Hurricane Season Is Here – Steps to Prevent Water Damage and Protect Your Property | SERVPRO® of East Mecklenburg/Matthews

9/20/2024 (Permalink)

Quick and efficient hurricane response from SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews helps minimize damage and restore your property faster.

Hurricane rainfall presents an opportunity for water damage to your Matthews, NC property. Leaks and floods can cause significant harm and may require you to temporarily vacate your building while it's being restored. This creates a challenge, as you’ll want to get back to business as usual as soon as possible! Furthermore, severe leaks can lead to floods, increasing the risk of exposure to mold, chemical hazards, injuries, and more.

Fortunately, these inconveniences are preventable! Whether your water emergency occurs in an office building or a big box store, it’s imperative to take proactive measures to prevent leaks and damage to your property. Keep an eye out for the following:

Damaged Windows
Water can seep through windows that aren’t properly sealed, leading to mold buildup and wall damage. Since caulk—the material often used to seal windows—breaks down over time, be sure to have your windows resealed regularly.

Broken Pipes
Changes in pressure throughout the year, along with cold weather, can cause pipes to break or burst. Although there are some telltale signs of this issue, such as water stains on walls or floors or a musty smell, detecting leaky pipes can be challenging. It's best to consult a professional to determine if your property has broken pipes.

HVAC Problems
During hurricane season, colder temperatures may lead us to turn up the heat. However, ducts in the HVAC system can wear out and become damaged over time, especially during extreme weather, causing leaks. Therefore, it’s essential to clean the system regularly and remove any accumulated water. As with broken pipes, identifying leaks from an HVAC system can be difficult, so consulting a professional is recommended.

September is one of the rainiest months in Charlotte, NC, and across the Southeast. With this in mind, it’s important to stay ahead of potential water damage issues.

One of the best ways to prepare is by creating a SERVPRO® Emergency Ready Profile. This immediate plan of action outlines how to restore your building after a disaster and resume business operations quickly. Additionally, we utilize 360-degree technology to document preloss conditions, including your equipment and its placement before the disaster struck.

If you want to prepare your business for future disasters, contact SERVPRO of East Mecklenburg/Matthews today, and we’ll help you create an Emergency Ready Plan.