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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Water Damage Blog Posts

You Can Make Your Home a Safer Place l SERVPRO® of Amherst / Clarence

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

A photo of rain If a fire, flood or any other cause damage to your home, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence

After a long winter, who doesn’t look forward to spring? Especially as April turns to May and beyond, people start to long for warmer weather. For residents of the Amherst area, where winters are cold and snowy, the reprieve of warm weather is usually welcome.

As we start to look forward to warmer days, we’re ready for melting snow and the chance to spend some time outdoors without being bundled up against freezing temperatures.

When spring comes to Amherst, it’s definitely worth celebrating. However, as with every season, spring brings different homeowner hazards to keep in mind and plan to mitigate. In the case of warmer spring weather, it’s storms.

Spring can bring strong thunderstorms, including wind, rain and hail.

With severe storms, homeowners can be put in dealing with damage to their homes these weather issues can cause.

There’s nothing we can do to stop storms from hitting. After all, we can’t control the weather, can we? But there are things we can do to put our homes in the best position to weather the issues.

How to Protect Your Home From Storms

Here are some items you’ll want to put on your to-do list for the next year:

Ensure your roof is in good shape. Check your roof for problems like missing shingles and signs of leaks. Repair them to keep your home safer.

Keep an eye out for tree limbs that hang over your home. Limbs and branches overhanging your family can come down when the winds get high and heavy. Cut down any stems hanging over your roof or garage.

Be sure your gutters are clear. This step is vital every season. Sometimes, it’s the most important thing you can do for your home. Clean gutters are vital to keeping water around your home flowing the right way, instead of causing water damage.

Be sure anything that’s around your home is secure, too. Don’t let unsecured furniture or other similar items become tools for wind damage. Trim back trees that need it and secure everything you can.

Tips to Move Your Business Forward After a Disaster | SERVPRO® of Amherst/Clarence

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

A photo of a SERVPRO employee with a customer If a fire, flood, or any other cause damages your business, you can always count on us for restoration assistance, SERVPRO of Amherst / Clarence

Does your business have a disaster plan in place?

Most diligent business owners have plans prepared for dealing with natural disasters like fires and floods. But the shock of a disaster impacting your business can make it challenging to navigate even the most thorough plans.

We work with business owners all the time, so we know what it takes to get your business up and running again. Here’s some of the best advice we can give business owners facing a restoration scenario.

Steps for Moving Forward with Business Restoration

Because our SERVPRO location is a locally owned business, we want to ensure businesses in our community have what they need to succeed. Here’s some of the best advice we can give business owners working to restore after a disaster:

Don’t forget to follow your disaster plan. Even if it sounds simple, the shock of a natural disaster can make it difficult to remember your first steps. That’s normal. Just work through your plans step by step. Depending on your business, those plans might even include moving to a backup location.

Document everything that happened. Before you begin cleaning up your business, you’ll want to take photographs of the damage and inventory any damaged items. Your insurance company will need this information.

Reach out to your stakeholders. Technology gives you various ways to reach out to your suppliers, your employees, your customers and your community. Consider avenues like phone calls, email lists and social media posts. They can all be useful.

Take care of your own needs. Disaster recovery is challenging mentally and emotionally. That means it’s vital to be sure you’re eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of rest and talking with people you trust.

Partner with a robust support system. Because there are so many aspects of the process to manage, it’s best to work with trusted community partners who foster strong communication.

Dealing with the damaged Contents After a Water Damage

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

A photo showing damage content and furniture in a bedroom. This flood was caused by a frozen pipe in the attic above. SERVPRO of Amherst / Clarence assisted with the cleanup.

