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What You Can do to Stay on Top of Commercial Water Damage | SERVPRO® of Shippensburg/Perry County
10/21/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County are your local commercial restoration company. We will always be here to help and get you back in business.
The results can be devastating when your business is suddenly impacted by water damage.
Flooding can originate from many places inside your building. Internal sources like a busted pipe or a leaky roof can halt productivity and ruin every inch of your commercial property. Natural causes like inclement weather can even more destroy your business when you least expect it.
Strong storms, heavy rainfall and nearby hurricanes all create flash floods in Shippensburg/Perry County. Situations like this hit our local businesses hard and can leave them vulnerable to even more damage in the future.
Knowing what to do when these emergencies occur can help you deal with the remnants of a disaster much more easily. This guide will enable you to take care of any disaster as quickly as possible so your business doesn’t suffer too much damage.
Know Your Building’s LayoutLocate the main water cutoff points around your building. Knowing how to find and shut off sources like your fire sprinkler or the main water valve will allow for a much quicker response and the mitigation of water damage.
Make sure to pass this information along to trusted members of your team and run them through this process. The more people who understand how to stop water at the source, the less damage your building will sustain.
Know the Types of Water InvolvedThe type of water produced when water damage strikes can help you understand the severity of the situation. Understanding what kind of water has flooded your property will allow you to take adequate measures.
White water: Plumbing failures are typically to blame for this kind of water. You can safely manage this water yourself in tiny quantities and is not regarded as contaminated.
Gray water: This kind of flooding is caused by overflowing toilet tanks and sink drains. Although it’s contaminated, this water is not recognized as hazardous.
Black water: Heavily contaminated black water is frequently produced by sewage blockages and storm flooding. This dangerous water should be handled by a trained professional.
Take Action QuicklyWhen dealing with water damage, you need to find the water source and swiftly turn it off. Open windows and doors to allow your building to dry a bit faster. After that, inform everyone inside the structure that the impacted areas are off-limits.
After getting the emergency under control, record any damage around your building. This will facilitate filing your insurance claim and be useful when determining which areas of your building require the most strengthening.
Remember to Be PatientOnly a portion of your building’s total concern is represented by the apparent water damage. It’s possible that you have hidden water damage without even being aware of it.
When water infiltrates your commercial property, SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County is the team to call. Our experienced repair crew can thoroughly dry out your building using cutting-edge tools and rapidly complete a full restoration.
While our team works to repair your building, we’ll keep you to informed throughout the entire process. As soon as we are complete, you and your team will be safe to get back to work!
When disaster strikes your commercial property, we’ll be there to help clean up and get you back in business quickly. Reach out 24⁄7 to get started!
Choose a Restoration Team That Knows Their Way Around Town | SERVPRO® of Shippensburg/Perry County
10/14/2022 (Permalink)
No job is too big or small. Call SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County today to schedule your estimate.
There are many advantages to choosing our SERVPRO team as your restoration partner. We provide a full spectrum of services, such as restoration after a fire, water damage and storm damage.
When you find mold growing in your home or business, we can perform certified remediation to control the growth and protect your property from further damage. And when you need the removal of biohazards or have vandalism that needs to be removed, we can get the job done.
But there’s one advantage that makes us the ideal restoration partner—we’re your neighbors!
Being close by provides numerous benefits that set us apart from other restoration businesses. Let’s go over why being locally owned and operated is so vital.
3 Reasons Being Locally Owned Is a Difference-MakerWhen considering a restoration service, you should ensure the team you choose has a strong reputation. But you also need a local provider. Here’s why that matters:
1. We Can Respond FastIf a disaster suddenly hits your home or business, undergoing repairs as soon as possible is vital. Postponing restoration can lead to further damage and cost you significantly more time and money.
When you work with SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County, we get there as soon as we can. We offer 24-hour emergency services so we can be on the scene and begin repairs immediately. And since we are so close by, you won’t have to wait too long!
2. We’re Prepared for Local Weather ConditionsWe’re your neighbors, so we’re keeping an eye on the same weather reports you are. When severe weather is on the way, our team gets ready to respond to any calls of emergency so we can be on the scene once the storm has calmed.
And since we know the unique weather conditions Lebanon faces, like flooding, severe thunderstorms and snow storms, we have a ton of experience repairing homes and businesses that have been impacted by these hazards.
