How to deal with winter storm damage

2/17/2023 (Permalink)

When winter storm damage strikes, give SERVPRO a call at the first sign of damage.

Winter storms can cause significant damage to your home and property. It's important to take steps right away to deal with the damage, document it, and begin repairs.

Assess the damage.

After a winter storm, it's important to assess the damage. First, determine the extent of your property's damage by looking for broken branches and other visible signs of storm damage. If you have trees on your property that may be at risk for falling down or damaging other structures or vehicles in their path, contact an arborist who can assess whether they need to be removed immediately.

Next, take photos of all damaged items so you have an accurate record for insurance purposes. Make sure to document each item with an estimate of its replacement value, this will help ensure that all costs related to repairing or replacing items are covered by insurance claims after filing them.

Check for structural damage.

Check for water damage. If your basement has flooded, it's best to call a professional to clean up the mess. The same goes for any rooms that have been inundated with snow or rainwater, such as a garage or porch. Check for structural damage in the roof or walls of your home especially if the storm was accompanied by high winds and hail.

Look out for mold or mildew growth on surfaces like ceilings, walls and floors (especially if there was recent flooding). This can cause damages in the future.

Clear snow and ice.

Clear snow, ice and debris from around your home to prevent damage to your home and make it easier for emergency workers to reach you after the storm has passed.

Use a shovel or snow blower to clear the area around your home. If using a shovel, wear protective clothing such as gloves and boots, if using a snow blower, wear protective clothing as well as goggles to protect against flying debris. Make sure that all snow has been removed from the roof of your house before going inside this will help prevent weight overload on roofs that have already been weakened by heavy loads of wet snow.

Documentation.

Before you start cleaning up, take photos of everything. This is important for insurance purposes and also because it's likely that once you get started on a project, your memory will be fuzzy about where things were when the storm hit. You don't want to accidentally throw away something valuable by mistake!

Make sure to document all damaged items in writing, the cost of replacing them and their condition before they were damaged.

Winter storms can be devastating, but with proper preparation and planning you can minimize the impact on your home. It's important to know what types of damage may occur in your area and how best to deal with them. If you're unsure about what steps should be taken next after a storm, contact SERVPRO of South Philadelphia / SE Delaware County today! We'll help guide you through each step of the way until everything is back in working order again.

Understanding Roof Damage Mitigation

7/8/2022 (Permalink)

When a severe storm hits your Philadelphia, PA, home, the mix of rain, hail, and wind may result in roof damage.

Understanding Roof Damage Repair

When a severe storm hits your Philadelphia, PA, home, the mix of rain, hail, and wind may result in roof damage. After the storm calms, the first step should be to call your insurance company. Considering that many others could also be filing a claim, it could mean a significant wait time until the adjuster comes. In the meantime, it is likely that your policy requires you to mitigate against further damage. Calling a storm damage restoration specialist to complete an inspection will help provide guidance and a plan of action for restoration during the wait.

What Does Mitigation Mean?

Hail and wind damage can expose the roof, break windows and damage siding. If another storm moves in, those weakened areas will be more likely to suffer secondary issues, such as water damage or mold growth. In many cases, if mitigation measures aren’t taken, it may affect the claim. To avoid that, the following steps should be taken:

• Cover any broken or cracked windows or skylights with plastic.
• If there is an obvious leak roof, install a tarp in the attic to temporarily board it up. Ensure buckets are placed under the roof to catch any additional water leaking in.
• A tarp should also be used on areas where there is missing or damaged siding.
• Remove debris that could cause additional damage, such as hanging or fallen branches.

Extra Steps to Take

When roof damage happens, precautions need to be taken to ensure the claims process goes as smoothly as possible. Be sure to document all losses before any temporary mitigation, as well as after. When immediate repairs are needed, save any associated receipts. If there was hail, try to collect a piece and place in the freezer.

Dealing with roof damage isn’t always a fast fix. Be sure to protect your home from further damage by making temporary repairs. That will help minimize issues and may benefit your claim.

