Hurricane Season 2022

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Never underestimate the destructive power of a hurricane.

Today marks the first day of summer as well as the start of the 2022 hurricane season.  While our area doesn’t usually experience hurricanes, the past couple of years have shown that the tail end of some hurricanes can reach us.  Suffice it to say, it is always best to be prepared, because even the tail end of a hurricane brings torrential thunderstorms and potential flooding.

First off, forecasters at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predict that the 2022 hurricane season has a 65% chance of having above-average hurricane activity.  This is based on several climate factors, such as the ongoing La Nina and a warmer-than average sea surface temperature in the Atlantic and Caribbean.  Also, if we look at the trend over the past several years, we can expect these storms to last longer and hit harder. 

We encourage everyone to keep an eye on the weather forecasts this season.  We will also be updating our blog on any potential news to keep us all prepared on the latest.

We Mitigate and Repair Damage from Heavy Rainstorms

5/18/2022 (Permalink)

Heavy rainstorms can clog storm drains with debris.

As the Spring season continues, we are starting to see more and more rainstorms pop up.  If you’re not prepared, they can cause severe flooding damage.  Just like this job we recently received. where a storm drain right outside this family’s basement was clogged by storm debris.

The clog caused a massive amount of water to pour into their basement, completely ruining their wood floors and leaving four-inch-high water line marks on all the walls.  Our Mitigation Team had to tear up all the wood floors and make a two-foot-high flood cut in all the drywall to ensure all the moisture in the basement was removed.  Our Construction Team then went in and installed brand new wooden floor panels, new drywall and even a new door to their basement bathroom.

While we were able to leave this basement better than it was before the storm, it goes to show how devastating heavy rainstorms can be.  You can never be too prepared.  And if you find yourself in a similar situation, gives us a call and we will make it “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO Has Its Own Meteorologist?

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

We take storm preparedness very seriously.

It might surprise you, but we here at SERVPRO have our own Meteorologist.  Storm preparedness is something we take very seriously.  It’s not enough to just pay attention to the Weather Channel.  We’re not interested in routine showers or overcast days.  We want to be able to track huge weather patterns that result in severe storms before they happen.  Any leg up we can get on the weather allows our national storm response teams to quickly mobilize where they are needed most. 

Every second counts when it comes to storm damage.  Our number one goal is to help alleviate the anxiety and pain of those affected by weather disasters.  The sooner we can respond to them, the sooner they can get back to living a normal life.  Not to mention, the less likely their situation gets worse.  Having our meteorologist track last years polar vortex as it was developing, helped save those affected time and money.  It’s just another way that we go above and beyond for our customers.

Preparing For Spring Storms

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

Don't get caught in the rain this Spring!

Spring is finally upon us!  As the cold weather of winter starts to thaw, it’s a good time to start preparing for the climate shift.  April showers sound delightful on paper, but they can quickly escalate into torrential downpours or thunderstorms.  That is why it is never too late to double check your storm readiness.

First off, everyone should have a general emergency kit in their house and vehicle.  These should include a radio, flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, emergency contact information and non-perishable food.  No matter the type of storm, these kits are invaluable to have.

More specific rainstorm advice revolves around potential flooding.  Make sure you keep your gutters and storm drains clear of leaves and debris.  Try and keep valuables on high shelves when storing materials in your basement or areas that are prone to flood.  Always keep rain gear and water-resistant clothing easily accessible in your home and car.  Last but not least, never drive through standing water or wade into flooding basements.  Both can be fatal.

These simple steps can be lifesavers.  It’s important for everyone to take stock and implement them as we enter the rainy season.  And if you do experience any flooding this spring, you can always count on us to restore the water damage.

Storm Response Program

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

We're fully prepared to go where ever a storm hits!

Our franchise is extremely proud to be a part of the national SERVPRO Storm Response Program.  Our company is built upon the desire to serve those affected by disasters.  Be it a small bathroom leak or a category 5 hurricane, we are committed to help restore what is lost.  While our first concern is always for those in our immediate community, sometimes the need created by huge national storms is too great to ignore. 

Last year, for instance, during the horrible winter freeze in Texas that incapacitated their power grid, we traveled to Irving to help those most in need.  Later in September, in the wake of Hurricane Ida’s devastation, we drove up to Philadelphia to start rebuilding the damage.  Every second counts during national storm emergencies.  Without the Storm Response Program, coordinating these efforts would have taken much longer. 

These experiences have shaped us into an even more close and compassionate crew.  The gratitude and love we received out in the field have had a deep affect on us and our work even here at home.  This is why we will continue to be a proud member of the Storm Response Program.

Tips to Prepare for Winter Storms

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

It's never too late to prepare for winter storms.

The winter storm season is upon us!  In fact, we have already endured a couple this year, but it’s never too late to prepare for the next one.  Here are some simple tips to keep safe in case you are caught outside during a winter storm.

