Preparing for Spring Storms in Toledo Southwest

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

We're "here to help" handle whatever Mother Nature throws your way this spring!

Storm Prep is Worth the Time

Each year, thunderstorms alone cause approximately $27 million in property damage. Summer and spring seasons are the most vulnerable to these destructive and frightening storms.

There are several ways to prepare your property for the summer.

1. Always have an emergency kit with these items that you probably already have in your house: flashlight, battery powered weather radio, extra batteries to fit each electronic, non-perishable foods, lots of bottled water, can opener, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, blankets, extra clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, clock or watch, whistle to signal for help, and any important personal items and documents.
2. Know the safest structure of your home to go to during a severe storm such as a basement, underground cellar, or even the most inner part of your home away from windows.
3. Get routine maintenance on your roof and the foundation. Cracks in the roof are the number one leading cause to flooding damage.
4. Cut down any unwanted trees or limbs and get your trees trimmed before summer storm season. Trees and branches can fall on your property and damage the siding, windows, and roof.
5. Contact your insurance company to be more familiar with your policy. Most home insurers do not cover flooding damage.
6. Keep all expensive and favored possessions off the floor and away from low ground in case of flooding.
7. Keep all patio furniture, grills, etc. in doors before a summer storm hits. Do not forget to part your vehicles in the garage.
8. Finally, take those summer storm warnings and alerts seriously, especially tornado warnings. Tornadoes can lead to total property loss and even death.

Stay Safe During a Storm

We have experienced quite the rainy and stormy summer so far, and with these storms comes a risk of personal and property damage. Keeping yourself and your loved ones safe during a storm is the top priority, so here are a few tips to help you for the rest of the summer:  

• Remain indoors. This can be inside your home or the home of a neighbor if need be. If you are outdoors, seek shelter at a local business, or a public restroom. Public restrooms in parks are typically built to be storm proof. Should there be no other options, sheltering in your car should keep you safe and dry as you wait out the storm.  
• Stay away from windows. The safest place to be during a storm is a basement. If your house doesn’t have a basement, bathrooms are a good choice as well. 
• Try to stay away from appliances. Avoid showering or talking on a wired phone during a storm. Lightening can travel through plumbing fixtures or home wiring, so avoid using your washer and dryer during a storm. Lightning strikes can cause those appliances to short and catch fire.  
• Once the storm has passed, be cautious when walking around, especially outside. Be alert for down powerlines and tree branches. If you smell gas, be sure to contact authorities immediately.

Storms can be scary to witness, but following these steps can help to put your mind at ease during the next one. If you find that a storm has caused damage, feel free to call SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest today and let the experts take care of it! 

SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest is Ready for All of Your Storm Needs

If you have experienced any type of storm damage, whether it be from flooding or water damage, the experienced Storm Team at SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest will be there for you. Although we are an Ohio based franchise, we prepare in advance for expected damage from any storm anywhere in the United States! We respond quickly, too, because we know that immediate action and a fast response lessens damage, limits further damage, and reduces restoration costs. Our professionally trained crews have the specialized equipment and resources needed to handle the job, large or small, residential and commercial. Our teams strategically prepare ahead of the storm and place equipment at the best locations in case of flood or storm emergency. With several certifications and over 50 years of experience, you can rest assured that we are perfectly equipped to deal with any storm job no matter the size. Choose SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest a company that specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. We are Here to Help® and are ready to respond when Mother Nature strikes.

Storm Safety Tips

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

We have experienced quite the rainy and stormy summer so far, and with these storms comes a risk of personal and property damage. Keeping yourself and your loved ones safe during a storm is the top priority, so here are a few tips to help you for the rest of the summer:  

• Remain indoors. This can be inside your home or the home of a neighbor if need be. If you are outdoors, seek shelter at a local business, or a public restroom. Public restrooms in parks are typically built to be storm proof. Should there be no other options, sheltering in your car should keep you safe and dry as you wait out the storm.  
• Stay away from windows. The safest place to be during a storm is a basement. If your house doesn’t have a basement, bathrooms are a good choice as well. 
• Try to stay away from appliances. Avoid showering or talking on a wired phone during a storm. Lightening can travel through plumbing fixtures or home wiring, so avoid using your washer and dryer during a storm. Lightening strikes can cause those appliances to short and catch fire.  
• Once the storm has passed, be cautious when walking around, especially outside. Be alert for down powerlines and tree branches. If you smell gas, be sure to contact authorities immediately.

Storms can be scary to witness, but following these steps can help to put your mind at ease during the next one. If you find that a storm has caused damage, feel free to call SERVPRO of Toledo West today and let the experts take care of it! 