4 Benefits of Window Shutters

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

Board up your windows in your Collingdale, PA home. This could avoid moisture from slanting rain out of windows and prevent them from cracking.

Window Shutters Have 4 Advantages

Protecting your home in Collingdale, PA, from damages caused by high winds can take a few different forms. The most logical and permanent protection involves a durable siding such as professionally installed vinyl or aluminum siding or, even better, a brick facade. The next step is to look for window protection, and this could come in the form of shutters, which have the ability to improve your home in several ways.

1. Nice Looks
With many different styles to choose from—paneled, louvered, board and batten, and Bermuda— a window covering on the exterior of your home can add a certain appeal and even improve property values. You can choose from a variety of materials such as cedar, basswood, vinyl, and faux wood.

2. High Winds Protection
If you are worried about storms, it doesn't hurt to put up a covering over your windows. This could prevent windows from cracking and it might even keep out moisture from slanting rain. Storm shutters offer powerful protection from extreme weather.

3. Privacy
You probably don't want people peering into your home, so putting a solid covering over the windows can only enhance your level of privacy. This creates a cozy feel for your castle even on the stormiest nights.

4. Energy Efficiency
A shutter system over your windows is a good way to control the cold coming into your home and the heat leaving your home in the cold months, and vice versa in the warm months. This also allows you to control the solar radiation coming into your abode, which can make a big difference in your comfort level.

Storm protection takes on many guises, but if your home is impacted by wet weather be sure to reach out to a professional storm mitigation team. Highly-trained technicians can take care of water damage and restore your home to its original condition, even after high winds have come through.

The 3 Most Important Parts of a Business Continuity Plan

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Business owners must have a plan in place to resume operations as soon as possible following a major storm or an on-site disaster.

The Three Most Critical Elements Of A Business Continuity Plan

Planning for the unexpected always poses challenges. A plan to resume business as soon as possible after a major storm or an on-site disaster is essential for business owners. Learn more about the three most important parts of a continuity plan for a business operating in Collingdale, PA.

1. A Business Impact Analysis

Analyzing business impact is an attempt to account for the effects of a shutdown caused by a disaster or emergency. Closure due to flooding may be a practical scenario for a business located in an area with a high flood risk. A BIA should account for the event, its effects on business activity, potential losses and timeframes for recovery.

2. An Implementation Checklist

In addition to the calculations that inform a continuity plan, it is also important for business owners to make a checklist for implementation. In the event of a disaster, the measures that should be taken may be less obvious than they were while planning ahead for eventualities. A checklist of measures to take for each type of damage along with current contact information for your insurer and preferred restoration service can be helpful.

3. A Recovery Strategy

A business should consider whether it is possible to operate off-site in the event of a fire or localized disaster. Incidents that also affect customers and suppliers such as major storm damage may have a different timeline and set of expectations. It can be helpful to account for as many contingencies as possible, as plans may be useful even if they do not completely predict adverse conditions.

Making a continuity plan grants business owners and stakeholders a good opportunity to assess every element of operations. Calculating the impact that an interruption could have on a business over days or weeks is helpful for obtaining business interruption insurance to offset lost revenue and helping management plan ahead for any eventuality.

4 Ways To Prepare Your Business To Weather an Intense Storm

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Flood water, harsh winds and rain can harm your establishment. Get ahead of trouble by having a plan and taking action to minimize issues.

4 Ways To Prepare Your Business For A Severe Storm

The weather report calls for severe storms, and as the day passes, the impending system appears worse than expected. What should a proprietor do? Are there actions to take to ward off problems? After all, if a significant weather system passes through Sharon Hill, PA, your business could be impacted by tornadoes, flood water, intense wind speeds and hail.

These conditions prove destructive for properties. Business owners should understand how to get ready for the storm and restore the premises once it passes.

1. Create a Disaster Preparedness Plan

A flooded building proves chaotic. Get organized. With other team members, put together a notebook of safety procedures. Within the documents, have copies of insurance policies, the number for a water restoration company and instructions on safeguarding the premises and employees. Designate points of contact.
Also, gather and store the following supplies within a back room:

• A battery-operated weather radio
• Flashlights
• First aid kit
• Extra batters
• Water bottles
• Non-perishable snacks

2. Move Valuables to Higher Levels

If flood water breaches the walls, valuables and structures become contaminated and ruined, some of which may not be salvageable. Protect your property by moving important items up off the ground.

