Hurricane Ike in Galveston Texas

By: Elizabeth K
Submitted: 2008-09-22 16:57:56
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For those who have been watching the devastation and destruction caused by Hurricane Ike in Texas, it should come as no surprise that homeowners, renters, investors and even small business owners will continue to be dramatically impacted for months…if not years…to come.

Hurricane damage isn’t limited to strong winds; flood damage creates as much – if not more – damage especially to coastal areas like Galveston or New Orleans. Hurricane Ike is a dramatic reminder of how flood damage can wreck havoc on homes, apartments and small business. In fact, almost every aspect of normal life comes to a half in the aftermath of hurricane – Texas sized at that. Even seemingly insignificant issues can become potentially threatening problems such as:

Water damage to drywall, floors, furniture that quickly leads to the growth of mold and mildew. Since mold and mildew are spread by spores, they enter the air vents of homes and can spread throughout the entire household; re-infecting every area of the home.

Contamination due to mud, debris, pollution and even dead fish or other animals. The waters contain a host of bacteria, chemicals and other health hazards that create serious threats to the safety and welfare of the general population if not properly handled and disposed of. Unfortunately, disposal itself becomes problematic with limited resources and inadequate transportation routes to areas most in need of assistance.

Improper repairs. One of the worst and most costly long term consequences of hurricane damage is the need for fast response and professional repairs. Unfortunately, many of the local carpet cleaning, air vent cleaners, drywall, upholstery cleaning and other professionals in the immediate area were also impacted. Water damage restoration professional can be very hard to find after a disaster like the magnitude of hurricane Ike. As home owners attempt to do the work on their own it can lead to a long term loss in value or fail to meet proper permits or other building standards.  The need for immediate response must be balanced for the need for proper adherence to building codes and insurance underwriting standards in order to avoid a loss of property value, dismissal of insurance claims and long term health problems.

In the aftermath of destruction, it is natural to turn to the Red Cross and FEMA for help with basics like bottled water, blankets and temporary housing but let’s not forget others throughout the nations that never make the news. Companies like Kiwi Services that specialize in water damage and restoration repair, proper disposal of contaminated furniture and removal of debris and mold remediation are equally important to the “healing process” of the community.  Despite traveling to the hardest hit areas of Texas from throughout the nation, these workers rarely make the spot-light on the evening news for their diligent work nonetheless they represent a critical link in the chain of services required to restore the area back to a functional community.

Galveston Water Damage & Repair

Article source: Expert Articles