6 Tips for Preventing Storm Damage

3/14/2023 (Permalink)

Have a set plan for when disaster happens.

The clouds darken in the sky. The winds start to pick up. A major storm is headed your way. 

If you have a major storm system headed in your direction, you need to make sure you’re prepared to avoid potential storm damage. Depending on the size of the storm, you may need to prepare for it in advance.

In Florida, the annual hurricane season means that you should always know how to prepare for a potential major storm that could hit. The following are some tips to make sure you’re prepared to limit the amount the damage to your home.

Preparation Weeks Before the Storm

If you’re in an area where major storms could hit your town, like in Florida, it’s important to keep your trees trimmed that could potentially fall on your house. Make sure any diseased branches, dead branches, or low hanging arms are removed so they won’t fall and damage your house should a storm come.

These branches can be removed at any point during the year but if you live in a climate further north that gets cold during the winter, it’s best to clip the branches during the springtime before the leaves appear. Repeat the process again in the winter when more trees are in a dormant state.

Last Minute Preparation

While much of the preparation for a major storm may have been taken care of during the days and weeks prior to the storm’s arrival such as trimming trees or putting boards over windows, there are some preparations that have to wait until the last minute.

First put your car inside of your garage and back it up to the inside door. You do this so the door won’t twist-up if the winds become too vicious. Next put bikes, children’s toys, potted plants, outside furniture, or anything that can be stored in the remaining parts of the garage. Anything that’s left outside and not nailed down needs to be stored in the garage as well. If not stored during the storm, those objects can become projectiles that could damage your home.

Make sure to tightly shut every window in the house and move away from them. During the storm it’s important to be in a room without windows so if any projectiles fly through the window, you’ll be safe. Unplug any small electrical appliances and shut down your personal computer.

During the storm, it’s important to have a battery-powered radio on hand to supply you with all the news of the storm going on outside. Find your local station that is a good source of weather information before the power goes out so you’ll just have to turn it on and be at the right station.

Lightning

If you want to be extra cautious you can purchase lightning conductor rods to install at the highest point of your house. You’ll want to make sure they’re grounded so that any direct strike will immediately be directed straight into the ground.

Moving the Movable

Make sure that you have everything that is outside either secured to the ground or brought inside. Heavy winds have the ability to pick up and throw lighter objects through the air and potentially damage your home or injure you. Larger objects like grills may be able to be left outside but you’ll want to be certain that it won’t cause damage to your home when the storm comes.

Leaks

It’s important to fix any leaks you may have around your home before the storm comes. If the storm is likely to dump a great deal of water in your area, a simple drip can turn into a flow of water and once the storm arrives, there’s nothing you can do about it. These unfixed leaks can become washouts and cause significant and costly damage to your home.

Prepare for Possible Evacuation

If the storm is bad enough, either a voluntary or mandatory evacuation could be called forcing you to vacate your home. To prepare for the possibility of an evacuation in advance, put together a small suitcase with essentials like a change of clothes and important objects like photos or anything that holds significant importance to you.

Put the suitcase somewhere it will stay safe and out of the way so you won’t trip over it. Also make sure that it’s stored somewhere that’s easy to get to so you can make a quick getaway if the time comes for you to evacuate.

If a major storm hits, follow these guidelines to help prevent potential storm damage to your home. But sometimes, regardless of how much you prepare, damage will occur. If you suffer storm damage, call on SERVPRO of Sebastian, to come to your rescue.

What should I do when my property in Sebastian is affected by water damage?

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Will Get You Back into Your Home After Water Damage

When water damage impacts your home in Sebastian, FL, immediately addressing the issue is important. Once the initial damage has occurred, water can make its way into the structure of your property. If not acted upon quickly, the result can be extensive structural damage coupled with the onset of mold and mildew. However, immediately reacting to the water damage can help limit secondary water damage. This will save you not only time and money, but also precious possessions. To expedite the remediation process contact a water damage restoration company like SERVPRO. Learn more about water damage and why attaining professional assistance is important by reviewing this short outline:

Water Damage: A Brief Overview

Water damage is the result when your property is impacted by a natural disaster such as a flood, fire, or tornado. Water damage can also occur due to household issues like leaky faucets or pipes that burst. Causing structural damage to your property because of unwanted water intrusion can generate a number of other challenges:

• Poor air quality
• Mold and mildew growth
• Humid atmosphere
• Unpleasant odors that permeate your ceilings, floors, and walls
• Damage or loss of furnishings, art, electronics and more

Mitigate the loss of possessions and structural damage by getting SERVPRO to begin water removal and cleanup as soon as possible.

Why You Should Call A Water Damage Specialist

Calling a specialist as soon as your property is impacted by water damage is important for many reasons. First, SERVPRO will perform a thorough assessment of your property to determine the nature and extent of the damage. This work empowers the specialists to develop a detailed, customized clean-up plan that will help optimize and expedite the restoration process. Additionally, SERVPRO can send multiple contractors to your property quickly to start the restoration process.

