SERVPRO's Vermont Voyage: Restoring Hope Amid the Floods

9/27/2023 (Permalink)

On July 10^th, 2023, catastrophic rain hit the State of Vermont causing flooding throughout.

Over the first 48 hours of rainfall, it was reported that up to 9 inches of rain fell in areas with no end in sight. Torrential rains, swollen rivers, and overflowing reservoirs converged, unleashing a deluge that tested the resilience of its residents. Towns were submerged, homes marooned, and roadways rendered impassable.

As the waters eventually receded, Vermont embarked on a journey of recovery, with organizations like SERVPRO at the forefront, aiding in the restoration of homes and communities.

4,000 homes and 800 businesses reported water damage - some being the notable State Capital buildings in Montpelier.

On July 13^th, 2023, the SERVPRO Disaster Recovery team out of Columbus, Ohio headed towards the record-breaking devastation. With three semi-Tractor trailers packed with over 1200 Air Movers followed by 75 highly trained team members traveled 700 miles northeast to support with the States Cleaning efforts.

Our SERVPRO team was able to aid in 13 critical buildings by offering expert water extraction, thorough cleaning, and extensive restoration services.

The 13 buildings spanned from multi story to 150-year historic staples in the community.  

Throughout the next 9 weeks our crew’s dedication to restore Montpelier was unwavering. With each restored building, we helped rebuild dreams and history, embodying our mission to not merely clean up after disasters but to restore the heart of a district.

In each waterlogged room and beneath the layers of mud, we discovered the enduring spirit of a state determined to rebuild and restore the rich history of the state.

The community hadn’t seen these record rain falls since 2011 during Tropical Storm Irene. As the nation’s leader in water mitigation, we were there to assist and strengthen the area.

We are honored to be the trusted restoration partners to help mitigate the water damage, restore the history of Vermont, and revitalize the city of Montpelier. In time of the crisis, we hope our dedication shone through and the people of Vermont know they can always count on SERVPRO to help embark on the path to recovery.

What To Do When Filing A Flood Insurance Claim

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Don't wait to file a claim! Call your Insurance Agent and our SERVPRO Team!

Most homeowner’s insurance does not offer flood coverage. However, if you have a separate flood policy for your home, then you will want to file an insurance claim if your home has been damaged. The process can sometimes be frustrating or confusing, so use the following tips to help your claim go smoothly.

1. Call Your Insurance Agent

The first step in filing a flood claim is calling your insurance agent. In some cases, the company can deny your claim if you have waited too long to contact them. Getting the process started right away will prevent this.

2. Take Pictures

After you have contacted your agent to begin the process, you should take photos of any areas of the house that have been flooded. Be sure to photograph any affected items as well. This will help the insurance company determine the extent of the damage. Keeping a list can be helpful as well.

3. Set Aside Affected Belongings

Once you have taken pictures and documented the damage, you don’t need to wait for the insurance adjuster to arrive to begin moving your items. If you allow them to sit in the water, the damage will only worsen, so you should relocate them to a dry area quickly.

4. Prevent Additional Damage

If the insurance company does not believe that you have taken the necessary steps to prevent further damage, this can affect your flood claim. It is a good idea to call a water damage restoration company, like SERVPRO to do repairs, but you can start on remediation before they arrive. Along with moving affected items, you can board up areas and place tarps to prevent the water from spreading.
Making a flood claim may not always be the simplest process, but there are things you can do to make it easier on yourself. Following this advice will help move it along more quickly and ensure you get the most that you can from your policy.

SERVPRO's Dedicated Storm Response

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

Call our SERVPRO Team today! We are faster to any size disaster!

Our team here at SERVPRO of South Columbus is always ready for whatever happens, no matter the time of day. Our crews are always on standby 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When it comes to fire and water damage, our professionals work tirelessly to make sure our customers are satisfied and are explained each step of the cleaning process.

Highly Trained Storm Damage Specialists

As leading professionals in the storm and water damage industry, we have advanced training and expertise, along with a tremendous amount of hands-on experience. We use this training and experience to quickly dry your home or business and restore it back to pre-storm condition.

Faster to Any Size Disaster

If a storm hits your home or business, odds are you'll need help immediately. Our team's quick response will help prevent any secondary damage and help reduce restoration costs.

We Have the Resources to Handle Storms and Disasters

Our team has access to resources and personnel of over 1,900 franchises to handle major storms and disasters. Our team also has access to our exclusive Disaster Recovery Teams strategically located to respond to catastrophic storms and events throughout the country.

Locally Owned and Operated

SERVPRO of South Columbus is locally owned and operated. We are actively apart of the community with you as well. When you have a storm disaster or flooding emergency, we are in the area and ready to help you.

If you experience storm damage, don't hesitate to call our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team at 614-863-1392. We are always here to help!

Hidden Places Mold Might Grow After A Flood

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

Understanding how fungi develop and where it hides can help you eliminate it.

When strong storms strike Columbus, OH they can cause flooding in your basement, crawlspace, or even the ground floor of your home. Once the water recedes you may think your flood troubles are over, but secondary damage may occur. One of the most common is mold growth, which can grow within 24 hours of a flood. Mold can grow undetected, so there are a few places you may want to check once your home is safe to enter. 

1. Behind Walls 
Mold can thrive without sunlight and prefers moist, dark areas. It is commonly found behind drywall because of the porousness of the material, which retains moisture. Once mold takes hold behind walls, it can affect the insulation and spread to other areas. You may want to have a mold inspection or flood damage service perform a flood cut, which involves cutting into the drywall about 12-18 inches above the floodwater line to check for the presence of mold. 

2. Under Carpeting 
Wet carpeting and its padding may retain moisture if it is not properly dried. This can cause the development of mold and its byproduct, mycotoxin, which can produce the musty smell often associated with fungi. While most types of mold do not contain bacteria, as the two are often created differently, it is wise to leave their removal to a flood technician because each might need specialized removal treatments. 

3. Inside Cabinets 
Kitchen and bathroom cabinets may be prone to mold growth because of their location and vulnerability to standing water. After a flood, these spaces may not dry completely and encourage fungi growth. Flood damage and restoration service can find and remove mold in this area or replace any affected cabinetry and materials as needed.

What To Do After A Tree Falls On Your House

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

A tree fell on this local home and damaged the roof. Luckily our SERVPRO Team came to the rescue!

When a tree falls on your roof, it not only damages your home’s structure, but it also exposes the inside of your home to outside elements. During certain times of the year, our SERVPRO Team gets a mass amount of calls from customers who have had trees fall on their roof and are unsure of what to do. It’s not a quick process, but there are a few steps you can take!

1. Remove the tree. This might seem like an obvious first step, but we’ve had countless calls from customers who haven’t even removed the tree. Until the damaged area of your roof has been cleared, it can’t be covered. We recommend calling your local tree removal company.

2. Tarp exposed areas. Unless you’re lucky, a fallen tree will likely cause damage to your roof, generally leaving it exposed. To ensure outside elements don’t get in and cause more damage to the inside of your home, you should have the affected area tarped.

3. Contact your local SERVPRO Team. The tarp is only a temporary solution! After the damaged area is tarped, our SERVPRO Team will discuss next step repairs with you. If a storm hits before the affected area is properly tarped, you will most likely have water damage affecting the interior of your home. Our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team can not only handle your water disaster but also fix your damaged structure of your home!

A fallen tree can cause a lot of damage and create a headache for you, but with the above steps, you can get your life back on track. If your home is damaged by a fallen tree, call our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team today! We are available 24/7 to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Classes of Damage

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians are trained handle any size and any class disaster!

f you have ever endured storm damage to your Columbus home, SERVPRO is here to help.  Our employees are trained and certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) to ensure that the technicians have the expertise in restoring your home. 

In cases where there is flood damage to your home, the IICRC categorizes four different classes of destruction as follows:

• Class 1:  The lowest and easiest to deal with, this has a slow evaporation rate. Only part of a room or area was affected, there is little or no wet carpet, and the moisture has only affected materials with a low permeance rate, such as plywood or concrete.
• Class 2:  With a fast evaporation rate, this level affects an entire room, carpeting, or cushioning, the wetness has wicked up the walls at least 12”, and there is moisture remaining in structural materials.
• Class 3:  This class has the fastest evaporation rate, and ceilings, walls, insulation, carpet and sub-floors are all saturated. The liquid may have come from overhead. 
• Class 4:  This class is labeled as specialty drying situations, which means there has been enough liquid and time to saturate materials with very low permeance, such as hardwood, brick, or stone.

