Recent Storm Damage Posts
Christmas Storm of 2022
10/31/2023 (Permalink)
News paper with winter storm headline
In December of 2022 part of the country was affected by a large winter storm. West Virginia declared a state of emergency, and temperatures we in the negatives. With temperatures so cold many residents in the state were faced with bursting pipes due to water freezing in them. When the temperature gets cold it is recommended to keep a slow drip on faucets to keep water moving. It is recommended by professionals that any water lines on an exterior wall should be insulated to help keep them from freezing. Another step is to insulate the walls and the attic, keeping those areas in the home warmer to help prevent frozen pipes. When winter comes frozen pipes are chance, and if you do have a pipe burst SERVPRO is always here to help.
Sump Pump Maintenance
10/25/2022 (Permalink)
Sump pump
Here at SERVPRO of North Kanawha and Teays Valley we see flooding due to sump pump failures a lot. We wanted to share some maintance tips to help you notice if something is wrong with your pump.
1.) Know the age of your sump pump. Pumps that are older than seven years tend to have more problems.
2.) Periodically check if your sump pump is still working. Double-check to make sure it is connected to a power source and pour water into a sump pump. Watch how the pump runs and listen for any noises that you may hear.
3.) Know the signs of your sump pump having a problem. If you encounter your sump pump making strange noises, turning off and on when it should be running, and if you see an oil leak call an expert to check it.
4.) Clean your pump regularly. Turn off the pump and make sure no water will be draining into it. Rinse the pump, scrape off caked-up debris, and use a wet vac to clean out the sump pump. Once the pump is dry, reattach it to the power source and plug it back in.
More to Us Behind the Scenes.
9/26/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO Logo
You may know us as the Fire and Water Cleanup and Restoration Company. But did you know that there are over 20 services that we can provide to a home or business owner. Our team at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley is always ready to help you at a moment’s notice 24/7/365. A few of the other services that we provide include…
- Mold Mitigation
- Document Restoration
- Duct Cleaning
- Deodorization
- Reconstruction
- Vandalism Cleanup
- Forensic Remediation
- Storm Response
- Tarping and Board ups
Our team here at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley can help you with whatever disaster that you may have. We have been in the Kanawha Valley and surrounding areas for nearly 30 years, locally owned and operated, and ready to serve you.
Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, property manager, or first responder we are here for you. There is no disaster that is too large or too small that we can't handle. From our trained and uniformed crews to our professional restoration consultants, and our SERVPRO® Ready App that is in the palm of your hand, the cleanup team at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley is here to help make your disaster, “Like it never even happened." For more information on how we can help you be prepared or for a consultation please call us at 304-755-9510.
A Storm is a-Brewin'
7/29/2022 (Permalink)
Flood sign in high water.
It's that time of year in West Virginia. Summer storms that inevitably cause flooding along the valley are something we are all very familiar with. Being stuck in the holler because your car, unfortunately, does not have boat capabilities is frustrating and can be dangerous. Remember turn around, don’t drown. It does not take much water to float your vehicle.
Being prepared for the summer storms brewing will help you and your family stay safe and comfortable during a possible flood event. Here are a few ways you can be prepared:
-Have enough drinking water stocked up. One gallon per family member per day that you are preparing for should be sufficient.
-Prepare for power outages with things like flashlights and lanterns.
-Keep extra blankets in storage. You never know what will happen during an extreme winter storm, and the last thing you want is to be cold or wet.
-Stock up on non-perishable foods.
-Last but not least, get some board games and puzzles for the family. You could be stuck in the house for a few days, and it could get boring!
Staying Safe During a Power Outage
7/11/2022 (Permalink)
Power line and tress down after a storm.
Power outages have been a reoccurring thing here in West Virginia. With all the storms we have been having, some people are almost expecting to lose power. Even with the power off, there are some safety precautions you may want to take. Here are some tips to keep you and your property safe.
- Unplug all appliances to avoid power surges.
A power surge is a surge of power that is a higher voltage than normal. They can be caused by an electrical overload, faulty wiring, or a power outage.
- Use flashlights instead of candles.
It is important to always use a flashlight when your power is off. Leaving a candle unattended could cause a fire leaving damage to your property.
- Never use a gas stove to heat your house
Never use a gas stove to heart un your house. Turning on an oven and leaving the door open can increase the amount of carbon monoxide to unhealthy levels.
- Keep grills and generators outside
Grills are great during power outages, but it is important to keep them outside. Generators need to stay outside as well as they both put out carbon monoxide.
Weatherman Reporting Another Flash Flood Watch?
