Storm Season Preparedness: 7 Essential Tips to Protect Your Property

7/5/2023 (Permalink)

lightning flashing in dark sky at night

1. Create an Emergency Plan: Develop a detailed plan that includes evacuation routes, designated meeting points, and emergency contacts. Share this plan with your family or employees.

2. Secure Your Property: Inspect your property for vulnerable areas, such as loose roof shingles or weak tree branches, and address them promptly. Trim trees and secure outdoor furniture and equipment to prevent damage during strong winds.

3. Safeguard Important Documents: Store important documents, such as insurance policies, identification papers, and medical records, in a waterproof and fireproof container. Consider making digital copies as well.

4. Prepare an Emergency Kit: Assemble a well-stocked emergency kit that includes essentials like non-perishable food, water, flashlights, batteries, a first aid kit, and a portable phone charger. Keep it easily accessible in case of power outages or evacuation.

5. Backup Your Data: Regularly backup important data, such as documents, photos, and videos, on an external hard drive or in the cloud. This will ensure you don't lose valuable information in the event of a storm-related computer or device damage.

6. Stay Informed: Stay updated on weather forecasts and warnings through reliable sources. Have a battery-powered radio or a smartphone with emergency alerts enabled to receive timely information.

7. Contact SERVPRO for Storm Restoration: In case your property sustains storm damage, rely on SERVPRO's expertise. Our team provides emergency board-up services, water damage restoration, debris cleanup, and structural repairs. 

Prepare ahead and stay safe during storm season. SERVPRO is here to help you mitigate and recover from any storm-related damage.

Prepare For Flood Season!

6/13/2023 (Permalink)

As we enter the month of June, it's essential to be aware that we're approaching peak flash flood season. While flooding can occur at any time throughout the year, flash floods, which develop rapidly within a few hours of heavy rainfall, tend to be more prevalent during this period. At SERVPRO, we understand the devastating impact of flash floods on homes and businesses. That's why we want to ensure that you have the necessary information and precautions to protect yourself and your property. Here are some key insights to keep in mind: 

1. Flash flood season peaks in June and July, accounting for over one-third of total reports.
2. Flooding is the second deadliest weather event in the United States.
3. Summer floods, including flash floods, are on the rise worldwide, catching many people off guard.

• Stay Informed: Keep track of weather alerts and warnings in your area. Stay connected with local news channels and follow updates from the National Weather Service.
• Develop an Emergency Plan: Create a comprehensive plan for your family or business, including evacuation routes, emergency contacts, and essential supplies.
• Secure Valuables: Move important documents, heirlooms, and valuables to higher ground or elevated areas to minimize potential water damage.
• Install Flood Barriers: Consider investing in modern flood control solutions such as flood gates. These devices are easy to install and provide effective protection against floodwaters.

Thunderstorm Preparedness

7/29/2022 (Permalink)

A thunderstorm toppled a tree onto this house.

Each year, there are close to 100,000 thunderstorms across the nation. These frequent weather events can be scary, bringing strong winds, lightning, hail, and intense rain, all of which can cause personal danger and property damage.

Thunderstorms and tornadoes are not uncommon, even in NJ, especially in the spring and summer months. We must always be prepared for any weather that may come our way.

Your Severe Weather Communication Strategy

Understanding weather terms, particularly the differences between a watch and a warning is the first step in keeping your family safe. By knowing when to wait and when to go, you can clearly communicate with your household and activate the weather plan you have created together.

It is a good idea to have several ways to receive warnings from weather officials. Your cell phone and a weather radio from the NOAA are good tools to have ready when a storm is rolling in.

Create a designated safe area in your house (typically a bathroom or basement) and ensure that everyone in your family knows where it is. A communication plan for your household is also recommended to ensure that everyone can check in during and after a storm. Be sure this plan includes a way for anyone who may not be home at the time of the event to check in so that all can be accounted for.  Remember to consider pets.  My dog instinctively runs into the bathroom when she hears thunder.

Your Severe Weather Emergency Kit

An emergency kit can be prepared ahead of time and updated throughout the year. It should contain enough water and food for each member of your family to sustain them through 72 hours. First-aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and any comfort items that can aid in the calming of your household should also be in the kit.  While you likely won’t stock the emergency kit with medication you should have some reminders with the kit to prompt you to gather essential medication prior to any evacuation.

Your Severe Weather Aftermath Checklist

Time matters after a storm, so it is essential to take quick action to mitigate losses. You should have a plan in place before a storm strikes so that you can act quickly and get your family to safety. As soon as you can, you should walk your property and assess any damage.

