Archived Storm Damage Blog Posts

Storm Emergency Kit

Name: SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore
Telephone: (410) 255-1110

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

Hurricane season is upon us. Living in the metropolitan region, sudden summer thunderstorms are a common occurrence. It is never too early to prepare your family and home for hurricanes, severe weather, or natural disasters. Use this guide to help you prepare a basic storm kit, to survive for 48 hours to 1 week or more without electricity. Getting prepared is as simple as getting a plastic tote, filling it with these items, and tucking it away until the day comes that you need it. Your basin emergency kit should include, but is not limited to, these items:

Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days)

Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight and/or light sticks
First aid kit
Extra batteries

Whistle (to signal for help)
Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Blankets or sleeping bags
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)

Basic tools - a hammer, screwdriver, and a wrench or pliers
Manual can opener
Cell phone chargers - including a car charger

For more suggestions visit Ready.Gov. If a storm does cause damage to your property, SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore will be here to help. Call us any time day or night 410-255-1110.

How Quickly Can Water Cause Damage to my Pasadena Home?

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Storm water damage does not wait for resolution patiently. It has a destructive timetable that is as predictable for water restoration professionals as it is devastating for Pasadena homeowners. Some of the damage occurs just minutes to hours after the water event, and the severity of the consequences increases exponentially. Experts recommend contacting water restoration professionals immediately after the discovery of a water loss to arrange for swift removal of the damaging fluids and application of the industry’s best practices supporting structural drying.

How Fast Damage Occurs

First minutes to a few hours

Documents, pictures, books, and other papers become soggy, with pages weakening and sticking together, bindings and glues loosening, inks spreading, and images blurring.
Stain, varnish, and paints can transfer from wooden furniture legs and supports to carpeting, rugs, and floors.
Textiles stretch or shrink, depending on composition, and dyes can run and stain adjacent surfaces.
Electronics and electrical cords short out and expose occupants to the risk of shock.

Up to 24 hours

Pressed wood and particle board furniture and supports swell and warp.
Hardwood frames on furniture swell and distort.
Metal fasteners tarnish.
Drywall and ceiling tiles bulge and begin to crumble, increasing personal safety and property damage risk when significant quantities of collected water force a structural breakdown.
Insulation compresses, packing down between walls.
Carpets stretch and become prone to rips and delamination.
Laminate flooring peels and disintegrates.

48-72 hours to a week

Mold growth commences on all surfaces and contents.
Water quality deteriorates, with pathogen growth possible.
Door and window frames swell, preventing security issues due to improper closure.
Metals corrode, and fasteners break down.
Hardwood floors cup or crown, and planks or strips can buckle, pulling up from the subfloor.

7 days or more

Structural supports can fail.
Molds, mildews, and other hazards proliferate, affecting air quality and infecting surfaces.

When you notice water in your home, call the water restoration professionals, SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore. We have over 40 years’ experience and we can make it “Like it never even happened.”

Storm Team Response

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

Storm 1/20

Unexpected emergencies like severe weather call for immediate action! Luckily for you, SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore knows immediate reaction to the disaster is important to helping you get your life back to normal. Utilizing our Service Response Guideline, SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore strives to:

Contact you within 1 hour of notice of the loss to arrange for service.
Be on-site to being mitigation services within 4 hours of notification.
Provide verbal briefing of a scope to you within 8 business hours of on-site arrival.

If you happen to experience any type of loss due to a storm, contact your local professionals at SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore at 410-255-1110. If a storm is on it is way and may affect your home, here are some tips to keep you and your family safe:

Remove dead or rotting tree branches that could fall and cause injury or damage.
Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
Shutter windows and secure outside doors.
Unplug any electronic equipment well before the storm arrives.

Protect Those Pets

12/16/2021 (Permalink)

December 21 is the first day of Winter. As a property owner, we often prepare our homes and businesses for frigid winter weather but, it is also important to remember to keep your pets safe too. Exposure to winter’s dry, chilly air and icy rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these are not the only discomforts pets can suffer. Winter walks can become dangerous if your pet licks off its bare paws and there are chemicals from ice-melting agents on them. To help prevent wintry weather dangers from affecting your pet’s health, consider the following tips:

Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to their paws.
Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is long-haired, simply trim them to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry their skin.
Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt, and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin.
Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents.
Make sure your companion has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all the drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.

Remember, if it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. Remember these tips from us when taking care of your pet this winter!

Be Proactive!