3. We Know Shippensburg/Perry County Front and BackSome restoration providers will come in from a nearby city or even a different state when you hire them for a restoration assignment. They’ll have no idea what makes our community so special—and they might not even know how to get around.
Luckily for you, our team knows Shippensburg/Perry County inside and out! We experience all the unique quirks and aspects of our city, region and state.
Shippensburg/Perry County’s rich history is one element that makes our city so distinctive. Our area is filled with beautiful historic structures and plenty of eye-catching natural wonders.
We understand local government rules and how to handle them and know how our area operates. This allows us to execute your repair job more swiftly, restoring your house or business to a preloss state.
An Extra BenefitWhen a disaster affects our community, we will be prepared to deal with it. While we usually manage all recovery demands with our local crew and equipment, large-scale disasters might affect several homes in the same area or even across our city.
Here’s how the SERVPRO difference can be a huge advantage: We are both locally owned and operated and supported by a well-known national brand with tons of experience. When a storm passes through our community and causes significant damage, we can reach out to neighboring SERVPRO facilities for assistance.
When disaster strikes your home or your business, we’re the team you can trust—located right here, close to home. Get in touch today to get started!
Be Prepared for the Destruction Caused by Lightning | SERVPRO® of Shippensburg/Perry County
9/20/2022 (Permalink)
If you are dealing with a fire damage from a recent fire, call SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County about a restoration solution for your issue.
Homeowners work hard to protect their properties from flames by practicing fire safety and utilizing firefighting tools. While many interior fires are manmade and largely preventable, other house fires can start as a result of natural threats and can impact your home out of nowhere.
More than 70,000 damage claims resulting from lightning strikes were made in 2020. While it is actually very uncommon for a person to be struck by lightning, your property is considerably more prone to being hit. And when lightning does strike, it has the power to wipe out your electricity, destroy trees and even ignite a fire.
Approximately 6,000 lightning strikes are thought to occur per minute. This shows that nobody is truly immune to this danger and that every one of us needs to be ready to safeguard our homes and ourselves before a storm takes place.
What Is Lightning?Lightning is a massive flash of electricity that occurs among clouds in the air and on the ground. Thunderstorms aren’t the only cause of lightning, though. It can also strike during volcanic eruptions, strong wildfires and even intense snowstorms.
We relate lightning to dangerous weather, but it can also strike when the sky is completely clear. “Dry lighting” is produced without rain and poses a very significant danger because wildfires are created as a result. So, while we start to get ready for storms, we also need to think about fire safety.
Protecting Your Home From Lightning FiresWhen lightning strikes your home, fire may soon follow. Fires are a result of either the temperature of the strike or the electricity created by the strike.
It might not be immediately apparent when a fire begins as a result of the strike, as a lightning-related fire will typically erupt up in your attic or between your walls.
Listen for a distinctive, loud boom when the strike occurs. If you discover your home has been struck, look for indications of burning and call the fire department as soon as you detect black markings or smell smoke.
One of the most effective strategies to avert lightning-related fire is to install a lightning rod. This metal pole can direct the power of a lightning strike away from your house so that it is not directly affected by the heat and electrical current of the hit.
When Lightning Strikes NearbyLighting is a common culprit of wildfires and other outdoor flames. There are several “peak” seasons for lightning fires in various regions of the country, but on average, 9,000 fires are ignited by lightning strikes annually.
Clear your yard of any debris or decaying vegetation, and utilize a defensible zone to keep your property safe from the hazards of a lightning strike. Make sure to install a smoke alarm on every floor of your home so that if a fire breaks out, you will instantly be notified.
When your home is damaged by flames, contact our team of professionals at SERVPRO. Fire restoration can be a difficult process, but our team makes it quick and painless through years of expertise and the use of state-of-the-art technologies. We will get your home back to its pre-fire state as soon as we can.
Have you experienced smoke or fire damage in your home? Call us today to get the restoration finished fast.
Addressing the Flooding Risk for Your Property | SERVPRO® of Shippensburg/Perry County
9/12/2022 (Permalink)
Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County to get the restoration process started right away.
No matter what your risk of flooding is, you should always be prepared for the unexpected. Water can cause extensive damage, even when it is a seemingly small amount.
In addition to the extensive damages, floods can be tricky to recover from as not all homeowners insurance policies cover flooding. Thinking about having to foot the bill for the entire restoration should have you taking preventive measures today!
