Recent Storm Damage Posts

Storm-Damaged New Orleans Homes Require Water Damage Repair

4/4/2023 (Permalink)

Water heater Water Damage When a flood hits your property, you need to call the technicians at SERVPRO.

SERVPRO Does Water Damage Repair in New Orleans 

The New Orleans area is blessed with seemingly endless acres of beautiful wetlands, where everything from a hundred different kinds of fish and alligators to eagles and hawks thrive. That said, the swampy nature of our land requires homeowners to be vigilant against potential floods. They must take various measures to prevent, mitigate, and remediate flood-related damage.

SERVPRO, one of New Orleans’ leading water damage repair services, knows what it takes to effectively clean up after the inundations that typically occur during hurricane season. In the aftermath of such flooding events, our technicians:

  • Work to quickly remove any standing water in homes and clear up any basement flooding with heavy-duty extractors
  • Perform biohazard remediation tasks, like sewage cleanup, with the appropriate protective gear, rakes, shovels, and foggers loaded with industrial-grade antimicrobials
  • Endeavor to return indoor moisture readings to their normal levels using expertly arranged air movers and dehumidifiers
  • Complete water damage repairs on impaired structural elements, including ceilings, walls, and floors, using their building knowledge and subcontractors
  • Return interior air quality to its pre-event state using air movers, high-velocity box fans, and professional-strength deodorants

Together, these actions help prevent flood damage from spreading to unaffected rooms of your home and limit the overall severity of issues suffered. After we have finished our services, bacteria, mold, and dry rot, have often been stopped in their tracks. Ultimately, the aforementioned efforts usually ensure that your residence is returned to its previous condition.


Considering all of this, it is no wonder why so many local homeowners ask SERVPRO of The New Orleans West Bank to do their water damage repair work. So, whenever you need fast assistance to remediate your home’s storm-related water damage, do not hesitate to contact our highly-trained technicians. They are available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week at (504) 348-7526.

How New Orleans Attics Take in Flood Damage

11/3/2022 (Permalink)

Ceiling Pre Mitigation Our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank rapid response team is available 24/7!

Overcoming Attic Flood Damage in New Orleans

Our SERVPRO professionals can help after flooding in your home in several areas. We have advanced equipment and powerful tools to eliminate trapped water and begin recovering the impact of this water on the structure. We work quickly in zones like the attic to improve conditions with: 

  • Drying
  • Bulk Material Removal
  • Cleanup
  • Repairs

The Roof Damage Your Home Experiences

When first addressing attic flood damage in New Orleans, you must consider the impact on the roof that allowed this water penetration. There is no mistaking the severe weather the area has experienced over the years, with natural flooding from hurricanes and tropical storms. Still, these systems' fierce winds and brutal conditions can also create vulnerabilities on your roof that allow runoff to penetrate the attic space.

How Insulation Becomes Damaged

Insulation materials are an important staple of your roof's construction, but they are easily overwhelmed by penetrating water. Not only do these become weighted down by saturation concerns, but it is also a challenge to dry them when they begin to deteriorate, as can happen with the roll-out insulation strips common in older homes. Spray-on insulation might provide more consistent coverage, but it cannot be preserved if destroyed by contaminated water or when mold growth begins.

Rebuilding the Attic Space 

Reconstruction is also an important part of post-flooding recovery for your property. You cannot allow the continued water penetration into this space above the main living areas of your home, and SERVPRO must reinstall any removed materials from the restoration process. Our general contractor license becomes valuable in allowing our professionals to complete needed to build back services and finalize the restoration "Like it never even happened."

Flood damage to your New Orleans attic space should be handled as soon as possible. Give SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank team a call to immediately begin this effort at (504) 348-7526. 

Advanced Equipment and Products Our Tools of the Trade for SERVPRO Technicians to Mitigate Storm Damage in New Orleans

6/5/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO trucks parked in a driveway with equipment in their trailers Our fleet can arrive quickly with equipment to mitigate the storm damage in your home. Contact our technicians 24/7 - 365 days a year.

Flood Damage Technicians from New Orleans Point Out How Chemicals Are Used In The Industry

Ever since New Orleans suffered from the tragedies of Hurricane Katrina, the area has recently avoided most big hurricanes and tropical storms. However, that does not mean that your neighborhood is immune to flood damage caused by stormy weather. Experts say that there are still conditions present that can create more big storms in the Atlantic Ocean for the 2022 hurricane season.

Even if one of these three big storm systems heading towards the country does not strike New Orleans and cause flood damage, the side effects from the storm can still create conditions that put your property at risk. High-speed winds and excessive amounts of rainfall can both be quite catastrophic. If water builds up outside your house, it can make its way into the interior of your home. The danger of a burst levee is always on the minds of our local residents. If the contents in your residence ever get wet as a result of a storm, it is sensible to call in a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO.

As soon as our technicians arrive at your residence, we assess the situation and figure out the best way to mitigate problems quickly. Our SERVPRO team has at their disposal industrially advanced equipment and proven techniques that aid us in providing prompt restoration services. As a part of the tools and equipment we use during mitigation, we also use a variety of chemical products to help us return your home to the way it was before the storm hit, "Like it never even happened."

When working towards restoring your house after it suffered from weather-related issues, we usually implement specialized chemicals to prevent hazards and secondary damage. Any moisture coming into your structure from the outside could be contaminated. Therefore, we can use disinfectants such as phenolics, chlorines, and quaternary compounds to sanitize affected areas by killing harmful bacteria, fungi, and parasites. If muddy water leaks into your home from the ground after a flooding situation, the project is treated the same as if it was a sewage leak and the entire affected area can need to get disinfected. Typically, after a flooding event, we apply another chemical--an antimicrobial--to thwart the development of mold colonies.

Luckily, you never have to wonder about what to do after your home in Belle Chase, Harvey or Westwego suffers from the wrath of a violent storm because our team of experts is here for you and We're Faster To Any Size Disaster. All you have to do is call SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank at (504) 348-7526, and we are available 24/7.

We Take Extra Steps When Caring for Your Belongings in New Orleans After a Flood Damage Disaster

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Dehumidifier being used in water damaged room Dehumidifiers are one of the pieces of equipment we use when dealing with damage due to moisture after flood damage.

SERVPRO Takes Care When Cleaning Flood Damaged Materials in New Orleans

Not every part of your home can be dried and cleaned through our heavy-duty industrial methods of reversing flood damage. Some objects, such as delicate fabrics or furniture pieces, must be washed by hand with one of several specialty cleaning solutions. SERVPRO water damage restoration technicians (WRTs) work fast, but we take care to never cause additional damage to your belongings through hasty and inappropriate drying and cleaning techniques. Here are a few ways we take extra steps to care for your home and belongings.

Cleaning Expensive Fabrics 

Most articles of clothing caught in flood damage in your New Orleans home can be put through one of our industrial Esporta washing and drying machines, but some garments and fabrics may be too delicate for these treatments. In these circumstances, your WRT consults our experts and guidebooks on restoring each item individually. Some objects may be hand-washed with soapy water, while others may require specific types of dry cleaning to remove soaked-in particles that can change the appearance, texture, and smell of fabrics. Through individual care, we can restore most fabric objects to the way they appeared before the disaster "Like it never even happened."

Restoring Furniture Pieces

Restoring flood-damaged furniture can be tricky, as improper cleaning may lead to color bleed, warped fabrics, or potential mold growth. By separating sheets, pillows, and pieces from one another, we can both dry your furniture safely and stop their colors from blending. We then apply antimicrobial and other cleaning agents through sponges and rags to hand-wash your furniture and restore its original appearance.

Handling Electronics

Most electronic devices require a specialist to dry and restore after a flood. However, removing and handling electric appliances and devices can pose a severe hazard without appropriate safety precautions. SERVPRO WRTs have the personal protective equipment necessary to remove water-damaged electronics from your home safely and without damaging them any further.

Miscellaneous Items

We use ultrasonic immersion tanks to clean small objects such as silverware, toys, decorations, and other non-hazardous and non-porous belongings. These tanks can clean and sanitize your belongings very quickly without causing damage even to most breakable items.

SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank is a local expert in flood damage mitigation and restoration. For safe and inexpensive help with recovering from a flood, call us 24/7 at (504) 348-7526.

SERVPRO Restores New Orlean's Homes After Flood Damage

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

storm damage sign When you have flood and storm damage restoration needs, SERVPRO is the team to call. We will be on-site within 4 hours of the initial call.

Severe Weather Can Flood Crawlspaces in New Orleans Homes

Nestled against the Gulf of Mexico, New Orleans residents are all too familiar with the severe weather systems that can make landfall in the city and wreak havoc on structures and levees. Flooding is a typical result, even with many of the cities' and homeowners' safeguards. Many of the homes throughout the area have crawlspaces to protect them from rising floodwaters and provide access to necessary utilities, junctions, and shutoffs. When flooding occurs, it is essential to remedy the pooling water in this area of your property immediately.

