Immediate Steps to Take After Water Damage in Your Home

9/25/2024 (Permalink)

This flooded kitchen was caused by a leak under the sink.

Water damage in your home can be distressing and overwhelming. The aftermath can be devastating, whether caused by a burst pipe, a leaking roof, or a natural disaster. Acting quickly and efficiently is crucial to minimize damage and restore your home to its preloss condition. If you are experiencing a water damage emergency at your home in Central Buffalo, NY, contact SERVPRO of Central Buffalo for 24-hour emergency water damage restoration services!

Protect Yourself & Your Family

After a water damage emergency, the first thing to do is to ensure you and your family are safe. This includes turning off your home's power supply and unplugging all damaged electrical appliances to prevent electric shock or fire risks. If the water damage is extensive, it might be best to evacuate the premises until it is safe to return.

Identify the Source of Water Damage

After ensuring the safety of your loved ones, your top priority should be to identify the source of the water damage and stop the leak. The most common residential water damage is caused by plumbing issues such as burst pipes, leaky faucets, and faulty water heaters; natural disasters causing floods, heavy rain, and storms; or an appliance malfunction, a leaky roof, or a construction defect. You can stop the water flow with a shut-off valve for broken pipes, sprinkler heads, or domestic water issues. Know where your building's shut-off valves are located to be prepared for a water damage emergency.

Document the Damage & Contact Your Insurance Company

After pinpointing the source of the leak, it's essential to take photographs to track the progression of the damage. If you have photos of the affected area before the water damage occurred, be sure to keep those as well. If you cannot find the source of the leak, it's crucial to contact a professional remediation company to find the leak and reduce additional damage to your home.

Following the subsidence of water, it is imperative to promptly engage your homeowners' insurance provider. The extent of water damage coverage is contingent upon your policy's specifics. The insurance company will coordinate the dispatch of an adjuster to assess the damage and confirm eligibility for coverage. At SERVPRO®, we understand water damage can cause immense stress, which is why our team is prepared to manage the insurance paperwork and process to provide you with a stress-free claims process!

Remove Standing Water

Removing standing water and eliminating moisture in your home are crucial steps in water damage remediation, so it's best to do these as soon as possible. Initiating the drying process within the first 24 hours and drying a property completely within four days helps prevent risks of microbial growth and further issues. If you can't wait until our SERVPRO team arrives to begin water extraction, we suggest you start the extraction by using buckets or rent a shop vac from your local home improvement center to remove the water from your house.

Check for Early Signs of Mold

After water damage, it's essential to check for early signs of mold to prevent any potential health hazards. Within the first 24-72 hours after your water damage, mold can grow within your home. The first step is to thoroughly inspect areas prone to moisture or affected by your flood, such as basements, crawl spaces, and plumbing fixtures. Look for visible signs of mold, such as discoloration or black spots on walls, ceilings, or floors. Musty odors can also indicate the presence of mold.

Additionally, watch for any signs of water damage, such as water stains, peeling paint, or warping wood, as these can indicate mold growth. If any early signs of mold are found, it's crucial to address them promptly to prevent further spread and potential health issues. At SERVPRO of Central Buffalo, we offer professional mold remediation services to eliminate any mold from your home and ensure your family and pets are not exposed to the severe health risks mold possesses.

Contact the Water Damage Restoration Experts in Central Buffalo, NY

Dealing with water damage can be a daunting task, but you don't have to face it alone. SERVPRO of Central Buffalo is here to help. Our highly trained professionals are available 24/7 to respond to your emergency. We use advanced equipment and techniques to quickly remove water, dry your property, and restore your home to its original state. Contact us today to get the expert help you need and ensure your home is safe and dry. Call SERVPRO of Central Buffalo at (716)412-6800 or visit our website for more information.

Preparing for Summer Storms in the Buffalo Area | SERVPRO of Central Buffalo

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

Has your Western NY home or business been hit by a recent storm? Call SERVPRO of Central Buffalo to restore your space to preloss condition.

The summer season is always eventful here in our area, and we certainly have seen our fair share of storms, wind and rain already this year. While some storms may be welcome if they bring in a cold front and soft, gentle rain, others can blow in fiercely and cause serious damage in a short amount of time.

Damage can occur in the blink of an eye and is usually caused by high winds or heavy rain. By understanding each threat and what it means for your house, you can take steps to avoid more serious damage when the next storm rolls into town. 

When the Wind Blows

Wind is something we all know and love/hate around here. Wind whips easily across the lake and can really pick up speed when it is accompanied by a thunderstorm. Regular thunderstorms can bring winds around 40 miles per hour, but stronger storms can easily cause straight-line winds up to 100 miles per hour.

These winds don’t have any rotation in them, so they can create a strong downburst that will take down trees, topple power lines and throw around yard debris with ease. 

If the next storm is predicted to have high winds, take the time around your home to pick up any yard debris and tie down lawn furniture and equipment. Bring anything inside the house or garage that you can to reduce your risk of impact damages when the wind picks up. 

