Rain Storm Precautions

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

With Summer ending time to prepare!

When a flood is happening you can take the following measures:
- Disconnect all electrical and gas appliances. Shut off the water main to keep contaminated water from the water heater (a source of emergency water).
- Bring any valuable or sentimental outdoor possessions inside.
- Move valuables and essential items to upper floors of building.
- Sandbags should be stacked well away from the building to avoid damaging walls. If major flooding is expected, flood the basement with clean water to equalize the water pressure on the outside of the basement walls and floors. This is to help prevent structural damage.
- Round up pets.

The extent of the flooding will impact the amount of work required to get your home back to its former glory. Minimal flooding may require only the time it takes to remove the water and dry everything out. More extensive flooding can leave you needing a complete remodel. Be prepared for the potential construction site left in your home after a flood.

How to cleanup water damage after heavy rain

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Call us today for more information on how to prevent water damage in your home!

If you have water damage in your home after heavy Portland rains, it is important to get a restoration company like SERVPRO of SE Salem on site immediately. Our team is quick to respond and begin all emergency service processes.

Once on site our team will look at all the angles to make sure that all of the water is extracted, SERVPRO of SE Salem will begin placing air movers and dehumidifiers. This equipment will be strategically placed to get the home dry as soon as possible. SERVPRO has invested a lot of resources in understanding the true science of drying to make sure your home gets back to pre loss condition as soon as possible.

After the home is dry, any and all repairs can be completed. SERVPRO of SE Salem has the capabilities of helping you from start to finish. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us at anytime. We are always here to help.

Pyramid of Water Contamination

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Call us today if you suspect water damage or mold in your home!

Water damage in your home in Portland that results from a heavy storm is contaminated water. Unlike damage done by a busted pipe or an overflowing bathtub, storm runoff is considered Category 3 water. To understand how this affects the remediation process to your home after flooding occurs, you first need to understand the difference between the three levels of contamination.

1. Category 1

A flood that results from Category 1 water is probably the easiest of the three categories for water restoration specialists to clean up. Once the water is removed and damaged materials are either dried off or torn out and replaced, the restoration process is basically done. This is because Category 1 water is considered clean water. It comes from pipes, supply lines or other sources that deliver water safe enough to drink to the different faucets in your home.

2. Category 2

If you have water damage from Category 2 water, a little more cleaning is necessary. This water often comes from household appliances. Washing machine or refrigerator leaks fall within this group. While minimal contact is probably not a problem, it is not recommended that you ingest Category 2 water. It is also a bad idea to throw it outside on your garden, as it may contain things such as soap or boron which can be harmful to plants.

3. Category 3

If your sewer backs up into your home or your toilet overflows, you likely have Category 3 damage. Storm water also falls under this category. Black water is typically teeming with bacteria. This makes it necessary to add disinfecting any surface with which it comes into contact to the cleanup task list.
Before the cleanup process begins, it helps to know where the floodwater causing the water damage came from. This information will tell you a lot about which category of contamination you're dealing with.

Storms Can Happen at Anytime

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

Stay safe and if you live in a fire danger zone be ready to leave at any moment.

We are typically not thinking of Storms, during this Summer months. As here in Oregon many associate storms with rain, snow and ice. However, that is a misconception, with lack of normal rain fall we have been having we have new type of Storm, in which we should be aware of. We call this a “fire storm”. Oregon is dense in heavily populated forest in which people love to camp and have campfires. We also have periodic lightning strikes that creates fires. Natural disasters can occur at anytime and fire is one of the many outcomes. Here at SERVPRO we are ready and able to respond to any major storm event, including fires. If a fire storm causes damage to your property, we here at SERVPRO are here to help! 503-427-9535

With Summer Coming to an End Here are Rainstorm Precautions

8/31/2021 (Permalink)

If you have water damage in you home or office please call our office!

When a flood is happening you can take the following measures:
- Disconnect all electrical and gas appliances. Shut off the water main to keep contaminated water from the water heater (a source of emergency water).
- Bring any valuable or sentimental outdoor possessions inside.
- Move valuables and essential items to upper floors of building.
- Sandbags should be stacked well away from the building to avoid damaging walls. If major flooding is expected, flood the basement with clean water to equalize the water pressure on the outside of the basement walls and floors. This is to help prevent structural damage.
- Round up pets.

The extent of the flooding will impact the amount of work required to get your home back to its former glory. Minimal flooding may require only the time it takes to remove the water and dry everything out. More extensive flooding can leave you needing a complete remodel. Be prepared for the potential construction site left in your home after a flood.