If your home is ever in need of restoration services from flood damage, call SERVPRO of South Columbus at 614-863-1392!

Does Your Insurance Policy Have You Covered?

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Columbus is prepared for the unexpected! Call us today at 614-863-1392!

Bad weather can spring up without much of a warning. Most of the time when a flash flood or bad thunderstorm is threatening your area, you barely have enough time to find shelter. As a homeowner, it is important that you think about these moments before they occur.

Do you have the correct insurance policy? Is your home going to be covered in the event of a disaster? Is the amount of coverage going to be enough to restore your home? Thinking about these questions before the storm damage occurs can make your life after the storm much easier.

Before you do anything else, stop and make sure your home is covered for the following:

• Water and Windstorm Damage
• Debris or Tree Removal
• Sewer Backup Due to Flooding
• Sump Pump Failures Due to Flooding
• Additional Living Expenses In Case A Storm Forces You Out of Your Home

Once you have the proper home insurance coverage for storm damage, you can feel safer during the event of a disaster. Seeing your home damaged after a major storm can be heartbreaking. The best thing you can do for your family and your home is to begin the storm damage recovery immediately.

Our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team is here to help after every storm. We are available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year!

How Can I Reduce The Level Of Flood Damage In My Home?

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians had to remove the furniture in this basement and take it back to our warehouse to be stored and cleaned.

For many Columbus residents, any storm-related flooding can be a traumatic event. While there are methods to prepare for flooding like reinforcing your roof or removing expensive furniture, there is little help in an emergency's immediate aftermath. Our SERVPRO technicians can help you overcome flooding by performing vital mitigation acts quickly after a storm event.

Flood mitigation in Columbus may include actions like removing standing water from the home, drying inner rooms, or temporarily storing possessions at our warehouse. Contacting a highly qualified restoration company immediately after discussing your coverages with your insurance carrier can go a long way to reducing the losses caused by a flood after the fact.

What preventative measures are useful for storm areas?
- Taking out a flood insurance policy
- Maintaining water disposal in the home such as basement sump pumps, gutters, and drainage
- Turning off water mains access ahead of time to avoid backups

Do floodwaters permanently damage furnishings?
Furnishings are frequently victims of flood damage for residents. We understand how many items may be difficult to replace in a home, so our dedicated SERVPRO technicians are expertly trained in contents restoration. Larger items like sofas may benefit from temporary removal to a dry area where they can be thoroughly dehumidified to remove any excess moisture. Our technicians can also apply an extensive range of cleaning products and techniques to return upholstery to its preloss condition. By pre-testing on discrete areas of the fabric, we can avoid lasting damages of color fade or spot.

What restoration is available for furnishings?
- Thorough drying of the affected furniture
- Special services for leather, satin, or other unique upholstery
- Buffering and mechanical cleaning of furniture fibers

An unexpected summer storm can lead to extensive damage to both your home and its contents. Contact our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team at (614) 863-1392 for assistance.

Summer Is Approaching With Possible Storm and Wind Damage

6/22/2021 (Permalink)

A tree blown over caused damage to a pole barn and truck.

With summer upon us thunderstorms can not only bring water damage to homes, it can also bring wind damage.  Damage from severe thunderstorm winds account for half of all severe reports in the lower 48 states and is more common than damage from tornadoes.

Below are some steps to take if your home is damaged by wind.

Documenting Damage:

• Call and report your damage to your insurance company.
• From a safe location, take pictures of any damage.
• Inventory any belongings that may have been destroyed or damaged, noting the brand, price, age, etc.
• If you have pictures of your home before the damage, include them with your insurance claim.

Preventing Further Damage:

• If you suspect possible structural, electrical or gas-leak hazards, shut off electrical power, natural gas and propane tanks to avoid fire, electrocution or explosions.
• Cover broken windows and doors with tarps, heavy plastic or plywood to prevent further damage. Save repair receipts for reimbursement. 

Repairs and Cleanup:

• Don’t start permanent, major repairs or renovations until your property has been inspected by an insurance representative.
• If your roof needs to be replaced, hire a professional roofing contractor who is licensed and insured.
• Fallen trees or large branches also are best removed by a professional tree service. This service may be covered depending on your policy coverage.

If your home suffers wind damage, please contact SERVPRO of South Columbus 614-863-1392 for any board up, tarp up, tree removal, or roof replacement services.

Spring Showers Bring... FLOODING?!?!

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

Let SERVPRO of South Columbus take care of your residential and commercial flooding needs.

We have all heard the saying “April showers bring May flowers”. Large amounts of rainfall is not only common during this time of the year, at the beginning of spring but also in this region of the country. It has become something all of us Ohioans "put up" with in hopes of sunny, warm, and beautiful summer weather.

Unfortunately April showers not only bring May flowers, they bring rainy days. These rainy days often lead to flooded basements, sump pump overflows, and more water damage. Oh no! But have no fear SERVPRO of South Columbus is here to help 24 hours a day with any flooding disasters you may experience.

We have a team of trained professionals ready and waiting to help get your life back to normal. Call our SERVPRO team today at (614) 863-1392!

Who Should You Call After Experiencing Storm Damage

4/7/2021 (Permalink)

This home experienced water damage due to cracks in the roof which lead to water making its way inside the home.

Who Do You Call?

When a storm comes down quick and fast, it often finds the cracks in the roofs, or the storm floods a part of your home and remediation is often needed. Most homeowners do not think about who their remediation company might be if needed. Most people may never experience something like this and the idea of a contractor coming into your home is sheer terror. With all the nightmare stories that exist about contractors, it is no surprise!

We Will Put You At Ease

Here at SERVPRO of South Columbus, we want to put your anxiety about hiring someone to come and make repairs to your home. We are here to help you get your home put back together and walk you through the entire process. We want to make sure that you have the confidence when you hire us that we will get the job done efficiently and correct the first time. Things are going to happen, how we react to them and how we prepare for them is the difference.

Call our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team today at (614) 863-1392 for all of your storm damage needs. We are always here to help!

Minimizing Storm Damage

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Call our SERVPRO of South Columbus Team for your mitigation and restoration needs!

Weather in Ohio can change in an instant, and it only takes a small shift in a storm’s track to bring torrential downpours that could lead to devastating flooding. If you are a business owner, a flood can represent a serious threat to your company’s operations. While there is not a lot you can do to stop major floods from hurricanes and other natural disasters, here are some steps you can take to lessen the impact of storm and flood damage. 

Build Barriers to Slow Water Incursion

Water is a powerful force, and it is virtually impossible to keep it at bay, but you can align barriers in the path to slow it down. You can start this process long before the onset of flooding by building a levee, berm or flood control wall if local building codes permit. Have a professional assess your lower floors to see if you should apply sealants to walls or relocate utility boxes. When the rain starts falling, you could enlist help to place sandbags in strategic areas around the structure:

• Across doorways, right up against the door.
  
  
• In front of garage doors.
  
  
• Around showers and floor drains to prevent incursion of water.

When building sandbag walls, make certain you do not completely surround your building, and use a plastic tarp as a base for extra waterproofing.

Clean Storm Drains and Gutters

In many cases, flood damage happens during normal storms because the building owner did not keep up on maintenance. Gutters, storm drains and other devices are designed to channel water away from the building, which is why it is important to clean them regularly to ensure they are free of debris that could cause a backup.

Minimize Losses, Being Prepared

Why risk significant disruptions to your operations when you could cut down on storm damage by taking some preparatory steps? Should you experience flooding despite your efforts, be sure to contact an experienced remediation company like SERVPRO of South Columbus to get you back up and running as soon as possible.

September is National Preparedness Month

9/11/2020 (Permalink)

Disasters don't wait. Make a plan today!

National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the course of the year. As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be involved this September.

Week 1: The first week in September is focused around making a plan. Prepare by talking to your friends and family about how you will communicate before, during, and after a disaster. Be sure to update your plan based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations due to the coronavirus.

Week 2: The second week in September is about building a kit. Gather supplies that will last for several days after a disaster for everyone living in your home.  Don’t forget to consider the unique needs each person or pet may have in case you have to evacuate quickly. Update your kits and supplies based on recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Week 3: The third week in September is focused on preparing for disasters. Limit the impacts that disasters have on you and your family.  Know the risk of disasters in your area and check your insurance coverage. Learn how to make your home stronger in the face of storms and other common hazards and act fast if you receive a local warning or alert.

