Restore your Aiken Home after Storm Damage

5/9/2023 (Permalink)

When a tropical storm or hurricane bears down on a community, water can enter your home from a wide range of sources. The rain often measures more than 12 inches and flood damage can spread to all Aiken counties. Rainwater is relatively clean, but the waters from rivers, streams, and the ocean usually must be considered as infectious waste. The storm surge can contain water that has raw sewage, dead animals, and a random mixture of chemicals and toxic wastes. As the water seeps or rushes into your home, it can also loosen building materials within your house that pose dangers such as asbestos in insulation and pipe or furnace coverings. If you store paints, pesticides, and cleaning agents in the basement, the contents of cans and bottles can leach into the standing water in your home.

Because this mix of water can be so dangerous to you and your family, a do-it-yourself cleanup is strongly discouraged. SERVPRO technicians have the experience and the specialized training and equipment to guide you through a difficult clean-up. We will assess the danger of retaining items that are porous and unlikely to be satisfactorily disinfected. Carpeting and upholstered furniture are usually considered too risky to keep. These and other items that have absorbed contaminated water will be discarded according to local codes while non-porous structures and contents will be professionally treated with proper products to abate the danger of contamination. If possible, you and your family will be barricaded away for the areas of your home that contain toxic waste as we clean and remove articles. If containment is not possible, we recommend a temporary evacuation while we manage the flooded areas.

Because of the complications dirty water in the lower levels of your home can bring, be sure to contact SERVPRO immediately after the water infiltrates. It is extremely important that professionals assess the quality of water soaking your walls and flooring before a decision is made to try either to restore them or to remove them because of concerns about potential biohazards and microbial growth.

Call SERVPRO When Dealing With a Flood

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

When flooding occurs in buildings it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible in order to combat and prevent the litany of issues that come with a water damage. Flooding brings with it structural degradation, outside contaminants and bacteria, odor, warping, and possibly microbial growth.  All of which threaten both your home or business and the people who reside within. 

In order to take care of your flood damage in your home make sure you hire professionals who know how to prevent microbial growth and deal with water, toxins and odor. Our technicians here at SERVPRO are specialized in handling the challenges posed by flood damage and know what needs to be done to ensure the highest standards in restoration service. 

Going through any kind of damage to your home is a stressful experience that can put any homeowner on the edge. This is why we train our technicians to treat every job they go on, whether it is a big or small damage, with compassion and respect. We find that walking our customers through our process puts them at ease and lets them know they are in competent and responsible hands who will take care of their issue. 

When flooding strikes your home, our technicians have the expertise to make it “Like it never even happened.” We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get you back to preloss condition. 

Roof Leaks in Aiken

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

We have all been told from time to time to “be thankful you have a roof over your head.” When you become a homeowner, you realize how the roof plays a vital role in safeguarding your home from rain, wind, storms, and extreme temperatures. Because of this, you should be paying close attention to your roof and making sure it is in great shape.    

Roof leaks happen, it is just what comes with being a homeowner. They are frustrating because of the damage it can cause to your home. It is also very common for roof leaks to go unnoticed for quite some time. Unfortunately, they are noticed when there is already a significant amount of damage done to your home.  

As a homeowner, you need to be alerted to avoid these situations. Follow these tips for prevention measures:  

• Have regular roof inspections – Have a trained professional inspect your roof. This is essential in spotting early signs of roof damage.  
• Pay attention to roof flashings – Without good, secure flashings around chimneys, vents, wall/roof junctions, skylights, water can enter a home and cause damage to your walls, ceilings, insultation and even electrical systems.  
• Maintain gutters and downspouts – Gutters and downspouts that are full of leaves and debris will cause water to back up under your roof shingles causing potential leaks and water damage.  
• Do not block ventilation – Proper attic ventilation will help prevent structural damage caused by moisture and increase roofing material life.  
• Keep trees and bushes away – Leaves and falling limbs can cause moisture problems from algae and rot, damage to roof tiles and clogged gutters.  

Prepare an Emergency Storm Kit

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Poor weather, snow, and ice storms can cause severe damage to your home or business. When these types of disasters strike, immediate action is necessary to prevent additional damage to your property. SERVPRO is always here to help and want to give you tips on a basic emergency kit in case the unpredictable happens. 

In years filled with the unexpected, one thing that 2021 and 2022 has shown us is to always be prepared. Here are some basic you should have in your Emergency Storm Kit. 

Basic emergency supply kit should include these recommended items: 

• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation) 
• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food) 
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert 
• Flashlight 
• First aid kit 
• Extra batteries 
• Whistle (to signal for help) 
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) 
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place) 
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation) 
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities) 
• Manual can opener (for food) 
• Local maps 
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery 

Also look at ready.gov for more ideas on emergency kits!  