Crawlspace Flooding Cleanup

While it might not seem like a pressing concern to have a flooded crawlspace in your New Orleans home, the effects in this area of your property can quickly spread to affect the rest of the house. Our SERVPRO professionals have effective extraction equipment and drying tools that can help to limit the potential exposure to vital construction components like beams and supports. The faster that our team can get to work on eliminating the moisture in this area, the less likely these materials become weakened through saturation and secondary effects like mold growth.

When our professionals arrive at your home, we unload all of our extraction equipment first to eliminate the excess water pooling in this area. For severe exposure, we can utilize truck-mounted pumps on our production trucks for fast removal to make way for the drying efforts to come. While there are many tools that our SERVPRO technicians can use to dry out this damaged area of your home, we rely most heavily on our high-velocity air movers and our dehumidifiers to reduce humidity and moisture levels far below acceptable parameters without damaging the wood structural components in the process.

Flooded crawlspaces can cause several damaging effects to the main floor of your home if not taken care of immediately. Let our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank rapid response team help protect your property and investment against these effects by calling (504) 348-7526.

When Your New Orleans Home Is Damaged By A Flood, You Need Our Team At SERVPRO To Help!

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

flood damaged flooring with equipment Storm and flood damage restoration services by SERVPRO are second to one. Call now for fast and immediate service.

What To Do When Flooding Affects Your New Orleans House

Often one of the most troublesome things about disasters striking a New Orleans home is how many homeowners remain unprepared for potential emergencies. More than this, these same homeowners are unsure of what needs to happen when a disaster like flooding occurs to return their property to its original condition. Finding and securing reputable professional restoration does not have to be as complicated as it might appear.

Many residents fall into a trap when their New Orleans home experiences flood damage: to let emergency-chasing unprofessional outfits offer assistance. In comparison, their low prices might seem enticing. It is a good sign that if the contractor is not licensed or insured, their craftsmanship and skills in flood cleanup and restoration fall far beneath your expectations and far below the standard that our SERVPRO rapid response team upholds.

What’s The First Call New Orleans Homeowners Should Make After Flooding?

The first call that homeowners want to make when their home gets affected by flooding is to their insurance company. While they do need to get notified about the damage to your property, they are going to require professional assessment and estimations regarding the cost to restore this damage and a calculation of loss. These photographs and documentation are data that our SERVPRO estimator can collect with our initial visit to your home to help expedite the claim approval to begin returning your home to preloss condition.

Another reason that you might want to reach out to our franchise before you make other phone calls in an emergency is the high volume of affected properties throughout our service area. Since much of New Orleans is ten feet or more below sea level, once the water can get into the city, it can wreak havoc on its structures. With flooding scenarios, we have many homes and businesses that get affected simultaneously, so we need to know about all the properties that require our assistance as quickly as possible to delegate resources and personnel.

Flooding can be overwhelming to contend with on your property. Let our experienced SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank flood restoration team help you recover this loss and move forward with a restored property. Give us a call anytime at (504) 348-7526.

Eliminating Storm Water from Crawl Spaces in Gretna Homes

11/18/2021 (Permalink)

crawlspace You want expert assistance when your homes crawl space is flooded. Call SERVPRO, we are here to help!

Extraction and Restoration are Dire Needs After Post-storm Flooding in Gretna. 

Post-storm flooding is not uncommon for Gretna and other communities around New Orleans. With our neighborhoods in the path of some of the worst severe weather events, a suitable solution to likely flooding should be in place, especially for cleaning confined spaces under the house.

Accessing the Confined Space 

While storm damage removal in Gretna homes must begin as quickly as possible, this process starts with evaluating the safest access points to spaces underneath a property. Safety is a constant factor in flood removal and cleanup, from the integrity of impacted building materials to the presence of contaminants.

Ideal Tools for The Limited Space 

Several unique tools can benefit the cleaning and restoration of confined spaces after a flood. Some of these include:

  • Wet Vacuums – Because of their manageable size and attachments, wet vacuums are the ideal choice for water extraction from a crawl space and other confined areas of the house.
  • Low-Profile Centrifugal Air Movers – Air movers are a consistent staple of the drying process for many types of damages that could exist after flooding or water losses. When space is a concern or smaller work areas are engineered with flood cuts, low-profile centrifugal air movers promote fast evaporative drying of the moist environment and materials.

  • Desiccant Dehumidifiers – These machines are ideal for smaller spaces because they can pull out moisture to the unit outside the workspace and exhaust dry air back into the damp confined area to promote further evaporation. 

Can Future Flood Damage Be Prevented? 

Crawl spaces are a common target for flood damage, and many homeowners might assume they are without options. Encapsulation covers all exposed surfaces with polypropylene sheeting and allows for the installation of water diversion and drainage of the affected space to prevent flood recurrences effectively.

Whether it is cleaning up after a flood or helping with encapsulation of this space, our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank team can help. We are available 24/7 at (504) 348-7526. 

When Should You Consider Professional Restorers After New Orleans Flooding?

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

"High water" in flooded street Don't let flood water take over your home, call SERVPRO's certified storm damage technicians for assistance.

Timing is Critical When Restoring and Recovering Flood-damaged New Orleans Homes. 

Knowing when to reach out to experienced restoration professionals can make the difference in the amount of your flood-damaged home that is salvageable. In most cases, you want to secure services to help overcome some of the pitfalls of DIY recovery. 

The Hazards of Post-Flood Conditions 

Before flood damage in New Orleans homes can be mitigated and cleaned up, our experienced SERVPRO team must assess the property for pressing threats that could impact the health and wellbeing of technicians or house occupants. With standing water, some concerns include:

  • Electric Shock – With many contents powered by electricity in a flooded space, the threat of live currents passing through the standing water must be addressed before even extraction and debris removal can get underway.
  • Structural Damage – Flooding can often have a disastrous impact on the structural integrity of exposed building materials. Potential collapse and weakening can lead to severe injury without getting addressed promptly.
  • Contamination – Natural flooding can introduce contaminants and pathogenic threats into the household. Standing water allows these microbes to move to several areas of the property quickly.

Capable Mitigation Equipment 

Mitigating damage and loss after a flood can be critical to protecting what matters most in your home. Unlike the capacities of DIY restoration with limited extraction and drying capabilities, we have hundreds of recovery machines to overcome disasters of all severities.

The Construction Needs After a Flood

Another advantage of choosing professional restorers like our team to overcome flood damage is our general contractor license. We provide various build-back and reconstruction services and actions to remove damaged and vulnerable structural elements and ultimately replace them when restoration nears completion.

The threats present with flood damage should encourage homeowners and business owners to pursue the experience and expertise of our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank team. When disasters strike, we mobilize fast to show We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster when you call (504) 348-7526.

How Do New Orleans Homeowners Salvage Documents After Flood Damage?

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

Box in flood water Storms can bring flooding and water damage. The professionals at SERVPRO are always on call to handle your water damage restoration needs.

SERVPRO Restores Documents and Other

Flood damage can wreak havoc on all kinds of materials, from sheetrock and wall supports to documents and electronics. Worse still, floodwater exposure brings more than just water damage and mold risk into a New Orleans home. It can also invite in pests, chemical runoff, and debris that requires professional cleanup.

SERVPRO technicians address New Orleans flood damage concerns 24 hours a day, seven days a week, per Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards. This firm aims to return flooded properties to a pre-disaster state.

How New Orleans Flood-Damaged Document Restoration Works

When flooding affects a home office, study, or other areas of a New Orleans home with important papers, it can be stressful to consider what needs replacing. However, SERVPRO can preserve important documents in several different ways, such as:

  • Careful air-drying after light moisture exposure
  • Dehumidification with a commercial-grade dehumidifier
  • Freezer drying and vacuum freeze-drying
  • Vacuum thermal drying

Documents damaged by water maintain some permanent damage, but further destruction can be prevented by freezing documents in an approved SERVPRO warehouse. The team can also take photos and scans of documents and store them digitally for property owners to access via cloud storage. SERVPRO inventory logs also keep track of papers taken in for restoration during a pack-out.

Homeowners can contact SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank at (504) 348-7526 to find out how We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Why is SERVPRO in New Orleans Considered First Responders to Storm Damage from Storms

5/21/2021 (Permalink)

Lightning strike/ Storm Storms can bring floodwater and storm damage. The professionals at SERVPRO are always on call to handle your water damage restoration needs.

SERVPRO Offers Flood Damage Response to Extreme Weather Events in New Orleans

New Orleans seems to receive more than its share of extreme weather events, including high winds, heavy rain, and flooding. Our low-lying areas are prone to flooding, and even a relatively small storm can cause localized flooding in neighborhoods across the city.

SERVPRO maintains a fleet of trucks and equipment to respond to storm damage events in New Orleans, of any size. We are considered first responders to help homeowners and businesses board up their homes and business premises to protect their belongings from further damage. We also move possessions to dry areas after cleaning and drying to protect them from high moisture levels.