Week 4: The last week in September is geared towards teaching the youth about preparedness. Be sure to talk to your kids about preparing for emergencies and what to do in case you are separated. Reassure them by providing information about how they can get involved.

Columbus Is Flooded, What Now?

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

This basement flooded due to the sump pump not being able to keep up during a recent storm.

Columbus has experienced two major storm events in the last couple months causing thousands of local homeowners to find themselves with water in their homes. This water enters the home through the foundation, up through the sump pump, and down through small unknown holes in the roof. Unfortunately when Columbus gets that amount of rain during a small period of time, it is almost inevitable that the water will find its way into your home.

You have discovered water in your home. Now what? Your first thought should be to call SERVPRO! Here at SERVPRO of South Columbus we watch the weather and are prepared for any storm coming into the area.

Unfortunately when the storms are really big like they were in March and May of this year, our phones are ringing off of the hook. Hundreds and hundreds of calls rolling in, but we don't get worried. You know why? Because we have our National Storm Team ready to help us whenever big storms hit our Columbus area.

After the March and May storms, we activated our National Storm Team to help us take care of all of the water damaged homes in Columbus. Both events, we had at least 15 other franchises helping us out and we couldn't have been happier.

So don't get nervous the next time a big storm rolls in and everyone on your street gets flooded, rest assured SERVPRO of South Columbus and the National Storm Team is here to help! Call our SERVPRO Team today!

Summer Storms Can Bring Unexpected Water Damage In Your Home

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

This flooded residential home was caused by a recent storm.

It's official, summer is FINALLY here! It's the time of the year that we have all been waiting for. It's a time for us to be outside, enjoy the sunshine and get ourselves a nice tan. But we always forget that summer also brings us storms, which means rain! Bummer!

You have probably already noticed that our forecast lately has a lot rain in the future. Does the upcoming rain make you think about your home? Probably not, you're too busy waiting for the rain to go away so you can get back outside again. But you should be thinking about your home especially with the upcoming storms we may have this summer.

Thinking about your home and the rain, you should have SERVPRO in the back of your mind! Our SERVPRO of South Columbus team is here for all of your water damage needs.

Here at SERVPRO we are prepared for any upcoming storm even though you may not be. We have a 24-7 on-call technician available for you, even in the early morning hours. We are ready to address your next residential disaster and send a crew right out to you. We want to get a crew out to you quickly, we don't like to wait around, that causes secondary damages to your home which means more downtime. No fun!

SERVPRO is prepared for the unexpected! That's our business and we love it! SERVPRO of South Columbus is always here to help. Call us today!

Leave The Board-Ups and Roof Tarpings To This SERVPRO Team

5/14/2020 (Permalink)

This roof needed tarped after a storm caused a tree to go through the roof into the home.

Here at SERVPRO of South Columbus we want to take the hassle and stress out of the board up and roof tarping of your home due to a disaster.

Whether your home or business was damaged by a fire, storm, or other structural disasters, boarding up or tarping a damaged property is a burden that you as a homeowner shouldn't have to handle. Incorrectly boarding up or tarping your home can result in further damage, making the situation worse. Whether the further damage be from moisture or animal intrusions.

Our dedicated team of professionals are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year to help with in case you come across unexpected damage to your home or business.

Our trained and certified professionals are here to board up or tarp your damaged property, remediate the original damage and provide you with peace of mind while helping make it “Like it never even happened.”

How To Know If Your Home Has Storm Damage

4/3/2020 (Permalink)

This home was damaged after a storm that caused a tree to fall damaging the roof.

After a storm rolls through, it is important to inspect your house for damage the storm may have caused. Listed below are areas you should be looking at.

1. Roof: Look for shingles that have discoloration, tearing, or even holes in them. These can all be signs that your roof has been damaged. Another sign is if there are leaks in your roof or your ceiling.
2. Gutters: After a hail storm, looking for dents or dings can also give you a better picture of what the storm did to the rest of your home. Your gutters can also give you insight to whether you have roof damage. Check to see if there are granules from the asphalt shingles in your gutter.
3. Windows: Look at each of the windows on your homes and note any signs of shattered or broken window and frame damage. This is especially important after a hail storm or a strong wind storm.
4. Exterior: Not only is it important to look at the siding of your home to check for damage, it is also important that you check all appliances. Inspect your AC/HVAC unit as well as items such as an outdoor grill.

After your inspection, if you notice any signs of storm damage follow up by checking the area for signs of mold, mildew, pests or other secondary damage. Our team is able to put an emergency roof tarp to prevent any further damage. Call SERVPRO of South Columbus at (614) 863-1392 for any restoration needs you may have.

Sump Pump Maintenance For Your Home

3/31/2020 (Permalink)

Sump pump failures can cause devastating water damage to your home.

A sump pump is one of the most important parts of basement plumbing equipment. It makes sure that any accumulated water in your home and around its foundation is promptly pumped out and away from your home to a storm sewer or containment pond, so it doesn't allow your basement to flood, damaging your possessions. At least, that's what it is supposed to do. If your sump pump is not regularly and properly tested, then you can't guarantee that it will come through when you need it most.

1. Inspect the pump and its outlet pipe

Start the inspection by listening. If there is excessive groundwater around the foundation, the pump should turn itself on, pumping out the water and turning itself off again. Next, remove the cover and look inside the sump pit. If the level of water is low, there is a high chance the pump is working properly. Examine the sump pump for any signs of external damage, as well as any obstructions or debris in the surrounding pit. You will also want to see if the outlet pipe that carries water from the pump to outside your home is free of any blockage. And the check valve is working properly.

2. Check the electrical components

Your sump pump should be plugged into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, which protects it from a potential short while it is submerged. Consider getting yourself a battery-based backup pump for your sump pump that will kick on if your primary sump pump fails.

3. Test the sump pump

Test your sump pump by pouring in five gallons of water. The pump should then turn on once the water level reaches a predetermined level below the basement floor. If the pump doesn’t turn on, it could be either clogged or damaged, and you should call a licensed plumber for help.

4. Clean and maintain your sump pump

The typical lifespan of a sump pump is 10 years but if your sump pump is running often, you should consider replacing it every 5 to 7 years. Inspect and test your sump pump at least once a year. To be safe, check your sump pump before a big storm hits your area.

If you experience a loss due to your sump pump failing, don't hesitate to call the professionals at SERVPRO of South Columbus! We are always here to help!

We Have Advanced Equipment To Restore Your Columbus Home After A Storm

9/6/2019 (Permalink)

When conventional power is not available or sufficient our team brings their own trailer mounted portable generators to save the day.

Storm Damage Columbus – Staying Safe After a Storm

Storms can bring water into your home through holes in your roof from flying debris. Your home can flood, caused by rising creeks and storm sewers that cannot handle the volume of water. Rain falling on the roof and through a hole in your roof is relatively clean and not contaminated. Water from flooding of creeks or rivers and overloaded sewers may be contaminated.

SERVPRO in South Columbus has experience in dealing with storm damage, floods, and compromised roofs. We send a crew chief to your home to assess the situation. He or she can call for the appropriate equipment to remove water and dry your home. Also, emergency tarps to cover your leaking room as well as windows can be deployed to limit further damage.

Stay Safe After the Storm

There are many potential concerns about staying safe. Safety is one of the areas that SERVPRO evaluates when the crew chief arrives on site. Many homeowners want to get into their home to remove personal items and assess the damage themselves after the storm has passed, and the water has receded. Before you enter, evaluate electrical hazard conditions, structural conditions, and water contamination hazards. Better to stay safe and let the experts evaluate and deal with any safety issues.

Electrical lines may be down and can short circuit when the wires touch the ground. Electrical current can travel through a person causing electrocution. During a storm, significant trees on your property may have fallen on your home. Not only do the tree limbs punch a hole in your roof, but there is also a possibility the structure is destabilized as well. Part of the tree or your home may collapse just at the moment you enter the home.

Contamination from Storm Water Runoff

Water contamination can occur from runoff during floods after storm damage has struck. Various contaminants such as chemicals, feces, and bacteria are picked up by the water. If floodwaters enter your home, these contaminants are on your floors, on your contents and personal items you desperately want to recover. Avoid touching any of these items until our SERVPRO experts give you the green light.

Call SERVPRO of South Columbus at (614) 863-1392 for 24/7 serve. We serve the towns of German Village, Bexley, Pickerington, and surrounding areas. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. We pay attention to details and keep you safe.

See more about Columbus.