As you walk the property, pay special attention to your roof, windows, and doors to ensure they are still properly sealed and note any water damage that may have occurred.

If your home is damaged, call us at SERVPRO TEAM MAJESKI. We are available 24/7 and can offer you peace of mind after the storm as we make it, “Like it never even happened.”

Tornado Prep

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

A tornado may have toppled this NJ tree.

I don’t remember hearing tornado warnings when I was younger.  Tornadoes were a phenomenon found in far-off places like Kansas.  However, over the past couple of years, tornado warnings have become common and some devastating tornadoes have hit NJ in the past year.  Is this the result of global warming?  Like everything these days that seems to be a political question, but the fact remains that it is a new threat that NJ residents and business owners now need to consider.

IF YOU ARE UNDER A TORNADO WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY AND REMEMBER THESE TIPS:

1. Go to a safe room, basement, or storm cellar. If there is no basement, get to a small, interior room on the lowest level.
2. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
3. If you can safely get to a sturdy building, do so immediately.
4. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You’re safer in a low, flat location.
5. Watch out for flying debris that can cause injury or death.
6. Use your arms to protect your head and neck.

After the storm has passed:

1. If you are trapped, cover your mouth with a cloth or mask to avoid breathing dust. Try to send a text, bang on a pipe or wall, or use a whistle instead of shouting.
2. Stay clear of fallen power lines or broken utility lines.
3. Do not enter damaged buildings until you are told that they are safe.
4. Save your phone calls for emergencies. Phone systems are often down or busy after a disaster. Use text messaging or social media to communicate with family and friends.
5. Be careful during clean-up. Wear thick-soled shoes, long pants, and work gloves.

Of course, the SERVPRO Ready Plan APP will also prove invaluable if a disaster does occur.  Download it from the App Store today.

Tools for extracting storm water

2/27/2022 (Permalink)

Boards severely damaged by water.

How Multiple Extractors Can Help Flooded NJ Properties

Effective water removal after a flood requires multiple extraction devices. These disasters can occur in both natural rising water levels and through the structural breaches that can plague homes and businesses after severe weather events. Considering the harsh Nor’easters we get in NJ, restoration teams should stay prepared to respond quickly with the equipment to help.

The need for flood removal in NJ residences is an immediate concern that follows these disasters and does not readily subside on its own. Many factors come into play when standing water exists. Choosing extraction equipment relates to the depth of the standing water, the materials exposed, the location of this damage, and the availability of power for the chosen equipment. Each of these factors can point our SERVPRO technicians to the appropriate extraction tools for the job.

In many cases, successfully removing all standing water from your property involves the use of more than one extracting tool or pump. Even in situations where we use powerful machines like the truck-mount or self-priming pumps to remove standing water, the intake hoses for these machines are not rated to work well when the depth of pooling water drops under two inches. Once this occurs and there is a noteworthy decrease in constant water draw, other units must pick up the remaining water.

Smaller and more portable units such as our wet-vacs with extraction wands can help to remove water once the overall depth drops below this critical two-inch margin. Eliminating as much of the standing water as feasible helps later drying with air movers and dehumidifiers to become more effective and efficient, so we remove as much pooling water and excessive moisture as possible with our light wands.

Flooding can be a devastating situation for many area homes after a severe weather event, but our SERVPRO of Jersey City North/The Heights team can help. We have multiple extraction units to help rapidly dry your property and make it “Like it Never Even Happened.”

NJ Deep Freeze of 2022

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

Water from a broken pipe inside is causing icicles to form on the exterior wall of this NJ home.

New Jersey is experiencing a deep freeze that is expected to continue for at least the next week. This has and will result in frozen and bursting water pipes in many homes, offices, and schools throughout the region.

SERVPRO has been on the scene, helping many homeowners and businesses by extracting water and drying basements, crawl spaces, floors, and sheetrock.  

To avoid future frozen and broken pipes during long-time freezing temperatures, it is easy to take the following steps:

Outdoors:

• Wrap outside faucets
• Caulk around pipes where they enter the house
• Disconnect garden hoses
• Drain in-ground sprinkler systems

Indoors:

• Let a stream of water run if the temperatures dip below freezing
• Open cupboard and vanity doors in the kitchen or bathroom
• Make sure the thermostat is set to constant temperature

If, however, you do experience broken pipes, make sure you take quick action to have the water extracted and your home or business dried out properly. Call SERVPRO and we will make it “Like it never even happened.”