The Importance Of The Drying Process

After water pumps have removed the standing water, then vacuums, powerful air-moving machines, and dehumidifiers will eliminate the balance of water and moisture. With fast action and the right equipment, you can often lessen the need to replace hardwood floor, carpet, and walls. You can also minimize stains and bad odors that result from mold and mildew.

Acting immediately upon the onslaught of water intrusion is the most important step to take. Calling a team of professional water damage restoration experts like SERVPRO should be done right after reaching out to your insurance company. Here at SERVPRO, we're trained in offering a fast response that helps ensure that your home in Sebastian, FL, is restored with lightning speed. "Like it never even happened." We're also pleased to provide all of our customers with 24/7 emergency services.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of Sebastian, is locally owned and operated. When you have a water or flooding emergency, we’re nearby and ready to help. We take pride in being a part of the Indian River county community and want to do our part in making it the best it can be.

We proudly serve Sebastian, FL, Vero Beach, FL, and surrounding areas.

Call us at: (772) 277-2100

Five Preparedness Tips for Flooding

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

How to Prepare for the Possibility of Flooding

Storm season can certainly keep you on your toes. When you have a business in Viera, FL, it’s good to know how to prepare for the possibility of flooding. Here are five tips to help you be well prepared for anything a storm may send your way.

Have an Emergency Plan

A big part of preparing for flood damage is simply having a plan of action in place. Evacuation paths should be mapped, and those maps should be posted on every level of your building so that people know where to go in an emergency. Designate emergency responsibilities before the disaster occurs so that people know what is expected of them.

Waterproof Your Building

Even if your building is flooded during a storm, having a solid building envelope can lower your flood cleanup costs. Have your building inspected regularly to find cracks or spots that are worn so that you can get the necessary repairs.

Elevate Equipment and Furniture

Electrical equipment and furniture can both be damaged beyond repair during flooding. Elevate furniture, sockets, electrical panels, appliances and all wiring where floodwaters can’t get to them.

Have Sandbags Ready

A good way to stave off excess water is to put up barriers. Set sandbags near doors, windows and other vulnerable entry points to your building. Barriers may delay the flow of water enough that you can avoid storm damage altogether.

Update Your Insurance Coverage

It’s a smart idea to check your insurance policies periodically to make sure that all potential problems are covered. If you don’t have a policy that pays for services from storm cleanup experts, you may have to pay for a lot of damage out of pocket the next time a storm heads your way.

Flooding is a common occurrence when there is a storm in your area. By making sure your employees, your building and your insurance is adequately prepared, you can prevent a lot of damage and handle the problems that do occur with relative ease.

Three Things About Roof Damage Mitigation

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Roof mitigation after a storm is crucial for the restoration process of your home or office.

After a storm in Vero Beach, FL, your house might have some damage that you need to take care of. In some cases, this will include roof damage. Before repairs can begin, however, the restoration company might need to do some mitigation. The following are a few things that you should know about this process.

When Do You Need Mitigation?

If you have roof damage that could become worse over time, then mitigation should be done right away. It will likely be required if you have missing shingles, cracks or holes in your roof. After an inspection has been performed, mitigation is the next step. Particularly if the damage is severe, it is important to get it done quickly.

Why Do You Need Mitigation?

The purpose of mitigation is to keep any damage to your home from getting worse. There are several things that could happen before repairs begin that could make the process even more complicated and time-consuming. Even small cracks can allow water to get inside the house, which can damage your belongings or the structure of the building. It can contribute to the growth of mold as well. Holes in the roof can allow further wind damage and can even let in small animals. Mitigation will help prevent this.

What Happens During Mitigation?

During the mitigation process, the cleanup and restoration company will cover any cracks or holes in the roof to prevent water, wind or debris from creating more problems. This is often done with a tarp, but more severe cases might require the use of wooden boards. Mitigation can sometimes include cleanup and sanitization as well.

If mitigation is not performed on the roof damage to your house, it could make the restoration process more difficult. When damage worsens, it requires more time and money to repair. Because of this, you should always have mitigation done as soon as you can.

How to Prepare for Spring Storms

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

“Spring is the first kiss of summer.” -Anonymous

Spring has arrived and the excitement of summer, warm sun rays, and hot days are just around the corner. Although spring represents the end of winter and new beginnings, it also consists of spring showers, thunderstorms, and unpredictable weather, which can cause severe problems if not properly prepared. Since Florida weather already seems irregular, how do you prepare for unexpected spring storms, what do you do in the event of severe weather conditions, and what is needed to stay safe among hazardous conditions following a storm?

Preparing for the unknown can save lives, so we have provided these important preparation steps.