3. Create Flood Barriers

Use sandbags around the perimeter to reduce water penetration. It's best to have them on hand for a prompt response. Begin in low-lying sections, placing plastic sheeting down first. Then, stack the bags as if laying down bricks, with one slightly overlapping the other.

4. Store Electronic Data

If electronics sustain water damage, saved data is likely lost. Take the time to save your critical emails, documents and invoices to the cloud and a hard drive. It's better to have it in multiple places.

Flood water and harsh winds and rain can harm your establishment. Get ahead of trouble by having a plan and taking action to minimize issues. This effort could save remediation time and reduce repair costs.

Emergency Preparation: Ensuring Commercial Generators are Maintained

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help in your time of need. We are storm damage restoration experts who are available 24 hours a day to respond when you need us.

Emergency Preparedness: Keeping Commercial Generators In Working Order

A generator is a pivotal piece of machinery for many businesses, especially medical and manufacturing practices. These tools ensure that a business can maintain operations in the event of a power failure, and whether for safety concerns or production value they must be maintained. Failure to perform adequate maintenance can lead to a litany of issues, but there are four that are the most common.

1. Battery Failure

The leading cause of generator problems is battery failure. Failure occurs because a battery has not been charged properly or it needs to be replaced due to age. Most failures can be avoided by making sure that all cables, chargers and batteries are checked regularly and that their condition remains in good standing.

2. Leaks

Generator leaks are common and usually preventable through routine maintenance. These leaks can occur in the fuel, oil or coolant lines. Those leaks occurring in the coolant line are likely due to a block in the hoses leading to the heater. However, all leaks are preventable with regular checkups.

3. Low Fuel

Another common problem is faulty fuel gauges leading to low fuel. In order to avoid this issue, you can get in the practice of manually checking fuel tanks and having additional fuel storage on hand at your facility.

4. Starting Issues

If your machine is not set to auto, then it will not start up when a power outage occurs. However, if this is not your issue, then you can try a manual reset of the system. If that fails to work, then you can contact a storm preparedness specialist in the Sharon Hill, PA, area to figure out other possible causes.

A generator can be a potential life-saver, both figuratively and literally, for many business owners. However, these machines do have their kinks and must be regularly maintained to function correctly in the event of an emergency.

5 Storm Damage Prevention Measures

11/8/2021 (Permalink)

Storm damage is a headache. SERVPRO knows this, which is why we're available to respond to your call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

5 Ways to Prevent Storm Damage

Commercial properties may sustain damage from adverse weather in any season, but preventative maintenance can limit the extent of this damage. If you are anticipating a spring, summer, fall, or winter storm in Folcroft, PA, take these five measures to reduce the severity of storm damage.

1. Inspect the Building Envelope and Roof

The building envelope is designed to protect the structure and interior of a building. A damaged or deteriorating envelope may lead to leaks and secondary damage such as mold. You should schedule regular inspections to ensure that the envelope and roof remain watertight.

2. Clear the Drainage System

The drainage system plays an essential part in preventing leaks. Ensure that roof drains, downspouts, and gutters are clear, and that water will not pool around the base of a building. In the event of a winter storm, blocked drainage can result in icicles, ice dams, or the accumulation of heavy melting snow.

3. Trim Trees and Maintain Landscaping

Dead or overhanging tree branches can pose a serious threat to a building. A falling limb may damage the roof or breach the building envelope. Make sure that the landscaping is graded in a way that directs water away from the building.

4. Secure or Store Outdoor Items

Outdoor items such as trash cans or moveable seating can become flying debris in the event of a storm. Secure or store these items when adverse weather is on the way.

5. Obtain and Maintain a Generator

Consider a commercial standby generator as a fallback during power outages. You should have enough fuel to sustain critical systems and heat a building in freezing weather to prevent a pipe break.

