Storm Safety for Your Beacon, NY Home

8/19/2024 (Permalink)

One of many homeowners that SERVPRO recently helped during terrible flooding conditions in the middle of August. SERVPRO to the rescue!

We’re all used to thunderstorms in the Hudson Valley, and sometimes damaging ones due to our location right on the Hudson River, but we don’t often think that they can also be dangerous or deadly. Just because they happen frequently does not mean they shouldn’t be taken seriously every time.

Severe thunderstorms can produce high winds, heavy rains, hail and lightning if conditions are right. Think of our communities just over the border in Connecticut that got what they’ve called “1,000-year flooding” in August of 2024. And in a small town in Delaware County, NY, flooding from thunderstorms took out the basements in homes of almost an entire street!

These were very unusual circumstances but regardless, being aware and thorough with storm safety can help you can evade many of the issues that could arise due to storms.

Storm Safety for Every Element of Your Home

Outside of your home-

Storms can lead to serious household damage that can be stressful and overwhelming to deal with. To help prevent this damage from occurring, you can take several steps:

• Inspect your roof regularly for missing or loose shingles. Look in the attic for any wet or damp spots (or even mold growth).
• Clean out your gutters at least twice per year. Debris and leaves can clog up the downspouts and cause water intrusion.
• Bring in or secure patio furniture, potted plants and any other objects that could become projectiles in high winds. This includes pool furniture, outside toys, trampolines, pet supplies and garbage cans. We’ve all seen garbage cans flying down the sidewalks and roads from time to time.
• Consider installing a lightning protection system for your home.
• Trim trees near your home regularly to reduce the chances of dead limbs falling on your home. If you notice any near power lines, notify your electric provider immediately so they can deal with them quickly. Don’t try to trim any branches near power lines or transformers.

Inside your home-

If severe weather is on the way, the best thing you can do is stay put where you are or stay safe at home—and having a plan in place can help you make that happen:

• Keep a weather radio, flashlights and batteries and spare car chargers or cell phone battery chargers as part of your emergency preparedness kit.
• Designate a safe area of your home for your family to shelter from the storm—it should be an interior room without any windows. Make sure all family members know the plan and location and that your pets can be with you indoors too.
• Use surge protectors on every outlet in case of lightning strikes.

When you are away from home-

If you will be going out of town for more than a day, it’s wise to make sure your home is still protected from a storm that might come through while you are away.

• Unplug all appliances and electronics in case of lightning strikes.
• Secure all outdoor furniture and possible projectile objects before you go away just in case. Think along the lines that pretty much anything outside can be a dangerous projectile.
• Be sure a trusted neighbor or family member knows you are going out of town so they can contact you if any issues arise. This is also helpful when it comes to home invasions that can occur when there’s less security.

*If you are travelling for a period of time, notify your homeowners insurance company so they can be aware as well. Insurance companies have great ideas and resources about things that should be done to protect your home, no matter the time of year.

If your home sustains any kind of storm damage, from roof leaks to flooded basements, SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County is Here to Help®  24/7. Contact us today! We’ll be with you step by step, working with your insurance company to help get you back to preloss condition quickly and effectively. Making it “Like It Never Even Happened.” LOCALLY in the Hudson Valley since 1992.

The Do’s and Don’ts When You Have Water Damage in Your Poughkeepsie Home

8/6/2024 (Permalink)

A burst pipe caused significant standing water and damage to this finished basement. SERVPRO partnered with the homeowner to safely restore this home!

If you find yourself dealing with a water damage emergency at your home in Poughkeepsie, many questions run through your mind. Of course, the first question is “Where do I start?” After that and seeing the reality of the situation, it’s common to feel overwhelmed and to want to get everything fixed immediately, but safety is key and there are important things to be aware of:

DO:

-Shut off the water if you can or where the supply line is.

-Turn off circuit breakers where there are wet areas of the home or building, but ONLY when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electric shock.

-Call a licensed plumbing professional to have the repairs done immediately.

-Call your homeowner’s insurance company and file a claim. Doing so quickly will help get remediation coverage determined fast and therefore, help begin the restoration process in a timelier fashion.

-Call SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County as soon as the water is off and you’re safe, (845)831-3600, no matter what time of day. We’re prepped and here to help 24/7, and faster to any size disaster.

