Thunderstorm Hazards

5/11/2022 (Permalink)

Around the world approximately 16 million thunderstorms occur each year, 100,000 of which occur within the United States.  About 10% of those 100,000 storms are considered to be severe. A severe thunderstorm, as defined by the National Weather Service, is when the winds during the thunderstorm reach 58 mph or greater, possibly accompanied with ¾ inch hail, and even tornadoes. Typically, there are only a few ingredients to form a thunderstorm: moisture, especially in the lower levels, unstable air, cold air over warm air, and a source of lift such as a cold front, sea breeze, or low-level overflow boundary from a cluster of smaller thunderstorms. Lightning occurs in all thunderstorms and is very dangerous. The rising and descending air within a thunderstorm that separates positive and negative charges is what cases the lightning.

What Kind of Damage Can a Thunderstorm Can Cause?

Thunderstorms carry an array of difficulties, bring with them several types of dangerous weather events. Rainfall that is associated with thunderstorms can cause flooding, tornadoes, and of course lightning. Lightning can easily cause fires to homes if contact with certain materials is made. Additionally, hail is also a possibility and can cause damage to roofs, glass, vehicles, and even livestock. Wind damage is also a threat during thunderstorms, it can rip up powerlines and trees, and damage the exterior of a home. Damage to your property can culminate in wind, fire, and water damage, all of which need to be addressed as soon as it is safe.

How to be Prepared

You can prepare you home for a thunderstorm by removing loose branches and regularly clearing rain gutters. Make copies of personal property records and of important documents to store offsite. Above all, stay informed! The National Weather Service issues watches and warning of potential thunderstorm. Ensure that your family has an emergency plan and emergency kits with water and non-perishable foods, along with other essentials like chargers, batteries medications, comfortable shows, and even pet supplies.

SERVPRO® of Columbia County can help mitigate the damages that occur during a thunderstorm. Whether it be wind, water, or even fire damage, we can handle it all – give us a call at (706) 868-5441, where trained professionals are “Here to help. ®”

April Showers Bring in the Flood Season

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

It’s Part of Nature!

Around the world, large rivers experience flooding as part of their life cycle, and the people who live along these rivers have grown to expect flooding every year. Despite this fact, floods can happen in any part of the country and sometimes occur with very little warning.  April to September is often known as “flash flood season”, with much of the rainfall occurring between April to June, and August to September. Floods can result from rapid melting of winter snows, severe thunderstorms, tropical storms, and other precipitation events.  

Flooding in Augusta

Most of the flooding that occurs in Augusta is caused by heavy rains. Augusta’s drainage systems, drainage channels, streams, tributaries, and creeks may exceed their capacity during times when there is heavy or prolonged rainfall, thus resulting in a flood. October 12, 1990, marks the worst flooding experience in the area. In total there was a culmination of 15 inches of rain during the 100-year storm event, causing millions of dollars’ worth of property damage. The areas that experienced the heaviest flooding were in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), commonly known as “floodplains”. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have published Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) which show flood hazard areas, along with the degree of risk in those areas. For more information, be sure to check with the Augusta Planning & Development Department to see if your home is in a SFHA zone. The department hosts regular meetings at 3:00pm the first Monday of every month.

Additionally, the Emergency Management Agency of Augusta regularly monitors the National Weather Service’s advisory bulletins and storm tracking services. The agency advises the Mayor and Administrators of evacuation plans during floods. To keep up with up-to-date weather information, residents can tune in to local network television and radio stations.

Flood Safety

It is very important to learn the safest route from your home or business in the event of a flooding. The best thing to do is to move to higher, safer ground if you have to leave in a hurry and stay tuned in to your local news for reports of changing flood conditions in your area. The best practice is to have a safety plan in your home that has more than one route to get to safety, and to talk with your family what you will do to stay safe. Below are even more tips for keeping safe during a flash flood:

• Keep a portable radio, flashlights, and emergency cooking equipment, along with extra batteries on hand
• If emergency officials tell you to evacuate or leave your home – go immediately to a safe place.
• Never walk-through flowing water!
• Do not allow anyone to play in or near a flooded or fast-moving stream.
• If you come across an area covered with water, remember “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”.
• If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible as floodwaters can rise rapidly and sweep a car (and its occupants) away.
• If you are caught in your home by rising waters, move up to the second floor or even to the roof if necessary. Be sure to bring warm clothing, a flashlight, and portable radio. Do not try to swim to safety! Wait for help, rescue teams will be looking for you!
• Bring in all pets and make sure you have the appropriate supplies for them.
• Only if time permits:
  • Turn off all utilities at the main switch and close the main gas valve
  • Do not touch electrical equipment unless it is in a dry area and you are standing on a piece of dry wood while wearing rubber shoes and gloves. Every source of electricity can be dangerous during and after flooding.
  • Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugs with clean water in case supplies are contaminated.
  • Board up windows
  • Move valuable and paperwork (especially insurance policies and a list of valuable) to higher elevation.
  • Bring in outdoor possessions or tie them down securely
• After the flood:
  • Always check for structural damage before entering the building.
  • Be alert for gas leaks! Use a flashlight to inspect damage, never an open flame. If a gas leak is found, report it to the appropriate utility provider.
  • Never touch power lines and electrical wires! Report any downed power lines to the appropriate electric provider. Furthermore, do not turn on any lights or appliances until an electrician has checked the system for short circuits.

Water Damage Caused to Your Home Due to an Unforeseen Flooding? Call SERVPRO® of Columbia County at 706-868-5441 and our professional crews will make it, “Like it never even happened. ®” 

Hail Damage to My Grovetown Home! Help?

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

What Is Hail Exactly?  

Hail is a form of precipitation that is made up of solid ice. Hailstones are formed when raindrops are carried upwards by a thunderstorm into cold areas of atmosphere where they then freeze. Hailstones will then grow by fusing with liquid water droplets that freeze on the stone’s surface. If water freezes instantly when the water collides with it, ‘cloudy’ ice will form as air bubbles become trapped in the newly formed ice. Alternatively, if the water freezes slowly air bubbles won’t become trapped, leaving the ice clear. Hail begins to fall when the thunderstorm’s updraft can no longer support the weight of the hailstones inside of it.  

What is an updraft? An updraft is an upward current of air. 

The color that a hailstone takes is entirely dependent upon the amount of water the stone encounters and the temperature inside of the thunderstorm. Winds inside a thunderstorm are not moving just up and down, meaning that horizontal winds play a part in the many layers of a hailstone. Hailstones don’t grow from being thrown to the top of a thunderstorm. At higher altitudes, air is cold enough that all liquid water will freeze into ice, hailstones however need ample liquid water to grow to a decent size.  

 
How Can I Protect My Home from Hail Damage? 

The first step you can take to ensure your home isn’t damaged by hail is to make sure that your roof is in good condition. Make sure you are periodically checking your roof of any wear and tear or replace shingles when necessary.  

If your roof does need to be replaced, it’s always best to select a steep-sloped roof as it protects from hail damage more efficiently.  

You can also protect your home by choosing hail-resistant siding. Selecting fiber-cement siding is proven to be a lot more resistant to hail.  

Make sure that during a hailstorm any loose lawn décor, are put away in a safe place. Cars are in a garage or under a covered area. Be sure to keep blinds closed and drapes down in case hard impact hail breaks a window. Doing these steps will prevent any injury from loose, broken glass due to a hailstorm.  

Water Damage Caused to Your Home Due to an Unsuspected Hailstorm? Call SERVPRO® of Columbia County at 706-868-5441 and our professional crews will make it "Like it never even happened®."  

Protect Your Home Against Storm Damage

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Freeze Damaged Trees Threaten Safety

Pine trees are beautiful, but the storms that threaten to visit each winter are not. If you live in or have visited the Southeastern region, one commonplace is noticing the number of hearty pines our climate sustains. During the Winter months, pine tree needles naturally hold in moisture and become very heavy and begin to sag. Wet and cold conditions during storm season can make for pines to become weak. The sheer height of mature pines can exceed heights of 200 feet making them the perfect target for microburst damages. Placement of pines can also be a cause for damages, as if pines are not surrounded by other like-trees, microburst winds can cause irrevocable damage to the tree, and structural damages to your home or commercial properties from fallen trees or branches.