It is an unfortunate situation to have a water damage and when it is in your basement full of belongings, it is devastating. It is very time consuming and a bit challenging to most homeowners. Most jobs the customer will have to go through the saturated items to see what is damaged and what can be saved. SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence can assist during this process if help is needed. After the customer has decided what they will be keeping vs discarding, SERVPRO of Amherst / Clarence will haul out the damage items, clean the items that are going to be saved and proceed with the remaining cleaning throughout the basement. If any items need to be re-packed, SERVPRO will take care of that. SERVPRO offers offsite disposal if your local garbage will not take bulk debris. If you have a water damage, SERVPRO highly trained technicians will be there to help. Call us at 716-639-8687

24 hours a day, we answer the phone, ready to help.

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

A photo showing a commercial grade dehumidifier drying out a home. Part of the process of drying out a home is utilizing a commercial grade dehumidifier.

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and helpless. You need an expert to guide you through this difficulty. SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence has the specific water damage training and knowledge to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Your insurance information (if applicable)
  • The street address of the water-damaged home or business
  • When did the flooding or water damage occur?
  • What caused the water damage (if known)?
  • Is there electricity available (on-site)?
  • How many rooms and floors are affected?

SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Tub Overflow in Amherst, NY

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

A photo showing a bathtub. Never leave the bathtub unattended when filling.

Amherst: Water Damage Tub Overflow

Accidents happen all the time.  You can easily get distracted and forget what you were doing. Tub overflows are very common accident.  Many individuals turn the faucet on and walk away.  A homeowner can get distracted, forgetting that they turned it on until they see it raining in their kitchen, dining room, or living room.  The water will cause extensive damage and will find a way into every opening affecting several rooms.  In a situation like this, you need to call SERVPRO of Amherst / Clarence.  We are a water IICRC certified company with highly trained technicians. We will be able to help clean up the mess.  After the initial walk through, our crews will extract the standing water and dry out all affected areas with industrial strength drying equipment.

SERVPRO of Amherst / Clarence is the one to call right away when a water issue arises. Call today - (716) 639-8687.

The Categories of Water

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

A photo explains the 3 categories of water with examples of a tub, waterbed and toilet overflow. No matter what category of water, be sure to call SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence.

According to the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certificate), there are three basic categories of water damage which are based on the level of contamination:

Category 1 Water – Classified as “clean water”. It refers to a source of water that does not pose substantial threat to humans.   Those would include overflow of tub and sinks broken water supply lines, tub, water supply lines such as the toilet, washing machine or ice maker line.


Category 2 Water – Known as “grey water”.  Cat 2 water contains a significant level of chemical, biological, or physical contaminants and causes sickness when consumed or even exposed to. Cat 2 carries microorganisms. Examples are toilet bowls with urine (no feces) that overflows, sump pump failures, seepage, and water discharge from dishwashers or washing machines.


Category 3 Water – The dreaded "black water" and is grossly contaminated. This water contains unsanitary agents, harmful bacteria, and fungi, causing severe sickness. Black water sources will affect the indoor environment. This category includes water sources from sewage, seawater, rising water from rivers or streams, storm surge, ground surface water or standing water.

SERVPRO of Amherst / Clarence

We are proud to serve our local communities.

House Protection Tips

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

A photo of a SERVPRO logo SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence is always ready to help.

How to Protect Your Home from Storms

Here are some items you will want to put on your to-do list for the next year:

Ensure your roof is in good shape. Check your roof for problems like missing shingles and signs of leaks. Repair them to keep your home safer.

Keep an eye out for tree limbs that hang over your home. Limbs and branches overhanging your family can come down when the winds get high and heavy. Cut down any stems hanging over your roof or garage.

Be sure your gutters are clear. This step is vital every season. Sometimes, it is the most important thing you can do for your home. Clean gutters are vital to keeping water around your home flowing the right way, instead of causing water damage.

Be sure anything that is around your home is secure, too. Do not let unsecured furniture or other similar items become tools for wind damage. Trim back trees that need it and secure everything you can.