Reduce the severity of spring, summer, fall, or winter storm damage by taking these preventative measures. Contact commercial storm and water damage specialists if damage occurs at a commercial property in Folcroft, PA.

Sewage Backup Is a Real Risk – Here Is What You Can Do To Prevent It

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

Flood damage is difficult enough to deal with, but SERVPRO can help you to deal with it.

Sewage Backup Is A Real Threat; Here's How To Avoid It.

When cities flood, it is not uncommon for rain water to push sewage into the basements and main floors of buildings. Flood damage is difficult enough to deal with, but when there is a sewer backup, the situation becomes much more complicated, mainly because black water is so hazardous. As a result, the restoration process for sewage backup is also much more expensive. If you want to prevent sewage backup and cut the cost of flood restoration in Sharon Hill, PA, consider taking the following three preventative measures:

• Install a standpipe
• Install drain plugs
• Consider an overhead sewer

Invest in a Standpipe

A standpipe is essentially a pipe stuck into the drain in the floor and encased by a rubber watertight seal. Any backup that comes up through the drain flows directly into the standpipe instead of out onto the floor. Most standpipes are about three feet tall and are effective in preventing sewer backup.

Install Drain Plugs

Drain plugs are installed in the floor drain and are activated once water reaches a certain level. If water is allowed to back up in the pipes, a float is activated and causes the drain to stop working. Once the water recedes, the float is deactivated and the drain is allowed to continue to operate as normal.

Consider an Overhead Sewer

This form of protection is the most effective but also the most expensive, as installing it requires the expertise of a licensed plumber. An overhead sewer works by providing a space (called a sump) for flood water to collect beneath floor level. Once rain water flows into the sump, it is redirected to the building’s central sewage system.

A building subject to sewer backup and black water can be costly to restore. If you want to minimize damage and prevent unnecessary costs, consider investing in a standpipe, installing drain plugs and installing an overhead sewage system.

What Should You Throw Away After a Flood?

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Floodwaters in a home in Collingdale, PA.

What Should You Dispose of After a Flood?

Sifting through your precious belongings after a flood in Collingdale, PA, is a difficult thing to do. It can be emotional and exhausting to figure out what you have to throw away and what you can keep. Once the water damage has been assessed, content cleaning must begin immediately. Here are a few tips as you start the cleanup process:

1. Beware black water – There are three classifications of water damage and this is the most severe. Whether the source is a nearby flooded river or a sewage overflow in your residence, black water is heavily contaminated and has serious health risks if ingested.

2. Throw away appliances with insulation – In the process of content cleaning, appliances such as refrigerators, stoves and washing machines may need to be discarded because they contain insulation that can carry mold.

3. Toss porous materials – Carpet, wood, and paper are places where contaminants like mold can hide. Because mold can spread within two to three days, these materials should be thrown away immediately.

4. Determine what can be saved – You can save anything that is nonporous as long as it isn’t too damaged, so anything made of glass, ceramic, plastic or metal can be kept. These items do, however, need content cleaning well.

Remember that any kind of moisture can encourage mold growth, so it’s important to reduce the risk of further damage by throwing away anything that can harbor mold or unsafe microbes. Even if your belongings look okay, spores can go undetected to the human eye. It’s also important to remove any items that come into contact with wet carpet and remove excess water in any place you can.

It can be a daunting process to go through your residence after a flood. It’s good to know what you can keep and what should be thrown away so that you can move on with restoring your home to a clean, livable condition.

3 Tips for Maintaining Your Commercial Roof

6/15/2021 (Permalink)

Commercial roof inspection

Commercial Roof Maintenance

When you live and work in Collingdale, PA, storms and other powerful weather events can be a standard part of everyday life. They're also the reasons for all kinds of industrial and commercial roof damage, from damaged skins and flashing to leaks and clogs. Unfortunately, these kinds of problems can sometimes force businesses to close for repairs or clean-ups. Here are three non-nonsense tips for maintaining your commercial roof for years to come.

