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As soon as natural disasters are forecasted, our expert contractors prepare to assist our wide-ranging customer base. But the thing is we’re always ready. That’s because we know that sometimes disaster strikes unannounced – and it rarely does so on a 9-to-5 schedule. Either way, our 24/7 emergency response line is ready so that, when you call, we are ready to assist you.

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Storm Damage 101

Arkansas is home to some of the most beautiful seasons in our great nation. However, thanks to our geography, and prevailing weather patterns, those who live and work here are occasionally subject to severe storms in each of those seasons. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it’s beautiful here, but from spring tornados to summer thunderstorms to fall floods to winter ice storms, there’s always the potential for damaging weather. Since 2014, Pro Service Builders has made it a priority to know how to respond to and rebuild from all of Mother Nature’s surprises.

NOTE: Before we establish any tips for dealing with these weather disasters, be aware that the No. 1 thing you should do after EVERY weather emergency is listen to what the authorities tell you. Failure to do so could endanger your safety and health, as well as leave you liable for insurance purposes.

ALSO: If your home or property is damaged, take photos or videos that document the extent of the damage, and ALWAYS contact your insurance company.

 

  • What to do after flooding/water damage
  • What to do after wind damage
  • What to do after hail damage
  • What to do after fire damage
What to do after flooding/water damage

What to do after flooding/water damage

  • If you have evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
  • Call 9-1-1 to report any downed power lines and gas leaks.
  • Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live. Electrocution is always a danger after floods as electrical currents can travel through water.
  • Do NOT drive through flooded roads – 4-wheel drive or not
  • Stay out of damaged buildings.
  • Report outages to your utility company.
  • Check news reports to learn if your water supply is safe to drink. If there are no updates, boil any cooking or drinking water for at least one minute before use.
  • Throw away food (including canned items) that has come in contact with floodwaters. Don’t eat food from flooded gardens. 
  • Never touch electrical equipment while you are wet or standing in water. 
  • Have wells checked for contamination from bacteria and chemicals before using.
  • Beware of damaged septic tanks and have them fixed before use.
  • Avoid entering moving or standing floodwaters, they could be contaminated with pathogens or chemicals – or be an electrocution danger.
  • Clean and disinfect anything that got wet. Take precautions. Wear appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses, and face masks.
  • Carpeting, mattresses, and upholstered furniture should be disposed of or disinfected by a professional.
  • Consider using professional cleaning and repair services before attempting to repair flood-damaged property.
What to do after wind damage

What to do after wind damage

  • Wait until after the storm has passed before assessing your property – preferably check during the daylight to avoid exposure to other dangers such as downed power lines or broken gas lines.
  • Beware of dangers such as broken glass and exposed nails.
  • Stay away from downed utility wires. Always assume a downed power line is live. Electrocution is always a danger after floods as electrical currents can travel through water.
  • Avoid entering moving or standing floodwaters, they could be contaminated with pathogens or chemicals – or be an electrocution danger.
  • If you smell gas or fear a potential gas leak, shut off your main gas line, open the windows, and move outside immediately. Notify your utility company and local authorities. Do NOT return to the building until it has been deemed safe by authorities.
  • Beware of structural damage to a building that makes the building unsound – especially collapsed walls or standing water in the basement.
  • When inspecting your roof, look for: Holes, split seams, missing (or broken or dented) shingles, granules in gutters and/or downspouts, leaks in your ceiling, and dented vents, gutters, or flashing.
  • Consider using professional cleaning and repair services before attempting to repair storm-damaged property.
What to do after hail damage

What to do after hail damage

  • Safety first: wait until the storm has passed before going outside to assess your property.
  • Look out for post-storm hazards such as fallen tree limbs, glass from broken windows or downed power lines.
  • Examine exterior walls for cracks, dents or holes, particularly if you have aluminum or vinyl siding. Hail also can cause chips and damage to painted exterior walls. Also pay attention to window and door frames to ensure seals are not cracked or punctured, which can lead to water infiltration. If you have a garage door or roll-up doors, make sure the hail hasn’t dented or chipped its paint.
  • Inspect the roof as best you can from the ground, looking for missing, dented or cracked shingles. Note that hail can cause small dents or soft spots that may not be immediately visible but can lead to problems over time. Consider having a professional inspect the roof more closely.
  • Examine gutters and downspouts for cracks, dents or blockages. Granules from shingles can accumulate in gutters after storms. Ensure metal flashing and vents are not dented or torn.
  • Survey outdoor structures and equipment like decks, sheds, fencing and HVAC units for damage, as well as any outdoor decorations, appliances and furniture. 
  • Check for any signs of leaks, such as water stains or damp spots in the attic or on the ceilings. Also take a look at the basement to look for any water intrusion that may have occurred due to damaged gutters or downspouts.
  • Consider using professional cleaning and repair services before attempting to repair storm-damaged property.
What to do after fire damage