Michigan is known for its constant changes in weather, making our homes and businesses an easy target for storm damage. That is why we here at SERVPRO of Aiken are ready to help 24/7. We will work around the clock to get your property back to preloss condition. 

Lightning and Risk of Fire to Your Home in Aiken

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Electrical Storms and Potential Risks To Your Property

Lightning is one of the most dangerous natural forces in the world, and this phenomenon has the ability to cause significant damage to the homes that it strikes. One of the major hazards that it poses is the threat of lighting fire to your residence. If you are a homeowner in Aiken, SC, read on for more information about electrical storms and the potential risks to your property.

How Does It Enter Your Home?

A bolt of lightning will always find the quickest path to enter the ground, and unfortunately, homes can sometimes be part of that path. Your home can be entered a number of ways.

• Direct strikes
• Power, cable or phone lines
• Electrical gates or doors
• Metal pipes
  
  

How Do Fires Start?

Once a strike occurs, the risk of a fire is considerable. A bolt is a current of electricity that can reach temperatures comparable with the surface of the sun. The intense heat is enough to ignite a flame, especially in highly flammable parts of the home, such as the attic or within the walls where insulation is present. Electrical charges can also create dangerous sparks responsible for lighting fire to homes and buildings.

Stay Safe During Storms

Remember, you are within striking distance if you can hear thunder. During storms, stay inside, away from doors and windows, and avoid using items that place you in contact with plumbing or electricity. If your home suffers a strike, contact the fire department to check over your property. If you detect smoke, call 911 and evacuate everyone from the premises immediately.

Electrical storms and strikes can form quickly and wreak havoc in your life by lighting fire to your home. If your dwelling is a victim of this type of blaze, don’t hesitate to reach out to an emergency restoration service to assist you.

Maintenance Can Protect Your Business From Storm Damage

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Protect Your Business From Storm Damage

Routine exterior maintenance of your Aiken, SC, commercial building can help the structure better withstand inclement weather. Whether you are anticipating strong thunderstorms or heavy snows, a strong exterior will keep your business protected.

Inspection: A thorough building inspection will alert you to any weaknesses or problems that make your building more vulnerable to storm damage. A full exterior inspection will cover all of the following areas:

• Roof
• Foundation
• Windows
• Doors
• Brick, stucco, siding, etc.
• Gutters and downspouts

The frequency of inspections depends on a variety of factors, including the age of the building and local weather patterns. At minimum, have the building professionally inspected once a year, ideally before the stormiest season. Make sure the building is checked for cracks in the walls and foundation, loose gutters and weak spots in the roof. A trusted building inspector can let you know what areas of your structure may need more frequent inspections.
Even a building that passes an inspection can still be vulnerable to storm damage. If this happens, an experienced restoration service can get your property back to normal so that it can successfully weather the next storm.

Maintenance: In addition to routine inspections, it is important to keep your building maintained. Exterior maintenance involves more than simply repairing the issues discovered during inspections. Keep gutters and downspouts clear and make sure they are not loose. Remove debris from the roof. Pressure wash as needed to minimize fungal growth. Make sure all signage is securely attached to the building.
The nearby landscaping also affects the structural integrity of the building and should be properly maintained. Keep limbs trimmed and make sure trees are healthy and strong to prevent them from damaging the building. Consider grading the lawn away from the building and installing plants and mulch to prevent flooding. 
Stormy weather can cause serious problems for your commercial building. However, a little routine exterior maintenance can prevent many situations.  

How to Prepare for Spring Storms in Aiken

3/26/2022 (Permalink)

In late March, the National Weather Service holds Severe Weather Awareness Week to educate people about the upcoming spring storm season.  

Now that we’re deep into the spring storm season, it’s important to revisit the helpful information discussed during Severe Weather Awareness Week. 

At SERVPRO we know how to fix your property, but we can’t fix you, so always protect your most important and irreplaceable assets--yourself and your loved ones. 

To best protect yourself, you need to know what you’re protecting against. That’s why it’s important to know some weather terminology. 

What’s the difference between a severe thunderstorm watch and a warning? 

A watch is normally in effect for several hours and tells you that currently, weather conditions could develop into severe thunderstorms. A warning tells you that current storm conditions could get worse and include heavy rain and strong winds. 

Once you recognize the concern, it’s time to make a plan. Having a plan in place takes away the panic when a severe weather event happens. Make sure you can answer these questions: 

1. How will you communicate with your family?
2. Where will you meet? 
3. What supplies do you need if you lose power and water?
4. Do your children know what to do if they’re not home or outside? 
5. What precautions should you take when lightning is striking?
6. Who should you call if you are injured or your home is damaged?

