5 Immediate Steps to Handle a Water Damage Emergency

10/5/2023 (Permalink)

Water damage can be infuriating. It is classified as one of the most serious emergencies that your property could suffer from – one that could possibly have long-term implications as well.

There are many ways that your property could get damaged by water, such as a heavy storm, flash floods, extreme rainfall, damaged pipes, overflowing water appliances, or even a leaking roof. Regardless of where your water damage stems from, it is mandatory to address the problem immediately to prevent further damage and to allow for repair strategies to be helpful.

When you face a water damage emergency at home, you should already have a plan in place that tells you exactly how to handle the situation. Here are a few steps that should ideally be part of your contingency plan:

1. Protecting Yourself

The reason why water damage is considered extremely serious is because not only will there be floating water around your home, but the water can also further create more emergencies around the house. If the water is contaminated, there can be serious health implications if you come into contact with it. If you let the water reach electrical appliances, there can be a short circuit in the house or lead to electrocuted water.

To protect yourself, the first step in a water damage emergency should be shut off all electricity in your home. In case the water damage is caused by flooding, it is important to evacuate the home and reach a safe destination ASAP. Remember to wear protective clothing such as gloves and boots when you come in contact with the water to avoid the risk of contaminated or electrocuted water. You should also protect important possessions first – including important documents and electronic devices.

2. Stop the Damage

In order to prevent further damage to your property, it is important to identify the source of the water damage and stop it immediately. If you have a burst pipe, you can shut off the water supply. If there is a flood in the area, you can use sandbags to lessen the impact. If you are suffering a ceiling leak, you should identify the exact point of leakage and reach out to a roofing expert.

3. Call the Insurance Company

Since most houses in the US are insured, it is important to call the insurance company as soon as you identify water damage on your property. They are likely to guide you regarding what to do next, including getting a claims adjuster and taking photographs of the property damaged. This step is important to save money on damage repair in the future since your insurance company is likely to have it covered.

4. Dry Everything

If it is possible, you should begin drying your wet furniture and flooring as soon as possible. Leave your rugs out in the sun to dry and turn on the fans to help dry out the entire house. This step is essential to eliminate the possibility of mold growth on your property due to still water and moisture in the home.

5 Things To Do After A House Fire

10/5/2023 (Permalink)

A fire occurring in your house can be both surprising, overwhelming, and confusing. One can easily feel confused about what it is that they should do after going through such an experience. However, reading up and learning about what it is that you can do after a house fire can make you better equipped with dealing with such a situation. So, in order to help you protect yourself and your property, here are 5 things that you can do after a house fire.

Call An Emergency Helpline

Of course, the first step in any emergency situation is to call an emergency helpline. However, you must first ensure that everyone within your house is outside first. The first responders will arrive at your home and will focus their attention on the safety of you and others who live in your house. After all of the house occupants' are out of danger, they will then focus their energy on saving the structural integrity of your house. 

Take Some Time 

While the first respondents are working on dousing the flames, make sure to take time for yourself so that you are able to process the situation. Try to remind yourself and those who surround you that everything will be okay as spiraling will only make you feel more stressed and won't help the process go any faster. Be sure to take everything one step at a time so that you do not overwhelm yourself. 

Contact Your Insurance Agency 

After you have collected your thoughts, contact your insurance agency and ask for their timeline on securing your property, which includes the removal of any standing water as well as covering the doors and windows of your house. The entire process depends on the amount of damage your house has taken, both from the fire and the dousing. Your insurance will help in starting this process for you and will then authorize their company for restoration to secure your property.

Find A Safe Place

As your house, despite the ventilation holes, will now be filled with chemicals, which lowers the air quality drastically, to prevent any health issues, you must then find a safe place to stay for the time being. In fact, the restoration and recovery process can take several months to finish, which is why most people end up residing in a relative's house rather than a hotel. So, be sure to be monetarily prepared. 

Secure Your House 

If you are in a situation where the fire department tells you that your house is safe to live in, you will still have to take certain precautions, such as boarding up your house. This will prevent any outside impurities from entering your house. 

All in all, knowing the steps that you have to take after a house fire will not only help you but will also make you feel more at peace. So, if you ever do go through something like this, we hope that you do not, you will not feel confused rather you will, by default, go into autopilot and start taking the required steps. 

How To Prepare For A Storm

10/2/2023 (Permalink)

It is better to be safe than sorry. Preventative measures are key to saving yourself and your home from the damage that comes with a storm. Storms bring heavy rain, winds, and lighting.