-If you can, remove as much excess water as possible with towels and mopping. If you have a wet/dry vac, getting up the extra water helps the process of restoration as well. Don’t worry if you don’t have one, our experienced water damage restoration technicians will take care of everything quickly.

*IF you can’t access the area due to excessive water, do not enter the area and leave the room as it is for safety. Should you find yourself in a flooding situation, more than a foot of water, contact your local fire department to help as soon as possible. Higher amounts of water can affect critical areas like electrical panels, furnaces, oil tanks, etc.

-If you have any paintings, art objects, computers, documents, paperwork, publications and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture, get them to a safe and dry spot quickly. Leaving books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors can cause staining.

Our highly trained and experienced technicians can handle the restoration of these items too. Our “restore vs. replace” methods will help keep the costs down as well to both you and your insurance company. Our goal is to restore your home and belongings rather than you having to replace them. Keep in mind, not all personal items can be dried out or sometimes have had too much damage to them to be of use for you. Your insurance agent or carrier can help break down the specifics for you, and we’ll work with them directly to help make it seamless.

DON'T:

-Your household vacuum cleaner is not built to remove water. That could possibly cause electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.

-Anything electrical is going to be a hazard right now. Don’t use TV's or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.

-If you notice water collecting a lighting fixture, leave it alone, there could be much more damage above that and risk the ceiling falling.

-If the ceiling is wet or if water has entered rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water, don’t turn on your ceiling fan.

Safety is first and foremost when it comes to water damage in your home. Following these DO & DON'Ts can help reduce damage and increase the chances of a successful restoration. These emergency tips will assist you in taking the proper action until the SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County trained professionals arrive. Our teams will handle all aspects of the damage restoration process, from ceilings and walls to personal property, we’re always here to help!

How To Help Prevent Frozen Pipes this Winter in Hopewell Junction

8/6/2024 (Permalink)

When frozen pipes burst, water always finds the easiest way out, often through your house! SERVPRO® will handle the water damage from start to finish!

During the winter months in Dutchess County, frozen pipes are one of the most common calls we get to help homeowners with water damage. In fact, burst pipes are one of the biggest causes of water damage during the winter months, amounting to more than $5,000 in property losses on average (per household). 

Understanding why pipes freeze, why frozen pipes burst and how these factors can lead to water damage is an important part of keeping your household dry and warm during the wintertime. Read on for our guide to frozen pipes and how to prevent them. 

How Pipes Freeze and Why They Burst 

When the weather is cold enough, any pipe can freeze—while those running through unheated areas such as exterior walls or basements are the most vulnerable, even pipes inside the home can become frozen if conditions are right. 

When temperatures drop and the water inside the pipes begins to freeze, it can create a major problem as you will not be able to access running water. However, if frozen pipes are left alone and no effort is made to thaw them, the pressure inside will become too great and the pipe can actually burst open, leading to water damage. 

Ways Frozen Pipes Can Cause Water Damage 

Once a pipe bursts open, the chance for water damage is instantly increased. Instead of bursting directly where the frozen blockage is, pipes generally burst further up the line, in between a closed faucet and where the blockage occurs—quite often in a wall or under a sink, which may not be discovered immediately if it occurs. This allows all the built-up water to begin coursing through the breakage and flow freely through your home. Make no mistake, water will always find the path of least resistance, the easiest way out, and that might not be exactly the location of damaged pipe.

How to Prevent Pipes from Freezing 

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent their pipes from freezing and avoid the hassle and cost of water damage. By taking steps to help prevent pipes from freezing in the first place, it will greatly lessen the chances throughout the colder months: 

• If you are leaving for a long period of time, make sure the heat stays set to above 50 degrees. Do not turn the heat off or postpone a regular fuel oil delivery.
• Leave faucets on a slight drip so water is constantly running through the pipes. 
• Open cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathroom and ensure all the bedroom doors are open to increase airflow. 
• Add insulation to exterior areas with water pipes and/or to the pipes themselves. Don’t forget the outside spigots. Simple steps like a light bulb being left on in a cold area combined with inexpensive pipe insulation could do the trick.
• Keep garage and cellar doors closed tightly if there are water lines inside. 