Knowing what to do can make bad situations a little bit better because you can react quickly.  

What should you have on hand in case of severe weather? Have an emergency kit stocked and ready. Here’s a list of supplies you should include:

• First Aid kit
• Flashlights and batteries
• Phone charger and mobile power bank
• 3 day’s supply of food and water 
• Blankets to keep warm

Arming yourself with the proper knowledge and supplies for a severe weather event puts you well ahead of most people, who don’t prepare at all. We never think severe weather will affect us until it does. Don’t fall into this trap: be safe rather than sorry. 

Steps to Take After Storm Damage

3/9/2022 (Permalink)

A major storm can be devastating. If you experience one or choose to ride it out, you may be wondering what to do next. Here are some suggestions.

Safety First

Is everyone safe? If anyone needs medical attention, call 911. If not, carefully and slowly assess the home and grounds for broken glass, splintered wood, exposed nails, or anything else that can cause injuries. Be very careful moving anything, wearing work gloves if possible. Shut off all gas valves if you smell gas. If you see a power line down, stay far from it and report it to the police or your power company.

Record the Damage

Take photographs of the damage for two purposes. First, it helps you show your insurance company and restoration company the extent of the damage. Second, it helps you contemplate the damage after you leave the building. 

Here are a few things you may want to focus your photography on:

• Damaged windows and doors
• Roof damage - tree limbs and other debris, standing water, damage to tiles or shingles, gutters and downspouts
• Damage to HVAC components such as exterior heat pumps
• Basement flooding
• Water intrusion in the attic/ wet insulation
• Damage to exterior siding
• Burn marks that may have been caused by water infiltrating electrical outlets or cords, or by downed power lines
• Damage to computers, printers, televisions, speakers or other electronic equipment

Call Your Insurance Company

As soon as you can, call your insurance company or agent and tell them all you can about the damage. Tell them you have photos that you can send them. They will send out an adjuster to assess the damages. Read your policy and ask questions about what is covered and the timeframe of your compensation. Remember that storm damage is covered by most residential and commercial insurance policies but flood insurance is a separate policy. They can also give you contact information for trusted contractors and help you avoid unscrupulous ones. Your insurance company can tell you if any aspect of your damage is covered by federal emergency aid programs as well. Keep any receipts related to the storm damage so that you can seek reimbursement. 

Avoid Further Damages

To avoid storm damage getting worse, remove vulnerable items (especially electronics, wood furniture, etc.) from standing water and put them somewhere they’re more likely to dry out quickly. Hang up rugs. Carpets with extensive water damage will probably need to be replaced. As soon as you can, call a water clean-up and restoration company. They have special equipment, experience and methods to stop further damage and begin the restoration process immediately. 

If your Aiken home or business has suffered storm damage, call SERVPRO of Aiken. Our highly-trained restoration technicians have the experience and equipment to restore your and get everything back to like-new condition. 

Aiken Residents: We Specialize in Flooded Basement Cleanup and Restoration!

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

A basement can flood at any time, although flooding most often occurs during heavy rainfall. Basements are inherently prone to flooding because they are the lowest level of a building and are normally built partly or entirely below ground level. There are a number of reasons why your Aiken basement could flood, including: 

• A blocked or failed sewer lateral pipe
• Heavy rain causes surface water to pool around your home
• Storm sewer backup
• Sanitary sewer backup
• Foundation drainage failure
• Water supply-line break or hot-water tank failure
• And many more

Have Questions about Basement Flooding?

Call Today - 803-648-3936

If flood water is not handled quickly and properly, it can jeopardize your health and safety, and cause severe damage to your home’s structure. Remember, the longer you wait, the worse the problem will get.

The bottom line: a flooded basement can jeopardize your health, safety, and your home’s integrity. It’s worth making a call to SERVPRO of Aiken and let our trained, professional crews handle the situation safely and correctly. We have earned the trust of hundreds of homeowners, business owners, and property professionals.

We are Flooded Basement Specialists:

• We are Available 24 hours/7 days per week
• We’re a Preferred Vendor to many National Insurance Companies
• We Bill The Insurance Directly – One Less Thing For You To Worry About
• Our Technicians are Highly-Trained  in Water Restoration Techniques
• We use S500 IICRC Restoration Standards
• Advanced Inspection and Extraction Equipment

Basement Flooded? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 803-648-3936

When Storms or Floods hit Aiken, SERVPRO is ready!

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO ofAiken specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Aiken, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 803-648-3936

When Storms or Floods Hit Aiken, SERVPRO Is Ready!

1/4/2019 (Permalink)

This flooded basement was caused by recent heavy rains and a faulty sump pump.

SERVPRO of Aiken specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Aiken, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 803-648-3936