Last year, specifically in Eastern Texas, SERVPRO of Columbia County crews responded to the call for help. With iced pipes bursting, the need for structural drying, roof tarping, and restoration to finish restoring properties to preloss condition was a desperate need in responding to the Winter ice storm that swept across Texas.

How to Find if Your Pines Have Freeze Damage

Extreme winter, ice temperatures affect needles and leaves and can show property owners signs of freezing. Often freeze damage is presented through the forming of ice crystals inside the leaf or needle cells, causing them to “rupture.” One key sign is discoloration or browning of needles and leaves. Most trees have evolved to becoming adaptive to these Winter conditions. For our Southeastern region, when an ice storm visits, our local pines are not accustomed to lower temperatures and are susceptible to show freeze damage signs.

Protect Your Home Against Storm Damage

Protecting your property from pines involves work, but nothing compared to having to call in a team of experts like SERVPRO to repair damages after the storm passes. Here are a few helpful, Winter ice storm tips in protecting your pines:

• Water the pines thoroughly before the freeze occurs. This helps to provide ample moisture so trees can stay hydrated.
• Mulch the area around tree bases. A fresh layer of insulation could help strengthen roots during the freeze.
• Build a Wind Barrier. Microburst winds can severely damage your trees (and your property.) Posting sturdy stakes and wrapping the tree with a hearty fabric like burlap can help wind to pass through.

Protected your pines, but still have storm damage to your property? Give our team of experts a call for immediate ice damage help, at 706-868-5441. We’re always Here to Help.®

Snow and Ice Warning in Your Area - How to be Prepare

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

Emergency Preparedness Is Key

When weather takes a cold turn, staying safe and warm can be difficult. Winter storms can bring cold temperatures, power shortages, loss of communication services and unsafe roads. Keep you and your family safe by planning and creating a personalized ‘disaster’ plan. 

Weatherproofing your home in advance is a wonderful place to start. Be sure to insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze. Insulate your walls and attic, as well as caulking and weather-stripping doors and windows. Repair any roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could potentially fall or break and cause damage to your home. Installing thermal pane windows or covering your windows with plastic from the inside is an additional way to avoid ice damage.

Install a smoke detector and a battery-operated monoxide detector if you plan to use a fireplace, wood stove or a kerosene heater. Be sure to test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year. Make sure you have your chimney and flue inspected each year. Each winter you should have your furnace system and vents checked by a qualified technician to make sure they are working properly. 

House Emergency Kits for Winter Weather

It is best to avoid travelling in dangerous weather, so families are encouraged to stay home to avoid bad weather conditions. In wintery weather conditions, it is useful to equip yourself and your family with the following to help avoid unnecessary travelling:

• Package of bottled water
• An emergency plan specific to your home
• Create a list of emergency contacts
• Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
• First aid kit

Final Thoughts for Winter Storm Preparedness

Be sure to listen to your local forecasts regularly, as well as keep a check on your emergency supplies such as your food and water supply. Weather forecasts systems typically give several days' notice to prepare for hazardous weather. Following our SERVPRO list of Storm Do’s will have you prepared for the unexpected and help to avoid damage where possible.

Water Damage in Your Columbia County Home Due to Bursting Pipes? Give SERVPRO® of Columbia County a call and we’ll be there to make it "Like it never even happened." Call us at 706-868-5441 to get immediate help now.

Need Cleanup for your business after a Winter Storm strikes?

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can happen suddenly, without warning

SERVPRO® exercises our expert knowledge for Water and Fire Restoration, Cleanup, Mold Testing and Mitigation, Biohazard Response, and more. Having a knowledgeable SERVPRO team to guide you through our restorative processes is a major asset.

Not only is your local SERVPRO team professional and knowledgeable, but our teams also respond quickly and clearly explain all SERVPRO expectations when arriving on site. It is important for our teams to respond quickly as in emergency situations, a fast response time could mean lessen costly extensive damages to your home or business.

Part of helping to mitigate extensive damages, is to equip yourself and your business with an Emergency Response Plan. Emergency Response Plan are plans specific to your business, and during a loss can help you, your staff, and our teams mitigate potential secondary damages.

How does the Emergency Response Plan work?

After a SERVPRO representative has been to your business, they will expertly craft a plan that includes information about the layout of the building, exit points, where emergency equipment is located, where to find shut off values for gas and water, and all pertinent contact information for your business. SERVPRO teams use this plan to familiarize themselves with your business’ structure and create a plan on how to mitigate potential damages. For your staff, knowing where shut off valves are located can help stop major water damages or prevent gas leaks that threaten a fire.

SERVPRO ERPs are now conveniently available for download on most smart phones with our ‘SERVPRO Ready Plan’ app. This makes finding shut off valves easier and responding to disasters faster. Daily, this tool can be used to plan for disasters, and especially during storm seasons when weather conditions are more unpredictable and dangerous.

Tips To Better Prepare Your Business from Storm Damage

1. Clean Your Gutters. Although it may appear simple, cleaning your gutters can help to push water away from your home and its crawlspace and foundation.
2. Inspect Your Roof for Existing Leaks. Watch for roof flashing damage and leaks around skylights and vent pipes. These areas are common for water leaks that can often be unseen for an extensive period of time if not checked regularly.
3. Inspect Your Foundation for Cracks, Gaps & Potential Leaks. Water can enter through any small check or crevasse sometimes leaving homeowners with costly repairs. Be sure to seal areas that have visible cracks.
4. Check Property for ‘Problem’ Trees. Check the trees around your property. Diseased or dead trees have weak roots and are more likely to fall from high winds during bad storms. Have any dying, dead or weak trees removed by a professional.
5. Check Ceilings for Water Stains in Drywall. Water stains in your ceiling drywall could indicate leaks. If you spot water stains, water could be entering the ceiling from a point on the roof and run to the lowest point before seeping through the ceiling.

Being unprepared for seasonal storms can leave you feeling vulnerable. SERVPRO is here to help serve you, your business, and family before and after the storms. Give our team a call for help through scheduling a consultation at 706-868-5441 – We’re always Here to Help.®

What Ice Could Mean for Your Homes Health

12/1/2021 (Permalink)

Ice Storm Tips for Protecting Your Home

Don’t let winter storms ruin your holiday fun. Snow is not common in Augusta, but ice storms are. Ice storms can threaten our area’s homes and businesses as well as cause structural damages. Although we cannot prevent extreme weather conditions such as this, we can try to prepare for the inevitable.

Icy roads can be threatening to vehicle safety while on the roads caused by black ice and down trees. Emergency vehicles may also have a hard time reaching your home or business given road conditions. Because of this, it is important to be even more mindful of the safety we have within our homes. For example, taking caution when lighting and monitoring our seasonal candles is even more important.

Annually, SERVPRO crews undergo extensive training in preparation for peak storm season. Training helps in safety of our crews and to assure that you are receiving the fastest response times possible for your emergency. Last storm season, while on the way to a loss site our crews found themselves trapped on roadways, along other First Responders. Our crews parked their vehicles and began to unload equipment to hand-carry tools to the job site to assure that our customers were being helped quickly.

What threats does an ice storm pose to a home?

• Freezing pipes under the home can eventually cause a crack to be a source of major damages for your crawlspace. Tip: Add extra insulation to attics and crawlspaces to help raise temperatures in these spaces, extra insulation can have a 5-10 degree difference to the space.
• Falling tree limbs can cause roof damages that need to be temporarily tarped and fixed before it causes more extensive damage to the roof and attic space. A leaky roof, even a small leak, can cause extensive water damages over time if gone untreated. Tip: Trim tree limbs back from the home before the winter storms.
• Gutter systems for the home may be overloaded with debris from winds and fallen leaves and branches. Tip: It is important to clear these as overloaded gutters can clog and shorten the lifespan of your gutters.

SERVPRO Difference

Our teams are knowledgeable, professional, and approachable. More than this, our crews are experts in the field of restoration. We aim to not only retore your home, but to prevent future damages through educating out clients on the dangers of specific losses. Need help from your water or Fire Damages? Call our office for help at 706-868-5441.

Don’t Let Storms Take a Stronghold of Your Home

11/1/2021 (Permalink)

Flooding caused this home to have a build up of sediment pour in.

