Everything You Need To Know About Sump Pumps

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Installing a sump pump can be a great way to prevent water damage in your home

If you live in an area where flooding is common, you've most likely heard of a sump pump, but you may not know what it is or if you need one. Here's everything you need to know about them, including what they are, who needs one, and pump maintenance.

What are They?

These pumps are used to prevent flooding. They are installed in a small hole in the floor on the lowest level of your house. When the hole starts to fill with water, it will turn on and begin pumping the water to a storm drain, well, or pond.

Who Needs One?
There are several reasons that installing a pump could be the right option for you:

• You live on a low-lying lot
• Your yard grading causes water to flow towards the house
• Your area experiences frequent flooding
• You have had flooding problems before
• You have a basement
• If your home in Finley, WA, fits into any of these categories, a sump pump could save you a lot of time and money.
• If you have recently experienced a flood, a storm damage restoration service can repair damages and tell you if a pump is a good option for your home.

How Do You Maintain a Pump?

You should always follow the pump maintenance directions provided by the manufacturer. You should also remove debris from the pit, vent, discharge pipe and intake screen regularly. It is especially important to make sure the float switch is clear, so it can turn on the pump when water is detected. You can check that your system is working properly by filling the pit with water and making sure it properly drains the water.

Installing a sump pump can be a great way to prevent water damage in your home, especially if your home is at a high risk of flooding or has had problems with it in the past. Once it is installed, proper pump maintenance will ensure that your system is working correctly so you're prepared in case of an emergency.

5 Inspection Points for Storm Preparedness

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Flood damage in South Highlands, WA.

Storm Preparedness

Operating a business in an area susceptible to storms means planning for the inevitable. In South Highlands, WA, businesses need to make storm preparedness part of their exterior maintenance schedule. Keep in mind each of these inspection points when judging your building's storm liability.

Loose Exterior Elements
During a storm, any loose elements outside of your building could become airborne. Not only could your business lose these, but they could become dangerous projectiles in a storm. Create a list of elements that need to be secured before a storm. Look for things like:

• Outdoor signs
• Exterior displays
• Landscaping features like bushes or trees
• Parking lot gravel
  
  

Know the Location of All Glass
All your windows will need to be secured for a storm, but don't forget about glass doors on your building. As you perform your building inspection, look for all outside facing glass. Then you can inspect the damage after a storm and point a professional restoration service where to go.

Don't Forget About Your Roof
During exterior maintenance, many businesses only consider what they can see from the ground. Don't forget about your roof and any vents, skylights, pipes, or other equipment that could be damaged during a storm.

Be Mindful Of Propane and Gas
If your business uses propane for manufacturing or power, make sure all of these elements are completely protected during a storm. Keeping your gas lines safe a secure is an important part of keeping your building maintained, especially during a storm.

Examine Areas at Risk of Flooding
Your building should be sloped to prevent most rainfall from damaging it. However, in extreme circumstances, places that normally do not flood may. Be prepared and examine your building's walls and thresholds. Exterior maintenance should keep sandbags around in case of storm flooding.
The best way to prepare your building for a storm is to integrate preventative measures into normal exterior maintenance. Preparedness is your business's best tool for fighting storm damage.

3 Ways a Winter Storm Can Damage Your Commercial Property

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is ready for when crazy storms come through causing damage to your property. Call us!

Three Ways A Winter Storm Can Destroy Your Commercial Property

Residents of Finley, WA, know of the dangers a winter storm can bring for their property. A storm that lowers temperatures to below-freezing corrodes building materials. You can prevent irreparable damage by:

• Replacing your building's roof every 20-30 years
  
• Updating appliances
• Insulating your building's plumbing system

Damage from a storm can catch property owners off guard, especially if they are new to owning a commercial building. Here are some of the most common damages inclement weather can do to a building.

1. Plumbing Issues

A common cause of burst pipes is freezing temperatures from bad weather conditions. Lowered temperatures cause water to freeze inside of pipes. The frozen water then increases the pressure inside of your building's plumbing system. Pipes can burst under the pressure of the water. The resulting water damage can be devastating for property owners. If you have experienced a pipe break in your building, stop the flow of water immediately to prevent water damage.

2. Roof Collapse

Roofs are engineered to carry at least 20 pounds per square foot. When a winter storm hits, the snow can pack on top of your roof adding extra weight. An older roof can cave in under the stress of packed snow. Ice dams are another common cause of roof collapse. Insurance companies will often cover a replacement roof if you have experienced this type of storm damage.

3. House Fires

Property owners crank up the heat during inclement weather by using furnaces and gas heaters. This increases the risk of a fire, especially if the appliances are outdated. The stress of added heat can cause the old appliances to catch fire, causing severe damage to a building. To prevent a fire, keep your heating and electrical systems updated before a storm hits.

Damage from a winter storm means costly repairs for your property. Prevent overspending on repairs by keeping your property well maintained and updated. If you have experienced damage from inclement weather, contact a storm damage restoration service to help you clean and restore your property.

Emergency Kit Preparedness for Businesses

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Check your kit in Finley, WA, once a month for any missing items.

