What to Know About Floods

Floods are among the most dreadful disasters of the world. Usually, a flood comes along a hurricane, thawing snow, or several days of continued rain.

 

Floods could cause death and even serious physical injuries to both humans, animals and properties. They are unpredictable and destructive in nature that they can easily damage major infrastructures, hinder public services, and essentially hamper people’s livelihoods.

 

A flood can lead to power outages, transportation disruption, and destroy structures like houses.

 

The physical destruction attributable to flooding depends on the speed and level of the water, the duration of the flood, terrain and soil conditions, and the surrounding built structures. Flooding can cause fatalities and serious injuries for people who are trapped or swept away by wading in, driving through, or boating across floodwaters. 

 

Floodwaters may cause erosion, which could damage roads, bridge structures, levees, and buildings with weak foundations, causing their collapse all of sudden.

 

Flooding is the most common natural disaster within the United States and could happen anywhere. Flooding could happen during any season; however some areas of the country are at greater risk at certain times of the year. Coastal areas are at greater risk for flooding during hurricane season while the Midwest is more at risk in the Spring and during heavy Summer rains.

 

Even with the right preparation, nobody could hamper the harsh occurrence of this natural disaster.

 

Relative to this, even with thorough preparation against flooding, it will probably still cause serious damage to houses, along with other personal belongings like cars. With this idea in mind, the access to a remediation and restoration company is essential to save our personal belongings, fixtures and most especially our houses from water damage.

 

Water damage may eventually cause mold and mildew damage that can be harmful to your health and well-being, on top of the physical damage against your real properties. When water is absorbed by wood and drywall, it may cause bulging. Once that enlargement starts, the very foundation of your structure may be in jeopardy.

 

To this end, ServiceMaster Restore by PWF will certainly be of service to cover the flood damage remediation in St. Johns, Florida. Our services aim to restore the pre-state condition of the properties. The sooner our professional team comes in, conducts an appraisal, and gets started on the drying and restoration, the sooner your life could return to a regular manner.

 

ServiceMaster Restore by PWF is what you need to technically save your houses and carpets, and other similar belongings from water damage, and even from the damage caused by mold. ServiceMaster Restore by PWF is the leading ramification company in the industry, with highly skilled technicians who are trained, equipped and ready to restore your property after a flood and other kinds of disasters.

 

With our 30 years high-quality service and experience, we can manage to offer our expertise on flood damage remediation in St. John, storm damage repair services in St. John and storm damage repair company in St. John with a 24/7/365 availability for our clients’ utmost satisfaction.

 

Our services include the following:

·         Determine and Repair cause of Moisture

·         Emergency Fast Response, 

·         Water Removal – 24/7

·         Contaminated Object Removal

·         Mitigation

·         Carpet Drying and Re-Installation

·         Structural Drying

·         Dehumidification

·         Deodorizing

·         Steam Cleaning of contaminated materials

·         Complete Surface Cleaning

·         Pack-Out for Content Cleaning

·         Anti-Microbial treatment 

 

An unexpected flood that causes significant damage could bewilder any home or business owner. This disaster does not often give you a warning or a lot of time to prepare. The experienced team at ServiceMaster by PWF can assist you in all aspects of restoration in the four corners of your property.

 

Getting the services of an inexperienced restoration company may burden you on the low quality ramification undertakings that may lead to the infliction of more injuries to your properties, not to mention the exorbitant spending for the same flood damage.

 

For your flood damage remediation in St. John, storm damage repair services in St. John and storm damage repair company in St. John needs, you may visit our official website for more information at https://www.servicemasterbypwf.com

 

ServiceMaster by PWF is servicing St. John and other parts of St.Johns County. Contact our office at (866) 599-0871 to phone in your queries and request for quotation.

 

We are looking forward to hearing from you soon.

How to Stay Safe During a Power Outage

One of the dreadful situations during this high-technology age is the occurrence of a power outage. Considering that everything is being operated by electricity, a power outage carries a huge burden to both residential areas and commercial establishments.

Electricity makes our lives easy, comfortable and productive, as it runs our computers, televisions, air-conditioning units, refrigeration, and other devices and gadgets at home and offices. It also facilitates the production, preparation, and distribution of food. As a matter of fact, farmers utilize electricity for grinders, threshers, and hay lifts.

Since electricity is significant as it directly affects our daily living conditions, the government opted to secure an investment in this aspect as a wise move towards efficiency. 