We call on franchises across the state and the country for assistance during extreme weather events. Boarding up a home prevents further damage from wind and rain. We can help manage 3rd party contractor’s complete repairs to your home, in addition to removing water and drying flooded areas of the structure.

Call SERVPRO for storm damage assistance for your home or business:



  • Emergency Services Water Damage
  • Mold Inspections, Remediation, and Removal
  • Water Damage Restoration

Call SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank for flood damage in New Orleans and surrounding areas. We can help 24/7. Call (504) 348-7526.

Did a Recent New Orleans Storm Cause Immense Flood Damage?

4/6/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO restoration equipment being used in storm damaged kitchen When this home was damaged by a storm, SERVPRO was there!

SERVPRO is Here for Help With Flood Damage and Restoration – Crews are Available 24/7 in New Orleans

There are plenty of things that come to mind when someone mentions New Orleans, Louisiana. The most notable would undoubtedly be the famous Mardi Gras celebrations and festivals that take place starting on Fat Tuesday each year, which is the Tuesday that falls before Ash Wednesday before Lent.

New Orleans, often fondly referred to as NOLA, is a consolidated city-parish that you will find located along the beautiful Mississippi River in the southeastern portion of Louisiana state. The city itself got named after the Duke of New Orleans, and it has grown to be known for its diverse culture, including people of Spanish Creole and French descent.

Of course, no vacation or day trip to the city of New Orleans would be complete without a visit to Bourbon Street for partying and a few drinks. However, there are incredible restaurants in the city not to miss, including:

  • The American Sports Saloon
  • Mambo’s
  • GW Fins
  • Olde Nola Cookery
  • Paladar 511
  • Shaya
  • Sylvain
  • Toast
  • Mais Arepas
  • James Cheese Company

Nothing Beats New Orleans Sight-Seeing and Attractions!

If there is anything NOLA is well-known for, it is all of the attractions, tours, and sight-seeing opportunities. Maybe you have always given thought about wanting to go on a swamp tour, or you would like to see some of the many stunning buildings and mansions that have lined the streets for years. There is never any shortage of great things to experience, including top favorites like:

  • LaLaurie Mansion – Considered one of the more haunted locations in all of the French Quarter, the LaLaurie Mansion was the original home of infamous Delphine LaLaurie. This famous mansion was owned once by Nicholas Cage and a stunning landmark to behold, especially during the evening hours.
  • Hermann-Grima House – This is a historic home in the French Quarter built back in 1831. Open daily, and this is a beautiful spot to go for a tour to learn a bit about the area's history.
  • Bayou Swamp Tours – Dubbed the best swamp tours in the area, this is a great place to book when you want to learn all about backwater nature, wildlife, and a lot of the folklore from the region. Tours run on a daily schedule and last just under two hours.

Flood Damage is No Match for SERVPRO – Call Us When You Need Prompt Flood Restoration Services in New Orleans

For emergency services water damage assistance, SERVPRO can be at your New Orleans property within hours to get to work. Whether you need flooding cleanup or help with a leaking roof from storms, we have the proven methods and all of the best equipment for the job.

We bring industrial-grade equipment to help us achieve our cleanup goals when you call us for flood damage in New Orleans after a storm. Some of this equipment includes:

  • Extraction Units – including large truck-mounted or portable units
  • Light Wands – also known as carpet wands
  • Deep Extraction Tools – including self-propelled extractors and stationary tools
  • Pumps – including high-pressure pumps, self-priming trash pumps, and electric submersible pumps

SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank is available for all your needs regarding flood damage and water damage repairs after a storm. Call us at (504) 348-7526.

What Should Property Owners do After Storm Flood Damage?

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO equipment at work. Storm may cause flood damage to your property. Call the professionals at SERVPRO for the flood damage restoration needed for your home.

They Should Hire SERVPRO Restorers to Handle the Storm Flood Damage in their New Orleans Homes

Unpredictable storms, heavy rainfall, and hurricanes can leave you dealing with food damage in your residence. At SERVPRO, we offer storm damage restoration services around the clock. We can help you at any time to remove the water and get your home back to a livable and safe state.

We can do our best to handle the storm flood damage in your New Orleans home. Flooding can cause severe destruction to your property after standing water levels begin to rise at an alarming rate. We offer comprehensive flood restoration services, which include:

  • Floodwater extraction: Our team can use portable pumps to eliminate the water from your home.
  • Drying: We can use centrifugal air movers and desiccant dehumidifiers to dry the affected areas thoroughly.
  • Cleaning and deodorization: We can deep clean all the areas of your home using EPA-registered broad-spectrum disinfectants to ensure a healthy and safe living space. We also use deodorizers like deodorizing granules or pellets to get rid of foul odors. These are odor-absorbers, which contain fuller’s earth. Fuller’s earth acts as a sponge that absorbs and holds odors.
  • Full restoration: Our team is certified and experienced in delivering comprehensive restoration support.

You do not have to face the hazards of handling storm flood damage on your own. Call SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank at (504) 348-7526 for help. We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Finding Your Focus for a More Productive Life in New Orleans

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

A lady with headphones on looking at a computer. It is a new year a new start. If finding your focus is a priority then then tune in on The Iris Reading group.

Tune in for tips and strategies to maximize your production by getting focused. 

If you can become easily distracted by just about everything, you might have noticed how challenging productivity can be. The Iris Reading group in New Orleans has put together a short program to showcase some useful tips and strategies for giving you a much better grasp of your attention and focus for whatever you might be working on. 

The short course seeks to increase your productivity, show you apps and online tools to help you hone your concentration, and even a strategy to trick yourself into paying better attention to what you are doing. Tune in live to the online course on Wed, January 27th, 2021, from 1-1:30 PM. For more information about signing up, contact Iris Reading (312) 857-4747. 

It is hard not to be focused on flood damage in your New Orleans home, so trust the fast and reliable response of our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank team to help. From extraction to cleaning, we can help when you call (504) 348-7526.

Ready for Disasters to Come That Require Flood Water Removal for New Orleans

1/8/2021 (Permalink)

A ground view looking up at a balcony with ferns and a pink brink building. SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank is here for their city and property damage always. Call them today.

We have the right tools and techniques to manage threats up to the size of Hurricane Katrina. 

The city of New Orleans is no stranger to devastation and disaster, especially with elements like flooding. Despite the alluring heritage and culture of the city, along with the substantial efforts of engineers and educated designers, this threat persists. NOLA had to rebuild from the ground up in many of its populated areas when Hurricane Katrina hit, which posed a considerable danger to many residents. Many homeowners relied on the fast and knowledgeable response of competent restoration specialists and general contractors like our SERVPRO team can offer. Despite the possibilities of flooding for many property owners in years past, there is an unmistakable allure of the city that makes it worth the risks involved.

Hurricane Katrina's Impact on New Orleans Properties 

In late August of 2005, Hurricane Katrina would become one of the most powerful hurricanes from the Atlantic to make landfall in the United States in history. With winds recorded up to 175 mph, structures in the path of this storm stood little chance against the battering conditions. Flooding would be one of the most devastating forces incurred by the residents here in the city, however. Much of this would result from a failure of the levee system.

At one point, 80% of the city was impacted by flooding. This devastation would affect the city's communication and transportation functionality, which made evacuations and unified efforts challenging. In many ways, the city is still rebuilding more than 15 years later in the aftermath of one of history's most destructive forces. In total, the damage was estimated and 125 billion dollars, tying it with 2017's Hurricane Harvey.

How Levees Work and Additions That Better Protect the City

Levees and these systems are created from earth embankments, concrete, or steel walls intended to hold back floodwaters. These systems are only effective when the pumps involved are working to keep intruding water at a manageable level. There are two primary types of levees installed around the city; some to keep back any rising water from the Mississippi River and others to prevent overflows of Lake Pontchartrain when hurricanes and other massive storms swell the water levels.  

The Army Corps of Engineers has worked tirelessly over the past decade to install and repair aging levees around New Orleans. There are more adequate defenses now than what existed in 2005 when facing the devastating Katrina storm making landfall off the Gulf of Mexico. In total, there are close to 200 miles of levee and about 100 miles of flood wall that make up the East Bank System and West Bank System protecting New Orleans from the dangers of the Mississippi River during prolonged flooding possibilities.  

Why is New Orleans Continually at Risk for Flooding Moving Forward? 

Perhaps one of the most considerable risks that New Orleans residents face as time progress is the city's positioning itself. Because of where the municipality was constructed, there is little that engineers can do to stop the steady sinking of NOLA, estimated at around a centimeter every year. After a specific amount of time, defense systems intended to protect the city at its current height become obsolete and require reconfiguration and reinstallation to adequately protect the residents.

The knowledge about New Orleans' sinking keeps city engineers working steadily to continue developing effective strategies to prevent catastrophic losses as were experienced during Hurricane Katrina. Even the science of flood removal has evolved to be more efficient and cost-effective, helping our SERVPRO team to offer more help during an emergency to multiple homes and businesses simultaneously.

