Thursday, Dec. 1, saw some of the fiercest winds in Utah history. Topping 100 mph at times, these winds overturned at least 26 semi-trucks and caused more than $3.5 million in infrastructure damage, prompting Davis County to issue a disaster declaration and close schools. High winds knocked out power to approximately 50,000 homes, downed trees, and shattered windows. Cars were crushed and an entire wall of a new dormitory construction at Weber State University collapsed. The level of damage to individual homes is hard to quantify, but structural damage is undoubtedly widespread.

If your home has been damaged by storm winds, turn to the Utah disaster cleanup experts at Utah Disaster Kleenup. Between restoring power, making sure your family is safe, and tracking down valuables, you don’t want to spend any more time than you need to dealing with your insurance claims. We will work closely with your insurance company throughout the entire process to make sure you don’t experience unnecessary financial strain. We will work quickly and efficiently to bring your home back to its pre-wind condition.

If your home has been damaged, it’s important to follow these few steps to get the process started:

1. Submit your insurance claim.
2. Begin keeping track of your expenses. If your home is no longer habitable, expenses can include lodging, food, and transportation.
3. Call UDK. The insurance claims process may take some time, but we’ll help you every step of the way and have you back in your home as fast as possible.

Over the years, Utah has been home to some fairly incredible winter storms. It’s important to be prepared to pass the storm whether at home or out and about in your vehicle. Be prepared for every possibility. Take the following steps to ensure that you and your family stay safe and warm all winter long:

1. Stock up. Make sure both your home and car have fully-stocked emergency kits, including blankets, flashlights, water, non-perishable food items, first-aid supplies, and salt or sand for icy roads or driveways. If at all possible, get a portable electrical generator for use either at home or on the road in case of an emergency.

   For your car, make sure you are equipped with booster cables, flares, a tire pump, a battery-powered radio, and plastic bags.

2. Winterize your home. Clean out gutters, repair leaks, install insulation, weather stripping, and storm windows, and ensure that water lines running along exterior walls are insulated to prevent freezing.
3. Make sure all heating systems are working properly. Inspect chimneys and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Have a professional tune-up your furnace to make sure everything is ventilating properly. Keep grills and generators outside the house. Have an alternate heat source ready in case of a furnace break-down.

If you ever find yourself in dire straits and your home has been compromised, turn to the Utah disaster cleanup specialists to make it all better.

Disasters happen to one and all. You might never experience a flood, fire, or earthquake, but with an economy in recovery, unemployment, bankruptcy, and foreclosure are all around us. Whatever disaster strikes your family, having fully-stocked food storage is a must. Food storage helps when you lose the car and can’t get to the grocery store, when flooding spoils your perishable items, or to last you through tough financial times. Here are three tips for getting started on your storage today:

1. Rotate. Naturally, food will go bad if it’s not used for long periods of time. Instead of letting your food sit idly, build up your stock, and then eat the canned foods throughout the year. That way nothing goes to waste.
2. Choose the right foods. Plan your food storage by meals: select a meal that can be made mostly with non-perishable foods and store enough of the ingredients for 52 meals. That way, you’ll be set for one meal a week for one year. Repeat the process for six more meals and you’ll have stored a full year’s-worth of food – enough to face any disaster.
3. Take it slow. Many people balk at the thought of starting their food storage because of the significant expense of building a year’s supply of food. However, if you just set aside $10 a week during your regular shopping trip for food storage, you’ll be able to gradually build up the stockpile you need.

When disaster strikes, be prepared: have the food you need to make it through and, equally importantly, have the Utah disaster cleanup experts on speed-dial.

Has your home or business been flooded, burned, or involved in some other disaster? Was your computer seriously damaged in the process? If so, there’s no need to give up hope! Surprisingly, 80% of damaged electronics equipment can be successfully restored to their original condition – that even includes equipment involved in fires and floods! We were even able to restore the electronics of a securities company that was part of the Sep. 11 tragedy. This is how it works when it comes to electronics restoration:

1. We will inventory all of your equipment with our barcode labeling system to make sure that no equipment is lost or left out.
2. We’ll carefully take apart each piece of equipment and clean every component to remove potential contaminants.
3. Each piece of electronic or communications equipment will be tested for functionality and total operation. After diagnosis, further cleaning will take place if necessary.

Don’t let your equipment sit around too long after a disaster. The longer you wait, the more contaminated your electronics will become and the less likely that it will be possible for them to be saved. To learn more about preventive measures you can take to protect your equipment or if you’ve experienced an electronic disaster, contact your Utah electronics restoration specialists.

A mold problem in your home can have grave consequences. Mold can lead to asthma, dry cough, headaches, mood swings, and mold allergy. Mold follows moisture, so preventing a mold problem in your home essentially boils down to controlling the amount of moisture in your home. Here are three simple steps to prevent a mold infestation:

1. Monitor and control humidity. If you think your home might be at risk, purchase a humidity sensor ($20 to $30). If the humidity level in your home is higher than 55%, it’s time for a dehumidifier. Use multiple humidifiers throughout the house to bring your humidity down to a healthy level.
2. Fix leaky pipes and drains. Musty odors, the constant sound of running water, abnormally high water bills, and discolored or damaged walls are all signs of a leak. Have leaks fixed as soon as they’re identified.
3. Properly ventilate. Use a simple barometer test to check the air pressure inside and outside of your home. You want the air pressure inside your home at a slightly higher pressure than the air outside. This is because highly-pressured air wants to lower pressures. If your air pressure is too low, the damp air from outside will come inside and raise your humidity levels. If your air pressure is in fact too low, turn up your supply ventilation and turn down your exhaust ventilation.