Our Swift Response Will Save Your Flood Damaged Columbus Home

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

If you have any flood water in your home, call us at (614) 863-1392 to begin the restoration process.

Quick, Professional Flood Water Removal For Columbus Homes

With the Scioto River and Big Walnut Creek, among others, running through Columbus, flooding is a recurring issue for many residents. Preserving homes and other structures require a professional company trained to remove the water and take quick action to reduce the damaging effects.

Flood water removal from Columbus homes can be difficult, depending on other damage to the home. Since flooding from an outside source usually occurs as part of a storm, SERVPRO response teams often need to secure homes from further damage due to poor weather and other issues.

As restoration technicians begin removing standing water with fast, industrial-grade pumps, other team members begin covering damage to the roof and walls with plywood panels or tarps. The action eliminates water intrusion from further storms and reduces the threat of other risks such as animal entry into the home. They also cover windows and doors affected by the flood and storm.

After completing the removal of the standing water, SERVPRO technicians turn to draw the flood water out of carpets with extraction wands. Since this is contaminated or ‘black’ water and team leaders cannot guarantee the carpet safe for further use, they draw it out to make removal of the carpet easier for disposal.

At the same time, team members use extractors and air movers to force water and moisture out from behind walls and underneath floors. They attach the extractors to hoses to draw out the smaller amounts of water and then switch to air movers to generate warm, dry air that forces moisture out of sub-floors and wall cavities, and into the air where it evaporates.

To increase the evaporation rate, technicians install fans to increase circulation and one or more dehumidifiers to draw moisture from the air and nearby property. Both devices help to quickly reduce the inside humidity, making it a more comfortable environment for the reoccupation of the home.

At SERVPRO of South Columbus, we proudly serve our community, as well as those of Bexley, German Village, and Pickerington, with professional training and equipment to return each home to a dry, clean state after a flood. If you have any flood water in your home, call us at (614) 863-1392 to begin the restoration process. We are here for you.

For more about Columbus click here.

We Can Handle Any Size Flood Damage Disaster In Your Columbus Home

6/22/2019 (Permalink)

If you have returned home after a severe storm to find your home filled with water, then immediately contact SERVPRO of South Columbus.

How We Mitigate Flood Damage In Your Columbus Home

Storms in Columbus are often known to bring flooding to local homes. Flood waters in your home can be stressful for you and your family and may incur major repair costs. It is risky to attempt repairs to your home after a storm, so it is best to let professionals handle the situation.

The longer flood waters are allowed to sit in your home, the greater the likelihood of permanent damages that can be expensive to fix. For this reason, you should contact SERVPRO for flood damage mitigation in your Columbus home. Floods often consist of two types of water: category 2 grey water and category 3 black water. Cat 2 water typically consists of water from rains that may accumulate in your house, while cat 3 water consists of dirty groundwater and debris. Most absorbent materials that come into contact with cat 3 water have to be discarded. Cat 2 water degrades into cat 3 water in a matter of days, so it is important to have water removed as soon as possible.

Our professionals are skilled in efficiently using a wide range of equipment to quickly resolve your flood-related issues. When our water damage restoration technician (WRT) teams arrive at your house, they can begin extracting debris and standing water. Water in your home can be pumped out with the use of industrial grade wet vacs and pumps.

After removing standing water, our certified techs can inspect your home for hidden water damage. Additional flood water can hide in cavities in your home, so we utilize thermal imaging cameras and moisture meters to inspect your walls for hidden moisture. If we find water in your walls, we can deploy structural drying equipment to facilitate the evaporation of water in your walls.

If you have returned home after a severe storm to find your home filled with water, then immediately contact SERVPRO of South Columbus at (614) 863-1392 to begin the consultation process. Our technicians work rapidly to make you feel, “Like it never even happened.”

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After A Flood In Your Columbus Home, Call Our Crew Of Professionals For Help!

5/8/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of South Columbus is available at (614) 863-1392 to mitigate any size flood damage to your home.

Restoring Flood Damage In Columbus

This area of Ohio is no stranger to flood damage. Heavy storms intensified by the proximity to the Scioto River result in flash floods that cause property damage to homes.

When SERVPRO received a call to mitigate flood damage in a Columbus home, our technicians arrived to find some water still in the basement. Our technicians used portable pumps to extract water quickly from the concrete basement floor.

The source of the water was determined to have been from a worn seal around the basement door allowing water from flash flooding to enter the property. The technicians sealed off the entryway with heavy plastic sheeting to temporarily to stop the possibility of further water entering the basement.

Most of the storage in the basement was in plastic bins and was not affected by the water. The containers were moved to another area of the home for cleaning and disinfecting. The washing machine and dryer were raised on blocks to allow the bottoms to dry but were otherwise unaffected.

SERVPRO technicians used thermal moisture detection and probes to map out every part of the basement affected by water. This action was so when the drying phase began; the air movers were set up correctly to pull moisture from within all affected areas to the surface where the dehumidifiers could capture it.

We have different kinds of dehumidifiers, two commonly used are traditional cold coil and desiccant which collects water vapor on a wheel coated in a substance such as silicone. When the moisture droplets get heavy, the weight turns the wheel and ports the moisture out. It is a very effective way to lower humidity in a room during drying.

Because flood water is not considered clean and has the possibility of containing contaminants, even sewage, sanitizing the room after drying was crucial, our technicians used EPA-registered disinfectants and antifungals to both clean and inhibit the potential for mold growth. The technicians offered suggestions for repairs to the doorway to eliminate the issue from reoccurring.

SERVPRO of South Columbus is available at (614) 863-1392 to mitigate any size flood damage to your home. We have the tools and knowledge to return your home to its preloss condition and make it “Like it never even happened.”

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How Storms Cause Water Damage in Your Columbus Attic

4/2/2019 (Permalink)

No matter the weather, SERVPRO of South Columbus is ready to restore your water damaged home.

Flood Damage Crews In Columbus Discuss Issues With Attics

Severe thunderstorms that make their way into Columbus put both commercial and residential buildings at risk. The combination of wind and rain can force you to have to call in a professional flood damage restoration company such as SERVPRO. During storms, winds can sometimes reach high speeds, and the affected area can receive wind speeds of 50 miles per hour or more, which can cause things like rocks or branches to become airborne and strike the exterior of your home, which can create a hole for rain to enter. High-speed winds can also cause your roof's shingles to blow off, which can cause your house extensive flood damage.

If your roof gets affected by wind, rain can then enter the interior of your structure very quickly. When roof shingles get blown off, the first area that receives flood damage in your Columbus home is your attic. When moisture starts to leak into this section above your living area, water can then pour into the structure coming from the ceiling and follow gravity to your floors.

If materials inside your attic get wet, mold growth can occur because organic substances are abundant. Having professional technicians like the team at SERVPRO mitigate the problems quickly, can help you prevent secondary issues such as mold growth.

When the source of moisture affecting your home has proven to be rainwater, we treat the problem as a category two or grey water situation, which means that there is a possibility that the water can be contaminated with harmful parasites or bacteria since it is coming from the outside. Most attics contain wooden trusses and insulation. If insulation gets wet, the material's R-value gets drastically reduced.

In many scenarios, the wet insulation must get removed and replaced. Once we remove the wet insulation, our SERVPRO team can set up drying equipment inside your attic and dry out the rest of the building materials. If you ever notice moisture inside your attic after a thunderstorm, call SERVPRO of South Columbus at (614) 863-1392 24 hours a day.

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Our Flood Damage Specialists Can Restore Your Home In Columbus

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

Give us a call at (614) 863-1392 as soon as the storm has passed so we can restore the mess before additional damage occurs.

Flood Damage Cleanup For Your Columbus Home

If your area in Columbus has experienced flooding, once the floodwaters have receded and you do not see apparent damage to your home, you may think you are all good. However, this is not likely, since water can create all kinds of problems which affects the integrity and safety of your structure in the long run.

Once a flood has occurred, you need the help of a professional remediation company to perform flood damage repairs in your Columbus home. SERVPRO can assess and restore your home promptly to help minimize any long-term problems due to water damage.

Water moves very fast through your home. Not only does this include pooling water, but it also means any dampness which can spread through the building materials and structure. There are numerous ways water can affect your home, including the growth of mold. Mold can begin growing within two days after the flooding has occurred, which is why SERVPRO techs move fast after you contact us.

We use a combination of moisture meters, moisture sensors and thermal imaging cameras to detect moisture in building materials, carpets, and padding, and to measure the level of moisture in various materials. These devices help us to find hidden moisture and to monitor the drying process, so we know when we have eliminated all the excess moisture.

