Navigating Storm and Water Damage: Cleanup and Restoration Guide

9/17/2024 (Permalink)

The Devastating Effects of Water and Storm Damage

When nature unleashes its fury in the form of storms or floods, the aftermath can be overwhelming for homeowners and businesses alike. From flooded basements to battered roofs, water and storm damage can wreak havoc on your property, compromising its structural integrity and posing severe health risks. Understanding the nuances of water damage and storm damage is crucial in tackling the aftermath effectively and efficiently.

Common Sources of Water and Storm Damage

1. Heavy Rainfall and Flooding: Prolonged or intense rainfall can lead to flash floods, causing severe water intrusion.
2. Hurricanes and Tornadoes: These powerful storms can bring torrential rains and high winds, causing immediate and extensive damage.
3. Snowmelt and Ice Dams: The thawing of snow and ice can result in water seeping into the property, leading to gradual but significant damage.

Immediate Consequences

• Structural Damage: Water and storm damage can weaken the foundation, walls, and roofs, making the property unsafe.
• Mold Growth: Moisture fosters mold growth, posing serious health risks including allergies and respiratory issues.
• Electrical Hazards: Water intrusion increases the risk of electrical malfunctions and fires.

The Importance of Prompt Water and Storm Damage Restoration

Why Quick Action is Crucial

Water damage restoration and storm damage restoration are time-sensitive tasks. Delayed response can exacerbate the damage and escalate repair costs. Here’s why prompt action is crucial:

• Prevents Mold Growth: Mold can develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure.
• Mitigates Structural Damage: Immediate action can prevent further degradation of the property’s structure.
• Reduces Health Risks: Quick restoration minimizes exposure to contaminants and allergens.

Steps in Water and Storm Damage Restoration

1. Assessment and Inspection

The first step in any water damage restoration or storm damage restoration process is a thorough assessment. SERVPRO® professionals inspect the extent of the damage to devise a comprehensive restoration plan. This step includes:

• Identifying the Source: Determining the origin of water intrusion to prevent future occurrences.
• Assessing the Extent: Evaluating the severity of the damage to property and belongings.

2. Water Removal and Extraction

Effective and efficient water removal is critical. SERVPRO utilizes advanced equipment like submersible pumps and industrial wet/dry vacuums to extract standing water quickly.

• Water Extraction: Removing water from floors, carpets, and other surfaces.
• Drying and Dehumidification: Using commercial-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to dry out the property thoroughly.

3. Cleaning and Sanitizing

Post-extraction, the clean-up process begins. Water and storm damage often bring contaminants, making sanitization essential.

• Antimicrobial Treatments: Applying treatments to prevent mold growth.
• Deodorization: Using air scrubbers and fogging equipment to remove odors.
• Cleaning Personal Belongings: Using specialized cleaning techniques to restore items like furniture, clothing, and important documents.

4. Repair and Restoration

The final phase involves repairing and restoring the property to its pre-damage condition.

• Minor Repairs: Fixing drywall, replacing carpets, and painting.
• Major Reconstruction: Structural repairs, roof replacement, and remodeling if required.

Why Choose SERVPRO for Water and Storm Damage Restoration?

Expertise and Experience

SERVPRO brings years of experience in handling water damage and storm damage scenarios. Their trained professionals know the ins and outs of restoration, ensuring your property is in capable hands.

Advanced Technology

Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment for extraction, drying, and cleaning gives SERVPRO an edge in efficient and effective restoration. Their advanced technology ensures thorough restoration and mitigates the risk of future damage.

Comprehensive Services

From initial assessment to complete restoration, SERVPRO covers every aspect of water damage restoration and storm damage restoration. They handle everything, providing you with peace of mind during a stressful time.

Quick Response Time

SERVPRO understands the urgency of water and storm damage incidents. Their rapid response teams are available 24/7, ensuring they arrive promptly to mitigate damage and begin restoration.

Customer Satisfaction

Their commitment to customer satisfaction is evident in the care they take to restore not just properties, but also restore peace and normalcy to your life. SERVPRO’s professionals work closely with you, providing continuous updates and addressing any concerns you may have during the process.

Conclusion

Dealing with water damage and storm damage can be daunting. However, with professional help from SERVPRO, you can rest assured that your property will be restored effectively and promptly. With their expertise, advanced technology, and commitment to excellence, SERVPRO is your reliable partner in water damage restoration and storm damage restoration. Whether it’s a minor leak or extensive storm-related destruction, SERVPRO stands ready to help you reclaim your safe and comfortable living or working space.

Understanding Storm and Water Damage in West Orange

9/10/2024 (Permalink)

West Orange, Florida, with its picturesque landscapes and serene environment, is not immune to the wrath of Mother Nature. Storms and water damage are unfortunate realities that homeowners and business owners may face. SERVPRO® is here to provide you with essential information on how to protect your property and handle water damage when disaster strikes.

The Impact of Storms in West Orange

Frequent Weather Events

Located in Central Florida, West Orange is subject to a variety of weather events, including:

• Tropical storms and hurricanes: These intense systems bring heavy rains and strong winds capable of causing significant damage.
• Thunderstorms: Frequent in the summer months, these storms can cause unexpected flooding and wind damage.
• Flash Floods: Sudden and severe, flash floods can catch residents off guard, leading to extensive property damage.

Common Damages From Storms

Understanding the types of damages that can occur during a storm is crucial:

• Roof Damage: High winds and debris can damage or remove shingles, leading to leaks.
• Flooding: Heavy rains can overwhelm drainage systems, causing water to enter homes and businesses.
• Structural Damage: Fallen trees and debris can damage roofs, walls, and foundations.

Understanding Water Damage

Categories of Water Damage

Not all water damage is the same. It falls into three categories:

• Clean Water: From sources like broken pipes or rainwater, it’s relatively harmless but still requires prompt action.
• Grey Water: This water contains some contaminants and comes from sources like dishwashers or washing machines.
• Black Water: Highly contaminated and hazardous, this water is from sources such as sewage backups or floodwaters.

Common Causes of Water Damage

Water damage can happen due to various reasons:

• Leaky Roofs: Often exacerbated by storm damage, even small leaks can lead to significant water damage over time.
• Burst Pipes: Cold snaps can cause pipes to freeze and burst, leading to flooding.
• Poor Drainage Systems: Inadequate drainage can cause water to pool around the foundation of your property, leading to leaks and flooding.

Immediate Steps to Take After Water Damage

Ensuring Safety

• Turn Off Electricity: To prevent shock, turn off electricity in affected areas.
• Avoid Contaminated Water: Wear protective gear if you need to enter the damaged areas.

Mitigation Measures

• Remove Excess Water: Use mop and towels to remove standing water.
• Dry Out the Area: Utilize fans and dehumidifiers to dry affected areas.
• Protect Valuables: Move items to a dry area to prevent further damage.

Professional Water Damage Restoration

Why Choose SERVPRO of West Orange?

At SERVPRO, we specialize in storm and water damage restoration. Here’s why you should entrust us with your property:

• 24/7 Emergency Services: We are available round the clock to respond to your crisis.
• Advanced Equipment and Techniques: We use state-of-the-art equipment to efficiently remove water and thoroughly dry your property.

