Flood Knowledge

3/23/2022 (Permalink)

What is a flood? 

Floods occur when large amount of water overflows over dry land. They may result from prolonged or very heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, monsoon rains, or tropical cyclones. People, who live near rivers, or in low-lying coastal areas, live with the greatest threat of floods. 

Common types of flooding 

1. Slow onset floods 

1. Rapid onset floods 

1. Flash floods 

Flood warnings 

Usually, a reasonable warning period is possible except in case of flash floods. 

Common terms used by the meteorological department to describe the warnings for flooding are as: 

1. Minor flooding: Causes inconvenience, closing small roads and low-level bridges. 

1. Moderate Flooding: Low-lying areas inundated, requiring removal of stock, equipment and evacuation of isolated homes. Main road and rail bridges may be covered. 

1. Major flooding: Higher areas inundated, towns and properties isolated, and extensive damage. 

1. Local flooding: Intense rainfall, some high run-off, but usually no flooding in main streams; 

1. Significant river rises: This warning is issued if it is not certain that the initial flood levels will be exceeded in the main streams. It makes people aware that appreciable rises are expected. 

After a Flood 

The following are guidelines for the period following a flood: 

• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink. 
• Avoid floodwaters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage. Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines. 
• Avoid moving water. 

• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car. 
• Stay away from downed power lines, and report them to the power company. 
• Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe. 
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters. 
• Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations. 

• Service damaged septic tanks, cesspools, pits, and leaching systems as soon as possible. Damaged sewage systems are serious health hazards. 
• Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Mud left from floodwater can contain sewage and chemicals. 

SERVPRO is always here to guide you in the right direction after any disaster. 

Storms and Floods

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

When Storms or Floods hit Monterey County SERVPRO is ready! 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister 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. 

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 

When storms hit Monterey County, we can scale our resources to handle large storm or flooding disasters. 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 (831) 275-1901 

?Our highly trained crews are ready to respond 24/7 to storm or flood damage in Monterey County. 

Storm Damage Mitigation

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

While most business and homeowners know the destructive effects that flood damage causes, not everyone knows the right steps to take to mitigate the associated damage. These are incidents which need immediate professional intervention to learn what is restorable and what to replace. That is why it is vital for?Monterey County?residents to know how to act when faced with such incidents.? 

Remember water carries along all sorts of debris, oils, and mud into a premise. When contaminated water comes into contact with metallic surfaces, oxidation occurs, and they start to rust. To prevent such eventualities, extracting the water and cleaning?is necessary. Our SERVPRO team can in some cases use wet-vacuuming to remove the debris and water. Truck-mounted pumps and portable generators for a power source are readily available from our stocked Green Fleet. 
 
We may recommend a replacement if we notice that the water contaminated your porous materials. Where necessary, our team uses detergents and water to clean hard surfaces such as wood furnishings, desks, and metal cabinets before we dry them.? 
 
To dry your property, we set up air movers and leave them in position until we achieve the desired evaporation. Since evaporation moves moisture into the air, we position dehumidifiers to lower the humidity. Dependent on the situation at hand, we may decide to use desiccant, low grain or refrigerant dehumidifiers. 

About US: 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.?Our management team has over 35 years of combined experience in the restoration industry.? 

Storm Damage

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

A storm sweeping in from the Pacific Ocean can bring a storm with intense wind and rain that can cause water damage to your home. You may think nothing much of a storm staring when you are on your way to work, but if you have left your basement window ajar, it can be a problem for your home. By the time you get home, your downstairs entertainment room has been flooded, and your furniture has been soaking up water for hours. The situation can seem like a disaster at first glance, but there is help close by that can lend a hand.? 
 
The longer that your home sits with the water damage accumulating, the more of a problem it can become for you. Your hardwood floors can blister and swell from absorbing the water, your furniture can soak up the water and become the perfect place for mold growth, and your electronics can malfunction. The sooner that you call for help, the more likely a successful remediation can occur.? 
 