Organize an Emergency Plan

Putting a plan in place can potentially save you and your family’s lives. But one plan may not work for every type of severe weather condition, such as thunderstorms, floods, and tornadoes. For instance, your evacuation plan for a tornado should be different than if a flood occurred and the streets are two feet under water. Each emergency plan prepared needs to include a map of your home, routes to safety, and an emergency shelter or destination. Being prepared for each type of life-threatening weather condition is important in keeping your family safe before and after a disaster.

Go Inside When You Hear Thunder

According to the American Red Cross, lightning strikes are the leading killer. Every year lightning has killed more people than hurricanes or tornadoes. When you hear thunder, loud or soft, go inside! With lightening strikes following thunder, every lightening flash is a potential killer.

Protect Your Electronics

To avoid damaging your electronics during a storm, you should plug all electronics into surge protectors. By doing this, the surge protector protects your electronics from burning up due to voltage strikes. If any electronics are not safeguarded by surge protectors, unplug the devices before a storm.

Keep an Emergency Kit

Because severe weather can be unpredictable, you need to put together an emergency kit beforehand. When preparing an emergency kit you should include a first aid kit, a 3-5 day supply of water, nonperishable food, personal hygiene items, blankets or sleeping bags, flashlights, a battery-operated radio, and extra batteries. Make a list of important information to have on hand, like your insurance and utility company’s phone numbers. In case you get stuck in severe weather on the road, keep a second emergency kit in your car. Additional resources on an emergency kit can be found at: Ready.gov.

We at SERVPRO believe that by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

Safeguarding Your Business From Storm Destruction

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

Don't be caught off-guard. Make sure you and your staff are prepared for impending storms.

How to Fortify Your Building

When a major storm event such as a hurricane is barreling towards your business, time is of the essence in preparing your commercial building. Flood water from heavy rains can cause tremendous damage to an unsecured structure and force you to close your doors for weeks or months while you undergo an extensive restoration process. Protect your business in Vero Beach, FL, from the devastation of a storm by following a few simple guidelines to fortify your building.

Watch the weather.

One of the most important steps in preventing a flooded building is also one of the simplest – pay attention to your local weather forecasts and take any severe weather or flash flooding alerts seriously. Use the advance warning to enact preventative measures like placing sandbags around the perimeter of your business and moving expensive electronic equipment to a higher level of the building.

Design an action plan.

When a storm is about to hit, every staff member needs to have a specific role in preparing your business to withstand the destruction. Assign tasks to each team member so nobody gets overwhelmed. For example, one person should be in charge of fortifying the building to keep out flood water, another person should take care of backing up important electronic data, and someone else should supervise a final evacuation drill.

Prepare for restoration.

Even a well-prepared business can sustain water damage if a storm is especially severe. That’s why it’s a good idea to have the contact information for a reputable commercial storm damage restoration company on hand in case you need professional assistance in the cleanup and repair process. Enlisting the help of an expert means you can reopen your doors faster than if you try to manage complex reconstruction yourself.

A storm heading towards your commercial building means you need to take immediate action in preventing flood water from destroying your livelihood. By staying calm and taking steps to safeguard your building, you can ensure your business will ultimately withstand the destruction of a severe weather event.

Worried about flood damage affecting your building? Here’s What You Need to Know

3/6/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding in your home or business is no joke...

What To Do When A Storm Is Headed Your Way?

Running a business in the Sebastian, FL area, requires one to wear many hats, one of which is disaster prevention. When a storm is brewing on the horizon, what can you do to avoid or reduce flood damage from happening? Here’s a couple of tips to get you started:

Get to Know Your Local Area

Some locations are more susceptible to flooding than others, such as neighborhoods located in a valley, at the bottom of a slope or below sea level. This may seem self-explanatory and painfully obvious but you’d be surprised at how many business owners are unaware of how their location could impact their company in the event of a natural disaster. Find out if you are in a flood prone area and plan ahead.

Plan and Prepare with the Right Equipment

There are tons of modern equipment out there that are designed to minimize the impact of flood damage on your building. When in doubt, go with the tried and tested classic: the good ol’ sand bag. If you’re feeling more adventurous, there are plenty of alternatives out there that are reusable and are easier to transport. However, be sure to do your research before you commit to a purchase. Install storm shutters that are easy and quick to secure and check your electrical equipment to ensure they will be out of reach of flood waters.

Check Your Surroundings

Perhaps the most important part of avoiding storm damage is to look outside your immediate perimeter for things that may encourage floods. This means looking at street drains and storm grates and making sure that they are free of leaves and other debris that inhibit the flow of water. This is easily overlooked in the rush of preparing for an incoming storm and can have a disastrous impact on your safety.

If the weather gets the best of you, there are flood remediation experts in your state that can get your business up and running in no time. Flood damage is no joke, but if you are well prepared you can easily reduce the impact that a storm can have on your business.