Timing Is Everything When It Comes to Water Damage

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

If your appliance causes water damage at your home, SERVPRO® of The Woodlands/Conroe can make the damage "Like it never even happened."

Water damage is a constant threat in our homes! Natural disasters and severe weather events can cause structural issues as well as water damage, and even something as simple as an appliance issue can leave you with a big mess on your hands.

Catching these issues quickly can help you avoid lasting damages.

An Appliance Malfunction

No one wants to think about it, but we all have nightmares of our appliances failing and causing a mess in our homes. In fact, it is one of the most common reasons for water damage among households in the Conroe community!

Any appliance that has a water line runs the risk of leaking or suffering some major malfunction.

If you notice a small drip coming from your washing machine or come home to a soaking wet carpet by your utility room, close off your water valves and turn off the power to any appliances near the water. Then give us a call! The faster we can respond to your emergency, the better chance you have of avoiding warped walls and floors and other costly damages.

Severe Weather and Flooding

Water damage can also occur due to any sort of weather event! When a severe storm rolls through town, it can cause flash flooding issues or lead to water backing up into your basement.

One way to avoid this is to invest in a sump pump for your lowest level. A sump pump works to pull water away from your foundation and basement, keeping your floors and walls nice and dry.

In addition, flying debris or a tornado can cause structural damage to your home, which can cause water damage if parts of your home are exposed to the elements.

In this scenario, make sure everyone in your family is safe and accounted for after the storm and then get us on the phone. Moisture can seep into many different areas, and the longer you wait to take action, you run the risk of mold and mildew on top of everything else.

How We Can Help

When it comes to water damage restoration, we know a thing or two! That is why our team should be your first phone call the moment you discover water damage anywhere in your home or property. We will work with you to create a full restoration plan, and then we will hit the road on our way to you.

We work hard to remove all of your fragile possessions and start by drying out as much of the water as we can. Our first goal is to save and recover as much as possible!

Once everything is removed, we bring in industry-leading drying equipment to make sure every inch of water is dried up. After that, we can address the necessary repairs and do whatever is required to return your home back to its pre-disaster state. We have your back no matter what water disaster you are facing.

Water can be very damaging to your home. Contact us for help with your recovery.

4 Things to Check for in the Wake of a Natural Disaster

1/18/2023 (Permalink)

When a natural disaster strikes your Conroe home, it can be a scary time.

Natural disasters are unpredictable, and they can happen at any time. You never know when a storm is going to hit, but it's important to prepare for the aftermath. A storm can result in injuries and damage to property, so it's crucial that you take steps to protect yourself before the storm arrives. Here are four things you should do after a natural disaster:

Check for Injuries

Check for injuries and provide first aid. Injuries are a common occurrence following natural disasters. If you're at home when one of these occurs, it's important to be prepared to deal with medical emergencies. This includes keeping all first-aid supplies handy and knowing how to administer CPR. 

Be prepared for a medical emergency. If you are injured and require emergency medical care, there may not be enough time or resources available at the moment of injury to provide adequate treatment—at least in the immediate aftermath of an event like this one. It's important that you have a plan in place so that others can get help if needed before professional services become available again.

Check on Neighbors

After a natural disaster, the most important thing to do is check on the safety of your family and neighbors. If you have children or elderly parents, make sure that they are safe and accounted for. Check on neighbors who may be home alone. If there is no response after knocking on their door, try calling them as well.

Consume Safe Food & Water

Do not drink water from the tap. It could be contaminated. Your best bet is to ensure you have gallons or bottles of water on hand before the storm hits and drink those in the aftermath.

Throw away food that may have come into contact with flood or stormwater. If power has been disrupted and your refrigerator was not running, throw out any perishable food in it (such as eggs and meat) that has been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more. You should also throw out any food stored at room temperature for two hours or more if there were power disruptions during that time period.