6/14/2022 (Permalink)
Living in West Virginia, flash flood warnings are something we hear a lot. Don’t panic, here are some ways you can be prepared in case a flash flood does happen. Create an evacuation plan. Stay informed about your community's plans and risks. Make sure your family knows how to get in touch with each other if they are separated. Create an emergency kit for your family and pets. Your emergency kit should include food, water, phone chargers, a flashlight, medications, and emergency contact information.
While those are all good ways to help prepare your family for a potential flood, it is always a good idea to prepare your home. Unplug all electrical appliances to reduce the chances of a potential power surge. Move valuables to a higher area in your home and turn off utilities if told to by authorities. If flooding is expected, you may want to use sandbags to help slow down flooding in your home.
Floods are scary when they happen, but always remember to try to stay as calm as possible. If a flood does occur, it is important to stay informed to make sure you and your family can be as safe as possible. Try your best to stay out of flood water. It can contain sewage and other bacteria harmful to you. Always remember, it only takes six feet of swift-moving water to knock you over and two feet of water to move your vehicle. Throw away food that has been contaminated by flood water. Stay out of areas such as underpasses and low spots, and never drive through flood waters.
Thankfully, all bad things must come to an end. If you were evacuated, it is important to only return home if approved by the authorities. Check with your friends and family to make sure everyone is safe, and check if there is damage to your house. Here are some things we suggest doing after flooding here at SERVPRO.
- Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture.
- Remove and prop up wet upholstery and cushions.
- Turn on the air conditioner for drying in the summer.
Don’t panic if your home was affected by the flood. SERVPRO of North Kanawha and Teays Valley are here to help. Give us a call to learn what services we offer that may be of help to you. At SERVPRO, we have your back. We are a 24-hour emergency service. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. Not only do we specialize in water restoration, but we are also highly trained in helping with secondary damage restoration such as mold remediation and reconstruction services. Our main goal is to make your home look "Like it never even happened."
More to the story...
6/1/2022 (Permalink)
From storm cleanup to mold remediation, the pros at SERVPRO have you covered.
You may know us as the Fire and Water Cleanup and Restoration Company. But did you know that there are over 20 services that we can provide to a home or business owner. Our team at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley is always ready to help you at a moment’s notice 24/7/365. A few of the other services that we provide include…
- Mold Mitigation
- COVID Cleaning
- Document Restoration
- Deodorization
- Reconstruction
- Vandalism Cleanup
- Forensic Remediation
- Storm Response
- Tarping and Board ups
Our team here at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley can help you with whatever disaster that you may have. We have been in the Kanawha Valley and surrounding areas for over 30 years, locally owned and operated, and ready to serve you.
Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, property manager, or first responder we are here for you. There is no disaster that is too large or too small that we cannot handle. From our trained and uniformed crews to our professional restoration consultants, the cleanup team at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley is here to help make your disaster “Like it never even happened."
Prepare Your Home for Winter
10/25/2021 (Permalink)
Use these tips to prepare your home before the snow falls.
Winter is quickly approaching us here in West Virginia. Leaves are starting to change color and you can feel the cool, brisk air in the morning. With winter usually comes heavy snowfall and winter storms sweeping across Central West Virginia. What does this mean for your home? We will share a few tips with you so that you may prepare your home for the winter months and possible winter storms to come.
- First things first, you should test your heating unit. If it is an older one, it is a good idea to have it inspected by an HVAC professional. The worst thing that can happen is a blizzard coming through and you are stuck in a cold home because you forgot to check your furnace prior to winter!
- This may seem trivial, but you should also reverse your ceiling fans. If your fan has the capability to reverse the direction that it spins, it will produce an updraft and push the warm air down towards the floor.
- Check your roof for loose or missing shingles. Fix these as soon as possible to prevent any leaks from rain or snow.
- Seal your windows and doors with caulk to keep your home insulated.
- Clean your gutters. If your gutters are full of debris and we get a large snowstorm, once the snow melts it will causse the water to back up against the house and cause leaks.
- Turn off exterior faucets. Leftover water in pipes can freeze and cause pipes to burst which can cause a large water loss.
Doing these things will keep your home comfortable and safe for winter. If a winter storm does hit our area and your home experiences damage due to damaged shingles or gutters, give us a call.
What is flash flooding?
9/22/2021 (Permalink)
Cole (technician) and Austin (marketing representative) prepare the van for flood cleanup.
Earlier this month, central counties in West Virginia were hit by flash flooding from the heavy rainfall that hurricane Ida brought. In this blog, we are going to talk about what flash flooding is and what affects it can have on your home or business.
