How To Prepare Your Home For A Flood

9/20/2024 (Permalink)

Flooding is becoming increasingly prominent in East Providence, with storms quickly leading to clogged storm drains and failing gutters. Knowing what to do in the event of a flood is essential so you can remain calm and know that you’ve done everything possible to minimize the damage. 

How to Know When You’re At Risk For A Flood

It’s easy to fall victim to flooding, as it can happen quickly, and most people aren’t adequately prepared. That said, some areas are more prone to flooding, so contact your local or county office of Emergency Management to determine how at-risk you are. It is essential to understand the terminology in the event of a flood: 

• A Flood or Flash Flood Watch means flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area.
• A Flood or Flash Flood Warning means a flood or flash flood is imminent or is already occurring.

5 Tips To Prepare Your Home For A Flood 

If you are in an area prone to flooding and suspect a flood soon, there are some significant changes that you can make to protect your home and minimize water damage. Here are some tips to consider implementing for your home: 

1. Make an Emergency Kit In Case of an Emergency 

The first step to prepare for a flood is to assemble an emergency kit. Having the proper supplies on hand will make life much easier. In a power outage, it’s helpful to have a hand-crank radio, a Flashlight, and a first aid kit. Additionally, having a supply of medication, food, and water to sustain you for a few days is essential. To view a complete list of recommended items to add to your emergency kit, check out FEMA’s emergency supply list. 

2. Prevent Costly Repairs By Elevating Appliances

One step to adequately protect your home is elevating any appliances—such as furnaces, water heaters, electrical panels, etc. These should be 12 inches above the base flood elevation (BFE), which can be looked up online through FEMA’s elevation tool or by contacting your local floodplain administrator. 

3. Seal Up You Home To Minimize Water Entry 

Walk around your home and look for gaps and cracks where water could enter. This includes windows, doors, and openings for cables/pipes. Seal any openings with caulk. Sealing basement walls with a waterproofing compound is essential, as it can minimize the amount of water entering the home. Additionally, installing a sump pump with a water alarm can take some worry off your shoulders by automatically pumping out water and alerting you once it reaches a certain point. 

4. Clean Out Your Gutters to Prevent Leaks 

The purpose of gutters and downspouts around your property is to direct any water away from your foundation, preventing water buildup and leaks. That said, gutters can easily be clogged from leaves, debris, and other elements building up over time. Clogged gutters and downspouts will lead to water seeping into areas around your home rather than flowing away. Clear out your gutters and check the drainage around your foundation.

5. Install a Generator to Eliminate Worry 

Power outages are also very likely during a storm where flooding is possible. If you rely on a sump pump to drain water out of your home, a power outage can impact it and result in water buildup. Installing a generator can alleviate worry—especially if you are out of town when a flood occurs. It doesn’t have to be a big unit, just one to keep some essential appliances up and running if a power outage lasts for days.  

Contact SERVPRO of East Providence For Water Damage Cleanup

If your East Providence residence or business has flooding and water damage issues, we can help. We provide 24/7 emergency water and fire damage cleanup services for properties throughout East Providence, RI. For more information, please visit our website. 

What the Polar Vortex Means for Your Pipes

1/15/2024 (Permalink)

Polar Vortexes bring exceedingly cold temperatures

As the winter weather continues, "Polar Vortexes" become far more likely, signaling plummeting temperatures and severe weather conditions. This meteorological term, often associated with bone-chilling cold, can have a profound impact on daily life, particularly for homeowners and business owners. In addition to several drops in temperature to worry about, polar vortexes also heavily affect plumbing systems. As temperatures dive, the risk of pipes freezing and subsequently bursting increases, potentially leading to severely damaging water floods. Understanding the polar vortex, how it affects plumbing piping, and the necessary preventive measures are essential for bracing for the winter months. SERVPRO of East Providence has crafted some preventive measures you can utilize to ensure your plumbing stays safe during the ongoing polar vortex.

Understanding the Polar Vortex and Its Impact

A polar vortex is essentially a vast expanse of swirling cold air that typically envelopes the polar regions. However, during the winter, the vortex at the North Pole often expands, pushing frigid air toward the equator and affecting much of the Northern Hemisphere. This shift can result in a sudden and steep drop in temperatures, often catching businesses and residences off-guard.

The critical issue with these plummeting temperatures is their effect on water pipes. Water expands when it freezes, and this expansion can exert extraordinary pressure on pipes, regardless of whether they are made of metal or plastic. When the pressure becomes too great, pipes can burst, leading to water damage, the potential for mold growth, and the need for repairs on top of restoration and cleaning services.

Prevention and Protection

To mitigate the risks of a polar vortex freezing your pipes, consider the following preventive steps:

1. Insulate Pipes: Wrapping exposed pipes in foam insulation, particularly those in unheated areas like basements, attics, and garages, can significantly reduce the risk of freezing.
2. Maintain Consistent Indoor Temperature: Keeping your home heated consistently, even when you're away, helps keep the internal temperature of pipes above freezing.
3. Allow Faucets to Drip: Allowing a slight drip in faucets can prevent pressure buildup within pipes, reducing the risk of freezing and bursting.
4. Drain Water from Pools and Sprinklers: Drain water from the swimming pool and sprinkler supply lines following the manufacturer's instructions.
5. Close Inside Valves Supplying Outdoor Hose Bibs: After removing and draining outdoor hoses, close the inside valves that supply these bibs but leave the outside valve open.
6. Insulate Vulnerable Spaces: Increase insulation in areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces to maintain higher temperatures.
7. Open Cabinet Doors: Allow warmer air to circulate around plumbing by opening kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors.

The polar vortex, while a natural weather phenomenon, poses a significant challenge to plumbing, particularly regarding the risk of frozen and bursting pipes. By understanding this meteorological event and taking proactive, preventative measures, you can safeguard your home against the potentially devastating and costly consequences. Prevention actions are far more effective and less costly than repair. Stay warm, stay informed, and prepare your home for whatever the winter brings. 

Should you incur any water or storm damage during the Polar Vortex, feel free to contact SERVPRO of East Providence, and we'll make it "Like It Never Even Happened!"