1. Schedule Regular Inspections
Two times a year is the recommended frequency for roof inspections. Whether they're done by you, the owner or manager, or by a professional roofing company representative, an assessment can highlight current or potential problems. Examples include issues involving the roof's materials, drainage and surrounding trees, and sunlight and wind damage.

2. Take Care of As-Needed Repairs
If you find that a recent storm or high winds have caused roof damage, go ahead and fix the minor problems before turning them into major headaches. Whether debris compromises a section of flashing or a microburst dislodges shingles, resolve these issues as soon as possible. If you and your team don't have the knowledge, tools and safety equipment to make the repairs, hire a reputable commercial services company to do the work.

3. Invest in a Maintenance Plan
Consider investing in a maintenance plan to reduce your stress and the risk of a complete roof rebuild. Many reputable commercial roofing companies offer maintenance plans that take into consideration your unique property and its needs. Having help on speed dial and on the way after a storm or unexpected event gives you great peace of mind.
These three tips for maintaining your commercial roof can take some of the stress out of business and property ownership or management. Implement one or all three to enhance the integrity and longevity of your property. Don't let roof damage ruin your or your customers' day!

Keep Your Employees Safe With Storm Preparedness

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Flooded building in South Philadelphia, PA.

Weather Safety Guidelines

Keeping employees safe during a rain storm is the responsibility of every office manager. How you react to one is as important as the preparatory measures you take. Here are some extreme weather safety guidelines that should always be followed.

Thunderstorm Preparations
Before high winds and driving rains hit your office, reduce the risk of danger by employing these measures:

• Download an emergency weather app to your phone and turn on notifications
• Trim trees so that blown branches are less likely to break windows
• Install lightning rods with guidance from your local fire department
• Create an emergency first aid kit and inform everyone of where it is being stored
  

The danger presented by any heavy rain storm can be significantly reduced with the execution of these precautions.

Thunderstorm Responses
When a storm strikes, remain calm and take charge. The odds of someone getting injured are lower when you stay in control and are aware of what to do.
If a company picnic or other outdoor activity is underway when bad weather rolls in, immediately call off the event. Usher everyone inside, reminding them of the danger from lightning strikes. Transfer as much fun inside as possible to reduce the temptation of heading back out. If conditions make re-entering your building impossible, avoid high ground, fences and sheds. Take shelter in another dwelling or a vehicle with the windows rolled up.
Shutter your workspace's windows and secure the main entryways. Resist the temptation to constantly peer outside, as windswept items can shatter glass.
Shut down computers. Instruct staff to avoid using telephones and other electrical equipment. If possible, temporarily replace these devices with battery-powered alternatives.
Only after the danger has passed should you concern yourself with how much damage has been sustained. Once you have taken stock of everything needing repair, get in touch with an office repair specialist and bring your workspace back to normal.
Every heavy rainstorm comes with the potential for disaster. Make sure your staff stays safe by taking smart actions both before and after one arrives in South Philadelphia, PA.

3 Tips for Cleaning Your Contents After a Flood

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

Flooded content damage in Collingdale, PA

Content Cleaning Tips

A flood in your Collingdale home can not only cause significant damage to the structure but can damage or destroy the contents of your home. Some damaged contents will need to be discarded and replaced, but others can be cleaned and restored. These three content cleaning tips will help you salvage your water damaged property.

1. Observe Safety Precautions
Avoid walking through standing water. Downed power lines could present an electrocution risk. Additionally, there may be black water from the sewage system that contains untreated sewage and other contaminants. Before entering your home, look for foundation cracks or other signs that the structure may not be stable. Call your utility company to turn off the gas and electricity. Wear protective clothing such as goggles, gloves, and waterproof boots. Do not use candles or lamps with open flames that could ignite a gas leak. Do not force open doors. Watch for insects and wildlife.

2. Remove Water-Damaged Contents
Most contents that have remained in a flooded home for more than 24 hours after the water has receded will not be salvageable. Because of this, it is important to remove damaged items from the home as soon as it is safe. Discard carpet padding, mattresses, and upholstered furniture. Throw out all food products. Hose off, clean and sanitize metal, solid wood, and plastic furniture or contact a content cleaning service for assistance.

