Storm Damage vs Flood Damage: What’s the Difference?

5/10/2022 (Permalink)

Property owners in Memphis, TN, may have a hard time differentiating storm damage from flood damage—which is important when considering insurance coverage. Commercial properties can sustain water damage from both flood and storms, but there are a few significant differences to keep in mind that may help you manage these risks.

The most general distinction is that stormwater comes from above, whereas flood water overspills natural bodies or watercourses and covers at least two acres of ordinarily dry land.

Storm damage to a commercial property may originate from a variety of causes such as:

• High winds
• Heavy rain
• Hurricanes
• Snow
• Tornadoes

Most business insurance plans protect from storm damage. Property owners need additional coverage to offset the expenses of flood damage. If your property is located on a flood plain, you should make sure you carry the policies necessary to protect your property investment.

Flooding occurs when water overflows a body of water or watercourse such as:

• Creeks
• Dams
• Lakes
• Storm-water channels

In order for water to be considered a flood, it must cover two acres and affect at least two properties.

If a commercial property is located in a high-risk zone, and the owner has a mortgage from an insured and federally-regulated lender, they must maintain flood insurance. Risks tied to flooding and storms should be known, minimized, and dealt with as soon as possible. Regardless of a moisture source, the risk of mold and other secondary damage within a building can be looming over the aftereffects of large, disastrous water events.

Restoring Damage From Storms and Floods

Restoration specialists can help property owners determine the precise causes of damage and the best solutions. If a property in Memphis, TN, experiences flood damage or sustains damage during a storm, contact SERVPRO of East Memphis at (901) 382-0900 as soon as possible.

Benefits of Large Loss For Your Commercial Business

5/8/2022 (Permalink)

Large Loss Restoration of Your Commercial Property

Large Loss Restoration of Your Commercial Property

When a property is affected by a disaster, catastrophic loss occurs. Whether the large, commercial property sustains water, fire, or storm damage, there will be many different moving parts involved to restore the business to its preloss condition. Employing a restoration company that offers significant loss response can be useful for insurance agents and business owners alike. A professional like SERVPRO of East Memphis will be able to make the process run smoothly since we work with the insurance directly and handle all parts of most large loss jobs in-house.

Our services include water extraction, board-up services, HEPA filtration, mold remediation, fire cleanup, contents cleaning, odor removal, biohazard cleanup, construction, and much more.

1. Experts Are Equipped With the Right Tools

When a major disaster strikes a large geographic area, it's common for restoration experts to be overwhelmed with requests and phone calls. Some local restoration companies may not be equipped to handle all types of disasters or at a large scale, and these companies may not have access to specialized tools.

A restoration company with a broad reach and the resources of 18 other locations, can bring in experts with the necessary tools to assist in the cleanup and restoration process of even the biggest and most complex jobs.

2. Experience to Handle Catastrophes

Whether a catastrophic loss occurs due to flooding, storm damage, or a fire, it's essential for business owners and insurance agents alike to know that the professionals restoring commercial properties are experienced. One person alone may not have the experience to respond to a major disaster. However, when numerous people assist in responding to a disaster, everyone's combined experience makes the loss response team equipped to manage many aspects of commercial property damage. 

3. Timely Reactions

When widespread damage occurs to an area, other local restoration companies may not assess quickly enough to be a real help. Unfortunately, a slow response can cause a property to acquire more issues, such as mold growth and structural damage. With our 24 hour emergency response, however, professionals can quickly assess a property, and take next steps. After a thorough assessment, experts can begin restoration. So, the faster the professional gets to the jobsite, the faster your commercial property can be restored to its preloss condition.

There is a reason SERVPRO has ranked number one in the industry for over 20 years. We stand with our work because we really are “here to help.”

SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile Helps Prepare Your Company for Emergencies

We want to help your business to be ready for the damaging effects of fire, water, and storm. By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate action plan.

Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage affects your business. 

The Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) is a tablet and phone application that allows you to take photographs of important safety and emergency features in your business. Each photograph will have a written explanation of how to turn off the different utility systems. One of our SERVPRO employees will walk you through your business’s safety features and help you establish a plan in preparation for an emergency. Remember Murphy’s law—If anything can go wrong, it will. So, we want to make sure you are not caught unawares. 