• Highly Trained Technicians: Our team consists of certified professionals skilled in water damage restoration.

• Insurance Claim Assistance: We help manage the insurance process and paperwork to streamline your recovery.

Our Restoration Process

1. Inspection and Assessment: We quickly assess the extent of damage and create a tailored restoration plan.
2. Water Removal: Using powerful pumps and vacuums, we remove hundreds or thousands of gallons of water from your property.
3. Drying and Dehumidification: Industrial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers dry out the affected areas comprehensively.
4. Cleaning and Sanitizing: We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all restorable items and structures that were damaged, ensuring a healthy environment.
5. Restoration: We restore your property to its pre-water damage condition. This may include minor repairs like replacing drywall or significant reconstruction like rebuilding entire rooms.

Proactive Measures to Prevent Water Damage

Regular Maintenance

• Roof Inspections: Regularly inspect and repair your roof to prevent leaks.
• Check Pipes: Regularly check for leaks and insulation around exposed pipes.
• Clean Gutters: Regularly clean gutters to prevent clogs and ensure proper drainage.

Install Preventive Measures

• Sump Pumps: Install a sump pump in your basement to manage floodwaters.
• Backflow Valves: Install these in your sewer lines to prevent backflow of dirty water.

Call to Action

Don't wait until the next storm strikes. Be proactive in safeguarding your property. If you experience storm or water damage, remember that SERVPRO is here to help.

Contact us today for a free consultation or emergency service. Call us at (407) 352-1569 or visit our website at SERVPRO of West Orange. Let us make it “Like it never even happened.”

Storm Damage Information Straight From SERVPRO Experts

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

Equipment Placement from storm damage.

Preventing Flood Damage in an Orlando Home

Florida is no stranger to structural damage from heavy rain. It can be quite the hassle, however, to come home from work and find that rain accumulation on the low spots of your roof caused an unsightly ceiling and wall leak in your bedroom. Not only is it almost impossible to mitigate damage on your own, but it takes a team of professionals to ensure the structural components of your home are thoroughly cleaned and dried to prevent mold, cupping, warping, and other issues that can lead to long-term problems.  

If you find weather-related flood damage in your Orlando residence, SERVPRO technicians are ready to come to you and restore your home to its pre-existing condition 24/7. Our certified, professionals have the tools and methods to clean, dry, and deodorize your residence after it has been affected by roof flooding.  

Our team can use a wide variety of water detection equipment to evaluate moisture levels both in the air and on surfaces and mitigate damage to structures as a result. SERVPRO utilizes moisture sensors to get a preliminary read on porous surfaces such as carpet. Infrared imaging and moisture meters are also used to get a read of moisture levels behind walls and on surfaces.  

After moving and preserving furniture and fixtures in your home, our team can get to work placing air movers and dehumidifiers in strategic locations to pull absorbed moisture out of surfaces and into the air, where they can be sucked up by a low grain refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifier. This machine works by passing moist air over refrigerated coils, and in the process collects and drains water, and expels dry air. This process can be aided by the setup of polyethylene partitions, which can accelerate drying.  

SERVPRO of West Orange is dedicated to providing the community with around-the-clock disaster cleanup you can count on to mitigate damage in your home. Call (407) 352-1569 today, and we can have a team ready to address your disaster within hours.

Read about Orlando here.

SERVPRO-Faster to YOUR Disaster

10/6/2021 (Permalink)

When a storm hits what do you do? First things first, secure your family. Next-assess your home. Once you see the damage who do you call? Who is the best? Who can reach you the fastest?

SERVPRO is uniquely set up to manage storm response on a massive scale. That means that we can get to YOU and your home faster than others. Teams from all over the country will mobilize to support our community in a time of need. All of our teams adhere to the same high standards so that we can always provide excellent service. We have the right equipment, procedures and training to make sure your home or business is dry the first time, saving you time and money.

SERVPRO of West Orange is “Here to Help”-any day, anytime, anywhere. Feel free to save our phone number so you have easy access to us when you need us-407-352-1569.

Storm Preparation is Key

10/6/2021 (Permalink)

Central Florida is well known for storm season. We are all familiar with the steps we need to take to prepare our homes and businesses, but a little reminder never hurts! Here is a list of tips from FEMA-the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

For your Home:

• Cover all of your home’s windows with precut plywood or hurricane shutters to protect your windows from high winds.
• Plan to bring in all outside furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down.
• Keep all trees and shrubs well trimmed so they are more wind resistant.
• Turn off utilities if/when instructed. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

For your Business:

• Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures, and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
• Identify operations critical to survival and recovery.
• Plan what you will do if your building is not accessible. Can you run the business from a different location or your home?
• Develop relationships with other companies to use their facilities in case a disaster makes your location unusable.

SERVPRO of West Orange is “Here to Help” after the storm passes.

Flooded Streets in Magic Kingdom!

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Lake Buena Vista Florida-Home of Disney’s Magic Kingdom and your friendly neighborhood SERVPRO office, SERVPRO of West Orange. Here in the Lake Buena vista area we are all very familiar with afternoon thunderstorms. In fact, most people joke about how crazy our weather is. It can be hot and sunny one minute and the next we could be standing in a torrential downpour, quickly returning to the insane hot and humid we all know and some of us love.

Last week we were hit by one of these famous downpours. It caused some flooding to some of the streets in Magic Kingdom. Park guests made the best of it. Kids were seen splashing in the water as their parents watched from the cover of the closest buildings. Thankfully no damage has been reported to the park itself.

Sometimes these kinds of storms can lead to interior damage of buildings and homes. If you ever find yourself in need of assistance after a storm please call us at 407-352-1569. Your restoration professionals here at SERVPRO of West Orange would be happy to help you get everything cleaned back up and dried out so you can move on to playing in the rain again, just like those kids at Magic Kingdom!

What Can you Expect from SERVPRO of West Orange after a Hurricane?

7/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Orange is vigilant during storm season and is Here to Help after the storm passes.

Living in Central Florida has its advantages. Beautiful communities like Windemere, Bay Hill, and Isleworth surround.We are close to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, and the many beautiful natural attractions-springs and beaches-awesome multi-cultural restaurants, and the I-4 Eyesore. Ok, that last one is a joke! We are also very familiar with hurricane season. While we may not always be in the major cone, we often experience some severe weather associated with these major storms. Here at SERVPRO we are available immediately by phone, and once it is safe for our crews to be on the road we will dispatch them to you. What can you expect if you call us?