If a fire, flood, or any other cause damage to your home, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We are available 247 in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.

https://www.SERVPROamherstclarence.com/contact/contactus

It's looking like a rainy weekend here in Amherst/Clarence

4/21/2020 (Permalink)

Another rainy day here in Amherst/Clarence As the wet weather approaches, please be prepared and aware. SERVPRO is here for any of your water restoration needs.

Well April showers are sure here now. With the weekend forecast looking bleak and filled with rain here are a few tips to avoid any water issues arising from the rain. Make sure all dehumidifiers are properly working and maintained, these will help to keep the moisture out of your basement and prevent any mold from growing. Make sure all sump pumps are in good working order and a back up is onsite in case of any malfunctions. Sump pump failures are common in heavy rain, it takes a lot to keep up and sometimes can be overwhelmed and cause a back up in your basement. If you experience any issues from the long week of rain we are about to have please give us here at SERVPRO a call. We are open and ready to help. With three locations here in western New York we can be available 24/7. So Please stay safe and healthy. #SERVPROSTRONG

Don't Let Melting Snow Cause Water Damage

2/26/2020 (Permalink)

Snow beginning to melt Call SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence at 716-639-8687

Melting snow leaking into your home can cause water damage that will begin to cause damage and provide the perfect environment for mold and bacteria to grow. It’s important to find the source of the leak and quickly plug it to avoid any further damage. After that it’s time to get to work on the cleanup and restoration process. SERVPRO can help every step of the way with our team of trained technicians and advanced drying equipment. Here’s what the process will look like:

Water Damage Restoration Process

Step 1- Emergency Contact

Step 2- Inspections and Water Damage Assessment

Step 3- Water Removal / Water Extraction

Step 4- Drying and Dehumidification

Step 5- Cleaning and Sanitizing

Step 6- Restoration

Call SERVPRO for your water damage restoration. We’ll work fast and thoroughly to ensure your home or business is restored to normal.

Freezing temperatures can cause huge home issues

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

Our local office here in Buffalo We here at SERVPRO are always here to help.

This Friday us here in Western New York are in for a little bit of a cold spell. With the temperature dipping into the teens we need to be prepared for freezing pipes, ice dams and flooding to come in the early days next week. When we have this crazy weather it takes a serious toll on us but our homes take the brunt of it. When problems arise from our ridiculous weather here in Western New York SERVPRO is always here to help you out. With over 47 Years here in Buffalo we are part of this community and have been for quite awhile. We take pride in our home town and want to keep its community happy. We range from Air duct cleaning to Water and fire restoration. Carpet cleaning and house clean outs are also one of our many services. So if you have any cleaning or restoration needs please give us here at SERVPRO a call. We'll come in and make it "Like it never even happened."

Call the SERVPRO Professionals for Water Damage

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

Flooded basement carpet Water damage often goes deeper than what can be seen at first glance!

It seems winter will never end here in the Amherst/Clarence area! Although we haven’t had as much snowfall as recent years, the cold temperatures and winds have kept us indoors. Here’s a storm update so you can make the most of your Valentine’s day plans! Be on the lookout this week for some snow and below freezing temperatures. Thursday February 13th will see snowfall throughout the early morning to evening. Be careful on the roadways and sidewalks as icy conditions will make travel more hazardous. On Friday the 14th, temperatures will be as low as 11 degrees. Snow is unlikely, but be sure to bundle up for the extra cold weather. Saturday will be partly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-twenties. Look for more snow on Sunday the 16th. The temperature will be mostly above freezing so be aware of rainfall freezing over and causing icy roadways. Be careful this weekend and have a happy Valentine’s day from all of us at SERVPRO.

