After The Storm

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

The storms have stopped and the wind is calm. Outside the skies begin to clear, revealing downed trees, misplaced outdoor furniture, and random pieces of debris. From your window, your property appears unharmed. But is it really? What about the roof? The windows? The new siding and gutters?

There's no telling what kind of property damage a storm can bring. Even if it appears your property survived the wicked winds, taking a walk around your home could reveal a hidden problem you might not have seen otherwise.

Here's a quick checklist of what you should look for, courtesy of the National Storm Damage Center:

1) Window Damage
Get up close and personal with your windows, checking for shattered glass, broken panes, or damaged frames. Look carefully for small holes or cracks in unsuspecting areas.

2) Roof Damage
Check for loose or cracked shingles. If you have an asphalt roof, unidentified dark spots could be storm damage. Determine if any debris is lodged under shingles, too.

3) Clogged Gutters
Heavy rains can down limbs, bringing with it leaves and small branches that can clutter your gutter. Check for fragments jammed along the gutter and in the downspout.

4) Exterior Damage
Siding can tear loose, paint can peel, and stucco can break free. Even brick can suffer the wrath of a bad storm. Take a walk around your home and check for any potential damage. Holes, breaks, and splitting are common side effects of a storm. Discoloration of siding or brick is another symptom.

Identifying any immediate damage can save you time and money, especially if the damage is excessive and requires a call to your insurance company. Waiting to repair your home can create more costly problems somewhere down the road.

Landslide

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms, of course. Our technicians are highly trained in damage restoration and can clean just about anything.

Many parts of a home or business may be damaged during a landslide. Whether it's a priceless family heirloom or important office paperwork, SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms has the specialized equipment and products to make it "Like it never even happened."

Our water damage restoration technicians are IICRC certified and readily available when emergency strikes. We also have a team of construction experts who can get your home or business up and running again. 

SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms can do it all. There is no job too big or small and we make your needs our highest priority. Why deal with multiple contractors when you can work with one company that will handle everything?

If you are faced with damage to your home or business due to a landslide call SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms today.

Over the past couple years, flooding has been a major problem in and around the Cheviot Hills/Palms area. Storms can roll through bringing strong winds, thunder and lightning, and torrential rain. The large amount of rain is not absorbed by the ground quick enough, so the water runs off and accumulates in low-lying areas. Water will also run into creeks, rivers, and ponds causing them to swell, which means that the water levels to rise. Both bodies of water and low-lying areas can quickly accumulate water and the water can rise very fast.

If the forecast is calling for heavy rain, it is a good idea to stay up-to-date on the threat level. A flood or flash flood warning means that flooding is possible and you should be prepared to possibly carry out your emergency plan. A flood or flash flood watch means that flooding is occurring or will occur soon. If your home or business is prone to flooding, you will be told to evacuate the area.

When planning for an emergency, the first step is getting basic supplies together. Some of these items include water, canned food, first aid supplies, and batteries for radios and flashlights. These items should be kept together in a separate area from where they would usually be stored, and everyone in your home or office should know where it is located in the event that an emergency were to occur. It is also a good idea to keep important documents – birth certificates, medical records, insurance cards - in this box/area. If a flood warning is issued, fill your gas tank and move your emergency items into your car. If you do not own a car, make arrangements with family, friends, or neighbors for transportation. Gather family and pets, if possible. If your pets will not fit in a car with you, or if you own livestock and are unable take them, find a safe area to move them to. You should also adjust refrigerator thermostats to the coolest possible temperature in case the power goes out.

If you are told that you need to evacuate your home or business, you should leave as soon as possible; never ignore this order! It is advised to turn off your water, electricity, and gas and to unplug appliances, if you have time, to reduce the possibility of additional damage occurring to your home. Those of us who have grown up in the area, have heard the saying a thousand times – “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”. Don’t ever attempt to walk or drive through flood waters. You cannot be sure of how deep the water actually is, nor can you properly gauge the strength of the moving water.

Flooding is common in our area and being prepared is essential to avoid making a bad situation worse. If your home or business experiences flood or water damage, call our team in green!

Storm Water Damage Emergency Tips

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

What you can do until help arrives

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

What To Do After Flooding

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT To Do After Flooding

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Hurricane Michael Statistics

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Storms can be quite a scary disaster but sometimes the proportions are quite unbelievable. A great example would be Hurricane Michael, a storm that hit in Florida from October 7-11, 2018. This was a category 5 storm that caused immense damage and devastated many homes and buildings. Here are some mind boggling statistics on Hurricane Michael.

• Wind speeds reached up to 160 mph near the storms center, enough to knock you off your feet!
• 1584 buildings where reportedly damaged, with 809 buildings reported completely destroyed.
• $25 billion in damages where caused by the storm.
• Tragically, 16 deaths where reported as caused from the storm.

These statistics show that being prepared for the worst is in your best interest if you live in a area where storms frequently hit.

Unexpected storms

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

In areas where storms don't occur often such as California, many properties are not prepared for a sudden storm that may roll through unexpectedly, meaning if properties in that area that are unprepared or ill equipped for a storm can sustain heavy damage. There are many things property owners can do to prepare for storms, and SERVPRO will even help, with our emergency readiness program we can help you prepare for any disaster with no cost to you. Being ready for a disaster is important whether you own a home or business, this is because if disaster strikes your life or business may be on hold for a long time and cost you even more if not properly prepared. We are always happy to uphold our amazing service!