When we arrive, SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister can immediately focus on getting the excess water out of your home. We can use tools like wet/dry vacuums and portable pumps to remove the flooded water from your property. After, we can use extractors to pull water from your furniture and curtains. Once the excess water has been removed from your home, SERVPRO can focus on any belongings that are in urgent need of remediation.? 
 
We can send your electronics to a repair facility to try and draw any water out of them. Any boxes that had valuables packed in them can be emptied, dried, and repacked in new boxes. Once we are finished, we can set up tools like ventilation fans and dehumidifiers to help dry the structure of your home.? 
 
If a storm hits your home and causes water damage, do not pause, and consider what you should do. Call SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister 831-275-1901 

About US: 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our management team has over 35 years of combined experience in the restoration industry. 

What to do after a Flood

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

What To Do After Flooding 

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting. 

• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items. 
• Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions. 
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting. 
• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer. 
• Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting. 

• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place. 
• Gather loose items from floors. 

What NOT To Do After Flooding 

• Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods. 
• Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors. 

• Don't use your household vacuum to remove water. 
• Don't use television or other household appliances. 

Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging. 

About US: 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.?Our management team has over 35 years of combined experience in the restoration industry.? 

Storm Damage to Buildings

3/11/2022 (Permalink)

Damage to Buildings and Foundations 

Despite the fact that tree roots grow very slowly, they exert tremendous amounts of pressure on whatever they are growing through or near. As they move through the ground in their eternal search for water and nutrients, they displace the soil around them. Clay soils compact more tightly, while loose, dry soil in arid climates shifts and becomes inefficient at supporting a structural load. While the roots themselves aren't capable of causing direct damage to buildings and foundations, increasingly greater soil displacement can compromise the integrity of the soil the building sits on as well as its supporting structure. If soil moves, whatever is sitting on it moves, too. Older building materials that have deteriorated over time can rise or settle as the soil displaced by extensive tree root systems moves, and the structures may develop cracks that smaller tree roots may be able to penetrate. When this issue occurs, it can pose a great danger but SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister is ready to answer the call and resolve the issue quickly and efficiently. 

About US: 

SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.?Our management team has over 35 years of combined experience in the restoration industry.? 

Strong Gust bring down trees in the Peninsula

6/23/2020 (Permalink)

Early February brought some extreme conditions through the Monterey County. Big strong winds had uprooted local trees and caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. Powerlines were taken down, cars, campers, and rooftops were also victims to the force of the winds. Here at SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister we want you to always be prepared for any of the local extreme weather conditions that come through our area. Fallen trees or flying objects at the mercy of high powered, winds can cause major leaks or damages to your roof that lead to water or mold damage. If your home experienced roof damage and you are afraid of present or possible chances of water or mold damage call SERVPRO of Watsonville/Hollister at (831) 275-1901

Here are some future steps that you can take to make sure your home is as safe from high powered winds as possible.

• Have a building professionally inspect and install specially designed metal connectors that are appropriate for your roof type.
• Roof- Make sure the roof sheathing is properly installed. From the attic check to make sure the nails penetrate the rafters or trusses
• Windows and Doors- In the event of an emergency, permanent storm shutters can be quickly and easily closed to protect the windows.
• Yard- Trim the trees around your house that could pose a threat by falling or hitting your home. Put away any yard furniture, barbecue grills, tools, toys, and anything else that could become a flying missile.
• Garage Door- There are fitted bracing kits available to provide additional support.
• Weather Stripping- Remove and replace all weather strips underneath all windows or doors that appear to be old, cracking, or worn out.
• Cover Vents- Cover all the vents that are within the home, such as heating and cooling vents.
• Replace Siding- All the siding outside the home that seems to be worn should also be replaced
• Insulation- If it is an old home the insulation could be old and less productive than it used to be, replacing the insulation in your home can help in the event of a storm.