The highest risk of flooding occurs along any of our waterways, like Brandywine Creek. We are also always at risk of springtime flooding when the snow melts, as that water can raise water levels and also soak down through the earth and into our basements.
Start With Your PropertyAll it takes is one ill-timed thunderstorm with heavy rain to leave you with a large water mess. Take some simple steps to prepare your home outside, like clearing your gutters and ensuring your downspouts are connected. These are great ways to keep water flowing away from your home.
You can also make your garden work for you! In addition to providing fresh vegetables or pretty flowers, a garden can help soak up excess water and prevent pooling in your yard. Just make sure to angle your garden plot away from your home so the water will flow down to your garden.
Also consider adding a rain barrel to your property! Rain barrels can keep the water flowing from your gutters in one localized area, which allows you to dictate exactly where it will go.
Flood Problems Inside the HomeFlood issues often originate in the basement, so taking the time to care for your foundation is a great place to start. Seal up any cracking you notice and address any dampness you discover right away.
Having a sump pump is another option to help you keep water away from your basement. If you live in a particularly high risk area, look into investing into a battery-operated pump so that you won’t ever be caught without help, even when we lose power.
Unreliable appliances and rusty or long forgotten pipes can also increase your flood risk inside your home. Address any dripping water or leaks right away, and add leak sensors below any appliances that will alert you of any problem the moment they detect water.
Lastly, take care to store the things that mean the most to you up high or out of harm’s way. Water loves to destroy photographs and other keepsakes, so have a way to keep them safe. It is also important to keep copies of any documents and your emergency plan in a waterproof location as well.
If you still find water in your home after preparing as best as you can, don’t panic! Just be sure to act quickly to prevent long-term problems and irreparable damage.
Experienced water damage in your home? Call SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County today to get your restoration completed faster.
A Fire in your Home?
9/7/2022 (Permalink)
If you experience any property damage due to a fire, we are here to help. Contact SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County to learn more.
At SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County we know that going through a house fire is something that nobody ever wants to think about, but considering how you can prevent one can go a long way in protecting your home. Fires can spread in 30 seconds or less, jumping from a small flame to a major disaster situation quickly.
Thankfully, there are many steps you can take to ensure your home is as safe as possible from fires. While you will never be able to entirely prevent them from occurring, you will be able to significantly improve your chances of never having to experience a fire in your own home.
Reduce Your Chances of Experiencing a Fire in Your Home
Check your smoke detectors. Having smoke alarms is the foundation of fire safety, so it is important to make sure you have enough of them throughout your home. They should be on every floor and outside of every sleeping area, and it is recommended to test them monthly to ensure they have not malfunctioned.
Create a fire escape plan. Making sure your family does know how to get out of the house if a fire starts is so important. You will typically only have about two minutes to exit the house in a fire, so having a plan and practicing it often goes a long way in your overall safety efforts.
Limit your fire risks. There are many ways you can limit your fire risks simply through practicing good habits in your everyday life. Small things, like not leaving flammable objects near your stove, staying in the room if there is an open flame and storing chemicals safely, can all lower your risk of a fire breaking out to begin with.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy. While fire extinguishers should only be used if it is absolutely safe to do so, they can prevent a small mistake from turning into a household disaster. Any time there is an open flame present, it is good to have an operational fire extinguisher nearby and be sure you know how to use it just in case things get out of hand.
If your home is damaged by a house fire, we are here to help. Our expert fire restoration technicians are here 24⁄7 to spring into action as soon as you call. Contact us at any hour to report your damage and receive a quick response. SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County can be reached at 717-300-3347
The 3 Major Sources of Storm Damage | SERVPRO® of Shippensburg/Perry County
9/1/2022 (Permalink)
When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, make SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County your first call.
Severe storms can be devastating for homeowners and can lead to costly damage that must be repaired. While some homeowners believe their home is prepared for this severe weather, many times they are proven wrong when an extreme storm passes through and creates significant losses inside and outside their property.
Strong winds and weather-related calamities can throw around debris as well as create heavy rains, hail storms, lightning and floods. Depending on the season and the type of storm, they are all a threat to your home and any of your belongings.
Depending on the kind of storm and events taking place, your home may be subject to different degrees of destruction. Multiple elements play a part in determining the intensity of potential damage, like the landscape around your property, the geography of the area and the quality of your home’s foundation or building materials. (We’re not going to deny that there is an element of chance as well.)
