Storm Damage Cleanup Tips for Your Voorhees Home

7/6/2018 (Permalink)

Unpredictable weather in Voorhees NJ

Living in New Jersey, we are subject to the extremes of all seasons. Nor’easters and hurricanes in the summer and ice storms and frozen pipes in the winter. when a terrible storm hits, it's the aftermath that is the worst. Debris, flood waters, power outages, broken tree limbs, shattered glass, piles of snow— these are all dangerous risks once the storm makes its way through a town or community.

Getting your home back into shape after big weather may require more than a broom and a mop. Follow along to see how you can save your house from more harm—and keep yourself and your family safe as you do it.

 Stop a Flood

With a heavy storm comes heavy rains, and inevitably flooding. If waters come into your home, be careful about getting it out. Turn off the power—but only if the water hasn't reached as high as any electrical outlets in the room where the main breaker lives. Otherwise, you could be wading into an electrified pond.

Dry Out Your House

Once the storm subsides, hiring a professional service is going to be your best bet for a thorough cleanup, because they will know how to eradicate water in places you didn't even realize it had seeped.

 Stave Off Mold

Even if you think you've gotten all your goods dried out and cleaned up, dirty and contaminated floodwaters may have already laid the groundwork for mold—not just on the walls, but inside them and in floors and furniture.

Clear Away Snow

In winter months and colder temperatures, the precipitation from a powerful storm may freeze into devastating snow. Every inch of rain put out by a storm can manifest as 10 inches of snow if the temperatures are low enough.

 Ditch the Ice Dams

One of the hazards to your home after a snow storm and cold weather are ice dams, a solid ice that builds along the eaves, pushing up roof shingles and causing leaks. If you start to see icicles forming along your gutters.

Clean Up Damaged Trees

With high winds and heavy rains or snows come downed trees, one of the most dangerous and damaging outcomes of a powerful storm.

First, figure out how bad the situation is.  If you find you'll need to remove a tree, call in a certified arborist to do any major removal; taking down trees is a scary job that can cause terrible injury if not done right. Smaller ornamental trees and foundation plantings may just need some cleanup to broken branches.

 Fix Broken Glass

High winds and flying debris might have shattered a pane or two. Follow TOH general contractor Tom Silva's advice for repairing broken glass, whether it's on a door, in a window, or only accessible from inside.  

 Clear Leaves

Those on the peripheries of a terrible storm may not have had downed trees or flooded basements, but they're likely to have found themselves with a house and yard covered in leaves and twigs. Now is the time to break out the leaf blower.

For help restoring your residential or commercial property after a water or fire loss, call SERVPRO of
Haddon heights/Voorhees 24/7/365 at 856-566-338.

We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”