Local Service Cleans Up Storm-Related Water Damage in Raleigh

3/27/2023 (Permalink)

After a storm, our team will rush to your home to begin drying your property.

Raleigh’s Storm Water Damage Remediated by Experts

A few years ago, in 2018, SERVPRO’s remediation teams helped Raleigh residents overcome problems caused by Hurricane Florence. Our skilled technicians quickly came in and extracted gallons of floodwaters from area homes, effectively cleaned up hazardous wastes, sanitized interior surfaces, and repaired impacted roofing and other damage associated with this powerful storm.

SERVPRO’s actions during Hurricane Florence exemplify how it routinely deals with water damage in Raleigh resulting from the region’s infamous coastal storms. Our emergency water damage services crews rush to residences to repair ceiling leaks and other issues, clear-up basement flooding, and perform biohazard remediation. Once we arrive at your house, company cleanup and restoration experts:

• Spray powerful, commercial-grade disinfectants on all interior surfaces impacted by floodwaters to limit the proliferation and spread of harmful microbes
• Use state-of-the-art, truck-mounted and portable extractors to remove stormwater from basements and lower floors
• Clean up remaining silt and debris with rakes and shovels, then properly dispose of hazardous waste in EPA-approved ways
• Carefully remove and throw away flood-fouled carpeting and padding, then suction up any remaining water with wet vacs
• Evaluate structural materials and contents for salvageability, restoring things that can be cleaned and repaired effectively and replacing those that cannot be
• Decontaminate exposed surfaces with pressure washing and EPA-registered antimicrobials, dry interiors using cutting-edge air movers and dehumidifiers, and thoroughly deodorize rooms with advanced fogging devices

SERVPRO’s attention to detail in resolving these matters often makes it unlikely that you will experience any further issues related to the current storm event.

Keeping this in mind, rest assured that your friends at SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh/Garner have what it takes to handle your home’s water damage. Regardless of the scale of your remediation project, we can likely help you complete it. So, call us anytime at (919) 615-1179 for assistance.

Preventing Storm-related Flood Damage in Raleigh

9/27/2022 (Permalink)

Flood damage restoration services are no DIY project. Call SERVPRO for fast and immediate service for your home.

SERVPRO Flood Damage Teams Can Save your Home and Belongings

Unexpected weather events can affect your home. Often, these manifest in the form of floods, which can affect the bottom levels of your home, garages, and crawlspaces. Local weather warnings can help prepare you for adverse weather; however, protecting your home and belongings can be difficult. SERVPRO is a nationally recognized organization that enables homeowners to overcome flooding by performing expert emergency mitigation and restoration services. We can help with things like:

• Basement flooding
• Rainwater intrusion
• Floodwater mitigation

Attempting to reverse flood damage in your Raleigh home is challenging. Floodwaters contain high levels of contamination. Contaminated waters can impact the materials they come into contact with, causing permanent damage. Typically porous materials in the home suffer the most from contaminated waters. These materials include drywall used in wall assembly, textiles like carpets, and organic matter. We can replace materials deemed non-salvageable and professionally install the new drywall, carpet, or fittings in your home. Non-porous items like appliances, hardwoods, glass, metal, and plastics are often salvageable using cleaning agents and equipment. 

• Solid-waste pumps can help to remove heavily contaminated bodies of water from the home quickly.
• Biocides and anti-microbial chemicals are often applied onto non-porous surfaces to return your property to a sanitary state.
• Inspections for potential water migration into cavities or subfloors are standard in our flood restoration service.

If your home is flooded due to storm conditions, contact SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner for flood damage restoration at (919) 615-1179.

Four Areas Commonly Affected by Flood Damage in Raleigh Homes

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Flooded home in Raleigh? Call SERVPRO for cleanup and restoration--we remove all barriers to making your home "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Flood Restoration Covers the Entire Raleigh Home

When you say your house has flood damage, the image of waterlogged areas comes to mind. However, flooding can also involve other issues that mess with the structure or create hazards at a Raleigh home, thus necessitating sufficient expertise to resolve the problems and restore preloss conditions.

Flood damage in Raleigh homes can only affect outdoor areas, but in many cases, the damage involves the indoors also. Since the materials and contents inside a house are not meant to be exposed to harsh conditions such as excessive moisture, the cost implications of flooding reaching inside your home can be dire. The damages also worsen with time. That is why you need a professional like SERVPRO that knows how to handle restoration and protect the affected areas.

Likely damages include:

• Roof tiles torn by strong winds
• Lightning damage
• Soiling and moisture damage
• Fallen debris such as tree branches

Planning the restoration

Knowing how to approach the restoration is as important as doing the actual work because of the varied nature of damages. Our SERVPRO technicians start by addressing safety and security. If there is a torn roof section, we set up a roof tarp to prevent more water from leaking into the home. We can also board-up wall openings and strip damaged electrical components to minimize the chances of shock.

Other actions like cleaning and removing debris also require good planning to help save more items and prevent the re-soiling of cleaned areas. Our SERVPRO crews check whether there is any standing water left in the house and whether it contains solid waste like mud or silt. We also evaluate materials to determine the salvageable and unsalvageable ones. It pays to have flood insurance. With such information, we can prepare the right resources in advance.

Useful resources 

• Self-priming pumps and shovels to remove mud and silt
• Powerful water extractors and pumps
• Deodorization equipment such as foggers
• Chemical agents for decontamination

SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner is ready to address any flood damage issue “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (919) 615-1179.

SERVPRO Helps Storm-Hit Raleigh Homes with Flood Damage

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

The severity of flood damage caused by a storm depends on how long it takes for the restorers to dry the structure. SERVPRO is always on call!

Drying Raleigh Homes After Flood Damage

The severity of flood damage caused by a storm in your Raleigh home depends on how long it takes for the restorers to dry the structure. Restorers work hard to reduce the drying time by using several drying techniques that encourage water evaporation from wet surfaces.

SERVPRO techs effectively use humidity and airflow to speed up the drying process during flood damage restoration to your Raleigh home. Restorers use dehumidifying equipment to decrease the humidity of the drying air, ensuring that the conditions are conducive to the rapid drying of the materials. Air movers also play a crucial role in restoring flood damage as they provide a continuous airflow across all affected wet surfaces.   

Air Movers and the Boundary Layer

A boundary layer is a layer of wet, cool air that lies immediately next to a damp surface. As evaporation causes cooling, the surface and the air next to it become progressively cooler, and the air gets saturated with moisture. Restorers need to blow this boundary layer away from the surface to speed up the drying process. 

SERVPRO techs use high-velocity air movers to remove this layer and replace it with warmer, drier air during water cleanup in your Raleigh home.

Techs often need to alter the drying procedure as the water restoration project moves from the beginning to the end stage:

• In the beginning stage, techs use high-velocity air movers to move warm, dry air from dehumidifiers across the surfaces. The goal, in the beginning, is to remove free water as quickly as possible.
• Once the free water is removed, restorers control the humidity and temperature to remove the bound water during the later stages.
  

Call SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner at (919) 615-1179 for fast and efficient service.  

Microbes Threaten Raleigh Homes Impacted by Flood Damage

4/30/2022 (Permalink)

Floodwaters can pose many dangers to the homeowner. Don’t take unnecessary risks and contact SERVPRO for effective water removal and remediation.

Microbe-Related Flood Damage in Raleigh Can Be Reduced by Limiting Fuel Sources

It is widely understood that the greatest threats to flood-impacted Raleigh area homes are those associated with microorganisms. Microscopic creatures carried by floodwaters are capable of causing all kinds of residential problems, ranging from persistent musty odors and discolorations to structure-destroying dry rot. Luckily, these issues can be prevented or mitigated by limiting the factors influencing microbial growth.