Find the Source of Water after a Storm

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

Ceiling has water dripping from it SERVPRO are experts at finding the source of water intrusion

After a storm has come and gone, you may start to notice water working its way into your home, but finding the source of the water seems impossible. It’s important to find the source as soon as possible to prevent any further water damage. At SERVPRO, we have a team of expert technicians who can find that source and fix it up. By stopping the source of the water intrusion, we’ll ensure that water damage is completely stopped. Our team can then help you clean any and all damage caused by the water leak. Our specialized equipment will dry deeply, removing both the moisture you can see and can’t see. With the proper professionals, you’ll restore your home to how it was before! In the event of a water damage emergency, call SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence at 716-639-8687 as soon as possible to prevent any further water damage.

Snow is finally here

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

Ice dam on a home in Amherst This customer had a horrible leak into their home, they called SERVPRO and its now good as new

Well Buffaloians, the snow has finally arrived here in Amherst and we can expect a lot of frozen pipes, flooded basements and ice dams galore.An icedsm is a chunck of icethat can form at the  edge of your roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof as it's supposed to. That water that backs up behind an ice dam can leak into your home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and other areas. Ice dams are hard to recognize until the damage is already done. But have no worries, SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence specializes in all types of water damage issues. Big or small SERVPRO will make it like it never happened. This time a year is hard on a lot of peoples pocket books but SERVPRO is very competitive with going rates and can get most home owners insurances to help out. So if you have a leak from your roof causing damage to your home give SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence a call.

Springtime is here, but it is also a time for unpredictable weather in Amherst, NY

4/19/2019 (Permalink)

Springtime is here, but it is also a time for unpredictable weather— meaning you should always be prepared for the chance of severe thunderstorms that

Springtime is here, but it is also a time for unpredictable weather— meaning you should always be prepared for the chance of severe thunderstorms that lead to the perfect conditions for a tornado touchdown.

The highest occurrences of tornadoes, traditionally, occur in April and May, which means we are currently in the height of tornado season throughout the United States.

Included in this blog are some tips and information on tornadoes that can help keep your family prepared for the worst possible scenario.

<h4tornadoes-form">How Tornadoes Form

There are, roughly, 1,200 tornadoes occurrences in the U.S. each year, and they are spawned by thunderstorms, especially those known as “supercells.”

When a tornado forms there is an event where the wind speed has changed, creating a horizontal spinning effect within a storm cell. This is then tipped vertical by rising air moving up through the thunderclouds.

The tornado’s signature funnel cloud is transparent and not visible at first, but it becomes more visible when water droplets from the storm’s moist air condense or when dust and debris are picked up. Typically, a tornado can grow to be 660 feet wide and will move at 10 to 20 miles per hour, although larger and faster have been observed. Hail and intense winds of over 200 mph can accompany tornadoes.

Tornadoes generally occur during the spring and summertime, during the late afternoon, but remember that they can occur anytime and anywhere.

<h4to-do-in-a-tornado-warning">What to Do in a Tornado Warning

Understanding the difference between a tornado watch and tornado warning is your first step of defense. A watch will be issued when the conditions are favorable for tornadoes, while a warning is issued when a tornado has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar.

Take action in finding a shelter immediately if a warning has been issued for your area, especially if you are in the tornado’s path.

Shelter options include:

  • Underground options like a basement or storm shelter.
  • The lowest part of your home, in an area that is away from outside walls, doors and windows. Interior closets and bathrooms can be ideal options.
  • If you are outside, try to get to a sturdy building. Mobile homes and trailers are not a safe option.
  • If on the road and no building access is available, do not get under an overpass or bridge. Instead, find a low, flat location and use your arms to protect your head and neck.

You should make sure your home shelter is equipped with flashlights, a battery-powered weather radio and extra batteries.

If you are out on the road during a tornado, NEVER try to outrun a tornado. Also, when you are taking shelter in your home, you can provide additional cover by using furniture items like couch cushions, mattresses or blankets to help keep your head and neck covered.

Tornadoes can be devastating for the areas where they touch down. While meteorologists and weather services can provide some advanced warning about potential threats, tornadoes can still occur with little to no warning at all.

