Recent Posts

Do you know the differences between hurricane categories?

6/11/2023 (Permalink)

Starting in the middle of the year, from June to November, Hurricane season batters the country's coasts. This increase in tropical storms and hurricanes can lead to high levels of property damage and even devastate entire communities. Knowing the differences between hurricane categories can allow for preparations to reduce potential damage and may save your life!

Category 1 Hurricane - 74-95 mph winds - Expect damage to the roofing, gutters, and siding. Trees have an increased chance of snapping or toppling and possible damage to local power lines.

Category 2 Hurricane - 96-110 mph winds - Severe damage to roofing and siding likely. Trees and signage are expected to snap or uproot. Potential for near-total power loss locally. 

Category 3 Hurricane - 111-129 mph winds - High wind speeds are likely to rip out roofing, siding, and decking. High chance of blocked roads from debris and flooding. High likelihood that local power is lost. 

Category 4 Hurricane - 130-156 mph winds - Severe property damage expected. Power may be lost for weeks or months. The affected area will likely be uninhabitable for some time. 

Category 5 Hurricane - 157+ mph winds - A large number of homes expected to be destroyed. Power may be lost for months. The affected area will be uninhabitable for some time. 

Hurricane categories frequently change as the storm nears landfall, so it is crucial to stay up-to-date with the newest information possible. Weather stations and apps can help relay this info and any orders given by local authorities!

Can you spot the signs of mold growth in your home?

6/9/2023 (Permalink)

Have you taken a look around your home or business lately? Notice any odd changes that may be a sign of a bigger problem beginning to form? Small things like cracks emerging in your window frame may not seem like a pressing matter, but over time moisture can seep in and cause mold issues! 

Mold can spread throughout a property much faster than many homeowners may realize. In as little as 48 hours, mold can become a huge problem! Once the roots are dug in, the harder it is to remove, leaving even more damage behind. 

Mold growth often leaves behind telltale signs that can alert you to the problem. Things like musty or rotten odors in certain rooms or specific areas of a room, unusual stains or spots on carpeting, and even cold-like symptoms from inhabitants of the home! If you suspect mold growth, it is critical to call in professionals ASAP to isolate and remove it!

Be Prepared this Tornado Season!

6/3/2023 (Permalink)

Prepared for tornado season? You should be!

Every year, tornadoes spike significantly in touchdowns and sightings from late spring to early summer. An increase in the number of tornadoes, unfortunately, brings an increase in the damage and destruction they leave in their wake. Thousands of families are affected by these monstrous natural disasters every year, which is why it is crucial to be prepared!

Tornadoes form in the blink of an eye, often with little warning. This is even more true when these disasters form during the night. Fortunately, weather broadcasts can keep you updated on the severity of the storm and alert you with tornado warnings or watches. 

One of the best ways to be prepared for a natural disaster like a tornado is to create emergency kits or "go bags"! These kits should contain warm blankets, clothing, medical supplies, non-perishable food, water, and potential necessities like flashlights. In a disaster, these items can support you until help arrives!

Are You Prepared for the 2023 Hurricane Season?

6/3/2023 (Permalink)

The 2023 Hurricane season is already here! Every year, from the beginning of June to the end of November, severe tropical storms and hurricanes see a significant spike in activity. Being knowledgeable and having a plan ready can help massively when in the path of a natural disaster!

First, create an emergency kit to keep stored away. Backpacks or duffel bags work great for these kits, as they can be quickly picked up and brought along in an emergency! The contents of your kit should include things like warm blankets or additional clothing, medical supplies, food, water, and other helpful things like flashlights and portable battery banks to keep things charged.

Secondly, take the time to research and learn what each category of hurricane means and the dangers they present. Knowing is half the battle when it comes to being prepared! Your home may be suited to sustain a low-category storm, but you could end up trapped should the category increase after the time to evacuate has passed. 

Lastly, remember to always keep up-to-date with storm developments via weather broadcasts. You don't want to be caught off-guard or unprepared!

Ensure your summer cookout goes off without a hitch!

6/2/2023 (Permalink)

School is out, and summer weather is on its way. What better way to hang out and relax with family and friends than a cookout?

A backyard barbecue or campground gather round is a great way to kick off the summer season, but safety should always come first! Before firing up the grill, be sure that the cooking area is cleared and safe to use. Dead leaves, dry grass, and shrubs are all incredibly flammable and should be removed before the grill is lit. Once your cooking location has been cleared and set up, be sure to keep towels, napkins, and other combustible materials you may have brought along a safe distance away while the grill is in use.

Remember to stay safe and have fun this summer!

Are your Holiday travel plans ready?

12/28/2022 (Permalink)

Traveling is quite a typical affair during the end-of-year Holiday season, but even a short trip can be dangerous when tons of other people are doing the same! With millions on the road, it is easily the busiest time of the year. Keeping your eyes and ears open and staying attentive and alert can help you identify possible issues that may impact your holiday commute.