The Raleigh flood damage remediation experts at SERVPRO routinely deal with black water microbes and tirelessly work to minimize their effects on your home. They remain forever mindful of these threats while performing biohazard remediation, sewage cleanup, water removal services, and water damage remediation efforts. Once on-site, our highly-trained and experienced technicians act to hinder the growth of microorganisms by:

• Quickly extracting standing water with state-of-the-art equipment and drying water-saturated areas behind structural elements, like floors, walls, and ceilings, with advanced Injectidry systems
• Reducing interior moisture levels and keeping the inside of your residence below 60% relative humidity, the point at which mold and other microbes start to proliferate
• Maintaining room temperatures below sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature at which microbial growth begins to be fostered
• Removing or properly treating all potential food sources for microorganisms, like dirt, wood, drywall, insulation, and other organic materials, with disinfectants or antifungals

Once all of these measures have been taken, your home is usually protected from further flood-related damage associated with bacterial or fungal growths.

So, as a responsible homeowner, always be prepared for potential flood damage by knowing who to call when the unthinkable occurs. Also, remember that your neighbors at SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh/Garner are always here for you and can be reached at (919) 615-1179 whenever you need our assistance.

Flood Damage Remediation in Raleigh Requires Special Measures

3/27/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding can come in through loose roof tiles and damage the ceilings in your home. Team SERVPRO offers a fast response to help minimize damages.

The Clean Up and Restoration of Raleigh Flood Damage Must Be Safe and Hygienic

Throughout the year, powerful storms routinely batter homes in the Raleigh area with high winds and heavy rains. The resulting storm damage comes in many forms, including missing roof tiles, clogged gutters, leaky ceilings, cracked or shattered windows, and flooded basements or ground floors. When cleaning up these messes, special hygienic measures are necessary.

Raleigh flood damage cleanup firms like SERVPRO must take special steps to safely remediate the hazardous effects of black water. These measures are essential given that, unlike clean water, floodwaters are almost always fouled with harmful contaminants like toxic chemicals, farm wastes, and sewage. As a credentialed biohazard cleaning company, SERVPRO is professionally skilled at biohazard remediation, including sewage cleanup, water removal services, water damage repairs, and overall flood restoration.

A few of the specialized procedures we follow in cleaning up harmful, flood-related materials are:

• Always posting warning signs about dangers present, containing hazardous materials to prevent them from contaminating unaffected places, and treating impacted areas with powerful, EPA-approved disinfectants
• Removing silt and debris from floors with rakes/shovels and then expertly disposing of them in environmentally friendly ways
• Throwing out carpeting and padding impacted by floodwaters, pressure washing structural components, and disinfecting their surfaces with strong antimicrobials
• Assessing structural elements and special contents, based on their porosity and the type of contaminants involved, to determine their salvageability
• Removing irreparably-impacted materials, extracting remaining standing water, and thoroughly cleaning all surfaces
• Using a balanced system of air movers, dehumidifiers, and Injectidry systems to dry out interiors and prevent further water-related damage

As you can see, SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh/Garner is your go-to place for flood damage cleanup and restoration. So, whenever flooding impacts your residence, remember to call your helpful neighbors at (919) 615-1179 for assistance.

Most Efficient Water Removal Tools for Raleigh House Flooding

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

Our certified technicians come prepared with state of the art equipment your property needs after a water incident occurs.

Flood Damage Requires Prompt and Deliberate Attention to Prevent Greater Harm to Raleigh Homes. 

Many Raleigh homes have already experienced the destructive forces of flooding as recently as the past several years with the devastation of Hurricane Florence in the region. Our fast responding team helped then just as we help now with the worst that nature can do to area homes and businesses.

Clearing Standing Water Concerns

When homeowners think of flood removal in Raleigh properties, pooling is what usually comes to mind. Flooding can leave homes contending with several feet of standing water in extreme cases, and our SERVPRO team must be ready to respond with effective extraction equipment and cleaning strategies.

Removing Trapped Water from Porous Materials

Standing water is an immediate issue, but trapped moisture can be just as damaging and destructive. We must determine where moisture damage exists, including structural cavities and porous materials, and find the appropriate response to remove the trapped water if the material does not require demolition and reconstruction. Some of the tools used in this venture include:

• Drying mats
• Positive pressure systems
• Portable heaters
• Dehumidifiers

Muck-Out Cleaning After a Flood

After the standing water concerns are neutralized, we still have muck-out cleaning and bulk materials removal to complete. The surface water concerns present immediate problems for absorption and spreading potential contaminants. When resolved, restorers can see the mud, silt, debris, and decaying organic solids that must be addressed with the cleaning process.

Water removal services are a vital part of the mitigation and restoration efforts provided by our SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner team. With the urgency of water damage incidents, we have a rapid response team capable of reducing out-of-pocket expenses with prompt emergency services. Give us a call today at (919) 615-1179.

What Steps Help Contain the Threat of Infectious Waste During Flood Removal From Raleigh Homes?

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner help keep your home safe after flood damage.

SERVPRO Has a Comprehensive Infectious Waste Safety Management Plan For Every Flooding Situation

Flooding causes a variety of hazards within a home, one of which is the spread of contaminated materials. Various health effects can arise from exposure to infectious materials or dangerous chemicals during flood removal without appropriate management. Seeking help from a trained team presents the best chance for the safe restoration of your Raleigh home.

The threat from infectious wastes can vary depending on what you do during flood removal from your Raleigh home. Leaving everything undisturbed can help when you want to protect yourself. However, that leaves the contaminants to fester in the structure. A better alternative is to let a professional like SERVPRO handle the removal while observing top safety procedures.

Safety when handling infectious materials should focus on:

• Responding correctly to injuries
• Containment of affected property sections
• Disinfection of materials or surfaces
• Washing clothes

People can be easily injured when removing water or materials from a flooded property. Sharp objects, slick surfaces, and falling objects are some common causes of injuries. The presence of infectious materials can exacerbate any injury to a full-blown health effects. Our SERVPRO technicians use PPE such as heavy-duty gloves and rubber boots, reducing the chances of injury. Flushing any skin breakouts with water and leaving the loss site is also necessary.

Limiting the spread of infectious materials during water extraction or demolition is necessary. Otherwise, the entire property may end up contaminated. Our SERVPRO teams set up containment barriers to limit the spread of such materials. We use 6-mil plastic sheets to set up the necessary containment.  

SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner takes care of all inconveniences that develop during flood removal. Call us at (919) 615-1179. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

What Does Flood Damage Cleanup In Raleigh Properties Take?

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

Homeowners have to deal with many things which may include storm damage. SERVPRO is available 24/7 to assist with remediation services.

SERVPRO is prepared to Handle Any Challenges Arising during Water Clean Up

When a storm or other adverse weather swamps your home with murky floodwater, you must prepare for extensive cleaning to restore your property to its preloss state. Although you might have successfully cleaned various messes in your Raleigh home before, soiling from flooding can challenge you beyond your expectations.

Before flood damage cleanup at your Raleigh home starts, it is essential to have a sound plan on what to do at each stage. Starting the process without a proper plan is what leads to complications. SERVPRO can guarantee positive outcomes because of our experience handling various cleaning situations.

Some Common Challenging Cleaning Tasks Include:

• Cleaning up after a sewer backup
• Sewage cleanup
• Basement flooding cleanup

One way to ease the challenge of cleaning a flooded property is to split up the process into different stages rather than tackling everything simultaneously. When our SERVPRO crew chiefs arrive at the loss site, we scope to establish the severity of the problem and thus the stages needed when implementing the cleanup.

Common Stages of Cleaning a Flooded Property Include:

• Debris and murk removal
• Extraction of standing water
• Content pack out or cleaning
• Drying and deodorization

The complexity of each stage mostly depends on the materials in your property. For instance, if there are carpets and pads, they must be torn down, unlike in a property with a hard floor such as tiles, which increases the debris to be removed. 

The level of soiling also differs in each case of flooding. If the water is mixed with vast amounts of mud or silt, regular removal may not suffice. Our SERVPRO technicians overcome this by using specialized extraction equipment such as self-priming trash pumps. 