Contact us today! 567-368-8187

The Best Practices for Cleaning Up After a Storm

7/13/2022 (Permalink)

When the damage after a storm is too big of a task, call the experts at SERVPRO to handle your mess!

Your family has taken the necessary precautions during a storm, but what do you do to deal with the aftermath? There is a chance that something happened to your home, whether it be flooding, backed up sewage, or damage from falling debris. If there’s any major damage to your home, it’s best to call the experts at SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest and let the professionals clean up. But, there are still some things you can do yourself if you feel up to it.  

• Clean up tree debris from your property. Picking up sticks and leaves is by far the easiest step, and is something even your kids and pets can get involved in. These materials can be discarded, or saved for firewood or composting. If a branch or tree has fallen against your house and caused damage, make sure you call SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest to have it quickly, and expertly repaired.  
• Dry out your house as soon as possible. Water that has entered your home, typically in a basement or attic, can lead to mold if left untreated. Mold can lead to severe property and health detriments, so it is important to get these areas dried as quickly as possible. If some time has passed and you suspect mold may already be growing, a bleach-based household cleaning solution can kill the mold and prevent further damage.  
• If you see any damage involving sewage, live wires, or possible gas leaks, do not attempt to fix these things yourself. Leave these types of cleanups to the professionals at SERVPRO

If you feel unqualified or just need a helping hand, be sure to call in professionals to handle your after storm clean up.

Contact us today! 567-368-8187

Tips if Lightning Strikes Your Home in Perrysburg

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

If you need storm damage repair in Lucas County and the Surrounding Area, then it’s best to contact the experts at SERVPRO Toledo Southwest.

It’s one of those things that seems like it could never possibly happen to you. The chances of your house being struck by lightning seems to be basically zero, so why even worry about it? Well, would it surprise you to learn that between 2017 and 2020, the Insurance Information Institute reported just over 311,000 claims for lightning, with an average cost of $28,885 per claim? That’s a lot of claims, and a lot of money! So, what do you need to do if lightning strikes your Southern Cuyahoga home?

• The first thing to do is check on everyone in your house and make sure no one was hurt. It’s a bad idea to do things like wash dishes or shower during a lightning storm, but if lightning strikes, take a few minutes and make sure everyone is alright.
• The next thing you need to do is check for damage or a fire. As you do this, make sure to check everywhere from the attic to the basement looking for things like smoke, charred electrical outlets, sorted appliances, damaged roof shingles, or fried wiring.
• If you find anything storm damage and need storm damage repair in Lucas County and the Surrounding Area, then it’s best to contact the experts at SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest to mitigate your lightning or storm damage. We’ll take care of everything, so you don’t have to worry, so call us today if you’ve experienced any storm or lightning damage!

Storm Season Preparation in Toledo

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

Each year, thunderstorms alone cause approximately $15 billion in property damage. Summer and spring seasons are the most vulnerable to these destructive and frightening storms.

There are several ways to prepare your property for the summer.

1. Always have an emergency kit with these items that you probably already have in your house: flashlight, battery powered weather radio, extra batteries to fit each electronic, non-perishable foods, lots of bottled water, can opener, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, blankets, extra clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, clock or watch, whistle to signal for help, and any important personal items and documents.
2. Know the safest structure of your home to go to during a severe storm such as a basement, underground cellar, or even the most inner part of your home away from windows.
3. Get routine maintenance on your roof and the foundation. Cracks in the roof are the number one leading cause to flooding damage.
4. Cut down any unwanted trees or limbs and get your trees trimmed before summer storm season. Trees and branches can fall on your property and damage the siding, windows, and roof.
5. Contact your insurance company to be more familiar with your policy. Most home insurers do not cover flooding damage.
6. Keep all expensive and favored possessions off the floor and away from low ground in case of flooding.
7. Keep all patio furniture, grills, etc in doors before a summer storm hits. Do not forget to part your vehicles in the garage.
8. Finally, take those summer storm warnings and alerts seriously, especially tornado warnings. Tornadoes can lead to total property loss and even death.

Call SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest at 888-915-1401.

Flood Prevention Tips

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

A business in the communities of Barberton or Norton may find itself in danger of flooding from high water. Fortunately, a local storm damage restoration service can help with restoration if damage does occur, but you may want to consider mitigation steps before the storm arrives. Here are three prevention systems your business may already have in place.

1. Sump Pumps

In some cases, the installation of a sump pump in a basement area may be able to help stop flooding. These units are designed to help regulate water flow, and when properly maintained can help keep an area free of pooling water.