Reimagined Pump Systems Improve the Flood Response of the City 

Along with the money spent to fortify existing levees and install rocks and other measures to prevent erosion, the Army Corps of Engineers also installed new hardware in the city's drainage pump stations. In total, there are 24 pump stations designed to reduce the severities of rain or flood water by dispersing it through outfall canals that force water out without allowing water to enter through this same path. The West Closure Complex has the largest drainage pump station globally, providing a suitable defense against the forces of nature against a once-vulnerable New Orleans.

Removing Flood Water from New Orleans Homes and Businesses 

Floodwater removal in New Orleans homes involves an assortment of leading equipment and extractors in our recovery inventory. Many have trusted the fast response and knowledgeable efforts of our SERVPRO team to reach flooded residences quickly and begin vital mitigation. Reducing loss in a home or business falls mostly to water removal actions taken to eliminate standing water to uncover exposed surfaces and contents that require discarding or thorough cleaning.

Much like the drainage pumps designed to remove trapped water in the city through outfalls, our extractors work to pull standing water from flooring and relocate it to nearby drains. Depending on the severity of the flooding, namely the depth of the surface water, various extractors can efficiently recover the property. Among the most common of these options for natural flooding situations are:

  • Wet Vacuums
  • Self-Priming Trash Pumps
  • Truck-Mounted Extractors

Debris and solids are a common concern with standing and pooling water after flooding. The presence of these particles and decaying organic matter can have multiple adverse effects on your home, including introducing bacteria and odors. Extraction can often resolve a majority of small matter through a 3-4" discharge and intake hose. Larger matter can get removed when the muck-out cleaning process occurs, and our general contracting division gets to work on the often extensive controlled demolition necessary to protect the framework and prevent the spread of bacteria and contaminants.  

Flooding is a common occurrence through individual parishes of New Orleans and can be an emergency our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank team must respond to quickly. We have a growing roster of experienced technicians available 24/7 to help. Give us a call at (504) 348-7526.

Does Flooding Cause Permanent Losses to Homes and Contents?

10/5/2020 (Permalink)

Dark storm Clouds Are you ready for this weekend's coming storm? Call SERVPRO for fast, effective remediation.

Flood Damage Can Be Devastating for New Orleans Homeowners. SERVPRO is a Local Restoration Service that Can Return your Home to its Pre-loss Condition

Why does flooding occur during storms?

Violent weather events that hit New Orleans frequently result in flooding for the residents. Flooding can be attributed to many causes, but the damage to infrastructure and heavy rainfall is one of the primary reasons for neighborhood flooding. Residents can combat flooding by ensuring that their sump pumps and drainage are well-maintained throughout the year. Equally, installing flood bricks can help to reduce the destruction a storm can have on your home. After the event, using a professional restoration service can help mitigate the losses typically associated with flooding, clean your house, restoring, or removing damaged materials. You can contact SERVPRO twenty-four-hours a day in an emergency to arrange a flood inspection.

What is standard flood mitigation?

When a home suffers flood damage in New Orleans, the most critical action to take is mitigation. Mitigation involves reducing the number of losses that are occurring in the property. Switching off mainline electricity is an example of emergency mitigation because it reduces the likelihood of electrical fire or permanent wiring damage. Our technicians can perform essential mitigation duties like boarding up the structure, removing standing water levels, and drying the property to prevent your home from suffering permanent harm. These are known methods, proven to reduce the number of losses that homeowners suffer during emergencies. They are also useful at prepping a property for in-depth restoration by allowing workers to operate safely and sanitary.

How do technicians prepare a flooded property for restoration?

  • Establishing a safe source of electricity for equipment use
  • Clearing the property of contamination, debris, and standing water
  • Providing temporary lighting for general construction and restoration 

What are floodwater extractors?

Extraction units are essential to proper flood damage restoration in your New Orleans property. These equipment are available in small portable systems or as part of a large truck-mount. A property with multi-level damages can benefit from portable extractors allowing technicians to operate on all floors. Truck-mounted extractors have larger storage tanks, longer runtime, and a more powerful vacuum system. Portable extractors may need temporary generators to provide electricity, whereas a truck-mount is self-sufficient, running from the truck. Stocking a combination of these two types of extractors helps ensure that SERVPRO technicians can begin mitigating flood losses quickly on arrival.

Can water extractors be used on carpets?

Carpet fibers are highly porous, meaning they can absorb large quantities of floodwater and contamination. Drying carpets quickly is essential to the mitigation process as it prevents mold growth and the deterioration of fibers. SERVPRO technicians use light wands to extract water from glue-down carpets. These wands can also be useful after a weighted extraction tool has removed most water from a carpeted surface. A light rod can allow technicians to dry a carpeted floor without removing the carpet or pad, increasing efficiency in some situations.

What are deep extraction tools?

  • Self-propelled extractors automatically move across carpets, compressing both the rug and pad
  • Stationary extractors can squeeze out moisture from 200 square inches of carpet in ten to fifteen seconds
  • weighted extraction tools use either the weight of the technician or construction weight to draw water from thicker carpet fibers

Can carpets return to normal conditions after flooding?

Fibers can be up to 50% weaker when wet, making permanent damage relatively high. Equally, a contaminated water intrusion event can make carpets non-salvageable. For some carpeting, it is possible to return them to their preloss condition after water intrusion. SERVPRO technicians can pre-condition the carpet then clean it using hot-water extraction. A buffering tool like a rotary machine can help fluff out carpet fibers to return them to a good condition. When restoring carpets, it is vital to consider how much time and how expensive it is to repair them rather than replace them. Often, thin glue down carpets are replaceable with the minimum expense, which can aid an efficient restoration process.

What can emergency lighting be brought into a flood-damaged home?

  • Stand lights are powerful, inexpensive, and portable, making them ideal for directional lighting.
  • Wobble lighting is very resilient but can be limited for task working.
  • String lights can stretch up to 100 ft in length and are ideal for creating safe, lit pathways in the home. 

Flooding from a storm can be a debilitating experience. To protect your home and contents from further damage, contact SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank at (504) 348-7526.

What is the Ideal Extractor for Flooded New Orleans Homes?

7/27/2020 (Permalink)

interior flooding Our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank team can respond quickly to these emergencies when you call (504) 348-7526.

With dozens of water removal tools available, the choice in what extractor gets used can have a dramatic impact on restoration efficiency in New Orleans.

Multiple considerations must occur before choosing a specific extractor pump after a flood loss in your New Orleans home or business. Severe weather conditions can threaten the city numerous times throughout the year, but most prevalently during hurricane seasons. Natural flooding can be among the most challenging hurdles to overcome with water removal, specifically because of debris and solids within the pool. Our SERVPRO professionals have a fast response to these scenarios, helping to employ several extraction tools to minimize the spread and severity of loss effects.

While there are multiple avenues of flood damage in New Orleans homes that must get considered and addressed when our technicians first arrive, standing water becomes one of the most threatening conditions. Not only can surface water allows for the absorption into porous materials, but it can also amplify the possibility of secondary conditions like bacterial spread or microbial growth. Often extraction in your home comes down to multiple units, including:

    •    Wet Vacuums
    •    Portable Extractors
    •    Truck-Mount Extractors

What Can Self-Priming Trash Pumps Accomplish?

There are specific extractors designed to engage water with solids and debris without falter. Trash pumps operate on gas power, making them ideal for flood loss situations where power availability might be minimal. Because of their high function with slurry and debris, these pumps are less effective when lift is necessary. Many homes around the city are single-story structures, so self-priming trash pumps can be useful tools to move 10,000 to 60,000 gallons of water per hour from all compromised areas.

Flooding can be a substantial challenge for your home, especially when you live in our area of Louisiana where levees can break, and homes can experience flooding several times every year. Our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank team can respond quickly to these emergencies when you call (504) 348-7526.

Can I Clean My Flood-Damaged Home Myself?

6/3/2020 (Permalink)

Home in flood water After your home suffers flood damage, you need a team of professionals to assist you with cleanup. Call SERVPRO right away! We are always available.

Floodwaters Almost Always Contain Hazardous Contaminants, So Flood-Damaged Homes in New Orleans Should Only Be Cleaned and Remediated by Trained Professionals.

As New Orleans residents know, much of the area is below sea level and prone to flooding. High average year-round rainfalls, coupled with the effects of seasonal tropical storms and hurricanes, only exacerbate the city’s risk of flooding. In fact, just fifteen years ago, “The Big Easy” was the site of one of the most costly hurricanes in U.S. history when Hurricane Katrina passed through. The storm killed well over a thousand people and did tens of billions of dollars in damage. Area flood damage cleaning and remediation services, like SERVPRO, are well-equipped to handle these extreme storm-related clean-ups.       

What Exactly Makes Floodwaters So Dangerous to Clean Up?