They can cause flooding, power outage, and a lot of destruction. This is why you must have a plan to deal with all these problems that may come with a storm.

However, if there is still damage caused to your property because of the storm then hire a professional storm cleanup service for your home restoration.

Here are the many safety tips you can follow to prepare yourself for a storm.

Ensure That The Exterior Of Your House Is Safe

You must take care of the outdoors to reduce safety hazards. For example, you need to trim down large trees and shrubs so that they don’t fall on something else or get tangled with wires.

Apart from that any plants, furniture, or other objects that are placed outside need to be brought indoors so they can be saved be from damage.

Keep Everything Powered Up

Make sure that the gas tank of your car is full. Charge any appliances that need charging such as your cell phone, laptop, etc. Apart from that, you need to test your generator beforehand so that it works properly in case of a power outage during the storm.

Also, keep extra fuel for the generator in case of extensive power outages. This way you will always have backup power.

Make An Emergency Plan

Nature is unpredictable and you never know how bad a storm is going to be. This is why you must have a contingency plan in case of extreme circumstances.

Come up with a plan of how you are going to get in touch with all the family members and where you will meet up to stay safe. This is because storms can happen anytime and not everyone will be home.

Clean Gutters

The main reason why urban flooding takes place because of a storm is due to the overflowing of gutters. With too much water coming in the water overflows and causes the area to flood.

This is why it is important to routinely get your gutters cleaned once in a while. This will allow the water to flow freely and prevent any blockages. It will also prevent the flooding of your basement and roof damage.

Create An Emergency Kit

This is only for a worst-case scenario. If you have to leave home because of some damage or in case of a power outage you will need an emergency kit.

Be sure to have essential medicines, first aid, batteries, important documents, non-perishable food, water, clothing, cash, and all other essential items that you may require.

Final Words

It is always good to be prepared for an unprecedented situation that may arise due to a storm. Follow these tips to prepare before a storm and you will be good to go.

However, if there is any damage to your home due to the storm then give us a call!

How a Water Softener Can Prevent Water Damage

8/29/2023 (Permalink)

Having hard water in your home can be a problem that becomes costly over time. Hard water is mainly groundwater that contains dissolved minerals. When this water is combined with heat as it flows through the piping system of your home, it can leave behind residue and buildup which can damage the pipes in the long run.

Hard water is simply water that has collected calcium and magnesium from the surface of the earth before it flows through your pipes. While it is not exactly harmful to your skin or health, it can be a contributing factor towards water damage in your home.

What is a Water Softener?

To find a solution to your hard water problems, it is recommended to invest in a water softener. This simple device processes the hard water and removes the void of minerals present in the water through an ion-exchange process. The ion-exchange process replaces the mineral ions in the water with sodium and potassium ions – thus converting the hard water into soft water.

A water softener can be especially useful for homeowners who have prominent water damage in their homes that is caused by hard water.

Signs That You Have Hard Water

Since a majority of the US has hard water flowing through the pipes, it is difficult to determine whether or not your home actually needs a water softener. Below are the few signs of water damage caused by hard water:

• Water marks on faucets despite cleaning them
• Lime and chalk buildup in the sinks and shower heads
• Smelly water
• Low water pressure caused by damaged pipes
• Damaged water appliances and fixtures

Benefits of a Home Water Softener System

1. Saving Money

The biggest benefit of installing a water softener in your home is that it can prevent you from spending hundreds of dollars on water damage repair. Soft water will not allow for any mineral buildup in your pipes, resulting in a smooth flow of water with regular pump pressure. By replacing hard water with soft water, you can prevent havoc on your appliances such as dishwashers or laundry machines and save costs on frequent repairs or replacement.

2. Less Cleaning Required

If you have hard water running through your home, you may constantly find yourself cleaning the sinks and showers because there is mineral buildup visible around the edges. The dishes and the laundry may never appear fully clean because of all the mineral ions present in the water. Installing a water softener system at home will allow you to prevent all of this problems since soft water will not allow for any mineral or soap buildup around your faucets and sinks. This means that you will spend less time cleaning and have a cleaner house as well.

3. Preventing Water Damage

Water damage can be a huge problem in your house if the pipes start leaking internally or externally. Since the repair cost and time of water damage can be extensive, it is important to avoid the instance of any water-related damage in your home. By opting for a water softener system in your home, you can keep your pipes and fixtures working effectively without incurring a risk of water damage.

