Spring is here and the flood could be too

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

Water Clean-Up

Spring has officially arrived and with the newness of tree buds and plants popping through the ground, there is also the dreaded threat of spring flooding.  Last year, South Dakota saw historical flooding and it is being forecasted that the same may hold true this year as well.   So what can you do to prevent flooding and what do you do in the event that despite your best efforts, flooding still occurs? 

To start, here are some tips to potentially alleviate your flooding risk:

• Clean and maintain gutters and downspouts
• Properly landscape your yard
• Inspect and repair foundation cracks
• Practice proper sump pump maintenance
• Inspect sewers and clean septic systems
• Install window well covers
• Get familiar with your insurance

If you have taken all of the above precautionary measures and flooding still occurs, do not fear, SERVPRO is here no matter the size of the disaster.  We are available 24 hours a day, seven (7) days a week and we are faster to any size disaster.  Here are some tips that you can do while you are waiting for us to get to you. 

• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock
• Remove as much excess waster as possible by mopping and blotting. 
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting
• Move items that you can to a safe, dry place
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet floors. 

DO NOT

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist
• Leave books, newspapers, magazine of other colored items on wet floors or carpets to cause possible staining
• Leave oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall to wall carpets to cause staining
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water as it could possibly cause electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner
• Used tv’s or other appliances while standing on wet floors
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceiling are sagging from retained water.

Once we arrive, the project manager  will access the situation while our remediation expert begins to extract the water.  We will then consult with you about the best  plan of action to mitigate your flooding situation.

At SERVPRO we are always “here to help.” 

If you have any questions or would like to know about any of the other services we provide, please call us at 605.777.9055