How to Know a Storm is Coming and How to Prepare

4/20/2023 (Permalink)

How do you sign storm?

1. A drop in temperature. Pay close attention to the temperature levels outside.
2. Large, billowy clouds. Large, billowy clouds that continue to grow as the day heats up are known as cumulus clouds.
3. A drop in atmospheric pressure
4. Darkening of the clouds
5. A weather program predicts it

Why do storms happen?

Why are there thunderstorms? Thunderstorms are a great way for the atmosphere to release energy. When warm moist air meets colder drier air, the warm air rises, the water vapor condenses in the air, and forms a cloud. As the water vapor condenses it releases heat, which is a form of energy.

Does a storm clear the air?

Thunderstorms along a cold front “clear the air” because the wind turns to the west or north-west behind them and that circulation is, if not cooler, usually much drier or less humid. Rain also washes dust particles from the sky.

Ensure you do the following during a severe storm:

1. Stay indoors and away from windows.
2. If outdoors, shelter away from drains, gutters, creeks and waterways.
3. Be prepared for power outages.
4. Floodwater is dangerous – never drive, walk or ride through floodwater.
5. Floodwater is toxic – never play or swim in floodwater.

And How to Prepare Your Home for a Storm...

Clear limbs and trim trees. During a storm, dead tree limbs can get loose and cause damage to a home's exterior or even puncture a window

Secure fences

Secure furniture

Check gutters

Protect the critical areas

Protect your valuables

Stock a basic emergency kit

Create a family emergency plan

Just remember SERVPRO of Torrance is here 24 hours at day to serve you at any time. Call us at (310) 320-2112 , we are here to help “Like it Never Even Happened.”

Storms can Lead to Water Damage: How to Prepare

2/23/2023 (Permalink)

Year after year, the frequency and severity of bad weather is anyone’s guess. Unfortunately, many homeowners encounter property damage due to storms. While it is difficult to control the weather, there is much that you can do to ensure your home or business is protected. The following are various ways you can minimize property damage during storm season.

1. Store your valuables in a safe

Early preparation is pivotal when it comes to ensuring that your valuables are safe during a storm. Apart from boarding up your house, pacing to keep all your items safe before a storm can be a hectic endeavor. It is advisable to store important documents inside zip-top bags and then in a watertight storage container. The container should be kept high above the ground to avoid water damage. In case you have artwork, jewelry, or heirlooms, consider having them documented and insured before keeping them in a warehouse.

2. Ensure proper sealing of windows and doors

Wind requires a small crevice or opening to get beneath something like a siding or shingle then rip it off. Sometimes in the event of tornadic winds, a crevice in your doors and windows could break and allow enough wind to damage your building’s roof. It is important to ensure that doors and windows are sealed properly to avoid this.

3. Trim or cut your trees

Trimming renders some sort of preventive care for trees during intense storms. Powerful winds can cause the large branches or the tree itself to fall on your roof and compromise the structural integrity of your home. The trees and the branches can also cause shingles or tiles to crack. If your trees are near your neighbors, take precautions and trim them as it could damage their buildings and land you in trouble.

4. Ensure you are equipped with a standby electrical source

Finally, it is important to remember that electrical lines are often susceptible to storm damage. Falling branches and trees can dismantle power lines and lightning strikes can blow up electrical transformers causing power outages. Therefore, consider installing a surge protector to offer protection to your electrical gadgets against unprecedented voltage spikes. You should also have a generator around to keep you going in case there will be extended electricity outages.

Stay safe!

Quick Review on the Effects of Storm Damage

12/30/2022 (Permalink)

Storm damage goes beyond repairing roofs and replacing broken windows. At SERVPRO, we understand that storm damage can have long-lasting repercussions such as poor air quality, water intrusion, mold, and rot. That is why, besides structural repairs, we render services such as dehumidification and cleaning, water extraction, and other recovery measures to ensure your home or business is both structurally sound to reside in.

What to do after a severe Storm Damage

You ought to tread carefully when insisting on inspection of your property following an adverse weather event. The aftermath of a storm is often accompanied by several hazards such as broken glass, exposed nails, and fallen powerlines. In some cases, the hazards are entirely invisible, i.e gas leaks. We recommend that you follow these tips to evaluate your home safely.

• Monitor the local news to ensure the worst of the storm has passed.
• Arm yourself with rubber gloves, boots, and protective eyewear.
• Stay at least 10 feet away from downed powerlines.
• Keep off standing water
• Avoid going out in the dark.