For additional information regarding SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile, contact SERVPRO of East Memphis at (901) 382-0900.

Protect Your Home Against Wind Damage

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

When storms hit anywhere in the United States, SERVPRO of East Memphis scale our resources to handle even the largest storm or flooding disaster.

Wind Damage from Different Types of Storms

While thunderstorms are the most common source of wind and storm damage, winds from hurricanes or tornadoes are more severe and may be more costly. Still, thunderstorms are responsible for a lot of damage, like lightning, hail, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding.

Either way, billions of dollars are spent on wind damage repair and storm damage restoration each year. While understanding the nature of wind damage can’t stop them from happening, it can help you limit the amount of damage to your property and save on restoration and repair costs.

What You Need to Know

Flying Debris is a Damage Risk

Flying debris can cause more damage than strong winds themselves. Damage can result from plants or other unsecured structures and objects. If a storm is approaching your area, make sure any potential debris in your homes such as patio furniture, toys, garbage cans are either secured or brought inside. Bonus tip: For severe weather, secure your doors and windows, too.

A Well-Designed Roofing System Does Wonders

Apply roof deck, shingles, or membrane over the decking. A well-designed roofing system will anchor the trusses and decking to the walls and foundation to keep the entire roof from lifting off the structure in a strong wind. Roofing material should latch to the deck.

The construction phase of building a structure is the most influential piece in reducing damage caused by storms. Loosely connected shingles will lift from the deck, so fasten that siding down. Building codes will likely direct the minimum standards for connections. You, your architect, or your contractor may decide to exceed these minimums for a stronger storm-resistant structure.

Monitor and Maintain Your Trees.

Falling trees and tree limbs are another significant type of damage to structures in a windstorm. Maintain your trees by removing dead limbs. In addition, remove the entire tree if it is dead. Healthy trees should have strong enough roots to withstand fairly strong winds, but dead trees will not.

Mitigating Damage After a Storm

What happens after the storm? 

First, close any openings as soon as possible. Roof openings and broken windows are the most common source of water damage in these situations. Keep a roll of plastic sheeting that cuts to size and nail it over the opening. Your insurance policy will likely cover the cost of an emergency close-up, if needed, so contact your agent or claims center to report the damage and seek advice on how to proceed.

If the damage is too much to handle on your own, contact a restoration professional as soon as you can to help limit and repair damage and respond immediately to storm and flooding conditions.

Faster Response

SERVPRO of East Memphis specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Since we are locally owned and operated, we can respond quickly to your area with the right resources. This is extremely important because a fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost. Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Resources to Scale Up for Large Disasters

When storms hit anywhere in the United States, our SERVPRO team can scale our resources to handle even the largest storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of over 1900 franchises across the country as well as our elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Storm Restoration Experts Know How to Dry Your Property

5/1/2022 (Permalink)

For additional information regarding storm damage, visit our service page or blog. We are available 24 hours for emergency response. Call us today.

SERVPRO of East Memphis are Leaders in the Storm Restoration Industry for a Reason

Harsh weather conditions like flooding, wind, and storms cause devastating damage to homes and businesses. Property damage due to storm damage and flood water overwhelms many with concerns for personal safety and properties' security.

When this form of damage occurs to your home or business, the first step is to find safety then contact a trustworthy storm damage restoration company.

An immediate restoration response reduces the extent of damage done to a property. Since roof damage is likely to be accompanied by water damage—a gaping hole is a recipe for moisture and storm water to make itself at home—a quick emergency response reduces the risk for internal and structural water damage and microbial growth.

When contacted, storm restoration experts will analyze the level of damage and make a judgment regarding how to begin. Professionals' main priority is to secure property before cleanup, repair, and restoration. Once a property's debris is removed from the exterior and roof repair is completed, experts move to drying and the internal cleanup of furniture, carpets, clothes, and other items. 