Are you concerned that a pipe has burst in your home in Hopewell Junction? Contact us to have our trained experts inspect your home for moisture damage. SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County is the local pro in water damage restoration, right here in the Hudson Valley for over 30 years and always here to help 24/7!

Poughkeepsie, Beacon, Wappingers, and Hopewell Junction Business Owners Can Count on SERVPRO® for Restoration Services

8/5/2024 (Permalink)

Getting your business back on its feet after disaster can be a massive undertaking. Be prepared & partner with SERVPRO® to get back to preloss fast!

SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County is here locally to support all Dutchess County business owners when impacted by a disaster like a fire, flood, severe storm, sewage backup or a biohazard situation.

We know as an owner, that it can feel like you’re facing a stressful, uphill battle after a disaster. But as a business owner in our area, you have a powerful partner in the local SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County team. Our pros are on standby 24/7 to help stabilize your property, handle any type of mitigation and restoration services as well as the rebuild, all while working directly with your insurance company and their protocols.

Tips to Help Business Owners Thrive After a Commercial Restoration Project

Your business has what it takes to thrive, even after the damage has been done. But knowing the best steps to take ahead of time will help you move forward efficiently. Here’s what we recommend:

Your disaster plan is vital. It’s difficult for most business owners and their families to focus and think clearly after a damaging event. That’s why it’s smart to plan for these situations before they happen. Before you need it, build an emergency plan and spend time reviewing and learning the steps. If you’re impacted by a disaster, read the steps you laid out again (or a few times) and follow them carefully.

Document the damage you’ve suffered. Take plenty of pictures. You will want to do these before you start cleaning up the damage so your insurance company can get an accurate picture of what happened. Since the time of COVID-19, more insurance companies are using virtual programs and videos to obtain what is needed.  Also, inventory lost or damaged items. We highly recommend you take photos of inventory well in advance of issues coming up so you’re able to compare and document much easier should damage occur.

Stay in touch with your stakeholders. Regular contact with your suppliers, your employees, your customers and your community will put you in a better position when it’s time to open again. Social media can be a huge help with communication especially with clients and customers in addition to emails and phone calls.

Choose solid partners for mitigation and restoration. Don’t work with any restoration company that isn’t highly experienced, lacks in regular communication regularly and doesn’t utilize advanced equipment designed to restore your business to its original state.

If your business is damaged due to fire, water or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have crews who are available 24⁄7 in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.

How to Protect Your Wappingers Home from Wind Damage

8/22/2023 (Permalink)

Taking protective steps ahead of time, even yearly, can help prevent significant structural damage in high winds.

Protecting Your Wappingers Falls Property from Damaging Winds

Do you know how to protect your property from damaging winds and why?

There are many concerns that come with severe storms, not just the heavy rain or even snow, but potentially damaging winds are always a threat to keep in mind. These winds, which can come with little to no notice, can be devastating and cause long-term structural impacts without thinking ahead and protecting your home or building.

When Wind Becomes Damaging

While many consider damaging winds to come from a tornado or hurricane, those are not the only times when they may come into play. Traditionally, damaging winds are considered those with wind speeds exceeding 50–60 mph. They can stem from a strong thunderstorm and are called “straight-line” winds, which cause damage much like tornadoes and, yet the damage is different. We have definitely experienced our fair share of straight-line storms and the damage they cause. We often feel like these are actual hurricanes due to the amount of rain and force of wind, and while these storms certainly cause huge amounts of problems, the Hudson Valley doesn’t often feel the wrath of a true hurricane.

These winds can also cause loose objects on your property to become dangerous projectiles. Cars parked outside, windows and the roof are especially vulnerable and can take the brunt of this damage, and if the damage is extensive, water damage can happen inside your home as well.

Protecting Your Property from Damaging Winds

There are several ways you can protect your property from damaging winds but keep the “Two R’s” in mind: Reinforce and Remove. A few of these are listed below:

• Have a professional reinforce your garage door.
• Make it a yearly or bi-yearly plan to have your roof checked and repaired as needed.
• Remove and/or anchor loose objects on your property, items such as trash cans, grills, small plastic pools, trampolines, outdoor furniture, and toys that could be moved or tossed by the wind.
• Hire a professional to remove or trim back large or dying trees and branches that could fall over onto your home or someone else’s.
• Have your gutters cleaned professionally once a year, especially if there are trees growing near them. Leaf collection or heavy snow can cause water intrusion if the gutters can’t drain properly.