According to the National Weather Service, flash flooding is "flooding that begins within 6 hours, and often within 3 hours, of the heavy rainfall (or other cause)." Flash floods mostly occur from extremely heavy rainfall but can also happen if a dam or levee breaks, or if there is a mudslide.
Flash flooding can cause tremendous damage to homes and businesses. A lot of the time, this type of intense flooding can carry large debris like boulders and trees. This and even just the force of the water alone can easily cause structural damage to a building, and ultimately flood it inside. This then affects your belongings and possibly your own life.
If your home or business was affected by the flash floods in West Virginia this month and you have noticed water damage or mold, please give us a call. We would be happy to give you a free estimate and get your home back to pre-flood conditions.
SERVPRO Storm
7/28/2021 (Permalink)
No matter the size of the disaster, SERVPRO Storm Team can assist a franchise with capacity and resources to get the damages restored!
There is a long list of reasons why SERVPRO is the premier choice for cleanup and restoration. We brag about our efficiency and professionalism, our technology and equipment. But something that sets us even more apart from the others is our ability to respond to the volume that a major storm event causes.
A large storm event caused by flood, fire, or other natural disaster that surpasses the local franchise's capacity to service in a timely manner can be taken care of by the SERVPRO System. When a storm event like this occurs, The SERVPRO System can provide state of the art restoration services through the best area coverage in the restoration industry. SERVPRO Storm Teams mobilize their crews and are deployed with additional equipment and crews to service property owners, no matter the loss size.
When a storm event occurs and there is major damage, SERVPRO comes together as One Team to help!
Tropical Storm Elsa
7/7/2021 (Permalink)
Although Kanawha and Putnam counties may not be directly affected by Elsa, it is good to stay informed with potentially large storms such as this one.
Our corporate meteorologist, Lela Davis, reported on Tropical Storm Elsa and her effects on the East Coast. Although West Virginia will not be directly affected by the tropical storm, it is still smart to be in the know.
Lela Davis says, "Tropical Storm Elsa has just crossed over the Florida Keys and will move northward today, heading towards the Tampa area. Landfall will be tomorrow morning just north of Tampa at CAT 1 Hurricane Strength. The ridge of high pressure located in the central/western Atlantic is steering Elsa and will continue to do so throughout the week. Some wind shear associated with a trough of low pressure in the western Gulf of Mexico is currently keeping Elsa from intensifying but that trough will shift west towards Mexico today/tomorrow which lowers the shear and allows Elsa to strengthen."
Rainfall is expected to total 3-5 inches, the highest storm surge should range from 3-5 feet and wind gusts are reported to be up to 80+ miles per hour.
West Virginia should not see many effects from the tropical storm currently, but we will update if that changes. Stay cool and safe Kanawha and Putnam!
Rain, rain, go away!
7/5/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO is "here to help" no matter what the forecast is.
Kanawha and Putnam counties have been seeing a mixture of heat wave and thunderstorms lately. It has been either too hot to be outside, or pouring the rain. With all of this rain comes the potential for water damage in your home. Be sure to check for signs of this and call 304-755-9510 if there is suspected damage. The quicker you call, the quicker we can get your property dry and back to normal!
Now for a little forecast of the week ahead:
Monday, 7/5/21: Sunny with a high of 92, light chance of thunderstorms in the evening.
Tuesday 7/6/21: Sunny with a high of 93, light chance of thunderstorms in the evening.
Wednesday 7/7/21: Slight chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high of 91.
Thursday 7/8/21: Chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high of 86.
Friday 7/9/21: Chance of showers and thunderstorms with a high of 84.
Saturday 7/10/21: Showers and thunderstorms with a high of 89.
As you can see, Mother Nature can't quite decide whether this week is going to be nice or rainy. Either way, you can be prepared for whatever happens by having SERVPRO as your restoration professionals.
For a more detailed weather report, click here.
Signs, Signs, Everywhere a Sign
10/1/2020 (Permalink)
Sign found in a flooded building during the 2016 West Virginia Floods.
No, this has nothing to do with the famous Five Man Electric Band song from the 70’s. We are not about protesting anything today. SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley is all about protecting you from dangerous weather situations. Did you know that the National Weather Service has come up with a multitude of symbols/signs that give us advanced warning us dangerous weather related events?
Take a closer look at the NWS website to discover all the early warning symbols/signs at https://www.weather.gov/safety/.