New Orleans flood damage clean-up companies classify floodwaters as “black water,” or water that is unsanitary. These waters flow overland, picking up all kinds of contaminants like:

Hazardous chemicals

Dead bodies

Human waste

Soils containing harmful elements

Most of these materials carry disease-causing microbes or toxic compounds, which makes them extremely harmful to humans. Floodwaters are so dangerous that those removing it from homes must wear professional-grade personal protective equipment (PPE). Therefore, homeowners with flood-damaged homes should not try to clean and remediate their residences on their own.

What Gear Does SERVPRO Technicians Use to Remove Floodwaters and Restore My Home?

As previously noted, special equipment is necessary when dealing with flood damage. This equipment comes in the form of PPE, specialized remediation tools, and chemical treatment agents. Some of this gear includes:

Full-body suits, boots, rubber gloves, protective eyewear, and respirators with P100 vapor cartridges

Truck-mounted and portable water extractors, submersible pumps, desiccant, and refrigerant dehumidifiers, high-powered box fans and air movers, injectidry systems, and thermal and ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers

EPA-approved antimicrobials (that kill fungi, viruses, and bacteria), agents that attach to troublesome particles and remove them from the air, chemicals that reduce humidity and stop or slow microbial growth

These professional-grade resources enable SERVPRO technicians to safely and effectively deal with almost any kind of flood damage imaginable.

How Does SERVPRO Clean and Restore Flood-Damaged Homes?

Trained and experienced in cleaning up after floods, SERVPRO’s experts follow a time-tested procedure to sanitize and repair your residence. This process involves:

Removing standing water with extractors and submersible pumps

Pressure washing damaged structural elements and spraying EPA-approved disinfectants on affected surfaces when entering your house

Cleaning up and appropriately discarding any floodwater debris

Evaluating structural elements and contents for salvageability (porous materials cannot be salvaged and must be professionally disposed of)

Disposing of impacted carpeting and padding

Putting into place a network of dehumidifiers, air movers, and injectidry systems to dry your home’s interiors, even the most difficult-to-access areas

 Using state-of-the-art foggers to inject commercial-grade disinfectants, antifungals, and deodorants into all parts of your home

After we complete our work, your home should look like it never even experienced the effects of flooding.

Considering the nature of New Orleans and its long history of being severely impacted by storm waters, residents should be well-prepared for the likelihood that one-day such issues could impact their properties. Always pay attention to weather forecasts and properly prepare before all predicted severe storms. Remain alert and be pro-active when it seems like the threat of flooding is present. Before any storm, you should make sure your roof and drainage system are clean and in good working order. If threats are severe enough and call for it, you should shut off your utilities to prevent further damage after flooding, repair and seal any foundation issues, board up all windows and openings with plywood, and strategically place sandbags around your house to divert floodwaters.

With all that said, sometimes you simply cannot avoid suffering flood damage. When you do experience the effects of a flood, it is important to remain calm, but also to act fast to resolve the resulting problems. Remember, though; you should never attempt to remediate the effects of flooding yourself. Floodwaters usually contain various contaminants, like human waste and toxic chemicals, that could endanger your health. Moreover, it often takes experienced experts to determine what can be saved and what should be discarded. Keeping beloved items and furnishings that have been impacted by floodwaters could be harmful to your health. Therefore, you need professional assistance from trained and experienced professionals, like SERVPRO, to safely handle flood damage.                

Stay alert and always adequately prepare for potential flooding. If floodwaters ever impact you, contact a professional service to help you. If you ever need assistance cleaning and restoring your flood-damaged home, contact SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank at (504) 348-7526.  

Cleaning Up Flooding In My New Orleans Property- Where To Start?

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

A neighborhood with standing water. When it comes to storm related water damage, SERVPRO knows best.

Start by calling SERVPRO when it comes to your flood damage New Orleans.

Flooding in Louisiana is a common issue. To recoup as much of the losses as possible, shut off the source of the flooding, turn off electricity at the mains, and evacuate the property. Contacting your insurance provider and arranging professional restoration services here in New Orleans can help you recover losses quickly.

How does flooding occur and who is responsible?

Most floods are the result of natural forces. Homeowners with flood damage in New Orleans tend to be the victims of storm fallout and other natural sources. However, some property flooding may occur from internal plumbing issues. The source of flooding can be relevant to some insurance providers, so you should ensure you have coverage for both internal and external causes. It is frequently up to the homeowner to arrange for a restoration company who can then work with your insurance adjuster to bring the home back to its original condition. 

How can I reduce the damages of a nearby road overflow?

Road overflows can occur when drainage or sewer systems become overloaded. The resulting water can reach your private property causing substantial harm. Reporting the issue to the local council can help your property's recovery because the source of water can be shut off. In the meantime, you may want to focus your efforts on blocking water intrusion. You can achieve this by sealing doorways or other entry points as well as moving items to the upper level. 

What can emergency mitigation procedures help to prevent permanent losses during a flood?

- Shutting off or neutralizing the source of water entering the property

- Sealing or blocking potential points of entry into the home

- Extracting of large bodies of water in an efficient manner

- Securing the property against unlawful trespass

- In some situations, pre-cleaning of property materials like carpeting can be beneficial and prevent soiling from settling into materials

- Moving furniture out of harm's way including blocking furniture to raise it above the standing water level

How can I tell if my home is suffering structural flood damage or could potentially collapse?

Tell-tale signs of severe flooding issues may include sagging of ceilings or floors in the property. There may also be signs of significant stress in jointing, although we may need to demolish sections of drywall to assess the framework in your home correctly. Waterlogging can occur when standing water migrates below floors but becomes trapped inside the cavity. The additional weight and water pressure can exert a massive amount of pressure, which can lead to structural collapse. SERVPRO technicians inspect the subfloor thoroughly during scoping inspections to ensure that water is extracted from these pressure points. 

How can you help to reduce the damage to my contents?

While the structure may be the immediate concern in flood restoration, we also pay close attention to your possessions. In severely affected properties, SERVPRO can enact a pack out or move out procedure. Move-outs involve gathering data on the condition of all your possessions before professionally moving them to a secure storage facility. At our storage facility, we can then perform advanced restoration on possessions.

What are external contents restoration services available for severely flooded homes?

- Dry cleaning of sensitive fabrics or materials in the home

- Special restoration services, including document drying, electronic restoration services, mechanical washing, and immersion cleaning.

- Deodorization as well as disinfecting of fabrics

- Appropriate drying of all items to prevent mold growth or other microbial issues

How can you protect my home from secondary damages after flooding?

Preventing secondary harm after a flood relies on making sure that structural restoration is thorough. Many building materials in the home are porous and can absorb harmful floodwaters. Our technicians can perform controlled demolition of building materials such as areas of drywall exposed to floodwater. By ventilating the cavities behind drywall, we can eliminate the conditions needed for microbial bacteria to grow. Using air-moving equipment as well as taking regular moisture content analysis, we can ensure that cavities are appropriately dry before re-installation of clean building materials.

What are the stages of flood restoration?

- Emergency mitigation to reduce or prevent further damages including water extraction, building board-ups, and inspections

- Cleaning and disinfecting the affected area 

- Setting up a drying procedure to prevent mold growth and return your home to a habitable condition

- Deodorizing the property thoroughly using misters, foggers, pellets and spray-on deodorants

- Treating the property with anti-microbial chemicals

- Performing restoration on the property to return it to its preloss condition

Flooding can occur rapidly and often be beyond the homeowner's control. Using a specialist restoration service can help to save you losses in the short, medium, and long-term. Our technicians are experienced practitioners of water restoration with the correct equipment to ensure we complete our work on time and budget. 

If your property falls victim to road overflow or storm-related flooding, contact SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank at (504) 348-7526.

Is My Property Endangered by Pathogens after Flooding?

4/21/2020 (Permalink)

air movers drying flooded closet New Orleans homeowners rely on SERVPRO for sanitizing and disinfecting after storm damages.

Floodwater in New Orleans Brings Organisms and Waste into Your Home

The rise in bodies of water around your New Orleans home can be a threat to your health. As soon as water overflows and floods your basement or garage, you should assume that bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens are now in your home, and you must disinfect as quickly as possible. A professional team is your best option in getting rid of any biohazard.

Who can help?

When flood removal assistance in New Orleans are needed, we are at your service. At SERVPRO, we focus on being available to you around the clock and bring our expertise and knowledge into your home. Many homeowners make the mistake of relying on store-bought cleaners, even though they can be insufficient to control the growth of microorganisms.

Can I save my furniture after a flood?

Our SERVPRO team can help you sort through your furniture and belongings and make a decision regarding what to keep and what to discard. Generally speaking, any porous surfaces that absorb water and bacteria quickly, such as upholstery, carpets, and textiles, may need to be removed from your home. Despite our professional approach, these items may allow bacteria to reproduce and disseminate throughout your home. Other surfaces may be safe once we apply industry best practices to sanitize them. Some of the tools and techniques in our war chest include-

  • Cleaning and disinfecting solutions approved by the EPA
  • PPE-personal protective equipment to safeguard workers and occupants
  • Containment barriers to help prevent cross-contamination

Our technicians know the importance of extracting floodwaters in your home and following the removal with appropriate disinfecting and sanitizing treatment. We strongly advise that you allow us to apply the necessary products to help protect you and your loved ones from health hazards.

