Fire & Water Damage Services – Florida Properties Rotating Header Image

Flood Damage

Proper Mold Remediation Involves Sealing Off Ventalation

Feb 11th, 2013
by Jarvis Team.
Comments are off for this post

Why Is Containment So Important During Mold Remediation

Containing Mold Contaminated Materials is Critical

Mold spores can pose a serious health threat to those exposed to the microscopic particles. The spores are the reproducing product of mold growth and can be thought of as the seeds that can spread the mold. The spores can also cause respiratory problems in people that have been exposed. Mold poses the greatest risk to people with compromised respiratory health. Mold contamination can occur after flooding, after a plumping leak or sewer backup or when building materials become wet from a roof leak.

Common symptoms for mold associated health problems include shortness of breath. More serious conditions occur when the mold spores develop into an infection within the lungs. Prompt medical treatment is urged whenever mold related respiratory problems are suspected.

Removing mold infected materials is critical to making a home safe for habitation. Hard surfaces, those that do not absorb moisture can be cleaned with a bleach mixture. Moisture absorbing materials, such as drywall, carpet and upholstered furniture most be removed from the home.

Place the moldy materials in a container that can be closed and sealed. Heavy-duty garbage bags work for lighter materials although a heavier container may be required for building materials such as drywall or wood. Workers handling the material should wear the proper masks while handling mold contaminated materials. Cleaners should also wear eye protection that seal against the skin of the face without ventilation holes and waterproof gloves that extend beyond the wrist.

Containing the mold contaminated materials until it can be safely disposed of is critical to keeping the home safe. Even after the moldy material is removed from the home it poses a risk until disposed if a landfill or other approved location.

Containment of the mold contaminated materials helps limit the potential exposure of people in and around the materials. Once the moldy materials are placed in the containment systems, those bags or boxes should be disturbed as little as possible. Movement of the boxes or bags can shake loose more of the spores and create additional chances for inhalation hazards by people around the containment bags.

Few bagging or containment systems are completely airtight and some potential for mold spores escaping always exists. For this reason, it is always recommended that the containment bags or boxes be removed from the home as soon as possible. In some areas, mold contaminated materials most be disposed of by an approved contractor. In other areas, the containment bags or boxes can be disposed of with the normal trash.

The mold cleanup process is generally considered complete when all hard surfaces have been decontaminated and sanitized and absorbent materials that have become infested with mold have been removed from the premises.

Flooding in Gulf Coast States Causing Havoc

Jun 11th, 2012
by Jarvis Team.
No comments yet

Southeastern Alabama and the Panhandle of Florida have been overcome with rainwater as several cities are receiving more than 12 inches of rain in one day. People living in and around Mobile, AL are being told to use extreme caution there as severe flash floods have washed out roadways and made many impassible. In nearby Pensacola, FL the National Weather Service said that Saturday was the 2nd wettest day on record there and that a flash flood emergency is in effect.

Flooding from heavy downpours of rain have damaged many homes across the Florida Panhandle, cut power off to a county jail and has sent many people fleeing their homes to look for shelter on dry land. A tornado which formed from the storm system damaged a few homes and buildings in southeast Alabama. Over nine inches of rain fell in Mobile County from Friday through Sunday with even more rain in the forecast for Monday morning. People there are being told not to travel because many roadways are washed out or completely flooded with water.

The historical rain event is being caused by a low pressure system that has stalled out over the region for the past few days and it is not expected to leave until the end of this week. There have been moments when it has stopped raining, but most of the time it’s either been constantly drizzling or pouring down rain. All of the rain is simply more than creeks, rivers and lakes can handle. Drivers are being told that if they cannot see the road because of water that they should turn around as there’s no telling how deep it is.

Pensacola has seen severe flooding this weekend. On Sunday, emergency workers had their hands full and the sound of sirens could be heard regularly all day long. Many homes were flooded with several feet of water there Saturday and Sunday as residents braced for additional rains Monday morning. More than 100 people spent the night in shelters in Escambia County Saturday night including residents from a 50-unit apartment complex and a 22-home subdivision.

The National Weather Service reported that over thirteen inches of rain fell on Pensacola over a 24 hour period by Saturday, coming very close to the 15.29 inches set in 1934. Thus far, the flooding has caused millions of dollars worth of damages with more rain on the way for the start of the work week. Flood assessment teams are preparing to see exactly what the end results are from this major flood event once the storm system finally leaves the region and moves out to sea.