What to do after fire damage

  • Stay out of fire-damaged buildings until local fire authorities say it is safe to re-enter.
  • Always look over the outside of your physical property before you enter. That means looking for loose power lines, smelling for broken or damaged gas lines, foundation cracks, missing support beams or other damage. Call 9-1-1 and your utility company if there are any downed power lines or broken gas lines.
  • Damage on the outside can indicate a serious problem inside. Ask a building inspector or contractor to check the structure before you enter.
  • Don’t force doors open, as they may provide support to the walls surrounding them.
  • Check for smoke and embers throughout the home, including the attic.
  • If you have a propane system, turn off all valves and contact a propane supplier to check the system out before you use it again.
  • Beware of damaged objects, such as furniture or stairs, as they may be unstable. Always avoid holding, pushing or leaning against damaged building parts.
  • If your ceiling is sagging that means it got wet and will have to be replaced. We recommend you call a professional, but if you try to knock it down on your own, be careful and wear eye protection and a hard hat. Using a long stick to maintain your distance, poke holes in the ceiling (starting from the outside of the bulge to let any water drain out slowly). Note that if you poke the center of the damaged area, it may cause the whole ceiling to collapse.
  • If the floor is sagging, do not step on it, as it could collapse under your weight.
  • If it is dry outside, open windows and doors to ventilate your home.
  • Disconnect and check all appliances for water damage before using them.
  • Inspect your electrical breakers. A tripped breaker could indicate damaged wiring inside your home or commercial property. Do not turn them on. Call an electrician.
  •  Wear rubber gloves and discard any spilled chemicals and rags used for cleaning according to the advice of local authorities.
  • Throw away food (including canned items) that has come in contact with flame or smoke.

Have Questions?

What’s the most susceptible part of my property to storms?

A building’s roof takes the most stress under high winds. Damaging winds can rip up shingles and tiles or send debris crashing into the roof. So, check your roof after any strong storm. Because small damage to your roof can lead to bigger problems if left unattended. And you should try and have your roof inspected once a year regardless of its age.

What can I do to better protect my property from storms?

There are a host of preparations and cautionary steps you can take to help minimize risk to your commercial or residential property, including:

Maintain a sound roof; check your siding

Replace any damaged or missing shingles. Damaged shingles are more likely to break free under high winds, and missing shingles allow the surrounding shingles to become more susceptible to winds. Damaged or loose siding is also susceptible to high winds.

Ensure water does not build up around your foundation

Standing water near your foundation leads to basement and crawlspace flooding. So, make sure your gutters are free-flowing and your downspouts flow away from your foundation. Make sure your lot also grades away from your home. If it does not, have a sump pump installed under your home to pump excess water away from its foundation. Each spring, make sure that the pump is in good working order.

Check your doors and windows

Even a small crack or gap in your windows and doors can allow wind to force that window or door open – or make it more susceptible to breaking. And if wind penetrates your structure, it can more easily compromise its structural integrity.

Keep your yard/landscaping clean

Anything that’s not tightly anchored to the ground can become a missile during damaging winds and damage your building. So, check on any fences, keep trees trimmed, keep garbage cans anchored, beware of plant pots, and keep yards/landscapes free of debris.

Have a generator

Dangerous storms generally knock out power. A generator can help maintain the safety and security of your home in prolonged blackouts.

How long does it take to clean and “repair”?

When disaster strikes, we understand that your main priority is getting your property –  and your life – back to normal as quickly as possible. Our team will work as quickly and efficiently as possible to get the job done right and stay as close to the timeline and budget. Still, every restoration job will vary depending on the extent of the damage, what parts of the home were affected, how long the drying process takes, and other factors. While every restoration job is unique, many industry experts estimate it takes about 72 hours to dry one room and prepare it for reconstruction. Then, depending on the extent of the damage, it might take 1-3 weeks to complete the repairs per room.

If there is mold or mildew that needs cleaning or the water was contaminated, that might also extend the cleaning and drying time. 

If your home was built before 1985, our team must test for asbestos before opening any walls to remove damaged material and dry things out. Asbestos testing can take anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. If the test comes back negative, then our team can get to work right away. If your home does have asbestos, then we need to use a special asbestos abatement process, which will add time to the restoration project.