Homeowners suffering from water damage are faced with an extremely stressful experience. PuroClean Professional Services is prepared to immediately restore property, relieving the stress of property owners during an extremely vulnerable time.
Water loss and damage is a real threat for property owners. In fact, according to the Insurance Information Institute in the last year, 22 per 1,000 households have entered a claim for water related damage. "These situations are more common than most people think," said George Cruz, owner of PuroClean. "Water damage can often result from weather, such as storms or melting snow, or more often, from common household malfunctions such as pipe leaks, washing machine malfunctions or other plumbing problems."
The Northeast Ohio region is subject to many threats to a property from water damage due to our harsh and extended winter periods. The precipitation levels accompanied with freezing temperatures often present troubling issues for property owners. Usually during these frigid temperatures many area plumbers, public service workers, and PuroClean Professional Services are busier than normal dealing with frozen and ruptured water pipes and lines to homes and businesses. Service calls are taken every year regarding busted water lines to attic crawl spaces and basement areas. Some property disasters leave behind over five feet of water. Another form of water damage to homes this time of year is from ice damming. Ice dams are the accumulation of ice at the eaves and valleys of roofs, and in some winters create major problems for property owners in Northeast Ohio. Insufficient attic insulation and/or ventilation can cause roof snow to melt and slide down to the eaves, where the roof surface is cooler and the melting snow freezes to the roof. Subsequent melting causes water to pool behind this dam and sometimes the water seeps between the shingle layers, wetting the roof deck and possibly the walls and ceilings below. The surrounding counties of the Greater Cleveland and Akron metropolitan areas saw record amounts of ice accumulation last winter and it is expected to be a prevalent issue again this winter.
To help minimize loss, and prevent further damage while technicians from PuroClean are en route, Cruz suggests property owners follow these guidelines:
Insurance
o Call your agent.
o Take photographs of the damage.
o Keep all receipts from hotel stays, home repair materials, etc.
Plumbing
o Check pipes on well pumps and irrigation systems.o If sewage is backing up in the shower or under the toilet, your whole system is backed up. Call a professional and don’t use other sinks or toilets.
Roofing
o If the neighbor’s roof is missing shingles after a storm, you can assume that yours probably is, too.
o If only a few shingles are gone, try to cover the area with a garbage bag.
o If you have a large area of ripped tar paper or wood, cover it with a tarpaulin and call a roofer immediately.
Electric
o Most damage to electrical systems comes from water.
o Appliances exposed to water should be serviced before being used again.
o Check for sparks or frayed wires if wires are exposed call an electrician and do not turn on the power.
o If it appears that water has infiltrated your breaker box, call an electrician.
o Avoid fallen and dangling wires or metal fences.
o If a limb has fallen on a power line, turn off the power and call the utility company.
o If a fallen limb touches your property, it becomes your responsibility, but you should not attempt to clear them as they may be tangled in power lines. Call an electrician.
Flooding (Take these steps to minimize damage before the restoration professional arrives.)o Throw out all food, including canned goods, medicines and cosmetics that have been touched by flood water.o Keep a photographic inventory of anything that must be thrown out.o Don’t take pets into a flooded area and never let them drink standing flood water.
Miscellaneous
o Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer.o Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place.o Open closet doors, furniture drawers and luggage to aid in drying.o Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.o Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.o Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water.o Turn off the breaker before unplugging appliances.
About PuroClean Professional Services
PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the Northeat Ohio region. PuroClean responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean's certified technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers several continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers. Managing Partners George Cruz and Emilio Soli were named 2009 Male Entrepreneurs of the Year by the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. PuroClean Professional Services cover the ten surrounding counties of the Greater Cleveland and Akron metropolitan areas with 24-hour emergency service.