Regardless of the challenges that arise, SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner can help restore your property to its preloss state. You can reach us at (919) 615-1179. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

A Lower-Level Apartment Gets Swamped with Stormwater in Raleigh

6/22/2021 (Permalink)

Storms often bring flooding. SERVPRO is equipped to restore your flood damaged home!

SERVPRO Provides Storm Damage Cleanup to Restore Raleigh Apartments to Pre-Loss Condition

North Carolina is known for its stormy season, bringing heavy rains and strong winds sweeping through the state. Flooding is a significant by-product of devastating storms. 

How Does SERVPRO Remove Floodwater from Apartments?

Storm damage cleanup in Raleigh is a SERVPRO specialty. Calling us immediately after you are safe, and have contacted your insurance company, is crucial. The longer you wait to begin the water damage cleanup process, the greater the risk of secondary damage. Unlike basement flooding in homes, a first-floor apartment is in danger of the entire home getting flooded. SERVPRO’s IICRC certified crews are storm damage pros. They understand the advancing cleaning and restoration that needs to take place with water intrusions from storms. Steps the techs take include:

• Doing a scope on arrival
• Implementing a plan for restoration
• Mucking out and removing debris
• Extracting standing water with powerful pumps
• Drying out the apartment
• Providing pack-out services for content cleaning
• Clean the content of the home
• Repairing or replacing structural damage
• Deal with carpets and flooring
• Deodorize, disinfect and sanitize

SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner knows disaster can strike at any time. Because we live in the area, we know firsthand the damage seasonal storms can do. For expert flood restoration services, contact us at (919) 615-1179.

What Should Homeowners Do After Storm Damage in Raleigh?

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

When a flood damages your Raleigh property, call your insurance carrier, and then call SERVPRO, We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

SERVPRO Provides Flood Restoration in Raleigh That Can Guide Homeowners

When floods come raging through, they can bring all sorts of debris and damage with them. Homeowners may be at a loss as to what to do immediately after the flooding.

Tips on What to Do After a Storm

When SERVPRO arrives, we get busy cleaning, repairing, and restoring your flood damaged home. We provide flood restoration in Raleigh that is second to none. But many homeowners want to know what they can do when a flood hits. Here are some tips on what you can do if you experience flooding:

• Stay Safe – Never enter a home if there is a risk of electricity being live or other safety issues. Never enter contaminated water.
• Take Pictures – Your insurance claims will be easier to process when photos accompany them.
• Contact Your Insurance – As soon as you  have the basic info, you need to contact them.
• Turn Off Your Water – Your water source may become contaminated.
• Turn off Utilities – Shut off the power at the source. Disconnect electrical devices that have been in contact with water if it is safe to do so.
• Contact SERVPRO – Immediate water remediation is critical.

SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner provides basement flooding cleaning, water removal services, and much more. For quality flood restoration services, give us a call at (919) 615-1179.

How Does Muck-Out Cleaning Benefit Raleigh Homes?

4/28/2021 (Permalink)

Are you ready for hurricane season? We are! SERVPRO can handle all of your storm damage restoration needs.

Storm Damage Cleanup in Raleigh Properties can Keep Damaging Conditions from Worsening

We are a leading team for storm damage cleanup and recovery. We have a fast response and can manage the needs of your house to make these emergencies “Like it never even happened.”

How Can Storm Damage Cleanup Help? 

Muck-out cleaning and storm damage cleanup for Raleigh homes mirrors the importance of services like fire debris removal after a structure fire in area properties. The objective is to determine the full extent of damage to the property, the necessary restorative action, and prevent the situation from worsening. Removing mud and debris caked to surfaces and contents in your home after floodwater exposure and structural deterioration can be a way to protect these items from irreparable harm. We provide swift cleanup solutions that begin our mitigation process for storm damage cleanup and flood restoration.

With many areas of your home becoming impacted by severe weather conditions, such as the roof or the basement, varying cleanup needs exist. Damage to the attic of your home requires insulation removal and temporary roof tarping, while basement flooding might clean up broken masonry and infiltrating mud/silt.

Do Water Removal Services Happen Before Debris Removal?

There is an urgent need to remove standing water when it exists in any home after flooding or water damage. Because pooling water can quickly absorb and saturate exposed materials, moisture migration could become a significant obstacle to overcome without swift solutions like floodwater extraction. Before storm damage cleanup of debris and building material remnants can begin, standing water concerns must first get addressed. Several inches of water can often prevent responding technicians from thoroughly assessing the damage and the necessary restoration actions to help.

Removing floodwater after storm damage requires extractors capable of managing high volumes of standing water and potential solids and debris that might be present as well. Natural flooding introduces several types of organic matter into the household, along with possible contaminants, mud, and silt. Before much of this muck-out cleaning can begin in the home, any pooling water present must get removed. Several of the extraction devices used for this type of water removal services are:

• Truck-mount extractors
• Wet vacuums
• Self-priming trash pumps

Is Structural Damage Addressed with Storm Damage Cleanup?

Among the most potentially problematic situations that could result from storm damage and subsequent flooding is the impact on building materials and structural elements. Prolonged exposure to these surfaces can lead to deterioration and degradation, making cleaning and repairs a costly and time-consuming venture. While many homeowners must pursue subcontractors to resolve the reconstruction needs of their house, our SERVPRO professionals provide a full-service experience with our general contractor license.

Post-flood and storm damage cleanup involves many steps and stages beginning as soon as our professionals arrive at the scene. We understand the urgency for your home and can mobilize quickly after disaster strikes. Give our SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner team a call anytime at (919) 615-1179

Mitigating Home Flooding in Raleigh Fast

1/31/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding and the resulting flood damage can quickly overwhelm your home. Contact Team SERVPRO for effective remediation services.

SERVPRO Teams Provide Rapid-Response Flood Damage Cleanup

Raleigh, North Carolina, is a historic city that now houses over 474,000 residents within its 147 square miles. The City of Oaks, chartered in 1792, is one of America’s early examples of a planned city and is named in honor of Elizabethan landowner and explorer Sir Walter Raleigh.

Notable individuals from Raleigh include:

• Painter Herb Jackson
• NASCAR driver Loy Allen, Jr.
• Westworld actress Evan Rachel Wood
• United States Marine Corps major general Oscar F. Peatross
• Physician and African-American biographer Lawson A. Scruggs

Recent Flooding in Raleigh

It is no small secret that North Carolina is one of the most flood-prone areas in the United States. It has an annual average of 54 inches of rain and 16 inches of snow in mountainous regions. Much of the state is on a 100-year floodplain but experienced a 500-year flood as recently as 1999 with the disastrous Hurricane Floyd.

Raleigh’s November 2020 Floods

November 2020 brought severe flash flooding to North Carolina, mainly from weather systems coming from Tropical Storm Eta. Wake and Durham counties were among many affected.

Several rivers rose sharply, even after the rain stopped, including:

• The Neuse River, which increased significantly to over 21 feet in Smithfield and was forecasted to reach 25 feet in Goldsboro
• The Cape Fear River experienced moderate flood level increases compared to the Neuse, reaching almost 13 feet

Over 400 state roads were closed by the flooding, including Interstate 95 North, which was reduced to one usable lane in some counties and closed entirely in others.

Hurricane Florence and Flooding in Raleigh

In September 2018, the Cape Verde Hurricane Florence generated record freshwater flooding in the Carolinas. She broke an estimated 28 flood records in both states. This hurricane caused over $24 billion in damages in total. Despite its making landfall as a category one, its prolonged rainfall created additional complications compared to many other storms.

Damages in North Carolina included:

• 33.9 inches of rain
• Over 2,200 road closures
• More than 90% of New Hanover County lost electrical power
• Insurance losses totaled between $2.8 and $5 billion
• 75,000 structures damaged by flooding and storms

Rivers rose severely. The Cape Fear River’s crested height was 61 feet, while the Pee Dee River crested at over 35 feet. Both figures were record-breaking totals.

Can SERVPRO Perform Flooded Home Repairs?

SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner performs flood damage cleanup that is fast-acting and focused on restoration over replacement wherever it is safe and feasible. Many appliances, valuables, and nonporous furniture items are restorable after a flood.

After cleaning flood damage out of structures and contents, SERVPRO can perform home repairs that include:

• Hardwood, tile, marble, and linoleum floor repair
• Drywall installation
• Electrical services and electronics repair

Your local SERVPRO features technicians certified in disciplines like Applied Mold Remediation and Applied Structural Drying, combining tried-and-true methods with cutting-edge technologies and a scientific approach to restoration.

Call SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner at (919) 615-1179 for flood damage restoration services.

Raleigh Is Steeped In History Whatever The Weather

12/23/2020 (Permalink)

When you need assistance with flood damage on your property, call on our experienced team at SERVPRO.

North Carolina’s Capital Is An Example Of An Early Planned City

Raleigh is the capital of North Carolina and a magnificent early example of a planned city. It is also the seat of Wake County. Raleigh has an estimated population of 474,069. The city is known as the City of Oaks because of the majestic oak trees that line its sidewalks. It is also a center for academia and research, with several diverse neighborhoods, several different religions in the area, and a vibrant cultural life with festivals and museums galore.

Raleigh is an example of a planned city. In 1770, Joel Lane successfully petitioned for the creation of a new county. Wake County was created from parts of Johnston, Orange, and Cumberland counties, and got its name from Margaret Wake Tryon, the wife of William Tryon, North Carolina’s governor.

Raleigh was not the first capital of the county. However, in 1788, the area was nominated as the site of a new State Capital because its distance from the coast would protect it. It helped that the site was also close to Isaac Hunter’s Tavern, a popular watering hole for state legislators! Raleigh was granted a city charter in 1794.

Raleigh’s Famous Namesake

Raleigh’s famous namesake is, of course, Sir Walter Raleigh, for whom the city was named:

• Not much is known of Raleigh’s early life, except that he was born in Budleigh, South Devon, England, and that he was born around 1552 or 1554. He came from a protestant family, and his father had to hide to escape being imprisoned in the Tower of London for his beliefs. 
• Raleigh traveled to Ireland and back again before his voyages to the new world. Queen Elizabeth granted Raleigh a charter in 1584, giving him the right to explore and colonize. The terms of the charter stated that the lands must not be possessed of any Christian prince or inhabited by Christian people. In return, Raleigh would be given one-fifth of any gold and silver mined in that area. He must establish a settlement within seven years.
• Raleigh twice attempted to establish a colony at Roanoke. The Roanoke colony is known as the lost colony because its inhabitants disappeared, and no one knows what became of them.
• He is famous for bringing tobacco to England from the new world, although some historians claim this is the stuff of legends, and tobacco was already known in England.
• Raleigh was charged with treason for his part in the plot against Elizabeth’s successor, James, and imprisoned in the Tower of London. He was eventually pardoned and allowed to make another sailing voyage but was ultimately executed.

See Some Historic Sites In Raleigh

Raleigh is home to several fascinating historical sites. History lovers will not want to miss:

• The Pullen Carousel, which is an original wooden carved carousel from 1900. Aside from replacing a few mechanical parts, the carousel looks just as it did when it was first installed in Pullen Park. It boasts a wooden menagerie of 52 animals and two sleighs and features a Wurlitzer organ.
• Wakefield, also known as the Joel Lane House, dates from 1769 and is the oldest dwelling in Wake County that is still standing. The house is open to visitors and is filled with interesting eighteenth-century artifacts, while the grounds house a period-typical city garden and an authentic herb garden.
• The Pope House is another restored home that is worth seeing. Dr. Pope, a prominent African-American Raleigh citizen, had the house built in 1901 and filled it with every modern convenience. The house had a full bathroom, a combination of gas and electric features, and running water in the kitchen, all of which was very impressive for the time.

The Fayetteville Street and Historic Oakwood districts are filled to the brim with impressive historic buildings, and it is well worth setting aside time to walk around each of them when you visit. 

Raleigh Has An Impressive List Of Museums

When you are finished seeing historic sites, Raleigh has a wealth of museums to keep you entertained:

• The Contemporary Art Museum offers an ever-changing program of installations. You can view works by local, national, and international artists, and many installations are multimedia.
• The North Carolina Museum of Art was the first in the country to be funded by state legislation. Its impressive collection covers over 5000 years of artistic endeavors, from ancient times until the present day. The permanent collection is free to visit to encourage residents and visitors to enjoy and learn about art.
• The North Carolina Museum of History helps visitors learn about state history in a hands-on and entertaining way. It houses several collections and runs educational programs throughout the year. It also includes the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
• The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is the oldest in the state and is also the largest natural science museum in the Southeastern United States. The museum is spread across four sites and includes a nature exploration center, a forestry museum, a nature & science center, and a satellite facility.

SERVPRO Supports Raleigh In The Aftermath of Storms

In April 2011, North Carolina (including Raleigh) was battered by storms. Thirty tornadoes were reported in the state on April 16th, causing widespread damage. One enormous specimen, which hit Raleigh, was 500 yards wide and had wind speeds of 160 mph. There were 24 deaths across the state, along with 300 injuries and millions of dollars worth of damage.

Anyone who remembers those tornadoes will remember how devastating the after-effects can be. That is why SERVPRO is on hand to help Raleigh residents with flood water extraction. We are locally owned and operated, which means we know Raleigh and understand the importance of getting back to life as usual after a storm or flood.

We equip our technicians with a range of free-standing and truck-mounted pumps, along with extractors and carpet wands, to remove flood water from your home. Thorough extraction makes it easier to dry your home and restore it “Like it never even happened.”

We also handle disposing of items that cannot be saved, cleaning those that can be saved, and deodorizing your home to rid it of damp smells. 

SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner is here to help with flood water extraction. Call us today at (919) 615-1179.

How Vulnerable Are Homes To Flood Damage?

9/23/2020 (Permalink)

You can trust that your home is in good hands with the experts at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Provides Information Necessary to Prepare Homes against Flood Damage in Raleigh and Assists in Restoration after Incident.

Storms or hurricanes generally lead to destructive flooding in the areas they affect. However, the vulnerability of homes to such incidents may not be as uniform as you might think. SERVPRO plays a crucial role, whether in taking steps to minimize damage or restoring the affected areas in Raleigh homes.

Does the vulnerability of a specific home change over time?

The central aspect that determines the level of flood damage in your Raleigh home is the intensity of the flooding incident. However, secondary factors can also have some impact. For instance, the flooding can happen unexpectedly, or you might have some prior warning that there is a major storm heading your way. Your home might also be located in an area designated as a flood zone, so you have an idea that a flooding incident can happen at any time. Such prior knowledge can help you take some steps that minimize some vulnerabilities.

What vulnerabilities can be minimized by the actions you take?

• Vulnerability to water intrusion 
• Vulnerability to issues you can change by preparing for the incident
• Vulnerability to issues that develop after the incident

Since one of the ways floods affect properties is by introducing water in unwanted areas, the actions you take to prevent such intrusion can determine the level of damage you have to deal with after an incident. Floodwater can intrude into your property because of: 

• Improper landscaping 
• Improperly sealing doors and windows 
• Lack of helpful utilities such as sewage backflow valves

In cases where there is minimal rising groundwater, the interior of your house can be spared. However, water from a torrential downpour can still find a way inside if the landscaping does not direct water from gutters and downspouts away from the house. Another reason you may end up with damage inside the house is if there are gaps around openings such as doors and windows that allow driving rain to filter into the house. 

In cases involving significant groundwater, the pressure from floodwaters can cause storm drains and sewer lines to back up, driving raw sewage or contaminated water into your washing machines, sinks, bathtubs, toilets, and other utilities, leading to unnecessary decontamination and demolition work inside your house. Our SERVPRO technicians can evaluate your property and help highlight such weaknesses that elevate your home's vulnerability to flooding.

How can one prepare for an upcoming flooding incident?

