Spring Time Storms Are Here! Are You Prepared?

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

The combination of thunderstorms and flooding is spring’s recipe for disaster. And because the weather is so unpredictable in spring, it’s important to prepare for it ahead of time. Here’s how to protect yourself, your family, and your property from severe spring weather:

Before a Storm

• Create a disaster preparedness plan. Establish an outside meeting place and escape routes from each room in your house. Practice the plan with family members. Include your pets in the plan and make sure they wear an ID tag.
• Make sure you and your family know how to turn off utilities and how to use a fire extinguisher.
• Create an emergency supply kit.
• Get flood insurance, which is not included in standard homeowners policies. Don’t wait – flood insurance policies take 30 days to go into effect.
• Make a home inventory in case you need to file an insurance claim. Also, secure important information, such as documents, personal numbers, and insurance policies.
• Make sure your home is in good shape to withstand powerful storms. Tighten your roof shingles and waterproof your basement, windows, and doors.
• Prune the loose branches and remove the dead vegetation in your yard.
• Keep drains and gutters clean to ensure proper drainage. Make sure gutters are tightly attached to your house to guard them against strong winds.

During a Storm

• When a storm is imminent, bring the valuables in your yard inside and move all vehicles and equipment to high ground.
• Don’t walk through moving water. Just a few inches of rapidly moving water can sweep you off your feet.
• If you’re outside, get to higher ground and avoid low lying areas that are likely to flood.
• Don’t drive through floodwater even if you have a large van. Two feet of moving water are enough to take it away.
• If you’re inside, make sure the doors and windows are securely shut. Stay away from windows to avoid the risk of getting struck by shattered glass. Take shelter in your basement if the storm is severe.
• Avoid using utilities and wired electrical equipment. Turn off utilities to mitigate potential damages in case of flooding or other disasters.
• Stay up to date on weather conditions and listen to local authorities if they tell you to evacuate your home.

After a Storm:

• Ensure everyone is OK and check for damage to your home. Be aware of potential hazards.
• If you suspect damage to utilities, call local authorities and wait for their approval to turn them back on.
• If your home has been flooded:
  
  • Avoid contact with floodwater, which is very likely contaminated.
  • Make lists of the damaged or lost items, and take photos.
  • File the flood insurance claim.
  • Hire a professional damage restoration company, such as SERVPRO of South Elkhart County, to get your home back in order safely and efficiently.

Remember, spring doesn’t wait for you to get ready, so make a plan and act now before a thunderstorm or flood strikes your area. For emergency flood repair or mold removal services, call SERVPRO of South Elkhart County

Did You Know? Flash Floods Can Happen In Our Area

4/21/2022 (Permalink)

Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, running up a $2.4 billion per year tab in average annual losses. While some of Mother Nature's more demonstrative displays, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes, get more public attention, floods are the number one weather related killer in the United States. Flash floods are the most dangerous kind of flood, because they combine the nearly unstoppable force of a flood with deadly unpredictability and speed. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, more than half of all flash floods fatalities are related to automobiles. The truth is as simple as it is tragic: Just six inches of fast moving flood water can knock a grown man off his feet, and just two feet of water can cause a car to begin floating. Should a flash flood strike our area, SERVPRO of South Elkhart County professionals want you to be equipped with the following tips:

• You cannot outrun a flash flood. Get to higher ground!
• Stay away from and keep children away from drainage ditches and storm drains.
• Never drive into water covering the road. You do not know how deep it is or if the road underneath the water has been washed away.
• If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and seek higher ground if it is safe to do so.
• Be especially cautious at night when it is difficult to recognize flood dangers.
• Do not attempt to cross flowing water if the water is above ankle level.

Response Tips For Water Damage

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Even the smallest of water damages has the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. The key to not having very costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. The two primary components of a proper water restoration are: 

1. FAST ACTION
2. THOROUGH DRYING

The checklist goes as follows:

• Identify the source of the water and take immediate steps to stop further intrusion.
•  Remove as much water as possible with a mop and blotting.
• Wipe excessive water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and other table items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and carpet.
• Remove Oriental rugs or other rugs form wet wall-to-wall carpets.
• Do not leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Avoid the use of all electric power tools and devises while standing on wet carpets or floors.
• For Services "Like it never even happened," call SERVPRO of South Elkhart County for all your Fire, Water and Restoration needs.