Since the start of the spring flood season in West Virginia is coming upon us next month we thought we would concentrate this blog on flood safety. We will cover the cleanup and restoration of flooded structures another day. Today we want to concentrate on the preparedness part of flooding because we know from years of experience that being prepared ahead of time will make recovery easier and less costly.
In 2016 the devastating West Virginia floods took over 20 lives and cost millions of dollars in damage. We know that not all of the deaths were avoidable, but some of the folks that perished could possibly be alive today if they had heeded the warnings that were issued. Some waited too late to evacuate, some tried to cross roadways that were covered with water, and some just thought it couldn’t happen to them since a rain event had not happened like this in over 100 years.
In its flood safety section https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood the NWS gives us some great information to help prevent disasters like the ones we saw in 2016. The WRN program has proven to be a life saver.
Please have a preparedness plan in place and follow it should flooding ever happen near you.
As always SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley is here for you if your Charleston, WV home or business ever sustains flood damage.
Roof damage is bad but can be worse if not repaired
9/2/2020 (Permalink)
storm made tree crash into roof of home causing damage
In any type of weather there are lots of different issues that could cause damage to your home; Roof damage is one of those. Damage due to storms is the most typical, but there are several things that COULD cause the damage to your roof some being more visible than others.
It is always good practice to have your roof inspected every 10-12 years, unless there has been a specific issue that may have caused a reason to check it sooner such as a severe storm, hail, or some other sort of natural disaster. Unfortunately, when your roof becomes damaged it can lead to bigger issues that may ultimately cause water damage to the interior of your home.
Here we mention a few things to look for when you are inspecting your roof:
- Loose or missing shingles: this could be caused by high winds, improper installation, or simply wearing out over exposure to the elements through the years. Loose nails can also leave a hole in the shingle that water can find its way through as well.
- Poor installation of the flashing. "Flashing" is the metal that is placed in the sections where the roof meets the walls, or in the valleys. This must be installed properly to divert water from the roof.
- Gutters that are not placed with the right pitch, or that have seems that are not sealed properly can also cause water to back up and then overflow into the house causing water damage to ceilings and/or walls. Not having gutter guards to keep leaves and debris from collecting in the gutters can cause overflow of water that can result in damage to your roof and other areas of your home as well.
- Rotted fascia or soffit can also be an area that allows water to intrude.
If you suspect that you may have roof damage causing water damage to your home please feel free to contact us at 304-755-9510 and we will be happy to assist you. SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley can also supply emergency tarping and board up if the need may arise.
SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley will be there for all of your home repairs or accidents.
Rain.... Hail.... Winds.... Oh My!
7/6/2020 (Permalink)
Seasonal storms can be unpredictable at times, stay prepared by creating a storm safety plan.
The Kanawha and Putnam counties are no strangers to ravishing storms. Rain, Hail, High winds all a recipe for disaster for many homeowners. Preparation for our moody mother nature is key to help protect your home. While you can’t control the weather, there’s still a lot you can do to protect your home and your family. Additionally, most of what we’ll discuss in this blog will also help protect your neighbors’ homes and property!
SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley has a list of the basic outside upkeep on your home, which may help prevent or minimize the damage done to your home during a storm in West Virginia.
- Check for missing or damaged shingles, then get them replaced
When shingles are damaged, they are more likely to break free. If the shingles are missing this will cause a gap and allow for wind to get under the shingles causing more damage.
The same rule as roofing applies to your siding as well. Ensure that the siding is not damaged or pulled loose, allowing for wind to damage the remainder of the siding.
Ensure that your gutters are free-flowing and your downspouts are in a direction that will allow the water to flow away from the foundation. If the water is not directed from the foundation, the water can cause water damage to the home and flooding.
- Adjust the flow of runoff water coming toward your house.
The best way to combat runoff water coming near or inside of your home is to dig a ditch or drain to divert the water that is intruding on your home.
- Keep your sump pump, pumping.
Checking your sump pump should be done on a pretty regular basis. It is far too often that we get a call for sump pump failure. Purchasing a secondary pump is additional reassurance that you can minimize basement or crawlspace damage during a storm if your primary sump pump stops working.
- Trim your tree’s frequently
Keeping your tree’s trimmed regularly helps keep the risk of having damage done to your home's roof, siding, and windows.
- Take a quick walk around your property.
This is primarily to clean up around your home of anything that could be potentially become projectiles. Things like lawn furniture, tools, flower pots, trash cans, anything that can be lifted off of the ground
Larger storms can cause serious outages leaving you without power anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. The generator can be used so that you minimize the loss of food, keeping medications cold, there are a number of things that make it a good idea to have a generator.