Although you might feel helpless when you are notified that your home is in the path of an oncoming storm, you should not leave everything to fate. Some simple actions can help lower the likelihood of some of the damages caused by such incidents, including:

• Turning off water and power at the mains
• Relocating movable items to elevated sections of your property 
• Checking whether electrical outlets and installations are above the expected water line

Such actions help for various reasons. For instance, pipes can burst during the storm, and if there is running water, it can flow into your house, worsening the situation. Damage to other utility lines, such as gas and electricity, can also cause problems. You can also save more items by limiting their contact with floodwater. Therefore, moving them to an elevated location helps limit the possibility of damage. Apart from individual contents, you can also elevate electrical outlets or installations such as furnaces to limit contact with groundwater.

Do actions taken after the flooding incident help?

Although responding to a flooding incident often involves reversing the damage that is already done, you can take some actions that prevent secondary damage. Our SERVPRO technicians can help with this by:

• Locating all areas affected by moisture
• Removing all traces of contaminants
• Handling the restoration of vulnerable materials like hardwood floorboards

One of the issues that leads to unnecessary secondary damage is the failure to dry all areas affected by the floodwaters. Cavities in the wall or floor assemblies form perfect locations for moisture holdouts. Our SERVPRO technicians easily identify such areas using sophisticated equipment such as thermal cameras. We can then demolish the area or use specialized cavity drying equipment to get rid of the moisture. Removing porous materials is also one way we use to remove all traces of contamination from your property after a flooding incident.

Some of the materials in your house affected during the flooding incident might require specialized care to prevent permanent damage. For example, if you have a hardwood floor in your house, exposure to flood water can lead to swelling of the floorboards. With the right restoration approach, it is possible to reverse such swelling. Our technicians utilize methods such as setting up drying chambers over the wet floor to expedite and control the drying process. 

Although your home is vulnerable to flood damage, you can fight back. Call SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner to help. You can reach us at (919) 615-1179. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Is the Outside of my Property Ruined Because of Flash Flooding?

9/3/2020 (Permalink)

Flash flooding in common in Raleigh. Should water invade your home, call SERVPRO!

SERVPRO Emergency Restoration Teams are Available for Raleigh Residents with Flood Damage to the Interior and Exterior of their Homes

How does flash flooding affect the outside of a home?

When a Raleigh Residence is subjected to flash flooding, there is likely interior and exterior damage. Floodwaters can pick up contaminants before reaching your home, then being deposited in standing water throughout the structure. Exterior moisture can become problematic for a structure due to condensation. Condensation occurs when a wet structure reaches a dew point and can permeate interior wall cavities. Insulation in wall cavities can result in extended drying times due to a lack of airflow within the wall cavity. Failure to ventilate these spaces can cause mold issues or unpleasant odors that affect both the exterior and your property's interior. While exterior drying is time-consuming, it can often be more convenient for homeowners than perform demolition of the walls.

How can I prevent wet exterior walls from damaging my home?

The critical factor in flood damage restoration for your Raleigh home is airflow. Restrictive airflow due to insulation or materials can extend the overall drying time and restoration procedure. SERVPRO technicians can drill small holes in the bottom of exterior walls to allow air-movement within the cavity. Using a thermal hygrometer with a portable furnace and dehumidifier, we can prevent wet walls from reaching a dew point. Controlling the dew point is essential to avoiding costly condensation damage. These methods can be crucial in areas of the home with fittings, such as a kitchen area. Drying the cavity is possible using this equipment by allowing airflow and ventilation. Using a boroscope and a thermal imaging camera, our technicians can ensure that secondary issues from flooding will not affect your home later.

Ensuring that wall cavities remain dry is essential to overcoming a flooding emergency. Contact SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner at (919) 615-1179.

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The Recent Storm Caused Severe Damage in My Property. How Do I Conduct Flood Damage Restoration?

8/11/2020 (Permalink)

Our storm damage technicians have the equipment and experience to restore your home to pre-damage condition.

Talk to SERVPRO Technicians to Mitigate the Flood Damage in Your Raleigh Home.

Flooding can pose health hazards to the residents of a home and lead to costly destruction if you delay the restoration process. After a storm causes a flood in your home, seek help from restoration experts to avoid additional damage in your Raleigh property.

Why should I hire SERVPRO technicians?

We have a team of competent technicians who have mastered cutting edge restoration techniques that can mitigate the storm flood damage in your Raleigh home. We use advanced equipment and tools to restore houses after flood damage. The equipment also enables our technician to speed up the flood damage mitigation and restoration process.

How do professional restorers ensure the property is safe?

Before beginning the restoration process, we check if there are hazards like sunken ceilings and live electricity lines in the affected property. Our crew chief also assesses the property and determines which work activities should take place. Our technicians observe the property for structural damage to determine if it is safe to enter. We check areas such as:

Walls and floors

Basement

Electrical systems

Furnishings and carpets

Should I contact an electrician?

When homes flood, we recommend that the homeowners avoid the flooded area since it poses an electrical danger. It is essential to turn off the main power supply and avoid getting into contact with the floodwater. Contacting an electrician is also advisable. The professional can examine if the flooding has affected your electrical system.

How do you speed up the drying process?

Drying a home is a critical step during the restoration process. Since there is no electricity supply in your property, our experts can use portable generators to power water extraction and drying equipment. We can use electric submersible pumps to extract water from your house. If the floodwater contains dirt and debris, we can use a self-priming trash pump because it can pass solids like leaves, sand, and dead plants. It extracts excess water from the home, leaving only moisture, which we remove using air moving and dehumidifying equipment.

We can also dry the affected areas using portable electric heaters. These devices expedite the drying process, particularly of wooden materials. Nevertheless, heating some materials directly can ruin them. Therefore, our technicians use sandbags to prevent the heat from destroying the surfaces and materials we are drying. 

Flood damage can lead to costly repairs if not handled on time. Talk to SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner at (919) 615-1179 to restore your flood-damaged property. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. 

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My First Floor Apartment in Raleigh Is Swamped With Stormwater – Can A Professional Restoration Company Help?

7/26/2020 (Permalink)

Removing the water after a storm is only part of the restoration process. Contact SERVPRO for storm damage remediation for your apartment.

SERVPRO of Raleigh Understands Storm Damage and the Flooding it Can Cause – Our Expert Crews Will Return Your Apartment to Pre-loss Condition as Quickly as Possible

Strong winds and heavy rains sweep through North Carolina during storm season, creating havoc. Flooding is a significant part of the damage in Raleigh these storms impact. 

What is the process of removing flood water from my apartment?

 Calling a professional stormwater removal service in Raleigh is the first step. The longer you wait, the more secondary damage is done to your apartment. If you live in a first-floor apartment, the storm damage may have spread throughout the entire home. Our Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certified technicians are storm damage specialists. They understand the unique cleaning and restoration process that comes with water intrusions from bad weather. Your crew will:

• Scope out the situation and put together a plan for water removal, repairs, cleaning, drying, and restoration.
• Muck out and clear away debris using PPE equipment.
• Extract standing water with powerful truck-mounted or portable pumps.
• Dry out the apartment with heavy duty air driers and humidifiers.
• Remove the contents to our warehouse for cleaning if required.
• Repair or replace any structural damage.
• Clean, restore, and repair the contents of the home.
• Restore or replace carpeting or flooring.
• Deodorize and sanitize

  We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster

SERVPRO understands disaster can strike any time. As North Carolina residents, we also grasp how much damage storms can cause to our area. That’s why we are committed to quality stormwater removal services 24/7. We answer your call for help day or night and holidays too. 

 Contact SERVPRO of Southeast Raleigh / Garner at (919) 615-1179 for water restoration services that leave your home, “Like it never even happened.”

Click here to learn more about Raleigh.

The Importance of A Strong Roof

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

A weak roof puts your home in danger of being damaged by a storm.