If any ceilings, floors or walls have become saturated with water due to flooding, they are subject to rotting as well. Even if they seem to be drying out, we need to check them with our expertise and professional tools. You often cannot see the dampness, but it is still there, slowing eating away at your home’s building materials.

Electricity and water do not mix. When flooding has been severe, the electrical system of your home can be compromised, leading to blackouts or even short-circuiting and sparking a fire. Plus, any areas which are damp around electrical wires are hazardous, since water acts as a conductor of electricity and this raises the risk of being electrocuted.

SERVPRO of South Columbus wants to help get your home in Obetz, Grove City, or Bexley back in order after floodwaters have invited themselves inside. Give us a call at (614) 863-1392 as soon as the storm has passed so we can restore the mess before additional damage occurs.

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How The Experts At SERVPRO Can Restore Your Flood Damaged Home In Columbus

10/24/2018 (Permalink)

Among the first steps to take after flood damage in Columbus, is documenting the loss.

Proper Cleanup Is Necessary When Restoring Flood Damage In Columbus

Once floodwaters recede, it is essential to take steps to restore the property to its preloss state. The right steps can be different things based on the type of flood that affected the property. In most cases of flooding in Columbus, cleanup is the most important thing since floodwaters leave debris and soluble contaminants all over the affected areas. We offer professional restoration services that can save you time and provide satisfactory results.

Among the first steps to take after flood damage in Columbus, is documenting the loss. Since the insurance adjuster might not arrive within the timeframe you would prefer to start the restoration, you can record the loss through photos or videos. Our SERVPRO team can help you collect the necessary evidence by taking the photographic evidence you need for your claim. Since we go through the entire property evaluating salvageable and unsalvageable items, we are better placed to collect the necessary information.

The contaminants in floodwaters cause different problems. One such problem is a bad odor, which can be hard to eliminate unless the right cleaning procedures are applied. With pressure washers, our SERVPRO technicians can remove most of the debris from the affected property. We also use professional cleaning products where necessary. These steps help control any bad odors that might develop after flooding.

When floodwaters affect porous items such as carpets, upholstered furniture or other porous materials such as drywall, it can be a long-term health hazard. Removal of such material is the best guarantee against such hazards. Our SERVPRO technicians have the necessary equipment to handle such removal. We also ensure proper disposal of any materials removed.

The excess moisture left in a building after a case of flooding can cause different issues. For example, no matter how thorough the cleanup is, leaving excess humidity can lead to microbial growth. To ensure we dry your home correctly, our SERVPRO technicians set a drying goal by taking measurements such as temperature, relative humidity and specific humidity in both the affected and unaffected areas. Such information helps us know how much effort is necessary to restore the affected area to its preloss state before microbes have a chance to grow.

To clean up your flood-damaged property effectively, SERVPRO of South Columbus can help. You can reach us at (614) 863-1392 any time.

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Flood Damage Restoration Options For Residents Of Columbus

9/12/2018 (Permalink)

Flood damage experiences are costly and one of the common challenges in the U.S.

Flood Damage Restoration Options

Flood damage experiences are costly and one of the common challenges in the U.S. The sad thing about all that is that your typical insurance policy may not cover such incidents. Despite all that, all is not lost when your property experiences such an event, and we're here to guide you on how to act in such a stressing moment. We start by looking at the most common areas that are prone to damage in your Columbus property.

Some flood damage events in your Columbus home may be apparent, while some may require our SERVPRO technicians to perform a closer inspection. For instance, we may have to check on the condition of the insulation of your home. Usually, the insulating power is lowered by the presence of water. If we discover it has been matted, then we have to do a removal. We also have to find out whether there is some moisture inside the walls by using nonpenetrating and penetrating moisture meters. Where necessary, we remove the baseboards and check for mold growth.

The presence of moisture can also make your furniture to develop spots, cracks, swell, or weaken around the joints. Our SERVPRO technicians use specialized wood care products to remove the water spots. By utilizing a furniture refinisher, we can also repair wooden furniture frames. If your furniture has lamination on one side, the non-laminated area can absorb water. Since the laminated area resists the moisture, warping may finally occur.

During the restoration process, our SERVPRO team removes items such as furniture off the carpet. Then we clean any stains that are on the furniture before drying the property. To speed up the drying process and prevent color bleeding, tenting the cushions is necessary. Before that, we place a waxed paper on the deck before positioning the pillows.

SERVPRO of South Columbus addresses all the unique challenges that arise during a storm, mold, fire, and water damage. Call us at (614) 863-1392 when you want to work with a trusted leader with advanced cleaning and restoration equipment.

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Living Alongside the Scioto River Can Cause the Basement in Your Columbus Home to Flood

8/6/2018 (Permalink)

Don't Keep Your Art Under Water after a Flood in Your Columbus Basement--Call SERVPRO

Protect Your Columbus Property and Hobby Materials with a Call to SERVPRO after a Flooding Event 

Severe storms can be the cause of a lot of bad things, but one of the worst is flood damage. When a significant amount of rain hits a river, there is always the possibility of a flood occurring. When your home is adjacent to the river, it is entirely possible that the waters can come creeping into your living space. Everything that is on the lower level of your home may be at risk, especially the basement, your art supplies storage and hobby area.

For the benefit of your paints, canvases, paintings, and your house, it is best that you to call for professional flood damage remediation services for your Columbus home as soon as possible. The faster that experts can get to the scene of the flood damage, the less likely it is that further damage can occur. Additionally, it is more likely that successful remediation can take place with a quicker arrival.
 
As we get to your home, our SERVPRO techs can begin to prepare to remove the flooded water swiftly. We can use trade tools such as wet/dry vacuums, portable submersible pumps, and extractors to remove the standing water in your basement art room. Once we get the water out of your home, we can focus on cleaning up any paint supplies and other items that may have been disturbed during the flooding.
 
Because of the nature of the flood, it is entirely possible that you might have lost some supplies. SERVPRO can help you create an inventory of the things that were ruined, such as spare canvas and paints. Once the list is completed, it can be filed with a claim to your insurance company.
 
SERVPRO can use tools such as moisture meters to detect if your home needs further drying. In the case of excess moisture, we can continue to place more devices, such as air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers, to dry out the structure of your art room, as well as any furniture that might have absorbed the water.
 
Finally, the last thing we can do for you is to clean up the space. SERVPRO can remove any dirt and grime the flood may have brought along with it.
 
Do not delay when a flood intrudes into your home and causes damage. Reach out to SERVPRO of South Columbus by phoning (614) 863-1392. No matter the time, we're always ready to take your call.

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Flood Damage Can Undermine Your Columbus Area Home

6/28/2018 (Permalink)

There Is No Playing Footsy with SERVPRO's Flood Damage Cleanup and Restoration in Columbus Residential and Commercial Properties

Basements Demand Rapid Water Extraction After a Stormwater Intrusion

Many homes in Columbus sit on top of a basement. Over the years, these below-ground areas of a home sustain different types of weathering and wear than the rest of the home experiences. Heavy rainfall during storms can saturate the ground, and if water does not drain away from your home correctly, damaging effects can happen to the foundation or basement walls.

During or immediately after heavy rains in Columbus, flood damage can happen to your home. Misaligned gutters and downspouts can significantly add to the problem, or cause it to occur during average, less fierce showers. Just like when flooding affects your home's living areas, SERVPRO is there to help you restore your basement after flooding events provide your family with an unwanted swimming pool in the basement.
 
Relying on your sump pump to remove the water from a drenched basement often leaves dampened areas and damaged concrete floors. The dangers risked by your family members as they attempt to clean things up involve many unknown factors, including pathogens and risk of electric shock.
 
Instead, having SERVPRO carry out the work keeps your family safe and out of harm's way. Our technicians arrive at your home fully experienced in mitigating this and many other types of disasters from homes and businesses. Our experience helps ensure that nothing crucial to protecting your home goes unnoticed or unattended. We always wear gear the protects us from head to toe.
 
Our equipment is state-of-the-art and developed especially for the restoration industry. We do more than dry out your basement. We ensure that we eliminate the pathogens present, including microbes like mold and mildew. Rapid drying of materials and belongings keep these two problems from developing and also makes it easier to restore damaged items. Our thermal imaging devices help us detect where water might exist without needing to see any dampness visually. This detection helps us identify areas that may not have received treatment, a crucial aspect of providing our services to you.
 