Keep in mind that your home and the things inside of your home are replaceable. Your family is not. Creating a storm safety plan is essential and should be regularly reviewed and practiced with your family. If you believe that your home may have still obtained damage during the storm, contact SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley to have your property assessed for storm damage.
More to us than what you think...
7/6/2020 (Permalink)
Storms can strike at any time, trust that SERVPRO will be available 24/7/365 to help you in your time of need.
You may know us as the Fire and Water Cleanup and Restoration Company. But did you know that there are over 20 services that we can provide to a home or business owner? Our team at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley is always ready to help you at a moment’s notice 24/7/365. A few of the other services that we provide include…
- Mold Mitigation
- Document Restoration
- Duct Cleaning
- Deodorization
- Reconstruction
- Vandalism Cleanup
- Forensic Remediation
- Storm Response
- Tarping and Board ups
Our team here at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha & Teays Valley can help you with whatever disaster that you may have. We have been in the Kanawha Valley and surrounding areas for nearly 30 years, locally owned and operated, and ready to serve you.
Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, property manager, or first responder we are here for you. There is no disaster that is too large or too small that we can't handle. From our trained and uniformed crews to our professional restoration consultants, and our SERVPRO® Ready App that is in the palm of your hand, the cleanup team at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha & Teays Valley is here to help make your disaster, “Like it never even happened." For more information on how we can help you be prepared or for a consultation please call us at 304-755-9510.
We are more than what we appear......
6/26/2020 (Permalink)
Storms can wreak havoc on your life, let SERVPRO® help put your life back together.
The name SERVPRO® you may automatically think Fire and Water cleanup, but there is more to us than that. Did you know that there are over 20 services that we can provide to a home or business owner. Our team at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha & Teays Valley we are always ready to help you at a moment’s notice 24/7/365. By having the ability to provide more than fire and water we can be a full-service contractor for you. This minimizes the headache of having numerous contractors at your home.
A few of the other services that we provide include…
- Mold Mitigation
- Disinfecting
- Document Restoration
- Duct Cleaning
- Deodorization
- Reconstruction
- Vandalism Cleanup
- Forensic Remediation
- Storm Response
- Tarping and Board ups
Our team here at SERVPRO® of North Kanawha & Teays Valley can help you with whatever disaster that you may have. We have been in the Kanawha Valley and surrounding areas for 30 years, locally owned and operated, and ready to serve you.
Whether you are a homeowner, business owner, property manager, or first responder we are here for you. There is no disaster that is too large or too small that we cannot handle. SERVPRO® of North Kanawha & Teays Valley is here to help make your disaster, "Like it never even happened."
For more information on how we can help you be prepared or for a consultation please call us at 304-755-9510.
We’re Not Out of the Woods Yet
2/6/2020 (Permalink)
We are not out of the woods yet but there is a small path leading to the light.
The prognosticators have spoken and one has already been proven to be wrong…Will the other? The Farmers’ Almanac predicted that the winter of 2020 would be frigid throughout our region of Appalachia. The phrase “Polar Coaster Winter Ahead” was used by this legendary meteorological medium to describe the winter that we are currently engaged in. This once reliable source has been just flat out wrong this time…so far.
So what of our other prophet of precipitation? Punxsutawney Phil, America’s favorite varmint weatherman, emerged from his hole to see no shadow, which means the coming of an early spring. Although this winter has seemed like just an extended fall, with mild temperatures and little to no snowfall, Phil’s prediction seems to be more likely than the Almanac’s, but we’re not out of the woods yet.
As anyone who has grown up West Virginia will tell you, we’re just as likely to see heavy snowfall in March as we are in December. My own birthday is on the Spring Equinox, March 20th. With my 40th birthday quickly approaching, I for one can tell you that I’ve spent just as many birthday parties sleigh riding as I have playing whiffle ball in the front yard.
So far this winter has been gentle on freezing pipes and snowmelt flooding but this fortune teller thinks that Mother Nature isn’t quite done. She’s lured us into a false sense of security only to hit us when we least expect it. I can’t remember a single year without a major snow event and I don’t expect this year to be any different. So… before you start planning your spring cleaning you might want to spend your next February day that is 70 degrees double-checking the insulation of your exposed pipes and the cleanliness of your drains. However, if you choose not to heed this Birthday Boy’s warning, and disaster does descend upon you, Just remember that the mitigation and restoration professionals of SERVPRO® of North Kanawha and Teays Valley are here to make it just like this winter, “Like it never even happened.”
Were Not In Kansas Anymore!
10/9/2019 (Permalink)
Large tornado after it has destroyed a tree.