12/16/2021 (Permalink)

We love looking at beautiful, snowy scenes too. The only problem is when those snowstorms ramp up causing a power outage in your neighborhood or even county. With these storms there is the probability of a power outage. Here are 4 things SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore recommends in the event of a power outage:

Be Prepared. The best way to ensure business continuity is by being prepared. SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore can help you develop an Emergency Readiness Plan (ERP).
Install Surge Protectors. Install a plug-in, point-of-use electrical surge protector. You plug this device into a grounded electrical outlet and plug your appliances and computers into the surge protector.
Battery Backups. If your property has a sump pump in the basement or crawl space, make sure the sump pump has a battery backup. Battery backups are also important for network servers.
Contact a utility company. When your office or home loses power, be sure to contact BGE, which provides power to most of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Visit www.bge.com or call to report outages at 877-778-2222. If you see sparking power lines, immediately call 9-1-1.

Normally, a short power outage is no big deal, but the longer the power is out the potential for damage to a home or business increases. Stay safe this winter and read our blogs for more information on winter preparedness!

Tips To Prepare Your Business For The Winter

10/19/2021 (Permalink)

Here’s How to Prepare Your Business for Winter

The cold winter months are on their way. Is your business ready for inclement weather? SERVPRO of Pasadena is always here to help you prepare your business for the winter weather. Here are some tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

Check and clear your business property of any downed tree limbs or branches. Weather such as wind, heavy rain, ice and snow can cause branches to fall which could damage your property or cause personal injury.
Inspect your property, specifically walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.
Inspect all handrails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or nonslip surfaces and post or hang caution signs where water could be present.

Protect your business now and get ready for the winter weather. Call SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore at 410-867-3590 if your home needs help.

What to Do If You Have Storm Damage

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

When a storm is approaching our area, you know it. For days and days in advance it's all you hear about on the radio and television. Lots of times we hear it and it doesn’t happen like projected, so we just stop heeding the warnings. If you don’t prepare and a storm does hit our area and you get storm water in your home and you’re dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial.

SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore professionals respond immediately and use advanced equipment and techniques to remove the water quickly. They closely monitor and document the drying process to verify your property is dried properly and thoroughly. Check out the tips below on what to do until help arrives.

WHAT to Do After Flooding

Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
Gather loose items from floors.

WHAT NOT to Do After Flooding

Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet

Don’t wait call SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore at 410-255-1110 as soon as you find the damage. We are here2hlep, and will get things dried up quickly and efficiently.

Do you have an Emergency Kit?

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

nighttime lightning

Do you Have an Emergency Kit? It's never too early to prepare your family and your home for hurricanes, severe weather or natural disasters. Use this guide to help you prepare a basic storm kit, to survive for 48 hours to 1 week or more without electricity. It’s as simple as getting a plastic tote and filling it with the these items and tucking it away until the day comes that you need it. Your basin emergency kit should include these items:

Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days)
Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
Flashlight and/or light sticks
First aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle (to signal for help)
Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
Blankets or sleeping bags
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
Basic tools - a hammer, screwdriver, and a wrench or pliers
Manual can opener
Cell phone chargers - including a car charger

For more suggestions visit Ready.Gov. Take a page out of the boy scouts manual and be prepared, for the hazards mother nature brings our way. If a storm does cause damage to your property, SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore will be here to help. Call us any time day or night 410-255-1110.

Carbon Monoxide can be a Threat to Pasadena Maryland

1/20/2021 (Permalink)

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon Monoxide (CO) can’t be seen or smelled, but it is a silent killer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year more than 400 Americans die from CO poisoning yearly. If your property has a furnace, heating appliance, water heater, and/or clothes dryer, you are at risk for CO poisoning.

Protect your Pasadena home by reviewing the following tips:

Have fuel-burning appliances, like oil and gas furnaces, gas or kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves inspected by a trained professional each year.
Make sure fuel-burning equipment is vented to the outside to avoid CO poisoning. Keep the venting for exhaust clear and unblocked.

Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace are clear of snow and other debris.

Keep your appliances repaired and inspect them annually. Be sure to keep your property and your family safe.

Are you Ready for Maryland’s First Snow of the Season?

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Snow

It’s predicted to dump some cold rain and wet snow in Pasadena later this week. Quick! Run to the store and grab your essentials and remember to prepare your property.

Winter after winter, SERVPRO of Pasadena is called to homes for frozen pipes and ice dams that cause water damage. Here are some types to winterize your property:

Protect water pipes from freezing by simply allowing water drip when temperatures dip below freezing.
If pipes are under a cabinet, leave the cabinet doors open, allowing warm inside air to circulate around the pipes.