When the Rain Comes Pouring In 

Another threat in our area is heavy rain. Thunderstorms can dump a lot of rain onto our area in mere minutes, which can easily overwhelm your gutters and low-lying areas around your home. Water has the innate ability to get into the tiniest of cracks and gaps in your home, and it can leak down your walls and under your floors without much warning. 

In order to reduce this risk, take the time to clear your gutters regularly so the rain has a place to go when it starts to fall, and be sure to point your downspouts away from your foundation. You should also get up on your roof to check for any signs of damage after every storm. If you overlook a broken or missing shingle now, you will suffer the consequences when rain starts pouring into your attic during the next storm. 

How We Can Help

Even if you do everything right and are prepared for the weather, storm damage can still surprise you and occur without much warning. That’s where we come in! 

We can be at your home right away, and we will start by securing your space with tarps and boards to protect the rest of your belongings while we work. We will fix any leaks and dry out your home with ease and confidence.

If the wind or water left your home with any sort of damage, we can handle the entire reconstruction process from start to finish. Impact damages like a fallen tree on your roof or a shattered window may seem overwhelming to you, but we have the tools and experience to help you overcome this sort of damage right away. 

Don’t let storm damage keep you down. Call SERVPRO® of Central Buffalo for immediate assistance.

Hurricane Lull in July is Common, Potential For Storms Could be Ahead

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's storm team is available when major storms are forecasted for your area, call us 24/7.

2022 has been one of the hottest years on record. However, so far there has been little hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean. Although scientists predicted that this hurricane season would be active, we have not seen much activity over the past few weeks. This is despite a few tropical systems in the early days of the season. This is normal for July, but it doesn't mean that we are done yet.

When a hurricane or tropical storm warning is in effect, it is important that you pay close attention to local meteorologists and officials. SERVPRO can help you before and after major storm events. We have managed properties throughout the northeast during all major storms that have hit the region in the past two decades. We have also provided services such as window/glass board-up, flood preparation and sandbag installation, water removal and pump out services, drying services and demolition, clean up, and construction. We are a one-stop shop for storm restoration services.

We are ready and available for any major storm, and we will help residential and commercial property owners in the event of damage.

Call us today if you are a resident or commercial property owner in a flood-prone area. If damage occurs, we can assess your property and determine the best course of action.

Weather & Storm Damage To Historical Buildings In Buffalo

5/4/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Central Buffalo can repair historical buildings damaged by weather, storms and water. Call us to learn more.

Rehabilitating and reconstructing historic buildings requires special care. We have a wealth of experience in restoring and renovating historic buildings.

Water damage can often be caused by weather events and storms. It is crucial to hire experienced contractors like ours when you have long-term water damage. We can help determine the best and most cost-effective ways to restore the property. Our team is already equipped with moisture testing equipment to determine which materials can be saved or restored and which must be replaced. Then, we can offer a variety of air moving and dehumidification solutions to remove the mold-feeding moisture from the air and materials. After the property has been cleaned up and prepared for restoration, it can be ready for reconstruction.

We offer complete construction services and have an in-depth knowledge of your property. We have the labor and expertise to guarantee craftsmanship for every client.

We can help if your property has suffered long-term water damage due to a storm, or any other wear and tear. We offer comprehensive plans to suit almost all budgets. Simple solutions such as rental of dehumidifiers or more complex solutions such as reconstruction and modifications as well. Contact us for more information.

24 Hour Storm Response In Buffalo New York

5/2/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Central Buffalo is Available when storms damage your property.

To avoid being soaked or getting in trouble, we all seek shelter when the weather forecast calls for rain and high winds. All of the places we seek shelter such as our homes and offices, schools, retail stores, and schools are specifically designed to withstand the weather, keep the elements from getting inside, and protect the property from the elements. This is important for many reasons. It is generally safer to be indoors than it is outside. The second reason is that indoor spaces can be lived in year-round with very little upkeep. When our structures start to fail, we need to be ready for repairs in order to maintain the safety we have grown to love.

Storm damage can occur to commercial and residential properties. SERVPRO can help you reduce your costs in both cases. Our damage restoration team is experienced in providing both construction and restoration services. We reduce the amount required for the job. We save you money as well as good building materials that would otherwise go to waste.

We are able to help with all types of damage. Talk to us today about how we can help and what services are available.

Tarping & Board Services, Storm Disaster Management & Restoration

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Central Buffalo offers storm disaster restoration services. We are available 24/7 locally serving your community.

Large storms can cause property damage, which is something no one wants to have to deal with. Your response time will vary depending on the extent of damage to your home or commercial property, and the overall damage to the community.

Many home and business owners had to wait several days to have their restoration work completed after a storm hit our area. The damage caused by the storm was so severe that it overwhelmed local service providers as well as insurance adjusters. Our team quickly responded to the damage and protected property. We provided temporary relief from the elements by providing tarping services and roof covering. For those windows that were damaged beyond repair, we provided board-up services. We also provide water removal and drying services to protect properties from further damage.

Preventative measures taken right away after a disaster could save you thousands of dollars. While you wait for approval from insurance, for contractors, tree removal or any other delay that may prevent you from restoring your property immediately, our highly trained technicians will assist you in protecting your property and preventing further damage.