The time to prepare for a hurricane is now!

7/28/2023 (Permalink)

It’s almost August and we are getting ready for the tropical storms and hurricanes that cause significant wind and water damage here in the Naugatuck Valley.

With a few more months of hurricane season ahead of us, take the time now to prepare for the next storm. 

Before the Hurricane:

• Create or Replenish Your Emergency Kit. Ready.gov recommends these items for every household. 

• Find out whether your property is flood-prone due to its elevation level and consider flood insurance if you are at risk.
• Store copies of important documents, such as proof of ownership of any property and identification, as well as insurance policy information in your emergency kit.
• Back up the data on your electronic devices to ensure it’s secure if your computer or other devices are damaged during the hurricane. 

Get your property ready:

• Secure your roof. Check your roof for any loose shingles 
• Maintain gutters and downspouts. Clean your gutters and downspouts regularly to prevent clogs. 
• Secure your windows. For homes in CT, Installing plywood is a good temporary protection for your windows. 
• Trim trees and shrubs. Loose branches in your yard (and neighborhood) could be struck by powerful winds during a storm, damaging your house. 
• Secure loose objects. Your yard may also host objects that could become projectiles in high winds. Bring loose objects such as potted plants and lawn furniture inside and tie down larger items- such as trampolines and swingsets. 
• Charge your cell phone to have a full battery if the power goes out.
• Turn your refrigerator to the coldest setting so that food lasts longer during a power outage.
• Take a trip to the gas station and fill up your cars as well as emergency fuel for your generator.

After the Hurricane

• Be cautious of floodwater:  it may also can contain contaminants, dangerous debris or downed power lines.
• Contact your insurance company for assistance and take pictures of damaged property.
• Don’t touch wet electrical equipment
• Throw out food that has been exposed to floodwaters or have not been maintained at a proper temperature. When in doubt, throw it out.
• Don’t drink tap water if you’re not sure it’s safe.

SERVPRO of Shelton, Naugatuck specializes in storm damage clean-up.

Our 24 hour Emergency Services Team is ready to come board up or tarp up your damaged home or business. From water damage restoration to rebuilding your home after the storm, we are THE team to call after a hurricane damages your home. 

Emergency Hurricane Response

7/5/2022 (Permalink)

How does hurricane season affect southern Connecticut?

Roof Damage

What we often see here at SERVPRO of Shelton, Naugatuck is wind and water damage to homes and businesses. Hurricanes can rip shingles, roofing and insulation off roofs, quickly exposing a home to the rain. Our team has restored homes with extensive damage such as gaping holes in the roof. 

Hurricane roof damage should be repaired as quickly as possible to prevent additional destruction to your home’s interior.  Broken windows are also an issue during a storm that must be immediately addressed. When there is a hurricane projected, our franchise is always prepared with tarps and boards to provide our community with an immediate response. 

Flooding and Water Damage

Flooding and water damage are common problems after a hurricane, especially if a home has sustained roof damage, door damage or window damage. They allow water to seep into your home, causing damage to your property and belongings. We often respond to homes and businesses with basement flooding after high winds.

When a storm hits, our team is ready and prepared to provide emergency service when you need it!

7 Tips to Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

The number one call we get in our office during the winter is from homeowners whose pipes have frozen and burst. There are some preventative steps that can be taken to reduce your risk of water damage during freezing weather.

1. Wrap your outside faucets with foam insulation or install a freezeproof faucet to protect from freezing.

2. To keep the wind out of your home, caulk around your pipes before they enter the house. 

3. Disconnect your garden hoses - you wont be needing them until April.

4. If the weather is forecast to drop in the single digits, leaving inside faucets at a slow drip will reduce the risk of pipes freezing. 

6. Open the cupboard doors in your kitchen and bathroom to allow the warm air to hit the pipes.

7. If your home is vacant over the winter, have it winterized by shutting off and draining all of the lines.

What happens if you follow all of these tips and still find your home flooded from a burst pipe? Call us for emergency restoration services - we are available 24/7/365.

Single Digit Temps this Week in Naugatuck

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

With the thermometer dipping into negative degrees this week, pipes in the Naugatuck Valley homes are at risk of freezing, especially because many homes are vacant while families travel for the holidays. 

Although pipes can freeze anywhere in your home, there are some areas that are more susceptible than others.