Doral Flood Cleanup Begins as More Wet Weather for Miami-Dade County

May 24th, 2012
by Jarvis Team.
No comments yet

Miami-Dade County in Florida remains under a flood watch after 48 straight hours of rain. The National Weather Service has extended the watch until Thursday evening. On Wednesday, heavy, torrential rains caused all types of problems for business owners in Doral. Water had to be pumped out of a parking lot there into a nearby canal, but by the time that was done, many motorists had already been left stranded on flooded roads and streets.

Folks living in south Florida are fed up with Mother Nature as it has been pouring rain since early Tuesday. Residents at one Doral apartment complex spent all of Wednesday removing wateer from their homes and vehicles. The heavy rainfall set a new Miami record after 5 ½ inches of rain fell within 24 hours, something that has not been witnessed since 1901. Doral got more than four inches of rain. There were vehicles seen stranded in high water all over that community. Unfortunately, Doral residents are not in the clear yet because the National Weather Service is telling them to expect more rain and even some more torrential rains through Thursday as the system that’s bringing the wet weather is moving very slowly across the region.

Due to the extreme rainfall that has been ocurring, The South Florida Water Management District or SFWMD is now operating the extensive flood control system that is designed to move massive amounts of water very quickly due to the. Officials at SFWMD report that the system is doing it’s job which is to minimize the risk of flooding near homes and businesses. Already about 200 million gallons of rain from the recent storms have been flowing in an emergency basin which is a nearly 1000 acre impoundment area that was built after Hurricane Irene in 1999 and an unnamed storm in 2000. In all, a half a million residents and 5,000 homes and businesses are being protected by the system.

The upcoming Memorial Day weekend is also going to be wet. The National Weather Service reported Wednesday that it will rain over the coming weekend as the official forecast calls for scattered showers and thunderstorms all across the region. How much rain will fall is yet to be seen. If those iving in southern Florida had their say, the upcoming holiday will be sunny and dry. However, people living in the region who are planning outdoor get-togethers should make alternative indoor plans as it could rain very heavily at times.

Cleanup Efforts Begin as Carencro Faces More Flooding

Mar 15th, 2012
by Jarvis Team.
No comments yet

Officials are working to assess the damage caused by flooding on Tuesday. The assessments of damage resulting from the flash floods that inundated southern Louisiana on Monday could be ready by Thursday, there is a threat of more flooding from the bloated Vermilion River is a major worry for the people residing in the northeastern area of the Lafayette Parish, officials stated on Wednesday.

As per Jay Castille, Carencro City Manager, people are being evacuated from the area, The (Baton Rouge) Advocate reported.

If more rain falls, then there will be trouble for the communities in Carencro and surrounding areas, Castille stated.

As per the National Weather Service, the Vermilion River swollen to 21.85 feet at 3.00 pm, causing moderate flooding near Carencro. Flood stage of the river is at 17 feet.

According to Castile, a reworked estimate suggested that 60 percent of the Carencro city was inundated at one point, the Lafayette Daily Advertiser reported.

Church Street and Veterans Drive were hit quite hard. Affirming it as a major event, Castille said that almost all the communities within the Carencro city limits were affected. At least, 100 homes were affected.

The public works building in the city was also flooded with 2 feet of water.

Sewerage infrastructure in the city suffered some damage because of flooding, Carencro Mayor Glenn Brasseaux stated.

Castille stated that the city workers were out there cleaning up the drains and flooded buildings.

Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office spokesman, Capt. Kip Judice said that deputies were still observing the situation and were prepared to provide any help when needed. Judice said that they were waiting water levels to recede further and then evaluate what the city has to do to assist in public cleanup.

All the affected people are being prompted to get to call the Lafayette Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness to answer a phone questionnaire.

Flooding can cause irreparable damage to your home or business place if not cleaned and dried promptly. In order to get to protect your property from water damage you should hire the service of a professional flood restoration company.

A reputable restoration company has all the equipment and expertise in cleaning up water-related damage. The services provided by an established property restoration company include flood redemption, water extraction, structural drying, sewage cleanup and mold redemption.

