24/7 Emergency ServiceSpring Cleaning & Springtime Storm Safety Tips for Cobb County
4/2/2021 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of East Cobb is here to help Cobb County home and business owners after they experience storm & flood damage. Give us a call, we're open 24/7!
As winter transitions into spring and temperatures rise, most people find this to be an opportune time to do some cleaning and maintenance around the house. Even nature seems to recognize after a long North Georgia winter it’s time to come alive again with beautiful blooming flowers and green lawns ready for outdoor activities like barbecues and children running and playing. Along with blooming flowers and lush green lawns comes unpredictable weather patterns and oftentimes spring thunderstorms, high winds and even flooding. SERVPRO of East Cobb is here to help Cobb County home and business owners recover after storm damage 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. So if you experience springtime storm damage call the professionals that are faster to any size disaster...SERVPRO of East Cobb!
Georgia’s tornado season begins in march and typically intensifies during April and May. Make sure you're prepared for severe weather, high winds, and even tornadoes with the following www.weather.gov safety tips.
Protect Your Cobb County Family From Tornado Damage
- It is important to know the difference between a storm watch and storm warning. For example a tornado watch means favorable conditions are present to develop a tornado, but there is not an imminent threat. While a tornado warning means an imminent threat to life and property are present because a tornado has been detected.
- If you are at home or in a building you should move to a pre-designated shelter on the lowest floor (like a basement), or small interior room if a tornado is imminent. A small interior room, closet, bathroom or hallway, at ground level will work if there are no lower levels to the structure. Stay away from windows and put as many walls as possible between you and the exterior of the home or building.
- When possible, be familiar with the area and track storms, weather events and other disasters using apps on your phone, local TV, radio, or other reliable source for up-to-date news on current weather events. It’s a good idea to regularly check weather forecasts for threats and advisories especially if you will be outside or in a new area.
- DO NOT try and outrun a tornado in a vehicle. Get out of the vehicle and seek shelter immediately. If you are caught outside or in a vehicle and no safe structure is available, lie flat while covering your head in a nearby ditch or depression. Be aware of possible flooding and flying/falling debris.
- You should go to the lowest floor of the closest sturdy building or storm shelter if you are in a mobile home. Mobile homes are typically not a very safe place to be during a tornado or other severe storm.
- The American Red Cross has created a Tornado Safety Checklist that can help you make a plan of action for threatening weather. If you don’t have an action plan in place before a major weather event happens you might be caught off guard and unprepared. Be sure to create a tornado safety plan so that you are prepared in the event of a major storm.
Spring Cleaning & Maintenance Checklist
Exterior of Home
Foundations - A good time to inspect the foundation of your home is while you're checking out the exterior walls. Look for similar issues like cracks or chipping masonry. If you find cracks in the foundation is probably best left to the professionals to seal and fix a cracked foundation.
Exterior Walls - Visually inspect your home’s exterior walls paying special attention to trouble areas like gutter downspouts and under eaves. Whether your exterior walls are made of brick, stucco or wood siding, water stains typically indicate that your gutters are not containing roof runoff. With wood siding, be mindful of bugs and animals like carpenter ants, woodpeckers and other nesting or burrowing animals that can damage your home exterior walls. If you have wood siding, check for openings, damaged areas or knots that have popped out. These types of damage make it easy for bugs and animals to damage your home.
Windows - Inspect windows for leaks and gaps along the window seal and pains of glass. If you're comfortable with minor DIY projects replace worn out, cracked or otherwise damaged weather stripping. Weather stripping helps prevent moisture from intruding into your home, and also prevents cold air from escaping due to displacement by hot air on warm days. An indicator that your double or triple-glazed window’s weather seal has been compromised or damaged, is condensation forming on the inside of the glass, especially during winter months.
Roof - Visually inspect your roof from the ground looking for missing or shifted shingles or fasteners that have come loose. Binoculars can help get a better view of any pushed up nails and cracked or damaged shingles.
Chimney - With masonry chimneys be on the lookout for vegetational growth on masonry work or chipping and/or flaking of mortar, brick and/or stone. White calcium-like deposits on masonry joints indicate water absorption and means the joint might not be repelling water any longer.
Interior of Home
General Cleaning - Springtime is the opportune time to do some general cleaning around the house. Pay special attention to areas that typically do not see regular cleaning like dusting or vacuuming upholstered furniture, window seals, chair rails, and on top of ceiling fans and cabinets. The goal is to remove any dust, mites or other allergens so that your home is a healthier and cleaner space. Kitchen cabinets and walls that have minor oil buildup or grease residue, can oftentimes be cleaned using water and mild detergent. Also pay special attention to areas of the home that fluctuate in humidity and temperature like bathrooms. Look for signs of mold growth. Like on the exterior of the home check masonry work for damage like broken tiles or missing grout.
Leaks - Inspect plumbing connections under sinks for leaks and check drains and pipes for clogs and leaks. In the laundry room make sure that the washing machine hoses are not leaking, bulging, cracked or showing other signs of damage. Other areas that are notorious for leaks also involve appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. Make sure to check hoses and seals and be on the lookout for wetness under or around these appliances.
Basements - Two major things to look for in the basement are bugs/animals and moisture. High humidity and inadequate air movement can create the perfect conditions for mold to develop. Be on the lookout for signs of animals and insects that may have invaded your basement. Examine any exposed building materials for signs of moisture or mold growth. If you spot new crack(s) in the foundation, it’s probably advisable to call a structural engineer to determine if it could cause major issues or pose safety hazards.
Air Conditioning - Springtime maintenance for air conditioning units can vary greatly but in general there are some things you can do to help ensure your air conditioner runs great all spring and summer long (*always follow manufacture guidelines concerning any maintenance or cleaning procedures for your air conditioner). Change filters, check for leaks or loose hose connections, and make sure that your condensation lines and drain pads drain freely. Dust or gently vacuum dust from the unit and connections. For safety reasons, if there is an issue with the air conditioning unit and you don’t feel comfortable or qualified to handle, it’s highly advisable to call a professional.
Attics - Visually inspect the attic for signs that insects or animals have made your attic there home or feeding ground. Carefully inspect building materials like studs, insulation and trusses for mold growth, a flashlight will probably come in handy so that you can do a thorough search.
*Home maintenance tips & checklist created by home repair legend BobVila.com
If your home has been damaged by storms or flooding call SERVPRO of East Cobb at (770) 424-0400 or click here and a SERVPRO Team Member will reach out to you!
SERVPRO of East Cobb Customer Testimonials & Reviews
Vijay of Marietta, GA - “These guys came in when my house had flooded. They packed up my home, dried up the house, removed all my carpets, flooring and furniture. No one hopes for a home disaster, but these guys are the people you need in that situation.”
Ruth of Powder Springs, GA - “SERVPRO has worked on my home through remediation/ abatement / remodeling / construction. Water may be a necessity of life, but it can also cause devastating damage! SERVPRO has been wonderful through this whole process and they are professional, but yet have that personal touch that is necessary.”
Stacie of Kennesaw, GA - “Thank you so much for all of your hard work. I don't know what I would have done without the help of your office team.”
Ray of Kennesaw, GA - “I just wanted to take the time to say that your guys did an awesome job on our house...Thank you for all your effort and especially your patience.”
Check Out SERVPRO of East Cobb’s Great Reviews