Tulsa, OK – March 11, 2010 – When spring arrives, it’s time to prepare for
the storms that come with it. The season can bring on water damage to your
home or office from the winter’s melting snow and ice along with the threat
of severe weather. Tornadoes, thunderstorms, windstorms and flooding can
damage or destroy homes and offices along with entire neighborhoods within
minutes. According to Tom Culver, Paul Davis Restoration and Remodeling
office owner in Tulsa, a variety of safety measures can help to protect
yourself and your family when storms strike. Paul Davis Restoration is a
leading provider of fire and water damage clean up and restoration services
for residential and commercial properties.
“Most people aren’t thinking about frozen pipes in the spring. But with the
extremely cold temperatures we’ve had this winter, there may be more frozen
pipes when people start using exterior faucets,” said Culver. “A lot of
people think that frozen pipes will only be evident in the winter months,
however, when homeowners start using exterior faucets to water lawns or fill
pools, they may be surprised to find water backing up into their homes,” he
said.
According to Culver, the pipes leading to the exterior of the house may have
had water sitting in them during the winter that froze and caused the pipe
to expand and break. However, because there is a shut off between the
outside and inside plumbing, water isn’t constantly running through those
pipes that lead to the outside faucets until the water is turned on outside.
“If you do have a busted pipe, it should be evident within a few minutes of
turning on the outside faucet. Flooding can be prevented by checking the
interior of the house where the plumbing runs to the exterior faucet every
couple of minutes the first time you run the water outside,” said Culver.
“The best area to check is the carpet or tile around the base trim of the
interior walls. If there is any water seepage into the house, turn the
water off right away,” he said.
According to Culver, in addition to recognizing cracked pipes and water
damage during the early spring months, individuals should be sure to learn
the warning signs of upcoming storms that are frequent during this time of
year. “Nobody likes to cancel an outdoor activity, but when weather looks
threatening, remember to put storm safety first. Before heading out, turn on
your radio or TV to see if a storm watch or warning is issued for your area.
Also, have a family and business disaster plan in place,” he said.
Culver recommends the following tips to be prepared before severe weather
strikes. A major storm can knock out utility service to your area, leaving
you without electricity, heat, water or fresh food. It’s a good idea to put
together an emergency kit you can grab at a moment’s notice. Store your kit
in a waterproof container.
An emergency kit should include:
. Flashlight
. Battery-operated radio with a weather band
. First aid kit with essential medicines and a manual
. Candles and matches
. A large jug of drinking water
. Non-perishable, ready-to-eat food
. Towels, toilet paper and bathroom items
. Credit cards
. A copy of insurance documents
. Blankets and sleeping gear
. List of phone numbers and addresses of emergency services and
shelters, physicians, family and friends
. Keep tools handy that you may need including work gloves, duct tape,
hammer and nails, screwdrivers, wrench, small hatchet.
Make sure everyone in your family knows where the kit is kept. Review your
emergency plan with your family and post the written plan.
Culver also recommends to ready your home for a storm. Here are some
valuable tips for preventing problems from high winds. If necessary, hire a
professional if you are not equipped to do the work yourself.
. Appliances. Purchase sturdy “L-brackets” from the hardware store.
Use them to anchor your major appliances to the walls or countertops
of your home. Watch out for electrical hazards.
. Cupboards. Put child safety locks on your upper and lower cupboards
to prevent spillage.
. Pictures. Use “V-hooks” to mount pictures and wall hangings instead
of nails. These hooks enable pictures to shift without falling from the wall.
. Roof. Prevent leakage from water driven by high winds. If you have a metal roof, recoat it if needed. If you
have a shingle roof, make sure the shingles are not flapping in the wind. They can be secured with black
plastic roof cement commonly found in home improvement stores or lumber yards.
. Debris and leaves. Keep your roof free of debris and leaves that can
rot and deteriorate both shingle and metal roofs.
. Exterior. Repair exterior siding, awnings, gutters, downspouts and
brackets if loose, damaged or dangling. Make sure skirting is properly
vented.
. Water heater and furnace. Securely attach these to your home.
. Utilities. Learn how to quickly disconnect breakers in the service
box for your water, gas and electric.
. Hazardous objects. Keep your yard free of poles, shovels, bikes and
other loose articles. These can become hazardous flying objects
during severe windstorms.
. Windbreak. Establish a windbreak. Tall trees provide a natural
windbreak. Remove dead trees.
. Windows. Consider replacing older windows with modern,
impact-resistant glass.
According to Culver, use caution after a storm. The aftermath of a severe
storm also poses dangers. Make sure the people around you are safe. Also,
check for injuries and call for help.
When outside, take these precautions:
. Watch for broken glass, gas leaks and downed power lines.
. Stay out of damaged buildings.
. Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline or other flammable
liquids immediately. Leave if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
. Check for gas leaks: If you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, open
a window and quickly exit your home.
. Look for electrical system damage: If you see sparks or broken or
frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity
at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.
. Check for sewage and water lines damage: If you suspect sewage lines
are damaged, avoid using toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the
water company and avoid using water from the tap.
If you can’t perform emergency repairs safely, seek help from your insurance
company or a professional repair service.
“Prevention is the key and is well worth it to avoid injury to loved ones
and damage to your property,” said Culver. “Damage to a structure can
typically go undiscovered for long periods of time and repairs usually run
into the thousands of dollars as a result,” he said. “If you’re properly
prepared, you can react from practice, not panic. You can also greatly
increase your chances for weathering the storm safely. Remember to contact a
professional to help with storm preparedness.”
Paul Davis Restoration office owners nationwide are available to assist with
restoration and emergency mitigation and preparedness services. Look for
properly licensed individuals and companies with certifications from leading
industry organizations like The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and
Restoration Certification (IICRC). For more information, visit the website
at http://www.restorationtulsa.com.