What you should know regarding stormwater intrusion!

5/24/2022 (Permalink)

Stormwater damage? Give us a call!

The DMV area has received several showers and storms in the past two weeks, leaving behind property damage. With that, here is some helpful information that you should know should you have stormwater damage. First things first, should you have stormwater intrusion know that it is considered contaminated and you should not come in close contact with it. Stormwater is considered category 3 water, or grossly contaminated, and should be mitigated properly to avoid further damage. To avoid stormwater intrusion we recommend that homeowners check the water drain regularly. If they are clogged with leaves or debris remove it so that water has a proper pathway to channel away from the home.

Another important fact to know for preparedness purposes is your insurance deductible and insurance coverages for water damage. Have that conversation with your insurance agent, also get an idea of how the claim process works should you ever need to file an insurance claim.

We hope that this information was helpful. Feel free to reach out should you have damage due to storm, our team will happily provide a free water loss assessment which will help you determine the next steps. Your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

What classification of water does stormwater fall under?

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damage? We can help!

Our home is our safe haven from many things, storms, work, a pesky neighbor. When a natural disaster, like a storm, strikes we have to know what we are dealing with in order to properly access it and restore our safe haven.

 When a storm strikes in your community it is important to know how to react if you have unexpected water intrusion. The first thing is to know that if your home is affected by stormwater, you are dealing with a category three water loss, per the IICRC. Here is more clarification on what category three water damage is:

Category 3 – Black Water: This water is grossly contaminated and may contain pathogenic, toxigenic, or other harmful agents. Elderly, children under the age of 2, and people with respiratory issues should not occupy the facility until the facility is safe. Examples of Category 3 water are all forms of flooding due to sewage, flooding due to seawater or rainfall (rain, natural disaster), and colored water.

  If your home experiences a category three water loss after a storm, give us a call. Our team will walk you through the restoration process and restore your home quickly.

Ways winter weather can affect your home, and how you can prepare and prevent

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help!

Winter weather can strike in different ways, mainly the low temperatures and snow can cause damage to your home. Here are a few examples and tips on how to prepare and/or prevent such disasters to your home or business.

• Snow on the roof - An accumulated amount of snow on your roof can cause condensation and ice dams on your gutters, to avoid this you can remove the icicles as soon as you see them and repair any damaged shingles right away.
• Ice dams - Heavy ice dams can add weight to your gutters causing them to either fall off or decay. A way to prevent said damage is to remove the icicles as soon as you notice them and add melting agents that can be found at your local hardware store.
• Cracked Caulk - Low temperatures can cause your caulk to crack, this can lead to cold air seeping through. If you see your caul cracking be sure to apply new caulk, this will also help you save money on your electrical bill.
• Chipped or cracked concrete - After a snowstorm, we usually shovel our driveways and sidewalks to help avoid slips and falls, if you do not use the correct tools you could be causing future damage to your concrete. Be prepared for the next snowstorm, buy rubber edge shovels instead of metal, and avoid de-icing agents with harsh chemicals.

We hope that you found these tips helpful. Always remember that your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help!

Know the difference between storm warning and storm watch.

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Do you know the difference between watch and warning?

With all of the flash flooding that we've seen in our area lately, your local SERVPRO wanted to share some helpful information.

 The meaning behind "storm watch" is indicating risk of hazardous weather, in other words, beware of a possible storm. This is to encourage us to have a plan in case of a life threatening storm, this could include a shelter in place plan. 

 The meaning behind "storm warning" is indicating that a storm event is occurring, imminent, or likely. This wording is telling us to take action to properly protect property, and most importantly life. If you see this wording, you should safely put items that are likely to fly away inside. You should also seriously consider a shelter in place plan. 

 We hope that you found this information helpful! 

Storm water intrusion awareness from SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus.

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

Storm damage? SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is here to help!

During spring we see lots of flash storms. Flash storms leave catastrophic damage in their path in no time. Rain water is considered, what we in the restoration industry call category three water. Category three water is considered black water, which has the potential to cause health concerns such as respiratory problems. When a home is contaminated by black water, we recommend that you leave the home until it has been properly decontaminated. Our duty is to properly clean and restore your home and belongings. We believe in restoring instead of replacing. Trust that your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus will take care of your home and get you back to its prior to loss condition as soon as possible.

Snow storm tips from your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus.

1/14/2019 (Permalink)

Protect your property from winter storm weather.

Winter weather is here! It is time to dust off and take out those snow shovels, it looks like we will be needing them today. Although snow is a beautiful thing to see, it can cause damage to your home. Your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is here to help with a few pointers on how to keep your home safe from damage due to a snow storm.

1. Remove snow from basement stairwells and window wells, melting snow can lead to water damage and moisture intrusion.
2. Drip all faucets in your home continually during severe cold, including kitchen and bathroom sinks as well as shower and tub faucets, to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
3. Use extreme caution with electric space heaters, keeping them at least a few feet away from anything flammable.
4. If you experience a power failure, use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns instead of candles whenever possible.
5. Keep garage doors closed if there are any water supply lines in the garage.

Remember your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help and make it “Like it never even happened.”

Storm Team

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

Houston, TX neighborhood

Hurricane Harvey made landfall as a major Hurricane at Category 4 strength on August 25 causing widespread devastating flooding and wind destruction along the Texas and Louisiana coast. After making landfall, the storm’s track continued through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee, causing heavy rains and additional flooding.

Flooding occurred across Houston, Beaumont and Port Arthur in Texas. Rainfall totals exceeded 50 inches in Houston.

SERVPRO has mobilized and deployed the Storm Team, and luckily our franchise was chosen to visit Houston TX and help the residents with the beginning stages of their home clean up.

SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus crew members, Luis, Harry, and Thomas, led by our owner Max, made it down to Texas in record time, and did an amazing job. We are so proud to have them be a part of the SERVPRO Storm Team.

Our thoughts and well wishes go out to any one has been affected by Hurricane Harvey. If you would like to help, please consider these options:

Donate money: The best way to help Texans affected by disasters is to donate money to charitable agencies that are experienced in disaster relief. Before giving money to an organization, do your research!

Donate blood: Blood banks have been urging people to donate since demand for blood is rising. Find your local Red Cross and donate!

Open your home: You can offer to provide free accommodations to hurricane evacuees through Airbnb. The service is waiving all fees until Sept. 25. 

Adopt a pet: If you’re thinking about adopting a dog or a cat, this could be a great time. Animal welfare organizations in Texas, Florida and around the country are likely to take in pets that have lost their owners. Check with your local animal shelter and adopt!