3. Document Your Damage
If the flooding was widespread in your area, it may take some time for the insurance company to be able to inspect your damage. You may be able to speed up the process by providing photographs of your damaged items to the insurance company.
Content cleaning can help restore some types of property that may otherwise need to be discarded and replaced. These three tips can help you salvage your valuable property and lower your restoration costs.

3 Major Tips to Cleaning Your Gutters This Fall

10/8/2020 (Permalink)

Keep your gutters clean this fall to avoid ice damming in the winter

Gutters are great for directing water away from your Collingdale, PA home, but they also can accumulate leaves and other debris clogging them, making gutter cleaning inevitable. When the debris builds up, it can trap water in the gutter causing it to rust or break away.  It can also lead to ice damming which may force you to replace the gutters which costs money.

1. Start with a thorough gutter cleaning. 

The most effective gutter cleaning procedure is truthfully the only way to truly clean them: by climbing up a ladder and pull out the debris.

2. Trim your trees to reduce gutter debris.

Much of the debris found inside a gutter is composed of decaying leaves, twigs and pine needles that fall from overhanging trees. 

3. Invest in gutter guards. 

Some cover part of the roof itself and the gutter with a solid surface, allowing water to run into the gutter underneath them but blocking falling and blowing objects from clogging them up.

Others are installed directly over the gutter and have strategically placed holes that allow water to pass through.

Other types of gutter guards are simply mesh screens built to keep debris and animals like nesting birds out of the structure. Some are hinged to allow you to easily access the gutter for a thorough cleaning when needed.

How To Get Your Business Ready for a Disaster

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Continuity planning should be a big part of your business preparedness strategy

How To Develop an Emergency Strategy

Before the next major storm arrives in Philadelphia, PA, you need to develop a disaster preparedness plan. This will keep your employees safe and your business operational. Below are some tips for developing your emergency strategy.

1. Prepare for the Worst
Ideally, none of your employees will get injured during the storm. Yet accidents can happen. That is why you should keep first aid supplies readily available. You may also want to encourage employees to take CPR training.

2. Gather Supplies
Encourage your employees to keep a survival kit in their desks or offices. You should also store important contact information — including for the phone number for your local emergency restoration company — at a secure off-site location.

3. Work Together
You may not be the only company in your building that needs a disaster preparedness plan. It thus makes sense to work with the other tenants as you develop your strategy. Consider holding evacuation drills together. After all, if an emergency strikes, everyone will be leaving the property at the same time.
This coordination should go beyond just talking with other managers. You should also contact any shippers or suppliers you use and include them in your storm preparation. This will help keep your company running in the aftermath of the disaster.

4. Make a Continuity Plan
Indeed, continuity planning should be a big part of your business preparedness strategy. Start by identifying the operations that are the most important to your company's success. Next, choose a select group of employees from your company to come up with ways to keep those operations functioning. The individuals you pick should include managers, executives, and lower-level workers with technical skills.
Disaster preparedness is not always a fun topic. Yet it is necessary to create an emergency plan and discuss it with other employees. That way, once the storm does arrive, they will know exactly what to do.

Floodwater Cleanup Requires Extra Precautions

8/10/2020 (Permalink)

There are three categories of water issues

When flooding happens in your Philadelphia, PA, home, any amount can be overwhelming and wreak havoc. Before diving into the cleanup process, it is vital to understand the type of water damage that you have experienced. Not all water is the same, nor is the cleanup process.

Water Categories

There are three categories of water issues:

Clean Water – It is toxin- and sewage-free. This type of mess often comes from a broken pipe, water supply line, overflowing sink or bathtub, or an appliance malfunction. It can be cleaned in a normal way without much worry unless it has sat too long. If that happens, it can become the next type of damage.

Grey Water – Often caused by toilet tank issues, washing machines, dishwashers, or sump pump backups, it may have some chemicals or contaminants. While not considered overly harmful, some care should be taken to ensure the affected area and items are thoroughly disinfected.

