Our overnight rainstorm dumped nearly 2 inches of rain on our area, flooding basements or threatening to, in Bronxville, NY 10708 

In fact, parts of Brooklyn and Hoboken are underwater already and parts of lower Westchester County are in the eye of the storm, even though it's passing to our south.  

On Dopplar, this storm sure looks like a Spring "Nor'Easter' and it may rain through Friday morning! If so, be careful on the roads and keep an eye on your basement and any full dehumidifiers on lower levels in your home and businesses.

Depending on where you live or work in the Tri-state area, between 3/4 and 1 1/4 inches of rain has fallen across the area since 6 am.  Forecasters are already reporting heavy rain and flooding in towns like Hoboken, where more than 2" fell in the past 24 hours.

An area of thunderstorms with heavy rain will track through the region through 10 am...today and may drop an additional 1/4 to 3/4 inch on already drenched towns -- like Bronxville, NY 10708.  

Excessive runoff from this storm is expected to cause flooding of urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other drainage areas, such as the Bronx River area and low lying spots.

Also, small creeks and streams will flood quickly... possibly covering roads and flooding nearby low areas.  

Here are some weather station warnings and precautionary/preparedness actions... 

Photo Courtesy:  Patch.com

• Do not drive your vehicle into areas where the water covers the roadway. Most flooding deaths occur in automobiles. Turn around and find another Route.

• Be prepared to take action if the flooding threat increases... or a warning is issued.

• Do not enter your basement and/or touch your breaker box or any other electrical equipment that may be on, while standing on a wet or flooding floor.

• Be sure to check and empty your sump pumps, dehumidifier, if necesssary and make sure that your flood prevention equipment is functioning properly on lower levels.

• If your home or business basement floods, call a pro and get it thoroughly dried, so that mold is prevented and your property remains dry and healthy.

Be safe out there Bronxville!

~ Hillary & Forrest Sheperd

Bronxville Chamber of Commerce members

Nearly 2 inches of rain fell on our area overnight and could flood basements in Bronxville, NY 10708  

Spring is finally here,  but we are cleaning up sewage backups and water damages from overflow in  bathrooms and plumbing issues for many Westchester County homeowners.

Many Restoration companies -- like our local, family owned company and background checked staff -- are busy with sewage and water damages in Westchester basements and finished lower levels / media room.  Attics and upper level bathrooms in some homes and businesses have not escaped either, due to regular plumbing problems, or recent high winds that damaged roofing and plumbing on upper levels.

Anatomy of a Water Damage 

Water is an essential part of many cleaning processes, but under some circumstances it can damage our belongings.  The harmful effect of water damages can be greatly reduced by prompt and wise action.  Some procedures are obvious, while others require some foresight and experience.

This list of Emergency Tips in a water damage situation has been compiled from Servpro's nearly 50 years of experience in water damage cleaning, restoration, reconstruction and repair & cleaning. 

Do...

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. 

• Wipe water from wood furniture after removing any lamps and tabletop items. 

• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying (check for possible color bleed).

• Place aluminum foil, ceramic saucers or wood blocks under chairs and furniture legs, to protect them from wet carpeting. 

• Turn on air conditioning for maximum drying in summer; open windows to speed up drying in winter.  

• Open drawers and cabinet doors for complete drying (but, do not force them open). 

• Remove valuable oil paintings and art objects to a safe place. 

• Blot wet carping with clean white towels. 

• Open suitcases and luggage to dry, in sunlight if possible. Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water (don't forget to place pans beneath!). 

Do Not… 

• Leave wet fabrics in place and then have them professinonally dry cleaned dry as soonas possible; hang furs and leather goods to dry in an unaffected room or climat controlled area.

• Leave books, magazine or other, colored items on wet carpets, or any flooring.

• Use your household vacuum to remove water. 

• Use TVs or other appliances that are standing on wet carpet or floors, especially not on wet, concrete floors. 

• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and stay away from electric outlets and power boxes in water damaged rooms, or those where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

If you have a stressful and traumatic sewage backup, or a top down toilet overflow from your 3rd level to the basement, call for help.  

NOTE:  You should NEVER try to save the carpet or padding, after a sewage damage, especially if you have children, elderly loved ones or pets in your home.  

Actually, if you value your own health and your family's wellbeing, you do not want an E. Coli filled carpet in the home, even in a seldem used basement.  Let it go.  

FYI:  A recent client -- and a Realtor! -- had a sewage damage in their own home and insisted on keeping both the damaged carpet and the padding!  Insurance actually covered the replacement for the bacteria filled textile flooring, so it was not necessary or wise to keep the carpet, especially their sewage soaked padding.   

Tile is more forgiving, but send out any textiles or area rugs that were caught in the sewage -- a Category III water loss that we treat as a biohazard for our crews.  

We take these items, deodorize, disinfect and sanitize them and bring them back to your home, so there are no risks from a biohazard filled rug.

If you have home or renter's insurance that covers your contents in a mechanical or other water damage, call in the pros.  Westchester County based restoration companies like ours ask you to "shop local" and call soon because mold growth can begin in less than 48 hours.  That's why you want a licensed, certified company like Servpro of Scarsdale / Mount Vernon to get there quickly, dry your flooring, save your furniture and valuables and make it, "Like it never even happened."

Spring cleaning may include sewage backups and water damages from bathroom and plumbing issues in bronxville ny 10708 basement.

Yes, it's spring cleaning time...and an ideal time to clean your carpets.  Carpet cleaning makes a huge difference on how good your carpet looks, how it feels and how it smells. And, if you are going to sell your house, this is even more important.  If you're looking to clean the carpets in your Bronxville home, give Hillary a call at Servpro 914-669-5181.

I can't seem to get the reblog feature to work, so I'm highlighting Hilary's post this way.  Clean carpets sell houses faster Bronxville NY 10708.

Spring Cleaning means it's time to Clean your carpets.

Clean carpets & indoor air sell homes faster in Bronxville, NY 10708

Servpro Cleaning Services

Carpets & Upholstery Cleaning as Spring Arrives and the Market heats up!

When you walk into your Seller’s home and notice stained carpet and perhaps odors from age old cooking and just…life, perhaps a carpet cleaning can help.  Clean homes sell faster!

Even the highest-quality items can show soiling over time. Your clients and even your buyers, who got a deal on a great house like we did in Fleetwood, may want to clean those serviceable carpet.

Of course, if all else fails, call Debbie Gartner, our Rainmaker and “The Flooring Girl” to replace that hopeless flooring, or as a client referral.  If it can’t be cleaned and the house won’t sell for nearly a ½ million, maybe a few thousand dollar carpet change will help move a sale.

Meantime, your buyers or sellers may want to protect their  investment by calling a local, family owned business.  At Servpro of Scarsdale / Mount Vernon, our professionals can clean your commercial (office) and residential properties for sale. 

We also clean and maintain your carpet and upholstery by appointment, either weekly, monthly or bi-annually.
 

Today's carpet and upholstery materials vary dramatically. The SERVPRO System offers a number of cleaning options to match any type of upholstery or carpet in your clients' home or business.

At Servpro of Scarsdale / Mount Vernon our background checked, professional staff also offers your realty clients a range of specialized commercial carpet cleaning, plus wall to wall and residential specialized methods:

• Bonnet Cleaning:  A less aggressive method for short piled carpets.

• Hot Water Extraction:  A deeper cleaning method for all carpet types.

• Deluxe Precondition & Rinse:  Helps restore deeply soiled areas.

• Showcase Premier Cleaning:  The most thorough cleaning method in the industry.

• Dry Cleaning:  When color-fastness is an issue.

At Servpro of Scarsdale/Mount Vernon our certified professionals will get the job done right.

For a cleaning backed by state-of-the-art equipment and nearly 50 years of industry experience, contact us for a free estimate.  Just call our local, family owned and operated business in Westchester County, at:  914-573-3134.  