At SERVPRO, we respond promptly to respond and perform a thorough assessment of the damage. Using the most advanced equipment, we will inspect your property to uncover everything, even the less obvious damage such as mold. The first few hours following storm damage is crucial, that is why we are available 24/7 to ensure we can prevent further damage from happening. When you reach out to SERVPRO, we will dispatch our team of experts immediately to make an initial evaluation and develop the best plan of action.

What to Know About Mudslides and Landslides

2/24/2022 (Permalink)

Southern California land is highly susceptible to fires due to our scorching summers. The ground is left vulnerable after these natural disasters because the roots that once held everything together have burned, dissipating into the ground beneath. When the seasons change, rain arrives, falling down along with the leaves, but the places once engulfed by fire are on to the next disaster: mud and landslides! The water loosens up the burned roots and dirt, causing chunks of land to slide down hills at high speeds… the perfect recipe for serious damage.

Not only are previous wildfire areas vulnerable to landslides, but also places where construction has destroyed vegetation and where a mudslide has happened previously. Removing the vegetation on a slope compromises the natural stability of it, so if your property is near an area like any of these, develop an emergency plan for the event a mudslide does happen. You can do this by contacting your local authorities, they should have an evacuation procedure to keep you safe. SERVPRO may also provide your property with an Emergency Ready Plan. 

After a mudslide has affected your property, an array of damage is possible. Your home could be flooded, with water and/or dirt. The electric, water, gas and sewage lines of your property could be broken. Depending on the power of the mudslide, walls could be punched through and underground supports could be shifted or even broken.

To find out the damages your property has faced after a landslide, call a natural disaster damage restoration service like us, SERVPRO! Your property may need serious remediation and reconstruction, and we have the experience and certifications to help you with that. It is also wise to seek the advice of a geotechnical expert when in the reconstruction process to find out any ways to protect your property from a landslide in the future. Call our 24 hour emergency service line at (310) 320-2112 for any questions you may have abut our services regarding mud and landslides.

Preparing for a Storm: What and What no to do

12/28/2021 (Permalink)

As the climate of the Earth is shifting, the seasons bring many surprises that leave disastrous endings. One of those being storms in the winter and spring. Harsh rain and hail come falling from the sky, flooding the roads and breaking the windows. No one can stop it, so all we can do is prepare ourselves as best we can to remain safe and stress free. So, how does one prepare for a storm like that? Well, here are some tips…

• Obviously, have a set insurance plan to cover you and your property in the event of a disaster. This goes for any disaster, not just storm damage. 
• One thing that may never cross your mind in the aching hot summer are your rain gutters. If trees are above your property, the leaves and twigs can fall in them and birds may create nests in them. Also in some cases, bees will form hives in the rain gutters or rodents will damage them. It is best to check your rain gutters to make sure they will be able to withstand some heavy rain to protect your home from any water damage. Purchase a filter like contraption called a downspout cover to prevent any leaves or critters from getting in your rain gutters.
• While you’re checking the gutters, might as well take a glance at the roof to make sure none of it is exposed. Any missing tiles? Any holes? If so, call a company like us, SERVPRO, to fix your roof to be storm ready. 
• Make sure all of the windows and doors in your home have proper sealing so that no water can seep in through the cracks. 
• Know where the gas and powerlines are to your home so if any flooding does occur you are able to access the control panels and shut them off. This component can be the biggest threat to your property in the event of a flood. 

Take these few tips and your home can be in better shape to withstand a storm and recover with little damage. Have any more questions? Call our 24-hour service line and we’d be glad to answer.

What Property Owners Need to Know About Storm Damage

12/16/2021 (Permalink)

Extreme storms can be lethal and dreadful, therefore safety should be prioritized. Although severe storms occur in various places across the planet, there are simple initiatives that can be taken to mitigate property damage and minimize risks. Depending on the geographical location of property and type of storm, it is possible to dictate the damage minimization measures.

Prompt Decision-Making

The most important ingredient after a storm is the availability of a vivid action plan that renders a means to address property damage and fixing it to ensure life returns to normalcy. Local news concerning weather is important before taking any measures after storm damage. The first step is to analyze the amount of damage, noting exposed electrical lines or loose ceiling tiles. Roofs are the most vulnerable to costly damage. For that matter, it is prudent to assess the damage caused by taking pictures before reaching out to an insurance company. This will assist the insurance adjuster to review and access the damage. Most importantly, one should keep off damaged buildings or power lines because although the storm is over, there is still a potential for danger.

Insurance providers are key, particularly in rendering instructions on the steps to take before repair. They can also answer questions regarding claims and decide if the damage will be catered to by a homeowner’s plan. It is shrewd to avoid additional home damage once the decision to repair is made. If the storm has not completely damaged the home or building, one can take the initiative to fix some things. Otherwise, professional repair services should be sought immediately over DIY efforts to prevent further damage.

