Keeping your home safe from Storm Eunice

Storm Eunice has arrived, and with much of Britain now feeling its effects, it is vital to know how to protect you and your home from the strong winds and heavy rain.

Wind and heavy rainfall can be harmful to your property in a number of ways; In a downpour such as the ones experienced by many this weekend, the combination of strong winds and rain can lead to a build-up of moisture in your loft and roof space, which in turn can cause a heavy growth of damp and mould.

Mould in your roof space can be both detrimental to your health and the structure of your roof, as the moisture and mould can rot the timbers that make up your roof. Therefore, it is vital that you get it treated right away. This is especially true if you experienced hail this week, as dents that hail might leave in the tiles of your roof, or blockages in guttering can be a breeding ground for mould, as well as being a risk of leakage.

So, if Storm Eunice has meant that you have experienced hail in the last few days, it is a good idea to do an inspection of your roof tiles and gutters. Naturally, we understand that not many of people would feel comfortable to be traipsing around on our rooves to carry out DIY work. That’s why you can leave it to the professionals.

If your home has been the victim of damage from Storm Eunice this week – internal or external – give ServiceMaster Restore a call. Our experts are fully trained to carry out all manner of checks on your property, as well as restoration in certain circumstances. Whether it be damage from debris, the removal of mould, or flooding, we will be there to aid you in the aftermath.

Our support covers all elements of disaster recovery, and even includes aiding with claims and insurance. For example, if your home has flooded as a result of Storm Eunice, in completing a full flood clean up, we can also provide a moisture report to check for substantial moisture in your property. You can then send this to insurance companies for their report if put through insurance.

If you need our help, or just want to be prepared by learning more about our services, you can click here to find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore business. Alternatively, you can give us a call on 0845 762 6828 in an emergency.

Credit: Tom Page, Digital Content Writer – ServiceMaster

Storm Eunice and Dudley – Met Office issues further Weather Warnings

The Met-Office has officially warned that the wind and rain from the combination of storms Eunice and Dudley could cause more problems for UK citizens this week.

Following the problems of the past few weeks, it looks like parts of the UK may also have to brace for snow. The official word is a yellow weather warning for wind and snow in parts of the north of England and most of Scotland this Friday 18th February. As well as this, the strong winds from storm Eunice are set to sweep the rest of nation by this date, with the orange weather warning for winds that is currently in place in Scotland moving to the midlands and south of England by Friday.

For the rest of this week you can expect disruptions to roads and public transport such as air and ferry services. Also, be warned that some roads and bridges are likely to close, which may lead to longer journey times and further cancellations. As for the past couple of weeks, you may also need to be prepared for fallen trees and power cuts. And for those in coastal regions (or visiting them for half term), please be aware that the conditions may cause waves and material from beaches to be thrown onto roads and beachside properties.

For those travelling in storms this week, please note this guidance from the Met-Office on how to do so safely, and to keep up to date with the changing conditions, visit the Met-Office website. During the periods of high wind, please be careful of flying debris, as this can cause a danger to life, as well as damage to buildings and homes.

And if your property is the victim of damage during the storms, get in touch with us, and we will be there to aid in the aftermath and restoration. To find out more about our services, find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore branch today, or give us a call on 0845 762 6828 in an emergency.

Credit: Tom Page, Digital Content Writer – ServiceMaster

Preventing fallen tree damage

Preventing fallen tree damage is becoming more important as the UK continues to experience high winds and heavy rain. The MET office has issued 38 flood alerts nationwide and are suggesting UK residents prepare for potential power outages. Much like storms Malik and Corrie, previous storms have left particular damage to the nation’s forestry. Back in November, Storm Arwen caused winds to reach nearly 100mph and damaged around 8 Million trees in Scotland alone.

A fallen tree is one of the most common causes of structural damage after a storm. Since trees can topple in a matter of seconds, your home can be at serious risk for expensive, life-threatening destruction.

Luckily there are some preventative measures you can take now to check the durability trees near or on your property:

  • Look for large, visible cracks in the tree’s trunks and branches.
  • Be aware of potential rotting and look for things like fungus or mould on the bark of the tree.
  • Trees and branches that are leaning at a sharp angle are at risk of toppling over or at risk for branches breaking off.
  • Older trees or hollowed out sections of your tree should be assessed by a local arborist to determine if it should be removed.

What Should I Do if My Tree Looks Unhealthy?