We deodorize, sanitize and deodorize to sell homes faster!

We clean commercial and residential carpets & clean indoor air for faster home sales in Bronxville, NY 10708

Flooring Articles - Part 27

Here's the 27th installment of my flooring posts.  It's a helpful way to find my higher quality educational posts as well as giving these articles a bit more google juice.

What types of flooring make your home look larger?

This gives advice on types and colors of flooring.  Some interesting tips here that may not be obvious.

What type of floors do new home buyers look for in their kitchens?

This should help those who are selling their home as well as stagers.  If we start with what the new buyers are looking for, that will help guide decisionmaking.

Brazilian Cherry hardwood flooring - it gets richer with age

Brazilian cherry is brilliant in color and graining.  Natural beauty for sure.

How hardwood flooring can help you sell your home

I'm amazed at what a big difference hardwood flooring makes in a home's beauty, value and marketability.

Laminate flooring in Westchester. When does laminate make sense?

While I prefer hardwood flooring over laminate, there are some times when laminate may be a better and more practical choice.

Link to previous installment: 

Look, if these freezing temps that have a "real feel" along the lines of the polar ice caps continue, then more home and business owners may flood from frozen pipes in Bronxville, NY 10708

Snow flurries and freezing temperatures are on the way this month and could cause Frozen Pipes, or Ice Dam situations for Westchester County home and business owners.  With temps going down to 18 degrees and snow flurries, plus a possible snowstorm Friday, take time for a little preparation.

These “Helpful Hints from Hillary” below may help you avoid some really expensive headaches.  Usually, the frustrating effects of winter weather and damage to our properties can be avoided. 

NOTE:  Most of us hear about our area’s incoming weather in advance, from our unusually sunny winter days lately…to Superstorm Sandy hurricane warnings that were on air last year. So, when you know that severe weather is on the way, take a few minutes at your office or home to prep for the worst.

Two of the most damaging winter issues for both home and business owners are the infamous:  Frozen Pipes and Ice dam issues.  Both of these damaging property conditions can be avoided with a few steps, before freezing temperatures and snow comes our way this Winter:

Frozen Pipes

Water damage from broken and frozen pipes are the leading cause of insurance claims in America.  We clean these damages daily in homes, businesses and public buildings and can tell you that many of them could have been avoided.  Hind site is great, right?

The cleanup, repair and restoration for water damaged homes and businesses can run into the thousands.  So, in newer homes, it’s better to avoid exposed water pipes to subfreezing temperatures in attics, crawl spaces or against outside / exterior walls.  Better builders know to position your pipes into inside walls and aways from such exposed areas.

We have an older home (1896) with little or no insulation, but our pipes were placed in interior, plaster walls.  If you have attic or basement pipes that are in “danger” of a temperature drop, a plumber may have to re-route them or cover them with insulation, to slow prevent a break.

If you have had this on your “honey do” list, today’s the day:   Insulation sleeves or wrapping are available at most hardware stores – like Cornell’s in Eastchester, NY, or call your general contractor for more information. Also, you can purchase "heat tape" that can be plugged in and will keep your pipes warm and "break free," if they work "as advertised."

Ice Dams

Ice dams build up when the air in your attic is warm enough to melt the snow and ice on your roof. The water runs down the roof and refreezes near the gutters, at the edges of roofing shingles.  And then –- just for fun – some of the melting ice and water build up behind “the dam” formed by this refreezing and it leaks into your home.

Some of us in the Northeast get ambitious and rake the snow off our roof, and you’ll keep ice dams to a minimum.  This becomes a constant chore, but it’s better than dealing with water leaking in to your house.  

Just raking the first several feet of snow from the eaves is usually enough to prevent the formation of ice dams, but in some cases, this will cause ice dams to form higher up on the roof.  Keep an eye on your roof line when snow is still sitting there, and on northern or colder sides where it won't melt easily.  

