Storms Do Not Require a Name

2/11/2021 (Permalink)

Weather Affects Buildings

How many ways are weather forecast broadcast? Weather forecasters have become celebrities appearing in the midst of real, and not so real, storms defying the odds of physical harm. Radio, newsprint, television, a plethora of online outlets, smartwatches, spouses, and spouses' parents are valued weather resources. 

My grandmother was before her time inventing the doppler radar concept in the early '70s. "Fortunately" we lived in an area where we centrally located between three television stations (when the antenna was aligned correctly) observing the weather forecast at varying times. By watching the weather reports back-to-back she formulated our local weather forecast. More recently forecasters present information days if not weeks in advance. Weather forecast for the East Coast often focus on hurricanes and projected rainfall, wind, and damaging effects. Bread, milk, and sugar fly off the grocery store shelves. Winter-time brings a forecast of snow, ice, and mixed precipitation. Anyone visiting or having recently moved to a southern region should be acutely aware Southerners drive very poorly during any wintertime-related weather inconsistencies, and during a hurricane are bound and determined to drive around before, during, and after the hurricane.  

Frequently weather events occurring in relatively small geographical areas are not broadcasted leaving property owners and property managers to observe weather conditions and resulting effects on buildings. 

A roof requiring maintenance or replacement before a storm may leak allowing water to affect the building's interior. Attic insulation, ceilings, walls, and personal contents may be affected. 

Low lying buildings may experience flooding into the building or when a crawlspace is present the crawlspace may flood. A crawlspace is an area below when the building floor is elevated above ground level. Crawlspaces may be utilized for HVAC ducting and HVAC, plumbing, and electrical components. Insulation placed beneath the floor is also in the crawlspace. the materials may be affected by rising water. 

Freezing temperatures may lead to burst plumbing and water damages. Remember to protect plumbing fixtures and plumbing to prevent damages. 

When a building is affected by severe weather SERVPRO of Fayetteville can assist to reduce additional damages and mitigate existing damages.