Consider shutting water off at the main valve in the basement or crawl space for outdoor faucets.

Check your business property and home to ensure you're ready for the first snow this week.

Is Your Car Winter Ready?

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Winter Weather

SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore removes car mold. We get calls about strange smells in cars every Spring. The root cause of these odors is mold. Mold comes from the water that isn’t properly removed. So, before winter weather rolls in, make sure your car is winter ready.

Check the antifreeze. Make sure your car’s antifreeze is at the proper level. If it is running low you run the risk of having the water in your radiator freeze, preventing it from cooling your engine.
Check your tires. Inspecting your vehicle's tires ensures that they aren’t worn which could prevent them from effectively gripping the road.
Test Your Car Battery. Car batteries have a limited life. Don’t wait for yours to fail and leave you stranded.
Lubricate Window Tracks. Freezing water can seep into the window tracks and create drag when you try to open the window.
Lube Weather Stripping. If water seeps between your door and weather stripping and freezes, you could be frozen out of your car or truck. To prevent the water from freezing you out, coat the weather stripping and the mating door surfaces with spray silicone.
If you suspect you have mold in your car, have it professionally treated. Avoid Spring mold by preparing your car for cold winter weather.

Where are These Rain Showers Coming From?

10/16/2020 (Permalink)

Rain Storm

Hurricanes and tropical storms can dump between 6 and 12 inches of rain during a single storm. On average, Maryland sees about 44 inches of rain every year. Lately, Anne Arundel County has seen tremendous rainfall.

Scientists believe that Maryland is experiencing so much rainfall for several reasons including rising sea levels and extreme heat. So far in 2020 the area has seen tropical storms, severe thunderstorms, and even a tornado. Scientists predict the number of storms during hurricane season are also increasing.

Recently, we were called to a small office building in Pasadena for water damage. The sump pump in the basement became overwhelmed and flooded their basement. The building basement had several inches of standing water in it. The water sat until someone came to the office in the morning. Our crew was able to act swiftly and get the water removed and the basement dried out.

Store SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore in your phone (410) 255-1110. Our team is available 24/7 and always ready for whatever happens.

How Quickly Can Water Cause Permanent Damage to My Pasadena Home?

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

Storm water damage in basement

How Fast Damage Occurs

First minutes to a few hours

Documents, pictures, books, and other papers become soggy, with pages weakening and sticking together, bindings and glues loosening, inks spreading, and images blurring.
Stain, varnish, and paints can transfer from wooden furniture legs and supports to carpeting, rugs, and floors.
Textiles stretch or shrink, depending on composition, and dyes can run and stain adjacent surfaces.
Electronics and electrical cords short out and expose occupants to the risk of shock.

Up to 24 hours

Pressed wood and particle board furniture and supports swell and warp.
Hardwood frames on furniture swell and distort.
Metal fasteners tarnish.
Drywall and ceiling tiles bulge and begin to crumble, increasing personal safety and property damage risk when significant quantities of collected water force a structural breakdown.
Insulation compresses, packing down between walls.
Carpets stretch and become prone to rips and delamination.
Laminate flooring peels and disintegrates.

48-72 hours to a week

Mold growth commences on all surfaces and contents.
Water quality deteriorates, with pathogen growth possible.
Door and window frames swell, preventing security issues due to improper closure.
Metals corrode, and fasteners break down.
Hardwood floors cup or crown, and planks or strips can buckle, pulling up from the subfloor.

7 days or more

Structural supports can fail.
Molds, mildews, and other hazards proliferate, affecting air quality and infecting surfaces.

Prepare for Spring/Summer Thunderstorms

4/24/2020 (Permalink)

National Weather Service Storm Prediction Website

Being prepared for a storm usually means you need to know when a storm is coming. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has the best storm prediction system in the country. The Storm Prediction Center is part of the National Weather Service. mission is to provide timely and accurate forecasts and watches for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes over the contiguous United States. The SPC also monitors hazardous winter weather and fire weather events across the U.S. and issues specific products for those hazards.

SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore recommends the following tips for thunderstorm preparedness:

Know your area’s risk for thunderstorms. In most places, they can occur year-round and at any hour.
Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Identify nearby, sturdy buildings close to where you live, work, study, and play.
Cut down or trim trees that may be in danger of falling on your home.
Consider buying surge protectors, lightning rods, or a lightning protection system to protect your home, appliances, and electronic devices.

At SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore we see a lot of water damage and fires from thunderstorms. We hope these tips will keep you safe and prepared.