If your home or business has been damaged by a tornado, know that SERVPRO® of Amherst-Clarence is ready and waiting to jump into action and get cleanup and restoration of your property underway.

Flooding In Your Bathroom

10/10/2018 (Permalink)

Bathroom flooding can be very destructive and damaging to your home. Flooding can lead to potential health and safety risks if not handled properly. Bathroom flooding is especially problematic because it can happen at any time of the day or night. You should know several things about bathroom flooding situations.

Causes of Bathroom Flooding
Bathroom flooding can be caused by several things. Clogs are very common. Clogs deep in your plumbing can force water back up and out of your sink, tub or toilet. Drain problems can result in flooding. This includes a jammed drain or a drain that is filled with hair or toilet paper. The drain will stop the water from reaching the pipes. A pipe connected to a fixture could actually burst because of corrosion, age or water pressure problems. A final cause could be frozen pipes that block the drains.

How Bathroom Flooding Can Harm Your Home
Bathroom flooding can do a large amount of damage to your home and possibly your health. The water can start to rot away the beams that make up the structure of the floor, walls and ceiling beneath. Severe flooding can reach your basement and damage the foundation or appliances like water heaters. Flooding can actually start to corrode other pipes in the bathroom. The water can cause toxic mold to start growing. You might catch a disease or infection if you come into contact with wastewater. Even sewer gases that come up can lead to respiratory problems and eye or nose irritation.

Bathroom flooding can be very destructive and damaging to your home.

How to React When Bathroom Flood Starts
You need to act fast when bathroom flooding starts. Attempt to shut off the water from a safe location. Avoid touching or standing in wastewater from toilets or backed up drains. Attempt to contain the flooding if possible so that less of your home is damaged. Do not flush toilets. If you have towels and mops, then try to minimize the amount of standing water on the ground. You must also contact a professional water damage restoration company immediately to deal with the problem.

The Importance of Contacting Professionals
You always want to contact restoration professionals when you have a bathroom flooding situation. Professionals will know how to prevent mold growth and how to remove all the water from your bathroom safely. They will attempt to salvage as much as possible. You want to rely on a restoration company to repair water-damaged areas for maximum safety. You should always call a restoration company when you encounter flooding in your bathroom.

Preventing Bathroom Flooding
You can prevent some bathroom flooding situations by watching what goes into the drains. Do not put large amounts of toilet paper, food or other objects in toilets and sinks. Keep solid items out of drains. Have your pipes and plumbing inspected regularly to avoid corrosion and burst pipes. Have your sewer lines and drains professionally cleaned once every one to two years. Call plumbers as soon as you see slow drains or frequent clogs. Just a few simple actions can prevent many bathroom flooding situations.

When home or commercial disasters occur, SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence is here for you. 716-639-8687.

Air Movers Help Dry Out Water Damage.

10/10/2018 (Permalink)

Air Movers Drying Water Damage

How To Undertake The Residential Water Damage Restoration

Since the prospect of water damage in a building can be extremely stressful, it is vital to have as much information as possible. A faulty plumbing system can cause leakages that might result in extensive damages. The following tips will enable you to deal with such a problem in a better way:

Address the problem immediately

Remember that as the water seeps into the wooden furniture and floors, it can lead to huge losses. Before you contact your insurance company, it's important to turn off the water to stop the leak. An emergency plumber can repair the leak. Once the leak has stopped it is important to remove the water as fast as possible. SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence has the necessary extraction equipment to remove most of the excess water. We also have the drying equipment that will remove the rest of water from wet surfaces. Water damage can be extremely costly to repair, but if you tackle the problem quickly, you can prevent the loss from becoming more costly.

Mold Growth Prevention

Water cleanup is the best way to reduce the impact of the mold growth in business floors and furniture. The sure way to prevent mold growth is to dry the building completely. By eliminating the water, you will keep the mold spores from having the moisture they need to grow. Acting promptly after a water loss is the best way to prevent mold growth. In addition, failure to remove the water in home floors and other wooden surfaces can lead to significant destruction and possible mold growth. 