Severe weather, packed roads, and even drunk drivers appear at higher percentages during the end-of-year holiday season. Taking the time to properly put together routes and plan your trip can help make everything that much smoother. Keeping tabs on weather and traffic also goes a long way in preventing delays or accidents!

After everything is said and done, we here at SERVPRO of Hanover Township / Bear Creek hope that you're able to spend some time with friends and family and experience a wonderful Holiday season! Have fun, and stay safe.

Happy Holidays!

Do you know the three categories of water damage?

12/24/2022 (Permalink)

Water damage comes in the form of three different categories. The main difference between these categories is how polluted or unsanitary the water is. The higher the category, the more pollutants can be found within.

The first category of water damage is the most common occurrence and is called Clean Water loss. The water in a category one loss is relatively clean and mostly free of pollutants that are dangerous to handle or ingest. Cleaning and restoration work can be done quickly when dealing with this category of water loss.

The second category of water damage is known as Gray Water. Gray water contains a moderate amount of contaminants inside and can cause illness and discomfort for any that may accidentally ingest it. Water sources that produce gray water are things like dishwashers, toilet overflows that contain urine, and other types of "used" water.

The final category of water damage is Black Water which deals with water from dangerously unsanitary sources. When dealing with water from this category, serious illness and even death are potential dangers should it be ingested. Black water-producing sources are things like sewage backups, rising river or stream water, floodwater, and toilet water containing fecal matter.

Combating water damage is more than simply removing the water from your home. Knowing what could potentially be in the water, and how to properly handle it helps homeowners know where and how to start with any water emergency!

2022 Cooking Safety Precautions

12/23/2022 (Permalink)

Cooking safety, while increasing in presence of mind in at-home chiefs everywhere, is still not second nature to everyone. Being aware of every object, utensil, and appliance that is in use within the kitchen makes your cooking station, not just cleaner but also safer. Both of these go a long way toward preventing cooking-related fires. Most cooking fires are due to negligence while in the kitchen, and while they aren't intentional, they spread fast. 

The USFA and FEMA estimate that just over 50% of all house fires in 2016 were caused by cooking accidents. That is a lot of easily avoidable property damage! The average amount of house fires per year in the United States is over 400,000, which means that negligence and accidents while cooking are the cause of over 200,000 property fires every single year. Proper cooking education goes a long way in preventing these types of fires from occurring altogether!

Proper safety in the kitchen isn't based on skill level. Everyone can have fun and do so safely! When cooking, never leave an active appliance (stoves, ovens, etc.) unattended. Additionally, knowledge about the common fires cooks may see while in the kitchen (grease, oil, etc.) can help extinguish them should they appear. Finally, make sure to have some fun. Making your favorite dish for friends and family to enjoy while sitting around the table is a tradition all over the world, and having fun makes it that much better.

Perfect your Holiday travel plans!

12/17/2022 (Permalink)

Spending time traveling is one of the most common things in the world during the Holidays, that's why it's important to do it safely. The winter Holidays are the busiest time of the year. In the days and weeks leading to New Year's and Christmas, millions of people will be on the road across the country. It's important to keep your eyes and ears open during Holiday traveling to be as alert as possible during your commute.

Dangerous weather, traffic, and potential drunk drivers all see a measurable increase in occurrence around the Holidays. By properly planning your routes and keeping up to date with local weather and traffic reports, you can beat the roads!

Spending time to hang out and reflect on the year with loved ones during the Holidays can make memories that last a lifetime. We here at SERVPRO of Hanover Township / Bear Creek hope you all enjoy a wonderful Holiday season with friends and family.

Happy Holidays!

Is your home prepared to combat ice damming?

12/16/2022 (Permalink)

As the temperature starts to drop and rain turns to snow and sleet, ice dams become a larger threat to property. When snow and sleet on the roof of a house go through quick bouts of melting and refreezing it can create a wall of ice, this ice wall then acts as a dam when more snow and sleet begin to melt. These dams can last for weeks or even months unless dealt with. As water pools along dams, it can begin to work its way under the shingles. When the water that has worked its way in freezes, the gaps created by the ice allow even more water to work its way into the property, causing all sorts of water damage!

There are few preventative measures that can be taken to combat ice damming. One method is to run heating cables in your attic that go along the sections of the roof that have the most trouble with dams forming!

When ice dams are forming on your property, it can indicate that the insulation in your home is failing. You can check the attic beneath problem areas on the roof for any inconsistencies. Retaining heat in the attic is the natural way to combat ice damming and can even keep your home a bit warmer during the cold winter months.

Stay safe this winter season, and if you intend on directly dealing with any problems you or your family are facing be sure to be careful. Many instances of people getting hurt while they are attempting to help themselves or their family is due to negligence.