Get Winter Storm Ready

1/22/2020 (Permalink)

Snow Storm

Maryland weather can be very unpredictable and winter is on its way. Are you winter and snow ready? Here are some tips to keep your pets safe:

Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to their feet.
Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside.

According to the Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), the Winter outlook says that “temperatures are favored to be above average with no parts favored to be colder than average; precipitation includes wetter-than-average conditions; and drought conditions will continue to improve….” Click here to read more.

Here are a few tips to consider for your family:
Make a family communications plan while together for the holidays.
Travel safely, well-rested, and during daylight hours.
Keep space heaters on a single electrical cord and at least 3 feet away from flammable objects.

Anne Arundel County has a mass notification system. Click here to learn more.

Keep Your Pet Safe During The Winter

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

Sweater Weather

December 21 is the first day of Winter. As a property owner, we often prepare our homes and businesses for cold winter weather. But, it’s also important to remember to keep your pets safe too. Exposure to winter’s dry, cold air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer. Winter walks can become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off of bare paws. To help prevent cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s health, consider the following tips:

Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to their feet.
Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is long-haired, simply trim him to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry their skin.
Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin.
Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents.
Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather months can provide much-needed calories, and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help keep her well-hydrated and her skin less dry.
Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside.

For more information, go to The Humane Society of the United States.

Storm Ready – Important County Numbers

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

Important Numbers List

In the event of a storm, it’s important for our community to know how to get the help they need. Anne Arundel County has many resources available to our citizens. We encourage you to sign up for the CivicReady systems and print this list of Important Numbers you should have in the event of a storm or emergency.

Did you know that Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis utilize and emergency notification system called CivicReady? The CivicReady system contacts citizens and businesses quickly in the event of an emergency. To sign up for CivicReady, visit: www.aacounty.org/OEM or call (410) 222-0600.

Anne Arundel County Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides contact information in the event of emergency. Click here to access the emergency contact list. SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore recommends you print this list and keep it available for all family members to access.

These tips should help you be storm ready!

How to Stay Safe During a Power Outage

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

Stay Electrically Safe

Storms can be fun to watch from a safe distance. The wind blowing the trees, the rolling sound of the thunder in the background and the streaks of lightning light up the night sky. However, with every storm, there is the probability of a power outage. Here are 4 things SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore recommends in the event of a power outage:

Be Prepared. The best way to ensure business continuity is by being prepared. SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore can help you develop an Emergency Readiness Plan (ERP). Subscribe to the Annapolis city CivicReady program to get emergency alerts.

Install Surge Protectors. Install a plug-in, point-of-use electrical surge protector. You plug this device into a grounded electrical outlet and plug your appliances and computers into the surge protector.

Battery Backups. If your property has a sump pump in the basement or crawl space, make sure the sump pump has a battery backup. Battery backsups are also important for network servers.

Contact Utility Company. When your office or home loses power, be sure to contact BGE, which provides power to most of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Visit www.bge.com or call to report outages at 877-778-2222. If you see sparking power lines, immediately call 9-1-1.

Normally, a short power outage is no big deal, but the longer the power is out the potential for damage to a home or business increases.

When Winter Weather Strikes, We Strike Back

1/22/2019 (Permalink)

Ice Dam

SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore wants your home or business to be prepared for winter weather. Water damage can occur for different reasons during cold winter months. Follow these winter weather tips to prevent water from damaging your property.

TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR WINTER WEATHER

Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells. This allows warm air to circulate around pipes.

Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets, especially if the pipes for faucets run through unheated or uninsulated areas of your home.

Consider shutting off outdoor faucets. Find the shut-off valve in the basement or crawl space and turn it to “off”.

Ensure gutters are clean and secure. Leaves and debris accumulate, causing a damming effect on gutters, which could lead to roof problems and water damage.

Proper maintenance of your furnace can help reduce the risk of puffbacks.

TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR BUSINESS FOR WINTER WEATHER

Check your business property for downed tree limbs and branches. Weather, such as wind, heavy rain, ice and snow, can cause branches to fall, which could cause damage to the property and potentially cause personal injuries.

Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.

Inspect all handrails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas. Install mats or non-slip surfaces and post caution signs where water can be present.

Contact SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore for an Emergency Ready Profile for your business.

When water damage puts the things that matter most on the line, you need the very best help on the line as well. That’s why knowing the easiest ways to contact SERVPRO of Pasadena/Gibson Island/Lake Shore is so important. Just go to www.SERVPROpasadena.com on your mobile phone or call (410) 255-1110.

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (410) 255-1110