Call at (574)533-2500 or go to the webpage www.SERVPROsouthelkhartcounty.com

Ask The Experts: Help, my water heater stopped heating

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. Your hot-water heater could have a leak or a busted valve. If you are having a problem with your hot-water heater, contact a qualified plumbing contractor right away.

Once you have called a plumbing contractor then contact SERVPRO of South Elkhart County to provide an inspection utilizing advanced technical equipment. Upon inspection if damages are determined SERVPRO of South Elkhart County will address the water damage and provide a full repair service estimate. SERVPRO of South Elkhart County has a 24 hour emergency service team that is highly trained and ready to help you at your home or business.

Contact SERVPRO of South Elkhart County at 574-233-8377. SERVPRO of South Elkhart County services all of the Michiana area.

Ask The Experts: Help, my basement is a swimming pool!

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Last week this local commercial building suffered a large water loss. In this particular instance, SERVPRO was called after hours to respond to the unpleasant surprise for the local building. Our SERVPRO team responds day and night and is always "faster to any size disaster." 

In this case, the water affected a large portion of the basement is a massive building. The basement had concrete and carpet floors that were affected by the water. Unfortunately, some of the areas was an office building. Luckily, the SERVPRO team responds very quickly and they were able to minimize the water seeping into the carpeted area. 

The first night our SERVPRO team responded, the water level was higher than expected. But in just a few short hours our SERVPRO team had the water drained and were beginning to clean the area. After the water was drained, they could begin the drying process. Luckily, our team has all of the necessary equipment and we were out of there in just a few days! 

Ask The Experts: What can I do to the outside of my home to help stop flooding?

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

Many homeowners think of landscape design as a way to improve the aesthetics of their property and enhance their enjoyment of the surrounding nature, but landscaping can also help protect a home from flooding. Outside flooding can destroy the lawn and garden around a house and increases the risk of water damage inside the home. These three tips can help you decrease your chances of flooding.

1. Make Sure Water Drains Away From the House

It’s important to check your downspout before the rain storm comes. Not only do you want to look for and repair any damages, but you should also ensure that water drains away from the house. In addition to the standard downspouts used in home construction, there are also ornamental rain drainage systems that can help direct the water even further away from the house. Diverting this water to a garden bed, or other porous surface, can also help prevent flooding.

2. Check That Rain Water Has Somewhere To Go

Outside flooding occurs when rain water does not have a clear path to a drainage source or when water cannot be absorbed into the ground around the house. As part of your landscaping, you can install other drainage sources such as sub-surface drains or catch basins. You could also install a dry streambed or a swale on a sloped surface to create a path for the water to flow away from the house. 

3. Ensure That Your Mulch Can Withstand Heavy Rains

Lightweight mulch can easily float away in a rain storm. This mulch is harder to clean up after a storm, and during a storm it can clog drains and result in flooding. Using heavier mulch that stays in place may help avoid these problems.

Property Owners & Water Damage

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

Even small water damages have the potential to cause serious structural and indoor air quality issues over time. the key to avoiding costly future restoration is to handle every water problem as a real threat to your property. The two primary components of a proper water restoration are: fast action, and thorough drying.

• Identify the source of the water and take immediate steps to stop further intrusion.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and other table top items.
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and carpet.
• Remove oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpets.
• Do not leave books, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Avoid the use of all electrically- powered devices while standing on wet carpets or floors.
• Call a professional to do the job right.

If you have any questions or need to help ensure your property is drying properly, contact SERVPRO of South Elkhart County at 574-23-8377.

The cool science involved with drying!

3/24/2021 (Permalink)

The knowledge of psychometrics is essential to restoring a structure to its preloss condition. Where the average Do-it-yourself home owner or business owner might be tempted to grab a few beach towels to mop up the mess and place a box fan or two around the damaged area, SERVPRO of South Elkhart County professionals follow strict industry approved standards to help lower the chances of any secondary damages. 