Roof Upkeep
A regular roof inspection is one key to a strong roof. A good idea is to schedule one at least once a year. You can do this yourself, but a professional inspection has the following benefits:

1. It keeps you off the roof
2. It is conducted by a person knowledgeable about roof repair
3. It identifies roof damage
4. It finds small problems before they become big problems
5. It can help extend the lifespan of your roof

If water does enter your home, it can soak insulation and damage walls, ceilings and flooring. Calling in a qualified storm remediation company can treat water damage and prevent additional harm to your home, such as mold growth.

Home Upkeep
A strong roof is the centerpiece of protecting your home from a big storm, but it is not the only area to watch out for. While a timely roof repair is critical, so too are other preparations. Windows should be sealed watertight to keep out blowing rain and to limit wind damage. Doors should have weather seals to prevent water seepage. Cracks and tears in siding and foundations should be fixed to repel water. A comprehensive approach to limit storm damage increases your safety and protects your property.

4 Ways to Prepare Your Business Before a Storm

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

Is your business prepared for the next storm?

If you are expecting a storm in Raleigh, NC then you should take steps to prepare your business.

If flood water enters the building, it can cause a lot of damage that will take time and money to repair. The following are a few ways that you can limit the effect that severe weather has on your business.

1. Make Building Repairs
If your building is already in bad shape, then water damage is more likely to have an impact. You should have an inspection to look for anything that may need some work. The areas around doors and windows, in particular, can deteriorate more quickly than others, so these should be checked thoroughly. Leaky areas will need to be repaired as well.

2. Back Up Data
It is likely that you keep important information on your computers. During a storm, flood water can accumulate on lower floors and can damage electronics and equipment. To reduce the risk of losing data, you should use cloud storage or an external drive to create backups of your files.

3. Move Furniture and Electronics
Because the water rises from the ground, the lower floors in a flooded building will experience the highest levels of damage. While this is not necessarily comforting when your business is affected, there is a silver lining. Moving belongings to higher floors can help prevent them from coming into contact with the contaminated water. Move whatever you can to a higher level if you are expecting large amounts of rain.

4. Protect Doors and Windows
Flood water can come in through gaps in windows and doors as well as leaky areas. Using sandbags near any openings can help keep most of the water outside. You should also check that all doors and windows are sealing properly.

Being prepared can help reduce the amount of water damage that your building will have after a storm. However, it may not prevent it entirely. If your business is affected by severe weather, it is best to hire a cleanup and restoration company. They can perform repairs on the building and damaged items.

Preparing Your Home for a Storm: 4 Tips

11/16/2019 (Permalink)

One way to prevent a flooded building is to have your gutters and downspouts inspected before harsh weather arrives

Preparing Your Home for a Storm: 4 Tips

When violent storms approach Shotwell, NC, protecting your home from high winds and flood water is likely a high priority for you. These conditions can cause damage to your roof, windows and even the interior of your home if flooding becomes severe. If dangerous weather is approaching your area, there are a few actions you can take that may help you protect your home and prevent some common types of storm damage.

1. Check Gutters and Downspouts

One way to prevent a flooded building is to have your gutters and downspouts inspected before harsh weather arrives. Broken or clogged gutters could cause additional flooding, as excess water may not drain away properly and cause standing water to enter your basement or crawlspace instead. Have a contractor remove and replace old gutters and ensure that your drainage system is working properly.

2. Sandbag Areas With Poor Drainage

Some exterior areas of your home may experience poor or inconsistent drainage, and this may lead to water damage. However, you can reduce the risk of flooding by using absorbent sandbags in areas where runoff may cause deep standing water or make its way into your home. You can contact your city government for more information about where to pick up complementary sandbags or buy them at your local home improvement retailers.

3. Move Valuables To High Ground

Important documents, valuable artwork and antiques are all vulnerable to flood damage. While a water mitigation and remediation service may be able to help you salvage these items if they are affected, moving them to higher ground, such as your home’s attic, could keep them from harm. Invest in a rugged, waterproof metal storage box for papers such as birth certificates and social security cards, as these can be difficult to replace.

4. Have a Family Plan in Place

Gather your family and discuss where you all might be safest from flood water and where you plan to meet in case of an emergency. This can help you feel less anxious in the face of dangerous storms.
Flood water, high winds and other types of storm damage that threaten your Shotwell, NC, home can be frightening. Knowing how to prepare for these events can help you keep your family and property safe before, during and after a major weather event.

3 Ways That FEMA Can Help You After a Flood

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, can provide various kinds of assistance

3 Ways That FEMA Can Help You After a Flood

After a storm in Auburn, NC, many people find themselves in difficult situations. If you don’t have insurance, it can be even worse. While experiencing damage to your home is never a pleasant situation, there is some good news. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, can provide various kinds of assistance.

1. They Can Inspect Your Home

After a flood, you will probably be dealing with some damage to your house and belongings. Whether you expect to have the repairs covered by your insurance policy or will need some other type of assistance, you will need to have your home inspected by an adjuster. This is necessary to determine the extent and severity of the damage. The Federal Emergency Management Agency can send someone to do this for you.

2. They Can Help With Expenses

Floods are often not included in your homeowners insurance. If you do not have an additional policy or if your insurance won’t pay for the entire cost of repairs, FEMA can help. They also provide financial assistance in other areas. If you or a loved one has been injured during the emergency, they may be able to help cover the medical costs. They can also help with funeral expenses if necessary.

3. They Can Help You Find Somewhere to Stay

In severe cases, you may not be able to stay in your home if it was damaged in the storm. If flooding has made your house an unsafe or unsuitable living environment, then you may need to find temporary housing. If you are having trouble doing so, the Federal Emergency Management Agency can find somewhere for you. If you cannot afford to pay for housing, they can provide grants for this purpose.
If you need a cleanup and restoration company to repair your home, this can be costly and inconvenient. However, FEMA can make the situation a little bit easier on you by providing financial assistance and helping you through the process.

FAQs About Preparing Your Business for Flood Damage

8/28/2019 (Permalink)

Plant trees and other plants that can soak up large amount of rainwater

Though you hope your business in Shotwell, NC, is never affected by flooding, preparing your business for disasters is often important. Learning about flood preparation can help you to minimize the risk of your property sustaining flood damage.

How Can You Prepare Your Business for Water Damage Before a Flood?

There are several ways you can prepare your property before a flood occurs. As you prepare, it can often be useful to:

• Place sandbags at doors and by windows in order to decrease the amount of water that can enter a building
• Clear the gutters outside of your building prior to a flood, as this can help to decrease the chance of water accumulating in one spot
• Plant shrubs, trees, flowers and other plants that can soak up large amounts of rainwater
• Research a mitigation and restoration company in case you do need assistance

How Can You Protect Items Inside Your Property?

Unfortunately, flooding is not always avoidable. If you know that a flood may impact your building, however, there are several steps you can take to keep items in your building safe, including:

• Move furniture, valuable items and documents to the highest level of your building
• Make electronic and physical copies of important documents in case your documents become damaged
• Unplug any items that use electricity prior to a flood in order to decrease the chance of a fire occurring

When Should You Begin To Prepare for a Flood?

Many people are unsure when to begin preparing for a flood. However, it's often wise to start preparations before storm damage occurs. If you begin preparing only a day before a flood could impact your business, you are more likely to feel rushed, which may cause you to forget something important. Planning ahead of time can allow you to follow the best practices and go over flood preparation strategies with your staff.

Before your business is impacted by flooding, it can be useful to learn about flood preparation. Knowing how to protect your property, items in your business and when to begin preparation can help your business to avoid the need for flood cleanup after a storm.

How to Prepare for a Flood

7/11/2019 (Permalink)

Clean out your gutters to reduce water buildup

How to Prepare for a Flood

If you are expecting a severe storm in Wendell, NC, then you need to make sure you are prepared. Flood water can be unsafe and can cause quite a bit of damage to your home. The following are just a few things you can do to make sure that you and your family are ready for whatever happens.

1. Put Together an Emergency Kit

During a storm, it is possible that you will be unable to leave your house or that the power will go out, leaving you without your usual resources. Build an emergency kit with items that will help in this situation. A flashlight and batteries should be included as well as canned food that doesn’t require heating. Be sure to have plenty of bottled water as well, since flood water can sometimes contaminate your water source.