But why do power outages still occur? Can the government just implement a 100% free outage society? Basically, the government is spending a huge amount of money to build infrastructures and purchase modern pieces of equipment to boost the output proficiency of electricity that is expected to prevent frequent power outage. Meaning, nobody, not even the government, can prevent the happening or occurrence of a power outage primarily because not everything is manageable through the use of  computers, like the Force Majeure and Fortuitous Events.

There are several sources of outages, but few of the noted and popular causes of a power outage are storms, heat, snow and trees. As a result, it is actually troublesome when a power outage takes place because most of equipment and household appliances are powered by electricity. 

At any rate, the most important thing to undertake during a power outage is to secure yourself and your family from any untoward events. In short, you should always be ready for this kind of situation to keep your love ones and property safe and sound. 

The key factor that plays a vital role to ensure safety is proper preparation.

With proper preparation, you will be able to secure your family by providing them with the pertinent orientation on different disasters, their respective effects, and how to handle any relevant issues. A complete checklist as to the things to be undertaken before and during a power outage is mandatory.

To protect your home, a power generator is an important equipment to be purchased. It is needed during a blackout to prevent accidents, as it provides a provisional source of electricity to keep your house well-lighted as well as to maintain your food’s freshness. Then, the only thing to watch out for is the accumulation of carbon dioxide. Due to its harmful effect, you should learn how to install an appropriate alarm system to detect its presence. That way, you will be able to undertake steps to increase the safe ventilation of your house.

To stay safe inside the house, if a power generator is not available, you should prepare flashlights because the tendency is that, if a household does not have one, the members of the family will surely use candles to illuminate the place. Candles can be hazardous due to the reason that they may cause house fires.

To keep your devices, appliances and set of equipment safe, you should turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical apparatus, including sensitive electronics, the purpose of which is to keep your electronic  belongings  away from the power surge that may damage them when the electricity comes back. Aside from this, if you think that a particular device or appliance has been damaged by a power outage or surge, do not plug it in for a test run because it might also start a fire or an explosion.

Also, you should make sure that no gas is leaking inside your house, which might cause a fire. 

On the other hand, however, even with right and comprehensive preparation, a power outage will still take place sooner or later. To effect, properties are damaged  due to the fierce and uncontrollable power of storms. 

ServiceMaster by PWF, servicing St. Petersburg and other parts of Pinellas County, has the work professionalism coupled with years of experiences to undertake storm damage remediation in St. Petersburg and  storm damage repair services in St. Petersburg. We are a storm damage repair company in St. Petersburg.

ServiceMaster by PWF values efficiency and customer satisfaction. Our technicians are trained, well-equipped, and ready to restore your property after any disaster, including water and mold as well as fire and smoke damages.

For your storm damage remediation in St. Petersburg, please contact ServiceMaster by PWF,  servicing St. Petersburg and other parts of Pinellas County, at (866) 599-0871.

You may also visit our official website for more information at https://www.servicemasterbypwf.com.

The Dangers of Sewage Backup that You Need to Know

A foul odor is a typical indicator of a problem that needs to be addressed right away. Whether it is in your home or place of business, it can be a nuisance, and it is embarrassing when a bad smell permeates the air. Sometimes, people have no idea that smell is coming from their pipes until they see discolored water coming out of their drainage in the bathroom. When this happens, you know you have a sewage backup disaster.

Sewage backup can pose a major problem once it manifests in your household or your property. A sewage backup is what happens when water literally backs up to your homes’ drainages from the sewer systems and comes out of the lowest sewage openings inside your house⁠—usually in the basement or shower drainage. This phenomenon is unavoidable when there is a problem in the city’s sanitary sewer system. Although there can still be enough time for the city management to inform the households of a possible sewer backup that might occur, it is best to ensure that you have secured the right number to call for sewer cleanup in Gainesville. 

Sewer emergencies in Gainesville, like sewage backup, can pose immediate health hazards for the people residing inside households or properties. For one, the stink that a drainage emits once sewage waters start to bubble up on your bathroom floor is a nasty sight besides being unpleasant to smell. Also, gray sewage water flooding back to the surface can contain bacteria and microbes that can be harmful to people when left stagnant. This contaminated water can also result in water damage to your property and even electrical malfunctions to your home. When this happens, immediately arrange a sewage cleanup appointment for a prompt cleanup of the damage while also reducing your inconvenience as a homeowner. Living around a foul odor coming from such a closeted space can be very irritating. This could disrupt your daily routine and can probably make you become unproductive instead. 