SERVPRO of The New Orleans West Bank is your partner after a flood. Call us at (504) 348-7526 and let us work with you in keeping your home safe. Together, we can leave it "Like it never even happened."

Professional Tips on Restoring Flood Damage in New Orleans

3/25/2020 (Permalink)

outside view of flood damaged ranch house. When flood waters enter your home, call SERVPRO. We are always ready to take your call.

Extricating Flood Damage from a New Orleans Ranch Home 

Louisiana, like other states surrounding the Gulf of Mexico, is subject to a high risk of flooding due to low land elevation, frequent rainfall, and ground floods that can do thousands of dollars in damage to homes. Homeowners must be careful when navigating floodwaters to avoid sickness or injury from debris, waste, pests, and chemicals that might be in floodwaters. On top of that, felled power lines and water-damaged electrical systems can mean that residents must take extra care to avoid wet areas of their homes.  

If your New Orleans single-story home needs flood damage mitigation that can respond quickly, the IICRC-certified crews at SERVPRO have extensive experience in flood damage removal, sanitation, and reconstruction. This comprehensive service seeks to return your home to a clean, safe, preloss condition while minimizing your restoration costs and streamlining your insurance claim filing needs.  

Tips for Planning a Rain Garden 

  • Keep the garden sloped away from nearby structures. The ideal distance is at least 10 feet away from your home, and the location should hold water before it reaches sidewalks, sewers, or roads. 
  • The location should make use of at least one downspout. Two or more downspouts on their own can mitigate as much as 50% of water runoff in a natural disaster.
  • The ideal rain garden sizing depends on your home, but plan for 100 to 300 square feet in an area with soil that drains or can have well-draining soil implemented. 
  • This location should have at least six hours of sunlight exposure per day and should be away from complex tree root systems or plumbing on your property. 

SERVPRO's Reconstruction Services

After flooding has affected your home, you may need a significant amount of reconstruction for your property. SERVPRO restoration technicians handle a wide variety of reconstruction tasks, including installing new carpet and pad, implementing new drywall, and repairing damaged wall joists and subflooring. If repair needs in your home require a specialist to examine them, such as antique restoration or electronics repair, SERVPRO can aid you in finding a licensed professional.  

SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank brings emergency-response crews to your home "Like it never even happened." Call (504) 348-7526 for comprehensive mitigation and restoration service. 

More about New Orleans.

Water Removal Solutions for Flooding in New Orleans Homes

12/18/2019 (Permalink)

Green SERVPRO trucks with trailers in a parking lot Our employees have the tools to remove water from your home

Types of Equipment SERVPRO Uses for Water Removal

Crawlspaces provide numerous advantages for New Orleans homes but can be among the first areas of the property to flood after substantial storm systems pass through. With the strength of weather events making landfall from the Gulf of Mexico, the whole city stays alert to devastating conditions that can allow structural compromises.

The crawlspace of your property can help to limit direct storm flooding in New Orleans houses but requires regular inspections to ensure that the appropriate drainage systems exist. Removing water from the damaged area most often involves the use of multiple extraction tools. Depending on the severity of standing water and the presence of solids in the floodwater to get removed, specific machines are more capable than others.

Electric Submersible Pump 

The electric sump pumps are among the most versatile water removal tools available for flooding and water loss incidents. These units provide a consistent draw of water at a quiet volume. Even with more than a couple feet of standing water in the crawlspace, the electric pump can offer a continual discharge of floodwater down to two inches in depth.

Gas-Powered Trash Pump 

There are many instances in which higher volumes of standing water can compromise available power to the structure. While our SERVPRO team can utilize portable generators for finite electricity in these circumstances, a way to remove a significant draw on available power is with the use of gas-powered pumps. These same tools are ideal for debris and solids present in the water as well, as these larger pumps have a broader discharge hose.  

Truck-Mount Extractor 

High-capacity extractors are ideal for situations where drainage is unusable or unavailable. Potential contaminants can make the use of sanitary sewers impossible in some circumstances, for example. Our most considerable pump in both strength and water removal, the truck-mounted extractor, can also get used against moderate debris and solids.

Flooding is a situation that many homeowners must face throughout their lifetime, and our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank team can help. We have cutting-edge equipment and technologies to remove standing water and make losses “Like it never even happened.” Give us a call today at (504) 348-7526.

See more about New Orleans

Did Recent Storms Leave You Rattled and Your New Orleans Home Flooded?

8/7/2019 (Permalink)

Storms can cause windows to crash bringing water into your home. SERVPRO is ready 24/7 to come to your rescue and dry your home!

Contact SERVPRO When Flood Damage Impacts Your New Orleans Home  

Flood damage can run any homeowner for their money. It can hit suddenly, and floodwaters can quickly overrun your home. For this reason, you need to act fast when combating flood damage; the quicker you react, the less time the excess water has to do damage to your home.  

The storm that caused flood damage to your New Orleans home had been broadcasted about on the news. However, it wasn't supposed to reach Louisiana according to the weather experts. When it reached the Gulf of Mexico, the hurricane unexpectedly regained speed and power from warm updrafts. Strong once more, the storm raged on until it hit your city hard and fast.  

Even though one of your reinforced windows failed, and allowed water inside, minimal damage occurred because the others held up. Using quick thinking, you put a table up against the window, trying to lessen the amount of water getting inside. Finally, you called for the professional help from SERVPRO.  

Your dining room ended up flooded with a few centimeters of water, a relatively small volume compared to what it could have been. Here at SERVPRO, we understand how time-sensitive water-based damage can be, and we understand how devastating flooding can feel for you, the homeowner. For this reason, we always hurry to arrive at your home as soon as possible after the call. We know that the quicker the floodwater removal occurs from your home, the better it is for the longevity of the structure.  

Our water damage restoration technicians (WRT) are highly trained and always come to your home outfitted with advanced technology. SERVPRO can start by removing the floodwaters from your home using industry-grade wet/dry vacuums and rover-mounted extractors. Both are designed to pull water out of your home as soon as possible.  

Our technicians can remove the table you used to stop the water and send it to our facility to be adequately dried. After removing the soaked carpeting, we can focus on drying the base of the floor underneath, using tools like dehumidifiers, flood drying mats, heaters, and ventilation fans. Once the moisture levels have been brought down, we can install new carpeting and then return your dining table to you.  

If you find yourself in need of professional flood damage remediation services, don't wait. Get in touch with SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank by dialing (504) 348-7526. No matter the time or the emergency, we're here for you. 

More about New Orleans.

Are Flood Barriers For Your Home In New Orleans Beneficial?

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

Give us a call anytime at (504) 348-7526.

Do Flood Barriers Work For Your New Orleans Home?

It can be a considerable challenge to prepare for flooding in your New Orleans home. While many products and time-honored traditions have helped others in the past or claim to be the next greatest innovation, flood barriers have become a staple purchased by many area homeowners looking to reduce the impact rising floodwaters have on their property. The question becomes: do these solutions work to prevent the water from reaching the house?

Something that most property owners should recognize is the force of these natural disasters, and how flood damage affects New Orleans homes swiftly and severely on occasion. In these situations, like the breaking of a levee, there is little time to establish these barriers or even more conventional approaches like blocking off entryways with sandbags and other water diversion tactics. At SERVPRO, we know how unexpected these disasters can be, so you may not have the opportunity to see if the barriers work or not depending on the circumstances.

In other instances, property owners can have more than a day to establish the right barrier system for their home, as lower lying areas are waiting for water to crest above a certain level at nearby bodies of water. This wait is an ideal opportunity to install the thick sheeting and fence posts around your home. When the floodwaters do begin to rise to a level where you have installed these barriers, you can dramatically reduce the flow that gets through to potentially prevent any floodwater from reaching the interior of your house.

These barriers work much like the edges of a pool liner and get constructed of similar durable material. Because of the excess tucked in towards the property and held tightly in place for the full proximity of the makeshift fence, even a higher volume of water pushing against it can often still get held back from intruding floods.

While many homeowners throughout the area have already seen the benefit in barrier systems and other preventive measures for potential flooding, our SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank team is here when you need us after disasters strike. Give us a call anytime at (504) 348-7526.

For more about New Orleans click here.

Crucial Steps for Restoration of Homes Hit by Flood Damage in New Orleans

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Not only do we have the experience to handle all flood damage scenarios, but we also have the equipment to get the job done.

SERVPRO is Here To Help If Flood Damage Strikes Your Home

Whether flooding occurs after severe weather events such as storms or regular occurrences like torrential downpours, the resulting damages can be severe. In some cases, it might even seem impossible to restore your New Orleans home to its preloss state. Breaking down the process into stages helps minimize the burden faced. The process is also less stressful when you involve a professional team.