The Drying Process of SERVPRO of East Memphis

Oozing groundwater, especially in places prone to flooding, could cause damage, especially if no flood pump has been previously installed. SERVPRO of East Memphis has a thorough drying process.

First, our team sets up industrial-strength drying equipment such as air movers and HEPA filtered dehumidifiers. Special care is taken to thoroughly dry the area around the original leak or cavity.

If water has seeped to the surrounding areas, special drying equipment is used. It can take 3-5 days for traditional drying. However, hard-to-dry materials, such as wood floors and crawlspaces, can make the process longer.

After the property is dry, the restoration of any damaged materials can start. Restoration is the most time-consuming part, but is very important and the bulk of returning the property to its preloss condition. We strive to make a property look, “Like it never even happened.”

For additional information regarding storm damage, visit our service page or blog. We are available 24 hours for emergency response. Call us at (901) 754-9061.

What Is The IIRC? What Does It Mean For Me?

4/24/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business suffered water, storm, or fire damage, call us for 24 hours emergency service or for a free estimate.

What Is An IICRC Certification? Why Does It Matter?

The IICRC is the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, a non-profit organization for the Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Industries.

When considering who to call for water damage, do you go with the company your insurance company recommends? How about your neighbor’s recommendation? In the internet age of information-overload and bias, how can you know what’s right? Who really does the best job? Who does the most work for the money? Who handles a water loss job from start to finish? SERVPRO is proud to be your one-stop-shop for disaster relief after a fire, flood, or storm—but don’t take our word for it—let us show you.

Your local SERVPRO of East Memphis is proudly an IICRC accredited firm.

What is an IICRC Certification?

IICRC Certified Firms have earned the right to display the IICRC logo as a symbol of quality. In order to achieve IICRC-certified status, firms must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and expertise.

All IICRC Certified Firms must:  

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.  
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry. 
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.  

When it comes to cleaning, restoration and inspection, the IICRC writes the books. As an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Standards Developing Organization (SDO), the IICRC has paved the way in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, upholstery and fabric cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation.  

Each IICRC standard takes years to develop and the coordination of several experts in the field, including:

1. allied trades persons
2. manufacturers
3. international, national and regional trade associations
4. individual or franchise professionals
5. cleaning, inspection and restoration industry organizations
6. insurance industry
7. training schools
8. contractors and public health professionals

These standards are reviewed and updated at least every five years. Many of these fields, such as the water damage restoration field, change rapidly and those who are certified keep up with the advancement of the science and generally accepted practices of the industry.

We don’t take this stamp of approval lightly—we uphold it. If your home or business suffered water, storm, or fire damage, call us for 24 hours emergency service or for a free estimate.

What Is Cat 3 Water Loss? What About Cat 1 and Cat 2?

4/24/2022 (Permalink)

Water Damage Categories

They are classified as follows:

• Category 1 damage, also known as “white water” (clean water)
• Category 2 damage, also known as “gray water” (clean water that sat for a while)
• Category 3 damage, which is known as “black water” (usually from flood water)

Category 3 water is not only contaminated, but it can also cause damage to your home. Professionally trained technicians can, fortunately, help you clean and decontaminate the building and items after a Cat 3 water incident.

Cleaning Procedures

When facing water damage caused by a contaminated liquid, your safest plan usually involves contacting a local restoration company. Professionals are trained to arrive quickly, assess damage accurately, and work safely and efficiently to clean, restore and construct your property.

After the assessment, the following cleaning steps typically occur:

1. Removal of water
2. Humidity reduction and drying of wet surfaces
3. Sanitation and cleaning of damaged areas
4. Remediation of damaged property through deep cleaning and reconstruction

The professional you choose may also offer digitization services for wet financial documents or photographs that need to be preserved. Additionally, trained technicians on the scene may have suggestions for a preservation method or a long-term storage situation for items that are priceless and irreplaceable, yet not entirely salvageable.

Being Prepared

Help us help you persevere in the face of such a nightmare. SERVPRO of East Memphis is a local professional in the cleaning, restoration, and construction industry. Our technicians follow OSHA and EPA protocols to help transform an unsafe environment back into a clean, safe home or business. For a free estimate, call us today.

