Is Flood Damage A Common Threat to Homes?

10/27/2020 (Permalink)

Rely on SERVPRO for fast and efficient flood damage cleanup and restoration for New Providence Homes--from groundwater extraction to build back.

There are several types of flooding possible for New Providence homes, and each requires unique restoration techniques to resolve.

With the location of New Providence, homeowners must contend with severe weather conditions that could potentially develop in any season of the year. As a leading storm damage restoration team in the region, our SERVPRO professionals stay prepared for situations that threaten your home and our neighborhoods. We keep stocked READY trailers at our facility loaded with extractors, drying tools, and EPA-approved cleaning products.

Our response to flood damage in New Providence homes and businesses can reduce the severity of loss situations for property owners when possible. As with most loss scenarios, storm and flood damage both have a finite timeline before their exposures to sensitive interior materials can have irreparable effects.

We must remain prepared for any of these loss situations with the right tools, personnel, and experience. Because we also have technicians on our roster with building experience, we can also provide immediate construction solutions to prevent the situation from worsening. We can also partner with other companies for a seamless solution to your flood loss. Each circumstance is unique after flooding, however, and much of it depends on the type of disaster. Our area is often threatened by four kinds of possible flooding scenarios, including:

• Storm Damage Flooding
• Flash Flooding
• Ice Jam Flooding
• Natural Gradual Flooding

How Can Severe Weather Cause Attic Flooding?

Because the area is known, in part, for severe weather systems that can pass through, homeowners understand how their roof could be vulnerable to damages. Hail, strong winds, and torrential rainfall can all have an immediate impact on shingled roofs. Harsh winter conditions like ice dams on the roof can also create access points for water damage.

• Extraction –  Not all of the attic flooding scenarios require extensive extraction due to water migration concerns. However, tools like wet vacuums and light wands can have an impact on pooling to reduce saturation. 
• Structural Assessment – Our technicians also pay attention to the roof's vulnerable points. Not only does temporary tarping need to begin, but a plan must get formulated for repairing this vital exterior system. 
• Drying – Drying up the attic space can often happen in several ways, though the foundation of this effort relies on both air movers and dehumidifiers. Containment efforts can regulate temperature and airflow for more efficient evaporation. 

What Are the Main Concerns with Flash Flooding?

Flash flooding can damage a home quickly and thoroughly, leaving homeowners struggling with the steps necessary to address all the pressing concerns. Because these conditions can change rapidly, our SERVPRO team must prepare for situations where multiple homes encounter the same devastating natural disaster. Each of our skilled technicians available to help appreciates the primary concerns with flash flooding scenarios, including:

• Debris – Debris and solids present an immediate risk to the house because it limits the available pumps and extractors that can get used to remove standing water in the damaged areas. Often, the choice involves self-priming trash pumps, truck-mount pumps, and wet vacuums. 
• Contaminants – Water can encounter multiple substances, chemicals, and pollutants before reaching your home. It is not uncommon for the water to interact with hazardous substances such as sewage, oil, and other bacterial or viral pathogens in flooding situations. Exposure of contents and structural elements often requires removal and discarding. 
• Organic Matter – From foliage and branches to animal carcasses or live creatures carried in with the flooding, organic matter removal must happen quickly before these elements begin to decay and deteriorate in the house. 
• Odors – Decay, mud, sewage, and other substances brought into the house do more than damage surfaces and contents. Harsh smells can overwhelm a property after a flood, so our SERVPRO team must reduce the severity with counteractant products until the appropriate phase for full-scale deodorization arrives. 

Does Natural Flooding Always Require Reconstruction?

There are a few instances of flooding that do not require some degree of repair and reconstruction. Because floodwater can penetrate exterior wall systems and take paths where structural vulnerabilities exist to reach inside your house, these access points must get resolved. Because we can call upon partnered contractors to respond along with our accredited technicians, we can offer both immediate construction solutions with tarping and board-up services, but also provide permanent build back once mitigation efforts complete.

Different types of flooding can create unique problems and obstacles for restoration in your home. With how devastating these loss events can become, it is essential to secure knowledgeable professionals to oversee your damaged residence's cleaning and recovery. Our SERVPRO of Western Union County team is standing by 24/7 at (908) 791-9177.