• Our staff will answer your call. Our staff is trained for these situations. We believe that it is imperative for you to speak to us directly, not our answering service during times of disaster. Our phones are answered by staff for the initial days after a storm event so that we can best serve our community.
• Be prepared to answer a few questions. We need to gather some information for our technicians so that they can be properly prepared to help you. This means we need to understand what areas of damage you’re currently seeing. Do you have water and power? Do you need a roof tarp or board up? All of these are critical questions. We know that you are concerned about your family and your home. We are too. We want to do the best job for you.
• We will advise you of what is generally expected regarding payment. Some insurance companies operate differently during a storm event. They may advise that we collect payment up front, or they may advise that we wait to collect. Either way, you can be sure that we will be up front and clear with you about what to expect regarding pricing at the time of your service.
• Calls are dispatched to crews as soon as possible. While we wish we could get to everyone immediately it is physically not possible. We do however have the power of SERVPRO behind us. While we are busy working with customers on the phone we know that our SERVPRO team from around the country is on the way to back us up. We generally have additional crews in the area within hours. Our goal at SERVPRO is always to serve our community, and we have the backing of over 1,000 other offices to help us accomplish that!
• Safety is our top priority. Please make sure to let us know about downed trees or power lines around you if you are aware of them. Our crews typically are in large trucks. We will do everything in our power to get to you as quickly and safely as possible.

We hope that our communities stay safe this hurricane season, but if you need us we are Here to Help!

How Dangerous Flash Floods Can Be After Storms | SERVPRO of West Orange

12/2/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Orange is your Orlando water & storm restoration expert. We will get the job done right, contact us today.

We may be the Sunshine State with great things like Disney World and Universal Studios but Florida can also be home to some severe weather events. 

Regardless of what type of severe weather events are taking place, all of them should be taken seriously with safety being a top priority. However, this is something that is especially true when flash floods are a possibility, because of how dangerous they are. Floods cause the second-highest rate of fatalities related to weather in the United States and flash floods are the most dangerous type of flood there is.

There is rarely much notice involved with a flash flood, leading to people being caught by surprise in areas that are not typically involved in any type of flood incident. Flash floods can turn any body of water or drain dangerous, and it is so important to keep track of safety tips that could save your life.

Defining a Flash Flood

There are several different types of floods, but what makes a flash flood so dangerous is how quickly it can come about. When heavy rainfall occurs, flash floods will happen in less than six hours after they begin, often happening closer to three. These conditions create a scenario where people are not given enough notice and have very little time to evacuate or get to higher ground.

The Alert Systems for Flash Floods

If there is severe weather, it is important to tune into your local weather broadcasts so you can be privy to all the alerts that are issued, especially if there is heavy rainfall.

A flash flood watch will be issued when conditions are right for a flash flood to begin, while a warning means that one is imminent and you should take action quickly. Flash flood emergencies are extremely rare, but those are quite deadly and you should always move to high ground as quickly as you can.

Safety Tips for Flash Flood Precautions

When it comes to a severe weather event, safety is always the top priority—and in a sudden severe weather event, it is best to have the top safety tips memorized so you can act quickly under pressure.

• Stay alert if rainfall is heavy and prolonged, and stay tuned to local weather updates.
• Create a full evacuation plan that everyone is aware of how to execute.
• Always avoid crossing flood water, both when you are walking or driving.
• Do not come into contact with floodwater if it can be at all avoided.
• Know several evacuation routes you can take in case water blocks one or more of them.

If your home or business has been damaged due to a flood or other severe weather, you can depend on us. Contact us at any hour to learn more about our services or to report damage to your property.

SERVPRO of West Orange services all cities in and around Orange County including, Windermere, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Dr. Phillips, Bay Lake, Lake Buena Vista and many more. 

9 Facts About Thunderstorms

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

While no one can truly predict the severity of a storm, being knowledgeable about the potential damage that they can cause is imperative.

Florida weather is unlike the weather anywhere else in the world. One minute it could be beautiful and sunny and the next minute gray clouds could roll in and thunderstorms start booming. Thunderstorms in Florida can pass in 10 minutes or wreak havoc on an area for hours. The unpredictability that comes with Central Florida storms makes it difficult to prepare and respond. The impact of thunderstorms ranges significantly, so Florida homeowners must take as many precautions as possible.

The fact that Floridians have grown so accustomed to major thunderstorms is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, being used to big storms reduces panic and makes the aftermath easier to deal with. On the other hand, the familiarity of thunderstorms can cause some Floridians to fail to act quickly and appropriately before a storm hits. In any case, being armed with facts is important for everyone. An educated person is in a much better position to weather a storm in Florida.

We have collected some of the most interesting facts about thunderstorms below:

1. Since light travels faster than sound, lighting is seen before thunder
2. Snowstorms can cause thunder too
3. The eye of a storm is very calm and can even be sunny
4. A storm is pulled down by rain
5. Approximately 6,000 lightning strikes occur each minute in a thunderstorm
6. Astraphobia is the name for a fear of thunder and lightning
7. A cumulus cloud weighs more than 1 million pounds
8. On average, the temperature of lightning is 36,000 degrees Fahrenheit
9. The way to calculate the distance that a storm is from you is to count the number of seconds between a flash of lightning and the sound of thunder (calculated as second divided by 5)

While no one can truly predict that severity of a storm, being knowledgeable about the potential damage that they can cause is imperative. At SERVPRO of West Orange, our storm damage team has years of experience in repairing and restoring homes after a storm strikes. Contact us today to learn more! 

SERVPRO of West Orange is proud to serve communities all over central Florida including, 34786, 34787, 32836, 32830, 34761 and many more. 

Be Alert for Weather Advisories in Orlando, FL

9/17/2020 (Permalink)

Weather radios can be a great way to receive updated information during an emergency.

One of the best steps you can take to prepare yourself for storms, is to purchase a good quality weather radio. A weather radio is designed to alert you to dangerous weather situations, such as an approaching tornado. It allows you to be warned ahead of approaching storms providing you time to seek shelter. A weather radio is one of the most reliable sources for weather alerts. Weather radios have improved in design and have made many other advancements over the years. They are now readily available and very affordable. Most basic weather radios average cost is around $30 and will warn you of all types of weather advisories and public announcements. Some models can be programmed to only alert you of specific weather alerts you designate.

When shopping for a weather radio, look for the following key features:

• Reviewable alerts (The ability to scroll through alerts and turn off the siren for alerts you do not wish to hear can be very helpful).
• Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) is the protocol used to encode the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and NOAA Weather Radio (NWR).
• Make sure the model you choose is easy to program.  Like any electronic emergency ready tool, it is critical that the device is reliable and simple to use. 

If you need help programming your weather radio, you can contact your local National Weather Service Office or for additional information, including county codes for Florida, visit NOAA Weather Radio website at www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr.

SERVPRO of West Orange is proud to serve communities all over central Florida including, 34786, 34787, 32836, 32830, 34761 and many more. 

Questions About Federal Disaster Aid

8/28/2020 (Permalink)

You can receive assistance from FEMA

Common Questions About Federal Aid

After severe storms and flooding, the president can declare specific areas as disaster zones. People who live in these areas can receive assistance from FEMA. However, due to the misconceptions about disaster aid, people who qualify for assistance often do not receive it because they think they are not eligible. If you are in an area that has been declared a disaster zone and have sustained damage to your home in Apopka / Wekiva, FL, read on to find out some common questions about federal aid.

1. What Are the Grants For?
Disaster assistance can include money to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs, uninsured or underinsured property losses, and medical and dental expenses directly related to the storm. Other necessary expenses, such as the cost of hiring storm cleanup and restoration professionals, may also be covered under grants.