Prevent More Damage

If you've been affected by a natural disaster and your home has experienced damage, you want to make sure you address it quickly. First, check for damage in and around your home. Talk with your insurance agent and see what is and isn’t covered. They will have steps to follow to get your home restored. Ensure you take photos and document everything that is damaged. This will help with your insurance claim.

When a natural disaster strikes your Conroe home, it can be a scary time. Your first priority should be to make sure that you and your neighbors are safe and healthy. Give SERVPRO of The Woodlands/Conroe a call and we will help you get your home restored to its preloss condition in no time!

Signs of a Sewage Backup

12/9/2022 (Permalink)

If your sink starts to overflow is a sign that you have sewage backup.

Sewage backups happen when the wastewater pipes leading from your house clog or overflow. In many cases, this can lead to severe water damage for your home. If you suspect that your sewage system is backing up, there are a few signs that can help alert you to the problem.

Most Common Type of Sewage Backups

There are many reasons for a sewage backup. The most common cause is clogged drains, particularly in older homes. Overflowing toilets and broken pipes are also common causes of sewage backups. Other causes include underground leaks from running water or rainfall, rotted pipes and cracked pipe joints or walls. Leaking underground sprinkler systems can also be a culprit if they're not maintained properly. Here are some other signs of sewage backup:

Foul odors 

Sewage backups can cause foul odors and overflow. If you notice a sewage backup, it's likely that your toilet will overflow and/or the sink will begin to overflow. Because of this, it's important to check on these areas regularly for any signs of a backup or spillage.

Backed Up Sink Drains

One of the first signs of a sewage backup is an increase in water flowing from your sink drains, especially if it's not clear and you're noticing bubbles or air. You should call a professional plumber as soon as you see this happen, because if you wait too long, it can cause damage to your home.

Water Pooling in Your Yard

If you notice water pooling on your lawn or in your yard, it's likely that there is a sewage backup. This can be due to a variety of reasons, including faulty plumbing lines, blocked sewer lines and clogged drains. The presence of the following signs may indicate that there is a sewage backup:

• Water leaking from the ground
• Water leaking from downspouts
• Water leaking from rain gutters
• Water leaking from the roof
• Water leaking from the foundation
• Water leaking from inside walls

Avoiding Backups

You can avoid most sewage backup issues by checking for them regularly. To check for a leak, you'll need to inspect your plumbing system regularly. Use a flashlight and probe to find signs of water damage or discoloration in the walls or flooring of your basement, especially near pipes and drains.

To check for plumbing issues, you'll need to look at your toilet flange (the part that connects the toilet base with the floor). Look at all sides of it and make sure there is no corrosion on any side of it. If there is corrosion, replace it immediately!

Call the Professionals 

If you notice any of these symptoms, call SERVPRO of The Woodlands/Conroe. We have the equipment and experience to clean your home's sewage backup. Our technicians use the appropriate tools and methods for each job.

If you've noticed a sewage backup in your Conroe,TX home or business, make sure to contact a professional right away. A backup can be dangerous and costly, so call for help as soon as possible.

Do's and Don'ts After Water Damage

11/9/2022 (Permalink)

Make sure to turn off the electricity to avoid shocks or fires.

Tips On Handling the Aftermath Of a Flood Or Water Damage

The moment you realize your home has been damaged by water, it's natural to feel shocked and panicked. Luckily, there are things you can do to help protect your property and get back on track as quickly as possible. Check out this handy guide for tips on handling the aftermath of a flood or other water-related incident:

Do: Shut off the electricity if you can safely do so.

Cut power to wet areas of your home, especially if water is standing in puddles. If you see a wall outlet or switch that is wet or has been submerged in water, shut it off at the main circuit breaker box or fuse box. You should also turn off any appliances that were turned on when your home flooded and are still plugged into an outlet (e.g., a coffee maker).

Don't: Use a plugged-in electrical appliance while standing in water or on a wet floor, even with rubber-soled shoes on.