Storm Restoration Experts

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Memphis is here to help!

When contacted, storm restoration experts need to visit your home or business in East Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee, to assess and analyze the level of damage that has occurred. These professionals' main priority is to secure your property before attending to cleanup, repair, and restoration needs. Once the property's debris has been removed from the exterior and the roof repair is completed, experts can move to the internal cleanup of furniture, carpets, clothes, and other items that needs cleaning. Oozing groundwater, especially in places prone to flooding, could cause storm damage, especially if river flooding occurs and no flood pump has been constructed.

When choosing a restoration company, you should consider their reliability in minimizing the damage that occurs to your home or business after a storm. The company should attend to your psychological needs like shelter, clothing, and food before proceeding with the needed storm remediation.

For additional information regarding our services, contact SERVPRO of East Memphis at (901) 754-9061.

Water Restoration After Storm Damage

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

Water damage restoration services are needed when water damage was caused by floodwater, roof leak, ice damage, oozing of groundwater, leaking or bursting of frozen pipes, and ice dam bursting. Professional water restoration companies come up with various storm remediation services to ensure successful home restoration tasks. During the restoration process, the company will concentrate on storm damages such as roof damage that may cause a roof leak resulting in roof repair. Hail damage and wind damage may, for instance, cause roof damage also.

Ice damming is also problematic in cold environments that form ice dams that can burst at any moment, causing ice damage to your property. When frozen pipes burst, they may cause flooding resulting in the need for cleaning floodwater before any damages occur. On the other hand, river flooding can be minimized through the construction of a flood pump that helps in the water restoration process when conducting home restoration exercises.

Ice damage, hail damage, hurricane damage, ice damming (forming ice dam), groundwater bursting, wind damage, and floodwater occur naturally. As a result, wind damage can also be resolved through storm damage remediation. Hurricane damage is widespread, and its impact may be overwhelming. These damages may result in roof damage that calls for roof repairs to avoid a roof leak. For additional information regarding water damage restoration, visit our service page or contact SERVPRO of East Memphis at (901) 754-9061.

The Drying Process Used by SERVPRO of East Memphis

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Memphis has the equipment to repair your Tennessee home.

The first step in the drying process used by SERVPRO of East Memphis is for our team to set up industrial-strength drying equipment such as air movers and dehumidifiers. Special care is taken to thoroughly dry the area around the original pipe break or supply line break. If water has seeped around the supply line break or a pipe break, special drying equipment is used to ensure the moisture is removed. The drying process can take 3-5 days for traditional drying. However, hard-to-dry materials, such as wood floors and crawlspaces, can make the process longer. After the property is dry, the restoration of any damaged materials can start. Restoration is the most time-consuming.

For information regarding our water restoration process, visit our service page. For additional questions, please contact SERVPRO of East Memphis at (901) 754-9061.

Professional Storm Damage Restoration

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Harsh weather conditions like flooding, wind, and storms can cause devastating damage to your home or business. Property damage due to storm damage or flood water is one of the most overwhelming issues regarding property safety and security. When this form of damage occurs to your home or business, your first step is to contact a storm damage restoration company that you trust will conduct proper storm damage restoration.

Immediate response for storm restoration reduces the impact that occurs on your property. It is worth noting that roof damage may be accompanied by water damage; hence the quicker your response, the less risk for the floor, walls, and property to seep up with water. Additionally, a fast response will help reduce cases of mold growth that may cause decay.

For additional information regarding storm damage, visit our service page or contact SERVPRO of East Memphis at (901) 754-9061.

6 Tips to Help During Storm Restoration

5/11/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of East Memphis is ready all day everyday!

Storm damage can damage your home in many ways. Hurricane damage, wind damage, ice damage, hail damage, and water damage can affect your home. Here are tips to help you get roof leaks, ice damming, floodwater, river flooding, flooding, or rising groundwater under control and complete storm remediation.