2. What Happens After You Register?
Once you have registered, you will receive a call from a FEMA home inspector to arrange a survey of the damages done to your home. This call will come through shortly after you submit your application. Your inspector will arrive at your house and show proper identification. They will not ask for money, make recommendations for contractors, or approve or deny your claim. Once your inspection is complete, you will receive a formal decision in the mail.

3. How to Apply?
You can apply for your disaster relief over the phone or online. Be sure to do so promptly because there is usually a deadline after the storm passes.

4. Who Should Apply?
Anyone who lives in a presidentially declared disaster zone and has sustained damage to their home, vehicle, or other property due to a storm should apply for a FEMA grant. This is especially true if your damaged property was not covered under an insurance policy.
If your home was damaged after a severe storm or flood, you may be eligible for federal disaster aid. Be sure to understand what grants are available, who should apply, and the claim process to smoothly get your assistance.

Document Drying - Post Storm Damage

8/6/2020 (Permalink)

Concerned that your documents may be lost forever after a major storm? Have no fear! Here at SERVPRO of West Orange, we have state-of-the-art technology that can restore your damaged documents after a storm!

Inventory

We bar-code every box using the iCat system, allowing us to know the location of any box in our facility at any time. All documents are inventoried at the location of the loss prior to packaging.

Drying

Process in which an item containing moisture is frozen and dried using various vacuums and pressures to achieve sublimation.

Decontamination/Gamma

High-energy photons are emitted from an isotope source (Cobalt 60) producing ionization (electron disruptions) throughout a product. In living cells, these disruptions result in damage to the DNA and other cellular structures. These photon-induced changes at the molecular level cause the death of the organism or render the organism incapable of reproduction. The gamma process does not create residuals or impart radioactivity in processed products.

Gamma Irradiation is a process that is used for cleaning/disinfecting and decontaminating documents or other consumer goods.

In a Category 3 situation (sewage or flood water), documents are not only deteriorating but are also infected with all types of bacteria. As you all know in most storm situations you are dealing with CAT 3 water, therefore most of the affected documents that you will encounter will be contaminated; if this is the case than de-contamination is always a must.

Cleaning

We will go through each box page by page to wipe down and remove dirt, soot, or other contaminants. We have 3 levels of cleaning based on the type of soiling, and how heavy it is.

Deodorizing

Many times documents that have been affected will hold residual smells of contaminants, or mildew, and should be deodorized before being returned to your client.

Digitizing

With the new age of technology, digitizing records and documents has become a standard practice in most industries. This eliminates the need to have massive file storage rooms and allows us to access records at the click of a button. if your file room was damaged by water, or smoke, and needed to be cleaned, dried, or decontaminated, digitizing might be a good choice to eliminate the need to have 100's or even 1000's of documents and records in storage.

Certified Destruction

Often times facilities will have documents they no longer need to hold on to and would simply like to have them disposed of properly.

Feel free to give us a call anytime @ (407) 352-1569

3 Reasons to Avoid Driving During a Flood

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

Avoid driving on flooded streets in Orlando, FL

Why is It Best to Stay Safe Off Roads During a Severe Storm

It can be frustrating to be stuck inside your house when it’s flooding in Orlando, FL, but it is important that you avoid driving in this situation. A flooded street may seem easy to handle, but it can be a risk to your safety. The following are just a few reasons why it is best to stay off the roads during a severe storm.

1. It Could Damage Your Vehicle

One reason to avoid flooded roads is that it can cause serious damage to your vehicle. Your car is not made to be driven in water, so it does not have the necessary equipment to protect it. If water enters your engine, it can cause it to stop functioning correctly and leave you with massive repair bills. Areas of your car may rust, and electronic components can be ruined.

2. There May Be Hidden Road Damage

Even if you think the road looks safe, there might be something lurking beneath the water’s surface. A flooded street may be hiding potholes, tree branches and debris from the storm. Any of these could damage your car and make it more difficult for you to drive safely.

3. You Could Lose Control of Your Car

Whether you have been driving for a few years or a few decades, you cannot be prepared for everything. Even a long history of driving experience is not enough to keep you safe during a flood. Moving water in a flooded street can easily sweep your car away and create an incredibly dangerous situation. Just a few inches of water can cause you to hydroplane and result in a crash.
One of the best travel tips for driving during a flood is simply not to do it. Stay put if possible and, once the water has receded, you can find a more comfortable place to stay while an emergency restoration company performs any necessary repairs on your damaged home.

SERVPRO of West Orange services all cities in the Orange County area including but not limited to, Windermere, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Lake Buena Vista, Dr. Phillips, Bay Lake, and many more. 

Limit Storm Damage With a Water Tight Building

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

Water has a way of finding entry into a commercial building during storms and floods. Old roofs, cracked windows and faulty siding are just some of the ways moisture can infiltrate a property and cause rain damage. Too much moisture or high humidity in a building can cause structural weakness over time and promote the growth of mold. The presence of mold affects indoor air quality and can cause unpleasant odors in a building. There are many ways to address this issue by scheduling preventative maintenance, conducting regular inspections of the roofing system and fixing any leaks. Making sure your commercial building is sealed against moisture is a great way to protect your investment and its contents.

The Damaging Effects of Water

Water is a corrosive element and can break down wood and fabrics and damage electronics. Its presence in the form of high humidity provides a fertile ground for mold to proliferate. During a heavy downpour, it's important that your building has all of the elements in place to keep out moisture. A building envelope, which consists of your roofing system and grade wall systems, does the following:

• Protects against the intrusion of rain, hail, snow and ice
• Funnels water away through the use of drains
• Provides weather protection and temperature control features

Rain damage poses a serious threat to the longevity of your building. In fact, floods are one of the most common disasters to impact a business. They can have devastating effects and can even cause a lengthy business disruption. Working with our storm remediation team in Orlando,FL, puts your company in a strong position to handle a disaster.
The best way to reduce rain damage to your building is to be prepared. Many buildings have cracks in the walls and other weaknesses that allow rain to get to areas where it doesn't belong. Shoring up these areas before a storm strikes is good business.

SERVPRO of West Orange services all cities in the Orange County area including but not limited to, Windermere, Winter Garden, Ocoee, Lake Buena Vista, Dr. Phillips, Bay Lake, and many more. 

When Flooding Happens in Orlando, Call SERVPRO to Cleanup

12/26/2019 (Permalink)

Large trees often cause storm damage to homes in Central Florida.

SERVPRO Helps Orlando Home with Damage from Flooding

Lightning and intense storms that damage trees are often the root cause behind flooding that damages Central Florida homes. Typical situations are tree limbs damaging windows or roofs and allowing rainwater in or downed trees causing water to pool around the foundation, which then enters the home. 

When flooding happens in an Orlando property, it is vital for the water cleanup efforts to begin quickly. One of the main issues is the structural damage from water wicking into sheetrock, running behind baseboards, the ruination of carpet and floor tiles. 

First Actions After Flood Damage Hits

Homeowners can minimize loss by removing items from rooms that are taking on floodwater. Pick up things off the floor, move furnishings to other places in the residence, but only if it is safe to do so. Mops and rags are useful for blotting up water before SERVPRO arrives for water extraction.  