This may sound like common sense, but we've all done it at some point—you've been cooking dinner, and the phone rings, so you set the pan down just long enough to pick it up. Or maybe you're working on an assignment for class when your computer dies and you feel like running downstairs to charge it for five minutes before going back to work.

Regardless of whether you're using a big appliance or something small (like an alarm clock), plugging in any electrical device while standing in water can pose serious risks of electrocution—and if there's one thing we've learned over our many years of working with H2O and electricity, it's this: water + electricity = bad idea.

Do: Call an electrician right away.

If you have any concerns about the electrical circuits in your home, call an electrician right away. If the power has been turned off and on again, it's critical to inspect for damage and safety issues. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that homeowners do not turn their electricity back on until they've checked for fire hazards like cracks or frayed wires, as well as moisture damage that could cause mold growth in the future.

Do: Mop up all touchable surfaces such as walls and floors to get rid of excess moisture.

This will prevent mold or bacteria growth in your home, which could cause structural problems if left untreated. Avoid using a vacuum cleaner to clean up water damage because it can suck up small particles of dirt and debris. Also, avoid using a power washer to clean up water damage as this may spread the problem into other areas of your home if not done correctly.

Don't: Go into rooms with standing water while barefoot.

You should also avoid going into any rooms with standing water, areas that have wet carpets or floors, and any area that's damp. The same goes for walls. If you find yourself entering an area and feel as though there may be moisture in the air and on your skin, don't stop to check—just leave immediately.

In conclusion, water damage can be traumatic. However, the most important thing is to not panic and act quickly. You should always shut off the power when you see signs of water damage so that you don’t get electrocuted by an electrical appliance that’s been submerged in water. If you have any doubts about whether your electrical system has been damaged or not, call an electrician right away.

What Can Expect After a Partial Loss?

10/16/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in The Woodlands, TX.

After a fire, you may be wondering what to expect from the restoration company. The answer depends on the extent of your loss and the type of restoration project. But no matter how bad it is, you can be sure that we'll be there for you every step of the way. In this article, we'll examine some common questions about partial losses and how they're handled by our local restoration professionals.

What To Expect After a Partial Loss

A property owners biggest fear is to completely lose their home or business in a fire. Rest assured, you can expect to be able to return to your home or business.

You should also expect that a restoration company will evaluate the damage. They may want to make sure that any undamaged items are protected from further damage, and they’ll let you know if there are any health risks involved with re-entering your property. After this initial assessment, the restoration company will begin removing ruined items and damaged machinery/electronics/appliances from your home or business premises.

A restoration company will evaluate your home or business.

A restoration company will evaluate your home or business to determine what items can be restored. They will also provide an estimate for the cost of restoration. If necessary, they'll remove unaffected contents and materials from your property so that they don't become damaged and safely store them in their warehouse.

You can expect the restoration company to dispose of ruined items and debris.

You can expect that your restoration company will remove damaged items from the premises and dispose of them for you. If an item is ruined, but still functional (for example, a lampshade), the company may repair it and return it to you. If an item cannot be fixed or replaced and must be thrown away, the restoration company will remove it from your home or business.

As you can imagine, this process may produce a fair amount of debris, which you can expect the restoration professional to remove promptly and properly. They will also be able to provide you with an estimate of when it's safe for your family to return home. 

You can expect the restoration company restore your property.

Once affected materials and debris has been removed from your property, the restoration professionals will begin the restoration process. From start to finish, you can count on companies, such as SERVPRO of The Woodlands/Conroe, to take care of you and your property. Going through a loss is never easy but knowing that a restoration professional will not only clean up the mess but rebuild your property back to preloss conditions can give you a sense ease.

At the end of the day, a fire can be devastating. But you should know that there are people out there who can help you get back on your feet again. You just need to find them. If your home or business in The Woodlands, TX, suffers from a fire, don’t hesitate and give our SERVPRO team a call today!

