Summer Storms Spark Lightning Damage

7/28/2021 (Permalink)

Summers in Metairie, LA brings their fair share of storms, ranging from light rain showers to severe storms, risking damage to homes, commercial buildings, and other structures.

Types of Lightning Damage

It is important to emphasize the hazards of lightning in addition to flooding, fallen trees, and other forms of storm damage. 

• Fire damage: The biggest threat lightning poses to a structure is fire. Wood and other flammable construction materials can easily explode when exposed to the high temperature of a lightning strike. Lightning current traveling through wires and pipelines instantly burns them up causing complete damage to property.
• Power surge damage: If lightning chooses electrical wiring as its primary or secondary path, the explosive surge can damage all the appliances it is connected to.
• Shock wave damage: Lightning produces shock waves that can be destructive. These shock waves can fracture concrete and brick and stone chimneys severely.

Although the risk of experiencing a direct lightning strike is low, it is essential to know what to do in the event that it happens in order to minimize damage to your home or business. The first step is to check for fire. As soon as it is safe to go outside, look for damage to your roof and other areas around. Inside, you should also check electrical switches, breakers, and outlets for signs of damage, as well as checking for leaks, which can lead to flooding. In the event that you discover damage of any kind, call a professional immediately.

Here at SERVPRO of Metairie, we are a team of storm damage professionals who are ready to help your home or business recover after lightning damage or storm damage of any kind. By calling us right away at 504.496.0193, you can ensure that our team will be on-site quickly to help. To learn more about the specific storm damage remediation services that we offer, check out our pages dedicated to such topics as Commercial Storm Damage Restoration. 

Why a Dehumidifier Is Great for Your Metairie Home

4/21/2021 (Permalink)

When cleaning up water damage, commercial-grade dehumidifiers are excellent for sucking excess moisture from the air, helping to dry out the area and prevent further damage. While extraction of the standing water takes first priority, dehumidification prevents a variety of further problems such as improving air quality and reducing mold growth. If you don’t already have a dehumidifier, here are some benefits of why you should get one. 

As mentioned in the paragraph above, the benefit of cleaner air is huge. Overly moist air is susceptible to catching a variety of airborne particles, contaminating your air. This could include dust, dead skin cells, and mold spores. Dehumidification reduces the number of particles in the air, making it easier and better for breathing. 

Reducing moisture and maintain cleaner air is one of the best ways to prevent mold growth in your home. Mold grows by finding a damp, wet environment and then releases spores into the air which spread throughout your home until they find another surface to grow on. One of the reasons we at SERVPRO of Metairie dehumidify areas that have been affected by water loss is to reduce the chance of mold growth. 

While our commercial-grade dehumidifiers are excellent at removing large amounts of moisture from the air in homes and businesses, they are not affordable for the average person. However, many residential dehumidifiers are available that can be placed in a basement or other room and are specifically designed for a space of that size. Home dehumidifiers are affordable for most families and can be found in a variety of stores both online and in-person stores. If you have been considering buying a dehumidifier, there is no better time than now to make a purchase.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Metairie Home

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas. It can cause severe health problems and even death to unsuspecting people in their homes. This deadly gas exists in combustion fumes that result from burning fuel (gas, wood, propane, etc.) in various appliances and machines. Those include stoves, fireplaces, gas ranges, lawnmowers, electric generators, cars, and more. Here are some tips to prevent CO poisoning.

• Have your heating system, water heater, and any other gas, oil, or coal-burning appliances inspected and/or serviced at least once a year by a certified professional. 
• Never use gas ranges or ovens to heat your home. Also, don’t use gas camp stoves or charcoal grills indoors. Using these can cause a buildup of CO inside your home, cabin, or camper. 
• Don’t use portable flameless chemical heaters (catalytic) indoors. Although these heaters don’t have a flame, they burn gas and can cause CO to build up in your home. 
• Be careful when using gas-powered electric generators. Never use them in your home, basement, or garage, and keep them at least 20 feet from windows, vents, or doors. 
• When buying gas equipment, be sure to check for the seal of a national testing agency like Underwriter’s Laboratories. 