Storms and Infrastructure

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

In places like California where storms don't occur often,  the infrastructure and plumbing is not entirely ready for large scale storm flooding. There have been scenarios such ass the example that is about to be written, where the infrastructure failed and cased massive damage. This example is a case when there was a storm in Southern California and the flood waters that came from the storm filled he storm drains to a point where they went beyond capacity and cracked, this caused the flood water to flood into an apartment building nearby the affected area. This type of damage is sometimes a freak accident such as this is unavoidable, but the best thing to do is  always keep in mind that such scenarios can occur, so when disaster strikes you can act quickly. SERVPRO is always ready to help!

Storm Damage Clean Up

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage can be devastating. Immediate action is needed, and you need the company with storm damage experience. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have the expertise and the resources to handle any size disaster and can respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.

Have Storm or Flood Damage?
Call SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms Today: (310)801-3312

SERVPRO Professionals

• Provide 24/7 Emergency Service
• Highly Trained Water Restoration Specialists
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry 
• Regardless of the Storm Damage, They Can Help
• Storms occur with little warning and can be especially devastating, so you’ll need the company that you can trust to rise to the occasion. Regardless of the type of storm, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can handle any size disaster. During catastrophic storms and major events, our Disaster Recovery Team can respond quickly with additional resources.
• Flooding caused by heavy rains
• Hurricanes and tidal surges
• Tornadoes and wind damage

Infrastructure

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

In places like California where storms don't occur often,  the infrastructure and plumbing is not entirely ready for large scale storm flooding. There have been scenarios such ass the example that is about to be written, where the infrastructure failed and cased massive damage. This example is a case when there was a storm in Southern California and the flood waters that came from the storm filled he storm drains to a point where they went beyond capacity and cracked, this caused the flood water to flood into an apartment building nearby the affected area. This type of damage is sometimes a freak accident such as this is unavoidable, but the best thing to do is  always keep in mind that such scenarios can occur, so when disaster strikes you can act quickly. SERVPRO is always ready to help!

Hurricanes in California?

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

Although California is more known for its dry and hot weather that causes fires, it’s not devoid of it’s wet season either. Although there has never been a record of a tropical hurricane making landfall in California, there have been a few close calls with huge hurricanes coming dangerously close to California's shores and breaking just before reaching land. This means that California is most likely safe from a hurricane large enough to cause severe damage reaching the homes of its citizens, but as we know, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you would rather be prepared for such a scenario, you can call SERVPRO at the number listed above and we can set you up with an emergency readiness plan that will prepare you for any kind of disaster to come.

Storm Damage Tips!!

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

What you can do until help arrives

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

What To Do After Flooding

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
• Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT To Do After Flooding

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Don't use television or other household appliances.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.

Commercial Storm Damage

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

Damage to your commercial property due to a flood and other types of water damage can mean lost revenue and potentially, lost customers.

If your business requires water damage restoration due to broken plumbing, flooding or as a result of fire suppression, time is absolutely of the essence. That's why SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms is on call 24/7 to provide your business with a reliable lifeline when water damage restoration is needed. Let us partner with you to help minimize business interruption and get you, your employees and your customers back to business as quickly as possible.

There is a sense of urgency associated with a flood or other types of water damage. That's because fast, effective water remediation prevents the further complication of mold. At SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms, we have the labor, equipment and expertise to handle disasters both large and small, from water damage due to a plumbing leak to large loss situations due to major flooding. Our commercial water damage restoration expertise spans all industries, from retail and hospitality, to healthcare, government and industrial clients.

Protect Your Home From Heavy Rain and Flooding

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cheviot Hills/Palms has released these tips on how to protect homes from heavy rain and flooding: 

• Check for basement leaks – take a few minutes this weekend to inspect both the interior and exterior of your home’s foundation, walls, floors and windows for any cracks that may have developed during the winter months. Even a minor crack can lead to major water damage during a heavy spring shower. You can use a basic waterproof epoxy and a paintbrush or putty knife to patch any small cracks you find.

• Inspect sump pumps – a sump pump removes water that accumulates underneath a home and is one of the best defenses against flooded basements and subsequent costly repairs. All too often, though, homeowners don’t find out their sump pump is not working properly until it’s too late and spring showers are already wreaking havoc on your home. It is recommended that you inspect your sump pump each spring to ensure it’s working properly.

• Clean gutters and downspouts – leaves and debris from spring storms can lead to clogged gutters and downspouts, and the number one cause of basement flooding is roofs not draining properly. Cleaning your gutters each spring is an inexpensive way to make sure your home is ready for the rain to come. Also, check that downspouts extend away from the home’s foundation by at least three feet, this will help effectively move rain water away from the home.

• Consider back-flow valves – sewer back-flow valves are small, inexpensive parts that are installed in sewer drainage lines to help regulate water flow. These small valves can save big headaches by preventing sewer water from entering a basement during heavy rain and go a long way to making your basement flood proof.