Just for starters, a trained restorer will:

• Inspect the building to detect every component that is wet, preventing damage from happening because wet components were over looked.
• Measure how much moisture is in the wet materials and monitor whether the materials are drying properly.
• Speed up mother nature by using professional drying equipment.

What exactly does "speed up mother nature" mean? A wet building can often dry naturally because our environment always seeks equilibrium. When materials are wet, moisture will naturally move to drier air at the surface of the material, but only if the air is drier. The only problem is nature takes too long, and secondary damages occur while the building is drying out. For this reason, SERVPRO of South Elkhart County professionals have been trained to use top of the line equipment to help "mother nature" along, including equipment to help dry hardwood floors, tough to reach spaces inside walls and much more. We also use state of the art monitoring equipment and a proven scientific process to help speed the drying of your home or business.

Ask The Experts: How Hard is It To Replace A Toilet?

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

Having a leaking toilet is no fun. You have taken the plunge and have decided that a toilet repair is no longer an option for you. A water damage company has cleaned up the problems that the old leaky toilet has caused, and you have decided to replace it. You have already taken down the old toilet and ensured that the flange is still good, so how do you get the new toilet on? Follow these six easy steps to show you the way.

1. Add New Bolts to the Flange
Insert new bolts into the toilet flange. Make sure the bolts are tight.

2. Fix the Wax Ring to the Toilet, Align and Secure
Soften the wax ring by placing it in warm water. Then, take the ring and fix it to the bottom of the toilet. Line the toilet up with the bolts so that the wax ring is directly over the flange. Then, gently press the toilet down, making sure it stays in place to avoid a leaking toilet. Secure the toilet by tightening washers, nuts, and cap bases on top of the bolts. Then, you can add the caps.

3. Add the Tank
Now it is time to add the tank. Add the rubber gasket that sits between the tank and the bowl, onto the bowl. Add the bolts that will secure the tank to the toilet bowl.

4. Attach to the Toilet Bowl
Put the tank on top of the toilet bowl and secure it by tightening the nuts to the bolts.

5. Bring on the Water
Connect the water supply to the tank and turn it on. Let the tank fill and ensure that there are no leaks. Flush the toilet to make sure there are no leaks at the base.

6. Put on the Top and Seat
Use a screwdriver to put on the seat and place the top on the tank.
You can replace a leaking toilet in a few steps. Some of the steps include adding new bolts to the flange, fixing the wax ring to the toilet, attaching the tank to the bowl, and connecting the water supply.

If disaster strikes your home or business, call the professionals at SERVPRO of South Elkhart County! We are faster to any disaster and will get you back to "Like it never even happened."

Water Damage and you in Elkhart County

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Elkhart County is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today 574-533-2500

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through Elkhart Indiana his crisis. SERVPRO of South Elkhart County has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time.  We treat everyone how we would want to be treated in the this difficult time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

Restoring your home or business after a water damage

1/7/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southern Elkhart County is an IICRC firm. The institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. 

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops the Standards for the Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Your home is your safe haven

3/30/2017 (Permalink)

Your home should be your place to rest. But when water begins leaking, even small leaks in areas you can't see your home quickly becomes a source of stress. The possibility of harmful mold, rot and unseen damage may affect the value of your home and the health of your loved ones.

We at  SERVPRO of South Elkhart County understand how disruptive water damages can be for your entire family and will help ensure the water is identified, regardless of where it hides. SERVPRO of South Elkhart County are those Professionals. We are proudly serving our Elkhart County residents 24 hours a day. To reach us day or night, rain or shine call (574)533-2500 or go to our webpage at http://www.SERVPROsouthelkhartcounty.com.

24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service in Elkhart County

1/18/2017 (Permalink)

24 Hour Emergency Water Damage Service in Elkhart County

Water Damage

SERVPRO of South Elkhart County is available 24 hours a day for water emergencies, large or small. When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage.

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today 574-533-2500

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through Elkhart Indiana his crisis. SERVPRO of South  has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.