Often, despite our best efforts, mold takes over. If you’re facing a mold infestation, call the Utah water and mold damage pros.

We’re fast approaching Utah’s fire season. Utah is famous for its hot, dry summers, which open the door wide for home fires. If your home is ever involved in a fire, your Utah water and fire damage experts are here to help. But nobody wants to be in a situation where they need to save their home from a disaster. Far better is it to prevent fires from ever happening in the first place. Here are a few ways to make your home more fire-resistant:

1. Clean up the clutter: stacks of magazines, newspapers, or even clothes can quickly ignite from the smallest spark.
2. Install smoke detectors: if your home catches fire while you’re sleeping, you don’t want to be the last to know. Smoke detectors are part of Utah’s building code, but it’s still important to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors at least once a year.
3. Check around the house for any faulty wiring: have an electrician make sure that your home conforms to code. Make sure you use the right wattage of light bulb for your home. Using a wattage too high for the socket can and will cause fires.
4. Be careful around fireworks: Independence Day is just around the corner, and much as a home fireworks show is fun, it’s important to make sure you conduct your festivities away from your home and practice caution in all you do. In 2009 alone, 18,000 fires were started by fireworks.

Here in Utah, rising springtime temperatures mean flooding and plenty of it! So far this season, the Blacksmith Fork River burst its banks, flooding a subdivision with three feet of water, thirty homes were evacuated, and water backed up into a power station, leading to further evacuations.

Sandbag as we may, there is no barrier guaranteed to withstand the flood or protect our property. That’s why it’s important to know what to do before, during, and after a flood situation:

Before, be prepared:

1. Obtain flood insurance.
2. Make arrangements for housing in case of evacuation.
3. Turn off gas, electricity, and water lines.
4. Store valuables and household chemicals above flood levels.

During, stay safe:

1. Keep to higher ground.
2. Don’t walk or wade in flooded areas.
3. Don’t try to cross swollen streams or drive through flooded roadways.

After, call Utah Disaster Kleenup immediately! But there’s a lot you can do before we get there:

1. Protect your valuables: hang wet fabrics, leather and fur. Get books, magazines, TVs and other appliances off of wet floors.
2. Hand dry: mop (don’t vacuum) as much water as possible, wipe off wood furniture, blot wet carpet, and drain sagging ceiling spots.
3. Air dry: remove and prop up wet cushions, turn on air conditioning, open windows, drawers and cabinet doors, and open up luggage in the sun.

Floods will inevitably come. But with a little preparation and the help of your Utah Disaster Cleanup specialists, it doesn’t have to be a complete catastrophe.

Damage restoration is essential for homeowners affected by a natural disaster.  Every day, there is a variety of crises that can threaten our homes and important belongings including:

• Floods
• Fires
• Wind storms
• Tornadoes
• Earthquakes

What’s the biggest threat in Utah right now?

According to news reports, flooding is a huge concern right now as the moisture in the mountains continues to build while the hot summer weather is just around the corner.   In order to be prepared, families in danger zones around the valley are stocking up on sand bags, etc.  What we want Utahns to realize is that Utah Disaster Kleanup is here to help every step of the way!

Our restoration professionals will respond immediately in our radio dispatched mobile extractions units.  With powerful vacuum units we’ll quickly remove any standing or flowing water or moisture and begin the drying process immediately through the use of advanced, industry proven accelerated structural drying to guarantee the most efficient drying process possible.

Our courteous personnel will make sure your water loss situation is handled correctly and professionally, monitoring the extraction and drying process through every phase to ensure proper drying occurs.  This will minimize occupant discomfort, inconvenience and unnecessary additional costs.

Water Damage Mitigation Services Include:

• 24/7/365 immediate response
• Remove bulk water-absorb, drain, vacuum, or pump out
• Setup drying system and/or high pressure vacuum process that replaces water with very dry air
• Set Fans—Evaporation through direct air movement by setting equipment in an advanced, scientific, systematic, and logical approach
• Set dehumidifiers—using professional quality units to increase drying process
• Drying chamber—concentrated drying power with contained humidity
• Apply temperature control—concentration of equipment and environment control equals concentrated drying
• Regular monitoring to completion

Call us today with any questions! We are your Utah disaster cleanup professionals!

Spring is upon us and you know what that means: it’s time to do a little spring cleaning! After the harsh winter months, it’s also a great time to give your home  and business a thorough inspection to ensure everything is working properly including the roof, air conditioning system, sprinkling system and more.

A home inspection doesn’t have to take up a lot of time, and it can keep small issues in check before they become big, costly headaches.