Protect Yourself And Others With A Well-Designed First Aid Kit

Are you ready in case a storm causes your office's windows to shatter and someone gets cut? What if the roof caves in with someone working underneath? Having a first aid kit on hand is essential to making sure you are able to handle these as well as any other perilous scenarios. Use the following information to properly assemble and maintain one for your business.

Emergency Kit Inclusions
Prestocked kits are available for purchase, although some office managers elect to put one together on their own. If you choose to create one, make sure yours includes:

• Multiple size gauze pads
• Variously shaped bandages
• Medical tape
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Splints
• Wound cleaners
  
  

This list does not include many other items that should be included. Perform further research on what belongs before deciding if your first aid kit is complete.

Emergency Kit Management

Diligent emergency kit management is absolutely essential. Pick a smart location where yours will be stored. Make it an obvious spot that isn't prone to experiencing extreme temperatures. Inform everyone where it will stay and provide instructions on easily accessing it during a crisis.

Check your kit in Finley, WA, once a month for any missing items and swiftly replace anything that has been removed. Perform this chore on the first of each month and become proactive about what other components you think should be added.

Have an emergency medical plan in place. Train staff on the best ways to respond to these stressful situations. Emphasize that injured workers remain a priority over fixing structural damage to your building. Only after a wounded individual has been treated should you call a commercial storm restoration service to conduct an assessment and make repairs.

It is impossible to thoroughly eliminate the peril that comes with extreme weather conditions. You can, however, protect yourself and others with a comprehensive, well-designed first aid kit. Make sure your workspace has a good one in place.

3 Things To Know About Renter's Insurance Coverage of Storms

3/12/2022 (Permalink)

Typically, renter's insurance is a requirement for tenants under property management. One of the coverage areas includes storm damage.

Three Things You Should Know About Renter's Insurance Storm Coverage

Rental properties aren't immune to damage. Unexpected weather events happen. What exactly are property managers responsible for covering? What does renter's insurance cover, and what do tenants owe? Regardless of what type of commercial property you own, if you rent it out, this information is for you.

1. Damage from Certain Weather Events May Not Be Covered

Typically, renter's insurance is a requirement for tenants under property management. One of the coverage areas includes storm damage. Do you know the extent of this coverage, however? Generally, this insurance coverage spans issues that arise from natural disasters, including:

• Hail storms
• Wildfires
• High winds
• Rain storms
• Snow and ice
• Lightning strikes

However, there are certain weather events that aren't usually covered. Floods and earthquakes are often excluded. Always check for the local laws and regulations in Richland, WA.

2. Property Owners Are Responsible for the Structure

It's a common misconception that if you are renting, you aren't responsible for any damage that occurs. That is false, especially if you cause the damage. What about natural occurrences that are inevitable? In this case, property owners are only responsible for mitigating damage to the structure. Exterior damage caused by storms calls for local remediation experts to be brought in by the property management.

3. Tenants Are Responsible for the Contents

Renters are required to purchase insurance for a reason. This protects them from unexpectedly losing personal property due to a storm or other natural weather event. While the limits and deductables may vary, most insurance coverage reimburses tenants for:

• Damage to personal belongings
• Temporary housing expenses
• Interior debris removal
• Food spoilage from power outages

Always check the fine print to determine what the property manager and tenants are responsible for, respectively. Work with remediation specialists that are in tandem with your chosen insurance. You can never fully predict a natural disaster, but knowledge of renter's insurance can help lessen the impact when something does occur.

3 Ways Engineers Can Prevent Flooding in Urban Areas

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Many countries use various types of technologically advanced water barriers to stop high water in its tracks

Engineers Can Prevent Flooding In Urban Areas In Three Ways

Many cities throughout the world are aware of how devastating the damage caused by flooding can be. Whether they are located near large bodies of water or experience heavy rain on a consistent basis, there are several flood prevention methods engineers have used to protect the entire city. If your business in Kennewick, WA, has seen its fair share of damage caused by high water and is only back in business due to the work of skilled storm damage restoration specialists, you might be wondering what tactics are actually effective at preventing floods. Here are three ways engineers have used to help prevent flooding in urban areas around the world.

1. Water Barriers

Many countries use various types of technologically advanced water barriers to stop high water in its tracks. Water gates, dams, storm surge barriers, and dikes are all methods used to keep the ocean from flooding the nearby city. Various advancements like aqua-drive motors and movable gates are increasingly efficient at stopping floods in their tracks.

2. Enhanced Drainage Systems

Since typical rigid draining systems are unable to deal with a large amount of water runoff or rainfall, one way to address urban flooding is to enhance these draining systems and make them more flexible. Some cities have even adopted sustainable drainage options by replacing impermeable surfaces like concrete with soil and plant life.

3. Constructing Flood-Proof Businesses

Cities who experience frequent high water issues and flooding have begun to rethink how they construct buildings. From constructing buildings far above flood levels to using materials that are designed to withstand contact with water for long periods of time, there are ways to help businesses and homes better withstand the damage flooding causes.

It is important that cities develop ways to stop flooding in order to protect its citizens and allow growth within the city. While there are many unique ways cities have battled flooding around the world, these three methods are a good place to start!