Inspection for Cleaning

The techs inspect each item removed from the loss area to determine the prospects for cleaning. Anything without restoration potential is photographed and logged for the homeowner to use when they file with their insurance to help expedite the claim. 

Demo and Tear-Out as Part of Mitigation

Sometimes damage from flooding looks worse as it is getting better. Flooring and sheetrock need removal after prolonged exposure to water. The technicians perform this type of controlled demolition as cleanly as possible to make repairs easier to do after the mitigation efforts complete. 

Mold Prevention Treatments

When flood damage occurs, mold has the potential to set up in the home rapidly. SERVPRO techs hold mold remediation certificate #MRSR868, and they know the signs of a mold infestation. When cleaning, they wipe down all surfaces with disinfecting cleaning agents. Before rebuilding, studs are treated with an antimicrobial sealant that goes on like paint. This process creates a barrier that repels mold growth on the structure wherever the paint is applied. 

When flooding happens, call SERVPRO of West Orange at (407) 352-1569. Their trained technicians are available 24/7 to clean up water damage from flooding and restore your home to its preloss conditions, "Like it never even happened."

For more about Orlando, click here.

Professional Flood Restoration for Hurricane-Damaged Orlando Homes

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Let us handle your restoration frustrations from hurricane flood damage in Orlando.

SERVPRO is prepared to take the challenge from your Orlando flood damage. 

Hurricanes present a formidable force to Orlando homes and businesses, leaving many residents displaced and contending with substantial structural concerns, flooding, and other damaging effects. As overwhelming as this might seem, it is even more stressful without a concise plan of attack to get the property back to its original condition. As experienced as some property owners might be with recovery and cleaning, restoring flood and structural damages requires the expertise and skill of our qualified professionals.

Flood damages in Orlando homes can spread quickly across the main floor of the structure, encompassing multiple rooms and areas simultaneously. Homeowners often have smaller-scale extraction tools like shop-vacs that can remove tanks’ worth of standing water at a time. With the length of time that it could take to remove all of the flooding in your house, many materials could become saturated, and this dampness could spread to areas like wall cavities. These points are susceptible to secondary effects like mold growth if the material does not get sufficiently dried before spores seat, spread, and thrive in as little as 48 hours.

Many have sought out our SERVPRO professionals for flooding and water loss events throughout the years because of our fast response and depth in our roster of technicians to ensure that no customer waits for the mitigation and restoration that their home requires. We have powerful tools to help in this recovery as well, including truck-mount extractor machines and portable sump pumps for more confined areas where long leads of discharge hose cannot access.

Our goal after a storm loss in your home, especially one that becomes structurally compromising like a hurricane, is to allow our licensed SERVPRO contractors (#MRSR868) to begin temporary solutions like board up and drywall removal to reduce continued damage and deterioration of exposed elements. With drywall removed, our special drying equipment can better interact with wall cavities to ensure sufficient drying and moisture removal to protect installed materials as much as possible.

Hurricanes and other natural disasters pose a substantial risk to hundreds of properties within the direct path of the storm. Amid a crisis, you can count on the fast response and the seasoned experience of our certified technicians here at SERVPRO of West Orange. We are here to help however you need us by calling (407) 352-1569.

To find out more about Orlando, click here.

Don’t Wait Call SERVPRO Right Away After Flood Waters in Orlando

8/28/2019 (Permalink)

If your Orlando home is overcome by storm and flood damage don't stress. Call the professionals at SERVPRO today for help.

What to Do After a Flood Damages Your Orlando Residence

Floods in Orlando can come from snow, heavy rain, storm surges or coastal storms, among other reasons. They can develop quickly or slowly, disrupt transportation, cause power outages, and ruin homes in various ways. Floodwater weakens drywall, and the paper facing can provide food for mold. If drywall is crumbly, soft, or moldy, it is necessary to replace it.

Water also ruins insulated appliances like ovens and refrigerators, and it may be impossible to salvage them if water has penetrated their insulation. When your Orlando home has flood damage, there are some best practices you can use within the first 24 hours to ensure the safety of your property and family. These practices can also provide you with the best outcome with your insurance firm. They include:

Prevent additional risks

Check your property for any visible structural destruction like cracks, holes, warping and cracked or loosened foundation elements before entering it. If you suspect damage to gas, water, sewer, and electric lines, call utility companies to perform the requisite inspections.

Secure your home 

If some windows are broken, place boards over them. If the roof is ruined, secure a tarp to protect it. Take photos to prove to your insurer that you have taken precautions to protect your property against further destruction.

Protect your health 

It is advisable to wear waders, waterproof boots, and rubber gloves to avoid contaminants as you remove water-damaged possessions from your house. Throw out any foodstuffs that could have come into contact with the water. The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends boiling water until the authorities confirm that the water supply is safe.

Contact your insurance firm.

Inform your insurance representative about the state of your house and the repairs you intend to perform. Follow the directions of the insurance company on whether you should wait for an adjuster to inspect your house before making repairs. Document the conversations at each stage.

Remove the water

You can use a shop vac to remove the water from your home. Also, open windows and doors to allow fresh air to circulate. Our SERVPRO Water Damage Restoration Technicians (WRT) can assist you in removing the water using portable pumps or wet/dry vacuums.

Dry your property

To dry your home effectively, you must eliminate moisture from the structure and contents as well as the air. Our technicians use air movers, industrial-grade dehumidifiers, and specialized drying equipment such as inject dry systems to remove moisture from a building.

Sanitize your home

 We categorize floodwater as black water, which is threatening to human health. Contaminants in floodwater include hazardous chemicals and microorganisms like viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Our SERVPRO Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians (AMRTs) can use flood disinfectant solutions to disinfect your home to prevent health issues.

When you need flood damage cleanup services in Disney World, Lake Buena Vista or Winter Garden, contact the restoration team at SERVPRO of West Orange for quick restoration. Our 24-hour emergency helpline is (407) 352-1569.

Click here to learn more about Orlando. 

How a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) Helps You Prepare for Storms and Flooding

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

It's hurricane season. Are you ready for potential flooding?

Help Us Help You When Flood Damage Descends on Orlando 

Our Orlando customers can make a substantial positive impact on the harm flooding can inflict on their home and its contents. Making some changes in how you store items or install systems or appliances can avoid a significant catastrophe if extreme seasonal weather strikes. If you travel or reside in another location for part of the year, establishing a relationship with our team can give you peace of mind even if you are elsewhere when flooding threatens. 

Hurricane season stretches over half the year, and even less intense weather systems can expose your Orlando home to flood damage. Having a personal safety plan for yourself and every member of your family is wise. Extending this concept to preparing for potential damage to your home makes sense. 

Be prepared with the SERVPRO ERP Plan 

SERVPRO offers both business and residential customers the opportunity to collaborate with us to design an individualized Emergency Ready Plan and Profile (ERP). We send an experienced project manager or SMR sales and marketing rep to your home.  While there, we check the layout and evaluate the strengths and vulnerabilities of your storage, utility, and other systems, and more. 