Black Water – If the source of the problem is flood damage, the water you are facing potentially has harmful contaminants, microorganisms, and debris from sewage, groundwater and nearby rivers or creeks.

Cleanup
If you have experienced flooding, don’t rush into to start the cleanup process. The contaminants in black water require extensive safety precautions and tools. Many items may not be salvageable or will require the professional cleaning services of a flood and stormwater restoration specialist. A simple wipe down and sanitizing doesn’t do the trick. Category 3 damage often requires:

• Personal protective equipment, including boots, gloves, goggles, and a facemask.
• Proper containment of the area during drying and water extraction.
• Removal of contaminated items, some of which may have to be disposed of.
• Replacement of organic materials, such as drywall and ceiling tiles.
  

Dealing with flooding is a trying time and may require expert help to ensure your home is a safe environment. At the first signs of water troubles, get help from professionals that are Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Tips To Keep Your Sump Pump Running Smoothly

5/2/2020 (Permalink)

Give your sump pump a little tender loving care so that it works when you need it most

During the average week, you probably don’t give your sump pump much thought. When a heavy rainstorm hits in Philadelphia, PA, however, it’s one of the first things you worry about. Since it is critical that your pump works when you need it, it’s a good idea to conduct some routine pump maintenance to keep it in tip-top condition.

How a Sump Works

The sump pump has a few main components that work together to pump water out of your home.

The groundwater collection system works by collecting the outside water through drain tiles and rocks placed under the soil along the house’s foundation. As the groundwater collects, it flows down through pipes to the basement and into the sump tank through an intake screen.
The sump tank is an appliance that is installed inside a specially-made pit placed in the lowest area of the basement. When water reaches a certain level in the tank, a float device will activate a pump.
The pump then forces the water out through a discharge pipe to the outlet drain outside, away from the house. When the water has been drained to a certain level in the tank, this triggers the device to shut off the pump.

What To Inspect
Since the sump mechanism can sit for a few weeks or even months without being activated, it should be inspected periodically. Every 2 or 3 months you should check to make sure the power cord is connected properly. Then dump a bucket of water into the tank to ensure the float device and pump do their job correctly.
At least once a year, you should conduct in-depth maintenance on the unit. Remove any debris from the discharge pipe and intake screen to prevent clogs. Also, clean out the pit area to ensure the unit will function properly. If applicable, replace the backup battery every 2 years.
Give your sump pump a little tender loving care so that it works when you need it most.

What To Know About Storm Insurance and Your Business

4/13/2020 (Permalink)

Having storm insurance for your business in Philadelphia, PA is one great way to protect the property

Things To Be Aware Of When Looking Over Your Coverage

When you have a business in Philadelphia, PA, having a storm insurance policy is one great way to help protect the property. When looking over your coverage there are a few things to be aware of.

1. What Terms Mean

It’s important to understand what the different terms used in your coverage mean. This will allow you to know what type of deductible you have if it’s a set amount or a percentage amount, what coverage is included in your plan, and what responsibilities you have as the property owner. Understanding your plan, and the terms used, will help you determine if everything you want coverage for is included, or if you will need any supplemental plans.

2. What May Be Covered

In many cases, storm insurance will cover the costs of repairing parts of the property harmed by storm damage. This may include heavy rain and wind damage, and can also include flood and hail depending on the policy. Your policy may also include the costs of hiring a preferred storm damage restoration service to help with cleanup and repairs. It’s important to know what is included in your policy beforehand to avoid any surprises.

3. What May Not Be Covered

It’s important to know which items may not be in your insurance coverage as you may want to purchase a supplemental plan for these items. In many cases, severe flooding may require additional protection as well as hail. You may also find that in the event the property was not properly protected from the elements some coverage doesn’t apply. Be sure to talk to your agent to ensure you know what steps you may be responsible for as the building owner.

When looking over the storm insurance policy for your business it’s important to be aware of a few things. Make sure you understand the terms used and how they affect your policy. It’s also important to know what is and is not included in your coverage and what you may want to get supplemental insurance for. If you have any questions your agent should be able to help.