Being knowledgeable about the many kinds of weather threats is helpful, but understanding the specific conditions that frequently affect our area is even more beneficial. Lebanon faces thunderstorms, winter storms and flooding frequently. This weather has led to significant damage to properties all over our area.
To better prepare you for extreme weather, let’s examine the three primary types of storm damage:
Wind
When structures are subjected to powerful gusts of wind at extraordinarily high speeds, this type of destruction ensues. Tornadoes and hurricanes are the most common causes of strong winds, but thunderstorms can produce gusts of up to 100 mph.
Wind gusts might scoop up debris in your yard and toss it into your car or house. And the wind itself can also be powerful enough to rip shingles off the roof. It is critical to remain inside when a storm is on the way and away from any windows or outside walls in case glass breaks or the walls are pierced by debris.
Prepare your yard before a storm touches down to prevent excessive damage due to wind. Clean up any branches, large rocks, unsecured furniture or decaying trees to give strong wind gusts less to work with once they start blowing.
Water
Water damage is known to cause costly damage inside homes before and after a storm. Even a small storm can produce rain showers that cause water to collect outside your home and then leak inside through the seals on your doors and windows.
When there is a significant amount of water, it may soak into your foundation and seriously destroy its structural integrity.
Try utilizing strategic landscaping methods that help to direct water away from your property to minimize the degree of damage that water may do to your property. Alternatively, you could build a rain garden, which will help prevent water from accumulating near your home and make it look beautiful at the same time!
Also, be sure to keep your gutters clear of debris so they function as intended during severe weather. Clogged downspouts create backed-up water, which builds up until it eventually begins to leak down into your home.
Impact
“Impact damage” is another form of storm destruction that can have a devastating effect on your home. This damage presents itself as downed trees or debris being thrown into your home by heavy winds. Impact damage encompasses any damage done when an object hits or impacts your house or property.
To best avoid this type of damage, trim any branches that are near your home and have any decaying trees removed. This will prevent Mother Nature from sending them down onto your property.
Weather-related calamities cost more than $145 billion in losses in 2021 in the United States alone. These methods could help you save a significant amount of time and money and can help you prevent damage from occurring before a storm gets the chance to wreak havoc on your home.
Give SERVPRO of Shippensburg/Perry County a call immediately if your household faces the devastating impact of severe storms. With state-of-the-art equipment and years of experience, our restoration specialists can handle any tragedy.
When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Contact us today to get your storm damage restoration started faster.
Stay Weather-Aware to Protect Yourself and Your Home | SERVPRO® of Shippensburg / Perry County
7/12/2022 (Permalink)
If you suspect any damage to your home from a recent storm, call SERVPRO of Shippensburg / Perry County 717-300-3347
There are about 42 different types of weather warnings, each categorized into seven different weather-related groups. These alerts are sent out when severe weather conditions arise in your location. This information can be complicated to understand when a strong storm is forecast to strike your neighborhood.
Understanding what these weather warnings based on where you live can help you prepare for whatever circumstances may arise. These alerts are also a useful way to safeguard your home before severe weather impacts it.
While being aware of all kinds of weather scenarios is beneficial, being aware of the weather patterns that could hit our community here in Shippensburg / Perry County is even more vital.
How Alerts Are Issued
So, how are forecasters able to provide these weather warnings? Since weather forecasts are merely predictions, how can we determine the severity and location of a storm? There are many factors that impact why these alerts get sent out.
The National Weather Service works to provide accurate weather forecasts as well as weather alerts as these conditions develop. These advisories are issued by six regional offices around the country, allowing for more accurate predictions based on location. You’ll find Shippensburg and Perry’s alerts provided from the Eastern Region headquarters in Bohemia, New York, along with local offices nearby.
Meteorologists use solar activity, weather balloons, satellites and even ocean buoys to make forecasts. These predictions will vary based on the severity of the weather event, but the primary objective is to provide the most accurate forecast possible.
The Most Important Alerts to Understand
When deciphering these alerts, the words “watch” and “warning” tend to pop up often. You’ll see this language used in weather alerts, including those for thunderstorms, winter storms and flooding.
A watch means a storm is being monitored and could become dangerous, so you should make a plan to be able to withstand potentially hazardous conditions. Watches are often issued in a larger area, while a warning is issued in a smaller, more specific area like a county or city.