SERVPRO of South Columbus wants to help restore your home to pre-flood condition, no matter where flood damage exists in your residence. Contact us as soon as possible after a disaster occurs so we can begin restoring your home. Our 24-hour emergency service line is (614) 863-1392 for those in the Reynoldsburg, Grove City, and Obetz locales.

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Damaged Roofs Can Allow Flooding In A Columbus Home

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

Melting Snow and Ice Often Cause Flooding of South Columbus Properties

Rapid Post Flooding Water Removal Limits Damage to Your Property--Call SERVPRO for Fast Help

With the recent winters that Columbus homeowners have seen, heavy snowfall might have wreaked a little more havoc than just making automobile travel taxing. With substantial weight on the roof of your home, supports underneath the roof stress and buckle under the pressure placed on them for extended periods it took for the weather to warm enough to melt the inches away. With this pressure, many roofs in the area became unknowingly damaged, allowing small amounts of water to pass through and worsen over time.

With spring in the air, you can anticipate the torrential rainfall is coming right along with the changing of the season. The unfortunate aspect of this for those roofs that started to degrade with the harsh winter is the likelihood of flood damages to your Columbus home.

While many people might combat flooding in the basement of their home from the severe weather systems that often roll across the Buckeye State, attic flooding poses a more substantial threat to your home and every floor of your house below this attic space. As the water begins to penetrate the roof and pool in the attic, you might be completely unaware of a problem until the water begins to force its way through the ceiling of the rooms below the attic.

Fortunately, SERVPRO technicians are here to help you when you need it. With a fast response time on your part to give our team a call, we can get out to your home and start working to restore the present damage and isolate the damaged areas of your roof to prevent further harm from occurring. The longer that the problem persists, the more widespread and devastating it can be to structural components and construction materials in your home, so do not hesitate at the first sign of trouble.

Our SERVPRO professionals assess the full reach of the problem once immediate threats have gotten handled. In these situations, extraction is critical to establishing an environment that limits the possibility of worsening damage and allows our technicians space and opportunity to get to work on other issues present from the flood.

While your home is likely going to require the services of a residential contractor to resolve the pressing concerns of a compromised roof, our SERVPRO of South Columbus technicians can clean up the mess and return your home to its preloss condition. Give us a call anytime you need us at (614) 863-1392.

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Keeping Costs and Time in Mind During Columbus Flood Damage Restorations

4/29/2018 (Permalink)

Finding your living quarters underwater can seem insurmountable. Contact SERVPRO and we can help you through the entire process.

Team SERVPRO Arrives Swiftly to Begin the Drying Task After Flooding

It can be difficult to put your mind at ease after flood damage in Columbus, as damage may initially seem far more severe than it really is. With the help of a professional restoration company like SERVPRO, you can get your home dry and ready to live in quickly and with minimal cost on your part. Everything we do, from our initial response to the drying process and even through extended restorations, is done with haste and your well-being in mind.

We can usually dry out a home in Columbus with flood damage in just a few days. Our drying services include water extraction if necessary as well as specially-designed techniques to remove water from the deepest recesses of your home. Our industrial-strength equipment allows us to thoroughly dry the entire area without taking any more time than is necessary to get the job done. After drying is complete, we can move on to the task of restoring your home to the way it was before the flood.

Restorations can take more time than drying out the home does but should inconvenience you for no more than a few weeks before we finish. Our usual goal is to return your home to the state it was in before the disaster, a complex task that requires experienced personnel, access to building materials and paints unique to your home, and top-of-the-line tools to accomplish in full. The nationwide SERVPRO network allows us to check off all boxes with ease and even call in additional help from nearby franchises if we need it.

All throughout this process, we do our best to conserve not only your time but also your expenditures. We replace as few objects and materials as possible during our work to eliminate costs associated with purchases of brand-new products. Furthermore, our representatives function as an intermediary between you and your insurance provider and can help to negotiate favorable payments, adjustments, and decisions from them.

SERVPRO of South Columbus stands ready after every heavy storm to respond to local calls for help with flood damage. Call us as soon as disaster strikes at (614) 863-1392.

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Remediating Flood Damage in Columbus

1/19/2018 (Permalink)

Sandbags and Floods in Columbus? SERVPRO Can Remove the Water and Cleanup

Water Extraction in Columbus Properties is the Key to Damage Mitigation

Winter storms continue in Columbus. Both rain and snowfall and the forecast show more coming. The cold weather does not stop floodwater. It just makes dealing with it more miserable, which is why homeowners need to call in professional service.

Remediating Columbus flood damage is never a simple task. Every home is different, and any restoration company needs to be familiar with the area. When water from Three Creeks Park or another source spills into area neighborhoods, SERVPRO quickly responds with a 24/7 response team. We do everything possible to start work as swiftly as possible, taking care of not just our customers, but our neighbors.

Our response team leader begins the quick inspection. We work with your insurance adjuster if appropriate. If there is an opportunity to block more water from coming into the home, we may be able to establish a temporary water break using sandbags. If the flood has lifted pipes out of the ground and damaged the plumbing, we shut off the line leading into the home.

Next, we bring in pumps to remove the deep water. Our commercial grade machines quickly draw out the water and make it safer for our response team to enter the home. We then use extraction wands to remove surface water that the pumps cannot draw out. SERVPRO personnel utilizes the same devices to remove water from carpets and wood floors. Our extraction wands also have a built-in heating unit, so we use them to begin the drying process as well.

Technicians use moisture meters to determine if the carpets and wood are dry. If there is still a high level of moisture, we set up a combination of air movers and axial exhaust fans to force warm, dry air across the surfaces to continue drawing out water trapped inside them.

We also test the surrounding walls for high moisture content. Since many building materials are more easily damaged when wet, we first set up dehumidifiers to draw moisture from the items and the surrounding air. The machines we use can remove 25 gallons of water per day. As everything dries, we carefully use the same air movers to speed up the drying process without causing any further damage that might force us to demolish drywall or other materials.

If you have flooding problems in your home, SERVPRO of South Columbus is here to help. We have provided disaster remediation to our neighbors for many years and are ready to assist you today. Call us for more information at (614) 863-1392 or to schedule a visit.

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Winter Flood Damage to Columbus Residences

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

Cracks in the structure of your home can let in water at a fast rate. Contact SERVPRO if you are facing flooding, for remediation efforts.

SERVPRO Technicians Arrive Quickly to Start Drying Out Your Flooded Home

Columbus homes are no stranger to adverse weather conditions. Especially through the late fall and winter, things can quickly change between heavy snowfall and torrential rains over the course of a few hours. The rapidly changing conditions means that often the coldest times of the year present the most significant threat of flooding for those living in the lower-lying areas of the city and neighboring suburbs.
 
If this describes the placement of your home, you have likely taken precautions to prevent water intrusion and flood damage to your Columbus residence. Unfortunately, at this time of the year, conditions are not ideal for these preventative measures to be as impregnable as they might otherwise be. A good example is the materials used to construct your home’s foundation.
 
Most modern construction efforts have not differed dramatically from homes constructed decades ago. Concrete blocks and other masonry units prove to be the most cost effective and longest lasting solutions for contractors, but they are not without substantial drawbacks when adverse weather strikes. The joints of these concrete masonry units use mortar, which over time can be weathered away by the presence of water and wind. The erosion leaves cracks that can be penetrated by rising flood waters, allowing an avenue to get into your home’s basement, and a reason to call us at SERVPRO.
 
The rise and fall of temperatures can cause foundation walls to flex, as well. The flexing is a result of footers poured underneath the walls moving as the ground freezes and thaws. Over time, this causes a weakening of the joints and can result in stair cracking through the mortar as the footer resettles. These new openings become a direct point of entry for water to come in.
 
Water removal efforts need to be started right away, even in the midst of the water still coming into your basement. There are short-term patches our SERVPRO team utilize (such as the application of hydraulic cement) that can prevent further water penetration so that the removal and drying processes get completed. After removal and restoration processes are complete, the focus can shift to repairing the weakened wall that allowed the flood inside.
 
Do not hesitate to call us at SERVPRO of South Columbus for any emergency like this you might have. Our rapid response team mobilizes quickly, which can be critical to mitigating your losses. Call us anytime at (614) 863-1392.

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Restoring Flood Damage Effects in Cloumbus

10/16/2017 (Permalink)

Your house can flood in the Fall due to storms. Be prepared and maintain your property. Should you get flooded, contact SERVPRO for remediation.