Check out the spring home maintenance tips below:

• Inspect the roof. Look for curled or wind-damaged shingles. If not maintained properly, they could lead to leaks.
• Check the air conditioning. Central units should be clear of debris and foliage. Swamp coolers should be checked for leaks; a broken water line can severely damage every level of your home.
• Check outdoor spigots and hoses. If a pipe has frozen during the winter, your basement can flood when you turn the spigot on. Make sure hoses are out of window wells before turning them on.
• Inspect sprinklers and yard. Ensure that sprinklers do not pool near the foundation of your home. Also, make sure that drainage from your yard is not flowing to your neighbor’s yard (and vice versa).

Sources: www.StateFarm.com, www.seasonal-home-maintenance.suite101.com

Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Business

Maintaining your business in the spring doesn’t take a lot of time, but it can save a lot of time, money, and heartache in the end.  Since many large repairs start out as small, minor issues, inspecting your business after a long winter can make the difference between a small problem and a major emergency.

Check out these simple yet useful tips below:

Exterior:

• Inspect the roof. Look for curled or wind-damaged shingles. If not maintained, they could lead to leaks.
• Clean gutters and downspouts. Make sure they are directing water away from the structure or building. Check the air conditioning. Central units should be clear of debris and foliage. Evaporative (or swamp) coolers should be checked for leaks. A broken water line can severely damage every your place of business.
• Check windows and doors. The extreme cold of winter followed by the extreme heat of summer can wreak havoc on seals and caulking. Check to make sure the weatherproofing is still intact.
• Check outdoor spigots, sprinklers, and hoses. If a pipe has frozen during the winter, your business can flood when you turn the spigot on. If there are hoses, make sure they are out of window wells before turning them on.

Electrical System:

• Inspect light fixtures. Make sure the light bulbs in all of your fixtures are the correct wattage.
• Check power cords. Replace any extension cords that have become brittle, worn, or damaged.
• Protect from surges. Inspect all of your electrical appliances and computer equipment and make sure they have surge protectors as needed.

Water System:

• Identify and inspect shutoff valves. Check each plumbing fixture to make sure they function properly. Know the location of all valves and what equipment and water lines they serve. Teach all employees.
• Inspect sewer and drains. Your business may be equipped with drains on bottom-level floors. Make sure these are not covered. If water does enter your business, these drains can prevent a lot of damage.

Fire Protection System:

• Inspect Detectors and Alarms. Check and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. If they are not clean, they will not work.
• Change the batteries. Switch out the batteries on your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms every six months. Newer places of business may have alarms hard-wired into the electrical system, but batteries act as an important backup.
• Check fire extinguishers. Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible. Make sure it is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed or Factory Mutual (FM) approved. Check the gauges to make sure they are charged and ready to use.

• Review fire escape plan. Review and even practice your plan with all employees. Know what to do and where to go.

We’re Your Specialist for Utah Water Damage and Damage Restoration

Utah Disaster Kleenup (UDK) is one of the most experienced and respected Utah disaster cleanup and disaster restoration contractors. Since 1974, UDK has become the largest and most capable Utah disaster restoration service company offering 24/7 emergency residential and commercial response. Contact UDK, your Utah disaster cleanup company, for 24/7 emergency response by phone, contact form, or live chat.

Unpredictable and violent weather are a common thing in Utah which can result in wind damage to your home and property.   The tornado that hit downtown Salt Lake in the summer of 1999 proved that you just never know when a natural disaster will strike or what it will involve.  When a storm hits, there is no time to protect your home. It’s best to be prepared before hand.  Here’s how:

How to Avoid Wind Damage

• Know your risks. Do you know the hazards in your community? How often do floods or wind storms occur? Contact your emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information.
• Properly install roof sheathing. The roof sheathing helps to ensure that wind flows from the roof to the foundation which protects your home’s exterior from being beaten by brutal winds. If the sheathing is not properly installed (nails are loose or not nailed to the rafters) you will experience problems in a heavy storm.
• Make sure end gables are secured to the roof. ‘In a hurricane or other wind storm, the side walls of the roof (end gables) take a real beating and can collapse. Gable bracing often consists of 2”x4”s placed in an “X” pattern at both ends of the attic: from the top center of the end gable to the bottom of the brace of the fourth truss, and from the bottom center of the end gable to the peak of the roof,’ Federal Emergency Management Agency.
• Fasten your roof to the walls with galvanized hurricane straps. Galvanized hurricane straps help keep the roof secured to the walls in a powerful storm.  Make sure you have these in place if you live in a high risk hurricane area.
• Check that your garage door is properly secured. In a windstorm the garage door can be easily ripped off allowing wind to enter your home and blow out doors, windows, walls and even the roof.  Call a reputable garage door company for assistance.
• Protect your windows with storm shutters. Installing storm shutters is one of the best ways you can protect your home from high winds. You can purchase these in wood, aluminum or steel.

When a natural disaster strikes, call the experienced professionals you can trust: Utah Disaster Kleenup 801-938-7334 or you can send us your contact information>> and we will contact you.

Contact a reputable Utah disaster cleanup for wind damage repairs or more information on being prepared for a wind storm.