When people think of areas that are prone to tornado's, the Appalachia is not the first place that may come to mind. The hills and mountains in our region generally protect us from the risk of these types of strong storms. The reason tornadoes are not as frequent, has to do with the fact that we have cooler, more stable air (which is not favorable for severe weather development) which is generally found at higher elevations. On June 24, 2019 the shocking reality of our vulnerability to these storms was exposed. Survey teams with the National Weather Service said the storm that moved through Kanawha County was an EF1 tornado that traveled for 11 miles leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
Tornadoes often strike with little or no warning. In areas that are not expecting them the warnings may not even be heeded. Just minutes before the storm in June fire departments sounded their area wide sirens. Many people were not aware of why the alarm had been raised, and in the following minutes havoc was reaped. Giant trees that have stood for hundreds of years we uprooted and tossed around like matchsticks. People who had lived in the area for their entire life were now witness to damage like they had never seen, even a few unfortunate victims suffered trees falling on their houses. Full-grown oaks trees can weigh as much as 50 tons and cause a tremendous amount of damage when they land on a roof. The physical damage that is caused by a tree fall is multiplied by the water damage that can ensue.
If you become one of these unfortunate individuals whose home is impacted by extreme weather such as tornado's or other unexpected storms, SERVPRO of North Kanawha and Teays Valley are ready to descend on your property to mitigate these damages. The sooner help arrives the better chance you may have at reducing the chances of secondary damage. Calling SERVPRO at 304-755-9510 can be like clicking your heals and waking up from the nightmare.
Making it "Like it never even happened."
How to be Ready
9/27/2019 (Permalink)
Emergency Ready Plan folder
Catastrophic weather is nothing out of the ordinary anymore for us. Recently the United States have been affected by many different types of disasters. Flooding, fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards threaten homes, businesses, and communities. Statistically as many as 50% of businesses may not recover following a disaster, this is according to recent industry research. The businesses that do survive a disaster the majority of these businesses were prepared and had a preparedness plan in place.
Pre-planning can serve as an additional insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire can affect your business!
Preparation is an important component in making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire, or flooding as we have recently experienced in Charleston, Sissionville, Saint Albans, and Cross Lanes, WV. The best time for planning for such events is not when the disaster happens, but well before it happens it happens. Contact your local SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley Professionals to establish your Emergency Ready Program.
Emergency Ready Program
· A no cost assessment of your facility.
(This means there is no need to allocate funds, giving you a great value at no cost.)
· Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.
(Having a quick reference of what to do, how to do it and who to call provides solutions in advance of an emergency so that during the emergency you are “Ready for whatever happens.”)
· A concise profile document that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.
(It will only take a little time to complete and will not take you away from current projects, but it will save a lot of time if ever needed.
· A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster.
(This can help minimize the amount of time your business is inactive by having an immediate plan of action.)
· Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.
(This saves time so we can begin the work of mitigating the damage which can save you time and money.)
Rain, Hail and High Winds OH MY!
6/18/2019 (Permalink)
The Kanawha and Putnam counties have recently been ravished with storms. Rain, Hail, High winds all a recipe for disaster for many home owners. Preparation for our moody mother nature is key to help protect your home. While you can’t control the weather, there’s still a lot you can do to protect your home and your family. Additionally, most of what we’ll discuss in this blog will also help protect your neighbors’ homes and property!
SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley have a list of the basic outside upkeep on your home, may help prevent or minimize the damage done to your home during a storm in West Virginia.
- Check for missing or damaged shingles, then get them replaced
When shingles are damaged, they are more likely to break free. If the shingles are missing this will cause a gap and allow for wind to get under the singles causing more damage.
The same rule as roofing apply to your siding as well. Insure that the siding is not damaged or pulled loose, allowing for wind to damage the remainder of the siding.
Ensure that your gutters are free-flowing and your downspouts are in a direction that will allow the water to flow away from the foundation. If the water is not directed from the foundation, the water can cause water damage to the home and flooding.
- Adjust the flow of runoff water coming toward your house.
The best way to combat runoff water coming near or inside of your home is to dig a ditch, or drain to divert the water that is intruding your home.
- Keep your sump pump, pumping.
Checking your sump pump should be done on a pretty regular basis. It is far too often that we get a call for sump pump failure. Purchasing a secondary pump is additional reassurance that you can minimize basement or crawlspace damage during a storm if your primary sump pump stops working.
- Trim your tree’s frequently
Keeping your tree’s trimmed regularly helps keep the risk of having damaged done to your home's roof, siding and windows.