Repairing A Broken Pipe, Better Call In A Plumber

Dec 27th, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
No comments yet

A broken pipe is not only annoying; it can get pretty difficult to clean up the aftermath. Especially, if it’s a bathroom pipe or pipes holding sewage wastes. Also, if you take moral ethics into count, then a leaky pipe or a broken faucet means wastage of water. Not only is the constant drip-drip an annoyance but fixing a broken pipe can well be expensive in the long run. Plus the more water you waste, you’ll have a larger bill to clear eventually. Occasional drips or leaks can be easily fixed, but a major broken pipe will be harder to fix yourself.

This is why it is best to call in a plumber to fix your broken or leaking pipes. Not only are they experienced in this kind of work, but they will also be able to suggest the correct remedy for your broken pipes. Now broken pipes can be of all kinds. They can be inside your bathroom, outside in your garden, in your kitchen sink or even the water mains outside your house. Each problem has a different solution and this can be best judged by the plumber. After all, fixing the problem is one thing, but experimenting with it and then worsening the situation won’t actually help you.

Now some people don’t want to invest in a plumber, and in case you do want to fix the broken pipe yourself, it is best to read up on plumbing basics first. Household pipes are generally installed inside your wall cavity or under floorboards. Most problems occur near fixtures such as tubs, toilets and sinks, but sometimes it might just be the pipe that’s causing the problem. For instance, they might have a blockage, or become corroded or just become old and brittle. Pipes can be made of copper, cast-iron, brass, PVC plastic or galvanized steel.

You need to check inside the pipe to see the reason for its breakage and also to see if there is any kind of blockage inside. Use a pipe or wire brush to remove any residual blockage or debris first. Metal pipes can be fixed by soldering or using compression fitting and even by using flare nuts over them. Couplings are also helpful when it comes to fixing broken pipes. Read up on the kind of coupling that will fit on your pipes or ask the handyman to get some for you. Plastic pipe joints that are defected should be cut with a hacksaw or pipe cutter specifically.
Make sure you brace the joint to stop it from rotating and then use a sand paper or utility knife to remove ragged edges. Make sure you start with a dry fitting and use a pencil liner to mark the spot. Apply cement mix to both the inside and outside of the pipe and fit it immediately, using the marking for directions. Make sure you do it instantly or the cement will dry. For PVC pipes, apply PVC primer first and then start with the rest of the work. Always use proper precaution and the right tools and when it doubt, don’t hesitate to call for your plumber.

Residents in Southern Florida Struggle with Flooding

Nov 1st, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
No comments yet

Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in Florida. With more rain in the forecast for early this week, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of Miami-Dade and Broward counties which will remain in effect until Tuesday.

Affected residents are being warned to stay inside and to avoid walking and driving in flood waters. Health officials in Miami are telling affected residents not to eat or drink anything which as been touched by flood waters as it will be contaminated. Several schools have been closed in both Miami-Dade and Broward counties due to flooding and are expected to re-open sometime this week. Over fifty apartments in one Fort Lauderdale complex were flooded late Sunday as were the complex’s underground parking garages. Several other apartment complexes in Fort Lauderdale were also affected by flooding as was a local food bank. The public has been asked to volunteer to help those affected mop and clean up.

The cause of the flooding in South Florida was a stalled frontal system which dumped twelve inches of rain in some areas. Even though much of the region of Florida has adequate drainage via many canals, the drains simply backed up under the strain of heavy rain. Fort Lauderdale Beach received the worst of the rain as 12.5 inches fell there. Coconut Grove received 11 inches followed by Palmetto Bay with 8.8 inches.

Thousands of residents and businesses were affected by the Florida flooding which will result in many of them having to deal with the damage over the next few days if not weeks. Insurance companies in the affected region reported Monday that many flood claims have been filed with the majority of them for roof and vehicle engine damage. Nearly 3,000 Florida Power & Light customers lost their power early Monday although most should see it restored by Tuesday.

The flood damage was so extensive in parts of Fort Lauderdale that several restoration companies were hard at work already Monday cleaning up apartments, homes and businesses which had several inches of dirty standing water inside. Rainy weather and gusting winds are expected to remain over South Florida until mid-week. A low pressure system in the Gulf of Mexico is also bring in some added rain. That system has a 60% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone. Residents living in low-lying areas in South Florida are being told to have plans in place to address flooding which may occur.

