposure based on guidance from the CDC.

• Introduce supportive and more flexible sick leave policies that are consistent with current health guidance.

• Be mindful that not all employees and customers may display symptoms and it is important to follow set guidelines.

We, at SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County, are experienced in all verticals, and our experts can work with your risk management and/or operations teams to provide consulting and best practices!

Contact us at 973-383-2024 if you have a service need or click here to visit our website to learn more about SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County's System Services.

Business Interruption Insurance

3/10/2021 (Permalink)

It's common practice to maintain commercial property insurance policies to repair and replace your assets in the event of a covered peril.  In fact, for its cost, it's extremely risky to even consider not carrying this insurance.  Commercial Property Insurance can pay your repair or replacement costs if your business property gets damaged or destroyed from a fire, theft, or other covered loss.

However, when your business is impacted by an event that forces closure, the impact of lost revenue and the burden of ongoing costs can be crippling.  Few consider adding Business Income (interruption) coverage.

Business Income Coverage (BI) can help with operating expenses during the restoration period until the business can resume normal operations.  This coverage can include:

• Lost Net Income
• Mortgage and Lease Payments
• Employee Payroll
• Taxes
• Loan Payments

As with any coverage policy, you need to consider reasonable terms when establishing the policy.  After a major disaster, it can take more time than many people realize to get “back in business.” Business income coverage likely has a "restoration period.” This is the length of time that a policy will help pay for lost income and extra expenses while the business is being restored.

So, this then begs the question of "how much BI insurance coverage is needed?".  The general rule is to use gross earnings and projections to help determine future profits.  This will assist in determining the right amount of coverage.

What is NOT covered by BI Insurance?  Typically, the following is not covered:

• Broken items resulting from a covered event or loss (such as glass)
• Flood or earthquake damage, which is covered by a separate policy
• Undocumented income that’s not listed on your business's financial records
• Utilities
• Pandemics, viruses, or communicable diseases (such as COVID-19)

BI Insurance may also include extra expenses which will cover anything beyond the normal day-to-day expenses, while the business recovers.  This includes:

• Renting a temporary place of business while the original place of business is being restored
• Replacement of hardware, technology, and furniture
• Paying overtime for employees or hiring more employees
• Leasing equipment

Speak with your Commercial Insurance Agent to discuss BI insurance and other policies which could protect the business during unplanned outages of all types.

Contact us at 973-383-2024 if you have a service need or click here to visit our website to learn more about SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County's System Services.

Be Proactive and Reduce Covid-19 Business Liability

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

You likely have workplace safety policies in place.  But you probably never contemplated the Covid-19 pandemic and the fluid, constantly changing landscape of NJ state-wide employer requirements.

Governor Murphy recently implemented Executive Order 192 to "Protect New Jersey's Workforce During the Covid Pandemic".  In short, this order requires New Jersey businesses to document the health conditions of all workers on a daily basis and to restrict access of those workers if they show symptoms.

Taken from an article found in New Jersey Business, "Being Proactive Can Reduce COVID-19 Liability", written by Joe Cavaluzzi, it takes a lot of thought to come up with workplace safety policies that address COVID-19’s threat to workers and protect a company against liability claims. 

Additionally, this article states, a change in New Jersey’s Workers’ Compensation law, which is retroactive to March 9, created the presumption that coronavirus contracted by those whose jobs expose them to COVID-19 is work-related and fully compensable. The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) has suggested that the law puts an added burden on companies already struggling with lost business, although labor attorneys say the new law provides protection from increased insurance premiums. 

Joe states, the best protection, however, comes from being proactive with comprehensive policies that address the safety of workers – even those working from home – and vigilance to make sure they are understood and followed. 

The key points raised by the article are:

• Setting Policies that Protect Workers and Employers - Recommending 4 Policies

  • Telecommuting Policy
  • Containment Policy
  • Health Screening Policy
  • Travel Policy

• Liability When Employees Get Sick 

  • Although state policies are fluid and change frequently, act promptly when a worker comes down with the virus. 
  • Ask workers to sign an acknowledgment form confirming compliance with COVID-19 workplace practices.
  • Document contact tracing with other employees when an employee becomes ill.

• Changes to Workers’ Comp Law 

  • Will raise concerns for workers and employers

One final note: Gov. Murphy signed S-2380 into law which creates a presumption that COVID-19 infections occurred at the workplace for certain essential employees.  This law leaves it up to the employer to prove that it didn’t.

Contact us at 973-383-2024 if you have a service need or click here to visit our website to learn more about SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County's System Services.

What You Need to Know About Air Duct Cleaning

12/4/2020 (Permalink)

Air duct cleaning is a misnomer. In actuality, the entire HVAC system should be cleaned. Failure to clean all components of the system can result in recontamination of the entire system, thus minimizing the benefits of cleaning.

Just as you wouldn’t clean only half of your living room floor, you also would not want to clean only part of your HVAC system. NADCA recommends cleaning the entire HVAC system, including the following components:

• air ducts
• coils
• drain pan
• registers
• grills
• air plenum
• blower motor and assembly
• heat exchanger
• air filter
• air cleaner

There are two key components to HVAC cleaning: breaking contaminants loose, and collection of contaminants.

Breaking Contaminants Loose

Properly cleaning HVAC systems requires removing the sources of contamination. Source removal begins with the use of one or more agitation devices designed to loosen contaminants from the surfaces within the heating and air conditioning system. Examples of agitation devices include: brushes, air whips and compressed air nozzles or “skipper balls.” Agitation can also be achieved through hand-brushing or contact vacuuming.

Collection of Contaminants

During cleaning, the entire HVAC system is placed under continuous negative pressure (a vacuum) to prevent the spread of contaminants. Continuous negative pressure allows very fine particles to be removed from the system as they become airborne, ensuring that these particles are not released into the living space when the system is turned on after cleaning. This negative pressure also serves to extract the loosened contaminants, which are collected and removed from your home.

System Access

HVAC system cleaning is not a complex process, but each job is unique. Where possible, access to duct interiors should be made through existing openings such as supply diffusers, return grills, duct end caps and existing service openings. Cleaning technicians may need to cut access holes in the duct work in order to reach inside with various cleaning tools. Creation of these service openings, and their subsequent closure, requires craftsmanship and professional skills.

Equipment Requirements

There is a wide variety of equipment available to HVAC cleaning professionals. Both truck-mounted and portable vacuums can be used to stop the spread of contaminants and get the system cleaned to the NADCA Standard.

Antimicrobial Chemicals

Antimicrobial chemicals include sanitizers, disinfectants and deodorizers that can be applied to nonporous surfaces in HVAC systems to address microbial contamination and help control odors. Only chemicals registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can be used. These products should only be considered after mechanical surface cleaning has been performed and if the need for such treatment has been deemed necessary. Review the NADCA White Paper on Chemical Applications in HVAC Systems for more information. 

Contact us at 973-383-2024 if you have a service need or click here to visit our website to learn more about SERVPRO of Greater Sussex County's System Services.