Holding What’s Important to you Close – SERVPRO Helps Families

Storms like tornadoes with high-speed winds, wind driven rains, and flood events have cause over $10 billion each year in property damages. At SERVPRO of Columbia County, our teams are expertly trained in storm response and restoration. Storm restoration can pose a vastly different from approach from a typical water loss or flood event. Responding to a storm damage crisis entails needing to use usually limited resources like a power from generators to restore property in a chaotic environment.

SERVPRO crews are capable and highly trained to be confident in the face of major storm damage control and repair, water and storm mitigation needs. Multiple times through the year, our SERVPRO of Columbia County crews respond to storm damage help. Recently, our crews responding to flood events in Tennessee where countless families, homes, and businesses were directly impacted from flood damages. After water levels decreased, teams were ready to begin mitigating homes and businesses to help restore and repair.

How to Prevent Storm Damage to Your Home

Here are a few tips gathered from SERVPRO professionals, our local Columbia County Emergency Management Agency, and insurance recommendations for protection your property:

• Clean gutters from debris – This helps to extend the life of your gutters and prevent damage to your roof’s fascia.
• Inspect your roof to check for potential problem areas that could turn into a larger issue during storms.
• Removed diseased trees, limbs, and other outdoor threats that could affect the safety of your home, you and other property.
• Know who to call after a storm for help, SERVPRO and your local insurance agent.

Want to Learn More About SERVPRO of Columbia County storm damage repair capability?

Call our office team for answering questions and scheduling at 706-868-5441, and visit  our Storm Damage Restoration page.

An Electrical Storm Damaged Your Columbia County Home?

10/1/2021 (Permalink)

How Electrical Storms Are Formed

During an electrical storm, storm clouds are charged up like giant condensers in the sky. The top portion of the clouds are positive while the bottom portions are negative.

In the development of the water cycle, moisture and humidity can build up in the atmosphere. This increase in moisture is what we see and call a cloud. Clouds can contain trillions of water droplets and ice that’s just floating in the air. As the development of evaporation and condensation continues, these droplets combine with condensing moisture as its rising. The rising moisture also poses a possibility of combining with ice or sleet that is in the process of dropping to ground level. This information is important to understand, because the electrons that are knocked off or combining with rising moisture is what creates a charge separation. The intensity of the electric field is directly correlated to the amount of charge buildup in a cloud.

How Do I Protect My Home from Lightening?

There’s nothing more important than protecting your home and your family from storm produced electrical fires. The chances that you will ever have direct lightning strike your home are extremely low, however that doesn’t mean that lightening can’t damage your home in other ways. If a bolt hits anywhere in your immediate area (i.e. a power grid or electrical line), it can potentially destroy your electrical work and electronics. One strike can ruin your computer, television or worse - your Keurig.

Here’s a few things you can do to prevent lightening damage:

• Purchase surge protectors instead of plugging devices directly into wall outlets
• Have an electrician install a surge protector in your circuit box
• Have an electrician evaluate your homes grounding system to ensure that it is safe and up to date
• Install a lightning rod on the roof

Have Fire Damage from An Electrical Storm in Your Home? Give us a call at 706-868-5441 for a SERVPRO® professional to come out and help to make your home look "Like it never even happened." ®

Storm Restoration Experts are Only a Call Away

8/26/2021 (Permalink)

After local flooding, water in a basement is extracted and SERVPRO® equipment is placed to help dry the structure.

IICRC Means Your Local SERVPRO® is Ready to Answer Your Call

As leaders in the storm and water damage industry, our crews undergo IICRC training to gain certifications to expertly restore your home after damaging storms.

What is IICRC? All SERVPRO® of Columbia County crew members are held to IICRC standards which determines the capability of crews to be able to restore your property to preloss condition through the “WRT” course. WRT stands for “Water Damage Restoration Technician” and is a course that teaches personnel to perform remediation work and knowledge of effects and techniques for drying structures.

Advanced Equipment Gives Insight

Additionally, SERVPRO® of Columbia County crews are equipped with advanced equipment such as moisture meters and thermal imagining cameras. Thermal equipment helps our crews shed light on what is beyond sheetrock and insulation by indicating what is wet and needs further invasive measures to be completely rectified after a water caused by storm damage.

Moisture Detection & Measurement Equipment

Our teams rely on equipment and a large knowledgebase to identify, measure, and monitor your homes moisture levels after a storm. Furthermore, our teams have access to extraction equipment that is typically used when first responding to a storm loss. Often strong, wind-driven rain intrudes into homes during storms and causes water damage to your home. To fix moisture in your home, even after extraction is complete, extended drying is sometimes needed. We accomplish drying your property using our drying equipment such as air moving fans and dehumidifiers that help control the environment and dry the structure quickly.

Although flooding and storms like hurricanes are not common for our Augusta area, knowing that your local SERVPRO® is capable of handling large scale disasters is important.

Need SERVPRO®? Call your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County at 706-868-5441.

What Types of Equipment Do Martinez Residents Need to Restore Flood Damage?

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

Flood Damage Equipment Used by SERVPRO Can Recovery Your Storm-Damaged Martinez Property

Storms can commonly lead to a flooding issue in your property, either by rainfall or road overflow. Reducing loss at a flooded site relies heavily on removing water from the structure. The less water in the structure, the faster it dries and the less damage it is likely to cause. SERVPRO can help with things like:

• Leaking roof from storms
• Ceiling repairs from water damages
• Basement flooding cleanup 

SERVPRO Utilizes Advanced Technology and Equipment 

Among the most useful equipment for flood damage restoration in your Martinez home is a truck-mount setup. Truck-mounts comprise an engine, vacuum system, chemical pump, water pump, and heating system. This equipment can be used for various methods, from extracting water from your home to pre-conditioning and washing carpets. 

• Truck-mounts have an independent power supply making them ideal for flooded properties where main electricity may be cut off.
• This equipment connects to water supply inlets directly using a water supply hose.
• Truck mounts can be adjusted using vacuum hoses and high-pressure hoses. 
• Trash pumps are helpful for extracting debris-filled floodwaters.

In a flood emergency, contact SERVPRO of Columbia County for assistance with flood damage at (706) 868-5441.

Storms and Flooding in Evans Homes - SERVPRO Can Help!

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

This water loss at a local business was caused by storm flooding.

Could it take up to a month to dry my Evans home from flood damage?

Heavy rains threaten to cause most of the flooding that occurs in Evans. Factors such as prolonged rainfall saturates the ground and rainwater can begin to crowd drain systems, drain channels, and the multitude of creeks that run in and around Evans neighborhoods.

If you experience flooding in your Evans home, it is imperative to contact a professional restoration company, SERVPRO of Columbia County. Contacting professionals helps to limit long-term damages caused by flooding and give insight to problem areas. Professionals can help identify problem areas to be aware of for preventing and alleviating the same Evans flooding issues in the future.

No Standing Water in your Home? There Still May Be Hidden Moisture

When floodwater intrudes your home, moisture can lurk behind walls, behind baseboards, soak into carpet padding and under flooring. SERVPRO professionals rely on many different tools and techniques to be able to give clarity as to what could be festering where you cannot visibly see. There are a multitude of non-invasive options SERVPRO can provide for flood damage restoration, such as:

• Thermal imaging
• Moisture meters
• Infrared cameras
• Flir imaging

After a Flood – Removing Affected Items

After a flood, your home will need to be eradicated of future problem areas. For example, sheetrock that is affected by flood water needs to be removed. This is a “must” because sheetrock wicks moisture rapidly and will begin to deteriorate the integrity of the wall. Often, only a portion of the sheetrock will need to be removed. To protect flooring, extracting water quickly and placing drying equipment can help to preserve your floors.

Fast Response and Evans Flood Zones

We understand that responding quickly to your call is vitally important in assuring that your home and its contents can be salvaged. If wet materials are left to dry, your home could soon be at risk for future issues such as mold growth.

If you are curious if your home is currently threatened by potential flooding, please visit “Know Your Flood Hazard” to learn more about Columbia County Flood Zones through the Columbia County webpages.

How Long Should You Run a Dehumidifier after Flood Damage?