How to “Weather the Storm”

Expect recommendations to make your home and contents less likely to sustain significant flood damage. Moving items to higher ground and clearing the way to shut off and control panels make it easier for us to respond safely to any emergency. As we work with you developing the ERP, we come to a consensus on the best ways to approach a flood in your home. We need to understand your priorities.  We show you how we intend to mitigate and remediate a possible flooding event. 

Contact information is crucial

SERVPRO also suggests you nominate a local contact to act on your behalf if you are unavailable during a flooding event. Even if friends or family are vacationing in your home, it is a good idea to have a preselected point person both you and our team relies upon if a disaster occurs. 

SERVPRO of West Orange encourages proactivity on the part of our globe-trotting customers. To ready yourself and your property for flood damage, call (407) 352-1569 to schedule an ERP assessment.

More about Orlando.

Orlando Professionals Explain Drying Goals and how They Affect Your Flood Damaged Homes

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

It's hurricane season. Are you prepared for flood damage?

Creating a Dry Goal to Ensure your Orlando Home returns to Pre-loss Condition after Flood Damage

When floodwater enters your home, it can be an extremely frustrating experience. Depending on the scale and size of your property, complete service from start to finish can take anywhere between twelve hours and a few weeks. During this time, you need a professional company you can rely on to carry out restoration services correctly. Our Water Restoration Technicians (WRT) are qualified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certifications (IICRC) body who make daily assessments of your property to ensure progress and outcomes.

Creating a "drying goal" is essential to achieving the full restoration of flood damage in your Orlando home. A drying goal brings materials in the contents and structure of your property to their natural dryness before the flood; otherwise known as returning materials to their preloss condition. SERVPRO calculate the appropriate by taking readings from contents and structure from unaffected areas of the home. Calibrating readings from the affected area with the unaffected area achieves our "dry goal."

The equipment SERVPRO use to establish our target is comprehensive. Moisture sensors and meters are used to probe contents or structure and assess how saturated materials are with water. Monitoring of relative humidity is another crucial factor in returning your home to a preloss condition, with readings taken using a thermal hygrometer. The process of drying involves adjusting evaporation, temperature, and humidity with equipment to return your home to its condition before the flood.

We pump or vacuum out large quantities of flood water using extraction units and submersible gas pumps. It is 1,200 times faster to transport water out of a property than it is to dehumidify. However, pumps are ineffective below two inches of standing water. Extraction units can also be ineffective at removing moisture that has absorbed into materials. To combat these SERVPRO technicians use drier air to increase evaporation. Desiccant dehumidifiers can reduce humidity levels to below 40 grains per pound and draw moisture from solid porous materials like woods, mattresses, and subfloor.

Returning property to a preloss condition requires careful planning and daily updates. Contact SERVPRO of West Orange at (407) 352-1569 for an emergency call out.

More about Orlando.

Professionals Talk About Flood Damage Restoration in Orlando

4/18/2019 (Permalink)

Storms and flooding are a common occurrence in Florida. SERVPRO of West Orange is on call 24/7 to restore your home.

Preventing Flood Damage in an Orlando Home

Florida is no stranger to structural damage from heavy rain. It can be quite the hassle, however, to come home from work and find that rain accumulation on the low spots of your roof caused an unsightly ceiling and wall leak in your bedroom. Not only is it almost impossible to mitigate damage on your own, but it takes a team of professionals to ensure the structural components of your home are thoroughly cleaned and dried to prevent mold, cupping, warping, and other issues that can lead to long-term problems.  

If you find weather-related flood damage in your Orlando residence, SERVPRO technicians are ready to come to you and restore your home to its pre-existing condition 24/7. Our certified, professionals have the tools and methods to clean, dry, and deodorize your residence after it has been affected by roof flooding.  

Our team can use a wide variety of water detection equipment to evaluate moisture levels both in the air and on surfaces and mitigate damage to structures as a result. SERVPRO utilizes moisture sensors to get a preliminary read on porous surfaces such as carpet. Infrared imaging and moisture meters are also used to get a read of moisture levels behind walls and on surfaces.  

After moving and preserving furniture and fixtures in your home, our team can get to work placing air movers and dehumidifiers in strategic locations to pull absorbed moisture out of surfaces and into the air, where they can be sucked up by a low grain refrigerant (LGR) dehumidifier. This machine works by passing moist air over refrigerated coils, and in the process collects and drains water, and expels dry air. This process can be aided by the setup of polyethylene partitions, which can accelerate drying.  

SERVPRO of West Orange is dedicated to providing the community with around-the-clock disaster cleanup you can count on to mitigate damage in your home. Call (407) 352-1569 today, and we can have a team ready to address your disaster within hours.

Read about Orlando here.

When Trees Cause Water Damage to Your Orlando Home

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know that SERVPRO provides emergency board up and tarping services?

Tree Damage That Leads to Flooding in Your Orlando Home

With the severe weather that can affect your Orlando home throughout the year, homes have become more and more reinforced against the gale-force winds and potential hazards of these often intense events. Even with reinforced construction and precautions designed to help protect your home against severe weather events, there are variables like weakening trees that can pose the same level of risk. If a tree falls into your home, or large branch damages your roof, you can welcome detrimental effects like flooding into your property.

Storm damage in Orlando can take many paths to lead to flood damage in your home. As challenging as flooding can be to clean up and remove from your home, professional restoration technicians like our SERVPRO team have efficient equipment and approaches to help this process go faster and prove more efficient overall. From extraction to high-efficiency drying solutions, we have the industry-leading equipment to make a difference quickly in your flooded home.

With our licensed contractors, we can work quickly to provide emergency board up and tarping services to prevent further flooding to your home. These solutions can also come simultaneously with our other restoration technicians working on setting up the extraction equipment to remove standing water from affected areas of your home. Once the storm has passed, these same contractors can work to fully repair the damage to your home from the fallen tree, remove the tree and its remnants from your property, and assess the rest of the house for any storm damage.

Cleaning up the flood damage inside begins with the extraction of standing water, but rests most heavily on the effective drying equipment that our technicians use. With a high volume of air movers, dehumidifiers, and specialty drying equipment, our SERVPRO team can effectively reduce all present moisture and saturation to prevent unnecessary tear out and reconstruction inside.

Tree damage is more common than many area homeowners might believe. With the high winds expected in severe weather systems throughout the year, knowing whom to call in an emergency can save you time and money on the restoration. Give our SERVPRO of West Orange rapid response team a call 24/7 at (407) 352-1569.

Read about Orlando here.

Windermere Storms Harmed Your Property?? No Problem, Call SERVPRO for Full Service Help

11/29/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO to the Rescue in Windermere From Storm to Cleanup to Rebuild

The Real Risks of Storm Damage to Your Windermere Home

Severe weather systems pass through the Windermere area frequently throughout certain periods in the year. The better prepared that homes are for this inevitability, the less likely they are to become victims of flooding and other similar effects. When storms damage your property, you want to know that you can get this situation resolved quickly before it can lead to worsening conditions, if it has not already allowed flooding to access your home.

