Storm Damage Is Far More Than Flooding

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Roof shingles ruined in a South Whittier, CA building.

What May Seem Like Flood Damage Might Not Be

Major storm systems pose a serious flood damage threat to commercial buildings in South Whittier, CA. Rising waters can devastate the foundation, valuables and overall structure, leaving proprietors with a great deal of sogginess. Owners, though, should be aware that storms have other hazardous impacts that demand attention. To minimize concerns, know the answers to the following three questions.

1. What Other Factors Should Owners Prepare For?
Storm damage is a broader category than flood trouble. A hurricane or thunderstorm can have intense wind speeds, capable of harming the roof and turning minor objects into projectiles. Roof shingles may be ruined, exposing the roofing to moisture. This isn't considered flood but water damage. Hail can also occur, creating bumps and holes in the roof.

Furthermore, external items such as furniture, branches or trees can slam into the walls, windows and doors, breaking glass and exposing the room.

2. What Exactly Falls Into Flood Damage?
As the rain pounds down, waters rise, possibly overflowing external bodies of water. Rivers, oceans and the sewer system all dangerous, pouring category three fluid into the premises. Floodwaters such as these can ruin property. The source of the exposure must come from the rise in the water and not the storm itself. Insurance companies examine these case-by-case. Storm complications leading to saturation would not fall under this category.

3. How Should Owners Handle These Events?

When flooding happens (whether it's storm-related or not), commercial owners should turn to professionals at a water and storm restoration company. These certified experts examine the space, test the walls and air and initiate mitigation efforts immediately. This phase is essential to ensure that excess fluid doesn't spawn mold and mildew growth and prepare an appropriate sanitation plan.

What may seem like flood damage might not be. If the water comes from the roof or a structural breach, it's likely to fall into the storm zone. Either way, it's important to act quickly to reduce secondary complications.

Tips for Dealing With a Flight Cancelation Due To a Storm

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

In South Whittier, CA, a storm could strand you at an airport due to a canceled flight.

What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled Due to a Storm

A severe storm can inconvenience South Whittier, CA, residents in various ways. Although an emergency storm recovery service can help you mitigate damage to your home, do you know how to proceed after a flight cancelation due to a storm? These are some storm tips to help you navigate this common scenario as comfortably as possible.

Prepare for the Unexpected

Before you head to the airport for a flight, it is helpful to do the following to ensure you have access to all the information you need to deal with a canceled flight:

Sign up for your airline's status alerts. Your airline can usually predict when weather conditions will cause flight cancellations. Having this information before leaving home could save you a trip to the airport.

Download a flight search app. Instead of relying on a service agent to find an available flight, a search app on your phone can be an indispensable tool to view and compare your options directly.

Keep your airline's phone number handy. When a flight cancelation happens after you check-in at the airport, you can try to rebook your reservation for a later available flight. However, other passengers may have the same idea. Therefore, instead of waiting in long service desk lines, load your airline's customer service phone number into your smartphone to easily and quickly reserve a seat as soon as you find another available flight.

Know Your Airline's Canceled Flight Policy

Most airlines will not claim responsibility for flight cancelations due to weather conditions. However, many airlines will waive rebooking fees, and some might refund the total value of unused tickets though they have no obligation to do so. Still, it is worth asking for special accommodations depending upon your circumstances.

In South Whittier, CA, a storm could strand you at an airport due to a canceled flight. However, you can save valuable time and minimize your losses with thoughtful preparation.

5 Critical Questions To Ask When Creating a Continuity Plan

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Most storms give you some lead time to move your plan into action, but not all natural disasters can be forecasted.

5 Crucial Questions To Ask When Developing A Business Continuity Plan

When storms threaten to wreak havoc in West Whittier, CA, there is often only a short window of time to make important decisions and prepare your property, personnel and operations for a significant disruption. If the situation is severe, you may even need to evacuate the area. That's why you need to develop and practice a business continuity plan before disaster strikes. To begin, address these five critical questions.

Who?

Perhaps the most important thing to establish first is the chain of command:

• Who makes the critical in-the-moment decisions?
• Who will be in charge if you are not available?
• Who are your team leaders in an emergency?
• Who will report incidents and assess any storm damage?
• Who are the clients and vendors that need to be contacted right away?
• Who will you contact if there is a need for flooding cleanup and restoration?

What?

What will be your strategies to mitigate loss and recover functionality after an interruption? Your continuity plan should include an analysis of your business's most important functions, how much downtime is acceptable and what specific areas are vulnerable in an emergency.

When?

You'll also need to determine at what point you will evacuate and move your operations elsewhere. Will you leave preemptively, or will you wait until directed by local officials? Also, at what point will you know you can return or resume normal business operations?

Where?

Where will you go if you need to relocate temporarily or for a longer period of time? Where will your equipment be stored if you wait to resume operations until your permanent location is ready? Will working remotely from home be an option until things get back to normal?

How?

Once you have the basic questions answered, outline the specific steps you will take from beginning to end. Like fire drills, your continuity plan should be practiced regularly and updated as your situation changes. Everyone should feel confident that they know what to do when the time comes. Fortunately, most storms give you some lead time to move your plan into action, but not all natural disasters can be forecasted.