1. Allow Expert to Create a Water Restoration Plan

Depending on the damage that resulted in your home will determine the restoration plan undertaken. Whether it is ice damage, hurricane damage, wind damage, hail damage, roof damage, or water damage, it will affect the method of storm restoration. Most storm damage occurs concurrently. For instance, heavy rain, hail, and lightning can cause hail damage, flooding, and water damage. A water restoration plan needs to aim for timely storm remediation. The plan outlines roof repairs for roof leaks on roof damage, repair frozen pipes, and how to remedy ice dams and ice damming. The restoration plan determines whether you require flood pumps for water restoration and remove groundwater, river flooding, and floodwater.

2. Identify and Prepare for Climatic Conditions

Environmental and climatic conditions often change. You might experience flooding, river flooding, excess groundwater, and ice dams, causing storm damage and water damage throughout the year. Depending on the time of year, you'll experience different environmental conditions. During the summer, you likely to encounter hail damage, hurricane damage, and roof damage on your home that will cause a roof leak. In the winter, prepare for ice dams, frozen pipes, ice damming, and ice damage. River flooding, floodwater, and flooding can occur at any time, depending on the rainfall amount.

3. Focus on the Storm Remediation

Storm remediation focuses on putting hail damage, ice damage, floodwater, or groundwater under control and minimizing further wind damage or hurricane damage. Start home restoration immediately. Use flood pumps to control and remove floodwater, mend frozen pipes, and repair roofs after roof damage. Wind damage, hurricane, storm damage, and ice damage are unavoidable and unpredictable. How you deal with the damage affects the home restoration plan. Call professionals who will use flood pumps and other specialized equipment to facilitate rapid storm restoration.

4. Contact Your Insurance Agent

Check if your insurance agent covers property damage from ice dams, floods, excess groundwater, and river flooding. You should also document roof repairs, repaired frozen pipes, and ice damage on your property using photos. Be sure to call the insurance company before commencing any roof repairs.

5. Explore Appropriate Water Restoration Techniques

Employ appropriate restoration techniques to achieve proper storm remediation. Professional storm restoration experts have the expertise, method, and equipment, such as flood pumps, to deal with groundwater, floodwater, and river flooding. Identify salvageable items and those soaked in water: address ice dams, roof leakage, and roof damage on your home. Work with a trusted expert who can identify ice damming and mitigate the future occurrence of roof leaks and roof damage.

6. Repair the Storm Damage to Achieve Restoration

Reaching out to storm restoration experts who understand hail damage, roof repairs, and the mitigation of flooding and wind damage will timely restore your home. Flood pumps will efficiently deal with water in your house. You require roof repairs and roof tarps. Remove the damaged items and document them. Dry and clean the house. The storm restoration expert has specialized equipment to remove odor in your home. Renovate and paint your walls. Rebuild the roof and install a new carpet.

Every storm damage is different, but working with a home restoration expert will facilitate and ease storm restoration. Take note of various climatic conditions and take measures to help prepare to prevent damage. Focusing on home restoration and storm remediation is essential. Following a few tips such as an appropriate restoration plan and techniques and contacting your insurance company will enhance complete renovation. The expert will make a recovery easy and cost-efficient.

For additional information regarding storm damage, contact SERVPRO of East Memphis at (901) 754-9061.

Water Cleanup Process after a Flood

5/11/2021 (Permalink)

t is crucial to remember that a property owner can take the most critical step whenever they have noticed floodwater in their business or home is to call in the professionals immediately. A water cleanup team will typically dispatch to the home when a call is made, arriving within 30-minutes on average.

When on the scene, the company will immediately start assessing the water in the business or home. They will classify the water according to its health hazard risk and moving quickly to stanch any existing leaks emanating from pipe breaks or supply line breaks. Additionally, the team will carefully examine the area around the original pipe break or supply line break, noting if any water has seeped into unseen or hard-to-reach places. Once the damage to the flooded home or business has been assessed, the team will begin the water removal process. The company will remove the water by using heavy-duty extracting equipment. Removing the water should take a few minutes, as the equipment used can extract thousands of gallons of water per hour.

For additional information regarding storm damage, visit our service page or contact SERVPRO of East Memphis at (901) 754-9061.