Finally, it is vital to hire a trustworthy contractor to assist in recovering a home or business buildings damaged by the storm. Incomplete restoration may put families and other people at risk of other damages. It is advisable to seek a restoration company like SERVPRO of Torrance that will manage communications between insurance companies and contractors on the onset of storm damage repair. We specialize in both damage mitigation and reconstruction, holding the proper certification to truly make it "Like it never even happened."

Read our blogs on storm damage for further information to protect your property AND loved ones from such a disaster. 

Pertinent Information Regarding Storm Damage

9/10/2021 (Permalink)

Adverse weather can damage your roof and property in numerous ways. To assess storm damage means to identify the sore points of your property, anticipating damage from the elements. The first is fallen debris, which are often fallen trees. Experienced roof repair experts would contend that storms could render your home a beating with huge branches. The twigs and branches do not necessarily detach from the tree to damage your property. Heavy limbs hovering at high velocity can break your ceiling/roof into two, allowing water infiltration.

The second kind of storm damage is blow-off. Loose roofing materials can tear and get lifted by high winds. Consequently, the underlying deck will be exposed and left susceptible to the elements. In the case your roofing materials withstand, strong winds could compromise the seal which binds them, making them vulnerable to wind-driven rain. Notably, this type of storm damage may not result in a leakage immediately. However, theywill need a roofing repair and restoration service to prevent further damage.

Another kind of storm damage is a snow-inflicted collapse. The utter weight of snow can make your roof cave in. Opportunely, a roof collapse often indicates red flags before it happens. Before breaking down, you are likely to witness leaks or cracking sounds. If you are cautious, you should consider reaching out to a repair and restoration service like SERVPRO as soon as possible. We will ensure that the excessive snow on your roof is removed.

Although there is no way to stop a storm from hitting your home, it is vital to follow up on local news concerning possible adverse weather conditions. This should give you time to evacuate and salvage your possessions and protect your family from harm’s way. In case the damage is already done, it is prudent to assess the damage and consider calling in on us, SERVPRO, who will instruct on what to do next. Fortunately, we will contact your insurance provider and homeowner to ensure that your premise is restored in a timely manner at lower costs.

Trust us to mitigate the damages done to your property. We understand the stress that comes with natural disaster damage, and minimize that stress while rendering your property as good as new.

What to Know About Mold

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

Mold, a thing that those who’ve experienced it, or read our blogs are all too familiar with. This type of damage is silent and ever progressing, posing great risk to your pocket and property. At SERVPRO, we specialize in remediating mold damage to any property. Just call us at our emergency service line (310)320-2112 for an inspection and quote on the damage your property may be facing.

But, for the time being how can you prevent mold from happening in your property? Though the damage due to mold can be severe and sometimes dangerous, the fact that it grows over time gives you a leg up on stopping it before it even begins. 

Many mold cases happen from unknown leaks, when water is pooled in an unseen place and left over time for mold to grow. To prevent this, routinely check in and around places where water is flowing through, like toilets, showers, baths, sinks, and laundry machines. Make sure nothing is pooling around in an area you usually don’t check, for example, under the sink. Also, take note of your bathroom floor after you shower and bathe. If there are any leaks in the seals of these things, water will pool in the corners around the holes, and can easily be mistaken for water from your wet hair, body, or something along those lines. Any water left for an amount of time will make that area prone to mold growth. 

Another tip to stop mold is to take steps in preventing water damage, as mold is an after effect of that. Click here to read our pointers on how to prevent water damage. 

Now that you know about how mold comes about on a property, you can take the proper steps to prevent it from happening. For any more questions you may have about mold, feel free to call us at our 24/7 service line. SERVPRO is happy to provide you with the information necessary to have a damage free property.

Important Information to Know About Water Damage

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Better fix that dripping faucet in the bathroom fast or one day you might return home and find your bedroom partially flooded. Whether it is a natural disaster or an overlooked waterline problem, the damage takes a swift turn. In fact, this damage is the worst sort of problem that homeowners face. It destroys everything and even affects your personal life.

No matter what or where the water source is, once it finds its way into your house, you will have to make some big decisions to make sure that things can be salvaged in time. Let’s talk about how water damage affects your life on a personal level.

Property Damage From Water

As water seeps into your basement and other rooms, it drives different types of sediments, especially mud, into your house. This thick layer of mess creates a breeding ground for all kinds of insects and leaves behind a particular smell, even when the water has dried.