First off, make sure that whenever you leave the house, you are properly dressed for cold weather, even if you aren’t planning to be outside for long.  This may seem obvious, but in the event that a storm strands you outdoors, its crucial to be bundled up.  For extreme cold, its recommended to wear 2-3 layers of clothes, 1-2 pant layers, a warm hat, gloves, waterproof boots, and a face covering like a scarf.

If you plan to be driving in extreme cold weather, you should keep your gas tank at least half full.  This will allow you to keep your vehicle’s heat on longer in the event you get stuck out on the open road.  It’s also important to keep a winter survival kit in your car.  Alongside year-long necessities like jumper cables, working flashlights, a First-Aid kit, non-perishable foods like nuts and energy bars, water bottles, and a phone charger, you should also store some blankets, a shovel for snow, and an ice scraper.  

Of course, these tips also apply if your house loses electricity, and you are snowed in.  However, it’s important to remember in that situation to never use gas stoves to try and keep warm.  The risk of a house fire is too great.  Also, if you have a generator, make sure it is properly ventilated to avoid any carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Hopefully, these tips can help you brave the next winter storm.  It always pays to be prepared!

How to Protect Your Garage from Storms in the Rose Hill/Fort Hunt Area

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

Garages are an often under protected structure during severe storm conditions. Many people conclude that since no one is in the garage, they don't have to work as diligently to secure the space. What many people don't realize is, an unsecured garage leaves the rest of their home extremely vulnerable to storm damage. As high winds shoot into a garage door, they meet a hard wall, forcing them upward into the roof. Sometimes the pressure is great enough that the roof blows off!

So to protect your garage, home and roof, its important to properly secure your garage door in the event of severe storm conditions.

Sometimes this can mean replacing the door with a sturdier one.

I know it may seem extreme, but as we explained in the article, a vulnerable garage is a vulnerable home during a high wind storm.

If your home has sustained storm damage give us a call here at SERVPRO of Rose Hill/Fort Hunt at (703) 665-7420!

SERVPRO of Rose Hill/Fort Hunt Can Help Deal With Any Size Storm Disaster

6/8/2021 (Permalink)

Regardless of where you live, you can be the victim of a flood. Thanks to the damaging effects of water, floods can destroy much of your home and everything inside. If you want to better protect your home from flooding, check out these four common types of flood waters you should be aware of.

1. Clean Water Flooding

Sometimes, a faulty pipe or appliance causes flooding inside your house. For example, during the winter, a pipe (containing fresh drinking water) freezes and breaks to create a leak in your basement. This water was designed to be used and consumed by humans, so you don't have to worry about contaminates like sewage.

As long as you catch the damage quickly, this type of flooding can be stopped fast. All you need to do is turn off the water from the source, such as the main water valve. It's still important to remove the water and dry items as fast as possible to prevent mold and mildew, which can cause breathing problems, skin irritation, eye irritation, and other medical issues.

2. River Flooding

If an area suddenly receives a lot of rainfall (or a lot of snowfall that melts quickly), it can cause rivers to overflow. Nearby houses, which are normally far from the waters, may find their basements, crawlspaces or entire house filled with river water. Unfortunately, this type of water may be heavily contaminated.

First, many rivers, especially those in urban areas, aren't clean. They contain many pollutants, chemicals, and diseases that can harm you and your family. Similarly, while the water was traveling to your home, it may have caught water pouring from overflowing sewers, which means the flood water may contain fecal matter and similar contaminates. For this reason, especially if there was lots of water damage, many homeowners need extensive repairs to drywall, flooring, and other areas of the home.

3. Groundwater Flooding

While much of the Earth's water is on the surface in the form of oceans, lakes, and rivers, there is also a lot of water hiding underground. This groundwater is commonly used for drinking wells, which means it is relatively clean. Plus, as the water is pushed through dirt and rocks, it may shed more contaminates. For this reason, unless the water smells or looks rancid, you can assume that it is mostly clean.

As long as you start cleaning right away, you should be able to restore much of what was exposed to the water. If drywall was impacted, however, you may need to have your walls opened so that they can fully dry. Even if the wall looks dry and clean outside, it may have mold and moisture inside the walls. This is especially a problem if the insulation absorbs water because it can hold the water for a long period of time.

4. Sewer Flooding  

Sewage can be found in nearly any type of flood water, but flood water can also come directly from the sewer. In some cases, this is simply caused by your toilet or septic system backing up. As a result, the toilet and other drains may begin to let sewage back into your home.

In more severe cases, if lots of flooding causes the sewage system to overflow (or if the system is damaged in some way), it can cause sewage to back up into your home via the toilet. The worst part: this backup is not just your waste; it can be waste from anyone in your community. Sewage like this isn’t just gross; it can cause illness and disease.

Not all flood water is contaminated, but all flood water can lead to major damage and mold growth.

If you would like to know more about types of flood waters and damage or if you need to request a quote, contact us at (703) 655-7420 today.

When Storms or Floods hit Rose Hill/Fort Hunt, SERVPRO is ready!