Having a thorough and practiced plan in place will help your business survive and bounce back sooner when emergencies happen.

How to Prevent Mold After Flooding in Your Home

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is available 24 /7 to respond quickly to your emergency, including: Residential Storm Restoration. Call us!

How To Prevent Mold In Your Home After A Flood

If you experience a storm with heavy rains, or if snow is melting after multiple blizzards, there is a chance you will have some flooding in your home. One of the major consequences of flooding is mold growth. It is important that you take steps right away to deal with flood damage so you can prevent mold buildup.

Take Assessment of the Damage

Some people think that floods mainly damage the flooring. However, standing water can damage many structures, and common places that mold can grow include:

• Carpets
• Upholstered furniture
• Wood floors
• Rugs
• Walls

If an item has been completely submerged in water, it is a good idea to throw it out. Take pictures of all the damage in the event you have insurance coverage.

Remove the Extra Moisture

Mold thrives in a wet environment, so one of the very first steps is for mold removal and prevention is to remove as much moisture as possible with towels, fans and other absorptive materials. You should also call a mold remediation team right away, as these professionals have large, powerful fans and other tools to remove moisture and completely dry the area quickly.

Keep Humidity Levels Low To Prevent Mold Growth

Mold also grows in humid environments. Electric fans will help, as will dehumidifiers. These should be run until the affected area is completely dry.

Ventilate the Area

Mold spores can linger in the air, so make sure you open windows and doors to increase ventilation. Try to stay away from these areas while they are drying to prevent exposure to these spores.

When it comes to flooding in Bell Garden, CA, there are steps you can take to prevent mold growth. It is important to take action right away and to call for professional help, as the sooner the area dries there is less of a chance there will be mold.

How Mold Can Infest Your Home After a Flood

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

If your home has been exposed to standing water, you are at risk for mold growth. Don’t take a chance. Call SERVPRO for help!

After A Flood, Here's How Mold May Infest Your Home.

As if flooding wasn’t enough of a problem for homeowners in West Whittier, CA people who have had standing water in their homes must also worry about mold growth and bacteria. Even after the water is gone, it can cause issues in the house.

Whether it came from a burst pipe, a storm, or some other problem, water can cause mold to spread throughout your home. This mold can cause

• Structural issues with your home
• A foul odor throughout the home

If you want to avoid this situation, it’s essential to act fast. Make sure to work with a professional restoration company to get your home in working order. Here are a few things you need to know about mold:

You Have Little Time

Mold is quicker than you may think. In fact, mold growth can become a problem in as few as 24 hours after a flood. At the most, you have 48 hours before it begins to wreak havoc. That’s why it’s so important to call a restoration business as soon as possible.

Many cleanup crews operate 24/7, so you can get help immediately. Don’t delay; the more time mold has to grow, the worse the problem can get.

It's Important To Clean Your Belongings

As you may know, mold can affect any floor or walls that sat with standing water. However, it can also affect your belongings. Be sure to thoroughly clean anything that was in the room with the mold.

For nonporous belongings, a bleach solution may do the trick. However, if you find a mold problem on a couch or other porous surface, you may need to throw the whole thing away. 

If your home has been exposed to standing water, you are at risk for mold growth. Don’t take a chance. Call a professional restoration company in West Whittier, CA, immediately.

Commercial Roof: Ensuring Longevity by Inspecting and Maintaining

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

After a storm, especially those with stronger-than-usual gusts of wind, you or the property manager should inspect the roof for damage.

Ensure The Longevity Of Your Commercial Roof By Inspecting And Maintaining It

Roof damage is one of the leading concerns of all property owners but especially commercial property owners. Business facilities are expansive, and when there is significant damage to the roof, it typically means a bill that is in the tens of thousands. Therefore, owners should consider utilizing a proper inspection and maintenance schedule that focuses on the four areas of common wear and tear.

1. Shingles

Wind damage can lead to missing shingles and exposed underlayment. After every storm, especially those with stronger than usual wind gusts, you or a property manager should inspect the roof for damaged or missing shingles. A good rule of thumb is to search high and low because you may find shingles in the grass alerting you to a more significant issue.

2. Sealant

Water can cause extensive roof damage, and that damage is likely the result of sealant cracking or wear and tear. Inspect your roof at least once a year to ensure that all sealant is intact. If you come across old or cracking sealant, then remove all the old and replace it with new.

3. Gutters

Clogged or congested gutters can lead to water overflowing and seeping under the roof line. This problem can lead to other issues on the interior of your property, such as water staining or drywall cracking. It is best to have a set schedule for gutter cleaning or to hire a service to maintain them.

4. Signs of Age

While maintenance and routine inspections will help to prolong the life of your roof, a roof rebuild or installation is inevitable. Every roof has a projected lifeline and to reach that limit, you should have a restoration specialist in the South Whittier, CA, area on standby for annual inspections or in case of severe storm damage.

Inspecting and maintaining a roof can minimize the risk of severe roof damage. However, nothing is foolproof. To reach the full age of maturity, a roof must be cared for, and keeping an eye on the four areas above will help you do just that.