A Gainesville sewage backup cleaning service is the answer in disposing of your hazardous water during a sewage backup to prevent health risks to the people in your residence or property. ServiceMaster by PWF is the first to take action when it comes to serious water problems. We have highly trained personnel that can do the necessary repairs for you that your home or your property needs after a sewage disaster. Our IICRC-certified water damage specialists can clean up your household to prevent further damage to your pipes and to save you the trouble of having to endure the dangers of sewage backup. You can avoid having to deal with the smell and health hazards brought by sewage backup by calling in the experts to take care of your problem for you. 

We are here to serve help you with your sewage concerns. ServiceMaster by PWF is servicing Gainesville and other parts of Alachua County. Contact our office at (866) 599-0871.

Is Your Home in a Flood-Prone Area? Here are Some Tips to Prepare

While the weather forecast does not specifically predict where storms might strike, weather officials are still urging all Floridian residents to prepare early than expected for any tropical storm or hurricane. Eventually, every hurricane or storm comes with heavy rainfall and subsequently mass flooding which can cause evacuations and heavy property damage. 

 

ServiceMaster Restore by PWF  or Service Master has been serving Floridian residents for 30 years, and long has been trusted when it comes to disaster restoration services. Service Master shares some 

unique tips in preparation for a flood.

 

Pre-Season Preparation Stage

 

· Make a Program and Research in Advance

Most Floridians survive hurricane flooding by having an anti-hurricane program which includes flooding. Preparation is the key to any natural disasters. Research in advance whether your area is prone to flooding through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) online flood maps, showing risk levels and locations in specific geographic areas, or calling your county planning division to get an assessment of flood risk areas. Next, talk to your neighbors for they are more knowledgeable with flood experiences in the area, interview them about how high was the last time it flooded and get some tips what they had done. Moreover, it is advisable to make a list of a questionnaire in detail, so you can make an early preparation with good judgment in advance. Advanced know-how helps a lot in making an emergency preparation and most of all, it will give you more confidence and strong courage to overcome flooding situations.

 

 · Organize Anti-Flood Setup inside the House.   

Organizing in an anti-flood setup the insides of your house may cost some budget adjustments, but it’s worth a risk for some. Elevating electrical components like switches, electrical sockets, and wiring at least 12 inches above the predicted flood levels is a safe option. By this way, it would reduce the damage, hazard, and dangers during the recovery period.     

 · Cleaning Up Drainage System

Do an early clean-up of your draining system. Water and sewage systems are particularly prone to flood damage where debris, leaves of trees, and other sorts of obstructions that can hinder the flow of water should be cleaned up and removed.   

 ·  Waterproof Your Basement

This is advisable especially for frequently flooded areas, even though it may require a large amount of budget but it’s worth it in the long run. Prevention against hazards and safety of your property and your family is a top priority. 

 ·  Make Plan for Evacuation Route

Create a Plan B, in the worst scenario, you would know what to do next. Knowing all routes within your geographic vicinity with the know-how to navigate could save your life and your family. Train your family members as to what to do (avoiding panic) during flooding, the meeting place, and how to survive the high waters.      

 

·  Get a Flood Insurance.

For flood-prone area homeowners, it is advisable to get flood insurance in advance. The National Flood Insurance Program can provide a list of flood insurance companies, which is, by the way, has a separate coverage compared to a regular homeowner's insurance, or you can visit Floodsmart.gov to get an estimate of the pricing for flood insurance for your geographic location/address.

 

-Before the Hurricane Stage

 ·  Always on Alert

Do what the Floridians do, ‘always staying alert’, keeping watch of Hurricane News (local news channel), and staying updated with the latest news especially the flooding (should be taken seriously).

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issues a Flood Watch when the flooding conditions are right. By then, is the perfect time to protect your furniture, appliances, and important items on the insides of your house. A Flood Warning means that a flood is happening now or going to take place soon.

 ·  Move-Up/Elevate Furniture and Appliances  

Once a Flood Watch occurs, immediately move furniture, appliances, valuables, and important documents (Passports, birth certificates, Property and assets documents(deed/lease to home), proof of address, insurance policies, and Journal/Diary (Family /Emergency information) to a safe place. Keep in mind to stay focus, do not panic. Prioritize first your family’s safety and then your property assets. If the flood is likely to occur sooner than expected, forget your house and head to higher ground as planned.