The Importance of SERVPRO's Always Available Rapid Response Teams

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

When calamity strikes at any hour, contact SERVPRO for prompt service.

Elements of SERVPRO’s Speediness

Because they are designed with timeliness in mind, you should expect:

• Emergency calls to receive a response within an hour
• Fast site arrivals, a benefit of their more than 1,700 North American locations
• Inspections completed within 4 hours
• Briefings delivered within 8 hours
  
  

Whether the problem stems from water, fire, or mold, SERVPRO’s fast response makes them a preferred vendor for most insurance agencies. Being always open means repairs can begin even in the middle of the night. That’s the power of SERVPRO’s 24-hour service.

Importance of SERVPRO’s Speediness
Imagine an office in Egypt, TX, experiences a broken pipe or natural flooding. The longer it takes to clean up, the greater the level of destruction. Within minutes, water can seep into drywall, carpeting, and filing cabinets. Additionally, computers and other electronic equipment are likely to be ruined.
Within a day, additional issues may surface. Metal can begin to tarnish. Cubicle walls may become compromised and need to be thrown away. A distracting, unpleasant smell could start to develop.
Between two days and a week after the incident, mold may start growing. Wood floors might begin warping. Contaminated water will have probably spread, posing a health risk to employees. The cost of building rehabilitation will have grown exponentially.
Water damage is just one scenario where the passage of time compounds problems. The same level of increased trouble occurs when delaying action under other scenarios.
Having a 24-hour team available to react to the most common types of office disasters is a true advantage. When calamity strikes at any hour, contact SERVPRO for prompt service.

3 Tips to Create a Fire Escape Plan

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

By creating an emergency escape plan you are boosting your company's safety

Three Ideas for a Fire Escape Plan

An important part of your fire safety strategy is your fire escape plan. This is the measure that protects your employees from the dangers of a fire. Therefore, you must create a solid plan.

1. Identify Potential Hazards
Inspect your property and write down any potential hazards. These will include cooking areas like kitchens and microwaves. Look for overloaded power outlets. Take note of any mini-fridges or space heaters employees have brought in. Once you have identified these, you can make rules to limit their presence. For instance, you can ban non-essential cooking stations. You can also ban smoking on your property. Measures like this reduce your chances of a fire and your chances of having to call a remediation company.

2. Assign Emergency Roles and Responsibilities
A key aspect of any fire escape plan is to have certain employees in leadership roles. These people need to regularly attend the fire drills, lead others, and understand their responsibilities. The roles you must fill are the fire safety wardens, route guides, and floor monitors.

3. Make an Escape Plan
You can use an online template to start making a fire escape plan for your business in Rayford, TX. Draw out each level of your building with possible routes, fire extinguishers, and first-aid kits. Be sure to include accessible routes as well. Include a meeting place that is a safe distance from your building. It must not be in the way of the fire department.
To keep your plan relevant, check your fire extinguishers regularly to make sure they are working. Also, make sure your first-aid kits are well stocked. If your building changes in any way, be sure to update your plans.
By following these tips to create an emergency escape plan, you are boosting your company's safety. This is because your employees will be prepared and able to get out of the building if a fire occurs.

The Limits of Renter's Insurance for Fire Damage

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

If you have renters insurance, it is important that you understand what is covered

The Importance of Speaking With Your Agent

To get a better understanding of your renters' insurance, you should contact your insurance agent about once a year, or of course in the case of an actual fire. It is not unusual for the agent to recommend a few tweaks. Some of the things you can make changes to include the following:

• The dollar amount of coverage
• Deductibles
• Policy language
• Contact information
• Liability coverage
  
  

If you have bought anything of considerable value, you should then raise the amount of your coverage. Fire damage can even destroy such things as jewelry and computer systems.

