How to Lessen Thunderstorm / Hurricane Damage in Your Commercial Property

While severe thunderstorms may be a fact of life in many parts in Chattanooga GA, there are some simple measures you can take to minimize the commercial property damage in Chattanooga and reduce the risk of business interruption.

Probably the most important thing you can do to protect your property against storm damage in Chattanooga in the first instance is to make sure that your buildings and roof structures are intact and don’t leak. Pay particular attention to windows and doors as once these have been broken, internal pressurization of the building can catastrophically lift the roof off in strong winds. If you haven't already done so, you should prepare an emergency plan that can be activated at short notice in the event of a severe hurricane warning.

Some of the basic things that are needed to be addressed in the plan include:

·   Knowing how to tune in to severe weather warning services and radio broadcasts

·   Preparing (and rehearsing) evacuation procedures

·   Pre-packing an emergency kit that includes important contact numbers (e.g. key staff, broker, insurance company etc.), a portable radio, torch, spare batteries, first aid kit and plastic bags (for clothing/valuables)

·   Having emergency equipment on standby (e.g. tarpaulins, rope, nails, hammer, timber, sandbags) to protect the plant, stock, and other building contents in the event that the storm damages the roof or wall structure

·   Isolating water, gas, and electrical power supplies when severe storms are forecast to prevent further damage and personal injury from ruptured pipes or fallen power lines

If your  commercial property  in Chattanooga is located in an area that’s prone to strong winds and severe storms, it’s worth getting a builder to assess:

·   How well the roof, windows, and doors are secured to the building wall structure

·   The building’s ability to withstand wind forces characteristic of the location

The roof’s attachment to the wall structure is critical. It is also important to make sure that any gable roof frame has adequate bracing at the gable ends. The cyclic nature of the wind load can lead to the progressive deterioration of fastener strength over time. If fasteners loosen and pull out, wind-borne roof and wall cladding debris can cause further damage to surrounding buildings.

After checking for the security of the structure, it’s important to inspect the building’s surroundings. Remove any overhanging branches or adjacent trees (with council permission) that could fall on the building during high winds or following a lightning strike. If space permits, plant windbreaks of trees on the prevailing windward side but well away from buildings.

Be sure to also check around windows and door frames for any gaps, where water seepage commonly occurs, and seal these also. Finally, blocked or inadequate stormwater drainage pits can cause water to back up from the ground level up to the roof during a downpour. Ensure that your stormwater capacity is adequate for your property’s needs. At the same time, identify whether any interior pit or basement require sump pumps, and if your property is in a high flood-risk area, installing barriers, embankments and other measures can considerably help.

Storms and hurricanes can be devastating to any business. Wind damage, heavy rain, and flooding can occur suddenly and cause substantial damage in a matter of minutes. There’s never a convenient time for flooding or storm damage to strike your business. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give ServiceMaster of Cobb a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need for storm damage restoration in Chattanooga and hurricane damage restoration in Chattanooga.

ServiceMaster of Cobb has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial storm damage emergencies in Chattanooga GA. Regardless of your property type or size, we will respond quickly to clean the property and manage the restoration project through to its completion. Learn more about our training and certifications. When ServiceMaster of Cobb professionals are dedicated to your commercial property, you can be sure you’re getting the best the industry has to offer, built on decades of expertise.

No type of damage is too big or too small for us to handle, we’re standing by to help 24/7. CALL 678-909-1078 NOW!

Severe Weather / Hurricane Disaster Safety

A natural or man made disaster can occur at any time in Atlanta, Georgia. Some disasters give a warning, such as a storm preceding a flood. Others, such as earthquakes, give little or no warning. Once a disaster happens, the time to prepare is gone. Storm damage to residential and commercial properties in Atlanta, Georgia can often occur during periods of violent winds, a torrential downpour and hurricanes.

Mother Nature's powerful weather patterns most commonly leave behind substantial storm damage to roofs caused by slipped tiles, twisted lead flashing and fallen trees. When roofs or windows are affected, a building and its contents can be left exposed and vulnerable to secondary damage such as water damage in Atlanta Georgia and mold.

Taking steps to prepare for a hurricane disaster can help get you back to normal faster. If you are unprepared, the devastation and financial loss caused by natural disasters can be magnified.

Everyone who lives in Atlanta, GA should know how to prepare for any natural disaster. Here are some hurricane disaster safety tips from ServiceMaster of Cobb.

• Know the hazards that are present in your area.
• Review your insurance policies and confirm that you have adequate cover against each type of disaster you are vulnerable to.
• Take a household inventory and store copies in a safe location or online. Cataloging your belongings with a home inventory might sound tedious, but how easy would it be for you to recall all the contents of your home if you lost everything? Taking a home inventory can help you determine if you have enough insurance and can save you time and headaches when filing a claim following a disaster.
• Prepare a disaster plan. Your plan should start with having somewhere safe to go. Think of someone who could house you and your family and talk to them about what might happen in the event of a disaster. Then talk to everyone who lives in your home about what to do if there’s an emergency and you are unable to return.
• Have a communications plan. Consider that your family may not be together if a disaster strikes. How you will get to a safe place? How will you contact one another? How will you get back together? You will be better prepared to safely reunite your family and loved ones during an emergency if you think ahead and communicate with others in advance.
• Have an evacuation plan. In some cases when you need to evacuate, there may not be a lot of time. Plan how to evacuate your home quickly and make sure everyone knows the evacuation plan. Make sure everyone has a list of emergency contact numbers they can phone.
• Practice the steps that are needed to disconnect your home’s gas, water and electricity and make sure you understand these. If you are able to, learn basic first-aid procedures, which will allow you to assist others during a natural disaster.
• Before any disaster, you should inspect your home and eliminate any potential hazard. In an emergency, ordinary items in your home can cause injury and damage. Anything that can move, fall, break or cause a fire is a potential hazard.
• Community connections are important. Make sure you know your neighbors. Swap phone numbers and keep an eye on elderly or disabled neighbors, or people with children – they might need extra help during a natural disaster.
• Make sure to regularly check safety devices in your homes, such as smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.
• Speak to your local authorities and emergency services and learn about your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters. Local emergency services will also be able to advise you on the most common types of disasters that affect your area.

Our experienced technicians handling storm damage restoration service at ServiceMaster of Cobb are on hand to undertake the work required to ensure your property’s safety and prevent further damage without delay. In addition to weatherproofing, tree removal, structural supporting and boarding up, they are fully equipped to provide temporary power and heating if necessary, too.

We also offer storm damage restoration services in Atlanta, GA. When ServiceMaster of Cobb professionals are dedicated to your commercial property, you can be sure you’re getting the best the industry has to offer, built on decades of expertise. No type of damage is too big or too small for us to handle, we’re standing by to help 24/7. Contact us through the following numbers. GEORGIA: 678-264-3310 | TENNESSEE: 423-220-4482 | COMMERCIAL: 678-909-1078