Recent Storm Damage Posts

National Preparedness Month is Here to Save your Property

9/26/2023 (Permalink)

September is National Preparedness Month. Join Anne Arundel County in preparing for emergencies and disasters of all types, and leading efforts to encourage the community to become more prepared!

SERVPRO of Glen Burnie on commercial properties that experience storm damage:

What we often notice is the property as well as the personnel do NOT have an emergency plan. In September 2020, a tornado wreaked havoc on certain parts of Anne Arundel County. And, once again, some businesses and properties were not prepared.

Disasters happen and not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities. We recommend you make a plan and practice it with your employees.

Here are several things you should include in your preparedness plan:

An evacuation and shelter-in-place plans
A plan to communicate with your employees and their families
An emergency supply kit
Practice your emergency plan

Be sure to sign up for alerts and warnings for Anne Arundel County, and download other necessary apps to stay informed, such as the FEMA app.

Keep SERVPRO of Glen Burnie’s contact information on your cell phone and in your plan. Our team is always here to help make it “Like it never even happened” if disaster strikes in your life.

How to Prepare Your Home for Storms!

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

While the leaves start to fall and the weather begins to change, you should be preparing your home for the start of the fall season. It is the time of the year when days become shorter, and the weather gets cooler. With the cooler temperatures upon us, get your home ready now.

At SERVPRO of Glen Burnie, we have some recommendations for your fall preparedness plan:

Clean your gutters and install gutter guards to prevent backups
Check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors
Ensure any exterior water pipes are insulated to avoid freezing
Make a readiness plan in case of a power outage in the coming months
Test and prepare your generator
Replenish the gas in any outdoor equipment you may use in the fall
Trim and remove any dead or damaged tree limbs near your home
Have your HVAC unit inspected by a professional
Make sure outdoor drains are clear of leaves or debris

If you have any preexisting damage in your home and need professional help, contact SERVPRO of Glen Burnie at 410-766-1110.

Storm Damage Can Wreak Havoc

6/8/2022 (Permalink)

A combination of moisture in the air with rising warm air leads to lots of summer storms in Maryland. Our SERVPRO of SERVPRO of Glen Burnie team is specially trained to deal with the mess a storm can leave behind. Not only does our franchise have you, but our whole company does. SERVPRO has mobilization teams across the country to travel as needed to support large storm events. No matter what, you can always count on us to be faster to any size disaster.

After the Summer storm, check your home or building of damage. Make sure all electricity and outlets are working. Be aware if there is water damage by sinks pipes or toilets. There could be many possible damages after a storm. Below are a few of the types to look for:

Lightning Damage

If the home is hit by lightning during a storm it can burn through roofs, shingles, or gutters from the building and even tear into attics. Electrical damage can happen if appliances such as refrigerators were plugged into an outlet during the storm.

Wind Damage

Roof damage is possible with heavy winds or even worse a missing roof. Wind damage is seen the most when it comes to the after effects of storm damage. High winds can be anywhere from 50-60 mph and can ruin homes. Roof damage can lead to a roof leak which leads to bigger problems… water damage.

Flood Damage can be Typically the water that floods into your home is not clean. The water has sediment that will contaminate whatever touches your home. Water damage is not an easy task to clean on your own. It should be cleaned up with more than just a mop to make sure there is no left over residue that could grow mold.

SERVPRO® of Glen Burnie wants you to stay safe from Summer storms. Call us at 410-766-1110 if you experience storm damage!

Prepare An Emergency Supply Kit

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

With the past few years being filled with the unexpected, one thing we have learned is that it pays to be prepared. If a disaster strikes your home or business, leaving you stranded, you may need to be self-sufficient for a few days depending on the severity of the storm. Luckily in Glen Burnie, there are no current forecasts of such storms. However, here at SERVPRO of Glen Burnie, we want you to be prepared regardless.

Your basic emergency supply kit should include these recommended items:

Water
Food
Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio for weather alerts
Flashlight
First-aid kit
Extra batteries
Whistle
Dust mask to help filter any contaminated air
Plastic sheeting and duct tape
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties
Wrench and pliers
Manual can opener
Local maps
Cell phone with extra chargers or a backup battery

If a storm does end up damaging your property, SERVPRO of Glen Burnie is here to help!

Ice Dams! What To Know and What You Can Do to Prevent Them

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

With the recent snowstorm that passed through Glen Burnie, we have seen several homes directly affected by the falling snow and freezing temperatures. For some homes, ice dams are forming, causing water to leak back into roofs, causing water damage and mold in attics.

But how do ice dams form? An ice dam forms when the roof over the attic gets warm enough to melt the underside layer of snow on the roof. The water trickles down between the layer of snow and the shingles until it reaches the edge of the roof, which stays cold because it extends over the side of the house. Once there, the water freezes, creating a mound of ice or an ice dam.

If an ice dam gets big enough, melted water backs up behind it and soaks underneath the shingles. Eventually, the water that seeps into the attic will soak the insulation and down into the ceilings. From there, the water makes its way to the dry wall, ruining the sheetrock, paint and more.

How do you prevent ice dams from forming? You can scrape snow from the roof whenever it falls, using a snow rake from below or even a plastic shovel from above. We would recommend hiring a professional to clean up your gutters since it will be safer than dealing with adverse conditions on one’s own. Even if your roof is not very steep, an ice dam can still form.