3/12/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage can be very unexpected. Contact SERVPRO to help with both water removal and to deal with any lingering odors.

SERVPRO helps Augusta homes dry out

After flood damage, getting your home dry once more is the priority. Your home will not feel like your own again until it is clean, dry, and smelling fresh “Like it never even happened.”

If you need help dealing with flood damage in your Augusta home, SERVPRO is here for you. Dehumidifiers are essential when it comes to drying out your house after a flood. Dehumidifiers reduce the amount of water vapor in the air, which means we can dry the area faster.

When using dehumidifiers, there are three things we must take into consideration.

• The size of the area we are drying.
• The extent of the water damage.
• The humidity levels in the air already.

Our teams monitor humidity throughout the process, so we know exactly how long to use dehumidifiers. We also have access to a range of dehumidifiers, including refrigerant and desiccant, so that we can pick the best one for the job.

When your home is dry again, we will deodorize it to eliminate any lingering damp odors.

For help after flood damage, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

Don’t Let Flood Damage Leave Foul Odors Behind.

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage should be left to the professionals at SERVPRO. Their IICRC certified trained technicians are ready for any size job.

SERVPRO offers rapid flood damage mitigation to eliminate odors in your Evans home!

Part of the metropolitan area and a suburb of Augusta, the town of Evans is a census-designated place (CDP) located within Columbia County, Georgia. When the 2010 United States Census wrapped up, Evans had a population of 29,011 people – this was an increase of over 17k from the numbers collected during the 2000 Census results.

According to local stories, Evans possibly got its name from Clement A. Evans, who was a Confederate General. The original Evans community is situated on North Belair Road, also known as Georgia State Route 383. 

Fun Fact: Evans, Georgia, was named the top place to live within the United States by Money Magazine in 2020. 

Living and Putting Down Roots in Evans, GA

In addition to the accolades given by Money Magazine, Evans was also voted by Family Circle Magazine as one of the Best Towns for Families. This rating got tallied due to stats on high-quality schools, affordable housing, plenty of green spaces, and excellent access to healthcare and jobs. You will find stunning landscapes, friendly neighborhoods throughout the town, and plenty of enjoyable outdoor activities within the region. 

Some of the top things to do in and around Evans includes:

• Serene 18 – Located at Clarks Hill Lake, this is a beautiful natural setting for a variety of outdoor activities. Visitors will find plenty of trails to explore and the serene water where you can enjoy some kayaking or canoeing. Serene 18 gets its name from the 18 square miles of incredible water trails for exploration. 
• Bartram Trail Golf Club – If you are a golf enthusiast, this is one course that you do not want to miss out on. Here you will find bent-grass greens spanning an immense area of rolling terrain, a quaint creek bed, and wetland areas. 

If you are looking to grab a bite to eat or a place to relax for a drink when in Evans, some of the most notable stops include:

• Tako Sushi
• Rhinehart’s Oyster Bar
• Mellow Mushroom Evans
• Miyabi Jr.
• Wife Saver
• That Flippin’ Egg
• Izumi Japanese Restaurant
• Laziza Mediterranean Grill

Proper Flood Damage Mitigation Must Also Include Odor Control Measures in Evans

If you have floodwaters entering your Evans home, calling in skilled technicians gets you the prompt, professional results you deserve. SERVPRO offers several methods for water extraction, drying, and sanitization to restore your interior to preloss condition. 

Something to worry about with any flood damage in Evans is the onset of stubborn musty odors. Our crew may use one or more of the following methods to combat such odorous elements:

• Perform controlled demolition to remove saturated, unsalvageable materials like carpeting, drywall, and other porous materials
• Application of EPA-registered biocide spray to curb odors and microbial growth throughout the cleanup process
• Thermal fogging technology using solvent or water-based deodorizers to saturate surfaces and pull out odorous particles
• Setting up ventilation box fans to create fresh, clean airflow before and after the deodorization takes place

Tough odors after flood damage are no match for our skilled crew at SERVPRO of Columbia County. If you need to have a team dispatched to your home to help remove flooding and begin the drying process, call us at (706) 868-5441 for emergency service!

Experiencing Groundwater Damage, SERVPRO® of Columbia County is Here to Help

1/21/2021 (Permalink)

This SERVPRO® equipment placement helps to dry out a finished basement after high waters from a flood seeped through an outside doorway.

Flood Damage Help for our Evans Area

If you have recently experienced flooding in your Evans area, you may have also experienced groundwater damage. Groundwater damage is Category 3 level water damage. In IICRC standards, water damages are categorized by level of severity and level of contamination. Category 3 water damages are most associated with sewage backups and floodwaters. These 2 types of water damages are very unsanitary due to the particulates that they tend to carry. Sewage backups contain sewage which can carry disease and other unsafe particulates. Floodwaters contain mud and waste which then create disease-producing organisms. 

Cleanup & The SERVPRO® Process

SERVPRO® of Columbia County is experienced in Cleanup of Evans flood damage disasters and will approach the situation responsibly and efficiently, always taking precautionary measures to keep you and your family safe. First, the SERVPRO® of Columbia County teams of crew chiefs and technicians will establish drying goals and communicate “Next Steps.” Many factors help to determine drying goals and discussing which drying method is most efficient for your flood water loss is important. SERVPRO® professionals also will help to maintain the correct dry times and humidity levels. All these factors, if retained in the correct levels, will help to accomplish the expected drying time-frame goals.

Need Help Evans Flood Damage?

Water damage from flooding can easily take a stronghold of your home or business. Help take it back by calling SERVPRO® of Columbia County. We are local and can quickly respond to your call if you have recently experienced flooding in Evans at 706-868-5441.

Augusta Residents Can Learn to Invest

1/10/2021 (Permalink)

Get Tips For Smart Investing From Augusta-Based Master Mentors

Augusta residents can enjoy learning how to invest smarter at this one-day conference that brings together several power players in the financial sector. One hard lesson that came out of 2020 is that you need to know how to make your money work even harder for you in unusual situations such as shutdowns. The "Master the Trade" conference put together six distinct classes in this one-day virtual seminar that teaches participants how to develop the mind and skill set for successful investing. The workshop takes attendees through pointers for self-discipline, setting reachable goals, building a financial legacy, and comprehensive training to understand stocks, options, and futures. Contact Teri Ijeoma at hello@iTravelandTrade.com with any questions.

• Date: Saturday, January 23, 2021
• Time: 11:00 AM—7:00 PM EST
• Ticket Price: $97 - $299
• Link to virtual event provided after purchase

When local Augusta properties have flood damage, property owners call on SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441. The trained technicians have access to professional equipment to handle any amount of water within a property and make the damage, "Like it never even happened."

Flooded Garages In Your Evans Home

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

Evans garage with water damage after extraction, equipment is being placed within the home.

Water Damage in Your Evans Garage?

If you have recently experienced water damage to your Evans garage, one of the first steps would be to call your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County to help with clean up and restoring of your property. The quicker you can start the drying process with our equipment, the quicker your home and your contents can be restored.

After calling your local SERVPRO® of Columbia County, we begin by arriving on site to remove excess water. This is the most important step in our process as it can save your home from extensive damage. SERVPRO® of Columbia County uses 2 types of processes for drying:

1. Extracting: or in other words, removing the water which would then use a truck mount extractor to pull the water from the affected area.
2. Evaporation: this process requires the use of a dehumidifier to remove the water that has infiltrated the air that will then be disposed of through a drain in either a bathtub or sink.
   

After the Area Has Been Dried

After the extracting and dehumidifying process has been completed and the area will return to a normal moisture range. The next step would be to clean and make any repairs necessary to your Evans water damaged garage. This would include cleaning of any contents or textiles that may have been affected. We often clean floors and walls as well to assure that odors will not be present once we leave.

Need Help?

Call today if you have experienced water damage to your Evans garage at 706-868-5441. SERVPRO® of Columbia County is always here to help!

SERVPRO is Devoted to Our Augusta Community.

11/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Dedicated to Helping Augusta Residents Overcome Natural Disasters and Flooding by Providing Expertise, Guidance, and Flood Water Extraction Equipment.