Soiling of contents and materials is one common aspect in many incidents of flood damage in New Orleans. It can result from sewage backup or floodwaters dumping silt, mud, and other debris inside the structure. The soils also contain different types of contamination, including chemicals such as pesticides, fuel oils, and even industrial wastes if the incident affects vast areas. It is easier for our SERVPRO technicians to deal with such soils because we have the necessary PPE, Personal Protective Equipment, including rubber gloves, boots, and full body suits. We can, therefore, wade into the flooded sections to start cleaning immediately without risk.

Flooding causes structural damage in different ways. The water permeates through different materials such as drywall, insulation, and even wooden framing, compromising their structural integrity. Flowing water and other dynamics such as strong winds pushing against the structure can also cause physical damage. Our SERVPRO technicians evaluate the entire structure to determine the full extent of damages. We then tear down badly damaged section and replace the affected materials, eliminating traces of the damage "Like it never even happened."

Pungent odors that persist even after cleaning up soiled areas can make a restored house uninhabitable. Finding the source of the odor and neutralizing it through deodorization should eliminate the problem. Through OCT, Odor Control Technician training, our SERVPRO technicians gain different deodorization skills that help us deal with any odor. We can use masking agents, usually available in the form of time-release beads, to provide a sweet scent if we expect the odor to disappear naturally. We also use methods such as fogging, which atomize deodorizing agents allowing them to reach deeply embedded odor particles and neutralize them.

To manage flood situations better, call SERVPRO of The New Orleans Westbank to help. You can reach us anytime at (504) 348-7526.

Learn more about New Orleans.

Common Causes of Sewage Backup

9/22/2018 (Permalink)

Flooded basement in Terrytown, LA

A flooded basement is an unpleasant mess for any homeowner, especially if the culprit is a sewage backup. Understanding the common causes of this issue can help you take proactive steps to avoid the disaster in your Terrytown,LA, home.

A Clogged Line

A clogged sewer or water line can result in significant flooding, and there are several situations that can cause a clog:

  • Grease buildup along the pipe’s surface
  • Tree root infiltration
  • Broken or damaged pipes
  • The presence of debris including paper towels, disposable wipes and feminine hygiene products

To reduce the risks of your basement flooding and pipes backing up, you can take the following initiatives:

  • Wipe grease from pots and pans with a paper towel or pour it into a can that you can dispose of in the trash
  • Avoid planting trees or shrubs near sewage and water lines
  • Never flush paper towels, wipes, diapers, tampons or feminine napkins down the toilet

Because sewage lines are a shared amenity, being conscientious about how you discard waste and manage foliage can benefit the entire system and spare your neighbors the anguish of a flooded basement and messy sewage cleanup.

Excessive Rain Water

Significant rainfall can also have a detrimental impact on your community’s sewer system. If the system becomes overwhelmed with excessive rainwater, it can cause a backup inside your basement. To combat this dilemma, you can install a one-way floor drain or a backwater valve. Both devices are efficient flood deterrent tools that can restrict water from flowing back into your basement.

Professional Assistance

You can take proactive steps to reduce the risks of a flooded basement and backed-up pipes. However, if you have concerns about your home’s pipes or sewer line, don’t hesitate to contact a licensed plumber for advice and assistance. If flooding does occur, a local cleanup and restoration team can help you efficiently evaluate the damage, clean up the destruction and restore your basement.

How To Operate Your Business During a Power Outage: 3 Tips

8/21/2018 (Permalink)

Generators can be used for power outages in your New Orleans business

When storms pound New Orleans, LA, they can affect your business. One of the most common issues is a loss of power, especially during thunder and wind storms. Dealing with a power outage can be frustrating, but there are a few strategies you can use to continue daily operations when bad weather tries to interrupt them.

1. Be Prepared With a Generator

Having a portable generator on hand can help you keep your business operating during a storm. This can be especially useful when you have a store full of customers. A generator can keep the lights, heat or air conditioner on. If you own a restaurant, a generator can keep your fridge and freezers running to avoid food spoilage.

2. Find Nearby Wi-Fi

If you own a small business, you can move your operations to a nearby café or coffee shop to take advantage of free Wi-Fi services. Consider using the downtime to hold a meeting there or catch up on invoices. You can also contact a storm damage and cleanup service from your laptop if your phone service is down and you do not have access to a cell phone.

3. Connect at Home

If a power outage forces you to temporarily shut down your building, you can save time by working from home and connecting with your employees from there. Have your social media manager work on new infographics and inform your followers of the temporary closure. Your content writers and bloggers can write from home and send you their articles via email. While this is not the most ideal way to operate, it may help you avoid a complete shutdown until the power returns.

When strong storms cause a power outage in New Orleans, LA, it can be frustrating for you as a business owner. However, being prepared and having an outage plan in place may prevent a loss of time and money.

For more on New Orleans click here

The Unintentional Skylight: Mitigating Roof Damage After a Storm

7/25/2018 (Permalink)

Tree damage after a storm leaving a large hole in the roof

The storm is over, and there is a moment of relief before you realize that your living room has a new skylight, courtesy of your neighbor’s intrusive maple. Overwhelmed, it is easy to write off the incident, walk away, and let your homeowner’s policy take care of the mess. You have protection against wind damage and roof damage, so why not?

The problem is that insurance companies may not cover damage that occurs after a storm, meaning that if any further damage occurs because of a gaping hole in your ceiling and that dangling tree limb, you could be liable. Therefore, it is up to you to prevent further damage, or to mitigate that damage. There are three steps to follow after a storm has caused damage: remove debris, clean and dry the damaged area, and cover/protect the area to prevent further damage.

1. Remove Debris

It is important to remove debris after a storm to prevent both further roof damage and potential physical injury. For instance, the weight of a heavy tree limb can continue to put pressure on a compromised roof, opening a hole further or collapsing the roof altogether. By removing the tree limb, you mitigate the risk of further damage to both the roof and yourself.

2. Clean and Dry the Damaged Area

Water damage can cause many problems, including mold, which is why it is important to clean and dry damaged areas thoroughly. After major storms, it can take insurance adjusters weeks or more to review your case, and that is not time you can afford to waste.

3. Cover and Protect To Prevent Further Damage

After removing debris and cleaning the damaged areas, it is important to cover any openings to protect the inside of your home. The most cost-effective option is to use either tarps or plywood to cover exposed areas. There are local restoration specialists in the Slidell, LA, area that can help with large or dangerous mitigation jobs.

Storms can be frightening, and their aftermath devastating. Nevertheless, most insurance companies require homeowners to mitigate further home and roof damage by taking the above steps, so be safe and be prepared.

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Expand Your Knowledge on Tax Relief for Fire and Storm Damage

7/19/2018 (Permalink)

You built your business in West Bank, LA, from the ground up. You prepared it with disaster contingency plans, but all the planning in the world won't stop nature. Of course, you make the repairs and you hire restoration specialists to do the cleanup, but did you know that everyone’s favorite uncle, Uncle Sam, can help you with a little financial relief from fire or storm damage?

  1. Determine if you have a casualty loss, as defined by the IRS. A casualty loss occurs when property is damaged from unexpected events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and fires. You need to provide proof that you own the property and that the loss was due to a casualty event, as well as the date of the event.
  2. Determine if you have disaster area losses. Sometimes events, such as hurricanes or wildfires, cause damage in places that are then declared federal disaster areas. The IRS website lists information on special tax relief for storm damage in these areas. The IRS often provides filing extensions or even allows taxpayers to file an amended return for the year preceding the disaster, which often results in a refund.
  3. Calculate your casualty loss. The tax deductible casualty loss is the lesser of the decrease in fair market value (FMV) or the adjusted basis of your property, minus any insurance reimbursements. Instead of getting an appraisal on your property, you can use the amount of money you spent on restoration costs to determine the FMV. Think of the restoration costs as the amount you must spend fixing up your property to get it back to its condition as it was just before the event occurred. When using cleanup costs as a factor, it is important that the work actually be completed.

Casualty losses for business property are not required to be reduced by the same rules as those used on personal property. Be sure to consult IRS Publication 547 and Form 4684 for detailed rules and examples for determining your loss from storm damage.

What Not To Do After a Flood: 3 Actions To Avoid

4/18/2018 (Permalink)

Flood Waters and flood areas during severe storms can be dangerous

Flooding in New Orleans, LA, can create a variety of dangers for you and your family. When flooding first occurs, you may not be sure how to keep everyone safe until help arrives. However, remembering a few storm tips and knowing what not to do can keep you and your family out of harm’s way.

1. Avoid Contact With Flood Waters

Even still flood waters can present a danger due to their contamination levels. This can be especially true if your neighborhood has experienced sewer backup. Because the water may contain human feces, urine and chemicals from household appliances, it is important to not allow your children to play in standing water, even if it does not look dirty. Move your family to high ground until a storm damage and water removal company can drain flood waters from your home and yard.