If you experience water damage in your home this winter, call the experts at SERVPRO of Glen Burnie and we can make any size disaster “Like it never even happened.”

Check Your Pipes Before Winter Comes

10/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Glen Burnie wants to help you prepare your property to prevent and avoid any water damage this coming winter. Here are some tips to keep water flowing in your pipes during the winter months.

Know the location of the water shut off valve.

This is the number one thing to know if you were to have a major incident with your home’s plumbing. Typically, shut off valves are found outside the home, about 4 feet away and sometimes beneath the landscape. Occasionally, the shut off valve will be beside the water meter. It is crucial to know where the shut off valve is in case you have a pipe burst and need to cut off the water supply and prevent further damage to your home.

Turn off the spigots to avoid freezing.

The average homeowner spends $10,000 for a pipe rupture. Having an emergency plumber fix the plumbing issues, and then, having SERVPRO of Glen Burnie dry your home and replace any damaged flooring, walls, etc., is a huge expense. Take some time to disconnect garden hoses and purchase a cover to protect these outdoor spigots.

Look for pipes in uninsulated areas of your home.

Pipes that run on the outside edge of your home are most susceptible to freezing. These pipes should be covered with towels or foam to protect them from the freezing temperatures.

Preparation will be key to make it through the winter seasons with no issues with your home. Review these tips with everyone in your home to ensure that water safely flows throughout your property and be ready for this cold winter.

Severe Fall Weather Might Be Coming Our Way

9/29/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that there is a second peak of severe weather in the fall? Hurricane season does not officially end until November 30^th and autumn brings a second peak of severe weather. Severe thunderstorms during the fall can be just as violent as those in the spring; these storms bring the threat of tornadoes, harsh winds and flooding downpours.

With humid air coming from the Gulf of Mexico mixing with the cold fronts from the north, severe storms are very common in the Mid-Atlantic region. Fortunately, once the cold air arrives, it helps stabilize the atmosphere, leading to less frequent and less severe storms.

As the second peak of severe storms approaches, it is important for you and your family to be safe this season. Are you ready for the start of fall? SERVPRO of Glen Burnie has trained professionals who can offer a variety of services to help get your home ready for the upcoming season.

Tips for Preparing Your Home for the Fall Season

9/22/2021 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Glen Burnie, we have some recommendations for your fall preparedness plan:

Clean your gutters and install gutter guards to prevent backups
Check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors
Ensure any exterior water pipes are insulated to avoid freezing
Make a readiness plan in case of a power outage in the coming months
Test and prepare your generator
Replenish the gas in any outdoor equipment you may use in the fall
Trim and remove any dead or damaged tree limbs near your home
Have your HVAC unit inspected by a professional
Make sure outdoor drains are clear of leaves or debris

If you have any preexisting damage in your home and need professional help, contact SERVPRO of Glen Burnie at 410-766-1110.

Spring Showers Bring May Flowers or Do they Bring Flooded Basements?

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

Do you find as much water from spring storms in your basement as you do in your flower beds? Maybe it’s time to make some adjustments to the landscaping around you home to prevent the water from flowing in. If your yard has high and low points that tend to gather water, creating a sloped swale to guide the water down and away from your home can help you prevent basement flooding and the need for water damage repairs. Some additional landscaping tips to consider are:

Choose native plants or plant grass
Add mulch
Create a rain garden or install rain barrels
Add drainage areas near walkways and driveways

Using a combination of these tips may prevent storm water from getting into your home, if not we are available to assist with the clean up. Give SERVPRO of Glen Burnie if you find water in your home, 410-766-1110.

Is Your Car Cold Weather Ready?

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Check Your Tire Tread

SERVPRO of Glen Burnie 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 your car gets water damage, get it 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 tire tread.

When getting your car ready for winter, be sure to inspect your tires for tread wear and rotate them during every oil change. Click here to learn how to do the penny test to check your tire tread.

Test Your Car Battery.

Car batteries have a limited life. Don’t wait for yours to fail and leave you stranded.

Check your sunroof.

We’ve all heard of a leaky sunroof. To avoid rainwater and melting snow from getting into your car, check the drain holes for dirt and debris. Use canned air to remove any obstacles.

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.

Is Your Retail Facility Winter Ready?

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

City of Glen Burnie, Maryland

At SERVPRO of Glen Burnie our number one priority is getting your business back in operation as quickly as possible. In the past, SERVPRO of Glen Burnie has seen winter and summer storms wreak havoc on Anne Arundel County. Has your business experienced loss during these storms? Is your property ready for the next storm?

Winter weather can bring frozen pipes when they are exposed to cold weather, such as those outside your building. A frozen pipe can burst at the point where the ice blockage inside the pipe is located, but typically the rupture is caused from the backflow of pressure between the water source and the blockage.

Here are some additional tips for preparing your business for winter weather:

Check your business property for downed tree limbs and branches.

Inspect property, especially walkways and parking lots, for proper drainage to alleviate flood hazard potential.
Inspect handrails, stairwells and entryways to address and correct potential slippery or hazardous areas.

SERVPRO of Glen Burnie has experience in the retail industry. We’re proficient in the cleanup and restoration of national chain stores, supermarkets, shopping malls, department stores and more.

Do you have an Emergency Storm Kit?

10/19/2020 (Permalink)

Emergency Kit

In a year filled with the unexpected, one thing that we have learned is that it pays to be prepared. After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days.