Property Damage From Mold

If the water stays in place for more than two days, you will see mold developing on the surface. There are two types of molds: one that can be cleaned using a strong solution and the other that is hazardous. If mold growth is not treated as soon as possible, it can grow quite rapidly and damage your property further.

It Becomes Dangerous For You to Remain in the House

When water seeps into the foundation, a change occurs in the rock and soil. This compromises the base and standing of the house, making the ground weak. While the chances of your house walls collapsing are low, it does become vulnerable to future disasters.

Fire

As you already know, electricity and water do not make a good combination. In fact, the explosive reaction both these elements cause can lead to dangerous circumstances for you and your property. Water damage compromises all electrical outlets and appliances. Plugging in any device might cause a spark and lead to fire.

Water damage puts a temporary halt to your life. You need to assess the situation carefully and decide if the house is habitable. The risk of staying at such a place is too high and you need to take actions immediately. SERVPRO of Torrance is available 24 hours a day, do not hesitate to call if you are faced with these circumstances.

SERVPRO is Here to Help!

5/7/2021 (Permalink)

Let’s say there’s major flooding in your area (though unlikely in CA) and you need to repair an entire wing of your house. Maybe half of it was cinched off in one of California’s wildfires? The point is that your house has damage from a natural disaster, and you don’t know where to go from there. This is where SERVPRO of Torrance can swoop in and help.

The health and safety of our customers comes first, so we start with the cleanup process. We will make sure no damage or debri is left behind, and start a construction plan for remediation. You’ll meet with a team member who, if you choose to go with reconstruction, will take your ideas and help make your dream a reality.

SERVPRO of Torrance will help to guide you through a difficult time. Losing parts of your home to natural disaster is no walk in the park, and we are committed to helping you create a clean and fresh space that is comfortable for your family. Home is your happy place and sanctuary. We don’t think a natural disaster should disrupt that vibe.

Call SERVPRO of Torrance today to get a quote on how to bring that dream to life.

Does Your Torrance Home Have Hidden Signs of Storm Damage?

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

Microscopic mold spores naturally occur almost everywhere, both outdoors and indoors. This makes it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Therefore, mold remediation reduces the mold spore count back to its natural or baseline level. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy. Consider the following mold facts:

• Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.
• Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.
• Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.
• Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.
• Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.
• Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

If your home or business has a mold problem, we can inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

If You See Signs of Mold, Call Us Today – (310)320-2112

Does Your Torrance Home Have Hidden Signs of Storm Damage?

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

This is what your roof could look like if unchecked year after year, storm after storm. Call SERVPRO to instill confidence in your home's condition.

Most people don’t give a second thought to their roof once it is installed. Until and unless they see signs of damage inside the house, they don’t call a roofer for maintenance. When it comes to storm damage, sometimes the aftereffects are not that visible. Therefore, you don’t inspect the roof and focus more on the visible damage the storm left behind.

Perhaps this is the biggest mistake because storm damage signs are not always visible. As you can guess, most of the damage is caused to the roof. A missing shingle or a fallen tree limb are signs that you can easily spot, but then there are the missing granules, lifting shingles, and dented gutters that you always miss. Even if the storm had no power in it and consisted of light rain, it still warrants a check.

Following are the hidden storm damage signs that you should watch out for:

Wind Damage

Some signs of wind damage are hard to detect, while others are impossible to spot. Here’s what you need to look for:

• Shingles that are stressed, cracked, or lifted
• Splits, chips, and cracks in siding
• Chipping paint
• Dings and dents from debris

Due to excessive wind damage, you are left with a structurally compromised house that needs repairing.

Hail Damage

When exploring hail damage, you probably look for signs such as dents and dings. Depending on the severity of the issue, these damage signs are at the top if the list. However, you should also look for the following:

• Cracked shingles or ones that have been lifted from their place
• Granules piled near the drain spot. This means that the roof has lost its protective layer that prevents heat buildup from the UV rays
• Cracks in the siding’s fiber cement (chips are easily visible if you view the siding from the ground)
• Chipped paint beside the windows
• Dented screens or cracked window castings
• Debris from the roof stuck in the gutter, which can cause water to accumulate on the surface and slowly seep underneath the shingles (this kind of damage takes time to become visible, which is why it is important to clean the gutters first thing after a hail storm)

Water Damage

The trickiest of them all is water damage, which leaves a path of destruction in its wake. The water slowly seeps from the roof and into the walls. It destroys the insulation and causes damp patches on the ceiling. This leads to mold and that is when you spot the damage. Here’s what you need to look for:

• Swollen or soggy wood
• The slightest discoloration on ceilings and any other surface
• A musty smell

And this is how you spot damage cause by storms. For professional storm damage services, contact SERVPRO. We offer 24/7 emergency restoration services.