Augusta is home to over 70,390 households and 24,000 families. While people from all over gather together every spring for the world-famous Golf Tournament, The Masters, winter can often be much harder for our residents. Every year sub-zero conditions can contribute to property damages by freezing pipes as well as winter storms. Residents need to stay ahead of incoming natural disasters by tuning in to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio and preparing appropriately for a potential storm or flood warning. 

SERVPRO is well-prepared for an incoming flood this winter by ensuring our technicians stay up-to-date with modern protocols and rely on our experience from last summer when Thunderstorms in August caused significant damage to Grovetown residents and power outages on Katherine and Dorn streets. Nevertheless, there are several things to look forward to in Columbia County this year, with many events continuing by adapting to the new safe social distancing measures, including:

• The annual Columbia County Fair takes place on Thursday the 22nd of October and runs until Sunday the 1st of November. Every year we gather together to celebrate and preserve the heritage of Columbia County and eat delicious local-farmed produce.
• As the spooky season begins, Harlem residents are encouraged to join in the 2020 Halloween Golf Cart Parade. The parade starts at 10 am on the 24th of October, and there is still time to enter your own decorated parade cart. 
• Georgia has a rich history as a rural farming community. There's no better way to celebrate our heritage than by taking a trip to The Maize at Steeds Dairy. Recently adapted to allow for social distancing, this historic dairy farm is open to visitors from the 25th of October to the 14th of December. 

The impact of Flash Flooding on Augusta Residents

As recently as September, Augusta University Health's sciences campus suffered some of the worst flash flooding impacts in recent memory. Heavy rainfall, rising water levels of the Savannah River, and an unfortunate connection between a storm drain and sewer pipes led to maintenance holes overflowing with blackwater. Blackwater damages can be especially harmful to health carrying raw sewage among other human pathogens. There were significant amounts of damaged property to dispose of and water pumping or extraction. 

Contamination in water supplies that burst or overflow can be among the most challenging for restoration companies. These waters can absorb into household materials, exterior soil walls, and cause physical damage to properties. To repair properties with this type of damage requires the demolition and removal of large amounts of a building assembly. Safe disposal, water extraction, and thorough decontamination are also necessary to return a home to its preloss condition in these instances. If your property suffers from localized flash flooding, it is vital to reach out to a professional restoration service to restrict damages and mitigate further losses. 

What are floodplains, and how do they affect Augusta residents?

• Flood plains are areas that run alongside the Savannah River, which can have a maximum depth of forty-two feet at peak times of the season. However, the Savannah River is known as a tidal river, which means it can be influenced by tornadoes or rising sea levels. These natural events can lead to saltwater intrusion when large amounts of seawater enter groundwater aquifers. Some residents directly experience water pushing up through crawl spaces, flooding lower rooms, and causing extensive damage to their personal property. 
• When rising water levels reach above banks, they can begin to overflow into the flood plain below. These are a common cause of flash flooding, which accounts for up to 12% of homes in North Augusta and Augusta. You can contact the local government to receive ordinance maps that explain whether your property is situated in flood risk zones. Unfortunately, these areas can affect insurance premiums and cause periodic damage due to tropical storms in the summer, such as Hurricane Sandy, as well as flash flooding, which usually occurs in the fall and through winter. 
• County Columbia residents living in a high-risk flood plain may be able to participate in the county's flood buyout program. This initiative has been in place for the past twenty-years. It provides residents with the opportunity to sell a regularly flooded property back to the Augusta Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. Properties that the council acquires are demolished and converted into green spaces that allow for the natural flow of water through floodplains without causing harm or inconvenience to residents. Unfortunately, residents outside of a flood zone can still be affected by storm-related flooding and should keep hold of a local restoration company just in case. 

Can SERVPRO Help Augusta Residents with Flood Water Extraction after a Natural Disaster?

In the immediate aftermath of weather or flood-related event, it can be tough figuring out whom to turn to for help. SERVPRO uses expertly trained and nationally qualified water restoration technicians to help homeowners overcome all water damage categories in your property. We can aid you by mobilizing essential mitigation equipment and arriving on-site within just four hours of a loss notification. Throughout the restoration program, an experienced and compassionate crew chief can answer any questions you may have about your property's potential damages or special services you may need. 

Our services can help you:

• Secure your property against looting, water intrusion, or unlawful entry by performing emergency board-ups to areas of damage and entrance ways
• Inventory your belongings in a digital form and transport them from your home to a safe, dry, and secure storage facility while we perform the necessary work to restore them.
• Enlist the assistance of vital subcontractors to work on your home structure while we perform mitigation, cleanup, and restoration of the property. 

Flooding can be a devastating reality for many residents of Augusta. Our leading flood water extraction services can help your home recover quickly from a natural disaster. Contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

Need Storm Damage Help for Your Evans Home?

10/30/2020 (Permalink)

This Louisiana Comfort Inn was left in ruins from Hurricane Laura until SERVPRO of Columbia County Storm Team came to the rescue.

SERVPRO of Columbia County are the Experts You May Need

SERVPRO of Columbia County Crews Start to Mobilize

Experiencing storm damage from hurricane force winds and flooding can be traumatic. When Hurricane Laura plagued the state of Louisiana, thousands of homes and businesses were left on the verge of destruction. SERVPRO of Columbia County crews formed a unit of Storm Team experts and responded to the call for action.

SERVPRO Serving Professionally

SERVPRO crews were immediately mobilized in time before Hurricane Laura could make landfall. Prepped with generators, virtually unlimited amounts of air movers, extractors, manpower and training needed to help rescue families and business owners in desperate need—SERVPRO of Columbia County were there to help. While crews were helping to serve in Louisiana, local SERVPRO crews remained at home base to help when secondary Hurricane Laura and Sally shifted towards the CSRA.

Although the City of Augusta may not experience flooding like coastal towns, the CSRA still often experiences the aftermath from hurricane season. Should you find yourself in the path of a storm, SERVPRO of Columbia County can aid in your recovery. We have multiple teams to best serve you.

SERVPRO crews and technicians have been critically trained for catastrophic storm events. If you have storm damage in Evans or surrounding areas, you can feel confident that SERVPRO Professionals will always have equipment to answer your call for storm damage help.

Some storm damage incidents SERVPRO of Columbia County responds to include:

• Flooding caused by heavy rains and hurricanes
• Tornadoes and Wind Damage
• Ice Storms and Snowstorms

After any water damage or flooding situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Need expert advice on preparing for a hurricane or flooding? Visit the Columbia County EMA to set up notifications Here. Additionally, you can call SERVPRO of Columbia County in Evans for help (706) 868-5441

Is It Possible to Save Furniture After A Flooding Incident?

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Flooding damages wood from flooring to furniture. SERVPRO knows how to restore furniture. Call us today!

SERVPRO Can Help You Make an Informed Decision Whether to Save Furniture after Flood Damage Affects Your Grovetown Home 

Floods can affect house contents, such as furniture, in different ways. For instance, water can submerge items if the floodwaters are high enough. Water can also trickle from a high point, such as a window or an opening on the roof, leaving items wet. The possibility of saving such furniture may remain unclear until a qualified team such as SERVPRO inspects your Grovetown home. 

What do restorers check to determine whether the furniture can be saved? 

Deciding whether to save or dispose of furniture after flood damage occurs at your Grovetown home is only possible after considering: 

• How long items remain submerged
• The composition of materials
• The level of contamination
• Aesthetic changes such as staining 

The effects of flooding are generally destructive, but the actual damage level might depend on the timelines involved. Submersion that exceeds a day allows full saturation of the materials and the deterioration of materials since processes such as mold development can start in 24 hours. Saving items in such a case is rarely possible. 

Why does the material matter? 

Furniture items are made from a wide range of materials, including: 

• Fabrics or leather
• Solid wood
• Composites such as MDF or plywood 

The type of material an item is made of determines its porosity, resilience, and how it reacts to soiling. Highly porous materials accumulate contaminants making restoration unsanitary. Most composites have minimal strength once exposed to water since the glues holding them together deteriorate in wet conditions. Solid wood fares better. SERVPRO technicians can help clean your solid wood furniture, dry it in a controlled environment, and apply remedial products such as cream with lanolin to eliminate traces of the damage "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO of Columbia County can help you make the delicate decision of what to do with your furniture after flooding. Call us at (706) 868-5441.