2. Drainage

Another feature to consider for protecting your company property from high water is the drainage system. Proper drainage is important for flood prevention as it can help direct the flow of water away from the property. Drainage systems may include roof gutters, landscaping features such as a slope or rain garden, drainage ditches, and sewer drains. All of these provide safe areas for storm water to flow into instead of puddling around the business property.

3. Backup Systems

For a business having a backup system in place for any electronic data can be an important step for protecting the company against flooding. These systems may include cloud storage or a server where all the data can be stored independently from the actual computers. This way if the electronics themselves are damaged you know the data is safe. It’s also important to note that in some cases a restoration service may be able to restore the electronics depending on the damage severity.

It’s not uncommon for high water to lead to flooding. In many cases, a business property may already have some mitigation steps in place.  If flooding does occur SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest can help repair any damages.

Thunderstorm Safety

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Over the past few weeks, there have been several storms in the in Northwest Ohio, and with storms comes a risk of personal and property damage. In order to keep yourself safe during storms, there are a few steps to take.  

• Go indoors and stay there. This can be inside your home or the home of a neighbor. If you’re outdoors somewhere without many houses around, such as a park or the lake, try and seek shelter in a nearby building. Parks should have public restrooms, and these are often built to be storm proof. Should there be no other options, the best thing to do is to shelter in your car and wait out the storm.  
• Once you’re indoors, move to somewhere away from windows. Many homes have a basement, which is the safest place to wait out storms. If your house doesn’t have a basement, bathrooms are often a good choice as well. 
• Try to stay away from appliances and avoid activities such as showering or talking on a wired phone. Lightening can travel through plumbing fixtures or home wiring, so it’s best to avoid using things like washers and dryers during a storm. Additionally, if there is a lightning strike, it could cause those appliances to short and catch fire.  
• After the storm has passed, remember to be careful walking around, watch out for things such as downed power lines and possibly damaged circuit breakers. If you smell gas, contact authorities immediately.  

It might be an inconvenience to follow these steps, but the most important thing is to keep you and your family safe. If you find that a storm has caused damage, feel free to call SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest today and let the experts take care of it! 

What if Lightning Strikes your Property?

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

It’s one of those things that seems like it could never possibly happen to you. The chances of your house being struck by lightning seems to be basically zero, so why even worry about it? Well, would it surprise you to learn that between 2017 and 2020, the Insurance Information Institute reported just over 311,000 claims for lightning, with an average cost of $28,885 per claim? That’s a lot of claims, and a lot of money! So, what do you need to do if lightning strikes your Lucas County home?

• The first thing to do is check on everyone in your house and make sure no one was hurt. It’s a bad idea to do things like wash dishes or shower during a lightning storm, but if lightning strikes, take a few minutes and make sure everyone is alright.
• The next thing you need to do is check for damage or a fire. As you do this, make sure to check everywhere from the attic to the basement looking for things like smoke, charred electrical outlets, sorted appliances, damaged roof shingles, or fried wiring.
• If you find anything storm damage and need storm damage repair in Maumee or Perrysburg, then it’s best to contact the experts at SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest to mitigate your lightning or storm damage. We’ll take care of everything, so you don’t have to worry, so call us today if you’ve experienced any storm or lightning damage!

Storm Cleanup is What SERVPRO Does Best

7/21/2021 (Permalink)

If you have experienced any type of storm damage, whether it be from flooding or water damage, the experienced Storm Team at SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest will be there for you.  Although we are an Ohio based franchise, we prepare in advance for expected damage from any storm weather anywhere in the United States!  We respond quickly, too, because we know that immediate action and a fast response lessens damage, limits further damage and reduces restoration costs. Our professionally trained crews have the specialized equipment and resources needed to handle the job, large or small, residential and commercial. Our teams strategically prepare ahead of the storm and place equipment at the best locations in case of flood or storm emergency. With several certifications and over 50 years of experience, you can rest assured that we are the perfectly equipped to deal with any storm job no matter the size. Choose SERVPRO of Toledo Southwest, a company that specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. We are Here to Help® and are ready to respond when Mother Nature strikes. 

Prepare Your Maumee Home Before The Storm

12/14/2017 (Permalink)

Are you ready?

Living in Northwest Ohio we often experience severe winter weather. That means our homes should be winterized sometime during the fall season. There are many things that can be done to prepare your home for winter including insulating attics, basements, and walls to help heat your home more efficiently, and putting plastic over windows. Heating systems should also be cleaned and serviced each year before they are used to ensure they are safe and working properly. Any drafty areas should be caulked, or otherwise repaired and the roof should be checked to ensure that there are no leaks and it will be able to bear the weight of the snow.