 

-During the Storm Stage

Safely stay inside your house, and stay away from windows and doors. Move up your family to higher ground, or if you have a second-floor house for their safety. Closely monitor the NOAA radio for latest flood updates. Follow the instructions of local authorities like avoiding contacts with flood waters especially for children and wait until normalcy has been restored.    

 

-After the Storm Stage

Closely contact your family, friends, relatives, and neighbors about their status and yours. Advisable to send text messages which can be faster than a phone call. Even though the rain may stop, keep listening to local news while staying alert always for extended rainfalls and flooding. If there is a need to evacuate, make ready your plan for evacuation. It is advisable to follow the local authorities instructions rather than staying in your house. Make sure it is safe outside, check if the storm has really gone. Document all the damages on your property by taking videos and pictures for personal and insurance use.

 

For any flood restoration services call ServiceMaster by PWF, specializing when it comes to water and storm damages on your home or business when restoring it.   Water Damage Emergency can be traumatic, we understand that.  Our goal is to get your life back to normal as quickly as possible.

 

You can contact our service offices at Gainesville and other parts of Northeast Florida at (866) 599-0871; our technicians will be happy to answer for your flood damage remediation in Gainesville, water damage restoration services in Gainesville, fire damage repairs in Pinellas, Gainesville mold remediation, cleaning services in Gainesville, and sewage cleaning in Duvall, Clay and St.John .For other details, please visit our website at https://www.servicemasterbypwf.com/.

How to Prepare an Emergency Evacuation Plan in Lake City, Florida

Different types of emergencies require different kinds of emergency plans, as some may need immediate evacuation while some may need a day or two for planning. Lake City, Florida has a humid subtropical climate, making the area prone to thunderstorms and rainfalls. Florida is also known to have dry winters, causing frequent brush fires and water shortages. Lake City also has a coastline; therefore, a tendency to have storm surges and flooding is possible. 

An emergency evacuation plan in Lake City, Florida can be planned way before disasters such as storms or floods would happen based on the climate patterns in the area. It must be apparent where the evacuation area would be, depending on the type of emergency. For storms and flood emergencies, people living near the coast should be evacuated immediately far from it to avoid the risk of drowning from flooding or surge of water. 

For unavoidable emergency situations such as fire or hurricanes, there is ServiceMaster by PWF, which can restore your property and return it to its original state. It will give you the peace of mind that you need at the wake of a disaster, whether in your home or business property. ServiceMaster by PWF is composed of experts in restoring your property after any disaster caused by fire, water damage, smoke or even mold. 

When emergency strikes, there is nothing you can do but to hope that the damage done is not of extreme level. For small or large disasters, ServiceMaster by PWF is ready for you 24/7, every day of the year. If your emergency is caused by water damage, ServiceMaster by PWF has a variety of water damage restoration services in Lake City that you can avail, from water removal to reconstruction, and even assistance in claiming insurance. If you need restoration after your property was damaged by fire, ServiceMaster by PWF has services such as smoke and soot clean-up, upholstery cleaning, and demolition and debris removal, to name a few. Water damage in the home can cause mold to grow in dark, damp places which are oftentimes not seen by people. Mold damage remediation in Lake City can be answered by ServiceMaster by PWF to avoid the risk of contracting diseases brought about by mold-infested surroundings. 

ServiceMaster by PWF offers mold removal services such as cleaning and disposal of contaminated items, demolition of structure when necessary, and reconstruction. Unexpected calamities such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and storms cause massive damage to properties. ServiceMaster by PWF provides assistance in the restoration of your home or business. Flood damage remediation in Lake City due to intense storms can be done with expertise by ServiceMaster by PWF, backed by more than 30 years of experience in this field. 

Service areas for ServiceMaster by PWF are Lake City and other parts of Columbia County. Contact us at (866) 599-0871.

Step-by-Step Guide to Stocking Up Emergency Supplies in Clearwater, Florida

Weather forecasters may not be expecting the ‘big one’ during the hurricane season this year, but a few major hurricanes could still threaten the Atlantic coast. Are you ready when a hurricane hits your area? Do you have a ready-made anti-hurricane plan standing by? 

If still not, below is your step-by-step guide in preparing your emergency supplies:

Step 1: Organize a Plan.

Create your anti-hurricane program plan. Every Floridian knows that preparation is the key to survive a hurricane. Prepare through an organized plan, which involves four stages of preparation like pre-season preparation, before the hurricane, during, and after the hurricane (this article is limited only to the pre-season preparation for emergency supplies). Research thoroughly about community programs for hurricane preparedness, neighborhood experiences, a family readiness/practical know-how to do, evacuation center location, and most importantly, a questionnaire to be filled in detail. 