Can Disaster Mitigation Pros Remove Flooding from My Master Bedroom?

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Loves Helping Our Augusta Neighbors After a Flooding Event to Their Homes!

IICRC-Certified Technicians Provide Augusta Homeowners with Flood Damage Mitigation and Restoration

Home flooding can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damages with just an inch or two of water in the home. Contaminated waters can create large amounts of loss, including damage to electrical components, subfloors, wall supports, insulation, and even the foundation of your Augusta home.

SERVPRO is prepared to mitigate flood damage in your Augusta residence with commercial-grade tools and EPA-registered antimicrobials. The goal is to remove damage from your property and restore affected areas to a preloss state while minimizing structural and contents losses.

SERVPRO Training Ensures Quality Cleanup

SERVPRO staff receives extensive training regarding disaster mitigation, home restoration, and assisting clients throughout the process. Franchise owners undergo a hand-on training program to ensure that they are fully equipped to run your local SERVPRO franchise with the tools and knowledge necessary to support the community.

SERVPRO franchise owners, staff, and technicians alike have access to a wealth of educational opportunities after the initial training process. Technicians are certified to render services per industry standards outlined by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

Staff, as well as professionals in real estate and insurance, can take part in the following SERVPRO courses to enhance their understanding of disaster mitigation:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Understanding Mold in the Restoration Industry
• Restorative Drying for Loss Control
• A non-credit Mitigation Awareness Response Seminar

What Items are Typically Unsalvageable After a Flood?

While many of your belongings can be cleaned and restored after a flood, some items in your Augusta residence may require removal by SERVPRO technicians, with the informed consent of both property owners and insurance adjusters.

• Carpet and pad. After enough exposure to moisture, carpet and pad eventually cannot stay attached to the flooring and separate from it as adhesives erode. Flood-damaged carpeting is also a common breeding ground for microbes and pests alike.
• Mattresses and box springs are large pieces of furniture that can suffer extensively from the damages caused by flooding. Water damage that is not sufficiently dried can damage internal springs, and sewage and other contaminants pose safety concerns for occupants that cannot be ignored.
• While fiberglass or insulation is not as prone to mold growth as its cellulose or cotton counterparts, exposure to flood contaminants like sewage and chemical runoff can affect the efficacy of your home’s insulation.
• Damaged drywall. Drywall is a porous surface prone to warping, swelling, and eventually crumbling from moisture exposure. As a result, flood-damaged drywall is typically more cost-effective to remove and replace.

What Precautions Can I Take to Protect My Furniture and Valuables from Flooding?

Augusta homeowners looking for effective strategies to protect their items should consider the following:

• Elevating furniture is one of the best ways to ensure that your furniture avoids contact with floodwater. Elevation strategies include using cinder blocks for elevation and moving items to an upper floor.
• Cover electrical components in plastic sheeting to minimize contact with water. This tactic also works to reduce the risk of floodwater affecting electronic components.
• Bar water from entering your home with quick solutions like stacking sandbags.
• Store smaller items and valuables in sealable plastic containers. Keep these items elevated on shelves or other furniture items to lower the risk of exposure to floodwaters.

If the contents of your home have suffered damage from flooding, SERVPRO technicians have the tools necessary to clean upholstery, furniture, and valuables. Possessions that require specific restoration services, like electronics or antiques, can be referred to a licensed specialist during the restoration process.

How Can SERVPRO Remove Flood Damage and Odors from My Property?

SERVPRO technicians focus on the removal of water and sanitary concerns before drying and restoring the home. This process can entail a variety of cleaning tasks, such as:

• Removing items that cannot be safely restored to a sanitary condition for reuse, such as couches, bedding, and carpet after extracting any remaining water with portable and truck-mounted extractors as well as submersible sump pumps.
• Disposing of pests, solid waste, and other contaminants carried into your property by flooding.
• Spraying and manually cleaning items with EPA-registered biocides on flood-affected surfaces to inhibit further microbial growth.
• Remediating mold with proprietary sanitation solutions, containment measures, and structural drying.
• Deodorizing after drying with water- or solvent-based solutions dispersed with commercial-grade foggers.

SERVPRO of Columbia County provides Faster to Any Size Disaster services for the community at large. Call (706) 868-5441 for mitigation and restoration that can start within hours of your initial contact.

How Can I Get my Hard Wood Floor in Evans Repaired After it Suffers From Flood Damage?

5/28/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Conduct Procedures That Can Repair your Wood Floors Inside your Evans Home

If the rain ever starts to build up and get deep outside your house after a severe thunderstorm blows through the Evans region, it is possible that water will find its way into your home. If moisture enters your structure through your lower door seals or from the ground, there is a chance that your hardwood floors could get negatively affected.

When restoring flood damage inside your Evans home, our SERVPRO technicians utilize their knowledge of how moisture reacts to different materials to dry them properly. Two major variables that determine how much damage is made to materials are permeance and exposure time.

    •    Permeance- The permeance of an item refers to how easily water vapor can pass through the material.
    •    Exposure Time- The amount of time the material has been in contact with moisture also determines the severity of the issues. Since the longer materials are exposed to moisture, the worse problems get, it is wise to respond with water cleanup quickly.

How can moisture affect my hardwood floors?

    •    Warping: All wood contains some sort of moisture content, usually around 10%. When wood absorbs excess moisture, it can expand and cause your building materials to warp.
    •    Buckling: When your hardwood floorboards expand, they can push up against each other and cause the joints to buckle. The amount of buckling that can occur depends on how much moisture is absorbed and the type of material.
    •    Cupping: This occurs when water is absorbed from the bottom and sides of the wood. The edges of the wood can raise or cup, which can often be sanded down if needed.
    •    Crowning: This can happen when the top of the wood holds more moisture than the bottom and the sides. When this happens, the wood can arch and create a bow shape in the middle.

If you ever notice any of these problems occurring after your wood floors get wet, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 24/7.

Is It True It Can Take Up To a Month To Dry My Evans Flooded Home?

5/8/2020 (Permalink)

We are equipped and trained to handle your water damage restoration needs.

Bring in SERVPRO to Remove the Water and Quickly Dry Your Evans Home 

Flash floods are a threat throughout the year in this part of the State. There are steps that homeowners can take to minimize the potential for flood loss, so there is no way to 100% avoid it. The best action to take is to bring in a professional restoration services company if it does happen. DIY efforts to dry your property can lead to exposure to harmful elements in the floodwater as well as secondary issues such as mold or ruination of building materials due to the lack of complete water extraction and fast drying. Plus, it can take weeks to dry your Evans home using regular household fans.  

What Should I Do to Get Fast Flooding Removal Done in My Home? 

Even though grade around the property gets directed away from the house, the gutters inspected are in good working order. The seals around doors and windows are intact, and Evans's home with flooding needs removal using professional equipment. Consumer-grade wet/dry vacuums and standard box fans can not cut it. 

No Standing Water? Your Home Probably Still Needs Extraction 

When floodwater enters a home, even half an inch of water can do a considerable amount of damage. The migration path of the water can lead under floors, behind walls and under appliances and other furniture. It is impossible to track the migration path visually, and SERVPRO technicians rely on a diverse array of moisture detection equipment to get the job done, such as:  

• Thermal imaging
• Moisture sensors
• Infrared cameras 
• Flir imaging 

What Typically Needs Removal After Contact with Floodwater? 

One of the deciding factors for whether or not an item has the potential for restoration gets primarily based on whether or not it is porous. The majority of porous items in a home do not have the potential to get returned to a sanitary standard for reuse.  

• Sheetrock wicks the moisture rapidly and begins to deteriorate. Fortunately, in most cases, only a portion of the building materials requires removal to dry the framework of the home. This removal makes the repairs afterward as simple as fitting in a replacement piece of sheetrock and sanding down before priming and painting to match. 

• The flooring of many types in local properties is often the biggest loser when it comes to flood damage. Carpeting almost categorically across the board requires removal and disposal as a biohazard after extraction of the water to make it lighter and safer to handle.  

• Hardwood flooring may not be a loss if cleanup efforts begin quickly enough after the first water event in the home. The boards may warp and cup, but often can get returned to their original shape through the use of drying applications such as drying mats. Sometimes the boards need to get slightly sanded and refinished for a full restoration.  

