Tornado Safety

5/27/2022 (Permalink)

If you're in a building:

• Have a portable radio for weather alerts and updates nearby.
• Get to the lowest level of your home, such as a basement or storm cellar. If you don't have a basement, go to an inner hallway or a closet.
• Keep away from all windows and glass doorways.
• Do not use elevators because the power may turn-off, leaving you trapped inside.
• Cover your head and eyes with a blanket or jacket to protect against flying debris and broken glass.
• Keep pets on a leash or in a crate close by.
• Stay inside until you're certain the storm has passed!
• Do not leave a building to attempt to "escape" a tornado.

If you're in a mobile home:

• Do not stay in a mobile home during a tornado. Even mobile homes equipped with tie-down systems cannot withstand the force of a tornado's winds.
• Heed all local watches and warnings, and leave your mobile home to seek shelter as quickly as possible before a tornado strikes, preferably in a nearby building with a basement.
• If no shelter is immediately available, find the lowest-lying area near you and lie down in it, covering your head with your hands.

SERVPRO Acts Fast to Inspect and Dry Interior and Exterior Walls for Flood Damage

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

Any size flood can bring about significant damage to your home. Whatever caused the flooding, water must be removed from all walls to ensure lingering moisture does not bring on more damage. The longer that water sits in the walls, the higher the chance you have of structural damage and mold or mildew growth.

What does SERVPRO do to dry interior and exterior walls after a flood?
After arrival onsite, our team puts a plan of action in place to address your flood damage. Our trucks are equipped with submersible portable and truck-mounted pumps that allow us to remove massive amounts of water from your basement and interior. We then remove any flood-damaged contents to begin drying the area with water extractors, dehumidifiers, and air movers.

•    For Interior Walls – Flood cuts might be required several inches above the water line so that we can remove any damaged drywall. This helps expose any pockets of the remaining water and allows us to increase airflow in small wall cavities to facilitate drying. 
•    For Exterior Walls – SERVPRO technicians use moisture sensors to locate any areas where moisture is lingering. If we detect higher moisture levels, holes may be drilled at the bottom portion of the wall to allow water to drain. A hole may also be drilled at the top of the wall to force air into the cavity, speeding moisture removal.

Our team also completes a full inspection of your home’s exterior to ensure you have ample drainage away from the building. This is important for helping to avoid future moisture damage if you have cinder block walls. Cinder block can hold moisture, which could lead to mold infestations if not addressed appropriately.

Regardless of the flood damage that you have in your area, our team at SERVPRO of Union County is here to help. Call us 24/7 for emergency service at (704) 764-3216

For more about SERVPRO of Union County HERE

SERVPRO Has Powerful Extraction Tools to Handle Flood Damage, Including Removal of Contaminated Water Throughout Your Home

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

Nobody ever expects to be ankle-deep in floodwater throughout their home. However, once a storm comes through, you need to have the ability to remove the water and moisture from your interior. Failing to do so promptly leaves your home subject to secondary damage and exponential restoration costs. Enlist a reputable restoration team's services to address your floodwater damage to have prompt service and fair pricing. SERVPRO is always on call - 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and ensures rapid results to get back to your daily routine. 

What Can Flooding Do to My Home? 

Any flood damage can become very costly to fix as time goes on. The longer water and contaminants are left to fester, the more secondary damage can set in. If water began migrating throughout your entire first flood, it becomes imperative that you have not only quick extraction but also professional moisture detection to find any hidden pockets. 

With our initial assessment of your home, we take a look at how floodwater moves through the different structural and building materials in that path. After knowing the severity of the spread, we can focus our attention on areas that need it most. In many situations where contaminated floodwater infiltrates a home, our crew has to perform controlled demolition. Different elements that we address include: 

• Drywall –One of the more common materials that might be deemed unsalvageable in as little as 24 hours after initial exposure to standing water is drywall. Moisture wicks its way up the drywall, which can lead to warping or crumbling. Our crew can perform flood cuts several inches above the saturation portion and then replace it with all-new materials. The walls get finished off to bring them back to preloss condition.
• Floors –Various flooring types can become severely damaged when exposed to standing water for an extended period, such as vinyl, linoleum, carpeting, and hardwood. If your flooring shows signs of bloating, bubbling, cupping, or warping, the best course of action is to have it removed and replaced by our trusted contractors.
• Wood Trim –We often remove wood trim in situations where it becomes saturated with the threat of contaminated water. Should your drywall and insulation call for replacement in certain areas, we will more than likely need to replace the trim as well. Our crew can sometimes remove and replace the baseboards alone when the drywall is in good condition. 

How Can I Tell if the Floodwater is Contaminated? 

You and your family should stay clear of flooding within your home as much as possible. If you can, block off the flood zone to not expose and help limit water migration into other rooms. You can shut doors and put blankets or towels down to keep the water at bay until we arrive. Once our crew is on the scene, we can perform sample testing to determine how contaminated the floodwater is. When water comes into your home from outdoors with storm floods, it tends to bring contaminants like: 

• Fecal matter
• Silt and mud
• Fuel or chemicals
• Fertilizers
• Pathogenic organisms
• Vermin that may bite
• Random debris, and more 

Once the water gets tested, we can treat the flood zone before beginning the cleanup process, which helps to keep hazardous droplets from becoming airborne as our team works on extraction and drying. After your interior is dry, we also have a broad range of professional-grade antibacterial and antimicrobial cleaning agents to thoroughly sanitize all surfaces. Should there be any contamination concerns, SERVPRO can perform further testing to ensure all bacteria have been eliminated. 