 

Step 2: Property Readiness Inside and Out.

By upgrading or retrofitting your house defenses, especially the weakest parts like windows, doors, garages, and rooftops, you can strengthen and build a better foundation against any storm. For the outside of the house, you can do cleaning up and trimming the surrounding environment to prevent further damage from flying branches of trees and other debris.

 

Step 3: Assemble and Prepare a Hurricane Emergency Kit and Supplies.

Word of Caution: Before buying your emergency supplies, always consider your budget. Balance your budget and do not spend more than what's on your budget. Practical budgeting by avoiding stocking up too much and over hoarding of items/goods that you may never need or that would expire before using them. Every item’s date of expiry should be checked carefully and make double thinking with your list based on its functionality, and not on personal self-need. Secondly, thriftiness buying attitude is the key, be patient enough to wait for ‘ On Sale’ seasons before buying all those stuff. Good things do come to those who wait.             

 

The American Red Cross list of basic supplies and emergency kit includes: 

A. Emergency Kit : 

·  First Aid Box 

·  Medications (7-day supply) and medical items

·  Emergency blanket

 

First-aid necessities first like first-aid supplies, basic medical prescriptions (common OTC medicines), hygienic items like toilet paper and tampons, sunscreen, bug spray, water purification tablets and a whistle (If trapped in your shelter). 

 

B. Basic Necessities: 

·  Water- a gallon per day/person 

Prepare a three-to-seven-day supply of food and water, with 1 gallon (4 liters) of water per person, per day.

·  Food-easy to prepare /non-perishable

Foods should be nonperishable, and since you don't know how long you'll be in a disaster situation, high-energy foods and comfort foods are practical, too. 

·  Sanitation and Personal Hygiene Items

Don’t forget your personal sanitation needs, you need to keep yourself clean and comfortable to cope with such a natural disaster. 

·  Personal Confidential/Important Documents: Passports, birth certificates, Property and assets documents(deed/lease to home), proof of address, insurance policies, medication list/pertinent medical information, and Journal/Diary (Family /Emergency information).These are essential and highly important items that should be protected and secured, make sure you seal the documents in a water-proof/sealed plastic, or any secured/padlocked bag.   

·  Hand-crank radio/Battery-powered, and Extra Batteries with Flashlight

A battery-operated radio to keep updated with the weather bureau and the weather situation status. Since there will be no power for days, flashlights with extra batteries are necessary.  

 ·  Mobile phone (charged) with chargers/Extra Battery(Charged)

Charge your cellphones with extra batteries also charged, communication is also important especially during the aftermath of storms, where you should contact your loved ones you are safe and the local authorities for latest storm updates and other vital information.  

 ·  Extra Cash, Keys, and Maps of the Area

In case there is advisory to evacuate before the storm hits your area, always be ready with your car having fully fueled, and cash for the travel with maps in hand.     

 C. Miscellaneous

·  Baby or a family member with special needs, and pets Requirements (If have one) 

Never forget your pets; you'll need a leash, food, more water, carrier, vet records and maybe a toy or a favorite blanket, and If you have a baby,or a family member with special needs, bring along all of their basic requirements. 

·  Kitchen Accessories/Multi-tools 

Multi-tools with kitchen accessories like plastic utensils, bowls, paper plates, manual can openers, napkins and other things you'll need to cook and do for situational needs.

·  Blankets and Pillows

Supplies like blankets and pillows, with extra clothing that's sturdy, seasonal and rain-resistant to keep yourself dry, and sickness-protected.     

 

Summary: Hurricane is here, and are you ready with your emergency supplies? Doing these three step guides will help you: step 1-organizing a plan, step 2-property readiness inside and out, and step 3-assembling/ preparing a hurricane emergency kit and supplies.

  

Whenever you a  disaster struck your property and needs water damage restoration and remediation works, call ServiceMaster by PWF, Clearwater Floridian’s trusted professionals and experts in residential and commercial restorations against water and storm damages.

 

ServiceMaster by PWF is servicing Clearwater and other parts of Pinellas County. You can contact our office at 813-295-7797, where our technicians will be happy to answer for your flood damage remediation in Clearwater, water damage restoration services in Clearwater, fire damage repairs in Pinellas, mold remediation in Clearwater, cleaning services in Clearwater and sewage cleaning in Duvall, Clay, and St.John.For other details, please visit our website @ https://www.servicemasterbypwf.com/.