• Glue-down carpet and tile usually lose their adhesion to the substrate after prolonged exposure to water. In some cases, depending on the construction materials, tiles may get cleaned and disinfected for reuse.

Handling Home Contents Affected by Flood Loss 

It can be frustrating to see that a mere inch of floodwater that entered an Evans home can cost a homeowner a favorite sofa. However, once the water gets absorbed into the interior of upholstered furnishings, it rarely has restoration possibilities. 

Hardwood furniture can get cleaned using different techniques such as immersion cleaning and agents specifically designed for use on wood. One of the downsides of wood furnishings with exposure to water is when joints crack from the wood's swelling. In those scenarios, the piece may be a loss.  

As items get removed from the loss area, SERVPRO techs look over items and move them to a staging area for cleaning. They utilize different methods for disinfection, such as immersion cleaning, where the article is fully submerged in a cleaning solution that works to remove bacteria. The result is a sanitized item ready for reuse in the home.  

Final Steps in Flood Loss Mitigation 

After drying the property, SERVPRO techs verify that drying goals got attained and then do a final wipe down over the loss area. At this time, any odor control methods needed gets deployed to ready the property for any needed repairs.  

SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 handles any size flooding removal needs your home might have. Contact our certified technicians 24/7 to return your home to its preloss condition.

Flood Damage In August

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

Flood Damage in August Home Needs More Than Extraction and Drying

Flood damage brings more than water into a home. Storms in this area of Georgia can result in high winds damaging roofing that cause leaking, or a tree limb can knock out windows or cause significant loss to a home.

SERVPRO technicians inspect Augusta homes upon arrival for flood damage mitigation to determine the scale of the loss throughout the house. Tracking the path of water migration is an essential part of discovering areas of loss that may otherwise get overlooked if only visual inspections get relied upon.

Stop Further Loss to the Home
When damage to the structure occurs, the techs perform any needed temporary repairs to halt any further entry of water into the home. Commonly done repairs include:
    •    Securing tarps over a leaking roof
    •    Boarding up broken windows
    •    Arranging removal of fallen tree limbs by a local professional

Extraction and Drying
The use of professional-grade tools makes the difference in the amount of water the techs can extract. Afterward, the set up of the drying equipment is where the real contrast between consumer-grade and the SERVPRO machines begins. The centrifugal air movers deliver airflow with such high velocity that embedded moisture rises, and the nearby dehumidifiers capture it.

When wild weather hits, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 for assistance with the cleanup and restoration from flood damage.

For more about August click here.

Groundwater Damage from Flooding Can Be Mitigated by SERVPRO, Much to the Amazement of Our Augusta Customers

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

Augusta Homeowner Is Shocked to See a Like-New Hardwood Floor in Her Augusta Living Room after a Flooding--Thank You SERVPRO

Stormwater Removal Needed in an Augusta Living Room

There is very little worse than damage to an Augusta home resulting in the need for storm or floodwater removal. This type of loss requires fast action to stop the problems it creates from compounding into more significant issues, resulting in higher costs to the homeowner in Columbia County.

SERVPRO technicians arrive quickly to Augusta homes for storm and floodwater removal. The home may need temporary repairs in the case of storm damage, and the techs inspect the property to limit loss. Standard actions include boarding up broken windows and tarping over damaged roofing if needed.

Water Extraction Challenges
Flooring often fares the worst when exposed to groundwater. SERVPRO technicians use advanced moisture detection equipment to scope the property and determine migration paths of the water as well as if the subfloor received water damage. The key to limiting loss is the removal of as much moisture as possible. This preliminary action expedites the drying process.

Special Drying Methods
SERVPRO techs use drying equipment to restore hardwood flooring whenever possible. For floorboards moisture extraction, we often rely on a drying application referred to as "tenting," where a section of the still damp flooring is covered with a plastic sheet and taped to the surface. Air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers can force in warm air and extract the water vapor to the exterior. Another method employs the placement of drying mats, moving them frequently during the drying phase to ensure the boards do not incur permanent damage from splintering from overdrying. When the moisture content is back to normal from 8-20%, depending on the circumstances, any slight cupping or crowning can be lightly sanded, and the surface refinished.

Final Steps
Once the techs complete the cleanup from the water loss in the home. All surfaces and areas affected by water get cleaned and disinfected. The techs create a detailed report for the property owner of the needed repairs from the storm damage to restore the home to its pre-water damage condition.

SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441 uses state-of-the-art equipment to mitigate and restore the property, "Like it never even happened."

Pumping Out Flooded Attached Garages in Augusta Homes

12/28/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can and will be front and center to assist your Augusta storm damage. 

Because Augusta is often in the path of devastating storms, both approaching land from the Atlantic Ocean or sweeping up from the Gulf of Mexico, area residents are no strangers to severe weather events. The impact of these storms can get felt immediately with high winds, hail, and falling trees. When all the runoff reaches the appropriate channels, however, natural flooding is a situation that can exist even days after the prolonged rains.

Your home was built to withstand much of the pressing threats that can exist during a storm, which can limit the need for flood water removal for Augusta residences. One breach point that can get overlooked when preparing for severe weather events is the attached garage. While this addition is often insulated and intended to be weatherproof, wear on elements like the seals of garage doors can allow penetration.

Once the water has found a pathway into the garage, you can contend with the same level of flooding occurring throughout the neighborhood. In some situations, a couple of feet of water must get removed. Pumping is one of the best solutions for this process, as there are often available discharge points like utility sinks that lead to sanitary sewer systems.

Ideally, we seek to remove the standing water as promptly as possible. Exposure to shared walls with the house can lead to migrating moisture, microbial threats, and other concerns. As natural flooding often gets considered contaminated by bacteria, oils, and other substances, it is crucial to remove any areas where this directly impacts living spaces. We can arrive with multiple pumps, including the electric submersible options. These are lightweight and consistent units that can move water out of the damaged garage continuously.

Content management is essential here, as well. When our team first arrives, we can move items from the threatened garage to safer locations on-site or at our nearby SERVPRO facility.

Flooding in your attached garage can happen much more quickly and efficiently than homeowners might believe. No matter how this disaster occurs inside of your home, our SERVPRO of Columbia County water restoration professionals can help. We have efficient tools and technologies to make flooding “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (706) 868-5441.

To find out more about Augusta, click here.

Our Experts Are Prepared 24/7 To Restore Your Augusta Home After A Flood

10/31/2019 (Permalink)

The acoustical tiles became a hazard and needed immediate removal by SERVPRO techs after a storm blew a hole in the ceiling.

The Correct Procedure for Restoring Contaminated Flood Water Damage to your Augusta Home

Flood Water Damage Augusta
The extent of contamination levels in water is measured from white to grey, to black. White water covers clean water supplies such as those in your plumbing system as well as rainwater. Greywater may include water with high-levels of microbial growth and fungus. Blackwater refers almost exclusively to water with highly infectious waste contamination. These types of water are from sources that contain natural human pathogens such as sewers or floodwaters. Blackwater emergencies are generally considered harmful to human health and a biohazard issue.

Homeowners that experience flood water damage in Augusta should bring in professional assistance at the first opportunity. Floodwaters typically contain contaminants ranging from animal carcasses, raw sewage, bloodborne pathogens as well as herbicides and pesticides. If you discover floodwater in your home, you should consider it a Biohazard concern and avoid all contact. SERVPRO technicians can be on-hand within four hours of notification of loss to begin a safe, cleanup procedure.

In Columbia County, there are several licenses and permits required for the legal disposal of biohazardous waste. SERVPRO offers the community qualified technicians with the correct licensing to remove, dispose of, and clean biohazardous waste situations. Our team of water restoration technicians (WRT) is equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure that harmful waste does not cause a human health risk. We may also set up clean rooms and decontamination areas. These can prevent the spread of biohazardous substances.

Unfortunately, contaminated water can migrate quickly throughout your home. after flood damage. Porous materials are at the highest risk and can imbibe both moisture and pathogens. For that reason, SERVPRO technicians may need to remove and dispose of porous materials in the home completely. These materials can include drywall, unfinished woods, and other natural materials. Some fabrics may be salvageable using Esporta washing machines to remove soiling and contamination. We must ensure your home remains safe by disinfecting the affected area, removing and replacing affected materials as well as thorough deodorization.