Why Should I Call SERVPRO When I Have Flood Issues? 

Our team features technicians trained following the standards set forth by the Institution of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). We are available seven days a week, around the clock, to get to work when you need us most. Some of the professional services that we have to offer our customers include: 

• Rapid arrival on-site and ready to work within hours of your call
• Trucks from our Green Fleet stocked with the latest equipment and cleaning agents
• Professional inspection and proven methods for restoration
• Help with your insurance claim
• Total drying and moisture detection techniques
• Certified SERVPRO Clean 

With the water removal and assistance with flood damage that offers, you can have your interior back to preloss condition faster than any DIY methods will allow. SERVPRO of Union County is here to help. Call us 24/7 for emergency service at (704) 764-3216

For more about SERVPRO of Union County click HERE

Tornado Watch vs Tornado Warning

5/9/2021 (Permalink)

Meteorologists use a lot of different terms to describe weather patterns and conditions. In some cases, however, these terms convey important information to local audiences. As we approach summer, we might hear more about tornadoes and other storm systems. That’s why it’s important you know the difference between a “tornado watch” and a “tornado warning.”

Tornado Watch

Authorities issue a tornado watch when conditions are right for a tornado to form. While there isn’t an imminent threat in this situation, the conditions could worsen. In any event, when a tornado watch is issued, move indoors and keep an eye on the local news for updates.

Tornado Warning

A tornado warning is a more urgent alert that is only issued when a tornado has actually been spotted or when one is imminent. When this has been issued, you should move to a safe place in your home or shelter and wait there until it’s been deemed safe to do so.

Your Disaster Cleanup Professionals

Tornadoes are extremely powerful storms, so even if you and your family are safe, your home may not be. Fortunately, if you do have storm damage, our professional team at SERVPRO of Union County is available 24/7 to clean up and restore your home!

What To Do if a Tree Falls On Your Roof

5/9/2021 (Permalink)

When a tree falls on your roof, it causes two problems: it damages your home’s structure, and it exposes your home to the elements. Each year, we get dozens of calls from people who have had trees fall on their roof and are unsure of what to do. It’s not a quick process, but there are a few steps you can take!

Remove the tree. This might seem like an obvious first step, but we’ve had countless calls from people who haven’t even removed the tree. Until the damaged area of your roof has been cleared, it can’t be covered. We recommend calling your local tree removal company.

Tarp exposed areas. Unless you’re lucky, a fallen tree will likely cause damage to your roof, generally leaving it exposed. To ensure outside elements don’t get in and cause more damage, you should have it tarped. In some cases, the tree removal company will do this for you, but if not, you will need to contact a roofing company.

Contact a roofing company. Even if the roof is tarped, you’ll need to contact a roofing company to determine the next phase of repairs. After all, the tarp is only a temporary solution!

Call a disaster restoration company (if applicable). If the tree fell because of a storm (or if a storm hits before the damage can be properly tarped), you’re likely going to have rain damage on the interior of your home. A water mitigation company will dry the affected areas and treat it with an antimicrobial treatment to prevent mold growth!

A fallen tree can cause a lot of damage and headache, but with the above steps, you can get your life back on track. If you have water damage  and need a disaster restoration company, our team at SERVPRO of Anson, Stanly, & Richmond Counties are available 24/7 to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Before the Storm: Flood Prevention

2/18/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know? Flooding is North Carolina’s second most common natural hazard. Many wether agencies are reporting that floods and hurricanes are becoming more extreme with each passing year. The damage caused by these intense storms can ruin homes or entire communities for weeks, months or even years. With storms like Hurricane Dorian hurtling through North Carolina, it is important that you know how to prepare for flood damage as best you can before it happens. 

One of the best ways to prepare for flooding is to elevate any electrical components. This includes sockets, switches and wiring. These sources should be elevated at least twelve inches above expected flood levels. By elevating these components, you are preventing a potential safety hazard during the recovery and restoration process after the storm has passed. 

Another great way to prepare for flooding is to waterproof your basement. While this can be a greater investment into your home, it pays off greatly if you reside in a region that experiences flooding often. Additionally, a battery-operated backup generator is a great machine to consider adding to your home incase of a power outage during a storm. 

Moving your furniture and valuables to a safe area is an important step in the preparation process. Consider storing important documents like birth certificates and insurance policies in waterproof boxes or sealed bags. 

Above all, the safety of you and your family is the most critical step in the preparation process. If flooding does occur, be sure to call SERVPRO for all of your flood damage restoration needs. Our office is ready to start your recovery and restoration plan to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Tornado Safety

6/20/2017 (Permalink)

If you're in a building:

• Have a portable radio for weather alerts and updates nearby.
• Get to the lowest level of your home, such as a basement or storm cellar. If you don't have a basement, go to an inner hallway or a closet.
• Keep away from all windows and glass doorways.
• Do not use elevators because the power may turn-off, leaving you trapped inside.
• Cover your head and eyes with a blanket or jacket to protect against flying debris and broken glass.
• Keep pets on a leash or in a crate close by.
• Stay inside until you're certain the storm has passed!
• Do not leave a building to attempt to "escape" a tornado.

If you're in a mobile home:

• Do not stay in a mobile home during a tornado. Even mobile homes equipped with tie-down systems cannot withstand the force of a tornado's winds.
• Heed all local watches and warnings, and leave your mobile home to seek shelter as quickly as possible before a tornado strikes, preferably in a nearby building with a basement.
• If no shelter is immediately available, find the lowest-lying area near you and lie down in it, covering your head with your hands.