Flood damages can be a challenge to overcome in your Windermere home, especially when you already have exterior damages to your house to contend with as well. Our experienced SERVPRO technicians can assess the full scope of the exterior and interior damages in situations like this to provide the fastest possible care for the disaster.

With a licensed contracting division of our franchise, we can offer our customers a rounded experience that begins with a full inspection of the premises and ends with a fully restored home. The job does not need to involve other organizations and companies with their own timelines and schedules, which can slow down the overall restoration process for your home. We also work with you and your insurance adjuster, if one is involved, to determine the best path forward.

In addition to offering full reconstruction and remodeling services as a residential and commercial contractor, we can offer immediate board up services to prevent the acute damages that can result from prolonged or recurring storms passing through the area. While ultimately we can repair these vulnerable points completely, sealing over the area first can allow mitigation to happen without delay.

When recovering from flood damages, our SERVPRO team has the equipment to handle the damages fast. We have truck-mounted and gas-powered pumps capable of extracting water at 300 psi. With the combination of our air movers and dehumidifiers, we can dry up the area very quickly as well.

Storm damages might feel inevitable for many of the residents in the area, but knowing how to respond when it is your home that gets damaged is critical to preserving what matters most to you. Give our SERVPRO of West Orange emergency response team a call anytime an emergency threatens your property at (407) 352-1569.

Where is this area? right here.

Lake Buena Vista Houses and Condo Owners Rely on SERVPRO for Storm Loss Mitigation

11/19/2018 (Permalink)

Take the Kids to Disney World While SERVPRO Restores Your Storm-Damaged Lake Buena Vista Property

Flooding Risks After Storm Damage to Lake Buena Vista Homes

Lake Buena Vista residents are no strangers to the severe weather that could impact the area. While many homes have prepared themselves against the high-powered winds and hurricane-strength storms that can pass through with little warning, many of these defenses prove inadequate when faced with prolonged systems. If damage to the exterior of your home during a storm, occurs, you open your property to the possibility of substantial flooding.

The roof of your home is often the first to suffer significant concerns which can allow for flood damages to develop in Lake Buena Vista. Without a solid roof, runoff finds its way into the vulnerable, exposed portion and floods the attic space of your property. With this scenario, many homeowners remain unaware that a problem exists until this flood damage extends to the floors below.

At the first sign of flooding on your property, you should reach out to the experienced rapid response team that we have at SERVPRO. Our technicians have the skills and expertise to help mitigate your loss in a situation like this and have the equipment to extract excess water and dry the area as quickly as possible. We can do emergency board-up work to prevent further penetration of runoff and rainfall while the mitigation work continues. Who has not seen "blue tarps" covering numerous roofs in Florida?

Our franchise offers a comprehensive approach to the restoration that we offer our customers, especially when these residents have suffered from storm damages. Our experienced team can not only help to extract the water from the affected areas and dry up damaged elements, but we also have the experience and licensing to reconstruct and rebuild damaged areas of your home to prevent further delays in the complete restoration of your home. "Like it never even happened."

Many situations could threaten the exterior defenses of your home and leave you exposed to the possibility of flooding. Our SERVPRO of West Orange team can help limit the damage that this intruding water can do and offer efficient build back services to restore your home entirely. Give us a call anytime at (407) 352-1569.

Are you ready to make the move to here?

Storm Damage? SERVPRO Can Help!

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Don't let storm damage blow you away! SERVPRO can help resolve storm damage to your home or office!

Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by hurricane Florence. This storm caused damage that will take a long time to repair and people are still without power.  Often times you don't realize how much you rely on daily conveniences like power and air conditioning until you have to go with out them. 

Luckily, this hurricane did not hit Central Florida, but there are still several storms lingering out there.  Even if these storm pass us by, we will still be at risk of hurricanes for a few more months.

Of course, it is not just hurricanes that can cause storm damage. In Central Florida, even routine thunderstorms can be particularly powerful.  We have seen heavy damage for hail, wind, rain and more in a matter of minutes and almost without warning.  

No matter how unexpected your storm damage, SERVPRO can help!  Our team of experts are trained to handle water damage, mold, fire and smoke damage, biohazards and mush more.  Nobody know more about these issues then we do!

Remember, our team is here 27/7 365 to help if you ever need us.  Whether you are the victim of flooding, fire, mold, or biohazard, our team of experts can help...and FAST!

Have You Been The Victim of Storm Damage?

10/1/2018 (Permalink)

Don't worry, whatever happens SERVPRO will be ready to help you when you get back home.

We see the same scenario over and over again. A massive storm forms in the Atlantic. Weather professionals have no real idea where it is going to go or how big a storm it will be until almost 24 hours ahead of time.

Some people evacuate and board of their home and businesses. Others stay behind to make sure everything will be OK. Unfortunately, in either case there is not a lot that can be done to prevent storm damage. From tropical storms to hurricanes, the damage can be significant and there is not much you can do to stop it from happening.

There is something to take comfort in. No matter what happens the damage can be repaired. While people are irreplaceable (and a lot harder to fix) property can be restored.

At SERVPRO, our team of professionals have seen in all. Mold, fire, smoke, water, trauma, biohazard and much more. Nothing surprises us and there is nothing we can't handle.

Not only can we repair whatever damage your property has incurred, we can work with your insurance company to make your claim process as quick and easy as possible. That's another benefit to using one of the largest repair and restoration companies in the country.

If you need us, just give us a call. Our team will be there, ready and willing to help, 24/7 365!

You Can Count on SERVPPRO for Storm Response!

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready to help with any disaster - any time!

Hurricanes and severe storms are a common part of our life in the Central Florida area. From South Orlando, to Ocoee, to Apopka, our franchise is available for disasters of any size. Many times though, when disaster strikes, it is hard to determine what step to take first. SERVPRPO Industries has a Disaster Recovery team that can be called in to assist our neighbors after a major storm. Our franchise can call in reinforcements to make sure that all of our neighbors are assisted ASAP!    

How does it all work?

As a team, SERVPRO franchises and corporate staff work together to track storms that will affect our franchise areas. After the storm hits, as soon as it is safe for our crews to enter the damaged area, they are dispatched. Mobile command centers are set up and franchises are pulled from over 1,650 locations across the country to help, depending on the size of the disaster. Crews will work around the clock to get people back into their homes and businesses as soon as possible.

Dealing with the aftermath of a major storm is very stressful. We are happy to offer our services in order to relieve some of that stress!

Hurricane Preparedness In Central Florida

5/2/2018 (Permalink)

Use our hurricane preparedness list to make sure you are ready!

Every year we hear about hurricane preparedness. What you need to do to make sure you, your family, and your belongings are as safe as possible during a storm. Each year we make calls to family making sure they are ready in case of an emergency, and each year we add more things to our list of ideas and needs that can be utilized in case of an emergency at the home.

Let’s take a moment to discuss water. Anyone who has been through a disaster knows it’s importance. Day to day you need it, but what happens when the temperature goes up, there is no AC, and you are exposed to more prolonged sun light? Dehydration sets in faster and water may become a more important need than it does without those conditions. Did you know the water heater in your home may hold up to 40-60 gallons of water? Fresh drinking water. You can access this directly from your water heater and it may make the difference in an emergency. Of course, it is always best in the case of an imminent storm, to store ahead of time as much clean and flushable water as you can. If the water supply is contaminated it may take weeks before it is safe to use again.

