Archived Storm Damage Blog Posts
Faster to the Disaster
9/5/2022 (Permalink)
Choosing the best in the industry-
Without warning, nature can take a violent turn: floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards. Any of these can have a devastating effect on the business you have worked hard to build. SERVPRO is Faster to any size disaster, in your home or commercial property. We know that response time is critical, not only to mitigate your damages but to get your business or life back up and running quickly. SERVPRO professionals can handle anything from minor commercial storm damage to a large-loss event.
What makes us different?
Our teams can respond quickly because we have a network of storm teams strategically positioned across the country ready to respond 24/7, 365 days a year. We can assure you when disaster strikes, we will be there. With over 1,900 SERVPRO locations spread across the US and more now, we are able to set up a local command center near you to execute a rapid response wherever a major event may take place. At SERVPRO we respond to large and small events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, flash floods, wildfires and more.
How to Prepare for Winter Storms
11/7/2021 (Permalink)
Winter is almost here!
Many of the jobs we arrive at are preventable disasters, stuff that could have been stopped before winter came along. Your home becomes very vulnerable during the winter with the cold temperatures, icy rain, and snowfall. We have a few recommendations to share with you below, hopefully they can prevent any unnecessary damages.
What to do?
- Have your HVAC system checked
- Make sure you will have hot and clean air blowing through your home
- Caulk and seal your exterior areas that have begun to wear
- Water and cold can cause cracking and rot you don’t want to deal with
- Inspect your drainage system
- Make sure the melted snow has somewhere to go
- Clean gutters
- Like your drainage, the snow needs somewhere to melt
- Shut down outdoor water
- These can cause serious issues once temperatures reach freezing
- Check your trees
- Make sure no dead trees will be falling once the snow and winter storms come
- Prepare your equipment for the snow
- Whether is is a snow blow or just a snow shovel, make sure it works before winter comes
- Check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- With heat running and possible fires burning indoors you must ensure your family's safety
Cleaning Your Gutters
10/28/2021 (Permalink)
Why do you need to clean your gutters?
It is starting to get cold which means freezing temperatures are just around the corner and ready to cause damage. Fall has left behind lots of leaves and branches in your gutters that need to go, these obstructions can become a big issue if they clog the drainage and let water sit. Ice and snow can build up and cause the gutters to sag, create ice dams, cause health effects, and even flooding in your home.
Your gutters can tear away from your home from the weight built up from these debris and in the worst case make them fall completely off. The ice dams that can build up are not only dangerous to people possibly standing under, but destroy your roof and cause moisture to leak in and create mold. All of this can simply be prevented by keeping your gutters cleaned out for the winter season, make sure you don’t wait, being proactive can save you a lot of money in the long run.
The Fastest to The Disaster
10/11/2021 (Permalink)
Speedy Response Time
Since we are a locally owned and operated franchise, we respond quicker and ensure our trucks are packed full with the right resources, an extremely important aspect to a quick response. Our speedy response lessens the damage and helps prevent further damage which in turn reduces the cleanup and restoration cost overall. This also means you can resume your normal life sooner and without this problem in your way.
The Tools Needed to Handle Storm Damage
Our own warehouse is equipped with state of the art equipment and our thoroughly tested cleaning products we use. We can even access equipment and resources from a network of over 1,650 Franchises across the United States. In the event of a big disaster, our elite Disaster Recovery Teams are strategically located throughout the United States and on standby. During countless natural disasters SERVPRO has proven their loyalty to the communities they serve and the effectiveness of our work.
Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (917)-809-6562
SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint specializes in storm damage cleanup and restoration for homes and businesses no matter the size. Our team is professionally trained and equipped with specialized equipment to restore your home to the original condition making it seem "Like it never even happened."
Keeping Your Pets Safe During A Storm
10/10/2021 (Permalink)
Our Marketing Coordinators dogs
The Storm is Here, Now What?
When a thunderstorm or hurricane is arrives, it is necessary to have precautions ready. Your pets are your family, and we understand the importance they hold. One thing you must do is prepare for a storm, while it may seem overwhelming to think about a disaster, it will make everything run smoother if it does happen to occur. We have created some steps to protect your furry family members from harm.
They biggest thing to do is keeping your pets inside as much as possible. This is the most surefire way to guarantee that they will not bolt off when thunder rumbles and lightning begins to flash. On top of keeping them inside you not only need to have supplies for yourself, you must have supplies for your pets.