Hurricane Warning

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Remembering Katrina nearly 15 years later...

When Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast on August 29, 2005, winds of speeds up to 140 mph toppled trees and turned sand and debris into airborne sandpaper, stripping any trees or shrubs left standing of their leaves or limbs.

Katrina’s damage extended as far north as Memphis, Tenn. A 2007 study published in Science used NASA satellite images to estimate 320 million trees dead or damaged in Mississippi and Louisiana alone from Hurricane Katrina. In combination with Hurricane Rita later that year, Hurricane Katrina was called “the largest single forestry disaster on record in the nation” by The Washington Post.

Damage inflicted by hurricanes depends on a variety of factors, including location, how the forest was managed and the age and height of a stand. While a loblolly pine plantation with trees 10 to 15 feet high may not sustain much damage, an older stand with 50-foot-tall trees of the same species would sustain more damage, according to Stanturf. In addition, because trees tend to support and protect other trees, there’s often more damage along openings in a forest, such as along roads or powerline swaths.

Beyond the wind damage, the storm surge that accompanied Hurricane Katrina damaged forests from the ground level. Sea waters surged more than three miles inland in some regions and more than 30 feet along much of the Mississippi coastline, causing the widespread damage inflicted by coastal flooding.

Forest recovery after a hurricane or other event depends on a particular forest’s management objective. Some hurricane-ravaged forests may be left to regenerate on their own, taking decades to a century to fully recover and reestablish. In some cases, cleanup is necessary to protect the forest from further destruction, as tree debris can become a breeding ground for insects and fungi. Other responses include salvage logging to recover the timber value that’s been lost and to reduce fire hazards, explains Stanturf. Seven years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, both replanted and surviving stands are recovering.

Storms in Oregon

8/1/2021 (Permalink)

Stay safe and enjoy summer!

We are typically not thinking of Storms, during this Summer months. As here in Oregon many associate storms with rain, snow and ice. However, that is a misconception, with lack of normal rain fall we have been having we have new type of Storm, in which we should be aware of. We call this a “fire storm”. Oregon is dense in heavily populated forest in which people love to camp and have campfires. We also have periodic lightning strikes that creates fires. Natural disasters can occur at anytime and fire is one of the many outcomes. Here at SERVPRO we are ready and able to respond to any major storm event, including fires. If a fire storm causes damage to your property, we here at SERVPRO are here to help! 503-427-9535

Oregon Helping out!

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Storms in California!

Fire storm season has hit early, having governors exercising their emergency disaster orders.  Here in Oregon, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal has deployed five task forces to assist in California. Currently the Marion County Task Force which consists of Marion County Fire District, Mt. Angel Fire District, Woodburn Fire District, Keizer Fire Department, Silverton and Woodburn Fire District, have taken off and are currently helping in assisting tackling the LNU Lightning Complex Fire. This fire storm started by a series of lightning. As we watch and see our local firefighters help our neighboring state, we here at SERVPRO too, await the call from our neighboring state. As a fire restoration company, we are here to help! Every summer about this time of year we get a call from our fellow peers, asking for help and we rise to the occasion.  We gather our crews and heed the call!  Our neighbors can count on us here at SERVPRO!

Fires Raging Across Oregon

8/26/2020 (Permalink)

Amazing Air Support on Wild Fire

Here in Oregon we do not think of wildfires being a “Storm” like they are in our neighboring state. However, this past month lightning strikes have proved us wrong.

Here’s a look at some of the state’s most significant fires:

A pair of lightning-caused fires, the P-515 and Lionshead blazes, are covering a cumulative 6,448 acres near Warm Springs. The former blaze is 30% contained. The latter is at 5%.

The lightning-caused Green Bridge Fire is burning about 12 miles northwest of Sisters. The blaze covers 4,348 acres and has prompted Level 1 and 2 The fire is 13% contained.

The Frog Fire, caused by lightning eight miles south of the Crook County community of Post, covers about 4,000 acres and is 40% contained.

Indian Creek is the largest fire currently burning in between Burns & Ontario. It has burned 47,657 acres and is 28% contained. 

As fires rage across the state, know that SERVPRO is always here to help! As a leading fire restoration provider, we take great pride in our work!

