{"id":2422,"date":"2011-04-21T13:44:47","date_gmt":"2011-04-21T13:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-colombia\/blog\/what-do-after-storm\/"},"modified":"2011-04-21T13:44:47","modified_gmt":"2011-04-21T13:44:47","slug":"what-do-after-storm","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-columbia\/blog\/what-do-after-storm\/","title":{"rendered":"What To Do After the Storm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u201cApril showers\u201d are sometimes much more than just a bit of rain. Spring weather can include a wide range of weather activity – including serious storms with severe\u00a0winds that can cause serious structure damage and heavy rainfall that can cause over-the-ground flooding,\u00a0or even flooding from streams and rivers.<\/div>\n
The storm season is upon us! If you experience damage of any size, these tips may help you get your home back\u00a0in order more quickly. Keep this advice handy for quick\u00a0reference.<\/div>\n
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INSURANCE<\/strong><\/div>\n
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  • Call your agent as soon as possible.<\/li>\n
  • Take photographs of the damage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    GETTING HELP FOR YOUR HOME<\/strong><\/div>\n
    When checking your home or business for damages,\u00a0watch out for fallen power lines, standing water that\u00a0may be electrically charged, and wild animals driven\u00a0into the open.<\/div>\n
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      • Plumbing:<\/strong> Check pipes inside and outside your\u00a0home (i.e. irrigation systems). Within your home,\u00a0there are usually shut-off valves in specific areas\u00a0near toilets and under sinks. If necessary, locate the\u00a0master valve and shut off all water to your home. If\u00a0sewage is backing up in the shower or under the\u00a0toilet, it probably means your main sewer line is\u00a0clogged or broken. Don\u2019t make the problem worse\u00a0by using other sinks or toilets. Call a professional for\u00a0assistance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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          • Roofing:<\/strong> Check your roof for missing shingles.\u00a0Even if only a few shingles are lost, do not risk life\u00a0and limb by going onto your roof. Call a\u00a0professional roofer, contractor or handyman. They\u00a0have the skills, tools and equipment to do the job\u00a0safely and properly. Have them do a temporary\u00a0\u201cfix\u201d to stop rain coming in, until a permanent\u00a0solution can be arranged.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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              • Electrical:<\/strong> Most damage to electrical systems\u00a0comes from water. Appliances exposed to water\u00a0should be disconnected from their power source\u00a0and serviced before being used. Check for frayed\u00a0wires and watch for sparks. If you have structural\u00a0damage or see exposed wires, call an electrician.\u00a0Keep the power off \u2013 there is the possibility of\u00a0electrocution if you turn the power on yourself.\u00a0Exterior breaker boxes are typically rain-tight but\u00a0may not withstand a major storm \u2013 if you suspect\u00a0water has infiltrated the box, call an electrician\u00a0before turning on the power. Avoid metal fences\u00a0– they may carry a charge from fallen or dangling\u00a0utility wires. If a limb or tree has fallen on a\u00a0power line near your house, turn off the power\u00a0and call the utility company. If the limb touches\u00a0your property, it becomes your responsibility. Call\u00a0an electrician. Do not attempt to cut or clear fallen\u00a0trees that are around power lines.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                FLOODING<\/strong><\/p>\n

                For flooding problems, your best plan is to call a\u00a0professional restoration company. If you decide to\u00a0do-it-yourself, here are some tips that may help:\u00a0because of contaminants (such as sewage, oil,\u00a0pesticides, etc.), take precautions and wear boots,\u00a0gloves, eye protection, and a respirator; minimize\u00a0the damage by removing standing water (pump or\u00a0squeegee the standing water and use a vacuum\u00a0only if it\u2019s a true wet-dry vacuum); remove\u00a0everything absorbent that has been contaminated by\u00a0flood water (carpeting, carpet padding, furniture,\u00a0drapes, etc.); use air movers and dehumidifiers\u00a0to dry out the area; throw away all medicines,\u00a0cosmetics, and foods – even canned goods – if they\u00a0have been submerged in floodwaters; check for\u00a0hidden moisture behind wallboards, and take out\u00a0damaged portions to avoid mold; and clean floors\u00a0and cabinets by washing them with detergent, then\u00a0disinfect with a disinfectant from the grocery or\u00a0hardware store. Remember, keep a photographic (or\u00a0video) inventory of anything you must throw out.<\/div>\n
                <\/div>\n
                FIRING UP THE CHAINSAW<\/strong><\/div>\n
                <\/div>\n
                Don\u2019t! Felling a broken tree or clearing away a\u00a0large downed tree can be dangerous. A professional\u00a0should be contacted.<\/div>\n
                <\/div>\n
                AUTOMOBILES<\/strong><\/div>\n
                <\/div>\n
                Automobiles can easily be damaged by floodwaters,\u00a0tree limbs, or falling debris. If an automobile\u00a0is damaged: notify your insurance agent; cover\u00a0broken windows if the car appears salvageable;\u00a0and list valuables in your car that have been lost or\u00a0damaged.<\/div>\n
                <\/div>\n
                SCAM – ALERT<\/strong><\/div>\n
                <\/div>\n
                Unfortunately, storms and natural disasters bring\u00a0out those who take advantage of the situation. But\u00a0by following a few practical guidelines, you can\u00a0help protect yourself from additional loss: try to\u00a0work with local or known contractors (verify with\u00a0the Yellow Pages); don\u2019t pay for work until it is\u00a0finished and you are satisfied (if a reasonable down\u00a0payment is required, get a written contract detailing\u00a0all the work to be performed); pay with a check\u00a0or a credit card. Beware of a contractor who tries\u00a0to pressure you. If an offer is only good \u201cnow or\u00a0never,\u201d find someone else.<\/div>\n
                <\/div>\n
                Obtain written estimates\u00a0for all proposed work that include proposed scopes\u00a0and prices. Also, beware of charity scams that\u00a0might use a storm to make their pleas for donations\u00a0more plausible; only give to organizations you\u00a0know and recognize.\u00a0Regardless of the circumstances \u2013 damage from\u00a0storms or floods, or damage from fire, smoke\u00a0or even mold, call your local PuroClean office,\u00a0the Paramedics of Property Damage\u2122. These\u00a0professionals are standing by to mitigate the\u00a0loss and prevent further damage, and to provide\u00a0restoration services to return the property to a preloss\u00a0condition as quickly as possible. All PuroClean\u00a0offices have professional, well-trained technicians\u00a0who provide the latest state-of-the-science services\u00a0to all property damaged from water, fire\/smoke,\u00a0mold, and other disasters.<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                \u201cApril showers\u201d are sometimes much more than just a bit of rain. Spring weather can include a wide range of weather activity – including serious storms with severe\u00a0winds that can<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":18746,"template":"","blog-category":[13],"class_list":["post-2422","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog-category-water-restoration"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-columbia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2422","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-columbia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-columbia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-columbia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-columbia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/2422\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-columbia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-columbia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blog-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.puroclean.com\/lexington-sc-puroclean-columbia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-category?post=2422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}