Not all high wind circumstances come with advanced warning, but some of these action items could be the difference between damage and little-to-no damage.

Also, when building a new home or renovating an older home, be sure the windows, walls and doors are up to code for the weather in your area. Contact your local building department for their codes.

If your home ever be hit by damaging winds and resulting water damage, our highly trained storm damage restoration specialists at SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County are here to help with the cleanup and restoration 24/7 with an emergency response. Call us at 845-831-3600. We’re here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”

3 Steps to Making Your Dutchess County Business Workplace Safety Drill Actually Work

8/4/2023 (Permalink)

Have a sound workplace emergency plan in place takes a lot of stress out when your company is dealing with an emergency!

If you are a manager or small business owner, you understand how important it is to keep your Dutchess County workplace free of hazards and your employees safe from harm during their work day. But have you considered what would happen in an emergency?

Because of how negatively a disaster can impact a small business, it is important to create a plan for what to do should an emergency occur. Creating a plan that accounts for multiple possibilities, gathering honest feedback and then using that to improve are all important components to creating with a fool-proof plan.

Here’s how business owners can move towards creating a solid workplace safety drill:

1.    Plan Your Drill

In order to create a properly executed drill, it is important to plan it thoroughly and well in advance to ensure it is as effective as possible. Be sure to plan for every scenario that could put your staff in harms’ way, such as fires, storm damage, power outages or any other emergency that could be specific to your industry. Prepare for specific points such as:

• Determining a meeting point outside of and away from the building
• Designating someone to perform a headcount and ensure that everyone in the building participates
• How to perform any emergency shutdown procedures, like as turning off machinery before exiting the building

It’s also important to schedule drills at various times if you have personnel who work a variety of hours so everyone is able to experience them and provide critical feedback no matter the time of day.

2.    Determine Where to Improve

After performing safety drills, the most important thing to do is take note of where improvements could be made. Even things that seem small can make a big difference in an emergency scenario, such as more lighting or better signage. Solicit feedback from employees on how the drill could improve to get further ideas.

3.    Make Changes and Repeat

As you continue to make improvements and run drills, it is important to note how more recent drills compare with earlier ones. Tracking the improvements that are made and the results of each round is a great way to ensure that drills are as efficient as they can be, that way everyone will stay safe should a real emergency occur.

If you’ve had an emergency at your business, we’re here for you! As experts in commercial damage restoration, SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County can handle fire, water or storm damage from any disaster. Here to help 24/7 with an emergency response!

How to Make the Right Choice for Water Damage Cleanup in your Wappingers Home

8/4/2023 (Permalink)

A certified water damage restoration company, like SERVPRO, should be the first call after discovering water damage in your home!

Discovering water damage in your Dutchess County home leads to instant stress and many questions. Not knowing where to begin or right steps to take can become overwhelming. Knowing ahead of time that you already have a trusted partner in restoration company can help.

SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County is here to help 24/7 with an emergency response and will begin with a thorough scope of the structure and the materials affected, assessing damage to personal items and handling information, and gathering needed resources from both our company and from your insurance company.

By choosing a reputable and certified restoration company in advance, homeowners can alleviate at least one part of the process before it even begins and feel some relief. Our highly experienced water damage restoration teams will handle everything, from start to finish, alleviating a huge amount of pressure and inconveniences from the start.

There are a lot of companies out there, so it can be difficult to determine what is important when researching restoration companies. Here’s a guide of what to look for to make the right choice:

*A Full Restoration Provider

House damages, including water damage, not matter the cause, often require multiple types of restoration. Water can cause structural issues which means not only the removal of water and drying things out, but sheet rock, insulation, sub flooring and other components might need to be replaced as well. Our professionals are trained and   certified in every type of water damage remediation and will provide full restoration of your home.

*A Flexible Emergency Service

When you discover home damage, you want to be sure you can contact your restoration company right away. That is why we have a 24-hour, 7 day-a-week emergency line staffed by live people, not just a recording, so we answer whenever you call and can assemble our teams right away.

