What to Do When Rains Cause Storm Damage to Your Phoenix Home

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

Unlike other parts of the country, Phoenix’s weather is predictable most of the time. However, we’ve had some strange weather patterns these past few months, a mild monsoon and then late torrential rain, more sun, more rain. It’s been crazy! If your home experienced storm damage, it’s time to contact SERVPRO of Central Phoenix!

Phoenix storms can be powerful and damaging

Monsoons can wreak havoc on a home of any size, but desert storms, in general, can cause storm damage. The Thanksgiving weekend storm in Phoenix saw heavy rain and at least three tornadoes touched down in the Valley. After that, the weather was mild until another round of soaking came along in early January this year. This resulted in excess water, downed trees hitting homes and, in some cases, damaged roofs; results you usually hear about during the monsoon, but it really can happen any time after a good storm. For many homeowners, the intensity of the storm took them by surprise and their homes couldn’t handle it.

Why it’s important to react quickly to storm damage

Water damage and flooding can cause structural damage that needs to be addressed quickly to maintain the integrity and safety of the home. Working with professionals like SERVPRO which offers 24/7 emergency service ensures that any damage will be dealt with quickly, efficiently and professionally. Even if the storm damage didn’t cause structural damage, the water damage caused by rainstorm can cause issues including mold, mildew and possibly electrical damage. Here are a few water damage tips to follow if you experience storm damage:

• Remove excess water by mopping and blotting as best you can.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after the removal of lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery and cushions for air circulation.
• Place foil or blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting to avoid stains and damage.
• Remove art objects to a safe, dry place to protect them from further damage.
• Gather loose items from floors to keep them safe.

How SERVPRO of Central Phoenix can help with storm damage

When you call the SERVPRO highly trained specialists, we’ll come out to your home and inspect the damage, providing a full overview of what damage was done and how it needs to be addressed. We’ll check for contaminated water in the home to ensure the homeowner’s safety and do a complete safety inspection, providing a summary of what we found. Then we move to the water removal and water extraction stage. We’ll move out any belongings that need to be removed to get to all the water in the home. We’ll inspect the carpet and the carpet pad to evaluate how to best extract the water. We’ll follow by using specialized equipment for water removal and extraction including moisture detectors, hygrometers, and other meters measure the extent of moisture permeation. We also use infrared cameras that may be used to find “hidden” water behind walls and ceilings, which can really cause damage if left unchecked. We’ll use submersible and gas-powered pumps if necessary, for continuous pumping of high-level water and our truck-mounted and portable extraction units to perform efficient water removal.

Going a step beyond after the water is gone

After the water has been removed, there are still steps to be taken by our team. We turn our efforts towards drying and dehumidification of items to prevent more damage like mold and mildew.  The floors and walls may appear dry, but a quick inspection may reveal they are wet to the touch. Nearly all building materials, like wood, drywall, and flooring materials, are porous and therefore retain water. This retained water can cause the materials to break down, warp, or cause mold damage. You also risk the chance of odors forming.

The final step: cleanup and repair of your home

Once our team has the water under control and the drying process complete, we can assist with any items that need repair from water damage such as walls, flooring, etc. Our building services include:

• Drywall Removal and Installation
• Carpet Repair and Installation
• Hardwood Floor Repair
• Tile Floor Repair
• Painting

We’ll also focus on odor removal and deodorization if necessary. We do a complete and thorough job to ensure your home is completely addressed when it comes to storm damage. If your Phoenix home experienced storm damage recently, contact SERVPRO of Central Phoenix right away at (602) 386-4268. We’ll get the job done and get your home back to its normal condition in no time!