One of our contractor friends told us to keep the bottom of our gutter lines that fall vertically near the corners of our home and office building clear of ice.  Gently kick away ice and snow at the bottom of the gutters on corners, to allow the backup in your gutters to loosen and fall. 

Also, make sure that your attic is insulated well from the floors below, so you save on heat, but be sure that your upper level is “vented” and normalized.  If your attic is cool and insulated, but vented to prevent mold growth, you should have less of a chance to experience an ice dam water damage!

Letting a faucet drip slowly during extremely cold weather can prevent a pipe from bursting. The slow drip prevents excessive pressure from building up between a blockage and the faucet. Dripping faucets waste some water, so this should be limited to pipes that are vulnerable to freezing.

Also, you can run for some insulation and wrap any pipes that are in the high risk areas noted above.  If you suspect that a pipe has frozen, call a plumber and turn off the water at the water main, until repairs are completed and to avoid more serious problems.

Also, you may decide to turn down the heat and save on energy costs, if you are leaving on a trip.  However, you don’t want the heat below 55 degrees, or you could return to a home full of water from a burst pipe.  If you have concerns, or are leaving for the winter season you may opt to shut off the water and drain the house / all of your water pipes before you leave town.

Good luck and stay warm!  Here's a late hour forecast:  The coldest air of the season has plunged through the Northeast...with temps as low as 12 degrees overnight.  Scarves, stocking caps, long underwear -- all of it -- will come in handy for millions of us through Sunday.  If we wanted to live in northern Siberia we'd move there, right?

ICE DAMS & FROZEN PIPES MAY FOLLOW FREEZING TEMPS & SNOW SHOWERS IN BRONXVILLE, NY 10708

THIS YEAR'S FLU SEASON IS BEING CALLED THE WORST IN A DECADE ~ BRONXVILLE NY 10708

Our winter months in Westchester County bring family celebrations and holiday fun, but it can also bring us the flu.  Medical pros are calling this season's flu "the worst outbreak in ten years," and most of our staff as well as my family have already had this version. Not fun!

So, Happy New Year with a flu chaser in January, everyone.  It's official!  Apparently, there is a near national epidemic flu season in progress.  It's being called the "worst in 10 years," by medical professionals.  

With our outdoor temps going up to about 60 degrees this month, flu germs may get a shot in the arm , with big swings in weather that can make the season worse.  

If you haven't been through this year's flu hell yet, like our office and household, stay home or send your sick employees / co-workers home.  

Also, there are some tips for flu prevention below -- that our parents and grandmas probably taught most of us, but some may forget bout these basics, in their rushed everyday lives!

Tips for fighting the flu and PREVENTING one:

• Cover your mouth for every sneeze/cough with a tissue, keep 'em handy!

• Wash or hand "sanitize" your hands often, especially in malls, stores and on public transportation.

• Get plenty of sleep (I'm in hibernation already, like the bears!)

• Drink plenty of fluids, including juice that contains citrus, if you can.
• 
  
• Eat well to stay healthy! 

 

FYI:  My mother worked nearly 40 years for a major airline and had the world breathing on her, at ticket counters and airport departure gates.  She got sick a lot.  That's until she started taked daily Vitamin C with Rosehips -- about 2,000mg / day.  That dose usually keeps me well and I understand that our bodies gets rid of any C that they do not need on any given day, in order to boost our immunities.  

Forrest and I were on planes, trains and buses to New Orleans during Christmas Week, so my daily C did not keep up with all the sick folks.  We were surrounded by germs at airports and in decompressed, enclosed and heated (petri dish) vehicles.      

Last & Best tip:  To kick this year's flu or cold, we used Emergen-C and were better in 2 days (that was my husband, Forrest) and in only 3 days for me.  These supplements can help keep you well, if you are to take Zinc, and if a cold is coming on, too!

Bronville NY 10708 in Westchester County, NY

 

FLU SEASON 2013 IS BEING CALLED THE WORST IN A DECADE ~ BRONXVILLE NY 10708