- Water for each pet
- Non-perishable pet food
- Pet medications
- make sure to get these before
- Leashes and ID Tags
- Dog Bed, Toys, and Treats
- First Aid Kit
- Vaccinations are up to Date
Somehow Your Pet Does Escape- Now What?
Stay Calm: While this is not an easy task when your furry friend goes missing, some pets get nervous due to hearing their owner yell, making them think they are in trouble.
Microchip your pets: If your pet does escape from your backyard, an animal shelter or vet can reach you and verify that you are the owner of your pet with a microchip.
Take Pictures of your Pets: Who doesn't love taking pictures of their pet? This can make it easier to locate your pet on social media or local flyers.
Pet ID: Keep your pets tags up to date, including a phone number and your name.
Prepare for any Injuries: Is it serious or something you can take care of yourself? Call a vet, they may be able to help you over the phone.
Our pets can be our best friends, and keeping them safe is always a top priority. It is crucial to be sure you are prepared to care for those who need you to stay safe everyday.
How We Can Restore Your Furniture After The Storm
10/7/2021 (Permalink)
The chances of restoring your furniture after a flood depend on how fast you act, the level of flooding that occurred, and the quality and materials of the furniture affected. Less porous and more solid wood furniture has a much better chance of being salvaged than stuff like particle board or upholstered furniture from big box stores. Even though restoring water damaged furniture seems like an easy task, it is better to leave it to professionals like SERVPRO. If you follow some of the tips listed below we will be able to help much more than if you do not.
Immediately after a flood, consider performing the following tasks so we can better assist on arrival :
- Act fast, damages on your valuables will be worsened if allowed more time to pass after the initial content with water.
- Take them away from the area and call SERVPRO immediately
- Move furniture to drier areas to start the drying process and get excess moisture out of the equation
- Make sure you take photos of the damaged items for insurance. These photos can help you when filing a claim to them
- Decide on the furniture to restore and what is not worth trying to save
- You must consider: the damage severity, the sentimental value, actual value and the total cost of restoration to get the item back to new.
- Separate upholstery fabrics and the other colored items from each other to prevent bleeding of colors. Never air dry it as this may lead to mildew or mold growth from the soaked cushions and external conditions.
While we always recommend protecting your home from flooding before it happens, the unexpected happens quickly. If disaster strikes unexpectedly, our technicians are always on standby and prepared to assist you with your restoration. Contact us at any time, any day, if you are looking for the best restoration service around.
Tropical Storm Henri Inbound
8/21/2021 (Permalink)
Tropical storm Henri is evolving into a hurricane that will slam the Northeast, high speed winds, flooding, and heavy rain are expected. It is important you and your family stay safe and prepared, below are some tips on how to do so:
How to Prepare for Tropical Storm Henri-
- Be informed- make sure you are receiving alerts, warnings, and public safety information before, during, and after emergencies.
- Learn if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone- if you do, make a plan to evacuate
- Learn whether your property is in a flood-prone or high-risk area via the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) flood maps.
- Create and commit to memory your family emergency plan and discuss it with them.
- Assemble an emergency kit with what you will need such as food, water, medication, and communication.
- Prepare for possible power outages and blocked streets.
- Take photos or videos of your personal property and store these records in a safe place.
- Prepare your home with temporary plywood covers to protect windows and sliding doors if possible.
Create a Plan-
- Pick more than one safe place in your home where you can go if there is an emergency.
- Pick two ways to get out in case you have to leave, and keep these exits clear.
- Pick a place for your family to meet in case you are separated -- one in and one outside your neighborhood.
- Pick a place where you can stay in case you must evacuate your home.
- Make a plan to keep your pets safe if there is an emergency.
- Know how to turn off the electricity, gas and water in your home.
- Take photos of possessions inside and outside your home in case you need them for insurance purposes.
Once it's over?
Once a hurricane is underway, the experts urge people to avoid driving and stay indoors. Flooding and damaging winds can make traveling extremely dangerous. Nearly 90% of all hurricane-related deaths involve water, according to the National Weather Service.
If you must travel, experts warn not to walk or drive through flowing water. Six inches of swiftly moving water can knock you off of your feet and cars can be swept away in just two feet of moving water. Stay safe and stay informed, SERVPRO will be there for you after the storm.