Recent Posts
National Hurricane Preparedness Week in 2023
5/1/2023 (Permalink)
National Hurricane Preparedness Week is April 30 through May 6, 2023.
Be ready for hurricane season. Take action TODAY to be better prepared for when the worst happens. Understand your risk from hurricanes, and begin pre-season preparations now. Make sure you understand how to interpret forecasts and alerts, and know what to do before, during, and after a storm. You can learn more from the NOAA by clicking here.
Hurricanes are among nature's most powerful and destructive phenomena. On average, 12 tropical storms, 6 of which become hurricanes form over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico during the hurricane season which runs from June 1 to November 30 each year.
Hurricane-force winds can cause damage to homes and other buildings, ranging from moderate to catastrophic depending on both wind speed and structural integrity. Wind damage can lead to large areas with power and communications outages, as well as uproot trees and make roads impassable due to debris. Signs, roofing material, and other items left outside can become flying missiles during hurricanes. Mobile homes are especially vulnerable to wind damage.
While we don't see the typical hurricane damage in our area, we have experienced severe thunderstorms and tornadoes that can often be a byproduct. These tornadoes most often occur in thunderstorms embedded in rain bands well away from the center of the hurricane; however, they can also occur near the eyewall. Stay informed and stay safe.
SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!
Tips to Create a Fire Escape Plan
5/1/2023 (Permalink)
Did you know that a fire can become life-threatening in just two minutes? In just five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames. Time is of the essence when it comes to house fires. Let this blog serve as your reminder to create your fire evacuation plan for your home today! Or, if you already have one, be sure to plan to practice it with the rest of your family members this week.
Having an escape plan in place can help you get out of your home quickly and safely. Make sure to practice your home fire escape plan twice a year. Consider the following tips when preparing your plan:
- Find two ways to get out of each room in case one is blocked by fire or smoke.
- Check that windows are easily opened and screens can be removed quickly.
- Practice feeling your way out of the house with your eyes closed, in case visibility is limited due to smoke.
- Teach children not to hide from firefighters.
Thank you to our friends at Ready.gov for providing valuable information on escape plans.
We understand that dealing with fire damage can be overwhelming and stressful. Our highly-trained technicians will treat your family with empathy and your home with great care. If your home or business has been impacted by fire damage, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year to assist you.
Top Five Causes of House Fires
5/1/2023 (Permalink)
House fires can be devastating, causing property damage, injury, and even loss of life. Understanding the top causes of house fires and how to prevent them can help keep you and your loved ones safe. Here are the top five causes of house fires and tips for preventing them:
Cooking Fires: Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires. Never leave cooking food unattended, and keep flammable items, such as oven mitts, dish towels, and paper products, away from the stove. Use a timer as a reminder, and never cook under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Heating Equipment: Heating equipment, such as space heaters and furnaces, can also cause fires. Ensure that all heating equipment is installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heaters, and turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.
Electrical Fires: Electrical fires can be caused by faulty wiring, overloaded outlets, and damaged electrical cords. Ensure that all electrical equipment is in good working condition, and never overload outlets or extension cords. Consider having a licensed electrician inspect your home's electrical system if you experience frequent electrical issues.
Smoking: Smoking is a common cause of house fires. If you smoke, do so outside, and never smoke in bed or when you're feeling drowsy. Use a deep ashtray and ensure that cigarettes are fully extinguished before disposing of them.
Candles: Candles can create a cozy ambiance, but they can also cause fires if not used properly. Never leave candles unattended, and keep them away from flammable items such as curtains and paper products. Consider using battery-operated candles instead.
By following these tips, you can help prevent house fires and keep your home and loved ones safe. Remember to have working smoke detectors installed throughout your home, and test them regularly. In case of a fire, ensure that everyone knows the emergency escape plan and practice it regularly.
No Job Too Big
5/1/2023 (Permalink)
There is no job too big for us here at SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties! The SERVPRO Commercial Large Loss Division is composed of our best of the best in restoration. Our elite large-loss specialists are pre-qualified and strategically positioned throughout the United States to handle any size disaster. Every large loss is supervised by a commercial operations manager to help ensure seamless communication and timely mitigation.
We are local, which means we are right here in your community! But, we are also a part of a huge network of SERVPROs nationwide that are ready to get YOU back to business.
SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!
Our Six Step Water Damage Restoration Process
3/21/2022 (Permalink)
When your home or commercial property has water damage from flooding or leaks, we have the expertise and equipment to properly restore your property. Our experience and scientific approach to water removal and water cleanup enable us to properly dry and restore your property.
Every water damage situation is a little different and requires a unique solution. However, the general process stays the same and we'd like to outline that below so that you can feel confident knowing that you'll be supported every step of the way.
Step 1 - Emergency Contact
The restoration process begins when you call us. We will guide you through the crisis and may ask several questions to help us better understand the equipment and resources needed.
Step 2 - Inspection and Water Damage Assessment
In this step, we determine the scope of your water damage at this stage. We inspect and test to discover the true extent of damage and how far the moisture has traveled to ensure proper and complete restoration.
Step 3 - Water Removal / Water Extraction
The water removal process begins almost immediately when we arrive and removes the majority of the water. Our team uses powerful pumps and vacuum units to quickly remove hundreds or thousands of gallons from your property, which helps prevent secondary water damage and mold growth.
Step 4 - Drying and Dehumidification
We use specialized equipment to remove the remaining water that is harder to access. Our team will use exact room measurements, temperature, and relative humidity to determine the optimal number of air movers and dehumidifiers needed to dry your home or business.
Step 5 - Cleaning and Sanitizing
Back at the warehouse, our team cleans all of the restorable items damaged by the water. We are adept at cleaning contents using a number of techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors and deodorize your property.