Once you’ve discovered that a tree near your home is damaged, rotting or old, it’s essential that you take the following steps before it affects your home:

  • Trim cracked or dangling tree limbs, and prune any branches that are close to your structure.
  • Have a professional inspect trees that appear to be leaning or those that are older and more prone to disease.
  • Report tree limbs that are close to utility lines to your local power company.
  • Never try to cut a tree down yourself without the help of an experienced tree removal service.

What to do when a tree falls on your home

Evacuate Immediately

As soon as a tree hits your home, be sure you and your family get out as quickly and safely as possible. Be extra careful if there are phone or power lines down and wait to use your phone until you are out of the house.

Call Emergency Services

Do not attempt to deal with a fallen tree on your own. To ensure the safety of all involved, call 999. They will send the appropriate respondents to the scene. You need them to make sure your home is safe to re-enter and that no one has been injured. If the incident has caused an injury, stay calm and wait for an ambulance to arrive.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Make sure to call your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim for your home. Once you start the process, they can instruct you on how to proceed, as you will want to be sure the removal of the tree and your home repairs are covered before you begin any work. If your tree falls on a neighbours’ home, your neighbour will make a claim – but you will still need to notify your insurance company as well.

Get in Touch with a Roofing Contractor

Go ahead and call a local roofing contractor to assess the damage. Do not try to do the work on your own, even if it seems small, only a professional knows the extent of structural damage that has occurred.

Take lots of Photos and Secure Belongings

As is the case with most disasters, it’s a good idea to take photos of the damage. Be careful when taking pictures and don’t attempt to get on your roof. If you will need to be out of your home for some time, be sure to secure any valuables. Make sure your doors and windows are locked and take anything that you may need with you.

If your home has been affected by a fallen tree and you need help cleaning up the damage, contact ServiceMaster Restore by finding your nearest business here. Whatever the damage, we have the proper tools and expertise to get your home back to normal as fast as possible.

Credit: Tom Page, Digital Content Writer – ServiceMaster

Power cut preparation

A comprehensive power cut preparation guide to all of the things you might need during an extended power outage.

With storms Malik and Corrie currently sweeping the UK, many homes across the nation are set to be without power for as long as multiple days in some areas. But how can you prepare? Don’t be left in the dark: we’ve put together a list of things you’ll need to get by without power.

Before the storm

  • Fill up your car – You can use your car to charge your phone, listen to the radio, or get where you need to go in a pinch. You won’t be able to fill up your car after a power-cut, so make sure you do it beforehand.
  • Have a car charger for your phone
  • Make sure you know where your torches and batteries are
  • Have a battery operated radio at home – If you don’t have a radio, one in the car works great, but having one in the home means you can save your car’s A radio can keep you entertained and updated on the conditions of the power and the weather.
  • Stock up on water and non-perishable food. Make sure you have a manual can opener
  • Buy paper plates and utensils
  • Have a battery operated clock on hand
  • Have a cooler/freezer bag ready to store food that may go off in the fridge
  • Have blankets ready for the cold, especially as the power-cuts come at this colder time of year

When the power is out

  • Keep your fridge and freezer closed as much as possible – By keeping your fridge and freezer door closed, any food left in there can be kept cold for at least four hours. After that, transfer food to the cooler/freezer bag you have at the ready.
  • Monitor candles closely – We recommend that you steer clear of candles and stick to only using torches. If you do choose to use them, be sure you don’t ever leave them burning overnight. The last thing you want to do is exacerbate an already difficult situation with a house fire.
  • If you have a generator, be sure to use it correctly and beware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from improper use
  • Turn off and unplug all appliances and lights – This will prevent circuits being blown when the power comes back on. However, you may want to leave one light switch on so that you will know when power is on.
  • Do not use a cooker with an external source like a grill indoors – As was the case for using candles, you don’t want to be creating hazards by using a grill in an indoor space like the home or garage.
  • Find fun ways to pass the time – Play board games and check on your neighbours. Above all be patient and careful.

Should the worst happen, and your property becomes damaged as a result of storms Malik and Corrie, we will be there to help. Our ServiceMaster Restore operatives are equipped repair damage to your home from flooding, fire, and other types of home trauma.

If you are left struggling and unsure of what to after a serious incident, rest assured that we do. To get in touch, or learn more about our services, click here to find your nearest ServiceMaster Restore business, or give us a call on our 24-hour line by dialling 0845 762 6828.

Credit: Tom Page, Digital Content Writer – ServiceMaster