Firestorm and Damage

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

Wind from a Fire Storm Can Cause Massive Damage

We here at SERVPRO anticipate the winds of summer and the sudden strike of a naturally caused or human inflicted fire storm. A firestorm is characterized by strong to gale-force winds blowing toward the fire, everywhere around the fire perimeter. These winds from the perimeter blow the fire brands into the burning area and tend to cool the unignited fuel outside the fire area so that ignition of material outside the periphery by radiated heat and fire embers is more difficult. What this means? If you have a property within the area of a firestorm, damage is inevitable. Here at SERVPRO we can protect the property and restore it to its original conditions.  Weather is it a complete total loss and needs demo or simply smoke soot damage, we are here to help!

Stroms in Oregon and the Damage!

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

Water Damage and Storms Can Cause Trees to Topple

When you live in Oregon you think of heavy rain. Oregon’s annual rain fall totals range between 66-88 inches. Rain in Oregon can lead to an array of issues. Heavy down pours fill rivers and sewage pipes rapidly. This allows for flooding and clogged pipes. This also allows for massive saturation of land including yards. If continued water fall happens and winds pick up, trees can topple. We see here in Oregon many people fall victim to fallen tress causing damage to their homes. Here at SERVPRO we respond to this type of storm immediately and work with all of those involved to safely get the home secured and provide the additional steps on the reconstruction of the home. If you suffer from water damage, sewage issues or damage from a fallen tree call the us here at SERVPRO. 503-883-8960.

Summer Storms Have Started in Oregon

7/28/2020 (Permalink)

Weather is Unpredictable

While out visiting with one of our local clients, I caught word that they would be down an employee starting tonight. My thought, oh no- did COVID hit? Without hesitation, they advised that their employee is a volunteer fire fighter and was called out to a wildfire. It has started, the storms Summer Storms of Oregon have begun. High temperatures of over 100 degrees mixed with humidity this week created the perfect storm of lightning strikes. The Cascade Mountains east of Salem took the brunt of lightning with a handful of strikes igniting. Currently there are 6 small wildfires burning deep within the vegetation. Many volunteer fire fighters are currently heading that way to help in assisting with many counties to tackle these head on. Here at SERVPRO we salute our fellow emergency responders and the volunteers that show up to protect. We also keep a close eye to see that no property damage is at risk. However if you are affected by wildfires this summer, know that we here at SERVPRO are here to help!

Storms in Summer?

7/22/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Storm

We are typically not thinking of Storms, during this Summer months. As here in Oregon many associate storms with rain, snow and ice. However, that is a misconception, with lack of normal rain fall we have been having we have new type of Storm, in which we should be aware of. We call this a “fire storm”. Oregon is dense in heavily populated forest in which people love to camp and have campfires. We also have periodic lightning strikes that creates fires. Natural disasters can occur at anytime and fire is one of the many outcomes. Here at SERVPRO we are ready and able to respond to any major storm event, including fires. If a fire storm causes damage to your property, we here at SERVPRO are here to help! 503-883-8960

No Matter What Type of Disaster, SERVPRO of Southeast Salem is There

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

During the event of any size disaster SERVPRO of Southeast Salem is the best choice when choosing a restoration company for three simple reasons. We are faster, properly equipped, and perfectly resourced.

As a locally owned and operated franchise we will quickly travel to your location in the event of a disaster. As your neighbor we will be there the moment you need us. We understand how troublesome a problem can be, and we never want our customers to have to wait during a stressful moment of their life. Our specialized storm teams can respond immediately to restore your property.

Here at SERVPRO of Southeast Salem we specialize in flood and storm damage and have a network of tools and equipment to handle any size disaster. We only use state of the art equipment and we are constantly updating our inventory to offer our customers the best possible service. If you need three fans, or well over 100, we have the tools necessary for any sized job.

We are an independently owned franchise of the largest restoration company in the country. Our brand has grown to several thousand franchises because we have the resources necessary for any type of disaster at our disposal. Our world-class Disaster Relief Team is strategically placed throughout the country to respond to any area immediately. Give us a call and we will be there to get your life back to normal.

When Lightning Strikes... SERVPRO of Southeast is There To Help

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

The odds of being struck by lightning is much more likely than that of winning at most games of chance including the Lottery.  The actual odds for the average American to be struck by lightning is approximately 1 in 5,000 during their lifetime.  On the bright side if you are unlucky enough to be struck you have a 9 out of 10 chance of survival on average.  A more dangerous than being directly struck result of lightning is the fires it can cause. 

Just last year in Oregon at this time at least 163 wildfires were detected in the state after 2,800 lightning strikes. In a few days the numbers had settled down to 47 fires that burned over 22,000 acres, according to the Department of Forestry.  Lightning is quite often a sudden occurrence that sometimes is impossible to prepare for.  Especially in the case of the beautiful uninhabited forests of Oregon.  Luckily it is a rare occurrence that homes or buildings are the target of the lightning bolts. 