Step 6 - Restoration
Restoration is the process of restoring your home or business to its pre-water damage condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall and installing new carpet, or may entail major repairs, such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.
Commercial Cleaning Services for Harris County Businesses
3/21/2022 (Permalink)
You don’t have time to worry about the common wear and tear that gradually soils your office. When grime, odor, and moisture challenges go beyond the scope of your regular janitorial staff, just give us a call at SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties for prompt service. Whether it’s removing an odor problem or deep cleaning flooring or carpets, you can rely on us to make your workspace look its very best.
Our cleaning services include the following:
Click on any of the above to be taken to a new page on our website to learn more.
Water Damage From Flooding?
3/18/2022 (Permalink)
Flooding occurs in every U.S. state and territory, and is a threat experienced anywhere in the world that receives rain. In the U.S. floods kill more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning according to the NOAA.
What is flooding? Flooding is an overflowing of water onto land that is normally dry. Floods can happen during heavy rains, when ocean waves come on shore, when snow melts quickly, or when dams or levees break. Damaging flooding may happen with only a few inches of water, or it may cover a house to the rooftop. Floods can occur within minutes or over a long period, and may last days, weeks, or longer. Floods are the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.
If you find your home or business impacted by water damage caused by flooding, give us a call. Our highly-trained technicians are ready to respond immediately to get your property back to "Like it never even happened."
When Does a Thunderstorm Become Severe?
3/18/2022 (Permalink)
You hear the term thunderstorm and severe thunderstorm used often this time of year in our area, but what's the difference?
A thunderstorm is a rain shower during which you hear thunder. Since thunder comes from lightning, all thunderstorms have lightning.
A thunderstorm is classified as “severe” when it contains one or more of the following: hail one inch or greater, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots (57.5 mph), or a tornado.
According to the NOAA, here are an estimated 16 million thunderstorms each year worldwide. This means that at any given moment, there are roughly 2,000 thunderstorms in progress on Earth. There are about 100,000 thunderstorms each year in the U.S. alone. Wow! About 10% of those reach severe levels.
We specialize in flooding and storm damage restoration. It is the cornerstone of our business! We have extensive water damage and storm restoration training that allows our team to get your home back to normal quickly.
Flood: Watch, Warning, Advisory?
3/18/2022 (Permalink)
What is the difference between a Flood Watch and a Flood Warning issued by the National Weather Service?
Sometimes it is nice to have a reminder of the difference, so we thought it would make a great topic to share about on our blog. There's a few different important definitions to share so let's get into it.
A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. A flash flood is a sudden violent flood that can take from minutes to hours to develop. It is even possible to experience a flash flood in areas not immediately receiving rain.
A Flood Warning is issued when the hazardous weather event is imminent or already happening. A Flood Warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring.
A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for flooding. It does not mean flooding will occur, but it is possible.
A Flood Advisory is issued when a specific weather event that is forecast to occur may become a nuisance. A Flood Advisory is issued when flooding is not expected to be bad enough to issue a warning. However, it could cause significant inconvenience, and if caution is not exercised, it could lead to situations that may threaten lives and/or property.
Thank you to the National Weather Service for providing such great definitions for us to share with our readers!
What To Do During a Home Fire
3/16/2022 (Permalink)
House fires kill over 2,600 people each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
But this does not have to be the case. There are fire safety precautions to keep your family safe in the case of a house fire. Of course, prevention is the ideal approach to fire safety, but if a fire breaks out in your house, you'll need to know what to do.
Let's go through the steps.
1. Use a fire extinguisher.
If you hear a fire alarm in your house, do not ignore it; instead, grab your fire extinguisher as a one-stop preventative precaution.
This single act may assist to put out the fire quickly, but if your efforts fail after using the fire extinguisher, leave immediately.
Fire extinguishers are critical and should be put in all homes, whether residential or commercial. If the fire extinguisher does not successfully extinguish the flames, call 911 as you begin escaping to safety. If your phone is not nearby, focus on getting to safety first and then asking a neighbor to use their phone.
2. Let everyone know.
Scream out loud to alert others in the home of the fire situation; do not depend on smoke detectors and alarms to alert others, since they could potentially malfunction due to battery failures and other factors. It can also be important for others to know that this is not a drill or an accidental alarm.
3. To escape, crawl under the flames.
Fire creates smoke and harmful chemicals that, if breathed, may induce lightheadedness or loss of consciousness—both of which can be dangerous if you're attempting to escape a burning structure.
To escape a fire, crawl to the nearest exit, keeping in mind that it may be a window. Staying low to the ground can help prevent you from breathing hazardous gases and smoke.
4. Examine the doors and door knobs for heat.
If you have to walk through a door to get to an escape, check the door and door knob before opening.
If the door (or doorknob) feels warm to the touch, there may be a fire on the other side, you should not open this door and should instead find an alternative exit if possible.
5. Keep your nose covered.
During a home fire, cover your nostrils with a shirt or a moist cloth to prevent smoke from entering your lungs. This is important to keep in mind to remember to cover the faces of children as much as possible, particularly while assisting in getting them to safety.
6. Close the doors.
Close the door behind you after you've crept out of a room. Research shows that closing doors stops fire from spreading or at least slows the spreading, which simply implies that the fire will be confined to a certain location for a short period.
7. Hurry to safety.
When you go outside, run away from the flames to your pre-determined safety spot.
Run across the street to safety if a section of the home or apartment, such as the roof or siding, catches fire. There is potential for dangerous debris to fall around the perimeter of the structure.
Notify the fire department officials as soon as possible if you believe any loved ones (including pets) are still inside the home and advise them to where they could be.
Fires are terrifying, but learning what to do ahead of time can help us remain cool if it happens to us.
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