{"id":19392,"date":"2023-12-21T13:56:06","date_gmt":"2023-12-21T13:56:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/?post_type=blog&amp;p=19392"},"modified":"2023-12-21T13:56:06","modified_gmt":"2023-12-21T13:56:06","slug":"5-important-steps-to-do-after-a-storm","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/blog\/5-important-steps-to-do-after-a-storm\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Important Steps to Do After a Storm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#check-roofing-for-storm-damage\">Check Roofing for storm damage<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#electricity\">Electricity<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#gas-lines\">Gas Lines<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#plumbing\">Plumbing<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#flood-clean-up\">Flood Clean-Up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/storm-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19406\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5;width:450px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/storm-1.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/storm-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When a storm occurs, your property may be damaged and you\u2019ll need to assess the extent of the damage. Before you do, you must first make sure your home is safe to enter \u2014 check for structural damage, loose wiring, gas leaks, and flooding. While inspecting your home, document the damages by taking photos or videos; they will be a critical part of your insurance claim. Even when the storm has passed, keep a hand crank or battery-powered radio, as well as spare batteries, and tune in to the NOAA radio station for weather updates. The nationwide station listing can be found at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nws.noaa.gov\/nwr\/coverage\/station_listing.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">http:\/\/www.nws.noaa.gov\/nwr\/coverage\/station_listing.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Call your insurance agent as soon as possible. Don\u2019t throw out any damaged property until your insurance agent has inspected it. Here\u2019s how to safely check and handle the damages in your home after a storm:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"check-roofing-for-storm-damage\">Check Roofing for storm damage<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/damaged-roof.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19394\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5;width:618px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/damaged-roof.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/damaged-roof-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Look for missing or broken shingles. However, don\u2019t go on the roof yourself because it\u2019s extremely dangerous, especially after a storm. Have a professional contractor examine and repair your roof.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 If roof repairs are necessary, it might take a while. Have it fixed temporarily to stop rainwater from coming in until a permanent solution can be arranged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Use a tarp as an emergency roof covering solution. Cover the damaged area(s) with a woven plastic tarp, holding it in place with 2&#215;4 wood strips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"electricity\">Electricity<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"357\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/electrical-panel.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19397\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4875;width:635px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/electrical-panel.jpg 357w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/electrical-panel-300x202.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Turn off your electricity, and disconnect appliances. Check appliances for damaged wires and watch for sparks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022<strong> How to turn off your electricity:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Locate the main circuit box that\u2019s usually mounted on a wall, typically in the basement. If it\u2019s safe to enter your basement, make sure to bring a flashlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Inside the panel, you will see multiple switches. Turn off the main switch to shut off all electricity in your home. Going into a flooded basement can be dangerous, so it\u2019s best to let a professional handle this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 If you see frayed electrical wiring or sparks, call an electrician as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Exterior breaker boxes may not withstand a major storm. If you suspect water has infiltrated the box, call an electrician before turning on the power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Avoid metal fences and other metal objects as they may be electrically charged by nearby downed lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 If a limb or tree has fallen on a power line near your house, or it touches your property, turn off the power and call the utility company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 When power returns to your home, don\u2019t start all major appliances at once. Turn them on gradually to prevent damage to sensitive equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"gas-lines\">Gas Lines<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"360\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/smell-gas-line.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19398\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5;width:710px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/smell-gas-line.jpg 360w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/smell-gas-line-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Leave immediately if you smell fumes or gas, and notify emergency personnel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Don\u2019t use matches and candles in your home until all gas lines are checked for leaks. Use battery-powered flashlights to prevent accidental fires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Never use an electric generator indoors. Exhaust fumes contain high levels of carbon monoxide which can be deadly if inhaled. Keep generators outside, at least 10 feet away from<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">your home and away from doors and windows.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"plumbing\">Plumbing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"346\" height=\"240\" data-id=\"19396\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/checking-plumbing.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/checking-plumbing.jpg 346w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/checking-plumbing-300x208.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 346px) 100vw, 346px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 Check the pipes inside and outside your home. If your pipes are damaged, locate the master valve and shut off the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 If sewage is backing up in the bathroom or basement, your main sewer line might be clogged or broken. In this case, stop using sinks and toilets, and contact a plumber for assistance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2022 If your home or neighborhood was flooded, your water supply might be contaminated. Avoid using tap water for drinking, cooking or washing. If you must, boil the tap water first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"flood-clean-up\">Flood Clean-Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/services\/water-damage-restoration\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"19402\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/215\/2023\/12\/water-damage-equipment-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19402\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flood clean-up is a complicated process that requires specialized knowledge and equipment, such as low-grain refrigerant dehumidifiers and high-capacity air movers. It involves moisture level reading, water extraction, drying, and dehumidification. For water damage repair, your best plan is to hire a professional restoration company that can quickly and efficiently perform the job. Remember that emergency water and fire damage restoration requires urgency and skill. Our PuroClean professionals are highly trained in property damage restoration and respond immediately to minimize the impact of the loss.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/stressed.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19403\" style=\"aspect-ratio:3;width:744px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/stressed.jpg 720w, https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/660\/2023\/12\/stressed-300x100.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s always a chance that water could cause damage in your home that untreated could lead to secondary damages. It&#8217;s important to know who to call in your time of need. If you are experiencing water damage after a storm, contact us at <a href=\"tel:+18439724200\" class=\"phone-link\">843-972-4200<\/a>. Dealing with any type of loss can be overwhelming and stressful, however you don&#8217;t have to do it alone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-5249bbc0 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fill\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/contact\/\">Contact US<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When a storm occurs, your property may be damaged and you\u2019ll need to assess the extent of the damage. Before you do, you must first make sure your home is<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":19407,"template":"","blog-category":[],"class_list":["post-19392","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/19392","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/19392\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19392"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blog-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/charleston-sc-puroclean-disaster-restoration-specialists\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-category?post=19392"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}