What to do in the Face of Storm Damage

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

In Southern California, the weather can be pretty unpredictable. One year we are in a drought, and the next rain is falling all winter. It is important to be prepared for these types of conditions, because homes are not indestructible structures. A storm can cause serious damage to your property, and it’s best to be aware of what to do when confronted with storm damage.

Scope for Hidden Damages

Water from heavy rain can seep into the nooks and crannies of your home making mold growth more likely. After a storm, look in all of the often overlooked places of your home to check for flooding and water build up. It’s important to catch this soon to prevent mold growth. If you are not sure if your home is damaged from a storm, call a disaster recovery service like SERVPRO to inspect your home for any storm damage.

Steer Clear of Affected Areas

After inspection, if your home has suffered from damage, to keep everyone safe, keep a good proximity from the affected areas. If your property has mold damage, the mold can produce allergens that can be dangerous for humans to be around. And if water has accumulated in your home, it can affect the structural integrity of your property. Keep yourself and the occupiers of your property safe!

Call a Disaster Recovery Service

Once you are sure your property has suffered from storm damage, call a disaster recovery service like SERVPRO to restore your home back to new. Here at SERVPRO, we have a 24-hour emergency service line at (310) 320-2112 for your property’s restoration needs any time of day. We have over 50 years of experience in disaster recovery, so you can trust us to make your home “Like it never even happened.”

Have the recent rains affected your home?

5/26/2020 (Permalink)

Slay the rainy season!

At the beginning of California’s lockdown, the weather was still getting over the cold and rain. For several days periodically it rained well, the perfect time for some cozy weather as we were all newly quarantined in our homes. Now that we are moving into hotter temperatures, it’s a good time to acknowledge the state of your home after those storms. You do not want any mold growing in the summer to overpower the smell of freshly cut oranges on a sunny pool day?! To prevent this, inspect your home for things like clogged gutters (blog here), leaks through walls or behind them, mold growth (blog here), or problematic mudslide areas (blog here). 

If you come across something out of the ordinary while inspecting your property, call us at our 24 hour emergency service line to schedule an inspection from our technicians. We will come out and tell you what is wrong or right and the estimate of any needed repairs/restoration. We also have PPE to keep the current times of COVID-19 in mind. We hope our Torrance families are well, and that the homes and businesses of our community are in the best shape.

Why Isolation is the Perfect Time for Home Maintenance

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

How mold can hide in your home and grow over time.

Here in California the weather is getting hotter while we remain in lockdown. The outside grows more tempting but we must remain indoors until it is safe for everyone to begin life again. But for now, what can we do to occupy our time and feel productive? Like mentioned in our previous blogs, inspect your home for damage!

Though Southern California does not experience much rain, the winter season this year brought us a good amount of stormy days to offset the intense summers. But, with rain comes hidden home damage that is easily overlooked. Especially since rain is not a frequent thing we Californians prepare for. It is important we do not forget about this type of damage from storms even though it may not happen in our area as much.   It is in your best interest to check your property for any hidden leaks in the walls, crawl space, or through the ceiling. Unwanted moisture will promote mold growth, damaging your property. Also, the rain can bring up mud and dirt outside which has the possibility of shifting to affect your home. This can happen through mudslides or at the bottom of sloped land. 

These are some things to consider after storms to make sure your home has endured it properly. And if not, that is okay! Call us at (310) 321-2112 to inspect your property. We will give you a clear and accurate estimate of the damage costs and repair time. Call us if you want it  to look “Like it never even happened.”

Pluggin’ the Gutter

5/7/2020 (Permalink)

Clean your gutters to prevent home damage.

Gutters are an easy thing to forget about, and they seem to only be remembered in the middle of a storm. Storms can do some powerful damage to your property as far as water goes (trust me, water goes pretty far). If your gutters happen to be clogged in the middle of a storm, there can be some hefty destruction.

When the gutters become clogged, all the water from a storm will run off the roof. Instead of being routed through the gutter’s drainage system, all the water flows off to the side of the home/property. If you’re unaware that the gutters are clogged, this can lead to water spilling and then sitting all along the sides of your property, which can lead to issues such as water and foundation damage.

It’s mostly recommended to clean out your gutters twice a year; once in the spring and once in the fall.We say mostly, mostly because different areas have different climates. For example, an area with a lot of trees could require you to clean your gutters more often. A more desert landscaped area could get by with the recommended two cleanings.

In the event that your gutters do clog during a storm and property has been damaged, you can call SERVPRO 24/7 to get repair underway. SERVPRO of Torrance is available at any time to make it “Like it never even happened.”