The Value of Fire Restoration
If your apartment does fall victim to a fire, your renters' insurance should also pay for cleanup efforts to help you recover more quickly. A local fire remediation team in Shenandoah, TX, can arrive at your place quickly and minimize the level of damage. Professional technicians will work to restore fire and soot damage as well as any water damage caused by firefighters or a sprinkler system. They can offer advice on how best to clean the smoke odors that have penetrated into clothing and furniture. The goal is to restore your apartment back to good condition again. A quality company will help you coordinate the costs and expenses with your insurance company.

How to Pick PPE for Mold Cleanup

7/31/2022 (Permalink)

Protect yourself while cleaning mold

You Know How Basements Often Have "That" Smell?

It's a little damp, a little musty, but all basements smell like that, right? They can because of the amount of moisture found in basements, but they really shouldn't if you're controlling moisture effectively. However, maybe you've discovered a leaking pipe or window in Conroe, TX, and now there is mold damage in your basement to clean up ASAP. Before you start, you need the correct personal protective equipment or PPE. Depending on the extent of cleanup, you will require different PPE to keep you safe. The EPA has a great guide that categorizes cleanup as:

• Minimum
• Limited
• Full
  
  

Minimum
For minimum cleanup, the affected area should not be greater than ten square feet. Face masks, such as N-95 respirators, are necessary, plus goggles or some form of eye protection, and gloves. N-95 respirators prevent you from inhaling mold spores while you're cleaning.

Limited
In a limited cleanup, you need to wear the same PPE you would wear for a minimum cleanup project — face masks, goggles, and gloves — and you should add overalls that protect your clothing. A limited cleanup area should not exceed 100 square feet. For a project of this size, it would be best to contact a mold remediation specialist to ensure that you do, in fact, have the proper materials and PPE to tackle the project. A smaller area can still have a large quantity of mold, and it is important to ensure that you can complete the job completely to avoid future problems.

Full
A full cleanup project requires heavy-duty protective equipment to handle mold damage. You will need a full-face mask with a respirator, gloves, shoe coverings, head covering, and disposable clothing. For a project like this, it is strongly recommended to contact a professional for help.
Face masks aren't the only piece of protection that you need when cleaning up mold in your home. It is important to consider the extent of the mold damage before beginning so you can protect yourself appropriately.

3 Tips for Preventing Plumbing Problems

7/23/2022 (Permalink)

Regular inspection is key to finding and stopping a plumbing issue

Three Ways To Avoid Plumbing Issues

Unwanted water, in the form of natural disasters or plumbing problems, can cause major damage. As a business owner, you strive to keep your building in good condition by performing regular maintenance. Water issues can quickly become costly repairs; therefore, it’s wise to be proactive about preventing issues. Here are three tips for preventing plumbing complications.

1. Delegate
One of the best things you can do as a manager or business owner is delegate responsibilities. Preventing major water damage involves ongoing inspection and maintenance. You simply don’t have time to handle this job on your own. Hire a maintenance manager and staff to oversee all items related to facility maintenance. Having individuals assigned to prevent plumbing problems will save your The Woodlands, TX, company money in the long run.

2. Educate
Once you’ve hired a maintenance manager or team, it’s important to provide training and education. Employees must know the common areas to check for plumbing issues and understand that it’s critical to fix a broken pipe, check for water spots and investigate low water pressure. All of these instances, and more, indicate a potential water problem.

3. Inspect
Regular inspection is key to finding and stopping a plumbing issue. Some of the areas that should be regularly inspected include:

• Toilets, sinks and showers
• Underneath sinks
• Water heaters
• Ceilings
• Water main
• Anywhere with exposed water pipes
• The ground outside, especially near sewer pipes

Your maintenance staff should be trained to frequently inspect these areas, as well as any other plumbing areas specific to your property. It’s also wise to have the contact information available for a water damage restoration company. Trained restoration specialists are Faster to Any Size Disaster and can restore your property quickly and correctly.
Plumbing problems can quickly cause expensive water damage. Be proactive in preventing issues by delegating responsibilities, educating employees, and inspecting your building on a regular basis.