Things That Should Be Present In an Emergency Kit

8/27/2023 (Permalink)

A situation in which human health and security are in jeopardy is typically known as an emergency. In such events, the authorities of the state fail to cope up with the chaos, and the only option left is to evacuate people from their house. Hence an emergency can either be a natural calamity, for instance, tsunami, and earthquake or can be due to the turbulent condition of the state. So, whatever the reason is behind an unanticipated eviction, you should have an emergency kit prepared in your house. 

 The survival kit should be kept at somewhere noticeable, to refrain from getting all worked up. Here are a few things that should be present in an emergency kit:

A Compact Flashlight:

In case of a natural casualty, for example, urban flooding, the very first outcome of such circumstances is the complete power outage. Therefore, it is mandatory to keep a durable and a handy torch or lantern along with other survival equipment.

 It is safe and convenient to use LED lights since they operate without any batteries and give out bright light. These portable devices usually hang at the front or side pockets of the bag to be more accessible.

A First Aid Box:

When travelling overseas or within the domestic region, packing a first aid kit is considered a necessity along with other essentials. Generally, people do keep band-aids in their pants pocket or purses, hence stowing something similar for an emergency shouldn't seem strange.

 Any multipurpose pouch would be suitable to fill in as a handy medical kit. It should contain lots of bandages, medical tapes, alcohol swabs, and medications like anti-inflammatory, antibiotic or antiviral. 

Adequate Quantity of Non-perishables:

To accomplish tasks as basic as walking or writing requires energy. This energy comes only from food that has to be delivered to our body. An emergency kit lacking food supplies is nothing but futile.

 There have been situations where people have starved to death due to no food availability. So, to avoid such dreadful situation, one should always keep non-perishables in adequate amount. The non-perishables supplies include dry fruits, parched and canned foodstuff. They are safe to consume even after 30 years due to their extended shelf life.

Potable Water Supply:

An individual may survive for months without consuming any solid foodstuff, but it is very difficult to spend a day without water. Deficiency of water content in the body causes dehydration followed by fatigue and finally death. Therefore, packing drinkable water should not be forgotten during emergency preparation. Since water usually doesn't last for a prolonged time thus, it is wise, packing a handy water filter device in your emergency kit.

Backup Thermal Coverlets:

These thermal blankets are manufactured exclusively for uncertain predicaments. Since it is not known what kind of emergency one will be facing, therefore, these are made highly durable. Most of these thermal blankets can also be transformed into emergency tents.

When preparing an emergency kit, you need to be precise and think of only those items that will help you survive. Matchboxes, masks, power batteries and a multipurpose knife are some other survival articles that should not be left behind.

Can Water Damage Restoration Be Done In A DIY Project

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

Can Water Damage Restoration Be Done In A DIY Project

Water damage restoration can be a daunting task to tackle on your own. We recommend that you contact professionals for water extraction, carpet cleaning and mold remediation caused by flood. However if you are someone who wants to take on a DIY water damage restoration project then you can do that as well. However if you want to take on a DIY project for water damage restoration then it is better to do it if the flood is low in intensity.

The work for a DIY water damage restoration project is much easier and simple if the flood has low intensity. If you want to do it yourself, experts recommend using fans and dehumidifiers as soon as possible after the flooding has receded. Doing this will help dry out wet carpets, walls or other building materials that could result in mold growth if left untreated over time.

Many homeowners struggle with how they can fix their water damaged homes themselves but there are some things which should be done by professionals like carpet cleaning. Water damage repair may seem easy because of shows on TV however professional assistance is recommended when dealing with high level floods such as those caused by hurricanes where sewage pipes have been broken and raw sewage contaminated your home. For any food or water damage restoration project it is best to contact a professional.

There are some things which can be done by yourself and they include:

-Turning off your electrical power as this may become hazardous when dealing with flood waters that contain sewage, chemicals, mud etc. If you do not know where the main switch box is for electricity in your home then turn off all of the fuses at once using circuit breakers (not individual switches). Your meter should also be turned off if there is no power on or after a major storm event. Once these steps have been taken make sure everyone who enters does so wearing rubber boots and gloves before reaching any equipment like air conditioner units which could contain very dangerous fumes from mold infestation under the hood.

-Once power has been turned off you need to turn on all of the faucets in your home so that water can be removed from them and will not fill up with stagnant flood waters. This is done by opening each tap and allowing it to drip slowly into a container (i.e.. sink or bathtub) until no more air bubbles appear when looking at the end of spout where water comes out, then close the taps tight again before turning back on electrical appliances like dishwasher, washing machine etc. The reason for this? Air holds moisture which is why dehumidifiers work better than fans alone. By allowing these appliances to run they will help remove any excess humidity left after flooding events

After cleaning up the initial mess, you need to find out where water is coming from. Water damage restoration can be completed by yourself if it's not too severe but some things should still be done by professionals like sewage cleanup. This includes checking for any cracks or holes in your roof that may have caused excess rainwater to enter your home after a storm event and causing further damage within the structure of your building which could result in mold growth over time due to high humidity levels left behind even though power has been cut off.

