Fall Tornado Season

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

Stay tornado aware!

Tornadoes can occur any time of the year with spring being the most common time for outbreaks. However, due to rapidly changing weather patterns, fall is a secondary peak season, especially in the South. Since there are more dark hours during this season, there is a greater chance of tornadoes forming while you're asleep.

• Be sure to have a weather radio, or your smart phone nearby so your weather app can alert you.
• Stay weather aware. Know if you're under any watches.
• Have supplies ready, such as flashlights and first aid kits.
• Know where your closest storm shelter is. 
• Call SERVPRO of North Huntsville at (256)534-1177 if you have any storm damage. 

Preparing for Winter Weather

10/19/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage Remediation from Burst Pipe

Despite the unprecedented challenges that have arisen in the year 2020, time seems to have flown by. October is almost over, and before you know it, it will be the Christmas season. With this in mind, SERVPRO of North Huntsville would like to offer a few suggestions to help you prepare your home for the upcoming season.

1. Invest in weather stripping. This is very inexpensive, but will help keep the warm air in and the cold air out.

2. Clean your gutters. Blocked gutters will be slower to drain and can cause water/ice build up resulting in ice dams.  Ice dams can cause a significant amount of water damage to a structure.

3. Evaluate your roof to prevent ice dams.  

4. Test your heating and air conditioning system.

5. Prune trees around the house.

6. Stock up on emergency supplies in case winter weather prevents travel. 

7. Protect pipes from freezing.  Broken pipes are the leading cause of water damage through the winter.

8. If you have a wood burning stove or fire place, have the chimney inspected and cleaned. Make sure your smoke detectors are functioning. 

9. Check for cold air leaks and install weather-stripping around exterior doors. 

For all of your restoration needs, call SERVPRO of North Huntsville at (256) 534-1177!

Severe Weather Preparation Tips

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

With heavy storms hitting the Southern coast over the past few months, storm preparation should be at the top of your list. Though we do not face hurricane weather head-on in Huntsville, AL., we do feel the effects of the tropical storms these hurricanes spin up, as well as annual tornado weather. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your home from severe weather.

SEVERE WEATHER PREPARATION TIPS

Become and stay informed.             

Tune in to our local radio or TV stations and community alert system for pertinent information. Keep a weather radio on hand with an alternative power source such as batteries or solar power.

Put together emergency kits with a food and water supply.

Put together emergency kits stocked with essential items. Supply lists and other valuable information can be found on the Red Cross website. Stock up with a two-week supply of food and water. Huntsville is not unfamiliar to tornado outbreaks that can leave homes and businesses without power for extended periods of time.

Keep LED flashlights and batteries on hand.

In addition to keeping LED flashlights in your emergency kits, you should also keep a decent supply throughout your home in case of severe weather. Be sure to have the appropriate batteries on hand.

Maintain a household inventory.

Maintain a household inventory for insurance purposes. The easiest method is to take a video of your residence and your possessions, verbally confirming details such as size, make, model, serial numbers, etc. for valuable items. Store these videos on the cloud so that they can still be accessed after natural disasters.

Secure all outdoor furniture.

Secure outdoor furniture and other loose objects or move them inside. An EF-2 (135 mph) or EH-3 (140 mph) tornado can destroy an outdoor swing or wrap a trampoline around a tree. Deck furniture can disappear or become projectiles.

Collect tools and emergency building materials.

Having a supply of useful items such as sandbags, plywood, and waterproof tarps will come in handy if windows are blown out, a roof is damaged, or the shingles are torn off. Limiting water intrusion into your home or business as much as possible will lessen the damage to the interior.

Fuel up vehicles and equipment.

Before bad weather hits, top off your vehicles in case evacuation becomes necessary. If you own a generator, stock up on fresh fuel in approved containers and store in a safe location.

Know how to shut off the utilities.

Should the home or business receive extensive damage, it may be necessary to shut off utilities, such as gas, electricity, and water. If evacuation is required, turn off utilities before leaving if time permits.

Gather documents and records.

After a severe storm, residents may need documentation to prove their identity. Keep important documents in a safe place such as a water and fireproof safe, preferably in a single binder so that quick retrieval is possible. These documents may include Social Security Cards, Birth Certificates, Marriage Licenses, Drivers Licenses copies, Wills, Property Deeds, Vehicle Registration Copies, etc. It is also a good idea to include digital records of valuable items such as family photos or videos.

The best way to weather a storm is to prepare for it before it hits. Use these tips to set your family or business up for greater peace of mind.

If you experience weather or storm-related damage, do not hesitate to give our office a call at (256) 534-1177. SERVPRO of North Huntsville is a locally owned business and an IICRC Certified Firm with the experience, knowledge, and capabilities to properly remediate your storm damage an make it "Like it never even happened."

When Storms or Floods hit the Huntsville Area, SERVPRO is Ready!

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

Our highly trained crews are ready to respond 24/7 to storm or flood damage in Huntsville

SERVPRO of North Huntsville specializes in storm and flood damage restoration.  Our crews are highly trained, and we use specialized equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit Huntsville, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,700 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call Us Today 256-534-1177

Winter Storm Ready

11/11/2019 (Permalink)

Are you prepared for the coming cold weather? Cold weather can have a huge impact on your home or business if you are not ready for it. From heavy rain and freezing temperatures to damaging winds, sleet, or snow, all can cause serious and costly property damage. While you cannot control the weather, you can take steps to be prepared and help take the sting out of winter weather.

To help prevent costly damages due to weather, consider taking the following precautions to protect your property before colder weather hits.

• Check your business property for downed tree limbs and branches. Wind, heavy rain, ice, and snow can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries.
• Roofs, water pipes, and gutters should all be inspected to ensure they are in proper order. Gutter downspouts should be directed away from your building. Clear gutters of debris that may have gathered during the fall. Leaves and other obstructions can cause a damming effect, which can lead to roof damage and interior water problems.
• Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.
• Call SERVPRO of North Huntsville if you experience water, fire or storm damage.

Hurricane Preparedness

6/7/2019 (Permalink)