Cleaning Up After a Hurricane

Oct 4th, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
No comments yet

Hurricanes are forces of nature and they leave a trail of devastation and destruction on its wake. The storms and hurricanes all over the world are said to have been caused by man’s abuse of the Earth. But because they are unavoidable, the best you can do is to always be prepared. Having emergency supplies and a place to retreat for safety is very important. Boarding up the house and property before the hurricane comes is another method of protection.

Upon Returning to the Site

Remember to only return to your property after emergency officials have declared it safe to do so. Value your life more than material things. Only go once you are allowed to. Wear protective covering for your face, feet, and body. Do not attempt to touch any fallen wires or clear any trees. Call the utility company and report loss of power, upturned gas tanks, etc. Once power is restored, check the refrigerator for spoiled food and throw them out immediately. You can do a preliminary cleanup of your property by wiping wet surfaces. You can also dispose of waterlogged items like furniture, carpets, mattresses and pillows. Clothes that can be salvaged may be placed in garbage bags and taken to a Laundromat to be washed and cleaned.

File an Insurance Claim

Damage to property due to hurricanes is usually covered by insurance. You can file a claim and expect to be paid after a reasonable amount of time. You can wait for the insurance adjuster to come and inspect your house. But you may also take pictures to document the damage, especially if you are in a hurry to clean up. Whatever miscellaneous items you purchase may be reimbursed if you keep all receipts and invoices. Taking down notes about what particular parts of your house need to be repaired is also helpful. You will have to wait until the adjustor has finished inspection before you can call for outside service. Make sure you have a written quotation from the contractor because it is necessary for reimbursement purposes.

Utilize Outside Services

For major cleanup and repairs, it’s best if you outsource the service. There are several companies that specialize in hurricane damage repairs and cleaning. It can be overwhelming to deal with it all but you can count on these companies to deal with your destroyed floorboards, flooded basement or damaged roof. They are meticulous and thorough. They also prioritize hurricane victims so you can expect a crew to arrive immediately at your place. Broken windows, debris and tree removal can also be handled by these companies. There are even companies that offer complete restoration services. So, you will not have to worry about anything… they will take care of it all.

Hurricane Floods Cause Maximum Destruction

Sep 21st, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
No comments yet

One of the reasons why hurricanes are known to wreak havoc, destroy homes, property and kill people is due to floods. It is common for floods to take a natural effect during the course of tropical storm or hurricane because the waters in the rivers, sea swell with water from the rains. Hurricane Irene has gone down in history as one of the most expensive natural disasters in the history of US, apart from the multi-billion dollar called Hurricane Katrina. Experts say that extensive damage is not due to the winds but due to flooding.

The industry estimate for the cost of hurricane Irene is about $7 billion to $9.7 billion, mostly due to the impact of the flooding. There was severe flooding in Vermont, upstate New York, and the rough waters destroyed several fields of tobacco and cotton, put a stop on harvesting, fishing work and disrupted transport, which led to many people staying at home. So, the economy and productivity was definitely hit by the floods.

In fact, Hurricane Irene has caused so much damage due to floods that it is difficult to know how many damaged homes are covered under flood insurance.. The deductibles have also become expensive in recent times,, needing homeowners to come up with more than four thousand dollars in damage before the insurance company comes into picture.
Flooding causes power failures throughout cities and villages ; which has been known to affect tens of thousands of people. In case of Hurricane Irene, thousands of people in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were without power.
After the hurricane weakens and the damage restoration takes place, the officials have to focus on restoring power, clearing debris, repairing bridges, roads etc that have been ravaged by floods, not to mention helping people and saving lives. Flood waters are also known to have caused major trouble to waste treatment plans and local sewage.
Considering how airports are closed, flights get cancelled, commuters stay at home, and businesses are rendered powerless and crops damaged, you can imagine what an indestructible loss is caused by these floods.
Under such circumstances, the authorities have to take all preventative measures to stop floods from causing more damage. The citizens should also cooperate with the authorities and develop an evacuation planl this can be done by contacting local emergency management office or the American Red Cross to undestsnad the best and safest shelter places and evacuation areas.
Also after the floods cease and the hurricane winds lose their power, it is better to wait and get a green signal from the weather authorities before the task of repairing the damage comes into the fore. Also, if you are staying in a flood prone area, it is better to take flood insurance so that the financial loss is not borne by you

Vermont Reeling from Affects of Hurricane Irene, Massive Cleanup Process Underway

Sep 1st, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
No comments yet

While Hurricane Irene lashed numerous states along its path over the weekend, one state where the after-effects are being felt the hardest is Vermont. There has been some remarkable footage coming out of the Green Mountain state which has shown massive flooding, rivers over-flowing, roadways completely washed away and thousand of people left stranded.