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Rose Hill/Fort Hunt specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition. This means less hassle and stress for you!

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

Our size and national presence are some of our biggest assets! When storms hit Rose Hill/Fort Hunt, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,650 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States. 

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today (703) 665-7420

Four Unexpected Ways to Protect Rose Hill/Fort Hunt Area Homes From Storms

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

4 Unexpected Ways to Protect Rose Hill/Fort Hunt Homes From Storms

As a homeowner in Rose Hill/Fort Hunt your house is more than just a home and place to raise your family, it's an investment, and as such it is your responsibility to protect it from weather related damage.

Even though Alexandria isn't known for their terrible storm climate, storm conditions are often unpredictable and can vary wildly in intensity and destructive ability, so its your job to be prepared for any potential hazards.

1. Cutting down surrounding foliage and trees.

Many homeowners like the idea of having a nice big tree in the front or backyard for shade on a hot summers day but strong storm winds can blow limbs off tree trunks or even topple over the entire tree!

While landscaping, look at the distance between the trees on your property and your house, and consider either trimming or even cutting down some weak rooted trees to prevent damage in the event of strong storm winds.

2. Replacing gravel with mulch

Once again, strong winds pose a potential threat of picking up small rocks and whirling them into your home. Since the Rose Hill/Fort Hunt area rarely has to deal with any tornadoes or catastrophic winds (knock on wood) this probably isn't a very high priority, but may still be worth considering.

Consider replacing any gravel with mulch to reduce the potential damage should there be intense wind conditions.

3. Roof maintenance

Poorly secured shillings can easily blow off in a storm, making your home susceptible to leaking from wet conditions. 

Remember, roof shillings are layered down, meaning if one shilling blows off, many others are sure to blow off as well!

Before a big storm, do a quick roof inspection to make sure your roofing is secure, your gutters are unclogged and they are securely attached to your home.

4. Secure your Garage Door

In the event of strong winds, your garage is the largest opening into the structure of your home. If winds are strong enough to blow through into your garage, the wind will have no where to go but up, blowing off part, if not all of your roof!

In the event of a large storm or high winds, make sure garage door is shut and securely closed.

Many of the preventative measures we be shared in this article don't seem incredibly obvious or imminently dangerous. It's only after working in the restoration industry for years (as we have here at SERVPRO of Rose Hill/Fort Hunt) do you learn to appreciate just how dangerous some common points of neglection are to the safety and integrity of your home.

If, after following these steps your home unfortunately does sustain some storm damage, give us a call at (703) 665-7420.

SERVPRO of Rose Hill/Fort Hunt is one of the leading storm damage restoration businesses in Alexandria, Virginia; we respond quickly, professionally and offer the highest level of customer service!

We are here to help, whether it be a simple consultation, to help clean, or if there's more serious structural damage, give us a call. Once again our number is 703) 665-74200.

Understanding Your Risk of Flash Flood Damage in the Rose Hill/Fort Hunt Area

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

Flash floods are rapid flooding typically occurring after heavy rain fall, storming or a catastrophic weather event like a hurricane or tropical storm. Technically, a flood is considered a "flash flood" if it occurs with 6 hours of the rain fall, however flooding can occur much more quickly than that.

Because of the speed at which it happens, there is often very little preparation time to deal with a flash flood, and even if there was more time, there's very little you can do to protect your property from flooding damage.

The best plan of action is to evacuate once a flash flood becomes imminent, likely due to a national or local warning system.

Also, understand that flash floods affect homes based on elevation, not strictly geography, meaning although the Rose Hill/Fort Hunt area isn't right up against any major bodies of water (relatively speaking) that doesn't eliminate the risk of flooding damage due to a flash flood.

In the very unfortunate event of flash flooding, your home will sustain serious water damage. If that is to happen, you'll need water damage restoration specialists, like the ones here at SERVPRO of Rose Hill/Fort Hunt. We can be reached by phone at (703) 665-7420.

How Winter Weather Can Damage Your Roof

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

When people think about storm damage they usually think about the aftermath of catastrophic weather phenomena like tornadoes, hurricanes and tropical storms. Years of experience has shown us that even milder weather conditions can prove to be quite destructive too, which important to keep in mind year round as a homeowner. In this article we'll quickly explore the 3 major ways WINTER weather can cause damage to your home, and more specifically, your roof.

1. Water Damage

Freezing rain can damage your roof as it builds up in your gutter and prevents proper draining. This issue can be exacerbated if your area experiences increased rain fall after the gutters are clogged.

Remember, it only takes a few inches of water to cause extensive water damage to a roof.

2. Snow Damage

Homes with flat roofs are vulnerable to accumulating snow which can become quite heavy and put serious strain on the roof, even causing it to leak!

3. Wind Damage

Wind damage accompanied with heavy precipitation can weaken shillings, break windows or worse.

And these are just the most common ways in which winter weather can damage a home. If your home has suffered storm damage, please reach out to us at SERVPRO Rose Hill/Fort Hunt at (703) 665-7420