Team SERVPRO Responds Quickly to Your Flooded Home Debacle

Summer rains are finally over, but the Fall storms have already arrived. Temperatures in Columbus are comfortable for almost any outdoor activity, but the early arriving showers mean every homeowner needs to check their house before an October rain turns into a Halloween flood.
 
Flood damage in Columbus can mean the Scioto River crests its banks and comes spilling into garages, a violent storm overwhelms and backs up the sewer drains, or the wind and rain tear away gutters and drains from a roof and flood the attic and walls. With almost 30 years in the restoration business, SERVPRO has the experience to deal with all of these issues and more.
 
To start with, we have to stop the water. In many cases, we arrive at a home to find it and the surrounding area still under water. Our response team uses sandbags to block points where the standing water from the storm accesses the house. With that done, we bring in commercial pumps to remove it all. If the storm knocked out the electricity, we have generators to ensure uninterrupted power. With the majority of the water gone, the team switches to water extraction wands to draw out water from carpets and wood floors.
 
Other team members examine the nearby storm and sewer drains and clear debris to make sure we have someplace to pump the water. Unless they are still completely flooded, SERVPRO technicians can clear most drains within an hour or two.
 
The most common problem we find comes from damaged drains. They allow stormwater to run down the sides of a home and inside it. Our technicians can repair or replace all major brands of drain systems found in most homes.
 
If the damage is severe enough, then there may be secondary damage such as water-soaked insulation. Stormwater can compact blown-in and rolled insulation, making it ineffective to conserving warm or cold temperatures. SERVPRO technicians use commercial vacuums to remove the blown-in insulation, but we have to remove siding to replace any rolled material.
 
If you have damage from the recent storms or want to prepare for the next one, SERVPRO of South Columbus is here to help. Call (614) 863-1392 today to schedule an inspection.

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Flood Damage Restoration Services Available to Columbus Area Residents

9/20/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has trained professionals to restore your home after a storm has left it flooded and damaged.

Solutions to Flood Damage Caused by a Storm

Severe weather systems continue to batter our shores, creating significant problems for residents throughout the Columbus area. Battling flood damage alone can be a daunting task, which makes professional assistance a welcome sight.

If you currently have flood damage or find your Columbus area home in the path of incoming weather systems, you can help reduce the amount of damage your home receives by contacting a professional for help. We can make a huge difference in reducing your losses and be there for you after disaster strikes, helping repair the damage to your home as quickly and efficiently as possible.

SERVPRO has fully certified professionals waiting in the wings to answer your call for help. Our IICRC-industry certified technicians make every effort to gain control of flood damage in your home before secondary damages develop. Using advanced equipment and resources designed to provide you with a full-service solution that makes damages disappear, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO’s entire Green Fleet of fully stocked vehicles remain ready to deploy 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, responding to your needs anytime, day or night.  We constantly communicate changes with you throughout your restoration process, helping you feel safe, secure, and protected knowing that you have professionals you can trust working towards making your house a home again.

SERVPRO technicians do everything in their power to restore contents of your home damaged by flooding, including furniture, appliances, and personal belongings. We attempt to limit your losses, providing professional restoration services whenever possible, while helping you communicate with your insurance company to provide you with the results you deserve.

Whether you need help recovering from flood damage already present or want to protect your home as much as possible before tragedy strikes, our team can help. We can provide you with solutions that fit your unique circumstances, allowing you to avoid common problems, and limit exposure during an event.

Contact SERVPRO of South Columbus for a full inspection of your property or to begin your home’s flood damage restoration process, today. We offer services to both Bexley and Pickerington, never hesitate to call us. (614) 863-1392

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Remediating Commercial Flood Damage in Columbus

7/31/2017 (Permalink)

Make sure that CLOSED sign is not there for long after flooding in your shop. Contact SERVPRO for quick remediation so you can be back in business.

SERVPRO Technicians are Aware that Time is of the Essence When Restoring Commercial Damage

Each day a business is closed means a day’s worth of receipts lost. Customers are usually content to put off a purchase or postpone work for a day, but when the ‘Closed’ sign is up for more than a few days, they may move on permanently.

Small businesses in Columbus are particularly vulnerable to commercial flood damage. A large company can absorb restoration and temporary facility costs with only a ‘hiccup’ to their bottom line, but a locally owned sandwich shop may have to close their doors permanently after only a week or two with no customers. SERVPRO understands this and works to help reopen doors.

Although we try to speed the process as much as possible, our first task is to ensure the food prep areas are clean and meet local requirements for health and safety. Even though the damage is primarily from broken plumbing or a failed refrigeration unit, there is still the possibility of mold as well. Cleaners use anti-microbial agents on every surface that touches edibles; this includes prep areas, storage lockers, customer tables, and more.

In addition to the cleaning, part of our service is to dry out and repair appliances. If water gets into the outlets, it can also cause damage to whatever was plugged in at the time of the flood. Technicians check every plug and power cord; disassembling the plug when needed to dry it or if there is visible damage.

For large items like freezers and refrigerators, we remove the bottom grill and inspect for water. To remove moisture, we use water extractors to draw out what is visible and then use dehumidifiers to draw excess moisture off surfaces and from the surrounding air. For smaller amounts, we use chemical desiccants to dry underneath.

Restoring your business after flooding is not a quick process. SERVPRO of South Columbus has the experience and training to accomplish it as fast as possible and still provide a clean, safe environment for your customers and employees. If you need our services or want to schedule an inspection, call today at (614) 863-1392.

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Keeping Your Gutters From Flooding Your Columbus Basement

6/19/2017 (Permalink)

It is critical to keep your gutters clean to prevent water from seeping into your basement and causing floods.

Gutters Can Cause Flooding In Your Basement

One of the biggest fears as a homeowner with a basement is your basement flooding whenever it rains. A valid and legitimate fear, this situation causes a myriad of repairs. All sorts of damage including ruined flooring and carpeting, rotted drywall, destroyed furniture, and the worst of all, mold growth can occur. These repairs can be time-consuming and costly, and your basement can even flood in dry weather.

Issues with your foundation drainage is a big cause for a flooded basement and flood damage in your Columbus home. However, the main reason for water in your basement is overflowing gutters. It is critical to keep your gutters clean to prevent water from seeping into your basement and causing floods. Quality gutter guards and even using an expert to clean your gutters out routinely keeps debris and leaves out of the gutters so they can function properly.

When your gutters do cause flooding in your basement, it can be quite overwhelming. You need to have professionals, such as SERVPRO, come to your home to help you get all the water out and repair the damages.

When your gutters are clogged with debris, the water has nowhere to go. It overflows over the gutters to the ground next to your house, only a couple feet from the foundation. As the ground is settling and moving, it stresses the foundation of your home which causes cracking, letting water enter your home. Hydrostatic pressure might force water in through the concrete. The main solution is to keep your gutters clean.

Flooded basements create not only a lot of possible damage but plenty of stress for you as well. At SERVPRO, we understand this, so we move quickly to get to your home after you reach out to us. We have the professional and industrial equipment to get all the standing water out of your home and use fans and dehumidifiers to finish the drying process. We have moisture meters to find any hidden water or mold growth as well.

When SERVPRO of South Columbus is finished restoring your home after your basement floods, it is like it never happened. Just give us a call at (614) 863-1392 so we can get started as soon as possible.

Columbus is an exciting city, to learn more visit https://www.columbus.gov/.

Procrastination can Lead to Flood Damage in Your Darien Residence

2/24/2017 (Permalink)

Storm Damage Through a Damaged Roof in Darien

Damage from Flooding Has Many Results

Putting off repairs until another time can allow leaks in pipes to become larger. These drips can suddenly become much greater, flooding your home. A pipe with a small crack can instantly turn into a broken conduit, sending water by the gallon into your living space. The same goes for joints that are not sealed or soldered correctly and come undone.

If you live in Darien and this situation happens to you, here are a few things you should know about flood damage. Water can damage anything it comes into contact with, even if the water is clean. Pure water can easily become contaminated by things in your home. Flood damage, just like water damage, gets worse the longer it is allowed to remain present.

Water flowing down your stairway and gushing over the sides can accumulate in many different locations in your home. Water travels downhill, but it also can spread out and cover more surface area when covering something in a horizontal manner, such as it would on a table. Wood absorbs water much more slowly than your carpet, upholstered furniture, or mattresses can, but wood can still soak up enough to be damaged by it.