*A Thorough Training Program

Technicians who perform restoration need to be consistently trained and highly skilled, which is why we only use the highest standards in the industry to design our training materials and educate our technicians. We pride ourselves on constantly evolving as new technology is introduced and additional certifications are gained.

A Scalable Model

While we have been a LOCAL community business for over 30 years, we also have a nationwide network of other franchises that we can work with if a large disaster were to occur. Whether it’s manpower, equipment, specialty services or just someone needing help, this allows us to treat every job with the same level of service and expertise, whether for a single home or an entire area.

If you've experienced fire, water, sewage, mold or any storm damage, we are always here to help! Program our number in your phone, (845)831-3600, one less thing to worry about!  We’ll help get you back to preloss condition and make it “Like it never even happened.”

No Matter the Damage, SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County Has the Tools and the Experience to Get It Done!

8/4/2023 (Permalink)

No matter the size water damage, SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County has the equipment to make it "Like it never even happened!"

No two water damages are the same. It doesn’t matter if it’s from a pipe burst, an appliance malfunction, a leak from a hot water heater or a flood, each one must be handled and remedied in its own customized way. SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County has been remediating and restoring water damaged properties since 1992, in fact, it’s the cornerstone of our local business.

For larger losses that affect a greater area, you can count on us to have the experience, the teams, and the equipment to get it done the right way, the first time. We pride ourselves on extensive and ongoing training and always having the needed tools on hand and close by. No waiting for specialty tools or personnel to arrive from elsewhere, helping make the restoration process efficient and seamless.

For example, when there’s a large amount of insulation in a basement or crawlspace that’s been saturated, it needs to be removed cleanly and safely. Our professionals utilize an insulation vacuum to make this type of job safe, quick, effective. It helps contain the affected insulation in an easy to dispose of fashion and can be utilized outside for less special restrictions.

For even larger water damages that need to get dried out, like an auditorium, arena, or commercial structures, we use a powerful industrial machine called a Desiccant Dehumidifier. Desiccant dehumidifiers utilize chemical attraction, instead of condensation, to remove water from the air. Because they do not use condensation, they are not limited by low dew point temperatures, and when used properly, they produce the lowest vapor pressure of any dehumidifier. Portable desiccant dehumidifiers work best in cool and/or dry environments. The cooler and drier the air going into the desiccant, the drier the air will be coming out. The drier the air, the drier the materials get. We call that back to preloss condition.

With over 30 years in the property restoration industry, you can rely on SERVPRO of Western Dutchess County to handle any type of water damage in your home, or business! Available for emergencies and always with a live person answering the phone! Call the pros who have been taking care of properties locally. We’re available and ready to help 24/7, and we’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

How to Keep Flooding at Bay in East Fishkill

10/5/2022 (Permalink)

Protect your home from flooding both inside and out. Contact SERVPRO for water damage restoration in the event of a disaster!

All homeowners in Dutchess County need to take steps to protect against flooding, even if you’re in a low-risk area. It takes less than an inch of water to do serious damage to your home, and with the unpredictability of weather, that could happen in under an hour.

You can take steps both inside and outside of your home to protect against flooding, but it all starts with understanding our local risks. Here in Dutchess County, we face a higher risk of flooding than most, primarily due to our relatively flat terrain and our close proximity to a large river and it's tributaries that can overflow into our streets during storms.

After you fully know what types of weather we may face, you can begin to plan against them.

Preventing a Lightning Fire From Burning Through Your Beacon Property | SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County

10/4/2022 (Permalink)

If you are dealing with smoke or fire damage, call SERVPRO of Western Dutchess for efficient, effective and complete fire damage services.

With the right safety equipment and property planning, many causes of home fires can be avoided or reduced. However, fires can also begin externally, creating additional risks that you must prepare for at your Beacon home.

More than 70,000 damage claims due to lightning were made in 2020, and while lightning strikes may seem rare, the risks are apparent. Lightning can cause a fire by burning items in your home, debris outdoors or even by frying your electrical system.

Lightning strikes around 6,000 times every minute, so it’s important to prepare ourselves and our homes because no one is completely safe from this risk.