If you suspect a black water emergency at your home, do not hesitate. Contact SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441.

See more about Augusta.

What Tools You Need to Remove Flood Water from Augusta Homes

7/31/2019 (Permalink)

Let us show you the correct tools for your Augusta flood damages.

As straightforward as water removal might appear, there are more considerations for removing flood water from your Augusta home than you might think.  Our SERVPRO team knows that many homeowners want to work to save time and money by tackling these essential tasks on their own, and it is our mission to ensure that you do it safely and with a degree of confidence when possible. To offer this to you, we have comprised a shortlist of the things that every homeowner needs to remove flooding from their property.

While there might be other gear and machines that could make this list, these are absolute must-haves for flood removal in Augusta properties: 

• Capable Extraction Equipment – Extraction is going to be one of the most considerable obstacles that your home faces, especially if you return to several inches of standing water. While a wet/dry vac can eventually overcome this considerable volume, it is better to rent more powerful extraction tools our SERVPRO team uses like trash pumps from home improvement locations, directing your discharge hose into a nearby drain. 

• The Right Drying Tools – Much like acquiring the right tools for proper extraction, you also need to grab two vital pieces of equipment for drying efforts as well. You cannot sop up floodwater and allow it to dry naturally – you must take direct action. Air movers and dehumidifiers help to begin removing the moisture and saturation from exposed materials and the environment right away. 

• Personal Protective Equipment – Keeping yourself safe is paramount in all of these efforts. The flooding comes with substantial risks, among the most threatening being potential contamination of the water itself. Keep yourself covered and safe, avoid getting in the water, and work to reduce the levels of damage quickly. 
• Cleaning Supplies – Cleaning up after a flood is vital to protect your property and its occupants. The risk of contamination and bacteria is high in natural flooding, so the use of effective disinfection and cleaning agents can address these concerns. 

While this list is short and concise, it gives you a quick overview of what you need to have any success in recovering your property after flooding occurs. If you need assistance or someone to check your efforts for completion, give our SERVPRO of Columbia County team a call today at (706) 868-5441.

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It's Raining, It's Pouring, and It's Causing Storm Damage to Augusta Houses

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Fast Augusta Home Flood Damage Cleanup by SERVPRO 

Flood damage is bad enough when it happens, it is even worse when your home receives water damage, and you are not home to stop it. The longer building materials have exposure to excessive moisture lessens the chance of restoration.

When a homeowner came home from a weekend getaway, she walked into a drenched room from a tree branch breaking a window during heavy thunderstorms that rolled through and rain entered the Augusta home for hours. 

After contacting her insurance adjuster, her next phone call was to our local SERVPRO facility. Our technicians arrived within hours of the initial call and immediately tarped over the broken window so additional damage from rainstorms would not affect the interior of the property any further. 

We scoped the room to determine all the areas that the water could have possibly migrated into to ensure we did not miss any areas of excessive moisture. Our certified Water Damage Restoration Technicians worked on extraction the remaining water from the property. Because it sat for a minimum of 48 hours before mitigation efforts began, we handled the water as a category three (black) or contaminated water situation requiring specialized safety gear and disinfectants. 

Some sheetrock around the entry point had become oversaturated and required removal, which we accomplished with a controlled demolition technique known as "flood cuts." This method lets adequate airflow happen within the wall cavity and substructure. 

We then set up our drying and dehumidification equipment and ran air scrubbers with HEPA filters because of the heavy odor left behind. Once the affected areas dried, the odors diminished significantly. Our technicians hand-cleaned and disinfected all water loss areas, so they were sanitary. 

Once we completed our cleanup and mitigation efforts, we gave a detailed report and photos of the actions taken to both the homeowner and adjuster along with a listing of the necessary repairs to fully restore the room to its preloss condition. 

SERVPRO of Columbia County knows flood damage is a stressful event for any property owner. Handoff the cleanup and restoration to us by calling (706) 868-5441, we are available 24/7 to make your water loss "Like it never even happened."

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Augusta Property Under Water? Rely on SERVPRO for Full Service--from Pack-Out to Rebuild

5/27/2019 (Permalink)

Pack Out Helps Minimize Flood Damage in Augusta Home

When flood damage happens to your home, it is vital to get cleanup efforts going as quickly as possible. The less exposure to water your home and contents have, the better the chances of saving more items through restoration efforts.

Our local SERVPRO responded to a call to mitigate flood damage in an Augusta home. Several areas in the house were affected, and the electricity was turned off. For safety reasons, we confirmed the homeowner and her family were staying off-site at another location.

Since this type of water intrusion carries a rating as the most contaminated, category three or "black water" event, we have protective gear we wear to work with this type of water loss. Upon arrival, our technicians found most of the water had since receded, but the water line on a wall indicated water levels were over the outlets at one point.

With the permission of the insurance adjuster and homeowner, a team of technicians carefully packed and moved out room contents that had the potential for restoration (we call it "pack out") and placed the items that were a loss in a separate bin. Our SERVPRO crew chiefs make detailed notes for items that are packed out and objects that are a loss for full transparency with the adjuster and homeowner.  

We have powerful generators so the lack of electricity does not slow down remediation efforts. Using our portable pumps, we extracted as much water as possible, so large scale items such as the carpet and padding are easier to handle when we removed them as a loss. Carpets covered with Black Water we always recommend to discard. This also lessens the drying time and can save more building materials and contents.

Measuring roughly six inches above the water line on the walls, our technicians removed the ruined sheetrock with a technique called flood cutting, so the interior of the wall could dry thoroughly. We spend extra time on the extraction of water and setting up drying using applied structural drying techniques to limit water damage and inhibit additional issues such as mold or foul odors. This process can take several days, depending on the extent of the flooding. After drying, we cleaned and disinfected the property and left it ready for rebuilding.

 Our crew chief gave the homeowner and adjuster a list of the necessary repairs needed to return the residence to its preloss condition. Since we are a full-service cleanup and restoration company, we can provide a "one-stop shopping" experience for our customers and complete the rebuilding and renovation of the house, with less stress of involving numerous contractors, and for less money. "Like it never even happened."

When you need fast assistance with flood damage, call SERVPRO of Columbia County at (706) 868-5441. Our certified technicians are available 24-hours to help restore your home and contents from water loss.

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Our Technicians Will Remove Flood Water From Your Martinez Home

2/19/2019 (Permalink)

Dealing with Contamination during Martinez Flood Removal

Floods can happen any time leaving a trail of destruction in the properties they affect. Merely looking at the aftermath may dishearten you but it rarely gives an accurate picture of what needs to be done to restore the property to the preloss state. Involving a professional can help ensure that all crucial steps are taken. Taking such steps promptly also helps prevent secondary damages and additional costs.

The main thing that complicates Martinez flood removal cases is the large volume of water involved. A higher water volume leads to widespread migration even to concealed spaces such as wall cavities and crawl spaces. Removing such water requires the right skills and equipment. Our SERVPRO technicians use different types of equipment including submersible pumps and truck-mounted water extractors to expedite removal. To reach concealed areas, we do a controlled demolition.

Floodwaters are classified as black, which is a technical term signifying high levels of contamination. Wading into such water without protective gear can lead to health issues. Also, any porous materials affected by such water retain traces of the contaminants even after the flood water is extracted. Our SERVPRO technicians wear the necessary PPE, Personal Protective Equipment, including rubber gloves and boots. We also spray EPA-registered disinfectant in the affected areas. We remove any porous materials whether it is carpets, fabrics, insulation or wood to avoid the risks of contamination.

Floodwaters also soil non-porous surfaces with the silt, sewage, and other debris that they sweep into the house. Thoroughly cleaning such areas helps deal with the problem. Our SERVPRO technicians use professional cleaning agents and power washers to get rid of the dirt and grime. Cleaning also helps remove any bad odors that the contaminants in the water might cause. However, in case such smells do not go away after cleaning, we can take elaborate deodorization measures such as fogging.

You can combat the threat of contamination during flooding incidents in Evans, Thomson, and Louisville by involving a professional. Call SERVPRO of Augusta to assist. You can reach us at (706) 868-5441 any day. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

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