A warning means a severe storm is imminent and you should take precautions immediately.
It’s also crucial to know what kind of weather to expect in your area so that when you get these alerts, you’ll know what your next plan of action will be to keep safe. Here in Shippensburg / Perry County, we see a mixed bag of weather throughout the year.
Winters are snowy, icy and often very cold, while our summers are warm and humid. We may see strong winter storms, along with the potential for thunderstorms and even tornadoes in warmer times of year.
Protecting Your Home During a Storm
While monitoring weather alerts is the safest approach to defending your property and life during severe weather, there are a few other things you can do around the house to reduce the risk of damage.
Clear your gutters and fasten any outdoor furniture to protect your home from the impact of weather like floods or strong winds. Locate a secure place to wait out the storm and have an exit plan prepared in case your family needs to relocate.
SERVPRO of Shippensburg / Perry County can take care of any of your restoration needs if your home is impacted by severe weather. We can devise and carry out an effective repair plan to restore your home to its original condition.
Staying informed about weather conditions that may affect your neighborhood is an excellent approach to protect yourself and your property from tragedy. Understanding the various weather alerts will help you best prepare for any storm that may pass through our area.
Experienced storm damage to your home or property? Contact us today for a quick response!
The Cost and Frequency of Extreme Weather in 2020 | SERVPRO® of Shippensburg / Perry County
7/8/2022 (Permalink)
When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO of Shippensburg / Perry County to start the restoration process.
Most of us are all too aware that 2020 was a devastating year. But the degree to which 2020 was disastrous might go even further than you realize—not only did the year see a global pandemic and a nationwide quarantine, it also broke existing records for extreme weather disasters.
In fact, 2020 saw more weather disasters than any previous year on record.
The National Weather Service classifies a weather event as a disaster once it causes at least a billion dollars in damages, and 2020 brought a record 22 of these events. That doesn’t even count the numerous storms that only caused a few hundred million in destruction—there were so many storms in the Atlantic last year that the NWS had to use letters from the Greek alphabet to give them all names because it ran completely through its planned list of names for the year.
And even here in Pennsylvania, we had more weather alerts in 2020 than “tornado alley” states like Kansas.
Not Just Hurricanes
The blame often falls on hurricanes first when we think of extreme weather damage, but in truth, the most expensive disasters of 2020 in the contiguous United States were thunderstorm systems and the tornadoes some of them birthed: Fourteen of the 22 major events were storm-related.
Not Just 2020
While we certainly would hope 2020 to be an extreme example, it does seem to be following a trend of especially dangerous years for severe weather outbreaks. The previous two years joined caused a combined $136 billion in damages, and 2017 saw a record-high $300 billion.
Indeed, each of the last 10 years has suffered at least eight major weather disasters in the U.S., and the last six years have seen a minimum of 10 each.
Storms happen year-round and are no respecters of locale, so it’s crucial that we stay alert and prepared when storms are forecast. But if extreme weather overcomes your preparations, remember that SERVPRO is on call 24⁄7 to help you through the restoration and recovery process.
When storms do damage, we go to work to make things right. Contact SERVPRO today to see how we can help.
Restoring Your Shippensburg / Perry County Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event
7/5/2022 (Permalink)
Contact SERVPRO of Shippensburg / Perry County for all of your commercial water damage needs! 717-300-3347
Flooding and water damage events at Shippensburg / Perry County’s commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.
Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges
Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.
About SERVPRO of Shippensburg / Perry County
SERVPRO of Shippensburg / Perry County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
For Immediate Service in Shippensburg / Perry County, Call SERVPRO
7/5/2022 (Permalink)
Shippensburg / Perry County Residents: We provide immediate service day or night! 717-300-3347
SERVPRO of Shippensburg / Perry County provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in Shippensburg / Perry County. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.
- 24-Hour Emergency Service
- Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
- Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
- A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
- Locally Owned and Operated
- Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment
Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 – 717-300-3347
Residential Services
Whether your Shippensburg / Perry County home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us. Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:
- Water Damage Restoration
- Fire Damage Restoration
- Mold Remediation
- Storm Damage Restoration
- Cleaning Services
- Building/Reconstruction Services
Commercial Services
There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your Shippensburg / Perry County commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services: Commercial Restoration Cleaning
- Commercial Water Damage Restoration
- Commercial Fire Damage Restoration
24/7 Emergency Service