Contact your insurance company

If you do not have a policy for water damage, you might have to handle the repair costs alone. Insuring your home against water damage will help you to cut the cost of restoration significantly. While the insurance company will help you with the restoration, you must also take the mitigation seriously. If your home insurance policy does not cover the cost of flood damage, you will struggle to undertake the restoration and repair jobs.

Water cleanup and drying

Water cleanup in the quest to avert the flood damage can save you a huge amount of money. If you experience the damage of water in home or office surfaces, ensure that you engage a specialist to tackle the problem. The pollution levels of the water in home storage tanks will also have an impact on the damage. If the water in business reservoirs and tanks has some impurities, they can affect the wooden surfaces in a negative way.

Whenever you want to mitigate the negative effects flood damage, water cleanup is the priority. Whether you are experiencing the leakages of water in business premises or at home, you require the help of a competent contractor. The contractor will remove the damaged elements and salvage some materials to save money. Drying the wet wood can help to reduce the overall cost of restoration compared to undertaking an overhaul.

Flood Damage mitigation

The best way to protect you home from such problems is to come up with the right mitigation measures. While you may not have the special drying equipment, you can avoid the problems by repairing your plumbing system. Replacing a faulty faucet is one of the best mitigation measures if you are looking to save on home restoration significantly. Reduce the damage by water in business furniture by taking the right measures to mitigate the problem.

Avoiding the future leakages

Stopping a leakage before it occurs is your best defense against the problem. A competent contractor will take the necessary precautions while repairing your home to prevent such damage in the future. Applying varnish and sealants in the wooden surfaces can help to reduce the seepage. Some of the most prevalent causes of water damage are:

• Leaking roofs
• Burst pipes
• Flawed door and window installations
• Leaking and broken water lines
• Leaking toilets
• Leaking faucets
• Faulty water reservoirs 

Cold temperatures can cause pipes to freeze. Frozen pipes can result in costly repairs to you as a home or business owner. The good news is there are ways to prevent pipes from freezing. Here are some tips for this winter.

Frozen Pipes Can Burst

Frozen pipes are a problem by themselves, because they prevent water flow, but even worse, frozen pipes can eventually burst, causing damage and potential flooding. There are ways to protect your pipes from freezing. These include:

Keep your house warm

If you are leaving for a period of time, make sure that the heat is kept on at your property. You should inform them that the heat can help prevent pipes from freezing, and if pipes freeze and burst, it can cause a lot of water damage to the property and to their possessions. The heat doesn’t have to be kept as high as you normally would keep it if you were home but keeping it set above 50 degrees Fahrenheit at all times is a good idea. This should provide enough heat to keep the pipes warm and to prevent any water inside from freezing.

Open Faucets

When temps hit the freezing level it is a good idea to allow faucets to drip. Allowing the faucet to be open like this will relieve pressure in the pipe. If a pipe freezes, it is actually the pressure that is created between the blockage and the faucet that will cause the pipe to burst. With the faucet open you avoid blockage in the pipes.

Insulation in key

Pipes can be fitted with foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves to help decrease the chances of freezing. This can be an easy solution for pipes that are exposed, but can get expensive if walls, floors or ceilings have to be opened in order to properly insulate the pipe. Additional insulation can also be added to walls and ceilings to keep the pipes warm.

SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence is here to help! Call us at 716-639-8687.

The Differences Between Homeowners Insurance, and Flood Insurance.

10/10/2018 (Permalink)

There basically are two insurance policies that deal with a homeowner's damage due to water -- a flood insurance policy and a homeowners insurance policy. Losses not covered by one of these policies may be covered by the other. Knowing the losses to which your home could be exposed will help you decide whether to buy one or both of these insurance coverage.