The water involved in a broken water line is clean, of course, but that does not mean that the water will remain clean. Carpeting, even in the most meticulously kept home, contains many contaminants. Water can whisk that up and carry it along, dropping different things here and there along the path of least resistance. When those same contaminants remained trapped in your carpet's fibers, they did little damage, but now they are free. Contaminants can include microbes such as bacteria and even parasites that may have been inactive until they were immersed in water.

Flood damage can happen with water of any type, clean or utterly filthy. Leaving clean water standing is obviously not conducive to remaining in your home, and SERVPRO can remedy that quickly with a pump truck. However, simply extracting visible water is not enough. Damaged walls must be replaced with new ones, and upholstered furniture must be completely dried and possibly aired out. Your carpeting may need to be removed, and new carpeting installed or, perhaps, cleaned extensively and then dried well. Most often, though, carpeting is usually destroyed by flooding, even if the water was from a clean source.

Because flooding creates a situation in your home that is hazardous to your health and safety in numerous ways, having professionals who are experienced in the complicated cleaning up this type of damage is critical. Incorrect methods, or incomplete ones, can create more harm, not less, in the future. Allowing flooded areas to remain contaminated because they cannot absorb any water, such as the undersides of cast iron tubs, puts your family at risk. Each SERVPRO technician treats your home with respect and care they would pay for their own, and we always take the time required to ensure that each job is complete and done correctly.

SERVPRO of South Columbus is always ready, day or night, to help you take the sting out of flood damage. We know flooding happens without warning, so we are always ready to take your call. Contact us at (614) 863-1392, for this and any other disaster in your home.

How To Set Up Dehumidifiers When Repairing Flood Damage In Reynoldsburg

1/16/2017 (Permalink)

Drying out flood damaged homes takes more than just clever tools and equipment.

Dehumidifiers And Flood Damage

Drying out flood damaged homes takes more than just clever tools and equipment. You need an expert restoration team, with high-level skills and knowledge of the most efficient techniques. This is what SERVPRO can offer you if flooding has recently hit your property. We have access to state of the art drying machines, but we also know how to maximize their power.

Dehumidifiers are one of the most important drying tools when it comes to repairing flood damage in Reynoldsburg. It extracts the moisture from of the air and returns it to dry air. This is an essential part of the restoration process because flooding does not just leave its mark in standing water. For successful repairs, all moisture has to be eliminated, whether it is in the air, on the ground, or caught in soft furnishings.

Keep reading to learn more about how SERVPRO sets up dehumidifiers and gets the drying process started quickly.

Type Of Materials
The first thing that the SERVPRO technicians do is carry out an inspection. They enter the flood-damaged area and determine the extent of the damage. Before dehumidifiers can be set up, they first need to know what kind of materials need drying. Porous items (curtains, sofas, carpets, wood, etc.) are the hardest to restore. If a lot of porous items are wet, a longer drying period is required.

On the other hand, if wet materials are non-porous (metal, plastic), the drying period will be quicker and fewer dehumidifiers may be used. Most homes contain a mixture of the two, which means that technicians have to find a careful balance. Too many dehumidifiers can cause the air to become overly dry. This may damage softer materials like wood. Often, air movers are combined with dehumidifiers to prevent this from happening.

Putting Together A Plan
For all of these reasons, it is necessary for flood repair teams to think very carefully about how they set up drying equipment. To homeowners, it may appear arbitrary, but many precise calculations are involved. For instance, to determine how many dehumidifiers are needed and of what size, the following information must be gathered:
- Size of the flooded area (in feet)
- Type of flood damage (based on porosity)
- Type of dehumidifying technology available
- Average amount of water to be removed per day (in pints)

Choosing The Right Experts For The Job
So, you can start to see why flood damage restoration is such a complex task, even if the damage is modest. You should seek the help of a professional company like SERVPRO of South Columbus. We are a locally based service, so our technicians are perfectly placed to respond to emergencies. Call us 24/7 on (614) 863-1392.

Flood Damage Causes Many Problems in Your Home

10/8/2016 (Permalink)

Flood Damage to Drywall is Common in Pickerton

Rely on SERVPRO for Flood Damage Restoration

If you’ve recently had a flood of significance in your home, or firefighters have used water hoses to extinguish a fire, you are probably experiencing some severe water damage to your home and possessions. It can be overwhelming for sure, and in this type of situation, it is important that you know professionals you can turn to, like our team at SERVPRO, to help you restore your property back to its pre-loss state.

Flood damage in Pickerington of any kind can create quite the mess of things and will disrupt your daily routine. However, you can rest assured that the professionals at SERVPRO are trained to handle any situation like this properly so that they can have you back to normal as soon as possible. Water damage restoration is a process with multiple steps which need to be handled by our professionals who are licensed and certified water restoration contractors, both through corporate and IICRC training methodologies.

The Initial Visual Inspection
The first step will be to do an initial assessment to figure out the right action that is needed to reverse the adverse effects of the flood damage. After this is done, if there are no safety hazards, your contents will be secured, and the restoration can begin.

Extraction of Water
Containing the flood damage and getting rid of any standing water right away is the top priority. Anything that is wet such as pillows, throw rugs, toys, clothing, and the like are removed from the affected area. Our technicians will start to treat any wet surfaces such as ceilings, walls, or floors to help speed up the drying process. Baseboards may need to be discarded, along with any wet insulation. Cabinet drawers and doors will be opened to speed up the drying process. All wet surfaces will have to be treated.

Stabilizing and Drying
Once all the wet materials are removed, the drying process can begin. Technicians will use commercial grade equipment, including dehumidifiers, air movers, heaters and wood floor drying systems. Controlling the moisture is very critical in preventing the growth of mold and preserving your belongings and furnishings.

Reassessing the Damage
Once your home is dry, certified technicians will do another inspection to make sure there are no hidden moisture pockets which could result in further damage or mold growth. No guess work is involved because moisture sensors and thermal hygrometers will reveal hidden pockets of residual moisture.

Reconstruction
After the water damage has been mitigated and your home returned to a pre-loss condition, if there are any building materials which need replacement or structural damage, the last step is restoration. At the end of reconstruction, your home will be safe and secure once again for you and your family. "Like it never even happened."

Flood damage can be devastating. However, we at SERVPRO of South Columbus have the knowledge and training to restore your home. Give us a call anytime at (614) 863-1392 when you have experienced damage from flooding.

Storms and Floods Create Havoc to Properties

9/15/2016 (Permalink)

Flooding in Columbus from a Storm Can Use Help from SERVPRO

When Your Property Has Been Flooded, Call SERVPRO for Help

Thunderstorms with heavy rain are one of the chief causes of flash flooding that harmfully impacts property owners. Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters. Damaging waters can also be caused by the overflow of inland waters or the rapid accumulation of runoff of nearby lakes and rivers. When flood waters destroy nearly everything you have, you feel hopeless. It is disastrous and a mess.

When an emergency flooding event develops in Columbus, the first people on the scene are often the police, firefighters, and EMS personnel. These are your first responders, and they are trained to act quickly to make sure that people are safe. Local first responders know their localities very well. This information gives them an advantage if a flood disaster affects the community’s infrastructure. They form a life-saving component of the disaster relief network.
 
The Ohio Emergency Management Agency is set up to help its residents and business owners during disasters, such as flooding. Their total mission is to coordinate activities to help the citizenry to recover from disasters. The local Red Cross Agency and local FEMA representatives interface with each other to bring recovery resources and to support Ohioans impacted by a disaster, like floods.
 
The combined efforts of the Red Cross and FEMA are designed to help identify unmet needs and coordinate them with a network of voluntary organizations and recovery resources that can help. If people are displaced from their homes due to storm damage, FEMA, and the Red Cross lend assistance by placing families in a shelter, hotel or motel temporarily. Permanent housing is not provided by these agencies. Instead, their function is to help people left homeless to find out their options for their next form of housing.
 
In flood disasters, the purpose of SERVPRO is to help restore, not destroy. After water removal, drying, cleaning, and sanitation, there is restoration. Our recovery process can involve minor repairs, like replacing drywall and installing new carpets. There may be major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in your home or business to help restore your building to a pre-water damage condition.
 
We are also a part of the first responders. We are first on the location because we are locally owned and operated. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster, with the training, equipment, and expertise to handle your restoration and cleaning needs. Restoring storm and flood damaged properties are the cornerstone of our business.
 
SERVPRO of South Columbus takes pride in being a part of the Columbus community. Our highly trained technicians will help monitor and document each step of your restoration property in getting you back to normal. In any flooding or water emergency, remember that we are nearby and ready to help. Call us today – (614) 863-1392 and let us help