The Mad River Valley has received the worst damage from Irene in central Vermont as the storm thrashed the area on Sunday. The tropical storm is responsible for wrecking hundreds of homes, businesses, schools and city offices in Moretown, Waterbury, Waitsfield and Warren. Many people have reported that there homes were filled with five feet of water in this area of Vermont as a result of the rains and massive water run-offs. The entire valley has been devastated. There was an eighteen foot high wall of water in some portions of the valley on Sunday night. Now the goal of emergency crews is to at least create some paths for emergency vehicles to use so that they can begin to get to work repairing the horrific damage which has been done to utility poles, roadways and bridges.

Vermont experienced the worst flooding the state has seen in 100 years as Irene left communities coping with some of the region’s worst flooding it has ever received. On Tuesday, thirty FEMA trucks hauling supplies arrived in Vermont to give aid to the thousands of residents affected by the storm. Food, blankets and other items are being handed out in the communities worst hit. Helicopters are being used to get supplies to those towns and communities that cannot be reached by road. The National Guard is distributing supplies to those communities reachable by land.

Thus far there is no official estimate of what it is going to cost to repair the hundreds of badly damaged roadways and bridges in Vermont. However, the state has been assured by FEMA that the feds are going to contribute 75% of the cost. The final bill will be steep which means that local and state budgets will somehow have to come up with one-forth of the money. Governor Shumlin says that he will find the funding somehow without having to take money from Vermont’s rainy-day fund. The bad news for the many affected home and business owners is that FEMA is saying that it will take several days to obtain accurate estimates to give to President Obama to get the funding flowing into the devastated state.

Tropical Storm Emily may develop into a Hurricane before reaching Florida

Aug 2nd, 2011
by Jarvis Team.
No comments yet

Tropical Storm Emily developed in the Caribbean close to the Lesser Antilles Monday evening. It is predicted to reach South Florida on Saturday as a category one hurricane. Small change in its strength since it formed has been reported.
At around 5 a.m., it was reported to be about 245 miles of San Juan, Puerto Rico and was about 1,200 miles southeast of Miami. With sustained winds of 40 mph, it is travelling at 16 mph.

If the forecast holds, the tropical storm would reach south of Puerto Rico Tuesday, get to the Dominican Republic by Wednesday and hit the Turks and Caicos Islands by Thursday. It is predicted to reach central Bahamas by Friday and draw close to the Miami coast by Saturday. However, the estimated course may change in next few days, as more data about steering currents becomes available.

Hurricane specialists using the computer models to predict the path of Emily stated that it may hit Florida by this weekend. According to the forecast made by the National Hurricane Center, a low-pressure trough is more likely to form over the western Atlantic, which could pull the storm toward South Florida. However, it is difficult to determine the path of Emily because of its rough condition. As per hurricane specialists with the Accuweather and National Hurricane Center, the system may die down as it approaches land and interacts with dry air, but other atmospheric conditions, like warm sea-surface temperatures may strengthen it.

The storm is predicted to move diagonally from the Lesser Antilles in the direction of Florida. According to Erik Pinrock, leading meteorologist with Accuweather, the high pressure that is shielding the storm over and above the eastern Atlantic and Florida has moved over the Midwest, allowing the tropical systems to progress toward Florida. Pinrock added that certain large-scale conditions in the environment support the predictions made by the computer models and forecasters with the National Hurricane Center.

According to Pinrock, there is a chance of Emily developing into a minimal hurricane. However, if the storm is stronger, then the possibility of it turning north-east toward the sea before reaching Florida is quite high.

The hurricane season this time is off to an active beginning. Before Emily, all the four named storms have been weak. However, the season is going to peak shortly, increasing the possibility of more forceful storms developing in a couple of upcoming months.

← Earlier Posts