- Take a quick walk around your property.
This is primarily to clean up around your home of anything that could be potentially become projectiles. Things like lawn furniture, tools, flower pots, trash cans, anything that can be lifted off of the ground
Larger storms can cause serious outages leaving you without power anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. The generator can be used so that you minimize the loss of food, keeping medications cold, there are a number of things that make it a good idea to have a generator.
Keep in mind that your home and the things inside of your home are replaceable. Your family is not. Creating a storm safety plan is essential and should be regularly reviewed and practiced with your family. If you believe that your home may have still obtained damage during the storm, contact SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley to have your property assessed for storm damage.
Roof damage is bad enough, but a roof not repaired can cause some serious issues.
5/31/2019 (Permalink)
In any type of weather there are lots of different issues that could cause damage to your home; Roof damage is one of those. Damage due to storms is the most typical, but there are several things that COULD cause the damage to your roof some being more visible than others.
It is always good practice to have your roof inspected every 10-12 years, unless there has been a specific issue that may have caused a reason to check it sooner such as a severe storm, hail, or some other sort of natural disaster. Unfortunately, when your roof becomes damaged it can lead to bigger issues that may ultimately cause water damage to the interior of your home.
Here we mention a few things to look for when you are inspecting your roof:
- Loose or missing shingles: this could be caused by high winds, improper installation, or simply wearing out over exposure to the elements through the years. Loose nails can also leave a hole in the shingle that water can find its way through as well.
- Poor installation of the flashing. "Flashing" is the metal that is placed in the sections where the roof meets the walls, or in the valleys. This must be installed properly to divert water from the roof.
- Gutters that are not placed with the right pitch, or that have seems that are not sealed properly can also cause water to back up and then overflow into the house causing water damage to ceilings and/or walls. Not having gutter guards to keep leaves and debris from collecting in the gutters can cause overflow of water that can result in damage to your roof and other areas of your home as well.
- Rotted fascia or soffit can also be an area that allows water to intrude.
If you suspect that you may have roof damage causing water damage to your home please feel free to contact us at 304-755-9510 and we will be happy to assist you. SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley can also supply emergency tarping and board up if the need may arise.
SERVPRO® of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley will be there for all of your home repairs or accidents.
Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign
2/19/2019 (Permalink)
Sign found in a flooded building during the 2016 West Virginia Floods.
No, this has nothing to do with the famous Five Man Electric Band song from the 70’s. We are not about protesting anything today. SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley is all about protecting you from dangerous weather situations. Did you know that the National Weather Service has come up with a multitude of symbols/signs that give us advanced warning us dangerous weather related events?
Take a closer look at the NWS website to discover all the early warning symbols/signs at https://www.weather.gov/safety/ .
Since the start of the spring flood season in West Virginia is coming upon us next month we thought we would concentrate this blog on flood safety. We will cover the cleanup and restoration of flooded structures another day. Today we want to concentrate on the preparedness part of flooding because we know from years of experience that being prepared ahead of time will make recovery easier and less costly.
In 2016 the devastating West Virginia floods took over 20 lives and cost millions of dollars in damage. We know that not all of the deaths were avoidable, but some of the folks that perished could possibly be alive today if they had heeded the warnings that were issued. Some waited too late to evacuate, some tried to cross roadways that were covered with water, and some just thought it couldn’t happen to them since a rain event had not happened like this in over 100 years.
In its flood safety section https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood the NWS gives us some great information to help prevent disasters like the ones we saw in 2016. The WRN program has proven to be a life saver.
Please have a preparedness plan in place and follow it should flooding ever happen near you.
As always SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley is here for you if your Charleston, WV home or business ever sustains flood damage.
Rain, Rain Go Away!
5/29/2018 (Permalink)
Flood waters receding
It's spring and Mother Nature has a lot to say. Spring storms can cause a tremendous amount of damage to your home, in a small amount of time, but it is not only storms that caused that damage. There are many reasons that water can cause damage to your home. According to the institute of business and home safety, homes over 30 years old are three times more likely to have a major plumbing or drain problems. Some studies have shown that 75% of water heaters also fail within the first 12 years. While this study only covered homes over 30 years, new homes are not excluded from issues either.
There are some signs to look for when examining your home or a home that you may be looking to purchase:
Look up- Look for water spots forming on your ceiling they may look like small to large brown rings. You can also press on these spots they will be soft to the touch. This is to see if they may be formed from a recent leak.