What about food? In emergency situations you will need to learn to ration food for prolonged periods. Meaning non spoiling products should be stocked up on and kept on hand. Make sure you have a fuel source for a grill or cooking source so you can plow through all that meat and produce you have stored in the freezer before it’s gone. Save the canned items for later.

We will be available to help with the clean-up after the storm passes. Our office can be reached at 407-352-1569, 24/7/365. 

Hurricane IRMA-Destruction in Central Florida

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

Hurricane Irma swept through Central Florida causing devastation on many levels. We were fortunate enough to not have the maximum amount of damage forecasted, but that doesn’t mean that the damage wasn’t enough to hurt.

As a restoration company, we received THOUSANDS of phone calls. In general, people know that they need to call a company like ours for help after a natural disaster like Irma. We actually received some phone calls before the storm hit, because people understood the need to be prepared. With everything going on, there are some things that go unnoticed, and as I write this, I find the need to share those things. They are important because they truly show the spirit of our company.

Before the storm hit we had a plan in place that would allow us to help as many people as possible, as fast as possible. We are a 24/7 service company for emergency service, but typically, after 5:00 in the evening and until 8:00 in the morning, we have our calls answered by a service. That way we can allow our staff time to sleep! We knew though, that we needed to have someone on staff answering the phones once the storm hit, because they would be the best ones to answer questions, offer some hope, and get people in line for service. We had two employees that agreed to do this. They tirelessly answered calls for days.

Because we are part of a national system of franchises, SERVPRO corporate called in the cavalry to assist the local franchises. Once each local office was at their limit, we could easily dispatch out one of our sister franchises. That allowed us to get someone out as soon as possible, instead of having to turn people away or wait for weeks for service. There were franchises from all over the country that came in to help, many of them even came directly from helping in Texas after Harvey.

From a business standpoint, right after a storm is a time for restoration companies to make money. What I found interesting though, was that instead of sending people out to try to secure the biggest jobs, Scott Tracy, the owner of our franchise, was busy making sure that the employee’s families were safe. He even went out and bought additional generators for those families to use so that they wouldn’t have to be without power at their home. He was busy with trying to take care of those around him.

Our office was without power for 9 days. We serviced as many people as possible by working from our General Manager’s home. Her kitchen table was turned into a mobile office. We could do almost everything we needed to in order to help our customers and get the information to our production team that they needed.

These things all add up to one big picture, our franchise is led by a team of people who CARE, not just about the bottom line of the business, but about the community and their staff. When the next storm hits, remember that a company that cares about their employees will care more about their customers too. SERVPRO is always here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

What to Look for After the Storm is Long Gone

11/3/2017 (Permalink)

It’s been weeks since we had our brush with Hurricane Irma in Central Florida. How did your home do? Did you have minimal damage? Some missing shingles? Maybe some slight water intrusion from windows? Did you think that you had it all cleaned up but now you are starting to smell something funny? Here are a few things to look for that will help you decided if you have an area that needs to be investigated further by a professional.

• Musty smell-many people report this after there has been a water intrusion in their home or business. If it goes away in a couple days, then it probably isn’t a big issue. If you notice that the smell lingers, and is even a bit stronger in a specific area, this would be a cause for further investigation.
• Water marks that seem to have come out of nowhere. This could be a sign that the area you thought was dry, is actually still wet. Modern building materials can hold water in them for longer periods of time, making it harder to find right away.
• Bulging floors, buckling floors, “squishy” floors, these are all signs of a water intrusion issue. Many times, when your floor is showing those signs, there will be other areas affected also.
• Drywall that is crumbling or bulging. This can be a sign that the drywall was wet at one point, or still is, and that it needs to be checked further.

These are three simple things, but added together they can be a sign that there might be mold growth or even some areas that need proper drying. If you’ve noticed that your home or business is being affected by these or similar things, feel free to give us a call to discuss them. Our team is available to answer questions for you or schedule an inspection. You can reach us at 407-352-1569. 

Post storm tips and hints

1/6/2017 (Permalink)

Here in central Florida we are used to preparing for storms. These reminders should help you and your family prepare for the next one that comes our way. You don’t want to be left out in the heat and unprepared for surviving if a large storm or disaster does affect you.

Water: As stated in previous blog posts, a traditional standing water heater holds up to 40 gallons of clean water. If the water to your home isn’t flowing this is a great last resort. However, if there is water going into the home, make sure you check with county sites to find out if you are under a boil water alert or not. Make sure you have 1 gallon of water per person for up to one week stored before the storm hits.

Food: Canned food and none perishable foods like beans, canned vegetables, and soups are good to have around. If you have a small gas cooking device you’ll want to empty out your freezer as fast as possible of any frozen foods so make sure to cook through your perishable foods before your canned foods.

Gas and fuel: Make sure you have a full tank of gasoline in all of your vehicles. Fuel might become limited during an emergency situation. So you’ll want to make sure you are topped off before the storm hits. As for fuel oil this goes for gasoline for generators, propane for cooking, and lamp oil if you plan to use gas lamps for a lightning source.

Outside of these basic items there are an assortment of other items  you may want to keep handy such as:

*hand cranking can opener

*First aid kit

*Cooler for perishable foods

*duct tape and garbage bags

*Flashlight and batteries

This short list of items can keep you prepared for the aftermath of an emergency. It’s recommended each year you check off an emergency disaster check-list to insure your stocks are full before a disaster happens.

Central Florida Home and Business Storm Prep

1/3/2017 (Permalink)

Being told that you have a major storm coming your way is hard enough, but now you have to figure out the best way to try and keep both your residential or commercial building from any sort of damage or loss. Our team has a saying, “you can never plan for a storm, but you can plan to be ready for it.” Let’s say that there is going to be a storm tomorrow. Are you prepared for whatever may happen? If your answer is no, then it is better that you don’t wait until you hear that the hurricane or thunderstorm of the century is coming, because by then it may be too late. Here are some things to make sure you check off of your checklist for your home:

• Remove any branches or trees adjacent to your building that could potentially fall and damage it.
• Sandbag any area that is subject to flooding
• Relocate any valuable or fragile possessions
• Secure all utilities including water heaters, gas tanks, and heaters and if necessary, raise them to higher locations to avoid water damage
• Invest in and install shutters or plywood in order to protect windows and doors from wind-born debris
• Have the roof of your building or home evaluated to ensure it can withstand a storm
• Turn off propane tanks
• Ensure a water supply for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.
•  

Preparing your business is a little different, but these tips can help:

• Carefully assess how your company functions, both internally and externally, to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating.
• Identify operations critical to survival and recovery.
• Plan what you will do if your building is not accessible. Can you run your business from a different location or from your home? Can you develop a relationship with other local businesses to use their facilities if a disaster makes your location unusable?

We know that storms and the damage that comes with them are inevitable at times. You can rest assured that SERVPRO of Apopka/Wekiva will be available to assist you with your home or business in the event of any size disaster.