2. Move Important Items to a Safe Location

If you live in a two-story home, you may want to move important belongings to the second floor in case you end up with a flooded building. If you do not have an upper floor, put smaller items on high shelves and in cabinets. If you have a waterproof safe, use this to store important documents. An airtight container may help limit damage to items as well.

3. Inspect Your Home

The inside of your home is not the only area that you should be concerned about before a flood. Water damage can occur if the outside of the building is not prepared as well. Clean out your gutters to reduce water buildup that could cause leaking. It is also a good idea to store outdoor belongings that could be picked up by strong winds as they may cause damage to the exterior of the building and can even shatter windows.
Being prepared for a storm can help keep you safe and reduce the amount of damage that is done to your house. If your home is affected by flood water, contact a cleanup and restoration service to perform sanitization and any necessary repairs.

Contaminants in Flood Waters

5/11/2019 (Permalink)

Bacteria in floodwater can cause serious bacteria growth in a very short period of time during a storm event

Flooding can be caused by heavy rainfall, ocean surf or river overflow. It can also be the result of plumbing mishaps inside buildings, such as broken pipes or sewer backups. Regardless of the reason, flooding can cause significant water damage to a building and its contents and pose a threat in any location, including Raleigh, NC. Depending on the cause, water from flooding events can be highly polluted and contain a host of disturbing contaminants.

Why Is Flood Water Unsafe?

Water from flooding events is categorized based on the level of pollution. Black water is the most polluted category and is the most serious type to manage. When water rises, it comes into contact with sources of pollution and picks up numerous contaminants:

• Chemicals
  
• Sewage
  
• Bacteria
  
• Viruses
  
• Trash and wreckage
  
  

How does the water become contaminated? Recall the images you have seen of flooded areas. Have you ever seen a car submerged in water, for example? All of the fluids in the car (e.g., gasoline, coolant) are susceptible to leakage under these conditions. Similarly, flood water can come into contact with underground septic tanks and sewer systems, which allows the contents to leach out into the water. If your building is flooded with contaminated water, the concern is not only water damage but also contamination of the structure itself.

How Can It Be Cleaned Up Safely?

Buildings that have experienced an influx of black water should be cleaned by experienced professionals who have the appropriate equipment to do the job and are trained to work under potentially hazardous conditions. It is often the safest way to manage the situation and may also be the simplest option.

Flood water contamination can be a serious threat, and buildings should be meticulously cleaned when flooding occurs. Water damage should be managed by commercial storm damage restoration personnel, especially if contamination is suspected. Professionals can ensure your building is thoroughly cleaned, and it will be “Like it never even happened.”

What To Do When Your Flight Is Canceled Due to Storms

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

Three Ways To React When Your Flight Is Canceled Due to Storms

A canceled flight due to a storm in Eagle Rock, NC, can leave you feeling frustrated. However, there are various ways you can react to a cancellation that may make your experience less stressful.

1. Prepare Before Entering the Airport

Before your trip begins, it can be wise to pack extra clothing, medication and personal items that you may need if your flight is delayed or canceled. If you know that your area may be affected by storms, it can be helpful to prepare your home ahead of time by placing items in water-resistant containers and following other storm tips. Additionally, it can be useful to locate your local storm damage restoration experts and to write down the company’s contact information just in case your home becomes damaged.

2. Request Accommodations

Once your canceled flight has been announced, it can be helpful to speak to someone at the airport who can assist you with accommodations. Often, it is possible to get another ticket for a flight that will leave to the same location later in the day. However, if this is not possible, spending the night at a nearby hotel may be the best option. Though each airline has different policies on what accommodations they will cover, you should still request advice on what services are convenient to your location.

3. Adjust Your Plans

Once you have been accommodated, readjusting your original plans can help you make the most out of your trip. If you find yourself with a few hours to spare before your flight, you can take the time to explore a few nearby destinations in your area. In the event that you’re spending the night at a hotel, you may feel more at ease by taking advantage of any complimentary services the hotel offers. Adapting with ease can make the change in plans feel more like an adventure than an inconvenience.

A canceled flight doesn’t have to cause major stress. Preparing before you go on your trip, requesting accommodations after your flight has been canceled and adjusting your plans can help you make the most out of your experience.

Are You in Need of a Flood Cut?

4/22/2019 (Permalink)

When dealing with contamination after major flooding, you may hear your restoration specialists mentioning something called a flood cut. To anyone without a lot of experience with flooding or the work that goes into restoring a home afterwards, this phrase may sound strange. What is a flood cut? Why and when is it necessary? The answers to those questions can help you decide on the best options for repairing your home.

1. What Is a Flood Cut?

A flood cut occurs when the contractor has to cut into the drywall of your Raleigh, NC home. The cut is usually made about 12–18 inches above where the flood line ends. Then, the drywall is taken completely out of the wall. The point of a flood cut is to remove the damaged wall and also to make sure that there is no moisture trapped behind it. Any and all mold and contamination can then be cleaned up as a result of the tear out.

2. Is a Flood Cut Necessary?

The answer to this question is "not always." Some flooding damage may be caused by clean water. This is water that doesn't contain any contaminates. If this is the case, then the specialists may do everything they can to fix the wall. However, if your flooding was caused by a backed-up sewer line or if it is contaminated with harmful pathogens, then the best course of action is a flood cut.

If your home has been recently flooded, then odds are you’ll have some damage to your home. Mildew and mold can grow fast, but often the contamination won’t be so extensive that you need a tear out. However, in cases of black water flooding, it’s imperative that you have a flood cut. When it comes to deciding which course of action is necessary, however, you should always have a consultation with professionals. After all, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Visit http://www.SERVPROseraleighgarnerzebulon.com for more information on storm damage.

What is Black Water?

4/19/2019 (Permalink)

What Is Black Water? 

Water from a flood can do a lot of damage to your place of business. Extensive water damage may even cause you to close up shop for several days (or weeks) until the damage can be fixed. There are three classifications of water, and each is treated differently.

Classification of Water

Clean water – Clean water is considered category one and poses no immediate health threats or contaminants. Flooding that involves clean water is usually due to broken water lines, toilet holding tanks, snowmelt, etc. category one water can turn into category Two water if left untreated. 

Gray water – Gray water is considered category two. It does contain some level of contaminants that may make you sick. Discharges from dishwashers, washing machines, sinks, showers, waterbeds and aquariums might be sources of a gray water flood. After about 48 hours of contact with building surfaces, category two water is upgraded to category three.

Black water – Black water is dangerous. Flood water from storms and hurricanes is considered category three. Water damage should be handled by a professional to make sure contamination is limited. Water leftover from flooding may contain sewage containing microbes, which are pathogenic to humans and cause many diseases. Make sure to take proper precautions when dealing with water from flooding. The best course of action is to hire flooding damage restoration professionals in Raleigh, NC.  

Black Water Flooding

Considerable care should be taken after a hurricane or storm that causes flooding. Inspections, testing and documentation are advised. You want to make sure it is safe to reoccupy a contaminated area before inviting employees or customers back into the building. You should never try to clean up sewer spills or contaminated water damage on your own. Hire someone with correct equipment and training for such a project. Improper cleanup procedures could lead to trouble down the road, so get the job done right the first time. Visit http://www.SERVPROseraleighgarnerzebulon.com for more information on water damage.

Sewage Backup After Heavy Rains

4/18/2019 (Permalink)

Dealing With Sewage Backup After Heavy Rains

Heavy rains in Raleigh, NC might have resulted in a sewer backup inside your commercial building. Not only is the smelly, black water unsightly and unbearable, it also poses a health risk. Knowing how to react to such a situation is vital to minimizing damage and headache as much as possible and getting your operations back on track quickly and efficiently. Put these tips to use the next time your building is ground zero for a sewage disaster and an overflow of rain water. 