Feel for soft spots- While we do this for spots in the ceiling, it is also important to watch for these on the floor as well. The floor may sag a little when you are walking to the shower or be soft around the base of the toilet. This can happen not only in the bathroom, but anywhere within the house. This could be from current or previous water damage the wet floor or subfloor could be wet and causing the floor to rot.
Look for rust- Rust on your hot water tank could indicate a small leak. It is suggested to flush your hot water tank and it will prevent sediment build up.
Step Outside- After a good rain step outside and inspect the ground around your home. Is your home landscaped for proper drainage or does the water gather around the base of your home?
Inspecting your roof- Inspection of your roof is very important, particularly after a heavy storm. The combination of high winds, rain and sometimes hail could be detrimental to the life of your roof. Watch for missing shingles, damaged flashing and pools of water.
Smell- Odor caused by mold or mildew that could be linked to some kind of water damage inside your house that may have passed unnoticed or unintentionally mistreated.
Once water damage has happened the clock starts ticking. The water problem can quickly worsen, causing secondary damage like mold. When your property has a water damage you don't have the luxury of waiting around to hope that it dries out on its own so call the professionals to get help. Secondary damage can begin as early as 24 to 48 hours. Mildew spores are everywhere, but need moisture and a food source to develop. That is just what your wet carpet and drywall offers. So proper and timely treatment of the water damage is important.
It is important to note that not all water damages are treated equally. Each cause of origin has its own standards as far as treatment and coverage. It is always important to contact your insurance company immediately for them to determine your policy for coverage.
If roof damage isn't bad enough, the secondary damage can sometimes be worse.
4/19/2018 (Permalink)
Roof Damage
In any type of weather there are lots of different issues that could cause damage to your home; Roof damage is one of those. Damage due to storms is the most typical, but there are several things that COULD cause the damage to your roof some being more visible than others.
It is always good practice to have your roof inspected every 10-12 years, unless there has been a specific issue that may have caused a reason to check it sooner such as a severe storm, hail, or some other sort of natural disaster. Unfortunately, when your roof becomes damaged it can lead to bigger issues that may ultimately cause water damage to the interior of your home.
Here we mention a few things to look for when you are inspecting your roof:
- Loose or missing shingles: this could be caused by high winds, improper installation, or simply wearing out over exposure to the elements through the years. Loose nails can also leave a hole in the shingle that water can find its way through as well.
- Poor installation of the flashing. "Flashing" is the metal that is placed in the sections where the roof meets the walls, or in the valleys. This must be installed properly to divert water from the roof.
- Gutters that are not placed with the right pitch, or that have seems that are not sealed properly can also cause water to back up and then overflow into the house causing water damage to ceilings and/or walls. Not having gutter guards to keep leaves and debris from collecting in the gutters can cause overflow of water that can result in damage to your roof and other areas of your home as well.
- Rotted fascia or soffit can also be an area that allows water to intrude.
If you suspect that you may have roof damage causing water damage to your home please feel free to contact us at 304-755-9510 and we will be happy to assist you. SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley can also supply emergency tarping and board up if the need may arise.
SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley will be there for all of your home repairs or accidents.
And The Beat Goes On in Charleston, WV
1/26/2016 (Permalink)
Commercial Water Loss in Charleston, WV
And the beat goes on…..
Winter Storm Jonas tried its best to shut us down, but was unsuccessful. SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and Teays Valley did not miss a beat as we battled 2 feet of snow this past weekend. As the snow kept falling, our phone kept ringing and our customers continued to get the service they have grown to expect. When we enter into a contract with a corporation, we take that relationship very seriously, so come snow, or high water we will make every effort to respond when our customers call. During winter storm Jonas we responded to 9 residential water losses, 2 house fires and 1 commercial water loss. If you are looking for a company that can take care of your cleaning and restoration needs in your home, or business in the Charleston, WV and surrounding areas, we are THE choice. SERVPRO can handle any loss no matter the size or complexity. SERVPRO of North Kanawha Valley and SERVPRO of Teays Valley has been locally owned and operated for over 25 years and we understand the issues that face our local community better than our out of state competitors. Let us be your vendor of choice when you experience a catastrophe and you won’t miss a beat either.
8-22-2014 Huntington, WV storm
8/26/2014 (Permalink)
Standing flood waters in commercial building in Huntington, WV
SERVPRO spent most of this past weekend cleaning up several commercial properties in Huntington, WV. due to severe flooding.
It was "all hands on deck" for SERVPRO of N Kanawha Valley & Teays Valley on Friday as the calls for assistance started rolling in.
Our dedicated teams worked through the night helping to make the flooding, Like It Never Even Happened®.
24/7 Emergency Service