• Make sure to vent gas appliances properly: 

• Indoor vent pipes should go up slightly as they go toward the outdoors. Doing this will help prevent CO or other gases from leaking if the joints or pipes are not adequately tightened or affixed. 
• Never patch a vent pipe with tape, gum, or anything else. This kind of patch can make CO build up in your home. 
• Keep the vents for the stove, fireplace, dryer, and furnace clear of snow during and after a snowstorm. 

• Have your chimney checked for soot, debris, and corrosion at least once a year. Hire a chimney sweep to clean your chimney annually. 

• When the fireplace is in use, open the flues. Close your fireplace or damper only when the fire is completely out. 
• Never idle your vehicle inside a garage that’s attached to the house or living space, even if you leave the door open. Have a mechanic inspect your vehicle’s exhaust system once a year to prevent CO build-up. 
• If you drive a vehicle with a tailgate — when opening the tailgate, open vents or windows to make sure the air is moving through your car. If only the tailgate is open, CO from the exhaust will pull into the car. 
• Install CO alarms in your home. 

Don't Let Coronavirus Stop Your Hurricane Plans

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

We have all been so focused on the coronavirus, we tend to forget that we are in the middle of hurricane season. Did you know SERVPRO of Metairie offers an Emergency Ready Plan? The SERVPRO Emergency Ready Plan (ERP) is a start up approach that provides the critical information needed to begin mitigation and recovery services should your business experience a loss.

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it is a small leak, large fire or area flood. The best time for planning for such events is not when the disaster happens, but well before it happens. 

The SERVPRO ERP Advantage- What is included?

- A concise profile document that contains the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.

- A guide to help you get back into your building following a disaster

- Establishes a great relationship with SERVPRO Metairie as your mitigation provider

- Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin in a timely manner

- Provides facility details such as shut off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information

- ERP easy access on any iPhone/Android device through SERVPRO’s free ERP app. 

The best part? This is not cost to you or your clients. 

SERVPRO Metairie is the leader in water and fire damage response and can help you get back into working order “Like it never even happened.”

Call us today to schedule your Emergency Ready Profile with SERVPRO Metairie. 

SERVPRO of Metairie would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Fourth of July!

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

A few safety tips to ensure you will have a blast without creating a blast!

It’s that time of year again, the time where you gather all of your family and friends, barbeque, cool off with some water activities, and pop fireworks to celebrate our nation’s independence.  SERVPRO of Metairie wanted to remind everyone of a few safety tips.

• ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS
• ALWAYS HAVE AN ADULT PRESENT
• ONLY LIGHT FIREWORKS OUTSIDE
• LIGHT THEM ON A HARD FLAT SURFACE
• LIGHT ONE AT A TIME
• DO NOT CARRY THEM AROUND IN YOUR POCKET
• KEEP WATER OR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY
• DO NOT THROW FIREWORKS

Hurricane Season Is Near!

5/30/2019 (Permalink)

                Hurricane Season Is Near!

Helpful Tips To Help You Prepare Your Home...

SECURE YOUR HOUSE DOORS: Add bolts at the top and bottom of your doors. Strong winds can easily rip doors off hinges. It is also a good idea to calk doors to prevent rain from getting in.

STORM PROOF YOUR WINDOWS: Living in Louisiana storm shutters are a key asset when trying to defend your home of a hurricane. However, old fashion plywood will do the trick as well, keep in mind it should be at least 5/8 inches thick. Caulking the cracks around your windows will also prevent heavy rains from getting inside your home and decreases the chances of moisture damage.

STRAP DOWN YOUR ROOF: Hurricane straps and clamps are handy little tools to insure you that your roof is fastened to the frame.

SECURE OUTDOOR YARD ITEMS: Find a safe place such a garage or shed to store all of your patio furniture, grill, and lawn decor. Make sure no lose items are left to be blown through a window.

SAFETY PROOF YOUR LANDSCAPING: Lastly, trim trees and bushes to minimalism debris. Tie down smaller trees and shrubs, and move all potted plants indoors.