While insurance policies may differ in the coverage provided from homeowner to homeowner, there often are basic features common to all policies. You should ask your insurance agent or insurance company about the specifics of your insurance policy. 

Flood Insurance

As it currently stands, a standard flood insurance policy, which is written by the National Flood Insurance Program, provides coverage up to the policy limit for damage caused by a flood. The dictionary defines "flood" as a rising and overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land. For insurance purposes, the word "rising" in this definition is the key to distinguishing flood damage from water damage. Generally, damage caused by water that has been on the ground at some point before damaging your home is considered to be flood damage. A handful of examples of flood damage include:

  • A nearby river overflows its banks and washes into your home.
  • A heavy rain seeps into your basement because the soil can't absorb the water quickly enough
  • A heavy rain or flash flood causes the hill behind your house to collapse into a mud slide that oozes into your home.

Flood damage to your home can be insured only with a flood insurance policy -- no other insurance will cover flood damage. Flood insurance is available through your insurance agent, insurance company or local Federal Emergency Management Office (FEMA). To determine if your home is located in a flood plain, contact your county planning office. If you are living in a flood plain, flood insurance may be an excellent purchase.

Homeowners Insurance

A homeowners insurance policy doesn't provide coverage for flood damage, but it does provide coverage for many types of water damage to your home. Just the opposite from flood damage, for insurance purposes, water damage is considered to occur when water damages your home before the water comes in contact with the ground. A few examples of water damage include:

  • A hailstorm smashes your window, permitting hail and rain free access into your home.
  • A heavy rain soaks through the roof, allowing water to drip through your attic or ceiling.
  • A broken water pipe spews water into your home.

Even if flood or water damage is not covered by your homeowners insurance policy, losses from theft, fire or explosion resulting from water damage is covered. For example, if a nearby creek overflows and floods your home, and looters steal some of your furnishings after you evacuate, the theft would be covered by your homeowners insurance because it is a direct result of the water damage. However, the flood damage would be covered only if you have flood insurance.

It's important to note that flood insurance and homeowners insurance do not duplicate coverage for water damage. Instead, they complement each other.

It is up to you to talk to your insurance agent or insurance company about flood insurance and homeowners insurance, and then decide which insurance coverage you need to protect your home, its contents, and your family.

Source: https://www.fema.gov/

SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence is READY TO HELP!

2/20/2018 (Permalink)

A sewer back up in Williamsville, NY cleaned up by SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence

We Answer the Phone Ready to Help
Call Today - 716-639-8687

We understand that when you call us, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and vulnerable. You need an expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of AMHERST CLARENCE has the specific water damage training and experience to help you through this tough time. We specialize in water damage restoration—in fact, it's the cornerstone of our business.

What to Expect

When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.

Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Your insurance information (if applicable)
  • The street address of the water-damaged home or business
  • When did the flooding or water damage occur?
  • What caused the water damage (if known)?
  • Is there electricity available (on-site)?

About SERVPRO of AMHERST CLARENCE

SERVPRO of AMHERST - CLARENCE specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Water Damage: What to DO and What NOT to do.

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Frozen Pipe Break Causes Water Damage to Amherst, NY home.

After any water damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first:

  • Is it safe to stay in the house?
  • Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
  • Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
  • Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Have A  Water Damage Emergency? Call 716-694-9949

What To Do After Flooding

  • Remove excess water by mopping and blotting.
  • Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items.
  • Remove and prop wet upholstery and cushions.
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
  • Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
  • Remove colored rugs from wet carpeting.
  • Remove art objects to a safe, dry place.
  • Gather loose items from floors.

What NOT To Do After Flooding

  • Don't leave wet fabrics in place. Hang furs and leather goods.
  • Don't leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors.
  • Don't use your household vacuum to remove water.
  • Don't use television or other household appliances.
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging.
  • Crews are always available 24-7-365.  Our SERVPRO of Amherst/Clarence hereos are ready to help.  Call 694-9949.