2. Do Not Use Appliances or Electronics

The risk of electric shock can be severe inside a flooded home. Even if your neighborhood has power, electric lines and transformers may still be malfunctioning. Avoid trying to plug or unplug any electronic items or trying to operate your home’s circuit panels. This can result in serious injury or even death if your system has been exposed to water.

3. Do Not Drive Through Deep Water

Leaving a flooded area can help you and your family stay safe; however, floods can present dangers on the road as well. If you encounter a flooded street, do not try to drive through the water. It may be deeper than you know, and it only takes a few inches of water to cause a car’s tires to lose contact with the road. Reverse course and find another route around the storm damage until you can reach a safe haven.

Flooding in New Orleans, LA, can be frightening, especially when help has not yet arrived. However, keeping a few storm tips in mind may allow you to act with confidence when it comes to protecting your loved ones.

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Causes of Basement Floods and Tips for Removing Water

1/17/2018 (Permalink)

There aren’t many bigger headaches for homeowners in New Orleans, LA than unwanted moisture, especially when the problem is severe enough to result in pooled water. Flooding ranks among the most serious threats to any home, compromising property, possessions and even the health of those who live within. Adding to the challenge is the fact that most families do not possess the type of equipment (such as a trash pump) needed to handle this type of disaster, one of the biggest reasons that professional cleanup services have become a necessity. Whether the issue stems from a failed sump pump or another source, it’s essential to begin recovery sooner than later.

Common Causes of Flooding

Many homes with basements depend on equipment such as sump pumps to keep water from accumulating inside. Problems can arise when these pumps fail, however, or when situations such as power outages prevent them from performing as intended. When failure of this nature occurs, flooding is a definite risk. Other common sources of excess moisture in the home include

• Insufficient water reduction near the home during rainstorms (often caused by issues such as clogged gutters);
• Septic drainage problems, such as sewage overflowing from backed-up main lines;
• Problems within a home’s water supply lines and/or water heater.

Removal and Resolution

Just because you don’t own a trash pump doesn’t mean you can’t salvage a bad situation. Professional service providers may employ portable extraction equipment, such as a sump pump running on a generator, or even utilize heavy-duty truck mounted units depending on the location and severity of the flooding. Tools like industrial fans and dehumidifiers are often brought in afterward to continue drying the area while inhibiting mold growth, unwanted odors and other negative effects. In any floodwater situation in New Orleans, LA it’s essential to initiate the recovery process quickly in order to mitigate potential damage as much as possible.
 Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on storm damage.

Hurricane and Hail Damage

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Hurricane damage can include wind damage and roof damage. Additionally, hurricane damage can include a roof leak, standing ground water, and intense flooding. If you have a hurricane in your area, make sure you check for roof damage and a roof leak. You may notice flooding and ground water in your home, but the evidence of a roof leak could be more discreet and may present itself as stains on your ceiling. A roof leak is something you shouldn't ignore. Always contact a professional as soon as you realize you may need a roof repair.??Hail damage may also require a roof repair. Roof damage can occur when hail hits your roof during a particularly bad storm. In addition to a roof repair, hail damage can require siding repair for your home, as well. Hail damage is easy to notice because it causes such visible marks. Hail damage presents immediately after a storm and may be accompanied by ice damage and wind damage and typically requires roof repair.?

Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on storm damage.

River Flooding and Pumps

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

Flooding is a major issue that requires a flood pump. Flooding can occur when you have frozen pipes break. If you experience ice damage in your home, frozen pipes can break and create standing flood water in your home. Flood water can lead to other issues in your home, including mold growth. Make sure you contact a storm restoration professional to assist in water restoration with a flood pump after you notice flood water in your home.

River flooding also can impact both the interior and exterior of your home and also requires water restoration via a flood pump. River flooding occurs after periods of extreme rain and lead to ground water standing outside of your home, as well as flood water inside your home. A flood pump can help with river flooding. A water restoration expert can properly handle a flood pump to remove ground water from your house.

Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on storm damage.

Cleaning up Your Contents After a Flood

12/1/2017 (Permalink)

Cleaning up Your Contents After a Flood

Once you’ve taken care of the flood water that previously invaded your commercial building, it’s time to see which of your belongings and building contents can be salvaged and which will have to be thrown away and replaced. With anything that has to be thrown out during content cleaning, insurance companies in New Orleans, LA might be able to help with damage caused by black water.

Food

All food in metal cans or retort pouches will most likely be safe to consume if they’re undamaged. Before opening them, be sure to wash, rinse and disinfect items. Regarding utensils, anything made of wood that was exposed to flood water will need to be thrown out. Anything metal can be washed off and sanitized.

Furnishings and Carpets

Since carpets are porous, it’s best you go ahead and throw them out if they’re flooded since they can easily attract mold and mildew. In fact, anything else you have in your building that’s porous should probably be thrown out. Carpets and rugs that are a little damp might be salvageable, but you’ll want to have them professionally cleaned. Upholstered furniture soaked through with flood water should be thrown out during content cleaning.

Electronics

Some electronics that might need to be restored include:

Computers
DVD players
Television sets
Laptops

That being said, it’s essential you act as quickly as possible when it comes to restoring electronics. You’ll also want to refrain from using your electronics until they can be looked over by a professional technician.

Work With Your Insurance Agent

No matter if you’re dealing with porous or nonporous items, electronics or furniture, all contents should be noted and reported to your insurance company. Items you had to throw out might be covered, and there are likely other ways your insurance carrier can help get you back in business.

Time is of the essence when it comes to content cleaning after a flood. Work with experts to mitigate black water damage and a financial fallout. Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on flood damage.

How a Storm Restoration Company Can Restore Your House After A Storm

11/5/2017 (Permalink)


How a Storm Restoration Company Can Restore Your House After A Storm

Are you the victim of storm damage to your home, whether in the form of hurricane damage, wind damage, river flooding damage, or hail damage? You need to get started as soon as possible with the process of storm remediation. A home restoration, storm restoration, or water restoration company can help you out with that.

The first thing to do is to call the home restoration, storm restoration, or water restoration company as soon as possible. Do this before entering your home yourself. There may be dangerous broken pieces of glass, the flood water may carry an electrical current, the ground water may be contaminated, the structure of your home may be unsafe, and there may be other hazards.

The restoration company will look at the damage before developing a plan. They will assess the extent of the damage and see what needs to be done. They will look at the extent of the flooding. They will create a strategy and an action plan for the restoration of your house.

The home restoration and storm restoration company will likely start with removing all the ground water from your home that was brought in by the flooding. They will use flood pumps to pump out the flood water and ground water. The flood water and ground water will leave moisture behind, however, so flood pumps will not be enough. However, the water restoration company will use special equipment in addition to the flood pumps, which work similarly to flood pumps, to pump out all the water that was brought in by the flooding.

The next step that the home restoration and storm restoration company will move on to, after dealing with the river flooding, is dealing with the roof damage and making roof repairs, an important part of the process of storm remediation. This is because roof damage and roof leaks can lead to even more flood water entering your home when it rains. It is imperative to get those roof leaks fixed and to do roof repairs as soon as possible. Besides rain flooding, other things that lead to roof leaks, hail damage, hurricane damage, and wind damage. Roof damage and roof leak repair may need take place before water damage repair. This is because roof repair will prevent more water from entering your home.

After dealing with the river flooding and doing roof repair to take care of the roof damage, the water restoration company will move on to the next step of the process of hurricane damage repair, hail damage repair, storm damage repair, and storm remediation. If it was a winter storm and there was ice damage, ice dams, or frozen pipes, they will take care of it next. They will replace the frozen pipes so that they do not burst and cause more ice damage. If the frozen pipes have burst, they will replace those frozen pipes with new pipes.

The home restoration and storm restoration service will also renovate your home, also a crucial part in the process of storm damage repair and storm remediation. They will repair the structure, including the walls, the ceiling, and the floor. They will make sure that it is safe and sound, and perfectly okay to live in. They will replace broken parts of the walls, ceiling, and floor that were weakened by wind damage. They will replace windows that were shattered when the wind damage, hurricane damage, or hail damage occurred. They will repaint the inside of your home, and they will perhaps even add new wallpaper. They will be able to make new renovations that will make your home look more beautiful than before the river flooding and storm damage occurred.
Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on storm damage.

Help! My House Has Storm Damage!

9/12/2017 (Permalink)

Help! My House Has Storm Damage!

If you live in an area that has recently experienced river flooding, hurricane damage, and storm damage, you aren't alone. Many homeowners experience storm damage at some point, and while it's a stressful experience, there are several things you can do to minimize storm damage to your home and to quickly perform storm restoration after sustained hurricane damage, ice damage, river flooding, or wind damage. Here's what you need to know.

Types of Storm Damage

First off, understand that there are many types of problems you may face as a homeowner. While you might think of wind damage or roof damage as some of the most common problems, there are several other issues you may experience.

  • Roof Damage
  • Ice Damming
  • Hail Damage
  • Flood Damage

Visit http://www.SERVPROtheneworleanswestbank.com for more information on storm damage.