Before cold weather approaches, you should also spend some time cleaning gutters and trimming any tree branches that could fall on your home in the event of a bad storm. Pipes should also be insulated to prevent them from freezing which can result in burst pipes and flooding.

SERVPRO of Southwest Toledo wants you to be prepared, but by chance you find yourself with a burst pipe, We are here to service all your mitigation and restoration needs. (419) 385-9245

Blizzard in Toledo Ohio: 40 years Later

12/14/2017 (Permalink)

Blizzard of 1978 Toledo Ohio

This January 26th - January 27th 2018 will make the 40th anniversary of the blizzard of 1978. This Storm has been referred to by some as "White Hurricane". The blizzard was the worst in Ohio history; 51 people died as a result of the storm. Over 5,000 members of the Ohio National Guard were called in to make numerous rescues. Police asked citizens who had four-wheel-drive vehicles or snowmobiles to transport doctors to the hospital. From January 26 to 27, the entire Ohio Turnpike was shut down for the first time ever.The total effect on transportation in Ohio was described by Major General James C. Clem of the Ohio National Guard as comparable to a "Nuclear Attack". Forty years later the "Great Blizzard Of 1978" is remembered by many as the time when the city of Toledo came together and took care of our neighbors. We checked on the elderly, made sure they had food and heat.  Through all of the devastation, this city came together! These are the memories some of us have from the "Great Blizzard of "78" . 

The Wonderful World Of Weather Lore

12/14/2017 (Permalink)

Let's face it if you follow the weather in any way at all we know that it is not an exact science. Yes there are satellites to observe cloud patterns around the world, and radars are used to measure precipitation. All of this data is then plugged into super computers, which is how they come up with an educated guess.They do not control the weather. So how do we know if we are in for a mild winter or a winter filled with snow storm and cold temperatures? My Papaw always said to look to Nature, It would tell you all you need to know. Living on a farm in the Midwest he would often say a severe winter had many tell tell signs. A simple sign like an over abundance of acorns was natures way of preparing Gods creatures for a rough winter. If there weren't many acorn then winter would be mild. He also said "onion skins very thin, mild winters coming in; onion skins thick and tough, coming winter is gonna be rough." I am not sure who is more accurate the weatherman or my Papaw, but the  acorns were abundant and my onions in the garden this year were tough. My Papaw would be happy that my snow boots and snow shovel are ready! 

What To Do When The Storm Subsides

12/14/2017 (Permalink)

2017 has had no shortage of severe weather hit around the globe. We have seen major Hurricanes such , Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria.  The Atlantic  alone has had 17 Named storms so far in 2017!

On top of the major named storms we have had sever thunderstorms, heavy rains and we are just barely into the winter season!

So what steps should you do after the storm is gone and you are left with damage to your home?

There are steps that you should be aware of, steps to make the process smother and less Complicated.

1. Take the proper safety precautions! If your property is heavily damaged contact a reputable restoration company such as SERVPRO of Southwest Toledo to secure your property.

2. Contact your insurance company.

3.  Photograph damage, if it safe for you to do so. This is important to be sure you have an accurate record to give to your insurance company.

4. If the damage is from a storm such as a hurricane, look into Federal Disaster Assistance.The federal government may have declared the area affected by the storm as a disaster area that is eligible for low-cost loans to help restore your property to normal. You will be required to file documents to receive these loans.

Spring Floods

3/30/2016 (Permalink)

Spring Floods

Spring is here and with that comes the rain. Sometimes more rain than what our storm sewers can handle.  Rivers and streams rise above their natural boundaries causing the water to overflow. Flooding occurs and as the water travels across the ground it picks up all kinds of contaminates such as soil bacteria, decaying insects, animal droppings, fertilizers from fields, oil and roadway debris, and the list goes on. It is for this reason that even after the flood waters recede, what is left behind poses a host of health issues. Therefore it is very important that when cleaning up after flood it is imperative that certain precautions should be taken.

First on the list is to assess the situation before entering a building. Water and electrical don’t tend to mix very well. It is best to make sure the power is shut off.   

Call in a professional who has been IICRC certified such as SERVPRO®. SERVPRO® is a professional water damage restoration company that has highly trained, certified technicians, specialized cleaners and antimicrobial agents to makes sure your home or building is properly disinfected. We have the extraction equipment to remove the water and the drying/dehumidification equipment to make sure the building is drying out in a timely manner. Certified restorers have the knowledge to test the materials and apply the restoration techniques required to return the structure and salvageable items back to their pre loss condition.