Nationally United States fire departments annually respond to an estimated average of 22,600 fires that were caused by lightning. These fires caused an estimated average of nine deaths, 53 injuries and $451 million in direct property damage per year. 

When we are called to an unfortunate situation you can rest assured that we will always be empathetic and professional.  While we have no control over these lightning strikes or the devastating damage they cause, we can lessen the financial burden of the damage with our services.  Our highly trained technicians at SERVPRO of Southeast Salem are always available to provide our fire restoration services no matter what the cause of the fire.

Know What to do in the Event of an Earthquake

8/12/2019 (Permalink)

Knowing what to do in the event of a natural disaster or another unwelcomed event is crucial. Gathering a go-bag, plenty of food, water, and other survival supplies is strongly recommended to all Salem residents. Unfortunately, not all risks can be prevented or planned. The Pacific Northwest is sitting on a major fault line that is expected to slip within the next 50 to 500 years. Oregon also has neighbored some devastating earthquakes in the past. The most notable example being The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. This disaster left thousands of casualties and destroyed close to 30,000 buildings. In 1989 there was the Loma Prieta San Francisco earthquake. This occurred during the World Series and many were in awe of the devastation this caused. 

Preparing for such a disastrous event is almost impossible. However, when something falls down it is in our nature to pick up the pieces and rebuild. At SERVPRO of Southeast Salem, we fix what has been broken every single day we come into work. Whether it be an earthquake, a storm, or a fire breaks out; we will be there within a moments notice to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Oh sNOw!

8/8/2019 (Permalink)

Many Oregon residents will remember the snowstorm in December of 2008. Temperatures plummeted, schools closed, peoples lives halted. Tri-Met shut down two-thirds of their bus lines while hundreds of flights were canceled and flyers were stuck in the airport for hours. The storm affected thousands of others who attempted to traverse through the snow but failed. The storm cost the city over $2 million on related services. Nearly everyone has a story from the massive, crazy, and unexpected 2008 snowstorm.

The snowstorm in December of 2008 doesn't even come close to some of the snowstorms to hit the Salem and the surrounding area in recorded history. In 1884 Salem experienced its snowiest December with over 31 inches of snow which surely closed everything down. If we were to suffer record-breaking snow again, the damage associated with it is unthinkable and would send thousands into a frenzy.

With ice on the ground and a sharp decrease in temperature, any small cracks inside of pipes can easily expand to the point that they burst. Broken pipes aren’t the only fear when a storm similar to this hits. What happens to all the water once it melts? Several feet of melted snow can easily infiltrate your home. Without proper weathering and flood protection, your home could turn into an indoor swimming pool as the result of melting snow. If a snowstorm of any severity happens SERVPRO of Southeast Salem has a network of Storm Responders that are “Faster to any size disaster”. We are dedicating to serving you in your moment of need any time of year.

Best in the West

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem is the best choice for any size disaster. Our restoration company is great for three simple reasons. We are faster, properly equipped, and perfectly resourced.

As a locally owned and operated franchise, we will quickly travel to your location in the event of any disaster. As your neighbor, we will be there in a moments notice. We know just how frustrating and troubling a problem can be, and we never want our customers to have to wait during a stressful moment such as this. Our specialized teams can respond immediately to restore your property during a storm.

Here at SERVPRO of Southeast Salem we specialize in flood and storm damage and have an immense collection of tools and equipment to take care of any size disaster. We only use state of the art equipment and we are constantly updating our inventory to offer our customers the best service. If you need three fans, or well over 100, we have the tools and the team necessary to get the job done.

We are an independently owned franchise of the largest restoration company in the country. Our brand has grown to several thousand franchises because we have the resources necessary for any type of disaster at our disposal. Our outstanding Disaster Relief Team is strategically placed throughout the country to respond to any area immediately. Give us a call and we will be there to get your life back to normal.

Wacky Weather in salem (tornado)

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

When thinking about Salem weather tornadoes don't usually pop up first. On average there are only three that occur in all of Oregon annually so it makes sense why Salem residents don't think of them. Albeit uncommon, just recently a tornado touched down on the city. Oregon and Southwest Washington ended with toppled trees and power outages as well. Some trees were uprooted and an attic fire was reported as a result of the extreme weather. On the upside, no injuries were reported from the event. As rare as this type of storm to occur here in Salem It does happen.  If your home or business is subject to damages from severe weather SERVPRO of Southeast Salem can make it “Like it never even happened.”