1. Your Crawlspace - Many older homes in CT have a crawlspace rather than a full basement. These are typically not insulated and the pipes are exposed to the environment. Lining the sides of the space with foam board and the ground with plastic can help. You may also consider installing a heat cable that runs along the pipes and is turned on when the temps drop. 

2. Under the Kitchen Sink - In particular, sinks that are on an exterior wall tend to experience frozen pipes. An easy solution to this is leaving your cabinet doors open to allow the warm air in the home to circulate.

3. Bonus Rooms Above the Garage - Most bonus rooms are built above an unheated garage. They are exposed to the cold air (especially along the exterior walls). Keeping the temperature in your garage above freezing with the use of space heaters on frigid days can help. 

Frozen pipes can happen to anyone. We have responded to water damage from burst pipes in houses built in the 1700's as well as homes that are new construction. We've seen it all and have the experience to restore your home quickly and thoroughly. If you have a pipe burst, give us a call at (203) 664-3190 

Protect Your Home Against Winter Storms

11/6/2021 (Permalink)

Most of the leaves are on the ground in Litchfield County and we will soon see some of that white stuff falling from the sky. It's time to switch gears and settle in for the long, cozy New England winter.  Now is the time to take a few steps to ready your home for the months to come.

Oil Burner Servicing - If you have not already done so, make an appointment to have your oil burner serviced. This is recommended on an annual basis. Having the burner tuned up and cleaned of dust and grime that has accumulated improves system efficiency, which means better heating performance and lower heating costs. It also minimizes the risk of your oil burner requiring a major emergency repair in the midst of freezing temperatures. At SERVPRO of Shelton, Naugatuck, we respond to many homes each winter that have water damage due to frozen pipes caused by a malfunctioning oil burner.

Wood Stove and Fireplace Cleaning - Many of our customers heat their homes with wood or pellet stoves and fireplaces throughout the Connecticut winter. These alternatives to oil heating provide what is often a more affordable source of heat. We recommend that you check your fireplace for any signs of excessive soot, cracks in the chimney and that your chimney cap is secure. Have your chimney swept annually to avoid soot buildup, or creosote. A blocked chimney can cause a  chimney fire, which is not always easily detected. These can spread quickly through the walls and roof of your home and result in massive damage to your home. A blocked chimney or a chimney with an improperly functioning flue can also  cause a buildup of carbon monoxide, putting those inside your home at risk. 

Prepare the outside of your home - Trim trees with branches that are low laying and may be an issue when covered with snow and ice. Snow and ice causes them to be heavy and possibly cause damage to your home during winter storms. Also, check your gutters to make sure they are free of leaves and debris so that they can function properly. If ice dams on your roof have been an issue for your home in the past, consider installing roof heat cables that help snow and ice melt on your roof before causing water damage inside your home. 

At SERVPRO of Shelton, Naugatuck, we are ready 24 hours a day to respond to your call. If you do experience a frozen pipe that bursts or a chimney fire or puffback this winter, call us at (203) 664-3190.

It's Time to Clean Out your Gutters!

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

Fall is just around the corner, and with it, leaves, leaves and more leaves. 

I’m sure that it goes without saying for most of you, however, I’m going to go ahead and remind you to clean out your gutters this fall.

I usually find myself doing this task twice- once at the beginning of the season to get all of the wet, decaying leaves and twigs that have accumulated all year out. Then, I go out a second time in November, after all of the leaves have fallen but before the snow falls, to do a clearing of all of the new leaves. 

A common cause of roof and water damage in residential properties after a storm is malfunctioning gutters.

When your gutters are clogged, the water collects and spills out of the top in both directions. When it falls away from your house, it pools and causes problems at your foundation level, causing damage to your foundation and often flooding your basement. When it flows out onto your roof, it can create a leaking problem in your attic. Roof leaks often go unnoticed because most of us don’t make frequent visits into our attic spaces. But, eventually, the water will make its way into the insulation, walls and ceilings of your home. Roof leaks are also a common reason why attic mold grows.

Cleaning out your gutters lowers your risk of basement flooding and roof leaks. 

However, if you do find yourself with a flood due to clogged gutters, don’t worry - we won’t judge! We understand that despite a homeowner’s best intentions, life gets busy and accidents happen! Give our office a call and schedule an appointment with our team to restore your home "Like it never even happened."