1. Be Cautious of Live Electric Currents 

It’s not news that water and electricity make for a bad mix, but it’s a fact that bears repeating in these situations. Caution is of the utmost importance when cleaning up wastewater in conditions where a live electric current might be running through the water. It’s always best to ensure all electricity is shut off before dealing with a sewer backup incident.

2. Clean Up as Much Water as Possible 

Once the necessary safety precautions have been taken regarding electricity, the next step is to clean up as much of the standing water as possible. The longer water is left unattended, the bigger chance of there being a mold outbreak, which only adds to the dangers and risks of a backed-up sewer. There’s also the fact that the more damage sewage and rain water do to a building, the higher the cost of remediation is likely to be. 

3. Check to See Who Is Responsible

With backed up sewers, determining who is responsible for the issues is paramount. For instance, it might be the city that’s responsible, which could make a huge difference when it’s time to file an insurance claim. Hopefully, once the rains end, the wastewater will flow normally down the drain, allowing you to take care of any remaining water and get back to business. 

Commercial building owners need to know exactly what to do with sewer backup, excess rain water and black water incidents. A single misstep can prove detrimental in more ways than one. 
Visit http://www.SERVPROseraleighgarnerzebulon.com for more information on water damage.

How Do Experts Fix Storm Damage?

2/13/2019 (Permalink)

Wet roof from storm damage in Wendell, NC

A severe storm can damage the exterior and interior of a commercial building in Wendell, NC. Mitigation and restoration specialists should recommend the best approach for addressing damage. Mitigation experts will extract standing water and tear out damage before cleaning and disinfecting the area. Restoration professionals will then replace damaged materials and complete the job. Learn more about the stages of storm restoration.

Exterior and Interior Damage

Depending on which portion of the exterior of a structure has sustained damage, a building owner may require the services of a contractor or roofer. A restoration company can be helpful if one or more of the following forms of damage are present:

• Broken windows
  
• Damaged or blown open doors
  
• Roof leaks
  
  

A commercial mitigation and restoration company can determine the extent of damage and provide a complete cleanup and rebuilding plan and estimate. It is important to address water damage as quickly as possible to prevent mold.

Interior Damage Mitigation

A restoration company will start by removing standing water. Water from a flood or leak is considered Category Three, which is highly contaminated. Several measures may be necessary to mitigate damage:

• Extract water with a pump or wet vac
  
• Tear out damaged building materials
  
• Clean and disinfect the affected area
  
  

Porous materials such as ceilings, drywall or insulation may need to be torn out. These materials are difficult to dry completely and may pose an increased mold risk.

Complete Restoration

Once the cause of damage has been repaired and the effects have been mitigated, restoration professionals can complete the job. It is necessary to wait until the affected area is dry before rebuilding.

Mitigation and restoration are necessary to fix storm damage that affects the interior of a commercial building in Wendell, NC. Building owners should rely on trained professionals to remove water, tear out damaged materials and finish the restoration process.

Homeowners May Qualify for FEMA Assistance

7/21/2018 (Permalink)

Homeowners Should Know Disaster Assistance Options

When a community is hit by a tornado, hurricane, tsunami or other storm and suffers from devastating flooding, the U.S. president may officially declare Raleigh, NC, a disaster area. This declaration allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to offer federal assistance to those affected by the disaster.

Federal assistance is available to you when certain eligibility requirements are met: the home is in an area the president has officially declared a disaster; someone in your home is a US citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien; the damage is to your primary residence; you cannot access or live in your home in its present condition; and expenses incurred related to the disaster are not covered by insurance or other sources.

Qualified Households May Be Eligible To Receive Federal Assistance

When you meet the federal requirements, FEMA may be able to provide assistance in the following ways:

• The cost of a hotel/motel room may be covered when flood waters make it impossible for you to access your house or live in it for a short time, or rental assistance may be available for an extended period of time while repairs are made or other housing is established.

• If your home and belongings have water damage and need repair by a professional restoration service provider, financial support may be available.

• Other expenses as a result of the flood may be covered as well: medical/dental, funeral, childcare, vehicle repair/replacement, and moving expenses.

Casualty Survivors May Apply for Assistance

You may apply for federal assistance before you file an insurance claim, but don’t forget to contact your insurance provider as soon as possible. After you apply for federal assistance, a home inspection may be needed to assess your property damage; an inspector should schedule an appointment with you. Inspectors, wearing official photo identification, make an assessment of the property but do not decide if you will receive assistance.

Homeowners Should Know Disaster Assistance Options

When you survive a major storm, the resulting damage may cause devastating consequences, but being well informed of your options for assistance can lessen the turmoil. FEMA assistance may be one of the options that you can depend upon. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROeastraleighzebulon.com/.

Why Your Business Needs Flood Insurance

6/15/2018 (Permalink)

Even the most prepared business owners may be hit by a flood.

Floods are one of the most commonly declared natural disasters, but many Raleigh, NC, business owners are not prepared for the damage a flood can do to their establishment. Even just a few inches of water can damage walls, inventory and equipment. Most natural disasters are covered under commercial insurance policies, but flooding typically is not. Nobody wants to find themselves in water up to their knees and then come to find out they don’t have flood insurance.

What Is Considered a Flood

When water affects at least two properties or 2 acres of land, it is usually considered a flood. Flooding is water that inundates an area, whether it be from snow melt, heavy rain, dam breakage, overflowing rivers or other water-related issues.

How To Know If You Need Insurance

If your business is on a lower level, you are definitely at a higher risk for flooding. Knowing if you reside in or near a flood zone will also help you assess your risk of flooding.

What Is Not Covered

There are some losses a business can experience that insurance for floods will not cover:

? Income loss due to business not being fully operable
? Company vehicles
? Septic systems
? Landscaping

How Soon Coverage Starts

There is usually a 30-day waiting period from the time you purchase coverage until the coverage goes into effect.

How Much Coverage Is Available

Commercial flood insurance can protect your business whether it be large or small. Most commercial policies provide up to $500,000 for inside contents and $500,000 for the building. Here are the most common items covered:

? Merchandise
? Machinery
? Inventory
? Building

Your insurance company will work with flood remediation professionals to clean items, repair water damage and assess which belongings are a total loss.

What If More Coverage Is Needed

If your property is valued above the national limits, you can get additional coverage by purchasing an excess flood policy.

Even the most prepared business owners may be hit by a flood. Knowing that your business is covered with flood insurance can provide piece of mind should such a disaster happen. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROeastraleighzebulon.com/.

A Flood Cut Is Your First Step to a Dry Home

4/17/2018 (Permalink)

Powerful stormy weather, such as the recent torrential rainstorms in Raleigh, NC, can wreak havoc on homes causing flooding and related damage. Homeowners can be left to face the tumultuous project of restoring their residences. There are often many factors to consider for a safe and effective clean-up, such as the degree of water penetration throughout the house. Water damage specialists can be a vital resource in combatting the effects of water inside your house. They are usually trained to analyze and determine how much damage your home has sustained and put you on specific path to normalcy.

What Is a Flood Cut?

Once it is determined water has compromised the walls, it may be necessary to perform a flood cut. A flood cut typically follows specific steps:

• Determine and mark the water level throughout the home. This water line may vary based upon the degree of flooding.
• Mark again at least 12 inches above the noted water line mark, which is the flood cut line.
• Slice and remove the dry wall at the flood cut.

For example, if the water level stopped 4 inches from the floor, a flood cut could be created 16 inches from the floor.

Why Is a Flood Cut Helpful?

Once the flood cut is performed, the specialists can tear out any affected materials behind the wall, such as insulation. This is often necessary to alleviate the possible development of mold and mildew. Water damage specialists can remediate mold contamination so residents can be free of concerns.

Flooding within your home may feel invasive. Personal property can be harmed as well as the structure itself. The emotional toil may be overwhelming, as well as the process of restoration. A flood cut can help create a barrier against continued water intrusion. If you experience a problem, work with a professional restoration company to put your home back in order. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROeastraleighzebulon.com/.