Tips for Repairing Storm Damage

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

Tips for Repairing Storm Damage

Storm damage can come in the form of fallen trees, roof damage, and interrupted electrical service.  The good news is that most storm damage repair jobs are low-skill projects that do not require an extensive level of knowledge or experience to handle on your own.

Even a fairly small tree has the potential to cause substantial damage during a storm if it falls onto a home or other property. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take after a tree has fallen into your yard to help prevent further problems from developing.

Assess How Much Damage Has the Storm Caused

The first thing to do after a storm is to assess how much damage it has caused to your property. This will give you a good idea about how much money you might have to spend on the repairs and restoration. So it is always good to have insurance for such cases.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Check with your insurance agent before starting repairs. Insurance coverage is dependent upon the type of storm, its location and other factors. Some types of damage may not be insured.

Document all storm-related damages to your home or building using photographs or video before making any repairs. This will provide a full record of damage for future reference should it become necessary to file an insurance claim later.

Only Focus on the Things That Are Actually Damaged During the Storm

Repair only those areas that are immediately damaged; stop further damage by boarding up broken windows, covering exposed outdoor electrical wiring or gas lines, etc., as soon as possible after the event has passed. Dispose of debris promptly in order to avoid mosquito breeding sites. Keep children away from dangerous materials such as broken glass, tarp-covered tree branches and other hazards.

Seal Holes in Foundation, Roof and Siding to Stop Water from Going In

Make sure to properly repair all holes in the roof and walls due to fallen trees or wind gusts. These holes can not only let water seep in but they can create easy access points for wasps, bees and other insects that could be attracted to water inside your home's damaged walls or foundation.

Repair Tree Damage to Your Property As Soon As It's Safe to Do So

One of the best ways to prevent more damage is to get damaged trees off of your property as quickly as possible. If there is a lot of damage, it may be wise to contact an arborist for advice and assistance if needed.

Hire a Professional to help you with the restoration

Storm damage is not always an easy task to take on yourself.  Hire a professional if you feel intimidated or do not have the time to deal with the cleanup and repairs your property may require after a storm. SERVPRO can help you with the restoration of your property after a storm has caused its destruction.

Why You Shouldn’t Delay Storm Damage Restoration in 2022

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Why You Shouldn’t Delay Storm Damage Restoration

When a disaster occurs, it is easy to get caught up in the chaos and stress of the situation. It is also very tempting to want to put off or delay storm damage restoration because you are busy with other things, but doing so can have a devastating effect on your finances. If you wait too long before hiring professionals for storm damage restoration, then prices for items that have been damaged will skyrocket. If you need help restoring your property after a natural disaster, contact our team today!

Your Home's Value Will Go Down

A home’s value can drop by as much as ten percent if the house has not yet undergone repairs after a major disaster such as flooding or fire. If your property sustains significant damage because of natural disasters, contact our team today! We are here to help 24/365 so do not hesitate to call us at any time of day or night! You may also fill out an online form for more information about what we offer and how we can help restore your home back to normal again.

It Will Cost You More If You Delay It

If you do not call for help when your home needs storm damage restoration, then it will cost more in the long run. When a professional is called to handle storm damage restoration as quickly as possible after a natural disaster strikes, this helps ensure that no further damages are sustained from exposure or rot. This can be very costly if it goes on too long because of how much time and exposure has passed since the initial incident occurred!

Your Goods Will Get More Damaged

If you wait to call for storm damage restoration, then it will take longer to fix your home and the cost of items that have been damaged may go up. In some cases, if a person waits too long before calling in professionals for storm damage restoration services after a natural disaster strikes, they can cause further damages or loss because of exposure or rot. It is important not to delay when you need help with restoring your property after a major event! Call us today at any time so we can start helping right away! We also offer free estimates on our work as well!

It Will Create a Dangerous Living Environment

If you allow your home to remain in a state of disrepair, then it can become unsafe for living. Living with damaged property due to natural disasters is not only dangerous but also hazardous because the items are exposed and vulnerable after being left out in nature’s elements without protection for so long. Not calling in professionals immediately when damage occurs leaves you and your loved ones at risk of injury or illness.

