Keep Woodard in Mind for Water Mitigation

Posted on October 10, 2011 by admin

Many homeowners may think they will seldom (if ever) need a water mitigation specialist in their house. It seems flooding hits other parts of Missouri, the east coast, the west coast and the Gulf Coast, but not us.

However, studies show Missouri homeowners are prone to suffer water damage in their home at least once every 50 years. Fifty years may seem like a long time, yet flooding is unpredictable and it often surprises us. As a water mitigation specialist, I have seen how daily life can be quickly changed by the sudden rise of waters, or structural malfunctions in a home or business water system.

This year alone, Woodard has helped with water mitigation in several cities throughout the country, such as Metropolis (IL), Chicago, North St. Louis, and recently New Jersey in the aftermath of hurricane Irene. When we talk to homeowners, we usually hear the same phrase, “We cannot believe this happened to us.”

Due to the surge in flooding this year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published an online book with instructions and tips on what to do in case of a flood. Here are a few of the tips (go to www.fema.gov for the full list), and remember to call Woodard for any of your water mitigation needs…

- Turn off your electricity when you return home. Also realize that some appliances, such as televisions, store energy and can shock you even after they have been unplugged. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been checked out by a professional.

- Look before you step. After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris, including broken glass and other sharp objects. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.

- Be alert for gas leaks. Don’t smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you are sure that the gas has been turned off and the area has been aired out.

- Only use a generator and other gasoline-powered machines outdoors. The same goes for camping stoves. Fumes from charcoal are especially deadly; only cook with charcoal outdoors. Carbon monoxide kills.

- Clean and disinfect everything that got wet. Floodwaters pick up sewage and chemicals from roads, farms, factories, and storage buildings. Spoiled food and flooded cosmetics and medicines are health hazards. When in doubt, throw them out.

By Jim Feltz, Operations Manager, Water Restoration

Woodard Stays On The Cutting Edge With New Water Restoration Equipment

Posted on October 4, 2011 by admin

As Woodard’s water restoration operations manager, I am extremely excited about two new pieces of equipment we recently purchased, to provide legendary service in our water restoration efforts.

The Airsled and the Kett saw are some of the most innovative pieces of equipment which Woodard will now be bringing to the site of water restoration jobs.

The Airsled helps the Woodard crews lift and move heavy items, like furniture or appliances, with little effort. The Airsled basically works as an upside-down air-hockey table, shooting high-pressure air on the floor, creating a cushion of air that helps “levitate” the item. This helps prevent scratching floors, or causing other possible damage that could come from moving heavy equipment at water restoration jobs.

The Kett saw is a type of saw that penetrates walls without creating debris, thanks to a powerful attached vacuum that captures airborne dust as the machine cuts drywall. Not only that, but the Kett saw can also be programmed to a particular depth, eliminating the chance of a worker accidentally cutting into an electrical line or pipe.

Through constantly researching and testing innovative, new water restoration equipment, Woodard will continue to remain true our core value of “continuous improvement.”

By Jim Feltz, Water Restoration, Operations Manager

Hurricane Irene Assistance

Posted on September 9, 2011 by admin

Woodard Wraps Up Hurricane Irene Assistance in NY and NJ Area. Yes, that's Lady Liberty in the background!

Woodard is finishing up several water mitigation jobs in the New York and New Jersey areas (from Hurricane Irene), and is getting ready to head back to the heartland!

We’re proud of our technicians and how they’ve helped these people in need!

Woodard Increases Nationwide Storm Damage Repair Work

Posted on September 6, 2011 by admin

It has been a busy year at Woodard with storm damage repair work. During the first half of 2011, Woodard has worked with more than 100 different insurance companies, traveled throughout the country, and mobilized hundreds of crews to assist with storm damage repair in areas severely hit by the recent wave of storms.

In what the National Weather Service has deemed an “unusual year” of natural disasters, the country has been shocked by catastrophic tornadoes, floods, and hurricanes, leaving many homes and businesses in need of restoration work.

From the Joplin tornado, to Hurricane Irene, one aspect these forces of nature have had in common is their unpredictability. No matter how many predictions are made, few people can fully prepare for the devastation brought by a flood, tornado or hurricane. Woodard understands getting life and businesses back together quickly is imperative in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

Thanks to Woodard’s large equipment and crew capacity, together with years of experience, and our ability to organize and mobilize many crews at once, we have been at the forefront of the battle, assisting communities near and far in their storm damage repair efforts. From several separate tornados in St. Louis, to flooding in Southern Illinois, to tornados in central Missouri and Joplin, to flooding in Chicago, to Hurricane Irene – Woodard crews have assisted with each of these storm damage restoration efforts.

One secret to our success is that all of our technicians are cross-trained and are capable of addressing restoration needs from fire, water, or storm damage repair. Our company’s core values are ingrained in all of our employees – so we focus how we can best address our customer’s needs with our legendary service.

That is why everyday of the week and around the clock, Woodard is ready to deploy its crews to the site of any storm damage situation. At Woodard, we will not be able to predict where communities will need us next for storm damage repair, but you can rest assured we will be there fast and we will complete our jobs in a manner the owner and insurance company will both appreciate.