The longer you wait, the worse things will get and it can be very costly. Let us help today by giving our team a call at any time of day or night so we can offer free estimates on storm damage restoration services that are needed after natural disasters strike in your area. Our number is always available for assistance and we do not charge anything unless we solve your problem with helping restore damaged items back to normal again! Contact us now so we can start working together right away!

How to Fix Your Roof after a Storm

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

How to Fix Your Roof after a Storm

It's not often that disaster strikes but when it does, you want to make sure you are doing everything correctly, from start to finish. When the roof has been severely damaged by wind or hail, it can be one of the more costly repairs on your home. The main concern during this time period is safety from falling objects such as tree branches or other debris. This article is a guide for homeowners on what they should do after a storm has passed and left its wake of devastation in the form of shingles, shingles debris, and leaks that have sprung into their ceilings due to storm damage.

Now what? Whether you had a little damage or a lot of damage, a quick response is very important if you want to save your roof and reduce the potential for more leakage.

First make sure that it is safe to enter your home. If there are any toppled trees or limbs, remove those before entering the house. Once inside, if there is water in your ceilings and/or walls then it is time to call a professional roofer.

For minor damages like blocked gutters or missing shingles caused by wind gusts, wait until it stops raining and immediately check your roof with binoculars for any immediate danger of further damage such as loose tiles or hanging parts of the structure. If you have a partial shingle loss, be sure to nail down the tiles that are still attached. If your roof is in need of replacement, call for an estimate before performing any repairs or replacements yourself.

Soaking up water - Blocked gutters are the main cause of water damage when there is heavy rain over time

Removing debris - If you come across any loose tiles caused by high winds then remove them and nail down any metal ridge caps that might have popped out of place during the storm

Checking your shingles - Check with binoculars for blown off parts of the structure including missing shingles and loose tiles

Assessing the damage - Generally speaking, if there has been any shingle loss then it is time to call a professional roofer for an estimate. A restoration company will be able to tell you if you need to get a new roof or just get the one you already have restored. The restoration services like SERVPRO will tell it to you how it is. If we feel that the roof may not stand another storm we would recommend getting a new roof otherwise we will restore it for you.

Making temporary repairs for leaks in between rafters until the restoration company arrives. It is important to hire a storm damage restoration company if you want to get your roof in good condition. Don’t forget to contact your insurance company as well so you don’t have to pay much for the restoration or repair of the roof.

Can You Do DIY Home Restoration after a Storm?

8/11/2022 (Permalink)

Can You Do DIY Home Restoration after a Storm?

If you are living in a house that gets damaged because of a storm, or something similar to it, do not be alarmed. Whether someone else is doing the repairs for you or you are doing them yourself, there are things to keep in mind. The tips will help make your home restoration go smoother and more quickly.

Steps for DIY Home Restoration:

1.) Consider an insurance policy if one has not been obtained already. If there is damage, this should help out with costs involved with the restoration process.

2.) Before beginning any kind of repair work always wear protective gear including safety goggles and gloves so that no dust particles get into your eyes or worse enter your body through open cuts on hands etc. If possible wear breathing masks as well.

3.) Start by removing furniture if it had not already been done. If there is damage on the floor remove it before putting the furniture back in its place.

4.) Next, cover all windows and exterior doors with plastic sheeting. This will keep any moisture from entering your home which could cause mold or mildew to begin growing in places that were not damaged such as under carpets and sinks.

5.) After everything has been covered then use a vacuum cleaner to clean up any debris left behind after cleaning up water stains etc...The next step would be to remove any wet items such as clothes, bedding and blankets and run them through a washing machine several times so that no mold grows on them while they are stored away.

6.) You should look to see if the roof has been damaged and determine whether or not you want to fix it yourself or have someone who knows more about roofs do the work for you. It is possible to patch up a roof, but this does depend on where the damage is and how big it is because sometimes roofs will need to be replaced all together due to too much damage.

7.) If everything has dried out enough so that mold will not begin growing, take out all floor boards in affected areas so that they can be sanded down and treated with fungicide before replacing them back into place. Then cover area around walls with plastic sheeting again to keep dust from entering other areas of the house while new boards are being put back into place.

8.) Now that everything has been repaired it is time to start cleaning again and get rid of any lingering moisture in carpets and under sinks by using a dehumidifier.

So all of this can be done by you however if you want an ideal restoration process then it is better to hire a storm damage restoration service. A professional storm damage restoration service can do wonders for you and make your house look as good as new.